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Daisy Mowke

29 Apr 2017,Saturday

My feet were bleeding while shooting Chikni Chameli: Katrina

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mind-rocks-guwahati-katrina-kaif/1/941631.html

Actress Katrina Kaif revealed that while she was shooting for the song 'Chikni Chameli', her feet began to bleed as she was dancing barefoot on stones and gravel. She further revealed that co-star Sanjay Dutt, who has known her since she was 18 years old, felt very shy and could not look her in the eye during the song's shooting.

Katrina Kaif graced Guwahati with her presence at Mind Rocks Guwahati 2017. Wearing a red suit, she entered the stage with Sheila Ki Jawaani playing out loud on the speakers. The crowd cheered, whistled and whooted as she sat down to speak about her views on stardom and how it takes true grit to be a superstar.Turns out it was Katrina Kaif's first time in Assam. When Katrina was asked how she is getting better with age, she said, "Got to live up to the name. Jawaani hai toh you got to keep doing it."Katrina said that even though a lot of people tell her that she looks like her mother, as a child, she looked like her father. She added that after coming to India, she wanted to identify with her ethnic heritage and it was here that she found her sense of belonging.Katrina Kaif also spoke about how different her Tees Maar Khan director Farah Khan and her Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara director Zoya Akhtar were. She said that while Farah Khan is a Manmohan Desai fan and works in the commercial space, Zoya Akhtar's filmmaking was understated. "Zindagi (Na Milegi Dobara) was real. Zoya wanted me to be as close to who I was in real life. It was an incredibly fun experience."She mentioned how she was just recovering from an injury during the shoot of the Bang Bang title track and how her pain did not allow her to dance as well as she wanted to alongside Hrithik Roshan. A funny incident she recalled was when Sanjay Dutt could not look Katrina Kaif in the eye as she danced in front of Sanju baba during the shoot of Chikni Chameli in the 2012 film Agneepath. Katrina added that he has known her since she was 18 years old and therefore, being the conservative man that Sanjay Dutt was, his discomfort was understandable. Katrina also added that during the 5th or 6th day of the Chikni Chameli shoot, her feet began to bleed as she was dancing on bare stones.On the most talented actors right now:Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. Loved Varun Dhawan in Badrinath Ki Dulhania.On Salman Khan:He is a strong man. He will always set an example for people who look up to him. It is difficult to guess what his thinks. His strength and silence are admirable qualities. He is an incredible person.On Aamir Khan:Aamir Khan has a different approach to working. His approach is very meticulous. He puts in a lot of physical work and mental preparation. No one puts that kind of dedication to work.On Shah Rukh Khan:Shah Rukh Khan is a very knowledgeable person. He speaks like a poet and he has got an energy which never stops.

Shubhodeep Datta

26 Dec 2016,Monday

Eight public libraries built with Swaraj fund inaugurated

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-eight-public-libraries-built-with-swaraj-fund-to-be-opened-today/story-pvJIHQrkMF0GSWun78qvPM.html

Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia inaugurated eight public libraries constructed under the Swaraj Fund in the Karawal Nagar assembly constituency in Delhi on Sunday. These libraries have been built from the citizen local area development fund, or Swaraj fund, and were taken up after people chose them as priority projects in mohalla sabhas conducted in various assembly constituencies.n

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia will inaugurate eight public libraries constructed under the Swaraj Fund in the Karawal Nagar assembly constituency in north east Delhi on Sunday. These libraries are unique in their own way as they have been put together from the citizen local area development fund, or Swaraj fund, and were taken up after people chose them as priority projects in mohalla sabhas conducted in various assembly constituencies last year. Though the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has started working on projects promised during the Mohalla Sabhas, the fate of Swaraj fund for the current fiscal (2016-17) itself hangs in balance.Officials say that the constitution of mohalla sabhas and creating a project management unit under it are yet to get approval from the Lieutenant Governor. The fate of Rs 350 crore, allocated under Swaraj fund in the annual budget, hence, by the AAP government remains unclear. With only three months left in the current fiscal, officials said they were not sure if funds will be utilised at all this year.?The process of holding mohalla sabhas across the city and then implementing the projects chosen as priority is a long-drawn one. Eight public libraries, construction of which were decided in mohalla sabhas in Karawal Nagar assembly constituency on a pilot basis last fiscal (2015-16), will be inaugurated on Sunday. Any delay in approval could lead to lapse of funds this year,? said a senior revenue department official. In June, the Arvind Kejriwal cabinet had cleared a proposal to constitute 2,972 mohalla sabhas, besides creating a project management unit (PMU) called Mission Swaraj to co-ordinate the entire project. Both proposals were then sent to the L-G for his approval. Mohalla sabhas were conducted in 11 assembly segments including Karawal Nagar in May last year. Development works worth R 50 lakh in each of the 11 assembly segment were decided in these meetings. Karwal Nagar MLA and water minister Kapil Mishra said the government had not lost hope on holding such sabhas before the end of this fiscal. ?The initiative is a unique step to ensure citizen participation in governance. It would be for the first time that eight libraries in an assembly segment are coming up, which was actually decided by area residents themselves. Even if the L-G clears the approval now, the government will at least hold these sabhas,? said Mishra.

Mishika Bangia

17 Jul 2017,Monday

GST means 'Growing Stronger Together': PM Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gst-going-stronger-together-narendra-modi-monsoon-session/1/1003710.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said GST (Goods and Services Tax) means 'growing stronger together'. GST shows that good can be achieved when all parties come together and work for the nation, he further said. "Just as rain brings typical fragrance from the earth, GST's successful launch would give new enthusiasm to the Monsoon Session," he added.

Ahead of Monsoon Session today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the successful launch of the Goods and Services Tax would infuse fresh energy in the Parliament session.Giving a new definition of the Goods and Services Tax, PM Modi said, "GST means Going Stronger Together". Modi also said, "Just as rain brings typical fragrance from the earth, the successful launch of the GST would give new enthusiasm to the Monsoon Session."The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was launched on July 1 at the special midnight session of Parliament. In a series of posts on Twitter, PM Modi further said, "Today the Monsoon Session begins. Like the Monsoon brings hope, this session also brings same spirit of hope. GST shows the good that can be achieved when all parties come together and work for the nation.""The GST spirit is about growing stronger together. I hope the same GST spirit prevails in the session," read another tweet of Prime Minister Modi.The GST spirit is about growing stronger together. I hope the same GST spirit prevails in the session: PM @narendramodiThe Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today and will continue till August 11. The session will have 19 sittings.(With PTI inputs) ALSO READ |

Shubhodeep Datta

02 Mar 2017,Thursday

Notice issued to Delhi govt over dead rat in mid-day meals

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rat-in-mid-day-meal-case-nhrc-sends-notice-to-delhi-govt/1/895410.html

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Delhi government over reports of a dead rat in a mid-day meal served in a city-based school. Nine students of the school were taken ill on February 16 after consuming the meal. An FIR was lodged against two NGOs which had supplied the mid-day meals.

New Delhi, Mar 2 (PTI) The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Delhi government over reports of a dead rat being found in a mid-day meal served to students at a school in south east Delhis Deoli area. The Commission today said it has taken suo motu cognisance of the reports, issued the notice to the Chief Secretary, and sought detailed report in the matter within four weeks, including the action taken against the agencies concerned. Nine students of Government Boys Senior Secondary School were taken ill on February 16 after consuming midday meal which allegedly had a dead rat in it. The students were rushed to Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had subsequently directed the Chief Secretary to monitor cooking of mid-day meals served in Delhi schools. Police had also lodged an FIR against two operators of an NGO who supplied mid-day meals to the school in Deoli. "The Commission has observed that occurrence of such an incident, if true, amounts to violation of right to life of the children. It indicates towards serious lapse on part of the concerned agencies," the NHRC said in a statement.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

24 Jul 2017,Monday

My temple has been the Parliament of India: Prez Mukherjee

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pranab-mukherjee-makes-last-address-as-president-live-updates/story-ORul7nT2eWKKJ8NmXw9anN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

During his last address to the nation, outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said that the Parliament was his temple, and the service of the people of India was his passion. "How successful I was in discharging my responsibilities will be judged, over time, by the critical lens of history," he added.

Pranab Mukherjee is addressing the nation on his last day as the President.In his farewell speech on Sunday, Mukherjee hailed India?s democracy and Parliament in particular, and urged lawmakers to ?debate, discuss and dissent?.Mukherjee, the 13th President of India, will leave the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday when his successor Ram Nath Kovind is sworn in.Mukherjee expressed concern over the declining amount of time spent in lawmaking, saying Parliament should adequately scrutinise and debate laws before they are enacted.In addition to disruptions, the President spoke out about Ordinances in particular, calling it a tool that ?should be used only in compelling circumstances?.Follow Live updates of the President?s speech here:*?When I speak to you tomorrow, it will be as a citizen? a pilgrim like all of you in India?s onward march towards glory.We extended our experience to a few villages in the neighbourhood #PresidentMukherjee? President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 24, 2017*?During my five years in Rashtrapati Bhavan, we tried to build a humane and happy township*?Social inclusion would ensure access to the fruits of progress to all.Eradication of poverty would provide a strong boost to happiness #PresidentMukherjee? President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 24, 2017*?We must empower the poorest of the poor and ensure that the fruits of our policies reach the last person in the line.*?For us, creation of an inclusive society has to be an article of faith.*?Creative thinking, innovation and scientific temper have to be promoted in our institutions of higher learning.*?Our universities should not be a place for rote-memorizing but an assembly of inquisitive minds.A reordering of society is possible through the transformative power of education #PresidentMukherjee? President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 24, 2017*?As I had said on assuming Office of the President, education is the alchemy that can take India to its next golden age.*?Power of non-violence has to be resurrected to build a compassionate and caring society.*?Only a non-violent society can ensure the participation of all sections of the people in the democratic process.*?We must free our public discourse from all forms of violence, physical as well as verbal.*?The capacity for compassion and empathy is the true foundation of our civilization.*?Otherwise, a fundamental character of our thought process will wither away.*?But we cannot deny the essential prevalence of multiplicity of opinion.* There are divergent strands in public discourse; we may argue, we may agree or we may not agree.*?We derive our strength from tolerance; it has been part of our collective consciousness for centuries.The multiplicity in culture, faith and language is what makes India special #PresidentMukherjee? President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 24, 2017*?Plurality of our society has come about through assimilation of ideas over centuries.*?My temple has been the Parliament of India and my passion has been the service of the people of India.*?For the past fifty years of my public life my sacred text has been the Constitution of India.*?Each day of these five years, I was conscious of my responsibility. How successful I was in discharging my responsibilities will be judged, over time, by the critical lens of history.5 years ago, when I took the oath of office of President, I promised to preserve, protect & defend our Constitution #PresidentMukherjee? President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 24, 2017*?For development to be real, the poorest of the land must feel that they are a part of the nation?s narrative.*?I have received much more from the country than I have given; for that, I will remain ever indebted to people of India.*?I am overwhelmed by a deep sense of gratitude for the people of India for the trust & confidence they reposed in me.

Aarushi Maheshwari

14 Jun 2017,Wednesday

Delhi Metro line halted for hours as bird gets electrocuted

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-metro-services-affected-bird-electrocuted-overhead-wire/1/978022.html

Delhi Metro's Blue Line services were hit for over three hours on Tuesday evening as a technical snag occurred after a bird got electrocuted on an overhead wire and caused a short circuit. Officials said the insulator of overhead equipment broke down, causing electrical wire entanglement with a train. The bird died, and thousands of passengers were stranded.

Thousands of Metro passengers were left stranded on Delhi Metro's blue line today following a technical snag which happened after a bird got electrocuted on the overhead electricity line.Officials said the bird sat on the wires and got electrocuted on the overhead wires leading to a short circuit.A Metro train plying on the Indraprastha metro station stopped and services on the blue line were affected for over three hours.The restoration work was later on completed and normal services on affected section resumed from 7:43 pm onwards.As trains ran on a single line between Indraprastha and Yamuna Bank stations for nearly three hours, crowd swelled across stations of the busy corridor that connects Noida City Centre and Vaishali to west Delhi's Dwarka.The incident happened around 4.55 pm, minutes before evening peak period, which sees thousands of home-bound commuters taking the rapid transit as office hours get over around this time.The over 50-km-long Blue Line, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's (DMRC) longest corridor as of now, is extremely snag-prone due to a host of factors including its vulnerability to external factors as it is largely overground.DMRC's network currently spans around 213 km and it carries an average of 30 lakh passengers daily, with blue line being one of the busiest.Also read:

Mansha Mahajan

19 Mar 2017,Sunday

Note ban opens up new channels of corruption: Economist Kurz

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/note-ban-opens-up-new-channels-of-corruption-economist/1/907532.html

Eminent economist Heinz D Kurz has said the demonetisation move has opened up new avenues of corruption. Kurz said the move is much too weak and misdirected an instrument to root out corruption. "[T]he policy... has already been abandoned by the government because it turned out to be an attempt akin to striking a rock with an egg," he added.

New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) Describing demonetisation as an attempt akin to striking a rock with an egg, eminent Austrian economist Heinz D Kurz has said it is much too weak and misdirected an instrument to root out corruption. Actually, he said, the Indian governments move opened up new avenues of corruption. "As far as I understand the situation, the policy of demonetisation has already been abandoned by the government, because it turned out to be an attempt akin to striking a rock with an egg. "I strongly doubt that the demonetisation exercise will root out corruption and engender more transparency. It is much too weak and misdirected an instrument to achieve these goals," Kurz told PTI in an interview. "By introducing the Rs 2,000 banknote, a currency of twice or even four times the value of the banknotes that have been declared illegal, in the system... This can hardly be called demonetisation," he added. Kurz is a professor of economics at the University of Graz, Austria. Noting that while the goal of fighting corruption is laudable, he said: "I consider it to be singularly naive to think that this can be done by banning some banknotes. "There appears also to be evidence that the policy of demonetisation opened new channels of corruption." Kurz pointed out that whoever was informed about the demonetisation policy ahead of its introduction (sort of insider trading) could have used the information and laundered money. Also, he further said Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 banknotes brought to banks were apparently counted, but not scrutinised as to whether it was counterfeit money. Asked about impact of demonetisation on Indias economic growth, Kurz said that "first, it is much too early to assess already the impact of demonetisation, which will show up only later. Secondly, the data published are rough estimates that do not, and could not possibly, take account of this impact". "It would therefore be wrong to infer that demonetisation had no effect on the economy," he noted. The Indian economy is going pretty strong, Kurtz said, adding however that not well thought out policies such as the demonetisation project have the potential of affecting it badly.

Niharika Prabhakar

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

TN farmers detained outside PM Modi's residence

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-farmers-detained-outside-pm-modi-s-residence/story-wLFElr77uZGkw7PWeLXXxO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Around 70 Tamil Nadu farmers demanding a loan waiver and drought-relief package near Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence were detained on Sunday. The farmers reportedly decided to resume protests after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami failed to meet their demands in April. The farmers' demands include a drought relief package of ?40,000 crore.

Scores of Tamil Nadu farmers landed in the national capital on Sunday to resume their agitation for loan waiver and drought-relief package.Around 70 cultivators were, however, detained when they tried to stage a demonstration near the prime minister?s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. They were later taken to Parliament Street police station.?Our demands were not met as promised by Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan. So we have decided to resume our protest for another 100 days,? farmers? leader P Ayyakannu said.The farmers from the southern state have been demanding a drought relief package of Rs 40,000 crore, farm loan waiver and setting up of Cauvery Management Board by the Centre.They will join an indefinite protest after their counterparts, taking part in ?Kisan Mukti Yatra?, reach Jantar Mantar here on July 18.The group led by Ayyakannu had in March staged novel protests by holding human skulls outside the prime minister?s house, stripping naked outside the president?s and drinking urine.

Anmol Sharma

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Ex-Australian PM sends signed bat to Modi through Indian man

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-modi-tony-abbott-manpreet-singh-friendship-bat/1/1015026.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Former Australian PM Tony Abbott has sent a signed cricket bat for PM Narendra Modi, reportedly through an Indian residing in Australia. The man, Manpreet Singh, who is carrying the bat along with pictures of Abbott signing it, has been visiting the PMO but has not met Modi yet. Abbott has reportedly addressed Modi as "Narendra" on the bat.

These days if you just happen to wait outside the Parliament, there is a fair chance of meeting an immaculately dressed young Sikh gentleman walking around with a framed bat. His ultimate mission is to reach the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and give the bat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi "personally." However, stopped by Kalashnikov-toting soldiers in the country's most secured zone, the closest point he has been able to get to in South Block remains Vijay Chowk.   Indeed, as the security guys too found out, the bat Manpreet Singh "from Sydney" is carrying is rather special. It has been sent by Tony Abbott, the former Prime Minister of Australia. Yes, the same man who took Modi on a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2014.  Abbott is no longer the Australian Prime Minister but the friendship between the two leaders - they famously addressed each other by their first names in 2014 - remains intact. So, the latest 'to-Narendra-from-Tony' gift is a special MS Dhoni series bat with a hand-written message through 'messenger' Manpreet."I was the brand ambassador for 'Festival of India in Australia' event when the Indian PM visited Australia. I have know the Australian PM for long and, because cricket is loved equally in both the countries, he sent this bat as a gift for Mr. Modi through me," Manpreet told India Today. Abbott writes on the bat: "To Narendra, it was an honour to work closely with you to strengthen the historic ties between our countries. I will always cherish our friendship." Singh, who works as a mall manager, is actively involved in NRI events down under. These days, he and his cousin travel from Faridabad to Delhi with a hope of finding a way to meet Modi.

Abhishek Bansal

04 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Trump may become a mediator between India, Pakistan: US

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/donald-trump-nikki-haley-donald-trump-india-pak-peace-process-us/1/919985.html

US Permanent Representative to the UN Nikki Haley has said President Donald Trump may get involved in a peace process between India and Pakistan. "I would expect that the administration going to be in talks and try and find its place to be part of that (process)... And also wouldn't be surprised if the President participates as well," Haley stated.

The US is concerned about the state of India-Pakistan relations and President Donald Trump himself may get involved in a peace process between the two South Asian antagonists, Nikki Haley, the US Permanent Representative to the UN said on Monday."This administration is concerned about the relationship between India and Pakistan and very much wants to see how we de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward," Haley, who holds a cabinet rank in the Trump administration, said."I would expect that the administration going to be in talks and try and find its place to be part of that (process)."She added, "And also wouldn't be surprised if the President participates as well."India has opposed external involvement in bilateral issues with Pakistan.During his campaign in 2016, Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan, but was careful to add that it was only if the two nations wanted him to.In an interview to The Hindustan Times he said that he "would be honoured" to be a moderator. "I think if they wanted me to, I would love to be the mediator or arbitrator."Haley was answering a question from a reporter at her news conference on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April.The reporter pointed out that India does not want an interlocutor for talks with Pakistan, while Islamabad wanted the US or another country to facilitate talks between them and asked if the US would get the leaders of the two countries to talk.With Secretary of State Rex Tillerson keeping a low public profile and generally avoiding the media, Haley is emerging as the public face of US diplomacy making her presence felt in the media aided by her cabinet status.Her statement about India-Pakistan relations, therefore, assume importance and it is the first high-level Trump administration statement on India's relations with Pakistan.While it is not clear what steps the US could take, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Trump in Washington in May when the two could discuss it.

Vani Vivek

01 Feb 2017,Wednesday

What becomes cheaper after Union Budget 2017?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/union-budget-2017-18-arun-jaitley-list-of-things-to-cost-more-less/1/871869.html

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting Union Budget 2017 said the Service Tax regime is largely unchanged as it will be replaced by GST soon. However, items like railway e-tickets, micro-ATMs and fingerprint readers will become cheaper on government's digital payments push. Solar tempered glass used in solar panels and Liquefied Natural Gas will also become cheaper.

Presenting the Union Budget 2017 in Lok Sabha today, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced important changes in the Income Tax slab. Personal income tax in Rs 2.5 lakh - 5 lakh bracket has been reduced to 5 per cent from 10 per cent.Apart from lowering Income Tax rates, one of the major highlights of Jaitley's Budget proposal was new rules concerning political donation. Political parties receiving donations above Rs 2,000 will now have to disclose the identity of the donor, Arun Jaitley said.WATCH: Arun Jaitley's full Budget speech While Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Jaitley for tabling a Budget which he said serves the interest of all, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi slammed it as a damp squib. "We expected some fireworks but it was damp squib," Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament.Although the finance minister made some populist announcements in his Budget, tax rates on certain items have also been hiked. Here is a list of commodities which will cost more, less: WHAT GOES UPWATCH: Why Budget 2017 is important: All you need to knowALSO READ:

Chhavi Tyagi

19 Jan 2017,Thursday

78 bank accounts of Zakir Naik's NGO under NIA scanner

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/zakir-naik-islamic-research-foundation-nia/1/861300.html

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that 78 bank accounts of preacher Zakir Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) are under its scanner. The agency also made it clear that next under scrutiny will be Naik's foreign bank accounts. The NIA has further claimed that IRF investments in real estate business stand at a whopping ?100 crore.

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) today said that 78 bank accounts of controversial preacher Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) are under the scanner. The agency also made it clear that next under scrutiny will be Naik's foreign bank accounts.

Chhavi Tyagi

02 Jun 2017,Friday

Nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prithvi-ii-missile-successfully-test-fired/1/968966.html

India on Friday successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Indian armed forces. The surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile, which was inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, is capable of carrying 500-1,000 kg of warheads and is thrust by liquid propulsion twin engines.

India today successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of 350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near here at around 9.50 am, official sources said. The trial of the sophisticated missile was successful and the mission objectives were met, they said. The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory to hit its target with precision and accuracy. The state-of-the-art missile was randomly chosen from the production stock and the entire launch activities were carried out by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) and monitored by the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of training exercise, a DRDO scientist said. "The missile trajectory was tracked by the DRDO radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry stations located along the coast of Odisha," the sources said. Teams on board the ship deployed near the designated impact point in the Bay of Bengal monitored the terminal events and splashdown. In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully test fired in quick succession from the same base, on November 21, 2016. Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Dishant Sharma

06 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Indian team avoided Vijay Mallya at charity event: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/virat-kohli-charity-ball-justice-and-care-ms-dhoni-sachin-tendulkar-yuvraj-singh/1/971662.html

Members of the Indian cricket team reportedly avoided absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya during a charity ball organised by Virat Kohli's foundation in London for the Justice and Care organisation. The Indian cricket team players maintained distance from the fugitive businessman and were reportedly forced to leave early in order to avoid any controversy.

India captain Virat Kohli on Monday hosted a charity ball in London for the Justice and Care organisation. The charity event was attended by former India captain Sachin Tendulkar and Kohli's teammates Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan along with other members of the Indian team and it was hosted by renowned cricket presenter Alan Wilkins.Dhawan was accompanied to the event by his wife, Ayesha Mukherjee and son Zoravar, while Rohit's wife Ritika Sajdeh was also in attendance.Off to @virat.kohli charity dinner with the Zoravar gang !â??ï¸? @rohitsharma45 @ritssajdeh @shikhardofficialA post shared by Yuvraj Singh (@yuvisofficial) on Jun 5, 2017 at 11:24am PDTKohli is known for his charity work and also runs the Virat Kohli Foundation for the underprivileged kids and regularly conducts events to raise funds for the charityVirat Kohli Charity Ball - Live from London.If you would like to support, Please donate - https://t.co/iK5PZShlHMhttps://t.co/GcSEvHm1nmThe Justice and Care organisation raises funds for the fight against human trafficking. Donations help in providing legal advice, counselling, medical care, education and rescue and rehabilitation.The charity event is part of Kohli's dream to strive for those on the margins of society"I am proud to support the work of Justice and Care.  Its commitment to bring an end to slavery is vital and inspirational and so close to my heart," Kohli was quoted on the Justice and Care charity event page.The Indian cricket team is in the United Kingdom for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 tournament. India, who are the defending champions, beat arch-rivals Pakistan in their first match at Edgbaston by 124 runs (D/L) in a rain-curtailed game.

Daisy Mowke

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Stuntman passes away on sets of US TV show The Walking Dead

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/the-walking-dead-production-shuts-down-after-stuntman-dies-on-set/story-mqXOkQGCS0ItOn3BTHuScN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A stuntman named John Bernecker passed away after sustaining injuries on the sets of American television series 'The Walking Dead'. He reportedly fell 20 feet onto concrete while on set. Production for the series has been temporarily shut down following the incident. Bernecker had also worked in films like 'The Fate of the Furious' and 'Logan'.

The Walking Dead production has temporarily shut down after a stuntman suffered injuries from the tragic accident that occurred on the sets of the popular TV series.John Bernecker, who has worked on The Fate of the Furious and Logan, suffered serious injuries on the AMC drama?s Georgia set, according to the network, reported Entertainment Weekly.The Walking Dead Stuntman John Bernecker dies at the age of 33 after tragic accident on the set #RIP & Heartfelt condolences to his family pic.twitter.com/XRNEfOXQXW? Anna Deb (@bandanadeb) July 14, 2017?We are saddened to report that John Bernecker, a talented stuntman for The Walking Dead and numerous other television shows and films, suffered serious injuries from a tragic accident on set.?He was immediately transported to an Atlanta hospital and we have temporarily shut down production. We are keeping John and his family in our thoughts and prayers,? AMC said in a statement.Lauren Cohan, who stars as Maggie on the show, were among those who sent well wishes to Bernecker.She wrote on Twitter, ?Dear Walking Dead Family, please keep John Bernecker, our stuntman and his family in your prayers today.?The Walking Dead is currently set to return for season 8 in October.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Sanira Mediratta

29 May 2017,Monday

Shahid tells Ishaan dating rumours can damage career: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shahid-kapoor-ishaan-khatter-jhanvi-kapoor-link-up-beyond-the-clouds/1/965317.html

According to reports, actor Shahid Kapoor has advised his younger half-brother Ishaan Khatter that link-up rumours can prove damaging to his career and that he should keep his private life discreet. He is rumoured to be dating Sridevi's daughter Jhanvi Kapoor after they were spotted together at movies. Ishaan will make his acting debut in upcoming film Beyond The Clouds.

Ishaan Khatter is in news for his Bollywood debut as much as for his link-up rumours. If Shahid Kapoor's brother has made headlines for grabbing a project with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, the 21-year-old actor's personal life too has also caught the fancy of many. And this has left elder brother Shahid a little miffed. It's been a while since Ishaan has been linked to Sridevi's daughter Jhanvi Kapoor after the two were spotted on a few movie and lunch dates. And the Udta Punjab actor, reportedly, isn't too pleased as he wants Ishaan to concentrate on his Bollywood debut. If reports are to be believed, Shahid doesn't want Ishaan's personal life to take away the focus from his debut film Beyond The Clouds. And that's the reason he has warned his brother to keep his private life discreet as these rumours can prove damaging for his career.Ishaan, who assisted Abhishek Chaubey in Udta Punjab, will make his big screen debut with a film on brother-sister relationship. Jhanvi, on the other hand, is busy prepping for her Bollywood debut. However, details of her big screen debut have been kept under the wraps.  

Akshita Jain

31 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Bus carrying school students catches fire in Gurugram

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/school-bus-with-35-students-on-board-catches-fire-near-huda-city-centre-metro-station-in-gurgaon/story-IIHIxylTSrOQ12giocPUgK.html

A bus, carrying 35 students to Amity International School, caught fire near Gurugram's Huda City Centre metro station on Monday. The bus driver raised an alarm upon noticing smoke coming out of the bonnet and the students were safely evacuated. The incident will be probed and action will be taken if any laxity is found, said an official.

A school bus carrying 35 students and four staff members to a private school caught fire near the Huda City Centre Metro station on Monday morning. The children were rescued in time and no injuries were reported, however, the bus was badly burnt in the incident.The incident happened at 8.05 am when the bus attached with Amity International School in sector-43, Gurgaon was carrying students to school. Bus driver, Satyaveer Singh, noticed smoke billowing from the bonnet and raised an alarm. He parked the bus on the road and jumped out of the bus. There were four staff members in the bus who immediately started de-boarding the students, who were sent to the school in another bus. Students from Class 1 to 12 were travelling in the bus when the incident happened. Later, the students took the exam that was scheduled for Monday.Fire brigade officials said that they got the information about the incident at 8.10 am. ?Two fire tenders were rushed to the spot,? said Ishm Singh Kashyap, district fire officer.Gurgaon: Private bus caught fire near Huda city centre metro station Monday morning. Passengers rescued unhurt @htTweets @HTGurgaon @htdelhi pic.twitter.com/STPsFfhgSU? Rashpal Singh (@rashysingh) January 30, 2017?There were four staff members in the bus and they immediately started evacuating the children. There was no panic and the situation was managed well in time and there was no injury to the students,? said Dr Anshu Arora, principal of the school. She said that the posts on social media about injury to students were just rumours.?We organised a havan and prayed for the safe rescue of the students?, said Arora.Mahesh Kumar, owner of the bus, said the bus was on its way to a CNG station in sector 29 for filling gas and that it wasn?t carrying any students at the time of the incident. ?There was only the driver and conductor in the bus when he left sector-12 to fill the CNG. This bus is attached with a private company in Manesar and transports its employees,? he said.Trilok Chand, secretary Regional Transport Authority (RTA), said that he has been to the spot and conducted an inspection. ?We will probe the incident and look into safety features adopted in the bus. Action will be taken if any laxity is found?, he said.

Dishant Sharma

29 Jun 2017,Thursday

FIFA to shift India's U-17 WC games from Mumbai to Delhi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/fifa-aiff-india-under-17-world-cup-games-delhi-mumbai/1/989302.html

FIFA is set to shift India's Under-17 World Cup matches from Mumbai to Delhi on request of India's sports ministry. The first-ever FIFA event in India will be held across six cities from October 6. "We take requests from India's government very seriously, as it's our main partner in organisation of the Under-17 World Cup", FIFA's head of events said.

FIFA is set to shift India's Under-17 World Cup matches from Mumbai to the national capital Delhi as the apex soccer body has taken the host governments request "very seriously". The All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially wanted Mumbai to host India's home matches but later asked FIFA to shift them to Delhi due to pressure from the sports ministry as it felt it was appropriate that the capital hosts the home teams games. Asked if they have finalised on shifting India's round robin matches from Mumbai to Delhi, FIFAs head of events Jaime Yarza told PTI, "We are working on the most beneficial decision for the tournament. We take the requests from the Indian Government very seriously, as its our main partner in the organisation of the FIFA U-17 World Cup." As hosts, India would normally be placed in Group A and will be the number one team - A1 - in the four-team group. Navi Mumbai was originally scheduled to host Group A matches but the AIFFs request means Delhi could now host those while Navi Mumbai will have to settle for Group B games. A source, in the know of the developments, said FIFA is "very close" to shift the matches. "Together with the AIFF and the Government, this world cup will change the future of football in India. We are convinced to reach a decision which will satisfy all parties," Yarza said. The first FIFA event in India will be held across six Indian cities from October 6 to 28. Though he did not reveal the names, Yarza said at least two top players will be present on the the day of the official draw in Mumbai on July 7. "Well, we cannot spoil the fun for the fans. We will have two top players for the official draw on the 7th July, as well as some other appearances until the start of the tournament.

Rini Sinha

10 Jul 2017,Monday

CBFC Chief Pahlaj responds to Jagga Jasoos's U/A certificate

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jagga-jasoos-ua-certificate-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-anurag-basu/1/998347.html

Responding to 'Jagga Jasoos' being given a U/A certificate, Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani said, "Let the film release. The world will see why we think it is necessary for children to be accompanied by an adult." The CBFC hasn't recommended any cuts in the film. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, 'Jagga Jasoos' will release on July 14.

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif's Jagga Jasoos has been in the making for almost four years now. After months and months of delay, the film is finally ready to hit the screens on July 14. But a few days before its release, the makers were in for a shock when the Central Board of Film Certification decided to give it a U/A certificate. Ever since Ranbir and Katrina began the promotion of the film, Jagga Jasoos is touted to be a fantasy film meant for the children. But according to a report in DNA, CBFC did find something objectionable and has asked parents to accompany their kids during the film. This decision has made the makers quite unhappy. A source close to director Anurag Basu was quoted as telling the daily, "We wonder what the censor board saw in Jagga Jasoos that made it suitable for children only accompanied by an adult."The film revolves around the story of a boy in search of his father. However, Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani had this to say in his defense, "Let the film release. The world will see why we think it is necessary for children to be accompanied by an adult."Directed by Anurag Basu, Jagga Jasoos also stars Saurabh Shukla and Sayani Gupta.

Arshiya Chopra

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

SC to hear plea seeking cancellation of Nitish's MLC stature

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-agrees-to-hear-plea-to-cancel-nitish-s-legislative-council-membership/story-wc103ON6jKc1hHdyUyMRiP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea seeking cancellation of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's state Legislative Council membership for allegedly hiding a pending criminal case against him. According to the plea, Kumar was accused of killing a Congress leader in 1991. The petitioner also sought a direction to the CBI to register an FIR against Kumar.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea seeking cancellation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar?s membership of the state Legislative Council for allegedly concealing a pending criminal case against him.A bench of Justices Justice Dipak Misra, Amitava Roy and AM Khanwilkar said it will look into the matter after petitioner advocate ML Sharma sought an urgent hearing of his plea.The bench said it would see when the matter could be listed for hearing.The plea, which was filed on?Monday, alleged that there was a criminal case against the JD(U) leader wherein he was accused of killing a local Congress leader Sitaram Singh, and injuring four others ahead of Lok Sabha by-election to the Barh constituency in 1991.The petitioner has also sought a direction to the CBI to register an FIR against Kumar in the case.?Respondent number 2 (Election Commission), despite knowing facts about his (Kumar?s) criminal case, did not cancel his membership of the house and respondent (Kumar) still enjoys constitutional office till date,? he said.The lawyer has sought cancellation of Kumar?s membership as per the Election Commission?s 2002 order stating it is mandatory for candidates to disclose criminal cases against them in their affidavits annexed to nomination papers.He claimed the Bihar chief minister did not disclose the criminal case that was pending against him in affidavits since 2004, except for 2012.

Mansha Mahajan

16 Jan 2017,Monday

Brexit is going to be a great thing, says Trump

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/donald-trump-brexit-nato-russia-times-of-london-interview/1/858188.html

US President-elect Donald Trump has said Britain's exit from the European Union "is going to end up being a great thing". ?You look at the European Union and it?s Germany. Basically a vehicle for Germany. That?s why I thought the UK was so smart in getting out,? he stated. Trump further said he expects other countries to leave as well.

In an interview with British publication, The Times of London, US President-elect Donald Trump spoke on a wide range of issues, including Brexit, Russia, the NATO and the refugee crisis. This was the first time the Republican Trump, who is set to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States of America on January 20, spoke to a UK publication since his election victory of the Democratic Hillary Clinton.  TOP TAKES FROM TRUMP'S THE TIMES INTERVIEWOn Brexit: Terming Britain's exit from the European Union as something that "is going to end up being a great thing", the US president-elect predicted that more countries would follow the UK's lead in leaving the 28-nation bloc. The arrival of migrants into Europe was one of the factors behind Brexit, Trump told The Times, calling the refugee influx the "final straw that broke the camel's back". Trump said that he would work hard to get a trade deal with the UK "done quickly and done properly." The deal would be "good for both sides", he added, also confirming that he will meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May soon after he takes office. Also read: Donald Trump on Brexit: Britons took back control of their countryOn Europe's refugee crisis: Trump predicted that continuing inflow of migrants into Europe could lead to the EU breaking up. "I think this, if refugees keep pouring into different parts of Europe... I think it's gonna be very hard to keep it (the EU) together because people are angry about it," the Republican leader said. He further said that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whom he termed a "fantastic leader", made a "catastrophic mistake" in letting migrants flood into Germany.On Russia: Trump signaled that he could offer relaxing sanctions imposed against Moscow if the latter agrees to a deal to reduce the stockpile of nuclear weapons. He went on to criticise Russia's involvement in the Syrian civil war, calling Kremlin's intervention "a very bad thing" that had led to a "terrible humanitarian situation".Also read: Donald Trump's first press meet after win: If Putin likes me, that's an assetOn nuclear arms: Speaking in the context of sanctions against Russia and making deals with Moscow, Trump said, "For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially."On NATO: Complaining that the coalition had "not bothered about terrorism," Trump called the NATO alliance an "obsolete organisation" and, at the same time, said it remains "very important" to him. Trump also reiterated his often-repeated complaint that some NATO members weren't paying enough. "We're supposed to protect countries. But a lot of these countries aren't paying what they're supposed to be paying, which I think is very unfair to the United States," the US president-elect said, adding, "There's five countries that are paying what they're supposed to. Five. It's not much."

Sumedha Sehra

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

What had happened in the 1999 Kargil 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

The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan between May and July 1999, in Jammu & Kashmir's Kargil district. The Pakistani side crossed the LoC at Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf's command, and mutilated bodies of six Indian soldiers were returned to India. India launched the Operation Vijay and reclaimed all posts, terming it a success on July 26.

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

Anmol Sharma

16 Mar 2017,Thursday

Two clerics from Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah go missing in Pak

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-nizamuddin-auliya-dargah-cleric-missing-pakistan-karachi/1/905578.html

Two Indian clerics, including the head priest of New Delhi's Nizamuddin Dargah, have gone missing in Pakistan. Identified as Asif Nizami and Nazim Nizami, the duo had gone to Pakistan to meet their relatives on March 8. They were last seen together at Data Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore and have been missing since Wednesday evening.

Two Indian Sufi priests, including the head cleric of Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin dargah, have gone missing in Pakistan. They have been identified as Asif Nizami, the chief priest, and Nazim Nizami. The duo had gone to Pakistan to meet their relatives.The two priests were last seen together at Data Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore and have been missing since Wednesday evening. Sources told news agency PTI, "As per their families, while Asif was allowed to go to Karachi, Nazim was stopped at the Lahore airport on grounds of incomplete travel papers."While Nazim went missing from Lahore airport, Asif went missing after arriving at the Karachi airport," PTI further reported. The Indian government has taken up the matter with Pakistan, both in New Delhi and via its mission in Islamabad80-year-old Syed Asif Ali Nizami's son Sajid Nizami met officials at the South Block. His father was to come back on March 20.He said that his father and cousin went to Karachi in Pakistan on March 6 from where they visited Lahore on March 13 to offer 'Chadar' at Baba Farid's shrine, the master of Baba Nizamuddin."On March 14, they offered another Chadar at Data Darbar Sufi shrine in Lahore. The next day they reached at Lahore airport to take a flight for Karachi at 4.30 p.m. At the Lahore airport my cousin was stopped by the airport authorities to clear some documentation and my father was asked to board the flight."My father reached Karachi airport at 6 p.m. but my cousin could not join him. At the airport my father talked to my relatives on phone and informed them to come outside, but he did not come," Sazid said.Sazid further said that my father and cousin's mobile phones were also switched off.

Sumedha Sehra

30 Jun 2017,Friday

Caravan will keep moving: Jaitley on Congress' GST boycott

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gst-tax-rate-in-india-arun-jaitley-gst-jaitley-gst-meaning-gst-launch/1/990960.html

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday that the Congress-led Opposition's boycott of tonight's GST launch event will not stop it. "Karvan toh chalta rahega (Caravan will keep moving). Those who won't take part, would not stop it even if they take part," he said. He added that the Congress' "narrow attitude will not stop the nation".

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said that despite the Opposition boycotting the Special Session of Parliament tonight for launch of the GST, the 'celebration' will go on.Responding to the question of Congress-led Opposition's boycott, Jaitley said, "Karvan toh chalta rahega (Caravan will keep moving). Those who won't take part, would not stop it even if they take part (in the session).""There has been no reform that was necessary and the country did not do that. This is the strength and resilience of the country," Jaitley said.Arun Jaitley said that Congress had adopted a narrow attitude. "Such narrow attitude will not stop the nation," said Jaitley, adding, "Congress had the opportunity to rise above politics.""Congress has taken a fringe position, a position taken by fringe parties. Congress needs to think whether it wants to take fringe position or mainstream position on issues of national interests," Jaitley said.MIDNIGHT SESSIONArun Jaitley rejected the Opposition's claim that the midnight session of Parliament for GST launch was a 'self-promotion' move by the Modi government."This is not self promotion. We have been saying this since beginning that everyone has contributed to GST. For the Special Session of Parliament, President and Vice-President were consulted. Former PMs were to be present," Jaitley said adding that the Congress chose to be on the other side. ARE WE READY FOR GST?Finance Minister Jaitley said, "If you see the history of economic reforms around the world, the private sector has remained a step ahead of government. This time the history has reversed. We announced 6-8 months ago that the GST would be rolled out on July 1. They believed that the governments are known to miss deadlines."The July 1 deadline was fixed at the GST Council, which took a unanimous decision on implementing GST, said Jaitley.Jaitley said that previously traders had to file return for 17 different taxes. "Under GST, they are required to file one tax in one software every month," Jaitley said.He said there would be some glitches as GST was a new regime but the those would be appropriately dealt with.WHAT ELSE JAITLEY SAIDArun Jaitley emphasised that Centre was not deciding authority in finalising tax rates. "The GST Council is not the Centre. It has 31 states and the Centre as members. We are not the one to take the final call."With regard to Jammu and Kashmir, where enabling GST law has not been passed by the Assembly, Jaitley said, the delay is due to Article 370, which a is reality and the politics of the state. Some people are saying that GST will lead to more integration with the rest of the country.Jaitley said that he has written a letter to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti highlighting the losses that Jammu and Kashmir and people of the state will suffer for not implementing GST.Jammu and Kashmir consumers will have to pay taxes twice. The products will be costlier in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir government can't claim compensation for the loss of revenue. If the manufacturer in Jammu and Kashmir tries to sell products outside the state, they will have to pay taxes twice.Jaitley also slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not passing a law for implementing GST. He said, all the states and political parties should take one clear stand on GST. They can be either with it or against it. They supported GST in the Council but are not with it in the state.On the question of keeping petroleum and real estate out of the purview of GST, Jaitley said, the new amendment has brought petroleum under its ambit. He also said that petroleum is at present zero-rated under the GST. The GST Council has to take a decision about petroleum. The decision will be taken sooner than later, Jaitley said.On real estate, Jailtey said, this sector will also be brought under the GST. There is lot of tax evasion in real estate sector. Bringing it under GST will make it more transparent.  Also Read:Complete GST Midnight Conclave coverageParliament's midnight session on GST an insult to 1947: CongressThere are glitches in GST, will fix them: Venkaiah at Tryst With Tax Conclave

Tarun Khanna

05 May 2017,Friday

African lady strips in Delhi metro over feud with passengers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/african-woman-strips-delhi-metro-passengers-abuses/1/945971.html

A video showing an African woman stripping in crowded Delhi metro after a feud with some passengers has surfaced on social media. The woman, along with another African woman, has alleged that they were verbally abused by passengers. In the video, some passengers are heard shouting "Bahar Nikalo, Bahar Nikalo".

Ever since the racial attack on Africans in April in Greater Noida, several such incidents have come to light.Also Read || Attack on Nigerian students in Greater Noida: Hundreds booked, 5 arrested ||In a recent incident, two women got into a feud on a Delhi metro train. Following the feud one of the women took of her shirt.Also Read || Caught on camera: Mob attacks African students at mall in Greater Noida, CM promises impartial probe ||One of the African women stripped in the packed metro and protested against the passengers who were quarreling with her and another woman.In the video, it can be heard how a few passengers shouted 'bahar nikaalo (throw them out)'.As the row picked up further, the women who stripped said, "You wanna fight, come let's fight!"REASON BEHIND THE FIGHTThe reason behind the incident is still unclear. However a news report quoted some eye-witnesses, saying that the verbal spat started because of the seats in Delhi metro.

Aarushi Maheshwari

17 Jul 2017,Monday

China blacklists Winnie the Pooh after comparisons with Prez

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/17/winnie-the-pooh-chinese-internet-censors-xi-jinping?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Chinese internet censors have reportedly blacklisted Winnie the Pooh on Chinese social networks WeChat and Weibo. China previously cracked down on Winnie the Pooh when citizens compared the physical appearance of President Xi Jinping to the fictional bear's appearance. A Weibo user wrote, "Poor Little Winnie. What did this adorable honey-loving bear ever do to provoke anyone?"

Has Winnie the Pooh done something to anger China?s censors? Some mentions of AA Milne?s loveable but slow-witted bear with a weakness for honey have been blocked on Chinese social networks.Authorities did not explain the clampdown, but the self-described ?bear of very little brain? has been used in past memes comparing him to the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.Posts bearing the image and the Chinese characters for Winnie the Pooh were still permitted on the Weibo social media platform on Monday. But comments referencing ?Little Bear Winnie? ? Pooh?s Chinese name ? turned up error messages saying the user could not proceed because ?this content is illegal?.Winnie the Pooh stickers have also been removed from WeChat?s official sticker gallery, but user-generated gifs of the bear are still available on the popular messaging app.Comparisons between Xi and Pooh first emerged in 2013, after Chinese social media users began circulating pictures of Pooh and his slender tiger friend Tigger beside a photograph of Xi walking with Barack Obama, the US president at the time.In 2014, a photograph of Xi shaking hands with the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, was matched with an image of Pooh gripping the hoof of his gloomy donkey friend Eeyore.In 2015, the political analysis portal Global Risk Insights said a picture of Xi standing up through the roof of a parade car paired with an image of a Winnie the Pooh toy car was ?China?s most censored photo? of the year.China?s ruling Communist party is highly sensitive to comical depictions of its leader, particularly as Xi attempts to consolidate power ahead of a key party congress later this year. On Monday, many Chinese social media users were testing the boundaries of the restrictions imposed on the bear who groans ?oh, bother? when things don?t go his way.?Poor little Winnie,? one Weibo user wrote. ?What did this adorable honey-loving bear ever do to provoke anyone??

Chhavi Tyagi

27 Jan 2017,Friday

PM Modi wishes Chinese people on Year of Rooster

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modi-wishes-chinese-people-on-year-of-rooster/1/867872.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday wished Chinese people on the Year of the Rooster on Chinese social media platform 'Weibo'. The Chinese Year of Monkey formally ends on Friday, starting the Year of Rooster on Saturday. China has declared an official week-long holiday for the new year which is also celebrated as a Spring Festival.

From K J M Varma Beijing, Jan 27 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today wished Chinese people a happy and prosperous year of the Rooster. "On the occasion of the Spring Festival, I wish all the people of China a happy and prosperous Year of the Rooster," Modi said in his greeting posted on his Chinese social media platform, Weibo. China formally bids farewell to the year of Monkey today and will herald the year of Rooster tomorrow. China has declared official holiday for a week. Chinese celebrate the new year as Spring Festival. Chinese lunar calendar years are grouped into a 12-year cycle, with each year assigned an animal symbol: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The Prime Minister opened an account in Weibo, a twitter like social media platform which is very popular in China during his visit here in 2015 and continued to make use of it to interact with Chinese people.

Tarun Khanna

18 Apr 2017,Tuesday

FIR ordered against woman cop for sexually assaulting girl

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-court-orders-fir-against-woman-police-officer-for-sexually-assaulting-13-year-old-girl/story-wG0aqXqbqCBR9FgWHilZ3M.html

A Delhi court has ordered an FIR against a policewoman for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl, who had earlier accused her teacher of molesting her. The court said that false evidence was being created by policewoman solely to accord benefit to the accused teacher. The cop allegedly got the girl medically examined without her consent.

A Delhi court has ordered an FIR against a woman police officer for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl, who had earlier accused her teacher of molesting her. The Delhi Police, however, said they will begin internal probe in the matter and challenge the order in high court if the charges were found to be false.Additional sessions judge Vinod Yadav, on Monday, passed the order after the 13-year-old girl told the court that she was sexually assaulted by the woman investigating officer (IO) of the case and she had lodged a complaint with the police against her but no action was taken.The court also dismissed the third bail plea of the teacher of a government school, facing prosecution in the case, saying there was no change in circumstances.?Today, separate directions have been given for lodging of FIR against the IO in this case for having committed penetrative sexual assault upon the child victim and creating false evidence.?Needless to say, false evidence was being created by the IO solely to accord benefit thereof to the applicant/accused Manoj Rathi (teacher). Be that as it may, I do not find any change in the circumstance warranting taking different view. The bail application of the applicant accordingly stands dismissed,? the judge said.The court directed the SHO of Mangolpuri in north west Delhi to get the FIR registered against woman IO, a sub-inspector, through a senior officer and file a status report in the matter on April 29.Senior police officers, however, said that they were yet to receive a copy of the court order. They said the court?s order will be examined by their legal department. ?We will defend the woman investigating officer if the charges against her are found baseless. For this, we will challenge the city court?s order in the high court. But if the charges are found true, we will certainly register a case against the woman officer and take strictest possible action under law,? the officer said. The officer said that the court has asked them to file the status report on February 29. ?We still have 10 days to complete our internal enquiry, take legal opinion and decide our further course of action,? the officer said.The girl, in her complaint, alleged that the IO had threatened her father to get the victim medically re-examined or she would implicate her in a false case.The child alleged that initially the woman official sexually assaulted her and later took her to a hospital where the doctors conducted her internal medical examination without her consent.The police which is already probing the aspect of sexual assault on the minor by her teacher, had earlier informed the court that it has also registered an FIR against the girl?s father in view of the alleged confession letter which was given to the police by the school staff.The school staff had given to police an alleged confession letter of the girl?s father that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted her.The initial incident occurred in August last year when the girl, a Class V student of a government school in Aman Vihar area of North-West Delhi, asked a question to the teacher who told her to meet him alone later.The girl said in her complaint that the teacher allegedly molested her and when her parents came to the school next day to complain about his conduct, he threatened them and took thumb impression of the child?s father on a blank paper.The teacher then allegedly wrote a confession letter on behalf of the girl?s father that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted his daughter and got the signatures of other colleagues, she had alleged. Later, a case under the POCSO Act was registered by the police against the accused teacher.The police have also lodged a case against other school teachers and principal for not informing them about an alleged confession letter of a minor girl?s father.(With PTI inputs)

Sonu Kumari

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Over 20-yr-old museum may be shifted to Mumbai zoo

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/planning-to-visit-best-s-iconic-museum-it-may-be-shifted-to-mumbai-s-byculla-zoo-soon/story-GTBPt7GARf20sce2w3t7TN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is planning to shift its 20-year-old museum from Wadala to Byculla zoo in Mumbai, authorities said. "The museum is far away, and people have often complained they don?t visit as the travel is a pain," said an official. The authorities expect that the shift will bring in more visitors and revenues.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) is planning to shift its iconic museum from the Anik Bus Depot at Wadala to Byculla zoo. Authorities said bringing the museum to the heart of the city would attract more visitors and rake in some revenue. ?Rani Baug is visited by thousands of people all through the week and during the weekends. This will also help promote BEST buses,? said a BEST official.The museum at the Anik is more than 20 years old, and houses old bus tickets, models of the electric tram, ticket dispensing machines and historical photographs showing of BEST buses over the years. The authorities want to shift the museum to the building where the zoo?s latest attraction, the Humboldt penguins, are kept. BEST authorities said it has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for space on the second floor of this building. ?The Anik bus depot museum is far away, and people have often complained they don?t visit as the travel is a pain. This is why we have asked for space at Rani Baug.? said Anil Kokil, BEST committee chairman.

Parmeet Kaur

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Tomatoes worth ?70,000 stolen from Mumbai vegetable market

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-police-s-new-task-catch-up-with-men-who-stole-tomatoes-worth-70-000/story-Nf9K8Z0Tcav2fLJGs57lvI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Tomatoes worth ?70,000 were stolen from a vegetable market in Mumbai after a shopkeeper left the crates outside his shop. He reportedly feared that rats might eat the stock if the tomatoes were kept inside. Police officials probing the theft said there is no CCTV footage and added that they are questioning coolies and other vegetable vendors.

As their prices touch Rs100 a kg, tomatoes worth Rs70,000 were stolen from a vegetable market in Mumbai recently.The Dahisar police sent a team to trace the unidentified thieves.The complainant, Shantilal Shrivastav, is a resident of Shanti Nagar in Dahisar. ?Every night he gets delivery of vegetables from Navi Mumbai?s APMC market. He unloads the truck and stores the vegetables in his shop at the Dahisar market,? said police.On Tuesday night, Shrivastav got 30 crates of tomatoes. Fearing that rats might eat them up, he kept the crates outside his shop and left. On Wednesday morning, he found the stock was missing. He then approached the Dahisar police and registered a case of theft.?He has been doing business at the same spot for years, but hasn?t come across such a thing,? said Subhash Sawant, senior police inspector of Dahisar police station.The crates cost Rs2,000 and the tomatoes cost Rs70,000, ?There is no CCTV in the market, making it difficult for us to track the robbers,? said Sawant.The police are now questioning the coolies and other vegetable vendors who sleep near the market.?This is a strange case, but we will trace the tomato thieves,? said a police officer from Dahisar police station.

Daisy Mowke

01 Jan 2017,Sunday

Celebrity chef to curate menu for Tejas passengers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/celebrity-chef-to-curate-menu-for-tejas-passengers/1/847175.html

Passengers travelling on the Tejas trains will be treated to cuisines curated by a celebrity chef as part of new services to be unveiled by the Railways. The railways is considering an agreement with renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor to finalise the menu shortly. Some of the other new features include entertainment LCD screens for each passenger along with headphones sockets.

New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Railways is looking to unveil new services in the new year as part of which passengers will be treated to cuisines curated by a celebrity chef coupled with ultra modern facilities to make it a world class journey. "Despite challenges, we undertook several initiatives in 2016 which will bear fruits later. In 2017, we are looking to progress on the many new initiatives we have launched," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has said. "Recently we launched Hamsafar Express. Before that Mahamanya and Gatimaan Express were also launched. Tejas will be launched in 2017," Prabhu said. Redefining passengers travel experience, Tejas coaches will be equipped with 22 new features, including entertainment LCD screens for each passenger along with headphones sockets. The LCD screens will also be used for disseminating passenger- related information and safety instructions. Quality catering service will be a part of Tejas fares like Rajdhani and Duronto trains and railways is considering an agreement with renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor to finalise the menu shortly. Railways has undertaken many steps in 2016 which are expected to bear fruit in 2017. Giving an example, Prabhu said, "When you plant a seed, you do not see the tree for three years. But suddenly you see sprouts, then the tree comes out and it grows fast. Exactly that is going to happen in railways." Tejas train will be equipped with many modern facilities some of which are the first for Indian Railways. Besides, choicest cuisine and wi-fi facility, there will be toilet engagement boards on the train whose interior colour scheme will match the exterior to give Tejas passengers the feel of world class travel.

Dishant Sharma

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

India's top-ranked shot putter Manpreet Kaur fails dope test

http://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/manpreet-kaur-fails-dope-test-but-remains-eligible-for-shot-put-event-at-world-meet/story-hJv5zlKaO3SCEK65nwRlCI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

India's top-ranked shot putter Manpreet Kaur has failed an in-competition dope test conducted by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA). The national record holder, who won a gold medal at the recently concluded Asian Athletics Championships, failed the test during the Federation Cup in Patiala from June 1-4. Notably, Kaur is still eligible for August's World Athletics Championships in London.

India?s leading shot putter and gold medallist in the just concluded Asian Athletics Championships, Manpreet Kaur has failed a dope test for the stimulant Dimethylbutylamine.The national record holder failed an in-competition test conducted by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) during the Federation Cup in Patiala from June 1-4.READ?|?SAI orders fitness test for department coaches, but confusion prevailsThe thrower is one of the top athletes of the country who has also qualified for next month?s World Athletics Championships in London. Since the stimulant comes under the specified category of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), she will not be debarred from competing in the global meet as there is no mandatory provisional suspension for testing positive for this substance.However, she will have to appear before a NADA disciplinary panel for a hearing. If she is not able to prove her innocence, the national champion might lose the gold medal she won at the Asian meet held at Bhubaneswar from July 6-9.In the Asian Grand Prix, held in China in April, the Indian had won a gold with a throw of 18.86 metres. It was better than the 17.75m qualifying mark for the global meet. Her outstanding performance also ranked her World No.1. In Bhubaneswar, it was a brilliant throw of 18.28m which won her the gold.READ?|?Gagan Narang teams up with Olympic Gold Quest to mentor young shootersManpreet had also participated in the inter-state athletics meet that concluded on Tuesday in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. As expected she dominated the women?s shot put, but her winning throw was 15.65m.The 27-year-old had also qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics but eventually finished 23rd with a best throw of 17.06m.Though Manpreet has dominated domestic competition since 2015, her performance graph has not been steady. During the Kolkata Open national meet in 2015, her gold medal winning throw of 17.96m created a new national record, but she failed to repeat her performance at the Olympics.READ?|?Judoka Preeti leads India?s medal haul at Asian Junior Judo ChampionshipsAfter winning the continental title in Bhubaneswar she said her focus was to repeat her personal best of 18.86m in the world meet, starting August 4. But now it is doubtful whether she would be able to stay focused.In other cases of doping earlier this season, India?s leading 400m hurdler Jithin Paul also came under the doping scanner. During a raid by NADA at Patiala?s hostel, officials seized syringes and vials of meldonium, a drug that Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has tested positive for.Jagtar Singh, gold medal winner decathlon at the Federation Cup, is another high profile athlete to have failed a dope test this season.

Aarushi Maheshwari

03 Jun 2017,Saturday

2,500 kg gigantic hands come up in Venice canal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/venice-support-art-installation-lorenzo-quinn-artist-global-warming-climate-change-lifest/1/956840.html

A sculpture of enormous hands emerging from a canal has come up in Venice, Italy. The white hands weigh an estimated 2,500 kilogrammes each and are 9 metres high. The hand sculpture, created by artist Lorenzo Quinn using recycled materials, is named 'Support' and aimed at raising awareness of global warming.

The waters of Venice got a new installation on May 13 and guess what? It was a set of two enormous hands, emerging out of a canal to support the historic Ca'Sagredo hotel.This huge pair of white hands has actually been put on display as part of the 2017 La Biennale di Venezia, an annual exhibition.Titled 'Support', the sculpture has been created by renowned artist Lorenzo Ouinn. Built off-site, the hands were then loaded on boats and carried to their present location by Quinn and his team. The hands are approximately 9m in height (27ft) and weigh approximately 2500kgs each (5,800lbs, informs Quinn through his Insta post. This spectacle of artistic brilliance is imbued with a deeper significance. Quinn writes on his Instagram page that Support will preserve Venice, ''the wonder of city that is threatened by climate change.''Also Read:Have you already added this underwater museum to your bucket-list?The sculpture was made in Quinn's Bracelona studio, using the ancient method of lost-wax casting, out of recyclable materials post which it was painted.

Rini Sinha

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Didn't quit Twitter after reactions on GoT cameo: Sheeran

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ed-sheeran-didn-t-quit-twitter-over-backlash-on-game-of-thrones-cameo/story-HwzwuMCzVUWYdtf5zkWy0M.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Singer Ed Sheeran revealed that he didn't quit Twitter after being slammed for his cameo in the seventh season of HBO television series Game of Thrones. "I'm in Game of Thrones, why the hell would I worry what people thought about that...timing was just a coincidence, but believe what you want," wrote Sheeran in an Instagram post.

Singer Ed Sheeran insists he didn?t quit Twitter because of the negative reaction to his Game of Thrones cameo and says it was just a coincidence.The 26-year-old Galway Girl hitmaker says he isn?t worried about what other people think of his role.?Last I?ll say on this. I came off Twitter Coz I was always intending to come off Twitter, had nothing to do with what people said about my game of thrones cameo, because I am in game of thrones, why the hell would I worry what people thought about that. It?s clearly awesome. Timing was just a coincidence, but believe what you want (sic),? reads a post on his Instagram.This comes after the episode?s director Jeremy Podeswa defended Sheeran?s appearance.?I think Ed did a lovely job - he?s a lovely actor and a lovely person. He was appropriate for the part because he needed to sing. If people didn?t know who Ed was, they wouldn?t have thought about it twice.?Follow @htshowbiz for more

Tarun Khanna

30 Apr 2017,Sunday

EC clears Manish Sisodia in 'office of profit' case

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/poll-panel-junks-office-of-profit-complaint-against-manish-sisodia-colleague/story-oLlvZhiLgCHtXxSRt8Ss5I.html

The Election Commission has cleared Delhi's Deputy CM Manish Sisodia of allegations of holding an office of profit. He cannot be disqualified as an MLA for being Deputy CM as several states have posts of Deputy CM, said the poll panel. BJP leader Vivek Garg had earlier appealed President Pranab Mukherjee to cancel Sisodia's membership of the Delhi Assembly.

The election commission (EC) has cleared Delhi?s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and party colleague Surinder Singh of allegations of holding an office of profit, a charge that could have disqualified them as legislators. The complaint against Sisodia and Aam Aadmi Party MLA Singh was forwarded to the poll panel by the president?s office but was found to be untenable, sources said.The poll panel?s findings have been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee?s office . Sources said the President has to accept the EC?s recommendations.The decision comes at a time when the election commission is hearing a similar complaint against 21 AAP legislators, who were appointed parliamentary secretaries to assist various ministers of the Arvind Kejriwal government. The appointments were struck down by the Delhi high court.The poll panel?s decision, which can have a bearing on the stability of the government, is likely to be announced by May 15.BJP leader Vivek Garg wrote to Mukherjee, demanding Sisodia?s membership of the Delhi assembly be cancelled as there was no provision for the post of deputy chief minister in the NCT of Delhi act, which deals with government formation, assembly and other such subjects. Sisodia?s appointment amounted to holding an office of profit, Garg had said. Members of Parliament and state assemblies can?t accept government positions that offer money or other benefit such as office space or even a car. A violation can lead to the disqualification of a lawmaker under the ?office of profit? rules that are meant to ensure independence of legislature and guard legislators from executive?s inducements.Singh was accused of benefitting from his membership of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation by illegally occupying four government flats.Delhi?s ruling party has been at loggerheads with the poll panel. Stung by a series of poll defeats, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and several colleagues have raised doubts over the electronic voting machine, alleging EVMs were tampered with to benefit the BJP.Kejriwal even questioned impartiality of election commissioners OP Rawat and AK Joti. Rawat has recused himself from hearing all cases and complaints related to the AAP, saying it was important to protect EC?s credibility.In 2006, Congress president Sonia Gandhi quit her Lok Sabha membership after the Opposition accused her of holding an office of profit when she was appointed the chairperson of the national advisory council, a body set up in 2004 to advise prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Tarun Khanna

10 May 2017,Wednesday

Supreme Court to go paperless as PM Modi launches ICMIS

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-launches-integrated-case-management-system-of-supreme-court/1/950129.html

PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched the Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS) to help the Supreme Court go paperless. The system will help litigants access data and retrieve information online. It will help bring transparency, reduce manipulation and help the litigant know about the progress of the case on a real time basis, said CJI JS Khehar.

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the integrated case management system of the Supreme Court in the presence of the Chief Justice of India. The system will help litigants access data and retrieve information online and will be a step towards a paperless Supreme Court. Speaking on the occasion, CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar said he proposes to integrate the system with all the 24 high courts and the subordinate courts. It will help usher transparency, reduce manipulation and help the litigant know about the progress of the case on a real time basis, he said.

Dishant Sharma

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Sania Mirza's ex-partner wins Wimbledon mixed doubles

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jul/16/jamie-murray-martina-hingis-heather-watson-wimbledon-mixed-doubles-final?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Indian tennis player Sania Mirza's former women's doubles partner Switzerland's Martina Hingis won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title alongside Andy Murray's brother Jamie Murray on Sunday. The British-Swiss duo defeated defending champions Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen. This was Murray's fourth Grand Slam title, while Hingis registered her 23rd Grand Slam title triumph.

Jamie Murray ensured the family name will be on a Wimbledon trophy for the third time in five years as he and the former world No1 Martina Hingis beat the defending champions Heather Watson and Henri Kontinen of Finland 6-4, 6-4 to win the mixed doubles crown.After the painful end to Andy Murray?s title defence, it was left to Jamie to produce the goods and he and Hingis, the No1 seeds, duly clinched victory in 74 minutes.?I have to thank Martina for asking me as I wasn?t going to play mixed doubles,? Murray said. ?When she texted me, it was an easy decision to play, she?s such a great player. Anyone in the locker room would have jumped at the chance to play with her. I really enjoyed the whole week. It?s a great achievement. Any time you win a grand slam, get your name up on the board again, it?s there forever. No one will take it away from you.?Andy Murray, notoriously nervous when watching his brother play, was lurking in the locker room during the match but was there to congratulate him soon after he came off court. ?I just saw him there,? Jamie said. ?He said he came in the middle of the first set. I think he just waited in the lockers. He said he didn?t watch it. I don?t know if he snuck a few points in or not.?With Murray and Watson on opposite sides of the net, it was a win-win situation for British fans on Centre Court, most of whom had stuck around after seeing Roger Federer clinch a record eighth singles title earlier in the day. And they were rewarded with a match full of power, angles, deft volleys and outstanding movement around the net, especially from Murray, whose net skills left the crowd gasping at times.Hingis was the runner-up to Kontinen and Watson last year alongside Leander Paes but when she dumped the Indian in favour of Murray, the Scot knew he had a great chance to add to his grand slam tally. Ten years after partnering Jelena Jankovic to victory here, this was his fourth grand slam crown in all while Hingis took her total to 23, five singles, 12 women?s doubles and six mixed, five of which have come since the beginning of 2015.The big-hitting Kontinen, the men?s doubles world No1, had his moments and Watson held her own but last year?s champions were always up against it with Hingis?s dipping returns perfectly complementing Murray?s sharp net play. After trading early breaks, Watson was broken for the second time at 3-3 and they closed out the opening set.Kontinen and Watson had two chances to break the Murray serve at 3-2 up in the second set but could not take them. A slightly mis-hit return from Hingis set up two break points for the top seeds on the Watson serve at 3-3 and they took the second to get the vital break as Watson hit a forehand into the net. After Hingis held to love, the pair saved three break points to serve out for the title.Kontinen said he and Watson had not taken their chances but they hope to team up again next year. Murray and Hingis have yet to discuss future plans but it seems likely they will defend their title next summer and they may even play together in the US Open later this summer.Hingis, who won the singles here 20 years ago, admitted she was ?not used to no? when she asks someone to play mixed doubles. ?Here, it?s always tough,? she said. ?I understand in the past guys would have said no because they really want to focus on doubles only because it?s three?out-of-five [sets]. This is the only tournament that still does it. It?s definitely easier to ask somebody at the other three grand slams and not Wimbledon. But I was definitely hoping for a yes.?As Jamie said: ?It was a good decision by both of us.?

Dishant Sharma

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Kashyap knocks top seed Lee Hyun Il out of US Open

http://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/parupalli-kashyap-sends-top-seed-lee-hyun-il-packing-from-us-open/story-pZX2VtPu9CmQ82BTlYqRuN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap knocked out top seed Lee Hyun Il in the men's singles opening round of the US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Anaheim on Wednesday. Kashyap defeated the world rank 15, 21-16, 10-21, 21-19, in a match that lasted for an hour and three minutes. Kashyap next faces Hungary's Gergely Krausz.

Commonwealth Games champion Parupalli Kashyap knocked out top seed Lee Hyun Il in the men?s singles opening round of the US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament in Anaheim on Thursday.On a comeback trail after recovering from a shoulder injury, Kashyap dished out a gritty performance to stave off the challenge from World No. 15 Lee 21-16 10-21 21-19 in a match that lasted an hour and three minutes.Fifth seed Sameer Verma, who also is making a comeback after recovering from a shoulder problem, made a positive start to his campaign by defeating Vietnam?s Hoang Nam Nguyen 21-5 21-10 in another men?s singles match.Second seed H S Prannoy, who was in rampaging form at Indonesia Super Series Premier, also reached the second round after beating Austria?s Luka Wraber 21-12 21-16, while Harsheel Dani brushed aside Mexico?s Arturo Hernandez 21-13 21-9 in another match.READ?|?Doping - IAAF clears 8 Russian athletes to compete as neutrals, 53 declinedWorld No. 59 Kashyap will face Hungary?s Gergely Krausz, former National champion Sameer will take on Crotia?s Zvonimir Durkinjak, Prannoy will meet Ireland?s Joshua Magee and Dani will square off against Vietnam?s Tien Minh Nguyen.In women?s singles, Rituparna Das defeated Canada?s Rachel Honderich 21-16 21-18 and Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli beat USA?s Maya Chen 21-13 21-16.However, it was curtains for Lakhanee Sarang, Abhishek Yelegar, Sai Uttejitha Rao Chukka, Reshma Karthik and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde.Lakhanee lost 16-21 13-21 to Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, Abhishek suffered a narrow 17-21 21-16 13-21 loss to third seed Brice Leverdez of France and Netherlands? Gayle Mahulette ended Sai Uttejitha Rao?s campaign 23-25 21-13 21-16.Massive Indian challenge in #USAGPG! These shuttlers successfully crossed the first hurdle.?? pic.twitter.com/IAju8kbkaM? BAI Media (@BAI_Media) July 20, 2017Ruthvika also put up a gallant fight before losing 14-21 27-25 16-21 to Japan?s Aya Ohori and Reshma?s fight too ended with a heart-breaking 21-12 16-21 15-21 loss against Sofie Holmboe Dahl of Denmark in the opening round.In men?s doubles, Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy defeated Canada?s Jason Anthony Ho-Shue and Nyl Yakura 21-15 21-19, while Francis Alwin and Tarun Kona beat local combo of Yan Tuck Chan and Brian Chi Cheng 21-3 21-10.READ?|?Manpreet Kaur suspended for doping, to miss World ChampionshipsWomen?s doubles pair of Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha S Ram defeated Japan?s Rira Kawashima and Saori Ozaki 21-16 14-21 21-14, while Manu and Maneesha beat Canadian combo of Nyl Yakura and Brittney Tam 21-13 21-15 in mixed doubles competition.Third seed Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy lost 21-19 19-21 17-21 to English pair of Ben Lane and Jessica Pugh in mixed doubles.Women?s doubles pair of Kuhoo Garg and Ningshi Block Hazarika lost 12-21 10-21 to Russia pair of Anastasia Chervyakova and Olga Morozova.Fourth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty too suffered a 21-8 19-21 19-21 loss to Kohei Gondo and Tatsuya Watanabe of Japan.Vietnam?s Tuan Duc Do and Nhu Thao Pham ended the campaign of Tarun and Meghana 21-15 21-17 in another mixed doubles match.

Shubhodeep Datta

24 Mar 2017,Friday

Who is the Shiv Sena MP who hit an Air India staffer?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/ravindra-gaikwad-was-among-shiv-sena-mps-who-force-fed-a-muslim-caterer-during-ramzan/story-ZSbG2Ny2iqOfxfAWMqZ6YI.html

Shiv Sena's Ravindra Gaikwad, who hit an Air India staffer with slippers, is a Lok Sabha MP from Maharashtra's Osmanabad constituency. According to his 2014 poll affidavit, he had eight criminal cases against him, including charges related to homicide, rioting, criminal intimidation, and stopping public servants from doing duty. In 2014, he was involved in force-feeding a Muslim during Ramzan.

Three years ago, 11 Shiv Sena MPs created a ruckus at Delhi?s Maharashtra Sadan, where one of them force-fed a Muslim catering worker during the month of Ramzan. Among the MPs was Ravindra Gaikwad.The 56-year-old Gaikwad is in the eye of the storm again for beating up an Air India staffer after a Pune-Delhi flight landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday morning. This incident, or the Maharashtra Sadan episode, was not Gaikwad?s first run-in with the law.As per his affidavit filed ahead of the 2014 General Elections, Gaikwad has three criminal cases against him. In the past, the Osmanabad MP has been booked for voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from his duty, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and criminal intimidation.As per the affidavit, one of the cases was registered in Tuljapur, Osmanabad on March 13, 2003, while two other cases were registered in Omerga, Osmanabad, on January 9, 2013.On Thursday, a defiant and unapologetic Gaikwad admitted that he hit 60-year-old Air India duty manager R Sukumar ?25 times? and has dared Air India to take action against him. ?It was not my fault, it (the AI?employee) was his fault. He should apologise. First ask him to apologise then we will see,? Gaikwad told mediapersons in Delhi on Friday.He has been summoned by Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to Mumbai, even as the airline and other domestic carriers come together to demand a no-fly list for ?unruly passengers? such as him. The MP was upset because he had to shift from business class to economy after a change of aircraft.Senior Shiv Sena office bearers say that the MP is leaving Delhi at 7pm on Friday to meet Uddhav at his residence in Bandra.Three years ago, after the Maharashtra Sadan incident, Uddhav Thackeray had supported the MPs and no action was taken against them. A PIL filed in Delhi High Court to disqualify the 11 MPs was dismissed later.

Gaurav Shroff

27 Apr 2017,Thursday

World's oldest fungus discovered in South Africa

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worlds-oldest-fungus-discovered/1/938789.html

Fungus-like organisms have been found fossilised in South African rocks dating back 2.4 billion years, pushing the oldest evidence of possible fungal life by at most 2 billion years. The fossils suggest it may have evolved underwater, scientists said. If not a fungus, the organism could be from an extinct branch of life that hasn't been described before, scientists added.

London, Apr 26 (PTI) Scientists have discovered what may be the worlds oldest fungus in South African rocks dating back 2.4 billion years. The fossils suggest that fungus may have evolved from under the deep sea rather than land. Drilled from rocks that were once beneath the seafloor, the fossils resemble living fungi and could push back the date for the oldest fungi by one to two billion years. If not a fungus, the organism could be from an extinct branch of life that has not been described before, scientists say. "The deep biosphere where the fossils were found represents a significant portion of the Earth, but we know very little about its biology and even less about its evolutionary history," said Stefan Bengtson of the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Sweden who led the research team. The fossils closely resemble those found in similar conditions on land. They are made up of jumbles of tangled threads some hundredths of a millimetre thick. There is a "clear possibility" that they are the worlds oldest fossil fungi - twice as old as generally accepted in the fossil record, Bengtson was quoted as saying by the BBC News.

Sanira Mediratta

28 May 2017,Sunday

Salman, Katrina to star together in upcoming film: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/salman-khan-katrina-kaif-karan-johar-fawad-khan/1/964851.html

According to reports, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will star together in an upcoming Karan Johar film. The filmmaker wants to feature the duo as he finds their chemistry sizzling, said a source close to Johar's production house. Salman and Katrina have previously worked together in movies Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Partner and Ek Tha Tiger.

Earlier, Karan Johar was making a musical romantic film, reportedly titled Raat Baaki, with Katrina Kaif and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan playing the lead roles.But then, the Uri attacks happened in September last year. The surgical strikes followed. Soon, there was a ban on Pakistani artists working in India and Karan Johar's project did not have a male lead anymore.Fast forward to May this year, and the buzz is strong that Fawad Khan might just get replaced by Salman Khan.According to a report in DNA, Karan Johar is enticed by the chemistry that Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif shares, so he is eager to cast them together in his production."While KJo's next directorial will be with Ranbir Kapoor, he wants to produce a film with Salman and Katrina in the lead as he finds their chemistry sizzling. Earlier, the same film was to star Pakistan actor Fawad Khan along with Katrina, but with the ban on Pakistani actors during Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, that is not happening. Hence the filmmaker was keen to rope in Salman. The script is being reworked for Dabangg Khan and to make the character more suitable to him. The pre-production work on the film has begun,"  a source close to Karan Johar's production was quoted as saying.Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are meanwhile shooting for Tiger Zinda Hai, the sequel to their 2012 blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger. Tiger Zinda Hai is scheduled to release during the Christmas weekend this year.

Ankur Vyas

17 Apr 2017,Monday

Telangana CM's daughter Kavitha sells sarees for a day

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-chandrashekhar-rao-kalvakuntla-kavitha/1/930828.html

Participating in the 'Pink Coolie Week', Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha on Monday sold sarees to earn money for the party. She reportedly earned ?7 lakh by selling sarees in her constituency Nizamabad. Earlier, Rao had asked TRS members to raise money as the party was short of funds for its foundation day celebrations.

After Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao's son K Tarak Rao, it was the turn of daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha to earn money for their party, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS).Participating in the 'Pink Coolie Week', Kavitha was seen selling sarees in Nizamabad, which is her parliamentary constituency. She is an elected member of the Lok Sabha from this constituency.Nizamabad MP K Kavitha arrived at LVR Cloth showroom in Nizamabad this morning to sell sarees. As the word spread in the city, large number of people thronged the shop to get a piece of fashionable cloth from the hands of their leader.Unusual rush at the store helped Lok Sabha MP Kavitha earn fat. She reportedly 'earned' Rs 7 lakh by selling sarees to customers. However, she stayed at the store for only a few hours. WHY KAVITHA SOLD SAREESThe ruling party of Telangana, TRS is said to be short of funds to celebrate its formation day on April 27 in Warrangal. The party leaders want to make it a grand function, for which Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao suggested that all the leaders, including himself, and the party workers should do two days of labour to raise fund.K Chandrashekhar Rao, himself, vowed to work as a coolie for two days and earn money for the plenary function of the party.Following the appeal of K Chandrashekhar Rao, the ministers and TRS leaders are in a sprint for earning more and more money for formation day function. WHO ALL ARE DOING WHATKCR's son K Tarak Rao sold ice-cream and juice last week at a famous joint in Hyderabad. KT Rao is a powerful minister in his father's cabinet in Telangana.KCR has requested 75-lakh strong party cadre to earn money by doing manual work to meet the expenditure for food, water and travel for the party's formation day celebrations and plenary.Telangana energy minister G Jagdish Reddy spent few hours as a labourer in Nalgon district and raised Rs 3 lakh for the party.Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is likely to work as a 'Gulabi Coolie' in Mahabubnagar district on Wednesday.ALSO READ |Telangana CM Chandrasekhar Rao's son earns Rs 7.5 lakh by selling ice-creamBill for 12 per cent Muslim quota passed in Telangana Assembly, 5 BJP MLAs suspended

Daisy Mowke

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Former Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contestant Zain Ali found dead

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/former-sa-re-ga-ma-pa-contestant-zain-ali-found-dead/story-Z7kKPUPZne7vbpLbzcbc1K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Zain Ali, an ex-contestant on music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his friend's home in Sheikhupura, Pakistan on Friday. He was reportedly found lying unconscious in the bathroom of the house. Zain's brother revealed he had a history of drug addiction but denied that an overdose could have been the cause.

An ex-contestant of music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa was found dead at his friend?s home in Sheikhupura on Friday. According to a report in The Express Tribune, he was found lying unconscious in the bathroom of the house.Zain?s brother, Sonu, said that the singer left his home on Thursday to stay with his friends. ?Zain told us that he was going to hang out with his friends for a few days but we woke up to the news of his death. He was unmarried and had no love affairs or financial troubles that we know. In fact, Zain was about to make a new song for an upcoming film soon and was very excited about it,? he said.There has been no confirmation on the reason behind his death. His brother revealed that Zain did have drug addiction issues but denied that an over dose could have been the cause.Medical investigations are underway.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Arshiya Chopra

24 Jun 2017,Saturday

UN honours Mamata Banerjee with highest public service award

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-un-public-service-award-kanyashree-netherlands/1/986200.html

The United Nations on Friday honoured West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee with the highest public service award for her girl empowerment initiative Kanyashree Prakalpa. The initiative was ranked first among 552 such social schemes for 'Reaching the Poorest and Most Vulnerable through Inclusive Services and Participation'. The initiative has benefitted around 40 lakh school and college-going girls.

In a major boost to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pet project 'Kanyashree', the United Nations today accorded its highest award for public service to the West Bengal government for the scheme initiated to empower the girl child with education.The project was launched in 2011 soon after Mamata Banerjee came to power and has helped more than 40 lakh female students in the state.'Kanyashree' was ranked the best among 552 such social sector schemes from across 62 countries that were nominated for the coveted award. The award was presented at the World Public Service Forum by UN Assistant Secretary General at a ceremony in Hague in Netherlands. After receiving the award, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dedicated it to the people of her state and the country."We are delighted on behalf of our countrymen and the people of Bengal to receive the first prize on UN Public Service Day. Receiving the first prize from the UN for Kanyashree is a huge honour and recognition," Banerjee said.'Kanyashree Prakalpa' is a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in schools and other educational and skill development institutions along with preventing child marriage.The scheme has already enrolled more than four million adolescent girls with the state government transferring a sanctioned some of money directly to the beneficiaries' bank account.

Prashanti Moktan

08 Jun 2017,Thursday

Dimple Kapadia made acting debut at 16 in 1973 film Bobby

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-birthday-dimple-kapadia-bobby/1/973610.html

Dimple Kapadia, who turned 60 on Thursday, made her acting debut at the age of 16 opposite Rishi Kapoor in the 1973 film Bobby. For portraying the female lead Bobby Braganza, Dimple was named one of the winners of Best Actress Filmfare Award. Notably, Dimple stopped acting in films on marrying Rajesh Khanna in the same year of her debut.

Dimple Kapadia can turn more heads than her daughter Twinkle Khanna even now. The ravishing Bobby actor turns 60 today but doesn't look anywhere close to it. Dimple started her career with the iconic Raj Kapoor film, Bobby, when she was just 16. She got married to superstar Rajesh Khanna, 15 years older to her, a few months before her debut film released. Bobby, with Dimple and Rishi Kapoor in the lead roles, was a trendsetter which gave Dimple the moniker of a sex bomb. She gave birth to two daughters, Twinkle and Rinke, and took a break from acting to concentrate on motherhood. However, her marriage with Rajesh Khanna didn't last long. She made a comeback on the big screen with Saagar in 1984. With 80 films and many awards in her kitty, she has proved that there is more to her than a pretty face and gorgeous tresses. Here is a look at five of her outstanding performances on the big screen:BobbyAt 16, Dimple Kapadia made her debut opposite Rishi Kapoor in this Raj Kapoor film which took the industry by storm. Dimple made a mark in her very first film, and it became a huge success, setting a lot of trends, from the signature "Bobby print" to the trope of the coming-of-age romance with a background difference. A whole generation of Bollywood films have followed this theme since Bobby.SaagarHer comeback film after the self-imposed sabbatical was a love triangle. The Ramesh Sippy film with Kamal Haasan and Rishi Kapoor in the lead roles, also created a lot of buzz for her topless shot. What was actually a wardrobe malfunction, went on to become one of the most iconic scenes in the history of Bollywood. Dimple continued with her strong act on the screen with a lot of intense on-screen moments with Rishi Kapoor. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for Saagar.JanbaazHer next stellar performance was opposite Anil Kapoor in Feroz Khan's directorial Janbaaz. With power packed performances from Anil Kapoor, Feroz Khan, Amrish Puri, Dimple stood out with her act as Anil's love interest Reshma. They share some steamy scenes on screen. Janbaaz was entertaining with all the right commercial Bollywood elements, which worked for the film.RudaaliBased on the short story "Rudaali" by the revered Bengali writer Mahasweta Devi, Rudaali saw Dimple in an unglamorous but extremely arresting role. Rakhee Gulzar and Dimple Kapadia played the leads in the film which didn't have any male lead. The film, directed by Guru Dutt's niece Kalpana Lajmi, was shot mostly in Rajasthan. Rudaali is the story of professional women mourners who were hired to mourn death of male relatives, a custom prevalent in Rajasthan. Dressed in local costumes, Dimple brought the role to life on screen and even won a National Award for her emotional performance.Dil Chahta HaiDil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar's maiden venture was sort of a second comeback movie for the 43-year-old. Farhan's film had all the elements to click with the young audience. Dimple played an older woman who caught the fancy of the artist Akshaye Khanna. She played the perfect muse to him while adding a certain dimension to her character.ALSO READ: Dimple Kapadia responds with dignity to the Rajesh Khanna-Naseeruddin Shah furoreALSO READ: Unknown facts about Dimple Kapadia, Rajesh Khanna's marriage ALSO WATCH: Rustom star Akshay Kumar is the real 'Khiladi' of Bollywood

Daisy Mowke

01 Jan 2017,Sunday

West Bengal bakery makes demonetisation-themed cake

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-cake-jalpaiguri-bakery-auction-rbi-atm/1/847154.html

A bakery in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal has made a demonetisation-themed cake, which has been put up for auction. The 64-pound cake shows people queued outside the ATM and the Reserve Bank of India. It also shows a dustbin nearby with a discarded ?1,000 note inside. Bidding for the cake is open till 7 pm on Monday.

The demonetisation drive of the central government has brought out the creativity of people in Didi's Bengal. A 64-pound cake showing a model of the Reserve Bank of India and ATMs with currency notes has been making news in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.A little-known bakery in Jalpaiguri district has made the cake, highlighting the most talked-about subject of 2016. The cake will be auctioned to the highest bidder on January 2.CAKE TO HIGHLIGHT DEMONETISATION"Everyone has monetary problems. Leaving all their work aside, people have just been standing in queues. I have also stood in line. I see the same situation wherever I go. Through cakes, I wanted to highlight the present situation," said a worker at the bakery.Whoever bids the highest for the cake in the next 24 hours (till 7 pm on Monday) will be the owner of this cake."Whoever comes today to bid, we will write their names and phone numbers. On Monday, we will call the person who bid the highest amount. We think it will be around Rs.20,000", said baker Anjana Saha.DETAILS OF THE CAKE

Anmol Sharma

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Zaheer to be with Team India for 150 days a year: Ganguly

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/zaheer-khan-will-be-contracted-for-150-days-a-year-says-sourav-ganguly/story-0FLUHCQFrufO6emBhg9k6O.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member Sourav Ganguly has said Zaheer Khan will spend 150 days a year with the Indian team as overseas bowling consultant. Zaheer reportedly did not wish to commit for more than 100 days annually, but gave in to the Cricket Advisory Committee's insistence. Zaheer is expected to accompany the team for the Sri Lanka tour.

India?s new bowling consultant Zaheer Khan will be offered a contract of 150 days per season, informed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member Sourav Ganguly.?Zaheer was contacted for 150 days per year,? Ganguly told reporters at Eden Gardens.While the BCCI has already clarified in a statement that Zaheer?s appointment is on a tour-to-tour basis, it is clear that he will be spending around five months with the Indian team.Zaheer reportedly did not wish to commit more than 100 days but with CAC insisting, it is now a done deal for 150 days. READ?|?Arjuna Ranatunga says India vs Sri Lanka World Cup final was fixed, wants probeThere was no end to controversy surrounding India cricket head coach appointment as even after Ravi Shastri was picked by CAC, there was drama surrounding the appointment of support staff.Fresh controversy started when reports emerged yesterday that Shastri was unhappy with the appointment of Zaheer as bowling coach as he wanted to bring his trusted man Bharat Arun for the job.Reports in some quarters claimed the Committee of Administrators (CoA) felt that the CAC, comprising Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman went out of their ambit in picking the coach.Hurt by these criticism and reports, the CAC wrote a letter to the CoA chairman Vinod Rai and said the appointments were made after informing the new coach Shastri and India captain Virat Kohli. READ?| Sachin Tendulkar says Rahul Dravid, Zaheer Khan not imposed on Ravi ShastriThe CoA later released a media release in the wake of the CAC letter and clarified that Zaheer and Dravid have been appointed as the consultants and they would be a part of the team during specific overseas tours.

Prashanti Moktan

03 Mar 2017,Friday

Sanjay apologises for bodyguards assaulting media persons

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sanjay-dutt-bhoomi-bodyguards-beat-up-reporters-police-agra/1/895860.html

Actor Sanjay Dutt has apologised over his bodyguards assaulting local media persons in Agra. Dutt was reportedly present when the attack took place. Earlier this week, the shooting of Sanjay's film 'Bhoomi' had to be stopped as crowds, which had gathered to get a glimpse of the actor, went out of control.

Sanjay Dutt, who is in Agra shooting for his comeback film Bhoomi, has run into trouble with the law again. The actor's bodyguards roughed up some local mediapersons on Thursday, who filed a police complaint. Reportedly, Sanjay was present when the attack took place, but left the spot. However, he has since issued an apology to the mediapersons.Earlier this week, the shooting of Sanjay's film was stalled when crowds which had gathered to get a glimpse of the actor went out of control.

Mansha Mahajan

24 Apr 2017,Monday

Luxury shoe retailer Jimmy Choo puts itself up for sale

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/apr/24/now-on-sale-jimmy-choo-the-whole-company?CMP=twt_gu

Luxury shoe and bag retailer Jimmy Choo on Monday said it is seeking offers for the company as part of a review of its strategic options to maximise shareholder value. The firm said it had discussed the strategic review process with its majority shareholder, JAB Luxury, which is supportive of the process. Jimmy Choo is valued at over $900 million.

The luxury shoe and bag retailer Jimmy Choo has put itself up for sale in a move that took the market by surprise.The retailer said it had ?decided to conduct a review of the various strategic options open to the company to maximise value for its shareholders? and that it was seeking offers for the business.The move was backed by the company?s independent directors and JAB Luxury, its majority shareholder with a stake of 68%.Shares in Jimmy Choo jumped 10% to a record high of 186.25p on the news, valuing the group at more than £720m. The company floated on the stock market in 2014 at a price of 140p a share, valuing it at about £550m.Any sale is expected to attract interest from strategic American buyers as well as Middle Eastern, Chinese and Russian bidders.The company was founded in London in 1996 by the Malaysian fashion designer Jimmy Choo and the then Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon. It runs 150 stores around the world, opening 10 last year as well as refitting 16 shops.It recently reported operating profits of £42.5m for 2016, up nearly 43%, after success with luxury trainers. Men?s shoes remain its fastest-growing category and account for 9% of revenue.The company has benefited from the drop in sterling since the EU referendum and is expanding in China. It has fared better than other luxury retailers such as Burberry, which were hit by Chinese tourists cutting back on luxury purchases.JAB, an investment company owned by Germany?s billionaire Reimann family, wants to sell its stake in the shoes group to focus on food and other consumer goods. The family, one of Europe?s wealthiest business dynasties, has been building an empire of coffee brands and last year added Krispy Kreme Doughnuts to its portfolio. It also owns the US cosmetics brand Coty. Luxury investments make up less than 10% of JAB?s portfolio, and it plans to use the sale proceeds to take on the likes of Nestlé.A Euromonitor analyst said: ?Globally, retail sales of men?s designer footwear have grown marginally faster than women?s designer footwear over the last three years. So it is easy to see why Jimmy Choo has expanded into this male segment. Women?s luxury footwear still generates almost twice the retail value of men?s luxury footwear, though, and that disparity is unlikely to narrow significantly over the next decade.?But Jimmy Choo needs to be careful not to get ahead of itself. Remember what happened to Mulberry, another niche British luxury brand, when it drifted too far from its comfort zone? One year sales were soaring, the next they were dropping amidst a spate of profit warnings.?

Shubhodeep Datta

07 Apr 2017,Friday

India signs missile deal worth nearly ?13,000 cr with Israel

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/israel-signs-usd-2-billion-missile-deal-with-india/1/922676.html

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has announced that it has signed a $2 billion (nearly ?13,000 crore) contract with India to supply advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile systems. IAI said it was their largest defence contract. IAI added that it would also supply additional long-range air and missile defence systems for the first locally-made Indian aircraft carrier.

From Harinder Mishra Jerusalem, Apr 6 (PTI) Israel has signed a USD 2 billion contract with India to supply it with missile defence systems, the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said today. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in an announcement said that it has been awarded its largest defence contract of almost USD 2 billion for supplying advanced medium-range surface-to-air missile systems (MRSAM) to India. IAI said it would also supply additional long-range air and missile defence systems (LRSAM) for the first locally produced Indian aircraft carrier. The contract is worth USD 1.6 billion for IAI, with the rest going to another state-owned defence company Rafael, that will be providing components for the systems. "The current contracts represent an enormous expression of confidence by the government of India in IAIs capabilities and advanced technologies, which are being developed with our local partners as part of the Indian governments Make in India policy," IAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph Weiss said in a statement. President Reuven Rivlin, who is said to have discussed the deal with Indian leaders during his trip to India early this year, called to congratulate Weiss on this "historic" deal terming it truly "exceptional". "Please pass on my congratulations to all who contributed to this important achievement. You have come such a long way to arrive at this point, it is truly exceptional," Rivlin told IAIs CEO. "Israels willingness to share technology and form joint ventures with Indian companies to develop and manufacture military equipment supporting the Make in India initiative is said to have been well received in New Delhi. In the case of MRSAM, an advanced air and missile defence system that provides protection against a variety of aerial threats, the technology is said to have been jointly developed by IAI and Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation in collaboration with Rafael and IAIs Elta division.

Tanya Dhingra

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Haven't thought that much ahead: Varun on marrying Natasha

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/varun-dhawan-girlfriend-natasha-dalal-wedding/1/1013232.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Varun Dhawan, while talking about marrying his girlfriend Natasha Dalal, said that they haven't thought that much ahead. Varun added, "When you find someone and that connection is formed, then everything else...doesn't actually matter." He further said that Natasha is not from the film industry and he tries as much as he can to protect her from the media frenzy. n

Although Varun Dhawan has never announced that he is dating Natasha Dalal, their relationship is an open secret. The actor opened up about his relationship on Neha Dhupia's podcast, #NoFilterNeha, and said that he has found the one.Varun said, "I have never hidden it from anyone that I have been in a relationship. I have just never spoken about it openly." He talked about how being a public figure, speculation about his relationship has always made headlines. The Badrinath Ki Dulhania actor said, "She is not from the film line, so as much as I can, I protect her from the media frenzy."When Neha asked Varun if there would be wedding bells in the near future, he said, "Honestly, we have not thought that much ahead. Sometimes in life, when you find someone and that connection is formed, then everything else that you thought was the be-all and end-all of life, doesn't actually matter."On the work front, Varun will be seen next in his father David Dhawan's Judwaa 2 in a double role.

Anmol Sharma

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Jadeja has started to come out of Ashwin's shadow: Ganguly

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ravindra-jadeja-ravichandran-ashwin-sourav-ganguly-india-vs-australia-test-cricket/1/909400.html

After Ravindra Jadeja became sole top-ranked Test bowler, former captain Sourav Ganguly said that Jadeja has started to come out of the shadow of Ravichandran Ashwin. "Ashwin has 250 Test wickets... and is the fastest to the mark, but Jadeja in this series has taken the responsibility... He has gone ahead of Ashwin," added Ganguly.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja on Tuesday became only the third Indian in history to climb to the top of the ICC rankings for Test bowlers but his rise to the top comes as no surprise to former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. (WATCH: Team India lands in Dharamsala for series finale)Speaking to India Today, Ganguly had himself rated Jadeja ahead of Ashwin in the current series, even before his form was reflected in the ICC rankings."If you look at this series and the series against England he has just started to come out of the shadow of Ravi Ashwin. Ashwin has 250 Test wickets, ahead of everyone, and is the fastest to the mark, but Jadeja in this series has taken the responsibility. In this series he has gone ahead of Ashwin as far as taking responsibility is concerned," Ganguly told India Today.ICC RANKING FOR TEST BOWLERS:Jadeja claimed nine wickets in Ranchi to take his tally to 21 in the series, four more than Ashwin while the left arm spinner also has a better strike rate and average. His efforts drew high praise from Indian captain Virat Kohli after the drawn third Test."Jadeja's bowling was outstanding in this match. Every bowler bowled well but according to me Jadeja stands out. For this pitch he bowled exceptionally well and showed why he has joined Ashwin as the world's best bowler", said the India captain, who posted a picture of himself with the 'bowling machine' on route to the series decider.No doubt Kohli will depend on the deadly duo of Jadeja and Ashwin to seal a record extending seventh straight series win.Off to Dharamshala for the last one. With the bowling machine â??ï¸?ð???ð??« @imjadejapic.twitter.com/OAG8Kgh57BGanguly believes that Jadeja is in the form of his life but can get even better."The last 6 months have been the best for Jadeja as a spinner over the last 4-5 years, hopefully he can carry on, and he is getting the experience. He has played a lot of Test cricket now and hopefully he can use that experience to get better. It is bound to happen when you have been around for 4-5 years and you know you are going to play Test matches. Jadeja has been backed by MS Dhoni, he has been backed by selectors and has been backed by Virat Kohli so he has everything going for him and he has bowled well," Ganguly said. (Australian media compares Kohli to Trump)BEST AVG AT HOME IN TESTS (100+ WKTS):Former Aussie skipper Michael Clarke too hailed Jadeja for his heroics in the Ranchi Test that ended in a draw.

Chhavi Tyagi

20 Feb 2017,Monday

North East neglected for decades: Rajnath Singh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/north-east-neglected-for-decades-rajnath/1/887260.html

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that no one had taken care of the North East even after several decades since Independence. "And now Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rechristened the Look East Policy as Act East Policy to fast track development in the region after years of negligence," Rajnath added.

Itanagar, Feb 20 (PTI) Development of the North East is essential for the countrys economic development, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today while criticising the previous UPA regime at the Centre for neglecting the region for years. Singh, who was addressing a function to mark the 31st Arunachal Pradesh statehood day, called the North East a "holy place" and one of the richest in the country. "But no one had taken care of it even after several decades since Independence," he said. "In 2001, the NDA government under Prime Minister A B Vajpayee created the Ministry of Department of North Eastern Region as an independent one. After this, the region got a momentum in terms of development," he told the gathering. "And now Prime Minister Narendra Modi had rechristened the Look East Policy as Act East Policy to fast track development in the region after years of negligence," he said. The senior BJP leader said the Centre was keen on development of Arunachal Pradesh which is "strategically located sharing international borders with China, Bhutan and Myanmar", and assured full support to the state for its all round development. Referring to the border dispute between India and China, Singh said the relations between the Asian giants had improved and they were involved in bilateral trade worth USD 70 billion. Singh, who was accompanied by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and BJP national secretary Ram Madhab, said, "Arunachal Pradesh is in its full youthfulness and interestingly the Chief Minister is also the youngest in the country. He has the vision and will power to lead the state to the zenith of development."

Chhavi Tyagi

25 Mar 2017,Saturday

Manipur government ends interviews for junior level posts

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manipur-govt-ends-interviews-for-junior-level-posts/1/912440.html

The newly elected BJP-led Manipur government has announced to end the stage of interview in direct recruitment for junior level posts in all departments under the state government with immediate effect. The state also decided to amend the existing recruitment rules for Grade III and IV posts accordingly, an official statement said.

Imphal, Mar 24 (PTI) The newly elected BJP-led Manipur government today decided to do away with the process of interview in direct recruitment for junior level posts in all departments. A meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh also decided to set up an anti- corruption cell at the Chief Ministers Secretariat. "The cabinet decided to discontinue the stage of interview in direct recruitment for junior level posts in all departments under Manipur government with immediate effect, " an official statement said. It also decided to amend the existing recruitment rules for Grade III and IV posts accordingly, it added. The step will help government curb corruption, assist in more objective selection in a transparent manner and ease the problems of poor people, it said.

Anmol Sharma

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Dravid, Zaheer's appointments put on hold by BCCI panel

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rahul-dravid-zaheer-khan-committee-of-administrators/1/1002985.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Supreme Court-appointed BCCI's Committee of Administrators has said Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid's appointment as overseas consultants for Team India has not been ratified and they are only the Cricket Advisory Committee's "recommendations". This comes after BCCI confirmed them as overseas consultants on "tour-to-tour" basis and Sourav Ganguly said Zaheer would be contracted for 150 days a year

Newly appointed head coach Ravi Shastri will be meeting the four-member committee of the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the selection of the support staff for Team India.CoA chief Vinod Rai on Saturday informed that Shastri is presently out of the country and once he is back, thefour-member committee will have a meetingwith him."We have taken the board on the recommendations of the CAC for Mr. Ravi Shastri as the head coach. And we have decided that for further coaches and others, we must have a discussion with Mr. Ravi Shastri. We have discussed with him, he is away. He comes back tomorrow or day after," said Rai.WATCH FULL VIDEO"We have set up a committee of Diana Edulji, Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary, acting president of the board CK Khanna and CEO Rahul Johri as a convener, who will speak to them and Ravi Shastri and make the selection of the other coaches," he added.The meeting, which comes after the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) appointed Zaheer Khan as bowling coach and Rahul Dravid as overseas batting coach, has been scheduled for July 18.However, the CoA chief made it clear that the CAC has just made recommendations over the same."There's no such thing as a contract as yet. These are just recommendations. A recommendation has been made and the CoA has to act on that. That recommendation will be acted upon in consultation with the head coach," he said.The BCCI has, however, clarified that Zaheer Khan will only be available as overseas bowling coach of Team India and will travel with the team on tour to tour basis.The board also made it clear Shastri was consulted before appointing Zaheer and Dravid as bowling and batting consultants respectively.

Rini Sinha

07 Jan 2017,Saturday

Kareena has told me to ensure Taimur plays cricket: Randhir

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/taimur-ali-khan-kareena-kapoor-saif-ali-khan-randhir-kapoor/1/851632.html

Randhir Kapoor has revealed that daughter Kareena Kapoor has asked him to ensure that her son Taimur plays cricket when he grows older. On the controversy surrounding Taimur's name, he said, "Can't believe people wanted a baby to die just because they didn't like his name." Kareena gave birth to Taimur, her first child with husband Saif in December 2016.

It's been a little more than two weeks that Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi was born. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan's son had been hitting the headlines for almost nine months prior to that date. It felt as if the entire nation was looking forward to this baby.But sadly, when the baby was indeed born and news spread that he was named Taimur, Twitterati and social media began spewing venom and went as far as to pray for the baby to die because Taimur is a name shared by a 14th century conqueror who slaughtered millions of Indians centuries ago.ALSO WATCH: Saif-Kareena become proud parents to a baby boy, TaimurSpeaking on the mental trauma that the Kapoor-Khan family has had to face because of this, Kareena's father and Taimur's maternal grandfather Randhir Kapoor said that at the time of the controversy, he and Rishi Kapoor wondered if a person has the basic freedom to name his own son in such turbulent times?"I still cannot believe that just because a few people did not like a baby's name, they wanted the baby to die. I am sure that these people don't know that in Arabic, Taimur means iron," Randhir told Anandabazar Patrika.ALSO READ: These new photos of Saif-Kareena and Taimur are too good to miss

Dishant Sharma

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

Hardik Pandya can be India's Ben Stokes: Virat Kohli

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-2017/hardik-pandya-can-be-to-india-what-ben-stokes-is-to-england-virat-kohli/story-8IeZ3AgA5Wt5NM7RgPEwuK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Following all-rounder Hardik Pandya's Test debut against Sri Lanka, captain Virat Kohli said, "If he grows in confidence, you see someone like Ben Stokes, what he does for England. He brings in a great balance as an all-rounder." The skipper also praised Pandya's batting, fielding and bowling skills and said that he has "a lot of faith in him".

Like a striker in football, a quality pace bowling all-rounder is the most treasured property in international cricket. It is why the Indian team is excited and eager to see that Hardik Pandya develops his potential. He has the pace and is an aggressive batsman. He made a decent debut in the first Test in Galle, scoring a half-century and chipping in with a wicket.READ?|?Virat Kohli?s India shatter records in thumping win over Sri Lanka in Galle TestSkipper Virat Kohli backed Pandya, 23, to provide the Indian team balance in batting and bowling.?At home, it has been different but when you play away, one guy gives you a lot of balance. I think Hardik can be that guy going ahead, especially playing so much cricket away from home. If he grows in confidence ? you see someone like Ben Stokes, what he does for England. He brings in a great balance as an all-rounder. I see no reason why Hardik Pandya can?t become that for India,? said Kohli, declaring that Pandya had answered the quest for all-rounder.READ?|?Virat Kohli says Galle Test win vs Sri Lanka an example of Indian bowlers? skillsThat's it. A comprehensive victory and #TeamIndia take a 1-0 lead in the series #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/gTJKnWneMH? BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2017?He definitely has. He bowled really nicely on a wicket that wasn?t offering much and he kept it in the right areas. He used the bouncer well. He bowls around 135 kph, and when he bends his back, he can go higher. So, he is a great asset, and specially his batting. Otherwise, we would have been 540-550 in the first innings. He got 50 quickly and that saves you time as well. That gives you another 15 overs to bowl at the opposition. And his fielding is also tremendous. I have a lot of faith in him as far as any format is concerned.?

Chhavi Tyagi

10 Mar 2017,Friday

We will win UP, exit polls in Bihar were wrong too: Rahul

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rahul-gandhi-exit-polls-election-results-bihar-uttar-pradesh-congress/1/901126.html

A day after exit polls predicted victory for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said, "We will win in Uttar Pradesh. Exit polls projections in Bihar were wrong." He further said, "We will talk on 11 March. I am not giving any opinion on the opinion polls."

Refusing to give "an opinion on opinion polls", Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi today rejected the various exit polls that gave the BJP a clear lead in Uttar Pradesh and claimed his alliance with the Samajwadi Party is winning the state."We will win in Uttar Pradesh. Exit polls projections in Bihar were wrong. We will talk on 11 March," the 46-year-old leader told India Today TV. "I am not giving any opinion on the opinion polls," he said.In November 2015 Bihar election, most pollsters and pundits had predicted a Narendra Modi wave in Bihar and a BJP victory in the state. One of the TV channels had even called the election in favour of the saffron party, only to retract itself later when the Mahagatbandhan of the Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress had swept the state.On Friday evening, while the TV channels were busy discussing the exit polls, Rahul Gandhi's ally and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav told the BBC that he is ready for an alliance with arch rival Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party in case Uttar Pradesh throws a hung verdict.

Prashanti Moktan

23 May 2017,Tuesday

Effigies of Rajinikanth burnt, protestors term him Kannadiga

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajinikanth-kannadiga-thalaiva-tamil-nadu-politics/1/960493.html

Effigies of Rajinikanth were burnt in Tamil Nadu and protestors from pro-Tamilian groups including Thamizhar Munnetra Padai (TMP) termed him Kannadiga. The protests were in response to the actor hinting that he might join politics in a meeting with fans. TMP leader Veeralakshmi said Tamil political leaders were capable and the state doesn't need someone (referring to Rajinikanth) from Karnataka.

Superstar Rajinikanth may have resorted back to his acting career and is leading a normal life after dropping hints to join politics, but all is not peaceful in Tamil Nadu. His May 19 speech was replete with hints of political ambition while the superstar met with his fans after a long time. But things have taken a drastic turn in Tamil Nadu politics since then. A day after Rajinikanth's speech, his effigy was burnt in Coimbatore by TPDK movement members claiming that he insulted Tamilians. But the next disaster was waiting to happen in Chennai.On May 22, another pro-Tamil group Thamizar Munnetra Padai decided to protest against Rajinikanth claiming him to be a Kannadiga. Veeralakshmi, the leader of the group announced a protest and that she would lay siege on Rajinikanth's house at Poes Garden. Security was beefed up and no vehicles were allowed beyond the checkpoints which were resurrected after Jayalalithaa's death.But to their surprise, Veeralakshmi brought her group near American Counsel and burnt the effigy of Rajinikanth. Embarrassed cops were unable to go near the effigy as it was packed with crackers, which is a new trend to make the police stop the protest. "Down down, Kannadiga actor Rajnikanth. Tamil Nadu is only for Tamils," yelled Veeralakshmi while she held a flag near the burning effigy.The cops finally put out the fire, removed the effigy and arrested 17 members of the group. To everyone's surprise, not much outrage was seen in Chennai from Rajinikanth's fans.Yet around 4 pm in the evening, outraged Rajinikanth fans protested against Veeralakshmi and burnt her effigy at Madurai. Close to 50 Rajinikanth fans assembled near Periyar Bus stand and burnt Veeralakshmi's effigy raising slogans against anyone who opposed Rajinikanth's entry into politics.  The superstar has already cleared out that without someone opposing, you can't grow up in life and has asked his fans to lead their usual life until they hear the war cry.Also Read:Rajinikanth faces protest, pro-Tamil group calls him a Kannadiga, asks Thalaiva to stay out of politics Rajinikanth will join politics, for sure. The question is when?

Mansha Mahajan

18 Feb 2017,Saturday

National bad bank is not a bad idea: HDFC Bank's Aditya Puri

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aditya-puri-says-national-bad-bank-is-not-a-bad-idea/1/885287.html

HDFC Bank CEO Aditya Puri on Friday backed setting up a national bad bank, saying anything that can help resolve the bad loans problem is welcome. "The...regulators are coming up with various discussions as to how (to) solve the issue relating to NPAs and that is necessary," he said. Other ideas like the Bankruptcy Code should also help, Puri added.

Mumbai, Feb 17 (PTI) Aditya Puri, Managing Director and Chief Executive of the second largest private lender HDFC Bank, today backed the idea of setting up a national bad bank, saying anything that can help resolve the perennial bad loans problem is welcome. "I dont think a national bad bank is a bad idea. The Government and the regulators are coming up with various discussions as to how solve the issue relating to NPAs and that is necessary so that the banking system has the ability to do more. "Bad bank is one of the ideas being discussed, there are other ideas like the Bankruptcy Code which should also help, we bankers are also working (on tacking NPA issue)," Puri told a panel discussion at the concluding day of the three-day annual Nasscom leadership forum here. It can be noted that almost 20 per cent of the banking assets are stressed with the NPAs alone topping 13.5 per cent as of the September quarter. While more than 70 per cent of the system are with the state-run banks, over 90 per cent of the stressed assets with them, leaving them starved of growth capital. While its banks are starved of cash, the Government finances are not adequate to recapitalise them which was visible from the paltry Rs 10,000 crore for capital infusion into 24 state-run banks in the Budget 2018. In fiscal 2017 and the previous year, the Government infused Rs 25,000 crore each in to these banks, while their demand is at least Rs 91,000 crore between the next two fiscal years, as per an India Ratings estimate in the core tier I capital alone to meet the stringent Basel 3 capital norms. For the system as a whole between fiscal 2015 and 2019, the banks need more than Rs 3.9 trillion for the banks to meet the Basel III capital norms. Of this Rs 1.8 trillion are only tier I core capital for the public sector banks.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Mob sets police station on fire after accused killed in jail

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shimla-rape-murder-accused-strangled-by-another-suspect-in-police-lock-up-protests-rock-kotkhai/story-FL1cHKo5JX9j5y7uNtxajN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A mob of around 3,000 people on Wednesday set a police station in Shimla on fire after a rape accused was murdered in police custody. The accused, Suraj Singh, was allegedly murdered by a co-accused in the gangrape following a scuffle. The two suspects fought after Singh reportedly blamed the entire incident on the co-accused.

An accused in the murder and gangrape of a 16-year-old girl in Himachal Pradesh?s Kotkhai died in police custody early Wednesday, triggering violent clashes across the state that saw a mob burn down a police station and pelt stones at security personnel.The accused, Nepalese national Surat Singh, was allegedly strangled by another suspect, Rajendra Singh, during a scuffle inside the lock-up around 3am on Wednesday, police said. News of his death sent ripples of anger through the Himalayan state as people shouted slogans, clashed with police and blocked arterial roads, demanding an overhaul of what protesters deem a shoddy probe.Shimla superintendent of police DW Negi said a fight broke out between Rajendra and Surat around midnight inside the lock up. ?Surat was rushed to hospital where he was declared brought dead,? said Negi.Violence in kothkai, shimla, after an accused in rape and murder of a minor died in police custody pic.twitter.com/BkDez8PHM1? Chetan Chauhan (@chetanecostani) July 19, 2017The gangrape of the minor girl has rocked the poll-bound state where such crimes are uncommon. The girl, a Class 10 student, went missing on her way home from school on July 4 and her naked body was found two days later with injury marks. Since then, her photos have gone viral on social media as hundreds of people have come out on the streets to protest in candlelight marches, silent processions and road blockades. The state government also bowed to increasing public pressure and transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.The entire staff of Kotkhai police station, including the station house inspector, were suspended following the custodial death. Sources said the SHO kept all the six accused in two cells instead of keeping them in separate enclosures.Surat Singh?s death sparked protests across the state as Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad members took out a rally in central Shimla. There were long traffic jams in the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh as people blocked the highway from Shimla to Kotkhai. The epicentre of the incident ? Kotkhai, around 60 kilometres from Shimla ? resembled a war zone. In the afternoon, a violent mob of around 3,000 surrounded the police station, set it on fire and injured several personnel. The police fired in the air to disperse the crowd but failed as protesters surrounded the living quarters of personnel.Unrest over the case has been simmering since the police claimed a breakthrough on July 13, and arrested six people: Ashish Chauhan (29), Rajinder Singh (32) of Sharaal village, Subash Singh Bisht (42) of Pauri Garhwal, Surat Singh (29) of Nepal, Lok Jan (19) of Nepal and Deepak (38) of Garhwal. They were produced before a court in Theog and sent to seven-day police remand.The police alleged that Rajendra Singh offered her a lift to her village Shirguli, nearly five kilometers from the school. Rajendra was not alone and was accompanied by four-five friends who were drunk. The occupants of the vehicle pulled her out and raped her, police said.Shimla: Villagers pelt stones&protest outside Kotkhai Police Station after 1 of the 6 accused in gang rape & murder of minor,died in custody pic.twitter.com/aE8dWOWSgE? ANI (@ANI_news) July 19, 2017But those arrested were different from the six men whose photos were being circulated on social media, and had also been temporarily posted on the official website of chief minister Virbhadra Singh. This raised further suspicion over the probe.The incident has seen massive protests against the state government even in the Congress stronghold of Shimla as protesters called the investigation an ?eyewash?. The outrage is also expected to singe the Virbhadra Singh government in elections scheduled for later this year as the opposition BJP is attempting to steer public anger against the government and police for going slow on the probe into the case.Virbhadra, also the state?s home minister who is facing several cases of corruption, has come under criticism from even his own party men for the slow progress in the investigation.

Chhavi Tyagi

15 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Playstation games inspired youngsters to become carjackers

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-play-station-games-inspired-youngsters-to-become-carjackers/story-YehB31u1xRo9jaWGlNLcZP.html

The crime branch of Delhi Police has busted a gang of four alleged carjackers who learned how to rob cars by playing Grand Theft Auto game on Playstation. This gang allegedly committed five car robberies within 48 hours in west, northwest and outer Delhi. The arrested people include two adults and two juveniles, the police informed.

A gang of four alleged carjackers, who learnt how to rob cars while playing their favourite game, Grand Theft Auto, on Playstation, was on Tuesday busted by Delhi Police crime branch. This gang allegedly committed five back-to-back car robberies within 48 hours in Delhi. Two adult members, including the kingpin Lokesh Shokeen, 22, were arrested and their two alleged juvenile accomplices apprehended. They were behind a series of carjacking incidents in west, northwest and outer Delhi. The other arrested man is Deepak alias Changa, 27. Five robbed four-wheelers, including two SUVs, I-phone 6 and other items, were recovered from them.Madhur Verma, deputy commissioner of police (crime), said that except one alleged juvenile carjacker, a habitual offender previously involved in similar cases, all other apprehended carjackers were first-timers. They entered the world of crime to earn quick bucks and to live a lavish lifestyle. ?The gang members robbed cars and high-end mobile phones and used to thrash the occupants if they resisted. The four said while playing the Grand Theft Auto games, they hit upon the idea that they could get hold of luxury cars easily like the characters in the games by thrashing the occupants,? said Verma. Joint commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Yadav said that in the first week of February 2017, five carjackings were reported on one night. In one incident in Model Town, the carjackers robbed a Fortuner SUV after mercilessly attacking its driver with a baseball bat. ?The car driver sustained multiple injuries in his head. He was admitted to Sant Parmanand Hospital where he is still battling for his life,? said Yadav. The gang targeted luxury cars driven by a single person. They used to target a particular car, followed it closely and at a convenient place, deliberately banged the car with their car, compelling the driver to stop. ?The gang members travelled in cars with tinted glasses so that they can?t be seen from outside.?Shokeen was the first to be arrested from Rohini Sector 16 with a robbed Fortuner. His interrogation led to the arrest of Deepak and apprehension of the two minor boys and recovery of four other cars.

Tarun Khanna

12 Feb 2017,Sunday

Have waited patiently, will do what is required: Sasikala

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sasikala-jayalalithaa-aiadmk-ops-golden-bay-tamil-nadu-ops-cm/1/880755.html

AIADMK General Secretary VK Sasikala has said that the party has waited patiently till now and will do what is required after a point ? a statement reportedly being seen as a threat to the Governor. Sasikala has also said the delay seems deliberate and hinted that as time goes by, her grip over the herded MLAs was slipping.

"We have waited patiently till now. Will do what is required after a point," grudged Sasikala, after hearing that one of AIADMK's sitting minister K Pandiarajan had jumped the ship. Saturday was not favourable for Sasikala as two MPs met caretaker chief minister O Panneerselvam and joined his gang. But the big blow for the day was Jayalalithaa's loyalist K Pandiarajan, who Sasikala thought would replace Thambidurai as the messenger between the State and the Centre. All this occurred before the half day mark. "Though Pandiarajan was expected to join Panneerselvam long time back, Sasikala's family members had persuaded him to stay back," stated an aide from Poes Garden. Moreover, Sasikala's camp lost a huge moral boost when Madhusudhanan, the presiding Chairman and one of the members of AIADMK from its origin went to the other side. Also Read: Panneerselvam vs Sasikala: Huge blow to Chinamma as minister Pandiarajan joins OPS campAn enraged Sasikala openly stated that the delay caused by the Governor seems deliberate and hinted that as time goes by, her grip over the herded MLAs was slipping.  But the way she framed the words to say that "will do what is required", it ended up more like a threat to the Governor who still hasn't called her to form the Government and less of a claim. Giving out this statement, Sasikala initiated an emergency trip to the resort where the MLAs are 'kept' accompanied by her remaining Generals, Sengottaiyan and Edapadi K Palanisamy. THE POWER PARADEInitially, she wished to go to Marina to pray at the Jayalalithaa Memorial before leaving to meet the MLAs. But the trip was cancelled as cadres and Sasikala followers could not turn up at the Memorial in such a short time. Jayalalithaa's 'Land Cruiser Prada'  carrying Sasikala took a different turn and left for 'Kuvathur', 83.08 km from the city to 'Golden Bay Resort', the private resort where 95 MLAs are currently herded together. Sasikala reached around 4pm and the 'meeting' began. The initial plan was to take the MLAs from the resort and to parade them in front of the Governor to prove her strength. Sasikala waited at the resort along with the MLAs patiently to acquire the Governor's appointment. "We initiated the talks about meeting the Governor but people around Sasikala are not giving her the right advice. They did the same mistake they had done with her coronation attempt. They fix everything and then inform Governor Vidhyasagar Rao doesn't act that way and she is not Jayalalitha," explained a top government official. Around 6.30pm Sengottaiyan, the most important General of AIADMK came out to inform that media is falsely stating that his name is on the card for the CM post. "Our only candidate for the post of chief minister is Chinnamma," he clarified. "We have given a letter to the Governor and we will wait till tomorrow evening," he said explaining that the Governor has refused to meet Sasikala for the day. THE BLACKOUTSources close to the MLAs alleged that AIADMK MLAs are not happy staying inside a resort as many were not prepared for such a vacation. Also, there is a blackout of media inside the resort meaning they don't know what is going on in the world, which is why many have started to panic as well.Around 7.30pm, Sasikala left Golden Bay resort holding a 'Poker face' as any leak of expression would favour the opposite camp. Reaching Poes Garden, she met the press and assured that everything is fine with the MLAs and that they are her family and that they are together. Also Read: Sasikala losing against Panneerselvam? Chinnamma unhappy with MLAs, may withdraw from CM's raceWhile cross-verifying with the OPS camp, only his laughter was received as the answer since they claimed that the support for him had already crossed 50 yesterday itself. Keeping all this in mind, Sasikala expressed that, by Sunday various other ways shall be taken to persuade the Governor. Also, interestingly while Sasikala announced her plan, Chennai Police Commissioner George too released a statement.

Daisy Mowke

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Deepika trolled for being "too skinny" in new picture

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/deepika-padukone-gets-trolled-on-instagram-for-being-too-skinny-in-new-pic/story-2W3wgg1vxIJZ8P0aFobQ9K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actress Deepika Padukone has been trolled online for being "too skinny" in a new picture from her photoshoot for Vanity Fair magazine. "Do you need some food??? So skinny," commented a user. Another user wrote, "Looks malnourished". "Starving sooo much," read another comment. Deepika has featured on the cover of the August edition of Vanity Fair UK's jewellery edition.

Deepika Padukone is being advised by her followers to eat more and gain weight after she posted a new picture on Instagram.The actor is being skinny-shamed by her many followers who think she looks ?malnourished? in her cover shoot for Vanity Fair magazine. @vanityfair @vanityfairuk A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Jul 12, 2017 at 10:00pm PDTDeepika is seen posing in a black slip dress with a diamond necklace in the black and white photo. Her eyes look dark with the use of the smokey eye-shadow that she paired with nude lips.A user asked her if she needs some food while others wondered if she is starving herself. Here?re more responses to the picture:Deepika shot for the magazine as a part of their jewellery edition. Here?re more pictures from the shoot: @deepikapadukone in @graff for #VanityFairOnJewellery. More pics at the link in or bio. Photo by @professor_ohlsson A post shared by Vanity Fair UK (@vanityfairuk) on Jul 5, 2017 at 8:33am PDT The star of India who's dazzling Hollywood: @DeepikaPadukone covers #VanityFairOnJewellery wearing @degrisogono! See more pics at the link in our bio. Photo by @professor_ohlsson #deepikapadukone A post shared by Vanity Fair UK (@vanityfairuk) on Jul 5, 2017 at 2:29am PDT @deepikapadukone in @boghossianjewels by @professor_ohlsson for #VanityFairOnJewellery, on sale Friday! See more pics at link in our bio and follow us to see more new shots released through the week! #deepikapadukone A post shared by Vanity Fair UK (@vanityfairuk) on Jul 5, 2017 at 3:56am PDT Outtake of @earlsimms2 and @elizabethsaltzman putting the final touches to @deepikapadukone in our #VanityFairOnJewellery cover story, on sale now ? Wearing @davidmorrisjeweller and @emanuelungaro_officiel Photo by @professor_ohlsson A post shared by Vanity Fair UK (@vanityfairuk) on Jul 7, 2017 at 7:21am PDT All the pics from our @deepikapadukone #VanityFairOnJewellery cover shoot are now available at the link in our bio and on a newsstand near you! Pictured here wearing @cartier and @bymalenebirger ? Photo by @professor_ohlsson A post shared by Vanity Fair UK (@vanityfairuk) on Jul 10, 2017 at 6:13am PDTDeepika is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali?s Padmavati with Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh. She was last seen in her Hollywood debut, xXx: Return of Xander Cage.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Tarun Khanna

26 Apr 2017,Wednesday

BJP MP Vijay Goel favours unification of 3 MCDs

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/goel-for-unification-of-3-municipal-corporations-in-delhi/1/938177.html

Union Minister Vijay Goel has favoured unification of three MCDs ? North, South and East ? in order to deliver the services more effectively. "Barring one, the two other civic bodies have been incurring losses. It would be more fruitful and efficient if all the three were merged," he said. MCD was trifurcated into EDMC, NDMC and SDMC in 2012.

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) Union minister Vijay Goel today batted for the unification of the three municipal corporations in the national capital saying a discussion over the issue was pertinent. The BJP leader, who was confident of a good show by his party in the MCD polls, the results of which will be declared tomorrow, said the civic bodies needed to be "revamped" in order to deliver the services to the people more effectively. The first thing needed was a discussion on the unification of the three municipal corporations and there should also be an end to the practice of sending Delhi government officials to serve in the civic bodies, said the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports. "Barring one, the two other civic bodies have been incurring losses. It would be more fruitful and efficient if all the three were merged," he said, referring to the north, south and east Delhi municipal corporations. The erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was trifurcated into NDMC, SDMC and EDMC by the then Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government in 2012. Goel predicted a "thumping" victory for the BJP in the MCD polls. He said the newly-elected BJP councillors will be trained on the functioning of the civic bodies and dealing with the bureaucracy.

Saloni Tandon

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Mithali Raj asks for women?s IPL after World Cup loss

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/mithali-raj-asks-for-women-s-indian-premier-league-after-world-cup-loss/story-OtGuPyavaR7yYqOmW03OjP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

India women's team captain Mithali Raj called for a women's IPL after the team lost the World Cup final to England, saying "now was the time to create the base". "The WBBL has given exposure to two girls...If more girls participate in such leagues, it will give them experience and help them to improve their own game," said Mithali.

India captain Mithali Raj said now was time to ?create the base? of a female equivalent to the Indian Premier League after her side?s hopes of Women?s World Cup final glory were snatched away by England at Lord?s.Raj?s side looked on course to lift the trophy for the first time at 191 for three, chasing 229 for victory, in Sunday?s final at the ?home of cricket?.But on the same Lord?s ground where India?s men had won an inaugural World Cup title back in 1983, they lost their last seven wickets for just 28 runs to be bowled out for 219 with eight balls to spare.Anya Shrubsole did the damage with a late burst of five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries. The pace bowler?s match haul of six for 46 was also the best individual return in any Women?s World Cup final.Pressure got to India in the end, but the 34-year-old Raj, who later confirmed this has been her last World Cup appearance, said that would be less likely to happen if they had a tournament to match Australia?s Twenty20 Women?s Big Bash League or England?s equivalent Super League.?Everybody was very nervous and I think that resulted in our defeat,? Raj, the all-time leading run-scorer in women?s one-day internationals told reporters. England?s women have been full-time professionals for some two years now, with Raj?s side still on their way -- although the squad did receive bonus payments of 50 lakh Indian rupees each for reaching the final from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.Punam Raut was the only Indian player to step up as she notched up 86 but the rest of the batting was blown away by Anya Shrubsole?s haul of 6/46. (AFP) ?Set the platform??These girls have really set the platform for the upcoming generations in India,? said Raj. ?They?ve opened up the channels for women?s cricket and they should be really proud of themselves. I have seen the changes the girls have made. Unlike 2005 (when Australia hammered India by 98 runs in the final at Centurion, South Africa), this went to the end.?India?s collapse was sparked by Punam Raut?s exit for 86, the top score of the final.Together with Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 51 after her astounding 171 not out in India?s semi-final win over reigning champions Australia, the opener shared a third-wicket stand of 95.?We messed it up in the end. It was a very brave innings from Punam,? said Raj.But the skipper said her side had established a solid foundation for women?s cricket in India, the sport?s financial superpower.?The response from the public is very positive,? said Raj. ?I?m sure the BCCI is very proud of the team. When we lost to South Africa and Australia (in pool play), no one thought we would get to the final. A team like that has come to the finals and given a good fight to the home team. The WBBL has given exposure to the two girls who have played (Smriti Mandhana and Kaur). If more girls participate in such leagues, it will give them experience and help them to improve their own game. If you ask me, they should have (women?s) IPL because now is the right time to create that base.?IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said that there could be a possibility. ?However, there has been no official discussion on it. We just have statements coming in,? he told HT.Shukla said that it could be discussed with the Committee of Administrators and could also be discussed at the Annual General Meeting in near future. ?But we need to discuss it first before taking any decision.?England, beaten by India in their opening pool match, also made plenty of mistakes in the error-strewn closing overs on the way to winning a fourth World Cup title and third in as many editions on home soil.Mithali Raj has thanked the public for a positive response and has said the performance by the team should make the nation proud. (AFP) But in a year where former England captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint, the driving force in establishing the inaugural Women?s World Cup in 1973 -- which her side won -- died and on a match day where the bell to signal the start of play was rung by 105-year-old Eileen Ash, the oldest living former England women?s international, the hosts held their nerve.?Cricket?s a funny game, and pressure?s a funny thing,? said England captain Heather Knight after a win greeted with the sound of thousands of girls cheering in the stands of a capacity crowd rather than the polite applause usually associated with Lord?s. It?s a World Cup final, we knew if we held our nerve we would be in with a chance but it did feel like it was slipping away at 190 for three. But we fought like hell in this tournament and today was no different.?

Parmeet Kaur

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Bengaluru 40th among top 50 cities for women entrepreneurs

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengaluru-40th-among-top-50-cities-for-women-entrepreneurs/1/1012701.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Bengaluru was ranked 40th on Dell's annual Women Entrepreneur (WE) Cities Index of the world's top 50 cities that foster the growth of women entrepreneurs. New York topped the list, followed by Bay Area, London, and Boston. The study ranked cities based on the impact of local policies, programmes, and characteristics in addition to national laws and customs.

New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Bengaluru may be Indias Silicon Valley but ranks at the 40th spot among the top 50 global cities that foster high-potential women entrepreneurs, according to a report by tech giant Dell. The only other Indian city in the top 50 tally is Delhi, that at the 49th spot, just ahead of Jakarta. Dell, as part of its annual Women Entrepreneur (WE) Cities Index, ranks cities in terms of its ability to attract and foster growth of women-owned firms. New York ranked numero uno in the list, followed by Bay Area, London, Boston and Stockholm. Singapore was at the 8th spot overall, the only city from Asia Pacific and Japan region. The study ranked cities based on the impact of local policies, programmes and characteristics in addition to national laws and customs.

Prashanti Moktan

10 Jul 2017,Monday

Dileep arrested in Malayalam actress abduction case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dileep-arrested-malayalam-actress-abduction-case/1/998797.html

Actor Dileep was arrested on Monday in connection with the abduction and assault case of Malayalam actress, which took place in February 2017. Earlier, Dileep got linked to the case after his name was mentioned in a letter of a jail inmate, who shared the cell with the prime accused Pulsar Suni. Dileep has claimed that he doesn't know Suni.

Shocking details continue to emerge in the Malayalam actress abduction case. Actor Dileep has now been arrested in connection with the case.Dileep's name got linked to the case after prime accused Pulsar Suni said in a statement to the police that he wrote a letter to the actor. Dileep denied knowing Pulsar Suni, but a selfie leaked to the media showed the accused on the sets of the actor's film Georgettan's Pooram.The actor was interrogated along with director Nadirshah for 13 hours to understand his involvement in the case, and his wife Kavya Madhavan's place of business was raided as well.

Saloni Tandon

16 Mar 2017,Thursday

Ranchi becomes India's 26th Test venue

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ranchi-misses-dhoni-as-it-becomes-indias-26th-test-venue/1/903612.html

Ranchi's JSCA Stadium has become India's 26th Test venue, hosting the third Test between India and Australia which began on Thursday. The stadium, the world's 113th Test centre, hosted its first international match in January 2013, an India-England ODI. Since then, it has hosted four more international games including a T20I, with India winning three matches at the venue.

Rini Kapoor

25 Dec 2016,Sunday

Railways, Maha to form joint venture to fast-track projects

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/railways-to-form-jv-with-maha-to-fast-track-20-projects/1/841853.html

Indian Railways is set to form a joint venture with Maharashtra government to fast-track 20 rail projects in the state, according to reports. The venture would include projects like new suburban corridors between Panvel and Karjat, and quadrupling of Virar-Dahanu road. Reportedly, Railways in collaboration with the state government will spend ?55,000 crore to upgrade the railway network in Mumbai.

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Apr 2017,Saturday

Who is BJP to give sanctity to Muslims, asks Owaisi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/owaisi-ravi-shankar-prasad-muslim-sanctity/1/935517.html

A day after Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's "we have given Muslims proper sanctity despite not getting their votes" remark, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Who is the minister to say BJP gave us sanctity? It is the constitution who gave sanctity." Owaisi further said, "Government and parties will come and go but constitution will remain as it is supreme."

A day after Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's "sanctity for Muslims" comment created a stir, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi reacted saying it's a minister's duty to ensure justice and equality. "Is the minister (Ravishankar Prasad) trying to patronise or threaten us? Yes we didn't vote for you and will continue to do so...but it's your constitutional duty to ensure justice and equality as you have taken oath of constitution," the Hyderabad MP said."Who is the minister to say BJP gave us sanctity it is the constitution who gave sanctity. Government and parties will come and go but constitution will remain as it is supreme," he added.Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was speaking at the Mindmine Summit in Delhi where he said, "We have got 13 chief ministers of our own. We are ruling the country. Have we victimised any Muslim gentleman working in the industry or service? Have we dismissed them? We don't get Muslim votes. I acknowledge very clearly, but have we given them proper sanctity or not?"

Abhishek Bansal

17 Jun 2017,Saturday

Neither kisan nor jawan happy since BJP got power: Kejriwal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aap-arvind-kejriwal-farmers-narendra-modi-bjp/1/981133.html

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said neither 'kisan' (farmers) nor jawans have been happy since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government assumed power in 2014. Stating that the farmers have been "betrayed" by the Modi government, Kejriwal added, "Where is the development in our land, if farmers are boycotting their own produce and throwing them on roads?"

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said neither 'the kisan' (farmers) nor jawans have been happy since Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government was formed in 2014. Kejriwal is also the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).Farmers have been "betrayed" by the Modi government, and Indians have to stand and fight with them, Kejriwal said. His remarks come at a time when several states have witnessed protests by farmers."It's sad that farmers have taken to the roads and...have been attacked. Where is the development in our land, if farmers are boycotting their own produce and throwing them on roads?" he asked.Voters chose the BJP out of hope - thinking the Congress was the party of the elite - but they now realise both parties are the same, the Delhi CM said. He pointed out that neither the Congress nor the BJP had implemented the Swaminathan Commission's report. "Every citizen should take a vow to make sure the Swaminathan Commission (report) is implemented," he added.While commenting on the plight of the nation's farmers, Kejriwal also referred to absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who was recently granted bail till December 4 by a UK court."Farmers are forced to commit suicide over...(debt)...and those who owe the country 9,000 crores, the government flies them out to London in the middle of the night," he said.ALSO READ | Agra farmers threaten indefinite fast at UP CM residence if potato MSP not raised

Aarushi Maheshwari

10 May 2017,Wednesday

2.5L tourists visit Kashmir Valley during 1st quarter of '17

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmir-valley-tourists-winter-snowfall/1/949962.html

According to reports, 2.5 lakh tourists visited Kashmir Valley during the first quarter of this year while 3.5 lakh tourists visited the Valley during the same period in 2016. Eleven lakh tourists visited Kashmir Valley between January-July 2016. Following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the number fell to one lakh for the remainder of 2016.

There is finally good news coming in from Kashmir in the form of tourists visiting the Valley. According to the MHA sources, two-and-a-half lakh tourists visited the "paradise on earth" in the first quarter of this year. The figure is much lesser than that of the same period of 2016, which witnessed 3-and-a-half lakh tourists visiting the Valley. The Valley saw a massive slump in tourist arrival since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani in July last year. The year 2016 saw  an impressive 11 lakh tourists heading to the Valley for vacations till July before Wani's death. But the number came down to just one lakh in the next five months. The MHA sources said, "The decline in this year's visitor number is due to the extended winter season and snowfall, and not militancy related incidents."BUSINESSMEN SKEPTICAL Zuber Mahajan, tourist related businessman, however, sounded pessimistic. "I called couple of hotels today including  The Lalit, Taj and Sarovar, but they are all full, because of an official delegation. However, there are not many tourists; the Dal lake - the iconic landmark of Srinagar is empty. There have been incidents of stone-pelting in Srinagar that has affected the numbers." says a dejected Mahajan, hoping that tourism might pick up now.

Mansha Mahajan

23 Dec 2016,Friday

Nokia shares fall 5% on patent dispute with Apple

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/nokia-shares-fall-by-5-per-cent-on-patent-dispute-with-apple/1/841247.html

Shares of technology firm Nokia fell by nearly 5% after it sued rival Apple for allegedly violating technology patents. A legal battle with Apple could delay royalty payments that are vital for shoring up Nokia's profits, analysts said. Nokia said it had now filed 40 patents suits in 11 countries against Apple covering technologies like displays, and software.

Nokia shares fell by nearly 5 per cent on Thursday in Helsinki as analysts warned a legal battle with Apple could delay for years royalty payments that are vital to shoring up the Finnish company's profits.Nokia's patent licence contract with Apple expires at the end of the year. This week, both sides have taken legal action - with Nokia accusing Apple of violating some technology patents and Apple complaining of being overcharged - suggesting a new deal will be hard to agree.Nokia filed further complaints against Apple on Thursday, saying it had now filed 40 patents suits in 11 countries covering technologies such as displays, software and chipsets.Also Read: Nokia and Apple fight patent war ahead of Nokia's Android phone launch"Nokia has created or contributed to many of the fundamental technologies used in today's mobile devices, including Apple products. After several years of negotiations trying to reach agreement to cover Apple's use of these patents, we are nowtaking action to defend our rights", " Ilkka Rahnasto, head of Nokia patent business said in a statement.Patent royalties represent a sliver of Nokia's overall revenue, more than 90 per cent of which comes from sales of telecoms network equipment. But the licensing payments are highly profitable at a time when the network business is suffering an industry-wide slump."Nokia will likely be granted a better licence deal from Apple. But because of the dispute, it could take years to reach a new contract, and royalties will likely come (as) retrospective one-time payments," said Inderes analyst Mikael Rautanen, who has an "accumulate" rating on Nokia shares.Once the world's dominant cellphone maker, Nokia sold its handset business to Microsoft in 2014 and focused on its network business as well as a bulging portfolio of mobile device patents.Wells Fargo Securities analyst Maynard Um, who follows both companies, said the lawsuits were negative for Apple and Nokia due to litigation costs and uncertainty over the outcome."The fact that this did not go to arbitration suggests, to us, that the two sides must be far apart in what each party wants," he wrote in a note to clients."It appears (Apple) is not arguing the validity of the patents but, rather, the rate it deems fair," he said, adding Nokia could also "choose to file a suit with the International Trade Commission (ITC) to bar Apple from importing handsets into the U.S." Um rates both companies' shares as "market perform".Also Read: Nokia sues Apple for violating 32 technology patents

Chhavi Tyagi

10 Feb 2017,Friday

West Bengal govt announces relief for note ban 'victims'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengal-budget-mamata-banerjee-government-announces-relief-for-those-adversely-affected-by-demonetistaion/1/879804.html

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced relief measures for those affected by the central government's demonetisation policy. Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra announced that the state government will provide a one-time grant of ?50,000 to those adversely affected by note ban in order to "enable them to start an alternative business".

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been a foremost opponent of the Centre's demonetisation policy and her state government has now become first to announce relief measures for those affected by it. Presenting the first budget of the Trinamool government's second term in office on Friday, Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra announced that the state government will provide financial assistance to those adversely affected by demonetization.Terming demonetisation as financial and political emergency, Mitra said that the state government would provide a one-time grant of Rs 50,000 to those who bore the brunt of Centre's note ban in order to "enable them to start an alternative business and stand on their feet".RELIEF FOR SMALL ENTERPRISE WORKERS, FARMERS According to the new proposal, the government will identify fifty thousand workers associated with various small enterprise who have lost their job either in the state or outside and have been forced to return home. Mitra also announced relief for farmers highlighting their plight in his budget speech. "Farmers are dependent on cooperative banks for loans. Cooperative system has been damaged by demonetisation," he stated.Mitra expressed concern that many farmers could not procure agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds on time due to the note ban, and announced that the state government will create a special assistance fund of Rs 100 crore to "mitigate the suffering of farmers".Also read: Demonetisation: Three months over, for how long will poor suffer, asks Mamata'COUNTRY'S ECONOMY HAS SUFFERED A BLOW'Expressing apprehension about the impact of demonetization on the overall economy, Mitra said the country's growth rate had taken a severe blow due to the move. "India's growth rate has reduced to 7.1% as per Centre's own data due to demonetisation. Workers have lost jobs. The state growth rate may also dip to 9.27% due to this," he added.

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Apr 2017,Saturday

Five arrested for assaulting Enforcement Directorate officer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pune-enforcement-directorate/1/935428.html

The Pune police have arrested five persons for assaulting an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer earlier this month when he had gone to the office of Siddhi Vinayak Logistic (SVLL) to investigate an alleged bank loan fraud case. While four out of these five accused have been remanded to police custody till May 13, all accused have been released on bail.

Pune police has arrested five persons in case of assaulting an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer while investigating the bank loan fraud case against Surat-based fleet operator Siddhi Vinayak Logistics Ltd (SVLL).Out of these five accused, four of them have been remanded to police custody till May 13. These arrests were made under section  143, 147, 149, 342, 353, 332, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. But later, all accused were released on bail.A senior police officer of Talegaon Dabhade police station confirmed, "The accused were not the employees of SVLL. They were localities and tenants in SVLL's premise, who were having liquor at that time. They got angry with this officer when he questioned them regarding a address, repeatedly."WHAT HAPPENEDThe incident took place on April 11 in Pune, when one ED officer from Mumbai zonal office visited SVLL's premises at Somatne Phata in Talegaon for verifying certain properties related to SVLL, which is an accused in Rs 846.29 crore bank loan fraud case.

Saloni Tandon

10 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Azhar to run for Hyderabad Cricket Association President

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mohammad-azharuddin-election-hyderabad-cricket-association-president/1/853529.html

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin will run for the post of Hyderabad Cricket Association President. Azhar filed his nomination for the post on Tuesday after the current President became ineligible as per the Lodha reforms. "My basic intention is to see that cricket in Hyderabad flourishes. We cannot run the HCA on the whims and fancies of individuals," said Azhar.

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has decided to contest the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) elections for the first time. Azharuddin, who is also a former Congress Member of Parliament, will file his nomination for the HCA president post. (WATCH VIDEO HERE)

Dishant Sharma

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Stokes woke up at 3:30 in the morning to follow IPL auction

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ben-stokes-indian-premier-league-2017-rising-pune-supergiants/1/887686.html

English all-rounder Ben Stokes woke up at 3:30 in the morning in England to follow the Indian Premier League auction, which was held on Monday. The English all-rounder was sold to Rising Pune Supergiants for ?14.5 crore, making him the most expensive foreign player sold in any edition of the tournament.

One of the most sought after all-rounders in the world at the moment Ben Stokes landed a multi-crore deal with Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) at the Indian Premier League 2017 player auction in Bengaluru on Monday. (Stokes hits jackpot in historic Indian Premier League player bid)Stokes, who was recently named England's Test vice-captain, said he is having an "incredible week" and it was pretty impressive to see teams warring to buy him at the auction. (AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS)RPS, who made their IPL debut last season, fought off Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils and defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad to get the 25-year-old, paying a staggering Rs 14.5 crore despite his limited availability for the Twenty20 tournament. (Stokes a match-winner, we had to buy him: Pune owner Sanjiv Goenka to India Today)"It's been a pretty incredible week and, considering you normally have your most exciting times when you're playing, it's been an amazing and interesting few days," Stokes was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo."I set my alarm for 3.30am, got up and waited about 40 minutes for my turn in the auction. I was anxious, not really knowing what would happen."I was following it on Twitter, I didn't actually see it live. I kept on refreshing my notifications, I saw people were tweeting and then I realised that Pune had got me." (IPL 2017: How the teams stack up after the auction)WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE'LIFE CHANGING'Stokes will miss the final phase of the April 5-May 21 IPL as England are scheduled to host South Africa in a one-day international series starting May 24.However, Stokes wants to live up to his billing and is eager to "deliver" at the cash-rich T20 league.

Abhishek Bansal

01 Apr 2017,Saturday

UP CM orders investigation into Gomti riverfront project

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-investigation-gomti-river-front-uttar-pradesh-bjp/1/918145.html

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday ordered an investigation into the Gomti riverfront project within 45 days. Adityanath was unhappy that although two years had lapsed, and over ?1,427 crore had been spent, only 60% of the work was complete, an official release said. The project was launched to channelise the river by the Akhilesh Yadav government.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today ordered an investigation into the Gomti riverfront project within 45 days. Adityanath had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of the Akhilesh Yadav government's Gomti riverfront project.The project was launched to channelise the river by constructing a diaphragm wall and by landscaping and constructing intercepting drains on both banks.    Adityanath was unhappy that although two years had lapsed, and over Rs 1,427 crore had been spent, only 60 per cent of the work was complete, an official release said.While interacting with officials and staff involved in the project, Adityanath said a demand of an additional amount of Rs 1,500 crore was being made for the project, which was initially scheduled to be completed by May 2017."The aim of the project should have been cleaning the water and blocking the drains discharging sewage into the river, but that was not done," the chief minister said.LINK RIVERFRONT AND NAMAMI GANGE PROJECT: ADITYANATH Adityanath had asked officials to link the project with the Centre's Namami Gange project and start working to plug the drains discharging sewage into the river.He rued that the work was being carried out without keeping this in mind and instead, funds were being used on "unproductive" things such as erecting fountains and other decorative structures.Warning that his government would be firm in dealing with corruption and would not allow "loot" of government funds at any cost, the chief minister had ordered a review of the project within a week by the principal secretary of the department concerned to ascertain its actual cost.He'd also directed the principal secretaries of all the departments to review project works and check unnecessary expenditure, besides ensuring the completion of works in a "qualitative" manner. ALSO READ | Up and about: Can the Yogi focus his energies on a development agenda?

Prashanti Moktan

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Satirical Trump-centric animated TV series to be made

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jul/27/stephen-colbert-trump-cartoon-showtime?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A new satirical animated series focusing on US President Donald Trump is set to be made by Stephen Colbert, the host of American talk show 'The Late Show' for the television network 'Showtime'. "I know a lot of people wanted to do this, and I'm honoured that the Cartoon President invited our documentary crew into his private world," said Colbert.

The Late Show host, Stephen Colbert, a fierce critic of Donald Trump, has sold a new animated series to Showtime that will feature the cartoon commander-in-chief who frequently appeared on his show during last year?s election campaign.Colbert has teamed up with The Late Show show-runner, Chris Licht, on the project, which is currently slated for one 10-episode season set to air in the fall. ?I know a lot of people wanted to do this, and I?m honored that the Cartoon President invited our documentary crew into his private world,? Colbert said in a statement about the pick-up. ?I?ve seen some of the footage, and I look forward to sharing the man behind the MAGA.?The show will also feature animated versions of the president?s family members, featuring ?truish adventures of Trump?s confidants and bon vivants ? family, top associates, heads of government, golf pros and anyone else straying into his orbit?, while ?intrepidly exploring their histories and their psyches, revealing insights into what makes them so definitively Trumpian?.Colbert is among a litany of entertainers who?ve mined the White House goings-on for small screen comedy, including Anthony Atamanuik, who plays Trump in Comedy Central?s The President Show, and Saturday Night Live, which regularly features Alec Baldwin?s famed Trump impersonation alongside cast members and guest stars reprising their roles as various members of the president?s inner circle.David Nevins, the president and CEO of Showtime Networks, praised Colbert in a statement about the upcoming series: ?Stephen and Chris have an uncanny genius for deconstructing the world of President Trump, and this series opens a new realm for them. Their vision will produce a comedy that makes waves, gets attention and plays great on our networks, including our streaming service.?Colbert routinely takes on Trump in his late-night show, where last month he and his crew went to St Petersburg to record several segments as part of The Late Show?s ?Russia Week?, a scathing commentary on the continuing saga of the president?s alleged ties to the Kremlin.The Trump avatar appeared on Trump?s election-night special, mocking the president?s rhetoric and rage in a short called The Making of Donald Trump. Tim Luecke, the man behind the Trump animation featured on Colbert?s Late Show segments, is set to reprise his role for the Showtime series.Today has also seen the announcement of a limited series based on the book Devil?s Bargain, which details the partnership between Trump and Steve Bannon. This fall also sees an election-inspired series of American Horror Story premiere.

Rini Sinha

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

I am open to doing a Bollywood film: Baahubali actor Prabhas

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-2-the-conclusion-prabhas-exclusive-interview/1/935982.html

Actor Prabhas, known for his role in 'Baahubali' film franchise, has said that he's open to doing a Bollywood film. He added, "I am open to Bollywood if I am offered a project that I can resonate with." Speaking about his character in 'Baahubali', Prabhas said that he doesn't relate to it as the character kills a lot of people.

With the release of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion a week away, Prabhas, 37, talks about the making of the Baahubali phenomenon, what his superhero status means to him and life after Baahubali exclusively to India Today.What was it like to play two different characters - Mahendra Baahubali and Amarendra Baahubali - both iconic and superheroes but with distinctly different personalities?When you look at the characters of Amarendra Baahubali and his son Mahendra Baahubali or Shiva, the biggest differentiator was their backgrounds. Amarendra grew up as a prince and Mahendra Baahubali grew up amidst a tribe as Shiva.He is destined for greatness, he's as strong as his father and as able a fighter too but doesn't know where he needs to go or what he needs to do. He doesn't know that his mother and his kingdom are waiting for him. He is actually pursuing a girl who he is mesmerised with but stumbles upon a greater purpose in the process. He is a passionate and rugged sort of a guy who can be rather blunt sometimes but that's just how he is designed. He's not rude or crude, just a bit different.Amarendra, on the other hand, was meant to be the king of the biggest kingdom ever - Mahishmati. He is more self-aware and has also grown up knowing his life purpose all along. Ultimately, they are both for the people. Keeping these distinctions clear and imbibing their individuality helped me understand these characters better.Was it a risk to dedicate four and a half years to this project?It is an extraordinary script and as a principal actor I had to do justice to it. I knew that an epic film of this proportion would take this much time to be made. More than physical strength or action-training, a certain mental strength was needed to give unfocused time to a great director (S S Rajamouli). Luckily, I know him for 12 years and know his passion for his work. It wasn't easy, but it had to be done. Every three or four months, Rajamouli used to show us the completed visuals or share an improvisation in the script. It was intriguing and insightful and kept us enthused all through.Would you say that your performance is better in part two?Yes. Part one focused more on introducing the characters, while part two is the resolution and offered greater scope for performance as well.Do you relate to the characters you played in Baahubali?I don't personally relate to any character. It is a film after all. My character kills a lot of people in the film, that doesn't mean that I will get inspired by him and start killing people. It's all about how hard I can work to step into the character. From my point of view, it's only about how best I can play that character.What would you do to get into the Baahubali mindset before getting on to the sets?Once I'm told about the character, I can't stop thinking about it. Baahubali has strong arms and unbending courage; he is detached from luxury and is beyond political power. A balanced compassionate person, he doesn't react much or show too much emotion. All the intensity in him reflects in his eyes. That is what I would try to bring into my own eyes before getting on to the set. What was your biggest challenge with Baahubali?More than a challenge, it was an endeavour to make Rajamouli happy. He is the most mad and passionate man I know. I just went into this project with the attitude that I would do my best; even if part one didn't work, I would still do part two with the same dedication. What we believe in, we must do 100 per cent. It can't be a case of 50, 40, 30 or even 99 per cent. Any special moments you often recall from the shooting days?There are so many, I can't pick one. I was awestruck when I saw the waterfall for the first time. I feel quite nostalgic about that.You continued with your archery training even after the shoot was over?Yes, I enjoyed learning archery and whenever I can, I still practice. I'm fascinated by it.On the intriguing question of why did Katappa kill Baahubali?We never imagined that it would turn into a legendary question. Even Rajamouli didn't think that it would. People across the nation speculating on theories and the jokes doing the rounds on social media were most amusing. It was the love of the audience in their own way, I would say.Back in real life, do you sometimes approach a problem or situation asking yourself how Baahubali would have approached the same situation?I never thought of it, but if Baahubali were to approach a situation or problem, he would just smile it off. (Smiles)Who were your childhood superheroes?Superman, Spider-Man, Batman, the usual. I never thought that one day I will be a superhero, be part of a franchise and appear in comics. Not even in my wildest dreams I thought I would be part of a cult film and be remembered. I always dreamed big as an actor but the way things turned out, I never imagined it would be this big.There are perhaps children who look up to you today as a superhero just as you did while you were young.Well, I feel lucky for that. It wasn't just Baahubali, but Bhallaladeva, Sivagami, Kattappa, all have become iconic characters and will be remembered.What are your aspirations for the future?I don't know. I will try to do something better with my performance. It can't get better than Baahubali as a film; that was something magical and once in a lifetime. I'm open to Bollywood if I'm offered a project that I can resonate with.Most often you keep a low profile, and are seen as shy and reclusive. What do you have to say?I come from a large family of several cousins on both sides. When all of us get together, the noise and drama are nothing short of a marriage function. Perhaps I was always so content and comfortable with my extended family that I didn't quite go out and make too many friends. I didn't grow up into too much of an outgoing person. Some people from big families turn out like that, I guess.

Aarushi Maheshwari

19 Mar 2017,Sunday

Railways ordered to pay ?1.3 lakh over bag lost 14 years ago

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/consumer-court-indian-railways-compensation-lost-luggage/1/907424.html

A consumer court has ordered the Indian Railways to pay over ?1.3 lakh to a 74-year-old who lost her luggage 14 years ago while travelling to Secunderabad. Radha Ramnathan was carrying valuables including diamonds and gold in her luggage. She claimed there was no chain under her seat to fasten the luggage and many unauthorised passengers had entered the coach.n

After 14 years of protracted litigation, a 74-yearold woman won a case against Indian Railways after she lost her valuables while travelling to Secunderabad.The consumer court directed Indian Railways to pay Radha Ramnathan Rs 1,34,400 for being negligent in its services, causing mental agony. It said once the passenger takes the ticket and travels by a train, it is the responsibility of the railway to see that the passenger reaches the destination safely with his luggage and belongings. It is the duty of the railway staff to see that the belongings of the passengers are safe.In 2003, Radha had booked a ticket in AC 3-tier in Kongu Express to attend a religious ceremony of her grandson in Secunderabad.She was carrying a gold chain, diamond rings, a gold coin and other valuables, worth over a lakh of rupees.She claimed that there was no chain under her seat with which she could fasten the luggage and many unauthorised passengers had entered into the coach.'RAILWAY OFFICIALS DID NOT HELP'"Neither the ticket collector nor the Railway Protection Force took any step to get them out despite complainants raising objection to it," she said.

Niharika Prabhakar

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Delhi Police to get 30 new Army dogs for security

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-police-indian-army-veterinary-corps-sniffer-dogs/1/1011022.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Delhi Police will reportedly get around 30 sniffer and explosive-detection dogs in a month from the Indian Army Veterinary Corps. The dogs will help police deal with security challenges in the Capital, reports said. Delhi hosts several high-profile events which attract anti-national elements and so security of these venues is a top priority, a police official said.

The police department is set to get a pack of canny canines from the Army to scent any trouble in the city.Delhi Police is expecting about 30 sniffer and explosive-detection dogs in a month from the Indian Army Veterinary Corps (IAVC).The four-legged recruits will help the department deal with security challenges in the Capital that frequently receives threats from terrorist groups and has a large VVIP population.Delhi Police's special cell on Monday reportedly wrote a letter to all concerned departments about two suspected terrorists looking to sneak into the city and stage attacks.LONGSTANDING DEMANDThe police force has had a longstanding demand to strengthen the number of sniffer and explosive-detection dogs, to up to 150, in its squad."Delhi Police currently has 60 dogs, comprising labradors and German shepherds with the former in majority. However, we are managing the security of the national Capital with the low strength and so we want more such dogs for foolproof security of the city. We have written to IAVC to provide trained dogs," said Rajan Bhagat, deputy commissioner of police, who's also in-charge of the dog squad.The officer pointed out that the city also hosts a large number of high-profile events every day. Such functions are on the radar of anti-national elements and so security of these venues is a top priority.The dogs could play a vital role in keeping these events safe. The dog squad, which started in 1960 with 10 dogs in Mandir Marg and Model Town areas in central and north Delhi, is now spread across a dozen Delhi Police districts and special units under the supervision of the crime branch.'DELHI POLICE DEMANDED 100 TRAINED DOGS'Elaborating about the dog squad, Bhagat told MAIL TODAY that the department has 60 dogs in two centres apart from three to four dogs in each districts. Since all 60 dogs are not fit for the job round the clock, Delhi Police want an adequate number of canines in the squad so that security personnel do not come across a shortage."Delhi Police recently demanded 100 trained dogs from IAVC. Now, it's up to the Indian Army to facilitate dogs to us depending on availability. We have recently built a multistorey building with capacity of 35 dogs at the Saket crime branch office situated on Mehrauli-Badarpur border. It is a first-of-its kind multi-storey building in India for trained dogs and an expected 30-odd dogs would get a home there," Bhagat said.Apart from Saket, 18 trained dogs are at the Model Town centre and 10 at the Chanakyapuri one.Indian Army has its own breeding facility, which provides trained dogs to all security agencies in the country including the National Security Guard (NSG). The force prefers to train labradors and German shepherds because of their natural ability to adapt to any schedule and atmospheric conditions.The training periods of dogs last from six to nine months depending on their physical and learning capabilities. After working with security agencies for eight years, the canines are retired and handed over to NGOs working in the veterinary field. However, Millennium city Gurugram only has one sniffer dog to take care of a city with population of more than 25 lakh. "We are basically using the sniffer dog for bomb detection while daily crimes are cracked manually," said a senior official, who wished to remain anonymous.

Saloni Tandon

01 Jul 2017,Saturday

Cyber crooks target govt's BHIM app, steal ?45 lakh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bhim-narendra-modi-cyber-crime-online-security/1/991691.html

UP's Special Task Force has arrested two people who allegedly duped nine individuals, withdrawing over ?45 lakh from their accounts by exploiting loopholes in the government's BHIM app. One of the accused allegedly leaked debit card numbers and other details to carry out 240 transactions over 40 days. A former Axis Bank employee was among the two arrested.

Cyber crooks have found a crack to siphon money from high-tech banking app BHIM. The revelation came after a team of Special Task Force (STF) of UP Police arrested two people, including a bank employee, who allegedly duped nine people and illegally withdrew over Rs 45 lakh from their bank accounts by making 240 transactions.The loophole has left the banking sector worried as it exposes the threat Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based transaction poses. The security flaw may cause a dent to PM Modi's push for digital transaction.The STF has also written to RBI, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and banks apprising them about the security breach and ways to patch it. UPI was launched last year by NPCI, a not-for-profit organisation owned by a consortium of major banks and regulated by RBI.It allows users to make transactions over their cellphones including cash transfers to other users, and payments to utilities and some merchants.Mail Today was first to highlight how crooks are exploiting loophole in the UPI mobile application to loot bank customers. Crackdown by STF reveals that criminals are first compromising and getting the mobile connection of user and then using the leaked banking data they are withdrawing money through the App.

Prashanti Moktan

10 Dec 2016,Saturday

Will be back with new season of Kaun Banega Crorepati: Big B

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amitabh-bachchan-return-fresh-season-kaun-banega-crorepati-2017-lifetv/1/831497.html

Actor Amitabh Bachchan has confirmed in a live chat on Facebook that he will be back with a new season of the game show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC). Bachchan added that the new season, which will be the show's ninth, will probably air in 2017. KBC is based on the UK game show, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'.

When Kaun banega Crorepati first started airing in the year 2000, the whole nation turned towards the small screen at 9pm sharp--just to get a glimpse of the legend that is Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, interacting with the common man or woman.That has been the kind of magic the Indian megastar managed to weave on television. The show became immensely popular with the Indian masses, and only a part of it was owed to the money we could win.  Also read: Don't Miss: Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha come together for Yaaron Ki BaraatBut the show has had quite long breaks between seasons. The last season was aired in 2014, and we have missed the game show, and its inimitable host.

Rini Sinha

12 Dec 2016,Monday

PM Modi, Big B wish Rajinikanth on his 66th b'day

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-birthday-rajinikanth-narendra-modi-amitabh-bachchan-twitter/1/832527.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted birthday greetings for actor Rajinikanth on his 66th birthday, wishing him "a long life filled with good health". Actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, "It is Rajnikant's birthday... and we wish him greater glory happiness and good health." Other Bollywood celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar also shared birthday wishes for Rajinikanth on Twitter.

Superstar Rajinikanth turned 66 today, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and superstar Amitabh Bachchan were among the innumerable people who wished Thalaivar on Twitter.Narendra Modi wished the superstar a long life and good health.Modi tweeted:Happy birthday @superstarrajini! Wishing you a long life filled with good health."It is Rajinikanth's birthday on Dec 12 and we wish him greater glory, happiness and good health," Big B tweeted.T 2469 - It is Rajnikant's birthday on Dec 12th and we wish him greater glory happiness and good helath .. pic.twitter.com/hRQRyYZ7Q6Both Rajinikanth and Bachchan have worked together in films such as Hum, Geraftaar and Andhaa Kaanoon.They've remained good friends over the years.ALSO READ: Why Rajinikanth is the last superstar of India ALSO READ: Rajinikanth mourns Jayalalithaa's death, asks fans not to celebrate 66th birthdayRajinikanth, who has starred in hits like Sivaji and Chandramukhi, has requested his fans not to celebrate his birthday as a token of respect for the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who passed away last week.Shah Rukh Khan also wished Thalaivar a happy birthday, with a still from Lungi Dance, SRK's tribute to Thalaivar from Chennai Express:2 the coolest & greatest of em all. Wishing u health happiness & years of entertainment for us.Happy Bâ??Day Thalaivaa pic.twitter.com/xLwRSBbuJeOn the career front, Rajinikanth is busy shooting for Shankar's magnum opus, Enthiran 2.0. Rajinikanth's 2.0 co-star and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar also wished the legendary actor a happy birthday.

Rini Sinha

19 Feb 2017,Sunday

Saif's daughter Sara replaces Disha Patani in SOTY 2: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tiger-shroff-disha-patani-sara-ali-khan-student-of-the-year-2/1/885965.html

Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara has reportedly replaced Disha Patani in 'Student Of The Year 2' (SOTY 2), sequel to 2012 film 'Student Of The Year'. As per sources, initially, Patani was finalised as rumoured boyfriend Tiger Shroff, who will play the lead role, was keen to have her in the film. The reasons for Patani's replacement aren't known.

Earlier there were reports that Tiger Shroff's girlfriend Disha Patani was going to play the lead opposite Tiger in Student Of The Year 2, directed by Punit Malhotra.However, now, it has been confirmed that Sara Ali Khan, daughter of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh is going to play the role Disha was supposed to play. In short, Sara Ali Khan is making her Bollywood debut with Student Of The Year 2.A source close to the production of the film told DNA, "Disha was finalised as Tiger was keen to have her in the film. It would mean that this off-screen pair would finally woo each other on-screen and that's also interesting for the audience. Producer Karan Johar and director Punit agreed to Disha, as she has a pleasing personality and is confident on screen, as seen in her last release MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and Kung Fu Yoga with Jackie Chan. But for reasons best known to the makers, Disha has made way for Sara."The source added that this is yet another instance of an outsider losing out to a star kid. Karan Johar was indeed planning to launch Sara Ali Khan in a project but her name was attached to the remake of The Fault In Our Stars, which will also star Ishan Khattar, Shahid Kapoor's brother.Interestingly, this is not the first time Disha has lost out on a role opposite lover Tiger Shroff, who is also a star kid. Before this, Disha lost the opportunity to act in Baaghi. Shraddha Kapoor, daughter of Shakti Kapoor stepped in.

Mansha Mahajan

24 Jul 2017,Monday

SBI asked to refund ?1.29 lakh to woman over stolen ATM card

http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/consumer-panel-imposes-rs-1-lakh-fine-on-sbi-for-frivolous-appeal/story-7XLI3ztPH1aHOsiCadOOzJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Delhi state consumer panel has directed SBI to refund ?1.29 lakh to a customer for not taking effective steps to block her stolen ATM card in 2006. It also imposed cost of ?1 lakh on SBI for filing a "frivolous" appeal. It's a case of deficient service as the complainant hasn't received a single penny in 11 years, it noted.

The Delhi state consumer panel has directed the State Bank of India to refund Rs 1.29 lakh to a customer for not taking effective steps to block her stolen ATM card in 2006.The state commission also imposed a cost of Rs one lakh on the bank for filing a ?frivolous? appeal before it.The commission, while dismissing the appeal filed by the SBI against the district forum order asking it to return the money, said that the bank ?failed to take effective steps for blocking of the stolen ATM card? which was a clear case of ?deficiency in service?.?It was the bank who failed to take effective steps for blocking of the ATM card. It is thus a clear case of deficiency in service. The incident took place in March 2006 and the complainant has not received a single penny in a span of 11 years,? the judicial member of the state commission N P Kaushik said.It said that instead of making the payment to the complainant, the bank rather filed a ?false and frivolous appeal?.?The same is dismissed with costs of Rs 1,00,000,? the commission said.According to the complaint filed by Okhla resident Rahimunnisa Shahana, on March 13, 2006 her bag containing a new ATM card and an envelop having the pin number were stolen before she could even use it. The bag also contained Rs 5,000 among other things.She went to her SBI branch in Nizamuddin on the same day and met an officer and the branch manager and made a request to block the card, it said.She alleged that when she went to the branch after a fortnight and enquired about her credit balance, she learnt that the entire amount Rs 1,29,060 had been withdrawn through ATM during March 13 to March 21.The plea claims that she made a complaint in writing on March 30, 2006 and filed a complaint with the police as well.The bank had claimed in the district forum that the complainant herself was negligent in carrying the ATM card and the envelope containing the PIN code.It also denied her visit to the bank on March 13, and said that she never met any of its officers on the day the theft took place.However, the district forum had rejected the claims of the bank and asked the bank to return the money.

Parmeet Kaur

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

Sena demands Minister's resignation over MU result delay

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-university-mess-shiv-sena-demands-resignations-of-education-minister-tawde-v-c/story-Rutcqjj5EOh4fCohBCan6L.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray has demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde and Mumbai University Vice-Chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh over the delay in declaration of MU results. He also called for a government inquiry into why the online assessment system was adopted by MU and asked if it was a scam as it failed badly.

Yuva Sena Chief Aaditya Thackeray on Monday met Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao to complain about the ongoing chaos over exam assessment in the Mumbai University and demanded resignations of state education minister Vinod Tawde and vice-chancellor Sanjay Deshmukh.Thackeray asked the governor to conduct an inquiry into why the university decided to opt for online assessment of papers this year, a move that has resulted in chaos and inordinate delays in paper correction.?I called the governor today to raise the issue of absolute mismanagement of the Mumbai University currently by the vice-chancellor. An inquiry must happen into why online assessment was opted for. How was the tender processed? As it has failed so badly, is it a scam?? Thackeray tweeted after the meeting.Read more:?Mumbai university results to be out by second week of AugustThe Yuva Sena leader pointed out how just a few lakh papers have been assessed until now. With there being a hurry to meet the July 31 deadline to complete the assessment, Thackeray also raised questions over the quality of paper correction.He said on Twitter, ?The Mumbai University is now without a Pro Vice Chancellor, Registrar, has an adhoc controller of examinations and is in the middle of a mess.?Finally are the Education Minister and the Vice Chancellor understanding the needs of the MU and education or must they resign?? Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) July 24, 2017This is the first year that the Mumbai University has moved to an online assessment process, leading to major delays in the completion of assessment and announcing results of examinations held in April-May.Read more: Lights, camera, satire: Mumbai University students voice their woes in parody video

Vani Vivek

04 Jan 2017,Wednesday

Alibaba paid $3.4 bn in taxes, created 30 mn jobs last year

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/alibaba-says-it-paid-usd-3.41-bn-in-taxes-creates-30-mn-jobs/1/849056.html

Chinese e-commerce major Alibaba has said that it paid over $3.4 billion in taxes in 2016, up 33% from last year and created 30 million new jobs in the country. Alibaba added that service providers on its Taobao and Tmall shopping platforms had registered a 142% growth in income year on year as of September 30.

Beijing, Jan 4 (PTI) Chinas e-commerce giant Alibaba paid a total of USD 3.41 billion in taxes in 2016 and created 30 million jobs, the company said. Alibaba led merchants operating on its platforms, upstream manufacturers and logistics companies to pay at least 200 billion yuan in taxes last year and created more than 30 million jobs, it said. The company has also catalysed new business such as outsourcing of customer service, product photography, quality testing, e-shop design, recruitment and training for e-commerce, it said in a statement.

Dishant Sharma

29 Jun 2017,Thursday

Narsingh questions Sushil's appointment as national observer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narsingh-yadav-sushil-kumar-national-observer-sports-ministry-wrestling/1/989848.html

In a letter to the Indian sports ministry, suspended wrestler Narsingh Yadav has questioned Olympic medal-winning wrestler Sushil Kumar's appointment as a national observer, alleging a conflict of interest in Sushil's appointment. Narsingh alleges that in his role as the observer Sushil would favour wrestlers from Chhatrasal Stadium's akhada, which is run by Sushil's father-in-law Satpal Singh.

Suspended wrestler Narsingh Yadav has objected to Sushil Kumar's appointment as a national observer, raising conflict of interest allegations, in a letter to the Sports Ministry.Narsingh last week sent a letter to the Sports Ministry, raising questions on how Sushil could become a national observer, when he is involved with the grooming of wrestlers at the Chhatrasal Stadium's akhada which is run by his father-in-law Satpal."Narsingh has written a letter to the Sports Ministry, raising objection on Sushil being a national observer. According to Narsingh, Sushil would favour his students from Chhatrasal as a national observer," a top Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) official in the know of things told PTI."Narsingh has claimed that being a national observer while training kids in his akhada is a conflict of interest."Sushil, India's double Olympic medallist, is among 14 Olympians appointed by the Sports Minister as national observers for their respective disciplines earlier this year.Narsingh also questioned how Sushil has been appointed observer despite allegations of sabotage levelled against him before Rio Olympics. Narsingh has been suspended on charges of doping for four years."Narsingh has also apparently written about his doubts over Sushil's alleged sabotage attempt in spiking Narsingh's food and drinks before the Olympics and the resultant four-year suspension on him from wrestling," the official claimed.When Sushil asked about Narsingh's letter, the 34-year-old said: "That is up to him to write to anyone he feels like, raising whatever objection. I have no hard feelings for anyone or about anything."Moreover I do not understand how it is conflict of interest. I am just a national observer, whose job is to monitor the sport of wrestling and give feedback to build a good squad for future Olympics," Sushil said.Last year, in the run up to the Rio Olympics, Narsingh and Sushil were involved in a bitter court battle, which was followed by a dope scandal that resulted in the eventual suspension of the former.It all started with a tussle for an Olympic berth in the men's 74kg freestyle category after the WFI reneged on its promise of holding a trial to decide who among Sushil and Narsingh would represent India in the Rio Games.In the process, Sushil felt short-changed and even took the legal recourse but could not get a showdown with Narsingh as had been promised to him by the federation after an injury prevented him from competing in the Olympic qualifiers.

Tarun Khanna

27 Mar 2017,Monday

India will be world's youngest nation by 2020: Envoy

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-will-be-the-worlds-youngest-country-by-2020/1/913413.html

With an average age of 29, India will be world's youngest country by 2020, India's envoy to Sri Lanka, Taranjith Singh Sandhu, said on Sunday. "With western Europe, the US, South Korea, Japan and even China ageing, this demographic potential offers India an unprecedented edge which could further contribute to the GDP growth rate," he stated.n

Colombo, Mar 26 (PTI) India will become the worlds youngest country by 2020 with an average age of 29, Indias envoy in Sri Lanka said today. Sixty-four per cent of Indias population will be in the working age group by 2020, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjith Singh Sandhu said while delivering a foreign policy lecture here. "With western Europe, the US, South Korea, Japan and even China aging, this demographic potential offers India an unprecedented edge which could further contribute to the GDP growth rate," he said. "The core aim of Indias foreign policy is to meet the developmental aspirations of its 1.25 billion people. Our diplomacy is for our development," the envoy said.

Shubhodeep Datta

12 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Election Commission introduces open challenge to hack EVMs

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ec-issues-open-challenge-to-people-to-hack-evms/1/927390.html

The Election Commission on Wednesday introduced an "open challenge" for people to hack electronic voting machines, starting May first week. This comes after opposition parties urged the poll panel to revert to the paper ballot system while alleging that EVMs were tampered with in elections. The challenge will be open for around 10 days and will have various levels.

The Election Commission today threw an "open challenge" to people to hack its EVMs, a move which comes after opposition parties urged it to revert to the paper ballot system raising doubts over infallibility of the machines. "From first week of May, experts, scientists, technocrats can come for a week or 10 days and try to hack the machines," an official source said. They said the challenge will be open for a week or 10 days and will have various levels. The Commission had announced a similar challenge in 2009 and it claimed no one could hack its electronic voting machines (EVMs).Also read:Madhya Pradesh bypolls: Congress demands ballot paper after VVPAT dispenses only BJP tickets in Bhind

Krishna Veera Vanamali

03 Jul 2017,Monday

Syndicate Bank appoints Melwyn Rego as its new CEO and MD

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/new-ceo-for-syndicate-bank-%EF%BF%BD-%EF%BF%BD-%EF%BF%BD/1/992798.html

Syndicate Bank has appointed Melwyn Rego as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD). Rego, who assumed charge on July 1, was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Bank of India. Melwyn has also served as the Deputy MD of IDBI Bank and as the CEO of IDBI Homefinance.

Tarun Khanna

04 Feb 2017,Saturday

Pakistan hopes to resume talks with India post state polls

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-hopes-to-resume-talks-with-india-after-assembly-elections/1/874618.html

Pakistani Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said there will be a better environment to pursue peace talks with India after Assembly elections in India will be over. Alleging Pakistan is an election issue in the state Assembly elections in India, Iqbal further said, "This is a bit unfortunate that they (India) are taking, you know, strong positions along the electoral cycle".

Pakistan hopes that there will be a better environment to pursue peace talks with India after the state assembly elections in the neighbouring country, a senior minister has said. "We are hoping that by March these state elections will be over and maybe then there will be a better environment to pursue peace talks with India. But we are totally committed," Pakistani Minister of Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal told a gathering here. Responding to a question at the US Institute of Peace, a top American think-tank, Iqbal rued that Pakistan is an election issue in the state assembly elections in India. "This is a bit unfortunate that theyre taking, you know, strong positions along the electoral cycle. I think we should be mature enough to think beyond that was India and Pakistan have to live together, we cannot change our geography, and we must now, think in terms of peace," Iqbal said. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he said, is a strong advocate of peace in the region. "We have very actively pursued peace with Afghanistan and India and continue to do so because we think that our development depends upon peace in the region," he said. "But I think, there is a little issue that, in Pakistan, since 93 I don't remember any election where any leadership has shown any sensitivity towards doing India bashing in order to get some extra votes in the elections. I mean, in our elections India is not affected, nobody speaks about India, nobody does any India bashing," he said. ELECTORAL DYNAMICS SENSITIVE TO PAKISTAN BASHING "But somehow we feel that the electoral dynamics in India are still quite sensitive to Pakistan bashing. So whenever you have, a electoral process in India, the government takes a certain hawkish position towards Pakistan," Iqbal said, adding that after these election there will be a better environment to pursue peace talks with India. Responding to a question, Iqbal alleged that India's reaction to USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is "a knee jerk" reaction. India, he said, needs to look at opportunities with CPEC as increasing regional cooperation. "So instead of opposing CPEC, it should now join CPEC and look at different opportunities," he said, adding CPEC would provide India shortest land route to do trade with most of China. "What you also have to see, that in China, they have now developed extensive road and rail links with West China," he added. "If you are even doing trade through CPEC you can reach out to any destination in China from this area. So we are very hopeful and we continue to work to normalize our relations with India," Iqbal said.Also read:

Chhavi Tyagi

17 May 2017,Wednesday

Kejriwal went to office twice in last one year: Kapil Mishra

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kapil-mishra-arvind-kejriwal-sarkar-2-aap-delhi/1/955756.html

Sacked Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra has claimed that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been to the office only twice in the last one year. "New corruption cases are coming to light every day...but the CM seems to be unaffected by all this. Kejriwal, who is completely cut off from public life, has time to watch (movie) Sarkar 3," Mishra added.

Sacked Delhi minister Kapil Mishra continued his tirade against Arvind Kejriwal saying the Delhi chief minister has been to his office just twice in the last year. Mishra in his Facebook post said Kejriwal has been ducking his questions on corruption in the AAP government but has all the time to watch Sarkar 3. "New corruption cases are coming to light everyday. Houses of relatives and friends are being raided but the CM seems to be unaffected by all this. The CM who is completely cut off from public life has time to watch (movie) Sarkar 3," Mishra said in his scathing post.Mishra, who was removed by Kejriwal from his cabinet after he levelled serious corruption charges on the CM, further said that the Delhi CM barely goes to office and works the least. "He is the only CM in the country who has no portfolio, takes maximum offs, works the least and soon he will the one with maximum number of corruption cases," the former Delhi water supply minister said.Mishra has claimed that he had seen Kejriwal accepting Rs 2 crore from minister Satyendra Jain. Mishra, who was suspended from AAP soon after he made the allegations had also approached the CBI with 'evidence' about Kejriwal's corrupt practices.WATCH: Kapil Mishra demands Kejriwal's resignation, faints during press conferenceALSO READ:Kapil Mishra to approach CBI today, says Arvind Kejriwal must prepare to go to Tihar now

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Swaraj requests safety of Indian woman ill-treated in Pak

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sushma-swaraj-indian-woman-pakistan-twitter/1/908877.html

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has sent a Note Verbale requesting the safety, security and well-being of Mohammadia Begum, an Indian woman who was being mistreated by her in-laws in Pakistan. Swaraj asked the Indian High Commission to renew the Indian woman's passport and facilitate her return to India. This comes after Swaraj received a YouTube message from the victim's father.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj once again turned a saviour for an Indian woman married in Pakistan after her father's YouTube SOS that his daughter was being mistreated by her in-laws in Pakistan. Swaraj on Monday said that the Indian High Commission had met the woman in Pakistan and was ensuring her safety and return to India.The external affairs minister posted on Twitter that she received a YouTube message from Mohammad Akbar about his daughter Mohammadia Begum who was being ill-treated by her in-laws.She tweeted, "Our mission sent a Note Verbale requesting the safety, security and well-being of Mohammadia Begum." "Our High Commission officials met Mohammadia Begum and she expressed her desire to return to India."As the Hyderabad woman's passport had expired last year, Swaraj asked the Indian High Commission to renew her Indian passport and facilitate her return to India.Meanwhile, Mohammedi Begum (the name on her passport) spoke to her mother Hajara Begum over phone and informed that her husband Muhammad Younis beat her up and locked her in a room after Indian High Commission officials met her.ILL-TREATED BY IN-LAWS The 44-year-old broke down while narrating the ill-treatment at the hands of her husband and in-laws. The mother advised her to have patience and wait for the help from the High Commission.Younis has even threatened that he will not allow her go back to India alive. He reportedly married another woman, a Pakistani.Hajara Begum said her daughter had turned very weak due to physical and mental torture and needs immediate medical help.Mohammedi Begum and Younis have five children -- three sons and two daughters. The youngest son is nine-year-old and he was born in Pakistan while the other children were born in Muscat, Oman."If the children come with her that will be good but my appeal is that she should be brought home immediately," said Hajara Begum.It was on March 16 that Sushma had sought a report from India High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale.Mohammedi Begum's father Mohammed Akbar, a cycle mechanic, had earlier sent an e-mail to Sushma Swaraj in January seeking her help in bringing back his daughter.He alleged that Muhammad Younis, who concealed his actual nationality and claimed to be from Oman, married her in 1996.The 'nikah' was performed over telephone through some agent and Begum joined Younis, a mechanic, in Muscat. After 12 years of marriage, Begum got a shock when Younis, who had lost his job, disclosed that he was a Pakistani.Mohammedi Begum had visited Hyderabad in 2012. Her father said this was her only visit to India in 21 years.(With inputs from IANS)

Vaibhav Gupta

18 Jan 2017,Wednesday

West Bengal: 2 dead as villagers clash over power project

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/one-dead-several-hurt-as-villagers-clash-with-cops-in-west-bengal-over-power-project/story-2ou9ZRs5Vta4bNvTKSxgyK.html?home-top

At least two people were killed while many were wounded after hundreds of villagers protesting against a power grid project clashed in West Bengal's Bhangar on Tuesday, reports said. The victims died of bullet injuries, but villagers said police did not fire at them and alleged the involvement of supporters of the ruling TMC, reports added.

Two people were killed and many wounded in clashes that broke out during protests against a power grid project in West Bengal?s South 24 Parganas district on Tuesday, bringing back memories of the tumultuous days of anti-land acquisition agitations in Singur and Nandigram. Both victims in Bhangar died of bullet injuries, but villagers said police did not fire at them and alleged the involvement of supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress, which blamed people ?against development? for the violence. In the previous Left regime, there was an attempt to acquire land in Bhangar, but the state government retreated in the face of fierce protests in Singur and Nandigram led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who was then the opposition leader.The situation had been tense in Bhangar from Monday evening, when police picked up two activists --- before releasing them an hour later under the instructions of top officials at the state secretariat. On Tuesday morning, irate villagers vandalised police vehicles and set at least three buses on fire. They uprooted trees, blocked roads with the trunks and hurled brickbats at the police for hours. Mofijul Khan and Alam Mollah died in the firing that ensued. ?Supporters of Arabul Islam (a local TMC leader) shot my brother,? alleged Khan?s brother. CM Banerjee rushed leaders such as Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy and minister Abdur Rezzak Mollah to talk to the agitators, who demanded the cancellation of the project.The project, undertaken by the Powergrid Corporation of India, is nearing completion on a 16-acre plot that was acquired a couple of years ago. Villagers are also objecting to high-tension lines passing over their land. ?Work on the project stands suspended,? power minister Sovandeb Chatterjee told HT. Sharmistha Chowdhury, one of the leaders of the movement, said the residents gathered at the site in the morning after a huge contingent of police entered the villages of Khamar Ait, Nutanhaat and Machhibhanga. ?As the police tried to disperse the gathering by firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets, the situation went out of control,? said Chowdhury.The villagers? movement is spearheaded by Jomi, Jibika, Poribesh O Bastutantra Raksha Committee (Committee to protect land, livelihood, environment and ecosystem). The committee is guided by CPI-ML (Red Star),?a little-known Naxalite outfit. Turning the tables on Banerjee, the CPI-M came out in support of the farmers at Bhangar and threatened to hit the streets if police forces were not withdrawn. ?Police acted on the orders from the chief minister who herself had organised movements against land acquisition during the Left regime. But now she is busy organising global business summits,? said CPI-M state secretariat member Md Salim.He criticised state minister and local MLA Moollah, who was the land reforms minister during the Left regime, and said: ?Bhangar?s uncrowned king was sitting silently while tension was building up.?Echoing what the Left leaders said during their rule, Trinamool Congress vice-president and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Roy said: ?Those creating disturbances are against development.??We are against land being taken away forcibly for any project,? said state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury.

Rini Sinha

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Twitter users suggest Priyanka, Hrithik for Aladdin remake

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/disney-can-t-find-their-aladdin-and-jasmine-twitter-suggests-priyanka-dev-patel-hrithik/story-imcfBrmEMam0Q3AbOg38PK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Following reports of Disney being unable to find actors for Aladdin's live-action remake, Twitter users suggested Hrithik Roshan and Dev Patel for Aladdin's role and Priyanka Chopra to play Aladdin's love interest Jasmine. In March, Disney released a casting call for Middle Eastern actors and actors of Indian descent to audition. Notably, the original Aladdin film released in 1992.

Disney is running out of time, and wishes, in a global search to find young actors to play Aladdin and Jasmine in their upcoming live-action remake.According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Mouse House and director Guy Ritchie have tested ?around 2000? actors from ?around the world? to find the perfect pair of actors to lead the fantasy-musical film.With names like Dev Patel and Riz Ahmed being floated, and a looming August start date, the Internet has taken it upon itself to help Disney out.Here are some suggestion people have posted on Twitter:"We can't find anyone of similar descent to play Aladdin" pic.twitter.com/Vr4QBoigyL? Catrina Dennis (@ohcatrina) July 11, 2017if the film industry can actively seekout middle eastern actors to portray terrorists it shouldn't be this difficult finding one for aladdin https://t.co/T5PujUa1Au? Simra (@simplysimra) July 11, 2017Y'all are sleeping on Avan Jogia and Jade Thrilwall for Aladdin. THEY BOTH CAN SING AND LOOK SIMILAR TO THE CHARACTERS AND CAN ACT pic.twitter.com/l78ef0dZwB? MC (@mariahnmichael) July 11, 2017Priyanka Chopra as Princess Jasmine and Dev Patel as Aladdin would have the whole world shooK! pic.twitter.com/uDh03KE5QL? Black Bill Gates. (@WrittenByTerry) July 11, 2017In all seriousness. This is what it's come to. They're having trouble filling the role of ALADDIN if Dev Patel or Riz Ahmed don't take it. https://t.co/GsfBfIB801? Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) July 11, 2017Disney: Guy Ritchie is perfect to direct Aladdin.Guy Ritchie: IDK how to find a Middle-Eastern man who can sing. https://t.co/oPagPdPO1F? Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) July 11, 2017THERE IS LITERALLY AN ENTIRE SECOND MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY IN THE WORLD W AN INDUSTRY OF MEN WHO DANCE AND SING. #aladdin https://t.co/iu0RsdCgPs? Jenny Yang???? (@jennyyangtv) July 11, 2017Are they really out here claiming it's hard to find an actor of Middle Eastern/South Asian descent who can act and sing to play Aladdin?!!!? ReBecca Theodore (@FilmFatale_NYC) July 11, 2017How about @kumailn as Aladdin? https://t.co/amqipK1BKL? Khaver Siddiqi (@thekarachikid) July 11, 2017Well you can't find better than Hrithik Roshan to do it, amazing actor and God of dance take note Disney !! pic.twitter.com/9P6X8joJUa? ? (@DeeplyNourx) July 11, 2017@odedfehr is the perfect Jafar pic.twitter.com/4in6U5LtDq? Selene (@ThisSelene) July 11, 2017There are plenty of amazing MENA & South Asian actors. I have a list. Give me a call Guy https://t.co/yDx07ONuNJ? Lexi Alexander ? (@Lexialex) July 11, 2017To all the lovely people saying I should try for #Aladdin thank you. It would be wonderful but only time will tell.? Tony Revolori (@TonyRevolori) July 11, 2017Follow @htshowbiz for more

Shubhodeep Datta

11 Mar 2017,Saturday

Bill for mandatory teaching of Gita tabled in Parliament

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bill-for-compulsory-teaching-of-bhagavad-gita-in-ls/1/901577.html

A Private Member's Bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to make the teaching of Bhagvad Gita compulsory in all educational institutions. The bill was moved by BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri. This was among the 103 Private Member's Bills tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday. One of the bills sought to prohibit spitting and urinating around public places.

Among the 103 private member bills introduced in the Lok Sabha today, was the one that makes teaching of Bhagavad Gita compulsory in educational institutions.The private member bill on Bhagvad Gita was moved by BJP member Ramesh Bidhuri. Another BJP member Maheish Girri introduced Maintenance of Cleanliness Bill, 2016 that provides for prohibition of littering, spitting and urinating in public place so as to ensure maintenance of clean, hygienic and healthy atmosphere in and around public place.