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Know Where Your Favorite Star Lives

Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:01:15 +0000

Home… there infancy is cradled, childhood nurtured, youth guarded, manhood inspired, age supported. There sickness is healed, and sorrow soothed. There weariness rests, and oppression finds an asylum. Home is a magnet which ever attracts the heart, whether we sail on distant seas or wander in foreign climes
-A. G. STACY

Home…it is the sweetest heaven on earth. For everyone, home is a castle. If you look at birds you can see that they finish their nest with their own breast, so it is the heart that makes the home, and not the beak or the claw. A man without a home is like a mariner without a compass, in a boundless sea, he will be driven here and there without any sense of direction. A man without a home is like a fish out of water, peacock under a cloudless sky, a flower without a stem, a tree without birds. It is a place where you receive warm words in a cold day.
To build a beautiful home is the dream of all. Celebrities actually spend a lot of money to build their “heaven on earth”. And many of these are literally a heaven. Do you want to see your favorite star’s luxurious abode? Check out, here they are:

Amitabh Bachchan and family
The doyen of Hindi film industry Big B lives in Juhu, Mumbai along with his family including Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek and his wife Aishwarya. Bachchan is now enjoying being the grand father to a cutest little princess. The home which was named “Jalsa” earlier has now changed to “Pratiksha” He is always happy to make special appearances in the verandah and to greet his fans.

Aiswarya Rai
Before her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan she lived in a flat near Bandra’s famous Mount Mary church. She stayed in the 12th floor of the lamar. The most curious part of this is she is not the famous resident of that building; it was the god in Indian cricket Sachin Tendulakar. Ash is from Khar, a suburb close to Bandra, and she did her schooling at the Arya Vidya Mandir School in Bandra, where she was a brilliant girl.

Shahrukh Khan and family
Shahrukh’s luxurious villa called Mannat faces the Bandra seafront. This mesmerizing bungalow was earlier owned by wealthy Parsis and such heritage villas should not be demolished. Last year, he received a notice on environmental violations by the Mumbai Pollution Control Board.

John Abraham
This hot successful practical man of Bollywood calls his old home an outhouse and has now moved to a beautiful mansion in Mumbai. John owns a beautiful haven with glass, wood and nature. He wakes up to see the great Arabian Sea before him and on the eastern side it is only the green side of lush trees. He disliked divided parts so the whole apartment has to be one without partitions adorned with a clear horizon.

Aamir Khan
Aamir was born and bought up in Bandra. He stays in Bella Vista Apartments. It is situated inside a housing colony which is impossible to view from road. From 2008, he has been on a hunt to buy his dream house. But finding a house is not simple, because he has many conditions. Firstly, it should be located at Aamchi Mumbai. It should be near to Sachin’s building. Lastly, it should match with his dream concepts of a home.

Rekha
Once a heartthrob of movie-goers, Rekha, lives in Bandra. Her mansion is completely covered with bamboo obstructing an outsider’s view in to the house. As she is single and alone, she prefers the barricaded look. She is very cautious about the security measures.

Salman Khan
Salman also lives in Bandra and his huge bunglow in Mumbai costs around Rs 110 crore. It’s interiors have been done by Hrithik Roshan’s wife Suzanne. The apartment is a blend of Indian and European styles with a white décor living room and brilliantly shaded kitchen. The triplex which extends across 9,763 square feet is next to Sharukh Khan’s home.

After seeing these architectural wonders, you may end up with the feeling of having landed in a paradise of beauty, elegance and luxury. These bungalows resonate their owners’ fame and glory. So next time when you pass through these villas, make sure you stop and catch a glimpse

Six Most Popular Books of All Time

Staff — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:39:16 +0000

Snigdha Sandip

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: “A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse–and Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness– And Wilderness is Paradise now.”
Books are our constant companions for life. Books are essential not only for amusement but also for the very existence of ours. It is very important in shaping our views toward life and world. Sometimes it may lead to several misconceptions and fantasies which push us to a world of fantasy. At the same time it can guide us in complete darkness. Even though in today’s virtual world more people rely on computers, the importance of books has not slashed down. We still love the fresh scent of paper and still enjoy reading books lying in our cozy bed in a moon-lit night.
Each book is subtly different, but reflects the same human saga of love, hatred, anger, revenge and the like. Some come and entertain us, some put us in utter state of confusion and dismay, some will peel off our pseudo nobility and polished culture and some will make us cry without reason…but only few can change our lives. Let us list out some of the best sellers of all times:

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death; — the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!’

The famous historical novel that stood the test of time. In this story, the father of the heroine Lucy after 18 years of political imprisonment was released and reunited with her. Charles Darnay, a French aristocrat was married to Lucy. Charles on his journey to Paris to save a family servant was seized and was put in prison. At that time Sydney Carton, a disreputable but brilliant English lawyer who resembled Charles came to rescue him. Thus Lucy and Charles escaped and Sydney died at guillotine and sacrificed his life to retain the safety of his friends. The character sketch was so brilliant and it stood out because of its indigenous plot.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

“Can you keep secrets? Can you hear a thing and never say it again? And puzzles and codes, I imagine they lay down to you like lovers”

This fast paced thriller deals with a story in which the main characters attempt to solve riddles as to unravel a murder case and save themselves. The story begins when the Harvard symbology professor Robert Langdon wakes up in the middle of the night in his Paris hotel and sets off for a thrilling ride of resolving the murder mystery with the help of French police cryptographer Sophie Neveau. They both find clues and solve riddles many of them were left by the famous artist Leonardo Da Vinci thus helping them to unravel one of the greatest secrets of Christian world. It generated a lot of criticism and allegations centered on the speculations and misinterpretations about the very root of Christianity and the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

““When you want something with all your heart, that’s when you are closest to the Soul of the World. It’s always a positive force.”

The revolutionary little tale of following your dream is a story of an Andalusian shepherd boy Santiago who used to wander happily through the Spanish fields and towns with his flock until a recurring dream of finding his treasure at the Pyramids of Egypt wake him from his complacency. With the help of a wise old man who calls himself Melchizedek, the King of Salem, he successfully discovers his personal legend. In this sweet parable which was originally written in native Portuguese pushes forward the legendary principle “The Law of Attraction”. The philosophy of “When ever you have a dream the whole universe conspires to fulfill that dream of yours” is the core line of this novel.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul”

Lolita written by Vladimir Nabokov tells the story of a middle-aged English professor Humbert who is obsessed with the 12-year-old Dolores Haze, with whom he becomes sexually involved after becoming her stepfather. Her nick name is Lolita. The writer has adopted a unique style of subjective-oriented narration in which Humbert pictures his fragmented memories in a sophisticated prose pattern. At the end, we feel sympathy for his sincerity and melancholy. This much controversial novel of 21st century has now become a symbol of modern world sexuality and Lolita, a symbol of the modern sexually precocious girl.

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

“The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists”

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson is a great motivational book which helps us to deal with unexpected situations in life. It propagates simple solutions to remain stress-free and assists to develop an optimistic attitude towards life. The main characters in the story are two mice and two people trapped in a maze. They are in search for cheese which is a metaphor of happiness. The message of this inspiring book is: never cling to your past and seek for new opportunities with a positive heart.

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

“You should write a book. Translating mad things girls do so boys can understand them.”

Harry Potter has now turned to be a common word in every household. The most attractive feature of this child fiction Harry Potter is children’s dreams like flying on broom sticks, leering and making potions and casting spells are realized in a much fantasy way. The main theme of all the series is Harry defeating his enemy “the one who must not be named” Voldemort in many ways. Each book successfully explores the myths and places it next door to the mundane universe. The most pressing factors of the series are the content that high lights a good behavior, the popping excitement we experience as the book progresses and the thrilling suspense behind the mask of magic. Before children reading the series, just try reading it yourself. You will also enjoy.

These six books will always be part of our fantasy, unreplicated emotions and burning passion. Just enjoy curling up with your favorite book with a cup of tea.

India’s Nuclear Capable Missiles

Staff — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:53:56 +0000

Snigdha Sandip

Everyone out there knows that Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President and India’s missile man, had launched the defence program named Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) years ago. The main purpose of the program was the development of a comprehensive range of missiles, including the intermediate range Surface to Surface Agni missile, and short range missiles such as the Surface to Surface Prithvi ballistic missile, Surface to Air Akash missile, Surface to Air Trishul missile and Anti Tank Nag Missile. Here’s a closer look:

Prithvi 1 is a surface to surface ballistic missile developed by the IGMDP. Based on the Prithvi missile project, India is developing 3 variants for use by the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. The variants are as follows: an Army version called Prithvi 1 with150 km range and a payload of 1,000 kg, an Air Force version called Prithvi 11 with 250 km range and a payload of 500 kg and a Naval version called Prithvi 111 with 350 km range and a payload of 500 kg. The missile is currently deployed with the Army units. The missile’s capability of maneuvering in flight and carrying out several different pre-programmed strategies are exemplary.

Agni is a family of intermediate range of ballistic missiles with three deployed variants and two variants under testing. Weighing 12 tone with a length of 15 meters, Agni-I has a range of 700–1200 km with a conventional payload of 1,000 kg. Agni-II weights around 18 tons with a length of 20 meters and a range of 2,000–2,500 km. The third in the series is Agni 111 that has a range of 3,500 km with a nuclear payload of 600 to 1,800 kg. Agni IV, earlier known as Agni II prime, has a range of 2,500-3,500 km with a length of 20 meters and launch weight 17 tones. It can be fired from a road mobile launcher. Agni V was successfully test fired on 19th April 2012. It weighs around 49 tons with a length of 17.5 meters. Agni VI is the intercontinental ballistic missile that India is reported to be developing. It will be the latest and most advanced version among the Agni missile family. It will strike at a target of 6,000-10,000 km with MIRVed warheads.

Nirbhay is a long range, subsonic cruise missile being developed in India. The missile which has a range of 1,000 km can be operated from multiple platforms like land, sea and air. This stealth missile is capable of delivering 24 different types of warheads depending on the requirements of the mission, and for guidance, it can depend on inertial navigation system.

BrahMos is a subsonic cruise missile which can be operated from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. The joint venture between Republic of India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Russian Federation’s NPO Mashinostroeyenia resulted in the development of BrahMos. They have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited. This world’s fastest cruise missile travels at a speed of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. A new variant of Air launched BrahMos is expected to come out in 2012. If it happens, India will be the only country that has supersonic missiles in all the defense forces.

Akash is India’s medium range surface-to-air missile defense system. The missile can target aircraft up to 30 km away, reach an altitude of 18 km. Akash can be fired from both tracked and wheeled platforms with a payload of 60 kg. Missile is controlled by four 3D phased array radars and four launchers with three missiles each, all of them are inter-connected. It is reported to be able to track 64 targets and can attack any 8 of those targets at one time.

2012 Flicks That Tread a Different Path

Staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:17:57 +0000

Snigdha Sandip
Bollywood is treading a new found path of late. If you are one of those millions of avid film buffs out there, you would know what we mean. Year 2012 has just seen a few months pass by and we already have a handful of movies that made us sit up and take notice. Many a director- young and talented – have churned out some awesome creations. Though not many catapulted themselves into Box Office successes, they proved that Bollywood indeed has something in it to wait for. Here we take a look at some of those awesome experiments. Folks, the list doesn’t mean we are ratingthem by popularity, these are a few ones we liked. Hope you would agree too.

Kahaani

Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Starring: Vidya Balan, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Saswata Chatterjee
After the huge success of Dirty Picture, Vidya completely shook off her glamorous role and adopted a much serious character role in Kahaani. She proved yet again that she is capable of safely handling any kind of role offered to her. Kahaani tells the tale of a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in the city of Calcutta. Director Sujoy Ghosh, co-scripted this nail-biting suspense thriller with Advaita Kala.
Agneepath

Director: Karan Malhotra
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutta, Priyanka Chopra
Agneepath, a remake of 1990’s Bollywood movie of the same name, is strikingly challenging and melodramatic. The story develops when the hero played by Hrithik Roshan returns to the village to avenge his father’s death. Sanjay Dutt makes a brilliant come back as villain in this movie. Sanjay Dutta’s character speaks sanskrtised Hindi. The script is well-written. Action-packed and melodramatic to the core, this one is.
London, Paris, New York

Director: Anu Menon
Starring: Ali Zafar, Aditi Rao Hydari
Speaking of Bollywood imitating Hollywood, “London, Paris, New York” reminds us of the Hollywood flick, One Day. It is the love story of Nikhil Chopra, an upcoming film director played by Ali Zafar and Lalitha Krishnan, a sweet political student played by Aditi Rao Hydari. The movie depicts the friendship between them over 8 years, only showing one night in three different cities. The friendship slowly creeps in to mature love.
Paan Singh Tomar

Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Starring: Irrfan, Mahie Gill
Irrfan Khan plays the role of a national level athlete who becomes a dreaded dacoit in Chambal Valley. The story develops with much outstanding ease and when the central character murders the men who have robbed him of his ancestral land, the director draws a picture of stubborn determination. The story is inspired by true events.
Gali Gali Chor Hai

Director: Rumy Jafry
Starring: Akshaye Khanna, Shriya Saran, Mugdha Godse and Satish Kaushik
A politically-inspired comedy, the film tells the tale of the fight against corruption. Akshaye Khanna returns with lots of earnestness. His character strikes against corruption in the country by doling out a stinging slap each to the crooked cop and the scheming politico. Shriya fits into the role of a small-town housewife. Even though the film was released soon after the Anna Hazare Movement of 2011, it failed to live up to the expectations of the people. Nevertheless, a brave attempt.
Ek Main Aur Ek Tu

Director: Shakun Batra
Starring: Kareena Kapoor, Imran Khan
Kareena plays a blabbermouth girl who is full of life, whereas Imran essays the role of silent and dull boy. They meet each other and like opposite poles, get attracted to each other. Further, the plot leads to their accidental marriage that follows misunderstandings, separations and reunions. But one of the shallow points of the film is that it is over crowded with a screenplay sans much story. As Kareena calls Imran ‘perfectly average’, the film also is perfect as far as acting is concerned but is average as far as the plot development is concerned. All said, this one is an experiment that might get mimicked by film makers elsewhere too for its different way of thinking.
Ek Deewana Tha

Director: Gautham Menon
Starring: Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson
Ek Deewana Tha is the remake of Gautham Menon’s Tamil movie Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa which was a hit. Though Menon is a master story teller, he somehow fails to capture audience hearts by picking up a much stagnated plot. The story line of the film revolves around Sachin, an engineering graduate from a middle class family in Mumbai, who falls in love with the cinema world. One day, he sees Jessie who is beautiful and smart and it is love at first sight. Jessie belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family. The film had a different plot, but somehow failed to connect.

Top Ten Beautiful Lakes in India

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:02:32 +0000

Snigdha Sandip

Lakes and rivers are gifts doled out to mankind by nature. India is blessed with many beautiful and natural lakes. Lakes are important to preserve wildlife, and control floods. India’s diverse geographical structure nestles many beautiful and affluent lakes. Some are artificial but majority are natural lakes that sparkle with purity and beauty.
The biggest reservoir in India is Indira Sagar reservoir, while the largest inland salt lake is the Sambhar Salt Lake. Dal Lake in Kashmir and Sasthamkotta Lake in Kerala are examples of natural fresh water lakes. The Cholamu Lake is considered as one of most beautiful lakes in the world. The lakes lying in the lap of Mother India attract many tourists from all over the world. Let us check out some of the important lakes in India.

Dal Lake

Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in India. Located in the city of Srinaga, it is the second largest lake in the Kashmir valley. It is divided into three parts: Gagri BAL, Lokut Dal and Bod Dal. Adorned with many floating Mughal gardens, small houseboats and colorful shikaras, this enchanting river attracts tourists and it has become the main highlight of Kashmir tourism. Surrounded with the majestic mountains, it is the paradise of birds. It has a maximum depth of 1.37 meter.

Chilka Lake

Chilka Lake, the largest brackish salt-water lagoon in Asia, is located at Orissa. It is the largest coastal lake in India. Chilka Lake, popularly known as Chilka, is home to a wide variety of aquatic plants and wild life. The Chilka Lake which is otherwise known as “Swiss-lake in the continent” is a feeding ground for 150 species of migratory birds. The major attractions of the lake are bird watching, fishing and angling.

Bhimtal Lake

Bhimtal Lake is one of the largest lakes in Nainital and the second largest in Kumaoun. Named after the Mahabharata epic hero Bhima, it is one of the most sought after destinations in India. It offers a spectacular view of mountains and thick forests of pine and oak.

Roopkund Lake

Roopkund Lake is situated in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal. At a height of 5029 meters, it offers a stunning view of the Trishul peak. Due to its low depth, it is also known as the shallow Lake. A mass grave of human skeletons was found in its slopes and it is believed that many had lost their lives in the bad weather some 800 years ago. This skeleton mystery also gives it the name Skeleton Lake. The surrounded beauty of glaciers and silvery peaks add color to the frozen lake.

Vembanad Lake

Located in a beautiful state Kerala, it is considered the queen of scenic beauty. It is the largest brackish lagoon in Kerala. The major attractions of the lake are houseboats and snake boat race. Snake boat race is most thrilling and colorful water sports of Kerala, which is held in the month of August or September. Green paddy fields, coconut fringed canals and Mangrove forests take you to a much higher realm.

Pushkar Lake

This artificial lake is situated in Rajasthan. It is the only lake associated with Lord Brahma. The lake is the religious hub of the city. There are 400 temples and 52 ghats; each has water of special powers. It is separated with a mountain called Nag Parbat. It spreads over an area of 5 km.

Osman Sagar Lake

Osman Sagar Lake is located in Hyderabad city. The Nizam of Hyderabad built a dam in order to save the city from flooding. It has now become reservoir for Hyderabad and Secundarabad. The lake popularly known as ‘Gandipet’ provides a serene and calm atmosphere. One of the major spots for visit is the Treasure Island with enchanting landscapes and pool sides. You can also go for a camel ride.

Chandartal Lake

Chandartal Lake lies in the lap of Himalayas. Eternal blue skies and towering Himalayan peaks safeguard this lake. The lake was made with Himalayan Glaciers and so it is known as Chandra Glacier. There is nothing but stillness surrounds it. The magical power of natural blue waters and the blue sky really capture our hearts.

Hussain Sagar Lake

Hussain Sagar Lake, which is the largest man made lake in Asia, comes under the list of seven wonders of Hyderabad. It was made for irrigational purposes and other water related needs for the two cities- Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The most striking feature of the lake is the 16 meter tall, 350 tone monolithic statue of Buddha, situated at the centre of the lake. Many water sports like water skiing, para sailing and motor boat cruising are offered here.

Pichola Lake

Pichola Lake is situated in Udaipur city of Rajasthan. Udaipur, otherwise known as the city of lakes, is famous for its beauty and serene atmosphere. Set against the Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan, it is surrounded with temples and natural scenic beauty.

Let us preserve these natural wonders of the country and protect our rights to boat, fish, ice skate and enjoy the scenic beauty of our collective public waters.

Man’s Best Friend, Indeed: A Set of Happy Dogs Caught on Video

Staff — Mon, 07 May 2012 10:43:26 +0000

Snigdha Sandip

Pets are part of our life. Sometimes we scold them, sometimes beat them up and sometimes we ignore them. But in spite of all our humiliations and beatings they still love us. Among the pets the most unconditional love comes from dogs. Their honesty really breaks our hearts.

I don’t know whether they have a telepathic power but whenever we are in danger they come to our rescue, their small glittering eyes sparkling with love and affection. And when the feel affectionate, they lower their ears, put their paws on us, and cuddle around us. They feel joy when they know you are pleased and they feel sad when you are sad. Even though there are moments that are fraught with naughty behavior, we still can’t close our eyes towards their honesty and love.
We need them in our lives… to love when we are left alone in the winding path of life…to express anger which cannot be vented upon others who are least bothered about our feelings…to seek help in times of danger when all others will desert us. We go to them when we are in need of a vibrant and joyful friend and we love them simply because we love them.
Dogs have an adorable way of showing affection. Here we have a set of beautiful videos that capture dogs’ affection:

Gracie, the dog, gets excited when she sees her owner, Capt. Andrew Schmidt of the U.S. National Guard, home after a tour. This video has turned so popular already.

Another dog called Molly, a golden retriever, shows her unconditional love when she meets her owner, an Air-force captain home, back from Afghanistan at the airport.

There is one more video of a dog welcoming his owner home from Iraq. Kodiak was so overwhelmed with surprise and love that he keeps on leaving the room and then coming back in.

On Bunk’s second birthday he is given a great party with balloons which puts him in a state of extreme joy.

Andy, the dog, can be seen running madly around the backyard with a squeaky toy thrown by the owner. A running dog is a happy dog.

This Doberman’s joy is incomparable when he finds he can dramatically slide down on the water slide in the pool.

This dog is a happy and content pet who patiently waits for its owner to throw him something to retrieve.

25 Popular Travel Destinations in India

Staff — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:55:18 +0000

Snigdha Sandip

Are you tired of your usual routine of long business meetings, lousy presentations, boring conference calls, the heavy traffic awaiting you at your office entrance, the afternoon body building work outs and the same old diet menu? Don’t you really long for a break? Plan for something different. Say good-bye to your office days, pack your luggage and set off for the land of mysterious paradoxes, India.
Traveling really unites you with your real self. It takes you to a realm of freedom and independence. India is rich with scenic beauty, architecture and culture. It is a strange combination of wealth and distress, new age technologies and ancient historical monuments, mysticism and rationalism.
The exotic and vibrant places, luxurious and adventurous shelters, mystic and spiritual lands, rare and delightful delicacies all await you. Don’t worry we bring you 25 amazing destinations in India.

Munnar
The most popular tourist attraction of South India, Munnar, greets everyone with expansive tea plantations surrounded with hills and valleys. The serene beauty of the wild sanctuaries and forests are really enchanting. The cool air of Munnar has the scent of spices. It has in its heart a flower called Neelakurinji which bloom only in twelve years. And for trekking travelers there is a place called Aanamudi, the South India’s highest peak.
Places of interest: Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park, Tea plantations and stone Christ church.

Manali
The seventh incarnation of Manu Varvasvata is said to have survived a flood and came into a hill side. This place is named Manali after him. When the water dried up a beautiful place rose out of it. There are towering mountains adorned with snow. The chirping of the birds and the cool breeze of the forest mountains are mesmerizing. Adventure travelers have plenty of pursuits like heli-skiing, hiking, mountaineering and river rafting. There are fields of wild flowers, small picturesque hamlets and fruit laden orchards.
Places of interest: Manikaran Gurudwara, Hadimba Devi Mandir, River Beas and Solang Valley.

Hampi
Hampi is located in Karnataka and used to be the capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara. It is a mixture of religion and history. The ruin of Hampi is a true museum of history and architecture, and is dotted with many temples like Virupaksha, Lakshmi Narasimha, Hemakuta Hill, Big Shivlinga and Vithala. Hampi is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
Places of interest: Lotus Mahal, Krishna Temple, Elephant stables, Hemakuta Hill and Hampi Bazaar.

Goa
Goa has now become a popular tourist attraction in India. Magnificent beaches, white sands and sparkling waters attract millions to Goa every year. It was occupied by Portuguese 500 years ago. The influence of colonial rule can be seen even now. You can wander around the centuries-old cathedrals and dive into crystal clear water falls.
Places of interest: Old Goa, Dudhsagar Falls and Anjuna Market.

Udaipur
Udaipur is one of the most popular seductive cities of India. This small city is the most romantic in Rajasthan. This dream city of royal princess and palaces is packed with majesty and passion. In the centre of the city there is a lake palace which was pictured in the James Bond flick Octopussy. This place, today a luxurious five-star hotel, and the City Palace on Pichola’s east bank are marked with epic courtyards and exotic paintings.
Places of interest: Jain Temple – Ranakpur, Shilpgram and City Palace of Udaipur.

Gangtok
The capital city of Sikkim is a bundle of tradition and modernity. The name Gangtok is derived from the Tibetan word for hill side. As the name signifies, it is a hill station. You will come across many stupas and monasteries while you travel through the heart of the city. One of the important places to visit is Rumtek Monastery.
Places of interest: Deer Park, Phurchachu Hot Springs and Nathula Pass

Bangalore
Situated in Karnataka, it is the fastest growing cosmopolitan city. The name has been derived from the word “Benda Kalu Ooru” meaning place of baked beans. The city offers a wide range of Beans-JavaBeans. This IT hub of India is blessed with gardens, parks, natural lakes shopping malls, the best restaurants and pubs in India. It is known as Garden city and Silicon Valley of India. This techie paradise is also a major place for classical music and dance.
Places of interest: ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra Temple, Lalbagh Botanical Garden and Bannerghatta National Park.

DharamShala
It is the Buddhist capital of the world. It is a very beautiful and peaceful city reflecting its spiritual identity everywhere. Dalai Lama’s monastery is situated here. There is a giant prayer wheel in the monastery along with a huge statue of Buddha. The gentle whispers of Buddhist prayers are echoed in the Monastery. Dharmashala is the seat of ancient Tibetan manuscripts and performing arts and handicrafts.
Places of interest: Tsuglag Khang, Kangra Valley and Triund Dharamshala

Jaipur
Rajasthan’s most colorful city, Jaipur is known as Pink City. It gained its name after the colorful stones used in the construction of the city. If you are looking for shopping head to one of the bazaars that offers self embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, dye scarves and other exotic hand made stuffs. Jaipur welcomes you with its colorful festivals, the unique dress code of the people, a wealth of handicrafts, a royal legacy of palaces, and temples.
Places of interest: Amber (Amer) Fort and Palace, Jantar Mantar – Jaipur and Palace of Wind (Hawa Mahal).

Leh
This capital city of Ladakh unwraps golden barley fields and snow covered mountain peaks. The monasteries of Shey, Hemis, Alchi, Thikse and Lamayuru cuddled under the mountain peaks revitalize our spiritual energy. It is a fair ground for all adventurous activities including: mountaineering, white-water rafting and trekking. The city is a pure blend of modernity and tradition.
Places of interest: Tibetan Market, Phyang Monastery and Leh Royal Palace.

Havelock Islands
Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, fishing, spending time on the beach are the highlights of Havelock Island. This most popular among the Andaman Islands is small and has its marine-life experience captured with the glass-bottomed boats. It is famous for its coral reefs. When you visit the place do taste the coconut drink available throughout the Island.
Places of interest: Radhanagar Beach, Barren Island Volcano and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.

Wayanad
The green paradise of God’s Own Country is full of exotic and enchanting scenic beauty. This place is filled with forests, plantations and wild life. The place is a combination of history and tradition. For outdoor adventure, climb up to the Tirunelli Temple, to explore nature’s magic head to Meenmutty Falls and to know the rich artistic tradition visit Edakkal Caves. This serene place can uplift your mood and revitalizes your lost energy.
Places of interest: Chembra Peak, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Edakkal Caves.

Mysore
Mysore or Mahishur as it was called then derived its name from the mythical past, when Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi Hills killed the wicked buffalo-headed demon, Mahishasura. This victory of good over evil is celebrated with the festival Mysore Dasara. It is famous for its sandalwood and silks. The grand palaces, majestic temples and gardens really touch our hearts with its splendor. Chamundi temple, a 335 meters high land mark, can be reached by a 13 km road or by climbing up the 1,000 steps.
Places of interest: Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens and St. Philomena’s Church.

Mount Abu
The mystifying and beautiful city is known by many names such as “Hill Of Wisdom”, “Saint’s Pinnacle” and “Olympus Of Rajasthan”. As the names indicate it is considered as a sacred spiritual spot. Many Jain and Hindu temples can be seen here. The summer festival celebrated by the people here is one of the major attractions of the town.
Places of interest: Dilwara Jain Temples, Sunset Point Mount Abu and Nakki Lake.

Matheran
This smallest hill station of India is in Maharashtra. Famous for its bio-diversity, it houses many rare species of flora and fauna. It has 33 look-out points that provides a panoramic view of the peaks of Western Ghats along with the region’s village-dotted plains. Matheran is one of the eco-friendly regions of the world that restrict motored vehicles. The place is full of sightseeing points like Porcupine Point, Panorama Point, Echo Point, Charlott Lake and King George Point.
Places of interest: Charlotte Lake, Rambaug Point and Paymasters Park.

Amritsar
Located in Punjab, this place is the commercial and culture center of the country. Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, is one of the major attractions. Other places for sight-seeing include the Jallian Wala Bagh where the Amritsar Massacre happened in 1919 and the Wagah Border where the Indian and Pakistani soldiers march-off.
Places of interest: Darbar Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh and Harmandir Sahib.

Mahabaleshwar
Mahabaleshwar has a vast green plateau with forests, long winding roads, horse rides. It has many sightseeing points like Lodwick Point, Arthur’s Seat and Babington Point.
Places of interest: Venna Lake, Wilson Point (Sunrise Point) and Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Shimla
Shimla, which is now the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, was the summer capital of India under the British rule. Its Victorian era’s architecture, natural scenic beauty, wooden crafts and apples attract people around the world. If you are interested in walking, you can get hold of many places unseen by vehicle riding tourists – like the Institute of Advanced Study, State Museum and Kamna Devi. The forest here offers a great variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns.
Places of interest: Kalka – Shimla Railway, Kinnaur and Jakhu Temple.

Tirupati
The Ancient Lord Venkateswara Temple placed in the top of Tirumala hills makes Tirupati a holy destination for all. Daily prayers has been offered in this South India’s one of the richest temple. Numerous waterfalls adorn the city along with a pre-Jurassic stone arch that is 25 feet long and 10 feet high.
Places of interest: Tirumala Temple, Talakona Waterfall and Tirupati Temple.

Kashmir
The paradise on Earth, Kashmir is rich in culture, history and natural beauty. Kashmir is a pinnacle of snow covered mountains, lush green countryside, white-water falls and scenic lakes. People there welcome you with a smile in their faces and nature with its hypnotizing beauty.
Places of interest: Dal Lake, Srinagar, Mughal Gardens and Jame Mosque.

Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal is one of the most sought after summer destinations in India. Home to an endangered animal called the grizzled giant squirrel, this popular hill resort invites natural lovers with its beautifully stretched tea plantations, rocks, woods and fields of exotic flowers. One of the beautiful lakes of South India named Berijam Lake, spreads over an area of 24 hectares.
Places of interest: Kodaikanal Lake, Coakers Walk and Berijam Lake.

Kolkata
Kolkata is home to spirituality and religion. It offers wide vibrant festivals and rituals. It still holds the imprints of ancient history in architecture, culture and life-style. The city is crowded and highly populated.
Places of interest: Victoria Memorial Hall, Mother House and Kalighat Kali Temple.

Coorg
Coorg reverberates with its lush green meadows, misty hills and mysterious sandalwood forests. It is famous for coffee. This destination supports outdoor activities like trekking, angling and white-water rafting. Major festival like Keil Poldu (worship of weapons), Cauvery Shankaramana (return of the river goddess) and the Huttari (harvest) festival offers a blend of colors and rituals,
Places of interest: Omkareshwara Temple, Brahmagiri Hill and Iruppu Falls.

Rishikesh
Seat of spiritual knowledge in India, it is known as the yoga capital of the country today. In the evening you can hear temple bells ringing and the gentle chants of yogis. You can practice yoga and meditation which is good for health and mental stability and at the same time experience crystal healing here.
Places of interest: Laxman Jhula, Swarg Ashram and Neelkanth Mahadev.

Alleppey
A picture perfect locale, the back waters, glimpses of day-to-day life of country side, beautiful palm fringed canals – hats what Alleppey is. One of the most popular attractions of the Alleppy backwaters is the houseboat. It is provided with modern amenities like open sit-outs, sunbath deck, spacious living area, kitchen, bath attached bedrooms with T.V, DVD and other entertainment. Guests can decide which kind of typical Kerala food is to be served on board for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

So folks, hurry up. Pack your luggage and start your journey to explore the wonders of the exotic land called India.

The Lethal Five Dying to Kill Superman

Staff — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:58:56 +0000

Even one like Superman has a soft underbelly. Here are five villains who almost overwhelmed the ‘Man of Steel.’ Despite the apparently invincible Superman being bestowed with an array of superpowers such as near-invulnerability, flight, super-strength, and heat vision, he is still vulnerable to being vanquished.

And, a number of villains are bent upon finishing him off – these are not ordinary villains: they have unique strengths capable of inflicting enormous evil on others.

Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor’s evil mainly stems from his near-genius intellect. All the same, Lex has so far failed in his several attempts to bring Superman down. In the film Superman, Lex Luthor employs an old trick against his archrival – and almost triumphs – when he exposes Superman to a fragment of Kryptonite and saps his strength.

General Zod
Three criminals of Krypton, led by General Zod, are incarcerated for eternity in a small pocket dimension called Phantom Zone. After an explosion in space releases Zod and company from their prison, they head for the nearest planet – Earth. Since they come from the same planet, the three villains have the same powers that Superman has. Thought the two other villains – Ursa and Non – are intimidating enough, Zod is particularly murderous and persistent in his evildoing.

Metallo
Metallo, the criminal cyborg, is very dangerous, what with his enhanced strength being derived from a piece of Kryptonite. In Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, he almost overwhelms the television version of Superman by just staying close to him. However, in their rematch, Superman is wise enough to keeps his distance and uses his ‘super-breath’ and heat vision to beat Metallo.

Captain Marvel
Lex Luthor, who is elected as the president in the animated film titled Superman/Batman Public Enemies, convinces everyone that Superman is bad. Captain Marvel, too, has a set of powers similar to that of Superman. Marvel is also a magic-based being, and Superman is vulnerable to magic. As Superman and Captain Marvel exchange blows, Batman and Power Girl, two other heroes, help save Superman from Marvel.

Doomsday
The villain Doomsday is different from other villains in that he actually succeeds in killing Superman. In the movie titled Superman: Doomsday, while Doomsday, a powerful creature goes on a bloody rampage, Superman stops the monster in order to protect the city of Metropolis. Even though Superman emerges victorious, the injuries he suffered in the colossal clash are too much even for him. However, a Kryptonian robot and advanced alien technology breathe new life into Superman.

Yet Another Pretty Venezeulan Wears the Miss World Crown

Staff — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:12:42 +0000

Vighnesh Nagathan

The Miss World crown for 2011 has finally rested on the proud head of gorgeous Venezuelan beauty Ivian Sarcos. With around billion people on either side of the globe watching, Miss Venezuela shimmered wearing the invaluable tiara. A 21-year old HR graduate from Venezuela gasped at first and shed tears of joy when the judges named her winner of Miss World 2011 at Earls Court in London. Though beauty remains the main criteria – brains, skills and good causes also plays a chief role in determining the winner. And, Sarcos was worthy enough to be the winner.

Miss World 2011 Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares, in spite of having a troubled childhood, was able to make herself and her country proud for bringing home the Miss World honor. This is Venezuela’s sixth win. Home favorite Miss England, Alize Lily Mounter, won the complimentary title of beach beauty.
Ivian Sarcos was brought up in a nunnery after she was orphaned at the age of eight. She dropped plans of becoming a nun, after realizing the potential of her sensual appearance. She was working with a broadcasting company with a human resources degree when destiny walked up to her and presented her with the title of the 60th Miss World.
Sarcos was selected from the 122 contestants, and impressed judges with her wit, personality, and beauty. She stated that she wanted to work with non-governmental organizations for the good of under privileged children.
She was struggling with emotions when Miss World 2010, Alexandria Mills of the United States, crowned her and made her sit in the glistening silver throne.
London city was glinted for the gala event which returned to its home city where the first Miss World was staged in 1951. The first runner-up was Miss Philippines, Gwendoline Ruais. Another stunning beauty Amanda Vilanova, from Puerto Rico was declared the 2nd runner-up. The three top beauties will now travel around the planet promoting the motto ‘Beauty with a Purpose’.

Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos in good spirits before she was crowned winner at Earls Court in London.

Miss Venezuela Ivian Sarcos when she was announced the winner.

Ms Ivian Sarcos is all tears after being adjudges Miss World 2011

Miss World 2011 poses with fellow contestants after being crowned

Ms World 2011 is congratulated by other contestants after being crowned.

Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos along with the first runner up Miss Philippines Gwendoline Ruais, left, and Second runner up Miss Puerto Rico Amanda Perez.

Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos beautifully attired in a diamond-studded light pink dress that had a giant cascade of pink frills slashed below the waist, cut to reveal her front below the knees.

Ms Ivian Sarcos being titled Miss World 2011 by Alexandria Mills

Ms Ivian Sarcos in excitement after she was adjudged winner.

The moment of pride celebration.

Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos waving to the crowd, after winning the title

Miss World 2011 gestures to the crowds after being crowned.

Heidi Klum’s Halloween: Which is the Scariest Garb of Them All?

Staff — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:57:38 +0000

Vignesh Nagathan

When it comes to Halloween, Heidi Klum is definitely on Hollywood’s A-list. She is famous for hosting Halloween parties with most intricate and scary costumes one might never presume. This 38-year-old celebrity model, actress, TV host didn’t disappoint us this year either. She sailed into the event venue on an autopsy table accompanied by two blood-spattered doctors, who appeared as if they peeled her skin off to show her underlying muscles.

She was literally dressed as a dead body sans the first layer of skin. This might be a Heidi’s most intricate costume so far. You can debate as to which one is the scariest after looking through the costumes she has wore over the years. Here goes:

2010
She was like the fictional Transformer inspired fighter, clad in purple body paint and red hair, along with her sturdy slits, and a robotic shoes.

2009
Heidi appeared with her husband in raven costume. Though the costume was scary and true to the night’s evil spirited theme, it was gorgeous on her.

2008
She scared the hell out of everyone with her eight armed kali, a Hindu goddess. She had an eye on the details that made her attire outstanding.

2007
She was not cat-woman, but simply a cat with a tag saying ‘if found return to Seal (her husband)

2006
She smartly covered her 8 month pregnant body opting for Eve’s apple costume.

2005
She looked scary in a dark clad lady vampire with a heart pumping outside.

2004
Heidi raised the bar for witch costumes with an all-red costume with a full skeleton on her back.

2003
For a change, she came from another planet to her own party. She looked filthier and weirder in a golden costume, and arrived in a UFO.

2002
We are convinced that only Heidi Klum can do the animated Betty Boop(Scary one) better than the Helen Kane, based on whom the character is drawn.

2001
She reminded us of the legend of Lady Godiva, clad in a white skintight costume riding a horse

2000
This was the time where she began it all. She appeared as a raven-haired beauty complemented with pigtails, that give her a casual look.