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FORM 6-K

 

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C., 20549

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month July, 2005

 

Commission File Number 001-15118

 

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VIDESH SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

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Videsh Sanchar Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mumbai 400 001, India

(Address of principal executive office)

 

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F  [X]        Form 40-F  [    ]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):             

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):             

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

Yes            No  [X]

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2 (b): 82 -              .

 

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Registrant hereby incorporates in the report on Form 6-K the following Exhibits:

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
1.		Intimation of Book Closure Dates of the company for the purpose of dividend for the year 2004-05.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

All words and statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Form 6-K (including the attached exhibits), including, without limitation, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “may”, “will”, “would” and “could” or similar words and statements concerning the registrant and its prospects, and other statements relating to the registrant’s expected financial position, business strategy, the future development of the registrant’s operations and the general economy in India, are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the registrant, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the registrant’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the registrant will operate in the future. The important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among others, changes in government policies or regulations of India and, in particular, changes relating to the administration of the registrant’s industry, and changes in general economic, business and credit conditions in India. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, many of which are not in the registrant’s control, include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in the registrant’s various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on September 29, 2004. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 6-K. The registrant expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the registrant’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: July 15, 2005

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EXHIBIT 1

 

 

Rishabh Nath Aditya

 

Deputy Company Secretary

 

HQ/CS/19^th AGM/11544

14 July 2005

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub: Intimation of Book Closure Dates of the Company.

 

Pursuant to clause 16 of the listing agreement, please be informed that the Register of Transfers and Register of Members of the Company shall remain closed from 1 August 2005 to 19 August 2005 (both days inclusive) for the purpose of dividend for the year 2004-05. Dividend on Equity Shares as recommended by the Directors for the year ended 31^st March, 2005, when declared by the members at the Annual General Meeting, will be paid:

 

(i)

to those shareholders whose names appear on the Company’s Register of Members after giving effect to all valid share transfers in physical form lodged with the Registrar & Transfer Agents (R&T Agents) of the Company on or before Friday, 29 July 2005.

 

(ii)

in respect of shares held in electronic form, to those “deemed members” whose names appear in the statements of beneficial ownership furnished by National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) and Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL) as at the end of business on Friday, 29 July 2005. In respect of shares held in demat mode, the dividend will be paid on the basis of beneficial ownership as per details to be furnished by NSDL and CDSL for this purpose.

 

2. The Board has recommended to the shareholders a normal dividend at the rate of Rs.4.50 and one time special dividend of Rs.1.50 per share on account of extra ordinary income total amounting to Rs.6/- per share (Rupees Six only) per share.

 

Thanking you,

 

 

VIDESH SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED

Lokmanya Videsh Sanchar Bhavan, Kashinath Dhuru Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai – 400028, India. Board : +91-22-56578765

Regd.Office : Videsh Sanchar Bhavan, M.G Road, Mumbai – 400 001

Direct : +91-22-56591965 email: Rishabh.aditya@vsnl.co.im