India’s cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar has been named a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Tendulkar, the first player to score 10,000 runs in one-day internationals, will use his massive global popularity to raise awareness and harness support for environmental action in his home country of India and around the world, the UNEP announced on Friday.

“I have played and enjoyed my cricket across the planet. Now it’s also time to do something for the planet, which is our only home,” he said.

“Being part of the effort to save the planet is an immense undertaking but it is a challenge I am ready to undertake. Working with UNEP and cricket fans across the globe, I am in good company. Together we can do it.”

The agency’s Executive Director, Achim Steiner, voiced confidence that Tendulkar’s “character, personal integrity, intellect and profile will catalyze widespread environmental action.”

With 2010 being the UN’s International Year of Biodiversity, the cricket legend will work with the agency to boost the global and grassroots response to the loss of animal and plant diversity worldwide.

Tendulkar is no stranger to the work of the UN, having lent his voice to a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) campaign in India on the importance of personal hygiene.

As one of his first duties as Goodwill Ambassador, he will lead a Green Pledge to save the planet when the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off its third season tomorrow night in Mumbai.

The vow to be made in front of the millions of fans expected to be watching live on television, YouTube or at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai reads “the Earth is our home and together we must conserve our precious wildlife, forests and oceans. I am proud to pledge that I will play my part in caring for our natural heritage.”

Along with Tendulkar, team captains from the Deccan Chargers to the Kolkata Knight Riders will sign a giant globe made out of recycled materials.

Noting that as a rapidly developing economy, India’s consumption and production patterns could define the planet’s future, Steiner said: “We need to make the right choices in terms of how best to manage energy and natural resources.”

“To borrow a cricketing metaphor, these choices will define whether the world is running or soon will be run out.”

While the Victoria Police have denied that another arrest has been made in the Gurshan murder case, it has not answered the question how the toddler got ‘unconscious’ before being taken around by Gursewak Dhillon.

A media report had yesterday claimed that Gursewak Dhillon’s wife Simrat Kaur had been arrested for helping her husband dispose of the toddler’s body.

Meanwhile, a report from India says that Gursewak Singh Dhillon was opening a door that accidentally hit Gurshan and then panicked when the child fell unconscious, father of the accused said.

However, the cause of death could not be detected in the autopsy.

Pragat Singh Dhillon had told the Indian media that the toddler’s death resulted from an ”innocent mistake”. Continue Reading

The terror attack in Kabul was on the pattern of the 26/11 Mumbai carnage, with six to eight terrorists targeting two hotels and hunting for victims during the strike in which nine Indians were killed and 10 others injured.

Investigators suspect involvement of the Taliban, particularly the Haqqani group, in league with elements of Lashkar-e Taiba in Friday’s assault, sources said.

The attack was carried out in a coordinated manner with the terrorists first exploding bombs and then launching the armed assault, hunting for the targets, particularly the members of the Indian medical mission, a pattern seen in Mumbai during the 26/11 attack, sources added. Continue Reading

By A Correspondent

On January 15, 2010, Sydney Girl Sanghmitra made a quiet entry into Bollywood with the release of “Bhavnao Ko Samjho” in which she plays the lead role. The film has also entered Guinness Book of records for featuring 51 stand-up comedians. The story of the film revolves around Suman (Sanghmitra) who is the doting grand-daughter of a wealthy businessman and heiress to his property.

Sanghmitra has been appreciated by the critics for her scintillating performance in the movie and seems to have crossed the first hurdle in her journey to stardom. Her next film, Idiot Box is also due to be released soon in which she plays a pivotal role. Continue Reading

Close on the heels of stabbing to death of Nitin Garg in Melbourne last week another man of Indian origin is in a serious condition in hospital after he was allegedly attacked by four men and set on fire in city’s north-west overnight.

The 29-year-old Jaspreet Singh was taken to hospital with burns to 15 per cent of his body after the attack shortly before 2 am in Essendon. He is reported to be in a stable condition. Continue Reading

The brutal killing of two Indians, Nitin Garg and Ranjodh Singh in Melbourne and Griffith, respectively, last week has revived the debate that whether the attacks were racially motivated or just a law and order problem. In both the cases, it is not good for the image of the Australian Government. The attacks are happening despite the assurances by top political leaders, including the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Education Minister.

The Indian Government has once again threatened of strong action that will affect one of the biggest revenue earning industries for the Australian Government — education. To begin with let’s presume the attacks are racially motivated, it is then up to the Australian government or the police to prove it otherwise. Continue Reading

N D Tiwari’s continuance as Andhra Pradesh Governor appears to have become untenable with indications that the 86-year-old leader may be asked to go in the wake of a sting operation that purportedly showed him in a compromising position with three women. The Central Government has asked for a report from the state government and knowledgeable sources here said that he may be asked to quit the post following severe embarrassment to the Congress party. Meanwhile, to the last reports at the time of writing the report Mr. Tiwari has resigned and Congress has termed that he has taken a moral stand.

After the sting operation was telecast yesterday by the ABN Andhra Jyothi channel, the Raj Bhavan approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court and got a restraint order on the channel from telecasting the footage. Continue Reading

At least 27 MLAs and 5 MPS (mostly from Congress) tendered their resignations on Thursday over Union Govt’s decision to split Andhra Pradesh and create Telengana. According to another media reports the number of resignations have gone up to 60 with the MLAs saying they will be lynched by their constituents if they supported the move to create Telengana state.

Two senior Congress MLAs and former ministers JC Diwakar Reddy and DL Ravindra Reddy were among the early movers. While Diwakar Reddy represents Tadipatri Assembly constituency in the backward Anantapur district, Ravindra Reddy is from Mydukuru in Kadapa district of Rayalaseema. Continue Reading

By Roseline Deleu

Who does not enjoy browsing in pre loved shops in search for a good bargain?

 Keep in mind that the 2^nd hand goods are carrying subtle energies, storing memories of their previous owners, their moods, their vibrations, their energies, their laughter, their joy too of course! Displaying pre-loved items in your home will have an impact on your life; so follow these suggestions to take essential precautions.

 Mirrors

To my understanding and my perception, and… having visited and consulted so many houses over the past 17 years, I can tell you that mirrors are real gateways to spirits. They also act like sponges and ‘keep in mind’ all what happened in their vicinity. This is one of the reasons why having mirrors in a bedroom (new or old mirrors) can be disturbing your sleep, having babies waking up at night crying for no obvious reason. Do you have a mirror reflecting your body when laying in bed? It is recommended to cover it during your rest. Continue Reading

Team India after its series win over Sri Lanka in Mumbai

After over 77 tests and remaining minnows for several decades, India today became the number one team in Test rankings following it victory over  Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs in the third and final cricket Test to clinch the three-match series by a 2-0 margin. Needing just four wickets to record an emphatic victory, the hosts took just about 40 minutes to polish off the visiting team’s tail to record their second consecutive innings victory.

Resuming at 274 for six, the Sri Lankans lost their heroic captain Kumar Sangakkara (137) in the very first over and were bundled out for 309 with Zaheer Khan being the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 5/72. The Sunday crowd at the Brabourne Stadium, hosting a Test match after a gap of 36 years, witnessed a historic moment as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men crowned themselves the number one team. Continue Reading