Obama presents King memorabilia to Rajghat

New Delhi: It was a rare gift from US President Barack Obama to the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi -- a stone used to built a memorial of civil rights icon Martin Luther King who was inspired by the Father of the Nation.

Obama handed over the memorabilia to Rajnish Kumar, Secretary of Rajghat Samadhi Committee, when he along with First Lady Michelle visited Gandhi's memorial on the banks of the Yamuna on Monday. 

Michelle Obama wins India with her understated style

NEW DELHI: US First Lady Michelle Obama , who has a reputation of being a fashionista, kept her sartorial choice for her India visit trendy but understated though some designers felt she should have opted for a saree at some events. 

All eyes were on the wife of visiting US President Barack Obama for a peek on the choice of her ensemble as she landed in Mumbai on Saturday. She opted for a a chic grey knee-length tunic dress with pearl buttons that resembled an Indian kurti. 

Fashion designers noted today that the outfits Michelle wore in Mumbai were sombre and toned down and that she opted for simple colours. 

46-year-old Michelle's clothes, which is used by her to make a statement hower subtle--both personal and political--, have often led to a comparison with Jackie Kennedy and Lady Diana. 

After her arrival, she switched to a high-waist chequered skirt teamed with a green top during her visit to the Mumbai University where she and President Obama interacted with students. 

However, when she landed in Delhi, Michelle picked a more colourful turquoise dress with her hair swept in an updo. She also decided to go a bit jazzy during the dinner later in the evening hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with a black tunic with golden emroidery for the dinner, which was attended by noted personalities from different fields. 

Indian fashion designers believe that by opting for simple colours and designs Michelle is trying not to attract too much attention to herself and keep her visit understated as far as fashion is concerned. 

"She's definitely more covered up," says designer Poonam Bhagat referring to the First Lady's trademark off shoulder dresses. "She is very gracious as a person and she is able to carry off waist high dresses with style that is narrow on the top," she said. 

"However, I didn't like the printed skirt with the blue top it didn't complement her and gave her a girl next door look. Otherwise most of the time she has been dressed appropriately," added the Delhi designer. 

Michelle usually is seen favouring sheath dresses with silhouette's body-skimming cut that flatters both her height and her curves. 

While some designers like Ritu Kumar expected the First Lady to wear some India inspired clothes like the sari others say she might have dificult in carrrying it off. "I think she has the statuesque frame to carry off the sari or a draped garment like a sari-inspired gown," 

"I would have loved to see her in something traditional like a sari or an Indian embroiudered dress" adds Kumar.

"With her tall athletic frame with good height and skin tone, she carry off colours like yellows and red similar to what Indians wear. She has the body for a saree," says Bhagat. 

7 Spells To Unstoppable Magnetic Attraction

Beauty holds a golden mirror to the shimmering inner essence. It reflects true self-perception as well as the extent of one's discipline.

Attractiveness indicates a sensitivity to those around us. Just as we shine our shoes, wash our cars or trim our lawns to provide "eye-candy" to passers-by, we keep our bodies in the pink of health to offer delightful icons worthy of emulation.

I believe that beauty is not trivial; it is core to civilized society. Imagine everyone abandoning restraint and shuffling around in tattered clothes, drooping bellies, dishevelled hair, blackened fingernails and breath so foul only a mother could love? No one would be happy- except the mouthwash manufacturers. Those who shun beauty as superficial are probably too lazy to reach for a bar of soap or the jump rope.

But, beautiful people are not necessarily supermodels withGreek-god faces and unreal proportions. That is a myth promulgated by sneaky salesmen of snakeoil creams and dangerous bust implants. Let them slather that muck on their faces 24/7. Then, I'd believe them.

Beautiful people are Normal people who watch their diet, keep their bodies clean, and don tasteful, yet inexpensive clothing. They maintain an empowered lifestyle, indulge in mind-expanding books and engage in varied activity that enriches their awareness.

Beauty, more importantly, is internal. The attractive assert their opinions and fight for convictions. Whether handsome or pretty, bland or plain, the internally beautiful betray an intelligence and burning diligence that reflects their personality. Recall that personality is molded by how we carry ourselves and associatewith the world at large.

Finally, beauty is holistic. Magnetic people take effort to be the best that they can be. They understand that they are fusions of body, soul and spirit. Hence, they build up each facet by honing their talents and passions. They may have ordinary faces but lead extraordinary lives. These exceptional people are the best humanity can offer; they easily outshine the empty-headed Greek Models of the catwalk.

Augmenting beauty simply means caring of the body and the mind. It doesn't take much effort, just a tad of self regulation. Here's how to ooze magnetic attraction:

1. Books and periodicals are your best friend. Beef up what's in your head and rack up more beauty points with your enlightened discussions. Intelligence is attractive.

2. Watch stand-up comedy. You will develop your sense of humour. Wit is a rare and valued commodity.

3. Is that a burger you're shovelling down your throat? Stop. You are literally what you eat. Want to be a lard bucket? Then chomp that burger.

4. Soap, shampoo and mouthwash are better than all the pheromone sprays, libido enhancers and failed nose lifts. Good hygiene is the honey that attracts the delightful bees.

5. Dress to impress- 24/7. You probably had one of those moments. There you were, in sloppy coveralls at the mall. Then you run into the boss or a beautiful stranger. Say this with me: "NEVER AGAIN." One more time. "NEVER AGAIN."

6. Ask and Listen. The most dazzling conversationalists avoid monopolizing conversations. Rather, they ask tons of questions…. And listen for hours on end. Stop and think about that. Isn't your best friend a great listener?

7. Finally, think sexy. Feel sexy. You are what you think you are. Your body follows what the mind dictates. The $3000 executive coaches like to pass this astounding piece of common sense for a hefty fee. Save the money.

So, get out there and glow. You can be attractive without those creams, lotions and surgeons.

Be bold. Choose beauty. 

Learning each day from Gandhi's life: Obama

Mahatma Gandhi's journey is a never-ending source of inspiration for the young generation, US President Barack Obama said on Sunday. Answering a question on how he implements the principles of Mahatma Gandhi in his day to day life, Obama said: "One of the things I draw from Gandhi is that you have to be persistent on your journey, you just have to keep going on and never say die."

"Gandhi, Sir Martin Luther King, and Abraham Lincoln are people we are constantly reading and studying about. I'm often frustrated by how far I fall short of their example," the US president added in his interaction with the students of St. Xavier's college in Mumbai.

The Obamas in Mumbai

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama charmed the maximum city and were charmed in turn as they danced with children at the Holy Name School and engaged in an open discussion with young men and women at the St. Xavier's College. A few images of the Mumbai leg of their landmark Indian visit.

Very severe cyclone Jal became severe cyclone

Hyderabad, Nov 7: People of coastal region may breathe a little sigh of relief as Andhra Pradesh Revenue Minister D Prasada Rao on Nov 7 announced that cyclone 'Jal' has lost its strength over the period of time and it became a "severe cyclone" from a "very severe cyclone."
"The cyclone is likely to lose strength further so that people in low-lying areas should come forward to stay in the relief camps at least for a day," stated Rao.
Stating about the bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Rao also claimed that the 'Jal' laid centred 300 kms of Chennai and 420 kms of Nellore. 
According the minister, nine fishermen were caught in the sea between East and West Godavari districts and efforts were on to rescue them.

Obamas arrive in Delhi, Manmohan receives them at the airport

The Obamas were greeted warmly by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who in a significant gesture welcomed the U.S. President and first lady at the airport, with his wife Gursharan Kaur.

U.S. President Barack Obama today arrived here on the second leg of his three-day visit to India and was personally received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who set aside protocol to welcome the guest.

The Air Force One carrying Mr. Obama, his wife Michelle and the official delegation touched down at the Delhi Airport at 3.19 PM and the President and the First Lady waved their hands while getting down from the aircraft.

Soon after alighting from the aircraft, Mr. Obama hugged Dr. Singh after shaking hands with him and greeted his wife Gursharan Kaur with a peck on her cheek. Ms. Michelle greeted Dr. Singh and Ms. Kaur the same way.

The couples were seen chatting for a few minutes before the visiting dignitaries were introduced to officials in the reception line including Minister-in-Waiting Salman Khursheed, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Meera Shankar.

Dr. Singh’s receiving the Obamas is a special gesture signifying the importance India attaches to the U.S. President’s maiden visit. Mr. Obama said specific announcements on issues like counter-terrorism, regional security and clean energy are likely after talks between the two leaders tomorrow.

Dr. Singh had received Mr. Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush at the airport when he visited India in 2006. The Prime Minister had also gone to the airport to personally receive Saudi Arabia King Abdullah.

Mr. Obama, who arrived in Mumbai yesterday afternoon, paid tributes to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai carnage and said his stay at the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the targets of the Mumbai terror strikes, was intended to send a strong message against terrorism.

Before embarking for Delhi, Mr. Obama and Ms. Michelle celebrated Diwali with children at the Holy Name School in Colaba and then interacted with students at the St. Xavier’s College in a typical U.S. townhall style.