Makkad G's 10101 | 02.02 | Jan 16-31, 2008

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Makkad G’s 10101

1nformation 0n 1ndian 0nline 1ndustry

(Beta…, Beti, Bhai, Behen. Every1’s invited!)

Version 02.02

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Hello,

Here’s your issue of Makkad G’s 10101 for January 16–31, 2008.

Happy Reading!

Makkad G

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Talk of the Town

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Consim Info (BharatMatrimony) plans to raise 2nd round of VC funding
Consim Info (formerly the BharatMatrimony Group) is planning to raise a second round of venture capital funding to carry out its expansion activities for which the company would need about $5 million. Consim Info has so far raised $8.65 million from Yahoo and Canaan Partners.

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IRCTC may allow travel portals to sell railway tickets by mid-2008
Indian Railways is considering offering application program interface (API) to online travel agents (OTAs) by mid-2008. The API function will enable OTAs and other travel agents with online portals to sell inventory of airlines and railways through a single interface.

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HolidayIQ claims to attract 5 million travelers till date
Travel community portal HolidayIQ.com claims to have attracted over 5 million travelers to the site, since its inception. India Resorts Survey, the previous avatar of HolidayIQ started operations in 2004 with an aim to create an online travel community and getting the community to contribute feedback on tourism destinations and hotels across India.

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AutoIndia receives angel investment from Babu Sivadasan
AutoIndia.com has received angel investment from Babu Sivadasan, currently SVP Engineering at Envestnet Asset Management. Following the investment, Sivadasan has joined AutoIndia.com’s board of directors.

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Guruji.com claims to get 1 crore users a month
Local search engine Guruji.com is planning to go global in the next couple of years. According to Anurag Dod, chief executive officer, Guruji.com, the search engine currently serves around one crore users a month and is targeting around six crore in the next seven months.

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Google makes $3.5 million philanthropic grants to Indian organisations
Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, has announced grants of about $3.5 million to three Indian organisations — Pratham, Centre for Budget and Policy Studies and Centre for Policy Research. The move is a part of Google.org’s core initiatives announced to combat climate change, poverty and emerging threats. The initiatives are aimed at helping people better their lives.

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123Greetings.com gets Series-A funding from Intel Capital
123Greetings.com, a leading provider of online e-card services, has received Series-A investment led by Intel Capital. According to IntraSoft Technologies, the owner of 123Greetings, the proceeds from the investment would be used to support future product launches, sales and marketing, infrastructure and expansion both in India and internationally.

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Info Edge (Naukri) net profit grows by 60% at Rs 14 crore for 3Q07-08
Info Edge India, owner of jobs site Naukri.com, has reported a growth of 60 per cent in net profit at Rs 13.09 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2007, as compared to Rs 8.15 crore recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2006. Total income increased by 59 per cent to Rs 60.18 crore from Rs 37.92 crore recorded a year ago.

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Sify posts 3Q07-08 net profit of $1.55 million; revenues grows to $38.38 million
Sify Technologies has reported a growth of 8.7 per cent in its revenues at $38.38 million for the third quarter ended December 2007, as against $35.30 million in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Net profit was $1.55 million as compared to the previous quarter’s net loss of $1.26 million and a net profit of $1.05 million in the quarter ended Dec 2006. Sify ended the third quarter with a cash balance of $42 million after capital expenditure of $5.94 million during the quarter.

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Rediff posts 10% growth in revenues at $8.5 million for 3Q07-08
Rediff has reported a growth of 10 per cent in its revenues at $8.53 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2007, as compared to $7.75 million in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.

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WebSight!-Spin the Web. Explore!

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Hotcourses India's UniGuru.com aims to guide Indian students looking for courses in higher education institutes abroad. The company also plans to launch a parallel site for domestic universities in India next year.

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i-Government is a interactive, peer-to-peer platform that aims at providing e-Gov champions with information on better strategies and policies for good governance.

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LaunchPad-Just Born Online (I just love the Betas!)

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Infiniti Software launches distressed inventory travel site AtYourPrice.in
Chennai-based Infiniti Software Solutions has launched AtYourPrice.in, an online travel marketplace where consumers can buy products and services at the price that they are willing to pay and vendors can dispose of unsold inventory at lower than the published price.

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Sabeer Bhatia launches free conferencing service SabseBolo
Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia has launched SabseBolo.com that offers a free conferencing facility for individuals and small and medium enterprises. According to Bhatia, revenue for this business will be generated through advertisements.

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Haryana launches website to facilitate investment in the state
The Haryana government, in association with Microsoft India, has launched HaryanaIndustries.nic.in, which aims to provide a window for global and national investors to look into the advantages Haryana offers as an investment destination and facilitate their involvement by providing relevant information and facilities online.

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Yahoo launches Behavioral Targeting solution for advertisers in India
Yahoo has launched its Behavioral Targeting solution for advertisers in India. Yahoo Behavioral Targeting, which has been available in US since 2000, allows web publishers and ad networks to track the online behaviors of their users who are then served ads that are best suited to the users’ interests.

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WhereIsMyBoss.com enables job seekers to get interviewed online
PGC Infotech has launched WhereIsMyBoss.com, a job portal that features an online video interviewing facility, dubbed LiveConnect. WhereIsMyBoss.com also claims to allow job seekers an option to select employers of their choice and vice versa.

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AskLaila introduces local search engine for Mumbai
Local search engine AskLaila.com, currently present in Bangalore, has introduced its services in Mumbai. AskLaila, a service from Bangalore-based start-up Four Interactive, provides users an online platform to search, review, rate and recommend local businesses and services.

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Fashion TV launches India centric fashion portal Ftv.co.in
Fashion TV has launched an India centric fashion portal Ftv.co.in as a one stop destination for fashion enthusiasts who could get their complete dose of information on everything related to fashion, entertainment and lifestyle in India and abroad.

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Indiatimes, Mobio launch mobile web-based platform iMobizo
Times Internet (Indiatimes.com) and US-based mobile VAS provider Mobio have jointly launched a mobile web-based platform iMobizo that will enable mobile subscribers in India to access cricket or stock news, contests, astrology, jokes, songs, ringtones, or latest political and business news by downloading the platform from the web.

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Microsoft launches networking site for law professionals, LegalAdda.com
Microsoft India has launched LegalAdda.com, an online community portal for law professionals. The site will also update people on topics like intellectual property rights.

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Web18 launches e-commerce portal Storeguru.com
Web18 Software Services, a part of the Network18 group, has launched an e-commerce portal Storeguru.com. Interestingly, the Network18 group has already another e-commerce portal HomeShop18.com.

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My FM radio launches interactive website MyFMIndia.com
Synergy Media Entertainment’s radio station My FM has launched its online portal MyFMIndia.com which will have podcasts of its radio shows. The website also allows listeners to send their song requests and listen to their favorite shows from MY FM.

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MeriNews.com launches Print version of Glimpses 2007
Citizen journalist news portal MeriNews.com has brought out a print magazine Glimpses 2007, which is a collection of select articles, comments and news items that were published on the site over the year 2007. MeriNews has also made Glimpses 2007 available in an online format.

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Nexus-Link.Un.Link

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Publicitas Digital to mange online sales for Reuters India website
Reuters India has appointed Publicitas Digital to provide online sales management for its recently launched website Reuters.co.in. Publicitas Digital will facilitate online media buys, provide digital marketing and creative online media solutions as well as develop long term monetization strategies for the news site.

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Dinesh Nair joins MindShare Interaction as Business Director
MindShare Interaction, the digital agency of Group M, has appointed Dinesh Nair as business director. Nair will handle the agency’s businesses in the New Delhi and Kolkata regions and will report to MindShare Interaction’s national director Madan Sanglikar.

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MakeMyTrip ties-up with IRCTC to sell customized rail-holiday packages
Online travel company MakeMyTrip.com has entered into a strategic partnership with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to sell customised rail-holiday packages.

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Maya Hari joins MSN India as Consumer Marketing Head
MSN India has appointed Maya Hari as head of consumer marketing. She will report to Jaspreet Bindra, country manager, MSN India. Prior to joining MSN India, Hari was senior marketing manager at Google India.

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Microsoft acquires 35% stake in e-service firm Oxigen
Microsoft has acquired 35 per cent stake in Oxigen Services India, an e-distribution company that enables services like recharges, bill payments and subscriptions for telecom operators, internet service providers, direct-to-home broadcasters and railway and airline ticket booking.

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SaraiBooking.com launched to help Sikh pilgrims find accommodation
Amritpal Singh, an NRI based in Singapore, has launched SaraiBooking.com to help Sikh pilgrims find and book accommodation at Sarais (inns) while they are visiting Gurudwaras in India.

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WOW-Worth ‘O’ Watch!

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That’s all for now folks!

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Makkad-postcarding-G

http://makkadgs10101.blogspot.com/

Makkad G's 10101 | 02.01 | Jan 01-15, 2008

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Makkad G's 10101

1nformation 0n 1ndian 0nline 1ndustry

(Beta…, Beti, Bhai, Behen. Every1's invited!)

Version 02.01

-

Hello,

Here's your issue of Makkad G's 10101 for January 1–15, 2008.

Happy Reading!

-

Makkad G

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Talk of the Town

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BigAdda plans to open up its public addas for advertisers
Reliance Entertainment's social networking site BigAdda.com is developing customized solutions for advertisers such as allowing them to create their own branded addas (communities) on the site. BigAdda also plans to enable advertisers place display ads in a contextual manner.

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Tangerine Digital plans to launch online serial on Campus18.com
Tangerine Digital Entertainment is planning to launch an online interactive serial on its youth portal Campus18.com by Mar-Apr 2008. The online serial would be targeted at the youth in the 16-24 years age-group.

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Tradeindia plans to host videos of suppliers' facilities for buyers
B2B portal TradeIndia.com has introduced a Call Me Free service which enables buyers to provide their phone number and get instantly connected to the respective suppliers through Tradeindia's operators for free. Tradeindia is now planning to introduce an SMS enquiry service to speed up transactions, and host online videos of suppliers' facilities for buyers to see before they contact them.

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PubMatic raises $7 million from Nexus India, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Helion Ventures
PubMatic, which enables online publishers to maximize their ad revenue, has received $7 million VC fund from Nexus India Capital, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and Helion Ventures. The ad optimization company plans to use the fund for beta expansion and accelerated product development.

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Bharti to issue VeriSign SSL certification in India
Telecom operator Bharti Airtel and internet security provider VeriSign are set to enter into a deal under which Bharti will become an issuing authority for SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certification in India. Any business that provides solutions or transactions on the internet, if it is SSL certified, implies the transaction is secure.

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IAMAI, Korea Game Industry sign MoU to develop gaming in India
On the first day of the India Digital Summit 2008, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Murugavel Janakiraman, chairman, Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kyu-Nam Choi, president, Korea Game Industry Agency (KOGIA).

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UTV to acquire ITNation that owns Techtree, CXOtoday, ChannelTimes
UTV Software Communications, a diversified media and entertainment company, is in the process to acquire Mumbai-based online tech media company ITNation that owns Techtree.com, CXOtoday.com, ChannelTimes.com and Enterpriser.in besides an offline 360 Magazine. The deal is expected to close in a month.

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Tyroo, iXiGO, DimDim among 10 'Most Interesting Start-ups'
Business daily Mint, a part of the HT Media group, has come out with a list of the 10 "most interesting start-ups" to watch for in 2008. The list includes, Tyroo Media (online ad network), iXiGO.com (travel meta search) and DimDim (online Web conferencing).

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Chandamama.com lets users share stories through Mundu web messenger
Chandamama.com, the website of a popular children's magazine Chandamama, has integrated Mundu IM web messenger with its online stories. With the new feature, children can not only read their favorite stories but also instantly refer them to friends and chat with them through the Mundu IM link integrated into each story.

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ClickJobs does a complete integration of Internet, Mobile and Print
Clickjobs.com, a part of the Consim Info (BharatMatrimony) group, has entered into a strategic alliance with the Businessworld magazine. Under the deal, the magazine publishes a 16-page co-branded section Purple Patch which provides information on various jobs, each job accompanied by a short code. And if a particular job is of interest to a ClickJobs user, he can instruct the job portal to send his resume to the concerned company by just sending an SMS to 55050 mentioning the specific short code.

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TutorVista plans to raise $15 million to launch its services in India
Online tutoring firm TutorVista, which has made inroads in US and UK, is now rolling out a major India business plan for which it is planning to raise $15 million. Earlier, TutorVista had received $2.5 million funding from Manipal Education Group, $7 million from Lightspeed Ventures Partners and $2 million from Sequoia Capital India.

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MapmyIndia Navigator to come pre-equipped with GM's premium cars in India
CE Info Systems (MapmyIndia.com) has said its in-car GPS navigation device MapmyIndia Navigator will now come equipped as a standard accessory in all variants of General Motors' premium cars in India.

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BharatStudent.com plans to invest Rs 25 crore in 2 years
Social networking site BharatStudent.com plans to invest around Rs 25 crore over the next two years. Of this, 25 per cent would be capital expenditure, while the rest would be infused into scaling up our human resources pool, creating visibility of the portal and brand recalling involving online, TV and print media advertisements.

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StudyPlaces gets $3 million VC fund from KPCB, Sherpalo, Info Edge
Education portal StudyPlaces.com has received $3 million from venture capital firms Kleiner Perkins, Caufield & Byers (KPCB), Ram Shriram's Sherpalo Ventures and the internet company Info Edge (Naukri.com).

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Motorola acquires music download company Soundbuzz
Motorola has acquired Singapore-based online and mobile music download company Soundbuzz, which enables music lovers throughout Asia to buy and download music tracks onto their PCs, portable music players and mobile phones.

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BigAdda claims 1.24 million registered users; adding 15 Indians a minute
Social networking site BigAdda.com, a part of the Reliance ADA Group, claims to have added 1.24 million Indian youth in just four months of launch. BigAdda.com was launched on August 13, 2007. According to BigAdda, 15 Indians join Bigadda.com every minute. The social networking site has set a target of adding 10 million registered users by 2010.

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WebSight!-Spin the Web. Explore!

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RedBus enables villagers in Karnataka to book bus tickets online
Online bus ticketing company RedBus.in has partnered with Comat Technologies to enable Karnataka's rural citizens to book bus tickets to various destinations across India. The service will be provided through Comat's Nemmadi internet-enabled tele-centres being set-up in the rural areas of Karnataka.

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LaunchPad-Just Born Online (I just love the Betas!)

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MonsterIndia launches SMS-based job search application
Jobs portal MonsterIndia.com has launched an SMS-based job search application that enables users to get the top three job matches in a relevant category as an SMS on their mobile phones. To get the job matches, users just need to type text such as 'Jobs Brand Manager Delhi' and SMS it to 53030.

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Gnome.in launched to help designers showcase their creativity
Mumbai-based start-up Fingerprints Fashions has launched the beta version of Gnome.in that aims to provide an online platform for designers and hobbyists to showcase their creativity, possibly win amongst a community of peers and have their products selling online as well as across stores.

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Webdunia launches online poll to choose most eminent Indians
Multi-lingual portal Webdunia.com has launched an online poll to choose the most eminent Indians from the field of global citizenry, political leaders, cricketers, sports persons, films stars, as well as the best of Indian movies of 2007. The online poll is open till January 10, 2008.

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ShopImagine.in launched to sell luxury lingerie items
US-based woman entrepreneur Hina Saiya has launched ShopImagine.in, an online retail store that will offer luxury lingerie items for the Indian urban professional women.

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Nexus-Link.Un.Link

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Yahoo oneSearch to be available on Reliance Mobile phones
Yahoo India has partnered with Reliance Communications to offer its mobile search product Yahoo oneSearch to Reliance Mobile users on both CDMA and GSM networks across India. Through Yahoo oneSearch, Reliance Mobile users will be able to access news, financial information, weather conditions, flight status information and Flickr photos.

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NDTV Convergence appoints Rajesh Kumar as National Sales Head

NDTV Convergence, which manages all the dotcom and mobile properties of the NDTV Group, has taken up ad sales responsibilities from January 1, 2008. NDTV Convergence has also appointed Rajesh Kumar as national head of sales. Kumar was earlier managing syndication and digital sales business at NDTV Convergence.

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LD Sharma on his way to become full time entrepreneur
L D Sharma, director (search and affiliates), DGM India, is on his way to become full time entrepreneur. Sharma, who has acquired more than 600 domain names in the last three years, is expected to launch a series of affiliate sites on different verticals and build a business model around them. One of such sites is BookFlights.co.in where he will optimize the site for search engines like Google and direct business traffic, for a fee, to the websites of online travel companies.

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NDTV Convergence ties-up with Ammas.com to launch NDTV Answers
NDTV Convergence has partnered with knowledge exchange portal Ammas.com to launch NDTV Answers, an online user-generated question answering service that offers rewards for quality answers.

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Percept Knorigin acquires SEM company Searchize
Percept Knorigin, digital media arm of Percept Holdings, has acquired Mumbai-based search engine marketing company Searchize. Searchize was founded by Ryan Govindan in 2004.

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MySpace India appoints Tarun Tripathi as director, marketing and content
Rupert Murdoch owned social networking site MySpace.com has launched its customized Indian website which is currently in Beta stage. Myspace has also appointed Tarun Tripathi, former head of marketing at Yash Raj Films, as director, marketing and content for its India operations.

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WOW-Worth 'O' Watch!

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Contests2Win.com has launched a Crossword engine that enables users to create their own crosswords without any serious alphabetical or mathematical calculations.

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Youth magazine JAM (Just Another Magazine) has launched a content social networking website ClubJam.Jammag.com that will have original content including texts, photographs and videos contributed by college students from across the country.

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That's all for now folks!

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Makkad-clubjamming-G

http://makkadgs10101.blogspot.com/