News is a nude portrayal of French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni, 40 is all set to be auctioned on 10 April at New York-based Christie’s. The 13 x 10 1/8 inch gelatin silver black and white sketch was captured in 1993, when Bruni was counted amongst world’s top fashion models. The portrait is being sold by art collector Gert Elfering and is anticipated to fetch $3,000 to $4,000.

What is it that a collector is demanding such a hefty sum for it? Is it the antiqueness attached to it as it was produced in 1993 or the lately earned honor of being Sarkozy’s wife?

Via Yahoo

I can’t believe an NDTV production could be so disappointing! Yeah you guessed it right; I AM talking about NDTV Imagine. No, I didn’t have to pay an extra fee for the subscription as it came as a part of the Tata Sky package. Imagine my ordeal when it began with the super-tiring ‘Shava Shava’. I can’t imagine why Simi Garewal and Karan Johar agreed to form the jury when it has unoriginally been taken off from ‘Nach Baliye’ but this time with vocal chords. But that wasn’t all as ‘Ramayana’ followed soon after.

Imagine an orangey-yellow screen haunting you. The actors can’t act to save their lives and the characterization is nothing but weird. I missed the dignity in the mythological characters. Indeed, it is nothing but a poor cousin to Ramanand Sagar’s efforts that we witnessed decades ago.

Saroj Khan’s ‘Nachle Ve’ was the only saving grace. It is a show where Saroj Khan teaches absolute novices how to dance. It was great fun to watch the mistress of dances add spunk to a non-imaginative NDTV Imagine with her witty comments and observations. No doubt audience love her both onscreen and behind the screen. The best part is that Saroj Khan doesn’t spare anyone when it comes to giving her 2 cents even if you are Sunny Deol paaji or Sanjay Dutt.

YouthCurry

Harish Damodaran’s book ‘India’s New Capitalists: Caste, Business and Industry in a Modern Nation-State’ has once again made everyone sit up and notice. This isn’t the first time Damodaran has won accolades. Being a journalist for the past 16 year, he is also well-known as a specialist in agri-business and commodities coverage. His insights and contributions have benefited in macroeconomic issues. Damodaran is also a recipient of the World Food Day Award-2000 from the UN Food & Agricultural Organization and the Indian Association for the Advancement of Science, which was given to acknowledge his work as a farm reporter.

Coming back to Damodaran’s latest offering, the book is written in a simple style, blending analytical rigor with a journalistic flair. It talks about how business in India was considered to be the job of only the Bania community which fell under the Vaishya order of the traditional Hindu ‘chaturvarna’. However, since early 20th century, significant changes started taking place. The social base of our country gradually widened and soon entrepreneurship was no longer exclusive to a few castes alone. It now includes a wide spectrum of communities. But such a pattern of inclusive capitalism is restricted to only the southern and western states of our country, for we are yet to see a Dalit industrialist of note.

Read

How did one survive growing up in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s ?
We had no seatbelts, no airbags and sitting in the back of a rickshaw was a treat…Our baby prams had the most gorgeous lead based colors…No such thing as tamper proof bottle tops…Opening kitchen cupboards was a breeze… as safety locks were unheard off…Cycling was like a breath of fresh air…no safety helmets, knee pads or elbow pads, with plenty of cardboards between spokes to make it sound like a motorbike…

When thirsty we only drank tap water, bottled water was still a mystery…We kept busy collecting bits & pieces so we could build all sort of things … and we were fearless on our bikes even when the brakes failed going downhill…We were showing off how tough we are, by how high we could climb trees & then jumping down….It was great fun….We could stay out to play for hours, as long as we got back before dark, in time for dinner…We walked to school, or sometimes we even rode our bike. We had no mobile phones, but we always managed to find each other….How? No one knows…

We lost teeth, broke arms & legs, we got cuts and bruises and bloody noses…. nobody complained as we had so much fun, it wasn’t anybody’s fault, only ours. We ate everything in sight, cakes, bread, chocolate, ice-cream, sweet sugary drinks, yet, we stayed skinny by fooling around. And if one of us was lucky to find a 1 litre coca cola bottle we all had swag from it & guess what? Nobody picked up any germs…

We did not have Play Stations, MP3, Nintendo’s, I-Pods, Video games, 99 Cable TV channels, DVD’s, Home Cinema, Mobile phones, Home Computers, Laptops, Chat-rooms, Internet, etc … BUT, we had REAL FRIENDS!!!!

We called on friends to come out to play, never rang the doorbell, just went around the back…We loved being let loose in the big bad world…without bodyguards…We played with sticks and stones, played cowboys and Indians, doctors and nurses, hide and seek, soccer games, lover and over again…When we failed our exams we were given a second chance by simply repeating the same grade…without visiting psychiatrists, psychologists or counselors… such were the days…We had freedom, success, disappointments and responsibilities…Most of all, we learned to respect others…

Are YOU from that generation??

This is surely a relief pill though momentary, enabling you to do away with the stress that surrounds us these days….and brings a smile to your face as you recall what life was really like in the good old days……

 
Sporting a hairdo that will even set Javed Akhtar’s famous hairstylist bahu Adhuna thinking, behan kumari (sister miss) Mayawati celebrated her birthday in style on January 15. Dressed in a pink salwar kameez, (omigawd, can’t she get herself a dress designed by Ritu Beri or someone and behave her age), she was the centre of the love and affection of her so many bhakts, who fail to see through her thick skin. The dalits need to be liberated but Mayawati is not their messiah.
Coming back to the birthday party, Mayawati made a very interesting remark. She said U.P. should be divided into 3 smaller states – Poorvanchal, Bundelkhand and western U.P. This would be good news for Maya’s political counterparts because the big M can be CM of only one of them. But political analysts feel that this is a farsighted statement made by the lady. In other words, Mayawati is taking her role of the future PM very seriously and maybe when she becomes one then January 15 will be declared a national holiday.
Via YouthCurry

 
The publicity tactics that brands use! Tasty Tees is the latest to have gone that extra mile to build its customers. They have come up with an interesting offer that none can miss and priced it quite reasonably at $7.
The method is simple. You mail them a T-shirt that you want one of their designs printed on. Choose the design and pay your $ 7 and in a few weeks they mail you back your shirt with the handprinted design on it. Agreed, the practice is a bit tedious for the company but it is sure earning them sincere customers. And they have priced the little exercise so well. The customer feels empowered because now, he or she can decide what their shirt will say for them. Now, isn’t that what the RDB generation needs so badly. It was always so difficult for one to pick a tee that defines one’s attitude; and Tasty Tees have provided them with best solution. In fact, it has already become a rage in Thailand with the “ladyboy” image as the most popular choice.
Via TCritic

Well-known cricket umpire Steve Bucknor’s recent ouster by the ICC has raised many eyebrows. No, it’s not about the mannerisms of the gentleman’s game alone. But also the age of the umpire. And the one to blame is none but the ICC.
For the uninitiated, Bucknor was originally a refree at the FIFA World Cup. And that was way back in 1988. Wonder why isn’t he still there? Well, FIFA has a compulsory retirement age of 45 for its umpires. The reason is simple. The FIFA authorities realize that the job of an umpire requires certain physical qualities that recede away with growing years.
Perhaps, the ICC should have done the same and saved Bucknor the embarrassment. Considering the amount of work an umpire is supposed to do, it is absurd to have a man in his sixties do the task. He has to stand on field for six hours with an alert mind. His eyesight has to be perfect to watch the proceedings of the game with utmost precision, and his brain has to process all inputs to arrive at the correct decision in seconds. What has happened to Bucknor is the same that happened to David Shepherd. ICC would be stupid if it lets another incident like this one to come up.
Via IndiaUncut

Bringing up today’s child is the toughest job possible. Agreed, most parents must have been singing the same song since ages; but it applies most truly to the young turks of the 21st century. No I am not a parent (phew!) but even my twenty and three years have set me worrying over the bringing up my child. I hope it won’t be a ‘bringing down’.

Okay, so during our time as a kid life was less complicated. There wasn’t much exposure, and I don’t mean in terms of skin show alone. The media was still growing. But now, times have changed. With the click of a mouse, a kid can be connected to any porn sight in the world. Sometimes, ‘not knowing’ much about the wide world preserves a child’s innocence. But not anymore. Kids know what is right and wrong. They choose what brand to wear and say things that will leave their parents at a loss of words. But aren’t the progenitors themselves responsible? Shouldn’t they be drawing a line somewhere to their kid’s demands. I am horrified to see parents happily buying their children French fries and burgers at McDonalds. Even the toys no longer mean the same. The most updated version of an X-Box costs 34 grants. Please do not read this article with the Taare Zameen Par view. I too loved the movie.

A 16-year-old Adnan Patrawala, Class XII student, who was missing for last two-days, is now no more with us. Cops have come across his dead-body today evening (20 August) placed in his own vehicle (Skoda). The vehicle was found in the up market Palm Beach road near Panvel, Mumbai. Earlier reports claim that the boy have been strangled to death this morning.

Followed by his kidnap, his parents did received a call asking for a ransom amounting Rs2 crore. The whole-plot seems to be weaved in a witty manner. Taking his education from CWC college in Mumbai, the boy was last seen on 18 August at his residence in Oshiwara in suburban (Mumbai). Then minutes after he left to meet his friends and never came back, as a result of which his parents lodged a complaint. Police is suspecting three of Adnan’s friends i.e. Raj, Lala and Himanshu behind this conspiracy. Also sources claim that Himanshu is mastermind behind his abduction.

The above details are the facts behind Adnan’s murder. But how far are these facts correct/ trustworthy?
Eyebrows are raised when one makes an effort to go through his profile at ORKUT, our renowned social community that has become an abode for everyone from students to celebs.
While six-days back, ***AnGeL*** had the following conversation with somebody using a pseudo name ***AnGeL***:

***AnGeL***: Yup m der.. But ver da hell r yu?? I just went on net tat day ven i waz in skool.. I had 2 rep u coz, hmmm
***AnGeL***: U wanna meet me?? lez meet up na! wot say?
Adnan: MEET?? i dont even know you….wer do u stay..,u got a cell phone?
***AnGeL***: U luk damn CUTE in ur pic.. Tats y i wanted 2 add ya 1st..
Adnan: STOP ADDIN MA FRNDS…AND Y DONT U REPLY…..reply fasttt m waitng
Adnan: give me ur no if u can..
***AnGeL***: Sure i dun mind.. Actly u knw wot i seri lkd ur PIC.. ONLY pic!!
***AnGeL***: Dont worry.. m quite gud lukin’..
Adnan: y dont u reply ….
***AnGeL***: HMMM.. Not xactly.. i lkd ur attitude 2.. ne wayz i gotta go nw.. BUHH BYEEE!!!!!

Following is the two-day back conversation Adnan has had with ***AnGeL***:
Adnan: Hiii
wer do u stay?
and i need to c ur pic …if u wanna meet me otherwise FORGETIT
i stay LOKHANDWALA
u wanna meet or no tell me now..
WATZ DAT qutub mean??
okk fine get him along ….than even ill get ma frndz along
ofcors i m deleting urz also
i kn u din like ma attitide…, u jas liked ma PIC RIGHT
i need to c ur pic 1st than ill cum to kn naa who r u…..
no dont go wait

The endless count of prayers at Adnan’s scrapbook has strengthened my belief that majority of good people still exist to overrule the deeds done by minority group comprising of kidnappers and greedy lot. I think the strong voice of Adnan’s well-wishers will surely earn justice for him. Here are few of the condolences made by almost each of his friend, relative, acquaintance and even strangers.

“May god give strength to ur near and dear ones”
“Rest in peace bro may god bless ur soul”
“Feeling sorry for u bro,god will give u another good life ahead, i can just pray for u ,and i m sure god will do justice,and give u and ur family justice by punishing those bastards, by bro ,may god bless ur soul,i hope u will come soon in another way on earth”
“May ur soul rest in peace adnan….i dnt know u buddy bt still feeling very bad….really don’t know what has happen to this world…full of cruel men all around…..”

More than the police investigations, the conversation clearly demystify that ***AnGeL*** has plans to meet Adnan along with her friends that’s why Adnan mentioned that he will also come along with his friends. Now, they call it a driving over-dose or conspiracy by Himanshu, the truth is Adnan is not with us.
I will appreciate all my readers, stand for a minute and give a bow of respect for him and wish peace for his soul.

The local activist David esrati had wear the ninja type mask for addressing the Dayton city commission on last Wednesday night did not get the similar sock which he got when he did in 1996, when he was arrested to refuse the take off the hood, the charge which is situated on David Esrati in 19967 was dismissed.

David Esrati told the commoners on Wednesday night “To repeat you how important resident participation is, I thought I would take this back out”. “Any constraint on citizen members is a mistake”.
Two weeks ago Esrati had hoped the commission to address for proposed Kroger development at Wayne Avenue and Wyoming Street and he had submit the request after business meeting for speak which is totally against the rule of commission then how the commission has agreed for this proposal.

Rashad Young the city manager said that he has a right to wear mask what ever he want to tell the commission but it is not disgusting.

Via Google