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Play Holi... the celebrity way


From a riot of colours to the magic of bhang or oily pakoras, celebs are all set for a fun and feisty Holi! Let's hear it out from them...

Let's get dirty and messy
Mona Singh, TV Actor
For me, New Year and Holi are days where I don't like any compromise in terms of fun. This year, 40 of us friends have booked a bungalow in Madh Island; have a DJ on the house, rain showers, pools and some amazing food and drinks. So it's going to be absolutely dirty and messy with loads of fun! Moving to food, we have ordered special pakoras and mithai from a famous pakora wala in Andheri.

If we run out of colours and water, we will start pouring milk and throwing pakoras on each other... that will be tasty as well! To add to the excitement, a little Bhang will also be served, which I am going to try for the first time. I have heard that whatever you're doing while taking Bhang, you get stuck with that action! I hope I get onto a treadmill and have Bhang, so that I keep running for hours.

It's gonna be rocking
Sambhavna Seth, Item girl
Holi is my favourite festival and being from Delhi, I am crazy about it. Though I wanted to be with my family in Delhi, since I have just won a reality dance show and am busy giving interviews, I decided to remain in Mumbai. I am going to be with my friends and celebrate the entire day. There's going to be dancing, a rain party and a complete day of enjoyment. I am so happy and excited.

Though I play a clean Holi, this time it's special, so I'm not going to play with just gulal and mild colours. This year, it's going to be even dirtier with hard pakka colours. I usually don't drink but I don't mind trying a glass of Bhang this time, because I'm really happy. I'm going to do all the dances that I did in the last three months in Dancing Queen on Holi. As for food, we will have Chole Bhature , though it would not be the same as in Delhi!

Shooting, but masti full on!
Rahul Dev, model cum actor
I am shooting on Holi, so there's going to be no holiday. On the sets, we will just have a simple pooja and dry gulal to greet everyone. We wouldn't have minded getting dirty on the sets but due to the shoot, it wouldn't be advisable to spoil our clothes with coloured water. But yes, if the shooting is postponed keeping in mind the sentiments of the unit that wants to play Holi, then it'll be full on fun in Delhi with my wife and son.

I find it the one day to enjoy with friends and family without any inhibitions. As for dishes and drinks, I can be only as adventurous as having thandai minus bhang. But when it comes to putting on colours and splash of water, I lag behind no one and can be the leader. It won't be really dirty but, of course, jumping into the pool and having fun is surely part of the plan!

Mum's the word
Parizad Kolah Marshal, TV host
It's going to be my daughter's first Holi, so it's a double celebration for us making it all the more special. I'm definitely going to put a little colour on her, because she's not old enough to play dirty like us! I'm going to enjoy with family and friends but frankly, I avoid putting too much colour on people's faces. Also, I like playing mild with colours and no harsh substances. But, if someone tries to mess around with me putting on dirty colours, then I'm sure to give it back with a shot of colour!

Clichéd but exciting
Mini Mathur, TV actor
I always celebrate Holi with my friends in Mumbai and this year too, it's no exception. A party has been arranged at my terrace and everyone is going to come over for an exciting brunch. I plan to serve traditional UP food with some typical Holi dishes. As for drinks, we will enjoy kanji but no bhang because I find it a really nasty way to get a high and the hangover is even horrible. The celebrations as such won't be too dirty, as I like keeping it mild with soft colours and plain water. Though building on the excitement, there'll be fun in the pool and alcohol will add on.

Nah, not this time!
Dipti Gujral, Model
I love playing Holi but since I'm working the next day, I'm planning to stay home. I'm not going out with my friends and there's no party either, because if I step out, I know what to expect! Due to work, I can't afford to put any colours on my face. Had it been an off the next day, I would have surely enjoyed myself. Nevertheless, even at home, I'm going to enjoy as much as I can. I will relish the home-made yummy food.


source:the times of india

Dalai Lama: Chinese Ruled Tibet a 'Hell on Earth'


Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has accused China of killing hundreds of thousands of his people in his Himalayan homeland and turning the region into "hell on earth."


In a speech Tuesday in Dharamsala, marking the 50th anniversary of an uprising against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama said the past five decades have brought untold suffering and destruction to the land and people of Tibet.

He said that the repressive policies and violent campaigns carried out by the Chinese government during its occupation there have thrust Tibetans into such depths of suffering and hardship that they have literally experienced hell on earth.

In his speech, the Dalai Lama reiterated his demand for legitimate and meaningful autonomy for the people of Tibet.

For its part, China has deployed police and soldiers throughout Tibet to mark the 50th anniversary.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for a Great Wall of stability to fight against separatism in Tibet.

Chinese authorities want to prevent a repeat of last year's protests on the sensitive March 10 anniversary. 

The Associated Press reports that Chinese authorities on Monday closed the last area of Sichuan province's Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to foreigners.  An AP reporter said police with machine guns and riot gear marched in the streets of the city of Kangding (Tibetan: Dartsedo).



Earlier Monday, Chinese state media reported a protest in a Tibetan area of Qinghai province.  The reports said police vehicles and a fire truck were set on fire by handmade explosives during the incident.  No casualties were reported.

Tibetans in Sichuan and Qinghai joined demonstrations last year that spread across the Tibetan plateau after monk-led protests in Tibet's capital, Lhasa, turned violent.

China reported that about 20 people were killed by protesters during violence in Lhasa on March 14.  But Tibetan exiles and human rights groups say the number of Tibetans who died during the crackdown in Tibet and neighboring provinces was about 200.

The U.S.-based International Campaign for Tibet on Monday said about 1,200 Tibetans remain missing.


source:voanews

At least 15 killed in Sri Lanka suicide attack


At least 15 people were killed on Tuesday and another 60, including a government minister, were wounded in a suicide bombing in southern Sri Lanka blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels, officials said.

The attacker targeted politicians attending a function at a mosque in the town of Akuressa, and came as the ethnic rebels continue to lose ground in the face of a fierce government offensive on their shrinking northeast base.

Some 20 people, including Postal Services Minister Mahinda Wijesekera, were wounded in the attack. He was reported to be fighting for his life in a local hospital.

Culture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene was initially listed as wounded because he was covered in blood, but was given the all-clear and found to have been covered with the blood of other victims.

"We were talking in procession and just passing the entrance to the mosque when there was a blast. I thought it was a big fire-cracker," Abeywardene told AFP by telephone from Akuressa, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Colombo.

"My clothes were covered in blood and I started running. Later I realised that I was not hurt, but I had blood from someone who was hit in the blast.

"There were lot of school children and I fear a lot of them were wounded."

Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"It is an LTTE suicide bombing," Nanayakkara said.

The guerrillas carried out a similar attack in April 2008, killing highways minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle as he took part in a national celebration ahead of the traditional New Year.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Tamil Tigers over the latest attack.

The pro-rebel Tamilnet website however reported that at least 74 civilians -- many of them children -- had been killed and 100 others wounded Monday and Tuesday in army shelling of LTTE -controlled areas in the north.

It accused the Sri Lankan army of engaging in "intensified indiscriminate shelling" of known civilian areas.

The government insists it is trying to protect civilians and accuses the Tigers of using them as "human shields."

Two years ago, the Tigers -- who have a long and bloody record of suicide attacks -- controlled large swathes of the north and east of this South Asian island, but have suffered a series of major setbacks.

According to the defence ministry, at least 250 rebels were killed at the weekend as they fought to defend the small area of territory still under their control.

On Sunday, the government said its plan to defeat the LTTE once and for all had entered its "final phase".

The Sri Lankan government bans most journalists and aid workers from the north of the island, meaning such claims cannot be verified.

The government withdrew from a Norwegian-brokered truce at the start of last year, after accusing the Tigers of using the peace process to re-arm.


source:google

Top 10 Oscar destinations.


Mumbai is not just about glitz and glamour. It is the heart and soul of India, and Dharavi, is one of it's famed localities. It was in the slums of Dharavi that 'Slumdog Millionaire' was shot. Dharavi and Mumbai are now one of the top Oscar destinations of the season.


One of the largest cities in Japan, Kyoto, was the capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It was here, that the story of the geisha unfolded. Told in first person, 'Memoirs of a Geisha' walked away with three Oscars and portrayed the stunning locales of Kyoto, making it a hot tourist destination.


The carnivals, the Copacabana, and the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer. That is Rio de Janeiro for you. It is through South America that Che Guvera travels in his biopic 'The Motorcycle Diaries'. An inspiration for many others to take a road trip.


New Zealand, the land of the Kiwis, has never seen a lull in tourism, but with 'Lord of the Rings' winning some Oscars, the statistics showed that the tourism industry hit a sudden boom. Perhaps it was the Oscar magic!


The rolling meadows, the castles, Scotland has a lot to offer to the tourist. This country became one of the commercial, intellectual and industrial powerhouses of Europe in 18th century. And it was just natural for Mel Gibson to shoot his movie 'Braveheart' in this lush green country.


How can one forget the Carpathian landscape and the huge castles in Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'? Shot in Transylvania, the movie and the landscape will remain etched in memories forever. Romania landed on the global tourist map post 'Dracula' winning the Oscar.


How can one forget the Carpathian landscape and the huge castles in Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'? Shot in Transylvania, the movie and the landscape will remain etched in memories forever. Romania landed on the global tourist map post 'Dracula' winning the Oscar.


Mr. Emerson, the English tourist in the Oscar winner 'A Room with a View' said, 'I don't care what I see outside. My vision is within! Here is where the birds sing! Here is where the sky is blue!' But Florence, known for its art, culture and architecture, is a must-visit city.


Kenya is the exotic land of wild animals and Mt Kilimanjaro. It is here that 'Out of Africa' was shot. The story of an young girl who made Kenya her home and her views of people who touched her life. The safaris of Kenya remain a crowd-puller even today.


The valleys resonated with the voice of Maria Von Trapp and her kids in the Oscar winner 'The Sound of Music'. The verdant valleys, the church steeples, the green countryside and the rippling rivers makes Salzburg a top tourist destination.

source:yahoo

Pakistan board lodges complaint over referee's remarks



Pakistan's cricket board lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday over remarks by referee Chris Broad criticising security after last week's attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

"We have sent a written complaint as we believe Broad made unwarranted critical remarks about the security arrangements," Saleem Altaf, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer, told Reuters.

"The proper procedure for him was to inform the ICC about his views in his tour report not to make unwarranted comments publicly."

Six Pakistanis -- five policemen and a bus driver -- were killed and six Sri Lankan players and two team officials wounded last Tuesday when heavily-armed men attacked a bus carrying the visiting team to the venue of the second test against Pakistan.

Former England player Broad was riding with match officials in a coach behind the Sri Lankan team bus. He told reporters he and the other umpires were left like "sitting ducks", with no policemen around when the attack took place.

PCB Chairman, Ejaz Butt responded by saying Broad's comments were "obnoxious" and "totally untrue and fabricated".

Etaf said a report of the incident had been sent to the country's sports minister, detailing the security arrangements and how "brave policemen saved valuable lives."

source:yahoo

Maharashtra wants Google Earth censored



The Maharashtra government is examining legal options to censor Google Earth and curb it from showing sensitive locations to prevent terror attacks such as what happened in Mumbai, a minister said Tuesday.

'We want Google Earth censored. We shall submit a proposal to the centre and other concerned agencies to implement it as soon as possible,' Minister of State for Home Naseem Khan told IANS.

Khan explained that the state government has been concerned about the issue since learning that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai Nov 26, 2008 were aided by Google Earth satellite maps through the internet.

'We have scores of sensitive and ultra-sensitive locations in Mumbai, Maharashtra and the rest of the country that can be easily viewed on Google Earth maps. We want at least sensitive locations like defence installations, government headquarters, legislature buildings, important places of worship, ports, docks and other similar sites to be left out on the satellite maps,' he added.

source:yahoo

Five of the ten cheapest locations hail from India: The Economist magazine



A recent cost of living survey by The Economist Magazine has revealed that five of the ten cheapest locations in the world hail from the Indian subcontinent.

Moreover, apart from the two top spots, Asia boasted four of the five cheapest cities - Karachi in Pakistan, Mumbai and New Delhi in India, and Kathmandu in Nepal.

"(Asia) plays host to countries with the most and the least expensive cost of living in the survey, " The Economist said.

The News.com.au has reported that a stronger Yen has made Tokyo rise to top of the magazine's list of most expensive cities, knocking off Oslo in Norway, which fell to number five.

Osaka in Japan was listed at number two, Paris third, while Copenhagen in Denmark was fourth.

However, the cost of living in Australia has declined significantly since September last year.

The study shows that Sydney has dropped from 17th to 35th on its index of most expensive cities in the past six months.

Since September, Melbourne has fallen 15 places from 24 to 39, Brisbane from 35 to 57, while Adelaide dropped to 72 after being listed at 48 in the last survey.

Auckland fell almost 30 places, from 49 to 78, while Wellington dropped 25 spots from 55 to 80.

"Cities in Australia and New Zealand have seen dramatic falls of between 21 and 25 index points.... Conversely, a stronger Yen now means that the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Osaka have become the most expensive cities in our survey," the newspaper said.

source: yahoo