Pages

Total Pageviews

Friday, February 28, 2014

FC Barcelona Signs Croatian midfielder Alen Halilovic Friday Feb 28,2014


FC Barcelona have signed 17-year-old Croatian midfielder Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb, the talented teenager confirmed on Friday.“Now is the time for me to move on to Barcelona,” said Haliovic on Friday Feb 28,2014on Instagram.


“Thanks, Dinamo Zagreb, for everything! My first club and my first love!” Barca have agreed to pay around  €8 million ($10.9 million) for the left-footed youngster

Anti-Kudankulam activist Udayakumar joins AAP Friday Feb 28,2014


Amid resistance from majority of Idinthakarai villagers and members of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE), its coordinator S.P. Udayakumar, who was hitherto spearheading the anti-Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project struggle, and his associate Rev. Fr. M.P. Jesuraj joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday Feb 28,2014

“My joining the AAP will further strengthen the ongoing struggle against the project and take the issue to the national level with much vigour,” Dr. Udayakumar said

Joining the party in the presence of David Barunkumar Thomas, AAP’s State campaign committee convener, Dr. Udayakumar said he had decided to join the AAP after its high command agreed to fulfil his conditions such as taking people’s opinion on establishing nuclear reactors and decentralisation of power.
“While we’ll take this issue (anti-KKNPP agitation) to the next level, women from Idinthakarai will lead the PMANE and continue the protests''

UPA II Govt approves Rs. 1,000 minimum monthly pension under EPFO Friday Feb 28,2014


The UPA II Govt on Friday Feb 28,2014approved the proposal to ensure Rs. 1,000 minimum monthly pension under a scheme of retirement fund body EPFO that would immediately benefit 28 lakh pensioners


The move will immediately benefit about 28 lakh pensioners including five lakh widows. There are 44 lakh pensioners.

The Govt would have to provide an additional amount of around Rs. 1,217 crore to ensure the minimum pension of Rs. 1,000 starting 2014-15

Pensioners will get the benefit with effect from April01,2014

UPA II Govt Mandates 7th Pay Commission to revise salaries Friday Feb 28,2014


The UPA II Cabinet on Friday Feb 28,2014 gave mandate to the 7th Pay Commission for revising salaries of over 50 lakh central government employees and remuneration of 30 lakh pensioners

The decision will result in the benefit of improved pay and allowances as well as rationalisation of the pay structure in case of Central Government employees and other employees included in the scope of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC)

The CPC Headed by former Supreme Court Judge Ashok Kumar Mathur, the CPC has been asked to “examine, review, evolve and recommend changes that are desirable and feasible” regarding the principles that should govern the emoluments structure including pay, allowances and other facilities or benefits.

The recommendations, as per the terms of reference, have to be made while keeping in view the economic conditions in the country, need for fiscal prudence and the need to ensure that adequate resources are available for developmental expenditures and welfare measures.

The CPC’s report will be applicable on -
  • Central Government employees
  • All India Services
  •  personnel of the Union Territories
  •  officers and employees of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department
  • Members of regulatory bodies
  • officers and employees of the Supreme Court and 
  • personnel of Defence Forces.

The panel has also been asked to examine the “principles which should govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits”, including revision of pension for those who have retired prior to the date of effect of these recommendations

Note


Prime Minister Manamohan Singh had approved setting up of the 7th Pay Commission in September 2013

The 6th Pay Commission was implemented wef Jan 01, 2006
The 5th Pay Commission from January 1, 1996 and 
The 4th Pay Commission from January 1, 1986

New MD for Arasu Cable TV Corporation Saturday March 01,2014

Mahesan Kasirajan, Director of Sugar and Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Sugar Corporation, is the new Director of Information and Public Relations and Managing Director of the Arasu Cable TV Corporation.
Mahesan Kasirajan who has also been given the responsibility of ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Department of Tamil Development and Information, replaces J. Kumaragurubaran, for whom no posting has been given as yet.

2014 Petrol Price Hike Friday Feb 28,2014


This is the 2nd time in 2014 that petrol prices have been increased and 14th since January 2013

The price of petrol was last revised upwards by Rs.0.75 a litre and diesel by 0.50 paise(excluding State levies) with effect from January 4, 2014











































 Diesel Prices Hiked by 0.50 paise wef Jan 31,2014 midnight


Oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Friday Feb 28,2014 decided to increase the price of petrol by 60 paise

The revised prices of petrol  in four metros: wef Friday Feb 28,2014 Midnight
City
Current price
Revised
Increase
Delhi
72.43
73.16
0.73
Kolkata
80.20
80.96
0.76
Mumbai
81.31
82.07
0.76
Chennai
75.71
76.48
0.77

The revised prices of Diesel  in four metros: wef Friday Feb 28,2014 Midnight
City
Current price
Revised
Increase
Delhi
54.91
55.48
0.57
Kolkata
59.50
60.09
0.59
Mumbai
63.23
63.86
0.63
Chennai
58.56
59.17                       
 






















Gandhi Peace Prize


The International Gandhi Peace Prize, named after Mahatma Gandhi  is awarded annually by the Govt of India which was launched in in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

The Award given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods

The Award carries Rs. 10 million in cash, convertible in any currency in the world, a plaque and a citation.




Winners Details 

Year       Recipient                                                    Description

1995      Julius Nyerere(1922-99)                            First President of Tanzania

1996      A T Ariyaratne(Sri Lanka)                          Founder of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement

1997      Gerard Fischer(1921-2006)                       German diplomat, recognised for his work against 
                                                                                 leprosy and polio

1998      Ramakrishna Mission                                 Founded by Swami Vivekananda for promoting social
                                                                                welfare, tolerance and non-violence among
                                                                                disadvantaged groups

1999     Baba Amte(1914-2008)                           Indian Social worker, known particularly for his work
                                                                             for the rehabilitation and empowerment of poor people
                                                                             suffering from leprosy

2000    Nelson Mandela(1918-2013)                    Anti-aparatheid Revolutionary & Former President of
                                                                             South Africa


           Grameen Bank                                          Founded by MuhammadYunus in Bangladesh

2001   John Hume                                                Northern Ireland Politician

2002   Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan                            Educational trust that emphasises Indian culture

2003   Vaclav Havel(19936-2011)                       Last President of Czechoslovakia and 1st President of
                                                                            Czech Republic

2004   Coretta Scott King (1927-2006)              Activist and civil rights leader -Wife of Martin Luther King

2005   Desmond Tutu                                          South African cleric and activist

2013   Chandi Prasad Bhatt                                Indian Environmentalist and Social Activist, known for the
                                                                          Chipko Movement

2013 Gandhi Peace Prize



Eminent Gandhian and Environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt has been selected for the 2013 Gandhi Peace Prize

A pioneer of the Chipko Movement for which he was also awarded the Magsaysay Award in 1982, Mr. Bhatt was given the Padma Bhushan by UPA-I in 2005. 

The decision was taken by the jury headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. 
Other jury members were Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh and former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi. 

The UPA II Govt made the announcement on Friday Feb 28,2014

Persons with disabilities to get higher financial help

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Friday Feb 28,2014 approved revised benefits under the Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP).

The new norms, proposed by the Department of Disability Affairs, will be effective from April01,2014


Under the revised norms, the income eligibility ceiling enhanced -
  • for 100 % concession, from the existing Rs. 6,500 per month to Rs. 15,000 per month and 
  • for a 50 % concession from Rs. 15,001 to Rs. 20,000 per month

The cost of medical/surgical correction,has been revised from -
  • Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 for hearing and speech challenged
  • Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 for visually challenged and
  • Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 for orthopedically challenged.

User-friendly mobile phones will be provided once in five years to visually-challenged students of age 18 years and above

Laptop and Braille Note Taker will be given to school-going disabled students (Class 10 and above), once in 10 years

The cost ceiling for aids and appliances have been revised from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000 for single disability and from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 12,000 for students with disabilities

The subsidy for motorised tricycles and wheelchairs has also been enhanced from the present Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 25,000 for the severely disabled.This will be provided to those aged 18 and above once in 10 years

The provision for cochlear implant for 500 children per year has also been increased with a ceiling of Rs. 6 lakh per unit

Union Cabinet Recommends President Rule In Andhra Pradesh Friday Feb 28,2014


The UPA II Govt on Friday Feb 28,2014 decided to impose President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh and keep the Assembly in suspended animation. 

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet while taking up an agenda item “political situation in Andhra Pradesh” and “proclamation under Article 356 (1)”

Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan will hold the charge during the period of President’s rule.

The term of the 294-member current Andhra Pradesh Assembly expires on June 2, 2014 before which elections are to be held. The Election Commission is set to declare Assembly polls alongwith the Lok Sabha elections

Note

The move comes in the wake of the resignation of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy following the government’s decision to bifurcate the state.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje To Hold 'Sarkar Apke Dwar' programme in all divisions



Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and several state ministers toured the districts of Bharatpur division earlier this month to hear the people's grievances and redress them at the local level

A cabinet meeting was held on the last day of the tour and several announcements were made for the division.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara also said her government would make proper arrangement to ensure that benefits of schemes and programmes reach the right beneficiaries.

After successful tour of Bharatpur division to hear the people's grievances, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Thursday Feb 27,2014 said her government would also reach out to the people of other divisions of the state.
"After the 'Sarkar Apke Dwar (government at your doorstep)' programme is held in all divisions, we will make an assessment of the functioning of all divisions and the best one will be rewarded," Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said at a function in Udaipur.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said -
Govt would make proper arrangement to ensure that benefits of schemes and programmes reach the right beneficiaries
Govt would not stop schemes initiated by the previous Congress regime but would make necessary changes in order to make the schemes more beneficial for the people 

Sahara Chief Subrata Roy surrenders, to be produced before court Friday Feb 28,2014


Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy surrendered before the police in Lucknow on Friday, a day after they failed to trace him to execute a Supreme Court warrant for his arrest.

"As a law-abiding citizen of the country, this morning he willfully submitted himself to Lucknow police. He is co-operating with the authorities," said Seemanto Roy,son of Subrata Roy.

What is all about?







Feb 28, 2014, 08.36 AM IST | Source: Moneycontrol.com Timeline of the Sebi-Sahara case The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had asked Sahara to refund over Rs 20,000 crore to investors. 1 5 0 Google +0 0 Comments (2) HDFC Life™ Term Plan : Premium Starts at Just Rs. 2000/yr. No Medicals upto 75L Cover* Buy Now www.hdfclife.com/Term-Insurance - Ads by Google The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Sahara chief Subrata Roy for non-appearance despite a summon. This was in connection with the over two-year long Sebi-Sahara legal fight, which started in August 2012. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had asked Sahara to refund over Rs 20,000 crore to investors. We bring you the background and timeline of events which led to this ruling. November 24, 2010: Sebi restricts the promoters and directors of two Sahara group companies, Sahara India Real Estate Corporation and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation, from raising any capital through the issue of securities: either equity shares, convertible debentures or any other securities. December 13, 2010: Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court stays Sebi order January 2011 *SC turns down Sebi’s plea to stop two firms from raising money from investors, but empowers it to seek information and issue advertisements to inform investors that the matter is pending investigation. *Sebi issues a public notice on its website cautioning investors against the buying debentures of Sahara India Real Estate Corp and Sahara Housing Investment Corp. *Sahara India Real Estate sends a legal notice to Sebi. April 2011 *The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court vacates stay *Sebi issues a public notice alerting investors about a ban on money mobilisation by two Sahara group firms. *Sahara Group files a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order, which asked it to share full details of investors participating in its fund-raising exercise with Sebi. *Sahara accuses Sebi of defaming the company. May 2011 SC directs Sebi to proceed with its investigation into financial instruments used by two Sahara group companies to raise money from the public. June 2011 Sebi directs Sahara firms to immediately refund the money collected through sales of optionally fully convertible debentures (OFCDs) with annual interest of 15 percent. July 2011 *Sahara appeals in SC that Sebi has no jurisdiction. Seeks notice to Centre. *SC directs Sahara to approach SAT against Sebi order on OFCDs October 2011: SAT upholds Sebi order against Sahara to refund money. November 2011: SC stays SAT order January 2012: SC gives Sahara group companies three weeks’ time to choose between two courses to secure the investments made by the public in the OFCD scheme -- either to give sufficient bank guarantee or attach properties worth the amount. August 31, 2012: A Supreme Court bench of Justice Radhakrishnan and Justice Khehar rules in favour of Sebi and orders the two Sahara companies to return to its OFCD investors the full outstanding amount of over Rs 20,000 crore, alongwith 15 percent interest, within three months. October 2012: Sahara companies file a review petition in the Supreme Court. Sahara claims it sent a truckload of documentation to Sebi within the 10-day limit. But Sebi did not accept it as the documents arrived on the 10th day, after office hours. October 19, 2012: Sebi approaches Supreme Court alleging Sahara’s non-compliance with the main order. November 2012: Sebi files a contempt petition against Sahara claiming it had not furnished the investor documents within the court stipulated time. December 2012: The Sahara Group gets a temporary reprieve from the SC. The apex court grants it more time to repay the money. January 2013: Sahara misses the repayment deadline set up by SC. The company fails to deposit the second installment amount with market regulator. It was required to submit Rs 10,000 crore by January first week. February 2013: SC refuses to hear a plea asking for extension of deadline to refund investors’ money. Sebi moves in to attach properties of the group and group chief. March 2013: Sahara approaches special appellate tribunal against Sebi move to attach properties. Sebi seeks arrest of Roy. Sebi also says most of records provided by Sahara untraceable, implying several accounts were fictional. July 2013: Sebi files a contempt petition against Sahara in SC. Says company flouting SC direction to make refund. November 2013: SC bars Subrata Roy from leaving country. Sahara attacks Sebi, calls it a “sarkari gunda” which is working with political patronage. February 2014: SC issues non bailable warrant against Roy for failing to appear at a court hearing. RELATED NEWS Roti, Kapda & Makaan: What do home buyers want? No TDS on Service Tax component of purchased property READ MORE ON Sebi, Sahara, OFCD, bond, issue, refund, arrest, Supreme Court, property, attached, Subrata Roy, passport, advertisement, High Court, SAT ADS BY GOOGLE Free Demat Account : With Money Back Guarantee*. Trade Across Multiple Devices. Open Now! religareonline.com/Demat_Account Lenovo Flex 10 Laptop : Flexperience it. why need a Tablet? Flex starts @ Rs.26000. Shop Now! www.lenovo.com/Flex_Laptops Previous Buy Gujarat Pipavav Port; target of Rs 89: Ventura Next India opportunity for eBay; leads $133mn Snapdeal invstmnt Post Your Comments Comments 2 Should the Sahara chief be arrested for defying SC? Type your message here avinashsai ni25 New Member 0 Follower It shouldn`t be done. This is again win of bad politics of India. Actually it was not between Sahara and Sebi, it is between Sahara and some political powers. Sebi is just directed by those powers to intentionally accuse Sahara. 1 day 53 min 47 sec ago sygcom Silver Member 1 Followers The last entry should be Feb 2014, not Feb 2013. 1 day 3 hrs 15 min 48 sec ago Show all messages Get Quote Heavyweights Narendra Modi 13802.21 4.67% 53869 9166 Arvind Kejriwal 1245.83 5.20% 36851 45130 Arun Jaitley 2261.18 2.44% 17353 4851 most popular top news Ranbaxy, JP Associates to exit Nifty from Mar 28 Subrata Roy says sorry to SC, UP Police fails to arrest him Check out: Top five trading stocks for short term gain Maruti falls 5%, Guj plant 'worrisome': Brokerages tell why Stocks in news: Tech Mahindra, USL, Fin Tech, SPARC WhatsApp to offer voice svcs: Should telcos start sweating? 'Wipro's 10-year deal with Carillion worth over USD 100 mn' Suzuki's Guj arm to not make loss or cash surpluses: Maruti Subrata Roy Sahara arrested, SC rejects warrant recall plea Q3 FY14 GDP seen flat at 4.8%; services may rise: Poll Ranbaxy, JP Associates to exit Nifty from Mar 28 Subrata Roy says sorry to SC, UP Police fails to arrest him Check out: Top five trading stocks for short term gain Maruti falls 5%, Guj plant 'worrisome': Brokerages tell why Stocks in news: Tech Mahindra, USL, Fin Tech, SPARC WhatsApp to offer voice svcs: Should telcos start sweating? PrevNext video of the day Portfolios need to add bit of election beta: StanChart Sec news videos See Maruti revival in H2FY15; bullish on Bajaj, Hero: IIFL Govt to cut CNG prices by Rs 15/kg, PNG by Rs 5/cubic mt See FY15 GDP at 5.5%, vote-on-account to be dull: StanChart Mkt will remain under pressure; avoid oil cos: Anand Tandon See Maruti revival in H2FY15; bullish on Bajaj, Hero: IIFL Govt to cut CNG prices by Rs 15/kg, PNG by Rs 5/cubic mt See FY15 GDP at 5.5%, vote-on-account to be dull: StanChart Mkt will remain under pressure; avoid oil cos: Anand Tandon PrevNext

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/timelinethe-sebi-sahara-case_1048523.html?utm_source=ref_article
on Wednesday issued a non-bailable warrant against Sahara chief Subrata Roy for non-appearance despite a summon. This was in connection with the over two-year long Sebi-Sahara legal fight, which started in August 2012.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/timelinethe-sebi-sahara-case_1048523.html?utm_source=ref_article

Australian Coal Mine On Fire For Three Weeks

  
On February 9 ,2014 an arsonist lit a bushfire that spread to the site in Morwell, Victoria, leaving Hazelwood open-cut mine ablaze. Coal mine fires like this one are particularly hard to put out because they are difficult for firefighters to access underground.



Photographs show out-of-control fire at Hazelwood open-cut coal mine, which has left the Victorian town of Morwell exposed to smoke and ash.


The fire is burning over 400 hectares of land, with flames reaching between 20 and 50 metres high and smoke from the fire is causing rising levels of carbon monoxide for nearby residents in the town of Morwell
Helicopter water bombs the fire at Hazelwood coal mine in Victoria, Australia

 Smoke drifts over the Hazelwood coal mine, causing a health hazard to the nearby community

Emergency officials says that although an evacuation has not been declared, they are recommending people leave the area if they are affected by the smoke.

Homes flooded with filthy water as sewage pipe springs a leak in busy Clapham Road in Kennington, South London

There were initial reports that a sewage pipe had sprung a leak, causing excrement to flood the streets






Natalie Sisson(36)the business-savvy travel addict who lives out of a suitcase and earns thousands online


Natalie Sisson(36)of New Zealand sick of working 9 to 5 quit her job four years ago, decided to travel the world and has been living out of a suitcase ever since.

Natalie Sisson has bank accounts in four countries and 17 SIM cards for her mobile phone

Natalie Sisson does not have a permanent residence,identifies as a new breed of worker, the 'digital nomad,' someone who works exclusively online and is not fixed to one location

To date, Natalie Sisson’s traveled to 66 countries - visiting 15 in 2013 alone - with her longest stay in Berlin for two months


Natalie Sisson says she has about eight different revenue streams and spends anything from 20 hours to 60 hours a week working



'My blog brings in some form of advertising and affiliate marketing. I have digital products and programs for sale. I do coaching, and it’s all online through Skype,'Natalie Sisson said

2014 Oscars - Facts



American Hustle, directed by David O Russell and starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, leads the pack this year with 10 nominations, including the Big Five - Best Director and all four acting categories. It's the 42nd film to have scored the Big Five nominations and the 15th to have four acting nods.
Other films to have scored the Big Five include A Streetcar Named Desire, From Here To Eternity, Sunset Boulevard, Bonnie And Clyde and last year's Silver Linings Playbook also directed by David O Russell which makes him the first director to have directed two consecutive Big Five movies.

Megan Ellison, producer of Her and American Hustle, is the first woman and only the third person ever to bag two Best Picture nominations in the same year.

American Hustle star Jennifer Lawrence is the youngest actress ever to have landed three acting nominations by the age of 23, a record previously held by Mrs Miniver star Teresa Wright. Jennifer was up for Best Actress for Winter's Bone in 2011, won Best Actress last year for Silver Linings Playbook and is up for Best Supporting Actress this year.

Best Actress nominee Meryl Streep has broken her own record for most nominations ever received by an actor. Her grand total is 18. She has, so far, won Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer and Best Actress for Sophie's Choice and The Iron Lady

Martin Scorsese's The Wolf Of Wall Street fetched him is his eighth Best Director nomination. This is the second highest for any director, a tie with Billy Wilder.
The most nominated director is William Wyler who had 12 nods, winning for Mrs Miniver, The Best Years Of Our Lives and Ben-Hur

Indian Films At The Oscars

In 1957, Mehboob Khan's rural story of motherhood and hardship went to the Oscars. Mother India became the very first Indian movie to make the final five in the Best Foreign Film category. It lost to The Nights of Cabiria.

In 1958, Madhumati was the official entry in the Best Foreign Language category. Starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjanthimala, Bimal Roy's tale of reincarnation and revenge failed to strike a chord with the Academy. Madhumati did not make the final five.

In 1959 Satyajit Ray's ''The World of Appu''-a black and white depiction of the life of boy from the villages of Bengal was left in the cold by the Academy.

In 1960, the Academy similarly passed over Mughal-e-Azam, K Asif's epic love story starring Dilip Kumar and Madhubala

Tragedy Queen Meena Kumari's emotional quotient could help conquer Mount Oscar. 1963's Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam was buried in nominationless oblivion.

Adapted from R K Narayan's acclaimed novel, Guide brought Bollywood glory in 1965 to actors Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman, but not Hollywood recognition.

In 1974, M S Sathyu's Garam Hawa pioneered the new wave of art house cinema in Bollywood. Did it make the Oscar cut? The answer is a resounding no.

Shyam Benegal's Manthan, starring Smita Patil, won a slew of awards at home, including two NationalAwards.However,Manthan's luck with the Academy in 1976 proved no better than that of the films earlier.

In 1978, a second Satyajit Ray film was submitted by India. Led by Sanjeev Kumar, India's brightest art house cinema talents could not take Shatranj Ke Khiladi, or The Chess Players, into the Oscar lists

In 1983, costume designer Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win at the Oscars.She shared the Best Costume Design with John Mollo for their work in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi

Gandhi, made by an all British crew, won 8 Oscars that year. British-Indian actor Ben Kingsley won the acting prize for his authentic portrayal of the Mahatma

In 1988, Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay made it but lost to Pelle The Conqueror

In 1992, Bengali filmmaking legend Satyajit Ray was presented the Lifetime Oscar by his favourite actress, Audrey Hepburn

In 2001 Aanir Khan's Lagaan made it.Keeping Lagaan company in the final five was French film Amelie but the Oscar went to the Bosnian No Man's Land.

In 2009 ''Slumdog Millionaire''made by a British director and crew won -

Best Film Award

A R Rahman's two trophies for Best Original Score and Best Original Song

Resul Pookutty shared the Sound Mixing prize with Richard Pryke and Ian Tapp

Shah Rukh Khan tried and failed with Devdas in 2002 and Paheli in 2005.

Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par and 2010's Peepli Live all missed the final five mark.

A R Rahman goes to the Oscars again. Nominated twice for Danny Boyle's 127 Hours

10 surprise Oscar winners


1)In 1992, Anthony Hopkins' portrayal of cannibal killer Dr Hannibal Lecter in the film ''The Silence of the Lambs''took home the Oscar over critics' favourite Robert De Niro who was nominated for Cape Fear. Hopkins' win was all the more surprising because he was on-screen for only 16 minutes, the shortest role ever to take home a leading actor prize.

 2)In 2010  Meryl Streep was favoured for ''Julie and Julia'' with Gabourey Sidibe's performance in ''Precious'' a close second. When Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar for Blind Side, her comeback movie of sorts, there was loud applause but also a vague air of disbelief.

 3)1997's Best Supporting Actor Oscar went to Cuba Gooding Jr's comedic performance in Jerry Maguire, widely considered the weakest nomination in the category that year. He beat favourites Edward Norton, nominated for Primal Fear, and James Woods, nominated for Ghosts of Mississippi.

4)Marisa Tomei won Best Supporting Actress in 1992 for playing Joe Pesci's loudmouth girlfriend, that presenter Jack Palance was even suspected of having read out the wrong name. The year's favourite was Judy Davis, nominated for Husbands and Wives. There were other strong contenders including Vanessa Redgrave for Howards End.

5)In 1996, Kate Winslet's performance as the impulsive Marianne Dashwood in Sense And Sensibility was tipped for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Instead, Mira Sorvino, who played a prostitute in Woody Allen's Might Aphrodite, earned both the golden man as well as a dubious place in history with her win considered one of the most surprising ever.

6)Chicago's Best Picture Oscar in 20013 still has people puzzled. Also nominated that year was Martin Scorsese's acclaimed Gangs of New York, easily the favourite, and Roman Polanski's The Pianist

7)So sure was the Academy itself that Steven Spielberg's war drama Saving Private Ryan would take home the Best Picture Oscar in 1999.However, John Madden's Shakespeare in Love became one of the few comedies to have won Best Picture

8)In 1996 Comedy film Babe, about a pig loose in the city, was a surprise nomination; favourite films Sense And Sensibility and Apollo 13 did not win; and Mel Gibson's Scottish hero biopic Braveheart did win, in what was considered a major upset.

9)In 1966 Critics were left reeling from a double blow in 1966 when the Best Picture Oscar went to blockbuster musical Sound Of Music and Best Director to Robert Wise over David Lean's Doctor Zhivago..

10)1977 was another jaw-dropping year with boxing movie Rocky and its director John Avildsen taking home the Oscars over Martin Scorsese and Taxi Driver, the clear favourites, Alan J Pakula and All The President's Men, and Ingmar Bergman who was nominated for Face To Face

Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Niece Karuna Shukla Joins Congress Thursday Feb 27,2014


Having ended her 32-year-long association with BJP, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's niece Karuna Shukla on Thursday Feb 27,2014 joined Congress and slammed Narendra Modi saying his promise of serving the country is nothing but "plain dishonesty".

Karuna Shukla's joining Congress was announced by the party with much fanfare with senior Congress leaders Mr Dwivedi, Motialal Vora, B K Hariprasad, Ajit Jogi, Chhattisgarh PCC chief Bhupesh Baghel and CLP leader T S Singh Dev accompanying her at a press conference at the AICC headquarters

Karuna Shukla resigned from BJP on October 25,2013 alleging that the party was "under the grip of power politics and ever since there was speculation of her joining Congress



Hitting out at BJP's Prime ministerial Candidate Narendra Modi, Ms Shukla said the BJP has declared such a person its prime ministerial candidate "who did not fulfill the duty of a husband or rajdharma when he was chief minister.

If such a person talks about discharging rashtradharma, I will call it plain dishonesty".

Welcoming her into party fold, AICC general secretary in-charge Janardan Dwivedi said her joining Congress has symbolical value as "Karuna Shukla, who was brought up imbibing the value system of a person, who had immense contribution in the making of BJP has severed ties from that party because of bad culture that came there in recent years.

Karuna Shukla(63)who became MLA from BJP first in 1993 and was one of the senior leaders in Chhattisgarh, was unhappy over being sidelined in the party and had openly criticised the BJP leadership including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on many occasions in recent past.


A former MP from Janjgir constituency of Chhattisgarh, she had lost the 2009 elections from Korba to Charan Das Mahant of Congress.

Karuna Shukla was one of the national vice presidents of the BJP as well as the former national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha

2014 Asia Cup Fourth Match Sri Lanka Vs India Friday Feb 28,2014




Asia Cup 2014 Live Broadcasting TV Channels List

  • Pakistan: PTV Sports
  •  India Neo Prime, Star Cricket
  • Sri Lanka: MTV Sports / CSN Channel
  • Bangladesh: Channel 9
  • Afghanistan: 1 TV
  • Star Life OF TV for Europe

Match Four - Sri Lanka Vs India @Khan Sahib Osman Ali Stadium,Fatullah Friday Feb 28,2014 

Squads

India
Rohit Sharma,Shikhar Dhawan,Virat Kohli(C),Ajinkya Rahane,Ambati Rayudu,Dinesh Karthik(WK),Stuart Binny,Ravindra Jadeja,R Aswin,Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami

Sri Lanka 
Kusal Perera,Lahiru Thirimane,Kumar Sangakkara(WK),Mahela Jayawardene,Dinesh Chandimal,Angelo Mathews(C),Chaturanga de Silva,Thisara Perera,Sachithra Senanayake,Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis


Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field 

India scored 264/9 in 50 Overs
Fall of Wickets(India)
Rohit Sharma             13(in 28 Balls with 4x1)
Virat Kohli                  48(in 51 Balls with 4x4 and 6x1)
Ajinkya Rahane          22(in 27 Balls with 4x1)
Shikhar Dhawan          94(in 114 Balls with 4x7 and 6x1)-6th ODI Fifty

Dinesh Karthik            04(in 3 Balls with 4x1)
Ambati Rayudu            18(in 23 Balls with 4x1)
Stuart Binny                 00(in 4 Balls)
R Aswin                        18(in 16 Balls with 4x2)
Bhuveshwar Kumar     00(in 0 Ball)
Ravindra Jadeja          22*(in 27 Balls with 6x1)
Mohammed Shami       14*(in 7 Balls with 6x2)


Wicket Takers(SL)
Ajantha Mendis             4-60(10 Overs)
Sachithra Senanayake  3-41(10 Overs)
Chaturanga de Silva      1-51(10 )vers)
Lasith Malinga               1-58(10 Overs)

Sri Lanka scored 265/8 in 49.2 Overs - Target 264 in 50 Overs
Fall of Wickets(SL) 
Lahiru Thirimane              38(in 55 Balls with 4x4 and 6x1)
Kusal Perera                   64(in 81 Balls with 4x4 and 6x2)-3rd ODI Fifty

Mahela Jayawardene       09(in 12 Balls with 4x1)
Dinesh Chandimal             00(in 1 Ball)
Angelo Mathews               06(in 18 Balls)
Sachithra Senanayake      12(in 13 Balls with 4x2)
Chaturanga de Silva          09(in 12 Balls with 4x1)
Kumar Sangakkara          103(in 84 Balls with 4x12 and 6x1)-18th ODI Ton

Thisara Perera                    11*(in 18 Balls)
Ajantha Mendis                   05*(in 2 Balls with 4x1)
Wicket Takers(India)
Ravindra Jadeja              3-30(10 Overs)
Mohammed Shami          3-81(10 Overs)
R Aswin                            2-42(10 Overs)

Match Result -Sri Lanka won by 2 wickets

Player of the Match -Kumar Sangakkara(SL)