Bon Jovi Announces Opening Act Contest for “The Circle Tour” Stadium Concerts in May & July

April 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

U.S. & Canadian Groups Battle to Become “A SuperBAND Tonight”
LOS ANGELES–(Business Wire)–
Bon Jovi, who previously paved the way for opening act competitions with their
2006 “Have A Nice Gig” promotions, is raising the bar this year with a new
international opening act contest, “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” In
partnership with OurStage, the online community-powered, new music discovery
site, “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” is a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for new acts to make their dreams come true — opening for Bon Jovi
in front of tens of thousands of cheering fans. Emerging artists will be invited
to open for Bon Jovi on each one of the selected AEG Live-promoted “The Circle
Tour” dates listed below.

While on their current tour, the GRAMMY Award-winning band hasregularly invited
fans inside their circle with numerous online initiatives. With “Bon Jovi`s
Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” that tradition continues, asfans in each market
will also be eligible to win tickets just by judging (voting) in the
competition.

Richie Sambora says,”If you want to open a stadium show for us and think you`ve
got the chops to win – upload a track to `Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND
Tonight!`and we`ll be seeing you on tour!”

Bon Jovi is looking for Rock, Pop and Country groups to submit tracks for fan
voting – entries are accepted on Bon Jovi`s website and Facebook pages
(www.BonJovi.com/ourstage& www.facebook.com/BonJovi) and OurStage`s website
(www.OurStage.com). A blue ribbon panel from Bon Jovi management, OurStage and
AEG Live will pick the ultimate winners from the top 20 fan-ranked artists on
OurStage in each local competition. One local unsigned band in each market will
win an opening slot to perform approximately 20 minutes of original music.
Travel and expenses (if applicable) will be awarded to the winners as well.

Entries & judging begins: April 2, 2010
Entry period ends: April 21 at 11:59 pm EDT
Quarter-Finals/Top 20: April 24 at 12:00 am EDT
Semi-Finals/Top 10: April 28 at 12:00 am EDT
Final ranking/contest ends: April 30 at 12:01 am EDT
Winners announced: May 6 at 12:00 noon EDT

“Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” will be supported in the U.S. with
on-air mentions during the VH1 “Top 20 Video Countdown,” as well as with
graphics on Bon Jovi videos that air on VH1 and VH1 Classic, plus promotional
home page placement on VH1 and VH1 Classic Web sites. The contestwill be
supported in Canada with an on-air campaign on MuchMore`s THE DAILY FIX. There
will be home page placement and a dedicated entry page on MuchMore.ca. Both U.S.
and Canadian contests will be featured on OurStage.com, which receives more than
4.5 million visitors monthly.

In addition to being able to win tickets for judging, Bon Jovi fans who are not
musicians are still invited inside the circle with additional contests. They can
simply upload video of themselves performing (singing, lip-synching, etc.) the
band`s worldwide #1 song “Livin’ On A Prayer” to http://prayer.bonjovi.com, and
they could find their video being played on the tour`s mega-screens while the
band is on stage. Or, by clicking on http://twitter.bonjovi.com/, fans can
receive a chance to win two tickets to see Bon Jovi live in concert at New
Meadowlands Stadium-including $1,000 to get there and more.

The band’s 11th studio album, The Circle, debuted at #1 in numerous countries
including the U.S., Canada, Germany and Japan, with Top 5 debuts throughout
Europe and the UK. Globally, the band has sold more than 120 million albums, and
performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million
fans. Bon Jovi’s previous run, the hugely successful 2008 “Lost Highway Tour,”
was Billboard’s top-grossing tour of the year.

Bon Jovi has also announced the addition of three special guests for their
series of inaugural concerts at the soon-to-be-opened New Meadowlands Stadium.
The three home state shows will feature GRAMMY Award-winning rockers Train on
Wednesday, May 26th; platinum-selling singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw on
Thursday, May 27th; and pop-rock hit-makers OneRepublic on Saturday, May 29th.

2010 “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight!” North American Concerts
May 19 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
May 26, 27 & 29 East Rutherford, NJ New Meadowlands Stadium
July 15 Edmonton, AB Commonwealth Stadium
July 17 Winnipeg, MB Canad Inns Stadium
July 20 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre
July 24 Foxboro, MA Gillette Stadium
July 28 Regina, SK Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field
July 30 Chicago, IL Soldier Field

Additional “SuperBAND Tonight” dates will be announced shortly.

For more information on BON JOVI`s tour, visit BonJovi.com.

About AEG Live

AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated
to all aspects of live contemporary music performance. AEG Live is comprised of
touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event
divisions, fifteen regional offices, and thirty state-of-the-art venues. The
company is currently producing tours and productions including Cher at The
Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits at
The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The concert tour roster
includes artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Leonard
Cohen, Celine Dion, Miley Cyrus, Kelly Clarkson, Wisin & Yandel, Britney Spears,
Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Paul McCartney, KISS and American Idols Live. AEG Live is
the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically
acclaimed Coachella Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach and New Orleans Jazz &
Heritage Festival. For more information, go to
www.aeglive.comhttp://www.aeglive.com/.

About OurStage

OurStage is an online music destination unlike any other. It`s a meeting space
for music lovers, and the place where tomorrow`s stars get discovered. Artists,
fans and the entire industry come together here to celebrate and influence new
music. Undiscovered artists submit their tracks to monthly music channels, fans
rank their material, and industry professionals keep tabs on who`s rising
through the charts, rewarding the best of the best with priceless opportunities.
Fans and artists are eligible for monthly prizes and life-altering prospects for
success, made possible through OurStage`s partnerships with media giants such as
MTV; key radio conglomerates like Citadel Media and Radio-One; leading Web
outlets like AOL Music; and major music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Bumbershoot,
Noise Pop and CMJ. Founded in 2007, OurStage delivers music and editorial
coverage to over 4 million monthly visitors from more than 170 countries, as
well as development tools to more than 120,000 artists. For more information on
the world`s most authentic online music community, visit www.ourstage.com.

For “Bon Jovi`s Wanted: A SuperBAND Tonight”:
Scoop Marketing, 213-639-6162
Erik Stein, estein@solters.com
or
For AEG Live:
Scoop Marketing, 213-639-6166
Eve Samuels, esamuels@solters.com
or
For BON JOVI:
Sunshine, Sachs & Assoc., 212-691-2800
Ken Sunshine / Tiffany Shipp, shipp@sunshinesachs.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

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Iggy Pop to be honoured with living legend award

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, September 16 (ANI): Iggy Pop, often referred to as “the Godfather of Punk”, is set to be honoured with a living legend trophy at the Marshall Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards.

The rocker and former lead singer of ‘The Stooges’ will join previous recipients including Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Page and Alice Cooper on November 2 in London.

“All those years of banging away in the dives and palaces of the weird universe of rock are finally adding up to something,” the BBC quoted him as saying.

“The other people who have received this award are absolutely awesome, and I feel very lucky to be included,” he added.

Readers of Classic Rock magazine will vote for other awards at the ceremony. (ANI)

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Taylor Swift gets new home

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Sept 16 (ANI): Country singer Taylor Swift has bought a new apartment.

The ‘You Belong With Me’ hitmaker has been moving out of her family home in Tennessee, where she has been living with her mum.

“I just got my first condo,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

The 19-year-old singer has become the first country artist to win an MTV Video Music Award at the weekend (13Sep09) when she claimed Best Female Video.

Meanwhile, singer Kanye West ruined Swift’s excitement of winning the award when he jumped up on the stage and stated that Beyonce Knowles should have won. (ANI)

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Whoopi Goldberg recalls ‘mooning’ Patrick Swayze

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Sept 16 (ANI): Actress Whoopi Goldberg remembers late actor Patrick Swayze as a “funny man” who repeatedly flashed his bare bottom while she shot for their hit movie Ghost.

The 53-year-old American actress insists she has fond memories of their time together.

“Patrick was a really good man, a funny man and one to whom I owe much that I can’t ever repay. I believe in Ghost’s message, so he’ll always be near,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying,

She recalls, “The camera would be on me and he’d be off to the side and he’d moon me! It was the greatest.”

She credits Swayze with helping her win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Ghost.

“Because of Patrick Swayze, I got that movie Ghost. Because of Patrick Swayze, I have an Oscar.”

Swayze lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 57 on Monday. (ANI)

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Rachel Stevens wins ‘Rear Of The Year’ award

September 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, September 16 (ANI): British Singer Rachel Stevens has been named this year’s winner of the Rear Of The Year award.

The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star was voted as the favourite for the cheeky title, while tenor Russell Watson topped the men’s category.

“I’m very flattered and I’m now going to insure each cheek for a considerable sum of money,” the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

Watson also said: “For the past 10 years it’s always been about The Voice but, for the first time, I’m delighted to say it’s about my rear.”

Award organiser Tony Edwards said: “They’ve both been high on the list of contenders for the past few years but this year broke through with amazing support. This is the era of the well-toned rear when people are taking care of their bodies with work-outs, jogging, and aerobics. Rachel and Russell typify the look.” (ANI)

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Rose McGowan loses elbow part during new film stunt

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, Sep 9 (ANI): Rose McGowan has lost some part of her elbow after suffering serious injury on the sets of her new film ‘Red Sonja’, which is being directed by her fiance Robert Rodriguez.

While last year, the ‘Scream’ star was quite upbeat about her stunts in the she-devil comic book adaptation, but now her injury has brought the production to a standstill.

“I had wrist and elbow surgery and they took part of my elbow out. I had really bad nerve damage from doing stunts – I do a lot of my own stunts,” Fox News quoted McGowan as saying.

“I could no longer use my arm, but now I can hold a fork and drive so we’re working our way up. It’ll probably be another six months of rehab, but It’s the price you pay for being really limber and being able to do back flips!” she added.

However, despite her Hollywood success, the 35-year-old actress had initially thought being an actress was a pretty pathetic profession.

“I wasn’t trying to be an actor, I was standing outside of a gym waiting for my friend to come out and this woman he knew kept saying, ‘She should be in this movie blah blah blah’ and I was like, ‘Gross, I don’t want to be an actor! Ew!’ and then I found out they would pay me enough money for a down payment on an apartment,” said McGowan.

“Otherwise I would have had to go back and live with dad in Seattle. The film, ‘The Doomed Generation,’ became this huge cult movie and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and I’ve been following the Yellow Brick Road ever since…” she added. (ANI)

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55th National Awards announced: Gandhi, My Father wins two

September 8, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): The Anil Kapoor produced film ‘Gandhi, My Father’ has won two National Awards while the Shahrukh-starrer ‘Om Shanti Om’ has won in the Best Art Direction category, and Shahid Kapur-starrer ‘Jab We Met’ won the award in Best Choreography category in the 55th National Awards that were announced on Monday.

Gandhi, My Father was pitted against commercial successes like Taare Zameen Par and Chak De.

Feroz Abbas Khan, the director of the Gandhi, My Father won the National Award for Best Screenplay and Darshan Zariwala bagged theaward for the Best Supporting actor for portraying Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation who strives hard to have a normal relationship with his son in the film.

Meanwhile, actor Prakash Raj has won the Best Actor award in the 55th National Awards for his sterling performance as a silk weaver in Priyadarshan’s Tamil film Kanchivaram, which has been adjudged as the Best Film of 2007.

“It’s a very human story of pre-partition time about Kanjivaram. The film’s script was written so well that I didn’t require any homework. It is

It is Prakash Raj’s second National award. The previous one was in the Best Supporting Actor category for Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar in 1998 and a special jury award in 2003.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the film depicts the lives and times of silk-weavers of Kancheepuram in pre-Independent India.

Actor Umashree has won the Best Actress award for her performance for her lead role ‘Gulabi’ in Girish Kasaravalli’s Kannada film “Gulabi Talkies”.

The Gulabi Talkies, which was made in the coastal dialect of Kannada is based on the communal tension in Karnataka.

The best child actor award has gone to Sharad Goyekar for his role in the Marathi film “Tingya”.

Darshan Zariwala has got the best supporting actor award for his role in Feroz Abbas Khan’s film “Gandhi My Father”.

There is also a special jury award for this film, which explores the troubled relationship between Harilal Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi.

“Chak De” has got the award in the wholesome entertainment category and “Taare Zameen Par” in the family welfare category.

Playback singer Shankar Mahadevan has won the award for the song “Meri Maa” from the film “Taare Zameen Par”.

The jury members for the National Awards headed by Sai Paranjpe included Ashok Viswanathan and Namita Gokhale. About 102 films and 106 non-feature films were considered.

The list had been finalized last week but because of the death of Andhra Pradesh chief minister YSR Reddy, the announcement was postponed. (ANI)

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Army, IGNOU sign MoU to give soldiers’ second career option

September 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep. 4 (ANI): A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Indian Army and Indira Gandhi National Open University to meet the twin objectives of empowering soldiers educationally and providing an opportunity for a second career option.

The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General Mukesh Sabharwal Adjutant General and IGNOU Vice Chancellor Professor VN Rajasekharan Pillai in the presence of Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor at South Block today.

The MoU seeks to confer educational certification to soldiers of the Indian Army, within the parameters laid down by IGNOU for Community Colleges, recognizing the ‘in-service’ training done by them; within the broad frame work set out by IGNOU.

IGNOU will register Regimental Training Centres/Human Resource Development Centres of the Indian Army and Army Schools of Instructions as ‘Community Colleges’.

The Army-IGNOU Community Colleges will function as autonomous bodies conducting examinations and their courses as before.

Credits from such approved courses will be transferred to the programme and will count towards the desired credits to be earned for an associate degree.

Certain credits are to be earned for a Graduation Degree which would be from approved elective courses offered by IGNOU or the Army to be undertaken after grant of an Associate Degree.

Approval of these courses with credit ratings would be accorded and reviewed by the ‘Army-IGNOU Academic Committee’ at regular intervals.

With the signing of the MOU with IGNOU leading towards award of academic diploma/associate degree and Graduation Degree to soldiers, a major step forward has been taken to empower the soldier to live a life of dignity and confidence after he leaves the service for a second career.

The project has been named as ‘Gyan Deep’ signifying knowledge. (ANI)

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Army confers Honorary Brigadier Rank on Dr ArvInd Lal

September 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep. 4 (ANI): Dr. Arvind Lal, Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Lal Pathological Laboratories, has been awarded the Honorary Rank of Brigadier by the Armed Forces Medical Services.

President Pratibha Patil, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, granted this award to Dr Lal in recognition to his outstanding contribution in the field of health care.

Dr Lal, alumni of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), is a pioneer in bringing Laboratory services in India at par with the Western world.

Dr Lal also worked as a Demonstrator (Lecturer) in the Department of Pathology in AFMC.

In 1977, Dr Lal took charge of the Pathology Laboratory founded in 1949 by his late father.

Dr Lal has revolutionized laboratory medicine in the country by introducing new tests, instruments and ICT systems i.e. Information, Communications-Technology systems.

A member of many expert and advisory bodies set up by the central and state governments and on the panel of several professional bodies and institutes, Dr Lal has served as a pathologist to many present and past Prime Ministers of India.

Conferred with the Padma Shri award by the President this year, Dr Lal is also a recipient of the Indira Gandhi Solidarity Award in 1994, Delhi Ratan Award in 2005, Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine in 2003 and the International Business Council Award 1994. (ANI)

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Now, preferential voting for best film Oscar

September 2, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sept 2 (ANI): The voting pattern for deciding the best movie at the Oscars is all set to change.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which presents the Oscars said preferential voting will now decide the best film.
Under the system, voters will rank nominees in their order of preference from 1 to 10.

The nominee who bags the most votes will be declared the winner.

The same preferential voting is used by the Academy in its nominating process.

However, it is being introduced to judge films for the first time since 1945.

The new voting procedure has been brought in to bring in more movies to compete for the award. Now 10 films can be accommodated in the category, which allowed only 5 previously.

The BBC quoted Academy president Tom Sherak as saying: “Instead of just marking an X to indicate which one picture they believe to be the best, members will indicate their second, third and further preferences as well,”

He said this would “establish the best picture recipient with the strongest support of a majority of our electorate”.

The 82nd Academy Awards nominations will be declared on February 2, at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. (ANI)

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Saraswat takes charge as new DRDO chief

September 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 1 (ANI): Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, who is in charge of the development of missile and strategic systems in the country, today took charge as scientific adviser to Defence Minister AK Antony and will also serve as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Dr. Saraswat, who replaced the present incumbent M Natarajan on September 1, will also serve as Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development,.

He is presently Chief Controller Research and Development (Missiles and Strategic Systems) since November 2005 in DRDO.

In this capacity, he spearheaded the development of country’s strategic and tactical missile systems, including the AGNI series of strategic missiles covering a range up to 3000 kms.

Dr Saraswat, who has a doctorate in Combustion Engineering, started his career in DRDO in 1972 at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and was responsible for the development of country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine.

As Project Director ‘PRITHVI’, he steered the design, development, production and induction of first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system ‘PRITHVI’, into armed forces.

The successful testing of DHANUSH missile on board a moving ship with high terminal accuracy brought new dimension in the national defence capability. Dr. Saraswat also pioneered the concept of theatre defence system and integration of national Air Defence elements.

He was Director RCI before taking over as CCR and D(MSS). He has headed various committees of national importance.

Dr Saraswat is forerunner in the development of number of critical missile technologies that were under denial due to Missile Technology Control regime, thus making India self-reliant in Missile Technologies.

He has received several awards including Prof Jai Krishna Memorial Award of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and National Systems Gold Medal by Systems Society of India.

International Academy of Engineering, Russia, elected Dr. Saraswat as Member of Academy and honoured him as an academician. (ANI)

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President Patil presents National Sports awards to 25 sportspersons

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil on Saturday presented the National Sports awards to 25 sportspersons at an impressive ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

In a unique departure from established tradition, the coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award was presented to three sportspersons – two boxers and a wrestler – for the first time.

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was presented to woman boxer M C Marykom and Beijing bronze medalist boxer Vijender Singh, and to wrestler Sushil Kumar.

The country’s best boxer and four-time World Champion, MC Mary Kom, got the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna after applying for it for the past three years.

Vijender Kumar got the highest national sports award a year after he won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, while wrester Sushil Kumar also got the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award a year after winning India a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Sushil said the recognition would be a huge fillip for wrestling in India and the country can look forward to more medals in future.

Badminton ace Saina Nehwal received the Arjuna award for her excellent show in the last one year, as also cricketer Gautam Gambhir.

Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand achieved the rare feat of being the only sportsperson in the nation to have won the Khel Ratna, the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shree and now the ronacharya award due to Saina Nehwal’s superb performance. (ANI)

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Woman boxer Laishram Sarita Devi crowned with Arjuna Award

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Thoubal (Manipur), Aug 29 (NAI): Laishram Sarita Devi, a seven times gold medallist in various international women’s boxing tourneys has been bestowed with the Arjuna Award, India’s prime honour for sportspersons. arita Devi (24) hails from Thoubal in Manipur.

Inspired by the feats of Muhmmad Ali, she took up this manly sport in 2000 and literally eclipsed the swiftness of the boys and even pugilists elder to her.

This is evident from the fact that in the very subsequent year, she was called to represent India in the fist Asian Women’s Boxing Championship staged in Bangkok.

“I am very happy with my achievement. I had been nominated for the award three years ago but I did not get it. I feel it’s a little late now but I am happy to receive this award. It comes as an encouragement for me to perform better in future,” she said.

She was encouraged by her family members, which could be a key factor to her success in the ring.When we heard that she is getting Arjuna Award, I was filled with unusual emotion to learn finally the fruit of her labour has paid off. I am really proud of her,”said Thoiba Singh, husband of Sarita Devi.

She has numerous achievements to her credit. After winning a silver medal in her maiden appearance in the international arena (Asian Women’s Boxing Championship), Sarita has participated in fifteen more tournaments, winning seven gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

She works out for five to six hours a day such as sparring, punching bags and skipping to stay trim and be ever ready for a bout in the ring.

She has a desire to participate in the Olympic Games and hopes her dreams will come true.

This recent achievement of Sarita Devi is bound to lend a boost to the sporting talents in Manipur, which are abundant in several indoor and outdoor games such as boxing, judo, weightlifting, soccer, hockey and polo among others. (ANI)

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Two boxers, one wrestler to get Khel Ratna award

August 29, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): The President, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, will confer the national sports awards on 25 sportspersons on Saturday.

For the first time, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be presented to two boxers-woman boxer M C Marykom and Beijing bronze medalist boxer Vijender Singh, and wrestler Sushil Kumar.

The country’s best boxer and four-time World Champion, MC Mary Kom, gets the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna after applying for it for the past three years.

Vijender Kumar gets the highest national award a year after he won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, while wrester Sushil Kumar also gets the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award a year after winning India a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics.

Sushil said the recognition would be a huge fillip for wrestling in India and the country can look forward to more medals in future.

Badminton ace Saina Nehwal will receive the Arjuna award for her excellent show in the last one year, as also cricketer Gautam Gambhir.

Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand will achieve a rare feat when he receives the Dronacharya award.

He is the only sportsperson in the nation to have won the Khel Ratna, the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shree and now the Dronacharya award due to Saina Nehwal’s superb performance. (ANI)

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Ballet dancer turned stockbroker Li Cunxin named Australia’s top dad

August 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Aug 28 (ANI): International ballet dancer turned stockbroker Li Cunxin has been named Australia’s top dad at 2009 Shepherd Centre Australian Father of the Year.

The man, who is famous for his bestselling autobiography Mao’s Last Dancer, received the award at a ceremony at NSW Parliament House in Sydney.

“This is indeed a great privilege. I regard this award as recognition of the important contribution all Australian fathers have made for the well-being of our children,” News.com.au quoted him as saying.

He added: I’m sure there are other fathers out there far more deserving than me.”

Li, whose father passed away earlier this year, said he was humbled to have received the award.

He said: “My values as a father and a family man have been passed down from generation to generation. My children are integral in my life.”is three boys, Joshua, Brandon and Cameron had nominated him for the award.

In his role as a father, Cunxin had helped his daughter Sophie overcome difficulties after she was diagnosed with profound hearing loss when she was just 18 months old.

She was one of the first Australian children to receive bilateral cochlear implants.

However, the brave girl went on to complete her Victorian Certificate of Education in 2008 and finished in the top five per cent of the state.

In his autobiography, Li has narrated his poverty stricken upbringing in Communist China.

He had fled from home when he was just 11 to become a ballet dancer.

Li was even locked up in the Chinese Consulate in Houston, causing a political standoff between Washington and Beijing before he was released.

He is married to Australian-born ballerina Mary McKendry. (ANI)

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Saraswat appointed new scientific adviser to Defence Minister

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Aug 27 (ANI): Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat has been appointed as scientific adviser to Defence Minister AK Antony and will also serve as Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Dr. Saraswat, who will replace the present incumbent M Natarajan on September 1, will also serve as Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development,.

He is presently Chief Controller Research and Development (Missiles and Strategic Systems) since November 2005 in DRDO.

In this capacity, he spearheaded the development of country’s strategic and tactical missile systems, including the AGNI series of strategic missiles covering a range up to 3000 kms.

Dr Saraswat, who has a doctorate in Combustion Engineering, started his career in DRDO in 1972 at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad and was responsible for the development of country’s first Liquid Propulsion Engine.

As Project Director ‘PRITHVI’, he steered the design, development, production and induction of first indigenous Surface-to-Surface missile system ‘PRITHVI’, into armed forces.

The successful testing of DHANUSH missile on board a moving ship with high terminal accuracy brought new dimension in the national defence capability. Dr. Saraswat also pioneered the concept of theatre defence system and integration of national Air Defence elements.

He was Director RCI before taking over as CCR and D(MSS). He has headed various committees of national importance.

Dr Saraswat is forerunner in the development of number of critical missile technologies that were under denial due to Missile Technology Control regime, thus making India self-reliant in Missile Technologies.

He has received several awards including Prof Jai Krishna Memorial Award of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and National Systems Gold Medal by Systems Society of India.

International Academy of Engineering, Russia, elected Dr. Saraswat as Member of Academy and honoured him as an academician. (ANI)

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Tarantino to receive Douglas Excellence honour for contribution to cinema

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Washington, August 27 (ANI): Quentin Tarantino is set to be honoured with the 2009 Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film for his contribution to cinema.

The ‘Kill Bill’ director will receive the honour at a pre-event for the 2010 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, that will run from 4-14 February, 2010 in California.

“We are beyond excited to be able to honour a man who has turned filmmaking on its ear,” Contactmusic quoted festival executive director Roger Durling as saying.

“He has forever changed the direction of American cinema,” Durling added.

Douglas will present the award to the ‘Inglourious Basterds’ filmmaker at a gala dinner on October 22. (ANI)

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Narus continues to build leadership position in India

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Aug 26 (ANI/Business Wire India): Narus, the global leader in real-time traffic intelligence for the protection and management of large IP networks, has continued its strong momentum in India this year.

An expanded office with new hires, new partnerships, customer implementations and the INFOCOM CMAI National Telecom Award have already characterized 2009 as a banner year for Narus in India.

With two quarters left in the year and the company moving full-steam ahead, Narus is poised to continue its 200 percent plus revenue growth well into 2010.

Narus’ India operation has seen a 50 percent increase in staff, and the company plans another 30 percent increase in headcount in the coming year to keep up with its growing backlog of business in this region.

With an eye cast toward 2010, Narus will hold a job fair in Bangalore on September 5 and 6, 2009.

Positions available include GUI development engineers, network development engineers, software design engineers, and quality assurance engineers and managers.

In late 2008, Narus announced the opening of its New Delhi office and the appointment of two key members to its Indian executive team. Avinash Agrawal was appointed to lead Narus’ India operation as managing director, and DLN Shastri was appointed vice president of sales and business development.

Agrawal and Shastri bring a combined 50 years of experience to the company. The New Delhi office is Narus’ Asia Pacific regional headquarters, with sales, support and professional services represented.

Yogi Mistry, senior vice president, Narus, said, “Since the opening of our first office in India, Narus has committed to an investment in India by providing jobs in our engineering, support and sales organizations. Narus’ continued growth in the region ensures additional opportunities for our employees to work on cutting-edge technologies with leading partners and luminary customers.”

Narus continued its 2009 momentum with recognition for excellence in R andD in security services for the telecom industry with an INFOCOM CMAI National Telecom Award. his prestigious award salutes industry leaders that contribute to the growth of the telecom industry in India with groundbreaking services and solutions.

The Indian telecommunications industry is continuing to enjoy tremendous growth and is consequently providing great opportunities for sales and business development.

In May, Narus formed a strategic partnership with HCL Infosystems, Ltd., India’s premier information-enabling ICT system integration company, to assist the Indian government in the protection of its people and infrastructure.

Narus also implemented systems at India’s foremost integrated telecom service providers like Reliance, Sify, and Cable and Wireless. Narus is also proud to have implemented NarusInsight in the world’s third-largest telecommunications carrier as they launch their service offerings in India this year. (ANI)

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Kolkata holds special prayers on Mother Teresa’s 99th birth anniversary

August 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Kolkata, Aug.26 (ANI): Special prayers were held at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity on Wednesday on the occasion of Mother Teresa’s 99th birth anniversary.

A mass was organised at Mother’s House where visitors joined nuns of the missionary.

Sister M Prema, Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity said everyone prayed and remembered Mother Teresa for her teaching everyone “how to look at the poor and give them the dignity of a child of God.”

“The birth of Mother Teresa to the world has become a great event and a great message for every person. And, her birthday is just giving us another chance to remember what she wanted us to know… She wanted everyone to know that God has created us to love and to be loved,” said M Prema.

Albanian born Mother Teresa made Kolkata her home and dedicated her life to the service of the poor and the destitute.

Mother Teresa was beatified by the Pope in October 2003, paving the way for her canonization, or being declared a saint.

She qualified for beatification after Vatican officials acknowledged that she was responsible for a miracle in which an Indian woman was cured of stomach cancer through her intervention.

Mother Teresa died at the age of 87 on September 5, 1997. She was popularly known as the “Saint of the Gutter” due to her extraordinary love and dedication for poor, homeless and diseased people.

Teresa came to India in 1929 at the age of 18 and took up teaching and became an Indian citizen in 1948.

The nun started working in slums and later set up her Missionaries of Charity, which was approved by the Vatican in 1950.

The organisation now runs more than 500 charity homes in over 100 countries.

Mother Teresa received several national and international awards for the social service that she did during her lifetime. They include the Magsaysay Award in 1962, the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971, the John F. Kennedy International Award in 1971 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. By Shanka Ghosh (ANI)

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Peter Jackson says he is driven by fear of failure

August 25, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Wellington, Aug 24 (ANI): Kiwi filmmaker Peter Jackson has revealed that he is driven by the fear that one of his mega-productions might end up becoming a flop.

Jackson, 47, became one of the most sought-after producers after the success of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, which brought him and his Weta productions workshop multiple Academy Award successes.

But during the release of his mega hit movie ‘District 9′ in the US, he revealed that he was motivated by the sheer fear of turning out a flop.

“You’re always imagining the best, and then you always have to compromise for what you get in the real world,” Stuff.co.nz quoted him as saying.

“It’s a process of constant disappointment. But somehow you have to hope that you set your goals high enough that even with the disappointment, you still end up with something that other people enjoy,” he added. (ANI)

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