Cracker makers to cash in on current & trendy

This was a trendy and timely story I got, exactly after one month of the twin tower attack in 2001, in which terrorist used planes loaded with innocent people ramming them onto the twin towers, to raze it to dust. The cracker industry in Tamil Nadu raked in all kind of images on the covers to ensure that their product hits with a big bang. And sell they did but on the images of a sordid happening to mankind by some forces which keeps denying the authority of freedom to live for all humanity.

Like every year, for this Diwali too cracker manufactures have put up various motifs- current and catchy – on their product covers to woo customers.
So expect the images of 9/11 terrorist strikes and the crumbling twin towers as well as cracker bombs going by names like ‘4 Bangs’ to symbolize the four attacks in the US.
And that’s not all. Names from even Hollywood films seem to have caught the imagination of the cracker makers this year. Titles of such Hollywood block busters as ‘Anaconda’ (after the giant South American snake) and ‘Jungle Book’ for tiny-tots are also to be found on the color schemes of some cracker covers.
However, the pride of place must surely go to such Bollywood hits such as ‘Suryavanshi’, ‘Tridev’ and ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’ that have had their names modified in some cases. Then, there’s a scary angle as well with Khooni-Raat covers.
The cola wars also get a mention in a bid to up the cracker sales. The catchy one-liner “Yeh Dil Maange More” appears on some cracker wrappers, apparently to catch them young. Paan could well be a down market, but the ‘Paan Bomb’ may not be targeting just that customer segment.
Faces of doe-eyed and raven-haired Bollywood beauties like Kajol have been liberally used on cracker covers earlier as well. They retain their place this time too.
Since the Sivakasi connection dominates the cracker industry, Tamil starlet Roja appears on some sparkler packets. Other faces are of youth icons like Sharukh Khan, Salman Khan and Amir Khan.
The cracker makers of the sulphur city of Sivakasi have tried their best to make a strong sales pitch using everything that is current and happening. Some sharp acumen appears to have gone into selecting the titles, stars and starlets for the North Indian region.
Down South, the same set of covers have dusky South Indian heroines and macho action heroes enticing the buyers.

Redskins Shake for Red Royal Challengers of Bangalore

The first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw some of the cheerleaders from USA in various city's in the country cheering for their team and also ensuring that the cricket crazy fans of the country got a look at what all cheer leading is all about. The Vijay Mallya owned Royal Challengers of Bangalore roped in the NFL Redskins from the Washington to dance and cheer the red from toe to head team through out the month long cricket gala.
The Redskins came a swiped away the crowd and also their cricket team. At the end of the month long event the owner of the team Vijay Mallya was left red faced from his red team’s performance ending up as the second best team from the bottom. It was all red every where and that’s why in all probability VM as he is known in Bangalore circles choose to bring down another US Varsity cheer leading team the ‘White Mischief’ this time around in the ongoing second edition of the IPL. But with three games gone for the men in red have managed to win only one so far, looks like VM will have to look for another team in the third edition too.
Anyway that is far fetched as of now. Take a back seat to have a close look at some of the pictures taken by me of the redskins during the first edition of the IPL in Bangalore.

BACK GROUND OF REDSKINS

First Ladies of Football
From the Redskinettes to the First Ladies of Football, the Redskins Cheerleaders are the longest running cheerleading team in the NFL. Founded in 1962, and originally named the Redskinettes, this team has brought worldwide recognition to the Washington, D.C. area, the Redskins football team, and the NFL.

The Redskins Cheerleaders team for the Bangalore Royal Challengers pose exclusively for the Mumbai Mirror and the Bangalore Mirror editions.

Partnered with the largest and most prominent Alumni Association among cheer leading teams--in 2008 over 1,000 strong--the women who have cheered and continued to support the Redskins have also helped raise millions since the team’s inception and support more charities and community events every year.
In the most powerful city in the world, the most popular professional sports team is only a part of FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are growing across the country and around the world. They are lighting up the airwaves and the media with new routines, uniforms, attitudes and have raised the bar of excellence for every other NFL cheer leading squad.

The Redskins Cheerleaders team for the Bangalore Royal Challengers along with their Director and Choreographer pose exclusively for the Mumbai Mirror and the Bangalore Mirror editions.

Adorned in burgundy and gold, flanking the field on every side and executing routines that would make even the fastest football player gasp for air, these ladies strive for one thing--to make a difference.

The Legacy
The Washington Redskins Cheerleaders are the oldest active cheer leading organization in the NFL. On September 30, 1962, 30 talented and beautiful women made their debut as the Redskinettes. As they marched down the field in their Native American costumes to join the band, they stepped into history and the tradition began. In their 45-year history, these ladies have become the most talented, innovative and personable in the NFL.

The Redskins practice at the Chinnaswamy stadium grounds the home to the Bangalore Royal Challengers. These cheerleaders spend hours training and stretching so that they stay in shape and perform at their best at any given point of time.

In the early 1980s, the Redskins Cheerleaders toured China to promote American-made products; toured Turkey, Italy, Sicily, Spain and France as part of the USO; filmed TV commercials for Sassoon and Barbara Ellen; were featured on the David Letterman’s Top 10 list and won the ESPN celebrity pool tournament. They have been featured in National magazines such as Newsweek, FHM, Ebony, Black Hair Magazine, Salon One, Cosmopolitan, Maxim and Sports Illustrated; performed with Country Grammy award winner Gretchen Wilson, Latin sensation Ricky Martin, Larry King, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, the Pointer Sisters and Nancy Reagan; and filmed two E! Channel specials, are the stars of Comcast SportsNet show “Beauties on the Beach”, Are the Champions from the battle of the NFL Cheerleaders at the 2007 Super Bowl and were featured on the NFL Networks Cheerleader Challenge. Men’s Journal called the 2007 squad the Best in the NFL and Michael Strahan wrote in his book that the Redskins Cheerleaders are the Hottest in the NFL.

The Redskins perform for the Bangalore Royal Challenger fans before the start of the match between the Rajastan Royals who eventually became the IPL inaugural winners.

Who is interested in the match: The Bangalore Royal Challenger fans taking a close look at the Redskins performing even as Cricket takes a back seat. At the end of the nights match the fans went home with red cheeked and goose pimples on their face after watching the redskins performing with their eyes wide opened without an wink for more than 5 hours.
With their international appeal and stardom on the rise, the First Ladies of Football have transformed into the NFL cheerleaders of the millennium by breaking new ground with their sleek new style and amazing talents. From the simple, yet very visible redesign of the uniform, to the rejuvenated commitment to charity and community, these ladies have established themselves as the premier squad in the NFL.

THE INDIVIDUALS OF REDSKINS

Jenny sports the Redskins ring and is also one of the key members of the Redskins Cheerleaders team. Jenny is a mother of two children and fell in love with India during her month long stay.

Klohver one of the key members of the Redskins Cheerleaders team for the Bangalore Royal Challengers. She is a lawyer by profession.

Barbra (left) and Sooin (right) are key members of the Redskins Cheerleaders team for the Bangalore Royal Challengers. They are the main ones according to their team leader who make the best moves.

IF FANS CAN HAVE FUN I TOO CAN FROM A CLOSER RANGE: Rajastan Royals Player Shane Watson looks at the Redskins cheerleaders perform to the cheering crowd at the inaugural DLF - IPL match between the Bangalore Royal Challengers at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Saturday 26th April 2008.

Is the 'Cold War' Over?

Is the cold war over? Well for anyone with a little bit of access to media briefings at the recently concluded Aero India 2009 Show, could get to see the 20 year old famous 'Cold War' tactics being used by USA and Russia to get the 450,000 corers rupees or 1000 billion dollar contract for 125 medium sized fighter jets which the Indian Union plans on ordering to upgrade it's Air Force strength and capability to strike with precision and speed. In these times of recession, the USA which has started to face the heat and Russia which is facing a slide down on their economy for more than a decade, this offer looks like a boon from the bolt.

Lockheed Martin which owns the F-16 Super Viper jets were holding an media briefing soon after their competitor Mikoyan the owners of MIG 35 had held one at the same venue in the media center. One of the Russian journalist stayed back while the rest of them walked out along with the Russian Ambassador to India along with the top brass of the MIG 35 company. As the other Indian media were settling into their chairs two of the top brass of the Lockheed Martin officials were seen arguing with Olga Pospelova of the Russian Aviation magazine and demanding that she leave the hall as her ID card issued did not match the one of the other media persons present in the hall.Though she pleaded that this was the card she was issued by the organizing authorities which fell on deaf ears and later she was escorted out with an bouncer on her tail.

Through these moments I kept framing the sequence of her being shouted at and later escorted out. As a journalist I quickly thought that what happened to the freeze on the 'Cold War' between the two countries. Well money they say can buy anything and now it is time for the cold war between the USA and Russia to fall prey to it.


The Lockheed Martin owned F-16 Super Viper (left) burns smoke over the Bangalore skies as Mikoyan owned MIG-35 (right) speeds past an flag at the Aero India Show 2009 at Yelanka Air Force base on 12th February, 2009.



Who says the cold war is over, it has started to heat up again with this multi billion dollar pending order for 125 fighter jets by the Indian government. The cold war was at it's warmest at the Aero India Show 2009. An sequence of the Russian Aviation Magazine representative Olga Pospelova being first asked by the representatives of the Lockheed Martin to kindly leave, and later escorted away to the door during an media briefing by the US defense company at the Yelanka Air force base in Bangalore on Friday, 13th February, 2009.

Jodh's Climb in Life

This photo story was part of my final project at The University of Missouri-USA during my Reuters Foundation Willy Vicoy Fellowship in 1997. When I was hunting for an Indian Restaurant to taste the delicious Indian dishes, during my fellowship in Columbia Town, in Missouri State, I met upon this 58 year old Punjabi lady who was running a chain of Restaurants named ‘India’s Rasoi’.
Then it so happened that I invited the Director of the PJ School Mr. Bill Kuykendall and his wife over for supper at this Indian Restaurant which he had not visited earlier.
During our supper Mr. Bill Kuykendall came up with an Idea for me and asked me to make this Indian lady as my Photo Story Project, and also asked me to speak to her for her consent which was duly agreed upon and in the following frames you will get to see my six months of work compressed in 14 visual frames.
For this 58 year old Mrs. Jodh Kaur, a Punjabi lady running one of the largest chains of Indian Restaurants (India’s Rasoi) in the USA is just another halt for her, in her long but fruitful journey from the small middle class living in Calcutta to a huge Palatial Mansion with more than 10 cars for her choice to travel in from her house to her work place.
Jodh had started her first restaurant in Columbia Town in 1987 with 25 dollars as a bank balance which she had earned by preparing and selling home made pickles to the Indian Community in USA.
And now Jodh has a bank balance of 85,000 dollars and keeps climbing every year.
Jodh shifted to the USA after her Husband passed away and her younger brother who was settled in the USA forced her to shift there along with her three daughters and one 10 year old son in 1977.
After nearly 10 years of struggle she came up with the idea of setting up Indian restaurants around the USA for the large and ever growing Indian community. Though she can afford to have a laid back life she prefers to stay put at the restaurant during the day time to ensure that the cooks and the waiters are neatly dressed and the day’s menu displayed well.

Jodh Kaur has a sense of belonging with her co workers at the 8 chain of restaurants spread in four states across USA, that if there is no call from her than the chef’s and the managers start to press the panic button. This she say’s is due to the extra care she takes with the food her restaurants serve the customers, and adds that there is a common menu in all our chain of restaurants every single day.

Jodh loves her workouts which she goes to on alternate days, the keeper of this workout joint says that this “Indian Aunty” is the kindest person he has ever met so far and adds she is the only regular person for the past 10 years.

As far as getting herself done up it is very minimal as Jodh says that “I hate all the facial colors and keep myself away them”. Though, she loves to apply lip sticks and a few gold ornaments.

Jodh after reaching her Restaurant in Columbia Town has a word with the Chief Chef Md.Abdullah Nadir for the day’s menu and adds that it is this Chef who keeps my chain of restaurants on the hunt for Indian food.

After noting down the menu her next important thing is to call up all the chefs in her other chain of restaurants to inform them about the day’s menu and also to note down the income of the previous day. Jodh says that she trusts the managers and they do all the cash handling.

Jodh is the first person to reach her restaurant and does the cleaning of the entrance glass herself as she says that this habit of hers has been their right from the beginning of her first restaurant and adds that “self help is the best help” and that is why she has kept the self service system in all her restaurants.

Jodh Prepares the South Indian dishes herself after her South Indian Cook fell ill. She says that working for her in the kitchen is like what a mother does for her children and adds that restaurant or no restaurant she loves to cook.

Jodh does not like to differentiate herself from her Co-workers, and adds if any businessman starts to think in that manner he or she will from that day start their downfall. The workers of Indian’s Rasoi are given a monthly salary along with a house and of course food during their jobs.

Jodh is loved by all in her huge chain of family and this she says is because she did not trouble them during her struggle in life and adds that her foreign born niece ( Anna Kaur – Above) loves her the most and has on many occasions made her come to her school and college functions as her guardian.

Jodh admires her American Sister-in –Law (Elizabeth Singh – seated left). Jodh says that it was her encouragement she gave me when I was new in the USA that what I am today and adds she keeps advising me every now and then which I heed too.

But for Jodh her first love is for her only son (Harinder Singh) for whom she has built this huge chain of restaurants and adds that he will remain as a new born child for me as long as I live to see him.

Jodh loves to travel and this she does every quarterly of the year. She clubs her travel when ever niece and nephews have their vacations and takes them to locales which they have not visited the previous trip and loves be like a new born child herself amidst them.
Jodh says that she will remain as she is today and adds that only this respect for other humans has fetched me all this success and adds that at every difficult moment of her life she has remembered her husband.

Thanks to the effort of Mrs. Jodh that we still remain religious who keeps our family together said all most all the family members I spoke to. After Jodh shifted to the USA we learned a lot of family values and religious sentiments from her they said.

Jodh herself loves to read the ‘Guru Granth’ every night before going to bed and adds that reading your religious book every night helps one to keep their thoughts pure and clean.

As for 32 year old Harinder Singh (the only hire to these chains of restaurants) it is time for fun life getting chilled along with his class mates on a glass of beer.

And after 10 long years of hard and relentless work she owns 8 restaurants spread over there states in the USA and has plans to open another three by the end of 2004.
For Mrs. Jodh Kaur this climb in life has been a long but fruitful one.