Category: Guest Columnist
Outsourced: A Sitar is Born
By Allison Reilly The American sitcom continues in its debut season, when call center manager Todd (Ben Rappaport) overhears a beautiful singing voice from the bathroom, he’s surprised to find that it belongs to the shy and soft-spoken call center worker Madhuri (Anisha Nagarajan). Believing Madhuri has a shot to win an upcoming competition, Todd [...]
To see a world in a grain of sand…
by Vicki Lickorish Last nights dreams where very interesting…I was Lara Croft (well Angelina Jolie actually!!) This poem, well the first few lines kept repeating themselves over and over, I’ve never read the whole poem before, interesting read Mr Blake! To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild [...]
Ethiopia – Weeks 5 & 6
by Holly Robertson I’m a little late on sending out this update because I was gone for four days on an adventure and the internet has been down. An adventure that showed me the true wilderness of Ethiopia! It was a week of excitement, more sickness, MORE antibiotics, New Years Eve at an R. Kelly [...]
Dance Your Heart Out
By Susan L. Stackpole Irving Berlin was onto something when he said, The best things happen while youre dancing. The evolution of dance captured the attention of audiences throughout the twentieth century and is continuing into the twenty-first century. Current shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Americas Best Dance Crew, and Dancing with [...]
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Week Three
by Holly Robertson Merry Christmas! I hope that everyone had a fun and memorable holiday. Next up is New Years Eve so let’s start making our New Year’s Resolutions. I love New Year’s Resolutions. If you just put a little thought and ambition into it and have some backbone throughout the year, the possibilities are [...]
Ethiopia – Addis Ababa – Week Two
by Holly Robertson In Ethiopia, there are some things that are hard to capture and hard to relay in a message. The really sad things I cannot take pictures of. It wouldn’t be right. The really difficult moments I can’t relay, they aren’t meant for a mass email and it would be hard to understand [...]
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Week One
by Holly Robertson The first three days of Addis Ababa were a whirlwind. A hectic city; busier than Vegas in pace which I had spent four nights in prior to my arrival in Ethiopia. It was a sharp contrast from the people on the streets in Vegas persistently begging you to take their porn and [...]
Thanksgiving: More Inclusive Than Christmas
by Rowena Cherry All Americans may celebrate a day of Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November. Celebration is optional. (Canadians celebrate in October). Volunteers, the Detroit Lions American Football team (and their opponents), Emergency workers, Firefighters, Police, some shopkeepers and hospitality industry workers still work. In reality, for many, the Thanksgiving holiday lasts from [...]
Note to a snarkey reader
by Kim Doyal Ok, so I NEVER thought I’d have the need to write a post like this- but some people feel the need to say snarkey things or in this case, email with snarkey things. The problem with this particular person – is that they feel they need to take a stand… anonymously! REALLY? [...]
Tees Maar Khan: Music Review
By Harshit Tees Maar Khan comes as a relief. The relied that Vishal-Shekhar finally create something that is not the same as I Hate Love Storys and Break ke Baad. As for what it IS, the music comes as some Masala music for the masala film Tees Maar Khan is going to be. The album [...]
Guzaarish: A Short Review
By Harshit So finally I saw Guzaarish. And liked it. Here is a small review, some details, and no spoilers. For one, Guzaarish is not like Saanwariya. The movie is in a real world and you can relate to it. Second, the movie has disabilities in subject, but is not much like Black. It has its own [...]
Being a mom by Sri Purna
Being a mom is apparently not an easy job. I so far have underestimated this role until I experienced a relationship with a man with two kids and met a very strong woman named Myra Schokker from Holland who raises her son with a very rare disease called Dravet Syndrome in which it is a [...]
Mother Teresa
By Sissi Kal People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be [...]
The Power of Gratitude
By Susan Stackpole “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~ Anonymous ~ ? ~ ? ~ ? ~ ? ~ ? Thank You. Merci (French). Efharisto (Greek). Mahalo (Hawaiian). Grazie (Italian). Click here to learn to say “Thank You” in other languages. ? ~ ? ~ [...]
Food, Inc.
By Erin Parker Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhh!!! That is me typing my frustration at the meat industry in this country, along with shaking my fist. Take that, FDA! I watched Food, Inc a few weeks ago, and while my passion isn’t as fresh, it has grown from a little baby to a mature and controlled anger. Here’s the thing: I [...]
Hollywood star Radha Mitchell’s explores India’s spirituality
Hollywood actress Radha Mitchell (Silent Hill), who experiences a feeling of home in India, participated in recent Kumbh Mela, according to reports. Mitchell’s next film project will reportedly explore India’s spirituality. She was reportedly awestruck by Red Fort in Delhi and undertook a road trip of India when she was about 19. Her Australian film “The [...]
Kites With Hrithik Roshan and Barbara
From MTV Iggy So Bollywood superfans, excited about Kites yet? Vhaaat? (Yes, I’m channeling all my desi relatives.) It stars Hrithik Roshan! He of the mesmerizing green/hazel eyes, abs for miles, and extra thumb! What are you, like, studying or something? Bollywood, as you should all know by now, is the world’s largest film industry. [...]
Heart Rocker
By Susan Stackpole Rocker, Father, Lover, Apprentice, and Superman Bret Michaels is the poster child for defying the odds. Michaels’ big heart and love for his family motivated him to survive a life-threatening brain hemorrhage and champion a recently diagnosed hole in his heart. Michaels’ sheer determination brought him through a situation that results in [...]
Why I Do This
By Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson I was born a small white child in Uganda, East Africa to missionary parents, Velma and David Freeman. At the age of 8 years old, our time in Africa came to a sudden and frightening end. Just 3 months earlier, my dad had witnessed the brutal killing of our town mayor [...]
Increase your Energy Level and Cure Anemia Naturally- Carao the saviour
Today I came across a beautiful article about this natural herb Carao as, I have tremendous faith in nature and it’s powers. As Most of us suffer from Iron deficiency at some or the other point of time. If you are suffering from anemia you are probably already aware of the many reasons such as low vitamin B12 levels and [...]
Our brains, not hearts, make us fall in love
Remember the expression ‘losing your heart to someone’? Well you might have lost your brain instead, according to a new study that claims it’s your brain and not your heart that makes you fall in love. Stephanie Ortigue at Syracuse University said that falling in love can elicit not only the same euphoric feeling as [...]
SHIRRANS’ SOLUTION – The Gastric mind Band
By Fiona Graham Walker SHIRRANS’ SOLUTION – The Gastric mind Band was published less than three months ago, and highlights the health risks of obesity in all ages & spheres of society, featuring a (not exhaustive) list of cancers and other diseases associated with obesity. We are actively looking for any form of recognised clinical [...]
Concept Car Lawn at The Lodge, Pebble Beach
By Rowena Cherry “Do not wear heels,” the uniformed guard told me. “Do not turn your wheels. Do not have more than one friend at a time on the lawn…” The lawn in question was the Concept Car Lawn in front of The Lodge, at Pebble Beach. The date, August 15th 2010. For the rest [...]
Hindus urge makers of Hollywood animation film on Mahabharata not to re-imagine the scripture
Hindus have urged the makers of under production Hollywood animation film “18 Days: The Mahabharata Retold” to stay true to the story and the spirit of the timeless epic.Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Mahabharata was highly revered in Hinduism. Hollywood was welcome to make a movie about [...]
Angelina Jolie to look into Roma apartheid
Hindus have applauded Hollywood star Angelina Jolie’s work with Bosnia and Herzegovina displaced as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency, which include members of Roma community. Jolie reportedly visited Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 21, meeting the country’s Presidency and discussing plight of displaced people among other issues, during this one-day trip. In this [...]
Joanna Lumley, Bianca Jagger, Michael Palin backed campaign saved “sacred” mountain in India
Indo-Americans have applauded India for reportedly rejecting bauxite mining by multinational company in remote tribal area of Orissa, which the environmentalists had described as devastating to the area environment and tribes considered sacred. Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Government of India apparently took into consideration the concerns of [...]
Catholic media criticizes “Eat Pray Love” movie & appears to belittle Hinduism
Catholic media has been largely critical of Oscar winner Julia Roberts starrer “Eat Pray Love” movie and in the process appeared to belittle Hinduism concepts and symbols.Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that we were all looking for the truth. Instead of condescending dismissal and highlighting flaws of others, [...]
Hollywood star Paltrow finally removes “nourish the inner aspect” tagline from her blog
Oscar winner Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love) has apparently removed tagline “nourish the inner aspect” from the title of her blog, which is now just reduced to “GOOP”. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who has been strongly critical of Paltrow’s blog for mostly being too materialistic and indulging in very mundane things and shallow substances [...]
Gandhi’s fan Shakira welcomed to Bollywood
Indo-Americans have welcomed renowned recording artist Shakira’s, who is reportedly peace icon Mahatma Gandhi’s fan, reported venture into Bollywood. Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Shakira to explore Gandhism deeper during her Bollywood assignment.Rajan Zed, who is Chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, pointed out that Gandhi’s words were Shakira’s [...]
I know many women who hate this….
By Erin Parker I know many women who hate this day. To be perfectly frank – I never have. Simply because I have never given it much thought. So I don’t understand the angst. When I was single (which was for quite some time), the day would come and go and if I wasn’t reminded, [...]
I WAS A RACIST
By Sri Purna Widari I did not know exactly when it started but I thought about it lately when I realized that I took black or coloured people for granted. I remember being in St.Maarten and quite shocked to see so many black people and unfortunately those I met at the beginning were very big, [...]
Possibility
By Susan Stackpole Aloha. Thank You for taking time to be with me here. I believe you found this article for a reason. My wish is that you feel cherished, loved and inspired. May you curl up in soft clothes, settle into a cozy chair, sip a delicious beverage, and allow your dreams to come [...]
Hindus and Tantra
Hindus are dismayed and critical of actress-producer Trudie Styler and her husband Sting who apparently think, describe, and fixated on Tantra as just sex. Styler (Moving the Mountain), 56, reportedly offered revelations about tantric lovemaking by Oscar nominated musician Sting (Cold Mountain), 58, to potential buyers at a New York fundraiser auction on May six. The [...]
Indonesians and the color of skin
By Sri Purna Widari I did not know exactly when it started but I thought about it lately when I realized that I took black or coloured people for granted. I remember being in St.Maarten and quite shocked to see so many black people and unfortunately those I met at the beginning were very big, [...]
Sunanda Pushkar surrenders sweat equity
Hours after a television channel reported that the sweat equity had been given to her in violation of Company Law, her lawyer Ashish Mehta said Pushkar had voluntarily surrendered the stake to Rendezvous sports world which is part of a consortium that won the Kochi franchise. “I am a professional with 20 years of well-earned successful experience. [...]
Film about salt fields of India’s Kutch makes it to prestigious Ann Arbor Film Festival
A short experimental film about the salt fields of Central Kutch in India has made into the competitive category in internationally renowned 48th Ann Arbor Film Festival of USA being held March 23-28, according to reports. Titled “Scene 32”, this film by Shambhavi Kaul, examines salt fields through High Definition video and hand processed Hi [...]
India’s “One Crazy Ride” makes it to Wisconsin Film Festival
“One Crazy Ride” documentary of India has made it to the Wisconsin Film Festival, said to be the largest campus-based festival in USA, to be held April 14 to 18 in state capital Madison. In its 12th year, the Festival, organized by University of Wisconsin–Madison, presents a broad range of independent American and world cinema [...]
Bollywood megastar Dev Anand to launch Golden Jubilee celebrations of India’s Film & TV Institute
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), the premier film and television training center of the country in Pune, is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Year starting March 20. Renowned Bollywood personality Dev Anand will be the chief guest in the Year’s commencement celebrations today in its campus. It will include screening of the films of [...]
Oscar winner A. R. Rahman’s Chicago Concert tickets sell for US$1,050 each
Some of the tickets for Oscar winner A.R. Rahman’s (Slumdog Millionaire) Chicago (USA) June 18 “Jai Ho Concert” are now selling for US$1,050 (about Indian Rupees 47,700) per person on his official website. This “Jai Ho Circle” ticket includes: no waiting in line – express entry, separate entrance on green carpet, and pre-show service of [...]
The Power of Love
By Susan Stackpole “Why dream on a dream that burns me? Why dream on a dream expired? I’m told this dream returns, But lately I’m so tired.” ~ Susan Werner, “Through the Glass” The scales have fallen from my eyes after what seems like several lifetimes of tremendous challenges. My heart is renewed, and my [...]
Five foods every woman must eat
Leafy vegetables It is not possible to meet your nutritional needs without having leafy vegetables in your diet. Spinach, legumes, asparagus, lettuce, fenugreek leaves, broccoli are available in abundance and are huge sources of fibre, Vitamin C and K, folic acid. It is also a vision protector and provides four essential minerals, i.e. calcium, magnesium, [...]
Long awaited Aparna Sen’s “The Japanese Wife” to release on April nine
Much-discussed film “The Japanese Wife”, directed by National Award winner Aparna Sen (Mr. and Mrs. Iyer), 64, will be released on April nine, according to reports. Written by Kunal Basu, produced by Saregama, edited by Rabiranjan Maitra, music by Sagar Desai, camera by Anay Goswamy; it stars Rahul Bose, Chigusa Takaku (Kurianesu), Raima Sen, and Moushumi [...]
Australia-New Zealand film festival holding “Rani Mukherjee Retrospective”
“Indian Film Festival 2010” in Australia and New Zealand is holding special “Rani Mukherjee Retrospective”. Calling Filmfare Award winner Rani, 31, “Queen of Bollywood”, it is showing her following Hindi films: Bunty Aur Babli, Black, Hum Tum, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Paheli, and Saathiya. Festival is being held at Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth in Australia and [...]
James Cameron in India to discuss “Future of Cinema”
Filmmaker James Cameron (Avatar) will be in India on March 13 for the first time. He will be discussing “The Future of Cinema” with Bollyood’s megastar Aamir Khan (Lagaan) in a conclave in a five star hotel in capital New Delhi, watched by few hundred over a dinner. Lasting about 90 minutes and ending around [...]
Saying Yes to Love
By Susan Stackpole Has love melted the glacial heart of grinchy, snarky, Simon Cowell? It seems so. Cowell’s demeanor is noticeable kinder as he reveals a more empathic, jovial side. Cowell’s sweetheart, Mezhgan Hussainy, American Idol makeup artist, has him bubbling about life and love. Cowell reveals, “‘I’m smitten with Mezhgan. I think she’s the [...]
The Final Cut
By Susan Stackpole “Tell me what you don’t like about yourself.” The probing tagline from the provocative series, Nip/Tuck, marks the beginning and ending of a seven year era of scintillating television. Nip/Tuck documents the evolution of prestigious plastic surgeons, Sean McNamara and Christian Troy. Sean, the frustrated boy scout wannabe, often blames his self-loathing [...]
Ishqiya
Ishqiya is starring Vidya Balan, Naseruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. Ishqiya is directed by Abhishek Chaubey and produced by Vishal Bharadwaj. Ishqiya is a story about love arising in characters, portrayed uniquely according to their own personal traits. The situations in the plot lead the characters to experience the emotion creeping into their lives in [...]
Hope and Help for Haiti
Hope and Help for Haiti by Susan Stackpole Tuesday, 12 January 2010 – Port-au-Prince, Haiti is devastated by a 7.0 earthquake, and the word rushes to aid Haiti. Businesses, countries, celebrities, governments, governmental agencies, and individuals dig deep into their hearts and bank accounts to help Haiti. Loved ones wait prayerfully for information on the condition [...]
Monica Anna Maria Bellucci — A biography
Name-Monica Anna Maria Bellucci She was born in 1964 in the Italian village of Città di Castello, Umbria, Bellucci originally pursued a career in the legal profession. While attending the University of Perugia, she modeled on the side to earn money for school, and this led to her modeling career. In 1988, she moved to [...]
Holiday Love
By Susan Stackpole When the star in the sky is gone, When the Kings and Princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flocks, The real work begins. To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry To release the prisoner, To teach the nations, To bring [Love] to all, [...]