India's Independence Day (2007)

India's Independence Day in 2007 - is it India's 60th or 61st Birthday. I would say it is India's 61st Birthday and 60th Anniversary.

Some of our area websites and desi radio programs keep saying "India's 60th Birthday" in relation to this year's (2007) Independence Day Celebration at Hart Plaza, Detroit and Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, MI.

So what do you think?

International Academy, Bloomfield Hills, MI ranked in Top 10 Best High Schools

Newsweek has come out with the list of Top High Schools in America. International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, MI has been ranked 7th. Here's a Google Maps view of the Top 100 High Schools in America.

Indian IDOL 3 with Chinese Talent

UPDATE: Indian IDOL Contestants mapped out on Google Maps
Meiyang Chang a 3rd generation Chinese settled in Kolkata sings "Gunji si hai" at the auditions for Indian IDOL 3. Judges were unanimous in their decision. Meiyang has a incredible voice. Let's see how far he goes. Anu Malik thinks Meiyang has the potential to be in top 5 of Indian IDOL 3.

Bhangra, Raas and Garba at Bharatiya Temple, Troy, MI

Bharatiya Temple located in Troy, MI brings to you a night of Bhangra, Raas and Garba on Friday June 1st, 2007 from 8 pm - 12 am. Fore more details check out the temple website.

Any Idea why the event is called "Parents Day 2007"?

Michigan's Best Indian Restaurants

The Experts at Detroit News have come out with a list of "Michigan's Best Indian Restaurants". According to the EXPERTS

First Place: Priya 72 W. Maple Road, Troy, (248) 269-0100
Second place: Star of India 3736 Rochester Road, Troy, (248) 528-2517
Third place: Shalimar Restaurant 307 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, (734) 663-1500

Don't know what the criteria was to be in the top 3.

Then there is this little guy - "Yours truly" who also maintains a list of Michigan's Best Indian Restaurants at mibazaar.

Note: No advertisement dollars involved here..

Here's the top 3 at mibazaar.

1. Ashoka Indian Cuisine (Canton, MI)
2. Haandi (Livonia, MI)
3. Royal Indian Cuisine (Auburn Hills, MI)

Gujarati Matrimonial

I was looking at the events listing at MIINDIA and saw that there was supposed to be a "Gujarati Matrimonial Convention" hosted by Gujarati Samaj of Detroit on June 23rd, 2007. However on checking back at the Gujarati Samaj Website, the event has been canceled.

So I want to share with you my "Gujarati Matrimonial" page at mibazaar.com which (via feeds from Bharat Matrimony) shows you a google maps view of bride/groom data from around the world and India.

Here's a link for Gujarati Matrimonial on Google Maps
Here's a link for Punjabi Matrimonial on Google Maps

Sudan Red - Have you'll heard about it?

Has anyone heard about a industrial dye called "Sudan Red". I came across this Wall Street Journal Article (May 9th) titled "Unsafe Food Additives Across Asia..." (link).

Quoting the article:

In Asia, unsafe additives in foods for human consumption have long been a problem. Some street vendors use an industrial dye for textiles called Sudan Red to make their coconut and sugar-cane drinks look more attractive. "You could just see the beverages, they sort of glow, because these dyes are really quite intense," says the WHO's Mr. Moy. Last November, Chinese authorities discovered that poultry farmers in Hebei province had been using one of the Sudan Red dyes, believed to cause cancer, to color the feed of their ducks and redden the yolks of the eggs, which sell at a premium price.

In 2003, Sudan Red was found in hot-chili products imported from India to the U.K. Products containing the dye were also recalled in Canada and South Africa. Over the next two years, the contamination snowballed. By March 2005, 580 products had been withdrawn in the U.K.

So what's the guarantee that the pickle or tandoori paste or spices which say at the back "Made in India or Made in Pakistan" does not have "Sudan Red" in it. Does FDA check these products?

Something to think!

Shootout at Lokhandwala coming to SR Movies, Novi, MI

Shootout at Lokhandwala a Bollywood Hindi Movie comes to SR Movies, Novi on May 25th. Check out MIMANTRA for showtimes. Starring in Lead Roles are Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Vivek Oberoi, Abhishek Bachchan, Arbaaz Khan, Tusshar Kapoor, Sunil Shetty.

The film is based on Aftab Ahmad Khan's encounter with five members of Dawood Ibrahim's underworld gang and the true story behind these events

Cheeni Kum - A Sugarless Romance comes to Michigan

Bollywood Hindi Movie Cheeni Kum starring Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu is being released here in Michigan on May 25th at SR Movies, Novi. Check out mimantra for showtimes.

Cheeni Kum is story of a 64 year old Chef - Buddhadev Gupta (Amitabh Bachchan) who is also the owner of a Desi Restaurant in London, UK. Then one day Nina Verma (Tabu) walks into Buddhadev's restaurant. You guessed it!! There is love in the air.

The story line very much reminds me of "As Good As it Gets" which had Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt in lead roles and both of whom went on to win Oscar award for Best Actor and Best Actress in 1997.

SnazzyBeatz - a Michigan Indian DJ for a zip-zap-zappity fun

For loads of Bhangra or Plenty of Bollywood Music or South Indian Music at your party check out Michigan's very own SnazzyBeatz

According to their email "Cross Cultural Wedding" is their speciality.

Their website states that the events they DJ'd are:

* - Weddings
* - Receptions
* - Mehndi
* - Graduation
* - Anniversaries
* - 1st Birthdays
* - Sweet 16
* - Hot 18
* - Night Clubs
* - You name it, we rocked it!
* - just about any bahana to have fun!

Indian Community Events in USA/Canada

Just wanted to share this information. Just this past weekend launched "Indian Community Events in USA/Canada" website. Check it out at bharatevents.blogspot.com.

I plan to list major Indian Events across United States/Canada.

Bollywood's one hit wonder

Couple of weeks back I asked Michigan's legendary Indian Radio Host - Subhash Kelkar as to who he thinks can be categorized as "Bollywood's One Hit Wonder". He came up with the name - Nazia Hasan who sang "Aap Jaisa Koi...." from Qurbani. Here's a video clip of that song. Do you know of any other Desi "One Hit Wonders".

Related: Non-Desi One Hit Wonders on Google Maps

Indian Dining in Michigan during Mother's Day

I was going thru the list of Restaurants offering Mother's Day Special Buffet. This list can be found at MIMANTRA and MIINDIA.

Vote for your favorite Michigan Indian Restaurant

Some restaurants fail to mention the price so I am not going to mention those restaurants. Here are the restaurants offering Mother's Day Buffet and which have disclosed the cost of the buffet: (The date is Sunday May 13th)

Bombay Grille - From noon to 9 PM. Cost for Adults:$19.95 and kids $14.95 (no mention about age criteria). Bombay Grille is located at 29200, Orchard Lake Road Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334. Phone No:(248) 626 - 2982

Chennai Vilas - From noon to 8 pm. All you can eat for $12.95. No mention about what's it going to cost the kids. Chennai Vilas is located at 207 N. Mail Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone No: (734) 302-3711

Chilli Masala: All you can eat for $11.95 per person from 11:30 AM TO 9:00 PM. Here also no mention about what's it going to cost the kids. Chili Masala is located at 3500 N Lilley Rd, Canton, MI - 48187. Tel: 734-981-6065

India Spice - Adults eat for $11.95. Kids eat for $5.95. Kids under 5 free eat for free. India Spice is located at 30701 W. 12 mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. Phone No: (248) 381-5449

ISHA Yoga brings "Inner Engineering Program" to Michigan

Isha Yoga brings "Inner Engineering Program" for folks in Michigan. It will be held from June 6 - 11, 2007 (Wed - Mon) Weekdays (7pm - 10:15pm) Sat/Sun (8am - 7pm). It will be held at St. Clement Banquet Center, Dearborn, MI (near Ford and Evergreen) (map).

Visit Isha Yoga for more details.

The Inner Engineering program will be offered by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a master of the ancient science of yoga. the program offers a rare opportunity for self-discovery under the guidance of a realized yogi. The program offers interactive discussions, guided meditations and a balanced set of simple but powerful yoga practices.

Here's a video clip of Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev.

Boogie Woogie coming to Detroit?

Sony Entertainment Television of India's Boogie Woogie is coming to Detroit on June 2nd looking for Dance Talent. Registration is being accepted for junior catergory (6 - 13 years) and senior category (14 to 21 years) Visit meraticket.com for more details.

The meraticket site lists the location as Seaholm High School, Detroit. I think it is Seaholm High School in Birmingham, MI. The address is 2436 West Lincoln Road, Birmingham, 48009. (map)

Please contact DREAMZ International the local promoters at 586-764-0938

Indian Idol - A Star in the making

Indian Idol 3 series has started. One person's dream will come true and millions of others will see there dreams shattered. I saw the 1st episode yesterday. There is unbelievable talent out there in India. Anu Malik one of the judges is the Indian Idol equivalent of Simon Cowell. Anu Malik can be nasty at times.

India gets its first "Condom Bar"

India's first Condom Bar opens up in Chandigarh, India. The Condom Logo is splattered all over the place. BBC reports:

All drinks are served in tumblers with a specially designed condom logo that also finds a place on almost everything else, including the waiters' uniforms.

Happy Employees of the Condom Bar


Circular placemats on the bar tables have useful advice for the young revellers expected to frequent the place.

Instead of small change while paying their bills, customers are offered packs of condoms or a choice of other souvenirs like mugs, t-shirts or caps - all bearing the by now familiar condom logo.

Dr. Shobha Raju Concert

Detroit Telugu Association brings to you Dr.Shobha Raju Concert on Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Walled Lake Central High School, 1600 Oakley Park, Walled Lake, MI 48390 (map). Visit Detroit Telugu Association website for more details.

Click on the image to listen to one Dr. Shobha Raju's songs Om namO naaraayaNaayaa

Air Fares to India

Check this tool out from Yahoo to find Air Fares to India. This tool searches multiple sites and then comes back and shows you bargain fares.

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan at 30,000 ft

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan high above at 30,000 ft in Mr. Ambani's private jet.





Looks like we need a little more head room here.