Friday, November 29, 2013

Neelofer’s “Man’s Desire for Fifth Wife” screened at 44th International Film Festival of India

When man desires something and gets it easily, he wants more of it. As William Shakespeare said, desire of having is the sin of covetousness that seems unending.

The Film “Man’s Desire for Fifth Wife” was selected for the 44th IFFI under the category of Cinema of the World (CW) and was screened in Goa on the 25th of November 2013.

The film “Man’s Desire for Fifth Wife” in Dari language of Afghanistan is in many ways an apt example of this. Produced under the banner of Altin Films, the film also poses several questions about male-dominated society and values set centuries earlier that continue to exist.

But more than anything else, this is notable because it is the first time that a film has been made in that region by a crew that was headed by a woman associate director.

This is a particularly important achievement since the film was made in the orthodox Taliban territory where a woman can be stoned to death if even an inch of her body becomes visible to anyone.

For Neelofer Shama who has until now been known for volumes of work for Doordarshan, this was no mean achievement, and she is grateful to the law enforcement authorities in that region that provided her full protection as she went about unhindered with her work.

The 90-minute film (sub-titled in English) has been produced by Sabruddin Rahmani, Murad Hamidi, and Farid Yarash, the film’s casting director was Sediq Abedi who was the story writer as well as the main star with Shakhnaza Jabirwa. The Associate Director was Neelofer Shama while the cinematographer was Ramesh Nath. The background music of the film has been composed by Ravindra Jain, while the production design was by Sanjay Bhan. The costume designers were Hayatullah Alamyar and Emam Berdihof. The editing of the film was done in N S Studio in Delhi while the film was processed at Adlabs and sound was handled on Dolby 7.5 by Empire Studio.

Neelofer says she and her crew had been invited to Tajikistan to make five documentaries there. During this visit, she met the Afghan producer who invited her to shoot a feature film in Afghanistan.

Thus “A Man’s Desire for Fifth Wife” has become the first production after India’s independence to have been made by private filmmakers from both countries.

Along with a nine-member crew, Neelofer shot the film in 42 days in Fariyab which is Taliban territory. She is grateful to producer Sabruddin Rahmani who provided the security personnel so that she could shoot without any fear.

Since local traditions do not allow young women to act, most of the ten women in the film are from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and only aged women are from Afghanistan, Neelofer revealed, adding that the main actress was from Afghanistan but emigrated from the country after the film was completed. The crew also had artistes from Russia and Canada. She also said she could see many local women watching her enviously from a distance
The film has already been screened to a full house at the Boston International Film Festival in April this year.
She is also overwhelmed by the reception the film received at a press meet in Kabul in the presence of General Latif who heads the film department in Afghanistan.

The story of the film based in a village in north Afghanistan revolves around the centuries-old culture which allows a man to have up to four wives. But the twist comes when a man wants to get married for the fifth time and attempts to force a young woman who loves someone else to marry him. The climax comes in a match of the traditional wrestling match "Buzkashi or Oghlak" using thousands of horses.


Encouraged by the love she received from Afghans, Neelofer hopes this will lead to more Indo-Afghan collaborations.

Neelofer Shama has distinguished herself in the world of films and television with an unusually large bouquet of trailblazing serials and documentaries. Starting as early as in 1987, she was one of the pioneers among Independent television producers who shone on the horizon of audio-visual media via Doordarshan.
During her creative journey as director and producer spanning over a period of more than two decades now, she received many laurels and accolades nationally as well internationally. Her documentaries on countries like Tajikistan and Afghanistan with an in-depth analysis of economy, culture and lifestyle of these countries have received great critical acclaim.

She began her career as television producer in 1987 with the making of a documentary film on the unusual historical subject of “Harwan excavations and Avantisvara temple”. Soon after, she made a 90-minute telefilm, “Haadsa (The Accident)”.


She has made over 100 episodes of different creative works for Doordarshan, All India Radio, various Central Ministries, Indira Gandhi National Open University, advertising agencies, and so on, besides making works based on novels by renowned award-winning authors like Amrita Pritam, Indira Goswami and Kartar Singh Duggal.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

8th Edition of Biennial Children’s Festival Bal Sangam concludes at Delhi

This year despite the ongoing yearly IITF and the preparations for the Delhi Assembly Elections, the 8th edition of the biennial Children’s Festival Bal Sangam has seen huge success both in form of participation and audience. It has had probably the highest participation by actors and audience who have showered their charm and enthusiasm at the 8th Bal Sangam.

A huge number of children along with their parents from all walks of life have been flocking the NSD Campus at Mandi House in the Capital which has been transformed into a very rural mela-like ambience. This is reminiscent of other engagements by the NSD, like the Bharat Rang Mahotsav in the recent years. What has been really heartwarming is to note the fact that this year not only children from the well-heeled are enjoying the flavor of the festival but also lesser privileged and specially-abled children getting special attention by Theatre in Education Co and NSD.

On the concluding day of Bal Sangam, NSD has scheduled a Concluding Ceremony at the NSD Campus at 6:00 PM where Shri Pramod Kumar Jain, Joint secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govt of India; Prof. Waman Kendre, Director, NSD and TIE Co Chief, Shri Abdul Latif Khatana; and over 400 under privilege children will witness a Theater Performance by Children of Ankiya Bhaona, Prayas, Nagaon, Assam.

The underprivileged children who were part of the audience were from  Nai Disha, Bal Sahyog, Manzil, Kalyaan Ashram, Jamghat, Srishity, Sakshi, Butterflyes, Addhyan, Mobile Crouch, World Vision India, Blind School, Institute of Rehabilitation, Institute of Mentally Handicapped and Tenderfeet Nursery School.
This year as a special initiative by the T.I.E Co, NSD, Bal Sangam- 2013 reached out to these specially-abled and under privileged children. For this NSD received active participation from various schools and NGO’s.  With this initiative the NSD intended to inspire and include these specially-abled children and create a mass movement by encouraging their participation for the next year’s event.

Focusing education of children, Sanskaar Rang Toli (T.I.E Co) this time held special performances in the morning session with various schools who had tied up with NSD. The students also had discussion sessions with artists who are experts of the art form presented and attend various workshops organized during the day.


With special focus on North East Region, Bal Sangam 2013 brought the unexplored talents and for many un-witnessed traditional performing arts by children from this region. It took six months of hardwork in finding these 11 traditional folk performers (child artist groups) from all over the North East by T.I.E. Co. The artists are not trained or taught; rather they have inherited from their families who still practice these performing arts which are now on the verge of extinction.

Las Vegas Sands and David Beckham Announce Asian Partnership

Global integrated resort developer Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) and Beckham Ventures recwntly announced a partnership which will see one of the world’s most iconic men, David Beckham, join forces with LVS’s powerful integrated resort properties in Macao and Singapore.

As outlined at a press conference held in Macao, the partnership, which unites one of Asia’s most dynamic businesses with a global star that enjoys unrivalled popularity across the region, will be based around the development of dining, retail and leisure concepts at Sands China Ltd. properties in Macao and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

“We have billions of dollars invested in our own global, iconic brands and we clearly understand the importance of growing and sustaining those brands over time. The odds are extremely high that a partnership with David Beckham will help us further those efforts and provide David with the same benefit,” said Michael Leven, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. “We are very excited about the partnership and we fully expect it to grow in the years to come, especially as we aggressively explore opportunities to further expand our presence in Asia.”

David Beckham commented, “The Sands team has created amazing resorts in Singapore and Macau. The scale, vision and caliber in all that they do is impressive. I am very excited to be working with them to develop a range of new business ideas in a part of the world that I love spending time in and is full of optimism and growth.”
“Here in Macao, Sands China has worked to not only transform the tourism industry by providing a diverse set of entertainment offerings, but also by seeking out active engagement with renowned brands and providing a unique experience to the people in and around this area of the world when they visit Cotai Strip Resorts Macao,” explained Edward Tracy, president and chief executive officer of Sands China Ltd. “David Beckham’s well-known personal values and his endeavors in both business development and community outreach make a perfect match for our two brands to come together in a way which is sure to positively impact the Asian market.”


“We’ve been fortunate enough to have David partner with us recently at Marina Bay Sands and the energy and enthusiasm his presence provides is captivating. He was involved in our very successful Sands for Singapore community festival and his participation was inspiring to the young people he met with as well as the local charities which benefitted from his generosity. We greatly look forward to further promoting our partnership with David in a variety of exciting and creative ways at Marina Bay Sands,” stated George Tanasijevich, the property’s president and chief executive officer.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Deepika Padukone reveals her sporty side on Breakfast to Dinner

This week on UTV Stars' Breakfast to Dinner, Bollywood beauty, Deepika Padukone is set to introduce her real self to the fans and viewers and take them all on a day's journey into her behind-the-cameras life. On the show, Deepika opens up about beating her co-stars in badminton matches, keeping liars away and how she curbs her food craving. The actress also reveals the secret being her famous geeky look and walks down the memory lane when her first film released.

While Deepika may not have persuaded Badminton as her career, the former champion still has the skills. The actress starts her day by showing off some court moves on the show. While she is at it, Deepika reveals that she has often been challenged for one-on-one games by none other than her co-actors. Further adding, Deepika says, "They all challenge me but of course, they lose." Soon, it's time for the diva to travel to her next destination. Swiftly shifting gears of her brand new ride, the road leads her to down the memory lane. Deepika stops at the spot where her first ever hoarding was placed. With a hint of regret in her voice, the actress says, "I wish I had clicked the picture of my first hoarding."
As Deepika continues her journey, Breakfast to Dinner takes a little peek into her bag. If you think dieting is the secret behind her fit figure, then here's a disclosure about Deepika's eating habits during her busy schedule. She says, "I carry biscuits for my hunger pangs." As Deepika reaches the destination, handsome hunk, Ranveer Singh joins the actress and the two spill the beans about the behind the scenes of their most awaited film.

amfAR holds inaugural India Gala hosted by Sharon Stone, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan

Some of the most distinguished figures in Indian society joined Sharon Stone, Hilary Swank, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, and Cyrus Poonawalla, Ph.D., last night at the inaugural amfAR India gala in support of amfAR’s innovative AIDS research programs.

The black-tie event, held at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, featured a cocktail reception, dinner, and a gold-themed fashion show displaying exclusive looks by Rohit Bal, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla, and Tarun Tahiliani with jewels by Azva, Tarun Tahiliani for Azva, Symetree, and Amrapali. The evening concluded with a high-energy performance by pop sensation Ke$ha, whose songs including her hits “Animal,” “We R Who We R,” and “Tik Tok,” had guests dancing into the night.

amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost invited actress and producer Hilary Swank to the stage at the exclusive event. Ms. Swank gave opening remarks and introduced amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, who spoke about amfAR’s global HIV/AIDS initiatives and the important role of research in ending the epidemic. Bollywood luminaries Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also addressed the more than 300 guests in attendance. In a highlight of the evening, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Sharon Stone took the stage and made an impassioned call to action to the many business and cultural heavyweights in the room, saying “There isn’t a family who has not been touched by AIDS.”

Other notable guests included Neeta Ambani, Anuj Gupta, Rocky Malhotra, Venugopal Dhoot, Vikram Chatwal, Lisa Haydon, Dimple Kapadia, Parmeshwar Godrej, Nargis Fakhri, Sonal Chauhan, Torquhil Campbell, Duke of Argyll, Dino Morea, and Nandita Mahtani, among many others.

amfAR India was made possible by Presenting Sponsor Cyrus Poonawalla, Signature Sponsors LoveGold and Delta Air Lines, Automotive Partner BMW, and Partner Chivas.

Monday, November 18, 2013

ZEN forays into the Full High Definition family with 'AMAZE'

ZEN mobiles recently launched its latest Ultrafone AMAZE 701 FHD through a first ever social launch for a phone. Ultrafone AMAZE 701 FHD is powered by 1.5 GHz quad core turbo processor and the latest Android OS 4.2 Jelly Bean at an aggressive price of Rs.17,999/- The Ultrafone AMAZE 701 FHD also boasts of an 8 MP front camera and 13 MP rear camera.

The smartphone market is booming and makers are innovating with each product; every passing day to cater to the evolving taste and preferences of the customers. It has become imperative for every maker to introduce the best of their products. Keeping pace with the industry, Indian smartphone maker Zen Mobile (Teleecare Group), one of the top ten mobile brands in India, today added a Full High Definition (FHD) Smartphone to the family of its Aspirational Ultrafone series titled 'Amaze'. The handset pushes the limits of the aspirational smartfone with its unique technology, content, design and high quality and an impressive and innovative user interface.

Ultrafone AMAZE 701 FHD has been launched at a hugely competitive introductory price of Rs. 17,999/- and comes with the latest version of Android i.e. 4.2 Jelly Bean Operating System. With an ultimate display quality, the Ultrafone AMAZE 701 FHD sports a 5-inch full HD 1080p display and boasts of Gorilla Glass 2 which is engineered to provide a combination of thinness, lightness with damage resistance properties that are industry defining features for its unique segment.

Designed for faster browsing, the 3G enabled Ultrafone AMAZE 701 FHD is powered by a 1.5 GHz Quad-core Turbo processor. With (5") IPS capacitive screen with in plane switching for better viewing angles and visibility makes the running picture clearer. With OGS (one glass solution) display, 8MP front, 13 MP rear camera with high intensity flash, ZEN is already bringing the best of technology and design across a range of premium smartphones.The 8 MP front camera is a very unique feature and cannot be found in most handset across brands.

The Ultrafonewill give users speed, power and revolutionary technology. The magnesium frame of the phone makes the phonelighter, stronger and more durable. The phone with battery weighs only 140 gms which is one of the lightest in the category. The device offers powerful Web browsing capabilities and long-lasting battery life (2050 mAh)allowing customers to browse the Web and watch videos without worrying about draining their device's battery.

Keeping in mind the requirements of today's society, this new Ultrafone comes with 1 GB RAM for your storage needs.It also comes with a 16 GB ROM on board expandable up to 64 GB.

Aside from its size, the handset brings other big changes, including 4 Way Panorama view, accelerometer and G- Sensor for better gaming experiences and tilt view, Proximity Sensors which help to display on/off while on a call, a magnetometer and ambient light sensors.
The phone also comes with a unique smart cover which enables user to use features such as
1.SmartCalling: Accept or Reject incoming calls without opening your smart cover,
2.Smart missed notifications: Get notified of your missed message and call events without opening your smart cover,
3.Smart other notification: It can display the clock,date time and display and other status icon like battery ,network,wifi, Bluetooth etc. Zen also offers three screen protectors for the phone.

The smartphone supports all the popular connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, A-GPS and also features a micro USB port.

Announcing the launch, Mr. Deepesh Gupta, Managing Director Zen Mobile, said, "We strive to improve communications quality for mobile phone users with our innovative products. With the Zen Ultrafone 701 FHD, we continue with our promise to bring something aspirational to this very competitive segment of smartphone market of our country. We take pride in bringing pioneering technologiesto the mobile users of today, which is in line with transforming their constantly evolving mobile experience. Our motive is to make every Indian a part of the mobile revolution with innovative, stylish and feature rich phones. For anyone who wants to be creative, expressive and unique, Amaze is the ideal device available at the most affordable price".


ZEN Mobile's innovative offering will appeal to both individual and business customers who desire a data rich experience. This offering reiterates ZEN's efforts at providing great value for money for customers.

NSD reaches out to the lesser privileged children in their 8th Bal Sangam

The charm and the enthusiasm for children at the 8th Bal Sangam has already gathered pace and children along with their parents from all walks of life are flocking the NSD Campus at Mandi House in the Capital. This is reminiscent of other engagements by the NSD in the recent years, but what is really heartwarming to note is the fact that this year not only children from the well-heeled are enjoying the flavor of the festival but also lesser privileged and specially-abled children are getting special attention by Theatre in Education Co and NSD.

As a special initiative by the T.I.E Co, NSD, Bal Sangam- 2013 has reached out to these specially-abled and under privileged children. For this NSD has received active participation from School’s like Blind School Amar colony, Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Anchal Special School NDMC and Gyanshakti Vidyalaya. With this initiative NSD intends to inspire and include the specially-abled children and create a mass movement by encouraging their participation for the next year’s event.

 Waman Kendre, NSD, Director said “This year by including the specially-abled children we are looking forward to their participation in the next year’s festival. We want to educate, entertain and initiate folk art and traditional theatre’s knowledge with them. We would further want to give them a platform in the near future and see them performing and entertaining us.”

 Focusing education of children, Sanskaar Rang Toli (T.I.E Co) this time is holding special performances in the morning session with various schools who has tied up with NSD. The students will also have discussion sessions with artists who are experts of the art form presented and attend various workshops organized during the day.
 With special focus on North East Region, Bal Sangam 2013 brings the unexplored talents and for many un-witnessed traditional performing arts by children from this region. It took six months of hardwork in finding these 11 traditional folk performers (child artist groups) from all over the North East by T.I.E. Co. The artists are not trained or taught; rather they have inherited from their families who still practice these performing arts which are now on the verge of extinction.


The fanfare and hubbub of Bal Sangam 2013 started from 14th November and will continue till 20th November, 2013 at the New Delhi Campus of NSD at Bhagwandas Road. Timing 4:00PM to 8:00PM from 14th to 17th November and 6:00PM to 8:00PM from 18th to 20th November.

Neha Dhupia and Chitrangada Singh walked the ramp for ROCKY S& JJ Valaya in GURGAON at BPFT

Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia stunned the ramp in an enigmatic creation by Rocky S, when she walked the ramp as a showstopper for him during the first day of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour at Gurgaon. Another highlight of the show was showcase of ace designer JJ Valaya’s ‘Maharaja of Madrid’ creation with Chitrangada Singh as the Showstopper.

After a grand preview in Mumbai that took place on September 17, the eagerly awaited fashion extravaganza kick started in Chandigarh which was soon followed by Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata now turns to Gurgaon over the weekend, featuring Rocky S& JJ Valaya on day 1 of BPFT. 

The splendor and characteristic clandestinely of the medieval ages made a comeback in the Rocky Star collection. Neha Dhupia was the showstopper for Rocky S. Showcasing a highly opulent red carpet collection,Rocky S brings glamour, style, music and fashion together. The enigma and secrecy of the dark holds a certain allure. And this subtle affluence comes forward through the beadwork and the sequins, through the exaggerated textures and layers of fabric. Rocky’s clothes are vintage in their own way. They embody a blend of old eras and new times. The colour black is reborn in every possible way, such that each contour, shade, hue and texture of it creates a genesis. This is an out and out collection with a lot of shine. The extravagance and gorgeous delineations of femininity that reflect the seduction of the Middle Ages steps out of the shadows and unfolds a new hold on style.


JJ Valaya weaved Indian sensibilities with rare and diverging Spanish influences in his collection. Bollywood Actress Chitrangda Singh walked the ramp as show stopper for JJ Valaya. It is a new season and with each new one comes a different influence, some whimsical and more distinct than the last. A medley of Spanish beauty, Indian epitome, royal cadences and life itself; all have found their way into JJ Valaya’s ‘Maharaja of Madrid’. The collection sees fashion doing what it does best; ‘make beautiful clothes. It also gets us front row seats to that ‘awe and awww’ moment, those little gasps of delight that only a JJ Valaya line brings forth.

“Beautiful has two forms,” elucidates JJ Valaya. “It can be mundanely beautiful or interestingly beautiful. Designs can be ordinarily pretty or slightly quirky. I am a lost royal. I’m sure I was one in my last birth. And thus this whole streak of monarchy never leaves my collections. My current line is a story of an Indian Maharaja who goes to Spain and, the little things he picks up from his journey is what comes together in this collection.”

The 9th edition of Seagram’s Blenders Pride Fashion Tour brings back panache and glamour with leading names from the fashion industry to make the world a stylish place. The designers featuring this season at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour are Falguni & Shane Peacock, Gaviin Miguel, JJ Valaya, Neeta Lulla, Pankaj & Nidhi, Rocky S, Suneet Varma, Tarun Tahiliani, Vikram Phadnis and Wendell Rodricks.

Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2013 commenced in Chandigarh on September 28th and will conclude on November 24th in Mumbai, an exciting 60 day journey. From Chandigarh to Mumbai, 6 cities play host to the work of 10 masters of the craft, and their spectacular creations, at what is acknowledged as the benchmark for the Indian fashion calendar. Speaking on the tour, Raja Banerji, General Manager - Marketing, Pernod Ricard India said, “Fashion and trends are ever evolving and it’s a challenge to curate the best new work, but we thrive on it. The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour experience across six cities is differentiated and a permanent marker for style in the Indian calendar, and we will deliver on expectations again in its ninth edition in 2013”.

Seagram’s Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2013, launched the keenly awaited television, digital and print campaign featuring stunning Singer-Actor-Performer, Priyanka Chopra. Shot in the Big Apple by ace lens man and director Bharat Sikka, Priyanka as brand ambassador for Blenders Pride Fashion Tour is seen casting her spell on New Yorkers in a stylish black and white campaign so definitively Blenders Pride.


The Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2013 is executed by talent that is world class- Alison Kanuga for choreography, Ambika Pillai for hair & makeup and only the finest runway models.

Karishma Kapoor and Aditi Gowitrikar launches Libero baby care and Tempo tissue products in India with SCA

SCA – a leading global hygiene and forest products company launched its first two consumer brands - Libero and Tempo from the hands of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor and model Aditi Gowitrikar.

On the occasion of the launch, Cecilia Edebo - Vice President Consumer Goods SCA India commented, “Our aim is to establish SCA as the preferred supplier of personal hygiene products in India. We see an opportunity to use our knowledge about hygiene and the needs of Indian consumers to provide a product offering that helps our consumers achieve a healthier and more comfortable lifestyle.”


Combining global experience and best practices with local insights into Indian consumer needs SCA has developed a unique portfolio of Libero products for India Libero is the first baby care brand on the Indian market which offers the full range of baby diapers and toiletries. The Libero baby care range comes with skin-friendly natural ingredients which are good for a baby’s healthy skin, which is a key concerns of mothers in India.

“The child mortality rate in India is much higher than some of the underdeveloped countries due to inadequate precautions taken in handling young infants. By sharing the knowledge of mother and baby care that SCA has acquired, combined with offering of premium quality products from brands like Libero could go a long way in reducing the same to some extend”, said Aditi Gowitrikar.

Bringing its global good practices to India, SCA will provide training to nurses and doctors at hospitals and clinics with the objective of improving the lives of mothers and babies. Information on the Libero web, mobile applications and a parenting booklet will capture the attention of the pregnant mother at an early stage.

Tempo will be available in the form of box tissue, pocket handkerchiefs, wet wipes, and hand sanitisers for hand and face hygiene. With the tissue market in India being at a very nascent stage SCA has the ambition to shape and lead the Indian tissue market by combining premium quality Tempo tissue products with insights into local Indian food culture.

“Indians love to eat food with their hands, which is a compelling reason for all of us to opt for tissue papers, wet wipes and hand sanitizers. Tempo being a global brand of repute is an ideal fit for any Indian who loves cherishing every morsel by using his hands, said Karishma Kapoor.

Milind Pingle, Managing Director SCA India comments: “SCA is a leading global hygiene products company. Given India’s large population and the low penetration of hygiene products, we see a great opportunity to build a local hygiene business. Combining our strong product offerings and brands with our experience and knowledge about hygiene will benefit both India and SCA.”

SCA is one of the world’s largest players in the baby diaper segment, with a no 2 position in Europe. Further, SCA is also the world’s 2nd largest supplier of consumer tissue products. In September, SCA announced its plans to set up a manufacturing facility for hygiene products with an investment of about SEK 150 million (around Rs 145 crore) in India. The facility is expected to commence production in 2015.


SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company. The Group develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products. Sales are conducted in about 100 countries under many strong brands, including the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and regional brands, such as Lotus, Libresse, Tempo and Libero. As Europe’s largest private forest owner, SCA places considerable emphasis on sustainable forest management. The Group has about 36,000 employees and sales in 2012 amounted to SEK 85bn (EUR 9.8bn). SCA was founded in 1929, has its headquarters.

Myshopbazzar.com Ms. India & Mr. India 2013, crowned amidst glamour and glitter in the capital

At a grand and glittering show Ms. Deepshikha Verma from Dehradun and Mr. Amit Singh from New Delhi were crowned as Myshopbazzar.com Ms. India & Mr. India 2013 this evening at the capital. Mr. Sagar Shah from Vadodara & Ms. Shikha Sharma from Chandigarh was declared as the first runner up and Mr. Manish Mehta from Delhi & Ms. Esha Tewari Pandey from Noida were declared as the second runner up.

The winners of subtitles are as follows:
Ms. Talented (Male & Female): Mr. Ankit Verma & Ms. Vidhi Sachdev
Ms. Photogenic (Male & Female): Mr. Rajat Pal & Ms. Shweta Pal
Ms. Popular (Male & Female): Mr. Manjunatha Reddy G & Ms. Payal Singh
Best Model (Male & Female): Mr. Manish Dadheech & Ms. Savita Singh
Best Walk (Male & Female): Mr. Dr Kuldeep Sharma & Ms. Radha Bhatt
Beautiful Eyes (Female): Ms. Asha Fred
Best Physique (Male): Mr. Parvez Magray
Best Smile (Male & Female): Mr. Vishwash sharma & Ms. Sonali Verma.

The mesmerizing evening was filled with well known celebrities from various walks of life.

Myshopbazzar.com, apart from being one of India's fastest growing online shopping portals has also been actively involved in creating awareness about social and environmental issues critical for modern India. As a responsible corporate organization, we have undertaken issues like Save the Girl Child, Save Electricity, Go Green and Save Water as our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Eminent jury and brand ambassadors for the beauty pageant included Mr. Shakti Anand, a famous TV actor who has worked in famous TV serials, Sudeepa Singh an Indian model and actress, Actress Nisha Kothari, TV Anchor Yogita Singh, TV and Bollywood Actor Amar Upadhyay, Akhil Kumar-Indian Boxer and Arjuna Awardee, Fashion Designer- Shravan Kumar Ramaswamy.

The grand finale was choreographed by Fashion Choreographer Shie Lobo.

The contest consisted of six stages. The first three stages consisted of objective type questionnaires on topics like Current Affairs, Hollywood & Indian Film industry, IQ assessment. The contestants answered these questionnaires on myshopbazzar.com website.

In the fourth stage, the participants submitted their two minute videos where they said something about themselves. On the basis of that, 50 contestants were shortlisted from all over the India. Those shortlisted 50 candidates were moved on to the penultimate 5th stage which consisted of a subjective type questionnaire where 5 questions on different topics were put to the contestants and they were required to provide answers in 500 words. In the last screening stage, 10 candidates for Ms. India title and 10 candidates for Mr. India title were shortlisted based on the points that each candidate scored. Ten candidates for Ms. India title and ten candidates for Mr. India title were shortlisted for today's main grand finale from all over the country.
Mr. Manoranjan Mohanty, CMD of Myshopbazzar.com said, "It is our sincere endeavor from Myshopbazzar.com to create a platform for the youth of the country and we expect all our participants and finalists to spread our CSR activities, i.e., Save the Girl Child, Save Electricity, Go Green (Save Plants, Save Earth) & Save Water."

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Myshopbazzar.com works for the cause of Save the Girl Child, Save Electricity, Go Green (Save Plants, Save Earth) & Save Water in a move towards sustainable development of the country. This contest is a step towards creating awareness about these issues.
Mr. Shakti Anand added, "It's been a tough job to select the winners from such a talented group of contestants .In today's world one can succeed in life only if one has strong and powerful personality physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. This contest was an attempt to find a male and a female with such a wholesome personality."

The event was followed up by various fillers including stand-up comedy from famous comedian Mr. Sunil Sawara, dance performance by famous dance troop Doon Fashion Zone and singing performance from Asees Kaur, Runner up of Indian Idol 6.

Amar Upadhyay said, "I would like to personally thank Myshopbazzar.com to provide me the opportunity to be a jury member for such a wonderful beauty contest. The enthusiasm and competitive spirit seen among the contestants was truly inspiring."

Sudeepaa Singh added, "An online beauty contest like Myshopbazzar.com Ms. India & Mr. India has really created waves among the youth in the country. The response has been overwhelming for which the credit must go to Myshopbazzar.com. The social causes with which myshopbazzar.com is associated with and would like to propagate further have added to the importance of a beauty pageant like this to a great extent."


Nisha Kothari said, "I heartily congratulate all the winners as well as finalists of Myshopbazzar.com Ms. India & Mr. India 2013 contest. I'm feeling excited to be a part of this beauty pageant"

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Katrina Kaif showcases Raga Pearls in its latest television commercial

Eyes meeting across the room and a charming welcoming smile are what lead to a memorable encounter in the latest commercial from Titan Raga. The latest campaign pays homage to a woman who soaks in life, lives every moment to its fullest and lets the magic and romance of the world etch her path. In this portrayal, the Raga woman takes a journey that unexpectedly opens doors to self-discovery and the joy of surrendering to the moment. Echoing the ethos of brand Raga and the new Pearls collection, this TVC embodies all the values of grace, femininity and sensuality. These values make their way into its exquisite timepieces and reflect in its communication. Reasoning with this, the brand has evolved from being associated with special occasions to one that celebrates all the special moments in a woman's life.

Set on a moving train, the commercial opens with Katrina locking eyes with a stranger who draws her in. She playfully shares a memorable encounter with this handsome stranger as they communicate in languages that neither of them understand, over a simple cup of tea. After a delightful conversation, and as her male acquaintance is bidding her goodbye, Katrina says she has no words to express this moment - after which she dwells on this special memory while clutching on to her Raga Perola watch. More than just a flirtation encounter, a memory is created that echoes in the brand's celebration of 'Ek khubsurat rishta'.

Speaking about this unique TVC, Mr. Rajan Amba, Global Marketing and Product Head, Titan Company Ltd. said, "Brand Raga stands as a tribute to the beauty and sensuality of Indian women. This new commercial through an alluring story is an attempt to recreate every woman's dream of a romantic encounter with a handsome stranger and explore a new dimension of relationships. The Raga Pearls watch in this film is a symbol of the precious moments a woman experiences in her relationships."

Joono Simon, Executive Creative Director , Ogilvy South shared his views on the commercial, "Everyone dreams of a chance encounter with an attractive, nameless stranger on a journey. The creative potential of this alluring fantasy has been explored brilliantly by movies and literature many a time. In the new commercial for Raga, we are trying to explore this accidental rendezvous between two absolute strangers. It celebrates the sensuous and spontaneous spirit of a woman and her Raga".

Delicate craftsmanship and the classiness of pearls come together to form the Raga Pearls collection. In a beautiful harmony, alluring designs and cultured pearls comes together to create jewellery, in the form of classic watches, for moments to cherish.

Faisal Khan plays the perfect Ghost


An unlikely visitor has been keeping the cast and crew of Maharana Pratap up for nights. The three ranis on the show have been experiencing some supernatural occurrences that has scared them all. Now before you let your imaginations run wild, here's the complete story.


The sets of Maharana Pratap is located on the border of Mumbai and Gujarat, in a place called Talashree. The cast and crew have their accommodation set up near the set to save on time. Lately, the three ranis have been hearing voices and footsteps of someone walking in the corridors. The sound of 'payal' has scared everyone the most. But here comes the twist. The naughty Faisal Khan is the person who's behind all this. Faisal's room is situated in between the ranis rooms. At night he sneaks out and plays the perfect ghost making chill run down everyone's spine.

YuppTV brings Sony and Colors to European homes

In its endeavor to provide TV viewers in Europe, UK, Australia and New Zealand with their favorite Indian TV soaps and serials, YuppTV at its Hyderabad offices recently announced the launch of Sony and Colors TV channels in UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Now, people in Europe will no longer be deprived of their favorite soaps and serials. The two channels will be available in Hindi. With this move, YuppTV has now become a giant OTT player, delivering more than 150 Indian television channels worldwide. Yupp TV makes a variety of channels available in languages like Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bhojpuri and Assamese to its viewers.

"Demand for Indian television has always been high in Europe, UK, Australia and New Zealand. With many NRIs in these countries, especially in the UK, it was only natural for us to further explore the market. We are confident that TV viewers in these regions will be happy to view channels like Sony and Colors in the comforts of their homes," said Mr. Uday Reddy, CEO of YuppTV.

YuppTV provides the viewer with the option of recording his favorite serial and then watching it during his free time. YuppTV is available through multiple Internet enabled devices like PC (Mac/Windows), Samsung/LG/SONY/Panasonic Smart TVs and Smart Blu-ray players, Google TV, Boxee, Netgear, Western Digital, YuppTV Dongle, iPhone, iPad, Android Smart Phones and Tablets, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows7 Phones/tablets and many more. The owner does not have to invest in more than one YuppTV connection.


YuppTV gives an individual access to a variety of channels. With Sony and Colors in the YuppTV bouquet, one can have access to Set Max, SABTV and a host of other channels. YuppTV has an envious collection of 600+ HD Bollywood and regional movies.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

FDCI announces dates for Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2014 and Spring-Summer 2015


The Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), the apex body of fashion, in India, announced the dates for the 23rd edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2014 and 24th edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring- Summer 2015 to be held between 26-30 March, 2014 and 8-12 October 2014, respectively. The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2014 will be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

WIFW, a bi-annual event organised by the FDCI has grown both in popularity and participation over the years. The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week is also seen as a springboard by upcoming designers, who get an opportunity to showcase their designs to a discerning audience.

Talking about the new season of WIFW, Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said,“We are delighted to announce the dates for the upcoming seasons of WIFW, as we weave together a coveted list of talented designers, who will showcase their creativity on this prestigious platform.”

Friday, November 15, 2013

Graduate Fashion Show- GABA 2013 By Arch Academy of Design

As a Custom to provide Thrust to the young Fashion Designers with an aim to give global platform to them, Arch Academy of Design organized its Annual Graduating Fashion Show on 18th October 2013. Eminent People from all walk of industry witnessed the Fashion Collection by the Novel Designers of Arch Academy Of fashion. Fashion Show was held at Hotel Diggi Palace, Jaipur.

GABA: This is a successful Annual attempt by Arch Academy Of fashion to boost the inner confidence of its young designers. This is an event which bridges the gap between young designers and eminent fashion professionals. The research, work and final product of the Students received criticism by the fashion Professionals.

GABA fashion show was choreographed by Mr. Pranav Hamal a known face in the world of Fashion Choreography who has also choreographed in Lakme Fashion Week with Ms Anchal Kumar as its showstopper.

There were a selected graduating Fashion student Of Arch Academy of Design who participated and showcased their work & source of inspiration. Students has drawn their insight from various culture, practices & traditions like Art Decothat, Pointillism, Adda Work, Tribal Banjara Community, Illusion, Dadaism, Kamasutra etc. which they researched and implemented in their work.

Aruna : Her collections were inspired by Art Decothat which is an artistic and eclectic style Combining traditional craft motifs characterized by rich color with bold geometric shapes.

Anita: Her collections were inspired by Western Art Movement called POINTILLISM in which painting was created using tiny small dots. For the representation of the same she used Rajasthan's Famous ADDA Work.

NEHA GUPTA: Inspired from Gothic Art Movement she has based her collections on the tragic Rajasthani wailing mourners combining both Gothic and Rajasthan elements together.

TANISHA: she calls her collection as an inspirational product of Tribal Punk, Banjara community that originated in 1970 .Designed for the youngsters carrying a rebellious attitude towards traditional society and unemployment.

NAGENDRA GUPTA: His inspirational theme was based on ILLUSION that exists to fool the eye of a viewer. His collections included Rajasthani bright colors and patch work of Rajasthan.

Rajat Vishwakarma: took eroticism as his art moment & he related it with the Indian Context by keeping Kamasutra as his inspiration. He tried showing Lifestyle of Hijra Community.

NEHA RANJAN: Her inspiration was based on Dadaism that was a western art movement started in Zurich in late 1970s. Also, in her collection she poured spotlight on the ongoing violence against Women and the challenges she faces be it emotional, physical or mental.