I have written in detail about the H-1B visa
previously in CityMasala April 2009 issue. In the previous
article I covered topics like, criteria, quota, procedures,
type of employment etc. In this article I will only focus on
some new challenges which the H-1B petitioners are now
facing because it is the same time of the year again.
First of all, just like last year it does
not appear that the H-1B quota will run out any sooner. A
couple of years ago, on the very first day of filing i.e.
April 1, there were more petitions filed than the visa
numbers available. The over filing was also resulting in
H-1B lottery. Unlike that, last year and apparently this
year it will take months for the quota to reach the limit.
Big in Bollywood and a star in the south,
Sammir Dattani has delivered hits in Hindi, Karnataka’s
Sandalwood cinema, and in Tamil film. After an eight year
innings it looks as though things are going to skyrocket
further for Sammir who has been seen on screen in
Pyaar Mein
Twist, Corporate,
and
Mukhbiir.
At the
box office recently, Sammir can be caught next to Boman
Irani and Minissha Lamba in Shyam Benegal’s film festival
hit
Well Done Abba.
Wrapped and ready for a Summer 2010 release, the versatile
actor’s next outing is with Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor in
I
Hate Luv Storys,
courtesy of the
Dharma Productions stable. Gung ho about his soaring career,
Sammir talks about playing a double role in real life, his
talent for languages, and his first day first show ritual.Read More
Recycling
Myths
The term recycling has taken almost a
religious meaning, with the faithful assumption that
disposable is bad and recycling is always good by
definition. The fact remains that sometimes recycling makes
sense and sometimes it doesn’t. In the legislative rush to
pass mandates, state and local governments should pause to
consider the science and the economics of every proposition.
Often the bad ideas are worse than none at all and can
produce lasting damage if they are enshrined in law. Simply
demanding that something be recycled can be disruptive of
markets and it does not guarantee that recycling makes
either economic or environmental sense. A recycling mania
has been sweeping the country for nearly a decade. More than
6000 curbside programs have been launched by local
governments serving at least 70 million Americans.
We dote on our
favorite Bollywood mothers. Who wouldn’t? After all these
very characters have gone on to form the epitome of the Desi
mother; sacrifi cial, loving and hopeful. And who can forget
the enormously popular dialogue which even A.R. Rahman
couldn’t resist when he won his Academy Award, “Mere Paas
Maa Hai.” Yes, Bollywood has Maas and a whole array of them.
Off screen some of our favorite and most popular actresses,
every now and then, play mother to their own children.
Back in the day,
Bollywood mothers were shy and reserved, choosing to guide
their offspring from afar. Things have changed and modern
mothers have not only shed the sari but also taken to the
limelight. No more are they subdued and conservative but are
fl amboyant and liberal. In honor of Mother’s Day,
CityMasala counts down the Top Bollywood Mothers (in no
particular order). Mum’s the word and we wouldn’t have it
any other way and if it’s in the Bollywood fashion, we love
it even more!
