Hits and Pits

Recession or no recession, Bollywood continued to churn out its fare and also continued to attract newcomers. The year 2008 could be termed as a good year for some debutantes, for most film makers, it was a disaster. Yet, experimental cinema gained importance and some films will be remembered for their script and themes never touched before. A report.

Just before we move into a new year, we need to reflect on what Bollywood churned out in the year, 2008, gone by and what can we expect from the coming year. Expectations were high looking at the number of films produced yet quantity does not necessarily turn into quality. Gone are the days when films would run a silver or a golden jubilee in theatres. In fact, any films which pays for its distribution, marketing and production costs, is considered a hit.

In a FICCI-Frames 2008, a global forum on business aspects of media and entertainment industry in India, predicted sometimes in April that the Indian entertainment industry is poised to grow at an annual rate of 16.7 per cent by 2011, which much faster than Bollywood’s counterparts in Brazil, Russia or China. In of the biggest forums on the business aspects of the entertainment and media industry, as many as 2000 Indian and 500 foregin delegates participated in Mumbai’s Renaissance Hotel. The report also said that "For the BRIC countries as a group, growth will average 9.3 per cent compounded annually. That expansion will be nearly twice the 4.9 per cent projected annual GDP (gross domestic product) increase in the rest of the world."

Prof. Gary Mauser

 Despite being a minority and a person of colour, Barack Obama has managed to reach the pinnacle of success and The White House will soon be his home. Obama’s success makes Canadians ponder if any person of colour will ever live in 24 Sussex Drive. Looking at the political parties in Canada, it sure is a long way off.

 Obama’s election as President apparently has convinced many Canadians that the United States is less racist than Canada. After all, no major political party in Canada has ever nominated a non-white candidate (or “visible minority”, to use the politically correct term). For example, in the current contest for leader of the Liberal Party all three candidates are white guys. Obama is in a class by himself.

By any measure, the election of a person with African ancestry to the highest office in the US marks a major milestone for a country where millions of citizens can trace their ancestry back to slavery. Obama’s election is important even if blacks have already earned considerable success in the US. The trail has already been blazed by black cabinet members (Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice), Supreme Court Judges (Thurgood Marshall and Clarence Thomas), and as well as many members of the US Senate and Congress.

By Editor Dr. Neelam Verma

With an aim of helping new immigrants settle down faster, Services Canada runs a number of programs across the country. While some start life by upgrading themselves in education, others want to make the best use of their skills and experience acquired in their home countries and start new and unique businesses. At a time when the world is talking of recession, new entrepreneurs are making news with their success stories. A report.

Immigration is a world wide phenomenon and is a process continuing for centuries. Reasons behind immigration are as varied - some emigrate merely to be able to live as conditions in their own countries are not stable and their lives are threatened, others move merely for adventure or experiencing a new life but for most it is the search for a better life style, that encourages them to relocate.

Again, immigration experiences are as varied as their background, their education, circumstances, hard work and patience. Studies have shown that social integration may also have a positive as well as a negative effect on the mental health of immigrants, depending on the social circumstances. Canada is a land of immigrants which has seen immigrants from all over the world come and seeks a better life. Some are successful; others merely struggle and live on the edge.

By Editor Dr. Neelam Verma

The gruesome scenes of violence and terror played on not only the Indian media but also the International were akin to live telecast of World Trade Tower when hit by hijacked planes on 9/11. Thankfully on 26/11, there were not as many causalities compared to 9/11. At least, not the targeted 5000!

The bold nature of the Mumbai attacks and the precision, with which it was executed by young boys barely in their late teens, is now becoming a lesson to be learnt by security and police agencies across the world. A secret Australian service police agency reportedly visited the Leopold Café, where the attacks started. The team then went on to visit Taj and other targeted places. Israeli security agencies were also in Mumbai and so was a team from Britain and the US in a bid to understand the new reign of terror by younger minds.