Sir Syed’s death anniversary today

KARACHI: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the reformer, educationist and author is being remembered today at his death anniversary today.

Sir Syed was born in Delhi, India on 17th October, 1817. He was great Muslim educator, jurist and author, founder of the Anglo-Mohammedan Oriental College at Aligarh, UP, India, and principal motivating force behind the revival of Indian Islam in the late 19th century.

His prominent works in Urdu, include Essays on the Life of Muhammad (PBUH) and commentaries on the Bible and on the Quran.

Sir Syed was made a Knight Commander of the Star of India in 1888. Syed Ahmed had a versatile personality, and his position in the judicial department left him time to be active in many fields.

His career as an author (in Urdu) started at the age of 23 with religious tracts. In 1847 he brought out a noteworthy book, Athar Assandid (“Monuments of the Great”), on the antiquities of Delhi. He began establishing schools, at Muradabad (1858) and Ghazipur (1863). A more ambitious undertaking was the foundation of the Scientific Society, which published translations of many educational texts and issued a bilingual journal – in Urdu and English.

In the late 1860s there occurred developments that were alert the course of his activities. In 1867 he has transferred to Benares, a city on the Ganges with great religious significance for Hindus. At about the same time a movement started at Benares to replace Urdu, the language cultivated by the Muslims, with Hindi.

This movement and the attempts to substitute Hind for Urdu publications of the Scientific Society convinced Syed that the paths of the Hindus and the Muslims must diverge. During a visit to England (1869-70) he prepared plans for a great educational institution. On his return he set up a committee for the purpose and also started an influential journal, Tahdhib al-Akhlaq (“Social Reform”), for the “uplift and reform the Muslim”.

A Muslim school was established at Aligarh in May 1875, and after his retirement in 1876, Syed devoted himself to enlarging it into a college. In January 1977 the Viceroy laid the foundation stone of the college. In 1886 Syed organised the All-India Muhammadan Educational Conference, which met annually at different places to promote education and to provide the Muslims with a common platform.

Until the founding of the Muslim League in 1906, it was the principal national centre of Indian Islam. Syed advised the Muslims against joining active politics and to concentrate instead on education. Muslims, generally, followed his advice and abstained from politics until several years later when they had established their own political organisation i.e. Muslim League.

This great scholar and leader died on 27th March, 1898, at Aligarh, India. TrendPK

SRK highly impressed by Akon

Shah Rukh Khan is a self-confessed fan of Akon’s music. Now that they have jammed together for a song in Ra.One the two have become so close that Akon has promised to give Shah Rukh some tips on “cool rapping” in exchange for Hindi lessons from Shah Rukh.

R& B singer Akon has sung in Hindi for a track in Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.One. Initially it was meant to be only a smattering of words in Hindi. Now there are passages of Hindi by Akon. The absence of an accent in his singing of the Hindi words in the track took Shah Rukh Khan so much by surprise that he decided to add some more Hindi words and lines into Akon’s song in Ra.One.

Confirming this, composer Shekhar Ravjiani speaking on behalf of the duo Vishal-Shekhar who have composed the Akon track, says, “Akon’s Hindi took all of us by surprise. It was almost like he had been speaking the language all his life. No one could believe Akon was seeing those Hindi lines for the first time. He just rattled of the lines as if he was conversant with Hindi. When you hear the song you will see no difference in the singing quality of Akon’s English and Hindi lines.”

Ra.One is expected to have 10 tracks. Vishal-Shekhar are in the process of creating the soundtrack.

Says Shekhar, “The director Anubhav Sinha has such a keen ear for music. He understands ragas, rhythm, melody and the format of music composition. Shah Rukh too is very clued to world music. We are creating the kind of global sound in Ra.One which has never been heard in Indian cinema before.”

SRK highly impressed by Akon

Shah Rukh Khan is a self-confessed fan of Akon’s music. Now that they have jammed together for a song in Ra.One the two have become so close that Akon has promised to give Shah Rukh some tips on “cool rapping” in exchange for Hindi lessons from Shah Rukh.

R& B singer Akon has sung in Hindi for a track in Shah Rukh Khan’s Ra.One. Initially it was meant to be only a smattering of words in Hindi. Now there are passages of Hindi by Akon. The absence of an accent in his singing of the Hindi words in the track took Shah Rukh Khan so much by surprise that he decided to add some more Hindi words and lines into Akon’s song in Ra.One.

Confirming this, composer Shekhar Ravjiani speaking on behalf of the duo Vishal-Shekhar who have composed the Akon track, says, “Akon’s Hindi took all of us by surprise. It was almost like he had been speaking the language all his life. No one could believe Akon was seeing those Hindi lines for the first time. He just rattled of the lines as if he was conversant with Hindi. When you hear the song you will see no difference in the singing quality of Akon’s English and Hindi lines.”

Ra.One is expected to have 10 tracks. Vishal-Shekhar are in the process of creating the soundtrack.

Says Shekhar, “The director Anubhav Sinha has such a keen ear for music. He understands ragas, rhythm, melody and the format of music composition. Shah Rukh too is very clued to world music. We are creating the kind of global sound in Ra.One which has never been heard in Indian cinema before.”

Rani’s gaalis might just create trouble for Jessica at the censor board

There’s trouble ahead for the much talked-about real-life drama No One Killed Jessica. Rani’s character of an intrepid investigative journalist chain smokes and mouths gaalis non-stop. In the trailer, Rani’s shocking use of the term ‘g..nd phat jaati’ has been managed with a beep. But if the film’s makers get down to deleting every expletive Rani’s character utters there would be huge gaps in her dialogue.
According to sources, Rani’s character’s flow of profanities is so non-stop that if the censor board decided to beep her gaalis, Rani’s dialogue soundtrack would have more beeps than words.
Laughs and protests director Rajkumar Gupta, “It’ not that bad, really. You are making it sound like a non-stop abuse binge. My film is not that. But yes, Rani’s character is very brutal and graphic in her speech. I don’t know if, as you say. Rani is the same way in real life. I didn’t know her before I shot with her. But she was thoroughly professional in mouthing squirmy words.”
While in real life Rani Mukerji is very comfortable using the ‘F’ word and ‘G’ word in English and Hindi, her co-star Vidya Balan in No One Killed Jessica is not quite the type who will mouth maa-bahen galis at the drop of an oath, no matter what the provocation. Not that Vidya is a prude. But she does mind her language. Rani is just the opposite and it shows on screen.
Now the question looming over No One Killed Jessica is, would the censor board allow Rani’s character to speak her mind so graphically? The censors are known to clamp down heavily on lurid language unless it is in a Vishal Bhardwaj film. Paradoxically, Vishal’s rustic characters are allowed to mouth maa-bahen gaalis. Jessica producers – UTV who co-produced Bharadwaj’s Kaminey are hoping that the same language in an urban context is permissible.
Says Rajkumar Gupta, “We voluntarily beeped out Rani’s expletive in the trailer because it was to be screened on the home-viewing medium. But now when we submit the film for censorship, we will go with the entire language content intact hoping the censor board would see the context and not just the hard-hitting nature of the language.”
While Rani Mukerji is said to be gung-ho about the language, Vidya Balan is apparently dreading how the dialogues would sound in a pindrop-silent theatre with dolby sound.
Says the director, “Let’s just say, both Rani and Vidya said what they had to. They were thorough professionals.”
Another area of discomfort for this controversial film would be the legal ramifications of showing real-life people, particularly the hostile witnesses in the real-life Jessica Lal murder case. Apparently, some of the key witnesses are already inquiring about the content and getting ready for legal action.
Says Rajkumar Gupta, “We’re ready for any eventuality. I made the film the way I wanted to as a mix of realism and cinematic entertainment. No One Killed Jessica is not a documentary on the Jessica Lal case. But it is about her sister’s fight for justice. And if the real-life characters recognize themselves they are welcome to react how they want.”
Or else Rani will let loose a volley of the choicest.
Laughs Gupta, “We are hoping for a U/A (parental guidance) certificate. But even if we get an Adults certificate we’re okay with it.”

Tibetans protest in China over language policy

BEIJING: At least 1,000 ethnic Tibetan students, demanding protection of their culture, protested in a western Chinese town against curbs on the use of their language, residents and a rights group said on Wednesday.

The students marched through Tongren, also known as Rebkong, on Tuesday, without police interference, residents contacted by telephone and the London-based Free Tibet campaign group said.

Tongren is a heavily Tibetan area of the Chinese province of Qinghai and the region where exiled Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was born.

Three residents contacted by telephone said that at least 1,000 students had demonstrated, shouting slogans in support of protecting their culture.

“The police did not get involved,” said one resident, who asked not to be identified, citing the sensitive nature of the case.

“They (the protesters)

Constitution Day Activities For Kids

Constitution Day activities for children, and today is a day of celebration and many people today celebrate Constitution Day and also recognized on citizenship. On September 17, 1787, was adopted the final draft of the Constitution by the members of the Constitutional Convention. It’s an important occasion in the history of our nation, we honor our days and still nothing about the importance of continuing the “Declaration of Human Rights.” On the Constitution also recognizes all who are born in the United States or obtain legal citizenship through naturalization.

Many business groups in Polk County to take this day seriously. Polk and decorated the campus of the State in Winter Haven with the thousands of American flags describes the sidewalks and entrances to the building. Has joined all the numbers in blocks of East Polk-revolutionary American forces for the development of the September 9 Peace River Country Club lunch to hear Lakeland by Teresa V? zquez-Mart? Nez to discuss the importance of this document for them.

Left Martinez and his family after the receipt of Cuba Fidel Castro took power, and Cuba became a communist country.

Her father said he wants his children to be free and want to get freedom, and so came to the United States does not even know the language of the United States does not know the problems in the future. So, today is the Constitution Day is a great day for all citizens of the United States, in fact, we celebrate it with full enthusiasm.

Geetha Arts & KWAN join hands to start Entertainment Marketing Agency

One of the leading production houses down south – Geetha Arts are now partners with KWAN, India’s premier entertainment and marketing company to form Artist Alliance -India’s first ever entertainment marketing firm focused on South Indian cinema. Floated by two of the biggest names in the entertainment business, Artist Alliance will replicate KWAN’s business model in Southern Cinema working in the areas of celebrity management, movie marketing, in-film placements, casting, television and event sponsorships.

The clients managed by Artists Alliance (KWAN + Geetha Arts jointly) already include Suriya, Ram Charan Teja, Allu Arjun, Simbu, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shruti Haasan and Kajal Aggarwal. The management of the South careers of a few more Bollywood celebrities is also in the pipeline and the associations will be announced soon.

Speaking about the JV, Anirban Das Blah, MD KWAN says, “Markets like TN and AP are large enough as economies to be among the top 75 countries in the world on a standalone basis. They also have a distinct cultural and linguistic identity that doesn’t adhere to the one-size-fits-all approach that most brands follow. Artist Alliance and our partnership with Geetha Arts allows brands to reach to consumers across the fast growing markets in the South more effectively than ever before. For a brand looking at leadership in the South, Artist Alliance is not just the best option, it’s the ONLY option”.

Allu Sirish, President, Geetha Arts reiterates this mutually beneficial partnership and says, “South Indians are one of the most avid and intense consumers of entertainment. Despite that, because of the unorganized functioning of the industry, the brand endorsement market is nowhere close to capping its best potential. Artist Alliance is here to help brands and marketers navigate through this new space. Marketers need an agency that can understand, appreciate and leverage local sensibilities followed by flawless execution in order to add the magic of movies and entertainment to their campaigns. It helped that we as an organisation, share a similar vision and ideology as that of KWAN and the JV was a natural result of it. In fact, we decided on the JV in one single meeting itself – we were that much in sync. What most brands miss is that beyond the top two-three towns in each state, people don’t watch Bollywood content. It’s essential to connect with consumers on an intrinsic level by speaking their language, knowing their customs etc. Since the present market is going to grow multiple folds in the coming years, Artist Alliance is the first and largest player in this space.”

Send Pakistan aid, not jobs, urge U.S. textile groups

WASHINGTON: U.S. textile groups and cotton farmers on Wednesday strongly objected to proposed new trade benefits for Pakistan, saying the United States should send aid to the flood-ravaged country, not U.S. jobs.

The groups expressed their concern in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Trade Representative Ron Kirk, who were urged last week by the Chamber of Commerce, a leading U.S. business group, to press Congress for a generous package of U.S. textile tariff cuts to help Pakistan recover.

“If this proposal were to be accepted, it would cause irreparable damage to the U.S. textile industry, resulting in significant job losses,” the National Association of Textile Organizations, the National Cotton Council and three other industry groups said in the letter.

“We understand and recognize the magnitude of the recent torrential flooding in Pakistan and the enormous human tragedy this disaster has caused. We believe, however, that the proper response to this situation is for the United States and other governments to continue their outpouring of humanitarian aid,” the groups said.

The groups, which also included the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, said they supported a carefully crafted “Reconstruction Opportunity Zones” trade package for Pakistan that the House of Representatives has already approved and a similar bill that has been stalled in the Senate.

“These bills provide Pakistan with special tariff preferences for products constituting 74 percent of the volume they ship to the U.S. market, while preserving normal duty treatment on the categories critical to workers and producers throughout our hemisphere,” the groups said.

But “any expansion of the product or geographic coverage beyond the language included in the bills listed above would result in a significant loss of U.S. textile and apparel jobs and would force the domestic industry to strongly oppose such legislation,” the groups said.

The London INDIAN Film Festival launches begins on July 15

The London INDIAN Film Festival launches begins on July 15

By devansh patel

The London Indian Film Festival launches from July 15- 20 in London with a range of cutting-edge movies from some of India’s hottest independent talents, we aren’t talking Bollywood here, but films that challenge, make you think and show a more realistic view of India today in all its colour and diversity.

The Festival’s selection of films are screened across London, opening in the city centre at Cineworld (Haymarket), then Barbican, Nehru Centre, Watermans and Genesis cinemas. The Festival covers a wide range of themes from family dramas, coming-of age tales to twisted urban romance. What pervades many of these movies is a new more assured Indian cool, experimenting with cinematic styles, new technology and influenced by themes both East and West, which has helped them win favour with the young in-crowd in super cities like Mumbai.

The London Indian Film Festival opens at Cineworld (Haymarket) on July 15 with the UK premiere of the challenging Love, Sex Aur Dhokha, (Love, Sex and Betrayal) , by director, Dibakar Banerjee. Through three intertwined tales, this controversial film explores sexuality, voyeurism, love and betrayal in modern India. The film has un-known actors, but it’s radical revision -challenging the romantic Indian fairy-tale romance was a big box office hit when it was released in India in March. Of course being an Opening Night expect some VIPs to turn up!

Other highlights in this festival include the high-impact City of Gold, by the maverick director, Mahesh Manjrekar, on the forgotten history of mill workers of Mumbai, whose livelihoods were crushed when the mills were converted into the glitzy shopping malls and five star hotels. Meanwhile, Last Chance Mumbai is a sophisticated multi-strand ensemble exploring the connective lives of the city’s inhabitants over a 24 hour period by acclaimed director, Saeed Akhtar Mirza.

Road To Sangam directed by Amit Rai, explores ideas of Nation India and sometimes conflicting religious identity. It tells the story of one Muslim man’s desire to help take Mahatma Gandhi’s remaining ashes to the holy river and explores how many Muslims in India seem themselves 60 years after independence. The closing movie is the UK premiere Vihir (The Well) by award winning director Umesh Kulkarni (world premiered at Berlin), which is stunningly filmed amongst the grandeur of the rolling Indian plains of two adolescent friends who inspire each other’s journey to manhood.

London INDIAN film Festival partners from across the industry are supporting the Festival. The Satyajit Foundation’s Ray Short Film Competition has joined the Festival with the winning filmmaker receiving a £1,000 Award on 20 July at Cineworld, Haymarket. More guests are expected to be confirmed nearer the time.
Detailed listings are attached below.
Listings Information:
CENTRAL LONDON VENUE

Thursday 15 July Opening Night UK Premiere
Cineworld Haymarket
Tel: 0871 200 2000
Tickets: £9.50 (conc.: £7.50)
7.00pm Love, Sex Aur Dhokha (Love, Sex & Betrayal), followed by Q&A with director, Dibakar Banerjee
Running time 150 mins approx, Release 2010
Hindi with English sub-titles
Shocking and gripping, this international version of hit film Love, Sex Aur Dhokha pulls no punches as it introduces us to the surveillance crammed world of today’s mega-city India. Deftly told through 3 inter-twinned stories, Banerjee takes us on a roller coaster ride of twisted tales of young love, soaked in betrayal.

Friday 16 July
Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London W1K 1HF
FREE but rsvp essential e: rsvp@nehrucentre.org.uk Tel: 020 7491 3567

3.00pm Satyajit Ray Foundation’s Short Film Award nominees screening at Nehru Centre

Tuesday 20 July
Cineworld Haymarket
Tel: 0871 200 2000
Tickets: £9.50 (conc.: £7.50)

7pm Satyajit Ray Foundation’s Short Film Award announced, followed by Closing Night film,
VIHIR (THE WELL) Q&A with director, Umesh Kulkarni and producer Girish Kulkarni after screening
Running Time (117 mins), Release 2010
Language: Marathi with English subtitles

A wonderfully moving coming of age tale, stunningly filmed amongst the grandeur of the rolling Indian plains. Two adolescent best friends inspire each other as they grow up, until one makes a fateful decision that will change the others life forever.

CITY

Saturday 17 July Barbican Cinema
Tel: 020 7 638 8891
Tickets: Standard: £7.50 online (£9.50 full price)
Barbican Members: £6.50 online (£7.50 full price)
Concessions: £7.50

7.45pm Last Chance Mumbai Dir. Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Running time 120 mins approx, Release 2009
Hindi with English subtitles

‘Monsoon Wedding’ actor Vijay Raaz leads an impressive cast of characters in this multi-strand ensemble, set in the megalopolis of modern Mumbai, that explores the connected lives of the city’s varied inhabitants over the same 24 hour period. Raaz (a thief), sparks a sequence of events that bring all our characters lives into head long collision.

Sunday 18 July Eastern Eye Gala at Barbican
3.45pm Road to Sangam
Writer /Dir. Amit Rai
Running time (135 mins), Release 2010
With English subtitles
A last urn of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are discovered and have to be taken to the confluence (Sangam) of the holy rivers. A Moslem mechanic is tasked to prepare Gandhi’s vehicle but inter-religious strife lead to him being torn between his morals. Featuring a cameo appearance by Tushar Gandhi (grandson of the Mahatma) with Indian cinema greats, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri (East is East).

EAST LONDON

Genesis Cinema
93-95 Mile End Road
London E1 4UJ
020 7780 2000
Ticket Prices
Mon-Thurs Full price £6.00, Student/ Concessions £5.00
Weekend Full price £7.50, Student/Concessions £5.00
Other ticket prices available for senior, children and families.

Friday 16 July 7.00pm City of Gold
Sunday 18 July 7.00pm City of Gold
Dir. Mahesh Manjrekar
Running Time (142 mins), Release April 2010, with Seema Biswas.
Hindi with English subtitles

This is a powerful tale about the untold story behind today’s Mumbai – regarded by many as the ‘City of Gold’. The Dhuri family of mill workers, headed by their strong-willed mother, played by Seema Biswas (Bandit Queen), live on the edge of the slums. They struggle to survive the abyss of poverty as Mumbai’s great mills are struck down by political corruption and commercial greed, to make way for glittering new shopping malls and five star hotels.

Monday 19 July 7.00pm
Road to Sangam
Writer /Dir. Amit Rai
Running time (135 mins), Release 2010
With English subtitles

A last urn of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes are discovered and have to be taken to the confluence (Sangam) of the holy rivers. A Moslem mechanic is tasked to prepare Gandhi’s vehicle but inter-religious strife lead to him being torn between his morals. Featuring a cameo appearance by Tushar Gandhi (grandson of the Mahatma) with Indian cinema greats, Paresh Rawal and Om Puri (East is East).

WEST LONDON
Watermans
40 High Street, Brentford, TW8 0DS
Box Office: 020 8232 1010
Tickets: £7.50 (£6.00 conc.)

Friday 16 July 8pm
Dev D Dir. Anurag Kashyap / Script Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap / with Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, Kalki Koechlin / 2009
Hindi with English subtitles
Trailblazer of a younger generation of Indian directors Anurag Kashyap brings a brilliant, luxuriantly visual re-telling to the classic story of Devdas, who treats his girlfriend in the wrong way and ends up the broken hearted lover.

Saturday 17 July 8pm Love Sex Aur Dhokha (Love, Sex And Betrayal)
Running time 150 mins approx, Release 2010
Hindi with English sub-titles

Shocking and gripping, this international version of hit film Love, Sex Aur Dhokha pulls no punches as it introduces us to the surveillance crammed world of today’s mega-city India. Deftly told through 3 inter-twinned stories, Banerjee takes us on a roller coaster ride of twisted tales of young love, soaked in betrayal.

Sunday 18 July 7pm Last Chance Mumbai (Ek Tho Mumbai)
Last Chance Mumbai Dir. Saeed Akhtar Mirza
Running time 120 mins approx, Release 2009
Hindi with English subtitles

‘Monsoon Wedding’ actor Vijay Raaz leads an impressive cast of characters in this multi-strand ensemble, set in the megalopolis of modern Mumbai, that explores the connected lives of the city’s varied inhabitants over the same 24 hour period. Raaz (a thief), sparks a sequence of events that bring all our characters lives into head long collision.

kayla today show

Kayla Manson Today Show Foul Mouthed Tirade Gets The Edit
Kayla Today Show:Kayla Manson, a 13 year old girl, is probably most known for the life-threatening attack on her 15 year old friend Josie Ratley said the “c word” on the Today show twice during an appearance this morning. She was once accused as an accomplice by her boyfriend in the attempted murder of her best friend. During the time on the Today show, she was recounting a number of text messages that were related to the incident, that had been exchanged between her friend and boyfriend, just before he attacked her.

Manson said she did not see the texts where her boyfriend, Wayne Treacy, threatened to kill her best friend, Josie Ratley, but rather only ones in which they called each other names.

Manson said the two text messages she saw were “the one where she calls him a rapist, and she calls him a cunt, I mean the one where he calls her a cunt.”

“We just have to be careful with our language, but that’s all right, sweetheart,” Meredith Vieira said.

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