The first Indian to fly into space, Rakesh Sharma was born on January 13, 1949 in Patiala, Punjab. He was a squadron leader with the Indian Air Force, when he flew into space in 1984 as part of a joint programme between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Soviet Intercosmos space program. He spent eight days in space on board the Salyut 7 space station. He joined two other Soviet cosmonauts aboard the Soyuz T-11 spacecraft which blasted off on April 2, 1984.

He was awarded the Hero of Soviet Union award on his return from space. The Government of India honoured him with the Ashok Chakra. He retired with the rank of Wing Commander. He joined the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in 1987 and served as Chief Test Pilot in the HAL Nashik Division until 1992, before moving on to Bangalore to work as the Chief Test Pilot of HAL. He retired from test flying in 2001.

The manned space program of the Indian Space Research Organisation was undertaken with Russian help. The first Indian cosmonaut became the 138th man into space, he spent eight days in space aboard Salyut 7. Launched along with two other Soviet cosmonauts aboard the T-11 on 02 April 1984, was then-Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma, a 35 year old Indian Air Force pilot. During the flight, Squadron Leader Sharma conducted multi-spectral photography of northern India in anticipation of the construction of hydroelectric power stations in the Himalayas.

Squadron Leader Sharma and his backup, Wing Commander Ravish Malhotra, also prepared an elaborate series of zero-gravity Yoga exercises which the former had practised aboard the Salyut 7. Retired with the rank of Wing Commander, Rakesh Sharma joined Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as a test pilot. He was based at the Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) in Bangalore and worked on the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft program. Current

Born – 4 August 1929
Died – 13 October 1987

Achievements – He was a famous Bollywood playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter cum a scriptwriter. He used to be among the three leading male Bollywood playback singers along with Mukesh and Mohammed Rafi during his life time.

Born on 4 August 1929 at the Khandwa town of Central Provinces and Berar, British India that is now located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Kishore Kumar was a man of many talents. He was a famous Bollywood playback singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter cum a scriptwriter. Kishore Kumar, however, was more popular as an actor during his lifetime. And his songs gained more mass appeal especially after his passing away in 1987. Today, if you are an avid Bollywood songs listener, you’ve to have a CD of Kishore Hits in your music collection.

Asha Bhosle, the golden voice of Indian music, turned 76 on September 8th. The melody queen celebrated in a quiet way albeit with release of an album of romantic songs.

A very well known Bollywood playback singer, she is as popular as her elder sister, who is also a renowned singer. Well, we are talking about Asha Bhosle, who has mesmerized the entire country with her amazing voice. She has dominated the Indian music industry for a period more than six decades. Even now, she is constantly enhancing her music collection and entertaining the people.

Asha Bhosle is a very versatile singer, who has put her heart and soul in modulating her voice to come up with something original and creative. Her voice is very adaptative. She is very well able to sing the songs for romantic situation. When naughtiness is required, she can change her voice and sing according to the situation. In this article, we will present you with the biography of Asha Bhosle.

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Onam is celebrated in the beginning of the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam Calendar (Kollavarsham). This corresponds with the month of August-September according to Gregorian Calendar.

Carnival of Onam lasts from four to ten days. First day, Atham and tenth day, Thiruonam are most important of all. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of the dynamic festival called Onam.

Gujarat CM Narendra Modi has been chosen as the fDi Personality of the Year for 2009

Narendra Modi,The Chief Minister of Gujarat has been chosen as The Asian Winner of the fDi Personality of the Year awards for 2009 by fDi Magazine, a premier publication and a leading title for the business of globalization.The fDi Personality of the Year awards recognise the political and business leaders around the world who have been the most proactive, dynamic and innovative in securing foreign investment and improving the business environments of their jurisdictions.

Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat now in his third term is better known for his progressive skills in attracting domestic and international investment and for creating a conducive business enviornment for global investors. Last year, Gujarat attracted $2.8bn in FDI, 10.3% of all foreign investment inflows into the country and an increase of 57% on the previous year. His tenure as chief minister has been widely lauded in the Indian media, as Gujarat has seen economic growth of about 10%, year-in year-out, the fastest rate of any state in India.
Sparta Ventures headquartered in Mumbai is the India Partner to fDi and is a investment promotion enterprise engaged in promoting Special Economic zones and State Governments in India attract global investors and subsequent Foreign Direct Investment. Sparta’s Managing Partner Kavan Bhandary said on the occasion “The world today has fully understood the echoes sounded by the Indian business fraternity on Narendra Modi’s leadership skills and his role in the transformation of Gujarat as India’s most progressive and prosperous investment destinations. Political will and his ambitious plans for all round development has bought him global appreciation and international accolades like this one”,he added.

The other regional winners are

GLOBAL WINNER – MIDDLE EAST,Qasim Al Fahadawi ,Governor of Al Anbar province, Iraq
AFRICA: Babatunde Raji Fashola, GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA
EUROPE: Connie Hedegaard, ENERGY MINISTER, DENMARK
LATIN AMERICA: Ivonne Ortega Pacheco,GOVERNOR OF YUCATÁN STATE, MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA: Bobby Jindal, GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA, US