India Wins Again

India wins it again over Bangladesh... previously winning the toss Bangladesh decided to bat first. Tamim Iqbal scored a half century. Alok Kapali celebrated his lucky inclusion in the team by smashing a century to take Bangladesh to 283 for six.

Kapali's 115 from 96 balls and his record sixth wicket stand of 112 with Mahmudullah (26 not out) took Bangladesh past their previous highest total against India of 257-9, made in 2004

Kapali, only in the squad because of an injury to batsman Aftab Ahmed, came in with his team on 120 for four in 24 overs.

He reached his sixth fifty in the 43rd over by hitting Yusuf Pathan for two sixes and in the next over savaged Manpreet Gony who went for two successive sixes, conceding 19 in the over.

Kapali's shot-making saw 97 runs come in the final 10 overs before he fell on the penultimate ball, caught by debutant Pragyan Ojha off Gony after hitting a total of 10 fours and five sixes.

His innings overshadowed 55 from opener Tamim Iqbal who struck seven fours after being dropped on 11.

Ojha, who finished with 2 for 43, took the wickets of Raquibul Hasan (25) and Mushfiqur Rahim (22).

Later the Indian innings was started by Gautham Gambhir and Robin Uthappa. Robin Uthappa disappointed with scoring just 2 runs. Rohith Sharma scored 22 runs before he was caught out. Until then it looked like Bangladesh is gaining control over the match and then came in Suresh Raina. Suresh Raina with Gautham Gambhir put up a good partnership which gave India 139 runs on the board. Suresh Raina scored his ton and was unbeaten at 116. After Gautham was dismissed Yuvraj singh came in just to see that everything is finished properly. Yuvraj singh scored 36 runs of 35 deliveries. Suresh Raina was awarded the man of the match award. Its remarkable that S Raina won the Man of the Match Award in the Last league match against Pakistan...

Real estate developers bet on eco-friendly buildings to woo buyers

The company has also signed an MoU with CII to train their architects and engineers in green technology, as there is a “dearth of green staff in India,” he adds. M Selvarasu, GM-Projects at RMZ, estimates the payback to be 7-8 years for gold-rated buildings and about 12 years for platinum rating. “The certification level will differ from project to project but all of it will be green,” he says. At the moment, RMZ is developing a gold-rated building in Chennai and platinum-rated building in Kolkata, both of which have been pre-certified by the CII-IGBC, with another 4-5 buildings in the pipeline.

The Lodha Group, though, is getting into it only partially. “Only our commercial buildings will be green,” says Lodha Group senior vice-president Bharat Dhuppar. Lodha has about twelve buildings in the pipeline and most of them will be commissioned between 2009 and 2010.

In their projects, K Raheja expects the cost to be around 7-8% higher. The savings, though, will be considerable. “We are looking at 30-40% power saving and about 20% water saving,” confirms Kanchwala. “Also in construction, we try and use a lot of recycled materials -- aluminum and glass -- as well as mix fly ash with the concrete that is used,” he adds. The use of glass too is being reduced. “We keep the use of glass to the minimum, to about 35% in commercial and about 20% in retail,” says Selvarasu.

In a world where energy costs are going up by the day and investments in energy are peaking, a green building which saves precious energy and comes at the same rental for the occupier is a decent marketing tool for developers. “Many of our customers are Fortune 500 companies who understand and prefer green buildings,” says Kanchwala. “The future is in sustainability,” says Selvarasu.

NEW DELHI: Call it green revolution in the real estate business. Top developers are now betting on green buildings - that use less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard building - to woo large tenants. Even though green buildings involve an incremental cost of 7-10% over traditional buildings, developers see it as an opportunity for differentiation in a growing market. The trigger is a growing environment consciousness among topnotch tenants, particularly the multinationals. In the request for proposals (RFPs) that are coming in, many MNCs are starting to ask the question about the green quotient. “It may not be mandatory today but going forward, many MNCs will make it mandatory,” says Jones Lang Lasalle-Meghraj chairman and country head Anuj Puri. Developers such as K Raheja and RMZ have decided to go all green. RMZ’s 1.9 million sq ft mall, RMZ Galleria, in Bangalore is currently under construction and will be a green development. So will be K Raheja’s Mindspace projects at Mumbai and Hyderabad, both of which are currently under development. According to CII-Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), 147 million sq ft of green space has been registered in India to date across a total of 239 projects. At the moment, K Raheja is planning and developing around 14.5 million sq ft of green space across the country. “We are looking at the long-term and want to be the first ones to go green in a big way,” says K Raheja associate vice-president Shabbir Kanchwala.

Film goes behind "Ganja Queen" travel nightmare

Sat Jun 28, 2008

Schapelle Corby is living every traveler's worst nightmare -- convicted in 2005 of smuggling marijuana into Indonesia, the 30-year-old Australian is serving a 20-year sentence in a cramped prison.

Now a film to be shown on U.S. television on Monday goes behind the scenes at the dramatic trial that gripped Australia, initially strained ties between the neighboring countries and left people asking: "Did she really do it?"

"Australians became so besotted with the case," said Janine Hosking, who made the documentary "Ganja Queen" set to air on cable channel HBO. "She doesn't look like how we would imagine a drug trafficker to look; she looks like the girl next door."

"People will speculate forever on this case," Hosking told Reuters. She began filming shortly before the trial began -- after Corby had already spent five months behind bars in a country that imposes the death penalty on drug traffickers.

"Ganja Queen" shows footage shot by Corby with a camera she smuggled into her small jail cell, secret interviews with her during visits to the jail, and shots of her family and defense team, including discussions about whether to try and use bribery to secure her release.

Indonesia regularly ranks among the world's most corrupt countries, a problem its government is trying to overcome.

"Bribery is probably relevant for very low-profile cases that you can make the thing go away, but with Schapelle's there was so much scrutiny that the case became very transparent because there was media absolutely everywhere," Hosking said.

"The media thing has worked against her although it has made her a star," she said. The verdict and sentencing in the case was broadcast live in Australia and Indonesia.

Corby had traveled to Bali with her brother and friends in 2004 for a two-week holiday to visit her sister Mercedes.

Fringed with idyllic beaches and catering to all types with luxury resorts as well as cheap hostels for young backpackers and surfers, the island is a favorite holiday destination for thousands of Australians.

She checked her bags in Brisbane, then flew to Sydney and on to Bali, where she collected her luggage. When asked by a customs officer to open her bodyboard bag, she did, revealing a plastic bag containing 4.1 kilograms (9 pounds) of marijuana.

LEGAL DILEMMA

Within hours of her arrest, video footage and photos of Corby and the bag of drugs were circulating in Indonesian media, who dubbed her the "Ganja Queen." Ganja is a common Indonesian term for marijuana.

Corby says she did not know the drugs were there, but Hosking said that rather than the onus being on the prosecution to prove Corby was guilty, under Indonesian law, she was required to show who was responsible to prove her innocence.

"That seemed to be an absolute impossibility for Schapelle to prove," Hosking said. "Everyone's hearts went out to her regardless of whether they thought she was innocent or guilty -- this helpless victim at the center of this legal system."

"It is a harrowing story and I think it really shows in a very close up and personal way just how awful it can be if you are caught up in a different legal system ... and to be under the scrutiny of the media spotlight," she said.

Corby's defense claimed the drugs were planted in her unlocked bag by corrupt Australian airport baggage handlers as part of a smuggling ring gone wrong. But the Australian media also raised questions about whether family members were involved, a suggestion they have denied.

In 2005, Australian newspaper polls showed 90 percent of Australians believed Corby was innocent. A Sky Australia television poll found 36 percent of people thought her sentence was too harsh and 56 percent labeled it an injustice.

"When you get to know Schapelle (in the film), it's gripping and I don't think it matters where she comes from -- whether she's an Australian, or an American or British or whatever," Hosking said. "It could (happen to anyone)."

Corby's final appeal was rejected in March, sending her into a depression that saw her admitted to hospital last week. While Australia and Indonesia are negotiating a prisoner swap deal for Corby, she has said she does not want to return home to serve her sentence.

Tripura to introduce health insurance scheme for workers

The Tripura government will introduce a health insurance scheme for daily wage earners and those in the unorganised sector, a minister said Saturday.

The Tripura government will introduce a health insurance scheme for daily wage earners and those in the unorganised sector, a minister said Saturday.

'About 742,200 unorganised labourers would be covered under the proposed health insurance scheme,' said Tripura Labour and Urban Development Minister Manik Dey.

According to the 2001 census, the total number of workforce in the state was 1.16 million and 95 percent of them are in the unorganised sectors like agriculture, construction, transport, shops and establishments, brick kiln, rubber cultivation, and bidi industry.

'Under this health insurance scheme each family, comprising five members, living below the poverty line would get free health treatment equivalent to Rs.30,000 per year,' Dey told IANS.

He said each eligible family would have to collect a smart card after registering their names with the insurance company and paying a one-time fee of Rs.30.

The minister said that the state government would soon select the insurance company, which would subsequently sign an agreement with the health service provider.

'Romeos' in Chennai trains set for tough travel

Chennai: Women commuters, travelling on suburban trains, can now breathe easy with the Government Railway Police (GRP) going tough against eve-teasers. Four special teams would keep an hawk's eye on 'Train Romeos' leering at women, making lewd gestures, passing obscene comments or getting physical, DIG Railways Sivanandi told reporters here on Wednesday. Each team would have five male and as many female police personnel. Complaint boxes have been put up at all major railway stations, including Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Tambaram, to help women reluctant to complain in person. Inaugurating this first-of-its-kind facility to improve women passengers' security at the always-crowded Central Railway Station, Sivanandi said immediately after receipt of the complaint, the GRP would ascertain the details and alert the escort police travelling on the particular train. The escort police would reach the passenger and take action. In case there was no escort personnel in the moving train, the control room would alert the next approaching railway police station to ensure proper assistance was provided to the victim. The special teams would also operate in trains passing through Velachery, Gummidipoondi and Arakonam. Women commuters, in times of any emergency, could call 99625 00500, he said. The control room could handle four calls at a time and the facility would be made available round-the-clock.

Hooker is flying – US Olympic Trials, Day 1

The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials got off with a bang yesterday (27), and the explosives were supplied by Marshevet Hooker.

The tall Texan from San Antonio posted the fastest time in the first-round heats of the women's 100 metres, 10.94 (+2.2), then came back two hours later to win her quarter-final in 10.76 (+3.4), the fastest any woman has covered 100 metres in this century. Only four others have run faster ever, under any conditions.

Behind Hooker in that first quarter-final were 2007 World silver medallist Lauren Williams (10.86), Mechelle Lewis (10.95) and Alexandria Anderson (10.98). The second quarter-final (wind-legal at +0.7), was won by Osaka bronze medallist Carmelita Jeter in 10.97, edging Allyson Felix' 10.98, with Angela Williams third in 11.06 and Bianca Knight in 11.07, which makes Knight the second-fastest American and fifth-fastest world junior performer ever over 100m.

The third and last quarter was of equal quality. Torri Edwards, fourth in Osaka, won in 10.85 (+2.3), followed by Muna Lee (10.89), Gloria Asumnu, 11.02, and Ashaunte'a Moore, 11.04.

Both Hooker and Edwards showed impressive mid-race bursts to establish their winning margins. The semis and final will be held Saturday (28) afternoon.

In the evening's only final, the women's 10,000 metres, the winner was American record holder Shalane Flanagan, who outkicked Osaka bronze medallist Kara Goucher, 31:34.81 to 31:37.72. Third was taken by Amy Begley, who, needing a final 800m in 2:20 to achieve the Olympic "A" standard of 31:45, gutted out a 67.6 last 400 to hit the finish line in 31:43.60. As one observer said, "That really was an Olympic Trials Moment." So the U.S. will take three women to contest the Beijing 10,000m.

In the Heptathlon, Hyleas Fountain opened the day with a 12.61 100-metre hurdles and closed it with a 23.31 200m to end the day with 3989, 239 points up on Diana Pickler's 3750, with NCAA champion Jacquelyn lying third at 3717. There's a good chance they will end up in the same positions tomorrow (28).

Good qualifying marks included Miguel Pate, with an 8.24 Long Jump (+1.2); the dominant men's Shot Put trio of Adam Nelson (21.03m), Reese Hoffa (20.99), and Christian Cantwell (20.82); and Stephanie Trafton's 63.61 in the women's Discus Throw.

Notable non-qualifiers included American women's Triple Jump record holder Tiombe Hurd, who could produce only a windy 13.36m; 48.02 man Michael Tinsley and 48.15 man Kenneth Ferguson, both of whom failed to advance in the men's 400m Hurdles; and Alyssia Johnson, 2007 NCAA 800m hampion with a best of 2:00.57, who could manage only 2:06.43.

Actor Vignesh bitten by Snake

Actor Vigneshwaran, was bitten by a snake, while he was shooting for the film 'Esa' near Rajapalayam on Thursday. Vigneshwaran, who was introduced by Bharathiraja, in 'Kizhakku Seemaiyilae', had acted in several films including 'Velai', 'Pongalo Pongal', 'Suri', 'Acharya' and 'Malarinum Melliya'. He is currently acting in 'Esa' directed by Balaganesh. The movie was being shot in Rajapalayam, Sivagiri, Vasudevan Nallur and its adjoining areas. A stunt sequence was shot in which snakes were thrown at Vigneshwaran by the villain gang. Unfortunately one of the snakes bit him. He swooned and fell down on the sets immediately. Vighneshwaran was rushed to a private hospital and was provided first-aid immediately. After a few hours of rest, he resumed shooting for the film.

Review: Thoda Pyaar, Thoda Magic

A Barbie pink chevy cruises down Rodeo Drive to the nostalgic vocals of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. It’s a ‘family’ outing headed by businessman Ranbeer Talwar (Saif Ali Khan) and his ‘children’s nanny’ (Rani Mukherji). But there’s magic in the air because the famous Hollywood sign overlooking Los Angeles miraculously morphs into ‘Bollywood’; a transformation that nicely sums up Kunal Kohli’s new film where Western clichés of nannies that impart true family values takes on a distinctively Indian character. It’s not just about family though, because there are also references to ideal national values in a film suitable for the whole family.

All up, the pace is crisp with some inventive developments. Someone once told me that Disney films are created with a short attention span in mind so that something lively happens every 10 minutes and so it is with this film. Jaded industrialist Talwar, kills a middle aged couple in a motor accident but isn’t allowed to wallow in remorse because a wise, old judge puts their orphaned children in his care. It’s far-fetched but the genre is fantasy so all is well. The Wallia children are devilish in their naughtiness so who better than God’s own angel to placate them and teach their guardian how to relate to them? The first half is peppered with pranks and special effects which should entertain the young but the emotional thread is also maintained to bind and advance the story.

The children are given distinct personalities. The eldest – Vashisht (Akshat Chopra) is the most troubled and most vindictive. Chopra, who plays the role, is more adolescent than child in his rebelliousness and has some powerful moments opposite Saif Ali Khan. He doesn’t just slam doors and throw tantrums though, but displays a calculating deviousness which lies beneath forced smiles and off-handed remarks. The adopted Sikh child Iqbal (Rachit Sidana) craves to belong and resents his difference. The little girls – Avantika (Ayush Berman) and Aditi (Shriya Sharma) are just lost souls and their personalities could have been differentiated a tad but thankfully, are still consistent with the fresh images of children that are emerging from Bollywood cinema of late in films like Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Boothnath (2008). They are departures from the bland stereotypes that have evoked cuteness at the expense of personality and a real voice.

In Disney’s Mary Poppins (1964), the neglected Banks children were taken on escapist holidays by their magical nanny. Kunal Kohli puts a modern and Indian spin on this idea. In the song Beetay Kal Se, Geeta (the angel) takes the Wallia children on a journey of discovery to develop their awareness of themselves as citizens of India and the world. They are taken into the realms of technology, history – the past and the future to see the value of cooperation, the futility of war and the sanctity of the environment. The film even suggests that children without proper adult guidance can be quite savage. There’s a very ugly scene in the second half where the Wallia children, in a particularly nasty outburst - mirror adult brutality. The angel – ‘didi’ (not ‘nanny’ because its Anglo-Saxon) doesn’t just sweeten life and cocoon her charges from reality.

The musical numbers are varied and well integrated. Pyar ke Liye runs through the film, linking Ranbeer’s own troubled childhood with the kids’ loss. Bulbula is total fantasy with Rishi Kapoor as God doing some stylish dance moves with assorted angels in their heavenly abode. But the highlight for me was the way Kohli subverts the idea of the ‘item girl’. In Lazy Lamhe, Ranbeer’s girlfriend the aptly named Malaika (Amisha Patel) oozes sexuality in a yellow bikini. She’s organised a poolside party for her yuppy friends but this number is definitely not a tribute to the Bollywood ‘item’ or materialism. There’s a good dose of humour in many of the song picturizations.

Like Farah Khan’s films this one is self referential. The poster of “When Harry Met Sally” in the grungy alleyway reminds viewers of Hum Tum (2004) and there are many inferred references to Rani’s famous on-screen tears because ‘Angels don’t know how to cry’. Then, of course there is the send up of the ‘item number’.

Somewhere in the second half, I lost touch with the angel character but this is a slight criticism. Perhaps the necessity of using expensive LA locations to maximum effect has contributed to an imbalance because the film seems to lose its focus. It’s essentially about the kids and their guardian but shifts direction at the end, resorting to a clichéd ending. Certainly the cliché is self-conscious and more than a little tongue-in-cheek. However, there’s still a feeling that it’s a bit too expedient and rather hollow.

With Bollywood collaborating with Hollywood on forthcoming projects, it’s satisfying to know that the former is so clearly defined and redefining itself in inventive ways. An effective screenplay, competent performances and direction made the time pass effortlessly.

Note: Don’t come late to this one because an important part of the story occurs while the opening credits roll.

RATING: 7/10

Indian Economy: The Darkening Sky

How things change in three months. Back in early March India's economic growth was still barreling along at around 9 per cent. Headline inflation data (for late February) still indicated a 'comfortable' 5 per cent rate.

The finance minister, fresh from presenting a populist budget, was confidently projecting the continuation of a '9 per cent batting average' on growth.

The sub-prime credit crunch in industrial countries seemed to have little direct fallout for India and the indirect effects through slower OECD growth were as yet distant.

True, international oil prices had broken the talismanic $100/bbl level but concern in India was muted, mainly because domestic prices were held unchanged and the fiscal burden of massive implicit subsidies was masked by the double ploys of hammering oil company profits and issuing oil bonds.

True, some economists had carped about a fiscally lax budget (including unfunded subsidies for oil, fertilisers and food), lack of reform and the damage to the credit culture from the farm loan waiver. But hey, who listens to economists? The overall mood remained quite buoyant.

Three months later things look much less rosy. The indicators of slowing growth proliferate in the daily papers. The government and RBI are in a small minority in expecting growth in 2008/9 to attain 8.5 to 9 per cent.

The great majority of independent analysts expect the outcome to be in the 7 to 8 per cent range, with a growing number favoring the lower side of this band. Equity markets have tanked and stock prices are in doldrums.

The really nasty surprise has come from inflation. Headline inflation has shot up since March and stood at a very uncomfortable 11 per cent in early June.

Although a whole slew of fiscal, monetary and administrative measures have been deployed by the authorities, there is little respite in sight.

The price spike has been concentrated in commodities, especially food, metals, fertilizers and oil products (either uncontrolled or because of rare upward revisions in controlled prices of petrol, diesel, kerosene and LPG).

Yes, the primary source of this inflationary surge has been external, but that provides little consolation to people buying goods and services.

The other great dampener to economic spirits has been the growing realisation that the fiscal situation has suddenly turned quite dire.

The February budget's estimate of a central government deficit of 2.5 per cent of GDP for 2008/9 appears laughably optimistic.

As fuel, fertiliser and food prices soared since March and the corresponding 'issue' or user prices were kept unchanged by the government, the estimates of implicit subsidies on these items rose steeply: over 3 per cent of GDP on fuel; nearly 2 per cent on fertilizers and perhaps 1 per cent on food.

Even allowing for revenue increases on higher rupee bases, a true (implicit subsidy inclusive) central fiscal deficit of around 6 to 7 per cent of GDP seemed very likely.

Together with State fiscal deficits in the order of 2 to 3 per cent of GDP, the combined true fiscal deficit is clearly going to be in the range of 9 to 10 per cent of GDP. Keeping these true deficits off the budget books through devices such as oil bonds and arrears owed to public entities in food and fertilizer in no way dilutes their adverse economic consequences.

Nor does it fool knowledgeable observers. By April and May more and more analysts and investment banks were routinely reporting such high deficits, making a mockery of the budget estimate and (more importantly) pointing to a correspondingly heavier public sector borrowing burden on the market for loanable funds and hardening interest rates.

The drivers behind the burgeoning fiscal deficit have been the surging international prices of oil, fertilizers and food. The same factors are causing the yawning deficits in foreign trade and the current account of the balance of payments.

If world oil prices average around $ 130/bbl in 2008/9, India's commodity trade deficit is likely to be in the order of 10 per cent of GDP and the current account deficit close to 4 percent of GDP. (Very roughly, every $2/bbl change in the average world oil price means a 0.1 percent of GDP change in the current account deficit).

Unsurprisingly, the five year old problem of external capital surge seems to have disappeared, with the current account deficit widening and FIIs withdrawing over $ 5 billion from Indian capital markets in the first five months of 2008.

Suddenly, it seems more like 1987-90, with reforms stalled, fiscal and balance of payment deficits ballooning and political uncertainty on the rise.

Actually, of course, things are not nearly as bad as the late 1980s for three important reasons. First, the RBI holds more than $300 billion of foreign exchange reserves as insurance against temporary liquidity crunches on external account. A couple of years of balance of payments strain could be absorbed easily without undue turmoil in external trade and payments.

Second, the Indian private sector is in far better shape today than 20 years ago on all the usual yardsticks of productivity, profitability, balance sheet strength and dynamism. In theory, at least, it is much better placed to ride out temporary stresses in the economic environment.

Third, the latest official data indicate that aggregate investment in the economy was 41 percent of GDP in 2007/8. It would be quite unlikely to drop by more than 6 or 7 per cent of GDP even if the economy goes through a couple of weak years.

That suggests aggregate investment levels will probably not fall below 34-35 per cent of GDP, which, in turn, makes economic growth below 7 percent a year somewhat unlikely. However, given the massive scale of the implicit subsidies noted above, a deterioration in public savings of 4 to 5 per cent of GDP is quite possible, associated with a drop in investment and a widening of the investment-savings gap.

The trajectory of corporate investment and savings (which have risen sharply in recent years) is much more uncertain.

The exceptionally difficult short-term challenge for monetary policy will be to contain the current, strong inflationary tendencies and expectations without inflicting undue damage to private investment. We know that in 2008/9 the investment-savings gap may need to widen by perhaps 2 per cent of GDP to accommodate the higher current account deficit.

The question is at what level (of total savings and investment) will the equilibration occur. Beyond the short-run, fiscal policy (including price increases of fuel, fertilizer and food) must shoulder the primary responsibility for reducing macro imbalances.

Seven months ago, I wrote 'the UPA's legacy for sustaining rapid and inclusive growth in future years leaves a lot to be desired'.

Since then, the government's continued and prolonged failure to gradually adjust domestic oil prices to international realities has spawned a massive fiscal deficit and significantly worsened this government's already dubious economic legacy.

Raina rekindles the early promise

Pakistan v India, Group B, Asia Cup, Karachi

	Suresh Raina has begun to convert the starts into bigger scores

Suresh Raina wouldn't have been very pleased by the comments made by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his captain, after India's recent Kitply Cup loss to Pakistan. Although that remark - Dhoni said he should have batted ahead of Raina - pertained just to that game, it would have hurt a youngster trying to make amends after being written off as the most-hyped player in recent years. When Dhoni, two matches later, promoted Raina to No. 3, the latter ensured the decision wouldn't be regretted.

Dhoni was at the other end when Raina slaughtered Hong Kong on Wednesday, and that perhaps would have prompted the promotion against Pakistan. Raina's maiden century had come against a weak team, and although he looked in prime touch, he needed to prove himself against stronger opposition.

On Wednesday, Raina walked in against a Pakistan attack sans Umar Gul. Gautam Gambhir had fallen cheaply, and Virender Sehwag hadn't yet got into his groove as India chased 300. Not many can outscore Sehwag, as Gambhir will testify, but Raina had raced to 21 off 14 balls while Sehwag was still stuck on 1 off nine. Two shots early in his innings indicated what Greg Chappell, India's former coach, would have seen in Raina. The first one, a cover drive on the up off Iftikhar Anjum, did not require any foot movement either before or after playing the stroke. The second one, off Sohail Tanvir, ended up at the same place, but this time he went down on his knee, got in line with the wide ball, and then crashed it through the field.

There was nothing new: Raina has got off to starts before and has one of the best cover drives in present-day cricket. What he also had was 11 dismissals between scores of 20 and 40, out of his 33 ODI innings. His last fifty before the Hong Kong match had been 20 innings ago.

A similar trait had haunted him in the Ranji Trophy last season: he would get off to some of the most positive starts, and then throw his wicket away. Out of the 683 runs that he scored in 14 innings, 411 came in three innings alone. And he got starts in almost every match. It could be put down to overconfidence or the need to prove a point then, but those reasons wouldn't work here.

The way he played suggested this wouldn't be just a start. Pakistan were out of sorts - one of their strike bowlers was off, their captain had not taken the field, and the National Stadium pitch was inert, but that alone didn't provide the sense of inevitability around Raina's knock. The only blemish for Raina today was that he got out to a soft dismissal on 84.

Dhoni would be the man most pleased by Raina's performances. "Of course it was good to see that," Dhoni said. "Especially for someone batting at No. 3, you have to carry on with good starts. More so when you are chasing more than 270." The only batsmen scoring big in the middle order have been Yuvraj Singh and himself. If Raina can take off from these two innings, Dhoni, overworked already, can afford to come further down the order.

There has been a sense of unfulfilled promise about Raina for more than two years now, which would have troubled him more than it has done his followers. But he is still 21, still evolving, still understanding his own game and his role in the team. For him to have made the comeback to the side as soon as he has, he must have more to him than just the cover drive.

England v New Zealand, 4th ODI, The Oval

New Zealand take controversial last-ball thriller

Newzeland 246 for 9 (Styris 69, Oram 38) beat England 245 (Shah 63, Bopara 58, Bell 46) by one wicket

	The Oval flashpoint: Ryan Sidebottom collides with Grant Elliott, who was given out despite being injured during the incident © Getty Images

On a day that ebbed and flowed dramatically, New Zealand held their nerve to squeeze a tense one-wicket win at The Oval, to sneak a 2-1 lead going into the weekend's series decider at Lord's. Like England earlier in the day, New Zealand stumbled twice either side of a brisk middle-order partnership between two men searching for form, and despite a controversial moment sure to occupy the airwaves and columns for days to come, chased down 246 from the last ball of the game.

Scott Styris hit 69, Jacob Oram marked his first game of the series with a crucial 38, and Kyle Mills defied the odds to remain unbeaten on 25, which all added up to a hair-raising, pulsating chase of a target that had been set up by sparkling (but unfulfilled) fifties from Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah.

In easily the tightest contest of the summer, England were struggling to stay in the contest with New Zealand well placed on 173 for 4 in the 35th over, but hit back to dismiss Styris (brilliantly run out by Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood), Oram (pulling to the deep) and Daniel Vettori (excellently held by Bopara at midwicket) in the space of 24 balls and for 16 runs - turning The Oval into a cauldron.

A fourth followed in the most controversial manner. With 26 needed from 39 balls, Mills called Grant Elliott for a sharp single. As Elliott bolted out of the blocks he collided with Sidebottom, rugby style, and fell flat to the ground. Ian Bell threw the ball to Kevin Pietersen, who broke the stumps, but England did not withdraw their appeal despite the umpire, Mark Benson, offering Collingwood the chance to think again. A peeved Elliott hobbled off for 24.

With 12 needed from 21, Bell knocked down the stumps with Tim Southee short of his crease. Mark Gillespie then survived a tantalizingly tense maiden 47th over from Swann, and no runs had been scored for nine deliveries when Mills, who had been sizing up the midwicket boundary, swatted Collingwood off the middle for a 106-metre six, to transform the equation from 12 from 10 to six from nine.

Manic singles followed, and it came down to three from six balls. Mills pinched a single, but the next five deliveries seemed to take an eternity as Luke Wright ploughed a channel outside off and Gillespie fished and missed repeatedly. Then, on the last ball, he pushed the ball to Swann at cover and set off for the single that would have secured the tie. Swann's shy, however, missed the stumps and with England's fielders all converging on the stumps, New Zealand's sprinted through for a delirious winning over-throw. England's final blemish in the field proved decisive.

New Zealand should have been in deep trouble long before that moment, after Ryan Sidebottom had nipped out Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor, but a spate of nerves from the home side allowed Styris to rack up some long overdue form. James Anderson should have had him on 0 but Shah at second slip spilled a regulation catch in front of his face. Sidebottom's figures of 5-0-15-2 were tarnished with a 13-run sixth over and nine in the seventh as Styris cashed in on his fortune.

Styris kept flashing and was given two more lives, on 27 and 28, first off Stuart Broad when he slashed hard and Collingwood failed to latch on at backward point, and then when Broad himself dropped a return catch. Styris' best shot, a front-foot drive through extra cover, brought him his first ODI half-century since December 2007.

Like the Styris-Oram partnership, a solid fifth-wicket stand between Bopara and Shah formed the crux of England's ultimately inadequate effort. New Zealand snapped a 41-run stand between a nervous Luke Wright (18) and Bell (46) and when Collingwood followed Pietersen's 0 with a loose shot of his own, the heat was on two men pushing for long-term spots.

Bopara - watchful and solid - and Shah - shuffling and hustling - applied themselves well for most of the 15.2 overs they shared. Shah started with a cross-batted six over midwicket off Southee, and played a more conventional six over extra cover off Vettori, but more importantly was always looking for quick singles, and urging Bopara to look out for the second.

A player with a lot of time to execute his shots, Bopara - after flops the first two matches and a start at Bristol - looked composed during his 78-ball innings. His 58 was a career-best knock, but only a tantalising glimpse of the sublime form he's been showing for Essex in county cricket this summer. He threw it away soon after passing fifty for the second time, playing a languid, frustratingly indifferent drive to Oram at mid-on.

Shah played some stunning shots, including three powerful fours in one Gillespie over as he moved past fifty from 63 balls, but was run out needlessly going for a second run on 63, amid a lower-order collapse. England's last pair lifted the total to 245 but overall it was a disappointing effort from a team that has lost steam with each match of the series.

New Zealand backed themselves to chase when they opted to field after winning the toss, and though it wasn't easy by any means, they go to Lord's with the momentum - and a little sympathy - firmly their way.

Anti-Hacking

The only way to make a computer 100% hacker proof is to disconnect it from the internet or turn it off. Since this simply isn't feasible, the security-minded computer user attempts to make it 99% secure. There are a few common ways to accomplish this task.
They are:

* Firewalls
* Software
* Basic Computer Precautions

Our information on firewalls is on our firewall page.

The information on the may types of software is on our software page.

The basic computer precautions to follow are:

* Don't give out e-mail address to someone you don't know. This can cause unwanted emails or advertising material you don't want (spam).
* The opening of any mail-not just attachments-is potentially dangerous to your computer. Even just the previewing of an infected email can do the damage.

Google Adsense

Google is very famous through out the world for its search engine operation. Every day millions of people search the webs on google. Google has an unique plan for the owners of the websites to advertise other's site in their own. So in addition to one's own business one can earn handsome money through google called google adsense. Google adsense matches advertisements to one's site contents and one earns money whenever his visitors click or take some action on them.

Adsense automatically crawls the content of the website and delivers advertisements that are relevant to the audiance of the site content so well matched.

One can customise the apperance of the advertisements choosing from wide range of advertisement units and colour formats. With adsense for search one can also customise his Search Box and results.

Google will mintain the number of clicks made by one's visitors as well as the account for him.

To get started process is very simple.Go to Google Adsense. Apply online. Log into your account and copy and paste block of HTML provided by Google into your Website.

Targeted add then automatically start showing on your site.

Google has an electronic Fund Transfer System, with the help of which on every month they will send your earning at your bank account.

Searching Google Adsense in the search box will bring one to the required page.

Own Website

One can build one's own website and sales the product or services. Before planning to build his own website one should choose the product first.Following are the few products that are best sold through website i.e online.

1)Travel Agency -Air Ticket Booking , Hotel Booking etc. 2) Book Stores 3) Cassets ,CDs,Records 4) Readymade Garments, 5) Dolls,Toys etc. 6) Astrological products, 7) Hobby items, 8)Health related products, 9)Reports, 10)e-books and e-courses.

Once product has been selected, one should think about the site.It should look good and attractive But most important is the content. One should follow the following steps- a) First prepare content, b) Design the website,c) It is needed to be converted in HTML, d) Find a webhost who will keep the pages on a server that is connected ti the internet all the time.This machine will be able to respond with the correct files. There are thousands of hoster and all the hosting jobs are done at very reasonable price.At the end your job is upload your site through File Transfer Protocol.

If you are not familiar with all these steps several web solutions companies are there who will do all these jobs at a reasonable price.

Search Web sollution companies in search engine and you find many of these companies.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Marketing is promoting someone elses product and earning comission on that.Various companies time to time do various sales or brand promotion on internet. Now internet is a diversified field with no single mode of promotion.It is here opportunity comes to common people to promote the product of these companies.People do so are termed as Affiliate/ Publisher and the companies are termed as Merchants or Advertisers. Affiliate promotes Merchant's products and earn performance based incentives.

Between Affiliats and Merchants There is Affiliate Program Provider (APP) who keeps all the track. They do tracking, reporting, takes the payment from the merchants and pay to affiliates.

One wants to be an affiliate has to be registered with APP first. APPs do not charge anything for registration.After registration is complete Affiliate can get his promotion campaign links (text or banner) from his APP.Now affiliates can promote these links through various means like Google Adword, Website, Search Engine, Blog, Forum, e-mail etc. When some visitor on the net clicks that link, the visitor reaches to some specific webpage of the Merchant and if the visitors sign up or puchase something on that site Affiliates get the comission.

Each APP has its own mode of operation.One can have the details by visiting their sites. Most of them have very good tutorials also, to teach one the registration as well as working procedure.

Ther are several APPs such as commission junction (cj), Click Bank, Clix Galore, Pay Dot Com, Linkshare, Affiliate Curry etc. Seearching in their names will take one to their sites.

A wicket that made the difference...

'Greenidge's wicket made that delivery special' | Balwinder Singh Sandhu






Balwinder Singh Sandhu



If anything, Balwinder Singh Sandhu will be always remembered for that special delivery which left Gordon Greenidge dumb-founded in the 1983 World Cup final.

One of the best batsmen of his era, West Indies [Images] opener Greenidge offered no stroke to the medium pacer and the delivery crashed on to his stumps. The mighty West Indies, comprising the likes of Viv Richards [Images] and Clive Lloyd [Images], caved in tamely thereafter as India registered a historic World Cup triumph.

* Coverage: Summer of '83

Twenty-five years down the line, Sandhu talks about the delivery, which became famous as the 'banana skin delivery', and also what made the 1983 World Cup victory possible, in an exclusive interview with Special Correspondent Harish Kotian.

How fresh is the victory? Does it feel the achievement has completed 25 years now?

People keep reminding us about that victory, they don't allow us to forget it. Indian cricket fans keep reminding us and keep thanking us even now.

The 1983 World Cup win was a big turning point in Indian cricket history. It also gave self-belief to Indians that we can also win big tournaments.

* 1983 win great motivation for us: Dhoni

Was it the icing on the cake that you beat the defending champions and the best team of that era -- the West Indies -- to win the Wold Cup?

Yes, definitely. The West Indies was the best team of that era and beating them twice in the World Cup was a very big thing. Even that victory against them in the opening league game itself was a big thing. But beating them in the final was a greater achievement; it was a big day for Indian cricket.

What made that victory in the final possible?

By the time we reached the semi-final stage the whole team was thinking in one direction and our targets were common. So everyone was spending their mental energy in one direction. And when the whole team starts thinking in one direction, then God also helps you.

Would you agree that your special delivery to get rid of Gordon Greenidge helped give the Indian bowlers a big boost despite defending just 183?

It became a special delivery because it got the wicket of Gordon Greenidge. I was his fan before playing international cricket and I have always been his fan. And I believe that, Greenidge getting bowled, by leaving the ball, he made that delivery more special. I think Greenidge's wicket, combined with the occasion -- that is the final of a World Cup, made that delivery a special delivery.

* Everybody played to potential: Sandeep Patil

I had bowled that delivery even before that match too and got wickets in club matches as well. But, in that match, because it was a final and the importance of Greenidge's wicket made that a special delivery.

Still, did you plan to bowl that delivery to Greenidge or it was just coincidence that he failed to read the swing?

I had not bowled a single inswinger till that time. But on the previous tour to the West Indies I had got Greenidge bowled in the second Test match at Trinidad and then again in the first match of the World Cup I bowled him. So when I was coming close to the stumps in my bowling run-up, something inside in my head told me that he was not reading the inswingers well which I was bowling from close to the stumps. So when I bowled that delivery from close to the stumps it hit the seam and came back. When you are into that zone and bowling well, there are certain things which happen and something inside tells you to bowl that particular delivery.

Balwinder Singh SandhuDid all the Indian bowlers get the same inside feeling, which helped them come up with a magnificent performance and successfully defend a meagre total of 183?

All the bowlers were matured by then and I was the only youngster amongst them. We knew how to exploit those conditions very well. At the same time, everyone was matured enough to understand that if we have to win that match we have to get them out and there is no other way to win it. If we had been thinking of restricting them, we would have lost that game; but all the bowlers who came to bowl dug into their past, their experience, and they were thinking only of how to get the batsmen out.

How big a role did Kapil Dev [Images] play as a captain? How much did his leadership skills influence the team?

Kapil was very relaxed; he led the team from the front. He was very easy to approach and so was Sunil Gavaskar [Images], who also supported him a lot. Whenever advice was needed Sunil was there for us always. At the same time, Jimmy Amarnath, who was a cool customer himself, gave Kapil all the support. Overall, I think Kapil did an extremely good job as captain.

* Perhaps that day was for me only: Kapil Dev

How would you rate Kapil's 175 that helped India overcome Zimbabwe after a terrible start?

I think it is one of the best innings ever in one-day cricket. I saw the innings and that is why I know the importance of it. Many other batsmen might have got bigger scores than him after that, but that occasion counted a lot. It came at the crucial stage of a tournament and a crucial stage in the match. After those early wickets, the chips were down but he came up with a magnificent 175 not out; it was fantastic! That is why I would rate it as one of the best innings I have seen, because of the match situation and the occasion.

So how special is it for you personally to come together with all the members of that 1983 World Cup team and celebrate 25 years of the triumph?

It is just fantastic. Whenever the 1983 team meets, we have a very good time; we have a hilarious time. We enjoy a lot every time we meet. We have great fun together; have a lot of leg-pulling. A tremendous sense of humour can be seen amongst us. I know it's 25 years since that win, but nothing has changed in our relation as a team.

* When Mrs Gandhi declared a public holiday

Can you describe some memorable moments from your experience at the 1983 World Cup?

This is one incident that is still fresh in my mind. I was fielding on the boundary line during the final and there was this West Indies fan who was telling me that India can't win the World Cup, West Indies will win the World Cup.

When I got the first wicket, he again started taunting me saying, 'India can't win the World Cup; West Indies will win the World Cup. Wanna bet man?' He kept on repeating those lines throughout the game even though the West Indies were losing wickets regularly. Even after they were nine down, he kept supporting his team. I think that is the kind of support each team would like to have and that is something I cannot forget. That is the West Indies spirit; they enjoy good cricket, they cheer good cricket and they love their team and cricketing heroes even if they fail at times.

2008 Wimbledon Championships: Men’s Singles Preview

The 2008 All-England Wimbledon tennis championships, the third Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season, and the major one on grass, starts today, June 23.

Roger Federer

The most exciting contest in the men's singles of this premier competition in the tennis calendar is likely to be between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

World No 2, Nadal, wants to prove himself on grass, while Federer, World No 1, needs to re-assert his dominance after a series of disappointing performances so far in 2008.

Rafael Nadal

Nadal has proved in recent tournaments that he is ready to replace Federer as World No 1 -- but knows he needs to repeat that form on grass.

Even though Federer is on a 40 year record of 59 consecutive victories on grass and has won the title at Wimbledon Championships for the past five years, many people think the title this year will be belong to Nadal.

The 22-year-old Spaniard has lost the last two Wimbledon finals in 2006 and 2007 to Federer but swept him aside to win the French Open two weeks ago, and also beat Serbian No 3 seed Novak Djobovic at the Queen's Club last week – his first championship win on grass and proof, say some, that Nadal has the potential to win a major grass tournament.

Federer comes to Wimbledon on the back of a win at the Halle Open in Germany -- and if he wins again would equal the record established by William Renshaw, the champion in 1881-86, as the only man to win six Wimbledon titles on the trot.

Andy Roddick, the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon champion, said the possibility of a Federer win at Wimbledon this year was slim. However, Roddick, a former Wimbledon finalist and this year's No six seed, when asked if Federer could secure the title this time, said: "I find that to be one of the most ridiculous questions I've ever answered in my life. You know, he has won it five times. I'm not sure what else he has to do."

Third-seed Djokovic lost to Nadal in the semifinals at Wimbledon last year but won the year's first Grand Slam title -- the 2008 Australia Open – so must remain a threat.

Although there are high expectations of Nadal, he prefers to keep a low profile: "I just want to thank (former Swedish world champion) Bjorn Borg for he believed that I'll win this year. It's much easier to defeat Federer now than several years ago. However, he didn't lose a set in Halle -- 59 matches without losing. Come on." said Nadal.

Federer prefers to keep the same low key profile before Wimbledon. "It's maybe a time where some people talk a little bit too much,'' he joked. However, when asked about his chances of winning at Wimbledon, he said: "I haven't lost in such a long time on grass. Obviously my confidence is really, really high. Other players are around to really challenge me. That only motivates me. So it should be an interesting Wimbledon this year."

The actions starts on June 23 and is scheduled to end Sunday, July 6.

Asia cup 2008

the asia cup 2008 is about to begin from tomorrow... There are six nations playing the tournament... India, pakistan, bangladesh, UAE, Hongkong and Srilanka... The fixtures is as below

Match Schedule
Date	Time	Countries	Venue	Result
24-06-08 (Tue)	15:30 [IST] 10:00 [GMT]	1st Match, Group A Bangladesh Vs United Arab Emirates	Lahore
24-06-08 (Tue)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	1st Match, Group B Pakistan Vs Hong Kong	Karachi
25-06-08 (Wed)	15:30 [IST] 10:00 [GMT]	2nd Match, Group A Bangladesh Vs Sri Lanka	Lahore
25-06-08 (Wed)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	2nd Match, Group B Hong Kong Vs India	Karachi
26-06-08 (Thu)	15:30 [IST] 10:00 [GMT]	3rd Match, Group A Sri Lanka Vs United Arab Emirates	Lahore
26-06-08 (Thu)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	3rd Match, Group B India Vs Pakistan	Karachi
Super Stage(s)
28-06-08 (Sat)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	A2 Vs B2	Karachi
29-06-08 (Sun)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	A1 Vs B1	Karachi
30-06-08 (Mon)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	A1 Vs A2	Karachi
02-07-08 (Wed)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	B1 Vs B2	Karachi
03-07-08 (Thu)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	A1 Vs B2	Karachi
04-07-08 (Fri)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	A2 Vs B1	Karachi
Final
04-07-08 (Fri)	16:30 [IST] 11:00 [GMT]	Final	Karachi

Spain beat Italy in shoot out

Spain beat Italy 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a highly tactical Euro 2008 clash on Sunday to set them up with a semi-final against Russia.
Cesc Fabregas coolly slotted home the decisive penalty after goalkeeper Iker Casillas had saved two of Italy's spot kicks.
The match had ended goalless after extra time following 120 minutes in which both defences were too well-organised to break down despite the determine efforts of both strike forces.
It is the first time Spain have reached the semi-finals of a major tournament since they got to the final of the European championships in 1984.
They are the only one of the group winners to make it to the final four after Portugal, Croatia and Netherlands were knocked out of the tournament.
The match at the Ernst Happel stadium was an eagerly anticipated affair, but it developed into a cagey encounter with Spain frustrated by an Italy side who have rediscovered their defensive solidity after a shaky start to the tournament.
As expected Spain quickly got control of the ball and midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta set about probing for gaps in the Italian back four, but they got little change out of centre backs Giorgio Chiellini and Christian Panucci.
David Silva managed to break through but his shot deflected off a defender and ballooned into the hands of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, while Fernando Torres lashed over the bar after being put clear by David Villa.
The first time Buffon was really tested came when Villa fired in a low free kick after 25 minutes, while Silva then drove two shots past the post late on in the half.
The Italian threat was largely confined to set pieces with Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Cassano searching out Luca Toni with lofted crosses into the area but the big striker never managed to get a clean header

review of 21.. movie based on Blackjack

Considering the risky pleasure generally associated with gambling and the seductive thrill of watching a heist or scam unfold, it should come as no surprise that 21, a film which combines the two aforementioned premises should excel at being enjoyable. And while the film may be very familiar ground to anyone with in any experience with Ocean's Eleven style crime capers, and the majority of the film's plot points verge on being almost laughably predictable, it is executed with enough exuberant flair to make it worthwhile in the midst of its formula.

A slow start gives the necessary exposition as to how a thoroughly ethical young MIT student (Sturgess)'s desperate need for money to attend Harvard medical school leads him to join a team of mathematical geniuses trained in blackjack card counting who routinely rip off Las Vegas casinos during weekends between class. However, this opening proves overlong, overly predictable, and largely unnecessary, dragging far too much before plunging into the film's real fun as Sturgess and his team are engulfed by the seductive glamour of Vegas and the thrill of the huge monetary takes. Some judicious editing, clearing away such unnecessary subplots (such as a robotics competition with Sturgess' tiresomely stereotypical nerdy friends) could have resulted in a far more streamlined and faster paced film.

Some viewers may take offence to the "Hollywoodizing" of the MIT team, with team members of different ethnicity largely shoved to the background in favour of the typically gorgeous Caucasian leads, a disconcertingly common practice in modern day cinema. However, the flashy MTV style cinematography and editing ably capture the engrossing spectacle of Vegas, and once the film gets going, it would be difficult to deny the sheer enjoyment of being swept up in the heady rush of quick wealth and all of its hedonistic trappings.

The film's quality cast add credulity to the frequently underwritten characters they portray. Jim Sturgess once again impresses as the ethical math prodigy slowly corrupted by a world of superficial glamour, his endearing charm putting an intriguing enough take on the "troubled but well meaning hero" archetype. As one might expect, Kevin Spacey effortlessly steals the show as the charismatic but ruthless professor managing the MIT card counting team, and Spacey's easygoing yet commanding presence is a profound boost to the film. Kate Bosworth contributes a typically flat performance, but given her token 'inevitable love interest' role, she fails to detract much from the film's overall quality. Lawrence Fishburne adds class, much needed dramatic weight and moments of grim humour to his antagonistic burly head of casino security, gradually catching on to the MIT team's scamming.

While the age old adage of 'style over substance' certainly holds true here, 21 may essentially epitomize the modern Hollywood crime caper film, but the formula hasn't quite run dry enough to overly detract from the enjoyment factor. The film's snappy visuals and strong casting are mostly enough to make up for a largely uninspired and frequently weak script. However, fans of similar works will not be disappointed, and for those willing to forgive the film's frequent delving into the wells of convention and accept entertainment over profundity, 21 should prove an ideal watch.

latest teen trends

Latest Teen Trends : Inner Lip Tattoos

Research states that lip tattoos started off as a way to brand horses. Farmers and race jockeys would burn their last name in to the bottom lip of the horse so that way if the horse was lost or stolen it could be returned or found by the owner.

Well! The trend that started with some fine cause has ended up being the latest fashion statement. If you wanna be part of it then here are some facts, tips and tricks that you should know.

Tips, tricks and Facts

Before getting an inner lip tattoo, make sure you talk to your pediatrician and dentist first. The dangers of tattoos and piercing are many, in fact there have been a number of recent deaths as a result of infections stemming from tattoos. With all these dangers at hand, you definitely want to consult a professional for a safer trial.

Go to a professional with a good reputation for cleanliness, quality, and a sterile environment, as you dealing with the main feature of your face.

After few years the tattoo will get smeared and tend to get smudged. So you may have to redo it again for all those good looks. 40% of lip tattoos fade after a year. Make sure to get tattoos of not more than 4 symbols, as I told earlier after getting smeared it will look awful. For instance the word ' Love' is always better than the word ' Princess' . After the tattoos is done, the lip will surely swell. However, not to worry, it willcome back to its normal stage after few days After getting a tattoo done, make sure to have, antimicrobial or antibacterial alcohol-free mouth rinse, 4-5 times a day for about a minute. Lip tattoo can also be used for your best advantage, with the right choice of tattoo design that can hide your problematic area. For instance if your lips are thin, then choose a design that can make them appear fuller and vice versa. The price range for a tattoo depends on the artist and how big you want the piece. Some may cost you minimum $30 and some minimum $50.

Euro Cup Soccer 2008 Take your team to the finals of the Euro Cup!

Play this free game now!!

INDIA'S MOST DEPENDABLE CARS

India's most dependable cars
J D Power Asia Pacific 2008 has published its first India Vehicle Dependability Study, and named 8 of India's most dependable cars.

A car's overall dependability is based on the number of problems reported (by customers) per 100 vehicles (PP100) -- with lower scores indicating a lower rate of problem incidences and higher long-term vehicle quality. The 2008 India Vehicle
Dependability Study is based on evaluations from nearly 4,700 owners, who purchased a new vehicle between July 2004 and September 2005.
The study includes 33 vehicle models covering 12 nameplates and fielded from January to April 2008 in 20 cities across India. The study ranks vehicles within eight market segments: compact; premium compact; entry midsize; midsize; premium midsize; entry luxury; multi-utility/multi-purpose vehicles; and sport-utility vehicles.


Also read about world's first swimming car. Click here.

So find out which are India's 'most dependable cars'. . .

Maruti Suzuki Swift:
This hatchback 5-seater by Maruti Suzuki, which hit the Indian roads in 2005, is designed after the acclaimed Concept S car unveiled by Suzuki at the 2002 Paris Auto show. It is available in diesel and petrol versions.

The 1298 cc-engine petrol version has four varieties: Maruti Suzuki Swift LXi, Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi, Maruti Suzuki Swift VXi (ABS) and Maruti Suzuki Swift ZXi, whereas the 1248-cc engine diesel version of the car comes in three variants: Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi ABS, Maruti Suzuki Swift VDi and Maruti Suzuki Swift LDi.

The car is priced between Rs 4,29,280 and Rs 5,50,812 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Maruti Esteem:
Once known as the 'most dependable workhorse with a great engine' this midsize car's old chassis gradually became unpopular so that Maruti phased out the car to make space for a new sedan -- Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire.

Esteem had good quality interiors but lacked cabin space and used to come in petrol and diesel varieties. The Esteem's price varied between Rs 4,63,020 and Rs Rs 6,15,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire, which has replaced Esteem, comes in petrol and diesel variants and are priced between Rs 4,88,683 and Rs 7,09,682 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Toyota Corolla:
Toyota started its operations in India by launching the Corolla which was the segment leader for a long time. A fine sedan, Toyota Corolla scaled the popularity chart across the world in no time. Toyota Corolla is also the world's largest selling car ever.

Corollas are currently manufactured in Japan, USA, UK, Canada, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, Philippines, Thailand, Venezuela, Pakistan and India.

The 1794 cc-engine car comes in six varieties and are priced between Rs 9,00,090 and Rs 12,20,830 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Toyota Innova:
The Toyota Innova is a medium multipurpose vehicle, which means the car is less than 4,600 mm (181.1 inches) in length as per the European system of size classification. The car was manufactured in Indonesia under supervision by Toyota Astra Motor since 2003.

In India, the car replaced Toyota Qualis. It comes in both petrol and diesel variants. A particular diesel version of the car Toyota Innova 2.5 E has recently been discontinued.

The 2494-cc engine car is priced reasonably between Rs 7,38,480 and Rs 10,70,740 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Hyundai Santro:
The Seoul-bsed Hyundai started it's India operations in 1998 with the launch of the Santro. It went on to become one of the largest selling cars in the country.

This 1086-cc engine 5-seater with either automated or manual transmissions, runs in petrol only and comes in four variants: Hyundai Santro Xing Non-AC, Hyundai Santro Xing GL, Hyundai

Santro Xing GLS and Hyundai Santro Xing GLS AT.

The car is reasonably priced between Rs 2,73,747 and Rs 4,09,489 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Honda City ZX:
The Honda City is a subcompact car manufactured by Japanese manufacturer Honda since 1981 for the Asian market. The first Honda City was launched in 1981 as a three-door hatchback. Since then, the car has undergone several redesigns over the years.

Priced between Rs 7,13,000 and Rs 9,07,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), this 5-seater with either automated or manual transmissions, runs in petrol only and comes in five variants: Honda City ZX EXi, Honda City ZX GXi, Honda City ZX CVT, Honda City ZX VTEC and Honda City ZX VTEC Plus.

Ford Endeavour:
The Ford Endeavour is another name for Ford Everest, a midsize sport utility vehicle sold in Asia, and the Bahamas.

This 2499-cc engine, 7 seater with manual transmission runs in diesel only and comes in three varieties -- Ford Endeavour TDCi 4x2 XLT, Ford Endeavour TDCi 4x2 XLT - Limited Edition and Ford Endeavour 3.0 Thunder+ 4x4.

The car is priced between Rs 15,54,903 and Rs 18,17,000 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).

Mercedes-Benz C-Class:
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is an executive car produced by the Mercedes Car Group division of Daimler AG. Introduced in 1993, the C-Class was the most affordable model in the Mercedes lineup until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class.

The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany, as well as in DaimlerChrysler's factory in East London.

This 1796-cc engine 5 seater runs on petrol and comes in two variants: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 K MT (manual transmission) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class 200 K AT (automated transmission). The car's diesel variant comes with 2148 cc engine and is of two types: Mercedes-Benz C-Class 220 CDI MT (manual transmission) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class 220 CDI AT (automated transmission).

The car is priced between Rs 26,73,877 and Rs 30,76,555 (ex-showroom, Mumbai)

swimming car

sQuba, world's first swimming car!

Three decades ago James Bond (then enacted by British star Roger Moore) wowed the world with a car that could 'fly' under water in the movie The Spy Who Loved Me.
Only, it was animation and not an actual scene.

But Frank M Rinderknecht, the 52-year-old automobile visionary and boss of Swiss automaker Rinspeed, has turned a dream into reality with his 'sQuba.'

Rinspeed sQuba is the most exciting thing at this year's Geneva Motor Show and is creating many a ripple.

sQuba is the world's first real submersible car that can 'move like a fish underwater'.
It can dive up to 32.8 feet (10 mt) below the surface of the water and can move at a sedate 1.8 miles per hour.

The sQuba has an open cockpit for 'safety reasons' (so that people can get out easily anytime in case of an emergency). The occupants of the car have to breathe compressed air through built-in scuba masks.

sQuba is an electric car that uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and 3 electric motors for propulsion. It is a zero-emission car as documented by the rotating license plate in the rear. It produces no exhaust emissions.

The 'sQuba's' filling station is the water reservoir.? It is no surprise that the vehicle features powerful yet energy-saving LED lighting technology.

The first car that could drive underwater was Quandt's Amphibicar, built in 1968. Only 3,878 were produced but many are still being driven on roads.
Then Gibbs Technologies came up with Gibbs Aquada in 2004 which Virgin boss Richard Branson used to break the speed record for crossing the English Channel.

However, the sQuba seems to be the most exciting of them all.

To drive on the roads, the sQuba 'relies on a stainless coil-over suspension from KW automotive and large Pirelli tires mounted on custom-made forged light-weight wheels from AEZ with 17- and 18-inch diameters.'

Technical data
Measurements
Length ----- 3'785 mm
Width ----- 1''940 mm
Height ----- 1'117 mm
Wheelbase ----- 2?300 mm
Track front ----- 1?470 mm
Track rear ----- 1?520 mm
Ground clearance ----- 130 mm
Empty weight ----- approx. 920kg
Performances
Top speed ----- > 120 km/h
Acceleration 0-80 km/h ----- 7.1 sec
Water speed ----- > 6 km/h
Under water speed ----- > 3 km/h
Dive depth ----- 10 m
Engines
Street ----- Electric
Power output ----- max. 54 kW at 4'500 /min
Torque ----- 160 NM at 1'500 /min
Water - Stern propellers ----- Electric
Power output ----- 2 x 800 W
Diving - bow jet drives ----- Electric
Power output ----- 2 x 3.6 kW Rotinor
Batteries ----- Lithium-Ionen
Voltage ----- 6 x 48 Volt
Propulsion
Power train ----- Rear wheel drive
Gearbox ----- R - N - F
Suspension
Chassis ----- Steel
Body panels ----- Carbon Nano Tubes
Seating capacity ----- 2
Front suspension ----- Double wishbone
Rear suspension ----- Double wishbone
Dampers/springs ----- KW automotive
Steering ----- Rack & pinion
Tyres
Front tyres ----- Pirelli P Zero 205/40 R17
Front wheels ----- AEZ 7.5 x 17"
Rear tyres ----- Pirelli P Zero 225/40 R18
Rear wheels ----- AEZ 8 x 18"
Miscellaneous
Air supply ----- 1 x 15 liter + 1 x 18 liter ScubaPro
Laser scanner ----- Ibeo
Lubricants ----- Motorex

Asif returns to Pakistan

Mohammad Asif has returned to Pakistan after being deported from the UAE, where he was in detention since June 1 for suspected possession of an illegal substance. The case against him was dropped by the Dubai public prosecutor on the grounds of "insignificance."

"First of all, I am thankful to God and I am happy to be back in my country. Now I am not going anywhere," Asif said at Lahore airport, where he arrived after taking a connecting flight from Karachi.

Asif maintained that he was innocent. "I did not use any banned substance. During the Indian Premier League, I underwent two doping tests, and cleared both of them," he said. "If I had been tested positive, the ICC would not have cleared me."

He also credited those who had worked for his release. "I am thankful to our ambassador in Dubai, Ahsanullah Khan, who put in a lot of effort, and when Nadeem Akram [the PCB's director - human resources] arrived, it gave me lots of encouragement."

Meanwhile, Asif is set to face an internal enquiry from the PCB, which earlier in the day issued a press release to confirm the case against him had been dropped. "The drug tests conducted on Asif during the investigations in Dubai were clear and negative for any contraband substance."

Some pick up lines to start with...

Do you have any raisins? No? How about a date?
I was blinded by your beauty so I'm going to need your name and number for insurance reasons.
I'm sorry, were you talking to me? Her: No. Well then, please start.
I know I dont have a chance, but I just wanted to hear an angel talk.
Roses are red, violets are blue, how would you like it if I came home with you?
Hey I just realized this, but you look alot like my next girlfriend.
Are your legs tired, because you've been running through my mind all day long.
Are you lost? Because heaven's a long way from here.
POOF! (What are u doing?) I'm here, where are your other two wishes?
I hope you know CPR, because you take my breath away.
Girl, you better have a license, cuz you are driving me crazy!
If you were the new burger at McDonalds you would be the Mcgorgeous!
Do you have the time? (she gives you the time) No, the time to write my number down .
Let's make like a fabric softener and snuggle.
Are you an interior decorator? When I saw you the room became beautiful.
Hello, I'm a thief, and I'm here to steal your heart.
Is that top felt? [No] Would you like it to be?
Apart from being sexy, what do you do for a living?
Is your last name Gillete cause your the best a man can get.
Are you a parking ticket? (What?) You got fine written all over you.
I'm invisible. (Really?) Can you see me? (Yes) How about tomorrow night?
You can fall off a building, you can fall out a tree, but baby, the best way to fall is in love with me.
I have never had a dream come true until the day that I met you.
You look life my first wife! (how many have you had?) none.
Do you have a sunburn, or are you always this hot?
I'm addicted to yes, and I'm allergic to no. So what's it gonna be