The chosen one...

She is learning Indian classical music for 8 years...

Has played Violin for 6 years...

Her interestes include swimming, reading, painting, writing....

Wants to attend Harvard..

Aspires to be a a cardiovascular surgeon

She is just 14!!!!!

And wins $30,000 cash and and a trophy.

All she had to do was to spell the word 'stromuhr'.

Isnt that simple?? No, it isnt by any means. Forget spelling it.. did you even know that 'Stromuhr' is an instrument for measuring the velocity of blood flow and its of German Origin. Am sure most of us would have tripped trying to get it right.

But, Anamika Veeramani made her parents proud on Friday, by winning The 83rd Scripps National Spelling Bee 2010 held in US (since 1925). She emerged as the winner of the 273 participants. Last year she was placed fifth, but this time she is numero uno. A record 8 Indian origin kids have won it in the last 12 years, and this is the third consecutive victory for an Indian origin at this prestigious competetion.

Just a word on the Scripps company, which is a non-profit organisation... their purpose of holding such an event every year is simple..(in their own words)

Our purpose is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. 

Congratulations Anamika!!!

India's entry @ the Oscars this year is....

Taare Zameen Par
Source - TimesOfIndia

Today the FFI (Film Federation of India) announced that the Amir Khan's directorial debut Taare Zameen Par will be India's official entry for the Oscar award for the best foreign film category.

A wonderful movie indeed.. desevers to be showcased at the world stage. Im sure that it will be appreciated by one n all. It has already won these many awards...

2008 Filmfare Awards

1. Best Movie- Aamir Khan (producer)
2. Best Director - Aamir Khan
3. Best Story - Amole Gupte
4. Critics Award Best Performance - Darsheel Safary
5. Best Lyricist - Prasoon Joshi

2008 Star Screen Awards

1. Best Director - Aamir Khan (shared with Shimit Amin for Chak De India)
2. Best Debut Director - Aamir Khan
3. Best Supporting Actor - Aamir Khan
4. Special Jury Award - Darsheel Safary
5. Best Child Artist - Darsheel Safary
6. Best Story - Amol Gupte
7. Best Dialogue - Amol Gupte
8. Best Lyricist - Prasoon Joshi

2008 Zee Cine Awards

1. Zee Cine Award for Best Director - Aamir Khan
2. Zee Cine Award for Best Lyricist - Prasoon Joshi, Maa
3. Zee Cine Award for Most Promising Director - Aamir Khan
4. Zee Cine Award - Critics' Choice Best Actor - Darsheel Safary
5. Most Promising Debut (Child Artiste) - Darsheel Safary
6. Zee Cine Award for Best Story - Amol Gupte

Best foreign film category at Oscar -

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has mailed Foreign Language Film award entry forms to 96 countries. As per the Academy’s press release, in order to qualify for the 2008 awards "a film must be released in the submitting country between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2008, and be publicly screened in 35mm or 70mm film or in a qualifying digital cinema format for at least seven consecutive days in a commercial motion picture theater.

"The dialogue track must be predominantly in a language or languages other than English. Accurate English subtitles are required.

"Entry forms and film prints must be received at the Academy by Wednesday, October 1, 2008. Only one picture will be accepted from each country."

==================
Plot of Taare Zameen Par
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Ishaan Awasthi(Darsheel Safary) is an eight-year old boy who hates school. Every subject is difficult for him and he perpetually fails his exams. He also lacks motor coordination skills and finds it difficult to throw a ball in a straight line. Rather than helping him, his teachers and classmates subject him to constant acts of public humiliation. At the same time, Ishaan's internal world is rich with wonders that no one else seems to appreciate:magical lands filled with color and animated animals;letters which morph into an advancing army of spiders; and adventures in space between the battling planets 9 and 3.

It is no better at home. His father (Vipin Sharma) is a successful and busy executive who expects the best from his boys. His mother (Tisca Chopra) is a housewife who is perpetually frustrated by her inability to help Ishaan excel. Ishaan's elder brother Yohaan (Sachet Engineer) is a successful scholar/athlete, a fact which Ishaan is constantly reminded of. After discovering that Ishaan "bunked" school (in addition to having poor grades), his parents send him to boarding school to be 'disciplined'.

Life at the boarding school does not help Ishaan to excel, despite being befriended by Rajan (Tanay Cheda). Instead, he sinks into a perpetual state of fear and depression as he now has to contend with the added trauma of separation from his family. This changes, however, when a new temporary art teacher "Nikumbh Sir" (Aamir Khan) joins Ishaan's boarding school. Nikumbh, with his characteristic teaching style that is markedly different that his strict predecessor, soon becomes popular among the students. He begins to notice that Ishaan is unhappy and a non-contributor to activities in the class (despite creating an atmosphere in the class that actively seeks contribution from the students). Disturbed, Nikumbh begins to review Ishaan's past work and determines that all of his "failures" are actually reflective of dyslexia.

On his day off, Nikumbh visits Ishaan's parents and asks to review more of his work. He is also stunned by the sophistication of Ishaan's paintings. Nikumbh tells Ishaan's parents that Ishaan is a bright child who processes information differently than the other children in class. He describes dyslexia to them and clarifies that this is a neurological condition which is not a sign of low intelligence. He also tells them he can provide extra tutoring which will help Ishaan succeed. To support this argument, Nikumbh highlights Ishaan's artistic ability as demonstrated by his many paintings and creative works-of-art. In order to make his point, Nikumbh demands that Ishaan's father read a box with Japanese text. When Mr. Awasthi states that he cannot read the text, Nikhumbh reprimands him. In doing so, Nikhumbh demonstrates to them what Ishaan struggles with on a daily basis.

When he returns to the school, Nikumbh brings up the topic of dyslexia one day in class and offers a list of famous people who are considered dyslexic: Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Walt Disney, Agatha Christie, Thomas Edison, Pablo Picasso, and actor Abhishek Bachchan. As the students are leaving the classroom Nikumbh asks Ishaan to stay back. At that time Nikumbh reveals that he has experienced the same difficulties with dyslexia. Nikumbh also conveys the same information to the principal of the school and asks if he can act as a tutor for Ishaan. After gaining the Principal's assent, Nikumbh then proceeds to teach Ishaan using remedial techniquesLalita Lajmi (who portrays herself in the movie). Ishaan, with his strikingly creative style is declared the winner, while his teacher, Nikumbh (who paints Ishaan's portrait) is declared the runner up. developed by specialists in the area of dyslexia. Ishaan soon develops interest in language and mathematical skills and his grades improve. Towards the end of the year, Nikumbh organizes an art fair for staff and students alike. The competition is judged by

When Ishaan's parents meet his teachers on the last day of school, they are speechless over the changes in him as he has improved in all of his subjects. Before leaving for the holidays, Ishaan runs to hug his teacher. The film ends with a freeze frame shot of Ishaan being tossed in the air by Nikumbh as if he were flying.

Cast -

• Aamir Khan as Ram Shankar Nikumb
• Darsheel Safary as Ishaan Awasthi
• Tanay Cheda as Rajan Damodran
• Sachet Engineer as Yohaan Awasthi/Dada
• Tisca Chopra as Mrs. Awasthi/Mama
• Vipin Sharma as Mr.Awasthi/Papa

For more visit TaareZameenPar.com - Official website of TZP

Taare Zameen par....

Makes you laugh, those songs of innocence, reminds the wonder filled school days, gives you goosebumps actually.. TZP is a beautiful movie, titles are very creative n awesome, amazing acting by the Darsheel, n not to forget great lyrics. Dont miss to watch the movie.

Official Website: Tare Zameen Par
Duration: Approx 2:40 hrs
Genre: Social, Kids, Family
Director: Aamir "Perfectionist" Khan
Story: Amole Gupte
Lead Actors: Aamir Khan and Darsheel Safary
Music: Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi


[Title Song]


Dekho inhein yeh hai onss ki boodein
Patto ki goodh mein aasamaan se khude
Angdai le phir karwat badal kar
Nazuk se moti hasde phishal kar
Kho na jayee yeh
Taare Zameen par

Yeh toh hai sardi mein
Dhoop ki kirane
Uthre jo aangan ko sunehara sa karne
Maan ke andhero ko roshan sa karde
Thiturti hatheli ki rangat badal de
Kho na jayee yeh
Taare Zameen par

Jaise aankhon ki debiyan mein neediyan
Aur neediyan mein meetha sa sapna
Aur sapne mein mil jaye faristha sa koi
Jaise rango bhari peechkari
Jaise Thitliyan phoolo ki pyari
Jaise bina matlab ka pyaara rista ho koi

Yeh to asha ki lehra hai
Yeh to umeed ki seher hai
Khushiyon ki nehar hai
Kho na jaye yeh
Taare Zameen par

Dekho raaton ke sene pe yeh to
Jhil mil kisi lao se uge hain
Yeh to andiyan ke khushbo hai bhago se beh chale
Jaise kaanch mein chudi ke tukde
Jaise khile khile phoolon ke mukhde
Jaise bansi koi bajaye pedo ke taale

Yeh to jhoke hai pawan ke
Hai yeh gungroo jeevan ke
Yeh to sur hai chaman ke
Kho na jayeee
Taare Zameen par

Mohale ki ronak galiyan hai jaise
Khilne ki zid per kaliyan hai jaise
Muthi mein masam ki jaise hawaein
Yeh hai buzurgo ke dil ki duyaaein
Kho na jayeee
Taare Zameen par
Taare Zameen par

Kabhi baatein jaise dadi naani
Kabhi chale jaise num num pani
Kabhi ban jaye bhole saawalo ki jhadi
Sanate mein hasi ke jaise
Sune hoton pe khushi ke jaise
Yeh to noor hai barse gar pe kismat ho padi
Jaise jhil mein lehar aye chanda
jaise bheed mein apne ka kandha
jaise manmauji nadiya
jhaag udaye kuch kahe
jaise baithe baithe meethi si jhapki
jaise pyar ki dheemi si thapki
jaise kaanon mein sargam
hardam bajti hi rahe
jaise barkha udati hai bundiya…
kho na jaaayeeee yehhhh
Kho na jaayee yehh
kho na jaayee yehh
kho na jaayee yehhhh..