MONTREAL (TIP): Novak Djokovic dropped the opening set but recovered quickly to earn a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Denis Istomin to reach the quarterfinals of the Montreal Masters. The top seed was ambushed by two breaks in the opening set by the Uzbek player. Djokovic, winner of the last two editions in Canada, notched his 12th straight victory at the tournament. He is bidding for a fourth career trophy here after also winning in 2007. He plays on Friday against French seventh seed Richard Gasquet, who beat Japan’s Kei Nishikori 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Month: August 2013
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CLARKE SAYS ‘MOMENTUM’ WITH..
JOHANNESBURG (TIP): Australian captain Michael Clarke has claimed that his side has the momentum before the fourth Ashes Test starts at Chester-le-Street after the England side was stung by accusations of cheating and embarrassed by the off-field antics of a squad member.
According to Sport24, the tourists are 2-0 down with two matches remaining and have to wait until the return series in Australia at the end of the year for a chance to reclaim the urn but such was their dominance of the drawn third Test at Old Trafford that squaring the series is a realistic target for Michael Clarke’s side Clarke said that England would be taking the positive that they are 2-0 up in the series and can not lose the Ashes but the way Australia had played in Manchester, it had built some momentum for them. Meanwhile, England captain Alastair Cook also said that the series was still very much alive, the report said.
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LOC ATTACKS SHOW ISI HOLD OVER SHARIF
ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI (TIP): The death of five Indian soldiers in Kashmir this week is being connected in Pakistan to the resumption of ties between Islamabad and New Delhi.
“Every time someone talks of peace, we have incidents of such kind that end up souring any initiative,” says defence analyst and commentator Kamran Shafi. The incident is also seen as reflecting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s continuing inability to get some control over the Pakistan military’s Inter-Services Intelligence, seen as the main protector of the militant groups that operate in Kashmir. The question being asked in Islamabad is who was behind the attacks.
Some suggest the Jamaat-ud Dawa — the new name for the Lashkar e Toiba — or its associates are likely to have been involved. The JuD is active in the Kashmir area and in a recent interview, JuD chief Hafiz Sayeed had threatened more attacks on the Indian side of Kashmir. “It is clear that the JuD has once again scored a victory for us,” commented Zaid Hamid, a political commentator close to the ISI. Hamid said on television that incursions by Pakistan-based groups into Indian Kashmir were legitimate attacks on an occupying force.
The challenge remains for Sharif to contain such forces within Pakistan so he can move ahead with talks with India. “This is the hard part as the genie is out of the bottle,” says Shafi, who argues that Sharif ’s government does not have control over the militant groups any more. Sharif has been trying to get some leverage over the ISI but has so far been unsuccessful. Even to get a briefing on intelligence matters, the prime minister had to go to the ISI headquarters last month — instead of the other way round. “Right now the ISI calls the shots,” says another analyst, “but Sharif holds the trump card.”
That trump card is the appointment of the army chief later this year. In Islamabad, most officials and analysts insist the Pakistan Army was not involved in the incident. The Pakistan Foreign Office and the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, insist these attacks may be by anti-Pakistan elements out to tarnish their image. But others believe the attack must have been carried out at the behest of Islamabad. “It doesn’t make sense otherwise,” says Aisha Siddiqa, who writes a column on defence and military issues. Siddiqa and other analysts, who prefer anonymity, say the Pakistan military may have sought to keep their involvement at an arm’s distance.
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Retaliate to Pak firing: Army Chief
NEW DELHI (TIP): Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh has made it clear to his commanders along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan that they should retaliate to Pakistani firing and events across the LoC as per laid down policies and instructions. The General was on a visit to the LoC on Aug 8 to do an on-the-spot assessment following the killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army in a cross-border raid in the wee hours on Aug 6.
Sources said there was no need for a fresh set of instructions following the latest incident. The existing set of instructions is detailed and it needs to be followed. “If an act of the local commanders is within the listed standard operating procedures, then there is no fear of getting blamed for escalating matters,” sources said.
One set of instructions lay down a policy to maintain ceasefire along LoC in line with the 2003 agreement with Pakistan but it also says that Indian troops should fire back when the ceasefire is violated. When the last incident had taken place in January this year, Gen Bikram Singh at a press conference had said: “I expect all my commanders on the LoC to be aggressive and offensive in face of provocation and fire. I do not expect my commanders to be timid”. He had virtually publicly announced the standard operating procedure: “Uphold the ceasefire as long as the adversary upholds it. When fired at, we will respond immediately. Commanders must understand that the Army hierarchy is standing behind them”.
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15-YEAR-OLD GIRL SET ON FIRE BY STALKER DIES, ODISHA FUMES
BHUBANESWAR (TIP): A 15-year-old girl, who was set on fire by two youths 12 days ago in a village in Odisha, succumbed to her injuries on Aug 8 night after a failed attempt to shift her to a New Delhi hospital.
A team of doctors from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, where she was being treated since July 29, accompanied the girl to catch flight to New Delhi from Bhubaneswar airport at 9 pm to take her to the national capital’s Safdarjung Hospital. However, they could not board the plane at the last moment and were forced to take her to the nearest Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar from the airport as her condition deteriorated. The doctors declared her dead at 11.45 pm but refrained from making any comments.
The news of her death triggered protests from a crowd that had gathered at the hospital. People held demonstrations in front of the houses of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and health minister Damodar Rout. As the news spread, hundreds of activists of the opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged separate demonstrations across the city. While some protestors ransacked the hospital and broke furniture, a mob damaged three ambulances and torched two buses and a truck. However, no one was injured. The protestors also attempted to barge into the residences of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Health Minister Damodar Rout but were chased away by the police.
Patnaik on Aug 9 condoled the death of the girl and announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh to her family. He also directed the police to take stern action against those responsible for her death. On July 28, two youth had set the victim afire after pouring kerosene on her in a village in Kendrapada district, about 150 km east of Bhubaneswar. She was admitted in a local hospital with 70 per cent burn injuries and later shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital. n Aug 7 doctors moved her from the burn ward to intensive care unit after her condition deteriorated.
But when there was no sign of improvement, the authorities had decided to shift her to Safdarjung Hospital. The police, who have arrested both the youth, said the main accused Pradip Das wanted to marry the victim’s elder sister. But when the family married her off elsewhere, he stalked the victim for some time before setting her on fire to take revenge.
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DSGMC chief told to take off turban at Rome
AMRITSAR (TIP): Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjeet Singh GK was asked to take off his turban during a security check at the Rome International Airport in Italy on Aug 6. When he refused, he was not allowed to board the flight. DSGMC general secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa said they had lodged a protest with the Italian Embassy in New Delhi which had assured him of looking into the matter.
He said GK, after missing his 1.20 am (IST) flight today, decided to take the next flight scheduled for 6.30 pm (IST). “But with the Italian Embassy expressing its inability to resolve the issue by then, he will now board a flight tomorrow,” he said. GK had gone to Italy to attend a ‘Dastarbandi Samagam’ (turban tying programme). Reacting to the incident, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said he would soon send a protest letter to the Italian Embassy in New Delhi as well as take up the matter with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He also said they will dispatch a reminder to British Prime Minister David Cameron, as he had assured the SGPC to take up such issues with member countries of the European Union during his visit to Amritsar some months back.
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Food Bill tabled in Lok Sabha amid objections
NEW DELHI (TIP): The much talked about, ambitious and historical bill to replace the National Food Security Ordinance 2013 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid strong objections raised by the AIADMK and the DMK. Introducing the bill, even as Seemandhra members created an uproar over Telangana and BJP members raised slogans on the killing of jawans in Kashmir, Minister of State for Food and Public Distribution K.V. Thomas claimed the “National Food Security Bill 2013” did not infringe on the States’ rights.
“It protects the Constitution…there is nothing against the federal system. This Bill will enable the people to get food as the right. This is the first time in the world, food is given as the right.” Earlier, the Minister withdrew a similar bill that was introduced in 2011 and which was later sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. He said many proposals made by the committee were included in the ordinance replacement bill.
AIADMK floor leader M. Thambidurai said the bill in its present form was against the federal setup. It was actually a “food insecurity Bill.” It “is against the principles of the Constitution…interfering in the functioning of the State governments.” The Centre had unilaterally and hastily promulgated the ordinance. “Though the bill claims to provide food security to all, there are several flaws in the bill which have created serious apprehensions and raised the spectre of food insecurity for Tamil Nadu
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EID UL FITR
Eid ul-Fitr is one holy festival for Muslims, which marks end of Holy Month, Ramadhan. It is an Arabic word, juvenile amalgamation of Eid and Fitr, which means festivity and the breaking of fast, respectively. The festival is celebrated on the conclusion of the fasting during the month of Ramadhan. This joyful and blissful day is celebrated to give thanks to Almighty for his blessings in the holy month of Ramadhan.
Muslim grace with presence at the congregational prayer service that held in the morning. Eid-ul-Fitr has a meticulous Islamic prayer, which consists of two raka’ah or simply units in a large hall or an open field. Muslims of all age group wear new clothes, cook some delicious and tasty food, and invite relative, friends and neighbors to celebrate the auspicious day with them. Fasting in Ramadhan encourages sympathy for needy and hungry and motivates Muslims to donate very generously to all underprivileged.
According to Muslim belief, they are commanded by Almighty God to do the fasting until the conclusion of Ramadhan as mentioned in Holy Qur’an and also pay Zakat-al-fitr before offering the Eid prayer. The Eid Festival is a joint effort of varied community organization from the Detroit/Dearborn Metropolitan area, to swarm a cultural, educational and entertaining and educational occasion for the community all through the yearly celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration concluding the Islamic blessed month of Ramadan, in which Muslims are required to fast in all days of Ramadhan from dawn to dusk, refraining from beverages, foods, assisting the underprivileged and engaging in some kind of community services. The advantages of this form of fasting helps in strengthening and increasing moral character, appreciating the everyday blessings of food and beverages, and sympathizing with the person who are less fortunate or underprivileged. In the social sense people celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr by visiting to relatives and neighbor homes and exchanging warm greetings like ‘Eid Mubarak’.
The exchange of such kind of greetings is part of cultural tradition and not the religious obligation. Before the arrival of Islam in the Arab world, there is a talk about Eid festival as yawn al-sabasab and yawn al-sab and some other mentions among the Arab. The Israelites had also festivals as well but it is evident from Old Testament and some other scriptures that these festivals ascertained more to commemorating certain days of history. The festival Eidul- Fitr was first originated by the last prophet of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and occur on the first of month of Shawwal, after the end of holy month of fasting, the Ramadhan, in which Muslims undergo fasting for a period of one month.
History According to convinced Ahadith, these pious festivals were instigated in Madinah after migration. Anas reports that: When the Prophet Muhammad arrived at the city of Madinah, he found some people celebrating two explicit days in which people used to amuse and entertain by merriment and playing. Prophet Muhammad asked people regarding the nature of these sorts of celebrations and merriment at which people responded that these festivities were occasions of recreation and fun of days of jahilliyah. At this point, the Prophet Muhammad remarked that the Almighty God has set two days of holidays instead of these festivities for people, one is Eid-ul-Fitr and the other one is Eid-ul-Adha. All Muslims fast on daily basis every year in the holy month of Ramadhan from dawn to the dusk. Fasting involves abstaining from beverages, food and sexual relations.
By withholding from some of the carnal and basic desires and needs, Muslims develop self-discipline or self-control: the ability to prevent from doing something one deeply and intensely desire, purely out of compliance to the Creator. This monthlong exercise of fasting helps in developing and strengthening to live a life of wholesomeness and obedience to Almighty God regardless of the lure towards sin. Those people who are sick, traveling, and elderly or women who are nursing and pregnant are allowed to break the fast and cover up the missed days of Ramadhan at some later time. If they are incapable to do this later, they must provide food to a needy one for every missed day. Children are obligated to begin their fasting from the very age of puberty.
Even though fasting is advantageous to health, it is considered chiefly as a way of spiritual self refinement. According to history, Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival which has its own essence of merriment and enjoyment and this activity is dated back to many centuries. It is being celebrated with much zeal and warmness all across the world but as the time have changed now, the ways and customs involving Eidul- Fitr has also changed but the basic idea of festivities remains the same.
According to Muslim belief, they are commanded by Almighty God to do the fasting until the conclusion of Ramadhan as mentioned in Holy Qur’an and also pay Zakat-al-fitr before offering the Eid prayer. There are lots of things which revolve around this festivity. Fasting is believed by some scholars to praise fundamental distinctions and lauding the power of religious realm, while admitting the subordination of physical realm.
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TEEJ: FESTIVAL OF SWINGS AND MEHNDI
Held during the monsoons, July-August Teej is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and married women who pray for a happy and long married life. Though celebrations are held all over the state, it is particularly colorful in Jaipur where a procession winds its way for two days through the Old City. This year Teej Procession will be held on 12th August, 2010 and again on 13th August, 2010.
Thousands of people from and around Jaipur along with a number of foreign tourist throng the main roads of Jaipur to witness this colourful and historical procession which is commonly known as “Teej Maata Ki Savari”. Women wear colourful Leharia (Saree) along with traditional jwellery. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation is also organising four day Teej Festival from 9th to 13th August, 2010 to mark the occasion.
This festival especially attracts foreign tourists and lot of activities full of fun and frolic are organised during the festival. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. The Teej idol is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.
Activities
Teej is celebrated mainly by the women folk of Rajasthan. Married women who idolize Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva celebrate Teej. The festivity revolves around singing and dancing in praise of Parvati. The rituals allow the women to pamper and enjoy themselves, to feast, to dress in the best of cloths, finery and jewellery, in fact to look the stunning best.
All over Rajasthan, even in remote villages, Jhoolas (swings) are hung from trees and decorated with leaves and flowers. Ladies and girls can be seen enjoying on these swings, playing games, singing folk songs and applying Mehandi (henna) on their palms. In Jaipur an idol of Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata) is taken out in a royal procession from the city palace so that the general public can have a chance to pay homage to the Goddess. Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, gaily decorated elephants with silver haodas, horses, camels, brass bands, and group of dances all form a part of this grand spectacle.
The Palanquin of Goddess Paravati is carried by 8 men dressed in red color. This kilometer long procession winds its way through the lanes of the old city. Local people come in huge numbers, dress in their best traditional clothes. Space is at a premium as people perch on top of building, windows even trees to catch a glimpse of Goddess. A huge band of urchins follows the Palanquin to grab these offerings. A lot of merriment prevails during the Teej procession. Groups of men and women can be seen singing dancing and playing musical instruments. Men and women dressed as gods and Goddess also join in the procession.
History
According to Hindu mythology, on the 3rd day (teej) after the new moon in the month of Shravan Goddess Parvati went to the house of lord Shiva, her husband and was united with him.
This day is celebrated as Teej all over India and especially so in Rajasthan. Apart from its mythological origins this festival also heralds the arrival of the rainy season. In the month of Shravan the long awaited monsoon finally arrives in Rajasthan bringing relief to the parched land. Like a magic wand it transforms the hot, dusty and barren summer landscape of Rajasthan into the fertile green beehive of activity. The Teej festivities also celebrate this rejuvenation.
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BIG BREAKFASTS, NOT DINNERS HELP LOSE WEIGHT
People who eat their largest daily meal at breakfast time are far more likely to lose weight and have a lesser waist line circumference than those who eat a large dinner, a new study has revealed.
The research conducted by Tel Aviv University has found that that proper meal timing can make an important contribution towards managing obesity and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle Participants who ate a larger breakfast- which included a dessert item such as a piece of chocolate cake or a cookie- also had significantly lower levels of insulin, glucose, and triglycerides throughout the day, translating into a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Prof. Daniela Jakubowicz and her fellow researchers conducted a study in which 93 obese women were randomly assigned to one of two isocaloric groups.
Each consumed a moderate-carbohydrate, moderate-fat diet totalling 1,400 calories daily for a period of 12 weeks. The first group consumed 700 calories at breakfast, 500 at lunch, and 200 at dinner, while the second group ate a 200 calorie breakfast, 500 calorie lunch, and 700 calorie dinner. The 700 calorie breakfast and dinner included the same foods. By the end of the study, participants in the “big breakfast” group had lost an average of 17.8 pounds each and three inches off their waist line, compared to a 7.3 pound and 1.4 inch loss for participants in the “big dinner” group. According to Prof. Jakubowicz, those in the big breakfast group were found to have significantly lower levels of the hungerregulating hormone ghrelin, and showed a more significant decrease in insulin, glucose, and triglyceride levels than those in the big dinner group.
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WHY WOMEN CHEAT
Cultural stereotypes inform that it’s mostly men who cheat on their wives or girlfriends and not the other way around, but clinical research details that nearly as many women cheat as their counterpart. Women who step out on their husband or their significant other, do so for any number of reasons, the five most common of which are: Firstly, the woman must feel that she is under-appreciated, neglected, or ignored.
A woman who felt more like a housekeeper, financial provider, or nanny than a wife or girlfriend is more susceptible to finding an external situation, which brings attention and appreciation for who she is rather than the functions that she performs. Another reason for the adultery can be that the woman must be craving intimacy as women feel valued and connected to their partner through non-sexual emotional interaction like touching, kissing, cuddling, gift-giving, being remembered, and meaningful communication.
Women, who are unable to get their intimacy needs fulfilled by a primary partner may look elsewhere and try to meet the needs through sexual/romantic relationships. Thirdly, the woman could be bored or may be lonely. Women, who find themselves alone at home for long periods of time, can feel that their lives lack meaning, and they could use casual sex or deeper romantic affairs to fill the void inside their lives.
Women with spouses or partners who are absent for long periods of time for example military service, may also turn to affairs to fill what feels like an emptiness. Fourthly, the woman will cheat if she never feels fully loved and appreciated. Some females have unrealistic expectations about what a longterm spouse or partner should offer them emotionally and in other ways and when their partner fails them, they feel justified in seeking attention elsewhere. Lastly, the women can have an intimacy disorder. Early childhood trauma and/or sexual abuse often lead women (and men) to problems with addictive sex and/or serial cheating and they can seek consistency and feelings of importance through intensitybased romantic and/or sexual activity.
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APPLE MASK FOR CLEAR SKIN
If you are suffering from tired, stressed out skin, use an apple face mask to brighten your skin instantly. Apple contains vitamins A, B, C and antioxidant properties that relieves damage due to constant exposure to dirt and grime. Apples are also known to treat your skin from sunburns. They contain glycolic acid which helps exfoliate and clear your pores. Apple contains elements which help remove skin dead cells and make skin fairer. It can help remove blemishes. It is very effective for pimple removal. Apple pulp when applied on skin can maintain skin PH and help get over dangerous skin infections. Take one apple, apply its pulp on skin for 20 minutes and wash. After washing apply moisturiser. This mask is suited for all skin types.
Benefits of apple The benefits of apple is not just one.
Chew an apple after your meal for pearly white teeth. Regular intake of apple helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. It is great to use as an anti-ageing mask because of the high content of antioxidants. Place slices of apple under your eyes to reduce dark circles and puffy eyes. Mash a quarter of an apple with cream milk and apply it on your face to reduce blemishes and dark spots. It also balances oil production in your skin and reduces the flow of sebum. Apple is known to be an excellent treatment for acne. Apart from this, apple is also known to provide hydration to your skin. Use it as an exfolliant by grating it and applying it all over your face.
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ROLE OF PRINCESS DIANA TOUGHEST: NAOMI WATTS
Naomi Watts has revealed that playing Princess Diana in a film about her romance after her split with Prince Charles has proved her most challenging role yet. The Oscar-nominated actress also admitted that she rejected the offer to play Diana several times but eventually could not bring herself to turn down the role, the Daily Express reported. The British-born star said that the idea of going through this transformation and telling the story of someone who is wildly famous, albeit doing it in a sensitive way, was what drew her to the movie.
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KIM K TO LAUNCH CLOTHING BRAND FOR KIDS
Kim Kardashian is reportedly going to launch a clothing line for kids. Kardashian’s designer pal Lloyd Klein told Confidenti@l in L.A that he is sure that the 32-year-old TV personality would be coming up with a new range of clothing line, the New York Daily News reported. The fashion designer hopes to work with the Reality TV star and said that he expects Kardashian’s daughter North West to be a ‘great poster kid’.
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ANUSHKA LOOKING FORWARD TO ‘BOMBAY VELVET’
Actress Anushka Sharma will join the cast of upcoming movie “Bombay Velvet” in Sri Lanka and is looking forward to the experience. Directed by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap,
“Bombay Velvet” brings actor Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka together on the silver screen for the first time. Last seen in director Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola”, Anushka said: “I am really excited and looking forward to joining the crew of ‘Bombay Velvet’ in Sri Lanka.”
“I have always wanted to work with Anurag and I am glad that I am going to be a part of his biggest celluloid dream yet. I am sure it is going to be an unforgettable experience. Fingers crossed,” she said in a statement. Anushka will be shooting for 40 days in Sri Lanka to complete her first schedule. Co-produced by Fox Star Studios and Phantom Films, “Bombay Velvet” is set in Mumbai and the story covers 1950s to 1970s. It is the first film of a trilogy on how the city became a metropolis.
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Chor Chor Super Chor
STORY: Satbir (Deepak Dobriyal), a former pickpocket, intends to make a fresh start in life. He falls in love with Neena (Priya Bhatija) and plans to settle down, but a major twist awaits his tale. REVIEW: Meanwhile, Satbir resists going back to Shuklaji (Avtar Sahani), his mentor, who heads a gang of petty thieves. He chooses to be dressed as a huge samosa instead, outside a food stall.
The situation gets wacky as he is also lured by Amol (Jagat Rawat), another selfproclaimed crook. The latter is forever on a mission to poach Shuklaji’s loyal men to form his own gang, so that he can commit bigger crimes. Then there’s a cop, who considers robbery an art and thus thieves as artists! Can it get any crazier? Chor Chor Super Chor is a light-hearted, delightful film with a unique storyline and a superb twist. Set in Delhi, it is not an out-an-out entertainer, but manages to keep you intrigued, thanks to its quirky, innovative concept.
Since the film’s running time is under two hours, the length is just perfect and nowhere does it drag. The romance between Satbir and Neena is interesting. Their song seems a bit abrupt though. However, what limits the film from being a hardcore comedy is its inability to deliver laugh-out-loud moments. You don’t see yourself laughing heartily throughout the movie, except for a scene where an overweight thug gasps for breath after having to climb a tall under-construction building, which happens to be his boss’ adda.
Deepak Dobriyal is impressive as usual. Priya Bhatija is pleasant. Even the supporting actors do a good job. We hate to give away the twist but let us tell you, Chor Chor Super Chor could also be titled Tu Sher Toh Main Sawa Sher as that’s what the film is all about. Don’t go expecting a solid comedy and you won’t be disappointed.
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BOOM DIRECTOR LIKES TO WORK WITH KATRINA AGAIN
Director Kaizad Gustad, who launched British-born Katrina Kaif in Bollywood with his 2003 directorial venture “Boom”, is happy with the latter’s success and won’t mind working with her again. Though “Boom” was a box office dud, Katrina’s was noticed. Since her debut, the 30-year-old has given numerous hits — “Namastey London”, “Welcome”, “Singh Is Kinng”, “Raajneeti”, “New York” and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan”, among others. “Today, she (Katrina Kaif) has become such a big star and has reached the number one position in the industry. It feels good.
This shows that hard work and perseverance can get you in right place,” Kaizad told reporters on-location of his next film “Jackpot”. “Why not, I will work with Katrina? Definitely I will, if I will get the right script,” he said. When asked whether he is in touch with his discovery, he said: “Not really. If I will have a movie, I will get in touch with her. It’s like that.
I don’t like to stay in touch just for staying in touch.” Kaizad, who is returning to direction after nine years with “Jackpot”, met Katrina during the latter’s modelling days in London. Remembering that time, Kaizad said: “When I met her (Katrina), I said: ‘You come to Mumbai and you will be a big star.’ But it took her six months to come to Mumbai because she didn’t know how to speak in Hindi and all,” he said. “I knew that when I will cast her, she will leave her impression… I was just the catalyst, rest is her hard work,” he added.
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India names new Envoys to US, Russia and China
NEW DELHI (TIP): India has named new envoys to three most important nations of the world. S Jaishankar, currently India’s ambassador to Beijing, is likely to be the new Indian envoy to Washington DC replacing Nirupama Rao, who will retire after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s last summit with US President Barack Obama scheduled for September end. Jaishankar is credited with shepherding the crucial diplomacy with China during the Depsang crisis in eastern Ladakh in April. At the end of a three-week standoff, China agreed to withdraw its troops from camps inside Indian soil after India took a tough stand against the incursion.
Jaishankar’s move to the US indicates the government’s decision to focus on the Indo-US relationship in view of the criticism that India has allowed the relationship to “drift”. Ashok Kantha, currently secretary (East) and formerly High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, will be the next ambassador to Beijing, replacing Jaishankar. Kantha is an old China hand, having handled the relationship as joint secretary (East Asia) in the ministry of external affairs.
He is expected to hit the ground running, and be a safe pair of hands for this particular relationship. PS Raghavan, who has recast India’s development aid program, will be India’s new man in Moscow, taking over from Ajai Malhotra. The India- Russia relationship has deep roots, but recent years have witnessed strains in the fabric of bilateral ties – from the price haggling over Gorshkov to the nuclear liability law and Russia’s diminishing position in the arms supplies pecking order. The relationship needs some nurturing. Raghavan, who has had a successful stint in the Prime Minister’s Office, is expected to do the job.
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Hafiz Saeed visited LoC before Aug 6 attack: Intelligence report
NEW DELHI (TIP): Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 is believed to have visited the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan occupied Kashmir a couple of days before the ghastly attack on five Indian soldiers in the Poonch sector, according to a report by India Today. The report says the JuD (formerly known as Lashkar-e-Taiba) chief met the soldiers of the Border Acton Team (BAT) and several Lashkar commanders in Pakistan in Gurund Post opposite Poonch on August 3.
According to the military intelligence sources, the BAT is believed to be behind the ambush, resulting in the killing of five Indian soldiers. A day before the August 6 attack, the Pakistani soldiers carried out a reconnaissance mission with the help of Pakistani army troops who provided a cover fire. Intelligence sources claim that the involvement of the JuD terrorists and the Pakistani army was a similarity between the August 6 and January 8 attack by Pak troops in the Poonch sector.
However, a striking similarity in both the skirmishes was Hafiz Saeed’s visit to the LoC to mobilise the Pakistani terrorists and troops. Five Indian soldiers were killed in the Poonch sector in J & K in an ambush on August 6, believed to be carried out by the Pakistani troops.
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Micromax co-founder sent to 7-day CBI custody in graft case
NEW DELHI (TIP): A trial court has remanded Rajesh Agarwal, co-founder and director of mobile company Micromax Technologies Pvt Ltd, and six others, including four public servants, to CBI custody for seven days in a bribery case.
Meanwhile, CBI arrested two more people in the case including a driver and an assistant engineer — R K Sethi. Special CBI judge Poonam Bamba sent the seven accused in CBI’s custody till August 14. On August 7, the CBI arrested Agarwal and his associate Manish Tuli, when they were allegedly giving bribe of Rs 30 lakh to North corporation officials to regularize unauthorized construction of a banquet hall owned by Tuli .
Besides them, North corporation’s three engineers Satish Kumar, Naresh Kumar and Sanjay Kumar were arrested along with junior engineer in DDA Rajesh Gupta and one Ashok Lamba. During the hearing, CBI sought seven days police custody of the accused to find out how many other government officials or persons were involved in the case. It said their custody was required to unearth “the larger conspiracy”.
The prosecutor told the court that during the probe and raids, Rs 1.1 crore had been recovered from the accused. “From where this huge amount of over Rs one crore has come? We need police custody to know about this as well,” said the prosecutor. CBI also alleged that the DDA official was acting as a middleman.
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Capture Kabul, cripple Kashmir: Pakistan’s new two-faced war
NEW DELHI (TIP): It was around 4.30 am on July 1 when a Pakistani suicide bomber crossed the Line of Control and blew himself up about 25 meters from an Indian Army picket at Saujiyan in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Other than the bomber, there were no casualties. A week later, in the same area, a Pakistani improvised explosive device – a roadside bomb – proved more lethal and killed an Indian Army porter.
India believes these attacks, and other such activity along the de facto border and inside Jammu and Kashmir, are part of a deliberate Pakistani game plan to push in as many militants as possible across the LoC. The goal of all this: escalate violence in the run-up to and possibly disrupt the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections next year. On the other side of Pakistan, though this may not seem obvious to people in India, is a related attempt by Rawalpindi to use the same terrorists to drive India out of Afghanistan. US intelligence had confirmed to India that Lashkar e Taiba cadre were being moved into the provinces of Kunar and Nuristan in expectation of the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan next year.
The recent suicide bomb attack on the Indian consulate in Jalalabad which killed a dozen people was part and parcel of this larger strategy. “Pakistan is using Lashkar to target Indian interests in Kabul,” said a senior Indian official. “The Jalalabad attack was orchestrated by Lashkar.” Pakistan is similarly transferring militant cadre recruited from its Khyber Paktunkhwa province to boost militant ranks in the Kashmir Valley. The broad Indian assessment is that the LoC and Kashmir in general have seen relatively low levels of Pakistani action because Rawalpindi was forced to divert as many as 150,000 troops to the Pakistan-Afghan border. With the US troop withdrawal approaching and Pakistan sensing that it may soon have a friendly regime ensconced in Kabul, the Pakistani army and Lashkar are once more concentrating on destabilizing Kashmir.
Lashkar chief Hafiz Sayeed declared this in a recent India Today interview saying, “Full-scale armed jihad will begin soon in Kashmir after American forces withdraw from Afghanistan.” Kashmir is starting to simmer again. Attempts by Lashkar’s border action teams, groups that are backed by the Pakistani Army, to ambush Indian Army patrols have gone up this year. The decapitation of two soldiers in Krishnaghati area of Poonch sector on January 8, 2013, and the recent killing of five Indian soldiers in the same sector on Tuesday morning are just two of the more bloody examples. “The escalation is evident from the fact that till July 2012 only 13 infiltrators had been killed but during the same period this year more than 23 infiltrators have been killed on the LoC,” said a source.
“There have been no less than 10 border actions undertaken by Pakistan Army backed terrorists on the Jammu LoC ,” said a senior official. He warned that the infiltration figures are expected to rise this month. That is along the border. The situation inside the Valley has become equally violent. There have been two definitive suicide attacks by Lashkar cadres this year inside Jammu and Kashmir – the first in three years. A fidayeen attack on Central Reserve Police Force camp at Bemina in Srinagar on March 14 and an attack on Indian Army jawans at Hyderpora bypass a day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s June 25 visit to Kashmir.
Indian intelligence conducted a security review in Kabul days before the Jalalabad attack. The then home secretary RK Singh flew down to Srinagar on June 20 to brief army and police about a threat against a police station on the eve of Singh’s June 25 visit. “The Poonch action shows that Pakistan Army is opposed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif normalizing ties with India and is also connected to the appointment of General Parvez Kiyani’s successor in November,” said a senior official.
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Anniversary and Guru Purnima
renowned scholars, writers, artists and volunteers– Balkrishan Naipaul, Ramesh Kalicharan, Dr. Bindeshwari Aggarwal, Nina Wahi, Anand Ramanujam, Narendra Budhakar, Chirag Mehta, Solochanie Boodhan, Tejal Desai, Kavita and Saheel Chandrani and others.
The program ended with the announcement of the raffle winners followed by the recital of the Shikshayatan’s title song “Har dharati kaa rahanewala” On July 21st Guru Purnima day the program started with Deep Prajvalan by Sudha Acharya- Chief Director (South Asian Council for Social Services). During Students’ recital of the song ” Jo Guru Kripaa kare”,
Raag Darabari Kaanada was continuously being sung while performing Paad Puja of Satguru followed by garland ceremony by Purnima to Satguru Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath on Guru Purnima Celebration.
Satgurumata and four women disciples performed aarti to Sadguru to receive blessings and divine love. After aarti Satguru addressed the audience by giving them his blessings.
Audience was allowed to ask questions leading to a lively discussion. After a short break Satguru gave empowerment to the audience by teaching Kriya Yog techniques. Kriya Yog helps create inner awakening leading to thoughtlessness of mind and finally healing body and soul.
Purnima concluded Guru Purnima celebration with singing the Indian National Anthem,”Jana Gana Mana” followed by vote of thanks to the audience whose presence made the program a great success.
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Shikshayatan celebrates 25th
Committed to promotion of Indian Culture and Heritage
Shikshayatan, a premier institute to promote Indian culture and heritage celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 20 and 21, in the benign presence of a great spiritual master, Satguru Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath who had specially come to New York to bless the students, teachers and the management.
The institute was founded by Mrs. Purnima Desai on the auspicious day of Vijayadashmi- on Thursday, October 20,1988 – the day Lord Rama achieved victory over demon king Ravana. Vijaydashmi is also the day when many families start formal education of their kids. Purnima Desai is the Chief Editor and Publisher of “ABHYUDAYA” magazine in Hindi and English for young and adults – mouth piece of Shikshayatan to give opportunity for creative writing and to learn about India. Shikshayatan conducts regular and organized classes to impart knowledge about Indian culture, philosophy, languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, and music -Classical and light, Vocal, Instrumental music (Harmonium, Keyboard, Tabla, Violin Sitar, Flute) and dance. Purnima herself is an adept vocalist.
She is an excellent educator, a producer of music albums and a motivating teacher. She has run Shikshayatan successfully for the last 25 years and has touched the lives of many students. Her mission is to serve humanity and her vision is to have a full fledged institution to spread Indian art & culture. Pandit Kamal Mishra – music director, vocalist and violinist and a teacher has proved to be an asset to the center. Anand Ramanujam, a reputed tabla performer in Nagpur Doordarshan has recently joined Shikshayatan cultural center.
Shikshayatan has opened its doors to all nationalities to come together for peace , harmony and team spirit. Shikshayatan has celebrated many Indian festivals, birthdays of saints, patriotic leaders and received blessings from spiritual masters like Amma, Sant Morari Bapu, Acharya Mridula Shashtri, Swami Buaji, dignitaries and diplomats – Hillary Clinton, Gary Ackeraman, Dr. Karan Singh etc. Purnima is a highly spiritual lady with a pure heart.
Her strong desire is to seek the Lord, She developed a strong connection with Satguru Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath in whom she saw her God. Yogiraj was so impressed with her devotion that he accepted her invitation to come to Shikshayatan on its 25th anniversary celebration and bless the students and other attendees.
On July 20th, 2013 the program started with Deep Prajvalan by Moksha Priya from Maha Mandaleshwar Maa Yog Shakti Durga Temple. The Cultural Program started with American National Anthem led by Kirti Shukla. Kavita and Sudipta sang Mata Saraswati bhajan “Veena Kar Dhavalaabara”. Shiv Panchaakshari stotram was sung in raag Bhimpalaasi by students Rosa Mori, Kavita and Sudipta. Shivani sang raag khamaj chhota khayaal. Kavita sang raag Tilak Kamod. Sudipta sang raag yaman. Rosa sang Krishna bhajan and Manali sang Meera bhajan.
Little children from age of 6 to 14 years – Shiv Iyer, Sudeep Sureshbabu, Darshan and Ashwin played varieties of Taal from six beats to 16 beats on Tabla accompanied by Kavita Mahabir and Sudipta Sureshbabu on Keyboard. Audience was spell bound seeing children rendering such beautiful presentation.
Renowned Pandit Sujan Rane sang two bhajans, one based on raag yaman and the second one based on raag desh, accompanied by illustrious tabla player Naren Budhakar. Renowned musician Pandit Kamal Mishra sang classical piece raag maalkonsh and won the hearts of many with his unique and melodious performance. His violin recital – raag vihaag- was also much appreciated which was accompanied by famous tabla performer Anand Ramanujam . Smt. Purnima sang Shiva bhajan “Bahati Ganga” with total devotion. This cultural program was followed by the auspicious presence and empowerment by Satguru Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath.
Yogiraj Gurunath was born in Gwalior, India on May 10,1944, and is descended from the ancient family of Ikshavaku Rama of the Solar Dynasty. Though he belonged to a royal family, he was a born siddha and went into spontaneous enlightened state from the age of 3. During his long hours in meditation Yogiraj Gurunath has visions of Shiva, Krishna, Rama and Christ. Spiritually realized from a very young age, he cast away his educational responsibilities and fulfilled his calling as a Yogi. Yogiraj Gurunath spent his early years in the Himalayas with the great Nath Yogis in whose presence he was transformed, realizing the unity of all Yogas and religions. Yogiraj’s message to humanity is “EARTH PEACE THROUGH SELF PEACE” and spiritual evolution of consciousness through the divine science of Kundalini Kriya Yoga meditation.
In conveying his message, Yogiraj goes beyond the limited reach of words and offers the grace of direct experience. Yogiraj Gurunath introduced his message to the audience. Every single person could feel his divine presence after performing the breathing exercise on Satguru’s instructions. Audience was allowed to take active part in discussions by asking questions. Guruji says that our true religion is humanity. He says,” Live your life like an incense stick, dissolve yourself to spread the spiritual aroma of peace and joy to others. Live your life like the Sun, explode yourself to give light and life to humanity.”
Satguru was spreading his message of love and divinity and how the powers of a Satguru can heal the wounded souls and bodies. On Purnima’s request, Satgurunath blessed Shikshayatan students by giving “Saraswati” trophies to girls – Shivani, Sudipta, Kavita, Manali, Rosa and Nataraj trophies to boys – Darshan, Shiva, Sudeep, Ashwin. Also awarded were “Bhanu Mani” plaques with titles like Sur Samraat to Pandit Kamala Prasad Mishra, Sur Shiromani to Pandit Suja Rane, Hind Mani to Ramesh Kalicharan, Kaavya Mani to Nina Wahi, Sanchaalak Mani to Dr. Bindeshwari Agrawal, Saahitya Mani to Anjana Roy, Chitrakala Mani to Anand Patole, Taal Shiromani to Naren Budhakar and Anand Ramanujam. “Seva Mani” awards were presented to
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Sanjay Gupta backs medical marijuana, apologizes for previous views
NEW YORK (TIP): One of America’s most prominent doctors says he has shifted his stance in support of medical marijuana. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, chief medical correspondent at CNN and a CBS News contributing medical correspondent, wrote a post on CNN.com called,
“Why I changed my mind on weed,” in which he describes his change of heart that occurred while filming a documentary, aptly titled, “Weed.” “Long before I began this project, I had steadily reviewed the scientific literature on medical marijuana from the United States and thought it was fairly unimpressive,” wrote Gupta. “Well, I am here to apologize.” Gupta says he was too dismissive of the “loud chorus” of legitimate patients whose symptoms improved with help from medical marijuana. He now says,
“I mistakenly believed the Drug Enforcement Agency listed marijuana as a schedule 1 substance [a category of dangerous drugs] because of sound scientific proof.” “They didn’t have the science to support that claim, and I now know that when it comes to marijuana neither of those things are true,” wrote Gupta, citing patient cases including a 3-year-old whose seizures were dramatically reduced from 300 a week to three a month with medical marijuana’s help.
He adds that marijuana does not have a high potential for addiction compared to cocaine, or even cigarettes. Gupta is a faculty member in the department of neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and in 2009, reports suggested he was offered the post of Surgeon General by President Barack Obama. In the doctor’s new post, he did reference concerns about the drug. As a father, he worried about marijuana’s effects on the developing brain.
Recent research suggests marijuana may affect a teen’s IQ or raise risk for psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. He says he wouldn’t permit his own kids to try it until they are adults. Gupta also lamented on the challenges facing more research into medical marijuana for treating pain, including a stricter approval process that has to go through health agencies like the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
He pointed out tolerance is a real problem in existing medications: People are likely to overdose from a prescription drug every 19 minutes, but he couldn’t come across one case of a marijuana overdose. “We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, and I apologize for my own role in that,” said Gupta. Medical marijuana is currently legalized in 20 states and the District of Columbia: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington State. Illinois became the most recent state to approve a law Aug. 1, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.
Maryland also has a hospital-based medical marijuana program. Quantity limits and approved conditions vary by state, but can include chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS and cancer. A recent survey in the New England Journal of Medicine also indicated support for medical marijuana. When told about a hypothetical case of a 68-year-old woman with breast cancer that had spread to her lungs, chest and spine, 76 percent of doctors surveyed said they would favor the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. But support is not universal.
The prestigious Mayo Clinic has come out and said it does not support the use of medical marijuana for young people with chronic pain, citing a link to psychological disease and that people under 25 are more prone to become addicted. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg made headlines in June when he called medical marijuana one of the “great hoaxes of all time.” Recreational marijuana use is currently legalized in Colorado and Washington State, following the November 2012 elections.
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Heavy rain unleashes deadly US flooding
ST LOUIS (TIP): Torrential rains lashed the US midsection on augst 8, causing flash flooding that killed a woman and a child, damaged homes and forced multiple water rescues. Up to 10 inches (254 millimeters) of rain pounded Missouri overnight. A woman died in the far southwestern corner of the state where creek water washed over a highway, sweeping away her car. Authorities in the south-central Missouri town of Waynesville continued to search for 23-year-old Jessica D Lee, whose car was swept up in a flash flood early Tuesday.
The body of her 4-year-old son, Elyjah, was found Tuesday, hours after his mother made a distress call from her mobile phone. Flash flood warnings were common in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. And things could get worse: Heavy rain is in the forecast into the weekend. National Weather Service meteorologist Drew Albert in Springfield, Missouri, said the rain is the result of a storm front that has stalled over the plains.
Missouri has gotten the worst of it. Some gauges near Waynesville recorded 15 inches (380 millimeters) of rain in a two-day period. One-day totals of 6 inches (152 millimeters) or more were common across the width of the southern part of the state. Soggy south-central Kansas was under a flood warning after up to 6 inches (152 millimeters) of rain fell early Thursday in the center of the state. Since the storms began Sunday, hundreds of Kansas homes have been damaged, mostly by water in basements and sewage backups, said Megan Hammersmith, director of the Central Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
An estimated 10 inches (254 millimeters) of rain fell overnight in parts of Benton County, Ark, prompting the county to declare an emergency. Benton County Emergency Management director Robert McGowen said crews have performed 15 water rescues. More than three dozen roads and bridges were closed, but no injuries were reported. Heavy rain in Tennessee also triggered flash flooding that required several water rescues. Nashville firefighters waded into waist-deep water to lead residents of one apartment complex to higher ground.
