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Fox History and Entertainment will telecast “Jackie: Beyond the Myth” on April 2 at 10 p.m. She was one of America’s most fascinating first ladies. The film presents an expansive, intimate portrait of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, framed by the times in which she lived and informed by the people who knew her.

It traces Jackie’s extraordinary life, from her seemingly idyllic youth to her days as a beloved first lady to her post-White House marriage and career, and finally to her valiant efforts to promote and preserve America’s cultural heritage.

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The Hindu : VIJAY LOKAPALLY

Former Aussie captain Steve Waugh chats with VIJAY LOKAPALLY on using the game he loves most to raise funds for his charity in India

Photo: Sandeep SaxenaStraight drive Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh is a staunch supporter of traditional cricket but, ironically, relies on the T20 format to launch 6UP, a mobile-based game, to raise funds for his charity. The game is aimed at supporting his charity organisation in Kolkata, Udayan.

Waugh asserts: “With the innovative technology product 6UP, cricket fans will enhance their knowledge of the game. 6UP allows fans to consider all match conditions prior to playing.”

A fan needs to send in a six-ball entry (predicting runs off every ball) to win cash prizes. “The entry, for example 102004, has to be sent from your mobile before the start of an over,” says Waugh. A perfect entry fetches you Rs. one lakh.

“It raises revenue for my charity. A percentage of it goes to my Foundation, and we use it for treatment of neglected people. It is a ground-breaking venture. You can’t fix a game in 6UP. You can’t influence a match in six balls. You can play this game only if you understand cricket.”

Coaching assignment

Having retired from cricket in 2004, Waugh, 44, has been engaged in charity work in India. And, he would not mind a coaching assignment in a country he calls his second home. “No concrete offer has come my way, but I might consider if any comes. Nothing is set in stone as far as my involvement with cricket is concerned,” insists Waugh, who was a proud team member when Australia won the World Cup in 1987 and 1999, the last one under his captaincy.

The affable Waugh, who has had some legendary battles on the cricket field with the best of bowlers, enhanced his reputation as a tough nut in an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with Curtly Ambrose…More

The Hindu :

Forty-seven-year-old Ashok Nath is all set for the Boston Marathon this April

photo (right): K. GopinathanThe untiring athlete Nath believes you must run with your legs and finish with your heart

There are several amateur long distance runners who defy their age and keep going, driven by the sheer passion for running. One such person is Ashok Nath from Bangalore.

At 47, he has an enviable track record in the Veterans category. He manages to take time out for running from his hectic schedule as Chief Operating Officer of Vin Max, a business consulting firm. The job takes up nearly half of his day, but he is able to squeeze in three hours for practice runs and manages to keep himself fitwith workouts. He quips, “As an youngster, I used to play cricket and football. However, over a period of time, I decided to give up contact sports, which is more injury-prone and took up running.”

Talking about his fascination with long distance running, he says, “It is the ultimate test of endurance and mental strength. I am fascinated about challenging myself, and pushing myself to the limits to see how far and how long I can go.” He used to run the Rath or Lipton Marathon in late 90’s and took a break. He came back strongly and began to participate in distance running exercises. He had run across the country and emerged a back-to-back winner in his category in Standard Chartered Mumbai marathon in 2008 and 2009. Ashok Nath is also a member of the Bangalore-based Runners Club, which organises Ultra Marathon, and Bangalore Runners, and participates in long distance meets in the country.

Aiming for the big one

Ashok now plans to take his act to a higher plane, by participating in the Boston Marathon, scheduled to be held on April 19. He is hopeful about success in his maiden international run. He…More

The Hindu :

A ‘rocumentary’ on Indian Ocean is opening tomorrow

They rode and survived all sorts of waves. The music they created was good enough to deafen the sound of a violent sea. Indian Ocean, the baap of all Indian rock bands are now on a new high with a series of releases. A rocumentary titled “Leaving Home”, based on the 19-year-old band is releasing in a couple of days, “Pipli Life”, an Aamir Khan production for which they scored the music will also be release soon and their next album is about to be launched. “The album is an internet release. It is free for all to download. This is slightly against the trend but going against the routine kept the Indian Ocean alive,” says Amit, one of the band members.

The band’s unadulterated focus in their music and their constant efforts in creating newer music helped them survive the time and get international acclaim. Directed by Jaideep Varma, “Leaving Home”, will be India’s first music film. The nationwide release is scheduled for April 2 and the 115-minute movie revolves around the life and music of Indian Ocean. “The movie is a portrait of Indian Ocean’s timeless music. It is India’s greatest music band by a mile. As a friend I had an idea of what they had gone through to operate from their vacuum and fiercely maintain their integrity in these crazily-commercial times. The desire to tell this story, the need to showcase their music and the fortunate circumstances I was in, in 2006, to make a small budget entertainment project, no questions asked, led to this,” says director of “Mixed Doubles”, Jaideep who will also be producing the movie.

When asked if the band members lived up to his expectation as actors, he said, ‘“LH’ is a non fiction film, so there is no other decision to be made. It has to be…More

The Hindu :

Advances in health education and disease prevention are phenomenal. But did you know that seemingly unimportant everyday habits can influence how long and well you’ll live?

Consider this: In the 20th Century, the average life expectancy shot up by 30 years — the greatest gain in 5,000 years of human history.

And this: Centenarians — folks who make it into the triple digits — aren’t such an exclusive club anymore, increasing 51 per cent from 1990 to 2000. How to account for these dramatic leaps?

Advances in health, education, and disease prevention and treatments are high on the list. But what you may not know is that seemingly unimportant everyday habits, or circumstances in your past, can influence how long and how well you’ll live.

Here’s the latest research on longevity — science-based signs you’re on a long-life path, plus tips on how to get on track.

Sign: Your mom had you young

If she was under age 25, you’re twice as likely to live to 100 as someone born to an older mom, according to University of Chicago scientists. They suspect that younger moms’ best eggs go first to fertilisation, thus healthier offspring.

Sign: You’re a tea lover

Both green and black teas contain a concentrated dose of catechins, substances that help blood vessels relax and protect your heart.

In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank five or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying from heart disease and stroke.

Sign: You’d rather walk

“Fit” people — defined as those who walk for about 30 minutes a day — are more likely to live longer than those who walk less, regardless of how much body fat they have, according to a recent study. Similarly, overweight women can improve their heart health by adding just 10 minutes of activity to their daily routine, says recent research.

So take a walk…More

The Hindu :

Rana Dasgupta on Solo that has just been short-listed for this year’s Commonwealth Writers’ Prize

Capturing history The incredible sounds and rhythms of Bulgarian folk music drew the author to the country

The tinkle of the piano leads my footsteps to the door, past a winding flight of narrow stairs. Author Rana Dasgupta, I have just learnt, is also a pianist. He later says he took lessons on the instrument from the age of seven.

Abandoning the piece he’s playing (one of Bach’s “English Suites”), Rana promptly begins to speak about “Solo”, his novel, which has just won the European and South Asian round for the Best Book for this year’s Commonwealth Writers’ Prize. In fact, we don’t talk about the Prize at all, simply because he feels, “There is nothing to talk about yet.” Rana has won one of the regional rounds of the Prize with Pakistani author Daniyal Mueenuddin. Of the regional winners picked from different Commonwealth countries, the Prize will go to one lucky author on April 12.

What it feels like

With the big day a few weeks away, we steer clear questions like ‘So how does it feel?’ The conversation flows towards writing “Solo”, a Harper Collins publication — Rana’s first novel and second book. The young author says, “I was glad when I finished writing it. I wanted to get over with it.” Well, how do we take that! He explains, a soft smile spreading on his face, “I feel stupid saying this but while writing a book, you become a recluse. You don’t know what to tell people about what you are doing; yet you are living in a world filled with the characters you have created — they are real for you.” Rana’s “Solo” is set in Bulgaria and has one principal character, 100-year-old Ulrich. No, he has no personal connection with Bulgaria. Yet, it is not…More

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Spring break Chill out in Goa

The Kenilworth Beach resort and Spa, Goa, has introduced a special spring package. It will be on all April. The spring package encompasses stay and entertainment options.

It offers three nights and four days per couple at Rs.30, 000 for a Super Deluxe room, Rs.24,000 for a standard deluxe room and Rs.21,000 for a garden view room. If you travelling alone, single occupancy rooms cost Rs. 27,000 for a super deluxe room, Rs.19, 500 for standard deluxe room and Rs. 19,000 for a garden view room. Children below the age of 10 could stay without additional cost in their parent’s room. (An extra bed would cost Rs 1,500).

Nestled in the white sands of Utorda Beach, The Kenilworth Beach Resort and Spa, Goa is spread over 14 acres and is located 20 minutes away from Dabolim Airport and 15 minute drive from the Margao Railway Station.

For more information, visit www.kenilworthhotels.com or Call (0832) 6698888

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The Hindu :

Raj Singh Dungarpur leaves an indelible mark

Legend reminisces Some happy memories

Over two decades ago, a 15-year-old was waiting to enter the Cricket Club of India (CCI), until then restricted only to those above 18 years of age. Raj Singh Dungarpur, then the CCI’s chairman, Cricket Committee and later president, waived that rule and allowed the soft-spoken teenager to enter the hallowed precincts of the highly exclusive institution.

The former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), now departed to the Elysian Fields, would have broken out in a smile when that precocious youngster returned to the CCI last week to pay him tribute. Taking time off of the ongoing Indian Premier League III, Sachin Tendulkar unveiled a portrait of the smiling prince, whom he fondly referred to as ‘Rajbhai.’ Bakthiar Dadabhoy, cricket historian, author and close friend, recalled his long association with Dungarpur and fond memories of the man through anecdotes. Present at the Masters Club, formed by BBC’s Test Match Special commentator John Arlott at The Oval to honour Sir Jack Hobbs, which meets each year on the revered English batsman’s birthday on December 16, the scion of the erstwhile princely state of Rajasthan replicated it at the CCI.

He thus formed the Legends Club with just 81 members, chosen strictly by invitation, to fete the three Vs — Vijay Hazare, Vijay Merchant and Vinoo Mankad. The group gets together on the birthdays of each of this triumvirate.

A. JOSEPH ANTONY

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