BCCI announces Rs 20 lakh cash prize for India Under-19 squad

The BCCI on Sunday announced a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh each for members of the Indian team which lifted its third Under-19 World Cup title in Townsville after defeating defending champions Australia.

BCCI President N Srinivasan congratulated the team, which was led superbly by unbeaten centurion skipper Unmukt Chand in the final against the defending champions.

Chand led from the front with a magnificent 111 as the Indian colts beat Australia by six wickets.

"Many congratulations to the Indian team for winning the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. We won the 'senior' World Cup last year, and now our boys have triumphed in the junior version of the tournament.

This is a great day for Indian cricket. The Board would like to announce a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh to each player, and Rs 15 lakh to each member of the support staff," Srinivasan said in a statement.

This was India U-19s first triumph after Mohammed Kaif and Virat Kohli led their respective teams to victory in 2000 and 2008 editions respectively.

BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale also extended his wishes to the Indian team and said every member of the squad worked hard towards this victory.

Raaz 3D role depressed and drained me: Bipasha Basu

   Bipasha says playing a jealous actress past her prime in Raaz 3D was emotionally draining as she could not identify with the evil nature of her character. Bipasha says she pushed herself maximum to portray the character of Shinaaya, an actress who resorts to black magic to get her career and lover back in the horror film, which hits the theatres on September 7.

"I did not know how to bring in so much darkness because I am a happy person. I did not have any reference point. But I had to deliver and I think it was the nervous energy that brought me into that zone. It is the maximum I have pushed as an individual to perform. This role has depressed me, drained me and has broken me down," Bipasha told PTI.

The Bong beauty says she is fascinated by the dark side of human nature and that was one of the reasons that prompted her to return to the franchise a decade later after 2002 Raaz, also her career's first hit. "All over the world, actors are fascinated by dark roles because the good is very predictable. We all are very normal beings who fear things. I have played such roles and it is fine but a dark character is always more exciting," says Bipasha.

The actress, who started her movie career with a grey role in Ajnabee, believes that Raaz 3 would be one of the darkest roles of her career. The 33-year-old, whose break-up with John Abraham hogged the limelight until recently, says playing an actress on-screen made her realise how vulnerable actors are in real life.

Soha Ali Khan cried badly after Shooting a scene

At times, it becomes very difficult for actresses to shoot rape and molestation scenes. Soha Ali Khan recently shot a molestation scene for her upcoming movie. But the actress got so hurt emotionally after shooting the scene that she started crying badly on the sets.

Soha Ali's next film is based on child trafficking, where she is playing an NRI. In the movie, there is a scene where she gets molested by a group of goons. When Soha came to know about the molestation scene, she requested the director to shoot the scene behind closed doors as Soha did not want any still photographer to be present there.

A source told a leading daily, "Soha was emotionally drained while shooting the sequence. In this particular scene, the goons drag her down to the floor and rip off her shirt and manhandle her."

Sunny Leone says sorry for not exposing in ‘Jism 2’

Stories of Sunny Leone’s erotic seduction spreads far and wide. And even as her debut in Bollywood created a lusty wave almost triggering a tsunami here in India, the angel looking porn star is gearing up with her new release titled ‘Ragini MMS 2’.

The entire nation was swept by Sunny mania as director Pooja Bhatt dared to cast a world renowned porn star in her film ‘Jism 2’. Men waited with bated breath to see the same girl they watched in x-rated films on the big screen now. But, to the disappointment of many, Sunny Leone didn’t live up to her standard.

When Sunny got to know about this, she said, “We have a different set of rules in India. There is a Censor Board we have to answer to, whose rules are pretty strict. There is an adult film industry everywhere. But I did this movie knowing it is mainstream Hindi cinema.”

When Sunny got to hear that her fans felt let down by her, she laughed and said, “I`m sorry for letting them down by not exposing. But hey! They bought the tickets, so I want to thank them!”

Why Bipasha Basu hates talking about her past affair with John Abraham?

It looks like actress Bipasha Basu is reborn. She is all over and everywhere these days, whether parties, events or interviews with media. Witnessing this, we feel that the actress has all of a sudden sprouted out of her failed relationship with her ex-boyfriend John Abraham.

Bipasha Basu has time and again said that she has now moved on. In fact, she is not the one to cry over spilt milk. In her latest interview with a leading daily, the actress said that she hates talking about her past relationship. She further reveals that she is a free-spirited person, who loves to live her life to the fullest. "I hate talking about relationships. I am bored of talking to people about something that is past," Bips said.

Saif Ali khan's daughter Sara Ali Khan looks stunning in her ramp debut

Recently, Mukesh and Nita Ambani hosted a party to celebrate famous designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla's 25th year in fashion. In the party, Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara Ali Khan walked the ramp for the first time. Sara was looking stunningly hot in an outfit designed by Abu and Sandeep. 

Sara Ali Khan is in high school. As her mother claims, if Sara plans to join film; it will only happen after four years. Amrita Singh told a leading daily, "The news is incorrect. I'm the one doing a film with that production house. Not my daughter. There hasn't been any talk about something like this. Sara is in high school. After she finishes her school, she intends to go overseas to study law. If she decides to join films, it may be four years hence."

India beat Syria in Nehru Cup opener

Defending champions India sealed the three points against Syrians in their opening game of the Nehru Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday evening. Sunil Chhetri put India ahead in the added time at the end of the first half while Anthony Pereira doubled the lead in the 84^th minute. The Syrians did manage to pull one back through Alaa Alshbbli in the 91^st minute as the scoreline read 2-1 in the end.

India started off in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Sanju Pradhan, making his debut, and Clifford Miranda on the right and left wings with Francis Fernandes playing in the hole behind the striker Sunil Chhetri. The Syrians lined up in 4-4-2 with Hani Altayar and Mardek Mardikian being the two strikers upfront.

 It was cagey start as neither side looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck as they exercised caution over flair. The first shot of the game came through Sunil Chhetri as he unleashed a snap shot with his back to goal which went wide in the 10^th minute.

There was a phase when the Indians were playing the ball on the ground with at least six-to-seven well strung passes. However the lack of composure showed as they would literally hand the possession back to the Syrians.

The first real chance of the game came in the 26^th minute when Altayar beat Gaikwad for pace and an onrushing Subrata Paul only to send the ball wide with an open goal in front of him to aim at.

Just around the half hour mark, Ali Ghalioum found Ali Tyar and the striker crossed for Mardek Mardikian who fluffed his chance from six yards out after he got in between Raju Gaikwad and Gouramangi Moirangthem.

The play was stopped for ten minutes due to heavy showers which waterlogged the pitch. When the play did resume, Raju Gaikwad was at fault again as the defender missed his header which allowed Mardikian a chance to shoot from inside the box had it not been for an alert Subrata Paul who came off his line to deny the Syrian striker.

A couple of minutes later, Ali Ghalioum won the ball and saw his shot from 20 yards go straight into the hands of Subrata Paul.

Just seconds before the half-time whistle, India went ahead when Clifford Mirands, from the left, escaped the tackle from Jehad Albour to send in a cross which was headed into the far corner by Sunil Chhetri as he out jumped Mohammed Zubaida.

The waterlogged pitch didn’t help the cause of the two teams as they looked to string together a move.

Six minutes after the break and the Syrians could have found their equalizer had it not been for the profligacy of Mardek Mardikian. Ghalioum’s cross from the right saw Nirmal Chettri’s header fall safely for Mardikian who was in acres of space but lost his footing.

Frustrated by the missed opportunities by Mardikian, the Syrian coach Marwan Khouri brought on Hamoud Al Hamoud to bolster his side’s attack around the hour mark.

India’s first chance came in the 70^th minute as Jehad Albour was robbed of the ball by Francis Fernandes to be through on goal. However the Salgaocar winger lost his composure and saw his shot go high and wide in the 70^th minute.

A couple of minutes later, a back-pass by Ahmed Alsalih saw Taha Moosa, the goalkeeper, fail to control which could have allowed Francis a chance to double the lead. Lenny Rodrigues too testes the goalkeeper from distance with a well struck shot.

Just when India were focusing on clearing the ball at every instance, a cross field ball by Lenny saw substitute Anthony Pereira who cut inside Mohammed Zubaida with ease to unleash a curling left footed shot which nestled into the far corner in the 84^th minute.

Alaa Alshbbli was allowed to score from inside the box as he connected with an Ouday Abduljaffal's free-kick to make it 2-1 in added time after Raju Gaikwad failed to mark his man.

However the game ended with the same scoreline which handed the Blue Tigers three points. India next play Maldives on August 25 while the Syrians take on Cameroon on the 24^th.

Why Katrina Kaif wants Salman Khan to help her mother?

     
      Allof us knows that Katrina Kaif's mother, Suzanne Turquotte, runs an orphanage by the name of Mercy Home in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Now Katrina's mother is planning to build a school for kids who live there. It has been reported that Katrina Kaif wants Salman Khan to help her mother in building the school.

A source told a leading daily, "Besides Suzanne, Katrina also takes part in all the major decision-making for Mercy Home as the project is close to her heart. They are now planning to build a school with modern facilities. But it's too early to reveal any details."

Katrina Kaif also said, "I'm happy that my mom is so involved (in education and charity). Now, she's building a school since the children (from the orphanage) are growing up. She's bought a property close to Mercy Home. Hopefully, Being Human can help fund the school for us."

Well Katrina, we are sure that Salman Khan will definitely lend his helping hand to fund the school.

India to face Syria in First match of Nehru Cup

Captain Sunil Chhetri and new coach Wim Koevermans

 

Footfalls at Nehru Stadium have thinned. The stands are silent most time of the year. Movements on the football turf are restricted too. The ghostly ambience is a reflection of the sport as football craves for attention in the Capital.

The Ambedkar Stadium is time and again ravaged by political outings and the Nehru Stadium is a grim reminder of the sluggish progress that football has made for many decades now.

The Nehru Cup, starting on August 22, brings football action of some kind to the Nehru Stadium. Ambedkar Stadium would have been an ideal venue for this tournament. If Bob Houghton had continued as coach, we would have travelled to the Ambedkar Stadium in old Delhi.

Instead, the event will now be staged at a swanky venue, even though the game, sadly, may not match the glossy conditions.

Indian football faces a daunting task under new coach Wim Koevermans, the former Dutch international expected to work miracles. He is not singing any eulogies other than making basic encouraging observations. He knows his job and begins it with a stern test at the Nehru Cup.

In a team game, it is rare for individuals to dominate and India clearly falls woefully short in this area. There is not an individual to step into the shoes of the redoubtable Baichung Bhutia.

Indian Team:

Strengths:
The squad’s strength is obviously the home support and the fact that with them being the lowest ranked side in the competition, the pressure will be slightly less on the squad. There have been a whole host of changes in the playing squad as well, meaning that Koevermans has handed the whole team a clean slate, and if the side plays as fearlessly as their U-22 counterparts, then India could very well surprise a few sides in the competition.
Weaknesses:
Apart from the new playing style, which is alien to many Indian players, the core of the side also looks very inexperienced and slightly wobbly. While the attack seems decent, even after Jeje Lalpekhlua’s exclusion, the central midfield and defense is not India’s strength. In a playing philosophy where central midfielders are perhaps the  most integral part of the gameplan, India’s options, though talented, lack experience at the highest level.
In defense too, Gouramangi Moirangthem is coming off a very poor domestic season, while Raju Gaikwad too was in and out of the side.

Key Player : Sunil chethri

Jagathy finally speaks

Jagathy Sreekumar, who is undergoing treatment at Vellore Hospital recently spelled his name 'Jagathy' much to the surprise and joy of his family members and loved ones.

Jagathy Sreekumar, who was gravely injured after he met with an accident at nearby Tenhipalam on March 10, was able to recognise his college mates recently. Now, thanks to the intense physiotherapy session that the actor has been undergoing off late, Jagathy is showing great signs of improvement. When the doctors asked him to spell his name, he spelt it very clearly. This is the first step of improvement in speech therapy and a hint that gives he would speak in future.

Speaking to TOI, Jagathy Sreekumar's son Rajkumar said, "His right leg which was paralysed after the accident has completely recovered and he has begun to walk, albeit with some help. His right arm is yet to recover fully, but the doctors have said that if he continues to recover at this rate, he would be well enough to be discharged from the hospital within two months. He further added, "The doctors have said he has completely recovered his memory and there is no retrieval issue which could have been a problem after such a traumatic experience. They say it's just one of the many good signs he is showing on his path to a swift recovery."

Actor Mukesh, who also visited Jagathy at the hospital said that the actor is improving well and even smiled when he heard his voice. What's more, the actor is also able to move around the room, with a little help.

Priyanka Chopra voted more kissable than Ash, Kareena

Its not a breaking news that the Bollywood heroines are constantly competing with each other. Here they go again we thought, until we heard what the contest was about! This time it wasn’t for acting or item numbers. It was for locking lips! And we are told that Priyanka Chopra emerged as the clear winner.

Lagging not far behind were Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the second position and Kareena Kapoor in third. But we think it’s only fair. After all, it’s Priyanka who kissed sensuously time and again inFashion, Agneepath, 7 Khoon Maaf, Kaminey and Aitraaz, to name just a few films, as opposed to her rivals who have only a couple of lip-locks and that too fleeting ones to their credit.

So guess it’s party time for the actress. And perhaps also consolation for not being able to replace her rival Kareena Kapoor in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela. Just to keep you updated, Kareena TOPPED the One Night Stand Diva on Filmfare’s Youth Poll

Ameesha Patel will wear a bikini in next film

After working non-stop to complete her films, appearances and brand endorsements, Amisha Patel is all set to go even more steamy, racy and hotter in her next film with Sunny Deol, titled Bhaiyaaji Superhit, directed by Neeraj Pathak. Amisha Patelwill also be seen donning a bikini in the film where she essays the role of a diva.

The actress recently completed the final schedule of Abbas Mustan’s Race 2 that also has her in a sexy avatar. Meanwhile, along with her business partner Kuunal Goomer, she has been busy with the music of their upcoming home production, Desi Magic. They are happy with the way Lalit Pandit has been working with so much passion to create some fantastic music.

Post Munni Badnam in Dabangg, Lalit has been working on various kinds of songs for Desi Magic. The film will also have an item song.

According to a source: Amisha Patel is loving her role in the film. She is very excited that in all her upcoming five films that release in 2013, her roles are distinct in every film, whether its Race 2 to Neil Nitin Mukesh’s film Shortcut Romeo to Bhaiyaji Superhit or her own home production, Desi Magic.”

Regarding all the buzz and speculation that goes around about her Amisha says: “I’d rather focus on my work and let my work speak. Everyone is doing their jobs in life and everyone has a way of going about things their own way. If a small percentage of people say anything, one shouldn’t get affected in life.”

“I’m happy my fans are looking forward to seeing me on screen after a while and that’s what matters to me. As of now the only way I want to move ahead is by focusing on my films and production house. I’m loving my life and it’s a very exciting phase for me. I am looking forward to the things which are lined up for me ahead, Amisha Patel further said.

Saina Nehwal receives BMW car from Sachin Tendulkar

The batting maestro, who arrived here along with rest of the team to play the first test against New Zealand starting here Aug 23, gave away the car to Saina, who won a bronze medal in the London Olympics.

The car was presented by Sachin's close friend and former Andhra Ranji captain V. Chamundeswaranath to Saina, who became the first ever Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal.

Sachin also gave away Maruti Swift car to young shuttler Pusarla Venkata Sindhu, who won the girls' singles title in the Asian Youth Under-19 Championships last month.

Athachamayam 2012 Celebration

Trippunithura Athachamayam 2012 !! Celebrates tomorrow

Athachamayam Festival or Attachamayam Festival marks the beginning of the annual 10 days Onam festival in kerala, South India. Athachamayam or Atha Chamayam is conducted on the Atham day (Attam) of the Malayalam month of Chingam (August – September). Athachamayam Festival takes place at Tripunithura (Thripoonithura) a suburb of Cochin City, which is renowned as the Land of temples, situated in Ernakulam District, Kerala. In 2012, the date of Tripunithura Athachamayam Festival 2012 is on 21st August 2012, Tuesday. And Onam Festival 2012 is on 29th August 2012.

Tourist Attractions of Athachamayam Festival Tripunithura, Kerala

Athachamayam is a very colourful festival with spectacular processions accompanied by decorated elephants and floats, group of musicians, and various traditional Kerala art forms. Some of the beautiful traditional Kerala art forms which are seen during the Athachamayam Festival in Kochi include Chendamelam, Panchavadyam, Theyyam, Karakattam, Mayilattom, Pambamelam, Pulikali, Ammankudam, and Aattakavadi (Aatta Kavadi).

History of Athachamayam Festival in Cochin

In earlier times, Athachamayam Festival in Cochin was celebrated in memory of the legendary victory of the Raja of Kochi. On the Atha Chamayam festival day, the Maharaja of Kochi undertook the Attachamayam march from Tripunithura to the Vamanamoorthy Temple in Thrikkakara (also known as Thrikkakara Temple). Though the era of Kings had ended, the festival is still celebrated with all its glory to mark the beginning of state festival of Kerala, Onam or Thiruonam.

Tripunithura Athachamayam Festival Dates in Previous Years

In 2010, Tripunithura Athachamayam Festival date was on 13th August 2010. 
In 2011, Athachamayam Festival was on 31st August 2011.



Tripunithura Palace Museum - Hill Palace Museum is an archeological museum situated on the Ernakulam -Chotanikkara route in Tripunithura. Ernakulam Archaeological Museum exhibits stone inscriptions, murals, oil paintings, palm-leaf manuscripts, coins, and other ancient belongings of the royal family.

How to reach Tripunithura?

The temple town of Tripunithura is located just 12 km south-east of Kochi city. Tripunithura is well connected by road with other major towns and cities in the state.

Railway Station

Tripunithura Railway Station, managed by the Southern Railways, lies on the Ernakulam – Trivandrum railway line. Some of the major trains passing through Tripunithura Railway Station are Mumbai - Kanyakumari Express, Thiruvananthapuram – Bilaspur Express, Malabar Express (Thiruvananthapuram - Mangalore), and Thiruvananthapuram - Shoranur (Venda Express).

Airport

Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport.

Ek Tha Tiger Super Hit !!!

 Ek Tha Tiger Super Hit !!!

Review:

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey, Girish Karnad, Roshan Seth

Direction: Kabir Khan 

Look how Kabir Khan set out to grab the tiger by its tail. The guy is known for his sophisticated brand of entertainment - something that normally doesn't exist on Planet Salman Khan. The masala rush that has driven Bollywood's Pocket Hercules right to the top of the heap has definitely been hardcore desi all along. Kabir would seem like the last filmmaker to fit in.

Ek Tha Tiger in that sense is a clever mix. The polished specs define Kabir but they have been smartly used to carve an essential Salman Khan blockbuster. Gloss over the 'Hollywood-style spy thriller' ballyhoo and you realise the film is basically all about creating enough excuses to let machoman Salman bash up the baddies and romance the pretty girl (he even gets to take off his shirt once, but it's a two-second formality).

While on the pretty girl, she's quite the Hurricane Katrina here. Notable, how Katrina Kaif holds her own in a film that has been sold all along as a toast to its hero. Ek Tha Tiger is actually a cleverly disguised film. In the end of all the super stunts and whirlwind race across half a dozen countries the film, you realise, is a vintage Bollywood love story about hero and heroine running from the world.

Katrina has always been a rare specimen in Bollywood - proving her screen presence without ever trying to act. If that requires talent, watch her match stunts skills with Salman now.

Aditya Chopra's script presents Salman as Tiger, top RAW agent. His mission is a seemingly harmless one. A professor of Indian origin (Roshan Seth) in Dublin is suspected of giving away vital research data to Pakistan's ISI. Tiger must keep watch on him. In Dublin, posing as a writer, Tiger meets Zoya (Katrina), the professor's housekeeper who is also a dancer. Sparks fly and, one song down, Tiger is in love with Zoya.

The first half would keep Salman fans restless. The action comes in fits, the comedy is far from brand Salman, the drama almost missing and our hero is definitely looking tired. The film springs to life at interval point - with Zoya's true identity being revealed. If the twist is predictable, what follows in the second half doesn't have much of a plot.

But that's where the genius of Kabir Khan comes into play. He makes up with treatment what the film lacks by way of plot. An out-and-out chase caper that doesn't afford loo breaks leads to an insanely gripping finals.

Kalyan Jeweller's 36th showroom opened

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan during the inauguration of Kalyan Jeweller’s 36th showroom in Kochi on Sunday.

Thrissur-based Kalyan Jewellers plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore this year to open 15 more showrooms across the country.

The showrooms will be in Gujarat, Maharasthra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and in Kerala. Showrooms in Warangal, Kukkatpally (Hyderabad), Kancheepuram, Kakkinada and Ahmadabad, will open in the second half of 2012 and would expand to 100 stores spread across India by 2015.

Speaking to reporters in connection with the opening of the 36th showroom in Kochi, T. S. Kalyanaraman, Chairman and Managing Director of Kalyan Jewellers, said the number of showrooms would touch 50 by the end of this year.

He said the group is targeting a turnover of Rs 16,000 crore in the current fiscal. The brand had a turnover of Rs 9,473 crore in the last fiscal. The sales for the first quarter were Rs 2,915 crore, he added.

At present, Kalyan Jewellers has a customer base of more than 7 lakh, which is also the largest in the country, he claimed.

Earlier, the group’s 36th showroom in Kochi was inaugurated on Sunday by Bollywood actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Malayalam actor Dileep.

The showroom has been set up in an area of 20,000 sq feet spread over three floors and offers a variety of jewellery. The largest ever collection of gold- studded designs with silver designs and a collection of gift articles are among those displayed.

The over 100-year-old Kalyan Jewellers recently signed up two mega superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as brand ambassadors.

VVS Laxman may announce his retirement today

VVS Laxman may put an end to all the speculations surrounding his retirement plans by making his decision public on Saturday.

Laxman made his Test debut in 1996 against South Africa and since then played 134 Tests scoring 8781 runs, including 17 centuries and 56 fifties. He also played 86 ODIs scoring 2338 runs with six hundreds.

However, in his last 11 Tests, the Hyderabad batsman has scored just 635 runs and averaged 22.75 and 19.38 on the tours of England and Australia respectively.

Laxman will be third of the 'Fab Four' to retire from international cricket after Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, with just Sachin Tendulkar left in the international fold.

Laxman will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. on Saturday, where he is expected to announce his retirement at the end of Hyderabad Test against New Zealand.

If I can do it, you too can, Mary tells Saina Nehwal

" If I can do it, you too can!” Mary Kom tells Saina Nehwal at a felicitation function held in New Delhi yesterday."

Hot Spot Really Appreciate MaryCom For Her Words Of Encouragement. We Want Saina to continue With Her Endeavours In World Badminton Arena and Ensure That She Wins the Gold in Next Olympics.

Aiswarya Rai Bachan @ Cochin On August 19

The 36th branch of the Kalyan Jewellers will be inaugurated by Bollywood actress Mrs.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Malayalam Movie star Sri Dileep at MG Road, Cochin (Kerala) on August 19th at 11.00 am. The showroom will be the biggest in town with a carpet area of over 20000 sq feet in 3 floors. The inaugural function will be live streamed on http://www.streamingonlive.com from 11:00 am

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