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Akshita Jain

24 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Maha sets no price limit on cars bought by CM, Governor

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/official-car-maharashtra-government-no-limit-on-amount-spent-on-car/1/864943.html

A new resolution passed by the Maharashtra government stated that the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Chief Justice and Lokayukta can buy any car regardless of the cost. Cabinet ministers and ministers of state have been given a limit of ?20 lakh. Whereas for the Chief Secretary and Secretary, the limit is ?15 lakh and ?12 lakh respectively.

In a very surprising move the Maharashtra government's finance department passed a new resolution on the price limit for the car that is to be used by ministers and high ranking government servants for official uses. Interestingly the Chief Minister, Governor, Deputy CM, Chief Justice and Lokayukta can purchase any car of their choice and there is no limit on the amount of money they can spend. On the other hand Director General of Police (DGP) and Commissioner level officers can purchase cars only up to Rs 8 lakhs.

Radhika Chugh

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Noida admin proposes tax collection at DND toll plaza

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/noida-admin-wants-municipal-corporation-of-delhi-to-collect-tax-at-dnd-toll-plaza-for-smooth-traffic-flow/story-CojFOTK5IiZE6kHttfXCPP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Noida administration has proposed that Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) collect tax from commercial vehicles at the Delhi-Noida-Delhi (DND) Flyway toll plaza in order to reduce traffic congestion. Currently, the MCD uses a makeshift booth 500 metres beyond the toll plaza to collect the tax. The plaza was shut after the toll was discontinued by the Allahabad High Court.

To reduce traffic congestion on the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) Flyway, the district administration has proposed that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) collect tax from commercial vehicles at the toll plaza on two lanes to the extreme left of the plaza.Officials said that the step has been taken to ensure that commuters do not suffer from long snarls during the peak hours, especially in evening. Officials said that the jams are caused due to the collection of tax by MCD from commercial vehicles 500 metres after the toll plaza.Earlier, MCD collected tax at the booths of the toll plaza through a concessionaire. However, the practice was discontinued after the Allahabad high court abolished toll collection on the flyway from October 26, 2016, following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Federation of Noida Residents? Welfare Association, a residents? body.The district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, BN Singh, said, ?MCD is collecting taxes in accordance with the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957. It has set up a makeshift booth on the flyway for the purpose, where commercial vehicles halt and lead to lining up of other vehicles. A proposal in this regard has been forwarded to the Noida authority for its approval.?Singh said that after a clearance from the Noida authority, MCD will be asked to collect taxes from commercial vehicles on the two lanes specified for the purpose. The chairman of the Noida authority, Alok Sinha, has already agreed to the proposal.However, sources said that the chief legal advisor of the Noida authority has raised objections to the proposal, on the basis that booths cannot be handed over to MCD as the area comes under Uttar Pradesh and MCD cannot be made a party to it.According to the source, the legal advisor also cited the court order that no tax should be collected at the DND toll plaza.Commenting on the objections, the district magistrate said, ?The court order does not pertain to this move. It is in the larger interest of the public and I will take necessary steps for implementing it. I will ensure that the proposal is approved.?Meanwhile, the chairman of the Noida authority Alok Sinha welcomed the proposal of the district magistrate to ease the traffic problem. ?The matter has been taken into consideration and the authority has to check all legal aspects in this case. It is being reviewed by the legal team,? Sinha said.

Tarun Khanna

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Polling for 227 BMC seats underway in Maharashtra

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/live-bmc-election-voting-shiv-sena-bjp-maharashtra-civic-polls/1/887659.html

Polling for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election is going on in Maharashtra on Tuesday as 2,275 candidates are contesting the polls for its 227 seats. Considered as the biggest municipal corporation in the country, BMC is witnessing a multi-cornered fight between BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress, MNS, Samajwadi Party, BSP and others. The results will be declared on February 23.

The Shiv Sena and its estranged ally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are locked in a close contest in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, an exit poll conducted by Axis-My India for India Today shows. According to the exit poll, the Shiv Sena may get around 86-90 seats, whereas the BJP may get around 80-88 seats in the 227-seat BMC.The Shiv Sena may get 32 per cent votes, whereas the BJP may also get 32 per cent votes. The Congress is likely to get 30-34 seats with a vote share of 16 per cent. On the other hand the NCP may manage just 3 to 6 seats. Raj Thackerays's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is expected to win 5-7 seats. The Samajwadi Party may also get 2 to 4 seats. Counting of votes for BMC election and 10 other civic bodies in Maharashtra is scheduled for February 23. The BMC polls are being dubbed a 'mini assembly' elections and are being seen as a referendum on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. VOTING DAY HIGHLIGHTS: Mumbai- 52.17Thane- 53.11Ulhasnagar- 46.83 Pune- 49.52Pimpri-Chinchwad- 51.86Nashik- 52.63Nagpur 49.95Solapur 44Amravati 51.62Akola 42.39Thane- 45.05Nasik- 43.33Pune- 43Pimpri Chinchwad- 43.80Solapur- 43Akola- 46.30Nagpur-40Mumbai- 32.17Thane- 35.1Ulhasnagar- 24.83Nashik- 30.63Pune-  30.53Pimpri Chinchwad- 30.86Solapur- 32.00Amarawati- 31.62Akola - 32.39Nagpur - 29.95Average-  31.01#BMCelection: Sachin Tendulkar arrived to cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbai, with wife Anjali. pic.twitter.com/w3VXTCh7DRMy name has not shown up in the list unfortunately,its bizarre because I voted last year.Will find out from EC where is my name:Varun Dhawanpic.twitter.com/k7KPlZuY1GMumbai: CM Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis casts his vote, urges people to vote to bring about change. #BMCelectionpic.twitter.com/PR3ZoZeqkQShiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, accompanied by his wife & son, queues up at a polling booth in Mumbai's Bandra East #BMCelectionpic.twitter.com/ra2jpP3jDiV O T E ???? pic.twitter.com/TRfhsN8zNqThis is democracy in full bloom!It is not just your right but your responsibility. I cast my vote. Have you? pic.twitter.com/QKdzE9X3V5Started my morning by casting my https://t.co/Z817hxXwb7 is our duty towards our country & its progress.Pls go out&vote #VoteKarMaharashtrapic.twitter.com/fgXGxjkEcVMaharashtra: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari casts his vote for Nagpur Municipal Corporation polls, at a booth located in Nagpur's Town Hall. pic.twitter.com/YhtvdEC3c1Mumbai: Shaina NC arrived to cast her vote at Napansea Rd polling booth on a cycle;could not find her name in the voter's list #BMCelectionpic.twitter.com/iUm5G0X0AAHere is our chance to stand by our Maharashtra! Let's vote, let's choose our leaders ??Flaunt your voting ink! Please RT! #VoteKarMaharashtrapic.twitter.com/7kGsREWIWGMumbai: Deepak Parekh,Chairman HDFC casts his vote,says, #DeMonetisation has nothing to do with these polls&we need to move on #BMCelectionpic.twitter.com/ROFUP8sZA3Mumbai: Senior citizens cast their vote at polling booth number 214(18) at Peddar Road. pic.twitter.com/Id7lRA6mmpMumbai: Tina Ambani casts her vote at a polling booth in Colaba, says she voted for good work in Mumbai city #BMCelectionpic.twitter.com/o2xj9IPhiOALSO READ | BMC polls: What Mumbai wants from new leadership as city readies to voteNagpur: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat casts his vote at a polling booth in Bharat Mahila Vidyalaya for Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections pic.twitter.com/7mOTW9xMnsElections to #BMC & nine other civic bodies in Maharashtra to be held today. Preparations underway at a booth on Mumbai's Pedder Road. pic.twitter.com/cjQOv9v08iALSO READ | BMC polls: All you need to know about the battle of might between Shiv Sena, BJP#TopStory-Voting in #CivicBodyPolls to start in multiple cities of Maharashtra at 7.30 am. People queue up at a booth on Mumbai's Pedder Road pic.twitter.com/2BsEVjHbnm

Aarushi Maheshwari

26 Apr 2017,Wednesday

'Baahubali 2' producer accuses Emirates of racism

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-team-faces-racism-emirates-airlines-shobu-rajamouli/1/938520.html

'Baahubali 2' producer Shobu Yarlagadda on Wednesday accused an Emirates employee of racism, adding, "I fly @emirates regularly n this is 1st time I have come across this kind of attitude". The 'Baahubali' team, including Rajamouli and Prabhas, were recently promoting the movie in Dubai. Yarlagadda tweeted, "Airline staff...were very rude n harassed our team unnecessarily! Bad attitude n service!"

In an alleged case of racism, Baahubali producer Shobu Yarlagadda has accused that he and his team were harassed by Emirates staffers at Dubai airport.Flying to Hyd on @emirates EK526. Airline staff at gate B4 were very rude n harassed our team unnecessarily! Bad attitude n service!Shobu took to his Twitter page to share the details..@emirates I think one of the @emirates staff was being racist.. I fly @emirates regularly n this is 1st time I have come across this kind of attitudeRecently, the Baahubali team including Rajamouli, Prabhas, Rana Anushka and Shobu were in Dubai to promote their much-anticipated Baahubali: The Conclusion. When the team headed back to Hyderabad, Shobu alleed that his team faced unfair treatment by one of the Emirates staff. The producer of the film, Shobu Yarlagadda tweeted about the incident from the airport saying that one of the Emirates staff was being racist. He was surprised since he flew Emirates regularly came across this kind of attitude for the first time.Baahubali 2 is scheduled to release in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi on April 28, and currently the final leg of promotion is underway.  Made on a budget of Rs 250 crore, the film also stars Tamannaah, Ramya Krishnan and Sathyaraj in pivotal roles. LSO READ: Baahubali 2 new posters | Amarendra Baahubali, Devasena look majestic

Rini Sinha

01 Jul 2017,Saturday

Odia actor Minaketan Das passes away aged 56

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/noted-odia-actor-minaketan-das-passes-away/1/991872.html

Actor Minaketan Das, known for his roles in Odia films and television series, passed away aged 56 after prolonged illness due to pancreatic cancer. He was undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital. Known for playing negative roles, 'Balunga Toka', 'Jianta Bhuta' and 'Most Wanted' were among Minaketan's popular films.

Bhubaneswar, July 1 (PTI) Noted Odia actor Minaketan Das, well-known in the states film and television industry for his negative roles, passed away after a prolonged illness. Das (56), who had been undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital breathed his last yesterday night at his residence here, family sources said. A versatile artist, Das had carved a special place among the audience with his talent and performance, particularly through portrayal of negative roles. Popular in the industry, Minaketan had created many admirers among cine lovers for his acting skills in theatre, cinema and television. Das was known for his acting in a number of Odia films including Balunga Toka, Jianta Bhuta and Most Wanted. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have condoled his death. "Saddened to learn of the demise of actor Minaketan Das. It is a great loss for Odia film industry. My thoughts & prayers with his family," Patnaik said in a twitter post.

Anmol Sharma

10 Feb 2017,Friday

Gambhir sacked, Pant named captain of Delhi one-day team

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rishabh-pant-gautam-gambhir-delhi-captain/1/879293.html

Nineteen-year-old Rishabh Pant has been named the captain of the Delhi one-day team, replacing Gautam Gambhir. Pant, whose first assignment as captain will be the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, made his debut for India in the final T20I against England, becoming India's youngest player in T20I cricket. Notably, Pant was the fourth-highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy 2016-17.

Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has been named the captain of the Delhi one-day team replacing Gautam Gambhir signalling a change of guard in senior state team.It was learnt that chairman of selection committee Atul Wasan personally spoke to Gambhir to inform him about the decision of the selection committee.

Tarun Khanna

12 Feb 2017,Sunday

News on private FM could threaten national security: Centre

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/government-ban-news-broadcasting-on-private-fm-services-mha-national-security/1/880758.html

The Centre has apprised the Supreme Court that it could not grant permission to private FM community radio service operators to broadcast news content as it could threaten national security. "Several anti-national radical elements within the country and also from abroad could misuse it for propagating their agenda," the Centre has stated.

In the internet age when information flows freely, the government wants to continue its monopoly on news and current affairs programmes over radio waves and has justified its ban on private FM community radio service operators by saying they could threaten "national security." In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Centre said it could not grant permission for broadcast of news content as several anti-national radical elements within the country and also from abroad could misuse it for propagating their agenda.The apex court is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Common Cause in 2013, seeking a direction to the Centre to allow private radio stations and community radios to broadcast news, arguing that radio is a more accessible medium for the masses, particularly the poor. The petition states that India is the only democracy where the dissemination of news and current affairs programmes on radio remains a monopoly of the Government-owned broadcaster. But the MHA affidavit, in its affidavit continues to maintain its stance that community radio service operators and private FM operators should not be allowed to broadcast news. "Broadcast of news by these stations/channel may pose a possible security risk as there is no mechanism to monitor the contents of the news bulletins of very such station," an filed in the court said. "All these stations, channels are run mainly by NGO/other small organisations and private operators, several anti-national radical elements within the country can misuse it for propagating their own agenda," the affidavit stated. "Community radio stations also air programmes involving chats with NRIs and local population settled abroad. Also Read: Upset over frivolous petitions piling up in Supreme Court, CJI imposes fines

Aarushi Maheshwari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Man carrying drugs worth ?2 crore arrested at Mumbai Airport

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-cops-arrest-chennai-man-with-drugs-worth-rs2-crore-suspect-his-links-to-syndicate/story-IR2MnM3Eh1Up2FGxRHyhBI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 32-year-old man from Chennai who was carrying 2 kg of the drug methaqualone was arrested at Mumbai Airport on Saturday. The Air Intelligence Unit said the accused, set to travel to Malaysia, may have been working for a syndicate. The drugs, worth ?2 crore, were found in his bag and were hidden in a cavity made of cardboard.

The arrest of a 32-year-old man with around 2kg of drug methaqualone at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport has led to suspicion that he was working for a syndicate, said an officer of Air Intelligence Unit (AIU). The value of the seized drug was Rs2 crore, said the customs department.Suresh Kumar Nagaraja from Chennai was arrested early on Saturday. He was to take a flight to Kuala Lumpur. ?We grew suspicious because he was carrying just one bag, which we decided to scan,? said the officer. A sniffer dog, Urny which is trained to detect drugs, found something suspicious in the bag. Upon examining the bag, the police found that the drugs were hidden in a cavity made of cardboard. Nagarajan was off loaded and questioned which revealed that more people were involved. ?Nagarajan is a carrier, who stayed in a hotel in Dongri. He booked his flight tickets from there,? said the officer.The AIU is investigating the source of the drugs and whether it was meant for his handler in Kuala Lumpur. Sources revealed that there are strict anti-drug laws in Malaysia where the crime can be punished with death. AIU suspects that the Nagarajan may have smuggled drugs earlier too. Last week, Nagarajan and his handler visited Mumbai and stayed in the same hotel in Dongri. He has been sent to judicial custody. On March 26, AIU arrested a woman for carrying 4.9kg of methaqualone.Unconvincing answers nail two fliers with gold valued at ?1.2 croreThe Air Intelligence Unit (AIU)?on?Saturday arrested two Indian-origin women from Singapore and Malaysia at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) for trying to smuggle gold worth Rs1.2crore . The gold weighed more than 2kg. A man who was waiting outside the airport was also arrested.The smuggling bid came to light when one of the passengers told officials that she came from Singapore to India for shopping. They were not taken in.The two women were identified as Santaletchmi Superamaniam, 41, from Malaysia, and Magisvary Jairaman, 59, from Singapore. They arrived from Singapore at 3pm. ?We asked Superamaniam about the purpose of her visit. She told us that it was shopping. We didn?t find it convincing,? said a senior officer.Superamaniam?s questioning revealed that she was accompanied by another woman. Subsequently, Jairaman was intercepted, which led to more seizure. ?The passengers were wearing jewelry on their waist and on their hands to avoid suspicion,? said the officer. The passengers revealed that a man was waiting outside the airport to collect the gold from them. He was picked up by a team outside the airport. ?The women are mere carriers and each were to be paid 500 Singapore dollars,? said the officer.The trio was produced before a holiday court on Sunday that has remanded them to judicial custody.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

Gujarat Assembly speaker slams Cong MLAs over B'luru retreat

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gujarat-floods-ramanlal-vohra-congress-mlas-resign-bengaluru-resort/1/1014611.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Gujarat Assembly speaker Ramanlal Vohra on Sunday slammed Congress legislators who have been staying at a Bengaluru resort amid the ongoing Gujarat floods. "I don't know what MLAs are doing there in Karnataka. In such situations we should pay more attention to improve situation and not to play politics," he said. Over 120 people have been killed in Gujarat floods.

Speaker of Gujarat Assembly Ramanlal Vohra today criticised the Opposition for pinning the blame on BJP after six Congress MLAs resigned this week just ahead of Rajya Sabha polls. Speaking to India Today, Vohra said "I am performing my duty properly and before accepting the resignations of all 6 MLAs, I had word with them and asked them specifically is there any pressure on them? Or has someone offered them money to resign? I got answer from them that they are tendering resignation by their own will and not under any pressure."Vohra also added that he is getting unknown phone calls, "They are asking me to accept resignation whichever comes to me. I told them that I will follow my duties properly and will ask them few questions before accepting their resignation."'NOT THE TIME FOR POLITICS' No new resignation has been tendered since late Saturday, July 29, but Congress did send two more MLAs to the Bengaluru resort, joining the other 40 there.

Pragya Swastik

08 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Aadhaar now must for poor women to get free LPG connection

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aadhaar-now-a-must-for-poor-women-to-get-free-lpg-connection/1/899466.html

The government has made having an Aadhaar card must for poor women to avail free cooking gas (LPG) connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. The government in October 2016 made the unique identification number mandatory for everyone to get LPG subsidies. It has now extended the same for free cooking gas connections to women of Below Poverty Line households.

Pragya Swastik

27 Feb 2017,Monday

Sony unveils world's first smartphone with 4K HDR display

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/sony-xperia-xz-premium-is-the-worlds-first-smartphone-with-a-4k-hdr-display/1/892356.html

Japanese electronics maker Sony has unveiled the 'Xperia XZ Premium', the world's first smartphone with 4K HDR display at ?46,700. The phone's 19-megapixel camera has a memory-stacked sensor, making it world's first smartphone camera that records slow motion video at 960 frames per second. The device runs on Android Nougat and has 4 GB RAM and 64 GB inbuilt storage.

Hot on the heels of Nokia, LG and Huawei's, Sony has unveiled their latest Xperia flagship Smartphone - the Xperia XZ Premium at the Mobile World Conference in Barcelona. The Xperia XZ Premium is undoubtedly the company's most exciting device in years and comes with a range of breakthrough features, the chief amongst them being the world's first 4K HDR display in a smartphone. Unlike the LG G6, which has eschewed Qualcomm's latest processor - the Snapdragon 835 in favour of the older Snapdragon 821 in order to gain the first mover advantage over the Galaxy S8, Sony has decided to stick with the 835 for the XZ Premium.The catch here is the fact that the XZ Premium will not be out before Spring, which is quite some time away. Additionally, the smartphone comes with 4GB of RAM, a 3,230mAh battery with QuickCharge 3.0 support and Android 7.0 out of the box. As with previous Xperia's, the power button doubles up as a fingerprint scanner. Also Read: Nokia 3310 relaunched: What is its price and other questions answeredTouted as a 'game-changing camera', the Sony Xperia XZ Premium comes with an entirely new camera system called the 'Motion Eye' which comes with the world's first memory stacked sensor. Sony has embedded fast memory right into the camera stack which allows the smartphone to capture video at an astonishing 960 frames per second, which is 4 times slower than any other smartphone available today. Sony claims that the ' World's fastest image capture technology in a smartphone' allows the camera to capture instances that occur in the blink of an eye and reveal things beyond what the human vision is capable of seeing. The added memory also brings with it improved predictive capture in the XZ Premium. The device starts to buffer images the moment it detects motion and selects 4 of the best photos by analysing the speed of the moving object.Additionally, the XZ Premium also comes with the same triple-sensor system found in the Xperia XZ, although the sensor's resolution has been reduced slightly to 19 megapixels. It has an aperture of f/2.0 and comes with SteadyShot and an 'Anti-distortion' shutter. On the front, there is a 13MP camera with an aperture of f/2.0 for selfies.Along with the camera, the display is what sets the XZ Premium apart from the competition. It is the first smartphone in the world to come with a 4K HDR display which is 5.5' in size and is also 40% brighter than the Xperia Z5 Premium's panel.The problem with the Xperia Z5 Premium was the fact that there was little or no 4K content available to enjoy on the smartphone. To remedy this, Sony has entered into a partnership with Amazon Prime Video where users will be able to enjoy a selection of 4K HDR content on their smartphones.Lastly, Sony has entered into a partnership with Qualcomm in order to create a new class of devices that are capable of gigabit LTE speeds. The XZ Premium will be the first smartphone to feature the same and offer not only high speeds but much better speeds everywhere.

Chhavi Tyagi

10 Jul 2017,Monday

Lalu's son won't resign as Bihar Deputy CM: RJD over raids

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tejashwi-yadav-benami-property-cbi-raids-rjd-lalu-yadav-nitish-kumar/1/998335.html

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLAs today said that party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav will not resign as the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister over the CBI raids on Yadav family's properties. Notably, after an FIR was registered against Tejashwi Yadav for acquiring Benami property, the BJP has been demanding to sack him from the Cabinet.

One of the many issues on agenda in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislators meet was to counter BJP's call to sack Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav from the cabinet. Several legislators today spoke in support of Tejashwi Yadav in light of the clamour caused by CBI raids on Lalu Yadav, family's residences and FIR against Tejashwi for acquiring benami properties. Speaking to India Today, senior party MLA Arun Yadav said that Tejashwi should continue as Deputy CM and even projected him as the next Chief Minister of Bihar."There is no need for Tejashwi Yadav to resign. He is the next CM of Bihar. CBI raids have been conducted to demoralise Lalu Yadav... manner in which freedom fighters gave a call of Quit Indian to Britishers, similarly we are also giving a call to PM Modi to quit India", said Arun Yadav.Another legislator, Lalit Yadav also extended his support for Tejashwi Yadav and appealed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to not sack the Deputy CM.He added that Nitish Kumar should not act in haste and wait till the Deputy CM is chargesheeted. He asked, "Why is Uma Bharti continuing in PM Modi's cabinet despite being chargesheeted in the Ayodhya case. We want Nitish Kumar not to sack Tejashwi Yadav".Bihar Finance Minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui said that Tejashwi was only praised for his work in the party meet today. He added, "He is the leader of the legislature party and there is no instability in the government."  CBI AFTER LALU CLAN Last week, CBI raided properties and firms belonging to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family at 12 location across Patna, Delhi and Gurgaon among other places in connection to a case linked to a hotel maintenance contract awarded to the RJD chief in 2006. That was the year when Lalu Yadav was the railways minister. The CBI has registered a case against Lalu Yadav, wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav. The central agency has also booked former MD of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and directors of private firms along with Lalu who is accused of tender irregularities.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday, July 8 searched farms of Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti in Delhi.The raids were conducted as part of probe into allegations of money laundering against Bharti and her husband Shailesh. Also read: Nitish Kumar cancels today's Lok Samvad. Is he trying to avoid Tejashwi Yadav?

Daisy Mowke

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

I benefitted a lot from the 'serial kisser' tag: Emraan

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/emraan-hashmi-i-benefited-a-lot-from-the-serial-kisser-tag/story-bqNV0OoGXTSq9hDg9Are6K.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actor Emraan Hashmi has said he benefitted a lot from the 'serial kisser' tag. "A number of my films in which I was shown kissing did very well in the beginning of my career," he added. However, Emraan said he's now trying to do away with the tag as it may restrict his growth as an actor.

Emraan Hashmi is one of those Bollywood celebrities who are never afraid of speaking their mind. He may have been tagged as a ?serial-kisser? in the beginning of his career, but the actor has no reason to shy away from talking about it.?A number of my films in which I was shown kissing did very well in the beginning of my career. So that tag naturally became a part of me. People like to label and box things up, and you just can?t hold that against them. And frankly, this was not something I was running away from. I will be honest. I have benefited a lot from it,? says the actor.After all these years, Emraan feels that now it?s time to do away with the tag, as in the long run, it can restrict his growth as an actor. ?When you evolve as an actor and try to explore new and varied avenues, the tag becomes sort of a deterrent for you. People tend to like you more in a particular kind of role. But for every actor, there is a saturation point. I think I have reached it now, and need to find new kind of roles,? says the 38-year old, who will be seen in the thriller Baadshaho, which releases on September 1. The makers of the multi-starrer film, which also features actors Ajay Devgn, Ileana D?Cruz and Esha Gupta, recently released the first song, which has been climbing up the charts. But what every Emraan fan is looking forward to is the song Piya More, which will be out tomorrow. The song pairs Emraan with actor Sunny Leone for the first time. Emraan is all praise for the 36-year old actor. ?Sunny is a thorough professional. I segregate actors into two types ? ones who are constantly fussy about everything on the sets, and the others who are okay with everything, without any fusses. I think she comes under the second category. It was an absolute joy shooting with her, since she?s a much better dancer than I am!? says Emraan.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Aarushi Maheshwari

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Unaccompanied child taken off overbooked plane, left at gate

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/21/unaccompanied-child-taken-off-overbooked-easyjet-flight-at-gatwick?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An unaccompanied 15-year-old boy was removed from an overbooked easyJet flight and left alone at a departure gate at London Gatwick Airport on Thursday. The child, Casper Read, was asked to leave after another passenger claimed his seat. EasyJet said the incident will be investigated, adding, "easyJet has a procedure to protect unaccompanied minors but unfortunately this was not followed."

EasyJet has opened an investigation after an unaccompanied child was removed from an overbooked flight from London Gatwick.The 15-year-old was taken from his seat on flight EZY8333 to Toulouse on Thursday morning, and left alone at the departure gate. Casper Read, a schoolboy from Worthing, West Sussex, was taking only his second flight alone, to stay with relatives in France. His mother helped him check in at the airport with his bags before he went through security to the gate. Read was given a boarding pass for seat 9A but after texting his mother to tell her he was aboard, another passenger claimed his seat. With the plane overbooked, Read was told to leave the plane. He texted his mother, Stephanie Portal, who returned to the airport and found staff to help locate her son in departures. Read?s grandparents had already embarked on the two-hour round trip to Toulouse from their home to meet him.Eventually, Portal persuaded easyJet to allocate her son a seat on the final departure of the day to Toulouse, although she said the airline?s system apparently showed all four flights on Thursday were overbooked.The final flight, scheduled to depart at 6.40pm, was delayed by almost three hours, meaning Read finally arrived in Toulouse well after midnight.Portal said: ?It?s crazy. They left him alone in departures. Luckily, I had still not got on board my train to London and could come back and find him. If I had not been there I don?t know what would have happened ? he?d have had no money for the train back or anything.? A spokeswoman apologised ?for any inconvenience caused?, adding: ?EasyJet is sorry that Casper Read?s flight from London Gatwick to Toulouse was overbooked. We are investigating why he was able to board the aircraft as he should have been informed at the gate. ?EasyJet has a procedure to protect unaccompanied minors but unfortunately this was not followed on this occasion and so this will also be investigated.?Carolyn McCall, chief executive of easyJet, said: ?That is really not what we would want. It?s just not our way.? She said that on average easyJet had five no-shows on every flight, but she denied that the airline had problems with overbooking, adding: ?We don?t see an overbooking issue. We don?t tend to overbook in peak periods.?Airlines worldwide have come under increased scrutiny on overbooking since an incident where a passenger was forcibly removed from a United Airlines flight. David Dao suffered concussion, lost teeth and a broken nose when he refused to leave his booked seat to make way for crew, and was dragged away by airport police.

Prashanti Moktan

29 Jan 2017,Sunday

PETA apologises to Suriya over Jallikattu row

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/suriya-singam-3-pro-jallikattu-peta-fight-apology/1/869299.html

Animal welfare organisation PETA India has issued a "wholehearted apology" to Tamil actor Suriya as the organisation had earlier called the actor's support for Jallikattu a publicity stunt for promoting his film 'Singam 3'. The organisation added that Suriya plays an honest, dutiful police officer in 'Singam' so he should understand why upholding laws on preventing animal cruelty is important.

When Tamil actor Suriya joined the pro-Jallikattu bandwagon, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had hit out at him saying that it was "no coincidence that Suriya decided to speak only when his film S3 is about to release." Now, the animal rights organisation has offered a "wholehearted apology" for its statement.ALSO READ: Suriya's Singam 3 not postponed, producer rubbishes rumoursPETA CEO Poorva Joshipura issued an apology letter which said, "We received a copy of the legal notice sent to us through the law firm you engaged. If what you are now saying is correct, please consider this a wholehearted apology for implying that your public pro-Jallikattu comments might be related to the planned release of your upcoming film."

Rini Sinha

19 Feb 2017,Sunday

Rajkummar Rao starrer Newton wins award at Berlin Film Fest

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/newton-wins-art-cinema-honour-at-berlinale/1/886270.html

The Rajkummar Rao starrer 'Newton' has won the International Federation of Art Cinemas award in the Forum segment at Berlin Film Festival 2017. The film, which had its world premiere at the festival this year, has been directed by Amit Masurkar. It revolves around an election official whose aim is to conduct a fair election in a Naxalite area.

Rajkummar Rao and Anjali Patil-starrer political satire Newton, which had its world premiere at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival (also called Berlinale), has won the International Federation of Art Cinemas (CICAE) award in its Forum segment.Rao shared the news on Twitter by congratulating the entire team of the Amit Masurkar-directed movie. "So happy to share Newton has won the Art Cinema award for the Forum section at Berlinale. Congratulations team," he wrote.So happy to share #Newton has won the Art Cinema award for the Forum section at #Berlinale. Congratulations team @ManMundra@Amit_MasurkarThe movie, which also stars Pankaj Tripathi, revolves around the story of a rookie clerk on election duty in a conflict-ridden jungle of Central India, who tries his best to conduct free and fair voting. Newton director Amit Masurkar, who rose to fame after directing the 2014 film Sulemani Keeda earlier said that he believed only Rao could have done justice to the character. Watch Amit Masurkar talk about why we should not romanticise low-budget filmmaking"I thought of Rajkummar because the character was somebody, for which I needed a person, who could pull of a huge range. Plus I needed an actor of his age. The amount of energy he could send to the role I couldn't think of anybody else." said Masurkar."Raj is extremely dedicated guy. He is with you one hundred per cent. And, I would love to work with him in more films," he added. Amit had also confirmed that the movie will release in mid-2017. Some 43 films were screened in the Forum segment at the festival, which concludes on Sunday. Actress Huma Qureshi's Hollywood debut The Viceroy's House also had its world premiere at the 2017 Berlinale. Rao tweeted his best wishes for Qureshi as well.

Deepali Aggarwal

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

China, Russia responsible for N Korean nuclear threat: US

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/29/china-and-russia-have-responsibility-for-north-korea-nuclear-threat-says-us?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

China and Russia bear "unique and special responsibility" for the threat posed by North Korea, US State Secretary Rex Tillerson said on Saturday following the reclusive state's latest and second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. Tillerson further described the test-launch, which was North Korea's 14th this year, as a blatant violation of multiple UN security council resolutions.n

The United States has accused China and Russia of bearing ?unique and special responsibility? for North Korea?s ?belligerent? pursuit of nuclear weapons, after Pyongyang tested its latest ballistic missile.North Korea conducted its second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test late on Friday in what it called a warning to the ?beast-like US imperialists?. It came less than a month after its first such experiment, on 4 July.The test-launch sent ?a grave warning to the US? that it ?would not go scot-free if it dares provoke? the North, Pyongyang?s official news agency, KCNA, said in a statement. ?If the Yankees brandish the nuclear stick on this land again despite our repeated warnings, we will clearly teach them manners,? KCNA warned.The news agency described Pyongyang?s weapons programs as a ?precious strategic asset that cannot be bartered for anything? and an indication of the country?s ?tremendous might?.The US secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, hit back on Saturday, describing North Korea?s launch as a ?blatant violation? of multiple UN security council resolutions.Tillerson also pointed the finger of blame at Beijing and Moscow. ?As the principal economic enablers of North Korea?s nuclear weapon and ballistic missile development program, China and Russia bear unique and special responsibility for this growing threat to regional and global stability,? he said in a statement. Tillerson?s comments are sure to anger Russia and China. Earlier this month Beijing rejected claims from US president Donald Trump that it had a responsibility to do more to rein in its ally. ?I think this either shows lack of a full, correct knowledge of the issue, or there are ulterior motives for it, trying to shift responsibility,? Geng Shuang, a foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters.On Saturday, China?s foreign ministry made no reference to Tillerson?s comments but called on Pyongyang ?to respect United Nations security council resolutions and stop all acts that could worsen tensions on the Korean peninsula?. China also ?urged all the relevant parties to act with caution? to prevent the situation from escalating, the ministry added, parroting previous language on the issue. Bonnie Glaser, the director of the China power project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) thinktank in Washington, said Kim Jong-un?s latest test ? of a missile some experts said had the capacity to reach New York ? would increase Chinese fears of a US strike against the North. ?I suspect that the Chinese are going to be worried about the possibility of a US military strike on North Korea going forward ? The Chinese can?t rule out the Trump ?unpredictability? factor,? she said.Last week the US?s top military officer told a security forum in Aspen, Colorado that conflict with North Korea was not ?unimaginable?. ?What?s unimaginable to me is allowing a capability that would allow a nuclear weapon to land in Denver, Colorado ? that?s unimaginable to me. And so my job will be to develop military options to make sure that doesn?t happen,? said Gen Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.Glaser said it was hard to predict whether Trump?s White House was genuinely pondering such military options, which might include attempting to destroy a North Korean missile on the launch pad before it it was fired. But following Friday?s test, calls for a return to negotiations appeared increasingly unrealistic. ?Diplomacy seems very unlikely at present.?Jeffrey Lewis, a North Korea specialist at the Middlebury institute of international studies, said he believed a military strike against North Korea had become unthinkable in the light of the ICBM tests, which showed Pyongyang could hit targets on US soil by launching missiles from unexpected locations and at unexpected times. ?The North Koreans wanted to demonstrate that ... if there was a war they could definitely launch [missiles] in the dead of night from some place we don?t expect so we wouldn?t have a chance to fire at them before they got off the ground.??What I think this changes is that it forces the US to confront something that we have said for a long-time is unacceptable ? [that] they can target New York and LA and there is not much we can do about it.??The window for [military action] has closed. People are jumping up and down and screaming [in Washington] not because they are getting ready to attack but because they don?t really have that option any more and they accept that it has gone,? Lewis added. ?Attacking a nuclear-armed state is usually a bad idea - which is why countries build nuclear weapons. That is kind of the appeal.?

Prashanti Moktan

21 Jun 2017,Wednesday

Bipasha performs yoga asanas with her husband Karan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/international-yoga-day-bipasha-basu-karan-singh-grover-photos-asanas/1/983777.html

Actress Bipasha Basu has shared pictures of her performing various yoga asanas with her husband Karan Singh Grover on the occasion of International Yoga Day on Wednesday. Bipasha captioned one of the pictures, "Yoga is like Life - It's a beautiful balance of holding on & letting go." She also used the hashtag '#yogimonkey' while sharing the three pictures.

Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover are one of the fittest B-Town couples. If they love to hit the gym every day, the star couple never fails to inspire their fans with fitness goals. And this International Yoga Day, the 'monkey couple' took a detour from their usual fitness regime and turned 'yogi monkeys'. Bipasha took to Instagram to share a few pictures performing different asanas with hubby Karan and wrote, "Yoga is like Life - It's a beautiful balance of Holding On and Letting Go. Its magical. Keep practicing , we are all work in progress. Happy #internationalyogaday #loveyourself #yogimonkey (sic)."Yoga is like Life - It's a beautiful balance of Holding On & Letting Go ?? Its magical ?? Keep practicing , we are all work in progress. Happy #internationalyogaday ?? #loveyourself #yogimonkeyA post shared by bipashabasusinghgrover (@bipashabasu) on Jun 20, 2017 at 9:39pm PDTInhale Love ... Exhale Hate! #loveyourself #yogimonkey #internationalyogadayA post shared by bipashabasusinghgrover (@bipashabasu) on Jun 20, 2017 at 10:02pm PDTLearning everything from you @iamksgofficial is amazing. You give me wings to fly and be fearless. Repost @iamksgofficial (@get_repost) ··· Rise. #loveyourself #yogimonkeyA post shared by bipashabasusinghgrover (@bipashabasu) on Jun 20, 2017 at 10:23pm PDT So, if you are looking for some inspiration this International Yoga Day, Karan and Bipasha are happy to help.

Mansha Mahajan

26 Jun 2017,Monday

CVC can now probe corruption cases in private sector banks

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cvc-can-now-probe-corruption-cases-in-private-sector-banks/1/987599.html

Central Vigilance Commission can now probe corruption allegations against private sector banks and their employees. This comes after Supreme Court ruled that all officials working in banks operating under RBI licence would be defined as public servants under Prevention of Corruption Act. The necessary mechanism has now been set up and corruption cases in these banks are being looked into.

By Ashwini Shrivastava New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) can now probe allegations of corruption in private sector banks and against their employees. Vigilance Commissioner T M Bhasin told PTI the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given the necessary approval to the CVC on this. The move comes after the Supreme Court last year ruled that the chairman, managing directors and other officers of a private bank could be seen as public servants when it came to the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act, 1988. The anti-corruption watchdog is the statutory body which probes cases of graft involving central government departments, public sector organisations (including banks and insurance companies) and their employees. "The CVC can now also look into cases of corruption involving private sector banks and their managements like CMDs and MDs," Bhasin said. He said the RBI and the Department of Financial Services had recently approved the provisions in this regard. "The necessary mechanism has been put in place and cases of corruption in the private sector banks are now being looked into," Bhasin said. The apex court had said all officials working in banks operating under an RBI licence would be defined as public servants under the PC Act.

Akshita Jain

18 Feb 2017,Saturday

Saudi Arabian Airlines employee arrested for smuggling gold

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/saudi-arabian-airlines-employee-gold-smuggling-mumbai-customs/1/885067.html

The Air Intelligence Unit of the Mumbai Airport has arrested an employee of Saudi Arabian Airlines for smuggling gold worth ?63.7 lakh. The accused had arrived from Jeddah and upon investigation, gold bars were found concealed in black pouches from the pockets of his jeans. Two gold bars of 1,000 grams each were found from his possession.

Mumbai Customs arrested one Saudi Arabian Airlines employee for smuggling gold worth Rs 63.7 lakh at airport on Thursday night.As per the information shared to India Today, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs intercepted one Saudi Arabian national named Goya Ahmad Siraj A. He had arrived from Jeddah by Saudi Arabian Airlines flight.During examination, the officials recovered two gold bars of 1000 grams each and one gold bar of 100 grams, totally weighing 2100 grams valued at Rs 63,71,400.

Chhavi Tyagi

06 Feb 2017,Monday

DCW chief gets bail in recruitment case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/swati-maliwal-bail-delhi-commission-for-women-recruitment-case/1/875769.html

AAP leader and chief of Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal was on Monday granted bail by a Special Court in a case of alleged irregularities in recruitment process of the women's panel. Maliwal, who had appeared before the court on January 18 over summons, had to furnish a personal bond of ?20,000 and a surety of the same amount.

AAP leader and chief of Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal was today granted bail by a Special Court in a case of alleged irregularities in the recruitment process of the women's panel.Maliwal appeared before the court in pursuance to summons issued to her by the court on January 18.Special Judge Hemani Malhotra said the evidence in the matter was documentary and Maliwal was not required for custodial interrogation and granted her bail on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and a surety of like amount.Also read: Delhi BJP seeks removal of DCW chief Swati MaliwalDuring the hearing, the court asked the investigating officer and prosecutor Atul Shrivastava whether the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) was further probing the matter as per its direction.To this, the IO replied in the affirmative and said it would take some time to conclude the investigation. Maliwal also told the court that she has received the copy of charge sheet and other documents.The court had earlier taken cognisance of the charge sheet filed in the case and summoned Maliwal as accused.Also read: Former DCW chiefs slam incumbent Swati Maliwal for lodging corruption case

Ankur Vyas

08 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Panneerselvam acting at DMK's behest: Sasikala

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sasikala-natarajan-wraps-up-emergency-meeting-poes-garden-tamil-nadu-politics-aiadmk-no-rift-in-party/1/877479.html

Asserting that there was no rift within the party, AIADMK General Secretary Sasikala Natarajan on Tuesday accused Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam of acting at the behest of DMK. Calling AIADMK a united single family, Sasikala removed Panneerselvam from the post of the party's Treasurer. This came after he claimed that he was forced to step down as the CM.

AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan today said that DMK was behind interim chief minister O Panneerselvam's revolt against her. She had called for an emergency meeting at the Poes Garden late on Tuesday night after a dramatic turn in Tamil Nadu's politics wherein the incumbent Tamil Nadu CM Panneerselvam dropped a bombshell, saying he was forced to resign and propose party general secretary Sasikala's name to the top elected post in the state.Taking a major stand, Sasikala removed O Panneerselvam from the post of AIADMK's treasurer and came out of Poes Garden after a 3-hour long meeting, waving at the large number of supporters. Sasikala said all the party legislators were united as a single family. She said that DMK was behind Panneerselvam's action citing the bonhomie between him and DMK's working president MK Stalin in the Assembly.

Abhishek Bansal

25 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Kerala CM Vijayan says RSS killed Gandhi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-chief-minister-pinarayi-vijayan-rss-killed-gandhi-bjp-seeks-apology/1/937784.html

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while speaking in the state Assembly on Tuesday, alleged that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was behind the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Reacting to the statement, the state unit of the BJP has given 48 hours to the CPI(M) leader to apologise, failing which they threatened to take legal action.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that RSS was behind the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.The CPI (M) leader made the allegation while speaking inside the Assembly.The state BJP has given 48 hours to the chief minister to apologise, failing which they have threatened to take legal actions.The state BJP chief is going to meet the regional head of RSS this evening.

Tarun Khanna

09 May 2017,Tuesday

80% of officers in BSF are corrupt: Sacked jawan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bsf-jawan-tej-bahadur-yadav-border-security-force-poor-food-video/1/948718.html

Dismissed from the Border Security Force (BSF) for uploading a video exposing 'substandard food' served to soldiers, Tej Bahadur Yadav has alleged that 80% officers of BSF are corrupt. "Government sent us 18 different food items but several times, the authorities gave us only khichdi...The system is corrupt but not all officers are corrupt," he added.

Tej Bahadur Yadav, the BSF jawan who was dismissed from duty for uploading a video on the 'substandard food' served to soldiers, today attended a Mumbai event honouring martyrs. Mumbai Congress Chief Sanjay Nirupam had called on Yadav to preside over the function as a guest. Speaking about his dismissal Tej Bahadur said, "Under rule 117, we get three months time to appeal to DG against dismissal. The process is on and my lawyers are working on it."'80 PER CENT OFFICERS CORRUPT'He added that if he loses the appeal against his dismissal, then he will knock the court's doors. Apart from condemning the poor quality of food being served, Bahadur had also alleged how officers were siphoning off money sent for the soldiers' upkeep at border areas.He further said, "Government sent us 18 different food items but several times, the authorities gave us only Khichdi... The system is corrupt but not all officers are corrupt. But yes, around 80 per cent officers in forces are corrupt."Tej Bahadur Yadav along with several other ex-servicemen will stage a one-day protest at Jantar Mantar on May 14. The sit-in protest will serve as an ultimatum to government to act on the deeply seated corruption in the armed forces.

Tarun Khanna

24 Apr 2017,Monday

Kashmiri scholar leaves BITS Pilani after facing abuses

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmiri-researcher-bits-pilani-harassment/1/936464.html

Hashim Sofi, a Kashmiri scholar at Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani in Rajasthan, has left the institute after facing alleged threats and abuses. Sofi alleged that some objectionable messages were written on his hostel room's door and on his T-shirts, which were kept in the balcony. "Anti-national Kashmiri pervert, no place for you," read a message.

A Kashmiri project fellow at BITS Pilani in Rajasthan has left the institute after allegedly facing harassment. Hashim Sofi, a 27-year-old scholar who was at BITS as a research project staff, has left for his hometown, Bandipora in Kashmir. Sofi had posted about the harassment incident on his Facebook post. Sofi had on April 20 reported to the chief warden of his hostel that someone had written objectionable comments on the door of his hostel room. Sofi had also said that objectionable comments were written on two of his t-shirts that were kept in the balcony outside to dry. As per Sofi, this incident happened on the intervening night of April 20 and 21. As per a release issued by BITS, Pilani, which was accessed by India Today, "The Chief Warden met and assured all assistance and help to the concerned project fellow. He made arrangements to shift him from the hostel to residential quarters. The Chief Warden got in touch with the Associate Dean, Students' Welfare and they inquired the matter from the hostel Superintendent and the Warden, got in touch with the Chief Security Officer and called a meeting of all the people. They didn't find any other such incident from any other research scholar or student from Jammu and Kashmir. Exactly what has happened is yet to be ascertained. The enquiry report of the Chief Warden was submitted to the Associate Dean, SWD."Sofi has left the hostel after the alleged harassment. The institute's release further added, "Meanwhile today on 23 April we have learnt that Mr. Sofi is not available in his allotted quarters and has left without informing his Project Investigator and other authorities of the institute. He is also not available on phone."Earlier on April 19, some Kashmiri students studying in Mewar University in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh district, were allegedly beaten up. Thereafter, Kashmiri students at the university had demanded security for them. Even Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had expressed concern over the issue of security of Kashmiri students across the country and had appealed all te state governments to take action to ensure safety of students. Watch the video here

Radhika Chugh

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Maharashtra to introduce cycling tracks in 10 cities

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-government-plans-cycling-tracks-in-10-cities/story-lCcZuR8bj4XSJKzGPsHFaJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Maharashtra government is planning to introduce cycling tracks along the arterial roads of 10 cities including Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Latur, reports said. A four-member committee has been constituted for designing the cycling track routes. "The cycling tracks will not only reduce traffic, but will also considerably lessen environmental pollution," a Public Works Department official said.

The state government has planned to implement cycling tracks along the arterial roads in 10 leading cities of the state. The government has decided to take up a pilot project in these cities and later extend it across the state based on the response. The state public works department will test the project, dubbed ?streets with cycle tracks? in Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Amravati, Chandrapur, Kolhapur, Solapur, Latur, Aurangabad and Jalgaon, on roads under the department?s jurisdiction. The government has also formed a four-member committee under the chairmanship of the state?s additional director general of police, traffic, to steer the project. The committee will identify arterial roads where cycle tracks can be set up depending on the availability of space and the scope for cycling. It will also have to design the routes for these tracks and plan any other requirements or alterations to the traffic flow on the roads hosting the cycle tracks, an official from the state public works department said.Read: Is Mumbai ready for cycle tracks? Bandra tells a different storyHe said, ?Currently, there is a lack of any infrastructure for cyclists. A number of these cities have industrial areas where labourers come to work from a distance of nearly 7-8km. If we better equip our roads, even they can use bicycles to commute to their workplaces. It will not only reduce traffic, but will also considerably lessen environmental pollution.?Some of the previous efforts at creating cycling tracks and promoting bicycles have failed miserably owing to lack of proper planning and maintenance. Most cycling tracks of the 123-km network in Pune that the civic body created under the erstwhile Congress-led government?s Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission are in a bad shape. Similarly, a 13-km cycling track, costing Rs6.5 crore, in Mumbai?s Bandra Kurla Complex had absolutely no takers and had to be dismantled within five years.The state?s proposed urban transport policy, its first attempt at listing out goals for sustainable non-motorised transport, also lays emphasis on development of cycling as one of the main modes of commuting. It calls for planning and prioritising projects to make 80% of all trips in a city possible by walking, cycling or public transport.The civic bodies of some of the cities that the state government has picked in its pilot project have also been planning cycling projects. The Nashik Municipal Corporation has made a provision in its development plan to build 120km of cycling tracks in the city, while the Nagpur civic body is mulling over a public bicycle sharing system. The Pune Municipal Corporation, too, is planning to build 300km of cycling tracks in the city.Read: Cycle of change: Mumbai?s biking communities are making the bicycle popular again

Abhishek Bansal

04 Jun 2017,Sunday

India won't count bullets if Pak fires even one: Rajnath

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-wont-count-bullets-if-pakistan-fires-once-rajnath-singh/1/970715.html

Speaking on the issue of cross-border aggression by Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Indian Army has been given the permission not to keep a record of bullets if Pakistani forces fire even one bullet. "Pakistan is trying to disturb peace and tranquillity in J&K time and again, but this practice will not continue for long," Singh added.

Warning Pakistan once again for 'disturbing peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir', Home Minister Rajnath Singh today indicated that India would respond with unmeasured force if the neighbour fired even a single bullet. "Pakistan is trying to disturb peace and tranquillity in Jammu and Kashmir time and again, but this practice will not continue for long," the home minister was quoted as saying by news agency IANS, once again referring to his recent statement that the Modi government is working on permanent solution for the situation in Kashmir.On the topic of cross-border aggression by Pakistan, Rajnath said that the Indian Army has been given the permission not to keep a record of bullets if Pakistani forces 'fire one bullet'. The home minister's comments came during a public meeting in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, where Rajnath was attending the Bharatiya Janata Party's Tridev Sammelan aimed at strengthening and mobilising party cadres.'WILL UPROOT PAK-SPONSORED TERROR' This is the second time in two days that the home minister has directly spoken about Pakistan-backed terrorism in Kashmir. During a press conference yesterday, he had said, "I assure you that we will uproot Pakistan-sponsored terror from Jammu and Kashmir and establish peace there". Rajnath's comments today came two days after two Indian Army jawans were killed in an ambush my militants on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Sonu Kumari

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Hero Honda Chowk flyover opens in Gurugram

http://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/gurgaon-much-awaited-hero-honda-chowk-flyover-to-open-on-monday/story-Y35vQtYOmFijaYRz9yZbtL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The eight-lane Hero Honda Chowk flyover of Gurugram was opened to traffic on Monday. The flyover is expected to smoothen the traffic movement for commuters, including those travelling between Jaipur and Delhi via Gurugram and Manesar. The construction of the 1.4 km flyover started in 2014 as part of a three-layered crossing involving the flyover, underpass, and surface road.

Commuting between Jaipur and Delhi via Gurgaon and Manesar is to become smooth and hassle-free, as the bottlenecks on the busy Hero Honda Chowk are set to go with the opening of the eight-lane Hero Honda Chowk flyover on Monday.The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which had assigned the project, confirmed that the flyover will open to traffic on Monday.Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar will inaugurate the flyover. Traffic on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway (NH-8) has been a major challenge for the Gurgaon administration, with vehicles from multiple points converging on Hero Honda Chowk and resulting in snarls, often stretching to several hours. The flyover project had been proposed to take the load of vehicles on the stretch and facilitate a smooth flow of local and long-distance traffic.With the eight-lane flyover likely to ensure smooth and uninterrupted flow of long-distance traffic, local commuters will find it easy to move from one side of the expressway to the other. It used to be a Herculean task earlier owing to the convergence of vehicles from multiple points.Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Sector 10, said, ?Now, I can cross the expressway at Hero Honda Chowk to reach my office at Sector 35. I won?t have to travel 3km to Rajiv Chowk before taking the U-turn to reach office. The opening of the flyover will come as a huge relief for me and thousands of fellow commuters.?Traffic management during the construction of the flyover had been a challenge for the city traffic police, with the convergence of vehicles adding to the chaos. ?Although there were many hurdles along the way, we are delighted that the flyover is now ready to open to traffic. The trial run has been conducted successfully. We are through with installation of lights on the flyover and have also placed cat eyes and blinkers wherever necessary,? said Ashok Kumar Sharma, project director, NHAI, adding that the flyover will go a long way to resolving the traffic problem on the stretch.Read I Rain plan: Gurgaon?s Hero Honda Chowk flyover to offer two-way traffic movementThe 1.4 km flyover is part of a three-layered crossing involving the flyover, underpass and surface road.The construction of the flyover began in November, 2014 and set a deadline of 30 months.Rambir Singh, a resident of Narsinghpur, said, ?We are relieved that the flyover will open at long last. Commuting on Hero Honda Chowk has been fraught with risks since the NH-8 opened in 2008. For pedestrians, cyclists and bikers, the NH-8 crossing was a death trap and proved fatal for many. Residents have had to wage a long battle to bring this flyover project to fruition.?

Sanira Mediratta

03 May 2017,Wednesday

Abhishek's pic appears on admit card for govt job as prank

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/abhishek-bachchans-pic-on-admit-card-for-govt-recruitment/1/944682.html

Actor Abhishek Bachchan's picture recently appeared on an admit card for government recruitment, as an apparent prank. His picture appeared with a misspelt name on the official website of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) for candidates who took a multi-tasking (non-technical) staff examination. The Commission is looking into the case, said an official.

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) Abhishek Bachchans Bollywood career may be going nowhere, but would he apply for a job as a junior level staff in the central government?

Rini Kapoor

25 Dec 2016,Sunday

CBI files case against Maha bank manager for currency fraud

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vaidyanath-cooperative-urban-bank-fraud-case-cbi-raids-maharashtra-aurangabad-pune-mumbai/1/841949.html

The CBI has filed a case against the manager of Vaidyanath Urban Cooperative Bank's branch in Maharashtra's Pimpri-Chinchwad area over currency fraud, reports said. Six others were booked in connection for fraudulently transporting ?25 crore in demonetised currency from the bank's head office in Beed to the Ghatkopar branch to change it into legal tender.

The CBI on Friday raided 11 places in Maharashtra in connection with the black money case of Vaidyanath Cooperative Urban Bank worth Rs 25 crore.

Krishna Veera Vanamali

31 Jul 2017,Monday

43% employees are in the unorganised sector: Govt

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/43-per-cent-employees-in-unorganised-sector-govt/1/1014993.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya has said that as many as 43% of the country's employees are in the unorganised sector and 4.7 crore of them were in the construction sector. He said efforts are on to enhance wages and provide benefits of PF and insurance to them. "The Ministry...is committed for the social security of the labour force," he added.

New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) As many as 43 per cent of the countrys employees are in the unorganised sector and efforts are on to provide them EPF, ESIC and other benefits, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said there are around 43 per cent of the total employees in the country are in the unorganised sector and 4.7 crore of them were in the construction sector. He said steps have been taken to enhance the minimum wages of labourers and efforts are on to provide the benefits of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to them.

Anmol Sharma

23 Dec 2016,Friday

American Tourister appoints Kohli as its brand ambassador

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/american-tourister-appoints-virat-kohli-as-brand-ambassador/1/840720.html

Samsonite-owned American Tourister has appointed India's Test captain Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador. "Virat is a global youth icon and is the poster boy for all those who thrive on...ability to be ready for anything that life throws at them," Samsonite South Asia's COO said. Notably, Kohli is the first Indian brand ambassador of the global luggage brand.

Mumbai, Dec 22 (PTI) Luggage maker American Tourister has appointed India Test skipper Virat Kohli as its brand ambassador.

Chhavi Tyagi

11 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Arrest warrant issued against Kejriwal in a defamation case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kejriwal-arrest-warrant-assam-court-tweet-pm-modi/1/925865.html

An Assam court has issued an arrest warrant against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he failed to appear before it in connection with a defamation case concerning his tweet on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The case is related to Kejriwal's tweet that said, "Modi has studied up to class 12. His degrees after that are fake."

An Assam court has issued an arrest warrant against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal after he failed to appear before it in connection with a defamation case concerning his tweet on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Tarun Khanna

10 Feb 2017,Friday

Mufti govt opposes creation of minority commission in J&K

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mehbooba-mufti-pdp-bjp-government-opposes-creation-of-minority-commission-in-jammu-kashmir/1/879379.html

Mehbooba Mufti-led BJP-PDP government has opposed the creation of a minority commission in Jammu and Kashmir. "In the absence of a minority commission, the benefits exclusively meant for the minority communities are being given away to the majority Muslim community," a PIL filed in the Supreme Court had stated. Several states, UTs haven't set up minority commission, said the government.

In a setback to the minority Hindu and Sikh communities in Jammu and Kashmir, the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP government in the state, through an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, has opposed creation of a minority commission in the state.The state government was responding to a PIL filed by a Jammu-based lawyer Ankur Sharma, seeking a direction to set up a minority commission in the state to safeguard the interests of religious and linguistic minorities. "In the absence of a minority commission, the benefits exclusively meant for the minority communities including crores worth aid are being given away to a certain community, which is the majority Muslim community, in an illegal and arbitrary manner," Sharma had submitted.Jammu and Kashmir law secretary Abdul Majid Bhat contended that Sharma's view, saying, "Assertion of the petitioner for setting up a state minority commission in Jammu and Kashmir through proper legislation including time-bound identification and notification of religious and linguistic minorities by the state is legally not maintainable. It is up to the concerned state/Union territory to set up a minority commission in their respective state/Union territory."'The Jammu and Kashmir government said law is well settled on the issue that the apex court cannot direct the government to legislate on a particular subject. "It is for the state legislature to consider in its wisdom as to which laws are required to be made considering the circumstances prevailing in the state," the state government said.ALSO READ|  Jammu-Kashmir: Mehbooba Mufti stands firm on Article 370 commentsQuestioning the PIL petitioner's motive, the affidavit said: "As per information available, the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Sikkim, Andaman, and several UTs have not set up a minority commission. The present petition only seeks its establishment in Jammu and Kashmir. In case the present petition has been filed in public interest, he should have prayed for its setting up in all these states."According to the 2011 census, about 68.3 per cent of the state's population is Muslims. Among the minorities, 28.4 per cent are Hindus, followed by Sikhs (1.9 per cent), Buddhists (0.9 per cent), and Christians (0.3 per cent). In Kashmir valley, about 96.4 per cent are Muslims, followed by Hindus (2.45 per cent), Sikhs (0.98 per cent) and others (0.17 per cent).Sharma argued that Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir are unable to benefit from central and state welfare schemes for minorities. The Union government indirectly recognises Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians of Jammu and Kashmir as 'minorities'.This is in spite of the fact that the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, is not applicable to J-K and thus the recognition of Muslims as "minorities" is whimsical and illegal, the plea said. The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has awarded 717 out of the 753 available scholarships to the majority community in Jammu and Kashmir, it said.ALSO READ|  We have to differentiate between militants, their families: Mehbooba MuftiConstitutional guarantees under Article 29 and 30 (rights of minorities) are no guarantees at all in Jammu and Kashmir due to the government's failure to identify religious and linguistic minorities and declare them as notified minorities, said the PIL.Rights and benefits due to the minorities are being siphoned off arbitrarily and illegally, it added.

Daisy Mowke

06 Apr 2017,Thursday

Chris Martin meets fan with cancer before his concert

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chris-martin-coldplay-cancer-fan-hospital-manila-lifest/1/921854.html

Singer Chris Martin met Ken, a fan suffering from stage IV cancer before performing at a concert in Philippines. Ken could not attend the band's concert owing to his medical condition. The concert's organiser came to know about him after his brother wrote a post on Facebook, in which he said Ken had purchased a ticket for the concert.

Ever since it rose to the pedestal it is at today, Coldplay has kept its legion of fans intact. But what the British band's frontman, Chris Martin, recently did for a fan is bound to swell up your heart even if you don't enjoy Coldplay's music.Reportedly, just before performing at a concert in Manila, Philippines, Martin went to meet Ken Valiant Santiago--a fan suffering from stage 4 cancer who couldn't attend the band's gig owing to his medical condition. Also Read: 6 times Coldplay frontman Chris Martin's love for India fixed youAlso Read: Star Wars fan gets last wish fulfilled; see how Taylor Swift, Eminem, Justin Bieber grant last wishes of their fansSo, how did the meeting happen in the first place? Well, according to Mashable, it was due to an open letter Ken's brother, Kheil, wrote to the band. Kheil decided to write the letter after Ken purchased a platinum ticket but couldn't attend it due to his illness. And yet again, social media played a hero and the letter reached Rhiza Pascua, the organiser of the Coldplay concert in Manila, who arranged the meeting.

Pragya Swastik

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

Govt allows people to apply online for passports in Hindi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/now-apply-for-passports-in-hindi/1/935967.html

The Ministry of External Affairs has made a provision enabling people to apply online for passports in Hindi. People can download the application form available in Hindi, fill it in and upload it while applying for the passport. The information regarding passport and visa will also be now made available in Hindi on the official website of the Ministry.

By Ashwini Shrivastava New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) The Ministry of External Affairs has made a provision enabling people to apply online for passports in Hindi. The move comes after President Pranab Mukherjee recently accepted recommendations made in this regard by the Committee of Parliament on Official Language via its ninth report. The report was submitted in 2011. The panel had suggested that bilingual forms should be made available by all passport offices and forms filled in Hindi should also be accepted. It had recommended that entries should also be made in Hindi in all passports being issued. These recommendations have been accepted by the president recently, as per an official order. People can download the application form available in Hindi, fill it in and upload it while applying for the passport. The printout of filled-in form will not be accepted by Passport Seva Kendra and Regional Passport Offices. The panel on the official language had also recommended that information regarding passport and visa should be made available in Hindi on the official website of the ministry. "This recommendation is accepted," the order said.

Sumedha Sehra

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Amarnath pilgrim succumbs to injuries, attack toll reaches 8

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarnath-yatra-terror-attack-woman-pilgrim-succumbs-to-injuries-toll-touches-8/story-EVNWQJYhhwnCagah7JTWOO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An Amarnath pilgrim, who was part of the convoy attacked by terrorists last week, succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, taking the death toll to eight. The 47-year-old woman, Lalita, was on the bus on which terrorists opened fire while it was returning from Amarnath. The government has announced a compensation of ?7 lakh for those killed in the attack.

A 47-year-old woman from Gujarat, who was injured in the attack on Amarnath pilgrims earlier this week, succumbed at a hospital in Srinagar, taking the toll to eight.Lalita was admitted to the ICU of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) after the attack on July 10.?She died during the night,? Syed Amin Tabish, medical superintendent of SKIMS, said on Sunday.Seven pilgrims were killed when the bus carrying over 50 pilgrims mostly from Gujarat and Maharashtra was attacked by gunmen at Batengoo in Anantnag on July 10.While 19 wounded were airlifted to Delhi on July 11, two injured, Pushpa and Lalita, were being treated at SKIMS in Srinagar.Police had said Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the attack, although the militant outfit denied the charges and blamed ?Indian agencies? for the attack.Kashmiris reacted in unison against the attacks. Civil society members, traders and even separatists expressed widespread anger saying the attack on the centuries-old pilgrimage is against Kashmiri ethos and tradition.Hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani had condemned the attack, saying, ?Almighty Allah won?t forgive the killers of innocents.?

Ankush Verma

20 Jan 2017,Friday

Barack Obama posts farewell letter on Facebook

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/barack-obama-president-farewell-donald-trump-facebook-us/1/862003.html

Outgoing US President Barack Obama on Thursday expressed his gratitude to Americans by posting a letter on Facebook. "Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience...from which I've pulled strength," Obama wrote. "When the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person," he added.

As Donald Trump is just a few hours away from becoming US' 45th President, Barack Obama took to Facebook, shared his farewell letter on Facebook.Expressing gratitude to the American people, Obama on Thursday wrote, "Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I have pulled strength. I have seen neighbours and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes."ALSO READ: Barack Obama to hold final press conference todayObama recalled visiting a grief-stricken Charleston, South Carolina, church and watching scientists help wounded war heroes walk again.As a parting word, Obama said ,"when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome'."The 44th US President shared a link on his Facebook post for anyone interested in keeping in touch with his work.HERE'S THE FULL TEXT OF OBAMA'S FAREWELL LETTERIt's a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It's a letter meant to share what we know, what we've learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I've learned in my time in office, I've learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I've pulled strength. I've seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers - and found grace in a Charleston church.I've taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I've seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I've seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.I've seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I've seen our future unfolding.All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work - the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.I'll be right there with you every step of the way.And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome.'Yes, we can.

Prashanti Moktan

03 Apr 2017,Monday

Faced casting couch only in Malayalam industry: Parvathy

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parvathy-menon-on-casting-couch-interview-take-off/1/919383.html

Actress Parvathy has claimed that casting couch exists in the Malayalam film industry while adding, "I haven't faced it (issue of casting couch) at all in any other industry." She further said, "There was a time when it was expected of me, people asked me very openly, be it actors or directors... That too by seniors in the industry."

If you say you aren't smitten by Parvathy, you're probably lying. We love the actor for several reasons, be it her infectious smile or the characters she choose to play in films.  However, the actor recently opened up on casting couch saying that it's not a myth, at least in Malayalam industry.Parvathy was quoted by The News Minute as saying, "Of course there is casting couch in the Malayalam film industry. You know it, I know it, I'm sure a lot of people know it. I don't understand why it's a surprise at all. It's a reality, why are we even shocked about it? I haven't faced it at all in any other industry, but only in Malayalam industry."Parvathy has often been referred as Lady Prithviraj. Responding to the tag, she said, "It's supposed to be a compliment, right? Prithviraj speaks his mind, so do I. I hope he doesn't get insulted with people calling me that. He is one person who is thoroughly interested in a film's technical aspects and can go on at length about them. But I am not like that."Basking in the success of Take Off, Parvathy is once again teaming up with Prithviraj for a romantic film My Story, which is being directed by Rishini Dinakar.

Saloni Tandon

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

I choose Roger, Roger chooses me in video games: Sachin

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sachin-tendulkar-and-roger-federer-connect-on-the-playstation/story-YD38GJp4AcAs36WHbcEjPP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has said he and Wimbledon champion Roger Federer connect over PlayStation. "Roger follows cricket... When he is playing video games, he prefers Sachin and when I am playing any racquet game, I prefer to be Roger," said Sachin. The cricketer was present at the semi-final, where Federer defeated Tomá? Berdych to reach his 11th Wimbledon final.

The friendship between Sachin Tendulkar and Roger Federer is well-documented, and India?s shining example of sporting longevity was at hand to witness the Swiss maestro sweep to a record eighth Wimbledon triumph aged 35.Tendulkar, who was in the Royal Box when Federer crushed Croatia?s Marin Cilic in straight sets in Sunday?s final spoke of the mutual admiration, which extends to the virtual world as well.?Roger follows cricket. Also, something which I learnt is that when Roger is playing video games, he prefers (to use) Sachin and when I am playing any racquet game, I prefer to be Roger,? Tendulkar said here on Tuesday after being unveiled as brand ambassador of the Sony sports network. READ?|?Sachin Tendulkar heaps praises on Mithali Raj, calls her ?tremendous athlete?Tendulkar, who signed off on his grand career in 2013, recalled the joy of watching different sports. ?It is fantastic because you rub shoulders with some of the champions, not just in the current era. When I was at Wimbledon, I got to meet the great Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, they are all amazing personalities.?When I go to Formula One, I get to meet great personalities who have achieved so much. To be there and breathe and soak in that atmosphere is incredible.?I remember a race in Silverstone when Sir Frank Williams was there and also Sir Jackie Stewart, the great F1 champion. Sir Jackie took a grid walk with me and said ?I will take you all around and tell you more about F1?.? READ?|?Wimbledon 2017: Roger Federer got a hangover due to post-title win celebrationsTendulkar urged Indian fans to whole-heartedly support the Fifa U-17 World Cup, which India will host from October. ?The age of 17 in today?s world is not young. It is just about when you are looking to be competitive, it is the age when you are looking to push hard and sometimes cross the line. But there are guys who stay within limits and go out and deliver.?For any sportsperson, the best thing is how the spectators are responding, and this is India?s great opportunity to show our support for other sports; this is only about taking it to the next level. I am sure the spectators won?t disappoint us Indians, go out and support those youngsters, and above all Indians.?

Deepali Aggarwal

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

ISIS on back foot in Afghanistan post leader's death: US

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/isis-k-on-back-foot-in-afghanistan-pentagon/1/1004519.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Islamic State has lost its hold in Afghanistan following the death of its leader Abu Sayed in a US strike, according to the US Department of Defense. Adding that the leader's death has disrupted the terror group's plans to expand its operations in Afghanistan, the Pentagon estimated that the militants do not number more than 1,000.

By Lalit K Jha Washington, Jul 18 (PTI) The Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) has lost its hold in Afghanistan, days after the terror groups head Abu Sayed, was killed by US troops in an airstrike, the Pentagon has said. The Pentagon now estimates that ISIS-K in Afghanistan numbers somewhere in the hundreds. "We dont think its over 1,000. They hold no meaningful territory in Nangarhar province. There are certainly fighters there but theyre mostly spending their time trying to stay alive," said Pentagon Spokesman Navy Capt Jeff Davis. During an off-camera news conference yesterday, Davis said the killing of ISIS-K leader Abu Sayed in a drone strike last week disrupted it?s expansion plans. "His death will further disrupt the groups plans to expand its operations in Afghanistan," he said, adding that this is the third time in the past year that US forces in Afghanistan have killed a sitting leader of ISIS-K. "Killed in a kinetic strike on July 11 in Kunar, Abu Syed was the overall ISIS-K Amir in Afghanistan for only six weeks, issuing operational guidance, financial management and acting as the primary decision-maker for operations with ISIS- throughout Afghanistan," he said. "His death comes not long after that of his predecessor, Sheikh Abdul Hasib, who was killed by US forces in a raid on April 26 in Achin, Nangarhar province as part of ongoing efforts to defeat ISIS-K in Afghanistan," he added. "ISIS threatens America and the west because of its commitment to plot, direct and inspire terrorist attacks and its ability to recruit, move and finance the terrorists who commit these attacks," he said, adding that the terrorists have been very clear in their propaganda magazine and other publications, that they want to recruit and attack globally. "ISIS-K called was formed in January 2015 as a despondent group of several Islamic extremist organizations, loosely organized and committed to supporting the radical ideals of the Islamic State," Davis said, adding that ISIS-K is committed to establishing an Afghan presence on behalf of ISIS and furthering ISIS Caliphate to the abolition of traditionally recognised sovereign borders.

Shubhodeep Datta

15 Dec 2016,Thursday

Police recovers jewellery worth ?1 cr, ?64L cash in Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-police-recover-over-rs-64-lakh-in-banknotes-rs-1-crore-worth-gold/story-BuCA1RWpqiPTMQpjYya4rI.html

The police on Wednesday raided a real estate agent's house in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area and recovered close to ?64 lakh in old and new currency, and jewellery worth over ?1 crore. On the basis of a tip-off, a joint action team of income tax (I-T) and inter-state crime cell of crime branch carried out the raid, police said.

Police on Wednesday raided a real estate agent?s house in southwest Delhi?s Chhawla area and recovered close to Rs 64 lakh in old and new currency and jewellery worth over Rs 1 crore.On the basis of a tip-off, a joint action team of income tax (I-T) and inter state crime cell of crime branch carried out a raid at the house of Sukhbir Shokeen, police said.?Unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 64,84,000 was found. Out of it, Rs 11,34,000 was in the form of Rs 2,000 notes. Besides, jewellery valued at Rs 1,06,57,235 has been found. Further enquiries are in progress by the I-T department,? said a senior police officer.Survey proceedings are also being carried out at the office premises of his company?s office at Rangpuri, he added.

Arshiya Chopra

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

RSS-backed group sings rap song targeting Goa CM Parrikar

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/watch-rj-malishka-s-viral-rap-inspires-song-in-goa-targeting-manohar-parrikar/story-k6HI69b7riBJgsBNLte6mN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

RSS-backed Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) has come up with a rap song targeting Goa CM Manohar Parrikar for his "failed promises and political treachery". The song titled 'Mannu Aamka Tuzyawar Bharosa Nai Hai' features GSM workers questioning 'Mannu' (Manohar Parrikar) for backing casino industry. Song also entails verses like "Mannu we do not trust you...You are a destroyer of Goa."

RJ Malishka?s ?Sonu song?, a viral video that mocks Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over pot-holed roads, has inspired a political outfit in Goa. The Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM), which is backed by state Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Subhash Velingkar, has used a similar sing-song routine to question chief minister Manohar Parrikar over his purported support to the casino lobby and failure of governance.The video ?Mannu Aamka Tuzyawar Bharosa Nai Hai?, which has gone viral, features workers of the organisation questioning ?Mannu? (Manohar Parrikar) backing the casino industry.?Mannu we do not trust you, Mannu is your humanity no more, You are a protector of casinos, You are a destroyer of Goa,? says the video. The manch, has been critical of Parrikar?s functioning and policies in the past as well.The song is in protest of a new casino-housing vessel, promoted by Haryana politician Gopal Kanda, which beached at the Miramar beach near Panaji a few days ago. It has been a subject of controversy, especially in the Goa legislative assembly, during the ongoing monsoon session.Parrikar, who as opposition leader, had led a seven-year campaign against the casino industry, is now accused by the Congress of going back on his words to ban casinos from Goa?s rivers.?We had thought that he would move casinos from the Mandovi. Goa?s educated society does not want casinos at all. He does not bother or love Goan culture. This song should remind people about all failed promises and political treachery by Parrikar,? Goa Suraksha Manch spokersperson Anand Shirodkar said on Wednesday.A few days ago, Red FM and comedian José Covaco had released videos slamming the BMC and supporting RJ?Malishka.Inputs from IANS

Deepali Aggarwal

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Swiss town sealed off after chainsaw attacker injures five

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/24/chainsaw-attack-in-swiss-town-schaffhausen?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Swiss town of Schaffhausen was sealed off on Monday after a chainsaw attacker stormed an office building, injuring five people in a violent attack, according to reports. Confirming the identity of the assailant, police have launched a search operation to capture him. However, the incident is not being treated as a terrorist activity.

A man who injured several people with a chainsaw when he stormed the office of an insurance company in the Swiss town of Schaffhausen on Monday morning remains at large as over a hundred police officers are engaged in a man-hunt along the Swiss-German border.One person was seriously hurt and four others sustained light injuries when Swiss citizen Franz Wrousis, 51, went on a rampage at the offices of CSS, a leading health insurance company. Authorities on Monday afternoon downgraded earlier reports of two victims with serious injuries.Police believe the attack was directly targeted at the insurance company but could not comment further on a possible motive while the attacker remained on the run.?This is not an attack against a hypothetical person. This is clearly against people from the insurer,? Major Ravi Landolt of the police told a news conference.Police spokesperson Cindy Beer confirmed that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack.Emergency services had been informed of the incident at 10.39am (0839 GMT) but found that the perpetrator had left the scene of the crime by the time police arrived.Schaffhausen?s old town has been sealed off as police continue to search for the perpetrator in the centre and vicinity of Switzerland?s northernmost city.Wrousis, described as an approximately 1.9m tall male, bald and of ?unkempt appearance?, was already known to police in relation with two offences against the country?s weapons law, in 2014 and 2016. Police were able to release several close-up pictures of the wanted man.Having previously been registered in the canton of Graubünden, Wrousis had recently been without fixed abode and is believed to have lived in a stretch of forest 2km outside Schaffhausen.The municipal mayor said Wrousis had left a confused impression on the local population: ?He told my dog that he had a great haircut,? Ruedi Karre told news portal 24 Minuten.A white Volkswagen Caddy vehicle with a Graubünden number plate previously used by Wrousis was later discovered in the city.Schaffhausen state prosecutor Peter Stichler appealed for caution among the local population, saying that Wrousis could act aggressively when cornered.

Sumedha Sehra

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Aaj aapne pakad liya: LeT man Dujana before being killed

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/abu-dujana-last-phone-call-lashkar-e-taiba-jammu-and-kashmir/1/1017550.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Lashkar-e-Taiba's Kashmir commander Abu Dujana, who was killed by security forces, said "Kabhi hum aage, kabhi aap, aaj aapne pakad liya, mubarak ho aapko (Today you caught me. Congratulations)" after being caught. He added that he won't surrender, and whatever is in his fate will happen to him. "Hum nikley they shaheed hone (had left home for martyrdom)," he added.

Lashkar-e-Taiba's Kashmir commander Abu Dujana was killed in an encounter in a village in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir earlier this week. Dujana, who had managed to give the security forces a slip several times in the past, carried a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head.Reports say that Dujana had come to meet his wife when he was trapped inside a house in Hakripora village. Security officials involved in the encounter tried their best to convince Dujana to surrender but he refused, reports say.According to reports, Dujana rejected call for surrender from an Army officer. The Army had commissioned a local to start a telephonic conversation with Dujana. After initiating the talk, the local villager handed over the phone to the army officer."Kya haal hai? Maine kaha, kya haal hai (How are you. I asked, how are you)?" Dujana is heard asking the officer. The officer replies: "Humara haal chhor Dujana. Surrender kyun nahi kar deta. Tu galat kar rha hai (Why don't you surrender? You have married this girl. What you are doing isn't right.)"When told that he is being used by Pakistani agencies as a pawn, Dujana, who sounded calm and unperturbed of the situation, said "Hum nikley they shaheed hone. Main kya karu. Jisko game khelna hai, khelo. Kabhi hum aage, kabhi aap, aaj aapne pakad liya, mubarak ho aapko. Jisko jo karna hai karlo (I had left home for martyrdom. What can I do? Today you caught me. Congratulations. "Surrender nahi kar sakta. Jo meri kismat may likha hoga, Allah wahi karega, theek hai? (I won't surrender. Allaah would do whatever is there in my fate)" Dujana went on to say. Dujana, who belonged to Pakistan, was Lashkar-e-Taiba's divisional commander in south Kashmir. He was among the top 10 terrorists identified by the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.With a Rs 15 lakh bounty on his head, Dujana was labelled an 'A++' terrorist - the top grade which was also given to Burhan Wani.Security forces received inputs that during the last few days he was frequenting the houses of his wife Rukaiya and girlfriend Shazia. Police was keeping a watch on both the houses. when it was confirmed he was present in his wife's house, security forces moved in to trap him.ALSO READ:After Abu Dujana, security forces prepare new hitlist of most wanted terroristsAbu Dujana encounter: Jilted lover turned police informer led security forces to LeT commander

Ankur Vyas

27 Feb 2017,Monday

Attack planned on PM Modi's life ahead of Mau rally: Police

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/narendra-modi-mau-rasool-pati-mukhtar-ansari/1/892227.html

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election rally at Mau in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, Mau ASP RK Singh has reportedly said there was a threat to PM's life during the visit. Rasool Pati, an accused in the murder of BJP leader Haren Pandya, has planned to attack PM's convoy with rocket launchers and explosives, police reportedly said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address an election rally at Mau in Uttar Pradesh today. Mau ASP RK Singh has been quoted in reports that there is threat to PM Modi's life during his visit to this Poorvanchal district of Uttar Pradesh.

Gaurav Shroff

20 Mar 2017,Monday

I fear I may not be welcome in Trump's US: Stephen Hawking

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/mar/20/stephen-hawking-trump-good-morning-britain-interview?CMP=twt_gu

Talking about plans on visiting the US, British physicist Stephen Hawking said, "I would like to visit again and to talk to other scientists, but I fear that I may not be welcome." He added that the country had taken a "definite swing to a rightwing, more authoritarian approach". The 75-year-old Cambridge scientist also raised concerns over Trump's environment policy.

Stephen Hawking, the leading British physicist and cosmologist, has said he no longer feels welcome in the US under Donald Trump.Prof Hawking is a recipient of the prestigious US Franklin medal for science and received the presidential medal of freedom from Barack Obama in 2009. Now he has spoken out about his fears for the country?s ?definite swing to a rightwing, more authoritarian approach?.?I would like to visit again and to talk to other scientists, but I fear that I may not be welcome,? he said in an interview with Good Morning Britain on Monday.The 75-year-old Cambridge scientist said he was particularly concerned about Trump?s environment policy.?He should replace Scott Pruitt at the Environment Protection Agency,? he said. ?Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it?s one we can prevent. It affects America badly, so tackling it should win votes for his second term. God forbid.?Hawking has previously described Trump as a demagogue. ?Trump was elected by people who felt disenfranchised by the governing elite in a revolt against globalisation,? he told ITV1?s breakfast programme. ?His priority will be to satisfy his electorate, who are neither liberal nor that well informed.?Hawking said, however, that he saw signs of hope for the world in the rise of women to powerful positions in public life, and he revealed his excitement at the possibility of sending tiny robots into space to investigate earth-like planets trillions of miles away.Asked about the ascent of Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon and Cressida Dick, the new Met police commissioner, he said: ?If we factor in high-powered women in Europe as well, such as Angela Merkel, it seems we are witnessing a seismic shift for women to accede to high-level positions in politics and society. ?But there may still be a gap between those women achieving high public status and those in the private sector. I welcome these signs of women?s liberation.?When asked whether he thought the Nasa space programme should be restarted following the discovery of new planets, Hawking said: ?The recently discovered system of seven Earth-sized planets is 39 light years away. With current technology there is no way we can travel that far. ?The best we can envisage is robotic nanocraft pushed by giant lasers to 20% of the speed of light. These nanocraft weigh a few grams and would take about 240 years to reach their destination and send pictures back. It is feasible and is something that I am very excited about.?On British politics, Hawking said he felt a ?hard Brexit? should be resisted, with the UK retaining strong links with the EU and China. He also said that Labour, which he backed at the 2015 general election, would not win the next election under Jeremy Corbyn. ?He doesn?t come across as a strong leader, and he allowed the media to portray him as a leftwing extremist, which he?s not,? he said. ?It?s no good having the right principles if you never get in power.?

Ankur Vyas

08 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Panneerselvam orders probe into Jayalalithaa's death

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sasikala-natarajan-tamil-nadu-cm-o-panneerselvam-aiadmk-dmk-governor/1/877494.html

Tamil Nadu interim CM O Panneerselvam on Wednesday asserted that he has recommended an inquiry commission to probe Jayalalithaa's death. A sitting Supreme Court judge will head the inquiry commission, he said. There were health queries regarding Jayalalithaa raised in the recent past and it was the state's duty to inquire about them, he added.

Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK is locked in an ugly war within as acting Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has vowed to stay put in office while party General Secretary VK Sasikala Natarajan accused him of trying to split the party with the opposition DMK's backing.A night after Panneerselvam revolted against Sasikala, who had been elected the AIADMK legislature wing leader, the long-time confidante of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa accused Panneerselvam of "betrayal" after he refused to back her plans to head the government.On his part, Panneerselvam announced that a Supreme Court judge will head a Commission of Inquiry to probe the December 5 demise of Jayalalithaa. He said there were many questions over the death.Both camps claim majority support among the AIADMK's 134 legislators in Tamil Nadu, with reports saying most of them have been bussed away to a hotel near the Chennai airport. Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao is expected to play a key role in resolving the crisis -- or recommend President's Rule in the state. Here are the LIVE updates: Tamil Nadu: Sasikala supporters outside Poes Garden in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/CC93kCxwroI continued with my post only after union govt asked me to do so after resignation: #OPanneerselvampic.twitter.com/bebSQ8mNbETN: #SasikalaNatarajan reached party headquarters in Chennai for #AIADMK MLAs meeting. pic.twitter.com/P56JnRKzi3#SasikalaNatarajan leaves #PoesGarden residence in Chennai for #AIADMK MLAs meet at party headquarter. pic.twitter.com/irIETlX8mgTamil Nadu Political crisis: #OPanneerselvam at his residence in Chennai, says will prove my strength in the assembly. pic.twitter.com/7LNCWXSWDrI will meet the Governor once he is back here: #OPanneerselvam in Chennai pic.twitter.com/0i3PLwSYHU#SasikalaNatarajan should be sworn-in as CM;If delayed itâ??ll be violence against Constitution;President must intervene-Subramanian Swamy,BJP pic.twitter.com/gbOlDA84y3How can we support #OPanneerselvam when he's in oppo?We're major party,want to come back to power,expose AIADMK's wrongdoings: TKS Elangovan pic.twitter.com/t9rzzDOhhaVisuals from #jayalalithaa's memorial at Chennai's Marina Beach pic.twitter.com/mzjqbjzwB9PANNEERSELVAM REVOLTS Immediately after being sacked from the post of AIADMK treasurer by party General Secretary VK Sasikala, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that no one had the right to do so and dismissed claims that DMK influenced his move. He said his next course of action would "reflect" the "aspirations" of AIADMK cadres and people of Tamil Nadu. WATCH | No one in Tamil Nadu has the right to take away my treasurer post: O Panneerselvam on his expulsion"No one has the right to remove me from the post of treasurer which was given to me by Amma 10 years ago," he told reporters.Asked if the AIADMK chief had charged him with association with DMK as she could not find any other allegation, he quoted a Tamil proverb, the meaning of which is "I have nothing and no one to fear as I have done no wrong." Panneerselvam also said "I am a grassroot-level ordinary party worker." Asked if he would launch a new party and if he would call on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, he said "please wait and see."Also read:

Chhavi Tyagi

11 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Firing didn't last for over 20secs: Amarnath attack survivor

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/they-started-firing-indiscriminately-amarnath-yatra-survivors-recount-attack/story-YpQBwS4qFgbsszTJX5WxhJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Recounting Anantnag terror attack, one of the survivors said, "The firing didn't last for more than 20 seconds. And, we couldn't see who was firing as it was dark outside." He further said, "People just rolled on the bus floor over one another." Another survivor said, "The people sitting near the driver's cabin bore the brunt but the driver survived."

It didn?t take much time for the terrorists to create the mayhem in south Kashmir?s Anantnag on Monday night when seven pilgrims were killed and several others injured while returning from the Amarnath cave shrine.Survivors of the terrorist attack said had it not been for the driver of the bus they were travelling in, many more would have lost their lives.Recounting the attack, the survivors said they did not realise what was happening as many were sleeping and the gunmen fired indiscriminately in the dark.?The firing did not last for more than 20 seconds. And, we could not see who was firing as it was dark outside,? said Amit Kumar, a Rajasthan resident who works as a cook for the pilgrims from Gujarat. ?People just rolled on the bus floor one over another,? he said.The bus carrying over 50 pilgrims mostly from Gujarat and Maharashtra was attacked around 8.20pm near Batengoo area on Monday. Police said the terrorists initially attacked a bullet proof bunker in the area and later a check post near Khanabal.?Phataphat marne lage goli, andhere mein kuch samaj nahi aaya (They started firing indiscriminately. We could not fathom anything in the dark),?? Baghimani Thakur, another traveller from Palgad Maharastra, added.Kumar said he survived the attack as he was sitting in the back seat. ?The people sitting near the driver?s cabin bore the brunt but the driver survived,? he said.He added the bus driver Saleem?s presence of mind saved many lives as he did not stop the vehicle even amid the hail of bullets. ?Malik (the owner of the bus) told the driver Saleem: ?Bhai, just rush the bus. Don?t stop?. And the driver just drove the bus at full speed and only stopped when we reached an army camp,? he said.A policeman from Anantnag, who was keeping a watch over two of the injured at the Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar, also corroborated Kumar?s account. He said the bus stopped in Khanabal Chowk and the injured were immediately taken to the army hospital.?After basic treatment at the army hospital, the injured were taken to the district hospital in Anantnag after which the seriously wounded were rushed to Srinagar hospitals,? he said.Prakash Wadani, another survivor, said that the pilgrims had planned to visit Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra the next day.Kumar said that they left their hotel in Srinagar at 5:30pm and as fate would have it, the bus had a flat tyre. ?It took an hour for us to replace the tyre and that caused the delay,? he said.Daksha, a pilgrim from Dahnu in Maharashtra, said the passengers spent the time chatting on the roadside while the tyre was being changed ?unaware of what lay in store for them minutes later??.All the survivors and injured were airlifted to Delhi on Tuesday morning. Only two of the injured - Pushpa and Lalita ? are being treated at the state?s tertiary care hospital Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar. Kumar is looking after them at the hospital.Pushpa was hit on her right hip and is recuperating in the emergency ward and Lalita, doctors said, was in the intensive care unit.Police have blamed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba of the attack, however, the militant outfit denied the charges and its spokesperson Abdullah Ghaznavi called it a ?highly reprehensible act?? and blamed ?Indian agencies?? for the attack.?Islam doesn?t allow violence against any faith. We strongly condemn such acts,?? a LeT statement said.Police insisted that the bus came under fire and was not the ?actual target of the militants??.A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, refused to call the incident a security lapse saying ?the bus had flouted all norms??.?The Amarnath yatris escorted by security cross the Banihal tunnel around 2pm, on Monday the yatris had crossed the area by 1pm. The highway is secured but high security can?t be 24 hours. We don?t allow any movement of yatris or tourists in the area after 5pm,?? he added.?Technically, they were tourists and not yatris so we could not stop them,?? the officer said.Police have said the bus was a private vehicle and not registered with the Amarnath Shrine Board. The passengers had completed the darshan on July 8 and stayed back in Srinagar for sight seeing.Over 2.20 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the Amarnath cave shrine - situated at a height of 3,880 metres in south Kashmir Himalayas - during an unrest in 2016 after Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan Wani?s killing in July last year. The number was lowest since 2003.This year the numbers have already crossed 1.5 lakh. The state government has not stopped the pilgrimage and a fresh batch of more than 3000 pilgrims left Jammu for base camps in Kashmir on Tuesday.

Akshita Jain

26 Jan 2017,Thursday

Mumbai NGO trains needy kids in sports, sends them to school

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/football-street-children-ngo-mumbai-anstrengung-united/1/860775.html

Three friends Amol Sawant, Shrungar Raul and Pervez Shaikh from Mumbai have formed 'Anstrengung United', an NGO which trains about 200 needy children in sports. Their journey started with befriending four street children, who were getting addicted to drugs. They started gathering these four children every day to play football and gradually convinced their parents to send them to school.

Along with a college friend, Amol Sawant, 30, Shrungar Raul and Pervez Shaikh began teaching football to street children from Matunga, in Mumbai, later starting Anstrengung United, an NGO that today trains as many as 200 street children."When we were in college, there were four street children who would beg for money outside our campus. Over time, we became friends with them. None of these children had been to school, and over time we realised they were getting addicted to drugs. Living on the streets, there were also the usual street fights and lack of nutrition and hygiene. After we finished college and got jobs, we decided to do something for them."{mosimage} 

Parichit Mainra

13 Dec 2016,Tuesday

Pak Army called to disperse mob attacking Ahmadi Mosque

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-ahmadi-muslims-mob-violence-army-punjab/1/833148.html

Pakistani Army had to be called in to disperse a mob of around 1,000 people who attacked an Ahmadi mosque in Chakwal district in Pakistan's Punjab, according to reports. The minority Ahmadi community has come under attack from Sunni extremists and mobs several times in the recent past. Notably, Pakistan's Ahmadi Muslims community is not recognised as Muslims by law.

The Pakistan Army had to be sent in to restore control after a mob of around 1000 people charged an Ahmadi place of worship in Chakwal district in the province of Punjab.According to report by a Pakistani daily , a group of Ahmadi Muslims had gathered at the place of worship in order to offer their daily prayers but soon the 1000-strong mob started bearing down on the location shouting anti-Ahmadi slogans.Those present in the place of worship had to lock themselves in, in order to avoid confrontation with the angry mob. The government of Punjab today sent in the army which managed to disperse the crowd .RESPONSEThe provincial government claimed that a misunderstanding led to the escalation of violence and that it  had previously directed the Home Department to address the situation.Also read: Watch: Pakistani journalist threatens PM Modi, says Indian forces are intruding The Ahmedi Muslim community which is a minority in Pakistan has come under attack from Sunni extremist groups and mobs several times in the recent past. Them,  along with the minority Shia community have been the target of several terror plots including attempts to bomb places of worship.

Rini Sinha

25 Dec 2016,Sunday

Pic of Kareena celebrating Christmas eve shared online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kareena-kapoor-saif-ali-khan-sara-ibrahim-karisma-malaika/1/842488.html

A photograph of actress Kareena Kapoor celebrating Christmas eve with sister Karisma, and friends Malaika Arora and Amrita Arora has been shared online. Kareena and Saif hosted a party to mark Christmas eve, which was also attended by Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu. Kareena gave birth to son Taimur, her first child with husband Saif Ali Khan this week.

Christmas came early this time for Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who were blessed with a baby boy on December 20. Now that mommy Kareena and li'l Taimur are back home, it's celebration time.PHOTOS: Kareena returns home after delivery, poses with Saif and li'l Taimur ALSO READ: Rishi Kapoor slams Twitter trolls on Taimur, says mind your bloody businessALSO READ: Twitter is obsessed with Kareena's son Taimur and Shahid's daughter MishaSaif and Kareena hosted a grand Christmas bash at their place last night, celebrating the festival as well as the birth of Taimur. Bebo was every bit the yummy mummy in her red-hot dress, while Saif looked dapper. Stealing the show were Saif's kids, Sara and Ibrahim. While Sara looked drop-dead gorgeous in a black lacy top and blingy pencil skirt, Ibrahim rocked the casual look in his grey tee.Karisma Kapoor looked her stunning self, and was accompanied by her children, Sameira and Kiaan. While Malaika Arora came in solo, Kareena's bestie Amrita Arora walked in hand-in-hand with hubby Shakeel Ladak. Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu made for a picture-perfect couple. Theeeee girl ganggggggð??·ð???â?¤ï¸?Merry xmas ð???ð???ð??¼ð??·ð???â?¤ï¸?N we are backkkð???ð??¼ð???ð??¼ð???ð??¼A photo posted by Amrita Arora (@amuaroraofficial) on Dec 24, 2016 at 11:39am PSTYeahhhh babyð???â?¤ï¸?ð???ð??¼A photo posted by Amrita Arora (@amuaroraofficial) on Dec 24, 2016 at 1:27pm PSTBro & Sis Ibrahim and Sara Ali Khan celebrate Christmas with dad Saif and Bhua Soha. @Instantbollywood â?¤ â?¤ â?¤ . . . #Instabollywood #bollywood #saifalikhan #sohaalikhan #kunalkhemu #saraalikhan #ibrahimalikhanA photo posted by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) on Dec 25, 2016 at 12:34am PST 

Dishant Sharma

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

BCCI, Cricket Australia to partner for exchange programmes

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bcci-and-ca-to-partner-for-exchange-programs/1/909389.html

BCCI's National Cricket Academy has undertaken an initiative to conduct a refresher course for the existing accredited coaches of the BCCI in conjunction with Cricket Australia. CA deputed their faculty to conduct the Level-2 course, which is being held from March 21 to April 1, 2017. A male and a female batch of 25 coaches each are taking the course.

Arshiya Chopra

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

FSSAI bans use of staple pins in tea bags from Jan 2018

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/fssai-bans-use-of-staple-pins-in-tea-bags-from-jan-2018/story-Q2WAh0peJ64a2KY0TPfZ1I.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Food regulator FSSAI has banned the use of staple pins in tea bags from January next year citing serious health hazards. Use of staple pins in tea bags poses potential hazards since any loose pin consumed inadvertently can cause serious health problems, the order said. At present, types of tea bags available in the market are either stapled or knotted.

Food regulator FSSAI has banned use of staple pins in tea bags from January next year as it can cause serious health hazards, its CEO Pawan Agarwal said on?Wednesday.?We were getting complaints about the use of staple pins in tea bags. If these pins consumed inadvertently with tea, it may cause serious health hazards,? he said on the sidelines of a CII conference on health supplements and nutraceuticals sector.Agarwal said the industry has the timelines till January 2018 to replace production line for adhering this order.As per the FSSAI order, at present, there are two types of tea bags available in the market viz stapled tea bags and knotted tea bags.?Use of staple pins in tea bags poses potential hazards to consumers since any loose staple pin consumed inadvertently with tea may cause serious health hazards,? FSSAI order said.It directed the food business operators to discontinue the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags on January 2018.Asked about food quality in railways, Agarwal said it is working with Railways authorities to make a robust food safety system.FSSAI?s CEO said that the draft regulations of labelling would be issued soon.

Sumedha Sehra

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

Send Dutt back to jail if rules were broken: Maha govt to HC

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/sanjay-dutt-can-be-sent-back-to-jail-maharashtra-government-to-bombay-hc/story-FADVoJjox1KsMPE2yqHcpN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Maharashtra government reiterated on Thursday that no rules were broken in releasing actor Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 blasts case. It said that although no norms were flouted in remitting Dutt's sentence, the court could order him to be "sent back to jail". However, the court said it had "no such intention", and only needed affirmation in the case.

The Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court on Thursday that although it had not flouted any norms in remitting actor Sanjay Dutt?s sentence in the 1993 blasts case, yet, if the court disagreed, and detected a mistake, it could order for Dutt to be ?sent back to jail?.A bench of justices RM Savant and Sadhana Jadhav, however, said that the court had ?no such intention,? and that it only wished to affirm that the ?due process of law was followed,? in permitting Dutt to walk out of jail eight months before the completion of his five-year sentence.The bench also questioned the decision of the state and prison authorities to grant frequent paroles and furloughs to Dutt while he was serving his sentence in Pune?s Yerwada jail.Read: Sanjay Dutt was out on parole half the time, why did govt still release him early: Bombay HCIt noted on one instance, just two months into his sentence, Dutt had been granted parole, and furlough ?concurrently? ? a practice rarely followed for regular convicts.Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, who appeared for the state government, however, said the prison authorities and the state government routinely granted parole to most convicts to ?encourage good conduct,? and to reward good behaviour.Kumbhakoni argued he had ?searched the origins of the word parole on Google? and affirmed the word indeed meant to offer a reward of sorts.He argued it was just in cases involving ?high-profile convicts, even a day?s delay or remission was made a big deal of?. The bench has directed the state to file a detailed affidavit within two weeks, explaining the reasons for granting the frequent paroles and furlough and remission to Dutt.Read:?Paroles, furloughs: How Sanjay Dutt walked in and out of jail in 5 yrs

Sumedha Sehra

22 May 2017,Monday

India a victim of terrorism: Donald Trump

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-a-victim-of-terror-donald-trump-acknowledges/1/959666.html

US President Donald Trump said in his speech in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, that India is a victim of terrorism, along with other countries like Russia and China. He said that all these countries, as well as US and Europe, have "suffered repeated barbaric attacks" and have "endured unspeakable horror". He asked Muslim-majority countries' leaders to help defeat terrorism.

United States President Donald Trump, during his speech at the Arab-Islamic-US summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, acknowledged that India is a victim of terrorism and said, without explicitly naming Pakistan, that every country must ensure that terrorists don't find sanctuaries within their borders. "India, Russia, China, and Australia have all been victims" of terrorism, Trump said, adding that the countries, as well as the US and Europe, have "suffered repeated barbaric attacks" and have "endured unspeakable horror". In a carefully worded speech delivered at a gathering of about 50 leaders of Muslim-majority countries, Trump did not use his signature phrase "radical Islamic terrorism", a term he often used during his campaign for the US president. Trump, however, called upon the Middle East and Muslim countries to do their bit to defeat terrorism (Full text of Donald Trump's speech). "Terrorism has spread all across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land", Trump said. "Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden if we are going to defeat terrorism and send its wicked ideology into oblivion."Urging countries to deny terrorists space to operate, Trump said, "The first task in this joint effort is for your nations to deny all territory to the foot soldiers of evil...Every country in the region has an absolute duty to ensure that terrorists find no sanctuary on their soil."Terming the Middle East as a holy land, Trump urged countries in the region to "drive out" terrorists. "A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship, drive them out of your communities, drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth," the president said. ATTACKS IRAN Trump went on to criticise Iran, which just saw President Hassan Rouhani win a re-election bid, saying the country has "for decades...fueled the fires of sectarian conflict and terror." "It is a government that speaks openly of mass murder, vowing the destruction of Israel, death to America, and ruin for many leaders and nations in this very room", Trump added.Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif hit back on Twitter, posting a seemingly sarcastic tweet that read " Iran-fresh from real elections-attacked by @POTUS in that bastion of democracy & moderation" Saudi Arabia. Zarif indicated that Trump had during his Saudi Arabia visit milked his hosts of hundreds of billions of dollars in business deals. Trump signed deals worth nearly $400 billion. In his speech, Trump said the agreements will "create many hundreds of thousands of jobs in America and Saudi Arabia." The agreements include a $110 billion Saudi-funded defense purchase. Trump said the US will ensure that its "Saudi friends" get a good deal from "our great American defense companies, the greatest anywhere in the world." "This agreement will help the Saudi military to take a far greater role in security and operations having to do with security", Trump added. (With agency inputs)

Vaibhav Gupta

21 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Note ban has reduced Andhra's revenue by 30%: State Minister

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/note-ban-hits-andhra-hard-as-revenues-down-30percent-says-minister/1/840002.html

Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Y Ramakrishnudu on Wednesday said that demonetisation has reduced the state's revenue by 30%, but hoped that the implementation of Goods and Services Tax might help increase the government's income. Adding that people have faced problems due to note ban, Ramakrishnudu said the government will need to take measures to sustain the revenues and economic growth.

Vijayawada, Dec 21 (PTI) Demonetisation has led to a 30 per cent drop in revenues for Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said today but hoped implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) might help increase the Government income. Addressing a two-day conference of district Collectors here, Yanamala said people were suffering as they did not have money in hand following the note ban. "People are facing problems. This is a critical period for the Government. Our revenues are affected and are down by 30 per cent. The Central revenues, too, have dropped and consequently it will lead to decrease in devolution of revenue to the State," he elaborated. "We have to take care to sustain the revenues and also growth by ensuring the economic activity is not down." Yanamala said the State registered an economic growth of 12.23 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal with agriculture and allied sectors contributing 24.44 per cent.

Aarushi Maheshwari

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Bus seats mistaken for burqas by Norway anti-immigrant group

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/02/bus-seats-mistaken-burqas-anti-immigrant-group-norwegian?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The members of a Norwegian anti-immigrant group have been trolled for mistaking a photograph of six empty bus seats for a group of women wearing burqas. The post, shared on the closed Facebook group Fedrelandet viktigst (Fatherland first), garnered comments like "Get them out of our country" and "Could be terrorists." It was shared on the group as a prank.

A Norwegian anti-immigrant group has been roundly ridiculed after members apparently mistook a photograph of six empty bus seats posted on its Facebook page for a group of women wearing burqas.?Tragic?, ?terrifying? and ?disgusting? were among the comments posted by members of the closed Fedrelandet viktigst, or ?Fatherland first?, group beneath the photograph, according to screenshots on the Norwegian news website Nettavisen.Other members of the 13,000-strong group, for people ?who love Norway and appreciate what our ancestors fought for?, wondered whether the non-existent passengers might be carrying bombs or weapons beneath their clothes. ?This looks really scary,? wrote one. ?Should be banned. You can?t tell who?s underneath. Could be terrorists.?Further comments read: ?Ghastly. This should never happen,? ?Islam is and always will be a curse,? ?Get them out of our country ? frightening times we are living in,? and: ?I thought it would be like this in the year 2050, but it is happening NOW,? according to thelocal.no and other media.The photograph, found on the internet, was posted ?for a joke? last week by Johan Slåttavik, who has since described himself as ?Norway?s worst web troll and proud of it?, beneath a question asking the group: ?What do people think of this??Slåttavik told Nettavisen and Norway?s TV2 he wanted to ?highlight the difference between legitimate criticism of immigration and blind racism?, and was ?interested to see how people?s perceptions of an image are influenced by how others around them react. I ended up having a good laugh.?It went viral in Norway after Sindre Beyer, a former Labour party MP who said he has been following Fatherland first for some time, published 23 pages of screenshots of the group?s outraged comments.?What happens when a photo of some empty bus seats is posted to a disgusting Facebook group, and nearly everyone thinks they see a bunch of burqas?? he asked in a post shared more than 1,800 times. The comments suggested the vast majority of the anti-immigrant group?s members saw the photo as evidence of the ongoing ?Islamification? of Norway, although a small number pointed out it was in fact a picture of bus seats. One warned the group was making itself look ridiculous.Beyer told Nettavisen: ?I?m shocked at how much hate and fake news is spread [on the Fedrelandet viktigst page]. So much hatred against empty bus seats certainly shows that prejudice wins out over wisdom.?The head of Norway?s Antiracist Centre, Rune Berglund Steen, told the site that people plainly ?see what they want to see ? and what these people want to see are dangerous Muslims?.Norway recently became the latest European country to propose restrictions on the wearing of burqas and niqabs, tabling a law that will bar them from kindergartens, schools and universities. France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Bulgaria and the German state of Bavaria all restrict full-face veils in some public places.The country?s minority government, a coalition of the centre-right Conservatives and the populist Progress party that faces elections next month, said in June it was confident it would find opposition support for the move.Per Sandberg, then acting immigration and integration minister, told a press conference that face-covering garments such as the niqab or burqa ?do not belong in Norwegian schools. The ability to communicate is a basic value.?

Ankush Verma

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Donald Trump calls for transparent Mexico border wall

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jul/13/mexico-border-wall-trump-plan-wont-need-full-border?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that his proposed wall along the US-Mexico border will need to be transparent so that people on the US side do not get hit by massive sacks of drugs being tossed over it. Trump earlier proposed attaching solar panels, saying the panels would provide cheap energy to pay for the wall.

Donald Trump doesn?t see the need for a proposed border wall to stretch the length of the roughly 2,000-mile (3,218 km) frontier with Mexico.Instead, he envisions ?anywhere from 700 (1,126 km) to 900 miles (1,448 km) of see-through wall?.Trump?s comments on the wall are the most definitive description he has given on what became a primary campaign promise. During the campaign he vowed to oversee construction of a ?big beautiful wall, with a big beautiful door? to let approved immigrants come into the United States.But on his way to Paris, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One: ?It?s a 2,000-mile border, but you don?t need 2,000 miles of wall because you have a lot of natural barriers. You have mountains. You have some rivers that are violent and vicious. You have some areas that are so far away that you don?t really have people crossing.?There are already about 650 miles (1,046 km) of fencing along the border, all of which is see-through.Trump?s remarks were informal and initially not allowed to be reported. The White House later provided a partial transcript of them.The Mexican border in much of Texas is defined by the Rio Grande, though parts of that river are little more than a trickle of water. About 24 miles (38 km) of the border in Arizona is marked by the Colorado river.Trump also said the wall ?needs transparency?.?You have to be able to see through it,? Trump said, adding that border agents need to know what or who is on the other side of the fence to avoid being hit by sacks of drugs and other contraband.?As horrible as it sounds, when they throw the large sacks of drugs over, and if you have people on the other side of the wall, you don?t see them. They hit you on the head with 60 pounds (27 kg) of stuff? It?s over,? Trump said.Drug smugglers have tried to fling bundles of drugs over parts of the roughly 650 miles of border that already has fencing or other barriers, using tactics including sling shots and catapults. But it?s unclear if anyone has ever been injured by the flying contraband.This year the government issued two notices for border wall proposals. The first called for a solid structure up to 30 ft (9.14 meters) high that couldn?t be easily breached. The second bid notice called for other types of walls, including something that could be seen through.Homeland security secretary John Kelly has said that border agents need to be able to see what is on the other side of a barrier for security and safety reasons. He has repeatedly said that Trump?s proposed wall would not be ?sea to shining sea?, from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Gulf of Mexico in the east.

Sumedha Sehra

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Bal Gangadhar Tilak's great grandson booked for rape

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tilaks-great-grandson-booked-for-rape-police/1/1004507.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A case has been registered against Congress leader Rohit Tilak, the great grandson of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, for allegedly raping a woman and forcing her into 'unnatural sex'. According to the complainant, Tilak repeatedly raped her on "pretext of marrying her". Various charges including rape, unnatural offences, and voluntarily causing hurt have been slapped against him.

Pune, Jul 17 (PTI) Congress leader Rohit Tilak, who is the great-grandson of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, was today booked for allegedly raping a woman and forcing her into "unnatural" sex, the police said. The case was registered against him late tonight. Tilak is the great-grandson of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak and grandson of late Jayantrao Tilak, who was a senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament. The police said the 40-year-old complainant and Tilak knew each other for the last couple of years.

Daisy Mowke

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Malaika Arora endorses designer Satya Paul's new collection

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/malaika-arora-brand-ambassador-satya-paul-saree-bohemian-rhapsody-lifest/1/885890.html

Actress Malaika Arora has been appointed the ambassador of Indian fashion designer Satya Paul's Spring/ Summer 2017 sari collection. The collection, named 'Bohemian Rhapsody', celebrates the vibrant expressions of street art and the streets it is seen on. "A sari is one of the most elegant and feminine garments. I think it flatters the female form beautifully," said Malaika.

When you want to advertise the most beautiful garment ever made for the female body, whom would you choose to model for it?The woman with the hottest bod in the country, of course!So, Satya Paul is launching a new line of its signature six-yard wonders, and it's got none other than Malaika Arora Khan to advertise for it. Malaika, who shot in a vibrant sari for Satya Paul's spring-summer 2017 collection, says the six-yard wonder exudes elegance. "A sari is one of the most elegant and feminine garments. I think it flatters the female form beautifully. I love the sari, especially for formal occasions," Malaika said in a statement.

Prashanti Moktan

21 Mar 2017,Tuesday

Dutt suffers hairline rib fracture at shoot of fight scene

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sanjay-dutt-bhoomi-injured-rib-fracture/1/909282.html

Sanjay Dutt has suffered a hairline rib fracture while shooting a fight sequence, with a group of 19-20 men, for his film 'Bhoomi'. Dutt got injured when a jump went wrong as the scene, which is the film's climax, was being shot in Chambal. While Dutt has been advised to rest, he has continued shooting, taking rest only during breaks.

Sanjay Dutt, who is currently busy shooting for his comeback film Bhoomi in Agra, was injured on the sets yesterday. The actor got injured during a fight sequence in Chambal, for the climax of the film, where he had to fight with a group of 19-20 men.Sanjay was injured during a jump gone wrong, and even though the pain aggravated through the day, he continued shooting. When the doctors conducted an X-ray post the shoot, it was confirmed that the actor had a hairline rib fracture.Even though Sanjay has been advised to rest, he has continued shooting, taking rest only during breaks.Producer Sandeep Singh said, "We were shooting the climax scene in the Chambal ravines and Sanjay was in an action sequence when he hurt himself in the rib cage. He must have been in a lot of pain, but he did not stop. Later when we went to the doctor, the X-ray showed a hairline fracture. We wanted to stop the shoot, but Baba insisted. Really commendable on his part."Producer Bhushan Kumar added, "We really appreciate that Sanjay has been shooting non-stop despite the excruciating pain that he must be in. He is truly a phenomenal person and actor." Bhoomi, directed by Omung Kumar, revolves around a father-daughter relationship. Aditi Rao Hydari plays Sanjay Dutt's daughter and the titular character. Sanjay was last seen in a guest appearance in Rajkumar Hirani's satirical film PK.

Tarun Khanna

05 May 2017,Friday

I'm ashamed: Mamata on BJP leader's 'hijra' remark

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mamata-banerjee-hijra-west-bengal-bjp-shyamapada-mondal/1/945672.html

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Thursday reacted to BJP leader Shyamapada Mondal's 'hijra' (eunuch) remark, stating she feels ashamed of such remarks. "How dare they question my birth, my identity, my parents? Who are they? Even we worship Lord Ram, that Ram who worshipped Maa Durga," she said. Mondal had earlier said that TMC chief is a 'hijra'.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today become emotional while reacting to a state BJP leaders derogatory remarks against her last week.Speaking at a public rally in Malda district, in a visibly angry and emotional outburst Banerjee said, "I feel ashamed to say this, recently I heard a BJP leader's speech on TV while he was asking whether Mamata Banerjee is a woman or man or a Hijra. I am ashamed (of such remarks). I have taken birth on this soil. If it was some other state they would have been given a befitting reply. How dare they question my birth, my identity, my parents! Who are they? Even we worship Lord Ram, that Ram who worshipped Maa Durga."Last week, a BJP leader from West Midnapore district Shyamapada Mondal had made the controversial remark about the Trinamool Congress supremo that triggered widespread condemnation across the state. Accusing Banerjee of indulging in politics of appeasement, Mandal said, "Today it's difficult to make out whether Mamata Banerjee is a man or a woman, I'd say she has become a 'hijra' (eunuch)."Following the remark, police had registered an FIR against Mandal after a complaint by the Trinamool Congress in the district. "We had raised the slogan, Bodla Noy Bodol Chai, (want change, not vendetta) thus we haven't booked them yet. Those who are threatening us saying that they will put us behind bars should remember even we have several cases ready against them," Mamata reminded.Continuing her tirade against the BJP led government at the Centre, Mamata once against questioned the Aadhar project. "Now they want Aadhar card for cows too, just imagine. They want Aadhar for breakfast, lunch and dinner as if Aadhar is enough to fill your stomach," Banerjee said.Terming the BJP leadership as "fake Hindus" Mamata slammed the saffron brigade for taking out armed rallies on Ram Navami. "People do not need to take up arms on behalf of religion," she said.Also read:Didi a hijra: BJP leader launches attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Prashanti Moktan

19 May 2017,Friday

Kannadigas have no pride: RGV on Baahubali 2 K'taka success

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-2-in-karnataka-ram-gopal-varma-kannadigas-rajamouli/1/957732.html

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, while discussing Baahubali 2's success in Karnataka, wrote, "Thundering success of Telugu Bahubali2 in Karnataka being far bigger than biggest of Kannada films proves Kannadigas have no pride at all." In another tweet, RGV wrote, "Kannadigas attempt to stop dubbing films is shattered by Telugu straight film proving Kannadigas... just want better film."

Ram Gopal Varma is at it again. The filmmaker, who has been relentlessly tweeting about SS Rajamouli's Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, took potshots at Kannadigas, saying that they have "no pride at all". If not for his films, Ram Gopal Varma will be more remembered for his ugly spats with celebrities. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which release on April 28, has received fantastic response in Karnataka too. Now, in a series of tweets, RGV criticised Kannadigas for the glorious success of Baahubali 2 in their state.Thundering success of Telugu Bahubali2 in Karnataka being far bigger than biggest of Kannada films proves kannadigas have no pride at allKannadigas attempt to stop dubbing films is shattered by telugu straight film proving kannadigas have no pride n they just want better filmAll proud Kannadigas should protest on their own Kannadigas for seeing a telugu straight film many more times than their own Kannada filmsIt must be noted that Rajamouli faced stiff protest from pro-Kannada groups, demanding an apology for actor Sathyaraj's 'insensitive' remarks about Kannadigas during the Cauvery water crisis. In fact, the groups lead by Vatal Nagaraj sought a ban on the film in Karnataka. After Rajamouli's emotional video message requesting for a peaceful release of the film, Sathyaraj, who plays Katappa in Baahubali, issued a public statement apologising to the Kannadigas.Meanwhile, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is the highest grossing Indian film and has netted entered the Rs 1500-crore mark worldwide. The Prabhas-starrer has raked in Rs 100 crore in Tamil Nadu, while it is touted to be the fastest film to earn Rs 50 crore in Kerala. The film is likely to beat Mohanlal's Pulimurugan in Kerala, which reportedly collected Rs 90 crore. As per trade reports, Baahubali 2 has minted more than 285 crore in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Sathyaraj and Ramya Krishnan star in pivotal roles in this instalment of Baahubali too.ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 box-office collection day 22- Prabhas-Rana's epic enters Rs 1500-crore club

Mansha Mahajan

29 Jun 2017,Thursday

Dhirubhai enjoyed creating wealth for people: Anil Ambani

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dhirubhai-enjoyed-more-in-creating-wealth-for-masses-anil/1/990139.html

Anil Ambani said his father, late Dhirubhai Ambani, enjoyed creating wealth for people the most. "If you ever asked what part of being an entrepreneur he enjoyed...he'd say, 'I enjoy creating wealth. But what I enjoy even more is creating wealth for the people of the country'," Ambani said. Notably, Dhirubhai Ambani is regarded as father of India's capital markets.

Mumbai, Jun 29 (PTI) Leading businessman Anil Ambani today said more than creating wealth for himself, his father late Dhirubhai Ambani derived greater happiness from creating wealth for masses. "If you ever asked what part of being an entrepreneur he (late Ambani) enjoyed the most, he would say, I enjoy creating wealth. But what I enjoy even more is in creating wealth for the people of the country," the Anil Ambani Group chairman said while addressing an industry event here. It can be noted that the late Ambani, who had a humble beginning as a primary school teachers son in Gujarat, is regarded as the father of capital markets and the equity cult, who made millions of investors millionaires with the IPO of Reliance Textile Industries in 1977. A person who had put in Rs 1,000 then in the IPO is worth over a million today, going by the price of RIL. Stating that the launch of Kothari Pioneer Mutual Fund, which was countrys first private MF in 1993, was his (Dhirubhais) idea of achieving wealth creation for the masses, Anil said the launch of Reliance MF in 1995 was an added effort to achieve the same. He claimed that the launch of Reliance Growth and Reliance Vision funds in 1995 is justifiably regarded as a watershed event in the history of mutual funds in the country as these brought millions of retail investors into the capital markets and generated unprecedented wealth for them. He said Reliance MF has grown from an AUM (assets under management) of under Rs 60 crore in 1995 and Rs 2,200 crore in 2002 to Rs 2.25 trillion now, which is an over 100 times of growth, while the total AUM of the AMC (asset management company) currently is Rs 3.58 trillion. At the same time, the domestic mutual fund industry, with 5.7 crore individual accounts, has expanded its AUM to reach Rs 20 trillion. Describing free markets as the best invention, Ambani said that of all earthly inventions, the free market is perhaps the greatest force for economic good in human history. Hailing the governments focus on financial inclusion, he said the national rollout of JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile-as-digital-platform) has prepared the ground for bringing hundreds of millions of unbanked and excluded citizens into the financial system. Calling for a deeper penetration of financial products into the markets, he lamented, "Even though 9/10 of us have a mobile phone and 3/10 of us have a smartphone, only 1/25 has an investment in a mutual fund."

Rini Kapoor

20 Dec 2016,Tuesday

24 cyclists to pedal 1,500km for human trafficking awareness

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/cyclists-to-pedal-from-delhi-to-mumbai-for-awareness-on-human-trafficking/story-DilYb3zo8F6GYlhObRtRGL.html

As many as 24 cyclists, including bankers, students and entrepreneurs, will pedal 1,500 kilometres from Delhi to Mumbai to create awareness about human trafficking and child labour, according to reports. Reportedly, India has the highest number of slaves in the world and has been ranked fourth among 167 countries, where modern slavery is prevalent.

From an American Diplomat to investment bankers, college students and young entrepreneurs; 24 cyclists will pedal more than 250 kms every day through five states to create awareness about human trafficking and child labour. With over 1.35 lakh children gone missing in 2015, this group will travel between India Gate and Gateway of India and visit houses on the way to tell people about the menace of child labour. India has the highest number of slaves in the world. It has been ranked number four among 167 countries where modern slavery is prevalent, revealed the Global Slavery Index released by the Walk Free foundation, a global human rights organisation. It says trafficking for bonded labour, domestic service, forced begging and commercial sex exploitation is widely prevalent in India. The Global Slavery Index is an annual ranking for slavery conditions worldwide.Read More:?Slaves? of Gulf: Women lured with high-paying job offers, trapped by traffickers?The cyclists will travel 1,500 kilometres over five nights and six days. From cold desert to undulating rocky mountains and unending highways, the group will also go door-to-door in the villages falling on way for the cause. The cycle expedition for the cause of spreading awareness will be interspersed with pit stops at Jaipur, Bhilwara, Kherwara, Vadodara and Telasari,? said Rishikant of Shakti Vahini, an NGO working for child rights. The riders will be accompanied by volunteers from Shakti Vahini and volunteers will conduct mass awareness programmes, street plays and skits for generating awareness on ways to combat human trafficking.India is a source, transit and destination point, and an estimated 1.4% of the population is living in modern slavery. ?Women and children, being inherently vulnerable due to their physical, mental and social status fall prey to traffickers who either lure them by deception, coercion, fraud, kidnapping, abduction or by abuse of power or authority. In 2013, section 370 and 370A introduced the offence of trafficking and its punishment in the Indian Penal Code. It adopted the definition of the Palermo Protocol of the UN, which prevents trafficking in persons. Despite the intricate, overarching provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition) Act, 1986, India is home to millions of child labourers employed in hazardous and non-hazardous occupations, a majority of whom are victims of trafficking,? he added. Read More:15-year-old girl sold twice in two months, rescued in DelhiJharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are worst hit as supplier states. Tribal belts in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal have experienced meteoric rise in illegal employment of young children, mostly girls as domestic helps in metropolitan cities of Delhi (NCR), Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune through spurious placement agencies.

Prashanti Moktan

25 Jun 2017,Sunday

Toddler's dead body pulled out from borewell after 58 hrs

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-yderabad-girl-stuck-in-borewell-pulled-out-dead/1/986866.html

A 14-month-old girl's dead body was pulled out from an open borewell after 58 hours of rescue operation. The toddler was playing with her elder sister when she accidentally fell into the nearly 450-foot-deep open borewell in a village near Hyderabad on Thursday. The police called off the rescue operation at 6 AM on Sunday after her remains were retrieved.

Rescue workers today pulled out dead the 14-month-old girl, who had accidentally slipped into an open borewell in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district on Thursday.After about 58 hours of rescue operation involving different agencies, the child, daughter of a farm labourer, was found dead today, police said.The girl, fondly called as Chinnari, was playing with her elder sister when she accidentally fell in the nearly 450-feet-deep open borewell in a field at Ekkareddyguda village of Chevella mandal, about 60 kms from Hyderabad, on Thursday around 7.15 pm."She is declared dead...we called off the rescue operation at 6 am after the remains were retrieved," Cyberabad Police Commissioner Sandeep Shandilya said. The authorities had yesterday said chances of the toddler's survival were bleak.RESCUE EFFORTSThe efforts to rescue the child had started from 8 pm on Thursday using different methods. However, today her remains were found stuck at around 245 feet, police said."After the postmortem was conducted, the child's remains were handed over to her family members and taken to her native Gorepally village," Chevella police station's sub-inspector N Sridhar Reddy said.After the girl fell into the borewell, a parallel trench was dug along the hole with the help of earth excavating machines even as the rocky area and rains had hampered the rescue work.High-tech sensitive cameras were deployed to locate the girl and oxygen was continuously pumped in the borewell.POLICE, NDRF, ONGC INVOLVEDApart from police, the fire department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and a team of ONGC officials were also involved in the rescue operation.A team of doctors and ambulance was also deployed at the spot.The Cyberabad police yesterday registered a case against the land owner, Malla Reddy, under IPC section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others).In October 2014, a four-year-old girl died after falling into a nearly 300-feet-deep borewell in Ranga Reddy's Manchal village.Also Read:Karnataka: 6-year-old girl who fell into borewell found dead, body recovered

Yash Kumar

10 Dec 2016,Saturday

Won't allow foreigners to replace US workers: Donald Trump

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/wont-allow-h1b-visa-holders-to-replace-us-workers-trump/1/831413.html

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he will not allow foreigners to replace US workers, while referring to US companies hiring people on H-1B visas. This comes after a lawsuit was filed against Disney World for displacing 250 US workers despite most of them having high-performance ratings, and allegedly hiring immigrants in their place.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he would not allow Americans to be replaced by foreign workers, in an apparent reference to cases like that of Disney World and other American companies wherein people hired on H-1B visas, including Indians, displaced US workers."We will fight to protect every last American life," Trump told thousands of his supporters in Iowa on Thursday as he referred to the cases of Disney world and other US companies."During the campaign I also spent time with American workers who were laid off and forced to train. The foreign workers brought in to replace them. We won't let this happen anymore," Trump vowed amidst cheers and applause from the audience.ALSO READ | Fearing tighter US visa regime, Indian IT firms rush to hire, acquire CAN YOU BELIEVE IT: TRUMP "Can you believe that? You get laid off and then they won't give you your severance pay unless you train the people that are replacing you.I mean, that's actually demeaning maybe more than anything else," he said.Disney World and two outsourcing companies have been slapped with a federal lawsuit by two of its former technology staff, alleging that they conspired to displace American workers with cheaper foreign labour brought to the US on H-1B visas, mostly from India.The two employees - Leo Perrero and Dena Moore - were among 250 Disney tech workers laid off from their jobs at Walt Disney World in Orlando in January 2015. They have also dragged two IT companies HCL Inc and Cognizent Technologies into this class action lawsuit.ALSO READ | H-1B visa issue may cause friction between India-US ties under Donald Trump TRUMP SLAMS DISNEY WORLD WITHOUT NAMING IT "You know the name of one of the companies that's doing it. I'm going to be nice because we're trying to get that company back. Don't forget much harder when a company announced a year and a half ago - some of these companies, like Carrier, they announced long before I even knew I was going to be running for president," Trump said.On immigration, Trump reiterated that he will build the wall along the Mexico border."We will put an end to illegal immigration and stop the drugs from pouring into our country, the drugs are pouring into our country, poisoning our youth and plenty of other people," he said."We will stop the drugs from pouring into our country. We will stop the drugs from poisoning our great and beautiful and loving youth. OK? We'll do it," he said, adding that the Trump administration will stop the violence that is "spilling across our border."

Sumedha Sehra

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Docs chant mantra for hours to bring down deaths in hospital

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/telangana-hyderabad-doctors-conduct-pooja-gandhi-hospital/1/1010386.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The doctors in Telangana's biggest government-run Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad chanted the Mahamrityunjaya mantra to bring down the rising number of deaths of newborns in the hospital. Patients complained of the unavailability of doctors as the pooja, which was reportedly approved by the senior doctors, went on for hours. A probe has been ordered in the case.

In a bizarre incident, doctors of Telangana's biggest government-run Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad chanted Mrityunjaya mantra to bring down the number of deaths in the hospital.As per reports, the deaths of newborns in the gynaecology ward have been on a rise. Following which, 'worried' doctors were advised to conduct special prayers to please the gods. On Tuesday, senior gynaecologists at the hospital chanted Mrityunjaya mantra for hours. Several patients complained of the unavailability of doctors. Reports said that the pooja was conducted by doctors of the obstetrics department and had the nod of the seniors including the hospital superintendent. A probe has been ordered in this connection. The hospital on an average witnesses 2,500 patients per day. The gynaecology division too has a large footfall with pregnant ladies particularly from economically backward class come to this hospital for delivery and other treatments. In the recent past, the hospital drew criticism after higher number of newborn deaths were reported at the hospital.

Shubhodeep Datta

20 May 2017,Saturday

H-1B visas for Indian IT companies won't come down: Minister

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/h-1b-visa-for-professionals-would-not-come-down-nirmala/1/958720.html

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the number of H-1B visas for Indian IT professionals will not come down. "No need to get panicky... The lottery process is something I suppose they wanted to do a correction on," Sitharaman added. The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised fields.

New Delhi, May 20 (PTI) Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today sought to calm frayed nerves on the contentious visa issue, saying the number of H-1B visas for Indian IT professionals would not come down. She asked the industry not to get panicky. "No need to get panicky on the visa front. The lottery process is something I suppose they (the US) wanted to do a correction on. The numbers are not something they are changing... the numbers will not come down," Sitharaman told reporters here. Over the past few weeks, there is a growing sentiment of protectionism across various developed economies, including the US, seeking to safeguard jobs for locals and raise the bar for foreign workers. In the US, the Trump administration wants to replace the current lottery system with a more merit-based immigration policy. A mere 17 per cent of total US visas go to Indian companies and a number of American firms benefit from services provided by Indian firms, she noted. India has time and again expressed hope that the review of H-1B visa process will take into consideration the positive relationship between the two countries. Any change in visa norms can affect the movement of labour as well as spike operational costs for IT players. In response to the proposed tightening of the visa regime, Indian IT firms have been ramping up hiring of locals in the US, a market that accounts for almost 60 per cent of the Indias technology export revenues. On changes in the selection process for H-1B visa, the minister hoped that "where the high skill set is required, they (US) would look for that, rather than for first time graduates". The selection for such visas is getting selective, but the "numbers are not changing". "No need of getting panicky... because the number of H-1B visas that we have got, we will continue to get that," she promised. US President Donald Trump in April had signed an executive order for tightening the H-1B visa programme to stop its "abuse" and ensure the visas are given to the "most- skilled or highest paid" petitioners, a decision that is seen to impact Indias USD 150 billion IT industry. The Indian IT industry expressed serious concern over the issue as these visas were mainly used for short-term work in the US. The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields. Indian technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year for their US operations.

Sumedha Sehra

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

In pics: Pranab Mukherjee's journey from MoS to ex-President

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-pics-curtains-on-pranab-mukherjee-s-illustrious-career-at-rashtrapati-bhavan/story-DT7sGI6rH8KbmirKIxWkBL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A picture gallery shows former President Pranab Mukherjee's journey from being the Minister of State for Revenue and Banking to completing his term as India's President. The gallery also includes a picture of him with former PM Indira Gandhi, during whose tenure he served as the Finance Minister. The last image shows him gesturing after his farewell speech as President.

With a political career spanning nearly 50 years, Pranab Mukherjee -- the 13th President of India -- will vacate Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, bringing to a close another chapter in the legacy of the veteran politician. Born on December 11, 1935 to freedom fighters Shri Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee and Rajlakshmi in Mirati, Bengal, he began his career as a college teacher and a journalist, taking to politics full-time with his election to the Rajya Sabha in 1969. His father had also been associated with politics as a Congress leader. Finance Minister Chidambaram Subramaniam is flanked by Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of State for Revenue and Banking (Independent Charge) during the Emergency at Parliament House on March 15, 1976. (Ajit Kumar / HT?Photo) During the Indira Gandhi government?s tenure, Mukherjee was appointed the deputy minister, industrial development in 1973. His portfolio expanded to include steel and industry, shipping and transport and the office of minister of state for finance in the period extending to 1974.Prime Minister Indira Gandhi seen with close aide and then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the NDMC?Civic centre on December 30, 1983. (KK?Chawla / HT?Photo) ?Even Mrs Gandhi would say, ?No matter how hard one tries, they can never get a word out of Pranab. All they will see is the smoke coming out of his pipe?,? recalled journalist and long-time friend Jayanta Ghoshal, who has known Mukherjee since 1985, as he spoke about the trust between the prime minister and her finance minister to PTI.Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee seen in his office at Parliament House, with an assortment of smoking pipes at his table, on February 29. 1984. (Ajit Kumar / HT?Photo) Known for his penchant for pipes, Mukherjee?s collection extends beyond 500 pieces. Collected over decades as gifts from foreign dignitaries, Mukherjee was often seen with an empty pipe ? chewing at its stem, despite having quit smoking years earlier. His collection of pipes will now sit at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum after his departure.Pranab Mukherjee seen during his first stint as the Finance Minister on February 27, 1982. (Virendra Prabhakar / HT?Photo) Mukherjee became the finance minister for the first time in 1982 in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He was also the Leader of the Upper House of Parliament from 1980 to 1985.Pranab Mukherjee, then Commerce Secretary attends a meeting with his US counterpart Ron Brown (C) at Vigyan Bhavan on January 16, 1995. (Sanjay Sharma / HT?Photo) Mukherjee moved on to occupy the offices of minister for commerce from 1993 to 1995, minister of external affairs from 1995 to 1996 and minister of defence from 2004 to 2006. Pranab Mukherjee (C) seen during a Congress rally on June 24, 2002. (Subhendu Ghosh / HT?Photo) His second stint as minister of external affairs ran from 2006 to 2009. He moved on to become the minister of finance from 2009 to 2012 and Leader of the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from 2004 to 2012.As the 13th President, Mukherjee sought to bring the imposing Rashtrapati Bhavan closer to the general public by opening its gates and bringing out the various artefacts tucked away in its 340 rooms to view.Pranab Mukherjee waves as he arrives in a horse driven carriage at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, having been sworn in as the India?s 13th President on July 25, 2012 in New Delhi. (Ajay Aggarwal / HT?Photo) President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the farewell hosted by him for the President at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi. (PTI) ?Surely there have been divergences of views, between me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But we have been able to keep divergences only to ourselves, that didn?t affect our relation,? Mukherjee was noted while speaking to a gathering.The Prime Minister also reciprocated the gesture, calling Mukherjee a mentor, adding: ?In my initial days, Pranabda held my hand to help me settle in Delhi.?President Pranab Mukherjee (R) gestures after his speech during his farewell ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi. (Shahbaz Khan / PTI)

Ankur Vyas

22 Jan 2017,Sunday

Won't allow CM's Jallikattu event, assert Madurai locals

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jallikattu-villagers-oppose-paneerselvam-want-permnant-solution/1/863412.html

Terming Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to allow Jallikattu as a temporary solution, residents of Alanganallur in Madurai have vowed to not allow the conduct of the festival. Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam was scheduled to inaugurate the bull-taming festival from Alanganallur on Sunday. Panneerselvam had earlier promised to pass a new law in the upcoming Assembly session allowing Jallikattu.

Even as Tamil Nadu gears up to organise jallikattu today, residents of Alanganallur in Madurai have vowed to continue their protest. Alanganallur is the same village where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is scheduled to inaugurate the banned bull-taming sport at 10 am today. The villagers, not happy with the Ordinance that was cleared by Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday, are demanding a more permanent solution to the issue. The Ordinance allowing jallikattu will stay in effect for only six months. CM Panneerselvam has promised that the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly session will pass a new law that will allow jallikattu to be held permanently without any hindrance.'WON'T ALLOW CM TO ENTER'On Saturday, protesters prevented the Madurai district collector and SP from entering the village. The two officials had reached Alanganallur to make arrangements for today's inauguration. The locals say they won't hold jallikattu today and have even vowed not to let Chief Minister Panneerselvam enter their village today. 'We cannot protest like this every time we want to hold jallikattu which is why we are asking for a permanent solution,' is the common refrain among the locals. A neighbouring village, Avaniapuram, also plans to boycott today's jallikattu celebrations with the locals issuing calls for citizens of the Madurai district to join them in their continuing protests.Also read: Jallikattu: After AR Rahman, music maestro Ilayaraja also extends supportSTATE GEARS UP FOR JALLIKATTU Tamil Nadu has seen nearly a week of massive, state-wide protests over demands that jallikattu, banned by the Supreme Court in 2014, be legalised. Several celebrities and personalities came out in support of the protesters and Chennai particularly captured the imagination of the country after protesters spent multiple days and nights at the Marina beach. The impasse finally seemed to have neared an end with Governor Rao's go-ahead for the jallikattu ordinance paving the way to hold the centuries-old bull-taming sport. Following this, the Tamil Nadu state machinery moved quickly to announce that CM Panneerselvam will inaugurate jallikattu in Alanganallur on Sunday at 10 am. Other state ministers are expected to inaugurate the sport in their respective districts at 11 am.

Prashanti Moktan

31 May 2017,Wednesday

Katrina denies getting Deepika dropped from SRK's film

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/katrina-kaif-deepika-padukone-fight-shah-rukh-khan/1/967158.html

Actress Katrina Kaif has denied rumours that she got Deepika Padukone dropped from filmmaker Aanand L Rai's upcoming film that stars Shah Rukh Khan. "I don't think any actor in today's day and age is going around putting stipulations on their director," said Katrina. She further refused to confirm whether she was starring in the film.

Katrina Kaif has got to be the luckiest leading lady in B-Town. After Tiger Zinda Hai with Salman Khan and Thugs of Hindostan with Aamir Khan, reports suggested that Kat has signed Aanand L Rai's next with Shah Rukh Khan. Although there has been no official announcement from the makers, gossip columns insist that it is confirmed.When DNA asked Katrina about it, she said, "With every film, comes a speculative story announcement! That's the one aspect of my life I never play around with because that is my work at the end of the day, and a place where one must behave in an absolutely professional manner and till the time it's confirmed and signed, I don't believe it's right to discuss or talk about it."It was also being said that Deepika Padukone was supposed to be SRK's other leading lady, but speculation was rife that she was dropped on Katrina's insistence and Alia was roped in instead. The Baar Baar Dekho actor rubbished the rumours and said, "I don't think any actor in today's day and age is going around putting stipulations on their director. I am not comfortable talking about or having discussions on any film. I would rather like to give the directors their professional space to sort out or go through this process."ALSO READ: Katrina Kaif's friend says Deepika Padukone is insecure about her?

Sumedha Sehra

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

NEET question paper to be same in all languages

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/neet-question-paper-to-be-same-for-all-languages-javadekar/story-aKQzSssrbe7ILsNYx1BoaM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has said that next year onwards, the question paper for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) will be the same in all languages. This comes after the Madras High Court stayed the exam results this year. The court was hearing a petition which claimed that questions in vernacular languages were tougher.

Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar has said vernacular question papers for the NEET will be mere translation of the question paper in English.?The vernacular question papers for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) ? the all-India entrance examination for entrance to medical colleges ? will just be translation of the question paper in English,? he said.Javadekar was replying to a question about the West Bengal Education minister recently complaining that this year the students appearing for all medical entrance examination in vernacular languages had faced tougher questions than the ones set in English and Hindi.About ?one nation one test? in engineering he said, ?We are yet to take a call on this issue. It is in discussion stage.?

Daisy Mowke

08 Apr 2017,Saturday

Shahid Kapoor's brother shares pic from sets of his film

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ishaan-khattar-debut-majid-majidi-beyond-the-clouds-instagram/1/923896.html

Actor Shahid Kapoor's half-brother Ishaan Khattar took to social media to share pictures from his upcoming debut film 'Beyond The Clouds'. The film, directed by Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, will also star actress Malavika Mohanan, who will reportedly play Ishaan's sister. 'Beyond The Clouds' is said to be centred around a brother-sister relationship.

Those who were gearing up to watch Shahid Kapoor's younger brother Ishaan Khattar opposite Sridevi's eldest daughter Jhanvi Kapoor in the Hindi remake of Sairat were surprised when news broke that his launch vehicle was actually Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds. Details of the film have been kept tightly under wraps, but Ishaan shared a few behind-the-scenes photographs on his Instagram account.Cleaning up, behind the scenes ð??? Photo credit: Jignesh PanchalA post shared by Ishaan Khatter (@ishaan95) on Apr 6, 2017 at 9:43pm PDTð??ªA post shared by Ishaan Khatter (@ishaan95) on Apr 6, 2017 at 11:04pm PDTTalking about his young leading hero, Majidi had said, "Ishaan is a wonderful boy. He is extremely talented and I feel, he will have a bright future in the film industry." Shahid was also proud of his younger brother and wished him all the best on Instagram. "This one's ready to fly. Make us proud," he wrote.Beyond The Clouds is centered around a brother-sister relationship. There was speculation that Deepika Padukone had auditioned for the role, but Malavika Mohanan was finalised to play Ishaan's onscreen sister.

Prashanti Moktan

29 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Release of Bengali film on demonetisation stalled by CFBC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengali-film-on-demonetisation-faces-censor-hurdle/1/915625.html

'Shunyota', a Bengali film on how the common people reacted to demonetisation in India, has been referred to the Censor Board Chairman after the regional office stalled its release. The film's director Suvendu Ghosh questioned if the CBFC is not okay with demonetisation issue being talked about in a feature film. The film is scheduled to release on March 31.

Kolkata, Mar 29 (PTI) The Censor Board regional office has stalled the release of Bengali film "Shunyota" themed on the effects of demonetisation on the common man and referred it to CBFC Chairman for future decision. Director Suvendu Ghosh claimed that "Shunyota" is the first film on demonetisation, and is scheduled to be released on March 31. "The Examining Committee has examined the film on March 27. Since there are differences of opinion among the members of the committee regarding certificate, the case is being referred, as per the Certification rules, to the Chairman, CBFC for his decision in this regard," a letter from the CBFC regional office told the films producers. "You will be informed accordingly as soon as this office gets intimation from the CBFC Chairpersons office with regard to the certification," the letter signed by CBFC regional officer said. Addressing a press conference, Ghosh today said, "I have learnt that CBFC members are not sure in which category they should slot the film. If they had any issue, they could have given U/A to the film. My three-part film does not take any stand on the demonetisation issue. "While it talks about the problems faced by the aam admi belonging to different strata of society, it also points out that demonetisation has given rise to the issue of transparency in cash transaction. It (the film )has no political colour but had they (CBFC) told me to cut certain parts I would have considered." Asked if he could see a trend of CBFC becoming more touchy in the wake of controversies surrounding "Lipstick Under My Burkha" and "Udta Punjab", Ghosh said, "Yes there is a trend. "I feel the jury members of CBFC may be esteemed persons in their respective fields, but having knowledge over films is very crucial to decide on a film," he said.

Dishant Sharma

15 Apr 2017,Saturday

My life's hardest 15 mins: Bartra on Dortmund bus attack

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/borussia-dortmund-as-monaco-champions-league-marc-bartra/1/929534.html

BVB Dortmund's defender Marc Bartra revealed in an Instagram post that Tuesday's attack on the team bus, which left him with an arm injury, were the longest and hardest 15 minutes of his life. Three explosions had gone off as the Dortmund team bus made its way to the stadium shortly before their Champions League clash with AS Monaco.

Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra has said he experienced the "hardest 15 minutes" of his life after fracturing his wrist in Tuesday's attack on the team bus.The 26-year-old had an operation after breaking the radial bone in his arm when three explosions went off as the bus made its way to the stadium shortly before Dortmund's Champions League clash with AS Monaco. (Also read: Borussia Dortmund's Marc Bartra undergoes operation for bus blast injury)"The pain, the panic, and the uncertainty of not knowing what was going on, nor how long it would last...they were the longest and hardest 15 minutes of my life," the Spain international wrote on Instagram on Friday."About all of that I want to tell you that I think the shock of those days is easing all the time and the desire to live, struggle, work...play (and) train...is getting stronger.""What do I feel when I look at my swollen and badly damaged wrist? I feel pride, thinking that all the harm they wanted to do to us on Tuesday led to nothing worse than that."The accompanying photo showed Bartra looking towards his family. He had a cast on most of his right arm and around his left wrist.Dortmund said on Thursday that Bartra, who joined the club for 8 million euros ($8.50 million) from Barcelona at the start of the season, should return to playing in "about four weeks".Tuesday's match was rescheduled for 24 hours later and Monaco secured a 3-2 victory over Dortmund, who will next host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Saturday.German newspaper Bild said on its website that Dortmund's stadium programme for the weekend game featured a message from the club's chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke saying: "Like on Wednesday evening in the game against Monaco, we're not playing just for ourselves today."We're playing for everyone. We wanted to clearly express that terrorism and hatred should never be allowed to determine how we behave."It's up to all of us -- the players, officials and fans in equal measure -- to show society that we won't give in to terrorism. "And of course we're also playing for Marc Bartra, who wants to see his team win!"On Thursday, a German judge authorised the arrest of a 26-year-old Iraqi man, who was detained after the attack and prosecutors said they believed he was a member of Islamic State.

Sumedha Sehra

13 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Every home in Bihar's Patwa Toli has at least 1 engineer

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihar-village-engineer-iit/1/976990.html

Every home in the Patwa Toli village in Bihar's Gaya district has at least one engineer, with 20 people qualifying for IITs this year. The village, otherwise known for its weaving industry, has around 800 students currently in engineering colleges. Around 180 students from the village have qualified so far for IITs, with a single family having seven IITians.

Though Bihar has got defamed for topper scam in the XII Board examinations, there is a village in the state which is known for the number of students who get through IIT every year. This year alone, 20 students from Patwa Toli locality in Manpur under Gaya district have qualified for IIT.MORE THAN 300 ENGINEERS IN THIS VILLAGEPatwa Toli village is inhabited mostly by weavers. So far, 300 students have qualified for various engineering examinations in this village of 10,000 people. This year, 20 students were successful in cracking IIT.INSPIRATION FROM A FORMER STUDENTSocial engineering in Patwa Toli started way back in 1992. Jitendra Prasad was the first student from the village to clear the IIT examination. Getting inspired by Prasad, dozens of students started getting qualified for IIT every year.During recession in the 1990s, the weavers of Patwa Toli started focusing on the education of their children. Since then, the students have been earning laurels for their village and doing proud to their elders.Jitendra Prasad left for the US for job in the year 2000. This inspired his juniors in the village to work hard and fulfil their dreams of becoming engineers.The former engineering students of Patwa Toli formed an organisation called Navprayas which helps extends help to students preparing for IIT.NOISE IS MUSIC HEREFor the students in this village of power looms, noise of the machines is music to their ears. The students claim that they do not get disturbed by the noise of the power looms. The noise of the power looms becomes music for them and they study amidst that sound.Just like Gautam Buddha, who meditated at Bodh Gaya for days together braving all odds, the students of Patwa Toli also surmount all hurdles to achieve success.STUDIES IN THE FACE OF POVERTY

Ayushi Ahluwalia

20 Jul 2017,Thursday

J&K govt spent ?2,000 crore violating budgetary provisions

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/j-k-govt-spent-rs-1-961-cr-violating-budgetary-provisions-cag/story-9rriPBJMTyYPLOcM0cEuPK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The J&K government has spent nearly ?2,000 crore during the financial year 2015-2016 in "violation of budgetary provisions", a Comptroller and Auditor General report said. According to the budget manual, no expenditure should be incurred on a scheme or service without a budgetary provision. The Social Welfare department spent nearly ?534 crore, the highest without budgetary provision.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has spent Rs 1,961 crore during the financial year 2015-16 in ?violation of budgetary provisions?, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India said in its report.?It was noticed that expenditure of Rs 1961.44 crore was incurred in 59 major heads of account without any (budget)  provision during 2015-16,? said the report on ?State Finance? for the year ending March 31, 2016.The report was tabled in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly recently during its special session on GST.This has been spent without provision in the original estimates and supplementary demand and without any re- appropriation orders to this effect, it said.According to the report, some of departments which made the highest expenditure without budget provision include the Social Welfare department, which spent Rs 533.96 crore while the Finance department Rs 517.65 crore.The Health and Medical Education department made an expenditure of Rs 286.67 crore while the Agriculture department of Rs 104.80 crore, the Rural Development department Rs 146.81 crore, the Industries and Commerce department Rs 85.52 crore, the Public Works Department (PWD) Rs 73.96 crore and the Planning and Development department of Rs 71.13 crore.As per budget manual, expenditure should not be incurred on a scheme and service without any provision of funds, the CAG said.

Daisy Mowke

23 Apr 2017,Sunday

Man returns bag containing blank cheques worth ?20 lakh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/west-bengal-unclaimed-bag-blank-cheques-rs-20-lakh/1/935130.html

Dinabandhu Mahalder from West Bengal returned an abandoned bag full of blank cheques worth ?20 lakh from a local train. After going through the documents, Mahaldar managed to find an Aadhar card and a contact number. He then called the number and gave the bag to its owner after verifying his identity with the photo on the Aadhar card.

A good samaritan from Bengal has won many hearts by returning a abandoned bag full of blank cheques worth Rs 20 lakh from a local train!Dinabandhu Mahalder, a resident of Krishnaganj in Nadia district was travelling in a local train on Wednesday night when he noticed an abandoned bag lying inside the train while getting off at the Gede station.Curious, he opened the bag and discovered several cheques, some of them blank while others with amounts written on them to the tune of almost Rs 20 lacs in the bag."I was getting off the train when I saw the bag inside the bunk on top. When I opened the bag I found several blank cheques in it," he said.Knowing that the documents were crucial, and someone must have lost it, he picked the bag up and went home thinking what to do with it.

Mansha Mahajan

21 Apr 2017,Friday

GST reform is really an act of courage: IMF Chief Lagarde

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gst-reform-an-act-of-courage-imf-chief/1/934226.html

IMF Chief Christine Lagarde has said, "The GST reform is really an act of courage," adding, she expects "some positive outcome" as a result of the decision. Lagarde also stated she is impressed by other reforms, like the bankruptcy reform, being carried out by Indian government. Commenting on demonetisation, Lagarde said the situation after the move has "improved significantly".

From Lalit K Jha Washington, Apr 20 (PTI) Describing the ongoing Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform as an "act of courage", IMF chief Christine Lagarde today said she expects "some positive outcome" as a result of the decision. "The GST reform is really an act of courage," Lagarde told reporters during the annual Spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It really means reforming in-depth in each of the Indian States in order to substitute the State taxes with overall federal tax, the re-allocation of it and the digital platform that supports it, she said. "So, I am personally impressed by the work that is being done in that regard and expect some positive outcome," Lagarde said in response to a question, adding that she is impressed by the other reforms being carried out by the Indian Government. "There has been other reforms as well that has been conducted by the Indian authorities courageously. One of them -? as a former lawyer I am particularly attentive to because it particularly when you have to deal with the corporate sector banking sector that means help -- is the bankruptcy reform," the 61-year-old IMF chief said. "We are seeing significant development and clear determination to continue and sustain growth going forward," she said. Lagarde said the situation in the country after demonetisation has "improved significantly". "We have slightly revised down our Indian projection as a result of demonetisation that has been announced recently a little bit unexpectedly. Our understanding is that demonetisation has now remedied about 75 per cent. Those are the latest figures that we have," she said.

Sonu Kumari

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Convict gets ?2 lakh compensation for 3 yrs jail beyond term

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/bombay-high-court-grants-rs2lakh-compensation-to-convict-held-in-jail-beyond-life-term/story-JqmDy1pX5RojjwKv1a3ngI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Bombay High Court granted a compensation of ?2 lakh to a 63-year-old murder convict as he was illegally detained in jail for three years and nine months beyond his sentence. A bench of justices directed the government to pay him within 45 days, failing which it would have to shell out interest at the rate of 12% a year.

The Bombay high court has granted compensation of Rs2lakh to a 63-year-old murder convict from Aurangabad because he was kept in jail for three years and nine months beyond his sentence. A division bench of justices TV Nalawade and Sunil Kotwal directed the government to pay the amount to Ranjitsingh Gill within 45 days, failing which it would have to shell out interest at the rate of 12% a year. Gill was arrested in August 1975 on murder charges. He was acquitted by a trial court but the Bombay high court overturned the order and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The high court order was later upheld by the Supreme Court. After serving 17 years and nine months in jail, Gill was released in February 2002. Two years later, he approached the high court, seeking compensation of Rs25 lakh on the grounds that he was illegally detained for three years and nine months beyond the term of his sentence. Though the court agreed that section 433A (giving powers to state to commute or remit sentence)?of the Criminal Procedure Code, which came into effect three years after his conviction, was not applicable in this case, it said that the government had failed to release him on time. ?This court holds that compensation needs to be paid to the petitioner,? ruled the court. ?On the date he submitted his petition, the petitioner was about 50-year-old and it can be said that he lost more than three years of his active life owing to the illegal detention,? said the bench. ?When a person is kept behind bars, his entire family suffers. In our society, the male member is generally the main earner of the family,? it observedREADBombay high court irked with state?s cap on compensation for rape survivors at ?3 lakhBombay high court asks state to compensate student who lost MBBS seat to college irregularities

Dishant Sharma

27 Apr 2017,Thursday

Indian players called us over Champions Trophy doubt: CoA

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/icc-champions-trophy-indian-cricket-coa-bcci-virat-kohli/1/939741.html

The members of the Supreme Court-appointed BCCI's Committee of Administrators (CoA) have claimed that members of the Indian cricket team called them up to ask about the uncertainty surrounding India's participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. India, the defending champions of the tournament, have missed the squad announcement deadline for the tournament.

It's not just the Indian cricket fan who is confused over the uncertainty surrounding India's participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. With the BCCI having missed the squad announcement deadline for the tournament, even the Indian cricketers are unsure if they will get a chance to defend the title they won in 2013. (BCCI revenue share halved by ICC but still more than others)"A number of Indian cricketers are ringing us up to ask, 'Are we going or not?' Why do we need to put them in such a situation," a COA member asked us a rhetorical question. (BCCI isolated at International Cricket Council: Sources to India Today)The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (COA) led by Former CAG Vinod Rai is currently overseeing BCCI operations. They are making it amply clear as far as they are concerned the way out of the current crisis is not strong arm tactics. After losing the ICC vote and significant revenue share the BCCI general body is likely to meet next week to mull over the decision to pull the Indian team out of Champions trophy. It's clear any such decision will not have the blessings of COA. "The consequences of such a move will be legal. We may have to cough up a heavy figure. Besides it will give Indian cricket a bad name," the BCCI COA source told India Today. (Also Read: BCCI loses both revenue and governance vote at ICC meet)

Saloni Tandon

10 Feb 2017,Friday

Cook is the guy you won't mind your daughter marrying: Warne

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/alastair-cook-shane-warne-australia-england-captaincy/1/877694.html

Former Australian spinner Shane Warne has said ex-English skipper Alastair Cook is "one of those guys you wouldn't mind your daughter marrying". Talking on Cook stepping down from captaincy, Warne said, "He's respected and he's gone about it with a lot of class. He went through some tough times when a lot of us, me included, thought he wasn't suited."

Shane Warne, one of Alastair Cook's harshest critics over the years, praised the former England captain saying that he is a very respectful guy with a lot of class. This comes after Cook had a tough tour of the sub-continent where he led England in a 4-0 series loss to India and a dismal display against Bangladesh. The Three Lions lost all wickets in a single session to lose the second Test match by 108 runs, allowing Bangladesh to level the series 1-1. (Also read: Alastair Cook 'drained' by England captain job, says Andrew Strauss)After returning to England and with some time in his hand, Cook decided to step down as Test captain after 59 matches in charge.The 32-year-old had taken over from Andrew Strauss and since became England's most successful captain in the traditional format. Cook led England to 24 victories but also oversaw 22 defeats during his tenure from 2010-2016. "He's been a wonderful ambassador for the game of cricket," Warne said in a Facebook Live post. (Also read: Departing England captain Alastair Cook says 'new voice' was needed)"He's one of those guys you wouldn't mind your daughter marrying, he's a wonderful guy," he added.  The legendary leg-spinner praised him for overcoming the tough times and standing tall. "He's respected and I think he's gone about it with a lot of class. He went through some really tough times a few years ago when a lot of us, me included, thought he wasn't suited to the job. (Also read: Alastair Cook steps down as England Test captain after 4-0 defeat vs India)But England backed him and he's done a great job over the last couple of years. He's respected by his teammates and the way he's conducted things on and off the field. I think he's done a wonderful job for England and I wish him all the best." Warney wished him luck and said now Cook can go on a record breaking spree. "He's got a chance to break all the records now."  "I think with that pressure off him it will allow him to make a lot of runs over the next few years," he added.

Rini Kapoor

09 Dec 2016,Friday

Delhi Metro coach catches fire in Patel Nagar

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-metro-coach-catches-fire-at-patel-nagar/story-jkKwh3xw5jN6RKgjApRwzM.html

A coach of the Delhi Metro reportedly caught fire at Patel Nagar station on Thursday, triggering panic among the passengers on the Blue Line. According to reports, smoke was emanating from the AC vent on top of a compartment, leading to the disruption of metro services for at least 15-20 minutes. However, no casualties were reported.

New Delhi A coach of the Delhi Metro caught fire at Patel Nagar station on Thursday afternoon, triggering panic among passengers on the busy Blue Line. The train was on its way to Vaishali when the minor fire broke out. No one was injured in the incident.Smoke was seen coming out from the AC vent on top of a compartment of a six-coach train around 4 pm, just before evening rush hour. Passengers at the platform spotted the smoke in the train?s last coach and immediately informed metro officials. All the passengers were later evacuated at Rajendra Place metro station.Rajeev Ranjan, who was about to board the same train at Patel Nagar station told HT that initially it started with minor sparks seen from top of the coach. ?Within a minute, there was smoke and people panicked. Services were affected for at least 15-20 minutes,? he said. Due to delay in services, several passengers also sought refund of their tokens. Thursday was the first time that an operational train in the Delhi metro had caught fire, which was later doused by the fire services. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has ordered a probe into the issue.Delhi Metro?s Blue Line ? that connects Dwarka Sector 21 with Noida/Vaishali ? is the busiest and most snag-prone of all the existing corridors. Of the total daily ridership of 28 lakh, 12 lakh people travel on the Blue Line alone.DMRC later in the day attributed Thursday?s minor fire to a short circuit. ?The air-conditioner had smoke coming out from roof top due to a probable fault in control circuit on the Blue Line at Patel Nagar. As a precaution, deboarding was done at Rajendra Place station. DMRC staff and Delhi Fire Services (DFS) used fire extinguishers and fire-fighting equipment to contain the blaze. Some part of the smoke travelled inside the coach through the heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) duct and caused panic amongst passengers,? DMRC said in a statement later.Read More: Is Delhi Metro?s Blue Line crumbling under pressure?The train was taken to the Yamuna Bank depot for further investigation. The fire affected train services for about 15 minutes, after which normal operations resumed.The Delhi Fire Services received the first call of the incident at 4pm responding to which it sent three fire tenders to Patel Nagar station. ?The smoke was gone by the time the tenders reached. The train was moved to Kirti Nagar station as a precaution as there is an extra track available there that wouldn?t affect normal metro operations,? a fire official said.However, the same train caught fire again while being parked at Kirti Nagar station. ?The fire was bigger the second time. So four tenders and one sky-lift was sent. The fire was ultimately doused at 5:50pm,? the official added

Tarun Khanna

20 Feb 2017,Monday

Mopeds on discount for women: TN?s new CM?s 1st order

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tamil-nadu-cm-e-palaniswami-orders-liquor-shops-mopeds/1/887005.html

Within days after proving the majority of his government in the Assembly, the newly-appointed Tamil Nadu CM E Palanisamy on Monday announced 50% discount for over a lakh women in the state to buy mopeds. He also announced the closure of 500 state-run liquor outlets. "After taking charge, I have signed in five schemes as announced by Amma," he said.n

Issuing his first set of orders after having secured his position as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, a confident E Palaniswami today announced the closure of 500 more state-run liquor outlets in the state and said over a lakh women will get 50 per cent subsidy to buy mopeds."When Amma (J Jayalalithaa) was Chief Minister, she brought in a lot of public welfare schemes. After I took charge, I have signed in five schemes as announced by Amma," he told reporters in Chennai.

Sumedha Sehra

21 Jul 2017,Friday

UP CM rejects 'Metro Man's' resignation, gives 3 projects

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-e-sreedharan-metro-man/1/1007274.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath rejected 85-year-old 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan's resignation as the state's metro advisor, and handed him three more projects. The first phase of the Lucknow metro is ready, while plans for Varanasi have been made. "The UP CM now wants metros in Agra and Meerut too, along with Kanpur," Sreedharan said.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has put Metro Man E Sreedharan back on track. The priest-turned-politician's pro-development push is set to see the train system chug into six cities of the state even before their population eligibility make the cut. Sreedharan delivered his home project, Kochi Metro, last month. On turning 85, he planned to "hang his boots", and met the UP CM to convey his decision of retiring from his advisory role to the state government. "The UP CM not only did not allow me to tender my resignation but added the responsibility of planning metros for three more cities. He is very keen on getting the metro to his own constituency, Gorakhpur," Sreedharan said in Kochi on Thursday.While the first phase of metro will be commissioned for commercial operations in state capital Lucknow any time now, the home turfs of Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be gifted a metro rail much before they make it to the merit list. "While the phase I project, a 10.5-km line for Lucknow is ready for inspection by the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety and will be thrown open to the public once it gets a nod, detailed project reports for Varanasi have already been made," said Sreedharan. "The UP CM now wants metros in Agra and Meerut too, along with Kanpur. For Meerut, there are already plans of linking it with the Rapid Rail."MORE BUSINESSA boom in the development of mass transit metro projects in India is not only helping free up choked roads, but is also generating business opportunities as the country ploughs funds into updating its creaky public transport system. Adityanath's metro push, however, has to circumvent a wall of heritage structures in UP's temple towns. The plan for Varanasi proposed by Sreedharan met with the CM's disapproval as it went precariously close to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple."We are now going to redesign the plan and are working on a light metro project for the city that will cost less, reduce noise and vibrations," Sreedharan added.Metro projects are usually commissioned for cities with a population of over two million (20 lakh) residents whereas light metro, which is yet to be implemented in any Indian city so far, is proposed for those with population between one and two million. State governments, however, can plan or propose a metro system in advance, looking at a city's long-term transportation requirements, tourism indices and a comprehensive mobility plan is drafted to study the feasibility of the project.Comparing the construction of metro rail with China, Sreedharan pointed out, "While China builds 300 km of metro rail per year, India lags far behind with only 22 km a year."As the dust settles following rumours of his running for the post of President, Sreedharan insists he was never spoken to about a possible nomination. "It was entirely kite-flying by the media. No one from the government spoke to me about it. In fact even if someone did, I would have turned it down. I am 85. Do you think I will survive another five years?" he laughed.As the Delhi Metro grapples with unprecedented delays in line openings and commuter rush, Sreedharan, who introduced the transport system to the city, said, "Ever since I retired from Delhi Metro, I ensured that even my shadow does not hover around the place. The new MD and team are very competent. The challenges today are very different but they have worked very well."Also WATCH:

Mansha Mahajan

27 Mar 2017,Monday

Ramdev slammed for Bhagat Singh's photo in Patanjali ads

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-rti-activist-accuses-baba-ramdev-of-commercialising-martyrs-in-patanjali-advertisements/1/913601.html

An RTI activist has accused yoga guru Baba Ramdev of commercialising martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev in a recent advertisement of Patanjali products. Citing print media advertisements, the activist said using the martyrs' photos was an act of commercialisation of the supreme sacrifices made by them. The activist's legal notice also claimed the advertisement was insulting to the martyrs.

An RTI activist from Punjab, Parinder Singh Kitana has accused Yoga guru Baba Ramdev of commercialising martyrs Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in a recent advertisement of Patanjali products.Citing print media advertisements, in which Baba Ramdev owner of Patanjali Yogpeeth and Divya Yog Mandir (both trusts) had used the photos of martyrs on martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh on March 23, Kitana in a legal notice, said that using the martyr's photos was nothing but an act of commercialisation of the supreme sacrifices made by them."It is a matter of shock and disbelief that you have tried to commercialize the sacrifices made by the Martyrs, with a view to popularize the Patanjali products. You have made no bones of your intentions by stating in the advertisement itself  that the products of Indian companies like Patanjali should be purchased by the countrymen, in preference over foreign companies, since the Martyrs had fought against the foreigners," the legal notice sent to Patanjali Yogpeeth and Divya Yog Mandir trusts said.ACTIVIST DEMANDS UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY FROM PATANJALIThe legal notice, issued on March 25, stated that besides amounting to commercialisation of the name of martyrs, the advertisement also amounts to insulting them and the cause for which they have sacrificed their lives. The complainant has demanded an unconditional apology from Patanjali and also an assurance that similar things will not be repeated in the future. Kitara has also threatened pursue the case in the court in case the apology is not tendered and published in the newspapers which carried the controversial advertisements within a period of one month. "I demand for unconditional apology from you which may be published in the same newspapers, in which your aforesaid advertisements have been published, and with the same prominence, within a period of one month from the date of receipt of this notice by you, which is being sent to you through e-mail," the legal notice said.PATANJALI UNAWARE OF LEGAL NOTICE?Kittna, who is a resident of village Kittna of tehsil Garhshanker in Hoshiarpur district, is a well known social and RTI activist. He has,in the past, exposed several cases of corruption including the one against an IAS officer involved in embezzlement of funds in the name of a cultural event. The bureaucrat is now facing a trial in the court.

Nandini Sinha

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

Religious leader with 25 wives convicted of polygamy

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/two-canadians-including-man-who-has-25-wives-and-146-kids-convicted-of-polygamy/story-eJ8iC4UMBtGFQcpCzLlRGO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Two religious leaders in Canada, including one with 25 wives and 146 children, have been found guilty of polygamy and face five years in prison in a landmark ruling. The two men are senior figures in a Mormon sect that allows polygamy. They couldn't be prosecuted earlier over concerns that the anti-polygamy law violated Canadians' constitutional right to religious freedom.

Two men, including one who has 25 wives and 146 children, were convicted of polygamy Monday in a landmark ruling that upheld Canada?s longstanding ban on the practice.Winston Blackmore and James Marion Oler, who has five wives, face up to five years in prison after being found guilty in the first real test of the country?s polygamy law, enacted 127 years ago.Three special prosecutors had been appointed over the past two decades to consider bringing charges against the pair, but they backed down over concerns that the law prohibiting polygamy violated Canadians? constitutional right to religious freedom.Those fears were assuaged in 2011 when British Columbia province?s Supreme Court ruled in a reference case that the inherent harms of polygamy justified putting limits on religious freedoms, clearing the way for charges to be filed against Blackmore and Oler three years later.Judge Sheri Ann Donegan of the British Columbia Supreme Court noted in her ruling that the main defendant, Blackmore, did not deny his polygamy.?His adherence to the practices and beliefs of the FLDS is not in dispute,? she said.The two men are senior figures in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), a polygamist religious sect that broke away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church.The sect has been based for nearly 60 years in the remote, mountainous region of British Columbia near the US border where the community grows, raises or hunts its own food and runs a barter economy.

Tanya Dhingra

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Never want my children to go through reality shows: Sunidhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/kids-reality-shows-former-child-artistes-sunidhi-chauhan-shekhar-ravjiani-weigh-in-on-the-debate/story-ArdJErXaTYk4j0csT1xxaK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Singer Sunidhi Chauhan, while talking about reality shows that feature kids, said she would never want her children to go through these shows. She added, "They don't need to mature ahead of their age." Sunidhi, who won a singing reality show when she was 13, believes that children are "exposed to so much, so soon" in reality shows these days.

From Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs to The Voice, Sabse Bada Kalakaar to Junior Masterchef India and Super Dancer, reality shows featuring children are a common feature on Indian television.Last week, filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, known for films like Piku, Pink and Madras Café, tweeted that authorities should ban reality television shows for children. The tweet got close to 12,000 likes and was retweeted over 7,000 times, reigniting a long-standing debate. Other voices joined the debate, including filmmaker Amol Gupte, who worked with child artistes in Taare Zameen Par, and protested against the long working hours and exploitative conditions.Humble request to authorities to urgently ban all reality shows involving children.it's actually destroying them emotionally & their purity.? Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) July 4, 2017Reality shows are sold as platforms to discover and showcase the latent talent of children. Parents and children from differing socio-economic backgrounds are attracted to the idea of a dream launchpad. In India, the success stories of singers Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal, who were discovered as child artistes on reality shows, are the benchmarks that every parent with a talented child aspires towards.Sunidhi was 13 when she won India?s first singing reality show on Doordarshan, Meri Aawaz Suno. ?The year was 1996 and it was pure competition,? reminisces Sunidhi. But her opinion of today?s reality shows is decisive: children are ?exposed to so much, so soon?. ?I would never want my children to go through this,? says Sunidhi, who has judged contestants on leading singing shows like Indian Idol and The Voice. ?I don?t think it?s required for any reality show to make children do things that only older people would do. They don?t need to mature ahead of their age,? she says. In the name of showcasing talent, ?cuteness? becomes a saleable factor, blurring the line between precocious and inappropriate. For Shekhar Ravjiani, one half of the music composer duo Vishal-Shekar, and a judge on Indian Idol Junior Season one (2013) and The Voice India Kids (2016), singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa back in 1997 was his first break. While he doesn?t advocate an all-out ban, there are concerns.?Some shows encourage children to dress and behave like adults and that to me is jarring,? says Shekhar. ?It takes away their purity, simplicity and most importantly their innocence and makes them aware of things that don?t matter at all.?Behind the scenesReality shows featuring children have been around for a long time, but the pressures involved have changed. When Sunidhi participated in Meri Awaz Suno more than two decades ago, there was no system of vote-and-SMS from the audience. She was judged by legends such as Lata Mangeshkar, Bhupen Hazarika and Manna Dey, and the winners were chosen based on their performances alone. While a reality show was always a full-scale production, on-stage theatrics and appearances were kept to a minimum.?There were no back stories shared with the viewers, it was all about the quality of singing,? says Sunidhi. ?Their singing will tell their stories, if they are good.?Back in the 1990s, popular dance show Boogie Woogie and the singing competition Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, both of which started as contests for adults, were introduced in an all-new avatar targeting children. ?The idea then was to showcase young and obscure talent,? notes a 2008 article in Mint, ?nothing was promised or bequeathed, except the vague idea that once seen, someone, somewhere would maybe sign them on for a minor playback singing role in a movie.?For Shekhar, his reality show stint meant recognition of his talent. ?In an era where being a musician wasn?t considered to be a credible career choice, my talent was given the importance that made my family and others sit up and notice,? he says.The focus has shifted. Children on reality shows are not just ?discovered? or polished, but are groomed to become versatile artistes who can perform onstage and enthral millions. Meghna Prem, a TV programming and content strategist with an experience of over 20 years in the entertainment industry, says, ?Teenage kids are expected to diet to look a certain way, dress a certain way. Because unlike yesteryears, today when you are selecting a reality star, s/he can?t just be a great singer and not be good looking.?When ambition meets pressureAruna Broota, a Delhi-based psychologist has counselled several professional child actors and child atheletes. According to her, the pressures faced by children on reality shows are no different, perhaps worse. Not only are the participants too young to worry about discovering their ambitions, but are often under pressure from fame-thirsty parents trying to live their dreams vicariously.?The child?s ?ambitions? are artificially hyped, because it?s mostly an adult who takes the decision for them,? says Broota. ?S/He might have that S-Factor, or the special ability factor, be it in singing, dancing or acting. But when one starts expecting a lot from one?s s-factor in terms of competition, it distorts the personality development of the child.? At an age when all they should be worried about is playing, studying and having fun, children are entangled in a web of competition and stress.This is not the first time that a discussion on the need to regulate child participation in reality shows has come up. In 2011, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) drew up new guidelines to prevent exploitation of children participating in TV shows and advertisements.Over five years have elapsed since the report was released, yet the realities on the ground paint a different, disturbing picture. Under the NCPCR guidelines, no child should be made to deliver lines or enact scenes that are inappropriate for his or her age. Yet, children dancing on raunchy numbers or belting out romantic songs is mined for applause and laughs. A web of competition and stressReality television immediately catapults children to popularity. Suddenly every parent wants his/her child to become like them. Neighbours are extra doting. They are now their teachers? favourite student, no longer tied to the compulsions of attendance in school. Cameras click wherever they go. They get to rub shoulders with their idols from the industry. They are famous, and everyone knows them. But what happens once the show ends?Salman Khan and Sohail Khan during the promotion of film Tubelight on the sets of Zee TV`s musical reality Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li`l Champs. (IANS) ?In reality shows, kids are complimented so much that they get used to it,? says Chauhan. ?When a participant is told s/he sang better than the original, the kid thinks s/he has arrived. And when they face any criticism or are eliminated, their ego and confidence come crashing down. Self-doubt sets in. And I think it?s too early for them to feel any of these emotions.?Children find it difficult to cope with the lull once their 15 minutes of fame are over. ?Either they get into depression, or develop different kinds of behaviour pathologies,? says Broota. ?Just to grab attention and have that sense of power, some take to lying and self-harm. Alienation in schools from their peers is yet another outcome of this limelight.?Meghna recounts instances when participants of reality shows talked to her about how they feel their equations with friends changed. ?She was my best friend, but now she isn?t talking to me anymore?, she remembers one of the participants confiding. The race for TRP means high drama on stage. Cameras zoom into tight close ups of parents crying when their kids are eliminated. What message does that send out to the child? ?You have let us down,? says Broota. A child, who would otherwise have been indifferent and taken the judges? decision with a smile, is filled with guilt because s/he can see the disappointment on his parents? face.Show runners ensure that TRPs are not valued over children?s mental and emotional well-being ? running a reality show for kids is after all, no child?s play. But Shekhar believes that parents? shoulder the responsibility of knowing what they are putting their child through. ?They should judge the environment where they are sending their kids and ensure that their child is able to withstand the long working hours that these shoots sometimes entail,? he says.

Rini Sinha

13 May 2017,Saturday

Fans install Amitabh's life-size statue in Kolkata temple

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/amitabh-bachchan-statue-installed-at-a-temple-in-kolkata/1/952574.html

A life-size statue of actor Amitabh Bachchan was installed at a Kolkata temple by the All Bengal Amitabh Bachchan Fans Association (ABFA). The statue is similar to Amitabh's character Subhash Nagre from the 'Sarkar' film franchise. The 25-kilogram statue, which took three months to create, is slightly taller than Bachchan to make it visually appealing, said ABFA state secretary.nnn

Kolkata, May 12 (PTI) As Amitabh Bachchans "Sarkar 3" hit the screens today, a life-size statue of the megastar has been installed at a temple here by All Bengal Amitabh Bachchan Fans Association. The statue has been sculpted by Subrata Bose.

Prashanti Moktan

25 Jun 2017,Sunday

Lynching not new, it's being overhyped: Union Home Secretary

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/union-home-secretary-lynchings/1/987029.html

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi has said that lynching or hate crimes are not something new in India while adding, "I think they are overhyped and over-reported." However, Mehrishi added, "A crime is a crime and should be handled with strictness, fairness." Recently, Deputy SP Mohammed Ayub Pandith was lynched in Srinagar by a mob.

Post the lynching of Deputy SP Mohammed Ayub Pandith in Kashmir, certain sections of public and some politicians have raised concerns about the situation in the Valley turning from bad to worse. However, Union Home Secretary believes lynching incidents are over-hyped and do not deserve the kind of attention they have received.While speaking in Jaipur, Rajiv Mehrishi, the Union Home Secretary, stated, "I don't think it (hate crime) is new in India. It is feudal in nature. Today, they shake the conscience. You cannot say lynching or hate crimes are something new. I think they are over hyped and over reported."Deputy SP Pandith was lynched to death near Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta area in Srinagar. Pandith reportedly had, fearing for his life, opened fire at an enraged mob. He was beaten to death after some people believed he was an informer after he was seen clicking pictures at the mosque. The incident, that of a police officer being lynched by civilians, is being considered unprecedented in Kashmir. While condemning the incident as regretful, the Union Home Secretary claimed it won't change the entire complexity of the Kashmir situation.He also said that an entire paradigm shift in policing is needed to drastically improve the situation in the country.

Radhika Chugh

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Mumbaikars protest outside BMC on 192 unresolved complaints

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/192-complaints-not-resolved-in-18-months-mumbai-residents-protest-outside-bmc-office/story-hk7qZrRyCfvjqx5wY9lqlO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Mumbai residents have been protesting outside the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) Bandra office every Monday and Friday since July 7 over 192 complaints that haven't been resolved in 18 months. The complaints were filed in BMC's public grievance registration system set up in 2015. The complaints include illegal encroachments, drainage issues, potholes, and tree cutting among others.

Residents of Khar, Santacruz and Bandra have been protesting since July 7 to demand that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) solve complaints they have filed in the public grievance registration system over the past 18 months. The system was set up in 2015. Fed up with the BMC?s inaction, the residents have been holding silents protests outside H/West ward office in Bandra every Monday and Friday. Members of Khar Advanced Locality Management (ALM) and other residents participate in the protest. ALM president Aftab Siddique said 192 complaints by citizens about civic issues in the past 18 months have not been resolved. A few protesters sit outside the ward office and at Linking Road alternatively to avoid the BMC from taking action against them. Siddique said, ?We have been asking senior BMC officials to meet us since February 17, but they keep cancelling or postponing it.? The residents? complaints include illegal encroachments, drainage issues, potholes, tree cutting and other common problems faced by residents and shopkeepers of Shirley, Khar, Chuim, Santacruz and Bandra areas. Debbie Pereira, a resident of Rajan Shirley gaothan , said, ?The BMC has not acted on my complaints against encroachers around my house. Instead, they sent me a notice saying I have illegal construction inside my 100-year-old house.?The residents now plan to meet the civic chief. ?We have been using sarcastic remarks because the BMC tells us we are the only ones complaining. The BMC registers only 25 grievances per day. We will take this issue up with the civic chief Ajoy Mehta this week,? added Siddique.Assistant municipal commissioner Sharad Ughade told HT, ?A limited number of public grievances are registered on Mondays and Fridays for quality service. The protestors? complaints will be addressed on the said days.?

Tarun Khanna

14 Apr 2017,Friday

Hema Malini drinks daily, does she commit suicide, asks MLA

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hema-malini-maharashtra-mla-bacchu-kadu-farmers-suicide/1/928832.html

Countering the claims that farmers commit suicide due to their drinking habits, independent MLA from Maharashtra, Bacchu Kadu, on Friday asked that actor "Hema Malini drinks heavily daily, does she commit suicide". It is absolutely incorrect to say that farmers commit suicide due to drinking as even 75% of MLAs drink, journalists drink, he added.

Farmers' suicide is a big political issue in Maharashtra, but dragging the 'dreamgirl of Bollywood' into the row is something what the BJP Lok Sabha MP won't like.This is what happened when Maharashtra Independent MLA Bacchu Kadu courted controversy after he dragged Hema Malini into a row over farmers' suicides."Hema Malini drinks everyday, but does she commit suicide?" Kadu said addressing a press conference in Nanded district.Kadu, who is not new to making controversial statements, while countering the general claims that farmers commit suicide because of their drinking habits said, "75 per cent MLAs, MPs, journalists drink... even Hema Malini drinks heavily... but have they committed suicide?" he asked.The MLA, who represents Achalpur (Amravati) constituency, didn't even spare Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. "The expenditure of Gadkari's son's wedding was around Rs 4 crore, should we wait for him to commit suicide?" DNA quoted Kadu, as saying .Last year, Kadu was arrested for allegedly assaulting a government officer at the Mantralaya.BJP FURIOUS OVER KADU'S REMARKThe MLA's comments haven't gone down well with the BJP. Party leaders said that Kadu's statements don't just defame Hema Malini, but every women."Malini is a well-known figure across the globe, apart from being a member of Parliament. These statements are uncalled for. Farmers commit suicide not just because of bad crops. There are various reasons behind it," Priti Gandhi, national executive member of BJP's Mahila Morcha, said.According to reports, over 200 farmers have committed suicide only in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra in the first three months of 2017.

Aarushi Maheshwari

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

World's tallest 8-year-old boy is 6 feet 6 inches

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/worlds-tallest-8-year-old-karan-singh-india-meerut-6feet-6inches/1/993258.html

A Meerut-based boy is 6 feet 6 inches tall, making him the world's tallest eight-year-old. Karan Singh set the Guinness World Record for being the tallest and heaviest baby as he was 63 cm tall and weighed 7.8 kg as a newborn. Karan said he doesn't feel embarrassed by his height and hopes to become a basketball player or doctor. n

How tall were you when you were eight?Well, for the Meerut-based Karan Singh it is a whopping 6 feet 6 inches. Yes, you heard it right.This 8-year-old was always different from the rest ever since he was born. He even made it to Guinness book of world records after his birth. He weighed 7.8 kg and was 63 cm in height at the time of birth which made him the heaviest and the tallest baby.Karan is now the world's tallest 8-year-old at 6ft 6in. But, it isn't only Karan who is reaching heights, his mother Shweatlana is also India's tallest woman and is 7 feet 2 inches in height.Shweatlana is a basketball player and has represented India in various national and international competitions. Also read: Five-year-old Meerut boy is world's tallest at 5ft 7in According to a report on Mirror, when Karan was 3 years old, he used to wear clothes made for 10-year-old kids as nothing used to fit him. Karan's father is also 6 feet 7 inches, making their family quite an unusual one. Karan wants his height to keep growing and doesn't feel embarrassed by his unusual height. He plans to become either a basketball player or a doctor in future.     

Daisy Mowke

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Police question 2 MLAs in Malayalam actress abduction case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-police-questions-mlas-in-actress-abduction-case-dileep/1/1004048.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Kerala police on Monday questioned Congress MLA Anwar Sadath and CPI-M MLA-actor Mukesh in connection to the Malayalam actress abduction case. Anwar was asked about his connections with actor Dileep, who was arrested last week on charges of criminal conspiracy. Mukesh was questioned by the police as Pulsar Suni, the prime accused, was his driver for a year.

Over the last few months, the abduction and molestation case of a popular Malayalam actress has seen several twists and turns. It's been a week since Dileep was arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy and the actor has moved the Kerala High Court for a bail.On Monday, the Kerala police questioned Congress MLA Anwar Sadath of Aluva and CPI-M MLA-actor Mukesh in connection with the actress assault case.According to reports, Anwar Sadath was asked about his connections with actor Dileep. The investigation team also asked about his meetings with Dileep, foreign trips and phone calls. Anwar told the investigation team that he did not know Pulsar Suni, the prime accused in the case.On the other hand, actor-MLA Mukesh was questioned by the police team as Pulsar Suni was his driver for a year. Mukesh told the investigation team that he knew Suni very well. Suni also shared a warm relationship with his family. However, Mukesh fired Suni after he had problems with his behaviour and driving. Mukesh told the investigation team that he came to know about the incident through media reports.The case dates back to February 17 this year. ALSO READ: Kerala actress abduction case- HC accepts Dileep's bail plea, hearing on July 20ALSO READ: Kerala actress abduction case- Dileep's official website hacked?

Tarun Khanna

24 Jan 2017,Tuesday

IAF jet airlifts fuel tanker to Manipur amid crisis

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iaf-jet-flown-to-manipur-to-bring-down-the-fuel-crisis/1/865005.html

The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft on Monday airlifted 96,000 litres of fuel to the crisis-stricken Manipur. As per reports, 70 tonne more petroleum products will be sent soon in the poll-bound state. Since November 1, the United Naga Council has imposed the economic blockade on NH2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH37 (Imphal-Jiribam) that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur.

With less than two days' fuel left in pollbound Manipur, the Centre deployed the mighty C-17 Globemaster, the Indian Air Force's largest military transport aircraft, to airlift 96,000 litres of fuel. This happened after Indian Oil Corporation made a formal "urgent" request to the IAF, requesting an airlift, from Guwahati's Borjhar Air Force station to Imphal.Official sources confirmed that since Sunday, three sorties have been made. An emergency measure taken to mitigate the impact of the fuel crisis triggered by the indefinite economic blockade by United Naga Council, which has been raging on for the past 84 days.While 35 tonne petroleum and diesel were sent through an Indian Airforce C-17 Globemaster plane, 70 tonne more petroleum products will be sent soon, official sources said. The move came two days after an interministerial meeting, chaired by Union home minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reviewed the stock of food grains and petroleum products in Manipur and how to replenish the supply.Pradhan Monday met Singh and briefed him about the supply position. The central government has informed the Election Commission about the move as assembly election is due in Manipur on March 4 and 8.Also read | IAF's Garud commandos to be equipped with new arms and bullet proof jacketsPrices of all commodities, especially food grains, have skyrocketed while petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders are being sold at high prices in black markets, raising serious concerns in the central government, they said.

Saloni Tandon

16 May 2017,Tuesday

Sports Minister Goel cleans toilet at wrestling c'ship venue

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vijay-goel-begins-clean-up-of-asian-wrestling-venue/1/952803.html

Sports Minister Vijay Goel conducted a surprise check at Delhi's Indira Gandhi stadium, venue of the Asian Wrestling Championships, and cleaned the toilet himself after finding it dirty. Goel's visit came after international wrestlers reportedly complained about dirty washrooms, saying they had to relieve themselves in the open. Goel also pulled up Sports Authority of India officials at the venue.

Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium had a surprise visitor on Friday. Sports minister Vijay Goel showed up after reading a Mail Today report on the dirty toilets, messy surroundings and swarms of mosquitoes at the arena that are proving to be a prickly problem for Indian and international wrestlers who have gathered for a championship.Goel visited each restroom, with jolted Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials in tow. The administration that was caught unawares had cleaned up some of the toilets. But many others that were still in poor condition.The minister was clearly upset after spotting tissue papers littered all over the floor of one washroom and started cleaning it himself. He then hauled up SAI administrator Manjushree Roy.Roy tried to control the situation by putting the onus on the Wrestling Federation of India that is hosting the Asian Wrestling Championships at the stadium's KD Jadhav indoor hall. But Goel was not satisfied with her response.The anxiety on Roy's face was palpable as the minister's personal assistant kept taking note of everything and also clicked pictures of the dirty corners. Goel said a committee, looking after the utilisation of stadiums, will also scrutinise the cleanliness of the facilities."It must have got cleaned," he joked. "I regularly visit stadiums. I have visited almost all the stadiums, except this one. I had come here two-three days ago. Today, everything is clean. The administrators are saying that the responsibility is with the other agency but the foreigners who are coming for competition will not see whether it's a mistake of A or B. When an international event is held, the players and others go back with the impression about India and not about various agencies involved."The incident comes about three years into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission that aims to make the country clean and free of open defecation by 2019. The PM led the drive in 2014 by wielding the broom at the Mandir Marg Police Station in the Capital and exhorted everyone to follow suit.'NO POINT OF BLAME GAME'"It is the duty of all to make it clean. Together, we will have to work on this issue. There's no point of blame game," Goel told reporters.Mail Today on Friday reported that international wrestlers, who are here for the championship, have lodged a strong protest with the WFI. Some said they have been forced to answer nature's call out in the open.Asked if he will form a task force to look into the matter, the minister said, "We are making efforts for better utilisation of stadiums. And we have already made a committee for it. The same committee will also give report on such issues and on how the agencies here in such stadiums work."The minister also directed that the SAI should not depend on organisers, but should look after the cleanliness work on its own. He said that the maintenance and sustenance of the stadiums has to be done throughout the year and should not be event-specific.

Saloni Tandon

29 Jan 2017,Sunday

MS Dhoni alleges misuse of name by mobile company

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dhoni-alleges-misuse-of-name-by-mobile-company/1/869041.html

MS Dhoni has alleged that mobile firm Maxx Mobilink is using his name and projecting him as brand ambassador, despite their contract being terminated in 2012. In a 2014 order, the Delhi High Court had directed the company to "refrain from selling any products" using Dhoni's name. Dhoni also alleged the company had defaulted on paying the cricketer his dues.

New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Ace cricketer and former India captain M S Dhoni has alleged before Delhi High Court that a mobile firm was still using his name by projecting him as its brand ambassador despite termination of the agreement between them way back in December 2012. The High Court pulled up the top official of Maxx Mobilink Pvt Ltd after taking note of the plea of former captain that its orders have been defied by the firm. "Why are you (Maxx) not complying with the order? You have to follow the courts direction...both parties are directed to comply with the order dated April 21, 2016 before the next date of hearing that is July 28," Justice Manmohan said. The court was hearing a petition filed by Dhoni seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the companys CMD Ajjay Agarwal for defying its November 17, 2014 direction asking Maxx Mobilink to "refrain from selling any products" which uses the name of the cricketer in commercials. The court had also passed a similar order on April 21 last year asking Agarwal to inform about the steps taken to comply with the 2014 direction asking the firm to refrain from selling any product, claiming to be endorsed by Dhoni. The recent direction came after Dhonis counsel Suchinto Chatterji alleged that the firm has not yet complied with its previous directions. Advocate Sanjeev Bhandari, appearing for the firm, said it never indulged in misusing Dhonis name to take any advantage. Dhoni had an endorsement agreement with the company which had expired in December 2012. Earlier, the court had asked Maxx to give details of the steps taken by it to remove Dhonis name and photograph from its social media sites including its website and Facebook.

Chhavi Tyagi

09 Jan 2017,Monday

What Guj achieved in 5yrs, we will do in a year: TN Minister

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-south-conclave-ashok-k-pandiarajan-krishna-ella-vikram-kirloskar/1/852831.html

Claiming that Tamil Nadu is pro-entrepreneurship, the state's Education Minister K Pandiarajan said, "We will achieve this year itself what Gujarat did in five years - bringing ?5 lakh crore of foreign investment." Pandiarajan further said, "We are as good in business as any other states in the country. We need to rebrand and reposition ourselves."

Emphasising that there is need to do away with the stereotypes about the people of south India, Tamil Nadu Education Minister K Pandiarajan said that the state is as pro-entrepreneurship as any other state in the country including Gujarat.Pandiarajan said that Tamil Nadu is working hard to attract huge foreign investment to give a boost to economic growth in the entire south India.Responding to a query from the audience, Padiarajan said, "We will have global investors' meet in September. We have started working to make it a big success. We will achieve this year itself what Gujarat did in five years- bringing Rs 5 lakh crore of foreign investment."Pandiarajan said that there was a notion about the south Indian people in rest of the country about their attitude and entrepreneur behaviour."It is wrong to think, as many do in the north, that south Indians are weak in body and arrogant in mind. That, they are not entrepreneurs. We are as good in business as any other states in the country. We need to rebrand and reposition ourselves," said the Tamil Nadu minister.Participating in the debate on 'Southern Success Story' at the India Today Conclave South in Chennai, Vikram Kirloskar, the vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motors, said that despite several claims about Gujarat, there were several areas where they were zero while Tamil Nadu and other southern states were the leaders.Bharat Biotech's chairman and managing director Krishna Elaa also took part in the discussion. Ela underscored the need to bring school education in consonance with the industries' demands of the work force.WATCH VIDEO HEREALSO READ | As talks of Sasikala heading Tamil Nadu grow louder, CM Panneerselvam says will follow Amma's path