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Indian Thrash Pak...Twenty20 WorldCup

2007-09-25T00:00:00.000+05:30

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - India claimed the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup after they beat Pakistan by five runs in a thrilling final on Monday.

Recalled all-rounder Irfan Pathan and new-ball bowler Rudra Pratap Singh took three wickets each and Pakistan, who started well, tumbled to 152 all out in reply to India's 157 for five.

"It was a team effort and the way the boys responded was really great. Everything needed to build a team was there," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"The guys were really determined because they did not do well in the last (50 over) World Cup. But we enjoyed playing in this tournament, which is very important, and the players had confidence in each other.

Misbah ul-Haq threatened to steal victory from India at the death with four sixes in his 43 but Joginder Sharma had him caught trying to spoon a ball over fine leg with three balls to spare.

Opening batsman Imran Nazir had slammed 33 off 14 balls in a flying start for Pakistan but Robin Uthappa ran him out with a direct hit and Pathan claimed the key wickets of Shoaib Malik (8) and Shahid Afridi (0) in his second over to slow their run chase.

Joginder kept his nerve in the final over with Pakistan needing 13 to win and finished with two for 20, while Pathan took three for 16 and RP Singh three for 26.

Captain Shoaib picked out Nazir's dismissal as the key moment in the match.

'TURNING POINT'

"We said that we wanted to limit India to 150/160, so that plan was successful. But the turning point was that we lost too many early wickets and then the run out of Imran Nazir saw our in-form batsman go out," Shoaib said.

A good all-round bowling performance by Pakistan, led by Umar Gul, had restricted India to a relatively modest total.

Gul took three for 28 in his four overs as India never managed to break free of tight bowling and fielding.

The tall seamer landed the vital wickets of Yuvraj Singh, caught and bowled for 14 off 19 balls, Dhoni, bowled for six, and Gautam Gambhir, caught at short fine-leg for 75.

Opener Gambhir batted through the first 18 overs, however, stroking eight fours and two sixes, and needed just 54 balls for his fluent innings which give India's total respectability.

Rohit Sharma scored 30 not out in 16 balls in the closing overs to take India past 150.

Man-of-the-match Pathan, delighted to be back in the side and playing with his brother Yusuf after being omitted from the one-day team following India's dismal showing in the 50-over World Cup, said the last two overs were very tense.

"We never thought we will play together in a final -- and against Pakistan -- and we would win it," he said, hugging his brother.

"There was lot of pressure in the last two overs, they were very tough. RP Singh bowled a very good (19th) over."

Yusuf Pathan added: "I'm too emotional, I just can't tell you."

Krishna goes to school

2007-09-04T21:49:00.000+05:30

Father killed by Son to get his job

2007-08-23T13:01:00.001+05:30

In many of the Indian states, after the death of a father, his son is entitled to get his job in government department on compassionate grounds. But what if a son kills his father to get this job!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, this weird incident has actually happened in Ranchi city in Jharkhand state of India, where a man killed his "wayward" father to get his government job on compassionate grounds......Shankar Oraon, a 26-year-old resident of the city's Ratu block in city, confessed to the police that he killed his father a fortnight ago to get his job.

"Shankar had planned the murder of his father for his job because after the man's death he would inherit the position on compassionate grounds. He executed the crime and tried to blame unidentified criminals," said Satyabir Singh, a police official here.

Read more..........Son kills father to get government job

Goat who is fond of meat and booze!!!!!!!

2007-08-23T12:57:00.001+05:30

Goats are generally vegetarian. They eat grass, fruit and vegetables but have you ever heard of a goat who eats meat and drinks liquor!!! Yes, here is a goat named " Mantu",who is fond of all these stuff. There is a goat at the "Sana Bada Dhaba", a roadside eatery, 350 kms from the state capital Bhubaneswar in Orissa state of India, who's staple diet is cooked meat of other goats & this goat drinks liquor too.

'The animal has been living in the dhaba since its birth and slowly developed the habit of eating non-vegetarian food,' as per the dhaba owner Sana Naik.

Mantu does not like grass - the staple diet of other goats. 'The goat eats the cooked meat of other goats that we serve to customers,' he said. 'Because of its peculiar habits, we are not killing it.'

The goat also drinks liquor. It obeys commands like monkeys.

'If you ask it to perform a death scene, it will lie on the ground as if dead. You ask it to show a fight scene, it will demonstrate like a warrior,' he said.

As per the dhaba owner Naik. 'I love the goat so much. It is like my own child. I am looking for a female goat as its bride,' Naik said. 'I am planning to organise the marriage in a big way, may be next August.

'I will also host a grand feast. My customers, who include ministers, legislators, officials, businessmen and journalists, have assured me that they will join the feast and bless the goat couple.'

Sanjay Dutt released, emotional welcome at home

2007-08-23T12:51:00.001+05:30

It was all over in a minute.

Sanjay Dutt saw, hugged, waved and disappeared.

His fans who had been waiting outside Pune's Yeravada jail could not catch a glimpse of the actor as he was released early in the morning at 7.16 am. There was no crowd cheering him nor was there much security.

Ever since the Supreme Court order to release Dutt on interim bail, curious onlookers and fans have been coming to Yeravada jail to get a glimpse of the actor.

Dutt was accompanied by his lawyer Satish Maneshinde and another co-accused Yusuf Nulwala when he came out of the jail.

"Sanjay fulfilled all conditions set by the Supreme Court for his release and due to this, we completed procedures at the jail early this morning," Maneshinde told reporters outside the Dutt residence in Pali Hill, Mumbai.

When asked how Sanjay was doing, he said, "He is happy to be at home and with his friends and family."

About the actor's plans to start working in films, he said, "Well, it is too early to speak on anything. He will decide on his career later. The most important thing (now) is to spend time with his family which he is doing."

The actor's close friend and Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddiqui said, "He is overjoyed to be at home with his friends and family."

Crowds had been visiting Yeravada jail since Monday in hopes seeing their beloved actor. Unfortunately for them Yerwada jail authorities released him early on Thursday.

"I have been coming here for the last three days. I am disappointed that I could not see him," said Ashish Bhonsle, a resident nearby.

His friend, Avinash Naik, added, "When he entered Yeravada jail I missed him because I was out of Pune. Unfortunately, I was too late. The jail authorities should have not released him so early."

Bureaucratic delay led to the release of Dutt on Thursday morning or else he would have been out by Wednesday evening.

Dutt's lawyer Maneshinde could not attain the order copy from TADA court in time on Wednesday and therefore he got delayed in reaching Pune by 5 pm. Yeravada jail rules state that any convict who gets bail has to produce his papers to the jail authorities between at 7 am and 5 pm.

Dutt sported a beard and had a haircut in the prison before walking out free. His looks were not unlike the character Billa played by him in the movie Musafir.

He was holding a polythene bag in hand and hugged a policeman as soon as he walked out of the prison. He smiled at another cop, shook hands with two of them and waved to media persons before driving down to Pune airport to reach Mumbai via a chartered flight.

Dutt has been given temporary respite by the Supreme Court as the TADA court which sentenced him to six years in prison has not given an order copy to him. The SC has told him to surrender as soon as he gets the order copy from the TADA court.

According to experts, Dutt's relief would be temporary as he had been granted bail on technical grounds. The copy of the judgement was not made available to him. "The judge has a tremendous task ahead of him. The judgement runs into 7000 pages," said a senior journalist who has been following the developments in the 1993 Mumbai blast case.

"The judge has to ensure that each of over 120 accused get a certified copy of the judgement. Which means more than 7 lakh pages to be photo-copied. If they give him a copy on 27th then he has to surrender before Parmod Kode forthwith and then move the Supreme Court for regular bail."

Dutt has spent 24 days in Yeravada jail before being set free on Thursday morning. He was prisoner C-15170, as he was identified in the Yeravada records. His friend Yusuf Nulwalla was prisoner C-15171.

He was assigned the task of making cane chairs and he participated in making eight chairs in the jail under supervision of other inmates.

Dutt also met up with Gandhian activists in Yeravada jail and took some books to read on Gandhian thoughts.

He was given an autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi Mangal Prabhat, a booklet the Mahatma wrote while he was an inmate of Yeravada for six years during the 1920s; and a book on Gandhi written by Manuben Gandhi, a close associate.

Freedom Fighter, 83, Pulls Rickshaw For Living

2007-08-16T23:15:00.000+05:30

Just imagine a person who fought the British Raj for India's freedom before year 1947. One who feels the bullet and baton injuries he suffered in the Quit India movement of 1942 pale in the face of his miseries today. One who is 83 years old now & one who is forced to pull a rickshaw on the streets of Jharkhand state of India.

Yes, here is Somar Sundi aged 83 years, who is deprived of a freedom fighter's pension and deserted by the children from his first marriage & is pulling a rickshaw at this age just to survive. Sundi who is a resident of Hazaribagh district, took to pulling rickshaws after suffering huge losses in the vegetable business two years ago.

Sundi had sustained two bullet wounds on the shoulder in a police firing during the Quit India movement. 'I fought for freedom along with Jayaprakash Narayan,' he said.

'Those who are in power have forgotten the freedom fighters and the importance of independence.'

The emaciated Sundi does not get any pension, as he has no records to prove that he was a freedom fighter, though his neighbors vouch for it.

Sometimes he has to cut down on food to pay the house rent.

Sundi said the children from his second marriage were too young to earn a living. 'There is no one who can help us. At present I have no option but to pull a rickshaw for survival,' he said.

He wishes things could change once again. 'We need to launch a second movement to end corruption and poverty to fulfil the desire of Mahatma Gandhi.'

Jaswa Devi, his second wife, is also bitter: 'The person who gave his youth to the country's independence is struggling to eke out a living. This reflects the plight of the country.'

It's high time Indian Government takes care of this old man who devoted so many years for India's freedom from British Raj.

India not Shining

2007-08-16T23:11:00.000+05:30

"India Shining", "Indian economy rising at 9-10% per annum", "India has maximum number of Dollar Billionaires in Asia",

"India nowadays has maximum per capita income since India became independent in 1947". All these phrases paint a rosy picture of India which is emerging as a great economy but here are the hard facts about India.

The number of people below the poverty line may have come down, but 79% of unorganized workers, 88% of SC/STs, 80% of the OBC population and 84% of Muslims belong to the "poor and vulnerable group". Around 836 million people in India that is seventy-seven percent of Indians live on less than half a dollar a day in one of the world's hottest economies, a government report said.

The state-run National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector (NCEUS) said most of those living on below 20 rupees (50 US cents) per day were from the informal labor sector with no job or social security, living in abject poverty.

"For most of them, conditions of work are utterly deplorable and livelihood options extremely few," said the report, entitled "Conditions of Work and Promotion of Livelihoods in the Unorganized Sector" as per the report.

"Such a sordid picture co-exists uneasily with a shining India that has successfully confronted the challenge of globalization powered by economic competition both within the country and across the world."

Around 26% of India's population lives below the poverty line, which is defined as 12 rupees per day, said officials.

Economic liberalization since the early 1990s has created a 300 million-strong middle class and led to an average annual economic growth of 8.6% over the last four years, but millions of the country's poor remain untouched by the boom.

According to the report, based on data from 2004-2005, 92% of India's total workforce of 457 million were employed as agricultural laborers and farmers, or in jobs such as working in quarries, brick kilns or as street vendors.

The report said the majority of those working and living under "miserable conditions" were lower castes, tribal people and Muslims and the most disadvantaged of these were women, migrant workers and children.

So on this 15th August though India celebrates it's 60th Independence day but here is the hard fact that in India of today rich are getting richer while poor are getting poorer.

Prince Harry & Chelsy go wild on safari

2007-08-03T12:17:00.000+05:30

The young royal's Tarzan act was clearly aimed at getting back into Chelsy's good books after being snapped snogging Canadian bargirls last month.

And as the couple enjoyed their romantic sunset caper through the secluded Botswana beauty spot it looked like his plan was working. Safari, so goody!

Just 30 minutes earlier Chelsy, 21, had flown in to join Harry on his three-week break enjoying the Dark Continent's wildlife.

For their first expedition the fun-loving prince whisked her off for a sundowner at the Old Bridge Backpackers bar outside the city of Maun, overlooking a hippo pool.

Another guest at the water hole told us: "Harry and Chelsy seemed really happy to be together.

"They were larking about, swigging beer and smoking cigarettes— and looked just like any other young carefreee couple off travelling the world. At one point Harry picked up Chelsy on his back and headed off round the site.

"Then they had a few drinks with their friends in the shade of the trees and Chelsy enjoyed another cuddle—with a little beagle puppy!"

It was the first time the young lovers had seen each other since Chelsy attended the Concert for Diana at Wembley four weeks ago.

Friends say they have been trying to rebuild their troubled relationship since we revealed that 22-year-old Harry had been out on sexy off-duty manoeuvres — cuddling up to a busty brunette AND a cheeky blonde.

A royal source told us: "Harry has just wanted to stay out of the limelight so leaving Britain was the only feasible way.

"And no one recognises him in Africa. He puts his cap and sunglasses on and doesn't get any bother. He and Chelsy have been to Botswana three times before. It brings back happy memories for both of them.

"And Harry is in a grovelling mode at the moment.

"He knows he made a poor judgement call being pictured with those girls in Canada and wants to make it up to Chelsy.

"He sees this holiday as the perfect way of really getting back on her right side again."

After the couple enjoyed an overnight stay in Maun, Harry's ten-strong party headed off on a seven-day, 500-mile powerboat cruise across the Okavango Delta.

Second Lieutenant Wales, whose Blues and Royals colleagues are currently serving in Iraq, arrived in Botswana two weeks ago accompanied by three police protection officers.

The safari-mad prince was driven away from Maun airport in a 4x4 vehicle to a private estate owned by Tania Jenkins, boss of AfriScreen Films who helped produce the BBC's award-winning documentary Planet Earth.

In an interview with an American broadcaster Harry recently spoke of his deep love for Africa and revealed that if he hadn't been a royal he would have become a safari guide.
And under the guidance of producer Jenkins, Harry showed he really meant it.

For a week he was up at 4am each day and on the road for a 15-minute drive to an isolated airstrip.

Then he was flown out to learn how the hi-tech company track spectacular wildlife and game for their films.

On one trip he flew into a delta area to see lions and hyenas at first hand. An inside source revealed: "Harry's been very keen to pick up tips on how the company works.

"He's a very hands-on type of guy and likes to get stuck in. He's not an academic but this is really his thing—it's what he likes to do."

That, and horsing about with girlfriend Chelsy, of course...

Sanjay Dutt gets 6 years jail, leniency plea rejected

2007-08-01T13:24:00.000+05:30

Rejecting his plea for leniency, actor Sanjay Dutt was on Tuesday given a six-year jail term in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case by a special court in Mumbai that said some of his acts were "eminently dangerous" and showed a "high element of criminality."

Bringing the curtains down on the 13-year-long trial, Judge P D Kode of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court cancelled Dutt's bail and ordered police to take him into custody.

Dutt was also fined Rs 25,000.

"Sir, I made a mistake 14 years ago. Please give me some time to surrender," a visibly shocked Dutt pleaded in court with folded hands after his hopes of being set free under the Probation of Offenders Act were dashed.

Kode, who has awarded death to 12 convicts and life imprisonment to 20, posted Dutt's plea for hearing later in the afternoon, but rejected it.

Dutt had earlier spent 16 months in jail in two spells following his arrest in 1993.

Dutt's friend Rusi Mulla was given relief under the POA, raising the hopes of Dutt and his fellow convicts Kersi Adjania and Yusuf Nulwalla that they would get a similar benefit. But Kode sentenced Adjania to two years' rigorous imprisonment and gave a five-year term to Nalwalla before pronouncing the sentence for Dutt.

Dutt, who turned 48 on Sunday, was convicted in November 2006 for the illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and an AK-56 rifle, but acquitted of more serious charges under the now defunct anti-terror TADA law.

Dismissing the defence's argument that the weapons were acquired by Dutt for self-defence, Kode termed it an "eminently dangerous act" as the weapons possessed by him were capable of mass destruction though he had not used them.

The court observed that Dutt had not merely committed a criminal act, but also told three others to commit criminal acts on his behalf.

After a court clerk read out the sentence in the case that saw Bollywood personalities launching a campaign seeking clemency for the actor, Dutt was seen chatting with fellow convicts and friends Nulwalla and Adajania.

Commenting on affidavits filed by public personalities like thespian Dilip Kumar in support of Dutt, Kode said these are of "no use" if there was evidence that the actor had indulged in a criminal act.

Kode said Dutt's acquisition of the weapons could not be termed "noble" as it was contrary to the law and indicated scant respect for the law.

"I must say for every citizen, laws of the nation shall be respected. If you don't, I don't expect you to be called a moral person," he said.

Kode said the accused's character is very important while considering if he deserved relief under the POA. He pointed out that apart from possessing weapons, Dutt was a close acquaintance of Anees Ibrahim and had attended a party hosted by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Dubai.

The judge also said Dutt drew another person to commit a crime, which showed a "high element of criminality."

Kode, however, remarked the crimes committed by Dutt and his friends Adajania and Nulwalla were not "anti-social, ghastly, inhuman, immoral or pre-planned" and did not cause any harm to the general public.

Dutt had maintained that he acquired the weapons to "protect" his family in the aftermath of sectarian violence that erupted in Mumbai following the demolition of the Babri mosque in late 1992.

When Dutt's counsel Satish Maneshinde tried to point out that his client's conduct had been excellent, Kode asked Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam for his opinion.

Nikam said: "I appreciate his conduct but there is a legal restraint that a person sentenced to more than three years in prison cannot be granted an extension of bail."

On his way out of the court, Dutt shook hands with Nikam and said, "Thank you, sir."

The 12 blasts that rocked Mumbai on March 12, 1993, claimed 257 lives and injured over 700. They also destroyed property worth crores of rupees.

Dutt will be sent to Arthur Road jail premises in central Mumbai.

Kode does not have the power to grant Dutt bail under the Criminal Procedure Code. Dutt's bail will stand cancelled, lawyer Majid Menon said.

Dutt's lawyers said they would appeal against the judgment in the Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon.

The judge said Dutt had committed a series of offences and that he was mature when he committed these offences. Dutt was almost in tears when the judge pronounced the verdict.

He asked if he could call his daughter Trishala, who lives in New York.

The judge asked Dutt "Where is she?"

"In New York," replied Dutt.

"Be patient," the judge told Dutt.

"Can you grant me bail?" Dutt then asked the judge. "If it was a lesser crime I could, but in this case I don't have the power to do so," the judge said.

Dutt then requested the judge not to have the police surround him and take him away to jail. The judge then said, "Ok, we will give you time till post-lunch."

Sanjay Dutt and Yusuf Nulwalla are to be kept in separate cells in the Arthur Road jail till August 2.

Dutt spent 16 months in prison as an undertrial in the 1993 blasts case.

Indian Quacks / Baba

2007-07-30T22:08:00.000+05:30

In India Quacks ( fake doctors ) can be seen in any city but here is one who has weird ways of treating his patients. He operates his patients with sword and needle.

In this case a patient suffering from appendicitis chooses to go to a 'surgeon' who is actually a baba / quack.

And believe it or not, this surgeon uses swords to operate upon people, patches them up with adhesive bandages and then gives them blood as medicine and his temporary operation theatre - a temple in Bihar's Vaishali district.

"I have operated with sword and needle. People believe me and that's what matters," says the 'doctor' who goes by the name of Shankar Baba.

Those who undergo surgery are later made to drink the baba's blood to recover fast. The man claims to possess a cure for diseases other than appendicitis too.

His treatment methods include jumping on the stomach and neck of patients, who could be as young as six years old and he charges his patients anything between Indian Rs 51(US$ 1.25) and Rs 500( US$ 12.5) depending on the 'treatment'.

'Madam President' takes charge

2007-07-28T13:08:00.000+05:30

Pratibha Patil has taken charge as India's 13th President.

She was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan at a function in the Central Hall of Parliament House on July 25.

The function was attended by a host of VVIPs, including outgoing President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union ministers, former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Opposition leaders, governors, chief ministers and members of the diplomatic corps.

A 21-gun salute was accorded to Patil after she was sworn-in as the country's 13th President. She solemnly affirmed by the oath, which she took in English. The new President, dressed in an off-white saree with a broad green border, savoured every moment of her reception as she smiled and cheerfully waved at the battery of lensmen gathered to catch on camera the historic moment.

Pratibha had, on July 21, won the presidential election by a huge 3 lakh margin defeating National Democratic Alliance-backed independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to become the first woman head of State in a bitterly-contested poll that saw some cross-voting from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

For reasons guided by astrological auspiciousness, it was for the first time that a President was sworn in the afternoon. All the eleven predecessors of Patil took oath in the afternoon.

Patil's address, first in English and then in Hindi, had several quotes from illustrious Indians like Marathi poet Sant Tukaram and Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore. She described herself as the Republic's first servant and said her sincere endeavour will be to live up to the high expectations of the people who chose to elect her as President.

Meanwhile, her predecessor, President A P J Abdul Kalam, has no regrets in his five years as President.

In an interview to India Today magazine, Kalam answered critics over the delay in deciding on the mercy plea of Mohammed Afzal Guru, facing a death sentence for his role in the terror attack on Parliament, contending that he had not received any papers from the government.

The 'people's President' was non-committal on whether he would accept the Prime Minister's post if, at some point, there was a need for a consensus candidate. 'This is a juicy question for you. But it looks hypothetical to me. My plate is already full...,' he said, referring to his decision to teach in five institutions.

Rs.15.5 Lakhs for a VIP Mobile number

2007-07-28T12:11:00.000+05:30

If India's economic liberalization is fruitful or not, here is an interesting story which shall make you believe that post economic liberalization Indians are indeed becoming rich. Take the case of this 26-year-old Amit Malhotra from Ludhiana city in Punjab state of India, son of a city garment manufacturer and property dealer, who spent a whopping Rs 15.50 lakhs (US$ 38,500) for the big-ticket mobile number 9780000000. It was just for a status symbol -- owning a VIP cell phone number like that!!!!

His father, Vijay Malhotra, was quoted as saying that this isn't something new for his son, and that he has always chosen VIP numbers as belongings. Just that this time round, he's blown up a huge amount of money on it...

All said, while a part of India that is seen as rich and fat might pride itself on this kind of obscenely ostentatious spending, what about the phone company -- in this case Hutch -- which actually conducted an auction of the VIP cell phone numbers?

Amit, who had previously applied for such a number; went through a phone auction that lasted from Tuesday morning through Wednesday evening, and haggled alongside 4 other eager customers to eventually seal the big win.

13 Indians among top Asian businessmen in US

2007-07-19T21:41:00.000+05:30

"Honesty and hard work are the ingredients for success. Not in my dreams could I have achieved one-hundredth of what this land has given to me," said Darshan Singh Bagga, one of 13 Indian Americans to win the 'Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business' award from the Asian American Business Development Center.

Elaine Chao, US Secretary of Labor, presented the awards at a ceremony attended by 800 people at The Waldorf Astoria in New York, recently.

The 13 Indian Americans to win the 'Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business' award include Darshan Singh Bagga, Ram Tirumala, Ravilochan Pola, Gunjan Sinha, C N Madhusudan, Umesh Vaidyamath, Sandeep Gupta, Sanjeev Narula, Ashish Kalra, Virendra Patel, Al Limaye, Vivek Shah, and Sanjay Bose.

Hailed as the Asian American business community's most distinguished award programme, the Outstanding 50 is the largest, all-encompassing Asian American business award program in the nation.

It honours individuals with outstanding leadership, vision and accomplishment who have built a successful business or who have distinguished themselves within their community.
In addition to the Outstanding 50 award, the Pinnacle Award recognises an individual who has reached the top of his professional field.

The 2007 Pinnacle Award recipient is Nusrat Durrani, senior vice president and general manager, MTV World, a division of MTV created to launch new MTV-branded channels that serve emerging audiences in the United States.

A real estate tycoon in Long Island, New York, Bagga noted: "This land is the land of immigrants. With hard work, imagination and honesty you can go up."
He came to the United States 37 years ago as a nuclear safety engineer. He was a class one officer in India, when he found a few disturbing truths.

As an officer, he could become a lakhpati (a man with Rs 100,000) when he retires. "I thought, Why should I wait for that till I retire? I could make more than that in five, six years in America."

When he arrived in the US, he had $70 on him. He worked as an engineer for a few years before he started Darshan Singh Bagga, LLC, a real-estate investment and development company, in 1981.

He has taken on several development projects, including Bagga Tower, in which he built a nine-story apartment complex above an existing one-story shopping center while it was still in operation.

He is the pioneer sponsor of the NYC law for tax abatements (1997) for an extension above an existing building and he was the first person to receive such a tax abatement.
In May 2002, he took on another challenging project, the 100,000 square foot Bagga Plaza. The property had been abandoned for three years and is now one of the most lively shopping centers in Nassau County.

He is also the chair of a committee responsible for planning and developing the Long Island 9/11 Memorial at the State University of Farmingdale. The project, estimated to cost $7 million, will depend on money raised from the public.

He has received awards like the Hind Ratan (from the then Indian prime minister H D Deve Gowda), the Punjab Ratan, and others.

He credits his wife Lovlin Kaur for his success. They have two sons, Dr Simran Singh and Harpreet Singh, and a daughter, Heer Kaur, who is married to Amit Singh.
Another award winner, Sandeep Gupta, works at Deloitte & Touche in New York, and has over 14 years of experience serving the financial services industry.

He serves domestic and global clients and specialises in performing reviews of risk management, trading, and regulatory and operations areas.

Prior to his move to New York, he worked at Deloitte's offices in Toronto, Canada, and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and at an accounting firm in Mumbai.

He serves as the president of the Metro New York chapter of the National Asian American Society of Accountants, a chapter with nearly 500 members. Gupta is a CPA and a management accountant in the United Kingdom and a chartered accountant in India.

Miss Shilpa Shetty becomes Dr. Shilpa Shetty

2007-07-19T10:54:00.000+05:30

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty was today awarded an honorary doctorate by the Leeds Metropolitan University for the "dignity and poise" that she showed during the Celebrity Big Brother racism row.

"In Shilpa Shetty you are graduating with someone who rose to that challenge with great dignity and poise, making a difference," Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Simon Lee said during the convocation ceremony.

"There are some parallels between the challenges faced in any house and student life. Someone at some time will behave badly, not necessarily to you but to others or the wider community, to someone or some group who cannot defend themselves," he added.

Shilpa, who won the Celebrity Big Brother reality television show, collected the award amidst 4,000 students present at the ceremony.

After receiving the honorary degree, Shilpa said: "If you see anyone suffering indignity stand up for them," adding, "I have won some awards, at the cost of sounding immodest, I have never seen my mother beam so much as she is today."

This is not the first time that the university presented an honorary doctorate to a Bollywood actor. Earlier, the university had presented a degree to legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.

The university is closely associated with the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA). (ANI)

Taj on the Thames

2007-07-18T13:24:00.000+05:30

Just as the Taj Mahal was absorbed into the list of the new Seven Wonders of the World, it will very soon see itself afloat on the Thames.As part of a genuine effort to push Indo-UK ties, the mayoral office is all set to launch an ‘India Now' season in London.

And as a precursor to the festivities, the 17th of this month will see the Taj floating on the Thames- a replica, of course.Sculpted by well-known Bollywood art director Bijon Das Gupta, the Taj is currently being worked on in mild steel primed frames clad in birch ply for the enduring purpose.

Interestingly, the base of the edifice will be painted by our own Suchi Chidambaram, the Chennai-born UK bred artist.The base, that will be separate from the main Taj Mahal, will exemplify London and the Indian cities of Mumbai and Delhi on either side.An expressionistic artist, Suchi is acclaimed for her works on views of cities.

Not painted in situ, but from her distinctive memory of these places, her saga on the Taj is bound to attract attention, with Thames playing on the reflection.

“In my paintings for this project, I wish to highlight the special bond between these two great countries through impressionistic stokes of vibrant colour, each to signify the constant inspiration and support that they have been for each other. In turn, their reflection in the water will remain a constant reminder of their powerful similarities,” she said.

“These are both great cities with greater people. They may speak a different language and dress in a different fashion, but have the very same spirit and attitude,” she added.

Celebrating the cultural aspects of the country, the 'India Now' season will see a host of events spanning over three months, with Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, fashion designer Manish Arora and Londonborn Bollywood star Upen Patel being the ambassadors for the event.

“India is playing an important part in London. It is indeed a vibrant ethnic community. The contribution of Indians is important,” said Mark Prescott from the Mayor of London’s office.

“What we are trying to do is send a message that it is not only their money but also their culture that is welcome,” he added.

Ramdev hosts major London yoga camp

2007-07-18T10:55:00.000+05:30

Controversial yoga leader and guru Swami Ramdev is hosting a six-day camp in London later this month, in what is billed as one of the UK's biggest yoga events.

Ramdev has carved a loyal following in his native India, where millions watch his twice-daily TV shows showing pranayama (breath) exercises and healthy living tips.
Ravmdev claims his pranayama breathing exercises reduce stress and release feel-good hormones.

His approach may come as a surprise to many yoga fans in the West, where the emphasis is mostly on physical postures (asanas).
But the Indian guru, who was born in 1965 in the state of Haryana, is no stranger to controversy.

Press reports last year stated Ramdev made claims that yoga could cure AIDS and cancer - allegations he claimed were misleading.

Earlier in 2006, Ramdev was accused of using human and animal bones in his medicine. These allegations were later discredited.

The Alexandra Palace yoga camp runs from July 27 to August 1. Passes start at £51 and rise to £251 for a chance to meet Ramdev.

Monkey steals tourist's glasses

2007-07-17T23:25:00.000+05:30

Just imagine , if during your visit to a foreign land you find that your costly reading glasses have been stolen from your hotel room. You shall be frustrated but more if the pair of glasses have been stolen by a monkey!!!!!!!. Exactly same thing happened with a South Korean tourist while he was visiting the Hindu holy city of Varanasi in northern India.

Kim Dang Hoon has filed a formal complaint against a monkey he says stole his reading glasses during his visit to the Varanasi.

Kim Dang Hoon says he opened his hotel room window for fresh air when the monkey made his move.

"He headed straight to the table where my glasses were kept and took it away," Kim said in the statement.Part of the frame later was recovered by hotel staff and Kim said he filed the report so he can make a damages claim on his travel insurance.

Thousands of wild monkeys roam Varanasi, dotting the trees on the banks of the Ganges River and scampering through the city's many temples, where they are venerated as manifestations of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.

On Tuesday, police combed Varanasi's alleys searching for the monkey."It is difficult to trace the monkey but I am trying my best to locate the rogue," investigating officer Inspector Govind Singh said from Varanasi, some 185 miles southeast of Lucknow.

"But we can't do anything.We cannot shoot them or beat them as Hindus worship monkeys," he said.

RCom buys US Ethernet major Yipes for $300mn

2007-07-17T12:01:00.000+05:30

In its single largest acquisition till date, Reliance Communications Ltd. (RCom) has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the U.S.-based Yipes Holdings, the leading provider of managed Ethernet services. The all-cash deal is valued at Rs. 1,200 crore ($300 million) and it accelerates RCom’s penetration into the lucrative $100 billion global enterprise data market.

According to Anil D. Ambani, Chairman, RCom, “the acquisition of Yipes drives forward our strategy to offer the most sophisticated, cutting edge data communication products and services, specialising in application and content distribution, spanning developed and emerging markets.
“We see enormous potential to rapidly expand Yipes coverage in the U.S. and to globalise Yipes service by leveraging our customer relationships and network reach around the globe. We confidently expect this acquisition to significantly enhance the growth rate, profitability and returns of our global data business.”

The San Francisco-headquartered Yipes has pioneered Metro Ethernet and developed leading edge proprietary products to meet its customer requirements. It has nearly 1,000 enterprise customers, concentrated across four industry verticals — financial, legal, government and healthcare — which now account for 50 per cent of the Ethernet market.

It owns over 22,000 route kilometres of fibre across 14 U.S. metros. In addition, it is present in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Promod Haque, Yipes Chairman, and Managing Partner, Norwest Venture Partners, said, “we saw long ago the impact Ethernet services would have on the telecommunications industry. Yipes has consistently brought fresh ideas and tangible innovation to this market. This acquisition of Yipes by India’s powerhouse, Reliance Communications sets the stage for a major transformation within global telecommunications.”

For RCom, the Yipes acquisition is a key step to move up the value chain and closer to its customers in the global data business.

Punit Garg, President, Global Business, RCom, said, “the acquisition of Yipes will place RCom among the top three global Ethernet service providers in the world. e plan to leverage the significant headstart of Yipes in Ethernet services, double the coverage in the U.S. domestic market and roll out Yipes services over the FLAG global network.”

No unemployment by 2010, growth at 8%: Rangarajan

2007-07-17T11:56:00.000+05:30

India can mop out unemployment by 2010 with a constant economic growth of 8% and the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Coiuncil claims that the target could be achieved even before if the growth of GDP is at a higher level.

It is seen that with a GDP growth rate of 8%, by 2010 the workforce (number of employed people) will become equal to the labour force (number of employable people),” the EAC, which submitted its economic outlook report for 2007-08 to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said.

The EAC, headed by former RBI Governor C Rangarajan, and comprising noted economists like Saumitra Choudhary concluded that the days of ‘jobless growth´ were over.

“Economic growth has been a major driving force in achieving a higher level of employment,” it said. However, it remained concerned over the quality of employment since there is a skill mismatch that needs to be addressed “in order to enable a smooth tranfer of employment from agriculture to the secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy”.

F1 – Whose sport is this ?

2007-07-17T11:53:00.001+05:30

When ministers and ex-ministers holding important positions in government passionately talk about something like Formula 1 (F1) as sport, many question comes in mind. Whose sport is this anyways? Have we really done justice to sports which are popular nationally and poor are able to participate. A sport which is highly class based and requires enormous pumping of resources, money and land, but caters only a few, should such sport get government backing? Is government which time and again displays its loyalty to the ruling class, has found a new avenue to pamper the whizkid of the Richie rich.

Lands of poor farmers are encroached in the name of public purpose and are left with no avenues of employment and livelihood. When the traditional sports are getting lost against the recognized universal sports, we find new pump of energy from the class which are expected to promote all sports in the country. More so sports which has no corporate backing. Sports like Golf and F1 racing which are so class specific and requires certain economic prerequisite for entry should be given state patronization.

No Garlands for Gods in 'Siddhivinayak Temple'

2007-07-17T11:40:00.000+05:30

"Siddhivinayak Temple" is Mumbai's most famous Hindu temples. Temple authorities have barred worshippers from giving traditional offerings of garlands & coconuts to Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good fortune, out of fears that bombs could be hidden inside.

"As of today we have asked people not to bring in coconuts," said Subash Mayekar, a trustee at central Mumbai's Siddhivinayak Temple. He said worshippers are also prohibited from bringing floral garlands, but added, "a few flowers in their hands are all right.

"Security measures have been stepped up at many temples across India after a temple in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi was targeted in an attack last year."

Explosives could be placed inside coconuts and we have to be careful," said Mayekar, adding that the process of searching all the worshippers' offerings was causing long delays.

Worshippers are not happy with the decision by the temple.

"It is sacrilegious not to offer coconuts. It goes against Hindu faith and custom," said S. Ganesan, who has written a book on the temple. "They should instead update their security. If a terrorist wants to create trouble, he does not need a coconut.

"Worshippers traditionally walk barefoot for many miles to Siddhivinayak Temple hoping their prayers to Ganesh, the god of good fortune, are answered. Thousands of people visit the temple daily.

God enters Woman on a Banyan Tree

2007-07-17T11:22:00.000+05:30

Ascetics, Saints & Devotees do penance for unlimited years to find God but here is a woman from Jharkhand state of India who has found God by climbing a Banyan Tree & praying over there.

Jhirgi Urain, aged 40, a resident of Pola, about 70 km from Ranchi in Jharkhand state of India, has become the centre of attraction in the village after she climbed up a banyan tree and said she will stay there till god wants her to. She went to offer obeisance to a tribal god on June 14 at the base of a banyan tree in her village. Later she climbed up the tree and started praying there.

Urain has been fasting since then and has not come down from the tree. She is only taking water.

When people asked her to come down, she said: "Unless god asks me to do so I will remain here."

A large number of people from far-flung villages are now thronging the banyan tree to offer their prayers to the woman.

"It seems god has entered into her. She is not behaving like a normal human being. Her speech and acts are like god," said Manohar, a villager.

"There is a strong belief in our religion that god finds his way inside a good soul and starts preaching people. Our Sarna god might have entered into her. We are worshipping her to appease our god," he said.

Girl child rescued from grave

2007-07-16T23:34:00.000+05:30

In India problem of "Dowry" is like a scourge & due to this many parents don't want girl child in their family as they have to pay huge dowry in her marriage. That is the reason that in many states of India Girl : Boys ratio is remarkably low, as people either abort the girl child or in a few cases even kill them.

Now take the case of this couple who tried to kill their two-day-old granddaughter by burying her alive on the outskirts of Utkoor town in Mahabubnagar district in Andhra Pradesh state of India.

Abdul Rehman and Kusoora Begum whose family was already having seven daughters did not wanted the girl child anymore. So they hatched a plan, dug a pit on the roadside and buried the little girl in it. A passersby who heard her crying from a semi-dug grave in an agricultural field rescued her.

Its really shameful that such incidents occur in Indian society. It's the only one which was noticed & came to news. There are many cases which just go unnoticed & girls are killed just like that.

Taj Mahal & a Slum of Howrah

2007-07-16T23:11:00.000+05:30

What is common between Taj Mahal & a dingy tenement in Howrah slum near Kolkata in West Bengal state of India?

Taj Mahal has been named one of the "New Wonders of the World" & here is "Sultana Begum", the 54-year-old great granddaughter-in-law of the last Mughal Emperor "Bahadur Shah Zafar", who was a direct descendent of Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal. Sultana's husband, late Mirza Mohd Bedar Bukht, was the direct descendant of Bahadur Shah Zafar and crown queen Zeenat Mehal.

"Sultana Begum" lives in her home in a West Bengal slum at Howrah. She lives in a 66 sq ft dingy room at Foreshore Road in Howrah district & is getting Indian Rs.400 ( US$ 10 ) as monthly pension from the Indian government.

Nevertheless, she was full of joy & happiness when marble mausoleum in Agra was named one of the "New Wonders of the World" in Lisbon.

'It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I stayed up till late in the night to watch the telecast of the results from Lisbon,' an ecstatic Sultana Begum said.

Jai Jagannath Ji..

2007-07-16T13:34:00.000+05:30

Jagannath Rath Puri Yatra!!

2007-07-16T12:47:00.000+05:30

One of the four most famous holy pilgrimages of the Hindus in India is the Jagannath Temple of Puri. The festival of Rath Yatra celebrated here, is world famous for the enormous crowd of devotees that gathers to witness Lord Jagannath’s yearly journey in his huge chariot. Perhaps the only deity to be brought out of the temple every year, Lord Jagannath, with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, goes to his garden house for five days, visiting his aunt on the way. At the end of the five days, the three siblings are brought back to the Jagannath temple in a procession called the Ultarath. As the preparations for the procession begin, all routine activity in the town comes to a standstill. The temple kitchen – the largest in the world – serves more than 75 quintals of rice everyday along with 55 other dishes. These are offered to the gods in the temple and later distributed as Mahaprasad to the devotees.

Amidst the resounding clash of cymbals, and the tumultuous thundering of drums, the three gods, Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra leave their abode, the Jagannath temple, to journey to the Gundicha Mandir, three kilometers away.

Millions of devotees flock to the town to watch the trinity ride in their elaborate chariots through the streets of Puri. On all auspicious occasions, special ceremonies and rituals are performed replete with pomp and splendor in the temples of Puri, but nothing matches that of the Rath Yatra. Since the portals of the Jagannath temple allow entry only to Hindus, one of the gods, Maitri Devta, who symbolizes universal brotherhood, steps outside during this time so people of all religions and castes can pay obeisance.

A spiritual ambience pervades the whole scene as bells chime; conch shells blow and the saffron robed sadhus dance with abandon. It is fascinating to watch the delirious masses paying homage to the Lord as the chariots move on almost as if propelled by a divine force.

A fortnight before the Rath Yatra, the three deities are given a holy bath on an open platform – the Snana Vedi. Since the images become discolored as a result of the bath, they are kept away from the public. At this time, the deities are said to be ill and are left to rest in isolation. A day before the procession, three gigantic chariots are exquisitely decorated and lined up outside the temple gates.

Lord Jagannath’s chariot, the red and yellow Nandighosh, is about 45 feet in height with 16 massive wheels and a gold dome on top. The red and green Taladhwaj is only slightly smaller and belongs to Balabhadra. The smallest, Dev Datan belongs to Subhadra, who travels between the chariots of her two brothers. These grandiose structures, with brightly colored canopied tops, resemble the 12th century Jagannath temple in shape.

Embellished and decorated with tinsel and ancient accessories, each of the chariots has a large platform covered with huge flower umbrellas. On the morning of the Yatra, the rhythmic clang of metal gongs, blowing of conch shells and trumpets and chanting of holy men fill the air as priests called Daityas vbring out the bedecked idols to their raths. Lord Jagannath makes his appearance first, amidst ecstatic cries of ‘Jai Jagannath’. The overwhelmed jubilant crowds work themselves into a state of devotional frenzy, as if hypnotized by the large eyes of their beloved Lord.

The procession then awaits the arrival of the Gajapati or the King of Puri. The king comes in a traditional palanquin, following a procession of decorated elephants and horses. The King of Puri is a descendant of the royal family of Orissa and has complete control over the management and property of the Jagannath temple. He performs the Chhera Paharna, to express his humility before God. He sweeps the chariots with a gold broom and sprinkles holy water on them. There is a deafening roar of cheer as the procession inches ahead.

Balabhadra the eldest brother takes the lead followed by Subhadra and Jagannath. The chariots are drawn by 50-metre long ropes attached to their front. Devotees surge ahead for an opportunity to give a hand in pulling the ropes, as it is believed that this will absolve them of all their sins and help them attain salvation. One of the unique rituals of this procession is the Lord’s visit to his aunt’s house.

It is said that the three siblings do not like visiting their aunt who is said to be mean. However, the three go to the mashibari after being ritually scolded by the head priest.

'Tirupati Balaji' - Richest God in the world

2007-07-16T11:49:00.001+05:30

Just think, which temple is most visited in the world.......It is the temple of Tirupati Balaji or temple of Lord Venkateshwara & is famous for being the most-visited shrine in the world and its prime deity for being the richest God in the world. This temple is in the town of Chittor District of Andhra Pradesh in India & is located in the foot hills of Tirumala. It is around 140 km from Chennai and 740 km from Hyderabad city in India.

The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatadri Hills on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini & because of this reason only Lord Balaji has been named Venkateswara. The Greatness & opulence of Lord Balaji, the Preserver of the Whole Universe, is reflected in his richly ornamented life-size idol in the Tirumala Tirupati temple.

In the temple the black idol of Lord Balaji is covered in gold, jewellery and precious ornaments and its height is 2 meters.The sacred shrine is visited by millions of devotees from far and wide and has been worshipped consistently since the past thirteen years. Every year more than 12 million people visit this temple from within India and the world. Every year the temple receives around Indian Rs 10 Billion ( More than 200 Million US$) in offerings from the devotees.

So now you can imagine the devotion & religious nature of Indian people & may sound weird to many people. Another strange thing is about the tradition of shaving off your head after visiting the temple & the human hairs collected here are even exported to other countries for making wigs for the people who are deprived of such precious possession. Does it sound weird to you........you only judge.....

Temple of a Tortoise

2007-07-16T11:44:00.000+05:30

We have all heard of temples of Gods but in India there is a temple in which though God is worshipped but God is there in the form of a tortoise. It is the only temple in the country which is dedicated to lord Vishnu’s (A Hindu God) second avatar, the tortoise. It is there in Srikakulam town in northern Andhra Pradesh which is about 120 km from Visakhapatnam in South India.

The name of the temple is Kurmamnatha Swamy temple. Over here Devotees believe that by worshipping the tortoise avatar (the Kurma avatar of lord Vishnu) one can earn many spiritual benefits. As per the Devotees human being is purified of all sins and is freed from the cycle of rebirth by worshipping the tortoise avatar of God.

It is very old temple & rock edicts from 11 AD decorate the walls of this temple. More that 200 pillars and many inscriptions in Devanagari script dating between 11th and 19th century are there in the temple. The temple also looks like a tortoise on the move.

Some say that this temple was once a Shiva temple, the Sri Pathala Siddeswara Kshetra temple. It was later converted into a Vaishnavaite temple by Great saint Ramanujacharya in the 11th century.

To some it may look weird but story of God incarnating as Tortoise is very common in Hindu Mythology & Hindu religious books.

108-year-old woman, a spokesperson of Modern India’s history

2007-07-16T11:11:00.000+05:30

Saraswathy Ramaswamy, born on 1 January 1900 in Secunderabad, is a living history of modern India. This 108-years-old woman can speak and write in almost six languages viz. Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and English. One should not doubt her fluency over the language as it is competitive enough for those who have any of this launguage as their native one.
The lady was born on the very first day of the 20th century and is aware of the almost all the developments of the pre and post-independence India.
You count the incidents or events viz. fight against British imperialism or the successive Indian governments or others, the updated mind of this old day remembers all. Presently, Saraswathy is residing at Vishranthi´, a home for aged women, on the outskirts of the city at Palavakkam.
An aficionado of Mahatma Gandhi, she rightly remembers the assassination of the ‘father of the nation´. Sharing her views about the past developments and possibilities, she recalls the time when India was likely to get a woman President, she said: “Our country would have progressed very well if all women were like Indira Gandhi.”
Saraswathi, a big fan of the late Prime Minister doesn’t take a backseat when it comes to give the deserving respect to the incumbents. Following this, the very picture of Sonia maker her salute her.

The blues of the blueline buses

2007-07-16T11:10:00.000+05:30

Buses were supposed to be the effective mediums of reaching a destination, but now with the immense recklessness of the drivers, flouting of all traffic-rules and driving violations, the only destination seems to be the death-door. And why not? When in only last six months, blueline buses have been involved in more than 60 fatal accidents in the capital.
On July 1, a 11 year-old boy was crushed under a Blueline bus in Rajouri Garden and on June 17 two people were involved in an accident with a Blueline bus in Defence Colony - one of them died.
On June 4, a Blueline bus killed one in Tilak Nagar. On May 9, a Blueline bus rammed into a motorcycle near ITO killing its rider.
On May 2, a cyclist lost his life to a Blueline bus in Chanakyapuri. On April 18, in Preet Vihar another man on a bike was killed while on February 8, a BSF trooper was hit by a Blueline bus.
And these are only minute minnows to the tremendous tragedy brought about by these speedy buses. Now people travel taking their lives in their hands.
“Given a choice, I would prefer to walk than board a Blueline bus,” Dikshit commented when asked if she would herself feel safe boarding a Blueline bus.
“We will be coming out with an advertisement soon to invite corporate houses to ply the buses. We might opt for setting up cooperatives to run these buses. This would eliminate the contract system while making the big firms accountable for any mishap,” she told reporters. The Chief Minister explained that all Blueline buses could not be withdrawn at one go as it would create a shortage and pose problems for the commuters. “Besides, the fitness of the buses will be checked every six months,” she said.
The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the city government and Transport Ministry on their “failure” to regulate the buses in accordance with the guidelines set up by the Supreme Court.
“We direct the Delhi Administration to file an affidavit within three weeks,” a bench comprising Justices Justice Mukul Mudgal and P K Bhasin said while directing them to file response to six questions.
“The Administration should show cause why this court should not immediately order the replacement of these blue line vehicles by a safer mode of public transport,” the bench asked the government.
Pulling up the administration for its failure to control the menace, the bench said the court “appreciates its concern for the Commonwealth Games, but the same concern should be shown towards the plight of the pedestrian”.
But how long will it take to come out with a “safer” mode of transport? And till then what about the comfort of the commuters? Will the people accept this short-term inconvenience for a long-term safety?

American scientist “Rajesh” reborn in India

2007-07-16T11:05:00.000+05:30

Call it nature’s blessing, life’s boon or God’s smart way to rework on his creation. But this has happened and thus you have to believe in it.

‘Rajesh”, a 14-years young pastoral boy from Bilaspur village of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh state of India is the blessed creature, who luck has favored him. Student of class IX, this boy speaks like a 40-year old intellectual man in perfect American English accent.

Forgetting his local language and also Hindi language, could have been a case of memory-lapse. But this switch-over to American accent is beyond one’s understanding. What makes difficult for us to understand this is the fact being an alien to science is now teaching Newton’s laws,
Einstein principles to B-Tech Engineering students.

His persona is no less than an-experienced scientist efficient enough to hone the skills related to Physics, Chemistry laws to students. His body language and teaching methodology similar to a 40 years old scientist would easily make one doubt his age.

Presently based in Rampur Villages with his aunt, his life’s journey is limited to villages only till date. Eyebrows are raised when a child of 14 talks in American English and shows his interest in doing research on Mars & Space.

His small family comprising of mother Omkara Devi, an illiterate laborer; father Som Pal Singh, a mental patient; brother Anuj & a sister Muskan are considering this rebirth as a God’s wish.
When talked to Omkara Devi, she said: “Almost 1.5 years back he was normal but all of a sudden he started speaking English.” This raises a question, is he abnormal now?

Recalling past life, His mother said that three months back his mental father was knocked on the head & the very trauma made him silent for 3 months. After keeping himself locked in attic for three-months, he transformed into a new being, who is presently known as American Scientist Rajesh. Brother Anuj believes these memories could be a part of his earlier birth. Who knows?

Let’s listen to Rajesh’s words now: “It is Re-Memory, as Memory never dies, it is transferred when a person is reborn.” These words give a clear indication of the rebirth of an American Scientist as Rajesh.

Can we label it as regeneration or a blessed split personality? You decide as I wish to respect your comments.

Is 'Kalpana Chawla' Reborn in India?

2007-07-13T10:42:00.000+05:30

In India stories of reincarnation are very common. Every now & then we find small Childs in India claiming to remember their past lives, in which they tell exact details of their previous life. But is this story of a 4 yr old from India claiming to be the reincarnation of Kalpana Chawla true? The great India born astronaut "Kalpana Chawla" worked with NASA in United States of America & died on February 1, 2003 as the Columbia space shuttle on which she was returning to earth after a space mission, disintegrated 16 minutes prior to landing on earth.

Here is "Upasana", a 4 yr old Girl from Bulandshahar in Uttar Pradesh state in northern India. As per one IBN7 - TV report in India today, "Upasana", the little girl claims to be the reincarnation of "Kalpana Chawla".

"Upasana" was born on 23rd March 2003, while "Kalpana Chawla" died on Ist Feb. 2003. "Upasana" claims to be the reincarnation of "Kalpana Chawla". As per "Upasana", she is afraid of planes & claims that she died in the air, in an air crash. She has told Kalpana's father's name too & as per her claim she also knows about the Professors & Mentors of "Kalpana Chawla".

As per Upasana's father Raj Kumar,"Upasana has been telling us ever since she started speaking that her name was Kalpana Chawla and that her father's name was Banarsi Das Chawla but we could not figure out anything as we had never heard of Kalpana".

Now how true is the reincarnation claim of the "Upasana", the little girl as "Kalpana chawla", is debatable. Viewers comments are invited on this.

Make Money Blogging Tips

2007-06-22T23:01:00.000+05:30

How can you “Make Money Blogging Tips”. There are many tips and advice that you can write to people on the internet. As an expert in article writing and blogging, I faced many questions by many people online what type of tips to write.

Here are some great tips on how you can make money blogging tips

1. Blog On Tips Of Your Interest

The best tips to make money blogging tip is to blog on topic that interest you the most. Make sure that the tips you are writing about you know of a lot. One very good example what types of topic to write is ask yourself these 3 questions.

What have you been doing for the past 3 years?
What is your job scope?
What is your most favourited hobby that you can read it every day but never get bored?

Answer the above questions to find out what type of interest within yourself that you have. It is important to know what’s your key interest before you blog about tips you want to share.

When you target yourself an expert in a field, people may question your articles and advice so it would be safer to always talk about things you know most about so that you can answer their feedbacks when they contact you.

2. Blog on Tips by Giving Reviews

You can also make money blogging tips on review of other people’s services, products and services. What you write your reviews, do make sure that you had done your research before you start commenting about the services or products. This is to avoid any people from faming you for giving false reviews.

In your reviews, you would want to talk about what you like about the product or services. And also, you would want to talk some disadvantages of the services and have a fair balance in your reviews so that people will know both sides of the product.

3. Blog on Tips by Asking Feedback

When you start to blog, ask your visitors what they like about your blog. Do contest, feedback and ask people what they thought about your blog or article advice. Do give incentives for people to comment to encourage people to participant.

In everything, that you blog you would want to have these few things in your articles.
- Ask for a backlink
- Create a call to action for your readers
- Ask for comments in your post

Whom you think is beautiful...me or she?

2007-06-20T11:58:00.000+05:30

You wanna go UK..?

2007-06-20T11:53:00.000+05:30

Please leave your commets on this. its very important.

Looking for Creative Interns

2007-06-20T11:51:00.000+05:30

Maa-ki-zubaan

2007-06-20T11:39:00.000+05:30

Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine, Vidya about languages in India. When our Thursday “mandir gang” gets together, all of us speak Hindi except for Shiva and Vidya. Shiva can understand it but doesn’t speak it, and Vidya hardly understands it. They are from Tamil Nadu and moved to the US about three years back.
Toh ek din hum log ice cream khaane gaye toh Papa ne koi comment maara aaise hi Shiva par yaa kuch (theek se ab yaad nahi hai ). Toh Papa ne Vidya ko poocha, “Vidya, kuch samaj main aaya?” She said, “No.” Mumma and Papa both said that its high time that you should learn Hindi. She was saying that its because they don’t teach it in the South, that’s why she never got a chance to learn (plus she has never TRIED to learn either ).
I got involved (of course! ) and told Vidya that you have to know atleast our mother tongue. She said that Hindi is not our mother tongue, then I asked what is the mother tongue of India? Of course, I know what she is going to say: Tamil. Umm, no, that would be a state language just like Gujrati, Punjabi, Sindhi, etc. Does India have a mother tongue? What is Hindi? Is it a state language? Why don’t they teach Hindi in the South? Why is there always this division between North and South? I stayed put with my argument and told her that Hindi is the mother tongue of India because more than 90% of the population can speak Hindi. Yes, its important to know your state languages (even I know my parents’ state languages - Gujrati and Punjabi) but I also know Hindi as well. Now if you get all of the different people together from each state, how the heck are you going to communicate?? South Indians would say: English. If you get someone like Laloo Prasad Yadav (Manpreeu’s role model ) sitting in this group then you can be quite sure that he doesn’t know a lick or split of English. Then everyone SHOULD communicate in Hindi.
I don’t really understand the argument where you can say that Hindi is not our mother tongue. Come on yaar, your state is important but more important than the rest of the country? Then the point I brought up with them was why do you watch Hindi movies? Do you watch other any of the other states’ movies?? That makes Hindi different from any other language
What are your views on this? I would love to hear what you think about this matter.

~Bhojpuri go Makadmanwa~

2007-06-19T12:32:00.000+05:30

Hollywood comic-book film Spider-man 3 is being dubbed into Bhojpuri with Ravi Kishen lending his voice to the main lead.
You heard it right. Toby Maguire will speak Bhojpuri in Ravi's voice!
"No, this isn't a nightmare. I'm dubbing for Spiderman in Bhojpuri. I'm taking out a full seven days from my busy schedule to get the dubbing right. I've never dubbed for any other actor except myself. And I've to get this right," said Ravi, who is currently busy playing Gabbar Singh in the Bhojpuri interpretation of Sholay.
The last such film from Hollywood to be dubbed in India by a star was The Incredibles in which Shah Rukh Khan gave voice to the main character.
"Well they don't call me the Shah Rukh of Bhojpuri cinema for nothing. I'm doing this because I wanted my Bhojpuri fans to enjoy Spiderman in the voice that they love - mine!
"Wait till they hear me saying Hum makad manav hain, ud kar aayab aur tohar tetuwa dabaa deb (I'm Spiderman, I'll fly to you and throttle you)."
Incidentally, Shah Rukh's son Aryan had dubbed along with papa in The Incredibles.
"Spider-man in Bhojpuri is my gift to my son and all the kids who'd be on holiday in the summer."

Shayri...

2007-06-19T12:17:00.000+05:30

Arzoo honi chahiye kisi ko yaad kerne ki,
lamhe to apne aap mil jate hain,
wakt hona chahiye kisi ke saath guzarne ke lia,
bahane to apne app bun jate hain.

Tumhari yad dil se jane nai denge,
tumare jaisa dost khone nai denge,
sharafat se contact me rehna ,
varna itna marenge aur rone bi nahi denge.

Na janne tum par itna yakeen kyu hai
Tera har aik khayal haseen kyu hai
Kehte hai pyar ka dard mitha hota hai
Phir ankh se nikla aansu namkeen kyu hai?

Kisi k pyar me gehri chot khai hai,
wafa se pehle hi bewafai pai hai,
log to dua mangte hain is haal me marne ki,
par humne uski yadon me jine ki kasam khai hai.

Khudane dost ko dost se milaya.
Dosto ke liye dosti ka rista banaya.
Par kehte he dosti rahegi us ki kayam jisne dosti ko dil se nibhaya.

Jam pe jam piye ja rahe hai,
kuch safar zindgi ka jiye ja rahe hai,
na jane koun sa sans ho akhri,
is liye har sans ke sath yaad aapko kiye ja rahe hai.

Baatein karke rula na dijiyega...
U chup rehke saja na dijiyega...
Na de sake Khushi,to Gam hi sahi...
Par DOST bana ke uhi bhula na dijiyega.

Good Shayri...

2007-06-11T11:11:00.000+05:30

Geele Kagaz Ki Tarah Hai Zindagi Apni,
Koi Likhta Bhi Nahi Koi Jalata Bhi Nahi,
Is Qadar Akele Ho Gaye Hai Hum Aaj Kal,
Koi Satata Bhi Nahi Koi Manata Bhi Nahi...!!!

Raat Gayi Sitare Chale Gaye,
Gairo Se Kya Gila Jab Apne Chale Gaye,
Hum Jeet Sakte The Kayee Baaziya,
Bas Kuch Apno Ko Jitane Ke Liye Haarte Chale Gaye..

Mumkin Nahi Shayad Kisi Ko Samaj Pana,
Samajhe Bina Kisi Se Kya Dil Lagana,
Aasan Hai Kisi Ko Pyar Karna,
Bahut Mushkil Hai Kisi Ka Pyar Pana

जब प्यार नहीं है तो भुला क्यों नहीं देते

2007-05-30T12:14:00.000+05:30

जब प्यार नहीं है तो भुला क्यों नहीं देते?
ख़त किसलिए रखे हैं जला क्यों नहीं देते?

किस वास्ते लिखा है हथेली पे मेरा नाम
मैं हर्फ़ ग़लत हूँ तो मिटा क्यों नहीं देते?

लिल्लाह शब-ओ-रोज़ की उलझन से निकालो
तुम मेरे नहीं हो तो बता क्यों नहीं देते?

रह रह के न तड़पाओ ऐ बेदर्द मसीहा
हाथों से मुझे ज़हर पिला क्यों नहीं देते?

जब इसकी वफ़ाओं पे यकीं तुमको नहीं है
‘हसरत’ को निग़ाहों से गिरा क्यों नहीं देते?

मुसाफ़िर हैं हम तो

2007-05-30T12:04:00.000+05:30

मुसाफ़िर हैं हम तो चले जा रहे हैं बड़ा ही सुहाना ग़ज़ल का सफ़र है।
पता पूछते हो तो इतना पता है हमारा ठिकाना गुलाबी नगर है।

ग़ज़ल ही हमारा अनोखा जहाँ है ग़ज़ल प्यार की वो हसीं दासताँ है।
इसे जो भी सुनता है, वो झूमता है वो जादू है इसमें कुछ ऐसा असर है।

ना कोई थकन है, न कोई ख़लिश है मोहब्बत की जाने ये कैसी कशिश है।
जिसे देखिए वो चला जा रहा है, जहान-ए-ग़ज़ल की सुहानी डगर है।

वली, मीर, मोमिन ने इसको निखारा जिगर, दाग़, ग़ालिब ने इसको सँवारा।
इसे मोसिक़ी ने गले से लगाया ग़ज़ल आज दुनिया के पेश-ए-नज़र है।

यही है हमारा ताल्लुक़ ग़ज़ल से हम इसके लिए ये हमारे लिए है।
ये अपनी कहानी ज़माने में ‘हसरत’ सभी को पता है, सभी को ख़बर है।

मैं Imraan Hasami बनाना चाहता हूँ!!

2007-05-02T22:38:00.000+05:30

jokes!!!

2007-04-26T11:37:00.000+05:30

AJIT : Robert, Test Match mein kyaa ho raha hai ?
Robert : Boss, Vivian Richards chhakke pe chhakke maar raha hai.
Ajit: Saaleh ko sabak sikhana padega.Lunch break mein usse phone milana.
Robert : Yes Boss.

AJIT : (on phone, to Richards): Veeveeyun Reechards,tumhari Maa hamare kabze mein hai …….
(Scene - Ajit get’s hold of his favourite hero & then directs his chela.)
AJIT : Maikal, Is saale ke ek haath mein laal aur doosre haath mein hara rang laga do.

Maikal : Lekin kyon baas?
AJIT : Bewakoof, itnaa bhi nahin jaanta? Jab pulice yehaan aayegi to ise range haathon pakad legi. he he he

Maa Aisi hoti hai!!!!!

2007-04-26T11:29:00.000+05:30

Woh apne daaman se mere gunahon ko dho deti hai,
Maa bahut gusse mein hoti hai to ro deti hai

Dekh andhere tera munh kaala ho gaya,
Maa ne aankhein khol di ghar mein ujala ho gaya

++.............................++

Manish's Creation

Mai Yaad Aaunga!!!!

2007-04-26T11:22:00.000+05:30

Kahin saahilon pe jaogi to main yaad aaunga
Kisi bench ko khali paaogi to main yaad aaunga.

Mere haathon ke nishaan ko kahan kahan se ponchogi
Kahin se bhi badan sehlaaogi to main yaad aaunga.

Kabhi donoo mil kar bujhate the Shamayein
Salgirah ki bazam sajaogi to main yaad aaunga.

Tere husn ki ranginiyan meri amaanat thin
Daulat-e-husan lutaaogi to main yaad aaunga.

Ek ghazal jo main ne tujh pe likhi thi
Be Khayali main gungunaogi to main yaad aaunga.

Ab Ibaadat bhi tere jazb se khali hogi
Jab bhi sajde main jaogi to main yaad aaunga

Spirituality and Three Fs

2007-04-25T12:33:00.000+05:30

Recently, I have started noticing a trend. People believing in the “the more we have fun, food and f***, the more successful and happy we are. I absolutely have no problem with that. Every one is entitled to his/her own views and lifestyle. Only through live and let live, we can preserve peace in the family, community or in a nation.
But what makes me curious is that the meaner, the more calculative, self centered, selfish and hedonistic a person is, the more he/she talks about spirituality, God, temples, and inner peace. Is there not much in fun, food and f*** or 3 Fs? Or do we inculcate a lot of guilt in such persons that makes them seek “Satsang”, “Pravachan”, or “Lectures on art of living?” Deep down we all know, what we are doing and what is right and what is wrong. For this we don’t need a spiritual interpreter.

Arrogant Idiot!!!

2007-04-25T12:28:00.000+05:30

A very self-important college freshman at a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his own.
“You grew up in a different, actually almost primitive, world,” the student said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. “We young people today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars…We even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ….and uh..”
Taking advantage of a pause for breath in the student’s litany, the “wizened” one said, “You’re right, Son. We didn’t have those things when we were young……..so we invented them……you arrogant idiot!!
Now……what are you doing for the next generation??”

'It's not my fault I was born a Brahmin'

2007-04-25T10:20:00.000+05:30

Aman Jagannathan, 18, had never been arrested before. Neither had he ever publicly protested against the government.
Last year, the police picked him up twice -- while protesting at India Gate and outside the Supreme Court -- in New Delhi. He and his friends were in custody for 6 to 7 hours.
A friendly and eloquent medical student at India's best medical college, Aman is unsure if he wants his identity revealed as he looks back at the past year.
"I know I am not saying anything illegal but I just want to be careful," says the second year MBBS student at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, sitting on the steps of the Institute's playground. "I don't want to be known on campus as being against OBCs because I am not. I am just against the idea of reservation. I don't want to be misunderstood."
Last year, the government decided to increase the number of reserved seats in central government-run elite educational institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management and AIIMS by 27 per cent for the Other Backward Classes, taking reservations up to 50 per cent. Students on the campus were upset and agitated.
Aman knew he could not just sit back. He wanted to do something. He wanted to be heard.
"I am not against social justice but I feel merit should be appreciated. Reserve seats for those who don't have the economic means. Reserve seats for the children of those in the armed forces. Nobody will protest if you reserve seats for those who earn less than a lakh every year. Why should caste be the overarching factor? It's not my fault I was born a Brahmin."
In December, the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Bill, 2006 was passed in Parliament. But for the students, their fight was far from over.

सोच और कलम की ताक़त

2007-04-25T10:09:00.000+05:30

सच्चे शब्दों में सच के अहसास लिखेंगे ..II
वक्त पढे जिसको कुछ इतना खास लिखेंगे ..II
गीत गजल हम पर लिखेंगे लिखने वाले ,,,,
हमने कलम उठाइ तो इतिहास लिखेंगे..IIII

Kalam with International space students

2007-04-25T09:58:00.000+05:30

Snoring under Atalji's nose

2007-04-25T09:55:00.000+05:30

Amid the fallen shutters, we're hit by a burst of saffron and a lotus symbol, and right there, above Prince Dry Cleaners and sandwiched between two garment storefronts is a hoarding proclaiming the local BJP office.
Another glance shows us a decked up bha-ja-pa van, quiet as a dormouse -- proof of which lay, in the guise of a sleeping young volunteer, on the floorboards of the vehicle, right under the pictured BJP top brass.
It is just as we are merrily shooting the groggy BJP-men that the party's District Undersecretary Dilip Yadav and a colleague come over and introduce themselves. They say the BJP isn't working too hard on a day like today because they don't feel they have to. "There is a rally at four," Yadav's colleague visibly stifles a yawn, "but nothing right now. Which is why things are so quiet."

सारा जेन को मिस इंडिया वर्ल्ड का ताज

2007-04-09T21:53:00.000+05:30

ग्लैमर नगरी मुंबई में रविवार को रात हुए रोमांचक मुकाबले में मुंबई की सारा जेन डियास ने मिस इंडिया वर्ल्ड पूजा गुप्ता ने मिस इंडिया यूनिवर्स और पूजा चितगोपेकर ने मिस इंडिया अर्थ का खिताब अपने नाम कर लिया।कार्यक्रम से जुड़े एक अधिकारी ने बताया कि सारा ने स्पर्धा के 24 अन्य प्रतिभागियों को पछाड़ते हुए इस ताज पर कब्जा किया। सारा पेशे से वीडियो जॉकी और माडल हैं।स्पर्धा की पहली उपविजेता पूजा गुप्ता रहीं, जबकि दूसरी उपविजेता बनने का गौरव पूजा चितगोपाल को मिला। इस बार से सौंदर्य स्पर्धा में मिस वर्ल्ड के खिताब को आधिकारिक विजेता का दर्जा प्रदान किया गया है। इन हुस्न परियों को समाज की विभिन्न मशहूर हस्तियों ने अलग-अलग पैमानों पर परखा, जिनमें बॉलीवुड अभिनेता संजय दत्त अभिनेत्री प्रियंका चोपड़ा निर्देशक सुभाष घई और माडल उज्ज्वला राउत शामिल थीं।

रेगिस्तान का दर्द

2007-04-06T12:34:00.000+05:30

मीलों तक फैली अनंत, सीमाहीन रेत
जहाँ तक नजर जाती है
नहीं दिखता कोई सहारा, कोई आशा
जीवन की, अपनों के सान्निध्य की
मन के भीतर भी फैलती जाती है
बाहर की अनंत नीरवता
ह्रदयाकाश में भर गया है धुँआ
अपना कहने को कोई है
तो सम्मुख खड़ा मूक सहचर
जो चाह कर भी भर नहीं सकता
भीतर फैलते खालीपन को
ऐसे में इस सूनेपन को
पल दो पल को ही सही
इस धुँए से भरने का प्रयास करता हूँ
जानते हुए भी इसके नगण्य अस्तित्व को
पर कुछ और दिखता भी तो नहीं
चारों ओर जीवन में फैला है-
सिर्फ रेत और धुँआ।

कवि मनीष (वंदेमातरम)

औरत क्या हैं...?

2007-04-06T11:34:00.000+05:30

औरत क्या हैं?
एक निकलती हुई सुबह
सुबह,
जो रात का मदमता दामन
छोड़कर आती हैं
तकिं
परिंदे गायें,
फूल महेंके,
इंसान जागे,
ऐसी हैं औरत.........

औरत क्या हैं?
एक जवान होती दोपहरी,
जिसकी मरिचिका में,
आदमी,
इधर उधर आखुल सा
दौड़ता हैं,
पर पाता कुछ नही,
जिसकी बेअंत आग में आदमी
सबकुछ जला बैठता हैं,
बनाता कुछ भी नही

औरत क्या हैं?
एक ढलती हुई शाम,
शाम,
जो दिन के मुसीबतों को झेलते - झेलते,
अंत में मुस्कराते हुए
दम तोड़ जाती हैं,
लेती कुछ भी नही बल्कि
जाते- जाते अपनी
आख़िरी निशानी छोड़ जाती हैं

World's fastest thing on wheels

2007-04-03T23:02:00.000+05:30

574.8 kmph!

That's how fast France's high-speed V150 went on Tuesday to shatter the existing world speed record for conventional rail trains.
The speed train with three double-decker cars bettered the previous record of 515.3 kilometres per hour, set in 1990 by the French fast train.
The record was made on one of the trial runs on a new track east of Paris.
People lined bridges clapping and cheering as the train zipped underneath them.
The V150, however, fell short of the ultimate record set by Japan's magnetic train, which sped to 581 kilometres per hour in 2003.

Shah Rukh Khan gets waxed

2007-04-03T22:49:00.000+05:30

Now London has its very own Shah Rukh Khan.
After much hype, Bollywood megastar Khan finally unveiled his waxwork at Madame Tussauds on Tuesday, April 3.
Only the third Indian actor to make it into the famed museum of celebrity sculptures, Khan follows Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in being honoured thus.
King Khan is one out of 15 figures the museum plans to unveil this year.

Dosti aur Zindagi

2007-03-28T11:51:00.000+05:30

Zindagi Sabse Keemti hai Magar,
Dosti Zindgi se badhkar hai.
Lekin Ye Sirf Baaten Hain Kitabi,
Haqiqat mein to ye ek khwab se badhkar hai.

Dosti Par Jinki Tha Naaz Mujhko Abtak,
Dushmani aaj unse Dushmano Se Badhkar Hai.

Woh Samajh Na paye Mujhko, Ya khata Meri Nigahon Ki Thi,
Ki Fasla Darmiyan Aaj Khwab Se Badhkar Hai.

tamam nematein ho hasil to fayda kya
bahar-e-muflisi bahar-e-chaman se badhkar hai.

Dunia "Me Raj" Apna ho to fayda kya,
Ek dost bas apna ho ye sare jahan se badhkar hai.

Main qaayar toh nahi..

2007-03-23T11:32:00.001+05:30

I was like many other typically middle-class Indian boys - born and brought up in a mid-sized town, in a closed and restrictive environment, in a typical cocooned PSU housing colony. I lost my father almost exactly at the time I finished school and struggled to do a B.Sc. and then an MBA. Despite all adversities, I was the first person EVER in many generations of my family to actually leave the ‘native’ state to take up a job in New Delhi. The city was completely alien - coming from the protected environs of ‘home’, it felt like a ferocious jungle. But I enjoyed life in a group of young boys and girls from pretty much the same age-group and backgrounds as mine. That’s when I met Moon (obviously not her real name!).

For all our similarities, Moon had a disturbed childhood. Her mother was the daughter of a highly influential person married to a man of humble beginnings. The difference in their family backgrounds lead to marital discord and they divorced (reminiscent of the 70s’ Bollywood classic, ‘Aandhi’) when Moon was barely 5 years old. Her mother remarried outside their community. The step father could not bring himself to own up to the fact that he was married to a divorcee with two children from her previous marriage. He told his family that Moon and her sister were daughters of a poor cousin of his new bride who he had decided to adopt so they could have a good future. Added to this was the fact that the two sisters were packed off to boarding schools, traumatized Moon.

We nevertheless, hit it off well. It turned out that for all practical purposes, the two sisters had been brought up by their grand father (who lived in the North East). Moon’s sister (elder to her and me by two years) was already engaged to a man outside their community and was particularly fond of me and treated me as family. The old man lamented the fact that the family’s lineage would be broken if Moon too married out of their community. Moon’s and my growing proximity put her in a difficult situation – if we were to marry, she would disappoint her grand father who meant a lot to her . . . if we didn’t she would disappoint me. Her sister believed that I made the best husband for Moon given the fact that I had accepted her past and was (and still am) a tender and gentle person. But Moon was not able to make up her mind for months.

I finally made it easy for her - I told her to go by what her grand father wanted and marry within the community. I was young and could rebuild my emotional life. I broke down within but held a brave front so she could go on with life. I moved out of New Delhi to take up another job in Bangalore. I turned a complete recluse with absolutely no social life beyond the office, a lone cousin and his wife and my small TV. I grew older by many years in those two years. Moon and I continued to write to each other (in the days of snail mail, a letter would take up to a week to reach to and from the North East!). Eventually her marriage got fixed up. As coincidences were to happen, I moved home and shifted in with my cousin in his company quarters.

Just days before her wedding, I received a letter from her saying that she and her sister had come to Bangalore “to buy her trousseau” and tried contacting me for a full week and returned disappointed that they could not (since I had moved out of that place there was no one to pick up the phone and she didn’t have my office number!). I felt bad that I had lost the last opportunity to meet with her before her marriage and we went on with life. We continued writing to each other till I got married and my wife expressed her discomfort with my continued contacts with my ‘ex’.

It was years later that I realized what a qaayar (loser) I was. A true winner would have gone and met with her grand father right in the beginning, won him over and married his love. I didn’t. Further, I was so dumb that I didn’t realize the true reasons of Moon’s and her sister’s visit to Bangalore: Why would the two sisters travel three days in a train to buy a few meters of Mysore silk when their own native state produced some of the best silks in the world? Why would they want to shop in a city with a lone distant uncle as their sole connection (having lived in Guwahati, Shillong, Chandigarh and New Delhi all their lives)? It was obvious that her sister was making last minute attempts to get us together with Moon’s tacit consent. A true winner would have rushed to her place as soon as he heard of the visit to Bangalore, irrespective of the consequences. I didn’t.

It made me feel like a big qaayar . . . a big loser. A feeling that stuck with me all through the rest of my life affecting all relationships thereafter.

(End of part #1)

Sanjay Dutt: I fall in love all the time

2007-03-23T10:37:00.000+05:30

This week, Koffee With Karan may see an emotional episode, with Sanjay Dutt, sister Priya and daughter Trishala coming together on camera for the first time.
Sanjay opened his heart out on the show, talking about how he coped with personal crisis like losing his parents, quitting drugs and spending 18 months in jail.
He spoke proudly of Trishala, who is studying Forensic Sciences in the US, and jokingly added that her compulsive shopping habits worry him.
Here's a sneak preview into the show, where Sanjay also talks about his recent 'marriage.' Read on:
Karan: The kind of life you've had, I think books are written on such lives. What do you have to say about what you've been through?

Sanjay: Karan, I don't regret anything! All I can say is that losing my parents, quitting drugs, going to prison, if I sit and sulk about it I wont be moving on in life. So you should keep it at the back and you should learn from it.

Karan: All the years you spent in jail, the very thought is scary. Even spending one day in jail personally scares the living daylights out of me. How many months were you in jail?

Sanjay: 18 months.

Karan: When you look back at that 18-month phase, what is the one thing you learnt out of that experience which you can share with us?

Sanjay: Karan, it's just to be humble. It humbles you down and makes you realise how important freedom can be, which all of us take for granted. You know, freedom is taken for granted. When it's taken away, you realise how important it can be. I think God had a plan to send me there and to just humble me down, cool me off and that's what's happened exactly.

Karan: Did you need that cooling off?

Sanjay: At that time, it didn't feel like I did. But now when I look back, it has made me a humble person.

Karan: Did you feel answerable to people? Did you feel you were being judged on certain occasions?

Sanjay: Absolutely! I felt I'm being judged. And I have to answer and have to clear my name and the name of the family.

Karan: Is there a love? Is there 'one love' of Sanjay Dutt's life he's never gotten over?

Sanjay: One love of Sanjay Dutt's life! (Laughs) I've had a turbulent past with the loves in my life.

Karan: When you look back, you just savour every relationship but you don't feel that you fell in love that one time and maybe nothing came out of it.

Sanjay: The problem with me is that I fall in love all the time.

Karan: You fall in love far too often?

Sanjay: Far too often!

Karan: Are you in love today?

Sanjay: No.

Karan: No? So all these rumours about your alleged marriage are all...

Sanjay: All rubbish! I came on TV and denied it also. There's no marriage. We're just friends.

Karan: When you look back at all these 13-14 years, what has your reflection been to all this?

Priya: I think we've come out of it pretty strong. My father always used to tell us it will pass.
What we're going through will pass. There's always light at the end of the tunnel. You have to fight. You have to face whatever you have to. I think that's what our resilience is. There are times when we feel everything is going so well in the family, what's going to happen next. You know there's a calm before the storm. We've got so used to that!

Karan: Though you're his younger sister, there are times that you must have wanted to plonk him on his head and ask what are you doing! There are times you want to beat him up?

Priya: Yeah, there are times! I think there are times I lose my cool and you know. I think now, that whole age difference doesn't exist. I think all of us have always been very protective about him.

Karan: That's the vibe he generates in the industry as well. That's why he is called Sanju Baba!

Priya: Yeah, I guess so! Everyone who knows him is protective about him.

How important is privatisation in India?

2007-03-21T12:08:00.000+05:30

How important is privatisation in India? The first order issue is that of competition policy. When the government hinders competition by blocking entry or FDI, this is deeply damaging. Once competitive conditions are ensured, there are, indeed, benefits from shifting labour and capital to more efficient hands through privatisation, but this is a second order issue.
The difficulties of governments that run businesses are well-known. PSUs face little "market discipline". There is neither a fear of bankruptcy, nor are there incentives for efficiency and growth. The government is unable to obtain efficiency in utilising labour and capital; hence the GDP of the country is lowered to the extent that PSUs control labour and capital.
When an industry has large PSUs, which are able to sell at low prices because capital is free or because losses are reimbursed by periodic bailouts, investment in that entire industry is contaminated. This was the experience of Japan, where the "zombie firms" - loss-making firms that were artificially rescued by the government - contaminated investment in their industries by charging low prices and forcing down the profit rate of the entire industry.
Further, in many areas, the government faces conflicts of interest between a regulatory function and an ownership function. As an example, the Ministry of Petroleum crafts policies which cater for the needs of government as owner, which often diverge from what is best for India.
There is a fundamental loss of credibility when a government regulator faces PSUs in its sector: there is mistrust in the minds of private investors, who demand very high rates of return on equity in return for bearing regulatory risk.
These arguments have led many economists to advocate large-scale privatisation, so as to clear the slate, and get on with the task of building a mature market economy. The role model in this regard is Germany. After the collapse of communism and the unification of East and West Germany, an auction was held for selling off all East German PSUs.
Negative bids were permitted; i.e. the government was willing to even pay a private manager to take over a loss-making business if no higher bid was to be found. Through this, Germany was able to erase the heritage of socialism, and get on with the task of running an efficient market economy.
While such a game plan is entirely feasible in India, the present Parliament desires no privatisation. Does this mean that in the immediate future, progress in economic policy on privatisation must merely wait for the next elections?
When we look at various industries in India, the gains from privatisation are quite heterogeneous. In some cases, there are hopelessly loss-making PSUs. These operate in industries where private and foreign firms have been able to come in, and the PSU has been left far behind the standards of quality and price set by the private sector.
The PSUs should ideally have been sold off long ago, but today, these firms are irrelevant for the competitive dynamics of the industries that they operate in. The only issue is that of getting the land, the labour and some machinery out of public hands.
When privatisation is achieved, India will benefit because the private buyer will produce more GDP using the same resources, and the flow of budgetary support to these firms will cease. The government should be happy to get these firms out of its hands with negative bids.
The next and most interesting category comprises industries like telecom and airlines. In these areas, India has witnessed the dramatic benefits that come from the entry of private players.
Telecom and airline services in India are now dramatically improved, if not yet up to world-class, by changing rules in a way that permitted limited entry to domestic and foreign players. The privatisation of VSNL was critically important because it was part of the opening up of the ILD sector to competition: the government would arguably have been more tardy in opening up if it had a vested interest through ownership of VSNL.
However, the key innovation, which broke with the stasis of socialism was opening up entry barriers - not privatisation.
In both sectors, the full benefits from permitting foreign competitors, which are only present in very muted fashion, remain to be harnessed. While Spicejet is a good airline, there are bigger benefits waiting to be obtained by having domestic flights run by Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. In both sectors, the defining issue in policy is the removal of entry barriers, not privatisation.
Looking forward, there is a good chance that in some years, BSNL, MTNL and the merged airline will end up like one of the many defunct PSUs of today. It makes sense for the government to sell today - while the going is good. But the privatisation of these three firms is no longer the most important issue - the further elimination of entry barriers faced by domestic and foreign firms is.
What does this tell us about banking? The decline in market shares of PSU banks, while helped along by strikes of PSU bank unions, has proceeded only slowly. This is partly because there is a fundamentally non-level playing field where private and foreign banks have deposit insurance for only Rs 100,000 of deposits while PSU banks have unlimited deposit insurance. This gives one reason in favour of bank privatisation: it is inherently difficult to achieve competitive conditions without privatisation.
But equally, there is no industry in India where the licence-permit raj hinders entry more than in the case of banking. At a time when the Indian economy is booming, and every kind of business is being created, the one industry where we see no new firms starting up is banking. This has surely got to do with government restrictions on entry.
There is absolutely no industry in India where the opening of branch offices by foreign firms and private firms requires permission from the government. When Ford operates in India, it has to obey rules on FDI, but after that, it never has to go back to the government to take permission to open offices.
What is worse, all foreign banks - put together - are given permission to open 12 branches per year in the full country. There is no worse instance where contemporary Indian policy-making is animated by ideas from the 1960s.

My friend

2007-03-20T23:37:00.000+05:30

My friend jitendra who wants to become politician, Practicing to give speech..

Lovely Couple

2007-03-20T23:33:00.000+05:30

Liz, Arun & a blast in Mumbai

2007-03-20T23:27:00.000+05:30

A star-studded black tie event hosted by Parmeshwar Godrej in honour of newlyweds Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar saw the who's who of the city's party circuit attending the bash held at her seaside bungalow in Mumbai.
A posse of mediapersons and curious onlookers crowded around the sprawling Godrej bungalow in suburban Juhu, hoping to catch a glimpse of British supermodel Hurley, as well as other celebrities on the evening of March 6.
Among those who attended the event were UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's wife Gauri, industrialist Kumarmangalam Birla and actress Shilpa Shetty.
Hurley, pictured here in a March 6 daytime photograph, wore a white gown and the couple were seeing dancing till the wee hours on the sprawling lawns of the bungalow. On the inset we can see Nayar with Hurley's son, Damien.
The couple, who tied the knot in Britain on Saturday, arrived here on Monday to kick off the second round of their elaborate wedding celebrations, which will culminate in a traditional Indian ceremony in Jodhpur. The star-couple will leave for Jodhpur on March 7, reportedly with 150 guests.

युवराज की प्रेम कहानी

2007-03-20T23:10:00.000+05:30

क्रिकेटर युवराज सिंह के साथ अफेयर को लेकर चर्चित रहने वाली हीरोइन किम शर्मा के पास अब नाममात्र फिल्में ही बची हैं। ऐसे में अगर वे फिल्मों के बजाय क्रिकेट को प्राथमिकता दें, तो लोगों का हैरान होना वाजिब है। अरे भई, इसका मतलब यह नहीं कि युवराज की तरह किम भी क्रिकेट खेलना शुरू करेंगी।दरअसल, हुआ यह कि क्रिकेट विश्व कप शुरू होने के करीब है, इसलिए किम ने अपनी फिल्मों के निर्माताओं को यह बता दिया है कि इस दौरान वे किसी भी फिल्म की शूटिंग नहीं करेंगी। संभावना है कि मैच देखने के लिए वे वेस्ट इंडीज चली जाएं। दूसरे देशों में तो यह व्यवस्था है कि वहां के क्रिकेट खिलाड़ी विदेशी दौरों में अपनी प्रेमिकाओं को भी साथ रखते हैं, लेकिन भारतीय क्रिकेट में ऐसा नहीं होता और यदि किसी खिलाड़ी की प्रेमिका ऐसा करना चाहें, तो उन्हें अपने स्तर पर ही सारी व्यवस्थाएं करनी होती हैं। किम की एक फिल्म के निर्माता ने इस बात को माना है कि किम के फरमान के बाद उनकी फिल्म का शूटिंग शेडयूल गड़बड़ा गया है, लेकिन निर्माता अभी खुलकर सामने नहीं आना चाहते। अपनी फिल्मों की जगह क्रिकेट में रमने वाली किम से और कोई उम्मीद भी नहीं की जा सकती, क्योंकि इसी को लव कहा जाता है।

Poem

2007-03-20T13:01:00.000+05:30

Kya likhun...

Kya likhun…
Teri aankhon me bhara sagar likhun,
Ya teri muskaan me chhipa jeevan likhun..
Chup chap kuch bolti ye teri sansen likhun,
Ya teri aahat ki chhedi hui koi dhun likhun..
Teri aawaz ko taraste mere armaan likhun,
Ya tere deedar me apna intezaar likhun..
Wo pal me beete saal likhun,
Ya wo sadiyon se lambi raat likhun..
Tere pass hone ki khusi likhun,
Ya is anjani duri me dabe mere aansu likhun..
Tujhe meri sans likhun,
Ya mere dhadkano ki aawaz likhun..
Kya likhun…
Tujhse meri dosti likhun,
Ya mere dil me basa tere liye pyar likhun..
Kya likhun…

2007-03-20T12:07:00.000+05:30

Viru back in action..

2007-03-20T11:36:00.000+05:30

That brought in Sehwag, and the Delhi batsman mauled the Bermuda bowlers to motor back into form
Sehwag slammed 14 fours and three sixes and put the team on track for a huge total, which would be vital if it boils down to net run rate after the end of the league stage.
The left-right combination worked well and kept the run-rate at and above six runs per over.

India wins by a record total and set a record world cup total 413 runs.

Click here for live score

kareena in germany

2007-03-20T11:24:00.000+05:30

Kareena kapoor at airport in Germany. she is looking stunning.

Sad Moment for Pakistan players

2007-03-20T01:30:00.000+05:30

Pakistan bowling coach and former Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed cries in his hotel lobby on Sunday in Kingston after learning of the death of team coach Bob Woolmer. Woolmer died in hospital here after being found unconscious on the floor of his hotel room. A former England Test player and South Africa coach, he was 58. Getty Images

2007 क्रिकेट विश्वकप

2007-03-19T13:07:00.000+05:30

2007 क्रिकेट विश्वकप विश्व कप क्रिकेट का नौवा संस्करण है जिसमें कुल 16 देश हिस्सा ले रहे हैं। इस प्रतियोगिता का आयोजन वेस्टइंडीज़ में हो रहा है।

स्पर्धा नीति

16 टीमों को 4 वर्गों में बांटा गया है। प्रत्येक वर्ग से दो दो टीम सुपर 8 के लिए चुनी जाएंगी। इनके बीच आपस में मैच होंगे तथा लीग मैचों में पहले ही एक दूसरे से खेल चुकी टीमों का आपसी मैच नहीं होगा। इसके चार अधिकतम अंको वाली टीम को सेमीफ़ाईनल में जगह मिलेगी। सेमीफाईनल के विजेताओं को फाइनल में खेलने का मौका मिलेगा। इसबार शीर्ष टीमों के बीच आपसी मैच अन्य बार के मुकाबले ज्यादे होंगे।

विश्व कप क्रिकेट

संगठन - अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट परिषद
आरंभ - 1975
प्रकार - अंतरराष्ट्रीय एक दिवसीय मैच
स्पर्धा क्र. - 9
भाग लेने वाली टीम - 16
विजेता टीम - ऑस्ट्रेलिया
सर्वाधिक रन - सचिन तेंदुलकर (1732)
सर्वाधिक विकेट - वासिम अक्रम (54)
जालक्षेत्र - http://www.cricketworldcup.com/

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