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Mansha Mahajan

10 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Gold was the highest smuggled item in 2015-16

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gold-narcotics-the-highest-smuggled-items-dri-data/1/853904.html

Gold continued to be the highest smuggled contraband seized by central agencies across the country in 2015-16, according to Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) data. The all-India value of gold seizure was ?795.5 crore during this period, it added. Further, the seizure of narcotics was highest in 2015-16, compared to the previous three financial years.

Mumbai, Jan 10 (PTI) Gold continues to be the highest smuggled contraband seized by central agencies across the country in 2015-16, though there had been a dip in seizure compared to the previous year, according to DRI. As per the data released by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in the fiscal ending 2015, the all-India value of gold seizure was Rs 1119.11 crore (which comprises seziures worth Rs 274.80 crore by DRI alone ) while in the last fiscal it was Rs 795.5 crore (Rs 240 crore by DRI). DRI and other central agencies also seized Rs 36.87 crore in foreign currencies and Rs 6.85 crore in Indian currency and fake Indian currency notes of face value of Rs 2.72 crore, in the last fiscal. Seizures of currencies in all the three categories increased compared to previous two years. The seizure of narcotics was highest in 2015-16, compared to the previous three financial years. The all-India seizure of narcotics (which included seizures by DRI and other agencies such as Customs) was Rs 510.17 crore, of which Rs 365.56 crore worth seizures were of DRI alone, in 2015-16. The seizure of narcotics in 2013-14 was 451.98 crore (of which Rs 209 crore was by DRI) while in 2014-15 it was Rs 290.59 crore (including Rs 102 crore by DRI). The data also show that there was a drop in smuggling of vehicles, vessels and aircraft in the last fiscal (Rs 131.31 crore) as compared to 2013-14, when it was the highest as seizures stood at Rs 472.89 crore. In 2014-15, the figure was Rs 62.66 crore.

Daisy Mowke

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Haasan threatened with ?100 cr lawsuit over Bigg Boss row

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamal-haasan-in-trouble-100-crore-defamation-case-to-be-filed-against-the-actor-lifetv/1/1005566.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The leader of political party Puthiya Tamizhagam has threatened to file a ?100 crore defamation case against Kamal Haasan and a Tamil TV channel for not apologising over a contestant's 'derogatory' comment during the Tamil version of Bigg Boss. "[He] did not... condemn it or talk about this in the show despite many people raising this issue," the leader added.

Kamal Haasan and Bigg Boss Tamil is involved in yet another controversy, as K Krishnaswamy, leader of Puthiya Tamizhagam has threatened to file a Rs 100 crore defamation case against the actor and the channel for what a contestant said during the show.  One of the contestants, Gayathri Raghuram used the word cheri (which mean slum dweller) for a co-contestant, which received a lot of criticism from the viewers. Politician K Krishnaswamy wants Kamal Haasan to apologise for Gayathri's comment.  While talking to The Times Of India, the politician said, "In the show, there was a conversation between two contestants. One of them called the other as 'cheri' (slum dweller). It is a public platform, and millions of people are watching it. We are sure that it is definitely a prepared script. The channel cannot say it was a mistake. They are creating an imbalance in the society and hurting one particular section of the society."

Dishant Sharma

12 Jan 2017,Thursday

Mayweather to fight McGregor only if paid ?680 crore

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/11/floyd-mayweather-conor-mcgregor-fight-ufc?CMP=twt_gu

Former boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather has claimed that he is ready to come out of retirement and fight UFC champion, Conor McGregor, only if he is assured a payment of $100 million (?680 crore). If the fight goes ahead, McGregor would be paid a career-high amount of $15 million (?102 crore), in addition to a slice of pay-per-view revenue.

Floyd Mayweather has said he will come out of retirement to fight Conor McGregor but only if he gets paid $100m (£82m) and the Irish UFC star is prepared to take a career-high $15m (£12m), plus a minor slice of the pay-per-view revenue.Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Manny Pacquiao, who had been hoping for a rematch with Mayweather, has agreed to defend his WBO welterweight title against a little-known Queensland schoolteacher, Jeff Horn, in Brisbane in April, according to unconfirmed reports in Australia. It is part of a three-fight farewell Pacquiao?s promoter, Bob Arum, is organising for the Filipino senator.It is the Mayweather-McGregor fight that would create the substantially bigger buzz, however, which says much about the state of boxing and the rise of mixed martial arts. Regardless of the fact it would be a mismatch, it still might be the richest fight in either fighting discipline in 2017.Mayweather, who turns 40 next month and retired undefeated in September 2015, has teased his fans for months with the prospect of having one more fight to surpass the 49-0 record that he currently shares with Rocky Marciano.In an exclusive interview with ESPN, the American said: ?I?m saying right here: Conor McGregor keeps telling everybody he wants the fight ? let?s make it happen.?We tried to make the fight. They know what my number is. My number was a guaranteed $100m. We?re the A-side and I don?t know how much money he has made? I?m pretty sure he hasn?t even made $10m from an MMA bout. But we are willing to give him $15m and then we can talk about splitting the percentage, the back-end percentage on pay-per view.?But of course we?re the A-side. How can a guy talk about $20m or $30m if he?s never even made $8m or $9m [for one fight]??In his penultimate appearance in May 2015, Mayweather split a record $340m purse 60/40 with Pacquiao and boosted his take to an estimated $300m with his share of the pay-per-view. However, the cachet of both champions has faded and Mayweather has little or no interest in a rematch. Given the reaction to a bout that inevitably disappointed after serial postponements over five years, neither is there a great hunger for it among boxing fans.?The only thing I?m probably interested in,? Mayweather added, ?is the Conor McGregor fight. I?m a businessman, and it makes more business sense.?McGregor, who recently acquired a boxing licence in California, has yet to respond.? This article was amended on 12 January 2017. An earlier version incorrectly suggested that Rocky Marciano had a 50-0 record.

Radhika Chugh

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Gurugram flyover work delayed due to high tension wires

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/gurgaon-iffco-chowk-flyover-work-delayed-due-to-high-tension-wires-nhai/story-eTfO45cNsio3sJGTAQr4TL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The construction of Gurugram's Iffco Chowk flyover has reportedly been delayed due to the presence of high tension electricity wires along the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway. The National Highways Authority of India officials said that Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam failed to give permission to move the overhead high tension wires, even though it was earlier agreed upon by the two organisations.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is finding it tough to finalise construction of a flyover at Iffco chowk due to the presence of high tension overhead electricity wires.The flyover construction is complete except for a portion where the high tension wires are running along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway from Shankar Chowk to Iffco Chowk. The NHAI has repeatedly asked the power company to shift the lines but to no avail.The NHAI officials said the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN), which is the custodian authority of the high tension wires, failed to give permission to move the wires to order to complete the flyover. As per the final talks between the officials of the two departments, the HVPN was to give permission to the NHAI to take the overhead high tension wires underground. ?As per the last meeting, NHAI was to execute the plan but only after the necessary permission from HVPN. The NHAI agreed in principal to invest the fund to execute the plan but HVPN failed to the give the permission. The construction of the U-turn flyover is disturbed but the HVPN is not ready to take a decision,? said AK Sharma, project director, NHAI, adding that the HVPN might change the plan.Anil Yadav, superintending engineer (SE), HVPN, said, ?We hope the approval from headquarters come very soon in this regard. We are in touch with the top officials at and hope to get the approval in a day or two.?To put high tension wires underground, the NHAI will construct a duct or tunnel of about 500 metres.There are 12 towers of the high transmission line currently standing on the left side of the NH-8 near Iffco Chowk.Earlier, on July 10, principal secretary to the Haryana government Rajesh Khullar had asked the local administration to remove the wires before July 31.Construction of the flyover at Iffco chowk and underpaases at Signature Tower and Rajiv Chowk have to be completed by March 2018. Chief minister Manohar Lal?Khattar is expected to inaugurate on AUgust 14 an underpass near Medanta hospital and a flyover at Maharana Pratap Chowk while rest of the work would go on as scheduled.

Deepali Aggarwal

13 Feb 2017,Monday

Hundreds evacuated, 600 acres burnt after wildfire in US

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hundreds-evacuated-after-wildfire-in-oklahoma-in-us/1/881426.html

A wildfire on Sunday broke out in the US state of Oklahoma, burning around 600 acres of land and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people in nearby areas and parts of the adjoining state of Texas. With no injuries reported, the state is under a national fire advisory through February 14 because of high risks for wildfires.

From Seema Hakhu Kachru Houston, Feb 13 (PTI) A wild fire in the US state of Oklahoma has burned nearly 600 acres, prompting authorities to evacuate hundreds of people in the nearby areas and parts of the adjoining state of Texas. No injuries were immediately reported in the wildfire which began on Sunday. Red flag warnings have been issued for western Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle and parts of West Texas. Firefighters from nearby areas in Oklahoma, Cleveland and Pottawatomie counties jumped into the fray as the day wore on and the fire continued to spread.

Rini Kapoor

31 Dec 2016,Saturday

Delhi has almost one crore vehicles: Delhi govt

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/at-10mn-delhi-hits-record-number-of-vehicles-air-pollution-numbers-also-up/story-PggGsRBPIrB6gxKOoZukOL.html

According to recently released data by Delhi government, India's capital city has almost one crore vehicles among a population of about two crore. As per the data, the number of registered vehicles in the city increased from 88 lakh in 2014-15 to 97 lakh in 2015-16, a spike of almost 10% and the highest in eight years.

There is no stopping the national capital from driving its air pollution to a new high.The city of about 20 million, which ranks among the world?s top cities with foul air on a WHO list, has almost 10 million vehicles, a record it set this year.Delhi government data released on Thursday shows the number of registered vehicles increased from 8.8 million in 2014-15 to 9.7 million in 2015-16 ? a spike of 9.93% and the highest in eight years.The city has the country?s highest density of vehicles, a primary source of air pollution.According to an IIT-Kanpur report, toxic exhaust fumes from vehicles constitute 25% of the city?s air pollution. The latest government data show 6,502 people died of respiratory diseases in 2015, making it one of the leading causes of death.Exhaust fumes coupled with smoke from farmers burning paddy stalk in neighbouring states and dust from construction sites formed the thickest smog for two decades to shroud the city after Diwali this year.Read |?Delhi pollution level alarming post Diwali, people complain of ?zero visibility?The Capital is struggling to reduce its air pollution, with measures such as a road rationing formula that allows cars with odd- and even-numbered number plates to ply on alternates days. The government as well as the National Green Tribunal and pollution control boards had banished smoke-belching trucks from the city and sought to scrap all ageing vehicles above 15 years.But these measures are having little effect as people are forced to arrange their own ride because of an inadequate public transport system, which runs mainly on clean fuel such as CNG and electricity.Read |?Capital chaos: Delhi?s traffic has slowed down and doubled time spent on roadsThe ridership and fleet strength of the Delhi Transport Corporation ? the city?s public transporter ? depleted in the past year. From almost 3.9 million in 2014-15, the daily average ridership of DTC buses decreased to about 3.5 million in 2015-16, the data show.Read | Wanted: Political will to pay price for clean airThe number of buses depleted from 4,705 to 4,352 during the period, despite the government?s efforts to bulk up the fleet to encourage people to use public transport more often to reduce air pollution.The city needs 11,000 buses but even with private buses bolstering the operation, it is around 4,000 short.Besides pushing air pollution up, the rise in vehicle density has clogged the city?s road network and forced Delhi residents to spend more time travelling. A study by six road design experts found recently that people?s commuting time has doubled in the past six years and traffic speed has halved during peak hours.The average speed has come down from 42kmph to 20kmph. Experts said the city will crawl at 5kmph in 10 years, the average speed at which a human walks.The data released by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also inform that city?s per capita income stood at Rs 280,142 during 2015-16; it has more mobile and fixed line phones; and power consumption has come down to 24,037 million units.Also read | Let?s fight pollution: People vs Delhi?s toxic air

Dishant Sharma

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Harinder Sandhu wins Victorian Open squash tournament

http://www.hindustantimes.com/other-sports/harinder-pal-sandhu-wins-victorian-open-title/story-UnSD8rgZAAM50FhRq5w78H.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Indian squash player Harinder Pal Sandhu won his second title in two weeks after winning the Victorian Open by beating top-seed Rex Hedrick of Australia 12-14, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 in a 77-minute final in Melbourne on Sunday. The 28-year-old, who was seeded third in the tournament, had won the South Australian Open last week.

Harinder Pal Sandhu continued his fine run by winning a second title in two weeks, beating top-seed Rex Hedrick of Australia 12-14, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 in a 77-minute final of Victorian Open squash, a PSA Tour event, in Melbourne today. READ?|?Once rejected as coach, Sukhraj Singh Batth produces World Championship medallistSandhu, who had reached the final without dropping a game, ran into an opponent, who was ready for a long battle. The first game saw long rallies and Hedrick held his nerve to win it on extra points as the two mixed caution with aggression.Third-seeded Sandhu, who had won the South Australian Open last week, stepped up to win the second game 11-3 using an attacking game to keep his rival at bay. READ?|?Ill-health ends Tintu Luka?s hopes of making IAAF World Championships cutThe third game also followed a similar pattern as Sandhu romped home 11-4.The 28-year-old Indian carried the momentum into the fourth game and stayed ahead to win it 11-7. It was his fourth title of the year.READ?|?Sundar Gurjar puts behind Rio 2016?disappointment, wins gold at Para-Athletics WorldsHe had beaten Piedro Schweertman of the Netherlands yesterday to reach the final.

Radhika Chugh

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Maharashtra government considers relocating tigers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maha-govt-considering-relocating-tigers/1/1016599.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Maharashtra Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Wednesday told the Legislative Council that the government is planning to relocate tigers from Vidarbha region to sanctuaries where tiger population is smaller. He added that the deaths of most tigers happen due to territorial fights caused by over-population. A committee has reportedly been formed to examine the proposal.

Mumbai, Aug 1 (PTI) The Maharashtra government is planning to relocate tigers from Vidarbha region to the sanctuaries elsewhere where their population is smaller, including the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR). State forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar told the Legislative Assembly today that the government had set up a committee to examine this issue, and a decision will be taken based on its recommendations.

Mishika Bangia

28 Jul 2017,Friday

ISIS suspect from Bengaluru sentenced to five-year jail term

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/five-year-jail-for-bengaluru-man-working-for-islamic-state/story-ulorc32vXzn8DF5ypucSXK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An ISIS suspect from Bengaluru, who lived with a fake name in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district church, was sentenced to five-year jail term by an NIA court on Thursday. He was arrested in December 2016 and was on NIA's radar. He confessed working with ISIS' sleeper cell and revealed that some of his plans didn't mature due to insufficient funds.

An NIA court on Thursday sentenced an ISIS suspect from Bengaluru to five years in jail.Special judge Virender Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on Abid Khan alias Abu Mohammad.Khan, who was living in a church in Banjar area of Kullu district using the fake name of Paul C Neo, was arrested by an NIA team in December 2016.He was on NIA?s radar and according to the prosecution, he confessed that he was working with a sleeper cell of the ISIS and also gave crucial information.Khan, who knows six languages, fully cooperated with the NIA and also revealed that he planned to meet his friend in Indonesia and later go to Syria though the plan did not mature as he did not have sufficient money, it said.He has been sent to Kanda Jail though he has requested that he be transferred to Karnataka as his parents are aged.

Rini Sinha

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Directors should decide if they want cuts, not a board: Azmi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/filmmakers-not-censor-board-should-decide-on-cutting-any-scenes-shabana-azmi/story-joWJBBU5UF8lEr7z0OFX9K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actress Shabana Azmi has said that filmmakers should decide if they want to cut scenes in their film and not any board. She added that the Censor Board should only certify films and not censor scenes. "However much you say CBFC?is an autonomous body...people taken on the board...have some kind of affinity with the ruling party," added Shabana.

Amid all the controversy over how much say the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), informally called Censor Board, should have in the final version of a film, veteran actor Shabana Azmi says that the whole system needs a revamp. She believes that filmmakers, not the CBFC, should decide whether any scenes get the chop or not.Talking to Hindustan Times during the Delhi premiere of her latest film, The Black Prince, Shabana was all for overhauling the current system, in which the CBFC has the power to demand cuts in a film before certifying it. ?It?s so wrong to call the CBFC the Censor Board in the first place. It is here to certify films; censoring any scene is not its prerogative,? says the actor. Her reply comes in the context of being asked if she would ever take charge of the Censor Board, as her industry colleagues Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore and Anupam Kher have done. The 66-year-old Shabana, who has always been vocal on the issue of censorship, asserts, ?The fact is that the Cinematograph Act of 1952 needs serious revision, and we have to leave it to the filmmakers to decide whether they are open to any cuts in the film or not.??There was the Justice Mukul Mudgal panel, in which Javed [Akhtar] saab was also a member, and they also suggested many changes. So, we are only waiting for those changes to be implemented.?Referring to the Shyam Benegal Committee, which, in its 2016 report, recommended fairly drastic changes in how the CBFC works, Shabana adds, ?[The committee] has been saying exactly the same thing: that censorship or [the] certifying system needs to change. Even before this committee, there was the Justice Mukul Mudgal panel, in which Javed [Akhtar] saab was also a member, and they also suggested many changes. So, we are only waiting for those changes to be implemented.?Drawing comparisons with the West, Shabana says that the CBFC needs to adopt the American system for film certification and move away from the current British ideology that is being followed.?However much you say that the CBFC?is an autonomous body, the fact is that those people are taken on the board [who] have some kind of affinity with the ruling party.??The system that we follow here for film certification is a British system, wherein you take about 30-odd people from within society and you literally make them sit on judgment to change the morality of the country every five years, according to the political dispensation of that time. Because, however much you say that it?s an autonomous body, the fact is that those people are taken on the board [who] have some kind of affinity with the ruling party, whether it?s the Congress or the BJP. Now, this is not good for any country?s art,? she says.Shedding light on how the Motion Picture Association of America works, Shabana explains, ?I?ve been saying for a long time now that we should follow the American system, where you have a board of people from within the film industry and they decide... the filmmaker decides that ?I don?t want a single cut in my film, but I recognise that it?s not suitable for children, or not suitable for people of [a] certain age, so I am willing to take an XXX certificate.? Or if a filmmaker says that ?No, I want my film for universal release, so I am open to the suggested cuts.? So [filmmakers] need to have the power to decide, and not any board.?Follow @htshowbiz for more

Saloni Tandon

22 Jun 2017,Thursday

Delhi crime rate down by 31%, cops solved 65% cases in 2017

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-police-commissioner-amulya-kumar-patnaik-crime-rate/1/984540.html

Delhi's crime rate has fallen by 31.54% this year, with the police managing to solve 65.42% cases reported this year. This is a 16% increase in the solve rate, which stood at 45.15% in 2015. Till May 15 last year, 802 rape cases were reported, while the figure stands at 740 this year, with 77.3% cases reported to be solved.

Crime is down in Delhi and the police's solve rate is up, data in possession of Mail Today shows.With effective ground policing and the formation of core teams at the district level, city cops have managed to slash the crime rate by 31.54 per cent and crack many more heinous crimes compared to last year. The solve rate has gone up by 16.77 per cent.Senior officials believe that this could happen only because of the change in policing methods brought about by commissioner Amulya Kumar Patnaik.The official data also reveals that incidents of dacoity have gone down by 21.05 per cent, and this year Delhi Police managed to solve 93.33 per cent of the cases. Instances of robbery have gone down too. In 2016, up to May 15, as many as 2,177 such cases were reported, compared to 1,180 in the same period this year. Cops managed to solve 45.15 per cent of the cases in 2015, while the figure this year is 65.42 per cent.'IN THE FUTURE, CRIME RATE WILL GO DOWN'The Capital has often been tagged with the dubious distinction of being India's most unsafe metropolitan city. Giving credit to foot patrolling and effective investigation by special teams formed in all districts, senior Delhi Police officials said, "In the near future the crime rate will go down and whenever a case will be reported it will be solved." This year, 740 cases of rape were reported till May 15, compared to 802 in 2016. And cops have cracked 77.30 per cent of the cases reported this year. Senior officials added that one of the reasons behind the improving solve rate is promotions of cops and power of investigation granted to them.Patnaik, who took charge as Delhi's police commissioner on January 31 this year, is the man behind the promotions as he believes that promoting cops will not only help in reducing pendency files but will also boost their morale, sources said. In 2016, as many as 18,702 personnel were promoted by granting "special grade designation". This includes 9,364 head constables to assistant sub-inspectors and 933 constables to head constables. A total of 51 inspectors were also promoted to ACP, 117 sub-inspectors to inspectors, 596 ASI to sub-inspectors. Not only this: 1,923 personnel were promoted for functional requirements under the comprehensive scheme. PATNAIK 'VERY COMPETENT IN ADMINISTRATION AND INVESTIGATION'Patnaik, a 1985-batch IPS officer, will be on his post for the next three years. He was previously the special commissioner (administration) in Delhi Police.When he became the commissioner, Mail Today had reported that senior officers described Patnaik as someone who has a deep knowledge of policing and the law and order situation."He is very competent in administration and investigation. He will make police work on the ground," an official said in January.Since then, sources say the top cop has kept a tight vigil on crime trends and regularly conducts meetings with the district heads to guide them on how to curb offences and solve cases.Not only has the efficiency of solving heinous crimes improved but the number of street crimes cracked by cops has also gone up. Be it snatching, burglary or motor vehicle theft, this year Delhi Police managed to solve most cases.Around 33.82 per cent of snatching cases have been solved, compared to 19.28 per cent last year.In February, as reported by MAIL TODAY, Patnaik had formed core teams, special investigation teams and law and order research teams in every district to solve all the cases.Also, special trainings are being given for better policing. The law and order research team comprises officials till inspector rank. It helped the cops improve policing methods, said officials.ALSO READ | Delhi man plans surprise for wife, strangles her to death with clutch wire in park

Pragya Swastik

12 Dec 2016,Monday

Facebook poaches Google exec as its first Industry Director

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/facebook-poaches-senior-google-india-executive-appoints-him-its-first-industry-director/1/832537.html

Social media giant Facebook has poached senior Google executive Pulkit Trivedi as its first Industry Director to spearhead e-commerce, retail, travel and financial services verticals in India. Besides Google, Trivedi has over 18 years of experience at multinational companies including Intel, Microsoft, and IBM. Earlier in June, Facebook appointed Umang Bedi as its new Managing Director for India.

Social-media giant Facebook has announced Pulkit Trivedi as its new  industry director for e-commerce, retail, travel and financial services verticals. Trivedi's work role involves building and maintaining strategic relationships with clients in the country. Pulkit holds over an 18 years of industry experience covering sales, business development & partnerships for Indian and multinational technology companies such as Google, Intel, Microsoft, IBM and HCL. Before joining Facebook, Pulkit was working as the  head of industry, e-commerce at Google India since April 2012. He was responsible for driving a large business for Google India.Also Read: Kirthiga Reddy steps down from Facebook India MD position Facebook has been making several reshuffles and hiring new officials for India this year. The company in June appointed Umang Bedi as its managing director. Bedi replaced Kirthiga Reddy who now sits at company's Menlo-based headquarter. Reddy  worked for nearly 6 years in India and was among the Fortune India's Top 50 Most powerful women.

Aarushi Maheshwari

10 Jun 2017,Saturday

Amit Shah defends 'Gandhi was a chatur baniya' remark

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amit-shah-congress-chatur-baniya-mahatma-gandhi-randeep-surjewala/1/975418.html

BJP President Amit Shah today said, "everyone present in the public meeting knows with what objective I called Mahatma Gandhi a baniya," defending his statement that Gandhi knew Congress was a tool to fight for freedom. After Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded an apology for "belittling" Gandhi, Shah added, "Surjewala has a lot to answer on Mahatma Gandhi's principles."

BJP president Amit Shah has rebuffed the Congress for demanding an apology from him over his remark about Mahatma Gandhi.Amit Shah had reportedly said that Mahatma Gandhi was a 'chatur baniya', who knew that Congress was a tool to fight for freedom and suggested that the party be dissolved after Independence. The Congress party slammed Amit Shah for using such phrase for Mahatma Gandhi. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded an apology from Amit Shah for 'belittling' the Father of the Nation.AMIT SHAH BELITTLED MAHATMA GANDHI: CONGRESS"Amit Shah has belittled Mahatma Gandhi and the Independence struggle... He should apologise for slinging mud on the Father of the Nation and shaming the freedom struggle," Surjewala said.Surjewala further said, "After Independence, the BJP's Kala Angrez (black Englishmen) are doing the same what the British used to do. This statement shows what is going inside Amit Shah's head. It is scary that this party is leading the nation."Congress workers were and with the farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Surjewala said, adding, "Our voices are with the farmers. They cannot use certain media to paint the Congress in negative light."Responding to Surjewala's demand for apology, Amit Shah today said in Raipur that "everyone present in the public meeting knows with what objective, I called Mahatma Gandhi a baniya. Randeep Surjewala has a lot to answer on Mahatma Gandhi's principles."Also read:Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on indefinite fast to placate angry farmersWhy loan waivers are not good for farmers, India

Prashanti Moktan

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Ask Irani on status of our report on Censor Board: Benegal

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/shyam-benegal-committee-report-will-censor-board-lose-its-power-to-cut-scenes/story-4Z0tuiWbvWJ5paAhi7dCJJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Filmmaker Shyam Benegal said the media should question Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Smriti Irani on what happened to the report submitted by the special committee, which he heads, for reforming the Censor Board. Benegal added, "Why haven't they taken any action on the proposed changes?" The report had suggested that board should not impose censoring but only certify movies.

In the wake of recent controversies where several filmmakers have locked horns with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a fresh debate has been triggered by filmmaker Shyam Benegal meeting with the officials at the Information & Broadcasting Ministry. The filmmaker met the ministry officials to check the status of the report submitted by a special committee led by him in 2016, which suggested that CBFC should limit its functioning to issuing certificates to movies and not impose censoring.While Benegal is hopeful that government will push the much required revamping of the CBFC and introduce changes in the archaic Cinematograph Act 1952, we contacted him to for clarity on any deadline given by the ministry. He tells us, ?We submitted the report in two parts?in April and October last years?and they are yet to take any action. I?ve been after them for the last 10 days but I can?t talk much because I have sworn to maintain the confidentiality of the subject until the ministry itself reacts.?He adds, ?I?d urge you to get in touch with the Joint Secretary or the secretary of the ministry or even the minister Ms. Smriti Irani and ask them what happened to the report and why haven?t they taken any action on the proposed changes.?The committee has proposed amendments such as introducing a new category called ?adult with caution? and sub-dividing existing categories into UA 12+ and UA 15+ to make the content accessible to appropriate audience. If we don?t have a rating system in between UA and A, we will suggest cuts otherwise we can?t certify.Reacting to the points mentioned in the report, Pahlaj Nihalani, CBFC chairman says, ?What the Shyam Benegal report says, I don?t agree with that because he?s not demanding the right things. If we don?t have a rating system in between UA and A, so definitely we will suggest them cuts otherwise we can?t certify [the film].?With an underlined sarcasm, Nihalani adds, ?A wrong interpretation by some unknowledgeable people that CBFC is just a certification body, as along with that there?s an act and rulebook also, which you can?t forget.?While all this is still being debated upon, we asked film frat if it?s about time that censor board should be revamped and new changed be introduced.If certification is specifically categorized, audience can self-censor what they?d like to consumeStating that it?s ?pathetically regressive? to have an appointed board deciding on creative cuts, filmmaker Homi Adajania opines, ?It?s bizarre that some pseudo-intellectual diktat can be passed allowing a screen kiss to linger for six seconds but not eight! What happens in those two seconds? It?s all just so freaking backward.? He adds, ?If certification is specifically categorized, audience can self-censor what they?d like to consume, knowing what the film?s rating stands for and through this they will not be offended by the content.?Director Ruchi Narain, whose animated film Hanuman ?Da Damdaar faced censorship issues, quips, ?It?s the simple truth. Government should govern. Reporters should report. Film makers should make films. Certification board should certify. If you start censoring everything, you turn blank and have nothing to say.?Ruling out any possibility that Bollywood can ever be free from censorship, filmmaker Hansal Mehta says it?s sad that there?s no will to actually bring about a change. ?I heard about this draft for a bill being proposed, which will be studied by the cabinet. But when will it be tabled in the Parliament? When will it actually go through?? asks Mehta.We?ll have to push our artistic boundaries in a way that we can work within the guidelines and parameters of CBFC?Every time there a furor around a film, there?s some spoken gesture that comes through but there?s no action. I have this sinking feeling that we?ll have to live with censorship that has existed since CBFC came into existence and Cinematograph Act was formed in 1952. So, we?ll have to push our artistic boundaries in a way that we can work within the guidelines and parameters of CBFC,? he adda.In support of Shyam Benegal committee report, film critic Omar Qureshi says, ?Censorship rules and regulations are as archaic as it gets and these new recommendations are an upgradation on the lines of the American association that has PG13 and PG18 and ?approved for all audiences? as per guidelines set for movies depending upon language and adult and violence quotient. And in any case, the word ?censor? is wrong. The body was always meant to guide and certify. Never censor. It reduces the freedom of expression to naught. Words like censorship are used in non democratic countries. Not in our great grey democracy.?Follow @htshowbiz for more

Aarushi Maheshwari

15 Jun 2017,Thursday

AAP fined ?27L for 'unauthorised occupation' of Delhi office

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aap-told-to-pay-rs-27-lakh-fine/1/979058.html

The Public Works Department of Delhi government has reportedly slapped a fine of ?27 lakh on AAP for the "unauthorised occupation" of its Rouse Avenue party office. The Delhi government had allotted the bungalow to AAP after the party approved a land allotment policy for state parties in 2015. However, PWD directed AAP to vacate the office in April 2017.

The Aam Aadmi Party has landed in a fresh controversy related to its party office. The Delhi government's PWD department has served a notice on the political group to pay Rs 27 lakh as fine for having failed to vacate its Rouse Avenue office within the stipulated time.Mail Today is in possession of a copy of the notice served to the Aam Aadmi Party.The notice was served on Tuesday in reply to the party's plea in which party requested to continue its operations from the 206, Rouse Avenue address. It was addressed to the Aam Aadmi Party's national secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta.The letter written by deputy secretary, Debasis Biswal mentions that there is no provision under the rules to extend the "illegal occupation". Hence, the party is liable to pay a penal rent for the period of unauthorised occupation, says the notice.RS 27 LAKH FINE The amount which has been calculated by the department up to May 31 amounts to Rs 27,73,802, says the letter. The letter further says that the dues will further accrue up to the date the premises are finally vacated.In another notice, the government also turned down the proposal of party in which it asked for an alternative accommodation before vacating the Rouse Avenue office.Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal, in early April, had cancelled the allotment of 206, Rouse Avenue premises as the party office of AAP. The bungalow was allocated through a state cabinet decision of the Aam Aadmi Party last year.In an earlier communication to the government, L-G Anil Baijal had communicated to the government that he was within his right to cancel the allocation of the office as it had been usurped by violating the rules.In a note written to the Government which has challenged LG order Baijal has written that it is a clear case of conflict of interest as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also the convenor of Aam Aadmi Party and hence action can be taken on that front as well.

Shubhodeep Datta

22 Apr 2017,Saturday

Lt Governor fires one bullet at me every day: Kejriwal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lg-fires-one-bullet-at-me-every-day-kejriwal/1/935628.html

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal "fires one bullet at me" daily. Further, Kejriwal said "the firing" has intensified ahead of the Delhi civic body's polls. His remarks come in the wake of Baijal ordering recovery of ?97 crore from the AAP which was "splurged" on advertisements and cancellation of office allotment to the party.

Lt Governor Anil Baijal "fires one bullet at me" every day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.This is Kejriwal's first direct attack at Baijal since he was appointed the Lt Governor of Delhi on December 31, 2016.Noting that his government tries to coordinate on various issues related to the development of the national capital, both with the Lt Governor as well as the Centre, Kejriwal said that "the firing" has intensified just before the MCD polls."We have maintained a good relationship with him (Baijal). The new LG worked for first three months (in coordination with us)."We did not utter a word against him before the MCD election, despite that he fires one bullet at me every day and on this, we are not speaking against him. Tell me what is our fault?" Kejriwal told PTI in an interview on Friday.His remarks come in the wake of Baijal ordering recovery of Rs 97 crore from the AAP which was "splurged" on ads and cancellation of office allotment to the party which the Delhi chief minister termed "politically motivated".Kejriwal and former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had also been at loggerheads over the administrative control of Delhi."We are trying to cooperate with everybody (the Centre and the LG) so that there is development of Delhi, but the Lt Governor fires one bullet at me (every day)," Kejriwal said.He also termed the report of Shunglu Committee as "politically motivated". The committee had pointed out "gross abuse of power" by the AAP government earlier this month.Kejriwal also attacked the BJP claiming that is an "undemocratic and unconstitutional" party whose only intention to "topple opposition parties government, buy MLAs, break their parties, use the Lt Governor against them".

Tarun Khanna

12 Feb 2017,Sunday

Mulayam campaigns for Shivpal, seeks votes for Lok Dal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mulayam-campaigns-against-akhilesh-backs-lok-dal-cadidate-at-shivpal-rally-in-etwah/1/880602.html

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav on Saturday campaigned for his brother Shivpal Singh Yadav in Etawah and also sought votes for a Lok Dal candidate. He, however, didn't mention UP CM Akhilesh Yadav's name. This came amid reports that some Mulayam's loyalists, who were denied tickets by the SP, are now contesting on the Lok Dal ticket.

The spring may have gone out of Mulayam Singh Yadav's step after he was unseated from the leadership of the Samajwadi Party by his son Akhilesh Yadav, but he still retains his ability to sting. Evidence of that came at the rally that he addressed this afternoon at Jaswantnagar in his home district of Etwah. He  came here asking for votes for his brother Shivpal Yadav but what was more interesting was his open support for a Lok Dal candidate from the Etwah seat.Mulayam rooting for the Lok Dal candidate is significant. The party exists mainly on paper and is distinct from the Rashtriya Lok Dal, which is headed by Ajit Singh. After Mulayam Singh Yadav was tossed out as the president of his party, he, along with Shivpal, toyed with the idea of taking over the Lok Dal, but ultimately decided against it.Speculation abounds in political circles that close to 40 of the duo's loyalists who were denied tickets by the SP are now contesting on the Lok Dal ticket. If a handful of them manage to win, they could strengthen Mulayam's hand in the event of a hung Assembly.Also read: Samajwadi feud: Mulayam-Akhilesh fight leaves Shivpal supporters in limboYADAV CLAN ABSENT AT SHIVPAL RALLYAlthough Etwah happens to be the family bastion of the Yadav family, not one member of the larger Yadav clan has been out seeking votes for Shivpal. Conspicuous by their absence from today's rally were the chief minister and MPs Ram Gopal Yadav, Dimple Yadav, Dharmendar Yyadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and Akshay Yadav.A significant feature of Shivpal's campaign and today's rally was that votes were sought in the name of Mulayam Singh Yadav and the development work that has taken place in the district during his time as chief minister and by Shivpal as the state irrigation and PWD minister. No mention was made of Akhilesh Yadav or any of that development work done by his government.

Vani Vivek

08 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Ratan Tata unveils bus to support Indian team's moon mission

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ratan-tata-launches-moonshot-wheels/1/877311.html

Ratan Tata on Tuesday unveiled 'Moonshot Wheels', a bus which will travel across the country to spread awareness about India's first private moon mission to be attempted by Bengaluru-based TeamIndus. The bus will travel to 11 states and carry astronomy models. TeamIndus is among five finalists for Google's Lunar XPRIZE competition and has signed a launch contract with ISRO.

Aarushi Maheshwari

19 Jan 2017,Thursday

UK policeman found with seized drugs worth ?6 crore at home

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/19/police-officer-found-700000-of-drugs-at-his-home-court-told-bradford-keith-boots?CMP=twt_gu

A 55-year-old police inspector tasked with disposing of seized drugs was found with ecstasy, heroin, cocaine, and cannabis worth £700,000 (about ?6 crore) at his house, a UK court was told. The inspector supplied the drugs to others, the prosecutor said, adding, "What was found... would have kept a 1970s rock star, as well as his band, entertained for weeks."

A police inspector responsible for disposing of seized drugs was found with an estimated £700,000 worth of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis at his home, a trial has heard.A jury at Leeds crown court was told that Insp Keith Boots, 55, was responsible for disposing of confiscated drugs for West Yorkshire police in Bradford but instead stole large quantities to supply to others. When colleagues raided Boots?s Bradford home they found illegal drugs worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, including 11kg of cocaine in his washing machine, the court heard. Paul Greaney QC, prosecuting, told the jury: ?What was found on the ground floor would have kept a 1970s rock star, as well as his band, entertained for weeks.? He said the drugs found in the house were estimated to be worth £700,000 by a police expert. Greaney claimed that Boots, who had been a West Yorkshire police officer since 1990 and an inspector for more than 10 years, stole drugs from the stores he managed at Trafalgar House police station, in the centre of Bradford. His home was searched in December 2014 after a colleague noticed a quantity of cocaine missing from the station store, the court heard. ?What Keith Boots had been doing is as simple as it is wicked,? Greaney said. ?In a gross breach of trust, he had been exploiting weaknesses in the system for the destruction of controlled drugs in order to steal them.? Boots went on trial on Wednesday with his son Ashley Boots. Keith Boots denies four counts of theft, six counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, one count of possessing ammunition, three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, one count of conspiracy to steal and one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Ashley Boots, 29, denies six counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, one count of possessing ammunition, three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, one count of conspiracy to steal and one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. The trial continues.

Pragya Swastik

04 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Snapdeal rejects $850 mn buyout offer from Flipkart: Reports

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/snapdeal-board-rejects-$850-mn-offer-from-flipkart/1/994240.html

Snapdeal's board has rejected a takeover offer of $800-850 million (around ?5,500 crore) from larger e-commerce rival Flipkart, according to multiple reports. Snapdeal's board felt the proposed takeover amount undervalues the company, reports added. While this offer has been rejected, talks are still said to be on between Snapdeal and Flipkart for a possible deal.

Snapdeals board is believed to have rejected a takeover offer of USD 800-850 million (around Rs 5,500 crore) from larger e-commerce rival Flipkart. According to sources privy to the development, Flipkart has completed the due diligence process and has made an offer of USD 800-850 million to buy Snapdeal. However, the offer was rejected by the Snapdeals board which felt the amount undervalues the company as the due diligence report is clean. "The first offer has been rejected but talks are still on. It is an ongoing discussion," said one of the sources. When contacted, Snapdeal, SoftBank and Flipkart declined to comment. SoftBank, the Snapdeals largest investor, has been proactively mediating the sale for the past few months. The board also has representation from Snapdeal founders (Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal), NVP and Kalaari Capital. Sources said Ernst & Young, which was roped in by Flipkart to conduct a due diligence on Snapdeal, submitted its report a few days ago, following which the offer was made. The deal between Snapdeal and Flipkart, if completed, would mark the biggest acquisition in the Indian e-commerce space. One of the leading contenders in the Indian e-commerce space, Snapdeal has seen its fortunes failing amid strong competition from Amazon and Flipkart. Compared to a valuation of about USD 6.5 billion in February 2016, the sale to Flipkart could see Snapdeal being valued at about USD 1 billion. SoftBank has already written off over USD 1 billion on valuation of its investment in Snapdeal.ALSO READ:Snapdeal is not Snapchat: Confusion costs Indian brand its image

Chhavi Tyagi

09 May 2017,Tuesday

Filing FIR against you, bless me: Kapil Mishra to Kejriwal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kapil-mishra-aam-aadmi-party-arvind-kejriwal-bribery-charge-satyendra-jain-pac-aap-delhi/1/949143.html

Sacked Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Tuesday held a press conference and read out a letter addressed to AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal that said, "Bless me, I am filing an FIR against you." He further said, "You have everyone on your side and I'm alone. But I am ready to fight... I have learnt to fight corruption from you only."

A day after his suspension from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a belligerent Kapil Mishra sought party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's "blessings" before he files cases against him before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today."Bless me, I am filing an FIR against you," Mishra, 36, said in an early morning press conference in New Delhi where he read out a letter he wrote to the AAP convener.Mishra also today Kejriwal to resign and contest election against him "to let people decide who is more honest". "You have every one on your side and I'm alone. But I am ready to fight... I have learnt to fight corruption from you only," Mishra said "You take me out of the Assembly, it makes no difference. Both of us should resign and contest each other in any seat of a choice. We should fight an election and let the public decide," he dared Kejriwal.BRIBERY CHARGE AGAINST KEJRIWALMishra has alleged he saw Delhi's Health Minister Satyendar Jain hand over Rs 2 crore in cash to Kejriwal while he was also present in the room. He has also alleged that Jain had told him he had settled a Rs 50 crore land deal in favour of Kejriwal's brother-in-law.Cracking the whip on Monday evening, the AAP's high-powered Political Affairs Committee (PAC) chaired by Kejriwal suspended Mishra from the party's primary membership.With this, Mishra became the fifth AAP MLA -- after Sandeep Kumar, Asim Ahmed Khan, Devendra Sehrawat and Amanatullah Khan -- to be suspended from the party since it stormed to power in the national capital two years ago. Kejriwal later on Monday night indicated that he would answer on Tuesday on the graft allegations levelled against him by Mishra. "Truth will triumph. Its beginning will be made during the special session of the Delhi Assembly tomorrow," Kejriwal tweeted amid turmoil in his party.Also read | Kapil Mishra offered no concrete 'documents' to back bribery allegation against Arvind Kejriwal: ACB sourcesAlso read | Kejriwal breaks silence on Kapil Mishra's allegations: Truth will win

Tarun Khanna

04 May 2017,Thursday

Cong top brass chose me over Sheila Dikshit: Ajay Maken

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ajay-maken-sheila-dikshit-mcd-polls-congress-mcd-elections/1/945083.html

Congress' Delhi unit President Ajay Maken, who had resigned from the party after MCD polls debacle, on Wednesday said party's high command chose him over ex-Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit to continue as city chief. "Our vote percentage has substantially increased and we are ready to take on the BJP and the AAP from the grassroot level," he said.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken on Wednesday indicated that his resignation was not accepted as the party high command chose him over former chief minister Sheila Dikshit. On Wednesday, Maken called a meeting of all of party's councillors and the candidates who lost in MCD polls to chalk out party's plans for the future. Responding to questions on rift and dissent in the Congress, Maken said, "After my resignation, the party high command listend to me and simultaneously spoke to Sheila ji. After this, I was asked to continue to as the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief."His statement seems to be a direct attack on former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who had criticised Maken for 'ignoring' party's senior leaders during the MCD election campaign. WASN'T CALLED FOR CAMPAIGNING: SHEILA DIKSHITDikshit, who ruled Delhi for 15 years, alleged that she wasn't called for campaigning during polls. Also, the former Delhi chief minister's photos were missing from all hoardings of the party during its election campaign.Maken had stepped down following Congress' debacle in MCD polls, taking responsibility of the loss. However, the party high command had rejected his resignation and he was asked to continue as party's state unit chief.Maken said he would carry out a reshuffle in the party to strengthen its base in Delhi.

Rini Sinha

23 Jun 2017,Friday

Govinda's pic from sets of Jagga Jasoos surfaces online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jagga-jasoo-govinda-new-look-ranbir-kapoor-katrina-kaif-anurag-basu/1/985577.html

A picture of Govinda from the sets of the upcoming Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif starrer 'Jagga Jasoos' has surfaced online. Reports suggest that Govinda shot for a cameo in the film, but later walked out of it citing irreconcilable differences with director Anurag Basu. Govinda was reportedly cast as a detective who helps Ranbir Kapoor's character find his father.n

Govinda is back in action, and how! Bollywood's Hero No 1 is in Anurag Basu's Jagga Jasoos, and a latest still from the film is a proof of it. After his dud Aa Gaya Hero, Govinda will be seen in Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif-starrer which is set to hit the screens on July 14. If reports are to be believed, the actor will essay the role of a detective who will help Ranbir in finding his father in the film. But more than anything, it is Govinda's look that has left us intrigued. The 53-year-old actor will be seen in a cameo in the much-delayed Jagga Jasoos.Earlier there were rumours that Shah Rukh Khan will be seen in a cameo in Jagga Jasoos, but this latest revelation has taken everyone by surprise. Govinda's presence in the film was kept under the wraps all this while. And now, Govinda fans cannot wait to see their favourite actor in a new avatar. Jagga Jasoos also stars Katrina Kaif, Saurabh Shukla and Sayani Gupta. 

Vani Vivek

02 Mar 2017,Thursday

Nintendo admits its cartridge purposely made to taste bitter

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/02/nintendo-switch-game-cartridges-taste-bitter?CMP=twt_a-technology_b-gdntech

Nintendo has admitted that the cartridges of its Switch gaming console have purposely been made to taste bitter to avoid "possibility of accidental ingestion." This comes after a number users complained on Twitter that the cartridges taste bad and wondered if they were toxic. However, Nintendo clarified that the denatonium benzoate bittering agent applied to the SD-sized cartridge is non-toxic.

The Nintendo Switch is a mixed-use, family friendly console and its games come on little proprietary memory cards. Those cards have been with reviewers for a week or so now and, while information about the games on them may still be embargoed, it has emerged the cartridges themselves taste horrendously bitter.History does not definitively record who first thought it a necessary part of their review to lick one, but someone did. Kids (and game reviewers?) being kids, and therefore inclined to stick anything they can in their mouths, Nintendo confirmed it has tried to do worried parents everywhere a favour and reduce the chances of the SD card-sized cartridges from being swallowed.A Nintendo spokesperson told gaming site Kotaku: ?To avoid the possibility of accidental ingestion, keep the game card away from young children. A bittering agent (denatonium benzoate) has also been applied to the game card.? This bittering agent ?is non-toxic?, it stresses.Denatonium is one of the extremely bitter tasting chemicals used in anti-nail biting treatments, among other things. The Guardian?s Alex Hern taste-tested the Switch launch title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and can report, it is indeed ?gross?.I just licked Zelda because of this and yup, can confirm: is gross https://t.co/4x3TQn9Ym9?I wasn?t expecting the rumours to be true, so took a fairly meaty lick of the top half of the cartridge, and it rapidly proved to be a mistake,? Hern said. ?I?ve heard the compound described as ?bitter?, but that doesn?t really do it justice: it?s just a pure, concentrated dose of unpleasantness, and it lingers in your tastebuds for an uncomfortably long time.?

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Punjab Police to tackle criminals on social media: DGP

http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/punjab-police-to-tackle-criminals-on-social-media-dgp/story-1di6GMSO7Ocr6Jh68BfX7K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora has said that the state police will increase presence on social media to tackle the hate spread online. "Police will set up own Facebook and other social media handles to nullify all such rumours. Some forces sitting in foreign countries are trying to vitiate the communal atmosphere of the state," he added.

Punjab director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora said on Thursday that the police will increase presence on social media, which is widely used by radicals to ?spread anger by spreading misinformation?. ?Police will set up own Facebook and other social media handles to nullify all such rumors. This will be a proactive approach to tackle the hate spread online,? he said while speaking to the media in Patiala.He said that ?some forces sitting in foreign countries? have nefarious design to disturb peace and harmony in Punjab. ?They are trying to vitiate the communal atmosphere of the state. However, people have suffered a decade of militancy, and are well aware.? He said that most of the terror modules busted by the police are such wherein youth were motivated using their religion. ?Most of the arrested person have no criminal background; they were misled by social media.? After visiting the Bahadugarh Commando Training Complex, Arora also took stock of security and other issues in the home town of the chief minister by interacting with officers.DGP Suresh Arora at the training centre in Bahadurgarh, Patiala, on Thursday. (Bharat Bhushan/HT)

Prashanti Moktan

26 Mar 2017,Sunday

Sonam to auction her clothes, bags for charity: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sonam-kapoor-auction-clothes-bags-vintage-gowns-fight-hunger-foundation-cuddles-foundation-lifest/1/913096.html

As per reports, actress Sonam Kapoor will auction her designer outfits and bags to raise funds for 'Fight Hunger Foundation', an NGO which is based in Mumbai. The actress is said to have chosen twelve pieces including her vintage couture gowns for the auction. Some funds will reportedly be given to 'Cuddles Foundation', which works for children battling cancer.

Sonam Kapoor is hailed as the diva that made the whole Hindi-movie industry more fashion conscious than ever before. Now, this diva is giving the country and her fans some perspective by auctioning out just the things that earned her the 'dive' tag, because it's all for a good cause.Last year, the Delhi 6 actress was appointed as the goodwill ambassador for Mumbai-based NGO, Fight Hunger Foundation. Now, she's all set to auction her bags and designer clothes for the benefit of this NGO, which she says is very close to her heart.

Dishant Sharma

09 Jun 2017,Friday

3 Indian male badminton players in top-15 for first time

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ajay-jayaram-kidambi-srikanth-sai-praneeth-india-badminton/1/974256.html

For the first time in Indian badminton's history, three Indian male players are ranked inside the BWF world rankings' top-15. Ajay Jayaram, Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth occupy the 13th, 14th and 15th place respectively in the latest BWF rankings released on Thursday. India's female shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal maintained their 3rd and 11th place respectively.

In a first, three Indian male shuttlers - Ajay Jayaram, Kidambi Srikanth and B Sai Praneeth - were in the top 15 of the latest Badminton World Federation Rankings released on Thursday as they occupied the 13th, 14th and 15th spot respectively.Sameer Verma and HS Prannoy found spots in the top 30 at 28th and 30th place respectively.Sai Praneeth's has been the most meteoric rise in the rankings as he moved nine places up after winning the men's singles title at the Thailand Open on Sunday and beating compatriot Kidambi Srikanth to the Singapore Super Series title in April.In the women's singles ranking, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal maintained their 3rd and 11th places respectively.

Abhishek Bansal

20 Jan 2017,Friday

Opposed cutting Chelsea Manning's jail term: Pentagon chief

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/barack-obama-chelsea-manning-leaker-pentagon-trump-us-army-iraq/1/861049.html

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday said he had opposed commuting the prison sentence of convicted whistleblower Chelsea Manning. President Barack Obama has reduced Manning's 35-year prison term by nearly 29 years. Manning, a former US Army soldier, was convicted in 2013 of espionage and other crimes for leaking classified information while deployed in Iraq.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter on Wednesday said he had opposed commuting the prison sentence of convicted leaker Chelsea Manning, who was convicted in 2013 of espionage and other crimes for leaking classified information while deployed in Iraq."That was not my recommendation," Carter said in an Associated Press interview. "I recommended against that, but the president has made his decision."Carter declined to elaborate on his view.President Barack Obama has drawn intense criticism from members of Congress and others for his decision on Tuesday to commute Manning's 35-year prison sentence to about seven years, including the time she spent locked up before she was convicted. Her sentence is now set to expire May 17.At the time Manning committed the crimes she was known as Bradley Manning and was serving as an Army private.CHARGES AGAINST MANNINGA judge convicted Manning of 20 counts, including six Espionage Act violations, theft and computer fraud. She was sentenced to 35 years out of a possible maximum of 90. She was acquitted of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy, which carries a possible life sentence.The now 29-year-old native of Crescent, Okla, leaked more than 700,000 classified Iraq and Afghanistan war logs and diplomatic cables in 2010 while working as an intelligence analyst in Baghdad. Manning also leaked a 2007 video clip of a US helicopter crew killing at least nine men, including a Reuters news photographer and his driver. The Pentagon later concluded the helicopter crew acted appropriately, having mistaken the camera equipment for weapons.Also read: Obama shortens sentence of Manning, who gave secrets to WikiLeaks Also read: Julian Assange's lawyer: WikiLeaks founder subjected to 'mental torture' At a White House news conference on Wednesday, Obama firmly defended his Manning decision, arguing she had served a "tough prison sentence" already.The White House declined to comment on Carter's remarks but pointed to Obama's explanation about why he'd granted the commutation.WHY DID OBAMA COMMUTE HER SENTENCEObama said his decision took into account the fact that Manning had gone to trial, taken responsibility for her crime and received a sentence that he said was harsher than other leakers had received. He emphasized that he had commuted her sentence, not granted a pardon, which would have symbolically forgiven her for the crime."I feel very comfortable that justice has been served," Obama said, adding, "A message has still been sent that when it comes to our national security, that wherever possible we need folks who may have legitimate concerns about the actions of government or their superiors or the agencies in which they work, that they try to work through the established channels and avail themselves of the whistleblower protections that have been put in place."Also read: WikiLeaks' Assange should go free from embassy and be compensated: UN panel The president said he does not accept the argument of critics that the commutation sends the wrong message to others in the military."The notion that the average person who was thinking about disclosing vital, classified information would think that it goes unpunished, I don't think would get that impression from the sentence that Chelsea Manning has served," Obama said.Vice President-elect Mike Pence said Obama's decision on Manning was a mistake and called the convicted leaker a "traitor."Pence said in an interview airing Wednesday night with Fox News' Brett Baier that Manning's actions compromised national security, endangered American personnel and compromised individuals in Afghanistan who were cooperating with US forces.

Abhishek Bansal

22 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Samsung denies report of selling refurbished Galaxy Note 7

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/samsung-plans-to-sell-note-7-in-india-but-it-will-be-refurbished/1/887720.html

South Korean tech giant Samsung has refuted a report that claimed the company plans to sell refurbished units of the Galaxy Note 7 in India. The report had said that Samsung had slightly redesigned the phone and placed a smaller battery to prevent explosions. Samsung released the findings of its internal investigation into the Galaxy Note 7 explosions last month.

If you are a Samsung Galaxy Note fan, you were waiting to hear these words -- Note 7 will be sold in India. Despite all the bad whether it went through before being laid to the grave, Note 7 might come back from the dead; it has to if the company is to minimize losses and environmental penalties incurred in disposal of close to 3 million devices.Update: Samsung has denied that it has any plans to sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 units in India. "The report on Samsung planning to sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 smartphone in India is incorrect," said a Samsung India spokesperson, without offering any other details.  Korean website Hankyung reports the Galaxy Note 7 is due for a resurrection in select places -- Vietnam, India and probably South Korea. Samsung Electronics will finalise the designs by May this year and will go on sale in June (expected). Several changes will be made to the phone.Also Read: Galaxy Note 7 exploded due to battery, confirms Samsung Samsung initially announced a recall of some 2.5 million Note 7 phones in September and identified the cause of the fire as a manufacturing process problem at one of its suppliers, but new Note 7s with what Samsung said were safe batteries from a different supplier continued to catch fire.But it was only after a complete recall and "in-depth" analysis of the cause did it make out that it was not the battery material, but the way the battery was shaped to fit in the chassis that caused the short circuit.Now, Samsung will be redesigning both the battery and the chassis. The battery is said to be of a lower capacity -- about 3000mAh, and if Samsung is redesigning the chassis, it might not support a dual curved screen. But it will be called refurbished and the price expected should be considerably cheaper.

Prashanti Moktan

07 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Rangoon not showing censor certificate during screening: CBFC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rangoon-new-trouble-box-office-collection/1/898627.html

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Pahlaj Nihalani has slammed the film 'Rangoon' for breaching the law by not showing the censor certificate before its screening in theatres. The CBFC was also informed that anti-smoking short films are not being played during the film even though it has scenes featuring substance abuse. "These are serious offences," said Nihalani.

Saif Ali Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut and their latest film Rangoon is in new trouble. The film has rubbed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) the wrong way, as a result of which, it might land in a legal mess.Rangoon, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is playing in theatres without a censor certificate and the anti-tobacco short films. As a result, the CBFC is mighty miffed with the makers of Rangoon. While on the one hand, Rangoon any which way, hasn't been getting any love at the ticket windows, this will end up adding to the plethora of problems the film is battling.Pahlaj Nihalani, the chairperson of the CBFC, told DNA, "It has been brought to our notice that Rangoon has been playing in theatres across the country and outside India without the censor certificate and without the anti-smoking short films, which are compulsory for all films that show actors smoking and/or drinking. Rangoon had many scenes showing the main leads indulging in serious substance abuse. We asked the makers to put a disclaimer ahead of the opening credits. That disclaimer has gone missing. Now, we have been informed that the anti-smoking films do not play at the beginning and after the intermission. And also that the censor certificate is not flashed at the start, as per law. These are serious offences."The film, which is a love story set against the backdrop of the World War II, stars Saif Ali Khan as film producer Rusi Bilimoria, Kangana Ranaut as the fiesty Miss Julia (a character based on Fearless Nadia), and Shahid Kapoor as Jamadar Nawab Malik of the British Indian Army.Rangoon, said Nihalani, has flouted several rules set by the CBFC. And if found true, the CBFC chairman told the tabloid, action will be taken against the team."We are taking legal action against the digital operators, to begin with. We would not like to point fingers at anyone else for the lapse at this time. It is the digital operators' responsibility to play exactly the length that is shown to us and certified by the CBFC. Not a second more or less of footage must be shown in theatres than what we have certified. The exact length of the film that is shown to us and certified by us is mentioned in the censor certificate. If the anti-smoking films have been removed from the beginning and after intermission and if the censor certificate is not being shown in Rangoon, then, the digital operators are screening less footage than what has been approved by the CBFC. It is a serious offence. We are investigating to see how deep the offence goes," said Nihalani.The CBFC head went on to add, "Maybe some self-appointed intellectuals of our film industry feel it is okay to break the law as long as they can ridicule the jurisdiction of the CBFC." Rangoon's laidback pace and lack of a coherent storyline has been pointed out as reasons behind its worrisome performance at the box office in India. In more than a week of release, Rangoon hasn't even made it to the Rs 50-crore mark in the country.OPINION: Rangoon is a box-office disaster despite good reviews. Why?

Arshiya Chopra

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Twitter reacts to Shashi Tharoor's 'snollygoster' tweet

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shashi-tharoor-s-snollygoster-amuses-twitter-some-think-it-s-a-dig-at-nitish-kumar/story-UgWIuqHKJVUeQIpjTzHX0L.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Reacting to Shashi Tharoor's tweet on definition of the word 'snollygoster', a user tweeted, "Following you will help me crack CAT with 100 percentile in English." Another user tweeted, "There can not be snollygoster more apt for any other person than Nitish Kumar", while one more read, "Just retweeting and I feel like I've earned my Wren N Martin Medal."

After farrago and webaqoof, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is known for his impressive vocabulary, has taken to Twitter to define another difficult word snollygoster.?Word of the day! Definition of *snollygoster*. US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician. First Known Use: 1845. Most recent use: 26/7/17,? the Congress MP tweeted on Thursday.Word of the day!Definition of *snollygoster*US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politicianFirst Known Use: 1845Most recent use: 26/7/17? Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 27, 2017The tweet immediately caught the attention of social media users and was retweeted more than 1100 times.Some were all praises for his linguistic skills, others thought the word was intended as a jibe at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. The Janata Dal(United) chief broke away from the Mahagathbandhan or the grand alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress and returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being foes for a long time. Kumar?s move came after RJD chief Lalu Prasad rejected the demand for his son and deputy chief minister Tejashwi?s resignation over alleged railway hotel tender scam. Just retweeting and I feel like I've earned my Wren N Martin Medal.? BeeGorgeous (@BeeGorgeous3) July 27, 2017Google is busy searching the meaning of 'Snollygoster' ???? Kabir Khan (@Kabir_TheOne) July 27, 2017Following you will help me crack CAT with 100 percentile in English. pic.twitter.com/uOoFpwAxke? just_another_indian (@justanotherind3) July 27, 2017Nitish a Snollygoster is an understatement. He is actively anti-principle, someone for whom principles are seen as a liability. pic.twitter.com/VrAnufYMY0? INC_Tharoorian (@Tharoorian_INC) July 27, 2017There can not be snollygoster more apt for any other person than Nitish Kumar.We are spellbound with your vocabulbary.And it's apt use.? Amit Ghosh (@amitghoshspeaks) July 27, 2017Twitter users first got a taste of Tharoor?s linguistic prowess when he used an eloquent tweet to slam TV journalist Arnab Goswami?s reporting on his wife Sunanda Pushkar?s death.?Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalist,? he posted in May this year.Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations&outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalst? Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 8, 2017The effect of his tweet was such that it spiked the Google search results for the word farrago.Earlier, he gave another sample of his wordplay with the word ?webaqoof?, which was aimed at people who believe everything on the internet without fact-checking.New Hinglish 21st century dictionary:*Webaqoof*: "one who believes every claim or allegation on the internet & social media must be true"? Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 25, 2017

Prashanti Moktan

15 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Reddit user claims AIB's Rohan molested her, later denies it

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rohan-joshi-molestation-sexual-harassment-arunabh-kumar-aib-tvf/1/903515.html

An anonymous user in a Reddit post accused AIB's Rohan Joshi of molesting her by forcefully kissing 'her', then verbally abusing and groping 'her breast'. However, the user in another post claimed that Rohan was a great guy and the earlier post was only to show that the anonymous woman, who alleged TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar of molestation, is fake.

All India Bakchod funnyman Rohan Joshi was accused of molesting and sexually harassing a woman in an anonymous Reddit  post earlier today. Less than two hours later, the same person replaced that post with one that called Joshi a "great guy". What was the motive behind such a move? Read on their post to find out:Whoever this person is, disregard of what gender they come from, has single-handedly reduced a serious issue like sexual harassment to a joke. As he/she points out, the intention behind the original post (accusing Joshi of molestation) was to "expose" the woman who accused TVF CEO of sexually harassing her.Well, good job, buddy! You tricked us into believing that you were touched, groped and felt up against your consent. Of course, this is an issue that should be toyed with. Very, well done!THE ORIGINAL POSTThe Reddit user, under the pseudonym 'shadenfreude557', had claimed in the now-removed post that Joshi had tried to forcefully kiss 'her', then verbally abused and groped 'her breast' when 'she' pushed him away. It further said that they "couldn't share this experience with anyone because of the fear that no one will believe", given his celebrity status.This post was taken down less than an hour later. JOSHI'S RESPONSEWhen Twitter users drew Rohan's attention to the original Reddit post, he denied the accusation and challenged the claim saying he is "open to any investigation about this by cops or by anyone at all".@lordoftheshibs Wow. Kucch bhi. Literally. Happily open to any investigation about this by cops or by anyone at allJoshi also tweeted: I would like to state categorically that this did not happen. I am open and willing, and even urge @MumbaiPolice to investigate thisBut any competent authority who wants to investigate is welcome to, and I encourage whoever wrote that to pursue the matter earnestly.When another Twitter user brought to Joshi's attention the new Reddit post, claiming he is a "great guy", and rubbishing the sexual harassment claims, Joshi just 'sighed'. Sigh. I have no idea what is going on anymore. I think I've had enough internet for the week. https://t.co/XzggjLBlqfI still welcome any investigation, for the record. Feel free to expand it into an investigation on whether I threatened anyone even https://t.co/AxeKJMECTQTHE TVF MOLESTATION CASEThe case this blessed Reddit user was trying to expose as false is that of TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar, who has been accused of molesting multiple women.The case went viral on the social media after one former TVF employee shared her sexual harassment experience in a blog post on the Medium. As the post gained traction, a stream of charges came flooding in against Kumar with other women accusing Kumar of the same.So, our star Reddit user was trying to "expose" this anonymous woman, who posted her story under the name The Indian Fowler, by crying wolf about being sexually harassed. Smooth, eh?A word of advice, dear Reddit user. A sexual harassment case is not a football match; you don't pick your favourite side.  Also, we hope Rohan would not take this lightly and will slap a defamation case.

Daisy Mowke

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Was a reply to someone: Siddiqui on tweet about skin colour

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/my-tweet-is-just-a-reply-entire-bollywood-is-not-racist-nawazuddin-siddiqui/story-QrPpYtYwXacaDjJCsrNtyL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, while speaking about his tweet about being discriminated in the film industry on the basis of his skin colour, said it was just a reply to someone in the film industry. Nawazuddin further explained that his tweet was not directed towards the entire industry. "These things are there everywhere, not just in Bollywood," he added.

Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui?s recent cryptic tweet created a furore as it hinted at him being discriminated in the film industry on the basis of his skin colour.He had tweeted, ?Thank U 4 making me realise dat I cannot b paired along wid d fair & handsome bcz I m dark & not good looking, but I never focus on that. (sic)?Thank U 4 making me realise dat I cannot b paired along wid d fair & handsome bcz I m dark & not good looking, but I never focus on that.? Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) July 17, 2017The 43-year-old, however, has now clarified that his tweet was just a reply. ?I tweeted what I felt. Someone had said something to me and that tweet is a reply to that,? he said during a press conference of Munna Michael. When asked if the whole industry is like that, the Raees star said, ?No, the industry is not like that. But that person belongs to the industry, whose reply I have given. I have been hearing that since childhood but still I am still here and the industry has accepted me. When I was young and I expressed my desire to become an actor, people around me said, ?Have you looked at yourself??. Even later, when I used to go to offices in Mumbai, everyone used to tell me that I don?t look like an actor. So these things are there everywhere, not just in Bollywood.?His co-star Tiger Shroff, while talking on the same issue, said, ?Nawaz sir has a huge fan following and wherever I go with him, female fans are more eager to meet the ?Gangs Of Wasseypur? star as they are crazy about him. It?s fascinating that women are crazy about Nawaz sir.? Follow @htshowbiz for more

Sonu Kumari

04 Jul 2017,Tuesday

President clears bill banning hookah bars in Gujarat

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/president-clears-bill-banning-hookah-bars-in-gujarat/1/993462.html

A bill banning hookah bars in Gujarat has been cleared by President Pranab Mukherjee, violation of which will attract a maximum fine of ?50,000 and a jail term of up to three years. ?Smoking a hookah is far more injurious to health than a cigarette. Our aim is to protect youth from this deadly addiction," a Gujarat Minister said.

Ahmedabad, Jul 3 (PTI) Running hookah bars in Gujarat will now draw a maximum jail term of three years with President Pranab Mukherjee giving his assent to a bill which proposes a complete ban on such joint in the state. Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja informed this in a statement. "The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution)(Gujarat Amendment) Bill, 2017 had been passed by the Gujarat Assembly in February and sent to Governor O P Kohli," he said. "After giving his approval, the governor had sent the Bill to the president, who gave his assent recently. From now onwards, the state government will take strict action as per the new Act against those, who found to be running such hookah joints in the state," the minister said.

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Jun 2017,Thursday

If need arises, will consider alliance with Rajinikanth: OPS

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tamil-nadu-panneerselvam-alliance-with-rajinikanth/1/984728.html

Amid the reports of actor Rajinikanth entering politics, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has said that he will consider an alliance with the actor if the need arises. Panneerselvam further said that Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami continues to function under the guidance of jailed AIADMK (Amma) leader Sasikala Natarajan.

Ever since Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) has been functioning as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and keeping his cards close to the chest on party issues, former chief minister and his rival O Paneerselvam has maintained a stoic silence. In a rare and exclusive interview to India Today, O Panneerselvam, who is heading the AIADMK (Puratchi Thalaivi Amma) faction, talked about Tamil Nadu politics and even Rajinikanth.With speculations around Rajinikanth's possible entry into politics gaining ground, Panneerselvam said that the decision to join politics is an individual's choice. He, however, added that if the need arises, he will consider an alliance with Rajinikanth.  OPS HITS OUT AT EPSPanneerselvam (OPS) said that EPS continues to function under the guidance of jailed AIADMK (Amma) leader Sasikala Natarajan.AIADMK (Amma) deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran is not forming a rival faction as everyone is working hand in glove, said O Panneerselvam (OPS)."We have demanded that the party be run by the cadre and people of the state. We formed the merger committee hoping that they (EPS) would also prefer this. But they were not up for it," OPS said.MODI A DYNAMIC PMPanneerselvam is all praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "He has ensured a clean and corruption-free government. He is a dynamic Prime Minister," said OPS, whose camp today pledged support to NDA presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind.  On Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) allegations that the BJP is controlling the OPS camp, Panneerselvam said, "I am a seasoned politician and I take my decisions. Why should I be dictated by someone".NO LINKS WITH SEKHAR REDDYPanneerselvam said that he has no information on Jayalalithaa's will but maintained that "Amma never wanted Sasikala family in the party. She never accepted any of them back in the party. Only Sasikala returned, but at a personal (and not political) level".Panneerselvam, however, denied charges of corruption and horse trading and alleged links with mining baron Sekhar Reddy."In Koovathur, only Sasikala camp gave money. If I had given money, I would have formed the government... Also, I have no links with Sekhar Reddy. When I was a minister, he took a picture with me," said OPS.For now, OPS wants to focus on strengthening the party cadre and preparing for a possible mid-term Assembly election in the state.ALSO READ:Sasikala still controls AIADMK, will decide on support to BJP candidate in presidential election, says nephew

Abhishek Bansal

09 May 2017,Tuesday

Assam govt to eliminate madrassa, Sanskrit boards

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assam-government-plans-to-eliminate-madrassa-sanskrit-tols/1/949624.html

Assam's Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the state government is planning to eliminate the controlling boards of the madrassas and Sanskrit educational institutions to "mainstream" them. "We want to introduce modern learning like computers in these educational institutes. For doing this, we have to change the existing structure," the Minister stated in the state Assembly.

Guwahati, May 9 (PTI) Assam government is planning to eliminate the controlling boards of madrassa and sanskrit tols to introduce modern education to the learners for bringing them to the mainstream. "We want to mainstream the madrassas and sanskrit tols. We plan to eliminate the madrassa and sanskrit boards," Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in the Assam Assembly. He said madrassa education will be brought under the Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) and sanskrit tols will be looked after by Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit & Ancient Studies University.

Tarun Khanna

17 Feb 2017,Friday

MHA returns bill on 400% salary hike for Delhi MLAs: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/centre-delhi-government-arvind-kejriwal-ministry-of-home-affairs-hike-in-salary-of-delhi-mlas/1/884711.html

The Home Ministry has reportedly returned a bill moved by the Delhi government for a salary hike up to 400% for its MLAs. The ministry has sought more clarifications regarding the provisions included in the bill. As per reports, the MHA has said that the burden on exchequer would not commensurate to the revenues of the Delhi government.

Sources from the Union Home Ministry today confirmed the Centre's move of returning a bill moved by the Delhi government for a salary hike up to 400 per cent for employees apart from an increase in perks and allowances.Returning the bill for the second time, the ministry has asked for more clarifications regarding the provisions included in the bill. NO SALARY HIKE FOR DELHI MLAsIn the past, Kejriwal government has accused the Centre of deliberately procrastinating bills.The Member of Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi (salaries, allowances, pension etc) Amendment Bill - has been sent back to Delhi government, say MHA sources.According to reports, ministry objected to the proposed jump in salary and allowances of the Delhi MLAs, saying the burden on exchequer would not be commensurate to the revenues of Delhi government, besides any other state government has not been given such a hike. Also read: After I-T department finds AAP's donation records incorrect, Kejriwal calls move Modi's 'dirty trick' The bill proposes an increase in the basic salary from current Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000 and the overall monthly package to scale up to Rs 2.1 lakh as against the existing Rs 88,000.

Krishna Veera Vanamali

03 Jul 2017,Monday

PNB to block all Maestro debit cards from July 31

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pnb-to-block-all-maestro-debit-cards-from-july-31/1/992351.html

Punjab National Bank (PNB) Maestro debit card holders will face card blockage if they fail to replace it with a more secure EMV chip based card by July 31. New replacement cards will be provided free of cost to the customers. Earlier, RBI had directed all banks to migrate to EMV chip based cards by December 31, 2018.

New Delhi, Jul 2 (PTI) Punjab National Bank (PNB) Maestro debit cards holders will face a card blockage if they fail to replace it with a more secure EMV chip based card by the end of this month. The bank will not charge anything for the replacement and it will be provided free of cost. "If you are having Maestro debit card, get it replaced free of cost with a new EMV chip based debit card from any PNB branch. All Maestro cards issued by PNB will be blocked or hotlisted on July 31, 2017 for security based reasons," the bank said in a communication to its customers. The replacement is as per RBI advisory issued in 2015, asking all the banks to migrate to a much secured EMV chip based cards, an official of the bank said. The bank has identified that there are about one lakh customers with old Maestro debit cards and has started sending them SMSes as well, an official of the bank said. Presently, PNBs card base stands at around 5.65 crore. "However, we have excluded those customers who are not using these Maestro debit cards at all with not even a single transaction in a year as making of cards involves cost as well as time," the official said. As per RBI advisory, existing magnetic stripe only cards need to be replaced with EMV chip and pin based cards by December 31, 2018, irrespective of the validity period of the cards.

Chhavi Tyagi

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

BJP leader who was caught kissing woman in bus arrested

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharashtra-bjp-leader-rape-woman-moving-bus-viral-video/1/994559.html

Maharashtra BJP leader Ravindra Bawanthade, who was accused by a woman of raping her after a video showing them kissing on a bus went viral, has been arrested. The 19-year-old girl, who studies in a school in Chandrapur district where the 48-year-old politician is a supervisor, had filed the rape case against him.

Maharashtra BJP leader Ravindra Bawanthade, who was accused by a woman of raping her after a video showing them kissing on a bus went viral, has been arrested. Ravindra Bawanthade, 48, is a supervisor at a school at Nagbhid in Chandrapur district. A 19-year-old student of his school had filed a rape case against Bawanthade after CCTV footage of inside the bus went viral.The video showed the BJP leader kissing the woman inside a Gadchiroli-bound bus and later forcing himself upon her. The incident took place on June 27.The woman in her complaint had claimed it was the second time that Ravindra 'raped' her inside a vehicle. She said that the BJP leader had lured her to come with him in the bus promising her a job. She said Ravindra had also promised to marry her. Though there were passengers in the bus when Ravindra was busy in his act, none seemed to be aware what was happening in the vehicle. Police said Ravindra had claimed that he was trying to attend the woman as she was not feeling well. The BJP leader has been sent to police custody till July 6.ALSO READ:Maharashtra: Video of BJP leader kissing in moving bus goes viral, woman says was rapedGurgaon kidnapping: Viral CCTV footage saves girl

Aarushi Maheshwari

15 Jun 2017,Thursday

India?s Red fort shown as Pakistan?s Shalimar Gardens at SCO

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/red-fort-with-indian-flag-part-of-pak-tableau-in-sco-meet/1/978931.html

The Red Fort with the Indian tricolour was shown as Lahore's Shalimar Gardens under a Pakistani tableau at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation banquet in Beijing on Wednesday. The mistake was pointed out by both Indian and Pakistani diplomats. Following this, SCO officials apologised saying they failed to cross-check the photos as this was the first event involving India and Pakistan.

A reception held by the SCO at its Beijing headquarters highlighting the entry of India and Pakistan turned out to be an embarrassment for the organisers as India's Red Fort with the tricolour was shown as Lahore's Shalimar Garden in a Pakistani tableau.Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Indian envoy to China Vijay Gokhale along with the ambassadors of Pakistan Masood Khalid and other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) members attended the function.The first colourful event, however, caused an embarrassment for the organisers as India's Red Fort with an Indian flag was shown as Lahore's Shalimar Garden on the tableau of Pakistan.Both Indian and Pakistani diplomats pointed out the faux pass to the organisers.SCO MEET GAFFESCO officials were apologetic about the gaffe, saying that they failed to cross check the photos on display as this was the first event involving India and Pakistan.Today the SCO headquarters will raise the flags of India and Pakistan and Gokhale and Khalid will beat a drum, heralding the entry of their countries into the organisation.India and Pakistan were admitted as members into the six-member grouping at the Astana Summit last week.The group is now comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have an observer status in the grouping that is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO. ALSO READ:SCO's connectivity projects must not impinge on its members' sovereignty, says India's envoy Vijay GokhaleAfter SCO entry, host Pakistan hopes India will end boycott of SAARC summit

Abhishek Bansal

10 May 2017,Wednesday

Karnan goes missing as Kolkata cops reach Chennai for arrest

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/justice-karnan-goes-missing-as-kolkata-cops-reach-chennai-to-arrest-him/1/950264.html

After the Supreme Court sentenced Justice CS Karnan to six months in jail, a five-member team of Kolkata police reached Chennai on Wednesday to arrest him. The police team, however, failed to locate Justice Karnan and sought help from their Chennai counterparts to track him. The Calcutta High Court judge had travelled to Chennai, his home city, on Monday night.n

Where is Justice CS Karnan? That's the question Kolkata cops are asking as they arrived in Chennai today to arrest Justice CS Karnan. The Supreme Court had yesterday sentenced Justice Karnan to six months in jail after finding him guilty of contempt of court.A five-member team of senior police officers reached Chennai, Justice Karnan's home city, to carry out the apex court's judgment. The team consists of DGP Raj Kanojia and officers Ranveer Kumar, C. Sudhakar, Dipankar Bakshi and Sukumal Kanti Das.The police team has failed to locate Justice Karnan so far and sought help from Chennai counterparts to track the Calcutta High Court judge. In first of its kind verdict, the Supreme Court on May 9 ordered arrest of a sitting high court judge on charges of contempt.A seven-judge constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar, said "We are of the unanimous view that Justice C S Karnan committed contempt of court, contempt of judiciary and the process." "The sentence shall be executed and he be taken into custody forthwith," the bench said.The bench also banned the media, both print and electronic, from publishing the contents of further orders passed by Justice Karnan.Justice Karnan had earlier 'sentenced' Chief Justice of India J S Khehar and seven other judges of the Supreme Court to five years rigorous imprisonment.The apex court had on May 1 directed medical check-up of Justice Karnan by doctors with police support, as the judge did not appear before it.(With inputs from PTI) WATCH: Supreme Court vs Justice Karnan: A personal battle that could have been avoided?ALSO READ:

Dishant Sharma

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Women's World Cup win will be bigger than 2011 win: Gambhir

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-womens-world-cup-2011-world-cup-gautam-gambhir/1/1008091.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Gautam Gambhir, who made 97 in the 2011 Men's World Cup final, said that if Indian eves win the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup it would be bigger than the 2011 title. "When we won in 2011 it was at home and we were the tournament favourites... [T]he women won the semi-final against Australia in difficult conditions", Gambhir added.

The Indian women's cricket team is the toast of the nation having defeated favourites Australia in the Women's World Cup semi-final. India's top-scorer of the 2011 World Cup final Gautam Gambhir, currently working as an ESPNcricinfo analyst, reckons if the Mithali Raj-led team can go on to win the big final come Sunday, the victory will be even bigger than the glory men's team achieved at the Wankhede Stadium in 2011."When we won in 2011 it was at home and we were the tournament favourites. But the women won the semi-final against Australia in difficult conditions. They are one step away from the World Cup and if they can win this, it will be bigger than the 2011 World Cup win," he told India Today.Gambhir was equally effusive in praise of the women who made the difference in the semi-final Harmanpreet Kaur."The occasion was very important. There will be other players who will play knocks like that, those who will get bigger runs than her. But it was a World Cup semi-final and against Australia. For a 42-overs game to finish 171 not out was unbelievable, incredible. If it was a 50-overs game who knows she would have got a double ton as well. She did it when India needed it the most and has got India one step away from a World Cup win," he added.The gritty opener floored by Harmanpreet's big match temperament en route her 115-ball unbeaten 171, disagreed with another World Cup winner Ravi Shastri's comparison of her knock with the legendary Kapil Dev's famous 175 in the 1983 World Cup.

Mishika Bangia

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Military veterans write to PM Modi condemning mob violence

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/over-100-military-veterans-write-to-pm-modi-condemning-attacks-on-muslims-dalits/story-a5xARrPU3fTY7FrB5fewbP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

In a letter to PM Narendra Modi, over 100 military veterans condemned rising mob violence incidents against Dalits and Muslims and expressed concern over alleged climate of fear and suppression of dissent. Veterans said they stand with the 'Not in My Name' campaign and for "Unity in Diversity". They added if they'll not speak, they would be disservicing the country.

More than 100 military veterans have in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned targeting of Muslims and Dalits by ?self-appointed protectors of Hinduism?, saying India?s strength is its diversity, media reports said on Monday.The letter also expressed concern over alleged climate of fear and suppression of dissent, as it backed the ?Not In My Name? campaign that saw people across the country holding protest demonstrations against mob violence and cow vigilantism.?We can no longer look away. We would be doing a disservice to our country if we do not stand up and speak for the liberal and secular values that our Constitution espouses. Our diversity is our greatest strength,? The Telegraph quoted the letter as saying. The letter has also been sent to state chief ministers.The letter signed by retired army, naval and air force officers said prevalent atmosphere was against everything that the armed forces and the Constitution stood for, a report in NDTV said.?We are witness to unprecedented attacks on society at large by the relentless vigilantism of self-appointed protectors of Hinduism. We condemn the targeting of Muslims and Dalits,? the letter said.The armed forces stood for unity in diversity and differences in religion, language, caste or culture had never come in the way of servicemen performing their duty, the veteran said.India has recently seen a rise in violence in the name of cow, held sacred by many Hindus. Several states have enacted laws and prescribed stringent punishment for smuggling and slaughtering of the animal, which is banned in most parts of the country. Muslims and Dalits have been the worst hit by cow vigilantism, which has also been condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Parmeet Kaur

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Delhi Police framing baseless cases against our leaders: AAP

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-police-framing-aap-leaders-in-baseless-cases-alleges-party/story-XEvRQhrAr0cBK9i283bYfL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged that Delhi Police was filing 'baseless' and 'fabricated' charges against its legislators. Despite knowing that the complaint was politically motivated, police charged MLA Prakash Jarwal with molestation, AAP leader Atishi Marlena said. Molestation charges against Jarwal were later struck down by the court which granted him anticipatory bail, Marlena added.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday again alleged that the Delhi police was filing ?baseless? and ?fabricated? charges against its leaders. The cases, they said, were failing to stand under the court?s scrutiny. AAP leader Atishi Marlena, while addressing reporters at the party office on Thursday ? a day after Deoli MLA Prakash Jarwal got anticipatory bail in an alleged molestation case ? hit out at Delhi Police for invoking stringent sections of criminal procedure, despite being in the know that the complaints are politically motivated. ?It was clear from the beginning that the complainant was a BJP worker. Still the police invoked section 354 (molestation) deliberately, which was later struck down by the court while granting anticipatory bail to Prakash Jarwal,? said Marlena. The AAP leader argued that the police in the past have repeatedly invoked ?wrong sections? in complaints against other AAP legislators as well, and the cases could not stand court scrutiny. Marlena cited the bail order, which struck down molestation charges, in Jarwal?s case to buttress the party?s charge. ?The complaint to the police for registration of FIR says that the accused touched the dupatta of the complainant and had a scuffle with her. This statement of the complainant not at all suggests that offence u/s 354 IPC has been committed,? the court order reads. ?The complaint itself suggests that the applicant came to the house of the complainant along with 40-50 other persons and started threatening her and her husband and in these facts it is very difficult to assume that the applicant had any intention to outrage the modesty of complainant or had any lust in his mind,? it added.

Arshiya Chopra

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

SP leader dies after heart attack during a party meeting

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sp-leader-dies-after-heart-attack-at-meeting-chaired-by-akhilesh-yadav/story-IDNYoi5J2ZdlvZgALcwOgP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Samajwadi Party leader Uma Shankar Chowdhary passed away after suffering a heart attack on Saturday during a party meeting in Uttar Pradesh. Chowdhary was rushed to a hospital where he died during treatment. Party President Akhilesh Yadav paid his condolences and said the demise of such a dedicated leader was a great loss to the socialist movement.

A senior Samajwadi Party leader Uma Shankar Chowdhary passed away after suffering a massive heart attack on Saturday during a meeting being chaired by party president Akhilesh Yadav at the party office.As he complained of cardiac distress, he was rushed to the Civil hospital but he collapsed.Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and some former ministers visited the hospital as soon as they heard of Chowdhary?s death.Akhilesh Yadav said the death of such a dedicated party leader was a great loss to the socialist movement.Senior leaders Ahmad Hasan, Rajendra Chowdhary and many others condoled the sudden demise of Chowdhary.

Chhavi Tyagi

15 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Raj Babbar offers to resign as UP Cong Prez after UP defeat

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-election-results-congress-raj-babbar-resigns/1/904362.html

Raj Babbar has offered to resign from the post of Uttar Pradesh Congress chief after the poor performance of his political party in Assembly elections. "I could not live up to the expectation. I was given responsibility but I could not fulfil it, I accept it," he said. Notably, the Congress won just seven of the 105 seats it contested.

Raj Babbar has offered to resign from the post of Uttar Pradesh Congress chief after his party's disastrous performance in the just concluded in the state."I could not live up to the expectation. I was given responsibility but I could not fulfil it, I accept it," Raj Babbar said. The Congress, which had fought the Uttar Pradesh election in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, won just seven of the 105 it contested, a tally lower than the Apna Dal, which won nine. In further insult to the injury, the Congress lost all five seats in Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, with four of them going to the BJP.CONGRESS NEEDS STRUCTURAL CHANGES: RAHUL GANDHITalking to reporters outside Parliament on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of using money power for forming government in Goa and Manipur despite Congress emerging as the single largest party. However, he admitted that Congress needed structural changes."We are in the opposition, you have ups and downs. We had a little down in Uttar Pradesh, that's fine we accept it. We had five elections, we formed the government in Punjab and won in Manipur and Goa. That is not a bad result. It is true that we lost in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand," Gandhi said. "But as far Congress is concerned we do need to make structural, organisational changes," he said, adding that Congress had an ideological fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite the humiliating loss in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has made it clear that there was no question of vice president Rahul Gandhi stepping down."There is no question of Rahul Gandhi stepping down," veteran leader Digvijaya Singh had said  in response to media queries about a change of guard in the Congress top brass."The Nehru-Gandhi family is the greatest binding factor for the Congress and the leadership has to come to Rahul," he said.Singh, however, conceded that the Congress party needed to build regional leaders.

Rini Sinha

24 Mar 2017,Friday

Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon end relationship: Reports

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sushant-singh-rajput-kriti-sanon-break-up/1/911026.html

As per reports, actor Sushant Singh Rajput and actress Kriti Sanon, who have allegedly been dating for about a year, have ended their relationship. As per sources, Sushant felt Kriti was too emotionally dependent on him while Kriti had issues with Sushant's moody nature. The duo reportedly started dating while shooting for their upcoming film 'Raabta'.

Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon, who were said to have been dating for about a year now, seem to have called it quits. If the grapevine is to be believed, the actors have finally broken up.A report in BollywoodLife quotes a source as saying that the couple has parted ways because of the differences that had cropped up between them. While Kriti had become too clingy for her own good, says the report, Sushant's mood swings and temperament were getting a bit difficult to deal with.Sanon and Rajput apparently realised that and have parted ways now.Over the last one year, even though gossip mills have never stopped churning out stories about their relationship, Sushant and Kriti have been extremely tight-lipped about their relationship. The two actors were on the sets of their upcoming film Raabta when Cupid struck. Sushant parted ways with his longtime girlfriend Ankita Lokhande right before diving into the relationship with Kriti Sanon. If reports from back then are anything to go by, it was Kriti Sanon's growing proximity to Sushant that led to the rift between Ankita and him.On February 14 this year, Sushant was at Karan Johar's Singles' Party too, leading many to deduce that the actor was indeed single.ALSO READ: Did Kriti Sanon dirty-dance with Sushant Singh Rajput? Sanon responds

Vaibhav Gupta

18 Dec 2016,Sunday

Who is Air Marshal BS Dhanoa, the new Air Force chief?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-new-chief-lt-gen-bipin-rawat-air-force-bs-dhanoa/1/837110.html

The new chief of Air Staff, BS Dhanoa, had joined in the IAF in 1978 as a fighter pilot. Dhanoa, who is a Qualified Flying Instructor, commanded a fighter squadron and flew several strike missions during the Kargil War. In recognition of his meritorious services, he has been awarded Yudh Seva Medal, Vayusena Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has been appointed as the new chief of Army Staff and Air Marshal BS Dhanoa will take over as the new chief of Air Staff.Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is presently serving as  VCOAS of the Indian Army from 01 September 2016. He was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, from IMA, Dehradun, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honour'.He has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter insurgency operations. He commanded an Infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector; a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley.He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and at Army War College, Mhow. Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary's Branch at Army HQ.WATCH VIDEO He has also been Major General General Staff at HQ Eastern Command. He commanded a Multinational Brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC).An alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command & National Defence College Courses, the General Officer,  during the span of over 35 years service in uniform, has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander's Commendation.  Whilst serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander's Commendation.Prior to taking over as the VCOAS, Lt Gen Bipin Rawat tenanted the appointment of the GOC-in-C, Southern Command.NEW AIR CHIEFAir Marshal BS Dhanoa will succeed Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha who will retire on December 31, 2016.Air Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa AVSM YSM VM took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on 01 June 2015. He was commissioned in the IAF in June 1978 as a fighter pilot. He is an alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, the National Defence Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Air Marshal Dhanoa is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown various types of fighter aircraft in his distinguished career. During the Kargil Operations, he commanded a fighter squadron and himself flew numerous night strike missions in the mountainous terrain. He has the distinction of having held a number of the important operational appointments including Station Commander of a fighter base and leader of an Indian Military Training Team abroad He has also served as Chief Instructor (Air) at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Intelligence) at Air Headquarters and Senior Air Staff Officer of two operational Commands. Prior to being appointed as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Air Marshal was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.

Gaurav Shroff

14 Jul 2017,Friday

'Tardigrades' can survive until the end of Earth: Study

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/14/tardigrades-earths-unlikely-beacon-of-life-that-can-survive-a-cosmic-catacylsm?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The most resilient form of life on Earth, tardigrade, also known as water bear, will survive until the Sun dies, as per an Oxford University research. The eight-legged micro-animal can survive for 30 years without food or water, and endure temperature extremes from -270ºC to 150ºC. Further, tardigrades can withstand catastrophic events like large asteroid impacts, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts.

Whether it is a supernova or an asteroid impact, should a cosmic calamity strike, it seems there will be at least one form of life left: a tubby, microscopic animal with the appearance of a crumpled hoover bag.The creatures, known as tardigrades, are staggeringly hardy animals, a millimetre or less in size, with species living in wet conditions that range from mountain tops to chilly ocean waters to moss and lichen on land.?They can survive incredible conditions ? we are talking close to absolute zero, the vacuum of space, exposure to radiation that would kill us, and these things just walk away from it like nothing happened,? said David Sloan, an astrophysicist from the University of Oxford.Now new research by Sloan and colleagues has shown that the creatures would survive any cosmic disaster that might conceivably be thrown at Earth ? a discovery that could have implications elsewhere in the solar system, and beyond. ?There are quite a lot of stars like our sun out there, and about 20% of these stars have an Earth-like planet around them,? said Sloan. ?What you then want to ask is if life started on one of these planets, what are the odds that it is still around??Writing in the journal Scientific Reports, the researchers describe how they probed the conundrum by exploring the likelihood of a variety of catastrophes serious enough to wipe out tardigrades on an Earth-like planet, including a nearby supernova, a burst of gamma-rays, and an impact by a large asteroid powerful enough to cause the oceans to boil away. But the team found that the chances of such events were so remote as to be extremely unlikely ? there was little chance of a supernova occurring close enough to an Earth-like planet to kill off the creatures, and it would take an impact from an asteroid or dwarf planet near the mass of Vesta for the oceans to boil. ?There are about 17 [asteroids] this big in our solar system, but they are all on sufficient orbits that they will never intersect with us,? said Sloan. The upshot, he said, was that it was very unlikely any cosmic event would be so catastrophic as to sterilise an Earth-like planet where life, of the sort we know, had got going. ?Because [tardigrades] are so hardy it means that events that we are worried about as human beings, and rightly so, certainly wouldn?t concern you if you just considered all life,? said Sloan. Matthew Cobb, professor of zoology at the University of Manchester, who was not involved in the study said the findings were reassuring for the future of life on Earth.?It suggests that the complete eradication of life on Earth is extremely unlikely until we get to the point that the sun enlarges and all the oceans boil away,? he said. ?Many organisms, in particular animals and bacteria, live in the deep ocean, which the authors show would be unaffected by any conceivable cosmic cataclysm.?Mark Blaxter, professor of evolutionary genomics at the University of Edinburgh, agreed, adding that there are other organisms have a similar survival strategy to tardigrades. What?s more, he said, there are also organisms that live very deep underground in hot water within continental and under-sea-floor rocks. ?Sterilising the planet would have to deal with these too,? he noted. He also stressed that even tardigrades are not invincible. ?[Land-based] tardigrades stay alive in extreme conditions by drying out completely. So if there was no water left ? there would be no ?live? tardigrades, just dried up ones,? said Blaxter. ?And if there was some water left so that the tardigrades could re-animate, if there was no food left they eat algae and fungi - they too would be dead in a couple of weeks.?Cobb, too, noted that even if the tardigrades were the only survivors, they would face a struggle. ?For the tardigrades to inherit the Earth, whatever catastrophe swept over the planet would have to return to normal-ish conditions within a matter of decades at most, or it really could be curtains,? he said.

Sumedha Sehra

28 May 2017,Sunday

Need 'innovative ways' to fight 'dirty war': Army Chief

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-chief-bipin-rawat-on-human-shield-row/1/964946.html

While talking about the human shield controversy, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Sunday, soldiers need "innovative ways" to fight the "dirty war" in Kashmir. He said, if people are throwing stones, he cannot tell his men to "just wait and die". "I would have been happy if the protesters were firing weapons...instead of throwing stones," he added.

Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat today defended his troops over the human shield controversy saying that his men needed innovative ways to fight the "dirty war" in Kashmir.Rawat told PTI that when people were throwing stones and petrol bombs at Army personnel, he cannot tell his men to 'just wait and die'. "This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war.... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat told PTI."People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there," Gen Rawat said.Rawat went on to indicate that stone pelters had complicated the security situation in Kashmir, saying his force would find it easier to quell protests if instead of stones, weapons were used.  "In fact, I wish these people, instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us. Then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)," Rawat told PTI.Saying that the Army cannot run away from its role to provide security, Rawat said, "Tomorrow elections have to be held in Anantnag and similar things may happen. If the army does not respond to call for assistance, then the trust between the people whom we are protecting, police and army will break." "That is something I cannot allow to happen. This is what the militants want. It can create a divide between the army and other security forces," he said.'NEED TO FEAR THE ARMY'He added that the Indian Army is a friendly force and is practising maximum restraint to deal with the Kashmir situation. Rawat noted that the force can only do its job if the country fears it. "Adversaries must be afraid of you and at the same time your people must be afraid of you. We are a friendly army, but when we are called to restore law and order, people have to be afraid of us," he said.Rawat also spoke about the core issue of Kashmir, saying that it is something that needs a composite solution and is a process in which everybody will have to get involved. "It will have to be a composite solution. Everybody will have to get involved. Army's role is to ensure that violence does not take place and the common man who is not indulging in this (violence) is protected," he said, when asked about the solution to the Kashmir issue.HUMAN SHIELD CONTROVERSY The Army chief's statements come days after Major Leetul Gogoi of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles was awarded a Commendation Card by General Rawat for the former's role in countering insurgency in Kashmir.In his PTI interview, Rawat said that Gogoi's commendation was awarded with the aim of boosting the morale of his troops. "As Army Chief my concern is morale of the Army. That is my job. I am far away from the battle field. I cannot influence the situation there. I can only tell the boys that I am with you. I always tell my people, things will go wrong, but if things have gone wrong and you did not have malafide intent, I am there," he said.Major Gogoi is the same officer who sparked nationwide controversy after tying a Kashmiri local to an Army jeep. Gogoi, in a statement delivered recently, said his actions were aimed at saving the lives of the men under his command as well as those of stone pelters in Kashmir. On April 9, the day of polling for the Srinagar Parliamentary bypoll, Major Gogoi and his team were called to the Utligam polling both to rescue civilian and security personnel trapped at the location. Major Gogoi said that around 1,200 protesters had surrounded the booth and in order to escape from the booth, with the people he had just rescued, he grabbed a person he believed to be the ring leader of the protesters and got him tied to a jeep. The man - Farooq Ahmad Dar - has denied that he was a stone pelter. Gogoi and his team then drove the jeep with Dar tied to it out of the area. A video of the incident, shared by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, went viral on social media and caused a huge controversy, forcing the Army to set up a Court of Inquiry into the incident. Sources previously told India Today that the CoI has not found Major Gogoi to be at fault. Gogoi continues to serve the Rashtriya Rifles unit.However, Rawat told PTI he has a general idea about what is going on in the Court of Inquiry and that is why he went ahead with awarding the Major. "I know what is happening in the COI. It is being finalised. What do we punish him for."UNREST IN KASHMIRRawat's comments come amid concerns of widespread unrest in the Kashmir Valley following Saturday's killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat. Bhat, the successor of Burhan Wani, was killed on Saturday in an Indian Army operation. Wani's death had sparked months of violent unrest in Kashmir leading to the deaths of more than 100 civilians. Officials have however expressed confidence that a repeat of the post-Wani violence won't happen as the establishment is prepared to deal with stone pelters.

Radhika Chugh

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Diesel, petrol prices reduced in Mumbai post GST

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/good-news-for-mumbai-motorists-pay-less-for-petrol-diesel/story-4BCZG08C0pdvyfDj8IT6ZO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Diesel and petrol prices have been reduced by ?1.66 and ?1.77 per litre respectively in Mumbai after the Central government revoked state specific cess on fuel. Additionally, the price of cooking gas has been reduced by ?11 per cylinder. "The price reduction would benefit all cities and towns that charged octroi on fuel," said Federation of All-Maharashtra Petrol Dealers' Association.

Motorists will have to pay less for petrol and diesel in Mumbai and Maharashtra as the central government has decided to revoke the state specific cess (SSC) on fuel. With the decision, rates for petrol have been slashed by 67 paisa to Rs1.77 a litre and diesel Rs1.25 to Rs 1.66 a litre in different cities. The move has also reduced the price of cooking gas by Rs11 on every cylinder.In Mumbai, the price of petrol has been reduced by Rs1.77 and diesel Rs1.66 a litre.The city has two oil refineries and oil companies have been charging SSC on petrol and diesel in Maharashtra to recover extra expenses of Rs3,000 crore because they have to pay 3% Octroi charges to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).?With the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Octroi was abolished, but oil companies had continued to charge SSC on fuel and cooking gas in Maharashtra. We had requested Dharmendra Pradhan, Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, to look in to the matter and following his directives, SSC has been revoked,? said Girish Bapat, food and civil supplies minister.

Daisy Mowke

24 Mar 2017,Friday

Sex is important at every stage: Twinkle Khanna

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-woman-summit-2017-taapsee-pannu-laxmi-saa-deepa-malik-richa-chadda-sanya-malhotra-shahid-kapoor/1/911649.html

Actress-turned-author Twinkle Khanna, while speaking at an event, said that sex is important at every stage of life. "The things I found extremely attractive in Akshay have changed over time," she added. Twinkle and Akshay, who got married in 2001, completed 16 years of marriage in January this year. They have a 14-year-old son Aarav and a 4-year-old daughter Nitara.

An event to reckon with, the India Today Woman Summit returns this year as the ideal platform for women from all walks of life to voice their thoughts and opinions. This year, we have on our discussion panel renowned personalities like paralympic champion Deepa Malik, acid attack survivor and campaigner Laxmi Saa, women rights activist Mumtaz Shaikh, writer Samhita Arni and Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan founder Zakia Soman, among others, with the icing on the cake being the only male guest, actor Shahid Kapoor. Here are the live updates: India Today Woman Awards By Guest Of Honour, Hema Malini"My mother sacrificed a lot to make me achieve my goals. I'm very thankful to her. She always used to say, wherever you go, leave your footprint," Hema Malini says. And the award winners are...India Today Woman Scientist of the Year: Dr B ValsaIndia Today Woman Writer of the Year: Twinkle KhannaIndia Today Businesswoman of the Year: Radhika Piramal India Today Inspirational Woman of the Year: Archana Ramasundaram India Today Woman Actors of the Year: Fatima Sana Sheikh and Sanya MalhotraIndia Today Woman in Public Service: Ria Sharma India Today Woman Rising Star of the Year: Jasleen RoyalIndia Today Mother of the Year: Rajwinder Kaur India Today Vivel Woman of Resilience: Deepa MalikIndia Today Man of the Year: Shahid KapoorIndia Today Sportswoman of the Year: Dipa Karmakar   Session 12: Feminism For Dummies | An Open Letter To Sexism By Swara BhaskarActress Swara Bhaskar writes an open letter to her life-long genius companion, sexism. From tracing her story as a little girl who was asked to smile a lot to be liked by everyone to her first kiss resulting in a lot of Maths homework to the funny hastags running on social media by men asking for equality--Swara Bhaskar nails the society's hypocrisy towards women.She then speaks as Sexism to the woman, about grapes being sour. "I don't need you on my team. I have Trump... Get used to power equations, darling. The reason I, sexism, continue to rule is because I have  pitched your fight as men vs women--you getting your rights seems like men losing theirs," Sexism.READ STORY | An open letter to sexism by Swara BhaskarWATCH VIDEO | India Today Summit 2017: Swara Bhaskar reads out a letter to SexismSession 11: From Head To Toe | That Healing FeelingModerated by Avantika JoshiREAD STORY | The only way out is within, believe these therapists Session 10: Armed And Hilarious | The Legend Of Mrs FunnybonesModerated by Koel PurieREAD STORY | Sex is always important: Twinkle KhannaSession 9: Boss Women | Shattering StereotypesModerated by Shweta PunjThe one stereotype you've had to battle... The innate judgement calls women are forced to make...Any harassment you've faced in your careers, and have you pushed back?READ STORY | People don't take female entrepreneurs seriously, says Soumya RajanSession 8: Women And Mythology | Were They Better Off?Moderated by Kaveree BamzaiYour favourite mythological woman... What would Amrita Sheirgill have said to Donald Trump?  A man you would rather be a myth... READ STORY | All women today should fight like Durga: Rama VaidyanathanSession 7: When Life Gives You Lemons | Make Lots Of LemonadeModerated by Padmaja Joshi#WomanSummit17Acid attack survivor Laxmi Saa shares the mantra to live life positively. LIVE https://t.co/MO5uiwofa4pic.twitter.com/c4dl9y3L0DWhat keeps you going...READ STORY | I'm a survivor, not a victim: Laxmi SaaSession 6: Fierce Creatures | Why I Am A FeministModerated by Asmita BakshiHow do you define feminism, and what do you think it is not? Body issues...Fighting sexism on a daily basis...Sexist encounters... Female bondsYour "I will not conform" moment... READ STORY | Feminism is not a biological thing: Richa ChadhaSession 5: Soul Song | The Music Of JoyModerated by Sushant MehtaREAD STORY: Jasleen Royal gets candid about her musical journeySession 4: Fight Like A Girl | Punch Like A Woman Moderated by Padmaja Joshi #WomanSummit17 Selfie Moments!@taapsee with @PadmajaJoshi Experience the magic - Log on to https://t.co/mM6QF474SFpic.twitter.com/LT9juyZwWrREAD STORY | I fight like a woman, I am no less empowered in strength: Tapsee PannuSession 3: Right To Pray | Are Women Children Of A Lesser God?Moderated by Padmaja JoshiREAD STORY | When all are born out of a woman, how can she be considered impure: Trupti DesaiSession 2: The Perfect Co-Star | In Reel And Real LifeModerated by: Koel PurieREAD STORY | I'm a worst-case scenario person: Shahid KapoorSession 1: Battling Bias | Why Women Won't Shut Down, Shut UpModerated by: Rajdeep Sardesai Q. If you were the male head politician of your party instead of a female one, what change would you bring about?  Supriya Sule: I'll give women 50 per cent reservation.  Sushmita Dev: I'll start by reshuffling portfolios.  K Kavitha: Education for girls in India should be free.Meenakshi Lekhi: Juliet squads! I would focus on the martial qualities of women.Praniti Shinde: I would first teach my son to respect women. READ STORY | Gender is not so much of an issue in politics anymore: K KavithaWelcome address by India Today Group Editorial Director for Broadcast and New Media Kalli Purie

Ankush Verma

31 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Bilawal Bhutto warns US against travel ban for Pakistanis

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bilawal-bhutto-zardari-donald-trump-travel-ban/1/870507.html

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto has warned US President Donald Trump's administration against including Pakistan in the list of banned nations, saying such a move will create a "host of hostilities" between the two countries. Earlier, White House hinted that Pakistan could be included in the list and Pakistani visitors are subject to "extreme vetting" under existing US regulations.

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned the Trump administration against including his country in the list of travel ban nations, saying such a move will create a "host of hostilities" between the two countries.Bilawal's remarks came as the White House is seeking to expand the list of seven Muslim-majority countries whose citizens have been barred from entering the US."As far as the ban is concerned, I believe it only has detrimental effects on the countries it has included and if that is extended to Pakistan it will create a whole host of hostilities," Bilawal told a Washington audience.He was responding to a question on whether Pakistan can be included in a list of seven nations as per an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump last week.Bilawal said including Pakistan in such a list "would also be a very negative indicator that the United States is turning away from those very ideals that it stood for", adding that, "I hope that this is not the new normal."Zardari said there was a lot of uncertainty and externally about what the future policies are going to be and he would like to hold on to the wait and see approach.Also read: President Trump fires acting US Attorney General for refusing to enforce immigration order"BAN SEEMS TO BE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION"The top Pakistani leader said the alleged Muslim ban "seems to be extremely controversial decision" of the current administration."For my generation as a progressive Muslim in the world it is really discouraging to see countries responding to the fear of the other in such a way. We have learned through history that this is not the way to deal with such issues," he said."I know by interaction, by finding common ground, studying in other peoples universities, learning about a shared culture, history we find the common ground. A few criminals should not be allowed to spoil the situation for everyone," he said."It is very discouraging for those out there in the Muslim world fighting radical extremism because people (put) their lives on the line on a daily basis to do so, to fight for what they believe in, not Americans ideals or freedom," he said.Also read: JuD chief Hafiz Saeed detained: Is Pakistan on Donald Trump's radar? Bilawal said he was extremely encouraged to see in what he described as another side to America."HOPE THIS ISSUE IS SORTED SOON""The outpouring of support for the people affected by this ban is a very positive message sending to the world. I do hope that this issue will be sorted out very soon. Because this is sending a wrong message and is shrinking the space for those of us out there fighting Islamic extremism on the front lines," he said.

Tarun Khanna

01 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Survey predicts a hung Assembly in Uttar Pradesh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assembly-elections-2017-up-election-2017-india-today-survey-up-uttarakhand-punjab-manipur-goa/1/871300.html

A survey by the India Today-Axis has predicted a hung Assembly in Uttar Pradesh and has stated that BJP along with its allies would win 180-191 seats in 403-member Assembly. The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance, which was formed recently, is expected to win up to 168-178 seats. The survey, however, stated that Mayawati-led BSP would manage to bag only 39-43 seats.

The India Today-Axis survey ahead of the crucial Assembly elections in five states predicts a hung Assembly in Uttar Pradesh and a major boost to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab.While the Congress is likely to snatch Punjab from the Akali-Dal-BJP combine, the BJP is likely to trump the Congress to power in Uttarakhand and retain Goa.

Tarun Khanna

07 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Kejriwal clarifies his 'Delhi to be made London' remark

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-will-be-made-as-clean-as-london-kejriwal-clarifies/1/898090.html

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday clarified he had not said that he will turn Delhi into London, but to make the city as clean as London while keeping its unique cultural ethos intact. "When we go to western countries including London, we see a high level of cleanliness there. Delhi will be made as clean as London," he added.

New Delhi, Mar 6 (PTI) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said Delhi will be made as clean as London keeping its unique cultural ethos intact, seeking to clarify his earlier remarks which have been mocked by the Opposition. Kejriwal said that his Aam Aadmi Party would clean up the capital within one year of coming to power in the three municipal corporations of Delhi (MCDs). "I want to clarify that I have not said that we will turn Delhi into London. Delhi has its own culture and its heart... Delhis people are very good. "When we go to western countries including London, we see a high level of cleanliness there. Delhi will be made as clean as London, which only the AAP can do," he told reporters. While addressing a gathering yesterday, Kejriwal had said that if the AAP won the MCD polls, it would spruce up Delhi and make it look like London within a year. The Delhi chief minister also slammed the BJP and the Congress, saying that both the parties which have been controlling the MCDs for 20 years have failed to clean up the city. "The BJP and the Congress have been ruling municipal corporations for 20 years and they have destroyed MCDs (financially). It is the first responsibility of MCDs to clean up Delhi. "It is only the AAP which can clean up Delhi as people know that we have done unprecedented works in education, water, power and health," the Delhi chief minister said. Over his Londons remark, Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari hit out at Kejriwal, saying "he should first make Delhi a better Delhi before planning to make it London."

Aarushi Maheshwari

02 Mar 2017,Thursday

Indian royal families to present traditional cuisine

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-royal-families-cuisines-secret-recipe-dine-with-royalty-delhi-lifefd/1/894952.html

Twenty Indian royal families will present their traditional cuisine as part of the three-day 'Dine with Royalty' event in New Delhi in October. Six luxury tents, capable of seating 35 diners each, will represent the heritage of princely states. There will also be special performances by local artistes of each region.

We have always been fascinated by the erstwhile Indian royal families as well as their present day descendants. Besides their opulent lifestyle and diverse cultural heritage, tales of royal repast often include mention of secret recipes, family favourites and a rich culinary repertoire. Here's some good news: We will soon have an opportunity to 'Dine with Royalty' during a three-day grand event organized by eatwithIndia, the group synonymous with promoting regional Indian cuisine by curating unique dining experiences, mostly at homes of people who are proud to showcase their family food.  Scheduled for October 2017, Dine with Royalty will have 20 royal families presenting their cuisines in the capital during the first festival of its kind. Six luxury tents would be set up, each representing the heritage of a princely state where members of different royal families will play host during the meal. Also read: Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb is the secret behind the exquisite cuisine of Benaras Each tent will serve 35 guests at a time, for lunch and dinner. There will also be special performances by local artistes of each region to make the entire experience more special. To maintain the intimacy of the experience all the event tickets will be pre-booked, and no walk-ins will be entertained.   The curtain raiser for the forthcoming festival was recently held at the Embassy of Belgium. The evening started with a panel discussion by stalwarts of culinary history including Pushpesh Pant, food historian, Neha Prasada, author of 'Dining with the Maharajas: A Thousand Years of Culinary Tradition', Nawab Kazim Ali Khan, Nawab of Rampur, Tikaraj Aishwarya Chandra Katoch, 489th descendant of the royal Katoch clan, eminent food writer Sourish Bhattacharya and Sonal Saxena, co-founder eatwithIndia. This was followed by a mesmerizing qawwali performance by the Nizami Brothers. The highlight of the evening, as expected, was the food!

Prashanti Moktan

20 Mar 2017,Monday

I would marry Shah Rukh as I love his bungalow: Karan Johar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/srk-romance-alia-lessons-kjo-explosions-best-of-india-today-conclave-2017/1/908199.html

Filmmaker Karan Johar has said that he would marry Shah Rukh Khan, if given the choice to kill, marry or hook-up with SRK, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or Sidharth Malhotra. Johar added that SRK would be his choice because he loves the actor's bungalow. However, Johar refused to choose between Aishwarya and Sidharth for the other options of killing or hooking-up.

Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt made sure they spiced up Day 2 of the India Today Conclave 2017 in the best way possible. On Saturday (March 18), all people present at the Conclave got a taste of Karan Johar's wit, Alia Bhatt's refreshing take on life and Shah Rukh Khan's lessons in romancing women.While Karan Johar did not stop at anything and had a freewheeling chat with moderator Koel Purie Rinchet, Alia Bhatt shared lessons from her fathee Mahesh Bhatt on the stage. And as for Shah Rukh Khan, from telling people what his association with Amitabh Bachchan has been like over the years, to saying why he now had lady bodyguards, King Khan was at his candid best. Amitabh Bachchan, who was supposed to have shared the stage with Shah Rukh, for a session called Unforgettables: The Dream Makers, Lessons from the Spotlight, couldn't attend the event because Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's father Krishnaraj Rai passed away that day.Here's looking back at the best of the India Today Conclave 2017.KARAN JOHARI like being trolledSpeaking about trolled, insulted and abused on social media, Karan Johar said that he is a complete sadist and that he likes to hear abuses. "It started with anger, went on to indifference, and now I look forward to them," Karan Johar said about his reaction to abuses.On Kangana Ranaut's statements on Koffee With KaranKaran Johar happily accepted that he is the flag-bearer of nepotism and that is the movie mafia, like Kangana Ranaut accused him of being on the sets of Koffee With Karan. However, he also added that he did not understand what Kangana Ranaut meant when she said that their individual ideas of poverty are different.I would marry Shah Rukh KhanWhen given a choice to love, marry and hook up with one of the following: Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sidharth Malhotra, he said he would marry Shah Rukh Khan because he loves his bungalow. However, he chose to kill both Aishwarya and Sidharth because in his own words, "I don't want to answer this question."I'm the mother of my childrenWhen asked who would be his choice as the mother of his children, Karan replied, "I am the mother of my children." A while later, he said, "I am more of a mother than I am a father."WATCH THE BEST OF KARAN JOHAR'S SESSION HEREALIA BHATTOn dumb jokesI look at in two ways - I'm either relevant or irrelevant. If you're making a joke about me, I'm relevant. So why should I be upset?There is always someone better than you, no matter how brilliant you areI don't feel I have achieved anything. I have reached a certain stage, but i feel like I am doing. I feel grateful but I don't feel I have achieved. You have to walk the tight rope and do your best. Hard work will get you at a lot of places. Being the first member of your fan club won't get you anywhere.WATCH THE BEST OF ALIA BHATT'S SESSION HERESHAH RUKH KHANIt's better not to say shut upYou can ask people to shut up sometimes or behave badly at the Wankhede Stadium. Nowadays I think it's better not to say Shut Up on social media, you get capital letters - SHUT THE F*** UP, GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY. You can afford a padded room where the sound doesn't go out. Go and shout there, come back happy. I'm being a liar. I'm an actor - I can lie, right?Difficult explaining scratches on my body

Mansha Mahajan

05 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Reliance Jio could earn ?21,300 crore this fiscal: Moody's

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jios-72-mn-paid-users-credit-positive-for-reliance-moodys/1/921044.html

Reliance Jio will be able to generate revenue of about ?21,300 crore for the current financial year, assuming its 7.2 crore Prime users pay for services between July 2017 and March 2018, ratings agency Moody's said. Further, Jio's paid customers are "credit positive" for Reliance Industries, it noted. Jio's aggressive stance will ensure heightened competition in the sector, it added.

New Delhi, Apr 5 (PTI) Newcomer Jios 72 million paid customers are "credit positive" for parent Reliance Industries as subscriber enrolment reduces cash flow uncertainty of the telecom business, Moodys Investors Service said today. Moodys calculation shows that Jio will be able to generate revenue of about Rs 213 billion (Rs 21,300 crore) for the current financial year, assuming all 72 million users pay Rs 303 per 28 days between July 2017 and March 2018. On the enrolment of paid subscribers, Moodys Investors Service said, "This is credit positive as the subscriber enrolment reduces cash flow uncertainty of the telecom business, on which RIL has spent over Rs 1.7 trillion (Rs 1,70,000 crore) over the last six years." Jio, in February, said it has enrolled 100 million users for its free services that was slated to end on March 31. The company had also announced that it would start charging for services from April 1 and introduced Jio-Prime membership, a discounted set of price plans to incentivise non-paying subscribers to subscribe to paid services. It has now extended by a fortnight the deadline for enrolment to its Jio-Prime plan, and as per its last update has 72 million paid customers. Also, it has announced that all Prime members who subscribe to higher value plans (Rs 303 and above) will enjoy complimentary services for three months and that subscribers will only be charged for services from July. "... there was uncertainty about the success rate of transitioning non-paying subscribers to paid plans, but that uncertainty has now reduced to a large extent," the statement by Moodys said. It further said a significant portion of the 72 million subscribers are expected to opt for Rs 303 plan, given that it is the minimum plan that gives complimentary services for three months. "However, as the price plan does not require the subscriber to commit beyond the 28 days, they are free to switch at any time after that," it said, adding that Prime membership will therefore have to continue to be competitive and maintain service quality to retain customers. The company may have to revisit its price plans beyond April 15 to attract and retain subscribers who do not sign up for the Prime offering, it noted.

Tarun Khanna

11 Mar 2017,Saturday

AAP takes second spot in Punjab, Cong crosses halfway mark

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assembly-election-results-2017-live-uttar-pradesh-punjab-uttarakhand-goa-manipur-modi/1/901863.html

The trends till 11:00 PM on Saturday show that the AAP has taken the second spot in Punjab by leading in 25 seats while the lead is still maintained by Amarinder Singh-led Congress on 69 seats. The ruling Shiromani Akali Dal has been pushed to the third position. The Congress is being predicted to be able to form the government conveniently.

AAJ TAK LIVE TV WITH LIVE ELECTION RESULTS I congratulate Shri. Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh & UttarakhandMy heartiest congratulations to Capt Amarinder Singhji & all our party workers who worked tirelessly @capt_amarinderTo all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute & committed to our values & our belief in an India united in strength & purposeOur fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts & minds of peopleCongratulations to @AmitShah, party office bearers & state units for their exemplary work in taking the party to new heights.  Spoke to @capt_amarinder & congratulated him on the win in Punjab. Also wished him a happy birthday & prayed for his long & healthy life.  .@BJP4India takes lead over @INCIndia in #ManipurWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/N0J8NNjN3oIn Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand we are disappointed. The alliance had lot of expectations: Sanjay Jha, CongLIVE https://t.co/4fqxBVUizLpic.twitter.com/AxCle4efLiIn a nutshell there is no leader today with a pan India acceptability who can take on Modi & the BJP in 2019.At this rate we might as well forget 2019 & start planning/hoping for 2024.How the hell did almost all the experts/analysts miss this wave in UP? It's a tsunami not a ripple in a small pond.Celebrations galore at BJP HQ as Ashoka Road gets barricaded. #ElectionResults@newslaundrypic.twitter.com/3zdaWhfHBA.@narendramodi be like#ElectionResults2017@BJP4Indiapic.twitter.com/0KVevi8dGT#ElectionResults2017: Meanwhile in the Delhi @BJP4India headquarters (Photo: @NeerajGupta20) pic.twitter.com/SR7may7Q0B  In #UttarPradesh, @BJP4India hasn't left much to imaginationWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/UyufTVNxcM#Verdict2017It's BJP everywhere in UP. @rahulkanwal shares the latest numbers from UP assembly polls. Live:https://t.co/oIU1FtZewBpic.twitter.com/vnUtSdIF1APunjab is proof that the Congress can win an election despite Rahul Gandhi. #PunjabElection2017Modi magic still working in Uttar Pradesh. Demonetisation, what demonetisation??#ElectionResultsScenes of celebration @BJP4India HQ in Delhi. Pic by @the_hindu photog Sandeep Saxena pic.twitter.com/0oQ8s6FOayThe brilliant @MANJULtoons strikes again on #ElectionResults day.Only the guy in the middle is not getting his wish today. ð??? pic.twitter.com/D9JA8jJOGe#UPElection2017 Results LIVE: Counting of votes underway, #BJP emerges as clear winner with lead in 287 seats https://t.co/0eCLGTAeEQpic.twitter.com/p8l2eOX1iEThe Loha Singh Live Blog: Assembly Election Result updates with a punch ð??? Grab some popcorn ð??? and read ð??? https://t.co/sQ5MPCReyUpic.twitter.com/ATo9PXtyQk@KyaUkhaadLega AAP is ready with victory posters ð???ð???ð??? pic.twitter.com/lyQUr0PEGdBJP leading in Uttar Pradesh: Party workers celebrate in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SmmoBRNKSV#UttarPradeshElection2017 Counting shuru ho gayi hai, humari badi jeet hogi: Shivpal Yadav, SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/7C91hJWhcJ#ResultsWithNdtv@ndtv at Lucknow counting centre , drone cameras being used to monitor activity pic.twitter.com/VKhU0XCPGUMuscle, money power openly used by parties: Irom Sharmila https://t.co/d91oCpXEtZ Read @ANI_news story #Manipurpic.twitter.com/gdQ1KJMv3h#ABPResults UP Assembly Election Result Live: @samajwadiparty accuses EC of being biasedhttps://t.co/6I474e06FOpic.twitter.com/DAjGeq1RDh#UttarPradeshElection2017 Security arrangements in place outside counting centres in Moradabad #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/XlwpiN5ZecSP-Congress alliance will win today,and we will expose the people who were conspiring against CM: Rajendra Chaudhary,SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/iEq4OAiloXSamajwadi Party workers perform Havan in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SP9iJcdwfX                                                                                                                                               

Arshiya Chopra

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

PMO refuses to answer RTI on Modi, Manmohan's foreign trips

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pmo-refuses-reply-to-rti-on-modi-manmohan-s-foreign-trips-calls-it-vague/story-Oy3v5pC3dDQ117nq7kZBFI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Prime Minister's Office has denied information on various expenses incurred on foreign trips by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh. A PMO official said that the RTI was denied on grounds of being "too vague and wide". Reportedly, the RTI petitioner had sought copies of all files and letters exchanged between the PMO and different offices.

The Prime Minister?s Office (PMO) has denied information on various expenses incurred in foreign trips by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his predecessor Manmohan Singh, terming the query ?vague?, an RTI activist said.Nutan Thakur told IANS on Saturday that she had requested the documents from the PMO on June 16. Thakur asked for details of the expenses incurred on various arrangements made for all the foreign trips made by Modi and Manmohan Singh from January 2010 onwards.On Thursday, central public information officer and under secretary in PMO Parveen Kumar, denying the details, said that the information sought was ?too vague and wide?.In her poser to the PMO under the Right To Information Act, Thakur had asked for copies of all files, including notes and various letters and documents exchanged between the PMO and different offices.Having denied the RTI, Kumar, however, informed Thakur that for the purpose of section 19 of the RTI Act 2005, Syed Ekram Rizvi, director PMO, South Block, was the appellate authority. Thakur told IANS that she would definitely knock the doors of the appellate authority in New Delhi for answers to her query.

Gaurav Shroff

18 May 2017,Thursday

Chinese folk medicines inspire new 'molecular condoms'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chinese-folk-medicines-inspire-new-molecular-condoms/1/954990.html

Chemicals found in traditional Chinese medicines may be used to make next generation contraceptives, dubbed "molecular condoms", scientists say. Chemicals extracted from two plants, thunder god vine and aloe, were found to effectively prevent fertilisation. The chemicals have no adverse effect on egg or sperm, and could serve as a safe alternative to hormone-based contraceptives, scientists added.

Los Angeles, May 16 (PTI) Chemicals found in Chinese folk medicines may be used to make next generation of molecular condoms that may serve as a safe alternative to todays hormone-based contraceptives, scientists say. The chemicals, extracted from two plants, thunder god vine and aloe, are effective at low doses and have no adverse effect on egg or sperm, other than preventing a key step in fertilisation - the meeting of egg and sperm. They work by stopping sperms power kick, which is normally stimulated by the hormone progesterone secreted by cells surrounding the egg and makes the sperms tail whip forcefully to propel it toward and into the egg. According to researchers from the University of California (UC) Berkeley in the US, the chemicals may serve as an emergency contraceptive taken either before or after intercourse, or as a permanent contraceptive via a skin patch or vaginal ring. Human sperm take about five to six hours to mature once they enter the female reproductive system, which is enough time for the drug to enter the system and block the kick. Also, because the chemicals prevent fertilisation, they may be a more acceptable alternative in the eyes of those who object to emergency contraceptives that prevent the implantation of a potentially viable fertilised egg. These two plant compounds block fertilisation at very low concentrations - about 10 times lower than levels of levonorgestrel in emergency contraceptives, said Polina Lishko, an assistant professor at UC Berkeley. "They could be a new generation of emergency contraceptive we nicknamed molecular condoms," said Lishko, who led the team that discovered the anti-fertility properties of the two chemicals. "If one can use a plant-derived, non-toxic, non-hormonal compound in lesser concentration to prevent fertilisation in the first place, it could potentially be a better option," she said. Purusing books on natural contraceptives used by indigenous peoples around the world, researchers came across several non-steroid chemicals isolated from anti-fertility plants. One of these was pristimerin, from the plant Tripterygium wilfordii, also known as "thunder god vine." Leaves from the plant have been used as an antifertility drug in Chinese traditional medicine, though some compounds in the leaves are poisonous. It has also been used as a folk remedy for rheumatoid arthritis. The other chemical was lupeol, which is found in plants such as mango and dandelion root. While it has been tested as an anticancer agent, it was not suspected of having contraceptive properties.

Aarushi Maheshwari

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Russia-bound man held with ?50,000 in cash at Delhi Airport

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/russia-bound-man-held-with-euro-50000-at-delhi-airport/1/1013655.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Russia-bound man was arrested at Delhi Airport on Friday for allegedly carrying ?50,000 (nearly ?40 lakh) in an unauthorised manner, a senior official has said. The passenger, identified as Rohit Kumar, was intercepted by CISF personnel after his baggage check revealed a suspicious packet containing five envelopes. The five envelopes contained ?10,000 each.

New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) A Russia-bound man was today apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying Euro 50,000 in an unauthorised manner, a senior official said.

Saloni Tandon

30 Jan 2017,Monday

Sachin says he changed playing style after waiter's advice

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sachin-tendulkar-cricket-story/1/869955.html

Sachin Tendulkar has revealed he used a waiter's advice to change his playing style. A waiter in Chennai had approached the cricketer and said his elbow guard restricted the bat's swing. "He was 100% right...I knew I was uncomfortable but I never thought of it myself...I realised padding on elbow guard is inadequate...I instantly redesigned my elbow guard," said Sachin.

Sachin Tendulkar has kept himself completely engaged in various social and business endevours after retirement. In a glitzy event in Mumbai, the cricket legend launched his own sports equipment and sportswear range 'Sachin by Spartan'. To underline how much of a personal touch there is to his co-creation and his own knowledge of his equipment, Sachin shared some delightful insights at the launch event.OPEN TO ADVICE"If you have an open mind you can develop so many things. In Chennai it was a waiter who came up to me and said if you don't mind and don't get offended I want to tell you something. I said go ahead. He said my elbow guard restricts my bat swing. And he was 100 percent right."I knew I was feeling uncomfortable but I never thought of doing it myself. A few years down the line I got hit a couple of times on my elbow guard and it hurt. That's when I realised padding on elbow guard is inadequate. I instantly redesigned my elbow guard. I needed to re-open it and work on it. Get the fibre and cushion on either side to absorb the impact. In our country everyone from panwala to CEOs will give you advice. But one should still be open about ideas." TRICOLOUR ON BAT "In the last match I played for India, my bat had India colours. It was my way of thanking the fans who have always stayed with me."BAT SPEAKS WITH ME

Tarun Khanna

08 Jan 2017,Sunday

Won?t tolerate corruption, communalism in AAP: Kejriwal

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arvind-kejriwal-goa-aam-admi-party-elections-2017-elvis-gomes-bjp-congress/1/852073.html

Addressing a gathering at Benaulim ahead of Goa election, AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said he won't tolerate corruption and communalism in AAP. He further stated that if any of his candidates is found guilty of these charges, he won't hesitate to cancel his or her candidature even 24 hours ahead of the polls.

As Goa heading for assembly poll on February 4 the political parties aping the ante ahead for crucial assembly poll on the state. Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), opposition Congress and new entity Aam Aadmi party (AAP) makes it triangular battle in Goa.Weeks before the poll AAP Chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal kick starts his poll campaign in Goa today. Speaking in Goa's Benaulim assembly constituency, he invokes his anti corruption and anti communal stand saying he won't tolerate corruption or communal in his party.Kejriwal said, that any of his candidate found guilty of these charges, he won't hesitate to cancel their candidature even 24 hours ahead of the poll no matter seat is vacated. During his poll campaign escalating charges against ruling BJP govt in Goa and the Chief Minister Lakshmikant Parsekar, kejriwal said, Parsekar represents corrupt poltics. Also read:  India Today-Axis Opinion Poll on Goa: In key state, AAP eyed, BJP takes the cakeAsking Goans to choose honest politics kejriwal appealed to vote his chief ministerial candidate Elvis Gomes. Kejriwal asked Goans to vote for change and end the friendly match between Congress and BJP have been seen for over the years.Goa to go for poll on February 4 and the Aam Aadmi Party put all his stake in the state batting on most of new and younger faces option out it's Delhi formula. Rebuking the opponents over putting light weight candidates, Kejriwal said AAP candidates are not political light weights because they will defeat established politicians soon in Goa too as they did in delhi.

Vaibhav Gupta

17 Dec 2016,Saturday

Telecom dept to unveil portal on mobile radiation in a month

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dot-to-unveil-portal-on-mobile-radiation-in-a-month/1/836825.html

The Department of Telecom will launch a portal that will have data on mobile towers and transmitters within a month to allow people to track the radiation compliance status, officials said. Those who want to get the radiation levels tested by the government will have to pay a fee of ?5,000, Telecom Secretary JS Deepak said.

Jaipur, Dec 17 (PTI) The Department of Telecom (DoT) is set to launch a portal - Tarang - with data on all mobile towers and transmitters across the country in a month that will allow a user to check the radiation compliance status. "Status of the towers will be available on the portal which will be launched in a month. Those who...want to get the radiation level checked of towers will be done by the government and he will be informed," Union Minister of State for Communications Manoj Sinha told reporters here. Telecom Secretary J S Deepak said, a fee of Rs 5,000 would be charged for the test to be conducted by the government. "We conduct test on random basis and through this portal and on payment, test of specific tower would be done," he added. Addressing an awareness programme on EMF emissions and telecom towers, the minister said, there are myths about the radiation and its impact on health which need to be eliminated by creating awareness. "Mobile connectivity and broadband are a necessity today and without infrastructure for this, we can not make our society cashless. There is a misconception...that electromagnetic emission from towers cause adverse impact on health. There are studies conducted by WHO and various countries but no study has so far established this fact," the minister claimed. Sinha further said that permissible limit for the radiation in India is ten times less than those in other countries. "It is necessary to install more towers to meet todays demand but due to this myth, there are difficulties in installing new towers. We want to create awareness among the people. The government is responsible and concerned for public health but some misconceptions prevail and they need to be addressed by awareness," he said.

Ankush Verma

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

US imposes tougher conditions for defence aid to Pakistan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-us-house-of-representatives-defence-funding-terrorism/1/1002697.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The US House of Representatives has voted for three legislative amendments to impose tougher conditions for reimbursement of defence funding to Pakistan. The amendments make it conditional for Pakistan to show satisfactory progress in its fight against terrorism. "The Congress has taken a step forward to end Pakistan's betrayal of the US," the House representatives said.

The US House of Representatives has voted for three legislative amendments to impose tougher conditions for reimbursement of defence funding to Pakistan, making it conditional to Islamabad showing satisfactory progress in the fight against terrorism.The conditions are related to Pakistan's support to terrorists and terror outfits, about which several top US officials and lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concern about in the past.All the three legislative amendments to the USD 651 billion National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) 2018 were adopted by a voice vote by the lower house of the Congress yesterday.NDAA-2018, which authorises the annual defence expenses for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017 was adopted by the House 344-81."Today, Congress took a step forward to end Pakistan's betrayal of the US with the addition of an additional certification requirement," said Poe, a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation & Trade. "It is well known that Pakistan is a Benedict Arnold ally who supports multiple terrorist organisations, including groups that target Americans working to stabilise Afghanistan."But current limitations on military reimbursement funding to Pakistan only apply to one terrorist group: the Haqqani Network," Poe said in a statement. Pakistan's imprisonment of Afridi presents a serious and growing impediment to the United States' bilateral relations with Pakistan, said the amendment as passed by the House of Representatives.Also Read:US House passes bill worth over 600 billion dollars to boost defence co-operation with India

Shubhodeep Datta

11 Mar 2017,Saturday

Congress wins Punjab, falls one short of two-third majority

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assembly-election-results-2017-live-uttar-pradesh-punjab-uttarakhand-goa-manipur-modi/1/901863.html

The Congress party has registered a landslide victory in Punjab Assembly elections, winning 77 seats in the 117-member house. Congress garnered over 38% of the total vote share. The Aam Aadmi Party (23% vote share) had the second-highest number of seats in the house but the incumbent Shiromani Akali Dal stood second in terms of vote share at 25%.

AAJ TAK LIVE TV WITH LIVE ELECTION RESULTS I congratulate Shri. Narendra Modi and the BJP on their victory in Uttar Pradesh & UttarakhandMy heartiest congratulations to Capt Amarinder Singhji & all our party workers who worked tirelessly @capt_amarinderTo all Congress workers across India: We stand resolute & committed to our values & our belief in an India united in strength & purposeOur fight continues and will not end till we win the hearts & minds of peopleCongratulations to @AmitShah, party office bearers & state units for their exemplary work in taking the party to new heights.  Spoke to @capt_amarinder & congratulated him on the win in Punjab. Also wished him a happy birthday & prayed for his long & healthy life.  .@BJP4India takes lead over @INCIndia in #ManipurWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/N0J8NNjN3oIn Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand we are disappointed. The alliance had lot of expectations: Sanjay Jha, CongLIVE https://t.co/4fqxBVUizLpic.twitter.com/AxCle4efLiIn a nutshell there is no leader today with a pan India acceptability who can take on Modi & the BJP in 2019.At this rate we might as well forget 2019 & start planning/hoping for 2024.How the hell did almost all the experts/analysts miss this wave in UP? It's a tsunami not a ripple in a small pond.Celebrations galore at BJP HQ as Ashoka Road gets barricaded. #ElectionResults@newslaundrypic.twitter.com/3zdaWhfHBA.@narendramodi be like#ElectionResults2017@BJP4Indiapic.twitter.com/0KVevi8dGT#ElectionResults2017: Meanwhile in the Delhi @BJP4India headquarters (Photo: @NeerajGupta20) pic.twitter.com/SR7may7Q0B  In #UttarPradesh, @BJP4India hasn't left much to imaginationWatch #Verdict2017 : https://t.co/TFg6M7I5XDpic.twitter.com/UyufTVNxcM#Verdict2017It's BJP everywhere in UP. @rahulkanwal shares the latest numbers from UP assembly polls. Live:https://t.co/oIU1FtZewBpic.twitter.com/vnUtSdIF1APunjab is proof that the Congress can win an election despite Rahul Gandhi. #PunjabElection2017Modi magic still working in Uttar Pradesh. Demonetisation, what demonetisation??#ElectionResultsScenes of celebration @BJP4India HQ in Delhi. Pic by @the_hindu photog Sandeep Saxena pic.twitter.com/0oQ8s6FOayThe brilliant @MANJULtoons strikes again on #ElectionResults day.Only the guy in the middle is not getting his wish today. ð??? pic.twitter.com/D9JA8jJOGe#UPElection2017 Results LIVE: Counting of votes underway, #BJP emerges as clear winner with lead in 287 seats https://t.co/0eCLGTAeEQpic.twitter.com/p8l2eOX1iEThe Loha Singh Live Blog: Assembly Election Result updates with a punch ð??? Grab some popcorn ð??? and read ð??? https://t.co/sQ5MPCReyUpic.twitter.com/ATo9PXtyQk@KyaUkhaadLega AAP is ready with victory posters ð???ð???ð??? pic.twitter.com/lyQUr0PEGdBJP leading in Uttar Pradesh: Party workers celebrate in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SmmoBRNKSV#UttarPradeshElection2017 Counting shuru ho gayi hai, humari badi jeet hogi: Shivpal Yadav, SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/7C91hJWhcJ#ResultsWithNdtv@ndtv at Lucknow counting centre , drone cameras being used to monitor activity pic.twitter.com/VKhU0XCPGUMuscle, money power openly used by parties: Irom Sharmila https://t.co/d91oCpXEtZ Read @ANI_news story #Manipurpic.twitter.com/gdQ1KJMv3h#ABPResults UP Assembly Election Result Live: @samajwadiparty accuses EC of being biasedhttps://t.co/6I474e06FOpic.twitter.com/DAjGeq1RDh#UttarPradeshElection2017 Security arrangements in place outside counting centres in Moradabad #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/XlwpiN5ZecSP-Congress alliance will win today,and we will expose the people who were conspiring against CM: Rajendra Chaudhary,SP #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/iEq4OAiloXSamajwadi Party workers perform Havan in Lucknow #ElectionResultspic.twitter.com/SP9iJcdwfX                                                                                                                                               

Daisy Mowke

13 Apr 2017,Thursday

Model Gigi Hadid to meet Sonam Kapoor during India visit

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gigi-hadid-to-visit-india-to-discuss-fashion-with-sonam/1/927175.html

American model Gigi Hadid, who is set to visit Mumbai on April 27, will meet actress Sonam Kapoor during her visit. "I am excited to welcome Gigi in India," Sonam was quoted as saying. Earlier, it was reported that Hadid will attend singer Justin Bieber's concert in India along with boyfriend Zayn Malik.

Mumbai, Apr 12 (PTI) Supermodel Gigi Hadid is all set to visit India as part of her global #TogetherTour to celebrate her Spring 2017 TommyXGigi collaborative collection. The 21-year-old model, who will be visiting Mumbai on April 27, will join Indias own fashionista Sonam Kapoor to discuss fashion, her collection, and her role as the global brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger womenswear. "Travelling around the world to meet fans and present the TommyXGigi collections has been an amazing experience. I look forward to visiting Mumbai and celebrating our final #TogetherTour stop this season," Gigi said in a statement.

Mansha Mahajan

26 Feb 2017,Sunday

Consolidation due to Jio is ideal, says Telecom Secretary

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/5-major-telcos-optimum-for-indian-mkt-telecom-secy-js-deepak/1/891625.html

Following consolidation amid telcos due to competition from Jio, Telecom Secretary JS Deepak said this is "very good for India as we are likely to get four private and one government player...which is ideal". The Indian telecom market is likely to yield five major players ensuring "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum", he said, adding this will be "optimum".

Barcelona, Feb 26 (PTI) The fresh round of consolidation unfolding in the Indian telecom market is likely to yield five major players ensuring "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum", Telecom Secretary J S Deepak said. His comments assume significance as India -- the worlds second largest mobile services market after China -- is in the midst of massive consolidation with incumbent operators joining forces to take on aggressive newcomer Reliance Jio. The consolidation in the otherwise crowded Indian telecom industry has been hastened by Jios free voice call and data plans, forcing incumbents to slash tariff at the cost of profits. "Dropping revenue is a concern which we are also addressing...Era of free service and falling revenue will change...In this backdrop, the investments in India are not only welcome but are also likely to be productive," Deepak told PTI. On consolidation playing out in the telecom market, he said, "The way things are...this consolidation is going to be very good for India as we are likely to get four private and one government player...BSNL-MTNL...which is ideal." Asked if the spate of buyouts would leave enough room for competition in the Indian market, Deepak said, "Ideal is five players for India, which is what is likely to happen". Stating that the consolidation is potentially resulting in five big players would ensure "enough competition but not fragmentation of spectrum", he said, it will be "optimum for the Indian market". Last week, Indias largest telecom operator Bharti Airtel announced acquisition of Norwegian Telenors India unit. Bharti Airtels revenue market share will rise to 35.6 per cent following the acquisition. Telenor India currently has 2.6 per cent share in Indian market. Vodafone and Idea have already said that they are considering merging their businesses in India, a move that would create the biggest telecom operator in the country with about USD 12 billion in sales.

Chhavi Tyagi

05 Jun 2017,Monday

UP govt suspends two cops pictured at party with criminals

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/up-govt-suspends-cops-pictured-with-criminals/1/971276.html

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's office has ordered to suspend two sub-inspectors after they were pictured at a party with criminals. This comes after the pictures of the party went viral on social media. The party was thrown in the policemen's honour at the Radha Kund police post in Mathura after they were transferred to different posts.

Two police officials in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura were suspended after two criminals were pictured attending a party thrown in the policemen's honour. The order to suspend the cops seems to have come directly form the chief minister's office. Notbaly, Yogi Aditynath had previously spoken about how some Uttar Pradesh police officials were in a nexus with criminals. The party took place after two officials in Mathura were transferred to different posts. According to a senior police official in Mathura, the Radha Kund police post in-charge Subhash Baliyan was transferred to the Chhata police post, while Goverdhan police station Senior Sub-Inspector Vinod Kumar Tomar was transferred to Kosi police post as in charge.The farewell party of both sub-inspectors was organized at the Radha Kund police post, where two history sheeter criminals including Rohan Singh of Goverdhan also attended the party. Pictures of this party went viral on social media and reached Lucknow. When the pictures reached CM Adityanath's office, senior officials from Lucknow contacted Mathura's SSP and the two sub-inspectors were suspended with immediate effect on the instructions by Principal Secretary (Home), UP.Social activist Syed Irfan Salim told India Today that the chief minister appears to have had prior knowledge and hard evidence that there was a criminal-police nexus working in Uttar Pradesh and that is why Adityanath made his comment about the link between cops and criminals.

Daisy Mowke

24 Feb 2017,Friday

Kangana, Shahid, Saif starrer 'Rangoon' hits the theatres

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rangoon-movie-review-kangana-ranaut-shahid-kapoor-saif-ali-khan/1/890392.html

The Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan starrer 'Rangoon' is "gorgeous-looking with great cinematography, fantastic sound design and marvellous choreography," wrote India Today. "[O]ddly written characters don't let it become an engaging watch," said Hindustan Times. The Times of India wrote that "some scenes feel tedious". It has been rated 2/5 (HT) and 3.5/5 (TOI, India Today).

Rangoon is a triangular love story set in the backdrop of World War II. Here is our Rangoon movie review.Rangoon Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali KhanRangoon Direction: Vishal BhardwajRangoon Rating:  (3.5/5)When Rusi Bilmoria (Saif Ali Khan), an ex-film star who has been just a producer since an on-set accident, finds out that his fiance, the love of his life Miss Julia (Kangana Ranaut), also the top star of his company, has cheated on him with a soldier, Jamadar Nawab Malik (Shahid Kapoor), he turns his head silently towards his woman and looks at her with eyes red with grief, shock and the rage of a thousand suns.If you thought Saif Ali Khan's best moment in the movies till date was the scene in Omkara where he, Langda Tyagi, looks and keeps looking at Ajay Devgn in disbelief when Omkara (Ajay Devgn) makes Kesu (Vivek Oberoi) his political successor; well, stop right there. Saif has outdone his Omkara moment with the aforementioned scene from Rangoon. That alone is worth the price of the ticket.That and the beautiful, almost feral chemistry between the loyal soldier of the British Indian Army, Nawab Malik (Shahid Kapoor), and '40s queen of the Indian big screen Miss Julia (Kangana Ranaut).ALSO SEE: Before Rangoon's Julia, meet the original 'Hunterwali'Rangoon is a triangular love story between Nawab, Julia and Rusi. The story begins in 1943 in India when the British Army requests Rusi Bilmoria to send his beloved, Miss Julia, to the Indo-Burma border so that she can entertain the nation's soldiers. Rusi, a nation-lover, does his duty and sends off Julia with his troupe plus Nawab Malik as Julia's personal security. When the Japanese bomb them on their way, Malik and Julia manage to escape into Burma and, well, love blooms.Vishal Bhardwaj's most expensive and, of late, his most accessible film Rangoon sails smoothly as long its hero and heroine are allowed to just be. Malik and Julia's romance is slow-cooked and the essence of every moment between the two is allowed to linger before the next moment starts. It feels like Nawab Malik and Julia are floating in their own dreamland, perfectly content with the scheme of things, and consequently, Rangoon appears to feel content with itself, devoid of any duties to formal narrative storytelling. There is no rush to fast-forward to the next plot device in this entire stretch where Malik and Julia's romance is built up.Watch Yeh Ishq Hai from Rangoon here:Therefore, in the second half, when Vishal Bhardwaj and Co. pull up their socks to tie all the loose ends and ensure that all three protagonists - Malik, Julia and Rusi - find poetic justice, regardless of how laborious that pursuit might look on screen, Rangoon slowly, slowly bends and breaks its back under the pressure of Vishal Bhardwaj's narrative ambitions.ALSO SEE: Will Rangoon prove to be another Queen for Kangana Ranaut?Rangoon is gorgeous-looking with great cinematography (Pankaj Kumar, take a bow), fantastic sound design and marvellous choreography (Farah Khan, Sudesh Adhana). Love-making in the mud has never looked (and probably, never will) this sexy in a mainstream Hindi film. All that is fine. Where Rangoon does a bloody fail is its attempt to see through its two parallel narrative strands finding a common end: one, the love story, and the other, the war-conspiracy backdrop with the British Indian Army and Subhas Chandra Bose's INA mixed up.Vishal Bhardwaj, caught with the duty to serve two movies in one (an old-school romance and a war thriller), doesn't really do a Casablanca though he does give Rangoon his best shot. Nevertheless, Rangoon comes off as probably 2017's most good-looking and well-made Indian film. Certainly, this year's most ambitious, with three great lead performances. Vishal Bhardwaj is in fine form, mostly. And yes, the National Anthem comes thrice in the film. What more do you want?(The writer tweets as @devarsighosh.)ALSO READ: You cannot copyright a character, say Rangoon makers regarding legal battle

Deepali Aggarwal

28 May 2017,Sunday

Pak hikes defence budget by 7% amid tensions with India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-budget-defence-india-terrorism/1/964175.html

Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has presented a ?2.9 lakh crore annual budget, hiking defence spending by nearly 7% to ?56,657 crore, amid growing tensions with India along the Line of Control. Stating that Pakistan's economy has grown to over ?19 lakh crore, Dar also announced a 10% hike in salaries of soldiers who defeated militants in 2014 Operation Zarb-e-Azb.

Nawaz Sharif led Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government on Friday presented its fifth budget before the 2018 general elections alloting a total of Rs 4,757 billion expenditure for the next fiscal year. Stating that Pakistan's economy has grown to over USD 300 billion, finance minister Ishaq Dar presented the annual budget at the National Assembly, hiking the expenditure on defence by 7 per cent.Sharif-led government has allocated Rs 60 billion more to defence than what it allocated in the year 2016-17."We have increased the defence budget to Pakistani Rs 920 billion (from Pakistani Rs 860 billion)," Dar saidIn addition to that, Dar also announced a 10 per cent hike in the salaries of soldiers who contributed in defeating militants in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, launched in 2014. This is not the first time, that Pakistan's defence budget has been so high; in 2015-16 the budget was  Rs 775.8 billion and Rs 860 billion in in 2016-17. According to financial experts, the increase in thedefence budget comes in the light of cross border tensions with India, Afghanistan and Iran.Experts also say that though Pakistan Army has been rooting out terrorism from its own soil, through military operations Zarb-e-Azb, Khyber-I, Khyber-II and now Rad-ul-Fasad, tensions between India and Pakistan have only increased. India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants, who infiltrate from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into the Valley and target Indian security forces. One such attack in September last year killed 18 Indian soldiers and India retaliated with "surgical strikes" on terrorist launchpads in PoK. Most recently, the Pakistan Army sentenced Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav on charges of espionage after a secret trial. India had demanded consular access to Jadhav, which Pakistan repeatedly denied, claiming the man was an Indian spy. India and Pakistan are also at loggerheads over a China- backed economic corridor that runs through PoK. China says it is a developmental project and will aid Pakistan's economy. (With inputs from PTI)Also Read

Sumedha Sehra

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

HC bars debt-ridden man from going out, cites Mallya example

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnataka-high-court-vijaya-mallya-financial-fraud-s-kumars/1/1015792.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Karnataka High Court barred a debt-ridden businessman from going abroad, citing Vijay Mallya's case. The man, Nitin Shambhu Kumar Kasliwal, owes ?6,494 crore to banks including Punjab National Bank, Central Bank, and UCO Bank, among others. The prosecution expressed that it fears if he is allowed to go abroad, the banks might not be able to recover their money.

Vijay Mallya's financial fraud and eventual escape from the law enforcement has invariably become a lesson for many. Investors, today, will think thoroughly before investing their money as the courts have now taken cognizance of the gravity of such crimes and have began taking stern decisions to avoid similar frauds.The Karnataka High Court today refused to give the passport of the promoters of S Kumar's a company owned by Nitin Shambhu Kumar Kasliwal. Promoter Kasliwal had borrowed an amount close to Rs 6,500 crore from various banks.The banks that have sought recovery from Kasliwal include Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, Union Bank of India, Central Bank, Jammu Kashmir Bank, Indian Bank and IDBI Bank.Kasliwal appealed before the court to travel abroad, however, it seems the Mallya incident have influenced the decision making of the court which refused to handover the passport.Kasliwal was declared a wilful defaulter by UCO bank and in December 2016, the Debts Recovery Tribunal had seized his passport after the notification.The fear expressed by the prosecution was that of they let him to travel abroad, Kasliwal may escape like Mallya did and they will not be able to recover their debts.According to the advocate representing the banks, Kasliwal owes Rs 6,494 crore as in July 2015.NO RIGHT TO IMPOUND KASLIWALKasliwal's advocate argued in court saying that the DRT had no right to impound the passport and that Kasliwal was allowed to travel abroad earlier too. The advocate added that the DRT and their client had complied with all the conditions imposed on him.S Kumar's has been a big clothing brand whose fabric was being produced in factories located in Mysuru in Karnataka and Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. The company ran into losses during the economic slowdown and the banks took the legal route to recover the debts that Kasliwal owed.S Kumar's had introduced the famous Scottish fabric brand Reid and Taylor in India of which Amitabh Bachchan was the brand ambassador. The courts have now ruled that Nitin Shambhu Kumar Kasliwal will have to stay in India till he repays the debt.Also Read:ED hopeful of favourable order in Vijay Mallya extradition case by mid-December

Saloni Tandon

05 Feb 2017,Sunday

ICC to ban venues with poor quality pitches and outfields

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/international-cricket-council-icc-board-meeting/1/875031.html

ICC has introduced a system of demerit points for venues producing substandard pitches and outfields, which will lead to a ban for defaulting on a regular basis. A venue will be suspended for 12 months when it gets five demerit points and 24 months on reaching 10 demerit points. The points will remain active for a five-year period.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday threatened to suspend a venue for two years if it accumulated 10 demerit points for substandard pitches and outfields during international matches.The ICC in its three-day meeting agreed to the changes made to the pitch and outfield monitoring process, which stated that venues and boards should be more accountable for the standard of pitches and outfields they present for international matches.It also stated that there should be consequences for a venue if it presents conditions that make it unsafe for an international match to proceed, without mitigating circumstances or regularly presents substandard conditions for international cricket. (BCCI opposes ICC's proposals on financial model, governance structure)"It was agreed that a system of demerit points be introduced, similar to the new Code of Conduct System as per the table below. Demerit points will remain active for a rolling five year period," the global body said in a statement."When a venue accumulates five demerit points its ICC accreditation will be suspended for a period of 12 months. Should a venue reach 10 points its accreditation will be suspended for 24 months," it added.The ICC also proposed that the top nine Test-playing countries will compete among themselves in a rolling two-year league and against the three lower-ranked teams.Those three would comprise Zimbabwe, with Ireland and Afghanistan also in line to become full Test members provided, the ICC said, they met "membership criteria".

Ayushi Ahluwalia

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

Hackers post pro-Pak slogans on Noida university website

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/noida-galgotias-university-website-hacked-pro-pakistan-slogans-posted/story-uVUpubI1PXzMDkxMq7miVJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The official website of Noida's Galgotias University was hacked on Tuesday and pro-Pakistan slogans were posted on its home page. The website, which remained hacked for an hour-and-a-half, had hate messages and slogans such as 'Pakistan Zindabad', 'ISI Zindabad' and 'India Banee gaa PAKISTAN'. The issue was resolved internally and the website was restored by the university's IT cell.

The official website of Galgotias University was hacked on Tuesday evening and pro-Pakistan slogans were posted on the home page. The website was later restored and a compliant was lodged with the Noida?s cyber cell.The home page for over an hour contained slogans such as ?Pakistan Zindabad?, Pak Army Zindabad?, ?ISI Zinadabad?, ?India Banee gaa PAKISTAN? and ?Cyber War Never End?.Shrishant Sharma, university spokesperson, said, ?The website was hacked for about an hour-and-a-half on Tuesday evening before it was restored by our IT cell. We had reported the incident to the district cyber cell and the Dankaur police station.?The website was hacked by an user named Urr@R.?Between 8pm and 10pm on Tuesday, the university?s website was hacked by some miscreants and hate messages and pro-Pakistan slogans were posted on its home page. The issue was resolved internally by the university?s IT team and the website was restored. The hacker breached the website?s firewall security and temporarily took over the website,? Rakesh Sharma, a police personnel at Gautam Budh Nagar?s Cyber Cell.Sharma said, ?We have asked the university to provide details of their servers and IP details and we are questioning people in connection with the case. The university has not reported any theft of information by the hackers.?Cyber attack and posting of hate messages is not so common in the district. A similar case wherein hackers had posted anti-India slogans and hate messages was reported about two years ago, Sharma said.A case has been registered under Section 66 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.In April this year, hackers had attacked the servers of IIT-Delhi, Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University and Aligarh Muslim University.Other universities and educational institutions whose websites were reportedly hacked earlier this year were University of Kota; Army Institute of Management and Technology, Greater Noida; Defence Institute of Advanced Technology; Army Institute of Management, Kolkata; National Aerospace Laboratories and Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Mumbai.

Sonu Kumari

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Petition to challenge domicile rules for medical seats in SC

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/parents-of-medical-aspirants-in-maharashtra-to-challenge-new-domicile-rules-in-supreme-court/story-w54bCCDmEVATs5CwNuNKHM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Parents of admission-seekers to dental and medical institutes in Maharashtra are planning to file a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the new relaxed domicile eligibility rules for admissions. Earlier, candidates were required to have cleared both class 10th and 12th from the state to be eligible for state quota seats. Now, the requirement for class 10th has been dropped.

Medical and dental aspirants in the state are up for another fight for seats in coveted colleges, with a petition planned to challenge the new rules on domicile eligibility. Unhappy with the state?s decision to relax domicile eligibility for medical and dental admissions in state, parents of a group of students are filing a writ petition in the Supreme Court this week. Close to 40 parents had gathered at the Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER) on Saturday evening to discuss issues about medical admissions with the officials. ?Based on a recently passed high court order, the DMER has relaxed domicile norms because of which the ranks are very high this year. Students from other states have made it into the state quota merit list while our children are struggling,? said Mahendra Chaudhuri, one of the parents.On July 7, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay high court relaxed domicile norms for medical and dental aspirants in the state. Originally, those who had cleared Class 10 and 12 from state or had a domicile certificate were eligible for state quota seats. Now, the compulsion on Class 10 from state has been dropped. ?Those who have cleared Class 12 from Maharashtra, even without Class 10 from the state, will be eligible for state quota seats from now,? said Dr Pravin Shingare, director of DMER.Parents said the purpose of state quota seats was being defeated as most students from the state were losing out on seats in state-run and private institutes due to this change in eligibility criteria. ?We have no option but to take our fight to the SC once again this year. Our children deserve seats in state institutes,? said Ranjan Mehta, another parent.Parents were also unhappy with DMER?s decision to not release a revised provisional state merit list, after verification of documents of all aspirants. ?Thousands of students apply for seat in Maharashtra medical and dental institutes and document verification will decide whether all those who have applied are eligible for state quota seats. DMER cannot do away with this procedure,? said Mehta. She added that parents have requested DMER to release a final list before the first seat allotment list is out on July 25.

Aarushi Maheshwari

31 Jul 2017,Monday

Man steals designer saris for wife to wear at beauty pageant

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chhattisgarh-teacher-steals-designer-sarees-for-wife-to-wear-in-sawan-sundari-community-gala/story-blAjJSJC6bM4Ov14zpuuJK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Chhattisgarh primary school teacher has been arrested for allegedly stealing two designer saris worth ?56,000 for his wife to wear at local beauty pageant 'Sawan Sundari'. The police said Srikant Gupta "admitted he could not afford the saris, but did not want his wife to feel inferior among other women of the community." Gupta reportedly earns ?2,500 per month.

Srikant Gupta?s wallet did not permit it, but the Chhattisgarh primary school teacher bit the bullet for his wife ? stealing two designer sarees allegedly worth Rs 56,000 for her to flaunt in a community gala. She wore the sarees to the gala titled ?Sawan Sundari (Monsoon Beauty)? last week, but police soon came looking for Gupta, who earns Rs 2,500 per month as a Shiksha Mitra (a system under which teachers are hired on contract). Now, Gupta, his wife, and his cousin are behind bars for the theft from a shop in Bilaspur district, about 115km north of state capital Raipur.?He told us he stole the sarees because he wanted his wife to shine among other women in their community pageant,? said Nasar Siddiqui, station house officer (SHO) of Civil Lines police station in Bilaspur. ?Gupta admitted he could not afford the sarees, but did not want his wife to feel inferior among other women of the community. He stole the sarees and gifted them to her,? Siddiqui added. There are no winners or losers in the traditional ?Sawan Sundari? galas, where women deck up in all their finery. Police started investigation on the complaint of the saree store owner, who put the price of the two stolen items at Rs 56,000. Police circulated the shop?s CCTV footage of the theft and soon got information that Gupta?s wife had been spotted wearing the sarees. ?We got a video of the gala where the woman was wearing one of the stolen sarees,? said Siddiqui. Police zeroed in on Gupta and his wife and recovered the stolen sarees. Gupta?s cousin was held for helping him in the theft.Police said Gupta, 26, did not have any prior criminal record.

Tarun Khanna

29 Jan 2017,Sunday

Can't take Kejriwal for granted, admits Capt Amarinder

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-assembly-election-cant-take-kejriwal-for-granted-admits-captain-amarinder-singh/1/868974.html

Congress' chief ministerial candidate for Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, has admitted his party can't take AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for granted. "Kejriwal is a sneaky little fellow but I'm little wary of him as we can't take him for granted considering 2014 polls," he stated. There was resentment among people, so they thought of a new party (AAP), he added.

Admitting he is little wary of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab assembly election, Congress chief ministerial candidate Captain Amarinder Singh has said they can't take Arvind Kejriwal for granted."Kejriwal is a sneaky little fellow but I am little wary of him as we can't take him for granted considering 2014 polls," Singh told ANI. He said there was resentment and so people thought of a new party - AAP."Kejriwal is very ambitious but that's not the ambition Punjab needs," he said claiming that the performance of the Delhi CM is coming down which will show in the upcoming election. "He knows nothing about Punjab. He just considers Punjab as a stepping stone he wants to jump from a union territory to a major state," Singh said against Kejriwal.Also read | Kejriwal to India Today: Capt Amarinder Singh will lose Patiala seat, despite being Congress' CM-faceAKALIS GIVING STEP-MOTHERLY TREATMENT Expressing confidence of forming the next government in Punjab, Singh has accused the Shiromani Akali Dal of providing step-motherly treatment to the state. "Akalis are total mismanagement, corruption, trade loss, farmers hanging themselves; it is a total collapse...Badal too old to understand and is busy doing his 'sangat darshan'; giving step mother treatment to state," Captain said.

Rini Kapoor

20 Dec 2016,Tuesday

?5 lakh robbed from ATM cash van in east Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/rs-5-lakh-robbed-from-atm-cash-van-in-pandav-nagar/story-PYznfGJ1zyrODLBi3l07NJ.html

Around ?5 lakh cash was looted by robbers from a cash van in east Delhi?s Pandav Nagar on Monday, reports said. The incident reportedly occurred when the van had come to replenish a State Bank of India ATM and three men on a bike snatched the bag containing cash in new ?500 and ?2,000 denomination notes from a bank official.

Three robbers looted R 5 lakh from a cash van in east Delhi?s Pandav Nagar on Monday, the first such incident after demonetisation. The incident took place around 2:30 pm when the Brinks Security cash van had come to replenish an SBI ATM on Patparganj Road in E-block. Police said, Abdul Kadir, a cash custodian from the bank, took out a bag full of money from the van and was walking towards the ATM when three men on a bike snatched it from him. The bag contained R5 lakh, all new currency notes of R2, 000 and R 500.Although he tried to resist, one of the assailants fired thrice to threaten him and managed to snatch the bag.One of the robbers was wearing a helmet and the others two had their faces muffled, police said. Police have taken the footage from nearby shops to scan the CCTV records.Police said the robbers were on a Bajaj Pulsar bike, but the registration number has not been traced so far. They said the gunman who was accompanying the van staff also fired in retaliation but the robbers escaped. Deputy commissioner of police (east) Omvir Singh said, ?Locals couldn?t tell us the registration number of the bike. A case has been registered.? CCTV footage from the area shows that the bike reached the spot following the van. As soon as the van reached near the ATM, the bike came closer to the van. Sati Singh, 30, a security guard posted at the SBI ATM said, ?I was inside the ATM when the cash van arrived. Suddenly, I heard of gunshots and I downed the shutter to save myself.? Panic gripped the area after the heist and the local shopkeepers came out only after senior police officers reached the spot. Police sources said they have collected footage from more than 20 shops that are situated on the road. All the accused appeared to be in mid-twenties, police said. The ATM is located between three stores that deal in tyres. The area is usually congested with heavy vehicular movement. Police have also roped in personnel from special staff to solve the case.

Vani Vivek

29 Jun 2017,Thursday

The Guardian admits WhatsApp security flaw report was wrong

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/commentisfree/2017/jun/28/flawed-reporting-about-whatsapp#img-1

British publication The Guardian has admitted its January 2017 report on a loophole in WhatsApp's security system was incorrect. The report had claimed that the backdoor lets the Facebook-owned chat app intercept and read users' encrypted messages. The newspaper has said that "misinterpretations, mistakes and misunderstandings" happened at several stages of the article's reporting process.

The Guardian was wrong to report in January that the popular messaging service WhatsApp had a security flaw so serious that it was a huge threat to freedom of speech.But it was right to bring to wide public notice an aspect of WhatsApp that had the potential to make some messages vulnerable to being read by an unintended recipient.The Guardian did not test with an appropriate range of experts a claim that had implications for the more than one billion people who use the Facebook-owned WhatsApp.In a detailed review I found that misinterpretations, mistakes and misunderstandings happened at several stages of the reporting and editing process. Cumulatively they produced an article that overstated its case.The Guardian ought to have responded more effectively to the strong criticism the article generated from well-credentialled experts in the arcane field of developing and adapting end-to-end encryption for a large-scale messaging service.The original article ? now amended and associated with the conclusions of this review ? led to follow-up coverage, some of which sustained the wrong impression given at the outset. The most serious inaccuracy was a claim that WhatsApp had a ?backdoor?, an intentional, secret way for third parties to read supposedly private messages. This claim was withdrawn within eight hours of initial publication online, but withdrawn incompletely. The story retained material predicated on the existence of a backdoor, including strongly expressed concerns about threats to freedom, betrayal of trust and benefits for governments which surveil. In effect, having dialled back the cause for alarm, the Guardian failed to dial back expressions of alarm.This made a relatively small, expert, vocal and persistent audience very angry. Guardian editors did not react to an open letter co-signed by 72 experts in a way commensurate with the combined stature of the critics and the huge number of people potentially affected by the story. The essence of the open letter and a hyperlink to it were added to the article, but wider consultation and a fundamental reconsideration of the story were needed.The aspect of WhatsApp at the heart of this matter, put very simply, is as follows. When a user of WhatsApp is offline, any messages at that time in transit to him or her are held in Facebook?s servers. (If unclaimed after 30 days they are deleted, Facebook advised.) If, while offline, the recipient registers a new device, any messages waiting for the person on Facebook?s servers are no longer deliverable because they are encrypted for the person?s old device. To prevent those messages from being lost, when the intended recipient comes back online, any in-transit messages are re-encrypted with the new device?s key and resent automatically. If senders have turned on a notification setting in WhatsApp on their phone, they are told that the key has changed, but not otherwise.Critics said that the Guardian article overstated the risk of what is known in the jargon as a man-in-the-middle attack, in which a third party could exploit the combination of offline phone, messages in transit and changed key to intercept private communications.The intensity of the external criticism seems to have stemmed partly from frustration that the article was in the Guardian, with its deserved reputation for using and reporting on technology in ways that help bridge the gap between non-experts and specialists.Some were concerned that an overstated claim in the Guardian about risk to the security of WhatsApp would cause non-expert users to become unduly worried and needlessly abandon WhatsApp for less secure communication methods.The critics had two different groups of WhatsApp users in mind.First, the vast majority of users, for whom WhatsApp security is fine and who would probably experience worse communications security if they stopped using it.Second, a much smaller group, activists in authoritarian regimes, whose threat model means they need high security and for whom the popularity of WhatsApp means they can ?blend into the crowd?. This group could be at serious risk if they abandoned WhatsApp for something less secure, or perhaps even for a service more secure but used by relatively few, because that might attract the authorities? attention.A related concern was that authoritarian governments could exploit the Guardian story to move against the use of encrypted messaging.During the review I independently confirmed that a Turkish government official had used the article when, in effect, attempting to deter users from WhatsApp. It was also confirmed that some activists who had been in the process of switching from a less secure messaging service to WhatsApp became confused by the Guardian story. On available evidence, I am unable to conclude whether these effects were widespread. But one case is one too many.I am not an expert in this field. For the review I consulted suitably experienced experts other than the 72 who had already declared their view.I found a consensus that in practice, as WhatsApp is presently understood, it would be very difficult to use this aspect of WhatsApp for systematic targeted surveillance. Experts described challenges with timing, targeting and concealment which they said would be formidable even for a major private or public actor with access to Facebook servers.Experts were unanimous that it is not a backdoor. ?Vulnerability? is a contested term, acceptable in this context to some but not all. One called it a ?weakness?, others a ?trade-off?.One expert called WhatsApp ?pretty excellent security against broad surveillance and that is valuable?. Another said the trade-off was reasonable. A third said: ?This product is safe for the majority of people.?I conveyed to Facebook one specialist?s proposal that the relevant notification setting should be default opt-out, not default opt-in, so that although in-transit messages would continue to be resent automatically, at least senders would be informed that it had happened unless they turned the notification setting off. Facebook replied: ?Yes, WhatsApp considered this but decided against it when considering how it might be interpreted by the average user, who may be using a smartphone for the first time. Instead we chose to make this option available to those wanting an extra layer of security on their accounts.?Experts confirmed that weighing these kinds of considerations about user behaviour is normal when designers are deciding the balance between security and usability in a mass-market service like WhatsApp. The experts confirmed the gist of the responses to the core Guardian article blogged on the day of its publication by two leading figures in developing WhatsApp, Moxie Marlinspike and Brian Acton.Several independent experts agreed with this part of the open letter?s criticism when it was read to them:?It?s important to recognize the tendency of many security researchers, especially inexperienced ones, to overestimate the practical impact of vulnerabilities they find, and being ignorant how security needs play out in the real world, the massive amount of work on actual user behavior in the face of friction and warnings, and the need for independent verification and context.?I accept the consensus view of the experts and, in consultation with editors, have arranged for the coverage to be amended and for a note to be added drawing attention to the review and linking to this column.I do not agree with critics that the story should be entirely retracted. After all the surrounding controversy, the story?s complete disappearance would be odd. More importantly, there is a clear public interest in the Guardian preserving (with appropriate amendments) reporting on this aspect of WhatsApp and the inherent trade-off. With so many users, watchfulness, news, analysis and debate about the security of WhatsApp are important. Communications privacy is a key element of human rights in the digital era, and developments affecting it ought to be reported. Also, Facebook needs scrutiny, both generally due to its power and specifically in its management of WhatsApp.Facebook?s plan last year to share within its group of companies WhatsApp users? personal information caused controversy and appeared to breach prior commitments. Regulators stepped in, including in the UK. At least one court has upheld a regulator?s intervention.As one expert noted, Facebook?s servers are a black box. It is not possible for outsiders to verify exactly what happens when messages pass through Facebook?s servers on their way to and from WhatsApp users. Trust is required. Given Facebook?s record, steady scrutiny is the right stance.We learned from Edward Snowden?s disclosures that large service providers which handle the communications of millions of people have been compromised in the past. Sections of a research paper published in March 2017 provide a more recent review of encryption workarounds.The UK home secretary, Amber Rudd, has wondered aloud whether service providers should continue to be able lawfully to deny to government authorities access to encrypted messaging. Measures affecting the security of encrypted messaging seem likely to be among new anti-terrorism proposals.I found a consistent view among experts that Facebook could do more to make non-expert users aware of the trade-off and educate them about how to assess their own threat model.Since the Guardian article, WhatsApp has been better secured by the introduction of optional two-factor verification in February. That process was being tested in November 2016 and had been reported in a specialist blog in July 2016, so the Guardian coverage did not prompt the improvement. We will probably never know whether it spurred Facebook to accelerate the process.

Arshiya Chopra

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Lalu Prasad offers Mayawati a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lalu-prasad-offers-rajya-sabha-seat-to-mayawati/1/1005514.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday offered BSP chief Mayawati a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar to "fight against atrocities and divisive agenda of BJP". This comes a day after Mayawati resigned as a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha in protest claiming that she was not allowed to speak in the House.

Amid tension and division within the Opposition, Lalu Prasad has offered to consolidate Dalit votes by making a significant gesture: offer Mayawati a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar, a day after the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief resigned in protest after she was not allowed to speak in the House.Lalu, who heads the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), tweeted from his handle, @laluprasadrjd: "Spoke with Mayawati Ji in (sic) length. Offered & requested her to be Rajyasabha MP frm Bihar to fight against atrocities & divisive agenda of BJP."WHEN AN ANGRY MAYAWATI WALKED OUT OF RAJYA SABHA On Tuesday, after she was not allowed to raise the atrocities against Dalits in Rajya Sabha, Mayawati tendered her three-page resignation, accusing the ruling BJP and Rajya Sabha chair of not allowing her to raise the issue. Her current term will end in April next year and her party, with just 18 MLAs in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, is not in a position to send her back to Rajya Sabha."Today would be remembered as a black day in the history when a highly respected Dalit leader was not allowed to raise the voice of poor in the Rajya Sabha," Lalu said on Tuesday, reacting to Mayawati's resignation."If Mayawati wishes, we will send her to Rajya Sabha from Bihar," the RJD president whose party has 80 MLAs in 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly said. "We are with her," he said."Chanakya had said that an assembly (of people) where a person is not allowed to speak through the force of brute majority is no assembly," he said.Lalu's offer to Mayawati is a part of the RJD supremo's ongoing efforts to stitch a united Opposition front to take on the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. However, the presidential election and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout have divided the Opposition, with various parties having their own positions.Lalu's support to Mayawati is also being seen as a part of his efforts to bring her and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav together. He has invited the two leaders to the RJD's August 27 rally in Patna.

Rini Sinha

06 Mar 2017,Monday

Warren Beatty unsung hero of Oscars night: Oscars producer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/warren-beatty-unsung-hero-of-oscars-drama-show-producer/1/897055.html

Oscars producer Michael De Luca said that Warren Beatty, who was given the wrong envelope resulting in La La Land's announcement as Best Picture at Oscars, was the night's unsung hero. He added, "He was showing co-presenter Faye Dunaway the card, like, 'I think a mistake's been made here.'" They're heroes and completely in the clear for me, he added.

Los Angeles, Mar 5 (PTI) Actor Warren Beatty has been praised for how he handled the Oscars Best Picture drama by the shows producer Michael De Luca. The 79-year-old actor and his "Bonnie & Clyde" co-star Faye Dunaway, 76, were given the wrong envelope at the Academy Awards last month, leading Faye to mistakenly announce "La La Land" as the winner, instead of "Moonlight". And the Oscars producer believes Warren is the "unsung hero" of the night, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Referring to when Warren hesitated and showed Faye the card with the winners name, Michael says, "I actually think Warren Beatty is the unsung hero here, completely heroic. I think he was showing her (Dunaway) the card, like, hey are you seeing what Im seeing? I think a mistakes been made here. To me, they are heroes and completely in the clear." And Michael believes PricewaterhouseCoopers accountant Brian Cullinan, who handed Warren the wrong envelope, and his colleague Martha Ruiz, could have done more to smooth things over. "If I was in that job, and I know Im Monday morning quarterbacking, which I detest, but I feel like if its my one job, if I heard the wrong name, Id walk directly to Warren Beatty and say you got the wrong envelope, heres the right envelope, and make a charming moment out of it."

Prashanti Moktan

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

Madonna gets auction of her underwear, letters halted

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jul/19/madonna-halts-tupac-breakup-letter-auction-whitney-sharon-stone?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Singer Madonna has halted the auction of her personal items, including a pair of underwear and some private letters as a judge ruled in her favour. "The fact that I may have attained celebrity status as a result of success in my career does not obviate my right to maintain my privacy," said Madonna.

Madonna stopped the sale of a break-up letter sent to her by former boyfriend Tupac Shakur from prison after filing a request on Tuesday with the New York supreme court for a temporary restraining order against auction house Gotta Have It! Collectibles.Darlene Lutz, a former friend and art consultant of Madonna?s, consigned to auction various items the star was unaware were no longer in her possession, including a pair of underwear, several personal photos, an old checkbook and multiple letters, one sent by Tupac and another in which the she supposedly calls Whitney Houston and Sharon Stone ?horribly mediocre?.The auction house released a statement to Reuters calling Madonna?s attempts to halt the sale ?completely baseless and meritless?, adding that they believe ?her intent is nothing more than to besmirch the good reputations of the auction house and Ms Lutz?.The singer and Tupac briefly dated in the 1990s before the legendary rapper?s 1996 death at the age of 25 in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. In the break-up letter Tupac writes: ?For you to be seen with a black man wouldn?t in any way jeopardize your career ? if anything it would make you seem that much more open and exciting. But for me, at least in my previous perception, I felt due to my ?image,? I would be letting down half of the people who made me what I thought I was. I never meant to hurt you.?In another letter addressed to ?J,? believed to indicate the actor John Enos with whom Madonna also had a brief relationship, she writes that ?it?s so unequivocally frustrating to read that Whitney Houston has the music career I wish I had and Sharon Stone has the film career I?ll never have?. It continues, ?Not because I want to be these women because I?d rather die, but they?re so horribly mediocre and they?re always being held up as paragons of virtue and some sort of measuring stick to humiliate me.? The letter was expected to fetch up to $5,000.In court documents, Madonna alleges that Lutz ?betrayed my trust in an outrageous effort to obtain my possessions without my knowledge or consent.? Gotta Have It! Collectibles and Lutz have stated they will challenge the Like a Virgin singer?s claims in court.The auction is slated to begin on 19 July, with many of the items, including old articles of clothing, jewelry, and lyric sheets, still available.

Tarun Khanna

31 Dec 2016,Saturday

India slams Pak for calling RSS, VHP, Sena ?terror outfits?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-assails-pak-for-calling-rss-others-terrorist-elements/1/846379.html

India has criticised Pakistan for labelling the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal as terror outfits. Pakistan's linking of political parties and social outfits to terror was "absurd even by Pakistan's standards", said the MEA. "Labelling bonafide Indian social and cultural organisations as terror outfits seems a desperate attempt to deflect international focus from Pakistan's own complicity," it added.

New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) India today slammed Pakistan for labelling certain Indian political parties and social organisations as terror outfits, calling it a "desperate attempt" at deflecting international focus from Islamabads complicity in "spawning" terrorist groups like LeT, JuD and JeM. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Pakistan Foreign Ministrys statement yesterday linking political parties and social organisations to terror was "absurd even by pakistans standards".

Aarushi Maheshwari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

World's oldest manatee dies a day after 69th birthday

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/23/snooty-worlds-oldest-manatee-dies-69?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Snooty, the oldest known manatee in the world, passed away on Sunday, a day after celebrating his 69th birthday. His death appeared to be a "heartbreaking accident" as Snooty died after getting stuck in a maintenance hatch, South Florida Museum CEO Brynne Anne Besio said. "We?re all devastated... staff, volunteers and board members considered him a star," Besio added.

Snooty, the world?s oldest known manatee, died on Sunday at his Florida home, a day after celebrating his 69th birthday.In a statement, South Florida Museum chief executive Brynne Anne Besio said Snooty?s death appeared to be ?a heartbreaking accident? and added that staff were ?devastated?.In a press conference from Bradenton broadcast on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, museum provost and chief operating officer Jeff Rodgers said Snooty died after becoming stuck in a maintenance hatch leading off the tank he shared with three young rescued manatees, Randall, Baca and Gale.?The hatch is big enough for a 1,300lb manatee to get in,? Rodgers said. ?It appears that he was not able to get himself back around to get himself out of the situation.?Asked if Snooty had drowned, Rodgers said the manatee had been taken for a necropsy, the results of which were not yet known. The three young manatees were not injured, he said.The necropsy will be carried out by Snooty?s veterinarian of more than 20 years and the Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission.Besio said: ?We?re all devastated about his passing. We?re reviewing what happened and will be conducting a full investigation. Snooty was such a unique animal and he had so much personality that people couldn?t help but be drawn to him. As you can imagine, I ? and our staff, volunteers and board members ? considered him a star. We all deeply mourn his passing.?Manatees, sometimes known as sea cows, are large aquatic air-breathing herbivores closely related to elephants. Under constant threat from mankind, whether in American waters, the Amazon or west Africa, manatee are classified as an endangered species by state, federal and world bodies. Numbers of wild manatees in Florida have recently increased as a result of protection programmes.Manatees generally live into their teens in the wild, with some reaching their forties or older, museum spokeswoman Jessica Schubick said. Snooty was on record as the oldest manatee in captivity, having spent 68 of his 69 years at the South Florida Museum. He was believed to be the oldest manatee in the world.Rodgers ruled out malicious or foul play in the manatee?s death, although he said the opening of the hatch remained a mystery as it was designed not to let manatees in the tank push through it. A ?Snootycam? trained on the tank was turned off at night, he said, and other security cameras could not see underwater. Snooty was discovered on Sunday morning.?We?ve been greeting people at the front door to share the heartbreaking news,? Rodgers said of a day through which the aquarium remained closed. He added that staff had helped adult visitors break the news to their children ?as they saw fit?.?Aquarium staff is heartbroken,? he said. ?We are working with them as well, with the emotional situation, they?re actively caring for the three rehab manatees today so life goes on for those manatees ? We?re just making sure our manatees and our staff are well cared for.?Snooty was born in captivity in 1948 and came to the South Florida Museum the following year. Since 1979, he has been the mascot of Manatee County. Schubick said staff were ?planning ways for the public, locally and round the world, to share their memories?.?Snooty?s very important to this community,? Rodgers said. ?He?s been with us for 68 years ? generations have grown up with that manatee. The emotional outpouring today? we grieve right along with these folks. We?ve given a lot of hugs on the front porch of the museum today.?A lot of people loved that manatee. We loved him too.?

Shubhodeep Datta

16 Dec 2016,Friday

Rape incidents in Delhi have tripled since Dec 16 gang rape

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/four-years-after-dec-16-number-of-rape-cases-in-delhi-have-increased/story-zMz1nT7I8G6L4lv12UnFqL.html

Incidents of rape in Delhi have risen over three times since the December 16 Nirbhaya gang rape case, from 706 in 2012 to 2,199 in 2016. The police attributed the increase to more women coming forward to lodge complaints after the incident. However, the conviction rate for rape incidents dropped from 49.25% of cases in 2012 to 29.37% in 2015.

On the night of December 16, 2012, when a young woman was brutally gang raped by six men in a bus in and left to die, the moment was described as one that would change Delhi?s attitude towards women?s safety. But, four years later, the situation has only worsened. Data shows that rape continues to top the city?s heinous crime figures, with at least one case registered every four hours.Incidents of rape in Delhi have steadily increased since the incident, rising from 706 in 2012 to 2199 in 2016. Police attribute this to more women coming forward to lodge complaints after the 2012 incident. But, at the same time, the conviction rate for rape has dropped dramatically. In 2012, the police had secured a 49.25% conviction in rape cases, which fell to 35.69% in 2013 and 34.5% in 2014. Last year, the conviction rate was a mere 29.37%. Not only in percentage terms, there has been a drop even in absolute numbers over the last two years ? from 747 out of 2166 cases in 2014 to 645 out of 2199 in 2015.All this, in spite of a series of reforms put in place since 2012, and six fast-track courts set up to handle rape cases. Massive protests at India Gate and across the country in 2012 sparked off gender sensitisation classes for 40,792 Delhi cops till date and launched Operation Nirbheek, in which police visited girls from more than 5000 schools to speak to them about safety. Over 1.83 lakh girls were also trained in self defence. But stories of sexual assault and rape continue to haunt Delhi. This December 13, a 15-year-old girl was gang raped by four men in south east Delhi?s Jamia Nagar. The four men had also videotaped the act and blackmailed the teenager. In September, a 3-year-old was brutally raped by her uncle and burnt with cigarettes at their house in Govindpuri.Read |?Four years on, ?juvenile? of Dec 16 gang rape now cooking at a roadside eaterySenior police officers say most rapes cannot be prevented because they happen in confined environments by those known to the victims. Out of the 2199 rape cases last year, 295 cases were those of incest, friends and family friends were involved in 816 cases and neighbours in 345 cases.?Figures make us look bad but rape is not a law-and-order problem in Delhi. It is a social problem,? said a senior officer, who asked not to be named.?It is not possible to go inside every house. These days, we register every case, even when we suspect the allegations do not add up. Let the courts deal with it.?But, at the same time, the lack of proper deterrents is ensuring that Delhi continues to fight a losing battle against rape.Rishikant, who runs the NGO Shakti Vahini, says one needs to compare the investigation of December 16 gang rape case against the other cases reported everyday. ?If police can investigate every case like they did in the 2012 gang rape, things will improve. It was one of the best investigations in rape cases. The magistrate went to hospital to record the young woman?s statement. Police collected scientific evidence. Even the DNA test of the teeth marks was conducted and used as evidence,? he says.?If only we have such meticulous investigation in every case, conviction figures will increase, there will be fear of the law.?Read |??The girl who was raped?: How the system breaks survivors

Chhavi Tyagi

26 May 2017,Friday

Dalits asked to use soaps, scents before meeting Adityanath

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dalits-kushinagar-clean-soaps-shampoos-scent-up-cm-yogi/1/963565.html

The authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar reportedly asked the members of a Dalit community to clean themselves with soaps, shampoos and apply scents before meeting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. A resident of the area also alleged that new toilets, roads were constructed and lights were installed in their slum "within no time" ahead of the CM's visit to the area.

Chhavi Tyagi

12 Dec 2016,Monday

Letter threatening to bomb Howrah railway station received

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/threat-letter-jaish-e-mohammad-kolkata-station-blow-up/1/832642.html

A letter threatening to bomb Howrah railway station in Kolkata, West Bengal, has been received by the office of the general manager of Eastern Railway. The threat letter allegedly mentions the name of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad. The handwritten letter sent via speed post allegedly asks railways to pay ?50 crore, failing which it will blow up city's major stations.

Security has been beefed up across major stations under the Eastern Railway after it received a "threat letter" at its headquarters in Kolkata on Friday.The letter which allegedly mentions the name of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad threatens to "blow-up" major stations such as Howrah and Sealdah. The letter was received by the office of the general manager of Eastern Railway.ALSO READ: US investigative agency FBI in Kolkata to interrogate ISIS terrorist Musa"A letter, addressed to the GM, was received on Friday afternoon. The chief security commissioner immediately took the matter up with the state administration and security has been beefed up across major stations," said RN Mahapatra, chief public relations officer with the Eastern Railway.According to sources, the handwritten letter sent via speed post allegedly asks railways to pay Rs 50 crore, failing which it threatens to blow up major stations under the Eastern Railway.ALSO READ: Rijiju to India Today: Demonetisation has broken financial backbones of terror groupsThe chief security commissioner of railways has informed the Railway Protection Force, the state government and the state police about the letter.

Ankur Vyas

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Telangana govt to launch bike ambulances

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-government-to-launch-bike-ambulances/1/844010.html

The Telangana government will soon launch bike ambulances to help patients in remote areas, state Health Minister C Laxma Reddy said on Tuesday. They would be used in remote tribal areas and also congested localities in cities like Hyderabad, he added. The government will increase the number of vehicles transporting bodies of the poor to their native places, Reddy said.

Chhavi Tyagi

28 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Internet users in India to reach 730 million by 2020: Govt

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/digital-india-internet-users/1/913797.html

Referring to National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Akamai, the Telecom Ministry on Monday said that Internet users in India will reach 730 million by 2020. Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha further said that as per information received from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, there were 391.50 million Internet subscribers in India as of December 31, 2016.

The massive push given by the central government to its ambitious Digital India program has led to a massive jump in internet users in the country.Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said that as per information received from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), there were 391.50 million Internet subscribers as on December 31, 2016.Referring to Telecom companies' body National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) and Akamai, the Telecom Ministry said that 730 million Internet users are anticipated in the country by 2020."Due to fast adoption of digital technology, it is expected that number of internet users will increase in the country. The National Telecom Policy-2012 envisages 600 million broadband connections by the year 2020 at minimum 2 Mbps download speed," the minister added. To give a push to digitisation in country, the government has allocated 965 Megahertz spectrum through auction in October, 2016 to various telecom service providers for access services. This will enable the telecom service providers to roll-out 3G and 4G services which will facilitate proliferation of high speed internet facility.Further, for provision of broadband facility in rural areas, BharatNet project is also being implemented to provide 100 Mbps broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (approx Rs 2.5 lakh) in the country.

Abhishek Bansal

14 May 2017,Sunday

Tharoor's 'farrago of distortions' quote not original

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/farrago-shashi-tharoor-mehdi-hasan/1/951143.html

British political journalist Mehdi Hasan had used the phrase "farrago of distortions, misrepresentations..." while speaking in a debate at the Oxford Union in 2013. The phrase was used by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to dismiss allegations of him being involved in his wife's death. The use of the phrase by Tharoor had led to several internet memes and jokes.

When a newly launched TV channel resorted to salacious reporting on the Sunanda Pushkar murder case, Congress leader Shahi Tharoor came out with dictionaries blazing, and dropped a supremely viral tweet on the country."Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations&outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalst," he wrote, sending half of Twitter scurrying to Google the meaning of "farrago" and make some sense of the clearly brutal tweet.Legendary memes and endless jokes were born, and Tharoor himself was pretty amused with the ripples he created.Thanks, tweeple, for finding humour in my exasperation! Outrage was never so funny:https://t.co/WfwWwBqkwLBut while the country was still learning to use "farrago" in day to day conversations, we learned that those four magical words had been used before. In a post made on Facebook, the Free Press Kashmir pointed out British political journalist Mehdi Hasan had used the exact phrase all the way back in 2013.Speaking at the English debating society Oxford Union, Hasan was arguing in favour of the motion, "Islam is a religion of peace".

Arshiya Chopra

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

J'khand doctors operate woman's right kidney instead of left

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/doctors-in-jharkhand-operate-right-kidney-instead-of-left/story-Q90XUBLxXIg6XNVW1SUaOM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Doctors of a medical institute in Jharkhand operated on the right kidney of a patient when the stones were detected in the left one. After the patient's husband pointed out the mistake to the doctors, they assured him of treatment in a private hospital but later asked them to leave. The Urology department's head blamed junior doctors for the mistake.

A patient?s right kidney was operated upon instead of the left at a premier medical hospital in Ranchi.Gudia Bai?s operation on the right kidney took place at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) while stones had been detected in her left kidney, her anguished husband Pradeep Kumar said on Wednesday.?Stones were detected by doctors in her left kidney. A private hospital asked us to pay Rs 40,000 for surgery. I am a driver and I can?t afford the amount. So I got her admitted in the RIMS. After the operation I found stitches in her right side instead of the left side. When I brought it to notice of the doctors, I was assured further treatment but nothing has happened,? Pradeep told reporters here.Gudia Bai was admitted to the hospital on Saturday and operated after she complained of severe pain, he said.The head of the Urology department has blamed junior doctors for the blunder. When Pradeep approached the doctor who had operated Gudia Bai, she was assured treatment in a private hospital but later asked to leave the hospital.A few days ago, the family of a dead person was denied an ambulance in Chatra district. His brother and sister-in-law then carried the body themselves.

Dishant Sharma

18 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Australia's pace attack could decide Ashes series: Brett Lee

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/brett-lee-ashes-australia-england-test-cricket-pace-attack/1/931670.html

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee has said that the Australian pace attack could prove to be the difference between England and Australia in this year's Ashes series. "It's a pretty serious pace barrage that you've got. Australian bowling stocks now are pretty healthy", Lee said about the Australian Test team's pace attack.

Australia's pace attack, emboldened by the return of "once in a generation" bowler Pat Cummins, could prove the difference between the sides in this year's Ashes series against England, feels former paceman Brett Lee.Steve Smith's side already boast tearaway paceman Mitchell Starc along with the precision of Josh Hazlewood.Cummins returned to Test cricket in India after more than five years in the wilderness, replacing injured spearhead Starc and taking eight wickets from the final two matches in Ranchi and Dharamsala.His successful comeback has only bolstered Australia's already formidable pace resources."What Pat Cummins can bring is pace, aggression, control and anything between that. He is a once in a generation bowler and you have got to harness that amazing talent," Lee said in an interview at a Mumbai hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea.The 23-year-old right-armer showed good control and generated enough pace even on the docile surfaces in India to trouble the hosts' batsmen.James Pattinson has also been in stellar form in domestic cricket since returning from a 12-month injury layoff in February and the 26-year-old could complete a dream pace quartet for the five-match Ashes series starting in November.Lee, an ambassador for Bowling Master, said he would struggle to summon the courage to face such a pace battery."I would be (scared), absolutely," Lee said after launching the cricket training kit which will be sold on Amazon's India portal."It's a pretty serious pace barrage that you've got. Australian bowling stocks now are pretty healthy."Hazlewood is more of hitting the good length, day in and day out. With Starc you will be full, short, good length, yorkers, the whole thing."Two completely different bowlers but complementing each other because they are building pressure from each end. Then you throw in someone like a Pat Cummins. It's a pretty handy attack."Less than six months ago, Australia were still reeling from their 3-0 whitewash in Sri Lanka when they were beaten in the home series by South Africa with a match to spare.The axe fell on some players and a revamped side gained a consolation win at Adelaide Oval before going on to blank Pakistan 3-0 in the following series.They impressed one and all in India, going down 2-1 after a closely-fought four-match series against the world's top ranked test side.Lee said Smith now had the players to build a team around for the long-term."After (former captain) Michael Clarke, you got Steve Smith taking over, and I think he's building his own team, which is a terrific team," said the 40-year-old."It's a team that are very close and a team that's going to be around for a long time now. You have got some young guys coming. (Matt) Renshaw is just 21 years old. (Peter) Handscomb has come on and just taken to test cricket like a duck to water."You throw in Pat Cummins, he's back in the mix after five and half years in absence of not playing test cricket. You got some people that are injecting in some youth, some experience. Australia is in a very good spot."

Sumedha Sehra

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

China moved military equipment to Tibet amid standoff

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-s-pla-moves-troops-lots-of-heavy-equipment-to-tibet-say-reports/story-eEd7wc33PTKtOgm91wi4oN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

China moved "tens of thousands of tonnes" of military equipment to the border in Tibet till June, according to Chinese media reports. The equipment was moved by the "western theatre command, which oversees the restive regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, and handles border issues with India". The media reports were quoting Chinese Army's mouthpiece PLA Daily.

China has transported ?tens of thousands of tonnes? of military hardware and army vehicles into the mountainous Tibet region against the backdrop of the standoff with India near the Sikkim border, according to a military newspaper.The equipment and vehicles were moved simultaneously by road and rail from across the entire region late last month, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) quoted the People?s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, the official mouthpiece of China?s military, as saying.?The vast haul was transported to a region south of the Kunlun Mountains in northern Tibet by the Western Theatre Command ? which oversees the restive regions of Xinjiang and Tibet, and handles border issues with India,? the report said.State media releases video "Crossing the line of fire " of PLA soldiers' drill in Tibet at 5000 metres amid Donglang standoff @htTweets pic.twitter.com/uLpe60brIn? sutirtho patranobis (@spatranobis) July 19, 2017Another section of same state media video "crossing the line of fire" military exercise in Tibet @htTweets pic.twitter.com/3OAl0RySr6? sutirtho patranobis (@spatranobis) July 19, 20173rd part of the same PLA exercise video in Tibet @htTweets pic.twitter.com/BYjPaekQXs? sutirtho patranobis (@spatranobis) July 19, 2017The standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Donglang or Doklam sector began on June 16, when India acted in coordination with Bhutan to oppose the construction of a road by Chinese troops. The PLA Daily?s report suggested the gear was moved after the face-off began.The reports did not say whether China moved the equipment to support military drills held in Tibet, including in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo river, close to the border of India?s northeastern states, or for other reasons.Sources in the security establishment in New Delhi said there was ?no unusual military movement? in China during the past two months. The sources also said China had been conducting military exercises in the Tibet region since 2009. Ni Lexiong, a Shanghai-based military commentator, suggested to SCMP the movement of military equipment was most likely related to the standoff and could have been designed to bring India to the negotiating table.?Diplomatic talks must be backed by military preparation,? he said.Wang Dehua, from the South Asia Studies Centre at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said the scale of the troop and equipment movement showed how much easier it is for China to defend its western borders.?Military operations are all about logistics,? he told SCMP. ?Now there is much better logistics support to the Tibet region.?Beijing has accused New Delhi of ?illegal trespass? in Donglang sector and said the withdrawal of Indian troops is a must for resolving the face-off and opening talks.Donglang is under the control of Beijing but the area at the strategic tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China is claimed by Thimphu.India has said the road being built by the Chinese troops has serious security implications and will alter the status quo in the region.Earlier this week, state-run CCTV beamed footage of PLA troops from a mountain brigade engaged in a military exercise with live ammunition in the Tibet region. The location of the drill was not far from the Donglang and the state-run media reported that troops which were involved were ?responsible for frontline combat missions?.The live-fire drills included the ?quick delivery of troops and different military units working together on joint attacks?, the state media reported. The troops also carried out anti-aircraft defence drillsOther media reports said Tibet?s mobile communication agency had conducted a drill in Lhasa on July 10 during which personnel practiced the setting up of a temporary mobile network ?to secure communications in an emergency?.

Chhavi Tyagi

09 Feb 2017,Thursday

PM crossed limits of decency in his remark on Manmohan: JD-U

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parliament-live-congress-pm-modi-raincoat-dr-manmohan-singh-opposition/1/878509.html

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav on Thursday said PM Narendra Modi crossed limits of decency in his remark on former PM Manmohan Singh. "Had someone else said it, it would have been different. PM should not have said so, it was in bad taste," Yadav added. Modi had said that only Manmohan knows how to take bath while wearing a raincoat.

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked his predecessor Manmohan Singh with "taking bath while wearing a raincoat " jibe, the Congress has decided to boycott the Budget session in Parliament.The Congress has also sought an apology from the Prime Minister over the barb. The Congress and some other parties in Opposition had walked out of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday after Narendra Modi's remark on Manmohan Singh. Later in the day, P Chidambaram started discussion on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha and called it "disappointing". "It is a damp squib. There is no relief to any section of society. Youth are disappointed as they don't see any hope," the former finance minister said. HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES:The Prime Minister today morning tweeted about his Rajya Sabha address. "The distinction is clear--people of India support moves to eliminate corruption and black money while some politicians oppose it," he said. He also called the attacks on RBI "unfortunate". "Why demean the sanctity of institutions just to settle political scores?" he tweeted.The distinction is clear- people of India support moves to eliminate corruption & black money while some politicians oppose it. pic.twitter.com/bePaQmUjkoJust after his address to the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, the Prime Minister had tweeted: "Spoke about demonetisation, why it was essential and how the entire nation has come together to uproot corruption and black money".

Tarun Khanna

21 Apr 2017,Friday

Modiji will not run MCD: Arvind Kejriwal

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/evm-fight-will-go-on-even-if-we-win-mcd-elections-says-kejriwal/story-WdKqkryKUwLuLwdG6yhCAP.html

Criticising BJP for seeking votes in the name of PM Narendra Modi for MCD election, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has said, "Modiji will not run MCD?MCD will only be run by me". He further added, "Modiji gave the slogan of Swachh Bharat, which was a very nice campaign. But the Delhi BJP failed even the Swachh Bharat campaign".

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has promised a hands-on role in running Delhi?s municipal corporations if AAP comes to power in Sunday?s elections but ruled out any involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the city?s administration if the BJP retains power.?The BJP is seeking votes only, and only, in the name of Modiji. I would like to tell people that Modiji is not going to run MCD? MCD will only be run by Kejriwal,? the AAP national convener told Hindustan Times in an interview on Thursday.The AAP is making its debut in Delhi civic elections, being billed as a barometer for the Kejriwal government?s popularity two years after it won an overwhelming mandate in the assembly polls.Kejriwal argued that Delhi?s elected government has been reduced to an ?advisory? role because all files went to the Lieutenant-Governor?s office for clearance, but things would be different in the MCDs. ?Under MCD rules... the House is supreme,? he said.The Delhi CM said his government has demolished several ?mafias? which were allegedly active in the state government ?power, water, medicines, contractors, education ? and would end the parking, hoarding and contractors? mafia in the MCD.In the interview to Hindustan Times, the AAP national convener said the April 23 elections were a direct fight between AAP and the BJP. Kejriwal spoke about solutions for the city?s civic mess, corruption and a series of other issues in a free-wheeling conversation. Here are the excerpts of the interview:Why should Delhi vote for AAP in Sunday?s MCD elections?Compare 10 years of the BJP in MCD and AAP?s two years in government in Delhi. I regularly ask the people of Delhi if they can remember one work of the BJP-ruled MCDs. No one remembers even one. What comes to mind when I say ?BJP in MCD? -- they converted Delhi into a dumpyard; dengue and chikungunya; rampant corruption.When you remember two years of AAP in government, everybody names at least these: power rates halved, free water, potable water in taps in some areas, improved conditions in hospitals, medicines and tests in hospitals for free, mohalla clinics, revolutionary work in education, private schools not allowed to hike fees.Now, we need to come together and clean Delhi. Delhi is the national capital, but there is so much of filth. There are mosquitoes all around, which lead to the spread of dengue and chikungunya. People of Delhi have this hope of cleaning Delhi only from AAP. That?s why they should vote for us.In that case, will the result be a referendum on your government?s performance?Whatever I say, media will interpret it that way. The BJP is seeking votes in the name of Modiji. But people of Delhi area aware that Modiji is not going to run the MCDs. Two years back, Modiji gave the slogan of Swachh Bharat, which was a very nice campaign. But the Delhi BJP failed even the Swachh Bharat campaign. Only AAP can make Delhi Swachh.Is Modi a factor in the MCD elections?I don?t think he is. The BJP is seeking votes only, and only, in the name of Modiji. I would like to tell people that Modiji is not going to run the MCD? MCD will only be run by Kejriwal.One of your campaign pitches is that if AAP comes to power in MCD, governance in Delhi will become smooth because you are also in government. How are the two linked?Let me give you some examples. In our budget last year, we allocated around Rs 250 crore for safety of women. We identified 40,000 dark spots across the city. We decided to make those areas well-lit. The BJP got a resolution passed in the MCD house that we will not allow installation of streetlight on MCD roads if they are funded by the AAP government. Who lost due to such petty politics? The women of Delhi.Similarly, we allocated Rs 1,500 crore over the past two years to provide drinking water in all colonies which are not on the piped water network. We had set target of December, 2017. We have been able to bring 309 colonies on the water network in one year. But the MCD passed a resolution that the Delhi government will not be allowed to lay pipelines on corporation roads. Who is losing? The people of Delhi.You have alleged that the Centre creates obstacles in the functioning of the Delhi government. Won?t things be the same if you come to power in MCDs?Things are different in the MCD. Under the rules, the L-G has no role in the MCD. Though there are few sections where the Home Ministry has powers, the MCD is much more independent than the Delhi government. In MCD, the house is supreme.Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during an interview with HT on Thursday. ?Violence has increased in the country. Volence in thought, violence in speech, violence in action. The State is accountable for curbing violence. It is not not doing it,? he said. (Saumya Khandelwal/ Hindustan Times) Manish Sisodia told us in February that after the appointment of Anil Baijal, there was a thaw in your government?s relationship with the L-G office. Things seem to be changingTill the end of March, we had very pleasant interactions with the new L-G. He cleared several projects. Now all files go to the L-G ? he is supreme, the elected government has almost become advisory. But since the announcement of elections, the Shunglu Committee report was leaked, our office was taken away, recovery of advertisements worth Rs 97 crore was ordered. There was no provocation from our side. In fact, we had been praising him. But over the past fortnight, he has been firing one salvo after other. It?s for everyone to see.So, who is better L-G from your perspective -- Anil Baijal or Najeeb Jung? I don?t think we should comment on individuals. We had a very cordial relationship (with Baijal). I used to meet him at 5 pm every Wednesday. Dialogues had increased, meetings were revived. But the development over the past 15-20 days raise doubts if his political masters are directing him to do all this.What is this election really about: keeping Delhi clean or building a larger political narrative?It?s the MCD election, and MCD elections should be contested on local issues. There is no point of voting for Congress, the party is finished. If you vote for the BJP, remember that the garbage outside your house will continue to remain unattended for the next five years, mosquito menace will remain. Any vote for BJP is a vote for filth and chikungunya.In the periphery of Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon, we have seen meat shops being shut, anti-Romeo squads. Do you think these issues impact the MCD elections?The entire country needs to think about all this. Firstly, violence has increased in the country. Violence in thought, violence in speech, violence in action. The State is accountable for curbing violence. The State should immediately take action against the culprits. That is not happening. If people resorting to violence belong to a particular party, no action is taken. The message is that people associated with that party can do anything, but no action will be taken.The second discourse is that the entire country is being frightened. The income-tax law has been made draconian. It is almost a financial version of TADA. They can raid anybody?s house and office. Businessmen and traders are under fear. Media and journalists are afraid. An atmosphere of fear has been created. This is neither good for the country, or the people.You were recently quoted as saying that if AAP wins less than 200 seats, EVMs would be to blame.No. I said that if the elections are held, free and fair and EVMs are not tampered with, AAP has hopes of winning over 200 seats. We expect such a result as per our survey.The allegation is that by talking about EVMs, you are preparing a ground that if AAP loses the election then the blame could be pinned on voting machines.The media is putting it out in a simplistic manner. If EVMs are tampered, then it is not affecting the health of Kejriwal, it is affecting the health of the nation. If EVMs are not tamper-proof, no one can save the country. I am more worried about that. You would ask, why didn?t you speak when you won 67 seats. If we won 67 seats, BJP also won in Haryana, Maharashtra and Jharkhand -- we didn?t raise questions then. Something has happened over the past four months. Suddenly several instances, evidences have started emerging about EVM manipulation. Unfortunately, the response of election commission has been that all is fine. They are not investigating it. If an independent candidate in Pune says that he got zero vote -- he should get his own vote, at least -- it?s a serious thing. Where did his vote go? At least probe it. In Bhind, all votes went to the BJP in the presence of 20 journalists. Within two days, the election commission issued statement saying, there was nothing wrong. It does not inspire confidence. There was something wrong with the machine. Now they are saying the journalists made a mistake. Twenty journalists made a mistake when even videos are available.What if you win the MCD elections? Will the fight against EVMs continue? Yes, we will continue the fight against EVMs.The Punjab results didn?t go as you would?ve liked. Is that making things difficult on the ground?No, it?s not like that. But a positive result in Punjab would definitely have had an impact.In the Rajouri Garden bypoll, the vote share increase of the BJP was sizeable. It is different from the past when its vote share used to remain constant? Is it worrisome for you? In Rajouri, the election was completely local. It would be wrong to extrapolate it to across Delhi. When I resigned after 49 days, people got very angry. It took me five-six months to convince them. I apologized to people. People then understood and gave us 67 seats. The same anger was palpable in Rajouri, that he (AAP legislator Jarnail Singh) left midway. But we didn?t get time to convince them. People have vented out their anger. It doesn?t have a larger impact.Secondly, the BJP has got fewer votes than the previous occasion. Last time, it got about 45,000 votes. This time it has come down to 41,000. The total voting percentage was 20 per cent less. So their (BJP) numbers remained the same, but it?s looking high in percentage terms.Why are you asking people not to vote for Congress? Are you suggesting that the BJP will have an edge in a triangular contest? No, that?s not the case. I think the contest is mainly between the BJP and AAP.Now all files go to the L-G ? he is supreme, the elected government has almost become advisory? The MCD is much more independent. In MCD, the house is supreme, Kejriwal said. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO) You have announced waiver of house tax. The urban experts are say this is not the way to go about it. Instead of improving inefficiency in collection, why do you want to finish it?There is no lack of funds, just a a lack of intent. We made power and water cheaper while lowering taxes. If do not require tax, why should I burden the people? House tax collection is meagre, but harassment is big. The inspector deliberately makes inflated bills. People are forced to pay bribe to get their bills amended. Let?s end it. Our calculation is that you can actually run MCD profitably without charging house tax.Water consumption went down as it was incentivised. As far as house tax goes, shouldn?t citizens be paying some taxes? But they are paying other taxes. If there is no need, why should we tax people? If we can show that MCD could operate without charging house tax, it would become a model for the entire world. Why should we charge house tax which is regressive? It leads to corruption. With one stroke, we can end harassment and make people?s lives easier, without much impact on revenue. It?s a win-win for everyone.So, what are the biggest problems with how the MCD runs Delhi, and what are the solutions?The biggest issue is sanitation. Cleaning the city is not rocket science. Global tenders need to be floated. Sanitation levels in several European countries are very good. Bring those companies here, they will clean Delhi.Second is solid waste management. Landfills have been converted into mountains. MCD spends crores on the lifting and disposing of garbage. Actually, you can make money out of it. Several European nations buy garbage of other countries. Garbage has economic value. It can be turned around totally. You can use garbage for generation of energy and compost.The third major issue is vector-borne diseases. The only reason is lack of sanitation. Our MLA from Moti Nagar, Shiv Charan Goyal, has made some local intervention, which has led to eradication of mosquitoes in the area. We?re not building castles in air when we say we will make the city free of mosquito, dengue and chikungunya. We have set a target of three years to do this.The fourth thing is MCDs have become financially bankrupt. We can make the MCDs self-sustainable. The sources of revenue generation of the MCDs are much more than the Delhi government, and the law allows us to explore many more. We can convert MCD into a modern, vibrant and financially self-sufficient organisation.A lot of this comes down to corruption How will you tackle it?More than corruption, there are mafias. Over the past two years, we have demolished five types of mafia. The first was the tanker mafia. In Kirari, the water business ran into crores. Several tankers used to feed the area, now not one is required. Water pipelines were laid in 80 colonies.The second was the drug mafia. A mafia of 6-7 drug suppliers was controlling everything in government hospitals. They used to raise fake bills and share the spoils with others. No medicine supply was done in Delhi. Now, medicines are available in all hospitals. Earlier, patients were directed to buy medicines from outside. Now even a Rs 2,000 tablet is available in Delhi government hospitals for free.Third was the power discoms. Till the time Shiela Dikshit was in power, power tariffs were revised every year. We have not allowed tariff revision over the past two years. Many people accuse us of not providing any subsidy to households consuming over 400 units energy per month. It?s them who have benefitted from this cap on tariff revision.Then comes the mafia of contractors. Over-billing was the norm in all contracts of the PWD. I often cite the example of construction of flyovers -- we completed work in Rs 200 crore instead of the estimated Rs 325 crore. Other governments would have raised the bills to Rs 1,000 crore.The last was the education mafia. Schools are owned by politicians. We didn?t allow them to raise schools fees in last two years.We have demolished five types of mafia. In MCDs, there are mafias as well -- parking, hoardings and contractors. Only we can demolish them, nobody else.

Akshita Jain

16 Feb 2017,Thursday

Uddhav Thackeray, Sonia Gandhi appear on poster together

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-ncp-shiv-sena-congress-alliance-maharashtra-raigad/1/883991.html

A poster of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been released on social media to show the collaboration between the two parties for the upcoming Zilla Parishad elections in Raigad district. Congress, Shiv Sena and local parties have reportedly formed a united front against the NCP there.

The BJP on Wednesday released a poster from Raigad district where the Shivsena and Congress forged a local front alleging tie-up between the two parties.The BJP has alleged that what was initially a tactict understanding has now come out in the open. The poster which has raised many eyebrows is from the Vadkhal-vashi segment of the Raigad Zilla Parishad elections. The voting for 15 Zilla Parishad in the state will take place on Thursday 16th February. The Congress, Shivsena and local parties have formed a united front against the NCP there. Speaking to the reporters about the poster, BJP Spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "We have always been talking about an understanding between the Congress and Shivsena. But now this poster confirms what we had been alleging. On one side of the poster, there is Sonia Gandhi and on the other there is also Balasaheb Thackeray .. these posters have come up in entire Raigad districtâ?¦ This is a clear cut proof about the understanding they have with each other."Also read: Uddhav Thackeray tells how Shiv Sena's equation with BJP has changedThe Posters have also embarrassed the party leadership in Mumbai as Shivsena has been caught on the back foot. The Party soughted a report from the local leadership about the posters. "We are totally unaware about such posters. We will have to verify the authencity of it. However, we have sought a report from the local leaders on it." said Arvind Bhonsale, Shivsena leader and spokesperson.Also read: Tamil Nadu crisis: Governor asks Palanisamy, OPS to come up with names of supportersMeanwhile another poster showing BJP MP from Solapur Sharad Bansode on stage with local NCP leaders too have gone viral on social media, alleging a 'deal" between the NCP and BJP in Solapur. Elections for the Solapur Municipal Corporation will take place on February 21, along with 9 other corporations in Maharashtra.  

Pragya Swastik

11 Dec 2016,Sunday

Government to launch helpline number 14444 for e-payments

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/helpline-number-14444-for-digital-payments-support-soon/1/832004.html

The government will launch a nationwide toll-free helpline 14444 within a week to provide support related to cashless transactions, reports said. The 'Cash Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Helpline' will help people find suitable options depending on whether they have a smartphone or not. Earlier this week, the government launched a new television channel and a website to promote digital payments.

New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) After a TV channel and a website to promote digital payments, a nationwide toll-free helpline number 14444 will be launched soon to educate people and provide support related to cashless mode of transactions. The service is expected to be operational within a week. "Government had sought Nasscoms help in providing support on a mass scale to people. We had requested a single nationwide helpline should be set up which now assigned by the DoT which is 14444. We are putting call centre support at the back-end. It is fairly advance stage of operation," IT body Nasscom President R Chandrashekar told PTI. "It is awareness with intention of conversion in actual transaction. It is to help people at the first level to zero in on the option most suitable for them that depends on person whether he has feature phone or not, Aadhaar number or not, bank account so many combination need to be seen," Chandrashekhar added.

Yash Kumar

12 Dec 2016,Monday

France to require 'clean stickers' on cars in polluted areas

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/11/france-clean-air-stickers-vehicles-high-pollution-areas-paris-smog?CMP=twt_gu

France has imposed a law requiring citizens to display a "clean sticker" on their vehicles to combat pollution, after smog clouds covered Paris and other French cities. The sticker will indicate the vehicle's age, engine and its cleanliness. France also extended its "superbonus scheme", where owners could receive ?10,000 (?7.14 lakh) for changing their polluting vehicle for an electric one.

French motorists in high pollution areas will be required to display a ?clean sticker? on their vehicle from January to combat pollution that has created a cloud of noxious smog in Paris and other cities.The six differently coloured Crit?Air (air criteria) stickers will be large enough for the police to see at a distance and will indicate the age of the vehicle, its engine and cleanliness on a scale of one to six.Although emergency vehicles, vintage cars and certain delivery and security vans will be exempt from the regulation, to take effect from 16 January, stickers will be obligatory for motorbikes and scooters.On weekdays, vehicles without the stickers will be banned from entering designated zones à circulation restreinte (ZCR - low-emission zones), which will be determined by local authorities based on pollution evaluations.Announcing a raft of measures to combat the increasing problem of pollution in France?s cities, the ecology minister, Ségolène Royal, said the government was ?taking the problem seriously?.?What we now need is a revolution bringing clean transport, responsible cities, electric vehicles in cities and different ways of moving around,? Royal said.The alternating traffic rule ? in which cars with odd or even registration plates are banned from cities ? was enforced for a record four days in Paris last week. It was dropped after the pollution improved over the weekend when the roads were less busy. But Airparif, which monitors air quality in the French capital, warned that the smog, which led to a rise in asthma and hospital admissions for breathing difficulties and caused schools to cancel outdoor sports, could return with the rush-hour traffic on Monday.Other measures announced include an extension of the ?superbonus scheme? in which vehicle owners can obtain a ?10,000 (£8,400) payment for changing an old polluting vehicle for an electric one. Until now this has been offered to private car owners but is to be extended to taxis and vans.From January, the government will also offer ?1,000 to those buying an electric scooter.The Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, who has made fighting pollution in the city a priority, has declared she wants the capital free of diesel vehicles by 2020 and the whole of France by 2025.

Chhavi Tyagi

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

50% human rights complaints against Armed Forces in J&K: RTI

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/50-of-human-rights-complaints-against-defence-forces-in-four-years-from-j-k-rti/story-wpUryCpqZG6cXaUdeszdUO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Replying to an RTI application, the Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that Jammu and Kashmir accounted for 49.5% of the total human rights violation complaints against the Indian Armed Forces between 2012 and 2016. The Ministry further stated that a total of 186 human rights violation complaints were received between these four years from J&K and six other states.

Jammu and Kashmir accounted for 49.5% of the human rights violation complaints against the armed forces between 2012 and 2016, revealed an RTI reply.Meanwhile, the state?s share in the monetary relief recommended was a mere three percent, it said.A total of 186 complaints were received between 2012 and January 2016 from seven states, said the Ministry of Home Affairs while replying to a RTI application.The other six states were Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura.The RTI reply was received by Venkatesh Nayak of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in April this year from the CPIO of the ministry.According to the reply, by January 2016 more than two-thirds of these complaints (127) are said to have been disposed of. The data does not indicate whether these complaints were found to be true or false.Also, more than 57% of the complaints from Assam are shown as pending.?J&K accounted for 49.5% of the human rights complaints received against the armed forces during this period (2012 to January 2016),? the reply said. ?A little more than 31% of the complaints were received from the people in Assam. Manipur accounted for a little more than 11% of the total number of complaints. Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura accounted for less than 10 complaints each. Only one complaint was received from Nagaland during this period,? according to the reply.?About 40% of the complaints are clubbed under the category ?defence forces? without any detailing as to what kinds of complaints they are,? according to the ministry reply.?When the distinct categories of ?death in army encounter? and ?death in army firing? are added, the proportion of complaints received against the defence forces goes up to more than 61% of the total number of complaints received against all armed forces operating in the seven states,? Nayak said.The RTI response also says ten of these complaints relate to the crime of abduction and rape -- received from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir and Tripura. The data also shows that monetary relief to the tune of Rs 6.47 crore was recommended in 117 cases. ?It is not known whether this was ex-gratia relief granted or compensation awarded. Further, it is not known how many complainants or victims actually received the monetary relief and which government (Central or State) made the payments,? Nayak said.While Jammu and Kashmir accounted for almost 50 per cent of the complaints, its share in the monetary relief recommended was a mere three per cent at Rs 21 lakh, it was revealed.?Only five cases were found to be eligible for monetary relief in J&K. On the other hand, Assam, which accounted for less than a third of the complaints, received the largest proportion (48%) of monetary relief recommended by the government. In 57 cases from Assam, monetary relief was recommended to the tune of Rs 3.10 crore,? he explained.The second largest share of monetary relief was recommended for Manipur at Rs 2.28 crore in 38 cases followed by Arunachal, which accounted for only three complaints but monetary relief to the tune of Rs 36 lakh was recommended, according to the application.?Meghalaya and Tripura received recommendations of monetary relief to the tune of Rs 22 lakh against six and eight cases respectively. No monetary relief was recommended in the case of Nagaland in the lone complaint of abuse of power received in 2015-16 (up to January 2016),? he added.