Nail polishes cause diabetes in women

A new study has found an association between increased concentrations of phthalates in the body and an increased risk of diabetes in women.

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Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are commonly found in personal care products such as moisturizers, nail polishes, soaps, hair sprays and perfumes. They are also used in adhesives, electronics, toys and a variety of other products.

Researchers, lead by Tamarra James-Todd, PhD, a researcher in the Division of Women's Health at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), analysed urinary concentrations of phthalates in 2,350 women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

They found that women with higher levels of phthalates in their urine were more likely to have diabetes. Specifically:

Women who had the highest levels of the chemicals mono-benzyl phthalate and mono-isobutyl phthalate had almost twice the risk of diabetes compared to women with the lowest levels of those chemicals.

Women with higher than median levels of the chemical mono-(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate had approximately a 60 per cent increased risk of diabetes.

Women with moderately high levels of the chemicals mono-n-butyl phthalate and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate had approximately a 70 percent increased risk of diabetes.

The study population consisted of a representative sample of American women and was controlled for socio-demographic, dietary and behavioural factors.

However, the women self-reported their diabetes and researchers caution against reading too much into the study due to the possibility of reverse causation.

"This is an important first step in exploring the connection between phthalates and diabetes," said Dr. James-Todd.
"We know that in addition to being present in personal care products, phthalates also exist in certain types of medical devices and medication that is used to treat diabetes and this could also explain the higher level of phthalates in diabetic women. So overall, more research is needed," she noted.

This finding is published in the July 13, 2012 online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives

~ANI

Vanya Mishra is Miss India World 2012

[caption id="attachment_8240" align="alignleft" width="350" caption="Vanya Mishra, Prachi Misha, Rochelle Maria Rao win Miss India crowns"][/caption]

The winners of the Pantaloons Femina Miss India (PFMI) 2012 pageant were declared at a star-studded event at Bhavans Ground, Andheri. The winners are Vanya Mishra (Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2012),Prachi Mishra (Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2012),Rochelle Maria Rao (Pantaloons Femina Miss India International 2012).

Chandigarh girl, Vanya Mishra who got a direct entry in the final 20 after winning Dabur Gulabari Miss Rose Glow 2011 contest is finally PFMI'12 Miss World.In answer to th final question, If you have an option, 'will you create thousand jobs or feed thousand children daily?'Vanya said, "Little children are innocent and anybdy's heart will melt. I wil also try to give them education so that they can feed themselves and their family too."The PFMI 2012 winners were crowned by Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2011 Kanistha Dhankhar, Pantaloons Femina Miss India Earth 2011 Hasleen Kaur, Pantaloons Femina Miss India International 2011 Ankita Shorey.Mr Kamal Basu, Head Marketing Skoda Auto India Private Limited gave away car keys as part of grand prize to the three finalists.

Name: Vanya Mishra

Age : 19 years

Height : 5'7"

Vital statistics (in inches): 34-25-37

Place of Birth : Jalandar

Crowned : Dabur Gulabari Miss Rose Glow 2011

City : ChandigarhProfession : Student

Relationship status : Single

College : PEC University of Technology

Interest: Badminton, Listening to music, Dancing & Reading

A quote or saying that has had profound impact on you
"If you believe that you can touch the stars, then you really can but if you think that you are a nobody then you will always remain a nobody".

What gives you a high?
Good Party Music & My Ambition

One law you would like to break?
I would not like to move away from my family post marriage

If you win the "Miss India" title what would be your first big splurge?
I want my own car preferably an Audi

Best pick up line you have ever heard?
"If u were a burger from McDonalds you would be Mc gorgeous"

Rate in order of priority the three qualities every woman must possess
Sensibility, modesty and beauty with brains.

A tune you cannot get out of your mind...
DJ got us falling in love again

Three achievements that will make you feel your life was a huge success!
Making my mom proud, being satisfied with what I have achieved and winning the Femina Miss India Crown

The weirdest thing you have ever tasted...
Orange Paratha

Last Movie that made you cry?
Rang De Basanti

Rate in order of personal preference the three qualities you admire in a man
His behavior with women, kindness and intelligence

If a Star was to give a solo performance whom would you pick and why?
Shahrukh Khan, because I have always found him a true entertainer

Craziest rumour you have heard about yourself?
I have stopped eating as I want to become size zero

How can you be sure whether a guy is the right man for you?
I would leave it to my instincts; I feel my heart will call out if he is the right man

With which celebrity would you like to go on a vacation?
Roger Federer

Do you think live-in is a good way to check out a relationship?
Personally I would say no, because if I'm sure enough to live with him, then I might as
well marry him

If you were to give one bit of advice to the youth today, what would that be?
To believe in yourself
If you are good, good things will happen to you someday sure

Your body to you means...
It's everything that represents who I am, I worship it and would like to keep it healthy
always

A man's most attractive physical feature...
His smile

One word in which you would like to be described to a guy...
Versatile

Favorite actor
Priyanka Chopra & Robert Downy Jr.

Favorite movie?
Due date

Love is...
A feeling of total contentment and happiness.

Food is...
One of the biggest loves of my life.

 

 

Name : Prachi Mishra

Age: 24

Height: 5' 7"

Vital statistics (in inches): 33- 24-36

Place of birth: Allahabad

City: Pune

Crowned: PFMUP '11, 1st Runner up

Profession: Investment advisor

Relationship Status: Single

College: Symbiosis, Pune

Interests: Reading and travelling

A quote or saying that has had profound impact on you
"The best way to predict your future is to create it".

What gives you a high?
Success gives me a high

One law you would like to break...
Drinking age of 25 years and above

If you win Miss India, what would be your first big splurge?
Europe trip with my family

Best pick up line you have ever heard?
Never got any pick up line from anyone

Rate in order of priority the three qualities every woman must possess
Intellectual, open and warm, soft spoken

A tune you cannot get out of your mind...
'You are so beautiful'

Three achievements that will make you feel your life was a huge success!
The international pageant crown, maintaining it and finally to be a good mother.

The weirdest thing you have ever tasted...
Raw Maggi, during my hostel days in the middle of the night

The last movie that made you cry?
Viruddh (Amitabh and Sharmila Tagore)

Rate in order of personal preference the three qualities you admire in a man
Firstly would be the way he talks, his eyes and his overall personality

If a star were to give a solo performance for you, whom would you prefer and why?
Aishwarya Rai. Since my teenage years, I have been dancing to her songs. I have always loved her on screen and copied her in the mirror. So it will be a dream come true for me.

What is the craziest rumour you have heard about yourself?
None

How can you be sure whether a guy is the right man for you?
When I will meet him, I will get a gut feeling!

With which celebrity would you like to go on a vacation...
Akshay Kumar, any day. I am his biggest fan.

Do you think live-in is a good way to check out a relationship?
Yes, I think as we always hear that things change after marriage, love is not the same. So, why not try out this situation before settling down!

If you were to give one bit of advice to the youth today, what would that be?
Dream big, follow your dreams and don't take shortcuts!

Your body to you means...
Temple ... I love, worship and respect my body

A man's most attractive physical feature...
His eyes

One word in which you would like to be described to a guy...
Mesmerising

Favourite Actor:
Akshay Kumar

Favourite Movie:
Jab We Met

Love is...
Love is a beautiful feeling only if you respect it

Food is...
A basic necessity
Name: Rochelle Maria Rao

Height :5'7"

Vital Statistics : 32-23-36

Place of birth : Chennai

Crowned: PFMI South'12 1 st Runner-up

City: Chennai

Profession : Anchor

Relationship Status : single

College: M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Woman

Interests : I love nature, exploring new cuisines and meeting new people, apart from doing social work, reading, music and traveling

A quote or saying that has had profound impact on you
"If you don't stand for something, you would fall for anything"

What gives you a high?
The stage and watching an underprivileged child taste a plum for the first time

One law you would like to break ...
Wish we could travel anywhere without visa or passport

If you win Miss India, what would be your first big splurge ?
Probably a long vacation abroad!

Best pick up line you have ever heard?
"If you let me, I will treat you like the goddess you are"

Rate in order of priority the three qualities every woman must possess
Confidence, elegance which is not artificial, intelligence

A tune you cannot get out of your mind ...
'Moves Like Jagger' by Maroon 5

Three achievements that will make you feel your life was a huge success!
Winning the Miss India and Miss World crowns, starting my own church and NGO, and a successful career in media.

The weirdest thing you have ever tasted
Stingray - I loved it!

The last movie that made you cry:
Jesus 2000, only spiritual movies make me cry

Rate in order of personal preference the three qualities you admire in a man
He should be confident
He should be talkative as I love to talk a lot
He should be able to dance with me or sing well for me

If a star were to give a solo performance for you, whom would you prefer and why?
I would have liked Patrick Swayze to do a solo, but I suppose that dream shall never materialize now. Rest his soul.

What is the craziest rumour you have heard about yourself? .
That I was going to become a nun

How can you be sure whether a guy is the right man for you?
He should work well with me, we should enjoy each other, we should be able to ignore each other's quirks, and finally we should be a good team together.

With which celebrity would you like to go on a vacation...
Johnny Depp

Do you think live-in is a good way to check out a relationship
No, you lose respect for each other, when you live together without the security of wedding vows, it will never lead to marriage

If you were to give one bit of advice to the youth today, what would that be?
Slow down, enjoy every moment, and pay a little more attention to those around you, whom you could help with very little effort.

Your body to you means...
Temple of God, meant to do his work on earth

A man's most attractive physical feature...
His eyes

One word in which you would like to be described to a guy...
Absolute fun

Favorite Actor :
Johnny Depp

Favorite Movies:
Now and then

Love is...
Understanding + compromise with an amazing result

Food is ...
My life

~TNN

Nuhmei/Nunghak lungril hne dan

~By Hmar Love Guru (I don’t mend broken shoes, I mend broken hearts)

A chang chu ieng leia nunghak lungril inhne thei naw am ana / an dit thei naw che am ana / an hmangai thei naw che am ana? Ti hai hi ilo ngaituo ve hlak chu ka ring. Nang a neka hmelsie, zeilo le tawngkam thiemnaw pa khan iengtin am i nunghak dit em em, i thei tawk a i buoipui nu kha awlsam deuiin a zuk hne bik el thei am ana? A nunghak hai ditzawng in naw lei chu ni nawng i tih, pasal dang hai kha an hmel a tha bik lei khawm ring a um nawh. Nuhmei lungril hi pasal nekin an nem lem ti hi hriet ding a nih. Nuhmei/ nunghak lungril hne dan thenkhat ka hung tarlang hai hi i zawmfamkim chun i dittak le i hmangaitak lungril chu i hne thei ngei ka beisei.

Nuhmei pan, hnai le biek tan dan ding: Pasal in nuhmei/nunghak va biek hi thilmak a ngai ding an nawh, hi hi society fe dan reng a nih. I dittak chu huoisen tak’n pan chawt la/bi pap el rawh. Nuhmei hin pasal zuk biek hmasa ti vel hi an inzak hlak leiin, an biek hmasa che in chan ngai naw rawh. Alo dit hle che ni khawm’n mi pangngai alo ni chun pan hmasa ngai naw reng reng a ti che. Chuleiin, a dit le ditnaw ding che a buoi lovin nang’n i pan/biek hmasa a ngai a nih. Nuhmei ei zuk biek hin thil pahni char a um thei a um:- an mi hnawl thei a, an mi pawm thei bawk. Mihriem reng reng chu mi’n an mi hnawl hun hi a um ngei ngei hlak. Chulleiin, hnawl ding ti lova va pan chawt el ding a nih.

I mizie sukdanglam ngai naw rawh: Pasal tam takin an thaw suol rawp hlak chu mani mizie ni lova mizie siemfawm a um hi a nih. Nuhmei hin mi titak, mi indik, thudik tan mi an dik hlak. In ringzo takin i nina ang ang khan um tawp el rawh. Nuhmeiin i nina indiktak kha a nih an hmangai lem ding chu, i mizie siemfawm kha sawt dei ngai naw nih, an hriet dawk hun a la um tho tho hlak. I nina bak bak nuhmei kuoma hril ngai naw rawh.

Incheidan le insukfai ngaipawimaw: Nuhmei hin taksa sukfai le thuomhnaw hi an ngaipawimaw lei hin i fimkhur a tul hle nih. Chapel/pheikhawk/ke bal deua nunghak leng chu a scoring hmel naw hle. I thei ang tawk tawk in i taksa vawng tha hlak rawh. Chun incheidan ah khawm fimkhur a ngai hle, a nunghaknu nal ti zawng le a dit zawng hriet a tha. Pheikhawk bal deu bun pum’n nunghak leng ngai naw rawh, a mak ve khawpel, nuhmei hin mi pheikhawk bun hi anlo en hmasatak hlak an ti chu.

Nuhmei ngaisak, duot dan thiem a pawimaw: Mi duot thiem deu le an beidawng changa mi ngaisak/ thawidam thiem mi hi nuhmei hai hin an ngaina hlak. An thil hril hai hi tha deu’n i ngaituona pe pek hlak la, an beidawngthu an inzawt khum pha che khawm tosan el lovin a thawidam dan ngaituo hlak lem rawh. Nuhmei hi pasal kuoma insek hi an hmang a, hieng hun ahin i lo buoi deu a ni khawma tha deu deua biek a suk lungawi hlak ding an nih.

Buoina dang I nei naw phawt chun a pawimaw hun hun che a in hman pekzie hlak rawh. I hun awl remchang a “I dam tha maw” ti bek phone a inthawkin indawn hlak ding, chuonga i thaw chun i ngaituo zie kha a lo hriet ve hlak a nih. Amiruokchu hun sawttak tak inbiekpui ngai naw la, i dit taluo suklang ngai naw bawk rawh. Nuhmei hi mizie maktak nei an na, remchanga lain anlo kawi nuom in an lo insek nuom hlak ti kha hriet zing a tha. A nuhmeinu lungril hrechieng si lova, hmangai le duot ti leia sex thila hun hmang kawp kher tum ngai naw rawh, chu nek hman chun ngaituona lungrila i hmangai hi a hlu lem a, a dei sawt lem hlak a nih.

Inpak hlak rawh: Mihriem hin inpak ka nuom nawh ei ti hlaka chu a ruk deua inpak lawm vawng ei nih. I hmel a tha de, I fel de, i sam chu a nal de, i mawi chuong ngei, lalthakim, khawvel sukmawitu i nih etc.ti hai dam hi a nep ti inla khawm nuhmei hai lawm zawngtak a nih ti kha hriet zing ding.  Thil pakhat hriet ding chu an umdan le an incheidan hai hi inchik tlat hlak la, a dang met i hmu pha inpak ngei ngei hlak rawh.

Venghimna, thlamuongna an mamaw: Nuhmei hin an ngaizawng hai bula an um pha hin an thla a muong em em hlak. Chuleichun, an beiseina kha suk hlawsam pek ngai naw rawh. Nuhmei hin ti ding hi an nei rawn bik ti hi hriet zing ding. Lampuiah an khata an lawn ding nek chun i thei phawt chun fepui/thak hlak rawh. An ti/thlaphang huna duot deu’n enkawl hlak la, a thei lem chun an dara kuo hlak rawh, khanga i thaw khan an thla hi a muong em em hlak a nih. An beidawng hun le an tap huna i dar annawleh i awm innghai tir la, innem deuin thlamuong la, an sam annawleh an darah tuoi pek hlak rawh.

Taksa suk tha rawh: Nuhmei hi a tlangpui’n pasal sa tha deu met le piengnal hin an mit a lak deu a anga, chuleiin i thei ang tawk le i hriselna phaktawk’n i sa suk that tum rawh. A lo tha rak naw ani khawm’n in ngaitlawm chuong naw rawh.

A mizie, nuomzawng le a ditzawng hai hriet tum rawh: Relationship tha dit si chun i ngaizawngnu mizie kha hriet hne tum la, a ditnaw zawng thil reng reng thaw tum ngai naw rawh. A nun a hlim i dit si chun ngaidan alo in ang rak naw khawm'n a lawmzawng thil hai kha thaw rawn tum bawk rawh.

Thil pek ngaipawimaw rawh: Nuhmei lawmna hi chite ani leiin thil pekna kawng hi ngaitha lo ding a nih. A birthday le ni pawimaw thenkhat inchik hlak la, hieng hun ahin thil a tha am, a tha naw am pek ve hlak reng reng ding a nih. Entirna ding’n sum tieng harsatna a tuok chang a phone zuk recharge/top-up pek zo hai dam kha thil thaw chi tak a nih. Ama ta dinga inpekzo zie a suklang ding a nih.

Mani nghirhmun sukdet/siem: Tulai khawvel ei hmang mek a hin chu hmangaitak hai le bahra khur ti policy kha chu a fe bek ta nawh, chu nek hman’n dittak hai le Maruti Car sunga ti hai dam hi a fe ta lem. Chuleiin, mani hmangaitak hai chawmna tawk le insung indin theina khawpa thlatina Gandhiji Lu lakna ding nei kha a pawimaw lem an tah. Nuhmei khawm’n an hmatieng thil ding hi an thlir ve kar ani leiin thang lak nasa a tul takzet. Amiruokchu, i sin nei hma, inriengtaka i um laia lo hmangaitu che kha maksan ngai naw rawh, sin i nei hnunga hmangaitua in sal hai kha ringzo tak tak ding an ni nawh ti hi hriet zing ding a nih.

Thildang hriet ding: Ngaizawng i nei ta si chun, i lungril po po pe tawp el raw, nunghak dang chu mel kai tha ta naw hleng a tih, thil reng reng a titak deua um hi mi ringum hai thawdan a nih.

A thikthu alo sie deu khawm’n ngainawtieng ngai naw la, a hmangai zie che a suklangna a ngai lem rawh. Mi lai i ngaizawngnu inzapui ngai naw rawh, chu nek chun inpak lem hlak rawh. Thil pawimaw pakhat chu, thukhel hril ngai reng reng lo ding, a hnunga sietna intluntu mei mei in an chang hlak!

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29.03.2013
Hmangaina Run

Mumbai world's 2nd least expensive city, Delhi 4th: Survey

 NEW DELHI: A high rate of inflation may be pinching hard on day-to-day life of people in the country, but a global survey has named two Indian cities -- the financial hub Mumbai and the national capital New Delhi -- among the four least expensive places across the world.

As per the worldwide 'cost of living' survey by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Mumbai is the second least expensive city globally, while New Delhi is ranked fourth.

Karachi in Pakistan has been named as the cheapest destination globally, while Zurich in Switzerland is the most expensive place across the world, as per the survey.

Inflationary pressures have figured among the key concerns facing the government as well as the public in India for many months now, although the rate of inflation has declined a bit in recent past.

The country's headline inflation fell to 6.55 per cent in January 2012. It had stood at 7.47 per cent in December 2011.

Despite the drop in inflation in January, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee had said the rate of price rise is "still not at acceptable level" and hoped for further dip.

Headline inflation was near double digit for most of 2010 and 2011. The apex bank hiked key policy rates 13 times, totalling 350 basis points between March 2010 and October 2011, to tame inflation.

In the EIU survey, three of the four cheapest locations globally -- Karachi, Mumbai, Tehran and New Delhi -- are from the Indian subcontinent.

"India has been such a target of labour outsourcing, relocation and FDI over the last decade," EIU said.

"With cheap labour and land costs making India and Pakistan incredibly attractive to those bargain hungry visitors or investors willing to brave some of the security risks that accompany such low prices, especially in Pakistan," it added.

All the four cheapest cities have retained their positions from the previous year's list.

However, Zurich has toppled Tokyo as the world's most expensive city, although both of them have become relatively expensive in the past one year.

"Both Japan and Switzerland have seen strong currency movements over the last few years which have made them relatively more expensive," EIU said.

After Karachi, Mumbai, Tehran and New Delhi, the report has named Muscat, Dhaka, Algiers, Kathmandu, Panama City and Jeddah among the least expensive cities.

In the list of ten most expensive cities, Zurich and Tokyo are followed by Geneva, Osaka Kobe, Oslo, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Frankfurt.

The survey compared over 400 individual prices across 160 products and services. They include food, drink, clothing, household supplies and personal care items, home rents, transport, utility bills, private schools, domestic help and recreational costs.

The main reason behind low cost of living in the Middle Eastern cities was the use of price controls and the pegging of currencies to the US dollar, the report said.

This year's list interestingly features cities from the Asia Pacific region (including Australasia) in the ten most expensive cities, while on the other hand, three of the four cheapest locations hail from the Indian subcontinent.

"Although Asian hubs are making their presence felt at the top of the cost of living stakes, another kind of Asian hub is making its presence felt at the bottom, EIU said.

Singapore's presence in the top ten most expensive cities highlights a shift away from Western Europe towards Asian hubs, the report said.

"Cities from the Asia Pacific region (including Australasia) now make up half the ten most expensive," EIU said adding Western Europe still accounts for 24 of the most expensive cities in the top 50, with 14 hailing from Asia.

Interestingly, despite Eurozone weaknesses German and French cities are still relatively expensive with Paris and Frankfurt holding firm in the ten most expensive. Besides, Oslo, which was considered the world's most expensive city only a few years ago also sits towards the top of the ranking.

 (PTI)

 

7 Interesting facts about women's breast

They are soft, warm, beautiful, bouncy, sensitive, sexy, curvy, but apart from these are you aware of any other interesting fact about a woman's breasts?

Breasts are probably the most beautiful part of a woman's body. They can easily be counted among one of the first things men notice in women. Women are always conscious about their breasts; however, with all due respect, they know very little about them. Apart from arousing sexual desire, breasts also symbolise beauty, femininity.

We put together some lesser-known facts about breasts which every woman, or man for that matter, must know.

1. The left breast is usually bigger: It's little hard to notice but the left breast is always bigger than the right one. They are never exactly the same size. Nipples also come in varying sizes, and they also point in different directions.

2. Every woman has some nipple hair: It's a big turn-off for men but it's a fact. Each woman has between 2-15 dark, straight strands growing. The darker your skin and hair, the darker the nipple hair. Breasts can also get blackheads and pimples. So, always take special care of your breasts.

3. Average breast weighs 0.5 kilogram: The average breast weighs about 0.5 kilograms. Each breast contributes to about 4-5 per cent of the body fat and thus 1 per cent of the total body weight of an average woman. Breasts get fatter as women grow older. Also remember that smokers will have saggier breasts than non-smokers.

4. Over 2 million women have fake breasts: From Pamela Anderson to Katie Price more than 2 million women have breast implants. The figure shows how much women think about their breasts. Not every woman who went under the knife is always pleased with the results. The average age of a woman who gets implants is 34.

5. Breasts get bigger when aroused: Just like the penis, breasts swell up and become taut when aroused. The same goes for nipples.

6. Breasts don't like bouncing around: Jogging, walking and aerobics can cause your breasts to bounce around. Always wear a proper bra to minimize the bounce, so that you can also reduce your breast pain. Remember, the main function of bras is to protect the health of your breasts.

7. Breasts can go out of shape: It sounds strange but sleeping facedown can sometimes misshape your breasts. Always take care of your sleeping position so that you maintain the firmness and shape of your breasts. The best sleeping position is to sleep on your side, with a pillow under them for support as you sleep.

~Biben Laikhuram (TOI)

Teenager shows off his SIZE 21 feet

24 Nov. 2011: Teenager Carl Griffiths may have the biggest feet in Britain, but he’s taking it in his stride.
The 19-year-old, who stands at 6ft 8in, has size 21 feet - a staggering 14.5in long and more than twice the length of the average UK men’s size nine.



Unsurprisingly, he regularly has to put up with people accidentally standing on them and struggles to find shoes that fit so has to order them from overseas.

Mr Griffiths, from Trimsaram in south Wales said: ‘My feet have always been huge - ever since I can remember’.
‘They grew so fast when I was at school my mum kept having to buy me new shoes every few months. Each year I would go through two or three pairs. I just wore them out really quickly’.

‘At primary school my feet were always two sizes bigger than anyone else’s.
‘By the time I was 12 years old they were size 14. Then in the space of two years they had gone up to size 17. I play rugby and had a huge struggle finding rugby boots - I had to get them special ordered from America.’

Mr Griffiths stands at 6ft8in tall, just two inches shorter than beanpole England footballer Peter Crouch. But his feet are nine sizes bigger than striker Crouch’s size 12s. This means that the unemployed welder’s footwear options are limited - and expensive.

He said: ‘They don’t make size 21 shoes anywhere in the UK. They cost about £50 to have made but because the boxes they come in are quite big it costs another £50 to have them mailed back here’.

~NP

MISS WORLD 2011 is VENEZUELA

London: A 21-year-old human resources graduate from Venezuela won the 2011 Miss World beauty pageant even as India's hope Kanishtha Dhankhar failed to make it to the top 15 at the star-studded event held at London's Earls Court.

Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares currently works for a broadcasting company. The second place went to Philippines while Puerto Rico grabbed the third spot.

The top seven finalists were from Korea, Venezuela, England, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Scotland. India's disappointment came early as Dhankhar failed to grab a spot in the top 15. Actor Priyanka Chopra won the Miss World crown in 2000. Since then no Indian contestant could get the title.

!

MISS WORLD -VENEZUELA

Personal Information Name: Ivian Lunasol SARCOS COLMENARES Age: 21 Height: 179 Languages: Spanish

BIOGRAPHY

Ivian has a degree in human resources and currently works for a broadcasting company. Her future ambition is to promote and work with children. Hobbies include: volleyball, mountaineering and trekking. Ivian was born into a very large family – she has 12 siblings in total.

Interview

Tell us a little something about your Country ?
I come from a very religious country and the place I live is devout to the Virgin Patron of Venezuela, the Coromoto Virgin.

Future ambitions ?
Promote NGOs and work with children.

Describe yourself?
Graceful and perseverant.

Personal Motto?
Everything arrives when it should.

Favourite food ?
My favourite food is chicken soup and the traditional pabellon of my country.

Favourite Music / Books ?
I love Alejandro Sanz and Ricardo Arjona. My favourite book is ‘The Secret’ because it talks about the laws of attraction and how to be in tune with your life goals.

What is the proudest moment of your life or most memorable day?
My proudest moment was when I did my Communion. All of my family were together that day so it is a moment I cherish deeply.

Any other interesting facts ?
I have created my own foundation to help children.

 

~missworld.com & ibnlive

Rudi Marak is Miss Shillong 2011

SHILLONG: Rudi Marak, a student of Mass Communication, St Anthony’s College was crowned Miss Shillong 2011. The Shillong Club Ground was abuzz on Saturday evening as fifteen impressive contestants vied for the coveted Miss Shillong title.



Monica Bhattacharya was adjudged 1st runners-up and Tatyana Momin was the 2nd runners-up. The contestants mesmerized the audience with their killing moves, catwalks and impromptu answers to questions thrown at them.

Organized by the Fashion Society Shillong, the Miss Shillong 2011 which runs a tagline “more than a woman” was proven true yet again when Amanda received the crown for ‘Miss Perfect 10’ defeating other more promising contestants.

Avenues, a city based English language and soft skills training institute was the grooming partner for the even. The six judges for the event included VK Nautiyal (Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Meghalaya, Susan Swer (a boutique and spa owner), Ampareen Lyngdoh (Minister, Urban Affairs), Shakuntala Bora (Professor Philosophy, Guwahati University), Mark Laitphlang Stone (Managing Director, Avenues) and Sabina Warjri (Miss Shillong 1995).

Amit Paul of Indian Idol fame enthralled the audience with his lilting music.

Speaking to The Shillong Times, Nautiyal said that the judges were looking for elegance, confidence, personality, grooming, how well they carry themselves in traditional and modern wear besides their IQ and poise while answering questions. “What do you think it takes to become more than a woman,” was the final question that was thrown at the contestants from which three winners were picked up.

The event had three interesting rounds – the traditional round which showcased contestants in various regional and Indian traditional wear at the Ward’s Lake and Royal Heritage Hotel Tripura Castle.

Contestants spoke about their passion, their ambition and the social issues that resonate with them during this round.

Each of the participants saw the Miss Shillong contest as a platform to articulate their concerns ranging from issues of child labour to crime against women, lack of civic sense, unemployment, corruption among many other relevant themes.  “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” said one contestant.

Quite a few contestants were distressed by female foeticide, sexual harassment and domestic violence while others felt that yoga and meditation was important to keep depression at bay. Sarah Lee, a singer presented Amy Winehouse’s number Back to black.

A Fusion Wear Show by Sikkim Manipal University on the theme “Desi meets west”, a hip-hop, rock mixed dance by local band “Dance Wiz” earned huge applause from the crowd.

Grace Maureen, who was recently crowned Karaoke Queen crooned the famous Carole King number You make me feel like a natural woman in her inimitable style.

Although many of the questions were common to beauty contests some were humorous. Ibanrishisha was asked, “If you were to save your father and boyfriend from a burning house, whom would you choose to save?” To this she said, “Sorry baby. I would save my father who has supported me since my childhood.”

The judges were unanimous that it was a difficult event to judge since the efforts put in by Avenues towards grooming the contestants was tremendous.

“We are privileged to be a part of this event, empowering and grooming these contestants right from the way they walk and talk, developing their skills and attitude for the last one month. This proves that our system works and makes a difference,” said Mark Stone, the Avenues Director.

Meanwhile, a VVIP security arrangement was seen at the venue similar to the recent Vice President’s visit to the city. Security personnel frisked every visitor and checked their antecedents. Numbered media passes were also issued to press persons.

~The Shillong Times

 

Miss Shillong 2011 on Oct 8, Sarah Lee (Traite) to perform at the event

SHILLONG: The Miss Shillong Beauty Pageant will be held on October 8 at the Shillong Club Grounds, M.G Road at 4:30 pm.

15 contestants are participating in this event which consists of 5 rounds.



Indian Idol fame Amit Paul will mesmerize the audience with his magical voice besides Grace Maureen Sohliya who was recently crowned Karaoke Queen of India, Sarah Lee vocalist of the band Fourth Element, established singer Caren Nonpiyur, a group street contemporary item by Dance Wiz, Arif Mukhim & Vandana Borkatoki who will be dancing the “Cha Cha Cha”. Garima Garg, Assam’s most celebrated designer  will also be attending  the show & the theme song “More Than A Woman” which will be performed by Grace Sohliya,Caren Nongpiyur  & Marvel Lyngwa.

Sarah Lee

Miss Universe 2011

Miss Angola becomes first from her country to be crowned Miss Universe

By JESSICA SATHERLEY

Leila Lopes made history for her country yesterday, after becoming the very first Miss Angola to be crowned Miss Universe.


The 25-year-old laughed and smiled as she hugged runner-up Miss Ukraine, Olesia Stefanko, before having her crown firmly placed on her head at the pageant held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.


The business student from Angola’s seaside city of Beguela, dazzled the panel of judges with both her beauty and brains.

Taking the crown: Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, was crowned Miss Universe by the 2010 winner Miss Mexico, Ximena Navarrete in Sao Paulo, Brazil

A winning combination: Miss Angola's evening wear and swimsuit parade won her Miss Universe, as well as her intelligent answered

When she had been asked earlier what she might change about her physical characteristics, Leila replied that she was satisfied with who she was.


'I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty,' she told the judges and the audience.

More...

'I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family, and I plan to follow those through the rest of my life.'


Her down-to-earth nature was complemented with immense outer beauty too though, which she showed off in a bright yellow bikini during the swimsuit parade.

The moment of glory: Leila Lopes can't stop smiling and laughing as she is crowned Miss Universe in front of the other contestants

 

Congratulations: Former Miss Universe, Ximena Navarrete of Mexico gives Leila a kiss on the cheek

After displaying her bikini body to millions of fans watching the pageant on TV around the world, Lopes paraded around the stage with poise in a form-fitting gold and silver sequinned evening gown.


Miss Angola bet 88 competitors in the 60th annual Miss Universe pageant.


Finalists accompanying Lopes into the top five were Miss Ukraine Olesia Stefanko, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, Miss China Luo Zilin and Miss Brazil Priscila Machado.


While the other countries that made the top ten were Miss Australia Scherri-lee Biggs, Miss Costa Rica Johanna Solano, Miss France Laury Thilleman, Miss Portugal Laura Goncalves and Miss Panama Sheldry Saez.

Enlarge Top ten: The finalists making the top ten were Miss Australia, Miss Costa Rica, Miss France, Miss Ukraine, Miss Portugal, Miss Panama, Miss Philippines, Miss China and Miss Brazil

 

Finalist: Miss Brazil, Priscila Machado, made it into the top five in her home country, where the competition was held

 

Pretty in pink: Miss France, Laury Thlleman paraded in a pink bikini and a coral evening gown, but it wasn't enough to wow the judges

As well as competing in categories ranging from swimsuits to evening gowns, the women also had to answer the critical question that tells the judges a bit about them.


In fan voting, Lopes tallied only a 3.6 score for the swimsuit but earned a 7.2 for her evening gown.

Fan voting, however, did not count in the final tallies from nine judges.

The panelists, who ranged from race car driver Helio Castroneves to actress Vivica A. Fox and journalist Connie Chung, scored the women on each contest, narrowing from a group of 16 down to a final five.

Top five: Miss Universe, Ukraine's Olesya Stefanko, the Philippines' Shamcey Supsup, China's Luo Zilin, Brazil's Priscila Machado and Angola's Leila Lopes pose during the ceremony of coronation of Miss Universe 2011

 

Australia to America: Miss Australia Scherri-lee Biggs (left) models a silver gown, while Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, dazzled in a canary yellow gown (right)

 

Enlarge Colourful crowd: The 89 contestants display an array of colourful dresses on stage in the pageant in Sao Paulo

The show was hosted by U.S. television personalities Andy Cohen and Natalie Morales.


Out of the past 13 pageants held in the past decade, seven have been won by Latina contestants, making Miss Angola’s win even more exciting for her home country.

Miss Angola started competing in the Miss Universe competitions in 1998, with the first ever contestant from the African nation being Emilia Guardado.


Since 1997, two Miss Angolas have been semi-finalists in the top 15 and one made it into the top 10, but Leila Lopes is the first to be crowned with the title.

Stage show: Millions of fans around the world watch the 60th annual Miss Universe competition on television

 

Who will it be? Miss Ukraine, Olesia Stefanko, and Miss Angola hold each other's hands and wait to find out who is the winner, before Leila Lopes' name was called

 

Lost for words: Miss Angola Leila Lopes was greeted by the other participants after being crowned Miss Universe

~dailymail.co.uk

Amitabh Bachchan to make Hollywood debut

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan is making his Hollywood debut in a new film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, according to the producer Warner Brothers.

Bachchan will play Meyer Wolfsheim, a Jewish man described as a gambler in F Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel.

The $126m film directed by Baz Luhrmann has begun shooting in Australia.

The Great Gatsby is the story of 1920s high society in the US, the golden age of excess before the Depression.

Luhrmann said he was "personally thrilled that one of the world's greatest screen legends, Amitabh Bachchan, is joining the cast".

"Over the years, Amitabh's films have made a tremendous impression on my life and work. His film Sholay was my introduction to Indian cinema," Luhrmann told Indo-Asian News Service in an email interview.

Luhrmann has spoken about his love for Bollywood movies in the past, and used a popular Bollywood song in his 2001 musical Moulin Rouge.

Bachchan has acted in more than 180 Indian films over a 40-year period. He remains Indian's most popular actor.

He recently returned as the celebrity host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire and one of the most watched shows on Indian television.

He was voted the greatest star of the millennium in a 1999 BBC poll.

Bachchan acts in several films every year and was last seen in Teen Patti (Three Cards) in January, where he starred alongside British veteran Ben Kingsley.

~BBC

Lou Majaw to rock Manipur after four decades

IMPHAL: For Lou Majaw, rock 'n' roll has always been a way of life and he believes that good music comes out from the heart of a performer. It's with this conviction, and of course his acoustic magic, that the guitar guru from Shillong wants to join hands with the people of Manipur and combat HIV/AIDS and drug abuse together.

Lou, who has been celebrating Dylan's birth anniversary every year since 1972 and has also earned the sobriquet of 'India's Bob Dylan', will study Manipuri folk music, share his vast knowledge on chords and notes with the people of the state and fight the two menaces together.

The 64-year-old legendary singer-song writer-composer from Shillong will perform at Gandhi Memorial Hall, popularly known as GM Hall or 'Town Hall' in the heart of Imphal, on September 7 after about four decades.

"On September 5, I'll perform in the Churachandpur district headquarters and at GM Hall Imphal on September 7," Lou said minutes after landing at the Imphal airport on Thursday afternoon. "I still remember the day I had performed at this Imphal auditorium when I was with the 'Blood and Thunder' and 'The Great Society'. That was in the early Seventies. After 40 years I will be performing again at GM Hall, a place that is close to my heart and also the best performing venue for yesteryear rock bands of Manipur," he said.

Along with the key members of Churachandpur's popular rock band 'Friends', Lou will interact with budding poets, song writers, musicians and singers on the trend of rock and blues in the region.

"We will spread awareness on HIV/AIDS and drug abuse through music in Churachandpur. Manipur, as all know, is one of the six states of the country which has a high HIV/AIDS prevalence. We have to combat the disease," Lou said, expressing his gratitude to the Manipur Aids Control Society (Macs) for sponsoring his 'Manipur Journey Trip'.

Friends' frontman Ricky Chakchuak, who is promoting music among youngsters, including inmates of various drug rehabilitation centres in Churachandpur, said Lou's new mission in the tribal-dominated district would definitely bear fruit.

On his love for Manipur folk music, Lou said he was mesmerized by a powerful performance by a Manipuri musician, Bhagirat, in Shillong early this year. "I felt he was singing from his heart. I reaaly love to study the components of Manipuri folk music.During my stay in Manipur, I'll try to understand this beautiful fom of music. I will also try to find out if I can use these elements in my music," Lou said.

During both the Churachandpur and Imphal concerts, Lou will cover Dylan and Bob Marley's numbers. The added attraction would be his numbers, though. "I love Dylan's powerful lyrics. Unlike the past events, we will organize Dylan's 71'st birthday on May 24 next year in a fabulous and meaningful manner in five acres of land near Shillong," Lou said.

~K Sarojkumar Sharma(TOI)