Quintessential Amar Chitra Katha Classics and Games now available on Vodafone

By Flynn Remedios – FUTURISTIC MEDIA NETWORK


If you have cherished dog-eared copies of the quintessential Amar Chitra Katha classics like Hanuman, Rani of Jhansi, Krishna, Shivaji Maharaj, Tales of Arjuna and many others as a child, there is good news for you.

Most of the Amar Chitra Katha classics are now available in electronic form and can be accessed and downloaded via leading cellular provider Vodafone Essar on their pan-India network spread over 22 circles covering almost 98 per cent of the Indian mobile user base.

One can not only access and read the comics, but also download games, wallpapers, animated GIF files and a multitude of other specially purposed content exclusively on the Vodafone Network. The collection will eventually be extended to cover the entire gamut of the Amar Chitra Katha library of content including Supandi and Tinkle.

Speaking to the media at the launch in Mumbai, Vodafone Marketing and New Business Director Harit Nagpal said, "Vodafone subscribers can now listen to folk stories, read entire Amar Chitra Katha comics, download ring tones and wallpapers, take quizzes and play games based on the stories." Vodafone Essar in India is a subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc and has operations in 22 circles with over 63.34-million subscribers. Vodafone is delighted to recreate the experience on the mobile-screen and take it beyond to the interactive level for our customers, he added.

Also present at the event was ACK Media CEO, Samir Patil and Anant Pai (popularly known as Uncle Pai), Editor Emeritus, Amar Chitra Katha.


A visibly moved Anant Pai, always energetic and animated like his characters - though he is touching a grand 80 years of age - said that the traditional comics in their original print format had to move to new media like the internet and Mobile Internet.

Commending Samir Patil and Vodafone for their endeavor to differentiate themselves by the variety of content, Uncle Pai waxed eloquent on the intrinsic values promoted by the classics, albeit in a very simple and easy to read comics format.

Adding to Pai’s statements, Nagpal opined that Vodafone always strived to provide value to their customers. “We are doing it continuously to increase our revenues and ARPU," he said explaining that "With a fast growing 350-million plus subscriber base, cell phones have as big a reach as broadcast TV."


Uncle Pai who launched the fist title Krishna in 1970 (the product was conceptualized in 1967) bridled with exuberance as he recited shlokas and verses in Sanskrit from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.



ACK Media CEO, Samir Patil, while explaining the move said that, “For content owners like us, it is critical to create entirely new offerings that are tailored to the interactive potential of the online medium,"


This association with Amar Chitra Katha will allow Vodafone customers to enjoy a host of services. The services will be available to Vodafone customers through a voice portal and through Vodafone Live!

Through the Voice Portal, Vodafone subscribers can listen to folk stories from The Karadi Tales, audio dramas from Charkha and musical tales from Under the Banyan Tree. Vodafone customers can also choose to listen to the poetry delivered by the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, take quizzes and chuckle over jokes from Tinkle.

Vodafone LIVE! will provide customers with an opportunity to read entire Amar Chitra Katha comics, listen to popular stories, and download ringtones and wallpapers of their favourite characters on their cellphones. In addition, Vodafone customers can play mobile games like Shikari Shambhu Jungle Trouble and Bheema-The Asura Temple from a selection based on various Amar Chitra Katha characters such as Arjun and Bheema as well as those based on popular Tinkle characters like Suppandi and Shikari Shambhu.

Vodafone customers need to dial 567607 from their mobile phone to enter the world of Amar Chitra Katha at a subscription charge of Rs 30/month. While Vodafone Live provides access to a lot of free content, Vodafone customers can also download various services at charges varying from Rs 5 for Videos to Rs 15 for ring tones and Rs 50 for Games.

Elaborating on the nostalgic potential of the Amar Chitra Katha classics, Nagpal said, ”We all understand the influence of Amar Chitra Katha characters in our lives. We are delighted to recreate a similar experience on a mobile phone and take it beyond to the interactive level for the benefit of our customers.”

Tollywood singer-actress Shanaaya is the latest sensation in Bollywood

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

MOVE OVER ASIN... TOLLYWOOD SINGER-ACTRESS SHANAAYA IS SET TO TAKE BOLLYWOOD BY STORM

Singer-actress Shanaaya last seen in the television reality show Aaja Mahi Vay on Star Plus is the latest sensation in Bollywood who has caught the fancy of most producers and production houses.

The eighteen-year-old sexy teenager is inundated with offers for music videos and films and has also signed a couple of big projects, but will not breathe a word about them. “Please ask my Media Manager Flynn Remedios about the projects I have signed or am doing,” she says, adding that her contracts forbid her from speaking to the Media.

The 18-year-old girl chirpy, vivacious teenager who originally hails from Hyderabad, ‘but has been living all her life in aamchi Mumbai’ says she likes singing as much as acting and will ‘sing’ three out of the eight tracks in her album. She is also doing two big-banner Tollywood films.

Shanaaya, an excellent dancer herself was earlier assisting choreographer Shabinaa Khan - of Aashiq Banaya Aapne fame and who has choreographed umpteen films and music albums till date including RGV’s Naach, Mein Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Bhoot to name a few - before she was discovered by Talent and Celeb Management Agency Bollywood Brands.

Singer-actress Shanaaya becomes size-zero for her debut album “Sneh”

SHANAAYA - BEFORE AND AFTER

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

Singer-actress Shanaaya last seen in the television reality show Aaja Mahi Vay on Star Plus has become ‘size-zero’ for her debut album and latest music video both titled ‘Sneh’.

This is not all. Shanaaya who was earlier known as Sneha is undergoing a makeover – engineered for her by Bollywood Artiste and Celeb Management Agency Bollywood Brands. “She has lost nearly 8 kilos over the last two months and now qualifies for a size-zero,” says her publicist Flynn Remedios.

“I had put on a few kilos and wanted to look really slim, trim and prim for my debut album, so I went on a special diet for a few weeks,” says Shanaaya, adding that she doesn’t understand the hype associated with size zero.

The 18-year-old girl who originally hails from Hyderabad, ‘but has been living all her life in aamchi Mumbai’ says she likes singing as much as acting and will ‘sing’ three out of the eight tracks in her album.

Unfortunately for the chirpy, vivacious teenager, her video promo print photo shoot was recently interrupted by the Goregaon (in suburban Mumbai) police who wanted to book the photographer and the young actress for allegedly shooting late into the wee hours of the night without prior permission. Shanaaya defended herself and the photographer saying that they were not shooting outdoors and one need not take police permission to shoot in a closed indoor photo studio.

Shanaaya, an excellent dancer herself, was earlier assisting choreographer Shabinaa Khan - of Aashiq Banaya Aapne fame who has choreographed umpteen films and music albums till date including RGV’s Naach, Mein Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Bhoot to name a few - before she sashayed into Bollywood.

POLICE PLAY SPOIL SPORT AT SINGER-ACTRESS SHANAAYA's VIDEO SHOOT

By Frank Franklyn – Futuristic Media Network

Eighteen-year-old singer-actress Shanaaya’s photoshoot was interrupted by the Goregaon (in suburban Mumbai) police who wanted to book the photographer and the young actress for allegedly shooting late into the wee hours of the night without prior permission.

Shanaaya - whose real name is Sneha - was last seen in the Television Reality Show Aaja Mahi Vay on Star Plus. She also featured in music videos and on a couple of television serials. She is now a known south film actress. Currently, besides working on her music video, she is also doing a big banner Telugu movie. She is exclusively managed by Mumbai-based Artiste and Celeb management and publicity firm Bollywood Brands.

Shanaaya who was visibly disturbed by the police intervention and interruption said, “We were doing a print promo shoot for my forthcoming music video - titled Sneh - at a studio in Goregaon. Since the concept of the shoot demanded a dark ambience we were shooting at night. However, the entire shoot was indoors and there was no music or any sort of disturbance to anyone. We were shooting some stills for the promotional outdoor activity.”

However, a patrolling police party interrupted the shoot and demanded that the photographer shut shop. According to the police the high-intensity camera flash could disturb the neighbours. When the photographer refused to be cowed down, the beat marshals threatened to confiscate his equipment. Fortunately, the matter was sorted out and the shoot proceeded unhindered.

Said Flynn Remedios, Shanaaya’s Publicist and Business Manager, “The incident disturbed the young actress who was perturbed that the police intervened when there was no need. The entire shoot was in a studio indoors. The studio is located on the main road and the vehicular headlights are stronger the camera flash. There is no need for police permission for any indoor activity that does not involve music. Thankfully, a senior police official who intervened was co-operative and permitted us to go on with our work.”

Shanaaya, an excellent dancer herself, was earlier assisting choreographer Shabinaa Khan of Aashiq Banaya Aapne fame who has choreographed umpteen films and music albums till date including RGV’s Naach, Mein Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Bhoot to name a few.

Shradha Sharma, Mallika Sherawat and Adnan Sami to spice up Country Club

Shradha Sharma, Mallika Sherawat and Adnan Sami have been recently roped in to hype the on-going party at Country Club. The three are expected to perform at different venues this month. According to sources the event was supposed to be part of V-Day celebrations but was later changed to a different date to avoid any confrontation with the moral brigade.

While Shradha and Mallika will do stage performances Adnan will pour his heart out through song. Shradha's performance will include 20 dancers and comprises of four special acts said a source associated with the event. Both Adnan Sami and Mallika were unavailable for comment or to confirm their participation, but sources mentioned that Mallika may be performing at Dubai.

Shradha however, confirmed that she would set the house on fire with her sensual acts.

"PRESCRIPTION FOR PHYSICAL EXERCISE IS AS CRUCIAL AS PRESCRIPTION FOR ANY OTHER MEDICATION"


By Flynn Remedios – Futuristic Media Network

With the young and old alike making a beeline for gymnasiums, health-clubs and alternate means of rehabilitation and relaxation, the role of physiotherapists and physical therapists has increased manifold.

Speaking on the sidelines of the WCPT-AWP & IAP Congress 2009 scheduled to be held from 22nd to 25th January’09 at the Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai, Prof D H Dastoor -eminent physical therapist and Organising Secretary of the Event opined that many gyms that have sprouted in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Kolkatta are ill-equipped to cater to the needs of most of their clients. “Prescription for physical exercise is as crucial as prescription for any other medication,” she opined, adding that if one was told to do 25 pushups and had to do say 50 if would be the same as over-dosing on any other restricted medication. “Physical exercise when prescribed as a means of rehabilitation or as a cure for certain joint pains or spinal problems is as crucial as medication for any life-threatening ailments and should not be misused or taken lightly,” she advised.

Experts from 23 member countries of the Asia West Pacific (AWP) region of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) are expected to come together to share their experience, techniques and scientific knowledge in Clinical and Research areas in the field of Physical Therapy and to deliberate on professional issues at the symposiums, debates, workshops and panel discussions that are all part of the WCPT-AWP and IAP Congress. The Congress will also focus on Lifestyle-related diseases which are rampant not only in metros in India, but also in smaller towns.

Elaborating further on this issue, Dr Dastoor said, “Many gyms have trainers who may be good at supervising basic physical training, but they are not trained physios.” Physical Trainers cannot double up as physical therapists and give advice or counsel clients with respect to body aches, joint pains, or musclo-skeletal problems. Sadly many of them do so, Dr Dastoor lamented.

Given the growing problem of Lifestyle-related diseases that now plague about 70 to 80 per cent of the working population in a metro, thanks to the bad condition of roads, overcrowded public transport, odd-working hours, added commuting time due to residential locales shifting out of the city or away from commercial hubs many people tend to rush to gyms and health clubs. Coming down heavily on certain fly-by-night operators who lure the populace with flashy advertisements featuring male and female models with toned, chiseled bodies, Dr Dastoor said that one should be very careful before enrolling for a fitness program. “It is imperative to check the academic and experience credentials of the “expert” dishing out advice in health clubs and gymnasiums as some of them could be Rehabilitation Therapists or even mere Physical Trainers claiming to be experts in Physiotherapy.

Besides Indian experts like Dr Ali Irani – President of the IAP (and former Physiotherapist of the Indian Cricket Team), Dr D H Dastoor – Organising Secretary, Dr Savita Ravindra, chairperson - AWP Region, other international experts at the WCPT-AWP and IAP Congress will include Dr Margot Skinner, Dr Marilyn Moffat – President WCPT, Dr Michael Shacklock, Dr Sara Meeks and Dr Cathy Hazzard, besides many others.

This is the 4th Asia-West Pacific (AWP) Regional Conference of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) conducted with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists. This significant and path-breaking four-day event will be inaugurated by WCPT President Dr Marilyn Moffat, an eminent expert herself in the field of physical therapy. Many other leading luminaries from the realm of physiotherapy will be present and will conduct workshops and make presentations during this event, said Dr Dastoor.

WCPT-AWP & IAP International Physical Therapy Congress to give a major boost to physiotherapy in India

By Flynn Remedios in Mumbai

The WCPT-AWP & IAP Congress 2009 scheduled to be held from 22nd to 25th January’09 at the Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai, will give a major boost to physiotherapy practice in India, says Prof D H Dastoor, organizing secretary of the event. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, she said, “This international event will bring together experts from 23 member countries of the Asia West Pacific (AWP) region of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) on a common platform who will interact with their Indian counterparts for about six days and share their invaluable knowledge with them, giving a major fillip to this particular branch of medical practice in India.”

With the growing incidence of Lifestyle-related diseases in Metros and even in smaller towns in India – thanks to long working hours, incorrect diet, bad road and commuting conditions, performance anxiety both at the workplace and at home and the peer pressure to keep up with the neighbourhood in terms of standard of living, the practice of physiotherapy and the need for well-trained and experienced physios or PTs has become the need of the hour.

While the main event is from 22nd to 25th, there are two days of pre and post event workshops, which will include practical demonstration of technique and latest stage-of-the-art equipment by international experts. A Trade Exhibition open to members of the medical fraternity by invitation only will showcase the latest gadgetry and apparatus, says Dr Dastoor.

Besides Indian experts like Dr Ali Irani – President of the IAP (and former Physiotherapist of the Indian Cricket Team), Dr D H Dastoor – Organising Secretary, Dr Savita Ravindra, chairperson - AWP Region, other international experts will include Dr Margot Skinner, Dr Marilyn Moffat – President WCPT, Dr Michael Shacklock, Dr Sara Meeks and Dr Cathy Hazzard, besides many others.

This is the 4th Asia-West Pacific (AWP) Regional Conference of the World Confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) conducted with the Indian Association of Physiotherapists. This significant and path-breaking four-day event will be inaugurated by WCPT President Dr Marilyn Moffat, an eminent expert herself in the field of physical therapy. Many other leading luminaries from the realm of physiotherapy will be present and will conduct workshops and make presentations during this event, said Dr Dastoor.

About a thousand national and international experts and delegates from the Asia West Pacific region as well as from the United States of America will attend this Congress. Another thousand-plus Indian medical and physiotherapy students are expected to participate in the lectures and workshops – and will get a unique opportunity to interact with the best brains in the world on this subject.