Vishwaroopam screening on Thursday

PETALING JAYA: Tamil film fans can finally watch Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam this week.

Lotus Five Star Group’s programming manager, P Gopal confirmed this to FMT today.

“A special screening will be held on Wednesday. The movie would be shown nationwide from Thursday (Feb 28) onwards,” he said.

Details on the special screening have not been confirmed yet but he said that the special screening was open to the public.

Gopal was however evasive when asked on the number of cuts in the movie.


“That has been reported in the media. Why ask about that now?” he said.

Vishwaroopam, a Kamal Haasan spy-thriller, was first screened on Jan 25. However, it was suspended the following day due to opposition from Indian Muslim groups that claimed the movie was insensitive to the feelings of the Muslims.

The Home Ministry suspended the movie after receiving protest memorandums from Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) and Federation of Indian Muslim Organisations (Permim).

The suspension did no go down well with the Indian community. Even members of civil societies such as National Laureate A Samad Said questioned the rationale in suspending the movie.

Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen described Malaysia as a coward nation in her micro-blogging site.

Following negotiations, Lotus Five Star and the protesting Indian Muslim groups agreed to 16 cuts in the movie.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/25/vishwaroopam-screening-on-thursday/

PI Bala returns to hero's welcome, swears by SD1

Former private investigator P Balasubramaniam today publicly swore that his first statutory declaration in July 2008 linking Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to slain Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu was the truth.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at KLIA this evening, a teary-eyed Balasubramaniam held a copy of the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita and stressed that the statutory declaration (SD) he made to nullify the first document was untrue.

“I swear on this holy book that the first SD is the truth and nothing but the truth. I'm sorry to all of you that the second SD is not true,” he said.
Balasubramaniam's first statutory declaration contained vivid details of his alleged interactions with several personalities leading to Altantuya's final days.

Among other issues, he claimed that Najib was close to Altantuya.

Just one day after making the SD public, he withdrew it with a second SD, claiming that he had made the first under duress.

Following this episode, he fled the country and has since claimed that the first was true and it was the second SD that was made under duress.

'They can't afford to harm me'

Balasubramaniam is now back in the country alone to campaign for Pakatan Rakyat, leaving his wife and children abroad.
Balasubramaniam said that he would be revealing more about the Altantuya murder in the coming days.

"On that day, I will let you know what happened, inch-by-inch," he said.

Asked if he was still concerned over his safety, Balasubramaniam said yes.

“But I tell you, if something happens to me tomorrow, where will you point the finger?

“There has already been one murder. Do you want a second murder?” he said, cryptically.
To another question, Balasubramaniam said he would not actively seek collaboration with Deepak Jaikishan, the well-connected carpet trader who was instrumental in the preparation of SD2.

“(But) if he (Deepak) comes forward and wants to work with me, I am okay with it. But I won’t go looking for him,” he said.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/222210

Mengapa ‘tentera’ Sulu ceroboh Lahad Datu?

PETALING JAYA: Tentera Kesultanan Sulu menceroboh Sabah setelah merasa rugi dengan perjanjian damai antara kerajaan Filipina dengan Barisan Pembebasan Islam Moro (MILF) di Kepulauan Mindanao.

Perjanjian damai ini menyebut Mindanao–termasuk Sulu–sebagai wilayah otonomi Bangsamoro dan memberikan sebahagian besar wilayah untuk diurus secara merdeka.

Ia menyebabkan Kesultanan Sulu merasa tidak mendapat kelebihan lagi dan berniat merebut wilayah mereka di tempat yang lain, iaitu Sabah seperti dilapor viva.co.id sebuah laman web di Indonesia.

Tetapi apa yang menyebabkan Kesultanan Sulu berani mendakwa wilayah Sabah sebagai tanah warisannya?

Kolumnis Rita Linda V. Jimeno, sebagaimana dilaporkan oleh Manila Standard Today, Isnin lalu menulis jejak sejarah kaitan antara Kesultanan Sulu dengan wilayah Sabah.

Vishwaroopam gets the green light, finally

PETALING JAYA: After a hiatus of three weeks, the National Film Censorship Board (LPF) today finally gave the green light to screen Vishwaroopam with immediate effect.

“Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) director- general has agreed with the Home Ministry on screening the movie after they were satisfied with the cuts done by LPF.

“The approval is given with the condition that the distributor agrees with additional cuts to the movie.

“The rescind on the suspension of the movie is effective from today,” LPF chairman Raja Azahar Raja Abdul Manap said in a statement today.

Vishwaroopam, a Kamal Haasan spy-thriller, was first screened on Jan 25. However, it was suspended the following day due to opposition from Indian Muslim groups that claimed the movie was insensitive to the feelings of the Muslims.

The Home Ministry suspended the movie after receiving protest memorandums from Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) and Federation of Indian Muslim Organisations (Permim).

Mahabharata – Bahagian 20

“Sesungguhnyalah! Devavrata sudah pun beta tabalkan sebagai yuvaraja. Sebagai raja muda, dialah yang bakal mengambil alih pemerintahan kerajaan keturunan Kuru di Hastinapura selepas kemangkatan beta,” kata Raja Santanu tanpa menghiraukan amaran ketua komuniti nelayan itu supaya baginda tidak menyampuk percakapannya.

Bapa Satyavati pula terdiam seketika; sedikit terkejut mendengar ketegasan Santanu dalam mempertahankan keputusannya. Walaupun sedang dilamun cinta berahi terhadap Satyavati sejak melihat gadis itu mandi di Sungai Yamuna, nampaknya raja berkenaan masih waras dari segi pemikiran.

“Maka, bukankah sia-sia sahaja anak gadis saya menjadi permaisuri? Apalah gunanya jika ana-anak yang bakal dikandung dan dilahirkannya tidak ada sebarang peluang untuk menjadi waris pemerintah bagi kerajaan yang terkenal ini?”

Santanu tidak segera menjawab pada kali ini. Baginda mencuri pandang ke arah Satyavati yang masih berdiri menyembunyikan sebahagian tubuhnya di sebalik daun pintu. Kejelitaan gadis itu membuatkan jantung raja berkenaan berdegup kencang.

“Saya hanya akan membenarkan tuanku mengahwini Satyavati sekiranya tuanku boleh berjanji dan bersumpah bahawa anak sulung lelaki yang bakal dilahirkan olehnya akan ditabalkan sebagai yuvaraja,” ketua kumpulan nelayan itu meneruskan seraya menghulurkan tangan kanan bagi memeterai perjanjian.

Santanu menghela nafas bagi meredakan degup kencang jantung dan gelora dalam jiwa. Baginda memandang wajah lelaki tua di hadapannya; kemudian tangan yang terhulur dengan penuh harapan.

“Maknanya anda mahu saya membatalkan pertabalan Devavrata sebagai yuvaraja dan menyerahkan gelaran raja muda kepada putera yang bakal dilahirkan oleh Satyavati?”

Santanu bertanya bagi mendapatkan kepastian sementara fikirannya ligat memikirkan cara-cara yang mungkin ada bagi menyelesaikan masalah.

“Benar, tuanku. Itulah satu-satunya pilihan yang saya tawarkan jika tuanku masih berhajat memperisterikan anak gadis saya,” kata ketua komuniti nelayan itu sambil tersenyum kecil.

“Saya difahamkan bahawa tuanku sempat melihat anak saya semasa dia sedang mandi di Sungai Yamuna tadi. Jadi, memang moleklah kalau tuanku memperisterikannya. Masakan tuanku akan sanggup melepaskan peluang memiliki seorang jelitawan seperti Satyavati.”

Santanu termenung seketika. Dia terkenang akan Gangga yang pernah menjadi isterinya serta melahirkan lapan putera. Tujuh daripadanya mati dibunuh semasa baru berusia beberapa hari.

Satu-satunya waris yang tinggal kini adalah Devavrata, putera kelapan yang dibesarkan oleh Gangga sebelum diserahkan kepada Santanu beberapa tahun lalu.

Tidak! Beta tidak rela kehilangan Devavrata. Beta tidak sanggup melucutkan jawatan yuvaraja yang sudah diberikan kepadanya. Sesungguhnya dialah waris beta bagi meneruskan pemerintahan kerajaan Kuru ini.

Demikian Santanu berfikir dalam hati dalam keadaan mata terpejam. Sementara itu, bapa Satyavati sedang menunggu untuk mendapatkan jawaban yang memihak kepadanya. Tangan kanannya masih terhulur di hadapan Santanu.

Satyavati pula menjenguk dari sebalik daun pintu dengan penuh harapan. Sesungguhnya dia amat ingin menjadi isteri kepada Santanu walaupun raja itu sudah tua dan sudah pernah menjadi bapa kepada lapan orang putera.

Santanu akhirnya menggenggam tangan kanan yang dihulurkan sekian lama oleh ketua komuniti nelayan itu. Senyuman kecil mula muncul pada bibir lelaki berkenaan.

“Maafkan beta,” kata Santanu sambil menggenggam tangan itu dengan lebih erat. “Beta tidak dapat menerima syarat-syarat yang anda tetapkan.”

Satyavati dan bapanya terpinga-pinga. Begitu juga dengan beberapa wakil masyarakat nelayan yang sama-sama berada di rumah Satyavati pada waktu itu. Pemandu kereta kuda Santanu pula setia menunggu di luar sambil tetap memasang telinga.

“Beta tidak rela melucutkan jawatan yuvaraja yang sudah diberikan kepada putera kesayangan beta.”

Sambil berkata begitu, Santanu bergegas bangun dan meluru keluar dari rumah Satvayati. Gadis itu pula terpaku tanpa bicara di sebalik daun pintu.

“Tuanku akan menyesal!” Ketua komuniti nelayan itu memberikan amaran sambil menahan kemarahan sementara wajahnya memerah. “Tuanku pasti akan datang semula untuk memperisterikan Satyavati!”

Mahabharata – Bahagian 19

Apabila mendengar kata-kata ketua masyarakat nelayan di kampung berdekatan Sungai Yamuna, Raja Santanu mula berasa bimbang. Baginda tidak pasti apa yang dimaksudkan oleh bapa Satyavati.

“Tuanku adalah raja kerajaan keturunan Kuru di Hastinapura.

Tentu sahaja saya, anak saya dan seluruh komuniti nelayan berasa amat bangga dan bertuah apabila Satyavati menjadi isteri tuanku, sekali gus menjadi permaisuri bagi kerajaan ini,” kata lelaki tua itu dengan tenang tetapi tegas.

“Lalu apa pula yang merungsingkan jiwa dan pemikiran anda? Bukankah impian setiap rakyat adalah untuk menjadi setara dengan pemerintah atau sekurang-kurangnya mempunyai hubungan persaudaraan dengan pemerintah dan golongan diraja melalui perkahwinan?

Peluang keemasan itu kini berada di depan mata,” Santanu cuba memujuk secara halus sambil matanya melirik ke arah Satyavati yang masih berdiri di tepi daun pintu rumah.

Bapa Satyavati ketawa mendengar hujah Santanu. Raja itu pula menyangka bahawa ketua komuniti nelayan itu bersetuju dengan kata-katanya. Maka baginda juga ketawa bersama-sama.

“Memang demikianlah tanggapan golongan pemerintah. Mereka tidak sedar bahawa golongan rakyat yang sebenarnya berkuasa bagi memastikan mereka terus berada atas singgahsana. Namun, kita lupakan dialog berkaitan topik itu dan kita tumpukan pada persoalan utama,” kata lelaki tua itu sejurus kemudian.

“Persoalan utama?” Santanu bertanya; sekali gus melupakan langsung topik berkaitan kuasa rakyat yang ditimbulkan oleh ketua nelayan itu. “Apakah persoalan yang anda maksudkan?”

“Devavrata.”

“Devavrata?” Santanu bertanya dengan penuh kehairanan.

“Ya, putera kelapan tuanku yang bernama Devavrata dan muncul secara tiba-tiba serta sudah pun ditabalkan sebagai yuvaraja iaitu raja muda di Hastinapura.”

“Kenapa dengan Devavrata?” Santanu masih kebingungan.

Beberapa saat selepas mengemukakan pertanyaan itu, fikiran raja berkenaan mula semacam memahami arah tuju perbincangan bapa Satyavati.

Saya sudah tua dan mungkin juga peluang untuk membuatkan Satyavati mengandung agak tipis. Malah, saya sudah lama mengamalkan cara hidup “brahmachari” iaitu hidup membujang; atau lebih tepat lagi, hidup menduda tanpa memikirkan soal berkahwin dan menikmati keseronokan hidup berkeluarga. Demikian Santanu mula berfikir dalam hati.

“Biarlah saya berterus-terang kepada tuanku,” ketua komuniti nelayan itu berkata sejurus kemudian. “Sesungguhnya Devavrata yang menjadi persoalan utama.”

“Devavrata? Apakah anda berfikir bahawa dia akan menghalang perkahwinan beta dan Satyavati? Atau …” Santanu mengerutkan kening. “Atau anda merasakan bahawa Devavrata lebih layak berbanding beta untuk menjadi suami kepada Satyavati?”

Ketua masyarakat nelayan itu ketawa terbahak-bahak mendengar kebimbangan yang diluahkan oleh raja berkenaan.

“Janganlah tuanku risau. Walaupun tuanku sudah tua, saya tidak akan melukakan hati tuanku dengan memilih untuk mengahwinkan anak saya dengan Devavrata. Tuanku tetap menjadi pilihan untuk menjadi menantu saya,” katanya.

“Lalu apa yang menjadi persoalan?”

“Biarlah saya berterus-terang dan saya mohon tuanku jangan masuk campur dengan mengemukakan pandangan dan andaian yang bukan-bukan.”

“Baiklah.”

“Devavrata sudah pun ditabalkan sebagai yuvaraja. Maknanya, raja muda itu bakal mengambil alih pemerintahan Kerajaan Hastinapura milik keturunan Kuru daripada tuanku.”

“Benar,” kata Santanu.

Ketua komuniti nelayan merenung tajam ke arah raja itu bagaikan berkata: “Bukankah saya sudah memberi amaran kepada tuanku supaya jangan masuk campur?”

Santanu memahami makna tikaman renungan mata itu dan terus terdiam.

“Saya yakin, percaya dan berharap bahawa apabila tuanku mengahwini Satyavati, maka anak saya masih berpeluang untuk mengandungkan dan melahirkan beberapa putera dan puteri. Soalnya, tentulah cucu-cucu saya yang dilahirkan oleh Satyavati tidak akan berpeluang untuk menjadi waris pemerintahan kerajaan ini kerana hak itu sudah diberikan kepada Devavrata selaku yuvaraja,” lelaki tua itu menjelaskan secara terperinci.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2013/02/10/mahabharata-%e2%80%93-bahagian-19/

Around 950 injured in rare Russia meteor strike

Around 950 people were injured on Friday when a meteor burned up above the central Russian city of Chelyabinsk, unleashing a shockwave that shattered panes of glass, the regional governor said.

Chelyabinsk regional governor Mikhail Yurevich, quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency, said that two-thirds of the injuries were light wounds from pieces of glass and other materials.

In the city of Chelyabinsk alone, 758 people had required medical help, the city said in a statement on its website.

The extraordinary event brought morning traffic to a sudden halt in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk as shocked drivers stopped to watch the falling meteor partially burning up in the lower atmosphere and light up the sky.

It appeared the meteor's entry into the atmosphere was not linked to the asteroid 2012 DA 14 which is expected to pass about 17,200 miles (27,000 kilometres) above the Earth later Friday in an unusually close approach.

But experts said that the fall of such a large meteor estimated as weighing dozens of tonnes was extremely rare while the number of casualties from its burning up around a heavily-inhabited area was unprecedented.

Earlier, the emergencies ministry said more than 500 people were injured, 112 of whom have been hospitalised.

Windows were blown out by the shockwave across the city's region with the ministry saying almost 300 buildings were damaged including, schools, hospitals, a zinc factory and even an ice hockey stadium.

"At 0920 (0320 GMT) an object was observed above Chelyabinsk which flew by at great speed and left a trail behind. Within two minutes there were two bangs," regional emergencies official Yuri Burenko said in a statement.

'Hindraf blueprint reality within 100 days of winning'

Should Pakatan Rakyat assume federal power, the Hindu Rights Action Force's (Hindraf) five-year blueprint on resolving the Indian community's woes will be implemented within 100 days, declared Pakatan supremo Anwar Ibrahim.

"I've even said that we will discuss it and resolve (the blueprint) within 100 days of Pakatan (taking over Putrajaya).

"What I mean is we have agreed on the blueprint," he told 500 Indian attendees in a two-hour question-and-answer session in Shah Alam last night.

The opposition leader was responding to a question raised by Semparuthi news portal editor Jiwi Kathaiah (left) on whether Pakatan would put its fingerprint on Hindraf blueprint.

Aside from Semparuthi, the main organiser, four other Tamil newspapers, Tamil Nesan, Thiru Kural, Makkal Osai and Malaysia Nanban participated in the session.

Previously, Hindraf had warned that Pakatan's "inordinate delay" in endorsing the blueprint, may result the coalition losing the NGO's support in the coming election.

Hindraf blueprint spirit in Buku Jingga

It said that despite Pakatan's initial interest to engage with Hindraf, as seen by the number of meetings between the two parties since November 2012, including one with Anwar, "there is nothing to show in the form of progress".

However, Anwar (left) had suggested that the Hindraf and NGOs "should not insist on us (Pakatan) signing" the blueprint.

He reiterated that the spirit of the blueprint has been incorporated in the Pakatan policy document, the Buku Jingga.

"We have read your (Hindraf) blueprint. But can't you also read our blueprint (Buku Jingga)?" he queried.

The PKR de facto leader said that its Indian leaders have been consistently addressing the other issues affecting their community.

This includes stateless Indian, insufficient allocation for Tamil school and death in custody issues.

"Look at the Kugan's case (he died in police custody in 2009), it wouldn't be national issue if we hadn't taken it up. I also asked PAS and DAP leaders to join me in visiting to Kugan's home."

The session ended at 11.15pm.


Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/221444

A celebration of love worldwide

It’s that day again. Flowers, chocolates, candlelit dinners, gifts and lots of love. It’s Valentine’s Day!

Come Feb 14 every year, many of us celebrate Valentine’s Day without fail. This is despite some religious bodies and political parties with a religious swing forbidding its celebration.

Today, Valentine’s Day has come a long way since its birth. It has been so commercialised and its ideology hijacked that many do not even know why this day was regarded as special in the first place

It all began with St Valentine, a priest near Rome in about the year 270 AD, during the time when the church was enduring great persecution.

His ministry was helping Christians to escape this persecution by the Romans, and to provide them the sacraments, such as marriage, which was outlawed in the Roman Empire during that period.

St Valentine was imprisoned and persecuted as a Christian under the Roman Emperor Claudius II, and he was forced to convert into Roman paganism.

During his imprisonment, he is said to have healed the daughter of his jailer Asterius. History reveals that before his execution he wrote “from your Valentine” as his last note to her.

Though this took place in Rome centuries ago, Valentine’s Day has been reinvented by many nations celebrating the day in their own unique way.

Some Latin American countries commemorate Valentine’s Day as a day of love and friendship.
Slowly but surely, the celebration made its way to the east.

In India, during the earlier days, the day was commemorated as a tradition to honour Kamadeva, the deity of love, demonstrated through the writing of the Kamasutra, the art of lovemaking and the Khajuraho Group of Monument.

In South Korea, women give chocolate to men on Feb 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women on March 14, which is known as the White’s Day.

In China, the common situation is the man gives chocolates, flowers or both to the woman that he loves.

Malaysia, Singapore and other Southeast- Asian countries are not spared of this tradition.

Token of affection

Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated popularly by lovers of all social classes by exchanging gifts as a token of affection.

With the emergence of online media, the act of exchanging messages and tokens of affections to express one’s emotions are now made simple and being sent straight to their doorstep.

Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings.

Valentine’s Day is all about love which has been defined as an intense feeling of deep, tender, ineffable feeling of fondness and solitude towards an individual. It is the human feeling called love that inspires the gestures and works of charity usually demonstrated on Valentine’s Day.

Dictionaries suggest the meaning of love as a lifestyle or habit.Considering the nature of love and the attitudes of people in this part of the world, it may not be wrong to conclude that many celebrants of Valentine’s Day in this era are hypocrites.

They claim the celebration of love towards another ought to be a daily affair, but they act otherwise.Whatever the odd mixture of origins and whatever the reasons, St Valentine’s Day is now a day for lovers worldwide. And there is no way of stopping it.

It is the day that you show your friend or loved one that you care. You can send candy to someone you think is special. Or you can send roses, the flower of love.

Most people send “Valentine” greeting cards but do whatever you may to impress your loved one to show that you care. Wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/14/a-celebration-of-love-worldwide/

Pirated CDs of Vishwaroopam out

GEORGE TOWN: The banned Kamal Haasan blockbuster spy-thriller Vishwaroopam is allegedly now available as pirated CDs.

The uncensored and crystal clear version, which is being sold secretly at RM15, has however left diehard Kamal Haasan fans here livid.

They want want Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to explain why the censored version of the movie was still being banned in cinema halls while pirated CDs were making its way into households.

“Why has the Home Ministry not heeded our call to lift the ban on Vishwaroopam?

“Is the government tacitly backing sales of pirated CDs on the banned movie?

“Is the government gaining tax revenue from sales of pirated CDs?” asked Penang Kamal Haasan Fans Club president S Mahendran after leading a 20-minute protest outside the Penang Odeon cinema today.

The fans, who held a similar demonstration last week, reiterated their call on the Home Ministry to immediately lift the ban.

Written, co-produced and directed by Kamal Haasan, Vishwaroopam’s screening was banned in local cinema halls on Jan 25, a day after it opened following complaints to the Home Ministry by Indian Muslim groups.

The groups have alleged that the movie contained scenes and dialogues undermining Muslims and Islam.
The Malaysian ban followed bans in Singapore and in Tamil Nadu.

However, the movie, after several cuts on alleged “sensitive” scenes and dialogues, has resumed screening in Singapore and in Tamil Nadu.

Malaysia now is the only country banning it. Local film distributors and cinema hall operators were hopeful that Vishwaroopam will be allowed screening this week after the movie underwent 16 scene-cuts.
But this did not materialise.

Fans puzzled

Meanwhile it was learnt that Hishamuddin has refused to meet with local distributors on the issue yesterday.

Penang Odeon manager A Mohan Dass said Tamil movie fans were calling the cinema hall daily to know when the movie will be screened.

He said fans were puzzled as to why the movie was being banned in Malaysia when it was being screened all over the world.

“It’s sheer hypocrisy. It defeats the whole purpose of the ban,” chided Mohan Dass.

Critics have argued the ban on Vishwaroopam was detrimental against freedom of artistic expression and cine professionalism.

They also criticised the Home Ministry for being inconsistent in protecting religious sensitivities of various communities in the country as it did not ban movies such as ‘Love Guru’, which hurt Hindu sentiments, and ‘The Da Vinci Code’, which allegedly questioned the fundamental myth of Christianity.

They have insisted that the movie illustrated the reality of international terrorism and its operations, and did not hurt religious sentiments.



Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/09/pirated-cds-of-vishwaroopam-out/

‘Vishwaroopam’ still in the can

PETALING JAYA: Spy-thriller “Vishwaroopam” remains in the can because the Home Ministry has yet to decide on the fate of the Kamal Hassan movie.

National Film Censorship Board’s (LPF) enforcement and control division secretary Razak Derahman said today that no decision has been made on the fate of the movie.

“The 16 ‘cuts’ were suggested by local film distributor, Lotus Five Star. The higher authorities here have yet to decide on the status of the movie,” said Razak.

The highest authority in this case would be Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein as the censorship board comes under the ambit of the Home Ministry.

On Tuesday, Lotus Five Star and protesting Indian Muslim groups agreed to have 16 scenes muted. The 16 scenes take up 30 minutes of the movie’s running time.

The controversial movie starring Kamal Hassan revolves around the subject of international terrorism. Apart from tackling three roles, Kamal also directed and co-produced the movie.

“Vishwaroopam” was screened for a day in Malaysia on Jan 24 after nine scenes were censored.

Similar problem in Tamil Nadu

It was suspended the following day as a result of a memorandum from the Indian Muslim Youth Movement to the Home Ministry and a protest by the Indian Muslim League in Penang.

They claimed “Vishwaroopam” portrayed Muslims in a negative light.

In response, National laureate A Samad Said questioned the logic of suspending “Vishwaroopam” as Hindi movie, “Race 2” also depicted the Turkish underworld.

Controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen in her criticism on the suspension said that Malaysia was a coward nation.

The MIC has been attempting to get the film screened but faced the wrath of the Indian Muslim community here who called the party insensitive.

MIC’s strategy director S Vell Paari responded by claiming that the party also has to look into the interest of non-Muslim Indians who want to watch “Vishwaroopam”.

The movie also faced similar problems in Tamil Nadu after Indian Muslims there raised objections to the movie.

The ban in Tamil Nadu, however, has been lifted and the movie started its screening today.



Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/07/vishwaroopam-still-in-the-can/

Young M'sian to fly solo around globe

A 21-year-old Malaysian pilot will attempt to set a world record by flying 14,000 nautical miles around the globe on a solo expedition for 50 days using a single piston aircraft, Cessna P210.

Captain James Anthony Tan from Sungai Long, Kajang, will take-off on his historical voyage as "the first Malaysian from Asean country to have flown around the world solo" on Feb 23 at the Subang Skypark, which will be launched by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The current record holder, as the youngest pilot to have flown around the globe, is a Swiss, Captain Carlo Schmid, who flew solo last year at the age of 22.

Tan had last year earned a place in The Malaysian Book of Records as the youngest pilot, who flew solo for 13,803 nautical miles on a single-piston aircraft from the United Kingdom to Bangkok, Thailand.

"I wish to perform this feat in 2013 and represent 1Malaysia for this mission. Once accomplished, not only Malaysia would have its first flight around the world, but also be the proud holder of the record for having the youngest in the world since 1924 to hold this historic record," he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, 1Malaysia Around The World (1TRW) project manager, Azean Majid said the flight was organised by the Malaysia Youth Pilot Association, Defence Ministry and Malaysia Felda Youth Council.

She said Tan would fly from Feb 23 around the would and return to Subang, here on April 10.

Azean said any update about Tan's voyage could be obtained from the 1TRW website and its social media at www.1rtw.com.my, www.facebook/1mrtw or twitter/1rtw.

She said the expedition was 10 percent sponsored by the government and 90 percent from private sector.

Private sector sponsors interested to participate in the programme can contact 1TRW corporate manager, Fazli Buyong at 012-5418996 or his email at fazli@1rtw.com.my.


Source - Bernama

Mahabharata – Bahagian 18

“Siapakah nama kau, wahai juita?” Raja Santanu bertanya tanpa mengendahkan kata-kata gadis jelita itu.

“Nama saya Satyavati dan bapa saya adalah ketua masyarakat nelayan di kampung berdekatan,” gadis itu menjawab sambil segera berdiri membelakangi raja berkenaan kerana malu. “Seperti yang saya katakan, saya hanyalah anak nelayan sedangkan tuanku seorang pemerintah di Hastinapura.”

“Dan seperti yang sudah beta katakan, beta berhak membuat apa sahaja pilihan dan tidak ada sesiapa yang berani mempersoalkan keputusan beta,” Santanu mengulangi seraya tidak melepaskan peluang membiarkan matanya menikmati kecantikan tubuh gadis yang berdiri membelakanginya.

Satyavati tersenyum gembira kerana dalam diam, dia juga sudah tertawan pada Santanu. Walaupun jarak usia antara mereka amat ketara, gadis itu tidak keberatan untuk menjadi isterinya. Tambahan pula, raja itu telah melihat tubuhnya semasa dia mandi di Sungai Yamuna. Maka, moleklah jika Santanu menjadi suaminya.

“Walau apa pun kata tuanku, sebagai seorang anak gadis yang masih di bawah jagaan orang tua, saya tidak patut dilihat berdua-duaan bersama tuanku di tebing sungai,” kata gadis itu seraya cuba melarikan diri.

“Bawalah beta bertemu bapa kau dengan segera,” Santanu pula membalas sementara tangan kanannya pantas memegang pergelangan tangan Satyavati.

Pipi gadis itu memerah menahan malu. Dipendekkan cerita, Santanu mengarahkan pemandu kereta kuda membawa mereka berdua ke rumah bapa Satyavati yang merupakan ketua kumpulan nelayan di sana.

“Oh! Saya memang sudah menjangkakan bahawa anak saya akan bertemu jodoh dengan orang besar, kaya dan berkuasa. Akan tetapi, saya tidak pernah bermimpi bahawa tuanku akan menjadi menantu saya,” kata ketua kumpulan nelayan itu setelah mendengar hajat Santanu mahu melamar anaknya.

“Beta tidak kisah tentang perbezaan darjat dan usia. Setelah sekian lama hidup sendirian, keinginan beta untuk berumahtangga muncul secara tiba-tiba setelah melihat Satyavati di tebing Sungai Yamuna sebentar tadi,” raja Kerajaan Kuru itu mengakui sambil matanya melirik ke arah si gadis yang berdiri di tepi daun pintu rumah.

Si bapa pula ketawa gembira mengenangkan rezeki anaknya. Tentu sahaja dia tidak pernah bermimpi bahawa pada suatu hari nanti, anaknya akan menjadi permaisuri di istana Hastinapura. Suatu hari yang lain pula, pada masa hadapan, cucunya akan menjadi raja Kerajaan Kuru.

Tiba-tiba sahaja tawa si bapa berhenti. Wajahnya menjadi serius dan dia memandang tepat ke arah Santanu yang duduk di hadapannya. Raja itu pernah menjadi bapa bagi lapan orang putera seperti diketahui umum. Tujuh daripada putera itu hilang dan kemudian dilaporkan meninggal dunia secara penuh misteri.

Isterinya iaitu Permaisuri Gangga pula hilang bersama-sama putera kelapan. Bertahun-tahun kemudian, putera kelapan yang bernama Devavrata muncul secara tiba-tiba dan sudah pun ditabalkan sebagai yuvaraja iaitu raja muda di Hastinapura.

“Ada apa-apa yang tidak kena?” Santanu bertanya apabila melihat ketua kaum nelayan itu merenung dengan penuh serius ke arahnya. “Jangan risau. Beta berjanji akan menjadi seorang suami yang baik, setia dan adil kepada Satyavati.”

“Bukan perkara itu menjadi persoalan yang merunsingkan saya.” Si bapa memandang ke arah anak gadisnya sebelum kembali mengalihkan pandangan ke wajah Santanu. “Saya lebih risau memikirkan nasib anak-anak yang bakal dilahirkan oleh anak saya.”

Kening Santanu berkerut. Apakah lelaki ini risau memikirkan kemungkinan cucu-cucunya nanti turut hilang dan didapati mati lemas secara penuh misteri seperti yang berlaku kepada anak-anak yang dilahirkan oleh Gangga dahulu? Demikian fikirnya.

“Jangan risau. Beta memberi jaminan bahawa tidak akan ada apa-apa bala yang menimpa mereka,” raja itu memberi jaminan tanpa berfikir sama ada baginda masih mampu menjadi bapa.

“Saya bukan risau memikirkan bala yang mungkin menimpa mereka. Ada persoalan lain yang jauh lebih penting,” pintas ketua komuniti nelayan itu dengan wajah yang serius.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2013/02/03/mahabharata-%e2%80%93-bahagian-18/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 17

Raja Santanu membawa puteranya, Devavrata, pulang ke istana di Hastinapura dengan penuh gembira. Para penghuni istana pasti sahaja menerima kehadiran kanak-kanak itu dengan gembira tanpa sebarang pertanyaan.

Apabila tiba masa yang sesuai, Devavrata ditabalkan sebagai yuvaraja iaitu raja muda. Memandangkan putera itu adalah waris tunggal Santanu yang masih hidup, tiada apa-apa masalah dalam melaksanakan upacara pertabalan itu. Mengikut perancangan, suatu hari nanti, Devavrata akan menjadi pemerintah kerajaan keturunan Kuru menggantikan Santanu.

Masa terus berlalu dan Devavrata sudah meningkat remaja. Dia sibuk dengan urusan ketenteraan yang memang menjadi minatnya sejak kecil. Benarlah seperti apa yang telah dinyatakan oleh ibunya, Dewi Gangga bahawa putera ini pakar bidang veda dan vedanta, bahasa, seni, sastera serta sains yang dinamakan sukra.

Pada suatu hari, Santanu sedang bersiar-siar tidak jauh dari Sungai Yamuna. Tiba-tiba baginda terhidu bau yang sangat harum. Raja itu segera mengarahkan pemandu kereta kuda berhenti, lalu baginda meluru ke tebing sungai mengikut arah datangnya bau yang sungguh harum itu.

Apabila tiba di tebing Sungai Yamuna, Santanu terpandang seorang wanita cantik yang benar-benar menggoda jiwa. Segala perasaan cinta dan berahi yang terpendam sejak ditinggalkan Dewi Gangga, mula muncul kembali dalam diri raja itu.

Agak lama juga Santanu berdiri di tebing sungai seperti kena pukau sambil melihat wanita cantik itu mandi dengan gembira. Tentulah dia tidak menyedari bahawa ada orang yang sedang menontonnya dari jauh secara percuma.

Hanya apabila selesai mandi dan menukar pakaian lalu naik ke tebing sungai, barulah wanita itu menyedari kehadiran seorang lelaki di situ. Dia segera menggelabah dan hampir mahu menjerit meminta tolong.

“Janganlah risau, wahai juita. Beta Raja Santanu, pemerintah keturunan Kuru. Maafkan beta kerana beta terpaku melihat kejelitaan kau semasa kau sedang mandi tadi. Beta begitu ingin memperisterikan kau. Adakah kau sudi?” Santanu bertanya tanpa berselindung.

Wanita itu pula segera tersipu-sipu menahan malu. Dia pernah mendengar kisah mengenai Santanu yang menjadi bapa kepada lapan putera di mana tujuh daripadanya dilaporkan meninggal dunia secara penuh misteri dalam masa beberapa hari sahaja selepas dilahirkan. Putera bongsu pula muncul kembali selepas hilang bertahun-tahun lamanya.

“Saya ada mendengar bahawa tuanku hidup sendirian bersama-sama seorang putera sejak ditinggalkan isteri,” kata wanita itu sambil tertunduk malu dan pipinya memerah. “Apakah pekerjaan tuanku sekarang adalah menghendap gadis-gadis yang mandi di sungai?”

Santanu ketawa kecil. Daripada cara wanita itu bercakap, baginda tahu bahawa dia tidak marah. Malah, lirik matanya menceritakan bahawa wanita itu – gadis itu – gembira apabila mendapat perhatian daripada seorang raja yang berkuasa.

“Beta pada mulanya ditarik ke mari oleh bau harum yang rupa-rupanya tersebar dari rambut kau yang menggerbang. Kemudian, selepas melihat tubuh kau yang menggoda, beta terus tertawan.

Apatah lagi apabila beta berpeluang melihat wajah kau yang jelita,” kata Santanu dengan suara romantik sambil jari-jemari tangan kanan memegang dagu gadis itu dan mengangkatnya perlahan-lahan.

“Apakah benar hajat tuanku mahu memperisterikan saya?” tanya gadis itu seraya kembali menundukkan kepala.

“Benar. Sudah sekian lama beta hidup menyendiri tanpa memikirkan soal kepuasan hidup suami-isteri. Segala kemahuan dan keinginan itu muncul tiba-tiba pada saat beta terpandang kau sebentar tadi,” Santanu yang mabuk dilamun cinta berahi mengakui tanpa segan-silu.

“Tapi saya hanyalah anak nelayan sedangkan tuanku seorang pemerintah di Hastinapura.”

“Semua itu tidak menjadi persoalan dalam urusan cinta. Beta berhak membuat apa sahaja pilihan dan rakyat jelata serta seluruh isi istana tidak akan dan tidak berhak mempersoalkan apa-apa keputusan beta,” raja itu menegaskan.

“Itu di pihak tuanku. Tapi di pihak saya pula, ada syarat-syarat tertentu,” kata gadis itu sambil mencuri pandang ke arah Santanu.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2013/01/27/mahabharata-%e2%80%93-bahagian-17/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 16

Raja Santanu terkejut apabila diberitahu bahawa kanak-kanak itu adalah puteranya. Segera baginda teringat bagaimana Dewi Gangga membawa bayi yang baru berusia sehari masuk ke dalam Sungai Ganges dahulu.

“Anak beta?” Demikian baginda bertanya dalam keadaan terkedu.

“Benar, tuanku. Dialah Prabhasa, ketua vasu (dewa) yang disumpah oleh Maharishyi Vasishta supaya lahir ke bumi sebagai manusia. Dia memilih saya sebagai ibunya seperti yang saya ceritakan dahulu,” Dewi Gangga menjelaskan.

Kanak-kanak itu memandang ke arah Santanu. Setelah terpaku seketika, raja keturunan Kuru segera meluru ke dalam Sungai Gangga dan memeluk puteranya buat kali pertama.

“Wahai puteraku!” Tanpa disedari, air mata bercucuran. Masakan tidak. Selepas kehilangan tujuh orang putera sebaik lahir, putera kelapan pula dibawa pergi masuk ke dalam sungai oleh Dewi Gangga yang muncul sebagai Gangga, seorang wanita misteri.

“Ayah tidak pernah menyangka kita akan bertemu semula,” Santanu berterus-terang sambil memeluk anak itu dengan erat dan mencium kedua-dua pipinya.

Dewi Gangga kelihatan tersenyum kecil sambil masih terapung-apung pada permukaan Sungai Ganges. Mungkin juga dewi itu terasa gembira dan lega kerana tugas serta tanggungjawab yang dipikulnya sejak sekitar lima belas tahun lalu – sejak mengahwini Santanu – akan berakhir.

Bolehlah dewi itu kembali menumpukan pada tugas-tugas hakikinya selepas ini.

“Namanya Devavrata. Tuanku boleh mengekalkan nama itu atau menukarnya jika mahu. Sejak kecil, Devavrata sudah belajar veda dan vedanta daripada Maharishyi Vasishta,” Dewi Gangga memaklumkan dengan bangga.

“Daripada Maharishyi Vasishta? Bukankah dia yang menyumpah Prabhasa dan tujuh lagi vasu supaya lahir ke bumi sebagai manusia?” Hussain segera bertanya kepada datuk yang sedang bercerita.

“Ya, saya juga terfikir akan perkara sama. Agak ironis, bukan? Maharishyi Vasistha yang menyumpah mereka atas tindakan cuba mencuri lembu betina miliknya. Kemudian dia juga yang menjadi guru kepada manusia itu,” kata kembarnya, Hassan pula.

Datuk seperti sudah dapat menjangkakan soalan seperti itu daripada kedua-dua remaja berkenaan. Beliau ternyata gembira kerana pertanyaan itu membuktikan bahawa cucu kembarnya tidak sekadar mendengar cerita, tetapi berfikir secara aktif dan kritikal. Itulah yang datuk mahukan; bukan seperti sistem pendidikan negara yang hanya mahu pelajar menghafaz tanpa berfikir.

“Benar. Maharishyi yang samalah kini menjadi guru kepada Devavrata. Mungkin juga sebagai usaha menebus rasa bersalah kerana pernah menyumpah lapan vasu lahir sebagai manusia,” datuk memberikan pandangan sebelum meneruskan cerita.

Selain daripada pengajian agama menerusi veda dan vedanta, putera berkenaan juga sudah mendalami ilmu bahasa, seni, sastera, dan sains yang dinamakan sukra. Ringkasnya, Devavrata sudah bersedia untuk diktiraf sebagai seorang putera yang berilmu, bermoral dan beretika. Tidak seperti sebahagian putera yang minum arak dan mengamalkan kegiatan sosial bertentangan ajaran agama serta kedudukan sebagai anak raja yang dipandang tinggi oleh rakyat.

“Devavrata sudah menguasai serta lulus cemerlang dalam bidang ilmu memanah. Dia juga seorang wira yang tiada tolok bandingan dalam kalangan dewa dan manusia. Tidak sekadar itu, tuanku. Putera ini juga kini pakar pentadbiran. Bawalah dia pulang ke Hastinapura dan tuanku akan melihat sendiri kehebatan anak kita,” kata Dewi Gangga.

“Dipendekkan cerita, Raja Santanu membawa Devavrata pulang ke istana,” datuk merumuskan tanpa mahu menceritakan secara terperinci kisah perpisahan Devavrata dan Dewi Gangga.

“Tapi siapakah Devavrata dalam epik Mahabharata, datuk?” Hassan bertanya. “Kalau tak silap saya, nama itu tidak muncul lagi dalam kisah Jaya yang ditulis oleh Vyasa, Bharata oleh Vaisampayana mahu pun Mahabharata oleh Suta.”

“Benar, datuk. Walaupun kami tahu kisah Mahabharata, tiba-tiba kami keliru. Adakah watak Devavrata juga akan mati seperti yang berlaku kepada tujuh putera yang lahir sebelumnya di istana Hastinapura?” Hussain turut melahirkan apa yang muncul dalam fikiran.

Datuk hanya tersenyum seraya memandang cucu-cucunya silih berganti. Kemudian memandang epik Razmnameh versi Bahasa Parsi yang menjadi rujukan.


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2013/01/20/mahabharata-%e2%80%93-bahagian-16/

Mahabharata – Bahagian 15

“Biarlah saya yang membesarkan bayi ini kerana sayalah ibunya. Hanya seorang ibu yang tahu makna kasih sayang. Bagaimanapun, saya tidak sanggup hidup bersama-sama tuanku. Tuanku sudah melanggar perjanjian kita dan saya akan pergi membawa diri.”

Demikian kata Gangga kepada Raja Santanu sebelum menghilang dalam Sungai Ganges bersama-sama putera yang baru berusia beberapa hari.

Santanu terpaku seketika melihat apa yang berlaku di depan mata. Baginda sedar bahawa wanita yang menjadi isterinya selama sekitar lapan tahun yang lalu adalah Dewi Gangga yang menjelma sebagai manusia semata-mata untuk memenuhi permintaan lapan vasu (“dewa”) yang disumpah oleh Maharishyi Vasishta.

Walaupun sudah kehilangan tujuh putera sebelum ini, perpisahan dengan anak kelapan membuatkan Santanu amat sedih. Apatah lagi baginda sudah ditinggalkan isteri tercinta yang sedap dipandang mata.

Maka, raja keturunan Kuru itu memutuskan untuk memasuki alam “brahmachari” iaitu hidup membujang; atau lebih tepat lagi, hidup menduda tanpa memikirkan soal berkahwin dan menikmati keseronokan hidup berkeluarga.

Sepenuh tumpuan Santanu diberikan pada urusan mentadbir kerajaan di Hastinapura. Rakyat jelata dan seluruh isi istana yang sejak lapan tahun lalu menutup sebelah mata terhadap tindakan aneh Permaisuri Gangga membunuh tujuh putera, terus memilih untuk melakukan perkara sama.

Mereka tidak mempersoalkan apa yang sudah berlaku kepada Gangga dan putera kelapan yang hilang begitu sahaja pada suatu hari. Tentulah mereka tidak berani mengungkitkan sebarang pertanyaan yang mungkin dianggap sensitif dan mengungkitkan perasaan marah sang pemerintah.

Sama ada Gangga ditinggalkan di dalam hutan atau dicampak ke dalam sungai atau dilarikan orang, semua itu tidak menjadi persoalan. Nasib kelapan-lapan putera yang lesap tanpa berita bagaikan dibawa lari oleh orang bunian juga tidak diperkatakan oleh sesiapa.

Beberapa tahun kemudian, pada suatu petang, Santanu sedang bersiar-siar di tebing Sungai Ganges. Jiwanya sayu terkenang akan tujuh putera yang mati lemas sebelum sempat diberikan nama.

Namun, raja itu sedar bahawa ketujuh-tujuh mereka adalah golongan vasu yang meminta kepada Dewi Gangga supaya hidup mereka ditamatkan dengan segera sebaik sahaja dilahirkan ke bumi sebagai manusia.

Pada saat Santanu terkenang akan putera kelapan yang dibawa pergi oleh Gangga, baginda ternampak seorang kanak-kanak sedang bermain di sungai. Dia kelihatan menggunakan busur untuk memanah ke arah ombak-ombak kecil pada permukaan Sungai Ganges.

“Wahai, anak kecil!” Santanu melaung dengan sedikit perasaan risau melihat kanak-kanak itu yang bermain di sungai tanpa pengawasan orang dewasa. “Apa yang sedang kau lakukan?”

Kanak-kanak itu memandang ke arah Santanu tanpa menyedari bahawa lelaki yang bertanya itu adalah seorang raja yang sangat berkuasa.

“Saya sedang bermain bersama-sama ibu saya,” jawab kanak-kanak itu sebelum kembali meletakkan anak panah pada tali busur dan bersedia untuk memanah ke tengah sungai.

“Kanak-kanak itu sedang bermain dengan ibunya?” Hassan bertanya sementara datuk sedang melakonkan aksi memegang busur dan bersedia untuk memanah.

“Oh, saya tahu! Kanak-kanak itu adalah bayi yang dibawa pergi oleh Dewi Gangga dahulu. Betul tak, datuk?” Hussain pula menambah.

Datuk berpura-pura menyelak halaman epik Razmnameh versi Bahasa Parsi yang ada di atas ribanya. Mungkin semata-mata untuk memanjangkan sedikit unsur ketegangan dan suspens yang wujud semasa beliau bercerita kepada pasangan cucu kembarnya.

“Ya, benar!” kata datuk sejurus kemudian bagaikan turut terkejut apabila menyedari perkembangan plot kisah itu. “Prabhasa adalah ketua golongan vasu yang disumpah oleh Maharishyi Vasishta dahulu.”

Sewaktu Santanu sedang terpaku melihat kanak-kanak berkenaan, permukaan Sungai Ganges tiba-tiba berkocak. Lalu muncullah Dewi Gangga yang masih kelihatan jelita dan menawan seperti dahulu.

“Seperti yang telah saya janjikan, kini sudah tiba masanya untuk saya menyerahkan kanak-kanak ini kepada tuanku,” katanya dengan tenang sambil terapung-apung pada permukaan sungai. –


Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2013/01/13/mahabharata-%e2%80%93-bahagian-15/

‘Vishwaroopam’ to screen with 16 ‘cuts’

KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial Tamil movie “Vishwaroopam”, directed and produced by famous Indian actor Kamal Hassan, is poised for release in Malaysia soon.

The decision to air the movie was made after a meeting between distributors Lotus Five Star Sdn Bhd, representatives from a coalition of 60 Indian-Muslim NGOs and MIC officials today.

The meeting agreed to mute 16 scenes in the three-hour movie. Prior to the ban, the movie had nine scenes muted.

The ban came about after some Indian Muslims staged a protest against “Vishwaroopam” for having scenes offensive to Muslims.

Speaking on behalf of Lotus Five Star, former MIC vice-president S Veerasingam said the distributor hoped that the Home Ministry would revoke the ban imposed on the movie.

“Initially Lotus had muted nine scenes. Now it will mute another seven scenes. In total, 16 scenes will be muted. It will be similar to what is shown in Tamil Nadu, India,” Veerasingam told a press conference here.

Happy birthday Facebook!

HARVARD: Social networking website Facebook turns nine-year-old today. Facebook was started on February 4, 2004 in a dorm of Harvard University by Mark Zuckerburg with the help of his four friends Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum and Chris Hughes.

The world’s biggest social media site called thefacebook.com in its initial days, and was later renamed to just Facebook. Facebook, which began as Zuckerberg’s hobby projects, was initially a college network. Facebook’s expansion to other colleges and universities started in March 2004.

Within months, the social network became a huge success. In October 2007, software giant Microsoft bought a 1.6 percent stake in Facebook for US$240 million. Search gaint Google too is said to have offered partnership deal to Facebook. The deal was, however, rejected by Facebook.

The latter went public in May 2012 and was valued at over US$100 billion after IPO. Recently, Facebook co-founder and CEO Zuckerburg announced a new feature called Graph Search, a tool that utilises social data to help compile results for users. The company also rolled out features like Facebook Cards and voice calling on iPhone in North America to attract users.

Users are steadily becoming more active on the mobile edition of the website than the desktop version. Despite tremendous growth, Facebook has been mired in controversies over privacy concerns, underage members, hacking attacks etc. Zuckerburg has been dragged into lawsuits over stealing the idea for Facebook from his seniors at Harvard – Cameron Winklewoss, Tyler Winklewoss and Divya Narendra.

Co-founder Eduardo Saverin also filed a lawsuit against Zuckerburg for pushing him out of the company. Both the cases were settled out of court.In terms of user count, US, Brazil, India, Indonesia and Mexico are the countries with maximum members on Facebook. It enjoys a huge lead over rival social networks like Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn. It topped 1 billion users on September 14 2012 at 12.45 pm, while it crossed the 500 million-member mark in July 2010.

Since February 2009, Facebook has witnessed 1.13 trillion users’ likes, 219 billion photos being uploaded and 17 billion location-tagged pictures.

A 2011 movie called The Social Network chronicled the events that led to the inception of Facebook as well as the involvement of tech titans like Sean Parker (co-founder of Napster) and Peter Thiel (co-founder of PayPal) with Facebook. The movie was nominated for eight Oscars and won three.


Source - Agencies

Kamal fans want Vishwaroopam ban lifted

GEORGE TOWN: A small group of Kamal Haasan fans held a peaceful demonstration here today calling on the Barisan Nasional government to lift the ban on the Indian movie Vishwaroopam.
Calling themselves the Penang Kamal Haasan Fans Club, they held a 20-minute protest outside the Veenai Odeon cinema hall .

The club president S Mahendran said the ban was against freedom of artistic expression.

He pointed out the Home Ministry was inconsistent in protecting religious sensitivities of various communities in the country as it did not ban Love Guru, which hurt Hindu sentiments, and The Da Vinci Code, which allegedly questioned the fundamental myth of Christianity.

It was banned in Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore after first day screening on Jan 24 on grounds of “Muslim religious sensitivities.”Singapore however, has since lifted its ban.

Mahendran alleged that Kamal Haasan had been victim of a political conspiracy for allegedly not selling the television rights for Vishwaroopam to a television station linked to a powerful politician in Tamil Nadu.

He said the ministry ban based on petitions submitted by two Muslim groups was unacceptable after the censorship had approved its screening.

“Will the minister ban Umno if we submit a memorandum alleging that the party was racist?” he said.

Mahendran said those were fortunate to watch the movie on the first day it was shown have insisted that the movie illustrated the reality of international terrorism and its operations.
PKR state vice-chairman and Batu Uban assemblyman S Raveentharan, who took part in the protest, said it was illogical for the Home Ministry to ban the movie when it has been publicly available via internet and pirated disc.

Moreover, he pointed many Tamil movie fans from Malaysia were crossing the Johor Causeway to watch the movie in Singapore.



Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/02/02/kamal-fans-want-vishwaroopam-ban-lifted/

No end to Kamal Hassan’s woes

Actor-director Kamal Hassan’s travails do not seem to end. His Rs 93-crore multi-lingual film, Vishwaroopam, has not been allowed to screen in his own home State of Tamil Nadu.

In a press conference on Wednesday, the star – who has a fan following as impressive as that of Tamil Nadu’s other legend, Rajnikanth – literally broke down. He said he was on the verge of bankruptcy, and like artist MF Hussain would be forced to leave the country.

(Hussain died in London, after being hounded out of India by radical elements, and in one of his last messages, he had expressed his desire to step on the soil of Mumbai, the city he adored.)

A brief recap about Vishwaroopam. Over the past few weeks, Kamal Hassan had found himself impeded by one obstacle after another, each seemingly more invincible than the other.

When some Muslim groups protested over what they felt was unfair to their religion in Kamal Hassan’s work, the state government under the leadership of the AIADMK Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, banned the movie for 15 days.

What followed appeared like a judicial see-saw game. The ban was lifted and restored. As quickly as it was lifted! In fact, in those brief hours that the ban was not in force, Vishwaroopam was screened in some Tamil Nadu cities, but the shows were disrupted by “hooligans”.Kamal Hassan’s horrible plight indicates a couple of very disturbing trends.
One, the film had been certified for public screening by the Central Board of Film Certification. In a judgment some time ago, India’s apex legal institution, Supreme Court, had declared that no movie which had been cleared by the Board could be banned.