The Indian Panorama

Month: January 2016

  • NICE PHASE TO BE IN BOLLYWOOD NOW: KAJOL

    NICE PHASE TO BE IN BOLLYWOOD NOW: KAJOL

    With artistes getting their due credit in Bollywood now, superstar Kajol says it’s the best time for an actor to be in the Hindi film industry.

    Kajol, 41, who made a comeback on the silver screen after a gap of five years with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer ‘Dilwale’, said Bollywood has films for every performer be it male or female dominated. “Our film industry is in a wonderful phase, where we are at right now. As actors, we have a world in front of us. “Male, female, hero, heroine and what we used to call character actors, everybody has the chance to have a film that centres around them with nobody taking away anything from anyone. Right now, it’s a nice place to be an actor,” Kajol said. Asked her opinion on the female pay disparity in Bollywood and Hollywood, the ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ star said it’s a global issue. “I think it’s definitely prevalent in Bollywood. It’s world over. It’s a male dominated business. I also think we have a Meryl Streep, who has done ‘Mamma Mia!’. We have Julia Roberts, who has done ‘Notting Hill’. I cried in ‘Skyfall’ after watching Judi Dench. We have so many actresses, who have done so much fantastic work today despite being paid less.”

    Kajol said it’s completely fine for a middle-aged actress if she is not getting to play a college girl. “If you talk about typical typecast of a herione, may be they cannot currently play a 16-year-old bubbly girl and rejecting or not getting roles, that is perfectly fine. You have to find a film that works for you.” But the mother of two is happy that the scenario is different in the small screen. “TV has only women-centric shows. On these shows, men are playing the side roles.

  • EVERYTHING I SHOT FOR MASTIZAADE WAS NO BIG DEAL: SUNNY LEONE

    EVERYTHING I SHOT FOR MASTIZAADE WAS NO BIG DEAL: SUNNY LEONE

    Being a sex comedy, Milap Zaveri’s ‘Mastizaade’ is bound to have some bold scenes, but actress Sunny Leone says shooting for the film was “no big deal” for her.

    An Indo-Canadian porn star, who took to Bollywood films with erotic thriller ‘Jism 2’, Sunny told IANS: “In the US, there are cult sex comedies. None of the scenes that we shot (for
    ‘Mastizaade’) are a big deal anywhere else… It’s only big deal here (in India). “Okay, I understand people are conservative here in India. It’s understandable. But for me, everything that I shot for ‘Mastizaade; was no big deal. I have seen it all in American TV and that’s okay with me.”

    ‘Mastizaade’ also features Tusshar Kapoor and Vir Das.The film was delayed due to certain distribution issues. However, Sunny says that one has to wait for all “good things”. “If you have a good product, people are going to wait for it,” she added.

  • Make in India Week from February 13 to 18, 2016 in Mumbai

    Make in India Week from February 13 to 18, 2016 in Mumbai

    NEWYORK (TIP): Government of India is organizing a landmark event titled, “Make-in-India Week” from February 13 to 18, 2016 in Mumbai, says a press release issued by the Consulate General of India. The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The week-long event will offer foreign investors and businesses unprecedented access, insights and opportunities to showcase, connect and collaborate with young Indian entrepreneurs, industry leaders, academicians, and government officials at the central and state levels.

    Highlights of the ” Make-in-India Week” will include:

     

     

     

     

    • Make in India Center: This will be the platform for exhibiting innovative products and manufacturing processes developed in India along with a vision to leverage design, innovation and technology in the backdrop of global manufacturing.
    • CNN-Asia Business Forum: Would comprise of a series of seminars, CXO meets and round-tables and networking events on economic challenges, investment opportunities etc. The event would feature Global visionaries, and leaders from the fields of finance, industry and design.
    • Urban Planning Seminar on re-imagining Mumbai: This session would focus on new impetus for a smarter e-enabled Mumbai collaborating with the best-in-class technology partners.
    • Hackathon: A 24-hour marathon event where coders, engineers, and designers collaborate intensively for 24 hours to come up with ideas to solve urban design problems.
    • TIME India Awards: Recognizing excellence in the world of manufacturing,
    • Empowerment through Design: A day-long forum on rethinking contemporary design practices,
    • Maharashtra Night: An evening dedicated to the best of media, entertainment, popular culture, and technology from the State of Maharashtra.
    • Experience India: A street food festival.
    • Exhibitions on art, craft, technology and textiles (Born in Benaras Textile Show) across all museums and art galleries in Mumbai.

    Also planned is the release of a one-time edition of ” Make-in-India” magazine brought out by Conde’ Nast India. The magazine will showcase some of India’s most creative and dynamic innovators and entrepreneurs, across various industries. A presentation deck prepared by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on the event can be accessed here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/q6ykta6nnfrozdm/Make%20in%20In dia%20Week.pptx?dl=0

    Individual members or delegations interested in participating in this event are requested to register for the event. Details regarding registration and other information on the event can be accessed from: http://www.makeinindia.com/mumbai-week.

  • Judge Raja Rajeswari shows ‘Pathway to the Bench’ at Media India Lecture Series at the Indian Consulate

    Judge Raja Rajeswari shows ‘Pathway to the Bench’ at Media India Lecture Series at the Indian Consulate

    NEWYORK (TIP): Continuing its series of monthly Media – India lecture series, Consulate General of India in conjunction with South Asian Bar Association of New York hosted yet another prominent dignitary, the Hon’ble Raja Rajeswari, first Indian born American woman to become criminal court judge in New York City. Ms Rajeshwari, who migrated to the US at the age of 16, was sworn-in as a criminal court judge by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

    Judge Raja Rajeswari answers questions. Ambassador Mulay moderated the Q & A session.
    Judge Raja Rajeswari answers questions. Ambassador Mulay moderated the Q & A session.

    The Consul General Dnyaneshwar Mulay in his welcoming remarks spoke about Ms Rajeswari’s accomplishments and how she has become an example for all other women, especially coming from India. During her speech Ms Rajeswari spoke about her journey to this position she occupies through hard work and determination. She said that for her, this appointment is like a dream come true and way beyond what she had imagined for herself. She  hopes to use her new position to improve the judicial system by encouraging interpreters to have more access to aid immigrants. Her special intention has been helping women and children to get justice in their lives.

    Judge Raja Rajeswari speaks on pathway to the bench to a receptive audience at the Indian Consulate, December 10
    Judge Raja Rajeswari speaks on pathway to the bench to a receptive audience at the Indian Consulate, December 10

    Besides her legal career, Ms Rajeswari is an accomplished Bharat Natyam and Kucchipudi dancer who continues to perform at Indian events and temples with her troupe from the PadmalayaDanceAcademy, named after her mother, Padma Ramanathan. The lecture was followed by Q & A session moderated by the Consul General followed by dance performance by the students of Padmalaya Dance Academy. The event was attended by Indians and alike representing diverse backgrounds. The event concluded with a dinner reception.

  • NYC’s Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs visits the Desi Senior Centre

    NYC’s Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs visits the Desi Senior Centre

    New York City’s Commissioner for Immigrant Affairs, Nisha Agarwal, visited India Home’s Desi Senior Center on December 2, 2015, on the occasion of First Year Anniversary of the center. Councilman Rory Lancman and the Consul General for Bangladesh, Shammem Ashan, as well as Dr. Wahedur Rahman, the President of Jamaica Muslim Center, were also invited guests.

    Commissioner Agarwal spoke about new initiatives from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs that would help immigrant seniors.  She said many immigrant seniors don’t apply for citizenship because of cost, or difficulty with the qualifying exam. She said that many don’t understand that under certain circumstances, especially for older Individuals, the strict requirements are often waived.  She offered to send representatives to Desi Senior Center to help our seniors better understand not only the citizenship process, but also their legal rights.

    Councilman Rory Lancman and the Consul General for Bangladesh, Shameem Ashan spoke very highly of the services offered by India Home.  Councilman Lancman, said that he was “enormously proud” of this program,” and the fact that our members come to the center “even in the rain,” and that they consider it their “second home.”

  • Metropolitan Museum New York showcasing Lord Vishnu

    Metropolitan Museum New York showcasing Lord Vishnu

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (MET), one of the world‘s largest and finest art museums, is exhibiting “Encountering Vishnu: The Lion Avatar in Indian Temple Drama” till June five next.

    “Dramas presented during religious festivals in southern India are an important aspect of popular Hindu celebration. This exhibition highlights five rare wooden sculptural masks that represent a largely unrecorded category of late medieval Indian devotional art”, MET announcement says. Artifacts shown go as far back as 5th century.

    Exhibits include sculptures of Narasimhas in sandstone and wood, Hiranyakashipu in wood, Prahalada in wood, Ganesha in wood, Vishnu in bronze, standing Vishnu in copper, Vishnu rescuing Gajendra in stone, Vishnu slaying Hiranyakashipu in stone, standing four-armed Vishnu in terracotta, Yoga Narasimha in copper alloy; besides Vaikuntha Vishnu mask in bronze. In addition, there are paintings of Narasimha, Bhima, Krishna, Putana, Rama-Sita-Lakshmana, Matsya Avatara, Balaskandha, Assembly of Rama, Vishnu-Garuda Wahan, Shri Sheshanarayana and Hiranyaksha.

    Commending MET for Lord Vishnu exhibition, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that art had a long and rich tradition in Hinduism and ancient Sanskrit literature talked about religious paintings of deities on wood or cloth.

    Collections of MET, founded 1870 and whose mission includes „to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas“; include over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years of world culture, from prehistory to the present and from every part of the globe. It has the largest assemblage of musical instruments outside Europe and its Costume Institute’s collection is over 35,000. It also undertakes traveling exhibitions, conservation, excavations, etc. Thomas P. Campbell, Daniel H. Weiss and Daniel Brodsky are Director, President and Trustees Chairman of the Museum respectively.

  • A Discussion on Yogendra Kumar’s book ‘Diplomatic Dimension of Maritime challenges for India in the 21st century’

    A Discussion on Yogendra Kumar’s book ‘Diplomatic Dimension of Maritime challenges for India in the 21st century’

    NEWYORK (TIP): As part of the ongoing Media India Lecture Series, the Consulate General of India organized a discussion panel on Amb. (Retd.) Yogendra Kumar’s book ‘Diplomatic Dimensions of Maritime Challenges for India in the 21st Century’. This is Amb. (retd) Kumar’s first book and is published by Penguin Press.

    In his welcoming remarks, Consul General Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay highlighted Kumar’s diplomatic career and his contribution to society even after retirement.

    Speaking on the subject, Amb. Kumar discussed the significance of the oceanic waters for India’s national security and well being in terms of the challenges they pose.

  • ‘Bharat Ko Janiye’ – Online Quiz launched for the Indian Diaspora

    ‘Bharat Ko Janiye’ – Online Quiz launched for the Indian Diaspora

    NEWYORK (TIP): A press release of the Indian Consulate says that in an effort to educate Indian Diaspora all over the world, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has launched the “Bharat ko Janiye” quiz.

    It is intended to educate them about India’s progress in various fields like Science & Technology, Manufacturing, Industry, Communication & Information Technology etc and also about the different facets of Indian life.

    The aim of this quiz program is also to create awareness about India’s rich cultural heritage and its diversity. With this quiz program, the Ministry would like to help the Diaspora youth and NRIs to learn and understand the culture, history and the development of their ancestral country.

    The Quiz is open for both PIOs and NRIs between the age group of 18 – 35 years.

  • Moisturize, use humidifier to combat skin dryness

    Moisturize, use humidifier to combat skin dryness

    Hydrate while you sleep, slather on moisturizer, and drink plenty of water to do away with dry and flaky skin.

    • Your hands, feet and lips are most susceptible to drying up because you use these body parts the most. Apply additional moisturizers on them throughout the day. Always keep some hand cream and lip balm in your hand bag or on your desk at work.
    • You can hydrate the skin while sleeping as well. Try to sleep with a humidifier in your bedroom as it will help to pump the moisture back into the air and this will add moisture to your skin, hair and nails.
    • Ensure you drink plenty of water every day to clear spots and hydrate skin. It keeps you hydrated internally and helps the rest of the body in many of its functions. So, yes water is essential for good health and beautiful skin.
    • Drinking isn’t the only way to get your water. During winter season, dieting is a crucial factor in keeping your skin hydrated. You should add food items such as salmon, olive oil, and various nuts to your diet. Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3, and is overall healthy for your body.
    • Use warm colours and bronzers which are best for the season.
    • Don’t stop wearing sunscreen. UV rays do tremendous amounts of damage to your skin, so apply good amount of sunscreen every time you go outside. Reapply frequently if you stay outside for a long time.
  • COUGH MEDICINES WITH CODEINE PUTTING YOU AND YOUR KIDS AT RISK

    COUGH MEDICINES WITH CODEINE PUTTING YOU AND YOUR KIDS AT RISK

    A bad cough is something everyone has from time to time and to relieve ourselves of the sore throat, we have often medicated ourselves. Doctors have, however, issued a warning about over-the-counter cough medicines that contain codeine after a girl overdosed.

    COUGH MEDICINES WITH CODEINEAn article describes the first published case of confusional state in a healthy 14-year-old girl attributed to excessive consumption of over the counter cough medicine that contained codeine.

    Codeine is a widely prescribed painkiller, but it can also be purchased over the counter in preparations of cold/cough remedies.

    However, doctors warn that there is little evidence showing benefits of codeine in cough remedies, and the risks associated with codeine use in over the counter cough suppressants may be “particularly unnecessary” because of the lack of evidence.

    Codeine intoxication symptoms often include central nervous system depression, respiratory depression, severe itching of the skin, and flushing. Confusion is a relatively unusual complaint.

    However, in this particular case, the teenage girl experienced confusion and the loss of the ability to create new memories.She falsely reported to have completed tasks, for example, by claiming to have showered when it was obvious to her mother that she had not. In addition, she switched languages during her homework.She slept up to 20 hours a day, had a decreased attention span and suffered from intermittent headaches.

    Before these symptoms, the patient experienced flu-like symptoms over a 15 day period, during which she was absent from school. She had been taking 2-3 spoonfuls daily of codeine cough suppressant, oral codeine phosphate, over this time. The patient had not exceeded the recommended daily dosage of 3-6 spoonfuls, but she had exceeded the maximum recommended duration of usage of 3 days.A urine test reported positive for codeine, and no other drugs were present.

    The doctors warn that there have been many reported child and adolescent deaths following codeine use, and they conclude that “the combination of lack of efficacy, risk of acute intoxication and dependence, suggests that the use of OTC codeine preparations may be unwarranted.”

  • OVEREATING CAN CAUSE DEPRESSION

    OVEREATING CAN CAUSE DEPRESSION

    In a recent study, it has been found that chronic overeating and stress are tied to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.

    The researchers from Yale University report that the anesthetic ketamine reverses depression-like symptoms in rats which are fed a high-fat diet in a similar way it combats depression and synaptic damage of chronic stress in people.

    Senior author Ronald Duman said that the effects of a high-fat diet overlap with those of chronic stress and could also be a contributing factor in depression as well as metabolic disorders such as Type 2 diabetes.

    In the research scientists have shown that ketamine, also known as Special K and abused as a recreational drug, can quickly and dramatically reduce symptoms of chronic depression in patients, who are resistant to typical antidepressant agents.

    They also found that a single low dose of ketamine reversed those symptoms quickly, and reversed the disruption of mTORC signaling pathways.

    KNOCK OFF THAT STUBBORN BELLY FAT WITH FISH OIL

    Fish oil could be your answer to fighting belly fat. According to a research by Kyoto University, fish oil helps burns fat faster than all the fat-burning pills which could lead to efficient weight loss in overweight or obese people in their 30s and 40s.

    Fish oil activates receptors in the digestive tract, fires the sympathetic nervous system and induces storage cells to metabolise fat.

    Fat tissues do not all store fat. So called ‘white’ cells store fat in order to maintain energy supply while ‘brown’ cells metabolise fat to maintain a stable body temperature.

    Brown cells are abundant in babies but decrease in number with maturity into adulthood.

    A third type of fat cell – ‘beige’ cells — have recently been found in humans and mice, and have shown to function much like brown cells.

    Beige cells also reduce in number as people approach middle age and without these metabolising cells, fat continues accumulating for decades without ever being used.

  • MAKE FOUR EASY LIP BALMS RIGHT AT HOME

    MAKE FOUR EASY LIP BALMS RIGHT AT HOME

    Virgin coconut oil and cocoa butter balm or a peppermint one, you can make these and more at home to do away with chapped lips.

    HOMEMADE LIP BALMS

     

     

    Virgin coconut oil and cocoa butter balm

    Mix fresh virgin coconut oil well with cocoa butter. Then heat the mixture with an equal proportion of shredded beeswax along with vanilla extract. Once the mix reaches a thick consistency, pour it into an empty box which you can carry around with you. Refrigerate the box for some time before applying it.

    Lemon rosemary balm

    For this balm, you need pretty much the same ingredients as above but to jazz things up, blend in lemon and rosemary essence to the mixture. Add about 15 drops of each essence after mixing the coconut oil, cocoa butter and beeswax. If you want to add a dash of colour, just infuse a little chunk of lipstick while the mixture is still heating!

    Peppermint balm

    Take some petroleum jelly in a microwave-safe bowl and put it inside the oven till the jelly turns into liquid. Now add one teaspoon of honey and half teaspoon of sweet almond oil to it. Infuse the peppermint extract and mix everything together and microwave the mixture again for 20 seconds. After this, put the heated mixture in a lip balm stick which is easily available in the market today or in a small box. Let it rest at room temperature for an hour and use it when hardened.

    Mint chocolate balm

    Besides the staples of coconut oil and cocoa butter, you also need three to four chocolate chips and some mint extract. Place all the ingredients in a heat-safe bowl. Heat a little water in a saucepan and once it starts to simmer, put this bowl on top of it. Melt the ingredients in the bowl and then pour the liquid into a sterilized container. As above, let it set and then pamper yourself with this little indulgence as many times a day as you like.

  • HYDRICITY MAY GENERATE 24X7 POWER

    HYDRICITY MAY GENERATE 24X7 POWER

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have proposed a new “hydricity” concept for round-the-clock power by not only generating electricity from solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water.

    “The proposed hydricity concept represents a potential breakthrough solution for continuous and efficient power generation,” said Rakesh Agrawal from Purdue University in US. “The concept provides an exciting opportunity to envision and cre ate
    a sustainable economy to meet all the human needs in cluding food, chemicals transportation, heating and electricity,” he said.

    Hydrogen can be combined with carbon from agricultural biomass to produce fuel, fertiliser and other pro ducts. “If you can borrow carbon from sustainably available biomass you can produce anything: electricity chemicals, heating, food and fuel,” said Agrawal.

    Hydricity uses solar con centrators to focus sunlight producing high temperatures and superheating water to operate a series of electricitygenerating steam turbines and reactors for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

    The hydrogen would be stored for use overnight to superheat water and run the steam turbines, or it could be used for other applications, producing zero greenhouse-gas emissions, researchers said.

    In superheating, water is heated well beyond its boiling point – in this case from 1,000 to 1,300 degrees Celsius -producing high-temperature steam to run turbines and also to operate solar reactors to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen.

    “In the round-the-clock process we produce hydrogen and electricity during daylight, store hydrogen and oxygen, and then when solar energy is not available we use hydrogen to produce electricity using a turbine-based hydrogenpower cycle,” said Mohit Tawarmalani, professor at Purdue. “Because we could operate around the clock, the steam turbines run continuously and shutdowns and restarts are not required.

  • Chinese TV channel hires robot as reporter

    Chinese TV channel hires robot as reporter

    BEIJING (TIP): For the first time, a Chinese news channel has employed an artificial intelligence robot as a weather reporter on its live breakfast show, raising concerns among the country’s journalists as it could threaten their jobs.

    “I’m happy to start my new work on the winter solstice,” robot XiaoIce said during her debut on Tuesday morning. Xiao-Ice is actually a piece of software developed by Microsoft using smart cloud and big data. In the first two days of her work, XiaoIce impressed many with her cute voice.

    She also comments on big news events on Shanghai Dragon TV.

    According to Microsoft, breakthroughs in text-to-speech artificial intelligence (AI) have helped Xiao-Ice score high points for linguistic naturalness, with hers being closer to the human voice than other speech synthesisers. Through unique emotional technology, she can make comments instantly based on weather data.

    After her successful debut, people are worried that XiaoIce could cause traditional TV anchors and weather reporters to lose their jobs. Song Jiongming, director of TV news for the Shanghai Media Group, pointed out that human anchors will not be completely replaced by XiaoIce in the near term, but the robot will supplement humans with big data analysis capability.

    Robot reporters could easily replace a lot of Chinese reporters like this nationwide, a Chinese journalist said. “I’ve heard about robot reporters for a long time, but thought they only operated in the United States and Europe,” Li Wei said, adding that “I’m not ready to compete with them yet.”

    In September this year, Chinese social and gaming giant Tencent published its first business report written by a robot this, stroking fears among journalists.

    The “flawless” 916 -word article, completed in just one minute by Dream writer, was released via the company’s online portal.

  • BRITISH ASTRONAUT DIALS WRONG NUMBER FROM SPACE

    BRITISH ASTRONAUT DIALS WRONG NUMBER FROM SPACE

    Britain’s first astronaut on a space mission, Major Tim Peake, accidentally called the wrong number when trying to call home from space. Major Peake quickly took to Twitter to insist that the incident was not a prank call “just a wrong number!” “I’d like to apologise to the lady I just called by mistake saying ‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’ -not a prank call… just a wrong number,” he tweeted from the International Space Station (ISS).

    The 43-year-old, who is spen Tim Peake later tweeted an apology ding six months conducting scientific experiments on the ISS, has been unlucky with calls to the Earth and had earlier got his parents’ answering machine when he tried to wish them a Merry Christmas.

    Earlier in the week, Peake helped two fellow crew members to conduct a space walk outside the ISS. Astronauts Tim Kopra and Scott Kelly , from the US space agency Nasa, went outside the ISS to fix a broken component.

    Peake, who is a former major in the army , is the first Briton to join the crew of the ISS and is employed by the European Space Agency . Helen Sharman became the first British citizen to travel to space when she visited the Soviet Mir orbiting station in 1991.

    Other Britons who have flown into space have done so either as private individuals or by taking US citizenship. Earlier this month Peake was waved off by his wife and two sons, Thomas, six, and Oliver, four, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

  • Giant comets may threaten Earth, say astronomers

    Giant comets may threaten Earth, say astronomers

    PARIS (TIP): Planet Earth could be at higher risk of a space rock impact than widely thought, according to astronomers who today suggested keeping a closer eye on distant giant comets.

    Most studies of potential Earth-smashers focus on objects in the asteroid belt roughly between Mars, Earth’s outside neighbour, and Jupiter on its other flank, said the researchers.

    But they noted that the discovery in the last two decades of hundreds of giant comets dubbed centaurs, albeit with much larger orbits, requires expanding the list of potential hazards.

    These balls of ice and dust, typically 50-100 kilometres wide, have unstable, elliptical orbits that start way beyond Neptune, the most distant planet from the Sun. Their orbits cross those of the giant planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, whose gravity fields occasionally deflect a comet towards Earth – once about every 40,000-100,000 years.

    As they draw closer to the Sun, the comets would gradually break up, which is what causes the trademark cometary debris tail – “making impacts on our planet inevitable”. “The disintegration of such giant comets would produce intermittent but prolonged periods of bombardment lasting up to 100,000 years,” the research team wrote in the Royal Astronomical Society journal, Astronomy and Geophysics.

    And they argued that “assessment of the extraterrestrial impact risk based solely on near-Earth asteroid counts, underestimates its nature and magnitude.”

  • NASA calls off next Mars mission because of instrument leak

    NASA calls off next Mars mission because of instrument leak

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Nasa has called off its next Mars mission because of a leak in a science instrument.

    The Insight spacecraft was supposed to take off in March and land on the red planet next year. But Nasa said today that managers have suspended the launch because of an air leak in one of two prime science instruments, a seismometer which belongs to the French Space Agency. It was supposed to ship to the Southern California launch site next month. Nasa said attempts to fix the leak have failed.

    The lander is designed to examine the geology of Mars in depth. Launch opportunities for Mars only occur every two years. It wasn’t immediately clear whether Nasa had canceled the mission entirely or would delay it until 2018.

  • POTATOES TO BE GROWN ON EARTH UNDER MARS – LIKE CONDITIONS

    POTATOES TO BE GROWN ON EARTH UNDER MARS – LIKE CONDITIONS

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Scientists plan to grow potatoes in Mars-like conditions simulated on Earth, in a major step towards building a controlled dome on the red planet capable of farming the invaluable crop.

    The experiment, led by the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Peru and Nasa, demonstrates that potato can be grown in the most inhospitable environments to save millions of lives.

    The goal is to raise awareness of the incredible resilience of potatoes, and fund further research and farming in devastated areas across the globe where malnutrition and poverty are rife and climbing, researchers said.

    “We need people to understand that if we can grow potatoes in extreme conditions like those on Mars, we can save lives on Earth,” said Joel Ranck, CIP head of communications.

    By using soil almost identical to that of Mars, sourced from the Pampas de La Joya Desert in Peru, researchers will replicate Martian atmospheric conditions in a laboratory and grow potatoes.

    Understanding atmospheric changes on the surface of Mars will help build more dynamic and accurate simulation centres on Earth, providing further research for both CIP and Nasa, who are looking to pioneer space farming.

  • ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE LARGER, MORE COMPLEX THAN THOUGHT

    ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE LARGER, MORE COMPLEX THAN THOUGHT

    Angkor Wat, in its beauty and state of preservation, is unrivaled. Its mightiness and magnificence bespeak a pomp and a luxury surpassing that of a Pharaoh or a Shah Jahan, an impressiveness greater than that of the Pyramids, an artistic distinctiveness as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Angkor Wat is located about six kilometers (four miles) north of Siem Reap, south of Angkor Thom. Entry and exit to Angkor Wat can only be access from its west gate.

    Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC). Estimated construction time of the temple is 30 years by King Suryavarman II, dedicated to Vishnu (Hindu), replica of Angkor Thom style of art.

    ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE

     

    BACKGROUND

    Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief’s and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

    Wat is the Khmer name for temple (the French spelling is “vat “), which was probably added to “Angkor “when it became a Theravada Buddhist monument, most likely in the sixteenth century. After 1432 when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was cared for by Buddhist monks.

    It is generally accepted that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II and oriented to the west to conform to the symbolism between the setting sun and death. The bas-reliefs, designed for viewing from left to right in the order of Hindu funereal ritual, support this function.

    ARCHITECTURAL PLAN

    The plan of Angkor Wat is difficult to grasp when walking through the monument because of the vastness. Its complexity and beauty both attract and distract one’s attention. From a distance Angkor Wat appears to be a colossal mass of stone on one level with a long causeway leading to the center but close up it is a series of elevated towers, covered galleries, chambers, porches and courtyards on different levels linked by stairways.

    The height of Angkor Wat from the ground to the top of the central tower is greater than it might appear: 213 meters (699 feet), achieved with three rectangular or square levels (1-3) Each one is progressively smaller and higher than the one below starting from the outer limits of the temple.

    Covered galleries with columns define the boundaries of the first and second levels. The third level supports five towers –four in the corners and one in the middle and these is the most prominent architectural feature of Angkor Wat. This arrangement is sometimes called a quincunx. Graduated tiers, one rising above the other, give the towers a conical shape and, near the top, rows of lotuses taper to a point.

    The overall profile imitates a lotus bud, Several architectural lines stand out in the profile of the monument. The eye is drawn left and right to the horizontal aspect of the levels and upward to the soaring height of the towers. The ingenious plan of Angkor Wat only allows a view of all five towers from certain angles. They are not visible, for example, from the entrance. Many of the structures and courtyards are in the shape of a cross. The. Visitor should study the plan on page 86 and become familiar with this dominant layout. A curved sloping roof on galleries, chambers and aisles is a hallmark of Angkor Wat. From a distance it looks like a series of long narrow ridges but close up from identifies itself. It is a roof made of gracefully arched stone rectangles placed end to end. Each row of tiles is capped with an end tile at right angles the ridge of the roof.

    The scheme culminates in decorated tympanums with elaborate frames. Steps provide access to the various levels. Helen Churchill Candee, who visited Angkor in the 1920s, thought their usefulness surpassed their architectural purpose.

    The steps to Angkor Wat are made to force a halt at beauteous obstruction that the mind may be prepared for the atmosphere of sanctity, she wrote In order to become familiar with the composition of Angkor Wat the visitor should learn to recognize the repetitive elements in the architecture. Galleries with columns, towers, curved roofs, tympanums, steps and the cross-shaped plan occur again and again.

    It was by combining two or more of these aspects that a sense of height was achieved. This arrangement was used to link one part of the monument to another. Roofs were frequently layered to add height, length or dimension. A smaller replica of the central towers was repeated at the limits of two prominent areas-the galleries and the entry pavilions. The long causeway at the entrance reappears on the other side of the entry pavilion.

    SYMBOLISM

    Angkor Wat is a miniature replica of the universe in stone and represents an earthly model of the cosmic world. The central tower rises from the center of the monument symbolizing the mythical mountain, Meru, situated at the center of the universe. Its five towers correspond to the peaks of Meru. The outer wall corresponds to the mountains at the edge of the world, and the surrounding moat the oceans beyond.

  • Terror attack Hits Pathankot Air Force station in Punjab; 2 terrorists killed – Live Updates

    Terror attack Hits Pathankot Air Force station in Punjab; 2 terrorists killed – Live Updates

    Two terrorists have been killed, reports suggest 4-5 terrorists stormed base in Indian army fatigues. Fierce gun battle underway between security forces and terrorists.

    This story has been updated : Pathankot Terror Attack: All 5 Terrorists Neutralized | Jaish-E-Mohammed Blamed

    Two terrorists had been killed in the operation, whereas two or three others were still holed up in the area.

    Sources said that one air force personnel has also died during the gunbattle, while five others have been injured.

    According to ANI, four-five gunmen stormed base in Indian army fatigues. the firing is supposed to have taken place in technical area, and not near the hangers, according to sources.

    A fierce gunbattle is underway between the security forces and the attackers.

    As per latest reports, the terrorists have been contained to non-operational areas.

    At least two terrorists have been killed in a gun battle with the armed forces at the Pathankot Air Force Station on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The BSF and Punjab Police have thrown a cordon around the air base and four military choppers are hovering over it.

    According to initial reports, the incident is being linked to the missing car of a Punjab SP on Friday morning.

    Meanwhile, authorities said the helicopters and other equipment in the Air base was safe. The entire area has been cordoned off, police said. The attackers had also made calls to Pakistan, police said.

    The attack comes days after PM Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan. It is the second big terror attack in Punjab within less than a year as last year three militants stormed a police station in Diana Nagar before being eliminated after 12 hour gun battle.

     

  • DILWALE | MOVIE REVIEW

    DILWALE | MOVIE REVIEW

    STORY: SRK is Kali in Bulgaria and Raj in Goa; Kajol is Meera in Bulgaria and Mata Hari otherwise. They hate the fact that they love each other so much…

    DILWALEmovREVIEW: Rohit Shetty’s films are big-ticket adventures; a genre unto themselves. Low on content — plot lines borrowed (in this case Hum and Kasme Vaade), incohesive screenplay and lowbrow dialogues (Sajid-Farhad) — the film leans heavily on Shah Rukh’s mega-stardom, Varun’s effervescence, breathtaking locales (Iceland and Bulgaria), orchestrated car chases and over-the-top situations, which have you chuckling.

    Raj, a car modifier from Goa dotes on his younger brother, Veer (Varun), who is happy-go-lucky, romantic and lives in fear of his big bro. When Veer crosses paths with a lunatic don, King, whose henchmen are peddling drugs across an open counter in broad daylight, the baddies beat him up. In retaliation, his bade bhaiyya wears a hood and pummels the goondas to pulp. He leaves a warning, “King ko bolo Kali aaya tha.” OMG! That’s when you realise that Raj has a past.

    Cut to Bulgaria, 15 years ago. A young Kali is zipping around in mean machines pulling off heists. He oversteps, when he robs gold belonging to his father Randhir’s (Vinod Khanna) mafia rival Malik (Kabir Bedi). Malik hollers, “Randhir’s trump card is Kali. Finish him.”

    This is followed by a turn of events. Kali knocks down a pretty tourist called Meera (Kajol). The accident injures her leg and his heart. After some foolhardiness and the hauntingly-shot Gerua, he discovers that she is no damsel in distress. She’s opposition. His big, brown eyes beg for love while hers breathe fire. She wields a gun too. Ooh…what is actually meant to be their betrothal meeting turns into a bloody battle.

    By sheer coincidence, Kali and Meera move to Goa. Now chhota bhai Veer falls for Meera’s younger sister Ishita. For their love to fructify, they must first pacify the DDLJ Lovers.

    Where Comedy Nights with Kapil and Comedy Nights Bachao are staples, Rohit Shetty is big boss! So just LOL! Or even better just seek solace in SRK’s outstretched arms.

  • BOLLYWOOD FILM-MAKER MADHUR BHANDARKAR HONORED IN PAKISTAN

    BOLLYWOOD FILM-MAKER MADHUR BHANDARKAR HONORED IN PAKISTAN

    LAHORE (TIP): Bollywood film-maker Madhur Bhandarkar, who traversed borders to attend this year’s Rafi Peer International Film Festival (RPIFF) in Lahore, received a warm welcome and a top prize at the event. He was overjoyed to be the recipient of the Memorial Award at the RPIFF, which was presented to him by acting veteran Zeba.

    “I’m happy that the Rafi Peer administration conferred the Memorial Award on me and agreed to screen Chandni Bar (2001) at the film festival upon my request,” he said while speaking to the press during the three-day film festival that took place from December 17 to 19 at Alhamra Arts Council. Bhandarkar addressing media, told  “Feeling honoured to receive the RafiPeer Memorial Award from veteran Pakistani actor Zeba ji. in Lahore,”.

    Lauding Bhandarkar, Tasneem Pirzada, director of communication at Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, told media, “Madhur Bhandarkar is a wonderful film-maker and his works has contributed to the society at large without looking into borders point of view. “It’s because of his relentless efforts in the world of film-making that we presented him with the award.”

    Tasneem Pirzada shared how Bhandarkar’s Chandni Bar has encouraged discourse on societal issues, such as prostitution. “The issue of prostitution was under discussion in India when Madhur was contemplating the film. The then government had shut down Chandni Bar to curb the increase in prostitution but after the bar’s closure, the phenomenon only augmented,” . Tasneem Pirzada said Madhur made Chandni Bar as an eye-opener for the government and its success was a factor that led to the continued running of such bars in India.

    Of his film, Madhur Bhandarkar shared, “I’m happy that Chandni Bar became my identity. People around the world recognize me for this film.” Madhur Bhandarkar went on to say that If he had not had Chandni Bar to his credit, people wouldn’t have recognized him as a producer and director today. “In fact, many Pakistanis around the world have told me they especially bought a DVD of Chandni Bar.” Madhur Bhandarkar,is best known for films, such as Chandni Bar, Page 3, Traffic Signal and Fashion. Apart from Bhandarkar, veteran actor Om Puri was also present at the film festival to attend the screening of his film “My Son the Fanatic in Lahore”.

  • American Pilgrimage making waves in US

    American Pilgrimage making waves in US

    NEW YORK (TIP): Released this past fall on Universal Music Classics, American Pilgrimage, an album of Indian melody and jazz improvisation, has ascended to No. 8 on the Indian Jazz Charts on iTunes. The track ‘Kesariya’ has been featured on Spotify’s Jazz Playlist and California’s jazz and world radio station KCRW featured it in a list of their top jazz albums of 2015.

    Pianist Jay Oliver, featured on the album praised the record, saying, “Some of the most interesting music I’ve ever been a part of comes from the rich cultural tapestry of India. Of the highest measure, American Pilgrimage is an international blend of musical style and influence that is both timeless and innovative. Working with Sanjay Chitale and Sandeep Chowta was quite possibly the most profound musical experience of my life.”

    The album is the culmination of a life-long dream of Bollywood music director, multi-instrumentalist and composer Sandeep Chowta. He wanted to meet and record with his jazz idols, including John Scofield, Bunny Brunel, Eddie Daniels, Andy LaVerne, Dave Valentine and more. His friend and musical partner, vocalist Sanjay Chitale, made it his mission to bring this dream to reality. Several years ago, the two embarked on a two-year-long journey across the United States, nocking on doors, calling friends, crashing on couches and recording music with the aforementioned legends they sought out.

    Spyro Gyra, Tom Schuman and Indian Violin maestro L Subramanyam have immensely praised the effort of Sandeep Chowta and Sanjay Chitale.

    American Pilgrimage fuses jazz improvisation with ethereal Indian grooves. Sandeep would lay down tracks, creating a backdrop of pulsing Indian rhythms and melodies and Sanjay would add his floating vocals. The two would present the tracks to the jazz artists, who all displayed their own brand of virtuosity, finding new voice in the context of these foreign sounds.

    Sandeep Chowta is a prolific Indian Bollywood music director whose work can be heard in some of the biggest Bollywood films such as Om Shanti Om and Rowdy Rathore. He has also has recorded his own jazz albums including Mitti and Matters of the Heart, both on Sony Music.

    Sanjay Chitale’s life was rooted in music until he found himself working in Information Technology. When the opportunity to record American Pilgrimage came along, he sold his investments and dove head first into the project. This is both Sanjay and Sandeep’s recording debut on Universal Music Classics.

     

  • Prabhu Dayal serves hot Karachi Halwa

    Prabhu Dayal serves hot Karachi Halwa

    NEW YORK (TIP): Why would Zia want to climb five floors of a hotel? Why did someone think Zia could fix his TV? Was Zia practicing Urine therapy? What did Christopher Lee and Alyque Padamsee have in common?

    Prabhu DayalAmbassador Prabhu Dayal who had a very highly successful diplomatic career as Indian Consul General in New York for five years has penned all his memories of his posting in Pakistan and aptly named the book “Karachi Halwa”.

    Karachi Halwa is witty and insightful portrayal of Zia ul Haq’s rule in Pakistan. Ambassador Prabhu Dayal shares his recollections of that period and keeps you laughing throughout his account of the bumpy ride of Pakistan’s domestic politics and its relationship with India. He tells you how a Sahiwal cow was brought into the equation, and where an elephant comes in.

    Karachi HalwaHe says, ‘The past, the present and the future are in one continuous motion. Whatever I witnessed in Pakistan during Zia’s rule extends its long shadow not only over the present times but will do so well into the future also’. He poses the ultimate question whether the two South Asian giants can live as friends, offering his own suggestions.’

    Ambassador Prabhu Dayal is an illustrious officer of the Indian Foreign Service with a career spanning 37 years. He served in various diplomatic positions in Egypt, Pakistan, Iran and the Permanent Mission to the UN at Geneva before being appointed as Consul General, Dubai in 1994. This was followed by his appointment as Ambassador to Kuwait (1998-2001) and to Morocco
    (2004-2008). He also served as Deputy Secretary (Pakistan) and later as Joint Secretary (SAARC).

    He was Consul General, New York from 2008 until his retirement in 2013-ranking next in seniority to the Ambassador. From the magnificent heritage building in Manhattan which houses the Consulate General of India, he handled matters relating to 10 US States–New York , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire. His jurisdiction also included Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

    Having been a student of International Relations at the University of Allahabad, it was perhaps natural for him to opt for the Foreign Service when he stood second in the Order of Merit in the Civil Services Examination. “Nation states have always engaged in warfare and diplomacy” he says, adding “the world needs skillful diplomats more than ever before in history”. He puts his rich experience and intellectual abilities to good use in his first book- ‘Karachi Halwa’. His wife Chandini Dayal has provided illustrations with her deft pen for all the chapters.

    ‘Karachi Halwa’ is published in India by Zorba Books and kindle books are available online at Amazon. The hard copy version is being sold at a moderate price of Rs.199 on Amazon.in and Flipkart. It is also available on uRead.com, which will deliver worldwide.

    Karachi HalwaIn his prologue, Prabhu Dayal says: “My diplomatic career has taken me to several continents, but I must admit that in no country did I feel such an overpowering sense of a common heritage as I did in Pakistan. In both countries, the issues in focus are the ones which divide us. This is of course unfortunate since present day India and Pakistan have existed under similar influences for millennia and have remarkable similarities in a number of areas such as language, literature, art and architecture.

    “I found that there was something rather unique about the experience of living amidst my colonial cousins. The warmth and affection which I often received was very moving, and many occasions remain etched in my memory”.

    Dayal recalls in his book: “One occasion that I remember fondly was when I wanted to buy a camel-skin lamp and found a shop which had just what I wanted. As I was paying the bill, the elderly shop keeper somehow figured out that I was from India, and asked me as to which city did I hail from. When I told him that I was from Allahabad, he refused to take any money from me as his wife was also from there! Finally, he agreed to let me pay, as long as I would accept two lamps for the price of one”.

    “During my stay in Karachi, I met several people who were the very embodiment of sophistication and refinement. Remnants of the legendary ‘Nawabi’ era, they were a charming blend of wealth and culture– poignant reminders of an age that was fast receding into the past, he said.

    “Again, there were also many enchanting evenings which I spent at spell-binding concerts of Pakistani maestros or attending mushairas (Urdu poetic symposia) graced by the participation of renowned Pakistani poets. I felt truly enriched by such cultural fiestas.

    “Then there were those equally enjoyable evenings which I spent just relaxing in the company of a few close Pakistani friends. These occasions gave me the opportunity to savor the best of Karachi humor, always original though at times, somewhat cynical.

    “These and many other memories fill me with sweetness even today. On the other hand, I was often witness to that unabashed lying and duplicity which Pakistani leaders have developed into a fine art. Their pronouncements were often at such variance with ground realities that they were difficult to digest. “Though I embarked on my stint in Karachi with no hint of enthusiasm, the three and a half years which I spent turned out to be unforgettable in several respects and fill me with nostalgia even today after the passage of three decades, he recollects with nostalgia.

  • Barack Obama was made to look ‘blacker’ in Republican Party campaign ads

    Barack Obama was made to look ‘blacker’ in Republican Party campaign ads

    WASHINGTON (TIP): The new study shows that negative ads targeting President Obama in 2008 depicted him with very dark skin, and that these images would have appealed to some viewers’ racial biases.

    The finding reinforces charges that some Republican politicians seek to win votes by implying support for racist views and ethnic hierarchies, without voicing those prejudices explicitly. The purported tactic is often called “dog-whistle politics” — just as only canines can hear a dog whistle, only prejudiced voters are aware of the racist connotations of a politician’s statement, according to the theory.

    That debate has been prominent in the 2016 campaign, primarily targeting Donald Trump, but it has existed in almost every recent presidential election. To hear their opponents tell it, when Republican politicians say they oppose a generous welfare system, they really mean black beneficiaries are lazy. If they endorse strict immigration enforcement, they really mean that Latinos are criminals, critics say.

    A study published online this month in Public Opinion Quarterly provides new evidence that one GOP campaign —intentionally or not — has aired advertisements that exacerbate viewers’ racial biases.

    Analyzing 126 advertisements from the presidential campaign in 2008, the authors first digitally measured the darkness of the two nominees’ skin in each spot, then sorted the ads into categories based on themes. President Obama and his opponent, Senator John McCain (respresentatiove of Arizona), looked very different in various advertisements depending on how the footage was edited and produced.

    That was particularly the case in negative advertisements, in which each campaign manipulated the images of its opponent to shadow or wash out his face for dramatic effect.

    Interestingly, though, when McCain’s campaign aired spots that connected Obama with alleged criminal activity by liberal groups, the producers almost always used images that made Obama’s skin appear very dark. You can watch one of those spots here.

    Eighty-six per cent of these ads contained an image of the president in which the his skin tone was in the darkest quartile of all ads studied.

    Likewise, as the election approached, images of Obama in spots aired by McCain’s campaign became gradually darker.

    Images of McCain campaign’s own candidate, meanwhile, became somewhat lighter.

    Whether this was a conscious strategy on the part of McCain’s campaign is impossible to say. The Washington Post contacted the Republican National Committee and McCain’s Senate office. They did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Yet a large body of evidence shows that racial prejudices are stronger against African Americans with darker skin. For example, jurors are more likely to sentence to death black defendants with stereotypically African facial features, even when accounting for the severity of the crime.

    The authors of this study — Solomon Messing of the Pew Research Center; Maria Jabon, a software engineer who works for LinkedIn; and Ethan Plaut, a postdoctoral fellow at Stanford University — confirmed that darker images of Obama did indeed affect the way viewers perceived him. (Messing conducted the research at Stanford before joining Pew.)

    The researchers showed subjects manipulated images of Obama and then asked them to play a game resembling a crossword puzzle. The subjects had to fill in blanks, such as “C R _ _ _.” One respondent might write “C R O W D,” while another might write “C R I M E.” Given the letters “L A _ _,” a respondent could write “L A Z Y.”

    (The Independent)