It’s man’s world here. New Delhi thrilled to be the country’s first state hosting first fashion week for men. The growing and lucrative market is often overshadowed by women's attire, but hence onwards it will face the stiff competition from men’s outfit. Van Heusen India Men’s Week (VHIMW) kicked off here at “The Grand” Friday.
The Men's week is India's first ever fashion event for men and is showcasing 15 shows by 21 designers. The inauguration took place with the designer Ravi Bajaj’s Dandy March collection. Three newcomers—Aslam Khan, Rajvi Mohan and Himmat Singh Jaipur also exhibited their collections on the opening day.
Former model and Bollywood actor Dino Morea and former cricketer Anil Kumble appeared on ramp exhibiting the creations of designer Manoviraj Khosla at India’s Men’s Week 2009 on Friday.
"Any initiative has a high risk and high rewards; it's a kind of nervous energy. In the process you discover something and if there is mass segment available there is a possibility of venturing into other segments like a fashion week for kids in the future," said Shivaraj Subramaniam, brand head of Madura Garments (Van Heusen).
Designer Ravi Bajaj said that the industry had moved a long way, and there has been a lot of growth in the men’s fashion scenario.
It is the first show for Himmat Singh. “I have launched my ethnic collection from Rajasthan and I have tried to bring out a hidden culture,” said Singh, who tried to translate the royal world of Rajasthan with his “prince collection” displaying by his models wearing 'bandhgalas' and 'sherwanis' with ethnic 'pagdis' and swords.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Raj Singh Dungarpur passes away
Former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur breathed his last on Saturday morning at his residence in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. The 74-year-old Dungarpur was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Popularly known as 'Rajbhai' in the cricket fraternity, Dungarpur was an Indian cricket board president and also a former first class cricketer. He also served Indian cricket board two terms as the national selector, and was also the manager of the team on four overseas tours, including the one to Pakistan in 2005-06. He was also the president of Cricket club of India (CCI) for more than 13 years.
Born on December 19, 1935 to an erstwhile ruler of Dungarpur, Maharawal Lakshman Singhji, in Rajasthan, he represented Rajasthan in 86 first-class matches from 1955-71. He was a medium fast bowler, taking 206 wickets. He was the youngest son of Singhji. Jaisinghji and Mahipalsinghji are his two brothers. He was also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Birth : December 19, 1935
Death: September 12, 2009
Popularly known as 'Rajbhai' in the cricket fraternity, Dungarpur was an Indian cricket board president and also a former first class cricketer. He also served Indian cricket board two terms as the national selector, and was also the manager of the team on four overseas tours, including the one to Pakistan in 2005-06. He was also the president of Cricket club of India (CCI) for more than 13 years.
Born on December 19, 1935 to an erstwhile ruler of Dungarpur, Maharawal Lakshman Singhji, in Rajasthan, he represented Rajasthan in 86 first-class matches from 1955-71. He was a medium fast bowler, taking 206 wickets. He was the youngest son of Singhji. Jaisinghji and Mahipalsinghji are his two brothers. He was also a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Birth : December 19, 1935
Death: September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Distance Learning in India: an overview
Distance learning or distance education has revolutionized the traditional educational methods in India by opening a number of opportunities for the learners. For a developing nation like us with fix number of seats in colleges and universities in comparison to its enormous population, it is rather difficult to provide opportunity to everyone to get enrolled. Moreover, distance learning is most opportune choice for those who want to leverage their knowledge and pursue higher education simultaneously while working.
Distance education is an innovative and flexible system of education where educators and learners are physically separated by time or space. There is no direct interaction or face to face activity between them. The learning material is sent to learners from time to time and they have to complete assignments and get it checked by their study centres. The study centres also help students with contact classes or sessions to get solved their problems and difficulties from the subject experts. In due course of time, growth of online education has revolutionized the distance education. However, a brief outline needs to be drawn here between distance learning and online learning. While distance learning courses may or may not be learning courses, all online degree courses can be termed as distance learning courses.
Distance learning is certainly not apt for those who prefer the face to face interaction and real-life discussions that is found only in the classroom. But, distance learning has been proved fruitful for students who want to leverage their knowledge while fulfilling family and work obligations. A person who has thirst for knowledge, but is unable to complete his/her education through regular system of education can avail the opportunity to complete education through distance mode of education. In other words, distance learning programs are fitting for those who want to learn and earn together. Besides, adults who wish to pursue lifelong education not only to enhance their skills but also to improve their quality of life can themselves enroll for relevant courses and gain knowledge on food, health and various other topics which are important for them as well as their family.
In view of India’s incessantly increasing population, the geographical distances, and limited number of seats available in colleges, distance learning opens new directions of opportunities for the learners to obtain higher education irrespective of distant location and time. People belonging to weaker sections of the society and residing in remote areas can also have the privilege of studying in India’s topmost universities through distance learning. Distance is now no longer a hindrance to pursue a desirable course as most universities providing distance learning programs have study and examination centres in many cities. Distance education has opened a new window of opportunities for countless professionals, dropouts (school & college), and housewives to accomplish their incomplete dreams. The distance education in forthcoming times will no doubt see a manifold increase in people’s enrolment.
Presently, there are 15 open universities, including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and about 54 distance learning institutes in India. Most of the Indian states viz., Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, West Bengal offer distance learning programs. Some of the states even have a separate department for distance learning like University of Delhi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Punjab University, Osmania University, Hyderabad and others.
Distance education is an innovative and flexible system of education where educators and learners are physically separated by time or space. There is no direct interaction or face to face activity between them. The learning material is sent to learners from time to time and they have to complete assignments and get it checked by their study centres. The study centres also help students with contact classes or sessions to get solved their problems and difficulties from the subject experts. In due course of time, growth of online education has revolutionized the distance education. However, a brief outline needs to be drawn here between distance learning and online learning. While distance learning courses may or may not be learning courses, all online degree courses can be termed as distance learning courses.
Distance learning is certainly not apt for those who prefer the face to face interaction and real-life discussions that is found only in the classroom. But, distance learning has been proved fruitful for students who want to leverage their knowledge while fulfilling family and work obligations. A person who has thirst for knowledge, but is unable to complete his/her education through regular system of education can avail the opportunity to complete education through distance mode of education. In other words, distance learning programs are fitting for those who want to learn and earn together. Besides, adults who wish to pursue lifelong education not only to enhance their skills but also to improve their quality of life can themselves enroll for relevant courses and gain knowledge on food, health and various other topics which are important for them as well as their family.
In view of India’s incessantly increasing population, the geographical distances, and limited number of seats available in colleges, distance learning opens new directions of opportunities for the learners to obtain higher education irrespective of distant location and time. People belonging to weaker sections of the society and residing in remote areas can also have the privilege of studying in India’s topmost universities through distance learning. Distance is now no longer a hindrance to pursue a desirable course as most universities providing distance learning programs have study and examination centres in many cities. Distance education has opened a new window of opportunities for countless professionals, dropouts (school & college), and housewives to accomplish their incomplete dreams. The distance education in forthcoming times will no doubt see a manifold increase in people’s enrolment.
Presently, there are 15 open universities, including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and about 54 distance learning institutes in India. Most of the Indian states viz., Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, West Bengal offer distance learning programs. Some of the states even have a separate department for distance learning like University of Delhi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Punjab University, Osmania University, Hyderabad and others.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Lisa Ray diagnosed with incurable cancer
Bollywood actress Lisa Ray has unveiled in her blog “The Yellow Diaries” a terrible hard truth which she has been facing over a couple of months that she is suffering from Multiple Myeloma, a rare cancer of the plasma cells, which produce antibodies. Myeloma is an incurable disease.
The Canadian born Ray, who started off her career with the Bollywood movie Kasoor after modeling, decided to reveal the truth setting aside suggestion not to reveal the tragic news as it would affect her career.
The 37-year-old actress writes on September 3 that she has started this blog to give people an insight into her life. “The yellow diaries will be a place where I write about my personal journey,” she wrote.
On September 8, she wrote, “I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on June 23rd. Started my first cycle of treatment July 2nd…not long ago.”
“For me, it was a relief to hear what was wrong. The plasma cells in my bone marrow were rampaging, multiplying, squeezing out the red blood cells and it was time to begin doing something about it. I was also tired of being tired all the time. And you just know when something is not kosher with your body. So when I sat there with Bobcat- my life partner and reservoir of Yellow- and got the news I didn’t react and I didn’t cry. I’m an actress, believe me, I can be dramatic. Not just then though,” she adds.
The fact that Myeloma is incurable, I believe it can be cured, she says that is the dirty realist in me. “It’s a relatively rare cancer of the bone marrow that affects about 6000 Canadians. Every year, approximately 2100 more cases are diagnosed,” she wrote adding, “But only with an ever expanding toolbox of treatments and awareness can this Cancer be beat. So I’m going to do everything I can to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and Cancer Awareness. I believe it can be cured.”
Lisa, who had also been voted as 'The Most Beautiful Woman of the Millennium' is currently in Canada. She was last seen in Deepa Mehta’s Water, where she played a young widow, and will be seen in ‘I Can’t Think Straight’, a Shamim Sharif movie due for release on Sept 11, where she played a lesbian.
Lisa Ray now plans to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and cancer awareness. "I am going to do everything I can to create awareness on cancer," she says.
The Canadian born Ray, who started off her career with the Bollywood movie Kasoor after modeling, decided to reveal the truth setting aside suggestion not to reveal the tragic news as it would affect her career.
The 37-year-old actress writes on September 3 that she has started this blog to give people an insight into her life. “The yellow diaries will be a place where I write about my personal journey,” she wrote.
On September 8, she wrote, “I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on June 23rd. Started my first cycle of treatment July 2nd…not long ago.”
“For me, it was a relief to hear what was wrong. The plasma cells in my bone marrow were rampaging, multiplying, squeezing out the red blood cells and it was time to begin doing something about it. I was also tired of being tired all the time. And you just know when something is not kosher with your body. So when I sat there with Bobcat- my life partner and reservoir of Yellow- and got the news I didn’t react and I didn’t cry. I’m an actress, believe me, I can be dramatic. Not just then though,” she adds.
The fact that Myeloma is incurable, I believe it can be cured, she says that is the dirty realist in me. “It’s a relatively rare cancer of the bone marrow that affects about 6000 Canadians. Every year, approximately 2100 more cases are diagnosed,” she wrote adding, “But only with an ever expanding toolbox of treatments and awareness can this Cancer be beat. So I’m going to do everything I can to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and Cancer Awareness. I believe it can be cured.”
Lisa, who had also been voted as 'The Most Beautiful Woman of the Millennium' is currently in Canada. She was last seen in Deepa Mehta’s Water, where she played a young widow, and will be seen in ‘I Can’t Think Straight’, a Shamim Sharif movie due for release on Sept 11, where she played a lesbian.
Lisa Ray now plans to wrench the spotlight onto Myeloma and cancer awareness. "I am going to do everything I can to create awareness on cancer," she says.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Gujarat HC lifts ban on Jaswant’s Jinnah book
Banning the book “Jinnah: India-Partition-Independence” is a serious intrusion on fundamental rights of the citizens, the Gujarat High Court said on Friday ordering the government to lift the ban on the book written by expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh.
The court also said the government had not read the book thoroughly and had not applied its mind in characterising the book as “against national interest” before imposing the ban.
The Gujarat government had proscribed the book in the state stating the contents of the book was “objectionable, misleading, and against public tranquillity”. The government had also claimed the book had misrepresented the image of Sardar patel and tried to tarnish his patriotic spirit. The book was banned for defamatory references to India’s first home minister, which was not acceptable to anyone, the government had said.
The state government had issued a notification under section 95 of the CrPC on August 19 banning Singh's book on the ground that it was against "national interest" and the contents were "misleading".
The HC, however, did not accept any of the government’s such contentions, but said the government could come out with fresh notifications in this regard, if it wanted.
The 71-year-old writer of the book, Jaswant Singh, welcomed the decision and said he was thrilled by the judgment. "It is a matter of satisfaction that the court has lifted the ban on the book, Singh said, adding the court had upheld freedom of speech.
Singh has also filed a separate case in the Supreme Court challenging the ban, which will be heard on September 8.
Within a couple of days of releasing the book, Jaswant Singh was expelled by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) from the party on August 19 without seeking any clarification from him; on the pretext of eulogising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and making him custodian of secularism, and Nehru and Patel as the culprit of partition of India. The controversy surrounding the book, on the other hand, earned it good, zooming it to the top of the bestseller not only in India but also in Pakistan where Jinnah has the same respect as Gandhi in India.
The court also said the government had not read the book thoroughly and had not applied its mind in characterising the book as “against national interest” before imposing the ban.
The Gujarat government had proscribed the book in the state stating the contents of the book was “objectionable, misleading, and against public tranquillity”. The government had also claimed the book had misrepresented the image of Sardar patel and tried to tarnish his patriotic spirit. The book was banned for defamatory references to India’s first home minister, which was not acceptable to anyone, the government had said.
The state government had issued a notification under section 95 of the CrPC on August 19 banning Singh's book on the ground that it was against "national interest" and the contents were "misleading".
The HC, however, did not accept any of the government’s such contentions, but said the government could come out with fresh notifications in this regard, if it wanted.
The 71-year-old writer of the book, Jaswant Singh, welcomed the decision and said he was thrilled by the judgment. "It is a matter of satisfaction that the court has lifted the ban on the book, Singh said, adding the court had upheld freedom of speech.
Singh has also filed a separate case in the Supreme Court challenging the ban, which will be heard on September 8.
Within a couple of days of releasing the book, Jaswant Singh was expelled by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) from the party on August 19 without seeking any clarification from him; on the pretext of eulogising Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and making him custodian of secularism, and Nehru and Patel as the culprit of partition of India. The controversy surrounding the book, on the other hand, earned it good, zooming it to the top of the bestseller not only in India but also in Pakistan where Jinnah has the same respect as Gandhi in India.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Int’l Workshop in Kerala on Greenstone Digital Library Software
The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) is going to organize an International Workshop on Greenstone Digital Library Software at its campus in Kerala during November 23 to 28, 2009. To facilitate the workshop, IIMK has come into technical collaboration with Greenstone Support for South Asia, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and UNESCO New Delhi office.
The objective of the Workshop is to propose a six-day long high-end training programme on digital libraries on the open source software 'Greenstone'. The Workshop shall facilitate the participants in creating state-of-the-art digital libraries using the Greenstone open source software, which include software installation, configuration, customization, digitization and other related workflow operations, content development and management, designing and creating standard metadata sets to describe digital objects and encoding it in standard mark-up formats.
Participants attaining the workshop, which will be conducted as a Faculty Development Programme (FDP), are expected to develop professional capacity in their respective countries. Each participant will be provided a PC supplemented with LCD project demos, and will receive a CD-ROM comprising of the latest version of Greenstone Software, other related software packages and faculty presentations.
Registration is open for interested professionals from India and other countries on first-come-first-served basis. Nomination forms duly filled in, along with the Course Fee, should reach the FDP Office at IIMK latest by 12 November 2009.
The objective of the Workshop is to propose a six-day long high-end training programme on digital libraries on the open source software 'Greenstone'. The Workshop shall facilitate the participants in creating state-of-the-art digital libraries using the Greenstone open source software, which include software installation, configuration, customization, digitization and other related workflow operations, content development and management, designing and creating standard metadata sets to describe digital objects and encoding it in standard mark-up formats.
Participants attaining the workshop, which will be conducted as a Faculty Development Programme (FDP), are expected to develop professional capacity in their respective countries. Each participant will be provided a PC supplemented with LCD project demos, and will receive a CD-ROM comprising of the latest version of Greenstone Software, other related software packages and faculty presentations.
Registration is open for interested professionals from India and other countries on first-come-first-served basis. Nomination forms duly filled in, along with the Course Fee, should reach the FDP Office at IIMK latest by 12 November 2009.
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