Ramp model Simona Roy to represent India at Ms Bikini Online 2014

Well-known ramp model and actress Simona Roy will represent India at the international glamour pageant Ms Bikini Online 2014 to be held in Seychelles in May this year.  Each country is eligible to send in 3 participants taking the total number of participating contestants to over 500 at the first round.

A press report by news and content agency Newz66.com quoted Simona Roy as saying, “I have been selected by an international committee to represent India at the Ms Bikini Online 2014 glamour and fashion pageant. I had mailed my photographs in the first week of January to the international agency handling the pageant and had forgotten about it. I was not expecting a reply, when out of the blue, I got an email on 24^th February confirming my nomination for the prestigious pageant. At first I was a bit skeptical. But then the agency followed up their mail with other giving complete details of the main pageant to be held in Seychelles during May. It is an honour to be part of this prestigious event and I will give it my best.”

Simona Roy who originally hails from Kolkatta has walked the ramp for several fashion designers and has featured on magazine covers like Enlighten and Femina besides many others. She is also doing a couple of films in the south in Tamil and Telugu.

Ms Bikini Online is an international pageant co-ordinated by 7 Star Inc and held annually each year. The winners are decided by the number of votes and ‘LIKES’ they get on the internet. A gala fashion event is held to announce and crown the winners who take home about 100,000 USD totally in prizes and gifts. Though the pageant was criticized by a few international models who claimed that the international online voting system was susceptible to flaws and could be hijacked by professional social marketing experts, the organizers claim that they have several technical checks to ensure that fake votes or ‘LIKES’ are not generated by paid web experts.

Bollywood stars to shine at Umair Zafar's Summer Collection 2014 launch at Lucknow

At least 4-5 Bollywood actors including Rituparna Sengupta and Purab Kohli will add to the glam component and help designer Umair Zafar promote the art of Lucknowi Chikankari  to a discerning and elite audience at the M B Club at Lucknow on 1st March 2014.

Speaking to content agency Newz66.com, Umair Zafar says, "Almost everyone even remotely connected with garments, apparel and fashion has heard of chikankari. But how many people know that there are over 40 types of hand stitches involved in chikankari embroidery work. How many people know that one embroider working almost 18 hours a day takes over a week and more to complete a single garment. We want to showcase and present the efforts involved in preparing such a collection."

These outfits - which have provided employment to almost 250 embroiders in Mumbai and Lucknow, will be on display at a glitzy fashion event in Lucknow - the home of chikankari at the launch of Umair Zafar’s Summer Collection 2014. And thanks to Umair Zafar the dying art of traditional Chikankari will be showcased to an international audience with at least 3 international TV channels covering the fashion event live.

Chikankari is delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments. These days chikan embroidery is also done with coloured and silk threads in different colours to sync with recent fashion trends and keep chikankari trendy with changing fashion and fabric. 

Lucknow is the heart of the Chikankari industry today and the variety is known as Lucknawi chikan. The stich-work includes the following types of stitches - Tepchi, Bakhiya, Hool, Zanzeera, Rahet, Banarsi, Khatau,   Phanda, Murri, Jali, Turpai, Darzdari, Pechani, Bijli, Ghaspatti, Makra, Kauri, Hathkadi,   Banjkali, Sazi, Karan, Kapkapi, Madrazi, Bulbul-chasm, Taj Mahal, Janjeera, Kangan, Dhania-patti, Rozan, Meharki, Chanapatti, Baalda, Jora, Keel kangan, Bulbul, Sidhaul, Ghas-ki-patti and a few others.

Mumbai-based fashion designer Umair Zafar who originally hails from Lucknow and has been promoting Lucknowi Art and Craft will bring Lucknow Chikankari to an international audience in association with Sigma Rock Infra the patrons of Project Chikankari.

Designer Umair Zafar has done an in-depth research and study on Lucknowi Chikankari and its various forms of stitches. In order to promote the art, he will be showcasing a premium range of chikankari work with an amalgamation of different fabrics, mix and match with various other embroideries and fabrics like muslin, brocade and silk along with Swarovski crystals. The collection will be in different colors, ranges and sizes to suit all body types, which is rarely found in traditional chikankari work.

Photos: Newz66.com

Umair Zafar's Summer Collection 2014 includes over 40 types of Chikankari embroidery

Almost everyone even remotely connected with garments, apparel and fashion has heard of chikankari. But how many people know that there are over 40 types of hand stitches involved in chikankari embroidery work. 

How many people know that one embroider working almost 18 hours a day takes over a week and more to complete a single garment. These outfits - which have provided employment to almost 250 embroiders in Mumbai and Lucknow, will be on display at a glitzy fashion event in Lucknow - the home of chikankari on 1^st March at the launch of Umair Zafar’s Summer Collection 2014. And thanks to Umair Zafar the dying art of traditional Chikankari will be showcased to an international audience with at least 3 international TV channels covering the fashion event live.

Chikankari is delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments. These days chikan embroidery is also done with coloured and silk threads in different colours to sync with recent fashion trends and keep chikankari trendy with changing fashion and fabric. 

Lucknow is the heart of the Chikankari industry today and the variety is known as Lucknawi chikan. The stich-work includes the following types of stitches - Tepchi, Bakhiya, Hool, Zanzeera, Rahet, Banarsi, Khatau,   Phanda, Murri, Jali, Turpai, Darzdari, Pechani, Bijli, Ghaspatti, Makra, Kauri, Hathkadi,   Banjkali, Sazi, Karan, Kapkapi, Madrazi, Bulbul-chasm, Taj Mahal, Janjeera, Kangan, Dhania-patti, Rozan, Meharki, Chanapatti, Baalda, Jora, Keel kangan, Bulbul, Sidhaul, Ghas-ki-patti and a few others.

Mumbai-based fashion designer Umair Zafar who originally hails from Lucknow and has been promoting Lucknowi Art and Craft will bring Lucknow Chikankari to an international audience in association with Sigma Rock Infra the patrons of Project Chikankari.

Designer Umair Zafar has done an in-depth research and study on Lucknowi Chikankari and its various forms of stitches. In order to promote the art, he will be showcasing a premium range of chikankari work with an amalgamation of different fabrics, mix and match with various other embroideries and fabrics like muslin, brocade and silk along with Swarovski crystals. The collection will be in different colors, ranges and sizes to suit all body types, which is rarely found in traditional chikankari work. 

India's first Bollywood 4D film featuring actress Arshi Khan to be made at a modest budget of Rs 120 cr

Afghanistan-born, Bhopal-educated model and actress Arshi Khan will be seen in India's first mainline Bollywood 4D historical action film tentatively titled "The Last Emperor".

The film "The Last Emperor" has a budget of Rs 120 crore for its making and will be shot pre-dominantly in Maharashtra, but will also have schedules in Andhra Pradesh and other parts of South India. The film will go on floors in mid-March and will take approximately 6 to 8 months to complete, say sources.

The film is produced by a Pune-based production house Ganesh Saraswati Films and will be directed by a well-known director from the south V Ganesh Kumar. Ganesh Saraswati Films is a tie-up between V Ganesh Kumar and Anand Saraswati Films of Pune owned partly by an NCP politician from the city. 

The film also has a mention of the Nizam of Hyderabad and a huge set is being planned on the outskirts of Hyderabad to replicate and old 17th century fort. 

FOR HOT IMAGES OF ACTRESS ARSHI KHAN CLICK HERE

The well-endowed and voluptuous Arshi Khan who has now made Mumbai her home says, "It's a pleasure to be part of this project. The film covers a historical era and will portray the historical chronology of events in the late 16 and early 17th century in Maharashtra and south India. Maharashtra was ruled by the Mughals till the early 17th century after which the Marathas were the predominant power in the region. The film will portray the rule of the Nizamshahi of Ahmadnagar, Adilshah of Bijapur and the Qutubshah of Golkonda as well as the emergence of the Maratha kingdom in the mid 17th century as seen by British soldier. It also covers the death of the last Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 after an exhausting 27 years of futile war against the emerging Maratha power."

Arshi Khan was born in Afghanistan but came in India when she was just 4years old as her parents migrated back in India to Bhopal, she finished her school and college in Bhopal itself, and was attracted towards theater since her early childhood.  Acting brought her to Mumbai where she bagged many assignments in a short span of six months. She was introduced to the famous stage personality Janab Ehsaan Chishti, a famous director in theater in Bhopal. Says Arshi,  "Ehsaan ji thought that I have a attractive face and figure and if I try I can possibly make it as an actor."  He used to instigate me, and it was at Ehsaan ji’s provocation that I started acting in various dramas in Bhopal city.  I started get offers for modeling, and that’s how got assignments for modeling for “Madame”, “Diesel Genes”, “Pepe Jeans”, “Agarwal  Jewelers” and many more." She simultaneously got a break in a Tamil Film “Malli Mishtu” where she played the lead role opposite Tamil Star Naresh.

What is a 4D Film? 4D films combine a 3D film with additional physical effects that occur in a specially designed and constructed theater in synchronization with the film. 4D films are not actually four-dimensional in the geometric sense of the word. Because physical effects can be expensive to install, 4D films are most often presented in custom-built specialty theaters at special venues such as theme parks and amusement parks or malls. However, some movie theaters have the ability to present 4D versions of wide-release 3D films. The films Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), and Avatar (2009) are among the films that have received a 4D treatment in certain theaters. Effects simulated in a 4D film may include rain, wind, strobe lights, and vibration. Seats in 4D venues may vibrate or move a few inches during the presentations. Other common chair effects include air jets, water sprays, and leg and back ticklers. Hall effects may include smoke, rain, lightning, air bubbles, and special smells or aromas.

Shradha Sharma in the news

PRESS RELEASE

15th November, 2013: Mumbai: Shardha Sharma has come out to media after a long gap talks to media about drastic change in Bollywood Industry and her difficult journey from television to Bollywood.

Shardha who was out of media after her controversies with actor Raja chaudhary (Shwetha Tiwari’s Ex Husband) for a long time now talks to media and feels Hindi Film Industry has changed a lot now days items songs is done by Main lead actress Like Priyanka Chopra & Katrina Kaif where do we get the opportunity to perform and show our talent for which we known for.

Shradha Sharma had been auditioned for Dhoom 3 but unfortunately things did not work. Shradha sharma with her success on TV serial like ‘Suno Har Dil Kuch Kehta Hai’ for Sahara One and Saarthi for Star Plus wants to get into Bollywood and wants to bag goog films rather then just doing . Like any other Tv star even shardha Sharma looks forward for big banner in Bollywood,but looking at the scenario she feel looks quite difficult as all the main lead actress are doing item song in almost all films.

Shardha Sharma just completed her Hindi Film as for an Item Song “Love in Tension”directed by “Geeta Tomer” wherein she will be seen performing a sexy sizzling item song” Meri Jawani Baihmaan Baihmaan” it’s a youth based Story.

After hit in South Shradha Sharma want to do good role in Bollywood. Shradha Sharma who ruled ad world with commercials for big brands & . She has done kannada film like Jeeva . The song in the movie, in which Shradha was picturized, made big news for the expensive set designed using 40,000 beer bottles.
Her Kannada Film ‘Jai ho’ was also a hit in south in which she did a lead role. Therefore she get offer for item song in bollywood. But after doing heroin role in kannada film ‘Jai ho’,she wants to do good role in hindi cinema. Shradha Sharma says, “ Now I want to do good and memorable role in hindi cinema.I don’t want to do only item songs. If I will get some good role with item song than I will do.”

Shradha Sharma known who was last seen in one of the most memorable incidents during her stint in the show is when she made the hottest hunks of Bollywood, Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt dance to her tune Big Boss 5 as a contestant and controversy with actor raja chaudhary.

Shradha, who went to Bhopal for IAS preparations, started taking modeling assignments. She started her career with numerous add films for popular brands like Dettol, Lizol, Mortein and others. She played the lead roles in TV soaps like Suno Har Dil Kuch Kehta Hain on sahara one, and Saarthi which was aired on Star Plus. . Tamil film maiyum kunte. Also, she was a part of Dance Reality Show raja maru rani yaru on sun tv..she did another dance reality show as a judge for big magic, reliance production.named mele ka big star.

11th Worldex China Expo

PRESS RELEASE

Most Eagerly Awaited Annual Event Since 2004 - the “11th China Products Exhibition” To Boost Manufacturing And Trading Opportunities For Indian Entrepreneurs

ñ  Chinese and Hong Kong companies from more than 40 sectors to come to Mumbai with a variety of industrial and consumer products

ñ  Style Hong Kong Pavilion will be an added attraction

Being organized since 2004, the 11th edition of “China Products (Mumbai, India) Exhibition” will take place from 26th – 28th November, 2013 at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (East),Mumbai, India. The longest running China Exhibition in India and also the definitive international sourcing platform for Indian business enterprises, this unique trade expo showcases more than 40 industries and verticals. The 11th China Products Exhibition will have an added attraction in the form of a Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) pavilion where companies from Hong Kong will showcase their range of stylish and contemporary products. Providing complimentary business matching services, the Exhibition assists Indian businesses in meeting their future business partners from China and Hong Kong.

The current edition is covering an extensive range of products across a wide section of industries like consumer electronics & durables, home appliances, fashion jewellery & accessories, machinery, machine tools, mechanical & electrical equipment & parts, power tillers, hydraulic equipment, grinding products, UPVC doors, wallpaper, medical equipment, traditional Chinese medicine, ceramic products, food & beverages, toys, LED products, silk, leather, fibres & yarns.

Powering Indian entrepreneurs to succeed for the 11th consecutive year, the Exhibition will help Indian enterprises source machinery and components from China – providing quality products at lower rates and logistics costs - thus bringing down manufacturing costs.  Additionally, Indian traders, importers and distributors can source an extensive range of consumer products at more affordable prices for the burgeoning retail industry.

Despite the global and local scenario, the Indian economy is growing due to strong domestic consumption. With a rising middle class population expected to reach 267 million by 2015-16, as well as the world's youngest population, the consumption pattern is expected to shift from food items to discretionary spending. The show offers an excellent opportunity for brands and companies to develop businesses in the areas of services and manufacturing along with the growing consumer market. India is also home to 48.8 million SMEs and 5 thousand large enterprises. This in itself is a huge potential market for companies to service the SME market owing to increasing need for efficiency and collaboration.

The trade show is being organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Sub-councils of Commercial Industry, Guangdong, Ningbo, Hangzhou, Sichuan, Wuhan, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation of Guangdong Province and Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute. The Exhibition is supported by the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), the India-China Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCCI), the Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC) and managed by Worldex India.

About 15 million people are slaves in India and 30 million worldwide: Survey

London: Nearly 30 million people are living in slavery across the globe, many of them men, women and children trafficked by gangs for sex work and unskilled labour, according to a global slavery index released on Thursday. 

The index by anti-slavery charity Walk Free Foundation ranked 162 countries on the number living in slavery, the risk of enslavement, and the strength of government responses to combating the illegal activity. 

It found that 10 countries accounted for 76 percent of the 29.8 million people living in slavery - India, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Bangladesh. 

Modern slavery was defined as human trafficking, forced labour, and practices such as debt bondage, forced marriage, and the sale or exploitation of children. 

Researcher Kevin Bales said he hoped the index, the first annual report to monitor slavery globally, would raise public awareness as numbers were at an all-time high and it would increase pressure on governments to take more action. He dismissed the view that poverty was the key factor behind slavery and instead blamed corruption, calling for laws to stop organised gangs. 

"Consistently when we analysed the statistics we found that corruption came out as more powerful than poverty in driving slavery," said Bales, a professor of contemporary slavery at the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation at the University of Hull in northern England. 

"Fundamentally this is a violent crime issue." 

The report found Mauritania in West Africa had the highest number of slaves proportionately, with up to 160,000 enslaved in a population of 3.8 million, due to culturally-sanctioned forms of chattel slavery and high levels of child marriage. 

The highest absolute numbers were almost 14 million in slavery in India and three million in China. 

"By far the largest proportion of this problem (in India) is the exploitation of Indian citizens within India itself, particularly through debt bondage and bonded labour," said the report. 

In China there was forced labour of men, women and children, including domestic servitude and forced begging, sexual exploitation of women and children and forced marriage. 

Coming last in the index were Iceland, Ireland and Britain although Bales stressed they were not slavery-free. 

Up to 4,400 people are estimated to be enslaved in Britain, the victims mainly from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. They are forced into sex work, domestic servitude, or low-paid jobs in agriculture, construction, restaurants and nail salons. 

"Hopefully this report will be a wake-up call for rich countries as well," Bales told a news agency. 

SOURCE: ZEE NEWS