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Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza has clinched the Miss Universe 2008 crown. The 22-year-old Mendoza beats Taliana Vargas (Columbia - 1st runner up), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic - 2nd runner up), Vera Krasova (Russia - 3rd runner up) and Elisa Najera (Mexico - 4th runner up) to win the beauty peagent. A delighted Dayana Mendoza received the crown from Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori of Japan. Talking with media persons, Mendoza revealed that she was once kidnapped in her homeland and her past experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.
Miss India 2008 Simran Kaur Mundi could not make into last 15 semi-finalist list. For the eighth consecutive year, Indian beauty queen returned empty handed from one of world’s largest glamorous extravaganza. Last time in the year 2000 Lara Dutta fetched the Miss Universe title. Since then Miss India Celina Jaitley (2001), Neha Dhupia (2002), Nikita Anand (2003), Tanushree Dutta (2004), Amrita Thapar (2005), Neha Kapur (2006), Puja Gupta (2007) and Simran Kaur (2008) failed to win the crown for India.
Organised in Nha Trang city of Vietnam, the beauty contest was participated by beauty queens of 80 countries. The venue was attended by thousands of people, while millions of people in television sets watched the world’s beautiful women’s fight for the Miss Universe 2008 crown. For last couple of weeks in seaside city of Nha Trang, several rounds of competitions were organised among the contestants. First the judges declared the 15 semi-finalist list who took past in three competition rounds namely swimsuit, evening gown, and interview during the broadcast. The 15 semifinalists donning yellow, green and orange bikinis, strutted across the stage during the swimsuit competition. Later top 10 contestants were announced and they walked across the stage in bikinis for the swimsuit competition.
The top ten finalists were Dayana Mendoza (Venezuela), Zana Krasniqi (Kosovo), Elisa Najera (Mexico), Laura Dundovic (Australia), Marianne Cruz Gonzalez (Dominican Republic), Claudia Ferraris (Italy), Taliana Vargas (Columbia), Vera Krasova (Russia), Crystle Stewart (USA) and Claudia Moro (Spain). As the competition reduced to last 10 so the excitement was very high among the contestants.
Following the evening gown competition, five contestants got eliminated and judges selected the winner from last five contestants. Finally Judges declared Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza the winner of the contest. While Best National Costume Award, decided by online votes, went to Miss Thailand. However, during the evening gown competition, an unprecedented event happened. Second year in a row, Miss USA (Crystle Stewart) fallen down as she made her entrance. Last year, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition.
The show was hosted by talk show star Jerry Springer alongwith former Spice Girl Melanie Brown. Pop star Lady GaGa enthralled the audience with her power-packed performance and also succeeded to steal some limelight from the beauties walking down the ramp. The judges panel consisted of Donald Trump Jr., (executive vice president of the Trump Organization), Roberto Cavalli (fashion designer and entrepreneur), Nadine Velazquez (international cover girl), Jennifer Hawkins (television presenter and Miss Universe 2004), Louis Licari (celebrity colorist and “Today Show” ambush makeover expert) and John Nguyen (vice chairman of Hoan Cau, LTD Investment and Construction).
After withdrawing support from the UPA government one week ago, the Left parties on Monday (July 14) launched a countrywide campaign against the ruling government. The left attacked the ruling government for moving ahead with the nuke deal when in minority. During a rally organised in New Delhi against the UPA government, the Left parties made the Indo - US nuclear deal and 'prise rise' their main agenda.
The Left parties accused the coalition government of 'failing' to address the problems of the 'aam aadmi' (common man) due to its 'obsession' with the nuke agreement. The Left parties' leaders said that they could not agree to the country becoming a 'junior partner' to the United States. Further they said, that the Left parties withdrew support to the UPA government as it went ahead with the nuke deal when the country was facing the problems like prise rice and inflation.
CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat took a potshot at the UPA government, ‘Congress ka Haath, America ke Saath.’ Karat said that the Left parties will work hard to defeat the coalition government on the floor test and he expects that more parties will join them in the struggle against the nuke deal. “We were tolerating them (UPA) because we did not want BJP and other communal forces to come to power,” said Karat. Referring about Congress - Samajwadi Party tie-up, the CPI (M) general secretary said there is a party which is now supporting the government, but shared the dais with the Left sometime ago in opposing the deal.
A senior CPI (M) leader said, “The popularity of President George W Bush in US is 20-25 per cent. He is the President of a minority. We have a Prime Minister who is heading a minority government. A minority President and minority Prime Minister are trying to hook this country to US hegemony.” Claiming that the government and Congress want to fulfill their promise to US president George Bush, the senior leader said, “it is their primary aim and not tackling inflation or price rise.”
The Left parties withdrew support from the UPA government due to nuke deal and price rise. With a strength of 59 MPs (Member of Parliament) the Left parties supported the UPA government four years back, but pressurised the ruling government time-to-time taking advantage of various issues on their favour. After enjoying the governance amenities, the Left parties left the ‘Haath’ of Congress and its allies at crucial juncture. The floor test is scheduled on July 22 and only Samajwadi Party and other small parties can now save the UPA government. If the UPA government fails to prove majority, then the nuke deal issue will be surely a history.
Fall of government will unnecessarily put early elections burden over the nation as presently people are struggling with inflation. Fact is that change of government is not going to make any difference in prise rise, because it would be very tough for the next government to cop with the bad situation immediately. By launching countrywide agitation against UPA, the Left parties are not going to solve the problems the country is facing presently. Withdrawing support in the name of nuke deal is nothing in the favour of country, but in reality self interest of Left parties to attract voters, who are totally unaware about the facts of deal.
Before starting my article I would like to say that me too is a great fan of Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. My intention is not the hurt the sentiments of these two players and their fans. Here I am only trying to present the real face of one day internationals and the importance of veteran players in team in today's scenario.
About ten months has passed and we have seen a long exit of two players Dravid and Ganguly from the Indian ODI side. Sachin also remained out of team due to injuries, because of his growing age. The Indian selectors have not included Dravid and Ganguly in probables list of 30 players for the Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan this September. The selectors also neglected these two players for Bangladesh tri-series and Asia Cup 08. So, Dravid and Ganguly should say goodbye to one day cricket now, for giving chance to youngsters.
In fact, by omitting Dravid and Ganguly from the probables list, the selectors have given a clear indication that ODI career of these two top players are over. For last seven months both Dravid and Ganguly have not played any ODI for India. Dravid played his last ODI against Australia in Nagupur in October 2007, while Ganguly’s last ODI appearance was against Pakistan in November 2007. End of ODI career for Dravid and Ganguly will certainly be a big lose for India. Dravid and Ganguly (picked in Indian team in 1992) who made a sensational entry in Test cricket in the year 1996 against England, enjoyed the shorted version of game as well. In 12 years career these two players gave their best and and have also been successful captains for India in ODIs as well as Tests.
Dravid and Ganguly have played over 300 one dayers and scored over 10,000 runs with more than 10 centuries. Ganguly has scored 11,363 runs in 311 one-dayers at an average of 41.02 with 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries including 100 wickets. On the other hand, in 333 one-dayers Dravid has scored 10,585 runs at an average of 39.49 including 12 centuries and 81 half-centuries. Ganguly formed the world’s all time greatest opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar in the 50 overs format. Dravid who was in looking in trouble due to slow scoring, changed his game to suit the requirements of one day game. For two or three years Dravid played in the team as wicket-keeper batsman and fulfilled his job excellently.
Last year, after the England tour Dravid resigned from the captainship and also wished to remain out from World Cup Twenty20 team. The selectors preferred the youngsters for Twenty20 Cup and Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named the captain. Dhoni’s youngerside performed exceptionally well in the Twenty20 World Cup and players like Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir and Manoj Tiwari emerged as strong contenders for ODI cricket. Another senior player Virender Sehwag also re-discovered his lost form in the Twenty20 cup.
Following World Cup Twenty20 triumph, Dhoni was named captain for India’s one day international team. Since then Dhoni has leaded the team very well and also gave valuable contribution with the bat as well. ODI captain Dhoni also made his preference for younger players as he builds a energetic team for the World Cup 2011. Sachin Tendulkar is the only senior player left in the India’s one day side and chances are alive that he may play the next World Cup. The legendary batsman is looking safe, because he has made essential changes in batting style to fit the 50 over format and has given big contribution in recent games.
Invention of Twenty 20 format has changed the pace of the cricket. Now cricket is a fast game and senior players find it difficult to adjust in this format. Dravid and Ganguly became the victim of this change and also came under pressure due to awesome performances of youngsters. In fact, in recent ODI matches the team India never looked in crisis in absence of Ganguly and Dravid. Youngsters like Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir are matured enough to handle the tough situations, in result India has won a number of crucial games. Other youngsters like Shikhar Dhawan, S Badrinath, Virat Kohli are knocking on the doors, so it seems that one-day careers of Dravid and Ganguly has come to an end.
In present circumstances, when selectors prefer youngsters, it seems that it is very tough for Dravid and Ganguly to find their place in India’s ODI team. Better, both these players should take announce their retirements from shorter version of game to concentrate more on Test, the classical format of cricket. Indian Test captain Anil Kumble who failed to impress in ODIs took retirement, and performing very well in five days game.
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS’ Day or Labour Day is being observed on Thursday (May 1) across the world. A day, especially dedicated to workers, it is celebrated for the social and economic achievements of labour movement and the labour fraternity.
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INSAAN BANENGE hum Insaan banayenge, Jeene ke tarkeeb ab seekhenge sikhanyenge, Insaan banenge hum Insaan banayenge (We will become humans and will spread the message of mankind, learn the way of living and spread the same lesson among others), the couplet belongs to the anthem of, once a famous school, Insan School or the temple of humanity.
Situated in the Kishanganj district of Bihar, the school is now going through a very bad phase. During its golden period that is 1970 to1995 the school had produced thousands of brilliant students, who have made their special mark in India and abroad as well. Luckily, I was one of the students of Insan School and have an emotional touch with the school
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Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is poster boy for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and perhaps for the people of the state as well. Due to his magical charm and development agenda Narendra Modi provided his party awesome success in Gujarat. In fact, Gujarat CM who was once condemned by people across the world for fuelling Gujarat riots in 2002 has now enveloped his saffron image. People have forgot the bitter past and Modi is also trying his best to prove himself a good leader.
However, Nardenra Modi is once again under scanner, and is not sure for US tourist visa to attend a conference organised by United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Formed by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1988 enacted by the US Congress to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, the USCIRF has urged the State department to reaffirm its past decision
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Diabetes is one of the serious ailments from which millions of Indians are suffering. But sadly, despite the advancement of science and technology still appropriate medicine is not available to cure from the disease completely. In India there are around 686 brands of medicines to treat diabetes, but none of them is much successful. In fact, most of the drugs available in the market only push body to secrete more amount of insulin, but leading to faster degeneration of the body's own mechanism to control sugar.
However, Merck & Co Inc US, a multinational pharmaceutical company has recently introduced a new low-cost, hassle-free patent protected drug to check the disease in India. Used by the diabetic patients in USA for the last two years, the drug will cost around Rs 300 per week in India. The drug company is claiming that the new pill has now side effect and very easy to use
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Cricket, the mother of all games in popularity having a great impact over the youths of India and the world alike. Like other youngsters me too is a die-hard fan of cricket and following the game since World Cup 1992. During my 16 years journey with cricket, I have witnessed happier as well as sad moments of Indian cricket, ups and downs in the careers of several players. A number of batsmen and bowlers made sensational entries into the national team and also put outside the team in short span of time due to inconsistent performances.
Today, Indian team has become one of the best team in world both in tests and one day international. Of course, the experienced batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and youngsters M S Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh have given their valuable contribution, but we can’t forget the contribution of our pace bowlers in this decade. In India’s cricket history, the team has the finest pace attack presently that can give a tough fight to any team in the world. Indian pace bowlers Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, S Sreesanth, Munaf Patel are doing very well in Commonwealth Bank Series. Both Australian and Sri Lankan batsmen are struggling hard to sustain against finest pace attack of India
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ASHUTOSH GOWARIKER’S fictional Jodhaa-Akbar love plot has become a ‘worst nightmare’ for him. Inspired from India’s greatest epic Mughal-e-Azam, which got awesome response during 1960s, Gowariker’s movie, Jodhaa Akbar, is in news for all the wrong reasons.
Jodhaa Akbar is facing protests in many cities of north and central India, and has been banned from screening in several theatres. Due to these protests, the distributors of the film are losing huge revenue and are looking in trouble. Of course, Gowariker has changed the historic facts, but we should not forget that there is no similarity between real life and reel life. Protest against Jodhaa Akbar is a big threat to cinema, which is one of the major art forms of our country
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Just couple of days after scoring an empathic win against the world champions Australia, India fell against Sri Lanka. The Islanders registered a comprehensive win in the 5th ODI of the series and made their hopes alive to stay in the series. Opener Tillakaratne guided his team to 8 wickets victory in the company of captain Mahela Jayawardene. After the fall of two quick wickets Sri Lanka was looking in trouble, but T Dilshan (62, 59b, 7x4, 6x1) and M Jayawardene (36, 35b, 4x1) took their team to victory. For his brilliant batting T Dilshan was adjudged the man of the match. Due to rain the 50 overs match was shortened to 29 overs each and later to 21 overs. Besides the unimpressive bowling of team India, the rain also played a major role in the victory of Sri Lanka.
Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field first in the rain-hit match. Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag (14, 18b, 4x2) added 45 runs, before the latter caught on the boundary by M Muralitharan in the bowling of N Kulasekara. Sachin Tendulkar (32, 30b, 4x4) also feel at short interval in 8.2 overs when the team's total was 49 runs. Gautam Gambhir (35, 33b, 4x3), Rohit Sharma (70 not out, 64b, 4x6,6x1), M S Dhoni (31, 26b, 4x3), Yuvraj Singh (6, 3b) and Robin Utthapa (0, 0 b) took the team's total to 195 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 29 overs
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