4589 News

Make actress Aditi Rao Hydri your Valentine and also win gifts worth Rs 5L

2013-02-08 21:50:00

Here is a chance for you to woo the sultry actress Aditi Rao Hydri. All you have to do is to log on to dailybhaskar.com and impress Aditi with your romantic expressions. Try your words as either a poem,a witty one liner or a bizzare proposal and you can win a date with Murder-3's leggy lass. Apart from a date with Aditi contestants can also win up to Rs 5 lakh from Gitanjali Jewels.

Last year's winner Chadigarh's Rohit Prabhakar had a won his date with actress Amy Jackson who made her Bollywood debut with the film 'Ek Deewana Tha' opposite Prateek Babbar. So what are you waiting for? Log on to www.dailybhaskar.com and woo the Bollywood glamour girl Aditi Rao Hydri now.

Indian Pretty Ladies – the secret to IPL victories?

2013-05-01 19:55:00

Bangalore: The sixth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), saw Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) winning maximum matches (after Pune Warriors). The top players Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli have said that ‘a lot of fans’ is the secret of RCB’s energy. But we think it’s the Indian Pretty Ladies that inspire the players on the ground.

Kannada actress Ragini Dwivedi replaced actress Ramya to become the face of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) camp, turning up at all the home matches. Earlier, Ramya was the official brand ambassador for RCB, a post that has been taken over by Ragini.

Beauties generally have an inclination towards the game and especially an tournament like IPL. As generally get huge money if they manage to dance at the opening and closing ceremonies of this T20 cricket fight, heroines never take any chance.

Let’s take a look at the brigade of Indian Pretty Ladies (read IPL) who dazzled the IPL and supported their favourite teams.

OMG: Dolce & Gabbana takes fashion world by storm, offers dress for Rs 27 lakh

2013-05-09 11:35:00

It's been almost 28 years since its inception and Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana hasn't failed to surprise fashion buffs even once. And, now the upmarket fashion brand has taken the fashion world by storm, courtesy one of the most expensive dresses in the world.

A ruby dress, which was part of the splendid fall winter collection displayed at the Milan Fashion Week has been priced at a whopping £32,000 (approximately Rs 27,00,000). Reports suggest that it is indeed the brand's most expensive dress ever!

Interestingly, online buyers have already been buying the brand's dresses priced between £1,500 (approximately Rs1,26,000) and £2,500 (approximately Rs 2,10,000), so a dress worth £32,000 might meet buyers as well.

A leading website quoted Net-a-Porter's buying manager Ben Matthews as saying, "If we have women in mind for a particular piece then we will go for it and with conviction too.”

But, if you are interested in buying this heavily embellished expensive dress then you need to buck up, as only 12 pieces of the ruby dress have been created. Also, only 6 of the 12 dresses have found their way on the internet.

6 most frequently asked questions about health insurance

2013-05-15 19:25:00

The author, Deepak Yohannan, is CEO of MyInsuranceClub.com, India’s first Web Aggregator for insurance products approved by IRDA. For related queries, write to him at deepak@myinsuranceclub.com

A large number of Indians have realised the importance of health insurance and now many even set aside a decent budget to invest in a comprehensive health cover. However, there are a few questions and doubts due to which the buying decision is put on hold. People evaluate health plans for months together and yet don’t buy it. Let’s quickly take a look at some of the frequently asked questions -

1. What will the health insurance policy pay for and when?

A health insurance policy ideally covers -

In-patient Treatment - Covers hospitalisation expenses due to an illness or accident. Pays for medical expenses incurred for room rent, boarding expenses, nursing, intensive care unit, medical practitioner, medicines or drugs and other related expenses

Pre-Hospitalisation - Pays for medical expenses incurred due to an illness immediately before hospitalisation

Post-Hospitalisation - Pays for medical expenses incurred immediately after the discharge post hospitalisation

Day care procedures - Pays for medical expenses which do not require 24 hours hospitalisation

2. Will the premium increase every year or remain constant? What happens to the renewal premium if I make a claim in the existing year and what happens if I do not make a claim?

The premiums charged by the health insurance company is usually the same for specific age groups such as 0 – 18, 19 – 30, 31 – 45, 46 -55, 56 – 60 and 60+. The premium usually remains constant as long as you are in the same age bracket. But once you shift from one age bracket to another the premium will increase.

If you make a claim in the existing year, then chances are your renewal premium will be increased.

The increase in premium is called load premium which can be looked at as an extra cost for the additional risk the insurance company is covering. But nowadays insurance companies state on their policy document that they will not load your premium for first five years irrespective of your claim history.

If you do not make a claim in the existing year, then the insurance company usually offers you a bonus. This bonus could be in the form of discount in premium or increase in sum assured amount.

3. What are the important things to check in the policy?

1. Check the list of hospitals that are tied up with the insurance company

2. Check the waiting period for pre-existing diseases. Usually an insurance company covers the expenses on pre-existing diseases after a period of 3 years.

3. Check if there is a clause of co-payment (means that the policyholder has to bear some percentage of expense of the claim). The co-pay clause is usually a feature in senior citizen health insurance policies.

4. Check the exclusions in the policy. This is important as one should be aware of the limitations in your policy and therefore avoid any chaos at the time of a claim.

Is it possible to take 2 health insurance policies? Does everyone offer cashless facility? Find out in the next slide...

Have low appetite for risk? Here's why you should still consider ULIPs

2013-05-20 05:00:00

The author, Deepak Yohannan, is the CEO of MyInsuranceClub.com, an online insurance price & features comparison portal. For more articles by Deepak Yohannan, visit MyInsuranceClub.com. You may write to the author at Deepak@myinsuranceclub.com

Two years ago, insurance agents were falling over themselves to sell Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). Then insurance industry regulator IRDA stepped in and reduced ULIP commissions considerably. Since then, agents have returned to selling traditional insurance policies even as insurers began to promote low-cost high-returns ULIPs online.

Yes, the ULIP scenario appears to have improved since September 2010. The minimum sum assured is now at least ten times the annual premium. Moreover, while ULIPs were previously marketed as short-term investments, their long-term benefits are once again in focus.

The problem is that the financial product promises insurance and investment, but does justice to neither – or so the argument goes. There is also a notion that only people who are willing to take risks might see value in ULIPs. This is not always the case. Below are some reasons why people with a low appetite for risk might want to give ULIPs another look.

1. Effective in the Long Term

The ULIP has long been criticized for being a half-hearted attempt at providing life insurance and capital gains. The problem perhaps is not related to the Unit Linked Insurance Plan itself but in the way it has been marketed. Contrary to what agents said prior to 2010, ULIPs are not short-term investments. They provide good returns only over the long-term. Rather than exit the policy just as the lock-in period ends, ULIP holders should see it through its term to enjoy its benefits.

2. Enhanced Protection Since 2010

The IRDA's amendments to ULIPs have ensured greater protection for consumers. The lock-in period has increased from three to five years, reminding buyers that this is a long-term investment. A cap on surrender charge and on commissions ensures that insurers must now be more responsible with respect to how they sell a ULIP. The insurer's interest is better served if the policyholder remains invested for the full term.

Moreover, while the initial premium in pre-2010 ULIPs went into paying various charges, today's ULIPs divert a larger proportion of the early premium amount into suitable funds; hence, an early exit may offer relatively higher returns than previously.

3. A Good Choice for Less Savvy Investors

Financial advisors usually suggest a combination of traditional life insurance and mutual funds instead of ULIPs. However, consumers who have little knowledge of investment options and who are looking for an avenue to save over the long-term can benefit from a ULIP. This is because the insurer chooses suitable funds wherein the policyholder's premiums can be diverted. The policyholder thus has no headache, and is guaranteed a maturity benefit as well as capital gains.

How to Choose a ULIP if Your Risk Appetite Is Low?

1. Flexibility – Look for ULIPs that allow you the greatest flexibility regarding payment terms, premiums, add-ons and more. This is a long-term investment and a little customisability goes a long way.

2. Cost-effective – The cap on charges ensures that the costs on present-day ULIPs are lower. However, you must compare the absolute returns and maturity payouts on different products before making a choice.

3. Insurer Credibility – Review your insurer's track record with respect to fund management and claim settlement before purchasing any ULIP.

While traditional life insurance and separate mutual funds may offer better value for money, ULIPs can be a good option for some investors, but only if you choose wisely and see it through to the end.

Eight facts you didn’t know about YouTube as the site turns 8

2013-05-21 09:42:00

It is hard to believe that we didn’t have YouTube around eight years ago but it’s true. One of the most watched website YouTube has turned eight years old now. As we have seen it growing, eight years later, 100 hours of video are uploaded to the site every minute. That's just over four worth days of video. From the very first video on the site to ‘Charlie Bit My Finger’ to ‘Gangnam Style’, YouTube has entertained and informed viewers in their millions.

Around one billion people visit YouTube every month for watching videos which clearly indicates that every second person using internet is visiting YouTube.

YouTube was founded by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim in 2005. One-and-a-half year after it was launched officially in November 2005, Google acquired it for $1.65 billion.

Lakhs of people are working for the content on YouTube. Over 100 companies in the world give an hour break in the day to watch funny videos on YouTube. The first video on YouTube was shared by one of its founders Jawed Karim three days after its launch. Karim spoke about elephant’s trunk in the video titled ‘Me at the Zoo.

Here are the links to some of the most popular videos on YouTube…

Me at Zoo

Gangnam Style

Charlie bit my finger

Click the slides to know some interesting facts about the website…

Also see: Amazing video: Coca-Cola brings India & Pakistan together!

Getting e-ticket becomes easier for railway passengers; know here how

2013-05-22 09:30:00

Jamshedpur: Indian Railways has issued new notification for commuters or online individual users who purchase e-ticket through agents.

According to the latest advisory, commuters are told not to purchase e-tickets from agents if the ticket is booked during 8am-12 noon. The move is aimed at providing better service to online individual users as www.irctc.co.in has barred agents from logging in during 8 am to 12 pm.

If any passenger was found travelling with on e-tickets reserved by unauthorised persons or touts during the above period, the ticket was liable to be cancelled and penal action initiated under the Railways Act.

Some Do’s and Don’ts

Railway passengers are advised to check on ticket if their mobile number is correct on railway e-ticket

Passengers will receive a SMS containing details of their booking including fare and service charges from the IRCTC immediately as confirmation of the booking. The SMS serves as a valid ticket and passengers need not carry a printout of the e-ticket.

The passengers need to check if it was an authorised agent outlet before booking their ticket.

Railway commuters are advised to take receipt of booking and cancellation of their ticket.

Passengers need not pay more than the approved Service Charges. Service Charges per e-ticket irrespective of number of passengers on the ticket:- IRCTC Service charge of Rs. 20 and Agent Service Charge of Rs. 20 are payable for AC First Class, AC II Tier, AC III Tier Classes and Rs. 10 towards IRCTC service charge and Rs. 10/- towards Agent Service Charge for booking in Sleeper Class and General Second Class, apart from payment gateway charges as applicable. E-tickets can be cancelled through the same Agent Outlet without any additional Service Charge for cancellation.

There are no additional charges for printing of tickets or stationery or cancellation of e-tickets. If the agent demands more than the prescribed Service Charges, Passengers are advised to lodge a complaint at agentcomplaint@irctc.co.in or care@irctc.co.in or on Phone Nos. 011-23745962, 011-39340000.

Diesel bet pays off: 1 out of every 2 Honda sold is now an Amaze

2013-05-23 16:47:00

New Delhi: Honda's recently-launched Amaze sedan seems to have turbocharged the company's sale numbers and how-- the Japanese carmaker has reported a healthy jump of nearly 20 per cent in domestic sales for April this year.

At 4,852, almost half of the total 8,488 Honda units sold last month were the all-new diesel powered saloon.

The company had sold 7,075 units in the same month last year, HCIL said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Also read: Review: Honda Amaze diesel is stylish, spacious and powerful)

Among other vehicles, while 1,917 units of the Honda City were dispatched, 1,628 units of Brio found takers in the same month.

The company also sold 58 units of its CR-V Sports Utility Vehicle in April 2013 apart from exporting 182 units.

"April 2013 was a significant landmark in Honda's journey in India. With new investments in Tapukar plant, launch of advanced i-DTEC diesel engine technology, and rollout of new family sedan Amaze, Honda has set on a new phase of growth in the country."

Speaking on the Honda Amaze sales, HCIL's senior vice president Jnaneswar Sen said, "Amaze has received tremendous response from the customers despite the slowdown in the industry. We are confident that Amaze will drive our growth in this fiscal."

(Also read: Honda Amaze sedan to see a price hike soon?)

While Amaze succeeded in finding ready takers almost as soon as it was launched, the saloon offering from rival carmaker Maruti has continued to march steadily ahead too. Maruti's entry-level hatch Alto still retains the top spot, but at 19,446 units sold, the DZire fell a mere 400 units short of topping the monthly sales chart.

It was for the first time that a sedan-- and not a smaller car-- took as high as the second spot in the overall sales chart for a single month.

Raja answers Arun Jaitley, says third front very much a practicable idea

2013-05-23 21:24:00

Bangalore: CPI leader D Raja said on Thursday said that Left parties are sounding out regional and centrist outfits to work out pre-poll seat adjustments for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to project a non-UPA and non-NDA alternative to the people. He, in this regard, rebutted senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley's suggestions that the concept of the third front is a failed one.

"We are in touch with regional parties and centrist forces," the CPI national secretary and Rajya Sabha member told reporters here, adding, based on "balance of political forces and specific situation" in states, tactical electoral lines would be evolved.

The Left parties would strive to bring together non-BJP ( NDA) and non-Congress ( UPA) forces and try to project and provide a viable alternative to the people, Raja said. Left parties would try to work out some electoral adjustments with regional parties and other centrist parties.

Raja, who was responding to senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley's comment that the third front is a failed idea, said such an alternative is quite possible.

He also termed the four years in office of UPA-2 as a "failure". "There is nothing to celebrate," Raja said. "The Congress-led UPA-2 has mismanaged the economy, with growth declining in industrial, manufacturing and services sectors," he added.

"Only corporates and big business houses have benefited during the last four years making huge profits, while common people were subjected to more and more economic hardships with subsidies being slashed," he further said.

"The country is shocked by scams one after other. Prime Minister and PMO stand accused and it has shattered their credibility. Credibility of the government stands thoroughly exposed," Raja claimed.

REVEALED: SRK’s special bond with son Aryan & daughter Suhana

2013-05-24 09:19:00

SRK is an actor, producer, entrepreneur, a dedicated husband and a supportive father. King Khan has donned many hats but one of his less publicized roles is that of a father. Yes the superstar is extremely possessive about his kids- Aryan and Suhana.

Shah Rukh was once quoted as saying “My film 'RA.One' talks about the relationship between every father and son. So the film has a bit of my relationship with my son. Like he feels that I'm not cool enough and he feels that I don't have great abs and I'm not a stud enough. The child in this film also feels similar things. I hope he thinks I am cool after the film.”

We bring to you a couple of tips that you can learn from the Baadshah of Bollywood.

Betrayal of Trust: Young girl visiting friend\'s house raped by gift gallery owner known to her friend

2013-05-24 09:24:00

Fatehabad: This story will make you think twice before you decide to visit and stay at your friend’s house. Since you happen to be new to the place, it exposes you to numerous dangers that you are not even aware of. A young girl visiting her friend’s house in Nayak Colony in Fatehabad was raped by a man who had come to visit her friend, but finding her alone in the house, raped her and fled the spot. This happened so fast, she could not even raise an alarm.

On the basis of girl's report, a case of rape has been registered against a gift gallery owner at Marla Colony. The accused is yet to be arrested.

The victim resides at Narvaana Road in Jind. A few days back she came to meet her friend in Fatehabad. She decided to stay with her for a few days.

According to the victim, the accused came to see her friend. He told her that he runs a gift gallery in Marla Colony. Since, she was alone; he decided to force himself upon her. Victim is not able to give the name of the accused to the police. Police registered the case on Wednesday and trying to trace the accused.

Drenched in blood, did the victim write name of the killer on wall?

2013-05-24 12:30:00

Ludhiana: Mother-daughter duo, residents of Fatehganj, was brutally murdered on Thursday. Shockingly, none of the neighbours could hear the screams of the duo. Usha Grover, 45 and her daughter Hina, 24, were murdered using sharp weapons at their residence.

The incident came to light only after 12 hours when the elder daughter of Usha Grover went to the house. It is suspected that some goons attacked the duo while they were at their residence with the motive of robbery.

Rs 4 lakh cash, gold and other expensive items were found missing from the house. According to reports, the police acted swiftly and DSP Harsh Bansal, ACP Nilambari Jagdale, ACP Ramneesh Chaudhary, Inspector BrijMohan, Inspector Gurudev Singh, Sanjiv Kapoor and the finger print expert team rushed to the spot.

ACP Nilambari Jagdale said that Usha lives with her younger daughter Hina alone after her elder daughter Gudiya got married. Usha Grover’s son Sunny is living in Australia since six years. He called up his sister Gudiya, who is married, to go and check as Usha wasn’t picking his calls.

Drenched in blood, the deceased Hina wrote ‘Baab’ with blood on the wall, which might help the police in investigation.

Police have filed a case and are investigating the case. A special team has been constituted for investigation.

Click the slides to see some shocking pictures…

Recipe: Hyderabadi Chicken Biryani

2013-05-24 15:03:00

A mouth-watering Basmati rice and chicken preparation-- famous for its original Hyderabadi flavors. It is the most known Indian dish made throughout the world.

Easy to make and easier to eat. Try it yourself!

Ingredients:

· 1 kg Basmati Rice

· 1 cup Yogurt

· 2 Onions (sliced)

· 1 tsp Ginger- Garlic Paste

· 2 cups Ghee

· 1 Mint (bunch)

· 1½ kg Chicken Pieces

· 4 Cardamoms

· ½ tsp Saffron (soaked in milk)

· 4 Lemons

· Salt to taste

· 2-3 Green Chillies (Chopped)

· Red chilli powder

Recipe:

1. Half cook the rice with salted water in a pot and boil.

2. Mix the ginger- garlic paste, yogurt, red chilli powder in a bowl and turn it into a paste.

3. Marinate chicken with the paste and keep it aside for at least 30 minutes.

4. Once marinated, put it in a pan and cook without water.

5. Deep fry the onions in ghee in another pan till they are golden brown.

6. Add green chillies, lemon juice, cardamom and mint.

7. Mix it with the chicken.

8. In a ghee greased pan, add the marinated chicken on the bottom and top it off with the half cooked rice, repeat the layers again. Spread the saffron milk over it.

9. Cook it covered for 30 min.

Serve hot!

Revealed: Countries with the most beautiful women on earth

2013-05-24 15:26:00

Ladies you should never let your man visit certain countries alone. Why you ask? Well, because world’s most sensual and exotic looking women live here. We bring to you the countries which promise the most breath taking beauties.

Ford EcoSport crossover ready for facelift in 2016

2013-05-24 15:28:00

New Delhi: Even as SUV aficionados wait an endless wait for the EcoSport to hit Indian shores, the EcoSport crossover is already ready for what is being termed as its mid-career uplift-- in 2016.

The scheduled revamp has been officially named the vehicle's 'mid cycle action' (MCA) by Ford, and will come with added features depending on customer feedback to the existing model.

(Don't miss: Latest pictures of Ford EcoSport now doing the rounds)

The 2016 EcoSport Facelift might come with special value packs, a sports variant with a sportier-tuned suspension and bigger wheels, reports indiancarsbikes.

Rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control and lane assist are features that might also be added, the report goes on to say.

After first being unveiled in India at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi, the vehicle has been showcased at various malls with high footfalls across India.

In a bid to familiarise possible Indian buyers with the car, the company also kickstarted an interactive promotional programme called Urban Discoveries.

A hundred participants chosen under the programme have been given the opportunity to take the vehicle across various destinations in India and provide user feedback in the end.

Bookings for the vehicle will begin June 5.

In pics: Check out latest images of the Ford EcoSport!

2013-05-24 15:50:00

New Delhi: Even as car enthusiasts continue to wait for the commercial launch of the Ford EcoSport, the vehicle's manufacturer has been busy running an extensive promotional campaign on social networking platforms.

The official Facebook page of Ford EcoSport, for example, has been keeping people posted on the Urban Discoveries, an interactive marketing programme that has brought teams from various cities in competition against each other as they drive around their cities and adjoining areas in an EcoSport.

The page is also being continuously with latest images of the vehicle taken at various locations across the country. Visit the slideshow to take a look at some of them.

5 weirdest questions that women ask gynaecologists

2013-05-24 15:51:00

Women could be a big mystery for men, but the biggest mystery for women is their own body. Often women get freakishly inquisitive and when peers fail to answer, their gynaecologists end up taking the fall.

Troubling doubts rarely come out of their mouths but when they do- doctors are left bowled over!

Have a look at the 5 wackiest questions that women ask their Gynaecologists:

Does Kareena Kapoor Khan love diamonds more than hubby Saif Ali Khan?

2013-05-24 16:14:00

Looks like Begum of Pataudi, Kareena Kapoor is creating some flutter in her hubby, Saif Ali Khan's bank account books. And, that's because the Nawab of Pataudi has just confessed to Bebo's love for diamonds.

Ford EcoSport: A compact SUV that\'s big on style and power!

2013-05-24 18:28:00

New Delhi: Rarely has a car made buyers in India wait for its launch as the Ford EcoSport has. The compact SUV was first unveiled in the country at the Delhi Auto Expo and hasn’t seen its commercial almost two years since.

True, the soft launch of the compact SUV at various popular malls in India managed to appease those who could get a glimpse, and there is also the highly interactive Urban Discoveries campaign which is currently underway. But both the promotional campaigns have remained fairly restricted in their reach, rendering the aam junta increasingly fidgety and even forcing many to simply settle for another, less unattainable-looking option such as the Renault Duster!

Nevertheless, there are countless others who are ready to wait some more, because the vehicle simply looks worth waiting for. Reviewers across auto blogs, magazines and channels have mostly given the EcoSport positive response, but is the vehicle indeed such a joy to behold and a delight to drive as so many have been claiming? We find out in our review of the car.

We begin with the exteriors, of course. Visit the next slide to know more…

Fun Guaranteed: Five cartoons that will make your day

2013-05-24 19:18:00

Check out some of the funny cartoons that will definitely uplift your mood.

\'No treament for Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar\'s ailment\'

2013-05-24 21:54:00

Chandigarh: Khalistani terrorist Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar is likely to escape from the gallows as the medical board constituted to assess the mental condition of the 1993 Delhi car bomb blast convict on Friday said that he is suffering from severe depression. The panel of doctors noted that Bhullar has become ‘highly suicidal’ and he can not ne treated.

After the Punjab government toughened its stand, the Union Home Ministry set up a panel, which submitted its report after assessing Bhullar’s mental condition on Wednesday. The report was sent to Lt Governor of Delhi Tejinder Khanna.

The medical board consists of three experts from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and is headed by Dr SK Khandelwal.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh, last month, had almost warned prime minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde of a backlash in the state while requesting to accord clemency to Bhullar on medical grounds.

Supreme Court gave a split verdict and upheld death penalty for Bhullar, who is reportedly mentally unstable. The apex court order in April made it clear that the documents submitted to it regarding Bhullar's medical condition cannot be relied upon for recording a finding that his mental health has deteriorated to such an extent that the sentence awarded to him cannot be executed.

Heat wave hits normal life in North India, Delhi records 45 degrees Celsius

2013-05-24 22:12:00

New Delhi: Heat wave conditions intensified on Friday in most parts of the country with temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Celsius, affecting normal life.

Mercury in capital Delhi settled at a high of 45 degrees, five notches above normal, after recording season's highest of 45.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

While the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.5 degrees, the maximum and minimum humidity levels settled at 45 and 22 per cent respectively.

Simmering heat swept the entire Punjab and Haryana region, with Amritsar continuing to be the hottest place with a maximum of 47.7 degrees Celsius, the Met department said.

While Hisar was the hottest in Haryana with 47.3 degrees, Union Territory of Chandigarh registered a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius.

Temperature settled above the 45 degree-mark in most parts of Rajasthan, where Sriganganagar remained the hottest place with a maximum of 47.4 degrees, 5 notches above normal, followed by Churu, which recorded 46.4 degrees Celsius.

Kota, Bikaner and Jaipur recorded highs of 45.6, 45.5 and 44.4 degrees Celsius respectively, the Met department said.

Similar conditions prevailed in Uttar Pradesh also, where acute power crisis forced people to take to the streets.

Protests were reported from various districts, where people shouted slogans and burnt effigies of the power department.

Banda was the hottest place with a maximum of 47.4 degrees Celsius and the temperature settled largely above normal in most parts of UP including the Allahabad, Agra, Meerut, Jhansi, Bareilly, Kanpur and Moradabad divisions.

Heat wave killed 16 peacocks at a village in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh during the past 24 hours, officials said.

District Collector N B S Rajput said that he has given instructions to the forest and veterinary departments to make adequate arrangements of food and water to save the birds from excessive heat conditions prevailing in the region.

Khajuraho was the hottest place in MP with a maximum of 47 degrees Celsius, followed by Gwalior, which registered a high of 46.2 degrees Celsius.

Heat wave continued to sweep Maharashtra's Vidarbha region also, even though the mercury in Nagpur, after settling at an all-time high of 47.9 degrees on May 22, maintained a declining trend for the second consecutive day to settle at 46.3 degrees Celsius.

CBSE class 10 results 2013 to be out after class 12 results on May 28

2013-05-25 00:01:00

CBSE will declare results of Senior School Certificate Examination 2013(Class XII) of the Board on 27th May, 2013 at 10:00 AM.

CBSE has made special arrangements for quick access of results by individuals as well as schools through the following modes:

RESULTS ON NET

As per previous years, this year also the CBSE is hosting its results with the technical support of National Informatics Centre (NIC), Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Govt. of India on net. The schools can get entire school's results by giving their school code and email-id by registering themselves on which result is required on the following websites:

www.results.nic.in

www.cbseresults.nic.in

www.cbse.nic.in

RESULTS THROUGH IVRS (INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE SYSTEM)

Rates for IVRS per roll no. will be Rs. 0.30 per minute.

As per previous years, with the help of National Informatics Centre (NIC), Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Govt. of India, Board would be disseminating its results through IVRS also. The telephone numbers of NIC and other organization through which results can be had through IVRS are as follows:-

National Informatics Centre:

TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)	AREA COVERED
24300699	- for local subscribers in Delhi
011 – 24300699	- for subscribers in other parts of the country

(b) MTNL :

TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)	Area Covered
28127030	for local subscribers in Delhi
011 -28127030	for subscribers in other parts of the country

TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)	Covered Operators
5432128	for MTS subscribers
1255536	for BSNL subscribers (Outside Delhi – Landline & Mobile)
54321223	for Tata Teleservice (Indicom, Docomo) subscribers
5207011	for Airtel subscribers

RESULTS THROUGH SMS (SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE)

Rates for SMS for registration & communication of result per roll no. will be Rs.1.00 (One Rupee only)

SMS	Covered Operators
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 543216	MTS
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 57766	BSNL
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 54321, 51234,5333300	Tata Teleservice (Indicom, Docomo)
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 5800001	Aircel
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 5207011	Airtel
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 9212357123	NIC
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 50000	Vodafone
cbse12 rollno Send SMS to 57272	Jagran

Samsung new ad depicting men as Neanderthal sparks debate

2013-05-25 03:24:00

London: A new Samsung advertisement has become a point of major debate between the two sexes.

The advertisement is based on brand's evolutionary kit- which can turn any television into an internet-ready smart tv.

The advertisement has come under criticism for its portrayal of men. The advertisement showcases men as useless, loutish Neanderthals and women with pushovers who put up with such behaviour.

The advertisement has been termed as 'offensive', 'men-hater', and 'feminist' by its critics.

'The advert shows a wife plugging an Evolution Kit into her Samsung TV, then imagining how such a piece of equipment might turn her filthy, lazy, chicken drumstick-gnawing layabout of a husband into a high-functioning human', quoted Daily Mail.

She then envisages her husband making breakfast, ironing and cleaning kitchen.

The woman comes out of her day dream to find her husband on the sofa watching television.

The advertisement has become a huge hit on video-sharing website, YouTube.

The video has been viewed over 10 million times.

Mixed reactions have poured in response of the new advertisement.

I'd say it's both stereotyping and sexist. Bad Samsung, shame on you, said one of the viewer.

This is sexist. If women think this is funny they should remember that when stereotypes are used to make women look stupid for entertainment and they start crying "sexism", read another comment.

However, most of the viewers dismissed the ad as funny and harmless.

How ridiculous....................that people are actually offended by this. Get a life, read one of the comments.

Oh come on, it's to advertise "evolution" and it is quietly amusing. It is not a social commentary on modern man. Fhs, get a grip! Concluded another reader.

BFF: The dog and lion pair that has been living together for past 5 yrs

2013-05-25 04:19:00

Oklahoma: A lion and sausage dog developed a one of a kind friendship in a zoo in Oklahoma, US. The five-year old male lion has become one of the closest friends of the seven-year old Dachshund.

The lion, named Bonediggger is suffering from disability that has left him crippled. Milo took the lion in his protection after he sensed that the lion is suffering.

The bond has become stronger with each passing day. So much so, the dog even helps the king of the jungle clean his teeth.

According to a news report publsihed in Daily Mail, the two friends have been living happily for the past five years in GW Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.

The friends eat, cuddle and feast on raw meat together. The zoo owner describes it as a one of its kind relationship one would ever see.

The lion is not friendly with other dogs but his friendship with Milo has never turned sour.

The dog even tries to imitate the lion. He would unsuccessfully try to copy Bondeigger's puffing, a sound made by lions to communicate with other lions.

To read more on that click here.

Lanka monk in self immolation bid to protest cow slaughter

2013-05-25 05:16:00

Colombo: A Buddhist monk today set himself on fire in Sri Lanka's central city of Kandy demanding an end to cattle slaughter here, police said.

Eye witnessess said the monk poured petrol over his body and then lit himself. He was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries, the police added.

The monk had been calling for a stop to cattle slaughter in Kandy, the city home to one of the holiest shrines for Buddhists, the Temple of Tooth, which contains relic of the tooth of Buddha.

The incident marred the Wesak festival celebrations, an important day among the island nation's Buddhist majority population.

Wesak is a public holiday throughout the country. Meat stalls and liquor shops remain closed for two days during this time which signifies the birth, enlightenment and the death of Lord Buddha.

In the picture, Sri Lankan Buddhist monk Indaratane sets himself on fire in Kandy.

Kanpur: Parents furnish proofs against murder accused son in court

2013-05-25 06:03:00

Lucknow: Mother of two sons, Shahida Begum lost her one son at the hand of other as he allegedly murdered his brother. However, this did not stop her to secure justice for his son as she furnished evidences against her other son, knowing that he could be hanged if the crime was proved in the court. The unfortunate story that unfolded in Kanpur is sad but inspiring for those who transgress law to save their kin.

Murad had allegedly killed his younger brother Mohd Ahmad on July 4, 2012. In their written testimony, they said that Murad was habitual drinker and Ahmad was opposed to it. On the night of the crime, Murad had argument with Ahmed. He asked the parents to evict Ahmed from the house. In the night, he attacked Ahmed with a hammer.

The presiding judge has fixed June 8 as the next date of evidence for other material witnesses.

Bangalore: Depression claims another life, techi kills self and 7-yr-old daughter

2013-04-27 21:53:00

Bangalore: A 35-yr-old Software engineer killed himself before giving an overdose of sleeping pills to his 7-yr-old daughters.

Aravind Reddy worked in a multi-national company in Singapore and lives in upscale JP Nagar. Police has not been able to ascertain the exact reason for the death.

The police found him gagged with cloths and towels and tied his hands behind his back with plastic tags.

The father-daughter duo had checked in the Resort. The hotel staff got suspicious after they did not receive any response even after repeated knocks on the door and broke open the door.

The staff found two dead bodies along with a note claiming that nobody is responsible for the death.

Aravind was depressed after the death of his wife two-years-ago. According to his relatives, Aravind never got over the death of his wife, reported Times of India.

The police officers investigating the case said that he gagged himself to avoid the noise to be heard by the resort.

Police is waiting for the post mortem report to know the exact cause of the death.

OMG: Beyoncé reveals more than required

2013-05-08 15:31:00

Beyoncé Knowles looked walked the red carpet at the Met Gala 2013 recently wearing a black and gold Givenchy Haute Couture gown as a honorary chair member, a high honor in the fashion industry. Though Beyoncé’s look did not quite go well with the theme –‘Punk’, her matching boots and skirt were dramatic enough.

Beyoncé’s strapless black and golden fire emblazoned gown was paired with black satin elbow gloves. Even though the star managed her lengthy trail very well, she was quoted as saying that her corset was too tight and that she would have to cut the string later to get out of it. The gown had a thigh high slit, enhancing her curvy silhouette.

The entire look complimented and flattered her skin tone and golden tresses.

Click to see more pictures of the curvaceous singer.

Photo Courtesy: Reuters

Money matters: 5 common insurance myths busted

2013-05-14 16:56:00

The author, Deepak Yohannan, is CEO of MyInsuranceClub.com, a price and features comparison website for insurance products in India. For related queries, write to him at deepak@myinsuranceclub.com

How many times have you purchased an insurance policy just because you thought you had to and how many times have you declined a policy just because someone told you it’s not a good idea to buy it? Unfortunately, everyday people commit insurance blunders because of the myths associated with insurance.

While it is definitely wise and even advisable to buy insurance, you need not make decisions based on what others say or do. It is important to remember that insurance policies are very specific products. Something that your friend finds useful, may not suit you and vice-versa.

So you need to analyze the policies before you buy them, in a neutral and unbiased manner, keeping the myths far away.

The most common insurance myths are:

1. Employer’s cover is enough – Many people are insured by their employers. While this is good and comprehensive, you should not blindly rely on it. In other words this means that along with your company cover, it would be wise to consider other policies too. This will protect you from circumstances such as retirement, sudden loss of job and so on.

You can also consider taking a Top Up Health Plan with the base deductible upto your coverage amount. This would be a great and cheap option to you as well.

2. Sick people can’t buy insurance – One of the biggest insurance myths is that you cannot buy a health insurance policy if you are sick or have a long term, recurring medical condition. Yes, it will be more difficult than normal to find policies, but if you look, you will find plenty.

For example there are plans for the diabetic, other pre-existing diseases, etc. in the industry as well.

3. Once bought, forget about the policy – Many people believe that an insurance policy requires no review or maintenance. This is another very common insurance myth. An insurance policy literally needs to be looked after. Not only do you have to pay the premiums on time, you have to review it from time to time.

Review the policy in accordance with your life situations and you may see that at different points of time, you will need different kinds of alterations to the policy. So never buy a policy and forget about it.

Hot Bhojpuri superstar Anjana marries newcomer to save reputation

2013-05-22 02:08:00

Patna: Actress Anjana Singh of Bhojpuri filmdom broke quite a few hearts with the declaration that she was married. The star of nearly 25 films in just 2 years has married co-star of her under production film ‘Dildaar Sanwariya’, newcomer Yash Kumar.

The marriage took place in Lucknow with full traditions in the presence of family and friends.

While neither of the stars were available for comment, inside sources say that Anjana had decided to take the plunge to save her reputation.

Golden temple's underground entrance plaza to open this Diwali

2013-05-22 16:48:00

Amritsar: Golden Temple underground entrance plaza will be open for the pilgrims at this Diwali.

According to reports, Rakesh Singh, Punjab chief secretary who visited Amritsar to take a look of the undergoing work at the temple premises.

Around 70 per cent work has been completed so far.

He also visited Gobindgarh fort and said that the it will be open for the general public on World Tourism Day in September.

India\'s DZire for sedans grows as Maruti\'s entry-level saloon closes in on market leader Alto

2013-05-23 11:52:00

New Delhi: Most of us saw it coming, but the day is finally here when even the numbers confirm the fact that the average Indian is no longer exclusively a small car lover.

We say this because as per latest reports, Maruti Suzuki's DZire has pipped the manufacturer's premium hatchback Swift in terms of overall sales for the first time ever in April 2013.

Maruti's entry-level hatch Alto still retains the top spot, but at 19,446 units sold, the DZire fell a mere 400 units short of topping the monthly sales chart.

The latest data comes in at an interesting point in time-- while the DZire has notched steadily impressive numbers for its maker since its launch in 2008 (about 10,000 per month), a recently-launched rival offering from the stable of Honda is registering sales even more impressive than the DZire's.

Further, it's not just the saloon among larger vehicles that seems to have caught the Indian car buyer's fancy. In an industry beset with multiple challenges such as sluggish sales, high fuel prices and production glitches, the year gone by saw the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment grow by 52 per cent over the previous 12-month-period. The segment was, in fact, the only one to have registered positive growth.

Life threw punches at him but this boxer refused to be knocked out

2013-05-23 14:20:00

Chandigarh: Mandeep Jangra is a proud man. He has won a gold medal in the International Limassol Boxing Cup tournament in Cyprus. In 69 category Mandeep thrashed Vega Blang of Spain 21-2 in the final encounter to clinch the yellow metal. The success is more rewarding because once he was forced to say goodbye to the sports. But thanks to a man, he is not only back in the game, but punching and punching very hard.

He won the gold medal on his 20th birthday on Monday. During all these years, life has punched him numerous times, but he refused to be knocked out and continued following his dream. In his quest for gold, a senior boxer played the role of his benefactor, extending moral and financial support.

Now his winning the gold medal in the international boxing cup tournament proves that he has lived up to the expectations bestowed upon him.

Mandeep comes from a poor family. His father worked as chief mason, earning barely enough to feed the family. He was in position to pay his diet.

Mandeep took up boxing as sports in 2004. He started training but did not inform his family members. When he won a medal at district level, only then his family members came to know about his indulgence in the boxing. Parents really got angry, even thrashed him to give up his passion and help family make two hands meet. But he was determined to fight his war and win gold for the country.

10 unknown facts about hot Pakistani ex-minister Hina Rabbani Khar

2013-05-23 18:20:00

Michelle Obama, Sonia Gandhi, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin might be talked about for their elegance and eloquence, but their lesser exposed cousin, Hina Rabbani Khar doesn't lag behind when it comes to exercising popularity.

And, if you too are a fan of her beauty and classic style, here are some lesser known facts about the former Pakistani minister.