Indian (US based) Youth prefer Dating sites to Matrimonial one

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NetIP - NY hosts annual charity cruise aboard Temptress

The New York chapter of the Network of Indian Professionals (NetIP-NY) hosted its 3rd Annual Black and White Charity Cruise aboard the Temptress, which set sail from the West River’s Pier 81 (near Circle Line cruise) last week. Through a date auction alone, NetIP-NY’s flagship event this year raised $6,600, which would be donated to six charitable organizations.

NetIP-NY President Rita Bagai said, “This year’s charity cruise epitomized the mission of NetIP-NY, by providing a unique networking opportunity for our constituency and also providing a platform for our members to fundraise for South Asian charities. This event strengthened our community partnerships and means to support South Asian organizations throughout the world.”

The prime attraction of the evening was undoubtedly the Date-Auction where a total of six selected Net-IP members, three women and three men, took part while the rest bid for them. The highest bidder won a date with the participant they vied for. The proceeds would be distributed amongst Child Rights and You (CRY), American Humane Society, Manvi, the Jaydev Desai Foundation, the Jagadguru Kripalu Yog Trust and NetIP-NY Foundation.

Talking about the concept of the date auction, Bagai elaborated, “The concept of date auction came across from members wanting to have a platform to make a difference within their communities. Through the other pillars of Net-IP like professional development, political awareness etc…our members felt they benefited themselves but they didn’t know how to reach back and make a difference especially within their own culture in India. That’s why we created this concept. It really serves as a platform for our members to be able to make a difference overseas and to their own people….as well as learn about the needs of people throughout the world who are not as much privileged as them.”

Earlier, arrangements for an open bar and Italian buffet dinner were made for those on board right after Temptress left the pier at 6:45 p.m. With the conclusion of the wining and dining session, Miss India America Melanie Kannokada, the emcee for the evening, took center stage and provided a sneak-peek of what was to follow. Soon, she made way for comedian Rajeev Varma who performed select scenes from his play D'Arranged Marriage amongst others.

DJ Sahil of Status spun some lovely mix of Indian and Western music and eventually got everyone on their feet, jiving to the groovy music. The Net-IP members even got a chance to audition for State Farm’s BollyStar 2009 organized by Saavn and NetIP-NY. The winner would feature in an upcoming Bollywood movie. Bobby Rehani, VP of Social Events, who was instrumental in planning this event for the second year in a row said, “We are glad that so many well respected South Asians agreed to participate and support this event. In fact, it is the most successful chapter event and most successful cruise ever. We have got a lot of great reviews. The fact that we raised over $5000 for 6 different charities was the most important aspect of the cruise. We are happy that people were able to have a good time and give back to charity.”

When asked whether the cruise was a success, VP of Marketing & Public Relations Kanika Marwaha said, “The cruise was an overwhelming success because in addition to raising money for several great causes, it provided a forum for professional networking. NetIP-NY focuses its events around Professional Development, Cultural Awareness, Political Awareness, and Community Service, so it’s really encouraging to see so many South Asians interested in supporting events that clearly represent NetIP-NY’s mission”

The main sponsors for the event were Saavn, Landmark Technologies, and Aha Designs. NetIP-NY VP of Community Service Ashish Vatsal said, “This year’s charity cruise was built on its strong history of fundraising. NetIP-NY would like to thank our 300 attendees, who raised over $6000. I’m looking forward to similar support at our 2nd Annual NetIP-NY Community Service Day on July 25th.”

Hollywood Stars Rev-Up Bollywood Flick: Stuntman Askay fights with Model Karina, Kissed Denise, Discusses Ayurveda with Stallone!

Akshay Kumar was in Manhattan last June 27 to promote his latest action comedy, Kambakkht Ishq what is slated for release for July 3rd. Though this Eros International presentation has Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in the lead but the hype is definitely building around the first time appearances of Hollywood superstars like Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh (of Superman Returns fame) and Denise Richards, together in a Bollywood flick, amongst others.

Kumar who was actually on a vacation with his family in Puerto Rico flew down to New York City for the event. “You know how bossy the Eros people are…they made me come here from my vacation to promote this film”, he laughed. The movie directed by newcomer Sabbir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala is about an exciting ‘chemistry’ between a dashing stuntman in Hollywood played by Kumar and a firebrand supermodel, enacted by Kapoor.

Talking about the movie and his character, Kumar said, “I want you to go and see this film with your family and friends but when you go to see it don’t think about logic. You know it’s a Bollywood movie (chuckles). As far as my character in this movie is concerned, I do not identify with it. I decided to take it up because the script was good and the presence of the likes of Sylvester Stallone was an added bonus. It’s been a great honor working with them. I think the director Sabbir Khan has done a pretty good job for a first timer and he’s a very intelligent man. To be able to put together such a big cast together by a debutante director is a no mean feat.”

When asked to say something about his interaction with Stallone on the sets, Kumar humors, “What do you think we might have discussed…it was about how many bones he has broken and how many I have broken (laughs). When I told him about how Ayurvedic treatment helped me, he showed quite a bit of interest. We also shared our experiences in Thailand. He said that he had been there for the shooting of two of his films.”

The film is already in news for the several kissing and overtly passionate scenes between Kumar and Kapoor as well as the one between Kumar and Richards, who also openly praised how this sexy action hero is also a good kisser. But Kumar wanted to divert people’s attention towards how he enjoyed the fighting sequences with Kapoor. “My most favorite scene in the movie is where I fight with the heroine. We didn’t even have our lines and just had to fight. Kareena not only has the ability to break men’s hearts but also their bones”, adds Kumar.

Eros is releasing the film across 2000 plus screens worldwide, making it one of the widest releases in recent times. This would include more than 1400 screens in India and over 600 overseas (with about 100 screens in US alone) and will be a combination of prints and digital format. The makers claim that Kambakkht Ishq is a fun film which creates a perfect premise for a thrilling battle of the sexes with music by Anu Malik.