The Mumbai Grapevine
Connecting Mumbaikars with Mumbai
(Published by Mumbai-Central.com)
Please feel free to forward this message to your friends and co-workers
who might be interested in it. The instructions to join the Mumbai
Grapevine are at the end of the message.
Kashmir gets its first train service
Srinagar, Oct 11 (PTI) Kashmir's first train service was today inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, realising a long-cherished dream of the people that saw a decade-long arduous effort overcome challenges posed by inhospitable terrain and weather.
The flower-decked train was flagged off at Nowgam railway station amid tight security in the wake of a separatists-sponsored shutdown in the Valley against the Prime Minister's visit and the violent protests yesterday that left two persons dead in police firing and 75 others injured.
Excited school children clambered on the train which started as green flags were waved by Singh and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who were accompanied by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and J-K Governor N N Vohra.
In the first phase, the train will run from Rajwansher in Budgam district to Anantnag, covering a distance of 66 kms, the spokesman said, adding the fare will be Rs 15.
The regular service of the train will commence from October 12, he said. Wide windows of unbreakable and splinter proof poly carbonate sheets have been provided in the coaches.
Prasad said the railway project, which will connect Udhampur to Baramulla at a cost of 11,270 crores, will usher prosperity in Kashmir. He said his ministry had set the target of running the service in 2008 which has been met.
The station and the roads leading to it were sealed as there was palpable tension across the Valley which virtually came to a standstill in view of the "civil curfew" called by the separatists' Coordination Committee.
Shops and educational institutions remained closed, attendance in government offices was thin and vehicles remained off the roads in uptown city while prohibitory orders were enforced in downtown area, official sources said.
Residents alleged that police and paramilitary forces in riot-gear were not allowing them to come out of their houses. PTI
India can weather financial storm: FM
New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) Finance Minister P Chidambaram today expressed confidence that India can weather the storm of financial crisis blowing across the world saying the country's economic fundamentals and the banking system were strong.
He admitted there is a liquidity crunch in the market and that the economy was facing 'spill over and ripple' effects of the global storm but held out an assurance that the "RBI is ready to take further steps and infuse more liquidity if necessary".
Referring to the current global meltdown, Chidambaram said "there is a storm blowing in the world. We did not not create the storm. We are facing the spillover effects or the ripple effects of the storm.
"We must brace ourself and weather the storm. I am confident that the Indian economy is strong and resilient to weather the storm and I would request all players in the economy to cooperate with the government in weathering the storm," he told PTI.
Chidambaram said "the weekend is a good time for people to reflect. Firstly, those who have money... There have been wage increases for the government servants, and many have received Diwali bonuses.
"Those who have money should spend some money and should save some money. Savings in banks are completely safe. Our banks are well regulated and well capitalised. Depending on your risk threshold you can save in some other instruments. Someone with a low risk threshold should save in a bank," he said. PTI
Violence-hit Andhra town remains under curfew
Hyderabad, Oct 11 (PTI) Curfew continued in violence-hit Bhainsa town of Andhra Pradesh for the second consecutive day today with no fresh reports of any untoward incidents.
"The situation is very much under control. No untoward incidents have been reported after yesterday's clashes," District Collector Ahmed Nadeem told PTI over phone.
"We have conducted peace committee meetings at various sensitive places of the town. Elders were also pacifying members of their communities," he said.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC continue to be in force at Nirmal and Adilabad towns, the official said.
Three persons were killed and 25 others, including eight policemen, injured in communal clashes between two groups that broke out in the town in Adilabad district yesterday.
The violence erupted during Goddess Durga immersion procession when 'gulal' (coloured powder) fell on a place of worship at Panjesha locality and on a man, who took objection to it, police said.
Later, members of two community indulged in stone pelting. Police used canecharge and fired in the air to disperse the mob who went on a rampage setting vehicles and shops on fire.
Curfew was imposed in Bhainsa, Nirmal and Adilabad to bring the situation under control.
Adequate police force has been deployed to maintain law and order. Additional personnel were being called in from Warangal and Karimnagar districts to assist the local administration, he said. PTI
Harbhajan and Zaheer save India the blushes
Sutram Suresh
Bangalore, Oct 11 (PTI) India found unlikely batting heroes in tailenders Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan who launched a stunning late-order fightback and ease Australia's stranglehold in the first cricket Test here today.
Responding to Australia's first innings total of 430, the hosts were gasping at a precarious 232 for seven before Harbhajan (54) and Zaheer (batting 35) saved them the blushes with a dramatic counter attack to take the score to a much healthier 313 for eight at close on an eventful third day.
While most of the star batsmen fell cheaply on the dual-paced track at the Chinnaswamy stadium, the combative Harbhajan unleashed a barrage of strokes to notch up his fifth Test half century and give India a glimmer of hope to not only save the match but push for a victory.
Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan put on a vital 80-run parnership for the eighth wicket to narrow down the lead and frustrate the Australians who seemed to be firmly in control of the proceedings at one stage.
The Indians are still trailing Australia by 117 runs and their immediate task would be to reduce the margin as much as possible since they have to bat last on a track which was expected to deteriorate.
With two days left, the Test match appears to be heading for a thrilling finish with both teams fancing their chances. PTI
Jeev steady but Indian winner unlikely at Indian open
Poonam Mehra
New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Jyoti Randhawa's bid for a third successive title lay in tatters and though Jeev Milkha Singh and Ashok Kumar stayed inside top-10, the chances of an Indian grabbing the Indian Open looked bleak after Chinese Liang Wen-Chong held on to the lead after the penultimate round of the USD one million Asian Tour event here today.
Jeev (68) and Ashok (70) share the fifth spot, five strokes adrift of Wen-Chong (71) and though the Chinese's form has been on the wane after his opening round blitzkrieg of a course-record 60, he still holds the aces going into the final day with a total of 14-under 202.
"I am feeling good about my game but this is the first time I am leading after three rounds so it's something new to me. The holes are tough and it's always a challenge. I wasn't playing safe but at the same time you can't really be aggressive here," Wen-chong said.
Australian Adam Blyth is Wen-Chong's closest rival at 13-under after turning in a six-under 66 that was studded with eight birdies against a couple of bogeys, on the back nine.
Another Australian Unho Park also returned a 66, which was a bogey-free affair, but lay a stroke behind Blyth at the sole third spot.
For Randhawa, meanwhile, the nightmare has quite clearly continued beyond his expectations. The Delhi-pro, who was the undisputed pre-tournament favourite due to his envious home record, finished the day one-over 73, leaving him even-par overall at the tied 55th position.
He managed three birdies against four bogeys in yet another topsy-turvy card. PTI
Chaos prevails a day ahead of CYG inauguration
Pune, Oct 11 (PTI) When the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi confesses that even he does not have the accreditation to enter the Sports Complex in Balewadi here then one can expect the plight of ordinary sports fan.
With just a day to go for the Commonwealth Youth Games to begin, chaos rules the roost at the media centre in Baburao Sanas Ground near Sarasbagh here.
While the the 55-member Indian athletics contingent got their passes to enter the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi only late last night, mediapersons had to go through the ordeal of applying for accreditation afresh. The reason: the agency managing the accreditation facilities said they had lost all their online data due to a virus problem.
So everybody had to click their photos again at the centre and wait for their turn to get the passes.
Competition manager D Chaudhary, a table tennis official, and athletics chief coach Suesh Babu had to suffer as they have to repeat the entire process again, personally coming to the media centre some 25-odd kilometres from the venue.
To add to the chaos, the holograms required for the card fell short today and the journalists had to wait endlessly at the organising committee's office in Marathon Bhavan.
Asked about the goof-up, Kalmadi said, "Even I've not got my accreditation... So please bear with them. It will be all distributed by today." Worst is in store at the Balewadi media centre, which has been created inside the velodrome of cycling venue, as the wi-fi is yet to be ready. PTI
Media coalition welcomes BCCI withdrawal of contentious controls
London, Oct 11 (PTI) The News Media Coalition, comprising national and international news agencies, newspapers and publishers, today welcomed the "commonsense" approach of the BCCI in withdrawing contentious controls on the news media like the bar on giving photos to standalone cricket portals.
"As this allows for the free-flow of news content to the public, the decision is good for cricket fans as well as those that benefit from the widest possible exposure of sport and its brands through independent press coverage,' NMC's Executive Director Andrew Moger said in a release.
He quoted from a letter written by BCCI Hony. Secretary, N Srinivasan, to say that news agencies were free to give pictures of the current India-Australia cricket Test series matches to websites, which may use a reasonable number of stills.
The revised accreditation norms, as communicated to the NMC, drops the condition that news agencies cannot circulate the match photographs to "standalone cricket portals".
Following the change in accreditation norms, international news agency Reuters lifted its boycott of Australian tour of India.
"We are grateful to the BCCI for taking such a fair and reasonable approach in this matter and are delighted to be able to resume coverage of the current series in India," Christoph Pleitgen, Global Head of News Agency for Thomson Reuters said in a statement.
The NMC said it was regrettable that the first days of the India-Australia test have been marred by this dispute and reductions in coverage by agencies and newspapers.
"We look forward to more constructive dialogue with those cricket bodies which fully value the part played by the news media, including those news gatherers, editors and publishers in India," Moger said. PTI
Rajapaksa asks LTTE to surrender
T V Sriram
Colombo, Oct 11 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today asked the beleaguered LTTE to lay down arms and join the democratic mainstream, even as he underlined that there was no military solution to the ethnic problem in the island nation.
The President said the rebels should enter the democratic process to ensure political rights for the Tamils in the embattled northern region.
"I wish to once again very clearly call on the LTTE to lay down their arms and surrender. They should act in this manner and enter the democratic political process. Our aim should be to ensure the democratic political rights of our Tamil brethren," he said.
The President was addressing the All Party Conference to apprise its members of the current developments with regard to the operations "to eradicate terrorism, establish peace and restore democracy" throughout the country.
"However difficult it may be, it is my belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is my belief that there are no military solutions to political questions," he said.
Contending that the people have elected his government to realise their aims and aspirations, he said "it is our duty to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by people in all other parts of the country".
He also said that military operations were necessitated in order to "eradicate terrorism" from the country and "enthrone" democracy throughout the land. PTI
123 agreement is legally-binding: Mukherjee
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Oct 11 (PTI) After three years of tough negotiations, India and the US today sealed the landmark civil nuclear deal, with New Delhi insisting that fuel supply assurances are "legally-binding" on both the countries which have "responsibilities and obligations" to implement it.
The 123 agreement, which operationalises the nuclear deal, was signed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice here, paving the way for American companies to have a share in the multi-billion dollar Indian nuclear pie.
The nuclear deal, envisioned by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W Bush on July 18, 2005, marks an end to over three-decade-old US restrictive policy towards India in the nuclear field.
Speaking on the occasion, Rice said the nuclear deal demonstrates that "now there is nothing we cannot do." Mukherjee said "we will implement this agreement in good faith. That clearly implies we trust each other." Noting that the agreement reflects a "careful balance of rights and obligations", he said "its (agreement's) provisions are now legally-binding on both sides once the agreement enters into force." "We are bound by the agreed text of the 123 agreement, which was negotiated by the negotiators of the two countries... The text of the agreement, if you go through, has entrusted responsibilities and obligations on both sides," he said. PTI
41 LTTE cadres, 5 soldiers killed in clashes in Lanka: army
T V Sriram
Colombo, Oct 11 (PTI) At least 41 LTTE cadres and five soldiers were killed in running gun battles in Sri Lanka's embattled North, the officials said today.
While two LTTE cadres were shot dead in Mankulam in Kilinochchi, two others were killed in Akkarayankulam and one in another part of the LTTE stronghold yesterday, the military said.
Separately, troops killed seven Tiger rebels, wounding 37 others in a gun battle in Mullaittivu, while in North East Welioya region six rebels were killed and 14 others injured in Andankulam yesterday, the Defence Ministry said.
At least one Tiger militant was also killed in Thannikuruppukulam area in the region yesterday, it said.
Meanwhile, two soldiers were also killed during clashes in Andankulam, with the troops recovering 313 anti-personnel mines and 17 improvised explosive devices after the operation.
In another confrontation, as many as 14 Tiger rebels were killed and six others injured in Vannerikulam area in Kilinochchi yesterday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said, adding three soldiers also lost their lives in the incident. PTI
Appropriate measures in place over financial crisis: Mukherjee
Sridhar Krishnawami
Washington, Oct 11 (PTI) India today said it was too early to figure out what would be the "adverse impact" of the US financial turmoil on its economy, but insisted that it had already put in place "appropriate measures" addressing the crisis.
"We are fully aware of the developments that have taken place and presently the Cabinet in its meeting has addressed the issue. As the global economics are closely linked, it might have impact on every economy," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told a press conference here.
Keeping in view these developments, "appropriate measures" have already been taken by the Reserve Bank of India and SEBI, he said, adding that even Finance Minister P Chidambaram issued a statement outlining measures which have been taken.
Asked about the lessons of the financial crisis to India, he said "this is an event for which we have to respond in an appropriate manner." "If you have noticed, the economic policies of India have undergone changes with the changing world situation and keeping pace with it. It is not static and it has an inherent dynamism in it," said Mukherjee, who was here to ink the historic 123 Agreement to operationalise Indo-US nuclear deal.
Noting that India-US economic relations were expanding very fast, the minister said that America "as an individual country is the single largest trading partner... We have the largest number of technical collaboration with US companies.
"Keeping that in view we have to make a hard assessment of what adverse impact, if at all, would have of this development," he said, adding "it is too early to make any comment on it." PTI
Deposits in banks safe; no reason for anxiety: RBI Governor
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Oct 11 (PTI) Assuring depositors that their money was safe in banks, Reserve Bank of India Governor D Subbarao today said the central bank was geared to inject more liquidity into the country's financial system and that there was no cause for anxiety.
"Our banking system is stable and sound. There is no reason for any anxiety or uncertainty," he said while talking to reporters here.
Pointing out that RBI has already taken action to inject liquidity into the system, Subbarao said, "We are monitoring the situation on a continuous basis and stand ready to take appropriate, effective and swift action." As regards the Indian banking system, the Governor said the banks are sound, well capitalised and well regulated.
"...Indian banks do not have any direct exposure to sub- prime mortgages. The banking sector, through its overseas branches, has some exposure to distressed financial instruments and troubled financial institutions.
"But this exposure is part of the normal course of their business and is quite small relative to the size of their overall business," said Subbarao, who is here to attend the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
Defunct mortgage loans are the primary reason for the financial crisis sweeping the world.
Referring to the turmoil in the stock market, the RBI Governor said, "What we are witnessing is an indirect knock-on effect of the global financial situation. This is only a reflection of the uncertainty and anxiety in the global financial markets." PTI
India economy will continue to perform well, says IMF
Washington, Oct 11 (PTI) Dismissing fears of global financial contagion impacting India, the International Monetary Fund has said that the country's economy will continue to perform well.
"Overall, we see the Indian economy continuing to perform well," said Oliver Blanchard, Economic Counselor and Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Research Department here recently.
Pointing out that there will be some impact of the tighter global liquidity conditions on India, he said, "We don't see major drag from this impact on the country." According to the projections made by the World Economic Outlook (WEO) released recently by the IMF, India is likely to register a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7.9 per cent in 2008-09, which may slip to 6.9 per cent in 2009-10.
"We are projecting that the growth in India will come down from eight per cent in 2008 to seven per cent in 2009. But seven per cent is still a strong rate of growth," the IMF official said.
A likely seven per cent growth rate at a time when the world economy is on a downhill path, would reflect India's internal growth dynamics, he said.
Giving reasons for relatively mild impact on India of the ongoing financial turmoil, Blanchard said, "India is still largely a closed economy, has strong internal growth dynamics, from rapid productive growth, from its process of integration into the global economy that is still continuing".
India has registered a growth of nine per cent during 2007-08 and according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh it is likely to register a growth of 7.5-8 per cent during the current financial year. PTI
Big B is 66 years young!
Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) The legendary thespian of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan, whose deep baritone is synonymous with his success and fame, turned 66 today.
The Shahenshah of Bollywood, who continues to dominate the Hindi film industry even in his sixties, took a break from shooting to spend the day here with his grandchildren who have come over from Delhi for their Dussehra-Diwali vacation.
After completing work in 'Alladin' and 'Shoebite', Big B, as Bachchan is popularly called, is currently shooting for 'Teen Patti', a flick directed by Leena Yadav.
Eager to catch a glimpse of their matinee idol, hordes of fans from all over the country stationed themselves outside his bungalow 'Jalsa' in suburban Mumbai while the television media was also present in the area for sound bite and stories.
Over the years on his birthday, the Bollywood legend has been coming out of his house to greet the fans. This year has been an eventful one for the Big B. He had releases like 'Sarkar Raj', 'God Tussi Great Ho', 'Bhootnath' and 'The Last Lear'.
Besides, 'The Unforgettable Tour' was his biggest world concert in several years in which he was accompanied by his son Abhishek and daughter-in-law Aishwarya. The tour, spanning over a month, covered the US and Europe.
But, the highlight was that the Big B turned blogger. His blog has been the most visited and read with keen interest by the media and fans.
Controversies and criticism had their fair share in Bachchan's life. He was accused of illegally acquiring agro land in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, by claiming to be a farmer. He, however, later got a clean chit from the Allahabad High Court. Bachchan was also embroiled in another land row in Maharashtra. PTI
The Wiggles creates song on hygiene practices
New York, Oct 11 (PTI) The UNICEF's efforts for promoting hygiene practices among children got a boost with the popular Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles, donating a song to the agency to mark the first-ever Global Hand-washing Day on October 15.
With approximately 5,000 children dying each day as a result of waterborne diseases, the UN agency has suggested hand-washing with soap before eating and after using the toilet to help reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases by almost 50 per cent.
Helping to raise awareness and support for related UNICEF water and sanitation projects, The Wiggles have embarked on several fundraising initiatives since being named as Goodwill Ambassadors in February.
"UNICEF gives all children, regardless of race or religion, the best start in life. For that reason, we feel deeply honoured to work with UNICEF to help improve the lives of children around the world," said 'Red Wiggle' Murray Cook.
Global Hand-washing Day is a public-private initiative spearheaded by UNICEF and other partners, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the World Bank Water and Sanitation Programme, Procter and Gamble, and Unilever.
The event aims to bring hand-washing to the top of the global hygiene agenda, and support the spirit of the UN International Year of Sanitation (2008). PTI
Looking forward to perform in India: Placido Domingo
Mumbai, Oct 9 (PTI) World famous tenor Placido Domingo has said he was looking forward to his first ever performance in India and hoped that it would be a new experience for his fans to see him perform live.
"The public may have seen videos, DVDs and other recordings but seeing it being performed live is a new thing and it is the very first time for them to discover it," the Spanish tenor said here.
His last concert in Mexico was a "fun" experience since the stadium was filled with approximately 40,000 people which allowed many to experience a live opera for the first time, Domingo said.
Domingo will be performing in the open air stadium of the Cricket Club of India with soprano Barbara Frittoli on October 11 as part of the centenary celebrations of the birth anniversary of conductor Mehli Mehta.
"It is a great thrill to be in Mumbai and India since it is my first trip and have wanted to come here many times," he said.
Domingo, who is also a conductor and director for two operas in the US, said that it was always fun to perform with conductor Zubin Mehta.
However, Mehta, who is here with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, noted that the performance might have to be shortened due to existing laws preventing live music in open areas beyond 10 pm.
"Unfortunately since we are put in the category of making noise we might not be able to stick to the full programme," he said. PTI
Digest of national stories for the week Oct 4- Oct 11
Saturday Udalguri (Assam): Fourteen more people are killed, two of them in police firing, as clashes between Bodos and illegal Bangladeshi migrants continues in Udalguri district where the army staged a flag march.
New Delhi: The Congress-ruled Delhi government faces a major embarrassment when a group of farmers disturbed the address of Congress President Sonia Gandhi in a rally organised by it.
New Delhi: India and the US unable to ink the pathbreaking civil nuclear agreement with New Delhi making it clear that it would do so only after President George W Bush signs it into a law, an occasion when it expects certain misgivings to be cleared.
Sunday Hoshiarpur: Two days after Tatas pull out from Singur, Punjab and Haryana governments say they would soon invite the corporate giant to set up the much-touted Rs one-lakh Nano car project in their states.
Bhubaneswar: Maoists claim responsibility for the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati that unleashed violence against Christians in Orissa district but the state government does not give credence to the claim.
Monday New Delhi: Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh in the thick of a controversy over his remarks that the Delhi police encounter in Jamia Nagar recently could be fake as the family of slain inspector Mohan Chand Sharma rejected his offer of Rs 10 lakh.
New Delhi: With ethnic violence spreading to new areas in Assam, the Centre despatches 1,400 para-military force personnel to the strife-torn state where bloody clashes between Bodo tribes and immigrant Muslims claimed at least 40 lives. New Delhi: With a desire to see India play an active role in the West Asia peace process, Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrives here on a four-day visit that is expected to give a boost to New Delhi's engagement with Palestine.
Tuesday Gandhinagar: Ending suspense after its controversial exit from West Bengal, Tatas announce relocation of the Rs one-lakh Nano car project to Gujarat with an investment of Rs 2,000 crore.
New Delhi: Expelled BJP member H T Sangliana and rebel JD(U) leader Ramswaroop Prasad, who vote in favour of the UPA government in the July 22 confidence motion, are disqualified from the Lok Sabha under anti-defection provisions of the Constitution.
Srinagar: Normal life resumes in Kashmir after authorities lifted the two-day-old curfew from all 10 districts of the Valley as the situation remained peaceful during the restriction period, official sources said.
Wednesday Bhubaneswar: The prime accused in the alleged rape of a young nun during Kandhamal violence in Orissa has been arrested, police say as the Orissa government made fresh attempts to locate the victim to help in investigations.
New Delhi: In a move that is likely to raise the hackles of the media, the Government decide to restrict telecast and publication of exit polls during elections till the conclusion of the final phase of voting so that it does not "influence" the voters. Bhopal: Joining the chorus to ban Bajrang Dal in the wake of attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka, senior Congress leader and Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh say the activities of the right-wing group have "justified" the demand.
Thursday New Delhi: Putting behind memories of grisly bomb blasts, the faithful celebrate Dussehra, symbolising the triumph of good over evil, with fanfare and traditional bonhomie across the country.
Agra: A two-year-old boy falls into a 150-ft bore well in a village near here and authorities launch a massive effort to rescue him but there were apprehensions that water might permeate into the narrow bore from a nearby pond.
Friday Mumbai: Armed Somalian pirates release unharmed three Indians and 26 other members of the crew on board a hijacked cargo ship after keeping them in captivity for more than one and half months.
Srinagar: In a fresh attempt to reach out to separatists in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offers to hold talks with all sections of people including those who have stayed out of the political process.
Srinagar: In the face of a bloodbath in the global markets, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh puts up a brave face stating there is no question of Indian economy slipping into recession. PTI
My country has given me three Oscars: Bhandarkar
New Delhi, Oct 10 (PTI) For director Madhur Bhandarkar, three-time national awardee, whose ambitious film 'Fashion' is releasing this month end, winning an Oscar matters little.
"I don't believe in running after Oscars. India has given me three National Awards. They are my Oscars," Bhandarkar told PTI.
The director, however, says he has no objection if his films are selected by the jury for Oscars but he is not ready to be part of the hype and attention that surrounds these awards in India.
"Recognition of Indian people matters the most as they are the main viewers of my films," says Bhandarkar.
Bhandarkar's National Award winning films like "Chandni Bar (2001)", "Page 3 (2005)" and "Traffic Signal (2007) are famous for their strong story-lines and often have a female protagonists as lead characters.
"My latest film is about the emotional journey of a model played by Priyanka Chopra. This film is going to be a landmark in Priyanka's acting career. She has never before played a character with such substance," he says.
So, how did the idea to make a film on fashion industry come? "I have attended several fashion shows as a guest but it never attracted my attention much but when I saw that media was taking such interest and devoting special shows, I became curious.
"I decided to decipher the mystery of fashion to the common public. It is not about pretty faces doing catwalk. I wanted to go behind the screens and bring back other aspects of the industry to the viewers," says the director known for his well researched movies. PTI
Book: A travelogue on a groom hunting trip to India!
Wasfia Jalali
New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Originally intended to find a suitable match for herself, her year-long visit to India, however, turned her into an author!
Fed up with the singles scene in the US, Indian American journalist Anita Jain, who ventured out on a mate-hunting trip to India, has come up with a literary venture chronicling the post-globalisation social climate of the Indian capital, set against the quest for finding the right match.
"It was my idea to take the book to India, of using the quest to marry to tell a story, I was sure those two things would work together," says the author.
The recently released book 'Marrying Anita' published by Bloomsbury and Penguin, according to the writer is an honest memoir a branch of literary work which is yet to become common in India.
"Memoirs are every other book in New York; however, the genre is still not as common in India. I have spoken so openly about my loneliness, some people find it shockingly honest," says Jain, who was recently in the capital to release the book.
"A confessional account is what constitutes a memoir. Indians are not used to such honesty," she says.
Asked why she believed autobiographical accounts were not as common in India as in some other parts of the world, she says the country is yet to witness a grand political event or a drastic social change, which provide a suitable backdrop for a personal account.
"Powerful memoirs have come from the parts of the world that have seen remarkable political or social upheavals," Jain says. PTI
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Market_______
To get regularly updated NIFTY (NSE) quotes by email, join the NSEData
mailing list by sending an email to NSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To get regularly updated BSE quotes by email, join the BSEData mailing
list by sending an email to BSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sensex: 10527.85, -800.51
The sensex closed at 10527.85, down 800.51
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 48.375 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.4801 INR
1 British Pound = 82.542 INR
1 Canadian $ = 41.149 INR
1 Singapore $ = 32.611 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 13.169 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 12.899 INR
1 Euro = 64.839 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 13.290 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________