So how has KBC changed the lives of these winners from humble backgrounds? Season four’s winner, Rahat, says, “The money helped secure a bright future for my kids. I’ve set aside money for my daughter’s marriage and my son’s education. We now live in a better house.” Rahat, however, has managed to stay grounded: “Money evaporates, respect doesn’t. More than half the money I won has been spent, but the respect I won through the show has only multiplied.”
Season One’s winner, Harshvardhan, agrees. The Ghatkopar resident was a 26-year-old finance professional preparing for his IPS (Indian Police Service) exams in 2000. The show changed his life overnight: “Suddenly, I was cutting ribbons and shaking hands with the who’s who of showbiz. It’s always easy to get swayed by sudden fame. I lost track of the IPS exams,” he says, adding, “After nearly two years, I decided to leave everything behind and pursue an MBA in Edinburgh. It was the wisest thing to do with the money I had left.” The 38-year-old is employed with the Naandi Foundation in Mumbai and works on a project for underprivileged kids.
Sushil, last year’s grand prize winner, has already started pursuing further education for a high-profile government job. “Today when I watch the promos, I remember how my in-laws would note down the questions for me to participate in the show. Probably because I have seen the less-privileged side of life, all this money and fame haven’t gone to my head,” he says, adding, “I’m comfortably working today and chasing my career dreams without financial pressures.”
Five seasons down and 12 years since it started, Kaun Banega Crorepati is now gearing up for its sixth outing, hopefully to change a few more lives for the better.
The rampant custom of 'tea money' persists, and where has it got us? - Nation - Thailand
For the first time in Thailand's history, parents and students staged a hunger strike in protest against what they perceived as unfair school admissions earlier this month. But looking back into history, schooladmission scandals have emerged every now and then, regardless of the policies education ministers, old and new, have boasted about.
So, when a group of students cried foul at the immensely popular Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) school this year, where should we expect their action to lead? A true revamp for the schooladmission system or another effort to play down the scandal?
Education Minister Suchart Tadathamrongvej stepped in fast when he saw the hunger strike. Even though he was in South Korea, he arranged a video conference with the protesting parents and representatives of relevant authorities. However, when he returned to Thailand, he simply attended a press conference to announce the establishment of committees tasked with looking into the schooladmission complaints. He advised the protesting Mathayom 3 graduates of Bodindecha (Sing Singahaseni) to contact the committees. If they had solid evidence to back bribery claims against the Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) school, they could show it to him, he said.
A student said she had heard many allegations against her school director, but she did not have any evidence to offer. She said parents of friends who allegedly paid bribes were not happy about the school director's demands, but would not stand up to accuse him.
The student is among more than 200 at Bodindecha (Sing Singhaseni) who found they had lost their right to continue their studies at their old places at the end of the 2011 academic year. All these students were Mathayom 3 graduates and the school offered many seats to new students who wished to receive a senior secondary education at its facility. Many of these students suspected school executives had taken away their seats to give to children of parents willing to provide a huge amount of 'tea money' or bribes.
According to many informed sources, 'tea money' in exchange for seats at a famous school is a big sum. Each seat can cost up to seven figures. The tea money is paid to the popular schools when they offer seats in Prathom 1 and Mathayom 1. The problem has now spread to Mathayom 4 seats too.
In the past, schools were instructed to allow all their old students to move from Mathayom 3 to Mathayom 4. But late last year, new schooladmission criteria were announced. In line with this new criteria, only 80 per cent of Mathayom 3 graduates could further their study automatically at their old place. The rest have had to compete with new applicants.
Suchart has tried to blame the regulations introduced before he came to the helm of the Education Ministry.
However, no one should forget that he has favoured the acceptance of financial donations from parents. When he first took the post of education minister earlier this year, he publicly talked about how financial donations from wealthy parents could be used to improve educational quality for all.
Donations are often paid to famous schools through associations of students' parents or alumni. Many famous schools may not directly ask for bribes or receive tea money, though. Still, pressure on parents is huge because these schools openly ask what donation amounts they are willing to give to the schools at the time their children submit applications.
The greater the competition, the higher the amount of donations the parents believe they have to offer in exchange for their children's chances to get a good education at a quality school.
Like many of his predecessors, Suchart has vowed to provide quality schools for all children. He has talked about how prestigious schools will help develop other schools and extend quality educational services to more children - and in the end all children - in the future.
But the truth is that more it's more than one decade since the country embarked on socalled educational reform, but the quality of education is still dubious and the custom of teamoney for school seats still rampant.
Chularat Saengpassa
The Nation
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Greece will run out of money by end of June, warns former PM Lucas Papademos - Daily Telegraph
If Greece broke the terms of the deal and forfeited its bailout funds, it would likely default on its debts and may leave the eurozone.
Ahead of a new election on June 17, Syriza has led at times in the opinion polls, but a series of polls published on Sunday indicated conservative party New Democracy was favourite to win.
The new surveys by five separate polling groups predict a New Democracy victory ranging between 23.3pc and 25.8pc, a result that would still require the party to seek additional allies to form a viable government.
Syriza polled in second place ahead of the socialist former ruling party Pasok, which like New Democracy defends the bailout agreement.
New Democracy, part of the previous ruling coalition that signed on to the bailout deal, has said it will seek to renegotiate parts of the package but not scrap it completely.
Meanwhile, Greece's socialist leader has accused International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde of trying to "humiliate" his crisis-hit country by saying that Greeks avoid paying taxes.
"Nobody can humiliate the Greek people during the crisis, and I say this today addressing specifically Ms Lagarde... who with her stance insulted the Greek people," Evangelos Venizelos told an election rally filmed late Saturday and broadcast on Sunday.
"I call on her to re-think what she wanted to say."
Venizelos also said voters face a choice between supporting a review of the country’s aid package or the “blind and catastrophic” route of terminating the deal unilaterally.
Money to burn! Francesca Eastwood and boyfriend Tyler Shields set a $100,000 Hermes Birkin bag on fire in new shoot - Daily Mail
By Jade Watkins
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It is one of the most sort after handbags in the world and customers are often required to go on a very long waiting list in order to obtain one.
But the fashion world is without one less Hermes Birkin bag after Francesca Eastwood and her boyfriend Tyler Shields set one on fire in a new photo shoot.
The 18-year-old daughter of legendary actor Clint Eastwood and her photographer beau burnt the $100,000 crocodile skin version of the bag in the name of art.
Hot stuff: Francesca Eastwood and her boyfriend Tyler Shields set a $100,000 Hermes Birkin Bag on fire in a new photo shoot
In one snap, Francesca is also seen fanning the flames even further by blowing on it with her red-painted pout.
As well as engulfing the leathergood in flames, the teenager also put the handles of the bag in her mouth in order to play a game of tug of war.
The pair finish off the tote by slicing it in half with a chainsaw.
Destroyed: The pair finish off the tote by slicing it in half with a chainsaw
This isn't the first luxury item that has been destroyed for one of Shields's shoot.
A pair of Christian Louboutin shoes were also wrecked in the name of photographic art.
The new pictures come after Shields‘ recently opened his Mouthful exhibit in support of Love is Louder in Los Angeles.
Opening night was last weekend and actress Emma Roberts was one of the guests-of-honour.
It's mine! As well as engulfing the leathergood in flames, the teenager also put the handles of the bag in her mouth in order to play a game of tug of war
The event, held at a private studio, was the most exclusive ticket in town as guests clamoured to get close to the cult photographer.
Also in attendance at the exhibit, presented by A/X Armani Exchange were Tyler‘s girlfriend Francesca, Harry Shum, Jr., and Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland - who was with boyfriend Matt Prokop - and beauties, Christa B. Allen and Brittany Snow.
The cult snapper posed happily with Eastwood's beautiful daughter and Roberts at the wonderfully surreal event.
Two for the price of one: The Hermes bag is one of the most sought after accessories in the world
Roberts, 21, looked stunning in a black Dolce & Gabbana dress with matching bag with Christian Louboutin shoes.
And the niece of superstar Julia Roberts seemed to enjoy the event, mingling with the giant rabbits and panda wandering around the studio playing chess.
Roberts and Eastwood have often teamed up for a series of stylish photoshoots with Shields.
In love: Shields‘ recently opened his Mouthful exhibit in support of Love is Louder in Los Angeles with Francesca at his side
The photographer is famous for his provocative snaps of stars like Demi Lovato, Lindsay Lohan and Mischa Barton.
At the event, guests were greeted by human pandas and rabbits donning black A|X suits and 'viewed the out-of-the-box photography before signing special edition A|X Armani Exchange tee shirts in support of Love is Louder and Tyler Shields.
The tees will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going towards the foundation, created to support anti-bullying efforts.
Famous friends: Emma Roberts was also in attendance at the event
According to the press release: 'The fashion-forward crowd received a sneak-peak of the one-day-only gallery exhibition which fuses photography, video, and art installation.
Shattering all the rules, Shields leads the way at the helm of an entirely new breed of art.'
Shields also stars in his girlfriend's new reality show Eastwood & Company, which airs tomorrow night on E!.
New Products and Awards - So Much More than Motor Finance - YAHOO!
MotoNovo Finance Continue to Innovate and Impress
(PRWEB UK) 27 May 2012
MotoNovo Finance has once again been nominated for a number of top awards, at numerous events, in the motor finance industry. MotoNovo, literally translated as ‘Driving Forward/Innovation or change,’ are in the middle of yet another innovative year of business with prosperous results. The name certainly reflects the values of this forward-thinking company as new products and services are introduced to maximise on customer satisfaction.Firstly, the car finance company based in Cardiff were shortlisted for the respected Asset Finance Firm of the Year award at the ‘Credit Today Awards.’ Having won the award in the previous two years, the team at MotoNovo Finance were delighted to be amongst the nominees once more. The award ceremony, sponsored by the Marston Group, was celebrating its 13th year with a performance from comedian Al Murray, in front of over 1400 attendees.
Mark Standish CEO reflected on the event: “Having won the award for the previous two years, it is a huge honour to have made the shortlist once again. I think that the nomination reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence. I believe the nomination also highlights the success of the wider motor finance industry in raising the profile of dealer finance as a very attractive and very much available financing option to help dealers to sell cars to a consumer market where finance availability has reduced over recent years.”
In addition to this success MotoNovo have also been shortlisted, along with six others, for the MotorTrader Award for Innovation. The MotorTrader Industry Awards 2012 takes place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London on 11th July. The motor finance suppliers have been nominated for their discount shopping service, offering discounts and savings from hundreds of high street stores. Deals include savings with up to 15% discounts on high street shopping for all MotoNovo Finance customers.
A new service My Car Locator, available on the MotoNovo Finance website, is also going from strength to strength. This service helps customers locate their ideal car by searching through thousands of cars from hundreds of accredited dealers online. This also allows dealers to upload stock with just one-click, including photographs and full finance quotes. This allows dealers to advertise to over 100,000 finance customers.
So now customers can get full, detailed finance quotes and apply online for immediate decisions. The team at MotoNovo Finance hope that this will make searching for and acquiring a car a lot easier for their clients. For the moment however, they look forward with anticipation, to the coming award show in July.
About MotoNovo Finance
MotoNovo Finance offers a range of car finance products and services quickly, efficiently and competitively. Assisting over a quarter of a million customers with motor finance for over 40 years, MotoNovo are supported by multi-national bank – FirstRand. Accredited with a two-star rating from ‘Best Companies,’ the Cardiff based company has also been bestowed with the Investors in People Silver Standard award. Employing over 170 individuals across the UK, the experienced management team has been involved with motor finance for decades.
Karl Werner
MotoNovo Finance
08447 704 438
Email Information
Germany, Greece and the Game of "Chicken" - marketoracle.co.uk
By: Money_Morning
Shah Gilani writes:
Summer unofficially kicks off this weekend, at least here in the U.S., as we celebrate Memorial Day.
Before we even get to the "official" beginning of summer on June 21, sweat will be pouring from every banker's brow on June 17.
That's the day Greeks go back to the polls to basically determine whether or not they want to remain in the Eurozone.
The game of chicken is on.
Germany has basically said to Greece, we aren't going to ease up on the austerity requirements imposed on you so you could get more money from all of us, so, if you think that by electing a left-wing group of groupies who are campaigning on easing your burdens by leaning on us, your fed-up creditors, go lean on Atlantis instead, cause that's where you'll end up... underwater, and lost.
The Greek politicians - at least the lefties throwing curveballs - think there's no way the Germans will let them exit the currency zone, and of course don't want them to exit the European Union.
They are saying to the population, elect us, we'll spit on their boots and they'll bend over to shine them themselves. And, in the end, we the people will prevail.
Don't you just love democracy at work? This line will only go in the eletter. Delete it from the web page.
Don't You Just Love Democracy at Work?
I'm talking about the "new" democracy; the too-big-to-fail democracy of the bankers, by the bankers, for the bankers.
Greek lefties have figured it out. The greedy bankers that set up the European currency apparatus so they had more borrowers to lend to and the concerted group of co-opted greedy politicians across Europe who got paid to go along with their scheme - which was to bury most of their own in a debt-death spiral - aren't going to let Greece off the hook by letting them exit the euro currency cell block.
That's because the bankers want their money back.
And if Greece renounces its debts and exits the currency jailhouse, well, maybe a few other countries will look at those same bankers and smile. That's all they'll have to do. Because the bankers will know what that smirk means. Next!
So the bankers are sure that they will all have to eat a little interest, and maybe some principal, but they'll come to the rescue at the last second, and Greece's liar loans will be "renegotiated."
But there's only one problem the bankers haven't figured out...
What if the old barter system isn't dead? What if Greece is willing to trade the old-fashioned way? What if euros are seen for what they really are - a currency chain that enslaves profligate borrowers in bankers' basements?
It could happen. This game of chicken could end with the bankers not being able to cross the street, not collect what they're owed, and worse, lose the game of dominos they're playing with the rest of Europe's big borrowers.
Worse, the bankers' "too big to fail" doctrine is being severely scrutinized everywhere.
Worse, for them, that is.
Look at JPMorgan Chase's Bad Trade
It's worse than anybody expected. When all is said and done, losses from this hedge-gone-wrong could total $5 billion, according to some analysts.
This has brought back the limelight on too big to fail, because maybe the banks are too big to fail, but apparently they're also too big to manage.
Wait a minute. If they're too big to manage, does that mean they could fail? No matter how big they are? Wait, does that mean that nothing has changed?
No, people, it doesn't mean anything has changed. Don't panic.
Wall Street is still ripping off stupid public investors and its own Muppet puppet clients. The Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq:FB) IPO just proved that. As if we needed proof?
Now the question is how corrupt are our politicians, really? After JPMorgan's debacle and the Faceplant debacle, will the pimping and pandering politicians in our bought and paid for Congress (and the presidency, for that matter) sweep all this under the rug of regulation and let the bankers continue holding our nation's people and the world's people hostage to their own greed?
We're about to find out.
I, for one, would love to see the Greeks stick it to the bankers and serve notice that democracy is worth fighting for and democracy means not being subject to the tyranny of bankers.
Freedom is worth fighting for. And freedom is worth dying for.
And, don't forget for a moment that this Memorial Day isn't the unofficial start of summer, it is the day we thank God for the men and women who have fought and sacrificed so much, and far too often, paid the ultimate price, for the freedoms we have.
Salute a soldier. Salute every soldier. They deserve it, and so much more.
Source :http://moneymorning.com/2012/05/25/germany-greece-and-game-of-chicken/
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Sorry! I've got the giggles. How wonderful that some clever person can persuade some thick person to pay that much for a handbag.
- david eldridge 69, Wisbech. UK, 27/5/2012 12:17
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