CURRENT AFFAIRS: 09/03/11

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Paes in mixed doubles QFs, Bopanna also advances

New York: Leander Paes entered the mixed doubles quarterfinals while Rohan Bopanna was through to the men`s doubles third round on a reasonably good day for the Indians in the US Open.

Paes and his Russian partner Elena Vesnina, seeded seventh, defeated the Taipei-Polish pair of Yung-Jan Chan and Mariusz Fyrstenberg 6-2, 6-7 (7), 1-0 (4).

The Commonwealth Games scam might not have taken place had the National Sports Development Bill been passed, said Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Ajay Maken.

Had the law been enacted, none would have gone behind bars at Tihar for any sports scam, he told journalists at the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) at Sriperumbudur, near here.

LONDON: While India's leading cricketers continue to play a mind-boggling amount of matches throughout the year, making them increasingly susceptible to injury or mental and physical fatigue, their England counterparts are reaping the benefits of a structured workload.

England inflicted yet another defeat upon India as they won the lone Twenty20 international by six wickets at Old Trafford here on Wednesday.

The hosts, chasing 166 to win, finished on 169 for four with three balls to spare as Samit Patel struck three fours in as many Vinay Kumar deliveries.

Most Indians including Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan have criticized former England captain Nasser Hussain for calling Indian cricketers 'donkeys'. (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: The former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain's remarks on Indian fielders has not gone well with the Indian people. Most Indians including Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan have criticized Hussain for calling Indian cricketers 'donkeys'.

NEW DELHI (Agencies) - Former England captain Nasser Hussain’s controversial comparison of Indian fielders to ‘donkeys’ on Friday drew flak from former cricketers and the BCCI which has promised to look into what it called “totally uncalled for” remarks.

India sail past China in Asian Champions Trophy

In the first half, India led 2-0 with goals from Gurwinder Singh Chandi (5th) and Yuvraj Walmiki (21st). In the second half, India scored through Rupinder Pal Singh (41st), Rajpal Singh (43rd) and V Raghunath (62nd).

FIFA academies could come up at Sikkim, Kolkata, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Goa or Chennai. (Picture for representational purposes only - DC)

The office will be opened in early 2012 so as to develop the quality of football in India from close quarters, FIFA Development Director, Thiery Regenass, told reporters after inspecting the Karnataka State Football Association stadium.

The Federation of International Football Association's (FIFA) Regional Development office will be shifted from Colombo to India by next year, a top official said on Saturday.

Australia takes control of 1st test vs. Sri Lanka

Offspinner Nathan Lyon bagged five wickets on debut then captain Michael Clarke hit a fluent 60 on a difficult pitch to put Australia in command with a 283-run second-innings lead against Sri Lanka in the first test on Thursday.
Australia reached 115-6 when bad light stopped play on day two on a pitch crumbling since the first day at Galle International Stadium.

Dhoni questions DRS handling

India's captain, MS Dhoni, has once again voiced his displeasure at the handling of the Decision Review System, after Rahul Dravid fell victim to his third controversial dismissal of the summer.

Dravid, who was playing in his first ODI for two years, made 2 from six balls but had initially been given not out by umpire Billy Doctrove, after Stuart Broad and Craig Kieswetter appealed in unison for a faint edge to the keeper.

Australian batsman Michael Clarke, centre, plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, left, and Mahela Jayawardene, right, look on during the second day of the Test cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Australian b
Offspinner Nathan Lyon bagged five wickets on debut then captain Michael Clarke hit a fluent 60 on a difficult pitch to put Australia in command with a 283-run second-innings lead against Sri Lanka in the first test on Thursday.
Australia reached 115-6 when bad light stopped play on day two on a pitch crumbling since the first day at Galle International Stadium.

1,200 miles away from home, to cheer Messi

About 1,200 miles from home, Derek Pereira found his Holy Grail.

A banker and a die-hard Lionel Messi fan, Pereira travelled all the way from Santa Cruz, Mumbai, to see his hero and his teammates play at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday.

Messi misses but mesmerises as Arg win 1-0

After a goalless first half and after numerous chances went abegging, Lionel Messi and Argentina finally gave the 100,000 fans at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan memories of a lifetime as they beat Venezuela 1-0 in a FIFA friendly here on Friday.

England could have won if not for rain: Cook

England skipper Alastair Cook says his team could have gone on to win the first ODI against India if rain had not played spoilsport even though the host side was on the backfoot at the start of its chase.

England were 27 for two while chasing 275 but Cook said he did not believe his side was staring defeat before persistent rain forced an abandonment.

The Indian team finally displayed a sunny streak against England. Ironically the warmth on the field found no reflection in the wet weather and the first ODI of the NatWest Series that commenced at the Durham International Cricket Stadium here on Saturday was abandoned at 5.30 p.m. local time.

India was truly on top after Praveen Kumar's twin strikes during England's chase added value to a cohesive batting display powered by Parthiv Patel's 95. When the umbrellas were opened in the stands at 3.01 p.m. local time, England had struggled at 27 for two in 7.2 overs with Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell at the crease. Unfortunately for India, the match never revived. Earlier, India scored 274 for seven in 50 overs.

Nanban

Shankar, in an interview to a vernacular magazine, has said that he might make a sequel to his hit film Indian.

He was quoted as saying, "After Anna Hazare's movement, several people have been asking me to make a sequel to Indian. Even my producer, A M Rathnam, has been urging me to go ahead with the sequel. I will see how things pan out after Nanban releases."

Director Shankar

No one can forget Kamal Haasan’s role of a freedom fighter who raises his voice against corruption in ace filmmaker Shankar’s Indian.

The role fetched him a National Award. It featured Manisha Koirala and Urmila Matondkar as Kamal’s love interests. The big news now is that Shankar is toying with the idea of making a sequel to Indian.

Ranveer Singh at UTV Movies Jeeyo Bollywood Awards

Ranveer Singh who is the current heartthrob of Bollywood said that he is an exhibitionist in real life and so he does not mind going nude on the silver screen.

“I have no problems going nude on screen. In fact given my lack of inhibitions, it will be easy for whoever is directing a nude scene with me as I am quite an exhibitionist in real life too,” said the lively star.

Ram Charan Tej

Barely days after Tollywood's heartthrob Ram Charan Tej purchased a polo team, his team, Ram Charan Hyderabad Polo Riding Club (RC HPRC), tasted success in it's debut match held today (Saturday) at Polo Grounds.
The team made its debut in the inaugural match of the Hyderabad Polo Season 2011 that kicked off with the four goal tournament, Prince of Berar Cup tournament and emerged victorious. The RC HPRC players along with players from National Defence Academy together took on Remount Vetinary Corps (RVC) beating them 6-1.5 (one and half) in the opening game.

Hyderabad: Perhaps inspired by Bollywood stars who own IPL teams, young Telugu hero Ram Charan, son of actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, has bought a polo team.

It is not a commercial venture though, he says, but a means to pursue his passion -- horse riding.

Kapoor scion’s co-star from Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar finally gives first press interview to fashion glossy months before her Bollywood debut, confesses acting’s been tough Half-Czech, half-Pakistani Nargis Fakhri is Bollywood’s best-kept secret. Ever since the New York-based model signed on for Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar, opposite Ranbir Kapoor, she has been barred from making public appearances or giving interviews.

Crossword Book Award 2010 Winners Announced

Indian literary excellence took centre stage at the 'Vodafone Crossword Book Awards 2010' here as the country's finest writers and books were honoured.
The function was held at the NCPA here last night, a release said.

Who will Katrina marry: Niladri or Azmat?

Katrina Kaif, who is busy promoting her upcoming flick ‘Mere Brother Ki Dulhan’ these days, made an appearance on Zee TV’s popular reality show ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs' recently.

Katrina Kaif

Imran Khan

Not only did the Bollywood beauty charm her fans on the sets, but she also went on to propose marriage to two contestants of the kids’ show.

Katrina asks contestants to marry her
The 27-year-old actress, who was on the reality show to promote her soon-to-be released romcom, ended up proposing two young contestants, Niladri and Azmat.

Insiders revealed that being a Bengali, Niladri initially found it difficult to sing in Hindi, as he did not know the language.

When Kat got to know this, her instant reaction was “Niladri will you marry me?”, the reason being that she could easily relate with the kid as even she had to struggle with the language at initial stages of her career.

However, the actress changed her plans as soon as she met another contestant Azmat, who impressed the Bollywood beauty instantly. “I think I made a mistake... I should have saved my proposal for you!,” said Kat.

Actor Imran Khan, who entered Hindi filmdom just three years ago, says he loves the three big Khans of Bollywood - Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh - for their different qualities that set them apart.

Image Credit: Reuters
Shah Rukh Khan

Shah Rukh Khan is not known to throw Eid parties but this year the actor is planning to have a bash.

"I want to have a big Eid party this time because I want to read namaaz with my kids this time. We will call few friends. I've never celebrated Eid in a big way, but this time I feel like celebrating it.

31-yr-old man held for abusing 10-yr-old girl

A 31-year-old man, who sodomised a 10-year-old girl in August after luring her with the promise of a film role, was arrested on Thursday. The victim, who is a resident of Devipada area of Borivli (East), had gone to buy a SIM card from a local shop along with her elder sister on August 29, according to the police.

Boys With Their Toys

Designer Arjun Khanna’s opening show at the Van Heusen India Men’s Week 2011 at The Grand Hotel in Delhi, was dramatic. A mix of sophistication and grunge, masculinity and fun — Khanna’s collection called “Action Men” referenced from the dark fantasy of those wanting to be Sherlock Holmes. Male models sashayed down the ramp, sporting mysterious smiles in linen kurtas, pleated jodhpurs and fitting tartan pants. Boney M’s Daddy Cool juxtaposed with the sound of airplanes set the background score — some of Khanna’s boys even did a little jig on the ramp.

It was after five years that Arjun Khanna was to showcase his collection in the capital, and we must confess, the wait was worth the show. Kick-starting the third edition of the Van Heusen India Mens Week 2011, Khanna displayed a line that marked the designer’s signature style that spells loud and out – vintage.

Actor Vidya Balan, who is portraying south star Silk Smitha in her upcoming film, The Dirty Picture, says she doesn’t fear being tagged as a “porn star.” Balan will be playing a southern sex symbol Vijaylakshmi, better known as Silk Smitha, in Milan Luthria’s forthcoming film. “I think I am an actor playing a character Silk Smitha. I don’t think there is a possibility of that tag being attach-ed to me. I just hope it adds another shade to me as an actor,” she said.

Mumbai: When it comes to making a biopic, one has to take care of the minutest details. While in Hollywood, actors like Jamie Foxx and Leonardo Di Caprio have won accolades for portraying real life characters to the tee, while in India, filmmakers have often taken cinematic liberties.

Playing a hero is the ultimate for an actor. But here is an Ultimate Star, who dares to differ. Even while ruling the roost as a leading man, Ajith makes a defiant detour and strides on the path of villainy like a colossus, in Mankatha(U/A). Again, it is complete self-confidence that makes him showcase his salt and pepper hairstyle throughout — no other hero would attempt it, unless of course he's playing an old man. And even then, the film is bound to have a segment that shows him in all the joie de vivre of youth.

Shahid Kapoor is single at the moment. Or so he says. Since the start of the year, the 30-year-old actor has already been linked with actors Priyanka Chopra and Bipasha Basu. However, in an interview to Simi Garewal on the TV show India’s Most Desirable, Shahid insists on his single status. “My last

girlfriend — I don’t even remember her,” he says.

Shahid Kapoor is excited about his forthcoming film Mausam for several reasons. Firstly, it marks his father Pankaj Kapur’s directorial debut. Secondly, it will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Thirdly, this is the first time we will see him as a suave Air- Force officer, flying a fighter ‘plane. Fourth, he will be sharing screen space with ‘special friend’ Sonam Kapoor. Mausam has several firsts to its credit, and no wonder, the chocolate hero is confident about the film’s success.

Lata remembers veteran Marathi composer Khale

Mumbai: Lata Mangeshkar remembers veteran Marathi composer Shrnivas Khale, who died early Friday, as the one who brought her and maestro Bhimsen Joshi together to record one historic album.

?I just spoke to him a week back. We were supposed to do another album together. He had all the songs ready. Now he`s gone!," Lata said.

Saif’s father on his road to recovery

Chotey Nawab Saif Ali Khan’s father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who was not in the pink of health and hospitalized at Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi, is reportedly fine now and is on his road to recovery.

Saif Ali Khan

According to the doctors attending on Saif’s father, the veteran cricketer is suffering from intestinal lung disorder.

On hearing about his father’s ill health, Saif rushed to Delhi to be by his side and take care of him, reveal insiders.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

England inflicted yet another defeat upon India as they won the lone Twenty20 international by six wickets at Old Trafford here on Wednesday.

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