Four victories over the weekend followed by three on Tuesday makes Obama the front runner in the race for the Democratic Presidential candidate for the first time. As per the Associated Press, he leads with 1,210 delegates while Hillary stands at 1,188. His slogan, Change we can has influenced the Americans to change their outlook and more and more whites are shifting base towards the Obama camp.

It is difficult to pin point the actual reason for Obama’s ever increasing popularity index, whether it is his looks, his influential speeches, his common man appeal, his ideologies or his campaigns. However, Hillary on the other hand who has remained stoic through a string of controversies is now resorting to emotional blackmail. With the next election due on March 4th, it gives Hillary enough time to put things in order. While the rigorous campaigning continues, Americans wait with a bated breath to know who reaches the 2,025 mark.

Via: Yahoo

Image: Textually

Our day can never be complete without tales from Britneyland and surprisingly this time she’s not in the news for the wrong reasons. Britney,who was in the news last for refusing to attend her sister’s wedding is all set to release her next music video, ‘Break the Ice’. The ‘Toxic’star will be seen as a petite, sultry,blonde in the entirely animated video. What’s next to watch out for? If she isn’t in the news for her escapades you’ll see her do a cameo on the US show ‘How I Met your Mother’.

Via: The Sun

The Outsourcing industry came to India almost way back in the 1980s with some European airlines bringing their back office operations to India. In the last two decades the industry has seen an unprecedented rise and is providing employment to almost millions in the country yet there are some who are still deciding if its advent has been for the good or the bad. The rise of outsourcing in India is often associated with the death of its rich culture and values however it’s not fair to single out the industry.

Over the years India has been changing and the outsourcing Industry has only been a part of this change. No outsourcing organization has an induction program aimed at training its employees on consumption of drugs, extra marital affairs, casual sex or the likes. The availability of high disposable income in the hands of the youth may account for such activities. In India where poverty has been an issue for years and continues to be, the outsourcing industry came as a huge relief. It provided employment opportunities to even those who could not complete their education after their twelfth standard. It came as a ray of hope in the lives of retired personnel from the armed services, women with no vocational background or formal degrees and physically disabled people. Its advent gave business and increased avenues in the supporting industries like catering, training and development, transport vendors and security agencies. The role of outsourcing in the progress of the Indian economy can be substantiated by the fact that the government is planning to initiate a separate ministry for it.

The prime reason for the outsourcing industry to be categorized as the Indian value killer is that men and women work together in odd shift timings. Then again, which industry doesn’t? The hospitality industry does, the manufacturing industry does and the hospitals run round the clock as well, so why are these not branded? The youth is moving away from our values and culture because their thinking and outlook towards things are undergoing a drastic change. The influence of the West is at its all time high and it has nothing to do with any industry. The lifestyle and ideologies of an average college student in a metro may not be any different from a young outsourcing employee, so are we saying that there’s something wrong with our education system as well? This debate has been going on for a long time and will probably go on forever however it is for us to decide if we look at the right side of things and work on the wrong or look and highlight the wrong side of things and ignore the right.

Via: TNJN
Image: Labnol

Designers across the globe are redefining the way traditional garments have been made or worn for centuries and Japan is no exception. The ongoing Japan Fashion Week being held in Tokyo witnessed Kimono, its traditional dress get a makeover. This year’s collection saw a trend of cheerfulness and a hint of sensuality which is different from its otherwise cerebral image and designer Jotaro Saito continued the trend. This kimono designer gave the garment a complete new look by substituting its traditional fabric silk by denim to give it a mass appeal. He also experimented with the colours and the designs. The collection included kimonos in its traditional form as well and kimonos for men in blue denim. The use of denim over silk and its forms makes the garment easy to maintain. Hopefully this collection will encourage more and more people to wear the traditional dress instead of wearing it only on special occasions.

Our ‘Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression’ once considered a very blessed right is being gravely misused by all and sundry these days. There are people shouting from their rooftops claiming their rights however they are the ones who conveniently ignore that others have the same ones too. With the media industry flourishing like never before it often works as the perfect catalyst to ignite issues further. If the Indian team wins (after losing repeatedly) they are treated as heroes while when the hockey team loses (after reaching the qualifying finals) they are treated as losers. Why are there extreme approaches to every thing and why can’t we have a balanced approach instead?

The role of media, whether print or television, is to spread the facts just the way they are and not to sensationalize a tiny detail as ‘breaking news’. Getting out on the streets and protesting and causing harm to public property for the pettiest of issues seems to be the national time pass these days. A South Indian actress wears clothes you don’t approve of get out on the streets and protest till she makes a public apology, a bus kills a child get out on the streets and cause damage to 40 other buses, a politician makes anti North Indian remarks get out on the streets, burn taxis and create havoc. How does that really help to resolve any issue? It only causes further unrest and damage to the society and media’s part in it doesn’t really help to soothe things down. Protests are justified if the cause is genuine and there’s no harm caused to anyone or anything.

While there are millions trying to take the nation a step further towards progress every day, every such incident takes the nation ten steps behind. It is high time that there is some regulation on the content used by the media and a check imposed on the statements made by people in public gatherings. The role of regulatory authorities should not be restricted to banning and lifting off bans on channels like Fashion TV and AXN but to regulate the news spread through various forms of media to the common public. Let’s hope the action is taken before we have a few buses and taxis left.

Via: Mutiny
Image: The Hindu

For thousands around the world who dream of lounging in the sandy beaches of Hawaii, Goa has been the perfect substitute for years. However, with a number of incidents emerging into the limelight in the past couple of years, the latest one being the killing of a 15 year old British teen, Scarlett Keeling Goa is soon losing its tag of being a paradise. Goa has always been known for its idyllic lifestyle, yet that’s not the attitude one would expect from the local police. Most cases of deaths are dismissed as random incidents and only pressure from the family of the deceased proves it otherwise.

In the case of Scarlett Keeling as well, her death was initially written off as a case of drowning until her mother demanded a second autopsy and it was revealed that she may have been raped but definitely murdered and have even arrested three suspects. Families with similar cases of mysterious deaths of family members are now keen to unravel the real cause and suspect foul play.

Though the prevailing lifestyle of casual sex and where getting drugs is as easy as buying your groceries is not something to rave about nothing justifies the deaths. Goa, always known as one of the safest places is showing its evil side now and this bring no good to anyone. What can only be hoped is that people are more cautious with whom they interact with and the Goa Police pulls their socks up before the loss to the image of Goa is irreparable.

Via: Times Online
Image: ABC News

‘When in India do as the Indians do’, and that’s exactly what every little girl’s playmate Barbie is doing. Send this beautiful edition of the world’s favorite doll anywhere in India. Her usually blonde hair is replaced by thick black hair and the short dresses have given way to beautiful traditional sarees and her accessories include matching bangles and a golden necklace. Priced at Rs. 615 (inclusive of taxes and delivery charges) you are likely to get every penny’s worth with the oohs and aahs of delight of the young one who gets it. However the toughest part might be restraining yourself from getting one for your own collection!

Via: Webinida123

Via: OpenDeco

The Chanel collection at the Paris Fashion Week makes you fall in love with the color Black, if you weren’t already! Karl Lagerfled, known to keep his audience asking for more did not let them down this year either. The collection showcases black in its best hues and in fabrics from tweed to rubberized leather. For those few who may have not found the collection fascinating enough were definitely fascinated by the carousel like stage. To add his trademark uniqueness to this show Karl made his models fold their arms which gave them just the right amount of coldness to complement the shade of the show. The verdict? Every girl would definitely want to own one of these ultra chic outfits.

Source: Fabsugar

Though rarely ever out of it, ‘Posh and Becks’ are in news again. For those who were speculating if their marriage was ever on the rocks, David Beckham has put an end to all the speculation and how! In a redefining romanticism kind of moment David proposed marriage to his better half already, Victoria Beckham at the Beckingham Palace. When she said a surprised ‘Yes’ little did she know that they’d be taking their marriage vows (for the second time) next.

The small private ceremony was planned to the very last detail by David involving only close friends and family. Also known for his tattoos, David did not let us down this time too. The ‘Golden Couple’ got the date of the ceremony tattooed on their wrists in Roman numerals. They took a second honeymoon in Paris making the second wedding seem as authentic as ever. This couple is now bound by their wedding woes oops ‘vows’ stronger than ever before!

Via: Celebitchy