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Amaravati and TDP to Turn Positive Factors for ‘Dictator’!
Having considered some of the political factors, the success of ‘Dictator’ turns crucial and prestigious not only for Natasimham Nandamuri Balakrishna, but also for the TDP’s politicians. Here goes the story.
As we know, the CM Mr Chandrababu Naidu is striving hard to build Amaravati as one of the world’s top class capitals. Irrespective of criticisms being faced from opposition political parties, CBN has opted for Amaravati and is sincerely put his heart and soul to develop the city. At this juncture, Amaravati needs all sorts of publicity and promotions to attract the corporate sectors.
At this framework, ‘Dictator’s audio launch was organized in Amaravati to woo Tollywood’s film fraternity besides promoting the city. Moreover, huge rally of TDP’s activists was organized. A group of ministers, MLAs and politicians from the TDP graced the occasion to ensure the first film event of Tollywood in Amaravati gets a super success.
And now, every TDP’s activist and Nandamuri fans pray for the success of ‘Dictator’ so that Amaravati should become the positive sentiment for movie functions. Earlier, TDP’s ministers and MLAs attended the audio launch of ‘Lion’ but the movie could not do well. But then, entire team of the TDP and the fans are very much confident that ‘Dictator’ hits the bulls eye for sure and can make Amaravati as a positive omen for movie functions. Meanwhile, this crazy project is all set for a grand release on January 14.
Minting Money, MIM Style
The MIM will be contesting in about 75 wards in the municipal elections. Saturday was the last day to receive applications from parties interested in contesting on the MIM ticket and a whopping 5000 number of applications were received.
But here’s an interesting policy being adhered to by the MIM party. Every application should be accompanied by a demand draft for Rs 5000, non-refundable. This means, the party netted a cool Rs 25,00,0000.
And responding to the need on charging from applicants, the MIM says that this practice has been going on for some time and the Party did the same for MLA applicants too.
So, they don’t divulge the reason for why the party is charging applicants but reveal since when they have been doing it. As one can see, it is a costly affair even if one wants to serve the people.
Neuro-hacking Devices to improve Health
Las Vegas: The next frontier for the tech sector is the human brain. A new breed of neuro-hacker is finding ways to capture and manipulate brainwaves to improve health, with potential to help the severely handicapped. A number of the innovations were on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where computer scientists and biomedical experts showcased ways to tap into and use brain signals. The “mind control” headband unveiled by start-up BrainCo effectively hacks into brain signals with a range of possible applications—from helping to improve attention spans, to detecting disease, controlling smart home appliances or even a prosthetic device.
The device “translates your brainwaves into electronic signals,” said the Boston-based firm’s Zenchuan Lei. At CES, BrainCo demonstrated how a person could use the headband to manipulate a prosthetic hand—a potential life-changer for those paralysed or missing limbs. “These signals can be used to control objects like a prosthetic hand,” Lei said. “You can turn the lights on or off just by focusing on that.” The device designed by scientists from Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology employs “neuro feedback,” a means of allowing people to control their brain waves for various purposes. It is expected to be available later this year for less than $150. Lei suggested the device could also help people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder because “it teaches you to enhance your focus and concentration.” A similar project on display from New York-based OpenBCI (which stands for open-source brain-computer interface) seeks to create a platform for applications of the technology in health care, education or other fields. OpenBCI uses a 3D-printed helmet, which captures brainwaves from various sectors of the brain.
Neuro-marketing’ potential “This can be used to help people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease) or quadriplegics communicate,” said OpenBCI chief executive Conor Russomanno. The technology also offers a potential for so-called “neuro-marketing” which tests new products and services on the basis of sensory and cognitive response. South Korean startup Looxid Labs unveiled a headset that tracks both brainwaves and eye movements, claiming this provides more accurate insights into the mind. “No other device that I’m aware of combines these things,” said Looxid chief business officer Alex Chang. With the headset attached to a computer, “you can roll your eyes to scroll the mouse, and click on a button by blinking,” Chang said. The headset is being launched in July as a developer kit, with scope to build applications for controlling physical or virtual objects, communicating, analyzing a user’s mood or mental health, or verifying their identity. “We also see this as having potential in gaming because you can control things with your eye,” Chang said. “When you concentrate you can stop the bullets.”
He added that for neuro-marketing applications, “we can show someone an ad and we can see where the eyes are focused. We can scan emotions and understand how someone is responding.” Other exhibitors at CES demonstrated wearable devices that block pain signals to the brain, as an alternative to medications with side effects for people who suffer from debilitating pain. Meditation aid Canadian-based Interaxon and its Muse headband are applying the neuro-feedback technique as a meditation aid. Muse uses sensors on the forehead and behind the ears to measure brain signals, and advise users how to improve their meditation technique. The coaching app helps people achieve a level of consistency in their meditation efforts. “It’s like going to the gym. The muscle doesn’t get stronger unless you do it over and over again. It’s the same with your brain,” said Muse marketing manager Tracy Newsom-Rosenthal at the CES show. One start-up at CES was showcasing a technique to deliver pleasure signals to the brain via music, by triggering the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, seroton in and oxytocin. The hand-held device from Florida-based Nervana allows users to plug in a music player into the $299 device and get pleasurable signals delivered by its headphones.
“We send a signal into the vagus nerve which produces dopamine, and that relaxes you,” CEO Ami Brannon told AFP on the show floor. “Some people describe the sensation as euphoric.” But Brannon said the technique “is not really hacking the brain.” “We access the central nervous system and it just tickles the nerve to remind the brain to release dopamine,” she said. “People who practice yoga or meditation can already do this.”
Why Is US Turning Indian Students Back?
Washington: Call it pre-election rhetoric or post Paris and St Bernardino paranoia, Indian students coming to the US have been caught in a bind, with many deported or denied entry for no fault of theirs. They all came with valid F-1 student visas issued by US missions in India with the requisite I-20 forms from educational institutions certifying their admission, but have been sent packing back home at the port of entry. There are no official figures available, but an estimated 60-70 students have been turned back so far. The process of deportation continues despite New Delhi making a strong plea to Washington to honour their visas.
It all started from San Francisco about two weeks after the December 2 terrorist attack in St Bernardino by a Pakistani couple, with Air India asked to fly back 14 Indian students who had come to join two allegedly “blacklisted” dodgy schools. Both Silicon Valley University (SVU) in San Jose and Northwestern Polytechnic (NPU) in Fremont have denied being “blacklisted” or “under any sort of governmental investigation or targeting”. NPU has even blamed the whole mess “on the actions of Air India” which after the first deportations declined to seat US-bound students claiming it had been informed by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about the two schools being under the scanner.
NPU suggested that Air India was not allowing its students to board as it has to fly back at its own cost any individual denied entry to a country. Air India is reported to have now resumed bringing in Indian students provided they commit to pay for their return in case they were not allowed to enter. Over the last couple of weeks, several students coming through Chicago or New York and on other airlines to join other schools, some of them well reputed, have also been turned back.
Yet, according to diplomatic sources, the US has denied any large-scale denial of entry of Indian students and claims that CBP agents decide each case on its own merit whether it is genuine or not. In some cases, the students did not even know what courses they planned to study, where they would stay or how they would meet their living expenses as students are not allowed to work. Some immigration officers are even giving spot tests to incoming students. A majority of students hail from Andhra Pradesh but there is apparently no racial profiling or targeting of Indian students as students from other countries including China too have been denied entry.
NPU president Peter Hsieh in a posting on the school’s website also said that several incoming students had informed it that “as long as students have proper documentation and are able to answer questions, they are being allowed into the US.” “They also report that this is not limited to NPU or F-1 students but also to other foreign travellers on H-1 visa and the like,” he wrote. But whether the system has been gamed by some unscrupulous elements is beside the point.
There seems to be a dysfunction between the consulates in India and the border agents, informed sources said. The fact that so many students have been denied entry indicates that the US consulates in India were not doing due diligence before issuing visas. Unless the US authorities can find a quick fix, Indian students who, according to the 2015 Open Doors Report, make up 13.6 percent of the total international students in the US, would continue to suffer.
The US too stands to lose as with a whopping 29.4 percent increase, a record high of 132,888 Indian students studying in the US in 2014-15 academic year contributed $3.6 billion to the US economy.
Ram’s Brother Steps Into Films
Ram is on cloud nine with Nenu Sailaja striking gold at the box office. His uncle Sravanthi Ravi Kishore heaved a sigh of relief after Nenu Sailaja as his previous film Shivam was a forgettable disaster.
Ravi Kishore is planning to do another film with Kishore Tirumala, the director of Nenu Sailaja. So Ram and Kishore will be teaming up again immediately for another film. Ravi Kishore asked the director to take as much time as he wants to come up with a good script like Nenu Sailaja.
Ram’s elder brother Krishna Chaitanya will be producing this film on Sravanthi Movies and Ravi Kishore will be presenting it. Krishna Chaitanya has given up his career as pilot to become film producer. He has been looking after the production work of Sravanthi Movies until Nenu Sailaja and he is confident of producing a movie now.
Ram hasn’t signed up any movie post Nenu Sailaja. He is not in a hurry and is looking for good scripts. If nothing comes across before Kishore Tirumala readies another script, Ram’s next will be directed by Nenu Sailaja director only.
When Aish Calls Rekha ‘Maa’
Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha’s alleged affair has always been the hot topic to discuss and this time the Bachchan Bahu, Aishwarya has done something unimaginable by calling Rekha ‘Maa’ during the recent Stardust Awards.
The Jazbaa actor called Rekha as her ‘maa’ in front of the audience during the function. The show which broadcasted on January 10 saw some great performances and this statement shocked not only the live audience but also the viewers watching the show at home.
The former model was awarded the Power Packed Performer title for her amazing comeback in Sanjay Gupta’s Jazbaa from the beauty queen Rekha. It was at this time that Aishwarya said, “It’s great to receive it from maa.”
Rekha then replied, “I hope I can give it to you for many more years.” The award show turned out to be even more shocking when Jaya Bachchan and Rekha were seen hugging out their differences and greeting each other cordially.
Terrorist’s Son Tops In 10th Class Exams
When a terror strikes the nation, the anger and outrage against the attackers and their family storms, the hunt for the guilty ones comes to an end when they are set behind bars or punished in view of justice to affected victims.
However, most common thing to hear is that the infuriated kin carry forwards the goals or missions of their lost ones, the so-called Jihadis, who try to infringe the peace by attacking the country’s heart. It is easy for them to follow the footsteps keeping the past in mind rather than moving on. However, this isn’t the case in Jammu and Kashmir.
Afzal Guru, who was found guilty of attacking Parliament in 2001, was hanged to death in 2013 after his conviction. But his son has set out a new example. The nation respects the young Ghalib Guru.
Ghalib secured 95% in 10th finals conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Examinations. Despite of being from the background unlikely to gain respect and way filled with thorns, Ghalib’s decision to stay away from terror and arm himself with knowledge and books pushed him till the throne of success. Ghalib, son of Afzal, did not pick up arms or ammunitions nor followed what his father did.
According to the results, which were declared on Monday, Ghalib gained 474 marks out of 500. Besides securing A1 grade in all subjects, Ghalib also ranked 19th in state level.
The achievement of Ghalib turned out to be talk of the nation. The netizenz expressed their respect towards the boy via social media.
Anshul Saxena: Terrorists/Naxals families should learn from Ghalib Guru, son of terrorist Afzal Guru, Instead of Jihadi, be Judicious, India will respect u
Pia: Kudos to Ghalib Guru, son of Afzal Guru, scored 95% in his 10th Board Exams. No matter, how’s track record of ur family, U must always shine
Even the separatist leaders had nothing except lauding the boy for his success.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq: Congratulations to all who have done well in matriculation exam specially Young Ghalib son of Shaheed Afzal Guroo,4 securing 94% way to go!!
Ghalib sets an example of not letting history overshadow his future. Being from a family of a convict, Ghalib might have faced many hardships, however, now he can hold his head high in the crowd by being himself.
Man donates finger at Tirupati @ National Herald case
A man has claimed that he chopped off his left hand’s little finger and offered it at Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh as a “token of gratitude” after Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were granted bail in the National Herald case.
Suresh said he had been to Tirupati on December 25 last year and “chopped off” his little finger and dropped it in the temple’s hundi (donation box).
As the news was brought to the notice of State Housing Minister M H Ambareesh, Suresh claimed he was immediately summoned to the Congress leader’s house on Saturday and given the epithet of ‘Congress Eklavya’.Suresh said after he cut off his finger, he got himself treated in a hospital adjacent to the temple.
Sonia and her son Rahul had got bail in the National Herald case on December 19 last year after a local court rejected complainant Subramanian Swamy’s opposition to the relief for them. (PTI)
Priya Mani New Avatar!
National-Award winning actress Priya Mani has donned new hat. Priya Mani tested her hand at singing as she lent her voice for a Kannada film. Priya recorded a number for the film ‘Devravne Budu Guru’ which stars Akul Balaji in the lead role.
Akul and Priya participated in a dance reality show and both share good rapport. It’s Akul who convinced Priya to sing a song in the album. What’s surprising is that even Akul didn’t know that Priya has agreed to sing the song.
It’s been kept as secret and he was told that someone he knows well has sung the song. He was kept guessing for the days and finally he got to know that it’s Priya Mani after she spoke to him over phone after the song recording.
It’s learnt that the song is very tough song as one has to sing in three different ways. Notwithstanding that it’s her first song, Priya said to have done great job.
Rajamouli family brings luck to NTR?
NTR and Rajamouli are the closest of friends known to anyone. It is often said that most of the movies that Jakanna’s family watches the premieres of, turn out to be good hits.
According to reports, Rajamouli and his entire team will be going on a short break from the Baahubali 2 filming for five days to celebrate Sankranthi festival and also to watch NTR’s Nannaku Prematho which will be releasing on January 13.
Sources further revealed that Rajamouli along with his entire family and crew members will be watching the movie first day, first show. It is even emerged that Rajamouli had advised the confused actor to not reject Sukumar’s movie and take up the opportunity to work in it.
Baahubali 2 is currently being shot at Ramoji Film City. The massive construction of the sets was created by Sabu Cyril and Prabhas is still the leading man of the story. Since Nannaku Prematho is the talk of the town, here’s wishing the team all the luck.
‘Sukumar Helped Me Discover The Actor Within’
Rakul Preet Singh, who worked with filmmaker Sukumar in the forthcoming Telugu release “Nannaku Prematho”, said the experience helped her discover the actor within and perform beyond her own expectations. “Working with Sukumar was amazing. He’s someone who trusts his actors and allows them to experiment with dialogues and scenes. When you’re working with him, you learn a lot subconsciously and that helped me in discovering the actor within,” the former model told IANS.
Rakul believes she has given her career’s most natural performance in the film. “Sukumar comes from a very different school of working style. He never shoots with set dialogues and scenes. Most of it is improvised on the spot. He’d tell me, ‘Rakul, if this is your character, how would you behave? Show me’,” she said. “Instead of making us act, he’d make us become the characters we play. He’d pick up these nuances from our day-to-day lives. He’d remind me of how I did something over breakfast in the morning and then ask me to include it in my performance,” she added.
Paired with actor Jr. NTR for the first time, Rakul plays the daughter of a multi-billionaire in the film. “It’s a character I haven’t played before, so there was no reference to it. The testing part was to look believable in the role, because unlike any other character, a billionaire’s daughter carries herself very differently, be it the way she dresses or even walks,” she said. Talking about her experience of working with NTR, she said she experienced initial jitters. “It’s because I’ve only met him once before briefly. I didn’t know him as a person or know his mood will be before the shoot. But slowly the ice was broken and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him,” she said, and added he’s extremely talented.
“He’s someone who is brilliant in every sphere of cinema. When you’re working with him, you’re automatically pushed to the edge and that’s very rewarding, because when you have a talented co-star, you want to perform even better,” she said. Rakul was also nervous to match steps with NTR, who is an exceptionally good dancer. “Dancing with him was tough. He wouldn’t rehearse and just takes a minute or two to do a step. Even though I’ve danced with actors, it wasn’t the same with NTR,” she said.
“Nannaku Prematho” is the first release of the year for Rakul, treats all her projects equally. “Before the release of my film, small or big, the feeling is always the same,” she said. She is currently shooting for Allu Arjun-starrer Telugu actioner “Sarainodu”. She will next team up with Nithiin for a yet-untitled project in the language.
