The Indian Panorama

Month: June 2013

  • ICC Champions Trophy: India wins Champions Trophy final against England

    ICC Champions Trophy: India wins Champions Trophy final against England

    BIRMIMGHAM (TIP): With the latest Champions Trophy win India has the rare distinction of a hat trick of all ICC World cups- T20, 50-Over and the Champions Trophy. India defeated England by five runs in the Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston June 23.

    After a mid-order collapse that featured cheap dismissals of Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina and Dhoni, the team could still rely on Jadeja at number seven to pile on runs at the end and lift the total to 129.

    Tournament hosts England, still to win a major one-day title, held India to 7-129 in a match reduced by rain to 20 overs per side.
    But, chasing 130, they collapsed to 4-46, before a partnership of 64 between Eoin Morgan (33) and Ravi Bopara (30), who’d earlier taken 3-20 with his medium-pacers, swung the match back their way.

    However, Indian seamer Ishant Sharma turned the match on its head by removing Morgan and Bopara off successive deliveries to leave England 6-110 in the 18th over and needing 19 off 12 balls.

    That eventually became six off one ball and proved too much for tail ender James Tredwell as he failed to make contact against fellow off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

    Ravindra Jadeja was named man of the match after making 33 not out and then taking 2-24 with his left-arm spin. Shikhar Dhawan was named Man of the Series.

    India deserved the win. Dhoni’s gamble with Sharma looked wild, but it paid off. India never gave up, even when England looked a certain bet for the win. Although the match was shortened, the last Champions Trophy final in history was a thriller.

  • US Allows Unrestricted Morning-After Pill Sales

    US Allows Unrestricted Morning-After Pill Sales

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The US Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved unrestricted sales of the Plan B One-Step morning-after pill, lifting all age limits on the emergency contraceptive. The move came a week after the Obama administration ended months of back-and-forth legal battles by promising a federal judge it would take that step. Women’s health advocates had pushed for easier access to next-day birth control for more than a decade.

    “Over-the-counter access to emergency contraceptive products has the potential to further decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies in the United States,” FDA drug chief Dr Janet Woodcock said in a statement announcing the approval. It wasn’t clear how quickly Plan B One-Step would move from behind pharmacy counters to sit on drugstore shelves. Until now, customers could buy that morningafter pill and competing generic versions without a prescription only if they proved to a pharmacist that they were 17 or older.

    FDA said the product will have to be repackaged to reflect the change; maker Teva Women’s Health didn’t immediately respond. FDA has not lifted age limits on competing generics. The morning-after pill contains a higher dose of the hormone in regular birth control pills. Taking it within 72 hours of rape, condom failure or just forgetting regular contraception can cut the chances of pregnancy by up to 89 percent, but it works best within the first 24 hours. If a girl or woman already is pregnant, the pill, which prevents ovulation or fertilization of an egg, has no effect.

    Back in 2011, the FDA was preparing to allow over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptives with no limits when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled her own scientists in an unprecedented move. She said she worried that girls as young as 11 could use the pill with no supervision, a concern that President Barack Obama echoed. In April, US District Judge Edward Korman blasted that decision as putting politics ahead of science and ordered the FDA to allow unrestricted sales of emergency contraceptives. He said hardly any 11-year-olds would use the pill, which costs about $50.

    The Obama administration lost a round in the appeals court, too, before telling the judge it would approve the one-pill brand. Doctors’ groups and contraceptive advocates have long argued that easier access to emergency contraceptives would cut unintended pregnancies and said the drugs are safe even when used at young ages. Social conservatives, in contrast, complain that lifting prescription requirements undermines the rights of parents and could endanger girls.

  • India Enter Final With Crushing Win

    India Enter Final With Crushing Win

    CARDIFF (TIP): The only glitches in India’s march into the final were two sets of pitch invaders running on to the field on two separate occasions. On a Cardiff surface with a lot of moisture, the ball seamed, bounced steeply and turned appreciably, and the Indian bowlers were all over Sri Lanka after winning the toss. In the afternoon, the Indian openers continued their run of impressive stands, adding 77 through some luck and some attractive shots, and India cruised home with 15 overs to spare.

    It would have reminded India of their first day of international cricket in South Africa on the 2010-11 tour, when they were inserted on a pitch that had absorbed a lot of rain and were bowled out for 136.Watching the first innings of this match, it seemed Sri Lanka had done well to not be rolled over for 136 themselves. The conditions were so juicy India’s three frontline quicks bowled the first 22 overs – even MS Dhoni had a bowl later – and India either beat the bat or hit edge on 68 occasions.

    The Sri Lankan batsmen couldn’t be blamed much, except for probably Kusal Perera. They had to dig in hard just to survive. They strived to – Kumar Sangakkara had left alone 12 out of his first 32 balls – but eventually the ball with your name arrived. However, what really foiled Sri Lanka’s plans was the assistance the pitch provided to spin, which they hadn’t budgeted for when they were batting out the quicks like it was a Test. The quicks went for 98 for four wickets in their 30 overs; the spinners took four wickets for 81 in their 20.

    The pitch might have been great help, but India exploited the toss advantage with impressive accuracy. The first extra came in the 20th over. Angelo Mathews, among others, fought the conditions, but like others he too fell the moment he became adventurous. It didn’t help that Sri Lanka had lost Dinesh Chandimal to injury before the match began and Tillakaratne Dilshan retired hurt in the fifth over.

    Kusal showed again that his game is not suited for these conditions as he followed a full and wide delivery to edge it for Suresh Raina to take one of his three catches at second slip. It was the seventh time in 12 matches that Buvneshwar Kumar had taken a wicket in his first spell, including five openers dismissed in single figures. Then Dilshan seemed to have pulled his calf while trying to keep out a sharply swinging delivery. He tried to bat on, but with the new no-runner regulations he had to leave the field. Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne began to play it like the first morning of a Test, and justifiably so.

    India kept the pressure up with Bhuvneshwar bowling a nine-over spell, and Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma getting appreciable movement every time they landed the ball on the seam. Ishant got the ball to stick into the pitch and steep tennis-ball bounce too. Sangakkara began to take the odd risk at the end of the 13th over, but when he charged at Bhuvneshwar and square-drove him for the first boundary since the fourth over, the score had reached only 32.

    Around this time, Ishant was beginning to get balls to misbehave a lot. The batsmen had to start playing at balls sooner or later, and when they did it didn’t bring good news. The combination of that bounce and seam movement finally accounted for Thirimanne, who followed a short-of-a-length delivery and fended in front of his chest. Sangakkara provided a replay in case you had missed it. Raina had taken all three, and the score now was 41 for 3 after 18 overs. It was so inviting that when Dhoni finally took off a seamer after 22 overs, he gave up the pads and began to bowl the 24th over.

    During their 78-run stand in 18.1 overs, Mahela Jayawardene and Mathews successfully reviewed an lbw call each, and seemed to have put Sri Lanka back on track. With the ball turning thanks to the moisture, their plans unravelled. Jayawardene was bowled by a Jadeja skidder, and the batting Powerplay’s analysis read 5-2-12-1. Everyone who tried big hits in the remaining overs fell to the tricks of the pitch. Dilshan came back to bat for the last two overs. Sri Lanka, though, could manage just the 54 in the last 10. About an hour later, by when the Indian openers had seen off the Nuwan Kulasekara threat, it almost seemed the pitch had lost all its moisture.

    Shikhar Dhawan continued to drive and cut fearlessly, Rohit Sharma continued to provide the starts, and Virat Kohli added a fifty to four centuries in his last seven matches against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka didn’t help themselves. They used Lasith Malinga – their best hope despite his poor record against India – only for three overs at the top and then when India had chugged along to 93 for 1. They dropped Dhawan thrice, first when he was on 18. India were not complaining, though.

  • Essar Steel raises $1bn through ECB

    Essar Steel raises $1bn through ECB

    MUMBAI (TIP): Ruias-ownedEssar Steel on Thursday raised $1 billion or Rs 5,970 crore through external commercial borrowings (ECBs) to repay a part of its rupee-denominated debt, to guard itself from exchangerate volatility and save interest costs. The ECB subscribed by a large group of banks led by IDBI and ICICI Bank is expected to save interest cost to the tune of Rs 450 crore annually for the company with total debt of Rs 22,000 crore.

    The loan was raised at 500 basis points above Libor, which translates into interest rate of less than 6% per annum. The company’s average rupee debt is at a coupon of 12%. Consequently, the average maturity of its debt or in other words the doorto- door maturity has nearly doubled. The dollar debt has an average maturity of seven years. The earnings, being dollar linked, would serve as a natural hedge to reduce the risks associated with currency fluctuations, the company said in a statement, adding that it will also gain significantly in terms of additional liquidity and substantial savings in interest cost.

    Ashutosh Agarwala, CFO, Essar Steel India said, “Steel industry globally is going through a phase of weak demand resulting in lower realizations. It is imperative that the debt of the company is aligned to the earning currency thereby reducing volatility in earnings. The dollarization of rupee debt would not only de-risk our balance sheet, but also elongate maturity and reduce interest costs.” The company has been focusing on exports and is one of the biggest foreign exchange earners in India through export of steel products.

    Steel product prices in the international markets and domestic markets show a very high degree of correlation. As a result even though the domestic sales revenues are realized in Indian rupee, the pricing methodology of the same is based on the landed cost of imported steel, which in turn is based on a dollar rate.

  • India fourth biggest market for Sony with Rs 8,000 crore sales

    India fourth biggest market for Sony with Rs 8,000 crore sales

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Despite weak demand in the industry, Sony India has managed to break into the top five markets in the Japanese giant’s global operations, riding on healthy sales of televisions. The upsurge — to the fourth position — has been quick for the Indian subsidiary that till two years ago was a distant ninth in Sony’s global markets. Sony India finished last fiscal (2012-13) with a 27% growth at overall revenue of Rs 8,000 crore.

    With this, India is ahead of many of Sony’s key markets like Brazil, Russia, Germany and Britain. India now trails US (top market for the company), China and Japan. Kenichiro Hibi, MD of Sony India, said that televisions and mobile phones (under the Xperia range) remain among the fastest-growing segments for the company. Hibi, however, expressed concern over weakening demand in line with the slowdown of the Indian economy. “The market situation is difficult and there are pressures,” Hibi told TOI after launching the premium ‘4K’ Bravia TV range that is priced upwards of Rs 3 lakh.

    Hibi said that the retail end was under stress and things at the ground are “not easy”. However, new launches as well as expectations of a turnaround towards the latter part of the year make the company confident as it expects to maintain the previous year’s growth in this fiscal as well. But despite witnessing growth in India, Sony India does not have any immediate plans to start manufacturing operations here.

    The company currently imports its product line-up from a clutch of countries like China, Malaysia, Japan and Thailand. Hibi said TV sales will continue to lead the charge for the company and it expects to sell 13 lakh units this fiscal against 11 lakh units in the previous year. Televisions contribute around 35% to Sony India’s revenues.

  • IT INDUSTRY WILL GROW 13-14%: SOM MITTAL

    IT INDUSTRY WILL GROW 13-14%: SOM MITTAL

    CHENNAI (TIP): Software industry body Nasscom expects the country’s information technology (IT) services sector to grow 13-14 per cent in the current financial year and to touch $225 billion (Rs 13.22 lakh crore) by 2020. Speaking to reporters after addressing Nasscom’s EmergeOut Conclave here, the industry body’s president, Som Mittal, said the sector had been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12-13 per cent till two years earlier, and reaching the $225 billion target was not impossible.

    The first main driver will be new geographies. At present, the US, the UK and other European markets contribute to around 90 per cent of the total business, while other markets, including India, China and Latin America, contribute the rest. “Only three per cent of the business we do in China and Japan, which shows there is plenty of opportunities in those markets,” said Mittal. Many small companies have now started focussing only on these markets. “Our estimate is that around 20 per cent of the business would come from new geographies by 2020,” said Mittal. The second driver will be new verticals.

    At present, banking, financial services and insurance, hi-tech and telecom and manufacturing contribute around 80 per cent of the business, while utilities, transport, health care and media and entertainment open up new opportunities. “Not that the existing verticals will have a setback. The growth will not be at the cost of others, it will be an an expansion,” said Mittal. The third driver will be new customers, especially small and medium business companies, said Mittal.

  • INDIA, CHINA OPEN TO CO-PRODUCTION OF FILMS

    INDIA, CHINA OPEN TO CO-PRODUCTION OF FILMS

    NEW DELHI (TIP): India and China are looking to strengthen co-operation in the area of films and broadcasting, and are also exploring the potential of co-production of films. Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari led an Indian delegation on Tuesday and held a twohour discussion on future ties with a 10-member Chinese delegation led by Cai Fuchao, the Chinese Minister of State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

    More access India asked China to provide more access to Indian films and also raised the issue of giving landing rights to public broadcaster Doordarshan in China. China has a fixed quota for the number of international films that are allowed to be released every year. If a television channel is uplinked abroad, it requires landing rights to be able to telecast the channels in another country. Tewari told reporters that the two delegations had discussions on strengthening people-to-people contact.

    “Both felt that there is potential to further enhance cultural exchanges… in the field of films, personnel, public broadcasters, coproduction of films, exchanges between film industries as well as between our Film Institute and the Beijing film school,” he said. I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma also raised the issue of easing restrictions for allowing more Indian films to be shown in China. Tewari added, “We are going to constitute a joint working group and this will be a part of its agenda.” The working group is expected to meet at regular intervals to look into issues surrounding the film and broadcasting sectors.

    He said India had invited China to become the ‘principal guest country’ at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2014, scheduled to be held in Goa and had requested them to send classical Chinese films. He said that the two countries looked forward to agreement on co-production in films as well as in radio and television. “An audio-visual agreement would not only promote our shooting locations, but will also boost film-related tourism in the two countries and hence pave the way for more vibrant people-to-people contact,” he added.

    Fuchao, who is here for the inaugural ceremony of the six-day Chinese Film Festival being held in Delhi, said the two countries agreed on the potential of strengthening ties in the areas of films, television and culture. He also said there is a potential for co-production of movies. Jackie Chan’s latest film Chinese Zodiac was the opening film of the Festival.

  • COMET IMPACT MAY HAVE PROMPTED LIFE ON EARTH

    COMET IMPACT MAY HAVE PROMPTED LIFE ON EARTH

    NEW YORK (TIP): The impact of comets crashing into earth’s surface may have provided the energy to create molecules that formed the building blocks of life, scientists say. The study was based on a computer model of such an impact’s effect on a comet crystal initially made up of water, carbon dioxide and other simple molecules. “Comets carry very simple molecules in them,” said study coauthor Nir Goldman, a physical chemist at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California.

    “When a comet hits a planetary surface, for example, that impact can drive the synthesis of more complicated things that are prebiotic – they’re life-building,” Goldman said. The notion that life-building molecules were carried to earth via comets or asteroids, a hypothesis known as panspermia, has been around for decades. But the idea that the comet impact itself could have created the molecules is newer, LiveScience reported. When the Earth was young, comet bombardments may have brought 10 trillion kilogrammes of carbonbased material to the planet every year, Goldman said.

    That would have provided a rich source for the building blocks of life to form. Goldman and his colleagues used a computer model to simulate a single comet crystal of hundreds of molecules. Comets are mostly “dirty snowballs,” Goldman said, so the simulated crystal started with mostly water molecules, but also included methanol, ammonia, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The researchers then simulated the effects of the crystal hitting the Earth’s surface at various angles, from crashing into it directly to making a glancing blow.

    They followed the chemical changes in the crystal for about 250 picoseconds, about the amount of time the system needed to reach a steady state, where the proportion and type of chemicals in the system is stable. The huge jolt from the impact provided the energy needed to make complicated chemicals. As a follow-up, Goldman and colleagues want to test different initial chemical concentrations in the comet to see how that affects the formation process.

  • QUAKE ‘SOUND’ CAN WARN OF TSUNAMIS

    QUAKE ‘SOUND’ CAN WARN OF TSUNAMIS

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists have developed a new technique that could be applied worldwide to create an early warning system for massive tsunamis triggered by earthquakes. Scientists from Stanford University have identified key acoustic characteristics of the 2011 Japan earthquake that indicated it would cause a large tsunami.

    The same technique could be used to create an early warning system for tsunamis, they believe. On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake occurred 64 kms off the shore of Japan. Now, computer simulations by scientists reveal that sound waves in the ocean produced by the quake probably reached land tens of minutes before the tsunami. If correctly interpreted, they could have offered a warning.

  • TELESCOPE BACKS BIG BANG THEORY

    TELESCOPE BACKS BIG BANG THEORY

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The moments just after the Big Bang happened more like the theory predicts, an international team of scientists using the most powerful telescope on Earth has discovered. One of the most important problems in physics and astronomy was the inconsistency between the lithium isotopes previously observed in the oldest stars in our galaxy, which suggested levels about two hundred times more Li-6 and about three to five time less Li-7 than Big Bang nucleosynthesis predicts.

    The team, led by Karin Lind of the University of Cambridge, has proven the decades-old inventory relied on lower quality observational data with analysis using several simplifications that resulted in spurious detections of lithium isotopes. Using observations of ancient stars with W M Keck Observatory’s 10-meter telescope and state-of-the-art models of their atmospheres has shown that there is no conflict between their lithium-6 and lithium-7 content and predictions of the standard theory of Big Bang nucleosynthesis, restoring thus the order in our theory of the early universe.

  • US GETS NEW WAR AGENT: ROBOT BIRD

    US GETS NEW WAR AGENT: ROBOT BIRD

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The US army has developed a realistic robot bird that has even tricked real flocks and hawks to attack it midair, making it a potential unsuspecting future war agent. Robo- Raven was developed in collaboration with a team of University of Maryland researchers, including an Indian-origin scientist. It glides, soars and flaps like a real bird. Its complete individual wing control allows for extreme aerobatics that no other mechanical bird has ever been able to perform, researchers from the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) claim.

    However, its ability to hide in plain sight and light weight is what excites researchers most. “It already attracts attention from birds in the area which tends to hide its presence,” said John Gerdes, a mechanical engineer with the vehicle technology directorate at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Robo-Raven is much quieter than the helicopter or propeller, so it could get much closer to an adversary without revealing its presence.

    It’s made out of carbon fibre, 3Dprinted lightweight thermalresistant plastic, Mylar foil and foam. The geometrically complex figure is shorter than two feet and weighs less than a can of soda. Gerdes, a doctoral candidate, began building Robo-Raven in 2008 as part of graduate research at the University of Maryland’s Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory that focused on developing a tech demonstrator for manufacturing techniques that morphed into a variety of spinoff research efforts. S K Gupta, a professor in mechanical engineering, began working on flapping-wing robotic birds nearly a decade ago.

    Gupta and his graduate students, along with mechanical engineering professor Hugh Bruck, first successfully demonstrated a flappingwing bird in 2007. This bird used one motor to flap both wings together in simple motions. By 2010, the design had evolved to more than four successive models. The final bird was able to carry a tiny video camera, could be launched from a ground robot that ARL researchers created called the Lynchbot, and could fly in winds up to 10 mph – important breakthroughs for robotic micro-air vehicles that one day could be used for reconnaissance and surveillance.

    Gerdes designed the prototype with Steven Biggs, a technician within ARL’s Autonomous Systems Division, and a group of about six researchers at the University of Maryland. The robot uses a fly-by-wire approach, so a handheld radio is used to control the flight. At this point, the bird isn’t flying with sensors due to a very restricted payload, but advanced research is expected to improve their understanding of how a soldier could use it, the microcontroller and the flight dynamics and ultimately enhance the robot’s flight envelope, the ARL statement said.

  • KABINI – WILD & PEACEFUL

    KABINI – WILD & PEACEFUL

    Once a private hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore and the British viceroys, Kabini is located on the banks of the Kabini River. Presently it is considered to be one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka, wellknown for its stunning wildlife and bird life. It has easy accessibility, scenic green background surrounding a large charming lake, and unbelievable sightings of large herds of elephants and other wild animals. Kabini forests are a mixture of tropical, moist and dry deciduous types. Home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, Kabini attracts environment lovers from all over the country.

    Thickly forested regions, wild animals, range of avian species, and plentiful herds of elephants make the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka evenly interesting and distinctive. Besides elephants, it is possible to spot sambar, langurs, chital, bison, sloth bear, crocodile, pythons, tiger and leopard. The reserve is also home to around 250 species of bird life. The dam at Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary across the river near Beechanahalli is an extraordinary attraction.

    One can walk amidst the green forests and explore the rich variety of flora and fauna and the gorgeous wildlife. Kabini forests are extremely enchanting, owe to the imposing waterfalls, ripple-filled flowing waters of the river Kabini and the most beautiful backdrop of greenery. One can look out for the expansive river and selected with every little pleasure one would normally expect on a premium vacation and it serves as a perfect getaway for those who wish to leave behind the routine activities and the stress and strains of daily city life.

    The lush green scenes offer an enthusiastic forest to spend the days completely at personal convenience and to fill the vacation with flavor, fun and most adventurous. Kabini is the best suit for this and no one can offer it better than Kabini. The main activities one can engage here in this wildlife tourist spot are boating in Kabini river, an Elephant Safari and a Jungle Safari.

    Boating
    Apart from enjoying wildlife safaris, one can also choose to take a cruise down the Kabini river. One can see fabulous sceneries, feasting the eyes for a lifetime memories with the flora and fauna around the lusting greeneries, atop of the boat. On the way through the dense woodlands, in a boat cruise, glimpses of animals like leopard, gaurs, antelopes, crocodiles, tigers, cobras and pythons and a herd of wild elephants moving leisurely or a vociferous leopards, moving behind the dense undulated terrains of Kabini forests are abundantly possible. Kabini offers, besides the animals, an interesting view of a rich variety of plant life.

    Irpu Falls
    The Irpu Falls, also known as the Lakshmana Tirtha Falls, are located in the Bhramagiri Range and is a fresh waterfall 60 m high. Amidst thriving green Western Ghats, Irupu falls is a major tourist attraction as well as a pilgrim spot. The river Lakshmana-tirtha flows nearby and it joins the Kaveri River at a later part. A famous temple of Lord Shiva, known as the Rameshwara Temple, is situated on the banks of this River. There is another temple dedicated to Sri Ram, surrounded by paddy fields, from where it is ascend to the falls through natural forest. Except the waterfall all other places are inside the wildlife sanctuary and need permission to enter the sanctuary.

    Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
    The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, with evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, is located in the Kodagu district and makes a part of the Western Ghats. A natural habitat of tribes with shola-grassland, this sanctuary is famous for agricultural fields and coffee plantations. The sanctuary obtained its name from the highest point, the Brahmagiri peak, at a height of 1607 meters from sea level. Bamboos are well cultivated in these forests, with a species called Bambusa bamboos are in major.

    Animals in the Sanctuary include lots of rare species. One can see lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel and brown mongoose apart from elephant, tiger, gaur, wild dog, jungle cat, leopard cat, sambar, sloth bear, wild pig, spotted deer and many more. Snakes including Python and king cobra and attractive birds like emerald dove, Malabar trogon and black bulbul can be spotted here. The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a precious place to visit for all the nature lovers, environmentalists and animal lovers.

    Elephant safari
    Elephant safari helps the visitor to travel through such intricate terrains where even jeeps cannot venture. One can take himself back to the old golden era, when only the Kings used to ride on these gigantic animals, since nothing can even match up to with the dignity of the Pachyderm. Any tourist reaches this destination can proudly sit over the cushion (seat) on the top of the animal which moves slowly and steadily and fulfill their adventurous dream of an Elephant Safari.

    If any animal rules Kabini, it is the elephant. The forest reserve has the single largest congregation of Asiatic elephants. Elephant safari is offered in Sunkadakattee. Here one can enjoy the thrill of moving around the thick forests on tamed elephants.

    Jungle safari
    Eco friendly tourists and environmentalists love to travel around the dense and populated forested regions of Kabini, for its diverse topography and wideranging collection of animal and plant life. Go on a jeep safari for wildlife sighting and have a truly mingling of wild life for a unique experience. Nature walks are nice options to loose oneself in the exuberant environs at Kabini. Tourists and nature lovers pour into the place in good numbers to enjoy the sights and spend some quality time here. The Kabini is adorned with the lush vegetation with one endless streak of verdant green. Various tourist operators can also arrange for a nature walk which will be exciting and unforgettable. This area is awesome for Jungle safari as the climate is mostly warm and temperate and the winter is very short.

    Nagarhole National park
    Nagarhole National park, a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve also known as ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park’, is one of India’s best known wildlife reserves. This place beckons tourists from all over the world to have a rendezvous with nature and wildlife. It was set up in 1955, enriched with greenish forest cover, little streams, softy valleys and spectacular waterfalls, is one of the best-managed parks in the country. Diverse nature of the park is visible from the flora and fauna.

    The park has in account a healthy Tiger-Predator ratio. This is a natural territory of many mammalian species, and rare species of animals. Some of the animals that can be spotted here include four-horned antelope, sloth bear, civet, spotted deer, elephant, flying fox, tiger, panther, gaur (Indian bison), sambhar, wild boar, black-naped hare, bonnet macaque, and pangolin. Reptiles freely inhabit in this park.

    The crawlers include cobras, crocodiles, kraits, pythons, vipers and various species of lizards. Bird watching in this park is spectacular; one can spot rare species of birds, not seen anywhere else. This park is a paradise for animal lovers and bird watchers. Environmentalists should not miss this place in their travel plan.

  • MOVIE REVIEW – After Earth

    MOVIE REVIEW – After Earth

    Cast: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, Sophie Okonedo, Zoë
    Kravitz
    Direction: M. Night Shyamalan
    Genre: Sci-Fi
    Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

    STORY: A father and son are stranded when their spaceship crash-lands on post-apocalyptic Earth. Father sends the son on a mission to get to a rescue beacon in time and beam a distress message into deep space.

    REVIEW: Will Smith is known to do films with a bang – grand movies of sweeping scale where he is the focal point of attention. Not so in this one. Here, he takes the back seat and hands Jaden the baton (obvious metaphors abound; he gives the kid his own saber at the commencement of the quest) to be the main man. The film is set hundreds of years into the future, where mankind has been evacuated from Earth; a planet now inhabited by human-eating nasties.

    Cypher Raige (Smith) and his son Kitai Raige (Jaden) are forced to crash-land. The film’s plot bears an uncanny resemblance to a video-game where the player has to go the distance from point ‘A’ to ‘B’ (100 km, in this case) in ‘X’ amount of time. Along the way he battles monsters of increasing strength. There are health packs too, like bonus points. And in the end, there is a ‘boss fight’ with a hideous alien critter called the Ursa. That’s it, game over. Cypher maintains a radio link with Kitai as the harsh patriarch at times and the voice of reason-cumvendor of wisdom and encouragement at other times.

    Again it’s like how a computer-programmed narrator is in a video-game. At some point, they lose contact and Kitai’s moment of reckoning arrives. It’s about Kitai having to prove himself to his dad. The rest of the cast is inconsequential, forgettable and completely replaceable. There are menacing moments and the editing is taut but this stays in cliche territory; it’s nothing you haven’t seen before. The film suffers from a lack of ambition. After Earth aims for interstellar overdrive but barely manages to take off.

  • SCARJO FILES LAWSUIT OVER USING NAME IN FRENCH NOVEL

    SCARJO FILES LAWSUIT OVER USING NAME IN FRENCH NOVEL

    Scarlett Johansson is suing another author of a bestselling French novel for featuring a fictional character that resembles her. In a legal action, the American actress is challenging writer, Gregoire Delacourt, and his publisher JC Lattes, after he described a character in his novel as being her “doppelganger”, or exact double, the Independent reported. The case, if it comes to court, is expected to make legal and literary history.

    The author is insisting that the comparison is meant as a compliment and tribute to Johansson’s beauty. The 28-year-old actress is demanding compensation and damages from the publisher for the “breach and fraudulent use of personal rights” and is also seeking to ban all foreign translations and film adaptations of the book.

    The book in question, La premiere chose qu’on regarde (The First Thing We Look At), was published in March. Meanwhile, Delacourt told the newspaper Le Figaro that he is “stupefied” that Johansson has taken legal action, but he is convinced that she has not even read the book, which has so far appeared only in French.

  • ANISTON AND FIANCE MOVE INTO DREAM LA HOME

    ANISTON AND FIANCE MOVE INTO DREAM LA HOME

    Jennifer Aniston and her fiance Justin Theroux have finally moved into their dream mansion in Bel Air, LA. The former ‘Friends’ star has reportedly splurged 13.5 million dollars on the house excluding the 8 million dollars she paid for the renovations done on the mid-century mansion in 2012, the Sun reported.

    The extensive new constructions include a retractable roof, a 1,600sq ft wine cellar and a special margarita fountain. The spacious pad also has a million-dollar Korean clay spa for the actress and a man cave, fully equipped with top-of-the-range gadgets, for Theroux.

  • Movie Review – Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

    Movie Review – Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

    Cast: Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Neha Sharma, Kristina Akheeva, Annu Kapoor, Johnny Lever, Anupam Kher
    Direction: Sangeeth Sivan
    Genre: Comedy
    Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes

    STORY: Pious Paramvir’s crooked father and brother, Dharam and Gajodhar, try scamming a British businessman – and his daughters. Will Param let the duo do it?

    MOVIE REVIEW: Rather like one of the many people Paramvir Singh ( Sunny Deol) pummels, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (YPD 2) totters between GJs (good jokes) and PJs (poor jokes). The GJs are sometimes very good – as scamster Gajodhar-turned-gentleman Prem, trying to impress Reet (Akheeva) with his knowledge of art, Bobby Deol hilariously confuses Zakir Hussain (“Woh ‘Wah Taj’ wala – woh toh tabla bajata hai, na?”) with MF Hussain.

    Bobby then reappears as his artist-twin ‘Q’ – accompanied by “Hussain sahib ki ghori, Gaja Gamini”. And there’s the British lady overwhelmed by a painting, calling Mark and Spencer to come see it too. But the GJs get flattened by the PJs, which include an over-smart orangutan called Einstein, a blond Anupam Kher as astronaut-villain Joginder Armstrong, Johnny Lever and Sucheta Khanna in un-funny ‘villain’ suits (including an objectionable Hiroshima-Nagasaki one), Chinese warriors, Sumo wrestlers, Annu Kapoor’s accent flying from London to LA via Ludhiana (he introduces Reet as “daughter of late Lady Alizabeth Waltar Khanna”) and so many more.

    Minus 30 minutes, YPD 2 could have been much funnier – and much shorter. It does have its moments – Sunny in the shower sweetly sparkles while Suit Mera Laal Rang Da will rock shaadi-season. But despite two pretty heroines, three Deols and an assortment of nutty buddies, YPD 2 frequently stumbles into blunder-land. Paramvir works for the world’s most soft-hearted bank (its manager drawls, “Cheques are better late than never,”), Suman (Sharma) walks through Banaras in skimpier shorts and tighter push-up tops than what she wears in London, Reet stresses, “Thaynk you sooo much!” to everyone, while Einstein enjoys an awful ‘item number’.

    On the upside, a very attractive Sunny stays this movie’s brave heart – but even his dhai kilo ka haath can’t fully lift YPD 2. Pity, considering how cool its 3- D(eol) could be.

  • Sunny Leone Wishes To Dance Like Madhuri Dixit

    Sunny Leone Wishes To Dance Like Madhuri Dixit

    Indo-Canadian porn actress Sunny Leone wishes she can someday dance a la Bollywood’s dancing diva Madhuri Dixit. While shooting an episode of dance reality show ” Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6″, where Madhuri is one of the judges, Sunny shared her desire. “I love dancing on Bollywood songs and I love Madhuri-ji’s ‘Dola re dola’ (from ‘Devdas’).

    I wish I can dance like Madhuri one day,” Sunny said. Sunny sizzled in a black outfit as she shot for the episode for the show. On the big screen, she was last seen in item number “O Laila” in Sanjay Gupta’s “Shootout At Wadala”. Sunny made her Bollywood debut with “Jism 2”. She will also be seen in Ekta Kapoor’s production “Ragini MMS 2”.

  • I Trust Srk Personally And Professionally: Deepika

    I Trust Srk Personally And Professionally: Deepika

    Actress Deepika Padukone, who has teamed up with superstar Shah Rukh Khan yet again after a gap of six years for action-comedy ‘Chennai Express’, says she trusts him very much personally as well as professionally. The model-turned-actress made her debut opposite Khan in ‘Om Shanti Om’ in 2007 and was directed by Farah Khan.

    The film saw her in a double role. “It was glad to be working with him again. He has become my very good friend today. He is someone I trust personally and professionally. I am sure he will always be there for me whenever I need him,” Deepika told . ‘Chennai Express’ directed by Rohit Shetty and produced by Gauri Khan under her production banner Red Chillies Entertainment will release on August 8. “It was lot of fun working on the film. It was a great experience.

    Rohit is known for making comedy films and this film as well has turned out to be very entertaining. It is very different from what he has done. I am quite excited about its release,” Deepika said. The film is the story about a man’s journey from Mumbai to Rameswaram and what happens during the journey. The 27-year-old would be seen next in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much talked about film ‘Ram Leela’, which is said to be an adaptation of Shakespeare’s epic love story Romeo and Juliet, set in violent times.

    “Every director is a task master as they all churn out the best from us. They want to make a good film,” Deepika said on Bhansali’s hard ways on the film sets. Deepika has been paired opposite Ranveer Singh for the first time in this film and gossip mills are already abuzz with their close equation. About his co-star Ranveer, she said, “He is a fabulous actor, he is very talented. It was a great experience working with him. He is a great co-star, a great person and nothing else. “People create hype when the film is about to release. People should understand it is all about onscreen chemistry. I don’t feel the need to go and clarify things to people.

  • PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM PREMATURE AGEING

    PROTECT YOUR BODY FROM PREMATURE AGEING

    What are antioxidants? They are substances that help prevent damage by oxidation. While oxygen is an essential part of human existence, there are times when it can also be damaging. Oxidation is when oxygen combines with another material and leads to a negative outcome – for example, fruits rot because of oxidation. Similarly, oxidation causes our body to age and degenerate. When the cells in the human body are exposed to free radicals, oxidisation takes place.

    In a nutshell, your ageing process depends on your ability to protect cells from oxidation. Unfortunately, free radicals are all around us – we’re exposed to them daily through toxic chemicals that are absorbed through the skin or breathed in. Free radicals damage the tissues and are also known to affect memory, cause mood swings, wrinkles, hardening of the arteries, stiff joints and several other problems.

    While the human body is capable of handling a certain amount of free radicals, when your system gets overloaded, it affects your body’s ability to cope and results in premature ageing and health issues. Certain items which contain free radicals include junk food, sugar, white flour, canned, frozen or readymade meals which have been processed, preservatives and food additives. Others include chemotherapy or radiation exposure, certain medications, coffee, tea, hydrogenated and saturated fat, fizzy drinks, certain household chemicals, cigarette smoke and alcohol.

    At your rescue are antioxidants, which are powerful nutrients, known to minimise the effects of free radicals. They are present in plant foods and destroy free radicals. This, in turn, promotes the growth of healthy cells and keeps premature ageing at bay. One of the best things you could do to protect yourself is to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and seeds in your diet. Nutrients that reduce free radical damage should be rich in vitamins C, E and vitamins B, flavonoid and beta-carotene. Here are some foods that are packed with antioxidants…

    – Cranberries, blackberries, blueberries and citrus fruits are known to be full of antioxidants that promote collagen and reduce wrinkles.
    – Protect your skin against sun damage by eating carrots and apricots.
    – Green leafy vegetables, apples, oranges, cherries, beetroot, carrots, artichokes and strawberries have high quantities of copper, magnesium and selenium – all necessary for healthy hair, nails and bones.
    – Aloe vera raw gel, cold-pressed, contains approximately 75 minerals and vitamins, including B12, and 12 amino acids, essential for digestion and skin disorders.
    – Raw nuts, dark fish and avocado are rich in EFA, omega-3, alpha- linoleic acid and selenium, which are known to keep premature ageing at bay and even improve memory.
    – Papayas, sprouts, sweet potatoes, kiwi, broccoli, cabbage and spinach help detoxify your liver.
    – To get a healthy complexion, drink plenty of water. An antioxidant-rich diet is a must to help protect your body. Antioxidants are found in these foods: – Unrefined and raw foods
    – Fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, whole grains, beans, raw nuts and seeds – Cold-pressed oils like flax, olive and canola. – Sprouts and eggs

  • Vit C Deficiency Not Letting You Sleep Well

    Vit C Deficiency Not Letting You Sleep Well

    The cause of your disturbed sleep could be vitamin C and folic acid deficiency. Follow these tips for a sound snooze Do you keep tossing and turning restlessly through the nights? If yes, then you need to rectify what you are eating for dinner, or even breakfast to avoid your bleary eyes today. A study published in the journal Appetite found differences in the diets of people who slept the longest number of hours compared with those snoozing for the least.

    Those who slept less than five hours, took in less vitamin C, had less selenium, which is found in nuts, meat.

    Consume little nd often
    Having something nutritious every few hours helps your body and brain maintain the right balance of hormones and neurotransmitters, essential for falling – and staying – asleep at night. Rather than large meals with gaps in between, aim for six mini meals a day. If you go to bed hungry, your body’s innate biological need for food will send signals to keep you awake to find subsistence – a survival throwback to our cavemen days when food was scarce.

    Go bananas
    Have a banana – ideally in the second half of the day. This sleep wonder fruit is packed with potassium and magnesium, nutrients that double as natural muscle relaxants. Plus, they contain the sleep-inducing amino acid tryptophan, which ultimately turns into serotonin and melatonin in the brain. Serotonin is a natural chemical that promotes relaxation, while melatonin is the hormone that promotes sleepiness.

    A carb-rich dinner
    A recent study found that people who ate rice before bedtime fell asleep faster than those who didn’t. This is because rice is rich in sugars, which increase production of tryptophan, the amino acid that makes you sleepy.

    Avoid fatty meals
    Not only will greasy takeaways scupper your diet, they’re a recipe for sleep disaster. Research suggests people who have fatty meals in the evening clock fewer hours of total sleep than those who don’t, so stick to lean meat and plenty of vegetables.

    No crash-dieting
    If you’re eating fewer than 1,200 calories a day, as many diets recommend, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on key nutrients, which can affect your sleep. Low levels of calcium, from dairy products, and magnesium, which is found in green veggies and nuts, are linked to poor sleep. Low iron can trigger restless leg syndrome symptoms in which twitching leg movements disrupt your sleep. A deficiency in the B vitamin, folic acid, found in wholegrains and green leafy veggies, may also lead to insomnia. People who don’t get much vitamin C – in fruit and veggies – or selenium from nuts, meat and fish have been shown to sleep for fewer hours.

    Lay off the booze
    Initially drinking induces sleep, but if you indulge in more than two small drinks, you’re in for a fragmented night. One recent study showed alcohol increased slow-wave deep sleep in the first half of the night, but increased sleep disruptions in the second half.

  • Is Buddha Lucky For Your Home?

    Is Buddha Lucky For Your Home?

    He’s a lucky charm, but is he really the Buddha? The ‘Laughing Buddha’ is the most popular luck charm being passed around the world. But there’s a confusion surrounding his name. A Chinese folklore deity, he is called the Budai for his jolly countenance. He’s often seen as a wandering, cheerful monk, with a large protruding stomach, wearing a robe, and carrying sackcloth.

    Sometimes he shown seated on a cart drawn by boys, or holding an oogi (a wish giving fan). While Japan refers to him as Hotei, one of the Seven Lucky Gods and the patron of poor children, some Buddhist traditions believe him to be Maitreya, the future Buddha. Messages of peace, generosity, wisdom and kindness are attributed to him. According to legend, if one rubs the Laughing Buddha’s great belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity.

    Confusion
    Budai is often confused for the Buddha in West. But in reality, the Chinese name Budai has no connection with the Sanskrit word, Buddha.

    Trivia
    The ‘Laughing Buddha’ as Hotei is also said to be the patron saint of restaurateurs and fortunetellers.

    Charm quotient
    The ‘Laughing Buddha’ is popular as a house-warming gift. It is best to be gifted one, than buying it, should be kept on an elevated surface facing the main door, and never on the floor. It should also not be kept in the bedroom or the dining room.

  • THINGS WOMEN DESPERATELY WANT FROM MEN

    THINGS WOMEN DESPERATELY WANT FROM MEN

    Someone once said ‘To generalize on women is dangerous. To specialize on them is infinitely worse’. Well, what women want still remains the unanswered question across the globe. However, men needn’t lose hope for all is not lost. There are still a good number of things that most women like. Here are a few from the long list which can perhaps help you make her fall head over heels in love with you. Take your pick to woo and sweep her off her feet!

    SUPERMAN:
    Women love to be protected.So show in more ways than one to prove that you will be her saviour should your damsel land in distress! Women are always in awe of men who can step up in times of conflicts. Be sure you grab every opportunity that situation throws at you.

    SMELL GOOD:
    Deodorant Ads may be going overboard showing men being lured by women’s perfume. But the other way is also true. Choose a deo that suits you. Especially if it’s your first date, it’s best not to try anything experimental. Know what smells best on you.Remember, what smelt heavenly on your friend might stink on your skin! For everything depends on your body odour. When you spray perfume on your body, what you smell is a combination of the deo spray and your body odour. Choose wise.

    SURPRISES GALORE: Women love surprises be it chocolates, love notes, gifts or even a bouquet of flowers. Women don’t mind them in any numbers. You are sure to score brownie points with this one! Transparency: Honesty is still the best policy.Never lie to her if you are thinking of a long-term relationship. Never mind you will face some initial flak, but eventually you will win over her trust.

    PERFECT BODY:
    What with the celebrities being obsessed with getting a six pack or eight pack abs, girls too go ga ga over men with a well-toned body. Get into the habit of regular workout so you can make heads turn!

    DRESS WELL:
    Nothing turns off a women than a poorly-dressed man. Do a style-check, spot the trends in fashion, speak to a stylist to find out what looks best on you.Clothes maketh man literally!

    CROWNING GLORY:
    Nothing like a funky haircut! A good hairstyle can give you a different look altogether. What are you waiting for? Get that stunner look so you can impress that chick you have been eyeing.

    MAGIC OF YOUR HANDS:
    You might have taken your girlfriend to the hottest restaurants in town, yet she will not mind if you can cook one of her favorite dishes (or even plain instant noodles) when she’s hungry. Such moments are never forgotten. There’s a joke doing the rounds that ‘A woman’s mind is cleaner than a man’s That’s because she changes it more often’. However, there are some things that remain constant.

  • Karna: The Doomed Hero

    Karna: The Doomed Hero

    The Kauravas and Pandavas learned the art of using weapons first from Kripacharya and then from Dronacharya. When they graduated from the school of Dronacharya, a huge event was organized for all the people of Hastinapur including the masses living in the villages and the royals of the Palace. Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, Bhishma, Kunti, Vidura, Kripacharya and Dronacharya and others were present for the event to display the skills of the princes.

    The Kauravas were good but the Pandavas excelled. The large enthusiastic crowd was lost in wonder and admiration at Arjuna’s superhuman skills with his bow and arrows. Duryodhana’s barometer of rage, envy and jealousy was steadily climbing. By the time the sun was ready to set, Duryodhana was fuming with jealousy at all the admiration Arjuna was getting. Just then there came a loud compelling sound like that of thunder made by clashing weapons from the main entrance to the arena.

    From the cloud of dust there emerged, a young man wearing shining armor and earrings that shone like bright sun. He came face to face with Arjuna with his whole body expressing a challenge to Arjuna. Instinctively, the rest of the Pandavas gathered around Arjuna. Little did they know the irony of fate that they were standing in challenge in front of the eldest son of Kunti and God Sun. It was none other than Karna.

    Karna gave a careless bow and salutations towards Kripacharya and Dronacharya and then towards the royalty. With a voice like rumbling thunder, he addressed Arjuna, “Arjuna, I can show greater skills at archery than you have.” With careless ease Karna repeated all the feats of Arjuna. Duryodhana was overjoyed at the appearance of this unexpected good fortune. He embraced Karna with all the love of a long lost brother, “Who ever you are, fortune has sent you to me. Me and my hundred brothers are at your command.” While love flooded Duryodhana’s heart, blazing wrath filled in Arjuna, as he felt affronted.

    He stood stately over Karna and exclaimed, “Who ever you are, you shall be slain by me and go to hell for intruding uninvited.” Karna gave a mirthless laugh, “This arena is not open just for you Arjuna. What is the use of showing off skills when they cannot be compared with any one else’s. Talk is the weapon of the weak, send arrows instead of words.” Arjuna hastily bowed to his teachers and then embraced his brothers, as he prepared himself to the challenge.

    Karna took leave of the Kauravas and stood in front of Arjuna in combat. Lord Indra, the god of the thunderclouds and Arjuna’s father, and the Sun god came at once in the sky to encourage their progeny. Meanwhile, the moment Karna entered the arena, Kunti recognized him as her first born. As Arjuna and Karna became ready for the combat Kunti fainted. When she regained her consciousness, she was stupefied in anguish and was at a loss.

    She confided in Vidura the true identity of Karna and sought to stop this confrontation. Kripacharya, who was well versed in the rules of the single combat, came over as the referee. Before beginning the combat he addressed Karna, “Youth, what is your name and what is your lineage? We cannot go forward without knowing this information. Arjuna is a prince and cannot engage in single combats with unknown adventurers” At the mention of lineage, Karna bowed down his head, downcast, like a lotus in rain, for all his life he was thwarted in his attempts for being a charioteer’s son.

    He braced himself for the insults to follow. Duryodhana came to his rescue,”We all know this youth matches Arjuna in skills. If the combat cannot take place merely because he is not a prince, that can be remedied easily. I proclaim from hence forth, this youth is King of Anga. I shall perform all the rites and rituals necessary to give him sovereignty over the kingdom of Anga.” It seemed that a combat between the youthful warriors was inevitable and was about to commence when the Charioteer Adhirath entered the arena.

    He was the foster father of Karna and was now shaking with fear at the impudence of his son to challenge the royal prince. As soon as Karna saw Adhirath, he bowed his head and gave the salutations to his father. Bheema jeered at Karna, “King of Anga indeed, you are but a son of a charioteer. You don’t need a royal insignia you need a whip to drive the horses or may be a brush to clean the horses. You are fit to rule the stables not the kingdom of Anga.”

    Karna’s lips trembled in anguish at this outrageous speech. Before Karna could speak anything, Duryodhana spoke indignantly, “Such speech is unworthy of you Vrikodara. Valor makes Kshatriyas, Kshatriyas do not make valor. The exercise of tracing one’s lineage is meaningless. I can give you hundreds of instances of great men of humble births. Why awkward questions may be asked about your own origin. Look at Karna, his armor, his earrings, his build, confidence and the way he carries himself. I am certain there is a certain mystery behind him.

    Lion is not born to antelopes.Unworthy of ruling Anga did you say, I contest that he is worthy of ruling this whole world.” Duryodhana whisked Karna in his chariot and drove away from the arena. The sun set and a confrontation between the two sons of Kunti Karna and Arjun was avoided for a day. Karna wanted nothing more than a show down with Arjuna and win. This desire was fueled even more by Duryodhana. Karna felt a certain loyalty towards Duryodhana after the unexpected and affectionate display of friendship by Duryodhana. He wanted to learn about the all powerful “Brahmastra”, the equivalent of today’s nuclear bomb.

    He went to Parsurama to learn about it. Parsurama was known for his dislike of the Kings and the warriors. Karna hid his identity as a charioteer’s son because the world always ridiculed his ambition for the best warrior because of his parentage. He learned the art from Parsurama and Parsurama in turn was very pleased with his disciple. Indra in heaven knew Karna had learned the Brahmastra only to use it on Arjuna. One day, Parsurama was sleeping with his head on Karna’s lap. Indra took the form of a wasp and started to drill a hole in Karna’s thigh. Karna tried to shoo ti away but the wasp was determined.

    Karna could not move without waking up his guru. As the wasp drilled the hole and warm blood started to trickle,it fell on Parsurama and he woke up. He saw what had happened. Parsurama was furious, “Karna you no Brahmin boy, only Kshatriya can bear the pain you are bearing. You have tricked me and learned the knowledge by deceit. I curse you that when you need it the most, you will nor be able to remember anything you have learned from me.” Karna stood aghast, he pleaded Parsurama, “I am not a Brahmin, but I am not a Kshatriya either. I am a sutaputra (charioteer’s son).

    I had to lie because all my life I was denied education because of my lineage.” Parsurama’s anger subsided a little bit after knowing that he was not a Kshatruya. He liked Karna too, “Son, I cannot take back my curse, and I have cursed you rather harsh. In return, I will give you my Vijaya bow. Take it and go back home.” Karna took the bow and started back home. On the way, he decided to test the new bow. He stretched an arrow on it and carelessly without aiming at any particular target, he shot the arrow. The arrow stuck a cow and killed it. The owner of the cow was furious at Karna’s callousness.

    “You have killed a cow that did not threaten you, you were displaying your skills on someone who had no weapon. You too shall be killed defenseless, when you have put down your weapons.” These fatal curses set the stage for Karna’s death in the Mahabharata war. He always remained a faithful friend to Duryodhana. He is the tragic hero, a gifted, righteous and a brave hero, known especially for his generosity. He fought impossible odds all his life and died with courage, valor and honor. He is also an example of misplaced loyalty that doomed him.

  • Indian-Origin Broker Fined 1 Million Pounds For Realty Fraud In UK

    Indian-Origin Broker Fined 1 Million Pounds For Realty Fraud In UK

    LONDON (TIP): In the biggest ever penalty on an individual trader, the UK financial sector regulator FCA today imposed a fine of nearly one million pounds on an Indian-origin realty broker for fraudulent sale and renting of homes. Birmingham-based Gurpreet Singh Chadda, who was doing business of sale and rent-back of homes through Red2Black Homes and B&L Homes, has also been banned from working in the British financial services industry, besides a fine of 945,277 pounds (nearly Rs nine crore), the FCA said.

    “This is the largest ever fine for a sole trader in a retail business,” the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said, adding that Chadda was deliberately misleading his customers for personal gains. The order follows an FCA investigation into Chadda’s involvement in seven sale and rent back transactions between June 2009 and January 2010. The regulator found serious failings in all the seven cases, it said. A sale and rent back transaction is an agreement where a home owner sells their home and then rents it back from the arranger so as to be able to carry on living in the home.

    FCA said that people who sell their homes in this way are often vulnerable as they are in financial difficulties and need to raise money to pay mortgage arrears and avoid imminent repossession. As per the FCA order, Chadda was misleading the sellers of the properties, who were his customers, by telling them he would be buying their homes when in fact the purchasers were other people.

    Other charges against him included failure in notifying the sellers that the purchasers of their homes were not covered by the regulatory protections, while he also helped the purchasers to obtain mortgages while knowing that they were giving misleading information to mortgage lenders.

  • Indian Arrested In Dubai For Murder Of Wife

    Indian Arrested In Dubai For Murder Of Wife

    DUBAI (TIP): A 24-year-old Indian man has been arrested here after he surrendered to the police in connection with the murder of his wife. The man murdered his wife in March with the help of his friend and was arrested after he returned to the UAE from India, a senior police official said. Director of the Criminal and Investigation Department of Dubai Police, major general Ebrahim Khalil Al Mansouri told Gulf News that the Dubai Police issued an arrest warrant through Interpol against the Indian suspect, identified as Atif Popere for murdering his wife.

    According to Al Mansouri said that Popere was suspected to have strangled his wife with the help of his friend after fighting with her in their house. His wife has been identified as Mumbai-based Bushra, 23. The suspect returned to the UAE saying that he had surrendered as he believed in the UAE’s judicial system, Al Mansouri told the newspaper. He said that the CID arrested the accomplice in the crime, identified as Ali, immediately after the crime and Ali told police that Popere murdered his wife after he took her monthly salary and her annual leave salary.

    According to the report, the husband used to bring his friend home every night and they used to consume alcohol together. The husband’s behaviour used to upset the woman who tried several times to stop him from doing so. During the course of interrogation, the accomplice confessed to helping the husband dispose of the body. The woman’s body was found on the Dubai-Al Ain border and post-mortem reports revealed that she was strangled and the murder took place at mid-day on March 11.