Vikrant's World

Baftas 2012 Winners: The Artist biggest winner with seven awards including best film

2012-02-15T23:29:00.002+05:30

The Artist's dream team: leading man Jean Dujardin, producer Thomas Langmann and director Michel Hazanavicius.

There were no spoken words, vibrant colours, impressive special effects, sophisticated plotlines or indeed anything at all that audiences expect in a modern film, and that was all very much in its favour as The Artist emerged triumphant at the 2012 Baftas.

The French silent film had been the bookies' favourite to sweep all before it and it did not disappoint, winning seven awards including best film, best director, best original screenplay, original music, best costume design, best cinematography.

The Artist's tally of Baftas equalled the number given to The King's Speech last year and Slumdog Millionaire in 2009. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid still holds the record with nine, followed by The Killing Fields with eight.

Picking up the screenplay award, The Artist's director, Michel Hazanavicius, said: "I'm very surprised, because so many people thought there was no script because there was no dialogue. So English people are very clever. Congratulations to you."

The film also won the best actor prize for Jean Dujardin – although Gary Oldman as George Smiley had been widely tipped.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy instead won best British film and best adapted screenplay. Writer Peter Straughan joked: "I would like to thank The Artist for not being adapted from a book." He said the award was for his late wife and co-adapter, Bridget O'Connor, who died before the film was completed – "she wrote all the good bits, I made the coffee."

There was no surprise whatsoever in the best actress category. Meryl Streep had been a banker to win for her scarily good portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady and she did win – only her second lead actress Bafta win after The French Lieutenant's Woman more than 30 years ago.
Streep said she was very proud of the film and thanked the producers for "asking and expecting so much of me."

Christopher Plummer, now 82, won best supporting actor – his first Bafta – for his moving portrayal of a late developing gay man in Beginners. Kenneth Branagh, Jim Broadbent, Jonah Hill and Philip Seymour Hoffman lost out.

Octavia Spencer won the best supporting actress award for her role as the hard-nosed, badly abused maid Minny in The Help, the film's only award of the night after five nominations.
Hugo, Martin Scorsese's loving celebration of cinema, won best production design and sound.
In the British debut category, actor-turned director Paddy Considine and producer Diarmid Scrimshaw won for the gruellingly brilliant Tyrannosaur, made for just £750,000.
The well-liked Formula One film Senna won the award for best documentary and best editing. The producer, Eric Fellner, said: "This film was made by all of us with love and all we have got back from it is love."

In other categories, Rango won best animated film and Pedro Almodóvar won the best film not in the English language category for his macabre thriller The Skin I live In.

Harry Potter was nominated in four craft categories and won one – finally winning best special visual effects award with the final instalment of the franchise.

The evening however belonged to a charming silent film with a cute dog and simple plot, made 85 years after The Jazz Singer heralded the arrival of talkies.

The film debuted to terrific reviews at Cannes last May and the momentum has just continued and continued, winning three Golden Globes and is also now nominated for 10 Oscars.

Having said that, The Artist was not to all tastes. The Odeon in Liverpool confirmed it gave refunds to some cinemagoers annoyed to find the film was silent. Kim Novak complained they used music from Vertigo, although taking out a full page advert in Variety and accusing the film of "rape" was over the top by any standards.

Most of the thank you speeches at the Royal Opera House were mercifully short. Frenchman Ludovic Bource, winning the best original music award for The Artist, concluded his with: "I love Britain. God save the Queen."

The only award voted for by the public was the rising star award sponsored by Orange. It went to Hackney rapper Adam Deacon who wrote, directed and starred in the film Anuvahood.
John Hurt was given a special outstanding contribution to British cinema award, following in footsteps that include Derek Jarman, Mike Leigh and Kenneth Branagh, and last year the Harry Potter series of films.

His career has included memorable performances as Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant, John Merrick in The Elephant Man and Kane, the chest-bursting executive officer in Alien. Last year he was Control in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Accepting the award from Billy Bob Thornton, Hurt said he had written a speech but his wife told him not to give it, that he should simply say "thank you" – which he did, albeit slightly more effusively than she'd advised.

Bafta's highest accolade, a fellowship, went to Martin Scorsese who had been nominated for two films last year: his nostalgic family drama Hugo and his documentary on George Harrison, Living in a Material World.The award was given for a lifetime of films that have included Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and The Departed. Tim Corrie, the chairman of Bafta, said: Martin Scorcese is a legend in his lifetime; a true inspiration to all young directors the world over. We are delighted to honour his contribution to film history."

Retail FDI Invesment effect Pro & con in india

2012-02-15T17:40:00.000+05:30

India's growth story is still "credible" and the move to open up the economy to global supermarket chains will help growth and control inflation, the central bank governor Duvvuri Subbarao said on Friday.

"It's commendable that government has taken the initiative. Let's hope that it will improve the logistics chain and supply chain management in agriculture," Subbarao said in a speech in the north-western city of Chandigarh.

Late Thursday, the government approved 51 percent foreign direct investment in the supermarket sector, paving the entry of firms such as Wal-Mart , Tesco and Carrefour into one of the world's largest untapped markets.

"It's important for not only raising overall growth but also important for containing inflation and improving quality of life over 50 percent of population," Subbarao said.

Opening up the retail sector to global players has been a much awaited reform but has been long hobbled by political differences. The Congress-led government's biggest ally Trinamool Congress is opposed to the move.

The central bank chief said that inflation needs to be brought down to 5 percent initially and then even lower, consistent with India's integration with global economy.

Subbarao said the current inflation situation is a consequence of both supply shocks and demand pressures.

Monetary tightening needs to be supplemented by supply side measures to raise potential economic output, he said.

"Raising agricultural production and productivity is, important for containing price pressures, raising rural incomes and making growth more inclusive," Subbarao said.

India's inflation, which is largely driven by high food and global commodity prices, plus expansive fiscal policies, is the highest among major economies in Asia. It's wholesale prices rose more than expected in October as the cost of food and fuel increased.

The high inflation print, above 9 percent for the 11th month, was further evidence of the Reserve Bank of India's inability to achieve a breakthrough in its fight against inflation despite 13 rate rises since March 2010.

In its October 25 mid-quarter review of monetary policy, the RBI had said that a rate hike may not be warranted if inflationary pressures start to ease by December.

Slowing growth, stubbornly high inflation, rising interest rates, political gridlock, gloom in the West and a sliding rupee have conspired to dampen investor and corporate sentiment in Asia's third-largest economy.

The RBI has lowered the country's growth forecast to 7.6 percent for the current fiscal year ending in March from 8 percent previously.

Subbarao says a reduction of federal and state fiscal deficits are important steps for a stable macro environment.

India's fiscal deficit during April to September was 2.92 trillion rupees, or 70.8 percent of the full-year target, government data showed. Most expect it to breach the 4.6 percent of GDP target for the fiscal year.

The government said it would sell debt worth 2.2 trillion rupees, sharply above the budgeted 1.67 trillion rupees in the October to March period.

Subbarao said that India being a emerging economy with a partly open capital account, floating exchange rate and a monetary policy that takes into account global developments, has to continue to manage the "impossible trinity."

The impossible trinity refers to the economic hypothesis that a country simultaneously cannot have a fixed exchange rate, an open capital account and an independent monetary policy.

RUPEE VOLATILITY TO REMAIN

The central bank chief said the volatility in the foreign exchange market will remain until the euro zone crisis is resolved.

"Until there is a credible solution to the sovereign debt problem in Europe, we will see movements in the exchange rate," Subbarao said.

He added that the central bank is watching the rupee, but could not say whether it will intervene in the forex market directly.

The rupee has skidded nearly 17 percent from a 2011 high reached in late July as risk-averse investors flee emerging markets, increasing the difficulties for a government already struggling with high inflation, slowing economic growth and a widening trade gap.

The rupee touched an all-time low of 52.73 on Tuesday and state-run banks were spotted selling dollars in the market in recent sessions, sparking talk of RBI intervention.

Wednesday, RBI deputy governor Subir Gokarn said intervention has been aimed at smoothing sharp movements in the rupee.

Google's Doodle for Valentine's Day

2012-02-15T17:24:00.000+05:30

This year's doodle is actually a video that uses Tony Bennett's song "Cold, Cold Heart" to tell the story of a boy who tries to find a gift for the girl he loves, but fails to impress her.

The doodle is available if you visit Google Australia, Google Japan and other domains for countries that celebrate Valentine's Day because it's already February 14 there.

Here are the other Google doodles for Valentine's Day.

Exclusive photos & complete Winners List of Zee Cine Awards 2012

2012-02-09T18:33:00.001+05:30

Zee Cine Awards 2012

Dear viewers, watch several exclusive photos of Zee Cine Awards 2012 attached with this report. The star studded award ceremony was telecasted on Zee TV on Sunday, February 5. The awards event was held at the CotaiArena in Macao. Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Vidya Balan and several big names performed at the awards event.

Ranbir Kapoor and Vidya Balan won the ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Actress’ award respectively for the films “Rockstar” and “The Dirty Picture.” Vidya picked up the ‘Jury Award for Best Actress’ too for “The Dirty Picture.” Shahrukh Khan bagged the ‘Jury Award for Best Actor’ for “Don 2.” Zoya Akhtar was called upon stage several times to collect the ‘Best Film’, ‘Best Director’, and ‘Best Story’ awards for her film “Zindegi Na Milegi Dobara.”

Zee Cine Awards 2012 Winners List:-

Best Film [Popular] - Rockstar
Best Director - Imtiaz Ali (Rockstar)
Best Actor [Popular] - Ranbir Kapoor (Rockstar)
Best Actress [Popular] - Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture)
Best Performance in a Negative Role - Prakash Raj (Singham)
Best Supporting Actor - Farhan Akhtar (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
Best Supporting Actress - Swara Bhaska (Tanu Weds Manu)
Best Debut Male - Rana Daggubati (Dum Maaro Dum)
Best Debut Female - Parineeti Chopra (Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl)
Best Debut Director Award - Siddique (Bodyguard)
Best Music - A. R. Rahman (Rockstar)
Best Lyrics - Irshad Kamil (Rockstar)
Best Male Playback Singer - Mohit Chauhan for the song "Jo bhi main" (Rockstar)
Best Female Playback Singer - Shreya Ghoshal for the song "Saibo" (Shor In The City)
Best Song - "Ishq Sufiana" (The Dirty Picture)
Song of the Year - "Chhamak Chhalo" (Ra.One)
Best Film [Jury] - The Dirty Picture
Best Actor [Jury] - Shah Rukh Khan (Don 2)
Best Actress [Jury] - Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture)
Best Story - Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
Best Action Film Award - Ra.One
International Icon (Female) - Katrina Kaif
International Icon (Male) - Farhan Akhtar
Best Marketed Film Of The Year - Ra.One
Best Editing - Aarti Bajaj (Rockstar)
Best Sound Design - Rasul Pookutty (Ra. One)
BEST Cinematography-Carlos Catalan (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)
Best Choreography- "Ooh La La" (The Dirty Picture)
Best Use of Media - Ra. One
Lifetime Achievement Award - Jitendra

Romantic Valentine Song / - I feel

2012-02-09T18:27:00.001+05:30

I feel its welcome scent within the air

It beckons me from somewhere in my past

Each heartbeat a reminder it is there

Each second seems much longer than the last

-

I feel the things around me swept away

They serve no further purpose to my mind

Which found another paradise to stray

And for this while leave all I knew behind

-

As for tomorrow will it be the same

Ask passing moon perhaps a star may know

For now I have eternity to tame

Another dream awaits and I must go

-

I feel no greater purpose now than this

I feel it's time we shared another kiss

Expecting American Budget 2012 -veronica Roberts

2012-02-09T18:22:00.001+05:30

U.S. and the stench is emanating form the chambers of Congress, Corporations and legislative offices all over the land.

Yes, we are in deep financial crisis. Yes, we have a foreign debt that would make the Founding Fathers keel over and die a second time from sheer shock. Yes, unemployment is high. Yes, we need to reduce our stagering 14 plus trillion dollar debt and balanced our budge. Yes, several States budgets also need dire repair.

But how and why did we get here and what should we do to get out of it? Many of our politicians are now focusing on the later part of this question and are completely ignoring the first, all important part. What happened to this country to lower us to this point?

The simple law of bugeting is, do not spend more than you take in. This applies to a simple household budget all the way to the Federal coffers. Ironically, or should I say, eerily, numerous families across America are in debt, right along with our country. What does this mean?

Does it mean that those at the top holding the reins spent us into the poor-house with scant regard for fiscal responsibility and taught us to do the same? George Bush's advice to the nation after the horrific tragedy of September 11, was to go shopping.

The Republicans on Capitol Hill and across the land are now screaming for this fiscal responsibility, when they were the ones holding the limitless charge card racking up the debt on credit for wars, tax breaks for the rich and nonexistent regulations on Wall St. and Corporations.

Now many on that 'Right' side of the aisle are proposing outrageous cuts in an effort to close the gaping hole in the Federal coffers. Incidentally the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, which was recently extended for another 2 years, were not seen as an entitlement program or unnecessary in these tough economic times.

Folks who can afford to pay their fare share, have been given a big break while programs for the poor are set to 'pick up the slack' on closing that gap. What gives?

We hear of corporations like General Electric (GE) raking in $14.2 billion, and shockingly, tax free to booth! In fact after not paying one cent in taxes, they got a 'tax refund' from Uncle Sam in the form of almost $4 billion. Didn't the Supreme Court say that corporations were people? We pay taxes, don't we? another corporation, giant software company Microsoft, raked in $6.32 billion in profits and paid only 7% in taxes.

Again, are we paying attention? Republicans want to slash $1 trillion from the Medicaid program. They also wanted to privatize Medicare and replace it with a voucher program. Didn't we hear this one before? The privatizing of Social Security and investing them in the stock market, proposed by our last esteemed president Bush Jr.? Could you imagine what would have happened to SS during the Wall St. meltdown?

You see, they need to balance the budget and pay down our huge debt, so what better way to do that than on the backs of the Middle Class poor working class and seniors, right? Millionaires and billionaires desperately needed that 2 year extension on their sweet deal of a tax break. That would make it how many years of 'welfare' for the rich--over a decade?

Arizona wanted to impose a 'fat fee' and smokers fee on Medicaid recipients and to some that sounds fair. Why, I'm sure Brewer was feeling quite altruistic in her argument for this' slippery slope to bias' proposal: it would save the State over $500 billion, plus it would make those lazy, poor, fat slobs get up and lose weight; kick the smoking habit or get off the Federal dime. (and we know who they think those lazy, fat, smoking, slobs are, don't we?)

Wisconsin has also balanced their budget on the backs of the hard-working,public servant. Those teachers, bus drivers, janitors, prison guards etc are living too high on the hog and can afford to make some sacrifice for a good cause.

What do they need bargaining rights for? They already have sweet deals: like tax breaks for another 2 years; estate exemptions--no death tax--million dollar salaries--some even millions for just their bonuses, right? Oops, sorry, that's not the teachers and other public workers, that's the 'ax break, billionaire/millionaire crowd,' who contributes heavily to the political campaigns of the ones calling for the budget cuts--doing so with their boots planted squarely on the necks and backs of the hard-working American.

They gave Trillions to Wall St. Freddie and Fanny, big banks, even foreign ones like the bank of Libya--yes, you read right-- Gadhafi's Libya. Several foreign companies had their hands out for the free handout from the Federal coffers, while 'Main St. continues to suffer.

Billionaire Mayor of New York, Bloomberg, bought himself a third term and is now threatening to lay off over 6,000 teachers, while Wall St. continues to pay out outrageous bonuses and despite the paltry reform from the Obama administration, business is booming along as usual.

But we need to balance the budget, just not upset the status quo of the 2-3 'percenters' who control most of the wealth in this country. We can't ask them to sacrifice. We can't ask them to pay their fair share. We can't ask them to give up their cushy tax breaks. After all, aren't they the "job creators?" So what if we still have an 9 percent unemployment plaguing the land?

Now the debt ceiling war rages on in Washington, with 4 more days to default countdown. Speaker John Boehner can't get his ducks in a row and have rewritten his plan 3 times now for he can't get the Teaparty far right-wingers to support his measure. The Democrats and President Obama has firmly stated that the GOP's plan would be voted down anyways even if Boehner manages to squeeze a majority yea vote out of his hard-liners in the House.

Facebook never delete anything is true there is still alive on deleting photos

2012-02-09T18:13:00.002+05:30

File photo of a sketch of founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen on a wall at the new headquarters of Facebook in Menlo Park

Facebook is still alive on deleting photos from its servers in a appropriate address about three years afterwards Ars aboriginal brought absorption to the topic.

The aggregation accepted on Friday that its earlier systems for autumn uploaded agreeable "did not consistently annul images from agreeable commitment networks in a reasonable aeon of time alike admitting they were anon removed from the site," but said it's currently finishing up a newer arrangement that makes the action abundant quicker. In the meantime, photos that users anticipation they "deleted" from the amusing arrangement months or alike years ago abide attainable via absolute link. The problem: "deleted" photos never go away

Bhagvad Gita, one of the most sacred Hindu religious texts, is facing a legal ban and branded as 'an extremist' literature in Russia

2011-12-19T17:34:00.002+05:30

Bhagvad Gita, one of the most sacred Hindu religious texts, is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as 'an extremist' literature across Russia, with a court in Siberia's Tomsk city all set to deliver its final verdict Monday in a case filed by state prosecutors.

The final pronouncement in the case will come just two days after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was here for a bilateral summit meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev from Dec 15 to 17.

The case, which has been going on in Tomsk court since June this year, seeks to get a Russian translation of 'Bhagvad Gita As It Is' written by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), on the Hindu religious text banned in Russia and declaring it as a literature spreading 'social discord', apart from rendering its distribution on Russian soil illegal.

In view of the case, Indians settled in Moscow, numbering about 15,000, and followers of the ISKCON religious movement here have appealed to Manmohan Singh and his government to intervene diplomatically to resolve the issue in favour of the Hindu religious text, an important part of Indian epic 'Mahabharat' written by Sage Ved Vyasa.

The ISKCON followers of Russia have also written a letter to the Indian Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi seeking immediate intervention, lest the religious freedom of Hindus living here be compromised.

'The case is coming up for a final verdict on Monday in Tomsk court. We want all efforts from Indian government to protect the religious right of Hindus in Russia,' Sadhu Priya Das of ISKCON and a devotee of a 40-year-old Krishna temple in central Moscow, told IANS.

The court, which took up the case filed by the state prosecutors, had referred the book to the Tomsk State University for 'an expert' examination Oct 25 this year.

But Hindu groups in Russia, particular followers of the ISKCON, say the university was not qualified, as it lacked Indologists.

The Hindus had pleaded with the court that the case was inspired by religious bias and intolerance`from a majority religious group in Russia, and have sought that

their rights to practice their religious beliefs be upheld.

The prosecutor's case also seeks to ban the preaching of Prabhupada and ISKCON's religious beliefs, claiming these were 'extremist' in nature and preached 'hatred' of other religious beliefs.

'They have not just tried to get the Bhagvad Gita banned, but also brand our religious beliefs and preachings as extremist,' Das said.

In fact, the ISKCON devotees have taken up the matter with the Indian embassy in Moscow too, apart from writing to the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi, for an early diplomatic intervention, before things get worse and the court passes an adverse verdict banning the 'Bhagvad Gita' and Krishna consciousness teachings.

In the Nov 1 letter, addressed to Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji, ISKCON's New Delhi branch Governing Body Commissioner Gopal Krishna Goswami, said the prosecutor's affidavit claims Lord Krishna 'is evil and not conforming to Christian religious view'.

Goswami also urged Singh to accord priority to the matter during his Moscow stay and to take it up with the Russian authorities.

Indian diplomatic corps officials at the embassy here, who were unwilling to be named, told IANS that they have been following up the case since the time it was brought to their notice earlier this year and that they had also taken up the matter at the appropriate levels in the Russian government to get the case either withdrawn or get the defence to fight the case to obtain a favourable verdict.

Officials at the Indian Prime Minister's office, who are part of the Indian delegation accompanying Singh, confirmed the case and the letter they received from ISKCON in this regard to IANS.

'This matter is receiving the highest attention and the Indian embassy officials in Moscow have been instructed to follow up the case with the Russian authorities,' they said.

"Dear Leader" North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011 state television reported

2011-12-19T17:29:00.002+05:30

which was taken in April 1946, is displayed at the Unification Hall at the West Seoul Life Science High School in Seoul in this July 17, 2009 file photo. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died on December 17, 2011 state television reported on December 19, 2011. An announcer said he died of physical and mental over-work.

After AMRI fire At least 122 people died and 130 people hospitalized after drinking poisonous in west bengal

2011-12-16T22:40:00.001+05:30

Bengal

At least 55 people died and 130 people hospitalized after drinking poisonous homemade by people in an eastern state of India.

AFP quoted Indian officials said the poisoning occurred in the region Magrahat, Usthi and Mandirbazar 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. The victim drinking on the night of 13/12 and the deaths occurred in the morning.

"The number of deaths is 55 but we fear that number will increase," Narayan Swarup Nigam, top officials 24 Parganas district, said.

Nigam also confirmed at least 130 people were taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.

"Some of them are in critical condition," he said.

Some unnamed official of the state of West Bengal told The Press Trust of India that killed 57 people, including 10 who died in a village called Sangrampur, and 47 other people died in the hospital. Most children who are low income as construction workers, merchants and vendors who ride cabs.

Doctors and medicines have been taken to hospital near the village of Diamond Harbour Sangrampur.

Police arrested four people accused of selling alcohol poisoning. Local authorities announced they would support money to relatives of those killed.

Died from drinking cheap wine is a phenomenon often happens in India. Two years ago 122 people died in Gujarat in western India after drinking alcohol. In 2008 of alcohol poisoning group in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the southern states, robbing the lives of nearly 170 people. Gujarat state government last week issued a new law to combat production and sales situation of poor quality wine. The law who intentionally produce and sell alcohol poisoning can cause death penalty.

Jyoti Amge named shortest living woman in the world by the Guinness World Records.

2011-12-16T22:34:00.003+05:30

Guinness World Records adjudicator Rob Molloy, left, and Dr. Manoj Pahukar of Wockhardt hospital measures Jyoti Amge, in Nagpur, India, Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. - AP

(Check It Out! Pictures & Watch Video!) Here are images and video of Jyoti Amge who named as the shortest living woman in the world by the Guinness World Records as she was presented to a press conference on her 18th birthday on December 16, 2011 in Nagpur, India.

The 18-year-old new record holder was measured 62.8 centimeters (24.7 inches) conducted by Guinness World Records adjudicator Rob Molloy together with Indian doctor K. Sujatha of Wockhardt hospital in Nagpur.

According to Jyoti Amge, 'I want to make people happy.' She wants to become a Bollywood star and she has already got two movie offers for next year.

How can u Change Luck ?

2011-12-16T22:30:00.002+05:30

Fortuna by Hans Sebald Beham, circa 1541. Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org by Yellow Lion

Who among us couldn’t use more luck, especially here in Atlanta, where the down turned economy has been hit hardest!

Lifestylist and Ultimate Health and Wellness Expert, Ellen Whitehurst, believes in certain feng shui concepts when it comes to luck – fortune – and bringing good things into one’s life…

Whitehurst says that you should always maximize your chances or opportunities – network, be relaxed and open to new opportunities. Start networking and be amongst other people who can brainstorm together or hook you up with others.

Believe in intuition – listen to your instinct – go with gut feelings and hunches. Listen to that inner voice that lets you know how to be lucky.

Expect and receive good fortune. Make this your lucky day! Those who do not accomplish, do not expect good fortune! Wake up in the morning and STOP thinking the worst outcomes of the day.

Do NOT be fearful! If you’re not dreaming the impossible dream and trying to make it come true, then you’re not doing it right…

Turn the bad into good – take your challenges and obstacles and turn them into opportunities! As they say, if life gives you lemons – make lemonade!

Ask yourself if you’re doing what you were meant to do. Are you embracing life, who you are, and enjoying yourself doing what you’re doing for a living?

Find a token of what you aspire to or what you want to achieve and be part of your life. This is the importance of what you see as the first thing in the morning upon awakening and the last thing at night before you fall asleep. Find that something that gives you purpose in life.

The 5 types of luck

Whitehurst also believes that there are five types of luck and this is particularly based on a feng shui philosophy.

Heaven Luck – that which we call astrology, pertaining to the positions that the sun, the moon and other planets were in at the exact moment we were born.

Man Luck – that which allows you to buy a lottery ticket and win money right away or show up in a parking lot and grab a parking spot exactly as someone is pulling out.

Education – they say that knowledge is power and apparently, the more you know, the more opportunities you create for yourself that bring fortune to you.

Philanthropy – the concept of giving something to others and getting something back in return. It may not be money or material goods, but that which will result in the same for others as a consequence of your actions.

Karma – the age old adage of whatever you give out, good or bad, will come back to you in spades.

I’d like to sum things up with the last type of luck – the concept of Karma – that what you give, comes back to you tenfold. it’s also a very hard and key lesson to learn in life in order to change your luck and make fortune smile down upon you!

NOTE: The photo file should be of a German engraving of the goddess Fortuna by Hans Sebald Beham, circa 1541 and not whatever this site or other users are attaching!

Bloody and expensive battle in Iraq has been officially declared over after almost 9 years December 15 2012

2011-12-16T22:24:00.000+05:30

Iraqi soldiers attend a training session with US troops

The bloody and expensive battle in Iraq that stated on March 20, 2003 has been officially declared over after almost 9 years. The shut down was observed with a simple December 15 flag ceremony at the Baghdad International Airport, as the American troops head back home.

President Barack Obama, in his final speech to the American troops, which were originally scheduled to leave Iraq in 2008, said that their efforts were not wasted and that the war was for a cause that is now successfully accomplished. He said the American troops are leaving Iraq with the belief that it’s now a sovereign, stable and self reliant state. Surprisingly though, his yesterday’s statement sharply contrasted with the statements of the same Barack Obama who was an Illinois State senator in 2002. The one who believed that the soon to begin invasion in the name of war on terror was simple “a dumb war, a rash war”, which is based “not on reason, but on passion, not on principal but on passion”.

The price paid by both countries on a misguided enterprise was far more than anyone could have anticipated. Not only in term of the money poured into the war but the lives lost as well. 4500 U.S. soldiers died and another 32000 wounded, with 100,000 Iraqis killed. But wait, these are only estimates. According to some sources the figures are almost 5 times as high. In terms of money the war cost $800 billion from the U.S treasury.

Beltran, a U.S soldier who suffered serious injuries after his plane crashed in 2003, doesn’t believe that this war was to search for alleged connections to weapons of mass destruction or the 9/11. "The national interest is the oil so that's the reason why we're there," Beltran said.

"The oil companies are the only ones that are gaining anything from this. When I first went over there, I knew the interest was oil. In the Army, we knew that. I was naive to think that would keep the price of oil low. How much has it gone up in the past couple of years, and it's only going to grow."

There’s no guarantee that after the last of American soldiers leave Iraq by the end of 2011, there wont be any more civil wars between shia and sunni Muslims or that Iraq might find itself get caught into a new turmoil by the instability in its neighboring countries like Syria and Iran.

But no matter how failed and mistaken the 9 year mission was, the U.S. officials continue to boost it as a “responsible ending, under the leadership of President Brarack Obama”.

Nominations for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards 2012

2011-12-16T22:22:00.000+05:30

Actress Sofia Vergara speaks during the announcements for the nominations for the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in the Beverly Hills

The much-awaited nominations for the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press on Thursday. The nominations were annunciated by Gerard Butler, Woody Harrelson, Rashida Jones and Sofia Vergara.

In the film categories, “The Artist” topped the list with six nominations, including best motion picture, comedy or musical. It was closely followed by “The Help” and “The Descendents” with 5 nominations while “Moneyball,” “Midnight in Paris” and “Ides of March” earned four nods each.

As for TV, “Downton Abbey” and “Mildred Pierce” both earned four nominations, while series “Modern Family,” “The Hour,” “Homeland” and “Boardwalk Empire” received three nominations each.

Here's the list of nominees for Golden Globe Awards 2012:

BEST PICTURE, DRAMA

"War Horse"

"The Ides of March"

"The Help"

"Moneyball"

"Hugo"

"The Descendants"

BEST PICTURE, COMEDY

"The Artist"

"50/50"

"Bridesmaids"

"My Week With Marilyn"

"Midnight in Paris"

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA

George Clooney, "The Descendants"

Brad Pitt, ''Moneyball''

Leonardo DiCaprio, ''J.Edgar''

Ryan Gosling, ''The Ides of March''

Michael Fassbender, ''Shame''

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA

Viola Davis, "'The Help''

Meryl Streep, ''The Iron Lady''

Tilda Swinton, ''We Need to Talk About Kevin''

Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo''

Glenn Close, ''Albert Nobbs''

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY

Jean Dujardin, "The Artist''

Brendan Gleeson, ''The Guard''

Owen Wilson, ''Midnight in Paris''

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, ''50/50''

Ryan Gosling, ''Crazy, Stupid, Love''

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY

Michelle Williams, ''My Week With Marilyn''

Jodie Foster, ''Carnage''

Kristen Wiig, ''Bridesmaids''

Charlize Theron, ''Young Adult''

Kate Winslet, ''Carnage''

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Albert Brooks, ''Drive''

Christopher Plummer, ''Beginners''

Kenneth Branagh, ''My Week With Marilyn''

Jonah Hill, ''Moneyball''

Viggo Mortensen, ''A Dangerous Method''

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Berenice Bejo, ''The Artist''

Octavia Spencer, ''The Help''

Jessica Chastain, ''The Help''

Janet McTeer, ''Albert Nobbs''

Shailene Woodley, "The Descendants"

BEST DIRECTOR

Martin Scorsese, ''Hugo''

George Clooney, ''The Ides of March''

Michel Hazanavicius, ''The Artist''

Alexander Payne, ''The Descendants''

Woody Allen, ''Midnight in Paris''

BEST TV SERIES, DRAMA

"American Horror Story"

"Boardwalk Empire"

"Boss"

"Game of Thrones"

"Homeland"

BEST COMEDY SERIES

"New Girl"

"Enlightened"

"Episodes"

"Glee"

"Modern Family"

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA

Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"

Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"

Kelsey Grammer, "Boss"

Jeremy Irons, "The Borgias"

Damian Lewis, "Homeland"

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA

Claire Danes, "Homeland"

Mireille Enos, "The Killing"

Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"

Madeleine Stowe, "Revenge"

Callie Thorne, "Necessary Roughness"

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY

Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"

David Duchovny, "Californication"

Johnny Galecki, "The Big Bang Theory"

Thomas Jane, "Hung"

Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY

Tina Fey, "30 Rock"

Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation"

Laura Dern, "Enlightened"

Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl"

Laura Linney, "The Big C"

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

''Rango''

''The Adventures of Tintin''

''Puss in Boots''

''Arthur Christmas''

''Cars 2''

Don’t forget to watch the Golden Globe Awards 2012 on January 15 on NBC. British comedian Ricky Gervais will host the awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the third time in a row next ye

Remya and Vineetha kerala - Malayali nurses died in AMRI fire saving 8 person and trying 9th

2011-12-10T20:53:00.004+05:30

Two young bravehearts from Kerala, who were nurses in the fire-ravaged AMRI Hospital in Kolkata, saved eight patients before their own lives were snuffed out while trying to rescue another victim.

Remya and Vineetha, both 24 pulled out eight of the nine patients in the noxius smoke-filled female ward and when they had gone up to save the ninth patient, who had suffered a fracture, succumbed to the smoke and heat, said Sumini, the Deputy Nursing Superintendent.

In fact, even as she was engaged in the valiant rescue effort, she had called up her home from Kolkata in the wee hours yesterday and spoken to her mother who had little inkling that this would be the last time she would hear her daughter.

She told her mother that the hospital was filled with thick smoke and fume and it was very difficult for her to breathe, a close relative here said. In fact, before she completed the talk the telephone line got disconnected.

Later,it was another nurse from Kolkata who informed Remya's relatives that she was one of the two Malayali nurses who perished in the fire. Vineetha hailed from a poor family also from Kottayam. She had joined AMRI hospital just two months back after quitting a hospital in Chandigarh.

According to Remya's relatives, she had visited them three months back and stayed for a few days before returning to Kolkata.

Remya's father,a daily wager earner, died before she completed her nursing course. It was with great difficulty that her mother and brother supported her to complete the course.
Govt should give take care of them .

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have named their newborn son Azad Rao Khan

2011-12-10T20:49:00.003+05:30

Bollywood couple Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have named their newborn son Azad Rao Khan after scholar and freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Aamir's "great grand uncle".

"Hey guys, most excited to share with y'all that we have finally chosen a name for our baby boy...Azad. Azad Rao Khan. I left the final choice to Kiran, and she has named him after my great grand uncle Maulana Azad, the great freedom fighter, whom the family is most proud of," Aamir revealed on social networking site Facebook.

"Azad means free or liberated. We want to thank everyone for their warm wishes and blessings, and needless to say we are absolutely overjoyed and feel most blessed. Much love," added the actor-producer.

Aamir-Kiran's son was born Dec 1 through IVF to a surrogate mother at a private clinic in Mumbai. The couple resorted to IVF due to medical complications.

This is Kiran's first baby, but Aamir has a son, Junaid, and a daughter, Ira, from his first wife Reena.

Aamir ended his 15-year-old marriage with Reena in 2002, and during the shooting of Ashutosh Gowariker's "Lagaan", he and the film's assistant director Kiran ended up together.

They tied the knot in 2005.

In 2009, Kiran got pregnant, but she had a miscarriage. However, the duo now feel "blessed" with the newborn.

Ruling party's leaders have denied cheating and Putin win . but protest continue

2011-12-10T20:44:00.002+05:30

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of cities across Russia on Saturday to demand an end to Vladimir Putin's rule and complain about alleged election fraud in the biggest show of defiance since he took power more than a decade ago.

Rallies were expected in dozens of cities, from Vladivostok on the Pacific coast to Kaliningrad nearly 7,400 km (4,600 miles) away in the west, mounting the biggest opposition protests since Putin came to power in 2000.

In Vladivostok, a large port city where Putin's United Russia party was defeated by communists in last Sunday's parliamentary election, protesters held banners saying: "We are against mass falsifications!" and "The rats should go!"

Organisers said about 1,000 people defied wintry weather to protest, but police put the number much lower. About 20 were detained in Khabarovsk, a city of almost 580,000 people about 30 km (19 miles) from the border with China, RIA news agency said.

At least 15,000 people protested at Bolotnya Square, a large open space across the Moscow River from the Kremlin, and up to 1,500 gathered near a statue to Communist ideologist Karl Marx at Revolution Square, a few steps from the red walls of Russia's centre of power, witness said.

Protesters in Moscow waved pictures of Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev declaring: "Guys, it's time to go."

The rallies are a test of the opposition's ability to turn outrage over the Dec. 4 election, which it says was slanted in United Russia's favour, into a national protest movement that can undermine Putin's plan to return to the presidency in 2012.

"This is history in the making for Russia. The people are coming out to demand justice for the first time in two decades, justice in the elections," a 41-year-old employee in the financial services sector, who gave his name only as Anton, said at Revolution Square.

Like other protesters, he wore a white ribbon which he said symbolised the dissent of the people. At Bolotnaya Square people of all ages gathered, many carrying white carnations which they said was the symbol of their protest.

CALLS FOR NEW ELECTIONS "I want new elections, not a revolution," said Ernst Kryavitsky, 75, a retired electrician dressed in a long brown coat and hat against the falling snow who was protesting even though he did not expect Putin to be ousted.

"Putin will not leave power, and there won't be any major changes in the country but the authorities need to know how angry we are," he said.

Around Bolotnaya Square policeman stood every 50 metres (yards) with dogs. Banners declared: "Putin Kaput" and "Big brother is watching you" with a picture of Putin.

About 50 trucks of riot police were parked near Revolution Square and police were out in force in the capital. There were no immediate reports of clashes or detentions.

There were also reports of protests in other big cities including Arkhangelsk in the Arctic north and in the Siberian cities of Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk.

ANGER OVER ELECTION The protesters were angered by the parliamentary election in which Putin's United Russia party won only a slim majority in the State Duma lower house, widely seen as a growing sign of discontent with the former KGB spy's rule.

Protesters, who this week staged the biggest opposition rally in Moscow for years, say only widespread falsifications prevented the result for United Russia being much worse.

The ruling party's leaders have denied cheating and Putin, who is now prime minister after serving eight years as president until 2008, has accused the United States of encouraging and financing the protesters.

Putin and Medvedev have both said that Russians have a right to protest but only within the bounds of permission granted by local authorities who normally allow demonstations only at specific locations and limit turnout.

Putin, 59, remains Russia's most popular leader in opinion polls, but his ratings have been falling.

Many Russians felt disenfranchised when he and Medvedev announced plans to swap jobs after next year's presidential election and said they had taken the decision years ago.

The protests have also shown the power of social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, through which most of the protests have been organised.

ocial activist said he suspected that Rahul Gandhi is making lokpal bill week

2011-12-10T20:40:00.000+05:30

eve of day-long fast to protest against the Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare today said government has "cheated" the entire country and that he will carry on his campaign till next Lok Sabha elections to create awareness against UPA.

The social activist said he suspected that Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi was behind Standing Committee rejecting even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's promise to include the Citizen's charter, lower bureaucracy and establishment of Lok Ayuktas in the states.

"They have cheated the whole country. The Prime Minister had given in writing that these three issues would be brought under the Lokpal Bill...The Prime Minister's letter was thrown into the dustbin. Why this volte face? Is Singhvi's post higher than that of the Prime Minister," Hazare told reporters here.

"There is somebody behind... Who is bigger than the Prime Minister?... We suspect Rahul Gandhi could be behind this... Who else can dare to challenge the Prime Minister? That is why there are these problems," Hazare said, alleging that their intentions are "not good".

He was referring to Standing Committee headed by Abhishek Singhvi which has disfavoured inclusion of Group C and D employees and kept out Citizen's charter and Lokayukta.

Hazare, who will hold a day-log fast at jantar mantar tomorrow, said he will resume his anti-corruption agitation from December 27 and then carry on this for next two years till the Lok Sabha elections.

"We will continue to fight for the next two years. We will move around the whole country before the general elections to create public awareness," he said and asked "Why to retain those who have destroyed the country?"

88 patients in Kolkata's well known AMRI hospital were killed along with three staffers

2011-12-09T19:33:00.000+05:30

More than 88 patients in Kolkata's well known AMRI hospital were killed along with three staffers when a blaze started in the basement of the annexe building early Friday and toxic fumes quickly spread to the other floors, trapping hundreds of people. Updates:

Six AMRI directors arrested, hospital licence cancelled

Noted industrialists S.K. Todi and R.S. Goenka and four other directors of the city's AMRI hospital, where a fire broke out claiming 88 lives Friday, were arrested and booked for several non-bailable offences, police said. The hospital's licence was also cancelled, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced.

'Six directors of the AMRI hospital have been arrested today in connection with the fire tragedy. Those arrested include S.K. Todi, R.S. Goenka and Ravi Todi. They have been bookes for several non-bailable offences, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder,' Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Damayanti Sen.

Christmas Holiday Facts & tradation u want to know

2011-12-09T09:20:00.002+05:30

There's no other holiday like Christmas. Many of us celebrate the holidays without knowing how our traditions got started or what they signify. Christmas is much more fun when you know some facts behind the holiday.

Most of these facts are very interesting and reminds us that there is quite a bit of history behind our family customs. Try using the Christmas Holiday Facts to make your own Christmas quiz for holiday parties and add a unique touch with personal favorites.

Christmas Holiday Facts: (World Amazing Facts)

The word Christmas is Old English, a contraction of Christ's Mass.
The first president to decorate the white house Christmas tree in the United States was Franklin Pierce.
Electric lights for trees were first used in 1895.
The first Christmas cards were vintage and invented in 1843, the Victorian Era
"It's a Wonderful Life" appears on TV more often than any other holiday movie.
"Rudolph" was actually created by Montgomery Ward in the late 1930's for a holiday promotion. The rest is history.
"The Nutcracker" is the most famous Christmas ballet.
"Jingle Bells" was first written for Thanksgiving and then became one of the most popular Christmas songs.
If you received all of the gifts in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", you would receive 364 presents.
The poinsettia plant was brought into the United States from Mexico by Joel Poinsett in the early 1800's.
Holly berries are poisonous.
Contrary to common belief, poinsettia plants are non-toxic.
In 1843, "A Christmas Carol" was written by Charles Dickens in just six weeks.
The first state to recognize the Christmas holiday officially was Alabama
Christmas became a national holiday in America on June, 26, 1870.
Coca Cola was the first beverage company to use Santa for a winter promotion.
An angel told Mary she was going to have a baby.
Clearing up a common misconception, in Greek, X means Christ. That is where the word "X-Mas" comes from. Not because someone took the "Christ" out of Christmas.
Traditionally, Christmas trees are taken down after Epiphany.
More diamonds are sold around Christmas than any other time of the year.
In Mexico, wearing red underwear on New Year's Eve is said to bring new love in the upcoming year.

HQ Christmas Icons Set graphics download

2011-12-09T09:17:00.000+05:30

Christmas Icons Set | 10.63 Mb

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HQ Christmas tree and bear jpg download

2011-12-09T09:15:00.002+05:30

8 JPG | 300 dpi | 2048x1361 to 3232x2625 pix | 13,7 mb

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Christmas_wishes sales psd vector

2011-12-09T09:13:00.000+05:30

3 AI | 17.32 Mb

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IpadTablet market get furious with with samsumg & motorola release

2011-12-09T08:57:00.002+05:30

Samsung is set to launch an upsized Galaxy Tab in February, one which qualifies as having a retina display, perhaps beating Apple to the "first retina display tablet" punch, according to a new report.

The thing is, tablet buyers aren't impressed by the specs of a device. Or at least, they haven't appeared to be impressed by pure specs. The Motorola Xoom far outclassed the iPad and was at least equal to the iPad 2 in many ways (including stereo speakers and much better cameras, for example), but couldn't dent the iPad market share.

No, instead the excellent Apple marketing department has virtually created the tablet space on its own by showing people what they can do with the iPad, instead of how much RAM it has. That said, Android tablets are definitely starting to take some market share away from the iPad.

This Samsung tablet is rumored to have an 11.6-inch screen, with a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, resulting in a retina display (probably as faux as the iPhone 4 / 4S', but oh, well). The tablet won't be that much larger than the Galaxy Tab 10.1 thanks to a reduced bezel.

Other reported specs include a 2GHz (!) dual-core Exynos 5250 CPU, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and of course, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It could be unveiled at February's Mobile World Congress, if things go as rumored.

It's also rumored that Apple's next-generation A6 processor is very similar to the Exynos 5250, which uses a dual-core Cortex A15 chip.

All this hardware may not serve much, however: surveys have shown that, at least for now, when people think tablet, they still think of the word iPad, not the word tablet itself.

O'Brien hosted a fascinating program called, "Black in America:The New Promised Land, Silicon Valley,"

2011-12-09T08:53:00.000+05:30

"Black in America:The New Promised Land, Silicon Valley," which blew me away. Silicon Valley is the Mecca of innovative technology--it's where all the magic happens in the "dotcom" world.

But it is a very "White World." Diversity is not it's strong suit despite having the motto of "green is the only color that matters." Solidad wanted to explore that moniker to see if it was indeed true and found that less than one percent of start-up companies there are by African American. Less than one percent. That is a troublingly low number.

Why? Is it racism, bias, lack of minorities educated in the field of technology or was it a combination of all the above plus a deeper, more troubling question?

A group of young, Black entrepeneurs set out to break through that seemingly impenetrable "color" ceiling and O'Brien followed them on that intriguing but hard journey. She found out that though the color green was front and center, that other color. "black," also mattered a great deal.

Many like to think that in 2011, "meritocracy" rather than color is the benchmark used measure or ensure success. As the 8 contestants manuervered the complexities of Silicon Valley, they quickly learned that wasn't entirely true.

One executive blatantly told the contestants his secret to "making it" in the Valley: "get a white front man" and half their obstacles will be removed. People trust what you have to sell more if you align yourself with someone who is Caucasian. He actually said this--and again, we're in 2011 fast approaching 2012 with Barack Obama in the White House.

I think another aspect to the "Black Out" in Silicon Valley is the abysmal education our children receive in many public schools, where poor or low income children are not exposed to the same technological advances as other children. The lackluster, uninspiring curriculum from Kindergarten to High School does not foster, motivate or challenge children to reach for science. Expand their perceived limits into technology.

Sports and Rap seem to be the main careers aspired to, especialy by boys and though there isn't anything wrong with those choices, there are more out there--much more. Brown vs. The Board of Education desegregated America's public schools but in 2011, the education gap between African Americans and Caucasians children is staggering. Check out the High School graduation rate for boys.

According to blackboysreport.org, these are the deeply disturbing statistics:

Black males graduating in the U.S.--47%

White males graduating in the U.S.--78%

Blacks graduating in NY--25%

Whites graduating in NY--68%

Blacks graduating in NJ--69%

Whites graduating in NJ--90%

Whites graduating in NE--83%

Blacks graduating in NE--40%

Blacks graduating in CA--54%

Whites graduating in CA--78%

Blacks graduating in FL--37%

White graduating in FL--57%

Silicon Valley's lack of diversity is a result of the systemic epidemic in our education system and America's deeply ingrained "color barrier" demon which continues to raise its ugly head despite valiant efforts to slay it.

Can our current public education system produce a "black" Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs? The world is changing and experts predict this change will only accelerate. An important part of this change in America, will be the "minority and majority switch-up." 'Brown' is quickly becoming the dominant "color" and by 2050, Caucasians will reportedly no longer be the majority. Stands to reason and self preservation, the U.S. would have to start thinking about what it will take to survive and compete in the global market.

An inclusive, well-educated, trained, talented, productive population makes a prospering, competitive country. Ignore a large segment of the population and we may see our already poor economy reduced to substandard performance and position on the global tier.