NEW YORK: The past year was another remarkable one for Indian contemporary art on the global scene -- the market remained strong as several auctions attested, and Indian artists made headlines internationally. Here is a monthly review of some of the news and events that were generated during the last twelve months.

WELLINGTON/NEW DELHI: Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, died on January 11, New Zealand's prime minister announced. He was 88.

NEW JERSEY: Richa Gangopadhyay, a 21-year-old Michigan student, was crowned Miss India USA 2007 at the 26th annual pageant held December 28 in New Jersey.

NEW DELHI: What is common between Swati Chaddha (25) PR consultant, Bijoy Dass (28) entrepreneur, Ramit Singh (33) banker and Achin Aggarwaal (26) engineer? All of them are either "happily-married" twice or in the process of getting hitched, yet again.

NEW YORK: Suvir Saran is on a roll. Coming soon after his prodigal come back when he re-opened Devi, the popular upscale Manhattan restaurant along with partner/chef Hemant Mathur, the celebrated chef has come out with his new cookbook, American Masala.

NEW YORK: Another holiday release from Bollywood rounded off the year 2007 with Akshay Kumar-starrer Welcome smashing box office collections in overseas markets.

LOS ANGELES: Nikhil Dhawan, Mr. South Asia 2007, will compete at Mr. International in Malaysia, representing India. The Mr. International 2007 pageant will be held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia on Dec 31.

LOS ANGELES: Ranjani Sarode, student at Thalam School of Fine Arts, disciple of Natya Peroli Nalini Natarajan, and daughter of Mrs. Mamtha and Dr. Neelkanda, had her Bharatha Natyam Arangetram at the Reseda High School Auditorium.

NEW YORK: The Twenty-Sixth Nationwide Miss India USA is set to take place on Dec 28 at the Royal Albert's Palace, Fords, New Jersey. The pageant is organized by the New York-based IFC, the pioneer in organizing Indian pageants and fashion shows throughout the US and the world.