THE GHAZAL KING – Jagjit Singh

Jagjit Singh is one of the most famous Ghazal singers of the modern times. In an era where the current generation is headed towards rock and hip hop music, it is refreshing to see them cherish Jagjit Singh ghazals as well. Born in Ganganagar located in Rajasthan on 8th February, 1941, the name Jagjit means the one who triumphs over the world. His father Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman was a Government official and his mother Sardarni Bachchan Kaur had a religious family background. He has four sisters and two brothers and is fondly addressed as "Jeet" by his family. Jagjit Singh studied at Khalsa High School located in Ganganagar. After completing his matriculation, he took up science. He graduated in Arts from DAV College located in Jalandhar and has a post graduate degree in history from Kurukshetra University, Haryana. His father wanted him to join the Indian Administrative Services. But when he saw his son achieving accolades in the world of music, he was more than happy. Jagjit learnt classical music under Pundit Chaganlal Sharma and achieved expertise in classical forms like Khayal, Thumri and Dhrupad. He moved to Bombay in the year 1965 searching for better luck in the field of music. Any budding artist faces initial struggles and tribulations before finally making an indelible mark in the industry. He got assignments that were limited to performing at wedding functions and singing jingles for advertisements. Around 1970's, the world of ghazals was dominated by renowned names like Noor Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Begum Akhtar, Talat Mahmood and Mehdi Hassan. Jagjit Singh made the efforts to come with his first album titled "The Unforgettables", which was a collection of semi-classical Indian music. The different melody and freshness in Jagjit's voice appealed to all and he was recognized by the industry. Though he was scorned by many critics, it did not deter him from carving a nice for himself. The album sold numerous copies and was a hit with listeners. While Jagjit Singh was still doing jingles for advertisements during the initial years, he met another singer named Chitra. Chitra Singh (Shome) then, was born in Calcutta in a musical family where her mother was a trained vocalist. While she was a witness and a follower of the musical lessons at home, She has not learned the intricacies of the classical music through the “tayyari” way. She claims to be and is a vocalist by the ear, though in her later years she learned from people like K. Mahavir, Mohinderjeet & Jagjit Singh himself whose style she absorbed and a fantastic fusion was born.
Chitra Singh had married very early and this child bride was a mother before she stopped being a child herself. She married Mr. Datta and on a transferable job landed in Bombay. Mr. Datta ran a sound recording studio from his home where they stayed, he recorded jingles there then and shortly Chitra Datta became the undisputed jingle queen of the town. Among other people she met Jagjit Singh around this time and did some odd jingle together.
They got married after a two year long courtship in the year 1969. Together, they exemplified the first successful husband-wife singing team. They both produced numerous soulful and melodic Ghazals which were enjoyed by a wider audience. Some of the popular albums of the couple were Ecstasies, A Sound Affair and Passions. During the early 90's, they released an album named Beyond Time, which was an experimentation with different sounds and music. It conveyed a feeling that was beyond space and time and logical explanation. Sadly, around this time, their only son Vivek met with an accident and died at the young age of twenty one. It was a huge jolt for the couple and also all their fans and well wishers all over the world. After the album "Someone Somewhere", Chitra quit singing. The songs are emotionally very powerful and moving since they connect with the personal loss of the couple. However, Jagjit Singh continued to sing and his songs have only gained more popularity with each passing day. His later albums named Hope, In Search, Insight, Mirage, Visions, Kahkashan (Galaxy), Love Is Blind, Chirag (Lamp), etc. have made him the top Ghazal singer in the country and a favorite among fans. An album with Lata Mangeshkar named "Sajda" (Offering) was a hit and sold innumerable copies. It was a classic Ghazal album. Jagjit Singh did not limit himself to just Hindi songs and has also sung many Punjabi songs. His bubbly and vibrant Punjabi songs are very popular and are very pleasant to hear. Jagjit Singh has also sung many songs for Hindi movies. Popular films include Arth, Saath Saath, Premgeet, Tum Bin, Sarfarosh, Dushman and Tarkeeb. Jagjit Singh has proved himself as a genius as he brings out the true meaning of Mirza Ghalib's poetry by singing them as melodious Ghazals. The album can be easily called as a masterpiece. His transition from the 90's till date has been absolutely marvelous as he has moved towards much more melodious and meaningful Ghazals. The quality of his voice has only become better. Besides movies, he has sung many devotional songs also that are very peaceful to hear. Jagjit Singh is any day the undisputed Ghazal artist in the modern times.
Jagjit Singh is associated with a lot of Charities and has brought out a special album “Cry for Cry” for Children Relief and You (CRY). The other NGO’s he is involved with include Prayas, Save the Children, Alert India, NAB & Concern India. He has done a number of concerts to raise money for Social Causes and mishaps including Earth Quake, Floods etc.
One very important facet of Jagjit Singh’s life is his passions for Horses & Racing. He owns stabled race horses which are looked after by his team of trainers and syces. His relaxation comes from Horses and being around them. He has derby wins to his credit, a feat that gives him immense pleasure and satisfaction.
A colossus in the world of Music, the duo in real life are simple, humorous, unassuming persons touching the hearts of both, the connoisseur of Music as well as the common man.
The List of Awards received by Jagjit Singh is as large as his Musical journey but some of them require a special mention...
"PADMABHUSHAN" : Award from Govt. of India - 2003
"Sangit Natak Academy" Award
"Sahitya Kala Academy" Award - Rajasthan - 1998
"Lata Mangeshkar" Award by M P Govt. -1998
"D. Litt." from Kurukshetra University, Haryana - 2003
Ghalib Academy - Delhi - 2005
Dayavati Modi Award
Teacher's" Lifetime Achievement Award - 2006

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E. Sreedharan

The metro man of India, Sreedharan was born on 12th July 1932 in Palakkad district of Kerala. He studied at the Victoria College in Palghat and gained his graduation in engineering from the former ‘Government Engineering College’, Kakinada. He started his career as a lecturer in Civil engineering at the Kerala Polytechnic in Kozhikode. Then he moved to the Bombay Port Trust as an apprentice and joined in Indian Railways as a service engineer. He restored the Pamban bridge connecting Rameshwaram with Tamil Nadu in a record time of 46 days, when a tidal wave washed away portions of this bridge. He was awarded the Railway Minister’s Award for this achievement. After that, he served as the deputy chief engineer in charge of the implementation, planning and design of ‘Calcutta Metro’, the first metro in India in 1970. He also served as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Cochin Shipyard. Though he retired from Indian Railways in 1990, the Government called him out of retirement and he was appointed as the CMD of Konkan Railway on contract in 1990. This highly challenging project was completed in a period of seven years under his leadership. This project covering a total of around 760 kms has 93 tunnels and over 150 bridges and it reduced the Mumbai-Kochi distance by one-third. In the mid of 2005, he was appointed as the Managing Director of Delhi Metro and most of the scheduled sections of this project have been completed well-ahead of schedule. Though he announced that he would retire by the end of 2005, but his service has been extended by another three years to oversee the completion of the second phase of Delhi Metro. But now he resigned this post by taking moral responsibility for a Metro bridge collapse in Delhi which cause six people’s death. But Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has rejected to accept his resignation. Knowing his managerial power, he was called in Pakistan for development of the Lahore Metro plan and by the UAE govt to head the Dubai Metro Project. But he was rejected these offers. He is a simple and disciplined man who is famous for achieving the ‘almost impossible’ in a government-administered system.

Sreedharan has received many awards and honors in his life. Indian Government honored him by giving the “Padma Shri” and “Padma Vibhushan” award. Also he was awarded the ‘Man of the Year’ by The Times of India in 2002 and was named as one of Asia’s Heroes by TIME in 2003. Besides, he was awarded the ‘Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur’ (Knight of the Legion of Honor) by the government of France in 2005 for his outstanding commitment to the development of transportation infrastructure in India and his valuable contribution to enhancing Indo-French relations. ‘Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Award’ for professional excellence in engineering in 2002, ‘Railway Minister’s Award’ in 1963, ‘Bharat Shiromani award’ from the Shiromani Institute, Chandigarh in 2005, Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa) from IIT Delhi etc.

Metro Man E. Sreedharan withdrew his resignation letter as managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday by the request of Delhi Chief minister Sheila Dikshit and other senior officials. E.Sreedharan is an Indian civil engineer who is famous for completing the construction of ‘Konkan Railway’ that reduced the Mumbai-Kochi distance by one-third. Now he is the managing director of ‘Delhi Metro’project. He was resigned this post on 12th July 2009 by taking moral responsibility for a Metro bridge collapse in Delhi which cause six people’s death. But Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has rejected to accept his resignation.

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Shahrukh Khan

On November 2nd 1965, Shahrukh Khan was born in New Delhi to parents, Fatima and Mir Taj Mohammed. Khan showed a knack for entertaining at a very young age.

When he was younger, he and his family would gather around their radiogram and listen to Vividh Bharti. Once the news segment was over, Khan would get up and break into dance. However, acting was not always Khan’s first career choice.

While attending Hans Raj College, Delhi University, Khan majored in Economics and was quite the jock. He played both football, hockey, and cricket while in college. While Khan would have liked to have pursued sports further, a back injury and an arthritis-ruptured right knee prevented him from doing so.

Khan went on to pursue his Masters from the mass communication research center, Jamia Milia Islamia. Shahrukh Khan was excelling during his first year in the course, which emphasized on filmmaking and journalism, but would not be allowed to finish. His vice principal informed him that he would not be permitted to take the final exams because his attendance was not up to par.

Shahrukh Khan had been dabbling in theater, television and production work for short films outside of the college in his free time; it was while he was in college that he starred in his first TV series Fauji and Dil Dariya.

Circus was his first project when he left college, which sent him traveling all over Maharashtra. Shahrukh Khan has gone on to star in twenty-plus films since leaving college.

His debut film was Deewana which open the doors of film industry for him. He was playing a second hero in it but his work was appreciated. After that there was no looking back. Shah Rukh Khan has won several awards for his outstanding performance in Darr (1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Baadshah (1999) ...etc. He also formed a popular screen couple with Kajol.

He's now a successful producer too with Chalte Chalte. His production company "Dreamz Unlimited" is shared with other two people... one is actress, friend, co-star Juhi Chawla and another is director and friend Aziz Mirza.

He is being called 'King Khan' and 'Badshah of Bollywood'. his films are like ISI mark. He has reached to the position of choice where his films flops or hits their release is an awaited affair. Things which makes him apart from other actors are his average looks, fast speech, soulful eyes, dimples on checks, thick lips and most imp is his saying 'I'm the best'. He feels acting is making unbelievable believable. He feels he become a better actor after acting in his two films which are also close to his heart... Dil Se and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

While studying he fell in love with Gauri Chibba who was then studying in Loreto Delhi. He later married her before coming into films. The most talented and hard working actor known to have an inflated ego, for which he works hard to keep it floating. He is having two children a son "Aryaan" and a daughter. He loves his children very much.These day he had started reading books on science as he dont want to be sound like a stupid dad, when they'll ask him which is bigger, Uranus or Saturn. He teaches them one new thing everyday. it could be names of Fidel Castro, Michael Schumacher, Osama Bin Laden or a place a name. He is planning to read maths in another two/three years.

He feels for the younger generation that should follow his zest for life and love of doing the best they can. They should believes that there is a purpose in life that you supposed to fulfill follows it wholeheartedly. And never give up when you stumble and not taken seriously.

SRK's other passion includes advertising. He has endorsed numerous products, including Pepsi, Mayur Suitings, Hyundai Santro, Snoodles, Cinthol soap, Bagpiper club soda, and Clinic All Clear. Khan describes advertising as the soul of filmmaking.

Shahrukh Khan started the production company, Dreamz Unlimited, alongside Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza in 1999 with one goal in mind: to make their own kinds of films and not have to be dependent on producers.

While the company first film, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani,was not the success Khan would have hoped, Dreamz Unlimited is now a successful production company in the industry.

Shahrukh Khan was conferred an honorary doctorate in the United Kingdom for his contribution to arts and culture by Bedfordshire University at a ceremony in London last week on 10 th July 2009.

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BIOGRAPHY OF LATA MANGESHKAR

Lata Mangeshkar is India’s most well known playback singer। She has sung in all the major Indian languages and is one of the most recorded artists in the world. She is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most recorded artist in the world. It is estimated that she has more than 30,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in 20 different languages from 1948 to 1987. Now, it must way over 40,000! Lata was introduced to music at a very young age. The life history of Lata Mangeshkar is truly fascinating.

Lata Mangeshkar was born in on September 28, 1929 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh into a Maharashtrian Brahmin household। Her father was Dinanath Mangeshkar and her mother was named Shudhmati. Lata was the oldest of several children. She had a younger brother named Hridayanath Mangeshkar, as well as three younger sisters named Asha (Bhosle), Usha and Meena. (Of these Asha Bhosle would grow up to rival Lata in the world of film music.)

Her exposure to music began in infancy। Her father Dinanath was an accompanied classical vocalist and was very active in the theatre. It is said that Lata made her acting debut at the age of five in a play in which her father was participating. Lata’s musical studies were not limited to hearing her father sing. She also studied under Aman Ali Khan, and later under Amanat Khan, and acquired a good background in classical music. Lata Mangeshkar was very young when her father passed away, thus making the family dependant on Lata. To take care of her family's economic situation, Lata acted in as many as 8 films from 1942 to 1948. She debuted as playback singer in a Marathi film named Kiti Hasaal (1942). Unfortunately the song was edited out. Her first Hindi playback was for the film Aap ke Sewa Main (1947) but she did not get noticed. At that time, the film industry was ruled by female singers who had heavier and huskier voices like Noor Jehan, Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali. While auditioning for the movie Shaheed (1948), she was rejected on the account of her thin voice! But Ghulam Haider saw the potential in her and gave her a chance to sing in the film Majboor. In 1949, she had four major hits from the films Barsaat, Andaaz, Dulari and Mahal. The song "Aayega Aanewala" from Mahal was a huge hit and Lata secured a firm position in the industry.

The period in the early 40's did not look promising for Lata। Her thin voice was very different from the heavier voice quality that was in vogue (e.g., Noor Jahan). She received numerous rejections. It was not until 1947 that she was able to get a toehold in the industry by singing “Pa Lagoon Kar Jori Re” in the film “Aap ke Sewa Main” (1947). Lata sang several songs in other films over the next few years, but her first big hit was in 1949 with “Aayega Aanewaala”. There is no doubt that the partition played a role in Lata’s rise to fame. During the partition, there was a disruption when many directors, producers and artists left Bombay, while others migrated to India from Lahore. One of the most notable artists to leave India was Noor Jahan, who was the undisputed queen of the filmsong at the time. This disruption opened the doors to Lata in an industry that previously may have been harder to get into.

As the 1950’s began, Lata was firmly established as a film singer। Music directors she sang for included such greats as Shankar-Jaikishan, and Anil Biswas. During this period, “Mahal”, “Barsaat”, “Ek Thi Ladki” and “Badi Bahen” were just some of the famous films that used her voice. The next three decades would see Lata Mangeshkar reign as the undisputed queen of the Hindi film song. She sang with almost all of the major music directors, and acquired a considerable clout in the politics of the film industry.

It is pointless to try and enumerate the songs that she did; however, there are a few songs which stand out। In particular “O Sajna Barkha Bahaar Aayee” from Parakh (1960), “Aaja re Pardesi” from Madhumati (1958), “Itna na Mujhse Tu Pyaar Badhaa” from Chhaya (1961), “Allah Tero Naam” from “Hum Dono” (1961), “Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh par” from “Junglee” (1961), and “Yeh Sama” from “Jab Jab Phool Khile” (1965), seem particularly notable.

Lata also worked with most of the major music directors in this period। Her work with, both S.D. Burman and R.D. Burman were very fruitful. She also worked with, Shankar /Jaikishan, Salil Chowdhury, Naushad and a host of others. It is often said that her best work came with her songs for Madan Mohan and C. Ramchandra. It is interesting to note that O.P. Nayyar was one of the few major music directors to not utilize her talents. Lata rose to fame rapidly and made her indelible mark in the industry. She has sung with famous singers like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, etc. She has perfected almost every genre of music. Her success and determination made her one of the most powerful women in the industry. She refused to sing for the great composer S.D Burman due to some misunderstanding and also stopped singing with Mohammed Rafi. Her power was so immense that they had to come back to her. She actually monopolized the music industry and every music director wanted to work with her. She understood the requirement of each song and sang flawlessly.

However Lata’s reign was not always a smooth one। There was the well known professional rivalry with her sister Asha Bhosle. For some years she would not sing with Mohd. Rafi due to a long standing dispute over royalties. For some years she would not work with the music director S.D. Burman. During the peak of her career, she had a tremendous political clout within the film industry and is known to have exercised this freely. All things come to and end, and Lata’s professional career was no exception। Over the decades, the actresses for whom she was singing became younger, and Lata was growing older. It was inevitable that at some point it was no longer going to be a workable match.

We cannot pinpoint a time where her career started to decline। However by 1980 it was clear that it was not a necessity to have Lata sing for a film. Furthermore, there was a change in the style of the new songs. Emerging music directors such as A.R. Rahman just did not see Lata’s voice as fitting into their approach to creating music (although Lata did lend her voice for some of his work). The result of all of this was that Lata Mangeshkar gradually moved from the peak of her career into today’s state of semiretirement. ever-the-less, this period shows some of Lata’s most interesting work.Songs such as “Sun Sahiba Sun” ("Teri Ganga Maili" - 1986), “Yaara Seeli Seeli” ("Lekin" - 1990), even today stand our as some of her most memorable work.

Lata Mangeshkar has been honored with innumerable awards but the one that truly deserves a special mention is that she is the only second singer in the non-classical category (after M.S Subbulakshmi) in India to have received the highest civilian award, in 2001 Lata Mangeshkar was awarded India’s highest civilian honor the “Bharat Ratna”, She has received three national awards and eight Filmfare awards after which she stopped accepting awards in order to promote new talent. She continues to sing every now and then for Hindi movies and perform live. Truly a living legend, Lata Mangeshkar has a talent that is second to none.

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King Of Pop

American superstar Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958 and has been entertaining audiences nearly his entire life. His father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist but was forced to give up his musical ambitions following his marriage to Katherine (Scruse). Together they prodded their growing family's musical interests at home. By the early 60s the older boys Jackie, Tito and Jermaine had begun performing around the city; by 1964 Michael and Marlon had joined in.A musical prodigy, Michael's singing and dancing talents were amazingly mature and he soon became the dominant voice and focus of "The Jackson 5." An opening act for such soul groups as the O-Jays and James Brown, it was Gladys Knight (not Diana Ross) who officially brought the group to Berry Gordy's attention, and by 1969 the boys were producing back-to-back chartbusting hits as Motown artists. As a product of the 70s, the boys had emerged as one of the most accomplished black pop/soul vocal groups in music history, successfully evolving from a Temptations-like group act to a disco phenomenon.Solo success for Michael was inevitable, and by the 80s he had become infinitely more popular than his brotherly group. Record sales consistently orbited, culminating in the biggest-selling album of all time, "Thriller." A TV natural, he ventured rather uneasily into films, such as playing the Scarecrow in The Wiz (1978), but had better luck with elaborate music videos.In the 90s the down side as an 80s pop phenomenon began to show. Michael grew terribly child-like and introverted by his celebrity. A rather timorous, androgynous figure to begin with, his physical appearance began to change drastically and his behavior grew alarmingly bizarre, making him a consistent target for scandal-making, despite his numerous charitable acts. Two brief marriages -- one to Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley -- were forged and two children produced by his second wife during that time, but the purposes were obviously image oriented. Despite it all, Michael Jackson's skills as a singer, dancer, writer and businessman are unparalleled, and it is these prodigious talents that will ultimately prevail over the extremely negative aspects of his seriously troubled life.

Trade Mark
The Moonwalk.
Single sequined white glove.
He always wears white socks with black shoes.
Says "Hee Hee" in many of his songs
High-pitched voice.
Through his "Heal the World" Foundation, Jackson spearheaded airlifts of food and medical supplies to war-torn Sarajevo, instituted mentoring, immunization and drug-abuse education programs and paid for a Hungarian child's liver transplant.
Second child, daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, is born. [3 April 1998]
Wife, Rowe, gave birth to a son in Beverly Hills, named Prince Michael Jackson Jr. [13 February 1997]
Macaulay Culkin is godfather to his two eldest children.
Married Lisa Marie Presley in La Vega, Dominican Republic, by Judge Hugo Francisco Alvarez Perez. Witnesses present were Thomas Keough and Eve Darling (Lisa Marie's ex-brother-in-law and his wife, ex-sister-in-law). [26 May 1994]
Shares with Carlos Santana and Norah Jones the record for most Grammys won in one year, with eight in 1984.
First solo artist to generate four top ten hits on the Billboard charts on one album with "Off the Wall."
First artist to generate seven top ten hits (USA) on one album with "Thriller."
Only artist in history to generate five #1 hits (USA) from one album with "Bad."
With Lionel Richie, co-wrote the song "We Are the World," and was one of its performers.
His 1982 album "Thriller" is the biggest selling album of all time, with confirmed sales of over 47 million copies worldwide.
His 1991 album "Dangerous" is second to "Thriller" as the biggest selling album of all time, with over 20 million copies sold worldwide.
His 1987 album "BAD" is third to "Thriller" as the biggest selling album of all time, with 20 million copies sold worldwide.
Brother of (in this order) Rebbie Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Randy Jackson and Janet Jackson.
Copied his moon walk after mime Marcel Marceau in "walk-against-the- wind" pantomime techniques.
Wrote and recorded a song called "On the Line", produced by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, for the film Get on the Bus (1996) that was not included on the soundtrack for the film.
The name of his 2700-acre ranch near Santa Ynez, California, is Neverland Valley Ranch. It contains Jackson's house, an amusement park co-designed by Macaulay Culkin, a private theater and dance stage, and exotic animals.
Once dated Brooke Shields.
He is being sued by two former financial advisors for $25 million over alleged unpaid expenses. Jackson denies owing them anything. [9 September 2001]
Claims to have a skin disease called vitiligo.
Was a Jehovah's Witness.
Uncle of Jermaine Jackson II, Valencia Jackson, Brittany Jackson, Marlon Jackson Jr., Stevanna Jackson.
His estate contains a child's mini coaster, Zipper, Bumper cars, Merry go round, octopus, Giant slide and rocking dragon.. There is also a full size basketball court, water wars section (for water gun fights) 2 Trains, (one steam train) and a zoo where he has various exotic animals including elephants, giraffes, alligators, a tiger and even an Anaconda.
He does not own the right to the entire Beatles catalogue. For example, the family of the late George Harrison own songs he wrote, including "Something," and Sony music owns 50% of the catalogue after Jackson sold it to them because he needed the money.
Son of Katherine Jackson, and Joe Jackson.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 (as a solo artist).
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 (as a member of the Jackson 5).
Jackson shocked his fans when he dangled his third child, infant Prince Michael II, over a balcony on the fourth floor of a Berlin, Germany hotel for all hovering fans to see. He later stated that he made "a terrible mistake." [November 2002]
Starting with Black or White (1991) (V), Jackson and his record company refer to his music videos, before or since, as "short films," never "videos".
Has his look-alike puppet in the French show "Les guignols de l'info" (1988).
Father of Prince Michael Jackson I, Prince Michael Jackson II, and Paris Jackson.
Is the godfather of Michael Gibb, son of Bee Gees frontman Barry Gibb.
He and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, sued jet charter company XtraJet for invasion of privacy. The firm allegedly installed hidden cameras to tape the two's confidential attorney-client conversations. A California judge has barred the firm from releasing or selling any footage it may have obtained. [25 November 2003]
In 2002 had planned to produce and star in the movie "The Nightmares of Edgar Allan Poe", about the last years of writer Edgar Allan Poe. He was to star as the famed 19th century author (who was Caucasian), and had written music for the film as well.
For a charity event held at the Neverland Ranch in September 2003, for the first time ever, he invited an artist from the outside to perform there. It was Yannick Harrison, also known as Jay Kid, from Denmark that performed a number of his interpretations of Michael Jackson songs for the specially invited guests.
Has sold 170 million albums worldwide.
Was present at the private funeral service for Maurice Gibb.
He was voted the 35th Greatest Artist of all time in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.
His favourite "Beatles' song is "Come Together" - his version of the song is on "History - Past, Present and Future."
Was found not guilty on ten counts of child molestation on 13 June 2005 due to lack of evidence.
Ranked #11 in VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Kid Stars" with his brothers as the Jackson Five
He was (along with Tito Jackson) co-best man at Liza Minnelli's and David Gest's wedding.
Tatum O'Neal, was Jackson's first girlfriend and allegedly his first real love.
His hit song "Bad" from 1987 was initially supposed to be a duet with fellow 80's superstar Prince. Prince said in an interview that he did not wish to sing the line "Your butt is mine".
Ex-brother-in-law of James DeBarge.
President Ronald Reagan wanted to award a special White House medal to Jackson, Bob Hope and the late John Wayne in 1984. However, future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts advised against the proposal, saying the award was too much for a pop singer.
Received a Presidential Humanitarian Award from President Reagan at the White House in May 1984, in recognition of Jackson's contribution to the government's campaign against drunk driving. "Beat It" was used in television advertisements.
He was the highest earning singer of 1988-1989, with $125 million from his worldwide "BAD" album tour.
He was thwarted in his bid to buy the remains of the Victorian "Elephant Man, John Meyrick, in June 1987. The London Medical College told Jackson he would not be allowed to buy it, no matter how much money he offered.
Honored by CBS as the "top selling act of the Eighties" in March 1990.
Jackson was seen by a record 500,000 people during his seven day stand at Wembley Stadium in July 1988.
Moonwalker (1988) was certified as the all-time top selling music video in March 1989.
Attended James Brown's funeral in Augusta, Georgia. (30 December 2006).
Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]
He returned to live in the United States on 24 December 2006, setting up residence in Las Vegas.
Has sold over 300 million records worldwide.
Longtime supporter of AIDS research.
In the early 1970s while still very young and a member of "The Jackson 5", appeared on "The Dating Game" (1965). Roles were reversed; Michael asked questions and picked a date from three eligible "bachelorettes".
Is a fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
A special 25th anniversary edition of his 1982 album "Thriller", entitled "Thriller 25", sold an estimated 3 million copies worldwide.
He was awarded 2 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 1541 Vine Street and for Recording at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
The Jacksons were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1500 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
Personal Quotes
I can't think of a better way to spread the message of world peace than by working with the NFL and being part of Super Bowl XXVII.
I don't like pop music.
I'll always be Peter Pan in my heart.
People think they know me, but they don't. Not really. Actually, I am one of the loneliest people on this earth. I cry sometimes, because it hurts. It does. To be honest, I guess you could say that it hurts to be me.
"You ain't seen nothing yet, and the best is yet to come।" (1999)

खुदी को कर बुलंद इतना के खुदा बन्दे से पूछे बता तेरी रजा क्या है ........................................................

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Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi (Iron Lady of India)
Indian history has been witness to only one female Prime Minister - Indira Gandhi. She was the third Prime Minister of India and the daughter of the first - Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru. Her charm, intelligence and charisma made her a powerful statesperson, much loved and admired by her people. A Politically Charged Childhood
Born on 19th November 1917, in Allahabad, she was greatly loved by her parents and her grandfather Motilal Nehru, who was a famous lawyer, and a public figure in his own right.
Her father had joined the freedom struggle, so little Indira, or Priyadarshani as she was lovingly called, was exposed to politics from the age of 3 or 4 years. Her house was the centre of political activity, as all the important leaders stayed there on visiting Allahabad. Mahatma Gandhi was a frequent visitor to her father's residence and she was greatly affected by his thinking. A visit to the Sabarmati Ashram left an indelible mark on her psyche and she was impressed by the simple, hard life and patriotic feelings that she witnessed there.
She passed her Metric from Pune University and was then sent on to Shantiniketan, formed by Rabindranath Tagore. Here she was made to lead a strict highly disciplined life. From here she went on to study in Switzerland and then to Oxford University in London.
Her Father's Daughter
After her return to India she married Feroze Gandhi, in March 1941 much against the wishes of the conservative Hindu community, as he was a Parsee. But Nehru was on her side. When Indira's father was in jail he used to write beautiful, long letters to her about his patriotic feelings and the current political situation. This led her to understand the intricacies of the nation, better than the most. In 1942, she joined the 'Quit India' Movement along with her husband and was arrested and jailed.
After India gained freedom, Pandit Nehru was elected Prime Minister. After his death in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri took over. And then in 1966, Indira Gandhi was elected leader of the Congress.
Her Tenure As Prime Minister
Indira will be remembered for her commendable efforts in the development and progress of science, space exploration, irrigation, as well as policies like the nationalisation of banks and the 20-point programme.
But on the other hand, the enormity of the problems she faced was the cause of much heartache. There were problems in Assam, Punjab as well as East Bengal. And in 1971, Pakistan attacked India and forced another smaller partition - the creation of Bangladesh.
On June 26th, 1975, Mrs. Gandhi declared an emergency, due to the turbulent political situation in the country at that time. Janta Party leaders like J.P. Narayan were arrested and jailed. But Mrs. Gandhi lost out to them in the next election in 1977 and was re-elected to power in 1980. Later, in Punjab there was a demand for a separate state of Khalistan, and the Sardarji's were up in arms. But their demands were not met and this was the cause of her ultimate assassination.
The End
On Wednesday, October 31, 1984, when Indira Gandhi was proceeding to her office, she was gunned down by her own bodyguards. This day has gone down in History as national Unity Day, as a tribute to the memory of a Great lady, leader and statesperson.
Iron Lady of India
India had been ruled by England for over a century prior to its independence in 1947. While the British hadbuilt many roads, schools, and hospitals, they had also acted as a superior colonial power. The Indians greatly resented British control. The organized struggle for freedom began early in this century and grew until after World War II, which ended in 1945, when the British finally realized they could no longer hold India. The ascension of a woman, Indira Gandhi, to the highest position in the world's most populous democracy was especially significant for Indian women, who had traditionally been subservient to men. In addition, she was also an inspiration to people in other Third World nations. When Mrs. Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1966 the Congress was split in two factions, the socialists led by Mrs. Gandhi, and the conservatives led by Morarji Desai. Rammanohar Lohia called her Gungi Gudiya which means 'Dumb Doll'[11]. The internal problems showed in the 1967 election where the Congress lost nearly 60 seats winning 297 seats in the 545 seat Lok Sabha. She had to accommodate Desai as Deputy Prime Minister of India and Finance Minister of India. In 1969 after many disagreements with Desai, the Indian National Congress split. She ruled with support from Socialist and Communist Parties for the next two years. In the same year, in July 1969 she nationalized banks.
Devaluation of the Rupee
During the late 1960s, Indira's administration decreed a 40% devaluation in the value of the Indian Rupee from 4 to 7 to the US Dollar to boost trade.
Nuclear weapons program
A national nuclear program was started by Mrs. Gandhi in 1967, in response to the nuclear threat from the People's Republic of China and to establish India's stability and security interests as independent from those of the nuclear superpowers. In 1974, India successfully conducted an underground nuclear test, unofficially code named as "Smiling Buddha", near the desert village of Pokhran in Rajasthan. Describing the test as for peaceful purposes, India became the world's youngest nuclear power.
Controversies
Indira Gandhi, late Prime Minister of India, implemented a forced sterilization programme in the 1970s.Officially, men with two children or more had to submit to sterilization, but many unmarried young men, political opponents and ignorant men were also believed to have been sterilized. This program is still remembered and criticized in India, and is blamed for creating a wrong public aversion to family planning, which hampered Government programmes for decades.
Green Revolution
Special agricultural innovation programs and extra government support launched in the 1960s finally transformed India's chronic food shortages into surplus production of wheat, rice, cotton and milk. Rather than relying on food aid from the United States - headed by a President whom Mrs. Gandhi disliked considerably (the feeling was mutual: to Nixon, Indira was "the old witch"[15]), the country became a food exporter. That achievement, along with the diversification of its commercial crop production, has become known as the "Green Revolution". At the same time, the White Revolution was an expansion in milk production which helped to combat malnutrition, especially amidst young children. 'Food security', as the program was called, was another source of support for Mrs. Gandhi in the years leading up to 1975.[16]
Quotes: "Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave।" "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist।" "Martyrdom does not end something, it only a beginning." "Even if I died in the service of the nation, I would be proud of it. Every drop of my blood... will contribute to the growth of this nation and to make it strong and dynamic." "You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose." "There are two kinds of people: Those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group because there is less competition there." famous quotes by Indira Gandhi.

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Man Monan Singh

EDUCATION /Qualification:
1950: Stood first in BA (Hons), Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh ,
1952; Stood first in MA (Economics), Panjab University, Chandigarh,
1954; Wright's Prize for distinguished performance at St John's College, Cambridge,
1955 and 1957; Wrenbury scholar, University of Cambridge,
1957; DPhil ( Oxford ), DLitt (Honoris Causa); PhD thesis on India 's export

competitiveness

OCCUPATION /Teaching Experience:

Professor (Senior lecturer, Economics, 1957-59;
Reader, Economics,

1959-63;
Professor, Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1963-65; Professor,
International Trade, Delhi School of Economics,University of Delhi,
1969-71; Honorary professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi ,
1976 and Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi,1996 and Civil Servant

Working Experience/ POSITIONS:

1971-72: Economic advisor, ministry of foreign trade
1972-76: Chief economic advisor, ministry of finance
1976-80: Director, Reserve Bank of India; Director, Industrial Development Bank of India;
Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, Asian Development Bank;
Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, IBRD
November 1976 - April 1980: Secretary, ministry of finance (Department of economic affairs);
Member, finance, Atomic Energy Commission; Member,finance, Space Commission
April 1980 - September 15, 1982: Member-secretary, Planning Commission
1980-83: Chairman , India Committee of the Indo-Japan joint study committee
September 16, 1982 - January 14, 1985: Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

1982-85: Alternate Governor for India, Board of governors, International Monetary Fund

1983-84: Member, economic advisory council to the Prime Minister

1985: President, Indian Economic Association

January 15, 1985 - July 31, 1987: Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission

August 1, 1987 - November 10, 1990: Secretary-general and commissioner, south commission, Geneva

December 10, 1990 - March 14, 1991: Advisor to the Prime Minister on economic affairs

March 15, 1991 - June 20, 1991: Chairman, UGC

June 21, 1991 - May 15, 1996: Union finance minister

October 1991: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam on Congress ticket

June 1995: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha

1996 onwards: Member, Consultative Committee for the ministry of finance

August 1, 1996 - December 4, 1997: Chairman, Parliamentary standing committee on commerce

March 21, 1998 onwards: Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha

June 5, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on finance

August 13, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on

rules

Aug 1998-2001: Member, committee of privileges 2000 onwards: Member, executive committee, Indian parliamentary group

June 2001: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha

Aug 2001 onwards: Member, general purposes committee

BOOKS:

India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth -Clarendon
Press, Oxford University , 1964; also published a large number of
articles in various economic journals.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Adam Smith Prize, University of Cambridge, 1956

Padma Vibhushan, 1987

Euro money Award, Finance Minister of the Year, 1993;

Asia money Award, Finance Minister of the Year for Asia, 1993 and 1994

INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:

1966: Economic Affairs Officer

1966-69: Chief, financing for trade section,

UNCTAD

1972-74: Deputy for India in IMF Committee of Twenty on International Monetary Reform

1977-79: Indian delegation to Aid-India Consortium Meetings

1980-82: Indo-Soviet joint planning group meeting

1982: Indo-Soviet monitoring group meeting

1993: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Cyprus 1993: Human Rights World Conference, Vienna

RECREATION:

Gymkhana Club, New Delhi; Life Member, India International Centre, New Delhi

Name: Dr Manmohan Singh

DOB: September 26, 1932

Place of Birth: Gah (West Punjab )

Father: S. Gurmukh Singh

Mother: Mrs Amrit Kaur

Married on: September 14, 1958

Wife: Mrs Gursharan Kaur

Children: Three daughters

Our Prime Minister is possibly the most qualified PM all over the world.

Pass this to every INDIAN.... and be PROUD to be an INDIAN

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Anil Ambani

Born: June 4, 1959
Achievement: Chairman of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group; Chosen as the 'CEO of the Year 2004' in the Platts Global Energy Awards and MTV Youth Icon of the Year' in September 2003 Anil Ambani is one of the foremost entrepreneurs of Independent India। He is the Chairman of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

Earlier, before the split in the Reliance Group, Anil Ambani held the post of Vice Chairman and Managing Director in Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)। Born on June 4, 1959, Anil Ambani did his Bachelors in Science from the University of Bombay and Masters in Business Administration The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Anil Ambani joined Reliance in 1983 as Co-Chief Executive Officer। He pioneered India Inc's forays into overseas capital markets with international public offerings of global depository receipts, convertibles and bonds. Starting from 1991, he led Reliance in its efforts to raise, around US$2 billion from overseas financial markets.

In January 1997, the 100-year Yankee bond issue was launched under his stewardship।After the split in Reliance Group, Anil Ambani founded Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. He is the Chairman of all listed Group companies, which include: Reliance Communications, Reliance Capital, Reliance Energy and Reliance Natural Resources Limited.

Anil Ambai was elected as an independent member Rajya Sabha MP in June 2004. But he resigned voluntarily on March 25, 2006.Anil Ambani has won several awards and honours. Major among these include: 'CEO of the Year 2004' in the Platts Global Energy Awards, 'MTV Youth Icon of the Year' in September 2003, 'The Entrepreneur of the Decade Award' by the Bombay Management Association, and 'Businessman of the Year Award' by leading Business Magazine, Business India in 1997.

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'Slumdog Millionaire' is the movie which make our dream come true

Finally India sree the oscar night. This ia the most glorious day for India. Its first time when a indian movie won the oscar. Before that indian movies only nominate for oscar but now the day come when india prove it at world front. 'Slumdog Millionaire' sweeps eight Oscars at the 81 st Academy Awards including Best Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Sound Mixing, Film Editing, Original Score, Original Song, Direction and Motion Picture. Indian music maestro A R Rahman brings home two awards with his Jai Ho... composition.

This is yet another milestone for India. Though it is not the ultimate recognition, however winning Oscar is like beating competition in their home land by playing by their own rule. Three Indians winning Oscar and the original writer of the book having won several literary awards is a heartening result. May God bless these geniuses and may God bless India. 'Slumdog Millionaire' is basically nominated in docomentry catagry, this is the story of a chid how is become very miture before his age. He look the world in such a way that he wasa very miture person. Only his miturity make him a Millionaire. This movie januinly deserbe this.


Best Picture: Producer Christian Colson for Slumdog Millionaire. “It has been collaboration between hundreds of people. All of us are here to share this moment. This was an extraordinary journey,” says the Slumdog... team.

Best Direction: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire Best Original Song: A R Rahman and Gulzar for ‘Jai Ho...’ (Slumdog Millionarie) The Indian music maestro, Rahman wooed the audience with ‘O Saya’ and ‘Jai Ho...’ the nominated songs from ‘Slumdog...’, as the nominees for Best Original Song were being announced.

Best Original Score: A R Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire . “I have nothing but my mother and she is there with me. I thank her for making me coming all this way with her blessings,” said a proud Rahman.

Best Film Editing: Chris Dickens for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Sound Mixing: Ian Tapp, Resul Pookutty and Richard Pryke for Slumdog Millionaire. “This is just not a sound award, but a history being handed over,” said ndian receiver Pookutty.

Best Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire. “The cast and crew of the film told me so much about India and writing,” said a proud Beaufoy.

Best Documentary Short Subject: Megan Mylan for Smile Pinki

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn for Milk.

Best Actressin a Leading Role: Kate Winslet for The Reader. Breathless Kate confessed experiencing the fainting feeling just like Penelope Cruz. She shouted onstage and waved at her father. She said, “I want to thank my family as they love me the way I am and lets me do what I want to.” By the time she finished her speech she was already in tears.

Best Foreign Language Film: Departures (Japan)

Best Sound Editing: Richard King for The Dark Knight

Best Visual Effects: Eric Barba for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Documentary Feature Film: James Marsh for Man on Wire

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight . It was a special moment for actor’s family - mother Sally, father Kim and sister Kate who came to receive the trophy on Ledger’s behalf.

Best Live action short film: Jochen Alexander for Spielzeugland Toyland

Best Make-up: Greg Cannom for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Costume Design: Michael O’Connor for The Duchess

Best Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Best Animated Short Film: Kunio Kato for La Maison En Petits Cubes

Best Animated Feature: Andrew Stanton for Wall-E

Best Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black for Milk

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. “Has anyone fainted here, may be I will be the first one,” exclaimed Penelope immediately after receiving the award.

Five facts about 'Slumdog Millionaire'

1. Released in November by Fox Searchlight, the movie has raked in $98 million at the North American box office so far according to studio estimates, and roughly $150 million worldwide.

2. It was nominated for 10 Oscars. Prior to the latest award haul of 8, it had scooped up wins at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors' Guild, and the British BAFTA awards.

3. Slumdog Millionaire was based partly on the novel "Q&A" by Vikas Swarup, India's deputy high commissioner to South Africa. Swarup penned the novel at the end of a diplomatic posting in London.

4. Its filmmakers came under fire in the media for allegedly not properly paying or caring for the child actors who played slum-dwellers in the film. In response, distributors Fox Searchlight flew the children to Sunday's Oscars ceremony in Hollywood.

5. After production on the film wrapped in February 2007, the film was left out in the cold when financier Warner Independent Pictures dropped it. The move was eventually picked up by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

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Thats Babu from India

Babu Sassi, a fearless young man from southern India is the cult hero of Dubai 's army of construction workers।

Known as the "Indian on the top of the world", Babi is the crane operator at the world's tallest building , the 819-meter Burj Dubai. His office, the cramped crane cab perched on top of the Burj, is also his home. Apparently it takes too long to come down to the ground each day to make it worthwhile. When the building is completed, its elevators will be the world's fastest.

Stories about his daily dalliance with death are discussed in revered terms by Dubai 's workers. Some say he has been up there for more than a year, others whisper that he's paid 30,000 dirhams ($8,168) a month compared with the average wage of 800 dirhams a month. All agree he's worth it.

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Blindness is not a barrier to success!!

Life of Mr. Karan (Sonny) Goel is a sterling example of entrepreneurial determination and self-belief! The young and dynamic Mr. Karan Goel, never let his visual disability come in the way of his ambition to succeed against all odds. In fact, he has constantly endeavored to make a significant contribution to society and fulfilling his corporate social responsibilities.

 

At the age of fifteen, Mr. Goel was diagnosed to be suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa, a condition of the eyes that makes one legally blind. But he took his disability as a challenge, and went overseas for his further studies. Mr. Goel graduated from the San Francisco State University, USA. After traveling the whole of the US, he joined the Aarhus School of Business, Denmark to explore diverse academic pursuits. He began his career as a Product Manager in Kaiser Metal Works Inc., Michigan, USA; a company dealing in steel/hardware products. After a year, he joined a company called Droisys Inc. in San Francisco as a management analyst to pharma & IT companies. During the same time, he worked as a local affiliate for National Federation of the Blind, USA to convey a message that a blind person can do everything if he/she gets right training, education & accommodation.

 

In March 2007, Mr. Goel moved back to India and joined his family business "King Exports"-a leading manufacturer and exporter of engineering goods. But he was constantly looking for an avenue to achieve his goal of alleviating the suffering of blind. He started a healthcare business by the name "King Multitech Global Pvt. Ltd."- an innovative platform of regenerative medicine. The Company is now working on innovative healthcare products/services like stem cell therapy for incurable diseases, Japanese human Placenta extract for Liver Dysfunction & internal medicine, King BioPro chip to prevent harmful effects of Electromagnetic radiation, Bioidentical Hormone replacement therapy for anti-aging medicine, Japanese medical water (h4O) to enhance auto-immune system and products for treating female sexual dysfunction.

 

Mr. Goel has also founded one non-profit society "Stem Cell voice of India for bringing advancement in the Stem cell technology to aid the treatment of incurable diseases. With this society, he would be able to bring leading doctors, legal bodies, scientists in direct interaction with the patients & general public. Mr Goel was recently conferred the 'Distinguished Services Award' that was bestowed upon him By Her Excellency Ms Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Hon. President of India, in President House, September 22nd, 2008, for outstanding contribution in the field of Cardiology. A multi-faceted personality, Mr. Goel is a connoisseur, who takes interest in different activities that enrich and enliven life. He empathizes with people who suffer and is always on the lookout to do something that will enrich the lives of those who share their fate with him.

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Chandra Kochhar: From trainee to ICICI CEO

Trainee to CEO: Kochhar’s story : Success like her’s is the staple of dreams that school children dream, but Chanda Kochhar is one that would have hardly had the time for such fantasies. A diligent student, Kochhar was busy collecting gold medals in management studies and cost accountancy when others were wiling away time — all of which she channelised to get to the top post of India’s largest private sector bank ICICI Bank.

Kochhar spent her college years playing badminton and polishing her elocution skills. Soon after completing her masters in management studies (finance) and cost accountancy, this Jodhpur girl joined the erstwhile industrial finance company ICICI in 1984 as a management trainee.

In 1993, when the ICICI decided to enter commercial banking business, Kochhar was deputed to ICICI Bank as a part of the core team to set up the operations. She was instrumental in setting up, as well as scaling up, the retail business for ICICI. In 2000, by when Kochhar had already started rising from the ranks to become a key player in the top management, ICICI Bank formally entered retail banking business and within five years became the largest private sector financer in the country.

Kochhar played a key role in shaping the retail finance industry in the country, where funds were hard to come by for individual borrowers. Under her leadership, the bank won the best retail bank award for four years, thrice in a row (2003, ‘04 and ‘05), from The Asian Banker. She has been steadily climbing up the lists of most influential people brought out by domestic and global publications. Fortune magazine ranked her as 2007’s 33rd most powerful woman in business — compared with 47th place in 2005.

From a management trainee to the post of the ICICI Bank's chief executive officer, it has been a winning journey for Chanda Kochhar. Work is passion for Kochhar who believes that there is no substitute to hard work. Chanda Kochhar will be ICICI Bank's new chief executive officer and managing director with effect from May 1, 2009 for a period of five years.

The 47-year old Chanda Kochhar is currently joint managing director of ICICI Bank. Kochhar heads the corporate centre of the Bank, is the chief financial Officer (CFO) and is also the official spokesperson for ICICI Bank. Chanda Kochhar recently ranked 25th in Fortune International Power 50 list, thanked the ICICI Board for its confidence in her.

Kochhar said "I would like to thank the board for the confidence they have reposed in me, and Kamath for his inspiring leadership. I am committed to working with our team and with all our stakeholders to leverage the ICICI group's strengths and capitalize on the opportunities before us. We look forward to Kamath's continued mentoring and guidance in the years ahead."

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Barack Obama........president of U.S.A!! ....."A common man who become Very special"

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce the last of his Cabinet picks at a press conference Friday afternoon (December 19th, 2008). Illinois Republican, Rep. Ray LaHood, is said to be nominated as the nation's next transportation secretary and California Democrat, Rep. Hilda Solis, will be tapped as his labor secretary. Obama will also name former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk as U.S. trade representative, and entrepreneur Karen Mills to head the Small Business Administration.Friday's press conference comes a few hours before Obama heads to Hawaii to vacation with his family.

Biography: Barack Hussein Obama was born Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, Barack Obama, Sr., was born of Luo ethnicity in Nyanza Province, Kenya. He grew up herding goats with his own father, who was a domestic servant to the British. Although reared among Muslims, Obama, Sr., became an atheist at some point.

Obama’s mother, Ann Dunham, grew up in Wichita, Kansas. Her father worked on oil rigs during the Depression. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he signed up for service in World War II and marched across Europe in Patton’s army. Dunham’s mother went to work on a bomber assembly line. After the war, they studied on the G. I. Bill, bought a house through the Federal Housing Program, and moved to Hawaii. Meantime, Barack’s father had won a scholarship that allowed him to leave Kenya pursue his dreams in Hawaii. At the time of his birth, Obama’s parents were students at the East–West Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Obama’s parents separated when he was two years old and later divorced. Obama’s father went to Harvard to pursue Ph. D. studies and then returned to Kenya.

His mother married Lolo Soetoro, another East–West Center student from Indonesia. In 1967, the family moved to Jakarta, where Obama’s half-sister Maya Soetoro–Ng was born. Obama attended schools in Jakarta, where classes were taught in the Indonesian language. Four years later when Barack (commonly known throughout his early years as "Barry") was ten, he returned to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham, and later his mother (who died of ovarian cancer in 1995). He was enrolled in the fifth grade at the esteemed Punahou Academy, graduating with honors in 1979. He was only one of three black students at the school. This is where Obama first became conscious of racism and what it meant to be an African–American. In his memoir, Obama described how he struggled to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. He saw his biological father (who died in a 1982 car accident) only once (in 1971) after his parents divorced. And he admitted using alcohol, marijuana and cocaine during his teenage years.

After high school, Obama studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles for two years. He then transferred to Columbia University in New York, graduating in 1983 with a degree in political science. After working at Business International Corporation (a company that provided international business information to corporate clients) and NYPIRG, Obama moved to Chicago in 1985. There, he worked as a community organizer with low-income residents in Chicago’s Roseland community and the Altgeld Gardens public housing development on the city’s South Side. It was during this time that Obama, who said he "was not raised in a religious household," joined the Trinity United Church of Christ. He also visited relatives in Kenya, which included an emotional visit to the graves of his father and paternal grandfather.

Obama entered Harvard Law School in 1988. In February 1990, he was elected the first African–American editor of the Harvard Law Review. Obama graduated magna cum laude in 1991. After law school, Obama returned to Chicago to practice as a civil rights lawyer, joining the firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland. He also taught at the University of Chicago Law School. And he helped organize voter registration drives during Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Obama published an autobiography in 1995 Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. And he won a Grammy for the audio version of the book. Obama’s advocacy work led him to run for the Illinois State Senate as a Democrat. He was elected in 1996 from the south side neighborhood of Hyde Park.

During these years, Obama worked with both Democrats and Republicans in drafting legislation on ethics, expanded health care services and early childhood education programs for the poor. He also created a state earned-income tax credit for the working poor. And after a number of inmates on death row were found innocent, Obama worked with law enforcement officials to require the videotaping of interrogations and confessions in all capital cases.

In 2000, Obama made an unsuccessful Democratic primary run for the U. S. House of Representatives seat held by four-term incumbent candidate Bobby Rush.Following the 9/11 attacks, Obama was an early opponent of President George W. Bush’s push to war with Iraq. Obama was still a state senator when he spoke against a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq during a rally at Chicago’s Federal Plaza in October 2002. "I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars," he said. "What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other arm-chair, weekend warriors in this Administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne."

"He's a bad guy," Obama said, referring to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. "The world, and the Iraqi people, would be better off without him. But I also know that Saddam poses no imminent and direct threat to the United States, or to his neighbors, that the Iraqi economy is in shambles, that the Iraqi military a fraction of its former strength, and that in concert with the international community he can be contained until, in the way of all petty dictators, he falls away into the dustbin of history."

"I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a U. S. occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences," Obama continued. "I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of al-Qaeda."

The war with Iraq began in 2003 and Obama decided to run for the U.S. Senate open seat vacated by Republican Peter Fitzgerald. In the 2004 Democratic primary, he won 52 percent of the vote, defeating multimillionaire businessman Blair Hull and Illinois Comptroller Daniel Hynes. That summer, he was invited to deliver the keynote speech in support of John Kerry at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. Obama emphasized the importance of unity, and made veiled jabs at the Bush administration and the diversionary use of wedge issues.

"We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states," he said. "We coach Little League in the blue states, and yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the Stars and Stripes, all of us defending the United States of America."

After the convention, Obama returned to his U.S. Senate bid in Illinois. His opponent in the general election was suppose to be Republican primary winner Jack Ryan, a wealthy former investment banker. However, Ryan withdrew from the race in June 2004, following public disclosure of unsubstantiated sexual allegations by Ryan's ex wife, actress Jeri Ryan.

In August 2004, diplomat and former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, who was also an African American, accepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan. In three televised debates, Obama and Keyes expressed opposing views on stem cell research, abortion, gun control, school vouchers and tax cuts. In the November 004 general election, Obama received 70% of the vote to Keyes's 27%, the largest electoral victory in Illinois history. Obama became only the third African American elected to the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction.

Sworn into office January 4, 2005, Obama partnered with Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana on a bill that expanded efforts to destroy weapons of mass struction in Eastern Europe and Russia. Then with Republican Sen. Tom Corburn of Oklahoma, he created a website that tracks all federal spending. Obama was also the first to raise the threat of avian flu on the Senate floor, spoke out for victims of Hurricane Katrina, pushed for alternative energy development and hampioned improved veterans´ benefits. He also worked with Democrat Russ Feingold of Wisconsin to eliminate gifts of travel on corporate jets by lobbyists to members of Congress.

His second book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, was published in October 2006. In February 2007, Obama made headlines when he announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. He was locked in a tight battle with former first lady and current U.S. Senator from New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton until he became the presumptive nominee on June 3, 2008.

Obama met his wife, Michelle, in 1988 when he was a summer associate at the Chicago law firm of Sidley & Austin. They were married in October 1992 and live in Kenwood on Chicago's South Side with their daughters, Malia (born 1998) and Sasha (born 2001).

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Abhinav Bindra: New Arjun of india

Achievements: Made a junior world record score of 597/600 in 2001 Munich World Cup and won bronze; gold in 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games; became the first Indian shooter to win a World Championship gold; Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2001.

Abhinav Bindra is the brightest star among a new breed of talented Indian shooters. Born on September 28, 1983, Bindra is quite often criticized for not delivering on the promise he showed as a child prodigy.

Coming from an affluent family and with the luxury of an indoor range in his backyard, Bindra proved to an early bird and, at 15, was the youngest participant at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Bindra shot into limelight by winning a bronze in the 2001 Munich World Cup with a new junior world record score of 597/600.

In the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, competing in his pet Air rifle event, Bindra won Gold in the Pairs event and Silver in the individual event. During a purple patch, Bindra won six gold medals at various international meets in the European Circuit in 2001. He was conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for the year 2001.

In the 2004 Athens Olympics, despite breaking the Olympic record Bindra failed to win a medal. But on July 24, 2006, Bindra became the first Indian shooter to win a World Championship gold in Zagreb. Dr. Karni Singh's silver in 1962 was the previous best by an Indian in a World Championship meet.

Abhinav Bindra Biography

Name : Abhinav Bindra
Date of birth : September 28, 1982
Place of birth : Dehra Dun, India
Residence : Chandigarh, India
Profession : Sportsman (Shooter)
Height : 5' 8''

August 11 2008 - won the men's 10m air rifle gold in Beijing Olympic.

Punjab State Gov. has given him $236,000.

Cricket board will hand over $59,000 to Bindra as part of its campaign to back other sports.

Indian newspapers carried banner headlines hailing his win.

The Times of India dubbed him "India's Goldfinger".

He is the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympic Games.

He won six medals at various international meets in 2001.

In the 10 m Air rifle event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester, he won Gold in the Pairs event and Silver in the individual event. At the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, he won the Gold in the Pairs event and the Bronze in the Singles event. Abhinav missed the 2006 Asian Games at Doha because of a back injuiry.

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Mahi.......... He achive the pick through hard work

I am giving you a short story about Mahi now today who is more familiar as a MS Dhoni. I believe that life doesn’t go same way. No one can live with happy all time or struggle life should carry a happy day for you. If you work hard then surely you will enjoy your future. Today we see a most popular and wealthier Mahi (MS Dhoni) but his life was not same in his childhood. Mahi was a boy of a poor family. He is the youngest son of Pan Singh and Devaki Dev. His family moved from Uttaranchal. Pan Singh worked in junior management positions in Mecon. Pan Singh’s salary was not enough to afford a big family.

You will be astonished to hear that star cricketer in national team MS Dhoni didn’t think he will be a cricketer. Dhoni studied at DAV Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali, Ranchi. He started his sports career in football as a goalkeeper. Being not playing cricket little boy Dhoni impressed his coach with his wicket-keeping skill and became a regular at the commando cricket club. Then we can see a different Dhoni. Day by day MS Dhoni was getting more chance and go up.

After joining India team he got more popularity as a MS Dhoni. His joining in Indian national team was not so easy. MS Dhoni was picked from Bihar U 19 cricket team where he scored 84 helped to score total 357. Before MS Dhoni’s joining in India team, Indian former captain Rahul Dravid had to keep wicket as they don’t have to lack of batsman and wicket keeping.

MS Dhoni debut in Indian national team against Bangladesh on Dec 23, 2004. And still he is playing in India team. Now, he is acting the role of captain in his own team. Under his captaincy first time India got trophy in Twenty20 world cup 2007 in South Africa. He also got assignment as a captain of India team in their home series against Australia. But he failed. However, Dhoni believes he has many things to give his team as a captain and wicket-keeper cum batsman.
It is impossible to say what will happen in future. May be he will pass his life with happiness or go throw with criticism. I am not sure what will happen as future is unknown and uncertain.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni started his first class career in the year 1999-2000. His one day international debut came after playing five years of first class Cricket on the 23rd of December 2004 against Bangladesh. The venue of the match was in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Unfortunately, he was run out on the first ball he faced. It wasnt a great debut for him where batting is concerned.

Luck wasnt on his side in the first four matches he played. Where as on the fifth match which was played against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam, Dhoni came to the
crease one down and managed to score 148 runs from just 123 balls. He hit 15 boundaries and four sixes. He got his first man of the match award that day. Not only a good wicketkeeper but Dhoni proved himself to be a first class batsman too. He is one of the few finest wicketkeeper batsman India has seen after a very long time.

On the 31st of October, Dhoni broke the record of highest runs scored by a wicket keeper by securing 183 runs against Srilanka which was played at Jaipur. Adam Gilchrist was the former record holder with 172 runs. Before he started playing cricket, he was a football goalkeeper. Its said he drinks around four litres of milk everyday but he denied it by saying that has been exaggerated a bit.

He said he loves milk and drinks around a litre on a daily basis. On the 2nd of December 2005, Dhoni made his Test cricket debut against Srilanka which was played in Chennai, India.

Full Name: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Born: July 7, 1981, Ranchi, BiharMajor

Teams: India, Jharkhand

Batting style: Right-hand bat

Fielding Position: Wicketkeeper

His hobbies and interests include: Hearing music, ghazals and songs by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar Loves to ride bikes Enjoys playing computer games and badminton . Not interested in: English songs Working out at gyms Special Qualities: Thinks positive Highly confident about himself Is aggressive on the field

His Idol: Adam Gilchrist

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