‘1962 war: Kennedy wanted to nuke China’ New book claims the then US prez wanted to avoid communist state attacking India again

‘1962 war: Kennedy wanted to nuke China’

New book claims the then US prez wanted to avoid communist state attacking India again

Washington: Six months after the 1962 Chinese aggression on India, the US had contemplated using nuclear weapons in the event of another attack from Beijing as it was determined to prevent an Indian defeat at the hands of the Communists. The then president John F Kennedy, at a meeting with his top military aides on May 9, 1963, had expressed clear determination not to let Beijing defeat New Delhi, with his defence secretary even talking about using nuclear weapons against China if it launched another attack against India. These disclosures have come in a just released book Listening In: The Secret White House Recordings of John F Kennedy co-authored by Ted Widmer and Caroline Kennedy. “I gather we’re coming to the defence of Israel and Saudi Arabia. What I think we ought to think about is, (unclear) it’s desirable (?) for us, to give India a guarantee which actually we would carry out. I don’t think there’s any doubt that this country is determined that we couldn’t permit the Chinese to defeat the Indians,” Kennedy said. “If we would, we might as well get out of South Korea and South Vietnam. So I think that’s what we’ll decide at the time. Now, therefore, I don’t mind making, seeing us make some commitments. Now, if it is politically important,” he said. Kennedy was quoted by the book as making these remarks in the White House meeting with his Defence Secretary Robert McNamara and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Maxwell Davenport “Max” Taylor. Kennedy was US President from 1961 until his death in 1963. The book is a selection of audio recordings of Kennedy’s conversations at the White House. The recordings have been selected from the hidden recording systems in the Oval Office and in the Cabinet Room installed by Kennedy in July 1962, in an effort to preserve an accurate record of Presidential decision-making. —PTI

A musical fiesta The Windsong festival that will be held in Goa next week will bring together some of the best Indian artistes

A musical fiesta

The Windsong festival that will be held in Goa next week will bring together some of the best Indian artistes

For those who swear by pop and rock, and can make little or no sense of EDM (electronic dance music) here is a newly crafted festival — Windsong. A two-day long gala to be held at Baga beach, Goa on December 24 and 25, it includes only indigenous acts from across a plethora of musical genres such as folk, jazz, rock, funk and soul music. A total of 22 acts and artistes will be performing live at the festival. The highlights for day one, include performances by soul singer Shefali Alvares (of Tu Mera Hero fame), Soulmate, Shkabang (Anushka Manchanda and band), Strings, Agnee (Mohan and Koko), and Remo Fernandes amongst others. Day two, will be marked by eminent names like Shantanu Pandit, Ankur Tewari, Sid Coutto, Menwhopause, Shaa’ir Func, Papon & The East India Co, Remo & The Microwave, Rabbi Shergill, Lucky Ali and others. “We hope it is a great success,” says Shailendra Singh, Joint MD, Percept Ltd. “We are delighted to support the live space with this new festival that has a stellar line-up of renowned artists like Remo, Lucky Ali, Rabbi Strings,” he adds, emphasising that this will be a one of its kind Christmas gala.

NASA is so sure the world won't come to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, that they already released a video for the day after.

NASA is so sure the world won't come to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, that they already released a video for the day after.

21-12-12 The end?

21-12-12 The end?

As ‘doomsday’ dawns, rumours that the tiny French hamlet of Pic de Bugarach, at the foothills of the Pyrenees, will be spared has sparked a storm of media interest

Rumours the tiny French hamlet of Bugarach will be spared by a looming Apocalypse have sparked a storm of media interest, with journalists flocking in search of Doomsday believers who are so far proving few and far between. Less than a day before the world is due to end according to an ancient Mayan prophecy, there were no survivalists to be found in the picturesque village or on its rocky outcrop, the Pic de Bugarach, nestled at the foothills of the Pyrenees. At last count some 250 journalists were accredited for the much-anticipated event, outnumbering the 200 or so locals, who were becoming increasingly irate. Mayor Jean-Pierre Delord said he expected Bugarach to still be standing next week, along with the rest of the world. His message: Don’t show up, not even if you’re curious. “Don’t come here. You’ll only be making things hard for yourself, and there’s even a risk of physical danger. So just don’t come,” he told reporters. The origins of Bugarach’s supposed immunity are unclear, although the area has been steeped in legend for centuries. It was once inhabited by the mysterious medieval heretics the Cathars, and is even said to be the burial site of Jesus and possibly Mary of Magdalene. The Pic de Bugarach, meanwhile, is said to be upside down, containing older layers of rock at the top than at the bottom. More recently those myths have morphed into claims the mountain shelters an alien spaceship that will take off on Judgment Day, or even that it conceals a door to another world. In 2011, the government’s anti-sect watchdog Miviludes warned of a possible influx of New Age believers, after spotting six settlements in the area and noting that messianic groups had been holding conferences at local hotels. Since then, media speculation has raged. As a precaution for Friday authorities have closed off access to the village and mountain and drafted in extra police. Some locals are even cashing in on the exposure, setting up a makeshift “End of the World” bar and selling a local wine labelled “Bugarach - The End of the World - I Was There.” Just in case the world does end, however, they’ve thoughtfully laid on a first-aid tent. Judging by appearances though, if the prophecy does come true the only people saved will be locals and the hordes of international media. Whether they will make a fitting post-apocalyptic population, only time will tell. Meanwhile in Mexico, the celebration of the cosmic dawn began with a fumbling of the sacred fire meant to honour Friday’s end of the Mayan long count calendar. Gabriel Lemus, the white-haired guardian of the flame, burned his finger on the kindling and later somebody knocked a burning log out of the ceremonial brazier onto the wooden stage, before he quickly scooped it up. Still, the white-clad Lemus, like about 1,000 other shamans, seers, stargazers, crystal enthusiasts, yogis, sufis and swamis in a Merida convention center about an hour and a half from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, was convinced that it was a good start to the coming “New Era” supposed to begin around 5:00 a.m. on Friday. “It is a cosmic dawn,” said Lemus. “We will recover the ability to communicate telepathically and levitate objects ... like our ancestors did.” —Agencies

Talks on for Disney park, film studio at Ganpatipule

Talks on for Disney park, film studio at Ganpatipule

Walt Disney and Paramount Pictures are in talks with a private township developer for creating a world class amusement park and a film studio near Ganpatipule along the Konkan coast. Officials from the two companies are expected to visit Ganpatipule next month. Sources said if everything goes according to plan, a contract agreement will be signed by both parties by the end of January. Ganpatipule, which is around 375kms from Mumbai, boasts of spectacular beaches and is a popular getaway. More than five lakh tourists visit the region every year. “The two companies have shown interest and talks are on. If the plan materialises, then it would be a huge achievement for the Konkan region and tourism will get a boost,” said Mahesh Navathe, MD, Utopia City Ltd, during Global Kokan Festival, which was held in the city on Thursday. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which partnered the event, has been promoting the region with a special interest due to its tourism potential and had recently initiated a luxury bus service. The two projects, which will be developed by the private developer, are expected to be part of a 2,000 acre mega township about 7kms away from Ganpatipule beach. US-based Walt Disney is a pioneer in the construction of amusement, theme parks and resorts. Paramount Pictures Corporation is one of the largest film and television production/distribution companies in the world. “A major chunk of the Indian film industry is concentrated in Mumbai and to a certain extent in south India. There are many places yet to be explored. If Paramount Pictures sets up a studio in Ganpatipule, it will help to showcase the beauty of the region through films,” said Sanjay Yadavrao, president, Kokan Bhumi Pratishthan, an umbrella organisation promoting the region with the support of political parties and the MTDC.

Atop the roof of the world Fashion designer Arjun Khanna, recounts his experience of riding to Ladakh

Atop the roof of the world

Fashion designer Arjun Khanna, recounts his experience of riding to Ladakh

Fashion designer Arjun Khanna is an inveterate globetrotter who recently travelled to Ladakh. He says, “It was the most beautiful experience I have ever had. It was a complete biking trip so not only was it super challenging but was also the most humbling experience ever.” The 15-day trip saw Arjun travel extensively across the plateau terrain. As he puts it, “It is only when one goes biking on a terrain like this that one realises how insignificant one is — almost like a drop in the ocean. One gets to see an enchanted view of the mountains which have been under the sea for millions of years. It is a place so remote and isolated from the modern world.” Arjun travelled about 300-400 kilometers within Ladakh each day, and had a memorable time riding up to the highest motorable pass Khardung La which lies in northern Leh. “It is a high mountain pass with a beautiful landscape and a rugged terrain, which leads down to Pangong Tso with its huge mountain lake in the south east of Ladakh,” he says. During his biking trips, he always kept Leh — the centre of the city — as his base. Indulging in many day trips including trekking from the mornings till late at night, road trips to truly remote areas like Lamayuru Gompa — one of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh, as well as trying out the amazing food and mingling with the locals there. The designer who’s now happily ensconced in his workshop in Mumbai says, “During my trip to Ladakh the weather was sunny with clear skies during the day. At night, the temperature was freezing and specially windy while riding a bike. The whole experience was a life changing one.”

The world of Dubai Shopping Festival 2013

The world of Dubai Shopping Festival 2013

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2013 is aimed at family entertainment with events jam-packed on its calendar

The opening ceremony of the 18th Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) which begins on January 3 2013 and goes on for a month will reflect the theme ‘One World, One Family, One Festival’. The 32-day shopping extravaganza will showcase the festive spirit of Dubai as the city dresses up to welcome visitors from all over the world. Fireworks will light up Dubai every day of the festival for the course of the month and various mega events, as well as cultural and amusement items will highlight the visitors’ calendars. Since it is a government sponsored festival, the authorities go all-out to make it as pleasurable and entertaining an experience for visitors as as possible. One of the most entertaining highlights of the DSF is the Carnival which is held during every weekend of the festival. In it, performers — musicians, jugglers, unicyclists, stilt walkers etc. are set to entertain the public with celebratory displays of their talent. Visitors will also be able to enjoy jazz events and live concerts performed by well-known artists. DSF 2013 will also witness a unique parade with performances by renowned international artists, apart from shows by acrobats, percussionists, dancers and more. The Global Village is another major attraction during the DSF 2013 for visitors to explore the cultures of different countries around the world. The Global Village which commenced on October 21 this year, will continue for the duration of the festival and beyond it till March 30, 2013. Aiming to bring the entire globe under one roof it is an attempt to accurately reproduce various ethnic cultures within a single large location. Every country is given space to set up its own pavillion, and the most famous products from their home countries are being showcased. Apart from the sale of products, the Global Village also offers entertainment events, food stalls, children’s rides, sports activities and lucky draws on a daily basis. The ‘Big Boys Toys 2013’, a Middle East premier luxury show, will be another highlight of the 18th edition of the DSF. The three-day luxury and lifestyle exhibition will start on January 31, 2013 at the Atlantis Hotel and will be one of the main attractions of the 32-day festival, with the best of products from a wide spectrum. The products scheduled for DSF 2013 include those from the adventure, aviation, digital, drive, fashion, lifestyle, marine, off road, sports cars, bikes and wellness sectors including the likes of the Soleil motor luxury supercar, the Znug electric motorcycle and the Aurum 79 limited edition, the most expensive water bottle in the world. There will also be a chance for shoppers to win grand prizes. in the ‘Big Boy Mega Raffle’. For children, the Dubai Dolphinarium will organise an exclusive show. Other events such as the Children of World Olympiad, cartoon and circus shows are set to keep them happily occupied. Racing at Meydan on January 3 and the Wild Wadi’s Swim at the Burj Al Arab on February 1 are set to further fuel the excitement. Of course the main excitement for many will still be the shopping. During this time, retailers have announced up to a 75 per cent discount on electronics, jewellery, watches, perfumes, textiles and carpets. Also lucky draws will see 100,000 dh cash and free gold given away every day from the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group.

Pack some warm clothes, zip to one of these destinations and enjoy the cold – just a couple of hours from Mumbai

Cool Runnings

Pack some warm clothes, zip to one of these destinations and enjoy the cold – just a couple of hours from Mumbai

M UMBAI’S WINTER lasts for all of a week when a fortunate cold spell has us reaching for our winter wear that have been stored away with mothballs. For that week, we preen in our woolies and everyone reports on the state of the weather. But in truth, even during that week it’s colder when you open your refrigerator door. So where do you escape for a quick winter weekend getaway from Mumbai?

FROSTY HAMLET on fresh air in Panchgani overdosing Spend a weekend

PANCHGANI 

 

Since most people rush off to neighbouring Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani still retains a relative sense of calm. Being at the centre of five (panch) Hills (gani), the name is derived from its location.
Located 250km from Mumbai via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Panchgani nestles in the Sahyadri ranges and winter mornings often see frost. A weekend spent there might have you dizzy by an overdose of fresh air.
No trip to Panchgani is complete without a visit to Roach Bakery or one of the strawberriesand-cream centres. Also, check out the Il Palazzo hotel. Their specialty is Parsi food – from akuri to brain cutlets.
Stay at: There’s no shortage of hotels in Panchgani. One homestay option is Dala Rooster, run by Leena & Capt. Vikas Gokhale.

SAPUTARA 

 

A four-hour drive from Mumbai via Nashik, Saputara is actually in Gujarat and is situated at an elevation of 1,000m. This means that it is positively crisp and cold during the winter. Saputara sits on a plateau of the Sahyadri range in the Dang forest area. The main draw is the Saputara Lake, and the popular Sunset Point around town is Gandhi Shikhar – a one-kilometre walk from the main town.
Apart from that, Saputara has been developed with a number of gardens and are also major tourist attractions – they include the Rose Garden, Step Garden and Lake Garden. There is also an artist village that features traditional pottery, metalwork and bamboo art. Visitors are encouraged to try their hands at making artefacts too.
Stay at: There are a few resorts to choose from, but most are vegetarian. And Gujarat is a dry state, so…

NASHIK AND SULA VINEYARDS 

 

Snuck in the interiors of Maharashtra, Nashik gets very hot during the summer as it is not tempered by the sea. This means that it also get deliciously cold during winter.
Near Nashik and 160km from Mumbai are the Sula Vineyards. If you’re interested in wine, you’ll have a fantastic weekend and even if you’re not, a visit here will pique your interest.
An interesting tour takes you around the wine-producing facilities, and an artistically designed tasting room is where you can sample the produce, as you look out at the neat rows of vines. You can eat at the two restaurants on the premises: Little Italy and Soma.
Five kilometres away are the Someshwar falls, which are at their supple best even after the monsoon. You can also drive 24km from Sula and visit Trimbakeshwar, which is the source of the Godavari River. It enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered the main jyotirlinga.
Stay at: Nashik’s hotels run a gamut of budget options including a Ginger property. You can also stay in style at the Taj Gateway resort. Also, Sula Vineyards is home to Beyond, a luxurious property.

CHIPLUN 

 

This little town, which most people use as a stop over on a drive to Goa, is 224km from Mumbai and should take a shade over four hours to reach.
It’s a quaint place with splendid river views. The fact that it is at an elevation and faces a river means that the temperature is always a few degrees below the places around. Visit the 700-year-old Parshuram Temple, which is a walking distance from the Riverview Resort. The walk here is easy and the temple itself, though now gaudily painted, is a showcase of ancient architecture.
The Sawatsada waterfall does not trickle out until after winter. So, it’s still a sight to see.
The Walavalkar Shivaji Museum has unique displays of the life and history of Shivaji. This is located at a distance of 30km from the Riverview Hotel towards Goa on the Mumbai-Goa highway. It’s a great place to experience and nature and history.
Stay at: Quality Resorts, The Riverview is a good place to call home for the weekend. There are also several budget options in the area.

Where do Thanekars love to chill out?

Where do Thanekars love to chill out?

The quiet city of Thane boasts of several hangouts that are popular with both the youth and the elderly. Varsha Dugar visits four such places, which also offer a variety of entertainment options

Talao Pali Located right in the heart of the city, this place offers a clean lake and boating as well. The shining horse carts, usually found in the evenings, give a retro feel to the place. Add a few small wheel rides for the kids and the place becomes a perfect evening destination for families. On any given day, particularly on weekends, Talao Pali is teeming with people of all age groups. While the kids love to take rides and the young prefer boating, the elderly take a seat on one of the benches and enjoy the evening breeze. The lovebirds too enjoy here as there are quite a few secluded spots on the Jambhlinaka side of Talao Pali. Restaurants, small eateries and stalls along the perimeter of the lake make Talao Pali a perfect hangout with your friends and family. Panchpakhadi For Thanekars, Panchpakhadi means food. Apart from food joints like Dominoes to Naturals and Café Coffee Day, this area also has restaurants that offer Chinese, North Indian, Italian and Mughlai cuisine. Thirty-year-old Thane resident Deepika Salgaokar says, “I like Panchpakhadi as it is a small secluded area with so many eateries around. I love the feel of the place.” Hiranandani Meadows This place is a hot favourite with youngsters in the city. While families prefer restaurants such as Kareem's, youngsters hang out at Aromas, the Coffee Lounge, Cafe Coffee Day and Subway. College student Sharleen Philips says,"This is a nice place for youngsters like me to spend the evenings." Korum Mall This mall on the Eastern Express Highway is a one-stop leisure destination. With its sprawling food court, restaurants, gaming zone and shops, Korum ranks high on the popularity chart. Within this mall, Pop Tate's is a favourite with those who like to have a drink in style. 'The unrestaurant' as its tagline says, is air-conditioned and part al fresco.