MUMBAI: A rejuvenated West Indies side will hope to build upon their fantastic win in the second Test match against Sri Lanka when the two teams clash for the three-match One Day International series starting Thursday, April 10.

The two teams, after drawing the two-Test series 1-1, will now view the ODI series as the decider. The Queen?s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, will be the venue for the first two matches of the series (April 10 and Saturday, April 12), followed by the final match on Tuesday, April 15, at the Beausejour Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, which will be played under lights.

And Ten Sports, the most watched sports channel in the Sub-continent, will be the exclusive home for the series. Live telecast of the first two matches starts at 6:45 pm IST, while the day-night match starts from 11:45 pm IST.

West Indies hopes will be boosted not only by the win, but also by the form of their frontline batsmen, including second Test hero Ramnaresh Sarawan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and most importantly, skipper Chris Gayle on top of the order. And to add to their advantage, Sri Lanka will be without the services of world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan and explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya, both of whom were not picked up for the one-dayers.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene will definitely look to clinch the series and return on a winning note. His team did well to win the first Test match ? their first Test win in the Caribbean ? but a second-inning batting slump put paid to their hopes of winning their first-ever Test series in the West Indies.

MUMBAI: Amrita TV has lined up a bouquet of exclusive programmes for the Vishu festival(April 14), which marks the beginning of the new year for Keralites across the world.Vishu also marks the third Anniversary for the channel which commenced telecast on 14 April,2005

The Vishu-eve programmes on April 13 showcase the just-held 4th Amrita Film Awards,wherein Awards based on public voting were presented in 16 categories of film making.As is the tradition in each of its Annual Film Awards,this year also Lifetime Achievement Award was given to music maestro, Dakshinamurthy.Also a posthumous Award was presented to late Bharat Gopi,illustrious actor, for his multi-faceted contribution to Malayalam cinema.The Amrita Film Awards gala nite which will be telecast on 13 April,6.30 pm will feature performances by noted musicians and actors like Naresh Iyer, Mukta,Ramba,Vinith Srinivasan,Shweta comedian Suraaj,interspersed with the Awards presentation.

On 13 itself at 2 pm ,Amrita TV will be telecasting a special Vishu-eve chat show with Vani Jayaram,noted playback singer-- being interviewed by singer,Unni Menon

On Vishu day (April 14),the morning starts with a Live Telecast of "Vishukani" at 6 am from Abhedananda Ashram,followed by a special edition of "Udayamritam"( 7 am) highlighting the traditions and folklore associated with the festival and "Vishugeetangal" at 8.30 am

At 10 am ,the channel will be telecasting the award-winning film "Nottam",featuring Nedumudi Venu and Samvrita Verma followed by a special Vishu Cookery Show on Ambalapuzha Palpaysam,specially shot at Ambalapuzha Sreekrishna Temple(1.30 pm)

The post-lunch Vishu session starts with a programme ( 2 pm) on the famous singer of yesteryears,S.Janaki, in conversation with music director, M.Jayachandran, who has won the Kerala State Awards 2008 for Best Music Director.

In the evening ,Amrita TV is telecasting at 3.30 pm,South India‘s first digital film "Munnamathoral" starring Jayaram,Vineeth,Jyotirmayi,Sherin and Samvrita

Looking back,in the past three years,Amrita TV has cemented its position as an innovative channel known for providing content that is tasteful and differentiated,yet audience-centric and client-attuned

Amrita TV pioneered classy and family-oriented reality shows in Malayalam television with its "Super Star" in mid-2006 .For the past few months,Amrita TV is perhaps the only satellite channel to run four reality shows concurrently, 14 hours a week viz "Super Star Global" ,"Super Dancer Junior","Raga Ratnam Junior" and "Best Citizen Journalist" .And now on the anvil is the actuality show,"Great India Race" and a talent hunt for pairs, "Let‘s Dance". Under its public service initiative, "Send an SMS.Save a Child", the entire SMS revenue from all its reality shows is donated for the benefit of underprivileged children

During its brief existence,Amrita TV has taken the lead in creating content which is not solely dependent on serials and movie fare by focussing on programmes spanning all genres such as News& Features,Culture & Heritage,Mythology,Human Interest,Ecology,Comedy & Satire,Cooking ,Lifestyle et al.

Amrita TV,launched in 2005,as a 24-hour Malayalam,general entertainment & news satellite channel with a global footprint,has been honoured with 26 State Awards for Excellence in Television--the only channel in India to be bestowed with such a recognition in just two years since inception.

MUMBAI: This Friday, Idea Dhoom Macha De presents a Baisakhi Special episode! Joining the Dhoom Team in this fun filled festivity is a special guest? none other than? the bubbly and stunning actress Preity Zinta! Watch her have a blast as our singing superstars showcase splendid performances dedicated to the occasion of Baisakhi in a special presentation this 11 April at 8:30 pm only on NDTV Imagine!

The episode begins with Preity Zinta making a striking entry on the peppy anthem of her IPL cricket team Kings XI titled, ?Go Punjabi?, originally sung by the king of Punjabi pop, Daler Mehndi! She has a great time on the show cheering for her favorite singing superstars and commenting on their performances! The Dhoom team sings songs dedicated to this festival which marks the arrival of the harvesting season. While Devang sings a medley of Gujarati folk songs like Ashad Asaaram, Sambhelu, Aalaji Tara Kisaan Tere Sajde Mein Jaoon, Babul sings a Bengali song like Dhitang Dhitang Bole and the popular track Chappa Chappa Charkha Chale. Richa delves into Punjabi folk with songs like Jaavoni Koi Mod, Adlib, Challa Kariya Mirchaya, Aayi Hain Baisakhi and the popular song Kaava Kaava from the film Monsoon Wedding, while Baba Sehgal has the judges and audience applaud for him, with his lively performance on Rang De Basanti. Jaspinder sings some filmi favorites like Aayi Jhoom Ke Basant, Purva Suhani Aayi Re, Mere Desh ki Dharti and the lively Tera Rang Balle Balle, from Soldier which has Preity grooving on the stage with her! Also presenting a special stand-up act is comedian Bhagwant Mann as he has the audience and judges rolling on the floor with his incredible sense of humor.

Don?t forget to tune in to a very exciting and entertaining Baisakhi Special episode this Friday, April 11th, at 8:30 p.m. only on Idea Dhoom Macha De on NDTV Imagine!

MUMBAI: One could safely give him credit for changing the way the world looked at Indian filmmakers, in our time.He did this with his 1998 film Elizabeth, which garnered an impressive seven Academy Award nominations. In 2007, Elizabeth: The Golden Age notched up two more. This, apart from the many accolades both films collected at other prestigious award ceremonies worldwide.

In recent years, much has been written about Shekhar Kapur?s talent in the world?s press. In India, however, he has enjoyed success for a far longer period. It all began with the critically acclaimed Masoom in 1983. Then came Mr India, which wowed children and adults alike, and continues to impress new generations of viewers. Kapur followed this with the hard-hitting Bandit Queen, based on the life of dacoit Phoolan Devi, which won him two Filmfare Awards.

Where does Shekhar Kapur get his passion for film? How does he gain inspiration from his colourful, imaginary world? Where and how did his ambitious story begin? The filmmaker answers these and other queries from host Kabir Bedi on Director?s Cut this Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 8:00 pm. Only on Zoom, India?s premier glamour and entertainment channel.

In the course of the conversation, Kapur reveals not just tricks related to successful filmmaking, but also shares his secret of creativity. He answers all kinds of questions - like why he enjoys making Hollywood films, for instance, and what the pros and cons of filmmaking in Bollywood are. He also shares special childhood memories, like his first meeting with legendary actress Madhubala, and how he used to create stories for the entertainment of friends in school.

He also opens up about his relationship with his father, discusses the turmoil in his personal life, and speaks about the journey from Masoom to the controversial Bandit Queen. Revealing his passion for filmmaking, he says, "I would disconnect the monitors of producers, or make them sit far away under the hot sun, so there would be no interference." He compares making films in India to a trip to Mumbai?s Chor Bazaar - because of the adventure and negotiation it involves. The director doesn?t forget to mention his evergreen uncle Dev Anand, and his never-say-die attitude to life.

MUMBAI: Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of Zensar has taken over as Chairman of National Association of Software and Service Companies, the premier trade body representing the Indian IT-BPO industry, for the year 2008-09 while Mr Pramod Bhasin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genpact has been elected as Vice Chairman..

Announcing this, NASSCOM President Som Mittal said, ?Dr Ganesh Natarajan has been associated with NASSCOM for a number of years and has helped in setting up a several initiatives focused on Innovation, as well as for the small and medium enterprises. Mr. Pramod Bhasin has been leading our BPO Forum and, we believe, with his vast experience he will add immense value to the entire industry which will bring a sharper focus on the BPO segment.?

Natarajan said "Creativity, community and collaboration would help sustain the growth momentum of the industry. The inherent creativity of this industry‘s people can be translated into commercial innovations to keep our leadership position intact and unleashing the power of community within and across industry segments will ensure that we remain buoyant in all market segments and geographies".

Bhasin said, ?I will be focusing on leading the Indian BPO and IT industry globally and focusing on key initiatives such as education and security that are crucial for growth of the industry in the years to come?.

NASSCOM presently has around 1200 members, of which over 200 are global companies from the US , UK , EU, Japan , China and other countries.

BANGALORE: TThe world‘s most successful, up-market men‘s magazine, GQ, will launch an Indian edition later this year, said Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman of Cond? Nast International. GQ India will be the second Cond? Nast title in the country, following the overwhelming success of Vogue, launched last September.

"Indian Vogue rapidly dominated the women‘s magazine market, far surpassing expectations in both circulation and advertising. It has given us the confidence to start a second title, and GQ is the logical choice" said Nicholas Coleridge, Vice President of Cond? Nast International.

GQ‘s entry both coincides with and reflects the red-hot expansion of the luxury market catering to Indian men ­who are earning and spending like never before, driving consumption in Asia‘s third largest economy. Sensing the immense opportunities and latent aspirations, a slew of luxury fashion and global lifestyle brands have entered the fray, and GQ, with its historic understanding of this market, is the perfect vehicle for upscale brands to partner with.

First published in the USA in 1957, GQ has led the men‘s lifestyle magazine market for 50 years. Urbane, upscale, occasionally irreverent and always stylish, GQ has kept men of taste and affluence around the world up to date on the best in fashion and grooming, celebrity, sports, travel and motoring. It is known for the highest standards in feature writing and photography, winning awards the world over. And its status as a byword for men‘s style is unparalleled. With a combination of Indian and international content, GQ India will help the discerning Indian male discover and develop his sense of style and individuality.

Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director of Cond? Nast India said, "There is a huge vacuum in the men‘s luxury magazine space: we have been inundated by requests from advertisers and readers to launch GQ in India. Like its international counterparts, GQ India will be stylish, opinionated and celebrate the finest journalism India has to offer."

Sanjiv Bhattacharya has been appointed Editor of GQ India. Raised in the UK, Sanjiv has written extensively for British GQ, where he served first as features and then contributing editor. Having spent the last 8 years in Los Angeles, his print work has been widely read both in the UK and the USA in titles like Details, the Los Angeles Times, Marie Claire, the Daily Telegraph and the Observer among others. Prior to joining GQ, Sanjiv recently completed a book for Simon & Schuster and presented an investigative documentary for Channel Four in the UK.

Brendan Allthorpe has been appointed Art Director of GQ India. Having worked in publishing since 1995 in Australia and the UK, Brendan has had extensive experience in the men‘s market. He was formerly the Art Director of GQ Russia which was rewarded with the highest circulated figures since its launch, during his tenure.

Che Kurrien has been appointed Senior Editor of GQ India. He comes from Reuters where he was a correspondent and before that at Time Out Mumbai as Assistant Editor and Indian Express as Staff writer. Che has a post-graduate degree in journalism from New York University.

Iain Ball has been appointed Features Editor of GQ India. Iain has worked as Chief Copy Editor Vogue India and previously as Consulting Editor to TimeOut Delhi, Assistant Editor to Time Out Mumbai, and Copy Editor / staff writer to the Indian Express.

GQ India is one of the many magazine launches planned by Cond? Nast International for 2008. The others, previously announced, include Vanity Fair in Spain, Tatler in Russia and Cond? Nast Traveler in Greece.