Happy new Year 2014

Pakistani actress Veena Malik ties the knot

Pakistani actress Veena Malik has tied the knot with businessman Asad Bashir Khan Khattak in Dubai Wednesday, a media report said.

'I'm more than happy today, I think I'm the happiest girl in the world,' Geo News quoted the actress as saying.

Veena, who became a known name in India post her stint on the fourth season of reality show 'Bigg Boss', said it was an arranged marriage.

'Destiny just plays its part, we were destined to be there on this particular day,' Veena said.

According to the report, the actress declined to divulge further details, saying: 'You will just get to know the details very soon.'

Asad Bashir, who runs businesses in Dubai and US, is the son of Veena's father's friend, the Geo report said.

Asad said their parents wanted them to get married as soon as possible. He added that wedding-related functions would be held in Dubai, US and Pakistan.

China allows more couples to have second child

China's top legislature Saturday made a resolution to allow couples to have two children if either parent is an only child.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) passed a resolution on adjusting and improving the family planning policy through a vote at its bi-monthly session which closed here Saturday, reported Xinhua.

The resolution, equal to a legal document in China, entrusts provincial congresses and their standing committees to make the call about implementing the new policy.

'They should amend local family planning regulations, or issue a special act, in time, based on evaluation of local demographic situation and in line with the law on population and family planning as well as this resolution,' the document said.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) decided to ease the only-child policy at the landmark third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee.

Since family planning is written as an essential state strategy in the Constitution, it will require a resolution from the top legislature to adjust it.

Kejriwal holds Janta Darbar

Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal today held a 'Janta Darbar' outside his Kausambhi residence where many people put forward their complaints relating to water and electricity.

Interacting with those present, Kejriwal said, 'This is not my win, it is yours.I know that most of you have come here
to congratulate me, but I would say this is your win.'

Lawyers, engineers and students were among those who participated in the durbar. Some of the people requested
Kejriwal to take up security cover offered by Delhi Police.

'Arvindji, you have become our leader now.You should agree to take security cover being offered by Delhi Police,'
said Mukesh, a resident of Allahabad.

Besides complaints regarding water and electricity, people also requested that AAP should form a team of lawyers
to fight their cases free of cost.

'There are a lot of people who are not able to bear expenditure on legal cases.We demand that AAP should form a
team of lawyers who would fight their case at free of cost,' said Prakash Singh, a lawyer by profession.

AAP volunteers, who came from Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and also one from Russia, participated in
Kejriwal's Janta Darbar.

Kejriwal said, 'I have heard yours complaints and suggestions and I would definitely work on them.I invite you
to participate in the swearing-in ceremony to be held in Ramlila Maidan on Saturday.'

The AAP convener had yesterday also held a 'Janta Darbar' at his residence to listen to people's grievances and
suggestions.

Kejriwal, who led Aam Admi Party to a spectacular victory in the assembly polls ending Congress' 15-year rule, will take
oath as Delhi's seventh Chief Minister tomorrow at historic Ramlila Maidan.

45-year-old Kejriwal and six other AAP MLAs will be sworn-in in a public ceremony at 12 PM to which Anna Hazare,
Kiran Bedi, Santosh Hegde and all those associated with the anti-corruption movement will be invited.

The cabinet ministers to take oath along with Kejriwal are Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh
Bhardwaj, Girish Soni and Satendra Jain. PTI

Mittal spends Rs 503 cr on daughter's wedding

The city of Barcelona in Spain came to a near standstill on Sunday and, no, for once it had nothing to do with Lionel Messi and the art of football. It was the day industrialist Pramod Mittal's daughter Srishti, 26, tied the knot with investment banker Gulraj Behl.

Mittal, as is widely known, is the younger brother of steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. The buzz that he splurged €60 million (503 crore') on the fairytale wedding. The Spanish news portal vanitatis.com claims that this could be one of the five most expensive weddings in history.

According to Forbes , the article added, the wedding is second only to that of Abu Dhabi crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Princess Salama, which had cost €76.25 million in 1981. As Barcelonians fretted over the near curfew- like situation, brightly- decked up baraatis got into the groove to folk drum beats. A culinary extravaganza was laid out by Michelin- star chef Sergi Arola against a backdrop resembling a seabed.

Of course, Pramod had made special arrangement to retain all of it for posterity. He had even deployed helicopters to capture bird's eye shots of the wedding. A 60- kg cake, balloons, festoons and dazzling lightwork were the accessories. The wedding — more of a multi- venue live show, actually — spanned sites of historic interest. Reportedly, the Spanish Tourism Board went all out to make the Mittals feel at home while hosting the wedding in the Catalonian capital city.

On account of the festivities, heritage monuments in and around were shut down for the first time ever. Pramod's lavish function rivals his brother's penchant for spectacular weddings. In 2002, Mittal reportedly rented Kolkata's Victoria Memorial for 9 lakh to host his son's wedding. In 2004, his daughter Vanisha married Indian billionaire Amit Bhatia in a ceremony that is said to have cost ` 240 crore.

Mail Today

Kejriwal to be CM in Delhi

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founder leader Arvind Kejriwal Monday said they are ready to form the government in Delhi.

Kejriwal, who led his party's stunning electoral debut, said that the AAP 'is ready to form the government'.

He said he will meet Lt Governor Najeeb Jung.

The AAP had bagged 28 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party had emerged as the single largest party by winning 31 seats while the Congress had stood a poor third with eight seats.

The BJP decided not to form the government, following which AAP leaders met Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and sought 10 days time. The AAP then held a referendum to know from the people whether or not they should form a minority government.

Now, a smart bra to check overeating

British scientists have claimed that they have developed a smart bra that can detect mood changes to prevent overeating.

M.C. Schraefel, professor of computer science and human performance design at Southampton University, has helped to design a smart bra that can detect changes in mood, with the hope of preventing emotionally-triggered overeating in women, according to a university statement issued Tuesday.

The prototype contains removable sensors that monitor heart and skin activity.

The data collected is sent to the wearer of the bra via a smartphone application.

These physical symptoms are supposed to indicate mood, which a woman can track in order to highlight when 'emotional eating' is likely to occur.

'Emotional state, habitual practices, like snacking in front of the TV or grabbing a cookie when stressed, often go undetected by us - that's the nature of habits - but they have real effects on our well-being,' Schraefel said.

The bra is the result of a study called 'Food and Mood: Just-in-Time Support for Emotional Eating', authored by researchers from the University of Southampton, Microsoft Research and the University of Rochester in the US.

What is Lokpal Bill

10 points of the Lokpal Bill which make it stronger 

* Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over any central investigation agency including CBI for cases referred to them by the ombudsman. 

* A high-powered committee chaired by the PM will recommend selection of CBI director. The collegium will comprise PM, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India PM has been brought under purview of the Lokpal, so also central ministers and senior officials. 

* Directorate of prosecution will be under overall control of CBI director. At present, it comes under law ministry. 

* Appointment of director of prosecution to be based on recommendation of the Central Vigilance Commission. 

* Director of prosecution will also have a fixed tenure of two years like CBI chief. 

* Transfer of CBI officers investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of watchdog. 

* Bill incorporates provisions for attachment and confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.

* Bill lays down clear timelines for preliminary enquiry and investigation and trial. Provides for special courts Public servants will not present their view before preliminary enquiry if the case requires 'element of surprise' like raids and searches. 

* Bill grants powers to Lokpal to sanction prosecution against public servants. 

* CBI may appoint a panel of advocates with approval of Lokpal, CBI will not have to depend on govt advocates. 

Important features 

Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members, of which 50% will be judicial members 50% members of Lokpal shall be from SC/ST/OBCs, minorities and women Selection of chairperson and members of Lokpal through a selection committee consisting of PM, Speaker of Lok Sabha, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI Eminent jurist to be nominated by President of India on basis of recommendations of the first four members of the selection committee "through consensus" Lokpal's jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants All entities (NGOs) receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs 10 lakh per year are under the jurisdiction of Lokpal Centre will send Lokpal bill to states as a model bill, states have to set up Lokayuktas through a state law within 365 days 

Points of discord on Lokpal 

Aam Aadmi Party and NCPRI have said the Lokpal bill passed by Parliament is a "sarkari jokepal'' that does not adhere to the resolution which Parliament passed in August 2011 besides raising other concerns. 

Lokpal's appointment 

Govt | Lokpal will be selected by 5 members (PM, leader of opposition in LS, Speaker, CJI and one jurist nominated by these four) AAP | Majority of those who will select Lokpal will be from the political class who will have a vested interest in a weak Lokpal. Jan Lokpal had recommended a 7-member committee including 2 SC judges, 2 HC judges, one nominee of CAG+CVC+CEC, PM and LoP. 

Lokpal's removal 

Govt | Only govt or 100 MPs can complain to SC. AAP | Will keep removal under political control. Jan Lokpal said any citizen can complain and seek any Lokpal member's removal. 

Investigating machinery 

Govt | Lokpal would have to get complaints probed by any investigating agency, including the CBI, all of which would continue to remain under the administrative control of govt. AAP & NCPRI | CBI officers' transfers, postings will be under govt control compromising independence of the investigative machinery. CBI should be under the Lokpal's administrative control.

Ambit of the Lokpal

Govt | Judiciary excluded and MPs' actions in respect of speeches and vote in Parliament excluded. AAP & NCPRI | Include all public servants including judges and MPs in discharging public duties. 

Whistleblower's protection 

Govt | Absent from govt law. AAP & NCPRI | Protection for whistleblowers must be addressed in this law or a separate one. 

Citizen's charter 

Govt | Absent from govt law. AAP & NCPRI | This was part of the resolution passed by Parliament in August 2011 and must be adhered to. 

Lokayuktas 

Govt | Have been left to the discretion of state govts. AAP & NCPRI | Bill should have been a model legislation for states to adopt mandatorily. 

Frivolous complaints 

Govt | Any person making a false complaint can be jailed for up to 5 years. AAP | Penalty for frivolous complaint is up to Rs 1 lakh; no imprisonment.

John Kerry regret over Indian diplomat's treatment

As the US-India standoff over the 'barbaric' treatment of an Indian diplomat in New York continued, the US Secretary of State John Kerry called India's National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon to express his 'regret'.

In a damage control exercise, Kerry also expressed his concern saying this 'unfortunate public issue' of the arrest and strip search of Devyani Khobragade, India's deputy consul general in New York, should not be allowed to hurt 'our close and vital relationship with India'.

Kerry 'expressed his regret, as well as his concern that we not allow this unfortunate public issue to hurt our close and vital relationship with India,' State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said in a readout of the conversation.

'The secretary understands very deeply the importance of enforcing our laws and protecting victims, and, like all officials in positions of responsibility inside the US government, expects that laws will be followed by everyone here in our country,' she said.

'It is also particularly important to Secretary Kerry that foreign diplomats serving in the United States are accorded respect and dignity just as we expect our own diplomats should receive overseas,' Harf said.

'As a father of two daughters about the same age as Devyani Khobragade, the secretary empathises with the sensitivities we are hearing from India about the events that unfolded after Khobragade's arrest,' she added.

Earlier, in its first reaction on the issue, White House Wednesday offered to review the procedures that were followed in Khobragade's arrest on charges of visa fraud.

'We understand that this is a very sensitive issue for many in India,' White House spokesperson Jay Carney said essentially repeating the statement made Tuesday by Harf.

'We are looking into the intake procedures surrounding this arrest to ensure that all appropriate procedures were followed and every opportunity for courtesy was afforded' to Khobragade, he said.

Like Harf, Carney too stressed that an 'isolated episode' should not be allowed to cloud a 'broad and deep friendship' and an 'important relationship' with India.

Blind man, guide dog's miraculous escape after train runs over them

Gallant guide dog Orlando, a black Labrador retriever, bravely leapt on to the tracks at a Manhattan subway platform on Tuesday after his blind owner lost consciousness and tumbled in front of an oncoming train.

Cecil Williams, 61, and Orlando both escaped serious injury when the train passed over top of them a miraculous end to a harrowing ordeal that began when Mr. Williams began to feel faint on his way to the dentist.

'He tried to hold me up,' Mr. Williams told The Associated Press from his hospital bed.

Witnesses said Orlando began barking frantically and tried to stop Mr. Williams from falling from the platform. Matthew Martin told the New York Post that Orlando jumped down and tried to rouse Williams even as a train approached.

'He was kissing him, trying to get him to move,' Mr. Martin said.

Witnesses called for help and the train's motorman slowed his approach as Mr. Williams and Orlando lay in the trench between the rails.

'The dog saved my life,' Mr. Williams said.

As Mr. Williams regained consciousness, he said he heard someone telling him to be still. Emergency workers put him on a stretcher and pulled him from the subway, and made sure Orlando was not badly injured.

'I'm feeling amazed,' Mr. Williams said. 'I feel that God, the powers that be, have something in store for me. They didn't take me away this time. I'm here for a reason.'AP

Indian diplomat Devyani strip search by New York Police

The US today virtually justified the reported strip search by New York police of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, saying 'standard procedures' have been followed during her arrest.

'Diplomatic Security, which is under the State Department purview, followed standard procedures during her arrest,'
State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters at her daily news conference.

Harf was asked about media reports that 39-year-old Khobragade, the Deputy Consul General at New York, was strip
searched and confined with drug addicts after her detention. Media reports also said she was subjected to DNA swabbing.

A 1999-batch IFS officer, Khobragade was arrested as she was dropping her daughter to school and handcuffed in public
on visa fraud charges before being released on a USD 250,000 bond after pleading not guilty in court.

'Our Diplomatic Security folks followed our standard procedures, which I'm assuming are standard for diplomats
because that's who our Diplomatic Security deals with,' Harf said.

However, she referred the allegations regarding inhuman treatment of Khobragade to the US Marshalls, saying the Indian
diplomat was handed over to them by the Diplomatic Security.

Harf said under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the Indian Deputy Consul General enjoys immunity
from the jurisdiction of US courts only with respect to acts performed in the exercise of consular functions.

'There's different kinds of immunity.This isn't just in the US; it's all around the world.So in this case, she fell
under that specific kind of immunity, and would be liable to arrest pending trial pursuant a felony arrest warrant,' she
said.

India has reacted sharply to Khobragade being arrested and handcuffed in public by summoning US Ambassador Nancy
Powell and issuing a demarche in this regard.

Story of Appreciation

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. 

He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision. 

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score. 

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none". 

The director asked, " Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees. 

The director asked, " Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as clothes cleaner. The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect. 

The director asked, " Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me. 

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.* 

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid. 

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water. 

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future. 

After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother. 

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time. 

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office. 

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: " Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?" 

The youth answered, " I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes' 

The Director asked, " please tell me your feelings." 

The youth said, Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today. Number 2, by working together and helping 
my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship. 

The director said, " This is what I am looking for to be my manager. 
I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired. 

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously. 

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?* 

You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.
By: Puneet Dhingra

Hollywood Actress Wanted to Pose for Playboy During Pregnancy

Hollywood star Susan Sarandon says she turned down numerous offers to shed her clothes for the Playboy magazine, but wanted to do so during her pregnancy.

However, the 67-year-old actress' could not fulfil her wish as they did not show any interest then, reported Daily Express.

"You know, they haven't asked me in about five years. They used to ask me on a regular basis and I wanted to do it when I was pregnant, but they weren't game - that was before everyone else started doing it pregnant," Sarandon said.

The Oscar Winner, who had shown skin in some of her movies is unsure she would do something like that again.

"When Lincoln Center (in New York) did a thing (career retrospective) and they showed a lot of (her old film clips), my sons were (horrified). They said, 'Didn't it ever occur to you that you would have children?'," she said.

"And then I asked my youngest, 'Are you OK?' And he said, 'Yeah, but scarred mum.' So at this point I can't really say I didn't know where they stood so it's not worth it. I'm really not that interested anymore," she added.

Maharaja of Travancore Uthradom Thirunal Passes Away

The present head of erstwhile royal house of Travancore Uthradom Thirunal Marthanda Varma (91), passed away early morning Monday at 2.20 am at the SUT hospital. Varma has been admitted to a private hospital here for the past several days after he developed an upper gastro-intestinal bleeding recently.

The body will be kept for public homage at the Levy Hall on Monday morning. The final rites will be conducted at the Kavadiyar Palace grounds in the evening at 3.30.

Though he was shifted to a ward from the ICU recently, the 91-year-old royal was again put on ventilator support the other day, hospital sources said.

Uthradom Tirunal became head of the Travancore royal family in 1991 succeeding his elder brother Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma, the last princely ruler of Travancore.

A graduate of the Travancore University, he is known for his deep interest and knowledge in the areas of religion, philosophy and medicine. An expert photographer, Sri Marthanda Varma's work is now displayed at the Kudirai Maligai.

Sri Marthanda Varma, who is married to Radha Devi, has a daughter, Parvathy Devi, and a son, Sri Padmanabha Varma.

AAP seeks 10 days from LG

Aam Aadmi Party Saturday sought 10 days time from Lt Governor Najeeb Jung to take a decision regarding government formation in Delhi.

AAP chief along with party members Manish Sisodia and Kumar Vishwas met Najeeb Jung Saturday.

'We have asked for 10 days time to take decision on the matter,' AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal told media persons outside the Lt Governors residence.

The Lt Governor invited AAP after the BJP declined the offer to form the government in the state as they didn't have a majority. BJP secured 31 seats and fell short of a clear majority in the 70 member house.

AAP obtained 28 seats in the Delhi assembly elections.

The Congress, which bagged eight seats, said they are ready to give unconditional outside support to the AAP.