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While a handful of them return home happy to tell a story of success, hundreds find an excuse to brave rejection.

And this year was no different — the auditions, held on January 23 at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai saw approximately 330 young men and 120 women register for the event.

Dressed in their best — sleeveless tees, shorts and croptops to show off their toned, taut bodies — each anxiously awaited a turn before the panel of judges, which features the who’s who of the fashion world. IMGR fashion director Anjana Sharma, designer Narendra Kumar, supermodel Nina Manuel, choreographers Lubna Adams, Shy Kalra and Anu Ahuja and photographer Farokh Chotia are not easily swayed; they know who they’re looking for and it’s not easy to match up to their high requirements.

For some, it is the first time and they nervously fidget in order to look their best; others are here to try their luck once again, sharing their audition experiences and tips with the newbies.

The clarification came a day after the Home Ministry criticised the Mumbai Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for a goof up in pursuing the case and arresting an “informer” as a terrorist.
The Home Ministry on Monday claimed that one of the arrested, Naqee Ahmed Sheikh of Darbhanga in Bihar, was in fact an informer who worked for Delhi Police and Intelligence Bureau (IB). A day after the Ministry took a U-turn.

TDR tuberculosis, which is yet to be recognised by the World Health Organisation, is a condition when patients do not respond to first or second line drugs, making it virtually incurable.

There was a spurt in the number of visitors between 3 and 5 p.m. IAC claimed that the number crossed 30,000, and the member in-charge of Anna Rasoi, kitchen serving free food, estimates a turnout of 20,000 people including mediapersons, organisers and whoever used a plate. The supporters who hit the streets though were from all walks of life and represented an entire spectrum of thought process. People had travelled from various parts of the country to participate in the movement. Many showed awareness of the Lokpal Bill and discussed its nuances. Everyone said they felt cheated by the government.

“What the government wants is a toothless Lokpal. If you sit in a chair, you have to accept the laws as well. If the MLAs and MPs have already declared their assets, why are they afraid of Lokpal?” asked Balasubramanium T S, a 42 year-old former employee of GE and Art of Living volunteer.

Krishna Balu (57), a tax consultant from Hyderabad, participated in the anti-corruption protests held by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev in New Delhi. Now “I came down all the way from Hyderabad to participate in this rally. We want to show our support to Anna. He is doing so much for the country. The Lokpal that the government wants has no powers and will be a puppet in the hands of the government,” he said.

“Democracy will speak now. It is high time that the corrupt politicians listened to the voice of the people. They will have to listen as we speak now. They will have to pass a Bill for strong and independent Lokpal. They will have to do it sooner rather than later,” said a physically challenged Naim Sheikh (40).

17- year-old Saumya Chaudhari, who is a standard XII student, left the preparation for her prelims to come to the ground and express support to Anna. She knew the nuances of the Lokpal Bill and expressed anger at government’s apathy. “Government should respect people’s views. We are not fools here. We know that the politicians are trying to malign Team Anna to divert the country’s attention from the real issue.”

Many people, working in offices around the venue, made a cursory visit to the ground out of curiosity. “We have come to see Anna. He is doing good work,” said a person working in a nearby office. He did wish to be named and said he was not aware of the details of the Lokpal Bill.

Another person returned from the gate. “I had supported him last time. But this time I feel they have taken steps in a hurry, without giving Parliament enough time. Also, this protest looks more like a marketing event. I don’t know how successful it is now. The support for the movement has definitely come down,” said 30-year old Supreeta Srinivas, who works in a nearby office.

Meanwhile, the registration for a ‘jail bharo’ has crossed 1,80,000, IAC members said. While 1,60,000 people have registered on the website, 20,000 have registered through SMS. Nearly 100 people observed fast with Anna on Day One.

The team’s joy at having rediscovered their original ‘dressing room,’ even though for a game that doesn’t hold any significance, for them at least, reflected on their faces as they prepared to strut their stuff on their favourite stage.

The Ghatkopar Unit of the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested Ritesh Lalji Singh alias Sonu Singh (26), a resident of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the police, they were acting on a tip-off that Singh would be arriving in the city on Sunday with the arms cache.

The star was met by a crowd of over 200 enthusiastic supporters when he landed in India to promote Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, along with co-star Anil Kapoor.

But it has now been suggested by Firstpost Bollywood that the crowd was in fact hired in to greet him.

The 21-year-old, playing his third Ranji match of this season, added 123 runs for the second wicket with Abhishek Nayar (71, 99b, 8×4, 1×6) and later put on an unfinished 111 runs for the fourth with Suryakumar Yadav (69 batting) to take Mumbai to a healthy total.

While openers Barath and Brathwaite came good with fifties up the order, Darren Bravo too slammed a well crafted half century to help the visitors have their best day of the tour. Kirk Edwards was particularly aggressive in his approach as he slammed his third Test fifty in front of a receptive Wankhede crowd.

For the Indians, Ravichandran Ashwin took the only two wickets of the day, removing opener Kraigg Brathwaite (68) and Adrian Barath (62). Brathwaite had scored a half century and averted any attempts by the home team to get a much needed breakthrough.

West Indies were sitting pretty after the morning session of the first day in Wankhede as the scorecard read 80/0 at lunch time. Openers Barath and Brathwaite started the proceedings on a positive note for West Indies and ensured that there was no top order collapse.

They rotated the strike and played the ball on merit. Debutant Varun Aaron looked good in his first spell, bowling a couple of maidens and bringing variations in pace in a lookout for his first Test scalp.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy had won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and final Test against India.

For the Indian line-up, Virat Kohli replaced Yuvraj Singh who had an ordinary outing at Eden Gardens, and Varun Aaron replaced pacer Umesh Yadav.

West Indies on the other hand, suffered a bigger setback as Ravi Rampaul and Kieran Powell had to be called in the place of stalwart Shivnarine Chanderpaul and in-form Kemar Roach as they both were injured.

India have wrapped up the series and they will now be eyeing a whitewash against the West Indies. All eyes were on the two pillars of Indian cricket. Rahul Dravid is just 21 runs away from 13,000 Test runs while the whole nation awaits Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th international ton.

India (Playing XI): Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma

West Indies (Playing XI): Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Kieran Powell, Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh(w), Darren Sammy(c), Ravi Rampaul, Devendra Bishoo, Fidel Edwards

The sources said the Bachchans, including husband Abhishek and in-laws Amitabh and Jaya, went to the hospital on Monday night to get the former Miss World admitted. “There was tighter than usual security on Tuesday and a crowd had assembled outside the hospital to get news of the junior-most Bachchan’s arrival,” the source said.