Gurunath arrested by Mumbai police

Mumbai: Mumbai police late Friday night arrested Gurunath Meiyappan, son-in-law of Indian cricket board chief N. Srinivasan, in the IPL spot fixing scam after three hours of intense interrogation, an official said.

Questioned at the office of the Crime Branch, Meiyappan was confronted with the evidence against him and arrested around midnight. His name cropped up in the scam during revelations by Bollywood actor Vindu Dara Singh Randhawa, currently in police custody.

Meiyappan who flew in from Madurai by a chartered aircraft was met at the airport by a team of Crime Branch sleuths, who drove off to the Crime Branch office in Mumbai Police Headquarters near Crawford in south Mumbai.

He had rushed here following summons by the Mumbai police stuck on his residence door and delivered to his office in Chennai Thursday. He was given time till 5 p.m. Friday to respond to the police summons.

Earlier Friday, he reportedly sought time till Monday to report to Mumbai police but his plea was rejected, compelling him to fly in here.

Annual Jumpstart Day – Canadian Tire Meadowvale Town Centre – May 25

The day-long fund raising event celebrates Jumpstart’s May Red Ball campaign. Throughout the month of May customers are encouraged to donate $2 in exchange for a red ball – the national symbol for child’s play. All money raised will be donated to Jumpstart, helping Canadian kids get involved in organized sport. Venue: 6670 Meadowvale Town Centre Circle.

Discourse on essence of Gita – Hindu heritage Centre -  Saturday May 25 -  4.30 to 6 pm

Presented by Vedanta Cultural Foundation Canada, this is a free discourse in English by Sunanda, Daughter-Disciple of Swami Parthasarthy. For more information call 905 785 0963

Malhar Group’s Eighth Annual Springfest -  Molson Canadian Studio, Hamilton Place -  Saturday 25 May 2013 -  6 pm onwards

The evening will see performances by Pandit Rupak Kulkarni on the bansuri, Hindole Majumdar on the tabla, Somnath Roy on the ghatam, Vocals: Pandit Uday Bhawalkar and Pratap Awad. Tickets $25 and $50, (HST included) Refreshments will be served. Venue 1, Summers lane, Hamilton, ON. For tickets or more information call Anupam 905 627 7496  or Binoy 905 627 4084 or visit  www.themalhargroup.org or email tmg@themalhargroup.org. For online tickets www.hecfi.ca or www.ticketmaster.ca or call 905 527 7666 or 416 870 8000

Bharathi Kala Manram Mandolin Concert -  SVBF Auditorium -  Sunday 26 May -  5 pm onwards

Featured are Mandolin maestros U. Srinivas and U. Rajesh with M. Swaminthan on the mridangam and Trichy Murali on the ghatam. Tickets – $25 and $50. Call Dadu 905 566 7844 or Sreeram – 905 799 6257

Heart & Stroke Big Bike Community Day – Markham Area -  July 6

The Big Bike which celebrates its 20th year can hold up to 29 people for a 15-20 minute ride.   When you ride the Heart & Stroke Big Bike, you are helping your colleagues, family and friends get active while raising funds to help Canadians live longer, fuller lives! Riders are asked to raise a minimum of $50 dollars each in pledges to participate. For more information or to sign up email Big Bike Coordinator, Gabriela Altamirano (galtamirano@hsf.on.ca ) or call her at 905-709-4899.

Summer English Camp – CICS Immigrant Resource Centre -  July 8 to Aug 2

This no-cost English camp for youth between Grade 7 to 12 in ESL. The program will run Mon to Fri 9:30am-11:30am from July 8-Aug 2. Priority is given to Permanent Residents. English skills assessment will be done. Venue: CICS Immigrant Resource Centre, 2330 Midland Ave (Sheppard Ave E & Midland Ave)For registration and inquiries, please contact 416-292-7510 ext. 130 Ms. Lee.

Bollywood Goes Overboard With Cannes Fashion?

By Natalia Ningthoujam

New Delhi: Just when will Bollywood ever get it right? As the world celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema, Indian stars, it seems, went a little overboard in projecting the ethnic, oriental look at the Cannes red carpet that saw Sonam Kapoor, Vidya Balan and Sherlyn Chopra either going big on bling or heavy on jewellery and embroidery.
Aishwarya Rai, who has been a regular at Cannes for 11 years, didn’t go for the Indian look but was panned for her choice of clothes and hair.

The display seemed surprising, considering that well-known designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Anamika Khanna and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla were helping the stars put their best foot forward at the Cannes International Film Festival, which began May 15 and ends May 26.

Vidya was part of the jury at the Cannes extravaganza, where India was the guest country this year. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ang Lee, Christopher Waltz and Nicole Kidman at the gala, Vidya looked sophisticated in a maroon and black lehenga-choli, but thereafter, her fashion choices only earned her brickbats.

If one day she wore an elaborate nose ring, on another she chose an ivory ensemble complete with a white dupatta on her head, prompting women back home to ask just what image of India she wanted to project.

Mukherjee said the idea was to dress her in “little embellishments” and to give her “a purist ethnic” look.

Even though the traditional suits Vidya, most of her looks at Cannes, barring one – a simple brown sari with a maroon blouse – failed to impress, say stylists.

“Vidya played safe by going traditional as it has always worked for her. What she had picked up was really good but badly styled. The choice of nose ring and the use of dupatta on the head were not required,” said fashion stylist Shane Lonen, who has worked with actresses like Sonakshi Sinha, Karisma Kapoor and Prachi Desai.

Another actress, Sonam, considered a fashion diva back home, seemed to have gone overboard too – be it with her stylised sari teamed with a full-sleeved jacket, oversized nose ring or bold eye makeup. She made it up later with a voluminous floral Dolce and Gabbana off-shoulder gown.

“Sonam has mostly been a delight to watch in all appearances, but not in Cannes. She went overboard with her efforts to keep her style quotient unique and high. Had she worn the sari as a standalone, minus her eye makeup and over-indigenous nose ring, she would have been endearing enough,” fashion stylist Saachi Vijaywargia said.

Aishwarya, said Cannes watchers, has improved in her choice of red carpet ensembles over the years. This year she played it safe with either black or a heavily embellished full-sleeved multi-pastel coloured ensemble by Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, but she could have done with some more colour.

“I definitely think a dash of colour would’ve been nice for Aishwarya’s look,” said fashion stylist Nikita Rijhsinghani. The actress slipped into a metallic blue gown one day, but she didn’t leave a black clutch behind.

Some of India’s past representatives at Cannes have been subtle and simple in their fashion picks. Nandita Das and Sharmila Tagore before her have managed to turn heads with their simple, elegant saris and classic pieces of jewellery, also representing the country’s ethnic tradition very well.

Designer Amit GT feels black and white are “outdated” colours, but they were a hit with the Indian actors this year. “Kamasutra 3D” actress Sherlyn Chopra went for a daring transparent black ensemble, and Mallika Sherawat opted for a black gown on one day of the event.

Rijhsinghani gave a thumbs down to Sherlyn, and said: “There are a million and one looks to look sensuous! Kill the transparency for starters! Sherlyn just needs to hire a stylist with better sensibilities and may be get a new mirror too.”

Sensuous can mean more than just showing skin, says Lonen.

“Sensuous and sexy don’t mean going out and revealing your skin. With the kind of body she has, she can easily pull out a look like that, or even a classy Dior gown with good eye makeup would do justice,” he said.

Mallika also went all wrong with her blingy gold dress, says Amit GT, who felt the look was “most cringeworthy”.

For One Under Pressure, Manmohan Is Confidence Personified

By M.R. Narayan Swamy

Under unrelenting attack on more than one count, one would expect Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to be wilting. No way! On the night he released his government’s report card, nine years after he came to head the world’s largest democracy, Manmohan Singh was visibly cool.

Nothing in his body language betrayed the slightest indication that the 80-year-old economist-turned-politician may be feeling the heat of pressure cooker politics, with a bitter Lok Sabha battle barely a year away. Of course, Manmohan Singh is a poor communicator, and that came out in the way he read out his speech to mark nine years of UPA.

But once off the stage, he was full of life — smiling, shaking every hand extended to him, greeting people warmly, occasionally recognising a journalist, and answering queries like a seasoned – not a reluctant – leader as peacocks in his garden kept up a steady din.

In reality he should have been worried. The dais erected for the event revealed the poor state of affairs in what was once a formidable coalition called the United Progressive Alliance.

On Wednesday night, it was a poor shadow of its former self. Besides leading lights of his own Congress, including party president Sonia Gandhi, P. Chidambaram, A.K. Antony and Rahul Gandhi, the only notable others on the stage from among the allies were a still discredited Lalu Prasad and his chum Ram Vilas Paswan as well as Farooq Abdullah, Sharad Pawar and Assam’s Badruddin Ajmal. This poor line-up is unlikely to take the Congress to the winning post in 2014.

This is a far cry from the time when Sonia Gandhi had sewed up an impressive alliance to successfully take on the BJP and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The experiment was repeated five years later, with far greater success. Today, with the Congress widely seen as a sinking ship, notwithstanding the BJP’s own hiccups, smaller parties are unlikely to come flocking to the UPA. The Congress has already lost the JMM, TRS, DMK and Trinamool Congress. The BSP and Samajwadi Party are reluctant friends. The prime minister is not naive to not know this.

So what gives Manmohan Singh the confidence?

One logical reason could be the neat division of work between him and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who takes away the burden of managing the country’s oldest political party and its unceasing conflicts with partners small and big while letting him govern a complex India. In some ways, this arrangement based on mutual trust – notwithstanding the rumour mills – is rare in politics. It helps the prime minister to focus on governance.

But all is not well within the Congress. Not everyone in the grand old party is on the same wavelength as Sonia Gandhi vis-a-vis Manmohan Singh. Members of his own ministry – although a minority – are critical of him, telling friendly journalists that they tolerate him only because of Sonia Gandhi. They complain that he has failed to deliver corruption-free governance despite being freed of party work and coalition politics.

For the nth time Wednesday, Sonia Gandhi spoke effusively about Manmohan Singh. But while the prime minister admitted to problems, including perceptions related to corruption, Sonia Gandhi sounded aggressive while defending the UPA. She spoke bravely. But brave words alone cannot help a party or a coalition to win an election. And 2014 is not far away.

M.R. Narayan Swamy is a senior journalist

Paris Hilton Flaunts Indian Designers’ Creation

New Delhi: Socialite Paris Hilton wore Indian designer duo Falguni and Shane Peacock’s creation at the amFar (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) Cinema Against AIDS Gala in Cannes.

Paris was spotted wearing a customised baby pink coloured full-length gown with feather embellishments at the bottom.

“Paris has always loved our clothes and we have worked with her in the past. This is one of our signature styled gowns and she is looking gorgeous,” the designer duo said in a joint statement.

Falguni and Shane Peacock have earlier designed for celebrities like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Fergie, Nicole Scherzinger, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian.

Third Annual Career, Education & Settlement Fair

Toronto:  The third annual Career, Education & Settlement Fair takes place 11 am onwards at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Tuesday June 25. Presented by Canadian Immigrant and Scotiabank, in association with Centennial College, the free day-long fair, will see Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Michael Coteau as the guest of honour who will also inaugurate the fair.

“With a three-pronged approach of settlement, careers and education, the 2013 Fair brings to life our mission to inform, educate and motivate new Canadians,” said Gautam Sharma, Publisher of Canadian Immigrant. “After the tremendous success of last year’s event, we are excited to make this a bigger platform to connect and assist newcomers.”

Every year, thousands of immigrants arrive in Canada, particularly during the summer months, with great ambitions for their family’s future. However, many of them have little knowledge about the reality of Canadian living,  from continuing education to obtaining employment and getting settled. Canadian Immigrant has been a guiding star for such newcomers since its inception through its print as well as online publications. The Fair expands its support of newcomers to Canada with comprehensive interactive sessions packed with useful information.

“Scotiabank is proud to be the lead sponsor of the 3rd Annual Career, Education & Settlement Fair,” said Jacqueline Bukaluk, Vice President of Global Employment Strategies at Scotiabank. “Diversity and inclusion are important parts of Scotiabank’s culture. By celebrating differences, we can benefit from new perspectives and insights and provide leading, competitive service to our diverse customer base.”

Newcomers are encouraged to attend this fair to benefit from the various interactive workshops on topics offering information related to a newcomer’s most urgent needs such as finding a career, upgrading educational qualifications and settling successfully in Canada.

“We welcome newcomers into our college community and provide a nurturing environment to help them achieve new academic credentials and prepare them for the Canadian job market. The Career, Education and Settlement Fair is the perfect complement to our efforts,” said Prafulla Prabhu, Director, Marketing and Communications, Centennial College. “All of this activity is fundamental to our mission to educate students for career success within the context of global citizenship and equity.”

This event is tailored to meet the needs of those who are: an internationally trained professional, employed, under-employed or unemployed, with professional qualifications looking for a job, holding valuable foreign work experience and technical skills, seeking a career change upon arrival in Canada, looking for continuing education to advance career prospects, attracted to self-employment and entrepreneurship, planning to go back to school, keen on internships, paid or unpaid in the GTA and those interested in getting career information, advice and support

For more information on the 3rd Annual Career, Education & Settlement Fair, see http://www.canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair

Naval Bajaj President ICCC

Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), met May 21 in Brampton, Ontario, with members of the Indo-Canadian business community to highlight the benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of an ambitious Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA). The event’s hosts were the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce and the Brampton Board of Trade.

“With SMEs accounting for more than 99 percent of companies in Canada, our government understands the crucial role that these businesses play in generating jobs, growth and prosperity in every region of our country,” said Fast. “That’s why we continue to work hard to open new markets for our exporters in the largest, most dynamic and fastest-growing economies in the world, including India.”

To date, the Canada-India trade negotiations have undergone seven official rounds. A CEPA would benefit Canadian workers and SMEs by eliminating or reducing tariffs on goods, cutting red tape and facilitating trade in services. Canada has identified core economic opportunities in India in the energy, agriculture, infrastructure and education sectors.

“Further fuelling Canada’s growing trade with India are our strong people-to-people ties,” said Gosal. “Nearly one million Canadians of Indian descent enrich our communities in cities and towns across Canada, and our government is committed to utilizing these strong links to build a partnership that will lead to new opportunities and new sources of prosperity in both countries.”

Speaking on the occasion, Naval Bajaj, President, ICCC, said, “ICCC greatly appreciate all your efforts for early conclusion of both the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) and foreign investment promotion and protection agreement. We believe that in in the years to come, we need to develop multi-level engagement with India for unlocking the full potential of Canada-India partnership.”

Bajaj suggested that going forward, Canada and India need to engage their epistemic communities – networks of researchers, traders, businesses, alumni associations, friends, among others to generate support for building economic partnerships that are   robust, vibrant and synergistic.  “This will also help in the drawing up the right India strategy for Canada, which recognizes that the economic and commercial relationship is a two-way street and which begets optimal and mutual benefits to the two countries.”

Satish Thakkar, Immediate Past President, ICCC; Steve Sheils, the Chief Executive Officer of Brampton Board of Trade; and Badar Shammin, Member of BBOT’s International Trade Committee were the other speakers at the event that was attended by local businesses.

Mangat Nominated for Ontario Liberals

Mississauga:  Amrit Mangat, MPP for Mississauga-Brampton South, has been nominated the official candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party. Pledging to keep fighting for the prosperity of her constituents and to make Mississauga-Brampton South a better place to live, work and raise families, she said, “I am honoured to once again seek the privilege of serving the people of Mississauga-Brampton South. As your MPP I’ll continue to put our families first and work hard.  Together we can break the gridlock, have strong local healthcare, best education and robust economy.”

Mangat especially looks forward to championing the commitments made in the Ontario government’s 2013 Budget. “The 15% reduction in auto insurance will be a huge help to commuting families here in Brampton and Mississauga,” said Mangat.  “In addition to home care for seniors, better jobs for youth, and dedicated funding for municipal transportation and transit, the priorities of our Budget will help people in their everyday lives and make our communities more prosperous.”

A business manager and former teacher, Mangat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Economics and a Master of Education.  She was first elected in 2007  and again in 2011.  She has served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation, Seniors, Inter-governmental Affairs, Consumer Services and currently Children and Youth Services.

“Our government and the Ontario Liberals understand how important it is to find common ground and solve our challenges here in Mississauga-Brampton South and in other communities throughout Ontario,” said Mangat. “It’s the right vision for commuting families, the right vision for Mississauga-Brampton South, and the right vision for Ontario’s economy.”

]]> http://www.weeklyvoice.com/community-news/mangat-nominated-for-ontario-liberals/feed/ 0 http://www.weeklyvoice.com/weekly-horoscope-by-kalpesh-joshi/kalpesh-joshis-weekly-horoscope-may-25-to-june-1/ http://www.weeklyvoice.com/weekly-horoscope-by-kalpesh-joshi/kalpesh-joshis-weekly-horoscope-may-25-to-june-1/#comments Fri, 24 May 2013 17:02:10 +0000 The Weekly Voice http://www.weeklyvoice.com/?p=23849  

Aries (Mar. 20–Apr. 19):

Time is good for you to try something new at work place. Chances are bright for promotion. Help others and take healthy food to make you mentally fit.

Taurus (Apr. 20–May 19):

Don’t get depressed and continue working, as you have got a long way to go as far as education is concerned. You will be able to share your personal feelings with friends. Time is good to purchase new property, which will bring you profit.

Gemini (May 20 — June 20):

Express your views with boss at work place. This will help you to prove that you are dedicated to your work. All issues with your colleagues will be resolved. Try to give some time for your family. Take care of your health.

Cancer (June 21–July 21):

There is a good chance to get admission in a reputed educational institution. Give priority to yourself and spend more time with your spouse.

Leo (July 22 –Aug. 21):

Time is good for a healthy relationship with your loved ones. Take time off to go out with your family. Try to be positive and take care of your business.

Virgo (Aug 22–Sep. 22):

Pay more attention to your studies. Time is right for you to do some charity work. Don’t miss the chance to travel abroad for business.

Libra (Sep. 23–Oct. 22):

Get the advice of your teacher to choose a field that will help to build up your career. You may be upset with some financial issues, so handle the situation carefully. Take the opportunity to relocate for work.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21):

Help your friends. Attend social functions as it will get you good business opportunities. Follow your dieting routine to keep yourself fit.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 –Dec. 20):

Do not hesitate whenever you feel that time is good for you to take major decision. Never ever try to escape from adverse situation as it will land you into some legal disputes. Extend financial help to friends who need it.

Capricorn (Dec 21 — Jan 19):

This week your sister might need emotional support from you. Invest in business as it will bring you more returns. Be cheerful as it will make others happy.

Aquarius (Jan. 20–Feb. 17):

Always think that you can do whatever that is being assigned to you. Before giving advice to others make sure that you follow it. Be punctual at work to gain the respect of your boss. Ensure to give quality service to your customers.

Pisces (Feb. 18–Mar. 19):

Shape your life according to your goals. Don’t bother too much about your health problems. Allot more time for your education as it will help throughout your life.

Colour of the Week: Orange

Number of Week: 2, 3 & 8.

Celebrities Birthday:

May 25

Karan Johar

May 28

Kylie Minogue

Get Free Horoscope Chart on www.astrovision.info

Email: kalpesh@vastuvision.com

vidya balan cannes 2013

Mumbai: The hoopla over Indian celebrities and films at Cannes overshadows the harsh reality that it has been 19 years since any Indian film has made it to the Palme d’Or or the Golden Palm section of the prestigious film fest.

Prominent filmmakers cite the race for clicking at the box office rather than aesthetics as the reason for the dismal performance by one of the most prolific film-producing nations in the world. But there is hope that the new breed of filmmakers will change the scenario and make global audiences connect with Indian celluloid stories.

The last Indian film to compete for Golden Palm was Shaji N. Karun’s “Swaham” in 1994.

India, whose $2 billion film industry churns out over 1,000 films a year, was the guest country at the ongoing 66th Cannes International Film Festival, but unfortunately not a single film was worth being included in either Palme d’Or or Un Certain Regard, in which Ashim Ahluwalia’s “Miss Lovely” participated last year.

The only ray of hope this year was Ritesh Batra’s “Dabba”, which won the Grand Rail d’Or award at the International Critics’ Week, a sidebar of the movie extravaganza, known for appreciating and applauding cinematic excellence from around the globe.

Indianised stories replete with the country’s values, cultural and improved screenplay techniques can guide Indian films in the competition section, say filmmakers.

A master storyteller, Mahesh Bhatt put it bluntly, saying: “If you go with folded hands to a film festival, they will show you the door.”

“Indian cinema can reach there by proudly staying rooted to its own roots. The route to Cannes goes through our own country,” Bhatt, the director of films like “Saraansh”, “Arth” and “Naam” said.

The weak receding culture is the main culprit, according to filmmaker Subhash Ghai.

“The cultural background of the country has become weak, which was once upon a time very strong. No state government has given importance to cultural development. They don’t fund; neither do they understand. Cinema is the cultural ambassador; so how can you expect it to compete in the world?” he wondered.

Ghai, known for making films like “Saudagar” and “Ram Lakhan”, feels the way to go is to “have international sensibility to express your aesthetics and cultural sensibilities for international appeal”.

It’s quite possible.

In 2010, director Vikramaditya Motwane’s debut film “Udaan”, a film made in Indian milieu but with international soul, was screened in the Un Certain Regard section and became the first film to represent India in a Cannes competition section in seven years.

Agreeing with the two veteran filmmakers, trade analyst Komal Nahta pointed out that filmmakers are running after box-office glory and that is not enough to attract international attention.

“I feel that international appeal is lacking today. Everyone looks for success at the box office. But that does not appeal internationally. Filmmakers are happy to go to Cannes, but that does not mean that they are competing. We must make films, which appeal to the international audience. The international audiences are very different from Indian audiences,” he said.

International appeal is not the only element missing from Indian films.

“Vicky Donor” director Shoojit Sircar feels that directors need to work on their screenplays.

“We still need to master the technique of screenplay. Satyajit Ray’s films have been there as he created that magic. Soon, the new generation directors will also reach there,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the new crop of directors, he added: “We are not far and we will reach that point very soon. There is a lot of effort which has been put to reach that stage.”

Bhatt feels acceptance at foreign festivals is not the sole measure for a movie’s success, adding: “Isn’t the population of 1.2 billion enough to tell us?”