Sharapova - A Global Power

Maria Sharapova smiles down from billboards across the globe, endorses blue-chip businesses and commands over six million Internet search result everyday. Sadly for the WTA Tour, the world’s highest-profile, and biggest earning sportswoman, has been nursing a shoulder injury since August. With the Russian sidelined, Justine Henin in retirement and two Serbs who suffer vertigo anywhere near the rankings summit, one Miami newspaper suggested the WTA should now be rebranded the Williams Tennis Association. It was only slightly tongue in cheek. Ten years after Serena Williams won the first of her 10 Grand Slam titles, the American, still only 27, is No.1 in the world, a position she first occupied in 2002. She may have hobbled to defeat in the Miami final against the improving Victoria Azarenka, but the feeling persists that the women’s game struggles to supply the sparks generated by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s epic confrontations.

While the Williams sisters counter-attack against pretenders, three times Grand Slam title-winner Sharapova continues to recover from shoulder injury. However, it hasn’t dented the 21-year-old is earning power or the importance of her to the future well-being of the tour. Sharapova’s agent at IMG, who has represented her since she was 11, told Sports Business Journal that it’s really just Maria. She is global because tennis is global. It makes her more appealing.

Tobacco Smoke Affects Kid's Asthma

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) can worsen asthmatic symptoms in kids, according to a new study. During the study, Research team from University of Alabama followed 240 children with asthma who were either receiving usual care or supervised asthma therapy. The kids were given 20 minutes of asthma education that incorporated discussion on the avoidance of asthma triggers, including ETS.

The researchers revealed that kids whose ETS exposure decreased reported fewer hospitalizations and ED visits. Moreover, these children were 48% less likely to experience an episode of poor asthma control. Asthma has to be controlled in order to have a balanced life which may cause repeated coughs and breathing problems.

Scorn by a Leader

Launching a blistering attack on the BJP for its oft-repeated description of Manmohan Singh as a weak prime minister, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said disrespect of the PM amounted to disrespect of the entire country. Addressing an election rally in Varanasi, she questioned the saffron party's slogan of strong leaders and decisive government. The prime minister is a leader of the country and not of a party. So, if one disrespects the prime minister, he or she disrespects the entire nation.

Without naming BJP leader L K Advani for his criticism of Manmohan Singh as a weak prime minister, she asked how he (Advani) can be a strong leader in whose tenure Parliament was attacked and several terrorist attacks took place. Terrorists who were caught were also released. It was an NDA minister who flew with the terrorists to Kandahar and it was these terrorists who stepped up their ante against India. But that home minister (Advani) is dreaming to become the prime minister. Everyone has the freedom and right to dream. But the dream of the Congress is to see India on road to development.

Election Campaign

The MDMK is said to have three options in the eventuality of AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa remaining firm on her stand. Apart from going it alone, the party is apparently considering an alliance with either the BJP or with Vijayakanth’s DMDK. Political circles were agog with speculation that the MDMK chief, Vaiko, had already established contacts with the BJP though the latter denied it.

Admitting that such a theory was doing the rounds, a BJP spokesperson maintained that the MDMK had not approached the party so far. The AIADMK leadership’s offer of three seats had apparently caused heartburn among the rank and file of the MDMK which was initially demanding seven seats on a par with the PMK but is now willing to settle for five.

AIADMK leaders Panneerselvam and Jayakumar held talks with Vaiko at the latter’s residence on Tuesday but no breakthrough was made. DMDK sources said no party had established contacts with it yet. Though Vijayakanth had already hit the campaign trail declaring that his alliance was only with the people, the possibility of accommodating some parties could be explored if the situation arose. The AIADMK, which aims to play a major role in the formation of the next government, is bargaining hard to limit its seats to the allies.

Deflation not a Threat to India

With inflation fast approaching zero per cent, bankers have sought to allay fears that the country may be in the deflation mode on grounds that the consumer price index was still high and deflation was a statistical phenomenon due to base effect. Deflation happens in the economy if negative inflation sustains over a period of time. Deflation is unlikely to have any major impact on the economy. Negative inflation, if it happens, will occur mainly on account of declining oil prices, easing monetary policy. Many experts say that it is unlikely to stay long.

Inflation, now at 0.27%, is unlikely to stay below zero for more than one-two weeks. This will not have any major impact on demand as the consumer price inflation is still high. It (deflation) is unlikely to remain long and affect the common man. India's inflation started declining to historic lows after the Reserve Bank started to aggressively reduce its policy rates.

Clash Between A Hero And Producer

The problems between Madhavan and Gaurav Sharma, the producer of Avan Aval Athu, are yet to be resolved. The bone of contention between the producer and the actor is over non payment of the promised salary. Maddy was promised Rs 75 lakhs as salary but was given a paltry advance of Rs 15 lakhs by the producer. With 15 days of work to be completed, the producer asked the actor to decrease his salary but Maddy was not willing. Sharma went ahead and released the audio of the film that features Sada, Shamita Shetty.

The movie is directed by Kona Venkat, a former assistant of Ram Gopal Varma. The film, which was earlier titled Leelai, is a remake of the Ram Gopal Varmaproduced film Darling. Post the audio launch, Madhavan demanded a stay on the release of the film. He filed a complaint with the Nadigar Sangam and Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC), stating that the remuneration promised to him was yet to be settled. The producer too has now approached TFPC, which is trying to work out an amicable settlement. Now that Yavarum Nalam has become a super hit, Maddy has become hot property and his Avan Aval Athu, a supernatural thriller has great potential at the box office.

Award Winner

More than the Government of India’s recognition of her distinguished contribution to cinema, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is tickled by husband Abhishek’s acknowledgement of her Padma Shri on Republic Day. When the civilian honours were announced, Bachchan Jr was shooting in Orcha near Jhansi and Aishwarya was in Chennai. And from there, he sent his lovely wife a bouquet of flowers with an affectionately penned note. When she flew into Mumbai on Monday morning, waiting to greet her at the airport were more flowers and many messages.

The actress, who has been active in Chennai with hectic schedules for the films Endhiran and Ravan, was recently also voted as being among the 50 Most Desirable Women in the World. But Ash chooses to wear this crown lightly. Aishwarya said that these polls are enjoyable and bring a smile to my face and I have made no conscious effort to live by or defy preconceived notions about actresses and their life spans, because I have always had a personal connect with the audience.

South Africa on Top

South Africa dislodged Australia from the top of the International Cricket Council’s one-day rankings after winning the last match at Perth by 39 runs. South Africa thus won the five-match series against Australia 4-1. Both South Africa and Australia are on same rating points (125), but the former nosed ahead when points are calculated to decimal. India is on the third spot with 120 points followed by New Zealand and Pakistan.

The Proteas are also closing on Australia’s number one spot in Tests after beating them in the Test series 2-1. They would have a shot at the top spot during the return series at home against Australia. Left-arm fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe sizzled on debut with four wickets for South Africa. Having already lost the series 1-3, Australia had to chase 289 to salvage some pride in the inconsequential tie at the WACA ground. But they found the 24-year-old Tsotsobe too hot to handle as he rocked the Australian top-order with his 4-50 and bowled out the hosts for 249 in 49 overs.

Ill effects of Cellphone

The cell phone is an integral part of life in many nations throughout the world. Everyone seems to have a cell phone from grandmothers to children. It is likely to have an influence over all the age groups. Cellular phone increases the risk of brain cancer or tumor. They can also cause biological damages through heating effects. They cause some symptoms which include headaches, blurring of vision, bad sleep, fatigue, anxiety etc.

Research by scientists indicates that prolonged use of cell phones may cause damage to the brain which leads to brain cancer.Children today can't seem to live without cell phones. This is so pathetic. Many people use cell phones while driving. Not just the sound but the entire concentration will be diverted. The use of cell phones while driving should be outlawed. Through cell phones a type of energy called Radio Frequency is generated which enters our head which may even decrease our heart rate and the electrical impulses produced by the brain gets affected.

A Sure Shot

Not for nothing is producer Kalaipuli Dhanu regarded as a marketing whiz in filmy circles. The press conference to announce the date of his much awaited Kandasamy was an event in itself. All the key members of the Kandasamy team, including Vikram and Shriya, director Susi Ganesan, cinematographer Ekambaram, composer Devi Sri Prasad and lyricist Viveka, turned up at the event to give a sneak peek into the film, which has been in the making for nearly two years.

Talking about his film, Susi Ganesan mentioned that the final scenes with Vikram and Shriya had been completed. He revealed that his producer has lined up a series of promotional ideas for marketing the film, which will begin with a bang on April 14, the date of the audio launch of the film. He promised that the audio launch will be a mega event and will have the Italian dancers performing on stage.

Talking about the film’s music, producer Dhanu said that each one of the songs was in a different genre and complimented composer Devi Sri Prasad for the work he had put into the album. The film also has the distinction of its hero singing all his songs in his own voice. It is almost after fifty years that a hero has sung all his songs for a film, and everyone praised Vikram for doing a great job. If the trailers are any indication, the Kandasamy team has a sure shot winner in their hands.