Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Who is Anna Hazare?
The story goes that one day at the New Delhi Railway Station, he chanced upon a book on Swami Vivekananda. Drawn by Vivekananda's photograph, he is quoted as saying that he read the book and found his answer - that the motive of his life lay in service to his fellow humans.
Today, Anna Hazare is the face of India's fight against corruption. He has taken that fight to the corridors of power and challenged the government at the highest level. People, the common man and well-known personalities alike, are supporting him in the hundreds swelling to the thousands.
For Anna Hazare, it is another battle. And he has fought quite a few, Including some as a soldier for 15 years in Indian Army. He enlisted after the 1962 Indo-China war when the government exhorted young men to join the Army.
In 1978, he took voluntary retirement from the 9th Maratha Battalion and returned home to Ralegaon Siddhi, a village in Maharashtra's drought-prone Ahmadnagar. He was 39 years old.
He found farmers back home struggling for survival and their suffering would prompt him to pioneer rainwater conservation that put his little hamlet on the international map as a model village.
The villagers revere him. Thakaram Raut, a school teacher in Ralegaon Siddhi says, "Thanks to Anna's agitations, we got a school, we got electricity, we got development schemes for farmers.''
Anna Hazare's fight against corruption began here. He fought first against corruption that was blocking growth in rural India. His organization - the Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan (People's movement against Corruption). His tool of protest - hunger strikes. And his prime target - politicians.
Maharashtra stalwarts like Sharad Pawar and Bal Thackeray have often called his style of agitation nothing short of "blackmail".
But his weapon is potent. In 1995-96, he forced the Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra to drop two corrupt Cabinet Ministers. In 2003, he forced the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) state government to set up an investigation against four ministers. In April this year, four days of fasting brought thousands of people out in support of his crusade against corruption. They also made the government realise it could not be dismissive about Anna Hazare and his mass appeal.
His relationship with the UPA government continues to be uneasy. The truce of April was short-lived. An exercise to set up a joint committee made up of equal numbers of government representatives and civil society activists, including Anna Hazare came to naught when the two sides failed to agree and drafted two different Lok Pal Bills. The government has brought its version in Parliament and Team Anna is livid.
The Gandhian is soldiering on. From one battle to another in his war against corruption. He fought from the front to have Right to Information (RTI) implemented. He is now fighting for the implementation of the Jan Lokpal Bill, the anti-corruption bill drafted by his team of crusaders.
This year, more than 30 years after Anna Hazare started his crusade, as the 74-year-old plans a second hunger strike in Delhi against large-scale corruption at the national level. Nothing really has changed except the scale of his battle.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Curious Case of Rahul Gandhi !!!
THE CURIOUS CASE OF RAHUL GANDHIRahul Gandhi: "I feel ashamed to call myself an INDIAN after seeing what has happened here in UP".
PLEASE DON'T BE ASHAMED OF U.P. YET
Please don't be ashamed of Uttar Pradesh yet. Congress ruled the State for the Majority of the duration Pre Independence to Post Independence.. from 1939 to 1989 ( barring the Periods of Emergency.. Thanks to your Grand Mom Indira G. and a couple of transitional Governments)
8 out of the total 14 Prime Ministers of India have been from UP, 6 out of those 8 have been from Congress...
I think your party had more than half a century and half a Dozen PM's to build a State...
The Reason Mulayam Singh, subsequently came to Power is because your party wasn't exactly Gandhian in their dealings in the State.. So May be If you look at in totality the present chaos in UP is the outcome of the glorious leadership displayed by Congress in UP for about 50 years!
So Please don't feel ashamed as yet Dear Rahul.. For Mayawati is only using the Land Acquisition Bill which your party had itself used to LOOT the Farmers many times in the Past!
WHY DIDN'T YOUR PARTY CHANGE THE BILL WHEN IT WAS IN POWER FOR SO LONG?
Not that I Endorse what Mayawati is doing.. What Mayawati is doing is Unacceptable..
But the past actions of your party and your recent comments, puts a question mark on your INTENT and CONSISTENCY.
YOU REALLY WANT TO FEEL ASHAMED
But don't be disappointed, I would give you ample reasons to feel ashamed...
You really want to feel Ashamed..?
First Ask Pranav Mukherjee, Why isn't he giving the details of the account holders in the Swiss Banks.
Ask your Mother, Who is impeding the Investigation against Hasan Ali?
Ask her, Who got 60% Kickbacks in the 2G Scam ?
Kalamdi is accused of a Few hundred Crores, Who Pocketed the Rest in the Common Wealth Games?
Ask Praful Patel what he did to the Indian Airlines? Why did Air India let go of the Profitable Routes ?
Why should the Tax Payer pay for the Air India losses, when you intend to eventually DIVEST IT ANYWAY!!!
Also, You People can't run an Airline Properly. How can we expect you to run the Nation?
Ask Manmohan Singh. Why/What kept him quiet for so long?
Are Kalmadi and A Raja are Scapegoats to save Big Names like Harshad Mehta was in the 1992 Stock Market Scandal ?
Who let the BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY Accused go Scot Free? ( 20,000 People died in that Tragedy)
Who ordered the State Sponsored Massacre of SIKHS in 84?
Please read more about, How Indira Gandhi pushed the Nation Under Emergency in 76-77, after the HC declared her election to Lok Sabha Void!
(I bet She had utmost respect for DEMOCRACY and JUDICIARY and FREE PRESS)
I guess you know the answers already. So My question is, Why the Double Standards in Judging Mayawati and members of your Family and Party?
I condemn Mayawati. But Is She the only one you feel Ashamed for?
What about the ones close to you? For their contribution to the Nation's Misery is beyond comparison.
You talk about the Land being taken away from the Farmers. How many Suicides have happened under your Parties Rule in Vidarbha ? Does that Not Ashame You ?
THE 72,000 CRORE LOAN WAIVER
Your Party gave those Farmers a 72,000 Crore Loan Waiver. Which didn't even reach the Farmers by the way.
So, Why don't you focus on implementing the policies which your govt. has undertaken, instead of earning brownie points by trying to manufacture consent by bombarding us with pictures of having food with Poor Villagers....
You want to feel ashamed. You can feel ashamed for your Party taking CREDIT for DEBITING the Public Money (72,000 crores) from the Government Coffers and literally Wasting it...
You want to feel ashamed.. Feel ashamed for that...
WHY ONLY HIGHLIGHT THIS ARREST?
Dear Rahul, to refresh your memory, you were arrested/detained by the FBI the BOSTON Airport in September 2001.
You were carrying with you $ 1,60,000 in Cash. You couldn't explain why you were carrying so much Cash.
Incidentally He was with his Columbian girlfriend Veronique Cartelli, ALLEGEDLY, the Daughter of Drug Mafia.
9 HOURS he was kept at the Airport.
Later then freed on the intervention of the then Prime Minister Mr.Vajpayee.. FBI filed an equivalent of an FIR in US and released him.
When FBI was asked to divulge the information, by Right/Freedom to Information Activists about the reasons Rahul was arrested ... FBI asked for a NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE from Rahul Gandhi.
So Subramaniyam Swami wrote a Letter to Rahul Gandhi, " If you have NOTHING to HIDE, Give us the Permission"
HE NEVER REPLIED!
Why did that arrest not make Headlines Rahul? You could have gone to the Media and told, "I am ashamed to call myself an INDIAN?".
Or is it that, you only do like to highlight Symbolic Arrests (like in UP) and not Actual Arrests ( In BOSTON)
Kindly Clarify.....
In any case, you want to feel ashamed, Read Along...
YOUR MOTHER'S SO CALLED SACRIFICE OF GIVING UP PRIME MINISTER SHIP in 2004.
According to a Provision in the Citizenship Act.
A Foreign National who becomes a Citizen of India, is bounded by the same restrictions, which an Indian would face, If he/she were to become a Citizen of Italy.
(Condition based on principle of reciprocity)
[READ ANNEXURE- 1&2]
Now Since you can't become a PM in Italy, Unless you are born there.
Likewise an Italian Citizen can't become Indian PM, unless He/She is not born here!
Dr. SUBRAMANIYAM SWAMI (The Man who Exposed the 2G Scam) sent a letter to the PRESIDENT OF INDIA bringing the same to his Notice. [READ LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT IN ANNEXURE -3]
PRESIDENT OF INDIA sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi to this effect, 3:30 PM, May 17th, 2004.
Swearing Ceremony was scheduled for 5 PM the same Day.
Manmohan Singh was brought in the Picture at the last moment to Save Face!!
Rest of the SACRIFICE DRAMA which she choreographed was an EYE WASH!!!
Infact Sonia Gandhi had sent, 340 letters, each signed by different MP to the PRESIDENT KALAM, supporting her candidacy for PM.
One of those letters read, I Sonia Gandhi, elected Member from Rai Bareli, hereby propose Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister.
So SHE was Pretty INTERESTED! Until She came to know the Facts!
So She didn't make any Sacrifice, It so happens that SONIA GANDHI couldn't have become the PM of INDIA that time.
You could be Ashamed about that Dear Rahul!! One Credential Sonia G had, Even that was a HOAX!
THINK ABOUT YOURSELF.
You go to Harvard on Donation Quota. ( Hindujas Gave HARVARD 11 million dollars the same year, when Rajiv Gandhi was in Power)
Then you are expelled in 3 Months/ You Dropped out in 3 Months.... ( Sadly Manmohan Singh wasn't the Dean of Harvard that time, else you might have had a chance... Too Bad, there is only one Manmohan Singh!)
Some Accounts say, You had to Drop out because of Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination.
May be, But Then Why did you go about lying about being Masters in Economics from Harvard .. before finally taking it off your Resume upon questioning by Dr. SUBRAMANIYAM SWAMI (The Gentlemen who exposed the 2G Scam)
At St. Stephens.. You Fail the Hindi Exam.
Hindi Exam!!!
And you are representing the Biggest Hindi Speaking State of the Country?
SONIA GANDHI's EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Sonia G gave a sworn affidavit as a Candidate that She Studied English at University of Cambridge
[SEE ANNEXURE-6, 7_37a]
According to Cambridge University, there is no such Student EVER! [ SEE ANNEXURE -7_39]
Upon a Case by Dr. Subramaniyam Swami filed against her,
She subsequently dropped the CAMBRIDGE CREDENTIAL from her Affidavit.
Sonia Gandhi didn't even pass High School. She is just 5th class Pass!
In this sense, She shares a common Educational Background with her 2G Partner in Crime, Karunanidhi.
You Fake your Educational Degree, Your Mother Fakes her Educational Degree.
And then you go out saying, " We want Educated Youth into Politics!"
Letters sent by Dr. Swami to EC and then Speaker of Lok Sabha are in ANNEXURE 7_36 &7_35 RESPECTIVELY
Contrast that with Gandhi Ji , who went to South Africa, Became a Barrister, on Merit, Left all that to work for South Africa, then for the Country....
WHY LIE ABOUT EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS?
Not that Education is a Prerequisite for being a great Leader, but then you shouldn't have lied about your qualifications!
You could feel a little ashamed about Lying about your Educational Qualifications. You had your reasons I know, Because in India, WE RESPECT EDUCATION!
But who cares about Education, When you are a Youth Icon!!
YOUTH ICON
You traveled in the Local Train for the first time at the Age of 38.
You went to some Villages as a part of Election Campaign.
And You won a Youth Icon!! ... That's why You are my Youth Icon.
For 25 Million People travel by Train Everyday. You are the First Person to win a Youth Icon for boarding a Train.
Thousands of Postmen go to remotest of Villages. None of them have yet gotten a Youth Icon.
You were neither YOUNG Nor ICONIC!
Still You became a Youth Icon beating Iconic and Younger Contenders like RAHUL DRAVID.
Shakespeare said, What's in a Name?
Little did he knew, It's all in the Name, Especially the Surname!
Speaking of Surname, Sir
DO YOU REALLY RESPECT GANDHI, OR IS IT JUST TO CASH IN ON THE GOODWILL OF MAHATMA?
Because the Name on your Passport is RAUL VINCI.
Not RAHUL GANDHI..
May be if you wrote your Surname as Gandhi, you would have experienced, what Gandhi feels like, LITERALLY ( Pun Intended)
You People don't seem to use Gandhi much, except when you are fighting Elections. ( There it makes complete sense).
Imagine fighting elections by the Name Raul Vinci...
It feels sadly Ironic, Gandhi Ji, who inspired Icons like Nelson Mandela ,Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lennon, across the world, Couldn't inspire members of his party/ Nehru's Family, who only seem to use his Surname for the purposes of FIGHTING ELECTIONS and conveniently use a different name on their PASSPORT.
You use the name GANDHI at will and then say, " Mujhe yeh YUVRAJ shabd Insulting lagta hai! Kyonki aaj Hindustan mein Democracy hai, aur is shabd ka koi matlab nahin hai!
YUVRAJ, Itna hi Insulting lagta hai, to lad lo RAUL VINCI ke Naam se!!! Jin Kisano ke saath photo khinchate ho woh bhi isliye entertain karte hain ki GANDHI ho.. RAUL VINCI bol ke Jao... Ghar mein nahin ghusaenge!!!
You could feel ashamed for your Double Standards.
YOUTH INTO POLITICS.
Now You want Youth to Join Politics.
I say First you Join Politics.
Because you haven't Joined Politics. You have Joined a Family Business.
First you Join Politics. Win an Election fighting as RAUL VINCI and Not Rahul Gandhi, then come and ask the youth and the Educated Brass for more involvement in Politics.
Also till then, Please don't give me examples of Sachin Pilot and Milind Deora and Naveen Jindal as youth who have joined Politics..
They are not Politicians. They Just happen to be Politicians.
Much Like Abhishek Bachchan and other Star Sons are not Actors. They just happen to be Actors (For Obvious Reasons)
So, We would appreciate if you stop requesting the Youth to Join Politics till you establish your credentials...
WHY WE CAN'T JOIN POLITICS!
Rahul Baba, Please understand, Your Father had a lot of money in your Family account ( in Swiss Bank) when he died.
Ordinary Youth has to WORK FOR A LIVING.
YOUR FAMILY just needs to NETWORK FOR A LIVING
If our Father had left thousands of Crores with us, We might consider doing the same..
But we have to Work. Not just for ourselves. But also for you. So that we can pay 30% of our Income to the Govt. which can then be channelized to the Swiss Banks and your Personal Accounts under some Pseudo Names.
So Rahul, Please don't mind If the Youth doesn't Join Politics. We are doing our best to fund your Election Campaigns and your Chopper Trips to the Villages.
Somebody has to Earn the Money that Politicians Feed On.
NO WONDER YOU ARE NOT GANDHI'S. YOU ARE SO CALLED GANDHI'S!!
Air India, KG Gas Division, 2G, CWG, SWISS BANK Account Details... Hasan Ali, KGB., FBI Arrest..
You want to feel ashamed..
Feel Ashamed for what the First Family of Politics has been reduced to...
A Money Laundering Enterprise.
NO WONDER YOU ARE NOT GANDHI'S BY BLOOD. GANDHI is an adopted Name. For Indira didn't marry Mahatma Gandhi's Son.
For even if you had one GENE OF GANDHI JI in your DNA. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY SUCH 'POVERTY OF AMBITION' ( Ambition of only EARNING MONEY)
You really want to feel Ashamed.
Feel Ashamed for what you ' SO CALLED GANDHI'S' have done to MAHATMA'S Legacy..
I so wish GANDHI JI had Copyrighted his Name!
Meanwhile, I would request Sonia Gandhi to change her name to $ONIA GANDHI, and you could replace the 'R' in RAHUL/RAUL by the New Rupee Symbol!!!
RAUL VINCI : I am ashamed to call myself an Indian.
Even we are ashamed to call you so!
P.S: Popular Media is either bought or blackmailed, controlled to Manufacture Consent!
My Guess is Social Media is still a Democratic Platform. (Now they are trying to put legislations to censor that too!!)
Meanwhile, Let's ask these questions, for we deserve some Answers.
For we are all Gandhi's. For Bapu is the Father of the Nation!
To know more, Try looking for Dr. SUBRAMANIYAM SWAMI. He is the reason today 2G SCAM is being Investigated!!!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Paris Hilton

Being an heiress definitely came with its perks. Hilton spent her childhood in NYC attending exclusive parties. For school she attended the ultra-exclusive school, the Dwight School, from which she dropped out and eventually earned her high school GED. The heiress eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she began life as a model.

Hilton was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on September 7, 2006 for "driving erratically" and failing a field sobriety test. In February of 2007 Hilton was once again stopped by police for driving with a suspended license . That didn’t sit so well with the Judge as he sentenced the heiress to 45-days in the slammer. Paris Hilton served 23 days in the Lynwood detention facility before she was released.
She has since then promised to dedicate her time to more important issues and volunteer her time to charities, rather than spending her time partying.Did you know…
Paris is best known for two things; a sex tape and being a professional party girl.
Paris wears blue contact lenses. Her eyes are naturally brown in color.
In March 2007, Paris said that Randy Spelling was her first lover.
Paris' favorite sport is golf.
Paris' nicknames are "Star" and "Princess."
Paris won the award for "Biggest Outlaw" at the VH1 Big in 06 Awards.
Paris admits she has a weakness for McDonald’s French Fries.
In 2006, Paris was ranked #56 on Forbes "Top 100 Celebrities."
Paris won the Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress, for her role in House of Wax.
Paris was a spokesperson for Guess (clothing line) in 2004.
Paris dated singer Avril Lavigne's husband Deryck Whibley, star of punk band Sum 41.
Paris had the phrase, "That's Hot," trademarked in October 2004.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Hina Rabbani Khar



She has her roots in Village ‘Khar Gharbi’ located in Tehsil Kot Addu, and politically affiliated now with PPPP. She got elected as Member of National Assembly (MNA) in 2008 elections from NA-177, Muzaffargarh-II for the second time. Earlier, she won the elections in 2002 from the platform of PML-Q and was the Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Affairs and Statistics.

Hina Rabbani Khar remained Pakistan’s State Minister for Economic Affairs. The State Ministers report directly to the Prime Minister and hold specific portfolios. In Hina’s case, she was responsible for international (multilateral and bilateral) grants and loans. Her Ministry’s the official signatory for any project that is launched in Pakistan with foreign financial assistance. Her father, Ghulam Rabbani Khar, drove Hina into politics, setting her on a different path from the hotel management career she had been pursuing with great zeal. She is a co-owner of the Polo Lounge, an upscale, popular restaurant located on the Lahore Polo Grounds.
In 2008, she was named to the World Economic Forum’s list of young global leaders.
On a lighter side, Hina is a proud Pakistani and regards this very feeling as her most treasured asset. She is married to Feroze Gulzar, a businessman and enjoys riding, reading and travelling. She is also a member of the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) Pakistan.

She is also one of the owners of the Polo Lounge, an upscale, popular restaurant located on the Lahore Polo Grounds.
It was in 2008, when Hina was elected as a Member of National Assembly (MNA) with a ticket from PPP from the constituency of Muzaffargarh, Punjab.
She served as a State Minister for Economic Affairs and Statistics as National Assembly member of PML-Q in 2003-07.

She feels that being in the Federal Government is as good as it can get. She has no issues, whatsoever, with being a woman. In fact, she feels that it is more positive than negative as one gets a lot more recognition and opportunities, and a lot of it has to do with how professional the person is. Her age did matter at times, because by any standard, she is quite very young to be in such a position. However her rich work experience and on-the-job training helped her and above all she took herself seriously; so did everyone else. She regards President Musharraf and Ex-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz as leaders of great worth. To her both these leaders are highly educated and professional and they surely made a difference.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Looking for Fashionable Wine bags !!!
In this post I am going to give you the same old ideas but in a totally different way.As all we know bags are the first choices of ladies that they expect gift from others,now if you are thinking I will suggest you same type of ideas, so hold on here is the difference.Had you ever heard of wine gift bags,nope.... then i want to tell you now a days people are liking these types of bag very much because the look ,quality and content of these bags.
These bags are available in a broad range of categories like handmade paper,printed paper,chill/insulated etc that will help you in selecting according to your taste.
These bags are so fancy in look ,whoever seems it will definitely going to impress with your gift idea. One more advantage of these wine bags is they are specially designed for gifting wines that's what the name suggest.So, in this way you can made a double impression once with this beautiful bag and another with the wine.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sachin missed his 100th Ton
For many cricket crazy fans Stuart Broad would be the bowler they would love to hate.Broad broke a million hearts when he sent Sachin Tendulkar back on the second day of the historic Lord's Test in London on Saturday.
His fans waited with bated breath even as a nick from his bat off Broad's ball took a short aerial route and Graeme Swann cupped his palm low and close to the grass.
They waited and wanted the ball to slip off his cup, but did not and landed perfectly in his open hands which clasped the ball at ease.
Soon the Master Blaster was seen walking off the hallowed greens of Lord's back to the majestic pavilion which has seen many a great cricketing stalwarts take refuge.
The crowds heaved a sigh and Sachin, who could only manage to score 34 on the day, will have to wait for another time, another day, another moment for his perfect 100.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Mahie-Randeep once again in news
Sources said that Mahie has not only shed her cloths but also shares a long kiss with her co-star in the film. It added that there is a love-making scene where she even seduces Randeep. Producer Sunil Bohra said that people will find the romantic sequence really hot but it has been shot aesthetically.
Mahie has also signed Ram Gopal Varma's film, Not a Love Story, which is based on the Neeraj Grover murder case.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Get Rid of Aging Problem
Endurance exercise can increase oxygen utilization from 10 to 20 times over the resting state. This greatly increases the generation of free radicals, prompting concern about enhanced damage to muscles and other tissues. The question that arises is, how effectively can athletes defend against the increased free radicals resulting from exercise? Do athletes need to take extra antioxidants?
Because it is not possible to directly measure free radicals in the body, scientists have approached this question by measuring the by-products that result from free radical reactions. If the generation of free radicals exceeds the antioxidant defenses then one would expect to see more of these by-products. These measurements have been performed in athletes under a variety of conditions.
Glutathione (gamma-glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) is the most abundant low-molecular-weight thiol, and GSH/glutathione disulfide is the major redox couple in animal cells. The synthesis of GSH from glutamate, cysteine, and glycine is catalyzed sequentially by two cytosolic enzymes, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and GSH synthetase. Compelling evidence shows that GSH synthesis is regulated primarily by gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase activity, cysteine availability, and GSH feedback inhibition. Animal and human studies demonstrate that adequate protein nutrition is crucial for the maintenance of GSH homeostasis. In addition, enteral or parenteral cystine, methionine, N-acetyl-cysteine, and L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate are effective precursors of cysteine for tissue GSH synthesis.
These initial products position OXIS for a feasible entry into the wellness market with a lot of room for expansion. This paves the way for solid partnerships with leaders in the industry with an established customer base or those with the capacity to build one. The ultimate goal is to be regarded as a health partner. For now, it may be penny stocks for OXIS, but with more nutraceutical products lined up (including functional foods like nutrition bars and energy beverages sold over the Internet and through multi-level marketing, infomercials, direct mail, and retail outlets), the future of OXIS is secure and will benefit people all over, allowing them to be healthy and young.
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Friday, June 18, 2010
Mark Gonzalez enjoying 'dream' tournament
Chile winger Mark Gonzalez has double reason for wanting to prolong his "dream" first appearance at a FIFA World Cup.The 25-year-old former Liverpool player was born in Durban and then lived in Johannesburg until the age of 10 as his father Raul, also a Chile international, played in South African football. Gonzalez, who appeared as a late substitute in Chile's impressive 1-0 win over Honduras on Wednesday, still has family in the country and is keen to visit them.Gonzalez, now a CSKA Moscow player, said: "I think playing in the World Cup is the greatest thing that can happen to a soccer player. It is a dream come true. I don't know how to express how happy I feel or how we feel to be here. I have seen a few of my family, my uncle and a few cousins, but I haven't seen them all yet. They were at the game but I am looking forward to playing in Johannesburg or Pretoria so I can see more of them."
Chile will play in Pretoria in their final Group H match against Spain but they will have to reach the knockout stages to travel to the capital. The South Americans, in their first finals since 1998, can take a big step towards the second round if they can see off Switzerland in Port Elizabeth next Monday.
After that they must then turn their attention to their tough clash against European champions Spain and Gonzalez hopes to come into his own for that particular game. The former Real Betis and Real Sociedad player said: "I know all their players, their qualities and their skills. I know everything about their team. We all know what Spain are, they have very important players and are very dangerous. But we know we have the supporters in Chile and the family behind us. That is a very big motivation. It is the first time we have played a World Cup and we just want to do our best."
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Chelsea to kick off title defence at home to West Brom
Arsenal, third last season, kick off their campaign with a tough starter against Liverpool at Anfield while Tottenham Hotspur host Manchester City, the side they pipped for the final Champions League qualifying position last term.Newcastle's match at Old Trafford is a re-run of the start of the 2008/09 season, at the end of which the Magpies were relegated and United went on to win the title.
The two clubs drew 1-1 on that occasion. Last season's top two will have to wait until Dec. 18 for their first encounter, with United travelling to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea will then visit Old Trafford on May 7, two weeks before the end of the season.Avram Grant's first league game as West Ham United manager, after leaving relegated Portsmouth, will be at Aston Villa.
Switzerland beats Spain
The victory was Switzerland's first-ever over Spain in 19 games dating back 85 years.
Fernandes' scrambled goal was exactly the type pundits said the Swiss might score against a Spanish team whose slick passing game failed to convert territory and overwhelming possessional advantage into anything concrete.A long, straight goalkick was picked up by striker Eren Derdiyok, whose path was blocked by an onrushing Iker Casillas.In the melee, the ball squirted into the path of defender Gerard Pique who fell as he twisted trying to clear the ball, and the Cape Verde-born Fernandes was left with the easiest of tap-ins.
Derdiyok could have made it two for the Swiss but saw his prod with the outside of his foot rebound off the post in the 74th minute.Spain will be left kicking themselves after dominating much of open play, while Vicente Del Bosque's selection policy will be questioned after the positive impact of strikers Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres off the bench.But the Spanish, fielding the backbone of the side that won Euro 2008, did have their chances.In the first tame 45 minutes, Pique's shot was parried by Benaglio, and David Villa made a real hash of a cross rather than shooting.
Benaglio, who saw key Fulham defender Philippe Senderos limp off with an ankle injury after half an hour, was tested more as Spain pressed in the second-half after going behind to Fernandes' goal.In short succession, Villa was thwarted by a diving Benaglio, Andres Iniesta saw a curling effort miss the posts by a metre, and Torres twisted and fired high and wide.Alonso then saw a 30-yard bullet of a strike come back off the woodwork with Benaglio well beaten. Navas had a shot well saved by the Swiss keeper and went narrowly wide shortly after.But the Swiss, often playing with nine of their 10 outfield players behind the ball, held on for the historic win and gave themselves hope of progressing to the second round, as they did four years ago in Germany.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Great Opening for FIFA 2010
She was one of the 91-year-old anti-apartheid icon's nine great-grandchildren.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation released a statement saying it would be "inappropriate" for Mandela, a former South African president, to be at the opening ceremony."We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy," added the statement."We continue to believe that the World Cup is a momentous and historic occasion for South Africa and the continent and we are certain it will be a huge success."
The 40-minute ceremony began with a five-plane military flypast over the stadium, which resembles a huge African cooking pot.A group of drummers and dancers performed a 'Welcome to Africa' song that included an introduction to all 10 tournament's venues.The next sequence saw a gigantic beetle show off its football skills with the Jabulani - the official football of the finals - before large pieces of cloth were used to show a map of the continent.Musicians and artists from the other African finalists - Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria - also had their chance to perform in a joint sequence.
Mandela's World Cup message
Multiple Grammy Award winner R Kelly then sang the ceremony's showpiece song, 'Sign of a Victory' with South Africa's Soweto Spiritual Singers.But one of the loudest cheers was reserved for Mandela, whose image appeared on screens to a message of hope from him in song.Not everyone made it to their seats by the start, with traffic problems delaying some fans.But Archbishop Desmond Tutu and president Jacob Zuma were in attendance, along with the likes of United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, Mexican president Felipe Calderon, Prince Albert of Monaco and United States vice-president Joe Biden.
The global TV audience for the tournament will be made up of viewers in more than 215 countries and will run into hundreds of millions.The festivities began in earnest on Thursday, with Shakira among the artists at a vast pre-tournament concert in Soweto.The Colombian pop star performed the official World Cup song Waka Waka and was joined by a cast of international stars, including the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, along with African stars Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekela.
Since it was chosen as the first African host of the World Cup in 2004, South Africa has spent about 40bn rand (£3.55bn) on stadiums, transport infrastructure and upgrading airports.
Friday, May 14, 2010
US will burn soon: Taliban claimed
The Pakistan Taliban had claimed responsibility for the attempted bombing. If confirmed, it would be the first time their members were involved in an an attempted attack in the West.A Pakistan Taliban spokesman, in a video message said, repeated a claim of responsibility, saying: "The movement proved what America could not have even imagined ... It was just an explosive-laden vehicle which did not explode. "But it (America) will see, all imperialist forces will see that it will explode also and America will also burn," said the spokesman, Azim Tariq, sitting cross-legged on the ground in front of a rock face and speaking in Urdu.
America's allies would meet the same fate, he said. "They can neither eliminate the mujahideen nor jihad, nor they can harm Islam," he said, referring to Muslim holy warriors and holy war. "Instead, they will have to die themselves, they will be burnt themselves, they will have to dig their own graves," said the spokesman, sporting a long black beard and turban.Pakistan has been battling its homegrown Taliban, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban, and who have been accused of numerous suicide bombings killing hundreds of people across the nuclear-armed country. But Tariq denied responsibility for bombings in public places, saying authorities wanted to malign the militants with such attacks. Tariq spoke of fighting in various places in Pakistan saying his men were holding their own and the security forces, which he said were being paid with US aid money, were suffering significant losses. "They are being defeated," he said.
Tariq did not refer specifically to any attacks abroad, but said mujahideen "wherever they were, in any part of the world" were supporting each other.
Analysts have long doubted the Pakistan Taliban, operating out of remote mountains along the Afghan border, had the sophistication to plan and execute a bomb attack in a Western country on their own. They can, however, support and train people who are able to travel to the West and carry out attacks.Tariq said the Pakistani people were being sacrificed for the sake of the United States by their own government, which he called un-Islamic.
"Now is a time to remove them from power as soon as possible. All their policies are anti-Islam, anti-people," he said. "Jihad will continue as long as the ruling coterie and the unholy army continue to follow the American agenda," he said. Pakistan has been cooperating with US investigators trying to determine what links the Pakistani-American man suspected of carrying out the attempted Times Square bombing, Faisal Shahzad, had with militants in Pakistan.
Dhoni has last chance in Asia Cup
Sources told TIMES NOW that Asia Cup in June will be Dhoni's last chance to redeem himself as skipper. If Dhoni fails to lead India to win in Asia Cup then he may face the axe.The BCCI is now going to closely monitor Dhoni's performances as skipper in the tournaments to come and decide on his fate as the captain of the T20 & ODI side.
India have had some high profile crashes in World Cup's under Dhoni specially the T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy last year and now BCCI's patience seems to be running out on Dhoni specially with the ODI World Cup at home less than an year away.Sources have also told TIMES NOW that the man most likely to replace Dhoni will be Virender Sehwag. Viru has been the leader of India's batting lineup for the last decade and his carefree attitude and fresh ideas may work in his favour, but Viru's poor fitness record is well known and that may work against him.Gautam Gambhir is the other contender for Dhoni's throne. Gauti is a team-man and popular in the dressing room, but his inexperience of leading sides at the highest level may work against him.
It is possible that India will have a new captain as early as next month when the selectors name the squad for Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. While Sehwag seems the front-runner for the top job, Dhoni will continue to lead the team in Tests, where India is No. 1 in ICC rankings.The series of "blunders" by Dhoni in team selection, batting order and tactics are likely to be held against him.
In fact, some insiders say that the change of guard is aimed at achieving two objectives — one, signalling the BCCI's deep displeasure with Dhoni for speaking "out of turn", and two, deflecting attention from the BCCI which can't be absolved of blame for its failure to prepare the team.What's making it easier for the administrators to seriously think of axing Dhoni is his below-average form. His tendency to frequently promote himself in the batting order has apparently led to murmurs amongst batsmen who find themselves being constantly shunted up and down the order.
Those claiming to know the selectors' also point out 'shortcomings' like Dhoni's inability these days to come up with his trademark big hits. They cite the crunch match against Sri Lanka in which Dhoni walked in with Gambhir and Raina having provided a perfect platform, but failed to provide impetus. Worse, someone like Yusuf Pathan, who could have taken on the Lankan spinners, got just a few balls to face.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Kasab gets death penalty
Kasab will now set out on a long journey where legal and moral issues will be considered by authorities for years, even decades, before he is finally put to death.Immediately after pronouncement of the death sentence judge Tahaliyani will have to send his order for confirmation to the Bombay HC. He is bound by the Section 366 of the Criminal Procedure Code to do so. In normal cases it is the convicted man who goes in appeal to the HC but where it is the case of his life being taken away, the trial court must send the case papers to the high court.
The Bombay HC will call for all the evidence and weigh it at its own discretion. It is a practice for the high court to be satisfied on the facts as well as the law of the case, that the conviction is right, before it proceeds to confirm the sentence. This could take a few months.Even after the high court has given its nod to the death sentence, Kasab has the option of going in appeal to the Supreme Court. For instance last year Surinder Koli, the man whose death sentence in the Nithari case was confirmed by the Allahabad High Court, went in appeal to the Supreme Court. His petition is still pending. Similarly, Kasab's appeal too would be considered in detail by the highest court as it looks at all the arguments in favour of and against the death sentence.
Going by past record, the longest wait in execution of the death sentence will start once it is out of hands of the judiciary and into the domain of the government. After the Supreme Court too gives assent to the death sentence, Kasab will have the legal right to file a mercy petition before the President of India under article 72 of the Constitution. While this petition is pending Kasab's execution will stay suspended — maybe for decades.
When Kasab will hang????
As Kasab, the lone Pakistan-based terrorist caught alive in the Mumbai terror attack, has been tried under various charges of terrorism under India's latest anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004, by a special anti-terror court, he will be entitled to approach the Supreme Court directly to challenge the trial court verdict, including his death sentence.
And even if the apex court conducts an expeditious hearing over his appeal, it is highly unlikely that the final decision in the case will be taken in less than five years, say legal experts.
For, even if the apex court decides in favour of the death sentence, Kasab will be entitled to seek a review of the verdict. And in case, if the apex court sticks to its stand, he may approach it a third time with what is known as a curative petition, raising some question of law.In case the apex court again decides against Kasab, he will still have the freedom to approach the President of India with a mercy petition to seek commutation of his death sentence into life or outright release under Article 72 of the constitution.Kasab was among 10 Pakistani gunmen who struck in Mumbai in November 2008 in India's worst terror attack that left 166 people dead. Other than Kasab, the nine others gunmen were killed by security forces.The list of prisoners already condemned to the gallows in India but waiting presidential assent for execution includes Mohammed Afzal Guru, convicted for his role in the December 2001 parliament attack case.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Lalit Modi will head family business
"Lalit is the seniormost member of the K K Modi family, he is meant to take over the business," the 73-year patriarch told TOI. Lalit is, at present, an executive director in GPI. Modi senior, however, did not have a date in mind for the succession.It's clear that K K Modi is putting his weight behind his son, who has dominated headlines for the past few weeks, mostly for the wrong reasons.
"Lalit is the most brilliant and intelligent member of the family and has created something no one has been able to do so far," he said referring to the IPL. "I only wish he had done it for the K K Modi group."
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
IPL:Billion-dollar deal papers go missing
The contract deals with IPL TV rights for nine years from 2009 onwards that were renegotiated after the original deal signed in 2008 for $1.02 billion was terminated. Papers of such a huge contract are normally kept with care for future reference so that it is observed by the parties concerned in letter and spirit.Income-tax authorities are looking for these papers, and the BCCI is flabbergasted by their absence. The suspended IPL chief is understood to have been the key person who negotiated this tripartite deal between BCCI and MSM — a Sony subsidy — and WSG (Mauritius).
BCCI sources said the papers were simply not there and admitted that the deal was very suspicious as after the 2008 contract was cancelled, the rights were parked with WSG (Mauritius) for a few days before being given back to MSM. In a recent interaction with BCCI, a senior Sony representative said MSM had been threatened with loss of telecast rights.
BCCI members said that along with the WSG-MSM contract, papers related to digital, image rights awarded to Global Cricket Ventures — a firm held by Elephant Capital where Modi's step son-in-law Gaurav Burman has a stake with his brother — are also untraceable.
As for the broadcast deal, the facilitation fee of $80 million which MSM had agreed to pay WSG translates into Rs 425 crore. Out of this, Rs 125 crore has been paid, and the remaining amount was to be paid over the next seven years. The decision to park rights with a company in a tax haven is seen as a bid to facilitate payments in a manner where tracing the end beneficiaries would be near impossible.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Sania weds Shoaib

"The nikah has now completed. Please pray for the couple," Sania's spokesperson Rucha Nayak said.Clad in a red saree, which her mother Nasima wore in her nikah 25 years ago, Sania thus became the second wife of the Pakistani cricketer, who divorced his first wife Ayesha Siddiqui last week.Shoaib wore a black sherwani, designed by Shantanu and Nikhil, for the nikah ceremony held at hotel Taj Krishna.The two families surprised everyone this morning by announcing through the spokesperson that marriage has been preponed.The 'Mehendi' ceremony is scheduled for April 13, Sangeet on April 14 and reception will be held on April 15 as scheduled, the spokesperson said.
The build up to their marriage has been controversial due to Shoaib's first marriage with local girl Ayesha.Ayesha had alleged that Shoaib married her over phone before dumping her without a divorce due to her weight problems.Shoaib initially denied the allegations and claimed that Ayesha duped him into a phone marriage by sending photographs of a different woman. The all-rounder, however, finally agreed to divorce her after being pressurised by community leaders.
Courtsey: TOI
Image Courtsey:tv9
Monday, April 12, 2010
Will yuvraj exit Kings XI after IPL3???
TOI had first reported on April 2 that Yuvraj was not keen to play for Kings XI even before IPL 3 began. But as an icon player, he had to complete his three-year contract.As of now, IPL rules state that a team can try to retain four Indians and three foreigners. They will be put up for auction only if they are not satisfied with the offer made by their existing employers. However, new teams are demanding a level playing field and asking for all players to be put up for auction again. The IPL governing council will take a decision on the issue after IPL 3 concludes.
Interestingly, Kings XI Punjab's co-owner Ness Wadia has gone on record as saying that the concept of icon player has not suited all teams - an obvious dig at Yuvraj, who has struggled in this year's edition of the tournament.Meanwhile, franchisees are undeterred by Yuvraj's poor form this year. "If a cricketer like Yuvraj is in the auction, every team will go for him. He has gone through a bad phase but that doesn't devalue his stature as a cricketer," an IPL team official told TOI.
Yuvraj himself has shown signs of getting back into his stride in recent matches. "I am well aware of my game and I know what I have to do to get back in the grove... I agree that my form has not been great, but it can get better. I am coming out of a very serious wrist injury. I had to go through a lot of training sessions.