Hisar may refer to:

• Hisar Hill, in Serbia
• Hisarya, Bulgaria, also known as Hisar
• Hisar (district), an administrative district in the state of Haryana, India
• Hisar (city), a city and administrative head quarter of Hisar District, Haryana, India
• Hesar, Qazvin, a village in Iran
• Hesar-e Kordha, a village in Iran
• Hisar Pain, a village in Iran
• Hesar Andaf, a village in Iran
• Hisar-e Sangi, a village in Iran
• Hughes Integrated Surveillance & Reconnaissance, a radar system used on the RQ-4 Global Hawk

See also[link]

• Hesar (disambiguation)
• Hesarak (disambiguation)

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Prachi Desai
Prachi Desai at Launch of Neutrogena's products
Born	Prachi Desai (1988-09-12) September 12, 1988 (age 23) Surat, Gujarat, India
Other names	Prachi
Occupation	Model, Actress
Years active	2006–present

Prachi Desai (Gujarati: પ્રાચી દેસાઈ; born 12 September 1988)^[1] is an Indian film and television actress. She is best known for her role as Bani Walia in the Hindi television drama Kasamh Se which aired on Zee TV.^[2] Prachi is the endorser, spokesperson, brand ambassador and the face of Neutrogena products in India.^[3] She is also the brand ambassador of Goa Tourism, a popular holiday destination in India.

Early life[link]

Prachi was born in Surat,[Gujarat]], India.^[4] She studied in St Joseph Convent, Panchgani and completed her schooling till ninth grade in Surat.^[5] After that, she went to Pune for higher studies. She studied at Sinhagad college, Vadgaon, Pune. During her school time she was an outstanding student and always received prizes for many dancing and acting competitions .^[1]

She was in Pune for higher studies and had almost finished her junior college when her pictures were sent to Balaji Telefilms who called her for audition.^[5] She was 17 when she left her studies and started her career with Kasamh Se.^[5]

Career[link]

Telivision[link]

Prachi starred in the serial Kasamh Se on Zee TV that got her fame.^[6] She left Kasamh Se on 15 April 2008 and was replaced by Gurdeep Kohli, after being burnt and drowned in episode 562.^[7] Kasamh Se ended 12 March 2009. In the last episode, Prachi Desai made a special appearance as the former Bani. She also did a two day cameo in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which was aired on Star Plus. She played a school student in Prerna's school.^[5] On 7 September 2007, Prachi entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the Indian version of America's dancing show, Dancing With The Stars, with choreographer Deepak Singh.^[5] She was eliminated on 10 November 2007. However, she entered the contest again via the wild-card entry on 23 November 2007.^[8] Prachi then landed a spot in the grand finale of the dance show on 15 December 2007 and won the first place amongst the contestants.^[8] She was awarded the dancing star of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 2. It was alleged that she was made to return as a wild card entry in spite of her elimination due to a direct intervention from her close personal friend, Ekta Kapoor, though the channel denied the allegations.^[8] Prachi also competed in a tribute show to Jhalak competition called Dard-e-Disco, alongside other former contestants, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television Asia on 31 December 2007.^[9]

Endorsements[link]

Prachi Desai is the brand ambassador for Goa Tourism Board, a popular holiday destination in India. She is one of the two spokesperson from India for Neutrogena Products in India, along with Deepika Padukone. She has also promoted Oral-B Smile India Movement with Sonali Bendre. Active Wheel endorsement with Salman Khan was a top rated among viewers for the chemistry between the two. On viewers' request, the other several adds of the brand were cancelled, and the same advertisement airs till date. She also endorses Sofy Sanitary Napkins and Nyle Shampoo. She has also has been signed up to be the brand ambassador of Pure-it water purifier with Farhan Akhtar. Recently Prachi was chosen the brand ambassador for Gili Signature Diamond Jewellery along with several other actresses. She also endorses Taj Mahal Tea along with actor Saif Ali Khan.

Films[link]

Rock On!! was Desai's breakthrough in Bollywood, Prachi with the film cast.

Prachi's first film was Rock On!! (2008), where she played the wife of Farhan Akhtar.^[4] Prachi had to leave her role of "Bani" in Kasamh Se to act in Rock On.^[2] Her performance was highly appreciated throughout the film. "Prachi Desai scores in her very first feature. She has a challenging role and footage-wise too, it's substantial. Prachi brings in a lot of freshness and poise. Plus, she's a competent actor," says Taran Adarsh. It was an average box-office commercial but was critically appreciated, even getting the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. She got several nominations as debutant including the Filmfare Award. She even won Anandalok Awards as Best Actress (Hindi).

Her next film was Life Partner (2009).^[10] It didn't do well at box office but her performance was again much appreciated. "Prachi Desai showed abundant promise in ROCK ON!! and excels in LIFE PARTNER too. This pretty girl has the potential to carry off most difficult scenes with aplomb." says Taran Adarsh^{[citation needed]}

In July 2010, she appeared in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai with Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi and Kangana Ranaut.^[11] The film proved to be a big box office success and critically praised. "Prachi Desai is a bundle of talent who proves her mettle yet again. She's proficient in emotional scenes and sizzles in the BOBBY song-sequence." says Taran Adarsh. Prachi's performance earned her many awards including IIFA Awards, Stardust Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards and many more and nominations for supporting role at Filmfare Awards and Star Screen Awards.

Prachi was working on her fourth film titled Main... Joker, opposite television actor Rajeev Khandelwal.^[12] The film is in title issues with a similarly named project and thus postponed.

Prachi Desai is also expected to act in a supporting role in Teri Meri Kahaani along with Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor. It is a tri-periodic film and she is casted for 1960 segment. Kunal Kohli, the film's director, says he cast her because he liked her in Rock On!! and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. "She plays an independent, progressive girl from the 1960s, and is a point of conflict between Shahid and Priyanka Chopra. Prachi will definitely make people sit up and notice her, as she has some of the most entertaining and romantic scenes in the film. She effortlessly held her own alongside Priyanka and Shahid and is really coming into her own as an actress. She had a good run with Rock On!! and OUATIM, and now she's doing Teri Meri Kahaani.Slowly and steadily, she's making it into the big league. It's a welcome and much-deserved entrance." he says.

Prachi has already started on her coming project, Bol Bachchan opposite Abhishek Bachchan, along with Ajay Devgn and Asin. The film is scheduled to release on July 6, 2012. She replaced Genelia D'souza who withdrew from the film for unknown reasons. Bol Bachchan director Rohit Shetty says, "What I like about Prachi is that she's extremely talented and very sincere. She is a natural performer. With time and experience, she will grow into a star. In my film, she plays a young Rajput girl who is Ajay Devgn's sister, and the only girl in a group of pehelwans. Prachi is effortless in her scenes."

Prachi will soon be seen working with John Abraham for I, Me aur Main (2012 film) which is going to be produced by Goldie Behl and directed by debutant director Kapil Sharma. Prachi is also supposed to reprise Sridevi in one of the songs in the film.

Television[link]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

Television[link]

Indian Telly Awards

• 2006: Winner, Couple of the year – Prachi and her co-star Ram Kapoor.^[13]
• 2006: Winner, Fresh New Face of the Year (Female) – Prachi shared the award with Rajshree Vaidya.^[13]
• 2007: Winner, Best Actress – Kasamh Se.^[14]
• 2008: Special Recommendation Honour for Successful Breakthrough from Television to Films

Kalakar Awards

• 2006: Winner, Best Actress (Television) for Kasamh Se^[15]

Sansui Television Awards

• 2007: Winner, Best Actress – Kasamh Se.^[16]
• 2008: Winner, Best Actress (Popular Category) for Kasamh Se.^[17]

Zee Rishton Ka Utsav

• 2007: Winner, Favourite Bhabhi-Nanand Rishta for Kasamh Se

The Global Indian TV Honours

• 2008: Winner, Best Actress for Kasamh Se

Films[link]

Filmfare Awards

• 2008: Nominated, Best Promising Newcomer Female for Rock On!!
• 2011: Nominated, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Award for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai

Star Screen Awards

• 2008: Nominated, Best Female Debut Award for Rock On!!
• 2011: Nominated, Best Actress in a Supporting Role Award for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai

Zee Cine Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in Supporting Role (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai^[18]

Lions Gold Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in Supporting Role (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai^[19]

Stardust Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in an Ensemble Cast (Female) for Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

IIFA Awards

• 2011: Winner, Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

Others

• 2008: Anandalok Purashkar Award for Best Actress (Hindi), Rock On!!
• 2008: Sabse Favorite Kaun, Best Newcomer Female for Rock On!!
• 2010: Top 10 Bollywood Best Supporting Actress of the Year 2010 for Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai
• 2012: Times 50 Most Desirable Women Rank #32

References[link]

External links[link]

• Prachi Desai on Twitter
• Prachi Desai Website
• Prachi Desai at the Internet Movie Database
• Prachi signs three films outside Balaji banner
• I want to explore different styles of dancing: Prachi Desai
• Prachi Desai in dilemma as she is caught between two films
• My ticket to my own little world: Prachi Desai
• Socialising is a full-time job, says Prachi Desai

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Prachi Desai

• Prachi Desai Fanclub on Twitter

Fethullah Gülen (born 27 April 1941) is a Turkish author, educator, and Muslim scholar. Gülen has been described in the English-language media as "one of the world's most important Muslim figures."^[1] He is the founder of the Gülen movement. He currently lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, USA.

Gülen teaches an Anatolian version of Islam,^[2] deriving from Sunni Muslim scholar Bediüzzaman Said Nursi's teachings and modernizing them. Gülen has stated his belief in science, interfaith dialogue among the People of the Book, and multi-party democracy^[1]. He has initiated such dialogue with the Vatican and some Jewish organizations.^[3]

Gülen is actively involved in the societal debate concerning the future of the Turkish state, and Islam in the modern world. In the Turkish context Gülen appears relatively conservative and religiously observant. ^[4][5]

His role in Turkish politics is a controversial one, and in 1999 he was put on trial for attempting to overthrow the government. He has since lived in exile in the United States. He was acquitted of the charges in 2008. He has been seen as supportive of Turkey's current prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but news emerging in May 2012 emerged of a possible conflict between the two.^[6]

Biography[link]

Gülen was born in the village of Korucuk, near Erzurum. His father, Ramiz Gülen, was an imam. Gülen started primary education at his home village, but did not continue after his family moved, and instead focused on informal Islamic education.^[7] He gave his first sermon when he was 14.^[8] He was influenced by the ideas of Said Nursi and Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi.^[9]

Comparing Gülen to leaders in the Nur movement, Hakan Yavuz said, "Gülen is more Turkish nationalist in his thinking. Also, he is somewhat more state-oriented, and is more concerned with market economics and neo-liberal economic policies."^[10]

His pro-business stance has led some outsiders^[who?] to dub his theology an Islamic version of Calvinism.^[11] Oxford Analytica says:

"Gülen put Nursi's ideas into practice when he was transferred to a mosque in Izmir in 1966. Izmir is a city where political Islam never took root. However, the business and professional middle class came to resent the constraints of a state bureaucracy under whose wings it had grown, and supported market-friendly policies, while preserving at least some elements of a conservative lifestyle. Such businessmen were largely pro-Western, because it was Western (mainly U.S.) influence, which had persuaded the government to allow free elections for the first time in 1950 and U.S. aid, which had primed the pump of economic growth."^[12]

Gülen retired from formal preaching duties in 1981. From 1988 to 1991 he gave a series of sermons in popular mosques of major cities. In 1994, he participated in the founding of "Journalists and Writers Foundation"^[13] and was given the title "Honorary President" by the foundation.^[14] He did not make any comment regarding the closures of the Welfare Party in 1998^[4] or the Virtue Party in 2001.^[15] He has met some politicians like Tansu Çiller and Bülent Ecevit, but he avoids meeting with the leaders of Islamic political parties.^[15]

In 1999 Gülen emigrated to the United States for medical treatment,^[16] though arguably it was in anticipation of being tried over remarks (aired after his emigration to US) which seemed to favor an Islamic state.^[17] In June 1999, after Gulen had left Turkey video tapes were sent to some Turkish TV stations with recordings of Gulen saying, "the existing system is still in power. Our friends who have positions in legislative and administrative bodies should learn its details and be vigilant all the time so that they can transform it and be more fruitful on behalf of Islam in order to carry out a nationwide restoration. However, they should wait until the conditions become more favorable. In other words, they should not come out too early."^[18] Gülen complained that the remarks were taken out of context,^[19] and questions were raised about the authenticity of the tape, which he accused of having been "manipulated". Gülen was tried in absentia in 2000 for attempting to overthrow the government.^[16][20] The Supreme Court of Appeals later rejected an appeal by the Chief Prosecutor's Office.^[21] He was acquitted in 2008.^[16][20]

As of May 2012 Gülen lives in a gated retreat located in The Poconos; according to Bekir Aksoy, manager of the retreat, Gülen had been "very, very ill" for five to six months.^[16]

Theology[link]

Gülen does not advocate a new theology but refers to classical authorities of theology and takes up their line of argument.^{[citation needed]} His understanding of Islam tends to be conservative and mainstream.^[22][23] Though he has never been a member of a Sufi tarekat and does not see tarekat membership as a necessity for Muslims, he teaches that Sufism is the inner dimension of Islam and the inner and outer dimensions must never be separated.^[24]

His teachings differ in emphasis from those of other mainstream, moderate Islamic scholars in two respects, both based on his interpretations of particular verses of the Quran: (1) he teaches that the Muslim community has a duty of service (Turkish: hizmet)^[25] to the “common good” of the community and the nation^[26] and to Muslims and non-Muslims all over the world;^[27] and (2), the Muslim community is obliged to conduct interfaith dialogue with the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians).^[28] Although this does not extend to other religions and atheists. In fact he appears to be intolerant of atheism, as in 2004 Gülen commented to the effect that terrorism was as despicable as atheism.^[29] In a follow-up interview he explained he did not intend to equate atheists and murderers; rather, he wanted to highlight the fact that according to Islam both were destined to suffer eternal punishment.^[30]

Service to the common good[link]

The Gülen movement is a transnational civic society movement inspired by Gülen's teachings. His teachings about hizmet (altruistic service to the "common good") have attracted a large number of supporters in Turkey, Central Asia and increasingly in other parts of the world.^[31]

Education[link]

In his sermons Gulen has reportedly stated: "Studying physics, mathematics, and chemistry is worshipping God."^[16] Gulen's followers have built over 1,000 schools around the world. In the United States, his movement has 20,000 students in 130 charter schools, including 36 in the state of Texas^[16]. In Turkey Gulen's schools are considered among the best: expensive modern facilities, equal gender treatment and English taught from the first grade. ^[16]

Interfaith and intercultural dialogue[link]

Gulen movement participants have founded a number of institutions across the world which promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities.^{[citation needed]} While Gülen's earlier works are (in Bekim Agai's words) "full of anti-missionary and anti-Western passages",^[32] during the 1990s he began to advocate interreligious tolerance and dialogue.^[3] He personally met with leaders of other religions, including Pope John Paul II, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomeos, and Israeli Sephardic Head Rabbi Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron.^[33] In the late 2000s, the movement also initiated dialogue with those of no faith^{[citation needed]}. For example, the Dialogue Society in London, which is inspired by Gülen’s teaching, has more atheist and agnostic members of its Advisory Board than it has Muslims.^{[34][unreliable source?]}

Similar to Said Nursi, Gülen favors cooperation between followers of different religions (this would also include different forms of Islam, such as Sunnism vs. Alevism in Turkey)^{[according to whom?][citation needed]} as well as religious and secular elements within society^{[according to whom?][citation needed]}. He has been described as "very critical of the regimes in Iran and Saudi Arabia" due to their undemocratic, sharia-based systems of government.^{[4][unreliable source?]}

Publications[link]

Gülen has authored over 60 books^[35] and many articles on a variety of topics: social, political and religious issues, art, science and sports, and recorded thousands of audio and video cassettes. He contributes to a number of journals and magazines owned by his followers. He writes the lead article for the Fountain, Yeni Ümit, Sızıntı, and Yağmur, Islamic and philosophical magazines. Several of his books have been translated into English (see: Books by Gülen Books on Gülen and the Gülen Movement).

Views on contemporary issues[link]

Secularism[link]

Gülen’s Islamic teaching and practice was developed in the forge of Turkey’s 20th century project to create a secular state, as initiated by the Turkish nationalist revolution of Atatürk^{[according to whom?][citation needed]}. That project became an ideologically “secularist” one, locked in symbiotic conflict with an “Islamist” reaction^{[citation needed]}. Arising from that context, Gülen has criticized a politics rooted in a philosophically reductionist materialism. But he has also argued that Islam and democracy are compatible and he encourages greater democracy within Turkey^{[by whom?][citation needed]}. He also argues that a secular approach that is not anti-religious and allows for freedom of religion and belief is compatible with Islam.^[34]

Turkey bid to join the EU[link]

Gulen favors Turkey's bid to join the European Union and argues that neither Turkey nor the EU have anything to fear, but have much to gain, from a future of full Turkish membership in the EU.^[34]

Women's roles[link]

According to Aras and Caha, Gülen's views on women are "progressive" but "modern professional women in Turkey still find his ideas far from acceptable."^[4] Gülen says the coming of Islam saved women, who "were absolutely not confined to their home and...never oppressed" in the early years of the religion. He feels that western-style feminism, however, is "doomed to imbalance like all other reactionary movements...being full of hatred towards men."^[36]

However, Gülen's views are vulnerable to the charge of misogyny. As noted by Berna Turam, Gülen has argued:

"the man is used to more demanding jobs . . . but a woman must be excluded during certain days during the month. After giving birth, she sometimes cannot be active for two months. She cannot take part in different segments of the society all the time. She cannot travel without her husband, father, or brother . . . the superiority of men compared to women cannot be denied." ^[37]

Terrorism[link]

Gülen condemns any kind of terrorism.^[38] He warns against the phenomenon of arbitrary violence and aggression against civilians, that is terrorism, which has no place in Islam and which militates against its very foundational tenets of reverence for human life and for all of God's creation. Fethullah Gulen was the first Muslim Leader to openly condemn the 9/11 terrorist attacks.^{[citation needed]} He wrote a condemnation article in the Washington Post on September 12th, 2001, just the day after the attack, and stated that `A muslim can not be a terrorist, nor can a terrorist be a true muslim`[2],"^[39] Gülen lamented the deplorable hijacking of Islam by terrorists who claimed to be Muslims and acting out of religious conviction. He counseled that "One should seek Islam through its own sources and in its own representatives throughout history; not through the actions of a tiny minority that misrepresent it.^[3]

Gaza flotilla[link]

Gülen criticized the Turkish-led Gaza flotilla for trying to deliver aid without Israel's consent. He spoke of watching the news coverage of the deadly confrontation between Israeli commandos and Turkish aid group members as its flotilla approached Israel's sea blockade of Gaza. "What I saw was not pretty," he said. "It was ugly." He continued his criticism. The "organizers' failure to seek accord with Israel before attempting to deliver aid "is a sign of defying authority, and will not lead to fruitful matters."^[40]

Criticism[link]

Dr. Aland Mizell was quotes as saying: "What Gulenists want is total power and one-man rule; they want a status so that none could dare to object to them or to their leader, because they sincerely believe that Allah has chosen them to disseminate their brand of Turkish Islam to the world, and therefore that everything they do is right and without mistakes."

In a video from 1999, Gülen says, "You must move in the arteries of the system without anyone noticing your existence until you reach all the power centers…You must wait for the time when you are complete and conditions are ripe, until we can shoulder the entire world and carry it…The philosophy of our service is that we open a house somewhere and, with the patience of a spider, we lay our web to wait for people to get caught in the web…"^[41]

Reception[link]

Fethullah Gulen topped the 2008 Top 100 Public Intellectuals Poll and came out as the most influential thinker.^[42]

See also[link]

• Gülen movement

References[link]

Specific citations:

General references:

External links[link]

• Fethullah Gülen's official website
• Journalists and Writers Foundation where Gulen is founder and honorary chairman, and his founding speeh

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (April 2012)

Babbu Maan (Punjabi: ਬੱਬੂ ਮਾਨ) (born Tejinder Singh Maan) is a punjabi singer- songwriter, actor, and producer. Born in the village of Khant Maanpur in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab, India

Early life[link]

Babbu Maan was born as ( Tejinder Singh Maan ), 29 March 1975, as the only son of Babu Singh Maan and mother Kulbir Kaur,^[2][3] in the village of Khant Maanpur of Fatehgarh Sahib district in Indian Punjab.^[1] He has two elder sisters.

Career[link]

Babbu Maan debuted in 1998 with his album Sajjan Rumal De Giya. Unhappy with the album he went back to the drawing board and re-wrote many of the songs, many of which were re-released in his following albums. Tu Meri Miss India, his second album was released in 1999. His third album Saaun Di Jhadi was released in 2001.

In 2003 Maan was selected as actor and Music Director for the movie Hawayein. It was followed by his album, Ohi Chann Ohi Rataan.

In 2006 Maan started on his first playback movie called Rabb Ne Banayien Jodeian. Mera Gham was a Hindi album.

Maan starred in a New Year's special called Aao Saare Nachiye. Part 1 was released in 2008 and Part 2 in 2009. He was involved with the film Hashar... A love Story. Maan released a religious album, Singh Better Than King. In March 25 2010, Maan came out with his new Film Ekam - Son of Soil. On 18 November 2011 Babbu Maan released his next movie Hero Hitler in Love. Hero Hitler in Love out to be a very unsuccessful movie. Shortly after Hero Hitler in Love, Babbu Maan announced the release on his next movie, Desi Romeos. The movie is set to hit theaters on Jun 15, 2012.

Discography[link]

He released many music albums and films till now. Some of his albums are^[1]: or=|date=|work=|publisher=www.itunes.apple.com|accessdate=21 Feb, 2012}}</ref>

• Saaun Di Jhadi (2001)^[4]
• Ohi Chann Ohi Raatan (2004)
• Pyass (2005)
• Mera Gham (2007)
• Aao Saare Nachiye (2008)
• Aao Saare Nachiye 2 (2009)
• Singh Better Than King
• Aao Saare Nachiye 4 (2011)

Filmography[link]

• Hawayein (2003)
• Rabb Ne Banaiyan Jodiean (2006)^[5]
• Hashar - A Love Story (2008)^[6][7]
• Ekam - Son of Soil (2010)
• Hero Hitler in Love (2011)^[4][7]
• Desi Romeos (2012) Movie Release Date 15 June 2012 And Music Release 25 May 2012

!Year !! Title !!Role !!Notes |- |2003 ||[[Hawayein)| || khanpurya || |- |2006 ||Rabb Ne Banaiyan Jodiean ||jelly || |- |2008 ||A Love Story || Maninder Singh || |- |2010 ||Ekam - Son of Soil ||Ekamjit singh || |- |2011 ||Hero Hitler in Love ||Hitler/Mirza || |- |2012 ||Desi Romeos ||? ||

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Babbu Maan at the Internet Movie Database