‘Amelia’ directed by Mira Nair

Amelia is an upcoming 2009 biographical film by Mira Nair based on the life of Amelia Earhart. Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

She set many other records, wrote best-selling books about her flying  experiences,  and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization  for female pilots. Amelia Earhart was  born in july 24,  1897 and disappeared in July 2,  1937 over the Pacific Ocean in an attempted circumnavigational flight across the globe. The American government spent $4 million searching for her but her body was never recovered. She was declared dead by the American authority in January 5, 1939.

Mira Nair’s biopic film Amelia, based on a script written by Ronald Bass, has an excellent cast of actors including two-time Oscar winner  (Boys Don’t Cry, Million Dollar Baby) Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Virgina Madsen, and Christopher Eccleston.

Though The film is expected to release on October 23 in USA, Oscar buzz for the Mira Nair’s biopic Amelia is brewing fast, with distributor Fox Searchlight focusing heavily on the film.

They say the film about the mysterious disappearance of aviation pioneer, feminist and author Amelia Earhart, will compete with James Cameron’s eagerly awaited Avatar which is distributed by Fox. It is his first film since the mega hit, Titanic, released in 1997.

Though the nominations are several  months  away ,  several prominent publications including  Los Angeles Times and Seattle PI.com are betting on Amelia playing big at the nominations. ‘Only three times in history has a woman been nominated for Best Director,’ wrote Seattle PI. Com which expects Nair’s David go after Cameron’s Goliath.

The Times expects the Nair film to bag a number of acting nominations. Los Angeles Times started the Oscar buzz for Amelia saying that Swank is a heavy contender. Her Oscar success is even more striking when you recall that she has never lost.

Fox Searchlight has released in recent years many hit films which were either nominated for the Oscars or won the coveted award. The list includes The Wrestler, Slumdog Millionaire and Juno. So let’s hope and especially as an Indian I wish and hope that all these factors may bring the first Oscar for the best director to India.

“Amelia” in brief…

• Directed by : Mira Nair
• Produced by :  Ronald Bass Hilary Swank Ted Waitt Kevin Hyman Lydia Dean Pilcher
• Written by :  Ronald Bass Anna Hamilton Phelan
• Starring : Hilary Swank Richard Gere Ewan McGregor Virginia Madsen Christopher Eccleston
• Music by : Gabriel Yared
• Cinematography :  Stuart Dryburgh
• Editing by : Allyson C. Johnson
• Release date :  October 23, 2009
• Country : United States
• Language :  English

H1N1

H1N1 flu ?? Relax, don’t be panic. Though very dangerous it’s curable and preventable with necessary precautions. According to the latest news 18  casualities were there for the last 24 hours in my country.  Whole the nation is really worried and it’s heard that Prime Minister’s office itself directly take notice of the situation and monitoring the actions being taken by the concerned ministry and state governments.

What is H1N1 ?

H1N1, referred to as “swine flu”  is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, India  have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.  Like seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine) flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.  A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

The signs and symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people

The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1  flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Emergency warning signs in Children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Emergency warning signs in Adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people, except to seek medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 (swine) flu. (I mean the right vaccine) There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Venice of the East

Alappuzha is one of the 14 districts in the state of Kerala in India.The district is also known for its communist traditions. It is home to the Punnapra Vayalar strikes against the British and also the revolt against feudal raj. It has the highest population density among all districts of the state. Alappuzha is one of the most important tourist centres in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet “Venice of the east“. These large network of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alappuzha was one of the busiest centres of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the Malabar coast.

Alappuzha, the Venice of the East warmly welcomes you to the backwaters of kerala. It is emerging as a hot tourist spot of the millennium. It is gifted geographically to spread a unique tourist menu to a tourist. Today Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. An important attraction  of this land is the region called Kuttanad. The land of lush paddy fields, Kuttanad is called the rice bowl of Kerala and is one of the few places in the world where farming is done below sea level.

Alappuzha is one of the most attractive and green backwater destinations in Kerala, South India. Take a houseboat cruise on the Alappuzha backwaters with Tourism in Kerala and marvel at the exotic natural luxury that greets you with the warm sunrays dancing on the ripples created by sailing boats on the otherwise tranquil Alappuzha backwaters. Tourism in Alappuzha in Kerala, South India is a flourishing industry with a number of resorts and hotels all over Alappuzha that cater to the needs of the growing tourism sector.

The ‘Venice of the East’ Alappuzha in Kerala has a number of tourist attractions that are worth visiting:  the Krishnapuram Temple, Punnamada Kayal, St. Andrews Church Arthugal, Mullackal Temple, Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Devi Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple and Kottamkulangara Mahavishnu Temple etc.

This district is also notable for its numerous pilgrimage centres that draw vast crowds on the festival days and also boasts of having some of the best ayurvedic rejuvenation centres in Kerala. This Venice of the East is also famous for its coir and carpet industries in addition to featuring many other attractions of tourist importance.

Hotels @ Alappuzha

You can easily have accomodations at Alappuzha with four, three star facilities at cheaper rates. If  not satisfied with four star facilities, nearby Cochin city provide the world class accomodation with all luxurious facilities.

How to reach Alappuzha:

Air: Nearest International Airports are: Kochi (65 km) Thiruvananthapuram (150 km)

Rail: Alleppey is well connected to major Cities of Kerala.

Road: An excellent road network links Alappuzha / Alleppey to all the major towns and cities in Kerala and India.

Water: Alleppey/Alappuzha is connected by boat service through the backwaters to Quilon, Changanacherry, Kumarakom, Cochin, Chengannor etc