Monday, November 4, 2013

Bolivian plane crash

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Plane crash in Bolivia kills 8, 10 hurtUpdated on : 04-11-2013 08:42 AM
An Aerocon turboprop with 18 people on board crashed in northern Bolivia, killing eight and leaving the other 10 people injured, the airline said.
Aerocon spokesman Nelson Kinn said that the plane had technical issues that led to the plane catching fire on landing in the small city of Riberalta near the Brazilian border, where the Madre de Dios River joins the Beni River. 
There were 16 passengers and two crew on board the Fairchild Metro 23 aircraft. 
“As they were landing, on touchdown, the plane had some kind of problem that led to fire. The people who died sustained multiple injuries and burns,” Kinn said. 
Authorities were investigating the causes of the tragedy.


 

Georgia PM ally seals presidency win

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Georgia PM ally seals presidency with confident win
An ally of Georgia’s billionaire Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili on Monday savoured a crushing win in presidential polls that ended the decade-long dominance of pro-Western reformer Mikheil Saakashvili.
Giorgi Margvelashvili, a little-known academic from Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream coalition, won around 62 per cent of the vote in the poll yesterday, the election commission said after ballots from more than 97 per cent of polling stations had been counted. 
His nearest challenger, ex-parliament speaker David Bakradze from Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM) party, trailed behind on just under 22 percent, official results showed. Margvelashvili had already claimed victory before cheering supporters at a rally in Tbilisi yesterday. 
“I thank you all so much. It is our shared victory,” Margvelashvili said as balloons were released to chants from the crowd.
Basking in the win, Georgia’s richest man Ivanishvili — who wrested power from Saakashvili’s party in parliamentary polls last year in Georgia’s first smooth transfer of power — said that he had been certain of victory.
“All together we will build a Georgia which we dream about,” Ivanishvili said.
“I congratulate you all.”
On sunday’s vote marked the swan song of United States ally Saakashvili’s second and last term and his bitter year-long cohabitation with his bete noire Ivanishvili, who has promised to also step down. 
In a televised address, Saakashvili urged his supporters to respect the outcome of the poll, while calling it a “serious deviation” from Georgia’s path towards development.
“The Georgian voters have expressed their will. I want to tell those who are not happy with the results: we must respect the majority’s opinion,” Saakashvili said. 
Margvelashvili will assume a weaker role than Saakashvili because constitutional changes will see the prime minister take over many key powers from the president and become the dominant force.
Lower stakes this election saw a final turnout of just 46.6 per cent, according to official figures.
Ivanishvili has promised to name his replacement as premier and step down shortly after the polls, arguing that he has achieved his goals.
“This is now the most important thing as the president is no longer the central figure and the next prime minister is now much more powerful,” said Koba Turmanidze, Georgia director for the Caucasus Research Resource Centre. 
Ivanishvili has hinted his replacement will be a member of his cabinet but has so far kept mum about his or her identity.


 

Reshma passes away

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Legendary singer Reshma passes away
Legendary Pakistani folk singer Reshma, who mesmerised music lovers beyond borders with her soulful rendition of songs like ‘Dama Dam Mast Kalandar’ and ‘Lambi Judai’ in her trademark rustic voice, passed away in Lahore on Sunday after suffering from throat cancer.
Born around 1947 in Bikaner, Rajasthan, in a Banjara family, Reshma was under treatment after being diagnosed with the disease years ago and had been in coma for a month.She is survived by son Umair and daughter Khadija. Reshma’s tribe had migrated to Karachi shortly after partition.
Having received no formal education in music, she was only 12 when she was spotted singing at Shahbaz Qalander’s shrine by a television and radio producer, who arranged for her to record the iconic song ‘Laal Meri’ on state-run Pakistan radio.
The song was an instant hit, and Reshma went on to become one of the most popular folk singers of Pakistan, appearing on television in the 1960s, as well as recording songs for both the Pakistani and Indian film industry.
“Singers of that level and magnitude are an institution in themselves and her passing away means a complete era has passed away. It is a huge loss,” Shahram Azhar, lead singer of Pakistani band Laal, told.
Some of her famous numbers include ‘Hai O Rabba nahion lagda dil mera’ and ‘Ankhiyan no rehen de ankhyan de kol kol’. Reshma, who has a massive and loyal fan following, was awarded several national awards including prestigious awards ‘Sitara-i-Imtiaz’ and ‘Legends Of Pakistan’ given by the President of Pakistan.
She was unaffected by fame, sticking to her traditional dress. She was able to perform live in India much later, during the 1980s when India and Pakistan allowed exchange of artistes. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai used her voice in the film ‘Hero’, which featured one of her most famous songs ‘Lambi Judai’.
During her career, she was invited to meet Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, a music lover, had come to her aid and gave her Rs 1 million to help pay off a bank loan.
He also put her on a secured assistance of Rs 10,000 rupees per month. When she was hospitalised in Doctors Hospital at Lahore on 6th April, 2013, the caretaker government led by Najam Sethi decided to pay all her medical expenses.


 

DANCE KA DARD FOR RIPU AND SHIVANGI!

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Ripudaman who swept millions of girls off their feet during his journey of MasterChef India season- 3 has now bagged his place in Nach Baliye-6. The young chef will be seen with his longtime girlfriend Shivangi shaking-a-leg in the celebrity dance reality show.
Ripudaman who is a non-dancer has been having lots of difficulties while rehearsing and learning steps. “I have only danced in various family weddings and may be at parties but never a well-rehearsed dance. My first step took me one whole day to get it right while with Shivangi it all just came so naturally,” laughed Ripu who has been putting in extra hours to get his steps right.“While rehearsing a couple of times I have unintentionally hurt Shivangi so many times. Once I forgot to catch her during a free fall and another time bumped into her while dancing. While there is so much pain I am glad that we are doing all of this now. We are spending so much time together and actually learning a lot about each other.” added Ripu.
Catch Ripudaman with his girlfriend Shivangi on Nach Baliye-6 starting November 9th every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm only on STAR Plus


 

Christmas & New Year’s Eve celebration in Florida, United States

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Here are the spectacular Christmas & New Year’s Eve celebration’s events taking place in several regions of Florida. From stunning parades and trampoline jumping with Santa to outdoor ice skating and an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas Stroll, a holiday in Florida includes tons of fun for tourists of every age and interest.
Tampa Bay, Florida
Thanks to the AirHeads Trampoline Arena, you can see Santa fly this year without the help of his reindeer.  Hit the trampolines and jump along with jolly old St. Nick himself on December – 8, 15 and 22. Unlimited jumping is just $16.95 per person.
Christmas Town transforms Busch Gardensampa into a holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, Nov. 29 through Dec. 23.  Special Christmas entertainment, live music, festive treats, holiday shopping and thousands of twinkling lights will fill the senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors to create a memorable new family tradition. Everyone’s favorite attraction, SnowWorldresented by Coca-Colareturns with three times as much snow!  Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed night event, and families with children ages 3 to 9 will enjoy special $10 advance tickets for their youngest members.
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay, Florida will host Holiday FantaSea, a family-friendly celebration featuring real snow, dazzling holiday lights and more.  From Dec. 26-30, Santa and his swimming elves, as well as special holiday mermaids, will swim throughout the massive tanks alongside all the amazing aquatic creatures each night during Holiday FantaSea.  In addition, the Florida Aquarium will host two dazzling light shows each night, a huge holiday model train display, and extended hours during the Holiday FantaSea event.
Meet Santa and his merry mammals – real reindeer – at Wild Wonderland at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.  Animated displays, a million twinkling lights, free Zoo rides and traditional holiday treats create a whimsical world of holiday magic on Dec. 7, 13-15, 17-23 and 26-30.  On Dec. 13, you can also celebrate the season with the Zoo’s primate family as the primates open special presents from Zoo staff and docents as part of their enrichment program.  The Presents for Primates is included free-of-charge with Zoo admission.
Experience the warmth and charm of an old-time holiday at Henry B. Plant Museum’s 32nd annual Victorian Christmas Stroll, Dec. 1-23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.  There are 14 exhibit rooms, each dazzling with trimmed trees uniquely designed in 19th century themes and antique holiday accessories.  This year there will also be a special exhibit, Toys Then and Now, showcasing antique toys and toys from modern times.  Complimentary spiced cider and savory cookies will be served on the veranda every day, and each evening carolers will perform.  Admission is $13 for adults, $11 seniors and $7 youths (4-18 years).

Panama City Beach, Florida – Sixth Annual Beach Ball Drop: Dec. 31, 2013
The new year’s countdown celebration will begin seconds before midnight, where an 800-pound glowing beach ball will descend, lighting up at the stroke of midnight. The multi-generational portion of the event is held earlier in the evening with fireworks and a family ball drop, consisting of 10,000 inflatable beach balls dropped from the sky. For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.

Southwest Florida’s Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. - Christmas Light Canal Cruises – Dec 4 – 31. 
Christmas Canal Cruises have been a tradition in Punta Gorda for more than 30 years. These popular, family-oriented cruises tour the residential canals to view Christmas lights, displays and decorations on homes, boats, seawalls and docks. Three departures are offered each night at 6:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and at 9:00 p.m. Trip length is one hour, cost is $15.00 for adults, half price for kids 3-11, free under 3. Private charters and group rates also available. Call to reserve: 941-639-0969. www.kingfisherfleet.com
St. Augustine’s , Florida: 59th Annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade – December 7
St. Augustine’s Annual Christmas Parade is one of the largest in North Florida and includes floats, marching bands, cars, horses and the arrival of Santa. The parade starts promptly at 10 a.m. by the Mission of Nombre De Dios, continues through the downtown streets of historic St. Augustine and ends behind the Visitors Center on Castillo Drive.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – New Year’s Eve Noon Balloon Drop – 31st December
The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is bringing back the bang with our New Year’s Eve Noon Balloon Drop Gang. Snap, crackle and pop in our bubble-wrap room as you jump to the jingles of our house band tunes. Create a hilarious hat with eyes that wiggle or make party masks that will make everyone giggle. It all. For more information, visit www.CCpvb.org

St. Augustine’s, Florida 20th Annual Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour “Christmas Around the World” December 14 – 15:
Christmas Around the World is a two-day tour featuring 24 inns throughout historic St. Augustine.  Each day, 12 inns open their doors to display entertaining decorations & scenes based on the culture, history & holiday traditions of colorful places from Spain to Germany to Ireland – and perhaps some imaginative places that may surprise you.  Each inn is paired with a distinguished St. Augustine restaurant or other culinary partner offering savory nibbles, sweet treats & refreshments. Tickets are $25. www.staugustinebandbtour.com

Coachman Park, Clearwater Beach, Florida – 2013 Memorial Holiday Boat Parade – December 14,
One of the area’s largest boat parades.  Come watch several dozen lighted and decorated boats cruise through the waterways and head toward the judge’s review stand for awards and prizes.
December 24th & 25th - Christmas Eve & Christmas Day celebration at The Chesterfield Palm Beach, Florida
The Chesterfield Palm Beach is hosting a holiday celebration for our guests, families and friends. The festive feast, prepared by Executive Chef Gerard Coughlin, features entr饠selections including Prime Rib Roast, Roast Duckling, and Pan Seared Chilean Seabass. Prices are $56.00 per adult and $16.95 for children 12 and under, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
31st December – New Year’s Eve Gala at The Chesterfield Palm Beach, Florida
Ring in the New Year with the Chesterfield Palm Beach’s annual Gala Dinner. Our enticing four-course  New Year’s menu is served in two sittings with dancing and live music entertainment all evening long. Welcome in 2014 with extravagant party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Price is $95 per person for the 6:00 p.m. seating and $125 per person for the 8:30 p.m. seating, including party favors and champagne. Tax and gratuity are not included; reservations are required. Dress code for gentleman is a jacket and tie.
Home for the Holidays Package – December 1st – 30th, 2013 at The Chesterfield Palm Beach, Florida
The Chesterfield Palm Beach offers guests the perfect sun-soaked escape this holiday season, complete with festive cocktails and pre-packaged beach supplies. This relaxing package features two nights in a luxurious bedroom or suite, full English Breakfasts each morning, and a personal mixology lesson from one of the Leopard Lounge’s expert bartenders. Prices start from $234.00 per room per night, including tax, based on double occupancy for a minimum stay of two nights.
For more information, please contact
Jasmine Roy
Manager- Corporate Communications
Visit Florida
Tel: +91 22 42163144
Mobile – 9004690231


 

‘Indigenising Technology & Production in Defence – India’s Survival Need’

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Ajit Doval, Director-Vivekananda International Foundation  cordially invites you to Vimarsha.
 
Dr.V.K. Saraswat
(Former DG, DRDO & Former Chief Scientific Advisor to MOD)
 will speak on 
 
‘Indigenising Technology & Production in Defence – India’s Survival Need’

Date:  Monday, 11th November 2013 at 6:00 pm 
 
Venue : Vivekananda International Foundation
              
3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri 
               New Delhi-110021

The talk will be followed by an interaction. 
Please join us for tea at 5.30 pm.
(Formal Invitation Card attached)
RSVP: 011-2412-1764


 

Czech Castles Exhibition

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Czech Castle architecture is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic abounds in cultural treasures, among which castles and chateaux as historical residences of the social elite, of rulers, of the aristocracy, and of religious institutions attracts special attention.

Therefore, the Exhibition “Czech Castles” is being organized for the very first time in India by the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic, New Delhi, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The Exhibition presents a selection of 37 most interesting castles and chateaux of Bohemia and Moravia, two of the historic areas that make up the Czech state. The
criterion for the selection of the localities has been their historical significance as well as their architectural, artistic, and historical value. The exhibition depicts the historic and current images of the most amazing and most popular Czech Castles

The exhibition will be officially inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Jan Kohout, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Jiri Balvin, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic and H. E. Mrs. Chandresh Kumari Katoch, Minister of Culture of the Republic of India, at the iconic Red Fort – “Quarter Guard” Gallery in Delhi in 07th November, 2013 at 3 pm.

To augment the inauguration ceremony at the Red Fort, the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Museum of the Czech Republic and the Archaeological Survey of India will be signed during the opening ceremony and will form the basis for more active cooperation between mentioned institutes. The inauguration ceremony will also be accompanied by live performance of the Czech classical music group “Spork Quartet”, which has performed all over the Czech Republic and many other parts of the world and will be performing in New Delhi for the first time.

The Exhibition will stay at the Red Fort till January 2014 and then tour through various cities of India and other countries. After the official launch at the Red Fort in November 2013, the exhibition will be presented in Bhutan (Royal Textile Academy, February – March 2014), Nepal (April – May 2014), Leh (Leh Palace, June-July 2014), Kolkata (Currency Building September – October 2014), Mumbai (Nehru Science Centre, November 2014) and Goa –Panaji (Kala Academy, December 2014 – January 2015), constituting the largest presentation of the Czech Republic in India.

The “Czech Castles” Exhibition Tour will be accompanied by rich cultural program consisting of art exhibitions, music presentations and other events that will together celebrate the Czech-India Cultural Year 2014.  The cultural tour is being organized as part of a large promotion campaign to highlight the Czech Republic as a historically rich, culturally interesting and irresistibly attractive touristic destination in the Heart of Europe. Therefore, the five Indian cities of New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Goa and Leh have been selected as they belong to the key tourist destinations in India and attract huge number Foreign and Indian tourists through all seasons of the year (for example the Red Fort in Old Delhi registers up to 10,000 visitors on a daily basis).

The event is co-sponsored by our partners Turkish Airline and Indigo Airlines.




Miloslav Stasek

                                                                        Ambassador of the Czech Republic

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