It’s Getting Hot in Here – Delhi Planet’s Sizzling New Features

The month of march is only a few days away and seeing the manner in which the weather has been behaving across the world,it seems that Delhi is in for a rough ride over the next few months. Normally one would see the onset of summers by february end,but this time the nip is still in the air.

Well you can still enjoy sizzling delhi from the comfort of your cool room,as Delhi Planet too is turning up the heat, with these great new features.

• Preview Anywhere: Now you can preview any links to sources and other websites without even clicking on them. Using the power of Snap, you would be able to see a preview of the content within the link by just moving your mouse over it.
• Catch This Flick: Keep in touch with the latest and most talked about movie with Catch This Flick.If you’re a movie buff , be sure to watch this and if you’re not then you can wait for the review right here on DelhiPlanet,before making your choice. Nishabd is our current Catch This Flick
• DP Hot Track: Catch the hottest and most happening track of the week with DP Hot Track. The current hot track is Roozana From Nishabd, sung beautifully by the Big B himself.
• DP Exclusives: Been busy lately and didn’t find time to catch up with the events in your city. Say goodbye to your worries,if it’s an event worth knowing it’ll be on Delhi Planet. Now with DP Exclusives you can easily search through our collection of reviews,events,interviews and our weekly specials.

So Gear up, the heat is going to be on soon.

Art Lives In Their Genes – Anjolie Ela Menon & Family

Delhi Planet Exclusive Coverage

Menongitis-Three Generations Of Art

Begins:Saturday,24 Feb 2007, 7 p.m

Ends:Thursday,8 March 2007, 9 p.m

Location:Dhoomimal Gallery, 8-A, Connanught Place,New Delhi-110001

A female artist, A female painter. What is it that first strikes your mind when your hear these three words put together ? Unless you are an art scholar, there is only one name that you would think of, Anjolie Ela Menon one of the greatest Indian contemporary artists.For the past few decades she has captivated art lovers from across the world with her fine and exquisite pieces of art and it seems like her magic is gradually spreading. The great William Wordsworth once said “The child is the father of man”.Well in today’s world of gender equality it would be a sin not to have a female version of the same quote and so Anjolie now has competition from her very own grand daughters.

Delhi Planet was there to capture it all at the inaugration of Anjolie’s latest Art Exhibition Menongitis which is a celebration of 3 generations of art within the Menon Family, namely Anjolie, her son RajaRaja and granddaughters Indeera and Madhavi.

For all you art lovers out there Menongitis is a must see and for the rest, there’s a whole new world that awaits you, so head out and catch the great works of the menon family.

Links:Menongitis@Dhoomimal art Gallery

An All Female Island – You Gotta be Kiddin!!

Not really,this might just be true in a few years. The Iran government has plans to bring to life an idea which till now resided only in the minds of millions of men across the globe,the only minus point is, that no male would be allowed anywhere close to this island.

The Times Of India reports that “Iran is seeking to create a paradise for female tourists by turning an island on a northwestern lake into male-free zone.All public transport, restaurants and facilities on the island ” on the gigantic Oroumiyeh lake close to the Turkish border” will be staffed only by women, officials said. The island of Arezou (Wish), one of the 102 islands in the Oroumiyeh Lake, will be equipped especially for women.The construction of hotels, small restaurants and medical centres under the management of women is one of the specifications for this island, which is the first such in the country. The initiative has even been cleared by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s provincial representative, who declared that a women-only island is not against Islamic sharia law .

This development would certainly be a boon for many females in Iran and other countries of the middle east.Women in these countries are strictly forbidden from roaming around unveiled and any disobedience is treated very harshly. So much so that a male doctor/surgeon is forbidden from directly looking at certain body parts of a female even if he is required to do so.In such a scenario he is only allowed to look at the mirror image of the organ. Well if the gulf countries can’t change the law then they can surely take some steps to improve the life of their women folk,who inspite of being very attractive and beautiful,still remain unknown to the world.

For all you guys out there,don’t even think of taking a chance at this place. If caught, your punishment could range from cutting off your arms to stoning or even death. You can surely do much better in the great world of your imagination.

The Sanjay Dutt Trial : The Day it Overshadowed a National Hero

Date: 28th November,2006
Location: Mumbai
Event: In a landmark judgement, TADA judge PD Kode declared today that Sanjay Dutt was not a terrorist and postponed further hearing into the case till December 19th. Sanjay who has been quite tense over the past few weeks worried about the outcome of the hearing was a relieved man. He reportedly was quite jittery during the hearing making statement’s like ‘I am the sole bread earner for my family, I have a daughter who is studying in US – who will look after her.
Press Coverage: CNN-IBN,NDTV,Aaj Tak,Star News and most major Indian News Television Networks

Date: 28th November,2006
Location: New Delhi
Event: Members of Parliament on Thursday expressed disappointment over India`s humiliating loss to South Africa in the second cricket one-dayer in Durban, with some of them demanding coach Greg Chappell`s removal and an explanation from BCCI chief Sharad Pawar

Holding Chappell responsible for the defeats, RPI MP Ramdas Athawale demanded removal of the coach and non-performing players.

This is a disappointing performance as India could score only 91 runs. This means Greg Chappell is not fulfilling his responsibilities. This defeat has brought disrepute to India.(Source)
Press Coverage: CNN-IBN,NDTV,Aaj Tak,Star News.

Date: Late Night,27th November,2006
Location: Srinagar
Event: The commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen’s south Kashmir division has been shot dead. In a major operation Major Manish H Pitambare who was leading the mission to nab the Hizb-ul supremo wasted no time in attacking the hideout of the leader. Major Pitambare hit a wall of the safe house in which the terrorist was hiding with the butt of his gun while searching for a possible hideout. “The wall smashed abruptly and the terrorist fired a volley of bullets from inside on the Major. He received bullet injuries in his head,” officials said, adding that the major died instantly but not before killing his target.
Press Coverage: BBC World(Instant Coverage),Rediff News(Next Day),NDTV(4 days later)

What you see above is something that you would not find in any newspaper and the conclusion is quite simple. The fourth estate in India has forgotten their duty and their responsibilities. Paul Reuter would have never have imagined that a day would come when information like the sacrifice of Major Manish would be lost amongst the other more glitzy pieces of news. Agreed that stars sell,cricket sells but when a brave soldier lays down his life for the country then it atleast deserves a mention. If the Indian News channels wish to create an impact in the news market they can sure learn a thing or two from BBC which is respected for it’s high standards of news reporting around the world.

So Delhi Planet requests all News Channels in the country to please get their act together and give the citizen’s of the country news that is meaningful and worthy of being on television. One wonder’s as to why there is no “Journalists Oath” for journalists ,just as there is the “Hippocratic Oath” for doctors. An oath of the form “I swear that I will endeavour to uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics, and use my skills in order to assist citizens to fulfill their responsibilties as caretakers of a democratic society”(Source),would do a world of good.

Eklavya:The Royal Guard,Defining Righteousness

The Mania Returns – Cricket World Cup 2007

24 days,576 hours hence India is again going to be in the grip of a nationwide mania. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 kicks of in exactly 24 days, and this comes about an year after the amazing Football World Cup 2006. Just like it is with any world cup this one too is expected to have a huge global television audience. The 2007 WC would see 51 matches being played amongst 16 teams, which is the highest so far in the history of World Cup Cricket. The teams that would be fighting it out in the middle would be India,Australia,England,West Indies(the hosts),South Africa,Pakistan,Bangladesh,New Zealand,Sri Lanka,Zimbabwe and the minnows this time would Ireland,Netherlands,Canada,Kenya,Scotland and Bermuda( which makes it’s debut appearence).

The Blue Billion would be represented by Rahul Dravid (captain), Sachin Tendulkar (vice-captain), Virender Sehwag Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Kaarthick, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth. India is pooled in Group B along with Sri Lanka,Bermuda and Bangladesh and so most likely should sail through to the Super Eights which is where the action would be. The West Indians seemed to have prepared quite well for the Cup and it’s most certain that it’s gonna be carnival time there March 12th onwards. You can catch a glimpse of what’s in store with the World Cup theme titled “The Game of Love and Unity” composed by Shaggy and Rupee.

Go Team India,Bring Home The Cup

Valentine’s Day – Our Search and The Economics

Delhi Planet wishes all it’s readers (with and without their valentine) a Very Happy Valentine’s Day. It is said that “Behind every successful man there is a woman” ( who may or may not be his wife). Therefore keeping in mind this old saying Delhi Planet too is looking for it’s very own Ms.Lois Lane. So if you are a young,smart,outgoing and sassy delhi gal in sync with the latest and most happening events then do let us know and you might just see yourself in this picture.

The past few years have seen V-day become a major event in India and can be considered to be a global festival with millions of people across the globe celebrating it with great enthusiasm and fervour.Thus giving rise to a new term “Valentine Economics”. There’s no suprise then that the consumer segment witnesses a boom with the arrival of V-Day. Discounts,special offers, free treats etc become common place and the mood becomes similar to that of any indian festival. Now if you are planning to meet your valentine with a beautiful red rose in hand then you might want to think again. Sales of fresh flowers increases by over 48% on V-day and so does the cost. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the same day worldwide therefore over 55 million roses – mostly red – are traded on this one day alone and if there’s anyone who makes a killing it’s your local “phoolwala” (flower vendor).

So the advice for all you couples out there is to treat everyday as valentine’s day because a rose is rose no matter what the day be.

$19.3 Billion and VodaFone is .in

Voice data fone better known as VodaFone is now in India. The largest mobile telecommunications network company in the world by turnover with a market value of about £86 billion and a presence in 59 countries has added the 2nd largest country in the world by population to it’s ranks. Vodafone comes into the Indian markets with the acquistion of a 67 % stake in Hutch which was earlier held by Hong Kong based Hutchison Whampoa. Ironically Vodafone also holds a 10% stake in current market leader Airtel and as per sources it plans to sell 5.6% of it’s stake while retaining the remaining 4.4%.

Vodafone had been eyeing the Indian telecom market for a long time and news of the hutch sale surely got it’s head honchos into combat mode, as they wouldn’t have got a better chance to develop a strong foothold in the indian markets. With the Indian telecom market growing at a very rapid pace vodafone would certainly aim at becoming the market leader and it’s already got 17 million subscribers for itself after the acquisition.

This deal also brings to light a very interesting fact which in the spirit of Delhi Planet would come to you as a question. How are the 3 pictures below related

The first picture is that of Li Ka-Shing the chairman of Hutchison whampoa, while the rest are self explanatory and here’s the catch. In 1999 hutchison had sold it’s subsidiary Orange Networks to German telecom player Mannesman and later in 2000 Vodafone bought Mannesman,an acquisition which proved to be quite expensive in the long run with vodafone incurring losses in excess of $27 bn in the year 2005 (Source).

So early 2007 witnesses the entry of a major global telecom player into the Indian markets and hopefully the scene will become hotter as there weren’t too many options to choose from till now.

Delhi Planet Weekends – Secret Recipes

Food and Drinks,what would life be without them. Fine Dining,fast food is multi billion dollar industry in itself with foods like pizzas and burgers being a staple diet in some places of the world. So what is so great about these foods that one keeps coming back to them and any attempts to recreate the magic fails most of the times. Well it’s the recipe,just like Microsoft would never release the source code of Windows similarly the fast food and cola giant’s guard their recipes with utmost care.

So how well are these recipes guarded and what are the magic ingredients. Delhi Planet takes a look at 2 of the most famous fast food giant’s, Coca- Cola and KFC.

The Coca Cola Formula : The Coca-Cola formula is the Coca-Cola Company’s top-secret recipe for Coca-Cola. The formula for ‘Coca-Cola’ is a closely guarded secret and it is stored in a bank vault in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As per urban legends only 2 coca cola executives know the formula and that too half of it, but as per official reports this is incorrect. It’s true that only 2 officials know the formula but they know it completely. Special undisclosed measures are taken to ensure the safety of these individuals, as if they were royalty. They rarely travel together, and when one dies, the others must approve his successor.The security of the bank vault where the formula is stored is one of the highest in the world. The vault being owned by Trust Company of Georgia .

Published accounts say that the formula contains or once contained sugar, caramel, caffeine, phosphoric acid, coca leaf and kola nut extract, lime extract, flavoring mixture, vanilla and glycerin. Alleged syrup recipes vary greatly, and Coca-Cola reluctantly admits the formula has changed over the decades, but it is true that the early versions of coca-cola contained cocaine and this might be on the first receipe of coke. Amateur sleuths have tried to reverse engineer the production process and ingredients,the secret formula being the subject of books, speculation and marketing lore. The company consistently claims that all published recipes are incorrect. You can actually check out the various receipes that people have come out with here.

Well soft drinks never go alone do they, and what better than having a delicious mouth watering piece of chicken along side your coke, and this ain’t just any normal chicken it’s what the world calls Kentucky Fried Chicken better known as KFC.

The KFC Recipe – As mysterious as the secret formula for Coca-Cola are the eleven herbs and spices in KFC’s famous fried chicken coating. The former Kentucky Fried Chicken has shortened its name to KFC, but the company claims the recipe has stayed the same for 40 years. According to KFC Spokesperson Jean Litterst “less than a handful of people” know their multi-million dollar recipe.Like Coca-Cola, KFC secures its recipe in a bank vault,this one is somewhere in Louisville, Kentucky. To ensure that spice vendors don’t know the formula, the secret blend of eleven herbs and spices is mixed at two different locations and then combined elsewhere with the aid of an IBM processing system. All this technology, secrecy and security for a formula that used to be mixed by KFC’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, on the concrete floor of his own backyard porch.If you didn’t know then old man that you see on the KFC boards is Col. Harland Sanders.

Now the question that arises is that, is so much secrecy for these recipes required.Even if one would manage to lay their hands on these recipes they would be able to do anything else other than selling it to one of their competitors, cause these companies have spent decades of time and billions of dollars in making themselves known across the world, something that is gonna be very difficult to replicate just by knowing the recipes to their products.

So the next time you’re enjoying a combo meal at anyone of your favorite fast food joints,you might want to taste them a little better, who knows the recipe might just strike you .

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