Microsoft's Steve Ballmer on Thursday unveiled its strategy and products for the "next web" at IndiMix ‘06 before web designers, developers and decision makers in Mumbai and around the country through video.

In a presentation that revealed mind boggling possibilities in the very near future, Mr Ballmer in his keynote address talked of the myriad ways companies can use software to forge distinctively new types of customer connections, highlighting new technologies along the way that will change the face of business and experiences on the Web.

Adding more than a touch of glamour to presentation were Microsoft’s partners like Yash Chopra, one of the earliest Web users in Bollywood and Anil Kumble, director of Stump Vision whose company will in January launch a package on their website that will make every cricket lover a serious statistician.

At the click of the mouse cricket enthusiasts can make their own scores and statistics even before the commentators come out with the statistics.

Microsoft and its partners showcased an exciting range of applications developed on Microsoft’s platform for the web including ASP.NET 2.0, Windows Presentation Foundation with Windows Vista and Microsoft Wxpression.

Mr Ballmer said "The internet is becoming an increasingly powerful way for companies to interact with customers. Software and services provide incredible opportunities to enhance these interactions".

AMDAVADIS will soon witness what is being touted as the largest and most extravagant show in Asia — Jaanta Raja — an epic drama on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. To be organized in the city by Kalashree, an organization promoting Marathi culture, the show will be held at the Karnavati club on December 6.

Besides a five-story stage to be erected around an area of 3,000 sq feet, a group of 250 artists from Mumbai, elephants and horses are the other highlights of the show.

The play, scripted by historian Baba Saheb Purandare, has been enacted 723 times across the country over the last 20 years, and has been attended by over 60 lakh people. Purandare will also be attending the show here.

Special invitations will be sent to the teachers and students of schools in Ahmedabad, so as to familiarize them with the life, experiences and war strategies of the Maratha warrior. ‘‘The play is in Hindi. Right from Shivaji’s birth to his rajyabhisheka, every aspect of the great warrior’s life will be enacted in the three-hour performance. Besides promoting Marathi culture, the idea of the show is to share the life history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with every citizen of the State,’’ says Kiran Mangalvedhekar of Kalashree.

‘‘It requires 30 days to build the huge set at an expense of Rs 1 crore. We will burst crackers worth Rs 10 lakh during the show,’’ says Kailash Chikhlikar of Kalashree.

The tickets priced from Rs 100 to Rs 500 can be obtained from Kalashree office, Mangalmurti building on Ashram Road.

Source: Expressindia.com