Nano Europa unveiled at Geneva motor show

World’s cheapest car Nano from Tata Motors that had caught global attention at its unveiling at the Delhi Auto Expo in 2008 will also be rolled out in select international markets within the next two years and called Nano Europa. Tata Motors will launch Nano on March 23 in Mumbai.In a statement, Tata Group head Ratan Tata said Nano has also generated wide interest in developed countries and Tata Motors would launch Nano Europa within the next two years.Tata Motors is keen on introducing Nano in European markets keeping in mind the growing market for low-cost and fuel efficient cars.Nano Europa will have some advanced features like air-bags and ABS, but its cost might see only marginal increase compared to its Indian version, company sources said.Mr. Tata, who unveiled Nano Europa along with concept luxury sedan Prima and electric vehicle Indica Vista EV at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show, said Nano Europa would have a slightly longer wheelbase of 2.28 metres and powered by a 3-cylinder sporty all-aluminium MPFI engine matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission and electric power steering. The gasoline engine will be class-leading, providing high fuel efficiency and low carbon-dioxide emissions.

WHY FREIDA PINTO BETTER THAN AISHWARYA RAI?

She's been catapulted straight to Hollywood. Freida Pinto, the poised, smiling beauty that Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire has thrown up on the global stage, has done what few Indian actors have managed to do before her.From Om Puri to Naseeruddin Shah, Irrfan Khan to Ayesha Dharkar - everyone has worked in Hollywood films but none has tasted instant, mainstream fame like Freida.Even the glamorous Aishwarya Rai, 35, who has been adjudged India's most bankable star in Hollywood by Forbes, has taken her time to journey there. But not Freida, 24.The younger model-turned-actress from Mumbai has already walked the Oscar red carpet, shone in the multiple Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and is set to sizzle on popular magazine covers, with just one film to her name."Freida's was a fresh face that was exposed in an international project. That worked to her advantage since she did not have any baggage attached with her. She is this fresh girl, good with English who can carry herself and that's why (she is) liked by many," film critic Omar Quereshi said."Most Indian actresses first concentrate on Bollywood films and then are picked up by Hollywood directors for international projects. So their prime focus has always been Bollywood," he said.Freida is one of the luckiest Bollywood actresses, having been to the Academy Awards, that too, right at the beginning of her career. Even the Bachchan daughter-in-law, Aishwarya, who is a regular at the Cannes Film Festival, hasn't walked the Oscar red carpet yet.Thanks to British filmmaker Danny Boyle's film, Freida has been exposed to instant international acclaim that any actress would die for. She has already bagged Hollywood director Woody Allen's next project. She will share screen space with the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts and Josh Brolin in the movie."With Aishwarya the scene was that she got projects since she was Miss World and had also done Bollywood films. That's why Freida's success looks more prominent since she emerged from nowhere and has done a good job," said Quereshi.Among Indian actresses, Shabana starred in Hollywood productions like Madame Sousatzka (1988) followed by City of Joy (1992), Ayesha was seen in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and The Mistress of Spices as well as the television series Arabian Nights and the West End and Broadway musical Bombay Dreams.

Aishwarya can boast of four international projects - Bride & Prejudice, Mistress Of Spices, The Last Legion and The Pink Panther 2, which is currently being shown in India.But none of these has set the box office on fire like Slumdog Millionaire. Danny Boyle's film not only got critical acclaim but it also won all the top global awards - four Golden Globes, seven British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards and eight Oscars.While Freida has been hailed by the international media for her performance, Aishwarya has been panned by critics abroad who feel she is wooden in The Pink Panther 2.Freida has bagged the Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. The latter took home the best actress prize at the Elle Style Awards too.Freida's fashion quotient has always been on an upswing. Freida even topped the list of Vogue Magazine's 10 best-dressed people. She is also set to sizzle on the covers of popular magazines like Maxim and Vogue India."Sometimes because of our features and our body type, certain things don't suit us, that's the case with Aishwarya. She has mostly gone wrong with the choice of colours and styles while appearing in international events. Whereas Freida can carry most Western styles and has chosen the right designs for herself," designer Atsu Sekhose said."She is the new flavour of the season. Whatever she has worn at these events prove that she can carry off any dress with style and confidence," he added.Said designer Alpana of the label Azara: "Freida has a great body with an attractive face. She pulls off everything very well. She carries herself with poise and knows what to wear and when."The stars are certainly shining for India's newest export to the world, Freida.

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A.R.Rahman's Live Tunes in Chennai

Herbie Hancock, a Grammy award winner, and AR Rahman are currently conducting a musical exploration in India with Martin Luther King's successor.A.R. Rahman as well as Jazz player Herbie Hancock, a Grammy award winner, will get together for a mega musical performance based on the motto of nonviolence in Chennai on the 24th of February 2009. Hancock who is part of the official US delegation accompanying Martin Luther King III on a 11-day tour of India would perform on a special composition by Rahman the theme of non violence. Performing with Hancock include a vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewaters, artist Chaka Khan and grand piano player George Duke."I absolutely loved the music of Slumdog. It combines the influence of several cultures," Hancock said referring to the British Danny Boyle rags-to riches film with music by A R Rahman which is in the running for multiple Oscars this year.

JADE GOODY WEDDING ON SUNDAY

British reality television star Jade Goody, who has terminal cancer, is to get married on Sunday, having made up her mind to "walk down that isle".The 27-year-old mother of two, who was told last week that she has just months to live, has left London's Royal Marsden Hospital in a wheelchair to exchange engagement rings with her lover Jack Tweed, 21, on the banks of the river Thames.Goody's friend and publicist Max Clifford said, "I spoke to Jade last night and it is all on for Sunday."The couple are hoping to get married at the plush Down Hall country house, in Hatfield Heath, Hertforeshire - a hotel housed in an Italian-style mansion dating back to 1322.Goody told The Sun: "I am going to die in this hospital, so I don't want to get married here.""But wherever we tie the knot, I'm determined to walk down that aisle."She said she has "lost my balance", which the doctors were not sure was a sign of her illness or just general weakness."But I'm hoping I will have the strength to walk on my big day. It would be so cruel to be robbed of that one last thing as well," Goody added.Goody and Tweed visited the upmarket Harrods store, where the bride-to-be picked out a wedding dress, a gift from the store's owner Mohamed Fayed."This has given her something to think about, a happy event."The wedding, the christening of her two boys, these are all positive things to focus on as opposed to the cancer and what is happening to her and what she is going through."Clifford said the star also picked out Armani suits for her two sons, Bobby, five, and Freddie, four.Goody, who became embroiled in a race row with Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty in January 2007, was diagnosed with her cervical cancer last August, which has since spread to her liver, bowels and groin.