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TheSouthAsianTimes.info
Toronto will remember for a long time IIFA 2011s glitz and glamor and passion for Bollywood. The scintillating awards ceremony last Saturday saw the biggest Bollystars including Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Zayed Khan. The South Asian Times was invited by OntarioTourism Dept, Govt. of Canada to cover IIFA 2011 at Toronto. We are proud to present a 16-page pullout on the mega event in this issue.
Popular Bollywood singer Shaan gave spellbinding concerts in New Jersey and New York last weekend. See photos and report on page 9.
Nobel Laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (right) after presenting the India Abroad Person of the Year 2010 Award for Governor Nikki Haley (inset) to her parents Prof. Ajit and Raj Randhawa (second and third from left). (Photos: Paresh Gandhi/India Abroad)
Strobe Talbott, deputy secretary of state in the Clinton administration, was presented the inaugural Friend of India Award, by Meera Shankar, India's Ambassador to the US, and Vijay Dandapani, COO, AppleCore Hotels.
Actress and cook book writer Madhur Jaffrey (center), winner of the India Abroad Award for Lifetime Achievement 2010, with legendary director James Ivory, left, and top chef Floyd Cardoz who presented her the Award.
India Abroad Publisher Ajit Balakrishnan (left) after presenting the India Abroad Publisher's Award for Special Achievement to Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee (centre), author of the cancer book, The Emperor of All Maladies
Kathleen Shea, VP Sales & Marketing, The Pierre, one of the event's sponsors, astrophysicist Dr Priyamvada Natarajan, FourSquare cofounder Naveen Selvadurai and mathematician Dr Manjul Bhargava, after the presentation of the India Abroad Face of the Future Award to Selvadurai.
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4 Community TheSouthAsianTimes.info June 18-24, 2011
Parbhu Dayal continued from page 1 IIFA story Many of the Dayals supporters have suggestContinued from page 1 ed that Bhardwaj is out to make a quick buck. The laws of this land are being misused, who is also a Canadian citizen the runs said Animesh Goenka, President of and Assoa dance school here, will be the official ciation of Indians in America (AIA)-National. choreographer of the IIFA Awards. Dayal has told the media that Bhardwaj left more than New Delhi: India gave conditional clear- his According to organizers, he did not alservices in January 2010 after 22,000 people are expected to attend ance Thursday to the multi-billion dollar sale low her to work outside to make extra money, the IIFA Awards which will be beamed of British oil explorer Cairn Energys Indian which was against her visa regulations. internationally to over 700 million oilfields to London-listed mining group VeDayal people.has said that the Government of Indanta Resources. diaTwenty Bollywood call on are being now needed to take a films whether to The approval came with the key rider that go through a trial route or settle the matter screened in Toronto and Cairn Indias new owner share the oilfields with the State Department. its sister cities of Brampton, Mississauga and royalty burden, currently borne in whole Meanwhile, part State IIFA Awards. Markham asthe USof the Department has by Indias state-owned Oil and Natural Gas said the charges against Dayal constitute a law These include Chak De India, Hera Corp (ONGC). enforcement matter. Pheri, Dabangg and Dil To Pagal Hai. The sale, one of the biggest in Indian corLegal Aid Society, Indian-dominated Interestingly, the which is representporate history, was originally valued at 9.6 ing Bhardwaj, asserts on the outskirts not city of Brampton that Dayal does of billion dollars, but Cairn and Vedanta agreed have diplomaticname a street Raj Kapoor Toronto will immunity since the subject earlier this week to cut the price by more than m arte s c e n t a f t e r t h e l e g e n d a r y R a j C ter Matrimonial 600 million dollars. of the during for his leadership Kapoor Asamai Hindu Temple in Hicksville, NY, honored Rajan Zed the IIFA Awards. role in Lady Doctor, Hindu, 35 case is Hinduism and promotion of interfaith dialogue on June 12. Temple priest Madan Seeking Suitable, Professional Counter - terror continued from page 1 all The Universal Society ofteam will be Kumar Jha presented Zed, who is President of pri-South Asian in USA. Please the Alliance Times Hinduism, Claiming that over the past two and half vthere . cover Toronto IIFA. a t e to contact JRandhi@Sky.com with a religious scarf Qaedas 12 leaderyears more than half of Alon June top even as temple leaders Radhu Bathija and Gobind Bathija looked on. The same day he the ship has been eliminated, Brennan said withwas honored by the Hicksville gurdwara with a siropa. Osama binReno, Nevada,had struckvisiting the Tristate area to participate in the death of Based in Laden, the US Zed was "Religious Leadership in an Interfaith World" seminar of prestigious Hartford its biggest blow against the terrorist group. Seminary said and But this fight is not over, he(Connecticut) from June 6 to 10. cited President Barack Obama to reiterate his administrations resolve: We have put Al represent the ment was neither serious tives did not Lok pal story Qaeda on a path to page 1 and 1.2 billion people of India. we will not about the Lokpal bill nor Continued from defeat, relent until the job is done. Home Minister about fighting corruption. Seven key goals of activ- Chidambaram said the The government has which controls every the new White House strategy are: to the govern- government was deter- frittered away a huge ity relating ReducingHRD Ministerandmined to draft a strong opportunity to provide a updating dement, US vulnerabilities fenses Sibal, one of the five and sound Lokpal bill good legislation to the Kapil Disrupting,indegrading and dismantling Al ministers the Lokpal before the mutually agreed country The governQaeda wherevernews confer- deadline of June 30 and ments Lokpal bill is a panel, told a it takes root Preventing terrorists from acquiring or devel- parliament. present it to jokepal bill. ence. oping weapons of mass destruction Meeting journalists a litThe government does not You cannot threaten a Eliminating Al Qaeda safe he tle while earlier, Hazare agree with the civil socinegotiation process, havens Degrading links between Al Qaeda, its affilisaid, with cabinet col- and his confidant Arvind etys demands that the ates and adherents leagues P. Chidambaram Kejriwal lashed out at the prime minister and the Countering Al Qaeda ideology government. and Salman Khursheed higher judiciary should be Depriving Al Qaeda of illicit financing, logisti- the govern- brought within the ambit of Now that flanking him. You cancal support, and online communications. is turning its back on the Lokpal. There are also not threaten us and then ment Brennan with us. This is its promise, negotiate also announced that the Obama ad- I will fast fundamental differences 828 K ministration will unveil a programagain from Aug 16, about the structure of the this summer not the way forward. to Sibal also underlined that prevent violent partner with communities to Hazare said. Lokpal institution and extremism in the US. Kejriwal said the govern- how it should function. Hazare and his representa-
who is also a Canadian citizen and runs a dance school here, will be the official choreographer of the IIFA Awards. According to organizers, more than 22,000 people are expected to attend the IIFA Awards which will be beamed internationally to over 700 million people. Twenty Bollywood films are being screened in Toronto and its sister cities of Brampton, Mississauga and Markham as part of the IIFA Awards. These include Chak De India, Hera Pheri, Dabangg and Dil To Pagal Hai. Interestingly, the Indian-dominated city of Brampton on the outskirts of Toronto will name a street Raj Kapoor Crescent after the legendary Raj Kapoor during the IIFA Awards. The South Asian Times team will be there to cover Toronto IIFA.
Salm
To protect homeowners and businesses from skyrocketing property tax hikes, Nassau County New York: Gurmeet K. Sodhi has been the Executive Edward P. Mangano Thursday joined Governor Andrew M. Cuomo as he signed invithistoric property tax cap legislation at the home of Nassau County residents, James and Janet ed by the President Barack Obama and First Gannon in Lynbrook. Under the new law, property tax increases will be capped at 2 percent or Lady to attend the Asian American Pacific the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Local communities and local voters reception at the White Islanders Commission could override the cap with a 60 percent vote on the budget for school boards or relevant legislative bodies. House on June 22a first for an Indian Talk Show Host. With almost a decade of experience as a talk show host, Gurmeet Sodhi is known as one of the most influential women India South Asian media community. New Delhi: In a major setback, a five-judge in the for prosecution in Kolkata would be subHer talk show GS special bench of Denmark high court at Copen- jected to torture injail. with GS (Gup Shup with Gurmeet Sodhi) on Jus Punjabi has The Danish government is likely to move the hagen on Thursday refused to order extradicountrys Supreme successful season on April tion of Kim Davy alias Niels Holck, the main kicked-off its third Court. On April 9, 2010, the Danish justice invitation to the White House accused in 1995 Purulia armsdrop case. This 1st, 2011. Her ministry had ordered extradition was initiated trialMr. Amardeep Singh who brings the end to the case of international arms of Davy for his by in Kolkata. Challenging this, Davy as a Commissioner in Hillsboro, which trafficking in which the identity of the intended servesmoved a local court on the White House Commission on Asian ruled in favor of Davy. on November 5, 2010 Americans and Pacific recipient of the arms still remains a mystery. 828 K Islanders, appointed by then appealed to DenDanish government President Obama. Mr. The judges upheld the magistrates order Singh high court, whichever to serve on this that had held that there was a real and present mark is the first Sikh constituted a special bench consisting of five judges. danger that Davy, if he was handed over to commission.
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Denmark court disallows extradition of accused in Purulia arms drop case to India
New Yo ed by t Lady to Islander House o Show H ence as known in the S Her t with G kicked1st, 201 was ini serves a Commi Islander Singh i commis
Dr Chad Gehani Dr. Gehani has been an active member of organized dentistry at all levels. On the national level, he has served the American Dental Association as an ADA delegate beginning in 2000 and also served as a Team Leader of the ADA Tripartite Grassroots Membership Initiative.
Dr Ratna Jain (2nd from left), a RNT Medical College graduate, Mayor of Kota as well as the director of Maitri Hospital and Research Center, Kota was among the honorees at the event. Dr. Ajay Lodha (3rd from left), President of RAJMAAI also seen in the picture) to appoint a steering committee to develop the required strategies to achieve that goal. Dr. Shashi Shekhar Shah, the master of ceremonies, invited the distinguished members at the podium, to whom, the RAJMAAI nominating committee, decided to honor. RAJMAAI also recognized the services of the recent past President, Convention Chair and the guest of honor of the 22nd convention. Dr Ratna Jain is a graduate of RNT Medical College, Udaipur, India. Currently, she is the Mayor of Kota as well as the director of Maitri Hospital and Research Center, Kota. She is also the Director, Rajasthan State Pollution Department.
Presentation on Life Beyond Death Dr. Appareddy elected next for Gujarati Samaj of NY chairperson of AMAs IMG Section
Chattanooga, Tenn: Dr. Psychiatry at Brown University VijayaLakshmi Appareddy, medical school in Providence, member of the Board of RI. She then moved to Governors of Parkridge Valley Chattanooga to set up private Hospital Systems in practice in Psychiatry. Chattanooga, TN, was recently Dr. Appareddy has served in elected as the Chairperson-Elect other medical organizations of the International Medical throughout her professional Graduates Section (IMG) of the career through various leaderAmerican Medical Association ship roles. She has contributed (AMA). The primary mission of to her local medical community Dr Vijayalakshmi the AMA is to help doctors by serving as the President of the Appareddy help patients by uniting physiChattanooga chapter of the cians nationwide to work on the most impor- American Medical Womens Association. She tant professional and public health issues. has also been honored on the national level. She has served as a Delegate / Alternate In 2002, Dr. Appareddy became the first Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates for Indian-American woman to receive a nonthe last 4 years and is a member of the career Presidential Appointment in the history Tennessee delegation to the AMA. of the United States of America. She was Dr. Appareddy completed her graduate med- sworn in as a member of the President Bushs ical training and gained Board Certification in Committee for People with Intellectual both Adult Psychiatry and Child and Disabilities at a ceremony in the Indian Treaty Adolescent Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Room at the White House by Secretary of Medical School in New York. Following her Health and Human Services, Tommy training, she worked as Assistant Professor of Thompson in the summer of that year. Queens, NY: Life is eternal. Considering Death the cessation of functions of physical body, as the end of life is a great delusion. The soul (Atma), which is the beholder of bioenergy in the physical body, is ageless, timeless and indestructible. The fear of Death ensues from the misconception that with the end of physical existence, the individual loses its identity in totality. A firm conviction in the continuity of life in future absolves man from the fear of Death. This was stated in a power point presentation on The Life Beyond Physical Death (based on the book by Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya Founder of All World Gayatri Pariwar) by Pravin Kapadia of Gayatri Pariwar at a program arranged by senior citizen wing of the Gujarati Samaj of New York, Queens. In his presentation, Mr. Kapadia explained the various related interesting subjects like the moments of Death, Revival of memories, what becomes of us after Death, Experience of Hell and Heaven, Preparation for Re-birth and Preparation for Death. Mr. Kapadia mentioned that Death too
Pravin Kapadia of Gayatri Pariwar giving the presentation. requires preparation. One should ask following questions to one self: What Am I? Why I was born as human being? What are my duties during human life? What I want to achieve in life? Mr. Manikant Patel, president of Gujarat Samaj of NY, welcomed Pravin Kapadia with a bouquet.
The 31st annual Indian Independence Day Parade will be held on August 21 in Manhattan by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA). This years theme is My Earth-My Home, celebrating My India-My pride. Bollywood actor Rani Mukherjee will be the Grand Marshall.
Arun Jaitley on first official Acharya Lokesh Muni on visit to the US Peace- Harmony Tour of USA
Washington DC: Arun Rayburn Congressional Jaitley, leader of the Building. Representative Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Crowley welcomed Jaitley, is on his first official to the US. highlighting the importance of Jaitley was accompanied by Indo-US relations in the fast Lok Sabha Member of changing global marketplace: Parliament Janardhan Swamy Mr. Jaitleys visit represents a and former Rajya Sabha memgreat opportunity for the US to ber Chandan Mitra during this continue building a strong relaArun Jaitley is leader of tionship with India. In an visit to Washington, D.C. Jaitley met with leading mem- Opposition in Rajya Sabha increasingly globalized econobers of Congress, think tanks my, it is important for the US to and key members of the administration during continue to foster friendship with India, which his official trip to the U.S. from June 22 is emerging as a leading growth economy June 24. He started his visit in DC with an despite the difficult economic landscape. address at the Heritage Foundation on: Congressman Ed Royce too praised the ecoIndian Foreign Policy - Priorities in a nomic growth of India and hoped that the relaShifting Global Landscape. Subsequently he tions between the two countries would contininteracted with prominent lawmakers at the ue to strengthen. He pointed out how imporHill including Congressman Steve Chabot, tant it is for both the countries to work togethFaleomavaega, Howard Berman, er as both of them have several common valCongresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Senator ues. The Congressional India Caucus event Joe Lieberman, Senator Richard Lugar and was attended by Congressmen Joe Crowley, Senator Heller. Jaitley stressed on the growing Joe Wilson, Ed Royce, Hansen Clarke and strength of the US India relationship and its Congresswoman Corrine Brown and Judy strategic nature. He also talked about the con- Chu, Co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Caucus. vergence on various issues between the two Sanjay Puri, Chairman, USINPAC introcountries especially relating to terrorism and duced him at the Congressional Caucus recepgrowth of trade. tion. He said, Mr. Jaitley is a senior and The Co-chairs of the India Caucus in the US respected Indian politician who had been Congress: Congressmen Joe Crowley and Minister of Law & Justice, Minister of Congressman Ed Royce held a reception on Shipping, and Minister of Commerce and behalf of the Caucus for Jaitley in the Industries.
Acharya Lokesh Muni (2nd from left) at magazine release of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti in New Delhi New York: Founder of Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti Achrya Dr. Lokesh Muni, who is continuously making efforts for building national character, development of human value and promotion of peace and communal harmony, will be in the US on Peace- Harmony Tour. Before leaving, a seminar on Universal Challenges and Our Responsibility was organized in Parliament House premises. Besides many religious leaders senior leaders of Congress Oscar Fernandes, Jai Prakash Agarwal, journalist Dr. Ved Pratap Vedik and several prominent leaders participated in the seminar. Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji has been conferred National Communal Harmony Award for year 2011 by the Indian Government. His tour will promote Indian values in USA.
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Music TheSouthAsianTimes.info
he superstar singer with looks of a matinee idol didnt show any nakhras. His sole focus was to give his utmost to entertain the audience who had paid and taken out time on a weekend to listen to him sing in person. The best part is, his singing is effortless. His velvety voice is flawless. He adds to his stage presence by doing a jig now and then, particularly when dancers come onstage to accentuate the songs atmosphere. The Tristate audiences were appreciative of whatever Shaan had to offer, and it showed in their clapping, foot-tapping, even dancing by some energized teenage girls. The one time he ventured to make his entry along the aisle, he needed bouncers to prevent being mobbed. In New York, after the junior artists Aishwarya Majumdar and Shadab had warmed up the proceedings, Shaan made a grand entry with Main Hoon Don from Don - The Chase Begins Again, even as dancers surrounded him with chunris, and presented him a flower as the number ended. Though he kept soliciting crowd favorites, he went ahead with a carefully calibrated
The packed halls at both the New Jersey and New York concerts spoke volumes for Shaans popularity. sequence of songs, in the fashion of an adept DJ. Slow, romantic numbers like the crowd favorites Chand Sifarish from Fanaa, and Jab Se Tere Naina from Saawariya, giving way to pacy medley with songs including the ones from Welcome and Partner. Dus Bahane from Dus, Main Aisa Kyun Hoon from Lakshya, Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh from 3 Idiots also were well timed. After the intermission, at one point, he was joined by Shadaabhe of the booming voiceto render some memorable Sufi numbers, not originally sung by Shaan, like Sajda from My Name is Khan. With Aishwarya Majumdar he sang a few duets like Hey Shona from Ta Ra Rum Pum and after the rustic Beedi number left her to croon solo mandatory item numbers like Munni badnaam hui. Aishwarya Majumdar, the child prodigy who won the title Chota Ustad in 2008 on the show Star Voice of India, has a versatile voice suited to all kinds of songs, and is set for a great career in Bollywood. Shadab Faridi, who like Aishwarya has the golden chance to accompany Shaan on the US tour, is also destined for greater things. Shaans own two sons are likely to follow in his footsteps. His comely wife Radhika was present at the Colden Auditorium concert in Flushing. In one interlude, he invited his elder one, Soham, 8, to come and play the piano tuned to Maa Tujhe Sab Hai Pata, Hain Na Maa--a tribute to mothers love. The concert was a time well spentShaan songs kept ringing in ones ears for a long time afterwards too.
At his NY concert, Shaan was presented a Proclamation from Mayor Bloomberg appreciating his campaigning against tobacoo use. The Indian Ministry of Health and Welfare has appointed Shaan as the tobacco control ambassador of India. New York has placed itself at the forefront of global tobacco control by implementing comprehensive tobacco control measures in the city. India has 275 million tobacco users and a mortality rate of one million a year due to tobacco-related diseases. Shaans new song Life Se Panga Mat Le Yaar, that was released recently, speaks of living life to the fullest and not destroying it with tobacco. While accepting the honor he mentioned with regret that his musician father died an untimely death because of smoking.
Shaan thanked his co-singers Aishwarya Majumdar and Shadab as well as his band members.
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Despite the fact that a few biggies gave IIFA a miss, it was a lifetime experience for audiences to witness stars from Bollywood/ Hollywood walking the Green Carpet at the Roger Center in Toronto. While actors like Hilary Swank and Cuba Gooding Jr. showered their love for the Indian cinema, Canadian actor Tom Green and Australian cricketer Brett Lee also graced the event. A few glimpses.
ith its heady cocktail of dance, music and glitterati, the three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will be etched in the memories of people in Canadas largest city for a long time to come. The June 23-25 event had all the elements of a mini-Punjabi wedding with fun, frolic and color poured in generous quantities. Many NRIs played their part by showing up in the best of Indian finery; and for those of other nationalities, it was a perfect window to the wonders of Indian film culture. The last time I saw such a turnout for Indians was for the Temptations tour in 2006. But this IIFA event was massive. So many Indians stood united to cheer for Bollywood. It was indeed a memorable experience, Alfreeda Islam, a student here, was quoted as saying. Day after day, the Fairmont Royal Park hotel here in downtown Toronto saw itself overwhelmed with fans. And it wasnt just Indians who queued up, eager foreigners were equally upbeat about getting a taste of Indian cinema. The IIFA Weekend kickstarted with a host of Bollywood celebrities like Boman Irani, Dia Mirza, Riteish Deshmukh, Mallika Sherawat, Bipasha Basu and international artist Jermaine Jackson at the inaugural press conference. The evening saw a star-studded green carpet event for the world premiere of Double Dhamaal at the SilverCity Theater in Brampton city. The second day saw the FICCI-IIFA global business forum where dignitaries from both the countries discussed possibilities of boosting tourism, business and co-productions. Around the same time, Ontario had a taste of the phenomena called Shah Rukh Khan. Hundreds gathered in the lobby of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel to welcome King Khan, one of the most popular stars in Bollywood. Making his return to the IIFA after a gap of six years, Shah Rukh came despite a knee injury and broke into an impromptu jig the moment he entered the hotel premises. For a lot of fanatics, the glimpse was a lifetime chance. People flew in from Los Angeles, Montreal, Chicago and even Afghanistan, among other places, just so that they could get as close as it gets to SRK.
Best Debut actor Ranbir Singh performs during the IIFA awards ceremony.
While Shah Rukhs magic continued to charm everyone in the hotel, his friend-turned-foe Salman Khans debut co-production Chillar Party kicked off the IIFA Film Festival, but sans Salman. The actor was supposed to attend the event, but couldnt make it due to his shooting schedule for Bodyguard. The Raj Kapoor street naming ceremony also took place on day two of IIFA. Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell gave a warm welcome to the popular Kapoor family - Rajs widow Krishna Raj Kapoor, his sons Randhir, Rishi and Rajiv, daughters Ritu and Reema as well as daughter-inlaw Neetu - as she unveiled a placard which read Raj Kapoor Crescent. The placard will be placed on a new street to be built in the city. There was a lot of waiting for Bollywood fans in the evening with the IIFA Rocks -- a music and fashion event, which left many in awe of what Bollywood is capable of. The Ricoh Coliseum again saw a flurry of fans, vying to see, touch, and talk to their favorite celebrities. Hosted by Karan Johar and Anushka Sharma, the IIFA Rocks saw a performance by American musician Jermaine, who also teamed up with Indian singer Sonu Niigaam to pay a tribute to his younger brother, late King of Pop Michael Jackson. The event also saw a fusion of fashion and music as models in creations by Indian designers Rajesh Pratap Singh, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Vikram Phadnis, and Canadian clothing store The Bay, sashayed down the larger than life ramp, with music director trio Shankar-EhsaanLoy playing a medley of their songs in the background. Showstoppers like Brett Lee, Rahul Khanna, Zayed Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Neha Dhupia, a retro performance by Dia Mirza, a saucy dance by Mallika Sherawat, an energetic show by Canadian rockers RDB and a rockqawalli MIX BY Sonu Niigaam enthralled the audience.
The last day saw the coming together of two worlds as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, lyricist Javed Akhtar and composers Vishal Bharadwaj and Salim Merchant conducted a music workshop to share and promote the music of both countries. After an interactive session with the audience, Javed and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy got together to compose live, and Salim Merchant gave an impromptu piano performance. The evening saw the Rogers Center filling up with people. There were an estimated 30,000 people outside the grand venue, and they incessantly cheered for each of those who walked the green carpet. The loudest cheers were heard for Shah Rukh and Slumdog Millionaire actor Anil Kapoor. Oscar winner Hilary Swank and actor Cuba Gooding Jr. also made for a surprise element at the event where star power and fan turnout was unlike any edition that IIFA has seen before. The main show sparkled with scintillating performances, awards distribution and Bollywood magic. But one hopes the buzz caused by IIFA translates into increased tourism and business opportunities in both the countries.
Cricketer Brett Lee and actor Zahid Khan acknowledge designer Rajesh Pratap Singh as singer Shankar Mahadevan performs during a fashion segment of the IIFA Rocks event.
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Best Debut actress Sonakshi Sinha and actor Ranbir Singh perform at IIFA. porting role for her performance in underworld drama "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai". Mamta Sharma won the award for best female playback singer for her song "Munni Badnaam" in "Dabanng". "I love you so much... Shah Rukh I love you much... Toronto I love you so much," said Mamta as Arshad Warsi handed her the award in the company of show co-hosts Boman Irani and Ritesh Deshmukh as well as Shah Rukh Khan. The award for best male playback singer went to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for "Tere mast mast do nain" from "Dabanng". For best lyrics, the award went to Niranjan Iyengar for penning "Sajda" and "Noor-e-Khuda" in "My Name is Khan". The award was accepted by Karan Johar on his behalf. For best music direction, the award went to SajidWajid and Lalit Pandit for "Dabangg". The award for best story went to Shibani Bathija for "My Name is Khan". The award for best screenplay went to Abhinav Kahsyap and Dileep Shukla for "Dabangg". Zeenat Aman, Prakash Mehra and Sant Singh Chatwal presented the award. The award for best dialogue went to Vishal Bharadwaj for "Ishqiya". Mallika Sherawat and Brian White - her co-star in a Hollywood movie - presented the award. Sonu Sood received the award for best performance in a negative role for "Dabangg". Dharmendra won an award for his half-century in Indian cinema, while the Outstanding Achievement Award went to Sharmila Tagore. Handing Sharmila the award, Shabana Azmi said: "I am hon-
Shah Rukh Khan receiving the award for 'Best Leading Role Male' for 'My Name is Khan.' of Bhosle's songs before the award was presented. For the first time at the IIFA, Star Plus channel presented the Hottest Pair award to Anushka Sharma and Ranvir Singh for which 15 million votes were cast online. "Anushka, you make me feel hot," said Ranvir accepting the award in her company. The first Green IIFA Award by Panasonic went to actress Priyanka Chopra. "This was totally unexpected," the actress said. Ritiesh Deshmukh bagged the award for best performance in a comic role for the film "Housefull". Irrfan Khan, whom Anil Kapoor lauded for his performances on the global stage, received the IIFA award for his international performances.
Actor Sharmila Tagore with the 'Life Time Achievement Award.' ored to present this award to an actress for whom I have the highest regard - a path-breaker, achiever, a person who has been successful in every avatar she has chosen." Sharmila said the award was "such a satisfying thing. It's fantastic. After Dharamji, it is a tough act to follow". She recalled Dharmendra's large heartedness when he agreed to a change in schedule for the shooting of a film when she had to "rush to Calcutta for personal reasons as Tiger (her husband) was in the West Indies". Asha Bhosle received the Lifetime Achievement Award. "She has been my favorite singer. She creates magic in ordinary songs," said Subash Ghai, presenting her the award. Priyanka Chopra wowed the crowd by performing a medley
Actor Sridevi gives the Best Story award to Shibani Bhatija for the movie 'My Name is Khan.'
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Bollywood is magic: 'Pacino can't do what Indian actors do' Ontario premier A
nupam Kher has drawn comparisons between Indian actors and international veterans Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, saying Bollywood stars are far more talented than these big names of Hollywood. "An Indian actor can do whatever Al Pacino or Robert De Niro does, but they cannot do what Indian actors do. They can't sing like us, they can't dance like us," Anupam said in Toronto. "Ask them to sing 'Chandni chandni' on top of a hill, and they will ask 'What's the motivation?' We don't do that..." he added. The veteran actor, who was here for the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards, says Indian actors go out of their way to do things sometimes they aren't convinced of.
Actor Anupam Kher in Toronto. "So many times we aren't convinced about certain scenes...but the beautiful thing is that when we do them, there are a million people who believe in it. And that's he magic of Indian cinema," he said.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty with actors Anil Kapoor and Preity Zinta at the press conference in Toronto.
he song, the dance, the drama, the action withstanding - Bollywood is "magic", said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty at the inaugural press conference of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards. "More than the glamour, action, drama, Bollywood is all about magic!" McGuinty, who heads the government of Canada's largest province of which Toronto is capital, told reporters. "We have the second largest community of Indians living outside Canada. But of course the Canadians should be prepared to be awed and amazed by
the magic of Bollywood. Canadians will soon know look at Shah Rukh Khan as Johnny Depp and Priyanka Chopra as the Angelina Jolie of Bollywood," he added. McGuinty recalled a strange but humorous brush that he had with the frenzy attached with the Hindi film industry n his last visit to Mumbai. "I came for an event, and the paparazzi went click, click...till one man said...'Sir, you're blocking my view of Celina Jaitley'! I was zapped. I have never been able to recover from that...but that gave me a good sense of how crazy people are for Bollywood," he said.
Cuba Gooding Jr. award to Karan Johar. He came dancing and attempting little steps here and there. And no,
he didn't miss a chance to flirt with Bipasha Basu, who accompanied him dressed in a formal black dress and poker straight locks. "So...how good does Bipasha look?" he asked, and answered it himself: "Fine man!" "I am bowled over today with the power of Indian films across the globe. I would love to do a role in a Bollywood film myself, and maybe dance a little..." he added while breaking into another jig, till Bipasha held his hand, and got him to stand straight! Gooding Jr finally presented the best director award to Karan Johar for "My Name Is Khan".
Hilary Swank with actor Anil Kapoor at the IIFA awards ceremony.
Swank wearing a red embellished sleeveless gown from Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture collection.
ning in a deep pink and long gown, presented the award to Shah Rukh for his performance in Karan Johar's "My Name Is Khan". The Badshah of Bollywood, as Shah Rukh is known, appreciated the actress for her heartwarming "Namaste". "It feels great to be presented an award by two of the molst respected actors in the world - 'Slumdog Millionaire' Anil Kapoor, and of course, Hilary Swank," Shah Rukh told the audience at the Roger's Centre here. To Swank, SRK said: "I love the way you say 'Namaste'... it will be a fond memory." Before the awards function kick started, Swank also had a brief brush with the media at the green carpet. "I love all kinds of cinema and from all the countries. I think Bollywood films are a lot of fun and passionate. I'm excited to be at IIFA," she said.
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Toronto: For King Khan, Big B is still the super star of Bollywood. Asked about his super status at a press conference here, Shah Rukh Khan said the credit for his success should be given to "people who work behind scenes". It would be wrong for him to claim the whole credit for his current status, said King Khan. The super star said Big B remains "the most stunning actor and a gentleman". About his long absences from the IIFA Awards, he said: "I know a lot of people make a thing of the seven years that I have not been at IIFA ...it has no personal angst to it. It is just that it falls during the summer holidays for my young kids.'' Shah Rukh Khan said the media has created a myth that film stars are petty-minded people who get together under one roof at awards ceremonies. When a Star TV reporter asked why Bollywood stars don't show up together at major awards ceremonies, King Khan said:
Shah Rukh Khan being presented the Best Leading Male award by Hilary Swank.
Hema Malini with husband Dharmendra. Toronto: Hema Malini, the original 'dream girl' of Indian cinema, says Aishwarya Rai is "much more than a dream girl". "As I have said many times, Aishwarya Rai is a dream girl and a great actress. In fact, she is much more than a dream girl," Hema Malini said here while interacting with the media about her upcoming film "Tell Me O Khuda" which has her daughter Esha Deol in the lead role. The actress said the dream girl tag to her was given by people and the media. "They just started calling me a dream girl. That's how it happened. But every girl today is a dream girl...acting itself is about dreams," she said. Husband Dharmendra, who was at the press conference, also appeared pleased when asked about his continuing He-Man image in the Indian entertainment industry. "Every boy today in a He-Man. They are conscious of their health. So they all are He-Men. You people gave me this (tag) and I am very thankful for this. It continues because of your support and well wishes," the "Sholay" actor said. 'Garam Dharam', as he is known, showed flashes of his hot temper as well as spontaneity during the press conference and on the IIFA awards night. At the finale of the three-day IIFA show when Dharmendra was given the award for his 50 years in Bollywood, he touched the 25,000strong audience with raw spontaneity and went on and on. As the show was running behind schedule, host Anil Kapoor had to whisper something into Dharmendra's ear. But there was no stopping 'Garam Dharam' that night.
Toronto: With his red bejeweled jacket and incessant pelvic thrusts, American musician Jermaine Jackson rocked the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Rocks here. Jermaine was the first performer at the IIFA Rocks at the Ricoh Coliseum. It is a fashion and music event held as part of the ongoing IIFA celebrations here. The occasion was the eve of the second death anniversary of his younger brother Michael Jackson. But despite Jermaine's effort, MJ's magic was missed by the audience. After a short welcome by filmmaker Karan Johar, Jermaine took the stage, and belted out three of his numbers. He did little jigs and pelvic thrusts as male dancers swayed behind him wearing black hats a la those popularly worn by MJ. But none could compare the poise, the flexibility, the style and the enthusiasm of Michael, who died June 25, 2009. "Michael was of a different league...His moves were so amazing, his stage presence was unmatched...But it is really nice of Jermaine to have agreed to perform for a Bollywood show," Sunita Arya, an Indian living in Toronto, said after Jermaine's performance. Jitendra Singh, another Bollywood enthusiast who came for the show, said: "The performance was good. When an international singer comes and performs at an Indian event, it just goes to show how far our Hindi film industry has reached. We are far from our country, but these small moments make us feel very proud."
Singers Sonu Niigaam and Jermaine Jackson pay tribute to late Michael Jackson during IIFA Rocks. Jermaine, who sang three of his numbers including "Can you feel it", also teamed up with Indian singer Sonu Niigaam to present a tribute song for Michael and said it was a "special moment" for him to perform at the IIFA. The duo performed a track "This is it" against a backdrop full of glimpses from Michael's life. The song was written and composed by Niigaam following Michael's death. "I thank Jermaine Jackson for singing this song that I wrote teary-eyed when Michael Jackson died. And see the magic...Michael sent his most respected elder brother to sing this song with me," said Niigaam, dressed in a black jacket, with metal embellishments.
Toronto: Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta has described the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards as "Indian kitsch". The Bollywood show does not represent Indian culture, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker said. "Bollywood is not Indian culture, it's pop culture. There's a big difference," Mehta told the Canadian Press. To describe the IIFA Awards as
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he International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Toronto may play a huge role in the re-election of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty in the October elections. The premier, described as "a great friend of India", went to Mumbai in 2008 to woo IIFA organizers to come to Toronto. With his political fortunes in the doldrums and the politically influential Indian Canadians dumping his Liberal Party for the first time (as proved in the May general elections), the premier pumped $12
merizing, overwhelming, intoxicating, lovely - until one of the photographers distinctly said to me 'Sir, you are ruining my shot of Celina Jaitley'. I have never recovered from that." He added: "But in truth, that night, I truly began to understand what Indian cinema is all about. It's about more than glamour, action and drama. It is about magic ... the kind that happens when the lights go down and the stars come out. It is about stories that are universal and that bring us together, that help us celebrate out shared humanity."
Bipasha Basu, Ritesh Deshmukh and Boman Irani on stage during an introductory press conference in Toronto.
he "chandaal chaukdi" Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Ashish Chaudhary, Jaaved Jaffery - along with the girls Mallika Sherawat and Kangana Ranaut, sent Bollywood fans here in a tizzy as they walked the green carpet for the world premiere of their comedy movie "Double Dhamaal", on the first day of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend and Awards. The four male actors are referred to as "chandaal chaukdi" in the movie, directed by Indra
Kumar. The actors didn't walk the carpet together, but attracted immense attention from the thousand plus Indian as well as Canadian fans, who waited for hours to catch a glimpse of their favorite Hindi filmstars, outside the SilverCity theater in Brampton. The "Double Dhamaal" stars felt enthused to see the energy of the fans, and seemed extremely excited about shaking hands with them, and even waving at them 'Hollywood style'. "It's fantas-
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A cacophony of sounds from the audience greeted the stars on the IIFA awards night in Toronto, proving that Bollywood love really knows no bounds. We give you a glimpse of the excitement of the crowd and the glamor of the stars as they showered their love for India cinema
Anushka Sharma accepts the trophy for Best Leading Role Female during the 2011 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards.
Actor Irrfan Khan greets the media upon arrival for IIFA awards.
Actor couple Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora Khan arrive on stage to give an award during IIFA Rocks
Singer Sonu Nigam performs during IIFA Rocks, part of IIFA 2011 awards.
Actor Sonakshi Sinha and other models present jewelry from Gitanjali during IIFA Rocks.
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Filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Anushka Sharma host IIFA Rocks in Toronto.
green carpet events of the three-day Bollywood extravaganza. Even Amisha Patel, who was last seen in a cameo in "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic", managed to draw shout outs from the locals when she took to the carpet. In fact, a huge crowd gathered outside an outlet of coffee store Tim Horton's when Amisha stepped in to sip on some coffee for a relaxing time. Actress Mahie Gill also entered amid much cheer, but was baffled when an international mediaperson asked her: "Who are you? What have you done?" She said: "I was in a film called 'Dev D'." This year, the IIFA saw the biggest turnout of Indian and international fans. In fact, veteran star Anupam Kher said: "If there was ever an IIFA award for the best edition of IIFA, it should undoubtedly go to Toronto because this was the best reception we could have ever got." The fans are crazy about Bollywood. They not just started lining up behind the barri-
cade starting in the morning itself, but even kept roaming around the Fairmont Royal York Hotel throughout the day in the hope of getting a picture taken or grabbing a chance for an autograph. They sang, danced and cheered even when actors walked out of the hotel for shopping and sight-seeing. When yesteryears sex symbol Zeenat Aman walked out of the hotel, she had a trail of people behind her, and a middleaged lady broke into a dance on hit number "Dum maaro dum". It brought a smile to Zeenat's face. At the popular downtown mall, the Eaton Center, people gathered around Kabir Bedi to get themselves photographed. The frenzy was there for all see at the IIFA Rocks - a music and fashion event where the audience just kept clapping and cheering whenever the camera zoomed in on an actor - so much so that the voice of the hosts - Karan Johar, and actress Anushka Sharma - couldn't be heard.
Shah Rukh Khan leaving for green carpet welcome. door". Shah Rukh threw another surprise when he chose the title track of his friend-turned-foe Salman Khan's "Dabangg" for the activity. He even imitated the typical Salman step wherein he keeps his hands inside the pants' pockets, and moves them side to side.
Actor Bipasha Basu at IIFA. wore a green dress "in support of IIFA's green movement". Bipasha and Amisha landed themselves in a fashion faux pas as they sported similar looking dresses on the green carpet, except that Bipasha's dress was beige, and Amisha's an into-the-eye sunshine yellow. However, there were some guests from fildom who splashed desi style - Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini, and younger actresses like Esha Deol and Aarti Chhabbria sported saris. Later Anushka Sharma, winner of this year's best actress award, was seen in a sari too.
Singer Shankar Mahadevan performs during IIFA Rocks. he IIFA Music Workshop was a huge success. Established to bridge the gap between India and the host country by means of sharing and promoting the music of both countries, the workshop was an ideal platform for Indian and International musi-
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A new Bollywood musical titled 'Jhumru' will be showcased at the Kingdom of Dreams in India.
While "Zangoors" is a riveting tale of a gypsy boy who finds out that he is actually a king, the new musical will be comical in genre. "It's going to be about a
young executive, who is a great fan of Kishore Kumar, but he can't sing for nuts. Just to impress a girl, he enters a music contest, and the spirit of Kishore Kumar enters into him. What happens next will form the comical show," added Sarkari. Kishoreda, as the singer-actor was popularly known, sang some unforgettable numbers like "Paanch rupaiya baara aana", "Zindagi ka safar", "Pal, pal dil ke paas" and "Eena meena deeka" in his career, and proved his versatility every time. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who was present at the time of the announcement, said: "'Jhumru' is one of my favorite retro tracks," and
before the audience knew it, the charming actor sang four lines of the song for the international media, inviting a round of cheer and applause. The news of the new musical comes after officials at
Wizcraft, organizers of the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Weekend here, announced that "Zangoora: The Gypsy Prince" will be taken on a world tour in 2012.
Indian journalists. "What are you doing here Mr. Tharoor?" he was asked. He flashed a smile, and said: "I was here to speak at a business forum, and yes, I'll be around for IIFA as well." Tharoor is being accompanied by his wife Sunanda Krishnan. Guess both of them need to catch up on some Bollywood masala to spice.
t was a picture-perfect moment. Bollywood's ultimate showman Raj Kapoor's wife, three sons, daughters and daughter-inlaw were all in town for the official naming ceremony of the Raj Kapoor Crescent - a new street in a city on Toronto's outskirts known for its large South Asian population. It was a rare moment to see Krishna Raj Kapoor, Randhir, Rishi, Rajiv, Reema, Ritu and Neetu together on the same stage as Susan Fennell, mayor of Brampton unveiled the placard of the street name at the Rose Theater. "We shall always cherish this moment. We are greatly honored and proud that my father has been honored miles away from India. We thank you Brampton for this love," said Randhir.
Fennell, who was dressed for the occasion in a green and gold Indian suit, urged the big fat family to pose for a classic portrait, which she wishes to present to them on a visit to India in February next year. Raj Kapoor's grandchildren Ranbir and Kareena too were expected to be at the event, but they couldn't
make it due to their busy shooting schedules, said Randhir. Toronto, organized a Raj Kapoor retrospective where a total of 15 of his iconic films were screened including "Aag", "Awara", "Shree 420" and "Sangam", as part of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
said Randhir here. Randhir also said that they will be open to work with the new wave of directors in the film industry, and might even give a chance to a beginner. R.K.BFilms was formed in 1948. There were talks that Raj Kapoor's grandson, actor Ranbir Kapoor has plans to revive the banner.
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Best actress nominee Sonakshi Sinha with actor Gulshan Grover during a green carpet event.
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Infiniti Canada
Official Automotive Partner Infiniti vehicles were used to transport all the celebrities to and from events, ensuring that they arrive in style. Stars arrived on the Green Carpet at IIFA Awards Presentation Ceremony on June 25th at Rogers Center in luxurious fleet of Infiniti vehicles. I n f i n i t i s We e k e n d o f I n s p i r e d Performances contest winners got a chance to win an All- Access package for the IIFA Weekend and Awards. Ian L. Forsyth, Director of Corporate P l a n n i n g a n d B u s i n e s s St r a t e g y a t Infiniti Canada Inc., provided insights on the companys clean technology at t h e F I C C I I I FA G l o b a l B u s i n e s s Forum. The company also featured its latest addition to its line up, the Infiniti M Hybrid at the Brampton Silver City theatre.
Star Plus
Broadcast Partner Star Plus has been the exclusive global broadcast partner of the IIFA Awards for the last seven years. Through Star Plus, the 2011 IIFA Awards will reach out to more than 345 million viewers spread over 65 countries across the globe.
Air India
Airline Partner Air India, which has 96 aircraft, has been the official carrier of the 12th IIFA. The national carrier has been operating full flight from Delhi and Mumbai to Toronto since June 21. During the IIFA Awards inaugural press conference, mascot of Air India -- Maharaja -- was unveiled by India''s Counsel General P r e e t i S h a r a n a n d C h i t r a S a r k a r, Executive Director America and Europe, along with actors Bomman Irani, Rietish Deshmukh and Bipasha Basu.
Cineplex
Official Cinema Partner The IIFA Film Festival showcased some of the biggest blockbuster films that have created a mark in the history of Indian Cinema. Screenings were held in various Cineplex locations in the Greater Toronto Area.
Floriana
Title Sponsor IIFA Awards Floriana group got associated with IIFA for the first time this year. An enterprise, started in 1993, has blossomed into a multi-dimensional business conglomerate in a span of less than two decades. The diversification of business interests ranges from essential oils, herbal oils, speciality perfumery compounds, wellness, education, agri-business & marble mining. processing and marketing, reaping rich dividends for the group. The group has set its eyes on becoming a US$ 5 billion company by 2015. The company is based in New Delhi, India.
Videocon D2H
Title Sponsor IIFA Weekend Videocon Group has been associated with IIFA for the last three years. IIFA has been a pioneer in taking Indian cinema global. This is in keeping with the pioneering status of Videocon D2H in the Indian DTH market through continuous product innovations and the use of latest technology to make television viewing a better experience.
Gitanjali
Presenting Sponsor IIFA World Premiere - Double Dhamaal On June 24th, the night came to a starry end with Infiniti IIFA World Premiere of the film, Double Dhamaal preceded by the IIFA Green Carpete. Infiniti and Gitanjali Lifestyle were the Presenting Sponsors for the event.
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anadas largest metropolis hosted IIFAs 2011 celebration with much ado. Multiculturalism gives Toronto its colorful character, with more than 100 languages spoken here. Theres a lot to explore in its diverse neighborhoods, ethnic cuisine and rich cultural legacy. One can experience cultural events that are unparalleled, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the largest public film festival in the world. Whether with family or friends, there are always new memories to be made and places to discover in Ontario. Iconic attractions inspire every family member, whether youre seeing Niagara Falls or the CN Tower for the first time. Cities are filled with historic spots and attractions for young and old alike and small towns have lots of hidden gems. Its a province steeped in heritage, from historic Parliament buildings to Aboriginal experiences. And its a province that celebrates its diversity, with thousands of cultural festivals. Visitors to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will enjoy exploring waterfront parks in Mississaugas village on the lake or taking in a rousing performance at the nearby Living Arts Center. Discover Brampton and its colorful character, both on the stage and on garden tours. And be sure to see the legendary Niagara Falls and Niagara Wine Region only a short drive away.
Toronto skyline at night Fame, which celebrates Canadas national sport. Waterfront One of the citys best-kept secrets is its beautiful waterfront, located on the edge of an inland sea Lake Ontario. Browse the elegant shops of Harborfront and explore Torontos Harborfront Centre, a creative hub for arts and culture. Just a 10-minute ferry ride away youll find the Toronto Islands, a quiet world of treecanopied picnic spots, quaint cottages and Centreville an amusement park for young children. Neighborhood The neighborhoods of Toronto are bursting with character. The 200-year-old St. Lawrence Market is home to more than 120 specialty merchants displaying locally grown produce, delicatessen specialties and wines. Torontos Historic Distillery District celebrates the citys rich past with North Americas best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial architecture, and has become a centre of arts, culture and entertainment. Head to the east end of Queen Street to visit the Beach (also known as The Beaches), where quaint and quirky stores wait to be discovered. After a bit of browsing, stroll along the 3-km (2 mi.) boardwalk that follows the scenic shoreline of Lake Ontario. Art & Culture If you love art, culture and history, youll fall in love with Torontos museums and galleries, some of which are works of art themselves. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one such example, having undergone a stunning redesign by renowned architect, Frank Gehry in 2008. You must see the gorgeous Galeria Italia, a gleaming showcase made of wood and glass. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canadas largest museum, combining both world culture and natural history. History and Architecture Cross the threshold of Torontos many architectural gems, past and present. ExploreCasa Loma, an enchanting Edwardian castle complete with beautiful gardens, decorated suites and a secret 240 m (800-ft.) passageway. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir complex has become a source of wonder for local citizens and visitors alike. Its breathtaking design fuses traditional Indian architecture with modern technology and is constructed with 24,000 pieces of marble and stone. Fort York National Historic Site is the birthplace of modern Toronto. Take a guided tour and watch fascinating musket, drill and music demonstrations. Theatre and shows The curtain rises on a diverse range of performing arts in Toronto. If youre partial to musicals, this is the place to be! Your whole family will love the awardwinning musical The Lion King/ Then, Dancap Productions bring South Pacific to Toronto. Ballets on the bill at the Sony Center for the Performing Arts, where you can also catch popular music, classical music, films and modern dance performances. Sports Torontos professional sports teams provide year-round excitement. Catch a Major League baseball game with the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Watch the Canadian Football Leagues Toronto Argonauts play their exciting brand of football also under the night sky of the Rogers Centre (the roof is retractable!). Visit BMO field for intense Major League Soccer action and cheer for the home side at a Toronto FCgame. If playing sports is more your thing, there are numerous soccer (football) and cricket pitches located throughout the city. Greater Toronto Area Visit Mississauga, a diverse suburb of the Greater Toronto Area, complete with leisure spaces and entertainment. Relax with family in green parks and trails along the waterfront in Port Credit. Explore the award-winning City Centre, the heart of the community, and home of the Sports Hall of Fame and Art Gallery of Mississauga. Or applaud at the Living Arts Centre, a cultural hub for the performing arts. Known for a rich multicultural community and a bounty of blooms, Brampton is another GTA hot spot. Nicknamed the Flowertown of Canada, and internationally recognized by Communities in Bloom, Brampton offers self-guided floral tours through lush parks and beautiful gardens. For more info visit www.seetorontonow.com.
Shopping Torontos eclectic markets, boutiques, malls and galleries are a shoppers paradise. Discover the Toronto Eaton Centre right in the heart of the city, featuring more than 250 shops, services and restaurants. Be sure to visit Little India, home to the Gerrard India Bazaar, North Americas largest South Asian market. Attractions Torontos attractions offer a daily adventure from fun theme parks and gorgeous gardens to fantastic festivals and fairs! Zoom 342 m (1,122 ft.) up to the CN Towers Observation Deck the panoramic view will take your breath away. Take the family to the world-famous Toronto Zoo and visit Gorilla Rainforest. Get hands-on at the Ontario Science Centre, where learning stuff is so much fun! Check out Ontario Place and cool off at Froster Soak City, Torontos only downtown waterpark. Theres something for everyone at the Hockey Hall of
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Since 2000, IIFA (International Indian Film Academy) has been instrumental in making Indian cinema more and more popular across the globe.
that are usually neglected but yet play a vital role in the industry the comedian, negative actors and playback singers. The IIFA advisory board boasts eminent personalities from various facets of film making, marketing and acting-- Amitabh Bachchan, David Dhawan, Jaya Bachchan, Karan Johar, Manmohan Shetty, Ramesh Sippy and Shyam Shroff. The distinguished board lends IIFA respect and credibility throughout the world.
Amitabh Bachchan was IIFA Brand Ambassador till 2010. Popular Awards and Technical Awards. It is a four-day bonanza in an exotic locale, which enchants the host country with press meetings, parties, movie premiers, business pow-wow and special events. The first IIFA Awards were kicked off in 2000 in London at the Millennium Dome. In the following years till 2007 the venue was Sun City (South Africa), Genting Highlands (Malaysia), Johannesburg (South Africa), Singapore, Amsterdam (Netherlands), Dubai (UAE) and Yorkshire (UK). Indian cinema gravitates around Bollywood, the name being an informal reference to the Hindi films based in Mumbai. The
Bollywood heart throb Hrithik Roshan performing at IIFA 2010 in Sri Lanka. world at large is not yet familiar with other regional films, for example Tamil films is also a big industry based in Chennai. Bollywood is a concoction of Bombay and Hollywood. Many are not happy about making the giant Indian film industry playing second fiddle to its American counterpart. But the name has stuck and found its niche in the Oxford Dictionary. The predominant language in Bollywood films is Hindu or rather Hindustani, with a smattering of Urdu, though use of Urdu is n the decline. English too has crept in lately. In recent years a growing tendency is to dub films in a language aside from the one in which it was made. This has made films more pan Indian and international. IIFA events are hosted in new countries each year because Indian diaspora is spread far and wide. Indian culture is very much interwoven in the fabric of South East Asia and being incorporated warmly in other parts of the world including the Arab world, Israel and lately Africa and Afghanistan. IIFA has the distinction of recognizing zones
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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh interacting with the senior print media editors in New Delhi on June 29. eral proposition that younger peo- happy to step down, but so long as ple should take over is the right I am here I have a job to do. sentiment. Whenever the party Congress high command supmakes up its mind I will be very portive
July 9 will be the D-day for Rahul Gandhi to take on the Mayawati govt. Mahapanchayat in any of these places and wait for the administrations approval, said Congress state chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi.
Washington DC: India and the United States have agreed to work together to expand trade and investment links between their two economies, and to develop and strengthen their financial systems. They would also "work together in the G-20 on an effective mutual assessment process to bring about strong, sustained, and balanced global growth," said a joint statement issued on June 28 on the conclusion of the second meeting of US-India Economic And Financial Partnership here. "As two of the world's largest economies, the US-India relationship offers enormous eco-
nomic opportunities for Americans and Indians alike," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and US Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner who led the comprehensive talks between the two sides told a joint press conference. The United States, the joint statement said, is "committed to making the investments in technology, skills, and infrastructure necessary to maintain and enhance US competitiveness in the global economy." On its part, "India intends to take steps to marshal private and public saving to meet the infrastructure needs of a rapidly growing Indian economy," it said.
Victims of the 2002 Godhra riots believe that the crucial records have been deliberately destroyed by the Modi government. official records no longer exist. Records of incoming and outgoing phone calls, vehicle logbooks cannot be found, said Vakil.
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Officials at the premier US nuclear-weapons lab gave assurances that dangerous materials were safely stored.
The Shamsi airbase in Balochistan. kill Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden who was hiding in Abbottabad city. "One year ago they (Americans) thought differently; now they are not recognising the sacrifices and cooperation of the Pakistanis," the minister was quoted as saying. He said the trust deficit can be brought down if both Islamabad and Washington take the matter seriously. "It cannot be done unilaterally," he added. He suggested a revision of the policy on the war against terror.
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Ishant Sharma picked up his 100th Test wicket and finished with career-best figures of 6 for 55 as India got a 11-run first-innings lead in Barbados. Bridgetown (Barbados): West Indies were struggling at 98 for five in their first innings in reply to India's 201 all out on the weatherhit second day of the second test match at Kensington Oval here on June 29. Experienced duo of Shivnarine Chanderpaul (20) and Marlon Samuels (21) were at the crease for the hosts in the post-lunch session, first delayed and then interrupted by rain on resumption. The hosts had resumed the day at an uncomfortable 30 for three but the health of their innings deteriorated further after the twin blow in the morning session. Chanderpaul and Samuels kept the Indians at bay for about 20 overs as they defied the ferocious Indian fast bowling trio, led by Ishant Sharma. Earlier, Ishant struck twice as India reduced West Indies to 82 for five at lunch.
Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina. Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik. Mixed doubles win Sania with partner Rohan Bopanna reached the third round of the mixed doubles event with a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win over Great Britain's Jamie Murray and Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia.
Business
The new IMF head Chritine Lagarde. leadership, the IMF will deal effectively and fairly with the serious challenges which confront the global economy," Mukherjee wrote. Asked why India and other emerging nations had not chosen to put up a common candidate, he said India, Brazil, Russia and China had taken a decision to go by consensus.
Sanket Akerkar, Managing Director, Microsoft Corporation India, and Sanjay Manchanda, Director, Microsoft Business Division, announced the launch of Windows 365 at a press conference in New Delhi on June 29. tions in the country have signed up for Office 365 trails, he added. With the suite of solutions, companies can use email, collaboration, conferencing and productivity capabilities for about USD 2-27 (about Rs 100-1,350) per user, depending on what solutions the organization opts for.
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Humor TheSouthAsianTimes.info
he other day, while visiting a furniture store, I met a worker who looked Indian. But when I told him I was from India, he revealed he was from Pakistan. At that point, I had no choice: I grabbed a chair and chased him around the store, shouting, "Death to the Pakistani!" Actually, it didn't go quite like that. Security was tight, so I waited until his shift ended and followed him home, where I deflated his tires, raided his refrigerator, and tattooed the words "I love India!" all over his body. Who said tattoos serve no purpose? OK, I admit it: I didn't go that far. All I did was shake his hand and smile. We had a rather friendly chat. I didn't ask if any of his relatives were terrorists. He didn't ask if any of mine were infidels. We didn't even insult each other's mother-in-law. He stated that the Kashmir dispute shouldn't create any ill will between us. "Yes," I said. "After all, India and Pakistan were once the same country. We are like family, you and I. That reminds me: Does this store offer any family discounts?" If it were up to us, the border between India and Pakistan would be eliminated. Of course, if that happened, the country would have to look for a new enemy, so people in the mil-
In major American cities, you will find Indians and Pakistanis doing business side by side, some operating stores with names like South Asia Boutique, Indo-Pak Groceries and Indo-Pak Sweets & No Disputes. You
may even spot them at the local park, playing a few innings of cricket -- laughing and shouting and ignoring the strange looks from passers-by. There's no border between these people. I hope there never is.
itary could keep their jobs. Gotta keep the economy going. It's a funny thing about borders -how they divide people, how they create enmity and envy, how they give travelers the occasional thrill of being strip-searched. Borders often seem so arbitrary, so illogical, like a British monarch delegated the task of drawing borders to his pet monkey. And yet we take them so seriously. We act like the people across the border are so different from us. Fifty-year-old man: "They're crazy, those people across the border. They speak a strange language and play strange games. Crazy, I tell you." Wife: "Oh, be quiet. You really shouldn't speak ill of the Canadians. They're just like us. Nice people." I've often wondered what America would be like if every state were an
independent country. It would be virtually impossible to travel from Nevada to Utah. Border officer: "You're from Las Vegas? What, may I ask, do you want in Utah? There's no gambling here, you know. No prostitution either. We don't even allow bingo." Traveler: "I'm visiting my parents. They live just across the border." Officer: "Visiting your parents? I don't believe it. It's not Christmas yet. Sorry, I can't let you through. If you want to enter Utah, you'll have to hide in a barrel like everyone else." I like the Internet because it crosses borders so easily, brings people of different countries together. People in almost any country can read my column, people in almost any country can send me hate mail. I love hearing from Pakistanis as much as anyone else.
by Mahendra Shah
Mahendra Shah is an architect by education, entrepreneur by profession, artist and humorist, cartoonist and writer by hobby. He has been recording the plight of the immigrant Indians for the past many years in his cartoons. Hailing from Gujarat, he lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Astrology
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No end to desires
This article has been selected and reprinted from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharajs book, Spiritual Pearls for Enlightened Living (Radiance Publishers), an inspirational collection of stories from the worlds great wisdom traditions.
in the carpenters workshop. The neighbor thought that if he gave the carpenter money he would not have to work and he would stop his incessant hammering. The carpenter entered his workshop and found the envelope lying there. Instead of using it to take a vacation or a break, the carpenter thought, Someone left me several hundred dollars. What good fortune! I will take some of the money and invest in new tools so I can build bigger and better furniture and make more money. Thus, the money flamed the carpenter s desire to earn more money. He began working even harder, hoping to increase the newly found hundreds into thousands. As he began to make more money, he was still not content. He decided he wanted to turn the thousands into tens of thousands and thus he worked still harder. The rich neighbor was annoyed that his plan had failed and instead of silencing the carpenter, it merely increased the noise because now the man worked longer hours. When the carpenter had earned tens of thousands he wanted to make a hundred thousand. He put pressure upon himself to work day and night and even on weekends. Soon, he stopped his humming and singing. He no longer took joy in his work but felt strangled by the pressure he had put upon himself. On many nights, he was so stressed out he could not even sleep. The inner contentment and peace he had when he was just a poor carpenter were gone in the pursuit of trying to make more and more money. Consider our own lives. Do we find ourselves spending all of our time working to make money so we can retire? Do we work overtime to make more money? Do we work all weekend long to increase our profits? Do we find that we cannot even take a day or even several hours off work without thinking about work? If this is what is happening to us are we becoming like the carpenter? If we make all the money in the world but cannot enjoy personal peace and joy in our work, is it worth it? If we find that we are devoting too much of our time to making money and not enough to our family, our hobbies, our spiritual pursuits and those things we love then we need to analyze whether we are making the right choices. It is good to save for the future, but is it worth using up our entire life in trying to have more than what we need? Who knows what the future will bring? When we become old, will we have the health to do what we waited our whole life to do? If we leave our spiritual pursuits until we have reached our senior years, who knows how much time we will have left or whether we will be able to devote time to spirituality at that stage. If we ignore our family until they are already grown and have children of their own, we miss an important part of their lives that can never be recovered. Let us consider how we spend our time. If we have decided that certain goals are important then we should try to find time for them throughout our life and not put them all on the back burner in the pursuit of amassing more money than we need. We should weigh our time and make sure that we do not lose our peace and contentment over the stress of being engaged in a mad pursuit for money and possessions. Being conscious of how we spend our time and our life is important. If we listen to our soul, we will find that inner peace and contentment are more valuable than all the rich-
If we find that we are devoting too much of our time to making money and not enough to our family, our hobbies, our spiritual pursuits and those things we love then we need to analyze whether we are making the right choices. It is good to save for the future, but is it worth using up our entire life in trying to have more than what we need?
es in the world. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, an international spiritual leader and Master of meditation, affirms the transcendent oneness at the heart of all religions, emphasizing prayer and meditation as building blocks for achieving peace.www.jyotimeditation.org
God then we can accept the good and the tribulations equally under Gods will. In this respect, there is a story about King Mahmud of Ghazni. One day, while he was sitting with his most devoted servant, Ayaz, he shared half of his cucumber with him. When he had finished, the king then took a bite of his own half. Yuk! he cried, as he made a disgusted face and spit out the cucumber. This is so bitter! How could you have eaten your piece if it tasted like bitter poison? Ayaz replied, My dear king, I have enjoyed so many favors and blessings from you all these years. Whatever you give me tastes sweet! Ayazs attitude demonstrates the frame of
Life is precious. Do we want to live our lives to their fullest? The pain and disappointments will not go away by complaining about them. We must pass through those times. Let us try to do so in a state of calm acceptance and conserve the energy that we normally use for complaining. Instead we can think of God in love and gratitude. We will find that we pass through the times of tribulations more easily.
mind of a true lover of God. Such a lover is so much enamored of God and so grateful to God, that he or she takes everything, good or bitter, as a gift of the Beloved. Ayaz had received so many blessings from the king that he felt it was not his place to complain if one of these gifts were bitter. After all, if the king gave him so much good, he must love him. If therefore, once in a blue moon, he had handed him something bit-
ter, Ayaz knew he had no evil intention. He accepted all the king gave him with love and gratitude. If we could accept the rainy days with the same gratitude as we do the sunny days, we would find our lives would be more full of love, peace, and happiness. If we could appreciate the weeds as well as the roses, we would enrich our daily lives. If we could appreciate our enemies as well as our friends, we would not have to waste precious breaths in complaints and bitterness. If we could accept days when we are ill and under the weather as well as those in which we are well and healthy, we would reduce our stress and worry and maybe even heal faster. Life is precious. Do we want to live our lives to their fullest? The pain and disappointments will not go away by complaining about them. We must pass through those times. Let us try to do so in a state of calm acceptance and conserve the energy that we normally use for complaining. Instead we can think of God in love and gratitude. We will find that we pass through the times of tribulations more easily. Like Ayaz, let us take everything coming from God as tasting sweet. Then, we will sweeten our whole lives and the lives of those around us. For more visit www.sos.org