Manmohan Singh is a very wise leader: Obama

Washington: Congratulating Manmohan Singh for his second term as the prime minister of India, US president Barack Obama on Thursday said Singh is a very wise leader whom he respects and is looking forward to visit New Delhi at an early date.

Obama said this to the new Indian ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, at his Oval Office in the White House. Shankar presented her credentials to the US president as the top Indian diplomat in the US.

During the brief credential ceremony, Obama conveyed his felicitations on the recent elections in India. He said that Singh is a very wise leader whom he respects. Obama said he is looking forward to visiting India at an early date.

Shankar conveyed the greetings from Indian president Pratibha Patil and the prime minister to the US president and first lady Michelle Obama.

The envoy said that she was looking forward to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United States.

Succeeding Ronen Sen, whose term ended on March 31 this year, Shankar arrived in the US April 26. She was earlier serving as the Indian ambassador to Germany.

A 1973-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Shankar has held several important assignments, including her stint as the minister of Commerce at the Indian Embassy in Washington from 1991 to 1995. She served as director in the Prime Minister's
Office in New Delhi from 1985 to 1991.

She also headed the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) overseeing country's cultural diplomacy.

Shankar has headed two important divisions in the Ministry of External Affairs dealing with the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and relations with Nepal and Bhutan.

Before being appointed as the Indian ambassador to Germany, she held the responsibility for the United Nations and International Security.

Yuvraj Singh in a Charity Mode

To add brand equity to this initiative Yuvraj Singh has invited Vikas Swaroop, the current Indian Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, who is now more popularly known as the writer who wrote Slumdog Millionaire. It is incidental that the name of the book written by Vikas Swaroop was Q&A, but is now more popularly known as Slumdog Millionaire.

It is worth underlining the fact that Yuvraj Singh has been helping the needy through his foundation Yuvraj Singh foundation in India now is expanding his wings and plans to begin initiatives of the same kind in South Africa as well. The project has been christened as “Cricket Beyond Boundaries”, and would be implemented in the Western Cape Region in South Africa. A fund raising for this event is going to be organized in Durban on 19 May in which Vikas Swaroop has been invited as the Guest of Honor.

The initiative undertaken by Yuvraj is his own humble tribute to the game of cricket, which has provided him such a name and fame. It would also be one of the first initiatives undertaken by a plying Indian cricket player and some credit is due to IPL as well. It is owing to the initiative that IPL has undertaken to promote the cause of education in South Africa by donating 100000 Rands to various schools in South Africa, which would have egged on Yuvraj to do something of the similar kind. Incidental also is the availability of Vikas Swaroop who has developed his own equity on account of the stupendous success of Slumdog Millionaire.

Coming close to an unsavory controversy in which his team owners were involved, it would indeed be worth watching what response Yuvraj Singh’s initiative is going to elicit. Ness Wadia and Mohit Burman the two owners of Kings XI Punjab were involved in a brawl with a lady, who is a locally influential businesswoman of Indian origin having close association with the President of South Africa. As a result of this brawl, both Wadia and Burman had to be kicked out of the stadium.

Dhoni is very affectionate: Lakshmi Rai

Mumbai: Lakshmi Rai started young. She started modelling at the age of 13. "My parents were a little apprehensive and said okay, thinking I would only be walking the ramp. Being an actress was way beyond their imagination." But an actress she turned out to be, as she won the Miss Karnataka crown twice and there were a spate of Kannada and Tamil film offers.

"I was very young and didn't know where I was going. I met some really unscrupulous people too and experienced a lot of rubbish. But thankfully, my parents were with me all the time," she says.

Those things are in the past now. After having made a bit mark in the South, Lakshmi is all set to enter Bollywood. However, she has just backed out of Himesh Reshammiya's Hey Gujju. "I had agreed to do the film, but after watching Karz (Reshammiya's earlier film), I decided I cannot be a part of such films. I requested them to let me go," she says.

But what has worked in her favour is being linked to the captain of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "I know Dhoni since last year. He, along with the Indian team, came for my birthday party and we got along very well. Dhoni and Suresh Raina stayed on till five in the morning. We have been in touch since then and I can safely call him my best friend. For a long time even though we were meeting, people didn't write about us. But after 26/11, security was stepped up...Once Dhoni had come out to have coffee with me. I think the security leaked the story that we were together. Since then, there has been no stopping the stories about us," she says, with a laugh. "Dhoni is a gem of a person. No airs, no attitude, very humble and down to earth."

Lakshmi let's in on a secret: "Dhoni says he wants to get married within a year or two..." And would she accept it if he proposed? "Someone else had asked me this question too and I replied, Why not?" she says, with a giggle. "But Dhoni is the kind of guy any girl would want to marry, he is very affectionate andbalanced."

Amar Singh congratulates PM, Sonia Gandhi on win

Congratulating Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi for the Congress victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh on Saturday said that any future action by his party will be taken after their party's meeting.

"I congratulate Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for this wonderful win. The central parliamentary board of our party will meet and then decide on the future action of the party," Amar Singh told reporters here.

Asked to comment on revival of Congress in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said: "I welcome that. Revival of any secular force is good."

The Samajwadi Party leader stated that Bahujan Samaj Party has only weakened in Uttar Pradesh and if the Samajwadi Party had fought with the Congress, they would have routed the BSP.

Rahul will make a good PM: Ritiesh

Has shooting for Rann revealed anything new about the Indian media?
There wasn’t anything shockingly new for me. The film is part

fiction. Corruption exists in almost all spheres of life and the media is no exception. Rann is all about the battle to be in the top slot. Be it sports, politics, the corporate world or the media, competition often breeds cruelty. How many times have we heard of what cricketers do to get a berth in the team, how tough companies get to bag a contract or what top leaders do to get a Parliament ticket? It’s a war right upto the end.

Speaking of power, when have you felt the most powerful?
Power means the will to register a change for the better. A man who lives in a small house might bring about that change by buying a television. Since I’m not the number one star who can take a call on things, I haven’t ever felt powerful enough to bring about any change.

When have you felt completely vulnerable?
When you are in a profession that is written about in the media, you are vulnerable everyday. You have no control over how you will be projected. Freedom of expression is such a great weapon that people can say whatever they want to, in a bold font. Days later, they might retract and apologise, in a smaller font size, which can easily elude people’s eyes. With time, one tends to make peace with all of this. I’m not averse to criticism. Since childhood, I’ve learnt to take criticism in the right spirit.

You’ve faced a lot of flak for RGV accompanying you to the Taj. On hindsight, do you think you could have been more cautious?
It’s not about being cautious. Had I known what it would lead to, I wouldn’t have done it. During my dad’s career as the CM, I’ve hardly attended functions with him. Television channels had run footages that were provided to them by the government. There was a lot of anger in people and by using that footage, channels started projecting opinions rather than letting the audience think for itself. Things were blown out of proportion, and some said that RGV was there because he was making a film on terrorism. Others went on to
imagine that he was making a film on the terror attacks and that my dad had invited him there.

Some even said that RGV was responsible for your dad losing his chief ministership...
That’s an immature viewpoint. Those who don’t understand politics might make or believe that
statement.

The National Anthem song controversy has sparked off a huge debate...
There is a sense of the National Anthem in the song. But there is great passion and integrity in the lyrics. Jana Gana Mana Rann Hai isn’t a love song or an item number. I’ve often been to Ganapati festivals, where the idol is shown as a cricketer or even an astronaut. Even CDs and cassettes of bhajans set to filmi tunes are on sale. But we have never found such works to be derogatory because they were done with a purity of heart. Every person will have an individual view of the song. If people are upset, I would humbly ask them to listen to the song carefully for themselves. If they are still upset, I will say sorry. I haven’t chosen the song, but since I’m part of the promo, I am also responsible for it.

What’s your take on dynastic politics? Any inclination to join politics in future?
Every child finds a hero in his father. If a person is doing a good job of making the people of his
constituency happy, where is the problem? I love politics, keep myself updated and am not averse to the idea of joining politics actively. But right now, I am happy doing films. Moreover, joining politics can’t be an overnight decision. If I join politics, the same questions on dynastic politics will be raised.

Do you see Rahul Gandhi as India’s future Prime Minister?
Why not? He is young and has been working for the people. With his charisma and acceptability, I think he will make a good Prime Minister. I’ve only met him once, though.

A lot of stars didn’t vote this time, despite asking others to vote...
I had flown down to Latur to vote. It’s sad that Mumbai registered only 40 per cent votes. If tomorrow
someone complains about bad roads, I’ll first ask whether he has voted or not. If he hasn’t, he has lost his turn to question and will have to wait for another five years. It’s important to be responsible citizens.

Your film, Aladin is there at the market in Cannes. Are you Cannes-bound too?
No. When I saw the film on Monday, it felt like dreaming with my eyes open. Cinematographer Sirsha (Roy) has done a great job. Every kid wants to be Aladin. And imagine my luck that I was rubbing a lamp, only to have Amitabh Bachchan appear as a genie in front of me!

In real life, what would you want from a genie?
Human beings are greedy by nature, unless one is aspiring to be a Miss World or Miss Universe, where all one seeks, is peace! But jokes apart, finally everything one asks for, boils down to a craving for happiness, respect
and love.

Though that almost sounds like a pageant wishlist, are you still single or have you found love in Genelia?
I am not seeing Genelia. The media, I suppose, doesn’t get the answer it wants to hear and hence, keeps on
asking me the same question.

IPL fans under house Arrest

The second edition of the Indian Premier League seems to be jinxed. As if shifting the tournament to South Africa wasn't enough, fans have to face yet another blow. They may have to spend the rest of the season watching those gigantic sixes and sexy cheerleaders on the sad 21" at home, thanks to the crack down on eateries screening the matches illegally.

Spoilt sport

The second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) seems to be jinxed. Fans who had just overcome the shock of the tournament moving to South Africa have to now contend with another disappointment. Pubs and restaurants, which had been attracting substantial numbers by screening the IPL on big screens, can no longer do so, according to a Delhi High Court order.

The HC order, applicable to restaurants across India, issued on Monday cracked down on eateries and bars screening the matches illegally. This was in response to a petition filed by MSM Satellite Pvt Limited, which owns SET Max, the official broadcaster of IPL 2.

And the Mumbai police are taking the HC directive very seriously. On Wednesday night, as patrons were engrossed in the game between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers at Bootleggers, a pub in Colaba, the police stalled the screening. They arrested the manager of the pub and even seized the set-top box as the match was being screened illegally.

Confirming the raid Deepak P Vishwasrao, senior police inspector, Colaba police station said, "The pub manager was booked under the Copyright Act for illegally showing the IPL matches," said Vishwasrao.

A team from Novex Communication, which has the sole cable distribution rights for all Sony Channels, reported that an Andheri-based restaurant Time and Again was among the many restaurants in the city that was screening the game without acquiring the required rights from Set MAX.

While Novex officials claim that they have clippings of patrons enjoying the game at Time and Again, the restaurant manager rubbished the allegations. The manager Sanjay Patil said, "Forget Set MAX, we are not screening any MSM channel."

False allegations

Novex has listed around 13 restaurants and pubs that are screening the matches illegally (see box), but most of them have blatantly denied the charge. A spokesperson from Aurus, a restaurant and lounge bar in Juhu, said, "We do not have screens in our lounge and hence screening the IPL is out of the question."

Bandra's famous Vie Lounge also appears on the list, but claims that they showed distributors the door when they approached them with the licence to screen the tournament. "We denied their proposal, as we were not interested in screening the matches," said an employee at the lounge.

It is only to stop restaurant owners from illegally cashing in on the IPL fever that MSM and Novex moved court.

"We filed a petition as the number of restaurants screening IPL matches and cable operators supplying the signals to commercial places, illegally has escalated. I know the viewers will be unhappy but we need to curb the illegal practice," said Ketan Kanakia, owner of Novex.

MSM channels are..
SET Max, AXN, Discovery, Animal Planet, MTV, Nickelodean, Discovery Travel & Living, Animax, NDTV 24x7, NDTV Profit, SAB.

Catch the game at...
Leopold Cafe, Colaba
Noodle Bar
Bonobo, Bandra
Pop Tate's
Olive, Khar
Henry Tham
Tequila Lounge, Andheri
Hungama, Juhu
Cream Centre
Tendulkar's, Colaba
Gordon House Hotel
Urban Tadka
Flags, Colaba
Most five star hotels are licensed to show the IPL games

On the blacklist
Aurus, Juhu
Vie Lounge, Bandra
Cafe Mondegar, Colaba
U Turn, Khar
Red Box, Andheri
Time and Again, Andheri
Spring Field, Borivli
Suyogi, Gorai
Hotel Prakash, Goregaon
Picasso, Goregaon
Brass Anchor, Borivli
Azzuri, Chembur
Bootleggers, Colaba

The lists have been provided by Novex

Rs 60,000
The amount one has to pay annually to acquire the licence to screen MSM channels

Congress will perform better this time: Priyanka Gandhi

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Priyanka Gandhi, daughter of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Thursday asserted that the party’s performance in the 14th Lok Sabha polls will be better than that in the last election.

“I think there will be improvement, at least that is what we hope,” Gandhi told reporters after casting her vote at a polling booth in Lodhi Estate here.

Dressed in a casual t-shirt and jeans, Gandhi came to the polling booth along with her husband Robert Vadra.

Eight states, along with Delhi, are going to vote in the fourth and penultimate phase of the general elections Thursday.

Gandhi expressed hope that Congress will bag all the seven seats of the capital.

Asking people to come out and vote, Gandhi said: “I hope they will be voting for a party and prime minister, who are serious about development and are ready to take the country forward.”

When asked about post-poll alliances, she said: “We will see after June 16th.”

We don’t need Certificate from anyone: Sonia Gandhi

Appreciating Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s leadership to make Pakistan admit terrorists carrying out Mumbai terror attacks belonging to its soil, Congress President on Sunday said that her party did not require anyone’s certificate on the issue of fighting terrorism in the country.

Addressing an election rally in Jalandhar, the United Progress Alliance Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi criticised Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government for surrendering to terrorists (during Indian Airlines aircraft IC-814 hostage in Kandhar).

“Unlike the BJP- led NDA government, our party has never surrendered

to terror forces. It was due to our governement’s efforts under the

leadership of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that Pakistan accepted for the first time that Mumbai terror attack was carried out from its own soil. As far as our fight against terrorism is concerned , we don’t need a certificate from anyone,” said Sonia Gandhi.

Later, addressing an election rally in Chandigarh in afternoon, Sonia said that the real issue for the people was development to which her party remained committed and alleged that the opposition was busy racking up emotional issues which had little to do with the ordinary man.

Attacking the BJP, Sonia said the party’s rivals had been “unmasked” and were resorting to levelling allegations as they were bereft of issues.

“They (rivals) have no issue to seek votes. The people have earlier given opportunities to other parties both at the Centre and the states, but the difference is clear to them now. Their mask has fallen off and they have been exposed before the people,” Sonia said addressing an election rally in Chandigarh.

“Those (parties) who have nothing to say have limited the whole thing to levelling charges only,” the Congress chief, clad in a printed green sari, said.

Appealing the voters to keep communal forces away, Sonia said: “Congress is committed to fight these communal forces who are out there to divide the country. We will continue our struggle against these forces till these are weakened and rooted out.”

The last two phases of the ongoing five-phased Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to witness polling on May 7 and 13. Votes for the first three-phases were casted on April 16, 23 and 30.

The ongoing elections are witnessing a bitter war of words between the Congress and BJP, the two main national parties.

Though, irrespective of the results, it is widely speculated that any of the two parties would need regional parties’ support to form the government after the elections. (ANI)

Italy PM’s wife to seek Divorce

Rome, May 3 (DPA) Veronica Lario, wife of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, plans to seek a divorce, Italian media reported Sunday.
The 52-year-old former actress made public her decision to end the relationship spanning 30 years, and marriage of some two decades, in interviews published in the daily Repubblica and La Stampa newspapers.

“I have been forced to take this step, I don’t want to add anything else,” La Stampa Sunday quoted Lario as saying, adding that she had consulted a lawyer.

Last week, Lario publicly lashed out at the 72-year-old Berlusconi over his attitude towards women and his penchant for former showgirls and models.

“Shamelessly trashy” was the way she described her husband’s political party’s selection of women candidates for the European Parliament elections.

She also criticised Berlusconi for attending the 18th birthday party of a woman in Naples, having never attended such parties for any of his own children.

Berlusconi’s lawyer told journalists that the premier had no comment on what was a “strictly personal matter”.

Berlusconi and Lario were married in 1990 and have three children. The politician also has two children from a previous marriage.

SRK planning to sell of IPL team

Shah Rukh Khan is contemplating selling off his Indian Premier League team Knight Riders. This is what a famous business magazine is claiming. SRK had dropped “Kolkata’ from his team’s name just before the IPL season 2 began.

According to the magazine’s reports there are speculations that SRK is in talks with three big companies to take over his entire shareholding in the Knight Riders team. These names are said to be – Cell giant Nokia (SRK is their brand ambassador and they are also his team’s sponsors), Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group and Sahara group. It can be recalled that the King Khan had purchased the Kolkata franchise for a whopping Rs. 300 crore last year.

Now if he sells it he can at least make a cool profit of Rs. 100-150 crore. The magazine further claims that earlier SRK was just interested in selling a part of its stake but all those whom he approached also wanted management control which lead him to the three names mentioned above to sell his entire shareholding.

SRK has been quiet unlucky in the last season as well as the present on going one where his team is dipping right to the bottom of the chart. So may be it is that or may be he has realized owning a cricket team is not as easy as owning a production house. -Sampurn Media

Mayawati is India's Most Stylish Neta

Mumbai: They are India's topmost politicians, but do they make the cut when it comes to fashion? MiD DAY fashion editor Shweta Shiware analyses the sartorial sense of our netas

Sonia Gandhi, Congress
She is the most dignified leader in the country when it comes to dressing. Almost complimenting her personal outlook to politics, her wardrobe isn't drenched in superficial sulk. Sonia understands the importance of subtle perfection: her hair is simply done, but never out of place, the understated handloom saris or Tassar churidar-kurtas are never without an absence of colour, and her shoes are classic peep-toe wedges.
Tip: It would be interesting to see her in something younger; maybe well-cut pencil pants worn under a knee-length tunic.


J Jayalalithaa, AIADMK
The one-time glam girl of south Indian cinema now shrouds herself in saris, sometimes shielded with a bullet-proof cape from the same fabric. The owner of 10,000 sarees and 750 pairs of shoes, as one raid at her residence revealed, tends to resort to dark monotones, which is smart considering her girth.
Tip: The occasional floral prints she sports needs to be put aside. When in doubt, wear black. Especially when you are 61 and overweight.



Narendra Modi, BJP
The man with a mission to corporatise brand India isn't averse to brands. Bulgari rimless glasses, Mont Blanc pens and designer flat-dial watches are constant companions, even when he's launching a verbal blitzkrieg against Sonia Gandhi's Italian lineage. In Gujarat, he has single-handedly rechristened his trademark half-sleeve cotton bush shirt as the Modi Kurta and his double-strapped flat, brown chappals as Modi Chappals.
Tip: His charisma overshadows the style glitches, but maybe Modi without the facial hair would be a surprise.

Omar Abdullah, National Conference
He's got age on his side, not to mention taste. So whether Omar dresses in a crisp blue shirt worn under a knit cardigan, a pinstripe shirt with a blazing red tie, a dressy sherwani or a well-fitted jacket, he looks dapper. It will be interesting to see him opt for the jeans-Polo shirt-Ray Ban Aviators avatar.
Tip: Can we get a hairstylist to rid him of that peak of hair that juts out like a peninsula into an ocean of baldness?


Raj Thackeray, MNS
The man who caused havoc for North Indians is surprisingly diminutive in stature. We love the spin he gives to a drab shirt when he contrasts it with a sleeveless sweater bearing a flash of colour and designer sunglasses.
Tip: While he needs the kurta to connect with the Marathi manoos, nothing stops him from adding an edge to draw in the youth by slipping on a pair of rugged denims underneath.

Priya Dutt, Congress
Priya's non-committal approach to everything conventional, including the outdated whites and sarees, asserts itself muscularly to make her a woman who isn't afraid of wearing pants to Parliament or sporting a chunky wrist watch at a political rally. She combines the traditional with modern when she teams a hand-block printed kurti in vivacious blue with denim and girly, floral slip-ons.
Tip: How about adding some designer jazz to ordinary kurtis, perhaps a Monisha Jaising kurti in glamorous chamois?


P Chidambaram, Congress
The comforting waft of filter kapi wafts into our living rooms whenever the home minister appears on TV. Whether he's presenting the budget or visiting heads of state abroad, he never ditches the mundu (lungi). His ethnicity has made him an unconventional style icon, even for lifestyle magazine editors like N Radhakrishnan, who revealed his desire to feature him on the cover of Man's World.
Tip: The saucer spectacles must go. A sleeker frame was in order a decade ago, Chidu.



L K Advani, BJP
The PM aspirant comes across as rigid as far as his wardrobe goes. He rarely deviates from the kurta-pyjama-Nehru jacket combo; the only change is the colour of the jacket beige, black or slate.
Tip: A quick way to alter his look would be to invest in a new pair of spectacle frames. The current ones are way too large. A slim, rimless pair would be classier.



Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD
He loves his khadi kurta-pyjama that he jazzes up with a Nehru jacket or a snug cardigan that accentuates his belly. On special occasions, he might want to try chic raw silk kurtas, Javed Akhtar style.
Tip: A trip to a salon, not the local hajaam, is in order. The excess and unruly hair on the head and ears needs to be taken care of. A crop that's styled with stronghold gel, swept to the side rather than falling in a tapeli-cut, should do the trick.


Varun Gandhi, BJP
While the Chinese-collared kurtas might be his way to blend with the experienced, he's alienating GenY.
Tip: Who sports a centre parting unless you are still reeling under the Tere Naam craze? A sleeker, buzzed haircut will make his face look less chubby.



Mayawati, BSP
The good thing is no matter how gawky she is, she's unique. The full-sleeved nylon salwar kameez, with a dupatta slung around her neck and heavy gold bangles rarely leave her. If she would only up the quality of the fabric (try Tassar silk or a handwoven cotton-silk blend) and ditch the bangles for a subtle, matte gold bracelet, or a pair of solitaires, she wouldn't look like she's trying too hard.
Tip: We're glad she cut the ponytail, but she needs to style her hair. The current top-heavy crop adds weight to her face.



Rahul Gandhi, Congress
Rahul's quiet charm provokes a flurry of naughty thoughts. His signature starched white kurta-pyjama is teamed with footwear that best suits the task at hand sneakers for the Olympian pace at rallies, loafers for Parliament, and platform sandals worn with jeans when he permits himself to socialise.
Tip: We've heard that a tediously worked-out six-pack lies beneath the kurta. Perhaps a linen shirt over worn-out denims will help us get closer to veracity.

SRK's Googly upsets Fans

Mumbai: Not a knight in shining armour for Bengalis, Shah Rukh Khan drops Kolkata from Kolkata Knight Riders. 'Will he call it Khan's Knight Riders next,' asks fan

Their IPL campaign has not yet kicked off, but the Kolkata Knight Riders have managed to kick up a storm with team owner Shah Rukh Khan's decision to take off Kolkata from the team's merchandise as well as company name.

Add to that the decision to remove Sourav Ganguly as captain of the team, and you have all the necessary ingredients to make the Bengali blood boil. Speaking to Sunday MiD DAY on Saturday, Joy Bhattacharya, the team director explained, "The only reason why Kolkata was removed from the T-shirt is because it was small and looked dirty.

"All our press releases say Kolkata Knight Riders. As a team we are known as Kolkata Knight Riders. Knight Riders is the company's name." Bhattacharya also stressed that it is an IPL rule to have the city name in the team.

When asked whether it was not a rule to have the full name on the T-shirts, he said, "No, there is no such rule."

Such explanations have not gone down well with angry Kolkatans. SRK had already invited the wrath of the city after Sourav's removal as captain.

Says Ivy Roy, head, Business Development, Maharashtra: "When every region or city has its identity clearly etched, why is Kolkata losing out? This team is representing Kolkata; the name is not Shah Rukh Khan's personal property. This is a regional contest, like the European League, where the regional name should have priority. If he has been influenced by some numerologist, let him change the latter part of the name."

On the matter of the numerologist, it's a story floated by Sanjay B Jumaani. Jumaani claims that Shah Rukh has taken heed of his quotes to the Kolkata-based publication, Anandabazar Patrika. In that, Jumaani had asked SRK to drop Kolkata and change Sourav's jersey number from 8 to 24.

Shah Rukh Khan explains his reasoning: "My team is still called Kolkata Knight Riders. My company which owns the team is called Knight Riders Private Ltd, because the company is not just about the team but will play a much bigger role. I am very proud of Kolkata and had decided to move to Kolkata for the entire duration of the IPL and travel everywhere with the team, before the venue was shifted to South Africa."

Others across the country are fuming nevertheless. Says merchant navy Captain Sanjoy Sen, who lives in Kolkata: "My friends and I are planning to boycott all SRK's films. After all, his talk of his dear Kolkata Knight Riders and all his public bonhomie with Dada, is this any way to behave? I am not a Sourav fan but I am a proud Bengali who hates the fact that India's most successful test captain is demoted and then the name of the city is wiped out."

Bangalorean Arundhati Ghosh however, is more amused than angry. The Deputy Director of Indian Foundation for Arts says, "I can understand owners trying to improve a team's performance by working on issues like fitness. But how will changing the name help the team? Shah Rukh Khan has destroyed the identity of the team.
The other teams (except Bangalore) have kept their names intact, though some of them also fared poorly last season. SRK should think about that."

Agrees Sanchali Chakraborty, senior manager of a market research firm in New Delhi: "SRK is messing about with the concept of IPL. After all the love he declared for Kolkata, is this is the best he can do?"

Restaurateur Anjan Chatterjee has another take on the matter. He says, "Shah Rukh Khan is a suave marketing guy who knows what he is doing. All this makes me wonder — is this all a publicity gimmick? His decision will result in protests in Kolkata, then maybe he will go there and apologise. The drama and controversy will draw more attention to his team. And then, who knows? Perhaps he will retract his decision and all will be well again? At least I fervently hope so."

Well, Kolkatans will certainly hope this is the case. But if Jumaani is to be believed, numerology is the key to everything, and the name will stay without Kolkata. For Sumanto Chattopadhyay, executive creative director, Ogilvy South Asia, this reasoning is all wrong. "IPL is all about city-based rivalry in a format unique to Indian sports. For Shah Rukh Khan to break that chain is really surprising. I want to know what made him do such a thing? If it has anything to do with numerology, then it is ridiculous," he says.

Kolkata-based homemaker Aloka Guha sums up the sentiment of Kolkatans and Bengalis around the country when she says, "Oh bad, SRK, very bad. Whatever will he do next call it Khan's Knight Riders?"

India Gets its first Female Indian Idol

After four years of its running, popular music reality show "Indian Idol" finally got its first female winner in the form of Sourabhee Debbarma (pictured left), who won the grand finale of the fourth season of the TV programme on Sunday (March 1) night.

Sourabhee, who hails from the India's north east, belted out popular numbers confidently and piped other finalists - Bengali girl Torsha Sarkar and army man Kapil Thapa. She walked away with a Rs.10 million contract with Sony TV and a car.

The result was based on public voting.

The special attractions of the event were Bollywood stars John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh, who had come to promote their forthcoming film "New York".

Others from the Indian film and music industry, including judges Javed Akhtar, Anu Malik, Kailash Kher and Sonali Bendre, too were present to cheer the finalists.

The 22-year-old winner is petite, charismatic and adds glamour to her stage performances with her perfect moves - a plus point she has had since the beginning of the show. However, the girl has had no professional training in music.

She recently met veteran Assamese composer Bhupen Hazarika who told her "my blessings are with you".