TresSugar

Slumdog Makers Start Fund For Child Poverty in Mumbai

TresSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

The makers of Slumdog Millionaire have set up a fund of almost $1 million to support child poverty programs in Mumbai, India. Those behind the Oscar-winning film, which made more than $400 million worldwide, have been accused of exploiting the people who live in Mumbai's slums for their own gain.

While the child actors from the movie got to travel to Hollywood for the Oscars, neighbors cheered them on in their hometown slums. Those images revealed overwhelming joy, but also the poverty that would await the adorable stars when the magic was over.

Aware of this heartbreaking reality, the filmmakers set up private trust funds and bought new homes for Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, the two child actors who lived in the slums.

But two happy endings weren't enough for those who considered the film poverty porn, or a film that exploits the misery of millions for the enjoyment of a privileged audience. To see what some Mumbai residents thought about all this, read more.

Residents of the slums were among those who considered the film exploitative. Many poor Indians protested outside actors' homes, calling the movie and the term "slumdog" offensive.

The new fund may silence critics, but it could also be considered unsubstantial compared to the overall profits reaped by the film. Then again, do these filmmakers have any obligation to address the problem of poverty in India?

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Oscar Joy! Photos From Mumbai

CitizenSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:33:54 -0800

The cast of Slumdog Millionaire lit up the red carpet last night, but back home the residents of Mumbai's slums enjoyed the special moment, too. Neighbors of the child actors gathered around TVs to watch anxiously and celebrated when the movie triumphed. Earlier this year, some poor Mumbai residents took issue with the term "slumdog," calling it derogatory. They even protested outside the actors' homes. But last night the colorful slums of Mumbai shined brighter with hundreds of smiles. Check out some beautiful pictures of Indians basking in the glory of eight Oscar wins! Source

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Front Page: Pakistan Arrests Mumbai Massacre's Ringleader

CitizenSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:09:43 -0800

Pakistan says it has arrested the plotters of the Mumbai attack, including the ringleader. Pakistan admitted for the first time that part of the attack, which killed 179 people last November, was planned in Pakistan. - Reuters
US retail sales rebounded in January, most likely thanks to post-holiday discounts. The one percent rise was the first rise in seven months. - Bloomberg

After US and Russian satellites collided, scientists are watching the debris created. NASA says it will take weeks to determine the full consequences of the unprecedented crash. - AP
Stocks in Asia and Europe slid today, as investors speculated that the US stimulus and credit plans will not revive the global economy. - Bloomberg

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Term "Slumdog" Offends Some Mumbai Slum Residents

CitizenSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:00:39 -0800

Slumdog Millionaire presents an intimate and inspiring look into life in Mumbai, India and its success could do much to promote diversity in the entertainment industry and increase global awareness among movie goers. Even so, some residents of Mumbai's slums have taken issue with the title, calling it insulting.

Speaking at a protest outside one of the actor's homes, a teenage resident of Mumbai's slums told the AP: "I am poor, but don't call me slumdog. I don't want to be referred to as a dog." Still, actor Anil Kapoor defends the movie, which he thinks will be an inspiration to children, adding that, "Children from the slums are actually called much worse names."

Does using a derogatory name to describe the hero of an award-winning move signal a triumph for slum residents, or is the term still simply offensive?

Photos courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Biggest Headlines of 2008: Terrorist Siege in Mumbai

CitizenSugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:30:35 -0800

On Nov. 26 Islamist militants in the center of Mumbai, India's financial and media district began a brutal 60-hour siege that resulted in the death of nearly 200 people. The attacks have caused terror, confusion and heartache throughout the country and the world, and prompted calls for change in India. For a look back at the shocking incident and some of the devastating aftermath, click through this slideshow. Source

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Google Earth an Accomplice to Mumbai Massacre?

LibertySugar — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:30:12 -0800

India may ban Google Earth after allegations that those responsible for the Mumbai massacre used the online tool to plan their attacks. Google may need more than its motto "Do No Evil" to prevent its technology from harming people.

A petition filed in the Bombay High Court asks the court to demand that Google blur sensitive images, until the court reaches a decision on whether to ban the satellite service altogether.

It seems reasonable to remove sensitive locations from Google Earth, but banning otherwise innocent tools capable of doing harm could be impossible. In other words, should officials ban cell phones, if terrorists use them to communicate?

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What Did the Press Get Wrong About Mumbai?

LibertySugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:00:54 -0800

Slate ran a useful piece this week looking at all the mistakes the press made in its reporting on the Mumbai massacre. Inconsistencies involved the nationalities of the killers (some were British citizens?), the planning of the assault (did the attackers visit Mumbai to spy?), and the targets of the attacks (Americans and Brits, Mumbai's luxury hotels, or anyone and everyone?). The author even takes issue with the fact that multiple publications provided different spellings of the lone remaining gunman Kasab.

The thrust of the article is that newspapers and networks should at least "warn readers of the provisional nature of their hot breaking reports."

When a crisis strikes would you rather get information quickly and do the fact-checking yourself, or do you want the outlets to remind you that they're not 100 percent sure about their reports?

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Front Page: Pakistan's President Urgently Pleads Against War

LibertySugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:00:57 -0800

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has asked India not to punish Pakistan for the Mumbai massacre. Zardari warned against letting non-state actors provoke a war between the nuclear armed neighbors. - Financial Times
Multiple bombs struck US and Iraqi security forces in Baghdad and Mosul, Iraq today, killing more than 30 people. - AP

New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress turned himself into New York City policy this morning. He faces criminal possession of a handgun charges after shooting himself in the thigh at a nightclub this weekend. - New York Times
Oil prices continue to fall, dropping six percent today to less than $51 a barrel. OPEC decided not to cut production at its latest informal meeting, causing the slide in price. - AP

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Only Captured Terrorist Speaks About Mumbai Massacre

CitizenSugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:50:00 -0800

Azam Amir Kasab, a 21-year-old man from Pakistan, is the only terrorist police captured alive after the Mumbai massacre ended. Details from his interrogation have been leaked, and they reveal a chilling picture of a nightmarish tragedy that could have turned out even worse. After playing dead in order to survive, Kasab told police:

The synchronized attacks were planned six months ago, and intended to kill 5,000 people. So far the death toll stands at around 200.
The group of 10 terrorists had planned to blow up the entire Taj Mahal hotel, but were unsuccessful.
The would-be attackers posed as students on a trip to Mumbai a month ago to acquaint themselves with the city.
The men specifically targeted "whites," especially British and American citizens.
Kasab said he belonged to Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has denied involvement.
Kasab said he was told to "kill to my last breath."

As those impacted by these appalling events recover and mourn, international players urgently want to reduce the probability of a confrontation between India and Pakistan. Depending on how things play out, India might take a US approach: if one country can't deal with its terrorists, then another country has a right to do something about it.
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Update: Militants Attack in Mumbai, India

LibertySugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:53:27 -0800

Indian officials report that the siege at the Taj Mahal hotel has ended and the final three gunmen have been killed. More than 119 people were killed and 288 injured in sophisticated attacks in Mumbai, India, that occurred on 10 different sites. - AP
Experts had never heard of the group that claimed responsibility, and they doubt those responsible have significant ties to al Qaeda. Some speculate that the militants were likely Indian Muslims, with a domestic agenda - New York Times
Chaos ensues at two luxury hotels in Mumbai that continue to burn. Some hostages left earlier today, but 20 people may still be held by terrorists. - CNN
The synchronized attacks reveal a significant change in the tactics of Indian terrorists. The men were prepared to die in their attacks, and signaled out British and American citizens. - BBC News

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