London unveils 2012 Olympics logo

Organisers of the London 2012 Olympics unveiled the games logo on Monday, calling it powerful and modern, although one critic denounced it as "hideous".

The jagged, graffiti-like blow-up of the number 2012 comes in a range of colours including hot pink and electric blue. Its cost has not been revealed.

Organisers said "the powerful, modern emblem symbolises the dynamic Olympic spirit and its inspirational ability to reach out to people all over the world".

"London 2012 will be Everyone's Games, everyone's 2012," said games chairman Sebastian Coe at the launch attended by the host of sporting celebrities such as tennis star Andrew Murray and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

"This is the vision at the very heart of our brand," he added. "It will define the venues we build and the Games we hold and act as a reminder of our promise to use the Olympic spirit to inspire everyone and reach out to young people around the world."

The logo, designed by brand consultants Wolff Olins, will be used to promote both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The design features the word "London" and the five Olympic rings.

"When people see the new brand, we want them to be inspired to make a positive change in their life," said Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"London 2012 will be a great sporting summer but will also allow Britain to showcase itself to the world."

The new branding also got the thumbs up from Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"This is a truly innovative brand logo that graphically captures the essence of the London 2012 Olympic Games, namely to inspire young people around the world through sport and the Olympic values," he said.

However Bob Blackman, the Conservative Party's London Assembly Olympics spokesman was less than impressed.

"Lord Coe has described this logo as 'ambitious, interactive and youth-friendly' -- I would describe it as hideous," he said.

"Questions needed be answered as to how we have ended up in this situation. Was there an open competition to supply the designs? If so, what on Earth do the rejected ones look like.

"We need to know how much money this exercise has cost, because whatever it was, it's been a complete waste of money."

7 good reasons to invest in SIPs

Fact No. 1: Over a long term horizon, equity investments have given returns which far exceed those from the debt based instruments. They are probably the only investment option, which can build large wealth. Fact No. 2: In short term, equities exhibit very sharp volatilities, which many of us find difficult to stomach. Fact No. 3: Equities carry lot of risk even to the extent of loosing ones entire corpus. Fact No. 4: Investment in equities require one to be in constant touch with the market. Fact No. 5: Equity investment requires a lot of research. Fact No. 6: Buying good scrips require one to invest fairly large amounts.

Systematic investing in a mutual fund is the answer to preventing the pitfalls of equity investment and still enjoying the high returns. And it makes all the more sense today when the stock markets are booming.

It's an expert's field - Let's leave it to them
Management of the fund by the professionals or experts is one of the key advantages of investing through a mutual fund. They regularly carry out extensive research - on the company, the industry and the economy - thus ensuring informed investment. Secondly, they regularly track the market. Thus for many of us who do not have the desired expertise and are too busy with our vocation to devote sufficient time and effort to investing in equity, mutual funds offer an attractive alternative.

Putting eggs in different baskets
Another advantage of investing through mutual funds is that even with small amounts we are able to enjoy the benefits of diversification. Huge amounts would be required for an individual to achieve the desired diversification, which would not be possible for many of us. Diversification reduces the overall impact on the returns from a portfolio, on account of a loss in a particular company/sector.

It's all transparent & well regulated
The Mutual Fund industry is well regulated both by Securities and Exchange Board of India and Association of mutual funds in India. They have, over the years, introduced regulations, which ensure smooth and transparent functioning of the mutual funds industry. This makes it safer and convenient for investors to invest through the mutual funds.

Market timing becomes irrelevant
One of the biggest difficulties in equity investing is WHEN to invest, apart from the other big question WHERE to invest. While, investing in a mutual fund solves the issue of 'where' to invest, SIP helps us to overcome the problem of 'when'. SIP is a disciplined investing irrespective of the state of the market. It thus makes the market timing totally irrelevant. And today when the markets are high, it may not be prudent to commit large sums at one go. With the next 2-3 years looking good from Indian Economy point of view, one can expect handsome returns thru' regular investing.

Does not strain our day-to-day finances
Mutual Funds allow us to invest very small amounts (Rs 500 - Rs 1000) in SIP, as against larger one-time investment required, if we were to buy directly from the market. This makes investing easier as it does not strain our monthly finances. It, therefore, becomes an ideal investment option for a small-time investor, who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the benefits of investing in the equity market.

Reduces the average cost
In SIP we are investing a fixed amount regularly. Therefore, we end up buying more number of units when the markets are down and NAV is low and less number of units when the markets are up and the NAV is high. This is called rupee-cost averaging. Generally, we would stay away from buying when the markets are down. We generally tend to invest when the markets are rising. SIP works as a good discipline as it forces us to buy even when the markets are low, which actually is the best time to buy.

Helps to fulfil our dreams
The investments we make are ultimately for some objectives such as to buy a house, children's education, marriage etc. And many of them require a huge one-time investment. As it would usually not be possible raise such large amounts at short notice, we need to build the corpus over a longer period of time, through small but regular investments. This is what SIP is all about. Small investments, over a period of time, result in large wealth and help fulfill our dreams & aspirations.

DJ Aqeel held in Dubai with drugs

India's leading disc jockey Aqeel was on Tuesday detained at Dubai airport for allegedly possessing drugs.

Aqeel, who went to Dubai for a radio programme, would undergo a urine test on Wednesday, according to his wife Farah Khan in Mumbai. She said Aqeel did not use drugs and somebody must have planted the contraband in his bag.

Aqeel's wife said 0.4 gm of Ecstasy drug was found in his bag. He was then taken in by the anti-narcotics cell which tested the DJ's blood and "he was completely clean", she said.

Farah said no consumption of Ecstasy was found and the Dubai airport authorities dismissed the case, which went back to the airport police. Aqeel, who was travelling alone, was subjected to a body search by Dubai airport authorities.

Farah said the Dubai authorities said they had prior information from Mumbai about the contraband being allegedly carried by Aqeel. She said her husband does not have a drug history.

"We are dead sure it has been planted. We are in the process of finding out who has done such a terrible thing," she added. She said Aqeel "...performs so much that he falls asleep at airports and I don't know if somebody has put it in his bag."

Farah said a lawyer has already been engaged to represent Aqeel in Dubai. The disc jockey's mother-in-law Zarine Khan said, "My son's stupid so-called friends have planted this in his bag and informed the police."

She said the quantity of drugs is "not even worth one percent to take it even at one time."

"It was just a mischief played by some jealous or someone I can say some so-called friends," Zarine Khan said. She said Aqeel has never taken drugs.

"We are being framed by somebody who wants the worst for him."

"I am told he has been cleared by the narcotics cell there. Hopefully, if all other formalities are completed, he should be back home by tomorrow," she added. Aqeel, who turned 34 in May, acted in the recently released film Ek Chalis ki Last Local.

Johnny Depp in a Mira Nair movie

Captain Jack Sparrow of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' popular with children and adults alike is coming to India to act in a movie directed by an Indian.

Johnny Depp, the hero of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series is popular world over as Captain Jack Sparrow. It is no wonder that he has won the hearts of fans with his antics and impressive acting.

This Hollywood actor is acting in his first Indian movie. He is playing an important role in Mira Nair's new movie 'Shantaram'.

The Indian super hero Amitabh Bachchan is acting in this film. Johnny Depp said in a recent interview to CNN that he was eager to work with Amitabh.

Captain Jack Sparrow... We are all eager to watch you in 'Shantaram'.

'Shivaji' creates history in Kerala

Rajini's Shivaji breaks all records in the Malayalam film world.

The Malayalam films are normally released in a maximum of 45 theatres. A Malayalam film achieved this feat recently.

Mohanlal's 'Baba Kalyani' was released in 45 theatres last year. 'Shivaji' has broken that record.

The Tamil film 'Shivaji' is to be released in 75 theatres in Kerala. This is a historical achievement. There is a rule in Kerala, that a film can be released at the most in
45 theatres. 'Shivaji' is an exception.

The maximum rate for tickets has been fixed at Rs.50 for the films by Malayalam superstars. 'Shivaji' is an exception in this too. They have got permission to charge Rs. 75/- & 100/- per ticket for the first two weeks for 'Shivaji'.

The Malayalam film world is upset by this 'Shivaji' attack. It wont come as a great surprise if they come up with a ban against 'Shivaji'.