Nargis Fakhri was recently invited to judge the finale of a college festival dance competition. The actress, who will be seen matching steps with Shahid Kapoor for an item song in his next, even got onto stage and danced with a few of the contestants. However, it was what followed that made it a memorable experience for some of the students. A group of fans had created a scrapbook with their favourite pictures and interviews of Nargis that they gifted to her while she was leaving the competition. As the crowd was getting unruly, Nargis was whisked away into her car by her security and had to leave abruptly. So she asked those students to drive with her to a studio where she was scheduled to shoot. They got a chance to talk to her on the ride to the studio, post which Nargis had her car drop them back to the campus.
Year: 2013
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PRIYANKA WANTS TO PLAY A ‘BAHU’
Actress Priyanka Chopra, who is busy hopping from one TV show to another to promote her forthcoming film ‘Zanjeer’, says she would love to become a ‘bahu’ (daughterin- law) in a daily soap someday. “I would love to play a TV bahu. The most special thing about TV bahus is that when they go to sleep they look beautiful and when they wake up that time also they look beautiful,” quipped the 31-year-old. “Besides, they are loaded with jewellery all the time. So why wouldn’t I want to be a bahu of that kind,” added the actress. Priyanka was on the sets here with her Zanjeer co-star Ram Charan Teja. The actress admitted she doesn’t watch TV serials but she stays updated about every show thanks to her mother and grandmother. “There are a lot of daily soap fans in my home. My grandmother, my mother, everyone watches them together. In the evening, it gets tough to talk to them at the dining table. “They know the story of every TV serial and I also get to know about them because of them as they tell me everything during dinner time,” she said.
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Satyagraha
REVIEW: There’s a shot in Satyagraha – a rainbow glimmering for a second between jets of water pounding protestors – which typifies this film. Vibrantly layered, Satyagraha weaves together urban legends of corruption, encompassing corporate lobbyists to murdered engineers. It features slices of histories, Chauri Chaura, Mandal, Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Andolan. It takes a real issue – corruption – to reel life, movingly fusing fact with fiction, leading to a security guard accompanying a politico at its screening to sing out aloud, “Aam aadmi kitna aam, Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram…” Retired teacher Dwarka Anand (Bachchan) is an idealistic man. His engineer son Akhilesh’s buddy Manav (Devgn) is an ambitious capitalist. Manav cherishes his friend – who suddenly dies. Minister Balram Singh (Bajpai) announces compensation which Akhilesh’s wife Sumitra (Rao) cannot get despite daily applications before government babus. Incensed, Dwarka slaps an arrogant official and gets imprisoned. Manav starts a campaign to free him, using social media, roping in wannabe-bahubali Arjun Singh (Rampal) and journalist Yasmin (Kapoor).
As hopeful students, hungry labourers and angry middle class citizens join, politicians panic. Will their moves derail the movement? Devgn is Satyagraha’s strong body while Amitabh – gaunt in grief, moving in fortitude – is its soul. And Bajpai is its glittering, malevolent cloak, delivering a satiny performance hair-raising in its perfection. Bachchan voices the movie’s philosophy – “Janta sarkaar ki malik hai. Malik nirdesh deta hai. Maang nahin karta.” But what is the best way to give such nirdesh? Symbolic protest? Violent revolt? Or a longer, harder route? Satyagraha grapples with this dilemma. More philosophical than fiery, it adorns reality with gloss and loss. Dwarka touching the earth where his son fell brings tears while Prasoon Joshi’s wonderful lyrics – “Uthkar karne hain kuch kaam, Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” – bring hope. Satyagraha deserves an extra half-star for capturing corruption from root to branch – a government babu complains, “Yahan toh table ka bhi bhaada dena padta hai”. Showing true Satyagraha has no short-cuts, it also shows solutions glimmering ahead, as ephemeral, yet powerful as a rainbow cleansing the dust.
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KIM KARDASHIAN GOES BLONDE
Socialite and reality TV star Kim Kardashian has coloured her brunette locks blonde. The 32-year-old flaunted the new look at a friend’s Labour Day party in Beverly Hills here. Kim, who gave birth to her first child, daughter North, with rapperboyfriend Kanye West, was seen taking her baby in a carrier with sister Kourtney following closely behind. She was wearing an olive green button-down shirt, a pair of skinny jeans and nude-coloured sandals. Kim also perfectly highlighted her new lighter locks with a thick gold chain around her neck.
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ALYSSA MILANO RELEASES SEX TAPE TO DRAW ATTENTION
In an attempt to draw attention to the current situation of Syria, Alyssa Milano has released her very own “sex tape” that holds a special message, regarding the war-torn country, for the viewers on FunnyorDie.com. In the new clip, which was released on Wednesday, the 40-year-old actress can be seen vacationing in Cabo with a handsome fellow when she strips down to her under garments, Us magazine reported. The footage then shows the ‘Who’s the Boss’ star crawling into a bed, covered in rose petals, after setting up a video camera that gets turned around to face a TV before any of the action can be caught on it. The skit then draws attention to a special news report on the crisis in Syria. Milano, who has actively tried to draw attention to the conflict on her Twitter account, had tweeted that she wants her son to live in a world without war.
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PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS
STORY: Poseidon’s son Percy sets off with his friends to retrieve the Golden Fleece – the only thing that can save their world from destruction. But along their way, they must face many obstacles. REVIEW: At the utopian fun-house otherwise known as Camp Half-Blood, life for Percy Jackson (Lerman) and his ilk is groovy. But he gets a not-so-welcome surprise one day when introduced to his half-brother Tyson ( Douglas Smith). To add to his shock (but not awe), Tyson is a cyclops! Soon enough, their idyll is shattered when they are attacked by what can be best described as a rampaging, mechanical bull. The bull manages to breach their shield. The shield was supported by a magical tree created by Zeus when his daughter Thalia Grace (Kwiatkowski), who met her maker after a bloody battle went wrong, was poisoned.
After the bull is turned to scrap metal, the perpetrator is found to be Luke Castellan (Abel), a rather angry young lad sporting a sulky expression like a kid does when denied his dinner. Luke, for no particular reason, wants to turn Mount Olympus into rubble. But the flaxen haired Annabeth Chase (Alexandra Daddario) keeps having brainwaves throughout the film. When she isn’t having brainwaves, she seems to love to hug Percy, presumably to boost his confidence levels and harden his resolve, which often wanes. She realizes that only the Golden Fleece can restore the tree to health and in doing so, save all of them too. But the camp’s boozy director, aptly named Dionysus (Tucci), sends the God of War’s daughter, the impossibly bitchy Clarisse La Rue (LevenRambin), to find it instead. Not to be outdone, Percy gathers his gang – Annabeth, Tyson and Grover Underwood (Jackson) – to locate the Golden Fleece on his own. The best thing about this predictable film is undoubtedly the special effects. For want of anything better, Sea of Monsters is a mishmash of various similar films in this genre and a passable potpourri of Greek mythology retold with a contemporary veneer
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HOMEMADE FACEPACK FOR YOU
Vinegar
It’s not just a cooking ingredient, vinegar’s use as a skin toner probably dates back to the time of Helen of Troy! For a glowing and gorgeous complexion, follow this small tip before you go off to bed: wash your face with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar combined with two cups of water. It will cleanse and tighten your skin.Lemon
Lemon is a natural exfoliator and cleanser. For fresh-looking skin, try this: Mix some lemon juice with olive oil or sweet almond oil and apply it on your face every alternate day.Egg
Eggs make for great face packs. So, if you have dry skin, use an egg paste to moisturise. Separate the egg from the yolk and add a little lemon juice or honey to it. If you have oily skin, use only egg whites. If you are blessed with normal skin, use the entire egg. Keep the paste for 30 minutes and rinse it off. Note: Do not use a face wash after rinsing it off.Milk
Want to look fresh without spending too much effort and money? Try this: Make a paste of milk and honey and apply it on your face. Make sure that the paste is thick. Let it dry completely and then rinse with warm water. It will make your face fresh and rejuvenated.Yoghurt
One of the best ways to brighten your skin — and also remove tan — is by using a face pack that contains yoghurt. If you are looking for a quick fix to tighten the pores, apply plain yoghurt on your face. Keep it on for 20 minutes and wash it off. For a revitalizing mask, mix yoghurt with some orange juice and aloe vera. Leave the mixture on your face for five minutes before washing it off.Bananas
Who needs Botox when bananas can do the trick? Bananas moisturise your skin and leave it feeling and looking softer. Mash up a mediumsized ripe banana and smoothen it into a paste. Apply this gently on your face and neck. Keep it on for 10-20 minutes before you wash it off with cold water. If you want, add some honey and rose water to the mixtureMayonnaise
Why waste money on expensive serums when you can get the same results using mayonnaise? Gently apply a teaspoon of eggless mayonnaise on your face and keep it on for 20 minutes. Let it dry; then wipe it off and rinse with cool water. This will keep your skin clean and smooth. -
ICE CUBES FOR A GLOWING FACE
Why waste money and time on expensive skin care products when you can achieve the same benefits by applying ice on your face? And the best part is, no matter what the season is, you can always try this facial therapy – even during the rains. It helps minimise open pores, refreshes your skin and makes it glow. Applying ice is an instant way to give your face a fresh and dewy look without wearing makeup. It improves blood circulation and gives your face a healthy glow. Ice also prevents premature ageing and wrinkles. Ice reduces large pores and minimises the production of excess oil. Tie two cubes of ice in a cloth and massage it on your face every night before you go off to bed. Also, to make your makeup last longer, try rubbing an ice cube on your face before you begin applying your makeup. Place an ice cube on acne and you’ll find a considerable reduction in redness and swelling. Note: Do not use ice cubes directly. They can cause the delicate capillary under your skin to break. Wrap them in a clean cloth before you use them.
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LEMON AND BROCCOLI SOUP
Ingredient
50gms butter
1 leek, rinsed and sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 head broccoli, chopped
500ml vegetable stock
100g baby spinach leaves
100ml single (pouring) cream
15 ml lemon juice
Sea salt and cracked black pepper
80gms fresh ricottaMethod
Heat a deep, medium saucepan over high heat. Add the butter, leek and garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the leek is tender. Add the broccoli and stock, bring to a boil and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Add the spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Use a hand-held blender to blend the soup until smooth. Stir in the cream, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with ricotta to serve. -
ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF VITAMIN D
Milk and sunshine are not the only resources for Vitamin D. Deficiency of Vitamin D is the most common finding these days. “It’s not that earlier it wasn’t prevalent, but these days people are more aware about it and doctors too ask patients to include that in their routine checkups,” says dietician Sai Gaokar. In school we learnt that deficiency of this vitamin could cause rickets and the best way to get this was sunshine and milk. But what if you get sun burnt or are lactose intolerant? Does that mean that the only option is to take vitamin supplements? Fortunately, the answer is ‘no’. We do have some other foods that can prove to be decent resources for vitamin D.
Fish
Fresh and canned fish have considerable amounts of Vitamin D. Especially fatty fish like Salmon, Sardines, Mackerel, Tuna. You can have more than 50 percent of the daily recommended dose of the vitamin in one helping…eg. A tuna sandwich or a grilled salmon weighing about three ounces.Mushrooms
Mushrooms absorb vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Portobello mushrooms, which are grown in the sun, are rich in vitamin D.Fortified orange juice
Some brands of tetra-packed orange juice of vitamin D added to it. Though other juices too have the same, orange juice helps retain the ingredient and fortifies it supplying you one-sixth of your daily dose.Egg
Eggs have a decent amount of vitamin D. However, one has to be careful in eating egg yolk if you have a blood pressure issue or high cholesterol.Organ meat
Organ meats, for example, beef liver, have a substantial amount of vitamin D. Though most don’t prefer to eat organ meat, people who love it can substitute it easily for milk for vitamin D and proteins. -
Beat bad breath with yoga
Your company is hosting a party for a recent success and every employee and board member is going to be there. You are dressed in your best evening gown, matching accessories and a pair of gorgeous stilettos to compliment your look. People are admiring and complementing your look. Everything is perfect, until you notice that your breath has started to smell bad; perhaps because of that starter you just had! People notice this too and keep the conversations short and move away quickly.What could’ve been a perfect evening to impress your bosses quickly turns into a disastrous one. We all have experienced similar situations in our life. Bad breath, clinically known as Halitosis, is an unlucky charm that makes you uncomfortable and kills your confidence. Though most would feel that lack of brushing the teeth properly is the only reason for bad breath, this may not be entirely true.
Bad breath may be caused due to:
– irregular food habits, – improper digestion, – less intake of water and type of food consumed. Researchers believe that people with dry mouth are more prone to bad breath. Smoking and alcohol fouls your breath too. The white deposition on the tongue also serves as home to a lot of bacteria and thus fouls your breath. While oral hygiene should definitely be given priority, you may find that bad breath keeps coming back no matter what measures you adopt to counter it. At such times, one must look at options such as Yoga. Though yoga may be perceived as a physical workout regime, it also helps overcome problems such as bad breath. It also helps calm the mind and reduces stress. A few simple postures that will help you beat that bad breath:Kapal Bhati pranayama
Sit comfortably with your spine erect. Place your hands on the knees, palms open to the sky and breathe in. As your breath out, pull your stomach in. As you relax the navel and abdomen, the breath flows back into your lungs automatically. Repeat this for 20 times. Sheetali pranayama (Cooling breath) Stick your tongue out and curl the sides of the tongue upward towards the center of the tongue. Breathe in through the mouth, hold the breath and slowly exhale through the nose. Repeat 5 to 10 times. Sheetkari pranayama (Cooling breath) Close the right nostril with your right thumb. Exhale completely through the left nostril and then breathe in through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with your little ring finger and exhale through the right. Repeat 5 to 10 times.Yoga Mudra Sit in Padmasana or Sukhasana. While keeping your eyes closed, bend your body forward until your forehead touches the ground. Relax in this position and then return back to the starting position. Repeat this 5 to 10 times. Simhasana (Lion pose) Kneel down on the yoga mat and place your right foot below the left buttock and vice versa. Place your hands on the knees, spread out the fingers and lean forward. The weight of the body should be on the hands while the hands remain straight. Open your mouth and stick the tongue out. Eyes should be wide open and face muscles tense. Your gaze should be fixed on the tip of the nose or at the center of the eyebrows.
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SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB
CONTD FROM Vol 7 ISSUE 34 || 2 || The Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga came, and people wandered in doubt. The Lord created the Gopis and Krishna. The penitents practiced penance, they offered sacred feasts and charity, and performed many rituals and religious rites. They performed many rituals and religious rites; two legs of religion dropped away, and only two legs remained. So many heroes waged great wars; in their egos they were ruined, and they ruined others as well. The Lord, Compassionate to the poor, led them to meet the Holy Guru. Meeting the True Guru, their filth is washed away. The Brass Age of Dwaapar Yuga came, and the people wandered in doubt. The Lord created the Gopis and Krishna.
|| 3 || The Lord ushered in the Dark Age, the Iron Age of Kali Yuga; three legs of religion were lost, and only the fourth leg remained intact. Acting in accordance with the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, the medicine of the Lord’s Name is obtained. Singing the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises, divine peace is obtained. The season of singing the Lord’s Praise has arrived; the Lord’s Name is glorified, and the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, grows in the field of the body. In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, if one plants any other seed than the Name, all profit and capital is lost. Servant Nanak has found the Perfect Guru, who has revealed to him the Naam within his heart and mind. The Lord ushered in the Dark Age, the Iron Age of Kali Yuga; three legs of religion were lost, and only the fourth leg remained intact.
|| 4 || 4 || 11 || AASAA, FOURTH MEHL: One whose mind is pleased with the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises, attains the supreme status; the Lord seems so sweet to her mind and body. She obtains the sublime essence of the Lord, Har, Har; through the Guru’s Teachings, she meditates on the Lord, and the destiny written on her forehead is fulfilled. By that high destiny written on her forehead, she chants the Name of the Lord, her Husband, and through the Name of the Lord, she sings the Lord’s Glorious Praises. the jewel of immense love sparkles on her forehead, and she is adorned with the Name of the Lord, Har, Har. Her light blends with the Supreme Light, and she obtains God; meeting the True Guru, her mind is satisfied. One whose mind is pleased with the Kirtan of the Lord’s Praises, attains the supreme status; the Lord seems sweet to her mind and body.
|| 1 || Those who sing the Praises of the Lord, Har, Har, obtain the supreme status; they are the most exalted and acclaimed people. I bow at their feet; each and every moment, I wash the feet of those, unto whom the Lord seems sweet. The Lord seems sweet to them, and they obtain the supreme status; their faces are radiant and beautiful with good fortune. Under Guru’s Instruction, they sing the Lord’s Name, and wear the garland of the Lord’s Name around their necks; they keep the Lord’s Name in their throats. They look upon all with equality, and recognize the Supreme Soul, the Lord, pervading among all. Those who sing the Praises of the Lord, Har, Har, obtain the supreme status; they are the most exalted and acclaimed people.
|| 2 || One whose mind is pleased with the Sat Sangat, the True Congregation, savors the sublime essence of the Lord; in the Sangat, is this essence of the Lord. He meditates in adoration upon the Lord, Har, Har, and through the Word of the Guru’s Shabad, he blossoms forth. He plants no other seed. There is no Nectar, other than the Lord’s Ambrosial Nectar. One who drinks it in, knows the way. Hail, hail to the Perfect Guru; through Him, God is found. Joining the Sangat, the Naam is understood. I serve the Naam, and I meditate on the Naam.Without the Naam, there is no other at all. One whose mind is pleased with the Sat Sangat, savors the sublime essence of the Lord; in the Sangat, is this essence of the Lord.
|| 3 || O Lord God, shower Your Mercy upon me; I am just a stone. Please, carry me across, and lift me up with ease, through the Word of the Shabad. I am stuck in the swamp of emotional attachment, and I am sinking. O Lord God, please, take me by the arm. God took me by the arm, and I obtained the highest understanding; as His slave, I grasped the Guru’s feet. I chant and meditate in adoration upon the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, according to the good destiny written upon my forehead. The Lord has showered His Mercy upon servant Nanak, and the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, seems so sweet to his mind. O Lord God, shower Your Mercy upon me; I am just a stone. Please, carry me across, and lift me up with ease, through the Word of the Shabad. || 4 || 5 || 12 || AASAA, FOURTH MEHL: One who chants the Naam, the Name of the Lord, Har, Har in his mind – the Lord is pleasing to his mind.
In the mind of the devotees there is a great yearning for the Lord. Those humble beings who remain dead while yet alive, drink in the Ambrosial Nectar; through the Guru’s Teachings, their minds embrace love for the Lord. Their minds love the Lord, Har, Har, and the Guru is Merciful to them. They are Jivan Mukta – liberated while yet alive, and they are at peace. Their birth and death, through the Name of the Lord, are illustrious, and in their hearts and minds, the Lord, Har, Har, abides. The Name of the Lord, Har, Har, abides in their minds, and through the Guru’s Teachings, they savor the Lord, Har, Har; they drink in the sublime essence of the Lord with abandon. One who chants the Naam, the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, in his mind – the Lord is pleasing to his mind. In the mind of the devotees there is such a great yearning for the Lord.
|| 1 || The people of the world do not like death; they try to hide from it. They are afraid that the Messenger of Death may catch them and take them away. Inwardly and outwardly, the Lord God is the One and Only; this soul cannot be concealed from Him. How can one keep one’s soul, when the Lord wishes to have it? All things belong to Him, and He shall take them away. The self-willed manmukhs wander around in pathetic lamentation, trying all medicines and remedies. God, the Master, unto whom all things belong, shall take them away; the Lord’s servant is redeemed by living the Word of the Shabad. The people of the world do not like death; they try to hide from it. They are afraid that the Messenger of Death may catch them and take them away.
|| 2 || Death is pre-ordained; the Gurmukhs look beauteous, and the humble beings are saved, meditating on the Lord, Har, Har. Through the Lord they obtain honor, and through the Lord’s Name, glorious greatness. In the Court of the Lord, they are robed in honor. Robed in honor in the Court of the Lord, in the perfection of the Lord’s Name, they obtain peace through the Lord’s Name. The pains of both birth and death are eliminated, and they merge into the Name of the Lord. The Lord’s servants meet with God and merge into Oneness. The Lord’s servant and God are one and the same. Death is preordained; the Gurmukhs look beauteous, and the humble beings are saved, meditating on the Lord, Har, Har. || 3 || The people of the world are born, only to perish, and perish, and perish again. Only by attaching oneself to the Lord as Gurmukh, does one become permanent. The Guru implants His Mantra within the heart, and one savors the sublime essence of the Lord; the Ambrosial Nectar of the Lord trickles into his mouth. Obtaining the Ambrosial Essence of the Lord, the dead are restored to life, and do not die again. Through the Name of the Lord, Har, Har, one obtains the immortal status, and merges into the Lord’s Name. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, is the only Support and Anchor of servant Nanak; without the Naam, there is nothing else at all. The people of the world are born, only to perish, and perish, and perish again. Only by attaching oneself to the Lord as Gurmukh, does one become permanent.
|| 4 || 6 || 13 || AASAA, FOURTH MEHL, CHHANT: My Lord of the Universe is great, unapproachable, unfathomable, primal, immaculate and formless. His condition cannot be described; His Glorious Greatness is immeasurable. My Lord of the Universe is invisible and infinite. The Lord of the Universe is invisible, infinite and unlimited. He Himself knows Himself. What should these poor creatures say? How can they speak of and describe You? That Gurmukh who is blessed by Your Glance of Grace contemplates You. My Lord of the Universe is great, unapproachable, unfathomable, primal, immaculate and formless. || 1 || You, O Lord, O Primal Being, are the Limitless Creator; Your limits cannot be found. You are pervading and permeating each and every heart, everywhere, You are contained in all. Within the heart is the Transcendent, Supreme Lord God, whose limits cannot be found. He has no form or shape; He is unseen and unknown. The Gurmukh sees the unseen Lord. He remains in continual ecstasy, day and night, and is spontaneously absorbed into the Naam. You, O Lord, O Primal Being, are the Limitless Creator; Your limits cannot be found.
|| 2 || You are the True, Transcendent Lord, forever imperishable. The Lord, Har, Har, is the treasure of virtue. The Lord God, Har, Har, is the One and only; there is no other at all. You Yourself are the all-knowing Lord. You are the all-knowing Lord, the most exalted and auspicious; there is no other as great as You. The Word of Your Shabad is pervading in all; whatever You do, comes to pass. The One Lord God is permeating all; the Gurmukh comes to understand the Lord’s Name. You are the True, Transcendent Lord, forever imperishable. The Lord, Har, Har, is the treasure of virtue. || 3 || You are the Creator of all, and all greatness is Yours. As it pleases Your Will, so do we act. As it pleases Your Will, so do we act. All are merged into Your Shabad. When it pleases Your Will, we obtain greatness through Your Shabad. The Gurmukh obtains wisdom, and eliminates his self-conceit, and remains absorbed in the Shabad. The Gurmukh obtains Your incomprehensible Shabad; O Nanak, he remains merged in the Naam. You are the Creator of all, and all greatness is Yours. As it pleases Your Will, so do we act.
|| 4 || 7 || 14 || ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU: AASAA, FOURTH MEHL, CHHANT, FOURTH HOUSE: My eyes are wet with the Nectar of the Lord, and my mind is imbued with His Love, O Lord King. The Lord applied His touch-stone to my mind, and found it one hundred per cent gold. As Gurmukh, I am dyed in the deep red of the poppy, and my mind and body are drenched with His Love. Servant Nanak is drenched with His Fragrance; blessed, blessed is his entire life. || 1 || The Bani of the Lord’s Love is the pointed arrow, which has pierced my mind, O Lord King. Only those who feel the pain of this love, know how to endure it. Those who die, and remain dead while yet alive, are said to be Jivan Mukta, liberated while yet alive. O Lord, unite servant Nanak with the True Guru, that he may cross over the terrifying world-ocean
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GANESHA CHATURTHI
Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated by Hindus all over India, as the birthday of the god of wisdom, knowledge and prosperity, Lord Ganesha. The celebrations continue from five to ten days, depending upon family traditions. It is believed that praying to Lord Ganesha leads to fulfilment of wishes and desires. His blessing removes all the obstacles from life. Although it is not known when this festival was first celebrated, but it is alleged to have been celebrated in Pune initially. Celebrations were started during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji to promote nationalism and give a feeling of unity. Ganapati is the son of Shiva and Parvati; various fables are attached to his birth. This elephant-headed god with Mooshak (rat) as his vehicle was created by Goddess Parvati from the sandalwood dough. It was she who infused life in Ganesha and asked him to guard at the door while she was in her bath. When Lord Shiva returned and was stopped by this unknown child Ganesha, Shiva in rage cut off the head of that child. As soon as Parvati got to know about the severing of head of her son, she asked Shiva to bring him to life again. Shiva then implanted the head of an elephant on Ganesha’s body. This re-birth of Ganesha is celebrated as Ganesha Chaturthi, also known as ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ or ‘Vinayaka Chavithi’.
History
Ganesha Chaturthi is said to have been celebrated since the days of Maratha rulers: Satavahana, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta. Mainly celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh with a lot of zeal and splendour, Ganesha Chaturthi is the most popular festival of Maharashtra. Ganesha Chaturthi was started by Chhatrapati Shivaji as a public event to promote traditions and nationalism, this festival was even celebrated by Peshwas to worship Ganapati as their family deity. The festivities remained a family affair until the festival was revitalised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the late 19th Century, to take the message of freedom struggle to all Indians. This festival brought in a feeling of unity and togetherness in Indians that helped in revival of their patriotic spirit. Through the medium of this festival he brought together all the classes of societies against British by getting rid of the caste differences.He stressed on it that Ganesha Chaturthi was a festival for everyone irrespective of the caste or class, and so he organised cultural events like dance dramas, musical nights, and religious gatherings on this festival. That was the time when social and political gatherings weren’t allowed by the British. Festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi that continued for ten days gave people of every religion the scope to interact and know each other. It is from that time this festival has been celebrated every year with great fervour all over the country. Although the festival lasts for ten days, the arrangements begin with the preparations of idols two to three months prior to Ganesha Chaturthi. These clay idols are huge and are carved by skilled craftsmen, depicting Ganapati in various poses. Then few days before the puja day, people start to clean their houses, or may be get their homes white-washed. Ganesha Mandap or Ganesha Pandal is decorated with flowers and leaves of coconut or banana, several days before the beginning of the festivities.
After the cleaning and decking up of the place, the place is prepared for establishment of idol of Lord Ganesha. People take bath early in the morning on the day of Ganapati puja; they wear new clothes and perform the puja with all the rituals. Idols of Ganesha are bought from the shops and are taken to the homes, temples or pandals with the faces of covered with a saffron cloth. Chanting of prayers in the praise of the Lord continues all the way. These days it is advised to buy eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesha. These idols of Lord Ganesha are then placed at the podium, at a place where puja is held. Ganapati’s idols is then beautified with floral garlands and sandalwood paste and A kalash containing holy water or rice is then placed before the Lord’s statue, it is known as Purna Kumbha. After this, the prayers are performed to invoke the presence of Lord in the idol by the priest. This ritual is called Pranpratishhtha. Chanting of mantras and hymns takes place while the custom of pranpratishhtha is completed. After that, a 16-fold praying procedure, Shodashopachara is followed: Aavaahana, Aasana, Paadya, Arghya, Aachamana, Madhuparka, Snaana, Vastra, Gandha, Pushpa, Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedya, Taamblooa, Aarati, and Mantrapushpa.
According to the Hindu mythology and religious beliefs Lord Ganesha symbolises good luck and wisdom. This is why he is worshipped first before starting any good work. On the auspicious occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, people bring the idols of Lord Ganesha home to take the blessings in the form of good luck, intelligence, prosperity and good health. They perform the pooja, observe fast and say thanks by paying homage and celebrating Lord Ganesha coming to their place. People eagerly wait for this occasion the whole year so that they can be present at the service of Lord Ganesha and apologise for the mistakes which they have committed. They also make promises to follow the path of honesty and kindness and to serve the mankind. There are various legends related to the celebration of Ganesha Chaturthi and people have great belief on these religious stories. Read to know more about the legends of Ganesha Chaturthi.
Birth Of Lord Ganesha
One day when Goddess Parvati was taking bath she made a boy from the dough she used for her bath and put life into it. This is how Ganesha was born and she told him to stand on the main doorway of the house. Then, there came Lord Shiva and while going in the house he was stopped on the gate by Ganesha on orders of her mother. Lord Shiva became very angry and cut off Ganesha’s head with his trident. When Goddess Parvati came out and saw all this, she, in her anger, asked Lord Shiva to make her son alive or to see her destroying the world. Lord Shiva then went to the earth with Lord Vishnu and took the head of the very first living being to fix it on the body of Ganesha. It was the head of an elephant. After this, Lord Shiva apologised and declared that Lord Ganesha will be worshipped before all the gods and goddesses.Leader Of The Gods
One day Lord Shiva and other gods decided to choose their leader from Ganesha and Kartikeya, and for this, a race was held between the two brothers. It is said that whoever took seven rounds of the earth first would be made the Ganadhipati or the leader of the gods. The race started and Kartikeya sat on his vehicle, peacock and Ganesha sat on his vehicle, rat. Kartikeya went to complete the seven rounds but then Ganesha realised that it was not easy task for him as his vehicle was a small rat. So, he with his intelligence took seven rounds of his parents, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and paid obeisance to them. He said that, “my parents pervade the whole universe and going around them is more than going round the earth.” All the Gods and Goddesses were surprised to listen the logic of Lord Ganesha and to see his knowledge. Thus, Ganesha completed the race first and came to be popularly known as the Ganadhipati or the leader, which is now referred to as Ganapati.Ganesha And Single Tusk
This legend is related to the symbolic snake, rat and the single tusk. On one of Lord Ganesha’s birthdays, his mother Goddess Parvati prepared 21 types of delicacies and sweet porridge in large amount. He ate so much of it that his big pot-shaped belly could not contain it. He, then on his vehicle, rat, went on his nightly rounds but all of a sudden his mouse stumbled to see a big snake. Lord Ganesha fell down and the entire food came out as his pot-shaped belly burst and then, he put that snake as a belt around his belly. Seeing this, the moon started laughing and this made Lord Ganesha very angry. He then broke off one of his tusks and threw it at the moon. He then cursed the moon that whoever looks at it on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi will be accused of doing wrong. It is why looking at the moon on the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi is considered inauspicious.Shiva And Gajasura
There was a demon (asura) called Gajasura who had all the characteristics of an elephant. He went into penance to please Lord Shiva and became successful in doing so. When Lord Shiva asked his wish, the demon said that he could emanate fire from his body continuously so that no one can come close to him. Lord Shiva granted his wish then again he continued his penance and again Lord Shiva came and asked his wish. This time the demon said, “I desire that you inhabit my stomach.” This wish was also granted by Lord Shiva and he resided in the stomach of the demon. Later, when Goddess Parvati could not find her husband, Lord Shiva, she asked Lord Vishnu to find him instead. Lord Vishnu knew everything and this why he reassured her and said, “Don’t worry, dear sister, your husband is Bhola Shankara and promptly grants to his devotees whatever they ask of him, without regard for the consequences; for this reason, I think he has put himself into some trouble. I will find out what has happened.” Then, Lord Vishnu changed Nandi (the bull of Shiva) into a dancing bull and conducted him before Gajasura and changed himself into a flutist.The pleasing performance of the bull sent the demon into ecstasies and he got impressed. He then asked the flutist his demand, then Lord Vishnu as the flutist said that whatever he will ask for whether the demon will give or not. Gajasura told yes and then the flutist asked to take out Lord Shiva from his stomach. The demon quickly understood that the flutist was no other than Lord Vishnu. He freed Lord Shiva and asked for his last gift and said, “I have been blessed by you with many gifts; my last request is that everyone remembers me adoring my head when I am dead.” To fulfil this last wish of Gajasura, Lord Shiva brought his son at that place and replaced his head with that of Gajasura.
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DANDELI: GATEWAY TO NATURE’S TREASURES
Dandeli is a picturesque city set amidst the backdrop of the Western Ghats. Dandeli City is located at the bank of River Kali in Uttarkannada District, which is 117 KM FROM KARWAR, 75 KM FROM HUBLI, 57 KM FROM DHARWAD, 481 KM FROM BANGALORE. It is very famous for Wild sanctuary, Paper Mills, Syntheri Rock and Forest Resorts. Kali River is the main water source. People of this city are coming from different states of the India. They are very good example for “unity in diversity” with its different culture, religion and language. So Dandeli city is Recognised as “MINI INDIA”.
Dandeli is a natural habitat for wildlife. Safaris in open jeeps into the Dandeli wildlife sanctuary accompanied by trained naturalists are the best way to view wildlife here. It is home to big cats such as tigers, leopards, and even black panthers, elephants, gaur, deer, antelopes, many kinds of reptiles and a rich variety of birds. It is also a perfect place for white water rafting. Of late, it has become a hot tourist spot and attracts many local and foreign tourists all the year around. A adventure trek into the dense forest with expert guides you can follow trails, which leads all the way up to the peaks of nearby hills. The views from atop the hill are astounding with the panoramic view of backwaters of Supa Dam, misty mountains and greenery spread out for miles.Dandeli is surrounded by natural, historic and religious spots in the form of River Kali, Kavla caves, Syntheri rocks, Ulavi temple, Sykes point, the Supa dam etc. Owing to the expansion of tourism industry today, many jungle resorts and camps, and also nature camps have come up around the place catering to the needs of the tourists. You can visit Dandeli any time of the year. During the monsoons, you may see less animals and miss white-water rafting,but the place acquires a unique ambience. On a ride down the river, a variety of birds can be sighted. Hornbills flying around, kingfishers, darters and egrets darting into the waters in search of food, serpent eagles, falcon, magpie, robin, bulbuls, orioles, woodpeckers, weaverbirds and many more. At the end of the journey, you can either be picked up by a jeep or walk back to your camp. You can also travel inside the forest in a jeep.
The most interesting animal in the sanctuary is the Gaur or the Indian Bison. Once they were plenty in these forests and the sanctuary itself was known as ‘Bison Sanctuary’. But now their numbers have dwindled. Bison have beautiful, near-perfect horns. Male bison are short and stocky, but sturdy. They weigh between 600 and 940 kg and stand 1.6-1.9 meters at the shoulder. Female bison are only about 10 cm shorter, but lighter in build. Other animals in the sanctuary include elephants, tigers, black panthers, wild pigs, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackal, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, common langur, bonnet macaque, slender loris, Malabar giant squirrels, giant flying-squirrels, civets, porcupines, mongoose and several species of snakes. However, animal sightings in the wild depend on sheer luck. You could either see several in a day, or none for days. During the rains, or immediately after, a tiger or panther could be lurking just a few feet away, but the thick growth and the animal’s camouflage would make it practically invisible.
Sights in and around Dandeli
Kavala Cavesfrom the base camp at Dandeli, the ancient Kavala caves is a must see’ destination for all visitors who come to Dandeli. Trek up a thousand steps thousand steps though dense virgin evergreen forests to reach the caves. Said to be inhabited by humans since prehistoric times, these limestone caves are today revered as the abode of Lord Shiva-the Hindu god of Destruction. Crawl into the depths of the earth through the narrow, winding tunnels, and you will come face to face with an aweinspiring display of the earth through the narrow, winding tunnels, and you will come face to face with awe-inspring display of the nature’s marvel – a gigantic “Shivlinga” formed naturally. It is said that these tunnels go on for miles below, and there are many which no man has ever ventured into. As you trek back from the caves, enjoy a breathtaking view of the river Kali winding through the valley below.
Syntheri Rock
Syntheri Rock is a 300ft tall monolithic granite located deep inside the thick Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. With the Kaneri River gushing ferociously by its side, the Syntheri Rock is a spectacular Sight. One can actually see the effect of erosion that has resulted in hollows on this rock. Thousands Of pigeons have made this rock their home in the innumerable nooks and crannies, and one can also See the hives of rock bees hanging precariously from the Kali Wilderness Camp. A jeep ride for about an hour followed by a walk through the scenic jungle will bring you to this incredibly beautiful sculpture of natureMaulangi
If the outdoors are what excite you, then Molangi is the place to be! A spot indelible beauty, Molangi has god”s signature written all over it .it situated at a point amidst dense bamboo thickets Where the river kali passes between steep slopes and rock formations, Molangi makes a perfect hideout for campers. Spend and entire day backpacking across dense jungles watching spiders spin their webs and saddle fungus on tree barks .you can see wildlife too….spotted deer the malbar giant squirrel , and if you are lucky ,may be even a black panther Retreat to a camp under the skies as you pitch your tents on river bank . Try a quick hand at finishing before days make way for night. Start a flint-lit fire for the barbecue and set the scope to simmer. As dusk falls setting the sky ablaze with start, listen to sound of darkness. Exchange tales of yore of ghosts and man- eating tigers, late into the night by campfire.Sykes point
It is one of the most beautiful spot in Karnataka. From here one can get an unhindered view of Kali River flowing through the valley below. For miles together, one can see nothing but undulating lush green forest all around. Observe the giant colorful hornbills gliding effortlessly through the sky down the vale. From atop Siroly peak- the highest point the entire Uttarkannada district, view the magnificent unbroken vista of mighty rain-forest. An ideal picnic spot, this reached traveling by jeep to summit – or by trekking. Yet another ideal location is the Nagajari valley around which are densely forested mountains and stream s running as the eye can see.Supa Dam
It is near about 25 Km from Dandeli City. This Dam used to produce Electrical power under KPC. The Nagajhari point (14 km from Dandeli) inside the forest offers a beautiful view of the hills and the valley. On the forest edge is Dandeli town — small and idyllic. About 25 km from Dandeli are the Kavala Caves. You have to walk down a thousand steps to reach the entrance. The ancient limestone caves show signs of human inhabitation during prehistoric times. Inside the caves is a naturally formed Shiva Linga. About 32 km from Dandeli is the Syntheri Rock, a 300-metre monolithic granite rock. Pigeons and swifts have built nests high up on the steep rock face. Wild honeybees have built many hives, too.Ulavi Channa Basaveshwar Temple
Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is one of the important pilgrimage centers of Karnataka, especially for Lingayath community. Ulavi Channabasaveshwara Temple is situated amid thick forest in a picturesque location of Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada (North Kanara) district. Thick forests here hold tiger, cheetah, elephant, sarang, cobra, and other wildlife. The Samadhi of Channabasavanna, one of the most respected saints of the Lingayat faith lies here. In the 12th century, Channabasavanna traveled from Kalyana to Ulavi before he died. Very close to this holy Samadhi is the Akka Nagalambike cave named after Nagalambike, -
NEW NASA SPACECRAFT TO INVESTIGATE MOON MYSTERY
CAPE CANAVERAL (TIP): More than 40 years after the last Apollo astronauts left the moon, NASA is preparing to launch a small robotic spacecraft to investigate one of their most bizarre discoveries. Crews reported seeing an odd glow on the lunar horizon just before sunrise. The phenomenon, which prompted a notebook sketch by Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan, was unexpected because the airless moon lacked atmosphere for reflecting sunlight. Scientists began to suspect that dust from the lunar surface was being electrically charged and somehow lofted off the ground, a theory that will be tested by the US space agency’s upcoming Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Experiment.
The spacecraft, known as LADEE, is scheduled to be launched at 11:27 p.m. EDT on Friday (0327 GMT Saturday) from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia. “Terrestrial dust is like talcum powder. On the moon, it’s very rough. It’s kind of evil. It follows electric field lines, it works its way in equipment. … It’s a very difficult environment to deal with,” said LADEE project manager Butler Hine of NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. In addition to studying fly-away lunar dust, LADEE will probe the tenuous envelope of gases that surrounds the moon, a veneer so thin it stretches the meaning of the word “atmosphere.” Instead, scientists refer to these environments as exospheres and hope that understanding the moon’s gaseous shell will shed light on similar pockets around Mercury, asteroids and other airless bodies. “LADEE is part of a much broader scientific exploration of the solar system,” said John Grunsfeld, NASA’s associate administrator for science.
The $280 million mission also includes an experimental laser optical communications system that NASA hopes to incorporate into future planetary probes, including a Mars rover scheduled for launch in 2020. The prototype is based on technology used in terrestrial fiberoptic communications systems, such as Verizon’s FiOS. NASA says the system should be at least six times faster than conventional radio communications. Also, its transmitters and receivers weigh half as much as similar radio communications equipment and use 25 percent less power. “On the Earth, we’ve been using laser communication and fiber optics to power our Internet and everything else for the last couple of decades,” Grunsfeld said. “NASA has really been wanting to make that same technological leap and put it into space.
This is our chance to do that.” LADEE’s optical communications system, which includes three ground stations in addition to LADEE, will be tested before the probe drops into a low lunar orbit to begin its science mission about 60 days after launch. Just getting to the moon will take LADEE 30 days – 10 times longer than the Apollo missions due to the probe’s relatively low-powered Minotaur 5 launcher. The rocket is comprised of three refurbished intercontinental ballistic missile motors and two commercially provided boosters. The Minotaur 5 configuration will be flying for the first time with LADEE. The use of decommissioned missile components drove the decision to fly from NASA’s Wallops Island facility, one of only a few launch sites permitted to fly refurbished ICBMs under US-Russian arms control agreements.
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ONE PILL FOR ALL HEART PROBLEMS
How often do you forget to pop that pill to control your shooting blood pressure? Or skip the aspirin tablet that could have prevented a stroke at night? Not anymore. For the first time, doctors and researchers have come up with a single pill for all cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including high blood pressure and vulnerability to stroke, doing away with the pain of popping multiple pills to keep your heart healthy. Trials for this new pill – called the polypill – across Europe and India have proved successful, according to a study published on Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. As many as 28 Indian institutes, including AIIMS, PGIChandigarh and George Institute for Global Health- India worked together as part of the study, planned by London’s Imperial College.
The formulation for the drug was done by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. “Most patients with high BP require multiple drugs to keep it under control. This raises the problem of compliance over a prolonged period as patients often forget to take some of the pills. In India, compliance to multiple pills for CVD is as low as 10%. Polypill will take care of it,” said Dr Vivekanand Jha, executive director of George Institute for Global Health-India. While studies have shown that patients with CVD do not take recommended medications in the long-term, the use of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) like a polypill improves adherence to a large extent.
The study showed adherence rate increasing by 20% with use of the polypill, a combination of aspirin, statin (cholesterol lowering drugs), and two blood pressurelowering agents. Funded by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Program, the study has shown evidence, for the first time, about the risks and benefits of the single pill. As many as 2,004 people, in the mean age of 62 and with high risk of CVD, initially participated in the study in India and across Europe between July 2010 and July 2011. The trial follow-up concluded in July 2012. Previous trials have assessed short-term effects. At the end of the study on 1921 of the participants, conducted for an average 15 months, it was found that 829 (86.3%) of the 961 participants who were administered the polypill continued with it.
In comparison, only 621 (64.7%) of the 960 participants continued with multiple pills as prescribed. But the study showed one limitation: If any of its components led to some adverse effect, the polypill had to be discontinued. The study involved the Imperial College, London’s International Centre for Circulatory Health, The George Institute for Global Health-India, Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin; Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrech; Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi and The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney. “These new findings dispel several myths about the polypill. Despite the use of older medications and fixed doses, the polypill group improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels simply because those surevyed took recommended medications more regularly,” said Prof D Prabhakaran, executive director of the Centre for Chronic Disease Control.
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Indian scientists conduct earthquake prediction research
HYDERABAD (TIP): A group of scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute is one step closer to actually viewing earthquakes and find out what triggers them. A pioneering deep-earth study underway in the Koyna-Warna region of Maharashtra will lead to improved earthquake prediction, scientists said. The Koyna-Warna region is known for frequent seismic activity, attributed to changes in water levels in water reservoirs present in the region. The objective of the study is to drill holes to depths of 8km to directly visualize and measure rock changes during earthquakes.
Fifty researchers from Hyderabadbased NGRI recently concluded airborne gravity gradeometery studies to get a closer look at Earth’s interior, again a first of its kind in the country. “The airborne study across the 600 square km region has thrown immense amount of data. Post analysis, we aim to determine all details of compositional changes within the earth’s interior,” Dr Purnachandra Rao, senior principal scientist at NGRI, who is leading the research, said. The aerial study will help scientists in determining drilling locations. “By March 2014 we intend to drill 10 holes. We expect the project to take anywhere between 5 to 10 years by when we would be actually be able to see what happens inside the earth before, during and after an earthquake. In the years to come we will be able to understand how changing water levels exactly trigger earthquakes,” said Dr Rao. Earlier this year, to test their drilling test capabilities, the research team drilled two holes to depths of 1.5km and retrieved samples of deepearth rocks. Their efforts also led to an exact measure of the ‘Deccan Trap’ in the study region.
The Deccan Traps are large volcanic deposits formed due to eruptions about 65 million years ago. Talking about reservoir-triggered seismic activity, Rao said the research project in its final phases will help explain various phenomena, including connection between water seepage into rock and seismic activity. In addition to that, drilling will also allow them to place underground earthquake detection devices which will lead to creation of highly efficient warning systems. “The existent practices in seismic studies cannot tell us precisely what is happening deep inside the earth but by drilling into earth we will be able to make direct measurements,” added Rao. Given that available drilling technology in India cannot drill beyond 2km, the project will soon see multinational involvement so as to make available to researchers international drilling and interdisciplinary expertise.
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PAES-STEPANEK STORM INTO US OPEN DOUBLES FINAL
NEW YORK (TIP): Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek stunned top seeded and hot favourite pair of Mike and Bob Bryan, who were chasing a rare Calendar Grand Slam, in a gripping contest to storm into the US Open men’s doubles final on Thursday. The fourth seeded Indo-Czech pair denied the Bryans a piece of history with their 3-6 6-3 6-4 win as the American twins were trying to become first doubles team since 1951 to collect all four Grand Slam titles in the same year. Ken McGregor and Frank Sedgman had achieved the rare feat of winning Calendar Slam in 1951.
The Bryans ran away with the first set but faced stiff challenge in the second, which Paes and Stepanek dominated to take the match to full length. Paes stood out with his backhand slice and chips while Stepanek was solid with his blistering doublehanded backhand. Paes and Stepanek will have a chance to win their first Slam title of the season, having finished semifinalists at the Wimbledon. The two teams began well but Paes and Stepanek handed the advantage to the Bryans in the sixth game of the opening set. Facing a breakpoint, Stepanek double faulted which handed the Bryans a 4-2 lead, which soon became a comfortable 5-2 when the Americans held the next. Paes served to stay in the set and he held the game, which featured an entertaining 21-shot rally. Bob served at love to quickly wrap up the first set in just 29 minutes. The fourth seeds were put under pressure straight away as they were facing a break point in the first game of the second set but Paes saved that with a volley winner at the net.
Bob slightly lost concentration and was soon facing two break points. Paes hit a terrific backhand slice winner to convert the first chance and go up 2-0. However the advantage was lost when the Indian dropped his serve in the next, double faulting at 30-40. Nevertheless, they kept fighting and succeeded in breaking Bob in the sixth game. As Paes held his own, they soon had a 5-2 cushion and kept that lead to force a third set. The Indo-Czech combo had chance to get an early break in the decider on Mike’s serve and after an engrossing tussle they succeeded in converting the fourth chance of the third game to open up a mini 2-1 lead and consolidated that to 3-1 with a hold. Stepanek saved three breakpoints in the sixth game to take a 5-1 lead but Paes failed to serve out the match in the eighth, allowing Bryans to comeback. Bryans closed the gap to 4-5 however, Stepanek served out the match after some anxious moment.
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200th Test venue to depend on Sachin
NEW DELHI (TIP): With speculation rife over whether Sachin Tendulkar will retire from Test cricket after playing his 200th Test and even the cricket board (BCCI) not sure about the batsman’s plans, the issue of which venue is going to host the landmark Test is getting interesting. According to BCCI insiders, the board may talk to Tendulkar before deciding on the venue for the important Test. Sources said if Tendulkar is thinking of retiring after playing his 200th Test, Mumbai will probably get to host the game against the West Indies. “It began there and it should end there if he is retiring,” a top BCCI official told TOI. But if Tendulkar plans to keep on playing beyond the series against West Indies, then Kolkata could land the tie. Interestingly, Tendulkar himself is open to playing this Test anywhere in the country.
“He has no qualms about playing at any centre,” a source said. Bangalore, it was learnt, is another venue which is in the BCCI short-list. Tendulkar is looking forward to the momentous occasion, he would like to have some first class games under his best before he plays the two-Test series against the Caribbeans. A source said Tendulkar is likely to play some Ranji matches for Mumbai to get some match practice before the Tests. “The West Indies team will be in India between October 31 and November 27, during which it will play two Tests and three ODIs. The itinerary and venues for the matches will be announced shortly,” BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said in a statement.
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IOC REFUSES TO LIFT IOA SUSPENSION
NEW DELHI (TIP): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has refused to lift the suspension on the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) which is in force since December last year, and gave the Indian body a new deadline to set its house in order while asking it to “seize the golden opportunity” to show its readiness to implement the “basic principles of good governance, ethics and integrity”. At its executive board meeting in Buenos Aires, IOC asked the Indian body to meet before October 31 and suitably amend its constitution.
The parent body wants IOA frame rules that would disqualify any person charged in court for a criminal or corruption-related case, from running for office. Once the revised constitution is approved by the IOC, the world body said IOA could go for elections before December 15. The world body said while IOA’s August 25 meeting was a “success” since it most of the members were present and most amendments proposed by it were adopted, not enough was done. “The IOC noted that a key provision on which the IOC repeatedly insisted during the preparation phase for the revision of the IOA constitution was not included as requested by the IOC, namely the clause which provides that any member who has been charge-framed by any court in India in respect of a criminal or corruption offence…will not be eligible to run for IOA elections and will be provisionally suspended until a final ruling,” the IOC said in a letter to the IOA.
The IOC decision will leave the Indian athletes without the umbrella they need to compete abroad under the Indian flag. For the past eight months they have been competing under the Olympic flag, which has caused a lot of anguish and heartburn among the athletes. IOC’s decision came after IOA refused to include an eligibility clause in its constitution which would have barred persons charged by courts to contest its election. After its executive board meeting held in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, the IOC took the decision after taking note of the fact that IOA had refused to adopt the eligibility clause as requested by the world body regarding amendments to IOA’s constitution. “The executive board heard a report that the general assembly (of IOA) had approved most of the amendments to the IOA’s constitution requested by the IOC, but one specific clause had not been adopted. This clause, which deals specifically with the eligibility of members, is key to the good governance of the NOC (national Olympic committee) and needs to be fully accepted before the suspended IOA can proceed with the elections,” IOC said after the meeting.
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Obama makes case for Syria strike, British house votes no
WASHINGTON/BEIRUT (TIP): The British parliament on August 29 rejected a motion supporting military action in Syria, reflecting deep divisions about using force to punish President Bashar al- Assad for what Western governments believe was his use of chemical weapons against civilians. U.S. officials conceded on August 29 that they lacked conclusive evidence that Assad personally ordered last week’s poison gas attack, and some allies have warned that military action without U.N. Security Council authorization risks making the situation worse. President Barack Obama’s top national security officials were due to brief Congress on Syria later on Thursday, but any intervention looked set to be delayed at least until U.N. investigators report back after leaving Syria on Saturday.
The British parliament’s rejection of the largely symbolic motion proposed by Prime Minister David Cameron, which would have given authorization in principle for action subject to a second vote, was a setback for Obama’s efforts to build a coalition for action. Cameron said afterward he would not override the will of parliament and approve such action, saying it was clear that parliament did not want to see a military strike on Syria to punish it for chemical weapons use and that he would act accordingly. White House spokesman Josh Earnest suggested before the British vote that the United States might be willing to act on its own. “When the president reaches a determination about the appropriate response … and a legal justification is required to substantiate or to back up that decision, we’ll produce one on our own,” Earnest said.
Syrian opposition sources said Assad’s forces had removed several Scud missiles and dozens of launchers from a base north of Damascus, possibly to protect them from a Western attack, and Russia was reported to be moving ships into the region. But expectations of imminent turmoil eased as the diplomatic process was seen playing out into next week, and the White House emphasized that any action would be “very discrete and limited,” and in no way comparable to the Iraq war. The United States and its allies have “no smoking gun” proving Assad personally ordered the attack on a rebel-held Damascus neighbourhood in which hundreds of people were killed, U.S. national security officials said. In secret intelligence assessments and a still-unreleased report summarizing U.S. intelligence on the alleged gas attack on August 21, U.S. agencies expressed high confidence that Syrian government forces carried out the attack, and that Assad’s government therefore bears responsibility, U.S. national security officials said. Syria denies blame for the gas attacks and says they were perpetrated by rebels. Washington and its allies say the denial is not credible. Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel were among senior U.S. officials expected to brief congressional leaders later on Thursday. Some lawmakers complained they had not been properly consulted. While U.N. chemical weapons inspectors spent a third day combing the rebel-held area where the attack took place, traffic moved normally elsewhere in Damascus, with some extra army presence but little indication of any high alert.
An extended parliamentary debate in London revealed deep misgivings stemming from the 2003 invasion of Iraq. After pressure from lawmakers, the British government – a key player in any proposed air assault on Syria – had promised parliament that even if it voted in favor, there would be a second decisive vote once the U.N. weapons inspectors report their findings. Even that motion was defeated by 285 to 272 votes. ‘MONSTROUS CRIME’ The United Nations said its team of inspectors would leave Syria on Saturday and report to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. France and Germany urged the world body to pass its report on to the decision-making Security Council as soon as possible “so that it can fulfil its responsibility with regards to this monstrous crime.” The United States, Britain and France say they can act with or without a U.N. Security Council resolution, which would likely be vetoed by Russia, a close ally of Assad. But some countries are more cautious: Italy said it would not join any military operation without Security Council authorization. Western diplomats say they are seeking a vote in the 15-member Council to isolate Moscow and demonstrate that other countries are behind air strikes.
A report from Moscow that Russia is sending two warships to the eastern Mediterranean underscored the complications surrounding even a limited military strike, although Russia has said it will not be drawn into military conflict. The ambassadors of the five veto-wielding permanent U.N. Security Council members appeared to have made no progress at a meeting on Thursday, a council diplomat said. The five – the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France – had held an inconclusive meeting on Wednesday to discuss a draft Security Council resolution that would authorize “all necessary force” in response to the alleged gas attack. Cameron told Britain’s parliament it would be “unthinkable” to proceed if there was overwhelming opposition in the Security Council. But he published legal advice given to the government under which military action would be lawful for humanitarian reasons even if a Security Council resolution were blocked by a veto. The International Committee of the Red Cross joined a chorus of international voices urging caution. “Further escalation will likely trigger more displacement and add to humanitarian needs, which are already immense,” said Magne Barth, head of the ICRC delegation in Syria. Increasing expectations that any action will be delayed ended a three-day selloff on world share markets on Thursday, although investors were still on edge over fears of future turmoil in the Middle East.
‘SHOT ACROSS THE BOW’ Obama sought to win over a war-weary American public on Wednesday evening by saying intervention in Syria, where more than 100,000 people have been killed in 2 1/2 years of civil war, would serve U.S. national security interests. “If we are saying in a clear and decisive but very limited way, we send a shot across the bow saying, ‘Stop doing this,’ this can have a positive impact on our national security over the long term,” he told “PBS Newshour” in a televised interview. According to the U.S. national security officials, evidence that forces loyal to Assad were responsible goes beyond the circumstantial to include electronic intercepts and some tentative scientific samples from the site. “This was not a rogue operation,” one U.S. official said. Western leaders are expected in Russia next Thursday for a meeting of the Group of 20 big economies, an event that could influence the timing of any strikes. The hosts have made clear their view that Western leaders are using human rights as a pretext to impose their will on other sovereign states. A spokesman for the main Syrian opposition umbrella group, the Syrian National Coalition, said the opposition was confident Western leaders were prepared to act.
SNC leader Ahmed Jarba met French President Francois Hollande. An SNC spokesman said they discussed a two-wave intervention to first target installations used to launch chemical weapons and then hit other government bases in Syria. “We are very happy. France and its partners are quite decided to punish the Syrian regime,” SNC envoy Monzer Makhous told Reuters after the talks. “Then there will be military aid to help the opposition to change the balance of power.” Hollande urged Jarba to create a credible military force, highlighting Western concern that the mainstream opposition is unable to control al Qaeda-linked militias on the ground in Syria. Syrian officials say the West is playing into the hands of its al Qaeda enemies. In Damascus, residents and opposition forces said Assad’s forces appeared to have evacuated most personnel from army and security command headquarters in the centre in preparation for Western military action. People unable to decide whether to leave for neighboring Lebanon said the border was already jammed. “We’re hearing people are spending hours – like 12 or 14 hours – waiting in line at the border,” said Nabil, who was considering leaving town for Beirut with his wife and young daughter, “just until the strike is over.”
Diplomats based in the Middle East told Reuters the removal of some of Assad’s Scud missiles and launchers from the foothills of the Qalamoun mountains, one of Syria’s most heavily militarized districts, appeared to be part of a precautionary but limited redeployment of armaments. Despite opinion polls showing most Americans oppose deeper involvement in the Syrian conflict, Obama has been under pressure to enforce a “red line” against chemical weapons use, which he declared just over a year ago. “I have no interest in any open-ended conflict in Syria, but we do have to make sure that when countries break international norms on weapons like chemical weapons that could threaten us, that they are held accountable,” Obama said. The likeliest option, U.S. officials say, would be to launch cruise missiles from U.S. ships in the Mediterranean in a campaign that would last days. A fifth U.S. destroyer, the USS Stout, was headed toward the coast off Syria, according to one defense official. That would bring the total of U.S. destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean to five, although the Stout is likely to relieve the USS Mahan, which had been due to return to its U.S. base but stayed in the region due to the situation in Syria. Still the decision to replace the Mahan with another destroyer means the United States will be maintaining an expanded presence in the region.
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Landmark Land Acquisition Bill gets LS nod
NEW DELHI (TIP): After Food Security Bill, the pathbreaking Land Acquisition Bill that aims to give a fair deal to farmers for their land for industrial use was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 29 giving a push to Sonia Gandhi’s another pet project ahead of General Elections. The key land legislation of the UPA championed by Rahul Gandhi was approved by an overwhelming majority after an acrimonious debate. The Bill, which seeks to provide just and fair compensation to farmers while also ensuring that no land can be aquired forcibly, will replace the archaic Act of 1894, “The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2012” stipulates mandatory consent of at least 70 per cent for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent for acquiring land for private companies. Both the Food Security Bill, that was passed on Monday, and the Land Acqusition Bill, will now have to be passed by the Rajya Sabha. The bill proposes compensation that is up to four times the market value in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas. It was passed with 216 votes in favour and 19 against. Left parties, AIADMK and BJD members staged a walkout.
Trinamool Congress voted against the bill while main Opposition BJP as also SP and BSP supported the legislation. “There will be no forceful acquisition of land under this law. This legislation will provide lawful right of the farmers over their land and no right of forceful acquisition to government,” Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said while winding up the day-long discussion on the Bill. Asserting that the new law will address “historical injustice”, the minister said this law is being enacted under the Concurrent list and the states can bring their own law on the subject without derogating from the central law. Sonia and Home Minister and Leader of the House Sushilkumar Shinde, apparently unwell, did not participate in the voting as they left when amendments were being moved. The National Advisory Council(NAC) headed by the Congress President had given a vigorous push for the land bill. India Inc has expressed fears that the land reforms could push up property purchase costs making industrial projects financially unviable while the Food Security Bill will have a deleterious effect on public finances. 381 amendments were moved to the bill, of which 166 were official ones. Of the Opposition amendments, some were withdrawn and others defeated during voting.
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Yasin Bhatkal, founder of Indian Mujahideen, arrested
NEW DELHI (TIP): Yasin Bhatkal, the Indian Mujahideen mastermind and a key suspect in several terror blasts since 2008, has been arrested in a joint operation by the central intelligence agencies and the Bihar Police. “Yasin Bhatkal has been traced and detained at the India-Nepal border in Bihar. He is presently in the custody of Bihar Police. His interrogation is going on,” Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde told newspersons here on August 29 morning. The Bihar Police are interrogating Yasin Bhatkal and will later produce him in a court for transit remand. The arrest of Yasin alias Ahmed Siddibappa alias Shahrukh is being seen as a major breakthrough in the agencies’ protracted efforts to break the back of the Indian Mujahideen, the Lashker-e-Taibabackedindigenous jihadi outfit behind the Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune and Jaipur blasts. “This is the biggest success after the Batla House operation, following which the IM was forced to slow down its activities,” said an intelligence official.
Yasin Bhatkal, along with Riyaz Bhatkal, is a co-founder of the IM. Both hail from Bhatkal village in Karnataka. Yasin carried a Rs 10 lakh National Investigation Agency (NIA) reward on his head. Another IM operative, AsadullahAkhtar aliasHaddi, is reported to have been detained along with him. Bhatkal’s arrest comes close on the heels of key LeT man Abdul KarimTunda’s deportation from Nepal. NIA will seek Yasin Bhatkal’s custody. Sources said a joint team comprising central intelligence agencies and the Bihar Police had been camping in Darbhanga in Bihar for his arrest. The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and theIntelligence Bureau (IB) played a crucial role in tracing his whereabouts. Delhi Police special cell teams were stationed too on Bihar-Nepal border for last one week. Sources said Indian intelligence agencies and international agencies negotiated Yasin Bhatkal’s custody at Sanauli Border of Nepal near Gorakhpur.
Though Yasin was earlier arrested by the West Bengal police in 2008, he managed to get bail due to a goof by the police officers who had apprehended him. The officers were unaware of his terror background. Yasin has since been operating from within India, unlike most IM brass who sought a safe haven in Pakistan. He is suspected to have planted the bomb in German Bakery blasts in Pune, where he was allegedly captured on CCTV footage, and this year’s Dilsukhnagar blasts in Hyderabad. The IM co-founder managed to give the intelligence and law enforcement agencies the slip many a times, by employing carefullychosen communication methods, such as always calling from a PCO and using chat services like Nimbus and Yahoo to pass instructions to the IM cadres.He even lived in the national Capital’s Shaheen Bagh in 2010 and married a local girl whose father operated an illegal weapons and ordnance factory in Meer Vihar. National security adviser Shivshankar Menon briefed Prime Minister this morning on Yasin Bhatkal’s arrest.
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PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi to be honored by Indian-American women
NEW YORK (TIP): A statement from the US-based NGO- Children’s Hope India (CHI) said Nooyi would be felicitated with the Special Impact Award at their annual gala to be held at Pier Sixty in Manhattan on October 13. Born in Chennai, Nooyi had studied business management from the premier Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata. Founded in 1992 by a group of Indian American women professionals, CHI sponsors health, education and vocational programs for thousands of children in India. They support over 20 projects reaching out to over 20,000 children per year in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Bhuj, Pune, Jabalpur and several villages in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. In addition to Nooyi’s award, CHI will also honor human rights activist Mallika Dutt, who founded the human rights group ‘Breakthrough’, with the ‘Making a Difference’ Award. Sundaram Tagore, noted gallerist and descendant of the Tagore family, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien and fashion designer Rachel Roy will receive ‘Spirit of Bengal’ Awards. Through this year’s theme ‘Viva Calcutta!’, the auditorium at Manhattan’s Pier Sixty would pay a sparkling tribute to the city of Kolkata and its riches of art, culture, fashion and cuisine. Over 500 guests from near and far, including Ambassador Dnyaneshwar M Mulay, Consul General of India, have been invited for the gala, the release said.
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Cuomo: School-business partnership to offer free 2-year degrees
ALBANY (TIP): Sixteen schools across the state will be part of a partnership with colleges and private businesses, giving students the opportunity to obtain an associate degree at no cost, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced Wednesday, August 28. The Pathways in Technologies Early College High School Program, known as P-TECH, extends schooling for students through grade 14, with graduates receiving a high-school diploma, a two-year college degree and a promise of being “first in line” for a job with a partnering private company. About $4 million was included in the state budget earlier this year to expand the program, which started in New York City in 2011, across the state. The schools will be open to about 6,000 students and will be located throughout the state, while each individual program will come up with an enrollment procedure for students, according to Cuomo’s office.
“This groundbreaking program will give students across the state the opportunity to earn a college degree without taking on significant debt from student loans while also starting on a pathway to a good-paying job when they graduate,” Cuomo said in a statement. The P-TECH program first launched in Brooklyn in 2011 as a partnership between Computer giant IBM, New York City public schools and the City University of New York system. Now, the program will expand to 16 sites across the state with businesses such as Wegmans Food Markets partnering with Rochester schools, Lockheed Martin pairing with Binghamton and architectural firm Fuller and D’Angelo P.C. working with Yonkers schools. Rockland BOCES applied to work with all eight Rockland districts, about 10 Westchester districts, five businesses and both Westchester and Rockland community colleges to devise new ways for teaching math, science and technology. All parties involved plan to spend the next year creating a program geared toward students who might otherwise not succeed in these areas, said Charlene Jordan, assistant superintendent for Rockland BOCES
