Blog Archive

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

India to miss partial solar eclipse

Sky gazers in India will miss the year's second partial solar eclipse Wednesday as it will not be visible in the country.

The second partial solar eclipse of 2011 will happen on June 1. The eclipse will not cover India but can be seen from the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

The partial solar eclipse begins Wednesday at sunrise in Siberia and northern China where the shadow first touches earth at 10.55 p.m. (Indian time).

As seen from the Earth, a Solar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, and the Moon fully or partially covers the Sun as viewed from a location on Earth.

Rajnikanth fine, recovering well: Dhanush

There is good news for superstar Rajinikanth's fans. He is responding well to treatment and is in good health.
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Actor Rajnikanth, now being treated at a hospital in Singapore, is fine and recovering well, his son-in-law and actor Dhanush said on Tuesday.

"He (Rajnikanth) is recovering well. He is doing fine. He is responding well to the treatment," he told reporters in Chennai.

"Doctors have found out the root cause of his (Rajnikanth’s) trouble. It is something that can be reversed," Dhanush said.

The superstar is being treated at Singapore's top hospital, the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre.

Dhanush dismissed as a joke reports that the actor required a kidney transplantation.

"There is no kidney transplant. It’s a joke."

Short jokes on Marriage

At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, "Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?" The other replied, "Yes, I am, I married the wrong man."

After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, 'You know, I was a fool when I married you.' The husband replied, "Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice."

A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted' . Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: "You can have mine."

A man is almost about to die

As he lay on his deathbed, the man confided to his wife, "I cannot die without telling you the truth. I cheated on you throughout our whole marriage. All those nights when I told you I was working late, I was with other women. And not just one woman either, but I've slept with dozens of them."

His wife looked at him calmly and said, "Why do you think I gave you the poison?"

Getting revenge with marriage

Old Farmer Johnson was dying. The family was standing around his bed. With a low voice he sad to his wife: "When I'm dead I want you to marry farmer Jones."

Wife: "No, I can't marry anyone after you."

Johnson: "But I want you to."

Wife: "But why?"

Johnson: "Jones once cheated me in a horse deal!"

Monday, May 30, 2011

Internet Explorer 9 now available in Indian languages

Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. announced the availability of Internet Explorer 9 in 53 additional languages, including 11 Indian regional languages, specifically, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malyalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu.

Microsoft may well be a late entrant in this space behind Google Chrome and homegrown browser Epic that is built specially for the Indian market.

With this launch, a wider audience base will have access to Internet Explorer 9 in their native language. Consumers can download Internet Explorer 9 in a language of their choice by visiting www.windows.microsoft.com/en-US/internet-explorer/downloads/ie-9/worldwide-languages.

The availability of Internet Explorer 9 in Indian regional languages is part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to promote local language computing in India, thereby taking IT to the masses.

Gujarat Govt goes online to warn people of tobacco hazards

According to latest reports, 80% males and 40% females take tobacco in different forms in India and roughly 50,00000 children get habituated to tobacco every year in the country.

In India 10 lakh deaths occur every year due to consumption of tobacco. The death toll is projected to reach more than 8 million by the end of the century if the current trend continues.
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Gujarat is known as one of the states in the country for the highest use and production of tobacco and its product.

Gujarat Health Minister Jayanarayan Vyas announced 'Tobacco Free Gujarat' campaign. The campaign will cover all 26 districts of the state and a fund of Rs. 3 crores had been allotted for the year 2011-12.

Giving an overview of the activities carried out under the government tobacco control programme, Vyas said that a pilot project is on in Sabarkantha and Vadodara districts since 2008, while another project 'Smoke-free Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar', has been initiated in 2009.

Vyas also launched a website (ctcph.com) as a part of the campaign, to spread information about the deadly products and its effects.. "This year, we have allotted Rs 3 crore under the programme to cover all the 26 districts and seven municipal corporations," said Vyas.
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Five vans with flying squads facilitating the awareness campaigns as well as for implementation of laws against tobacco consumption in public places will also be deployed.

The flying squads will include a police sub-inspector along with health officials and the vans will start functioning in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar from May 31, which marks the 'World No-Tobacco Day'.

At the launch of the website for tobacco control, minister of health and family welfare, Jaynarayan Vyas, said the fight against tobacco is more critical than even the war against terrorism.

The minister also said that the health department is carrying out a research in consultation with the agriculture department to provide alternative cash crops to farmers growing tobacco.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Pak seeks clarifications from India on fugitives list

A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicated that India won't call off engagement with Pakistan, Islamabad on Sunday (29-May-2011) sought clarification from New Delhi regarding errors that have crept into its list of 50 most-wanted terrorists.

Pakistan has sought clarifications on the “exact status” of the list of 50 wanted fugitives that New Delhi had handed over to Islamabad during the Home/Interior Secretary-level talks in March-end.

To the embarrassment of home ministry and security agencies, it recently emerged that two men on the list of 50 most wanted fugitives were in India.

The list, handed over to Pakistan earlier this year, included the names of five Pakistani army officers linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Though there was no immediate formal reaction, officials in the home ministry repeated the line taken by home minister P Chidambaram and home secretary G K Pillai, which is that India would notify changes in the list to Pakistan through Interpol, because most of the names on the list belong to red corner notices.

Sleep tight with snooze foods

There's some science behind the old wives' tale that a glass of warm milk can help you sleep better at night. Researchers claim that what you eat is directly related to how you sleep.
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Researchers say, "The chemical Tryptophan present in certain foods, is the raw material that the brain uses to release sleep-inducing hormones - Serotonin and Melatonin. Adequate serotonin levels promote deep, restorative sleep."

Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids, as well as an essential amino acid in the human diet.

Tryptophan is the precursor to Serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, which is deficient in depression, and naturally enhances sleep.

The wonderful effect that tryptophan has on both mood and sleep may be because the body naturally converts tryptophan into both serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin levels affects mood and melatonin affects sleep.

Tryptophan is a routine constituent of most protein-based foods or dietary proteins.

Foods like milk, yogurt, banana, cherries, fish, nuts, flaxseed, oatmeal, honey, turkey, soy, chamomile tea, wholewheat bread, and leafy vegetables, are rich in Tryptophan.

Also, magnesium (found in wheat bran, almonds, cashews, kelp and brewer's yeast) and vitamin B6 and B12 (found in wheat germ, sunflower seeds and oil, and tuna) are sleepfriendly nutrients and should be incorporated in a day's meal.

Katrina tops People's most beautiful list

People Magazine recently unveiled the latest edition featuring their annual list of India's Most Beautiful women at Crossword in Juhu, a western Mumbai suburb.
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Reportedly, Katrina has outdone actress Kareena Kapoor, who has been considered India’s second most beautiful woman, to claim the top position this year.

Katrina sported a red dress and looked radiant as she unveiled the latest issue of the magazine.

A source present at the occasion said, “Katrina's hair was worn down with a side parting. The fashionista picked a well above the knee red dress with thin straps, setting off a perfectly toned body.”

“T-strap gold heels and red painted toenails completed the outfit, while her face was done up in warm eye shadows, pink rouge and lip color,” the insider disclosed.

Katrina made a quick exit after interacting with her fans who'd turned up to catch a glimpse of their favourite actress.

Katrina's upcoming films include Mere Brother Ki Dulhan opposite Imran Khan and Ek Tha Tiger opposite Salman Khan where she will be seen in a de-glam role.

South-West Monsoon reaches Kerala

The monsoon has arrived in Kerala. Heavy rains have been reported since Saturday (28-May-2011) night in the central and southern districts of the state, an official of the India Meteorological Department said.

South-west monsoon on Sunday (29-May-2011) made a grand entry into Kerala, bringing cheer to the farming community dependent on rains for a good crop.

The July-September monsoon irrigates 60 percent of India's farms and good rains will brighten hopes for a bumper harvest that should ease high food prices and boost the purchasing power of the 600 million Indians dependent on agriculture.

"Southwest monsoon has set in over most parts of South Arabian Sea, Kerala, some parts of Tamil Nadu, South Bay of Bengal and south Andaman Sea," the weather office announced.

The northern limit of monsoon passes through Aminidivi, Kozhikode, Kodaikanal and Nancowrie.

The onset of southwest monsoon over Kerala heralds the beginning of rainy season in the Indian sub-continent.

Want to curb binge drinking? Try fish oil..!

Consuming foods rich in Omega 3 may have a positive effect on individuals with alcohol problems and psychiatric disorders, scientists have said.

Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine recently released a study that finds omega-3 fatty acids may improve depression and help people overcome alcohol abuse, Science Daily reports.

Fish oil has been hailed as wonder treatment for diseases like autism and dementia, now scientists have claimed that it could also help tackle binge drinking.

Investigators used a stress-sensitive mouse model of bipolar disorder to study the dietary influence of fatty acid DHA.

The scientists, who made the discovery by chance while studying whether fish oil had any benefit for bipolar disorder, found that it "normalised" the behaviour of mice with the condition.

"They (the mice) are not depressed and when subjected to stress they do not become manic," lead author Dr Alexander Niculescu was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

However, an unexpected finding of the research was that the fatty acid also reduced the desire for alcohol, Dr Niculescu said.

Superstar Rajini in ICU in Singapore hospital, health condition stable

South Indian superstar Rajinikanth was admitted to Mount Elizabeth centre in Singapore which is one of the best hospitals in Asia.
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Tamil superstar Rajnikanth, who was flown in here from Chennai for treatment, has been admitted to intensive care unit of the city-state's Mount Elizabeth Hospital and is stated to be in a stable condition.

The 61-year-old actor is in stable condition, the Channel News Asia reported Saturday night quoting Dhanush, national-award-winning Kollywood actor and the mega star's son-in-law.

Earlier, when the Superstar was admitted in a private hospital in Chennai for treatment, a lot of rumours did the rounds on his health condition.

Rajni's audio message

With incessant media speculation over his health with each passing day, and with rumours giving different versions on a daily basis, his fans were thrown into a state of tension and confusion. Meanwhile, Rajini’s friends and well-wishers throughout the globe were praying and conducting special poojas for the actor’s speedy recovery. In the midst of all this, came the much-loved actor’s voice, sounding a reassuring note.

Apparently, Rajinikanth sounded low due to constant medication, but his inimitable style remained intact while addressing his fans and well-wishers. Soundarya released the recorded voice message by Rajinikanth late at night (27-May-2011). It was taken just before leaving for Singapore. Rajini, in a frail voice but with his characteristic laugh said, “Kannugala! I am Rajinikanth speaking. I am an actor paid for my work. But the love and care you shower on me is abundant. With all your prayers and God’s blessings, I will come back soon from Singapore and meet all of you with my head held high.”

Bipolar mood swings can be predicted

It is possible to predict future mood swings in bipolar people by monitoring their thoughts and behaviour. People with bipolar disorder suffer from extreme mood swings that veer between moments of emotional highs and euphoria to deep depression.
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Manic depression (as it used to be known) has never been discussed so avidly. Consequently, ways to manage the disorder have become ever more high profile.

Last month Reuters reported that actress Catherine Zeta Jones had been treated for bipolar II disorder after the stress of husband Michael Douglas’s battle with advanced throat cancer. The news caused many to wonder what this illness was all about.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness marked by sharp mood swings and erratic behaviour while bipolar II is a milder form of the disorder and is marked by less manic “up” moods but more depressive episodes.

The elevated moods are clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. The current term "bipolar disorder" is of fairly recent origin and refers to the cycling between high and low episodes (poles).
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The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum.

The primary line of treatment tends to be pharmacotherapy or the use of medications to help stabilise these mood states. Along with pharmacotherapy, using psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic models to guide treatment helps in dealing with the illness, the effect it has upon the individual and the families.

A glimpse into a few lives lived between the extremes of elation and depression reveal the simple yet often dismissed truth about bipolar disease: that it is still possible to live on, and live well.
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Researchers followed 50 British patients with bipolar disorder for a month, studying how they think and act. Individuals who believed extreme things about their moods - for example, that their moods were completely out of their own control or that they had to keep active all the time to prevent becoming a failure - developed more mood problems in a month's time, it was found. In contrast, people with bipolar disorder who could let their moods pass as a normal reaction to stress or knew they could manage their mood fared well a month later.

The findings are encouraging for talking therapies - such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) - that aim to help patients to talk about their moods and change their thinking about them.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Asin - Ready revolves around Salman

She is the leading lady in 'Ready' but actress Asin Thottumkal says she has no problems with Salman Khan hogging the limelight in the film's promotions.
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Recently, in an exclusive conversation with the tabloid, when Asin was asked if Salman was miffed with her as she is going to do a film with SRK, the hottie said that it’s not true, and all is well between Salman and her.

Moreover, the bombshell wittily stated that she was not even aware of Salman and Shahrukh’s brawl.

While addressing the media, Asin said, "There is no tiff between Salman and I, and neither am I aware of any rivalry between him and Shah Rukh."
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"When a film stars Salman Khan, it is but natural that the script is written to accentuate his presence in the film. It is also logical to have the film revolve around him. The same has to reflect in the promos as well where his style and mannerisms are exposed to the audience," says Asin while speaking about her film READY with Salman.

With almost a decade's experience in South Indian films, Asin debuted in Bollywood opposite Aamir Khan in 'Ghajini'. Despite being in showbiz for so long and working with superstars, the actress says she hasn't let fame get to her head.
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After working in two back-to-back films, LONDON DREAMS and READY with superstar Salman Khan, Asin has developed quite a good rapport with the blue-eyed boy of tinsel town and can't stop praising him.

Says Asin in one breath, "I think the interaction I had with Salman in LONDON DREAMS kind of helped to have a comfortable relationship in READY because of the rapport created. He is always very supportive. He is pretty chilled out. I think he is quite comfortable with me also because somewhere I get his sense of humor. He's got very straight-faced sense of humor. So, we pretty much gel well with each other."

Directed by Anees Bazmee, READY is all set to hit the screens on 3rd June 2011. The world premiere of the Salman-Asin starring flick will be held in Dubai on June 1.

Rajnikanth admitted to Singapore's top hospital

Tamil superstar Rajnikanth has been admitted to Singapore's top hospital, the Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, according to sources.

"He is not in any danger, nothing alarmingly wrong with him. Like one of us, he can fall sick and he is definitely going to recover soon," affirms Rajinikanth's elder daughter Aishwarya (married to national-award-winning tamil actor Dhanush) about the actor, whose health has been a concern among many in the country.

Superstar Rajinikanth flew to Singapore on Friday (27-May-2011) for further mecical treatment after being discharged from the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, Porur

The 60-year-old actor left an audio message for his fans before leaving to Singapore on May 27 for a "rejuvenation" trip. The audio was recorded by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth on her mobile device, and later circulated by his PRO.

New warnings on tobacco packs from December 1 in India

After a delay of nearly a year, the Indian health ministry has approved harsher pictorial warnings for cigarettes and chewing tobacco products to be implemented from December this year.
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[ Image: Indian actress Asin smoking ]


The Centre has notified the new pictorial warnings for being printed on packages of smoking and chewable tobacco products.

The notification, which was issued on Friday (27-May-2011) and which will take effect from December 1 this year, provides for strong pictorial warnings for smoking (cigarettes, bidis, and cigars) and smokeless or chewable forms of tobacco products, including gutka.

The health ministry notification has cleared a set of four pictures depicting lung and oral cancer for all tobacco product packages — smoking and smokeless (chewing) forms. The pictures will be accompanied by the ‘smoking kills’ sign. The warnings will be rotated every two years from December, in sync with the industry view. Earlier, the government had sought to rotate these pictorial warnings every year, but the industry lobby protested against it, saying unsold stock may go waste.

Health minister of India, Ghulam Nabi Azad, said the pictorial warnings on chewing tobacco will be very severe as it is found that chewing tobacco causes more health harm than smoking tobacco.

Support growing for Krittika Biswas

The Indian government has taken "very seriously" the matter of a diplomat's daughter being illegally arrested in New York, even as the US administration claimed that family members of diplomats do not enjoy immunity.

Indian Consul General in New York has said the US State Department is wrong in its reading of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and asserted that diplomatic immunity is extended to family members of consular officers.

Krittika Biswas, an Indian diplomat's daughter who was wrongfully arrested on the suspicion of sending obscene emails to a teacher, does not need "diplomatic immunity", her lawyer said on Friday (27-May-2011).

With a $1.5 million lawsuit on the line, and the sympathy of the US's homeland security chief, the Indian media has made this 18-year-old's unfortunate tale well known to its audience.

Real culprit wasn't arrested

Ms Biswas said the real culprit was not even arrested or handcuffed.

Krittika said, "The school principal actually pushed for my arrest before checking facts. I was arrested on suspicion while the real culprit was forgiven after he apologized. School decided not to press charges against the actual culprit."

"I didn't understand that difference. School should have gathered evidence before pointing fingers at me. I hope the school learns a lesson from this incident." Krittika said.

She said here is security camera footage proof that she was at a mall when the incident happened.

"I wasn't even at the computer when the mail was sent," said Ms Biswas.

"My schools friends have been supportive, but teachers don't talk about it. I was absolutely clean therefore I took legal action. It's not okay to use your power to mess with people." Krittika added.

She is the daughter of Debashish Biswas, vice consul (administration) at the Indian Consulate General in New York.

Krittika said her claims of diplomatic immunity were ignored when she was handcuffed and locked up for more than 24 hours on February 8.

Contraceptives may cause high BP

An Indian-origin researcher has found that long-term exposure to estrogen can lead to higher risk of developing high blood pressure.

Although it is unclear how estrogen causes high BP in females, Michigan State University researchers have found that long-term estrogen exposure generates excessive levels of a compound that leads to stress.

"This is an important study on at least two levels," said P.S. MohanKumar, associate professor of pathobiology and diagnostic investigation in MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine.

"First, it continues to confirm the negative effect that long-term estrogen exposure has for females. Second, it provides a new rationale for how and why this relationship occurs," he added.

Long term exposure to estrogen, which is found in oral contraceptives, can cause high blood pressure. Doctors have traditionally believed the estrogen women consume as oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy pills is good for hearts.

MohanKumar further explained, "because so many women use estrogen-only HRT to combat the effects of menopause, it is imperative that we better understand the risks that chronic exposure has for females and why these effects occur."

The study was reported in the American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Rajnikanth to be flown to Singapore

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, hospitalised here for four weeks for respiratory infection, will be flown to Singapore on Friday (27-May-2011) night for "rejuvenation and better health care," his family said.
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According to reports, Rajnikanth has been booked as a ''wheelchair passenger'' on a Singapore Airlines flight. His wife Latha and daughters Aishwarya and Soundarya are expected to accompany him.

Rajinikanth’s daughter Aishwarya said the actor will be travelling to Singapore like "any other normal passenger as his vitals are all stable."

Since May 13, he is undergoing treatment at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre for respiratory infection and other problems. He was shifted to private ward on Sunday last after being in the intensive care unit.

For those who don't know about him: Rajnikanth, whose real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, has acted in more than 175 films since 1975. He is one of India's biggest movie stars, especially in Tamil and Telugu language films in southern India.

Chidambaram: Pakistan global epicentre of terrorism

Home Minister of India, Mr. P. Chidambaram today (27-May-2011) slammed Pakistan for being the "global epicentre of terrorism.' At the same time, PC complimented the US for bringing the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack to justice.
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"Certainly, US political support and operational cooperation during and after the Mumbai attack meant a great deal to the people of India. We appreciate the US efforts to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attack, and others associated with it, to justice," the home minister said.

US Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano on Tuesday paid homage to the police victims of the 2008 Mumbai attacks as she began a four-day visit to India to boost counter-terrorism ties.

Calling for stronger Indo-US ties to combat terrorism and other threats, Chidambaram stressed on the need for a "stable, peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood" for the security of the people of India.

He made the statement at the opening of talks with US Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in New Delhi on Friday, according to a copy of the speech posted on the home ministry website.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Krittika Biswas case: Indian government steps in

The Indian government has come out in support of Krittika Biswas, the daughter of an Indian diplomat, who was arrested and spent 24 hours in jail in the US on false charges.

Expressing India's concerns, Indian Ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, said, "We have, subsequent to her release also, expressed our concerns to the US government about the way in which she was treated. It's a case which obviously concerns all of us."
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Krittika Biswas, daughter of an Indian Diplomat, is suing New York City's government for $1.5 million over a wrongful arrest on suspicion of sending obscene e-mails to her teacher in Queens' John Browne High School. She was subsequently cleared of the offence.

The 18-year-old was reportedly kept in custody for more than 24 hours on Feb. 8 and also was sent for more than a month to a special suspension program by her school despite being cleared by investigators.

Krittika was asked to confess to a crime of cyber bullying " in the assistant principal's office. When she pleaded innocence to sending obscene e-mails to two teachers at the school, the basis for the police to be called, she was handcuffed "painfully"; walked out of the school premises. At the detention center at 107 Precinct, the Honor student's ordeal became worse.
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She was not read her Miranda rights, continued to be interrogated while being handcuffed, and was not allowed to go to the bathroom.

Krittika was not allowed to call her parents; her plea for diplomatic immunity ignored; wrongly told by officers that only her father had immunity, not her.

Her father, Debashish Biswas, is a vice counsel at the Indian Consulate in New York. She maintained that she had not committed any crime.

Ravi Batra, lawyer of Krittika Biswas, said her arrest on February 8, which lasted more than 24 hours, was a violation of international, federal, State and city law.

Mr. Batra said that neither the father nor the Consulate General of India, Prabhu Dayal, was informed of the arrest.

Krittika said a police officer told her if she did not confess she would have to spend time in prison with prostitutes and persons with HIV. "I was sitting there [school] with handcuffs on," she said.
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Mr. Dayal said Ms. Biswas deserved compensation from the government. "She has undergone mental torture and physical torture," he said. "This has scarred her mind for the rest of he life."

However, the incident has no bearing on India-U.S. relations, said Mr. Dayal. "This is an aberration... a wrongful act of local officials," he said.

Mr. Batra suggested that Mayor Michael Bloomberg give Ms. Biswas 'a key to the city' to 'unruffle some of the ruffled feathers.'

Low-income women die more of alcohol abuse

Women in low-income job roles are almost six times as likely to die from alcohol abuse as those in higher paid employment, according to new UK government research.

Research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that working class women are 5. 7 times more likely to contract liver disease than doctors or lawyers, the Daily Mail reports.

The findings have emerged despite the fact that previous research found that women in professional job roles consume more alcohol in an average week.

They are drinking an average of 10.2 units a week - more than a bottle of wine - compared with 6.5 units for manual workers.

Indian actress Bipasha Basu detained at Mumbai airport, pays tax

The dust had barely settled on the Minissha Lamba customs controversy, when another actress was caught under similar circumstances.
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Indian film actress Bong bombshell Bipasha Basu was detained at Mumbai International Airport and immediately released after paying Rs. 10, 000 in taxes on Thursday (26-May-2011).

Bipasha was stopped by customs officials on arrival from Pattaya. She was asked to pay appropriate customs duty for goods she was carrying.

The bollywood star is learnt to have paid Rs 50,000 as duty. She was released soon after.

Bipasha Basu was returning to Mumbai from London where she was shooting for the film 'Players'.
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The actress seems to be becoming controversy's child. First her break-up with John Abraham made headlines; this was followed by the alleged sex talk captured on tape with Amar Singh - both denied it was Bipasha Basu on the tape; and now her detention at the Mumbai airport for evading tax duties brings her back into the news.

The doe-eyed beauty, however later released a statement: "It was just a routine check-up at the airport. Many others were being checked as well. All that I have in my bags are the clothes I had shopped for and hence had excess baggage for which I paid approximately 10,000 as taxes. I think the customs team is doing an excellent job."

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Vikram and Deiva Thirumagal

Vikram’s Deiva Thirumagal directed by AL Vijay will be out on June 17th. The film ran into a spate of controversy regarding the title and alleged misrepresentation of a caste.
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But all the problems have been resolved smoothly. The cast and crew of the film can breathe easy now because now the fate of the film will be decided solely by the audience it was intended for.

The silver lining is that all the controversy has created a lot of interest in the film and people are eager to see it. Vikram, Anushka, Amala Paul, and the makers are on a promotional tour across the South to make sure audience interest is sustained.

This is also the first film which sees Anushka in a true-to-life, natural role sans glamour, and if the rushes of the film should convey anything she seems to have done a great job.
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Talk about Deiva Thirumagal, Anushka will go high. She plays a prominent part in the film, which is about a youth with the mind of a five-year old boy.

Says Anushka, "It is a very special film and I loved doing this movie."

Describing Vikram as a committed artiste, she said, "It is nice to work with him."

Whatever said on ‘Vikramanin Deiva Thirumagal’ seems to lack, considering the weight of the project and the performance of the lead characters in the film. This is one film which movie lovers are eagerly waiting for to see and cherish not the actor but the character. Such is the power Vikram can wield to the roles that come his way.
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Vikram said that he had done several complex roles in his career but this film and role remains dear to him. "It touched my heart. Scenes with the child actress Sara are the best in the film. We had great fun during the shooting of comedy sequences," he said.

Vikram who leaves no stones unturned when it comes to studying and performing the character given to him is believed to have excelled in this film too, though it is just a matter of time for us to see and experience his role. At a time when superheroes rule, Vikram has made a bold statement in taking this project under his wing.

The music of Vikram-in 'Deiva Thirumagal' by G.V. Prakash, which was released a month back, has received a very warm welcome from music lovers, with a couple of soul-stirring tunes.

The movie will be released in Telugu as 'Nanna' on the same date.

Delhi on high alert after blast near high court

Delhi Police have sounded a high alert across the capital after a low intensity blast occurred in the parking lot of the Delhi high court on Wednesday (25-May-2011) afternoon.

There was a low intensity blast outside the Delhi High Court complex on Wednesday as a crude bomb exploded, police said. The incident took place at gate number 7 of the high court.

There were no reports about casualties or damage.

The explosion reportedly took place near the bonnet of a car - a silver Ford - parked outside the court. It triggered panic on the court compound.

The car caught fire following the explosion. Senior officials of Delhi Police, along with the special cell personnel, anti-terror unit and bomb detection and disposal unit rushed to the spot. Four fire tenders were pressed into service to control the fire.

Delhi Police's special commissioner (law and order) Dharmendra Kumar confirmed that the blast was caused by a low-intensity explosive.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Law finally taking its course in 2G scam: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu chief minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief J Jayalalithaa, finally reacting to the arrest of DMK president M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi in connection with the 2G spectrum scam, said on Tuesday (24-May-2011) in Chennai that people's faith in judiciary has been restored.
may-2011-tamilnadu-cm-jayalalitha
"Finally, the law is taking its own course and action is being taken according to law. After a long time, people’s faith in the judicial system has been restored," she told reporters in Chennai.

On Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi's plea in the court for grant of bail as she was a woman, Jayalalithaa said, "It is a wrong argument. In politics you cannot expect any concession to be shown because you are a woman."

During Kanimozhi's bail plea hearing, her lawyer Ram Jethmalani had argued before the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in New Delhi that she should be granted bail as she was a woman and she was not involved in the day to day operations of Kalaignar TV.

Ms. Jayalalithaa, in a press conference in Chennai, was responding to questions over Kanimozhi's arrest in connection with the transfer of Rs 200 crore from 2G spectrum co-accused Shahid Balwa's DB Realty to Kalaignar TV, in which the DMK MP holds a 20 per cent stake.

Ms. Kanimozhi, arrested on May 20 in the 2G scam was denied bail by a trial court, following which she had moved the Delhi High Court.

On Karunanidhi defending his daughter, she said, "Only a court which is looking into the case where someone is included as an accused can decide whether she was innocent."

Kanimozhi has been in Tihar Jail since Friday (20-May-2011) last, when the special court hearing the 2G case ordered her immediate arrest while dismissing her bail application.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Eating Meat May Raise Colon Cancer Risk

As National Vegetarian Week begins, a new study shows links between eating processed and red meat and an increased risk of bowel cancer. Will you still be bringing home the bacon?

A new report released by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has once again urged the general public to reduce their intake of red meat and warned that it is responsible for increasing the risk of cancer.

Leading scientists say there is more evidence than ever before that fibre-rich foods prevent bowel cancer.

Eating less red meat could prevent 17000 cases of bowel cancer in the UK every year, experts claim. They say studies confirm that consuming roast beef, lamb and pork increases your risk of developing the disease.

Mozilla releases Firefox 5 beta for testing

Mozilla has released the first Firefox beta under its new rapid-release model: a program designed to ensure more frequent updates to the browser at the expense of huge, sweeping changes between new Firefox versions.
Mozilla releases Firefox 5 beta for testing
Mozilla has three main versions of Firefox now: the release version for mainstream users, the beta version with new features under testing, and the most raw, Aurora, a version to introduce those new features. Those three versions correspond to Chrome's stable, beta, and dev releases. There's also a nightly Firefox build for those who want to try whatever patches have arrived in the last 24 hours, but it's most likely to be unstable.

Firefox 5 is slated to wrap up on June 21.

Firefox 5 contains many more under-the-hood changes than Mozilla called out, however. The company listed 1,053 stability and other fixes in the detailed release notes accompanying the preview.

Firefox 5's user interface is identical to its predecessor, Firefox 4, which launched two months ago.

Titanic gets a 3D makeover

James Cameron's 1997 hit movie 'Titanic', which received a record 11 Academy Awards, is all set to hit movie theatres worldwide in a 3D version next year.
Titanic to Be Re-Released in 3D
James Cameron is set to inflict Titanic on the world once again, with a 3D conversion to bring the film to a new generation of audiences, or sufferers, however you want to look at it.

Titanic was the highest grossing film of all time, until the director outdid himself and created the 3D epic, Avatar.

Paramount Pictures and 20 th Century Fox will re-release the film in 3D on April 6, 2012 worldwide. The release coincides with the 100th anniversary of when the doomed ship set sail.

"There is a whole generation that has never seen Titanic as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen. And this will be Titanic as you have never seen it before, digitally remastered at 4K (resolution) and painstakingly converted to 3D," News.com.au quoted Cameron, as saying in a statement issued by the studios and distributors.

"With the emotional power intact and the images more powerful than ever, this will be an epic experience for fans and newcomers alike," he added.

Volcanic ash 'blowing towards Britain'

A plume of ash from an erupting volcano in Iceland is being blown south towards Britain and could reach the airspace over mainland Europe later in the week, meteorological experts said on Monday (23-May-2011).

The latest warning is based on five-day weather forecasts but experts said the wind patterns were changeable and could yet sweep the cloud away from the UK.

The broader impact of the eruption of the Grimsvötn volcano, which began on Saturday, remained unclear. It came slightly more than a year after eruptions of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano caused chaos as aviation regulators closed roughly 80% of European airspace during the Easter holiday.

Eurocontrol, an umbrella organization for air-traffic control across Europe, said Sunday that it expected "no impact…on European airspace" from the eruption through Monday. In a notice to aviation officials on Eurocontrol's website, the agency said the ash cloud could reach northern Scotland by Tuesday.

Any decisions for other countries on flying restrictions will depend on wind direction and whether aviation authorities think the ash is a danger to engines.

So far Iceland, particularly the towns and villages to the south and east of the Grimsvotn volcano, has suffered most. The volcano lies under the Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland, the largest glacier in Europe.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Rajini shifted to private ward from ICU

Superstar Rajinikanth, admitted to a private hospital in Chennai for a recurrent respiratory infection and gastrointestinal problems, is progressing well.

Earlier in the day, the hospital had said that the actor would remain in intensive are for further monitoring till he is "well stabilised in all health parameters".

Superstar Rajinikanth, admitted to the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, has been shifted to the normal ward, as tweeted by the superstar's son-in-law, Dhanush.

Dhanush tweets, "Heyyyyyy guyssssss,Superstar is shifted from ICU to normal room :) :) :) :) now beat this news ! All rumor spreaders can go 2 hell.god bless."

Then, another tweet: "Happiest day of my life !! Yayyyyyyyyyy :) nyone has any doubts u r free 2 investigate SRMC hosp. COME ON ( war cry ) god bless.

This is the third time in recent weeks that Rajnikanth has been admitted to a hospital.

He had fallen ill on April 29 after launching his new venture "Rana" and was admitted to St Isabel's Hospital in the city. He was discharged in the evening on the same day, but was re-admitted after a week.

New life-sized robot that can read

Computer scientists have created a life-sized robot that can read notice boards and signs. Working with a PR2 robot from WillowGarage, computer scientists at the University of Pennsylvania's GRASP Lab pulled off this remarkable feat.

PR2, our favorite beer-fetching, laundry-folding robot helper, has learned how to read text.

The researchers successfully added the capacity for reading comprehension to an existing robot, one which had been originally built to perform myriad other tasks, reports CBS News.

The Robot PR2, which has been given the nickname Graspy, has the ability to read for itself.

Graspy can also helpfully point out the location of restrooms and professors' offices.

The Penn team said the amount of text that can be read at any one time is limited, though with time they hope it extends to longer texts.

Ants - Interesting Facts

interesting-facts-about-ants
  1. The animal with the largest brain in proportion to its size is the ant. They are the smartest species of insects with about 250,000 brain cells.
  2. The ant, when intoxicated, will always fall over to its right side.
  3. The Slave-Maker ant is so named because it raids the nest of other ants and steals their pupae. Once the pupae hatch, they are made to work as slaves.
  4. Ants make up 1/10 of the total world animal tissue. The total biomass of all the ants on Earth is about equal to the total biomass of all the people.
  5. interesting-facts-about-ants
  6. Workers in an ant colony only live for about 45-60 days, but a colony's queen can live up to 20 years.
  7. By combining force of numbers with organized aggression, ants have become the greatest insect killers on Earth -- even of their own kind.
  8. Ants began farming about 50 million years before humans thought to raise their own crops.
  9. Wood ants squirt acid from the end of their abdomens.
  10. The legs of the ant are very strong so they can run very quickly. If a man could run as fast for his size as an ant can, he could run as fast as a racehorse.
  11. Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Kanimozhi and Tihar jail

Far from the ease she is used to, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi spent a sleepless first night at Tihar Jail on Friday (20-May-2011) and when a warden woke her up around 5.30 am on Saturday, she said "Don't disturb me. I am sleeping late".

Lodged in a 15 by 10 feet cell with only a ceiling fan to beat the heat, DMK MP Kanimozhi spent her first night in Tihar jail like any other accused and had a modest breakfast.

A day she was sent to Tihar jail, the Rajya Sabha MP had an emotional bonding with her mother and son when she appeared before the special CBI court on Saturday (21-May-2011).

Kanimozhi was not smiling much after reaching Tihar, and kept to herself most of the time. She was in her cell around 11.30 pm on Friday and could not sleep till about 2.30 am as the heat, despite a fan in her 10x15 feet cell, was smothering.

For neighbours in jail no 6, Kanimozhi has Madhuri Gupta, the former official of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad arrested on charges of spying, Sonu Punjaban, arrested in the biggest prostitution network in Delhi and NCR through "word of mouth" and Sharda Jain, who was given a life term last year for her role in the murder of city councillor Atma Ram Gupta.

Dhanush tweets pic of Rajnikanth in hospital

Superstar Rajinikanth, who has been admitted in hospital due to stomach and respiratory infections, is responding well to the treatments and will be shifted to the ward in two days.
Superstar-Rajini-good-health-hospital-posing-Aishwarya-Dhanush-Twitter-fans
Anxious fans of the Thalaivar can now get some peace of mind. The superstar's son-in-law and actor Dhanush has posted this Twitpic to reassure fans that Rajinikanth is recuperating.

On being contacted, Dhanush said, "The picture is to make his fans stop worrying and doing anything to themselves."

In the photograph, the Superstar is seen posing with his elder daughter Aishwarya, who is married to national-award-winning Tamil actor Dhanush.

Dhanush also tweeted, "SS in d hospital. He is rocking. This pic is 4 his fans. Please continue your routine life. Don't believe rumours. Don't do anything to yourselves. I request the media people to post this pic. So that fans will know that he is ok and they will be at peace. SUPERSTAR rocks."

Advanced GSAT-8 satellite launched successfully

Country's mega geo-stationary satellite GSAT-8 was successfully deployed in an elliptical geo-synchronous transfer orbit on early Saturday (21-May-2011) by the Ariane-VA-202 rocket, an official of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

"It is not enough to give birth to a baby you must also be able to hear its heart beat. The next few days will be crucial. We will be stabilising the satellite in a geostationary orbit and that requires extremely delicate handling," said ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan after the GSAT-8 was successfully launched by Ariane 5 from Kourou, French Guiana, in South America.

The GSAT-8 will improve direct to home TV broadcast services. Weighing about 3100 Kg at lift-off, GSAT-8 is configured to carry 24 high power transponders in Ku-band and a two-channel GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has applauded the efforts of the Department of Space for the successful launch of advanced communication satellite GSAT-8 for improving in an elliptical geo-synchronous transfer orbit early Saturday by the Ariane-VA-202 rocket.

Actor Dhanush and the National Award

It was a rich haul for the Tamil film industry with respect to the National Film Awards for 2010, which were announced on Thursday (19-May-2011).
Actor Dhanush and the National Award
Kollywood's on a high, surely, even as it came up tops in the recently-announced 58th National Film Awards.

The announcement that Dhanush has won the best actor award for Aadukalam obviously has not come at the right time. Dhanush has been spending time with his father-in-law Rajnikanth who has been in the hospital for the last few days.

Not the right time to celebrate

For every actor, winning the National Award is an ultimate goal that sends them into raptures of joy and gives them an all-time high.
Actor Dhanush and the National Award
But for Dhanush, it is his father-in-law, Superstar Rajinikanth's health, that comes first.

“It’s indeed an honour that I’ve got this national recognition when I am this young but celebrations will have to wait till Rajnikanth recovers and returns home,” says the actor.

Speaking of his role in Aadukalam, the award-winning Kollywood flick, "Two things were difficult while filming Aadukalam - one, to look the part of a typical Madurai guy and the other, to handle roosters in the way they should be. Doing both of these while shooting the film was very memorable and will remain close to my heart," Dhanush says.

Dedicating National Award to Rajni

Actor Dhanush and the National Award
Like every actor who gets a national honour, Dhanush’s phone too has not stopped ringing. “The honour has come rather early for me and I am thankful to my parents, the director of the movie and my brother who taught me the basics of acting,” says Dhanush.

Rajinikanth is in ICU and suffering from pneumonia, Kidney and Liver problems. Dhanush has been taking time out to stay by his dad-in-law's side at the hospital. He said, "On behalf of all my fans and myself I dedicate this National Award to superstar (Rajinikant) and wish for his speedy recovery."

His voice becomes a little softer when he begins to talk about Rajnikanth. “We can’t wait for him to get back home and get back on track again. Like every youngster, I grew up watching his films and I admire him for his humility. He’s an inspiration not only for me but for young India. He’s a national icon,” says Dhanush.

Friday, May 20, 2011

I'm not pregnant: Shilpa Shetty

After reports that celebrity co-owners of the IPL team Rajasthan Royals, Shilpa Shetty and hubby Raj Kundra are expecting a bundle of joy, the actress rubbished the rumours, saying that she is not pregnant.
Shilpa with her husband Raj
Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty has taken to Twitter to deny pregnancy rumours, saying that she is "sick and tired" of the media speculation.

Though she tried to ignore rumours of her being pregnant initially, actress Shilpa Shetty has finally decided to speak up after being flooded by congratulatory messages from her friends and colleagues. “It gets on your nerves especially when I have not made any such announcement,” says Shilpa.

However, the actress indicates that she is not averse to starting a family. “The day I am (pregnant), I will announce it for sure,” she says.

The actress also requested the press to respect her privacy. "I do know I am in the public domain, and everyones curious, but these are sensitive issues, hence wud appreciate the press respects my privacy," she tweeted.

In 2009, she had said in an interview: "I'm desperate to start a family. I just love children, and we've a beautiful ready made nursery (in the new house). I want at least two children."

Shilpa and London-based businessman Raj Kundra were married on November 22, 2009.

Nanotechnology may help in heart repair

When you have a heart attack, a part of your heart dies. Specialized heart cells perish and you can never get them back. Doctors cannot repair these kinds of areas in the heart; the dead areas just sit there functioning no more.

Indian scientists in collaboration with Brown University have created a nanopatch for the heart that can regenerate natural tissue cells damaged due to heart attack.

Every heart attack kills part of the heart. It chokes off blood to the nerve and muscle cells that keep the heart beating. But future surgeons might implant a nanopatch that serves as scaffolding to regrow heart cells and resurrect the dead region.

It was found that this nanopatch was able to stimulate the regeneration of cardiomyocytes and neurons, suggesting that dead areas of the heart can possibly be brought back to life using this method.

The scientists noted that the scaffold's effectiveness is partly due to its elastic, durable nature and ability to expand and contract in the same way as heart tissue.

DMK MP Kanimozhi arrested in 2G scam case

DMK MP Kanimozhi, who was named co-conspirator in the 2G scam case was arrested today. CBI special court heard her bail plea, which was subsequently rejected earlier this afternoon.
DMK MP Kanimozhi arrested in 2G scam case
"The bail applications are dismissed. Both the accused be taken into custody forthwith," Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini said.

The court directed that Ms. Kanimozhi and Mr. Kumar should be produced before it at 10 a.m. on Saturday, when the case comes up for hearing.

Minutes after the court pronounced its order, some of DMK supporters broke down while others were seen making frantic calls.

The court had earlier reserved its order on their bail pleas for May 14, but had further postponed it till today.

The 43-year-old daughter of DMK chief M Karunanidhi and Kumar have been chargesheeted by CBI for allegedly conspiring with former Telecom Minister A Raja, the key accused in the case.

Kanimozhi said that she is not surprised. "I will fight this legally," she said.She will be taken to Tihar jail.

Rajini recovering, say doctors, family

Rajinikanth, the South Indian superstar whose once-mysterious ailment prompted thousands of his concerned fans to turn to god, is fine.
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Old pic - Rajni with Aamir Khan ]

Stating that Rajinikanth had an "imbalance in his system", the superstar's wife Latha, on Thursday (19-May-2011), reiterated that the actor's vital organs were in good shape and that he was fine.

On Thursday, Mr. Rajinikanth is said to have taken food — two idlis, a vada and plaintain stem rasam that his wife made. He also appeared cheerful, and even cracked jokes, say hospital sources.

Rajinikanth had undergone hemodialysis and ultrafiltration and his lab parameters were improving, said an official release on Thursday.
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Old pic - Rajni-Aamir watching cricket ]

"But dialysis does not imply that he is suffering from kidney failure," said Latha Rajinikanth, who explained that the actor had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit only to prevent infection. He had an infection in his lungs and a gastrointestinal disorder, she said.

"Please understand that Rajini also has a body and is prone to infections like everybody else," Latha said, as she thanked the superstar’s fans for their prayers and support. Resuming the actor’s new film Rana was not a priority at the moment and there was no need for him to go abroad for treatment, she clarified.

Actor Dhanush thanked Mr. Rajinikanth's fans for their prayers and wishes, and urged them not to panic in response to a number of rumours being floated about the star's health.
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Old pic - Rajini with Kamal ]

Get Well Soon

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today sent a bouquet of flowers to ailing Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth wishing him speedy recovery. Party spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said Sonia wished a speedy recovery to the actor and his family thanked her for the gesture.

The DMDK Chief and the Leader of the Opposition, Vijaykanth was at the Ramachandra Hospital to meet his colleague Rajinikanth and enquire about his health. Later, Vijaykanth met the press and told them that he did not have an opportunity to meet the Superstar as he was sleeping.
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Old pic - Rajini with Vijayakanth and JJ ]

Vijaykanth said that reporters should be able to gauge about Rajini’s health from his beaming smile. He said that he was confident about Rajini returning home very soon.

It may be mentioned here that Kamal Haasan had also gone to visit Rajini but he could not meet him.

Most recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday (20-May-2011) enquired about the health of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth from his wife Latha and said she would pray for his speedy recovery.

(Note: Images in this blog post are not all related to the current situation)

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Tomatoes may save you from high cholesterol

Want to be free of high cholesterol and blood pressure (BP)? Tomatoes can be a way out for you! Tomatoes may be an effective alternative to drugs in lowering cholesterol and BP and in preventing heart disease.
Tomatoes can save you from high cholesterol
The humble tomato is more than a delicious fruit. A new study says that eating it daily could help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, thus keeping heart disease at bay.

An international group, headed by University of Adelaide, said that a bright red pigment known as lycopene present in tomatoes has antioxidant properties, which are beneficial for heart.

The study also said that consumption of half-a-litre of tomato juice or 50 grams of tomato paste daily is helpful in avoiding heart diseases.

As per study scientists, lycopene is better absorbed in processed and cooked tomatoes or tomato paste rather than fresh ones.

The study published in the international journal Maturitas, has shown that tomatoes may be an effective alternative to medication in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Dhanush and Vetrimaran get National Award for AADUKALAM

Aadukalam, a tamil movie released on 14-Jan-2011, has won National Award for 'best director' (Vetrimaran) and 'best actor' (Dhanush). By the time the film released, critics had praised the movie as one of its kind.
tamil-cinema-kollywood-movie-aadukalam
Based on rooster fights that take place in the suburbs of Madurai, the film garnered critical acclaim and did good business at the box office.

Vetrimaran, the filmmaker had stayed in Madurai for almost six months to prepare the screenplay and sought the help of a professor friend to write the dialogues in Madurai dialect.

The film was a commercial success grossing almost 16 Crores at the box office,as per charts published by behindwoods.com it raked a net amount of 30 crores.
tamil-cinema-kollywood-movie-aadukalam
Superstar Rajinikanth, who also happens to be the father-in-law of Dhanush, after watching the film by the time of release said, "It is a great film. A pucca commercial film with international quality. I was bowled over by Dhanush's performance and Vetrimaran's script and direction"

Rediff in its review said: Aadukalam is Dhanush's best works to date.

K.P. Karuppu of Aadukalam is one of Dhanush's favourites characters on screen.

The film, which had Dhanush and Taapsee in lead roles, had music by G V Prakash and was directed by Vetrimaran.

Update: Director Vetriman is also qualified to receive the 'best screenplay' award in addition to the 'best director' category.

India approves new poverty survey

The Indian cabinet has approved a proposal for a major new survey to identify people living below the poverty line (BPL).
India approves new poverty survey
The survey will classify the rural poor into "destitutes, manual scavengers and primitive tribal groups".

A head count to identify the poor, including their caste and religion, was on Thursday (19-May-2011) approved by the government which aims at ensuring that the benefits of targeted subsidy programme reach them.

The BPL Census would pave the way to identify the households living below the poverty line in rural and urban areas of the country. The entire process will be completed by December 2011. The results of the BPL Census would be utilized in the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-13 to 2016-17).

Argentine plane crash kills 22

A small plane has crashed in southern Argentina, killing all 22 passengers and crew on board, officials say. The plane went down in the Patagonian province of Rio Negro, after issuing a distress call, the operating company Sol Airlines said.

Ambulances and firefighting units were sent to the scene of the crash.

"We have not found any living person. No survivors. Everything is charred in thousands of pieces," said Ismael Ali, director of the hospital in Los Menucos, who participated in the rescue operation.

The Company spokesman, Horacio Farre, confirmed that there are no survivors.

Locals told police that they saw a fireball when the plane crashed.

Further details were not immediately available.

Superstar Rajnikanth responding well in ICU

Actor Rajinikanth is undergoing treatment for respiratory and gastro-intestinal problems. The Superstar, admitted at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Chennai, is responding well to treatment, doctors attending to him said Thursday (19-May-2011).
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Old pic - Rajni with his daughter ]

The actor on Monday (16-May-2011) underwent a minor procedure at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre, where doctors removed the excess fluid that had accumulated in his lungs.

"He is in ICU and he is stable," a spokesperson at the Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC), where Rajinikanth was admitted on May 13, said on Thursday (May 19) without elaborating.

The 61-year-old actor was shifted to ICU on Wednesday night to improve his breathing pattern.

Meanwhile, ardent fans of the star, presently committed to his period film Rana, are praying their “Thalaivar” (leader) gets well soon and returns home at the earliest.

Special prayers were conducted for the star at places including Madurai, Tircuhirappalli and Tanjore.
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Rajni on 1st day shoot of RANA ]

Rajini and the film RANA

Ever since the actor, who is paired with 25-year-old Deepika Padukone in his next film Raana, took ill, there has been widespread speculation about his illness.

Rajini was earlier admitted to hospital on April 29 - the first day of shoot of his new film 'Raana' and then again on May 4.

Industry observers believe the movie - with a projected budget of Rs 150 crore - may have to be shelved if the superstar's health remains critical.
indian-desi-actor-rajnikant-movie-celebrity-filmstar-rajni-health-hospital-icu-chennai
[ Rajni on 1st day shoot of RANA ]


KS Ravikumar the director of Rajinikanth's Rana has pooh-poohed rumours making the rounds that the film has been shelved.

He is quoted by a leading newspaper as saying: "Rana is on. There are no plans to shelve or postpone the film. Reports suggesting otherwise are false."

Ravikumar added that work is going on for the film. He had gone to Thailand to scout locations for the movie.

Ravikumar made it clear: "I will be going to London for further location hunt. Anyway as per the original plans the shoot was to take place only by July end. "

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Sleep deprivation may lead to weight gain

Sleep deprivation not only makes the day drag, but also lowers your metabolic rate causing the body to use less energy, according to a recent study.

If you are putting on weight, try counting your hours of sleep as well as your calories. According to scientists, just one night of sleep deprivation can lead to weight gain.

The study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also suggests that getting plenty sleep might even prevent weight gain.

Moreover, it was found out that people who consume less sleep are more affected by the weight-related diseases.

Experts said that factors such as lifestyle and diet might add to obesity risks and that it was not clear that sleep deprivation led to obesity.

No animosity with Kareena, says Deepika

Actress Deepika Padukone is looking rejuvenated and charged to face the world. The actress is flying high in her film career recently.
indian-cine-actress-desi-film-heroine-deepika-padukone
DP recently finished shooting for the first schedule of Rajinikanth-starrer Rana, Prakash Jha's Aarakshan with Amitabh Bachchan, and Desi Boyz with Akshay Kumar.

"Just the fact that I get to work with two legends like Amit ji and Rajni sir, despite being completely unplanned in this one year, makes it worthwhile already," says the beautiful actress.

The second schedule of Rana, which she will film around June-July with the southern superstar, is keeping her anxious, though. For now, Dippy has wrapped up a 'heroine only' song for the fantasy movie. "I haven’t shot with Rajni sir yet," says Deepika, admitting her nervousness.

"Once I get that ball rolling, I’ll feel better. I met him on the muhurat and I was overwhelmed. I don't know where he gets his energy from. Though he was unwell at that time, I just couldn’t tell," she reveals.

Her eyes, however, light up when she talks of her next film Desi Boyz, which sees her being paired with Bolly hunk, John Abraham. Much is being written about a budding friendship between the two. “John is a great co-star and I am really happy to be working with him,” says Deepika adding, “We are good friends and I know people are looking forward to seeing us, but so am I.”

Deepika and Saif

indian-cine-actress-desi-film-heroine-deepika-padukone
They were a successful pair in Love Aaj Kal. And now, Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone will be seen in three films together – Prakash Jha's Aarakshan, Abbas-Mastan's Race 2 and Homi Adajania's Cocktail.

The duo's chemistry that was much-spoken about during Imtiaz Ali's 2009 release had reportedly led to some issues between Deepika and Saif’s girlfriend, Kareena Kapoor.

When asked whether these three films together may rake up that past, Deepika says, "Such reports haven't changed my equation with Kareena. There is no animosity with her or Katrina," says Deepika.

"A lot of these stories are media created. I don't even get a chance to interact with them to have an issue," she concludes.

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