Indian Americans excel in 81st National Spelling Bee Competition

Desis rule in the 81st National Spelling Bee Competition which just concluded in Washington D.C.
Samir Mishra of Lafeyette, Indiana wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee 2008 after spelling guerdon. He wins $35,000 in cash plus more than $5,000 in other prizes. He is 13 years old. Sameer Mishra spelled "guerdon" to win the title.

Coming in 2nd was Sidharth Chand, 12, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan a Detroit Country Day Middle School seventh-grader. This was his first year at the competition.

Congratulations to Samir Mishra and Sidharth Chand

John McCain and Barack Obama's Journey of Life

It will be either Barack Obama or John McCain who will occupy the White House on January 20th, 2009. Both are well traveled, so I decided to Google Map their journey from their birth place to possibly the White House. Check it out at mibazaar at

• Barack Obama
• John McCain

Both my Google Maps Mashup mentioned above got great coverage at Google Maps Mania today.

(BTW: if you want to check out my journey of life - click here)

Hastey Hastey - A movie made by a Michigan Bollywood Producer

So if you caught that 5 minute segment on WKBD about a month ago, where I interviewed a Bollywood Co-producer from Michigan, you'd already know about this new movie Hastey Hastey, featuring Jimmy Shergill and others.

But if you didn't, here's a brief recap. Arvin Shah of Skybird/Jaya Travel is one of the co-producers of this new movie called Hastey Hastey. The movie will be shown at the Novi Town Center theaters, tomorrow at 6:30 pm (Friday, May 30th).

The songs and music of Hastey Hastey are really good.

So folks, Friday night, hindi movie, that's what life's all about. So be there or be square - :))

I plan to be there. Feel free to ping me on 248-470-6299 to say hello and introduce yourself to me if you are a reader of this blog or if would like to be featured in a future WKBD 5 minute segment.

Enjoy the movie and the weekend and do let us know your feedback on how you liked the movie (or not). That feedback will help Mr. Arvin Shah do things differently for his second Bollywood Movie venture - :))

Richa Gangopadhyay of Northville sets her eyes on Bollywood!

Richa Gangopadhyay, Indian Beauty and Miss India USA from Northville, MI is exploring opportunities in modeling and Bollywood.

This is what Richa had to say to NDTVMOVIES

Currently I am little busy with the many responsibilities that have come with the Miss India USA title. Besides this I am also actively exploring modeling and Bollywood.

I will be playing the lead female role in a Hindi movie being made by an independent Indian Director in the US.

I took this opportunity to explore what is involved in movie making and acting. The movie will give me a chance to play a very versatile role of a young woman journalist, settled in New York.

Apart from this, I have acted in school plays, but plan to take refresher classes as soon as I get more time. I was offered a sponsorship last year to attend Anupam Kher's 'Actor Prepares' school. Hope I can do that some day.

I absolutely love Bollyood films and am a huge fan of Hrithik, who is the perfect man in my mind. He is intense, thoroughly professional; master in his art yet a soft-spoken, non-snobbish person in real life.

Shah Rukh Khan has always been one of my all-time favourites from the first time I saw him in Baazigar.

Yes Richa I agree that Hrithik Roshan is a soft-spoken, non-snobbish person, a quality which is rare at that position. Good Luck Richa!

Raksha Dave - Indian Dance Instructor

Raksha Dave an Indian Dance Instructor from Rochester Hills, MI was interviewed yesterday by Nipa Shah of Michigan Indian Chamber of Commerce on WKBD 50 in the "Street Beat" segment.

Raksha Dave has been teaching Indian cultural Dance for over 20 years. Her students are both kids and adults. Raksha Dave teaches approximately 14 dance classes a week.

Raksha Dave in addition to being a Dance Instructor is also a poet, a writer and likes to write a lot of her own songs which she uses in the dances. Prior to being a Dance Instructor Raksha Dave was a journalist in India.

You can contact Raksha Dave at:

Chef's special at St.Joseph Mercy Cafeteria - Ann Arbor

Tandoori Chicken with Lemon Cucumber Salad
Sent from IPhone

Sharad Pawar receives Honorary Doctoral Degree from Lawrence Technological University, Southfield

Sharad Pawar, India's Union Minister for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution recently received (May 18th, 2008) a honorary Doctoral degree in Humanities from Lawrence Technological University, Southfield.

Click here to read the entire text of citation honoring the degree of Doctor of Humanities to Shri Sharad Pawar.

This is great but what is puzzling is that there was no mention of this in our local print media, indian radio stations or local indian websites. Maybe we are too busy with fund raising :-)

Top High Schools in Michigan

Newsweek has published a list of Top High Schools (1300+) in United States. Michigan has 31 High Schools listed. Topping the list in Michigan is International Academy, Bloomfield Hills. International Academy is the only school from Michigan ranked in top 100 (ranked 12).

I have mapped out the entire list of 1300+ schools on Google Maps. Check out the High Schools in Michigan and other states on Google Maps at mibazaar.

Blog Fever/War hits Bollywood

Guess what? Amitabh Bachchan is now blogging. Now that Big B has entered the blogging world its just a matter of time before other Bollywood stars start blogging. The other Bollywood Star that has his own blog is Aamir Khan. Do you know of any other Bollywood Stars with their own blogs?

With these blogs have come controversies. BBC is reporting that

Veteran superstar, Amitabh Bachchan, on his blog, first described Shah Rukh Khan's new television quiz show as a flop.

Now he says his comments have been misunderstood by the media.

Aamir Khan, star of such Bollywood blockbusters as Lagaan and Mangal Pandey, has caused displeasure by blogging about his pet dog, Shahrukh - note the change in the spelling.

The canine, it seems, is always begging for attention and licking his feet. What's more, the dog is "too smelly".

Khan has gone on the defensive, saying he had nothing to do with the naming of the dog.

"In fact Shahrukh is the dog of the caretakers of our house. When I bought this house it came with the caretakers and their dog! Apparently Shahrukh (the actor) was shooting for a commercial in this house a few years ago, and that very day the caretakers bought a pup, and named him Shahrukh," Khan says.

India Day 2008

India Day 2008 to celebrate India's 61st Anniversary of Independence has been planned for Sunday August 10th from 10 AM to 8 PM at Rock Financial Showplace located at 46100 Grand River Avenue, Novi, MI 48374. For directions to Rock Financial Showplace click here.

Mark August 10th, 2008 on your calendar as there's going to be live music, authentic Indian food, vast indoor shopping malls and much more!

Note: The Contact listed at the Rock Financial Showplace Website for India Day 2008 is India League of America. However if you visit India League of America website, as of this writing, there is no information available for India Day 2008. Hopefully they will update it soon.

Arrogant Bastard Ale at your local Busch's Store

Sent from IPhone

My Biggest Pet Peeve - From Nipa Shah's Blog

Nipa Shah has a interesting Blog post out at MIIC.Com site titled - "My Biggest Pet Peeve - What's yours". Here's how it starts

How many times have you sent an email or made a "business" phone call and not heard back? And have you noticed that this is more so in the ethnic community (especially our Asian Indian community) than in the Caucasian community?

I’m pretty tolerant of most things, although I am very passionate when I talk, I don’t get upset easily (really I don’t). And I’m also tolerant in that, I don’t mind if you send me ten copies of the same email, copy me on things that don’t pertain to me, send me stupid jokes and even stupider reasons why I should think like a Democrat or vice versa.

But what does get to me is situations where "professional" and "business" people don’t return calls or emails - and in some cases after they’ve initiated them!

I very much understand what she is saying because I experienced the same thing initially. What about now? Now I don't send emails anymore to those "Gods" of our Michigan Indian Community. I just don't want to pamper their egos to get a response.

So dear Nipa, move on and keep doing the good work and here's something to remember - "Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do Luke 23:34"

Michigan Cities ranked in "Top 100" Places to Live in America - 2008

Relocate-America is out with its list of "Top 100" places to live in America. There are 5 Michigan cities which were in the list. They are:

• Plymouth
• Brighton
• Rochester
• Traverse City
• Grand Rapids

The Criteria for selecting these cities were data on

education, employment, economy, crime, parks, recreation and housing which were reviewed, rated & judged by the editorial team at relocate-america.

Listen to Raga music to calm Hypertension

Have High Blood Pressure or do you know of any one with High Blood Pressure? Then turn on some quiet, rhytmic music like Raga to calm Hypertension.

Washington Post is reporting that

Italian researchers have some advice for those with high blood pressure: Breathe slowly. Turn on some quiet, rhythmic music. And watch your high blood pressure take a little tumble.

The researchers base their conclusions on a small new study. But they aren't suggesting anyone turn to breathing exercises and music instead of medicine.

Still, "easy and enjoyable daily music listening combined with slow abdominal breathing may help people naturally lower their blood pressure," said Dr. Pietro A. Modesti, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Florence.

In what's touted as the first study of its kind, Modesti and his colleagues recruited 48 patients to study the effect of listening to music on blood pressure. The patients, who ranged in age from 60 to 76, all suffered from mild high blood pressure and took medication for it.

Of the patients, 28 listened to 30 minutes of classical, Celtic or raga music a day while conducting slow, controlled deep-breathing exercises. (Raga, an ancient kind of music, was developed in India.)

All the music was slow and rhythmic.

Another 20 patients served as a control group and didn't undergo the music and breathing therapy.

On average, the blood pressure among those who listened to music dropped by 3 mmHG at one week and 4 mmHG at one month, compared to people in the control group.

Parenting to the extreme

Talk about extreme punishment...A Ohio man has been jailed because his daughter failed to get a GED Diploma. (via)

A judge had ordered the father to stay on top of his daughter's education months ago and when that order wasn't followed, Brian Gegner (dad) was sentenced to 180-days in the Butler County jail.

The daughter, Brittany Gegner, says her father shouldn't be punished for her problems.

"It's ridiculously wrong," said Brittany Gegner.

Brittany's mother Shana Roach says "Because she did live with me at the time, but because he had the custody, that's why he's being punished."

"But I don't understand the punishment all together because she's going to school, she's been going for four months," said Roach. "The only thing that's holding her back is she can't pass her math test."

The judge says if she passes the test, her father could get out of jail before his six-months sentence is up.

Brittany's step-mother worries the time in jail will ruin their family.

She says he could lose the job he's worked for 15-years.

Six Indians from Michigan die in a Pennsylvania Car Crash

Update from Detroit News:

The minivan carrying seven Troy employees was traveling in the far left lane of eastbound Interstate 90, then drifted over rumble strips and swerved several times before crossing into oncoming traffic, an eyewitness told the Pennsylvania State Police.

"According to this, it sounds like operator error," Cpl. Kevin Havern said Monday

The rented Dodge Caravan was weighted down with backpacks and food for a weekend getaway for the seven people aboard. Police said Monday that could have made handling the vehicle difficult.

Six Indians (4 were employees of Troy, MI based Syntel Inc.) from Michigan died in a Pennsylvania Crash on Saturday, May 10, 2008. They were traveling in a minivan heading to Niagara Falls. The minivan crossed a median on Interstate 90 and hit an oncoming car near West Springfield, Pennsylvania.

Detroit News is reporting that Minivan driver Kaushik Deb (26) of Troy, died on impact. Others who died are Manoj Jharia (35), Mili Jharia (28), Nitin Agarwal (29), Swati Singhal (25) and Subham Choudhary (24). They all appeared to live in communities throughout Oakland County.

Detroit News further states that the Jharias were married, as were Agarwal and Singhal. Neither couple had children. All of the victims’ families are primarily in India. Mili Jharia and Swati Singhal did not work for Syntel.

The only survivor, Nitin Gupta, 28, was sitting in the front passenger seat, police said. He was treated and released from a hospital Saturday.

Donations for funeral expenses can be sent to the Syntel Accident Fund, 525 E. Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Mich., 48032.

Mother's Day wait at Madras Masala, Ann Arbor

It was raining on Mother's Day but still that did not stop Indians from heading over to Indian Restaurants. We headed over to Madras Masala in Ann Arbor. Can you believe it we had to wait approx. 30 minutes to be seated (Or is this typical on a Mother's Day?). Yes there were a lot of Desis who wanted to eat out at Madras Masala in Ann Arbor.

Anyway it was worth the wait as the food was great and my wife and kids loved it.

Mother's Day Lunch Buffet at Detroit Area Indian Restaurants

Detroit Area Indian Restaurants have a special Lunch Buffet planned for Mother's Day on May 11th. Here are a few of the Indian Restaurants that you might want to consider taking "Mom" out for Lunch. If you know of more restaurants then please let us know or add comments to this post.

Priya Restaurant - Farmington Hills, MI:
36600 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills, MI, Phone: (248) 615-7700
May 11th Sunday 12noon-3.30 PM and 5.30 PM - 9.30 PM
Call for Pricing

Priya Restaurant - Troy, MI:
72 W. Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084-5427, Phone: (248) 269-0100
May 11th Sunday 12noon-3.30 PM
Be prepared to Spend: LUNCH Buffet $10.95 and DINNER (4:00 PM-9:00 PM) $15:95.

India Spice:
30701 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334, Phone: 1-248-381-5449
May 11th Sunday 12noon-9pm
Be prepared to spend: Adults $11.99 Kids $5.99

Madras Masala
328 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan Tel: 734.222.9006
Please call for pricing. Discover the vast array of Creative South Indian, Indo-Chinese and Moghlai dishes and Daily Lunch Buffet.

Rangoli Indian Cuisine
3055 E. Walton Blvd, Auburn Hills, MI (Phone 248-377-3800). Call for pricing

Britain's got Talent - Desi Style!!

Check this video from "Britain's Got Talent". Absolutely Brilliant! As the judge says in the end "Bloody! Brilliant" and the look on Simon's (American Idol Judge) face when the Sardarji shows up - Priceless!!
(via ABCD Lady)

Hastey Hastey a Bollywood Hindi Movie with a Michigan Connection

Hastey Hastey a Bollywood Hindi Movie has been co produced by the President and Founder of Jaya Travels (based in Southfield, MI). Incidentally Arvin Shah was interviewed today on WKBD Channel 50 by Nipa Shah of Michigan India Chamber of Commerce. Arvin Shah talked about making of Hastey Hastey which was 95% filmed in United States

Starring in lead roles in Hastey Hastey are Jimmy Shergill and Nisha Rawal. The world wide release for Hastey Hastey is set for later this month.

Hastey Hastey Synopsis (via)

Neel (Jimmy Sheirgill), a brilliant student at Columbia University and the pretty Maya (Nisha Rawal) the love of his life, are on the verge of starting a new life together in New York. Sunny Malhotra (Rajpal Yadav) is Neel's roommate, teammate and conscience. Academically challenged and a compulsive flirt, he gets involved in a series of hilarious situations with his American love Tina (Sarah Thomas).

Just when life seems perfect, Neel accepts a career opportunity that requires him to go to India to set up a call centre business. Much against Maya's wishes Neel travels to India with Sunny.

Tanvi (Monishka) is a young executive who goes out of her way to help Neel and his team in India. Attractive & aggressive she is instantly attracted to Neel and tries her best to win his heart. Neel being deeply in love with Maya rejects Tanvi. Now seeking revenge, Tanvi creates a trap which leads Neel in to deep trouble professionally and personally. Will Tanvi succeed in her plans? Will Neel win Maya's heart again? Will Neel succeed in clearing his name from all the accusations?

Hastey Hastey is youthful, musical, romantic comedy with a twist in the tale.

Asian Indians to be featured on WKBD - Channel 50 on Sundays

WKBT Channel 50 - is giving Asian Indians a great opportunity to get featured. A new show called Streetbeat will launch on Sunday May 4th from 11 am to 12 pm. A 5-6 minute segment of Streetbeat will feature Asian Indians in Michigan.

The 1st show will air this upcoming Sunday, May 4th. Be sure to tune in or record it as I will be interviewing Arvin Shah, Entrepreneur and local business man who is co-producing a Bollywood movie named Hastey Hastey.

And since this will be an ongoing feature, send me an email if you have an idea, wish to be featured, or know someone who should be a guest on that show.

Nipa Shah (Jenesys Group, LLC - www.jenesysgroup.com)
Listen to Round Table India – A podcast for Asian Indians.- www.miicc.com
Check out our latest launch: http://www.thebloogle.com - you haven't blogged till you blog on thebloogle.com
Email: nipa [at] jenesysgroup [dot] com