RSS Feed (xml)Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Few women admit their age. Few men act theirs.
Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.
A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!"
When there's a will, I want to be in it."
A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience."
When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.";
It is always the best policy to speak the truth--unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.";
Traditions are group efforts to keep the unexpected from happening.";
People always call it luck when you've acted more sensibly than they have.";
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?";
I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want, an adorable pancreas?";
SOME QUOTES
IT'S STARTING TO RAIN
Two blondes were trying to unlock the door of their Mercedes with a coat hanger. Here is their dialogue:
Blonde One: I can't seem to get this door unlocked!
Blonde Two: Well, you'd better hurry up and try harder! it's starting to rain, and the top is down!
A LETTER TO GOD
Little Bobby came into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner. His birthday was coming up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted. "Mom, I want a bike for my birthday." Little Bobby was a bit of a troublemaker.
He had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Bobby's mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a bike for his birthday. Little Bobby, of course, thought he did. Bobby's mother, wanted Bobby to reflect on his behavior over the last year.
"Go to your room, Bobby, and think about how you have behaved this year. Then write a letter to God and tell him why you deserve a bike for your birthday." Little Bobby stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write God a letter.
Letter 1
Dear God,
I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.
Your friend, Bobby
Bobby knew that this wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year, so he tore up the letter and started over.
Letter 2
Dear God,
This is your friend Bobby. I have been a good boy this year and I would like a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you.
Your friend Bobby
Bobby knew that this wasn't true either. So, he tore up the letter and started again.
Letter 3
Dear God,
I have been an "OK "boy this year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday.
Bobby
Bobby knew he could not send this letter to God either. So, Bobby wrote a fourth letter.
Letter 4
God,
I know I haven't been a good boy this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my birthday. Please!
Thank you,
Bobby
Bobby knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a bike. Now, Bobby was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church. Bobby's mother thought her plan had worked, as Bobby looked very sad. "Just be home in time for dinner," Bobby's mother told him.
Bobby walked down the street to the church on the corner. Little Bobby went into the church and up to the altar. He looked around to see if anyone was there. Bobby bent down and picked up a statue of the Virgin Mary. He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his room. He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and a pen. Bobby began to write his letter to God.
Letter 5
God,
I've kidnapped your mama. If you want to see her again, send the bike!!
HOW TO MAKE A MAN & WOMAN HAPPY??
How to make a man and woman happy ?
To make a woman happy ..... A man only needs to be:
1. A friend
2. A companion
3. A lover
4. A brother
5. A father
6. A master
7. A chef
8. An electrician
9. A carpenter
10. A plumber
11. A mechanic
12. A decorator
13. A stylist
16. A psychologist
17. A pest exterminator
18. A psychiatrist
19. A healer
20. A good listener
21. An organizer
22. A good father
23. Very clean
24. Sympathetic
25. Athletic
26. Warm
27. Attentive
28. Gallant
29. Intelligent
30. Funny
31. Creative
32. Tender
33. Strong
34. Understanding
35. Tolerant
36. Prudent
37. Ambitious
38. Capable
39. Courageous
40. Determined
41. True
42. Dependable
43. Passionate
WITHOUT FORGETTING TO :
44. Give her compliments regularly
45. Love shopping
46. be honest
47. be very rich
48. Not stress her out
49. Not look at other girls
AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU MUST ALSO:
50. Give her lots of attention, but expect little yourself
51. Give her lots of time, especially time for herself
52. Give her lots of space, never worrying about where she goes
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT:
53. Never to forget:
* Birthdays
* Anniversaries
* Arrangements she makes
&
HOW TO MAKE A MAN HAPPY:
1. Leave him alone
HOW TO LIGHT A CIGARETTE??
Question: You are in a boat in the middle of a river. You have 2 Cigarettes and have to light any one cigarette. You don't have anything else with you in the boat? How will you do it?
Answer: Take one cigarette and throw it in the water. So the boat will become LIGHTER........using this LIGHTER you can light the other Cigarette.
Another deadly answer.
Scroll down a little...
Another solution: You throw a cigarette up and catch it. Catches win Matches. Using the matches that you win, you can light the cigarette.
If that was not enough, one more deadly answer....
scroll down...
Take water in your hand and drop it drop by drop...(TIP - TIP)"TIP TIP barsa Pani. Pani ne aag lagayee."us aag se hamne cigarette jalayee".
If that was not enough, one more deadly answer....
scroll down..
Start praising one cigarette, The other will get jealous & "jalney lagega"
Searching for me.....I am also searching for the person who sent it to me!!!
EIGHT GOLDEN RULES!!
Eight golden rules to approach a woman..
• Make eye contact before you approach: Eye contact can do a lot for you. If she holds your gaze and glances your way every now and then, look at it as a positive sign. However, if she refuses to look at you, your chances are slim.
• Don't express interest in her friends as well as her: Hitting on two women in the same group won't work.
• Make her feel like she's the most desirable woman in the world: It never fails to work.
• Don't avoid complimenting her even if you think she's heard it before: Everyone loves to hear their praise. Make sure you compliment the girl. However, don't over exaggerate or try to flatter her.
• Avoid cliches and pre-packaged pickup lines: Using a cliche will make a woman think that you are trying to hard to get a date with anyone who will fall for your oneliners.
• Don't be too pushy: Even if you do approach a woman in a disco, don't be too pushy. If she is not comfortable giving her number, respect her decision.
• Know when to walk away: Accept rejection and walk away before you end up with a black eye.
Joke: SOFTWARE ENGINEERS!!
There was a good old barber in Bangalore. One day a florist goes to him for a haircut. After the cut, he goes to pay the barber and the barber replies:
I am sorry, I cannot accept money from you; I am doing a Community Service. Florist is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, there is a "Thank You" Card and a dozen roses waiting at his door.
A Confectioner goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the barber he again refuses to take the money. The Confectioner is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, there is another "Thank you" Card and a dozen Cakes waiting at his door.
A Software Engineer goes for a haircut and he also goes to pay the barber again refuses the money saying that it was a community service.
The next morning when the Barber goes to open his shop, guess what he finds there......
Scroll down for answer... . . . . . . .. . . . ....
(Believe me it's worth it!!!!!!!!!!)
LOVE STORY - A BEAUTIFUL ONE!!
There was a blind girl who used to hate everyone except her Boyfriend........
She always used to say that I would marry you, if i could see!!
Suddenly one day some one donates her eyes.......and then when she sees her Boyfriend......she is astonished to see that her Boyfriend is also blind........
Her boyfriend then asks ...Darling!!!!WILL YOU MARRY ME NOW?
She thinks for a while and says, Sorry!!! But, I can't.........
Her Boyfriend goes away saying....
GOD BLESS YOU DEAR!!!! JUST TAKE CARE OF MY EYES!!
Katy Perry and Russell Brand take island honeymoon in Maldives
KATY Perry and Russell Brand have reportedly jetted to the Maldives for their honeymoon.
An airport official has confirmed to The AP that the newlyweds - who married in India on Saturday - left Jaipur on a chartered flight with friends earlier today.
They are reported to have tied the knot in a private ceremony at a resort in the country - where they became engaged in January - over the weekend.
Neither Perry or Brand has directly addressed the nuptials although the pair confirmed the wedding reports with identical messages on their Twitter accounts which read: "WE DID! (sic)" alongside a photograph of their names.
A spokesperson for the newlyweds later confirmed the marriage in a statement, saying that the stars were "overjoyed to confirm that they were pronounced Mr and Mrs Brand" and describing the ceremony - which was performed by a family friend of Perry - as "very private and spiritual".
Spice mobile goes 3D
INDIAN HANDSET FIRM Spice
The Spice M-67 3D has an auto stereoscopic display, according to the company's promotional pages, and will let users watch 3D content without the need for ridiculous glasses.
The firm said that its handset comes with a 3D video player, a 3D imaging viewer and a 3D user interface, and, because you are going to need somewhere to store all of this 3D media, 16GB of expandable memory.
Just in case you are worried about anyone coming across your collection of 3D content, the handset also offers remote wiping features, meaning that should it fall into the hands of any undesirables it should remain protected from their prying eyes.
Reactions to such a loss include the opportunity to nuke the handset's contents or - and we like the naivety of this one - send across a business card so that the new owner has all the information they need to return it.
Other features include dual stereo speakers, Bluetooth, a 2MP camera, an FM radio and MP3 player and the ability to use two GSM SIM cards. Here the firm suggested that there might be some productivity benefits, explaining, "With the multi-SIM capability of M-67 3D, don't let your personal life collide with your professional life."
The phone will be released in India, but we do not know if it will be sold elsewhere. µ
Manmohan concludes Japan visit, leaves for Malaysia
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today concluded his 3-day visit to Japan during which the two sides decided to hasten negotiations on a civil nuclear deal and agreed on a range of other issues to take their strategic partnership to new heights.
India and Japan also announced the firming up of Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, which will open trade between the two countries and slashing of taxes up to 94 per cent over the next decade.
Dr. Singh, who arrived here on Sunday, had a tight schedule which included talks with his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan, leaders from business and politics during which they discussed ways to further improve their ties.
Dr. Singh said “sky is the limit” for developing Japan-India relations, a proposition which is close to his heart.
From here, Dr. Singh, along with his wife Gursharan Kaur, left for Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur for talks with his counterpart Mohd Najib Tin Abdul Razak.
During his visit, the two sides will sign a number of pacts and announce conclusion of negotiations on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), which covers range of trade aspects, including investment, services and customs.
Summing up Singh’s Japan visit, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said the two Prime Ministers had “comprehensive” discussions and felt the need for developing all encompassing relations covering political, economy and security aspects.
The two sides also decided to establish a ministerial level Economic Dialogue between India and Japan to give strategic and long—term policy orientation to their bilateral engagement.
The proposal was mooted by Japan, which already has such a Dialogue with China.
During the visit, Dr. Singh and Mr. Kan affirmed that cooperation in nuclear sector “will open up new opportunities for further developing the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership.”
The two leaders also “encouraged” their negotiators to arrive at a mutually-satisfactory agreement for civil nuclear cooperation at an early date.”
Kashmir has never been integral part of India: Arundhati
Activist Arundhati Roy, who created a controversy the other day by questioning Jammu and Kashmir's accession to the Union, on Sunday harped on the same thing saying that the state was never an integral part of India. Roy was speaking at a seminar on the theme 'Wither Kashmir: Freedom or enslavement' organised by Coalition of Civil Societies (CCS) here.
"Kashmir has never been an integral part of India. It is an historical fact. Even the Indian Government has accepted this," the Booker Prize winner said.
Roy alleged that India became "colonizing power" soon after its independence from British rule.
Arundhati Roy shared the stage with Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani at the convention on 'Azadi--The Only Way', among others in Delhi on Thursday.
Coal India gives investors exit option until Oct 25
NEW DELHI Oct 22 (Reuters) - Coal India, whose $3.5 billion IPO was more than 15 times subscribed, has been asked by the capital markets regulator to offer investors an exit option until Oct. 25 after errors were pointed out in its prospectus, the state-run company's chairman said.
Partha Bhattacharyya said figures were "interchanged" in two places and termed them as "typographical errors".
Finance Director A.K. Sinha said accretion in stock and other income got interchanged in the company's standalone financial statement printed in the prospectus and it had no impact on the company's total income and profit figures.
Asked if the exit option would have any impact on the subscriptions, Bhattacharyya said: "This is a trivial kind of a thing. We wanted to abide by the regulation. "I don't see any impact."
For an earlier Reuters story on the largest Indian IPO, see [ID:nSGE69K0JD] (Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)
The bikini you love best on Mallika
Russell Band Plans Family With Katy
Russell Barnd thinks he will be a very good father as he loves children. He confesses that even amidst his acting and work, whenever he had his friends children around, he would start playing with them and the kids too are very fond of him.
The otherwise famous womeniser, Russell Brand, now confesses that he is head over heels on Katy Perry and can't wait to get married and have a family with her.
“It’s nice and when you find someone you get on with things like fame and celebrity cease to matter and it’s like having a mate and someone you get on with and can be normal with,” says Russell.
He also further revealed that Katy Perry gets on very well with his mother Barbara. “Katy was lovely when she met my mum. She came round my mum’s house. Katy’s dead nice and normal, a down to earth easy going sort of person. She’s really, really sweet and easy to be around and she was lovely with my mum, they get on right well. But you don’t want them getting too much of an alliance going though do you? You want to keep people baffled and confused, you don’t want them coming down on you.”
Katy Perry and Russell Brand, are looking forward their wedding in one of the most beautiful places of India, Jaipur.
Two is company
When observed closely, one can say that Ram Gopal Varma and Vivek Oberoi have led parallel lives. Both know what it’s to be on the top of the game, and both know what it’s to be down and out. With Rakht Charitra, releasing today, the duo hopes the world will once again sit up and take notice of the hard work they have put into a project together. Their wish list also includes setting the cash registers ringing — that’s something neither of them has done in a long time.
“In so many years, it was for the first time that I felt a certain passion while doing a film. I used to reach the venue earlier than the scheduled time. It felt exactly the same when I did Company. The only difference was, this film marks my debut in the South with the Tamil and Telugu versions,” says Oberoi, who portrays the character of the Andhra Pradesh politician Paritala Ravi, a rebel-turned-politician. Varma terms this as “Vivek’s best performance”. Oberoi was the director’s natural choice for the role. “There are less than 10 actors in the country,” says the filmmaker, who feels Oberoi has a vulnerable, cocky and arrogant attitude about him which makes him a good actor.
The partnership of Varma and Oberoi goes back to 2000 when the latter’s father, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, had come to Varma with a few pictures of his son. “At that point, I was looking for somebody to play Chandu in Company. Suresh (Oberoi) happened to come to me at the right time. I looked at his photographs and immediately decided to cast him,” reminisces Varma. Oberoi was happy to be debuting with the talented filmmaker, who was known for successful films like Satya, Rangeela, and Shiva. “There was no way I would have said no,” says the actor, who became a popular face in Bollywood soon after the release.
John's the best, forget the rest!
Sukanya Verma reviews Jhootha Hi Sahi.
Betraying the heroine by acquiring someone else's identity or concealing one's own in order to win her heart is old hat as far as Bollywood formulas go. Professor, Saajan, Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Chachi 420, Ghajini [ Images ], anyone? Except by setting this romantic script around a telephone helpline number, filmmaker Abbas Tyrewala and story-writer Pakhi make the proceedings a tad more interesting.
The latter, also Tyrewala's significant other, is the leading lady of this jointly collaborated rom-com, Jhootha Hi Sahi. Not exactly a bright casting judgment from the otherwise incisive, versatile creative who appointed the missus to assemble actors for his critically and commercially-acclaimed directorial debut, Jaane Tu [ Images ]...Yaa Jaane Na.
Pakhi previously played a college teacher in Hansal Mehta's Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai but failed to grab eyeballs. While Jhootha Hi Sahi is a decidedly extensive platform to display her acting chops, the lady's complete lack of screen presence makes it an unlikely feat. Nonetheless, most of the supporting cast is adept at communicating Tyrewala's blend of crisp, zany humour and the ensuing implausibility with heartening simplicity.
Even so it's John Abraham [ Images ] who steals the show with little help from his Clark Kent glasses, barely-there stubble and snug khaki pants. But mostly it's the untapped guy-next-door appeal and soothing texture of his gentle voice (stutter included) that does the trick. It's commendable for an enduring sex symbol to make the viewer forget he's one and see him in an entirely new, earnest light. He's genuinely notable and not just sincere, which, frankly is a polite way of saying 'lousy actor, tremendous effort.'
JA plays Siddharth, a National Geographic-obsessed nerdy owner of an Indian book store in London [ Images ], which he runs in partnership with his Notting Hill/Friends-inspired circle of friends -- caustic Omar (Raghu Ram makes an effortless transition from ruthless to real and fun) and fumbling Amit (Omar Khan is hilarious with the creepy Did you knows?). His hoity-toity girlfriend, Krutika/Kuttika (Manasi Scott is convincingly bullheaded), Omar's short-tempered pregnant sister Aliya (Alishka Varde, sweet face, terrible dialogue delivery), her besotted boyfriend Nick (a harmless George Young), Amit's secret crush Uday (Prashant Chawla underplays the homosexual clich) extend the narrative with their definitive quirks and preferences.
A mix-up of telephone numbers results in Sid volunteering to calm down suicidal folk calling for help followed by SOS voice cameos of Imran Khan [ Images ], Ritesh Deshmukh [ Images ] and Abhishek Bachchan [ Images ]. It's a droll gimmick and works well.
One such phone call introduces him and us to Miskha 'from the video store' (Pakhi) who can be best summed up with a slightly altered Pedro Almodovar movie title -- Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Her reasons too, like that of Priyanka Chopra [ Images ] in the recently released Anjaana Anjaani, involve boyfriend trouble. Read that as R Madhavan [ Images ] (in a rare overdone performance) reduced to a Raj Kiran brand of conceited and condescending character.
For a script so hopelessly dependent on conversation, Jhootha Hi Sahi is one spark-free one on one. Sad, considering Tyrewala's mastery of words, genre no bar, makes him one of the best screenwriters in the business. Instead the screenplay resorts to the oldest and convenient-most trick in the trade of substituting verbal interaction for tame song sequences. At the same time, dialogues go out of their way to emphasise on its heroine's implied good looks. Only Pakhi, with her hard expressions, and a warmth-exuding John share zero chemistry. That, plus her needy, indecisive and clingy Mishka dissuade you from making any connect; forget rooting for a happily ever-after.
Disapproval aside, Pakhi ensures she gifts herself a rather elaborate, filmi climax around the majestic Tower Bridge, which is almost in the same over-the-top vein if not as endearing as the one in Jaane Tu...Yaa Jaane Na.
The first-film hangover is evident every now and then. Similar to Jaane Tu's opening titles featuring A R Rahman's [ Images ] jazz-coated Tu bole played out against a blurred out montage of Mumbai [ Images ], Jhootha Hi Sahi too sets off scanning a sky high view of Central London in tandem with Vijay Yesudas's soulful serenade, I'll be waiting.
Judge rejects BJP MLAs' plea for records
SC sets parameters for live-in maintenance
A long-term live-in relationship between a couple who have lived like spouses in the eyes of society deserves the same legal status as given to a formal marriage, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday.
Describing live-in relationship as an emerging social phenomenon in “big” urban cities, the court clarified the law to hold that a woman abandoned by her live-in companion is eligible to claim maintenance from him, provided both were single and had lived like spouses in the eyes of society for a substantial period of time.
These observations were passed in a judgment defining the expression “relationships in the nature of marriage” in the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. The statute provides that a woman deserted from such a relationship is equally eligible for maintenance as a woman abandoned by her legally wedded husband.
Showtime for Bollywood
Sometimes, the script of a show is tweaked to accommodate film stars. “The actors can be weaved into the script in such a way that viewers can connect with them,” says Kapadia.Abhishek Bachchan made an appearance on Colors’ show Balika Vadhu prior to his flop film, Drona, while actors Sharman Joshi and Vatsal Seth appeared on a Valentine’s Day special of a show when they had the romcom, Toh Baat Pakki, coming up. Actor Ajay Devgn will feature in an upcoming episode of Crime Patrol to promote his film, Aakrosh.
Other A-listers have also been bitten by the television bug include. While Akshay had a cameo appearance on Star Plus’ Sasural Genda Phool for his movie Khatta Meetha, Salman Khan was seen promoting Dabangg on Laagi Tujhse Lagan, aired on Colors. Emraan Hashmi and Prachi Desai made a guest appearance on Sony’s long-running detective show, CID, for Once Upon A Time in Mumbai.
John Abraham is set to feature on two Sab TV shows — FIR and Taarak Mehta — where he will be seen promoting Abbas Tyrewala’s Jhootha Hi Sahi. Mallika Sherawat too will make an appearance on Colors’ show Naa Aana Iss Des Ladoo to promote her much-awaited film, Hisss.
Travesty, if retailers shy away from Coal India IPO: Udayan
The Coal India IPO has seen heavy-duty demand. India's biggest IPO has been subscribed at 11.4 times on day 3. The QIB book which closes today has seen blockbuster demand of over 24 times. The response has been quite unprecedented in Indian capital markets’ history. Retail and non-institutional investors' portion got subscribed 0.79 times and 1.38 times, respectively.
The issue has seen a total demand of USD 35 billion. It has received bids for 656.15 crore equity shares as against the issue size of 63.16 crore shares. The issue will close on October 21 for retail investors, NIIs and employees.
CNBC-TV18’s Udayan Mukherjee felt though response was always expected to be good for the issue the numbers are quite staggering. “About 25 times on the QIB book, I was expecting 15 times odd at best but 25 times on that bigger book, so you got USD 38 billion. That is the number of money, amount of money which has been put in I think it is overwhelming and it tell you that you get good quality paper out at a good price most importantly because the same global investors were all around through the year. They had bigger issues not as big as Coal India like NMDC, which was an opportunity which the government let pass. There was NHPC but you did not see this kind of subscription at all. A lot of global investors complaint that the pricing was too steep and they chose to stay away. But finally we have got this right. We hope the government gets enthused by this and subsequent issues they actually offer a global investors stock at attractive prices because there will be many more big issues like NMDC etc, which will all come about. So I think this is a seminal event. The fact that one Indian IPO can attract USD 38 billion of cash,” he said.
He further added, “It has put end to a lot of hope or fears that we always had in the market that every time we get a 2-3 billion dollar kind of issuance it will automatically chock the secondary market. Coal India tells you that should not be the case. For good quality paper, new money will come to India and you will get huge amount of subscriptions. I am very bullish at what is happened with the Coal India. I think more importantly you will see a huge amount of oversubscription for HNIs.”
Explaining the problem faced by retail, Mukherjee said, “Since the amount is fixed you need for oversubscription a huge number of people to come in and bid. The same is not true for HNIs or QIBs there the money is important. So I think HNIs oversubscription will be absolutely staggering and very little allotment will be got by a lot of the HNIs who are leveraging and bidding. On retail, I think that is the test—how many new investors can Coal India convert? I still think today being the last day if it is not too late a lot of people should come in and start looking at this issue and it would be a travesty if some part of retail is under subscribed or retail does not get oversubscribed because I think they would be passing of an opportunity.”
Katy in-tent on wedding day luxury
Russell Brand and Katy Perry arrived in India last night ready for their wedding this weekend.
The couple will tie the knot at the salubrious tented resort of Aman-i-Khas - on the edge of a tiger reserve.
They landed at Jaipur and made the three-hour journey to the camp in a Mercedes with blacked out windows.
Twenty guests, including Katy's parents and comedian David Baddiel, also arrived at the desert city.
The couple have been busy planning their big day ever since Brand, 35, proposed to the 26-year-old singer during a holiday in India last year.
She is reported to have hired renowned wedding planner Mindy Weiss to arrange the ceremony.
Aman-i-Khas is situated next to the Ranthambore national park, the best place in India to spot wild tigers.
Its 10 eco-chic tents cost £600-a-night each. Sources say the pair have booked the entire camp for the week.
Buy Cheap tickets for the upcoming X Factor Live 2011 Tour , prices start at £27
Mallika's brother not happy with her nude scenes
We heard not long ago that Mallika Sherawat's brother Vikram Singh staged ruckus on the sets of Hisss, as he was not comfortable with his sister doing nude scenes, but nobody from the film unit spoke out then. Now that the film is getting ready for release, the actress herself has opened up.
Mallika Sherawat, who is currently busy promoting Hisss, admitted that her brother objected to her nude scenes in the film and even walked out of the sets. However, she didn't listen to him and shot the steamy scenes.
Besides nude scenes, the daring actress has lovemaking scenes with snake. She kissed and licked a snake and even claimed that it was the best kiss she has ever had.
Hisss, directed by Jennifer Lynch and produced by Govind Menon, Vikram Singh, Ratan Jain and William Sees Keenan, is all set for release this Friday, October 22. Mallika Sherawat plays the lead role with Irrfan Khan and Jeff Doucette as her co-stars.
Schedule for Obama's India visit not finalised yet'
WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama's visit to India next month would primarily focus on Mumbai and New Delhi, the White House has said, adding that the schedule has not been finalised yet.
Responding to questions about Obama cancelling his trip to Amritsar as reported earlier, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that the President would love to spend more time than the three days he has in India.
"Look, it's a big country. We would love to spend a lot more than the three allotted days that we have in India. This trip will focus our business in the cities of Mumbai and New Delhi. But we pick where we're going to go on trips based on what we hope to accomplish," Gibbs said.
"We pick sites on foreign trips based on what the President wants to accomplish. We've not finalised the schedule for Asia, including India, yet. We hope to do that over the course of the next week," he said in response to a question.
"We send advance people to many places in each country before we make decisions, in consultation with the host country, in this case the Indian government, about where to go," Gibbs said.
After a presidential advance trip visited Amritsar last month, it was being widely speculated that Obama would travel to Amritsar and visit the Golden temple there.
According to some reports, the White House team, which visited India last month, had ruled out Obama wearing the traditional scarf to cover his head as they felt may convey an image of him appearing to be a Muslim -- a misinterpretation which the team would like to avoid.
"India is a vast and extraordinary country, and there are many more events that the President would like to do - and sites that our advance teams visit - than he will have time for during a three day visit," a White House official had said.
The US President is confident of achieving a tangible result during his first-ever trip to India, Gibbs had noted
Kareena Kapoor to do hips shake in Shakira style!
In the title track of the much awaited Golmaal 3 we will see Kareena Kapoor swaying her hips Shakira style!!Kareena will be seen belly dancing in this hot new number. Sources from the sets revealed that Kareena was quite a pro when it came to learning these steps. She picked up the steps quickly and gave excellent takes without much rehearsal.
People who have seen the song are raving about her look in it. In Jab We Met Kareena made the harem pants a popular trend and with this song she has brought the trend back with a twist! She is sporting harem pants with ganjis and a lot of bangles.
Whatever Bebo does she does it with her very own magic touch and with this song we are sure she will bring back the charisma of belly dancing!
Actress Mallika Sherawat's 'Hisss' gets the Princess of Travancore
Actress Mallika Sherawat's forthcoming film "Hisss" has been making quite a buzz and the latest is that Lakshmi Bai, the erstwhile princess of Travancore, will make an appearance in the movie. "Akka" as she is affectionately called by close friends and family, met "Hisss" diector Jennifer Lynch through family friend Govind Menon, who is producing the film.
When Lynch was casting for the role of Divya Dutta's mother, she offered the role to Lakshmi Bai who initially refused. But after much convincing and cajoling, she finally agreed to be part of the film.
"Akka is a natural storyteller. Her intelligence and grace are matched only by her incredible instinct about people and their character. It was an honour to be her director, " Lynch said in a statement.
"Akka will provide a healthy amount of comic relief in the film, and her character's storyline is crucial to the plot. "
According to sources the princess might be accompanying Mallika during her trips to some cities down South. "Hisss" is slated for an Oct 22 release.
ROBOT (ENDHIRAN) Movie Review From Bollywood Hungama
One, it's difficult to conceptualize and execute a film like ROBOT.
Two, when Rajinikant's name comes in the credits, one cannot hear anything for the next two minutes. His name is greeted with a thunderous applause, whistles yells and cheers. Such is the charisma of this superstar. Rajnikant is the Boss. The real Badshaah.
ROBOT, directed by Shankar, is a Rajnikant Express that transports you to a world you can't envision. Rajnikant's feats are legendary by now. In ROBOT, he goes a step further. The Robot in ROBOT not only follows orders of his creator, but also cooks, fights, romances and wonder of wonders, has a lengthy conversation with a mosquito and scan loads of books/magazines and an entire telephone directory in a second. Yes, you read it right!
Location: Chennai 2010. Mission: Creating a robot Chitti. Purpose: To help the society. Development time: 10 years. Special Features: A human who is not born, but is created. He can dance, sing, fight, is water and fire resistant. He can do all that a human can and more. He feeds on electricity. He takes instructions literally. Where a human can lie to save himself, this robot cannot lie. Where he has a razor sharp memory and can memorize an entire telephone directory by just running through the pages, he cannot understand human emotions. Dr. Vasi upgrades Chitti's processor and simulates human emotions without realizing the repercussions. Chitti gets transformed. He can now feel and the first feeling that he discovers is Love. Will this love come in the way of Dr. Vasi's purpose of creating Chitti? Will Dr. Vasi's own creation destroy him?
A title like ROBOT automatically puts tremendous responsibility and pressure on the director's shoulders. And ROBOT is not merely a display of VFX, but it also has soul, a story to tell. At first, ROBOT comes across as a clash between the virtuous [Rajnikant] and wicked [Danny Denzongpa]. But ROBOT changes gears in its post-interval portions as the focus shifts to the creator [Rajnikant] and his creation [Rajnikant].
It's a Rajnikant film and it would be incomplete if his loyal fans don't get to watch his stylish actions and feats. Thankfully, ROBOT showcases it all. He can glide on the railway tracks, run horizontally on a moving train, transform into an Anaconda, can swallow helicopters and even fire at people with his fingers, without using a pistol. These are truly clap-trap moments!
Even otherwise, the screenplay is really well penned and absorbing. While the film is a super ride from start to end, it's the penultimate 25 minutes that leaves you awe-struck and speechless. You can't imagine a Hindi film having such an out of the world climax. There will be pandemonium inside theatres when the climax unfolds, I am sure. Let me confess, it's the mother of all climaxes! Only thing, Shankar could've controlled the length of the film. It could've been shorter by at least 10 to 15 minutes, which includes doing away with a song or two. Of course, like all Shankar movies, the songs are filmed most imaginatively on exotic locales, but what's the point of having songs if they act as speed breakers?
That Shankar ranks amongst India's best directors is well known by now and ROBOT only cements the fact. His vision and execution of the difficult subject deserves the highest praise, in fact distinction marks. He not only dreams big, but the outcome is incredible too. A.R. Rahman's music doesn't compliment the content of the film, but like I pointed out earlier, every song has been filmed exquisitely. The action and chase sequences are outstanding [Yuen Woo Ping, action choreographer in the MATRIX and KILL BILL sequels, was the stunt coordinator]. Visual effects are spectacular [Stan Winston Studio, the studio behind JURASSIC PARK, PREDATOR, TERMINATOR, IRON MAN, AVATAR, provided the animatronics technology]. Cinematography captures the grand production values with precision. The locations of Austria, Machu Picchu in Peru, U.S.A. and Brazil only enhance the visual appeal of the film. The sets are mind-blowing. Dubbing is near-perfect.
ROBOT is a Rajnikant show from start to end. And no other actor, not from Bollywood at least, would be able to do what he does with such amazing ease. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan looks stunning and acts most convincingly. Danny Denzongpa is efficient, as always. The remaining actors enact their parts well. On the whole, ROBOT is a crowd-pleasing and hugely mass appealing tale of android revolution with a thrilling plot, rich and imaginative screenplay, super action, astounding effects and most importantly, Rajnikant, who is the soul of the film. It's the Big Daddy of all entertainers. Miss it at your own risk!
US apologises to Praful Patel for quizzing him at Chicago airport
The US Homeland Security has apologised to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel who was questioned by the immigration authorities in Chicago as his name and date of birth happened to match with that of a person on America's watch-list. Patel, who was in Chicago on a private visit and flew to
Montreal for attending an official engagement, was stopped
and quizzed at the O'Hare airport.
The Minister was asked why he was visiting the US and whether he had stayed in the country earlier.
US Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, later apologised to Patel over the issue.
She also gave an assurance that the US will do whatever required to make necessary amends to prevent any such
incidents in the future, Civil Aviation Ministry officials said.
Patel has earlier sought to downplay the episode and said nothing serious had happened.
"I am in Montreal and nothing serious has happened...there is a person with similar name and birth date. That's why
they just double checked," he said.
Patel was questioned by the immigration officials after his name matched with that of another Praful Patel, who
is reportedly on US' watch list.
Brian Bell, the Public Affairs Liaison for Customs and Border Protection at O'Hare International Airport told PTI:
"There are 17,000 passengers per day through the O'Hare Airport and it is not uncommon to deal with people whose names are on the US Watch List. Even if If the person is on the US Watch List, he is let off if he is not a person of interest," he said.
"We deal with such people quickly and efficiently and we release people who do not match," Bell added.
Anti-outsourcing bill fails in Senate
The latest jobs bill from Senate Democrats - a plan to punish firms that ship jobs overseas - failed to clear a key procedural hurdle Tuesday after some Democrats complained that the measure would hamper the ability of U.S. companies to compete in foreign markets.
Four Democrats and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) voted with a united Republican caucus to block the bill, which was crafted to address the 9.6 percent unemployment rate in the run-up to November's midterm elections. On a vote of 53 to 45, the measure failed to garner the 60 votes needed to overcome a GOP filibuster.
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) defended the bill as a "simple, common-sense" effort to "keep American jobs here in America" and to "stop forcing taxpayers in Nevada and across the nation to pay for giveaways that reward companies for sending American jobs overseas."
But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) dismissed the bill as "a purely political exercise" that never had a chance of becoming law.
"With just three days left in the Democrats' two-year experiment in expanded government, they want to make a good last impression with a bill that they know has no chance of passing and which they have no interest in passing," McConnell said. "In my view, it's an insult to the millions of Americans who want us to focus on jobs."
Senate Democrats cobbled the measure together last week as it became clear that they would have to abandon plans to extend Bush administration tax cuts for the middle class before the election. While some Democrats wanted to stage a pre-election battle over taxes, the 59-member caucus was deeply divided, with some conservatives echoing GOP arguments that tax cuts should also be preserved for the nation's wealthiest families, at least until the economy fully recovers.
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Republicans want to extend all the cuts, which are due to expire in January, while President Obama wants to eliminate the cuts on income over $250,000 a year for families and $200,000 a year for individuals. Democrats hope to address the issue during a lame-duck session that will begin in mid-November.
Once the decision was made to delay the tax vote, Senate Democrats turned to the outsourcing issue, which they also viewed as politically potent, especially in devastated manufacturing communities in Midwest and East Coast industrial states.
The bill under consideration Tuesday would have ended tax deductions for expenses incurred when companies shutter U.S. operations and shift the work abroad; imposed a new tax on products once made in the United States but now manufactured by foreign workers; and offered employers a two-year payroll tax holiday on jobs repatriated from overseas.
The payroll tax break would have let employers keep about $1 billion over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation, while the tax increases would have taken back about $300 billion over the same period.
Business groups strongly opposed the measure, and Republicans said the tax break would have been miniscule compared with the benefit of extending the Bush-era tax breaks.
"The best thing Congress can do for Americans right now is lower - not raise - the cost of creating good jobs," said Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). "This bill would raise taxes on the very job creators that we hope will hire out-of-work Americans, which makes no sense, especially in the middle of a recession."
Democrats voting to block the bill were Ben Nelson (Neb.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Mark Warner (Va.) and Max Baucus (Mont.). Baucus, chairman of the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, complained last week that the measure would put the nation "at a competitive disadvantage."
Ayodhya:Security beefed up at Allahabad High Court
Lucknow, Sep 29: As India is wrapped in unprecedented security ahead of the Ayodhya verdict on Sep 30, detailed security measures to thwart any untoward incident in the court premises has been prescribed for the Allahabad High Court.
Security has been be beefed up at the Allahabad High Court as the Lucknow Bench is scheduled to deliver its verdict in the 60-year Ram Temple-Babri Masjid dispute at 3:30 pm on Thursday, Sep 30.
Security personnel would be deployed at the entrance of the court, the Registrar said in a press statement detailing the security arrangements for the day.
All lawyers have been requested to follow the directions of the security agencies and carry with them the identity card issued by the Oudh Bar Association, while other lawyers are advised to bring any other suitable mode of identification, the statement added.
Lawyers, who have no listed matters on that date, have also been asked not to come to the court premises.
Only those litigants whose maters are listed on that date, will be allowed to enter the court premises on collecting a pass. The court has also requested litigants to avoid coming to court on the day.
The entry into the court room, where the judgment will be pronounced, will be restricted only to the parties and their lawyers, who will be given special passes on that date.
Mobile phones will not be allowed inside the court room.
Special arrangements have been made for the assistance of the media in the Collector's Compound by the District Administration, the press release informed.
Officers and staff members of the court have been requested not to bring their vehicles inside the court premises. The only exception would be judges' cars and official cars.
There will be no parking in the parking lot of the court. The parking arrangements are being rearranged and the District Administration will notify the arrangements separately, the statement added.
1150 international athletes, officials to land in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Sporting powerhouses Australia and England will have their second batch of athletes and officials checking in among the 1150 who are set to land here on Wednesday for the October 3 to 14 Commonwealth Games.
The Australian contingent is the largest one to arrive today with their 146 member team comprising swimmers, table tennis, athletics, tennis and badminton players.
England's contingent is the second largest with 97 athletes followed by Singapore with 75.
Pakistan's squad of 58 athletes will have participants for hockey, squash, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling and boxing.
Among the other large contingents arriving today are those of Barbados (57), New Zealand (49), Maldives (43), Scotland (42), Seychelles (37) and Zambia (28), the CWG Organising Committee said in a statement.
Apart from these, officials and athletes from Gibraltar, Jamaica, Wales, Jersey, Malaysia, Namibia, Bermuda, Canada, St. Vincent and The Grenadines and Lesotho are also arriving today.
Jamaica's contingent will have participants comprising of boxers, swimmers, table tennis players and para-athletes.
While hockey players from Malaysia and cycling and shooting teams from Barbados are also arriving today.
The Chefs-de-Mission of Canada, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda and Cayman Islands will arrive today along with an international media contingent.
US Senate bars anti outsourcing bill
Washington, Sep 29: Indian IT industries can can breathe a sigh of relief as United States' Republican Senates on Sep 28 blocked the anti outsourcing
bill, which would have restricted jobs within the boundary of the country.
As per the bill, there will be a ban on government contractors from using American taxpayers' money to move jobs offshore.
Minimum 60 votes were needed to overcome the opposition's obstruction but Republicans in a 53-45 vote prevented the bill from overcoming a filibuster.
US Democrat legislator said, "The bill we tried to pass today (Sep 28) is based on simple common sense to keep American jobs here in America."
His statement also added, "but Republicans continued their job-killing agenda today by protecting these tax breaks for CEOs who offshore American jobs."
Terming the bill as an election trick, Republican senator slammed the Democrats for their "height of irresponsibility" that would put the US economy at "greater risk."
Malaika Arora becomes beneficiary of settlement between her husband's production company and a brand named "ZANDU BALM" in the Munni track
The standoff between Arbaaz Khan Productions (AKP) and a company that produces balms, has come to an end.
He adds, "It was always a win-win situation for both sides. We will have tie-ups with their company. Malaika will be their brand ambassador." Incidentally, Kakkad is expected to shoot the first balm ad with Malaika.
That said, AKP was ready to take the fight to the other party. Says a source from Arbaaz's company, "We were in consultation with lawyers. If the balm company so desired, we were ready to take them on. This was just an attempt to latch on to Dabangg's success."
The source adds, "According to statistics, the business for the balm company multiplied substantially since the song came out."
Arbaaz and his team have learnt a lesson from a previous legal wrangle when someone had objected to the use of the use of the word 'Hindustan' just before the release of the film. "We panicked because we had a delivery date staring us in the face. We changed the word to 'Gulistan' in the song. This time we were not pressured by deadlines. We were ready to go to court."
Sajid Nadiadwala Upset with Ranbir Kapoor
Actor had said that the Sept 24 release date of Anjaana Anjaani should be delayed as the Ayodhya verdict will also be delivered then
BARELY a week before the release of Anjaana Anjaani (September 24), producer Sajid Nadiadwala and lead actor Ranbir Kapoor appear to be heading for a confrontation over the release date of the film.
"It all started when Ranbir gave a statement at a press conference in New Delhi on Thursday and said that if he had his way, he would postpone the release of Anjaana Anjaani by a week as September 24 was a crucial date with the verdict on the Babri Masjid being delivered.
It is a very important day and the nation will come to a standstill with central forces being deployed in many places as the Ayodhya issue is a sensitive one. Ranbir feels that it will be more practical to postpone the film by a week or so as some audiences may not be able to go watch it, " says a source, who is also part of the film.
The source added that Ranbir's statement upset Sajid as he hadn't taken the producer into confidence before talking to the media about it. "Sajid felt that Ranbir should have kept him in the loop about it.
Though Sajid hasn't said anything to Ranbir yet, he's waiting for the correct moment to talk to him. The release date is nearing closer and he doesn't want to jeopardise the film and create a controversy by getting into a fight with his hero."
"He, of course, agrees with Ranbir too as September 24 is an important date for the country and is proud of Ranbir's sensible stand. As of now, Sajid is undecided about what he wants to do, " the source added.
The actor, meanwhile said, "It is very unfortunate that the movie is releasing on September 24 as the big hearing is on the same day. Right now my only wish is to postpone the release of the movie. It's not in my hand but I will be talking to the producer and the director about it."
Akshay Kumar into a verbal spat with his Tees Maar Khan co-star Katrina Kaif
Tees Maar Khan co-producer and lead actor Akshay Kumar recently had a verbal argument with his co-star Katrina Kaif. He needed dates from her to shoot a music video for TMK and she flatly refused.
Sources reveal that the actress's dates were blocked for her Yash Raj film with Imran Khan and she was unable to change her schedule.
Says a source, "This is the first time Akki and Kat got into an actual fight. Her saying no got him all worked up. He reminded her of past adjustments he had made for her. Kat, on her part, said that she wouldn't be able to share dates till mid-October as the YRF banner was important to her and that the schedule was locked."
Moreover, Farah Khan is in a hurry to wrap the film in time for a Christmas Day release. She has managed a smooth schedule so far. Akshay, meanwhile, wants Kat to complete the music video before she busies herself with other commitments.
Adds the source, "Things really soured between Kat and Akshay over the date imbroglio. They stopped talking to each other for a while. But then, Farah stepped in. The duo is shooting a qawalli in Mumbai with Salman Khan and FK didn't want their cold vibes to spoil the song."
The director spoke to her heroine and everything has been sorted out. "The video will be shot on October 15. Katrina managed to get YRF to allow her to shoot for the title track video featuring the entire star cast. In any case, Kat is very fond of Akshay and will not allow their relationship to sour."
Neighbours angry at King Khan for allegedly restricting entry to an access road
Residents irked at King Khan for allegedly restricting entry to an access road; cops claim that they put up the barricades only for Bandra Fair
Shah Rukh Khan, may have a fewer fans after citizens who reside in and around Mount Mary Church and Bandstand, are angry at him for allegedly blocking the cement road behind his bungalow at Bandstand.
According to the residents, security guards employed by the actor have blocked the lane adjacent to Mannat, the road behind his bungalow and restrained access to the cement road lane.
Angry residents
Residents complained that barricades had been erected at the entrance leading to the lane and the security guards and police authorities did not allow residents to use the road, even though the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) maintains the road.
"The police say that they have erected the barricades for the Bandra fair, but even on other days, access to the road is restricted by Khan's security guards," said Khalid Qureshi, president of the NCP Bandra Taluka.
Echoing the same resentment was 58-year-old Ruby Fernandes. She said, "I am running a candle shop and the shop has been in existence for over 40 years. However, after they restricted the use of the road, I don't have any customers as no one travels by this road." Vivek Angre, who resides near the Church, said, "I am staying here for the last 47 years and it is a fact that residents of the area are troubled because the road has been cordoned off."
Police speakHowever, officials from Bandra police station claim that restrictions on usage of the road have been imposed only for the Mount Mary Fair and that the security guards of the actor have nothing to do with the issue.
Senior Inspector Prakash George said, "It is the police, which have imposed temporary restrictions on the road on Saturday and Sunday because of the Mount Mary Fair. The restrictions have been imposed keeping in view the benefits of the pedestrians and also the motorists, who approach the church from the main road and the road from Mehboob studios. People have a habit of using a short cut from the Caine Road via this road adjacent to Shah Rukh's bungalow Mannat."
Despite several attempts and messages to Shah Rukh Khan and his secretary Karuna, they were unavailable for comment.
Chennai edge out Warriors
Chennai Super Kings edged out Warriors by 10 runs in Port Elizabeth but both teams qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League Twenty20.
The outcome at the end of a tense match meant the pair went through at the expense of Victoria.
Chennai struggled to put 136 on the board, for the loss of six wickets, after having chosen to bat first on a spin-friendly track at St George's Park.
But the Indian Premier League side's tenacious defending of that total limited Warriors to 126 for eight, Ravichandran Ashwin ending with figures of 3-24.
Michael Hussey reached 50 with the bat for Chennai, with opening partner Murali Vijay making 35. Justin Kreusch was the pick of the bowlers with 3-19.
The Super Kings will now meet fellow IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore in Durban in the final four.
Flood fury in Delhi, 22 trains cancelled
New Delhi, Sep 23: Railways on Sep 23 has cancelled 22 Delhi based trains and another 65 has been diversified due to flood fury in the capital as water in Yamuna crossed 207m danger mark.
The Old Yamuna Bridge, connecting east Delhi with the heart of the national capital, was closed for rail and road traffic on Sep 22 after water level in Yamuna rose menacingly.
Flood and irrigation department official informed, "The water level in Yamuna touched 207.06m, which is 2.23m above the danger mark of 204.83m. It will keep on rising and is likely to touch 207.30m."
The official also informed that people from low lying area have been already removed to safer places in New Delhi.
48 hrs to judgment day, security forces on toes
With less than 48 hours to go before Allahabad high court delivers the much-awaited judgment on Ayodhya title suits, the nation on Wednesday braced itself for the outcome of the most contentious issue. The Centre asked all the state governments to step up security and remain on high alert to maintain law and order.
Though security across the country had been beefed up in general after the high court on September 17 rejected the deferment plea, the Centre and states geared up to remain extra vigilant after the Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to hear urgently a plea to postpone the Ayodhya verdict. The Apex Court’s refusal to hear the plea paved the way for the High Court’s scheduled pronouncement of the verdict on Friday.
Meanwhile, Union home minister P Chidambaram appealed for peace. In a statement, he asked states to take adequate measures to maintain law and order, especially in sensitive areas.
In the Supreme Court, a bench of Justices Altamas Kabir and AK Patnaik said that the matter raised by a former bureaucrat Ramesh Chandra Tripathi, who is also a party in the Ayodhya related law suits before Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench), isn’t mentioned in the roster before the Bench. It’s for the registry to list Tripathi’s petition against a fractured judgment of the high court before an appropriate Bench. Tripathi has questioned the appropriateness of 2:1 HC judgment that has also imposed a heavy cost Rs50,000 on him for moving the application.
Though informed sources feel that the petition may come before a bench on Thursday, they however don’t rule out the possibility of its dismissal on the ground that it’s for HC alone to take a call on the date of judgment.
But the Apex Court can partially stay the order limited to imposition of exemplary cost against Tripathi. Apprehending unrest in the aftermath of the Friday judgment, Tripathi says the verdict in the law suits filed 60 years ago should be deferred till the end of the Commonwealth Games. He has other concerns too such as flood fury across the country, troubled Kashmir, volatile Bihar elections among others.
According to home minister Chidambaram, the forthcoming verdict by a special bench of HC relates to four title suits. Chidambaram says in a statement these suits involve a number of ‘issues’ which were framed by the trial court, recast by HC that also made additional issues in the proceedings. In one case, the HM said issues were recast after certain orders of the Supreme Court.
It seems that the chief minister has downplayed the Ayodhya verdict by referring it as a longstanding issue. “In the country, there prevails an atmosphere of celebration and religious activities which are in full swing. In Gujarat, too, all of you are immersed in the fervour of festivities - be it religious, cultural or social. Zealous preparations are going on in full swing to celebrate the forthcoming festivals of Navratri, Vijayadashami and Diwali. These festivals give a boost to the economic activities of all, be it big or small. Even the poorest of the poor get good opportunity to earn their livelihood,” the CM says in the release.
Talking about the elections in the state, Modi says: “The civic body elections are approaching. My humble appeal to all the citizens is that though you would be eagerly awaiting the judgment on thelongstanding Ayodhya issue, please do not be carried away by the excitement as it will not benefit anyone. Kindly remember that Gujarat has laid to rest for the past several years the ghost of violence and curfew.”
The CM has cited figures from the report of the Union government. “Gujarat is today progressing on its strength of peace and social amity. Because of development, the poor are able to get employment opportunities. According to a recent Government of India report, Gujarat has successfully given employment opportunities to 72 per cent of its youths and it ranks as the topmost state in the sphere of providing employment. In contrast, other states put together could provide employment only to 28 per cent to the youths,” he says.
He also warned the citizens about the antisocial elements, who could try to exploit the situation. Modi says, “The country’s enemies are carefully watching us. Let us not allow any antisocial element to succeed in destroying the peaceful social fabric of our state. I appeal to you all that let us take the development of Gujarat further towards the path of progress with peace, self-control and patience.”
Delhi-Bangalore passengers safe after emergency landing
New Delhi: A Bangalore-bound JetLite flight with 105 passengers on board made an emergency landing here after one of its engines failed soon after take off from the IGI airport today.
The pilot of the Boeing 737-700 aircraft noticed an engine failure soon after take off and made an emergency landing around 7.45 am, sources said.
The aircraft landed safely at the new runway and all the passengers are safe, they said.
Commonwealth Games pressure increases on Delhi
Pressure is growing on India to deal urgently with problems concerning its hosting of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, amid increasing criticism and concerns over hygiene and security.
Commonwealth Games Canada's president told the BBC that Indian officials had been "indifferent bordering on intransigent" in tackling the issues.
New Zealand has now delayed the arrival of its athletes for the event.
India insists next month's Games will be one of the most successful.
Several participating countries have delegates in the capital urgently checking the facilities at the athletes' village and the arrangements for security.
The president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), Mike Stanley, said the arrival of its athletes should be delayed until at least 28 September because of problems with accommodation and other issues. The Games start on 3 October.
Mr Stanley said: "It's tremendously disappointing. The long list of outstanding issues has made it clear the village will now not be ready for New Zealand athletes to move in as planned."
New Zealand's Dominion Post newspaper reported that the country was looking at using Singapore as a "holding pen" for its athletes if conditions in Delhi did not improve.
The chief executive of Swimming New Zealand, Mike Byrne, told the BBC that two New Zealand officials were in Delhi and would report later on Thursday about the situation.
Aishwarya, Salman: Ex Appeal On Neighbouring Sets!
It's the kind of juicy story that tattle writers can never seem to get enough of. Film City at Mumbai, was jammed with excitement of a different sort, considering that ex flames Salman 'Dabangg' Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were filming on… neighbouring sets!
Even as Ash was shooting with Akshay Kumar for 'MasterChef India', Khan was busy grooving to a beat for the music video shoot of 'Bigg Boss 4' around the same time.
States a unit hand present on the sets, "Ever since we got the news in the morning, there was a great deal of excitement at Film City. When we learnt that Salman and Aishwarya would be on adjacent sets, there were hushed reports about the possibility of the stars crossing paths!"
Reportedly, Salman arrived a little over 2 p.m for the shoot sporting a denims and a leather jacket thrown over a T shirt. And when he wasn't grooving to Pony Varma's choreography, Salman would pull out his notebook and start sketching, as per sources.
An insider reveals that Ash arrived quite early for her shoot and got busy with the proceedings. Reportedly, 'MasterChef India' and Akshay have compiled a culinary collection that includes Khiladi Kumar's signature sizzler recipes and top dishes of the participants, as well. Reportedly, the book was gifted to Ash as a token gesture, exclusively for the Bachchan family.
Salman's Pricey Big Kick: Rs. 75 crore!
Phew. Believe it or pass out, that's the figure that producer Sajid Nadiadwala is koolly demanding from Eros International if they wish to acquire his kick. Sorry, 'Kick'.
The Salman Sonakshi starrer, slated for mid year or Eid release next year, has already turned newsy, courtesy the whopping figure.
Eros frontlined both 'Veer' and 'Dabangg', and although the former didn't stand emerge a valiant winner at the cine stakes, the latter has amply compensated for it by turning out to be a bigger grosser than '3 Idiots'.
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, steering clear of all controversy, states cautiously in a media quote, "I haven't spoken to Eros International as yet. We have yet to lock the script and work on our budget."
An insider close to Nadiadwala, however, squealed that the producer did demand Rs. 75 crore for 'Kick'.
Says the close source, "It's too early to quote a price of Rs. 75 crore for 'Kick.' One cannot judge what Salman Khan's market position will be next year. However, Salman has been very close to Eros and one is still considering the amount."
The World's Top Universities
But when it comes to higher education, no one on Earth does better than the U.S., according to a new study by Times Higher Education (THE), a London magazine that tracks the higher ed market. Its 2010-'11 annual World University Rankings is dominated by U.S. schools. They hold 72 places among the world's top 200, including all the top five. Great Britain is a distant second, with 29 universities making the cut.
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"Money talks," says THE's rankings editor, Phil Baty. He points out that the U.S. spends 3.1% of its gross domestic product on higher education, which is more than any other of the advanced nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and twice as much as the average. However, spending by the U.S. on primary and secondary education, as a percentage of GDP, is on par with most developed nations and lags behind Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Britain.
THE's top-ranked school is Harvard University, which is the oldest U.S. institution of higher learning, having been established in 1636 (Harvard ranked No. 8 in Forbes' own annual ranking of colleges). Harvard finished first on THE's teaching component and also scored highly on the impact of its research, which is calculated by looking at the papers produced at each institution and counting the number of citations they get.
THE revamped its methodology this year, with reduced weightings for the subjective results of a reputation survey, and more than doubled the number of metrics in the ranking, from 6 to 13. THE says its goal is to measure the three main missions of a university: teaching, research and knowledge transfer (for complete details on the methodology, click here).
The ranking clearly favors big research institutions. "Research institutions are the key to the knowledge economy," Baty says. Thus, for example, six of the eight schools in the Ivy League rank in the top 20 overall, but Brown and Dartmouth, smaller Ivies with fewer postgrad programs, lag well behind, at 55 and 99, respectively. Brown fared poorly when it came to research citations. Dartmouth got dinged for its lack of diversity among students and faculty and low scores for research reputation.
Size wasn't an issue for California Institute of Technology, ranked No. 2. Enrollment at Caltech was only 2,130 last year, including both undergraduates and graduate students. Yet the school ranked first for citation impact (tied with MIT and Princeton, which ranked Nos. 3 and 5 overall). The school's focus on sciences and engineering attracts some of the brightest minds in the world. It counts 31 Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and faculty.
The big loser in this year's ranking is the United Kingdom. There are 29 U.K. schools on the list of 200, but whereas last year the U.K. had eight in the top 50 and three in the top five, the corresponding numbers this year are five and zero. "In previous years some [British] universities have been ranked higher thanks to heritage and reputation rather than academic excellence."
Baty says that is a "wake-up call" for higher education in the U.K. The government there plays a much bigger role funding higher education than the U.S., but it is contemplating cutting funding up to 30% as it deals with a budget shortfall. The top ranked U.K. schools are the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford, which tied for No. 6.
Other countries well represented in the top 200 include Germany, with 14 schools (although none in the top 40), the Netherlands with 10 (none in the top 100) and Canada with nine (the University of Toronto ranks No. 17 overall).
China leads Asian countries with six schools in the top 200 (Peking University ranks No. 37 overall). "Asians are taking higher education seriously and investing heavily," Baty says. South Korea has four schools on the list, headed by No. 28 Pohang University of Science and Technology. It spends 2.4% of its GDP on higher ed, third among OECD countries, behind only the U.S. and Canada. THE says that spending has put Korea's higher education system on par with Japan's, Hong Kong's and mainland China's.
Mumbai Indians crash out despite win over Bangalore
Durban: Mumbai Indians pulled off a sensational two runs win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial Group B match on Sunday but still got knocked out of the Champions League Twenty20 cricket tournament on net run rate.
Although Mumbai registered their second victory in the tournament, the Sachin Tendulkar-led side will have to pack their bags and return home as Bangalore and Highveld Lions have a better net run rate with one match still to go. Mumbai's prospect has also been marred by South Australia Redbacks, which has already booked their place in the last four stage from Group B with three out of three wins.
Although Mumbai have fours points, they ended their campaign with a net run rate of +0.22, while Bangalore (+0.85) and Lions (+0.72) are in a better position with still a game to go. Incidentally, the match between Bangalore and Lions have turned out to be a decider as whoever wins the encounter will progress to the semi-finals along with Redbacks.
In Sunday's Indian Premier League derby, Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 58-ball 71 and Virat Kohli's 24-ball 47 went in vain, as chasing a competitive 166, Bangalore managed 163 for five in their allotted 20 overs, thereby falling short by two runs. Needing 13 runs off last over, Kohli struck two fours off Zaheer Khan but in the end it was not enough to guide Bangalore home as he was caught in the final delivery by Ambati Rayudu.
Bangalore produced a disciplined bowling performance upfront before Saurabh Tiwary and Dwayne Bravo stitched a quickfire 64-run sixth wicket stand to take Mumbai past the 150-mark. In deep trouble, Tiwary (38 not out) and Bravo (29 off 23) came to Mumbai's rescue with the 64-run stand after the Sachin Tendulkar-led side were down 84 for five at one stage. The duo's pyrotechnics helped Mumbai piled up 65 runs off the last five overs.
Tiwary hit three fours and a six in his 30-ball unbeaten stay while Bravo decorated his innings with three boundaries and two sixes. For Mumbai opener Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with 41 off 37 balls which was studded with two fours and as many sixes. Dale Steyn was the pick of the bowlers for Bangalore with figures of three for 26.
Chasing the competitive total, Bangalore started on a positive note with Dravid and Kallis picking up 40 runs of the first five overs. Dravid was at his elegant best, picking up boundaries at ease with classical cricketing strokes while Kallis (15) complemented him well before debutant pacer Abu Nechim Ahmed caught the South African plumb in front of the wicket.
Bravo gave Mumbai more reasons to cheer in the next over when he had Robin Uthappa caught by Dhawan at deep square leg but not before the right-hander was dropped by JP Duminy in the previous delivery. The two quick wickets stemmed the run flow and resulted in the downfall of another batsman.
Needing 95 off 10 overs, the pressure seemed to have crept up on Ross Taylor (9) as he went for a huge heave over midwicket only to give a skier to Ambati Rayudu behind the stumps off Bravo. But Dravid was rock solid at the other hand as he brought up his fifty in 39 balls.
However with boundaries drying up, the pressure finally crept up on Bangalore batsmen as Cameron White departed cheaply, clean bowled by Harbhajan with a gem of an yorker. With 40 needed of last three overs, Virat Kohli closed the gap with a huge six off Nechim's first ball. But the right-arm pacer from Assam came back strongly to concede just six runs of the next five deliveries.
But just when it seemed that Bangalore were going out of the encounter, came in a brilliant Kohli who struck three consecutive fours off Lasith Malinga to reduce the equation to 13 off the last over. Kohli nearly pulled off the match for Bangalore, but a a clever Zaheer spoiled his heroics as the Bangalore outfit eventually fell short by just two runs.
Praveen Kumar gave a perfect start to the Bangalore innings with a maiden over. However, it did not take much time for the Mumbai Indians to get off the grove as Tendulkar (11) opened the scoring with an elegant pull to the mid-wicket fence off R Vinay Kumar. But the table turned around in the next two overs as Mumbai lost two crucial wickets within a span of four balls.
Tendulkar was the first to depart, nicking one to Robin Uthappa behind the stumps off Praveen and then Ambati Rayudu followed suit giving a regulation catch to Rahul Dravid at the first slip off Vinay Kumar in the next over. Mumbai went into a shell and found runs hard to come by as Praveen and Vinay Kumar dished out a tight opening spell.
And to add to Mumbai's agony, Jacques Kallis scripted countryman JP Duminy's downfall in his first over, caught at long by Dale Steyn as the left-hander went for a big shot. Dhawan hanged in there for 12 overs, scoring 41 off 37 balls before perishing in search of quick runs caught by Dravid at midwicket off Steyn.
If that was not enough, Anil Kumble's shrewd tactics of introducing Steyn late into the attack paid off as the right-arm pacer spelled the doom of big fish Keiron Pollard , caught at extra cover by Ross Taylor. For Mumbai Dwayne Bravo cut loose, hitting Kumble for back-to-back boundaries in the 15th over to somewhat up the tempo for the Tendulkar-led side.
Saurabh Tiwary followed his partner with a flat six off Steyn to finish off the 17th over in style. And then Bravo launched an all out attack on Kumble with two sixes and as many fours, including a bye, to pick up 22 runs off the next over. If that was not enough, Tiwary dispatched Steyn for consecutive fours to bring Mumbai closer to the 150-mark. But Steyn got his man in the form of Bravo, who was caught inside the circle by Virat Kohli as the West Indian went for a huge heave.
Harbhajan Singh opened his account in style, with a boundary to the third man fence and then the feisty spinner hit Kallis for two fours the the final over.
ఎ.ఆర్. రెహమాన్ కామన్వెల్త్ థీమ్సాంగ్లో మార్పులు
రెహమాన్ రూపొందించిన థీమ్సాంగ్లో అంత క్రేజ్ లేదని ఆరోపణలు వెలువెత్తినప్పటికీ.. కామన్వెల్త్ క్రీడల థీమ్ సాంగ్ను రీ కంపోజ్ చేసే ఉద్దేశ్యం లేదని రెహమాన్ తేల్చి చెప్పేశాడు.
ఇంకా 'ఇండియా బులా లియా' అనే పాట ప్రజల అంచనాలను అందుకోవడంలో విఫలమైందని, నిర్వాహక కమిటీ ఎగ్జిక్యూటివ్ బోర్డ్ మెంబర్ వీకే మల్హోత్రా సహా పలువురు ఈ పాటపై పెదవి విరిచిన సంగతి తెలిసిందే.
ఈ నేపథ్యంలో ఫుట్బాల్ ప్రపంచకప్లో ప్రాచుర్యం పొందిన షకీరా పాట 'వాకా.. వాకా', 'చక్దే ఇండియా' సినిమాలోని టైటిల్ సాంగ్లా స్ఫూర్తిదాయకంగా ఉంటే బాగుంటుందనే అభిప్రాయాలు రావడంతో పాటలో కొన్ని మార్పులు చేసినట్లు తెలిసింది.
ఈ విషయమై ఈ పాటను రచించిన ప్రసూన్ జోషి స్పందిస్తూ.. 'సాంగ్ను కుదించడంతోపాటు కొన్ని మార్పులు చేశారు. వచ్చేవారంలో విడుదలయ్యే ఈ కొత్త వీడియోలో దీన్ని గమనించవచ్చునని వెల్లడించారు.
