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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Bangladesh hands over Ulfa chairman Rajkhowa to India

Ulfa’s top leader Arabinda Rajkhowa, his wife and another key militant were on Friday handed over to the Indian authorities by Bangladeshi

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agencies at an outpost along the border in Meghalaya.The custody of 53-year-old Rajkhowa along with 9 others, including Ulfa's military operations deputy chief Raju Barua was given to the BSF at the Dawki outpost in the Jaintia hills district, official sources said.

Along with them were Rajkhowa's wife and two children, his bodyguard Raju Borah, Barua's wife and son, and wife and daughter of Ulfa's self-styled foreign secretary Sashadhar Choudhury, they said.

They were later flown to Guwahati where they surrendered before the Assam Police, the sources said. They were immediately taken into preventive custody for completion of various legal formalities, the sources said.

Rajkhowa, founder member of the outfit, was detained in Bangladesh recently. He is among four people who founded the separatist outfit on April 7, 1979.

Indications of government opening talks with Ulfa were given by home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday when he told the Rajya Sabha that the outfit is likely to make a political statement in the next few days.

"Ulfa is in disarray today. In next few days, the Ulfa leadership will make a political statement. Our government is prepared to talk to Ulfa provided they abjure violence and there is no demand for sovereignty," he had said.

The government is moving cautiously in its approach towards talks with Ulfa, given the militant outfit's track record and the group's leaders going back on their promises to take the peace process forward.

Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had said in Guwahati on Thursday that his government has received "encouraging signals" from Ulfa for holding peace talks and favoured safe passage to the group's leaders if they came to the negotiating table.

Government is hoping that other top Ulfa leaders including the outfit's 'commander-in-chief' Paresh Barua, will also join the dialogue process. Barua, who is believed to be holed up in a southeast Asian country, has been opposed to the talks process and has been harping on the sovereignty plank.

Rajkhowa, whose real name is Rajib Rajkonwar, is the son of a freedom fighter Umakanta Rajknowar, who died three years ago.

Accused in several cases, including that of waging war against India, Rajkhowa has an Interpol Red Corner notice against him. He has been out of India since 1992 and is said to have lived in places including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.

Two other top Ulfa leaders, self-styled finance secretary Chitrabon Hazarika and foreign secretary Sasha Choudhury had been arrested in Bangladesh in November last and handed over to Assam police in whose custody they are lodged at present.

The developments assume significance in view of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India slated later this month and also the signing of three proposed agreements, including an extradition treaty and another on combating international terrorism.

Eesha plans to live with Timmy's parents

After coming back from her honeymoon, Eesha Koppikar plans to stay with her husband Timmy Narang's parents in their family house. She says the place is so big that she will get enough space and privacy.

"We will be staying with Rohit's (Timm's real name) parents at the Narang House. I have been living in a joint family all my life so I consider Narang House as my own place. The house is large enough to have our own space and privacy and yet have the opportunity to spend time with the family," Eesha told IANS.

Talking about her post wedding plans, Eesha said: “To my wildest surprise, yesterday Rohit revealed to me where he is taking me for our honeymoon. Over the past few years I think he has been making a mental note of all the things I have never done. So our honeymoon is basically planned entirely by Rohit."

“Rohit has planned it in such a way that we get to enjoy the best of all seasons. It's the sun on the Caribbean cruise and it's the snow in New York and the world's most beautiful beaches in Turks and Caicos. I think he has planned it very beautifully. I just can't wait now to see the world with him.”

After a sunny Caribbean honeymoon, the couple will bring in Christmas in New York.

“Rohit knew that I have never experienced a white Christmas and he has planned to take me to New York this Christmas where I'm told his friends are going to throw us a Christmas bash. I think it's extremely romantic of him to remember and plan a vacation in New York,” said Eesha who tied the knot with Timmy last week.

Pitt, Jolie's double date with Clooney, Canalis

Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie went on a double date with actor George Clooney and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis at a Beverly Hills Italian restaurant.

The couples went for dinner following the Los Angeles premiere of Clooney's new movie “Up In The Air” earlier this week, reported contactmusic.com.

The foursome spent around an hour together chatting and having fun before Pitt and Jolie headed home

Movie Review - Paa (2009)

Auro (Amitabh) is a 12 year progeria infected kid living with his gynecologist mother Vidya (Vidya Balan) and her mother (Arundhati Naag). Extremely witty Auro happens to win an award in his school from a young politician, Amol Arte (Abhishek). On the same night when Vidya watches its telecast, she realizes that Auro actually met his father for the first time. During her student days abroad, she was in a relationship with Amol but had broken off with him over their decision whether to keep the child or not. Amol wanted it aborted and not commit for marriage as he wanted to pursue his political ambitions. Progeria affected children don’t happen to live beyond 13-14 years so when Auro collapses and she fears he is nearing his final stages of his life, she reveals to him that Amol is his father. What follows next and how Auro is instrumental and getting his estranged parents back together forms the rest of the film.

Paa is R. Balki’s next after the immensely lovable Cheeni Kum (2007). Balki had showcased glimpse of his brand of sarcastic humor in his debut film and with Paa he has completely established it. The film has been intelligently narrated cutting away from unnecessary melodrama. The pacing is just perfect. The selection of child actors (including Mr. Bachchan) deserves special mention. They act their natural self and are extremely hilarious. Paa has plenty of wonderfully written and enacted sequences like Auro’s conversations with his best buddy in school Vishnu, Auro’s sequences with his stuffed toy King Kong, Amol - Vidya’s argument over whether to keep their child or not, Amol exposing his detractors on live national television, Auro and Amol’s chilling out all day in Delhi, Amol realizing Auro is his own child and finally of course the climax.

With his Auro act, Amitabh Bachchan yet again proves he is the Paa of all his contemporaries where acting is concerned. The effortless manner, in which he has carried out such a challenging act, deserves a long standing ovation. He is definitely bound to win all the acting awards for this one. Abhishek Bachchan has put up a very mature act. In fact you may want to hate his character in the film initially, but full credit to him for making it very likeable. Vidya with her body language succeeds in communicating her single mom turmoil. She is effortless natural as well and looks wow. Arundhati Naag is very good. Paresh Rawal in a short role as Abhishek’s father is well restrained.

The film scores very high in the technical department. Music maestro Ilaiyaaraja’s music is melodious and perfectly interwoven with the film. His background scrore is super fresh. Anil Naidu’s editing and PC Sreeram’s cinematography are top notch.

Watch Paa with your Maa and Paa and one can confidently say that it is definitely bound to be an experience which you will remember for a long time. Paa will leave you with a tear in your eye but also a smile on your lips.

separate statehood for Telangana

With the movement for separate statehood for Telangana taking a violent turn, the Andhra Pradesh government Thursday declared a 15-day holiday for all colleges and universities in the region.

All junior, degree and university or post-graduate colleges in Telengana, which comprises 10 districts, including Hyderabad, will remain closed for 15 days from Dec 4, the government said in an order.

All government, aided and private colleges including engineering, MBA, MCA, Pharmacy and Law colleges will remain shut till Dec 18.

The school education department is also likely to declare holidays for schools.

The move to shut down colleges and universities in the region come as the government felt that students were taking the movement for a separate Telangana state into their hands.

There are also reports that Maoists were exploiting the unrest on the university campuses to recruit students. Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who is on a visit to Delhi, told reporters that the authorities were trying to verify the reports.

The decision to declare holidays was taken after Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy held a meeting with ministers from the region to review the situation in view of the continuing hunger strike by Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief K. Chandrasekhara Rao.

Hundreds of students Thursday took out rallies in different parts of Telangana, expressing solidarity with the TRS leader. Students of Kakatiya University in Warangal took out a mock funeral of a local legislator of ruling Congress party Konda Surekha to protest her stand against the demand for separate state.

Ever since Chandrasekhara Rao launched what he termed 'fast unto death' after his arrest on Sunday, the student community has been staging protests. Some private colleges remained shut for the last four days.

Osmania University campus here was rocked by violence. Police had used force against the students, evoking strong reaction from various political parties.

The authorities are likely to launch a drive to vacate hostels in Osmania and other universities and colleges to prevent any gathering of students.

Revolutionary singer Gaddar, who addressed a meeting of students at Osmania University Monday, urged the students to consider the holidays an opportunity to intensify the movement and visit the villages

Monday, November 30, 2009

China obstructs road construction in Ladakh

n a confrontational act, China has objected to road construction in Demchok near the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh region of Kashmir.

The work has been stopped on the road project being built under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).

The eight-kilometer stretch of road that was being constructed to improve road connectivity, was providing employment to local residents.

Demchok village is the last inhabited area before the Line of Actual Control near the Chinese border.

India has a border dispute with China and despite several rounds of talks, the issue is still pending.

"Around one month back villagers of Demchok informed that Chinese army has stopped construction work of a road being build by them under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. The Demchok village is just at the Chinese border and is our last post.

These people are nomads and migrate from one place to another during summers. They take their livestock through that road. The Chinese army saying that the area belonged to them, and no road would be constructed there has stopped the construction work at the road. The road was well within Indian territory," said Chering Dorjay, chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.

Doha deal needed for stronger world trade

The global trading system has survived the economic crisis well on the whole, but a Doha Round agreement is needed to protect it from future shocks, the head of the World Trade Organisation said on Monday.

Addressing a symposium on the sidelines of a WTO ministerial meeting in Geneva, Director-General Pascal Lamy urged his organisation's 153 members to speed up their negotiations in the Doha Round, already in its ninth year.

"Given the present pace, if they want to get there in '10, we will need an acceleration," Lamy said. "How we organise this acceleration is probably Number 1 on the to-do list after the ministerial conference."

Doha accord negotiations are not formally on the agenda of the conference that starts on Monday afternoon, because Lamy and government officials believe the talks are not ready for a high-end push towards an agreement.

But the state of the Round -- launched in November 2001 to open markets and help developing countries grow through more trade -- loomed large over the Geneva gathering.

Developing countries issued a declaration saying that rich nations needed to show leadership to advance the negotiations, and a group of food-exporting nations said it was "disappointed with the limited progress in resolving or narrowing differences" in recent months.

"All members need to engage substantively in a transparent and inclusive manner if we are to bridge the gaps and successfully conclude the Round in 2010," said the Cairns Group, a coalition including Australia, Indonesia, Argentina and Peru.

Developing countries also called on Sunday for an agreement that would focus on removing distortions in trade in food that hurt farmers in poor countries, for instance by cutting farm subsidies paid by rich countries

Sunday, November 29, 2009

CHECK VISA STATUS FOR DIFFRENT COUNTRIES

AUSTRALIA : https://www.ecom.immi.gov.au/inquiry/query/query.do?action=eVisa
CANADA : http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/visatracking.html
CHINA : www.visaforchina.in
DENMARK : http://dk.vfsglobal.co.in
FRANCE : www.vfs-in-fr.com
GERMANY : www.vfs-germany.co.in
SWEDEN : http://se.vfsglobal.co.in
NETHERLANDS : www.vfs-nl-in.com
SPAIN : www.spainvac-ru.com
GREECE : http://www.vfs-gr-in.com
ITALY : www.vfs-italy.co.in
IRELAND : http://www.vfs-ireland.co.in
U.K : www.vfs-uk-in.com
U.A.E : www.dubaivisa.net
U.S.A : www.vfs-usa.co.in

Ram Charan Teja to remake Khaidi?

If reports are to be believed, Tollywood's upcoming mega star Ram Charan Teja will be the hero in the remake of director Kodandarami Reddy's Khaidi (1983), the first major sensational hit by his father Chiranjeevi. More details are awaited.

Meanwhile, it is heard that after the average performances of his two back-to-back films, director Dharani is likely to direct Ram Charan Teja soon. According to sources, the actor has accepted Dharani’s proposal and the director is currently working on the script. Shooting is expected to begin after Ram Charan Teja completes his ongoing Orange, being directed by Bommarillu Bhaskar.

Ek Niranjan - Movie Review

Expectations ran high for Ek Niranjan, director Puri Jagannath's first release of 2009 and the most expensive movie made in Telugu. First, it marks the Tollywood debut of Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut, widely known for her spectacular looks, who was paid a whopping one crore for Ek Niranjan. Second, after the success of Bujjigadu, which gave a much-awaited break to Prabhas in 2008, this is the second time Prabhas teams up with Puri Jagannath. Third, Prabhas performing dangerous stunts for this Aditya Ram production venture (without using a body double) was very much in the news, evoking a lot of hype for the film. Unfortunately, the film fails to live up to these expectations. The movie delivers good entertainment in the first half, but the flow slows and meanders with hilarious adventures, violence and not-so-impressive climax.

The film revolves around Chotu (Prabhas), who works as a police informer. Eager to trace his parents, he keeps pampering Chidambaram to reveal their whereabouts, as Chidambaram had kidnapped Chotu when he was a child. Romance blooms when Chotu falls in love with a guitar music teacher Sameera (Kangna Raunat). Her brother works for a mafia headed by Johnny Bhai (Sonu Sood), whom Chotu is entrusted to deliver to the cops. The rest of the plot is about what happens when Johnny encounters Chotu who has multiple responsibilities.

Prabhas is effortless as Chotu, beating up people and romancing Sameera in Switzerland. His characterization in this movie can be said to be an extension of his character in Bujjigadu. Kangna Raunat, who looked fabulous in Gangster and Fashion, seems to be out of place in Ek Niranjan as the script gives her no opportunity to display her acting skills. Sonu Sood's sequences with Brahmaji are the major highlights of the film. He seems to be filling the gap of Raghuvaran in a large way with his body language and voice. Comedy by Ali, Brahmanandam and Abhinayasri in separate tracks is without punch, leading to boredom. All others - Taniekella Bharani, Sangeetha, Mukul Dev, Makrand, Posani and others - have done justice to their respective roles.

The major drawbacks? The weak presentation and narration, lacking seriousness. Puri's story of a lost-and-found son is as old as the hills, even if it has been shown with plenty of songs and stylish action here! The dialogues are somewhat good. The screenplay is not impressive; there are many illogical scenes and loose ends. Technically, Puri Jagannath ensures that the film is fine. Shyam K. Naidu's camerawork is good. Mani Sharma has scored excellent music, particularly for the title song 'Amma ledhu naana ledhu'. Stun Siva's fights are stylish in some parts. On the whole, Ek Niranjan entertains to some extent

Simbu gives Premji a title

Irrespective of their success, every actor, after a couple of movies, is given a fancy title. Without getting into a debate on how many of them are earned and how many hollow, here's one on the lighter side. Venkat Prabhu's third directorial venture Goa, that is expected to repeat the success of his earlier movies, stars Jai, Sneha, Premji, Vaibhav and Arvindh, with Nayantara and Simbu doing cameos. The movie was supposed to release this year, but for reasons best known to the makers, the movie will now hit screens for Pongal [January] in 2010.

Amongst the may memorable things that happened on the sets of the movie, what Premji relates warmly and proudly is the title bestowed upon him by the Little Superstar Simbu. Ask Premji what the movie is about and pat comes his reply, “It's all about me! Jai and the others are my sidekicks! They are there just to nod to everything I say and dance to my tunes! Even Simbu, who has acted in the movie, gave me a new title, which tells everything. He calls me Mini Little Superstar!”

Namitha rejects 14 movies

Namitha's fans must feel crushed to know that 14 opportunities to ogle at their dream girl went by since she rejected them all! But she has a very sound reason to back her decisions.

“I have made up my mind to be very choosy and wary of what roles I take up. In the past, I have been very gullible and hence ended up doing only song numbers in movies where I had actually been promised meaty roles. Once I signed a project where I was supposed to play a detective, and was told to do a dance number like I was in disguise for an investigation. But after the song was shot, they told me that my character had been cut because it was digressing from the main story. Hence once again I had done just one song in a movie. Similar things have happened way too often. And now, after the success of Jagan Mohini, I am determined to do proper roles, not just glam ones. I don't mind double heroine subjects so long as my part is equally important. In the last four months I have rejected at least 14 offers, because they had no substance,” says a very emotional Namitha. Let's hope 2010 will give her the image makeover she yearns for

Dubai World's impact on India to be limited

The impact of the Dubai World crisis on India's economy would be limited and the authorities there would find a way out, experts said.


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"The impact of the Dubai crisis on the Indian economy would be very limited. Dubai World's debt is known to almost everybody. The news is the deferment of their repayment of liabilities. The Dubai government will find a way to save the company," Edelweiss Institutional Equities' Co-Head Vikas Khemani told PTI here.

According to another expert, the general feeling is that the UAE government will come out with a statement of support for the crisis-ridden company soon.

"The general expectation is that the UAE government will come out with a strong intent or statement of support for Dubai World and its related business, which can then arrest possible sell-off that one can expect before the markets open on Monday," Barjeel Geojit's CEO Krishnan Ramachandran said.

Ashutosh Datar, strategy analyst of IIFL, the institutional equities arm of India Infoline, said: "From an India-perspective, the exposure of Indian companies to Dubai appears very limited."

"After all, Dubai is just one small part of the

Telugu Movie review - Arya 2

Arya is an orphan and Ajay is his friend in an orphanage. A rich couple visit that orphanage and wanted to adapt one of these two guys. Arya and Ajay use a toss to decide their fortunes. Arya wins, but lets Ajay go as he thinks that friendship is all about giving. Ajay grows up as a rich man and Arya grows up as a poor guy. Ajay starts a software company and Arya joins him as an employee. Geeta is the new employee of the company. Both Ajay and Arya fall in love with her. The rest of the story is all about how these two guys try to make Geeta fall for them.

First half is is not gripping due to lack of conflict point. Around 45 minutes of the movie in first half where Arya tries to make Geeta fall for him appears redundant. Second half is better than the first half. The last 15 minutes is clear as the director reveals the real character of Arya, thus relieving us of confusion. The plus points of the movie are creative scenes, Allu Arjun, songs (dances) and technical values. On the flipside, psychotic orientation and confusion in hero’s characterization doesn’t get audiences involved in the movie intently. The runtime of the movie is also high. On a whole, Arya 2 is a different film that can appeal to A centers and class crowds.

STUDY IN NEW ZEAL LAND requriments

Student requirements

To be eligible to come to New Zealand as a student there are a number of conditions you need to meet before you get here and others you must meet during your stay.

Before you get here…


To enter New Zealand you need:

to have an offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider such as a school, polytechnic or university
evidence that you’ve arranged accommodation through the education provider or through another person
a guardian who is eligible to accompany you, if required
to be in good health and of good character.
If your stay is longer than six months, in some cases you may need to complete a TB clearance. And if it's longer than two years, you'll have to provide medical and police certificates
a passport that’s valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand
proof that you plan to leave New Zealand once you’ve completed your study

proof that:

you’ve paid any course fees that you’re required to pay or
you’re exempt from paying fees or
you have a scholarship or an award that covers your fee
proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay
to have the right visa for your visit.

While you’re here…

If you’re granted a Student Permit you need to meet certain conditions during your stay:

attend the place of study noted in your permit. However you can apply to us to change your course or the institution. Want to know more?
live with your guardian, if required
make progress in your study – pass your course
you may only undertake work allowed by your Student Permit
keep within New Zealand’s laws
stay in New Zealand for the time allowed by your permit.

If you break any of these conditions the New Zealand Immigration Service may revoke your permit!

BEST EDUCATION COMPARE WITH AUSTRALIA,UK & US

Education in Canada is cheaper compared to Australia, the UK and the US. Overseas students prefer Canada because more work opportunities are available to them now. Previously, international students were allowed to work for one or two years, depending on location. Now, Canada has rolled out a new open work permit scheme to attract foreign students -- a move that may lure away Indian students from their favourite destinations like the US, Britain and Australia.

Under the new scheme, foreign students will now be able to get an open work permit under a post-graduate programme, with virtually no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement of a job offer. The duration of the work permit has been increased to three years to ensure easier employment opportunities to target foreign students in an increasingly competitive global education market.

'No dearth of jobs for Indian students in Canada'

Canada is relatively new to marketing and promotion of international education. There is lack of awareness in India about the options the Canadian universities are offering. On the other hand, knowledgeable students put Canada on their priority list while comparing it with the US, the UK or Australia [ Images ].

The CEC was set up by the government of Canada to improve the recognition and increase awareness about the Canadian education. Now we function as an independent and not for profit organisation. For higher education like PhD degrees, students have been going to Canada since the fifties. But it was only in the last 12 years or so that concerted efforts have been made to promote and market Canadian education. Consequently, there has been a substantial increase in number of students opting for Canada since 1997

Co-Op Programs in Canada

The Co-Op Program helps people develop the language skills they need to function effectively in an English-speaking work environment. Language skills are developed through stimulating, communicative activities.

Co-Op Courses
The various courses offered in this program are suitable for a broad range of advanced students. Each course is 4 weeks in length. Many students integrate Business elective courses, such as International Trade and Marketing / Entrepreneurship, into a full time regular program

CANADA STUDY VISA easy 2 get

This application is for persons who are outside Canada who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada and who wish to study temporarily in Canada. A study permit is issued if the application is accepted.

A temporary resident visa to visit Canada may also be required. Check the list of countries and territories whose citizens need a visa.

Many visa offices have specific local instructions about which documents you must submit with your application. You need to find out what they are, and make sure you include all the correct documents. Consult the list of Canadian visa offices abroad to find the office responsible for your country. The page for your visa office includes a link to their website. Go to the website and find out what requirements and procedures you must follow when you apply.