Nagesh Kukunoor thanks his brother for Aashayein

Nagesh Kukunoor was inspired to make Aashayein, a film revolving around cancer patients, because of his brother Dr Rajesh Kukunoor, an oncologist based in Arizona, USA.

The conversations the director had with his sibling served as the reference point for the John Abraham-Sonal Sehgal starrer.

Says the director, "My brother often related the case histories of his patients to us at home. He would tell us that it was never easy having conversations with them and gauging the way they would respond."

He adds, "It was intriguing to know how these people responded.

In fact, the cool dudes would end up being the weakest while the ones who appeared scared and nervous were the ones who showed the greatest resilience!"

Kukunoor, however, has not based his film on any one particular patient his brother treated. "I have woven together several case histories I heard for the movie's subject."

He points out that it is easy for a fun, comic film to find an audience but it is heartening when you take an alternate subject (like Aashayein) and find the same.

Source http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20100151493&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=48184

Raksha Bandhan, Its Essence And Significance

Raksha Bandhan is one of the widely celebrated Indian festivals. The term 'Raksha' means 'protection' and 'Bandhan' means, 'bond'. The underlying essence of the Hindu ideals of love and harmony is portrayed in all the festivals which are reminders of the oneness in all beings.

There are numerous legends associated with Raksha Bandhan. Though with time it has come to practice that Raksha Bandhan is observed for brotherly and sisterly affection, in the earlier days it was for all relationships at large. It was tied by wives, daughters, mothers and Rishis as well to people who approached them for protection.

As per the popular legend, Indra sought the advice of Brihaspati or Guru to vanquish the demons when he almost lost the battle with them. Guru Brihaspati and Indrani his wife tied a sacred thread around his wrist on the auspicious Shravan Poornima day, after which he emerged victorious in the war. Hence Raksha Bandhan came to be celebrated on the Shravan Poornima day.

An episode from the Mahabharata also is associated with Raksha Bandhan. Draupati tore her silk sari and tied it around the bleeding finger of Lord Krishna, who got hurt in the process of slaying the evil 'Sari'. Lord Krishna's grace in averting the disgrace to Draupati getting disrobed by the Kauravas explains his compassion owing to her brotherly affection for Him.

Raksha Bandhan could also have had its source in the legend associated with King Bali. Lord Vishnu, pleased with the devotion of Bali, left Vaikunta to safe guard his devotee's kingdom. Goddess Lakshmi unable to suffer the pangs of separation from her Lord, disguised herself as a Brahmin woman and stayed in the palace of King Bali, tying a thread around his wrist, symbolising her brotherly affection for him. King Bali moved by the Lord's compassion, sent him back to Vaikunta with Lakshmi owing to the sisterly affection for her that blossomed from the tying of Rakhi.

Raksha Bandhan Celebration

Raksha Bandhan which is observed on Shravan Poornima day, in the month of August, now celebrates the brotherly and sisterly relationship across the country, irrespective of confining it to celebrate among blood related siblings. It has thus become a social celebration now crossing the barriers of religion, caste and creed.

It is a physical representation of the emotional binding of siblings. Sisters tie the thread of Rakhi around the wrist of their brothers seeking their love and protection. Brothers in turn give gifts to their sisters as a mark of authenticating their affection and protection amidst festivities and celebrations.

The Essence and Significance of Raksha Bandhan

The celebration of Rakha Bandhan has its origin in religion and stretches further beyond its boundaries for a broader view of universal brotherhood which paves way for universal oneness.

Love is the underlying essence of every religion. Unconditional love for all beings can be realised when one understands his true self, the spiritual self or the 'Atman' which is the same in all beings and which stretches beyond all seeming disparities.

Raksha Bandhan stands as the foremost among all festivals, celebrating unconditional love and universal harmony. Spiritual oneness, the ultimate end of observing rituals and festivals is thus recognised by the observance of Raksha Bandhan.

Raksha Bandhan thus serves as a reminder of our true nature, the real self which is lost in the apparent differences. So let us observe the rituals of the festival and celebrate it keeping in mind its essence, its true spiritual import.

Source http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2010/raksha-bandhan-essence-significance-rakhi-240810.html

The Significance Of Onam

Onam is the most important and awaited festival of Kerala where the traditional aspects of the state unravels in fullest measure. Apart from being the harvest festival, ushering in a mood of celebration, it commemorates the golden reign of King Mahabali, the benevolent king of the Keralites.

The Vamana Avatara of Lord Mahavishnu is associated with the Onam festival of Kerala. As per a version of the legend, Indra and the Gods who ruled the heavens were in fear of King Bali's unparalled golden reign in Kerala. Hence they sought the aid of Mahavishnu who took the form of a Vamana (dwarf) and requested three steps of land from Bali. King Bali, extremely benevolent in nature,immediately agreed to materialise the need of the Vamana despite the dissuasion of his Guru Sukracharya. Immediately the Vamana (Mahavishnu) assumed a gigantic form and crossed over the heaven, the earth and the other worlds in just two steps. In order to keep up the promise, King Bali offered himself to the Vamana who pressed his foot on Bali's head and pushed him into the nether world at his third step.

The same legend is attributed to King Bali in another version. It is said that King Bali's pride owing to his glorious rule was checked by Lord Mahavishnu, by sending him to the nether world. Thus it is highlighted that pride arising out of virtuous deeds will also have to be shunned.

However the Lord being pleased with Bali's adherence to keeping up his word, allowed him to visit his land once a year. Hence Onam is the festival celebrated to welcome their benevolent King Bali by the Malayalees.

Onam Festivities

Feast and festivities are a part of Onam.'Thiruvonam' falls in the month of August/September every year. Onam is celebrated for ten days. The cultural and traditional aspects of Kerala is joyfully and colourfully represented in the celebrations associated with it. Pookalam, the multicoloured flower arrangements, Vallamkali, the snake boat race , the procession of caprisoned elephants and various dance forms like Kaikotti Kali, Thumbi Thullal, Pulikali, Kaduvakali, Kathakali etc are some of the important events that take place every year. The traditional Onam Sadhya, an array of delicious native Kerala dishes, spread on the banana leaf to be savoured is an integral and important part of the celebration.

The Symbolism in Onam

The story of King Mahabali highlights the element of self surrender. It represents the principle of Advaita Vedanta or Non-duality which is attained at the end of spiritual surrender. The gesture of king Bali surrendering himself to the Lord represents total surrender. The Lord placing his feet on the head of King Bali is symbolic of crushing the ego or banishing the non self which is the ultimate end of all spiritual endeavours resulting in spiritual enlightenment. The Lord Himself calls the King, 'Mahabali', 'Maha' meaning 'Mighty' and 'Bali' meaning 'Sacrifice'. Effortless sacrifice is one with surrender which brings forth enlightenment or oneness. Once when the ego is crushed, all that remains is pure bliss. The celebration of Onam thus marks the celebration of oneness with the supreme which results in ualloyed joy or bliss.

May we thus understand the significance of Onam and enjoy the celebrations comprehending its underlying essence.

Source http://living.oneindia.in/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2010/onam-significance-mahabali-legend-kerala-230810.html

Aamir Khan helps rebuild Leh school

Aamir Khan along with Hindustan Construction Company reached Leh to reconstruct the school in Leh where the last scenes of 3 Idiots were shot’. The school had got almost destroyed because of recent mudslide.

The London-based Drupka Trust, which runs The Druk White Lotus School, featured in the film, had approached the company to help it clear the mud and sludge. The school is located at Shey, about 15 km from here on the Leh-Manali highway.

"HCC India has deployed heavy earth moving equipment and several engineers to help the Druk White Lotus School, we have a team of 75 people working at the school who are clearing the mud." HCC General Manager, Niyati Sareen said.

Source http://ibnlive.in.com/news/aamir-khan-helps-rebuild-leh-school/129228-8-66.html

Anil Ambani's Reliance and CBS to launch 3 TV Channels

Anil Ambani's Reliance Broadcast Network (RBN) with a joint venture with US' CBS Studios is all set to launch three English, General Entertainment Channels (GEC) in India with an aim to roll out multiple television channels in the country.

The joint venture is called the Big CBS Networks and will target the English-speaking audiences in India. The three channels such as BIG CBS Prime, a premium English general entertainment channel, BIG CBS Spark. While BIG CBS focuses on the youth and Love, an English entertainment channel is meant for women.

According to Tarun Katial, CEO, Reliance Broadcast Network, the English GEC space is long way to go from the ground level in the market. But the move targets at an upper SEC audience for the good response.

As the R26, 000 crore television market in India always extends its hand for booming, the three channels from RBN and CBS Studios will be paid on the subscription-based growth to be available for other DTH players along with Reliance-owned DTH Company.

Source http://www.breakingnewsonline.net/business/3449-anil-ambanis-reliance-and-cbs-to-launch-3-tv-channels.html

A. R. Rahman asks media to project 'positive image' of Commonwealth Games

Oscar winner A.R. Rahman, who has composed the theme song of the Commonwealth Games, said that he was pained by the negative publicity for the mega sporting event.

Appealing to the media to present a positive image of the Games, Rahman said: "It is my humble request to you (media) to present a positive image of the Games to the international community."

"Hundreds of people are working day and night for making the Games successful. People across the world are asking if India will be able to hold them successfully… so kindly bring a positive image to the Games," said the music maestro.

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi quoted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Independence Day address in which he said the Oct 3-14 Games would be a "national festival".

"With 30 days to go for the opening of the Games village, we are confident of a great Games," Kalmadi said.

With the delay in preparations and corruption allegations in the biggest sporting event being organised in India since the 1982 Asian Games, Manmohan Singh issued clear instructions that the facilities for the Games be made ready in time and meet international standards.

Source http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14953526

Teej Festival 2010 Begins

The Teej festival begins from today i.e. 12th August, 2010. This festival marks prosperity and greenery.

This festival is mostly observed by the women praying for a good harvest and cherishing the end of summer season. Teej is celebrated in the Shravan month. During this season, green coloured dresses are worn by women with green bangles. A very unique thing about this celebration is that the women sway in splendidly decorated swings suspended from trees. Happy songs are sung to praise Mother Nature so that prosperity prevails in the households.

There is a belief that during this season, Lord Shiva’s wife Goddess Parvati celebrated her matrimony with the Lord Shiva.

Married women fast and pray in this season and even unmarried girls fast praying for a good husband.

Source http://www.india-server.com/news/teej-festival-2010-begins-31817.html