Bengal Tiger back in Indian Cricket Team

Sourav Ganguly is back in the Indian Cricket Team. With the recent string of disgusting perfomances by the Indian Cricket Team in South Africa, the Indian Selectors decided to inject experience in the form of Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S.Laxman back into the Indian Cricket Team.

For more on this check out BBC.

Sourav Ganguly - Super Centuries

Lalu Prasad educating Cow and a Bull

Hindustan Times reports that Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will be teaching Hindi and Bhojpuri to his recently acquired Cow and a Bull.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will teach Hindi and Bhojpuri to the two new members of his animal farm - a cow and a bull - so that they can understand him. The pair, a gift from Vijayawada district board in Andhra Pradesh, reacts currently only to Telegu and English.

Howrah Bridge now Illuminated

Howrah Bridge now is illuminated (November 23rd, 2006). Source (Rediff)

Munna Bhai going to Jail?

Sanjay Dutt has been found guilty under the Arms Act. He faces the possibility of being locked up in the prison for upto 5 years.

For more on this story check out BBC

"Always Low Prices" coming to a street near you in India

You might hear the slogan "Hamesha Ek Dam Kam Daam" very soon over the airwaves in India.

Wal*Mart in association with Bharti Enterprises is planning to open up stores across India.

For more on this story check out Business Standard.

Need a Hug? Visit Amma in Michigan

Niraj Warikoo writes in today's Detroit Free Press:

An Indian saint known internationally for hugging millions of people is in Michigan this week for several days of prayer and warm embraces.

Thousands are expected to line up in Dearborn today to get hugs from Mata Amritanandamayi , known as Amma, which means "mother" in the Sanskrit language. The 52-year-old woman was born into a poor family of fishermen in India, and has become known for her charity work and hugging millions of people on tours across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. In 2002, she received the Gandhi-King Award for Non-Violence at the United Nations and her charities have raised millions of dollars for the needy across the world.

Today in Dearborn, she will be at the Hyatt Regency, 600 Town Center Dr., in Dearborn, at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., offering hugs to the public. She will appear again at the Hyatt on Thursday at 7 p.m. for more hugs and a special prayer service. For more information, visit amma.org

Shahrukh Khan to host Kaun Banega Crorepati

India's immensely popular Television show "Kaun Banega Crorepati" gets a new host and that will be the BADSHAH of Bollywood - Shahrukh Khan.

Sameer Nair, CEO, STAR Entertainment India, says:

Without doubt Kaun Banega Crorepati redefined television viewing in India when it was aired first in July 2000. It is a show that remains close to our hearts as it laid the foundation for Star Plus’ domination in the number one slot in the general entertainment channel category for the last six years. When Mr Bachchan expressed a lack of interest and his inability to offer dates to the new KBC, we also chose to move to a new anchor.

Shah Rukh Khan confesses:

I was pleasantly surprised when Star TV offered me the show. I was a participant in season one of KBC ...and little did I know one day I would be hosting it. It is a huge act to follow, that of Mr. Bachchan...but it also excites me that I am getting an opportunity to reach out... talk and interact with my audience.

Source: Financial Express

Breast Cancer Awareness & Health Clinic at Jain Temple of MI

Just found this out listening to Subhash Kelkar's (Amin Sayani of Michigan Indian Radio) Geetanjali Radio Program:

Jain Temple of Michigan will be hosting a FREE Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Clinic on December 2nd.

Speakers will be:
Dr. Tsu-Yin Wu PhD, RN
Prof. Nancy Prince MSN, RN. NP
Both are faculty members at School of Nursing, Eastern Michigan University
They are going to talk about

Latest updates on breast cancer risk, precautions and preventive measures, why you need the screening (i.e., breast self-exam, clinical exam and mammography) and general maintenance of health (calculation of your BMI, blood pressure)

For more info check out Jain Temple Website
For directions to Jain Temple located in Farmington Hills, MI click here.

Aishwarya Rai in Umrao Jaan

Here's Aishwarya Rai in Umrao Jaan. The Song is Salaam (Lyrics, Translation)

Indian Women Boxers are the World's Best

Just when gloom was spreading because of the way the Indian Cricket Team performed in Durban, South Africa, here come the Indian Women Boxers.

The Indian Women Boxers won 4 gold medals in the recently concluded World Women's Boxing Championship in New Delhi, India. Not only that , they ended up wining the overall team championship.

Congratulations to Team India!!!

Source: Times of India

Vivah - Song

Here's a nice song from Vivah - Hamari Shaadi Mein (Lyrics, Translation)

Indian origin girl crowned Miss Great Britain

Preeti Desai a british born girl of Indian Origin has been crowned Miss Great Britain.

According to Times of India

Desai replaced the original Miss GB winner, Danielle Lloyd, after she was stripped off the award for reportedly dating one of the contest's judges.

Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Indian Restaurants in Michigan

Just found out from Alok's website (MIMANTRA) that India Spice Restaurant in Farmington Hills (map) is having a Thanksgiving Day Buffet (Thursday November 23rd 12 noon to 9 pm)

They are serving up a whopping 40+ Regional Indian Specialties
The cost to you is:

Adults $10.95
Kids (5 to 10 years old) $5.95
Kids under 5 years FREE

If you know of any other Desi Restaurants in the Area having a Thanksgiving Day Buffet, do share it with the community by posting a comment or send me an email and I will add it to this post.

Taj Mahal - Vote for an Indian Beauty

On July 7th 2007 the new 7 wonders of the world will be announced. There are 21 finalists and Taj Mahal is one of them.

Visit www.new7wonders.com to vote for Taj Mahal. The top 7 vote getters will be the new 7 wonders of the world.

Do spread the world....

Satellite view of Taj Mahal (Zoom in(+) or Zoom out(-) to look around agra)

Baabul - Bollywood Mega Starrer comes to Michigan

Baabul a Bollywood Hindi Movie starring Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Bollywood Beauty - Rani Mukherjee, Salman Khan, John Abraham is all set to release in Michigan on December 8th at SR Movies, Novi.


For Showtimes in Michigan visit MIMANTRA.











Here's the story outline

Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) is a rich buisnessman, happy and content with his world. He and his wife Shobhana (Hema Malini) have a son Avinash (Salman Khan). After many years of studying abroad, Avinash announces that he is returning home. Soon Malvika "Milli" Talwar (Rani Mukerji) enters his life. Love blossoms between them and they get married and are soon blessed with a son, Ansh. However tradegy strikes the family ........(Got to see the movie....)

Raj Anghan - Canton, MI gas station owner is a winner

Raj Anghan sells the $75 million Mega Millions Jackpot Ticket (Drawing: November 14,2006). His Shell Gas Station is located at the corner of Haggerty and Ford Road in Canton, MI right across from IKEA.

Source: Observer and Eccentric

Jet Airways to fly to United States

US State Department has given security clearance to India's Jet Airways to fly to US

According to media reports Jet Airways would start flights to New York and San Francisco from the summer of 2007.

For more on this check out Hindustan Times.

Sachin Tendulkar makes his test debut on 11/15/1989

Sachin Tendulkar one of the greatest Cricket Players of all time makes his test debut on this day in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi.

Related: Sachin Tendulkar's record breaking test centuries on Google Maps.

Dhoom:2 - World Wide Release set for November 24th

Dhoom:2 starring Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai is coming to a theater near you on November 24th. Here in Michigan check out the release dates and show timings at MIMANTRA





In Dhoom:2 Aishwarya Rai is rumored to have done some bold daredevil stunts.

Jawaharlal Nehru - India's First Prime Minister

Jawaharlal Nehru - India's First Prime Minister is remembered on his 117th Birth Anniversary (November 14th).

Click on the image for a look at Jawaharlal Nehru's birthplace and a short video.

Prem Rawat: Words of Peace DVD Program

Prem Rawat: Words of Peace DVD program
Sunday November 19, 3pm
Farmington Community Library
32737 W. 12 Mile Rd. Farmington Hills, MI
Info: 248-358-9810 or www.midwestinfo.org

Local TV program: Words of Peace www.wordsofpeace.org

Here's Prem Rawat defining "What is Real Peace"

Kal Penn an Indian American Actor in a lead role

Kal Penn an Indian American Actor plays a lead role in MGM Studios new comedy "National Lampoon's Van Wilder - The Rise of Taj" which is releasing on December 1st.

Here's the movie trailer

Kishore Kumar Dil Se - Live Concert in Southfield, MI

Kishore Kumar Dil Se a Live Concert will be held on December 8th at the Millennium Center in Southfield, MI.

The concert will feature Amit Kumar, Jolly Mukherjee, Sadhna Sargam and Sumeet Kumar. For show details visit MIMANTRA.

You might get to hear the following song from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi

Sonal Wagh of West Bloomfield, MI excels in "Quiz Bowl" competition

Sonal Wagh (junior - accounting major), Nathan DeBoe (senior - Finance Major) and John Bistolarides (finance major) representing Broad School of Business, Michigan State University took top honors at the Fisher Biz Quiz National Challenge, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

The event was held at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business on November 3-4, 2006.

The eleven teams in the "quiz-bowl" competition were required to demonstrate their knowledge of business news, issues and trends by answering questions based on articles appearing in the September and October editions of The Wall Street Journal.

Sonal's team triumphed over WAKE FOREST (#2) and PENN STATE (#3).

Related: Top Business Schools in United States

Amitabh Bachchan as Gabbar Singh

Amitabh Bacchan as Gabbar Singh in Ram Gopal Varma's remake of Sholay

XTREME DHOOM - DJ/MC Services for Michigan Indians

Meet XTREME DHOOM a Michigan Indian musical Entertainment Company providing professional DJ/MC services for all occasions

XTREME DHOOM has fulfilled entertainment requirements of not only private occasions like Weddings, Birthdays, Graduations but also managed large scale community based events like Uttar Pradesh Association of Detroit's Holi Program.

Abhinav from XTREME DHOOM has this to say

We play popular music from Hindi, Punjabi Albums and as per audience mood, mix it up with English hip-hop, rap and techno beats. We also provide live and vibrant karaoke singing (male and female) to spice up our client's party and make it truly memorable. Our blend of unique mix of desi beats and tempo has created a strong niche amongst Desi-population across the Tri-county area.

You can contact XTREME DHOOM at
586-354-0316

Vivah a Bollywood Hindi Movie comes to Michigan

Vivah (meaning Marriage) a Bollywood Hindi Movie starring Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao starts on November 10th at SR Movies, Novi, MI. For showtimes visit mimantra.com.

Vivah is a story about a Trendy guy (Shahid Kapoor - Prem) and a Traditional Indian girl (Amrita Rao - Poonam). It's story about Prem getting engaged to Poonam and then 6 months later comes the time for "I do". But just before they say their "I do's" - a CRISIS. Got to see the movie to find out what the CRISIS is.

Asian Food Imports in Windsor, Ontario

The other day I went across to Windsor, Ontario to do some Diwali (mithai and samosa) shopping at Asian Food Imports. It's been a while since I visited this store.

Encountered some extremely nice folks working at the store. Very helpful. I had initially called them for a ridiculously huge number of samosas which they did'nt agree to over the phone. But once at the store I put up a sorry face and again requested for about 50 samosas (as opposed to 25 which they said over the phone). Hey it worked and they sold it to me. Next time though it won't work. You'll don't try it.

While at the store a lady walked in complaining about the wheat flour which she purchased couple of weeks ago. Also she did not have any reciept. No questions were asked, they promptly exchanged it.

Do visit the store located at 275 Wyandotte West, Windsor, ON Canada N9A 5X1 (map).
Phone Number: US Line (313-963-2650)
Windsor (519-253-9147)

Their mithai was excellent!!!