Victims Recall Mumbai Terror Attacks

An Indian woman walked past a wall pock-marked with bullet holes opposite the now deserted Nariman House-cultural and religious centre of the ultra orthodox Jewish Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Mumbai. --PHOTO: AFP

As we near the one year anniversary of the Mumbai Attacks on November 26, 2008, victims recall the horror. Link to article in Straits Times.

Facebook Choice of Name

A random post but interesting choice of name. 

Facebook just sent me an email to share their enhanced advertising opportunities. I couldn't help but notice the name of the person that "liked" the example advertisement, above. "Priya Gupta" and not Jon or Jane Doe. Looks like some Desi developers got their way? 

Since when does Artisan cheese come in a Bento Box?

It reminded me of an old post about Sur Name T-shirts

   

Mumbai-based Kimaya to New York City

Mumbai's, Kimaya, Fashion House is to plant some seeds in NYC. While places are shuttering their doors, Kimaya is seizing the opportunity.

Kimaya currently has locations in Delhi, Dubai and Mumbai.


From Mumbai to Madison Avenue! (New York Post - November 17, 2009)

Except for a few stubborn locations where landlords continue to ask for the moon, Madison's vacant storefronts are filling up one after another. 

The latest retail deal brings something new to the prime shopping stretch north of 57th Street -- not another Italian, French or British name, but one from India. 

Kimaya, that nation's leading fashion house, has just inked for 4,500 square feet on two floors at 717 Madison Ave. between 63rd and 64th streets. 

The asking rent was said to be $2 million a year, although Prudential Douglas Elliman's retail leasing chief, Faith Hope Consolo, who brokered the deal, declined to confirm that figure.

Mumbai-based Kimaya sells couture fashion, eveningwear, bridal wear, jewelry and accessories by lead ing designers from India, Pakistan, Malaysia and South Africa, as well as its own pri vate label. It will take over the ground- and sec ond-floor spaces formerly occupied by E. Braun and Jo seph Martin. 

"Kimaya is poised to be one of the most exciting new entries on the New York fashion scene because it is absolutely unique," Consolo said. steve.cuozzo@nypost.com

Send a Smile Campaign - "Blue Peter"

Listening to the BBC's, Asian Network, I came across an excellent campaign to collect unwanted t-shirts to be used as hospital gowns for children.

Operation Smile and the BBC have teamed up to form, the "Send A Smile" campaign, which aims to help and provide life-changing operations for hundreds of children with cleft lips and palates in India.

Here is the response from the folks at Blue Peter in regards to participation, outside of the UK (edit November 17, 2009).

If you would like to help with our appeal and want to send in gowns from outside the UK, this is the address they should be sent to:

Kate McKeand
Operation Smile UK
4th Floor, Horatio House
77 Fulham Palace Road
London
W6 8JA

(not freepost unfortunately)

If you would like more information about our Send A Smile appeal please
click on this link
.
Best wishes from all of us at Blue Peter.

Here is a link for gown making instructions.

Unload those unwanted t-shirts for something significant.

High School Musical gets down to Bollywood

I have not seen the movie, "High School Musical" but this is a pretty good editing job. The film editor almost seamlessly added the Bollywood lyrics of "Doom Taana" from  the movie, "Om Shanti Om".

Here is the excerpt from the YouTube post, which sums it up:

High School Musical meets Bollywood. A BREN EDIT

It's really interesting that HSM is shot exactly like a Bollywood Movie. Guy meets girl, guy sings with girl, guy has inner conflict, guy loses girl... and last but not least, Guy wins girl back!

Here is the original, "Item Number", where  Deepika Padukon and Shahruk Khan dance their hearts out.

Some of you may remember the Newark Airport debacle with Shahruk Khan?

President Obama's Diwali Message

President Obama had recognized the Hindu in his Inaugural Address and now acknowledges one of the biggest Hindu holidays.

Here are some great photos and videos from the SAJA Forum who covered the 2009 Diwali Celebrations in the White House.

I have been reading some interesting posts on Facebook regarding the celebrations:

J.F. - Happy Diwali Actually there have been White House Diwali celebrations for the past 6 years - the George W Bush administration began the tradition in 2002...


J.F. - And according to Rediff, the Obama Diwali was something of an afterthought that came about after a lot of community pressure: Rediff Article

S.S. - The ceremony marked the first-time that Diwali was observed in The White House itself. The Bush Administration traditionally celebrated Diwali in the Indian Treaty Room in the Old Executive Office Building, next to the main White House. And, yes, that's a different kind of Indian.

Thank you Mister President and Sal Mubarak to you and your family, even if you were pressured into doing this for the South Asian Community.

HAPPY DIWALI + NEW YEAR 2066

Happy Diwali and New Year to everyone!

In a selfless act, I am going to offer you spam now, buy the best Desi (Indian) inspired t-shirt on the planet. We know we would make a hot Diwali present for the cool people in your life.

Even if you don't buy a t-shirt, we still hope that you have a great Diwali and a fantastic New Year.

Thank you,

Chor Bazaar Team.