Hitler’s lady disappears from Dehra Dun - No trace of car gifted by Fuhrer
The Telegraph, July 6, 2008
Mandira Nayar
She’s royalty and an ageless beauty, an international celebrity with a World War II and Nazi past. And at 72, she’s elusive as hell, leading two countries a merry dance.
Excited Dehra Dun residents had reported a flurry of “sightings” in the past three weeks after learning she could be hiding in their midst.
But now it appears that the olive green 1936 Mercedes-Benz that Adolf Hitler had gifted the Nepal palace in 1939 has given the hill town the slip just as surely as she took Kathmandu’s new government for a ride the other day.
All the excitement began when Nepal’s new republic, after turning King Gyanendra out of Narayanhitti and declaring the palace a museum, said the Hitler car would now be displayed as its star exhibit.
Only if they could find it, though. The car was apparently not in Nepal but in Dehra Dun with the descendants of the Rana family who were Nepal’s Prime Ministers for generations, and its de facto rulers between 1846 and 1953.
And sure enough, old-timers here swear they often saw the custom-made car parked at the Rana mansion on Guru Road. But that was decades ago.
The Ranas say the car was brought to Dehra Dun by Juddha Shumshere Jang Bahadur Rana, Prime Minister from 1932 to 1945, when he settled in India after handing power over to his nephew.
They bristle at any suggestion that Juddha had usurped what belonged to the Shah king, saying the Fuhrer had gifted the car to the powerful Prime Minister and not King Tribhuvan, probably to buy the fierce Gorkha fighters’ loyalty.
“It was my father-in-law’s,” said Chandra Rajya Laxmi Rana, 75, who had travelled in the Merc many times. “He gave it to my mother-in-law. Then it passed to my husband, Colonel Shashi Shumshere.
“It came to our house after my mother-in-law died in 1955. It was parked there. But I don’t know where it is now.”
Colonel Shashi died in 1988, taking with him the details of what happened to the car, she said.
The Ranas don’t want to talk about the car, uncertain about their future following the Nepal revolution and unwilling to see their links to the deposed Shah dynasty brought under the spotlight again. But they believe in the Shahs’ right to the throne, unlike the Merc.
“Gyanendra was the only Hindu king,” said Amrita Rana, granddaughter of Juddha. “The monarchy has been around in Nepal for 240 years. We can’t help but feel sad.”
“There is a belief, however, that Gyanendra will come back. His horoscope says so,” said Biyoya Sawian Singh, wife of Alark Singh, great-grandson of Deb Shumshere Jang Bahadur, the first Rana to settle in India.
The Ranas hope the people of Nepal would reinstate Gyanendra, if only as a titular head.
If Nepal has spurned its royals, Dehra Dun hasn’t had much time for its hallowed old four-wheelers either before the hoopla over the Hitler car.
The town once hosted a vintage-car rally but it was stopped after residents protested the cars were ruining their air.
One of the cars in the rally was the 1930 Studebaker Dictator that Nathuram Godse had driven to Birla House on January 30, 1948, to shoot the Mahatma dead.
“It used to be here and participated in a rally a few years ago,” said Vijay Aggarwal, a garage owner who restores old cars in Dehra Dun. The car, aptly named “Killer”, is now in Delhi.
Lady Edwina Mountbatten’s Jaguar, however, seems to have made the Uttarakhand capital its permanent home. Owned by Chaya Khanna, a schoolteacher with Scholar’s Home, it has collectors salivating but will not be sold.
“Mrs Khanna loves it. It was her husband’s,” a vintage-car expert said.
Compared with Hitler’s disappearing Merc, Lady Edwina’s car is having a rather quiet life, retired in a corner of a garage.
Sobhraj finds spokesperson in Nepalese sweetheart
The Times of India, July 6, 2008
Charles Sobhraj, the celebrity criminal serving life term in Nepal, has not only found a new sweetheart in 20-year-old Nihita Biswas, but a devoted spokesperson who is convinced that the media has projected her lover ‘in a bad light’.
The love affair of the criminal mastermind and his "engagement" to the Nepali beauty has grabbed media attention in the Indian subcontinent.
The college girl turned celebrity, Nihita describes Sobhraj a caring man. She who met the international fugitive in Kathmandus central jail while he was looking for an interpreter, said she had been attracted to him because of his humbleness. "Media always puts Sobhraj in a bad light," the confident young woman said.
"Of course, I believe that he is innocent," she says, alleging that the police has tried to involve him in three decade-old murder case by producing false documents. Nicknamed the 'Bikini killer' and 'Serpent', Sobhraj has been accused of luring young women and killing many of them. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a District Court in July 2004 on charges of murdering an American and a Canadian tourist in Kathmandu in 1975.
"I don't want to talk to media now as I have been misquoted by many newspapers," she told journalists, a day after appearing on a number of national and international television channels.
After learning that their marriage to Sobhraj could land both of them into jail, the young heartthrob is planning to wed Sobhraj secretly.
"I will wait till he is released from jail," says Nihita, adding "In France there will be no legal barrier on our marriage."
Nihita said in love "there is no age-bar". "Sobhraj was my right choice, but the media has done some damage through negative publicity," she alleged.
However, analysts here think there could be ulterior motives to their love affair.
"Either Sobhraj influenced her so that he could get public sympathy in his favour or she wanted to get over night publicity by establishing links with him," a senior journalist said on condition of anonymity. Sobhraj, who claims he was put in jail without any evidence, is awaiting a final hearing on his appeal in the Supreme Court. 
Come on down! Real Game Shows
Forget watching “Family Feud” or “Jeopardy!” on television. New York City has real-life game shows that will keep you thinking — and drinking — until the wee hours of the morning. Here are some places to check out the next time you want to give your brain a nighttime workout.
W’burg Spelling Bee
Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer St., between
Richardson and Frost streets,Williamsburg, Brooklyn
718-302-3770
petescandystore.com
Every other Monday, signup: 7 p.m., bee: 7:30 p.m.
Free
Want to prove you can spell just as well as those kids on TV? Go to Pete’s Candy Store and stand up to the mike — if you dare. This bimonthly event is a great chance for you to avenge that fifth-grade spelling bee defeat, though unlike fifth grade you aren’t eliminated until you spell three words wrong. Also unlike fifth grade, you will be spelling while slightly buzzed. You can continue that buzz trend by winning a free bar tab.
Smart Ass Rock & Roll Trivia
Pianos
158 Ludlow St., between Stanton and Rivington streets
212-505-3733
www.pianosnyc.com
Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
Free
Think you know your music? Here is your chance to prove it by testing your knowledge of all things rock ’n’ roll at this LES favorite. Host Todd Satterfield tries to not make the questions too obtuse, so you won’t leave thinking you know nothing about music, but you may leave with free drinks if you come out on top of the three-round contest.
Quiz Night at Crocodile Lounge
Crocodile Lounge
325 E. 14th St., between First and Second avenues
212-477-7747
Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m.
Free
Host of one of the most popular trivia nights in the city (sometimes up to 30 teams compete), this small bar with no air conditioning can get hot in a hurry. People put up with the cramped conditions for two good reasons: the $75 bar tab for the winning team and the free pizza for every drink you order. That’s right, with every drink you order. Think of how many that is with a $75 bar tab!
Gameshow Speakeasy
The Fortune Cookie Cabaret at Lucky Cheng’s
24 First Ave., between First and Second streets
212-473-0516
gameshowspeakeasy.com
Third Thursday of every month, 8 p.m.
$5
Like a live edition of the board game “Guess Who?” a panel of NYC nightlife’s big guns attempt to guess the identity of a mystery guest (past stars have included Martha Plimpton, Zach Galifianakis and Mo Rocca). Burlesque star Clams Casino and Neil O’Fortune host.
Chelsea Mind Games
Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Ave., between 15th and 16th streets
212-727-1111
www.chelseamindgames.com
Wednesdays, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Free
On Wednesdays at Chelsea Market, you’ll find happy-hour competitions on everything from spelling to trivia to math to vocabulary. Comedian and writer Jennifer Dziura hosts these evenings, which also feature musical performances. If you can’t round up a group of friends, head over solo and join a group for team trivia and see if you can win prizes such as tickets to Comix Comedy Club.
Drunken Smartass Olympics
Dempsey’s Pub
61 Second Ave., between Third and Fourth streets
212-388-0662
Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
Two-drink minimum
Covering the spectrum from current events to literature to fashion to pop culture, this is one hopping trivia night. Comedian Janet Rosen and songwriter Tony Hightower host, and prizes range from books to Broadway tickets and dinner for two. But, hey, it’s all about having fun, right? Oh, and beer.
Secret gardens for good eats: Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars at these hidden outdoor retreats
By Jacqui Gal
Special to Metromix
Nothing thrills us more than stumbling on a hidden restaurant garden — probably because, as New Yorkers,
we often have to do without our own little patch. So with the warm weather here to stay, get some green at these hidden gems.
Le Jardin
25 Cleveland Place
Between Spring and Lafayette streets
212-343-9599
This classic French bistro has an expansive outdoor area, paved with stones and covered in grape vines. French menu staples like tuna tartare, bouillabaisse and a croque monsieur are reproduced faithfully, alongside a selection of regional wines. There are profiteroles and crème brulee for dessert, although the handsome French waiters might be all the sweetness you need.
Jeeb
154 Orchard St.
Between Rivington and Stanton streets
212-677-4101
With an entrance tucked below ground level, it’s easy to walk right past Jeeb on the Lower East Side — but don’t. Head downstairs, past the kitchen and outside to a spacious back garden, where Thai classics are served alongside an innovative “Thai tapas” menu. At $5 or $6 a plate, you can order a round of salmon dumplings, crab cakes and chive pancakes before delving into the wider menu of authentic curries, noodles and duck specials.
Max
51 Avenue B
Between Third and Fourth streets
212-539-0111
This beloved East Village Italian spot consistently hits the mark on three basic measures: quality, price and garden. The only trouble is deciding: the creamy mozzarella Caprese salad or the tomato bruschetta? Homemade gnocci or rigatoni with eggplant? From the meat group, there’s a veal shank, chicken cutlet and meatloaf just like Nonna used to make. Portions run large and the bill is comparatively small, so don’t forget your tiramisu for dessert.
Quartino Bottega Organica
11 Bleecker St.
Between Bowery and Lafayette streets
212-529-5133
For the vegetarians in your social circle, Quartino is a good bet. The back garden space isn’t enormous, so you’ll need good timing to snag a table. The menu emphasizes light, healthy and organic fare, with whole-wheat sandwiches and pasta dishes such as homemade tagliarini with avocado and tomatoes. Plus, there’s a good selection of wines, served by the bottle or — as the name suggests — by the quartino.
The Good Fork
391 Van Brunt St. at Coffey Street
718-643-6636
This Red Hook gem, which has gained a loyal following for its lively menu and cozy vibe, recently opened an outdoor area. The garden tables can’t be pre-booked, but ask to be seated there once you arrive. Then sit back for the parade: seared scallops, cornmeal crusted oysters, seared duck breast, pappardelle with spicy pork ragu. And, before you’re through, it’s probably worth trying the dumplings that beat Bobby Flay in a throwdown.
Gnocco
337 E. 10th St.
Between Avenues A and B
212-677-1913
There’s Italian-American and then there’s Italian-Italian food, which can be perfectly sopped up while sitting underneath the ivy in Gnocco’s back garden space. Start with baked artichoke hearts stuffed with goat cheese, or paper-thin octopus carpaccio among the antipasto. Then move on to homemade pastas, thin-crust pizzas topped with fresh mozzarella, or entree selections of beef, pork, lamb, fish and Cornish hen.
Jolie
320 Atlantic Ave. at Smith Street
718-488-0777
Private and romantic, the garden at Jolie restaurant in Boerum Hill is wooddecked and illuminated with delicate fairy lights — the perfect backdrop for a creative French bistro menu strewn with seared arctic char with spaghetti squash and pesto, venison filet with yam puree, and trusty old steak frites. There’s also a bumper brunch menu: think salads, sandwiches and omelets. Eager to please, the house even keeps a bottle of insect repellent on hand for sweet blooded patrons.
DuMont
432 Union Ave.
Between Keap and Devoe streets
718-486-7717
Since winning Time Out’s 2006 Eat Out award for best garden, DuMont is no longer a great secret, but it’s still a great place to eat. DuMont’s burgers are legendary, as is the gooey goodness of the “Dumac & Cheese” (fortified with gruyere and bacon). The back garden is decked out with wooden benches and a raised “tree house” space with several tables — plus an outdoor bar to keep the imported beers and house cocktails coming.
B Bar and Grill
40 E. Fourth St. at Bowery
212-475-2220
By Manhattan standards, the 3,000-square-foot garden at this Bowery bar is positively enormous. Covered in climbers and fairy lights, you’ll quickly forget that beyond those high walls is the bustling Bowery. Choose from six kinds of martinis or spring for a $35 pitcher of sangria — from there on in, making friends will be a snap. Bar bites and Latinstyle fare is served from brunch until 1 a.m.
Party it up like a rock star: Joints reflect musicians’ tastes, styles
By Ron Bishow
Special to amNewYork
What’s a musician to do with money to burn and time to kill between recording and touring? Why, open a bar, of course.
Unlike impersonal chains such as the Hard Rock Cafe, many of NYC’s musician-owned establishments dapt the feel and style of the artists who own them, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your taste.
Here are a few places you might want to check out for hero worship — or at least a beer.
Southern Hospitality
1460 Second Ave. at 76th Street
212-249-1001
Though Justin Timberlake has been busy bringing sexy back, on the side he’s also been trying to bring Southern etiquette back — up North. The food at this barbecue bar/restaurant is down home good (fried chicken, ribs), and it’s relatively cheap. Just be prepared to lose your voice, as the place is loud with blasting music and teens thinking they just saw co-owner JT or girlfriend Jessica Biel.
Snitch
59 W. 21st St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues
212-727-7775
Snitch is owned by former Velvet Revolver bandmates Scott Weiland and Duff McKagan and former Fuel vocalist Brett Scallions. Considering Weiland has just left Revolver and rejoined Stone Temple Pilots, it’s doubtful you’ll see the gang doing shots at the bar any time soon. Snitch has live rock music almost every night, and has instruments on hand in case any rockers want to do an impromptu set. Maybe Duff will get Guns N’ Roses back together one night.
National Underground
159 E. Houston St., between Allen and Eldridge streets
212-475-0611
Taking over the space Martignetti Liquors used to occupy, National Underground is an unprentious rock ’n’ roll club that is all about music. It has live acts seven nights a week, and the basement plays host to an additional band every Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday. Owned by singer songwriter Gavin DeGraw and his brother, Joey, Underground is refreshingly easy on the wallet. Even the curtained area in the back is open to anyone, and there isn’t bottle-service anywhere to be found.
The Bowery Electric
327 Bowery at Bond Street
212-228-0228
Jesse Malin has been a New York indie legend from his time with the bands Heart Attack and D Generation to a solo career. He’s also turning into quite the bar proprietor. Already part-owner of the popular East Village bar/music venues Niagara and Black and White, he recently helped open The Bowery Electric in the former Remote Lounge space. It is a simple, dimly lit bar with stools and beers on tap — no frills, just like Malin.
Angels and Kings
500 E. 11th St., between Avenues A and B
212-254-4090
Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz (Ashlee Simpson’s hubby) opened this bar in 2007 with his band and members of groups he helped launch — Gym Class Heroes and Cobra Starship. Kings is basically a one-room dive bar, in a good way. If you want to take a step further in your musical journey and pretend you’re in Fall Out Boy, play your heart out Wednesday nights at their weekly “Rock Band” battle.
40/40 Club
6 W. 25th St. at Broadway
212-832-4040
Jay-Z’s sports bar isn’t the kind of place you go to have a few beers and watch the game with friends; it’s the kind of sports bar you go to be seen watching the game. More of an opulent lounge than a typical sports bar, 40/40 has plasma and projection TVs, leather eggcup chairs suspended from the ceiling and $14 drinks. There are also three private rooms. A tip: Don’t show up in your baseball cap. Patrons are always dressed to the nines. 
Feast of nightlife out east: Beach bums turn up heat in Hamptons
By Gregory Robson
Special to amNewYork
Want to know which clubs are worth your time? Interested in spotting celebrities? Here is a sampling of the Hamptons’ best nightspots.
Pink Elephant
281 County Rd.
Southampton
631-287-9888
Stars abound at this trendy nightspot that features 6,000 square feet of beach, ambient lighting and a scent machine. There isn’t a celebrity who hasn’t danced the night away here.
Whitehouse
239 E. Montauk Hwy.
Hampton Bays
631-728-4121
Whitehouse hosted an event last weekend with Brody Jenner from MTV’s “The Hills.” Then on Sunday, Kim Kardashian’s White Ball was the headline event. ’Nuff said.
The Surf Lodge
183 Edgemere St.
Montauk
631-238-5190
Montauk’s Surf Lodge features a spa and live bands. It boasts a 32-room hotel and boutique and is only a halfmile from the beach.
Porky’s Hamptons
80 E. Montauk Hwy.
Hampton Bays
631-619-6666
Porky’s has a busy summer in store. Local favorite Airdate performs every other Thursday; Sundays are for after-parties and Saturday is ladies’ night.
Star Room
378 Montauk Hwy.
Wainscott
631-537-3332
No place has received more traffic in the past few years than Star Room. Owner Scott Sartiano cut his teeth
in the Manhattan nightclub scene and brings that flair to the Hamptons.
Neptune’s Beach Club
70 Dune Rd.
East Quogue
631-653-8737
For a beach-side clubbing experience, hit up Neptune’s. The multilevel deck overlooks the Atlantic and showcases top-notch DJs.
Southampton Publick House
40 Bowden Square
Southampton
631-283-2800
The Hamptons scene goes beyond rowdy, booze induced late-night parties. If frenetic crowds aren’t appealing, meander down to Southampton Publick House, which pours some of the top beers on the Island, and boasts the best happy hour around. Neptune Night Club
