Indian Times by Paul McLane

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July 2014

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Hate story 2

Surveen Chawla’s Bold Skin Show In Hate Story 2

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July 2014

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Now you can taste and choose food on Air India

irst and business class passengers on Air India will be able to taste and then choose their food, once the national carrier joins the Star Alliance later this week. Flight caterer Taj SATS on Sunday said it has partnered with Air India to

July 2014 Edition

improve the on board food service on select domestic and international routes. “The ‘Table set-up’ has been conceptualised to provide the opportunity to savour tailor-make dishes based on individual tastes and preferences,” Taj SATS’ director for food

production Satish Arora said. Air India formally gets inducted as the 27th member of the global airlines’ club, Star Alliance, later this week. The induction into Star Alliance is expected to improve Air India’s connectivity to high-growth econo-

mies and give the 26 Star Alliance members access to India’s vibrant domestic aviation market. A passenger would be able to access the destinations offered by the entire Star Alliance network of over 21,980 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. All member airlines

jointly own 4,338 aircraft which fly over 640 million passengers a year. Air India would add about 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations in India to the Alliance network, with the biggest growth coming from its home market where it flies to 62 cities.

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Budget 2014: Centre likely to raise tax exemption beyond Rs 1 lakh

he government is expected to provide much-needed relief to the middle class in the Budget, possibly through a higher tax exemption limit for investment in long-term savings instruments. Finance minister Arun Jaitley will present his first budget on Thursday

July 2014 Edition

against the backdrop of mounting expectations from the middle class to ease their tax burden. The BJP has been swept to power on the promise of making life somewhat easier for citizens weighed down by rising prices and high interest rates, which have increased their monthly outgo on mortgages.

Raising the exemption limit from the current level of Rs 1 lakh is seen as a way out for the cashstrapped government to please its support base in its maiden Budget. In any case, the limit was fixed several years ago and there was a suggestion to link it to inflation to ensure that the cap remains

relevant. In addition, there have been discussions around raising the tax-free allowance available to salaries individuals. As it has argued in the past, these tax-free allowances have little relevance now. For instance, the tax-free annual medical reimbursement is

fixed at Rs 15,000, while transport allowance is pegged at Rs 800 a month. While there have been suggestions to increase the 80C limit to Rs 5 lakh, government sources have dismissed the demand arguing that there is little headroom given the tight fiscal situation. But a limit of Rs 1.5-2 lakh seems more likely given the enormous expectations around the move. An increase of Rs 1 lakh in the exemption limit results in an annual revenue loss of around Rs 30,000 crore. Several regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India, Sebi and IRDA, have argued for higher incentives for savings, especially for long-term instruments such as pension plans and life insurance schemes. The advice is expected to be heeded to by the new finance minister. RBI is also learnt to have pitched for a parity in tax treatment for various instruments, especially fixed deposits which have lost sheen in recent years as some mutual fund debt schemes get preference in tax treatment. The expectation of a economic recovery in the months ahead is expected to reduce the dent for the exchequer and also free up more money for households to invest in financial instruments as well as real estate to help script a turnaround.

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Can PM Modi put railways back on track?

Departing platform one at New Delhi station last week was India’s fastest train: the test run of the Delhi-Agra express - dubbed “semi-high speed” by local media - topped a record-breaking 160 kilometres per hour on its way to the Taj Mahal. But the velocity, though triple the 50 kilometres average clocked on trips across the country, is barely one-third of the top-speed of China’s fastest train, showing the extent to which the country’s expansive but under-funded train

network has failed to keep pace. “The capacity of the track is almost saturated,” Anurag Sachan, divisional railway manager for Delhi, said in his office next to New Delhi’s giant station. “We could go as high as 200 km but we would need to have a completely new track for higher speeds.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who started out selling tea outside a train station, has promised to modernise India’s railways and build high-speed engines befitting Asia’s third-largest economy.

On Tuesday, his new government will unveil its maiden railways budget, with expectations high that he will offer bold plans to improve the service - a lifeline for 23 million commuters every day. Among the goals is bringing much more private money into one of the country’s largest statecontrolled industries. At present, there’s small private involvement in suburban services and locomotive manufacturing. In a speech last week, Modi

hinted at how much of a revamp he believed the railways needed, telling an audience in Kashmir that he wanted an upgrade of stations, many of which look much as they did under the British. “Why do our railway stations need to be so old, why can’t they be better than our airports?” he said, after waving a green flag to inaugurate services on a stretch of track in the mountain state. Modi’s government will announce plans for public-private partnerships in railway infrastructure, the leading economic daily reported on Monday, citing government sources, and he is expected to update the country on plans for a high-speed rail between the financial capital Mumbai and Ahmedabad. “If the railways are to fully benefit the climate, the economy, society, the government needs to bring in more money... including from private and foreign investment” said G. Raghuram, professor at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and co-author of a report about railway modernisation. Raghuram said allowing private money into freight was a simple and relatively easy shift that would boost the economy. Railways’ share of freight has fallen from 90% of the country’s cargo in 1950 to one-third today, as congested tracks and slow

speeds force shipments onto roads - in turn clogging them. The tougher task for Modi will be finding a sustainable fix to the funding crunch facing the railways, including by allowing foreign direct investment into the network, a move resisted by the railways in the past. By a conservative estimate, the railways need Rs. 20 trillion($334 billion) of investment by 2020, according to economist Tirthankar Patnaik at Religare Capital Markets said. That’s far in excess of the Rs. 1.4 trillion the sector is estimated to earn this year even after an unpopular fare-hike pushed through last month. “Though there are some areas where the private sector can play a role, the bulk of the investment will have to come from the government,” said Shri Prakash, a former member of the Railway Board. Prakash said Modi needs to strike a balance between appealing to private profit-seeking investors and keeping fares affordable for the millions who depend on the network. In New Delhi, railway manager Sachan said the job of the railways was to “cater to the masses”. “High speed is definitely important but it is much more important to give transport to our poor people,” he said.

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India may not bid for 2019 Asian games I ndia’s last-minute dash to bid for the 2019 Asian Games is coming undone, with the government worried about the financial implications and political costs, in case of a scandal, as the event coincides with an election year. India decided to enter the race last month after Vietnamese capital Hanoi that was awarded the Games in November 2012 pulled out in April, citing financial issues. Reeling under the Commonwealth Games scandal, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had not participated in the initial bidding. But this time, the government seems to have some reservations. It was worried about the huge costs involved when fiscal deficit was ballooning, sources said. “The infrastructure required to host such an event has huge financial implications. If we choose Delhi as venue, then everything that was created for the Commonwealth Games is of no use. Most of the money was pilfered and very little infrastructure was created,” an official said on Monday, on condition of anonymity. Moreover, the Games coincide with the next general elections due 2019 and even a whiff of scandal could prove detrimental for the government, sources said. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the continent’s sports governing body that conducts Asian Games, had extended its July 1 deadline to month-end but that

might not help. “We were very positive in trying to bid. But there was serious time constraint,” sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. “We got the first letter from the IOA on June 26 when our government was just over a month old while the OCA deadline was July 1,” he said. “We had very little time to finalise the bid document which we failed to do despite our best efforts.” IOA was never serious about the bid, a ministry official said. It had not even applied for the mandatory clearances from the ruling party, main opposition party and the mayor of the host city as required by the Asian Games authority. The IOC bid proposal, said another official, sought R5,500 crore just for the Games. Total cost -- infrastructure, security, Games Village etc. -- could easily be about R40,000 crore. “Where would so much money come from?” the official said. The government sought details of proposed expenditure but the IOA didn’t get back, the official said. The IOA conceded it was over. “We have not received any response from the PMO or the sports ministry or the OCA. It will be very difficult now to make the bid,” IOA secretary-general Rajeev Mehta said. New Delhi hosted the first Asian Games in 1951 and the ninth in 1982.

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Distraught parents express deep anguish

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allavi Purkayastha’s parents expressed deep anguish and disappointment after the man who cut short their daughter’s life was given the life sentence. “If the established system cannot give a person committing a brutal crime death, then who will?” asked her father Atanu. “I don’t think people of any society will now feel safe as other security guards might get such ideas.” Pallavi’s mother Sumita broke down and asked: “Is case mein rakshak bana bhakshak (In this case the protector became the predator). How can it still not be the rarest of rare case?” The Purkayasthas took an evening flight back to Delhi. “We have another daughter back home and we cannot leave her alone after what happened to Pallavi,” said the

devastated father. “By sending the man to prison, he’s been assured lunch and dinner. What else does he need? This man is definitely not going to get back what he made my daughter undergo. Nothing can bring back my daughter now, but the fear of death that my daughter felt is something that he also should have been made to feel,” said Atanu. He added: “What makes one feel even more terrible is the mindset of the man who committed the crime: it was not poverty or anything else, sex was on his mind.” Pallavi’s fiance Avik Sengupta’s father, Dr Alok Sengupta, who heard the sentence on the news in Jamshedpur, said he will wait for the judgment copy before commenting. “We leave it to the people of this country to decide if the punishment was enough or not,” Sengupta said.

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I could not believe it. It seemed too good to be true… a miracle had happened.” This is how C. Rajagopalachari, the then Prime Minister of Madras Presidency, reacted to the news of a group of Harijans entering the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai on July 8, 1939. Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of this feat, often hailed as a revolutionary event in the annals of modern Hinduism and Indian politics. The party of four Dalits and a Nadar, which included Congress leader P. Kakkan, who would later become the State Home Minister, was led into the temple by A Vaidyanatha Aiyar, president of the Harijan Sevak Sangh. There was much opposition to the event by the conservatives who argued that temples would become “impure” if those considered “untouchables” entered them. But significantly, the Madurai event was peaceful, Mr. Rajagopalachari notes in his speech in Madras on July 9, 1939. Highlighting the significance of this event, Mahatma Gandhi, in the July 22, 1939 edition of Harijan, wrote that the entry of Dalits into the Madurai temple was a greater accomplishment than the opening of State temples in

Travancore. “...the opening of the State temples of Travancore was no doubt a great step but it was the prerogative of the Maharaja. But the opening of the celebrated temple of Madurai is a greater event in that it is the popular will that has brought out this consummation,” the Mahatma explained. The Dalits entering the Meenakshi Temple had an immediate effect. The Hindu reported on July 9 that the same evening, Mr. Aiyar also led Harijans into the Koodal Alagar Temple “on the invitation of the temple authorities.” The temple entry, however, led to a lot of litigation against Mr. Aiyar. This prompted the government headed by Mr. Rajagopalachari to pass legislation to protect the rights of the oppressed classes to worship in temples. On the same day of the event, “Sanatanists,” led by T.S. Ramaswamy Iyengar, condemned it as lacking in sanction by the religious canons. While 75 years have gone, the reality is that Dalits continue to be denied temple rights in many parts of the State, especially in villages, feels CPI(M) State Secretary G. Ramakrishnan. He says the Dravidian parties have a huge part in the continuing denial of rights. “After Periyar E.V. Ramasamy’s death,

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When Madurai set the tone for Dalit rights “

the Dravidian parties that have continuously ruled the State have failed to take up the cause

of Dalits, and their ranks have been dominated by those of the intermediate castes. Unless the

non-Dalits begin to agitate for equality, this situation will continue,” he points out.

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Railways minister to focus on increasing revenue

“

Good economics over bad politics of the past” is likely to be the theme of the Narendra Modi government’s first rail budget on Tuesday with railways minister DV Sadananda Gowda aiming to

July 2014 Edition

pump private investments, including foreign direct investment, into the cash-strapped public transporter. Having already hiked fare and freight rates last month, Gowda will unveil initiatives to restructure

and modernise the railways. The budget is expected to contain measures to improve passenger safety, cleanliness at stations and passenger comfort, besides advancing work on the proposed

Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed corridor. The budgetary exercise is also likely to contain a dose of realism, with innovative steps to cut costs and bring in greater transparency

and efficiency. To increase profits in freight transportation, a proposal for “e-registration of wagons on demands” is also expected. “The present practice of manual allocation of wagons is primitive and encourages corrupt practices. If this proposal comes through, nearly `10,000 crore additionally can be earned in freight transportation”, sources said. A pilot project on this scheme from the coal-rich Jharkhand has been proposed next month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also likely to have a big imprint on the budget, with several of his pet schemes such as plans to harness alternative energy sources and usage of information technology for transparency and cost-cutting finding a mention in the budget. Uttar Pradesh – where the BJP won 71 of the state’s 80 Lok Sabha seats in the general elections – is expected to figure high on Gowda’s priority list, with proposals of locomotive sheds at Ghazipur and Mughalsarai likely. Demands of the newly-created Telengana may also be addressed, with division of the South Central Railway zone between Telengana and Andhra Pradesh one of the options before the railways minister. Former railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge had set a revenue target of Rs. 1.65 lakh crore in the interim railway budget which included Rs. 1.06 lakh crore from goods and Rs. 45,255 crore from passenger and balance from coaching and other sources.

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anga will be developed as a major tourist attraction and navigation corridor as part of the government’s plan to rejuvenate the river which holds immense spiritual value for people. An important part of the plan envisages completely stopping inflow of polluted water into the river. The ambitious mission to rejuvenate Ganga will cost an estimated Rs 80,000 crore. Some of these proposals were shared by different ministers during ‘Ganga Manthan’ (daylong national dialogue on Ganga) which was also attended by scientists, environmentalists, religious leaders and NGOs. Views and suggestions expressed at the meeting will be shared with the informal group of secretaries that has been working on a blueprint to develop the river. Final blueprint of the Ganga rejuvenation plan is expected later this month. Outlining the plan to develop Ganga as a major tourist destination, tourism minister Shripada Naik said his ministry

was “exploring the possibility of introducing shikaras on Ganga on the pattern of Kashmir”. Though he did not get into details, his ministry is learnt to be working on a plan which includes river cruising facilities, floating hotels and moving light and sound shows. All these will be part of a comprehensive plan comprising the shipping ministry’s proposal to develop a “navigation corridor”. Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari said it was proposed to conduct dredging to provide a width of 45 meters and five meters draft (depth) to enable navigation of small ships between Varanasi and Hoogly in the first stage of its development. He said barrages were proposed to be constructed at every 100 km on the river and his ministry had sent a proposal in this regard to World Bank for the development of AllahabadHaldia corridor. “We might get Rs 4,000 crore for this project in its last stage of implementation,” Gadkari said. Noting that tanneries in Kanpur

and other cities in Uttar Pradesh dumped polluted water into Ganga, Gadkari said inflow of polluted water must be stopped and it can be done through recycling of all untreated water. “If we had to take the estimated cost of this entire project, it would take Rs 80,000 crore. Government does not have so much money. We suggested to Uma Bharati (water resources and Ganga rejuvenation minister) that 25-30% of that money will be paid through viability gap while 70% of the investment may be through PPP model,” he said. The minister suggested that private investors may sell the recycled water for use in industries. Bharati expressed hope that there would be no shortage of funds as the government was committed for continuous and uninterrupted flow of Ganga from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar. She said, “We have had a series of discussions with various stakeholders on the issue and will soon arrive on some positive outcome.”

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Tourism to be major part of Maracana or Modi? Merkel Ganga rejuvenation plan puts World Cup above PM

ow Philip Lahm and his boys play against Brazil on Tuesday evening could influence Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel. If Germany goes into the World Cup final, Merkel may pick Maracana over Modi. For now, the two are supposed to meet over dinner on Sunday, the 13th, on the very day of the final. The German chancellor invited Modi for a dinner during his stopover in Germany, on his way to Brazil for the BRICS summit scheduled for July 15th. While Modi was unwilling to add an extra day to his trip, he accepted the invitation despite having promised Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that he would make Tokyo the venue of his first bilateral summit. Indian prime ministers have traditionally broken journey at Frankfurt when traveling to the

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US or South America. It’s as much to refuel the aircraft as to give everybody a night’s rest. This time the stopover could turn out to be a mini summit with chancellor Merkel. It would entail a shared meal between Modi and Merkel and some quiet conversation. If the Modi-Merkel meeting happens, the PM might land in Berlin instead of Frankfurt. However, if Germany makes it to the Cup final, Modi’s aircraft may just land in Frankfurt. Germany has an excellent chance of making it to the final against Brazil as without Neymar or Thiago Silva, Germany’s chances never looked better. If Merkel reneges on her invitation to Modi, to cheer on her team at the World Cup finals, it may be a bit awkward for Modi. But top government sources said, they would “understand” her compulsion.

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Constitution Bench to decide validity of death sentence

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nior counsel K.K. Venugopal submitted that the review petitions were still pending. One of the grounds taken in the writ petition was that all review petitions filed in death sentence cases should be heard in open court (normally they are heard in judge’s chamber) with oral arguments and if necessary

the Supreme Court Rules, 1966, should be amended to bring about that change. He also drew the Law Commission’s recommendation that all death penalty matters in the Supreme Court should be heard by a Bench of five judges, by amending the relevant Rules.

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The Bench, while tagging the petition filed by Muniappan and two others to be listed for hearing by a Constitution Bench, also directed that petitions filed by death row convicts B.A. Umesh and Sunder (both involved in multiple murders) be tagged with those petitions.

Fossil of world’s biggest flying bird found

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He said if the Five-Judge Bench were to conclude that the death penalty confirmed by the two judges was wrong, the August 2010 verdict would be set aside and the matter would be reheard by five judges. Hence he pleaded for posting it before a Constitution Bench, which was seized of the issue.

n a ground-breaking discovery, scientists have identified the fossilised remains of an extinct giant bird that could be the world’s biggest such. Named “Pelagornis sandersi,” the bird lived 25 to 28 million years ago after the dinosaurs were wiped out but long before the first humans arrived. The creature was an extremely efficient glider, with long slender wings that helped it stay aloft despite its enormous size. “The specimen was so big they had to dig it out with a backhoe. The upper wing bone alone was longer than my arm,” said author Dan Ksepka of the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in Durham, North Carolina. The new fossil was first unearthed in 1983 near Charleston, South Carolina, when construction workers began excavations for a new terminal at the Charleston International Airport. With an estimated 20-24-foot wingspan, the creature surpassed size esti-

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five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will examine the validity of the death sentence affirmed by a two-judge Bench on the three accused — Nedunchezhian, Ravindran and Muniappan — in the Dharmapuri bus burning incident in which three college girls were killed. A Bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and Adarh Kumar Goel referred the writ petition filed by Muniappan and two others for adjudication by a Constitution Bench which is to take up for hearing from tomorrow a batch of petitions on this issue. The Supreme Court in January 2011 acting on this writ petition stayed the execution of the three when it was pleaded that a petition seeking review of the August 30, 2010 judgment was still pending disposal. The case relates to the death of three students – Kokilavani, Gayathri and Hemalatha – of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The bus in which they were travelling along with 44 other students and two teachers was torched on February 2, 2000, after the conviction of AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa in a criminal case. The Supreme Court had expressed shock at the brutality of the incident and upheld the death sentence. Appearing for the convicts, se-

mates based on wing bones from the previous record holder - a long-extinct bird named “Argentavis magnificens”. It was twice as big as the Royal Albatross - the largest flying bird today. P sandersi was probably too big to take off simply by flapping its wings and launching itself into the air from a standstill. It may have gotten off the ground by running downhill into a headwind or taking advantage of air gusts to get aloft, much like a hang glider. Once it was airborne, the bird’s long, slender wings made it an incredibly efficient glider. “By riding on air currents that rise up from the ocean’s surface, P sandersi was able to soar for miles over the open ocean without flapping its wings, occasionally swooping down to the water to feed on soft-bodied prey like squid and eels,” researchers noted. The findings appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Surveen Chawla’s Bold Skin Show In Hate Story 2

urveen Chawla has exposed quite a lot in Hate Story 2, while she has done many south and Hindi films in the past, this movie will be her solo debut movie. The actress seems to be quite bold, for no actress would choose to expose as much as her in their debut movie. Hate Story 2 is an upcoming Bollywood erotic thriller film directed by Vishal Pandya. It stars Surveen Chawla, Sushant Singh, Jay Bhanushali and Rajesh Khera. It is the sequel to 2012 hit film Hate Story starring Paoli Dam and Gulshan Devaiya. Hate Story 2 is slated to release on 18 July 2014 along with Amit Sahni Ki List. It is said to be a remake of Hollywood thriller Kill Bill series. The lead couple of Hate Story 2 have been creating quite a lot of buzz due to their over the board skin show in the movie. Jay Bhanushali has long appeared on television shows as the host, so his bold avatar was also quite a lot to take in. Both lead actors even took the scuba diving lessons for the film. But the movie made the headlines when the trailer crossed 7 million views within 10 days of its release. A hot movie is getting more hot due to the addition of super hot actress Sunny Leone, she will be performing an item song Pink Lips, composed by Meet Bros Anjaan. The couple have done a lot of intimate scenes which lead to a lot of controversies, Jay’s wife was apparently upset, same with Surveen’s family but thankfully these were just rumours as both the actors refuted these controversies. Surveen has never revealed so much in any of her previous projects. Hate Story too involved some highly risqué scenes but if Hate Story 2 also involves the same level of intimate scenes or not is yet to be seen.

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Bihar records highest dip in poverty ratio

n what could be a relief to Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, the C Rangarajan panel on poverty estimation report has said that in Bihar the poverty ratios dipped by over one-third in just two years between 2009-10 and 2011-12 — much greater than any other state in India. Kumar had resigned as Bihar chief minister after receiving drubbing at the hands of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. The JD(U) had won only 2 whereas the NDA bagged 28 out of the total 40 seats in Bihar. According to the Rangarajan panel on state-wise poverty ratios Bihar witnessed the maximum dip in poverty ratios with the fall from 63.9% in 2009-10 to 41.3% in 2011-12 — a dip of about 22 percentage points. In absolute terms, it translates into 21 million people lesser poor people in the state.

July 2014 Edition

The feat resulted in Bihar losing the dubious tag of having the highest poverty ratio in India. Bihar has been replaced by BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh, where the panel has categorised 47.9% of the people as being poor. In 2009-10, 53.8% of Chhattisgarh’s population was categorised as poor as per Rangarajan’s definition of poverty based on “basic standard of well being” including spending on food, education, transport and house rent. The panel’s estimation shows that poverty is still a huge concern in Maoist effected states even though the UPA government had spent over `4,600 crore in 83 districts over four years starting 2010-11 under its ambitious Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for bridging development deficiency in Left Wing Extremism hit areas. Apart from Maoist hit Chhattisgarh, two other affected states

Odisha and Jharkhand find themselves high on the poverty ratio scale. Around 45.9% of people in Odisha were poor in 2011-12 as compared to 48.3% in 2009-10. In Jharkhand, 42.4% were poor in 2011-12 as compared to 52.1% in 2009-10. A member of the panel, who was not willing to be quoted said, the estimation clearly showed that effective implementation of poverty alleviation programmes can result in dip in numbers. “Bihar is a case for study on how government programmes can reduce poverty. But in contrast the same programmes have not helped in substantially reducing poverty in other Maoist-affected states where impact of these programmes are not much,” he added. Eight districts of Bihar were also covered under IAP.

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NRI docs to get work permits within a fortnight

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octors of Indian origin living overseas who want to practice, research or teach in India can now get work permits within a fortnight. “Overseas doctors willing to contribute to India’s healthcare can now apply online … the application will be processed within 15 days, including permission to practice from the Medical Council of India (MCI),” health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, who recently came back from a week-long trip to the US, said. “The idea is to tap existing talent,” said Vardhan, who briefed PM Narendra Modi about the plan over the weekend. “PM Modi is keen to encourage skills transfer so that all parts of India get medical care at par with international levels,” said the minister. The news was also welcomed by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). AAPI represents around 100,000 physicians, including medical students, working in the US. “There’s a lot of interest in working in India,” said AAPI ex-president Dr Jayesh

Shah. “AAPI has been requesting India to simplify the red tape for four years,” Shah said. “We’re preparing files of every physician member on when, where, how many days and what they would like to work for in India,” Shah said. The work permits could be for a time period of a few weeks to a few years. Looking forward, Vardhan said: “Now that we have AAPI on board, the next step is to invite Indian doctors working for or retired from the UK’s National Health Service.” In April this year, NHS recruited 50 doctors from India to fill its staffing gaps. MCI president Jayshree Mehta informed that section 14(1) of the MCI act provides for such a step, “This way, we can get medical talent to India and provide international exposure to medical students”. During his trip to the US, Vardhan also met the director of the Centers of Disease Control to discuss knowledge-sharing on various diseases and diagnostic tests.

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0% Indian women want men who can cook. Three Mumbai lads, all smooth operators behind the stove, on impressing a date with dolcelatte. Clusters of white onion bulbs

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Indian women prefer men who can cook

and giant red chillies dangle from the spot once occupied by a wall. Nearby, hangs a gourd that’s been re-fashioned into a flask. Both are ample proof of Theron Carmine De Sousa’s love for cooking. The 35-year-old Bandra resi-

dent, who runs a design firm, offers to whip up a fancy French meal for our photoshoot but settles for veal bourguignon. The ease with which he throws in chopped celery stalks while it simmers and discusses inheriting his culinary

passion from grandmothers Lucy and Lutetia, underscores the distinction between him and most men we know. Forty per cent of women surveyed recently by a matrimonial website would know what we mean. The shocking majority, when asked what would determine their interest in men, picked a flair for cooking. Murtuza Harianawala grew up in a home where the kitchen was his mother’s domain, but that didn’t stop him from learning how to make a mean plate of kaarichawal, a Bohri favourite. “I’d tell guys to make sure their kitchen is well-stocked before they start cooking. You don’t want to sprint to the grocery shop in the middle of a preparation,” he cautions. And reading always helps. “Brush up on the subject of substitution. It’s handy to know that a gravy can be thickened with 2 tbsp of wheat flour if you run out of corn flour,” he adds. Pointing out that cooking techniques and equipment too can be similarly substituted, Theron sets aside the conical lid of the tagine pot, traditionally used to prepare Moroccan meat stews, to say, “You can use your oven’s broiler instead of a grill.” Dipping a ladle into a jar of homebrewed liqueur — a blend of aniseed, bay leaves and assorted ingredients that go into Urak — he offers us a taste and a

tip: “Meals should impress without overwhelming. Keep it light. You don’t want your company passing out after the meal. It’s a good idea to have a lot of salad on the table; something fresh, and a nice light dessert.” He plates the veal, tosses a salad on the side, pours a glass of Port, and adds a cardinal rule, “While deciding what dishes to prepare, it’s a good idea to remember that you may be kissing afterwards.” “The big picture,” says Adarsh Munjal, is important to remember. The social media communication head, who learnt the ropes in his mother’s Punjabi kitchen, says it’s as important to know what your companion would like to eat and draw out a plan of how you’d like the night to progress. “I make great dal makhani, but if I have my girlfriend over, I’d serve fondue since it allows for good conversation, and structure the rest of the meal around it.” Harianawala smiles. He knows just how daunting the word ‘fondue’ (pronounced fon-dew) can be to a man who can’t tell a spatula from a fly-swatter. Over time, the kitchen became less intimidating, and it helped that the woman he married was glad to join in his experiments. “But she freaked the first time we cooked lobster,” he laughs. The most valuable cooking tip for men, he says, is, “Keep it simple, and clean the kitchen afterwards.”

Modi’s new slogan: ‘Seema pe jawan, khet mein kisan’ Robert Vadra quietly clos-

rime Minister Narendra Modi has called for self-reliance in defence production so that the resources used on the import of weapons can be utilised for the welfare of soldiers. Raising the slogan of “Seema pe jawan, Khet mein kisan”, Modi said it’s the soldiers on the border, the farmer in the field and youth, which are the strength of the country. The PM was addressing over 1,000 soldiers serving in the high-altitude

July 2014 Edition

areas along the Line of Control engaged in counter-terrorism operations in the Kashmir Valley, on Friday. He commended the army for their selfless service to the cause of national security. “I am fortunate to have gotten this opportunity to pay tributes to the war heroes. I seek blessings from their souls so that it strengthens my resolve to serve the nation better,” Modi said while paying tributes to the martyrs at the War Memorial of 15 Corps.

Modi said the portion of defence budget spend on the soldiers is very less as a major chunk is used for import of weapons and equipment. He hoped that in the future the country becomes self-reliant in defence production so that the resources can be utilised for the welfare of soldiers and their families. The PM was briefly apprised of the situation in the valley. However, no security review meeting took place.

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ing down six companies

obert Vadra, the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, is quietly closing down six companies set up just two years ago. The firms have never filed annual returns or balance sheets, an examination of company. Lifeline Agrotech, Greenwave Agro, Rightline Agriculture, Future Infra Agro, Best Seasons Agro and Prime Time Agro are all private limited companies established between June and August 2012, purportedly as agriculture or agro-processing firms. Vadra is named as managing director and promoter in company records. Listed as a director and promoter alongside him is Amit Mehta,

who is also a director of joint venture companies formed by Vadra and the real-estate giant DLF. The property deals that they concluded in Haryana were the subject of controversy over allegations of impropriety in the acquisition of clearances, and the quick profits booked by Vadra. Vadra’s office did not respond to questions. Telephone calls, emails and SMS messages to his spokesperson Manoj Arora also went unanswered. All six companies are now listed by the ministry of corporate affairs as “having status under the process of being struck off”. When that process is complete they will legally cease to exist.

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Small-town India turns out to be hub of cybercrime

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yber offences may appear to be an urban phenomenon, but in an indication of how deeply internet has penetrated the country, government data show a majority of hacking and obscene posts on the internet having been reported from rural areas and small towns. According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2013, the year saw a jump of 122.5% in cyber offences over 2012. But most interestingly, hacking formed close to 60% of all cyber offences (under IT Act) in India followed closely by obscene or derogatory posts (28%). Of these, 45% of all hacking cases were reported from the 88 cities covered. Rest all came from small towns or rural areas. Even in the case of obscene/derogatory posts rural areas and small towns reported 60% of cases. Of the 2516 cases of hacking, 1382 were reported from small towns and rural areas. Similarly, of 1203 obscene/ derogatory posts on social media and other websites, only 483 were reported from cities. Sexual harassment and economic fraud have turned out to be prime motives behind over 40% of all cyber offences. While, most hacking cases are reported from Karnataka (429) followed by Andhra Pradesh (346), most obscenity cases are reported from

Andhra Pradesh (234) and Kerala (177). Curiously, Mumbai has reported no hacking cases and only one obscenity case, even as Maharashtra tops the chart of offences in which sexual harassment is the motive. The latest data on cyber offences released by NCRB show that a

total of 5,693 offences were registered across the country in 2013 notching a rise of 122.5% over 2012. Almost 76% (4,356) of these were registered under the Information Technology (IT) Act that deals with hacking and obscene/derogatory posts. In hacking cases, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and

Rajasthan were other three states in top five. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Assam are other three states with over 100 cases making to top five in obscenity cases. In a reflection of how virtual medium is rampantly used to harass women, the data show 20% (1116) of all cyber offences as having

sexual harassment as the motive. The motive of ‘fraud/illegal gains’ is behind 21% of all cases. Maharashtra has got the dubious distinction of being the state with maximum sexual harassment motive cases (233), followed by Andhra Pradesh with 225 cases under the category.

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Amit Shah set to take over as BJP chief after budget

“Shah will formally take over as the new BJP chief before Monday,” a senior BJP leader said, hinting at July 11 or July 12 as possible dates.

mit Shah, the 48-yearold ace organiser who won Uttar Pradesh for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lok Sabha polls, is expected to be named party president this

July 2014 Edition

week. Party sources said that a BJP parliamentary board meeting may be called for mid-week, when current president Rajnath Singh, who has become union

home minister, will step down from his party post. Formalities for Shah’s elevation are likely to be completed at this meeting and an announcement could follow soon after.

“Shah will formally take over as the new BJP chief before Monday,” a senior BJP leader said, hinting at July 11 or July 12 as possible dates. A close confidante of Modi,

Shah served as minister of state for home under him in Gujarat, at one point controlling 10 portfolios. Then he was sent to UP to bolster the party’s chances, with spectacular results: The BJP-led alliance won an unprecedented 73 seats out of 80. Indeed, the case for Shah was so compelling that party seniors decided to ignore a convention that PM and party president should not be from the same state. A couple of key appointments will accompany the Shah ascension. Consolidating the hold of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) on the party, RSS executive member Ram Madhav and western UP “kshetra pracharak” Shiv Prakash will join the senior BJP team. The two RSS men’s exact roles will be defined by Shah. It is understood that Sangh has already taken Shah into confidence over beefing up its strength in the ruling party. Many of the BJP top leaders like Atal Behari Vajpayee, Advani and Modi have deep roots in the RSS. The appointments come at a time when Modi has been worried about a lack of political energy within the party after the thumping Lok Sabha 2014 win. The new president will have the task of steering the party in key forthcoming assembly polls in Delhi, Haryana and Maharashtra.

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Keeping the faith: why people go to khaps, shariat courts

couple of years ago, I read an interesting column on why many Indians (mainly from the poorer section) still visit faith healers (shamans) instead of going to state-run hospitals when ill. The author argued that they do so because unlike many doctors, shamans are accessible, pocketfriendly and have not forgotten a basic truth about healing: they take a personal interest in patients and their families, which many doctors don’t do anymore due to various constraints. The article came back to me while I read the Supreme Court’s Monday verdict on Shariat courts. Saying that such courts have no sanction of law, the SC ruled that nobody can run a parallel court in India, especially if the fundamental rights of Indians, guaranteed by the Constitution, are breached. The SC’s views on extra-constitutional authorities are well known: in 2011, it had declared khap panchayats illegal and quoted Thomas Jefferson’s 1776 speech in the American Declaration of Independence to explain its stand: “....all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator

by certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” While I wholeheartedly agree with the SC’s stand on such extra-constitutional bodies, I think it’s time to examine why a certain section of people still flock to such courts and it is here the shaman story I narrated above is relevant. While people access such illegal ‘courts’ because they have community/religious sanctions, one big reason, I think, they do so is because — like in the case of shamans versus doctors — the ‘judges’ are easily accessible, dispense justice quickly (even though in most cases they are horribly wrong and against Indian law), connect with them at a personal level and the ‘legal’ process is pocket friendly. Now, compare such ‘positives’ with the Indian legal system: like India’s rickety state health care system, it is over-burdened, timeconsuming, inaccessible and prohibitively expensive (consultation may be free in government hospitals, but in most cases, expensive tests have to be done by the patients themselves). The legal system is so daunting that

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even people like us who have the wherewithal can also have a trying time accessing it. Reacting to the judgment, Maulana Nizamuddin, Imarat Sharia, Patna, said: “We have never claimed to be on a par with a court of law. It’s a good option for poor

because it is fast and cheap”. And many trust such extra-constitutional authorities, I suspect, because they don’t want to wash their families’ ‘dirty linen’ outside the precincts of their closely knit communities. The SC’s judgments on extra-

constitutional authorities have been widely feted. And, rightly so. But if it wants to fulfil the aim of such judgments — to wean away people from illegal courts — it must make the legal system less time consuming, cheaper and easily accessible to the poor.

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Safety first, says HGCL

ver the last few years, the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR) has developed a rather notorious reputation as an accident spot and has turned into a death trap for motorists due to rash and negligent driving. Keeping this in mind, Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) would be implementing the Highway Traffic Management System (HTMS) on the ORR, to ensure safety of motorists.

July 2014 Edition

The HTMS would be implemented in about three months time. The HGCL, which invited tenders for the `210 crore project from national and international firms a few months ago, have received two bids -- from Efkon and Straubag (JV) and L&T company, respectively. The HTMS, a part of intelligent transport system (ITS), is proposed to be developed for the ORR. HTMS is composed of sub-

systems that include establishing of Emergency Communication Boxes (328), Automatic Vehicle Counter-cum-Classifier systems (74), and as many as 47 Variable Message Signs on ORR with 19 interchanges and a Main Traffic Control Centre at Nanakramguda Interchange and a Sub Traffic Control Center at Ghatkesar Interchange. Four Meteorological Data System, Closed Circuit Television

Cameras (41) and a fleet of ambulances will be arranged as part of the project. The project works also include supply, laying, installation and commissioning of fibre optic cable along the main carriageway on both sides of the ORR. A committee appointed by the government will look into the technical bids submitted by the two agencies. If they qualify for the technical bids, then financial bids will be opened and whoever

quotes less, will be short listed by the committee. The short listed bidder will then be forwarded to the State Government for issuing orders for allotment of work to the selected agency. It would take atleast two to three months time for the entire process to be finalised, following which the successful bidder would be asked to start the works at the earliest. The agency is required to complete the entire project within 18 months from the date of commencement, HMDA officials told Express. To ensure safety for the motorists on ORR, HMDA has proposed to establish the HTMS with a loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Phase-2 programme Operation and Maintenance of HTMS for five years. The HGCL, a joint venture of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (INCAP), invited tenders on Public Private Partnership mode to execute the whole project by designing, supplying, installing and commissioning HTMS equipment few months ago. The work also includes operation and maintenance of HTMS and related facilities for a period of five years from date of Operational Acceptance Certificate being taken up with HGCL funds. The system will be operational throughout the year at all times. Before commencing the HTMS project, a three month trial runs has to be conducted by the selected agency, they added.

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A truth India has to digest: millions still go hungry

n 2007, the then governor of one of our states was so alarmed by reports of people starving to death in a particular district that he decided to go and check the reality on the ground. The scenes that greeted him were so pathos-filled that the governor fainted. He was bundled into his car and sent off in the general direction of the Raj Bhavan. The government of that state had a reputation for burying its head in the sand despite evidence of its below par performance. The gubernatorial visit prompted the finance minister to make a whirlwind tour of the district, at the end of which he duly promised a ‘special package’. After that the bone of contention was whether the deaths were caused by ‘poverty’ or ‘starvation’.

Apologists for the government argued that poverty caused by whatever reason is a valid one for people going hungry, leading to all sorts of vulnerabilities and a few (unfortunate) deaths. The failing is not of the government, but bad karma. The other view, articulated eloquently by Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen, holds that any death from starvation — whatever the source of the malaise — speaks of a breakdown of governance in a democratic setup. A person, however poor, has entitlements assured directly through government programmes, the success of which is key to the political survival of a regime. Seven years later, I was shocked to come across a report in a leading newspaper that there were six ‘starvation deaths’ in that same

district over a five-day period immediately preceding the dateline — June 28. Sure enough, an official denial followed. The food minister claimed that the deaths occurred for reasons ranging from cerebral stroke to low birth weight. But a doctor of a government hospital in the area was quoted as saying that cases of malnutrition existed “in plenty” in the cluster under question. As it happened, I was at a multilateral conference themed ‘Action on the Call’ in Washington DC that week with health ministers from 25 countries analysing the past two years’ record in fighting preventable infant and maternal mortality. One of the important facts we were reminded of at the event was that poor nutrition is one of the most common reasons for high infant

mortality in India. We are losing 1.4 million children under the age of five years annually, of whom 756,000 are infants, because we have failed to develop an efficient mother and child care system. The connection between the newspaper report and my experience at that meeting made me face the truism that in the middle of the second decade of the 21st century, no government can escape the information explosion that constantly throws up inescapable facts. I see chronic hunger as a public health problem. Once I admit it as all-pervasive in India, it becomes my duty to address it as a major challenge before my government. Having been a World Health Organization adviser for many years, I cannot, after sitting on this chair, turn away from the fact that more than 27% of the world’s undernourished population lives in India. Call it starvation deaths, or death from hunger or low calorie intake, the phenomenon is pervasive in a large number of states. The Centre is capable of coming out with recommendations on identifying clusters of the population going hungry and the protocol for addressing their immediate needs so as to prevent deaths. In KS Fitch’s Medical History of the Bengal Famine there is a reference to a manual that was published by the British government in India in 1904 detailing provisions for the regular collection of information pertinent to the apprehension and prevention of mass hunger conditions in rural India. One of these directives asked district officials to announce public projects in the areas suspected to be affected by largescale hunger. The ploy was to attract able-bodied men to a single place so as to enable the officials to interview them as to their eating patterns. I wonder if the manual is still around. Its implementation today would depend on the plethora of

government development programmes becoming more simplified and accountability standards being fixed. Rural India today is awash with pro-poor programmes — ICDS, Antyodaya, MGNREGA, Aanganwadi, ASHA, to name only a few — but there has been no great transformation in calorie intake disparities. For instance, in the tribal pockets of one of the southern states recognised for its high human development indicators, an alarmingly high number of children die each year owing to diseases linked to malnourishment. A vigilant media can keep a government on its toes not only by bringing to public attention the phenomenon but also by helping educated readers wade through specious logic that is ingrained in government responses. The Bengal Famine story was broken by a newspaper representing British interests in India. It exposed the devastating effects of Winston Churchill’s scorched earth policy against the Japanese who had just taken over Burma and were threatening eastern India. Food was exported from Bengal for the war effort but three million people in the province died during the great man-made calamity. The British government tried to censor the Press but it did not work and eventually had to veer around to providing relief and rehabilitation. Richard Stevenson in Bengal tiger, British lion: an account of the Bengal famine of 1943 writes that neither Mahatma Gandhi nor Jawaharlal Nehru nor any other Congress leader made any statements at the time of the famine or afterwards. Perhaps they unwittingly bequeathed the tradition of apathy to contemporary leaders. Famines as mass catastrophes belong to the past, but the polity has got to own up to the fact that millions of Indians are still going to bed hungry every night. Facing the truth is half the battle won.

India to assist Nepal to construct temple

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July 2014 Edition

ndia on Monday pledged to provide NRs 21.76 million for the construction of Mathadis building of a prominent Vishnu temple here. Shri Budhanilkantha temple is situated 10km north of Kathmandu. Mathadhis building is a place where the priests of the temple stay. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Programme was signed between the embassy of India, district development committee and Shri Budhanilkantha Narayan area management committee for the project, an Indian embassy statement said. Budhanilkantha, a Vishnu temple has great religious and cultural significance for Hindus all over the world and thousands of pilgrims apart from tourists from India and elsewhere in the world visit the temple daily, it added. The structure of the Mathadhis building has substantially deteriorated over the years. The new Mathadhis building being constructed with Indian assistance will significantly upgrade the infrastructure and facilities at the temple, the statement said.

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assengers travelling to the US from anywhere in Europe and UK will now have to keep their mobile phones and laptops charged or lose them at security. UK’s Department of Transport has issued new guidelines in light of a terror threat according to which any electronic device that has a flat battery will not be allowed on America-bound flights. It said “make sure electronic devices are charged before travel” and warned “If your device doesn’t switch on, you won’t be allowed to bring it onto the aircraft.” It said “All electronic devices are screened by security officers. During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening”. New guidance will now make it mandatory for airport security staff to routinely test smartphones and computers for traces of explosives. Britain has tightened security in airports across UK after receiving credible evidence from American spies of a “possible al-Qaida terror attack in a manner like never before”. US officials have told the UK that mobile phones - especially iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets will be used as “stealth” bombs as Al Qaida terrorists have found a way to turn phones into explosive devices and intend to explode them on commercial flights. Britain’s top security official has now warned that the al Qaida bomb makers with a “devilish technical skill” have completed making explosive devices which would be concealed in mobile phones

July 2014 Edition

and tablet computers, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee in the House of Commons which oversees the secret operations of MI5 and MI6 said on Sunday that he has been shown the evidence gathered by intelligence agencies which underpin a series of new security measures being introduced at British airports and across Europe. Sir Malcolm, writing on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the July 7 bombings in London said “We must not underestimate the devilish technical skill of those terrorists who design ever more sophisticated means of concealing explosives in mobile devices, in clothing and in otherwise innocent objects. They have been hard at work over the last year.” He adds: “Apart from the terrible murder of Drummer Lee Rigby, the last successful Islamic jihadi terrorist outrage in Britain was the London bombings back in 2005. This has resulted in complacency amongst some of the public which is seriously disturbing. It is simply foolish to believe that the threat is either minimal or now behind us.” The group who are the main suspects is Jabhat al-Nusra, radical militants based in Syria who have now joined hands with members of al-Qaida’s franchise in Yemen and in rest of the Arabian Peninsula. In a statement, the UK government said “we keep aviation security under constant review in conjunction with international partners and the aviation industry. We have taken the decision to step up some of our aviation security measures. For obvious reasons we will not be commenting in detail on those

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Travellers must keep mobiles charged for US flights P

changes. The majority of passengers should not experience significant disruption”. “There will be no change to the threat level, which remains at substantial. The safety and security of the public is our

paramount concern. The UK has some of the most robust aviation security measures and we will continue to take all the steps necessary to ensure that public safety is maintained”.

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India, Australia experiment man-robot tasks on Mars

ndian and Australian space scientists and students are carrying out experiments to compare how well human astronauts and robotic vehicles can work together and perform tasks on Mars. The experiments that started

Friday are being carried out at Flinders Range in South Australia, a rugged environment that simulates the planet Mars. Acting Australian High Commissioner to India Bernard Philip welcomed the innovative collaboration between the two countries.

“Australia and India are developing many collaborative linkages in the exciting field of civil space science,” Philip said in a statement issued Friday. “The Mars Research Study: Man vs Machine vs Wild” project, which will continue till July 20,

will compare how well human astronauts and robotic vehicles can work together and perform tasks on Mars. The project will also involve joint research into geology and astrobiology. The Indian Institute of Technolo-

gy (Bombay) is participating in the study, along with the University of New South Wales, Murdoch University and Macquarie University. A group of high school teachers will also attend as part of NASA’s Spaceward Bound programme to develop classroom teaching materials. “Geoscience Australia has helped the Indian Space Research Organisation calibrate its satellites, and the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is tracking India’s satellite Mangalyaan on its voyage to Mars,” Philip said. “This project will further strengthen this collaboration, bringing together current and future space scientists. Australian space industry company Saber Astronautics is managing the project in partnership with Mars Society Australia and Mars Society India, and with funding from the Australia India Council. The development of joint space science educational programmes is one objective of the 2012 bilateral memorandum of understanding between India and Australia concerning cooperation in civil space science, technology and education.

onsumer electronics giant Sony will spend Rs. 800 crore in India this year, up from Rs. 650 crore last year, to boost its sales and distribution network and increase investment on marketing its latest gadgets. India is Sony’s fourth largest market worldwide after United States, China and Japan. Sony India reported revenue of Rs. 10,000 crore in 2013-14 and with sales growing around 25% each year, India could even race ahead of Sony’s home market of Japan in the future, feels Kenichiro Hibi, managing director, Sony India. To drive growth the company

July 2014 Edition

is focusing on three main categories – smartphones, LED and LCD televisions and cameras. “Mobile phones is our fastest growing business here, in an industry, which itself is skyrocketing. So every two years doubling of sales can be expected. Our TV business is also doing well. These two will be our two big pillars here, and we are also looking to expand our digital camera business,” he said. Sony has a 10% share in India’s smartphone market and accounted for around 10-15% of its total sales here. It has planned close to 30 launches in the segment this year. “Sony currently has 100 mo-

bile phone lounges, 250 Sony brand shops and around 365 service centres in India. While we will continue to expand across the board, the focus is on growing mobile lounges, which could more than double this year,” said Hibi.We have a total distribution reach across 20,000 towns and that will also grow further, he added. Sony hopes to bring more high-end products like ultrahigh definition TVs and flagship smartphones and tablets to the country without much delays from their global launch and will also offer more affordable products in small towns, Hibi said.

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Sony likely to spend Rs. 800 crore NASA builds world’s first flying observatory to boost marketshare in India

ASA has fitted a 17-tonne telescope with an effective diameter of eight feet on a modified Boeing 747 jetliner that the US space agency is using as a flying observatory to study stars. The infrared telescope called “Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy” (SOFIA) is mounted behind a sliding door that reveals it to the skies. The jet can stay airborne for over 12 hours and its range is

up to 6,625 nautical miles (7,624 miles). According to NASA, “The data provided by SOFIA cannot be obtained by any other astronomical facility on the ground or in space.” SOFIA is mobile, so it can better spot transient space events like supernovae and comets. The telescope, built with the help from German Aerospace Centre (DLR), can easily be repaired or reprogrammed when necessary.

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From a rickshaw puller to a guest at Rashtrapati Bhavan Supreme Court order ‘not an inter-

uslim groups on Monday said there was nothing new or objectionable in the Supreme Court’s order on “Shariat Court”. Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, president, All India Muslim Majlise Mushawarat, an umbrella body of over a dozen Muslim groups belonging to different sects, told The Hindu that the order was not an interference with the Personal Law rights of Muslims. “There is nothing new or objectionable in the verdict. Darul Qaza is an informal forum to which

people go for their own benefits. Its view or fatwa is just an opinion and is not legally binding. That is why quite a number of times people reject the Darul Qaza fatwa and instead approach civil court,” he said. Dr. Khan, who is also the editor of Milli Gazette, objected to the term “Shariat Court.” “It is wrong to call Darul Qaza as ‘Shariat Court’ essentially because it is not a ‘court’. The term ‘Shariat Court’ gives an impression that Muslims have formed an alternative judicial system,” he added.

Even last year certain changes were introduced in the personal laws governing Hindus. Unfortunately, no such reform has happened in Muslim Personal Law due to vehement opposition from the community. Even judicial interventions are not welcome. The Shah Bano case

(1985) is an example. The Rajiv Gandhi government bowed down to the diktats of Muslim leaders and reversed a progressive verdict of the SC that had ordered alimony for the mother of five. Article 44 of the Constitution that talks about uniform civil code has remained a dead let-

ter, despite the SC occasionally reminding the government of its duty to achieve it. It remains to be seen whether BJP would be able to live up to its poll promise on this issue. An ideal situation would be where religion operates in personal sphere and law governs

the public space. In case of a conflict, the latter based on constitutional principles of freedom, equality and democracy must prevail. One cannot disagree with the SC that “Religion cannot be allowed to be merciless... Faith cannot be used as a dehumanising force.”

Relation between law, religion brought to fore

he Supreme Court’s verdict declaring that Islamic courts have no legal or constitutional basis and Muslims cannot be forced to follow their fatwas has once again brought to the fore the sensitive issue of relations between law and religion in India. First, the conflict is natural because the space occupied by law today was once solely in religion’s domain. The vice-like grip the Church had over the lives of commoners and the King in prerenaissance Europe is a reminder of the tyranny of religion. But it was not just the Church in Europe. In India too, religion has been a guiding force in an individual’s life. During the British rule the role of religion in public life was curtailed to a great extent as the Raj tried to enforce its own laws. Second, religious laws have had inherent gender bias in them. But after India adopted a Constitution guaranteeing fundamental rights to all — irrespective of gender — the discriminatory religious practices must cease to operate. Third, as society evolves, laws change accordingly. However, religious leaders and institutions have traditionally resisted change. The laws governing Hindus have been amended to a great extent, despite stiff opposition from various Hindu groups and the then president Rajendra Prasad and the process is still on.

July 2014 Edition

Photo source: PTI

The story of Kamboj seems to be leaf pulled out of a Bollywood movie with the hero becoming victorious in the end. After a verbal duel with his father in 1986, the then 23-yearold Kamboj left his native village in Yamuna Nagar in Haryana for Delhi where he ended up as a rickshaw puller ferrying traders in Khari Baoli area of old Delhi. Recalling his earlier days in Delhi, Kamboj, sitting in the guest wing of Rashtrapati Bhavan, said “Whenever I used to pass by Rashtrapati Bhavan, I always used to wonder what lies inside. I still cannot believe I am staying at Raisina Hill as the President’s guest.”

Photo source: PTI

wenty-seven years ago a rickshaw puller operating in the walled city would often visit Raisina Hills area to have a look at British-era buildings including Rashtrapati Bhavan without little knowing that one day he would be one of the guests at the Presidential palace. This is the story of 51-year-old Dharamveer Kamboj, a resident of Haryana, who is staying as a guest of President Pranab Mukherjee in Rashtrapati Bhavan, an honour bestowed on him for his innovation of a multi-purpose food processing machine which can extract juices or essence from herbs quickly.

ference with Muslim personal law’

His stay in the national capital ended abruptly after he met with an accident in 1987 and was forced to return to his native village where he remained bedridden for many months. “During my years in Delhi, I had observed that the fruits and vegetables we grow in villages do not earn that much profit to the farmers there as much as they do when processed and packaged. So, I decided to develop a processing machine which is not only multi-purpose but is also time saving. Kamboj, who is one of the five innovators selected as guest of the President, said he developed the food processing machine which could extract pulp of over 200 kg tomatoes per hour. The portable machine is capable of extracting juices and essence from aloe vera, amla, jamun and other herbs and processes them for making various products. It offers a condensation mechanism which helps in extraction of essence, extracts, gel from flowers and medicinal plants for herbal applications. “It took me 11 months to develop this machine. In 2008, officials from National Innovation Foundation visited me at my village Damla to see a demo of my machine. And then I got the idea of taking it to the masses,” Kamboj, who is spending 20 days from July one in the President’s House, said.

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News

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ension is rising in the retail industry, as Mukesh Ambani-led Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries gets ready to take on US retailer Walmart in the country’s $450-billion cash-and-carry business. Reliance is set to open around 100 cash-and-carry stores in the next two years, while Walmart India CEO Krish Iyer said it would take the world’s largest retailer another six years to launch 50 Best Price stores. In a business where speed and scale spell success, Reliance seems to be leaving no stones unturned. In the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Mumbaibased company opened 15 new stores under its Reliance Market brand, taking the total number of its cash-and-carry stores to 32. In contrast, Walmart has 20 stores in the country at present, followed by German wholesaler Metro Cash & Carry (16 stores) and French multinational retailer Carrefour (five stores). “Within two years of opening our first cash-and-carry store, we have become the largest wholesale cash-and-carry chain in the country and we plan to continue our current pace of growth. Our store expansion programme will cover top Indian cities by 2016,” a Reliance Retail spokesperson said. The sizes of the new Reliance Market stores will range between 10,000 square feet and 45,000 square feet, said a person familiar with the development. To save on real estate costs, the company will adopt improvised methods to store goods vertically rather than horizontally. It will also focus on

Photo source: PTI

Reliance Retail set to take on Walmart T

developing its own brands for all customer segments. Quashing speculations that the new stores will target end-consumers apart from small businesses, the Reliance spokesperson said only registered members would be allowed to shop at the stores. This is similar to the business model followed by other international retailers in the country. For instance, Walmart, Metro Cash & Carry and Carrefour operate only

cash-and-carry stores that are different from B2C retail chains, such as Big Bazaar and Shoppers Stop. The cash-and-carry business is about bulk-buying and it can only serve registered members including kirana stores, hospitals and hotels. Reliance Market has 1.2 million registered members. Gaurav Gupta, senior director with Deloitte in India, said the cash-and-carry business is here to stay. “In a country like India where

the population is scattered far and wide, real estate costs are high and distribution infrastructure is rickety, kirana stores play a crucial role in reaching out to the end-consumer. An organized wholesale business is beneficial for everyone including the end-consumer. Cash-andcarry stores will help create a good balance in the retail ecosystem of the country,” he said. Sensing the latent opportunity, large retailers have already

started taking big steps to bolster their presence and reach in the category. Recently, Walmart India launched its online platform for members of Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in Hyderabad and Lucknow. Reliance responded by announcing its e-commerce debut with a Mumbai-grocery venture by the year-end. Now, it has made its intention of taking centre stage in the brick-and-mortar format as well.

lying scattered along the tracks. Sandip Chowdhury, elder brother of Sourav, said: “Both of us used to protest against anti-social activities. So they (the goons) wanted to kill either of us. The miscreants were earlier sheltered by the CPI-M (Communist Party of India-Marxist), and now by the ruling Trinamool Congress.” Alleging that efforts were afoot to hush up the issue, Sandip said he did not have confidence in the administration. “I will go to the Central Bureau of Investigation. If it fails, then I’ll approach the Supreme Court.” Sandip said he did not have any confidence in chief minister Mamata Banerjee, “as we are not getting any help from the administration”. Sourav’s post-mortem examination was conducted in the city’s Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital during the day. Protests continued in Bamangachi for the second day. Shops and markets remained closed following a 12-hour shutdown called by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Socialist Unity Centre of IndiaCommunist. Irate locals also ransacked the house of a relative of prime suspect Karmakar.

Political leaders, rights organisations and some eminent persons visited the area and called on the victim’s family members. State BJP president Rahul Sinha, who consoled Sourav’s grieving parents, alleged that police were working at the promptings of an invisible authority. “I think there is a conspiracy behind this incident. At various stages of the conspiracy one can see the hand of the Trinamool Congress. The family has demanded a CBI probe. I think a CBI inquiry is indeed needed,” he said. A team of the rights organisation Association for Protection of Democratic Rights and a delegation comprising professors, teachers and the father of Barun Biswas - an anti-rape protestor who was killed two years back - also visited the bereaved family. Sandip earlier said Sourav was abducted from near his residence by some people late Friday night. “From the balcony, I saw a group of people around 11 p.m.. When they passed by our house, I saw they were beating up and dragging my brother. I informed my father then. We informed the local panchayat member. But nobody came,” he said.

Photo source: PTI

Murdered Bengal student’s family seeks CBI probe

he family of the college student, who was killed and chopped into pieces for allegedly protesting anti-social activities in West Bengal’s North 24-Parganas district, Sunday demanded a CBI probe into his death, as one person was arrested but the prime suspect re-

July 2014 Edition

mained untraced. Of the four people named in the first information report, one has been nabbed. A district court later remanded him in police custody for seven days. However, prime suspect Shyamal Karmakar continues to be missing along with two others, police said.

The body of Sourav Chowdhury - missing since Friday night - was found beside the railway track between Duttapukur and Bamangachi stations Saturday. His family and local residents alleged he was murdered for protesting criminal activities in the Bamanghata area. The body parts were discovered

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TELEVISION

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Yudh to replace Bade Achhe Lagte Hain

Photo source: PTI

indiantimes

udh, which marks Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan’s debut into the fiction space on the small screen, will begins on

July 14. The Anurag Kashyap’s show will replace Bade Acche Lagte Hain that goes off air on July 10. Bade Acche Lagte Hain is a drama series thart explores

the worlds of two different personalities, Ram Kapoor and Priya Sharma, who accidentally discover love after they marry. According to sources close

to the development, “the show is going off air because the story is coming to an end. It will end with Ram and Priya’s re-marriage on July 10. Some

portions of the show are still being shot.” There were reports that Bade Acche Lagte Hain is ending because Ram and another actor Jai Kalra, who plays Vikram, were exploring other opportunities. Yudh will be aired Monday to Thursday at 10.30 pm. After years in planning and a year in the making, Yudh, which stars the Big B as Yudhisthir Sikarwar, promises to take viewers on a “cinematic experience”. Co-produced by Amitabh’s production company Saraswati Creations in collaboration with Endemol India, Yudh is directed by Ribhu Dasgupta. Helming the show is acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap as the creative director, along with Shoojit Sircar who has been roped in as a creative consultant. Yudh follows the life of Yudhishthir Sikarwar, a real estate baron, who is diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder. It traces his journey, his struggle with his collapsing health, his battle with business rivals and his complicated family equations. Yudh also stars veteran actress Sarika along with names like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Kay Kay Menon, the show has so far, via its promos, given the audience a reason to watch out for it.

Photo source: PTI

Diya Aur Baati Hum director quits show Gaurav Chopraa quits Uttaran

e’s been part of the popular TV show, Diya Aur Baati Hum, since its inception three years ago. But the latest news is that director Rohit Goyal has quit the show. Recently, there was buzz that the show’s cast was miffed with him for being partial towards his wife Deepika Singh, who is the lead actress on the show. Apparently, he would frequently allow her to report late on the sets and leave early as well . We’ve also heard that things got tougher for him after an argument with the lead actor Anas Rashid. But Rohit refutes these rumours and says that he quit the show to direct a new series by the same producers. “I have been planning for the new show for the past two months, and now we are in the midst of pre-pro-

July 2014 Edition

duction. We will start shooting this month, so there’s a lot to do before that,” he says. Ask him about the rumour about being partial towards Deepika on the sets, and he says, “I would suggest you come and check the entry log that every actor has to fill in. You will see that she has worked harder than the rest. Even when we were dating, she would work extra hard, so that people wouldn’t point fingers at her. And now, after marriage, she’s been doing the same. These stories are nothing but gossip.” Goyal also adds that the ‘argument’ he had with Anas was only a “misunderstanding”. “It started when Anas thought that I had saidsomething about him to someone, which I hadn’t. But then Isat him down and explained everything to him, and everything was okay. I have a good working relationship with Anas.”

aurav Chopraa, who plays Raghuvendra Pratap Rathore in Uttaran, has put in his papers. The actor, who entered the show for a cameo of seven episodes — his stay extended to four years — felt that he had nothing more to offer the character. Says Gaurav, “This has been my longest stint. I don’t endorse typical family dramas or kitchen politics. But Raghuvendra was larger than life and had a certain spunk to it. I was given a free hand to play it the way I wanted. Another major reason was that the role was inspired by Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind. But for the last six months, I have been feeling that I am done with the character and can’t stretch it any further.” So, when is his last day of shoot?

“I have not been shooting since four days, so I don’t know if that was my last day or I will be called to shoot my exit,” he replies. Since he has taken such short breaks earlier as well, would he consider returning? “I have made around eight comebacks on the show. But this time, it’s very unlikely,” he says, adding, “It’s time for me to move on, take a short break and reinvent myself.” Reacting to the rumours of Gaurav getting back with former girlfriend Narayani Shastri, he says, “I have never hidden my relationships. I have not met Narayani since months and the pictures or clip that are being circulated are old. I haven’t met Narayani since a couple of months. I am very much single and available. In fact, if my parents had their way, they would get me married tomorrow.”

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Food & Wine

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indiantimes

Paneer Capsicum Sabji Vegetarian biryani • • • • • • • • •

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, sliced 1 cinnamon stick 6 cardamom pods, bruised 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon chilli powder 2 cups SunRice Basmati Rice 3 cups vegetable stock

• • • • • •

175g baby green beans, trimmed 1/4 medium (200g) cauliflower, cut into florets 100g button mushrooms, halved 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves 2 tablespoons flaked almonds, toasted 1/4 cup low-fat yoghurt

Method:

Step 1 Heat oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is soft. Add cinnamon, cardamom, cumin and chilli. Cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Step 2 Add rice. Stir to coat. Add stock, beans, cauliflower and mushrooms. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 12 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat. Stand, covered, for 10 minutes or until rice is tender. Remove cinnamon stick. Step 3 Top biryani with coriander and almonds. Serve with yoghurt.

Photo source: PTI

Teens and Substance Abuse

any people first try alcohol during their teenage years. The average age for girls is 13-yearsold, according to studies by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). It is the drug most often used by 12- to 17-yearolds, with more than four million adolescents drinking alcohol in any month. In a recent survey, 25 percent of 8th graders, 40 percent of 10th graders and 53 percent

July 2014 Edition

of 12th graders reported drinking alcohol during the prior month. Although most parents think peer pressure is the main reason teenagers drink, 79 percent of teens say they drink to get drunk or because it “feels good;” 67 percent say drinking alcohol helps them forget their problems; and 66 percent say peer pressure is the reason. Forty-seven percent say they drink because they have nothing better to do.

The prevalence of alcohol use among teens mixed with the effects of alcohol — a tendency toward risky and violent behavior, impaired judgment and slowed reaction time — help explain why alcohol is a major factor in teen motor vehicle crashes, homicides, suicides and drowning. Its use is also linked to early sexual intercourse, date and acquaintance rapes, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted

diseases, fights and community property damage. In addition, many young people also die from alcohol poisoning. Binge drinking (consumption of four or more drinks on a single occasion within the past two weeks) is a major problem in our college campuses. It is binge drinking, as opposed to drinking in general, that causes most of the alcohol-associated harm occurring on our campuses and in students’ lives. A major, eightyear study (the 2001 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study) involving the drinking habits of thousands of college students recently reported their findings in the Journal of American College Health. Results of the study revealed that, in 2001, approximately two in five (44.4 percent) college students engaged in binge drinking, a rate almost identical to rates reported in the previous eight years. Among the underage students, half of those surveyed reported obtaining alcohol easily; other students are their primary source. But since 1993, the use of fake identification cards to obtain alcohol illegally has declined, whereas the role of parents as providers of alcohol to underage students has increased. In addition, a sharp rise (from 5.3 percent in 1993 to 11.9 percent in 2001) in frequent binge drinking was noted among women attending all-women’s colleges, and a lesser, but still significant, increase of the same behavior for women in coeducational schools. These findings, and others revealed that, despite efforts to curb binge drinking on our campuses through alcoholprevention programs, services, activities and policies, there is

still much more that needs to be done. In 1999, nearly half of all high school students had used marijuana, the most commonly used illicit drug. More than 25 percent used it more than once in the last month. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, an agency of the National Institutes of Health, reports the use of the drug Ecstasy and steroids is on the rise. In 1999, the percentage of 12th graders who had used Ecstasy increased to eight percent, up from 5.8 percent. The percentage of 10th graders who had ever used anabolic-androgenic steroids increased from two percent in 1998 to 2.7 percent in 1999 and the percentage of eighth graders who had used them was up to 1.7 percent from 1.2 percent the year before. Inhalants are the next most widely used drug, followed by cocaine, LSD and heroin. Alcohol and drug use is prevalent among teens, as these studies and figures point out. Any alcohol or other drug use can be a slippery slope, imperiling not only your health and safety but also the health and safety of others (visit the Substance Abuse topic at this Web site for risk factors associated with alcohol and drug use.) Recognizing this, it’s important for teens to plan alternate social activities that do not involve drinking. More and more high schools and colleges are lending their support to these efforts by planning events that alleviate weekend boredom and give teens an alternative to traditional high-risk events, such as school-based post-prom parties.

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travel

indiantimes

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Photo source: PTI

Welcome to JAIPUR Rajasthanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful Pink City Jaipur, was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and series of palaces in the city are important attractions. Known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city, Jaipurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bazaars sell embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares. Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient circuit, in the heart of the Thar desert which has shaped its history, lifestyles and architecture.

Photo source: PTI

About

Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewellery, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition. aipur has been laid according to the conventional nine-grid pattern that astrologers believe to be lucky, and which has been recommended in the ancient Indian treatise on architecture. Each grid consists of a square, and these have been planned so that, at the heart of the city is the City Palace. Spread around it, in rows, are public buildings, the residences of noblemen, the living and trading quarters of merchants and artisans. Straight, wide roads run through the city, while a high, crenellated wall that forms its defense is pierced with seven gateways that serve as entry points.

Jaipur Sightseeing, Tourist Places in Jaipur

HAWA MAHAL: -built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies is a fine piece of Rajput architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities, on the street below. JANTAR MANTAR: -built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the huge masonary instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. CITY PALACE AND S.M.S. II MUSEUM: -situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The palace is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, it houses a Seven storeyed Chandra Mahal in the centre, which affords a fine view of the gardens and the city. Diwan-E-Am (Hall of public audience) has intricate decorations and collection of manuscripts, Diwan-E-Khas (Hall of private audience) has a marble pawed gallery Mubarak Mahal has a rich collection of costumes and textiles. There is a Clock Tower near Mubarak Mahal. Sileh Khana has a collection of armory and weapons.

The Pinkcity Walk

Albert Hall Museum This museum building was commissioned by Sawai Ram Singh II in 1876 A.D. It is one of the finest & most beautiful examples of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. The building was started as a famine relief for the craftsmen of the state. New Gate A formidable wall encircled the entire old city and there were seven gates through which one could enter the city. New Gate is the 8th gate or pol which overlooks the Ram Niwas Bagh, which was opened in the middle of the 20th century. Thatheron Ka Rasta / Nanak Ram Patel Ki Gali Craftsmen making brass utensils reside and work here. Traditional handtools & implements are still used by these craftsmen.

Climate

One should try and visit this land during the months of October to March, as the temperature varies between 22oC and 5oC at that time. This pleasant weather ensures that you witness the royal city of Rajasthan with complete delight.The weather of Jaipur is semi-arid type. Temperatures remain comparatively on the higher end all around the year. The summer season begins from April and continues till July. The temperature rises to an average of 30 oC. The city experiences monsoon showers in the months of August and September with frequent thunderstorms. Jaipur receives over 650 mm of rainfall each year. With pleasant weather in the month of October; November to February, are the months when city observe winters. The temperature ranges in between 5-15 oC during this season.

Photo source: PTI

How to Reach Jaipur

July 2014 Edition

By Air: Indian Airlines connect Jaipur with Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Bombay, Varanasi, Calcutta, Ahmedabad. By Rail : Jaipur is connected by rail with Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Abu Road (Mount Abu), Udaipur, Bombay and Sawai Madhopur. By Road : Good motorable roads connect Jaipur with Delhi 258 km, Agra 236 km, Bikaner 321 km, Udaipur 405 km, Ajmer 131 km, Jodhpur 316 km, Bharatpur 176 km, Jaisalmer 638 km and Bombay 1202 km. Bus : Regular buses ply from Jaipur to the above places and Alwar, Kota, Sariska, Mathura, Indore, Chittorgarh and Barmer.

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Jamat-Ul-Vida Islamic Festival

Jamat-Ul-Vida 2014 Jamat-ul-Vida 2014 would be celebrated worldwide by the people belong to the Islam religion on 25th of July, at Friday. What is Jamat-Ul-Vida Jamat-ul-Vida is a special and holy festival falls every year a day before the end of Ramzan month. At this day Muslim people perform special prayer (in addition to their regular Friday prayers) by reciting their Holy Quran for whole day. Jamat-Ul-Vida Festival According to the Islamic cultures and traditions every Friday of the week becomes a special day and source of blessings and salvation. Jamat-ul-Vida is also known as the Jummat-al-Wida which indicates good wishes of holy Quran. People celebrate this festival by reciting their holy book Quran, special prayers and lots of social works in order to get blessings. At this day people get involved in the charity work such as feeding to poor and helpless people to get reward from God. More than thousands of Muslim people get together to attend their special Jamat-ul-Vida festival, which is the last prayer of the Ramzan month. It is

celebrated in the nearby mosques of the city by performing prayer for the peace, success and harmony in the world. Jamat-Ul-Vida History According to the Islam culture and tradition, Prophet Mohammad had stated something unique about the special Friday. He said that Friday is the most special and blessed day than other days so, if anyone spend this day by worshipping and reciting the holy Quran would always be protected throughout the entire week from the Allah. Muslim people believe that at this day an angel of God enters to the Mosque and listens the Imam (Friday Prayers). People get rewarded if they go to the Mosque for prayer in the early morning. Prophet Mohammad had also stated that Allah would forgive all the sins if one performs the Friday Namaaz regularly. Jamat-Ul-Vida Celebration Jamat-ul-Vida is the most special and religious festival for the Muslim people who faithfully walk at this day towards their Central Mosque to offer prayer and honor to their Almighty Allah. They celebrate this festival by being present in the mosque from the early morn-

ing and feel that they are showered by lots of blessings, mercy and forgiveness by the Angels. Muslims people believe that their prayer at this day would surely be accepted by the God without any doubt. Tents are organized all around the mosques for the relief of the big crowd. Nearby mosques are flooded with the religious devotees looking for the divine blessings. Significance and Ritual of JamatUl-Vida Festival Jamat-ul-Vida is the holy day before the last day of Ramzan and most important day for the Muslims. There is a tradition of performing prayer in the early morning and recite holy Quran for whole day as well as involve in the activities of helping poor and helpless people by offering food or other required things. Special arrangements are done in advance at this day inside the mosques for the easiness of the devotees and avoid facing problems. They are encouraged by the priest to follow holy Koran in their whole life to get salvation and forgiveness. They prepare special feasts and enjoy with the family members, children, neighbors and friends. Jamat-Ul-Vida in India Ramzan is the holy month wherein Muslims observe a fast. In this pious period, Jamat-Ul-Vida is an extremely auspicious day for Muslims. As per Is-

lamic history and religion, it is the last ‘Jumma’ prayer of the month. In other words, it marks the last Friday of Ramzan. Etymologically, it arises from the words ‘juma’ and ‘wida’ which mean “gathering”and “farewell” respectively. This means that on the last Friday, people gather to bid farewell to the holy month of Ramzan which is close to its end and pray for a peaceful year ahead. On this day, the Muslims are required to attend the congregation instead of the usual mid-day prayer of Friday. They gather in huge numbers to recite the holy Koran for the whole day. While it is obligatory for the men to attend the congregation, it is not compulsory for the Muslim women. In 2013, the largest congregation was conducted in the city of Hyderabad at the Mecca Masjid, which is one of the biggest mosques in the country. This day also sees Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen organising the ‘Quran day’ meeting at Mecca Masjid annually in the same place. Jamat Ul - Vida Prayer Ceremony Muslims visit mosques in their respective cities and pray for a peaceful and better world. They do so in their clean best clothes and skull caps, but only after having a bath in the morning.Very special prayers are also offered by them. They seek forgiveness for the sins they have committed and pray for guidance in their future life.

Devotees also pray for peace for their loved departed ones. Priests encourage people to follow the words of the holy Koran which would help them in their life and also after death. It is believed that if on this day one feeds the poor, he would be rewarded in the future. Also, families get together and cook special feasts. Verse 9 of Chapter 62 of the Holy Koran mentions the gathering of such a congregation on the day of Friday. Muslims consider Jamat Ul-Vida to be one of the most important days that falls in the year. Not only this, it is also the second holiest day in the month of Ramzan only after the day of Eidul-Fitr, the day on which the monthlong fast is broken. It is believed that someone who worships Allah on Friday receives his protection for an entire week. Also ‘namaaz’ is done on two consecutive Fridays; people get to understand their real selves and conscience tells about the right path that one should follow. It is believed that on Jamat-ulvida, prayers are accepted by Allah. Mosques usually erect tents outside the main building in order to create additional area to accommodate the large number of gathering. All in all, this day involves religious reverence as mosques are flooded with devotees seeking divine blessings. Moreover, greater and stronger unity is developed amongst the Muslim community in their gathering. -

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July 2014

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Priyanka Chopra ridiculed mercilessly on social media

or stars who enjoy the ride, social media is the dragon that must be trained. And for Priyanka Chopra, who has so far managed to create quite a following for herself on the internet with her selfies, the beast bared its fangs and frightened Miss PeeCee away. The talking point is, PeeCee’s recent attempts at challenging her internet followers to ask her

any question. The dare, on a networking platform, backfired, with the actress and selfstyled signer being heckled mercilessly. Everything from her rumoured plastic surgeries, to the controversy surrounding the naming of a street after her father and even her socalled affair with Shah Rukh Khan, no topic was untouched. PeeCee beat a hasty retreat, but not before exposing her vulnerability.

This comes at a time when a certain troubled industrialist too has been mulling over the idea of using social media to counter the charges levelled against him by an irate former lover. We believe his well-meaning friends have strictly forbidden him from doing so especially after it became evident that his ex has managed to garner considerable support on the internet.

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Mirza Sahibaan now renamed Mirziya

Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has disclosed that he has now renamed his movie Mirza Sahibaan as Mirziya. “The film is now going to be called Mirziya. Just like I made Bhaag Milkha Bhaag inspired by the life of Milkha Singh, Mirziya is only inspired by the folklore,” Mehra told IANS exclusively. He is here in Jammu and Kash-

mir as the patron of the Ladakh International Film Festival. The movie helmed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra stars newcomers Harshvardhan Kapoor, son of veteran actor Anil Kapoor, and Saiyami Kher, niece of Tanvi Azmi. To be shot in Rajasthan and Ladakh, the tragic love story is a modern take on the folklore.

ilmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan, who is currently working on her next commercial venture “Happy New Year”, feels the critics are biased towards “arty, slow and a bit boring” movies. “It would be great if everyone likes the movie, critics and the

July 2014 Edition

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Critics biased against commercial films: Farah Khan

audience. But I think there is a bias against commercial cinema. I know the critics are only doing their job, but there is a breed of critics that only likes slow and boring movies,” the 49-year-old said here Wednesday on the sets of reality show “Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega.”

She feels such critics should stop reviewing commercial films. “So I think they should not review commercial films and someone who understands and enjoys commercial films should do it,” she said. Pointing her brother Sajid Khan’s film “Humshakals” as an example, Farah said, “ ‘Hum-

shakals’ got terrible reviews but it did pretty well at the box office, so I rest my case. So did ‘Ek Villain’ also I think. I was in London at that time, but I heard the reviews were not great. But look at the box office.” However, she gives brownie points to the audience for not be-

ing influenced by the reviews. “I am noticing that the critics today are liking only a particular type of film, which is arty, slow and a bit boring. They do not like commercial films at all. So if we follow only those four people, then the film industry will shut down,” Farah said.

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Shahid Kapoor did Haider for free

ishal Bharadwaj and Shahid Kapoor decided to forgo their remuneration for their upcoming film You often hear actors describing their film as “special” to promote it. But Shahid Kapoor was so sure that Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider is indeed “special” that along with the filmmaker he too decided not to charge any money for the film so that neither the budget is overstretched nor the quality compromised. Confirming the same, Vishal told Mirror, “When he started planning the film, both Shahid and I agreed that it had to make money from day one. But, we also knew that Haider was a big film with a huge budget, an ensemble cast and lavish action pieces. Filming in Kashmir added to the costs. The only way we could succeed in our endeavour was not to burden the film with our remunerations. We kept the secret between us for a long time but it’s finally out.” His hero’s selfless act and his commitment and passion for good cinema has impressed Vishal. After seeing him in action in Haider and before that in Kaminey, the perfectionist director is convinced

July 2014 Edition

that Shahid is the `finest actor in his age group’. “Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, has some really long monologues and so does Haider. Listening to Shahid deliver those wordy pieces on my headphones I was reminded of Naseer (Naseeruddin Shah) and Pankaj Kapur,” he says. Haider completes the Shakespearean triology for Vishal which started with Maqbool.”When I was making Maqbool, a contemporary adaptation of Macbeth, I didn’t know that I would go on to make Omkara (an Indianised version of Othello). It was circumstances which brought it about,” says Vishal, pointing out that after that he took a long gap from Shakespeare before picking up Hamlet. “A lot of filmmakers were also toying with the same subject but I guess I was destined to make Hamlet.” There were rumours that he had planned Hamlet years earlier, with Irrfan Khan in mind, long before Maqbool. “No, it wasn’t my first Shakespearean drama or even my second,’ Vishal dismisses. “In fact, even when I was planning a third, the choice was between King Lear and Hamlet. And I chose the Prince of Denmark.”

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astrology

indiantimes Readers please note that the below predictions are given according to North Indian tradition of Hindu Vedic Astrological methods, using your Lagna as the base.

Monthly Astrology - JULY 2014 as this would otherwise lead you to have conflicts at your workplace. You should do better by staying away from any speculative investments for keeping your financial position in a stable condition. By putting forward your endeavours you may increase your own earnings to some extent.

Aries – Mesha This is a favorable position. Your popularity will be high and you will form new relationships. You may have pleasant short-trips and excursions. Your interest in art and music will increase and you may acquire an object of art or a music system. Your earnings will increase as you may have gains from newer avenues as well. But be careful that you may have problems either with your business or marriage partner and the health of your spouse may make you anxious. Romantic liaisons if any could take a bad turn and you may become a victim of slander and disrepute. You should try to avoid quarrels and confrontations by being diplomatic.

Taurus – Vrushabha

Cancer – Kataka

You will become very courageous and will conquer your enemies. You will be victorious in conflicts. By putting forward your endeavours in a proper manner and by facing situations with confidence, you will make excellent progress in your professional sphere and will have boosted earnings. You will receive favours from authorities and form new relationships. You will become very popular in your circle of acquaintances and your social status will be considerably improved.

Gemini – Mithuna You will get an attractive youthful appearance and you will be endowed with an inquisitive intellect. You will be studious, intelligent, quick and restless. You will be fond of writing much and will have many journeys. Socially you will be very popular and enjoy your time merrily. You should try to concentrate more and engage yourself in some creative endeavours which will bring in success and honour for you. You should try to overcome your argumentive tendency

Dealing in land, buildings, building construction materials and agricultural products could fetch you good returns. You may have some improvements in your career; your responsibility will increase and so will be your earnings. You will also have gains from some other sources. You are to avoid speculations. You must excercise care and caution as your enemies could otherwise ferment troubles for you and make you a victim of slander or disrepute. Time is not propitious for romantic liaisons and extravagant tendencies if not curbed could give rise to financial problem. Your health also needs more care as you may suffer from minor ailments. You may feel irritated but you should try to diffuse your tensions which will smoothen things for you. By adopting a compromising attitude and dealing in a tactful manner you could be able to tide over domestic conflicts. Leo – Simha

You will enjoy good health and so will do the other members of the family. Your family-life will be blissful and bright with happiness. Your earnings will receive a boost and you will have new acquisitions which will improve your living condition and increase your satisfaction. Your relationships with relatives and friends will improve. In professional sphere, things will be in your favour during this period. You will secure favours from persons of rank and authority, besides enjoying many other benefits. Opportunities will come your way and you will make timely

use of them in a prudent way. Socially you will gain more popularity and prestige.

Virgo – Kanya You will have success in your endeavors and may have gains from various sources. You may have good gains from a new venture and also from prudent investments. Some of your ambitions will be realized and you may secure a lucrative promotion that offers liberal perquisites as well. In academic pursuits also you would gain distinction. You will be fortunate in respect of romantic liaisons. Your family- life will be joyful and happy; some of your children could be a source of pride. You may have journeys in connection with your profession which will be fruitful. You will have success in all your endeavors and may have gains from various sources. You may have good gains from a new venture and also from prudent investments.

Libra – Tula You will become fortunate and gainall-round happiness. Your mind will be active and remain alert. In the persuit of knowledge and gathering information you will make good progress. Connections with foreign countries will benefit you. You will have fruitful journeys to distant places. While dealing with newer people you should take care that you do not make them feel confused as you have the habit of shifting over to other subjects too fast. Also you will tend to become impulsive which you should try to overcome. You should closely watch your words as this can spoil relationships and cause bickerings in the family and also in the sphere of profession. The health of your spouse may cause some concern.

Scorpio – Vruschika

During the period you will enjoy good material prosperity and you may have some journeys in connection with your profession. But the relationship with your family- members may come under strain. Your health might be somewhat affected and expenses may considerably increase which could keep you tense. Doing remedies such as Navagraha Shanthi Poojas are good. Otherwise you may have to face problems as your secret enemies will be actively working against you for tarnishing your image. You should remain on the alert and leave no scope for this otherwise you may have a setback at the close of the period. Time is not propitious for you; so you must look after your health and refrain from speculative investments. Your friends may not be very helpful during this time. So you should think twice before making commitments. Sagittarius – Dhanu

Your earnings will improve and you will have gains from various sources. You may be benefited by receiving a windfall quite unexpectedly. You will form new friendships and will become very popular in your friends’ circle. Some of your ambitions may be realised and you may have new acquisitions that will add to your comfort. You will lead a prosperous and happy family-life; there could be a celebration in the family. The performance of your educational activities, will instil a sense of pride and joy in your mind. You may spend a lot for having some renovations done to your house-building. Your mother may suffer from some minor ailments. Capricorn – Makara This is a good position for gains through creative writings and by utilising acquired knowledge in a special field. You will be very fortunate and will receive special favours from the authorities. You will be successful in all

your endeavours and rise to a powerful and lucrative position. Some of your cherished desires will be fulfilled and you may have new acquisitions. Your family-life will be happy with comfortable surroundings and socially you will gain more popularity. Your relationships with relatives and friends will become more cordial. You will be a centre of attraction in social gatherings. Aquarius – Kumbha

You will have success in academic persuits and some of cherished desires will be fulfilled. The position is favourable for securing higher education, having long journeys and pilgrimmages; it is also a propitious period for developing foreign connections from which you can derive benefits in future. You will have good prosperity in professional sphere and will lead a peaceful and happy family- life. You will form new friendships and will become increasingly popular. Some of your ambitions will be realised and you may secure a lucrative promotion that offers liberal perquisites as well. In academic persuits also you would gain distinction.

Pisces - Meena

You may have problems either with your You will have a pleasant time to enjoy the luxury and comforts of life. You may have some costly acquisitions which will increase your satisfaction and raise your social status. All your efforts during the period will bear fruit and contribute to your progress. But you should take every possible care for avoiding quarrels and conflicts. You should take more care of your health as if you suffer from cold or some other obstructive ailments which might lead to complications if neglected. Hence health needs much more care and you should be very cautious while driving. If you wish to know the difference be-

tween Eastern & Western Astrology you are invited to visit http://jyotisha.00it.com/Difference.htm

Monthly Predictions for JULY 2014 By Lakshman Abeykoon - Noble Park, VIC 3174 - Phone (03) 9548 1613 - http://jyotisha.00it.com

Get Rid Of That Guilty Feeling

any of us find it easy to forgive others but find it impossible to forgive ourselves. The Roman philosopher Cato, admits this when he says, “I can pardon everybody’s mistakes except my own.” Yet learning to forgive yourself is one of the basic steps of cultivating the spirit of forgiveness for all. If you cannot forgive yourself, how

July 2014 Edition

will you forgive others? Forgiving oneself is essential for self-acceptance. This does not mean that we give up our moral or ethical standards and justify all our actions. It only means that we learn to accept ourselves as we are, including our many shortcomings. For some reason people persist in being harsh with themselves;

they become inflexible and judgemental. I know a man who carried a lifelong sense of guilt because he could not become a doctor – something that his parents wanted him to do. Many mothers refuse to forgive themselves when their children do not turn out right. Wives blame themselves when a marriage

breaks down…it is strange, but our acceptance of ourselves seems to depend on others’ acceptance of us! Self-criticism is healthy up to a point. But when it makes us ruthless, merciless jailors of our own conscience, it is time to let go of guilt feelings and make a fresh attempt at self knowledge, self acceptance and cultivation of self-worth. Reasons for which people refuse to forgive themselves may originate from a person’s culture, race, religion, gender or class. Our guilt may be due to personal standards that we have set for ourselves. Or, they may be due to ethical reasons for having done something that is wrong. Self-forgiveness does not imply condoning wrong behaviour. Nor does it mean that you do not feel repentance for your past actions. Accepting this repentance, feeling remorse is part of the healing process. But you must not let the remorse become a permanent burden. It is essential to overcome remorse and move on to face the future. In Dostoevsky’s famous novel Crime And Punishment, the hero commits the heinous crime of murder. At first, he refuses to acknowledge his guilt, but is tortured by fear and insecurity. This leads to such intense selfloathing, that he confesses his

crime and accepts his sentence – fifteen years of penal servitude in Siberia. However, he is unable to forgive himself, until he accepts God’s love and infinite mercy. Persistent guilt feelings even lead some people to contemplate suicide. They feel they do not deserve to live. But this is a coward’s way out of the situation. In the US, some courts give bold and innovative ‘sentences’ for criminals. They are made to do social work, or offer their services for the benefit of the less privileged. Such a sentence has an extremely beneficial effect on their psyche, enabling them to grow in self-respect and self-worth. This is the starting point of acceptance and progress. It helps them escape from the conflict and turmoil that rages inside them and to learn to forgive themselves. Many of us carry on our hearts, heavy loads of guilt which rob us of our peace of mind. No man is perfect. Every one of us has done some wrongs in the past, near or remote. We must repent and, if possible, make amends. We must pray for wisdom and strength not to repeat the wrong and then forget about it. The moment that an individual accepts and forgives himself, is the moment of renewal, a new beginning.

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Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

DP voted sexiest woman in the world

featuring her and the other girls in the top 100 list of sexiest women. However, Deepika believes that her physical appearance has got nothing to do with this poll and it is only her work that led her to this. “I think something like this is

really the result of the work that I do. I don’t think it has got anything to do with me physically. I also think that the brand endorsements are also the result of the films that you do,” the statusque actress said here. “I have been very fortunate that

Riteish Deshmukh wants to be a director

July 2014 Edition

Deepika was last seen in the Tamil film “Kochadaiiyaan.” Her look in her upcoming film “Finding Fanny” is also out. The film has been directed by Homi Adajania and also stars Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia.

Why Raj Kapoor and Nargis did not get married?

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

iteish Deshmukh has acted in over 30 films in the last 11 years. In 2012, he also turned producer with a Marathi film, and has backed multiple projects since then. Now, after spending plenty of time observing and learning the art of film-making during his shoots, Riteish hopes to explore another avenue — direction. Ask Riteish if he has thought of directing a film and he says, “Of course I have, but if I’ve given it a thought today, I need three years to act on it. You can’t do it on impulse; you need to understand the job. It’s a lot of work and a lengthy process. I will probably work on it in a year or two.” The actor says that while

the roles I have done in the last 2-3 years have been very different from each other. So I guess this and the endorsements are a result of that and, of course, the success of that and the relatability of the characters,” she added.

directing a film is an instinctive process, he has gained a lot of knowledge about the job by being on film sets as an actor or producer. He explains, “Many directors have made films because they had conviction. Ram Gopal Varma was a video library owner, and one day, he went and directed Shiva (1990).” Ritiesh feels that direction is an obvious progression for him. “As an actor you own a part of the film, as a producer you own the entire film, but as a director, you are the magician; you are the creator. After acting in so many films, I progressed to producing the content that I believe in, and supporting what I feel will be successful. Now, I’d like to direct.” he says.

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Deepika Padukone has been voted the sexiest woman in the world in a poll conducted by the fashion magazine. She will feature in the new edition of the magazine and the actress Wednesday unveiled the edition

aj Kapoor and Nargis- This was truly a tragic love affair! Raj Kapoor was the original showman of Bollywood and Nargis Dutt was the beautiful talented actress who had carved a niche for herself in Bollywood. The romance between the two was meant to be. The duo worked on 16 films together, including Awaara and Shree 420. But when Nargis met Raj Kapoor, he was a married man (Raj Kapoor was married to Krishna Raj Kapoor, the sister of famous actors Rajendranath and Prem Nath). Hence it is alleged that Raj Kapoor who was a family man and had children, would not leave his family for Nargis Dutt.

This apparently left her heartbroken and she soon sought solace in the arms of her co actor Sunil Dutt who was said to be besotted by her. The romance is said to have materialized on the sets of Mother India where ironically, Sunil Dutt was playing Nargis’ son in the film. When a fire broke out while shooting, Sunil Dutt jumped in to save her life and this moved Nargis Dutt. He soon asked her hand in marriage and the two tied the knot. It is said that Nargis was devastated with Raj Kapoor’s womanizing ways and is said to have found some comfort in the arms of Sunil Dutt who loved his wife truly! A truly heart wrenching love story!

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Bollywood

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HUMPTY SHARMA KI DULHANIA

Shashank Khaitan Karan Johar Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor, Ritesh Deshmukh, Kamaal R Khan

akesh ‘Humpty’ Sharma: Varun Dhawan Unlike his name Humpty is fit, fun and carefree. A middle class Delhi boy, he is a ‘Jugadoo’ (Innocent Con) but with a heart. He has no ambition and no expectations from life. He is happy to help his father in their University Book Store and drink away with his two best friends. But just like his namesake he does fall, he falls in Love. He wears his heart on the sleeve and tackles all obstacles with a warm smile and happy heart. Kavya Pratap Singh: Alia Bhatt Though from small town India, Ambala, Kavya has a contemporary attitude. She is ethnic yet fashionable, cautious yet outgoing. If she wants something, she will go get it. She also has a heart of gold and reaches out to every friend in need. She agrees to marry the boy her Dad selects, but when love happens she follows her heart. She has the

courage to challenge her dad, and the warmth to care for him. Kavya is truly loveable. Synopsis When Kavya Pratap Singh, a chirpy, yet fiesty girl from Ambala, decides to make a trip to Delhi for her marriage shopping, she meets a young, carefree Delhi lad, Humpty Sharma. Humpty’s father is the owner of a campus bookstore, where Humpty and his two best friends, Shonty and Poplu, have grown up together and which remains their hangout spot even now. Kavya is unattainable for Humpty initially, which makes her even more endearing to him. But being a Delhi boy, he is not the one to give up so easily. With some help from his two best friends, he finds out all about her and through an interesting turn of events (including a ploy to save Kavya’s friend Gurpreet’s marriage), they start growing closer to each other. The more time they spend with each other, their love hate banter

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Director: Producer: Cast:

grows, but their chemistry is apparent. They are both different, yet very similar as people. They are young, fiesty and carefree, and its the spurge of life which attracts them to each other. As per plan, once Kavya’s trip ends, she heads back to Ambala, knowing very well that her father, the very strict, yet loving Mr. Singh, would never accept her love for Humpty. But even though they both weren’t

looking for love, love happened. So Humpty, accompanied by his two friends, decides to go get Kavya. That’s the beginning of a journey for him that he wouldn’t have imagined undertaking even in the wildest of his dreams. Humpty, against all odds, decides to convince Kavya’s family to agree to his alliance with her. How he does this and if he succeeds in his mission forms the rest of the story.

Salman Khan spotted shooting for a new song for ‘Kick’

alman Khan is going that extra mile to make sure that his upcoming movie Kick turns into a mega blockbuster. The Dabangg star is working on a secret ‘musical surprise’ for his action-thriller movie Kick, which is slated for an Eid release. The Indian superstar is back in action after his previous movie Jai Ho’s above average performance and is all set to surprise his fans with a special Eid gift. “I can’t reveal what surprise is in store for you but I can promise you that there is a great surprise from Salman bhai to all his fans and you all will love it. But at the moment it is very difficult for me to say anything,” music composer Himesh Reshammiya was quoted by various sources as saying at an event in Mumbai. Reshammiya also teased that the Jai Ho star will make his fans ‘happy’ after the movie’s release. “But definitely before Eid you all will get a very big musical surprise from Salman bhai and you all will be more than happy,” he added. Khan is playing a masked

July 2014 Edition

super thief named ‘Devil’ in the Sajid Nadiadwala directed action-thriller movie. The Kick trailer has already become a nationwide sensation for its highoctane action sequences and had gone viral on Youtube. The epic box office battle between King of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan is all set to begin as the Chennai Express star too is planning thunderous marketing strategies to promote his comedy drama Happy New Year starring Deepika Padukone.

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Bollywood

indiantimes

hraddha Kapoor, who has invited the ire of the papparazzi is hoping to clear the ‘misunderstanding’, says dad Shakti Kapoor It is not easy to be a paparazzo’s delight. Downcast eyes, hair on the face or just a lack of a

smile, can turn the trailing lensmen away from the prettiest of faces. Since the last few weeks, there have been murmurs of displeasure about Bollywood’s rising star Shraddha Kapoor among the shutterbugs. Seems that two consecutive hits (Aashiqui 2

and Ek Villain ) have made the actress camera shy. Unlike her ever obliging co-star Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha has been turning her face away from the photographers too many times and has finally invited a ban from the camera-wielding community.

It started when she refused to look up on her way out of the airport and then kept the lensmen hanging around on the sets of a reality TV show where she was making an appearance. An assistant informed the gathered photographers that they will have to

wait until the shoot is over, which meant waiting for a couple of hours. The stance continued as she had refused to pose for them at two other events as well. The ‘No Sharaddha’ stand could not have come at a worse time for the actress who is busy with the postrelease promotions of ‘Ek Villian’, including a concert today, plus brand endorsement appearances and the music launch of her upcoming film ‘Haider’ on July 8. Unless the photographers are appeased, she will be blacked out in the media. Buzz is, her publicists are planning to meet with the photographers and sort out the issue. When contacted, Shakti Kapoor covered up for his daughter, saying, “There must be a misunderstanding. My daughter is a sweet girl who never intentionally offends anybody. But yes, actors need to cooperate with the media.” Back in the ‘70s Amitabh Bachchan, then at the peak of his career had faced similar ban from the entire press. This meant no interviews, no pictures or no news printed in the media, during that ten to fifteen year period. Even though some of his biggest hits, including Deewar, Sharabi, Muquaddar ka Sikander, Lawaaris, released during that period. Big B sorted it out and Shraddha seems to be going the same way.

Arjun Kapoor to work in Chetan Bhagat best-seller H

e entered the Rs. 100crore club this year with 2 States, which is an adaptation of author Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller of the same name. And now, if all goes well, Arjun Kapoor will be seen in a Bollywood project based on the writer’s last-published book,

July 2014 Edition

Revolution 2020. Apparently, the young actor has already been approached for a narration of the script. “Yes, Arjun has got a call for the film. He will soon meet director Rajkumar Gupta, who has in the past helmed No One Killed Jessica (2011). And, apparently, he

is kicked about the possibility of doing the film (due to the adaptation angle),” says an insider. Ever since 2 States became a hit, Arjun has been in talks with the same production house for another collaboration. “That’s why it looks like Arjun will say yes to the offer, but he wants to

hear the script in detail before agreeing to the project. There should be some development on this front in a month’s time,” adds the insider. Right now, though, Arjun isn’t looking at signing any new film in a hurry. “He is on the verge of wrapping up his father (Boney

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Shraddha Kapoor to be blacked out by the media

Kapoor) and uncle’s (Sanjay Kapoor) production, which has been emotionally and physically draining for him. Once he gets done with it, he will focus on other movies,” adds the insider. Arjun couldn’t be reached for a comment.

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Bollywood

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10b

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Kick brings Salman Khan, Yo Yo Honey Singh together

alman Khan’s coming up with quite a few firsts in his upcoming film Kick. After singing the song Hangover, he is now working with rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh for another song, Devil. Salman’s name in the film is

was used in Saif Ali Khan’s Cocktail. The film and the song both went on to become big hits. The soon-to-be-released song has been choreographed by Ahmed Khan. The film also stars Jacqueline Fernandes and

has been directed by Sajid Nadiadwala. Going by what we have seen until now, the song is likely to be foot-tapping with the distinct Yo Yo touch. For now, feast your eyes on the smouldering Nargis Fakhri from the song’s first look.

Meanwhile, Anaita says that there is no truth to a gown sourced by her getting replaced with Gavin’s

creations. `But yes, we get Gavin to make clothes for us on a regular basis,` she says. A source close

to the actress denies the story, saying that Anaita commisions out work to designers as required.

Director Siddharth Anand, Katrina and the studio were unavailable for comment.

Katrina not settling for less

ith Katrina Kaif’s costumes in ‘Bang Bang’ apparently costing more than a crore, the actress is said to have paid for two designer gowns she’ll wear in the film The latest news has it that Katrina Kaif has paid for two gowns that were made specially for a song sequence from Bang Bang. Says a source, `Anaita Shroff Adajania had sourced a gown for this sequence that will be shot in Prague from July 10 onwards. But the production house didn’t like it much and asked designer Gavin Miguel to make a gown instead. He then made two gowns - one red and one orange - for the song. But with the cost of Katrina’s costumes totaling up to more than a crore, the production house was reluctant to pay for Gavin’s creations and Katrina decided to pay him for the same.` The source adds that like the gown sourced by Anaita, these two gowns cost somewhere around Rs 2 lakh each. `Katrina did not want to compromise on the quality of her clothes but the film has already crossed the budget allotted for her costumes. So she offered to pay for the gowns as a goodwill gesture,` says the source. Designer Gavin Miguel confirms that he has made two gowns for the actress. `Yes, we have made two gowns for Katrina,` he says.

July 2014 Edition

In last year’s superhit Chennai Express, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone had appeared alongside the rapper in the chartbuster, Lungi Dance. The song was also composed by him. Earlier, his song Angrezi Beat

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Devil. Salman will be seen along with Honey and Nargis Fakhri in the song. This is the first time Salman is working with the rapper. Honey Singh is turning out to be a lucky charm for the Khans.

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VI C

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AWARD > 250 LOTS

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UDI A JUDGES’

LANDSCAPING

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Bollywood

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Eventograph photographs from latest B-Town Events

Divyanka Tripathi at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Amitabh Bachchan at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Sunil and Krishika Lulla at Quantum Siege Book Launch

Deeksha Seth at Promotion of Lekar Hum Deewana Dil

July 2014 Edition

Ishita Dutta and Akash Garg at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Mandira Bedi at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Urvashi Rautela at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Vidya Balan Special Screening of Bobby Jasoos

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Dia Mirza and Sahil Sangha at Special Screening of Bobby Jasoos

Armaan Jain at Promotion of Lekar Hum Deewana Dil

Amy Billimoria at The Sound of Sufi Album Launch

Anita Hassanandani at Star Parivaar Awards 2014

Ali Fazal at Special Screening of Bobby Jasoos

Aruni Bagga and Rajeev Mahavir at The Sound of Sufi Album Launch

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Eventograph photographs from latest B-Town Events

Sidhant Singh at Hume Toh Loot Liya on Location Shoot

Genelia Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Souza at Screening Of Ek VillainTrailer Launch

Priti Sharma at Hume Toh Loot Liya on Location Shoot

Lara Duttaat Screening Of Ek Villain

Zoya Afroz at Life OK Now Awards 2014

Salman Khan at Jumme Ki Raat Song Launch

July 2014 Edition

Tinu Anand at Hume Toh Loot Liya on Location Shoot

Achala Sachdev at Screening Of Ek Villain

Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt at Life OK Now Awards 2014

Jacqueline Fernandez at Jumme Ki Raat Song Launch

Yuvika Choudhary at Life OK Now Awards 2014

Kainaat Arora at Life OK Now Awards 2014

Himesh Reshammiya at Jumme Ki Raat Song Launch

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bollywood music Hate Story 2

Music Review :

he makers of Hate Story have come up with the second installment of the erotic thriller Hate Story 2. Directed by Vishal Pandya, the film sees the debut of former television star and Punjabi films heroine Surveen Chawla in Bollywood along with yet another television star, Jay Bhanushali. With so many music directors coming together for the film, lets us have a look at the song by song music review and see if the music of the film has inspired us or not. Aaj phir tumse pyar The album opens with the classic Lakshmikant – Pyarelal track from Dayavan, Aaj phir tumse pyar which has been specially recreated for this movie. Recreated by Arko who has thankfully not done any major tampering to this simple yet melodious tune of LP, the end product has turned out quite well. Arijit Singh and Samira Koppikar contribute majorly with their vocals in preserving the sanctity of the tune thus letting us to appreciate the track. But unfortunately for the listener, the joy is short-lived since the makers have also thrust a remix of this melody on the hapless listener. DJ Shiva does the honors and yes, it can at best be avoided. Kabhi aayine pe Sung by KK this Rashid Khan composed track starts off reasonably well but sags midway which leads to the listener losing interest in it after a point. KK does his best to infuse energy into the number without much success. Though it isn’t a bad composition, the tune fails to register. The remix is not much different from the original except for a faster pace and extra beats which ironically enough, turns out to be a good decision

since the original lacked those very same things. Pink lips Sung by Khusboo Grewal and Meet Bros Anjjan this supposed dance track featuring Sunny Leone is not pleasing. Kumaar’s lyrics are ludicrous and so is the composition. The composers join Khusboo Grewal in delivering this track which is sure to find its share of followers among the listeners but it is something that will never be part of my personal playlist for sure. As if this was not enough, we have a remix for this track too

which is not really much different from the original except that it has been made more club-worthy. Hai dil yeh mera The magical combination of Arijit Singh and composer Mithoon come together once again for this track. Pensive in mood but melodious in nature, this song is soft and soothing but the tune is not engaging enough for it to become a chartbuster. Arijit once again saves the day with his aweinspiring vocals so much so that it seems as if the composer is riding on the versatile singer’s vocals to

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”

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camouflage the limitations of his composition. Honestly speaking that is not something which we expect from a talented composer like Mithoon but his run-of-the-mill tune is mildly put, disappointing. The need for a remix of a slow melody (a melancholic one at that) has always eluded me but somehow the composers seem to find a reason to incorporate even that in the soundtrack and so we have a remix of even this track in the album. The remix again seems to be overly dependent on Arijit despite the inclusion of extra

beats and pace which is anyways standard for a remix track. Despite everything it is still not engaging enough for it to enjoy a long shelf life. Verdict: Overall, the soundtrack of Hate Story 2 is a mixed bag with a couple of good tracks coexisting with some average ones. The trend of having multiple music directors composing for a single film has more often than not produced mixed results. Hate Story 2 is one such album. Our pick of the album is still the yesteryear hit Aaj phir tumse.

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Young stars taking over Bollywood

or over a decade, Bollywood’s box office has been dominated by big stars — Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar.

But the first half of 2014 has witnessed a change in this trend. In the last six months, several young actors have proved their worth with successful movies — Alia Bhatt-starrer Highway, Varun

Dhawan’s Main Tera Hero, Tiger Shroff’s Heropanti, Arjun Kapoor’s 2 States (the latest entrant in the `100 crore club) and the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer, Ek Villain. “It’s a great time for film-makers.

We finally have the option to cast properly. The emergence of young talent is heartening because you can play around with their persona and style on screen,” says Mohit Suri, who directed Sidharth and

And now, we’ve learnt that the female version will feature actresses of different ethnicities, including an Indian one. An industry source reveals that this version of the franchise will have the Indian actress in the six- seven-member cast, with Stallone and Gibson confirmed to

make cameo appearances. “The makers are looking for someone who has a fit physique and looks tough,” says the source. We couldn’t reach the original makers of the series, but the official spokesperson of PVR, the Indian distributor of all three parts of the film, confirmed the develop-

ment saying, “We know that there is a high possibility of an Indian actress in the all-women spin-off of the series. There is a likelihood of such an association happening.” However, we couldn’t independently verify this information with the original films’ production

Shraddha Kapoor in Ek Villain. Films like Hasee Toh Phasee (Sidharth and Parineeti Chopra), Gunday (Ranveer Singh and Arjun) and Yaariyan (Himansh Kohli and Rakul Preet Singh) have also performed well. “It’s such a positive sign to see the younger generation shining. It just goes to show that the script is the real hero [in Bollywood],” says Heropanti director Sabbir Khan. Trade experts also are optimistic about this influx. “People were waiting to see new talent. Plus, since these films haven’t been very costly, that has only helped [them make bigger profits],” says trade expert Vinod Mirani. Meanwhile, exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi feels that this celebration might be premature, as “in the first half, except maybe Jai Ho and Holiday, no other big films released”. The next six months will see big names return to the scene — Salman with Kick, Shah Rukh with Happy New Year, Aamir with P.K., Hrithik Roshan with Bang Bang, Ajay with Singham Returns and Akshay with It’s Entertainment. “The young lot has emerged strong, and it’s a clear sign that the audience wants to see them. But the big stars will always have their place,” says veteran filmmaker David Dhawan.

he action film series, The Expendables, is set to have an all-female spin-off. The first three movies boasted of a stellar cast that included Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Mel Gibson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among other action heroes.

July 2014 Edition

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Bollywood actors in The Expendables

house. Speculations are rife that the film is most likely to feature some of these actresses - Linda Hamilton, Sigourney Weaver, Uma Thurman, Milla Jovovich, Angelina Jolie, Michelle Rodriguez, Sarah Michelle Gellar and CarrieAnne Moss.

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16b LOCAL News

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Punjabi film sweeps Indian International Film Festival in Australia

Punjabi film Qissa’s dream run continues and on Wednesday it swept the Indian International Film Festival (IIFF) of Queensland in Australia. Starring ace Indian actors Irrfan, Tisca Chopra and Tillotama Shome, the film

won the best actor award for Irrfan, best actress award for Tillotama, best director award for Anup Singh and best cinematography for Sebastian Edschmid. Qissa competed against National Award-winning Malyalam

film 101 Questions and Colour of Sky (also in Malyalam), shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Picture nomination in 2012. Directed by East African filmmaker Anup Singh of Punjabi origin, Qissa is a co-production

between India, Germany, The Netherlands and France. The Punjabi language film has taken the festival circuit by storm across the last one year. Qissa won the Netpac Jury’s Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and

Tillotama won the best actress award at Abu Dhabi International Film Festival. Qissa also won The Dioraphte Award at the 43rd International Film Festival Rotterdam, a special mention by an international jury at Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema, France. There, it also won the Inalco Jury Award for “the beautiful script, the quality of acting and the beauty of the picture”. Anup, who is currently in Geneva with Irrfan said, “I am grateful and humbled that my film about a refugee on this earth, a film in a minority language like Punjabi, can find a home finally within the wondrous community that is world cinema today.” “We’re celebrating and look forward to celebrating with the Qissa team soon,” he added. Qissa tells the tale of Umber Singh, a Sikh, who vows to oppose his destiny when he loses all in 1947. He brings up his fourth daughter, Kanwar, as a son, but when he marries Kanwar to Neeli, a girl of lower caste, Umber is forced to face his crime against his child. But still unable to give up his struggle against nature and the past, he condemns himself to becoming a refugee again. This time, though, his exile is an unforgiving eternity. History and folklore come together in this tale set in the aftermath of the Partition of India.

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July 2014 Edition

n a whitepaper titled ‘Australia — An Uphill Battle for the Indian Undergraduate Students’ published by Univariety, an independent education consultancy in April this year, misconceptions about studying in Australia that are common among students, parents, counsellors and school principals were highlighted. “Analysis of the data within Univariety of over 15,000 high school students spread over 107 schools across 15 cities in India, brought forth a peculiar trend,” the paper said, adding that, “only 3% of the total number of students applying for undergraduate courses look at Australia as an option as against 16% students who look at US and 9% for UK.” One of the myths that the paper identified was that Australia has a high incidence of racial violence and assault; it is therefore not safe for international students. At the launch of the ‘Australian Education Week in Tamil Nadu’ recently, Australian ConsulGeneral to South India Sean Kelly had interesting insights to bust some of these myths that Indian students may have about an Australian Education. “These are a few incidents that occurred

may be five years ago. Australia is one of the safest, racially tolerant places in the world. The incidents that happened a few years ago were terrible, we’re not denying that, but those were very rare incidents and the reason why it got such media attention is because they were rare. Students being involved in incidents of mugging are common in other countries; in fact, statistics suggest that Indian students facing crime is lower than the general Australian population,” said Kelly who was quick to add, “I think while the incidents that happened were very regrettable, it is really false to take from those incidents. All you have to do is ask students who’ve studied there.” In higher education institutions in Australia there has been a growth of 61 percent in the enrolment of Indian students, year-onyear till March 2014, said Kelly. The whitepaper also says that international education has risen to be a $15 billion per annum industry for Australia, a fact that Kelly confirms. Over half of Australia’s skilled migration comes from international students. “Australia is the third largest destination for overseas students. We don’t think of education as business,” he said.

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17b

An EPIC City Living Experience Coming Soon…..

MEDIA RELEASE

Experience city living for yourself at the EPIC Southbank Apartments Grand Opening – 12th to 20th July

elbourne is a dynamic global city that is experiencing the largest population growth of any capital city in Australia. Although the broader metropolitan area has been growing steadily for some time, the most noticeable recent population growth has been in the inner-city areas of the CBD and Southbank. The Melbourne CBD now has the fastest growing population of any area in Australia with Southbank close behind. The population of Melbourne’s CBD has doubled in the past nine years, climbing from 12,700 to 29,300. So what is drawing people to live in Southbank and the CBD in record numbers? People from all around Victoria, interstate and overseas are being drawn to the city by the excellent array of lifestyle, education and employment opportunities available in Melbourne’s vibrant city centre. The city has proved to have a resilient economy and an enviable lifestyle. This is helped by a competitive and successful business environment, its thriving

arts and cultural scene, exceptional food and wine, world-class education, exciting sports and entertainment, and reliable infrastructure. Southbank itself has Crown, the Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria, the Recital Centre, Melbourne Theatre Company, Southbank Promenade and the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Those of you thinking of following the bright lights to the CBD or Southbank to live, or perhaps just wanting to own a piece of it, might be interested in attending the Grand Opening of EPIC Southbank Apartments. A variety of apartments in the recently completed building are now available for sale or rent and award winning Melbourne developer Central Equity is inviting people from all across Melbourne to come and experience EPIC for themselves. Between July 12 and 20 visitors to EPIC can sample free gourmet food, enjoy barista fresh coffee and inspect a range of apartments in a brand new “skyhigh display village”!*

Take in the views and see all that Melbourne and Southbank have to offer. Apartments feature exceptional attention to detail and the latest in quality fixtures and fittings. Floor to ceiling windows and contemporary colour schemes provide bright, light filled living areas. Balconies and terraces afford lucky residents an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine. The building also includes a luxurious entry foyer with concierge services, Tennis court, pool and gym. Professionals and students alike will be impressed by the high speed broadband cabling and access to transport, Southbank businesses, and the CBD. Whether you are thinking of renting or buying there is a range of apartments that will suit your needs. EPIC Apartments are located at 118 Kavanagh Street (cnr Balston Street) Southbank. Open Monday through Saturday 9am – 6pm and 12 – 5pm Sundays.

Visit epicsouthbank.com or call 1800 44 55 20 for more info.

Football fever bites Varun and Alia

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July 2014 Edition

hey may have failed to catch the initial FIFA World Cup matches while promoting ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ but Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt are now set to cheer for their favourite teams during a TV appearance. The two stars will be in Sony Six studio for the FIFA World Cup pregame show, Cafe Rio. Varun says now that the movie promotions are coming to an end, he does not miss as many matches and despite being a fan of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, his loyalties are with Brazil. “I did miss a few matches initially but every time Brazil has played I have watched it. I also tuned in for Argentina and Colombia matches as I am supporting the South American teams this year,” Varun said. Talking about his TV appearance, the 27-year-old actor said, “I will speak about my favourite footballers on the show in the Humpty/ Varun avatar on the show. I was supposed to do something with Cafe Rio in the beginning but I had to decline due to promotions. “When they approached again, I asked Alia and she was game for it as Germany’s match is on the same day and she is a German fan.

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Shah Rukh Khan awarded top French civillian award

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ollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was conferred with top French civilian award - Knight of the Legion of Honor. Visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius presented the prestigious award to the 48year-old actor at a function here for his outstanding contribution to cultural diversity across the world. “I feel very humbled and grateful for this prestigious honour. Today is my mother’s birthday and if she had been alive she would have been happy that I got this prestigious honour. I accept this award not as an individual but on behalf of hundreds of filmmakers,” Shah Rukh said. “It makes me feel proud to be recognised for the field I am passionate about. This award has motivated me to take Indian cinema to the next level of acceptance, love and glory. I thank the President of France for this honour,” added SRK. Shah Rukh is second Bollywood personality after Amitabh Bachchan to be bestowed this award. The superstar, who dons many a hat, including those of producer, television personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur, has appeared in over 50 Hindi films in genres ranging from romance to action and comedy. SRK initially did theatre and appeared in TV series in the late

1980s before making his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana. Some of his memorable films are Darr, Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal

Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Swades, Chak De! India, Devdas, My Name Is Khan and Chennai Express. In 2007, he made his debut

as a TV presenter with popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Shah Rukh owns Red Chillies Entertainment, a production company, and is co-owner of IPL team

Kolkata Knight Riders. Shah Rukh was awarded Padma Shri in 2005 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France in 2007 for his contribution to cinema.

Salman likely to bring Adrian Pallicki to India for ‘Dr. Cabbie’

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“

July 2014 Edition

G.I. Joe: Retaliation” star Adrian Pallicki has apparently been convinced to join her “Dr Cabbie” co-star Vinay Virmani in India for its release in the country. The Indo-Canadian production, to be premiered in September at the Toronto International Film Festival, is expected to have a grand Indian release a little later in the year when Salman Khan, who is the film’s official presenter, would be free of his own big release “Kick”. While the big plans for the Indian release are being kept under wraps the buzz from sources close to the project suggests that Salman is keenly interested in bringing the cast of “Dr. Cabbie” to India for the release. “While Salman has convinced Izabelle Kaif (Katrina’s sister) who has a pivotal role in ‘Dr Cabbie’, to be in India for the film’s Indian release, Adrianne was not so keen until her co-star Vinay convinced her that a trip to India would be just the stress-buster she needed,” said a source. The modalities of the Indian release are now being worked out. “We do want to come with ‘Dr Cabbie’ to India. The film is produced outside but its heart is completely Indian. It’s the story of a qualified Indian doctor who ends up as a taxi driver in Canada,” said Vinay who was last seen as one of the leads in Bejoy Nambiar’s “David”. He hopes to consolidate his career in Bollywood and abroad with “Dr. Cabbie”.

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19b

Ronaldo still believes in the Selecao

ho knows better than Ronaldo, the original phenomenon, about an injury and how to come out of it and rule the world? Neymar’s broken vertebra has turned the World Cup on its head, literally. Neymar is well and recovering, but the football carnival will not be same without the 22-yearold’s enigmatic presence. The injury has hurt Neymar but Juan Zuniga’s knee has wounded the world. Talking to the media at the Maracana press centre, Ronaldo did not hide his anguish over Neymar’s unfortunate end of journey in this Cup. He called the challenge “highly violent” and added, “There was an intention by the Colombia player to actually cause some harm.” Brazil, as a nation, woke up on Saturday struggling to come to terms with fact that Neymar won’t have any part to play in their quest for the Hexa. It came as a national disaster. The president tweeted her support and anxiety as did the whole world. Television channels ran a 24x7 coverage with news, views and analysis of the in jury. People at the restau rents and elevators only talked about the injury and nodded their heads in despair and disgust.

But Ronaldo, who let the nation down in France (1998) and took it to dizzying heights four years later with a stupendous performance to give Brazil its fifth world title, confirmed that the Selecao are still the favourites in the semifinal against Germany. Ronaldo dismantled Germany in the 2002 final at Yokohama scoring two past Oliver Kahn, the best goalkeeper at that time. “I think, Brazil are still the favourites and at all times against any national team in the world. I believe in the Selecao.” Perhaps, Ronaldo’s faith stems from the presence of Luis Felipe Scolari at the helm. Ronaldo missed the whole of the South American qualifiers for the 2002 World Cup, had a career-threatening injury and underwent a major knee surgery. Still Scolari picked him to lead Brazil’s attack, and what a way he responded! He scored eight and none of the goals came from headers. In fact, none of Brazil’s 15 goals in their entire sevenmatch campaign came from headers. But that was a team with more accomplished personnel in the attack with Rivaldo and Ronaldinho excelling in support. On Tuesday at Belo Horizonte, Brazil are also going to miss their captain Thiago Silva, who has been

Photo source: PTI

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booked. Still Ronaldo, Zico in his column and Pele expressed a deep-seated hope that Brazil will pull through. They all referred to Pele’s injury that cut short his 1962 World Cup crusade. “Brazil still went on

to win,” Ronaldo said. The Brazilian was not the only one to condemn Zuniga’s act. Germany’s World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus (1990) added his voice to the growing criticism of the Colombian. Mat-

thaus said: “No German fan or player is happy about Neymar being injured. The spirit of fair play does not allow for that and we are here to play against the best players in the world.

Kohli, Pujara hold key to India’s success in England

ith a relatively inexperienced bowling attack at its disposal, India will be banking on its batsmen to get the team in position of strenghts and the spotlight especially will be on Virat Kohli

July 2014 Edition

and Cheteshwar Pujara in the forthcoming Test series against England. The preparations have already begun in earnest for the five-Test series between the two teams starting in Nottingham on

Wednesday. And for Kohli and Pujara, the series will be an exceptional test of their batting skills in hostile conditions. For long, Kohli and Pujara were deemed as the next best

thing, the next Tendulkar-Dravid combination and the series in England will be their toughest test. Kohli was a prime target for England when they visited India in 2012-13. The visitors set

traps for him, fielders in position as soon as the young batsman tried to drive the ball on either side of the wicket. As a result they were able to keep him quiet as Kohli garnered only 188 runs in that four-match series. But then he ground his way to a hundred in the last Test at Nagpur and labelled it ‘a learning experience’. There has been no looking back since for Kohli then as he has risen to stardom with his bat. His batting averages in two Tests each in South Africa and New Zealand, were 68 and 71.33 respectively and this is a straight pointer to his ever-growing stature. Now in England, it goes without saying that the team needs an encore from Kohli. Alternately, Pujara was very successful when he first played against England, also in the 2012-13 home series. He was seemingly unstoppable, notching up 438 runs in four matches at an average of 87.60 with two hundreds (one of them a double-hundred at Mumbai). Expectations grew thereafter and he seemed comfortable in South Africa, averaging 70 in two Tests. But his form in New Zealand (average 15 in two Tests) left a lot to be desired. Looking to make amends, he has made a strong start to the tour so far, hitting two fifties in as many practice games in Leicester and Derby.

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Novak Djokovic wins Wimbledon title

ictory allowed the top seeded Serb, who was also the 2011 champion and runner-up last year, to end a run of three successive defeats in Grand Slam finals, but the 27year-old struggled to get across the finish line, surrendering a 5-2 lead in the fourth set and then a match point. Djokovic celebrated victory in typically eccentric style, kneeling on

Roger it was a great match to be a part of he is a magnificent champion and a great example of a great athlete and a role model. I respect everything you have done and thanks for letting me win today,” smiled Djokovic. ”That’s why he has 17 Grand Slams because at important times he comes up with those shots. After losing the fourth set it wasn’t easy to go on and win the fifth set, I don’t

serve of the tournament -- before calling the trainer to treat the left ankle he hurt in the fall. Federer had his first break point of the tie in the 10th game but Djokovic saved it and levelled the final with a brutal overhead. Federer saved two break points in the 11th game of the third set, moving to 6-5 with a 20th ace. But it was Djokovic who was on top in the tiebreaker charging to two set points and the third set when Federer pushed a drive wide. In a thrilling fourth set, Djokovic broke for 3-1, Federer hit back for 2-3 but the Serb regained the initiative for 4-2 and held a nervy seventh game for 5-2. Astonishingly, back came the veteran Swiss to go to 4-5, breaking his opponent when he served for the title. He saved a match point in the 10th game on a successful challenge to take the final into a decider. Djokovic led 2-1 in the fifth and called the trainer for the second time for treatment to his right calf. The man from Belgrade fought off a break point to lead 4-3 and then wasted three of his own as the rivals went to 4-4. Djokovic held for 5-4 and from nowhere he seized the initiative, moving to two championship points and clinched the trophy when Federer netted a return.

India will be among best in 5 years: Oltmans

ndia might have finished a disappointing ninth in the recent Hockey World Cup, but High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans today sought to present the performance of the national team in a positive light, saying the country showed “100 per cent improvement” and better results will follow “very soon”. Oltmans said even though the end result in the World Cup was not satisfactory, Indian hockey was “clearly moving forward”. “We had clear and good debrief of the World Cup in the last two days. We discussed the insights into the way we prepared the team for the World Cup and shared future ideas to ensure we keep on improving,” he said today. “We showed 100 per cent improvement. We showed lot of improvement in terms of structure, mental and physical abilities and results will come very soon. But it is difficult to say how near it is,” Oltmans said. He was speaking to reporters at the end of twoday meeting of Hockey India’s 10-member Team, Coaching and High Performance Evaluation Committee, which assembled here to evaluate the performance of Indian men’s hockey team in the World Cup in The Hague, Netherlands. “Outcome was not what we expected we are clearly moving forward. We are in a transition phase. We are in the middle of a process and it will take some time to witness a spike in our performance. In this process we can’t expect performance at the highest level,” he said. Oltmans said it will take India at least six years to return among the elite league of world hockey and has set his sights on 2018 World Cup at home. “When I joined I said it will take five plus years for India to compete with the top teams of the world. One year has already passed and by the time of next World Cup in 2018, we should expect a medal in our necks,” the Dutch legend said.

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the Centre Court turf and munching on a few blades of grass just as he had done three years ago. Defeat for 32-year-old Federer, who won the most recent of his 17 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club in 2012, ended his bid to become the oldest Wimbledon champion in the Open Era and of breaking the tie of seven titles he shares with Pete Sampras. “First of all I want to congratulate

know how I did it.” Djokovic has the added bonus of reclaiming the world number one spot from Rafael Nadal. Federer said he was surpised to have got to a deciding set. “It was a great final. I can’t believe I made it to five, it wasn’t looking good for a while,” said Federer. “Going into a match with Novak, you know it’s going to be tough. I can only say congratulations to him. It was an amazing match and an amazing tournament. It’s welldeserved.” In front of a Royal Box containing Prince William and wife Catherine, the opening set was a fascinating contrast between Federer’s mix and match of serve and volley and Djokovic’s renowned baseline flair in the pair’s 35th meeting. Two rallies featured 21 strokes apiece but neither player could fashion a break point. In a rollercoaster of a tiebreaker, Federer saw a 3/0 lead gobbled up and then had to save two set points. But the Swiss rallied when it mattered, taking the opener when Djokovic dumped a backhand return into the net. The Serb took a nasty tumble on the bone-dry grassless baseline and saw two break points disappear in the first game of the second set. But he did break in the third for 2-1 -- just Federer’s second loss of

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Infertility: An Ayurvedic Approach – A complete natural solution

yurvedic Medicine for infertility is based on a different approach. According Ayurvedic system, the reproductive tissue or shukra dhatu either in men or female is an end product of metabolic processes. Sukra Dhatu (tissue) is present in both men and women. In women, it denotes ovum, which is a part of menstrual cycle. While in men, it comes out as semen after being sexually stimulated. Finally, healthy Ovum in female and healthy sperm in males is completely depends on healthy metabolic processes involved. How can one should have healthy metabolic process is depends on Agni (Dhathwagni). It plays crucial role in coordinating and conducting “Rasa” between the all the seven tissues (Sapta dhatus: nutrient fluid to blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow and finally to the shukra tissue) to form and healthy end product which is “Sukra”. There are many factors which influence the fertility, which include wide range of general health and lifestyle issues. Factors such as Smoking, excess caffeine intake, excess consumption of alcohol and drugs, other medical reasons

such as previous cancer treatment, obesity, celiac syndrome (whether it is diagnosed or undiagnosed) and finally age related decline in natural fertility. According to Ayurvedic medicine, if we look for the underlying root cause among all the above mentioned reasons, there is improper co ordination of “Rasa” due to sluggish metabolism, which influences the healthy production of “Sukra” (Healthy semen or Ovum). For example, it is predicted by many modern world researchers, excess caffeine intake will cause either tubal block or mild to severe endometriosis. In case of Obesity, it is also predicted that excess adipose tissue will cause the production of excess oestrogen as a metabolic end product of Insulin resistance. For most of the above mentioned reasons the root cause remains the same. As per the Ayurvedic medicine, it always very important to evaluate the root cause before treating the problem. The line of treatment in Ayurvedic medicine starts with the treatment of root cause, which is cleaning the part (Systemic location of DOSHA) of vitiated or imbalanced DOSHA. In this scenario, mostly pitta and Vata will be

imbalanced, so It will be good idea to start with VIRECHANA KARMA (purgation treatment) and followed by VASTI (Medicated enema). Following to Shodhana Treatment (Panchakarma or detox treatment) the samana treatment follows. Sa-

Reading and sleeping are keys to keeping mentally fit

mana treatment normally includes administration of Ayurvedic classical herbal preparation to stimulate the Dhatwagni (Fire), which indirectly, stimulates the metabolic process for the production of healthy sperm or Ovum.

You may ask your personal query to Dr Kumar via Email drkumar@jeevahealth. com.au or by phone 0402 282 745/ 03 9440 5091 or 02 6156 0618 regarding any of your health problems. You will be offered authentic Ayurvedic information and an opinion, as to what best can be done pertaining to your ailment.

AYURVEDA Melbourne CBD, Surrey Hills & Canberra

even hours of sleep a night and lots of reading. That seems to be the magic formula for keeping mentally alert into old age, according to the findings of a new study out of Spain. After analyzing the lifestyles of 245 seniors aged 65 and older, researchers from the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia, Spain found that those who slept either too much or too little and abstained from brain-stimulating activities like reading were at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment. According to their study, published in the journal Revista de Investigacion Clinica, seniors who slept more than eight hours or less than six, were 2.6 times more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment compared to those who got six to

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Live life...Naturally

eight hours a night. Likewise, the absence of brain-boosting activities like reading also contributed to cognitive decline: Those who admitted to not reading were 3.7 times at increased risk, while those who said they read occasionally increased their risk by 2.5 times. Overall, 12% of the participants suffered from cognitive impairment. Researchers point out that age- ! related cognitive decline affects 35.6 million people worldwide. According to the World Alzheimer Report, that figure is expected to spike to 100 million cases in 2050. Other known lifestyle habits that can help seniors keep their brain sharp is to adopt a regular exercise regime and a healthy diet that includes brain-boosting foods rich in omega-3s and antioxidants.

Specialized treatments available for: • Arthritis • Psoriasis • Erectile Dysfunction • Premature ejaculation • Impotency • Depression • Anxiety • Knee pain • Back pain/sciatica • UTI • PMS • Pregnancy care • Weight loss • Paralysis • Haemorrhoids • Fistula-In-Ano • & various ailments

Dr. Kumar CRS BAMS (Gold Medallist), MPH(Deakin), MHP(Deakin). Principal Ayurvedic Physician and Panchakarma Specialist Jeeva Health

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Fruits, veggies have zero effect on weight loss: study

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esearchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that increasing fruit and vegetable intake does not lead to weight loss, despite decades-old popular belief. A team of investigators performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of data of more than 1,200 subjects in seven randomized, controlled trials to explore the weight loss effects of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. ”Across the board, all studies we reviewed showed a near-zero effect on weight loss,” says study leader Kathryn Kaiser, PhD, instructor in the UAB School of Public Health. “So I don’t think eating more alone is necessarily an effective approach for weight loss because just adding them on top of whatever foods a person may be eating is not likely to cause weight change.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate initiative, the recommended daily serving amount for adults is 1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables, although dieters are often advised to “fill up” on fruits and vegetables based on the assumption that the low-calorie foods will satiate by taking up space in the digestive tract. “In the overall context of a healthy diet, energy reduction is the way to help lose weight, so to reduce weight you have to reduce caloric intake,” Kaiser said. “People make the assumption that higher-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables will displace the less healthy foods, and that’s a mechanism to lose weight; but our findings from the best available evidence show that effect doesn’t seem to be present among people simply instructed

to increase fruit and vegetable intake.” Fruits and vegetables provide many vitamins and fiber, so even if they don’t promote weight loss, it seems unlikely they could do harm unless consumed in extreme quantities. A study comparing the popular

Mediterranean diet to a reducedfat diet says that while the former may not promote weight loss, it significantly reduces risk of type 2 diabetes, significantly more than the latter. Another study, published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine, worked with patients at

risk for cardiac disease, concluding that followers of the Mediterranean diet were 30% less likely to experience heart attack or stroke than those on a low-fat diet. Possibly, though, the attention given to fruits and vegetables casts a shadow over other important di-

etary foods. For example, a study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that eating two eggs for breakfast can lead to weight loss, which some might find surprising because eggs are sometimes associated with weight gain.

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Quality of sperm, not donors’ age matters

t is the sperm quality of the donor and not his age that matters in the success of fertility treatment with sperm donation, a study says.

July 2014 Edition

The age of the sperm donor was of little significance in couples having sperm donation for fertility treatment, the findings showed.

“It is sperm quality rather than male age that matters,” said Meenakshi Choudhary, from Britain’s Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life.

“Our results suggest that, up to the age of 45, there is little effect of male age on the treatment’s outcome,” Choudhary added. The findings reaffirm the ob-

servation that a couple’s fertility appears significantly more dependent on the age of the female partner than on that of the male. Their conclusions were derived from an analysis of all Britain treatment cycles with sperm donation registered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) between 1991 and 2012. From a total of more than 2,30,000 sperm donation cycles, 39,282 were from a first cycle of treatment (with either IVF or donor insemination) and were included in the analysis (a first cycle would avoid any bias from previous attempts). Results showed a difference according to female age, both in the IVF (in vitro fertilisation) and the donor insemination treatments. Live birth rate from IVF with donated sperm was around 29 percent in the 18-34 age group, but only around 14 percent in the over-37 age group. However, within these same two female age bands, no significant differences were found in live birth rate (LBR) relative to the age of sperm donor.

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new research has found that young teens who send ‘sex texts’ are 6 times more likely to be sexually active and talk about it. USC researchers, who defined ‘sext’ in their survey as a sexually suggestive text or photo, have provided a new understanding of the relationship between “sexting” and sexual behavior in early adolescence, contributing to an ongoing national conversation about

whether sexually explicit text messaging is a risk behavior or just a technologically-enabled extension of normal teenage flirtation. The researchers were particularly interested in young teens, as past data had shown clear links between early sexual debut and risky sexual behavior, including teenage pregnancy, sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol, experience of forced sex and higher risk of sexually transmitted dis-

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ease. Assistant professor and lead author Eric Rice said that the findings call attention to the need to train health educators, pediatricians and parents on how best to communicate with young adolescents about sexting in relation to sexual behavior. The sexting conversation should occur as soon as the child acquires a cell phone. The study anonymously sampled more than 1,300 middle school students in Los Angeles, aged from 10-15, as part of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The researchers found that even when controlling for sexting behaviors, young teens who sent more than 100 texts a day were more likely to report being sexually active. It was also found that students who identified as LGBTQ were 9 times more likely to have sent a sext. However, unlike past research on high school students, LGBTQ young adolescents were not more likely to be sexually active. Overall, 20 percent of students with text-capable cell phones said they had ever received a sext, and 5 percent report sending a sext, and Rice said that as per their results, excessive, unlimited or unmonitored texting seems to enable sexting.

Fat behind lung damage of heavy drinkers

rinking heavily may damage your body in many ways. In addition to liver failure, build-up of fat may even lead to failure of immune system in lungs of alcoholics, says a study. Alcoholics are at a greater risk of developing lung diseases such as pneumonia and life threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), for which there is no treatment. “We call it the alcoholic fatty lung,” said Ross Summer, associate professor at Thomas Jefferson University in the US. “The fat accumulation in the lungs mimics the process that causes fat to build up and destroy the liver of alcoholics,” he added. The lungs contain a subpopulation of cells that make fat. Surfactant producing cells expel a fatty secretion onto the inner lining of the lung to keep the airways properly lubricated during breathing.

The researchers investigated whether these surfactant cells might behave in a similar way to liver cells after extended alcohol exposure by also accumulating fat. After extended exposure to alcohol in rats, the researchers noticed that surfactant cells increased their production of triglycerides by 100 percent and free fatty acids by 300 percent, compared to rats fed an non-alcoholic diet with the same number of calories. The researchers also noticed fat-up not only in surfactant cells but also in lung macrophages, which are immune cells that normally engulf and digest bacteria or sick cells in the lung. The researchers showed that these fat-exposed macrophages were much less effective at killing bacteria than normal macrophages.

For your heart’s sake, a little exercise is better than none

y and large, exercising occasionally is better than never exercising at all. According to a telling 2004 study, men who worked out only on weekends the stereotypical weekend warrior - were less likely to die prematurely than those who remained sedentary. They also can attain a surprising level of cardiovascular fitness. In a 2006 study of out-of-shape adults, those who began vigorous endurance training on weekends were as fit after 12 weeks as those who worked out more moderately five times a week. But of course there are downsides to sporadic exercise. Weekend warriors tend to suffer acute tears and sprains more often than consistent exercisers (though are less likely to develop overuse injuries). A more serious concern involves the heart. Like any muscle, it can be overtaxed by sudden,

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Sexting teens more sexually active

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unusual demands, so people who exercise intermittently may put themselves at a relatively high risk of a heart attack compared to frequent exercisers or even to themselves when sedentary. A major 2011 examination of activities that can cause heart attacks found that regular workouts reduced a person’s overall risk of cardiac arrest, but any single bout of exercise, especially by weekend warriors, increased the risk of a heart attack at that moment. As the review soberly concluded, “Acute cardiac events were significantly associated with episodic physical and sexual activity,” but “this association was attenuated among persons with high levels of habitual physical activity.” So, for your heart’s sake, make physical and sexual activity a habit.