GBSA’s Wind Surfing Training Camp for youngsters from 1st to 30th April at Goa

 

GBSA’s Wind Surfing Training Camp from 1st to 30th April at Goa 

The Goa Beach Sports Academy (GBSA) in association with the Water & Beach Sports Promotion Forum has announced its annual wind surfing training camp at Dona Paula in Goa from 1^st April to 30^th April 2012. Headed and promoted by national windsurfing champion Donald Coelho, the GBSA will conduct the camp for youngsters in two categories – professional training for those aiming to participate in state or national level wind surfing or allied water sport competitions and amateur training for those who just want to learn the sport of wind surfing for the thrill that it offers. The camp is open to children from 10 years of age to adults of all ages who may just want to “try it out”.

A contest for camp participants both in the professional and amateur category will also be held which will culminate in the grand finale of the camp. The contest will be telecast live on all local TV channels in Goa and also on a couple of national and international channels. An added attraction will be a beach volleyball one-day-trial match and a weekend after party for participants and others, the details of which will be announced shortly.

Says promoter and brain behind the camp Donald Coelho, “Wind Surfing is a very thrilling activity and the purpose of the camp is to encourage children and youth to develop a competitive adventure spirit and introduce them to the world of water sports which is oft neglected in India. We also encourage corporates and philanthropists to come forward to financially support this camp so that it becomes affordable for everyone.”

The GBSA has written to the Tourism Departments of the Government of Goa and the Government of India for their support and stamp of approval on the event. “We are awaiting their reply,” explained Donald Coelho.

About Goa Beach Sports Academy (GBSA)

The Goa Beach Sport Academy has progressed – since its inception in 2008, at a pace which is commendable. Within three years of its existence the Goa Beach Sport Academy headed by National Windsurfing Champion Donald Coelho and assisted by International Surfer Charles Herbert Rodrigues has conducted several windsurfing camps promoting budding talent in the field of Beach Sport activity. The Academy has within its ranks Indian Badminton personality Mr. Anil Madgavkar who is also the pioneer of the Goa Yachting Association. The Academy has trained several youth during various camps that were organized in the field of Beach Sport Activity.

OBJECTIVES

The GBSA strives to promote the unique sport of wind surfing in a social, fun-loving environment. Safety being their first priority; they are well equipped with a rescue team and insurance. Involving local talent in all activity has been their duty and they strive to train participants to achieve greater heights in the field of beach sport activities.  The Club is committed to encouraging highest ethical standards.  To represent the interests of its members in the best way, the GBSA is affiliated with the Yachting Association of India, Goa Yachting Association, Board Sailing Association of India and other similar organizations.

James Bond Films SKYFALL hits the floors on 7th November

EON PRODUCTIONS, METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS AND SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

ANNOUNCE 7^th NOVEMBER

IS START OF PRODUCTION

FOR 23^rd JAMES BOND FILM

“SKYFALL”

LONDON, UK, November 3^rd, 2011 – Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23^rdJames Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL.  The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007.  The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan.  SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7^th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26^th 2012 and in North America on November 9^th 2012.

Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

“We’re so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct SKYFALL and be working once again with Daniel Craig.   We’ve a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure,” said Wilson and Broccoli.

The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar® nominee who previously shot the films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road for Mendes.  The Production Designer is Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner, who previously designed Quantum of Solace and collaborated with Mendes on the films Road to Perdition and Jarhead.  The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include Casino Royale.  Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, In Bruges, and Children of Men, is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2^nd Unit Director.  Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.

About Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family.   Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising.   EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films.   The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-two films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took over the franchise from Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli in 1995 and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

 

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; worldwide television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 142 countries.

Submitted by: SPE Films India Pvt Ltd

Dj Jenny D, Shifanjali Rao, Ameesha Yadav to cheer Young Cricketers of India

About 20 celebs and Page 3 personalities including Dj Jenny D, actress and item girl Shifanjali Rao, Tamil star Ameesha Yadav and almost 50 models including Natasha Sikka, Megha Tyagi, Anaya Das, Sneha Chopra, Mansi Singh and others will cheer the Young Cricketers Forum of India at their first ever celebrity match against TV celebrities facing some budding, yet talented 12-16 –year-olds from Mumbai who will take on the reigning stars of the television world in the first week of December this year.

A brain child of the Young Cricketers Forum of India or YCFI, the celebrity match will be held near Lokhandwala in suburban Mumbai, most probably the Andheri Sports Complex. The winning team will take home a cash prize of Rs One Lakh plus a trophy and additional gifts for all the players of the winning team. “The list of TV celebs and actors who will battle the youngsters is being prepared and will be out by next week,” said a spokesperson for the YCFI.

The YCFI is popularizing the event through Facebook and other social networking sites and also through a direct SMS campaign. The under-16 team of budding cricket talent is also being finalized. Our selection panel is in the process of selecting the team, said YCFI. The YCFI has plans to start a pan-India under-16 Young Cricketers League or the YCL to promote and support talented young cricketers in India, particularly in smaller towns.

Firoz Nadiadwala supports NGO Anhad

Anhad is an non-governmental organization actively working and creating awareness about issues related to democracy, secularism, communal harmony and justice. It fights for human rights and rights of marginalized communities. Anhad is involved is providing relief, rehabilitation, livelihood, vocational training and empowering women through its program, besides working towards literacy and education initiatives.

 Anhad plans to reach out to at least 100 villages over the next 5 years to create an environment where girls and women can be persuaded to acquire basic reading and writing skills and literacy.

Shabnam Hashmi  Delhi based social activist was very happy to be associated with Firoz Nadiadwala who organised an event at JW Marriot where Bollywood came to support them and their cause. Firoz Nadiadwala said that it is the cause and belief which has brought his involvement in ANHAD NGO. The organisers roped in Naseeruddin Shah and his wife Ratna Pathak who put up a performance of their play Moghul Bachcha while Shubha Mudgal regaled the celebrity guests with her recitals. The guests who came for the event were Rishi Kapoor, C G Patel, Balagiri, Ashima Bhalla, Akbar Khan, Arpana, Anu Malik, Anees Bazmee, Kaishav Arora and Deepshikha.

Mumbaiwalla !!! to file PIL in Bombay HC regarding CNG pipeline damage

By a Correspondent

 

Mumbaiwalla  !!! – a forum of concerned Mumbaikars is contemplating filing a PIL in the Bombay High Court seeking compensation for the untold hardship and financial losses to the citizens of Mumbai. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the administrative machinery of Mumbai including the Government of Maharashtra and other authorities will be made respondents in the matter regarding the damage to the CNG pipeline which kept about 90,000 autorickshaws and about 80 per cent of Taxis off the roads of Mumbai causing untold hardship to students who were appearing for their board exams not to forget financial losses to several other businesses etc.

Mumbaiwalla !!! is a general helpline for Mumbaikars, particularly for those who are new to Mumbai and unable to find their way in the city. Mumbaiwalla !!! provides information services, co-ordinates with service providers, Utility and Telecom services, employment agencies, Facilities Management Servics and other general purpose service agencies. The aim is to try and make life a wee bit easier for Mumbaikars, says Flynn Remedios, a spokesperson for Mumbaiwalla !!!.

Mumbaiwalla !!!  also has a social service cell which undertakes activity to help the underprivileged, downtrodden and poor.

Hundreds if not thousands of software engineers from Delhi, Chandigarh, Bangalore and smaller towns recruited by Call Centres, BPOs and IT firms like Oracle, TCS, Mphasis and banks like Citibank and H3GS located at Mindspace (Malad), Infinity Park (Film City, Goregaon East), Bandra-Kurla complex who are completely new to Mumbai had to shell out anywhere between Rs 200 to Rs 400 to reach their homes as autorickshaws and Taxis charged a hefty premium.

According to a report in Mid-day, “The BMC does not have a map of the underground utilities such as water and gas pipelines, and drainage system due to which the incidences of pipeline damage are on the rise. On Monday, a Mahanagar Gas Limited pipeline was damaged while the BMC staffers were widening a nullah for the storm water drainage project, disrupting CNG supply.

An official from the BMC said, “The BMC had decided to carry out GIS-based digital mapping of the city’s structures (building by building) that sent the project cost shooting upto Rs 240 crore, while actual allocation for the project was Rs 32 crore. The idea of mapping water pipelines was scrapped last year as the cost was exceeding.”

At present, the civic body has an old water pipeline map sans newly developed areas. In January 2011, BMC finally invited tenders from private parties for carrying out digital surveys to map around 33 underground utilities in the city. Digital images of those will be compiled on the basis of information collected by the GIS surveys. Then, these images would be juxtaposed on the city’s base map.

“But we have not yet received the base maps from the NIC as well as clearance from the defense ministry for conducting the survey in sensitive areas in its jurisdiction, “said BMC’s Information Technology assistant commissioner Yogesh Mahangade. The BMC survey will mainly involve collecting information about civic-controlled utilities such as water, sewerage networks and storm water drain lines. But in the process, the other utilities under the ground too will get automatically recorded, another official said.”

According to a report in the Times of India, “The problem began late on Monday night as news spread of a tear in the main pipeline supplying CNG to Mumbai region. The breach had occurred earlier in the day when a piling machine being used by a civic contractor to concrete a drain hit the GAIL pipeline close to the Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) plant in Wadala.

Immediately after the accident, GAIL and Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) turned off the supply of CNG to the latter’s 148 filling stations and, as a result, to lakhs of autorickshaws, taxis and private cars. Officials promised supply would be normalized by Tuesday night.

Normally, MGL supplies about 9.8-lakh kg of CNG to the region every day. On Tuesday, only 3.5-lakh kg was delivered. Worst affected were western and central suburbs besides the island city.

The incident touched off the usual game of passing the buck between government agencies.”

 

(Please feel free to lift this article for use on your own website or publication.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TATA DOCOMO GSM SERVICES IN MUMBAI ARE ONE OF THE WORST TELECOM SERVICES IN MUMBAI

 

 

I paid Rs 5000/- for a premium or VIP Tata Docomo prepaid number belonging to the Mumbai Circle. In all, I purchased 3 such premium numbers paying a total of Rs 15,000/- only for the VIP numbers alone. In normal situations, I would have been assigned a relationship manager or a customer service executive to look into network or billing/balance related problems. Nothing of that sort happened.

Many dealers or retailers in the Andheri to Borivli area in suburban Mumbai DO NOT stock or are out of stock  of Tata Docomo recharges. After a long search, I located a dealer who had a Tata Docomo recharge. I recharged with a special recharge to convert all local calls to Rs 30 paise per minute. In spite of successfully recharging with the special pack, my local calls continue to be charged at Rs 1/- per minute.

I called the special helpline at Tata Docomo set up and mandated by TRAI and DOT (198) for complaints etc. Instead of being put on to a customer service executive, I was relayed only advertising messages for almost 20 minutes at a stretch. And then the line disconnected. I dialed 198 several times after that and every time I only got advertising messages for several minutes. No CS came on the line in spite of trying all options.

As compared to this retarded and lackadaisical response from Tata Docomo, Vodafone has assigned a special relationship manager to handle complaints. When I compare the service of Tata Docomo to Vodafone, I feel Vodafone is way ahead of Tata in terms of customer service.

After about one hour of continuous trying, I gave up, deciding never to use Tata Docomo again. I am putting this note up on my blog to inform other Telecom subscribers why I feel Tata Docomo is one of the worst Telecom services in Mumbai or should I say India.

– Flynn Remedios

Mumbaiwalla!!!: Paying Guest (PG) and Service Apartments all over Mumbai +918898881921

 

Mumbaiwalla !!! offers Service Apartments and Paying Guest (PG)  accommodation at Andheri East, Andheri (W), Oshiwara, Malad, Goregaon, Borivali, Powai and Saki Naka in Mumbai.

 

Most apartments are close to Domestic and International Airports.

Pick up & Drop available on request from Railway stations and airports. (Charges applicable)

In house Laundry facilities available and are inclusive of rent charges.

Apartment comprises of a 3/4 Bedroom serviced apartment with all en-suite rooms.

Each flat is fully-furnished with amenities like AC (or Non AC), Wardrobe/LCD TV/Microwave/Hot Plate or Cooking Gas Stove/Dining set/Sofa etc.

Health Club, Gym, Yoga, Ayurvedic Massage and other health facilities.

Hostel Facilities available for students.

Charges Rs 2500/- per day onwards for Service Apartments.

PG (Paying Guest) facilities start at Rs 4000/- per month.

Booking 15-30 days in advance.

Call Mumbaiwalla!!! for more details on +918898881921.

 

Tel: +918898881921 | Email: help.mumbaiwalla (@) gmail.com

www.facebook.com/mumbaiwalla | Twitter: @Mumbaiwallah

 

Journalist and Publicist Flynn Remedios bereaved

Mumbai-based senior journalist and Bollywood Publicist Flynn Remedios was bereaved today 2nd March when his mother passed away after a massive heart attack at about 8.30pm. She was 70. After she complained of chest pain she was rushed to a private clinic at Andheri in suburban Mumbai for a medical checkup and ECG where she suffered a massive heart attack even while waiting for the checkup to be done.

The last rites and funeral services will be held on 3rd March at Holy Family Church in suburban Mumbai.

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

“IT’S NOT CRICKET” AND “WINNERS AND LOSERS” – REALITY SHOWS FOR THE COMMON MAN

 

“IT’S NOT CRICKET” AND “WINNERS AND LOSERS” – REALITY SHOWS FOR THE COMMON MAN

 

Mumbai-based Twilight Media has announced two new Reality Shows tentatively titled “It’s Not Cricket” and “Winners and Losers. While much information was not available and Twilight Media refused to officially comment on these projects, it seems that the shows are targeted at the common man. When we contacted Twilight Media, a spokesperson said that the concept and format of the shows is being finalised and the shows are likely to be officially announced very soon. “We will make an official announcement very soon, so please wait till the press release is out,” was the only official comment we got from them. The shows will be in English and Hindi.

However, a source said that the shows are targeted at the common man. “Most reality shows in India, including Bigg Boss, Zor Ka Jhatka, Rakhi ka Swayamvar, Khatron Ka Khiladi, etc have featured a similar set of artistes or actors or participants and research shows that most people in India are fed up of watching the same set of characters on the different shows. For the last three years, the same set of 10-15 participants have been doing the rounds of most reality shows. The common man is rarely involved or invited to participate. Since most reality shows are big budget productions, the production houses producing them are under great pressure to generate TRPs and hence resort to using the same ‘old characters’ over and over again.

“Winners & Losers” and “It’s Just Not Cricket” will feature a completely new set of participants, barring a few, according to a source. The casting agency appointed for the recruitment of participants has begun sending out casting calls for these shows and the target is the common man, housewives, students and of course Bollywood models, celebs and actors. Politicians will not be part of the shows, but advocates and doctors are likely to be on board. It is not clear as to who would host these shows and Twilight Media said they were looking for the right person. The shows will be centred around the Indian infatuation for the sport of cricket, it is learnt.

Expect a lot of masala and masti though, they said!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pepsi to take eleven talented youngistaanis to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

 

Pepsi to take eleven talented youngistaanis
to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 

 

Announced the hunt for ‘Pepsi Change The Game 11’ in partnership with MTV; Look for youngistaanis with unconventional cricket, commentary and cheering skills
Pepsi Change the Game 11 to watch all India matches LIVE

 

Mumbai Auditions by MTV VJ, Gaelyn at Nirmal Lifestyle Mall receives an enormous response from youngistaanis
 

Mumbai, January 24, 2011: Pepsi has taken their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign ‘Change The Game’ forward and launched a unique platform ‘Pepsi Change The Game 11’, powered by MTV. Pepsi is giving Youngistaan an opportunity to Change the Game in true Pepsi style where Youngistaanis need to demonstrate unconventional techniques of batting, bowling and fielding; unique skills in cheering and commentary. 11 Youngistaanis from across the country through on ground & digital activation will be shortlisted and win a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch all the India matches LIVE at the stadium, this World Cup. 1 quarter final, 1 semi final and the FINALS LIVE at the STADIUM! That’s not all, the winners get to be stars on MTV and chill with the VJs. These Youngistaanis will also have their views followed by other fans on Facebook, Twitter and on the Pepsi – Change the Game website.
 
The event in Mumbai saw high energy level participation from Youngistaanis who were eager to impress VJ Gaelyn with their way of changing the game. Innovative ways of bowling, batting and fielding were displayed by the enthusiastic cricket fanatics present. The crowd applauded participants who performed out of the box skills in cheering and commentary. The 24 finalists who will compete for the final Pepsi Change The Game 11 team will be announced in the first week of February 2011. 
 
‘Pepsi Change The Game 11’ is a life time opportunity for 11 talented Youngistaanis to live, breathe and experience cricket like never before! The chosen ones will get to attend all India matches during the Cricket World Cup 2011 and voice their opinions and observations onto the social networking sites and Pepsi’s website through cool mobile phones provided to them. They will also get a chance to be on MTV for a special show to report their views. A chance to watch all India cricket matches live in the stadium in true Pepsi style this ICC Cricket World Cup and be the voice of Youngistaan.
 
One can participate under three main categories; cricket skills, commentary and cheering. But the catch here is that Pepsi and MTV are not looking for anything textbook and already existing. So if you have a new and unconventional way of batting, bowling, fielding, cheering or commentating you can be a game changer. So get ready to impress your favourite MTV VJs and cricket stars like Robin Uthappa and Manoj Tiwari to win your way and be a part of Pepsi Change the Game 11.
 
The Pepsi and MTV team are coming to your city (Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Bangalore, Pune, Ludhiana, Ahmedabad and Kanpur) to conduct on ground selections and you can enact your change the game moves in 60 seconds in front of the camera. 24 final participants from 10 cities and 6 from digital participation will be chosen and taken to Mumbai for the grand finale on MTV. Out of these, only 11 talented Youngistaanis will make it to the Pepsi Change The Game 11 squad. 
 
Interested participants can also call the number on the new Pepsi Change the Game limited edition bottles available in the market and register. Last date to participate is 30th January, 2011.
 
“With our Change the Game campaign Pepsi celebrates the passion and the new age mantra of cricket, which is irreverent, unorthodox, fun, challenging and unmistakably Pepsi! With Pepsi Change The Game 11 powered by MTV, we are looking for game-changers, who have within themselves the potential to break monotony and think unconventionally. We expect Youngistaanis to completely change the way cricket is played and make most of the opportunity to be Youngistaan’s voice this Cricket World Cup”, said, Sandeep Singh Arora, Executive Vice President – Marketing, Cola, PepsiCo India.