30 new bikes for 2013

2013 will see a host of launches in the 2-wheeler market, ranging from scooters to high performance motorcycles.

Piaggio will launch the Flyer 125 scooter which will be a mass market scooter priced aggressively. Yamaha will not launch any bikes next year. Instead the company will bring in a 125cc scooter positioned at male buyers. 

Honda's first 125cc scooter in the Indian market will be launched next year, it will be priced at around Rs. 65,000/-

 

Bajaj Auto will launch the most advanced 100cc motorcycle in January 2013.

 

TVS will re-launch the Victor commuter motorcycle, which offers good mileage.

 

Hero is expected to launch its first product without Honda technology next year, it is likely to be the all new Splendor.

 

Honda will launch an entry level 100cc motorcycle from the Dream series.

Mahindra will finally re-launch the Stallio, re-badging it as the Panthero.

 

KTM will launch its second bike in India, the 390 Duke, which will be priced around Rs. 2 lakhs.

 

Bajaj Auto will launch the most powerful version of the Pulsar, the Pulsar 375 in the second half of 2013.

 

Hyosung's GV250 cruiser motorcycle is a 250cc machine which will be priced below Rs. 2 lakhs.

 

Aprilia is expected to bring a small capacity (200cc) version of its flagship RSV4 motorcycle, called the RS200.

 

The Kawasaki Ninja 300R will be launched by June, offering thrilling performance from its 296cc parallel twin engine.

 

The 300cc Mahindra Mojo will hit showrooms by the end of next year.

 

DSK will bring the Hyosung GV650 cruiser motorcycle next year, priced at around Rs. 5 lakhs

 

Triumph's Daytona 675 will be launched with a 675cc, 3-cylinder engine at Rs. 7 lakhs.

 

Royal Enfield's Cafe Racer is set for launch next year with a 535cc engine.

 

Honda's new 500cc machine, the CBR500R will be offered with around 46 BHP of power.

 

The Honda CB500F is the semi-faired version of the CBR500R, using the same engine.

Suzuki will launch the updated Hayabusa, which gets ABS and better brakes. Triumph's entry level bike in India will be the classic Bonneville. The Tiger X800C is a true off-road machine, priced at around Rs. 12 lakhs. Triumph's Speed Triple uses a 675cc engine and will be priced around Rs. 6 lakhs. The Triumph Thunderbird Storm is a cruiser motorcycle which uses a 1700cc engine. 

The Triumph Rocket needs no introduction, with power coming in from a 2294cc, three-cylinder engine.

BMW's updated S1000RR gets electronically adjustable suspension and loses some weight too. selectable power maps and has traction control, ABS and Brembo brakes. The Ducati Hyperstrada will be launched in the later half of next year, priced at Rs. 13 lakhs. The recently unveiled Ducati 1199 Panigale R will be launched at a price of around Rs. 25 lakhs, featuring a 12,000 RPM redline. Honda will launch the 2013 CBR100RR which gets sharper styling.    

Most popular Royal faces of India

Indian has a long history of regalia and royalty. Since antiquity, India has engendered many queens, kings, princes and princesses.Though India is a democracy now, there are still many royal personalities that hold a sway in this country. Below are listed some of the most popular regal personalities of India.

1. Vasundhara Raje Scindia
The former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, hails from the royal Scindia family of Gwalior. Daughter of MaharajaJivajirao Scindia, Vasundhara Raje has been a popular political personality.

 

2. Diya Kumari
Daughter to Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh of Jaipur, Diya is one of the most familiar royal faces in India. Known for her congenial personality, Diya has made many appearances in fashion shows and other high society events.

 

3. Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia
Also from the royal Scindia family of Gwalior, he is the grandson of Maharaja Jivajirao Scindia. A political leader by profession, Madhavrao is the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India.

4. Shivraj Singh
Heir to the Maharaja Gaj Singh, Shivraj was born into the royal family of Jodhpur. A prominent polo player, Shivraj’s wedding in November 2010 was one of the grandest affairs of the country. 

5. Manvendra Singh Gohil
The name of Manvendra Singh Gohil sprang into the headlines when he came out of the closet in 2006. He also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show as well as on BBC’s TV series ‘Undercover’. 

6. Kumar Padmanabh Singh
Padmanabh Singh may be still in his adolescent years, but he rose to fame and recognition when he was crowned the Maharaja of Jaipur last year. Padmanabh belongs to the clan of the famous Maharani Gayatri Devi. 

7. Aarkesh Singh Deo
Progeny of Maharaja Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo, Aarkesh hails from the royal family of Bolangir. With a difference, Aarkesh has made his way into modelling and acting. 

8. Anirudh Vishvendra
Hailing from the royal family of Bharatpur, Anirudh Vishvendra studies at the University College London. Taking pride in his heritage, he looks up his parents as his source of inspiration. 

9. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar
Lakshyaraj hails from the royal house of Udaipur and has penchant for gardening and photography. A direct descendent of Maharana Pratap Singh, Lakshyaraj exudes royalty and charm.

A laser documentary to repay a debt

Chicago, Jan 1 (IANS) Indian American Manick Sorcar, who has devised a laser show to pay tribute to two eminent Indians, Swami Vivekananda and magician P.C. Sorcar, says he is only repaying his debt to them. Manick is the son of the famous magician and combines his day job as a lighting engineer in Denver, Colorado, with a passion for art and laser shows. The year 2013 is the the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and the birth centenary of Sorcar's father, which he considers a happy coincidence.

"Swami Vivekananda has been an inspiration all my life, particularly in teaching me to arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached. My father, for whom I did all the lighting and art work backstage for his magic shows, has been the main source of inspiration in mixing art with science. Both men have played an important role in shaping my life of which what I am today," Sorcar told IANS in an interview.

He said he had a great interest in doing a laser documentary on Swami Vivekananda. "My research started in 2005 when I visited the Art Institute in Chicago where Swamiji gave his inspiring speech (at the parliament of the world's religions in September 1893). I was subconsciously looking for his footprint.

"After searching the drawings, I could trace the exact spot where he had exactly stood to give the speech, and I found this discovery thrilling. Last year, when I received an invitation from the Ramakrishna Mission to do a laser documentary on Swami Vivekananda, my dreams came true," Sorcar added.
The two-hour laser programme is divided into two parts. "The first hour is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda. This is preceded by a "laser live" prayer-dance based on a work of Swami Vivekananda. The second half is a laser show celebrating the centenary of my father, with laser applied to his magic," Sorcar said.
He will also display his multi-media artworks on his father. They range from kaleidoscopic watercolours from his school days, acrylic paint, spice and seed-art, to laser art.
"Swamiji" premiered last October 10 at the Grand Theatre of Science City in Kolkata. Sorcar said while he was deeply grateful for the critical acclaim, what touched him was the appreciation from the monks of Ramakrishna Mission.
"Vivekananda taught me no great work can be accomplished with gimmicks or publicity stunts. From my father, I learned stage art. To all that I have mixed my fine art and practical experience and educational background in electrical engineering and lighting. Laser is state-of-the-art in lighting, which I have mixed with live action on stage and tamed the dangerous light-beam to act as a harmless paint brush," Sorcar said.

Sorcar, who has won several awards in the US for his laser art, brought the technology and helped to build a laser animation laboratory for "Laser Lighting for Art and Animation" at Jadavpur University, where it is now studying towards a degree in electrical and illumination engineering.

Bollywood's best dressed ladies of 2012

2012 was an iconic year in terms of fashion. From Hollywood to Bollywood, there was no dearth of risk-takers in the style department. Here are women who turned out to be trend setters last year.

1. Kareena Kapoor
A true diva, Kareena Kapoor has taken the style quotient of Bollywood a notch higher this year. She has looked fabulous every time she has stepped out, be it for a plane journey or a movie premiere. Kudos to this glam doll for knowing her style and carrying it off with utmost élan!

 

2. Katrina Kaif
The girl you’d love to take home to your mother, Katrina is known for her perfect features. Although her style gets a bit monotonous, she never fails to look splendid in any attire.

 

3. Neha Dhupia
This style diva has always surprised us with her unique looks and innovative attires. She is one actress who never hesitates to look different. Why, for a red carpet eventshe once went completely androgynous and ditched the gown, all the while looking absolutely stunning!

 

4. Priyanka Chopra
With her youthful aura that you can also see in her clothes, Priyanka has rocked the trendiest of styles managing to look ethereal each time. We bow down to this diva for being the one actress who always embraces latest trends.

 

5. Sonam Kapoor
She can well be called Bollywood’s fashion queen because many have idolized Sonam Kapoor because of her personal fashion statement. She is bold, unique and stands out every time she makes an appearance. We totally love her zest for innovation and eye for details. From her shoes to her hairstyles to her makeup and, of course, her clothes - she always nails the perfect look.

6. Anushka Sharma

With her petite frame, Anushka can fit into anything extreme, looking absolutely smashing while at it. Be it a casual day look of jeans and a tee or a glamorous evening gown, she will slip into anything like it was made for her.

 
7. Deepika Padukone
We’ve always loved Deepika’s style. She’s smooth, sexy, ultra-feminine when she needs to be and a fiery bold diva. This multi-faceted talent is all about girl power when it comes to fashion.

Choose the right add-ons to enhance your car insurance coverage

A comprehensive motor insurance policy which covers third party liability as well as damage to one`s own vehicle is a must to safeguard against expensive repairs or replacement of the car in case of total damage. Often, a basic policy may not suffice when faced with high repair bills. In such a case, add on covers or riders available with your normal policy can stop an accident or vehicle breakdown from burning too deep a hole in your pocket. Typically, a basic policy insures the vehicle for a certain value termed as the Insured Declared Value. In case of an eventuality, the maximum claim settlement amount is equivalent to the IDV. Add on covers provide extra protection to the policyholder, over the IDV, at an additional premium. Depending on the car model, owner`s profile and usage of the vehicle, one can opt for different types of add-ons, each of which are designed to augment the cover and deal with a particular situation.

The most common add-ons which can prove useful to any motorist are depreciation cover, engine protector and roadside assistance.
Depreciation cover is a recent innovation in the Indian auto insurance market, meant to protect policyholders from loss on account of depreciation of the vehicle.  In any normal motor insurance policy, the full value of the car is not covered. The insurer takes into account the depreciation cost ranging from 10-50 per cent depending on the age of the car and the part being replaced or repaired. However, depreciation shieldcovers the depreciation amount, partly or fully without deductions on the value of parts replaced. Moreover, this cover also applies to the repairing costs of fiber, glass, rubber parts and plastic which are excluded from normal auto policies. The validity of this cover varies from insurer to insurer, but mostly is applicable to cars which are not more than 3-5 years old. Thus under this cover, for a car, you can get the full claim amount without any deduction for depreciation on the parts being repaired/replaced. The premium difference between a basic policy and an add-on is the least in the first year. As the car gets older, the cost of the add-on does tend to rise.
An engine protector cover secures you against certain kinds of damage to the engine and gear box which are not included under a normal policy like consequential damage due to water ingression or leakage of lube oil. You can also opt for 24/7 roadside assistance services. This would save you much hassle in case of a car breakdown by providing access to a host of benefits. Towing facility to the nearest garage, assistance for changing a flat tire, transport of occupants through a hired cab, accommodation benefits in case of long distance travel, spare keys in case the keys are lost or locked inside the car, fuel assistance in case of a dry tank are some of the most useful services that you can avail of with this cover. Such cover is advisable particularly for women drivers and the elderly as well as those who have frequent intercity travel and thereby higher chances of getting stranded in remote areas. Yet another cover which can protect you from substantial financial loss, especially if you own a high end car is return to invoice. This plan would provide you with the invoice value of the car (the cost of a new car of similar make) in case of total damage or theft. Since the replacement cost of a luxury car would be huge, this can be very handy. A traditional policy on the other hand, would only give you the IDV calculated after deducting depreciation. No Claims Bonus protector is also a useful cover for expensive cars. This allows the policyholder to avail of NCB benefit even if a claim has already been made in the same year. This is very useful as the even a minor repair for a luxury car is extremely expensive.Some insurers also provide a daily allowance cover for the duration when the car is at the garage for repairs. If you are engaged in a field job or use your car extensively every day, this could be the cover for you.
Each rider comes at a cost. If you blindly go in for everything suggested by the agent you would end up spending a huge sum for irrelevant ones. Understand your requirements, evaluate the options available and then go for riders which would really augment the cover. The easiest way to do so is check the various online portals, carry out a comparative assessment and then take a judicious decision.