The demise of Appu Ghar
IN THE evergreen debate between the Mumbaikars and the Delhiites, Mumbaikars used to score over their counterparts thanks to the presence of the glittering stars of Bollywood and the safety tag of the island city. Having passed through the phases of living in both the cities, it used to be a tough choice for me. For having grown up in Delhi, my heart was still in the calmness of Delhi, though Mumbai has become my Karma Bhoomi and I shudder at the thought of leaving it. Visiting my previous home has been on the cards for a very long time, but in the tough schedule that a student has to follow, the dream could not materialise. But in all the metros and the development plans being executed in the capital, it has lost something, which was closest to the heart of its citizens- Appu Ghar.
And in the host of management entrance exams that I had been giving, I lost the chance of visiting this place as it opened its gates for the last time on the February 18, 2008. A feeling of nostalgia overcomes me whenever I think of this place. Even before I visited the Qutab Minar or the India Gate, I had made three round trips to Appu Ghar. And visiting any trade show or exhibition at Pragati Maidan was incomplete if you didn't flock to Appu Ghar in the evenings. (Full Story)
Indian Premier League: Will it breakeven?
THE QUESTION that is uppermost in many cricket observers' minds right now is whether the IPL will ultimately end up as a costly misadventure. Industrialists and film personalities have paid 'ego premiums' to buy teams and players. Mind-boggling amounts have been invested in the league in the hope that the cricket-crazy Indians would make it a huge success.
However, the success of the IPL in the long run depends on whether the team owners would be able to breakeven in the near future. While some of the franchisees have expressed the confidence that they will break even within two to three years, doubts remain.
The IPL certainly needs the support of the ICC and the cricket boards of other nations to succeed. However, as big money attracts foreign players to the IPL, it will set the BCCI and other boards on a collision course. As Ricky Ponting, the Australian cricket captain, has said, lucrative offers from the IPL could encourage top international players in their late 20s and early 30s to retire early; easy money might lure younger men away from international careers. (Full Story)
Has cheap telephony killed human relations?
he one-rupee, per minute STD call anywhere in India is more 'cheap' than economical. The migrant worker does not visit home for months, happy to hear voices from home. It's killing social relations, agonizes the author.
IT WASN'T too long ago that people used to rejoice whenever the crow cawed at their window. Call it the victory of their superstitious belief or the reward for their honest love for friends and relatives, but more often than not the crow's caw used to get translated into the arrival of a loved one. But, as happens with every good thing, this too was destined to meet its end. The loud ringing of telephones soon muted the crow's caw and a new sign emerged on the horizons – STD calls @ Re 1 per minute!
The demon of cheap telephony had arrived, and the maiden casualty was human relation. As a representative of the modern era, I always admire the rate at which technology is flourishing, but this one left me with a dozen wrinkles on my forehead. I'm a person who values human relations more than anything else, and if something threatens to disturb the status quo of my emotional frame, I make it a point to raise my voice against that threat, loud and clear. I know my words will stir the hornet's nest, but believe me STD calls @ Re 1 per minute means degradation of human relations at a very fast pace. (Full Story)
It pays to be nasty!
I USUALLY don't get easily inspired by people, especially not by any 8-year-old, but there's something about Bunty that's truly inspiring. He is endowed with a very special talent that I always lacked in my super-conscious personality – the talent of being the most hated soul around.
While some of you may frown upon my weird infatuation for the negative talent of that boy, I honestly consider him as a role model with a cause. It's been four long years since I met Bunty for the first time. Since then, I'm continuously analysed Bunty's personality, and I've come up with a pretty strange theory. Believe it or not, there's a direct correlation between being nasty and being cheerful. And for a merry soul like me, being happy and contented is always at the top of life's agenda. (Full Story)
101 reasons to hate Ekta Kapoor's TV serials
Ekta Kapoor has corrupted the brains of youngsters and tortures the rest of the people with her foolish and ridiculous serials. She gives her own views by debasing all saas and bahus.
THERE ARE times when you are left with no serious work on your shoulders. On such occasions, you are left with two options - either get your blanket and retire to a cozy bed or get yourself equipped with the spade of thought and start digging up some of the nagging issues. The former rejuvenates your body but the latter leaves you with a relieved soul and a sense of satisfaction.
101 reasons
* The wrongly spelt titles are a great turn-off. Numerology is fine but 'Kasautii Zindagii Kay' and 'Kahani Terrii Merrii' just fail to impress me, literally.
* Barring a couple of actors, the cast is usually represented by a bunch of makeup-laden non-actors..... (Full Story)
Paris Hilton: The invincible celebrity
Very few celebrities are blessed with an invincible personality that can brave the hostile attacks of critics, and Paris Hilton surely leads the bandwagon of these damage-proof personalities.
ALTHOUGH THERE is a full-fledged machinery (read a particular section of the media) dedicated to work against her and malign her name for whatsoever reasons, the social butterfly always manages to survive the deadliest of attacks.
The 26-year-old hotel heiress believes in living life her own way, and if you happen to be someone who hates her, then you are destined to be a loser. Obviously, what else could be more frustrating than waking up daily to witness the town painted with beautiful pictures of your most hated person? You can loathe her, despise her or try your best to write her off, but you just can't take her out of your minds. She is a phenomenon, which just refuses to die. (Full Story)
Pregnant Alba takes a tumble at Oscars
Washington, Feb 28: Pregnant actress Jessica Alba is thanking her stars after not being seriously hurt following a fall backstage at the Oscars on Feb 24.
Alba would have had a terrifying tumble had fiance Cash Warren not caught her just in time.
Writing on her website, the 26-year-old Latina said that she is surprised that the usually hawk-eyed photographers missed the whole thing - because she fell right in front of them.
"I did have a stumble backstage outside of the green room. Cash caught one arm, the other hit the floor," Contactmusic quoted her, as stating online.
"Luckily all the photogs were taking pics of Cameron D," she added.
Protection & Leveraging IPR, must for an economy to be competitive: N N Prasad
"Importance of IPR can not be overestimated. It is absolutely clear that if a nation's economy is to be competitive, we have to have a regime which protects IPR and strike a balance between public and stakeholders rights," emphasized N N Prasad, Jt. Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Industry & Commerce, Government of India at the second day of the 2nd Annual Global Forum on Innovation, Creativity, and Intellectual Property, organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Government of India and US India Business Council in Mumbai.
N N Prasad further detailed the concerns for protection of IPR as scope of patentability; data protection; enforcement mechanisms and compulsory licensing. "Need to meet international obligations; safeguard public interest, modernisation of the IPR administration and creating awareness about IPR are the strategies followed by the Government of India in tackling counterfeiting, piracy and IPR", said Prasad.
The day earlier began with discussion on "Global trends in IP Protection", which saw the session moderator Narendra K. Sabharwal, Deputy Director General, World Intellectual Property Organisation elucidate the trends in development of IP from perspective of World Intellectual Organisation as: shift in focus of IP community from protection of IP to promotion and exploitation of IP for growth and development; increasing internationalisation of IP system; growing reach of digital technology posing another challenge to IP protection and business orientation, where IP has become core competency of many enterprises. (Full Story)
