Chicken

Chicken Tikka Masala's in a soup again, and we do not mean tomato

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

There's little ,masala in Chicken Tikka Masala and lot's in this controversy. Chicken Tikka out the chow's disputed origins are a Glasgow restaurateur and a Delhi hotel wallah who claims to be descended from the blue blooded culinary lines of the royal Mughal chefs themselves. Once famously hailed by British foreign secretary Robin Cook as 'British' true national dish', the insipid fare that has long been the favorite in gourmet restaurants as well as supermarket shelves in England has found few favorable tasebuds in India.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

The issue is the push for a European Union 'protected designation of origin of Chicken Tikka Masala by Scottish MPs for the city of Glasgow, which will officialize its humble origin in a Glasgow restaurant in the early 1970s as fact. Incidentally, even though various urban food legends abound about the dish's origin, that it originated in British has always been the status quo in Her Majesty's Kingdom.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

Disputing that claim is the director of Karim Hotel in Delhi, who thinks the idea is "preposterous,'' Chicken Tikka Masala was invented in our restaurant in the early 70s," asserts Ahmed Aslam Ali, the owner of Shish Mahal, the now celebrated restaurant in Glasgow which has inadvertently landed it self in a curry of controversy continents away."If the dish had originated in Delhi, why would it have an anglicized name? It would be called Murgh Tikka Masala or Murgh Boti or something of the sort." reasons Ali.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

"And how many people from the subcontinent actually eat Chicken Tikka Masala? Who wants a plain Chicken curry of tomato soup and cream? We at home prefer something spicier. Chicken Tikka Masala was created for the indigenous people of Glasgow." However, Ali does not dispute the pedigree of Chicken Tikka , saying the tandoori nuggets undoubtedly hail from India. His claim to fame is his tikka sauce.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

A curry that comes straight out of a can of tomato soup does sound suspiciously British. But rubbishing that claim is Zaeemuddin Ahmed, the director of Delhi's Karim, which is said to be established by a chef of the last Mughals Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar himself. On the field, there was not much to cook with, so they preferred to roast marinated meat. Ali Mughlai cuisine is roasted hence the Chicken Tikka ," say Zaeemuddin. But no one's disputing the nationality of Chicken Tikka , right? It is the masala that has the kitchen knives drawn!

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

When asked, Zaeemuddin admits that he was not aware of the masala clause, but he still defends his position. "The basic ingredient, which is the Chicken Tikka , is the same, which is Indian," he asserts. "Tomorrow I can add any curry or even a sherbet or whatever to it, but it is still Chicken Tikka ! How can they patent it? It is a matter of national pride." Food critic Rashmi Uday Singh finds this matter of national pride "really amusing," She says, "They were just making a big deal out of it . Food has constantly been adapted and changed. Take Chinese food, for example - you have New York Chinese, Jain Chinese, Punjabi Chinese and even South Indian Chinese with Karipatta!"

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

"It is really a case of curry in the crown, we are colonizing the British through their tastebuds now! And what with globalization and a smaller world, it is silly to dispute where a dish really belongs. There's no point in getting all patriotic; at the end of the day, they have to eat it , not us! Let's not get petty, and let the world get more delicious," Rashmi wraps up delectably.

Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka

Entertainment News

Amitabh Bachchan, Ash and Abhishek in Kajra Re

Kajra Re

(Does this picture (above) of Pretty ring a bell? No, It is not a remake of song Kajra Re which saw Ash shake a leg with hubby and Pa-in-law. That is Pretty in a special number for "Main Aur Mrs Khanna")

Is Kajra Re 'Happening' here?

Kajra Re

You would be forgiven for thinking Preity Zinta's doing a Kajra Re in this song for Salman Khan's home production Main Mrs Khanna. Far from it, and the perky Preity does not want any comparisons or confusion with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who shook her hips for father and son Bachchan in the 2005 hit Bunty Aur Babli.

Kajra Re 

Turns out Salman's her buddy and this is not an item song she is doing for him, but a special number in the film co starring Kareena kapoor and Sohail Khan. It is an interesting cameo. The song's called Happening and I agreed to do it because director Prem Soni is a friend. And since Salman has played Prem so often, Let's just say this one is for Prem,'' the bubby actress said. Prem (the director, not Salman) added,"Unlike Ash, who was just a part of Kajra Re Preity Zinta plays an important role in the film." Incidentally...ahem, Preity look's kinda happening because she worked out hard for the songs. With two super fit actors in the film in Salman and Kareena kapoor, Preity forced herself to follow a special diet, take up a tough exercise regime and do yoga.

Kajra Re

Kajra Re

Kim Kardashian wants a baby

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian

Socialite Kim Kardsahian has revealed that shoping for baby clothes for her sister's unborn baby has made her want ti start a family. The reality TV star whose sister Kourtney is expecting her first child with partner Scott Disick, said that shopping for her unborn niece or nephew has made her broody. "I want a baby! Okay so maybe not right now, but I can not wait to be an aunt," Kim revealed. Kourtney had previously said she is not sure whether she wants to find out the sex of her child before the birth, but Kim is adamant she should. "It is really fun, but we have to stay neutral when we are shopping for the baby and we do not even know what the sex of the baby is. I found that really hard... I just wanted to shop for pink or blue, I want Kourt and Scott to find out already," Kim added.

Kim Kardashian

Meanwhile, Kourtney, 30, said that she was unsure how her 28-year-old sister would react as Kim always wanted to be the first one to have kids.

Kim Kardashian

Why is bebo blushing?

Kurbaan

Kurbaan, the Karan Johar film in which Kareena Kapoor romances real life lover Saif Ali khan is said to have some steamy scenes between the two actors. And it is said that there is also a lovemaking scenes where the sexy lass has exposed her bare back! Bebo, who returned from her Swiss vacation apparently dropped by to see best friend karan, and got compliments galore for her performance in the film. Blushing beetroot red, Bebo went back enthused. She will now do a final three day schedule for the movie.

Kurbaan

Kurbaan

Kurbaan

The frequent flier

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan may have signed Bigg Boss as the host, but he has no plans to return to Mumbai anytime soon. The show is slated to go on air from October, but Amitabh Bachchan is happy in Singapore, where he is currently. For his shoots, the channel will now have to fly the star to and fro every week. Amitabh Bachchan says, "I definitely do not plan to return to Mumbai soon, but now that I have signed the show, I will have to figure out a way.

Amitabh Bachchan

I need to be in Lonavala every Friday for the shoot." But why is Amitabh Bachchan intent on sticking around in Singapore? Well, that is because his dear friend, politician Amar Singh is recuperating from a recent operation in the foreign land. "I am not out on a holiday," Amitabh Bachchan clarifies. "I am looking after my friend. I am also meeting a lot of people hare and attending to work. And well, also reading, watching television and bloging," he adds.

Amitabh Bachchan

Money Article

China defends "reasonable" yuan

 

Money Use

Currency

Currency

Says Yuan not to blame for trade surplus with US; G7 meet over weekend to focus on Chinese Currency.

Money Use

Currency

Currency

China dismissed US threats to get tough on trade and exchange rates to ensure American goods are not disadvantage, saying on Thursday that its currency was at a reasonable level. US president Barack Obama said his administration was pushing China to enforce trade rules and further open its markets, adding to a range of issues weighing on relations between the world's biggest and third-biggest economies. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman responded by saying the Yuan was already at a reasonable level, and that China did not deliberately pursue a trade surplus with the United States.

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Currency

Currency

"At the moment, looking at international balance of payments and Forex market supply and demand, the level of the yuan is close to reasonable and balanced," Ma Zhaoxu told regular news briefing repeating China's standard line on its currency. "Accusations and pressure do not help to solve the problem," he added. The foreign ministry has no say in China's currency policy, which is driven mainly by domestic considerations, such as the need maintain rapid economic growth and provide jobs. US manufactures have complained for years that China deliberately holds down the yuan, giving local exporters an unfair price advantage.

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Currency

Currency

Currency

China says exchange rate policy is an internal matter. Analysts cautioned against reading too much into Obama's comments, saying his words were as much aimed at appealing to a domestic audience as trying to put pressure on Beijing. "Even if China wants to adjust its exchange rate, it is nearly impossible for Beijing to meet the demands of the US this is China's own business," Li Jain, a researcher with a thing-tank under China's Ministry of Commerce, said. Markets, too, were not counting on a brisk rise. "Previous tough comments on the yuan from US administration have typically led nowhere," said a US bank dealer in Shanghai.

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Currency

Currency

"The market is not sure the latest comments by Obama will really lead to a tougher US stance on the yuan." Offshore on year dollar/yuan non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), a rough gauge of market sentiment. on Thursday implied a 2.8% rise in the yuan over the next months, slightly less than on Wednesday. The yuan's spot exchange rate, which tightly controlled by the central bank, was nearly flat. Obama told a meeting with Senate Democrats on Wednesday that Washington was trying to get much tougher about enforcement of existing rules, putting constant pressure on China and other countries to open up their markets in reciprocal ways.

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Currency

Currency

Obama said he would not take a protectionist stance toward China, arguing that to close ourselves off from that market would be a mistake. The Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington has estimated that the yuan is undervalued by about 30% against all world currency and about 40% against the dollar. Underscoring US concerns, Republican senator Charles Grassley urged Obama to formally designate China as a currency manipulator to prod Beijing into action. Obama has twice manipulator, but faces a third decision that issue in April.

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Currency

Currency

Currency

Bikes

M&M in global tie-up talks for premium bikes for Indian market UK's Triumph, Italy's Moto Guzzi some of the in fray for high-end Bikes.

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

Mahindra & Mahindra is under stood to be in discussions with Italian and British two-wheeler players to develop premium bikes for the Indian market. Top officials close to the development said Triumph and Moto Guzzi are some of the companies that M&M has held talks with. M&M had recently moved into the two-wheeler space by acquiring Pune based Kinetic and is planning to launch products on its own in the mid-segment of the motorcycle market. However the company is keen to have a global tie-up for the hi-end of the market which is very image-conscious. When contacted, senior company officials declined to divulge details of the hi-end two-wheeler players.

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

The two-wheeler arm of M&M which started retailing gear-less scooters from September last year sold around 10,000 units in January after averaging sales of 15,000 unit\month by April this year. "We have achieve an unprecedented milestone of selling 10,000 vehicles in the month of January within 4 months of our scooter portfolio. In a relatively short time, we have developed a robust system which is poised to deliver a sustainable growth path," said Anoop Mathur, president, Two Wheeler Sector, M&M.

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

The 80:20 joint venture between M&M and the Kinetic group is getting ready to launch a mid segment motorcycle followed by the hi-end bike this year. The mid segment motorcycle to have an engine size of 110-1.25cc will be made at the company's Pithampur plant. "The mass motorcycle is being developed ground up by M&M together with Italy based Engines Engineering and Taiwan's Sanyang Industry Co Ltd (SYM).

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

The premium bike will be a collaborative effort as the branding and image associated with it, is important, "said Mr. Mathur. Currently M&M's scooter portfolio the Rodeo, Duro and Flute. The company is working on a product from the Kinetic line-up, called the Kine. The other models from the Kinetic stable, including the 4S, Nova which M&M made in small volumes have now been completely stopped, Mr Mathur said. The two wheeler arm has begun sourcing components from China. "We do a cost benefit analysis for every component or sub-assembly, based on quality, cost and delivery. Depending on what makes sense for the business, we source it a accordingly," said Mr. Mathur.

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike 

The acquisition of Kinetic Motors for Rs 11 crore in July 2008 by M&M was prompted by the auto-to-IT group's desire to straddle the entire auto business. A rejuvenated Mahindra 2 Wheeler face formidable competition from global players Honda and Suzuki, which control the domestic scooter market. To tackle competition from global brands, Mahindra 2 Wheeler will bank on strong in house design, product development competencies and marketing initiatives. With the introduction of the Rodeo and the Duro, M&M created a new market segment for power scooters in India.

Guzzi Bike

Guzzi Bike