Javed Miandad Rejoins PCB

Pakistan's former cricketer and captain, Javed Miandad rejoins PCB as a director general. Miandad told IANS that he had a 'very fruitful' meeting with Ijaz Butt, the PCB chief, after which the former Pakistan captain agreed to return as the board director general.The 51-year-old legend stepped down from the post this January after falling out with the PCB top management over 'a limited role' offered to him.

Miandad told that the board was so keen in having him back and so he accepted the offer.When contacted, Butt said he is happy that Miandad is back in the Board.When Miandad quit in January it was reported that he had decided to step down over a salary package that was below his expectations.However, Miandad said that salary was never a problem.There are lots of things which need to be done like how to revive international cricket back in Pakistan and how we could make the domestic cricket more competitive.Miandad said he also accepted an offer to be Butt's advisor.

Miandad said that his first target will be to help restructure Pakistan's domestic cricket.
The domestic structure is in a bad shape. Unless that is consolidated nothing can be achieved at International Level. Miandad called for a 'united effort' from all stake-holders of Pakistan cricket, saying that they will have to learn from its neighbours if it wants to put national cricket on the right path. 'Look how much our neighbours have achieved with a collective effort,' he said referring to India's success in international cricket in recent years.

BCCI stages IPL Abroad?

IPL in India looks a difficult task due to security concerns as the IPL dates clashes with the dates of General Elections in India.The Indian cricket board will stage the Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament abroad this year. The reason for this decision seems that the Indian government are not in a position to provide security forces and this has forced the IPL officials to host the tournament outside India.

Cricket authorities in South Africa and England confirmed that they had been asked to look into hosting the event.The BCCI had failed to get government clearance for security cover despite revising the match dates three times because the tournament clashes with the country's general election, to be held between April 16 and May 13.The IPL will be played on its original dates, between April 10 and May 24, and is scheduled to return to India next season.

The South African cricket board said it had received a request from the BCCI to be a possible host.They received an official approach to be one of several options they are considering to host the tournament outside India.South Africa will also stage the Champions Trophy one-day competition beginning in September.

The England and Wales Cricket Board later released a similar statement, saying that at the request of the BCCI and the IPL it was "examining the feasibility of hosting the 2009 IPL in England and Wales".Indian officials said the huge financial implications and a tight international calendar had forced their hand. The World Twenty20 begins in England in early June.

Under the given circumstances, there is no other period for the conduct of IPL matches, the BCCI said in a statement and apologised to the cricket-crazy Indian fans for not being in a position to host the event at home this year.Security concerns have dominated the build-up to the lucrative eight-team event, involving many big-name international players, after an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore earlier this month.

India Creates History by Winning Hamilton Test

India win Hamilton test against Newzealand and lead the series 1-0. India created a new history as this is the first test match win in Newzealand since 33 long years. Indian test team consists all the senior players who are having a great experience in this longer version of the game.

Dominant India defeated New Zealand by 10 wickets in the 1st Test match. This is India's first Test win in New Zealand since 1976. Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged Man of the Match for his brilliant 160 runs. Sachin seems to be in brilliant form and doing a great job for the Indian team. Harbhajan Singh took six wickets in the match.

In reply to hosts' first innings total of 279 runs, India were all out for 520 runs with a lead of 241 runs. Tendulkar led Indian batting's motivated performance by scoring valuable 160 runs. India wrapped up New Zealand's second innings on 279 with the hosts giving a 38-run lead. The off spinner Harbhajan Singh took 6 wickets to dismiss the host for 279 runs in the second innings. Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid opened India's 2nd innings to hit another 39 runs for the historic win, which seemed almost like a formality. Gambhir hit a brisk 30 off 18 balls and Dravid added 8 runs to take India to a memorable win in New Zealand after 33 years.

The heroes of this match were:

• Sachin Tendulkar for his excellent skillfull bat in the first innings
• Harbhajan singh for his tremendous job with the in ballsecond innings.

Yaavarum Nalam Rights bought by Hollywood!!!

The horror film Yaavarum Nalam in Tamil starred by the smart actor Madhavan popularly called as Maddy, has raised the standards of Indian Cinema and shines as the first Indian film in the history of Indian Cinema, the rights of which were bought by Hollywood. What makes it even better is that the rights have been snapped up by Hollywood biggie Weinstein Company, one of the largest film production houses and distributors across the world.

The unusual storyline of Yaavarum Nalam revolves around an upper middle class family and its fascination for TV serials. The twist in the story happens when the TV turns the epicenter of many terrifying events and the family comes to grips with a supernatural horror that threatens their very existence. The film is an extremely terrifying horror with a fine story line based on an interesting concept around which the entire movie revolves. This film has not only made kollywood proud but also the entire huge Indian cinema. This story can soon be expected in Hollywood.

Director Vikram Kumar says, “When I heard the news that the story was bought by the Weinstein Company, I was ecstatic, overjoyed. I had never expected something like this, it’s still sinking in. The synopsis of the film was spotted by them at the Berlin Film Festival recently where Big Pictures, the producers had a stall. Having liked the synopsis, they went on to watch the film which they liked. Then, they sent their representatives to Mumbai to buy it".

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US proposes New Anti-terrorism Approach!

The United States of America proposed to European Union leaders to adopt a joint approach to fight hard to demolish terrorism and set aside divisions spurred by the Iraq war and Guantanamo prison abuses. The proposal was described as a broad idea in the early stages. It came as the two sides discussed a U.S. desire for Europe to accept inmates from the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where terrorism suspects are held.

President Barack Obama has ordered the closure of the internationally condemned prison within a year and an end to harsh interrogation of suspects held there.The United States really wants to turn the page they want to change the way terrorism is fought.It is a proposal to write together a memorandum of understanding enunciating the principles that should inspire our common fight against terrorism.

A number of European governments, notably France and Germany, opposed the Iraq War and former President George W. Bush's assertion that it was part of a global war on terrorism launched after the September 11 attacks. They also joined other international leaders in condemning abuses that surfaced at Guantanamo. About 240 terrorism suspects, including suspected planners of the September 11 attacks, remain in the prison. Many have been held for seven years without charges and some were subjected to interrogation techniques denounced by critics as torture.

The United States faces political resistance to holding those prisoners on U.S. soil after Guantanamo is closed and it is hoping to transfer some detainees to Europe while freeing others.That idea is controversial in Europe because the detainees would be free to travel within the EU once they were accepted by one of its members. This approach by US with European Nations has the primary motive to eradicate terrorism to the core.

Bid for Satyam?

Satyam Computer Systems is one of the hot talk topics of this day. Indian and foreign firms bid to take on Satyam..The outsourcing company said it had received an adequate response but did not name or number the bidders.Two investment banking sources told Reuters some eight potential suitors had registered to bid for a 51 percent stake.

There have been at least 5-8 bids. We expect a much, much smaller number to proceed to the next stage of putting in a financial bid.Indian engineering firm Larsen & Toubro, IT services firm Tech Mahindra, diversified Spice Group and U.S. outsourcer iGate Corp all said they had registered as potential bidders.Bidders must submit a detailed expression of interest and have available at least 15 billion rupees.

Satyam Chairman Kiran Karnik told Reuters the registration process did not require companies to meet any conditions.The names could include PE firms or law firms which are representing somebody else. At this stage we have not asked them to divulge who their partner is or who they are. So at this stage, frankly you have no idea.

Satyam looks an attractive takeover target given the massive plunge in its share price and a long list of marquee clients, including General Electric and Qantas Airways.But bidders face a tough job in valuing the company due to uncertainty about its accounts and liabilities.Analysts said it was unlikely suitors would bis aggressively as the company's accounts had yet to be restated and there was no clarity about legal liabilities arising from class action lawsuits filed in the United States.

Surya Fans Expecting AADHAVAN soon!

The Kollywood film "Aadhavan" starred by Surya, Nayanthara, Vadivelu, Ramesh khanna is directed by KS Ravi Kumar, music by Harris Jayaraj and produced by Red Giant Movies run by Udhayanidhi Stalin. This unit is been gifted with handsome hero, beautiful heroine, excellent supporting cast, superb music director and a successful director K.S. Ravikumar. So one can be sure a big hit is on the anvil.

Surya Fans are all on their feet to see their hero on the big screen soon. The news which recently sneaked out of the unit will be a treat to all surya and nayanthara fans. The latest buzz from the Aadhavan’s camp is that director KS Ravikumar has almost completed half the film. When KS Ravikumar informed Surya that the first schedule is done and they would start off with the second, the actor was taken by surprise. The director also told Surya that more than half the film has been canned and the remaining song sequences and outdoor shooting will be filmed in Kolkata. Surya had reportedly told the director KS Ravikumar that if all the directors were as swift as him, he would star in more films every year.

The film is on the way as swift as anyone would have imagined. This film is really going to be a big treat for all Surya fans. As we all hope when "Aadhavan" hits theatres, may be sooner than expected, it will not only be a great entertainer for all Tamil Cinema lovers but also one of the hot favourites at the box office. Let's convey our best wishes to Director Ravi Kumar and his team a great success.

India Celebrates HOLI Festival

It has been a tradition in India to celebrate the Festival of Colours with great sense of excitement all over the country. This colourful festival is being celebrated by all kinds of people and especially the north of India love celebrating Holi in even more grand style. This festival has a mythological importance of the victory of good over evil. This festival is celebrated by spraying colours on everyone, possibly all different colours will light up a Holi day. As usual HOLI is celebrated in a grand manner this year.

Holi revellers in Rajasthan's Bikaner are enjoying the famous Dab Dhamaal Holi, a unique manner of celebrating the festival of colours to the beats of the 'Dab'.The festivities here commence with the men-folk dressed as women and performing to the traditional Rajasthani folk songs. Artistes play various musical instruments and sing folk songs to mark the onset of the festival.

In Mumbai, members of Koli (fishermen) community celebrated the festival a day before the actual day of Holi as per the Hindu calendar.Several generations of the fishermen community of Worli in Mumbai have been celebrating the festival.Traditionally, a tree is decorated with garland, flowers, fruits and food and is then worshipped by the Koli women. Later, wood is lit to conclude the celebrations.Even foreign tourists joined the local revellers in the celebrations of Holi.


Although Holi is celebrated with colours across India, people in Allahabad celebrate the festival in their unique manner.People take out a hammer procession in which the hammer is adorned as a groom along with a fan as the bride.All the traditional rituals of Hindu marriage are performed to wed this hammer and the fan.This procession begins with the breaking of a pumpkin that is filled with colours, which is then splashed over the revellers. This colour splashing has been the trend of Holi festival.

The streets, people, park, beach,theatres etc. will will be sprayed with different possible colours and this wonderfull tradition of Indian culture will surely be enjoyed a lot by all. Wish you all HAPPY HOLI.

Sachin Sizzles and India Lead 2-0

India after an emphatic win in the first ODI at Napier against Newzealand and chance of win in the second ODI which was spoiled by the inteference of rain, took on Newzealand in the third ODI at Christchurch. India played first and posted a huge score of 392 in 50 overs.

It was Sachin Tendulkar who played a spectacular knock to reach his 163 runs. Sachin was in fierce mood hitting the ball all over the park and he was totally unstoppable for the Kiwis. Sachin made his first ODI century in Newzealand. But he did not stop at that, he went to make on 163 runs off 133 balls after which he was forced to leave the field due to bad cramp. Tendulkar's 43rd ODI century was an innings of skill, power, control and intelligence.

Yuvraj singh played a blitzering 87 runs off 59 balls has put kiwis on the back seat. Indian Captain MS Dhoni played a responsible innings of 68 runs from 58 ballsThe partnership between Sachin and Yuvraj took a lot out of Kiwis and the Newzealand skipper for the match Brendon Mccullum would be totally disappointed with the first ever international match in which he has lead the Kiwi team as a captain.

Chasing a huge target Newzealand started off well with a bright hopeful partnership between Jesse Ryder and Brendon Mccullum. But ultimately Kiwis went on to lose the match by 58 runs. Sachin's Sizzling knock and Yuvraj's flashing knock has put Indis in the drivers seat.India lead the series 2-0 and Indians will really look forward to grab the series in the very next match.

Colombo says No Question of Indian Involvement in Lahore attack

On account of terrible incident that took place at Lahore which affected the Lankan players both physically and mentally, Srilankan govt. insisted pakistan to display truth behind that incident. Srilanka has officially conveyed that there is absolutely no reason to suspect any sort of Indian involvement in the Lahore terror attack. Srilankan government has asked for an independent enquiry to get to the truth behind that horrible incident.

Srilankan Foreign Affirs minister has officially told pakistan's top leaders that India is fully with srilanka and there is no question of India being involved in the terror attack. The minister also told to convey the condolences and deepest sympathies to the families of the pakistani security officers and civilians who were killed in this attack. The srilankan government has also said that they were totally unhappy with the security arrangements at Lahore.

Srilankan Government stated clearly to Islamabad that there is no question of Indian involvment.Srilanka also feels that whether this attack might be caused by LTTE which considers to be unlikely yet srilanka has not ruled out the possibility.

Kamal plays 'A Wednesday'

Everyone is aware of the fact Director K. Balachander is the mentor of the great actor Kamal Haasan. Director told that a technician cannot earn more in the cinema industry, only an actor can. So I became an actor, recalled Kamal Haasan, when enunciating on his remake of the movie ‘A Wednesday’.

Kamal said that heeding to his mentor’s words he decided to don the greasepaint, but over the years he had learnt to spend his hard earned money to meet the demands as a technician. " In a wednesday", the actor will play the role that was briefed so beautifully by Naseeruddin shah.

Kamal also elaborated that he was greatly surprised seeing Naseeruddin portray his role with utmost precision in which his perseverance is clearly visible. I am enacting just seeing him on-screen which has made my job all the more easy. There is nothing wrong in remaking movies from other languages as long it has a strong and appealing message to be conveyed to the people. There are instances of successful remaking in earlier years too. A Wednesday is one such good movie which inspired me venture into its remake.

Frieda- New Fashion Style Icon!

Fame touches Frieda as a new fashion style icon. The reach of “Slumdog Millionaire” has propelled Mumbai girl Freida Pinto into instant fame with the former model going from anonymity to international celebrity within a span of few months. Fashion bible Vogue has lauded her as a style icon for her fashion choices at the coveted red carpet events attended by her.

The 24-year-old actress features in a smouldering new shoot for the Indian edition of Vogue magazine, which brands her as a “style icon”. The Vogue cover emerged just hours after it was revealed that Frieda is lined up to star in Woody Allen’s next film.

Allen moved quickly to secure the services of the 24-year-old Pinto, the latest in a long line of female muses featured in his films, including actresses like Scarlett Johansson and Diane Keaton. Pinto will star alongside Hollywood stars Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts and Anthony Hopkins in what will only be her second film.Filming will start in London this summer after the success of Allen’s latest hit Vicky Cristina Barcelona , which won actress Penelope Cruz her first Oscar.

China's Lunar Probe Lands on Moon

China's lunar mission aiming to send 'robotic explorers' before 2020, landed its first satellite on Moon, as the Communist nation braces to compete in space technology with countries like US, Russia and India. the Lunar probe makes its impact on the Moon today.It represents the first step in the Chinese ambition to land robotic explorers on the moon before 2020.

The satellite ended its 16-month mission when it hit the lunar surface at 1.50 degrees south latitude and 52.36 degrees east longitude. The probe named as Chang'e-1 began to reduce its speed under remote control by two observation and control stations in east China's Qingdao and northwest China's Kashi.

This was the first phase of China's three-stage moon mission, which will lead to a landing and launch of a rover vehicle around 2012, the official Xinhua news agency reported.Chang'e-1 was launched into space on October 24, 2007 and sent the first full map of the moon's surface back to China one month later.A dozen performance tests were carried out while Chang'e-1 was in orbit to find out its orbit adjustment capability. "Chang'e" is named after a legendary Chinese moon goddess.