Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013

India’s oldest open sea swimming competition is back with a view to promote swimming as a sport and encourage more participation. 

Shaina N.C, Executive World Chairperson, GIANTS International at the Press Conference of Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013

India’s oldest and most popular event on the ocean swim calendar – Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013 – is all set for its second edition on February 10, 2013. “Square Off Mumbai Swimathon 2013” – Sunk Rock to Gateway of India, is promoted by Square Off under the auspices of the Maharashtra State Amateur Aquatic Association (MSAAA).  The race attempts to promote swimming as a sport and encourage more participants to take up open sea swimming as their sport of choice. The 2nd edition introduces a new category “Sub-Juniors – 10 to 12 yrs” to give a platform to young swimmers and ensure that they have enough experience and aim to compete in the 2020 Olympics.

This open sea swimming race will start from Sunk Rock, popularly known as ‘Light House’ to Gateway of India, which will cover distance of about 5 kms (3.5 nautical miles).  Last year, the race attracted around 500 participants from all over Maharashtra across 14 categories including two physically challenged groups.  With the historic Gateway of India and majestic Taj Mahal hotel in the backdrop, the Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013 aims to add to the charm, joy and pride of Mumbai.

The first race of this prestigious event was conducted from Sunk Rock Light House to Gateway of India on Sunday, 14th December 1947. The winners of this race were Pam Ballantyna (Women) (55 mins 23.5 secs) and Isaac Mansoor (Maccabi club) (Men) (45 mins)

This year Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013 is supported by GIANTS International, a leading NGO with a view to promote “Save the Girl Child “campaign. The race day will witness some eminent personalities from the society like Nana Chaudasma, former sheriff of Mumbai and world chairman of GIANTS International, Shaina N.C, Executive World Chairperson, GIANTS International and a leading fashion designer and the new youth sensation – talented actor Varun Dhawan will be the chief guest for the competition.

Olympian Virdhawal Khade and Pooja Banerjee, Fame of Roadies 8 interact with the physically challenged participants of Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013

Around 600 swimmers in 14 categories will participate in the competition. A 2 km special category race for the age group of 10-12 years will be introduced this year along with two separate categories for physically-challenged swimmers.

 “It feels great to be associated with major open sea swimming competition like “Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013.” I’m very thankful to Square Off for taking this initiative and give Indian swimmers a perfect platform to showcase their talent. GIANTS International supports various national projects and we would like this competition to focus the ‘Girl Child’ as this competition has good participation of girl swimmers,” said Shaina N.C. Shaina is confident that open sea swimming is India’s best chance to earn a medal in upcoming Olympics.

Rajesh Gupta, Co-Founder Square Off felicitating Pooja Banerjee, Fame of Roadies 8 at the Press Conference of Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013

 The star attraction of Square Off Mumbai Swimmathon 2013 will be to watch top swimmers in action like Padmashree and Arjun Awardee, Taranath Shenoy, National Champion Kunal Hendre and first ever Arjun awardee in swimming Avinash Sarang, to name few.

Open water swimming is the newest sport included in 2008 Beijing Olympics. Open water swimming presents a unique set of challenges to swimmers.  There are no lane lines, walls, or starting blocks to dictate what it takes to win.  The unpredictable natural conditions often play a deciding role in determining the winner of an Open water swimming race. “We are pleased to host this competition in association with the expertise of Square Off and look forward for Maharashtra government’s continued support to encourage this sport, which can surely add a medal to India in Olympics,” said Kishor Vaidya, secretary, MSAAA.

 Sachin Girishkumar, Co-Founder Square Off, said, “We at Square Off believe that the Indian youth have exceptional potential which can be leveraged by giving the right platform. We are proud to promote open sea swimming in India in association with MSAAA and Swimming Federation of India. It is the newest Olympic sport and given the right attention, we are confident that India can excel at the international level.”

About Square Off:

Square Off, a leading Sports Management, Consulting and a Training Company, formed with a vision to professionalize the delivery of sports in India and focus on value creation by adopting an equal emphasis approach towards all stake-holders, Square Off hopes to create a paradigm shift and act as agents to encourage youth to take up sports in a big way. Square Off intends to develop a sporting culture among the children of India and nurture students’ right from formative age thereby building career opportunities in sports.

Authentic Kashmir cuisines now in for Thanekars

Poush Restaurants brings original Kashmiri art work, ambiance, music and cuisines

 Kashmir is famous for its scenic beauty its flora and fauna. Authentic Kashmiri food also has been an attraction for tourist in Kashmir. Mouth watering dishes prepared by Kashmiri chefs, with a feel of Shikara and replica of a house boat which is the pride of Kashmir has been brought to Thane. The “Poush - Essence of Kashmir” restaurant celebrated its grand opening in the BiG Shopping Centre today evening. Thane Municipal Corporation Mayor Harishchandra Patil inaugurated this lavish fine dining restaurant.

Poush means a beautiful flower in Kashmiri and the Saffron flower represents the delicacy, the beauty and the freshness of the valley. At Poush, their vision is to bring the very essence of Kashmir by recreating the feel and the magic of this paradise on earth through Kashmir’s food and ambience. The name “Poush – the Essence of Kashmir” and their logo “The Saffron flower” is reflective of their commitment to bring the experience of Kashmir to the people of Thane.
To get a real feel of Kashmir, the architects and the construction workers were brought down to Thane from Kashmir. The specially designed interior, typical Kashmiri seating arrangement, a house boat experience for dining would be a unique opportunity for Thanekars. A house boat is symbolic representation of Kashmir’s culture; its replica is available for having a different dining experience. The Master Brain behind this concept is Mr Om Takoo, the Chief Managing Director of “Poush” restaurants. He says, “Follow your passions, believe in karma, and you won’t have to chase your dreams, they will come to you. This was my father’s belief too and I inherited it from my father fondly known as Papaji, late Shri Pran Nath Takoo, a Man of wisdom”
This 3000 sq. ft. fine-dining restaurant can easily accomodate 150 people, with special arrangements made for families and couples. Apart from Kashmiri food, delicacies from the North-West frontier are also served here. Spices, dry fruits and Qahwa leaves have been brought from Kashmir and cooked under the supervision of Kashmiri Chef, Viren, who has more than 12 years of experience in cooking Kashmiri food.

The Restaurant serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies like Gosh taba, Rista, Rogan Josh, Dum Aloo, Qahwa, Phirini, Mutton Yakhni and Chicken Yakhni etc. Qahwa is very famous in Kashmir and this exotic herbal tea is made with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and almonds and is generally served with sugar or honey as per choice.

IRFW preview party

Stunning glamour and glitz gripped all at IRFW preview soiree by designers Pria Kataaria Puri, Shouger Merchant Doshi and Spaces, Home & Beyond by Welspun

 Select crème de la crème of this vibrant city stepped out in their best shoes at the preview soiree of India Resort Fashion Week (IRFW) 2012 collections by international designer Pria Kataaria Puri, young and dynamic designer Shouger Merchant Doshi and luxury bed and bath brand Spaces, Home & Beyond by Welspun @ LIV, Kalaghoda, Fort.

This peppy evening-affair witnessed model walk-through of the designers’ finest range of resort collections to be showcased at IRFW in Goa. The fashion show commenced with Pria Kataaria giving a glimpse of her latest Picasso collection followed by Shouger Merchant Doshi’s bridal resort wear collection and then the very chic and sexy Spaces’ premium bed & bath collection. This glamour packed preview gave a sneak peek insight on the resort wear collections & only raised expectations of the crowd on what to expect from these talented designers and international brand.

An eclectic mix of glitterati were seen at this rocking and packed do. The event was dazzled by celeb couple Apurva & Shilpa Agnihotri, Madhoo Shah, Tanaaz Doshi, Sammeer & Palak Sheth and many more. Key officials of IRFW 2012 - a nineonenine property including Nidhi Choudhary, MD-IRFW, Pallav Ojha, Director - IRFW and Nidhi Jani, Chief Relationship Officer were seen hobnobbing with the crowd.

Pria Kataaria Puri who was busy styling Priyanka Chopra for Zanjeer 2 flew in specially for today's show.

Apoorva was looking smoking hot in his new look with beard and long hair

Madhoo was seen rushing for another event

Sammer & Palak Sheth, the social couple was overheard raving about the show.

Barun Sobti chooses films over TV

Barun Sobti chooses films over TV

Fans loved him as ASR (Arnav Singh Raizada) and the news of Barun Sobti quitting the show created a wave of disappointment not just with the Indian viewers but also with global audiences. In a move that might break millions of hearts, Arnav will soon bid an adieu to his viewers from the show. “I loved playing ASR and I am very thankful to STAR Plus for giving me this opportunity. I also wish to thank my fans who have appreciated my character and showered me with unconditional love. However everyone wants to explore new avenues and I plan to work on a few movie projects now. In future I might comeback to TV someday. I would like to request my fans to continue loving me the same way,” says an emotional Barun. However the good news for his fans in the UK is that they will get a chance to meet him at an event being hosted by STAR Plus in Birmingham.

Rahul Dravid launches “SACHIN: Born To Bat – The journey of Cricket’s ultimate centurion”

Rahul Dravid launches “SACHIN: Born To Bat – The journey of Cricket’s ultimate centurion”

Written by veteran journalist Khalid A-H Ansari and edited by Clayton Murzello, the book is a unique ode to contemporary cricket’s finest batsman

Former India cricket captain Rahul Dravid released “Sachin Born to Bat - The journey of cricket’s ultimate centurion” at a glittering function at the Cricket Club of India on Thursday.

Published by Jaico Books, it is written by veteran journalist Khalid A-H Ansari and edited by MiD DAY's Group Sports Editor Clayton Murzello.

Dravid waxed eloquent on Tendulkar, his former batting partner with whom he has put up many a splendid partnership in Test cricket. Dravid retired from international cricket after the Australia tour earlier this year.

Celebrated commentator Harsha Bhogle was Master of Ceremonies for the evening, remembered being at Old Trafford in the English summer of 1990 where Sachin Tendulkar scored the first of his 100 international centuries.

The book also includes his despatch on that memorable, match-saving hundred for which Sachin Tendulkar received the Man of the Match award.

The book is a compilation of various articles on the cricketing God from 1986 to 2012, covering the commendable journey from his formative years to the times of eternal glory and success.

Sachin Tendulkar has penned the introduction for the book. He writes: "Through this book, it is as if I have lived through the many moments in my life, in words and pictures."

In a special message for the book release, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar said: "Sachin Tendulkar is a special player and it needs a special writer to do justice to his skills and ability and there is none better than Khalid Ansari to do so. I wish the evening every success and I am sure the book will be avidly read by not just Sachin fans, but all cricket lovers."

About the book:

Sachin: Born to Bat is a unique ode to one of contemporary cricket’s finest batsman – Sachin Tendulkar. In the words of the author: “This is an attempt to impartially probe the crucial mental, physical and emotional ingredients of a cricketing ‘God’. I have tried to turn the laser on the maestro’s persona - innumerable blemishes and all – to prevent the book from degenerating into a shabaash, wah-wah hagiography. For all his splendiferous achievements, Sachin has also shown that he is a mere mortal with feet of clay – witness his run-ins with authority, cricketing and civil.” Some of the world’s most famous names in cricket writing – Ayaz Memon, Harsha Bhogle, Ian Chappell, Mike Coward, Peter Roebuck and other luminaries – grace the pages of this book. Tributes from cricket’s most famous personalities including Tendulkar’s Team India teammates and coaches make this publication invaluable in helping cricket enthusiasts understand what makes Sachin the peerless champion he is. The book also captures critical moments of Tendulkar’s wondrous cricketing career from photographers who have followed him throughout his distinguished career.

About the author:

Until his recent retirement, Padma Shri Khalid A-H Ansari was the guiding force of Mid Day Infomedia Ltd which publishes the newspaper (in two languages from Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Pune), the Inquilab Daily and other publications. He was the publisher of the magazine Sportsweek, which he started in 1968 to champion the cause of Indian sport and sportsmen until 1989, when he took up an assignment abroad. The author of three earlier books, he covered the Kargil war in 1999, the NAM conference in Harare and the CHOGM summit in the Bahamas. He was also a member of the Indian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and published the Earth Times, the official paper for the 1994 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. He has the distinction of having covered nine Olympic Games going back to Munich ’72 and is a recipient of several honors and awards.

About the editor:

Clayton Murzello is MiD DAY’s Group Sports Editor and has been a journalist since 1988. He is a recipient of two Sports Journalists Federation of India (SFJI) awards for excellence in journalism. He has co-authored a book on cricket anecdotes with former Test cricketer Sandeep Patil.

Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai ON SUB TV

Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai is a refreshing one hour weekly show designed to enthrall the
audiences with hasya kavitas in a new avatar. The genre of Hasya-Kavita, increasingly rare with
passing generations now finds a grand revival on SAB TV with Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai!
Starting from 15th Sep the show will be aired every Saturday at 10 pm on SAB TV.
It has a fascinating concept, wherein noted poets participate and share some of their work on a
common platform that revives the flavour of comedy through poetry and lets the audience
relish the taste of some rich language and emotions presented in the show. Each new episode
will have a new group of established poets accompanied by their families, playing with words to
their hearts’ content. The topics for each episode range from shaadi, pati-patni, nok-jhonk, saasbahu,
devar-bhabhi and common man etc.

It will also give an opportunity to feature people from various walks of life who have a talent too
for Hasya Kavita. To add even greater charm, we have two famous SAB TV stars as the show
hosts, Shailesh Lodha and Neha Mehta. Shailesh Lodha of ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’
fame, who is a poet himself, will be conducting the show along with Neha Mehta.
The show has a contemporary look and will air on SAB TV every Saturday from 10-11 pm.
Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai! is being produced by Asit Modi from Neela Telefilms.
Catch Waah Waah Kyaa Baat Hai! every Saturday on SAB TV at 10 pm

Video Music Awards 2012

It’s raining awards on Vh1! After airing the Golden Globes and Grammys earlier this year, the international entertainment channel is back this season with a set of whole new awards, starting with – the Video Music Awards 2012. An evening to honour the best music videos of the previous year, the awards will air LIVE on September 7, 2012 at 5.30am, with a prime time repeat @8pm.

The 2012 Video Music Awards will be held for the first time at Staples Centre, making the show even bigger and better – if that’s possible! Hosting the coveted awards this year will be the renowned actor and stand-up comedian, Kevin Hart. Known for his quit wit and tongue-in-cheek humor, the awards ceremony will be nothing less than a laughter riot. The entire music industry along with  some renowned Hollywood legends will be seen sashaying down the red carpet.

Leading the nominations list this year are Rihanna and Drake with five nominations each and Katy Perry with four. As far as the performances are concerned, burning the stage LIVE for the first time ever would be the sensational teenage boy band, One Direction. International pop icon, Rihanna would also make the audiences groove to some of her chart topping numbers. Taylor Swift will perform on a brand new song for the first time at the awards ceremony. Also expected to perform at the awards this year are popular artists Alicia Keys and Green Day amongst others.

Also coming up, Vh1’s official Facebook and Twitter pages will buzz with a number of engaging activities around the awards. The Facebook page will give a chance to their viewers to vote for the nominee they ‘think’ should win while the Twitter page will create special #tag - #VMAsWithVh1 

Vh1 brings all the drama and action of the 2012 Video Music Awards straight from Staples Centre only on September 7, 2012 at 5. 30am - LIVE!