A two and a half year revelation..

The eyes glisten, shimmer really

like stars across a naked sky.

Her face blossoms, like a lily

death itself, seems alive.

"Charismatic", say all for her,

Enigmatic.. I confer.

Po trays  herself, the devils sin,

A warm part.. an angel within!

Stress emphatic, tip of her nose

feels compassion, never remorse

The Phallic symbol, she defies

 A real woman, a real surprise!

Her white-skinned personality seeks

wisdom and virtue, her tongue reeks

Vanity, she does despise

One slap, another mosquito dies.:)

Her laughter, fills the void

Elegance, she can never avoid

The resonating smile,

love lost puppies pile.

A fire glows, Ambition burns

Instinct applies, a will to learn.

Voluptuous anger and ferocity,

sparks ones curiosity..

All Good, she magnetizes

All Evil, she criticizes

Love, you are, evermore

awe-struck, i fall, your paramore.

Pune mosques observe Ramadan, celebrate Iftar

Iftar being celebrated at Haji Mekkeshah Masjid at Deccan Gymkhana corner, Pune 

Nearly 200 people gathered at the historic Haji Mekkeshah Masjid at Deccan Gymkhana corner to break their fast right after sunset following the religious observances of Ramadan on Saturday.

Iftar is often celebrated by a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is taken right after Maghrib time, which is around sunset.

The All-Pune Masjid Action Committee (APMAC) held the free Iftar party where Dalcha, Chola (cooked chickpeas), mughlai paratha (stuffed with minced meat and spices), pitha, Halim, dates, samosas, Dal Puri (a type of lentil based savoury pastry) and  different types of fruits, such as watermelons and bananas, were served following the Iftar sirens and adhan.

“Through this month we give our humble prayers to Allah and observe this fast through the day with complete sincerity. To keep this fast and then break it following adhan, makes this religious experience all the more special for us as we all sit together and enjoy our meal. A sense of community and belonging is felt,” said Liyakat Khan, present during the Iftar party at Deccan corner.

Preparations for Iftar commenced hours before the Iftar sirens at Deccan. Roadside stalls were also set up where observers could buy their food of choice outside the mosque. “The fast can be broken by eating dates or drinking water, if the former is not available,” added Khan.

This year in Pune, Iftar is being celebrated with huge jolt and is being enjoyed tremendously through the city. It is the perfect time for succulent kebabs, sweet something’s and meaty treats for the fasting and the foodies.

Shariff Caterers near Poona College is one of the many places serving delicious Chicken Kababs — shredded chicken with mayonnaise and bits of capsicum and grated carrots. The other specials here are the mutton chops and Kadi Gosht — a mutton strip hammered absolutely thin and fried in egg batter. 

Other places to visit for Iftar delicacies are Imdadi at Baba Jaan chowk, Alifiya Caterers at Kausar Baugh, NIBM Rd, Kondhwa, New India at Ravivar Peth and Food Art Caterers at Salunke Road.

Iftar is being celebrated around the world; US President Barack Obama has praised Muslim-Americans for their contributions in helping build the country when he hosted an Iftar party at the White House. “Ramadan is a time of reflection, a chance to demonstrate ones devotion to God through prayer and through fasting, but it's also a time for family and friends to come together,” said Obama addressing the gathering.

A special time in the Muslim calendar through the month as the ongoing festival continues. ‘Oh Allah! It is for thee that I observe fast and it is with Thine blessing that I break it,’ – prayer at the time of Iftar.

Shiv Chhattrapati Stadium, Balewadi, best venue to host games: AFI President

The 20th Asian Athletics Championship kicked off on July 3 at the Shiv Chhattrapati stadium, Balewadi and will continue till July 7. The event was inaugurated by Maharatra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan along with other officials present during the opening ceremony  in Pune. Artists performed Koli dance and children performed Mallakhamb during the opening ceremony.

 President of the AFI, Adille J Sumariwalla 

In an interview with SIMC Wire, the President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Adille J Sumariwalla has claimed that the allotted venue at Pune is the best choice for the games, even though Chennai, Jharkhand and New Delhi were potential place to host the games.

“We did not choose Shiv Chhattrapati Stadium, Balewadi for the games. We had actually planned Jhark

hand, which is a new stadium with better infrastructure for the games. However, due to Naxalism prevailing in Jharkhand and nearby areas, the Government decided to push the venue to Delhi but the capital’s answer was no. So, we finally resorted to Pune as the venue, when we requested the honourable chief minister of Maharshtra, PrithviRaj Chauhan, who gave the nod for the games to commence,” said Sumariwalla.

With over 577 athletes from 43 countries excepting Bhutan and Myanmar in the fight, the championship is already on the record books as the biggest Asian meet ever and the winners of the various events will be directly entering into the World championships to be held in Moscow next month.

The AFI President said, “It was a tough job because something like this takes nearly two years in terms of preparation and we were given something like three weeks. However, due to the unprecedented support of the government of Maharashtra and the aide from the chief minister and the sports minister, we were able to pull this off.”

“Particularly, the additional chief secretary was posted here in Pune, the divisional-commissioner along with Municipal commissioner of Pune, Pimpri and Chinchwad, Water department were also present in full support for any requirement for the Athletics Federation of India. Be it up-gradation of the stadium or the accommodation of the players, the authorities supported us in full swing and as you can see the games have begun,” added Sumariwalla.

Due to only being provided with a little more than 21 days for the athletic meet to commence, an array of problems was posed before the federation. Sumariwalla expressed the difficulties as the tournament begun, “We faced tremendous amount of challenges for the games, and there was transport, accommodation, security, food, technical, accreditation, visas and various other challenges. I can safely say after all the effort put in the last three weeks; we are practically the best venue in the world to host these games. This system can run the Olympic games.”

Shiv Chhatrapati Balewadi Stadium, Pune

SIMC Wire discovered during the proceedings of the event that there was no specific security check at the entry gates of the stadium. Neither were there any metal detectors in place to check the bags of fans, media persons and people within the sports complex.

When Wire enquired about the same from the Federations President, he said, “There are absolutely no problems with regard to security, the Mahrashtra police is on constant standby throughout the five day period of the tournament. The Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, is also in the loop. There is special security for the players while they are travelling, outside their hotels. So security is not a concern.”

India began their campaign at the 20th Asian Athletics Championships on a mixed note on a rain-marred opening day in Pune on Wednesday. “The rains will not pose any threat to the games. The tracks are all weather synthetic, so, rain or no rain, the games will go on,” said Sumariwalla.

He also added, “I hope the athletes have the fairest and fiercest competition through the tournament.”

Shot putter Om Prakash Karhana and long jumper Mayookha Johny won a bronze each at the opening day for India. Om Prakash hurled the iron ball to a distance of 19.45 in his second attempt, his season's best though it was way less than his national record of 20.09m, to give India the first medal of the Championships. Mayookha bagged a bronze in long jump after the event was stopped mid-way due to rain only to resume later. 

Canvas 4 fails to impress its worth

Rating – 3.5/5

Micromax Canvas 4 Image Source:
friendlyengine.com

As the newest smartphone, Micromax Canvas 4 hit commercial markets across the country on July 8; the flagship product was estimated to set the market on fire. However, the response received since the launch seems to be weak as compared to the previous phones launched by the company.

Essentially, the phone was endorsed during the Indian Premier League (IPL) setting high expectations as it barged into the markets, competing with some of the biggest names in this smartphone era. In light of its massive advertising, the phone seems to have received the tag from tech experts as ‘only above average.’ At the same time, buyers across the country ‘expected more’ from the brand value of the phone, which has made a name by setting a low price for the phone in comparison to its features.

Without the software and camera upgrades, the device is essentially the Canvas HD. It just doesn't justify the Rs. 18,000 price point. The good thing about the smartphone is that there is no reduction in performance when compared to its predecessor. 

The phone succeeds in two specific areas, the added software features work well and the phone has a spellbinding camera features (13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front facing). An interesting feature is that the phone carries an in-built camera app which includes Normal, HDR, Face Beauty, Smile detection, Exposure compensation, Panorama, Photosphere (multi angle view) modes. It also offers a burst mode, letting users click up to 99 shots at once. The photo mode allows users to modify settings like Exposure, colour effect, ISO and white balance, among others. There's a self timer of up to 10 seconds as well.

Hopes were high after the release of Canvas HD that the successor would have a full HD (1080p) display. However, Micromax decided to skip the upgrade and included a 720p display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. The red tinge display error carried by the predecessors of Canvas 4 was rectified by the manufacturer, this phone has higher resolution, text, icons and images look much sharper as compared to similar phones in its range.

The device available in Dual SIM mode and dual standby and is powered by 1.2 GHz Quad core MT6589T processor and 1 GB of RAM. Initially, the device was enormously in demand in the market but within a week of its launch, it failed to grab its target market.

The Canvas 4 A210 has been given a stiff competition by the latest iBerry Auxus Nuclea N1. This new iBerry gadget has the competitive features as compared to the Micromax’s flagship phone and due to being a new unique product; it has managed set a name in the markets as of now.

Canvas 4 runs on the Jelly Bean 4.2.1 and is further upgradable. Four distinct themes have been assigned to the phone; mint, mocha, raspberry and the default theme that bring minor changes in the phone's colour scheme.

Apart from being slightly bigger in size from its predecessors and having specifically awe-striking camera features, Micromax’s newest toy does not bring much to the table when compared to a Samsung S4 or even the Blackberry Z10. In the new age of techno-buzz, Micromax has to aim higher to match the existing standards; however, the perk that remains is the price! 

Advent of Goal-line technology: New era in football history

Amidst several controversial calls made in the past in terms of declaring a goal by referees, FIFA has introduced a latest method to determine when the ball has completely crossed the goal line with the assistance of electronic devices.

The English Premier League has voted to introduce goal-line technology from the 2013-14 season. Hawk-Eye, a British based company has been awarded the contract to provide the state of the art system.

“When incidents regarding the ball passing the goal-line come along, they are so controversial, so seismic, that it is all about getting it right. If there is some technology available to help the officials get it right then it is right, we should be doing it,” said Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League.

The Football Association (FA) has agreed to install a system at Wembley Stadium in time for August's Community Shield. The decision was further strengthened when top clubs of the Premier league voted to adopt it. The ideation of the technology was sanctioned by 20 Premier League chairmen in April, this year.

Hawk-Eye uses seven cameras per goal to detect the ball and claims its system is "millimetre accurate, ensuring no broadcast replays could disprove the decision". Also used in various other sports like Cricket, Tennis and Snooker, where visual images within a specific time frame are displayed through high-speed video cameras placed at different parts in and around the goal. These high-speed cameras further depict a graphic image of the balls movement to the fourth official, who finally renders it fit to declare a goal.

Inventor of the Hawk-eye, Paul Hawkins said, “It will not slow the game down. In under a second we will provide the information to the watch, then afterwards we will show a TV replay that will definitively prove what we showed the referee was correct. Our technology is there to ensure decisions are correct.”

In 2012, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) deemed it fit to introduce this new technology, being utilized for the first time, in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. The Goal-line Technology (GLT) was tested in the competition in two particular ways; one being the Hawk-Eye and the other being the GoalRef, produced by a German company Carios Technologies AG, alongside Adidas.

The momentum to increase the utilization of the Goal-line technology took place when IFAB voted for this equipment after Frank Lampard’s goal was disallowed in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where England lost 4-1 to Germany. However, the instant replay clearly depicted that the ball had crossed the line after ricocheting of the bar. “Frank Lampard's "ghost" goal at the 2010 World Cup played a decisive role in the decision,” said Sepp Blatter, FIFA President.

Wimbledon 2013: Surprise, Shock and Awe

The preeminent tennis tournament in the world has always been known for its biggest surprises. A 77-year drought was ended and a new women's Grand Slam champion was crowned, not something you see every year in London. At the same time, enormous upsets marred the grass courts, where big names in the world of tennis literally ‘slipped’ their way out of the tournament. Altogether entertaining, awe-striking and bizarre were the proceedings this year and will continue to be remembered through Wimbledon’s history.  

Andy Murray: Champion 2013

The title by Andy Murray was the first Wimbledon won by a Brit since Fred Perry in 1936. After coming two sets short in 2012 against Roger Federer, this time the Scot was able to hoist the trophy after knocking off No. 1seed Novak Djokovic, beating him at straight sets, 6-4 7-5 6-4.

Astonishingly French veteran, Marion Bartoli, who missed out in 2007, when she lost to Venus Williams, however, her emphatic win at a mistake-filled final at the championships this year against Sabine Lisicki, allowed her to set her record straight (6-1 6-4). "I dreamed about this moment for so long," Bartoli said during her on-court interview.

The clash lived up to its ticket value as the two top seeds exchanged some excellent baseline rallies as the mercury hit 30 degrees. However, the home crowd support elevated temperatures to another level.

Marion Bartoli: Women's Champion

"That was one of the toughest moments. The final encounter was an unbelievably tough match," Murray said in a courtside interview after lifting the trophy. “I understand how much everyone wanted to see a British winner at Wimbledon and I hope everyone enjoyed it,” were Murray’s comments for the thunderous support he had at the finals.

Surprisingly, the title being won by a man at tennis’s highest spectacle seemed to have given respite to Great Britain as media reports poured in after Murray’s Grand Slam victory. 

The question arises that have Britain forgotten that three women of British nationality had won the tournament after the infamous Fred Perry, with Virginia Wade winning the title last in 1977?

Six-time grand slam champion Djokovic, who will retain his world number one ranking despite the loss, was gracious in defeat when he said, “I know what it means to you guys in the whole country so well done. I gave it my all and it was an honour to be in this match, in this final. Congratulations to Andy you absolutely deserved it, you played incredibly.”

Some of the lows this year, however, blew fans out of proportion. 

Roger Federer, after his lost to the Ukranian

As many as seven former World No.1’s were bundled out of the event this year. Apart from the shock losses of defending champion Roger Federer (ranked 116th in the world, Ukrainian, Sergiy Stakhovsky pulled up the biggest upset in Wimbledon’s history by knocking the champion in a classic four setter), Rafael Nadal (first ever opening round loss to Steve Darcis in straight sets) and Lleyton Hewitt. The women’s side lost Russian diva Maria Sharapova, Serbian star Ana Ivanovic, the Dane Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and double major victor Victoria Azarenka.

First ever opening round exit: Rafael Nadal

The shock of all shocks hit London when 16 times Grand Slam champ, Serena Williams was ousted by German newbie Sabine Lisicki, who displayed some stunning aggressive fore-hand tennis and a bazooka serve to silence the crowd and place her name in Wimbledon’s history by reaching the semi-finals and emerging runner-up at the competition.

At the close of the tournament, it is but clear that that is how the fortune cookie crumbles; to be a champion you need to play well every time or at least play well on important points. 

67 years on, Indian Athletes continue to shine

With the dawn of a new sporting age, India boasts of some of the best athletes in the world. These athletes have been inspiring the future generations to seize the opportunity by taking up sports and make India proud wherever they grace the field.  Ink salutes some of the heroes who have taken India to a new paradigm in the sporting world on this Independence Day special.

Current Discuss throw record holder, Krishna Poonia

The list starts with the female athlete named as Krishna Poonia. Born in the city of Agroha in Haryana, on 5^th May 1977, she is currently the national women’s champion in the discus throw event. She has the national record registered in her name of throwing the discus at the distance of 61.51 metres. In the last held Commonwealth Games, she clinched gold in this very event. She also won the bronze medal twice in the Asian Games, held in the city of Doha and Guangzhou.

Mary-Kom- Power house from the Northeast

Mary Kom, female boxer from Manipur and five time World Boxing Champion, came back from a two-year sabbatical to clinch her fourth successive World Amateur boxing gold in 2008, a feat that prompted the All India Boxing Association (AIBA) to describe her as 'Magnificent Mary'. Mary Kom had won four title of World Boxing Championship in the 46 kg category but her fifth title came in the 48 kg category. Mary Kom set the record to have won a medal in each one of the six World Championships. She is the only women boxer to have been awarded with the Arjuna Award and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.

Sunil Chhetri, Football Captain, India

Sunil Chhetri, Indian football player, Mohun Bagan FC, is following the footsteps of Baichung Bhutia to claim his name in the international football scenario. Born on 3rd August, 1984, Chhetri initiated his talent in Delhi. He was selected as the AIFF player of the year 2007. His international debut was in the Nehru Cup in 2007. Chhetri joined Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon for the 2012/13 season. Also, he is the first Indian to represent a Major League Soccer club, Kansas City Wizards when he formally signed for the team in 2010.  In 2013, he was made as the captain of the India Football Team.

Ace badminton star, Saina Nehwal

Saina Nehwal, born on March 17, 1990, hailing from Hyderabad, is a Khel Ratna winning badminton player currently ranked number fifth in the world by Badminton Federation. Saina is the first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championships. Saina Nehwal made history in 2009, becoming the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament, by clinching the Indonesia Open with a stunning victory over higher-ranked Chinese Wang Lin in Jakarta.

Sardara Singh, Indian Hockey Star

Sardara Singh, born in 1986, emerged among the best hockey players in the country. Over the years, he has scored a number of match winning performances for India. Some of his biggest achievements include: Best player of tournament at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, player of the tournament at 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and player of the tournament at 2010 Olympic Qualifier. In the recently concluded Hockey India League, he was the highest paid player bought at the price of Rs 42.49 lakh.

Abhinav Bindra, The Olympic Gold medalist

Abhinav Bindra is the brightest star among a new breed of talented Indian shooters. Born on 28 September 1983, Bindra developed the passion for the game at an early age. He became a shooter at the age of fifteen and the youngest participant at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Bindra came into limelight by winning a bronze medal in the 2001 Munich World Cup, with a new junior world record score of 597/600 and fetched international accolade to India by winning India's first individual Olympic gold medal in 2008.

The spirit of sportsmanship has always been an essential ingredient in bringing the nation together. At the highest level of each game, these athletes have been able to deliver their best and hoist the nation’s flag in light of excellence and making a billion plus population proud.

Fish Prasadam: Miracle or myth?

Image: spokesman.com

Hyderabad: In a world where science and technology is paving way for adv

ancement in the field of medicine, there still lies a plethora of ‘believers,’ who undoubtedly depend upon ancient techniques for treating incurable diseases like Asthma and Cancer.

Since 1998, an ancient practice takes place in different parts of Andhra Pradesh called the Fish Prasadam. The ancient remedy is said to be passed on to the Bathini Brothers, a Brahmin family that administers the proceedings where a little over 100,000 people gather to get treated for Asthma by the ‘miracle cure’ for free.

Bathini Mrugasira Fish or the Fish medicine is made into a small ball and packed inside the mouth of live murrel fish of nearly 6cm in size. The fish is then slipped into the mouth of the asthmatic patient by a technique initiated by the Bathini family.

“The fish is slippery, so there is no problem in swallowing it. The live fish moves, wagging it tail and fins, through the throat and negotiates the phlegm congestion, providing cure to asthma,” claimed Bathini Harinath Goud from the Bathini family.

Dr R.Vijay Kumar of Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad said, “Psychologists and researchers have noticed a rise in the concept of the mass placebo effect. It parallels the very idea of a positive therapeutic effect claimed by a patient after receiving a placebo believed by him to be an active technique for treatment.”

Kumar also added that Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which several medicines are available. However, the latter can control and prevent attacks to a certain extent but can never cure the problem. “Doctors have never said asthma can be cured. That is why a lot of people opted for non-Allopathic treatments.”

Thousands had thronged to the fish prasadam mela at Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad earlier in June this year. Asthma patients from across the country and abroad started queuing up for the tokens right from early hours where 23,000 murrel fingerlings were sold. The same medicine is treated to vegetarians but mixed in jaggery.

Fish Prasadam being given to a lady in Hyderabad, June 2013

S G Koti, a driver with the road transport corporation hailing from Karnataka got 15 people including eight women battling asthma in the hope of getting a cure. “I took the prasadam for three years and I don't need to depend on inhalers and medication anymore,” he said. Adding that before taking the fish prasadam, his monthly expenditure for the illness was around Rs 500 and but now he does not spend anything.

The medicine was declared harmless by the State Government after NGOs like Jana Vignana Vedika and Allopathic doctors protested against the distribution of the medicine couple years ago. “Treatments like ‘fish prasadam’ provide nothing but a placebo effect,” said Dr Sailaja of Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. He adds that the procedure could lead to diseases like hepatitis if hygiene is not considered by takers.

Bathini Fish Medicine is served and administered on a specific day called "Mrigishira Karthi", which normally coincides with the arrival of monsoon rains, during the first or second week of June.

Bathini Harinath Goud throws light on the specifics of the traditional remedy, “The secret formula of this wonder cure was passed to Shiva Ram Goud who later passed it on to Shanker Goud. People from Middle East, UK and US also came this year. After taking the medicine the patient has to be under strict diet control for 45 days,” he said.