The Indian Panorama

Year: 2013

  • A Congressman’s Initiative To Track Sikh, Hindu Hate Crimes In The U.S.

    A Congressman’s Initiative To Track Sikh, Hindu Hate Crimes In The U.S.

    NEW YORK (TIP): Joe Crowley, the cochairman of Congressional group on India and Indian-Americans, the India Caucus, has come up with an initiative to track the hate crimes against Sikhs, Hindus and Arab Americans. He has asked the Department of Justice and the FBI to track these crimes and is also planning to send a letter to these departments, carrying the signatures of 40 Congressmen.

    “When you hear about Hindus targeted for wearing a ‘bindi’ or ’tilak’ or Sikh boys and men living in fear of attack simply because they wear a turban, it’s time to say enough is enough and take action. Groups from India aren’t the only ones targeted for their faith, but I can tell you the Indian- American community is deeply disturbed by what is going on,” Crowley said.

    “They want action, and they want it now. At the very least, they want the government to collect comprehensive data and respond to threats,” said Crowley who represents New York’s 14th Congressional District which is one of the most diverse communities in the United States. Stretching from Co-op City to Elmhurst, it includes some of the nation’s largest Korean-, Colombian- and Indian-American communities.

    Crowley has requested the help of his fellow congressmen to join in this initiative of sending the letter, since it is high time that such indiscrimination and crimes came to an end. “We would like to respectfully express our strong support for adding three new categories to the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) data collection mandate — anti-Sikh, anti-Hindu and anti-Arab hate crimes.

    Unfortunately, there is a specific, demonstrated need for hate crime data for each of these three categories,” said the letter on circulation. “We are in favor of such a move in part because many Congressional offices have heard from constituents and leaders in the Sikh, Hindu and Arab-American communities about their ongoing fear of being the victim of a hate crime,” it said.

    “This fear is a result of demonstrable and specific violent threats and attacks. For example, a man attempted to firebomb a Hindu Temple in New York on New Year’s Day, 2012. In December 2012, a Hindu man whose attacker said she hated Hindus and Muslims was shoved in front of an oncoming subway train, resulting in his death,” the letter said.

    The Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE) has expressed their willingness to be a part of the campaign and they have also requested the lawmakers, especially members of the India Caucus to sign the letter. “We would request Department of Justice( DOJ) to ask the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to begin collecting data on Hate Crime committed against Hindus, Sikhs and other minority communities of Indian origin,” said Sampat Shivangi, national president of the Forum.

    “IAFPE wants to reach the rest of US congress and US Senate to bring these issues in the forefront and to make the Indian American community to join these efforts in re-focusing our efforts on this burning and very unfortunate issue that we are confronting,” he said.

  • Pervez Musharraf To End His Self-Imposed Exile; To Return To Pakistan

    Pervez Musharraf To End His Self-Imposed Exile; To Return To Pakistan

    DUBAI (TIP): Former Pakistani President and military dictator Pervez Musharraf announced the end of his self-imposed exile on Friday and said he will return to Pakistan within one week after the formation of an interim government. Musharraf said that he would land in the Karachi, Islamabad or Rawalpindi and will face the cases in the courts. He said that his heart was “bleeding” for his country. “I am not going to Pakistan to create enemies.

    It’s time for reconciliation. For all those who love Pakistan, I would like to tell them that I am returning to Pakistan because I love Pakistan”. He also said “Religious terrorism is eating us from the inside. People are destroying Pakistan in the name of religion”. Since 2011, there has been repeated reports that Musharraf will return to Pakistan before the next national elections.

    He had himself said this in many of his media interactions. 69-year-old Musharraf had launched his own political party, the All Pakistan Muslim League, in June 2010. The former Presdient, who has been away from Pakistan since 2008 after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was elected into power with a coalition government, was speaking at a press conference here. Musharraf faces two court warrants for his arrest in connection with the 2006 death of Akbar Bugti and the 2007 assassination of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

  • International Media Lauds Ambassador Puri

    International Media Lauds Ambassador Puri

    NEW YORK (TIP): After a distinguished diplomatic career spanning 39 years, Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, hung up his gloves on February 28.

    Three days before demitting office, Ambassador Puri who always had cordial relations with the international media, invited them over for an evening of good byes.

    In his brief address, Ambassador Puri spoke of his happy experience with “media friends” and thanked them for their affection for him. A couple of media persons also spoke.

    The common refrain was that Ambassador Puri was a lovable person working with whom has always been a pleasure. He was lauded for his gentle ways and warmth of friendship for journalists.

    He was wished well and a toast was raised to his health and happiness.

  • MARTEL’s ‘LIFE OF PI’ BIG WINNER AT OSCARS

    MARTEL’s ‘LIFE OF PI’ BIG WINNER AT OSCARS

    LOS ANGELES (TIP): The film adapted from the novel written by a Saskatoon author was one of the big winners during Sunday’s Academy Awards. “Life of Pi,” written by Yann Martel, captured four Oscars, including best director for Ang Lee, as well as awards for original score, cinematography and visual effects. “Thank you movie God,” Lee said during his acceptance speech. “I need to thank Yann Martel for writing this incredible, inspiring book.” Ben Affleck’s film “Argo” won the best picture Oscar as well as awards for adapted screenplay and editing. Daniel Day-Lewis was chosen best actor for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in “Lincoln,” while Jennifer Lawrence took home the best actress prize best actress for playing a neurotic widow in the comedy “Silver Linings Playbook.” Anne Hathaway won for best supporting actress in the movie version of hit musical “Les Miserables” and Christoph Waltz nabbed the best supporting actor Oscar for his inimitable bounty hunter in “Django Unchained.”

  • 2013 OSCARS WINNERS LIST: ‘ARGO’ WINS BEST PICTURE AWARD

    2013 OSCARS WINNERS LIST: ‘ARGO’ WINS BEST PICTURE AWARD

    LOS ANGELES (TIP): The 85th Academy awards were conducted on Feb. 25, 2013. The night’s surprises included a tie for an award and an upset in Best Director category for Steven Spielberg. A performance by Adele on “Skyfall” song that won the ‘Best Original Song’ for both Adele and Paul Epworth. “Argo” won three Oscars including ‘Best Motion Picture’, ‘Best Achievement in Film Editing’ and ‘The Best Adapted Screenplay’ for Chris Terrio. The ‘Best Achievement in Directing’ was won by Ang Lee for “Life of Pi” upsetting Steven Spielberg.

    Spielberg’s “Lincoln” won two oscars ‘Achievement in Production Direction’ and ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role’ to Daniel Day-Lewis despite receiving 12 nominations this year. This was Lewis’s third win, a first in Oscar history. The ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role’ was given to Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook” who had slipped on stairs on her way to collect the award.

    Christoph Waltz won his second Oscar as Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” which also won ‘Best Original Screenplay’ for Tarantino.

    Anne Hathaway was unquestionably the ‘Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role’ for “Les Misérables”. The movie “Paperman” was given ‘Best Animated Short Film’ whereas Disney’s “Brave” was awarded ‘Best Animated Feature Film’. “Life of Pi” won ‘Best Achievement in cinematography’ for Claudio Miranda and ‘Achievement in Visual Effects’.

    Jacqueline Durran was awarded ‘Best Achievement in Costume Design’ for the movie “Anna Karenina”. The ‘Best Achievement in Makeup & Hairstyling’ went to “Les Misérables” which also won ‘Best Achievement in Sound Mixing’. The ‘Best Achievement in Sound Editing’ was a tie between “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Skyfall”. “Curfew” was awarded ‘Best Live- Action Short Film’ , “Inocente” as ‘Best Documentary Short Subject’ and “Searching for a Sugar Man” won ‘Best Documentary Feature’. “Amour” won the category of ‘Best Foreign-Language Film’. The ‘Best Original Score’ was awarded to “Life of Pi” for composer Mychael Danna

  • Smithsonian Launches Exhibition On Indian American Heritage

    Smithsonian Launches Exhibition On Indian American Heritage

    NEW YORK, NY (TIP): The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center officially launched its upcoming exhibition, “Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation” at the Indian Consulate in New York, February 28. The event also marked and honored the last day of Mr. Prabhu Dayal in his office as Consul General. TV Asia partners the exhibition, a Smithsonian initiative.

    Beyond Bollywood will portray the rich history of the immigrants from India and Indian Americans in the United States and highlight their significant contributions to America in diverse fields. The exhibition will contain an exhaustive collection of photographs, artifacts, videos, etc. by the means of which the many stories of the Indian American community will be told to the visitors. The focus of the exhibition will be to emphasize on the vibrant roles that the Indian American community has played in shaping and prospering its own growth. “We have created our own life here as immigrants and as Indian Americans.

    We shaped our own future and we created a home away from home. Therefore, this exhibition will celebrate the Indian community that embodies the American spirit,” said Konrad Ng, director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Demitting Consul General Prabhu Dayal also stressed on the importance of honoring the significance of this event and urged for a more united Indian American community. “Although we have achieved excellence in many diverse fields of careers, we need to only change a certain defection which is our disunity.

    I sincerely urge this wonderful and vibrant community to stand more united and help India realize its potential in an even greater magnitude,” added Mr. Dayal. Dr. Masum Momaya, Museum Curator, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center told The Indian Panorama that the exact dates of the exhibition will soon be announced and that she expects a groundswell support of the Indian American community for the Indian American heritage project. Dignitaries from both the Indian and American communities attended the event.

  • Meet The Next Mayor Of New York

    Meet The Next Mayor Of New York

    Energetic, dynamic, visionary, skilled and confident. These are a few words that best describe the New York City Comptroller John C. Liu. His decision to vie for a democratic ticket to contest for the mayoral elections does not surprise many. Most who know Mr. Liu know him as a highly confident man in New York. Even after embroiling in a scandal involving his campaign office accepting straw donors for funds, Mr. Liu stands strong to his decision of contesting for mayoral elections.

    Mr. Liu’s mainstay is the large immigrant community. Son of an immigrant, he has, over the years, espoused vigorously and conscientiously the cause of the immigrant communities from every part of the world. He has assisted the Indian community in an extraordinary fashion. From raising a potent voice in favor of the Sikhs being allowed to wear their religious symbols and the headgear at workplace to relentlessly working against the mindset of intolerance projected by many in the city including, the police, to voicing concern about discrimination at schools, Mr. Liu has surely earned the spot for being the better choice of immigrant communities to lead New York City. From Mike Bloomberg’s poor administration to the insinuating allegations about his campaigns, John C. Liu spoke openly and frankly to Indrajit Saluja Editor-in-Chief and correspondent Pooja Premchandran of the Indian Panorama.

    Q. So, Mr. Liu, when do we see you as Mayor of New York?
    January 2014, of course!

    Q. You always were a very confident man. Was it easy?
    Well, it’s not always easy. A lot of people try to take that confidence away. They tried to get me out in a lot of ways. But you have to keep faith in yourself. For us, 2013 is a big year and we are always going to move forward. Its all systems go!

    Q. How has your experience as the City Comptroller been so far?
    I have been the City Comptroller for a little more than three years now. It’s been a very rewarding time. You can do a lot of things as a City Comptroller. But I accomplished all the goals I set out to in 2009 and its 2013 now. The big race is up for grabs. It does not look like Mike Bloomberg will run for the fourth time! Yet (he laughs) you never know! So I am in this race now. But politics is never easy in New York. The last year and a half has especially been very stressful with allegations and insinuations thrown at me about my fundraising.

    Q. What actually went about with the fundraising?
    My fundraising is just like any other fundraising conducted by other campaigners. Except for maybe, Bloomberg. He has a lot of money and I don’t. So I have to raise funds like everybody else. Although I am different too, in the sense that I have higher standards. Unlike my other competitors, I do not accept contributions from people doing business with the city. Also, unlike all my predecessors in this post, I do not accept contributions from Wall Street. Now we have to wait until April for the ruling but you never know what happens. Anything can happen. Even the NY Times has called it an exhaustive investigation.

    Q. What is your campaign focusing on?
    The campaign mainly stressed about economy and how to recover from the downturn we are facing. Besides this we also focus on the public schools in New York city, building housing for the million more people who are going to come to New York city. These are some of the issues that we need to address immediately. I want to work on them beginning next year.

    Q. Can you explain in nutshell for our readers, what you would do if you are elected?
    The main thing is equal opportunities that I do not believe exist in New York City. We have some opportunities, but it’s not equal. We came to America to look for equal opportunities. If you look at the wealth gap, the rich are getting richer, the middle class is slowly disappearing and the poorer working class are being left behind. I also propose changes in our tax and fiscal policies so that we can narrow down this wealth distribution gap and give everyone an equal opportunity so that the next economic recovery benefits everybody and not just the wealthy. Also, I want to address the situation with our public schools. They have become much like corporate business divisions where headquarters is mandating different things in all its business units or ‘schools’. The schools have to send them all these statistics to show what they are doing and if the headquarters don’t like what they are doing, they close down the school or they merge schools. It does not provide great education to our students. It is an inconvenience and it provides so much tension. We have to restore the learning environment for the students of public school. Lastly, we also have to build housing. By 2030, we expect another million to live in New York. We have to build housing for them or it will cause dangerous crowding situations.

    Q. You have annoyed a lot of people with the recent Citi Time II case. What would you like to say to that?
    I get very upset at this. The mayor says we don’t have money to continue after school programs. We don’t have money for summer youth employments; we don’t have money to provide working parents with day care centers. Yet, the city wastes hundreds and thousands of dollars with these major corporations. Last week, I put out a report stating that Hewlett-Packard must repay our city $163 million. The week before, I reported that Maria Corporation got a very sweet deal from the city. But at this point, the city has the ability and the opportunity to reclaim $345 million. These are just two of the latest examples. I have nothing against these companies. But they owe this money to the taxpayers of New York City. I have called upon the Bloomberg administration urging them to do so. This is not the money that should have been given to these companies.

    Q. Is that just a recommendation to the administration or can that be mandatory?
    As a Comptroller, I can put out the reports and show them how they can do it. But I cannot compel the City Hall to act on it. Citi Time II was the biggest fiasco in the Bloomberg administration but the City Hall did not act on it. That project was supposed to cost just $63 million. But by the time I became Comptroller, the city had already paid $700 million. So I put a stop to any additional payment for that project and started an audit. Two years later, the prosecutors were able to revive $500 million from the project. The Bloomberg administration refused to do anything about it so we tried to put pressure on them to do something about it.

    Q. Depending on the pending ruling this April, do you have any different strategies for your campaigning before September?
    I was hoping that everything would be over by February. I am shocked. I am honestly shocked by all of this. My ethics bar has been higher than anybody. We raise funds and we report disclosures like any other campaigns. I was extremely shocked by all this. The latest surprise is that the proceedings that were supposed to end by February have been further pushed. So who is to say they wont push it to another two months. All this is really shocking for me. But I am proceeding no matter what because all this is very political. I wont let nasty politics get in my way of campaigning. No matter what.

    Q. There is widespread discrimination in the city. Be it discrimination mandated by police or against the Sikhs or other communities. What are your plans to address this?
    I have time and again addressed these issues and used my powers as much as I can although I am limited to exercise them in terms of such discrimination, including violence in school against the Sikh students. I have visited many educational institutions to address these issues and not sweep them under the rug like others do. Also, I talked about the police must not observe or put people under surveillance because of their religion. There shouldn’t be any reason why the Sikhs are deterred from serving for the New York City police department just because they are not allowed to wear their turbans and grow a beard. Other major cities have already started employing them.

    Q. It was your combined effort along with others that led MTA to allow the Sikhs to wear their turban and badge and serve the MTA?
    Yes. The ridiculous idea that you have to have an MTA logo on a turban is extremely offensive. So we got the MTA to change that. But this is just the start. We still don’t find many such agencies willing to recruit Sikhs. We have to change that. So, in 2014 when I am victorious, you will see that it will all change very fast.

    Q. You already have a lot of friends in the Sikh community?
    Yes, and I want more people to be involved. I want the community to be involved more heavily. I want more people to register to vote.

    Q. When is the last day to registration?
    I do not even want to answer that. I don’t want people to wait till the last day to register. You must register next week! There is no waiting until the last day. Do it right away.

    On behalf of The Indian Panorama and its readers we wish Mr. John Liu all the very best.

  • Aaradhya Gets Rs 54 Cr Gift

    Aaradhya Gets Rs 54 Cr Gift

    MUMBAI (TIP): The Bachchan toddler seems to have all the luck in the world. After her parents bought her a MINI Cooper, Aaradhya’s latest acquisition is located in Dubai and is a property worth Rs. 54 crore. Wonder what’s next on the list for this young ‘un. Her own private island perhaps?

  • Hagel Committed To Ties With India, Says Pentagon

    Hagel Committed To Ties With India, Says Pentagon

    WASHINGTON (TIP): As Chuck Hagel took over as Barack Obama’s new defense secretary amid a controversy over his comments on India’s role in Afghanistan, Pentagon – the US defense department headquarters – said that Hagel will work to strengthen ties to India. Hagel’s strong commitment to fostering a close defense relationship was reported Wednesday, February 27, by Washington Free Beacon, the rightwing online newspaper that had disclosed a video-recording of a speech Hagel made in 2011 about Indian aid to Afghanistan. “Secretary Hagel is strongly committed to the US strategic partnership with India and to fostering an even closer defense relationship with India that builds upon the work of Secretary (Leon) Panetta, Deputy Secretary (Ashton) Carter, and their Indian counterparts,” Free Beacon quoted Pentagon spokesperson George Little as saying. “Secretary Hagel looks forward to working closely with Indian national security and defense officials,” Little told the newspaper that had dug out the controversial comments during Hagel’s contentious confirmation hearings with his former Republicans attacking him for his positions on Israel and Iran.

    In his previously unreleased 2011speech, Hagel had said: “India for some time has always used Afghanistan as a second front, and India has over the years financed problems for Pakistan on that side of the border. “And you can carry that into many dimensions, the point being (that) the tense, fragmented relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been there for many, many years.” The remarks raised a furor in New Delhi. However, in a calibrated response to the Free Beacon, the India Embassy said that Hagel’s 2011 remarks were not grounded in “reality.” “Such comments attributed to Sen.

    Hagel, who has been a long-standing friend of India and a prominent votary of close India-US relations, are contrary to the reality of India’s unbounded dedication to the welfare of the Afghan people,” the embassy spokesperson said in an email to the newspaper. “India’s commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan is unwavering, and this is reflected in our significant assistance to Afghanistan in developing its economy, infrastructure, and institutional capacities,” the spokesperson said. “Our opposition to terrorism and its safe havens in our neighborhood is firm and unshakeable.” The existence of the video of Hagel’s speech at Cameron University in Oklahoma was disclosed by the online newspaper hours before the decorated Vietnam veteran was confirmed by the Senate after weeks of severe criticism from former Republican colleagues. The former Republican senator from Nebraska, who won two Purple Hearts for his bravery as a soldier during the Vietnam War, was accused of being critical of Israel and weak on Iran’s alleged nuclear weapon ambitions.

  • Another Jewel In The Crown Of The Indian Consulate

    Another Jewel In The Crown Of The Indian Consulate

    NEW YORK (TIP): Bank of India sponsored a concert in the ornate ball room of the Indian Consulate here February 24, by Varsha Joshi, a well known singer in the Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The event was yet another jewel in the crown of the Indian Consulate.

    Mr. B.B. Joshi, C.E. of the bank welcomed guests and introduced the artist of the evening Varsha Joshi who was accompanied by a male singer and her DJ husband. Consul General Mr. Prabhu Dayal spoke highly of Varsha’s musical talent and hoped the gathering would enjoy the evening.

    He took the opportunity to thank his colleagues and invited them over to the stage and had the gathering applaud them. The artists regaled the audience with the magic of their musical cadence that seemed to be unending for over two hours.

    The 24th February concert was the last musical event for Dayals in the Consulate, as Mr. Dayal was to retire in the next four days.

  • Sherlyn Clears Differences With Her Kamasutra Director

    Sherlyn Clears Differences With Her Kamasutra Director

    Sherlyn Chopra, known for her bold and sexy image, was in the news after she uploaded the promo of her film, ‘Kamasutra 3D’, without consulting the Hollywood producers. Consequently, buzz had it that director Rupesh Paul was upset with her as she had violated the terms of the agreement and that he was planning to replace her with a Hollywood actress. However, now all seems to be well between Sherlyn and the filmmaker.

    They’re scheduled to start shooting in Rajasthan in March. Rupesh says the video was like a screen test and wasn’t meant for public viewing. “Sherlyn came to my hotel room to take it saying she just wanted to copy it on her phone and she wouldn’t share it. Kamasutra 3D is a Hollywood production and they’re strict about their terms and conditions.

    I had declined when they requested me for the video. Later, they got it from the video-sharing site.” Confirming that they’ve now sorted out their differences, he says, “Sherlyn has assured me in writing that going forward she will not do or say anything to promote the film without the prior consent of the producers.”

  • Chidambaram’s Appeal: Don’t Buy So Much Gold

    Chidambaram’s Appeal: Don’t Buy So Much Gold

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Finance Minister P. Chidambaram appealed to people not to buy so much gold as a way of reducing hefty imports, speaking on television a day after his 2013/14 budget surprised traders by keeping gold import duty unchanged at 6 percent. But Chidambaram, who is trying to rein in imports by the world’s biggest bullion buyer to curb a record current account deficit, told CNBC television on Friday the duty was not yet high enough to increase smuggling.

    “I’m hoping that the people of India will heed my appeal and will not demand so much gold,” Chidambaram said. Traders had expected a rise in duty to 8 percent in the budget after a 50 percent hike on January 21 from 4 percent was neutralised by falling global prices. Chidambaram said on Friday the higher import duty had “brought down gold imports to some extent.” But, traders said buying actually picked up after a more than 2 percent drop in prices triggered by a strong dollar.

    “After the import duty, prices went down by 3,000 rupees and that spurred buying,” said Kumar Jain, vice-president of the 12,000-member Mumbai Jewellers Association. Indians, for centuries obsessed with gold as a mark of wealth and investment, imported 860 tonnes of gold in 2012, down just 11 percent on a year earlier despite record high prices in the second half. Raising duty too much risks encouraging illegal imports of gold but Chidambaram said he did not think taxes were high enough for that yet.

    “There is a point at which more duties will only tempt people to indulge in more smuggling. I don’t think we have reached that point yet,” he added. Gold is second only to essential crude oil in the import bill of Asia’s third-largest economy, with coal and edible oils also costly items. Chidambaram said ways to tackle the current account deficit, which hit 5.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the July to September quarter, were by encouraging domestic production and boosting exports.

  • Jacqueline Fernandez Doing Item Number With Prabhu Deva

    Jacqueline Fernandez Doing Item Number With Prabhu Deva

    Actress Jacqueline Fernandez is the latest actress in Bollywood to shake a leg with ace choreographer Prabhu Deva for an item song in his upcoming directorial venture. Earlier, Sonakshi Sinha did an item number ‘Go Go Govinda’ with Prabhu Deva in ‘Oh My God’, Kareena Kapoor and Akshay Kumar did the ‘Chinta Ta Chita Chita’ song in ‘Rowdy Rathore’, Salman Khan and Govinda danced with him in ‘Jalwa’ from ‘Wanted’ and even Madhuri Dixit shook a leg with him in ‘Que Sera Sera’ song from ‘Pukar’.

    Now, for Prabhu Deva’s next directorial venture ‘Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya’, Jacqueline will be doing a song titled – ‘Jaadu Ki Jhappi De De Tu Abhi’. “We have Prabhu Deva, Jacqueline and Girish (leading hero of the film) doing a special song ‘Jaadu Ki Jhappi De De Tu Abhi’. It is a travel song but not like ‘Chaiyyan Chaiyyan’, it is very different,” producer Kumar Taurani told .

    Taurani will be launching his son Girish as an actor with ‘Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya’. The song has been shot in Punjab. “The song is very much a part of the film. It has not been added for promotional reasons. The boy (Girish) goes from city to village in search of his love, this is where the song appears in the film,” Taurani said.

  • Movie Review-Kai Po Che!

    Movie Review-Kai Po Che!

    Cast: Raj Kumar, Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh, Amrita Puri
    Direction: Abhishek Kapoor
    Genre: Drama
    Duration: 2 hours 6 minutes

    STORY: Three close friends – Govind, Ishaan and Omi — seem inseparable. But can they overcome the odds to stay together for life?

    Movie Review: Welcome to another sensitive and superlative friendship film. Like other memorable cinema in this category, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Rang De Basanti(2006), Rock On!! (from the same director, Abhishek Kapoor, in 2008) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), Kai Po Che, too, is a story of male bonding in the time of the devastating Gujarat earthquake and the disturbing Godhra riots. Based on Chetan Bhagat’s The 3 Mistakes of My Life, in his second outing,Abhishek Kapoor raises the bar by giving us a thoroughly enjoyable film that showcases the strong emotions between the three protagonists who are boisterous, ballistic and at times plain bored. The film captures their trials and tribulations in the post-college, pre-what-career-to-pursue period.

    They have two passions — cricket and their camaraderie. And two of them (Ishaan and Omi) also have concerned parents who want them to find direction quickly. They find temporary succour when they turn their passion for the sport into a business venture; opening a store selling sports equipment.

    The rebellious Ishaan (whose raison d’etre is cricket) sobers down a bit as he lands an opportunity to impart cricket coaching to the neighbourhood Muslim boy, Ali. But the screenplay gathers momentum when tragedy strikes in the form of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2002 Godhra riots.

    Both these calamities expose the chinks in the armour of the friendship between the boys. They also throw open the can of worms that brought to light the tainted Hindu-Muslim hatred, one of the darkest chapters in the history of Gujarat.

    There is also a nicely handled romantic track between Amrita Puri (Vidya) and Govind that adds a lovely touch to the proceedings. The performances of the three boys – – Sushant Singh Rajput (Ishaan), Raj Kumar Yadav (Govind) and Amit Sadh (Omi) — are the finest one has seen. A special mention for Sushant who has the best role and manages to do full justice to it. Amrita Puri is very likeable. Amit Trivedi’s music is soulful, leaving you mesmerised.

    Despite the disturbing backdrop of death, destruction and politics, Kai Po Che is very likeable. Between tears, you find yourself smiling, because it’s the story of friendship and human triumph above all else.

  • Lohan To Star In Anger Management

    Lohan To Star In Anger Management

    Lindsay Lohan is set to star in “Anger Management” and she will play herself in the show. In the show, she becomes a patient of Charlie Sheen’s therapist character and begins a romantic relationship with him, reports femalefirst.co.uk. The episode will be aired in April. Sheen, 47, and Lohan have been close since they worked together in “Scary Movie 5”. “They offered me a decent amount of cash to do ‘Scary Five’ as a cameo.

    Then they said they are going to hire Lindsay. I thought fabulous,” said Sheen who gave Lohan $100,000 to clear her debts. He believes Lohan, 26, is smart and is confident that she will overcome her troubles. “She is terrific, I mean she’s going through a lot of stuff,” he said.

  • Pension Funds Investing $500 Million In Sandy Redevelopment: NYC Comptroller Liu

    Pension Funds Investing $500 Million In Sandy Redevelopment: NYC Comptroller Liu

    NEW YORK (TIP): N.Y City Comptroller John C. Liu, March 1, announced that four of the five New York City pension funds have voted to invest $500 million in residential and commercial real estate, focused in areas affected by Superstorm Sandy. With leverage, it is anticipated that this will result in a $1.5 billion capital infusion for potentially 3,000 units of housing and 150,000 to 200,000 square feet of commercial space. The investment is pending approval tomorrow by the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund.

    “The $1.5 billion rebuilding program will become the bricks and mortar neighborhoods need to rebuild from Sandy’s wrath,” Comptroller Liu said. “This investment demonstrates the steadfast commitment of City employees and retirees to pursue opportunities that are not only expected to deliver strong returns, but also to generate collateral benefits for the communities they call home.”

    Comptroller Liu’s Bureau of Asset Management (BAM) has worked aggressively and quickly in the few months since Sandy to bring together the Pension Funds’ capital and local real estate developers to assist in rebuilding stricken neighborhoods. “Comptroller Liu and the BAM staff have crafted a much-needed investment program that will help the City recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy and provide solid risk-adjusted returns for the Funds. I believe this program will prove to be a great benefit for thousands of City residents affected by Sandy,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

    “I am pleased to vote in support of investing NYCERS pension funds to rebuild New York City neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Sandy,” said District Council 37 Executive Director and NYCERS trustee Lillian Roberts. “Our members’ hard-earned retirement money, and that of our fellow union brothers and sisters, will rebuild 3,000 units of affordable housing, and create new and refurbished commercial space. This will create hundreds of jobs during the construction phase and in long-term employment in businesses that will locate to this space. I wish to commend my fellow trustees for voting yes to this plan and thank Comptroller Liu and his team for putting it together so quickly.”

    Sandy Rebuilding Program
    The New York City Pension Funds’ $500 million investment will provide the needed equity for the projects, which are expected to utilize approximately $1 billion of additional loans toward the total $1.5 billion in Sandy-related building projects. The projects will take shape in the coming months as the money is invested in repairs and construction over the next three years. The housing restored and rebuilt by the Funds’ investment will be predominantly affordable and the projects selected will be concentrated in the outer boroughs.

    The investments will be made by two newly formed partnerships with Related Companies and the Hudson Companies Incorporated, which the Funds will provide with $300 million and $200 million respectively. The Funds are expected earn a risk-adjusted market rate of return on the investments. The Related investment program will focus on the renovation and reconstruction of housing that was damaged or destroyed by Sandy. The company will use the Funds’ investment in the City’s outer boroughs and low-lying areas of Manhattan.

    Related will also invest across NYC in multi-family housing in order to increase the overall availability of housing units to NYC residents displaced by Superstorm Sandy, with a priority on rental units. The investment will additionally create a loan program to offer property owners who face shortfalls from insurance proceeds, with funds to restore properties to full function. Related will invest $10 million of its own funds into the overall program. Hudson will receive $200 million, 80 percent of which will create affordable and market-rate housing in coastal areas zoned A, B, and C that were impacted by Sandy.

    Hudson will acquire properties in need of repair and retrofitting. Part of the money will be used to develop properties that incorporate green and flood-prevention design technologies. Another portion of the funds will go toward retail properties. Hudson will invest an additional $8 million into the projects. Related Companies is headquartered in New York City and has experience in development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing, and sales. Related has an existing portfolio of real estate assets valued at over $15 billion.

    Over 40 years, Related has demonstrated a commitment to the preservation of affordable housing. The Hudson Companies Incorporated, which is also based in New York City, is experienced in new construction, building rehabilitation, and development, including “green” building and rehabilitation of historic properties. The firm’s residential developments span the luxury, middle-income, and subsidized affordable housing markets. New York City Comptroller John C.

    Liu serves as the investment advisor , custodian, and trustee of the New York City Pension Funds. The New York City Pension Funds are composed of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System, New York City Police Pension Fund, New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, and the Board of Education Retirement System. In addition to Comptroller Liu, the New York City Pension Funds’ trustees are: New York City Employees’ Retirement System: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative (Chair); New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio; Borough Presidents: Scott Stringer (Manhattan), Helen Marshall (Queens), Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn), James Molinaro (Staten Island), and Ruben Diaz, Jr. (Bronx); Lillian Roberts, Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME; John Samuelsen, President Transport Workers Union Local 100; Gregory Floyd, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237.

    Teachers’ Retirement System: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm, New York City Department of Education; and Sandra March, Melvyn Aaronson (Chair) and Mona Romain, all of the United Federation of Teachers. New York City Police Pension Fund: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; New York City Finance Commissioner David Frankel; New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly (Chair); Patrick Lynch, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association; Michael Palladino, Detectives Endowment Association; Edward D. Mullins, Sergeants Benevolent Association; Louis Turco, Lieutenants Benevolent Association; and, Roy T. Richter, Captains Endowment Association.

    New York City Fire Department Pension Fund: Janice Emery, Mayor’s Representative; New York City Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano (Chair); New York City Finance Commissioner David Frankel; Stephen Cassidy, President, James Slevin, Vice President, Robert Straub, Treasurer, and John Kelly, Brooklyn Representative and Chair, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York; John Dunne, Captains’ Rep.; James Lemonda, Chiefs’ Rep., and James J. McGowan, Lieutenants’ Rep., Uniformed Fire Officers Association; and, Sean O’Connor, Marine Engineers Association.

    Board of Education Retirement System: Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott; Mayoral: Rosemarie Maldonado, Jeanette Moy, Ian Shapiro, Tino Hernandez, Judy Bergtraum, Freida Foster, Allison Rogovin, and Milton Williams; Patrick Sullivan (Manhattan BP), Kelvin Diamond (Brooklyn BP), Dmytro Fedkowskyj (Queens BP), Robert Powell (Bronx BP) and Diane Peruggia (Staten Island BP); and employee members Joseph D’Amico of the IUOE Local 891 and Milagros Rodriguez of District Council 37, Local 372.

  • Stacy Keibler Loves Clooney’s Beard

    Stacy Keibler Loves Clooney’s Beard

    Actress Stacy Keibler, who has been dating actor George Clooney, loves his thick beard. When asked what she thought about his facial hair, Keibler told eonilne.com: “I love it.” The 33-year-old former wrestler has been dating Clooney since July 2011.

    After spending last summer together in Clooney’s home in Lake Como, Italy, she moved into his bachelor pad here. “She’s 100 percent moved in with him, she spends her summers at Lake Como in Italy and all her stuff is at his place in Los Angeles,” said a source. “While she maintains a small rent controlled apartment in West Hollywood, she uses it as a storage space for mementos and personal items. All her clothes are at George’s and she never goes home,” added the source. Clooney, 51, reportedly believes she is the perfect woman for him because she isn’t clingy like his past girlfriends. “Stacy is his dream woman. She doesn’t call to check in. He calls her more than she calls him,” said the source.

  • Florida Man Swallowed By Sinkhole Under Bedroom

    Florida Man Swallowed By Sinkhole Under Bedroom

    SEFFNER, FLORIDA (TIP): In a matter of seconds, the earth opened under Jeff Bush’s Florida bedroom and swallowed him up like something out of a horror movie. About the only thing left was the TV cable running down into the hole. Bush, 37, was presumed dead March 1, the victim of a sinkhole a hazard so common in Florida that state law requires home insurers to provide coverage against the danger.

    The sinkhole, estimated at 20 feet (6 meters) across and 20 feet deep, caused the home’s concrete floor to cave in Thursday as everyone in the Tampa-area house was turning in for the night. It gave way with a loud crash that sounded like a car hitting the house and brought Bush’s brother running. Jeremy Bush said he jumped into the hole but couldn’t see his brother and had to be rescued himself by a sheriff’s deputy who reached out and pulled him to safety as the ground crumbled around him.

    “The floor was still giving in and the dirt was still going down, but I didn’t care. I wanted to save my brother,” Jeremy Bush said through tears Friday in a neighbor’s yard. “But I just couldn’t do nothing.” He added, “I could swear I heard him hollering my name to help him.” Officials lowered equipment into the sinkhole and saw no signs of life, said Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Jessica Damico. A dresser and the TV set had vanished down the hole, along with most of Bush’s bed.

    “All I could see was the cable wire running from the TV going down into the hole. I saw a corner of the bed and a corner of the box spring and the frame of the bed,” Jeremy Bush said. At a news conference Friday night, county administrator Mike Merrill described the home as “seriously unstable.” He said no one can go in the home because officials were afraid of another collapse and losing more lives.

    The soil around the home was very soft and the sinkhole was expected to grow. Engineers said they may have to demolish the small, sky-blue house, even though from the outside there appeared to be nothing wrong with the four-bedroom, concrete-wall structure, built in 1974. Florida is highly prone to sinkholes because there are caverns below ground of limestone, a porous rock that easily dissolves in water. A sinkhole near Orlando grew to 400 feet (122 meters) across in 1981 and devoured five sports cars, most of two businesses, a threebedroom house and the deep end of an Olympic-size swimming pool.

  • Movie Review-Silver Linings Playbook

    Movie Review-Silver Linings Playbook

    Cast: Megan Charpentier, Jessica Chastain, Isabelle Nélisse, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
    Direction: Andrés Muschietti
    Genre: Horror
    Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

    STORY:     Pat’s bipolar and wife Nikki leaves him. His one aim is getting Nikki back – when he meets depressive Tiffany. Who falls ‘madly’ in love?

    Movie Review: Straight up, Silver Linings Playbook (SLP) is a lovely movie with a heart of caramel – and an occasionally brilliant mind. Teacher Patrick Solatano’s (Cooper) wife Nikki has a superiority complex – and an affair. Pat attacks her lover, Nikki leaves, Pat’s diagnosed with bipolar disorder and put into a facility. Eight months later, his mum Dolores (Weaver) has him discharged on condition he’ll stay with her and dad Pat Sr. (De Niro) – and away from Nikki. Optimist Pat’s one aim is getting better, so Nikki will take him back.

    But he meets depressive Tiffany (Lawrence), whose grief at losing her husband turns her briefly to compulsive sex, helping whom – by partnering together for a dance competition – might help Pat win Nikki back. But first, Pat must deal with his obsessivecompulsive father, friend Danny (Tucker) whose mental health status isn’t quite certain, therapist Dr. Patel (Kher) who plays the one song that triggers Pat’s rage – and his own increasingly crazy feelings for Tiffany.

    The acting simply shines – Cooper is magnificent as handsome oddball Pat, struggling to keep it sane, while Lawrence is a treat, her sadness-tinged sexiness like a modern Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Others deliver too, De Niro superbly superstitious about TV remotes during football games, Weaver strong as silk as a supportive mom, Tucker hilariously urging Pat and Tiffany to “black up” their dancing, Kher calmly noting, “That’s very, very manic indeed.” The story’s endearingly intelligent – “I apologize on behalf of Ernest Hemmingway!” yells Pat breaking a window, outraged by a novel’s sad ending – perfumed by quirky, unconventional romance, celebrating a love for life that hurts and heals together. There are tiny quibbles – it could’ve had a tangent less – but at the end, you’re left with pure silver lining and no cloud.

  • Home Remedies To Cure Dark Circles

    Home Remedies To Cure Dark Circles

    Try these simple natural home remedies to get rid of that oh-so-exhausted look on your face. Dark circles are a common problem not only amongst hassled housewives but also anyone with hectic work schedules and erratic sleep hours

    They are not a very grave problem but can make you look much older than you already are. And in today’s age where the market is being flooded with anti-ageing, skin lightening creams, it is a considered almost a fashion crime to sport dark circles.

    Here are some natural home remedies to help to get rid of those ghastly-looking dark circles:

    1) Grate some raw potato and soak a cotton ball in the potato juice. Close your eyes and place these cotton balls on your eyes. Make sure they cover the dark circles under your eyes as well as the eyelids. Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water.

    2)Applying a mixture of a teaspoon of tomato and lime juice, twice a day will help in reducing the dark circles.

    3) Drink a glass of tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and salt. Drinking this twice a day is another remedy.

    4)Prepare a paste of four to five almonds with some milk. Apply this paste over the affected area and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. This will lighten the skin around the eyes.

    5)A mixture of a few teaspoons of fresh pineapple juice along with a pinch of turmeric powder, when applied on the dark circles regularly will help clear them.

    6) Every night before sleeping, apply creams containing vitamin E and C around the eyes.

    7)Crush some mint leaves and apply them around the eyes. Doing this will also provide a cooling effect on tired eyes.

  • Marital Problems That Lead To Divorce

    Marital Problems That Lead To Divorce

    A divorce coach has revealed the problems that lead a couple to split. Micky Wade said that an affair is thought to be the most common insurmountable problem in a marriage, but it is more often a symptom of underlying issues in the relationship, the Huffington Post reported.

    The marital problems that lead to divorce are:
    One problem is that a partner feels like the parent of the other because he or she believes the other is immature, irresponsible, untrustworthy or selfish, the marital dynamics eventually crumbles and destroys intimacy and sexual attraction for both people. Domestic abuse is the most extreme version of this inability to be partners.

    Secondly, when marital problems are not resolved to the satisfaction of the couple, resentment builds, which erodes relationship of any kind. Bickering is a symptom of resentment and is toxic, needing to be right makes communication impossible and puts the other partner on the defensive.

    Thirdly, everyone has a degree of narcissism, which becomes a problem when one or both partners are unable to empathize with and support the other. If one partner carries the financial weight and the other is taking care of children at home, there may be no true understanding of the other’s contribution and both think the other has it easier. If this continues, neither person feels supported or understood. It can become a continuous dynamic that will kill intimacy and eventually, the relationship.

    Fourthly, when a partner has a problem with addiction, the main focus of the addict is obtaining and consuming drug of their choice – rather than on the marriage and family.

    A person could appear quite successful to others outside the home but privately, an addict calms feelings of anxiety, emotional pain, dread, shame or PTSD with drugs, alcohol or a compulsive behavior, masking the need for mature problem-solving and the issues remain unresolved.

  • Indian American Community Bids

    Indian American Community Bids

    NEW YORK (TIP): A man who has been deeply loved and admired for his gentle and polite ways and for his readiness to help the Indian American community, Ambassador Prabhu Dayal hung up his gloves, February 28, 2013. If the community held him in respect and loved him, Mr. Dayal too has had great admiration and affection for it. In his most recent and exclusive interview to The Indian Panorama, February 15, he spoke highly of New York and the Indian American community. He said, ” New York is the center of the Universe.

    Although I have served in many other places, I would say the stint in New York is different because of the sheer bunch of activities here. I enjoyed every single moment. I wouldn’t say I had any lows. Of course there was the court case which was filed by my former domestic assistant which gave me a certain amount of stress. But that is happily now out of the way. That has been settled. As far as my highs, I had several many because New York is the best. East or West, New York is the best.

    I really enjoyed my posting here. Particularly for the fact that I came to such close contact with some of the most distinguished members of the Indo-American community. And the Indian American community of New York is very vibrant. It is a bridge of friendship with India and the United States of America. This is the high point, so to say as I had the opportunity to serve such a vibrant community.” Mr. Dayal who was born in 1953 and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science from Allahabad University had joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1976. During the last 37 years, he held a number of foreign assignments.

    But his refrain has been “East or West, New York is the best”. No wonder then that he chose to move, after his retirement, to a place in New Jersey which is quite close to New York. As for his future plans, he said in the same interview, ” I haven’t really decided to do with the remaining part of my life. There are a million ideas in my mind, but there aren’t any clear agendas.

    For the near future, maybe play golf, meet and greet our family in India; that would be the uppermost priority.” The community showered on him much affection which was evident from a spate of farewell parties that started a month before he was to retire. Some of the parties are being described below. Know his feelings for the community from the Urdu couplet that he liked so much to recite: “Fakirana Aaye Sada Kar Chale , Miyan Khush Raho Hum Dua Kar Chale”. Khush Raho, jahaan bhi raho, Mr. Dayal.

  • Paint Them Eggs For Chic Interiors

    Paint Them Eggs For Chic Interiors

    The art of egg painting and decoration has been around for a while.With a little paint and creativity you can turn your egg into a fun decoration.

    1. First step is to drain the egg. Hold it over a bowl and make two small holes in it. Poke a pin into it to break the yoke and now allow the insides to flow out.

    2. Dry the egg. Once done, heat the oven and place them in a baking sheet and allow them to bake for about half an hour on low heat. It does not matter if they are discolored; remember they will be getting a fresh coat of paint.

    3. Now, plug the holes with light cement or plaster of Paris.

    4. To start painting, first go over the eggs with a coat of white acrylic primer. Always use acrylic paint as it adheres to the shell better. Leave overnight to dry.

    5. The next day, paint the design of your choice on your egg. You can do plant patterns, zig-zags and names.

    Tip: To make a spray-painted one, hold an egg over butter paper. Dip a brush in paint and run your thumb through its bristles to spray paint the egg. Leave it to dry.

  • Pak Paranoid About Closer Afghan-India Ties: US General

    Pak Paranoid About Closer Afghan-India Ties: US General

    WASHINGTON (TIP): A retired American General has expressed the view that the United States is “diplomatically paralyzed” in dealing effectively with Pakistan on the issue of Afghanistan’s future since Islamabad remains paranoid about closer Afghan-India relations. Further, Pakistan has always hedged its bet with the Taliban as it reckons that it may have to deal with them again in the future, General John M Keane told a Congressional hearing on the “Transition in Afghanistan: View of outside experts”.

    Stating that American interests in Afghanistan conflict with those of Pakistan, Gen Keane said: “That’s why they (Pakistan) have always hedged their bet with the Taliban, so to speak, because they believe they may have in fact to deal with them again.” He also pointed out that the Pakistan is very concerned about the Karzai Government and what it perceives to be its “closer relationship” with India. That, in fact, is the “paranoia that the Pakistanis have always suffered from”, he added.

    As the US is rapidly moving towards its critical milestone of withdrawal of its troops by the end of 2014, Gen Keane, who has conducted several military assessments in Afghanistan, said much of the future is dependent on the success of 2014. “After almost twelve years of war in Afghanistan the central issue for me is how do we best manage the risk? How do we avoid squandering the gains that we have made in Afghanistan?” said Keane, who also voiced disappointment that US force levels in 2014 will be so low that they will have negligible impact on the security of the next Afghan elections.

    He advocated priority targeting of the Taliban and Haqqani leaders in their sanctuaries in Pakistan, noting: “Once systematic targeting commences, the sanctuary will cease to exist as we currently know it; a place where strategy, training, operational oversight, intelligence and logistics is executed, routinely, in safe haven. These functions will suffer significantly which will positively impact operations in the East. Additionally, it will be a huge morale boost for the ANSF (Afghanistan National Security Forces).”

  • Ambassador Nirupama Rao And Congressman Ted Poe Discuss Positive Developments In India-U.S. Relations

    Ambassador Nirupama Rao And Congressman Ted Poe Discuss Positive Developments In India-U.S. Relations

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Ambassador Nirupama Rao met Congressman Ted Poe from Texas on February 28, 2013 at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Congressman Ted Poe is serving his 5th term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District of Texas. He holds a number of important committee assignments in the Congress. He sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he is the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, as well as a Member of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats.

    Congressman Poe is also a Member of the Committee on the Judiciary, where he is the Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security. Ambassador Rao and Congressman Poe discussed the recent positive developments in India-U.S. relations, including cooperation in counterterrorism. Underscoring the shared values and interests of the two countries, Congressman Poe expressed confidence in the future of the India- U.S. strategic partnership. He fondly recalled his visit to India in September 2012, which he described as “very educational”.

    He agreed with Ambassador Rao that sectors like education, health and energy had emerged as important pillars of this multi-faceted partnership. Ambassador Rao noted that Governors of a number of U.S. states were now visiting India to explore new opportunities for closer cooperation, reflecting the widening base and the depth of the India-U.S. partnership. They also exchanged views on the regional situation in South Asia. Congressman Poe said that the U.S. looked upon India as an anchor of stability in the region and as an important partner in promoting regional and global peace, security and development.