Sponsored Links

Over the past week, Facebook has been nudging its users -- first gently, then firmly -- to review and update their privacy settings.

You may have procrastinated by hitting "skip for now," but Facebook eventually took away that button and forced you to update your settings before continuing to use the site.

After finally accepting Facebook's recommendations or tweaking the privacy settings yourself, though, you might have made more information about you public than what you had intended.

At the same time, Facebook has given users many granular controls over their privacy, more than what's available on other major social networks.

So if you want to stay out of people's view, but still want to be on Facebook, here are some things to look out for as you take another look at your settings.

1. Some of your information is viewable by everyone.

Everyone can see your name, your profile photo and the names of work and school networks you're part of. Ditto for pages you are a fan of. If you are worried about a potential employer finding out about a quirky fetish or unorthodox political leaning, avoid becoming a Facebook fan of such groups. You can't tell Facebook you don't want those publicly listed. Your gender and current city are also available, if you choose to specify them. You can uncheck "Show my sex in my profile" when you edit your profile if you don't want it listed, and you can leave "Current City" blank.

2. Your list of friends may also be public.

Facebook also considers your friends list publicly available information. Privacy advocates worry that much can be gleaned from a person's list of friends -- even sexual orientation, according to one MIT study. However, there is a way to hide the list. Go to your profile page and click on the little blue pencil icon on the top right of your box of friends. Uncheck "Show Friend List to everyone." Either way, those you are already friends with can always see your full list.

3. You can hide yourself from Web searches.

There is a section for "Search" under Facebook's privacy settings page, which is accessible from the top right corner of the Web site under "Settings." If you click the "Allow" box next to "Public Search Results," the information that Facebook deems publicly available (such as photo, fan pages and list of friends), along with anything else you have made available to everyone, will show up when someone looks up your name on a search engine such as Google (Nasdaq: GOOG). The stuff you've limited access to in your profile will not show up.

This is useful if you want people you've lost touch with, or potential work contacts, to be able to find your Facebook page. If you'd rather not be found, uncheck this box.

A second setting, controlling searches within Facebook, lets you refine who can find you once that person has logged on. Limit searches to friends only if you think you have all the friends you need and don't want anyone to find you when they type in your name to Facebook.

4. Beware of third-party applications.

Quizzes and games are fun, but each time you take one, you first authorize it to access your profile information, even if you have made that available only to your friends. You're also letting the app access some information on your friends.

Under "Application Settings," Facebook lists all the apps you have opened your profile up to. If you no longer want to authorize access to "Which Golden Girl Are You?" you can always remove it by clicking on the "X" next to its name. Apps you use regularly, such as Facebook for Android if you update your status from your mobile phone, should stay.

Next, by clicking on "Applications and Websites" on the privacy settings page, you can edit whether your friends can share your birthday, photos and other specific information. Remember that applications can access your "publicly available information" no matter what.

The security firm Sophos recommends users set their privacy settings for two of Facebook's own popular applications, notes and photos, to friends only.

5. Go over your list of friends.

The average Facebook user has 130 friends. However, many people interact with a much smaller group when commenting on status updates, photos and links. So it doesn't hurt to occasionally review your list of your friends to get an idea of just who can view your status posts, vacation photos and funny links you've shared over the years. Don't feel obligated to add anyone as a friend, even if that person adds you first. For professional acquaintance you don't want to snub, send them to a LinkedIn profile you can set up. Some workplaces and schools have rules about Facebook interactions between bosses and employees or students and teachers.

6. Create custom friends groups.

If you have friended a lot of people, sort them. Think of the groups you interact with in real life -- coworkers, college buddies, girlfriends, grandma and grandpa -- and organize your Facebook friends in these groups, too. Go to "All Friends" under the "Friends" button up top, click on "Create New List" and fire away. Then decide what aspects of your profile, and which status posts and photos, these people will have access to. Or, simply create a "limited" list for acquaintances or distant relatives and limit their access.

7. Customize your status posts.

Type "I'm hungry" into your status update box. Click on the little lock icon. You'll see a range of privacy controls pop up, letting you either allow or limit access to the post. If you want, you can even hide it from everyone by clicking "Only Me" under the custom settings. Click on "Save Setting." Repeat with each post, or create a default setting for most updates and increase or decrease privacy as you see fit.

8. Let your friends know you have boundaries -- in person.

Many of us have woken up on a Sunday morning to find that an overzealous friend has posted dozens of photos from that wild party we barely remembered -- the good, the bad and the hideous. Chances are, they didn't do this to embarrass you, though if they did you have bigger problems. Rather, they probably don't know that you don't want these photos posted. Sure, tweak your photo privacy settings on Facebook. However, if someone starts snapping pictures of you at a party, ask them to check with you before posting it anywhere.

9. Never assume complete privacy.

Even for the most tech-savvy person, unflattering photos, incriminating text messages or angry status posts about work have a way of worming their way out in the open, just saying.

Courtesy: Associated Press. ECT News Network.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Argentina’s Lionel Messi collected his first FIFA World Player of the Year title while Brazil’s Marta became the first to obtain four FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year awards at the 19th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Monday evening.

It was a night to remember, with on-stage appearances by former and current football stars, prominent celebrities and a musical show headlined by Italian pop star Laura Pausini.

Messi had an outstanding 2009, leading his club FC Barcelona to a historic season and collecting the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup crowns and the Spanish Liga, Super Cup and Cup titles along the way.

The 1,073 points he obtained in the vote, participated in by the coaches and captains of 147 national teams, saw him win by a clear margin ahead of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in second (352 points) and Spain’s Xavi (196), Brazil’s Kaka (190) and Spain’s Andres Iniesta (134).

The 22-year-old forward, who also landed the European Footballer of the Year prize earlier this month, picked up the accolade after collecting four major titles with Barcelona - the Champions League, the Club World Cup, La Liga and the King's Cup.

"This finishes a magnificent year for Barcelona, my team mates and for me," said Messi after receiving the trophy from UEFA president and former France international Michel Platini.

The Argentine, who joined Barcelona as a 13-year-old in 2000, claimed 1,073 points in a poll of 147 national team coaches and captains.

Portugal and Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo, last year's winner, was a distant second with 352 points followed by Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi (196).

Messi was leading scorer in the 2008-09 Champions League, hitting nine goals including one in the 2-0 final win over Manchester United.

He also notched the extra-time winner in the 2-1 Club World Cup final victory over Estudiantes in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Messi's vote appeared to be entirely based on his club form as his performances for Argentina, under coach Diego Maradona, were largely disappointing.

Argentina struggled to qualify for the World Cup and their results this year included a 6-1 hammering in Bolivia and defeats by Paraguay and Ecuador.

Before the ceremony, Messi told reporters he could not explain why he failed to perform at the same level for his country.

"I don't know," he said. "I try to do the same as I do for Barcelona. But the World Cup qualifiers are complicated, sometimes it's difficult to play and it was a big effort for us to qualify.

"I believe the World Cup could be completely different for us ... it could be better for me and Argentina."

Marta thrilled fans in the revamped Women’s Professional Soccer League in the U.S., where she won the Golden Boot and was elected best player of the season with Los Angeles Sol, and also claimed the titles of the women’s Copa Libertadores and Copa de Brasil with Santos. Votes were cast by 130 coaches and captains for the women’s award and Marta won for the fourth consecutive time (833 points), ahead of Germany’s Birgit Prinz (290), England’s Kelly Smith (252), Brazil’s Cristiane (239) and Germany’s Inka Grings (216).

Two new awards were presented at the gala. The FIFA/FIFPro World XI to honour the best eleven players of the year, as chosen by over 50,000 professional players from all over the world, went to a real “dream team” featuring Iker Casillas (Spain) in goal; Daniel Alves (Brazil), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia), John Terry (England) and Patrice Evra (France) in defence; Steven Gerrard (England), Xavi (Spain) and Andres Iniesta (Spain) in midfield; and Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Fernando Torres (Spain) up front.

Also handed out for the first time was the FIFA Puskás Award for the ‘most beautiful goal’ of the year as voted for on FIFA.com by over 120,000 fans.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

The aftermath of Tiger Woods scandal hits the industries harder and deeper. Leading brands including Nike and Adidas could cut their multi-million pound endorsements deals for sporting celebrities as a result of the Tiger Woods scandal, according to business analysts.

The adverse publicity from the golfer's serial infidelities has shown that investing vast sums of money in one individual can be "fraught with risk", Credit Suisse said.

In a report entitled "Tiger Woods Fallout: Another Nail in the Coffin of the Expensive Endorsement Era", analyst Omar Saad wrote: "We believe the trend away from high-profile, multi-million dollar celebrity and athlete endorsements has been growing for some time, and 'Tiger-gate' could be an inflection point. Athlete sponsorships can be fraught with risk and simply aren't as valuable as they once were."

Tiger Woods is reportedly struggling to cope with the cheating scandal that has engulfed him and has taken to hitting golf balls in the dark and spending his days eating cereal in front of the TV.

US Weekly magazine says Woods has been visiting a local golf course near his Florida home at night to "clear his head" after therapy sessions with his wife Elin Nordegren.

"He goes after dark so he can't be seen," an unnamed source told the magazine.

"For him, what's more therapeutic than hitting golf balls, the thing he's best at in the whole world?"

While he is busy at night, Woods is going crazy sitting at home all day, the UK's The Sun newspaper reports.

The tabloid claims the golfing superstar is spending the daylight hours hiding out at home, watching cartoons and eating cereal alone.

His friends are becoming concerned about how Woods is dealing with the situation, the newspaper reports.

Woods' friend and former NBA star Charles Barkley said he had been trying without success to get in touch with Woods to show his support.

"I've been trying to get to him and can't ... it's very frustrating," he told The Sun.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Nordegren has hired hot shot divorce lawyer Sorrell Troupe — who has previously represented Nicole Kidman, Britney Spears and Cary Grant — to negotiate the end of her five-year marriage.

Nordegren plans to ask for as much as half of Woods' billion-dollar fortune in light of the dozen mistresses who have been revealed, the reports say.

Ideally, Nordegren will file for divorce in the state of California where the couple own a home and the relaxed divorce laws would give her a greater chance of being awarded a larger chunk of Woods' assets.

Meanwhile, Nike and Adidas are the two brands that determine market prices for sports sponsorship, "We expect the Tiger media fallout to serve as a catalyst for them both to realize that they are systematically overpaying for athlete and team sponsorships, especially given the growing risks involved."

Phil Knight, the chairman of Nike, has pledged his support for Woods, calling his indiscretions a "minor blip".

However, other sponsors have sounded the retreat. Accenture has severed its links with the star, to the extent that staff has been ordered to remove all Woods branded merchandise from its offices worldwide, and Gillette is "evaluating" its relationship with the golfer.

The meltdown in Woods's personal life has seen a dozen women come forward to claim they had affairs with him, and could cost $200 million in lost revenue, according to analysts.

With the sport's biggest draw taking an "indefinite break" from the game, television audiences are expected to halve. When Woods was out with a knee injury in 2008 and early 2009, ratings fell by 47 per cent.

The fall in audience could lead television advertising to drop by 40 per cent, or around $190 million, industry watchers said.

"There will be an audience for the sport after Tiger Woods, they'll just be much smaller because he attracts a casual fan who otherwise may not tune in," said Aaron Cohen, chief media negotiating officer for New York advertising agency Horizon Media.

Nike, which has built its golf equipment business around Woods, stands to lose more than $30 million in sales, according to Claire Gallacher, an analyst with Capstone Investments.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Five-time World Cup winners Brazil beat depleted England 1-0 in their international friendly at the Khalifa International Stadium last night, and in the process exposed the lack of depth in Fabio Capello’s side.
After a goalless first half, Brazil broke the deadlock with a Nilmar header in the 47th minute. The final score could well have been 3-0 as Brazil missed a penalty and were later unlucky to find Lucio’s thundering shot from 25 yards hit the post.

England’s Jermaine Jenas chasing Brazil’s Kaka. PICTURES: Jayan Orma

The result extends Brazil’s domination over England to 23 wins against just three defeats and would also be a confidence boost for them as they head to South Africa for next year’s World Cup.
“The Brazilians were both technically and physically strong on the night,” said Brazil coach Dunga after the match.
“I always remind my players to stay happy. With the World Cup only seven months away, it’s important we settle down with the team.”
But it left Capello with plenty to ponder over in his preparation for the big event.
The Italian, however, put on a brave face. “We played the best team in the world.

Brazil’s Daniel Alives grabbing England’s Wayne Bridge
I learned some things. I understand the value of some players against this sort of team better now – but I will not single out players.”

Shaun Wright Phillips showed England’s early intent, displaying good pace on the right flank. But England, who started with only captain for the evening Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry available from their first choice players after regular captain team John Terry pulled out due to injury, were always under pressure.
After a rather slow start, Brazil began to give a tough time to their rivals with smooth passes. They had a half chance in the 4th minute off an Elano corner but a weak glancing header from Luis Fabiano was easily gathered by England goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Brazil dominated the proceedings despite not pushing themselves too hard to mount pressure on the depleted England defence as Real Madrid star Kaka showed good understanding with Fabiano up front. Elano’s crisp passes and occasional runs down either flank only added to England’s agony.

In the 10th minute, striker Nilmar, after a blistering run into the box, released a back pass intended for Fabiano, but the danger was thwarted in time by Joleon Lescott.
Elano then opened up England defence with a clever little pass but Foster was quick to gather the ball before Maicon, who was making an overlapping run from the back, could get to the ball.
Brazil kept the ball inside the England territory, and Kaka picked out Michel Bastos with a swift pass but the Lyon midfielder’s left-footed shot went wide of the target.
England finally managed to break the Brazilian rhythm in the 24th minute when Manchester City wide man Phillips centred a teasing cross from right. But Wayne Rooney, in his 57th England appearance and first as the captain, sent his header wide.

As the teams slowed down to catch some breath in Doha’s humid weather, the crowd urged them to pick up pace with a series of roaring Mexican waves. But that failed to inspire the teams too much.
Brazil wasted a couple of decent chances for goals, with Felipe Carvalho shooting straight into the hands of Foster in the 29th minute. And two minutes later, Kaka’s shot from the edge of the box was denied by the Manchester United keeper with a good diving save as the first half ended goalless.

Brazil returned with much verve after the break and took the lead two minutes into the second half. Former Manchester City midfielder Elano superbly lobbed the ball, splitting the England defence to find Nilmar. And the striker headed past Foster for a 1-0 lead, sparking wild celebrations.
In the 54th minute, Capello replaced the ineffective Darren Bent with Jermain Defoe to partner Rooney up front. But England, without Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, lacked creativity and struggled to find their way across the Brazilian defence brilliantly manned by captain Lucio.
The result could have been much worse for England when Foster brought down Nilmar with a harsh challenge in the 55th minute. Qatari referee Abdulrahman Abdoo pointed to the spot but was generous towards Foster, who got away with only a yellow card.

However, Brazil wasted the golden opportunity as Fabiano shot over the bar from the spot.
England showed urgency with James Milner producing some flashes of brilliance but they fizzled out before the awesome attacking ability of the Brazilians. The Aston Villa midfielder headed wide in the 69th minute, but for every England move Brazil came roaring back with swift counter attacks.
Both sides then made rapid changes towards the close, giving chances to their fringe players.
Brazil almost doubled their lead in the 77th minute but Lucio’s screaming drive from 25 yards crashed against the post. And a minute later Rooney should have done better than plant a weak shot in the hands of Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar, who otherwise remained a spectator throughout the match.
(Source: Gulf-Times)

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

The flood situation in Kedah worsened Sunday with the number of evacuees increasing to 1,062 people from 255 families.
A state flood operations room spokesman said 13 flood relief centres had been opened in three districts, comprising six centres each in Kota Setar and Kubang Pasu, and one in Padang Terap.
"The Kubang Pasu district recorded the highest number of flood evacuees, totalling 711 people from 158 families," he added.
He said the number of flood victims in the Kota Setar district was 314 from 89 families, while in Padang Terap, 37 people from eight families were still at a relief centre.
As at 11am Sunday, only Sungai Pantai Johor was still above the danger level at 2.3m (the danger level is 2m), he added.

The Kedah Drainage and Irrigation Department has appointed a consultant for a flood mitigation study in the state, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
He said the study would be to find ways to reduce floods in the long term.
He also said the Government was ready to face a second wave of floods as heavy rains are expected in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang beginning Sunday until next Thursday.
Flood tour: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hitching a ride as he tours flood-hit areas in Alor Setar in Kedah. One of his stops was SK Gunung where flood evacuees were being temporarily housed. Muhyiddin later announced a DID study to overcome flood woes in Kedah.
“Although we hope the second wave will not happen, we have made preparations including logistics, safety, relief centre locations and evacuation procedures,” Muhyiddin said after visiting a flood evacuation centre at SK Gunung here yesterday.
A total of 596 people are staying at the centre. Until noon yesterday, 882 people were still staying in three evacuation centres in the Kota Setar district.
Muhyiddin, together with Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Deputy Agriculture Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum, rode on motorcycles to have a closer look at the flood-hit villages.
They were taken through Kampung Alor Gunung, Kampung Gunung Keriang and Kampung Alor Senjaya.
VIP visitor: Muhyiddin talking to flood victim Parind Danghem, 26, and her three-month-old son Aidil Putra Shahibullah during his visit to the flood evacuation centre at SK Gunung in Alor Setar Thursday.
On another matter, Muhyiddin expressed disappointment over an incident on Wednesday whereby a 13-year-old boy was injured after a ceiling fan fell during a class session at SMK Dengkil in Selangor.
“I hope all schools will learn from this incident and conduct regular inspections,” said Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister.
In the incident, Fahmi Harith Abu Bakar received more than 10 stitches on his right cheek after the ceiling fan cut his face.
Muhyiddin later held a two-hour closed-door meeting with the state Umno liaison committee members at a hotel here and attended a meet-the-people session at SMK Agama Yan.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

The Internet has turned 40 years old this week, with its beginnings occurring at 9pm on October 29th, 1969. On that day, engineers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and Stanford Research Institute (SRI) nearly 400 miles away sent data over the first two nodes. Back then, the Internet was known as Arpanet, after the US Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which commissioned its creation.
“Lo”, On October 29, 1969, that message became the first ever to travel between two computers connected via the ARPANET, the computer network that would become the Internet.
The truncated transmission traveled about 400 miles (643 kilometers) between the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Stanford Research Institute. (Watch video about the birth of the Internet.)
The electronic dispatch was supposed to be the word "login," but only the first two letters were successfully sent before the system crashed.
Still, that humble greeting marked the start of a phenomenon that has become such an important part of modern life that many experts argue access to it should be a right rather than a privilege.
In fact, earlier this month Finland became the first country in the world to declare broadband Internet access a legal right for all of its 5.2 million citizens.
Charlie Kline at UCLA tested the network by logging into a Scientific Data Systems computer at SRI, where Bill Duvall was receiving it. The system crashed on the first attempt, but was restored an hour and a half later.
Dr. Larry Roberts oversaw this exchange from Washington, and the MIT scientist is credited for designing the fundamental technical specification of the Arpanet. All subsequent hardware for the Arpanet was based on his work.
The head of ARPA's Information Processing Techniques Office, Bob Taylor, wanted Arpanet to help save money by eliminating the need for duplicate computers by each institution he funded for storing the same databases and research for easy access. The institutions jumped onboard when they realized how much computing power they could free up by accessing Arpanet.
In December of 1969, Arpanet had four nodes and by 1972, 37. This is when the networks were connected to each other, and the network of networks that is the Internet was created.
The Arpanet changed its name to the Internet in the 1970s, though the concept remained the same.
Dr. Roberts is now heading a DARPA research project to prepare the Internet for the future. Him and others are working on security improvements, fair use and high quality for such uses as remote surgeries.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

At least 36 tourists drowned when a boat capsized in the Periyar lake in Kerala's Idukki district on Wednesday evening. Victims include Foreign nationals also. The death count is feared to be increased. There were around 80 people on board the double-decked fibre glass boat on a two-hour cruise inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, around 180 km from Kochi. The toll may go up as rescue in the deep lake is tough at night.

Most tourists were from Delhi, Andhra and Karnataka. The identities of the deceased were being ascertained at various hospitals in Kumali, a hill town bordering Tamil Nadu. Over 40 people have been rescued by forest guards and natives.

Navy divers from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi have been flown in to recover bodies.

Home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who is also in charge of tourism, rushed to the accident site. "Every police station in the vicinity has been ordered to help in rescue. Forest department is also employing all its resources," he said.

The capsized boat, Jalakanyaka, belonged to Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, which operates four such boats for water safari inside the reserve. Tourists on another boat said the boat tipped when people crowded to one side for a better view of a herd of wild elephants.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on the first day of Shawwal-the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, with the sighting of the new crescent, following
the month of Ramzan.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a festival of joy, family reunion and thanksgiving, it being one of the two great Islamic festivals, the other being Eid-ul-Azha.

Eid-ul-Fitr's importance can be judged from the fact that Allah himself ordered the believers to celebrate it. Prophet Muhammad established the Islamic egalitarian society, free of all kinds of exploitation and corruption, and maintaining the sanctity of society was made obligatory of all believers in every age.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

It is already a big talk among Indian media, about the twitter appearance of Shashi Tharoor. He recently crossed the one million followers in twitter, probably the first Indian celebrity to cross the milestone. His popularity on Twitter has been such that even Priyanka Chopra's followers count pales in comparison to the one lakh Tharoor has acquired.
A perfect socializer as he is, Tharoor even tweets from the car between events. His tweets reflect the earnest human being in him, who uses his wit and wisdom to say things that make people think. Be it advocating ideas or giving his take on certain issues, Tharoor has always been a pro-active twitterer. He himself admits "only writing I can find time for these days is tweeting". Shashi Tharoor truly does deserve 100,000 followers on Twitter and more.
Starting from sharing the timeline of his hectic schedule, to voicing his own introspection on myriad range of topics, Tharoor expresses it all on Twitter. He has been updating his status consistently ever since he joined the Twitter fraternity in March 2009, and he makes sure he responds to his followers answering their voluminous queries.
It is more than interesting to go through his tweets as they are a blend of intellect and subtle humour. One of his tweets read like this: "If mosquitoes had a vote I'd win every election in Kochi! Another near-sleepless night in this otherwise lovely city." When it comes to give his own opinion he does not shirk away either. He says, "I will not practice or condone corruption, but fighting it is not my principal job" in reply to a query of one of his 1,00,000 followers on Twitter.
Shashi Tharoor's 1lakh followers on Twitter reflect the bond he shares with Indians and his sheer commitment towards the twitterratti. He does not tweet with any other purpose than to inform and be in touch with his fellow people, as he himself said, "I just try to be myself and am glad so many are interested." If Shashi Tharoor ever decides to become a prime ministerial candidate for India, he'd be doing what Barack Obama did on Twitter and maybe even better.
See his profile in twitter, www.twitter.com/shashitharoor

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Indian pace star Irfan Pathan has decided to tie the nuptial knot with his long-time friend Shivangi Dev, a chartered accountant working in Australia.
Irfan, 24, met Shivangi, 22, in Canberra in 2003 when the Indian team was touring Australia and proposed to her when she was on a visit here three years back.
Shivangi, daughter of a diplomat now posted in Spain, promptly said "yes" when Irfan asked whether she would marry him, Irfan's father Mehbubkhan Pathan told PTI.
"Miya bibi razi to kya karega Kazi" (if the boy and the girl are ready to tie the knot, what can anyone do), he said quickly adding the family has no objection to the marriage.
But Irfan will have to wait for some time as the family is looking for a suitable for his elder brother and teammate Yusuf Pathan, says his father.
"We are in search for a good girl for Yusuf and after his marriage, Irfan's turn will come," he said.
Irfan's mother Shamim Banoo is impressed with the simplicity and good nature of Shivangi, who also runs a dancing school in Canberra.
A sprawling bungalow is being readied for Irfan in the posh Tandaja locality on the outskirts of the city, close to where the family is staying in a duplex house. The new house will have a 'cricket room'.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Cricketer Irfan Pathan’s had an awkward time here on Monday when a girl, who came on stage to collect a prize, suddenly jumped to kiss him.
Wearing a pink salwar-suit, the young girl could not succeed in her attempt, as the youthful Pathan just pushed her aside and proved too tall for her to approach his cheeks.
The incident occurred during an event hosted by Tata Indicom.
"I didn’t plan anything. I just wanted to touch him and after that whatever happened … all of you have seen. Yes, I was asking lot of things… I was asking about Shivani and I was asking about him …and something else as well…. no I can’t tell you that… I just wanted to touch him ….I am very happy," said Shabina Khatoon, the Kolkata girl.
Irfan Pathan, the brand ambassador of Tata Indicom was present at the event accompanied by his elder brother Yusuf Pathan who is also a member of the Indian cricket team.
They were distributing prizes to winners at the event organised when Shabina, who claims to be a die hard fan of Irfan Pathan.
Irfan is all set to tie the nuptial knots with his girlfriend Shivangi Dev. Indian pace star Irfan Pathan has decided to tie the nuptial knot with his long-time friend Shivangi Dev, a chartered accountant working in Australia.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Indian Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan said he felt angry and humiliated after he was detained and questioned at a US airport, sparking an uproar in India among his fans.
Khan, 43, one of India's best known actors, was enroute to Chicago for a parade to mark the Indian Independence Day on Saturday when he was pulled aside at Newark airport on Friday, he said.
"I was really hassled perhaps because of my name being Khan.
"These guys just wouldn't let me through," he said in a text message to reporters in India.
After a couple of hours' interrogation, he was allowed to make a call, he said, and he got in touch with the Indian consulate who vouched for him and secured his release.
"Absolutely uncalled for, I think. I felt angry and humiliated," said Khan, who had just finished a month-long shoot in the United States for his upcoming film My Name is Khan, which is about a Muslim man's experience with racial profiling. Khan "is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist," the actor told an Indian television channel by telephone from Chicago.
"I was waiting for my bags... I thought it was nice of them to take me to another room... but that was apparently a second check," Shah Rukh said, adding, "I had my papers in order."
"I was really taken aback," Shah Rukh told CNN-IBN television channel.
A US consul official in India told a TV channel they were inquiring into the matter.
As news of Shah Rukh's detention broke on Indian television channels, fans and actors began posting angry comments on the Internet. "Shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. It's such behaviour that fuels hatred and racism. SRK's a world figure for God's sake. Get real!!", tweeted actor Priyanka Chopra.
Indian Information Minister Ambika Soni told a TV channel that while she could not say if Shah Rukh had been detained "on religious grounds, there have been too many instances like these in the US concerning Indians".
Soni said frisking in the US was often done "beyond permissible limits".
"I don't understand how in the name of religion, frisking can be done for anyone like this," Soni later said.
Last month US-based carrier Continental Airlines apologised to former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for frisking him at New Delhi airport.Abdul Kalam was searched despite protocol rules at Indian airports exempting certain dignitaries from security checks. -- Reuters, AFP Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's two-hour detention at Newark airport in the US over his surname had members of the Indian film industry fuming. Karan Johar was "shocked", actress Priyanka said it was "downright disgraceful" and filmmaker Kabir Khan termed it "harassment".
The 43-year-old actor was detained while he was on his way to Chicago to attend an event related to India's Independence Day and was freed only after Indian diplomats intervened. Here's what King Khan's friends and colleagues had to say: Karan Johar: I am shocked and upset...feeling terrible for Shah Rukh.
Priyanka Chopra: Shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. It's such behaviour that fuels hatred and racism. Shah Rukh Khan is a world figure for god's sake. Get real! Kabir Khan: When I heard this news, I was so surprised...it has almost become a routine if you have a Muslim name you are bound to be questioned. It happened with me thrice in the US I was stopped by immigration officials for three to five hours... they don't care whether you are a celebrity or whoever.
But when it comes to Shah Rukh, it doesn't take more than 20 seconds to figure out who he is any search engine (on the Internet) will give more information on him than Hollywood stars Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and despite that if it took them two hours to figure out, then its harassment.
Post 9/11 it is prejudice to have a person's name and religion checked and it is very discouraging as well.
Pritish Nandy: This is the problem with law enforcers worldwide...Truly obnoxious. Cops don't want to recognise anybody. They love to show their power and authority, especially in the US.
Kunal Kohli: It's really disgusting. Even if they had done a Google search on their mobiles, they would have seen who he is. What were they checking for two hours on their super computers? To detain him for two hours is ridiculous, disgusting and an insult to us Indians.
Arindam Chaudhari: Shah Rukh has just finished his film "My Name Is Khan" in which his character tries to prove to the Americans that he is not a terrorist.I'm sure he never thought it would happen in real life too...What a shame! It's shocking and shameful because I am sure Shah Rukh would have had to explain who he is.
It's Shah Rukh so it's become big news. But there many who constantly go through this everyday. It's really sad.
Eesha Koppikhar: I am not sure of the exact events but if he was detained just because he is a Muslim with Khan as a last name, it is very wrong.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

The much-hyped finale of Rakhi Sawant's 'swayamvar' on NDTV Imagine gave the channel its highest Television Rating Points (TRPs) ever since its launch in January 2008.
The final episode of the show Rakhi Ka Swayamwar, which saw the item girl announcing Toronto-based businessman Elesh Parujanwala as her ideal groom, registered a TRP of 6.3 Sunday night. According to overnight audience measurement agency aMap, it has been the highest TRPs so far for the channel.
The finale came after over a month of putting 16 men to test their compatibility with the bride-to-be.
Three final contestants -- including Delhi-based Manas Katyal and Chhitiz Jain, apart from Elesh -- had come with their families for the swayamvar at the grand event held at The Leela Kempinsky hotel here.
The show was a success since beginning as even its pioneer episode, which aired June 29, recorded a 3.5 TRP - the highest ratings among all the previous launches of NDTV Imagine.
From Elesh Parujanwala’s Side
Instead of hosting a grand party following his win on Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, 30-year-old Elesh Parujanwala is busy arranging a Canadian visa for his fiancee Rakhi Sawant, so that they can attend his sister's wedding together in Toronto.
"I'm heading back to Toronto soon. As of now, I am busy trying to arrange a visa for Rakhi. My sister is getting married on August 16 and it would be really great if both of us would be there. It would be like twin celebration for my family," said Elesh, who was the only NRI contestant on the 'swayamvar'.
Last year Elesh set up an acting academy with his business partner in Kandivali, Mumbai. But soon Rakhi Ka Swayamvar came up and he decided to "probe into the real Rakhi Sawant" through the show.
"Nothing was planned about coming on the show. I guess, I happened to be at the right place at the right time -- that's all. Everyone had an opinion about her and I wanted to find out who she really is," said Elesh, a Gujarati settled in Toronto.
So what did he find out? "Rakhi aces all the categories that I ever wanted in my woman. She is simply genuine and I love that about her. When I saw her first, she looked stunning and gorgeous," he said.
Elesh, who was among 16 aspirants who came to court Rakhi on NDTV Imagine's reality show, says it feels "amazing" to have been chosen as the "ideal groom". But he wants to wait before he ties the nuptial knot with Rakhi.
"We have decided to spend sometime together off the camera and know each other better. We have gotten engaged as of now, but there's still time before we get married," he said.
And before the bride and groom do that, they need to brush up their English and Hindi language skills respectively. While Elesh manages to speak broken Hindi and a bit of Gujarati, Rakhi doesn't have a good grip on English.
Won't communicating be a problem? "I can understand a bit of Hindi. And I mix up the vocabulary a bit, besides stumbling upon certain words, I'll get a hang of it soon. As far as Rakhi is concerned, I can help her with her English -- she can help me with Hindi -- and it would be a team effort. Together, I think we would make a good 'Team Toronto'," he quipped.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

A RUSSIAN-MADE Iranian airliner carrying 168 people crashed shortly after take-off from Tehran yesterday, smashing into a field northwest of the capital and shattering into flaming pieces. All on board were killed in Iran’s worst air disaster in six years.
No South Africans appear to have been on board the aircraft.

The airline’s tail was on fire as it circled just before crashing, one witness said.
“Then, I saw the plane crashing nose-down. It hit the ground, causing a big explosion. The impact shook the ground like an earthquake. Plane pieces were scattered all over the agricultural fields,” said Ali Akbar Hashemi, a 23-year-old who was laying gas pipes in a nearby home.
The impact blasted a deep trench in the field, which was littered with smoking wreckage, body parts and personal belongings from the Tupolev jet, according to photographs .
A large chunk of a wing was visible in video footage , but much of the wreckage appeared to be in small shreds.
There have been numerous aircraft crashes in Iran in recent years. They are usually blamed on poor maintenance, and Iranian officials claim that US sanctions prevent them from upgrading US aircraft bought before the 1979 Islamic revolution .
Iranian airlines and the military have turned increasingly to Russian aircraft, but there has been a string of accidents involving them. Two other Tupolev crashes in Iran this decade have killed nearly 140 people.
The Caspian Airlines Tu-154M jet took off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport yesterday morning and was headed for the Armenian capital of Yerevan. It crashed at 11.30am, about 16 minutes after take-off, outside the village of Jannat Abad, near the city of Qazvin .
The cause of the crash is not known.
Hossein Ayaznia, an aviation police official, said emergency workers were searching for the aircraft’s flight-data recorders.
Most of the passengers were Iranians, many from Iran’s ethnic Armenian community.
There were also six Armenian citizens and two Georgians.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

 


She may be only nine years old, but Slumdog Millionaire actress Rubina Ali has made history by becoming the youngest person to 'write' an autobiography.
In her new book Slumgirl Dreaming: Journey to the Stars, the child star gives an insight from her rise from the slums of Mumbai to Hollywood fame and back again.
She also gives her opinion on 'strange' Nicole Kidman, who she starred alongside in a soft drinks advertisement.

In the 192 page book written by journalist Divya Dugar, who spent the past six months following Rubina, only 24 pages feature her pre-Slumdog life.
As well talking about making the multi Oscar-winning film and the recent demolition of her home in the Mumbai slums, Rubina also discusses her more recent acting job.
Rubina was reportedly paid more than her Slumdog salary for three days work on a French Schweppes advert, which she filmed on location in India with Nicole.
Rubina played a small child enchanted with Nicole's Indian princess character in the bizarre ad's confusing plotline.
Despite sharing a trailer together, Rubina admitted she didn't get to know the Australian actress very well.
In the book, she said: 'I really liked her, but she was very quiet and didn't speak much.
'I think she was a bit shy.'
She goes on to describe the actress as 'strange' because she refused to come out of her trailer over the whole shoot, seemingly afraid of the sun on her alabaster complexion.
Rubina was discovered by director Danny Boyle when he auditioned hundreds of children from the Mumbai slums last year and cast her as the younger version of Freida Pinto's character Latika.
In the book, Rubina admitted the success of the film hasn't changed her life so much, because she returned to the slums again after attending the Oscars in Hollywood March.
But she admits she now has higher standards of hygiene and will walk a long.

The book's writer Divya said: 'She knows a lot more about the world beyond the slum. She has seen what life is like for the rich.
'She has seen the other side of the picture and knows now that life can be better.'
Rubina's father Rafiq also vehemently denies reports he tried to cash in on his daughter's movie fame by offering to 'sell' her for £200,000.
Divya added: 'She has a blind faith in her family, she thinks they couldn't have done anything to harm her.'
Rubina is now living at an uncle's house after her shanty home was demolished by Indian authorities in May.
The youngster admitted she doesn't known where her Slumdog salary has gone, but a lot of it is believed to have funded her father's medical treatment for a broken ankle.
She said: 'I'm not sure I got all of it, or where it has all gone.'
Thanks to a trust set up by Boyle and the Slumdog producers, Rubina and co-star Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail are attending school and are having homes built for them.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Michael Jackson, the child star turned King of Pop who set the world dancing but whose musical genius was overshadowed by a bizarre lifestyle and sex scandals, died on Thursday. He was 50.Jackson was pronounced dead at about 2:26 p.m. PDT (2126 GMT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.Jackson's sudden death had been reported earlier by U.S. media, which said he was taken ill at his home and rushed to the hospital by paramedics who found him not breathing when they arrived.Known as the "King of Pop," for hits that included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world.He transformed music videos and his lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart", his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."Jackson, who had lived as a virtual recluse since his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, had been scheduled to launch a comeback tour from London next month.
Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, told MSNBC: "I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news.""For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don't have the words. I've lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him." Jackson had been due to start a series of concerts in London on July 13 running until March 2010. The singer had been rehearsing in the Los Angeles area for the past two months. The shows for the 50 London concerts sold out within minutes of going on sale in March."Rarely has the world received a gift with the magnitude of artistry, talent, and vision as Michael Jackson," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy in a statement.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Agatha Sangma is the youngest minister in the Manmohan Singh cabinet. Daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma is only 28 years old.
She belongs to the NCP and has won for second time from Tura in Meghalaya. She first entered the previous Lok Sabha through a by election and was re-elected this time also.
She said, “It was a very pleasant surprise. Because, I had thehonour to receive a call from the Prime Minister. He informedme that he has inducted me into his Cabinet.”
She went slow and fumbled twice, but the entire hall at Rashtrapati Bhavan erupted in applause and smiles as Agatha Sangma, the youngest Agatha Sangma, daughter of former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma, waits to take the oath as the youngest minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet. (AFP Photo)
minister in the Manmohan Singh government, took oath on Thursday.
Wearing a traditional stole and sarong in beige and white, 28-year-old Sangma folded her hands into a gentle namaste for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi sitting in the front row, before taking her place beside President Prathibha Patil to take oath in Hindi.
However the mike had to be specially adjusted for the petite first-time minister.
Daughter of former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma, who was present at the swearing-in ceremony Thursday and looked on appreciatively as his daughter took oath, Agatha hails from Meghalaya and is a lawyer by profession.
Quite a few faces had an anticipatory look as Agatha Sangma fumbled more than once mid-sentence. However, Sonia Gandhi kept smiling throughout her oath taking, nodding appreciatively and then clapping with everyone else as Agatha completed her oath taking.
Walking back to take her seat, a number of people either folded their hands into a namaste to greet her or shook hands with the young minister.

“Foreign origin was an issue blown out of proportion. I think it has followed my father longer than it should have,” Agatha said today, soon after she came to know that Manmohan Singh had selected him for his council of ministers.
“He has never opposed the suggestion of Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister,” Agatha added.
It was after Sangma’s statement on Sonia’s foreign origin that the former Speaker fell out with the Congress.
But Agatha’s selection has come as a lifeline for the Garo leader who was gravitating towards the NDA. Sources said it had rekindled hopes of sustaining his and his family’s political future.
Agatha said her selection was a “collective decision” of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Manmohan and Sonia.
The youngest of four siblings in the Sangma household, she said being a minister at the Centre had “humbled” her.
Clear about her priorities, the young leader wants to “integrate the Northeast with the rest of India”. She also wants the Northeast included in educational syllabi.
“We have leaders like Togan Nengmenja (a Garo Hills hero who fought the British) whose names should be known by others,” said the lawyer-MP.
Jitin Prasada of Congress, who was the minister ofstate for steel, was the youngest minister in the previous UPAgovernment at 35 years of age.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

The vodafone ads featured by ZooZoo characters are the biggest hit of Indian Premier League second season. Here are some funny facts about these super hit ads.....

See some of the ads first, here..



Making of ZooZoo Ads...

More Stories about ZooZoo Ads....

No, they aren’t animated characters. They are human beings who were made to wear body suits. “The design of the characters is such that one gets fooled into thinking it is animation,” shrugs Rao, which was indeed the very illusion that had to be created. “In a sense, it is ‘live’ animation!” he quips, referring to the fact that it was all shot live.

Prakash Varma, ad filmmaker, Nirvana Films, has directed the commercials, and reveals that the Zoozoos were a big challenge to create. The practical aspects of how they will move, talk, gesticulate and emote were very important. Essentially, costume design and artwork were crucial elements.

“It took me three weeks of pre-production to understand how it will work,” says Varma. There were two fabrics that were considered for the body suits, and one was rejected for it had too many wrinkles and was shiny. The wrinkles would have shown when the characters moved, thereby shattering the illusion of animation. “So we chose the more practical, thicker fabric,” Varma explains.

The production team divided the outfit into two parts: the body and the head. The body part of the outfit was stuffed with foam in some places, while the head was attached separately. To make it look bigger than a human head, a harder material called Perspex was used, which in turn was stuffed with foam (with scope for ventilation).
If one wishes to understand the size of this head, here’s a fact: a human head would typically reach up to the mouth level of this giant Zoozoo head. “We kept the hands and legs thin, which is why we cast women – and occasionally children – wearing the costumes,” says Varma. The thin limbs, contrasted with big bellies and a bulbous head, all add to the illusion that these creatures are ‘smaller’ than humans. Sets were created to suit the size of the Zoozoos.
Cinematically, this ‘size’ was a trick: the creatures look smaller than they actually are on screen, to portray a different world of sorts. For this, the speed of shooting was altered: Nirvana shot it in a high-speed format to make them look the size that they do.
Furthermore, simple sets/backdrops were created and spray painted with neutral Greys – a colour of choice so that attention isn’t diverted from the main characters. For a supposedly ‘outdoor’ shot, even the shadow of a Zoozoo was kept ‘live’ and not done in post production: it was painted in a darker shade of grey on the ground. An even lighting was maintained throughout.
There was virtually no post production work done.
The films were shot by Nirvana in Cape Town, South Africa, with the help of a local production house there, called Platypus. Incidentally, the same combination of people also worked on the ‘Happy to Help’ series last year. When asked whether Cape Town is fast becoming a tourist spot for Vodafone and Nirvana, Varma laughs, saying, “Oh no! It’s just that we are very comfortable with the team there and know what sort of work to expect from them.”
Nagpal adds here that the production cost had to be minimal for unveiling such a large number of commercials. “Otherwise, our production costs would exceed media spends,” he quips.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

WINNERS
Shashi Tharoor, Congress, Kerala. Author, peacekeeper, refugee worker and human rights activist, made an unsuccessful bid to become UN secretary-general in 2006.

Mohammad Azharuddin, Congress, Uttar Pradesh. Former Indian cricket captain whose career ended under a cloud when he was accused in a match-fixing scandal.

Shatrughan Sinha, BJP, Bihar. Former Bollywood actor, famous for his action roles and popularly known as "Shotgun Sinha" in his heyday as an actor.

Chiranjeevi, Praja Rajyam, Andhra Pradesh. Star of nearly 150 Telegu language films, won a state seat on his political debut though his new party appeared to have drawn a blank at the national level.


LOSERS
Renuka Chowdhury, Congress, Andhra Pradesh. Prominent anti-poverty campaigner who has served as minister for women and child development.

Gopalswamy Vaiko, MDMK, Tamil Nadu. Party is seen as close to Tamil Tiger leader Prabhakaran, and has taken a strident line on the war that the Sri Lankan government now claims to have won.

Ram Vilas Paswan, LJP leader, Hajipur. Congress ally and minister for steel, once held the Guinness world record as the candidate who had won an election by the biggest margin.

Chetan Chauhan, BJP, Delhi. Long-time opening batsman for India's national cricket team, later became the team's manager.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Meet the Zoozoos, the stick-like figures with egg-like heads that appear in TV ads for Vodafone and have become all the rage in India.
So much so that the company’s plans to air 30 different commercials featuring the Zoozoos during the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Twenty20 cricket series seems like a strategic masterstroke, although it is likely to come as a surprise to viewers that the ads aren’t animated—there are really people inside those Zoozoo costumes.
But this much is known: Zoozoo is definitely anthropomorphic, and was created by the creative team at Ogilvy and Mather (O&M) India.
The ads, 13 of which have been aired until now, have become popular with viewers. So much so that one of them, an ad for beauty tips over the phone, was viewed 13,000 times last week on YouTube. The Zoozoos have also taken Facebook by storm. They have nearly 35,000 friends.
That’s quite a bit more than the 1,200 and 4,000 India’s prime ministerial candidates in the ongoing elections, L.K. Advani and Manmohan Singh have respectively.
“With approximately 300 seconds of media being spent each day (on IPL), we had to figure out a way to communicate as many services as possible in a way that would not cheese off the customer,” said Harit Nagpal, director (marketing and new business) at Vodafone Essar Ltd.
Each of the 30 ads will promote a different value-added service on offer by Vodafone, from maps to stock alerts.
Several characters were drawn up and considered by executive creative director (South Asia) Rajiv Rao and his team at O&M India, before they settled in on Zoozoo.
“We were very close to what you see as the final version of Zoozoo. The only difference was that we had two options, one that looked more like Mr. Potato Head, a completely round body with thin limbs… the other, a thinner version with a big head and scrawny limbs. We picked the latter as it was easier to have head and body movements in that costume,” says Rao.
And then, in two-and-a-half months, the agency had to come up with the films, each of which is 20-30 seconds long.
“We had to shoot, edit and finish sound recording for 30 different television commercials in 10 days. The whole thing, pre-production included, took a little over a month and was shot completely in Cape Town, South Africa,” says Rao.
There were other challenges as well.
The characters, all local theatre actors, had to perform in costumes, which came with their own set of problems. Wearing an enlarged headpiece, for example, meant that all the actors were practically blind.
“They couldn’t see where they were going, so we had several funny instances where the actors would walk right out of the frame during shooting. Also, it was very difficult for them to breathe with those headpieces on, so the actors would take them off every few minutes for some air. But after the first few days, we got into the groove of things and managed just fine,” says Prakash Varma, director at Nirvana Films.
And because the shooting schedule was punishing, the film-maker had to use adult actors—all slim-built women—as opposed to children, who would have been better suited to play the part of the Zoozoos. As a result, to make the characters look tiny, all the sets and props had to be larger than life. The expressions on the faces of the Zoozoos, deliberately simplistic and limited in number, were all made in rubber and pasted onto their heads. While the change in expression and the characters could have been animated, it would have taken several years to finish 30 television commercials and come at a huge cost to the advertiser. According to Nagpal, the entire shoot cost approximately Rs3 crore.
The rising popularity of the Zoozoos can also be attributed to the platform provided by IPL, which garnered two billion eyeballs in its inaugural season last year. “There’s also the curiosity factor piquing viewers who wonder, who are the Zoozoos really? Are they alien?” says Prasanth Mohanachandran, executive director (digital) at OgilvyOne Worldwide. On the Zoozoos Facebook page, people can view new commercials, download images and wallpapers, and participate in a “What kind of Zoozoo are you?” contest. In the pipeline are a spot, titled “A day in the life of Zoozoo” on Twitter, and merchandise such as key-chains, mugs, T-shirts, and mobile phone stands.
However Mahesh Murthy, founder and chief executive officer of Pinstorm, a digital agency, sounds a word of caution. “While their media strategy to blast these ads during IPL has worked for the brand, the downside is that the characters are bigger than the story being sold. People have a limited capacity to remember features, so it may have worked to release the ads in a phased manner rather than hammer them out one after the other.”
Still, on TV, the Zoozoos have come as a breath of fresh air providing a much-needed respite from the staple diet of cricket and politics that most viewers are living on—one of the objectives of the agency and the film-maker.
“We wanted to create something unique. A character that would always be memorable… somewhat alien and yet, very human,” says Varma, who made the films. “When we started out, the idea was to ensure that no one should be watching cricket. Everyone should be talking about Zoozoo.”

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Oscar winning music director AR Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire fame, his Sri Lankan co-performer MIA of the hit O Saya song and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani have made it to the Time's 100 list of the World's Most Influential People.
The new list to be published in the May 11 annual Time 100 issue is the pick of the magazine's editors and may not be confused with the popular choice in TIME.com's online poll that "just happened to be" won on Monday by "moot - the mysterious 21-year-old creator of the influential Web message board 4chan.or".
"In our annual TIME 100 issue, we do the impossible: name the people who most affect our world," said the editors as they relegated moot to the 35th position and instead chose ailing Democratic senator Edward Kennedy for the top spot.
British premier Gordon Brown makes it to the second spot, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in the eighth place, Pakistan army chief Ashfaq Kayani is sitting pretty at the 19th position, just a spot ahead of President Barack Obama.
AR Rahman, who gets the 59th position in the editors list, "won two Oscars, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for giving Slumdog Millionaire its frenetic sound", notes Padma Lakshmi actress, author and the host of Bravo's Top Chef, in an accompanying piece. (Source: Hindutstan Times)

The content in The Times

In India, a country of a billion inhabitants, where film and pop music are one, A.R. Rahman, 43, dominates the music industry so totally that he has supplied the sound track for a whole generation. He enjoys the godlike devotion of India's youth, but everyone from the street child who sweeps train platforms to the middle-aged doctor in Mumbai's posh Malabar Hill hums his tunes.
Born in Chennai (formerly Madras) and raised on Tamil movies and music, Rahman converted to Sufism — a mystical form of Islam — in the late 1980s. It is easy to hear these influences in his work, but his genius lies in tying many forms of music together to make a sound that is at once familiar and new. He first gained widespread notice for Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Roja (1992), then branched out into Hindi films and has succeeded in making Indian film music a global phenomenon. He has worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber and with Shekhar Kapur on Elizabeth and has influenced other gifted directors like Baz Luhrmann. This year he won two Oscars, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for giving Slumdog Millionaire its frenetic sound.
Rahman is a shy and quiet man, but his music has emotional force. Renowned for his immense range, he'll do a traditional score for a conventional film, then blend exotic vocals with Japanese music and Western classical arrangements in his next project. A veritable Pied Piper, he has no competition, yet he makes it a priority to discover new talent and promote it. He has shaped modern India's music for more than a decade. Now the "Mozart of Madras" has the world's foot tapping along with him.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

From Aamir Khan to Anil Ambani, India's biggest celebrities came out in droves from their airconditioned homes to wait in queue patiently for their turn to vote -- and urge the young to step out and exercise their franchise in the third round of the staggered elections.

In the great equaliser that are the elections, the stars of the silver screen and the celebrity industrialists were stood in the queue among common people to cast their vote.

Here is is a journey through photographs of star icon voitings..

Aamir Khan, who broke his holiday in the US with his children, said after casting his vote: ''I have travelled 48 hours to cast my vote, so people can certainly go out from their homes to cast their vote. If you love your country, this is the day to show it. I'm happy to see so many senior citizens casting their vote here. I appeal to the youngsters to come out and vote.''

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor said: ''It is our basic right to vote, so people should vote. We need to elect the right person.''

Writer, director Gulzar was accompanied by his director daughter Meghna Gulzar.

Indian billionaire Anil Ambani, right, prepares to cast his vote at a polling station in Mumbai, India, Thursday, April 30, 2009. India's financial capital goes to the polls today.

Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan (2nd R), son Abhishek Bachchan (R), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (2nd L) and Jaya Bachchan show ink marks on their fingers after casting their votes at a polling centre in Mumbai April 30, 2009.

Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan shows the ink mark on his finger after casting his vote at a polling centre in Mumbai April 30, 2009.

Bollywood star John Abraham (L) helps an old woman to reach a polling centre for casting her vote in Mumbai April 30, 2009.

Hema Malini and Esha Deol at a polling center in Mumbai to cast their votes in India’s parliamentary elections

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Rumors of a romance between the two stars of Slumdog Millionaire have been circulating for months, but now the young love seems to have been confirmed, with a secret rendezvous in Israel.
The mother of Dev Patel, who plays Jamal in the Oscar-winning movie, has confirmed that her son flew out to Israel to join former co-star Freida Pinto, where she is filming for Julian Schnabel's latest film Miral.
According to the British tabloid The Daily Mirror, 18-year-old Patel and 24-year-old Pinto were snapped enjoying an intimate meeting together in Tel Aviv.
Patel's mother told the Mirror: "First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place. Life can't get any better for him. Freida is really beautiful and I am really happy for them. Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her."
Media reports say that the two spent several hours at a hotel in the city, then visited the port before dinner at a beachfront restaurant.
The reports claim that the two were "smooching and holding hands" to the delight of a passing group of Japanese tourists.
Pinto's latest movie, Miral, is the story of an Arab woman who tries to open an orphanage in Jerusalem following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.
Another report says :
Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto have been photographed on a lunch date.
The 19-year-old former Skins actor and the 24-year-old actress - who played childhood sweethearts in Danny Boyle's Oscar-winning blockbuster Slumdog Millionaire - have denied they are a couple in real life, but rumours could resurface after the pictures showed them looking into each other's eyes.
Dev had apparently flown to Israel especially to visit Frieda, where she is filming her new movie Jerusalem.
An onlooker told The Sun: "They looked very happy together and they didn't seem to care who saw them. Dev couldn't take his eyes off her - and she kept snuggling up to get closer to him."
It was reported in February that Dev, of Harrow, North West London was spotted shopping for rings with Frieda at a High Street jeweller on Valentine's Day.
But the pair refuse to comment on their alleged romance.
Frieda said last month: "I won't talk about my relationship with Dev."
He has said: "She is very beautiful but there's no romance."

Pinto was photographed nestling into Patel's shoulder during a cosy al fresco lunch date. The actress is shooting her latest film, Miral, in Israel and Patel has flown out to see her.
Rumours of a relationship began shortly before Slumdog Millionaire swept the board at the Oscars in February. Pinto, 24, and Patel, who turned 19 this week, denied they were an item, but their cover was blown by co-star Anil Kapoor. "When I meet them, I feel there is something happening," he said, adding that the couple shared "a magical chemistry".
Pinto's ex, Rohan Antao, blamed Patel for their relationship breakdown. "I don't know if they were having a sexual relationship but if I came face to face with him I would have things to say. Now everywhere I go I see them on billboards. I am devastated," he said.
The lovebirds come from very different backgrounds - Pinto is a glamorous former model from Mumbai, while Patel still lives with his mum in Harrow. It was Mrs Patel who persuaded her son to audition for his debut role in the E4 drama Skins, in which he played a sex-mad teenager.
Slumdog Millionaire has propelled both actors to Hollywood stardom. After Miral, Pinto will film a role in Woody Allen's next film, while Patel has been cast in M Night Shyamalan adventure The Last Airbender.

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel’s mum has confirmed her son’s off-screen love with Freida Pinto.
Patel and Pinto have always denied dating each other but the pair was recently caught enjoying an intimate lunch date in Israel, where Pinto, 24, is filming on location.
And Patel’s mum Anita says she is really pleased to see the two in love.
“First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place,” the Mirror quoted Anita as saying.
“Life can’t get any better for him. Freida is really beautiful and I am really happy for them. Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her,” she added.
The real life love story is said to have started on the set of Danny Boyle’s multi-Oscar-winning film.And they have become increasingly close since travelling the world together to promote the movie.

Leave it to a mom to spill the beans.
After months of speculation about the relationship between “Slumdog Millionaire” stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, Patel’s mother has confirmed that the pair are a couple.
“First it was the film and now everything else seems to have slotted into place,” Anita Patel is quoted as saying Monday in London’s Daily Mirror.
The rumors had ratcheted up over the last few days as the two vacationed together in Tel Aviv. “Yes, we knew he was flying to Israel to see her,” Mrs. Patel said of her son, 19.
Pinto, 24, took time off from filming her latest movie in Jerusalem. The couple spent a few hours together in a hotel before taking a stroll around the harbor and sharing an early champagne dinner at a seaside restaurant.
Photos of the two smooching and holding hands at a table quickly surfaced online.
“Life can’t get any better for him," said Patel's mom. "Freida is really beautiful, and I am really happy for them.”

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |

Sponsored Links

Slumdog kid star Rubina Ali is news following selling attempt by her father Rafiq Qureshi, but nobody is talking about the other kid stars of the Oscar winning movie. We just made a search on other kid stars..

Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (young Salim)
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, was given a flat by the city on his return from the Oscars, and now attends an English-speaking school. Recently, he was beaten by his father and got seriously ill, reports claim. Ismail was last spotted in Delhi.

Tanay Chheda (middle Jamal)
After the Slumdog, Tanay featured in a German-made documentary on the industry and is currently in Mumbai shooting My Name Is Khan. Bollywood superstar is in the lead role and Tanay is portraying as the child actor. Recently, film maker Karan Johar made it clear that Tanay would be playing the childhood role of Shah Rukh Khan in all his movies. My Name Is Khan based on the true story of a disabled Indian man detained by the US authorities.

Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (young Jamal)
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar lives in a well-to-do suburb of Mumbai. He was seen earlier this month at a Bollywood fundraising event for children’s education, sporting a new scorpion tattoo. Khedekar has been in front of the camera since he was four, appearing first in television commercials for Colgate and Kellogg’s, then in popular TV series.
And about the other stars…… is anybody know…… just comment in detail………..

If you really like this article, please promote this by sharing this on your favorite Social Networking location, by clicking below icons:

Share |