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.”

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Public transport concessions for International students is among the several recommendations made by a former Federal Liberal MP Mr. Bruce Baird who was asked by the Government to conduct a review the multi-million dollar international education sector.

The review has recommended a major regulatory crackdown to prevent overseas students from being exploited. The Baird review was released today in Canberra, reports AAP. Mr. Baird acknowledged ongoing concerns about racism and violent attacks on Indian students.

But in the review consultation process it had been “not high on the agenda” with students, whose key interests were in transport, accommodation and general safety.

He suggested perceived racism was linked to social exclusion, another major concern for foreign students.

It suggests the government get tough on high-risk providers, putting them through a stricter registration process, which involves independent assessors.

Medium to high-risk providers would also be liable to pay a higher rate of registration.

The states and territories will be called upon to upgrade their monitoring of the sector.

“We’ve seen no increase in the number of people looking after these areas, but a doubling of the number of students that are in the area,” Mr. Baird told reporters in Canberra.

The government asked Mr. Baird to conduct a review of Australia’s third largest export industry in August following attacks on international students – especially Indians – and claims some education providers were exploiting foreigners.

Colleges would be fined if there was evidence they had repeatedly given prospective students wrong information about their courses, Mr. Baird said.

“Students were saying, ‘we just got wrong information, the agents lied to us’, and we need to stop that.”

Education providers would be banned for offering commissions for “poaching” students from other colleges.

In the area of student welfare, Mr. Baird recommended the establishment of “hubs”, to provide students with a place to complain about course conditions and give advice on looking for work.

The role of the tertiary regulator – the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency – was another focus of the report.

It was recommended there be one industry regulator rather than each state having its own.

Mr. Baird said there might be a need to educate the public about the importance of embracing the sector.

But he also urged chief police officers from the states and territories to get together to work out if racist attacks did exist, and if so how they could be prevented.

Public transport concessions also needed to be offered to overseas students to make them feel “part of Australia”, Mr. Baird said.

Students had raised the issue as an example of discrimination at every discussion the government had held for the review.

“There is resentment there,” he said, adding that discrimination in terms of travel passes went to the very heart of the issue.

“The students need to feel a part of Australia and I think that’s part of it.”

Victoria and NSW do not offer travel concessions to foreign students.

Mr. Baird suggested students there could pay an upfront fee, and then have access to student fares.

Highlights of the report:

Recommendations of the Baird review into the legislation that governs international education in Australia:

- More support for international students and improved information.

- Stronger consumer protection mechanisms to ensure students are protected from unscrupulous operators.

- Improved regulation of Australia’s international education sector.

- Improved support for those who study and live in Australia including having somewhere to go when problems arise

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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”.

Pragat Singh Dhillon, a retired army captain living near the Punjab city of Jalandhar, said his son had given him an account by telephone of what happened.

”Three days back, Gursewak told me on the phone that as he opened the main door to his residence in Melbourne, which he shared with 12 others, including parents of Gurshan, he hit the boy. He said he could not see from outside that Gurshan was standing next to the door, and the child got hit and fell unconscious,” he told the Indian Express newspaper.

Mr Dhillon said Gursewak told him he shook Gurshan to try to wake him up, but the child didn’t respond. ”He then called out to Gurshan’s mother, who was taking a bath, and his own wife, Simrat Kaur, who was in the kitchen at the time, but both couldn’t hear his calls. He then put the child in his car to take him to hospital,” he told the Indian Express.

”Gursewak said, on the way, his car fuel finished and he got it filled, and then it seemed to him that the child may be dead. It frightened him, and afraid of being charged with murder, he dumped the child.”

Mr Dhillon claimed his son was afraid that nobody would believe his story. If Gursewak had had the courage to admit his mistake, instead of hiding it, he would ”not be in such deep trouble”, the Indian Express reported Mr Dhillon as saying.

Earlier, Gursewak Dhillon, had admitted disposing of the body but denied deliberately injuring the child. He told police the boy was accidentally knocked unconscious on Thursday at the house in David Street, Lalor, where he had been staying.

Dhillon has claimed he panicked and put the unconscious boy in the boot of a car, drove for about three hours and dumped the body 20 kilometres away in Oaklands Junction without checking if the three-year-old was alive. An autopsy has failed to find a cause of death and there were no signs of life-threatening injuries.

Police say that if Dhillon’s version of events is true, it is probable that Gurshan would have recovered from the accident if he had not been trapped in a car boot for hours. Police have seized the Commodore sedan Dhillon said he used on the day. Forensic experts will test the car to see if the boy could have suffocated in the boot or could have died through carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty exhaust.

Meanwhile, hearing in the case against Dhillon has been adjourned till June 29th . The hearing in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning lasted only one minute as the prosecution wanted some time to prepare the case and collect more evidence againt Dhillon.

Earlier, Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles of the homicide squad said Dhillon lived at the same address in David Street, Lalor as three-year-old Gurshan, his parents and six others.

Detective Senior Sergeant Iddles said Dhillon ‘‘placed the child in the boot of his car unconscious but still alive’’.‘‘He then drove up to at least three hours with the child in the boot of the car, eventually stopping at Oaklands Junction, where he placed the child from the boot into the grass and did not check to see if the child was alive, then returned to 28 David Street, Lalor,’’ Detective Senior Sergeant Iddles said.

Dhillon was arrested at a friend’s house in Mill Park, in Melbourne’s north, at 10am today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Iddles gave no evidence about how the little boy came to be unconscious.

Dhillon appeared before the hearing dressed in a white polo shirt, black tracksuit pants and brown thongs and appeared calm throughout the hearing, referring to the dead boy at one stage as ‘‘the kid … the kid that died’’ when asked who lived with him at the David Street address.

Detective Senior Sergeant Iddles said police opposed bail because Dhillon had few ties to Australia and was under investigation by immigration officials over allegations his passport may be false.

Dhillon, a part-time taxi driver who just bought a small truck and was due to start full-time work with a courier company on Wednesday, lives in Lalor with his wife. He has a daughter in his native India.

Dhillon applied for bail, offering to leave his passport and driver’s licence with police and initially telling the bail justice he could stay at the Mill Park house where he was arrested.

But Detective Senior Sergeant Iddles said police had spoken with the man’s friend and were told that ‘‘because of the events that transpired today he (Dhillon) is no longer welcome there’’.

Dhillon then gave the phone number of another friend, a man with whom he plays cricket and who lives in nearby Epping.

He said his friend would be happy to take him in as long as the media was kept away from the man’s house.

First bail justice Ben Czerniewicz, then homicide squad Detective Inspector Steve Clark tried the number, but found it to be out of service.

Mr Czerniewicz then remanded Dhillon in custody amid concerns that he posed an unacceptable flight risk and could also tamper with witnesses in the case.

Dhillon is due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Gurshan’s body was discovered by a council worker in St John Road, Oaklands Junction just before 7pm, around six hours after he disappeared from a Lalor house 20 kilometres away that his parents shared with up to 11 other people.

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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.About six to eight terrorists are suspected to have been involved in the assault at around 6.30 am at the Park Residence Hotel and adjacent Noor guest house, where Indians on transit usually stay, the sources said.

Two or three of the attackers might have been killed in the gunfight with Afghan security forces, they said.

Two Major-rank officers of the army were among the six Indians killed and 10 others, including five army officers, were injured in the assault.

The terrorists targeted those Indians who were engaged in helping Afghan people and building partnership between the two countries, Indian Ambassador Jayant Prasad told PTI.

He said those targeted were earning goodwill for India by bringing the people of the two countries closer through their developmental efforts.

“It is the handiwork of enemies of Afghan people and friendship between people of India and Afghanistan,” Prasad said and asserted that these attempts would not deter India from pursuing its goal of helping Afghanistan.

Taliban, at the behest of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, has been expressing opposition to India’s developmental works in Afghanistan. They have been demanding that India should end its presence in Afghanistan.

The sources said the attack reflected a change of pattern by Taliban terrorists, as this time they went for the soft targets, unlike the protected installations and persons as in the past.

Yesterday’s attack was the fourth on Indian interests in Afghanistan since July 2008 when a car laden with 100 kgs of explosives was blown up at the gate of Indian Embassy, killing 60 people, including four Indians — a Brigadier-rank officer, a senior IFS officer and two ITBP personnel.

In October last year, terrorists struck again at the Embassy, carrying out a car bomb explosion near its outer wall and killing 17 people.

Subsequently, in December, a hotel housing staff of an Indian IT company was targeted. Eight people were killed and two IT executives, an Indian cook and a cleaner were among those injured.

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 The Doordarshan capsule of News in Hindi and English can be viewed from

Mon – Sat: 11am on SBS ONE (rpt 5:20pm on SBS TWO) and Sundays: 11:00am on SBS TWO

SBS Hindi Radio is broadcast in Melbourne (93.1fm) and Sydney (97.7 fm). Sundays 9:00 am, Mondays 3:00pm and Wednesdays 12noon.

Although it is a good beginning but it has been observed the DD news capsule is not long enough to fill the half hour slot and SBS has to use filler items.

Also starting Monday MArch 1, 2010 to Friday March 5 SBS — II will show bollywood movies from 21.00 hrs.

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Tendulkar achieved the unique landmark when he run a single off Langeveldt against South Africa in the second one-dayer of the ongoing three-match series. Sachin’s 200 came off 147 balls, which include 25 fours and 3 sixes. The master surpassed the previous highest individual score made by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar (194 against India in 1997) and Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe (194 not out against Bangladesh in 1999).

Later after the match, Tendulkar said he sensed he could be the first batsman to hit an ODI double century only after he had reached 175 . Tendulkar, whose unbeaten 200 earned him a slice of one day history, said he was merely striking the ball well early in his innings. It was only in the final eight overs that he realised he stood a chance to re-write history.

“In the first half an hour, I was striking the ball well and timing well. The ball was coming nicely onto the bat,” Tendulkar said after the match.

“I was not thinking about it all along. It was only when I crossed 175 and realised that it was still the 42nd over, I felt I have an opportunity. So I decided to take singles and give strike to (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni who was hitting so well,” said the batting great.

On his epic knock, Tendulkar said, “I don’t know how to react. I’d like to dedicate this double-hundred to the people of India for standing behind me for the last 20 years, come what may.”

The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association on Wednesday gifted Tendulkar a silver bat apart from Rs 10 lakh and announced that a pavilion in the Captain Roop Singh Stadium would be named after the Mumbaikar.

Tendulkar said he expected India to score somewhere in the vicinity of 340-350 but it was the big-hitting spree of Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan which guided the team to 401 for three.

“I felt a good target was around 340-350. We had some fantastic batting by Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf and MS. If you look at the partnerships, every over there was a big shots played.Tendulkar started his innings aggressively and made a quick-fire 37-ball fifty before finally completing his century in 90 balls. Sachin extended his lead for the record of most number of centuries to 17 as Ricky Ponting lies in the second place with 29 centuries.

Tendulkar continued his record breaking form as he had slammed his 46th Test ton in the final match of the longer version of the game against the Proteas earlier.

After losing Virender Sehwag (9) early in the innings, Tendulkar put on 194-run partnership with Dinesh Karthik (79 off 85 balls), who slammed his fourth ODI fifty, against South Africa.

In the first match of the ODI series, India about to gift away the match overcame South Africa’s rear guard action by one run in a thrilling One-Day International on Sunday and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Wayne Parnell was run out off the final delivery, attempting a second run that would have tied the match, to leave the Proteas on 297 all out in reply to India’s 298/9.

The tourists were tottering at 225/8 in the 43rd over when the ninth-wicket pair of Parnell and Dale Steyn swung the day-night match around by adding 65 off 38 balls.

South Africa, needing 26 off the final 12 deliveries, smashed 16 runs in the penultimate over of Ashish Nehra that included a six each by Parnell and Steyn.

With nine runs required from five deliveries, seamer Praveen Kumar bowled Steyn and conceded just seven more off the next four to hand India a thrilling win.

Parnell hit a defiant 49 off 47 balls and Steyn plundered an 18-ball 35, but the pair failed to take the tourists across the line at the Sawai Man Singh stadium in Jaipur.

Earlier, Suresh Raina top-scored with 58 off 63 balls and Virender Sehwag hammered a typically aggressive 46 off 37 balls as the hosts piled up 298/9 after being sent in to bat.

South Africa’s stand-in captain Jacques Kallis starred for the tourists with both bat and ball, claiming 3-29 from seven overs with his medium-pace bowling before making a fluent 89.

The veteran all-rounder hit six fours and a six before being eighth out, bowled by Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, 11 runs short of his 17th One-day century.

India took the field in the series opener without bowling spearheads Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, and frontline batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.

Harbhajan was given permission to miss the first two matches due to his sister’s wedding, while the other three were injured.

Kallis led South Africa in the absence of Graeme Smith, who opted out of the One-dayers with a finger injury sustained during the Test series, which ended 1-1 last week.

When India batted, Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik (44) put on 79 for the second wicket in 75 balls after veteran Sachin Tendulkar was run out for four in the second over of the match.

Sehwag, who hit two audacious sixes over the third man and cover region, was unlucky to be run out when a Karthik drive was deflected to the non-striker’s wicket by bowler Charl Langeveldt.

South Africa made a flying start as Herschelle Gibbs (27) and Loots Bosman (29) put on 58 for the first wicket off just 8.4 overs.

South Africa, who were 134/3 at one stage, lost three middle-order wickets for 27 runs to slip to 161/6 by the 35th over.

The second match will be played in Gwalior on Wednesday and the third in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

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But the ambience and flavour of the celebration proved it was “khana khazana” and a lots of memories to cherish as never ever any function organized by any Indian Association/s received such a tremendous response for such an event.  With more than 500 prominent Indians, representatives from over 20 Indian Associations, and star-studded politicians from both the Labor and Liberal parties from State and Federal level attending this event, the Ryde Civic Centre function hall was bursting at seams. And, Dr. Singh himself led the celebration of Australia National Day and the Indian Republic Day by taking control of the proceedings.

Some of the highlights of this program included the benevolent fund for the Indian Diaspora and more than 40 political leaders and party workers from both the Labor and Liberal parties gracing the event. ALP took 2 tables and Liberals took 1 table in function.  Prominent people from the political leadership included: 

Ms Maxine Mckew [Parliamentary secretary, Fed Gov & representing Prime Minister of Australia], Hon Mr. Joe Hockey [Shadow Treasurer, Fed Parliament & representing Hon Tony Abbott, Leader of Opposition in Fed Parliament],Hon Mr. David Borger [NSW Minister], Hon Mr. Peter PriMr.ose [NSW minister], Hon Ms Barbara Perry [NSW minister & representing NSW Premier], Ms Angela D’amore [Parliamentary secretary, NSW], Hon Mr. Laurie Ferguson [Parliamentary secretary, Fed Gov], Mr. David Clarke MLC [Shadow Parliamentary secretary & representing Mr. Barry O’Farrell, Leader of Opposition, NSW], Mr. Phillip Ruddock [Shadow Cabinet secretary, Fed Parliament], Mr. Greg Smith [Shadow Attorney General, NSW], Hon Ms Amanda Fazio [President, Upper House of NSW], Hon Ms Tanya Gadiel [Deputy speaker of NSW parliament], Mr. Chris Hayes MP, Mr. Michael Richardson MP and Mr. Shaoquett Moselmane MLC.

Clr Mark Adler – Canterbury Council, Clr Tony Hay – Hills Shire, Clr Barbara Burton – Hills Shire, Clr Vaseekaran Rajdurai – Holroyd Council, Clr Bill Whelan, Hawkesbury Council, and Crl Trent Zimmerman, North Sydney Council also attended this function.

Mr. Amit Dasgupta, Consul General of India, Sydney and Mr. Gautam Roy, Consul from the Indian Consulate, Sydney also graced this function with their presence.

In a highly emotional and charged up speech, Mr. David Clarke [representing Mr. Barry O’Farrell] from the Australian Liberal Party, said that if his child goes to India he is sure the parents in India would treat him as their son and look after him.  On a similar manner, he urged that the Australian Moms and Dads to treat the Indian students as their own sons and look after them.  He went on and paid tributes to India and its traditions by saying that ‘India practices what it preaches. 

Ms Barbara Perry [representing the Premier of NSW] spoke eloquently about the contribution of Indian Australians and declared that violence against Indian/international students will not be tolerated. She said that students are very welcome in NSW. She was dressed in Indian attire which people appreciated with enthusiastic applause. She spoke about the interest of NSW premier and Government in working actively with the Indian Australians.

Joe Hockey, spoke about the Liberal party’s full committment to its policy of supplying Uranium to India.  Dr Yadu Singh, while responding to Joe Hockey’s speech encouraged the Labor party to consider a similar policy and implement it as early as possible. He explained that the issue of NPT is not relevant in case of India after India has been given an India-specific exemption from NPT by the NSG [Nuclear Suppliers’ Group] in Vienna last year.

Ms Maxine Mckew also spoke very highly of India, Indian Australians and multi-culturalism in Australia. She also explained that India and Australia have a great relationship and it will get even better despite some hiccups. She was very impressed with the enthusiastic participation of women Indian Australians in this function. Her speech generated a thunderous applause from the audience. 

All the speakers from both the major parties spoke highly of India, Indian traditions, Indian sports – in particular Cricket, and the Indian political landscape, which stood the test of times for more than 62 years since securing independence from the British rule in 1947. All speakers were enthusiastically applauded by the audience.  

Mr. Amit Dasgupta, the Consul General of India touched upon two fundamental issues.  One related to the Indian students and the Consul General paid glowing tributes to the NSW Police force and the political landscape of NSW for containing the student issues in NSW.  As a clear indication to vindicate this matter the Consul General said that out of the 1340 attacks on Indian students in 2009, only 13 such attacks occurred in the state of NSW and South Australia – the States which fall under the jurisdiction of Mr. Amit Dasgupta.  He further stated that these statistics do not however condone the vast majority of attacks on Indian students that occurred and still occurring in other States.  He urged that the law enforcement agencies and the political parties should work closely in this direction and ensure safety of the Indian overseas students 

On a second major issue, the Consul General spoke about exploitation of the Indian students by Indian business – in particular the food/restaurant industry whereby the restaurant owners pay less than the wages stipulated under the labor law.  He insisted that all business owners must do ethical business.  He further went on to say that ‘I will not attend any function where he is not assured of suppliers to that function follow ethical standards in conducting their businesses’.  The entire hall including all the politicians from both major parties echoed with a big applause. 

The overwhelming response to this event is an indication of the ‘changing times’ and ‘changing outlook’  to the leadership and responsiveness to the current issues and challenges being faced by various sections of the Indian migrant and student community living in the State of New South Wales.  

Surely the representation of more than 40 students from the International Student community is an indication that they want to hear from the leadership and also from the large number of politicians on their views and actions proposed to be taken to address their issues. The Chief of VETAB [Ms Margaret Willis] and her assistant, Mr. Shona Tannock and Mr. Robert Redfern, Commander, Parramatta Police command [representing NSW Police Commissioner] were present as our guests. Ms Willis’ and Mr. Redfern’s presence was meant to send out the message that quality of training and safety of students are 2 key issues in relations with Indian students.

It is noteworthy that students had paid at a very subsidized rate and all others including the organizers, except a very small numbers of VIP guests, had bought the tickets for their participation in the function.

The representation from more than 20 Indian Associations is a clear indication which shows they are bewildered with the current policies and practices, and financial management of our current top associations and leaders. The one fundamental reason for this large support stems from the fact that they found a new leadership in the AIDFC which can respond to the current issues and make representations at both Australian and Indian Government levels with a solid and united voice.   Some of the major Indian organizations who supported the event included the India Club, The Sydney Sangat, Australian Punjabi Business Association, Australian Indian Business Congress, Punjab For Ever, The Australian Tamil Association Inc (ATA), Hindi Samaj and the Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association (AMU) in addition to others.  

ACR International Tours and Travels added spice to the event by offering one return air ticket through Singapore Airlines for auction.  The auction added nice A$1,000 to the much badly needed money for the ‘benevolent fund project’. Mr. Navneet Chaugar was the winner of this ticket. For the raffle draw which helped us collect about $750, the Good Guys offered a Plasma 26 inch TV which was won by Councilor Bill Whelan of the Hawkesbury City Council.  Congratulations to the winners! 

Media-both Indian and Australian, were represented with Indian Link, The Indian, Punjab Times, Hamare Rang [Pakistani] and most importantly, Channel 9 team present in the function. This was the very first time that Channel 9 crew was present in an Indian function.

Many other ethnic community leaders also graced the occasion with their presence.

The Future – the AIDFC Benevolent Fund

AIDFC has made a number of public announcements at the function to the community as a part of its commitment for the future.  Prominent among them is the creation and implementation of the AIDFC’s Benevolent Fund.  We are committed to get this fund going and make a significant contribution to the well being the Indian migrant and student community, our fellow Australian community and finally to our mother country – India.   

Finally we promise you that we will provide you a solid leadership and will representation at various levels.  We will have clean governance in all matters of the AIDFC management – in particular finance management. We will adopt an ‘open book’ approach in all these areas.  Consideration will be given to broaden the current AIDFC to include more Associations, individual members and businesses.  The community will be getting more frequent updates in the coming weeks and months! 

Ghungurus Group of Shalini Patel was the provider of the entertainment programme which was of 50 minutes duration and had the mix of Bhangra and Bollywood songs/dances. Every one enjoyed it tremendously. Ms. Shubha Kumar gave the vote of thanks.

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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.

Sanghmitra’s journey into the tinsel world began at the tender age of eight when her mother spotted the talent in her and sent her to attend a National School of Drama’s summer workshop in New Delhi. This was followed by a telefilms “Papa kho gaye” and two documentaries on AIDS awareness that were sponsored by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and shown on the SBS channel on World AIDS day a few years ago. She also acted in several TV serials notably among them being “Kahan Se Kahan Tak” directed by renowned film director and veteran Lekh Tandon (Professor and Amrapali). She also hosted over 50 educational programmes for the NCERT on the Doordarshan for schools apart from dubbing for a few TV serials.

Thereafter, upon moving to Sydney with her parents in 2000, Sanghmitra did not let her talent die and began giving dance performances in school and social functions where she would often get standing ovation and several prizes. She acted in several plays for the Abhinay Theatre and other groups. Sanghmitra also hosted TV programmes for Curry Culture on Channel 31.

Sanghmitra is also a trained ramp model and organized first-ever ramp modelling contest and pageant in Sydney in 2003 which was followed by Mr. India Australia 2003, a pageant for the Indian youth of Sydney.

But the fire in her to hit the stardom never doused in spite of being far away from the Bollywood town. As soon as she finished her studies in Sydney, Sanghmitra could not wait to make a dash into the land of her dreams.

Back in Mumbai, Sanghmitra’s journey has not been different from any other newcomer. She had to start from a scratch. Auditions after auditions, she braved lewd remarks and lurid advances of some producers to make a humble beginning by doing a Punjabi music album and few serials. It was during one of the auditions at Anurag Kashyap’s studio that she was offered a small but significant role in Aamir and she grabbed it with both hands.

This was followed by another small but central role in ‘Idiot Box’ in which she makes all characters dance to her tune. Sanghmitra said in an interview recently to an Indian movie magazine about her role that “Idiot box” is a brilliant intellectual comedy. The script and concept of the film are fresh and a much needed break from the traditional “running around trying to find a treasure chest” comedies. Sunando (the director of the film) ventured a completely undiscovered concept and it was impossible to say no (For the role).

This was followed by some TV serials Haadsa (Zee TV), CID (on Sony), Kash-ma-kash Zindagi Ki (Doordarshan), Zindagi ke Rang (Pragya channel). Utilising her modelling talent, Sanghmitra is the brand ambassador of “Nikhaar” Fashion House in Bandra in Mumbai.

Sanghmitra loves challenges and is undeterred by the various auditions she does almost every day. She is determined to keep exploring with the hope that she might soon land a challenging role that would bracket her into the category of ‘fine actors’.

She is a fighter and never likes to lose or left behind. She was in the year IV when the school headmistress chose her own relative for a dance drama ignoring the more talented Sanghmitra; she barged into her office and demanded the reason for dropping her. Taken aback by the determination and courage of the little girl, the headmistress had no choice but to include her in the dance troupe. Even in the making of the films, Sanghmitra had stood her grounds on many an occasion and not allowed any compromise with the situation.

Sanghmitra is not alone in her journey to stardom. She enjoys the solid support of her family with her especially, her mother, who has made a lot of sacrifices right from the beginning to see her daughter’s dreams come true.

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2010 – Year of TRUTH and INTEGRITY
 
Predictions for January 2010
 
CAREER – People become more and more aware of their life choices.  Chances of change appear daily. No more ‘blame game’- no more of staying put or even stuck in the same position… You are now strong enough to take action and move forward. This January, many will take a step out of their comfort zone to discover who they really are thriving more interest, joy and ambition in their current or new job.
LOVE – Interestingly this month you regain lust and desire that you were missing in 2009 by decreasing your alcohol intake. Clear communication and expressing genuine feelings will encourage physical and chemical attraction.
FAMILY – Keep away from your television addiction. You have lost too much of your quality time in 2009 spending it watching uninteresting programs or bad News. Take time out to visit elderly friends, bring a cake along and enjoy a really nice cup of tea and a chat.
WEALTH – Looking at what people spent for Christmas presents leaves you speechless… way too much over the top for you. Your resolution in regards to money for 2010 is definitely oriented towards quality rather than quantity.
YOU – Ask yourself ‘what is holding me back’ – ‘what are my fears’. Once acknowledged and accepted, they can now fade away.
HELP – When feeling pushed into an uncomfortable situation, breathe and physically move one step back. Observe and go into your emotion. Breathe it out and move on. If anyone criticizes you, it is the reflection of what they dislike in themselves; simply send them a deep thought of compassion.
CHILDREN – Monitor and limit computer time to 20 minutes at one time. Interrupt TV and computer games with physical exercises and quality time with you. Children are smarter than you think. It is now time to review your parenting role and be their example for a wonderful year ahead.
OPENNESS – Loads of new ideas to put into place. Don’t delay and act now. Budget your projects carefully… good news, in January you can find many solutions to make all these creations come to life. This month is very ‘fertile’ for those who were challenged with pregnancies in the past.
SELF CONFIDENCE – Wow, what is happening to you? Flow of ideas like never before… You might feel a little bit overwhelmed at first but by the end of January you will be surprised how much you have put into place.
 
Disclaimer : These predictions are for FYI = for your own improvement only. Take responsibility for your actions.
Roseline Deleu, international Feng Shui Master, Author, Inspirational Speaker and Vibrational Reader
Book your personal reading, Feng Shui make-over or become Feng Shui Consultant with Roseline Deleu – call 0412 717 454 Email roseline@fengshuisteps.com
Download your FREE ‘Feng Shui Life Quiz’ on www.fengshuisteps.com

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