June-Rain-Quote

“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” - Bob Marley

The last Tweet- RITUPARNO GHOSH- RIP

It appears that the golden era of Bollywood (60’s) is in the air. The passing of legendary ‘regional’ global filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh yesterday morning at his Indrani Park, Anwar Shah Road, a South Calcutta residence has and will leave a void in expressive cinema.  Cine lovers, the LGBT’s, silent admirers like me (I’me sure there are bigger fans too).

BLACKJACK- 21/21 

21 movies in hindi and Bengali in 21 years (Hirer Angti (The Diamond Ring) - 1992 to Chitrangada in 2012), this technically translates into one movie in a year. Quite a quality, what I am looking forward to see is Satyanweshi and another hindi film called Sunglass- it never got released and was produced by Arindam Chowdhuri’s Planman in 2008.

Twitter was buzzing whole day yesterday and he made Kahaani director Sujoy Ghosh, to act in his upcoming crime thriller Satyanweshi. The talented director and now actor (only for this film) tweeted, sujoy ghosh ‏@sujoy_g 2h “rituparno ghosh had about a few million questions that he wanted to ask satyajit ray. i can imagine whats happening up there right now.” 

The Mad Men in RituDa’s Life

Rituparno Ghosh studied at South Point and completed Economics from Jadavpur University, Calcutta. Rituda dabbled with Advertising and prior filmmaking his worked as a copywriter from the Ballygunge Circular Road based agency, Response. The Asian Paint Sharad Samman (managed by the then O&M – Ogilvy and Mather, Kolkata, India’s office) is near legendary till date, quotes Derek O Brien in his blog.

The Last Tweet

The blog is a small tribute to a brave human being who did contribute not only in regional cinema, but was able to influence his counterparts living elsewhere in Mumbai, Berlin, Delhi or New York. I saw Ritu for the first time at Nandan and most recently at the India Habitat Center, the year was 2011. 28^th May, 2 day before he left us read  “Surprising that the brooding prince of Indian cinema Guru Dutt stayed in the same palatial mansion to his film sahib biwi aur ghulam” Saw Noukadubi (Boat Wreck), 2011 at the closing day.

His last tweet on 28th May- two days before he left us read  “Surprising that the brooding prince of Indian cinema Guru Dutt stayed in the same palatial mansion to his film sahib biwi aur ghulam”

Ghosh told about Tagore (2012) "What comes through is what a lonely man Tagore was — from childhood to old age. There is no one in his life to share even his success with him. It's the journey of a lonely traveller. 

Pic source- filmartproject.tumblr, Twitter

Berlin hosts 2013 UNESCO Conference of World Sport Ministers-Match fixing, corruption on agenda

With one of the key themes, being "Preserving the Integrity of Sport"- in light of 1) values of sport 2) fight against match fixing 3) doping and 4) corruption in sport, the, the fifth UNESCO World Sport Ministers Conference began in Berlin starting 28 - 30 May 2013. 

The programme is jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, UNESCO and the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education.

Other agenda would be a) implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

b) to encourage more girls and women to participate in sport.

c) Investment opportunity in sports/physical education also to encourage discussing standards for large-scale sporting events.

"I am delighted that we won the bid to host the World Sport Ministers Conference next year," said Federal Minister of the Interior Hans-Peter Friedrich.  

The Federal Ministry of the Interior will convene national working groups made up of experts from government and non-governmental organizations, sport federations and the research community as well as practitioners from the world of sport in order to prepare Germany's policy positions on the conference topics.

pic and text source-http://bit.ly/ZbgqWE, DPA

Ogilvy Quotes

Talent, I believe, is most likely to be found among nonconformists, dissenters, and rebels - DO

Quote of the Day

Having my integrity left, earning the respect my job gives is tough- PD

Internet and e-Commerce Misused - 26 Million Americans Duped Online

The chief of Saradha group Sudipto Sen was detained as he was cooling his heels from the 'heaven on earth' Kashmir, little he knows that hell like situation is awaiting eagerly for him and his accomplices once he lands in Kolkata. His empire of 120 companies ranged from real estate, chit funds and media.

Well, if you thought it were poor Indians who fell into such ponzie schemes, you (Americans) need to be alert once again.According to an FTC data for 2011 an estimated 25.6 Million Americans (10.8 percent of the adult population) fell victim to fraud of various kinds.

Victim Who?
The fast paced online or e-commerce businesses have certainly has benefitted consumers leaving them with higher choice added with convenience, however it’s not always true as consumers are vulnerable and do not know the kind of risks associated with online transactions. The online section (email, social media, auction sites and classified ads, followed by print advertising, and TV and radio) is an ensemble mix of wrong doings as well.

Most consumers bought fraudulent items via Internet and telephone respectively.

15 specific categories of fraud

• Weight-loss Products (5.1 million estimated)
• Prize Promotions (2.4 million est.)
• Unauthorized Billing for Buyers’ Club Memberships (1.9 million est.)
• Unauthorized Billing for Internet Services (1.9 million est.)
• Work-at-Home Programs (1.8 million est.)
• Credit Repair Scams (1.7 million est.)
• Debt Relief (1.5 million est.)
• Credit Card Insurance (1.3 million est.)
• Business Opportunities (1.1 million est.)
• Mortgage Relief Scams (800,000 est.)

Types of Victims (Classification)

a) Consumers who were more willing to take risks and those who had recently experienced a negative life event (such as a divorce, death of a family member or close friend, serious injury or illness in their family, or the loss of a job) were much more likely to have been victims.
b) Consumers who indicated they had more debt than they could handle were significantly more likely to have been fraud victims than those who were more comfortable with the amount of debt they had.

Conclusion – If an advanced population can fall prey to such online deceits, imagine what can possibly happen at the third world nations. The government should take a look at this alarming situation.

Indian Cinema 100 years celebrated in Delhi

Cut and uncut festival and Screening of Silent film Throw of Dice 

In an effort to bring the festival to the doorstep of film lovers in the capital the government is celebrating “100 years of Indian Cinema.” The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is organizing a six day Centenary Film Festival to celebrate Indian Cinema and it’s glory. The Festival begins on April 25th, at Siri Fort auditorium as well as other venues such as Jamia Milia University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and India Habitat Center. The inauguration will be followed with the screening of a silent film "Throw of Dice' accompanied with LIVE musical orchestra by maestro Nishat Khan.  

The six day extravaganza will show Screenings of some classics as well as contemporary Indian films by

• Bimal Roy
• Guru Dutt
• Shyam Benegal
• Adoor Gopalakrishnan

The festival should pay respects one of the best actors who are no longer around us, they include

• Balraj Sahni
• Dev Anand
• Shammi Kapoor
• Rajesh Khanna

The films being screened represent a sprinkling of various flavours of Indian cinema cutting across major film producing regions in the country. Eminent film makers and actors have been invited to interact with the audiences over the course of the six day festival.

A key highlight of the festival –

“Satyajit Ray Retrospective”- which includes  rich content procured by the Films Division’s archive, news reels documentaries, shorts, features and animation films on diverse subjects.

 “Cut-Uncut” – is a three day workshop conceived and executed by CBFC (Censor Board). This event will showcase the growth and evolution of censorship in Indian cinema, through workshops and insightful panel discussions. It will also show rare censored scenes from the films in the past. It will screen Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur' and 'Subramaniapuram' a Tamil movie. 

At the end a play on the life and times of Dadasaheb Phalke by Aamir Raza Hussain would be shown on 30th April. The Centenary celebrations would culminate in the National Film Award ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan on 3rd May. The awards including the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award will be conferred by the Hon’ble President of India.

Image source – Viacom 18 and bombaytalkies

Tongam Rina - Arunachal Journalist On her way to Germany

Braveheart journalist Ms.Tongam Rina will be heading Germany this month. The Associate editor of Arunachal Times, Ms Tongam has has been invited by “Hamburger Stiftung” and will stay for a year, a Press Release said. Hamburger Stiftung is a German NGO that cares for journalists in need.

It should be remembered that Tongam (then 32) was shot at a point-blank range when she was entering her office in Itanagar on 15 July 2012. She was shot by men and bullets tore through her stomach and ultimately hit her vertebrae.The culprits are unfortunately still unidentified. Hamburger Stiftung is responsible for organising and sponsoring her visit and stay in Germany. For one-year Ms. Rina is expected to interact with German colleagues, learn more about political and economic developments in Germany and Europe, pursue own projects. Besides, during her stay, Tongam Rina can report as a permanent Indian correspondent from Germany – most probably the only one at present.

NOTE- Kolkata journalists can meet Ms. Rina German Consul General on Monday, 15 April 2013, at lunchtime.


Address: Telephone: Facsimile: E-Mail: info@kalkutta.diplo.de
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Google's Global Impact Awards- Hunt for U.K.’s Social Entrepreneurs -$3 Million

Official Blog: Global Impact Awards’ hunt for U.K.’s most innovative social entrepreneurs starts today

LONDON: March-21-The three winners will be revealed at the event at Google London in June

Google is hunting for UK’s most innovative social entrepreneur. Right from cracking a human genome, advancing medical research via computer games to everything which will make the world a better place to live in.  Google’s first Global Impact Challenge (U.K), has invited British nonprofits to explain how they (non profits) have utilized technology in order to transform lives in some or the other way. Each out of the four nonprofits should get £500,000 Global Impact Award, as well as Chromebooks and technical assistance from Googlers to help actualize their projects respectively.

In 2012, Google launched the Global Impact Awards in order to aid nonprofits that use technology to tackle the planet’s toughest issues (social and commercial). Google gave away $23 million to seven organizations who worked on projects (aerial technology that protects wildlife to data algorithms that ensure more girls and minorities get placed in advanced math and science classes.)

Applications open today (March-22), and registered British nonprofits organizations are requested to apply online at g.co/impactchallenge.

10 finalists on May 22 will be announced. Followed by a voting, on June 3, the top 10 finalists will pitch their concepts. The judging panel comprises of Matt Brittin and Jacquelline Fuller, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Jilly Forster.

Technology can help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges and we’re eager to back innovators who are finding new ways to make an impact. Today we’re starting the hunt in the U.K., but we also know that nonprofits all over the world are using techy approaches to develop new solutions in their sector. Who knows, the Global Impact Challenge might head your way next.

Text source: http://googleblog.blogspot.in/2013/03/global-impact-awards-hunt-for-uks-most_24.html
Pic source- balkaninside - Google images

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act

The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 takes care of monuments of historical importance and going by this act/or law, an "ancient monument" means any structure, erection or monument, or any tumulus or place of interment, or any cave, rock-sculpture, inscription or monolith which is of historical, archaeological or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than 100 years.

According to ASI here are the following criteria which define ancient monument and the veracity and importance of it. • Remains of an ancient monument • Site of an ancient monument • Such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing or covering in or otherwise preserving such monument. Last time I went to the Wikipedia meet at Hauz Khas, it emerged that Wikipedia is seriously doing something about historical monument. And yes they do it. My friend Ankit reminded me. There are over 3650 ancient monuments and remains of national importance, and supposedly protected by the ASI. Over 8,000 monuments are protected by the central government, including temples, mosques, tombs, churches, cemeteries, forts, palaces, step-wells, rock-cut caves, and secular architecture. S Suchindranath Aiyer a thinker from Bangalore feels the need to give importance to such moneuments across India and this memorial in particular, he said, "Its probably a good thing that its inside the golf course and the public don;t know about it. Else it might be banished to the grave yard of marble in North Delhi! "Soldier Sahibs" by Charles Allen gives a lot more on the Battle of Delhi and the men who forged the Empire." Why can not be this War Memorial elevated to a structure of national importance?

Anglo-Maratha War and The Lost War Memorial At Noida

BATTLE OF DELHL Did you know that 207 years ago, in September 3,477 Indians, British and the French were killed or perished in the famous Anglo Maratha war? From the Sector – 44 bus stop, Noida, the upper quarter of this historic monument was passed off as a secret tunnel, sic, by an elderly gentleman who was waiting for his UP roadways bus heading Greater Noida. “Surang hai iske neeche.” Kamla Prasad from Dadri confidently pronounce. 10 out of 10 people when asked about the War Memorial perched within the Noida Golf Course, safely. The rock, an arched monument behind, with specific Victorian architecture is largely unknown to many people.

The memoir of the second Anglo Maratha war is by large off to public and it woudn’t be surprising if many of us would be unaware of the historic battle was being fought dated 11 September also called the 9/11 of 1803 -1805. The win (by the British) formally established the East India Company's presence in India. Battle of Patparganj (1803) – The Base The second Anglo-Maratha war or the Battle of Delhi or the Battle of Patparganj. The Rock, we would call it for convenience ahead, is nestled amidst scenic greens of an 18 hole Golf Course in Noida. Although a well maintained historic structure is of immense significance, it seems that every brick wants to say a little more. I had to ask for direction to reach the monument located near the 17th Tee or Hole by some workers. The Rock emerge out of nowhere, at least for a first timer like me, it seemed. Some members of the ASI and national archives has little concrete idea about this monument and had contrasting views on the same. Which I will write in my next post. The Noida War Memorial It’s an acting tee box for the 16th hole today, sic. Wide steps of the monument are instant reminders of the Raj Era. It’s grand and follows an Edwardian architecture. As I was going for a walk around the course and the sun was melting in the west, its rays shone brightly on this monument which leapt at you out of nowhere. As you stand in front of it, you realize the beauty of the grand structure which has wide steps (in all likelihood built when the monument was built) leading up to it giving it a rather royal look.

Brief History of Patparganj and Present Gharonda neemka bangar, the old name of Patparganj as Shahdara can find it original name in some of the record archives in the MCD - Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Chandrawali was another name of the present Shahdara region. The battle of Patparganj (1803) was also known as the Battle of Delhi. It was a defining victory for the East India Company then, but how did it matter to the locals? The second Anglo- Maratha was fought ‘near this area’. It is a dense cluster of small and medium residential and commercial spaces today, falls under 'high real estate value' category. Residents naturally unaware of a historic battle being fought 200 years ago here, “Forget monument, we do not even know that there is a battle of Patparganj, ever being fought.” Yogesh from Khichdipur says.

The National Archives of India, New Delhi had little or no idea of the story I was chasing and set to uncover. Check this - http://www.archive.org/stream/listofinscriptio00blunrich/listofinscriptio00blunrich_djvu.txt Inscription : — To the memory of the undermentioned gallant officers : — Major Middleton, 3rd Regt., Native Cavalry ; Capt. Mc- Gregor, Persian interpreter ; Lieut. Hill, 2nd battalion, 12th Native Infauiry; Lieut. Preston, 2nd battalion, 13th Native Infantry; Cornet Sanguine, 27th Dragoons ; Quarter master Richardson, 27th Dragoons. The following extract from the order of the Govt, of India refers to the action in which they fell : " The Governor General in Council sincerely laments the loss of Major Middle- ton, Captain McGreggor, Lieut. Hill, Lieut. Preston, Cornet San-guine, Quarter master Richardson and of the brave soldiers who fell in the exemplary exertions of deliberated valour and discipline spirit at the battle of Delhi. The names of these brave men will be communicated with the glorious events of the day on which they fell, and will be honoured and revered while the fame of that signal victory shall endure." This monument was repaired and the tablet which had disappeared was replaced by order of the Lieut.- Govr. of N.-W. P., 1898. The battle was fought on the 11th September 1800. To be Continued - Reference - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Delhi,_1803 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patparganj National Archives