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PRIYANKA ADDS SPICE

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, brand ambassador for Spice, recently launched a range of Spice handsets. Parent company M Corp Global announced its foray in the handset market by launching Spice mobiles. Bhupendra Kumar Modi, chairman, M Corp Global, said, “We at Spice by virtue of our technical knowledge and expertise are all set to transform and redefine the mobile handset market in India.” India is one of the fastest growing markets for mobiles phone and has huge growth opportunity. The country is expected to have over 115 mn mobile subscribers by 2006 with an annual compounded annual growth rate of over 70 per cent.

MANSINGH TUNES OUT, MIRDHA IN

Following the chaotic events at the Sangeet Natak Akademi regarding the misrule of its chairperson Sonal Mansingh, she has been replaced by former Union minister Ram Niwas Mirdha. The change comes following an uproar, and including several resignations, by many senior artists of the Akademi over her "autocratic and undemocratic" style of functioning. The renowned danseuse was appointed during the NDA rule but had to step down after several artistes complained about the state of affairs in the organisation.

GETTING HOME LOOTED TREASURES
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya reportedly paid some £2 million at an England auction for objects once owned by Tipu Sultan. Part of Mallya’s new collection, which includes 30 of the 64 items up for auction at Sotheby’s, are guns that were owned by Tipu and also parts of the throne he sat on. More news from Mallya’s end is that he recently won the 7th International FAB Awards 2005 for his Kingfisher Swimsuit Special Calendar. United Breweries was the only Indian company to win at the FAB Awards 2005. Mallya and photographer Atul Kasbekar received the award at an award ceremony held at the Hurlingham Club in London.

JOHN'S VROOM DHOOM

Actor John Abraham has been signed by Yamaha Motor India as brand ambassador. The company is cashing in on the popularity of the star’s love for bikes and his youth appeal. The company is reworking its positioning in India and John is to play a key role Yamaha’s image makeover for two years. Yamaha is also set to launch a slew of models in the next few months. It has introduced two models, Crux S and Libero LX, in the past two months. H. Yanagi, CEO & MD said, “In John, we have found a celebrity who truly fits in with Yamaha’s brand image.”