Final Destination 5 Star Talks Psycho Past Leonardo DiCaprio's Gay Predictability kills 'Final Destination 5 Reviews 30 Minutes Final Destination

Predictability kills 'Final Destination 5'

FINAL DESTINATION" — ★1/2 — Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, David Koechner, Courtney B. Vance, Miles Fisher, Tony Todd; R (strong violent/gruesome accidents, and some language); in general release

There was a scene, lo those many (OK, 11) years ago, in the original "Final Destination." One of the characters who inadvertently "cheated death" and ruined "death's grand design" had holed up in a cabin, which then had to be made accident-proof.

Click to enlarge

Doane Gregory

Miles Fisher, left, Emma Bell and Nicholas D'Agosto star in "Final Destination 5."

Sharp objects of every shape and form were noted by the camera as we, the viewers, were made to cringe and anticipate what gruesome things might happen.

Over the succeeding years, the "Destinations" have gotten away from that anticipation, lost track of character, shrugged off performance and given up any thoughts of subtext — young people who figure they're going to live forever suddenly preoccupied with mortality. The films have become elaborate 3-D chain-reaction "accidents" that cause someone — a survivor, a cop — to say "It's CAN'T be a coincidence."

And somebody else will declare, "It ISN'T."

Those "classic" accidents are revisited in the closing credits of "Destination 5," images we remember, characters we don't. It's a slack and soulless but competently executed film of a script with butter-knife-dull dialogue and actors cast because of their "type."

Sam (Nicholas D'Agosto) is the young guy whose premonition causes him, his ex-girlfriend (Emma Bell) and six others to flee a bus before the bridge they're on collapses. He has seen the amazing 3-D-blood-on-the-lens ways they're all going to die — impaled on a sailboat mast or by a stack of re-bar, squished by a falling convertible, drowned in the bus.

But they're not even done mourning their dead colleagues (they were headed for a corporate retreat) when the survivors start dying off. Death diva Tony Todd ("The Candyman") shows up as a coroner who explains that they "shorted death" — and death always counts the till at the end of a disaster.

Two words for you — acupuncture accident. Two more — lethal lasik. The deaths are executed (ahem) with care. It's the colorless performances and predictable conversations that pretty much kill this one.

There's one big anticipation scene — Sam works in a fancy restaurant, and a kitchen is filled with things that can cut, crush, grind, boil or burn you to death.

The elaborate terminal exits drew more script attention than the characters or anything else. Without a moral component to the tale, we're just treated to perfunctory killing effects and stunts and gore, which make fans of the genre dutifully hoot and holler and applaud.

Screenwriter Eric Heisserer and director Steven Quale may be patting themselves on the back for their semi-clever back-engineered ending. It's the 85-minute journey that precedes that "final" destination that counts. This isn't the worst of the bunch, not by far. But my premonition is this won't be the finale this series has screamed out for these past few years.

This decapitation train never seems to reach its destination.

"Final Destination 5" is rated R for strong violent/gruesome accidents, and some language; running time: 85 minutes.

Final Destination 5

Make that sequels about death - teen-oriented exploitation movies in which generic young actors meet their fates in a series of gruesome, occasionally suspenseful scenes. The latest of these, "Final Destination 5," isn't as novel as it hopes to be, but it gets the job done.

More playful than the old "Friday the 13th" and "Halloween" series of hunt-the-kids-down flicks, the "Final Destination" series offered something new. Here, the villain isn't a nasty, mask-wearing man wielding knives; it's fate itself, a sense that the entire physical world is loaded with inevitable death for those who somehow evade the Reaper the first time he comes calling. The camera in "FD5" treats inanimate objects - malfunctioning air conditioners, say - as killers whose mindlessness only makes them more unstoppable.

This series courted fans with elaborate chain-reaction sequences in which minor accidents cause mayhem. Writer Eric Heisserer and director Steven Quale fill their quota of those here, but they only get part of the formula right. While viewers will get plenty of nervous giggles out of watching as burping water-coolers or (yes!) inappropriately ringing cell phones trigger fatal mishaps, the filmmakers don't milk the this-leads-to-that element that made Rube Goldberg famous. Once the initial trigger happens, there's not a lot of fun left in the scene.

Even by this franchise's standards, it's perverse that a pointy, one-centimeter-long screw (standing point-up on a gymnast's balance beam) should provide more tension than anything else here - doubly so because it features in the first death sequence, and the thrills taper off pretty consistently from there.

To their credit, Heisserer and Quale do manage a couple of grisly, postmortem punch lines after viewers think the violence has reached its conclusion. But one or two of the gags are mean-spirited enough to kill the humor.

The script and acting satisfy the genre's requirements by being thoroughly forgettable. After leaving, we will remember only that some of the characters were dating each other, one wanted to be a chef, one was a pudgy, bespectacled guy with an inexplicably active love life, and one looked like a low-rent, heavy-eyebrowed Tom Cruise. Oh - and David Koechner, the braying boor from "Anchorman" and "The Office," was their boss.

Another thing viewers might forget is that the movie was in 3-D, a fact that becomes irrelevant soon after the attention-getting opening titles. If a movie this full of surprise impalement and vicious projectiles can't make 3-D fun, isn't it time to scrap the whole fad?

Final Destination 5 Star Talks Psycho Past, Leonardo DiCaprio's Gay Kiss

New Line Cinema

You may not know Miles Fisher by name, but who could ever forget his Tom CruiseSuperhero Movie? parody in the 2008 film,

A video of the spoof went viral, getting more than 10 million hits on the web. Another viral hit was Fisher's cover of the Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place" while imitating Christian Bale's performance as serial killer Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.

We caught up with the 28-year-old Dallas native the other day to talk about starring in Final Destination 5 (out today), his twisted take on Saved By the Bell and what to expect in his upcoming movie, J. Edgar.

Yes, we asked about Leonardo DiCaprio and Armie Hammer's kissing scenes. As if we wouldn't...

READ: Will Armie Hammer look good in his Lone Ranger chaps?

What can you tell me about your character in Final Destination 5?
He kind of adds a new element into the entire franchise. Peter is a young junior executive at this large paper company and he's a guy who knows exactly what he wants in life and knows how to get it. So when these horrible things happen and all his colleagues and friends die, he kind of tries to make sense of these things. He starts taking matters into his own hands."

Was your American Psycho video influential in getting you the role?
I think it was, to be perfectly honest. I auditioned for the part but I didn't really hear anything back. Then the next thing I know is I have a meeting with the executives from New Line and all they want to do is talk about the American Psycho video. They were quoting it back to me in the office. The next thing I know I got offered the part.

You released a video last month for your own original song, "New Romance." It's genius—a slasher flick spoof of Saved By the Bell.
It's a very happy-go-lucky kind of pop song, but I was like let's take the safe, friendly, family acceptable world of Saved by the Bell and make it a little subversive and throw in a little bit of edge.

READ: Review of Final Destination 5

You were in an a cappella group at Harvard. So why haven't you done a Glee parody yet?
They're competition! Their movie is coming out this weekend, too. [Laughs] So I'll hold off on Glee for the time being.

You went to Harvard at the same time as Mark Zuckerberg. Were you friends?
He left sophomore year, but who I knew very well were the Winklevoss twins. They lived down the hall from me and we played in a band together. Armie Hammer [he played the twins in The Social Network] is also a buddy of mine so I got to introduce the three of them in real life, which was a bit of a trip.

Speaking of Armie, you play an FBI agent in J. Edgar with him and Leonardo DiCaprio. So I have to ask, did you see Leo and Armie kiss?

Reviews: 30 Minutes, Final Destination 5, The Help

Checkout the overall ratings that these movies are receiving from Film critics. In Theaters This Weekend: 30 Minutes or Less, Final Destination 5, Glee: The 3D Concert Movie and The Help.

30 Minutes or Less: Jesse Eisenberg is a pizza delivery guy who is kidnapped by wanna-be criminal masterminds and forced to rob a bank. Rottentomatoes.com Rating: 43% Metacritic.com Rating: 51

Final Destination 5: A group of co-workers narrowly escape a bridge disaster, only to be hunted down by Death itself, coming to collect its due. Rottentomatoes.com Rating: 55% Metacritic.com Rating: 48

Glee: The 3D Concert Movie: A concert documentary following the cast of the hit musical television show on their summer 2011 live tour. Rottentomatoes.com Rating: 63% Metacritic.com Rating: 50

The Help: Emma Stone stars in a drama about three Southern women who strike up an unlikely friendship in 1960s Mississippi. Rottentomatoes.com Rating: 73% Metacritic.com Rating: 62

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Anna Hazare tops rakhi charts in Bihar Natwar Thakkar disagrees with Anna Hazare over fast anna fast now unjustified PC Sold on Anna Hazare cricket

Anna Hazare tops rakhi charts in Bihar

The demand for rakhis with a picture of Anna is high among all, including girls, youth and children.

PATNA: If the sale of rakhis is anything to go by, social activist Anna Hazare should be topping the popularity charts in Bihar - ahead of even cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni!

A day ahead of Raksha Bandhan also known as Rakhi celebration, rakhis sporting the face of the 74-year-old Gandhian or named after him are doing brisk business across the state.

And those dedicated to political heroes like chief minister Nitish Kumar or his rival Lalu Prasad

Clearly, the activist, whose fast unto death for an anti-corruption Lokpal bill in April had fired the imagination of many thousands and who embarks on another hunger strike Aug 16, has touched a chord.

"Rakhis named after Anna are selling briskly," said Guddu Singh, a shopkeeper at the wholesale market in Old Patna city.

He said it was the first preference for people. "Anna has a clear edge over Nitish and Lalu in the rakhi market," he said.

Agreed Surender Kumar, another shopkeeper: "The demand for rakhis with a picture of Anna is high among all, including girls, youth and children."

Till last year, said Mohammed Hashib, Nitish Kumar and Lalu reigned.

"The rakhis are in huge demand. Even those who do not purchase these rakhis want to have a look at them."

Interestingly, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh don't really figure in the rakhi markets.

According to theatre activist Aneesh Ankur, Anna Hazare had become a hero figure amongst the people.

This should be good news for the Gandhian, who has rejected the government version of the Lokpal bill as inadequate and reiterated his decision to sit on an indefinite fast from Aug 16 in New Delhi. are lagging behind.

Anna fast now unjustified: PC

In an apparent hardening of stance on the forthcoming fast of social activist Anna Hazare scheduled to begin on August 16, the government on Friday termed it as “unjustified” as the Bill had already been referred to the parliamentary standing committee for further consultation.

“At this stage an extra parliamentary protest seems unjustified,” Union home minister P. Chidambaram said. He also stated that protesting BJYM workers were not lathicharged by the police on August 9 in the capital.
Mr Hazare has threatened to go on an indefinite fast even as the differences amongst the government and the civil society continue. While the government Bill has kept the office of the Prime Minister, judiciary and the actions of MPs inside the House out of the purview of the proposed Lokpal, the civil society has termed the government Bill as toothless. The team Anna has called for the inclusion of PM, judiciary and MPs under its own Jan Lokpal Bill.
However, the home minister pointed out that Mr Hazare’s team’s earlier fast, when the Lokpal Bill was not in place, was perhaps right but not now when a bill has already been introduced in Parliament and the government has “moved forward” on it. “Everybody has a right to protest and the context and circumstances will decide whether the protest was right or not,” Mr Chidamabram said.
Mr Hazare has threatened to even stop taking water if any attempt was made to forcibly feed him or arrest him during his fast against a stronger anti-corruption Lokpal Bill from August 16.
However, the home minister indicated that the government can intervene in case Mr Hazare’s health is affected. “Certainly, if anyone’s life is in danger, the government has not only a duty but a right to intervene,” he said, but quickly added that the statement was not in context of Mr Hazare but a general one.
He also rejected suggestions that there was a delay in permission to Mr Hazare to hold fast. “The matter rests with the Delhi police commissioner and the government was not tackling or pushing any one,” the minister added.

Natwar Thakkar disagrees with Anna Hazare over fast

Noted Gandhian and social activist Natwar Thakkar today urged Anna Hazare to "seriously reconsider" his decision to go on fast from August 16 on Lokpal issue.

"I feel worried about the news (of Anna's proposed fast) and as a fellow social worker I feel worried about this," Thakkar said in a statement here.

"I consider Anna Hazare as an esteemed friend and a person dedicated to selfless service, but I would like to mention in all humility that I find it difficult to agree with his decision to go on fast and strongly urge him to change his decision," Thakkar said.

Anna's first fast outside New Delhi's Jantar Mantar in April had earned nation-wide support and forced the Centre to agree to form a joint committee to look into the matter, he said.

The main difference however remained that the Prime Minister and members of judiciary were not brought under the purview of the Lokpal.

The bill has been introduced and all parties will give their opinions according to democratic norms, Thakkar said.

"We must see that the democratic institutions are respected and appeal that the draft bill should be allowed to pass through its prescribed course as even after this there will be scope for amendments," the Gandhian said.

"As a humble student of Gandhian thought, I thought he was most careful before resorting to fast and for him it was a last resort. In one of his writings Gandhiji makes a distinction between a fast and a hunger strike," Thakkar, the founder secretary of the Nagaland Gandhi Ashram said.

Sold on Anna Hazare, cricket & job scene

An eight-city TOI-Synovate survey of young Indians shows that while they cherish the many freedoms our country offers, they also have rather clear-cut concerns about what ails it. The survey also throws up several city-level surprises.

For instance, 75% of respondents nationwide agreed that they enjoyed 'enough rights and freedoms in the country today'. In fact 100% of Bangaloreans felt so, while most other cities showed over 60% of respondents agreeing. Except in Mumbai. A shocking 56% of Mubaikars answered 'No' to this question. Answers to subsequent questions perhaps hold the answer to this Mumbai anomaly.

When asked 'Which right/freedom do you enjoy most', 38% nationwide listed 'the right to live and work anywhere in India', with 'free speech' and 'right to vote' garnering 27% and 22% respectively. But the 'right to vote' tops in Delhi (43%), Kolkata (48%) and Jaipur (41%). Only in Mumbai does the 'right to work anywhere' clock a whopping 64%. Seen in conjunction with the results from the next poll question ('Do you think today's India offers great job opportunities?'), it reaffirms young Mumbaikars' distaste for the regional chauvinism preached by a couple of parties there.

When it came to job opportunities, 64% of respondents felt that great potential is to be found in India today, with Chennai the most optimistic of metros (96% agreed) and Mumbai the only city where a majority (63%), again, disagree.

About 61% of young Indians also felt corruption is the biggest threat facing India right now. Most also said they would not pay a bribe, but only just. Bangaloreans, strangely, appear not to mind paying up; 96% said they'd pay a bribe, while 40% and 39% of Chennai and Ahmedabad respondents, respectively, said they'd do so too.

Anna Hazare's Jan Lokpal campaign is supported by 80% of those surveyed. Some 65% of respondents also support life imprisonment for corrupt officials, with most Delhiites (77%) vehemently agreeing on the measure. Only in Chennai and Jaipur did a large chunk (47%) feel the current five-year prison term was enough.

Cricket is what young India is clearly crazy about. India's 2011 World Cup win was seen by the largest chunk (46%) as our greatest achievement in the last decade. Ahmedabad and Chennai are the only cities that buck this trend; 56% of Ahmedabad respondents vote for economic growth as the big gain, while the majority of Chennai youth plump for India's telecom revolution.

But India's love affair with cricket prevails nationwide and clearly spills over into young India's choice of favourite role model: Sachin Tendulkar. Anna Hazare finishes second, while Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan come in at three and four. Rahul Gandhi is a distant fifth. Only Delhi voted for Hazare (40%) over Sachin, while Chennai is the only city where Rahul Gandhi polls second place. But it is Mumbai, yet again, that saves its biggest surprise for this last question. The city's top choice of role model is not its favourite son, Tendulkar, but that good old Indian ethic - family; 20% of Mumbaikars choose their 'parents/father' over Sachin (19%).

STUDENTS & SOLUTIONS
Wanted: Freedom from corruption

Amogh M
IIM, Lucknow

As the largest democracy in the world, India has a lot to be proud of. Unfortunately, clean governance is not one of them. The malaise of corruption is so all-pervasive that businesses have found innovative names under which to record bribes as business expense, "facilitation fee" being just one!

Why have bribes become an inseparable part of Indian life? The current system of governance gives us some answers. The legislature has members who get elected after very expensive campaigns funded by vested interests that get paid back through favourable policies. The executive implements the mandate of the legislature skimming out part of the gains that are to be had, while the judiciary that should place checks and balances is too overloaded to punish anyone despite the mountain of evidence.

The system incentivizes corruption, and people respond to incentives. Corruption pays in the form of financial gains, favorable relations with superiors among others, and these come at very little cost since the likelihood of punishment is minimal and the worst that can happen is some bad press if there is an expose. The tax placed by an individual's conscience only diminishes as corruption increases.

We need to change the incentives - add to the costs through time-bound investigations and punishment and cap the gains by recovering losses incurred by the country from the guilty individual's estate. These changes will not come without resistance, but some things are worth fighting for!

Karandeep Khanna
Ramjas College, Delhi

The common man has come to believe that the success of the battle against corruption hinges on the outcomes in Parliament - the Lokpal bill, for instance. We forget our own duty to uphold and enforce the laws that already exist. The Prevention of Corruption act, 1988 provides for special judges and a five-year jail term. But no, the Lokpal sounds far more exciting; it cannot possibly fail, right?

Corruption is an ethical issue; it is deeply entrenched in our mindset. We have come to accept it as a completely rational system that gets our work done, even though we are entitled to it.. For some of us, it is also a way of boasting about our fabulous "negotiation" skills, flaunting the money in our pockets as though it was small change. This mentality will have to change for any long-term solution to corruption. In the short term, it seems the only way public officials will stop demanding bribes is by creating adequate supply-side shocks. The use of electronic means to transfer funds is a workable idea that eliminates the cost of effort and time as well. This should be coupled with full public access to information, to avoid the secrecy synonymous with Swiss banks.

Avalokita Dutta
Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

The government is peddling a Lokpal bill that is merely a recipe for shielding the corrupt in high places and intimidating anti-corruption activists and whistleblowers. This is not surprising considering the bill has been drafted by the very government whose own ministers stand implicated in various scams! We need an effective movement to ensure this toothless bill is rejected and a genuine anti-corruption legislation is passed by Parliament.

As part of a countrywide youth movement, we believe that democratic citizenship must be rejuvenated. Thousands of activists braved police batons to take part in the protests at Jantar Mantar this week. They came to fight against corruption. To fight for the constitutional vision of this country as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic. And, to save India.

Aditya Gandhi
IIT-Bombay

All the money involved in the recent scams may seem like small change when compared to the crores quietly siphoned off in the name of welfare. Every year, the central government spends over Rs 3 lakh crore on social safety-net schemes. When this money does not reach the intended beneficiaries, it is a failure of governance at the grassroots.

The Unique ID programme, Aadhaar, is a major step in the government's efforts to curb these leakages. With a unique identification for every individual, and financial inclusion through a corresponding no-frills bank account, these losses could be substantially reduced. Similar schemes in Brazil, South Africa and Argentina have shown dramatic results in reducing corruption.

It is also heartening to see civil society raising its voice to demand solutions. Thanks to the role of the media in creating awareness and the efforts of Team Anna, the Lokpal may soon become a reality. The institution will encourage transparency.

In the long run, however, one needs to create a society which equips its people to earn an honest living. For each person to be gainfully employed, education is a must. The UID project and the Lokpal bill are a good start to a much larger project. True salvation lies in uplifting the masses, educating every Indian and ultimately electing responsible governments.

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Saina nehwal Good start Saina crashes out in last eight Chong Wei in semis, Saina Nehwal out 2011

Saina Nehwal's quarterfinal jinx continued but Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa scripted history by becoming India's first-ever women's doubles pair to reach the semifinals of World Badminton Championship at the

Saina Nehwal started her campaign at the World badminton championships with a straight-set demolition of Chloe Magee of Ireland to advance to the pre-quarterfinals of the women's singles here on Wednesday. World No.6 Saina proved to be too good for the

HYDERABAD: Fully fit and confident, Saina Nehwal intends to dish out an aggressive brand of badminton in the prestigious World Championships. The Indian ace, who will be featuring in the Worlds for the third time, expects to reap dividends of the hard

Saina Nehwal stormed into the quarterfinals of the World Badminton Championship after zooming past Pui Yin Yip of Hong Kong in the third round of the women's singles event in London on Thursday.

By Dave Thompson LONDON (Reuters) - Top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia swiftly ended the astonishing run of Guatemala's Kevin Cordon on Friday, dispatching him 21-7 21-13 in 25 minutes in their world championships quarter-final at Wembley Arena. In the women's singles, Commonwealth champion Saina Nehwal lost 21-15 21-10 to third-seeded Chinese Wang Xin. The Indian said: "She played really fast and I lost my confidence." Kevin Cordon had beaten China's fifth seed Chen Long in a big opening round upset, the first victory on his way to a meeting with the world number one. The 24-year-old took a 3-0 lead but it was to be a false dawn and Chong Wei, at the top of his game at this tournament, swept into the semis. Cordon, world-ranked 34, has been training in Spain since March. He told reporters: "Yesterday I played for 71 minutes and it was a very hard game and I was tired after three full matches this week. "But I lost to the best player in the world and he's quite difficult to play against. "Most of the time you know when you've got your best shots in and you think the shuttle is on the ground but with the kind of player he is it does not work like that." Chong Wei, chasing his first world title, will face defending champion Chen Jin in the semis if the Chinese disposes of Denmark's Hans-Kristian Vittinghus later on Friday. The Malaysian said: "It would be a tough match but I beat him at the Asian Games last year

AP India’s Saina Nehwal fell to China’s Wanx Xin in the quarterfinal of the world badminton championships in London on Friday.

Saina Nehwal’s quarterfinal jinx in the World badminton championship continued as the ace Indian shuttler suffered a straight-game defeat against World No. 3 Wang Xin to crash out of the women’s singles here on Friday.

World No. 6 Saina, who had reached the quarterfinals in the last two editions too, had to be content with yet another last-eight finish as she lost 21-15, 21-10 in a one-sided 30-minute match.

The 21-year-old Indian struggled with her strokes and committed too many unforced errors to hand the match to the former World No. 1 at the Wembley Arena.

Starting well, but…

Playing with the breeze in the first game, Saina kept her shuttle up during her serves and took a 4-2 lead, but Xin caught up the Indian before breaking off at 9-9.

Saina faltered with her baseline strokes and also failed to negotiate the sharp shots of the Chinese as Xin registered five straight points to move to 14-9, before holding her fort to grab the first game.

The second game started off with long rallies but Xin soon started attacking as Saina panicked and ended up giving a 4-10 lead to the Chinese.

Even though coach Pullela Gopichand tried to motivate Saina, the gulf could not be bridged as Xin controlled the game while anticipating the shots from the Indian. Saina had lost to Xin thrice before but had defeated the Chinese at the Sudirman Cup in May.

Meanwhile, in men’s singles, World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei ended one fairytale and continued another as he reached the semifinals.

Lee’s 21-7, 21-13 win over Kevin Cordon kept him on course to become the first Malaysian ever to win a world title, but finished the dream of the man from central America.

Jayaram exits

On Thursday, Saina had stormed into the quarterfinals easing past Pui Yin Yip of Hong Kong. Saina toyed with her opponent, conceding just three points in the first game. She was leading 13-5 in the second when the 14th seed retired.

Ajay Jayaram lost a gruelling pre-quarterfinal encounter to sixth-seeded Jin Chen. Chen subdued Ajay 21-18, 12-21, 11-21 in a match that lasted more than an hour.

In mixed doubles, Jwala Gutta and V. Diju couldn’t get past the fifth-seeded English pair of Joachim Fischer Nielsen and Christinna Pedersen in the third round. They lost 9-21, 15-21 in 34 minutes.

Important results (quarterfinals): Men’s singles: 1-Lee Chong Wei (Mas) bt Kevin Cordon (Gua) 21-7, 21-13.

Men’s doubles: 5-Ko Sung Hyun & Yoo Yeon Seong (Kor) bt 4-Koo Kien Keat & Tan Boon Heong (Mas) 21-17, 21-13.

Women’s singles: 3-Wang Xin (Chn) bt 6-Saina Nehwal (Ind) 21-15, 21-10;

Women’s doubles: 5-Tian Qing & Zhao Yunlei (Chn) bt 4-Mizuki Fujii & Reika Kakiiwa (Ina), 21-16, 21-10.

Thursday’s results: Men’s singles: Third round: 6-Chen Jin (Chn) bt Ajay Jayaram (Ind) 18-21, 21-12, 21-11.

Women’s singles: Third round: 6-Saina Nehwal (Ind) bt 14-Pui Yin Yip (Hkg) 21-3, 13-5, retd.; Women’s doubles: Second round: Jwala Gutta & Ashwini Ponnappa bt 2-Wen Hsing Cheng & Yu Chin Chien (Tai) 21-18, 21-18.

Mixed doubles: Third round: 5-Joachim Fischer Nielsen & Christinna Pedersen (Eng) bt 16-V. Diju & Jwala Gutta 21-9, 21-15.

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national anthem of india National Anthem of India Rabindranath Tagore 2011

There are few who don't get a lump in the throatwhen the national anthem is played, especially when it wraps up with the distinctive flourish of 'Jaya He!'. But the irony is that Rabindranath Tagore never intended Jana Gana Mana to be signed off with 'Jaya He!' The bard had actually written four more verses of our moving anthem, which hardly anybody knows about.

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today launched an audio-visual presentation of five verses of Rabindranath Tagore''s poem -- ''Jana Gana Mana'' on the 150th birth anniversary of the poet, who gave India its national anthem.

Though the anthem is set in Bengali, it is comprehensible to almost every Indian because of its strong Sanskrit flavour. While it is well known that the first stanza is a paean to the astonishing geographical diversity of India, the second is a tribute
There are few who aren't moved by our national anthem. It inspires us, ignites a spirit of oneness and leaves us with a lump in the throat. Very few would perhaps know that the bard had written four more stanzas of our moving anthem
The Indian National anthem originally composed in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly as the National Anthem of India on 24 January 1950. It was first Sung on 27 December 1911 at
Now, for the first time in the nation's history, these four verses, set to music and produced by Saregama, will be presented to the nation by The Times of India. At a special launch ceremony this evening, two days before the nation celebrates its Independence Day, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will release 'Jaya He!' a unique, limited edition rendition of these verses.

Thirty-nine of India's best loved voices from across the country - from Hindustani classical masters like Girija Devi and Shiv Kumar Sharma to Carnatic wizards like Nithyashree Mahadevan and M Balamuralikrishna, from playback singers like Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik to folk singers like Lopamudra Mitra and Lakhkhandas Paul - will be singing small strands from these riveting verses. Over the next few days, the four stanzas will also be unveiled at the 9pm News Hour on Times Now.

Though the anthem is set in Bengali, it is comprehensible to almost every Indian because of its strong Sanskrit flavour. While it is well known that the first stanza is a paean to the astonishing geographical diversity of India, the second is a tribute to its multiple communities and the remaining, a salutation to India's undying spirit.

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BlackBerry Bold 9900 reviews from around the web First Unboxings of Retail BlackBerry Bold 9900 Start Appearing us.blackberry.com Bold 9900 and 9930

Is Research in Motion ready for transition?

A new report is claiming that Research in Motion is planning to launch a new breed of BlackBerry device next year.

A new BlackBerry rumor was posted by Boy Genius Report citing “sources” that the Canada-based smartphone maker Research in Motion is now testing a new BlackBerry phone, only this time, will be sprinkled by the QNX’s technology.

According to the article, Research in Motion is still on its intention to maintain the company’s good smartphone battery life public image, and wants its new devices to stay the same — and the report has concluded that the QNX-based BlackBerry phone named “Colt” will still sport a good battery life because the company’s early tests are using single-core processor only.

So apparently, no dual-core processor upgrade yet for the BlackBerry smartphone line, only if this new rumor is legit of course. However, there’s another detail about this phone that is worth mentioning. BGR’s post added that the business sector that are planning to use the “Colt” for their workers to harness the BES or BlackBerry Enterprise Servers will meet the word “disappoint.”

The site explains that the Canadian company is already working on the QNX-based BlackBerry Enterprise Server, but the “Colt” will not launch with it. Instead, they’re suggesting the enterprise sector to use Microsoft’s ActiveSync that the QNX BB phone will support out of the box. It is worth noting that Research in Motion will integrate Microsoft’s Bing Search and Maps in the new BlackBerry operating system as new defaults. BingBerry?

The rumored “BlackBerry Colt” with the promising QNX-based build for smartphones is scheduled to arrive in 2012, and BGR ended the post by saying that the “Software Verification” team of the Canadian-based phone company is already testing the device, and the release date will depend on the duration of the internal tests.

Research in Motion is expected to re-enter the growing smartphone market with the company’s new smartphones including their “thinnest” ever phone installment, the BlackBerry Bold Touch 9900 GSM, and the CDMA 9930. Verizon Wireless and Sprint are expected to sell the 9930 while T-Mobile and AT&T are for the 9900.

Can RIM record a little rebound? Well, maybe because the 9900 is so sexy, and QNX is very promising. You can read the whole “BlackBerry Colt” story HERE.

More notes to understand the article: Research in Motion acquired QNX Software Unit from Harman International last year. The purchase is related to RIM’s goal of enhancing “the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems.” According to multiple data presented by research firms, RIM is one of the victims of the popularity of Android and IOS devices.

The thinnest BlackBerry
smartphone yet

With an elegantly brushed stainless steel frame, sculpted surfaces and advanced composite backing, the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900/9930 smartphones are as lightweight and durable as they are feature-packed.

Superior performance

Telus undercuts Rogers, Bell with new BlackBerry pricing

Fast and powerful

Faster loading, faster scrolling, faster zooming. It's the fastest BlackBerry experience to date. The premium BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 smartphones feature the most powerful engine ever in a BlackBerry smartphone.

Boldly go anywhere

Move from home to the coffee shop to the airport and to the office without missing a beat while connecting to Wi-Fi® hotspots wherever they're available.

BlackBerry 7 OS

Breakthrough technologies

BlackBerry® 7 is the next generation BlackBerry OS, packed with powerful new features and innovative apps. Augmented reality introduces exciting new ways to interact with the world around you, and with Near Field Communication1 (NFC) built-in, you can connect with other NFC-enabled devices and smart tags.

A balancing act

When you're done with work, turn your attention to the weekend - your BlackBerry Bold smartphone switches gears right with you. With BlackBerry® Balance™ technology, your work life and private life never mix—letting you use your BlackBerry smartphone for whatever life throws at you.

FEATURED APPS

• 

  Wikitude

  Wikitude

  Browse the world around you with an innovative and informative augmented reality platform.
• foursquare
  foursquare

  Check in to your destination, and send your whereabouts to your social networks. Keep track of hot spots and not-so-hot spots.
• Poynt
  Poynt

  This finder is a keeper. Find nearby restaurants, movies, weather and even the cheapest gas prices.

Capture life in HD

Inspiring, special and funny moments happen on the fly. Capture it all with 720p HD video recording and an impressive
5 MP camera.

Works the way you do

You're a natural-born multitasker, and so is your BlackBerry® smartphone. Whatever you're busy doing, all of your messages, updates and notifications keep coming through. Easily bounce from one thing to another—all at once.

Get to know your smartphone

Getting started

Get the most out of your BlackBerry Bold smartphone, beginning with a simple setup.

How To Demo

BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930

Apps you'll love

Transform your BlackBerry experience with smartphone apps that connect you, keep you
in-the-know and entertain.

Explore BlackBerry App World

Accessories

• BlackBerry®
  Pocket
• BlackBerry® Charging Pod Bundle
• BlackBerry® Travel Charger Bundle

See all BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930 Accessories

Now that the BlackBerry Bold 9900 is beginning to go on sale in RIM’s home turf of Canada, we’re starting to see what the retail version of the phone with the box and accompanying accessories will look like. It looks like the phone went on sale a day early at some RogersCrackBerry
went out and picked up not just one, but four, BlackBerry Bold 9900 and unboxed one of his units and compared it to the older BlackBerry Bold 9000, of which the 9900′s design is based upon, as well as the last generation BlackBerry 9780/9700 series. wireless store, and for the few lucky Canadians who were able to pick up the new RIM flagship phone early, early unboxing pictures and videos are now starting to appear online. Kevin, the editor at

You can check out Kevin’s BlackBerry Bold 9900 unboxing below:

Though Kevin hasn’t fully written about his opinion, it seems that he likes the phone a lot. Multiple people who have had a chance to have some hands-on time with the device had noted that it is the best BlackBerry device on the market, complete with the well-loved keyboard experience along with a touchscreen, fast processor, and HD camera recording capabilities.

In the meantime, the Bold 9900 is imminent in the U.S., though no carrier has officially announced pricing nor availability. Both AT&T and Sprint have confirmed the 9900 and 9930T-Mobile may launch their version by the end of this month with a rebate. variant respectively, but neither have offered us a launch date. Prior leaks suggest that

(Credit: Research in Motion)

(CBS) - It's the "thinnest" BlackBerry ever at 10.5 mm in depth. Canada's Research in Motion (RIM) launched the BlackBerry Bold 9900 - equipped with the anticipated BlackBerry 7 operating system - in India and it's supposed to be handed over to those who pre-ordered it in the U.K. today.

Should you get one of RIM's new BlackBerrys?

Armed with HD video recording, the next generation browser and advanced sensors, this smartphone is powered by the latest BlackBerry software and hardware, making it faster and smoother than the other mobile devices in its family.

I don't actually have one in my possession - nor do I plan to purchase one when it's made available to all U.S. consumers on August 31. Come fall, I'll be sailing in the iPhone 5 pond - hopefully, if the rumors are true that it'll arrive in October.

Complete coverage of Apple on Tech Talk

Even still, I feel it's our duty to let you know what's there to love (or not love) about the BlackBerry Bold 9900 - you know, in case you decide to play in the new BlackBerry pool. Here's what other gadget reviewers found...

It's top-of-the-line and lives up to the brand

"At first glance, the Bold 9900 reminded me of the old Bold 9000. But mere resemblance apart, everything else is vastly different... So, when you put together the looks, the specs, the performance and the price, you have a delectable combination," says Ivor Soans at First Post. "Yes, there are niggles like the dated camera, but when compared with the whole package, they're not so important... The Bold 9900 is the top-of-the-line BlackBerry and overall, it lives up to the iconic Bold brand."

It's the best BlackBerry ever, but it's still a BlackBerry

"With an improved and enhanced operating system that is speedier than any previous version, this could be the total package you're looking for in a smartphone," says Jonathan S. Geller at BGR. "Unfortunately, it's still a BlackBerry, and outside of the core areas where a BlackBerry still offers a competitive advantage like email, for instance, I don't see a reason to pick this smartphone over an iPhone 4 or one of the latest Android handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S II or Google's Nexus S."

It could be the best BlackBerry ever, but it'll cost you

"The design is better than we have seen out of RIM in a long time and almost makes you forget that this was the same company that brought us the Touch and Flip," says David Stellmack at Fudzilla. "We suspect that once it is in wide release it will become the standard for many corporate IT shops, and the replacement BlackBerry that BlackBerry users will want... We are hearing, however, that you can expect to pay a little more than you expect for it, at least right out the gate

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www.oasis.rkcl.in DOIT Informatics Assistant Vacancy apply online form Apply Online Application Department of Information Technology Rajasthan

APPLY ONLINE

Much before the era when IT became a buzzword in 1987, the State Government established a Directorate of Computers, headed by an officer from the Indian Administrative Services cadre, with objectives ranging from formulating the policies & creating awareness to provide technical consultancy to the State Government Departments for computerization. A separate cadre comprising computer professionals System Analysts, Analyst-cum-Programmers, Programmers, Computer Operators and Data Entry Operators was specially created to implement computerization projects.

Thereafter in the year 1992, the Department was renamed as Department of Information Technology. In the year 2001, the Department was rechristened as Department of Information Technology & Communication. The mandate of the department, now, is as under :

1. Act as a Nodal Agency for computerization in Rajasthan.
2. Formulate Policy and guiding principles regarding computerization and monitor their implementation.
3. Develop new areas for computerization.
4. Create awareness, promote and propagate use of computers and modern office equipments in Government Departments and Organizations. Arrange and co-ordinate for this purpose Refresher Courses / Seminars / Workshops / Trainings. Publish important literature and manuals and distribute them.
5. Co-ordinate between State Government, Semi-Government and Government of India agencies concerned with computerization.
6. Co-ordinate computerization projects taken up in the State Government agencies.
7. Provide technical advice to State agencies for preparation of feasibility report.
8. Provide technical advice for selection, procurement, installation and implementation of customized and standard hardware and application software.
9. Recruitment and cadre management of computer professionals under the control of the department.
10. Co-ordinate development of standards and Codes for data collection, compilation and dissemination.
11. Take up other jobs as may be appropriate in the interest of computerization in the State.
12. All establishment matters relating to officers and staff under the administrative control of the Computer Department other than the matters allotted to the Departments of personnel, General Administration and Finance Department.

Published Advertisements

Advertisement for recruitment of "Informatics Assistant" published in Rajasthan Patrika & Dainik Bhaskar dated 18th June 2011.

Detailed advertisement published in "Rajasthan Rojgar Sandesh" dated 01st July 2011

Department of Information Technology & Communication invites applications from interested and eligible candidates for the direct recruitment on the post of “Informatics Assistant”.

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