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Daisy Mowke

05 Jan 2017,Thursday

Link-up rumours with Katrina are ridiculous: Aditya

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aditya-roy-kapur-katrina-kaif-relationship-ranbir-kapoor-fight/1/850018.html

Actor Aditya Roy Kapur has said that the link-up rumours with actress Katrina Kaif are ridiculous. "Sometimes, you go for dinner with a friend and things get blown out of proportion... It's like you can't go to a friend's house without being linked to her," he added. He further said that he does not want to overthink on these rumours.

Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor called it quits days before the release of Katrina's film Fitoor, and reports suggested that her Fitoor co-star Aditya Roy Kapur became her shoulder to cry on. Shortly after, rumours of their passionate chemistry in the film translating into love off screen began doing the rounds.ALSO READ: Whoa! Is Katrina trying to make Ranbir jealous using Aditya?

Aarushi Maheshwari

02 Feb 2017,Thursday

Energy Cafe comes up at Bihar Electricity Board headquarters

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/energy-cafe-patna-vidyut-bhawan-recycled-junk-material-furnishings-lifefd/1/872880.html

A new cafe called Energy Cafe has been inaugurated at Vidyut Bhawan, headquarters of the Bihar State Electricity Board, in Patna. It has been furnished with junk and scrap materials, including oil drums, connection transformers and an old Ambassador car that now serves as a sofa. It will soon be open to electricity department staffs, IT supervisor Mahfooz Hashmi said.

Transformers and oil drums scrapped and dumped in junkyards for decades have suddenly found a new lease of life at the 'Energy Cafe' at Vidyut Bhawan, the headquarters of the Bihar State Electricity Board. Recently, a cafe has come up at the Vidyut Bhawan and interestingly, all the items used here for furnishing it are junk and scrapped material which have been collected from the energy department's junkyard. This Board office till now had one canteen for its staff in a dilapidated and unusable condition. However, Pratyaya Amrit, the incumbent Chairman of the Board hit open this novel idea to bring up a cafe using scrap material."The idea was conceptualized by our Board Chairman, Pratyaya Amrit six months back and he suggested that the reception area which was unused for years be  converted into a cafe for our staff members. The work was completed in record time and this café which has been named aptly as 'Energy Cafe' was inaugurated last week ", said Mahfooz Hashmi, IT supervisor in the Board office.Also read: You can exchange a book for a meal at this Delhi University cafe So what are the scrapped items that have been used in a very innovative manner at this cafe? Four oil drums have been re-modeled into three chairs and a centre table; the connection transformers have been reassembled into small stools; a control panel with nuts and bolts, used at power sub-stations, is recreated as a glass table; three kettles used at a thermal power plant in Karbigahiya years have been used to add to the vintage look at the cafe; wood of wheel cable roll has been used to create a menu display board, and a wall clock.

Vaibhav Gupta

26 Jan 2017,Thursday

SEBI bars Vijay Mallya from securities market

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sebi-bars-vijay-mallya-six-others-from-securities-market/1/866786.html

Market Regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Wednesday barred liquor baron Vijay Mallya and six others from the securities market in a case related to alleged fund diversions from United Spirits Ltd. SEBI also restrained Mallya from "holding the position as director or key managerial person of any listed company."

Aarushi Maheshwari

20 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Woman kidnapped in Gurugram, gangraped in car till Noida

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/woman-kidnapped-in-gurgaon-gangraped-thrown-in-greater-noida/1/982797.html

A 35-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped and gangraped by three men in a moving car for three hours on Monday night, the police said. The woman was kidnapped in Sohna, Gurugram, where the accused repeatedly raped her before driving to Greater Noida and throwing her out of the car. She was found near a hospital, while the accused are absconding.

A 35-year-old woman was gangraped on Monday in Sohna, Haryana in a horrific ordeal that is believed to have lasted several hours. According to the woman, three men in a Maruti Swift car kidnapped her and drove her around on the streets of Sohna for several hours while repeatedly raped her. She was then driven all the way to Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh where she was thrown out of the car near Yatharh Hospital in Kasna. Based on the girl's written statement, Noida police have filed a First Information Report under Indian Penal Code Section 376D, which deals with gangrape. WHAT HAPPENED? According to the woman's statement, she was abducted by three men in a Swift car from near her home in Sohna, Gurgaon at 8.45 pm on Monday. The men then drove her around for four to five hours, taking turns to repeatedly molest and rape her. With the woman still in the car, the men then drove all the way to Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh where they flung her out of the car near the Yatharth Hospital in Kasna around 4 am. She recounted her horrific ordeal with locals in the area who then called the Noida police. Noida police reached the spot, informed their counterparts in Gurgaon and took the woman for a medical examination at Yatharth Hospital. Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar, Love Kumar told India Today that the woman was then taken back to Sohna to identify the spot from where she was abducted. Kumar also told India Today that there were certain discrepancies in the woman's initial statements and the police was working to verify and corroborate her claims. It remains unclear what route the alleged rapists took while driving from Sohna to Greater Noida. Kumar said the police is working to establish how the woman was brought to Greater Noida. The woman hails from Rajasthan's Bharatpur city and came to Sohna around 10-15 days ago and was staying with her family.DRUNK MEN?Meanwhile, initial investigation into the incident has indicated that the men were drunk or were drinking while the alleged gangrape occurred. Some beer bottles were also found from the spot which indicates that the accused persons were inebriated at the time," a senior Greater Noida police officer told news agency PTI.The men are also believed to have threatened the woman with dire consequences if she approached the police. While an FIR has been filed, no arrests have yet been made in the case. Police teams are examining CCTV footage to identify the route the Swift car took to travel the around 80-kilometer distance from Sohna to Greater Noida. The FIR has been registered by Noida police's Kasna unit and Gurgaon police has said they will be assisting the Noida cops. "We have taken the details from SSP Gautam Budh Nagar, Love Kumar. A team of the Gautambudh Nagar police is arriving in Gurgaon to examine the sequence of the crime. We are examining whether they lodged a zero FIR in this regard. We are assisting Noida police and are investigating the matter," Gurgaon Police Commissioner Sandeep Khirwar told PTI earlier in the day.Commenting on the alleged gangrape, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister and government spokesperson Sidharth Nath Singh told ANI that steps required under the law are being taken. The UP government will help the Haryana Police with whatever help they need to probe the incident, Singh said. COPS FOUND SLEEPING - UNRELATED INCIDENTWhile questions remain over how the alleged rapists were able to travel all the way from Gurgaon to Greater Noida without being stopped by cops, in an unrelated development, two Noida policemen stationed at a Police Control Room van were shunted out after they were found sleeping during the night.The Swift car in which the alleged gangrape occurred is not believed to have passed through the area in which PCR van was stationed. However, an unidentified person, who reportedly shot a video of the sleeping cops, sent the footage to Gautam Budh Nagar SSP Love Kumar after news of Monday's alleged gangrape came to light. Acting on the information, SSP Kumar transferred the policemen for dereliction of duty.ANOTHER GURGAON HORRORMonday night's incident comes a day after a seven-year-old girl was raped, allegedly by a 20-year-old auto driver in Gurgaon. The minor girl was alone in her home on Sunday when the incident took place. The accused was captured on CCTV cameras leading the girl away. The rape left the seven-year-old in a critical condition and she is currently fighting for her life at New Delhi's Safdurjung Hospital. The 20-year-old auto driver has been arrested by Gurgaon police. (With inputs from Chirag Gothi in Noida)(This story has been updated to report that an FIR has been registered in the case and to include other new information) ALSO READ | Gurugram: Woman gangraped in auto, 6-month-old daughter killed

Chhavi Tyagi

14 Apr 2017,Friday

India must aspire to become global power of happiness: Prez

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-should-aspire-to-become-global-power-of-happiness-prez/1/929124.html

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said India should aspire to become a global powerhouse not just in terms of GDP but also in terms of Gross National Happiness (GNH). "Along with GDP, GNH is considered as one of the important factors of development," Mukherjee added. "600 million youth are entering the job market, but their employability isn't adequate," Mukherjee said.

By Laxmi Devi Bengaluru, Apr 14 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee today underscored the need for India to be a global powerhouse not just in terms of economic parameters but also Gross National Happiness. "If we aspire to be one of the leading economic powers of the world, yes, we can be, but merely in statistical terms, in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), in terms of skill are not adequate," Mukherjee said after laying the foundation stone for the Bengaluru Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics here. The President said the concept of development has changed now and international organisations like the World Bank and IMF are talking about development in terms of GDP as well as Gross National Happiness (GNH). "Along with GDP, GNH is considered as one of the important factors of development," Mukherjee emphasised. He expressed concern over unemployability of the youth in India, saying "600 million youth are entering the job market, but their employability is not adequate".

Mishika Bangia

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

DRDO develops chicken biscuits, tulsi bars for armed forces

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chicken-biscuits-tulsi-bars-developed-by-drdo-for-security-personnel/story-beJgVoOO5TvDFCeFktWGSP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed nutritious and protein-rich food for armed forces deployed in high-altitude and snowbound areas. Food items include chicken biscuits, protein-rich mutton bar, tulsi bar among others. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said that after developing these products, technologies have been transferred to various industries for bulk production.

Various nutritious and protein-rich food items have been developed by the DRDO for security personnel deployed at high altitude and snow-bound areas, Parliament was informed on Friday.The major food products developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the last three years and the current year are chicken biscuits, protein rich mutton bar, composite cereals bars, egg protein biscuits, iron and protein rich food bar, chicken kathi rolls and anti-fatigue tulsi bar, defence minister Arun Jaitley said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. ?There is no food production unit in DRDO. However, after developing these products, production technologies have been transferred to various industries for bulk production,? he said. He added that development of nutritional food by DRDO for armed forces was an ongoing process based on their requirements and latest technological research in the area.

Aarushi Maheshwari

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Pak taxi app offers rides with matchmaker 'rishta aunty'

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/your-rishta-has-arrived-pakistani-taxi-app-offers-rides-with-matchmaker/story-ktZv4ofe2AsgmYbu5gBq4J.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Careem, an app-based taxi service in Pakistan, on Wednesday offered passengers a chance to share their ride with a "rishta aunty" or marriage matchmaker. Careem said, "people can tell the aunty their preferences and the aunty will later get in touch with them with a suitable rishta." It earlier launched "Careem Doctor," offering to bring medical professionals to users' doorsteps.

A Pakistan app-based taxi service has launched an unusual add on, offering passengers the chance to share their ride with a marriage matchmaker.Users in Pakistan woke on Wednesday to an unexpected notification from Careem -- an Uber-like taxi hailing app popular in Muslim countries: Have a ?rishta aunty? accompany you during your ride.Rishta aunties, as marriage matchmakers are known in South Asia, keep detailed records of eligible men and women -- from education level and salary, to height, weight and skin tone -- and will set you up with your future spouse, for a fee.Usually portrayed in popular culture as bespectacled women with a clipboard of names and an ancient Nokia mobile, the aunties have had an update thanks to Careem. The ?rishta? service -- which has only been rolled out for two days in two cities in Pakistan -- quickly had the country?s vocal Twitterati on overdrive.?Careem is the halal Tinder now, except that there?s a rishta aunty who?ll do the swiping for you,? joked Twitter user CrazeeGentleman.Careem is the halal Tinder now, except that there's a rishta aunty who'll do the swiping for you#CareemPk #Tinder #Careem #RishtaAunty #WTF pic.twitter.com/a5eq7M17IT? Faraz Ahmed (@CrazeeGentleman) July 19, 2017But many were speculating that it was just a marketing ploy by the taxi app service.?Driving with rishta aunty a success for @CareemPAK already, it?s 11:33 AM and half the marketers in my list are talking about it,? wrote Amnaa Tariq on Twitter.Driving with Rishta Aunty is a success for @CareemPAK already, it's 11:33 AM and half the marketers in my list are taking about it #Pakistan? Amna Tariq (@Amnaa_tariq) July 19, 2017Careem Pakistan was quick to defend the move as a legitimate service.?We?d noticed that rishtas are a popular topic of discussion among our more senior users. So we?ve launched this service in order to help the younger people find a right match,? said Careem Pakistan?s head of public affairs Sibtain Naqvi, according to local media.?During the ride people can tell the aunty their preferences and the Aunty will later get in touch with them with a suitable rishta (relationship),? Naqvi added.It?s not the first time that the taxi app has sought to diversify. In January the firm rolled out ?Careem Doctor?, offering to bring a medical professional to your doorstep.Here are some more reactions from Twitter:all i wanted was a Rickshaw... @CareemPAK pic.twitter.com/XrZBGyBjtT? Qasim Farooq (@JihadiOnline) July 19, 2017Me : 1 paper main fail hogai hoon.Ami : pic.twitter.com/mXCH99y2B3? omgh. (@Mahnoorizhere) July 19, 2017After 15 yearsKids: 'mama Papa app ke love marriage thee ya arranged?'Parents: 'betaa #CareemMarriage'#careem #rishtaaunty #halalmarriage? Aiman (@aimans_3) July 19, 2017Careem has lost their mind as much as I have lost hope from this world. This was actually creepy.#Careem #Karachi #Rishta #Taxi #morning pic.twitter.com/gh30uMPpyZ? Azkure (@CheeeeeseFries) July 19, 2017when you wake up to " your Rishta has arrived" from careem. pic.twitter.com/WPLJIxDDxY? Adi (@Desi_nigaa) July 19, 2017

Dishant Sharma

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Ex-women's champ makes male fan play tennis wearing a skirt

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tennis/kim-clijsters-makes-a-male-fan-put-on-a-skirt-during-wimbledon-this-is-why/story-ywFMMhEVXdGjXDK60mZJrK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters made a male fan wear a skirt and play tennis alongside her during a Wimbledon invitational women's doubles match. Clijsters had asked the audience the kind of service they'd like to see, to which the male fan responded with, "Body serve." Clijsters offered him a skirt and called him up to play alongside her.

?That?s a man, in skirt, trying to return a Kim Clijsters? serve.?Yes, you read that right.During the ladies? invitational match in the ongoing Wimbledon 2017, the commentator was heard saying these lines as everyone present at the court ? from the four-time champion to those playing in the match as well as the viewers ? were left in splits at the sight of a burly man in a skirt and a white t-shirt.pic.twitter.com/2wmWfgnAf1? Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) July 14, 2017When it was her turn to serve, Kim asked the audience what kind of serve she should make ? wide or down the middle. The man, sitting close to the court, was loud enough to be heard when he shouted ?a body serve?.Clijsters checked with him whether he had actually said that, and once convinced, she invited him to the court which he duly accepted. As the man came on to the court and Clijsters prepared to serve, she stopped and ran towards one of the kit bags. The four-time grand slam champion took out a white skirt and asked the fan to put it on. But there was one problem: obviously, it was too short for the burly man.Clijsters was in splits as he struggled his way through it putting the skirt on. She was on the floor.When he was ready ? the person also pulled on a white t-shirt ? he also managed to return a Kim Clijsters? serve. Surely, it would remain one of the best days in that fan?s life, as he also posed for a picture with the tennis legend.

Abhishek Bansal

05 Mar 2017,Sunday

Indians are valuable: Kansas Governor on Kuchibhotla murder

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kansas-shooting-srinivas-kuchibhotla-united-states-hate-crime-sam-brownback/1/897187.html

Indians are a valuable community of Kansas and they are welcome in the state, Governor Sam Brownback has told Indian diplomats and community members. The statement comes after Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed in a shooting in a Kansas City bar earlier this week. "The hateful actions of one man doesn't define us," the Governor added.

Indians are a valuable community of Kansas and they are welcome in the state, Governor Sam Brownback has told Indian diplomats and community members in the aftermath of a bias killing of an Indian there.Brownback said he was ashamed of the killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and the wounding of Alok Madasani last month and it was not characteristic of the state that valued Indians, Consul General Anupam Ray told IANS over phone."The hateful actions of one man doesn't define us," Brownback said. Ray, who is based in Houston, Texas, has jurisdiction over Kansas state.He visited the state last week and met the Governor, Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer and members of the Indian community. The state leaders said they are available for the Indian community and will give them whatever help they need, according to Ray.Ray described as moving his meeting on Thursday with Ian Grillot, the heroic American, who was shot while trying to stop the gunman."I have not met a person like that in my life," Ray said. "A very brave man, he took a bullet for another man."Grillot "represents the best of America," he said.Ray showed him the tweet by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that "India salutes the heroism" he has shown.Grillot was shot while trying to stop former Navy personnel Adam Purinton, who opened fire at the two Indians after screaming "Get out of my country".According to news reports, he later said that he thought they were Iranians.After the shooting Consul R. D. Joshi and Vice Consul Harpal Singh from the Houston Consulate General rushed to Kansas to help Madsani and the family of Kuchibhotla.Also read:

Tarun Khanna

15 May 2017,Monday

Top Naxal Kundan Pahan facing 128 cases surrenders in Ranchi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dreaded-maoist-leader-kundan-pahan-surrenders-in-jharkhand/1/953622.html

Top Maoist leader Kundan Pahan, who was facing 128 cases including the murder of senior cops, on Sunday surrendered before the police in Ranchi. Pahan was carrying a reward of ?15 lakh on his head. The Naxalites coming forward to surrender have understood "the hollowness of Maoist ideology and believe in the Constitution", said senior CRPF officer Sanjay Lathkar.

Ranchi, May 14 (PTI) Dreaded Maoist leader Kundan Pahan, facing 128 cases including that of murder of senior police officers and carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, today surrendered before police here. The CPI (Maoist) Jharkhand regional committee secretary is an accused in the killing of special branch inspector Francis Indwar in 2008 and loot of Rs 5 crore from a cash van of ICICI bank. He was also allegedly involved in Baliba ambush in Saranda and killing of DSP Pramod Kumar in 2008 at Pundigiri near Bundu in Ranchi district, Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kuldip Diwedi said. Family members of Pahan, who takes aliases like Vikash and Ashish, were present as he surrendered before Additional Director General of Police R K Malik, IG (CRPF) Sanjay Lathkar, DIG A V Homkar and other senior police officers here. Malik congratulated the police team for convincing Pahan to come into the mainstream and their continuous success in controlling left wing extremism. "True repentance is to accept one?s mistakes," Malik said on the occasion and appealed to others connected with the extremist organisation that indulges in exploitation and violence to join the mainstream. Malik said that DGP D K Pandey and the state government?s initiative of Nai Disha gave one final opportunity this year to the naxalites to surrender. Inspector General of Police (CRPF) Sanjay Lathkar said the naxalites coming forward to surrender have understood "the hollowness of Maoist ideology and believe in the Constitution". Deputy Inspector General of Police A V Homkar said it was a historic moment for the CRPF and the Jharkhand police as several naxalites have given up arms due to their efforts.

Daisy Mowke

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Kapil Sharma wishes Sunil Grover on his 40th birthday

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/this-is-how-kapil-sharma-wished-sunil-grover-on-his-birthday-lifetv/1/1017657.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Comedian Kapil Sharma took to Twitter to wish Sunil Grover on the occasion of his 40th birthday today. "Wish you a very happy birthday Sunil paji... May God bless you with all the happiness of this world. Lots of love always," tweeted Kapil. Notably, Sunil had left Kapil's show following a feud between them.

Popular comedian Kapil Sharma wished his former team member Sunil Grover on his birthday.  He took to Twitter and wrote, "Wish u a very happy birthday @WhoSunilGrover paji ... may god bless u with all the happiness of this world. Lots of love always :)" Wish u a very happy birthday @WhoSunilGrover paji ... may god bless u with all the happiness of this world. Lots of love always :)Kapil has always maintained that Sunil Grover is like a brother. In a recent live chat on Twitter, Kapil had revealed that he missed spending time with his old team. He had also said that Sunil Grover was like his brother, and that he would welcome him with open arms whenever he decided to return to the show. TKSS member Sumona Chakravarti also wished Sunil on Twitter with a sweet message. She wrote, " Happppyyyy Birthdayyyy @WhoSunilGrover Big hug to u... have an awesome kickass year." Happppyyyy Birthdayyyy @WhoSunilGrover Big hug to u... have an awesome kickass year... ð???ð???ð?¤?ð??»ð??? pic.twitter.com/93OPrFN1Ps

Arshiya Chopra

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Kargil was India's first televised war

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nation-celebrates-vijay-diwas-this-is-how-the-1999-kargil-war-was-won/story-aDSWoXNGXiDare1MXfPkWP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Kargil was India's first televised war that enabled people across the country to see what was happening on the battlefield. The number of viewers crossed over 20 lakh per broadcast during the course of time. Notably, on July 26, 1999, Indian Army succeeded in reclaiming all posts in Kargil region from Pakistan, which is now yearly celebrated as Vijay Diwas.

As the nation remembers its brave heroes on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, HT takes a look at how the war unfolded in 1999.Indian and Pakistani armies fought the war in May-July 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere along the Line of Control (LoC).India launched ?Operation Vijay? to clear the Kargil sector of infiltration by the Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants on the Indian side of the Line of Control.Kargil was the first televised war viewed extensively by the country.Here is how the war unfolded:1999: The warMay 4: Reports of infiltrators atop heights of Kargil. Strategic heights taken over by infiltrators, say reports.May 5-15: Army patrol sent up to survey. Captain Saurabh Kalia goes missing. He is allegedly tortured and killed in captivity by Pakistani troops.May 26: Indian Air Force launches air strikes. Flying from the Indian airfields of Srinagar, Avantipur and Adampur, ground attack aircraft MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, Jaguars and the Mirage 2000 strike insurgent positions.May 27: An IAF MiG-27 goes down. Pilot, who ejects and is taken a prisoner of war by Pakistan, is released after eight days.May 31: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee says it?s a ?war-like situation? in KargilJune 10: Pakistan returns mutilated bodies of six soldiers, India enraged. The six bodies were those of Lt. Saurav Kalia and his men who went to Kaksar area following reports of incursion by Pakistani infiltrators.June 12: Deadlock at first crisis-time meeting between foreign ministers Jaswant Singh and Sartaj Aziz in Delhi. Aziz told intruders must leaveJune 15: US President Bill Clinton urges the Pakistan PM to withdraw troops from KargilJune 29: Army captures two important posts near Tiger HillJuly 4:Tiger Hill captured. Three battalions -- 18 Grenadiers, 2 Naga, and 8 Sikh -- assault the peak with support from artillery. Nawaz Sharif meets Clinton in WashingtonJuly 5: Sharif announces pull-out of Pakistani troops from KargilJuly 11: Pakistan begins pull outJuly 14: India declares operation Vijay a successJuly 26: Kargil war comes to an end. India announces complete eviction of Pakistani troopsThe casualtiesThe official death toll on the Indian side was 527, while that on the Pakistani side was between around 450.The honoursA number of Indian soldiers earned awards for gallantry:[97]· Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, Param Vir Chakra· Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, Param Vir Chakra, Posthumous· Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, Param Vir Chakra, Posthumous· Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles, Param Vir Chakra· Captain Anuj Nayyar, 17 JAT Regiment, Maha Vir Chakra, Posthumous· Major Rajesh Singh Adhikari, 18 Grenadiers, Maha Vir Chakra, Posthumous· Captain Haneef-u-ddin, 11 Rajputana Rifles, Vir Chakra, posthumous· Major Mariappan Saravanan, 1 Bihar, Vir Chakra, Posthumous· Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, Indian Air Force, Vir Chakra, Posthumous· Havildar Chuni Lal, 8 JAK LI, Vir Chakra. Also awarded Sena Medal for gallantry and posthumously awarded Ashoka Chakra as a Naib Subedar

Jatan Desai

13 Mar 2017,Monday

Defence Minister Parrikar appointed Chief Minister of Goa

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/goa-assembly-election-2017-manohar-parrikar-cm-bjp-congress/1/903023.html

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha today appointed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as the Chief Minister of Goa. Parrikar has been asked to prove majority within 15 days after taking oath with the swearing in ceremony likely to be held on Tuesday. Notably, BJP was the second largest party behind Congress in a fractured mandate in the Goa assembly elections.n

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha today appointed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as the chief minister of Goa. Parrikar has been asked to prove majority within 15 days after taking oath. Parrikar will resign from his post and stake claim of the government. Swearing-in ceremony likely to be held on Tuesday. Earlier, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed that Parrikar was the BJP's chief ministerial candidate in Goa in a tweet. Parrikar, however, told the news agency ANI that he hadn't resigned yet. Parrikar said that once the BJP received an invitation, it would consult with its colleagues and pick a date for the swearing-in. On his tenure as Defence Minister, he said it was difficult since it was a new department, but added he was happy no corruption allegations were levelled against the government, ANI reported.  BJP GARNERS SUPPORT FROM SMALLER PARTIES, INDEPENDENTS The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party with 17 MLAs in yesterday's election result, was hoping that the nine non-BJP MLAs would offer it support but that was not to be. But BJP with just 13 was quick to gather support of the smaller parties and the independents. In the 40-seat Goa Assembly, a party or coalition requires support of 21 MLAs to form government. Congress has 17 MLAs and BJP only 13 but the latter cobbled together a coalition with nine out of the other 10 MLAs. GFP, MGP AND INDEPENDENT MLAs OFFER SUPPORT Three Goa Forward Party, three Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party and all three independent MLAs met BJP leaders today evening and offered their letters of support.Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai came out of the meeting and announced that they had decided to support BJP to form the government under the leadership of Manohar Parrikar. With Vijai Sardesai were Rohan Khaunte and Sudin. Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari and Manohar Parrikar successfully persuaded them to support BJP.The Congress was confident that the independents and smaller Goa parties will come together to support a Congress government since the mandate in Goa went against the previous government. The outgoing government was a BJP government earlier led by Manohar Parrikar.Laxmikant Parsekar had replaced Parrikar as the latter was called by Narendra Modi to become the country's defence minister. Parsekar's popularity dipped soon and the party got a drubbing in the election in which Parsekar lost his own seat. BJP with the support of MGP, GFP & others have stake claim to form the Government in the state of Goa pic.twitter.com/FNyiEQygWF PARRIKAR: A POPULAR FIGURE IN GOA Manohar Parrikar, an IIT graduate, is popular in Goa and enjoys a clean image. He leads a simple life and people believe he is an honest politician where politicians are notoriously corrupt. Parrikar had earlier too expressed his desire to return to Goa because he did not like Delhi, particularly its food didn't agree to his palate used to Goan fish recipes.Congress's Digvijaya Singh called it a political coup and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of horse-trading. The BJP rubbished the allegations saying the independent MLAs and those of smaller parties did not wish to support the Congress.PARRIKAR'S CABINET Sources say all Goa Forward Party and Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party MLAs will be made ministers in the government. At least two independent MLAs including Rohan Khaunte would also get ministerial berths. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly will be from the Bharatiya Janata Party. (Inputs from ANI) ALSO READ Goa election results 2017: Full list of winners

Prashanti Moktan

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

Kapil Sharma gives one-liners, I do performances: Krushna

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/krushna-abhishek-kapil-sharma-gives-one-liners-i-am-a-performer/story-fuQKUjROW8S6PgCgljt4yN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Comedian and television host Krushna Abhishek has said that Kapil Sharma just gives one-liners while adding, "I do performances." He further said, "Does he perform for one hour in his show? I perform for one hour. That's the difference between us." However, Krushna clarified that he does not have a problem with Kapil.

Krushna Abhishek doesn?t like to be known as a standup comedian. He prefers calling himself ?an actor who does comedy.? And Krushna gives a damn when people compare him with rival comedian-actor Kapil Sharma, because he believes that there is nothing worth comparing between the two. ? I never compare myself with Kapil. We have totally different styles. Kapil just gives one-liners, I do performances. Let?s be practical and genuine. Does he perform for one hour in his show? I perform for one hour. That?s the difference between us,? says Krushna. The actor says that standup comedy was never his thing in the first place, so he has no reasons to be insecure. ?People say that I have problem with Kapil but it?s not true. I never wanted to be a stand-up comedian. It?s just that I did so much comedy that I went into the zone of stand-up comedy,? he says. Actor- comedian Kapil Sharma?s show also airs on the same channel as Krushna?s Abhishek?s The Drama Company.Krushna?s new show The Drama Company has also entered the same channel as Kapil?s show. How will he build a bond with the audience? ?People are bored of actors getting interviewed. If you want to see actors getting interviewed, then you would watch Koffee with Karan. The questions you ask the stars also get repetitive. So we had to be different. We thought why not bring theatre to television,? Krushna says. ?The show will start with a play. Guests will act in it. And later, there will be fun interactions,? he shares. Follow @htshowbiz for more

Sonu Kumari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

'Aloo' gang member arrested with illegal arms in Gurugram

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/gurgaon-aloo-gang-member-held-with-illegal-arms-in-rewari/story-RfkolBdeGnjaGNbFtAitVL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Gurugram Police on Thursday arrested a man belonging to the Rewari-based 'Aloo' gang for allegedly possessing illegal arms and recovered two country-made pistols and 12 live cartridges. He was reportedly in Sohna to murder a member of the rival 'Jhota' gang. The 'Aloo' gang is wanted for several cases of murder and attempted murder.

A man arrested by the city police?s crime branch on Thursday night for allegedly possessing illegal arms has turned out to be a member of Rewari?s Aloo gang.On Thursday, the crime team of Sohna police was patrolling the area near Bhondsi during a night-domination exercise when they received information that a member of the Aloo gang was somewhere between Bhondsi and Sohna, the police said.?The team started patrolling in the specific area near Mahendrawada village and found a man wandering on the street. On spotting the police vehicle, he tried to hide,? said Ravinder Kumar, public relations officer (PRO), Gurgaon police.He said that when the police started questioning him, they found his replies suspicious. ?When they searched him, two countrymade pistols and 12 live cartridges were found from his possession,? Kumar said.The man, identified as Rewari resident Kamal alias Palti, was detained and taken to Bhondsi police station. There, a case under Arms Act was registered and he was arrested.During further questioning, it was revealed that he was a member of the Aloo gang and that the gang was involved in a double murder in Rewari on June 27.?He also confessed that he and his gang members were involved in at least two other attempt to murder cases in Rewari and were wanted for other petty crimes as well,? the PRO said.Kamal was out on bail since January and has been involved in various crimes in the district since then, police said.According to police sources, he had to come to Sohna on?Thursday to murder a member of the rival Jhota gang.The Rewari police has been informed of the arrest. ?Kamal and other members of the Aloo gang are wanted in at least three cases, including the double murder case. The Rewari police will now take over the investigation,? Kumar said.

Rini Sinha

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Ex-NFL player OJ Simpson granted parole after 9 yrs in jail

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2017/jul/20/oj-simpson-parole-hearing-live?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Former National Football League player and actor OJ Simpson has been granted parole after serving nearly nine years in prison and may be released in October this year. His sentence was scheduled to end in September 2022. Simpson was sentenced for allegedly leading a group of men into a Las Vegas hotel in 2007 to steal sports memorabilia at gunpoint.

8.23pm BST 20:23 Simpson?s attorney, Malcolm LaVergne, has ended questioning. That will end our live coverage. To summarize: A Nevada parole board has voted unanimously to allow OJ Simpson to go free as early as October, citing the former NFL star?s compliance with prison rules, his lack of prior convictions, his low risk of committing another crime, his community support and stable post-release plans. Thanks for following along with us and be sure to read Amanda Holpuch?s full report on today?s hearing below. 8.19pm BST 20:19 Simpson?s attorney said he never believed parole was a sure thing: ?It was hard to know the certainty of this,? LaVergne says. ?Mr Simpson is obviously a very polarizing figure. He?s very well loved, but he?s also held into contempt by a lot of people.? 8.15pm BST 20:15 LaVergne now berating a reporter who?s brought up retired correctional officer Jeffrey Felix who worked at Lovelock and talked about Simpson. The attorney says he?s started the process of getting Felix?s pension stipped. Interestingly, when Simpson was sitting in front of a hot mic in the moments before the parole board?s decision was announced, the microphone overheard him saying he might sue Felix. 8.11pm BST 20:11 It?s official: Inmate No. 1027820 at Lovelock correctional facility will be released in October. Now Simpson?s attorney Malcolm LaVergne is fielding questions from media. LaVergne says Fremong?s testimony in favor of Simpson was very helpful in helping broker Simpson?s release. Right now Fremong is sitting with Simpson and his family inside the facility, he says. ?They?re friends,? LaVergne says. ?This was a big mishap.? 7.55pm BST 19:55 Now the parole board is back in the room, saving OJ from the hot mic (and himself). Tony Corda is speaking. He says Simpson deserved to go to prison for his crime, but he?s complied with the rules of the prison, he?s a low risk to reoffend, he has community support and stable post-release plans. The question is whether he?s served enough time in prison on this case. Corda agrees he has.Jackson and Endel also concur. And finally Bisbee votes to grant parole, completing the unanimous 4-0 decision.BREAKING: O.J. Simpson granted parole when eligible in October https://t.co/nc8Su7r49N?Thank you!? Simpson says as applause rings in the room.Updated at 8.00pm BST 7.51pm BST 19:51 OJ now talking about cookies and ice cream. And now Mike Tyson. Not a joke. 7.50pm BST 19:50 OJ Simpson and his attorney Malcolm LaVergne are back in the teleconference room at Lovelock correctional center. Now Simpson is smiling and laughing with others in the room on a hot mic (!), talking about the challenges of the teleconference format. 7.34pm BST 19:34 If there was any surprise to today?s routine hearing, it was Simpson?s semi-confrontational posture to the board, specifically the self-justification of the robbery in his opening remarks. That said, every testimony was in his favor and by all accounts he?s shown himself to be rehabilitated: a model prisoner. Most seem to agree he?s served more than enough time for the crime he?s been incarcerated for. All signs indicate he will be paroled today and released on or around 1 October, but it?s not as if Simpson?s very American tale hasn?t offered up final-reel twists in the past. Stay tuned. 7.19pm BST 19:19 Bisbee calls the hearing into recess so the board can move into deliberations, which could take up to a half hour. The four-member panel must be unanimous to make a decision. If they are divided, the other two commissioners are brought in to add their feedback. From there, it?s subject to a simple majority. A 3-3 deadlock will result in another hearing in six months? time.Updated at 7.22pm BST 7.16pm BST 19:16 Fromong closes: ?We all make mistakes. OJ made his. He?s been here and from what I?ve heard he?s been a model inmate. He?s been an example to others. During the trial I recommended he serve one to three years. That?s what I recommended to the DA. I?m here to say that I?ve known OJ for a long time. I don?t feel he?s a threat to anyone out there. ?He?s a good man. I know that he does a lot for other people and I feel that nine-and-a-half-to-33 years was way too long. And I feel that it?s time to give him a second chance. It?s time for him to go home to his family, his friends. This is a good man, he made a mistake.? 7.14pm BST 19:14 Now Bruce Fromong is speaking. He says first and forement he?s not only here as Simpson?s friend of almost 27 years, but he?s also appearing as a victim of a crime. He believes Simpson was misguided on the date of the crime, that he was misled about what was going to be there that day. He was promised family photos, family heirlooms, possibly his ex-wife?s engagement ring, when in reality it was mostly football memorabilia. He admits there were items in that room that were stolen from Simpson, but he insists that he never stole anything from OJ. (A point on which Simpson appears to agree.)?I will make this clear to you: OJ never held a gun on me,? Fromong says. ?There was a coward in that room, a man named McClinton, who came up gangster-style. He held the gun on me. Not OJ. Another man came in, hit me. Not OJ, he never laid a hand on me.? 7.07pm BST 19:07 Simpson?s attorney?s second point focuses on the amends that Simpson has made with Bruce Fromong, one of the two robbery victims (and the only one still living). Fromong will testify next, but Simpson will make his closing statement first.?I am sorry the things turned out the way they did,? Simpson says in his final statement to the board. ?I had no intention to commit a crime.? 6.59pm BST 18:59 LaVergne says this letter, which he claims he?s reading without Simpson?s knowledge, proves Simpson?s positive intentions and represents ?the definiton of character?: that Simpson had a friend suddenly in a position of power but he refused to use it to try and get better treatment or an early release. That?s the first part of LaVergne?s closing remarks, he says. 6.57pm BST 18:57 Bisbee now tells Simpson?s attorney Malcolm LaVergne that it?s time for closing statements. He reads a letter written by Simpson to Nevada state Assemblyman Osvaldo Fumo, the full text of which appears below.This is the letter #OJSimpson's attorney is referring to. @8NewsNow pic.twitter.com/YsYa8WeH5t 6.52pm BST 18:52 Arnelle Simpson, OJ?s oldest child, is now speaking on his behalf: ?No one really knows how much we?ve been through.?She says the family realizes he?s not perfect but has done the best he can and acknowledges he didn?t make the right decision in 2008 when he tried to take back his property.Updated at 7.01pm BST 6.49pm BST 18:49 Indeed, Endel is wearing a Kansas City Chiefs tie. 6.42pm BST 18:42 Endel asks how he?d anticipate dealing with public scrutiny if released. Simpson says he?s been recognized publicly ?since I was 19? and is more than used to it. He says even in the two decades since his double-murder trial, he rarely encounteres negativity on the streets and has remained as appraochable as ever. 6.41pm BST 18:41 Adam Endel, another parole commissioner, asks whether he?s completed his restitution payments to the victims. After a bit of a confusion, Simpson confirms he has. Endel then asks why parole would be better for Simpson than completing his sentence in Lovelock. Simpson says he?s been denied time with his four kids long enough: ?I?ve served my time. ... I?ve not complained for nine years. All I?ve done is try to be helpful.?He says he?s received many interview requests and job offers from media and turned them all down. Endel asks if Simpson emphasizes that any violation of his parole, if it?s granted, would result in his returning to prison: ?I?ve never lived a criminal life. I?m a pretty straight shooter.? 6.37pm BST 18:37 ?I haven?t made any excuses in nine years here,? Simpson says. ?But I should have never let these security guys try to help when they were only trying to help themselves.?Jackson says they?ve received hundreds of letters of support and hundreds of letters against his release. Most of the latter group, Jackson says, have begged the board to consider Simpson?s criminial trial in the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend and subsequent civil judgment against Simpson. Jackson confirms what we already knew: the board will not considered either of these factors in their decision. Simpson somewhat meekly shrugs his shoulders in consent. 6.34pm BST 18:34 Simpson is asked whether these courses, including a computer course, will help his re-adjustment to the world. ?I?m not a guy who has conflicts on the street,? Simpson says. ?I?m a guy who?s got along with just about everybody.? 6.31pm BST 18:31 Corn asks another question: ?What do you think the impact was on your victims?? Simpson says he knows what the impact was, but re-emphasizes that no one ever accused him of pulling a weapon on them.Now Susan Jackson, another parole commissioner, asks about his commitment to Christianity and how he started a Baptist ministy in prison. He then tells Jackson about the various courses he?s complete in prison, inclduing courses in Alternative to Violence and Victim Empathy. He admits that he ?had a few drinks? on the day of the robbery because they were celebrating a wedding, but he never had a substance abuse issue. Jackson says that she asks the question because he promised the parole board in 2013 that he?d attend Alcoholics Anonymous, which he hasn?t done. Simpson says he never had a problem and believed that his initiative with the Baptist prayer group and role as commissioner of an 18-team softball league compensates for the exprience he?d have had in AA. 6.22pm BST 18:22 ... Simpson?s voice raises as he goes deeper into his account: ?It?s been ruled legally by the state of California that the property was mine.? He finds it unfair that he?s in jall for going to retrieve property that courts ultimately found was rightfully his. He says he didn?t realize guns were brandished in the hotel room until after they were back in the car driving back to their hotel. 6.19pm BST 18:19 The former NFL star explains he was contacted by a man who offered photographs of the sports memorabilia that OJ immediately recognized as personal belongings, including his mother?s photo album and personal letters. By chance, ?a perfect storm? as Simpson called it, they all ended up in Las Vegas at the same time. The people who had the memorabilia were former friends of OJ, he explains, who had actually helped him move the stuff into storage before. He continues to tell how the scheme to retrieve the property unfolded, nothing that?s not already in the public record. He emphasizes that he had no weapon. (Remember: The four other men who accompanied Simpson, including two who testified that they carried guns, accepted plea deals in the heist and received probation.)He continues ... 6.11pm BST 18:11 Simpson is asked whether the first time he was arrested was after the age of 24. He admits he was arrested for the first time ?when I was 46 or 47?. We all know what that was for.Bisbee says he?s had a substance abuse issue and that Simpson is male. Then she says that Simpson is ?90 years old? and both rooms erupt in laugher. OJ, of course, is 70. She corrects her error with a smile. He has stable post-release plans and no gang affiliations.Bisbee says these factors make Simpson a low risk, but the violent nature of the offense will force the board consider factors, both aggravating and mitigating. 6.07pm BST 18:07 ?Mr Simpson, you are getting the same hearing that everybody else gets,? Bisbee says, prompting a hint of laughter from Simpson and his attorney, but adds that she will be adding more information than necessary due to the excessive amount of media interest in the case. Bisbee goes into the explaining the detailed risk assessment used by Nevada to determine the prisoner?s likelihood of committing another crime: ?It?s pretty darn predictive is the bottom line here.? 6.05pm BST 18:05 Connie Bisbee, one of the four parole commissioners, starts off the hearing at 10:01am local time by calling for Simpson, who will be joined by one of his representatives. And here?s OJ, who, as previous reports have indicated, has indeed lost a considerable amount of weight. He?s wearing his blue prisoner uniform and joined by his attorney. Bisbee says his parole eligibility date is ?October 1st, 2017?. Updated at 6.16pm BST 6.01pm BST 18:01 The four commissioners of the parole board have taken their seat in their Carson City office. No sign of Simpson yet from Lovelock. The hearing should be under way shortly. 5.57pm BST 17:57 The board will depend heavily on a points system that considers 11 factors, including criminal history, age and gender, history of alcohol and/or drug abuse, and behavior as an inmate. Most of these are expected to align in Simpson?s favor. Remember: the same four commissioners for todays hearing already granted Simpson parole on the lesser charges of kidnapping, robbery and burglary in a July 2013 hearing.One factor that won?t be considered is Simpson?s trial (and ultimate acquittal) in the 1994 killings of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. 5.36pm BST 17:36 OJ Simpson, a/k/a inmate No1027820, is scheduled to appear before the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners today for a hearing that will determine whether one of America?s most notorious prisoners will be released after serving nine years of a 33-year sentence for convictions related to a 2007 kidnapping and armed robbery at a Las Vegas hotel.The hearing is slated to begin at 10pm local time (1pm ET/6pm BST) or just about 25 minutes from now. Here?s a general idea of what to expect:The release of Simpson, now 70, would no doubt kick off a renewed media frenzy that?s been suggested in the days leading up to today?s hearing, which will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN. Offshore betting websites, 5Dimes.com and Bovada.lv are both offering odds on whether the disgraced football star will be released.Updated at 7.19pm BST 4.50pm BST 16:50 Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here?s a look at what?s at stake with today?s hearing.OJ Simpson, the former NFL star famously acquitted of murder but later jailed for a doomed bid to retrieve sports memorabilia that he said belonged to him, is expected be a free man soon.On Thursday morning, a Nevada state parole board will hold a hearing for Simpson, 70, who is in the ninth year of a 33-year sentence for armed robbery and assault with a weapon. The disgraced gridiron hero, with the help of several other accomplices, broke into a Las Vegas hotel room on 13 September 2007 and held up two memorabilia dealers for collectibles and personal items he claimed were rightfully his. He was found guilty by a jury on all 12 charges and given the maximum sentence.Four members from the Nevada board of parole commissioners will consider parole for Simpson at the board offices in Carson City in a hearing scheduled for 10am PT. Simpson will participate by video conference from about 100 miles away at Lovelock correctional center, the Pershing County prison where he has been incarcerated since December 2008.The same four commissioners already granted Simpson parole on the lesser charges of kidnapping, robbery and burglary in a July 2013 hearing. That ruling left Simpson with four years remaining before reaching the minimum sentence of nine years.The rate of inmates who are granted parole in discretionary hearings held as they approach their minimum sentence is around 82%.

Mansha Mahajan

19 Mar 2017,Sunday

40 pilots of Air Costa quit over non-payment of salaries

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/air-costas-woes-worsen-more-than-40-pilots-quit/1/907667.html

Embattled Air Costa has seen an exodus of employees, including 40 pilots, in the last few weeks over non-payment of salaries. Air Costa promoters had "promised" to pay pending salaries by March 15, but "failed" to keep their word. Notably, faced with a cash crunch, Air Costa has cancelled bookings till May, and is looking for funds to restart operations.

New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) Embattled Air Costa has seen an exodus of employees, including 40 pilots, in the last few weeks over non-payment of salaries. The airline, which has cancelled bookings till May, is scrambling for funds to restart its operations but is yet to make much headway in roping in investors. Air Costas 450-odd employees are literally at the crossroads amid worsening financial situation, and industry executives apprehend there could be a replay of erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines -- whose shuttering in 2012 had rendered hundreds of people jobless.

Sonu Kumari

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Rail officials propose installing CCTVs at Mumbai stations

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/wr-cr-demand-2-800-cctvs-to-monitor-cleanliness-at-mumbai-stations/story-0vav7EQRhFUGgYHMxTWMNO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Western and Central railway authorities have sent a proposal to the Ministry of Railways for installing CCTV cameras in the suburban stations of Mumbai to supervise cleanliness. The station masters' cabins will have TV screens to monitor the same. Officials said that CCTV cameras have already been installed at Churchgate and Mumbai Central stations as part of pilot project.

As part of the Centre?s cleanliness campaign Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on the suburban railway stations, the Central and the Western railway authorities are looking to monitor cleanliness through Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. However, for this purpose, they would need an additional 2,800 cameras on both the suburban railway sections.A proposal has been prepared by WR and CR officials which has been sent to the ministry of railways for approval. The proposal includes setting up the network of CCTV cameras in the station premises to monitor cleanliness at each station. TV screens are proposed to be put up inside station master?s cabins for the same. As of now, pilot projects have been undertaken at Churchgate and Mumbai Central stations, said the officials. Earlier, the ministry of railways had issued instructions to the Zonal Railways to extend the use of the CCTV?s apart from surveillance by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). During the meeting the ministry had asked the officers to try to implement the use of the cameras for monitoring cleanliness. The plan was prepared accordingly.

Niharika Prabhakar

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

South Delhi civic body to fine people defecating in open

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/south-mcd-to-penalise-people-defecating-in-open/story-CQnZqz9gkIQhoZ6DCW3CuL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has reportedly authorised its health and sanitation officials to fine people defecating in the open. Violators will be fined on the spot and the fine amount has been fixed at ?50. "Besides issuing challans, we will educate such people with the help of NGOs," SDMC Commissioner Puneet Goel said.

To prevent open defecation, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation has issued a circular authorising its health and sanitation officials to fine the violators on the spot. The fine amount has been fixed at Rs 50, as per a circular issued by SDMC. All deputy commissioners have been asked to ensure compliance of these directions. The step has been taken in compliance with Supreme Court?s order (in 2000) to recover charges from person littering or throwing rubbish and causing nuisance so as to affect the sanitation and public health, said officials.?Though we have been making all efforts to make our area open defecation free, it is also important to make the people habitual of using public toilet complexes. Unfortunately, people living close to railway tracks still defecate in open. Besides issuing challans, we will educate such people with the help of NGOs,? said South DMC commissioner Puneet Goel.To change the behaviour of public toilet users, the Union ministry of urban development in collaboration of the SDMC launched Swachh Shauchalaya Campaign on Wednesday. It was launched by cricketer Suresh Raina ? one of the Brand Ambassadors of Swachh Bharat Mission. ?More than the construction of public toilets, it is their effective maintenance which is the biggest challenge. Users often don?t flush, leave the toilet dirty and the theft of bulbs, taps, bins, door etc is also common. The campaign aims to change the behaviour, inculcate a sense of responsibility and ownership,? said DS Mishra, secretary UD ministry. North DMC targets to make all wards open defecation free by year endThe North Delhi Municipal Corporation has declared 90 wards open defecation free on Wednesday. These are the areas where arrangements for public toilets and mobile toilet vans have already been made, claimed officials.In rest of 14 wards, the civic agency has proposed to construct nine community toilet complexes with provision for 180 seats. The places where these would be constructed include Sawda-Ghevra, Bawana and Nareala area. ?The work has already been initiated and expected to be completed by October 2017. Besides, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board has promised to construct 2241 seats toilet facilities December, 2017,? said Preety Agarwal, mayor, North DMC.Municipal Commissioner, Praveen Gupta said that additional facility of 302 number of seats would be created, out of which 112 number of seats are constructed. ?In 48 toilets, 96 seats are exclusively for ladies. These are likely to be completed by September 2017.?

Shubhodeep Datta

19 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Man in Modi mask whips TN farmers in protest in Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/world-s-most-bizarre-protest-now-man-in-modi-mask-whips-tn-farmers-at-jantar-mantar/story-EQcILVRuvcEP64lRYSGE5H.html

During the farmers' protest against the Centre's inaction over the drought in Tamil Nadu, a man dressed up as PM Narendra Modi was seen beating a farmer with a whip in Delhi. "By ignoring us, it is like Modi...trying to beat us out of Delhi," a farmer said. The farmers had earlier held protests wearing sarees and carrying skulls.

For over a month now, Delhi has been witnessing a bizarre protest at Jantar Mantar. The protesters, who are farmers from Tamil Nadu, have used strategies never heard before ? from wearing skulls, eating mice, conducting mock funerals to even stripping at Raisina Hill. Adding to their eyeball popping agitation this week, a man dressed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi flogged the farmers with a whip. The farmers said the idea was to show Centre?s ?insensitivity? to their plights. ?By ignoring us, it is like Modi is whipping us and trying to beat us out of Delhi? Sometimes I think if we get arrested it might be better. Jail would be better than this,? said P Ayyakkannu, the state president of the National South-Indian Rivers Linking Farmers? Association. At the outset, 25 farmers had volunteered to participate in the flogging, but soon after it began 23 of them backed out. One protester even reportedly fainted because of the pain. Prakash, who carried out the flogging wore one of the popular Modi masks and was dressed in the PM?s trademark jacket and kurta. A protester bites on to a mouse to depict loss of livelihood due to drought. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO) These farmers have been in Delhi for 37 days now and are in no mood to leave. Their protest is aimed at getting a relief package from the Centre and having their loans waved off as their crops were ruined in a severe drought and a subsequent cyclone. Their loans from cooperative banks have already been written off, under orders of the state government and the Madras High Court. They have also asked for revised drought packages, that would allow them to buy seeds for the next harvest cycle and also compensate their losses.Protesters use skulls and noose to depict suicides by their fellow farmers. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT FILE) With he mercury going up in the Capital, the protests have also become more taxing. Ayyakkannu shows us the blisters on his thighs from the heat. ?We are sleeping on hot tar while the PM sleeps in an air conditioned room?,? said Palanichamy, a farmer who has been at Jantar Mantar since the beginning of the protests.The farmers claim that they have not been able to meet the Prime Minister. ?This is how they are treating farmers; like slaves,? said Prakash, who used to work in marketing for rice products in Tamil Nadu, before coming over to join the farmers at Jantar Mantar.Protesters strip outside South Block after being unable to meet the President with their demands. (HT FILE) The farmers have, though, met many political leaders, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, water resource minister Uma Bharti, home minister Rajnath Singh and agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh. However, Modi seems to be the one they want to meet. ?Modiji, Modiji. Jantar Mantar aaoji,? rings across the protest grounds.Meanwhile, they are not short of bizarre protest ideas yet. The next in line, is a literally ?deranged? act where they will try to showcase the impact of their current state. By wearing torn clothes and acting unstable they will depict how they have ?lost their minds? in this long battle at Jantar Mantar.

Sanira Mediratta

26 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Rabbit set to be world's biggest dies on United flight

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rabbit-set-to-be-worlds-biggest-dies-on-united-flight/1/938758.html

A 3-foot-long rabbit named Simon, which was expected to become the world's biggest rabbit, died in the cargo section of a United Airlines flight recently travelling from London to Chicago. "Something very strange has happened...I've sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before," stated Simon's breeder. The airlines stated that it is reviewing the incident.

London, Apr 26 (PTI) A giant rabbit, destined to be the worlds biggest bunny, died mysteriously on a United Airlines flight to the US, the latest in a slew of public relations nightmares faced by the beleaguered American airline recently. Three-foot Simon died in the cargo section of a Boeing 767 after flying out of Heathrow to a new celebrity owner in the US, The Sun reported. Simon was expected to outgrow his father Darius, whose length of 4ft 4 inches made him the worlds biggest bunny. "He was as fit as a fiddle. Ive sent rabbits around the world before and nothing like this happened," Simons breeder Annette Edwards was quoted as saying. Edwards said Simon was healthy when placed in the cargo hold. But Simon was found dead after the Boeing 767-300 landed at Chicagos OHare International Airport. "Something very strange has happened and I want to know what. Ive sent rabbits all around the world and nothing like this has happened before," Edwards said. "The client who bought Simon is very famous. Hes upset," she said. Simon, a continental giant rabbit, was 10-months-old. Continental giants cost 5,000 pounds a year to keep. Edwards rabbits are hired out at 500 pounds a time. United Airlines said, "We are reviewing this matter". An airport source was quoted as saying that the news of Simons demise sparked panic among United Airlines staff. "After the viral video, no-one wanted responsibility for killing what was to be the worlds biggest rabbit," the source said, referring to the controversy United Airlines was embroiled in after a passenger was forcibly removed from plane earlier this month.

Deepali Aggarwal

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Signed anti-Russia sanctions bill for national unity: Trump

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-issues-sanctions-against-russia-donald-trump-calls-bill-flawed/story-WrBWPRC5hFizIrk16eneDI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

US President Donald Trump has said he signed the anti-Russia sanctions bill, which accuses Russia of meddling in the 2016 US presidential election and punishes the country for its annexation of Crimea, "for the sake of national unity". Calling the bill "seriously flawed", Trump said that it encroaches on his authority to negotiate to strike good deals for the US.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called the Russia sanctions legislation he signed into law ?seriously flawed? and urged Congress to not use the measure to hinder US efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict with its European allies.The legislation is aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the 2016 US presidential election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad. The law also imposes financial sanctions against Iran and North Korea.Trump said the law will ?punish and deter bad behavior by the rogue regimes in Tehran and Pyongyang? and enhance existing sanctions on Moscow.The president had been reluctant to proceed with the bill, even after it was revised to include some changes that American and European companies sought to ensure that business deals were not stifled by new sanctions. Trump has expressed frustration over Congress? ability to limit or override the power of the White House on national security matters, saying that it is complicating efforts to coordinate with allies ? a sentiment he expressed in Wednesday?s statement.Last week, the House overwhelmingly backed the bill, 419-3, and the Senate rapidly followed its lead on a 98-2 vote. Those margins guaranteed that Congress would be able to beat back any attempt by Trump to veto the measure.The president said Wednesday that he signed the bill ?for the sake of national unity.??The bill remains seriously flawed ? particularly because it encroaches on the executive branch?s authority to negotiate,? Trump said. ?By limiting the executive?s flexibility, this bill makes it harder for the United States to strike good deals for the American people, and will drive China, Russia, and North Korea much closer together.?MORE: Full statement - @W7VOA pic.twitter.com/haHU4cAg7i? Conflict News (@Conflicts) August 2, 2017Trump?s talk of extending a hand of cooperation to Russian President Vladimir Putin has been met with resistance as skeptical lawmakers look to limit his leeway. The new measure targets Russia?s energy sector as part of legislation that prevents Trump from easing sanctions on Moscow without congressional approval.Those limits, backed by Republicans as well as Democrats, resulted from lawmakers? worries that Trump might ease the financial hits without first securing concessions from Putin. Republicans refused to budge even after the White House complained that the ?congressional review? infringed on Trump?s executive authority.Moscow responded to a White House announcement last week that Trump intended to sign the bill, ordering a reduction in the number of U.S. diplomats in Russia.Top members of Trump?s administration voiced their unhappiness with the bill anew this week, echoing his sentiments that it poses more diplomatic hindrances than solutions.?Neither the president nor I are very happy about that,? Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday of the sanctions bill, which he had urged lawmakers not to approve.?We were clear that we didn?t think that was going to be helpful to our efforts, but that?s the decision they made,? he said.Tillerson conceded that he is unable to show that the US has fulfilled Trump?s objective of a new, more cooperative relationship between the former Cold War foes, noting only modest efforts in Syria as a sign the nations share some common goals. While he said Americans want the US to get along with the nuclear-armed power, he did not address other concerns at home. US intelligence agencies have accused Moscow of meddling in the 2016 presidential election to help Trump.?The situation is bad, but believe me ? it can get worse,? Tillerson said.Vice President Mike Pence, traveling Tuesday in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, sought to reframe the sanctions as a ?further sign of our commitment? to counter Russian aggression in the region.?The president and our Congress are unified in our message to Russia: A better relationship, the lifting of sanctions will require Russia to reverse the actions that caused the sanctions to be imposed in the first place,? Pence said. ?And not before.?Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle celebrated the passage of the sanctions bill.?It?s long overdue,? Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said of Trump?s decision to sign the bill nearly a week after it cleared Congress. ?Hope we?ll send again a strong message to Russia that we can?t have interference in our elections going forward.?Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said he hadn?t read the statement Trump issued announcing that he?d signed the sanctions bill. But Corker, who shepherded the legislation through the Senate, appeared indifferent to Trump?s criticisms. ?Somebody pointed it out,? Corker said exiting the Senate chamber after a vote. ?That?s fine.?

Prashanti Moktan

12 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Suhana, Aryan aren't joining films as actors right now: SRK

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-interview-suhana-abram-aryan-autobiography/1/926968.html

Actor Shah Rukh Khan has said that currently his children Suhana and Aryan are not thinking of joining films as actors. Talking about Suhana, SRK said, "I think she's a great actor. She really likes it. If the passion is retained in the next two-three years, come and act." He also joked that his youngest son AbRam is already acting.

Shah Rukh Khan, as we all know, is a fantastic speaker and an erudite writer. So it would not be hard to believe that the actor has been working on an autobiography for quite some time. In an exclusive interview with India Today's Koel Purie, Shah Rukh Khan spoke about his still-in-progress book, dreams, acting and his children, AbRam, Suhana and Aryan.When asked why his book, which SRK once called '20 Years of a Decade' is still not out in stores yet, Shah Rukh said, "I am still writing it. I have more memories than most of the people so it's taking a longer time."On keeping your dreams alive in the midst of outstanding success, SRK said, "I think even with success, the only way to keep your dream alive is to find pleasure in small things, the littlest of things. If you look after the big things, you are only managing success."An example of finding pleasure in small things, according to Shah Rukh Khan was when the actor made a house out of Lego with his son AbRam.On the topic of his daughter Suhana joining Bollywood as an actor, Shah Rukh said, "You need to be minimal qualification of a graduate before you even think of coming and learning any way. Go out, do some theatre, finish your schooling, finish your college, then study for a couple of years about acting. (sic)""If she gets into the field that I already am in, somewhere, even without wanting, even though I would like to avoid it, the life lessons will permeate on to her through me. And I've already done it. Why would you want to learn from something that has been seen, I've been there, done that; find something new, go beyond. I'm not saying go beyond me and learn and come back and all only, I don't think she needs this kind of a shadow over her. So go out. (sic)" Shah Rukh added."When you go to a school, when you go to a college; failure, and passing, bad treatment, good treatment, happy days, bad days, sad days that happen in a school and college are, I think, really important life lessons. But bringing them on a set, and saying, 'this is Shah Rukh Khan's daughter', as a matter of fact will give them less life lessons because they will treat her like a star's daughter. That's not cool. I think she should just be treated normally in school, college, by teachers. I don't want her to go out there and prove her worth as a great actor to someone. I think she's a great actor. She really likes it. If the passion is retained in the next two/three years, come and act. But at this point, no, none of them are thinking of coming and joining films as actors. AbRam is already acting," Shah Rukh Khan continued.

Daisy Mowke

15 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Sets of film 'Padmavati' set on fire in Maharashtra

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/padmavati-set-fire-kohlapur-sanjay-leela-bhansali/1/904277.html

The sets of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film 'Padmavati' were vandalised and set on fire by 40-50 unidentified men in Kolhapur, Maharashtra on Tuesday night. A few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged. A report was filed with the police on Wednesday morning, and a few people have been arrested in connection to the case. n

There seems to be no respite for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. His upcoming film Padmavati has been under the scanner ever since the director announced the ambitious project. And after the Jaipur attack, Bhansali shifted base to Kolhapur in Maharashtra to resume the shooting of the film. But if reports are to be believed, the sets were once again attacked on Tuesday night, this time in Kolhapur. According to reports, 40-50 unidentified men tried to vandalise the sets and set it on fire. The men, armed with lathis and stones, stormed into the sets and started destroying the property. Reportedly, a few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged. "Police is probing this matter and further investigation is on. We have asked the production house to lodge formal complaint in this issue. Some one intentionally did this, that is for sure," said Deepak Kesarkar,  Minister of State for Home. It's been more than 13 hours since the incident took place but police has not got any concrete leads on this. Police is yet to identify the miscreants."It's failure on the part of government. They should take responsibility of this. Bhansali shifted venue for security reasons, but it's sad to see that the set was attacked here too. We condemn this act and demand government to nab the culprits," said, Jitendra Awhad, NCP MLA. It was only a few weeks ago that Bhansali decided to shift base to the Masai plateau, some 20km away from Kolhapur. Interestingly, the filmmaker beefed up the security after the Jaipur incident where he was manhandled by members of the Karni Sena and accused of distortion of history in Padmavati. The reason for the attack was that Bhansali was allegedly showing a romantic sequence between 14th century emperor Alauddin Khilji (played by Ranveer Singh) and Rani Padmini (played by Deepika Padukone), an incident which the Karni Sena claims had never happened in history and thus, filming the same would be an insult to the Rajputana pride.Interestingly, the filmmakers had never planned to have such a scene in the first place. Moreover, Rani Padmini is a character that was first written of in an epic poem named Padmavat by 16th century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. Padmini's existence is a matter of debate among historians. Meanwhile, it is reported Bhansali is safe, but the shooting of the film has been stalled till further notice. Apart from Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, Padmavati also stars Shahid Kapoor in a lead role.(With inputs from Shivangi Thakur)

Rini Kapoor

20 Dec 2016,Tuesday

Delhi govt to test 35,000 students for learning disability

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-govt-will-test-35-000-students-for-learning-disabilities/story-zYJBNDSabNK1aUQqGK7KEL.html

Around 35,000 students in Delhi government schools will be tested for learning disabilities and will be provided with special learning support, reports said. This comes after a government campaign found that these students were able to identify only alphabets despite having cleared Class V. The initiative is aimed at preventing the possibility of neglect of such children in schools.

Around 35,000 students in Delhi government schools will be tested for learning disabilities and provided with special learning support as these students can only identify alphabets despite having cleared Class 5. The government recently launched a special campaign to improve reading levels among students in Classes 6, 7 and 8. Officials said their month-long ?Every Child Can Read? campaign, which concluded on November 14, found that over a lakh students progressed and were able to read their textbooks.In an assessment done in July the government found that there are about 6.2 lakh students in these classes, out of which around 3.5 lakh could not read their own textbooks.Read More:Faced resistance from my own department over Chunauti scheme: Sisodia?After our campaign one lakh students from the 3.5 lakh could read. But we also found that around 35,000 students did not show any progress. Maybe there is some learning disability among these students and the government wants to provide special assistance to them,? said an official.A government statement issued on Sunday said that under the new project, these children will be tested for learning disabilities and thereafter, would be provided appropriate learning support. The project is aimed at preventing the possibility of neglect of such children in government schools.?The students will be administered screening tests by special education teachers and counsellors to identify their disabilities. Special education teachers and counsellors will be allotted groups of children for specialised support, based on the specific learning disability of the students,? officials said.Read More:Half of Class 6 students in Delhi?s govt schools cannot even readThe statement also said that a control unit would be set up in the directorate of education to monitor the ongoing implementation of the project.?When we launched the campaign, the government was serious about reaching out to every child in our schools. Project Smile will ensure that no child will be left behind as a result of their learning disability,? deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said in the release.

Prashanti Moktan

03 Jul 2017,Monday

Dangal is yet to earn ?2,000 crore: Aamir's spokesperson

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dangal-total-box-office-collection-aamir-khan-china/1/993249.html

Actor Aamir Khan's spokesperson has clarified that his film Dangal has not earned ?2,000 crore yet. The spokesperson said, "We want to clarify that Dangal's official worldwide gross collection figure as of Thursday is ?1,864 crore." The spokesperson added what is of most value for Aamir and Dangal's team is the immense love the film received from its audience worldwide.

It was a moment to celebrate, not only for Aamir Khan fans but also Indians, when Dangal became the first Indian film to cross the Rs 2000-crore mark worldwide. However, Aamir's spokesperson has revealed that the figures, first published by Forbes magazine, are fake, and that the wrestling drama has not yet reached the milestone.The spokesperson said, "We have been reading a lot of reports saying that Dangal has crossed Rs 2000 crore worldwide. Just to set the record straight, we want to clarify that Dangal's official worldwide gross collection figure as of Thursday is Rs 1864 crore.""We are very happy that our film has been so successful, and what is of most value for Aamir Khan and the entire team of Dangal is the immense love the film has got from the audience across the globe. We are looking forward for the film to release in other untapped territories to reach more audience," the spokesperson went on to add.Reports were also doing the rounds that the Nitesh Tiwari film has become the fifth highest-grossing non-English film in cinematic history.Dangal revolves around wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, played by Aamir Khan, and his journey to train his daughters Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari to become world-class wrestling champions.

Mansha Mahajan

13 Apr 2017,Thursday

Younger generation needs to be daring, says Infosys' Murthy

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/need-to-reduce-friction-in-businesses-in-india-murthy/1/928026.html

To transform India's economy, it is essential for the younger generation to be daring and that India is integrated with the global economy, Infosys Co-founder Narayana Murthy has said. Further, he said there is a need to reduce "friction" in businesses and create an "environment" wherein the government has more trust in its entrepreneurs.

From Lalit K Jha Charlottesville (US), Apr 13 (PTI) To transform Indias economy, there is a need to reduce "friction" in businesses and create an "environment" wherein the government has more trust in its entrepreneurs, Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy has said. For the transformation of the Indian economy, he said it is essential for the younger generation to be daring and that India is integrated with the global economy. "We still have a little bit of work in reducing friction to businesses. We need to create an environment where the government has more trust in its entrepreneurs than it is today," Murthy, 70, told students of the prestigious Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia here. Murthy, the recipient of the 2017 Thomas Jefferson Foundation medal in Global Innovation, was responding to Darden School of Business Dean Scott Beardsley who asked, "what do you think needs to happen next to transform Indias economy. What is next". "We want our youngsters to be a little bit more daring in taking the entrepreneurial route more and more than the extent to which they do today. We have to become much more integrated to the world economy so that we can consider the entire world as our market and can become globally competitive. "And most importantly we can become much more open minded to learn from the wonderful things that are happening in this country and elsewhere. I would say these are required (for transforming Indias economy to the next level)," Murthy said. He, however, refrained from elaborating what the Indian government needs to do to create the environment of trust in its entrepreneurs and said, "I will tell you why, as an Indian citizen, it may not be proper if I were to be critical about India when I am outside India". Interacting with students, he said, challenges for entrepreneurs are now different than the time when he started Infosys. Those days access to capital was almost non-existent and government was a big irritant. "Today, challenges are different. But in some sense even more complex, because todays entrepreneurs have to be much more smarter than what we were because there is so much of competition on a global scale. Before you can say this can be done, somebody else may have already done it. "Therefore, todays entrepreneurs would have to be much more nimble, global, competitive because market is truly determinant for success today unlike our time when managing government was a big determinant in India," he said. Murthy said good governance is all about maximising shareholders value while ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability to all stake holders. Of all the stakeholders, society is the most important player. "Respect from the society is the most important ingredient for longevity of a corporation," he said. "To be honoured by the most innovative country in the world and to be awarded a medal in the name of Thomas Jefferson, author of Declaration of Independence is to me a big honour. I will certainly work hard, and hopefully smart in the remaining years of my life, to deserve this kindness, this generosity and this affection on their part," he told PTI. The fact that the university has seen it fit to pick up somebody from India, and bestow this honour shows how open this country is and how generous they are, Murthy said. "Therefore this is a clear example of how Indian students wherever they are whether in India or here or anywhere else can be sure that as long as they are good citizens of this world, contribute to make the society a better place through peaceful and harmonious methods, they will be recognised, appreciated," he said. Murthy said that Indian students are making a positive impact in the countries they are studying.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Man carries dead granddaughter after being denied ambulance

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/faridabad-denied-ambulance-man-caries-body-of-granddaughter/1/1002617.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A man in Faridabad was forced to carry the dead body of his granddaughter on his shoulder after allegedly being denied an ambulance by a government hospital. The family of the deceased has also claimed that the doctors did not give her adequate attention, due to which she lost her life.

Insensitivity of hospital staff forced a man to carry the body of his nine-year-old granddaughter on his shoulder for her last rites. The incident occurred at Badshah Khan hospital in Faridabad on Friday afternoon after the hospital administration refused to facilitate an ambulance or private vehicle.The shocking incident is a repeat of August last year in Odisha's Kalahandi, where a tribal man carried the body of his wife on his shoulder for 10 km for last rites after the district hospital's refusal for an ambulance.In Faridabad, Laxmi, the nine-year-old girl, was suffering from high fever since Thursday night. Around 1 am, her mother gave her a syrup, following which her body temperature reduced. Around 4 am, she was gripped by high fever once again, and her parents admitted her to a private hospital.The hospital staff informed them the treatment would cost Rs 5,000-6,000. They then decided to shift her to the Faridabad civil hospital (Badshah Khan hospital). Breaking down, Laxmi's parents alleged doctors did not give her adequate attention, due to which she had to lose her life."We repeatedly urged doctors for proper medication as her body temperature rose abruptly. No doctor or nurse visited her despite the critical condition. Around 11.30 am, she lost her life," the deceased's maternal grandfather Hardev said. As soon as Laxmi died, hospital staff started putting pressure on her family to take away the body."We had little money that we had already deposited in the private hospital. We walked from that hospital to the civil hospital carrying Laxmi as we did not have money. We urged the civil hospital staff to provide ambulance so that we could at least carry the body, but they did not listen to us. Eventually, we decided to carry the body and walk till home," Hardev added.While he was carrying the body on his shoulder with other weeping family members tagging along, they were spotted by some media persons outside the hospital premises. The journalists then made arrangements for a private ambulance.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Govt released over 300 declassified files on Netaji

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-sent-304-declassified-files-on-subhash-chandra-bose-to-national-archives/story-H0LvXX6hGubBut5Vy8S1TL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The government has sent 304 declassified files related to Subhas Chandra Bose to the National Archives of India, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said during Lok Sabha's Monsoon Session. Out of these, 303 files have already been uploaded online for public viewing, he added. The government had earlier released 100 files related to Netaji in January 2016.

The National Archives of India has received 304 declassified records or files related to Subhas Chandra Bose, the government informed Parliament on Monday.The records were received from four departments of the government, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha about records pertaining to Bose and the Azad Hind Fauj received by the Archives.The Prime Minister?s Office had sent over 58 files, the Ministry of External Affairs sent 200 such files, the Ministry of Home Affairs sent 37 and the cabinet secretariat sent nine, he said.He, however, did not say when the files were sent.Sharma said out of the 304 files, 303 had already been uploaded on the webportal www.netajipaper.gov.in.In 1997, the National Archives of India had received 990 declassified files pertaining to the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) from the defence ministry, Sharma said.In 2012, 271 files and items pertaining to the Khosla Commission and 759 items from the Justice Mukherjee Commission of inquiry from the home ministry were sent to the National Archives, he said. The commissions dealt with Bose?s disappearance.?All these files or items are already open to the public under the Public Records Rules, 1997,? Sharma said.People view an exhibit after Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the digital copies of 100 declassified files related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on his 119th birth anniversary, at the National Archives of India (NAI) in New Delhi, India, on January 23, 2016. (Sonu Mehta/ Hindustan Times) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his meeting with members of Bose?s family at his residence in New Delhi on October 14, 2015, had announced that the government would declassify files relating to the freedom fighter in a phased manner, and make them accessible to the public.The government declassified the first set of 100 files in January last year.

Dishant Sharma

19 Jan 2017,Thursday

Sports Ministry postpones Archery Asia Cup in India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/archery-asia-cup-in-india-sports-ministry-archery-association-of-india/1/861219.html

The Indian Sports Ministry has decided to postpone the Archery Asia Cup, following the Archery Association of India's delay in accepting the Sports Code. The championship was scheduled to begin in Delhi later this month and had received entries from five countries. The ministry denied the association a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for not implementing the code.

The sports ministry has refused the Archery Association of India to host the Asia Cup in the India which was scheduled to begin in the Delhi later this month. (Latest Sports stories)The government has taken the stringent step following the AAI's delay in accepting the Sports Code and as such, the Federation has now decided to postpone the event. The decision has been conveyed to the world body as well.The tournament was scheduled to be held in the Capital from January 31 to February 5 and the AAI had received entries from five countries, with all other necessary arrangements also in place.But when the AAI sought No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the ministry, they were sent back empty-handed and the government asked them to first comply with the Sports Code.

Rini Sinha

18 Jun 2017,Sunday

Singers should be prioritised over actors for playback: Mika

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/singers-should-be-given-priority-for-playback-mika-singh/1/981189.html

Mika Singh has said that singers should be given priority over actors for playback singing. Speaking on the trend of recreating old songs, he said, "It's a great way for our youth of today to connect with these songs." Mika is known for songs like 'Sawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag', 'Mauja Hi Mauja', 'Gandi Baat', among others.

Mumbai, Jun 17 (PTI) Mika Singh says singers should be given priority over film stars when it comes to doing playback in films. Of late a lot of female and male actors have done playback for songs in their films and also managed to strike a chord with the audiences. "I believe if an actor is the right fit for a particular song then by all means he or she should be given the song. However, singers should be given priority," Mika told PTI. On the ongoing trend of popular songs from the 90s being recreated, be it AR Rahmans "Hamma Hamma" or dance number "Tamma Tamma", the 40-year-old singer says he is in favour of it. "Our music directors have created some amazing songs which are now being recreated. I think its great that songs are being recreated. It is a great way for our youth of today to connect with these songs. I am all for it. You will soon here something from me too..Ill keep it a surprise." Mika, who has collaborated with Salman Khan for films like "Ready", "Kick", "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" among others, was all praise for the superstar.

Rini Sinha

14 Jan 2017,Saturday

David Guetta's Mumbai show rescheduled to Jan 15: Organisers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/david-guetta-india-tour-mumbai-rescheduled-after-initially-being-scrapped/1/857123.html

French DJ David Guetta's Mumbai concert has been rescheduled and will be held on January 15 at Reliance Jio Garden, as per a statement issued by the organisers. The Mumbai concert, initially scheduled for January 13, was cancelled after being denied permission by the police. Further, Guetta's New Delhi concert will be held as per schedule on January 15.

In the latest twist to David Guetta's controversial three-city India tour, event organizers announced that the the French DJ's Mumbai concert, initially cancelled, has now been rescheduled to January 15. Reports earlier emerged that the Mumbai event, scheduled for January had been cancelled after authorities failed to give the go-ahead for the show. In a statement issued late Friday night, Percept, the event's organizer, said that the concert has been rescheduled for January 15. Guetta is set to perform tonight in Hyderabad following which he will perform two shows on Sunday - the rescheduled Mumbai concert, which will take place in the morning, and another one in Delhi, which will be held as per schedule, beginning at 4pm. Reports of Guetta's Mumbai concert getting cancelled came right on the heels of the artist's Bengaluru show being scrapped. Controversy erupted after the organizers initially said that the reason for the cancellation was the law and order situation faced by the local police following incidents of alleged mass molestation on New Year's Eve. Bengaluru police fired back saying permission for the event had never been issued, adding that the organizers approached them for permission just two days before the concert date. Authorities added that they did not ask that the event be cancelled but only directed the organizers to reschedule it for a different date as the January 12 concert was clashing with local APMC polls. Also read: After Bengaluru, David Guetta's Mumbai concert also cancelled

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Woman sexually assaulted by 'superhost' sues Airbnb

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jul/27/airbnb-guest-sexual-assault-allegation?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A woman has sued Airbnb for negligence for allowing her to rent a Los Angeles room from a host previously accused of domestic violence. Leslie Lapayowker alleged Carlos Del Olmo, listed as a "superhost" for positive reviews, sexually assaulted her. Airbnb said it had conducted a background check but allowed Del Olmo to be a host because he wasn't convicted.

An Airbnb guest is seeking to hold the company accountable for an alleged sexual assault, claiming in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit that she was attacked by a host who was not properly screened.The suit, filed Thursday by Leslie Lapayowker, raises fresh questions about the tech firm?s legal responsibilities when hosts violate laws or engage in criminal conduct.Lapayowker is accusing Airbnb of negligence when it allowed her to rent a room from Carlos Del Olmo, who was previously accused of domestic violence. ?I don?t want this to happen to other women,? Lapayowker, a 51-year-old New Mexico woman, told the Guardian. ?It was horrible, and I think that everybody should be warned that this could potentially happen to them or their daughter or their wife or their sister.? Reached by phone, Del Olmo said he was not aware of the complaint and vehemently denied the sexual assault allegation, noting that criminal charges were never filed. An Airbnb spokesperson said that it had conducted a background check on Del Olmo, but because he was not convicted in a previous case, he was allowed to be a host. The company also said it removed him from the site after learning of Lapayowker?s claims.Lapayowker moved to Los Angeles in July of 2016 for a new job as a mortgage broker and had planned to live in Del Olmo?s Airbnb for a month while looking for permanent housing. Del Olmo, who was renting a studio attached to his house, was a ?verified? user and considered a ?superhost? for Airbnb, meaning he had positive reviews and frequently had guests.?I assumed that I would be in especially good hands,? said Lapayowker.But, according to the suit, Del Olmo immediately made her uncomfortable by making sexually suggestive comments, pounding on her windshield while she was in her car and screaming at his son loud enough so she could hear.?He scared me,? she added.Lapayowker decided to leave after three nights, and when she returned to get a laptop she left and told him she was moving out early, Del Olmo said he ?wanted to show her something of importance inside the studio?, the suit said.He then allegedly locked the door, dropped his shorts and began masturbating in front of her, demanding that she touch him and ?taste it?. He ignored her pleas to stop, shoved his tongue into her mouth and eventually ejaculated into a trashcan, according to the lawsuit.He then let her leave the room, saying, ?Don?t forget to leave me a positive review on Airbnb?, the complaint said.?I was completely in shock. I was totally numb,? Lapayowker recalled, saying she initially hesitated calling police. ?I was terrified he would find out where I live and come after me.?Later that month, she reported the incident to police and to Airbnb, which banned Del Olmo from the site. Authorities ultimately declined to file charges, because officials said there was not enough evidence, according to Lapayowker?s attorney. Prosecutors did not immediately respond to requests for comment.But an attorney for Lapayowker discovered that Del Olmo had an earlier arrest in Florida for a battery charge and domestic violence case. A police report said that, according to the victim?s account, he had pulled her hair and dragged her during an argument. He entered a diversion program, which is an alternative to prosecution, the records showed.Lapayowker, who had previously been an Airbnb ?superhost? herself, said she was in disbelief when she learned of the past case: ?I was just furious. Why would they let somebody like this be a host??An Airbnb spokesperson said it runs background checks on all US hosts and guests, looking for matches with terrorist watch lists, felony convictions, sex offender registries and ?significant misdemeanors?.?The abhorrent behavior described has no place in our community and we will not tolerate it. We have been trying to support her in any way we can and we will continue to do so,? the company said in a statement to the Guardian.Del Olmo claimed the encounter with Lapayowker was ?consensual?. He said: ?This woman just fully lied and made everything up.? He said that the woman in the Florida case also lied and noted that he was not convicted.He also argued that it was unfair for Airbnb to kick him off the platform: ?Airbnb has no respect for the homeowner ? who is the one putting themselves in a liability situation.?Teresa Li, Lapayowker?s attorney, argued that Airbnb misleads users with branding that emphasizes the safety of the platform and calling it a ?trusted community marketplace?.?They lure you in and give you this false sense of security,? she said.Airbnb has previously argued that it is not legally responsible when its hosts racially discriminate or violate local housing laws.Lapayowker, who said she is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, said she felt Airbnb didn?t take her case seriously: ?I feel like they don?t care. Their entire model is to just get as much business as possible.?

Abhishek Bansal

17 Jun 2017,Saturday

Declare India a Hindu Rashtra: Hindu convention resolution

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/declare-india-a-hindu-rashtra-hindu-convention-resolution/1/981246.html

The All India Hindu Convention on Saturday passed a resolution demanding that India and Nepal should be declared 'Hindu Rashtra'. Over 342 delegates from 132 right-wing organisations from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka attended the convention. Resolutions to launch a "legal campaign" against "rampant malpractices" in administrative, educational and political domains were also adopted.

Panaji, Jun 17 (PTI) The All India Hindu Convention today passed a resolution demanding that India and Nepal be declared Hindu Rashtra. "Various pro-Hindu and patriotic organisations all over India and abroad are striving to establish Hindu Rashtra. Declaring India and Nepal Hindu Rashtra was one of the many resolutions passed at the convention," Hindu Janajagruti Samiti leader Charudatt Pingale told reporters here. "The 6th All India Hindu Convention, which was organised to unite and channelise the efforts of these organisations, concluded successfully," he told a press conference. Over 342 delegates representing 132 right-wing organisations from across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka attended the four-day convention at Ramnathi in Ponda. Pingale said the convention adopted resolutions to launch a "legal campaign" against "rampant malpractices" in administrative, commercial, educational and political domain.

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

?50,000 fine for dumping waste in river Ganga

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ngt-bans-dumping-of-waste-clean-ganga-uttar-pradesh/1/1000995.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday ordered that a penalty of ?50,000 will be imposed for dumping waste in river Ganga on the stretch between Haridwar and Unnao. Directing the authorities that no waste dumping should be allowed within 500 metres of Ganga, the NGT said that 100 metres from the edge of Ganga should be declared a no-development zone.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today banned the dumping of any waste within 500 metres of the Ganga. It has also declared the river's stretch between Uttarakhand's Haridwar to Uttar Pradesh's Unnao as a no-development zone.The apex green court said the government in Uttar Pradesh should be "duty-bound" to shift leather tanneries from Jajmau to Unnao or any other place it considers appropriate within six weeks.In its order today, the top green court also said the 100 metres distance from the edge of the river, considered holy by many Hindus, will not be used for developmental purposes.The NGT has directed the governments in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand to formulate guidelines for religious activities on the ghats of Ganga or its tributaries. The NGT has further declared an environment penalty of Rs 50,000 on anyone who dumps waste in the river. It has formed a supervisory commitee to oversee the implementation of directions passed in its 543-page judgment and submit report on it.Earlier this week, the government told the NGT that a whopping amount of over Rs 4800 crore has been spent on rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries since 1986 till June 30 this year.The Ministry of Environment and Forests told the apex environment watchdog that Rs 6788.78 crore was released by the government for the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) since it was launched by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on January 14, 1986.Out of this, Rs 4864.48 has been spent till June 30 this year, leaving an unspent balance of Rs 1924.30 crore.Nearly 32 years after a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court on pollution in the Ganga, the NGT had reserved its verdict on the second phase of the cleansing project between Haridwar to Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.The green panel, to which the 1985 PIL of noted environment activist M C Mehta was transferred by the Supreme Court in 2014, had divided the cleanliness drive in four segments of the river which passes through Uttarakhand, UP,Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, spanning a distance of over 2500 kms.Also read:NGT pulls up Haryana government, Bharti Realty over felling of trees in Aravallis on Eid weekend

Pragya Swastik

20 Feb 2017,Monday

Six held for selling Reliance Jio SIMs available for free

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/six-held-for-selling-reliance-jio-sim-cards/1/886907.html

Six people have been arrested by the Indore police for allegedly duping customers by selling them Reliance Jio SIM cards, which are made available by Mukesh Ambani-led company free of cost. They used to collect more than one thumb impression of customers and used it along with Aadhaar details to activate other SIMs and sell each for up to ?1,000.

Six persons were arrested by the Indore police for allegedly duping customers by selling them SIM cards of a prominent mobile services provider, which are available free of cost.The modus operandi of the accused was to collect more than one thumb impression of genuine customers and to use the data along with their Aadhar card details to activate another SIM, which they would sell for anywhere between Rs 100 and Rs 1000 to others without asking for documents.The police have seized 346 Reliance Jio SIM cards, including 14 pre-activated SIMs, and four thumb impression machines, said Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Amrendra Singh.Also Read: TRAI report says Jio 4G internet speed fell sharply in January, Airtel clocked double"The accused used to collect more than one thumb impression of the customer on the impression machine and give him/her one free SIM. At the same time, they would get second SIM activated using the same persons thumb impression which they have taken deceptively," Singh added.They used to sell the second SIM card to other person without seeking any documentation and thumb impression, for a charge.

Chhavi Tyagi

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

Delhi: Men transporting buffaloes attacked; complaints filed

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/men-transporting-buffaloes-beaten-up-near-kalkaji-mandir-in-delhi/1/935989.html

Three men were allegedly attacked by animal rights activists near the Kalkaji Mandir in Delhi for transporting buffaloes and complaints have also been filed against the attackers and the men who were assaulted. The incident took place late on Saturday night and the victims, including truck driver, have been booked under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

A day after a nomad family was allegedly attacked in Kashmir by gau rakshaks, another instance of cow vigilantism seems to have taken place, this time in Delhi. Three men were allegedly assaulted by animal rights activists in New Delhi on Saturday night.R Baaniya, the DCP of South East Delhi, said that the three men were transporting the buffaloes for legal slaughter and that they ended up in a scuffle with members of the the People for Animals, an animal rights group that has denied involvement in the incident. "Not Gau Raksha dal, they (the attackers) were members of an NGO called PFA which has been working for many years in Delhi," Baaniya told news agency ANI.WHAT HAPPENEDAt around 11.45 pm last night, Delhi Police received a PCR call from animal rights activists who complained about cattle being transported illegally. The call was made from the mobile phone of Gaurav Gupta, an animal activist and office bearer an office bearer of People for Animals (PFA). Union minister Maneka Gandhi chairs the animal rights group. A team of officers from the Kalkaji police station was sent to the area opposite the Kalkaji Mandir ring road where police found a truck carrying buffaloes. The police found three men, Rizwan, Ashu and Kaamil, to be injured and took them to the AIIMS trauma centre in a police car. The occupants of the truck claimed that they had been roughed up by a group of animal rights activists led by Gupta.A few PFA members were also present at the spot, but they left without lodging a formal complaint. The truck, which was carrying 14 buffaloes, was taken to the Tis Hazari court and it is believed the animals were being transported to the Ghazipur Mandi in New Delhi. CROSS FIRs FILEDLater on Sunday, cross complaints were filed against the three truck occupants under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act based on statements of the PFA members. Delhi police also recorded the statement of Rizwan, the truck driver, and filed a case of assault and violence. The FIR mentions that the accused are the members of PFA.Maneka Gandhi's office on Sunday issued a statement on the incident, saying, 'PFA has nothing to do with the incident. Three men transporting buffaloes in truck (were) allegedly roughed up by members of an animal rights group in south east Delhi's Kalkaji.'"We have no PFA unit in Delhi. We have 10,000 volunteers across the country. Whoever acted did so in his individual capacity," Gandhi's office also said. Police said they are verifying whether the people who intercepted the truck are members of the PFA and after reaching a conclusion they'll decide the future course of action.  (Story has been updated with a statement from Maneka Gandhi's office)(With inputs from PTI)

Parmeet Kaur

31 Jul 2017,Monday

PM Modi can?t take over states: Kiren Rijiju on mob lynching

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/parliament-day-11-live-updates-lok-sabha-debates-lynching-issue-ruckus-in-rajya-sabha-over-gujarat-mlas-issue/story-6CmyhZbfHTDMAYmQD3FFnI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju while discussing the recent incidents of mob lynching in Parliament said, "Do you want the PM should break the federal structure and take over state machinery?" The statement which led to an uproar in the Parliament came after Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the PM for not talking about the issue enough.

Charges and counter charges flew in the Lok Sabha on Monday over the issue of lynchings, with the Opposition parties targeting the Modi government and the ruling side asserting that it was the responsibility of the state governments to deal with such crimes.During the discussion, Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Prime Minister for not talking about the issue enough and listed the various incidents of lynchings across the country. BJP?s Hukmdev Narayan Yadav defended the government?s response and, referring to political killings in Kerala, questioned why only certain incidents were considered lynchings.In the Rajya Sabha, after initial uproar over the alleged kidnapping of MLAs by police in Gujarat, the house adjourned briefly before resuming Question Hour.Congress? Madhusudhan Mistry alleged that his party MLAs were being ?kidnapped? and offered ?Rs 10-15 crore? with a view to influence their vote in the August 8 elections to send three members from the state to the Rajya Sabha.Here are the highlights: 6:30 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day.6:29 pm:?The more you are raising the issue, the veil of the opposition is getting unveiled. The more you try to defame us, the more the Opposition gets defames: Kiren Rijiju6:23 pm: Mother Teresa was not allowed to enter Arunachal Pradesh during Congress rule. If there has been one instance of persecution of Christians in Arunachal Pradesh after our rule, I?ll resign: Kiren Rijiju6:13 pm: Mob lynching is the worst form of crime, it should be condemned universally. Why do you raise selective issue. Previously it was intolerance, then award-wapsi, freedom of expression: Rijiju. 6:08 pm: Do you want the PM should break the federal structure and take over state machinery: Rijiju during lynching debate.6:04 pm: There is a trend in the country, the highest number of atrocities in India have taken place against scheduled castes: Rijiju.5:55 pm: Uproar in Lok Sabha during Kiren Rijiju?s statement.5:50 pm: Kiren Rijiju says issued advisory to every state that strong action should be taken against incident of mob lynching.5:45 pm: Asaduddin Owaisi says the instances of mob lynching will continue as this government promotes religion as an ideology.Is cow protection an essential part of Hinduism? asks Owaisi. Stop the shadow army. Our battle is against Hindutva and not Hinduism: Owaisi5:32 pm: When we should be discussion about digital India, it is sad irony that we are discussing about mob lynching:?Indian Union Muslim League MP PK KunhalikuttyWe are discussing a fundamental principle of secularism that we should uphold, it is sad, says Kunhalikutty.5:20 pm: There seems to be a different between the words and action of Prime Minister: Mohammad Asrarul HaqueModi govt doesn?t only seem listen but also helpless. People who have skull cap and beard, women in burkha are today scared to step outside in public, he says. 5:18 pm: RJD MP?Jay Prakash Narayan Yadav say, ?The person who doesn?t differentiate between human and animal, there is a devil inside him.?5:08 pm: BJP?MP Prahlad Joshi talks about attack on BJP?MPs in West Bengal. Evokes sharp reaction from opposition members for not mentioning death of other people.4:39 pm: Maharashtra MP Supriya Sule says we should send a message as a uniform Parliament that we condemn lynching.?Yoga Day message should be about ahimsa and not just about surya namaskar,? she says.?The person who killed Junaid is out on bail. We should make regulation that someone who has killed someone shouldn?t be out on bail,? says the NCP?lawmaker. 4:29 pm: Mohammad Salim of CPI-M says the gathering of mob has a historical, political, psychological aspect. There is a long history and it is not a spur of the moment occurrence. 4:17 pm: TDP?MP?from Guntur, Jayadev Galla, says mob violence, ?shows of strength in numbers, majority rule mentality and doesn?t have place in a peaceful society.? He says cow violence has reached an alarming proportion.... And it can?t be isolated into BJP or non-BJP?states.4:12 pm: Arvind Ganpat Sawant, MP?from Mumbai-South speaks on lynching. ?If there is hate, some say they are going perpetrate double the amount of hate,? he says.3: 55 pm: Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav says, ?Exploitation of and atrocities against women is high. It should end in the family first. Then it will stop in your locality, village and cities.? 3:45 pm: BJP?MP Hukumdev Narayan Yadav claims majority of Muslims in India are descendants of Hindus, PTI?reports.3:35 pm: BJD?s Tathagata Satpathy says, ?The gau rakshaks don?t know that more than half the cows in India are Jersey cows. Not their mother. They should recognise their mother.It?s sad if we can?t recognise our own mother.?Satpathy wonders why nobody is bothered about indigenous breeds of cows. 3:18 pm: AIADMK?s Dr K Gopal calls the situation of rising violence against minorities is worrisome. He names lynching incidents and says that the issue of beef is polarising.3:15pm: Kharge responds to Paswan?s comments there was no ?josh? in his speech. ?If you had an operation, you wouldn?t even be able to get up,? Kharge says.3:10 pm: Paswan targets CPI and asks why the killing of 6 people during its rule was not called ?a ?riot?.Paswan says the House needs to pass a resolution to condemn incidents of lynchings. ?Whenever something like this takes place, all chief ministers must ensure perpetrator is arrested and investigation begins within 24 hours.?3:05 pm: ?PM Modi has never mentioned Babri Masjid or Ayodhya or Article 370. He only speaks of development,? says Paswan.3:00 pm: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan says, ?The Prime Minister has condemned these incidents twice. Do you want him to send in the army when such incidents happen??2:55 pm: Quiet resumes as Roy speaks again. He says he has a few suggestions. ?In the IPC and the CrPC, lynching not defined. We need a new and exclusive law on protecting against lynching,? Roy says.2:54 pm: Uproar as MPs yell at each other across the aisle. 2:53 pm: BJP?s SS Ahluwalia lashes out, ?Strike this from the record. This is unfair. He must also bring the source of his information here and validate. Only then should he be allowed to talk further.?2:50 pm: Roy compares the killing of Muslims to the targeted killing of African-Americans by Ku Klux Klan in the US. ?In 23 attacks, the attackers were from Bajrang Dal and Hindu groups,? he says.Roy says, ?Yeh sab bandar hai! (These groups are the BJP?s monkeys.)? Uproar as MPs call the comment ?unparliamentary?.2:45 pm: Kiren Rijiju interrupts Roy, asking him on what basis he was making these claims.2:37 pm: TMC?s Saugata Roy speaks and clarifies he does not want to talk about general mob violence but bovine-related mob violence. Between 2010 anmd 2017, 63 people were killed in cow-related incidents of mob violence, Roy says.?I don?t want to bring Hindu-Muslim into this but 97% of these killings took place after Narendra Modi came to power. 86% were Muslims. I want to ask members of the ruling party, you say you want Congress-mukt Bharat. Do you want Muslim-mukt Bharat??Roy says 52% of the killings took place in BJP ruled states.2:30 pm: Yadav cites Ram Mohair Lohaia?s example, saying he was a socialist who didn?t believe in Gods but knew prevalence of Hindu culture and traditions, and respected it.2:26 pm: Yadav says, ?The ancestors of the Muslims were Hindus. Therefore the gods, the culture and traditions are also their?s. They must think about this.?2:20 pm: Debate resumes in Lok?Sabha. Yadav continues his speech. 2:15pm: Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawarchand Gehlot begins the debate. Congress? BK Hariprasad says Opposition is not happy with the way government pushes Bills in the Parliament.2:00 pm: Rajya Sabha takes up Constitution (123rd) Amendment Bill, 2017 and National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017.1:15 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 2:15 pm for lunch. Yadav to speak for five more minutes after that.1:14 pm: Yadav says, ?Muslims must learn to live with Hindus respecting their culture and traditions.?1:12 pm: ?Why is it wrong to say Vande Mataram these days? Is this not mob lynching?? Yadav asks.1:10 pm: In the Lok Sabha, Yadav attacks the Congress saying,?You have done dharmik atyachar, samajik atyachar, mansik atyachar, arthik atyachar and ruined the country.?1:05 pm: In Rajya Sabha, Question Hour concludes. House adjourned till 2 pm for lunch.1:03 pm: Yadav says, ?The Junaid incident was a fight over a train seat. Why are you linking it with religion? What about the killings in Kerala? Are we not human? Are they not lynchings because they are not Muslims??1:00 pm: Yadav asks,??Is the mob lynching of DSP Ayub Pandith in J&K not an incident worth mentioning??12:57 pm: Yadav says, ?The PM himself has condemned the mob incidents repeatedly. It?s upto states to follow law. Centre can?t send paramilitary forces there on its own.?12:55 pm: BJP?s Hukmdev Narayan Yadav says government has been addressing the issue and taking action. He asks why the Opposition is questioning the government?s intention.12:50 pm: Kharge concludes with,?Duniya mein sab ka yahi hai kehna, Shanti aur chain se zinda rehna...Let us be Hindustan and not Lynchistan.?Two hours were alloted for the discussion. Kharge spoke for over 35 minutes.12:47 pm: ?This government is imposing itself on what a person can eat and who one can love,? says Kharge.12: 45 pm: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar interrupts Kharge for mentioning a former President?s name citing rule 352.Kumar says, ?Kharge must validate all the documents he is reading from. Every state government has taken action against each of these incidents. He is misleading the House.?12: 36 pm: BJP benches raise a ruckus. Speaker warns Kharge about duration of his speech.12:34 pm: Kharge quotes a BJP leader as saying that there was ?no regret over the death of Pehlu Khan because he was a cow smuggler.?12:32 pm: BJP members protests reported facts being read out by Kharge. 12:30 pm: In the Lok Sabha discussion, Kharge says, ?The Prime Minister has not spoken about the killings on his Mann Ki Baat programme.?12:28 pm: Meanwhile, first two questions in the Rajya Sabha are about MNREGA.12:26 pm: Kharge mentions incidents in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. He says he is only listing them.12:24 pm: Nishikant Dubey of BJP says, ?The cases of violence Mr.Kharge is mentioning are already in the courts, so why is he saying all this? He cannot speak about these cases.?12:22 pm: The Lok Sabha has begun a short-duration discussion on lynchings and mob violence. Mallikarjun Kharge of Congress says, ?There?s a feeling of threat in many states, especially because of fringe groups. Incidents of lynching and mob violence are not under control. Taking matters into one?s hands and exercising violence or killing another is unacceptable.??The government is indirectly encouraging groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and gau bhakts,? Kharge says.12:12 pm: Lok Sabha postpones Zero Hour to end of the day.12:07 pm: Question hour ends in Lok Sabha. Speaker dismisses all adjournment notices. Arun Jaitley introduced all the Bills listed today.12:02 pm: Chair praises MPs for not exceeding time alloted to them and allowing him to wrap up all notices to end Zero Hour on time.12:00 pm: Issues raised in the Upper House include changes in NET, impact of demonetisation, transaction on BHIM app and privatisation of Railways. 11:45 pm: Rajya Sabha returns from adjournment. Zero Hours resumes. 11:30 pm: MPs protest in the well in Rajya Sabha. Congress creates ruckus over alleged kidnapping of MLAs by police in Gujarat. House adjourned for 10 minutes.11:20 am: Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha. Congress? Madhusudan Mistry raises issue of Gujarat MLAs resignations.11:05 am: Question hour in Lok Sabha.10:40 am:Bills to be introduced in Lok Sabha todayThe Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill 2017 Bills for consideration and passing today:The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Amendment) Bill, 2017The Banking Reguation (Amendment) Bill, 2017The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Bill, 2017Bills for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha todayThe Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill,2017

Tarun Khanna

16 Dec 2016,Friday

India remains one of fastest-growing nations in world: US

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-remains-one-of-fastest-growing-countries-in-the-worldwh/1/835697.html

The US has stated that India remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world while also underlined that inefficiencies remain in India's public sector. "India remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, with real GDP expanding at 7.3% in the four quarters through 2016: Q3," said the Economic Report of the President for the year 2017.

From Lalit K Jha Washington, Dec 15 (PTI) India remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, the White House today said even as it underlined that inefficiencies remain in the public sector of the country with the poor population still lacking healthcare coverage and access to financial services. "India remains one of the fastest-growing countries in the world, with real GDP expanding at 7.3 per cent in the four quarters through 2016:Q3," said the Economic Report of the President for the year 2017, which was sent to the Congress. The voluminous report running into nearly 600 pages says that economic growth in India continues at a solid pace of a projected 7.4 per cent over the four quarters of 2016. "Private consumption has been a major driver in economic growth, contributing 4.3 percentage points to its 7.3 per cent real GDP growth rate in the four quarters through 2016:Q3," the report said, adding that lower inflation and fiscal consolidation over the past year has created additional policy space for India to stimulate growth should a crisis occur. "Macroeconomic risks revolve around inflationary pressure stemming from increasing commodity prices, which could weigh on the current account and fiscal deficit," it said. "Inefficiencies remain in the public sector, with Indias poor still lacking healthcare coverage, educational attainment, and access to financial services. Further, inequality in India remains high," the White House report said. The report also noted the countries that export to China and the advanced economies have suffered due to the slowdown in those important markets, the report added. "Economic growth in China has been on a downward trend since a brief rebound after the global financial crisis. China has been attempting to re-balance from an investment- and export-driven economy to an economy driven more by private consumption," it said. The White House said as Chinas economy grew to 15 per cent of global GDP in 2015, targeted industrial policies have made it the worlds largest manufacturer and the dominant producer of some key goods in the global marketplace, as well as a major source of demand for an array of goods, magnifying the effects of changes in its domestic economy on global prices and growth.

Daisy Mowke

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

'Transformers' actor hurls insults at cops arresting him

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/transformers-star-shia-labeouf-hurls-insults-at-cops-arresting-him-watch-video/story-I9G8SEM0CsGlQpoK5AyXKL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

'Transformers' actor Shia LaBeouf, who was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication, hurled insults at policemen arresting him. "I came up to you trying to be nice, you stupid b****... I got more millionaire lawyers than you know what to do with," he said. LaBeouf was arrested for using vulgar language when he was denied a cigarette.

Videos released by Savannah, Georgia, police on Tuesday of Shia LaBeouf?s arrest last week on charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication shows the actor hurling expletive-filled barbs at officers as he questioned the reason for his arrest.The Transformers actor, 31, was arrested in the lobby of his Savannah hotel on charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication in the early hours of Saturday, police said.Four videos from police bodycams released by the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department show LaBeouf questioning why he was being arrested as he was handcuffed. ?I have rights, I?m an American, you got me in my hotel, arresting me in my hotel, for doing what sir?? LaBeouf says in a raised voice. The police officer arresting LaBeouf is heard telling the actor, ?I?ll fix your cuffs if you calm down.? Representatives for LaBeouf did not respond to Reuters? requests for comment on his arrest video. The incident occurred after LaBeouf approached a bystander and a police officer to ask for a cigarette, and when he wasn?t given one, he ?became disorderly, using profanities and vulgar language in front of the women and children present,? police said. He became aggressive toward the officer when asked to leave, police added, and when the officer tried to arrest LaBeouf, he ran into a hotel lobby. As the actor is placed into a police car, he is heard again asking why he?s being arrested, then saying, ?Make sure you know my lawyers are watching,? and ?You took my rights away from me, I did nothing to you.?When he arrives at the police station, an increasingly irate LaBeouf starts throwing expletive-filled insults at both the male and female officers, questioning whether they are American. The actor was booked into the Chatham County jail and released a few hours later. LaBeouf was in Savannah filming an independent movie, The Peanut Butter Falcon, trade publication Variety said. This is not the first time the actor has been in trouble with the law. LaBeouf was arrested in January after a scuffle outside a New York museum where he was chanting ?He will not divide us? during a live-streamed protest against President Donald Trump.In 2014 he was arrested after disturbing a performance of the musical Cabaret on Broadway in New York. He pleaded guilty to a disorderly conduct violation and received outpatient care for addiction.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Rini Sinha

25 Jun 2017,Sunday

Souvenirs based on Dilip Kumar's films sell for over ?8 lakh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dilip-kumar-memorabilia-sell-big-at-osians-auction/1/987016.html

Souvenirs based on veteran actor Dilip Kumar's films were auctioned for over ?8 lakh. The highest bid was for a souvenir based on Dilip's 1967 film Ram Aur Shyam while a 12-sheeter teaser of Kranti (1981) was auctioned for ?3 lakh. Other souvenirs which were auctioned included an Aamir Khan poster, depicting him as Mangal Pandey.

Mumbai, Jun 25 (PTI) Memorabilia related to cinema legend Dilip Kumar sold big at an auction here with watercolours, mixed media, portraits and collage showcard artworks of the Mughal-e-Azam topping the list of favourite items of the collectors. Dilip Kumars rare set of an original watercolour, mixed media and collage showcard artworks of "Ram Aur Shyam" that saw the actor in a first double role, sold for Rs. 3.36 lakh at Osians The Greatest Indian Show On Earth 2 - Vintage Film Memorabilia, Publicity Materials & Arts Auction on June 22. A unique 12-sheeter teaser of "Kranti" went for Rs 3 lakh. Mehboob Khans "Andaz" hoarding with Raj Kapoor-Dilip Kumar-Nargis portraits went under the hammer for Rs 1.20 lakh. A rare set of six original mixed-media collage artworks of Dilip Kumars "Mela" sold for Rs 48,000. "Aan" stills, a set of four, sold for Rs 52,800. Sepia-toned photographic stills of Sohrab Modis "Sikender" mounted on lobby cards sold for Rs 78,000. A "Kal Aaj Aur Kal" six-sheet poster of three generations of the Kapoor family sold for Rs 54,400 while a "Bobby" golden jubilee trophy sold for Rs 74,400. "The value of film memorabilia is there till the time technology replaced hand-painted posters and showcards with printed ones. If we had not placed credible financial value on these related objects of our film culture, the desire to preserve, love and respect our cinematic heritage would have been much more difficult to emerge," said Neville Tuli, chairman of the The Osians Group.

Radhika Chugh

21 Jul 2017,Friday

10k Mumbai mosquito breeding grounds destroyed in 6 months

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-civic-body-destroys-10-000-mosquito-breeding-spots-in-six-months/story-0VOZ6i3OTptcYuKVthgpiP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed to have destroyed over 10,000 mosquito breeding grounds across the city in the last six months. A BMC report revealed that over 62 lakh houses were checked for mosquito breeding and ?20 lakh was collected as fine from residents for not adhering to safety standards.

The insecticide department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) visited around 62 lakh houses and found more than 10,000 mosquito breeding spots in 8,744 of them over the past six months. Officials said they collected Rs20 lakh in fine from residents who failed to eliminate mosquito breeding spots in their homes. Rajan Naringrekar, insecticide officer, BMC, said the civic body focussed its efforts on finding breeding grounds of dengue carrier Aedes aegypti and malaria carrier Anopheles stephensi. From January 1 to July 15, 10, 260 breeding spots were found, of which 7,586 had larvae of Aedes aegypti and 2,674 had those of Anopheles stephensi . ?The issue is serious because a single female mosquito lays around 100-150 eggs at a time. She does so four times in her life span, which is three weeks. Negligence could lead to breeding of 400-600 mosquitoes which carry dengue and malaria,? said Naringrekar. Officials said they visited 62.43 lakh houses in the city, some more than once, to destroy breeding spots. ?Not protecting water tanks, wells and surroundings from mosquitoes were the most common offences,? Naringrekar added. Data from the past two years suggested that 80% of dengue patients had breeding spots in or around their homes.Naringrekar said since mosquitoes only breed in fresh water, people can control the spread of the disease right from their own homes. ?We have been advising residents to clean ornamental trees, feng-shui plants, bamboo plants, money plants, plates, pots, refrigerators and air-conditioners regularly to avoid dengue infection. For malaria too, people have to be cautious because the mosquito can breed wherever rainwater accumulates,? he added.

Radhika Chugh

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Mumbai man stabs neighbour after marriage proposal rejected

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-man-stabs-childhood-friend-after-her-parents-reject-his-marriage-proposal/story-ZmcjXfFr391BxNaVyFY4tN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 27-year-old man was arrested in Bhandup by the Mumbai Police on Saturday after he stabbed his neighbour whose parents opposed their marriage. The man reportedly barged into the woman's house, stabbed her in the stomach, and then stabbed himself. The man was admitted to a government hospital and then arrested after he was discharged.

The Bhandup police arrested a 27-year-old man on Saturday for stabbing his neighbour. Police said the man, Akash Pande, and the 26-year-old woman were living at Tulshetpada in Bhandup. They had known each other since childhood.While Pande wanted to marry the woman, her parents opposed their relationship. As a result, the relationship between the two families became strained.On June 27, Pande barged inside the woman?s home and stabbed her on the stomach in front of her family, police said. He then stabbed himself.The family took both Pande and the woman to a government hospital. Both were bleeding profusely, said police. The woman was unconscious when she was admitted. She was initially critical, but has recovered well, said police. ?The knife had pierced the woman?s intestine. Now, she is recovering and out of danger,? said Shrinivas Panhale, senior inspector, Bhandup police station. Police said the woman had been on a liquid diet, but had started to eat some solid food. Pande was arrested after he was discharged. Police recovered the weapon he used. Pande was booked under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. The woman?s statement will be recorded after she has made a full recovery.

Ankur Vyas

17 Dec 2016,Saturday

Over 40 cr workers across India affected by note ban: AAP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/over-40-crore-workers-affected-by-note-ban-aap/1/836660.html

Demonetisation has affected over 40 crore workers in the organised and unorganised sectors across the country, AAP claimed on Friday. Asserting that developed nations had stayed away from demonetisation, the party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of driving "the world's largest economy into a mess". After demonetisation, even big companies had started laying off people, AAP further claimed.

The Aam Aadmi Party has claimed that over 40 crore workers in organised and unorganised sector of the country have been affected by demonetisation.AAP's Dwarka MLA Adarsh Shastri said business in markets like Sarojini Nagar and Karol Bagh among others had witnessed a decline of 70-80 per cent.He claimed that even big companies had started laying off people.ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN AAP's Delhi unit convenor Dilip Pandey said the Centre's demonetisation decision had driven the nation to an "economic slowdown."

Ankush Verma

28 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Polish judges urged to 'fight every inch' for independence

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/26/polish-judges-urged-fight-independence-supreme-court?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Slack

The President of Poland's Supreme Court Malgorzata Gersdorf has urged the country's judges to "fight every inch" for justice as the ruling party plans to "democratise" the way judges are appointed. Under the government's proposals, the terms of all judges will be terminated within 90 days of the draft law's enactment and their replacements would be selected by Polish parliament.

The president of Poland?s supreme court has urged the country?s judges to ?fight for every inch of justice? as the rightwing government pushes for changes that critics say would make judicial independence a ?pure fiction?.?For over a year I have been repeating that the courts are easily turned into a plaything in the hands of politicians,? Ma?gorzata Gersdorf told her colleagues in an open letter read out at a recent gathering of judges in Warsaw. ?What was until now a threat is becoming a reality.?In its latest battle with Poland?s legal system, the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS) says it wants to ?democratise? the way Polish judges are appointed, which at the moment is a job for the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS), an autonomous body whose judicial members are chosen by their peers.Under the government?s proposals, however, the terms of all the judicial members of the council would be terminated within 90 days of the draft law?s enactment. Their replacements would be selected by the Polish parliament, with the speaker of the parliament given discretion as to which candidates should be put forward for consideration.Whereas the council?s judicial members presently enjoy a majority, under the government?s proposals the body would be split into two chambers, one for judicial members and the other for political representatives. Both chambers would have to agree to an appointment or a resolution, giving the political representatives a veto over decisions made by the judicial members.?The government?s proposals will be an instrument for ensuring the appointment of the ?right? kind of judges who will not be too critical of the authorities and their political programme,? said Ewa ??towska, a professor at Poland?s Institute of Legal Sciences and a former judge who served on the country?s constitutional tribunal and the supreme administrative court.The council was given less than three working days to respond to the draft act, receiving it from the Ministry of Justice on a Thursday and expected to provide its official response by the following Tuesday. In a strongly worded statement, it described the proposals as ?in obvious and gross contradiction with the Polish constitution?.?The council is an independent constitutional organ that was instituted in 1989 in order to safeguard the independence of the judiciary, because in the communist era everything was dependent on the ruling party,? Dariusz Zawistowski, chairman of the KRS and a serving supreme court judge, told the Guardian.?When members of the council are elected by the parliament, this function of safeguarding the constitution will be pure fiction. Formally speaking, there would be no independent judiciary.?Gersdorf has urged her fellow judges to risk their own positions in the fight against the proposals.?There is no fight without victims, and among them may be counted some of us present here,? said Gersdorf?s letter to her fellow judges. ?To win, you must be prepared even for disciplinary tribunals, to be removed from office, for anything. You must show that we are in opposition to the pushing of a democratic state into oblivion.?The government describes the proposals as ?enhancing democracy and independence? by freeing the appointments process from ?the corporate interests of the judicial environment?, citing the judicial appointments process in countries such as Spain and Germany.?Objectivity in selecting members of the National Council of the Judiciary and their independence from corporate interests is to be ensured by them being selected by the Sejm, which holds a mandate gained in democratic elections. A similar system is successful for instance in Spain,? said the Ministry of Justice in a statement.But the KRS?s response rejects such comparisons. ?It must be recalled that in accordance with article 8(1) of the constitution, it is the constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2 April 1997 that is the supreme law in the Republic of Poland, and not the constitution of Spain of 31 October 1978 or the basic law of the Federal Republic of Germany of 23 May 1949.?The controversy is the latest front in a protracted battle between the PiS and an increasingly demoralised judiciary.Shortly after assuming power in late 2015, the government merged the office of prosecutor general with that of the justice minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, a move that some analysts argue has already allowed the government to exert political pressure on judges.?We have already seen numerous examples of prosecutors answerable to the minister of justice initiating criminal proceedings against judges who have reached decisions they don?t agree with,? said ??towska.

Sanira Mediratta

06 Mar 2017,Monday

A village in Arunachal sees first sunrise in India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/first-rays-of-the-sun/1/129063.html

Dong village in Arunachal Pradesh, which is known as the easternmost village in India, witness the earliest sunrise in the country. At about 1,240 metres above sea-level, Dong is located between China and Myanmar. On an average, the sun rises at around 5:00 AM and sets at around 5:00 PM in Dong.

Aarushi Maheshwari

14 Jul 2017,Friday

You're in good shape: Trump to French Prez's 64-yr-old wife

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-to-first-lady-of-france-you-re-in-such-good-shape-beautiful/story-EXmAFmdcXW4w51Xsso7xyI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

United States President Donald Trump complimented French President Emmanuel Macron's 64-year-old wife Brigitte on Thursday, saying, "You know, you're in such good shape... Beautiful." Trump, while gesturing towards Brigitte, made the comment during his first official visit to Paris. Melania and Donald were visiting a museum complex in Paris with Emmanuel and Brigitte when the encounter occurred.

US President Donald Trump was captured complimenting the French president?s wife?s appearance Thursday as he toured a famous Paris landmark.Video footage posted on the French government?s official Facebook page showed Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and their wives chatting after their tour of the museums at Les Invalides.As they were saying their good-byes, Trump turned to Brigitte Macron, who is 25 years senior to President Macron, and gestured toward her body.?You know, you?re in such good shape,? Trump said, before repeating the observation to her husband. ?Beautiful,? he added.Brigitte Macron was her husband?s former high school teacher and their relationship has drawn international attention because of their significant age difference.But feminists and President Macron have denounced that attention as sexist, arguing that nobody would blink an eye if he were the older spouse.The Macrons? age difference is identical to that of Donald and Melania Trump, who were spending two days in Paris in celebration of Bastille Day.Trump has drawn criticism in the past for comments some say objectify and demean women, including the infamous ?Access Hollywood? tape in which he bragged about sexually assaulting women and boasted, ?When you?re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.?It wasn?t the only uncomfortable moment the France first lady shared with US President Trump, however. US president Trump?s official France tour started with an awkward handshake he exchanged with the France first lady.The lengthy and visibly awkward handshake happened when the France first lady, with her husband, welcomed Trump and his wife Melania Trump to Paris. Twitter, on the other hand, was quick to react on Brigitte Macron?s uncomfortable moments with Trump.Live television. Trump just yanked Brigitte Macron's hand. What's wrong with this guy?! pic.twitter.com/zGiwc2wlzn? Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) July 13, 2017Thank God he didn't dislocate her shoulder with that creepy arm pull. Can't he leave off the alpha male dominance displays w/ the ladies?? Harmless (@InertAlien) July 13, 2017Trump to Macron: Your wife is old but still hot, seems like a high-quality person, her arm didn't come off when I pulled it. #trumpfrance? rchristie (@waspokey) July 13, 2017Dear god whyyyy does he do that!?? pic.twitter.com/hb1ZNsIMJ7? Carol C (@gemi6615) July 13, 2017That move was very aggressive. It's quite triggering for victims of domestic violence. Please don't ever let this man meet Queen Elizabeth.? LizzDregne (@LizzDregne) July 13, 2017trump greeted France's First Lady with an aggressive handshake & an abhorrent comment: "you're in such great shape"A daily embarrassment.? Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) July 13, 2017

Prashanti Moktan

28 Jul 2017,Friday

'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets' hits theatres

http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/valerian-and-the-city-of-a-thousand-planets-movie-review-all-that-glitters-isn-t-cara-delevingne/story-51xo7JbGeGndHU7u6aPArJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets', which released on Friday, is a "visually dazzling passion project (that) can't take flight," wrote Hindustan Times. "The audience is left with ocular diabetes and hardly any savoury storytelling," wrote Times Of India, while Koimoi called the film "too predictable". The film has been rated 1/5 (HT), 3.5/5 (TOI) and 1.5/5 (Koimoi).

Valerian and the City of a Thousand PlanetsDirector - Luc BessonCast - Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Ethan Hawke, RihannaRating - 1/5A spectre looms over Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. When everything is said and done, and Luc Besson has stubbed out his last cigarette, forced to vacate the table he has occupied for six hours at a lonely Parisian café where he has been smoking away his sorrows, we will know that his new film is one of those legendary box office bombs ? the sort of film that?s written about for years to come, and spoken about only in hushed tones.{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Review","author": {"@type":"Person","name":"Rohan Naahar","sameAs":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/columns/rohan-naahar"},"datePublished":"2017-07-28","description":"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets movie review: Luc Besson?s visually dazzling passion project can?t take flight, despite a game Cara Delevingne, and occasional Bhangra music.","inLanguage":"en","itemReviewed": {"@type":"Movie","name":"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets","image":"http://i.imgur.com/ZjHnsxq.jpg","sameAs":"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2239822/","datePublished":"2017-07-28","director": {"@type":"Person","name":"Luc Besson"},"actor": [{"@type": "Person","name": "Dane DeHaan","sameAs": ""},{"@type": "Person","name": "Cara Delevingne","sameAs": ""}]},"publisher": {"@type":"Organization","name":"Hindustan Times","sameAs":"http://www.hindustantimes.com/"},"reviewRating": {"@type":"Rating","worstRating":0.0,"bestRating":5,"ratingValue":"1"}}Like Gore Verbinski?s The Lone Ranger and The Wachowskis? Speed Racer, and Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending ? they really are having a terrible time ? it will go down in the history of cinema as one of the most staggeringly ambitious failures of the new millennium.But let?s not hold that against the film, shall we?From its opening couple of scenes, when David Bowie plays over lavish shots of space, it is quite clear that Besson is attempting to recreate the success of his calling card movie, The Fifth Element, and the two Guardians of the Galaxy films. Whether or not this was done retroactively is up for debate.A thoroughly miscast Dane DeHaan ? who is usually better suited to play meek, psychologically hurt misfits, but here, Besson has cast him an intergalactic rake ? plays Valerian. A refreshingly-chipper Cara Delevingne plays his partner, Laureline, who, in a sexist turn of events, has been omitted from the film?s title, and spends most of her time shutting down his creepy advances. Together, they are inter-dimensional secret agents trying to get to the bottom of an inter-dimensional smuggling operation which involves pearls pooped by a half-raccoon-half-anteater type creature.Besson structures the film in such an odd manner that every scene appears to exist in its own, separate movie. The immensely-detailed world-building doesn?t help. As Valerian and Laureline jump from one dimension to another ? it could be a seaside paradise, or an underwater kingdom populated by monsters ? the empty sights and the sounds become tremendously overwhelming. For a film which routinely forces its characters to spout expositional dialogue ? THE Herbie Hancock has a thankless cameo ? it?s nearly impossible to follow, and has no memorable characters, even the one who gave it its title.But for all his visual inventiveness ? the glistening alien creatures with long necks, the trio of duck-like comic relief idiots, and a Jabba the Hutt clone who sounds an awful lot like John Goodman ? Besson?s film can?t hide the fact that he probably wrote it left-handed and under the influence of some military-grade banned substance.There is, however, a brief respite from the maddening assault you could look forward to. About an hour into the film, Besson pauses the story and forces you to gawk at a shape-shifting Rihanna prancing about on a stripper?s pole, while a bejewelled cowboy played by Ethan Hawke cackles in the background.In all honesty, the fact that this movie turned out to be a colossal mess shouldn?t come as too big a surprise. Besson?s recent output, considering especially how rapidly he churns it out, has been rather hit-or-miss. He hasn?t made a particularly enjoyable film since 2010?s The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec, a film towards which I am slightly biased because it had shades of the Adventures of Tintin, a series I am immensely fond of.He followed it up with a trio of movies that could only be described as Bessonian ? the Aung San Suu Kyi biopic, The Lady; the Robert De Niro Mafia family comedy, The Family; and the sci-fi thriller, Lucy, his highest-grossing film yet. For Valerian, he plundered yet another cult Franco-Belgian comic ? Valerian and Laureline. It is a comic book series that I have had the displeasure of reading, and suffice it to say, you need not be familiar with its particularly bizarre vision of the future before watching the film.The story behind how he got it made promises to be more interesting than the film itself. It?s a miracle, really, how he conned people into giving him $200 million to barf out the fever dream he?s been having for two decades. If the credits are to be believed, he even managed to get a bank involved ? BNP Paribas is listed as one of the 15-20 production companies behind Valerian.Perhaps this could be Valerian and Laureline?s next adventure. They wouldn?t even have to leave Earth, and Dane DeHaan could probably be back home sipping Mai Tais by sundown.Follow @htshowbiz for moreThe author tweets @RohanNaahar

Chhavi Tyagi

26 Dec 2016,Monday

BJP Mayor mistakenly declares Vajpayee dead

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vajpayee-no-more-bjp-aligarh-mayor-shakuntala-bharti-says-speech-birthday-celebration/1/842925.html

While delivering a speech on celebrations of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 92nd birthday, BJP's Aligarh mayor Shakuntala Bharti said, "Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji is no longer with us, but his memories remain." While the Mayor accepted her mistake and apologised for it later, former Aligarh Zila Panchayat member Narendra Pachauri termed Bharti as an 'ignorant'.

Bharatiya Janata Party's Aligarh mayor Shakuntala Bharti while delivering speech on the the eve of celebrations of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday, referred him as "deceased". Bharti left the audience in shock when while addressing students at Dharam Jyoti Mahavidyalya School at Iglas in Aligarh, she said, "Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji is no longer with us, but his memories remain."Also read: PM Modi, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah sing Vajpayee's praises on his birthdayThe incident took place during an event organised to celebrate the 155th birth anniversary of Madan Mohan Malviya and Vajpayee's 92nd birthday.

Chhavi Tyagi

13 Jan 2017,Friday

PIL seeks scrapping of ?3,600 crore Shivaji statue

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shivaji-statue-pil-arabian-sea-bombay/1/855831.html

A Public Interest Litigation in Bombay High Court seeks the scrapping of Maharashtra government's ?3,600 crore Shivaji statue project in the Arabian Sea. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of 192-meter high statue last month. The PIL has been filed by Mohan Bhide, a chartered accountant and a professor by profession who runs Bhide Kapasi classes in Mumbai.

A Public Interest Litigation in  Bombay High Court seeks the scrapping of Maharashtra government's much touted Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea. Prime minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of 192-meter high statue las month. The statue is expected to be built at the cost of Rs 3,600 crore.The PIL has been filed by Mohan Bhide, a chartered accountant and a professor by profession who runs Bhide Kapasi classes in Mumbai. Bhide in his petition states, "I have full respect and honour for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But I am against the huge expenditure of hard earned tax payers' money. The project of constructing a statue in the middle of the sea is nothing but a political stunt of all the political parties operating in Maharashtra." He added that the construction of the statue was "illogical and uncalled for".The petition asks for the project to be scrapped. Bhide's petition states that the government has spent Rs 77 crore on the inauguration ceremony when crores of money is needed for construction of the statue. This comes at a time when, "the government is itself facing financial crunch. Thus it is unnecessary. Last year the government declared drought in over 25,000 villages so the government should focus on addressing these issues first," the petition states.

Rini Sinha

28 May 2017,Sunday

Ben Stiller separates from wife after 17 years of marriage

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ben-stiller-christine-taylor-separation-marriage-18-years/1/964207.html

Hollywood actor Ben Stiller announced his separation from wife Christine Taylor after 17 years of marriage on Friday. The two have worked together in films including n'Zoolander', 'Tropic Thunder' and television series 'Arrested Development', among others. They got married in 2000 and have two children together, a fifteen-year-old daughter and a twelve-year-old son.nn

Zoolander actor Ben Stiller and his wife Christine Taylor said on Friday they had decided to separate after 18 years together."With tremendous love and respect for each other, and the 18 years we spent together as a couple, we have made the decision to separate. Our priority will continue to be raising our children as devoted parents and the closest of friends. We kindly ask that the media respect our privacy at this time," the couple said in a joint statement.Stiller and Taylor, best known for playing teenage daughter Marcia Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995, have appeared together in many films, including Tropic Thunder and Meet the Parents.

Mansha Mahajan

24 Apr 2017,Monday

Ratan Tata praises judicial process on Mistry plea rejection

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ratan-tata-praises-judicial-process-for-professionalism/1/935740.html

Ratan Tata has praised the judicial process for its "professionalism and fairness", after National Company Law Tribunal rejected Cyrus Mistry's plea against Tata Sons. Earlier, the NCLT dismissed a petition by Mistry that alleged mismanagement and oppression of minority shareholders at group firms. It also refused to grant waiver to Mistry firms that would've allowed them to file the petition.

New Delhi, Apr 22 (PTI) Top industrialist Ratan Tata today praised the judicial process for its "professionalism and fairness", days after the NCLT rejected Cyrus Mistrys plea against Tata Sons. Following the ouster of Mistry as Tata Sons Chairman in October last year, there has been lot of acrimony between him and the Tatas. Earlier this week, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) dismissed Mistrys petition against the group. Against this backdrop, Ratan Tata has expressed his "appreciation to all those involved in the NCLT, and particularly the high integrity of the judicial process". Asserting that it is not about winning or losing, Tata said in a tweet, "it is all about the pride one gets in witnessing the high integrity of our judiciary, the fairness and the competence of everybody in the process". He also said that fairness and justice, if upheld, will make the nation "great".

Daisy Mowke

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

Indu Sarkar will hurt Congressmen, Modi wants that: Congress

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indu-sarkar-will-hurt-cong-leaders-sentiments-pm-modi-wants-that-moily/story-CYJ8u2McHobSxuxBTSFfDJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Veteran Congress leader M Veerappa Moily has said Madhur Bhandarkar's film on 1975-77 Emergency 'Indu Sarkar' will hurt Congressmen's sentiments and that's what PM Narendra Modi wants. "Ultimately, it will (hurt) him (Narendra Modi)... All these ruinous activities help in exit of BJP," he added. Moily further said there's no exit door for Congress but there's always one for BJP.nn

Indu Sarkar, a film on Emergency, will hurt sentiments of many Congressmen and that is what the ?present Prime Minister wants?, veteran Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said on Sunday.Indu Sarkar, based on the 1975-77 Emergency period, has evoked strong criticism and protest from the Congress.The Congress?s apprehensions are over the portrayal of party veterans like Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and other senior leaders in the film.Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, however, had said he would include a disclaimer in Indu Sarkar, stating that the film is mostly fictional.Talking to PTI, Moily said the film will hurt sentiments of Congressmen.?It hurts the sentiments of many of the Congressmen and that is what the present Prime Minister wants. Ultimately, it will (hurt) him (Narendra Modi).?All these ruinous activities help in exit of BJP. More and more they do it, more the exit door will be opened for BJP,? he said.The film, featuring Kirti Kulhari in the lead, has also run into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which has demanded 14 cuts in the movie.Bhandarkar has been given a security cover by the Maharashtra government in the wake of several protests against the film.Former Union minister Moily further said a perception was being created that the Congress was not providing a strong opposition to the BJP.?There is no exit door in politics. There is no exit door for Congress but there is always for BJP,? said the strongman from Karnataka.He said the Congress will again form the government in Karnataka under chief minister Siddaramaiah. Assembly election in the state is scheduled to take place next year.

Parmeet Kaur

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Delhi on high alert post Amarnath Yatra terror attack

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-delhi-on-high-alert-kanwarias-to-get-security-cover/story-OsWlGrtlsyzhXujccOl7VO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Delhi Police has issued an advisory to put the capital on high alert and advised 'special anti-terror' arrangements for the Kanwar Yatra pilgrims. Reportedly, quick reaction teams and commandos will guard the Kanwar Yatra routes and other vital establishments like malls, metro stations, and airports. This comes after seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were killed on Monday.

Within hours of terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir that left seven pilgrims dead and several injured, the Delhi police issued an advisory putting the Capital on high alert and advising security cover for Kanwar Yatra. The yatra started on Monday where thousands of devotes will undertake the annual pilgrimage on foot from Haridwar and pass Delhi till July 21. Read: Amarnath yatra terror attack LIVE: High-level meet chaired by Rajnath Singh underwayAccording to the advisory issued by anti-terror unit special cell?s DCP, Pramod Kuswah, ?special anti terror? arrangements have been advised for Kanwar Yatra. ?In view of the terrorist attack at Anantnag on pilgrims and security forces during the Amarnath Yatra, it is advised that proper anti-terror arrangements should be put in place at all vital installations, business establishments and other vulnerable targets, including crowded markets, malls, religious places, metro stations, airport, railway stations...? the advisory reads.The DCP has also instructed the local police to put quick reaction teams on the route.Police sources said commandos will guard the routes across parts of north and north east Delhi, from where Kanwars enter the city. Temporary towers with snipers will also be placed on the route along with SWAT?vehicles, which will be able to deal with any situation.

Akshita Jain

05 Mar 2017,Sunday

Rioting in Jammu & Kashmir increased three-fold in 2016

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jandampk-saw-3-fold-rise-in-rioting-in-2016-govt-data/1/897294.html

Jammu and Kashmir saw a three-fold increase in cases of rioting and a substantial rise in arson cases in 2016, according to the state police data. Kashmir witnessed as many as 3,404 cases of rioting in 2016 as compared to 1,157 such cases in 2015. Similarly, 267 cases of arson were registered in 2016 as against 147 in 2015.

Jammu, Mar 5 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir saw a three-fold increase in cases of rioting and a substantial rise in arson cases in 2016 which also witnessed five-month-long unrest after killing of terrorist Burhan Wani, official data showed. According to data of Crime Branch of state police, J&K has witnessed as many as 3,404 cases of rioting in 2016 as compared to 1,157 such cases in 2015, an increase of 2,247. Similarly, police registered as many as 267 cases of arson in 2016 as compared to 147 such cases in 2015, thereby showing an increase of 120 during the period, it said. Officials of the Crime Branch point towards this increase because of the 2016 unrest in Kashmir Valley for five months following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Wani in July. There has also been an increase of 143 cases of attempt to murder from 2015 to 2016. As many as 573 cases of attempt to murder have been registered in 2016 as compared to 430 such cases in 2015. There has also been an increase in murder cases. As many as 140 cases of murder were registered in 2016 as compared to 133 such cases in 2015, it said. The statistics reveal there has been no custodial death in 2016 and 2015. The cases of communal riots have also registered an increase in 2016 as compared to 2015. As many as six such cases were registered in 2016 as compared to four in 2015, it said. The year 2016 also saw an increase in cases under Unlawful Activities Act. While 146 cases were registered under the Act in 2016, only 44 were registered in 2015 showing an increase of 102. The figures have further revealed increase in cases under Arms and Explosives Acts in 2016 as compared to 2015. While 180 cases were registered under Arms Act in 2016, as many as 146 such cases were registered in 2015. Similarly, 39 cases were registered under Explosives Act in 2016 as compared to 34 such cases in 2015. Cases of assault on public servants has also declined as 516 such cases were registered in 2016 as compared to 535 in 2015. Kashmir also witnessed high increase in incidents of stone pelting in 2016.

Chhavi Tyagi

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Changed sides for 'sewa', not 'mewa': Nitish Kumar

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-wins-bihar-trust-vote-with-bjp-support-says-changed-sides-for-sewa-not-mewa/story-eVeo8ZZKt7KLWhM43iHfDM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Friday said that he changed sides by splitting from the Grand Alliance and joining hands with the BJP for 'sewa' (serving), and not 'mewa' (profit). "I faced lot of resistance trying to run the government in the best interest of people of Bihar and preserve the Mahagathbandhan, but failed due to RJD's attitude," he added.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar comfortably won a trust vote in the assembly on Friday, securing the support of 131 legislators including those of his new ally BJP, but insisted that his change of sides was for ?sewa? and not ?mewa?.Kumar?s fresh stint as the chief minister came two days after he surprised his former coalition partners, the RJD and Congress, to part ways and return to the BJP, his former ally with which he ran a previous coalition government till 2013.?To be in power devolves great responsibility to govern, not earn. Yeh sewa ka Avsar hai, na ki mewa ka (It is an opportunity to serve, not profit,? he said before seeking the trust vote.?I faced lot of resistance trying to run the government in the best interest of people of Bihar and preserve the mahagathbandhan, but failed due to RJD?s attitude,? he said.He, however, added it was ?the mandate of Bihar and the responsibility to the people?.The RJD-led opposition secured 108 votes. Four legislators did not vote, two on technical grounds and one calling sick. Two of the four independent legislators voted for Kumar in the House of 243.The RJD and Congress? demand for a secret ballot was turned down by speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary.After the speaker?s proposal for a voice vote was rejected, a lobby division method was opted for. Legislators went of the House and came back one by one and signed a register indicating their vote, for or against the motion.Before the vote, opposition leader and former deputy chief minister, Tejashwi Yadav, made an emotional speech, dismissing corruption charges against him were cooked up.?I am young. Only 28. It was my success, which unnerved the JD(U), which plotted for my removal,? he said, adding that Kumar was aware of his ?honesty?.?Is there any charge against me in the last 20 months of improriety during my tenure in office?... If it was about corruption, the JD(U) should not have allied with my father, who was facing cases; yet it happened,? he said.?There is just an FIR, not a proved case; so where was the question of my resignation?? he added referring to the controversry over his refusal to quit that led to Kumar pulling of the grand alliance.?The chief minister never ever asked for my resignation either,? he said.Senior BJP leader, Nand Kishore Yadav, alleged that RJD chief Lalu Prasad ran the government through his son Tejashwi.Sushil Kumar Modi, the deputy chief minister who replaced Tejashwi, said, ?I thank the Congress and the RJD for not asking Tejashwi to resign. Had that happened, I would not have been on the right side.??If the RJD insists that the mandate was not followed, it should introspect, whether it was for the likes of Mohammad Shahabuddin and Rajballabh Yadav? It is better now, that the government is in right hands,? he said, referring to two controversial aides of Lalu.?The new government will register fresh milestones in successful governance, which was lacking in the last regime due to RJD?s intransigence,? he added.

Ankush Verma

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Man trapped in ATM slips notes to customers seeking help

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-man-trapped-in-atm-slips-help-me-notes-to-customers-through-receipt-slot/story-GAevLXf47ousPui4o2UTcI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A man from US state of Texas was trapped inside an ATM and slipped notes to customers via the receipt slot pleading to help him escape. The man reportedly left his cellphone in his truck and got stuck while he was changing a lock to a bank room that led to the ATM. He was later freed by the police.

Police say a Texas man who became trapped inside an ATM slipped notes to customers via the receipt slot pleading for them to help him escape.Corpus Christi police Lt Chris Hooper says the contractor got stuck Wednesday when he was changing a lock to a Bank of America room that leads to the ATM.I got a #HelpMe note from the ATM, I wanted 20 bucks. CCPD to the rescue. https://t.co/o5FecfE7iv? Corpus Christi PD (@CorpusChristiPD) July 13, 2017The unidentified contractor, who had left his cellphone in his truck, encountered a problem with the lock.He passed notes through the ATM receipt slot to customers retrieving cash. One read, ?Please help. I?m stuck in here ...,? before imploring people to call his boss.A customer called police, who heard a faint voice coming from the ATM.An officer kicked in the door to the room, freeing the man.

Tarun Khanna

15 Apr 2017,Saturday

Goa govt plans to ban entry of locals into casinos

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/goa-govt-mulls-ban-on-entry-of-locals-in-casinos/1/929644.html

Goa CM Manohar Parrikar has said his government is planning to ban entry of locals into casinos. "I sincerely believe that gambling isn't good?It's human nature to gamble that's why we cannot eradicate it completely, but definitely we cannot encourage it," he said. Parrikar, however, added the casinos will not be closed immediately as some companies have invested in them.

Prashanti Moktan

24 Mar 2017,Friday

'Cheap Thrills' singer Sia spotted without her wig

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sia-goes-wig-less-shows-face-while-going-to-dubai/1/911653.html

Singer Sia, known for songs like 'Cheap Thrills' and 'Chandelier', was spotted without her wig at the Los Angeles airport on her way to Dubai. The 41-year-old singer usually makes public appearances wearing a half-black-half-blonde faux hair and never shows her face. Sia has introduced her distinctive look in her videos, where dancer Maddie Ziegler is seen in similar wigs.

Los Angeles, Mar 24 (PTI) Sia was recently photographed without her wig while she was on her way to Dubai. The 41-year-old singer, who is known to appear in a half-black-half-blonde faux hair and never show her face, was seen in a fresh look sans her wig as she walked through LAX, reported Billboard.

Ankush Verma

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Chinese agents bar access to 'free' wife of Nobel laureate

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/20/chinese-agents-bar-access-free-liu-xia-wife-of-liu-xiaobo-beijing?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Journalists were barred access to the wife of recently deceased Nobel Peace laureate Liu Xiaobo by Chinese agents. Earlier, Chinese authorities had said Liu Xia, who has been under effective house arrest since her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, was free to leave the country if she wishes. Xiaobo died of liver cancer earlier this month.

Chinese authorities claim Liu Xia is a free woman. But one week after the death of her husband, the Nobel laureate and democracy activist Liu Xiaobo, a visit to the couple?s Beijing home immediately gives the lie to that claim.Within seconds of arriving at the tree-lined property on Wednesday, the Guardian was surrounded by plain-clothes security agents, shouting orders and questions, demanding that its reporters leave.?Where are you going? Where are you going?? snapped one man, wearing black Bermuda shorts and Adidas Superstars, as he used his body to block the path that leads to the fourth-floor flat. A second agent arrived, also clad in black, and then a third, brandishing a golden Chinese smartphone with which he threatened to call the police. Asked if Liu Xia was at home he said: ?I have never heard of her.?He went on: ?There are thousands of people living here with that name. How should I know which one you are talking about??In the lead-up to the death of her jailed husband, Liu Xia had been forced to endure almost seven years of unofficial house arrest ? Communist party retribution, observers say, for her husband?s 2010 Nobel peace prize.Now, with Liu gone, the 56-year-old artist and poet appears to have been thrust straight back into that invisible prison.Rumours have swirled that Liu ? last seen in propaganda photographs of her husband?s cremation and sea burial on Saturday ? had been forcibly ?travelled? to the southwestern province of Yunnan to prevent her speaking out.On Thursday, however, supporters admitted her whereabouts were a mystery.?She?s totally incommunicado,? said Jared Genser, a US human rights lawyer who has campaigned on behalf of the late dissident and his wife. ?It seems like she has fallen off the face of the Earth.?Hu Jia, a Beijing-based activist and friend, also said he was in the dark: ?We?ve tried every means possible to contact her.?In the hours after the death of Liu, who was serving an 11-year prison sentence for subversion when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late May, there were calls from activists and western governments for Liu Xia to be given safe passage out of China.?I now urge [Beijing] to lift all restrictions on his widow, Liu Xia,? the British foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, said in a statement.China, however, has shown no sign of backing down, instead insisting, contrary to the evidence, that Liu Xia ? who has never been accused or convicted of any crime ? is ?free?.Friends and supporters say that is a mendacious fabrication designed to conceal her continued extra-legal incarceration. ?I think she?s in an even worse position than before,? said Genser.?Her husband is dead. We are not aware that she has any contact with anybody at all. Her parents have both passed away. Her brother is also incommunicado and disappeared. And she is the only person now who can speak to what she heard from Liu Xiaobo in the last seven years of her being under house arrest and in his final weeks of life.?Jerry Cohen, an expert in Chinese law and human rights from New York University, said he believed the rulers of one-party China would be reluctant to release Liu Xia in case she became a figurehead of resistance.?The wife who has to suffer for the political views of her husband has always been a figure to attract sympathy. But she is much more,? he said. ?She is an extraordinarily able and determined person and they feel they shouldn?t allow her to speak ? She is too potent a symbol.?On Wednesday it was impossible to know whether that symbol was inside her apartment, outside of which security agents lurked in a black SUV.Plain-clothes agents guarding the leafy residential compound grew increasingly jittery and aggressive as they tried to force journalists away from the property. ?You should get out!? growled one of the officers, losing his temper at repeated questions about the dissident?s missing wife.?Go! Go! Go!? shouted his colleague.Earlier in the week journalists from the Spanish news agency EFE reported being grabbed and threatened by unidentified men and held by police after trying to visit Liu Xia?s home. Police reportedly accused the journalists of working in an ?illegal manner?. Genser said Liu Xia?s disappearance meant world leaders such as Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and Theresa May had no choice but to challenge Chinese president Xi Jinping. ?This is enough: this is enough punishment to heap on the back of one woman for having done nothing other than marry her own husband.?Genser warned that a failure to speak up now would signal to Beijing that it was ?open season? on Chinese human rights activists.?Xi Jinping has squeezed so incredibly hard and with no pushback from the international community. The message that is sent to the Chinese is: ?Just do whatever you like. The world will look the other way?.?Additional reporting by Wang Zhen

Abhishek Bansal

11 Jun 2017,Sunday

80-yr-old woman beaten by MP cops for 'sheltering agitators'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/madhya-pradesh-farmers-protest-mandsaur-dusshera-maidan-bhopal/1/976169.html

An 80-year-old woman in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal was reportedly beaten by police, who accused her of hiding agitators inside her house. The police came to Kamla Bai's house chasing protesters from a farmers' rally in a nearby village and injured her family members as well. The woman has gone on a fast, demanding that CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan meet her.

An 80-year-old woman in Bhopal has alleged that a group of four-five policemen barged into her house and beat her with sticks, breaking her bones and grievously injuring her husband too. According to an NDTV report, the policemen came to her house while chasing agitators who had disrupted a rally in nearby Phanda Kalan village near Sehore, as they ran through her compound. When the boys outran the cops, they turned to Kamlabai (80) and said, "You are one of them, you ordered that trucks be set ablaze." After beating Kamlabai, her husband and sons, the cops arrested her grandsons along with Kamlabai herself. Bandaged on arms and legs where she has suffered fractures, Kamlabai went to meet the Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan who was fasting 40km from her village in Dusshera Maidan in Bhopal. But to her dismay, she was not allowed to meet the chief minister who was holding his 'peace fast' for the state farmers. The couple has gone on a fast now, demanding that the chief minister meet them and assure them justice for the unprovoked assault they were subjected to and punish the policemen. Also read: Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan ends his 'peace fast' on Day 2

Sanira Mediratta

29 May 2017,Monday

Akshay attends rumoured ex-girlfriend Pooja's film screening

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/akshay-kumar-ex-girlfriend-pooja-batra-film-screening/1/965471.html

Actor Akshay Kumar on Sunday attended the screening of rumoured ex-girlfriend Pooja Batra's film Mirror Games in Mumbai. The actor reportedly made a brief appearance and did not stay to watch the film. According to a source, Akshay's wife Twinkle was also supposed to join him but couldn't attend the event as she had to travel.

Akshay Kumar is one actor who has buried the hatchet with most of his exes. If he has become business partner with ex-flame Shilpa Shetty, he has no qualms in sharing screen space with Priyanka Chopra. And Khiladi Kumar recently took everyone by surprise when he made a special appearance at the screening of ex-girlfriend Pooja Batra's Mirror Games.  Akshay, who is rumoured to have dated Pooja back in the early 90s, made a surprise visit at the screening of Mirror Games which also stars Pooja. Clad in black track pants and a jacket, Akshay did not hesitate to pose for the shutterbugs along with Pooja. According to a report in Hindustan Times, Akshay made a fleeting appearance and did not stay to watch the film. A source was quoted as telling the daily, "Akshay's wife Twinkle was also supposed to join him and be at the screening, but since she had to travel, she could not make it there. Akshay dropped Twinkle at the airport and stopped by at the screening. He didn't watch the film but was there only for a couple of minutes."On the work front, Akshay is currently shooting for Padman. The film is set to hit the screens in 2018.(Photos: Yogen Shah)

Rini Sinha

27 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Sheeran reacts to accusations of not singing live in concert

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/did-not-lip-sync-at-glastonbury-concert-says-ed-sheeran/1/988400.html

Singer Ed Sheeran, responding to accusations of not performing live during his Glastonbury concert, tweeted, "Never thought I'd have to explain it, but everything I do in my live show is live...it's a loop station...not a backing track." Sheeran was accused of using backing tracks after he wasn't seen playing the guitar while its sound was heard during the concert.n

London, Jun 27 (PTI) Singer Ed Sheeran cleared the air that he did not resort to lip-syncing at his Glastonbury concert after he was accused of performing the show on backing tracks. The 26-year-old took to Twitter to clarify that his gig was live, just like all his other stage performances. "Never thought Id have to explain it, but everything I do in my live show is live, its a loop station, not a backing track. Please Google," wrote Sheeran. The "Shape Of You" hitmakers comments came in after some viewers present at the show were left confused when they heard the sound of the guitar while the singer did not play anything.

Parichit Mainra

16 Dec 2016,Friday

China conducts first live-fire drill with aircraft carrier

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/china-first-live-fire-drills-aircraft-carrier-warships/1/835846.html/

China's first aircraft carrier battle group has conducted its first-ever exercise with live ammunition in the Bohai Sea, China's Navy said on Thursday. This was reportedly conducted to test equipment and troop training levels. This comes amid increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region over the South China Sea dispute and US President-elect Donald Trump's remarks against 'One China' policy.

China's military has carried out its first ever live-fire drills using an aircraft carrier and fighters in the northeastern Bohai Sea close to Korea, state media said.China's growing military presence in the disputed South China Sea has fuelled concern, with the United States criticising its militarisation of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation.No other country has claims in China's busy waterway of the Bohai Sea, but the drills come amid new tension over self-ruled Taiwan, following US President-elect Donald Trump's recent telephone call with the island's president that upset Beijing.Ten vessels and 10 aircraft engaged in air-to-air, air-to-sea and sea-to-air combat drills that featured guided missiles, state broadcaster Chinese Central Television reported late on Thursday.ALSO READ | China flexes muscles: Western border command stages massive drill"This is the first time an aircraft carrier squadron has performed drills with live ammunition and real troops," it said.China's Soviet-built Liaoning aircraft carrier and a formation of warships carried out aerial interception, anti-aircraft and anti-missile drills, in which Shenyang J-15 fighter jets carrying live missiles also participated, CCTV said.It broadcast images of fighter jets taking off from the carrier, firing missiles and destroying a target at sea.The Liaoning has participated in previous military exercises, including some in the South China Sea, but the country is still years off from perfecting carrier operations similar to those the United States has practiced for decades.On Wednesday, a US think tank said China had been installing anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems on artificial islands in the South China Sea, prompting China to defend its right to install military hardware there.China's exercises aim to test the equipment and troop training levels, an unidentified navy official told the official China News Service.Last December the Defence Ministry confirmed China was building a second aircraft carrier to go with the existing vessel, but its launch date is unclear.

Rini Kapoor

15 Jan 2017,Sunday

5 colonies of Central Delhi to turn zero-waste by 2018

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/central-delhi-to-get-five-zero-waste-colonies-by-2018/story-38z7hjsESwBQdv9uDHpmlM.html

As many as five localities in Central Delhi, including Jor Bagh and Pandara Park, will be made zero-waste colonies by 2018, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Chairman Naresh Kumar announced on Friday. "The stress will be on segregation of waste at source, composting of organic waste and recycling so that minimum possible garbage reaches landfill sites," Kumar said.

Five NDMC localities ? Jor Bagh, Pandara Park, Bapa Nagar, Kaka Nagar and Golf Links ? will be made zero waste colonies, the civic corporation?s chairman Naresh Kumar announced on Friday while presenting its annual budget of 2017-18.?This will be done in collaboration with local resident welfare associations. The stress will be on segregation of waste at source, composting of organic waste and recycling so that minimum possible garbage reaches landfill sites. We are working out the details. In a month or so, work will start on the ground,? Kumar told HT on Friday.In a zero waste colony, garbage is segregated into wet waste, dry waste and e-waste. Wet waste is then put in compost pits and e-waste sent to a recycle centre. The rag pickers will collect all the recyclable items from dry waste and the rest will go to the landfill site. This kind of waste segregation reduces the burden on landfill sites.Experts say that 50% of the garbage generated in a city is green waste that can be turned into compost. Another 30% can be recycled and only 20% should reach the landfills ideally.In some corners of the city ? in places like Dwarka, Defence Colony, Sarita Vihar, Preet Vihar and Dilshad Garden ? residents have already taken up composting in their community parks and have been segregating their domestic waste.The NDMC has also selected a concessionaire for scientific collection and disposal of construction and demolition waste through vehicles having radio frequency identification tags. ?The red colour bins were chosen to differentiate them from normal ones. We will install 10 bins with 10 tonne capacity and 20 with 5 tonne capacity. A concessionaire, Metro Waste Handling Limited, is removing the demolition waste from these bins and taking them to the Shashtri Park construction and demolition plant,? an official said.Delhi generates 5,000 tonnes of construction and demolition debris ? 40% of the total municipal waste - every day. Nearly half of this waste, from big and small construction sites, can be recycled but end up on the Yamuna riverbed, in our backyards, local water bodies, or at landfill sites.To boost mechanised sweeping, three more mechanical sweepers will be hired by the council. Over 1,800 more garbage bins will be installed in all major roads, markets, parks and gardens.Garbage woes10,000 - Tonnes is the daily garbage generation of Delhi50% - Waste is fit for composting30% - Waste is recyclable20% - Waste should reach landfillsHow you can reduce waste?If household waste is segregated and recycled it will reduce the waste by at least 60%Segregate: Separate wet and dry waste by keeping a bin for paper, glass, wood, cardboard and another one for food and kitchen wasteCompost: Set up community compost bins in your area. You can use the manure for plantsRecycle: Collect your paper and cardboard trash and sell them. Re-use as much plastic and glass as you canReduce: Avoid using items such sachets, aluminum foil and thermocol plates. Don?t wrap gifts. If you must, put them in gift bags that can be reused later.Easy ways to recycle household wasteSegregate dry and wet waste into separate garbage binsUse vegetable peels, egg shells, remains of boiled tea leaves, etc, as manure to plants in the garden. Easy to use compost bins available for R3,000 to R5,000Newspaper can be made into a pulp and converted into vases, baskets, pots and other decorative items.

Ankur Vyas

29 Mar 2017,Wednesday

SC bans sale of BS-III compliant vehicles from April 1

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/supreme-court-bans-registration-sale-of-bs-iii-cars-from-april-about-a-million-vehicles-to-be-hit/story-KNkkWWCuHg8zKs38BSyjrI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=inshorts_full_article&utm_campaign=inshorts_full_article

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered a ban on the registration and sale of vehicles compliant with the older Bharat Stage-III (BS-III) emission norms from April 1. The Supreme Court asserted that the health of millions was more important than commercial interests. Notably, more stringent BS-IV norms were introduced in 2010, and a nationwide rollout is expected on April 1.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday banned the sale and registration of Bharat Stage (BS)-III emission norm-compliant vehicles from April 1, saying the health of millions was more important than commercial interests.The decision could deal a Rs 12,000-crore blow to auto manufactures as about 820,000 vehicles, most of them two-wheelers, are lying unsold.India will switch to the more efficient and stringent BS-IV norms, already in place in some parts of the country, including Delhi, from April 1.?The number of such vehicles may be small compared to the overall number of vehicles in the country but the health of the people is far, far more important than the commercial interests of the manufacturers,? a bench of justice Madan B Lokur and justice Deepak Gupta said, rejecting the plea of automobile firms for time to dispose of BS-III vehicles.The court, which has passed several orders to check pollution, said the manufacturers were aware that from April 1 they would be required to manufacture only BS-IV vehicles but they failed to take sufficient pro-active steps.The ruling came on a plea by the environment pollution control authority (Epca), which petitioned the court that only BS-IV vehicles should be sold in the market. Most automobile companies except Bajaj opposed the plea.The objective behind a cleaner fuel technology would not be achieved if older vehicles continue to flood the market, said Epca, a Supreme-court appointed autonomous body that advises government on ecological issues.The court also rejected the Centre?s argument that the BS-IV rollout only banned manufacturing and not the sale of the BS-III vehicles.Setback to car companies. SC restrains them from selling BS-3 vehicles from April 1 @htTweets? bhadra sinha (@BhadraSinha) March 29, 2017The biggest difference between the two is the emission of carbon particulate matter, a major air pollutant. While BS-III vehicles emit 2.30gm of carbon monoxide per kg of fuel, the emission drops to 1gm per kg in BS-IV vehicles.Transition to BS-IV could lead to a substantial drop in particulate matter emissions. For instance, new trucks could see an 80% drop in emissions and cars by 50%, Epca told the court.Similarly, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions ? a big concern for two-wheelers ? could drop between 41 and 80%, depending on the engine size, it said. The norms have to be followed by auto makers as well as fuel companies. The solicitor general told the court that BS-IV fuel would be available across India from April 1.Industry would abide by the order, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam) president Vinod K Dasari said. The industry had been ready with BS-IV manufacturing since 2010 but the sale of these vehicles was not possible nationwide due to lack of BS-IV fuel, Dasari said. India has set a deadline of 2020 to switch to BS-VI norms, giving a miss to stage V. But the leap, which will include technology upgrade, will make vehicles pricier ? petrol cars by Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 and diesel ones could cost up to Rs 1 lakh more.

Niharika Prabhakar

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

India to get 20 'institutes of eminence' for research

http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/20-world-class-research-varsities-to-be-called-indian-institutes-of-eminence-will-come-up-soon-javadekar/story-7yRZL7neWCVhjQtTmYjphL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday announced that they will soon give approval for the 20 world-class research and teaching institutions that will be called 'Indian institutes of eminence'. Adding that the approval will be given during the Parliament's Monsoon Session, he said, "They will be acclaimed and ranked among the top 200 universities in the world".

New Delhi Human resource development minister Prakash Javdaekar on Monday told Parliament that guidelines and proposal for the 20 world class research and teaching institutions were ready and would soon get the go-ahead.?The guidelines are ready. The proposal is in final shape and I am very hopeful and very sure that this proposal will get the final nod in this (monsoon session),? Javadekar said in Lok Sabha in response to a question during Question Hour.The question came from Trinamool Congress leader Sugata Bose who wanted details of the government?s plan to set up 20 world class research and teaching institutions for research and innovation across the country, which had been announced last year. Javadekar also said that these institutions would pave the way for real research and innovation. This was the way the world has grown, he said. ?We need to grow. Today we have the concept of learning in diversity. Students from many countries come together, learn and do research together,? he said. He also said that professors from different countries would also join them. ?Foreign professors as well as Indian professors will make these world class institutes really world class. We will be calling them the ?Indian institutes of eminence?,? the HRD?minister added. He also opined that after ten years, these ?20 world class institutions? are supposed to get that world class status. ?They will be acclaimed and ranked among the top 200 universities in the world,? he said.

Rini Sinha

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Fans slam Rahman for singing Tamil songs in UK concert

http://www.hindustantimes.com/music/concert-goers-furious-at-ar-rahman-for-performing-tamil-songs-and-not-enough-in-hindi/story-eSFFKNx8X6f0d2u75JXnVK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Fans slammed composer AR Rahman on Twitter for performing Tamil songs during his Wembley concert in UK on July 8. A user tweeted, "Seems like he has forgotten Hindi music...brought him international fame." Defending Rahman, a user wrote, "Tasting the own medicine...this is how we feel when you do Hindi imposition." Rahman reportedly performed 12 Tamil and 16 Hindi songs.

Music lovers are demanding refunds after attending music composer AR Rahman?s concert in Wembley, London on July 8. The concert-goers walked out when he performed mostly his Tamil songs and not enough of his Hindi ones.The angered fans, mostly North Indians, took to Twitter to express their disappointment at the Oscar-winner. That was my first ever Tamil concert guys. Albeit completely unintentional #ARRahman #SSEArena #Fail #Refund?? Omer Chowdhury (@OmChow) July 8, 2017Same here buddy we were totally disappointed by it and don't think we will ever go again? Faisal Amjad (@FaisalAmjad1) July 9, 2017Was total disaster,for someone who made his name in Bollywood(at least on sheer numbers) it was disrespectful from him,even speaking Tamil? Apoorva Dixit (@apoorva_dixit) July 9, 2017@arrahman seems like he has forgotten Hindi music has brought him to international fame? Jagruti (@JCookingOdyssey) July 9, 2017However, Twitter user @musicaloud tweeted that he was at the concert himself and the set list of songs had 16 Hindi songs and 12 in Tamil.The set list from yesterday night #arr #wembley pic.twitter.com/PggTDqJJi6? MusicAloud (@MusicAloud) July 9, 2017Rahman, who won the Oscar in 2009 for his work in Danny Boyle?s Slumdog Millionaire, accepted the award on stage with a speech in Tamil. He was born in Chennai and is also called the Mozart of Madras. He may be best known for his work in Bollywood films but he has also composed music for films in several other languages. His first project was the Tamil original, Roja.Even Rahman?s concert was titled Netru Indru Naalai, Tamil for ?yesterday, today, tomorrow.?Several other fans of the musician flocked to his defence on Twitter and schooled those complaining how this is a classic example of ?imposing Hindi? on South Indians.AR Rahman performs Tamil songs, did'nt perform any in Hindi. Not able to tolerate an hour of music in another language #stopHindiImposition pic.twitter.com/UCQDhCiOQh? Saravanan Annadurai (@asaravanan21) July 12, 2017Tasting the own medicine eh.. this is how we feel when you do Hindi imposition#ARRahman #antihindiimposition pic.twitter.com/4GIoEh57H7? ????? (@hithisissabari) July 12, 2017I think some of these Bollywood kiss asses forget AR Rahman is Tamil and Bollywood did not make him famous , many great Bollywood movies? joanna gnanathayalan (@jognanathayalan) July 13, 20171.#India is Not Hindia2. #Hindi is not mother of Music3.This Earth not only for Hindi speaking ppl #ARRahman #stopHindiImposition? Mani Vasu (@ManiVasu2) July 14, 2017This is how v feel when Hindi is imposed or Hindi songs r in list in Yuva Dasara Mysuru or Hindi is heard in flight announcement.#ARRahman? Abhi Nandan (@Abhinandan248) July 13, 2017Hindis want concert ticket refund coz #ARRahman sang Tamil songs. NonHindi states be refunded for taxes that subsidize Hindi states frm 1947? Garga Chatterjee (@GargaC) July 13, 2017Not one to respond to controversies, Rahman has not reacted to any criticism yet.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Dishant Sharma

16 May 2017,Tuesday

J&K government to provide ?50 lakh to set up football clubs

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jandampk-govt-to-provide-rs-50-lakh-to-set-up-football-clubs/1/954904.html

Jammu and Kashmir's Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Imran Ansari announced on Monday that ?50 lakh will be provided for the establishment of football clubs in villages across the state. The minister also called for keeping sports infrastructure reserved for two days a week exclusively for the girls of the state.

Srinagar, May 16 (PTI) In a bid to boost sports activities, Jammu and Kashmir government will provide Rs 50 lakh each for establishment of football clubs in villages across the state. The announcement to this effect was made by Minister for Youth Services and Sports Imran Ansari at the 132nd Standing Committee meeting of J&K State Sports Council here yesterday. Ansari also called for keeping sports infrastructure reserved for two days a week exclusively for the girls. He asked officers for making efforts to provide advance training in various sports outside the State. Terming sports as the key for channelizing youth towards the betterment of the state, the Minister said the youth of the state already have proved their mettle in the backdrop of recent sports events at national and international levels. "Our sportspersons bagged Gold Medals because of their sheer grit and hard work," he said. "We must celebrate our sports achievements and encourage youth to come forward to showcase their sports talent," he added.

Vani Vivek

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Apple partners Chinese firm for electric car battery: Report

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/apple-working-with-chinese-firm-on-electric-car-batteries/story-tlW5OiipK1oUX4f37KBsCJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Technology major Apple is reportedly working with Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex to develop electric automotive batteries. Apple received a permit to start testing self-driving cars in April this year. The company's CEO Tim Cook has also confirmed that Apple is building technology for self-driving cars, but did not say whether it will make a car of its own.

Apple is secretly working with a Chinese battery manufacturer on automotive battery research and development, indicating its continued pursuit of its electric car project.The Cupertino-based tech giant is working with Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL) in China?s Fujian province based on a confidentiality agreement, Shanghai-based Yicai Global reported on Thursday.?The parties are working together in the field of batteries,? the report said citing unnamed sources.Apple first announced its foray into the automotive industry with its car project in 2013 but later confined to making self-driving software for automobiles.CATL became an independent battery manufacturer in 2011 after splitting with Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), supplier for Apple?s consumer electronics products.Apple has not disclosed any news about such collaboration and CATL declined to comment on the matter, Yicai Global said.

Sumedha Sehra

28 Jul 2017,Friday

What are Nitish Kumar's chances in Friday's floor test?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nitish-kumar-is-cm-again-as-political-balance-shifts-in-bihar-to-face-trust-vote-today/story-gMBoEIPJwUjWqTh0KG0KNN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A support of 122 MLAs is needed to form the government in the 243-seat Bihar Assembly. Nitish Kumar, who will face the floor test on Friday, has the backing of JD(U)'s 71 MLAs, BJP's 53 MLAs, and other NDA partners' 5 MLAs. Apart from that, two independent MLAs have extended support to the new alliance, taking the total to 131.

Within 18 hours of resigning as Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar took oath on Thursday as the head of the government for the sixth time with the BJP?s Sushil Kumar Modi as his deputy.He will seek a trust vote on Friday after re-forging a partnership with the BJP, four years after he walked out of the NDA.His surprise resignation sank the three-party ?grand alliance? of his Janata Dal (United), Lalu Prasad?s Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress that defeated the BJP in the 2015 state elections.Kumar?s switch upset several leaders of the JD(U) as well, including parliamentarians and local unit heads. Sharad Yadav, who led the party before Kumar, is also said to be displeased with the chief minister?s ?unilateral decisions?. RJD chief Prasad accused Kumar of cheating the people of Bihar and said in Ranchi he could challenge in the Supreme Court the governor?s action of disallowing his party, the single largest with 80 legislators, to stake claim to form a new government.Numbers seems to favour Kumar. The JD(U) has 71 MLAs, the BJP 53, other NDA partners five. Besides, two of the four independents have backed the NDA, making a bloc of 131, which is nine more than the majority mark in the 243-member assembly.The RJD-led grouping has 107 members, including the Congress?s 27. Two independents and three CPI-ML members are unattached.Law experts believe a legal fight against Kumar may fall flat as the Goa and Manipur instances proved this year. The Congress won more seats in both states in the 2017 state elections, but the BJP tied together bigger combinations. The top court dismissed the Congress?s challenge.They said Bihar governor KN Tripathi?s action was not illegal.?After a crisis the concept of who has the larger and a stable combination comes. So the governor has the discretion to call a combination or party who will enjoy majority on the floor of the House,? senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan said.Governor Tripathi, who was admitted to hospital on Wednesday when the political drama played out in Patna, returned to Raj Bhavan and administered the oath to Kumar at 10am.The cabinet would be expanded after Friday?s vote, sources said.Sources said the JD(U) could get a ministerial position in the Narendra Modi government during a reshuffle planned after Parliament?s monsoon session. The move would make the ?alliance? complete at the Centre and the state, and check rumblings within the party. JD(U) leaders, including Rajya Sabha members Ali Anwar and Veerendra Kumar, attempted to persuade Sharad Yadav on Thursday to take the lead to oppose Kumar for allegedly not taking the party into confidence.Veerendra Kumar said: ?He (Sharad Yadav) told me there is no question of accepting the current stand of Nitish Kumar.?Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi also criticised Kumar for dumping the grand alliance and joining the BJP.?The mandate was against the communal stand of the BJP but Nitish has chosen to embrace them. We were aware of what was going on for three-four months. This is the problem with Indian politics. For the sake of power and personal gains, they compromise with anything.?BSP chief Mayawati accused Kumar of betraying the people of Bihar. ?Democracy will be weakened. This is another example of hunger for power.?For his part, Kumar thanked Prime Minister Modi for his congratulatory message after being sworn-in. He said his administration would not compromise on corruption and was hopeful that Bihar?s development agenda would gather momentum with the Centre?s support.Kumar?s decision to quit came hours after the RJD chief ruled out the resignation of his son and deputy chief minister Tejashwi, who is facing an investigation over an alleged land-for-hotels scandal.Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary told reporters that in view of the trust vote, a day-long special sitting of the assembly has been convened on Friday.The BJP sent party secretary Anil Jain and health minister JP Nadda to the swearing-in.Nadda said: ?Kumar?s step is courageous and will send a positive message against corruption ... We will contribute to the state?s development with him.?The Kumar-Modi reunion makes the BJP-led NDA?s bid to retain power in the 2019 general election stronger. The BJP and its allies rule 12 states that send 20 or more MPs to the Lok Sabha.The opposition?s attempts at forging a united front against the NDA took a hard hit after the exit of Kumar, identified with good governance and probity.?Who will be key faces in any such opposition front in 2019? Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Lalu Prasad? None of them can corner us on the issue of corruption or good governance. Nitish was a different matter,? a BJP leader said.(with agency inputs)

Chhavi Tyagi

24 Dec 2016,Saturday

Government very keen on encouraging start-ups: PM Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modi-maharashtra-shivaji-memorial-nism-campus-mumbai/1/842055.html

Inaugurating the National Institute of Securities Markets in Maharashtra, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday said, the government is "very keen to encourage start-ups". "Stock markets are essential for the start-up ecosystem. India has earned a good name for its well-regulated securities markets," he added. He also said they will continue "with sound economic policies to ensure India's bright future."

Mishika Bangia

25 Jun 2017,Sunday

Inadequate jail term a 'serious threat' to society: Delhi HC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/inadequate-jail-terms-undermine-public-confidence-in-law-hc/1/986853.html

The Delhi High Court has said undue sympathy towards convicts by awarding inadequate jail term "undermines public confidence in efficacy of law" while upholding a 10-year-long term awarded by a trial court to a man for rape. Dismissing the man's plea for reduction of his punishment, Justice SP Garg said awarding inadequate sentences are a "serious threat" to society.

New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) Undue sympathy towards convicts by awarding inadequate jail term "undermines public confidence in efficacy of law", the Delhi High Court has said while upholding a 10-year term awarded by a trial court to a man for raping and trying to kill his ex-employers daughter-in-law. Dismissing the 45-year-old mans plea for reduction of his punishment, Justice S P Garg said that awarding inadequate sentences is a "serious threat" society which it would not be able to endure. "It is the duty of every court to award proper sentence having regard to the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was committed. "Undue sympathy to impose inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system to undermine the public confidence in the efficacy of law and society could no longer endure under such serious threat," the court said. The trial court had awarded 10 years to the convict for the offence of rape and seven years for attempting to murder the victim, who had assisted him in getting a job and also used to teach his kids. His conviction was affirmed by the high court after he gave up his challenge to the findings of the trial court. He had, however, sought modification of his sentence on the ground that he has to support his family. Rejecting his plea, the court said that the man had betrayed the trust of the victim and "exhibited animal instinct at the time of commission of the crime". "She was defiled for no fault of hers. The appellant (convict) had pre-planned to commit the crime. In the early hours of morning he had consumed liquor. He was well aware that the prosecutrix (victim) was alone at her residence. "During the crime, he claimed that it was due to revenge against her father-in-law. Possibility of the appellant to be doing the horrible crime at someones behest cannot be ruled out," the high court noted in its judgement. It said the trial courts sentence order was "based upon fair reasoning and no sound reasons exist to modify it". According to the prosecution, the convict had gained entry into the house on June 24, 2014, on the pretext to have water.

Chhavi Tyagi

03 Feb 2017,Friday

SC to hear Nirbhaya case convicts' plea against sentencing

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nirbhaya-case-supreme-court-to-hear-sentencing-of-four-accused-again/1/874110.html

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea submitted by convicts in the Nirbhaya gangrape case claiming that there were six "fundamental errors" in the sentencing procedure. The plea claimed the trial court did not consider the special circumstances of each of the accused. The SC will decide when to rehear sentencing of the case on February 6.

In a dramatic twist in the December 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the sentencing of all four accused. The top court today accepted submissions made by amicus curiae in the case, Raju Ramachandran, that there has been a procedural error in sentencing of the men. The trial court's verdict awarding death sentence to four of the convicts- Akshay, Vinay Sharma, Pawan and Mukesh was upheld by the Delhi High Court.In the last hearing on November 7,2016, Ramachandran, had asked the apex court to set aside the death penalty awarded to the accused.THE BACKGROUND: Six people, including a juvenile, had brutally assaulted a 23-year-old  woman in a moving bus in South Delhi on December 16, 2012.Later, the accused threw out the victim and her male friend at an isolated spot after the savage attack. She died in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012, triggering nation-wide protests that resulted in giving more teeth to laws related to rape and other forms of sexual harassment.

Pragya Swastik

03 May 2017,Wednesday

India's first lingerie vending machine to come up in Mumbai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lingerie-vending-machine-to-arrive-in-india-soon/1/944491.html

Welspun Group heiress Radhika Goenka is set to start her own line of women's innerwear later this month, which will install fully functional lingerie vending machines in India starting from Mumbai. The vending machines will be stocked with pre-packaged lingerie products in multiple styles and sizes. Consumers will be able to purchase lingerie with just one click through these machines.

Radhika Goenka, heiress to the Welspun Group, is set to start her own line of women's inner-wear -- Lingerie Shop. It will be officially launched in the second week of May.This will also feature the launch of fully functional lingerie vending machines with its all-black collection, Be Mine, on display, read a statement.The first machine will be installed at a mall in Mumbai and will be gradually available in other parts of the country.Stocked with pre-packaged lingerie products in multiple styles and sizes, the machines will provide the buyer with an assortment of premium quality inner-wear.MACHINES TO BE SET UP AT SELECT LOCATIONSThe machines will be set up at select prime locations allowing for quick and easy purchases with product returns being just a click away.

Chhavi Tyagi

15 Dec 2016,Thursday

PIL seeks to dig out Jayalalithaa's body for post-mortem

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jayalalithaa-traffic-ramaswamy-demands-post-mortem-pil/1/835131.html

Social activist 'Traffic' Ramaswamy has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court seeking late Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's body to be dug out of the grave for post-mortem analysis. Asserting that the public has the right to know more about the AIADMK leader's death, he demanded an examination of CCTV footage from Chennai's Apollo Hospital.

Social activist and public interest litigator Traffic Ramaswamy filed a new Public Interest Litigation in the Madras High Court seeking late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's body to be dug out of the grave for a post-mortem to be conducted.Ramaswamy had earlier filed PILs in the Madras High Court, while Amma was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai, seeking a detailed report from the government on her health and another one seeking to declare poll papers of AIADMK candidates with Jayalalithaa's thumb impression as "illegal", claiming affixing thumb impression was a violation of the election code.  

Pragya Swastik

11 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Flipkart must grow with careful cost considerations: Binny

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/flipkart-to-grow-with-careful-considerations-to-costs-bansal/1/925785.html

After announcing to have raised $1.4 billion in India's largest funding round and acquisition of eBay's India operations, Flipkart Co-founder Binny Bansal in an e-mail to employees said, "The business must grow with careful considerations to costs''. Stating that the online retail market has a potential of $100 billion, Bansal said Flipkart has just scratched the market's surface so far.

Bengaluru, Apr 10 (PTI) Flipkart Co-founder Binny Bansal today said while the latest funding round provides the fuel the company needs to reach its goal of transforming commerce in India through technology, it should continue to grow its business with careful considerations to costs. "I must stress that we still have some distance to go before fulfilling our mission - to transform commerce in India through technology. And, while this funding round provides the fuel we need need to reach that goal, we have to continue growing our business with careful considerations to costs," he said in a mail shot-off to his employees after raising USD 1.4 billion from Tencent Holdings, Microsoft Corp and eBay Inc. "I look forward to your continued support," he added. The announcement comes in the wake of Flipkart, Indias largest e-commerce player, looking to cut cost by its plan to sack at least 700 employees, or over 3 per cent of its workforce, to compete with rivals like Amazon and Snapdeal. The funding announcement comes in the wake of Flipkart, being in the eye of a storm in recent times for lowering of valuation, which prompted them to make several changes in its business model, including raising margins, it charges from sellers. A host of Flipkarts investors had marked down their valuation estimates by up to 39 per cent in the recent past. At its peak, Flipkart was valued at over USD 15 billion (roughly Rs 1,00,830 crore). Giving reasons for the significance of the latest funding, Binny Bansal said it is the largest in the companys 10-year history and also in Indias internet sector. Bansal also said it provides solid growth capital so that the company can cement and extend its lead in Indias e-commerce market, and its valuation remains healthy and in double-digits, reflective of the current business and global economy. "I am particularly excited from the strong confidence global tech giants have shown in our abilities. It is just an acknowledgement of the strides we have taken in improving peoples lives, it is also an endorsement of the opportunities ahead," he said. Bansal said the deals that the company has struck are important for them as e-commerce space accounts for less than two per cent of all retail in India and the potential for online retail alone is about USD 100 billion. "As I have said before, the potential is vast and we have only just scratched the surface. E-commerce accounts for less than two per cent of all retail in India and the potential for online retail alone is about USD 100 billion. Which is why these deals are particularly important for all of us," he said. Bansal said these partnerships bring in a lot more than funds and set the company to compete more aggressively through innovations, which will enable them to collaborate deeply with eBay on cross-border trade and ensure their customers have a wider selection of international products to choose from. "Tencent, one of the largest internet companies in the world, and Microsoft also join us as strategic investors," he added.

Mansha Mahajan

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

GST very simple tax, misunderstandings being spread: Jaitley

http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/gst-a-very-simple-tax-misunderstandings-about-it-being-spread-arun-jaitley/story-wjtP7AmN5Ni6aMOmpUuanO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said the GST is a very simple tax and several misunderstandings are being spread about the new regime. "Those who follow the law will not be called to the office for assessment,? Jaitley said. However, he said that those who try to be ?over clever? and try to ?circumvent the law? will face consequences.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a very simple tax and several misunderstandings are being spread about this new taxation system, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Saturday.?GST is a very simple tax and those who follow the law will not be called to the office for assessment. For them, everything, including the return and the assessment orders will be made online,? Jaitley said.But, the minister made it clear that who tried to be ?over clever? and tried to ?circumvent the law? will face the music.The union minister was addressing a rally after laying foundation stone for new office of the BJP near Gill road grain market here today.Just as strong rumours and misconceptions were spread when mobile phones were introduced in the market, several misunderstandings are being created about the GST, he added.He further said Jammu and Kashmir has also accepted the GST in the financial interests of the state.On terrorism, Jaitley said that the BJP was the only party that openly condemned the terrorism, while there were some parties who did not mind using objectionable words against the Army that was fighting a battle on the front for security of the country.?Whatever our ideologies may be, we must be together in fighting for the unity and integrity of the country,? said the minister.Earlier, he addressed a function in the Sat Pal Mittal School organised by the Bharti Foundation for its ?Satya Bharti Abhiyan?.There, he also met a joint delegation of Bharti Kisan Union (Rahnewale) and BKU (Lakhowal). Farmers? outfits were demanding roll back of GST on agriculture inputs and machinery.

Mansha Mahajan

02 Jun 2017,Friday

Wipro receives second threat email, tightens security

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/wipro-receives-second-threat-email-beefs-up-security/1/969134.html

IT major Wipro on Friday said it has reinforced security measures at all its office locations after receiving a second threat email. However, it did not specify the nature of the threat, and stated that there was no impact on the company's operations. Earlier, Wipro received an email demanding ?500 crore in Bitcoin and threatening a bio-attack on its offices.

Bengaluru, June 2 (PTI) IT major Wipro today said it has reinforced security measures at all its office locations after receiving a second threat email, but there was no impact on the companys operations. "Wipro confirms that it has received a second threatening e-mail.... There is no impact on the company?s operations," the company said in a statement here. However, Wipro did not specify the nature of the threat. Additional Commissioner of Police Hemant Nimbalkar confirmed reports that someone for the second time had sent an e-mail demanding Rs 500 crore in bitcoin and threatened a bio-attack on employees.

Chhavi Tyagi

15 Dec 2016,Thursday

Hyderabad: 47 minors caught watching porn in police raids

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hyderabad-porn-scandal-minors-hyderabad-police-media-parade/1/835057.html

The Hyderabad police raided various internet cafes in the Old City and caught at least 47 minors watching pornographic content. The police on Wednesday took the children into custody and paraded them in front of the media for watching porn at internet cafes. They were later let off after a counselling session in the presence of their parents.

The Hyderabad police are in soup after they took into custody 47 minors and paraded them in front of the media for watching porn at internet cafes in the Old City on Wednesday. The South Zone wing of the department had conducted raids at various internet cafes wherein they caught red-handed many minors watching pornographic content.The minors, aged between 10-18 years, were let off after a counselling session in the presence of their parents. However, the police sought help of media persons to publicize its massive drive to 'curb on cyber offence', raising eyebrows of many child rights activists. There are strict laws and guidelines against identities of minors in conflict with law or in vulnerable positions being disclosed. Also read: Government ropes in Interpol to help crackdown on child pornography"A special drive was carried out on cyber cafes under 17 police station limits with a view to curb cyber offences and restrict minors from watching pornographic and objectionable videos and photographs.  At least 37 cases have been booked against cyber cafe owners under relevant sections for violating rules," the South Zone police said.

Vaibhav Gupta

19 Dec 2016,Monday

U'khand: Muslim govt staff to get break for Friday prayers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ukhand-muslim-govt-employees-get-spl-break-for-friday-prayers/1/837532.html

A special 90-minute break from 12:30 PM till 2:00 PM will be given to government employees belonging to the Muslim community in Uttarakhand for Friday prayers, reports said. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, chaired by CM Harish Rawat. This comes ahead of the Uttarakhand state assembly elections scheduled for next year.

Dehradun, Dec 18 (PTI) A special 90-minute break will be given to the government employees from the Muslim community in Uttarakhand for Friday prayers, official sources said. A cabinet meeting yesterday, chaired by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, decided that a special break from 12:30 PM till 2:00 PM will be given to the employees from the community, they said.

Vani Vivek

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

US company sells beer with image of Lord Ganesha

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/online-retails-hindu-signs-symbols-products-ganesha-beer-bootle/1/887652.html

Delhi police has received complaints against US online retailer Lost Coast selling beer with images of Lord Ganesha, a week after officials asked a Czech Republic brewery to remove similar images from its products. The police has also received complaints against US-based apparel maker Yes We Vibe for selling shoes with the Om symbol on them.

Two US-based online retailers have come under fire for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus by selling footwear with Om symbol and beer with Lord Ganesha picture on its label.Two separate complaints have been made at the Prashant Vihar police station by animal rights activist Naresh Kadyan, who is also the commissioner (headquarters) at Bharat Scouts & Guides. The first complaint was made against a website https://yeswevibe.com for selling shoes with Om symbol while another complaint was made against www.lostcoast.com for using Ganesha photo on beer bottles.The first complaint, in possession with Mail Today, states that the symbol Om is affiliated with religious feelings and believes of Hindu communities across the universe. "Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, violated the different sections of the laws of land, including 295 A and 153 A of the IPC," the complaint reads.NO FIR YETSpeaking to Mail Today, MN Tiwari, deputy commissioner of police (Rohini district), said: "The officers have been instructed to take necessary legal action against the complaint soon." An FIR was not registered till late Monday.Kadyan has written an official letter to the Ministry of External Affairs to register an FIR against the defaulter websites, asking them to remove the products from sale.According to the website (https://yeswevibe.com), that is in operation from Scottsdale city in Arizona (as per www.whois.com), is selling the shoes for $59.99. The website claims that the shoes are handmade and it also promises delivery within twothree days in the US and two-three weeks globally.Also read: Mumbai pub forced to pull down 'blasphemous' decor after customers complainWhen Kadyan contacted the customer care centre via email, he was reverted with a message-"We'll forward this to our top management and get back to you soon".The website www.lostcoast.com is an award-winning brewery located in Eureka, California."This innocuous trend of using Hindu symbols on fashion or marketing accessories reveals the sellers' insatiable greed for making profits," said Raveena, an activist working with Hindu Human Rights.NOT THE FIRST CASEThe complaint has come weeks after foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj warned Amazon to apologise for selling doormats with Tricolour printed on it.

Rini Sinha

18 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Pic of Kangana Ranaut in 'supergirl' costume surfaces online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kangana-ranaut-superhero-avatar-simran-hansal-mehta/1/931590.html

A picture of Kangana Ranaut, wearing what appears to be a supergirl-like costume, has surfaced online. Reports suggest that the picture is from the sets of her upcoming film 'Simran'. Directed by Hansal Mehta, the film is reportedly inspired by the life of an NRI nurse who was sent to prison for robbing banks to pay off her gambling debts.

After bagging three National Awards, Kangana Ranaut is set for another meaty role in Hansal Mehta's next. Known to play versatile roles on screen, Kangana will essay the role of Gujarati NRI in Mehta's next titled Simran. Buzz has it that Simran is allegedly inspired by the life of an NRI nurse in the US, Sandeep Kaur. Kaur was sent imprisoned last year for robbing banks to pay off her gambling debts. The film revolves around the story of a girl, her ambitions and how she gets addicted to the world of crime.Kangana will don various avatars in Mehta's film, and one of her look made its way to social media. Wearing a super-hero costume, the 30-year-old is goofing on the sets of Simran with her Gujarati diction coach Suraj Vyas. Known to get into the character of the skin, Kangana learnt Gujarati to play the perfect Gujju girl in Simran. From making her watch some of the evergreen Gujarati films like Chello Divas, Amari Duniya Tamari Duniya and Mehendi Rang Lagyo to catching up on Gujarati plays, Mehta helped Kangana bring the character alive on screen.

Mansha Mahajan

28 Jun 2017,Wednesday

SRK, Nawazuddin Siddiqui named in ?500-crore online scam

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cbi-takes-over-rs-500-cr-online-ponzi-scam-probe/1/989182.html

The CBI has taken over the investigation of an alleged ?500-crore online ponzi scam by Ghaziabad-based Webwork Trade Links. Actors Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who endorsed the firm's portal Addsbook.com, were also named in the complaint. The firm's promoters collected money from two lakh people by luring them with payments for each click on advertisements on their website.

New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) The CBI has taken over investigation of the Rs 500 crore online ponzi scam allegedly by Ghaziabad-based Webwork Trade Links. Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who endorsed its portal Addsbook.com, are also named in the complaint. Promoters of Webwork Trade Links, Anurag Jain and Sandesh Verma, duped people using the two actors as brand ambassadors of his shadow firm addsbook.com, the complaint alleged. According to the complaint, which is now part of the FIR, the company opened a "shadow company", Addsbook Marketing Pvt, which was launched on December 10, 2016 with brand ambassadors "Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shahrukh Khan". "People have invested heavily as they were influenced by both celebrities," it alleged. However, the actors are not mentioned as either accused or suspects by the Uttar Pradesh Police, which had probed the matter earlier. Jain and Verma allegedly took money from people luring them with lucrative payments for every click on advertisements on their website, the complaint said. According to the Uttar Pradesh Police, which was probing the matter, Garg and Sudesh offered membership to more than four lakh people in four months for the click and earn plan.

Chhavi Tyagi

24 May 2017,Wednesday

Indian who was forced by Pak man to marry allowed to return

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uzma-india-woman-pakistan-returns-home-islamabad-high-court/1/961572.html

The Islamabad High Court has allowed Uzma, the Indian woman who had accused a Pakistani man of forcing her into marriage, to return home. The court also ordered that police provide security to her till the Wagah border. The woman in her early 20s had travelled to Pakistan earlier this month and her travel documents were seized by 'her husband'.

Uzma, the Indian woman who had claimed that she was forced to marry a Pakistani man, has been allowed to return home by the Islamabad High Court.An Islamabad High Court bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, returned Uzma her original immigration form.The court also ordered that police provide security to the Indian woman till the Wagah border, Geo News reported.Uzma, 20,  had travelled to Pakistan earlier this month, has said that her Pakistani husband Tahir Ali 'forced' her to marry him at gun point and also harassed her.Uzma had approached the Islamabad High Court on May 12 to provide security for her journey back to Delhi and to issue duplicate travel documents which were allegedly stolen by Tahir.Tahir had filed a petition, asking the court to arrange a meeting with Uzma and also stop her from going back to India.Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria had earlier said that Uzma would only be able to return to her country once all the legal requirements were completed.ALSO READ:Indian woman Uzma tells court she was forced to marry in Pakistan, submits written reply to courtPakistan: Mob attacks police station to lynch Hindu man arrested over alleged blasphemy; 1 dead, 5 injured

Daisy Mowke

19 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Activists protest Baahubali 2 release, call for K'taka bandh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-2-the-conclusion-sathyaraj-karnataka-bandh/1/932866.html

Activists in Karnataka have called for a bandh across the state on April 28, the release date of 'Baahubali: The Conclusion', to protest the screening of the film. They have asked actor Sathyaraj, who plays the role of 'Kattappa', to apologise for a remark he made nine years ago on the Cauvery issue. Sathyaraj had reportedly spoken against pro-Kannada groups.

As the nation is gearing up for the release of SS Rajamouli's magnum opus Baahubali: The Conclusion, the film has landed in a soup. Pro-Kannada groups had threatened to stall the release of Baahubali 2 following actor Sathyaraj's controversial remarks during the Cauvery row. Now, they have called for a Karnataka bandh on April 28, to protest against the screening of the film.The pro-Kannada groups had demanded that Sathyaraj, who plays the role of Katappa in Baahubali 2, apologise to Kannadigas before the release of the film. Speaking about the issue, SS Rajamouli, in an exclusive interview with India Today, had said, "It is a sad thing and we were shocked to see that on social media."

Chhavi Tyagi

14 Apr 2017,Friday

Lawyer behind Kasab's mercy plea now seeks mercy for Jadhav

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kulbhushan-jadhav-ajmal-kasab-mercy-petition-mumbai-lawyer-pakistan/1/928268.html

Bombay High Court senior lawyer Yug Chaudhry has written a petition addressed to the President of Pakistan seeking mercy for former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been awarded death sentence for allegedly spying. Chaudhry filed a similar petition in October 2012 seeking mercy for Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab who was awarded capital punishment by various courts of India.

Bombay High Court senior lawyer Yug Chaudhry has written a petition addressed to the President of Pakistan seeking mercy for former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav who has been awarded capital punishment by a military court of the country. Chaudhry is known for taking up cases where the neglected people from lower strata of the society have been victims of law enforcement agencies or government apathy.This is not the first mercy petition filed by Chaudhry. In October 2012, he filed a similar petition seeking mercy for Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab who was awarded capital punishment by various courts of India. There were around 202 signatories who signed the petition which was then addressed to President of India. Chaudhry has once again appealed to the same signatories and some others to join him in seeking mercy for Jadhav.In the petition he says, "We, the undersigned citizens of India, had hitherto by our petition dated 28th October 2012, pleaded with the President of India for granting mercy to Md. Ajmal Kasab, a citizen of Pakistan sentenced to death by the Indian courts for his role in the 26/11 attacks on the city of Mumbai. We now appeal to you, Your Excellency, to exercise your power of clemency in favour of an Indian citizen, Kulbhushan Jadhav, and to spare his life." The petition further reads, "We believe that it is wrong and immoral to kill a human being by way of revenge or punishment. Executing Kulbhushan Jadhav in the name of the citizens of Pakistan will only feed a base blood lust that will make our people more blood-thirsty, vengeful and violent.""We believe that all of us - the best and the worst - are in need of mercy, and it is only by showing mercy that, morally, we ourselves become entitled to receiving it. Bereft of mercy, society becomes impoverished and inhuman. If we have to become a more humane and compassionate society, and leave a better, and less blood-thirsty world behind for our children, we have to curb our instinct for bloody retribution and abandon the practice of killing those who have hurt us" says Chaudhry in the petition seeking clemency for Jadhav. The petition finally concludes saying, "In a country whose people believe in the Koran which exalts compassion as the foremost virtue, let it not be said that there is no place left in people's hearts for mercy or that the national conscience can only be satisfied by the killing of Kulbhushan Jadhav".The signatories who had earlier signed the petition include prominent journalists and social workers from Mumbai and other parts of the country.Also Read:Kulbhushan Jadhav, not the first Indian to be tried and condemned to death by Pakistan

Daisy Mowke

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Japan's NHK apologises over talk show guest's Hitler T-shirt

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/japan-tv-sorry-over-hitler-t-shirt-worn-by-talk-show-guest/story-sNVwQmxsBLrcM2sxQVD69K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Japan's public broadcaster NHK has apologised over a cartoon with Adolf Hitler's face that was printed on a T-shirt worn by a talk show guest. The black T-shirt, worn by entrepreneur Takafumi Horie also carried a "No war" message on one side and a peace symbol. Responding to a tweet, Horie said it was meant to be an anti-war message.

Japan?s public broadcaster NHK has apologized over a cartoon with Adolph Hitler?s face that was printed on a T-shirt worn by a talk show guest.The black T-shirt worn by entrepreneur Takafumi Horie also carried a No war message on one side and a peace symbol on a lapel. Horie was a guest Wednesday on NHK?s Afternoon Live daily talk show.The T-shirt has prompted complaints from viewers. During the program, the NHK announcer and the show?s co-host apologized.Responding to a tweet asking about the Hitler cartoon, Horie said it was meant to be an anti-war message.

Saloni Tandon

12 Mar 2017,Sunday

Would want to be a part of Pakistan Army, says WI cricketer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/marlon-samuels-pakistan-super-league-peshawar-zalmi/1/902878.html

West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels has said he would want to be a part of the Pakistan Army, after playing the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore last week. In a video, Samuels said, "I am a Pakistani at heart...I wouldn't mind coming to Pakistan if I get a metallic badge on my shoulder. I'm just waiting for the metals."

West Indies batting star Marlon Samuels, who recently played the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, has expressed his desire to join the Pakistan Army.Samuels, who was part of the PSL champions Peshawar Zalmi, has also thanked the country's administration for the 'top class' security arrangements put in place in Lahore for the summit clash.Hours after Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met the PSL champions on Saturday, the West Indian, in a video message on Twitter, said, "For me it's more than just coming to Pakistan to a play a game of cricket, it is the significance and success of the team and smiles on the faces of the people that are sad.""I am a Pakistani at heart and that it is why it didn't take me long to decide to come to Pakistan [to play the PSL final]," the Express Tribune quoted Samuels as saying in a video tweeted by Zalmi CEO Javed Afridi.

Aarushi Maheshwari

23 May 2017,Tuesday

Smoke detected in cockpit of Air India flight

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/air-india-flight-bhubaneshwar-mumbai-smoke-cockpit/1/960487.html

An Air India flight carrying 155 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing at Mumbai Airport on Monday after the pilot detected smoke in the cockpit, the airline said. The Mumbai-Bhubaneswar flight was forced to return to Mumbai Airport barely 15 minutes after take-off. The flight landed safely, while passengers were accommodated on a different flight.

An Air India Mumbai-Bhubaneshwar flight was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after take-off due to suspected smoke in the cockpit here on Monday, officials said.The flight AI-669 took off at 2.14 p.m. from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport but barely 15 minutes after it was airborne, it was forced to return, said an official.A full emergency was declared and the aircraft made a safe landing with all passengers and crew on board safe.The emergency was later withdrawn and the aircraft was parked in a remote bay at the CSMIA.Also read:Air India flight overshoots runway at Pune airport, all passengers safe

Chhavi Tyagi

08 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Peacock parts used for medicinal purposes: WWF study

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/peacock-national-bird-medicinal-purposes-wwf-study/1/899312.html

A study by World Wildlife Fund has found that at least three systems of traditional medicine in India - Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani - prescribe peacock parts in various potions. It stated that the practice is being followed by frauds and hospitals, including those funded by the ministry of AYUSH, in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

A study by TRAFFIC, an arm of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), recently found that at least three systems of traditional medicine in India - Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani - prescribe peacock feather and other parts in various potions.The practice is being followed by quacks and hospitals, including those funded by the ministry of AYUSH, in states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi Gujarat and Rajasthan.The Indian blue peafowl (Pavo Cristatus) has considerably reduced in numbers over the years thanks to destruction of their habitats by farmers protecting their crops and poachers. The beautiful bird with brilliant iridescent coloured feathers was numbered at about 15 lakh in a study in 2007.PEACOCK FEATHER ASH USED TO CURE MORNING SICKNESSHowever, isolated studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that its population has come down to only a few lakh. While domestic trade in the naturally shed tail feathers collected outside protected areas is allowed, export of these is prohibited.The study says, "Bhasma and churnam (peacock feather ash) were sold in many siddha drug stores in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi Gujarat and Rajasthan, and is used to cure hiccups, vomiting and morning sickness among other illnesses).""The Rebari community in Rajasthan use ash of peafowl feather mixed with honey to cure asthma, whereas ash of peafowl feathers mixed with coconut oil is used for headache. One bolus with cow milk daily early in the Mail Today on Monday reported about rampant killing of the bird. morning is given for five days to get male child."PEAFOWL GHEE OPENLY SOLD BY DRUG MAKERSLegs and fat of peafowl are also fairly popular and advised under medicinal systems, the report points out. "TRAFFIC India investigators were able to spot Narikuravar tribals selling peafowl oil/ghee at popular markets, bus stands, temples and tourist spots in different towns of Tamil Nadu," it read.

Mansha Mahajan

06 Jun 2017,Tuesday

6-month deadline to probe corruption cases on govt employees

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/six-month-time-to-probe-corruption-cases-govt-amends-rules/1/971323.html

The government has changed an over 50-year-old rule by setting a deadline of six months to complete probes in corruption cases involving government employees. It has amended the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, in order to speed up investigation in such cases. Earlier, there was no such time frame to complete such enquiries.

New Delhi, Jun 5 (PTI) Changing an over 50-year-old rule, the government has set a deadline of six months to complete probe in corruption cases involving its employees. The decision has been taken to speed up the investigation in such cases, most of them pending for quiet a long time. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has amended Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965, and decided time-line for critical stages of investigation and enquiry proceedings. The Inquiring Authority should conclude the inquiry and submit its report within a period of six months, says the amended rules. However, an extension for a period not exceeding six months at a time may be allowed for any good and sufficient reasons to be recorded in writing by the disciplinary authority, it said. Earlier, there was no time-frame to complete an enquiry. The disciplinary authority shall deliver to a government servant, accused of irregularity and corruption, a copy of the articles of charge, the statement of the imputations of misconduct or misbehaviour and a list of documents and witnesses by which each article or charges is proposed to be sustained, the new rules said. On receipt of such articles of charge, the government servant shall be required to submit his written statement of defence, if he so desires, and also state whether he desires to be heard in person, within a period of 15 days, it said. The time-limit can, however, be extended for a period not exceeding fifteen days. But under no circumstances, the extension of time for filing written statement of defence shall exceed forty-five days from the date of receipt of articles of charge, the rules said. At present, there is no time-limit for submission of the employees statement of defence. The new rules are applicable to all category of employees excluding those in all-India services--Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS)-- and a few other categories of officers. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), in a directive, had last year expressed serious concern over delay in finalising corruption cases and asked all departments to complete these inquiries within a maximum period of six months to keep away "nothing will change" notion associated with governance.

Tanya Dhingra

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Release date of 'Wonder Woman' sequel announced

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/gal-gadot-s-wonder-woman-2-gets-an-official-release-date-but-will-patty-jenkins-return/story-cwgMjim46vfjg7oECNOl3H.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Hollywood studio Warner Bros. has announced December 13, 2019 as the release date for the sequel to the 2017 film 'Wonder Woman'. It has been reported that Gal Gadot will return as the titular character while the return of Patty Jenkins as the director has not been confirmed yet. Notably, 'Wonder Woman' became the highest-grossing film by a female director.

Wonder Woman 2 is set to storm theatres on December 13, 2019, Warner Bros. announced the date late Tuesday.Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot is set to reprise her role as Diana of Themyscira. But a director has yet to be set. Patty Jenkins is still in negotiations for the job.This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Gal Gadot in a scene from Wonder Woman. (AP) Jenkins? Wonder Woman is still chugging along at the box office, with over $389.7 million from North American theatres. It recently surpassed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to become the top domestic earner of the summer movie season and the second-highest of the year, behind Beauty and the Beast.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Sumedha Sehra

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Pak claims firing by Indian side killed soldier, 2 civilians

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pakistan-says-attack-by-indian-troops-in-kashmir-kills-solider-two-civilians/story-0j0BGZGGDWNHFY0J8sEwZO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Pakistan military said in a statement on Wednesday that firing by the Indian side claimed lives of a soldier and two civilians. It added that seven others, including two soldiers, were injured in the firing across the Line of Control (LoC). Further, it said that the attack was unprovoked, leading to their forces returning fire.

Pakistan says Indian troops fired across the Line of Control in Kashmir, killing a soldier and two civilians.A military statement on Wednesday said another seven people, including two soldiers, were wounded, and that Pakistani forces returned fire.It said the Indian attack was unprovoked, and violated a 2003 cease-fire agreement in the Himalayan region, which is split between Indian and Pakistani zones. The nuclear-armed rivals each claim Kashmir in its entirely, and have been to war twice over it.The two sides frequently trade fire across the heavily militarised Line of Control.

Sumedha Sehra

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

'Jai Shri Ram' was chanted in Parliament after Kovind's oath

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/president-ram-nath-kovind-oath-taking-ceremony-jai-shri-ram-slogans/1/1010294.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A group of BJP MPs raised slogans of 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' after President Ram Nath Kovind was sworn-in at the Parliament's Central Hall on Tuesday. Many officials also thumped their desks after the 71-year-old took the oath as the 14th President of India. Kovind was given a 21-gun salute to mark the assumption of office.

A section of BJP MPs shouted Jai Shri Ram after Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as India's 14th President in a ceremony in Parliament's Central Hall today.Full text: President Ram Nath Kovind's speech in ParliamentThe slogan Jai Shri Ram originated during the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babari Masjid movement in the 80s that catapulted the BJP from a marginal player to India's political mainstream.Kovind, former Bihar Governor, is a long-time member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological fountainhead of the BJP.President inspecting Guard of Honour. pic.twitter.com/8LbBvDveSxThis is not the first time Jai Shri Ram slogans were raised inside Parliament.In March this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with the same slogan by the BJP MPs when he walked into the House following the party's stunning victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Assembly elections.Opposition leaders have often accused Modi of using the presidential race, which Kovind won easily in an electoral college last week, to further a divisive Hindutva agenda.Kovind's rise also caps a series of top appointments backed by Modi - including naming hardline Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh - that tighten the grip of the Hindu right on key public offices. ALSO READ: What President Ram Nath Kovind said in his first address after taking oath

Dishant Sharma

16 Feb 2017,Thursday

Accuracy of umpiring decisions rose to 98.5% post DRS: ICC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/drs-enabled-umpires-to-make-98.5-per-cent-correct-calls-icc/1/884175.html

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson has revealed that the ICC Panel of Umpires' usage of the Decision Review System (DRS) has enabled them to attain an accuracy rate of 98.5%. Richardson further revealed a round of deliberations will happen during the first half of this year to work out a strategy for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games.

Sonu Kumari

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

9-year-old found dead in park with deep cuts and burn marks

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-9-year-old-boy-s-naked-body-with-cigarette-burns-found-in-park/story-odqZBVQJLc5DyvAfmiI5yO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A nine-year-old boy's naked body with deep cuts and possible burns was found on Tuesday in a public park in south Delhi's Pul Prahladpur. The boy's family alleged that he was tortured with a sharp object and stubbed with burning cigarettes before being murdered. The police is waiting for the autopsy report to confirm if he was sexually abused.

A nine-year-old boy?s nude body, marked with deep cuts and possible burns, was found in a public park in south Delhi?s Pul Prahladpur on Tuesday.The boy?s family alleged that he was tortured before being murdered as there were burn marks on his body. They suspect that the killer had stubbed burning cigarettes on his body before killing him.Romil Baaniya, DCP (south-east), said he wanted to wait for the autopsy report to confirm if the boy was tortured or sexually abused before being murdered.The nature of the injuries on the body has led the boy?s family to allege that an object like a screw driver or an ice-prick was used to kill him. ?There were deep puncture marks on the boy?s body which suggested a sharp object was used,? said the DCP.According to his family, the boy had left his home to play with his friends on Tuesday afternoon. As it began raining soon after, his parents thought he must have been stuck somewhere when he did not return home in sometime.But when the boy did not return home even by evening, his family and neighbours launched a search in the area. They also alerted the police when they could not trace him.The boy?s body was finally found around 10.30pm in a park, less than 500 metres from his home. A visitor had spotted the body in the bushes and had raised an alarm.?Given the weather, it is possible the body had begun to decompose quickly and left marks,? the DCP reasoned about the ?burn marks?.A murder case has been registered at Pul Prahladpur police station. However, no breakthrough in the case was made until Wednesday night. The police remained clueless about the killers as well as the possible motives behind the murder.The investigators are searching for CCTV footage on the possible routes the boy took from his home. They are also speaking to his friends in a bid to know the killer?s identity.The boy lived with his parents and sister in Pul Prahladpur. His father runs a business in the area and mother is a housewife.

Rini Sinha

13 Apr 2017,Thursday

Alia Bhatt is the Amitabh Bachchan of B'wood today: Ranbir

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ranbir-kapoor-alia-bhatt-amitabh-bachchan-bollywood-lokmat/1/927927.html

Actor Ranbir Kapoor has said that actress Alia Bhatt is the Amitabh Bachchan of Bollywood in the present times. Ranbir said this at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards ceremony, where he along with Alia were awarded Outstanding Entertainer of the Year. Further, Ranbir named the 2014 film 'Highway' as Alia's most impressive film according to him.n

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt came together at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards ceremony yesterday in Mumbai where the two stars were awarded for their contribution to the world of entertainment.Upon receiving the award, when Ranbir Kapoor was asked which film of Alia's he found the most impressive, he replied, "Highway." But the biggest compliment from Ranbir to Alia came when RK said that Alia Bhatt is the Amitabh Bachchan of Bollywood today.Alia Bhatt starred in three films in 2016, Kapoor & Sons, Udta Punjab and Dear Zindagi. Despite receiving critical acclaim for her roles, Alia Bhatt did not win the National Award for Best Actor (Female) this year.When asked on her feelings about the same, Alia said, "Please don't feel bad. I am not going anywhere. There is lot of time. I did not feel bad so even you don't feel bad about it."On a lighter note, Ranbir Kapoor was asked that if he had to give ministry portfolios to actors in Bollywood, who would get what. Ranbir chose...Amitabh Bachchan for FinanceHrithik Roshan for HomePriyanka Chopra for External AffairsTiger Shroff for DefenseShah Rukh Khan for Railways, since he helps heroines catch the train (as we have seen in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Chennai Express).Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt will be seen together on the big screen soon in Dragon, directed by Ayan Mukerji.

Chhavi Tyagi

10 Apr 2017,Monday

Pak sentences former Indian Navy officer to death for spying

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kulbhushan-jadhav-indian-arrested-in-pak-for-espionage-awarded-death-sentence/1/925152.html

The Pakistani Army on Monday announced the country has given death sentence to former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested in March 2016 on charges of spying. The statement of Jadhav's sentence issued by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations described him as "a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent who was arrested during Counter Intelligence Operation from Balochistan".

The Pakistan Army today announced death sentence to Indian citizen Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was arrested on espionage charges. The ex-Indian Navy officer was arrested in March, 2016. India has been claiming that Jadhav was abducted in Iran. A statement issued by  Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described Jadhav as a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent who was arrested during "Counter Intelligence Operation" from Mashkel, Balochistan. "RAW agent Commander Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav was tried BY FGCM under section 59 of Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952) and Section 3 of official Secret Act of 1923. FGCM found Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav guilty of all the charges," the ISPR statement said. Reacting to the news, the Congress has demanded the government to get back Jadhav."Kulbhushan Jadhav has been sentenced to death by Kangroo Proceedings in Pakistan that no one even knows ever took place. GOI must get him back," senior Congress leader Manish Tewari tweeted. KULBHUSHAN Jadhav has been sentenced to death by Kangroo Proceedings in Pakistan that no one even knows ever took placeGOI must get him backINDIA REJECTED PAKISTAN'S CHARGEJadhav, 46, was arrested by Pakistan police in Balochistan in March last year. He was accused by Pakistan of creating unrest in Balochistan and Karachi. The Pakistan Army even released a video in which Jadhav purportedly "confesses" to his "involvement" in terror activities in Balochistan at his country's behest.WATCH | Exclusive: Pak group behind Kulbhushan Jadhav's kidnapping The video is so slick, it was called a 'well-produced' evidence. Since March 2016, India issued at least six note verbales to Pakistan to get consular access to Jadhav, but there was no breakthrough. While Pakistan had been claiming Jadhav is a commander-rank officer with the Indian Navy, India has rejected the allegation and maintained that he retired from the Navy in 2002 and was now a businessman.WATCH: Sartaj Aziz: Not enough evidence against Indian 'spy' Kulbhushan Jadhav

Chhavi Tyagi

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

Modi to meet CMs of BJP-ruled states with aim of 2019 polls

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-to-meet-cms-of-13-bjp-ruled-states-2019-lok-sabha-polls/1/935903.html

PM Narendra Modi is set to meet chief ministers of BJP-ruled states and members of the party's parliamentary board to discuss good governance and development, aiming at 2019 general elections. "States have carried out reforms in many areas and the meeting is an opportunity to learn best practices from each other," Modi said. The meeting is called by NITI Aayog.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet chief ministers of 13 BJP-ruled states and members of the party's parliamentary board today. The meeting is called by the Niti Ayog wherein Modi is likely to ask them to focus on the agenda of good governance and development.BJP president Amit Shah will also speak to the leaders, who include five deputy chief ministers, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu apart from the 13 CMs.According to party sources, Modi's pitch will include the need for them to focus on his development agenda with an emphasis on the poor sections of the society."I look forward to hearing from the state Chief Ministers on their unique developmental efforts to transform India. States have carried out reforms in many areas and the meeting is an opportunity to learn best practices from each other," Prime Minister Modi said in a series of tweet. This exercise is taken up keeping in mind the next set of Assembly elections due later this year. In fact, Modi and Shah have already been toning up the organisational machinery for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to ensure that their governance agenda continue to be part of the public discourse.A similar exercise was held in last August.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already reached Delhi to take part in the meeting.