STANDING OPPOSITE TO REALITY?

Today there are various disputes and controversies found in the World, which are not only dangerous to global peace but also dividing the World Community in various blocks. How two nations deal with each other to resolve disputes largely depends upon the specific circumstances prevailing in their region but there are some “global issues” which involve United Nations and World Super Powers against single country hence dragging other “weak” or “dependent” nations to formulate their foreign policies to “fit” the demands and desires of those super powers to corner that victim country. The demands or desires of super powers are usually nothing but the mistrust or fear or confliction of interest or historic brawl or any other future fear from that particular victim nation. How the reality is derived from one dispute or issue is not universal constant but the reflection of super power’s interests. Reality goes that way where absolute power exists. That’s why one oppressed country’s stance (truth) is not listened and recognized by the other nations, as balance of power is not there. We can count number of disputes and controversies around us where “Reality” is the name of the military supremacy or economical viability.
Who will determine the “Reality” within Iran vs. US led Western Block conflict? Will Iran drop atom bomb on Israel or whether Iranian missiles can hit the Europe are only assumptions today but from US led Western powers to curb Iran from nuclear technology is very meaningful as Iran has denied for preparing atom bomb and clearly announced its policy against the any sort of preparations for making atom bomb but despite that, for West, “Reality” is only what they are claiming. Atom bombs are used only when war is on. Iran alone is not in a position to start war in Middle East against Israel or any other country. The only left-power in region is Israel with bad past record. Is it not in the knowledge of USA and European countries that Israel has a secret plan to start war in Middle East to complete US old agenda of forming “New Middle East” and as a precautionary measure Iran is pressed hard to stop Uranium Enrichments? It’s a well-known reality that Israel has the intentions to expand its borders up to Iraq, Jordan and Hijaz (Saudi Arabia) and it is possible only when there is an anarchy in the region and Israel involves in war with neighbor countries. Every country knows that Israel is an un-declared nuclear power and has nuclear warheads in its arsenal.
Apparently USA supports a Palestinian State but its over all ME policies are full of contradictions. It fully supports Israel with economical and military aids and assures its safety and solidarity but on the other hand strictly opposes the any sort of aids for Palestinians particularly in Gaza, which is besieged by Israel since several months. USA does not take notice and talk about nukes of Israel but opposes Iran with full force. USA teaches the lesson of democracy to whole World but opposes Iran’s elected governments and supports Arab monarchies.
India had already signed an agreement with USA for Civil Nuclear Cooperation and recently inked the same sort of agreement with Canada whereas agreements with Russia, France and Japan are under process. Under the blessings of USA, India is enjoying all the nuclear supports and cooperation with Western countries despite the fact that India has not yet signed NPT. India and Canada or USA are independent countries – they can enter into any sort of agreements but the agreements concerning nuclear issues are not ordinary agreements and should be processed under IAEA and should be available to all other countries following the precautionary requisites set by the IAEA. No country asks the clarification either from Canada or India but when the matter comes to other countries, do India or any other country has a right to ask clarification over the nuclear treaty between two proven nuke capable countries?
Nuclear Technology and International Politics are now two sides of the same coin of Super Powers. On Nuclear Technology, Super Powers want to keep their monopoly and do not want to give the right to any other nation for gaining expertise on nuclear technology. All of their efforts are based on the name of non-proliferation of atomic weapons but practically their efforts are biased and do not reflect what they say to the World as Super Powers are only interested in selling arms as a major source of income.

India world's biggest arms importer: SIPRI think tank

Updated on : Monday, March 14, 2011

STOCKHOLM: India has been the world's biggest weapons importer over the last five years, Swedish think-tank SIPRI reported Monday, naming four Asian countries among the top five arms importers.

The report also highlighted how the world's major arms supplying countries had in recent years competed for trade in Libya, and in other Arab countries gripped by the recent wave of pro-democracy uprisings.

"India is the world's largest arms importer," the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said as it released its latest report on trends in the international arms trade.

"India received nine percent of the volume of international arms transfers during 2006-10, with Russian deliveries accounting for 82 percent of Indian arms imports," it said.

Its arms imports jumped 21 percent from the previous five-year-period with 71 percent of its orders being for aircraft.

India's arms purchases were driven by several factors, said Siemon Wezeman of SIPRI'S Arms Transfers Programme.

"The most often cited relate to rivalries with Pakistan and China as well as internal security challenges," he wrote.

China and South Korea held joint second place on the list of global arms import, each with six percent, followed by Pakistan, on five percent.

Aircraft accounted for 45 percent of Pakistan's arms imports, which had bought warplanes from both China and the United States. Pakistan's arms imports were up 128 percent on the previous five-year period, SIPRI noted.

Greece rounded off the top-five list arms importers, with four percent of global imports.

Since the lifting of a UN arms embargo on Libya in September 2003, Britain, France, Italy and Russia had all competed to win orders from Moamer Kadhafi's regime, said the report.

Kadhafi's forces are currently using tanks, artillery and warplanes to reclaim territory held by the opposition forces.

Egypt had received 60 percent of its major arms imports from the United States between 2006 and 2010, said the SIPRI report.

They included "M-1A1 tanks and M-113 armoured vehicles of the type present during demonstrations in the country in January 2011," it added.

A pro-democracy uprising forced Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to step down on February 11, after nearly three decades of autocratic rule, after pro-democracy uprising.

But the conflict left at least 384 dead and more than 6,000 injured.

Russia, Montenegro, the Netherlands and China had also supplied weapons to the Mubarak regime, said the SIPRI report.

The United States remained the world's largest military equipment exporter, accounting for 30 percent of global arms exports in 2006-10, 44 percent of which went to to Asia and Oceania, SIPRI said.

The rest of the top five arms suppliers were: Russia, with 23 percent of the total market; Germany (11 percent); France (seven percent); and Britain (four percent).

"There is intense competition between suppliers for big-ticket deals in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America," said Dr Paul Holtom, head of the SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme.

He cited the efforts of the Eurofighter consortium to sell their plane across the world against rival warplanes, with competition particuarly fierce for the markets in Brazil and India.

Britain, France, Germany and Italy were also competing for orders for naval equipment from Algeria, noted SIPRI.

The think tank, which specialises in research on conflicts, weapons, arms control and disarmament, was created in 1966 and is 50-percent financed by the Swedish state. (AFP)

Building a museum on Tendulkar announced

Updated on : Friday, March 26, 2010

NEW DELHI: Indian star batsman Sachin Tendulkar is busy breaking records in cricket field and off the field his achievements are being hailed in the country.

In recognition of his feats, The Maharashtra government has announced building of a museum in his honour. The museum will be based on the life and career of the master cricketer

Tendulkar will be second cricketer after the legendary Sir Donald Bradman that a museum will be built on his cricket achievements.

Tendulkar recently accomplished the milestone of becoming the first ever player to crack a one-day international double ton.

The Little Master holds the records of making the most runs in Test and One-day International cricket besides scoring the highest number of centuries in these forms of cricket.

'My Name Is Khan' to be dubbed in German and Turkish

Updated on : Monday, February 22, 2010

MUMBAI: There is more good news for MNIK. Inspired by the overwhelming response in the overseas market, the producers of Shah Rukh Khan-starred 'My Name Is Khan' (MNIK), has decided to dub it in German and Turkish.

In addition, the movie will be subtitled in Polish to get a big global audience. The company wants to reach out as many people as possible. It was confirmed by Fox STAR Studios India, which distributes and markets MNIK.

'My Name Is Khan' is already doing great in North America and Britain. It broke the overseas records for any Hindi film released worldwide.

MNIK will be released in Poland in 50 screens. It will be huge, as none other Hindi film was released in more than five screens so far.

Katrina Kaif quits from 'The Italian Job'

Updated on : Sunday, February 7, 2010

MUMBAI: In a much controversy of Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif’s chase over the female lead role in Abbas Mustan’s remake of ‘The Italian Job’, finally it has been heard that after formers dismiss, the later is planning to quit.

What Katrina has to say in this counterpart is that because her character in the film does not have much substance she is planning to quit.

According to the sources report Katrina is going for a second thought whether to play or not. She has initially read the script and agreed at first. But due to her high demand in the film industry she has become quite cautious about her roles and won’t sign on anything that is not relevant to big banners.

Reportedly, it is heard that she chose to do the film because of Saif Ali Khan but after he quit Katrina seems to have lost her interest in the film. However, she may agree to do the film if the script appears more appealing to her after the changeover she demanded.

Katrina seems to be taking every step wisely considering every aspect of it.

Shahrukh and Aamir are '2 Idiots' : Hindu extremists Shiv Sena

Updated on : Tuesday, February 2, 2010

MUMBAI: Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan are '2 Idiots'. That's what the Shiv Sena believes and the party’s Hindi mouthpiece ‘Dopahar Ka Saamna’ said in a statement: “In real life, Aamir and Shahrukh have been proved as ‘2 Idiots’ as both are making stupid statements supporting the cause of Pakistani cricketers.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut also said that if Shahrukh was so keen on Pakistani players he could go play his matches in Lahore and not in India.

Shahrukh had to face Sena's wrath when he voiced his disappointment at Pakistani players not being hired by any of the franchise for the third season of the tournament.

Sena had stepped up it's campaign against King Khan on Sunday and took out a morcha to his house Mannat. They also tore down posters of his upcoming movie My Name is Khan and also warned theatres against screening the movie in Mumbai.

Shiv Sena also targeted Aamir who was on a rare occasion heard voicing the same opinion as Shahrukh.

Aamir had said "National boundaries are man-made. If someone is a good cricketer, then I would want him in my team. I don't care which country he belongs to.”

Well it seems Sena is panning to take on anybody who voices his opinion, which doesn't fall in line with Sena's ideology and its leadership.

Aamir, Rekha, Saif get civilian honours

Updated on : Monday, January 25, 2010

NEW DELHI: Bollywood star Aamir Khan and Tamil composers A.R. Rahman and Ilayaraja were Monday named for Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third highest civilian award,

While actors Rekha, Saif Ali Khan, Arundhati Nag and sound engineer Resul Pokutty got Padma Shri.

Aamir, 44, who struck gold at the box office with his latest outing “3 Idiots” that grossed over Rs.375 crore worldwide, is already a recipient of the Padma Shri.

Allah Rakha Rahman, who shone at the Oscars last year with his double golden statuette win, seems to be on an award winning spree post the success of “Slumdog Millionaire”.

In 2008, Rahman scored the music of Danny Boyle’s rags-to-riches drama “Slumdog Millionaire” for which he won a Golden Globe. He also bagged two Oscars for the film, becoming the first Indian citizen to do so.

Apart from the Oscars, Rahman has also been awarded with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) award, four National Film Awards and 13 Filmfare awards.

Tamil composer Ilayaraja has been a prominent name in the southern film industry since 1976. He debuted with “Annakkili” and is known for integrating Tamil folk lyric with Western music. He won the Indian National Film Award thrice for the movies - “Sindhu Bhairavi”, “Rudraveena” and “Saagara Sangamam.”

And now Ilayaraja gets the Padma Bhushan.

Bollywood diva Rekha, 55, has been selected for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest honour, after four decades in the Indian film industry.

Rekha has acted in over 150 films and maintained versatility in films like “Do Anjaane” (1976), “Ghar” (1978), “Muqaddar Ka Sikander” (1978), “Khubsoorat” (1980), “Silsila” (1981), “Baseraa” (1981), “Utsav” (1984), “Khoon Bhari Maang” (1988), “Ijaazat” (1988), “Kama Sutra” (1996) and “Zubeidaa” (2001), et al.

After being awarded with the 2008 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, now Arundhati Nag, a well-known name in the theatre world, wins Padma Shri. She was recently seen in “Paa” as Amitabh Bachchan’s grandmother.

Saif Ali Khan, one of the top notch actors in Hindi film industry, has been honoured with the Padma Shri. He became a sought after name after the success of “Dil Chahta Hai” (2001). After that there has been no looking back for the actor who also bagged the National Film Awards for his performance in “Hum Tum”.

Indian Army doesn’t posses ability to fight in night: Army chief

Updated on : Saturday, January 16, 2010

NEW DELHI: While the Indians celebrate 62nd Army Day, country’s Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, just after a couple of weeks of announcing a new war doctrine of Indian army to eliminate Pakistan and China in matter of hours even if it has to fight on simultaneous fronts, outrageously admitted Indian Army’s Armoured debacle and expressed concern about the force's 'night blindness' in the area of Armoured Corps and mechanized infantry.

'My major concern is that night blindness of the army is removed so we are able to fight in the night as in the day,' Kapoor said at New Delhi, an admission that stunned the world in the backdrop of his two weeks old remarks.

The situation also forced Indian Defence Minister Antony to chew his own buts as he had been endorsing and projecting General Kapoor’s announcement regarding the new war doctrine for Pakistan and China.

Earlier, when his attention was brought to the fact that the Indian Army's tanks have a night vision capability of 20 percent, Pakistan's have 80 percent while China has 100 percent, General Deepak Kapoor admitted this outrageous military debacle by saying: 'You are right.'

'Projects are already in the pipeline to ensure that we have the night vision capability that our adversaries have. It may take three-four years,' Kapoor added. The lack of night vision capability of the Indian Army has affected its fighting capability during the night. The deficiency has been persistent since the Kargil conflict.

On a query about the obsolete artillery of the Indian Army, the army chief said that successive bans have delayed acquisition of new guns for long. 'Artillery is a cause for concern. We need to have better guns. Trials for towed guns are underway. Because of bans the process got delayed. We are now acquiring ultra light guns through FMS (Foreign Military Sales) route from the US,' Kapoor added.

A British daily investigations into the matter reveal that despite a numerical strength of tanks over Pakistan, Indian army otherwise armoured and infantry capabilities are even below average if compared with Pakistan Army.

According to these findings, Indian armoured corps comprises around 4, 059 tanks with a backup of 1, 133 as reserve while Pakistan Army’s Tank strength is 2,401 with a backup of 270 as reserves.

However this numerical supremacy of Indian army is outraged with the fact that Indian armoured corps relies mainly on its Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, which emerged as a big failure while Pakistan Army’s armoured corps’ main strength has become Al-Khalid MBT which is a great success story, endorsed across the world.

Priyanka to play Mohanlal's wife in 'Seven Husbands'

Updated on : Thursday, January 14, 2010

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra is now set to play Malayalam superstar Mohanlal’s wife in Vishal Bharadwaj’s next movie Seven Husbands.

“Mohanlal will be playing one of Priyanka’s husbands in Seven Husbands. The names of other actors are being kept under wraps as of now,” a source close to the actress told media.

This will be for the second time that Priyanka will play multiple characters in a single film. She had essayed 12 roles in Ashutosh Gowariker’s What’s Your Rashee?, but the film failed to pull in audiences.

Seven Husbands” is Bharadwaj’s next venture after his acclaimed movie Kaminey, which also starred Priyanka. The movie is said to be co-written by Bharadwaj and author Ruskin Bond.

Vidya Balan to star in 'No One Killed Jessica'

Updated on : Sunday, January 3, 2010

MUMBAI: Vidya Balan is pretty excited to portray the character of Jessica’s sister in the biographical flick 'No One Killed Jessica’. The lady who has earned lot of accolade for her performance in ‘Paa’ is keen to do different kind of roles. The actress after making her debut in Bollywood with ‘Parineeta’ has since then not looked back.

The film based on the much hyped Jessica Lal murder case will be directed by Rajkumar Gupta. Jessica was gunned down in a bar amidst several people in April 1999 and the victim’s sister has been fighting since then to get justice. Vidya would be portraying the character of Sabrina in the movie.

The director said that film will be on floors on Feb 2010. Speaking about his choice for the actress to play the part, Gupta said, “Vidya Balan seemed like the right choice from the start. Now that I have got her for the role, the rest of the casting will be easy.”

Meanwhile an eager Vidya about her new challenge says, “The minute I heard the role, I wanted to do it. It’s my first biographical role and a big challenge. I’ll be meeting Sabrina shortly. After Paa and Ishqiya, I need to move forward.”

Huge response for Bollywoods's Three Idiots

Updated on : Saturday, January 2, 2010

NEW DELHI: Three idiots is on its way to becoming the biggest Bollywood blockbuster yet, surpassing the lifetime theatre ticket collections of the big-league Ghajini, Gadar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, two leading film trade analysts said.

The Vidhu Vinod Chopra-produced film has grossed Rs 175 crore worldwide within a week of its release. Ghajini and Gadar are estimated to have collected Rs 225 crore and Rs 175 crore till date, and Three Idiots is slated to surpass these figures before the end of the second week of the release, a trade analyst said.

Although the two blockbusters of the mid-1990s, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun are considered to have made as much of an impact at the box office as Gadar and Ghajini, the last two grossed much more in revenues. This is because prices of cinema tickets have gone up manifold in the past 15 years.

Film trade analyst Komal Nahata said Three Idiots could safely be called the movie of the decade.

Taran Adarsh, another film trade analyst, wrote in his website: "Three Idiots’ numbers are bigger than the lifetime gross of most biggies."

Film distributor Sanjay Ghai, who looks after big movie territories of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, said this is the most-watched movie they would ever have seen in their lifetime. "If Ghajini was watched by over 4 crore people to make it a hit, this movie would have been watched by 7-8 crore people by the time it ends its run.

I believe it is the best movie we have seen in a long time in terms of gross revenues," Mr Ghai said. He said no movie can become a blockbuster without a repeat audience and added, "We have seen queues outside theatres like this after a long time."

Buoyed by the response, Reliance Big Pictures, which is distributing the movie in collaboration with the producers, is adding new centres where the movie could not be released in the first week.

Bollywood set to rock new year with romantic comedy

Updated on : Saturday, January 2, 2010

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra and writer, producer and actor Uday Chopra say love is always possible, while promoting their upcoming film 'Pyaar Impossible' in showbiz capital Mumbai.

Priyanka and Uday Chopra addressed a news conference to promote the film, and said that the film would attract audiences because of its simplicity.

"We are very excited because we hope to start the year off with a bang. And I think what the audience will like about the film is the simplicity of it, as there are no complications. Its not something... not brainless comedy or brainless …where you have to leave your brains at home kind of film, its not like that. But it's also not a film where you have to really think too much, it's not cerebral. Its just a breezy, soft, sweet film," said Priyanka Chopra.

Uday Chopra added that anyone who feels their love is impossible should definitely watch this film.

"The message I would like to give with this film is of course is that don't believe your pyaar (love) is impossible if you do love somebody out there, who you think is above your league, or for whatever reason you think you cannot get her or him, just make the move, go out there, and tell that person, or probably bring that person and watch the movie with that person, and hopefully that pyaar would become possible," said Uday Chopra.

The movie is directed by actor-turned-director Jugal Hansraj under the banner of Yash Raj Films. The romantic comedy also features Dino Morea.

The film is slated for release on January 8, 2010.

'Pyaar Impossible' is said to be inspired by the hit British film 'Notting Hill', which starred Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant in the lead roles.

The film's official website describes the film as the love story of a beauty and a geek.

India Army ready for war against China, Pakistan

Updated on : Wednesday, December 30, 2009

NEW DELHI: India is preparing for a possible `two-front war' with China and Pakistan, Geo News quoted an Indian newspaper saying Wednesday.

The newspaper said the Indian Army is now revising its five-year-old doctrine to effectively meet the challenges of war with China and Pakistan, deal with asymmetric and fourth-generation warfare, enhance strategic reach and joint operations with IAF and Navy.

Work on the new war doctrine -- to reflect the reconfiguration of threat perceptions and security challenges -- is already underway under the aegis of Shimla-based Army Training Command, headed by Lt-General A S Lamba, sources told the Indian newspaper.

It comes in the backdrop of the 1.13-million strong Army having practiced -- through several wargames over the last five years -- its `pro-active' war strategy to mobilise fast and strike hard to pulverize the enemy.

This `cold start strategy', under a NBC (nuclear-chemical-biological) overhang, emerged from the `harsh lessons' learnt during Operation Parakram, where it took Army's strike formations almost a month to mobilise at the `border launch pads' after the December 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament.

This gave ample opportunity to Pakistan to shore up its defences as well as adequate time to the international community, primarily the US, to intervene. The lack of clear directives from the then NDA government only made matters worse.

"A major leap in our approach to conduct of operations (since then) has been the successful firming-up of the cold start strategy (to be able to go to war promptly)," said Army chief General Deepak Kapoor, at a closed-door seminar on Tuesday.

The plan now is to launch self-contained and highly-mobile `battle groups', with Russian-origin T-90S tanks and upgraded T-72 M1 tanks at their core, adequately backed by air cover and artillery fire assaults, for rapid thrusts into enemy territory within 96 hours.

Gen Kapoor identified five thrust areas that will drive the new doctrine. One, even as the armed forces prepare for their primary task of conventional wars, they must also factor in the eventuality of `a two-front war' breaking out.

In tune with this, after acquiring a greater offensive punch along the entire western front with Pakistan by the creation of a new South-Western Army Command in 2005, India is now taking steps -- albeit belatedly -- to strategically counter the stark military asymmetry with China in the eastern sector. There is now "a proportionate focus towards the western and north-eastern fronts", said Gen Kapoor.

Two, the Army needs to `optimise' its capability to effectively counter `both military and non-military facets' of asymmetric and sub-conventional threats like WMD terrorism, cyber warfare, electronic warfare and information warfare.

Three, the armed forces have to substantially enhance their strategic reach and out-of-area capabilities to protect India's geo-political interests stretching from Persian Gulf to Malacca Strait.

"This would enable us to protect our island territories; as also give assistance to the littoral states in the Indian Ocean Region," said Gen Kapoor.

Four, interdependence and operational synergy among Army, Navy and IAF must become the essence of strategic planning and execution in future wars. "For this, joint operations, strategic and space-based capability, ballistic missile defence and amphibious, air-borne and air-land operations must be addressed comprehensively," he said.

And five, India must strive to achieve a technological edge over its adversaries. "Harnessing and exploitation of technology also includes integration of network centricity, decision-support systems, information warfare and electronic warfare into our operational plans," he added.

Apart from analysing the evolving military strategy and doctrines of China and Pakistan, the Army is also studying the lessons learnt from the US-launched Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and their relevance to India.

Couple slips though security to crash White House state dinner

Updated on : Thursday, November 26, 2009

WASHINGTON: Crashing a state dinner at the White House apparently takes a security breakdown as well as some kind of nerve.

The Secret Service is looking into its own security procedures after determining that a Virginia couple, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, managed to slip into Tuesday night's state dinner at the White House even though they were not on the guest list, agency spokesman Ed Donovan said.

President Barack Obama was never in any danger because the party crashers went through the same security screening for weapons as the 300-plus people actually invited to the dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Donovan said.

The Secret Service learned about the security breach Wednesday after a media inquiry prompted by the Salahis' online boasts about having attended the private event, Donovan said.

Manmohan Singh meets Chinese premier

Updated on : Sunday, October 25, 2009

BANGKOK: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao met in Thailand on Saturday to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.

In his opening remarks during the meeting, Wen said "we want to have healthy and steady relationship with India."

Prime Minister Singh congratulated Wen on 60th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

H1N1 claims 5 more lives; toll rises to 106

Updated on : Thursday, September 3, 2009

NEW DELHI: Five more persons succumbed to swine flu, including two from Andhra Pradesh which registered its first deaths due to the disease, taking the countrywide toll today to 106.

A total of 97 fresh cases were also reported during the day all of which are indigenous.

The five deaths were from Andhra Pradesh (2), Maharashtra (2) and Karnataka (1).

A 25-year-old government employee, who was admitted to Government Chest hospital in Andhra Pradesh on August 31 and had tested positive for the H1N1 virus, died last night, state health authorities said adding that a woman, 35, succumbed to the virus at a corporate hospital there.

In Karnataka, Shahida Misgar, 36, succumbed to H1N1 virus today at a private hospital in the state, health authorities said.

One of the deaths in Maharashtra was in Pune, the worst affected city by the pandemic so far.

Katrina Kaif going the Yoga way

Updated on : Tuesday, September 01, 2009

MUMBAI: Katrina Kaif is inclined towards spirituality these days. Either because she wants more success or because she has learnt how other Bollywood stars try to show off their spiritual side.

The actress is not just learning Hindi to get her dialogues right but is also trying to understand the nuances of Indian astrology, yoga and meditation.

She says astrology excites her and is trying to read books related to the subject.

Whenever Kat bumps into an expert who is good at palmistry, star gazing or numerology, she doesn’t miss an opportunity to ask what’s in store for her in the future. Kat reportedly has fun this way and finds it fascinating when another person predicts her future.

The New York-actress has also got hooked onto gems, yoga after meeting people who have sworn how certain gems have helped them improve their lives.

Kat believes the energies that many of these gems contain can change a person’s life for the better. Well, Katrina’s life changed the day she ‘boomed’ into Bollywood!

The actress is eagerly looking an expert to learn more about palmistry, gemology, yoga, meditation and numerology.

Kaminey grosses Rs 630 million globally in 10 days

Updated on : Thursday, August 27, 2009

MUMBAI: After storming the box office in the very first weekend of its release, UTV Motion Pictures Kaminey has now grossed Rs 63 crores within the first 10 days of its release worldwide.

Mesmerizing audiences across the nation with its foot tapping music, ace direction and the flawless portrayal of characters by the talented cast, the film grossed over Rs 50 crores across 1200 screens at the Indian box office.

Despite its Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai release being rescheduled, Kaminey continues to rake in the moolah with its stupendous success both in India and internationally.

Spelling the Dhan te nan quotient all through, Kaminey received the second highest opening in India, US and UAE, the biggest Hindi film opening of the year in Pakistan and one of the highest openings of the year in Australia.

Salman Khan celebrates Ganesh festival

Updated on : Tuesday, August 25, 2009

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Salman Khan joined several Mumbaikars in biding emotional adieu to Lord Ganesh on first day of `visarjan' (immersion).

Among the prominent personalities who visited Salman's residence at suburban Bandra for the Ganesh puja ahead of immersion were MNS chief Raj Thackeray, cricketer Yuvraj Singh and actress Katrina Kaif.

BJP expels Jaswant Singh for praising Jinnah

Updated on : Wednesday, August 19, 2009

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday expelled senior leader Jaswant Singh from the primary membership of the party.

He was expelled days after the release of his book praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

BJP president Rajnath Singh told reporters here that the party's parliamentary board decided to expel the former external affairs minister from the primary membership of the party.

"Yesterday, I issued a statement about the BJP dissociating itself from Jaswant Singh's views. The party discussed the matter at the chintan baithak (introspection session) and it was decided to expel him," Rajnath Singh said.

In his book, Jaswant Singh has held Jawaharlal Nehru responsible for the partition of India and Jinnah has been "demonised" in India.