After 28 years, a 3D avatar for Sholay - India

June  18, 2013

After 28 years, a 3D avatar for Sholay

Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan in Sholay More Pics

The 3D version of the 1975 superhit 'Sholay' is all set to hit the theatres. A source revealed that over 150 technicians had painstakingly worked for over a year for the new avatar and there were plans to hold screening for the veterans Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra.

"The poster design is unique too, showing Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan on their favourite bike wearing 3D specs. There are other innovative ideas being worked upon the publicity design too.

The purpose of converting Sholay in 3D is to let the current generation know what a classic it was and why its success could never be matched," said the source.

US top court invalidates Arizona voter registration law - India

17  june  2013

US top court invalidates Arizona voter registration law

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Washington: The US Supreme Court on Monday invalidated a law that required people to show proof of nationality when registering to vote in the state of Arizona.

The law in the southwestern Republican-ruled state, put in place to keep undocumented immigrants from casting ballots, required documents that the federal government does not ask for when people complete a federal voter registration form.

Federal law "precludes Arizona from requiring a federal form applicant to submit information beyond that required by the form itself," conservative Justice Antonin Scalia wrote on behalf of the panel's majority.

This decision -- backed by seven of the nine justices -- only affects Arizona, which borders Mexico and often spars with Washington over immigration issues. But four other states -- Alabama, Georgia, Kansas and Tennessee -- have similar laws. Twelve additional states envisage doing the same.

The ruling is a victory for activists who saw it as a new infringement on the rights of minorities.

"The court has taken a vital step in ensuring the ballot remains free, fair, and accessible for all citizens," said Laughlin McDonald of the American Civil Liberties Union.

In the United States, about 13 million people lack documentary proof of their citizenship, according to the group.

In Arizona alone, 90 percent of the more than 31,000 US citizens whose voter registration applications were denied were actually born in the United States, it added.

"Today's decision is a victory for the federal government's authority to regulate federal elections and protect the right to vote," said Elizabeth Wydra of the Constitutional Accountability Center.

Nina Perales of MALDEF, a Latino civil rights organization, said "today's decision sends a strong message that states cannot block their citizens from registering to vote by superimposing burdensome paperwork requirements on top of federal law."

"The Supreme Court has affirmed that all US citizens have the right to register to vote using the national postcard, regardless of the state in which they live."

The case was taken to the high court by Jesus Gonzalez, a naturalized American, whose registration was rejected under Arizona law.

Nelson Mandela seeing sustained improvement in health - India

16  june  2013

Mandela seeing sustained improvement in health

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

Johannesburg: South Africa's president says that Nelson Mandela is seeing sustained improvement from the recurring lung infection that is forcing him to spend a ninth day in the hospital.

President Jacob Zuma said Sunday that Mandela remains in serious condition but that over the last two days his doctors have said that the improvements in his health have been sustained. Zuma said that Mandela "continues to engage with family."

Speaking at a Youth Day celebration in South Africa, Zuma asked the audience to join him in wishing Mandela a happy Father's Day.

I

The leader of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement, Mandela spent 27 years in prison during white racist rule.

He was freed in 1990 and became South Africa's first black president in 1994.

Maruti Suzuki drives in CNG Ertiga at Rs. 6.52 lakh - India

15 june 2013

Maruti Suzuki drives in CNG Ertiga at Rs. 6.52 lakh

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiac Cardiothoracic Heart Surgeon India

New Delhi: The country's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India launched on Saturday a CNG variant of its multi-purpose van 'Ertiga' priced up to Rs. 7.30 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Christened as 'Ertiga Green', it will be available in two variants with the base version available at Rs. 6.52 lakh, while the top-end version is tagged at Rs. 7.30 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the company said in a statement.

"We continuously work to offer products that are high on fuel efficiency and low on overall cost of ownership. Ertiga Green, with a factory fitted CNG system, is another step of Maruti Suzuki to meet today's need of our customers," said Manohar Bhat, the company's vice president of marketing.

The Ertiga has been a success with over 87,000 units sold since its launch in April, 2012, although its sales have tapered off in the recent months in a sluggish market.

'Ertiga Green' is the sixth vehicle from MSI (Maruti Suzuki India) with a factory-fitted CNG kit. Alto, Wagon R, Eeco, SX4 and Estilo are already offered with the factory-fitted CNG option.

The new vehicle will be available in states with CNG infrastructure, including Delhi NCR, Gujarat, Mumbai, Pune, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the company said.

With this, Ertiga will now be available in all three fuel variants- CNG, petrol and diesel.

The launch of the CNG Ertiga is yet another step by the company to drive up its sales. In May MSI's total sales dropped by 14.4 per cent at 84,677 units. Its domestic sales also slipped by 13 per cent at 77,821 units form the same month last year.

The company has already announced June as the 'exchange month' offering its existing customers discounts on exchange of old cars for its new vehicles.

BJP leader Narendra Modi welcomes decision - India

11  june  2013

New Delhi: As Bharatiya Janata Party senior leader LK Advani accepted party Parliamentary Board's decision rejecting his resignation, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday welcomed the party patriarch’s decision.

Expressing his views on social networking website Twitter, Modi said: “I had said yesterday that Advani ji will not disappoint lakhs of Karyakartas. Today, I wholeheartedly welcome his decision!”

Rajnath Singh today said that Advani, who had resigned from all leadership positions, has decided to accept the parliamentary board's request to stay in the core party bodies.

"Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) has asked him to accept the parliamentary board decision and continmue to guide the party in national interest. Advanji has accepted to accept Mohan Bhagwatji's advise," Rajnath Singh told reporters.

Modi on Monday had made a passionate appeal to LK Advani to reverse his decision to resign from party positions.

"Had a detailed conversation with Advaniji on phone. Urged him to change his decision. I hope he will not disappoint lakhs of (party workers)," Modi had tweeted.

A day after the BJP appointed Modi to lead it in the next Lok Sabha elections, Advani quit major party posts after accusing most of its leaders of pursuing "personal agendas".

"Advanji has said that any decision of the party he will accept," Rajnath Singh said quoting Advani, who quit on Monday.