Facebook IPO

Perhaps the biggest tech story of 2012 was the highly anticipated event of Facebook going public at a whopping, previously unheard valuation of $100 billion.

The IPO driven by gung-ho analysts and rabid media ensured that the stock was already oversubscribed forcing Facebook to issue more shares. Not since the Google IPO debut had NASDAQ witnessed such madness.

But the IPO was a damp squib from day one, with the stock tanking on debut and in the process leaving thousands of investors with a lighter wallet. For the first time, the company that could do no wrong looked like a loser. Analysts had concerns about Facebook’s flat audience growth in the US, its ability to keep revenues growing at a fast clip and questions around how it will monetize mobile.

After weeks of the stock dipping and going below the $20 mark, it has picked up somewhat, buoyed by better mobile monetization and Zuckerberg assurance that Facebook will explore new revenue streams.
The company’s latest milestone was to breach the 1 billion active user mark.

Virat Kohli Indias performer of the year

 

Virat Kohli had proven his talent long ago. As the previous year’s highest scorer in ODIs, he had also demonstrated his capability to shine on the international stage. So just how did 2012 become the year of Virat Kohli?

For one, Kohli showed that he had the ability to focus on his game.  Till recently the brash batsman from Delhi was more in the news for his angry young man attitude and lavish lifestyle. Reacting to abusive crowds with the middle finger and to his own dismissals with a selection of expletives didn’t exactly earn him brownie points.

Things changed when India’s new star decided to let his bat do all the talking instead. He was the architect of famous wins in the CB series triangular and in the Asia Cup, bringing India back from the brink of nowhere. He conquered bouncy tracks and hostile bowlers in Australia while all the other established batting legends were struggling to get bat to ball. His performance Down Under cemented his place in the Test side and he was India’s lone positive from the tour.

What further marked Virat’s coming of age, was his ability to master all three formats of the sport. In an era of specialisation, Kohli alone stands out from the new brigade as someone who has seamlessly blended into Tests, ODIs and T20 cricket without having to alter his game.  He has a sound technique against the quicks and spinners alike, but never misses out on the opportunity to play his shots.

With consistency as his watchword and a brief stint as vice-captain under his belt, Kohli is now being touted as the natural successor to both Sachin Tendulkar (as batsman) and MS Dhoni (as captain). Big boots, indeed.

Delhi government announces Rs 15 lakh for rape victims family

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government Monday announced a compensation of Rs.15 lakh to the family of the gang-rape victim who died Saturday.

The government has also announced a government job for one member of her family.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, said an official.

The woman was brutally raped Dec 16 and died Saturday in Singapore. She was cremated here Sunday morning.