Magnasound signs on Daler Mehndi for Rs 2.5 crore: Here is another sign of the cut-throat competition music companies are facing and the lengths to which they will go to tackle it. Magnasound is lighter by a hefty Rs 2.5 crore, as it has renewed its contract with superstar DalerMehndi and kept away competitors from poaching. It will launch Mehndi's as yet untitled album by September this year. Magnasound introduced Mehndi in 1995 with his debut album `Bolo Ta Ra Ra' and followed it up with hits like `Dardi Rab Rab'. This sign-up comes as succour for Magansound as it had earlier lost Alisha Chinai and the Colonial Cousins, both platinum artistes, to HMV and Sony respectively. But industry observers are wondering if Rs 2.5 crore is not too high a price to pay for a company which recorded a turnover of around Rs 17 crore in 1997-98. Maybe the Daler magic will work the necessary wonder.

BPL Mobile On-The-Spot package: BPL Mobile, one of the two cellular-service providers in Mumbai, has introduced three new models with the hands free kit in the Mobile On The Spot package. The kit includes an earphone and a mouthpiece. MOTS is BPL Mobile's ready-to-use mobile pack, which consists of a mobile phone and Insta card. In addition to the models already offered with theproduct, BPL has introduced the three latest models. First, the Motorola Amio A 108, which is priced at Rs 9,000 -- with MOTS it is only 9,700 -- second, the Siemens S6 Power priced at Rs 9,000 (9,900) and third, the Philips Twist at Rs 8,500 (Rs 9,300).

Inter Gold launches jewellery for men: Inter Gold of Mumbai has launched an exclusive range of jewellery coinciding with Father's Day. The idea is to cater to a growing segment of Indian men who are sporting understated designs in jewellery as opposed to flashy designs. The men's jewellery at Inter Gold comprises studded and non-studded items in 18K gold in the latest international designs. They include cuff links, mobile rings, money clips and sherwani buttons, key chains and bracelets. Keeping with world-wide trends, Inter Gold has used a lot of white gold in its designs. The range starts at Rs 800 and goes up to Rs 70,000. The store also gives special gifts to customers buying jewellery above Rs 20,000.