Thursday, April 30, 2009
Mahindra's offer to buy 20 percent for Satyam opens June 12
Tech Mahindra said on April 22 its open offer to buy up to 20 percent of fraud-hit Satyam Computer Services will open on June 12 and close on July 1.
Tech Mahindra will offer to buy 199 million shares at 58 rupees each, the outsourcing firm said in a newspaper advertisement.
It said the offer included holders of Satyam's U.S.-listed shares.Tech Mahindra, 31 percent owned by Britain's BT Group, was the highest bidder for a controlling stake in Satyam at an auction last week, a deal that will see it step up to the top tier of Indian IT firms.
Tech Mahindra has paid $351 million for a 31 percent stake of new equity, and a fully subscribed open offer would take its stake in Satyam to 51 percent.
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Tech Mahindra will offer to buy 199 million shares at 58 rupees each, the outsourcing firm said in a newspaper advertisement.
It said the offer included holders of Satyam's U.S.-listed shares.Tech Mahindra, 31 percent owned by Britain's BT Group, was the highest bidder for a controlling stake in Satyam at an auction last week, a deal that will see it step up to the top tier of Indian IT firms.
Tech Mahindra has paid $351 million for a 31 percent stake of new equity, and a fully subscribed open offer would take its stake in Satyam to 51 percent.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: highest bidder, indian it firms, mahindra offer, open offer to buy 20 percent of satyam, satyam, satyam auction, satyam computer services, tech mahindra
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
War in endgame, 100,000 escape rebel zone
Thousands more civilians surged out of Sri Lanka's war zone on April 22 while soldiers and Tamil Tiger rebels fought the apparent endgame of Asia's longest-running war despite calls to protect those still trapped.
In the third day since troops blasted through a massive earthen wall built by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and unleashed the exodus, the military said at least 100,000 people had been registered for onward transit to refugee camps.
Among those who came out was the LTTE's ex-spokesman Daya Master, a former school teacher who was the Tigers' voice to the English-speaking world for years and arranged media visits to the self declared state the separatists had fought to create.
The military said he was the most senior rebel to surrender, an act that is in contravention of LTTE founder-leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran's dictate that followers wear cyanide vials to be taken in case of
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In the third day since troops blasted through a massive earthen wall built by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and unleashed the exodus, the military said at least 100,000 people had been registered for onward transit to refugee camps.
Among those who came out was the LTTE's ex-spokesman Daya Master, a former school teacher who was the Tigers' voice to the English-speaking world for years and arranged media visits to the self declared state the separatists had fought to create.
The military said he was the most senior rebel to surrender, an act that is in contravention of LTTE founder-leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran's dictate that followers wear cyanide vials to be taken in case of
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Labels: asia longest running war, civilians, LTTE, ltte chief prabhakaran, no fire zone, prabhakaran to surrender, rebel zone, refugee champs, Sri Lanka, Tamil Tigers
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Maoist rebels threaten to derail Indian elections
They have unleashed a campaign of terror in four states in the south and east of the country where they have threatened election officials, security personnel and voters who defy their call for a poll boycott.
The campaign intensified on April 21 when 250 rebels, known locally as 'Naxalites' hijacked a train and held 500 passengers hostage for four hours before releasing them unharmed.
The raid highlighted a deadly war which has gone largely unnoticed beyond India, and demonstrated the growing reach of a Maoist insurgency which now affects a quarter Indian districts.
It followed an earlier strike on a government office in Jharkhand where rebels blew up a conference center. In another incident, eight trucks were torched and a driver killed as Jharkhand prepared for India's second round of voting on April 23.
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The campaign intensified on April 21 when 250 rebels, known locally as 'Naxalites' hijacked a train and held 500 passengers hostage for four hours before releasing them unharmed.
The raid highlighted a deadly war which has gone largely unnoticed beyond India, and demonstrated the growing reach of a Maoist insurgency which now affects a quarter Indian districts.
It followed an earlier strike on a government office in Jharkhand where rebels blew up a conference center. In another incident, eight trucks were torched and a driver killed as Jharkhand prepared for India's second round of voting on April 23.
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Labels: bihar, india, indian election, jharkhand, lok sabha elections, maoist rebels threaten, naxalites hijacked a train, passengers hostage, poll boycott, threatened election officials, voters
Monday, April 27, 2009
Pakistan is ‘abdicating to the Taliban', Secretary Clinton says
The Pakistani government "is basical ly abdicating to the Taliban and to the extremists," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told Congress on April 22 in an unusually blunt statement that reflects the unease within the Obama administration about an agreement authorized by President Asif Ali Zadari last week.
The agreement would permit sharia, or Islamic law, in the Swat Valley - just 100 miles west of the capital, Islamabad - and was reached after the Pakistani military failed to rout Taliban fighters there.
Clinton, appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, tempered her remarks by saying that the Pakistani government needs to improve its delivery of justice and services - precisely what leaders there aim to do with billions of dollars in new U.S. assistance.
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The agreement would permit sharia, or Islamic law, in the Swat Valley - just 100 miles west of the capital, Islamabad - and was reached after the Pakistani military failed to rout Taliban fighters there.
Clinton, appearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, tempered her remarks by saying that the Pakistani government needs to improve its delivery of justice and services - precisely what leaders there aim to do with billions of dollars in new U.S. assistance.
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Labels: Clinton, islamic law, obama administration, pakistan government, pakistani military, president asif ali zadari, senator clinton, Swat Valley, Taliban, taliban fighters, United states
Friday, April 24, 2009
India can beat anyone anywhere, says Harbhajan
Fresh from a rare test series victory in New Zealand, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes India have what it takes to beat the best in the world on their home soil.
India's test series win in New Zealand this week was their first in four decades. It was also their third successive test series victory since beating top-ranked Australia in November.
"This team is capable of winning anywhere," Harbhajan told Reuters in an interview on April 10.
"If we play to our potential, stick to the basics and focus on the job, we have the team that can beat anyone anywhere."
India defeated Australia and England in back-to-back series at home last year and are once again considered a true force in world cricket.
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India's test series win in New Zealand this week was their first in four decades. It was also their third successive test series victory since beating top-ranked Australia in November.
"This team is capable of winning anywhere," Harbhajan told Reuters in an interview on April 10.
"If we play to our potential, stick to the basics and focus on the job, we have the team that can beat anyone anywhere."
India defeated Australia and England in back-to-back series at home last year and are once again considered a true force in world cricket.
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Labels: harbhajan singh, india defeated australia and england, new zealand, test series victory, world cricket
Thursday, April 23, 2009
'Amal' secures win for original song, nominated for 6 awards
'Amal' a movie directed by Richie Mehta received six nominations at the Genie Awards held in Ottawa on April 4. The Genie Awards are the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars.
Of all the nominations, Dr. Shiva's rendition of Meer Taqi Meer's Ghazal Rahi Nagufta won for ‘Original Song' in the movie about an auto-rickshaw driver's brush with a multi-millionaire. Shiva's song is enacted on screen by Naseeruddin Shah.
‘Amal' is the story of a rickshaw driver in India satisfied with his lot, who meets an old bum on the streets and they have an exchange. The bum turns out to be a millionaire and leaves Amal all his money. An urban fable of sorts, the movie is about kindness, integrity, and judging what wealth and success means to each person.
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Of all the nominations, Dr. Shiva's rendition of Meer Taqi Meer's Ghazal Rahi Nagufta won for ‘Original Song' in the movie about an auto-rickshaw driver's brush with a multi-millionaire. Shiva's song is enacted on screen by Naseeruddin Shah.
‘Amal' is the story of a rickshaw driver in India satisfied with his lot, who meets an old bum on the streets and they have an exchange. The bum turns out to be a millionaire and leaves Amal all his money. An urban fable of sorts, the movie is about kindness, integrity, and judging what wealth and success means to each person.
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Labels: actor naseeruddin shah, amal, canadas oscar, director richie mehta, genie awards, millionaire, ottawa, rickshaw driver
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Afghan law on women brings societal conflict onto world stage
Outside the gates of Kabul University, young Shiite women in fashionable black jackets and scarves hopped off city buses each morning last week, then strolled to biology and law classes alongside clusters of male students, chatting about career plans.
But in a carpeted mosque a few blocks away, the Shiite imam admonished male worshipers to keep close watch on their wives and daughters, saying it is "Satan's work" when women visit public places such as shrines wearing attractive clothing. Behind a curtain, female worshipers enveloped in burqas listened in silence.
Like Afghan society at large, the country's Shiite Muslim minority is grappling with conflicting pressures between a strong tradition of male family dominance and a gradually evolving acceptance of women's modern rights. Usually, this struggle takes place out of the public eye, within families and religious communities.
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But in a carpeted mosque a few blocks away, the Shiite imam admonished male worshipers to keep close watch on their wives and daughters, saying it is "Satan's work" when women visit public places such as shrines wearing attractive clothing. Behind a curtain, female worshipers enveloped in burqas listened in silence.
Like Afghan society at large, the country's Shiite Muslim minority is grappling with conflicting pressures between a strong tradition of male family dominance and a gradually evolving acceptance of women's modern rights. Usually, this struggle takes place out of the public eye, within families and religious communities.
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Labels: afghan law, Afghanistan, burqas, kabul university, muslims, religious communities, shiite imam, shiite muslim minority, shitte women
Monday, April 20, 2009
Shashi Tharoor takes the rough road to parliament, through Kerala
If you're an overseas Indian planning to blitz your way into public life back home, nothing helps like a little grime and sweat, impressive professional credentials, and a smattering of the vernacular.
That, at least, was the expectation in the case of former United Nations Under-Secretary General Shashi Tharoor, who is running as the Congress Party's candidate for the lower house of parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
"I am not a newcomer here. I've a house here - my mom lives here. I'll use all my contacts to bring in investments to my constituency. This is a vote for a stable government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Tharoor was quoted as saying during a roadside stop in a BBC news report.
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That, at least, was the expectation in the case of former United Nations Under-Secretary General Shashi Tharoor, who is running as the Congress Party's candidate for the lower house of parliament from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
"I am not a newcomer here. I've a house here - my mom lives here. I'll use all my contacts to bring in investments to my constituency. This is a vote for a stable government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Tharoor was quoted as saying during a roadside stop in a BBC news report.
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Labels: congress, constituency, elections, house of parliament, Kerala, language barrier, poor malayalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, shashi tharoor, Thiruvananthapuram
Friday, April 17, 2009
Travel remains top passion for Asia's highest income earners
Travel is the not-so-guilty passion of Asia's top money earners, according to a survey by Visa, with people from Hong Kong and India most likely to go on a weekend get-away.
"New sights, new tastes and new sounds drive the personal interests of affluent people in Asia Pacific," said James Lim, regional head of Visa Consumer Credit and Debt in a statement detailing results of the survey.
Counting "high income earners" as those in the top 20-40 percent, the survey said 73 percent of respondents saw travel as their top personal passion for the next two years.
Food was second with 43 percent, while music and cars were joint third with 31 percent.
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"New sights, new tastes and new sounds drive the personal interests of affluent people in Asia Pacific," said James Lim, regional head of Visa Consumer Credit and Debt in a statement detailing results of the survey.
Counting "high income earners" as those in the top 20-40 percent, the survey said 73 percent of respondents saw travel as their top personal passion for the next two years.
Food was second with 43 percent, while music and cars were joint third with 31 percent.
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Labels: asia pacific, asias highest income earners, income earners, survey by visa, taj mahal, top personal passion, tourism, travel remains top passion
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
‘Kumar' goes to Washington, actor gets White House role
House' star Kal Penn - whose character was killed off on the April 6 episode - is taking a sabbatical from acting to work for President Obama. The 31-year-old actor, first launched to fame as a stoner student in the ‘Harold and Kumar' movies, is coming to Washington to be associate director in the White House Office of Public Liaison, Entertainment Weekly first reported on April 7.
The former "cynical independent" met Obama at a fundraiser in late 2007 and became a dedicated, high-profile presence in the campaign's youth-outreach efforts. He'll work primarily with the youth, arts and Asian American communities, the White House stated.
"I was having a great time" on the show, Penn said on April 7 in a conference call with reporters. "The word I still use to describe it is bittersweet. It's not like I'm retiring from acting.
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The former "cynical independent" met Obama at a fundraiser in late 2007 and became a dedicated, high-profile presence in the campaign's youth-outreach efforts. He'll work primarily with the youth, arts and Asian American communities, the White House stated.
"I was having a great time" on the show, Penn said on April 7 in a conference call with reporters. "The word I still use to describe it is bittersweet. It's not like I'm retiring from acting.
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Labels: asian american communities, campaign trail, international security at stanford university, kal penn, Washington, white house role, work for president obama
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Amitabh Bachchan tops India celebrity power list
Amitabh Bachchan, arguably India's biggest superstar, beat Bollywood rivals Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in a survey tracking India's most powerful celebrities.
The Celeb Track study, with inputs from 6,000 people, rated celebrities on attributes like media presence, popularity, power of persuasion and exposure.
Bachchan's daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai came in first among actresses while Sachin Tendulkar and Sania Mirza were winners in the cricket and other sports categories.
But it was no surprise that 64-year-old Bachchan swept the celeb power list.
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The Celeb Track study, with inputs from 6,000 people, rated celebrities on attributes like media presence, popularity, power of persuasion and exposure.
Bachchan's daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai came in first among actresses while Sachin Tendulkar and Sania Mirza were winners in the cricket and other sports categories.
But it was no surprise that 64-year-old Bachchan swept the celeb power list.
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Labels: Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bollywood rivals, celebrity power list, Indias most powerful celebrities, rated celebrities, Shah Rukh Khan
Monday, April 13, 2009
Left behind solid legacy long before he passed away
When Gopal Raju died a year ago after a brief illness, there was an outpouring of grief in the community and from outside.
An institution builder, he founded the India Abroad newspaper, the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), the Indian American Foundation (IAF) and the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA). At the time of his death, he was the publisher of the weekly newspapers News India-Times, Desi Talk and Gujarat Times.
A pioneering advocate of the two-million Indian diaspora in the U.S., becoming involved first in the life of their adopted country, and then being a link (see his speech at the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman) to their homeland, he made India Abroad his passion for serving as an information bridge between the community and their native country.
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An institution builder, he founded the India Abroad newspaper, the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), the Indian American Foundation (IAF) and the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA). At the time of his death, he was the publisher of the weekly newspapers News India-Times, Desi Talk and Gujarat Times.
A pioneering advocate of the two-million Indian diaspora in the U.S., becoming involved first in the life of their adopted country, and then being a link (see his speech at the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman) to their homeland, he made India Abroad his passion for serving as an information bridge between the community and their native country.
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Labels: desi talk, gopal raju died, gujarat times, indian american foundation, indo asain news service, institution builder, mahatma gandhi ashram complex, news india times, sevagram, weekly newspapers
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Water quality in South Asia Scientists solve puzzle of arsenic-poisoning
A team of scientists led by Stanford University soil scientist Scott Fendorf says bacteria cause the absorption of high levels of natural arsenic into groundwater in South Asia from the natural arsenic flowing down from the Himalayan mountains. The results are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature. The World Health Organization has blamed the arsenic for high rates of cancer in India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
In a news report on March 24 by Stanford News Service, Fendorf has solved the puzzle of how and why the natural arsenic was somehow working its way into the groundwater more than 100 feet below the surface, instead of remaining chemically trapped in the river sediments.
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In a news report on March 24 by Stanford News Service, Fendorf has solved the puzzle of how and why the natural arsenic was somehow working its way into the groundwater more than 100 feet below the surface, instead of remaining chemically trapped in the river sediments.
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Labels: anaerobic environment, Bangladesh, groundwater, high rates of cancer, himalayan mountains, india, Myanmar, natural arsenic, river sediments, south asia scientists, water quality, WHO
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Jewish organization urges full implementation of nuke deal with India
The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), a Washington based advocacy group, urged the Obama Administration to strengthen what it called the "critically important" U.S.-India relationship, especially to counter the alleged nuclear threat from Iran.
"The United States could not have a more important partner in the effort to curb Iranian nuclear weapons development and counter the scourge of global nuclear proliferation than India," said JINSA Executive Director Tom Neumann in a release from the organization March 31.
Neumann also expressed concern over the appointment of Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (DCA) as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security because of her long-standing opposition to the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act
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"The United States could not have a more important partner in the effort to curb Iranian nuclear weapons development and counter the scourge of global nuclear proliferation than India," said JINSA Executive Director Tom Neumann in a release from the organization March 31.
Neumann also expressed concern over the appointment of Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (DCA) as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security because of her long-standing opposition to the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act
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Labels: civilian nuclear trade, india, iranian nuclear weapons development, jewish, jewish organization, nuclear threat from iran, nuclear weapons, nuke deal with india, United states
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Aamir Khan is part of voter awareness campaign
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is now part of a campaign urging voters in India to make an informed decision in the upcoming general election.
Khan said he has joined hands with the Association for Democratic Reforms, a NGO started by IIM professors, to release a series of television and print advertisements ahead of the April/May elections.
"We are not endorsing any political party, we are only asking voters to make an informed choice," the 44-year-old actor told reporters.
"We are asking them not only to vote but understand the value of their vote," he said.
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Khan said he has joined hands with the Association for Democratic Reforms, a NGO started by IIM professors, to release a series of television and print advertisements ahead of the April/May elections.
"We are not endorsing any political party, we are only asking voters to make an informed choice," the 44-year-old actor told reporters.
"We are asking them not only to vote but understand the value of their vote," he said.
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Labels: bollywood actor aamir khan, eligible voters, IIM professors, political party, television and print advertisements, upcoming general elections, voter awareness, voters in india
Monday, April 6, 2009
Counter-terrorism and climate change discussed
President Obama in his first one-on-one meeting with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said he discussed a range of issues from counter-terrorism, the need for dialogue between India and Pakistan, and climate change.
The two heads of state met on the sidelines of the London Summit of G20 countries that ended with a joint declaration to infuse the global economy with more than $1 trillion and bring in greater regulation on financial markets.Obama reiterated his concern about terrorist strongholds in Pakistan, and in an unprecedented step, acknowledged the longstanding complaints of India (and China) on greenhouse gas emissions, noting that the United States was the biggest culprit.
"Your Prime Minister is a wonderful man. You should be proud of him. I think he is a very wise and decent man and has done a wonderful job of leading India even prior to being Prime Minister, along a path of extraordinary economic growth that is a marvel, I think, for all the world," Obama said responding to a question on how he planned to help India eliminate the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
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The two heads of state met on the sidelines of the London Summit of G20 countries that ended with a joint declaration to infuse the global economy with more than $1 trillion and bring in greater regulation on financial markets.Obama reiterated his concern about terrorist strongholds in Pakistan, and in an unprecedented step, acknowledged the longstanding complaints of India (and China) on greenhouse gas emissions, noting that the United States was the biggest culprit.
"Your Prime Minister is a wonderful man. You should be proud of him. I think he is a very wise and decent man and has done a wonderful job of leading India even prior to being Prime Minister, along a path of extraordinary economic growth that is a marvel, I think, for all the world," Obama said responding to a question on how he planned to help India eliminate the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
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Labels: counter terrorism, financial markets, global economy, greenhouse gas emissions, Indian prime minister, london summit of G20 countries, pakistan, President Obama, threat of terrorism
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Cyberspying Computer hackers in China pilfered data from India, Tibetan missions, experts say
Researchers at the University of Toronto who were asked by the Dalai Lama's office to check for malware on its computers stumbled upon what they believe is an organized spy operation, called ‘GhostNet', which has hacked into thousands of computers in 103 countries, including India and Southeast Asia.
The operation is controlled from computers based almost exclusively in China, according to the report entitled ‘Tracking GhostNet: Investigating a Cyber Espionage Network' by a group of researchers at the Monk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, dated March 29.
The Dalai Lama condemned the cyberspying saying that regardless of who is hacking into the computers of the Tibetan government-inexile, the pilfered information was making its way to the Chinese government.
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The operation is controlled from computers based almost exclusively in China, according to the report entitled ‘Tracking GhostNet: Investigating a Cyber Espionage Network' by a group of researchers at the Monk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, dated March 29.
The Dalai Lama condemned the cyberspying saying that regardless of who is hacking into the computers of the Tibetan government-inexile, the pilfered information was making its way to the Chinese government.
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Labels: China, computer hackers, computers, cyberspying computer hackers, Dalai Lama, tibetan government
Friday, April 3, 2009
‘Salaam Bombay' star turned driver recalls own ‘Slumdog' past
Once he was as famous as the child stars from ‘Slumdog Millionaire', but Shafiq Syed's own rags-to-riches story has ended and he now earns $3 a day driving a motor rickshaw.
Having basked in the limelight for his portrayal of a street kid in the 1988 Oscar-nominated film ‘Salaam Bombay', Syed struggles to feed a family of five at his home in southern India.
"Today the situation is so bad that if I earn today my family will get to eat something tomorrow," he told Reuters.
Watching the child stars of ‘Slumdog Millionaire' in Los Angeles as the film swept the Oscars in February reminded Syed of his own childhood and short-lived fame.
Like the ‘Slumdog Millionaire' actors, Syed was also plucked from Mumbai's teeming slums and catapulted to global stardom.
In 1987, and aged 12, Syed ran away from his home in Bangalore with some friends to Mumbai.
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Having basked in the limelight for his portrayal of a street kid in the 1988 Oscar-nominated film ‘Salaam Bombay', Syed struggles to feed a family of five at his home in southern India.
"Today the situation is so bad that if I earn today my family will get to eat something tomorrow," he told Reuters.
Watching the child stars of ‘Slumdog Millionaire' in Los Angeles as the film swept the Oscars in February reminded Syed of his own childhood and short-lived fame.
Like the ‘Slumdog Millionaire' actors, Syed was also plucked from Mumbai's teeming slums and catapulted to global stardom.
In 1987, and aged 12, Syed ran away from his home in Bangalore with some friends to Mumbai.
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Labels: 1988 oscar nominated film, child stars from slumdog millionaire, motor rickshaw, salaam bombay, shafiq syed, Slumdog Millionaire, street kid
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Decoding the vocabulary the brain uses to recognize faces
Why are human beings able to recognize people in pictures but unable to do that when a negative of the same photo is put before them? According to Professor Pawan Sinha of the Sinha Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), that's because the brain uses certain codes to recognize faces. His study, done with two other researchers at MIT, has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the second week of March, and has the potential for many medical and non-medical uses in fields such as autism and identification technology.
"The starting point for this work is an observation many of us are familiar with – that when we look at a negative it is hard to recognize who are the people," Sinha told News India-Times. "The question is – why is it so hard – because all of the information is in that negative – I can produce a positive without any additional information. But somehow the brain is unable to make use of that information and its recognition performance is severely compromised."
Sinha's earlier research into light and dark relationships between different parts of the face, showed that in most cases when there was normal light around, a person's eyes appeared darker than the forehead and cheeks.
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"The starting point for this work is an observation many of us are familiar with – that when we look at a negative it is hard to recognize who are the people," Sinha told News India-Times. "The question is – why is it so hard – because all of the information is in that negative – I can produce a positive without any additional information. But somehow the brain is unable to make use of that information and its recognition performance is severely compromised."
Sinha's earlier research into light and dark relationships between different parts of the face, showed that in most cases when there was normal light around, a person's eyes appeared darker than the forehead and cheeks.
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Labels: brain, brain encodes faces, brain uses certain codes to recognize faces, Decoding the vocabulary, human beings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, photo negatives, Professor Pawan Sinha
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Ambegaokar crowned Queen of Azalea Festival in North Carolina
In a historic year when the United States seems taken over by Bollywood song and dance with ‘Slumdog Millionaire', and all things Indian are taking on a new light, it is almost predictable that the Queen of one of the longest running festivals should be an ‘All American' girl of Indian origin Amrapali Ambegaokar.
The North Carolina Azalea Festival announced it had chosen Ambegaokar as its Queen Azalea for the 62nd anniversary of the festival.
"I am honored and thrilled to be chosen as the current ‘Queen Azalea 2009'! It makes me so proud to be American - truly American where culture, color, ethnicity barriers are dissolved into a celebration of one another's spirit - the human spirit!" Ambegaokar declared in an announcement by the festival March 23.
But Ambegaokar is already a well-known for being ‘Miss Asian America', ‘Miss India USA' and ‘Miss India North America' in the past.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
The North Carolina Azalea Festival announced it had chosen Ambegaokar as its Queen Azalea for the 62nd anniversary of the festival.
"I am honored and thrilled to be chosen as the current ‘Queen Azalea 2009'! It makes me so proud to be American - truly American where culture, color, ethnicity barriers are dissolved into a celebration of one another's spirit - the human spirit!" Ambegaokar declared in an announcement by the festival March 23.
But Ambegaokar is already a well-known for being ‘Miss Asian America', ‘Miss India USA' and ‘Miss India North America' in the past.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: All American, Amrapali Ambegaokar, Bollywood song, historic year, Miss Asian America, North Carolina Azalea Festival, Queen Azalea 2009, Slumdog Millionaire, United states
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