Any scoop of news which is even slightly baffling would definitely grab the eye ball. I am sure most of you have heard of this phrase, “a little bit of controversy always helps”. It is said to be one of the easiest ways to gain publicity and get you or your particular niche/genre/group/product or service recognized.

When it comes to controversies and mass media, I cannot think of an instance other than the so-called “Reality Shows”! I have always loathed reality shows for their lack of imagination. All I could see are some people locked up in a house together without any form of communication with the outside world…yet the world over, people are watching them. Or talented children losing their innocence and those precious years of childhood only for some fame and recognition which I feel they would anyway get when they grow older. And then we have people who I guess are so unaccepted by the society that they need to advertise themselves on television with the producers organizing a “Swayamvar” for them to get married. Well, there are no happily everafters in this world and so, only to see them breaking up sooner or later which again creates more news.

On the other hand, it is easier to imagine Kiran Bedi in Aap ki Kachehri. Atleast, we get to see some of the realities which happen in everyday life rather than the plastic world. However, imagine a similar concept with Rakhi Sawant advising on general issues! And my answer is “couldn’t NDTV find a better judge?” Or rather, our very own Ms. Sawant is definitely the Queen Bee when it comes to controversies. So, the channel would sure be tuned in!

Similarly, we have actors or celebrity couples performing in Dance Competitions or people from the masses singing their way to glory. Amongst all these, one would definitely find a good dose of spices and condiments. Right from arguments to cat fights to the much-hyped judges…everything seems to be done for those TRPs!

Wait…there is more! We also have those going back to their previous lives through some hypnotic techniques claiming to be finding out their deepest secrets. Or there are people ready to be all truthful just for some money. Well, money is definitely something important but what use would it be if it is at the cost of our loved ones?

Well, I guess enough of examples. But then it is important to realize as of why these shows are an instant hit with the audience? After all, there is some reason that made me write a piece on it despite having an aversion towards them. The reason behind the success of these shows has been that they are different from the usual. We all like watching something new and exciting which is very different from the usual definition of entertainment. And so, the media moghuls have started saying, “Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega!”

On the other hand, for the celebrities (who are usually the actors from television) participating, they are better recognized with their actual names for a change. And more popularity for sure! However, when it comes to common people taking part in these shows, it is their talent which is recognized. It is definitely a platform for those who would want to make it big. Although, concrete examples are yet to come out!

But the more important fact is to what extent one is ready to go in order to be recognized? Agreed that it does bring in a good amount of publicity for those involved! Also, this definitely leads to the best form of publicity which is done through the word of mouth. At the same time, those involved in controversies are a source for gossip throughout. Above all, controversy does sell!

Vijay Kumar, an Indian who was arrested and detained in Houston for having Jihadi literature along with brass knuckles set has been quite disturbing, as per his lawyer, Grant Scheiner. The attorney has been worried about that his client might be detained for months together before he could be presented for a trial in front of a judge. Mr. Scheiner said that he does not want to blame the FBI for responding in such a way. But instead, he wants them to link the spots in this case.

Kumar is a documentary filmmaker by profession. He stopped by in the US on his way to Canada was found and caught at the airport. It is said that the authorities found him sweating and fidgeting while standing in the security line. To this, Mr. Scheiner said that the weather in Houston has been quite hot lately which is makes it quite surprising to why Kumar would not sweat. He said that he has no clue why the federal officials intervened especially when Kumar was not on the FBI list neither he was on the list of no-fly.

As of now, there does not seem any form of guarantee on the number of days that Kumar would be detained. With this, there seem to be no chances that the judge in immigration court would let him go soon even after being released on bail. Even if has been granted freedom, he would not be permitted to leave the country since he had to submit his passport. Since such trials often take months to conclude, he would have to live in the nation for a longer duration. At the same time, he does not know anyone in the nation.

When arrested, Kumar reaction was confusion and concern at the same time because he is not very fluent in English. However, he speaks good Hindi. Above all, if Kumar is innocent, some of the precious days of his life would have been wasted for a trial which would turn out to be completely worthless. Agreed that with the rise of terrorism; it is vital to bring about measures so as to protect the borders of the country! At the same time, it has to be ensured that innocent people are not the victims of this measure while the culprits drive away.

A Canadian national who hails from India has been given bail by a trial court. He was taken into custody last year where he was accused of allegedly encouraging the suicide of his spouse.

According to additional sessions judge Kamini Lau, keeping this thing in mind that the accused has been there in the custody since last year and after cross interviewing all the witnesses, the bail has been granted to Pawan Dass, the concerned man. In addition, Dass has been ordered to report his presence to the SHO till the trial is concluded.

Earlier, Prabhjit Jauhar, who is Dass’s counsel, confirmed that that Dass was falsely involved in this case. Richa, his wife committed suicide by hanging her body on April 4 in the year 2004. The family of Richa are still of the view that it was under the extreme frustration that this girl took this extreme decision of committing suicide.

It was on December 11, 2003 when this couple got married and within just one year, the suicide happened! Dass went to Canada in January in the year 2004. Prabhjit has since repeatedly said that Dass has been sending financials to his wife through Western Union Money transfer in a regular basis. In addition, talks of bringing Richa to Canada were also around the corner.

Now, the accused has been granted the bail as he has been ordered that he has to deposit his passport in the police custody.

The new immigration law on immigration in Arizona which has been said to encourage racial profiling and criminalizing immigration now has many parts blocked by a US judge. This was done in last minute prior to being put into effect. This law is internationally known as the Arizona Immigration Law but is locally called as the SB 1070 or the Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act.

The law was originally proposed to bestow the police authorities to stop people in Arizona on suspicion and ask for proof incase they are immigrants. However, the judge in the United States blocked some of the major provisions which include:

• The police authorities are permitted to verify the immigration status of a person who is detained or arrested without a warrant and mere on suspicious grounds.
• All immigrants residing in Arizona would have to carry their status proof at all times. More so, it would be illegal if they are found to be searching for job opportunities without a status.

The latter provision is mainly targeted towards the laborers and tradespeople. These people are known to assemble outside the stores such as those of Home Depot etc. These stores are generally looking for workforce to help with the projects related to construction. These immigrants can in turn earn some money.

With these changes being brought about by the Judge, Jan Brewer, the Governor of Arizona said that she would file an appeal to reinforce the law as it was originally proposed.

English language schools in Britain have finally got the response in their favor from the court over opposing the UK government’s stricter visa regulations for international students which require them to have a good standard of English before entering the UK. In other words, the UK’s Labor government (previous) has set the regulation that overseas students who want to take up English language courses in Britain are required to have a standard proficiency of the language before they enter the nation for the courses. This is the rule opposed by many English language education providers, who think the rule is absurd and it is a threat to the businesses.

The UK’s language teaching association, English UK took the initiative to challenge the new rule, on a legal field, which is believed to have tightened by then Home Secretary Alan Johnson as part of the plan to discourage illegal immigration. But, the English UK opposed the rule, saying that the decision to have such a regulation is wrong on the part of government without mentioning it in the Parliament.

Finally the High Court Judge declared that the Labor Home Secretary should not have introduced the regulations that prevent the foreign aspirants from entering the UK for their English courses study. The English UK group is quite satisfied about the Judge’s decision.

English UK is constituted of 440 language schools across the United Kingdom. They found it very ridiculous that government wanted overseas students to have minimum of GCSE level of English proficiency before they enter the nation to study ‘English’. The association believes the Judge’s decision will help businesses as well as the UK economy to evolve, keeping the fact in mind that English language sector accounts for almost 1.5 billion euro of the foreign earnings per year.

With the popularity of live- in relationships, I really feel whether marriage holds that importance in our lives as it used to be earlier? There cannot be a straight “yes” or “no” answer to this question. But live-in relations have definitely put down the significance or I can say the need of marriage in today’s times.

Live-in relations is all about sharing your life with your partner or living with him/her without getting married either religiously or legally. There is no such rule in our constitution that stops the couples to be in a live- in relationship. India is a very religious and culturally rich country where marriage plays a very significant role or I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that it is a pre-requisite for any couple to start their life together. But now the scenario is changing and more couples are adopting the culture of living-in together.

There are many reasons for the growing popularity of this concept amongst the youth. No doubt the world is truly moving at a fast pace and people have different lifestyles and nature, so it becomes very important for partners to check if they are compatible with each other. Here, live-in relations really help a lot as couples can see if they can spend their entire life together. They can judge whether they can adjust with the nature and the lifestyle of the other person.

With the rising number of divorces, with couples not being able to adjust with each other has encouraged people to live with their partners before deciding on getting married. Broken marriages are the worst as it brings disharmony not just in the lives of the couples but in the lives of their children as well. And I believe a live-in relationship really helps a couple to decide what is best for them.

Another important reason for this trend is that the youth is very independent. Gone are the days when parents used to find out the match for their children and they would happily agree with them. But now everybody wants that his /her life partner must be of his/her own choice who could share some level of similarity and interest. And one can judge if his/her partner shares that same wavelength or not. A live-in relationship is a western concept which has come to India and is now growing quite popular with the Indians.

One would think that parents may object to this kind of a relationship as it goes against the Indian ethics and norms but it is very surprising that there are few parents who do agree and support this system. I guess they also feel that live-in relationships can save many marriages from breaking up. But there is no surety that couples won’t be divorced after living together but there can be lesser possibilities.

The whole world is changing and one has to move on with times. Live-in relationships as a pre-marital concept may sound very weird to our grandparents but it is definitely the need of our times. But no matter what, ultimately we would want to settle with one person for forever in our life. Therefore, even if concepts like live-in relationships have emerged but they can never replace the significance of marriage in our life. Because ultimately, the stability comes from a marriage only and a live-in relationship is more like an open relationship which is loose and scattered.

As I went on to write this article, a few thoughts stuck my mind…I have really never understood this kind of dire urge in human beings. On the other hand, if I see this whole thing from the view point of those involved, I tend to understand this bit. Yet, I have a lot more things to ask and hope this article would get me answers to those unsettled thoughts. You might be thinking what it is about! Let me unfold this- I am talking about having ‘Sex Buddies’ in one’s life.

Being a traditional woman, I have always believed ‘Sex’ is the last thing that comes to our mind while in a romantic relationship. Rather, it is more of an after-the-marriage thing. Most people who come from a conservative and traditional family would like to consider ‘Sex’ as I do. When we are still not comfortable with pre-marital sex, here is another concept, ‘Sex Buddies’. Most of us not even comfortable hearing this, I know! But, this trend- already prevalent in most developed countries- may be fast catching up in major Indian cities. So how far you are comfortable in considering your friend as your sex partner?

You can term this cultural phenomenon as ‘sex friends’, ‘friends with benefits’ or ‘sex buddies’. I really curious in understanding the psyche of the people who have enjoyed having “sex buddies” and not felt guilty or bad. There may be an array of reasons as to why they want to indulge into a sexual relationship with her/her best buddies or one from her/her friend circle. However, in majority of the cases, I guess, the emotional attachment is likely to be missing? Because, in most cases, it is being observed that people who are having sex with their buddies are romantically involved with others or they have boyfriends/girlfriends or for that matter not involved with anybody at all!

Today, it could well be becoming trend among youths. Some want to lose their virginity; and others are victims of peer pressure. There are people who have phobia of having sex, and they find no one comfortable with whom he/she can practice so, but his/her best buddy. And, there is another category, which constitutes people who just need the regular dose of sex. When paid sex seems expensive for them, what can be a better option than having ‘friends with benefits’?

There is another benefit of having ‘friend with benefits’, according to self-confessed sex buddies. When they are having sex with their close friends, it is less likely to be infected with transmitted diseases and be sure that accidental pregnancy will not take place! Because, who would better know a person than his/her closest friends. So, sex buddies have this advantage! In addition, there is security and faith element. A friend is more likely faithful, because he/she would not go and tell the world about such a relationship. In this case, friends are a safer option than even boyfriends with whom one could be romantically involved! After all, no one can handle dark secrets as efficiently as friends!

Like everything has its flip side, this very phenomenon also have pitfalls, to me at least (I really want to know your views). Do not you think, a sexual relationship with one of your friends may risk your friendship? I feel, once you have sex with your friend, there are chances you feel uncomfortable afterwards or you may feel the nature of your friendship is changing. Of course, this depends on the mindset. Some may still maintain the same friendly term even after sexual intercourses. But, I believe most people will feel as I do, however, some may deny their inner feelings, but at the end of day, your inner feelings are gonna live with you. Thus, it is very important to judge your decision when you decide to add sex to your friendship. A lot of things need to be taken into account- how much casually you are determined to take you sexual relationship with your friends; how safe it is to have one such relationship; and how much you are sure that it is not going to shatter your friendship, as well as your relationship with your boyfriend/girlfriend (if he/she comes to know).

Written By : Shyamoli Gogoi

There is anyone out there who would disagree with me with this- there is nothing more striking than someone with a blend of good looks and unmatched intelligence! Does anyone dare to complaint? No! Because, there is no one who could ignore this deadly mixture of a human being. But, some feel beauty with brains is a rare combination, while some might feel the combination does not exist at all. While a firm believer like me say that beauty and brains can go together!

Ever since the existence of human civilizations, be it in the mythology, epics, classics books, beauty and brains mixture has always occupied the center stage. Even today, the world cinema depicts this vary thing in varied way- where sometimes beauty comes with brains, while in some other beauty takes over the later and in other intelligence reigns over all.

But, today it is often observed that good looks are something that everybody wants to attain. Though, it is not a thing to be attained, still they try to get it done. Thanks to the advancement in science and technology, this is no tough to become beautiful within a few hours. The trend of attaining good looks has been fuelled by the fact that most of time in most areas beauty turns out to be an unlikely winner.

Today’s world does not go with this saying- ‘do not judge a book by its cover’? Just think over this- who out of the two- good looking people and less attractive, yet intelligent ones- get most out of life? From the latest trend, you are coaxed to say that it’s the physically attractive people. While beauty is an asset in the struggle for survival, which often proves itself as an advantage in many areas of life.

Yes, beauty can beat brains, and at the same time, it can overshadow the talent and intelligence of the same person who possess the both. Well, if you have to blame anything for this, then blame our instincts. The human species are often attracted by the physical attributes. When we are to judge something, do not we do so on the basis of how it looks? Since, beauty is such a thing that stimulates and amuses us.

In most instances, we are attracted towards people because of their physical attributes. Intelligence is something we get to discover in a person after we interact with them over the time. Most interesting is that- beauty can also be a cause behind the salary disparities between good looking and not-so-beautiful people. Researches state that physical attractiveness has a lot to do with how much people got paid. This is because good looking people who are well educated possess higher level of confidence as well. But, unmatched level of intelligence of a person still has stronger and greater effects on income!

Beauty often reigns over everything else. Though, it would not be easy for us, still as new-age thinkers we can bring a difference to the mindset of people. While, beauty is a thing to be appreciated, IQ is something that needs to be acknowledged! It is up to people how they want their surrounding to be- crowded by Beauties without Brains or Beauty with Brains!

With  the rising  fraud cases of married couple for obtaining Canadian visa has alarmed the Canadian government and they are planning to review their immigration laws for the newly married couples who apply for Canadian visa.

Jason Kenney, minister of Canadian immigration said that there is a planning to make the rules and regulations of Canadian marriage visa strict. This step is taken to prevent any fraud or cheating in lure of obtaining the Canadian visa through the status of one’s spouse.

There are some countries that are aware of such possibilities of fraud or cheating. So before giving them the visa they ask the newly sponsored couples to live for three months of probationary period to confirm if they are genuinely married or not

Recently a case of a Canadian woman came into light in which the lady was cheated by her husband who used her to obtain the Canadian visa. She met her husband when she was on a holiday trip to India. She is requesting that her husband’s visa should be removed and he must be deported from Canada back to his own country. She was cheated by her husband who married her just for the visa and moved to Canada without informing her. To add to her plight, she is now being asked for divorce by people with whom her husband is living and hand over the money to them.

Canadian immigration minister Kennedy said that it is very difficult to judge the legality of the marriage as initially the spouse claims that the person is my legitimate husband or wife but later on who can cheat who remains unknown. But Canadian government is now on it’s way to take some really serious and sensible steps to prevent such fraud marriages to occur.

Pakistani immigrant who was arrested last month in Watertown has been ordered deportation by an immigration judge as the later found him unacceptable in the United States.

The accused, Pir D. Khan, 43, was grabbed by federal agent who found his link with Times Square bombing incident. Reports say that he was found wearing an orange jailhouse apparel when he was ordered deportation in Boston Immigration Court.

According to Judge Matthew D’Angelo, the culprit entered the country in undocumented manner in the year 1991. The route which he took was via Mexico. His next hearing date has come out to be August 10. It was not long back when another deportation of a Pakistani national happened last week.

Another Waterdown detainee was given the sentence of deportation as the accused Aftab Ali Khan, 27 was sent to his home country, Pakistan. The linkage between both these cases is that a single lawyer, Saher Macarius, represents the cases of both the accused Pakistani nationals. He confirmed that he might appeal against the order and confirmed that he is planning to make arguments in the hearing that is going to happen in the month of August. He claims that Pir should be given freedom to enter the United States on the basis of his good records and the fact that he has an American spouse, Rebecca Barry, 24, would face difficulties without him. The accused got married in the year 2008 and has been working as a taxi driver since then.

The recent hearing saw no evidences by the federal authorities against the accused.