ACP Narsima Sherkhane, Mr. Sujit Jain, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan & Mr Aadesh Shrivastava

“Aadesh is a musical genius, working with him is always a pleasure. With the natural disaster in Haiti and terrorist attacks world wide, this is the least we can do to support this cause” – Wyclef Jean

Paying tribute to the victims of terror attacks across the world, celebrated music composer Aadesh Shrivastava launched a music album titled Sound Of Peace on the third anniversary of 26/11 at Cinemax in Andheri, Mumbai.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Narsima Sherkhane of Maharashtra Police Force was handed over a cheque amounting to Rupees Ten Lakhs for the profound courage and unconditional commitment extended by the police force during the 26/11.

Some of the eminent personalities who came together to patronize this concept and commence the journey towards perpetual peace and harmony, included actor Amitabh Bachchan, classical music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan and Sujit Jain of Netsurf Entertainment.

Avitesh Shrivastava, Aadesh Shrivastava, Vijaya Shrivastava and Anivesh Shrivastava

Sound Of Peace is a music album with ten songs that pay homage to people who lost their lives fighting terrorism and protecting the nation. It features innovative compositions by international artists like Amitabh Bachchan, Akon, Ustad Rashid Khan, Wyclef Jean, Shaan, Roopkumar Rathod, Pamela Lajoie, Vijayta and even the London Philharmonic Orchestra amongst others. The album also features Avinesh and Avitesh, sons of Aadesh Shrivastava.

Said Aadesh, “Terrorism is very emotional for me. I lost two very dear friends in the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. Killing people anywhere in the world is not right. The language I know fluently is music. Therefore, Sound of Peace is to propagate World Peace.”

Sujit Jain, Amitabh Bachchan and Aadesh Shrivastava

Said Chhamak Chhalo singer, Akon, in a press statement, “Aadesh is a brother to me. I stand by him to support any cause. When I heard this song in L.A, I did not have any second thoughts. Jaago, peace for all!”

To spread the message of peace, a live musical concert, conceptualized by Netsurf Entertainment will be held in January 2012 in Mumbai with performances by musical maestros from across the world. Funds raised from the concert will be allocated for the families of those policemen who have suffered at the hands of terrorism.

The Taj Mahal Hotel under attack in 2008

So where were you, on this day, three years ago, when the news of Mumbai’s worst terror attacks, broke? MissMalini spent a frightening night next door to the Trident as she documented in her blog the next day…

For me, it was the day after my best-friend’s birthday and since I didn’t meet him on the 25th November itself, we had planned to meet for dinner in Bandra on the 26th November night.

I remember it was late evening and we did meet in Bandra when we suddenly decided to head to Versova to another friend’s restaurant for dinner.

As we headed from Bandra to Versova, we were stopped at least three times enroute by police blockades and were made to get off as they searched the car. At that time, we had no clue of what had happened in far away Colaba. And the police would not tell us either. So instead of being scared, we were actually irritated with them.

It was only when we reached our friend’s restaurant did we see the news on the television.

By then, our parents had called and ordered us back home. But since my friend lived in Chembur, in the Eastern Suburbs of Bombay, he was advised to stay over at my place till the situation eased off.

The whole night we sat glued to the television with the same horrid images being repeated in a loop over and over again. We were all numb with shock and disbelief.

Till date, we thank our stars that we were safe that night. But each time we go to a public place (like a hotel, mall, cinema), there is a vague sense of uneasiness and fear in the back of our minds.

And I’m sure the rest of India feels the same as well.

Today, on the third anniversary of that horrible attack on our Nation, we at MissMalini share a few moments with the rest of India and pray silently for those innocent people who lost their lives. We especially pray for the police and soldiers – the martyrs – who fought so valiantly to kill the terrorists.

And we pray that India will soon get justice!

Poonam Sinha was the Guest Of Honour

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and like every year, The Taj Mahal Palace hosted a grand evening with snazzy cocktails and delish canapés in support of the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.

The event which was jointly hosted by Women’s Cancer Initiative – Tata Memorial Hospital, The Estée Lauder Companies in association with ELLE magazine was a huge success.

Estée Lauder Companies launched a Global Landmarks Illumination Initiative in the year 2000 and since then, hundreds of the world’s most splendid and well-known landmarks have been illuminated with pink lights every October to raise awareness and inspire action.

This year, too, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, was illuminated as part of this global initiative. Poonam Sinha was the Guest of Honour and she addressed the august gathering about her younger sister’s battle against the Big C and how she had pledged to dedicate her life to spread awareness about the disease. She also released hundreds of Pink Ribbon balloons into the sky as a symbolic gesture.

There were several distinguished guests that pledged generous amounts in support of the campaign against Breast Cancer which women can fight with early detection.

Reena & Ashok Wadhwa

Taj Mahal Palace has always topped my list of magnificent historical monuments in Mumbai and it looked breathtaking when it was illuminated in pink. It was also great to hear that The Taj will be illuminated all of this week in support of this wonderful cause.

Devieka Bhojwani played the gracious host (she’s a breast cancer survivor herself) as she warmly greeted everyone, made sure they had a blast and even shared with me her own courageous battle against Breast Cancer.

I particularly enjoyed my conversation with the lovely Nisha JamVwal who expressed concern about the great disparity that exists in the treatment of fatal diseases in our country. She feels that even the underprivileged should have better medical facilities and easier access to treatment for such maladies.

I had the most amazing conversation with Lisa Haydon and she shared with us how someone really close to her was battling against Cancer. So, she was very passionate about the cause. She told me that she hearts MissMalini *aaww* We love her too! I had a rather interesting conversation with Poonam Sinha who shared her experiences of spreading Breast Cancer Awareness in remote parts of Bihar when her husband Shatrughan Sinha was the Health Minister.

Breast Cancer is a life threatening disease which has become awfully rampant especially in metros in India. So, it is important for women especially over the age of 40 to ensure they do a self examination every month and also speak to their friends and family about it without hesitation.

The Pink Tower at Taj represented The Pink Ribbon which is the universal symbol of breast health and our strong resolve to fight against the disease. So wear a Pink Ribbon this October, wear Pink to work (like we did) and don’t forget to spread the word!

Spotted: Gauri Poohumal, Divya Palat & Aditya Hitkari, Monica Vaziralli, Sabira Merchant, Mallavika Sanghvi and Poorna Jaganathan.

Mallavika Sanghvi

Cutting the Pink Ribbon

Wear The Pink Ribbon To Support Breast Cancer Awareness!

Anna Hazare is now on Twitter

@annahazaresays

Anna Hazare: “I will be addressing problems faced by people at every step of life and will voice my thoughts through this blog created by the people appointed by me. Interactive communication on this blog will start very soon. You can share your queries, problems thoughts and emotions with me. You can have access to my official line of thought on this blog.”

He might be fashionably petite; he might have set a few fashion trends; and his clothes are the whitest we have seen since “Lalitaji” first started peddling a detergent powder! Now, Anna Hazare will soon be “trending” online as well.

@annahazaresays

The respected Gandhian has got himself a Twitter account (@annahazaresays) and has about 4500 followers so far. He is even blogging on his own WordPress blog: annahazaresays.wordpress.com Even the Twitterati are already following him with much interest.

@iKabirBedi

The banner on his blog says “Long Live Revolution!!!” and the text is in English, Hindi and Marathi. He writes, “The need of the hour is to continue with the non-violent revolution. It will be through this blog that in future, I will convey what has to be done henceforth the steps that we need to take and the direction this revolution will head towards.”

annahazaresays.wordpress.com

Let’s hope our friends in Bollywood, fashion and entertainment also “follow” him and help spread the word of this amazing man by retweeting him as much as they retweet their own successes.

Ram Gopal Varma | Photo Courtesy : bollywood world

Here’s a guy who has left no stone unturned in his endeavor to lose friends and alienate people. Ram Gopal Varma is at it again. After he got carried away in his appreciation for Amitabh Bachchan and used the choicest expletives, everyone was rather infuriated with the man. But now, he has decided that he wants to stay in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Maria Susairaj

Ramu has announced his plans to cast Maria Susairaj, one of the main suspects in the Neeraj Grover murder case in his new movie. Wow, controversy much?! 

Ritesh Deshmukh | Photo Courtesy: bsn live

After the media condemned his visit to the 26/11 site with Ritesh Deshmukh, Ramu should really rethink his plans of getting involved in criminal cases of this nature. Also, I wish he would make directing a priority for once. (That might help win back some of the love.)

Celebrities on Twitter

I woke up this morning to a few frantic mass messages on Twitter and my Blackberry Messenger claiming that Osama Bin Laden has been killed. Out of curiosity (and hopeful) I turned on my TV and it turns out its all true! Obviously this is fabulous news and a superb feather in the cap of U.S. President Barack Obama but it would be naive of us to believe that the terror threat in our lives is over, far from it I fear. The chills of the night I spent at close quarters to terror on 26/11 remain fresh in my memory despite the developments today but for now we celebrate the victory of good over evil and the demise of a mass murdered after a 10 year long man hunt. Also, new respect for Obama and his sombre, level-headed and non jingoistic address, you’re the man, yes we can!
P.S. Check out what Mumbai’s glitterati are Twittering on the topic, and um just a smidgen of friendly advice – Minissha Lamba think before you tweet!

Mallika Sherawat and Barack Obama

Meanwhile, oblivious of course Mallika Sherawat continues to blaze on in her relentless PR escapade. She’s posing with the president now wtf?!

Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Zayed and Mallika Khan

There was quite a celebrity turn-out for Dr. Batra’s 5th Positive Health Awards 2010 held at N.C.P.A., Mumbai. Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai felicitated the awardees at a glittering ceremony attended by over 1,000 invitees. These Awards are India’s first health honours instituted by Dr Batra’s, to recognise those who have displayed outstanding courage in the fight against disease and disability. The jury comprised of Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Anu Aga, Vivek Oberoi, R. Balki, Rajiv Bajaj and Dr. Mukesh Batra who selected seven winners from over hundred of nominations – Dr. Dyandeo Chopade, Kritika Purohit, Anita Guruprasad, Sushmeeta Bubna, Suresh Chalke, Dhriti Pandit and Sabira Khan who exemplify what it takes to transform humans into heroes.
Spotted: Malaika & Zayed Khan, Raell Padamsee, Ambica Shukla, Ananya Banerjee, Pradeep Dhoot, Farzana Contractor, Rashmi Uday Singh, Ushma & Akshay Batra.

Dolly Thakore

Ananya Banerjee

Raell Padamsee

Rashmi Uday Singh

Dr. Mukesh Batra with Ambika Pillai

Dr. Ushma Batra and Dr. Akshay Batra with their son

Dr. Ushma Batra with Farzana Contractor and a friend

All the awardees at Dr. Batra's Positive Health Awards 2010

Rajiv Bajaj and Dr. Ushma Batra

Dhriti Pandit

Sabira Khan

Sushmeeta Bubna

Candlelight Vigil on Saturday November 29th, 2008 at Carter Road Promenade

I remember writing this blog the day after it happened and looking back now I must sadly admit that the entire episode has slowly whittled down to an “I-was-there-too” anecdote that I tell now and again. Pausing appropriately for reactions to the irony that smoking saved my life when I reveal that the ban on smoking prevented me from being inside the Trident lobby where I was scheduled to meet a friend at exactly the same time that the terrorists unleashed their wrath (gunfire, which I at first mistook to be a fireworks prank). When in fact that night could have changed my life forever, just as it ended so many others’.  I don’t mean to be macabre about it, but the truth is that while I went through the motions of “moving on” and being immensely grateful to be alive (and unharmed), I spent many months picturing different scenarios in my head where things could have ended very brutally for me. I imagined being in the lobby of the Trident, smoking a cigarette and day-dreaming, as the terrorists entered and sprayed the room with gunfire. I imagined tearful goodbyes to loved ones over the phone as my battery died. I imagined the lives that would be irrevocably damaged by just one death… and then, amidst all this horrible narcissism, I realized how many people this had actually happened to — without warning, undeserved and irreversible.

I remember writing the next day, “I don’t think I will ever be able to erase the memory of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel dome engulfed in flames or the agonizingly young and bitter face of an AK47 wielding terrorist. Even now, the chilling realization that I remain unharmed while so many lives were erased in an instant humbles me.”

How did we get here? And how easily we move on. The fact that we have a poster boy for the madness only makes it worse because when I look at this kid I don’t see a monster even though I know he is one. Just one of countless others being created at a horrific pace.

As I write this, my mind goes back two years in time to 5 am the next morning, when, full of trepidation and fear, we finally made our way home. Dawn brought us an eerie sense of calm as oblivious joggers made their daily trek up Marine Drive while the battle raged on less than a kilometer away. I don’t know if this qualifies as insensitive or resilient, but I do know this: in times of crisis, when we need it most, a motley crew of Mumbaikers will always pull out all the stops and show you the love.

I’m not sure how to feel about today and the fact that it marks the anniversary of that terrible night, but I do feel it is important to take a moment to remember the people who countered the hatred with love. Soldiers who came to the rescue and stayed up day and night until the terrorists were defeated. Unbelievably brave staff at both the Taj and the Trident Oberoi, who put the safety of others before their own. Every worried phone call or text message that was made or sent by someone out of love and concern. (It still stands out in my memory that my boyfriend who was in the US at the time was on the phone with me every ten minutes to see if I was ok and spent the night commenting on my old Facebook pictures, while friends and family stayed up all night on the phone with me till I made it home in the morning…)

Today’s reality is that we don’t know when terror will strike next, we only know that it will. So let’s try to remember the things that matter most and respect the people that love us because the only upside to situations like this is that we realize who they are and how much they care.

To my special people, thank you for loving me, you saved my life.

*Pavan Chawla over at radioandmusic.com asked me to share my thoughts on 26/11 as we commemorate all those that lost their lives that day. You can read the piece with his intro here and listen to my live updates for the BBC world service that night here. Thanks Pavan for asking me to do this and reminding me to cherish the wonderful people in my life. xoxo

Rahul Khanna (photo courtesy @R_Khanna)

John Travolta's GQ Award (photo courtesy: @R_Khanna)

Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra

Last year I remember being pretty psyched about my proximity to Bollywood royalty at this event, this time I was busy soaking up sunshine poolside at the Udaivilas in Udaipur (blog coming soon) so I couldn’t attend GQs glam night at the Grand Hyatt on Sunday evening, but that’s never stopped me from scoring you some pictures has it? :) I’m sure those who attended drooled amply over Rahul Khanna, Aamir Khan, John Travolta and Arjun Rampal on my behalf. Ok, so I have to ask, are Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor attending gigs together because they have a movie coming out or movie karte karte pyaar ho gaya? I’m just saying!
Psst! Rahul Khanna (now one of my favorite peeps, on and off Twitter) tweeted these picture post the show. Lol. Too cute na? Follow him now @R_Khanna. Wanna know who the winners are?

Abhay Deol

Nandita Mahtani and Dino Morea

Rahul Khanna

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan

Aamir Khan

John Travolta

Kabir Bedi

Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jessia

Naseruddin Shah

Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Karan Johar

Spotted: John Travolta, Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar, Arjun Rampal, Mehr Jessia, Abhay Deol, Lisa Hayden, Naseeruddin Shah, Adi & Parmeshwar Godrej, Anurag Kashyap and Alex Kuruvilla.
P.S. The post party continued till the wee hours of the morning with everyone bopping to the tunes of DJ Juankidd and his signature (trumpet tunes) at China House.

GQ India Men of the Year 2010 Winners

John Travolta and Aamir Khan

John Travolta and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

GQ Legend award – John Travolta
Writer of the year – Rana Dasgupta
Designer of the year – Ashish Soni
Excellence award – Rohan Bopanna
Global India – Nikesh Arora
Most Stylish Man award – Arjun Rampal
Artist of the year – Subodh Gupta
Ultimate GQ Man award – Abhishek Bachchan
Businessman of the year – Adi Godrej
Excellence award – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Sportsman of the year – Arjun Atwal
Lifetime Achievement award – Naseeruddin Shah
Producer of the year – Karan Johar
Woman of the year – Priyanka Chopra
TV personality of the year – Arnab Goswani
Actor of the year (presented by Chivas) – Ranbir Kapoor
Agent of Social Change award – Narayana Murthy
Cinematic icon award – Aamir Khan

@R_Khanna on Twitter

See what I mean about Rahul Khanna being a total sweetheart? *sigh*
P.S. More pix on my Facebook page!

On November 26th 2009 this year it became quite evident that Mumbai has not forgotten the enormous tragedy of 26/11. Across the city there were peace marches, white candles burning in silent testament to the grief of friends and family left behind, concerts for peace & change and the reopening of Nariman (Chabad) House, Mumbai where much of the disaster took place.

Shashi Thadani, Kunal Avaanti, Sunny Sara (Directors of Orion Entertainment), Rabbi Shimon, Rosenberg (Rivky's father) Rabbi Nachman Holtzberg (Gabriel’s father) Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky, Lubavitch World Headquarters Rabbi Motti Seligson (New York) and Eliran Russo (Israel)

People from a variety of faiths gathered on the streets outside where the old walls were masked in white and a stage was erected close to the building. The building itself was lit up beautifully and 180 candles (to mark the number of victims) were seen lit at its base in memory of the ones we lost. The service included Foreign Minister Shashi Tharoor, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, the Ambassador of Israel Mark Sofer and Deputy Chief Minister Chaggan Bhugbal voicing their sentiments about the tragic events that occurred in that very location exactly one year ago. Amongst other attendees were Dr. Subha Raul, Mayor of Mumbai and friends and family of the victims.

26/11: Woh 59 Ghante

The day also witnessed the launch of a book titled “26/11: Woh 59 Ghante” by Jitendra Dixit (a senior editor of STAR News & Mumbai bureau chief) was released by Commissioner of Mumbai Police D. Sivanandhan, Crime Branch Chief Rakesh Maria & Smitha Salaskar (widow of encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar) at Wilson College, Mumbai. Principal Dr. V. J. Sirwaiya hosted the function & executive editor of Dopahar Ka Saamana newspaper Prem Shukla was guest of honour.

In his book, Jitendra Dixit has documented his 59-hours experience of the terrorist attack on Mumbai by ten Pakistani terrorists. He went to all the three major locations while covering the attack along with his team members. This book is not based on any documents, chargesheet or confessional statements but on the writers’ own experiences, feelings & thoughts while covering Mumbai terror attacks last year. Incidentally, the Marathi version of book released by Spl Public Prosecutor Ujjwal “Operation Black Tornadao: Ek Jeevghena Pravas” has turned out to be a best seller. Blog: jitendradiary.blogspot.com

Why Wilson?
That’s where (just outside) the lone Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab was captured alive. Police officer Tukaram Ombale had lost his life and several other police officers were injured in the gun-battle.