Top 10 Beaches in India

10. Corbyn’s Cove, Port Blair — Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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Corbyn’s Cove, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands USP: Surrounded on one side by coconut trees and a calm sea on the other, this beach is popular for jet-skiing, scuba diving and swimming. Who goes: While it is ideal for water sport enthusiasts, this beach also appeals to those who want to simply sunbathe and swim. Getting there: Located four kilometres east of Port Blair airport and seven kilometres from the main town area, the best way to get here is by car. Stay at: Peerless Sarovar Portico Port Blair with its gorgeous Sea View rooms. 

09. Kondakarla Ava beach — Vishakhapatnam

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Kondakarla Ava beach, Vishakhapatnam USP: While the fresh water Kondakarla Lake and the Kondakarla bird sanctuary are the main draws, beach activities like kayaking and boat riding also make this beach popular on the east coast.  Who goes: Families tend to flock here for the weekend. Getting there: The beach is 60km from Vishakhapatnam, so hiring a car is the easiest way to get here. Stay at: Private guest houses, as there are no proper hotels or resorts in the village except paying guest rooms provided by the locals.

08. Muzhappilangad — Kerala

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Muzhappilangad, Kerala USP: Located seven kilometres from Thalessery, this is the only drive-in beach in the country. Who goes: The occasional foreigner and Indians who are aware of its existence. Getting there: The nearest airport is at Kozhikode, which is 100km away. Closer to the beach are the railway stations at Kannur (15km) and Thalessery. Stay at: Kairali Heritage, Kannur, whose 24 air-conditioned cottages facing the banks of the Kattampaly river.

07. Devbagh — Karnataka

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 Devbagh, Karnataka USP: Devbagh is an island off the Karwar Coast, where the River Kali meets the sea. Closer to Goa, the beach has beautiful backwaters and thick jungles. Who goes: Beach lovers, nature enthusiasts, and adventure junkies. Getting there: Dabolim Airport in Goa is 90km from Devbagh. Stay at: Emerald bay, Karwar by Sterling Holidays with its spectacular backwater and sea views. 

06. Arambol — Goa

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 Arambol, Goa USP: At a visible distance near the shore of the beach is a scenic freshwater pond whose sand is known to have medicinal values and is great for your skin. Keep in mind that the sand at the source of the stream, which is up a hill, is purer.  Who goes: Tourists looking for less-crowded beaches. Getting there: The beach cannot be accessed directly by car but is a 10-minute walk through a narrow road dotted with vendors selling food and trinkets. Stay at: The boutique resort, Rococco @ Ashvem, which  has luxurious lodges, an Ayurvedic spa and a restaurant serving Mediterranean, Indian and Japanese cuisine.

05. Calangute — Goa

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Calangute, Goa USP: From sailing to surfing, Goa’s Calangute beach is famous for water sports . There are many famous shopping and eating places nearby too, like Pousada by the Beach. Who goes: Throngs of tourists. Calangute is immensely popular and is always buzzing with people from all over the world. Getting there: Dabolim airport is 42km from Calangute and there are plenty of cabs available for hire. Stay at: The 150-room Neelams The Grand with its yoga center and ayurvedic center. 

04. Akshi Beach, Alibaug — Maharashtra

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Akshi Beach, Alibaug, Maharashtra USP: The beach is lined with suru trees, and various exotic birds are frequent visitors here. The beach also has cleaner waters than other popular Alibaug beaches. Who goes: Fishermen, bird-watchers, nature enthusiasts and swimmers. Getting there: The closest airport is 93km away in Mumbai, while the closest station is 28km away at Pen. Stay at: Tropicana Resort in Alibaug with its pretty offers one bedroom deluxe cottages.

03. Diveagar — Maharashtra

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Diveagar, Maharashtra USP: Located on the Konkan coast, Diveagar is pristine and has a migratory sea-gull sanctuary. Who goes: The beach is frequented by fishermen and is a favourite weekend picnic spot for people from Mumbai. Getting there: Driving from Mumbai is the shortest and easiest way there. Stay at: Exotica, The Beach Resort offers air-conditioned cottages and the rate includes buffet dinner and breakfast. 

02. Kashid — Maharashtra

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Kashid, Maharashtra USP: White sand and clear waters, this beach is almost like a private beach, untouched by commercialisation—if you walk over to the far side that is. Who goes: Frequented by village locals and tourists. Getting there: Kashid is 140km from the airport in Mumbai. The best option is to drive here. Stay at: Prakruti Resorts offers villas, rooms, a spa and a tennis lawn.

01. Kutch-Mandvi — Gujarat

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Kutch-Mandvi, Gujarat USP: Privately owned by the Maharaos of Kutch, this beach is isolated and perfect for a quiet relaxed holiday, near the grand Vijay Vilas Palace. Who goes: Other than tourists who stay at the palace beach camp, the locals also frequent the beach on weekends. Getting there: Bhuj, located 60km from the beach is the closest airport with daily flights from Mumbai. Stay at: The Beach at Mandvi Palace, a beach camp with air-conditioned tents and modern amenities.

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Academic qualifications of India's top business leaders

If you thought all of India’s business leaders were born with a silver spoon in their mouth, you are wrong. Even those who were heirs to established business empire, made it a point to equip themselves academically to tackle the challenges posed by the winds of change and uncertain future.

Ratan Tata completed his B.S. in architecture with structural engineering from Cornell University in 1962, and the Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School in 1975. (Photo by Brian Harkin/Getty Images)

Mukesh Ambani completed his graduation with a bachelor`s degree in chemical engineering from the UDCT, now Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. He later enrolled for an MBA from Stanford University but completed only one year of the two year programme, to help out his legendary father in business. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for TIME)

Deepak Parekh is the Chairman of Housing Development Finance Corporation. A Chartered Accountant, Parekh began his career with Ernst & Young Management Consultancy Services in New York. After returning to India, he worked with Grindlays Bank and also Chase Manhattan Bank as its assistant representative for South Asia. Parekh joined HDFC in 1978. (AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM)

Kumar Mangalam Birla is the Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. A chartered accountant by qualification, he also has an MBA from the London Business School. (Image: AFP)

Anand Mahindra is the Chairman and Managing Director of one of India’s largest enterprise, Mahindra & Mahindra. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1977 (he studied filmmaking at Harvard), and completed his MBA from Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts in 1981. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images)

Telecom tycoon Sunil Bharti Mittal is the founder, chairman and Group CEO of Bharti Enterprises. He started his career at 18 after graduating from Panjab University in 1976 and founded Bharti. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School, USA. (AFP PHOTO/ SAJJAD HUSSAIN)

Anil Dhirubani Ambani group head Anil Ambani completed his Bachelors degree from University of Bombay (as it was known then), followed by Master of Business Administration degree from University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. (AFP PHOTO/Punit PARANJPE)

N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus of Infosys earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Mysore in 1967 and a master’s degree in technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in 1969.

Azim H Premji, Chairman, Wipro holds an electrical engineering degree from Stanford University, USA. (AFP PHOTO/ STR)

UB Group chairman Vijay Mallya studied at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, and graduated with a Bachelors of Commerce degree. While in college, he was interning in his family businesses. After he graduated, he also interned at the American part of Hoechst in the United States. (Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images for F1 Rocks in India with Vladivar)

Chanda Kochhar is currently the Managing Director (MD) of ICICI Bank and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). After graduating, she pursued Cost Accountancy ICWAI and also acquired the Masters Degree in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai

Kiran Majumdar Shaw is the Chairman & Managing Director of Biocon Limited a biotechnology company based in Bangalore. She completed her BSc Zoology Honours course from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore University and later did her post-graduation in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University.

Naina Lal Kidwai is the Group General Manager and Country Head of HSBC India.She is a chartered accountant by profession, later earned a Bachelors degree in Economics from University of Delhi and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She was the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School.

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, USA, Sulajja started her career at BARRA international, a leading investment analytic firm in California. She worked there for four years before joining Kinetic. She is now the Joint Managing Director of Kinetic Engineering Ltd and Director, Kinetic Motors.

Swati Piramal who followed up her MBBS with a Master's in Public Health from Harvard University, is now Director, Strategic Alliances and Communications, Piramal Healthcare.

Most desirable' woman in the world

Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games star is the world's most desirable woman, according to an international poll released on Tuesday by the website AskMen.

"The Hunger Games" star rose to the top of the list from No. 47 last year on the heels of the box-office smash while buffing her credibility as a quirky, sex-mad young widow in the independent film "Silver Linings Playbook," AskMen editor in chief James Bassil said.

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Rounding out the top five were actress Mila Kunis, model Kate Upton, R&B star Rihanna and "Crazy, Stupid, Love" actress Emma Stone.

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The most notable drop was socialite Kardashian, who fell 90 places from last year's No. 8 ranking.

"Kim Kardashian is petering off and basically dropping off the list at this point even as she's become more visible," Bassil said.

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India's only erotica icon and Playboy cover girl Sherlyn Chopra, has bagged the 63rd spot on the list. Sherlyn surpassed names like Rachel Weisz, Tina Fey, Katie Holmes, Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, Charlize Theron.

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Describing her popularity, the site stated "while some of her more traditional countrymen chastised her for the bold move (to pose for Playboy magazine), Sherlyn stood firm, posed for the iconic mag and proudly took her place in history."

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Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu bagged the 67th spot.

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No: 3
Kate Upton
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No: 4 Rihanna

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No: 5 Emma Stone

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No: 6 Miranda Kerr

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No: 7 Kristen Stewart

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No: 8 Jessica Gomes

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No: 9 Jessica Pare

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No: 10 Michelle Jenneke

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No: 11 Candice Swanepoel

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No: 12 Lawrence bumped last year's winner, Sofia Vergara of "Modern Family" fame, down to No. 12

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No: 13 Blake Lively

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No: 14 Christina Hendricks

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No: 15 Emilia Clarke

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No-16 Cheryl Cole

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 No: 17 Zooey Deschanel

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No-18 Olivia Munn

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No: 19 Naomie Harris

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No: 20 Claire Danes
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Mila Kunis wins 2012's sexiest picture title

The 'Friends With Benefits' star took the lead with her raunchy topless cover of the US version of Esquire magazine which saw her being named Sexiest Woman Alive by the Sun.

Mila received 20 percent of the 38,670 votes cast in the online survey, fighting off competition from the likes of Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson and Tulisa Contostavlos.

The actress appeared on the front of the magazine wearing nothing but a pair of faux leather trousers, the Sun reported. 

 

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The 29-year-old actress just managed to slip her victory past glamour girl-turned-body builder Jodie Marsh - who came in second place with 18 percent after campaigning for votes on Twitter.

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She was followed by Kelly Brook in third place with 9 percent.

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Rihanna and Coco Austin who completed the Top Five with 7 percent each.

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Kunis has spoken out about being bullied for her unusual looks as a child in the past. She claimed she was made fun of because of her big eyes, big lips and big ears.

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The actress, who rose to fame on 'That 70's Show' at the age of 14, says being the daughter of poor immigrants from Ukraine has helped her develop the thick skin she needs to survive in Hollywood.

"You build it up. My dad always said I have a really good backbone. I grew up in LA, I didn't grow up wealthy or even middle class, we were pretty poor and you learn how life works very quickly," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.