Balika Vadhu is the number one serial on Indian television.

Balikha Vadhu is the number one TV serial. It has thrown out ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ out of competition. Soon “Kyunki Saans bhi Bahu thi’ will be defeated by Balika Vadhu. The 11 year old Avika Gor is surprisingly the hottest star on Indian television. The superb serial on child marriage, Balika Vadhu has really won a lot of rave reviews.
Check out the interview with the child star, Avika Gor in Mumbai Mirror:
How has Balika Vadhu changed your life?
More and more people now want to talk to me. You are calling too, aren’t you?

• How are your friends and teachers in school responding to Balika Vadhu?
They feel sad when they see me crying in the serial, so all they tell me is to stop crying. But that's Anandi the character crying. Not Avika.

• You have become an overnight star with Balika Vadhu.
Have I? But it isn’t my first serial. Earlier, I have done serials like Rajkumar Arryan, Chalti Ka Naam Gaddi and Karam Apna Apna.

• But none of those made you a household name…
Haan, I agree. Thank you.

• How can anyone so small be so talented?
Is mein kaun si badi baat hai? My father, the writer of Balika Vadhu and my director Siddharth Sengupta teach me to do the right thing in front of the camera.

• You talk like a 40-year-old.
But I am just 11. And, it feels great to be called a star at this age.

• Who are your favourite actors?
I like Shah Rukh Khan, Shahid Kapur, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone.

• What do people call you - by your name Avika or the name of the girl in the serial, Anandi?
Neither. They call me Nak-chadi chuhiya and Bindani; that’s bride in Rajasthani.

• How many hours do you shoot for Balika Vadhu? Do you get to do fun things?
Sab kuch karti hoon main. Yes, I do miss school sometimes. But I bring my school books on the sets and study between shots. I go to school in the mornings and then shoot for 7-8 hours.

• So is Balika Vadhu like school?
No it’s fun. Acting is my hobby.

• So what do you want to be when you grow up?
Miss Universe.

• In the meanwhile?
Tab tak padhaai karungi, films karungi, sab kuch …

• What about the brat who plays your husband?
What about him? He’s nice. We don’t fight at all. We study and play together.

• But doesn’t he pull your hair?
That’s Anandi’s hair he’s pulling, not Avika’s.

• Do you watch television?
Yes, whenever I get time. I love watching Balika Vadhu and everything on Cartoon Network.

• Do you watch Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi?
Sometimes. I like it. Every serial has something different to offer.

• Do you know that the TRPs of Balika Vadhu has outdone that of Kyunki Saas…?
Really? That’s good to hear. But aisa nahin hain ke people don’t watch those serials any more.

• But they do watch Balika Vadhu more?
Acha hai na? (giggles)

Why Jet Airways? Why not KingFisher? The biggest job loss story in India

It is the biggest lay off India has ever witnessed. 1900 employees of Jet Airways being terminated out of the blue, has come as a rude shock. It is not easy to get a job in the aviation sector which is already seeing a crunch situation. The Naresh Goel-Vijay Mallya alliance has cost the employees of Jet Airways dearly.

One of my friends who work in Jet had also gone to meet Raj Thackeray along with her friends. He has assured them of help and that he would see to it that the jobs would be given back to the employees.

The employees of Jet are distraught and they suspect foul play by Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines. Why is it that only employees of Jet Airways have been laid off and not Kingfisher Airlines when both the airlines are facing losses? Though it is been stated on news that only the cabin crew who has been on probation (less than a year) have been asked to leave, employees protest that even the experienced cabin crew have come under scanner. Just two months ago, the top management had given a verbal assurance to the employees of Jet Airways that cost cutting would not affect jobs. Come October 14, 2008, the crew of Jet Airways has been asked not to report to work from the next day.

It is a shame that no written intimation has been given. Most of the employees came to know about the sad news of termination through television. How bad is that! Jet airways employees have been asked to leave with one month’s basic salary and the training fees have been refunded. But this is hardly a solace. Many employees being assured of Jet Airway’s job security had taken home loans, car loans and had given other financial commitments only to be left in a lurch. The case pleaded by Jet employees to let them work as ground crew has also fallen into deaf eyes. The inside story Jet employees claim is the day is not far when Kingfisher Airlines will take over Jet Airways.

More deaths in India through stampede than bombs

It is seen that in India, there are more deaths through stampede than bombs. It has been witnessed that in India, there have been 361 deaths through stampede, while 157 fell prey to bomb blasts. In the past 10 years, 875 people died through stampede while 767 died in terror attacks.

In a crowded place like a shrine or temple, there should be permanent barricades on either side of the steps. There should be separate paths for entry and exit. A queue should be maintained and no should be allowed to jump it. Volunteers should be stationed at every step to control and guide the crowd. If necessary, police personnel with adequate training should be stationed. Passes may given to all visitors during a huge event.