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Abhishek Bansal

01 Apr 2017,Saturday

UP govt to roll back ration cards with Akhilesh's photograph

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/yogi-adityanath-ration-cards-akhilesh-yadav/1/918216.html

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to roll back all the ration cards bearing photographs of former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. The new UP government will not distribute around 60 lakh ration cards printed by the previous regime. The ration cards could not be distributed earlier as Model Code of Conduct came into force before the elections.

The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh will not distribute the some 60 lakh ration cards printed by the Akhilesh Yadav government.These ration cards have photograph of the then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. But, the Yogi Adityanath government has decided to roll back all the ration cards having photographs of Akhilesh Yadav.Akhilesh government had hastily got printed about 60 lakh ration cards ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly election. The ration cards could not be distributed as Model Code of Conduct came into force before the Akhilesh government could give away to the beneficiaries.Beside Akhilesh's photograph, the ration cards have the red and green colours of Samajwadi Party's flag.The UP government has also decided to cancel about 3.4 crore similar ration cards, which were distributed before the Election Commission announced poll dates.Now, the Yogi government is planning to bring Aadhaar-linked ration cards in Uttar Pradesh. These ration cards will have barcode. The new ration cards will reportedly be smart cards having silicon chips.The new ration card will have all the details of the beneficiary. Till the new cards are made and distributed, the provisions will be given to the beneficiaries through paper-slips. ALSO READ |Yogi Adityanath orders investigation into Gomti river front project

Arshiya Chopra

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Will expose links of Lalu's kin with sand mafia: Bihar Dy CM

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/will-soon-expose-lalu-prasad-s-family-links-with-sand-mafia-sushil-modi/story-si3ccOHtU89Z3Mmoe7BB3O.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Bihar's newly appointed Deputy CM Sushil Modi said he would soon hold a press conference to "make a big expose" on Lalu Prasad's family and RJD's links with sand mafia. The government was committed to taking actions against anyone involved in corruption, he added. RJD's Bihar unit spokesperson dismissed Modi's allegations as "baseless and absurd".

Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi on Tuesday alleged that he would soon come out with documentary proof of sand mafia funding the RJD and investing in Lalu Prasad?s family assets.?Sand mafia fund political parties...sand mafia are the main source of RJD?s funding...I would soon hold a press conference to make a big expose on Lalu Prasad?s family links with those big guns involved in sand mining,? Modi told reporters in Patna.The senior BJP leader asserted that the state government was committed to take action against all types of persons involved in corruption.In reply to a query as whether he had gone through the file of ?soil purchase?, Modi tried to downplay the issue by saying that it was a very small issue.?We (govt) will see as what action has been initiated in the case. What is the progress in the case and what further action is required to be done in it,? Modi said.?This (soil purchase scam) is a very small issue.RJD?s Bihar unit spokesman and media in-charge Pragati Mehta dismissed the allegations as ?baseless and absurd?.?We don?t take notice of Sushil Modi?s allegations. He has been in the habit of making baseless and absurd allegations against Lalu Prasadji and his family.....There is no force in his (Modi?s) allegations,? he said.?BJP is the party of Ambani and Adani whereas ours is a party of poor people which is driven by workers? cooperation,? Mehta added.Earlier on Tuesday, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad hit back at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of ?betrayal? for breaking the Grand Alliance, and alleged that the ?match was fixed? between him and the BJP to form a coalition government in the state.Kumar in a blistering attack on Prasad on Monday said he had no option but to walk out of the Grand Alliance as he did not want to compromise with corruption.

Shubhodeep Datta

11 Dec 2016,Sunday

Tata Director had key role in ?3,600 cr chopper scam: Mistry

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cyrus-mistry-tata-sons-augustawestland/1/832303.html

Ousted Chairman Mistry has accused that Tata Sons Director Vijay Singh played a key role, as the then defence secretary, in the award of ?3,600 crore VVIP helicopter contract to AgustaWestland in 2010. This comes after Tata Sons released a statement slamming Mistry over various reasons. Notably, Singh had chaired the board meeting that voted Mistry out from Tata Sons.

In a fresh round of mudslinging between the Tata Sons and Cyrus Mistry, the latter has dragged the conglomerate in the AgustaWestland scam.Cyrus Mistry, who was unceremoniously removed as group's chairman, has claimed that Tata Sons director Vijay Singh played 'a key role' in the AgustaWestland scam.Cyrus Mistry's office said, "As defence secretary, Vijay Singh was key official involved in award of Rs 3600 crore plus VVIP helicopter contract to AgustaWestland in 2010."According to PTI, Cyrus Mistry also accused Tata Sons director of concocting theories to defend his role in RatanTata's conspiracy to replace him. READ| Mistry concentrated powers, weakened management, says Tata SonsMistry said that Vijay had no track record either as MP chief secretary or as defence secretary."Vijay Singh was member of Nominations and Remuneration Committee of Tata Sons that on June 28 2016 gave a glowing review of Mistry's performance," Cyrus Mistry's office said.WATCH:

Mansha Mahajan

29 Dec 2016,Thursday

I will give my best in new role, says RBI Deputy Guv Acharya

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/i-will-give-my-best-says-viral-acharya/1/845450.html

Viral Acharya, who has been appointed as a Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India, on Thursday said he will give his best in the new role. "I am honoured at being offered the opportunity and hope to give it my best," Acharya stated. Acharya has been appointed for a three-year term and will take charge on January 20, 2017.

New Delhi, Dec 29 (PTI) RBIs newly appointed Deputy Governor Viral Acharya, a noted economist, today said he will give his best in the new role. "I am honoured at being offered the opportunity and hope to give it my best," Acharya told PTI a day after being named the Deputy Governor. Acharya, who has been appointed for a term of three years, would take charge on January 20, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said in a late evening statement on Wednesday. He would look after the Monetary Policy and Research cluster and would fill the post that became vacant after Urjit Patel was made RBI Governor. The existing three Deputy Governors are S S Mundra, N S Vishwanathan and R Gandhi. Currently, Acharya is serving as C V Starr Professor of Economics, Department of Finance at the New York University- Stern School of Business. He holds a PhD in Finance from the Stern School of Business, NYU. Acharya is known for his research in theoretical and empirical analysis of systemic risks of the financial sector, its regulation and genesis in government-induced distortions, according to the profile on the NYU website. Among others, he is a Member of the Advisory Council of the RBI Academy. Like former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, Acharya comes from an academic background and has also co-authored at least three papers with him. Acharya has often praised Rajan for his work and once said "Raghu has been a great source of inspiration for me".

Prashanti Moktan

14 Apr 2017,Friday

Upasana Singh to feature in The Kapil Sharma Show

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/look-whos-coming-back-to-the-kapil-sharma-show-upasana-singh-comedy-nights-with-kapil-lifetv/1/928367.html

Actress-comedienne Upasana Singh will feature in The Kapil Sharma Show (TKSS) in the role of the host's 'Mausi'. Upasana was part of Kapil's earlier show Comedy Nights with Kapil on Colors channel but she decided not to join Kapil's new show after he left the channel. However, after her fallout with another show, she appeared in a few TKSS episodes.

Good news for comedian Kapil Sharma, who has lost nearly all the strong members of his team, post mid-air feud with his TKSS team. The Kapil Sharma Show is all set to welcome an old member. And it is none other Bua aka Upasana Singh. Only, this time the veteran actress will play Kapil's Mausi. Comedian Paresh Ganatra will play her husband.Upasana, who's currently hosting Nach Baliye 8 along with Karan Tacker, has apparently already shot for an episode. This is not the first time, she would be featuring in The Kapil Sharma Show though. The veteran actress, after falling out with Comedy Nights Live makers, got back to Kapil, but opted out after shooting a couple of episodes.Also read: Kapil Sharma beats Sunil Grover in TRP war!

Chhavi Tyagi

17 Mar 2017,Friday

Priest, nuns accused of covering up minor's rape surrender

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-rape-priest-nuns-surrender-church-kerala-high-court-pocso/1/906080.html

Days after the arrest of Father Robin Vadakkumchery in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl in Kerala's Kannur, a priest and two nuns accused of covering up the matter surrendered before the police on Friday. The rape survivor gave birth to a child after being raped by the 48-year-old priest, who was arrested on February 28.

Three co-accused - a priest and two nuns - surrendered before the Kerala police today in connection with the rape of a minor by a priest in Kottiyoor of Kerala's Kannur district.Fr Joseph Therakam, who is the former Wayanad Child Welfare Commitee chairman, Sister Ophilia, superintendent of Holy Infant Mary Orphanage, and another Sister Betty surrendered before the circle inspector of Peravoor today.All three who are the eighth, ninth and tenth accused surrendered following a directive from the Kerala High Court that rejected their bail plea. The High Court had asked them to surrender before March 17.ACCUSED PRIEST ARRESTED ON FEBRUARY 28The 17-year-old survivor gave birth to a child after being raped by the priest. The accused priest, identified as Father Robin Vaddakumchiryil (48), was arrested on February 28.The incident came to light after the police was informed by child-line activists following an anonymous complaint that a girl gave birth.On enquiry, the teenager, who is in standard eleventh, stated that she was raped by the priest at a church.Father Vaddakumchiryil (48), the bishop of St Sebastian church has confessed to the crime. He is the manager of the school where the girl studies.

Sumedha Sehra

23 May 2017,Tuesday

Russian helicopters' 'Make in India' cost 250% of original

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamov-226-t-helicopter-indian-army-hal-russia/1/960527.html

The cost of Russian Kamov light-utility choppers, which will be built in India, will cost 2.5 times more than the cost of those built in Russia. Under the agreement with Russia, India will import 60 choppers, while 140 will be manufactured in a joint venture between the governments. The choppers will replace the vintage fleet of Cheetah and Chetak choppers.

The price of Kamov light-utility choppers to be built in India is coming out to be almost 2.5 times the cost of the 60 such helicopters that would be built in Russia and supplied to the Indian Army and Air Force, for operations in high altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh.The issue over price and transfer of technology are slowing the deal which the armed forces require urgently to be completed to replace their vintage fleet of Cheetah and Chetak choppers for critical operations.Under a Indo-Russian governmental agreement, India is buying 200 Kamov 226 T helicopters of which 60 would be built in Russia and supplied directly to the forces while the remaining 140 would be manufactured in a joint venture between Kamov and HAL along with a private sector partner."During negotiations with the Russian side, it has come out that the cost of the 140 choppers to be built in India would be around 2.5 times the cost of the first 60 helicopters. There are certain issues over this in the acquisition wing," Defence sources told MAIL TODAY.The progress of the deal may come up for discussion during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow planned early next month.However, senior ministry officials said Make in India comes at a heavy cost as investments have to be made to create a new facility and manpower has to be trained along with acquisition of land for the new set up.The government had selected HAL as a partner but later on it also thought of including a private sector partner for the joint venture company to promote private participation in defence but this is going to add further cost to the programme, the sources said.H.A.L YET TO TAKE FINAL CALLThe decision on selecting the private sector partner has to be taken by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the company is yet to take a final call on the issue.The deal is also getting affected by the issue over the weight of the choppers, as it is believed that the ones built in Russia weigh more than what was specified in the tender requirements by the force."The issue has been raised with the Russians and it is expected that some solutions would be found for reducing the weight soon," a source said.Sources said there seemed to be a minor issue over the interpretation of the clauses on the transfer of technology for the Kamov choppers as during one of the meetings, the Russians proposed to supply the 140 choppers to built in India as complete knocked-down and semi-knocked down kits -which would mean that the choppers would only be assembled and not built in India.TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY"We are very clear that we want transfer of technology for these choppers so that they can be built in future by our firms on their own in the future," a defence official said.Price has been a critical issue in defence deals involving Russia as several deals such as the under-development Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and Multirole Transport Aircraft projects have been stuck because of the sudden and exorbitant cost hikes by Moscow.The biggest example of India suffering due to price hike was the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier project, which was to cost $900 million (over Rs 5,000 crore)at the time of signing in 2004, but was delivered in 2014 after an additional cost of $1.2 billion (over Rs 7,000 crore) in 2014.ALSO READ | Indian Army may acquire 39 American Apache choppers to enhance fire power at Pakistan, China borders

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Feb 2017,Tuesday

India's Radhanagar beach among world's top 10: TripAdvisor

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indias-radhanagar-beach-ranks-8-in-the-world-tripadvisor/1/892676.html

Radhanagar beach on Havelock Island in the Andamans has been ranked the world's 8th best in TripAdvisor's 'World's Travellers Choice Award-Winning Beaches'. The beach has also secured the first spot in Asia. The Baia do Sancho beach in Brazil has topped the list, followed by Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Eagle Beach in Aruba.

Mumbai, Feb 27 (PTI) Radhanagar on the Havelock Island in the Andamans has featured among the top 10 in TripAdvisors Worlds Travellers Choice Award-Winning Beaches. The Radhanagar beach has secured No 8 position in the world and first spot in Asia. TripAdvisor has honoured 343 beaches, including the top 25 in the world and local lists for Africa, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the UK and the US Award. Winners were determined based on the quantity and quality of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor, gathered over a 12-month period. "I am very excited to see an Indian beach making it to the top 10 in the world, which only goes on to show the spectacular beauty of nature that India has to offer, and how much this is being appreciated by global travellers," TripAdvisor India Country Manager Nikhil Ganju said. The Baia do Sancho Fernando de Noronha in Brazil topped the list followed by Grace Bay Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, Eagle Beach in Aruba, Playa Paraiso Cayo Largo in Cuba, Siesta Beach Siesta Key in the US, La Concha Beach in Spain and Playa Norte Isla Mujeres in Mexico.

Tarun Khanna

22 Jan 2017,Sunday

WB court gives death penalty to 3 Lashkar operatives

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/let-operative-death-sentence-bengal-court-bsf-penalty-indo-bangladesh-border/1/863203.html

A West Bengal court on Saturday pronounced death sentence to three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives on charges of sedition. In 2007, four LeT operatives were arrested from the Indo-Bangladesh border for infiltrating into India. While one of the four men fled from CID custody in 2013, rest three were charged under Section 121 IPC for waging a war against India.

A local court in West Bengal has sent three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives to death sentence on charges of sedition today. In 2007, the four LeT men were arrested by BSF from the Indo-Bangladesh border at Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district on charges of illegally sneaking into the country.Investigations had revealed that the arrested men belong to terror outfit LeT and had entered India through the Petrapole border in North 24 Pargana district.Of the four, Mohammed Yunus and Abdullah are Pakistani nationals residing in Karachi while Muzaffar is from Anantnag in Kashmir and Sameer hails from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Infact, investigators have found Sameer's link to the Mumbai train blasts. During the trial in 2013, he fled from custody while being taken to Maharashtra in connection to the case.Also read: Designed to provokeInterrogations have revealed that the LeT men had been planning to blow up an Indian army camp in Jammu and Kashmir. Police had recovered fake voter ID cards, ration card, sim cards, Indian map and currency notes from the men.However, one of the Indian ultras escaped while being taken to Mumbai for investigation.

Ankur Vyas

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

J&K HC quashes detention of separatist leader Masarat Alam

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jammu-kashmir-high-court-separatist-leader-masarat-alam/1/844295.html

Quashing his detention under the Public Safety Act, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has ordered the immediate release of separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat. He was arrested in 2010 for leading a mass agitation in which 120 people were killed. Alam was released in 2015, but was rearrested for allegedly raising pro-Pakistani slogans and hoisting Pakistani flags.

Quashing his detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA), the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the state government to immediately release separatist leader Masarat Alam Bhat from preventive custody.

Dishant Sharma

15 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Sharapova deserves a second chance: Boris Becker

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maria-sharapova-boris-becker-tennis/1/883205.html

Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker has said that Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has paid her dues and deserves a second chance when she returns to tennis at the end of her 15-month doping ban. Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova is set to return to tennis in April in Stuttgart, where she has won a title on three occasions.

Boris Becker believes Maria Sharapova has paid her dues and deserves a second chance when she returns to tennis in April at the end of her 15-month doping ban.Sharapova, a five-times grand slam champion, failed a dope test for the drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open and was suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). (Also read: Maria Sharapova may play at 2020 Olympics for Russia)The Russian's ban was then cut by nine months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last October, meaning the Russian is free to return from April 26.Becker, a three-times Wimbledon champion, said it was right that Sharapova was allowed to return to the sport and hopes her comeback will not cause problems in the locker room. (Also read: Maria Sharapova to make comeback after doping ban in Stuttgart)"In principal I am all for a second chance," Becker told Reuters at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco."She (Sharapova) paid her dues, she was suspended for quite a long time. I don't know about the reaction of the other players, it's up to them."Everyone has their own choice. Hopefully the atmosphere (inside the locker room) will be good. We can move on and have good women's champions."Sharapova, 29, had called the ITF's original ruling "unfairly harsh" because she had not intentionally violated anti-doping rules.Meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency list of banned substances only at the start of 2016 after mounting evidence it boosted blood flow and enhanced performance.CAS cut Sharapova's suspension but said she "bore some degree of fault" by relying on agent Max Eisenbud to check the banned list for changes and failing to ensure he had done so.Despite Sharapova's suspension, Becker feels tennis is a clean sport and that the testing system works.

Daisy Mowke

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Japan launches Pikachu-themed train to cheer up citizens

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pikachu-train-japan-pokemon-go-pokemons/1/999632.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Pikachu-themed train has been introduced in Japan's Ichinoseki Metro Station for sightseeing, which will begin its daily service from July 15. It was designed as part of the 'Pokemon with You' campaign organised by the Pokemon Company following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The train is intended to cheer up children and adults living in the area.

We all know that Pikachu is probably Japan's favorite anime character and the country is absolutely obssessed with the adorable-looking pokemon. Such is their love that they are not afraid to show it.From Pikachu-themed food items to Pikachu-themed cars, this time Japan has outdone itself with a train.Yes, a train.Recently, a Pokemon-themed train was introduced for Japan's Ichinoseki metro station in Iwate Prefecture for sightseeing. The train will begin its journey on Jul 15, 2017 for public visits and will be operated all throughout the summer.

Saloni Tandon

23 Jul 2017,Sunday

Mithali first-ever captain to lead India in 2 ODI WC finals

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/why-women-s-cricket-world-cup-final-is-extra-special-for-mithali-raj-jhulan-goswami/story-RZvrp01lhhm3uN634vZ65N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

India women's team captain Mithali Raj has become the first skipper across men's and women's cricket to lead India in two ODI World Cup finals. Mithali, who captained India in the final against England on Sunday, also led in the 2005 final, which the team lost against Australia. Jhulan Goswami is the only other member to play both finals.

Mithali Raj knows it will be a special occasion for her and Jhulan Goswami when India take part in their second Women?s Cricket World Cup final, 12 years after losing the summit clash of the showpiece event.India were beaten by Australia back in 2005 but banished those demons by knocking out the reigning World Champions in a dramatic semi-final in Derby.That 36-run win earned India a spot at the Women?s Cricket World Cup 2017 final where they will face hosts England in front of a sold-out at the home of cricket in London.READ?|?India vs England, Women?s Cricket World Cup:?History awaits Mithali Raj & Co.This will be the India captain?s last Women?s Cricket World Cup and she?s determined to make it extremely difficult for England to earn their third tournament success on home soil.It was an innings for the ages, but how did @ImHarmanpreet's epic 171* evolve during #AUSvIND at #WWC17?https://t.co/JJJgzJFO8h pic.twitter.com/q9wIxSsCjW? Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 22, 2017?For me and Jhulan (Goswami) it is very special because we are the only players from 2005 still with the team and for us it feels like going back to 2005. We are all very excited to be part of the World Cup final. We knew this tournament wasn?t going to be easy but the way the girls have turned up at every situation when the team needed!? said Mithali Raj.Jhulan Goswami will be taking part in her second Women's Cricket World Cup final. (Reuters) ?I?m so happy that the girls have given us an opportunity again to be part of the World Cup final. It definitely is not going to be easy for England, but having beaten Australia, I am sure the girls are on a high but it will boil down to how we perform on the day. Playing the hosts in their own country is going to be a challenge but this unit is up for it.?England, meanwhile, qualified for the final with a dramatic two-wicket win over South Africa with Anya Shrubsole hitting the winning run in the final over.India are in their first ICC Women's World Cup Final since 2005. #MithaliRaj feels a lot has changed since thenhttps://t.co/dVjoDRrvgT pic.twitter.com/PKbFl3Km8A? Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 22, 2017READ?|?Celebrate Harmanpreet Kaur, don?t compare her with me: Kapil DevThe hosts have lost just once in the tournament so far, a 35-run defeat to India in the opening game of the tournament in Derby.Since then England have gone seven games unbeaten to reach Lord?s but captain Heather Knight believes there is still more to come from her side.?We keep finding ways to win at the moment, we haven?t quite put the perfect performance together, we?d readily admit that. There?s still one game to go and if we put a perfect performance in then, I?ll be a very happy captain. We?re delighted to get to the final. We back the depth in our team and we?re finding ways to win at the moment,? she said.?The plan was to get to Lord?s and sing our song and we?re one step closer to that. It was a massive carrot going into the semi-final and lucky we had the wise head of Jenny Gunn to get over the line, so we?re delighted.?

Nandini Sinha

08 Jul 2017,Saturday

Philippine cops propose Muslim ID cards to combat terrorism

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/07/philippines-police-muslim-id-cards-counter-terrorism-marawi?CMP=twt_gu

Authorities in the Central Luzon region of Philippines are reportedly considering issuing Muslim-only IDs to combat terrorism after a city in Mindanao was captured by Islamist militants. The move would allow identification of undesirable individuals and terrorists, officials said. Notably, President Duterte had blamed people of Marawi for sheltering ISIS sympathisers in the besieged city.

Police from a region in the majority-Christian Philippines are considering issuing mandatory identification cards to thousands of Muslims living there ? a proposal Human Rights Watch condemned as ?collective punishment?.Authorities in Central Luzon, a region north of the capital, were quoted in local media as saying the policy was a counter-terrorism measure after Islamist militants took over a city hundreds of kilometres to the south on the island of Mindanao.The issue was discussed at a meeting between police, military and political figures and about 200 Muslim religious and community leaders at the provincial capitol building, according to news outlet Rappler.Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino said the ID cards would allow authorities to identify and weed out undesirable individuals and terrorists, Rappler reported.He said the system had already been implemented in the town of Paniqui ?and we want this to be replicated in all Muslim communities in the whole region for easy and efficient identification of our Muslim brothers and sisters?.Government forces have been hammering the city of Marawi in the south for nearly two months after local militant factions, who claim allegiance to Isis, rampaged through and took control.President Rodrigo Duterte has imposed martial law across Mindanao and had to apologise after blaming the residents of Marawi by saying they allowed Isis sympathisers to stay.Human Rights Watch said authorities were threatening to ?single out Muslims? with ID cards, violating the rights to equal protection of the law and freedom of movement.?Requiring Muslim-only IDs in response to a perceived failure of Muslims to prevent Islamist fighters from entering Marawi City is a form of collective punishment,? the New York-based advocacy group said in a statement.It added that reports of some Muslim leaders present at the meeting not rejecting outright the compulsory ID cards were ?irrelevant from a rights perspective? for the roughly 26,000 Muslims living in Central Luzon region. ?ID requirements for Muslims should be rejected outright.?

Tarun Khanna

17 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Indrani, Peter charged with murder in Sheena Bora case

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sheena-bora-case-indrani-mukerjea-peter-murder-charges/1/859238.html

A special CBI court on Tuesday charged Sheena Bora murder case's key accused - Indrani Mukerjea, Peter Mukerjea and Sanjeev Khanna - with murder and criminal conspiracy. The CBI had stated that Indrani had killed Sheena with the assistance of her ex-husband Sanjeev and driver Shyamvar. The CBI had also said that Indrani's husband Peter was aware of the crime.

The Central Bureau of Investigation today filed the chargesheet in the Sheena Bora murder case in a special CBI court. The court charged Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, and Indrani's ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna with murder and criminal conspiracy. Arguments for and against framing of charges were heard by the court of Judge HS Majahan. All the three accused pleaded not guilty and the trial in the case will begin from February 1. The sections pertaining to forgery and Section 328 on causing grievous injury using poison were dropped by the court.ALSO READ: Sheena Bora: Indrani kept Peter Mukerjea posted about murder plot, says CBI chargesheet THE CBI's ARGUMENTAs per CBI's argument, Sheena was killed on April 24, 2012 by her mother Indrani. Both Indrani and husband Peter Mukerjea had conspired to kill her as they did not want to give Sheena the property that she was demanding.  Sheena was Indrani's daughter from her first marriage with Kolkata-based Siddharth Das. Indrani later married Sanjeev Khanna with whom she has a daughter Vidhie. After separating from Sanjeev, Indrani married television honcho Peter Mukerjea.  According to the CBI, Peter's son Rahul and Indrani's daughter Sheena were in a relationship and engaged to be married. Both Peter and Indrani, as per the CBI, were against this relationship. This was another motive for the husband and wife to kill Sheena, the investigating agency said. ALSO READ: Sheena Bora murder: Former colleague and witness calls Indrani a manipulator, schemer THE DRIVER's CONFESSIONIndrani's driver Shyamvar, the fourth accused, had turned an approver in the sensational murder case. Rai had confessed that he had witnessed the crime, and was present when Sheena was strangled by her mother Indrani and her half-burnt body dumped in the dense forests of Raigad, around 90 km south of Mumbai.  Sheena's body was found on May 23, 2012 by the local police, but the crime remained unnoticed till August 2015 when the sensational murder case unfolded and forensic tests confirmed that the remains belonged to her. ALSO READ:

Sonu Kumari

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

PIL filed seeking 24-hr helpline against cow vigilantes

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bombay-high-court-cow-vigilantes/1/1004478.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A social activist has filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Bombay High Court demanding a 24-hour helpline against cow vigilantes. The activist, fearing that more attacks may follow during Bakra Eid, said that it is the duty of the state to protect its citizens. All the police stations should have names of gau-rakshaks under their jurisdiction, the petition demanded.

A public interest litigation has been filed in Bombay High Court asking for a 24-hour helpline for protection of life for trade and transport during Bakri Eid and against cow vigilantism.The petition also demands that the government should collect information about the cow vigilant sanghathan and all police stations should have a list of all gaurakshaks in their jurisdiction. According to the petitioners the police stations should know who are the so called gau rakshaks who conduct illegal raids.The PIL has been filed by social activist Shadaab Patel who fears such attacks as Bakri Eid is close approaching. Patel said that it is the duty of the State government to protect its citizens, which is why he asks them to come up with guidelines to ensure safety.The petition sites lynchings of cow vigilant groups from across the country including the recent case in Nagpur. Last week a 36-year-old man carrying meat was beaten up by cow vigilant groups who insisted that it was beef. The entire instance was caught on camera by a few people. Police machinery had immediately swung into action and four people were arrested.This petition is likely to be mentioned before the Bombay High Court bench soon.Also Read

Nandini Sinha

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Peruvian immigrants set on fire in Chile

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/18/chile-peru-immigrants-burned-fishermen?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Two Peruvian brothers were reportedly set on fire by fishermen in Chile in an attack that was reportedly triggered by competition between seaweed collectors. The attack comes amid an increase in racial discrimination in Chile against immigrants who arrive mainly from other Latin American and Caribbean countries. The victims suffered second and third-degree burns over half their bodies.

Two Peruvian brothers are recovering in hospital in the Chilean city of Antofagasta after being doused with petrol and set alight by a mob of Chilean fishermen in the port city of Tocopilla. Juan Jiménez Ninaja and José Díaz Ninaja were left with second- and third-degree burns to over half their bodies after the attack. The two brothers had collected seaweed in the region for five years, helping to supply a multimillion-dollar aquaculture export industry. Mainly shipped to Japan, China and France, the plants are used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as well as being eaten. The incident took place amid an increasingly heated debate over the recent surge in migration to Chile, mainly from other Latin American and Caribbean countries, and growing racial tensions in the Antofagasta region. According to Elizabeth Andrade, a Peruvian social worker and one of the leaders of a migrant squatter camp in the city of Antofagasta, the attack was triggered by competition between seaweed collectors. The brothers had received threats over the last few months and were in the process of clearing out their hut to leave Tocopilla when they were set upon, Andrade said. In recent years, 64 camps have sprung up around the city of Antofagasta. The camps? occupants receive some support from local authorities in terms of security and access to healthcare and education, while pro-migrant Chilean NGOs have also been working with the migrants to improve living conditions. Andrade said the local press bore some responsibility for fanning resentment against immigrants, by exaggerating the number of foreigners involved in criminal activities and calling for the expulsion of all immigrants. ?It?s really difficult for migrants to adapt to Chilean society, as well as for Chileans to live alongside so many foreigners ? they?re not used to it. But in the last couple of years there?s been a real surge in racial discrimination,? she said.Migrants? rights activists say that the incident underlines the urgent need for new legislation to replace outdated immigration law imposed by the Pinochet dictatorship in 1975, along with well-planned policies to deal with the recent surge in migration to Chile.

Arshiya Chopra

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Indian Army team participates in tank race in Russia

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-team-participates-in-tank-race-in-russia/story-INmtfhjiGYpmzSFud7nVyM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An Indian Army team has participated in a tank race competition in Russia along with 18 other countries. This is the third time India participated in the event but it's their first with own T-90 tanks. The competition simulates actual battlefield conditions involving challenges like high-speed driving and switching from one mode of operation to another at a fast pace.

An Indian Army team has participated in a tank race competition in Russia along with groups from several other countries including China, the Army said on Tuesday.The Tank Biathlon commenced at Alabino Ranges on July 29 and the Indian Army participated in it with T-90 tanks.A T-72 tank, operated by a crew from Uganda, drives during the Tank Biathlon competition, part of the International Army Games 2017, at a range in the settlement of Alabino outside Moscow, Russia, July 29, 2017. (REUTERS) A total of 19 countries have participated in the event and the top 12 of them will be selected for stage II relay race out of which only four will qualify for the final stage of the race on August 12, the Army said in a release.The Tank Biathlon competition is an international event conducted as part of the International Army Games held every year since 2013 at Alabino Ranges in Russia.International Army Games involve 28 events which are organised in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and China.A T-72 tank, operated by a crew from Azerbaijan, drives during the Tank Biathlon competition, part of the International Army Games 2017, at a range in the settlement of Alabino outside Moscow, Russia, July 29, 2017. (REUTERS) The Indian Army team has been participating in the competition for the past three years.?This year, for the first time, the team would be participating with own T-90 tanks which have been shipped to Russia,? the Army said.The competition simulates actual battle field conditions involving driving at high speed and entails switching from one mode of operation to another at a fast pace.

Shubhodeep Datta

04 Jan 2017,Wednesday

ISRO to launch record 103 satellites in single flight in Feb

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/isro-satellite-indian-rockets-pslv-c34-sriharikota-andhra-pradesh/1/849373.html

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch record 103 satellites in a single flight in February first week. As many as 100 of the satellites to be launched are from foreign nations. Earlier, ISRO had said it will launch 83 satellites but the launch got delayed due to the addition of more satellites, an official said.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch a record 103 satellites in one go using its workhorse PSLV-C37 in the first week of February.As many as 100 of the satellites set for launch in February belong to foreign nations, including the United States and Germany. "We are making a century by launching over 100 satellites at one go," said S Somnath, Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre of the ISRO.That ambitious figure is an improvement on the space agency's statement last week that said it will launch 83 satellites in one go. With the addition of 20 more foreign satellites, the launch was delayed by a week and will now take place in first week of February, Somnath said.Of the 83 satellites planned earlier, 80 belonged to Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland and the US. They weighed about 500 kg.The three Indian satellites scheduled to be launched are Cartosat-2 series, weighing 730 kg as primary payload, and INS-IA and INS-1B, weighing 30 kg.2016 ISRO'S GOLDEN YEAR2016 saw ISRO putting into orbit 34 satellites -- 33 satellites with Indian rockets and one (GSAT-18) by French company Arianespace.Of the 33 satellites launched with Indian rockets, 22 belonged to foreign customers and the remaining 11 were owned by ISRO and a couple of Indian academic institutions.Calling 2016 a "good" year, ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar said ISRO would launch at least five communication satellites in 2017.

Shubhodeep Datta

22 Jan 2017,Sunday

40 tribals to be special guests at Republic Day parade

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/40-tribals-to-be-special-guests-at-r-day-parade/1/863511.html

Forty tribal guests from different parts of the country have been invited by the government to witness this year's Republic Day parade on the Rajpath in New Delhi. They will get to watch the Republic Day parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony. Further, they will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi, Jan 22 (PTI) Forty tribal guests from different parts of the country have been invited by the government to witness this years Republic Day parade on the Rajpath here. Besides watching the spectacular Republic Day parade and the Beating Retreat ceremony, they will get an opportunity to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 40 tribal guests will also be taken on a sight-seeing tour in and around Delhi, a Home Ministry official said. The duration of the 2017 Republic Day parade will be around 95 minutes during which 23 tableaux from various states and central government departments will showcase development and cultural and historical events. Some of the tableaux on cultural themes will have integrated folk dances. A total of 21 national bravery award winning children seated in open jeeps will also form part of the cultural pageant. Three groups of children from Delhi schools and one group of children from the South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, will also be part of the parade.

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Apr 2017,Saturday

Two FIRs lodged against BJP MP over Saharanpur violence

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/saharanpur-violence-bjp-mp-raghav-lakhanpal-fir-ambedkar-birth-anniversary-rally-sadak-dudhali/1/935352.html

Two FIRs have been registered against BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma and several others in connection with two cases of violence in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The incidents of violence took place on Thursday wherein members of two communities pelted stones during a rally to mark Ambedkar Jayanti, injuring several people. Nearly 300 unidentified people were involved in the clashes.

Two FIRs have been registered against BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma and several others in connection with two cases of violence in Saharanpur's Janakpuri. According to police, about 300 unidentified people were involved in the clashes. The efforts are on to identify the rioters, police said.Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Love Kumar said, "A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against over 300 people in connection with stone pelting by members of two communities on Thursday during a rally to mark Ambedkar Jayanti at Sadak Dudhali village."LIST OF CHARGES  They were booked under IPC Section 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), Section 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and Section 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) among others.The second FIR was lodged in connection with the protest outside the SSP's house in which a CCTV camera was damaged and his "nameplate removed", Kumar said. He added that charges in the second FIR were similar to those in the first. The SSP said, "According to both the FIRs, local MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma was present at both the spots."However, no arrest has been made in the cases yet. The situation in the area is under control and heavy police force deployment has been made in the sensitive areas to prevent occurrence of any untoward incident.PROTEST OVER AMBEDKAR RALLYMembers of a community had allegedly objected to the rally that was taken out on Thursday to mark BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary in Sadak Dudhali village and started pelting people in the rally with stones in protest.MP Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma and SSP Kumar were among the several people who suffered injuries in the stone pelting. Some other cops were also injured.After this, more police force reached the spot and pacified both the groups. BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal, along with his supporters, reached outside the SSP's official residence demanding that the rally be allowed to take place. Lakhanpal also demanded suspension of the SSP.The protesters damaged a CCTV camera outside the SSP's residence. Police force was deployed at SSP's residence to bring the situation under control. The SSP said that permission for the rally was not given by the administration. (WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)Also read | BJP leader Raja Balmiki shot dead by bike-borne assailants in MuzaffarnagarAlso read | UP election: 2 booked for using Sangeet Som's Dadri, Muzaffarnagar speech videos for campaign

Chhavi Tyagi

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Missing AN-32 plane my worst moment in office: IAF Chief

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iaf-chief-arup-raha-an32-plane-rafale-agustawestland-case-orop/1/844383.html

The outgoing Indian Air Force Chief Arup Raha on Wednesday said the worst moment during his tenure was when he heard about an AN-32 plane going missing with 29 personnel on board. Citing that the IAF undertook over 1,000 flying hours to search for the plane, Raha termed it as a mistake of not fitting AN-32s with underwater locator beacons.

The 24th chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha today addressed a press conference he termed as 'customary' for an outgoing air chief. Though many from the press corps disagreed, it made for a candid interaction with the man who has been at the helm of not just the IAF for three full years but also was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC), the apex tri-service body for nearly 29 months.KEY EXCERPTS:IAF's fighter planes: The teeth of any air force is in its fighter planes. The government has allowed us 42 squadrons. As of now, we have a large number of Sukhoi 30 (10 squadrons inducted and three more will be done soon). We are doing a mid life upgrade and we foresee them to be around for the next 30 years. The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS is a good, fourth generation plus aircraft. The Rafale is an excellent aircraft which will prove its worth in any scenario. We have just signed up for 36 planes. In the next 5-10 years time, we need more. One more line of aircraft production is required in India under the Make In India program. Need about 200 fighters over next 5-10 years. We have enough heavy fighters (like Sukhoi) but we need more in the medium segment.Worst moment: It came when I heard about the An32 missing with 29 personnel. We searched a lot, undertook 300 sorties, over 1000 flying hours. We had about 30 targets which look like the An32 debris. We have underwater assets which can search till the depth of 3.5km from the surface. From 30, there are now just 10 targets which remain to be verified. The underwater equipment to search could not do its job because there was a technical issue. We have approached the government to contract agencies from abroad who can search. Most of the Soviet era planes like the AN32 lack under water locator beacons. We have taken up with the government a case to procure such beacons. Within a month or two, a contract signed to arm all planes with such beacons. I feel, the An32 is not the best plane for this route. You can call it a mistake of not fitting these planes with the beacons.Defence corruption: From time to time, issues have come up. The investigating agencies have not been able to pin down those involved. It is not only the armed forces personnel who are involved in procurement. It will be premature to say anything in the AgustaWestland case. That a former IAF chief has been arrested obviously has consequences and the law of the land has to be followed. However, an ex IAF chief is like a family member to us and till a person is convicted, let us give him his due. If convicted, there should be no sympathy.China reacting to AGNI V test: Posturing will always be there. We should go about our task. Unless there is something being done which is prohibited like nuclear proliferation which is also happening by the way in our neighbourhood, if we are legitimately developing our capability, I do not think anybody should object.On air to air refueling planes of the IAF: The aircraft we have for the job are not very good on serviceability. We need much more. Unfortunately, anomalies came up and acquisition had been cancelled. Very unfortunate but you can't help it.Military diplomacy: We've done well. We convinced the government to step up military cooperation with nations in our neighbourhood, the SAARC region, far-east. Now the government is ready to sell them equipment too. This will help fill the void which our adversaries would have exploited.Disaster response: We thought we may or may not fight a conventional war but we have to be there to serve our people. We have been the first responders in our international humanitarian missions. We have aided the governments be it during the Jat agitation, running its mints 24x7 etc. We are also helping BSF, ARC, paramilitary forces and anti-Maoist operations.OROP: The agitation was a setback. It affected the esteem of the armed forces. I could not stem the agitation. What the government has given is reasonably good. I have told my people to accept it. Anomalies ought to resolved, including those from the seventh pay commission.Post-Pathankot: Much has been discussed and we are implementing the lessons learnt. We are now well prepared to tackle terrorist attacks. A lot has been done in training, orientation, weapons are being improved, field-craft has been improved. We are training a large number of manpower. Government has given us the authority to have 27 GARUD commando flights (each with 45 men) and 23 more have been sanctioned, taking it to total of 50 GARUD commando flights.

Rini Sinha

02 Jan 2017,Monday

I will be a big part of it: Karan on SRK's son B'wood debut

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aryan-shah-rukh-khan-son-karan-johar-bollywood-debut/1/847567.html

Filmmaker Karan Johar has said that he will be a big part of Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan's Bollywood debut, either as his director or a guiding support. "Aryan is my godchild. Him being launched is like my son being launched," Karan added. Aryan is currently pursuing film studies at a Los Angeles-based institution.

Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan has been in the news for a while now, whether for speculations about his Bollywood debut or having a verified account on Instagram. Recently, it was being reported that Aryan will soon make his debut with Saif Ali Khan's daughter Sara in a Karan Johar film.PHOTO: Shah Rukh Khan's selfie with son Aryan is too hot to handle

Chhavi Tyagi

28 Dec 2016,Wednesday

?25 lakh seized from Dubai-bound passenger at Mumbai airport

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/big-airport-cash-haul-rs-25-lakh-2000-notes-mumbai-airport-passenger/1/844288.html

The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs has seized new currency worth ?25 lakh in ?2,000 denomination notes from a Dubai-bound passenger, Arif Koyante, at the Mumbai international airport. Koyante was holding an Indian passport and had concealed the currency notes in 52 envelopes placed inside the layers of 13 cardboards on which readymade garments were wrapped.

In a big airport cash haul, new currency worth Rs 25 lakh in Rs 2,000 denomination notes was seized from a Dubai-bound passenger at the city international airport.

Animesh Choudhary

06 Jan 2017,Friday

Floyd Mayweather to train Soulja Boy for Chris Brown fight

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jan/06/floyd-mayweather-train-soulja-boy-fight-chris-brown?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Former boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather is training rapper Soulja Boy for his three-round bout against fellow R&B star Chris Brown, set to take place in March. The rap stars' tiff started after Soulja Boy liked an Instagram photo of Brown?s former girlfriend, Karrueche Tran, and worsened after he posted a picture with Brown's 2-year-old daughter.

What started as an Instagram row has escalated to such an extent that the greatest pound-for-pound boxer of his generation has become involved in the beef between R&B stars Chris Brown and Soulja Boy.Floyd Mayweather, who was undefeated in his 49 fights, winning world titles at super featherweight, lightweight, light welterweight, welterweight and light middleweight, is to train Soulja Boy for a three-round bout with Brown, to take place in Las Vegas in March.The dispute began on Tuesday, when Brown took exception to Soulja Boy liking an Instagram photo posted by Brown?s former girlfriend, Karrueche Tran. The two stars began posting threatening Instagram videos directed at each other, as well as mocking tweets. Soon, Brown challenged Soulja Boy to a fight, and his offer was accepted.Though Soulja Boy posted a remorseful video in which he said he hoped to work with Brown, he also tweeted a message involving Brown?s infant daughter, to which Brown responded furiously in a video, saying: ?We gonna set up this fight, it?s gonna be professional, you can do all of that. But one thing you gotta stop doing my nigga, I?m gonna be real with you: stop bringing my daughter into this my nigga. Stop saying shit about my fucking daughter.? The fight became a reality on Thursday, when Mayweather ? who is now a boxing promoter ? posted an image on his Instagram plugging the fight as ?Mayweather Promotions Presents ? celebrity boxing live on pay-per-view?. Soulja Boy reposted the image, adding: ?Signed my contract I?m leaving the fight with $1,000,000 I got the best ever my big bro @floydmayweather training me damn ? March in Vegas!! On TV.?He followed that with a video of him and Mayweather, with the former boxer saying, ?We gotta get the money? and Soulja Boy responding: ?The biggest fight of the century.?

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Financial year may soon begin from January: Jaitley

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/financial-year-calendar-year-arun-jaitley/1/1007720.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said that the financial year may soon begin from January in sync with the calendar year. "The matter of changing financial year is under consideration of the government," he told the Lok Sabha. In May, Madhya Pradesh became India's first state to shift its financial year format to January-December from the present April-March cycle.

Financial year in India could soon be the same as calendar year as the Narendra Modi government is considering changing the fiscal year to January-December to coincide with the calendar year."The matter of changing financial year is under consideration of the government," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.He was asked whether the government proposes to synchronise the financial year with the calendar year from January.The matter has been examined recently by a committee constituted by the government under the chairmanship of former Chief Economic Adviser Shankar Acharya. The report of the committee has been received, the Finance Minister said.At a Niti Aayog meeting earlier in the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a pitch for a January-December financial calender for the country.Addressing the states during NITI Aayog governing council meeting on April 23, Modi had said, "In a country where agricultural income is exceedingly important, budgets should be prepared immediately after the receipt of agricultural incomes for the year".He had asked state governments to consider shifting financial year to January-December, in line with major global economies.Later on in May, Madhya Pradesh became India's first state to announce shifting of its financial year format to January-December from the present April-March cycle.Breaking away from tradition, the Narendra Modi government had advanced the Budget presentation to February 1 this year.Jaitley refused to comment on whether the government was proposing to present the Union Budget in November-December this year to enable the change in financial year.A change in the financial year will require amendments to various statues including tax laws during the transitional period. Also read:Narendra Modi pushes for January-December financial year: All you need to know about what PM said at Niti Aayog meetMP to shift financial year format to January-December

Niharika Prabhakar

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Sweeper held for posing as Mumbai housing official by night

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/bmc-sweeper-who-posed-as-mhada-officer-by-night-arrested/story-MnAWgaFvRX6McIdRQm5BgK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Mumbai police has arrested a BMC sweeper who would pose as a Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) official by night and dupe people by illegally sanctioning flats. The accused claimed he would give the keys of the flat soon, but would say he was waiting for an auspicious day whenever a victim called to ask, an officer said.

?The Sion police have arrested a 47-year-old BMC employee who would work as a sweeper by day and pose as a high-level Mhada official by night.According to the police, the accused, Rajendra Shankar Ghadge, is a resident of Govandi. He would hide his face with a scarf while working as a BMC sweeper during the daytime, but would leave the premises wearing a suit and a tie.The police said the accused was arrested from his native place in Satara.The police said in 2015, one of the complainants, Sandeep Mane, a Sion resident, met the accused through a common friend.The accused told Mane he was responsible for sanctioning ten Mhada flats.An officer from Sion police station, on condition of anonymity, said, ?Ghadge claimed Mhada rooms were worth Rs40 lakh, but he could help them own a house for Rs7 lakh. He was fluent in English and smooth-talked the victim and convinced him to pay the amount.?Mane took loans from his friends and relatives and sold his wife?s jewellery to collect Rs7 lakh, which he gave Ghadge in 2016.?The accused claimed he would be giving them the keys of the house at the earliest. But whenever the victim called him, Ghadge would say he was waiting for an auspicious day,? said an officer.Later, Ghage began ignoring Mane?s calls after which a complaint was filed with Sion police station.After preliminary investigations, police registered a cheating case against Ghadge.Looking for the accused, a police team reached the M ward of the BMC. Following this, he fled to his native Satara. A team was then dispatched to Satara and the accused was caught.The police found Ghadge has cheated more then 10 people, amassing at least Rs1 crore.The officer said, ?The accused had even lied to his family members and close friends that he was a high-level BMC officer. So he started cheating and looking at his standard of living, none of his friends or family ever questioned his profession.?

Chhavi Tyagi

28 Jul 2017,Friday

If JD(U) against corruption, why allied with dad: Tejashwi

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

After Bihar CM Nitish Kumar won floor test, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tejashwi said, "If it was about corruption, JD(U) shouldn't have allied with my father, who was facing cases." Notably, Nitish had resigned as the CM and split from the Grand Alliance while taking a stand on fighting against corruption following graft charges against alliance partner RJD.

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

Arshiya Chopra

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

LeT co-founder urges jihadis to wage war in Northeast India

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lashkar-china-doklam-sikkim-darjeeling/1/1010109.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A recent video of Lashkar-e-Taiba co-founder Amir Hamza has reportedly been recovered showing Hamza provoking jihadis to wage war in the northeastern states of India. "We will fight in Sikkim...we will fight in Srinagar," Hamza allegedly said in the video. He was even heard saying if India sends troops to Bhutan, then Chinese troops will enter Srinagar along with Pakistan's.

After Kashmir, terror looms over Northeast. Banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is now provoking jihadis to wage war in the northeastern states of India. The malice intention of Lashkar came under the radar of security agencies through a video, where its cofounder Amir Hamza is seen instigating his cadre to spread violence in Northeast, including Darjeeling and Sikkim.A recent video, believed to be shot in Lahore on July 19, has left security agencies in a tizzy. Citing example of China military standoff with India over Doklam plateau, Hamza is asking jihadis to break up Indian states."We will fight in Sikkim, we will fight in Bhutan, we will fight in Darjeeling, we will fight in Srinagar," Hamza can be heard saying in the video, which is in possession of Mail Today. Agencies have also authenticated the video clips. Recently, several terror activities came under the radar of security agencies from Northeast states but the fresh threat has raised alarms bells in the Home ministry.Senior officials claim Hamza was seen recently in Lahore and this was his first public appearance since JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's house arrest in January. Hamza, in the video, threatens to create violence in several states of the country. "For one Bangladesh, we will take seven states," says Hamza.He has also praised China and talks about the dispute over the 40-km-long stretch between Doklam and Bangladesh border. This video is the first such proof of Lashkar-e-Taiba's direct involvement in the Northeast and their strategy to work along with China. "if India will send its army in Bhutan to counter China, then along with Pakistan, Chinese troop will enter Srinagar," Hamza said in the video.Hamza was designated global terrorist by US in 2012 and is wanted by India for the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed over 160 lives and left more than 300 injured. He was detained by Pakistan authorities along with 26/11 key operative Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi soon after the attacks. He enjoys the position of number two in Lashkar ranks currently.In the video, Hamza, in his screeching voice, is also asking jihadis to fulfil Saeed's dream of Ghazwa-e-Hind (holy war to capture India). The Ghazwa-e-Hind is a saying some Islamic traditions attribute to Prophet Muhammad, prophesying that army arising from the West will seize India. According to reports, in a separate gathering held this month, Lashkar-e-Taiba-led jihadist commanders met in Islamabad to demand that the Pakistan government should go to war with India to seize Kashmir.Also Watch: Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists sound war cry against India, ask Pakistan to seize Kashmir

Saloni Tandon

18 Dec 2016,Sunday

Sania Mirza brings me good luck, says former world number 1

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/boris-becker-sania-mirza-novak-djokovic/1/837075.html

Former world number one Boris Becker has said Indian tennis player Sania Mirza brings him good luck. "Every time we are having lunch and she is with her doubles partner, she is winning the tournament. So Sania insisted on all the important tournaments that we have lunch together because I bring her luck and she brings me luck," said Becker.

Former World No 1 tennis player and ex-coach of Serb superstar Novak Djokovic, Boris Becker on Saturday said current top women's doubles player Sania Mirza brings him luck and vice versa.Becker, who is here for the 25k Kolkata marathon, was asked about his association with the Indian players. Answering the question, the iconic German said: "I am good friends with all three. In fact the player I see the most is (Sania Mirza) because she is so good and No.1 in doubles so I see her in most tournaments on the final weekend. (Latest Tennis stories)"We have this good luck routine and every time we are having lunch and she is with her doubles partner and I am with the team, she is winning the doubles tournament. So Sania insisted on all the important tournaments that we have lunch together because I bring her luck and she brings me luck," the 49-year old revealed.Becker said this is the reason he is closest with Sania. "I am closest with her. And with all others I am good friends and we know each other for a very long time," he said.Becker recently ended his three-year-old successful association with current World No. 2 Novak Djokovic . The 29-year-old Serb won six Grand Slams under Becker's tutelage.Asked about the split, Becker said, "Any player-coach relationship doesn't last forever. We had three successful years and won many tournaments. It was time to go separate ways. I call him a very good friend and he can always call me when he needs me."We both decided there was a time we needed a break. Who knows what will happen in a year or two."On Djovokic's recent slump in form which has seen Scotman Andy Murray pip him to the numero uno position, Becker said it's a matter of time before the 12-time Major winner starts winning next year."I think it was a novel evolution for Novak. He is not a machine, he is human. He has had his moments and sometimes when you have a long career you need to see the bigger picture. I'm sure he will come back next year and start winning again."Asked while taking up coaching seriously, was he influenced by anybody, Becker said: "I was running the German junior team for five years after my retirement in (1999) so I had my first hand coaching experience coaching the young German team some of whom made the world top 10."Coaching is in a way difficult for a successful player because coaching is not about you but about the player you coach. And if you're a successful player your ego tends to come in between and it's a lot about yourself."The number one rule for coaching is it is not about you but the player you're coaching. I think it takes a little bit of maturity, bit of wisdom and a bit of years on your shoulders to understand it. I think I am a better coach now than I was 10 years ago."

Abhishek Bansal

25 Mar 2017,Saturday

Bill to increase Parliament sittings to 100 days tabled

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/naresh-gujral-private-member-bill-100-days-parliament-sittings/1/912088.html

A Private Member's Bill has been tabled in the Rajya Sabha which seeks to ensure that the Parliament meets for at least 100 days every year. The bill, submitted by Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral, also calls for special sessions for fifteen days to discuss two issues of utmost public importance. Currently, the Parliament meets for 70-80 days annually.

At a time when public cynicism about the country's parliamentarians is at an all time high, there is one MP, who believes that the members of Parliament need to work much harder.He is Naresh Gujral, the Akali Dal MP in the Rajya Sabha. Gujral believes that Parliament needs to meet more often than it does now. Gujral has tabled a private member's Bill, the Parliament Enhancement of Productivity Bill, asking for Parliament to must meet at least for 100 days a year.The Bill could not have come at a more opportune moment. Adjournments are fast becoming a norm rather than an aberration. Complete sessions have been washed out without transacting any business inside the Houses and outside a Shiv Sena MP has made the news for beating up an Air India official.Gujral's Bill, if adopted by the government, could go some distance in not only making Parliament a lot more productive but it will also help redeem the MPs in the eye of the public.WHY THE BILL IS SIGNIFICANTIn addition to making it mandatory for Parliament to sit at least for a hundred days a year, spread over four sessions, it also calls for the convening of a special session of both houses for fifteen days. The special session as envisaged by Gujral will not have either the question hour or the zero hour but will be devoted exclusively to taking up two issues of utmost public importance. It has a provision for each political party submitting at least two issues before the business advisory committee that it wants to be taken up in the special session.Significantly at a time when both Houses of Parliament are routinely adjourned or unable to transact any business on account of disruptions. The bill has a provision for compensating the hours lost due to disruptions by adding it to the number of hours that the Houses must sit to make up for the disruptions. Gujral's Bill is silent on the need to deprive the MP's of their allowances on the days that the house is adjourned due to disruptions.

Saloni Tandon

26 Jun 2017,Monday

There is a void after Kumble's exit: India batting coach

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anil-kumble-team-india-sanjay-bangar-virat-kohli-west-indies/1/987034.html

India's batting coach Sanjay Bangar has said there is a "void" in the team after coach Anil Kumble's resignation, but the team is "coping well". "We are professionals and such things are part and parcel of any organisation where changes happen. The support staff and the players have shown a lot of professionalism in compartmentalising the issues," said Bangar.

Batting coach Sanjay Bangar says Anil Kumble's departure as head coach has definitely left a void in the Indian cricket team set-up even though the players are "coping up" well.Kumble, a spinner par excellence and a former India captain, tendered his resignation as chief coach after the ICC Champions Trophy due to "untenable" differences with skipper Virat Kohli.On the eve of the second ODI against the West Indies here, questions related to the Kumble episode were directed at Bangar."We are professionals and such things are part and parcel of any organisation where changes happen. The support staff and the players have shown a lot of professionalism in compartmentalising the issues and so far we have coped up really well," said Bangar.The 44-year-old former all-rounder said the team was focussed on the job at hand."Everyone's contributed towards it and as I said earlier, when you part ways it's never easy. You need to accept that at times such things are going to happen, have happened in the past. But what is of paramount importance is that Indian cricket should keep moving forward and the performances of the team shouldn't really be affected in any manner."Without a head coach, who also used to double up as the team's bowling coach, Bangar has his work cut out."Yes, Anil was doubling up. There were a lot of positive results under him. We all know that the team enjoyed a lot of success. The void, there is definitely a bit of lacuna but the experience that this team possesses - when you have a Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli, who've played close to 700 international games, they're doing a lot of work behind the scenes, they are guiding the players."Further speaking about the role of the senior players, he said, "It's not only the coaching staff, the mentoring that they do and the exchange of ideas among them, there is a wealth of knowledge which the players benefit from."Asked what defines the captain-coach relationship, Bangar stressed on trust."It's not only the coach and the captain, it's also the relationship and trust between the coach and all the players.Basically, it's a work in progress that requires a lot of time to earn the trust of the players."Once you do that, the job and the responsibilities of the coach become that much more easy. That is something that I've learnt to work (with)."Regarding some of the senior pros' future, Bangar was positive.

Daisy Mowke

26 Mar 2017,Sunday

Swara Bhaskar writes open letter to sexism

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-woman-summit-2017-open-letter-sexism-swara-bhaskar/1/912444.html

Actress Swara Bhaskar read out an open letter written to sexism at a recent event. She started by saying how she met sexism the day she was born when her grandmother asked her father if the newborn baby girl was fair or dark. Describing sexism as a 'stalker', she added that it has followed her everywhere in her life.

Dishant Sharma

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

I don't take FIFA team rankings too seriously: Sunil Chhetri

http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/sunil-chhetri-says-he-doesn-t-take-fifa-rankings-too-seriously/story-eGpyXMMyJZk3GVwg2hbaKK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Talking about his preference for winning matches over world rankings, Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri said he does not take FIFA national team rankings too seriously. India achieved their second-best rank ever of 96 earlier this month. "If after three years we are still in the top 100, I think that will be a massive achievement," Chhetri added.

There is usually a positive correlation between a surge in FIFA rankings and winning games, but for India skipper Sunil Chhetri, the focus is always on the latter. ?I don?t take rankings too seriously,? he said here on Saturday.Getting to 96 in the current FIFA rankings hasn?t been easy, but Chettri said the challenge will now be to stay there. ?That will be very tough. If after three years we are still in the top 100, I think that will be a massive achievement,? said Chhetri, speaking after attending an investiture programme at a school here.From a high of 45 in 1998, Thailand slumped to 60 in 2001 and to 137 in 2006. Lithuania were 55 in 2010 and 116 in 2012. Having used an algorithm of playing some away games against teams ranked slightly below it and beating a higher-ranked Puerto Rico at home, India moved north in the rankings. But no formula would have worked had they not won matches, so that explains why Chhetri, 33, wants to focus on victories.READ | FIFA ranking: Indian football team up to 96, achieve best position in 21 years?We have won 13 out of our last 15 games and we are not going to get complacent. Trust me; it is not going to be easy against Macau (in the Asian Cup qualifiers, away on September 5 and at home on October 10). I don?t know much about the timing of the Champions Cup (a planned international tournament to be hosted in India) and how many players would be available but we will try to win games, that is the most important thing,? said Chhetri.Speaking about India?s surge in the rankings, Chhetri said the team is now more in sync with what the coach (Stephen Constantine) wants. ?He too knows the players better now. When he took over (in March 2015), a lot of senior players were moving out and so he drafted in a number of juniors?But we have a long way to go.?Missing Bagan rivalryFor the first time since he turned professional, Chhetri, who is India?s highest goalscorer with 54 strikes in 94 games, will not be playing in the league that has Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.READ |?Wish ISL showed flexibility to take Mohun Bagan, East Bengal: AIFF?Will miss not scoring against them,? he said. ?Am not trying to hint at anything and no disrespect to East Bengal, but Bengaluru FC?s rivalry against Mohun Bagan was something. I just hope we meet again soon.?4 imports idealChhetri said he didn?t like the idea of more than four foreigners in either the I-League or ISL, but ?said there is a way to get there?. ?Next year, we have been promised that there would be four imports allowed in keeping with AFC (Asian Football Confederation) rules,? he said.The AFC Cup is a big deal for Chhetri and his team. ?We would have liked to have more time to prepare, but we might have to wait for the draft (likely on July 23) before pre-seasons. Am not thinking too much about the ISL now. The focus is on AFC Cup,? he said.Bengaluru FC finished runners-up in 2016, the first Indian team to get that far, and will play the zonal semi-finals against North Korea?s 4.25SC (April 25 Sports Club) at home on August 23 and away on September 13.

Tarun Khanna

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

BJP MLA's posters in UP mention Deoband as Deovrind

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttar-pradesh-deoband-deovrind-bjp-mla-brijesh-singh-darul-uloom/1/909792.html

After BJP formed the government in UP, posters of BJP MLA Brijesh Singh surfaced in Saharanpur naming Deoband as Deovrind. Notably, Deoband is known for its historical significance and Darul Uloom Deoband ? a centre of Islamic learning from Mughal era. "We want all those places to be renamed which were once under the Mughal rule," said a VHP leader.

BJP MLA Brijesh Singh's posters thanking voters for the recent astounding victory have created a stir in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh after they named Deoband as Deovrind. While Deoband is known for its historical significance and Darul Uloom Deoband has been a centre of Islamic learning since the Mughal era, Brijesh Singh had demanded that the city be renamed Deovrind after BJP came into power. "I have no such intention that can connect it to any Islamic institution. All I want is to rename Deoband to Deovrind. It is all about development", said Singh when asked about the posters.Singh's supporters too articulated his demand to rename Mughal structures."We not only want Deoband to be renamed as Deovrind, but also want all those places to be renamed which were once under the Mughal rule. We want this to be done under the BJP government," said VHP leader Vikas Tyagi. However, the MLA's move has not gone down well with the Muslim community that forms a sizeable part of the population in Deoband, which is one of the five constituencies in the district."It doesn't matter even if you change the name a thousand times. Deoband will always be known because of Darul Uloom," said Maulana Arshad Madani, president of Jamat Ulema-E-Hind.Due to the eminence of Darul Uloom, Deoband sees an influx of students who come here in pursuit of Islamic learning. The BJP MLA's claims have visibly irked the students too. FOR WHOSE SAKE? "Is renaming Deoband the country's biggest issue? Will it aid in development anyway? Can this improve roads and provide better education?" asked a student. Posters have been put up in different parts of Deoband. Singh, in his defence, had earlier said that the region has been extant since the time of Mahabharata. According to him, even the Pandavas worshipped here.  Singh said that it was in Deoband where Yaksha asked crucial questions to Yudhishthir.  Places like Rankhandi Jakhwala and Jadoda Panda bear testimony to Deoband's historical connections, he added.Deoband has voted BJP to power after 21 years. Singh had defeated BSP's Majid Ali and SP's Mavia Ali by 1, 02,244 votes.Watch | UP: BJP MLA renames Deoband as Deovrind in posters, irks Muslim population

Niharika Prabhakar

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

99% of Delhi?s DTC buses to be retired in 5 years

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/ageing-buses-could-turn-dtc-history-by-2025-in-delhi-99-fleet-retires-in-5-yrs/story-M7KEqUEPWWx3yaFsfEakqM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

As much as 99% of Delhi Transport Corporation's (DTC) 3,951 buses will have to be retired over the next five years, according to reports. The operational life of a bus is 12 years or 7.5 lakh kilometres, and 21% DTC buses are already 'over-aged'. Notably, three attempts to procure new buses have failed because of tender issues.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is going to be history by the year 2025 if new buses are not inducted to its fleet.The corporation is in a major fix as 99% buses of its existing fleet of 3951 will have to be taken off roads in a span of over five years. This is because its entire fleet is ageing as the operational life of a bus is 12 years or 7.5 lakh kms, whichever is later.Read: Fleet shortage keeps old, rickety buses on Delhi roadsOut of the total fleet, 21 per cent buses are ?over-aged? which the corporation says are those that are running for more than eight years and will be withdrawn by next year. Besides, over 78 per cent buses are those that age in six to eight years.The number is alarming considering the city needs 11000 buses as per a government affidavit submitted to the court and DTC itself is mandated to have 5500 buses. .DTC_wrap {width:60%; border:dashed 1px #999; padding:10px; font-family:"Open Sans"; float:left; margin-right:12px}.DTC_headline {width:auto; margin-bottom:5px; font-size:150%; font-weight:bold; font-family:"PT Serif";}@media only screen and (max-width:500px) {.DTC_wrap {width:auto; border:dashed 1px #999; padding:10px; font-family:"Open Sans"; float:left; margin-right:0px}}DTC grapples with old busesThe corporation is in a major fix as 99% buses of its existing fleet of 3,951 will have to be taken off roads in over five years?The issue has been raised several times in our Board meetings and has been conveyed to the Delhi government. We hope the process of procurement of 1,000 new buses is expedited,? a DTC official said.The government has proposed to procure 1,000 new standard floor buses, but it would take at least a year-and-a-half until they are pressed to service. The matter is yet to be put up in the cabinet after which tender documents would be prepared. Tendering would take at least six months and the next six months will be needed in getting the bus to the city. It has been over four years since buses were inducted to its fleet, even as three attempts to procure new ones have failed owing to tender issues, especially regarding their maintenance. The issue is that the maintenance cost of a bus is so high that manufacturers do not want to take the onus on them, officials said.While there are 3,781 low-floor buses plying in the Capital, it is the 170 standard floor buses that are the oldest (more than 10 years old) and will be condemned in the coming months.The DTC which is one of the oldest State Transport Units (STUs) of India is also worried that if things do not move quickly form here it would be left with only 6,517 employees by 2025 out of which 5052 will be regular drivers alone. Between April, 2016 and March this year, 324 buses were sent to scrap. Last month, 76 buses were condemned. In the last six years, 2014-15 saw the highest buses being withdrawn (511) which was followed by 2012-13 (446 buses).

Tarun Khanna

15 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Were Bose?s comrades freedom fighters or army deserters: CIC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/were-bose-comrades-freedom-fighters-or-army-deserters-cic/1/882895.html

The Central Information Commission has ordered the Home Ministry to answer whether Indian National Army soldiers, who supported Subhas Chandra Bose, were freedom fighters or army deserters. An RTI has sought details on the status of INA soldiers. MHA should answer whether it was ready to provide same benefits such as pension to the INA soldiers, said CIC.

New Delhi, Feb 14 (PTI) Were Indian National Army soldiers who sided with revolutionary leader Subhas Chandra Bose freedom fighters or army deserters? The Central Information Commission has ordered the Home Ministry to answer this question. The case came up for hearing before Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu as Right to Information applicant Prodyot Kumar Mitra could not get details on the status of INA soldiers who had marched with Bose. His application filed on August 26, 2014 was first transferred to CPIO, Ministry of Defence which was further transferred to Department of Ex-Serviceman Welfare and finally to Ministry of Home Affairs. Four months after Mitra filed the application, National Archives offered inspection of records and asked him to cull out desired information and documents. Acharyulu noted that the Home Ministry was right in transferring the RTI application to the National Archives as far as records are concerned.

Vani Vivek

10 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Paytm denies rumour that it'll stop working post January 15

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/will-paytm-stop-working-after-jan-15-company-says-its-rubbish-talk/1/854065.html

Online payments startup Paytm has denied rumours that the e-wallet will not function after January 15. "Nothing could be farther from the truth. On the contrary, Paytm Wallet users will soon enjoy additional benefits through Paytm Payments Bank Account," said the company in a blog post. Paytm's wallet business will be transferred to the newly incorporated Paytm Payments Bank.

Paytm has rubbished the rumours that say Paytm Wallet will stop working after January 15. A hoax message is doing rounds on WhatsApp  and YouTube which claims the e-wallet will not function after January 15."There are some rumors circulating that you will not be able to use the Paytm Wallet after 15th January! Nothing could be farther from the truth. On the contrary, Paytm Wallet users will soon enjoy additional benefits through Paytm Payments Bank Account," company noted on its blog.Also Read: BHIM vs Paytm: The best cashless solution for IndiaPaytm also announced that according to the RBI guidelines, the Paytm Wallet will soon be transferred to the newly incorporated Paytm Payments Bank. Till now they were issued by One97 Communications Limited.  However, Paytm users do not need to make any changes in their Paytm wallet  as this will happen automatically. "Log in details, wallet balance and user experience will remain the same. Your Paytm Wallet experience will remain the same for all current use cases such as paying at stores, paying for Uber rides, ticketing, fuel, etc."You current Paytm wallet  will be transferred to the Paytm Payments Bank Limited as it is, i.e. KYC Wallet as KYC Wallet and minimum KYC Wallet as minimum KYC Wallet. Also, the money in your Paytm wallet will stay intact and reflect in the new Paytm Payments Bank Wallet. In case the wallet has been inactive for the last six months and has zero balance, it won't be transferred to the Paytm Payments Bank Wallet without the user's consent, which will be taken while logging into the account from the app, web or by e-mail. However, opening a new account with Paytm Payments Bank is not mandatory for all.

Gaurav Shroff

05 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Tree trunks emit greenhouse gas instead of storing it: Study

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tree-trunks-emit-methane-rather-than-storing-it-study/1/919376.html

US-based researchers tested a cluster of trees, soil and woody debris to determine whether those three components were sources or sinks of greenhouse gases. Tree trunks were found to emit methane rather than storing it, scientists said, which could counteract absorption of methane by forest soils. However, the mechanism of methane production in forests was not clearly understood.

Washington, Apr 3 (PTI) Tree trunks in upland forests actually emit methane rather than storing it, say scientists who claim to have found a new, previously unaccounted source of this powerful greenhouse gas. Researchers from University of Delaware (UD) in the US found that upland forest soils usually take up and store methane, but this effect can be counteracted by methane emissions from tree trunks. They tested a cluster of trees, soil and coarse woody debris (CWD) - dead wood lying on the forest floor in various stages of decomposition - to measure fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide. The team used a state-of-the-art greenhouse gas analyser based on laser absorption technology, called Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy (OA-ICOS). They visited the site over the course of one growing season - April to December. Researchers measured the carbon dioxide and methane fluxes of the soil, tree trunks and CWD to determine whether those three components were sources or sinks of these greenhouse gases. "We believe our work can help fill in some gaps in methane budgets and environmental processes in global ecosystem models," said Rodrigo Vargas assistant professor in UD. "What we have found in this study is that some coarse woody debris act kind of like the soil and consume methane while other pieces of coarse woody debris emit small amounts of methane, which is also what we saw with living tree trunks," said Daniel Warner of UD. "The tree trunks constantly have low but detectable emissions of methane," said Vargas. "Soils are providing an environmental service of sequestering this potent greenhouse gas, but the trunks are releasing methane equivalent to 4 per cent of what could be captured by CWD and soils at the ecosystem scale," he said.

Chhavi Tyagi

20 Apr 2017,Thursday

CBSE warns schools against selling books, uniforms

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cbse-warns-schools-against-selling-books-uniforms/1/933680.html

Asserting that "educational institutions are not commercial establishments", the CBSE has told schools affiliated to it that they cannot sell books, uniforms, and stationery. "CBSE norms mandate that schools are run as community service," an advisory issued by the board read. This comes after complaints from parents and stakeholders about such activities were reported.

The Central Board of Secondary Education has told schools affiliated to it that educational institutions are not commercial establishments and sale of books, uniforms and stationery by them is a violation of norms. An advisory has been issued following complaints from parents and stakeholders that schools are indulging in commercial activities by way of selling books and uniforms within the school premises or through selected vendors. "The board has taken a serious view of the complaints and the schools are directed to desist from the unhealthy practice of coercing parents to buy text books, note books, stationary, uniforms, shoes, school bags etc from within the premise or from selected vendors only," the communication sent to schools read. "CBSE norms mandate that schools are run as community service and not as a business and that commercialisation does not take place in the school in any shape whatsoever. Educational institutions are not commercial establishments and their sole purpose is to provide quality education," it added. The CBSE has also reiterated its directive to schools to stick to books published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). "The Board receives reports and complaints regarding the pressure exercised by schools on children and their parents to buy textbooks other than (that of) NCERT," it said. Following complaints about shortage of NCERT books, the CBSE had asked schools to raise online indent for NCERT textbooks and more than 2,000 schools had participated in that. Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar recently said that NCERT textbooks have been supplied to 2,000 private schools.

Akshita Jain

08 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Mid-day meal benefits to continue without Aadhaar: Govt

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aadhaar-midday-meal-benefits-to-continue-without-card/1/899000.html

Following criticism from Opposition for making Aadhaar number mandatory for students to avail mid-day meals, the government has said that the benefits will continue based on alternate means of identification. The schools will have to get the children enrolled under Aadhaar but until a number is assigned, the children will continue to get the benefits, it added.

No one will be deprived of benefits for the lack of Aadhaar card and people can use alternate means of identification, the government said. The statement comes in the wake of the recent notification of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) that said students will now have to provide their Aadhaar card number to get mid-day meals. The Opposition had slammed the move with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee saying this was tantamount to "snatching the rights of children".ALSO READ:Aadhaar card may become mandatory for online train ticket booking

Mansha Mahajan

02 May 2017,Tuesday

Tata Teleservices fires up to 600 employees amid competition

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tata-teleservices-fires-500-600-employees/1/943558.html

Tata Teleservices has fired between 500 and 600 employees in sales and other related functions, according to reports. The layoffs are across locations and severance package being offered to employees is one month's salary for every year of service, reports added. The layoffs come amid the telecom industry witnessing intense competition triggered by the entry of Reliance Jio.

New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Tata Teleservices has fired between 500 and 600 employees to tide over difficult times in the hyper-competitive telecom market. As many as 500-600 employees have been impacted by the lay offs in sales and other related functions, two people familiar with the matter said. The lay-offs are across locations, they said, adding that the severance package being offered to the employees impacted by the decision is one months salary for every year of service. An e-mail sent to Tata Teleservices did not elicit a response. Sources in the company said that these are challenging times for the telecom industry. "What most of the operators including Tata Telservices are doing is workforce rationalisation, to stay competitive in line with the needs of the market," they added. The lay-offs comes at a time when the telecom industry has been witnessing an intense tariff war triggered by the entry of Reliance Jio, whose disruptive positioning in the market has left most of the telcos bleeding. The telecom operators are facing tremendous pressure on revenue and profitability even as the industrys debt has soared to nearly Rs 4.6 lakh crore.

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Newly-married couple queues up to cast votes in BMC polls

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bmc-polls-newly-married-couple-paralysed-voter-bhandup-mumbai/1/887814.html

A couple that got married on Tuesday morning lined up outside a polling station in Bhandup wearing wedding attires to cast their votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. "Some relatives objected to us leaving the rituals midway, but we convinced them and finally were allowed to go to the polling booth," the groom said.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls have brought people from all corners of the city together to exercise their rights. In one of the polling booths in Bhandup, a newly married couple attracted attention.The couple, after completing their nuptial ceremony, rushed to a polling booth in Bhandup to cast their vote for the BMC elections. Uday Shinde and Swapnali Shinde got married on Tuesday morning.  The couple completed the primary rituals and then marched towards the IDBS school polling booth to cast their vote while the guests and relatives waited for them."Voting is not only a right but my duty as a citizen. We completed the primary rituals of marriage and then proceeded towards the polling booth to cast our vote.Some relatives objected to us leaving the rituals mid way, but we convinced them and finally were allowed to go to the polling booth," Uday told India Today. "We have been facing so many civic issues like bad roads, water crisis, pollution but to put an end to these problems one needs to vote. My husband and I had decided that we will surely cast our vote and as soon as the rings were exchanged we left the wedding hall to reach the polling booth," said Swapnali.PARALYSIS DID NOT DETER THIS WOMANFor many their circumstances did not deter their willingness to vote and look forward to change. Shobha Khotkar (59) who has been paralysed below waist, came to the IDBS School in Bhandup to cast her vote. "If I don't cast my vote, I have no right to complain against the civic authorities. We need better roads, open spaces, parks and better infrastructure facilities in the city. Casting my vote ensures that I have performed my duty, now it is the elected representative who has to deliver," said Khotar. The voting percentage at this booth by noon was around fifteen percent.Also read: 

Daisy Mowke

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Twitter reacts to actor Nicolas Cage in Kazakhstani outfit

http://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/look-at-this-picture-of-nicolas-cage-in-ornate-kazakhstani-garb-everyone-s-making-memes-of/story-O18x80nuSFyVjY7rWqidlJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Reacting to Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage wearing traditional Kazakhstani outfit at the 13th annual Eurasia International Festival, a user tweeted, "Maybe it's just a wax mannequin posing as the real". "In even other news Nicholas Cage has no idea where he is, how he got there, or why he's wearing that," wrote another user.

Nicolas Cage on Sunday travelled to Kazakhstan to attend the 13th annual Eurasia International Festival, where he posed next to the country?s first lady, Sara Nazarbayeva. His comically blank expression and the ornate traditional clothes he was wearing ignited the internet?s imagination, and the memes have been pouring in ever since.Over the years, Nicolas Cage?s career has become the source of much hilarity online. His increasingly bizarre roles and performances inspire numerous GIFs and memes - and this time is no different.According to his IMDb page, the Oscar-winner has 21 movies to his credit in the period between 2014-2018.While some fans used his images to poke fun at President Donald Trump, others photoshopped him into other fan-favourite memes, like the ?Sad Ben Affleck? one that went viral in 2016.Here are some of the best reactions we found:Nic Cage in Kazakhstan added to the photo of "People who don't know WTH they're doing there". pic.twitter.com/eNJSlAX0Fi? Persian Rose (@PersianRose1) July 24, 2017The things Nicholas Cage is willing to do to steal the Declaration of Independence is truly admirable. pic.twitter.com/GzE22NXjQy? smol satan (@spacebabyBlake) July 24, 2017Nicholas Cage looks like he's just heard 9 of the 10 activation words and is about to go full Winter Soldier. pic.twitter.com/liabS5MZJ1? Hanna Flint (@HannaFlint) July 24, 2017Maybe its just a wax mannequin posing as the real #NicholasCage https://t.co/o4VOw9LdyT? Mia (@skandika) July 24, 2017In even other news Nicholas Cage has no idea where he is, how he got there, or why he's wearing that. https://t.co/0UvBMN0gE5? Timwie J. Malmsteen (@Gargotheron) July 24, 2017Nicholas Cage in Kazakhstan in our traditional attire lmao pic.twitter.com/MAAWpB8skC? Adil4Real (@adil_4_real) July 23, 2017President Trump Sends Negotiators To Kazakhstan To Seek Release Of Nicholas Cage. pic.twitter.com/rFMmQUd4ep? Denlesks (@Denlesks) July 24, 2017This picture of Nicholas Cage in Kazakhstan pretty much made my day. pic.twitter.com/FauuOJBK5H? Nathan Hodge (@nohodge) July 23, 2017Follow @htshowbiz for more

Vani Vivek

10 Mar 2017,Friday

WhatsApp to bring back old text status

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/whatsapp-to-bring-back-old-status-after-user-outcry/1/901299.html

A beta version of WhatsApp shows that the messaging application is working on bringing back the text status feature it had ditched for photo and video status updates that expire in 24 hours. The beta update, which is only available for Android testers currently, shows text status updates working the same way as before alongside the new status feature.

WhatsApp may soon bring your good old status. The chat app recently killed the old status to launch a new Facebook-like Status tab to its interface. The update received mixed reactions from the users with many backlashing the company for removing the old status and turning the app into Facebook. But a latest beta released by the app hints that the feature may soon come back on the app. The new update which bumps the version up to 2.17.95 allows beta testers to put up a status text message, which is reflected on their profile page. And this status won't vanish unlike the photos, videos and gifs shared under the Status tab that disappear after 24 hours.  To view or set a status, user has to tap on three dots given at the top right corner of the WhatsApp interface and then go to Settings. Next tap on the display picture and go to 'About and phone number'. Set your status just like earlier and same options like Busy, Available and others to choose from.  Also Read: WhatsApp's beta update finally adds separate buttons for voice and video calls

Abhishek Bansal

03 Apr 2017,Monday

Ayodhya issue cannot be resolved by talks: Mulayam

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mulayam-singh-ayodhya-case/1/919531.html

Samajwadi Party Founder Mulayam Singh Yadav has ruled out the possibility of resolution of Ayodhya temple issue through mutual dialogue. Yadav asserted that a court decision will be obligatory to all and will be accepted with relative ease, whereas more dialogue will only spark further tensions. Yadav also expressed regret over firing on Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya during his tenure.

Samajwadi Party founder and mentor Mulayam Singh Yadav has categorically ruled out any possibilities of resolution of Ayodhya temple issue through mutual dialogue and has demanded that the Supreme Court should decide on this issue soon.Talking to India Today, Yadav said that a court decision will be obligatory to all and will be accepted with relative ease,whereas more dialogue on this issue will only spark further tensions. He said that whatever is constructed on the site, he will lay the first brick.Answering a question, Yadav said that this issue has suddenly gained prominence again after the victory of BJP in UP and the petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in the apex court for an expedited hearing on the dispute. He said that contrary to what the apex court has suggested, mutual talks are not the solution to this dispute as he himself mediated in such talks four times but each time the discussion ended without a decision.He expressed his regret on the firing on Kar Sevaks in Ayodhya during his tenure and said that the Supreme Court had asked for status quo to be maintained on the site, but the mosque was demolished by Kar Sevaks.FAMILY CONFLICT Asked about his views on the current situation in the Samajwadi Party, he said that he accepted humiliation for the betterment of the party. He said that people close to him tried to bring him down, which is why the Samajwadi Party lost so miserably in UP elections. He said that one of his own family members opened a front against him whereas that person does not even have a single vote for himself.Yadav had arrived in the Mainpuri district of Agra division where he was expressing his pain to his supporters. He said that the SP lost despite so many good deeds it did in Uttar Pradesh and the primary reason for that was the internal clash in the party where people were backstabbing each other to gain prominence.He said that he felt bad, but there was nobody he could turn to in order to express his pain, so he remained silent and got humiliated. Mulayam said that the party lost because of his humiliation by his own family, as even after the Ayodhya incident, the party had not faced such a terrible defeat.Mulayam expressed his gratitude to the people of Mainpuri and said that Mainpuri was his political birthplace and this district has always supported him, elected him in the Lok Sabha with lakhs of votes. He said he has come amongst the people of Mainpuri to express his grief. He asserted that he will contest the next election in 2019 from Mainpuri as well.Aiming at BJP, he said they made the maximum laws in their tenure so far just to draw the attention of the people from the plight of the common man and farmers.He said he was not informed of the coalition between SP and Congress and when he was informed, he opposed it but Akhilesh did not pay heed to his objections. The defeat in Assembly elections was a result of that. He said that Akhilesh joined hands with the party that led three attacks on him, which indicated the level of respect he had for his father.Also read:Yogi Adityanath's first interview after taking charge of UP, says Ayodhya issue should be resolved through talks 

Shubhodeep Datta

30 Dec 2016,Friday

A woman gets raped every 5 hrs in the capital: Delhi Police

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/a-woman-raped-every-4-hours-21-cars-stolen-every-day-in-2016-delhi-police-data/story-gs44x22oorIB1HEpyKLHhN.html

Delhi reported a rape every five hours in 2016, but the total number of cases marginally declined to 2,029, as against 2,069 last year, the city police's data has shown. However, only 1,744 (86%) of the registered cases were solved. Further, a molestation case was registered every three hours, taking the number of such cases to 4,005, this year.

Crime marginally reduced this year in Delhi compared to the last year with only motor vehicle theft registering an increase over the previous year. Latest annual crime data by the Delhi Police shows that cases of molestation (from 5,328 to 4,005) and robbery (from 7,141 to 4,538) showed the maximum dip. However, Delhi reported a rape every four hours in 2016. Compared to last year?s 2,069 rape cases, 2029 were registered this year. Of these, police managed to solve only 1,744 cases.The total cases under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) ? FIRs registered across Delhi ? increased by 8.88% than last year?s 1.81 lakh to 1.97 lakh this year. Robbery cases registered a sharp decline of 35.45%. Police believe demonetisation of high currency notes could be one of the reasons behind reduction in the robbery cases. Between November 8 and December 9 this year - a month of demonetisation ? there were 315 robbery cases compared to 561 in the same period last year. ?The drop in robbery cases would have been less than 35.45% but because of demonetisation the cases reported a sharp decline since November 8. Since people are carrying less money, it makes them less vulnerable,? said an officer. Read: Missing JNU student to ghostbuster?s death: 5 crimes that foxed Delhi in 2016The numbers of murders too decreased from 530 to 490 cases this year, but a few sensational murders kept the police on their toes. The triple murder of a man, his wife and son at their house in central Delhi?s Rajender Nagar on January 10 was one among them. In November, the discovery of three mutilated bodies in 10 days, within a radius of 10 kilometres in south Delhi triggered fears of a serial killer. Police have solved two cases but are yet to make any headway in the third case. The Delhi Police was also surrounded by controversies throughout the year. It began with their decision to book JNU student leaders under the archaic sedition law. It snowballed into a controversy forcing then police commissioner to admit that ?excesses were committed from both sides (police and JNU students).? Facing heat and protests, the police chief also said that cops would not oppose the bail of JNU students, only to retract later. One crime that the police failed to keep bring down this year is the theft of vehicles. As many as 5,250 more vehicles were stolen this year than the last year, taking total such cases to 36,137. Police say they are meeting with their counterparts in Haryana, UP and Rajasthan to bring down the motor vehicle thefts. Prashant Vihar in outer Delhi, which registered the highest snatching cases, topped the list in areas where most vehicles (920) were stolen, followed by Bhajanpura (630). Prashant Vihar also witnessed the maximum, 237, number of snatching cases.

Saloni Tandon

13 Jan 2017,Friday

Won't grow my hair again, says Mahendra Singh Dhoni

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mahendra-singh-dhoni-long-hair-india-limited-overs-captain-virat-kohli/1/856609.html

Former India captain MS Dhoni has said he will not go back to his old long-haired look in the future. "I will never grow my hair again," Dhoni said when asked if he will change his hairstyle now that he is relieved of the leadership burden. The former skipper sported long, brown hair when he debuted in 2004.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who stepped down as India's limited-overs captain on January 4 after a trophy-laden nine-year reign, said he was ready to change his batting order according to the future requirements of the team but won't grow the billowing mane that once made him the cynosure of all eyes. (Virat Kohli's Team India will rewrite history, says MS Dhoni)Addressing his first press conference since stepping down as India's limited-overs captain, Dhoni, who rose from the cricketing backwaters of Jharkhand to lead the game's most passionately-followed team, said many things have changed over the years for him as a cricketer.CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO"As a cricketer, many things have changed for me since 2007. I debuted in 2004, was given the captaincy in 2007. If I see my journey since then, I had to change according to the team's needs. I started in the lower order then moved up the ladder. My batting order was never fixed. I used to get batting for 25-30 overs. However, it changed in the last few years."The top-order batsmen batted really well and I felt there was no explosive finisher at the lower order and due to that I was batting lower down the order. Over the years, I changed my batting order according to the team's requirements. I am ready to change my batting order according to the responsibility given to me in the times ahead," Dhoni said at the conference which was held in Pune ahead of India's first ODI against England on January 15. (Stepped down because split captaincy doesn't work in India: MS Dhoni)Dhoni, who led India to the inaugural World Twenty20 title in 2007, to the ICC World Cup in 2011 and lifted the ICC Champions Trophy in 2011, said he will never grow his hair again.

Chhavi Tyagi

06 Jan 2017,Friday

We will cross the border again, if needed: New Army Chief

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lt-general-bipin-rawat-surgical-strikes-indian-army/1/849662.html

Newly-appointed Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said that the Indian forces would cross the border again if peace and tranquility are not maintained after attempting to resolve things through negotiations. "Wars will be intense and short because there will always be international pressure... Whatever action we take, therefore, has to be quick; forces have to be ready," Rawat added.

25 Safdarjung Road, the official residence of the vice-chief of army staff, thrums with activity early on a foggy January morning, just days after General Bipin Rawat assumed office on New Year's Day as India's 27th chief of the army staff. (His official 4 Rajaji Marg residence is under renovation.) His twin Dachshunds, Dash and Tickle, shoot around like little guided torpedoes clad in identical red-and- black-trimmed winter fleece. Staff officers and Tavor rifle-wielding bodyguards of the special forces flank the fleet of black armoured Scorpios waiting to make the short two km drive to his office deep within the sandstone corridors of South Block. The general appears in the verandah of his home, proffers a firm handshake. He's of medium height, stockily built, with salt and pepper hair and a neatly trimmed white moustache. He listens carefully, looks you in the eye when he speaks, and the clearly articulated sentences are delivered like a military drum roll. He clearly plays on the front foot. There is simply no question that will induce any hesitation on his part, from tackling China and Pakistan, surgical strikes, the controversial Cold Start war doctrine to the polemic around his selection as army chief, superseding two senior army commanders. As he sat down for an extensive interview with Executive Editor Sandeep Unnithan, General Rawat revealed why he was supremely confident of navigating the minefield that lies ahead in his three-year tenure. Excerpts:What do you see as your main security challenges and how do you plan to handle developments like the reorganisation of China's armed forces?The primary role of the armed forces is the defence of the borders, preparation for conventional warfare, maintaining internal security and focusing on disaster relief. We are studying the restructuring of the PLA to see its efficacy. We will study their reforms and see whether they have relevance in our context. If so, we will put them across with modifications to the government.The army's China-specific Mountain Strike Corps has been languishing for want of funds. Is this relevant in our context?We raised the Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) as part of a transition from dissuasion and deterrence to credible deterrence. All adversaries respect credible strength, which comes from such formations capable of striking across the border. We are expected to remain defensive in order to ensure there are no incursions and the sanctity of the borders is maintained. But you cannot always remain defensive. We must also have the capability to conduct offensive operations. Whether these forces are going to be used physically will depend on the situation, but surely these forces meet the purpose of credible deterrence. So, we'll certainly give impetus to raising the corps. The government has given us permission to induct manpower, infrastructure development along the border is taking place, weapons and equipment are coming in.Did the army's September 29, 2016 surgical strikes define our new red lines in a strong response to a high-casualty attack by terrorists?All nations and armies define their own thresholds. The December 13, 2001 Parliament attack was a threshold. In a terrorist attack, it is the nature of the attack and the success the terrorists are able to achieve-sometimes what happens is that the terrorists get success because of incidental damage caused. Uri, for example, was an incidental success because there were troops in tents, troops who were grouped together. In Nagrota, they did not get so much success, they did not get so many people, we were able to eliminate them before they could do damage. So the threshold level will vary and [determine] the kind of reaction, because our nation is not a warmongering nation. We want peace and tranquility, and if we find that something can be resolved through negotiations, an attempt is always made to resolve it through negotiations but if we find these incidents getting repeated, we define a threshold, a decision is taken, recommendations are made, and we will go across again. It is very difficult to say if there are red lines (in response to terrorist attacks). What I can say is that there are dotted lines, and those dots are then joined together by us to draw a red line.Is the Cold Start doctrine-instituted after Operation Parakram in 2001-still an option in response to attacks like the one on Parliament in 2001 or 26/11 in Mumbai?The Cold Start doctrine exists for conventional military operations. Whether we have to conduct conventional operations for such strikes is a decision well-thought through, involving the government and the Cabinet Committee on Security.Prime Minister Narendra Modi had, in the combined commanders' conference in 2015, said that future conflicts will become shorter, and wars will become rare. Do you have any strategy for short, intense wars?In our case, we prepare for short, intense conflicts, and at the same time have to be prepared for wars becoming long-drawn. Based on that, we have a well-defined strategy. What the PM said is right; wars will be intense and short because there'll always be international pressure in wars between two nations. We have to be aware of that; whatever action we take, therefore, has to be quick; forces have to be ready and have to achieve success.The modernisation of the Indian Army has been an area of major concern for you and your predecessors. Have you identified any key areas for delivery during your tenure?Technology is constantly changing. You cannot be using older technologies for your weapons systems and equipment. My thinking is that you have to look at emerging technology because of the time it takes for a weapons system to be inducted into the armed forces. So you have to look at tomorrow's technology for inducting weapons. With that in mind, we have also focused on certain weapons systems. Infantry is the most affected-deployed along the border round the clock, in internal security situations, and in the face of frequent ceasefire violations on the border-we need to give them modern weapons technology best suited to such an environment. The mechanised forces need future battle tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles, new aviation assets, air defence systems, artillery and other longer ranged weapon systems that have more lethality and accuracy. We are also looking at upgrading operational logistics systems. The modernisation priorities have been spelt out by my predecessor [Gen. Dalbir Singh] and we are continuing with the same vision and thrust areas because I feel they have been thought through and holistically define the army's requirements.Do you see an emerging threat in the new China-Pakistan proximity and how do you propose to respond to it?National security strategy by any nation is defined by its national interests. China has defined its national interests by coming close to Pakistan in looking for access to the Indian Ocean Region, for energy security, trade. Today, economics defines national strategy and wherever people find economic gain, there are cooperative mechanisms and alliances. We also have to look at our national interests and continue doing whatever is best in our national interests. We will also counter such mechanisms through our own means; our government is quite capable of handling [these]. We are also carrying out actions to negate the nexus developing between China and Pakistan.Would you elaborate on these measures?We are addressing the neighbourhood, the extended neighborhood and the Far West. We are looking at certain countries on China's eastern seaboard, and the Americas. There are groupings that are taking place. While we are proud of being non-aligned, there are times when you have to get into some groupings, which is of course in the domain of foreign policy, so I wouldn't like to really comment. We have masters in foreign policy and they do it really well. Our diplomacy is moving well, the prime minister's focus is on the global arena, we will be able to counter whatever is happening through our foreign policy.What are your expectations from a closer military partnership with the United States?Our expectations are that we must live like friends - the economic partnership will grow stronger and everything else will fall into place. We are sharing expertise but that is more in the field of humanitarian assistance and disaster response. We do try out some joint training as far as counter-insurgency [is concerned]. The US does consider us a lead nation in Counter Insurgency Ops; they have specialisation in special forces operations which we look at. As for equipment, we have a system of global tendering, and I feel we should go for whoever gives us the best. Finally, we should support our domestic industry. What it will depend on is who is willing to come here, share technology and help our domestic industry grow and help us in becoming self-reliant, so we needn't be country-fixated.We have been hearing a lot about the rivalry between the infantry and the armoured corps. Would you set the record straight on this?

Sumedha Sehra

03 Jul 2017,Monday

China responds to India, says it is also different from 1962

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/china-arun-jaitley-india-doklam-beijing/1/993036.html

China on Monday responded to India's statement saying it is also different from the China of 1962. "[T]o some extent he is right in saying India in 2017 is different from India in 1962, just like China is also different," said a spokesperson. China has also claimed that India is using "excuse of Bhutan's interests to infringe upon China's territory".

Responding to Defence Minister Arun Jaitley's statement to India Today saying India in 2017 was different from 1962, Beijing retorted on Monday that "to some extent he is right in saying India in 2017 is different from India in 1962, just like China is also different".China's statement came as it stepped up its claims on India "trespassing" at the Sikkim border.On Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that India was "using the excuse of Bhutan's interests to infringe upon China's territory" and suggested India had sent its troops into Bhutan without the latter's permission."The Bhutan side does not know previously that Indian troops entered Doklam which is not in line with what India claims," said spokesperson Geng Shuang, contradicting India's Friday statement that the Royal Bhutan Army had on June 16 protested the PLA's construction activities in Doklam, with the Indian Army two days later supporting Bhutan and asking China to stop altering the status quo.China's Foreign Ministry also said that Jawaharlal Nehru "explicitly recognised" the 1890 Sikkim-Tibet treaty that Beijing is now citing to back its territorial claims.In the very same March 22, 1959 letter, Nehru also reminded China of an 1842 treaty on Ladakh and the drawing of the McMahon line in Simla in 1914, which aren't recognised by China. Citing the 1890 convention which fixes the India-China-Bhutan trijunction at Gipmochi, far south of where India and Bhutan do, the Foreign Ministry said the "illegal trespass of border troops goes against convention and is against basic principles of the UN Charter and international laws"."The action taken by India is undoubtedly a betrayal of consistent position held by India," said Geng, adding that "Prime Minister Nehru explicitly recognised the 1890 convention between Tibet and Sikkim" in a March 22, 1959 letter to then Chinese PM Zhou Enlai.India maintains the 1890 agreement only provides the basis of alignment of the boundary, and that the border needs to be finalised by the Special Representatives in maps and on the ground.NEHRU'S LETTER READIn the letter Geng cited, Nehru wrote that "The boundary of Sikkim, a protectorate of India, with the Tibet Region of China was defined in the Anglo- Chinese Convention 1890 and jointly demarcated on the ground in 1895."However, in the same letter, Nehru also mentioned agreements on the boundaries in Ladakh and Arunachal, which China now rejects.In fact, in the very same section of the letter, Nehru mentioned the following two agreements: "The Ladakh Region of the State of Jammu and Kashmir- A treaty of 1842 between Kashmir on the one hand and the Emperor of China and Lama Guru of Lhasa on the other, mentions the India-China boundary in the Ladakh region. In 1847 the Chinese Government admitted that this boundary was sufficiently and distinctly fixed. The area now claimed by China has always been depicted as part of India on official maps, has been surveyed by Indian officials and even a Chinese map of shows it as Indian territory."On the McMahon Line, Nehru wrote: "The McMahon Line-As you are aware, the so-called McMahon Line runs eastwards from the eastern borders of Bhutan and defines the boundary of China on the one hand and on the India and Burma on the other. Contrary to what has been reported to you, this line was, in fact, drawn at a Tripartite Conference held at Simla in 1913-1914 between the Plenipotentiaries of the Governments of China, Tibet and India. At the time of acceptance of the delineation of this frontier, Lonchen Shatra, the Tibetan Plenipotentiary, in letters exchanged, stated explicitly that he had received orders from Lhasa to agree to the boundary as marked on the map appended to the Convention." China, however, does not recognise those two treaties. Also read:China will defend territory even at the cost of war with India, says Chinese daily Beyond Doka La: 10 irritants in India-China relation

Pragya Swastik

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

IT cos ganged up to keep freshers' salary low: Mohandas Pai

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/it-cos-ganged-up-to-keep-freshers-salary-low-mohandas-pai/1/887838.html

Indian IT giants have ganged up to keep freshers' salaries low, taking advantage of the oversupply of software engineers at entry level, former Infosys board member Mohandas Pai said. "Companies must increase freshers' salaries and reduce top people's compensation," he added. Reports suggest salaries of freshers have increased from ?2.25 lakh to only ?3.5 lakh per annum in 20 years.

Anmol Sharma

09 Jul 2017,Sunday

PM seeks UK's help in return of Vijay Mallya, Lalit Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-seeks-uks-help-in-return-of-vijay-mallya-lalit-modi/1/997613.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought British PM Theresa May's help to ensure UK's cooperation to bring back economic offenders including fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former IPL chief Lalit Modi. Mallya is wanted for default on loans worth nearly ?9,000 crore while Lalit Modi is wanted for a money laundering probe.

(Eds: Updating with more quotes) By Barun Jha Hamburg, Jul 8 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pressed upon his British counterpart Theresa May to ensure UKs cooperation to bring back economic offenders, amidst India working hard for the return of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya and former IPL chief Lalit Modi. Mallya has been in the UK for months, escaping arrest warrants against him, while a court in London is also hearing a case regarding his return to India. Modi today met May during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit here and sought UKs help in this regard. Both leaders also talked about the complete range of India-UK ties. In a tweet after the meeting, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said the Prime Minister asked for UKs "cooperation for return of escaped Indian economic offenders". On economic offenders issue, Baglay said, "you have seen our tweet". On whether cooperation from the UK was sought with just Mallya in mind, he said, "The tweet mentions economic offenders who have escaped from India and that is the answer". To a query on whether was Mallya in focus in terms of escaped economic offenders discussed with May, Baglay said, "We have put out a tweet and the term used there is a plural... its English language and people who know English should understand it". Asked whether all on the list were discussed and no specific names were mentioned, he said, "I wont like to go into that and what we have said in the tweet is what our position is". Baglay refused to comment directly on any question related to Mallya. Mallya, who is wanted in India for Kingfisher Airlines default on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore, has been in the UK since March 2016. In April, he had attended a central London police station for his arrest and was released on conditional bail a few hours later after providing a bail bond worth 650,000 pounds, assuring the court of abiding by all conditions associated with extradition proceedings, such as surrender of his passport and a ban on him possessing any travel documents. Lalit Modi, former chief of Indian Premier League (IPL), is wanted by the Indian authorities with respect to a money laundering probe and he is said to be in the UK. The former cricket administrator has maintained that he has not done any wrong in any of the IPL deals.

Rini Sinha

10 Feb 2017,Friday

Neil Nitin Mukesh marries Rukmini Sahay in Udaipur

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/neil-nitin-mukesh-rukmini-sahay-wedding-udaipur-photos/1/879481.html

Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh got married to Rukmini Sahay on Thursday in Udaipur. Rukmini wore a red and orange lehenga embellished with stones, resham and sadhi work, while Neil wore a gold and maroon sherwani for the wedding. Both outfits were designed by Sarath Krishnan. Bollywood celebrities including Rishi Kapoor and Pamela Chopra, late Yash Chopra's wife, attended the wedding.

Neil Nitin Mukesh and Rukmini Sahay are a married couple now. The Prem Ratan Dhan Payo actor tied the knot with Rukmini in a traditional Hindu style on February 9. Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Fategarh Sagar Lake, their wedding was nothing less than a royal affair. The crazy wedding celebrations which kick started on February 6 came to end with the grand wedding.ALSO READ: These photos from Neil and Rukmini's sangeet, mehendi ceremony are too good to miss WATCH: Neil Nitin Mukesh shakes a leg to Kala Chashma at his engagement in Udaipur The big fat Indian wedding saw almost 500 guests in Udaipur who joined the bride and groom on their special day.When it finally sinks in that the moment is here... #MineForever #abouttoenter #weddingjitters #beautifulbride #indianbride #NeilandRukmini #Neilnitinmukesh #bollywoodweddings #celebrity #indianweddings #twsindia #theweddingstoryindia #love #couple #celebration #fairytale #photography #weddings #destinationweddings #UdaipurIndia #bridaldressup #groom #allreadytogetmarriedA photo posted by The Wedding Story (@theweddingstoryindia) on Feb 9, 2017 at 7:48am PSTWhile Rukmini looked stunning in a red lehenga embellished with stones and sadhi work, Neil looked royal in a maroon sherwani.The Groom is ready for the Baraat!! #MineForever #NeilandRukmini #Neilnitinmukesh #bollywoodweddings #celebrity #indianweddings #twsindia #theweddingstoryindia #love #couple #celebration #fairytale #photography #weddings #destinationweddings #UdaipurIndia #baraat #groom #allreadytogetmarriedA photo posted by The Wedding Story (@theweddingstoryindia) on Feb 9, 2017 at 5:31am PSTThe day began with haldi and chooda ceremony. And later in the evening, Rukmini and Neil tied the knot. Neil's dad Nitin Mukesh told IANS, "I couldn't have asked for a more humbling or happy moment. God has been so kind. We are getting my darling Neil married and I want to tell you this... What he has done for the family, for the family's name and for his grandfather's name... We owed him something, and that's what we have done with his wedding." 

Vaibhav Gupta

04 Jan 2017,Wednesday

Kerala suffered ?1,000 crore tourism loss post note ban

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-suffers-rs-1k-cr-tourism-revenue-loss-since-nov-8/1/848676.html

The Kerala government on Tuesday said the state's tourism sector registered a loss of about ?1,000 crore post the demonetisation drive by the Centre. The number of foreign tourists visiting the state decreased by 10-15% while the number of domestic tourists dipped by 20-30%. The fall is in contrast to the increase in the numbers before demonetisation, the government added.

Minister Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3 (PTI) Keralas tourism sector has registered an estimated loss of about Rs 1,000 crore, following a dip in the arrival of foreign and domestic tourists since the Centre announced demonetisation of high-value currencies, the state government said today. The cash crunch has severely affected the sector and the loss was estimated to be about Rs 1,000 crore since the demonetisation of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes came into effect from November 8 last, state Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran told a press conference here. There was a decrease of 10-15 per cent in the number of foreign tourists arriving while the number of domestic tourists dipped by 20-30 per cent, he added. The fall in arrival of tourists was "in contrast" to an increase in the numbers of both foreign and domestic tourists before demonetisation, the minister said. He pointed out that the state netted a revenue of Rs 25,000 crore every year from the tourism sector. "The currency crunch arose during the tourism season itself and so, things went wrong to a great extent," Surendran said, adding that foreign tourists were not getting enough cash at airports on their arrival. Even though several complaints were received in this regard, due to the Centres "adamant" attitude, the state was not able to do anything, he claimed. Tourists were also spending very little money in the state now which had affected the local traders, said Surendran. The houseboat business, one of the main attractions of backwater tourism in Kerala, was "on the verge of collapse", he said and added that the state government would do "everything possible" to boost the tourism sector.

Mishika Bangia

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

UP government makes registration of marriages compulsory

http://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/eleven-years-after-sc-ruling-up-govt-makes-registration-of-marriages-compulsory/story-KrL26m3E7nV2eJt7PlRXeM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Yogi Adityanath government has approved making the registration of marriages compulsory for all religions and castes in Uttar Pradesh. The approval comes in wake of a 2006 Supreme Court's verdict, which asked Centre and state governments to draft rules for making marriage registration compulsory. Reportedly, ?10 fine will be levied for delay up to a year and ?50 beyond that.

The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to make registration of marriages compulsory for every resident of the state, regardless of religion or community.Chief minister Yogi Adityanath presided over a cabinet meeting to adopt the Uttar Pradesh Marriage Registration Rules-2017, which stipulates compulsory registration of marital alliances and lays down penalties for any delay in this regard. Though the fines are not particularly hefty ? Rs 10 for delay up to a year and Rs 50 beyond that period ? it is liable to increase over time. ?We took all sections of society into confidence before taking a decision on the issue,? health minister Siddharth Nath Singh told mediapersons later in the day.However, Singh admitted that the cabinet did not concede to demands from a few Muslim clerics who wanted their community exempt from having to furnish photographs of the bride and groom. ?Yes, they made such a demand because the nikahnama (the Islamic marriage contract) does not carry images. But if photographs can be submitted to procure documents such as Aadhaar cards, I don?t see why the same cannot be done for marriage registration,? he said.While the stamps and registration department will double as the nodal agency for marriage registration, the government will launch an online portal to ensure easy access. The Centre had already made marriage registration compulsory across the country, in keeping with a 2006 Supreme Court ruling. Uttar Pradesh was among the only two states that had failed to implement the directive, an anomaly that minister for women welfare and tourism development Rita Bahuguna Joshi had earlier vowed to rectify. ?We will implement the Supreme Court?s order in the state. A cabinet note is being prepared, and the same will be sent for the cabinet?s approval,? she had said.The erstwhile Samajwadi Party government had deferred taking a decision on the matter in view of strong objections from Muslims. Community leaders maintained that as the nikahnama contains all the relevant details pertaining to marriages, the state should treat it as a valid substitute for the registration certificate.

Vani Vivek

08 Apr 2017,Saturday

Google's discrimination against women quite extreme: US govt

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/07/google-pay-disparities-women-labor-department-lawsuit?CMP=share_btn_tw

Accusing technology major Google of underpaying women, the US Department of Labor said that "discrimination against women in Google is quite extreme". The government department also alleged that Google violated employment laws in relation to salaries for its female employees. Earlier this month, Google had claimed to have closed the gender pay gap globally.

Google has discriminated against its female employees, according to the US Department of Labor (DoL), which said it had evidence of ?systemic compensation disparities?.As part of an ongoing DoL investigation, the government has collected information that suggests the internet search giant is violating federal employment laws with its salaries for women, agency officials said. ?We found systemic compensation disparities against women pretty much across the entire workforce,? Janette Wipper, a DoL regional director, testified in court in San Francisco on Friday.Reached for comment Friday afternoon, Janet Herold, regional solicitor for the DoL, said: ?The investigation is not complete, but at this point the department has received compelling evidence of very significant discrimination against women in the most common positions at Google headquarters.?Herold added: ?The government?s analysis at this point indicates that discrimination against women in Google is quite extreme, even in this industry.?Google strongly denied the accusations of inequities, claiming it did not have a gender pay gap.The explosive allegation against one of the largest and most powerful companies in Silicon Valley comes at a time when the male-dominated tech industry is facing increased scrutiny over gender discrimination, pay disparities and sexual harassment. The allegations emerged at a hearing in federal court as part of a lawsuit the DoL filed against Google in January, seeking to compel the company to provide salary data and documents to the government.Google is a federal contractor, which means it is required to allow the DoL to inspect and copy records and information about its its compliance with equal opportunity laws. Last year, the department?s office of federal contract compliance programs requested job and salary history for Google employees, along with names and contact information, as part of the compliance review.Google, however, repeatedly refused to hand over the data, which was a violation of its contractual obligations with the federal government, according to the DoL?s lawsuit. After the suit was originally filed, a company spokesperson claimed that Google had provided ?hundreds of thousands of records? to the government and that the requests outlined in the complaint were ?overbroad?, revealed confidential information, or violated employees? privacy. Labor officials detailed the government?s discrimination claims against Google at the Friday hearing while making the case for why the company should be forced to comply with the DoL?s requests for documents. Wipper said the department found pay disparities in a 2015 snapshot of salaries and said officials needed earlier compensation data to evaluate the root of the problem and needed to be able to confidentially interview employees. ?We want to understand what?s causing the disparity,? she said. Lisa Barnett Sween, one of Google?s attorneys, testified in opening remarks that the DoL?s request constituted a ?fishing expedition that has absolutely no relevance to the compliance review?. She said the request was an unconstitutional violation of the company?s fourth amendment right to protection from unreasonable searches.Marc Pilotin, a DoL attorney, said: ?For some reason or another, Google wants to hide the pay-related information.?In a statement to the Guardian, Google said: ?We vehemently disagree with [Wipper?s] claim. Every year, we do a comprehensive and robust analysis of pay across genders and we have found no gender pay gap. Other than making an unfounded statement which we heard for the first time in court, the DoL hasn?t provided any data, or shared its methodology.?The company has recently claimed that it has closed its gender pay gap globally and provides equal pay across races in the US. Herold told the Guardian that the department ?seeks additional information to ensure the accuracy of the department?s findings, because if the findings are confirmed, this is a troubling situation?.Google is not the first tech company to face legal action from the labor department over employment practices. In September, the DoL filed a lawsuit against Palantir, the Palo Alto data analytics company, alleging it systematically discriminated against Asian job applicants in its hiring process. Palantir has argued that the DoL?s analysis was flawed and the company has denied the accusations.In January, the department sued Oracle, another large tech company, claiming it paid white men more than others, leading to pay discrimination against women and black and Asian employees. Oracle claimed the case was ?politically motivated? and said its employment decisions were based on merit and experience.In recent months, there has been uncertainty about the future of these kinds of aggressive DoL enforcement efforts under Donald Trump. The president has rolled back Obama-era protections for female workers, and some DoL staffers have raised concerns that the new administration will not embrace the agency?s core mission of supporting workers? rights. An Oracle executive also joined Trump?s transition team, and the president?s close adviser Peter Thiel co-founded Palantir. In the Google case, the labor department?s lawyers have asked the court to cancel all of the company?s federal contracts and block any future business with the government if it continues to refuse to comply with the audit.Google began releasing diversity statistics in 2014 and reported last year that women made up 31% of its overall workforce and that only 2% of workers were black and 3% Latino. White employees accounted for 59% of the US workforce and Asians made up 32%.Contact the author: sam.levin@theguardian.com

Rini Sinha

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

SP leader Abu Azmi slams Suchitra for her Azaan tweet

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/suchitra-krishnamoorthi-defends-azaan-tweet/1/1010064.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has slammed singer-actor Suchitra Krishnamoorthi for her tweet wherein she described the morning Azaan played on loudspeakers as "extreme imposed religiosity". He said, "Those who...drink at 2 am in parties in hotels, and sit with their arms on shoulders of strange men and talk, who have spoilt Indian culture have suddenly started criticising [Azaan]."

Actor-singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, who finds herself in an eye of a storm over her tweet about the "aggressive/ ear shattering call of azaan", defended herself saying she doesn't have a problem the call but just wants the "loud sound" to be dealt with. Krishnamoorthi raked up controversy on Sunday after posting an early-morning tweet that read, "came (sic) home at 4.45 am 2 (to) most aggressive/ ear shattering call of azaan. Nothing more lowlife & dumb than such extreme imposed religiousity". Krishnamoorthi immediately came under attack - from twitterati and politicians alike. Some, like AIMIM MLA Waaris Pathan indulged in taking personal potshots, calling her a "cheap singer" who tweeted what she tweeted for "publicity." "Such type of cheap singers do this for publicity... She was partying till late in the night... Where was she when Aqlaq was lynched? Where was she when Junaid was thrown on a platform? If she gets so troubled by the sound of azaan, why doesn't she go and stay in Nepal?" Pathan questioned, referring to the lynchings of Mohammad Akhlaq and Junaid Khan both of whom were beaten to death in separate incidents by a mob that suspected them of possessing/eating beef. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi was even more personal in his attack, saying how "these type of women" have "made Indian culture a laughing stock". "These type of women love to dance with skimpy clothes... They drink (the) whole night and have made Indian culture a laughing stock... They should shut their mouth and stop dividing people," Azmi said while demanding action against Krishnamoorthi for her tweets. Speaking to India Today, Krishnamoorthi brushed away Azmi's statements, saying that the SP leader needed to get well. She also defended her tweet saying that she is not against the concept of azaan. "Some people have problem with loud azaan, while some have [a problem with] loud bhajans... We should find a solution for it... I am not asking to stop it (azaan), but (that) the loud sounds be dealt with," Krishnamoorthi said.

Dishant Sharma

15 May 2017,Monday

101-yr-old becomes world's oldest skydiver by jumping 15k ft

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/may/14/d-day-veteran-verdun-hayes-worlds-oldest-skydiver-at-101-and-38-days?CMP=twt_gu

Bryson William Verdun Hayes, at the age of 101 years and 38 days, became the oldest person in the world to skydive after jumping from 15,000 feet. Verdun took ten members of his family to skydive along with him. Interestingly, the 101-year-old had been presented with the Legion d'honneur for his heroic actions in World War II.

A D-day veteran who jumped 15,000ft from a plane has become the oldest person in the world to skydive ? at the age of 101 and 38 days. Bryson William Verdun Hayes, known as Verdun, broke the world record on Sunday, completing a tandem skydive with three generations of his family at an airfield in Honiton, Devon. As he touched down, the former Royal Signals lance corporal said ?hooray? and added that he was feeling ?absolutely over the moon? at completing the challenge.The great-grandfather tried skydiving for the first time when he reached 100, but breaking the British record for the oldest skydiver was not enough for him. Hayes, who said a parachute jump was something he had wanted to do since he turned 90 ? but was talked out of it by his wife, who has since died ? was determined to take the world record and beat its previous holder, Canadian Armand Gendreau who skydived in June 2013 aged 101 and three days. Asked how he was feeling before Sunday?s jump, Hayes replied with a stoic ?all right? and said he was looking forward to the experience. He took to the skies with 10 members of his family at Skydive Buzz in Dunkeswell, all raising money for the Royal British Legion. The youngest skydiver was Stanley, 16, Hayes? great-grandson, while his grandson Roger, 50, son Bryan, 74, and great-granddaughter Ellie, 21, were also among those who took the leap. Ahead of the skydive, his daughter, Lin Tattersall, said: ?He?s made up his own mind that he wants to do it again, and I am extremely proud of the reasoning behind it.? Hayes, from Croyde, Devon, served in the army during the second world war and was presented with a Légion d?honneur for his heroic actions in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and in Normandy, France. He was named Verdun after his father, Joseph Hayes, who served in the first world war as a sapper with the Royal Engineers and who fought during the Battle of the Somme, wrote home to his pregnant wife, Mary, from the frontline suggesting they call their child Verdun after the 1916 battle. Hayes served as a signaller and wireless operator for the Royal Signals during the second world war. He returned to Normandy in 2016 as a beneficiary of the Royal British Legion?s Remembrance Travel arm. During the war, Hayes sustained shrapnel injuries to his ribs and hands in an explosion that killed his friend, Sgt Edgar Robertson. He said: ?How I came home from world war two I do not know. I was so near to the edge of everything. I lost any amount of friends in no time at all really. I just didn?t think I would ever return home.? A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said Hayes would be celebrating with a glass of champagne. He said: ?We are very proud of Verdun?s achievements and his family?s support for the Royal British Legion and the money raised recognises the service and sacrifice made across all generations of the British armed forces. ?The money raised will help support individuals and families from across the generations of our armed forces community.? Members of the family have separate online donation pages but Hayes, who hoped to raise £1,000, has already beaten his target and the current total on Virgin Money Giving stands at more than £1,600.

Mansha Mahajan

09 Dec 2016,Friday

Sales down 25-30% after demonetisation, says Micromax

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sales-down-25-30percent-post-demonetisation-says-micromax/1/829133.html

Smartphone maker Micromax has said its consumer sales have seen a 25-30% hit in past weeks due to twin impact of demonetisation and seasonal slowdown post Diwali. "Actually, we guys have got hit far more on the online front because of cash on delivery," Micromax said. The company expects the situation to get better over the next year, Micromax added.

New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) Consumer sales have seen a 25-30 per cent hit in past few weeks due to twin impact of demonetisation and seasonal slowdown post Diwali, countrys third largest handset maker Micromax said today. While online sales suffered due to cash crunch in the aftermath of demonetisation, the companys supply chain saw a 15-18 per cent decline in sales in the last few weeks. However, Micromax said the impact on its sales was lower than that on the industry. "Our internal data suggests that the effect happening is playing out at two different levels. So sure, consumer sales are down. They are down 25-30 per cent. Actually, we guys have got hit far more on the online front because of cash on delivery. But overall, we are trending at 25-30 per cent decline in these 3-4 weeks and we think its a bit lower than industry," Micromax Chief Marketing Officer Shubhajit Sen said. He added that the impact on supply chain (distributors) has been around 15-18 per cent, in some cases it is as high as 60 per cent. Sen said "post Diwali effect" also had a bearing on the numbers. "...part of it was post Diwali effect and was seen on the entire industry. While we cannot isolate the two, demonetisation had its share as well," a company spokesperson clarified later. According to industry experts, sales usually fall after Diwali by 10-15 per cent given that festive sales see a surge on offers and discounts. Sen said the situation is gradually returning to normal. "Its not that the market collapsed, it has become a little difficult," he said, adding that the company is offering higher credits to distributors to help tide over the situation. Sen said the company expects the situation to get better as the new year sets in. According to various reports, the governments demonetisation drive and the cash crunch that followed has hit sales of mobile handsets, including those sold online. Mobile phone industry body Indian Cellular Association has said sales have come down by 50 per cent due to cash crunch post demonetisation.

Saloni Tandon

12 Jan 2017,Thursday

Ex-BCCI secy questioned BCCI's expertise to host series: ECB

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sacked-bcci-secretary-ajay-shirke-ecb-giles-clarke-india-england-limited-overs-series/1/855443.html

Former BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke reportedly wrote to England Cricket Board President Giles Clarke questioning the "BCCI and relevant association's expertise to manage security and safety of players". Clarke wrote to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri seeking clarity whether the England team's security and daily allowances would be taken care of. Johri replied assuring the series would go ahead as planned.

Days after the Supreme Court sacked Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Ajay Shirke, it has emerged that the Pune-based administrator made several phone calls to England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) president Giles Clarke telling him that the limited-overs series could be in jeopardy. However, Shirke, speaking to India Today, said he was only trying to address the ECB's concerns regarding the tour."My response will be irrelevant. But I suggest that since there was a call made by me to cancel the tour, you seek a clarification from Mr. Giles as to what I told him. Giles is a friend of mine. I live in England and I not only talk to him frequently, I also meet him. Of course I made a call to him," Shirke told India Today."Giles has simply said that please confirm that everything will be fine. He has not said that the England team will not be given courtesies. He said that please confirm that the England team will be looked after in the usual manner. Anybody will have that doubt if one fine morning, a board is rendered headless from top to bottom."There was no board at that time. So, naturally Giles will talk to me, ask me. I will also talk to him and clarify him. I have told him that please see that everything is in place," Shirke added. India and England play the ODIs and three T20Is starting January 15.Shirke was removed from his post along with president Anurag Thakur by the Supreme Court on January 2 due to their inability to implement the Lodha Panel's recommendations in the BCCI.Shirke's call led to ECB chief Clarke sending an email to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, expressing concerns about the hospitality of the visiting England team.Clarke asked Johri if the England team would be looked after properly by the hosts."I have received calls from Mr Shirke who I understand is no longer the Honorary Secretary of BCCI. Can you please confirm to me that the England team will continue to be looked after by the BCCI in the usual fashion, with proper security, player daily allowance payments, hotel bills covered and the like, with transport organised at all times"Obviously it is entirely a matter for BCCI where matches are played,but please advise soonest that the schedule will be adhered to, or any changes," Clarke wrote in the mail.Johri replied to Clarke the same day and assured to him that the series would go ahead as planned. (So called obstructions removed, sure Lodha reforms will be implemented smoothly: Ajay Shirke to India Today)"Your team has arrived and settled well. The BCCI has announced the teams for the warm-up matches, the ODIs and the T20 matches, the ticket sales for which have kicked off with the first game sold out, as of last week. The other venues have shown similar uptake in anticipation of an exciting contest between our teams."As you must have followed, the Supreme Court has delivered their verdict early this week, and we are expected to work with the court-appointed administrators, who will be appointed by the 19th of this month and till such time, we are making every effort to ensure that the matches live up to the expectations of all our stakeholders, including ECB."We have been in touch with all the hosting centres and they have expressed confidence that the games will be managed successfully, just like always, and as on date, we do not anticipate any form of disruption to the series Rest assured, I will personally monitor the series as it unfolds and will keep you posted on the progress," Johri said in his reply.However, Johri, in another email to Clarke on January 7, asked the ECB chief to reveal what Shirke had "communicated" in his "calls".

Tarun Khanna

27 Feb 2017,Monday

JD(U) to contest against AAP in MCD polls

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/as-jdu-prepares-for-mcd-polls-nitish-plans-2-delhi-rallies/1/891896.html

The Janata Dal (United) will contest the upcoming civic body (MCD) election in Delhi against Aam Aadmi Party. The Nitish Kumar-led party will contest on all 272 seats. JD(U)?s Delhi in-charge Sanjay Jha has accused the AAP of neglecting Poorvanchalis in MCD ticket distribution. Notably, AAP had supported JD(U) in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls.

New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will address two rallies in the national capital ahead of the municipal polls, where JD(U) will contest all the 272 seats, taking on the AAP on its home turf. The partys Delhi in-charge Sanjay Jha announced it an event where few district-level Aam Aadmi Party workers, mainly from east Delhi, joined JD(U), accusing the AAP of neglecting Poorvanchalis in MCD ticket distribution. Jha said JD(U) aims to tap the "discontent" among the AAPs poorvanchali voters base. He said the Poorvanchalis here have been "let down" by the Arvind Kejriwal government despite having extended every possible backing to it over the last two years. "Nitish Kumar will address two rallies, one each in north and south Delhi after Holi. The first list of our candidates will be out within a week," he said. BJPs decision to appoint Bhojpuri artiste Manoj Tiwari as its Delhi unit chief is also being seen as an attempt to woo the Poorvanchali community, comprising the people from the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The Delhi unit of JD(U) was constituted during Kumars visit here on December 3 last year. Jha brushed aside Kumars perceived closeness with Kejriwal, saying JD(U) will work for expanding its base and work towards ensuring "fair" representation of the Poorvanchali population. AAP had supported JD(U) in the 2015 Bihar Assembly polls and the two parties often cooperate in Parliament.

Chhavi Tyagi

21 Jul 2017,Friday

Don't support vigilantism, law-order state issue: Govt to SC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cow-vigilantism-mob-lynching-supreme-court-modi-government/1/1007461.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

As the Supreme Court (SC) was hearing a petition against mob lynching in the name of cow protection on Friday, the Centre told the SC that it does not support any kind of vigilantism. It added that the law and order is a state issue and the Central government does not have any role in it.

The Narendra Modi government today told the Supreme Court that it does not back any kind of vigilantism during hearing on a petition against mob lynching in the name of cow protection.The Centre told the court that law and order is a state subject and it was their responsibility to take action in such cases."Law and order is a state subject and Central government does not have any role into it. However, Union of India is of the view that no vigilante group has any space in the country as per procedures of law. It does not support any kind of vigilantism by private persons," Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the court FROM INDIA TODAY MAGAZINE: Beef, ban and bloodshedThe apex court had earlier issued notice to six states, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Karnataka on such attacks.Replying to the notice, Jharkhand and Gujarat told the Supreme Court that administration has taken action against all those involved in such vigilante attacks in the recent past.Activist Tehseen S Poonawalla, in his plea, said violence committed by these Gau Raksha groups have reached such proportions that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared them as people who were "destroying the society".The plea also alleged that these groups were committing atrocities against Dalits and minorities in the name of protecting cows and other bovines and they needed to be "regulated and banned in the interest of social harmony, public morality and law and order in the country". ALSO READ:Mob lynching India's shocking war within, a challenge Narendra Modi must confrontCow vigilantism: Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, 6 states

Chhavi Tyagi

30 Apr 2017,Sunday

Govt conducting selective raids against AIADMK: Stalin

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mk-stalin-dmk-aiadmk-prime-minister-narendra-modi-tamil-nadu/1/941978.html

DMK Working President MK Stalin on Sunday said that the Centre is using agencies like IT department, enforcement directorate and CBI 'selectively' against AIADMK leaders for its own political benefits. "The BJP government has not invested even one percent on trying to solve the real problems facing the people of Tamil Nadu," Stalin added.

Days after targeting the BJP-led central government for enforcing Hindi on non-speakers, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president and treasurer MK Stalin today fired yet another salvo. In video shared on his twitter page, Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end the selective use of agencies like IT department, enforcement directorate and CBI for political benefits.He also accused the Centre of using these agencies to feed their political ambitions. In the 2-minute video, Stalin spoke about the hardships faced by farmers in the wake of drought. "Farmers are committing suicide in Tamil Nadu. The entire Cauvery delta is suffering from drought and the Cauvery management Board has not yet been formed," said Stalin. He further spoke about compulsory 'NEET' exams on how it is dismantling the aspirations of students aiming to become medical professionals. Talking about the drought in the state, Stalin said that people were suffering because of the lack of relief from the Union Government. He went on to slam the Modi government calling it apathetic towards the demands of the farmers who are protesting against the hydrocarbon project.THE PARALYZED STATEIn his video address, Stalin said that the Tamil Nadu government has been in a state of paralysis ever since J Jayalalithaa was hospitalised on September 22 last year. "The union government does not seem the least bit concerned about that. It is now crystal clear that it is the hand of the BJP, which is in control of the central government, which is directing this blindingly obvious one-sided application of 'selective raids' and 'selective arrests' against one faction of the AIADMK, while turning a blind eye and allowing strong incrimination evidence against the other faction of the AIADMK to gather dust,"  said Stalin.The DMK working president then accused BJP-led Centre of resorting to tactics to gain foothold in Tamil Nadu. He added that BJP was raiding sitting Tamil Nadu ministers and intimidating IAS officers.He went on to say that the BJP government did not show any urgency to address the teeming issues like water disputes with neighbouring states or attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen. "The BJP government has not invested even one per cent on trying to solve the real problems facing the people of Tamil Nadu," said the DMK treasurer. MK Stalin furthermore demanded answers from the BJP government on its apathetic view towards Tamil Nadu.  In the end, he urged the prime minister to ensure that Tamil Nadu has a legitimate and stable government that functions with full powers as every state government is enshrined with the constitution.தமிழà®? à®?à®°à®?à¯? à®®à¯?à®?à®?à¯?à®? நினà¯?à®?à¯?à®?à¯?à®®à¯? மதà¯?திய à®?à®°à®?ினà¯? à®?திà®?ார à®®à¯?றலà¯?à®?ளà¯?! pic.twitter.com/K3PGcc8GfvWith inputs from Pramod Madhav Also read:BJP govt destroying nation's unity by imposing Hindi on non-speakers, says MK StalinTamil Nadu bandh: Anti-social elements may instigate violence, says DMK's Stalin

Mansha Mahajan

05 Jan 2017,Thursday

Google as much an Indian company as American: IT Minister

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tailor-more-products-to-indian-needs-prasad-to-google/1/849360.html

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said technology major Google is "as much an Indian company as American". The manner in which the country's people have accepted Google, it has as much an obligation for India as it does for US and the world, he said. Further, Google India needs to tailor its operations to the country's psyche, he added.

New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) Terming Google "as much an Indian company as American", IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said it needs to play a larger role in the domestic market by tailoring its products and working more on cyber security. "Google is as much an Indian as American. The sheer extension which I would say... the manner in which people of India have accepted you... therefore, Google has as much obligation for India as you have for the US and the world," Prasad said at a Google event here. He stressed that Google India needs to tailor its operation more to the countrys psyche. "Google India needs to tailor its operation more to Indias psyche, local languages, local aspirations, local products... Indias digital economy is going to be USD 1 trillion plus in the coming 3-4 years," he said. Stressing that Google should be more involved, the minister highlighted areas including cyber security where the technology giant could play a bigger role.

Tarun Khanna

27 Jan 2017,Friday

Sec 144 imposed in Haryana's Rohtak over proposed Jat stir

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jat-reservation-haryana-rohtak-quota-stir-section-144-jat-agitation/1/867532.html

nAfter the Jat community threatened to continue its pro-reservation agitation from January 29, Section 144 has been imposed in the parts of Haryana's Rohtak district. The officials have enforced the ban on gatherings of more than four people in about 500 meters from national and state highways. The government is also keeping a close watch on some Jat leaders.

In view of a section of Jat leadership threatening to renew the community's pro-reservation agitation from January 29, Section 144 has been imposed in parts of Rohtak as a precautionary move. The officials have enforced the ban on assembly of more than four people in about 500 meters from national and state highways, along with railway stations in the city.A section of the Jat leadership recently announced its move to renew the Jat agitation for reservation which left 30 people dead last year. The Haryana government and police are keeping a close watch on some Jat leaders, especially those owing allegiance to the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) headed by Yashpal Malik.Haryana Director General of Police K.P. Singh said earlier that if anyone was found indulged in any illegal activity or causing loss to public property, action would be initiated against him. 

Pragya Swastik

12 May 2017,Friday

Pak-based terrorists plan to attack India: US Intelligence

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pak-based-terror-groups-plan-to-attack-india-afghan-top-us/1/951875.html

Pakistan-based terror groups are planning to attack India and Afghanistan, Daniel Coats, the Director of US National Intelligence has said. "Islamabad has failed to curb militants and terrorists in Pakistan," he added. "Pakistan will likely turn to China to offset its international isolation, empowering a relationship that will help Beijing to project influence into the Indian Ocean," Coats said.

spymaster                               From Lalit K Jha                Washington, May 12 (PTI) Pakistan-based terrorist groups are planning to attack both India and Afghanistan, a top US spymaster has said. "Islamabad has failed to curb militants and terrorists in Pakistan," Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence told members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence during a Congressional hearing on Worldwide threats. "These groups will present a sustained threat to the United Statess interest in the region and continue to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan," Coats said. Pakistan, he rued, is expanding its nuclear arsenal in pursuing tactical nuclear weapons, potentially lowering the threshold for their use. In South Asia, the intelligence community assesses that the political and security situation in Afghanistan will almost certainly deteriorate through 2018 even with a modest increase in military assistance by the United States and its partners, he told the lawmakers. "This deterioration is undermined by its dire economic situation. Afghanistan will struggle to curb its dependence on external support until it contains the insurgency or reaches a peace agreement with the Taliban," he said.

Chhavi Tyagi

26 Dec 2016,Monday

NCP, JDU, others decline Congress' anti-note ban meet invite

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/opposition-demonetisation-cpim-jdu-ncp-sonia-gandhi/1/843111.html

The Left, JD(U), NCP, and SP has reportedly refused to attend the joint press conference scheduled to be held in Delhi by the Congress and the TMC against the Centre's demonetisation move on Tuesday. "We don't know what is the agenda of the press briefing. There's no common minimum programme. So how can we participate," JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said.

Cracks seem to have appeared in the opposition's concerted campaign against demonetisation as several parties have pulled out of a joint press conference called by the Congress in New Delhi on Tuesday over the contentious issue.Many important partners of the anti-demonetisation campaign, such as Janata Dal-United (JD-U), the Left, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), on Monday refused to attend the joint press conference scheduled to be held at the Constitution Club in the national capital.

Ankush Verma

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

N Korea travel ban to take effect from September 1: US

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/travel-ban-american-citizens-can-t-visit-north-korea-from-september-1/story-aGsIJb7WyXWw3ruGq7hlvO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The United States on Wednesday announced that the ban prohibiting its citizens from travelling to North Korea will take effect from September 1. "All United States passports are declared invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel," the restriction read. The ban will remain in effect for one year.

The United States on Wednesday officially set September 1 as the start date for a ban prohibiting its citizens from travelling to North Korea.?The department of state has determined that the serious risk to United States nationals of arrest and long-term detention represents imminent danger to the physical safety of United States nationals travelling to and within the Democratic People?s Republic of Korea (DPRK),? read the restriction as it appeared on Wednesday in the US government?s federal register.?All United States passports are declared invalid for travel to, in, or through the DPRK unless specially validated for such travel,? it added.An exemption was noted for approved humanitarian travel and for journalists in some circumstances. The ban is to remain in effect for one year, unless it is revoked sooner by US secretary of state Rex Tillerson.The travel ban was first announced last month in the wake of the death of American student Otto Warmbier who fell into a coma after being imprisoned by Pyongyang during a tourist visit.Warmbier, 22, a student at the University of Virginia, died in June after being held for more than a year on charges of stealing a propaganda poster from a North Korean hotel - and sent home in a mysterious coma that proved fatal.After his death, President Donald Trump said he was determined to ?prevent such tragedies from befalling innocent people at the hands of regimes that do not respect the rule of law or basic human decency.?Warmbier?s death added to already high tensions in the region over North Korea?s weapons ambitions, culminating in two successful test launches by Pyongyang in recent weeks of an intercontinental ballistic missile that experts say could reach US territory.

Pragya Swastik

28 May 2017,Sunday

Snapchat Co-founder Evan marries supermodel Miranda Kerr

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/miranda-kerr-marries-evan-spiegel/1/964793.html

Snapchat's 26-year-old Co-founder Evan Spiegel on Saturday got married to 34-year-old supermodel Miranda Kerr after dating her for over two years. The couple, who got engaged in July last year, first met at a Louis Vuitton dinner in New York in 2014. This is Kerr's second marriage after previously being wed to British actor Orlando Bloom for three years.

Los Angeles, May 28 (PTI) Supermodel Miranda Kerr has tied the knot with Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel in a private ceremony on Saturday. The wedding celebration was held at their LAs Brentwood neighborhood, confirmed People magazine. Prior to the couples nuptials, caterers and employees were seen preparing for a big celebration in the backyard of their mansion.

Dishant Sharma

06 Jul 2017,Thursday

India don't play Pakistan team as they are scared: PCB head

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pcb-chief-shaharyar-khan-india-vs-pakistan-cricket-bilateral-series/1/995588.html

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said that India do not want to face Pakistan because they are scared of the Pakistani team after having lost the Champions Trophy 2017 final against them. According to a MoU signed by the BCCI and PCB, India and Pakistan were supposed to play several bilateral series from 2015 to 2023.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan has said India are scared of playing Pakistan after losing the Champions Trophy final at The Oval on June 18. India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket since 2012 when the latter travelled across the border for a short limited-overs tour. That was the only series between the arch-rivals since the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai.However, the two countries have continued to play at ICC events with India enjoying a clear upper-hand. Pakistan, though, stunned India with some spirited cricket in the final of the Champions Trophy. Pakpassion.com reported that Shaharyar, the outgoing PCB chief, felt India continue to refuse to play bilateral cricket with Pakistan because "they are scared of our team.""After our win, we challenge India to come and play bilateral cricket with us. They don't play us, they are scared of our team. They say we'll play you in ICC matches but they won't play us otherwise," Shaharyar said at the Pakistani Prime Minister's reception of the Pakistan team.

Radhika Chugh

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Mumbai railways to allow ticket bookings on feature phones

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/no-smartphone-no-problem-you-can-still-book-a-mumbai-railway-ticket-using-your-mobile/story-YzvaW2EYPt4LKBx2Ms5hhI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Mumbai railways is planning to introduce a software which will help commuters book tickets through Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes. The software will make use of SMS services, which will allow commuters without smart phones to book tickets. Kiosks to aid the service are being installed across 10 railway stations as part of the project's pilot stage.

Suburban railway commuters who do not have smart phones can still book railway tickets using their mobiles. How??The railways plan to introduce a software, which will help commuters book tickets through unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) codes, by the end of the year.After the commuter books a ticket, it will be sent to him via SMS.?He must scan this SMS at kiosks that will be installed at railway stations to get a physical copy of his ticket.Kiosks are currently being installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Thane, Dombivli, Kalyan, Churchgate, Dadar, Bandra, Borivli and Andheri as part of the railways? pilot project.Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS), the organisation behind the software, said it was currently being tested. ?Commuters can dial the code to have a ticket sent to their phone. They can print tickets at kiosks installed at the stations. Currently, we have only developed USSD codes suburban services. But, we plan to form codes for long-distance codes too,? said Uday Bobhate, general manager, CRIS. As many as 5,000 mobile tickets on the Central Railway and 4,000 on the Western Railway are sold daily.

Sonu Kumari

27 Jul 2017,Thursday

Maha law colleges allowed to revise fees after 9 years

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/law-colleges-in-maharashtra-allowed-to-hike-fees-after-nine-years/story-FqqmULCxjqqZebME8gbZxO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Maharashtra's private law colleges have reportedly been allowed to revise their fees for the first time in nine years after they were brought under the control of the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA). While the colleges have welcomed the revision of fees, students reportedly demanded that the colleges need to upgrade themselves before charging extra fees.

Private law colleges in Maharashtra have been allowed to hike their fees for the first time in nine years.Fees for both three-year and five-year LLB courses are being revised by the Fee Regulating Authority (FRA). Some colleges have been allowed to double or even triple the current fees, while in some cases the fees has been reduced.Till now, the fees at law colleges in the state was being regulated by their respective universities. Many universities including the University of Mumbai (MU) have not changed the fee structure of their affiliated colleges for a long time. MU had last revised the fees in 2008, when it prescribed annual fees in the range of Rs12,000 to Rs13,500 for both three-year and five-year LLB courses. However, after the state categorised law programmes as ?professional courses?, they were brought under the FRA?s ambit, making them eligible for fee revision.?The law colleges were brought under the FRA?s control, as the universities don?t have a mechanism to monitor the finances of individual colleges. We have decided to fix the fees of most of the colleges in the range of Rs15,000 to Rs20,000. But the colleges that are offering better infrastructure and good teachers have been permitted to charge even more. We have gone through the audited reports of colleges? expenditure. They are not supposed to profiteer off students? fees,? said a member of FRA.Some colleges had hiked fees without waiting for a nod from the university. In October 2015, HT had reported that the university had directed a law college in Goregaon to refund excess fee charged from students.The regulator has now fixed the fees of academic year 2016-17, which will be applicable retroactively, as well as fees for 2017-18, which will be applicable for the upcoming academic year. Colleges have welcomed the long-due revision in fees. ?All these years, we were running in huge deficit. Most of the colleges rely on part-time teachers, but we had appointed full time teachers,? said Jyoti Deshmukh, principal, VES College of Law, Chembur.The students, however, feel that the colleges need to upgrade their infrastructure and quality of education in order to justify the hike. ?Many colleges don?t have basic facilities such as library and moot court room. The colleges which overcharged should refund the excess amount,? said Sachin Pawar, president, Student Law Council.

Daisy Mowke

13 Apr 2017,Thursday

Pic of Salman with Playboy model Ronja surfaces online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/salman-khan-playboy-model-ronja-forcher-tiger-zinda-hai-viral-photo/1/927903.html

A picture of actor Salman Khan with Austrian actress and Playboy model Ronja Forcher has surfaced online. Ronja will reportedly play a cameo role in Salman's upcoming film 'Tiger Zinda Hai', which is scheduled to release on December 22. Ronja has featured on the cover of the April edition of Playboy Germany magazine.

If the picture of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif on the sets of Tiger Zinda Hai raised the temperature, then Ali Abbas Zafar promises more hotness in his upcoming film. At least, this viral picture suggests so. Salman, who will reprise his role in Ek Tha Tiger sequel, was seen bonding with Austrian actor and Playboy model Ronja Forcher during the shooting of Tiger Zinda Hai in Austria. This picture of Salman with Austrian beauty has already broken the internet, and buzz has it that she might be seen in a cameo in Tiger Zinda Hai.However, there has been no confirmation from the makers on the same. Salman Khan with Austrian actress #RonjaForcher during the shooting for #tigerzindahai ! ð??¤â?¤ #SalmanKhan #BeingHuman #bollywood #YRF #AustriaDiariesA post shared by Salman Khan (WLSK Fanpage) (@welovesalmankhan) on Apr 11, 2017 at 12:02am PDTBut the picture has definitely up the curiosity level. Interestingly, Roncha was on the cover of Playboy magazine for April edition. While Katrina plays the leading lady in Tiger Zinda Hai, Ronja might be the foreign import in Tiger Zinda Hai. Well, we need to wait a little more to any official confirmation.

Chhavi Tyagi

02 Jun 2017,Friday

US journo Kelly trolled for asking Modi "Are you on Twitter"

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/megyn-kelly-are-you-twitter-narendra-modi-twitter-vladimir-putin/1/968933.html

American journalist Megyn Kelly is being trolled on Twitter for asking India's PM Narendra Modi, "Are you on Twitter?", after he referred to her recent tweet with an umbrella. "While @narendramodi had done his homework Ms. Kelly had not researched her subjects well," a tweet read. Citing Kelly's and Modi's Twitter followers, another user tweeted, "2.3M vs 30M+ followers. :-D."

National Broadcasting Company (NBC) journalist Megyn Kelly must be ruing the she didn't do her homework properly before meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in St. Petersburg. The famous journalist is facing severe flak from netizens for asking PM Modi whether he was on Twitter. Kelly launched her new show with an interaction featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Modi at Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg. However, she soon found herself being slammed on social media for her absurd question to PM Modi while greeting him. EXCLUSIVE: NBC News' @megynkelly joins Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi ahead of tomorrow's International Economic Forum in Russia. pic.twitter.com/L12ahtuTDOWHAT HAPPENEDBefore the formal TV interaction, Megyn Kelly welcomed the world leaders inside the Konstantin Palace shaking hands with them. While she was greeting Modi, the Indian Prime Minister said,"I saw your tweet... with umbrella." Things are looking up in St. Petersburg - the rain stopped...& I will interview President Putin on Friday. pic.twitter.com/3MJ3IoIhlH"Ohh really! did you? Are you on Twitter?" Kelly replied with a smile. PM Modi appeared to have taken aback at Kelly's query. PM Modi casually ignored the 'ignorant' journalist and chose to laugh off Kelly's query.However, people on social media weren't so forgiving to the NBC reporter as she was hammered online for her poor knowledge.For the ignorant lot like Kelly, incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the third most followed world leader on Twitter after Pope Francis and US President Donald Trump.Dear @megynkelly here is ur twitter profile vs @narendramodi sir profile,still u ask that r u on twitter. Wats d population f ur country btw pic.twitter.com/bFcanO6iLPThis was funny ????While @narendramodi had done his homework Ms. Kelly had not researched her subjects well??.The first thing I do before..Really? "Are you on Twitter?" that's dumb!@narendramodi is 3rd most followed politician, after Obama & Trump, & has 10x more than herself!Dear self-obsessed Americans,yes @narendramodi is on Twitter and has more than 30 Million followers.These morons do their homework after interview.@narendramodi has 30.3 million follower dear Meggy noodles https://t.co/DZMLuQ10lkStupidity of this lady is evident when she asked PM Modi 'are you on twitter?' She didnot even do basic research. ?????? ALSO READ:

Daisy Mowke

05 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Pic of SRK, Salman from upcoming film's set surfaces online

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-salman-khan-aanand-l-rai-film-sets/1/994488.html

A picture of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan from the sets of Aanand L Rai's upcoming film has surfaced online. Salman will be part of a dance sequence in the yet to be titled film. As per reports, Shah Rukh will portray the role of a dwarf in the film, which will also star Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma.

It was only recently that the news of Salman Khan doing a cameo in Aanand L Rai's next with Shah Rukh Khan started doing the rounds. After SRK agreed to make a special appearance in Salman's Tubelight, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor decided to return the favour by agreeing to be a part of a dance sequence in the yet-to-be-titled film. And the 51-year-old actor has already begun shooting for the part with friend Shah Rukh Khan. A picture of the two Khans along with filmmaker Aanand L Rai has surfaced on the internet. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Salman joined friend Shah Rukh on the sets of the film, and the two discussed the shot.? TIGER ROARING... #SalmanKhan spotted on set of #SRK and Aanand L Rai's next shooting for a song at #mehboobstudio (July 4th 2017) ! tmblr.co/ZrXcGy2NST0_7 #TubeLight #BeingHuman #BeingInTouch #SKF #TigerZindaHai #BollywoodA post shared by SalmanKhanHolics ???? ???? (@salmankhanholics) on Jul 4, 2017 at 7:12pm PDT A source was quoted as telling the daily, "Salman and Shah Rukh will shoot together over three days. The number is being choreographed by Remo D'Souza, who has taken a break from the city tours of his reality show, Dance Plus 3, to focus on the lavishly-mounted song for which a huge set has been erected. Rehearsals have already kicked off and it will be shot at a suburban studio." From Shah Rukh's role of a dwarf to the hunt for leading ladies, Rai's film has been in the news for quite some time. The much-talked-about film will see SRK reuniting with Katrina and Anushka. But more than anything, it is Shah Rukh's character that has grabbed eyeballs. It is for the first time that the 51-year-old actor will essay the role of a dwarf.

Daisy Mowke

28 Jul 2017,Friday

I was touched inappropriately by a man as a child: Akshay

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/akshay-kumar-narrates-the-incident-when-he-was-inappropriately-touched-as-a-child/story-yvyWcbxcbagcUsMfHd8oLK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actor Akshay Kumar, while talking about an incident from his childhood, revealed that he was touched inappropriately by an elevator operator. Akshay added, "Since I had good communication with my parents, I told them about this incident." Akshay further said his father filed a complaint against the man, who was later arrested and found to be a habitual offender.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar on?Thursday narrated an incident from his own life to highlight the risk children face in day-to-day life, and importance of communication to identify sexual predators.He was speaking at an international conference on human trafficking on Mumbai.Akshay Kumar during an international conference on women trafficking in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI) ?Let me share my own experience with you all here. When I was a very young kid, a lift-man once touched me inappropriately.?Since I had good communication with my parents, I told them about this incident,? he said.Later, the same person was caught in another case and was found to be a habitual offender, the actor said.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Maharashtra minister for Women and Child Development Pankaja Munde and actor Akshay Kumar during an international conference on women trafficking in Mumbai on Thursday. (PTI) Parents and children must have a free interaction so that such offenders are identified immediately, he said. Akshay is currently awaiting the release of his film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha with Bhumi Pednekar.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Rini Sinha

18 Jun 2017,Sunday

R Madhavan named Best Actor at Filmfare Awards South 2017

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/64th-filmfare-awards-south-2017-madhavan-suriya-best-actor/1/981419.html

R Madhavan was named the Best Actor (Male) for his performance in the Tamil film 'Irudhi Suttru' at the Filmfare Awards South 2017. Ritika Singh won the Best Actor (Female) award and Sudha K Prasad was named the Best Director for 'Irudhi Suttru'. Meanwhile, AR Rahman was named Best Music Director for the film 'Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada'.

2016 was an important year for regional cinema. South film industry in particular won 18 National Awards earlier this year. Now, the nominations' list for 64th Filmfare Awards has been announced. Interestingly, superstar Rajinikanth, Ilayathalapathy Vijay, Suriya, Madhavan and Dhanush will be fighting for the Best Actor prize this year. In Tamil, the National Award-winning film, Joker, has won the Best Film, while R Madhavan's runaway hit Irudhi Suttru bagged top honours. After 9 years, Suriya has won the Critics Best Actor Award for his stellar performance in 24. Here are the winners of the 64th Filmfare Awards South 2017. Best Film - Joker Best Director Sudha K prasad (Irudhi Suttru) Best Actor (Male) - Madhavan (Irudhi Suttru) Best Actor (Female) - Ritika Singh (Irudhi Suttru)Best Supporting Actor (Male) - Samuthirakani (Visaaranai) Best Supporting Actor (Female) - Sai Dhanshika (Kabali) Best Music Director- AR Rahman (Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada)Best Lyrics - Thamarai Thalli Pogathey (Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada)Best Playback Singer - Male Sundarayyar Jasmine (Joker) Best Playback Singer - Female Shweta Mohan, Maaya Nadhi (Kabali)Best Choreography- Sekhar, VJ (Janatha Garage) Best Cinematography -Thiru and PS Vinod (24, Oopiri)Lifetime Achievement Award -Dr.Vijaya Nirmala Critics Best Actor (Male)- Suriya (24), Allu Arjun (Sarrinodu), Dulquer Salmaan (Kali & Kammattipadam), Rakshit Shetty (Kirk Party)Critics Best Actor (Female) - Trisha (Kodi), Ritu Varma (Pelli Choopulu), Sruthi Hariharan (Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu)Best Debut (Male) - Shirish (Metro)Best Debut (Female) - Manjima Mohan (Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada)

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Dec 2016,Thursday

Poverty, illiteracy are Manmohan's legacy: PM Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-modi-rahul-gndhi-manmohan-singh-chidambaram-on-demonetisation-says-congress-exposing-itself/1/840484.html

Reacting to former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that 50% Indians are too poor and illiterate to use technology, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday asked, "Is this his report card or mine? Whose legacy am I dealing with?" Modi further asked, "Where did this 50% poverty and illiteracy come from? Did I use some black magic to turn literates into illiterates?"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hit back at senior Congress leaders who had questioned the intention and success of the Centre's demonetisation initiative.Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Mahamana Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre in Varanasi, Narendra Modi took on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram for doubting the note ban move.The three leaders have been speaking against the demonetisation step ever since it was announced on November 8. While Rahul has called it a scam, Manmohan sought to aggressively attack Modi on the move, calling it an "organised loot and legalised plunder" in his speech in Rajya Sabha in the recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament. He even wrote an article in a national English daily to underrate the initiative. Chidambaram too has been issuing statements in a bid to point out flaws in the demonetisation move.What Modi said on these leaders:RAHUL GANDHI  

Dishant Sharma

01 May 2017,Monday

Joshna Chinappa becomes 1st Indian to win Asian Squash title

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/joshna-chinappa-asian-squash-title-dipika-pallikal-squash/1/942388.html

Indian squash player Joshna Chinappa on Sunday defeated compatriot Dipika Pallikal in the women's singles final to become the first Indian to clinch the Asian Squash Championship title. Chinappa defeated Pallikal 13-15, 12-10, 11-13, 11-4, 11-4 in the 78-minute long final. In the men's final, Saurav Ghosal finished as the runner-up after losing to number one seed, Max Lee.

Joshna Chinappa on Sunday scripted history by becoming the first Indian to clinch the Asian Squash title with a thrilling win over compatriot Dipika Pallikal Karthik in the women's final in Chennai.In the men's final, however, Saurav Ghosal went down fighting against No.1 seed Max Lee to finish second best.In a clash between two players who train together at the Indian Squash Academy in Chennai, Chinappa held off a fighting Pallikal 13-15, 12-10, 11-13, 11-4, 11-4 in 78 minutes to win probably her biggest title.The first game saw the two Indians go toe-to-toe as they mixed aggression with strong defence. Pallikal squeezed out the opener as her rival faltered at the end.The second game was another long one and went to the extra points again as neither gave away an inch. However, in a reversal of fortunes, Chinappa saved a game point to level the match.The third game was another close affair as the Indians sought to forge ahead. It was even-steven as both the players had to work hard to win every point. Pallikal saved two game points to take a crucial lead.Chinappa, however, wasn't shaken after falling behind and came out all guns blazing to run away with the fourth game as Pallikal made too many errors for her own comfort.At the start of the decider, Pallikal suffered a mild injury scare as she slipped and fell on the court. But Chinappa kept her cool and stormed to a big lead.Pallikal fought back, but only briefly as the world No.14 Chinappa sealed a memorable triumph in front of a cheering crowd.Earlier, Ghosal faded after a bright start, which saw him win the opening game, dropping just five points, to go down 11-5, 4- 11, 8-11, 7-11 in 61 minutes against Lee, ranked 17 in the world.The Indian, cheered by a holiday crowd at the Express Avenue mall, was quickly off the blocks and hit some delectable shots to take the opening game.

Parmeet Kaur

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Father-son shot dead after a spat over air cooler in Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/argument-over-desert-cooler-turns-deadly-in-najafgarh-father-son-shot-dead/story-ZvcxY8SICNS64IbfTwQhsL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A father-son duo, who were owners of a roadside eatery in Delhi's Najafgarh, were shot dead by four people on Wednesday, following an argument over the direction of air-cooler. Reportedly, the accused had insisted on turning the cooler vent to their direction after which they shot the owners when they rejected their demand, saying other customers also required the cooler.

A father-son duo was shot dead by four men after an argument over an air cooler at a roadside eatery in south-west Delhi?s Najafgarh area on Wednesday night.Shyam (52) and Mayank (23), the owners of the eatery, were at the cash counter when four men came on bikes and ordered food around 9.30pm. They were served on a table on the roadside. One of them, who was feeling hot, reportedly turned the air cooler towards his table but Mayank objected, saying the other customers will feel hot. ?Mayank said that if he turns the entire vent to himself, the other customers will feel hot. He asked the men to shift their table but they refused. This led to an argument and the men insisted on turning the cooler to where they were sitting,? a senior police officer said.Road rage to fight over food bill: Why Delhi is on short fuseThe argument turned ugly when Mayank asked them to leave the dhaba. One of them then took out a pistol and shot at Mayank. The bullet hit his chest and he collapsed on the ground. Shyam (52) and Mayank (23), the owners of the eatery, were at the cash counter when four men came on bikes and ordered food around 9.30pmHearing the gunshot, his father Shyam came out and as he tried to catch hold of them, he too was shot. ?The men shot Mayank and Shyam. They left the men bleeding at the spot and fled. A customer called the police. The injured men were rushed to the hospital where they died during treatment,? a senior police officer said. ?We have sent their bodies for a postmortem examination and their family has been informed,? he said.In a statement, an eyewitness told the police that the men fired two rounds, one at Mayank and other at Shyam, and fled the spot. The police registered a case of murder and have begun investigation. ?We have identified the men and are raiding their possible hideouts to make the arrests. They are from the area and will soon be arrested. Further investigation is on,? a police officer said.

Rini Sinha

24 Jul 2017,Monday

Rishi slams Jagga Jasoos director Anurag for delaying film

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/rishi-kapoor-slams-anurag-basu-for-jagga-jasoos-failure-who-the-hell-do-you-think-you-are/story-JO9l9Y41t1wQz3xJCck9wI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Rishi Kapoor slammed director Anurag Basu for delaying 'Jagga Jasoos', and said the film was in post-production even two days before release. "You may be...biggest director in the world but nobody would like to work with you...you're irresponsible," added Rishi. He further said that in the entire process, he and Ranbir, who's the film's co-producer, are getting a bad name. nn

Rishi Kapoor lashed out at director Anurag Basu after the lukewarm response to son Ranbir Kapoor?s new film, Jagga Jasoos. Calling him irresponsible, the actor said that Basu fails to complete films on time. In an interview with Mid-Day, Rishi Kapoor also slammed music composer Pritam. ?Till Wednesday, Anurag Basu was still mixing the film. Can you imagine that? Pritam (composer) probably delivered the music only a week before. What can you say? You don?t take an opinion from anybody. Today?s filmmakers are doing this with everybody. They don?t show their films before release to take opinions, and treat it as though they?re making a nuclear bomb. I didn?t hate or love the film. I only felt it needed to be abridged by 20 minutes. But who is going to give that opinion to them? I totally agree with Ekta (Kapoor) when she threw him out from her film. He had problems with Rakesh Roshan while working on Kites (2010). He?s such an irresponsible director that he doesn?t complete the film. It was supposed to release three times in the past two years, but it kept getting delayed. Asked about why the film wasn?t released in some international markets on time, Rishi Kapoor again blamed Basu?s delays. ?It did not release in Singapore because you have to deliver it five days in advance. It did not release in the Gulf on Thursday because it was only delivered to them on Thursday. This is unreasonable and irresponsible. You may be thinking you are making the Taj Mahal, but you are supposed to make it ready on time. Even Pritam delays his submissions. [It was later promoted as] a kids? film. But, a kids? film also has to release at the right time, like during the school vacations. At that time too, Anurag Basu wasn?t ready. There?s economics and maths involved. Everything is not just about creativity.??You may be the biggest director in the world,? he said, ?but nobody would like to work with you because you are irresponsible. There is somebody else?s money involved in this. I trusted you, and this is what you give us? Ranbir hasn?t held back on spending money on it. You even threw Govinda out of the film. If you don?t want Govinda to work in your film, why did you ask him in the first place??Jagga Jasoos released on 14 July. It has so far made Rs 45 crore. According to a Forbes report, the film recorded one of the worst Friday-to-Friday drops of all time, plummeting 85% on its second Friday. The troubled film?s relatively large Rs 110 crore budget also poses a problem in the studio?s plans for a sequel.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Rini Sinha

23 Jun 2017,Friday

Chandan Prabhakar rejoins Kapil Sharma's show after 3 months

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chandan-prabhakar-sunil-grover-ali-asgar-rejoins-the-kapil-sharma-show-lifetv/1/985501.html

Comedian Chandan Prabhakar has confirmed that he'll rejoin The Kapil Sharma Show after a three-month gap. Prabhakar hadn't shot for the show following Kapil's brawl on a flight with Sunil Grover in March. "It's okay if I reacted then...I can't stretch it for life. We're like family...two brothers fight but that doesn't mean they leave each other forever," said Prabhakar.

Good news for The Kapil Sharma Show fans who were praying for the former team members to return to the show. At least a part of their prayers has been answered. Chandan Prabhakar, who played chaiwala Chandu on the show, has started shooting for the show again. He confirmed the news in a FB live chat, saying, "he's coming back to the show" and "he missed the show a lot."Revealing the reason behind the break, he says, "jab kapde par paani pad jaata hai, to sookhne mein time lagta hai (it takes time for a drenched cloth to dry)." The comedian said he needed time off from the show and now he was ready.He further elaborated on why he re-joined the show after mid-air tiff with Kapil. "See every action has an equal and opposite reaction. We are like family; I have spent half of my life with Kapil. If I make it a big issue, saying Mujhe zindagi mein tere saath kaam nahi karna then it's not right. It's OK if I reacted then, but I can't stretch it for life. In a family, two brothers fight but that does not mean that they leave each other forever," he told Spotboye.Chandan also reavealed that Kapil tried his best to reconcile and also came to his house to see his newborn daughter."He called me many times. He came to my house with his family to see my newborn daughter and meet my family. So I realised that I should not hold a grudge for life," he said.Chandan denied being approached for Sony TV's new show and said that he was just taking rest during his break and didn't take up any shows unlike Sunil Grover, Ali Asgar and Sugandha Mishra. "If anything happened between me and Kapil, that is a personal thing. It does not mean that I will gang up with someone else," said Chandan.The comedian also has a reply for those questioning his self respect. "I know people are questioning my self-respect but what about love? I have spent thirty years with Kapil and I can't lower my love for respect. I don't care about what people think as I want to live with my choice," he told Spotboye. In the meanwhile, it's celebration time on the sets of TKSS, as Chandan gets set to serve tea again, while tickling our funny bones.

Chhavi Tyagi

30 Jan 2017,Monday

PM pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on 69th death anniversary

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prime-minister-narendra-modi-tribute-mahatma-gandhi-death-anniversary/1/869611.html

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, on his 69th death anniversary. Modi took to Twitter and said, "Tributes to beloved Bapu on his 'Punya Tithi' (death anniversary)." Notably, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948, during a prayer meeting at Delhi's Birla House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, on his 69th death anniversary."Tributes to beloved Bapu on his 'Punya Tithi' (death anniversary)," Modi tweeted.

Chhavi Tyagi

26 Jun 2017,Monday

Driverless metro trains to operate in Delhi from October

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-metro-driverless-trains-magenta-line-dmrc/1/987539.html

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's first automated driverless metro trains are set to start operations from October this year on new Magenta Line from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden. The new metro corridor, which has missed two deadlines in the past, would be partially thrown open to the public in October. Currently, test runs are being conducted for the driverless trains.

Come October and Delhi Metro trains would go driverless. Delhi Metro's new Magenta Line from Janakpuri West to Botanical Garden would have DMRC's first driverless trains.The Magneta Line, which has already missed two deadlines, would be partially thrown open to public in October. Test run of automated driverless trains is currently on this section, the DMRC said.Apart from Magneta Line, the upcoming Pink Line (Shiv Vihar-Majlis Park) which also see driverless operations PINK LINE-LONGEST METRO ROUTEThe initial run on the 6.5-km Shakurpur-Mayapuri section will cover five of the 38 stations on the network: Shakurpur, Punjabi Bagh West, ESI Hospital, Rajouri Garden and Mayapuri. The Pink Line will be 58 km long - the longest of Metro routes. These driverless trains, known as UTO (Unattended Train Operations), will be phased in gradually after the start of the line. Initially, drivers will be deployed on both the Magenta and Pink Lines. The Pink Line will also get new signalling technology known as Communication Based Train Control (CBTC), the Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) said in a statement."The CBTC technology will improve the coordination between the trains coming from different directions in terms of signalling, which will eventually increase the frequency of trains," a DMRC spokesperson told IANS. A CHALLENGING PROJECTA project under Phase-3 of DMRC, the Metro termed this stretch as "one of the most challenging corridors". Removal of slums from Punjabi Bagh and Mayapuri to acquire land and control heavy traffic were among factors that posed challenge during the construction, the DMRC said. The longest in Delhi Metro, the Pink Line is poised to cover almost the entire circular Ring Road. It is slated to open for public between December 2017 and March 2018 in stages. (With inputs from IANS) ALSO READ:Delhi Metro services hit after bird gets electrocuted on overhead wire

Rini Sinha

22 Jun 2017,Thursday

Why'd I cast Indian actress Deepika for Chinese role: Kabir

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kabir-khan-deepika-padukone-tubelight-salman-khan/1/984894.html

Filmmaker Kabir Khan has denied reports of approaching Deepika Padukone to play a Chinese character in Tubelight. He added, "In today's age, you can access actors around the world. Why would you take an Indian actor, especially an actor of Deepika's stature and make her play a Chinese character?" Notably, Chinese actress Zhu Zhu stars in Tubelight.n

Director Kabir Khan is all geared up for his big Eid release Tubelight which stars superstar Salman Khan in the lead role. Previously, Kabir Khan said that Sohail Khan, who plays Salman Khan's brother in Tubelight, was not the first choice for the character. He had some A-list actors like Akshay Kumar in mind for that role. However, the celebration of the brotherhood of the Khan brothers is one of the selling points of the film.Tubelight is the Bollywood debut film of Chinese actor Zhu Zhu. She plays the leading lady in the film. Recently, there have been rumours that before Zhu Zhu was cast for the role, Deepika Padukone was the director's first choice for the character. However, Deepika apparently rejected the role because it was not interesting enough.In an interview with BollywoodLife, Kabir Khan quashed all rumours by saying that Deepika was never a part of Tubelight. "Anybody who thinks Deepika and Zhu Zhu were cast for the same role, they need to have some logic in mind. How Deepika and Zhu Zhu can be cast in the same role is beyond me.""I have never considered Deepika to play a Chinese character. In today's age, you can access actors around the world. Why would you take an Indian actor, especially an actor of Deepika's stature and make her play a Chinese character?" the Ek Tha Tiger director added.In the interview, the director also talked about another upcoming film which was rejected by Salman Khan because he felt suffocated by the prosthetics that his character required.Tubelight, which will also see Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo, is the story of two brothers set against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian war. The film is set to hit the screens on June 23.

Niharika Prabhakar

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Biker stabbed 4 times for brushing past scooty in Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-road-rage-28-year-old-biker-stabbed-four-times-after-brushing-past-scooty/story-733Cjup3mDPG7FbCbA6vBI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 28-year-old Delhi man was allegedly stabbed four times by a group of youths after he got into an argument for brushing past their scooty earlier that day. The man was reportedly treated and later discharged. A case of attempt to murder has been registered and the police are looking for the accused.

A Delhi policeman?s son was stabbed multiple times by a group of youths in a case of road rage that took place in south Delhi?s Lado Sarai on Sunday evening.Prince Tewatia, 28, received four wounds, including in his back and thigh, and was admitted to AIIMS trauma centre. He was, however, treated and later discharged on Monday afternoon.A resident of south Delhi?s Saidul Ajab area, Tewatia works at a call centre in Gurgaon. He was returning home on his Bullet motorcycle with his friend Paras when the incident took place.Chinmoy Biswal, Additional DCP (south), said Tewatia?s motorcycle brushed past a scooty in Lado Sarai. The scooty rider was with three other friends who were riding another scooty.An argument ensued between two groups, which soon turned into a scuffle. However, locals intervened and separated the two groups and sent them away.Tewatia dropped his friend at his residence in Lado Sarai and was returning home when he decided to smoke a cigarette outside a kiosk, not far from the spot of scuffle.It was at that moment that four youths approached him and attacked him with a knife. According to Biswal, the attack happened so swiftly that locals could not intervene.When the attackers fled, Tewatia was rushed to a hospital by the locals and one of them called the police.Biswal said the probe so far suggests that the attackers were the same men with whom Tewatia had got into a scuffle minutes earlier.A case of attempt to murder has been registered at Saket police station and a team formed to identify the suspects. CCTV footage from nearby areas are being scanned.

Sumedha Sehra

08 May 2017,Monday

Delhi cabbie who returned bag worth ?8 lakh has ?70,000 loan

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/honesty-bigger-than-needs-delhi-taxi-driver-who-returned-bag-worth-rs-8-lakh-has-rs-70-000-loan/story-yFm5W6jwN46Cco7mcawmIL.html

Delhi cab driver Debendra Kapri, who had a few days ago returned a bag with goods worth ?8 lakh left in his cab, has a debt of ?70,000 to settle. Saying "my moral values are greater than my personal needs", he added the "incident gives me peace of mind". Kapri had come to Delhi in 2012, searching for a job.

The foreign currency notes and valuables in the black backpack worth Rs 8 lakh, forgotten by its owner in his taxi, could have taken care of everything Debendra Kapri has ever wished for. The 22-year-old taxi driver returned it to its owner and bought contentment instead. His conscience and his father?s lessons on honesty figure higher on the list than his needs, he says. Last week, Kapri walked into a police station at Delhi?s domestic airport to deposit a bag left behind in his vehicle by a passenger earlier that day. The officer on duty was shocked to find that it contained gold jewellery, a laptop, an iPhone, a camera and $70 ? items amounting to a whopping Rs 8 lakh.Kapri claimed that he knew what was there inside the bag but decided to return it to its owner. The police later found out that the bag belonged to Mubisher Wani, a resident of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. He was given back the bag that same evening.Kapri is a debt-ridden man and is struggling to repay a loan of Rs 70,000 to a private financier in his home town in Bihar?s Banka. His father took a loan of Rs 1 lakh in 2008-09 on a 5% per month interest rate to marry off two of his daughters. The simple farmer, who did not have a permanent source of income, could not even pay the monthly interest amount. The interest amount accumulated with every passing month and the pressure to return the money intensified, initially with warnings and later with life threats to the family members. With the added compound interest, the Rs 1 lakh loan increased to Rs 2 lakh within 2 years.The family sold a small piece of their land but it was not enough to pay off the loan. In 2011, Kapri?s elder brother left home for Rajkot in Gujarat to earn a livelihood. But his meagre income proved insufficient to cater to his personal expenses and needs of his family of 5, leave alone repaying the loan.?My father was under stress and mother fell sick but we had no money to buy medicines for her. With each passing day, our financial condition was deteriorating. Though I was only 17, I had no choice but to quit my studies and support my family in the crisis. In 2012, I came to Delhi in search of a job,? Kapri says.The youngest among four siblings, Kapri recalls he could appear only in 2 subjects in his Class 10 examination because he met with an accident. ?That accident changed my life. Family?s responsibility took over my books and dreams of becoming an engineer. Destiny brought me to the streets of the national capital and I ended up becoming a cleaner at a taxi stand at Delhi airport,? he says. Before completing two years, Kapri had learnt how to drive a car. His cousin, Pintu, took up the role of his driving instructor in addition to being his only guardian in the city. Kapri now aspires to own one for a better life. Kapri lives in a 10x10 rented room with his two roommates, who too work as drivers, on the first floor of a building in Mehram Nagar, an urban village near the Delhi airport. An iron door opens into the room that has an open kitchen with a gas stove and cylinder on the floor. The front wall has 2 cloth hangers that struggle to lift the weight of the clothes of the 3 occupants. On the left side is a small mirror which the room partners share. ?The fan in my room blows out hot air and makes it difficult for us to fight the scorching heat and sleep. But the kind of appreciation I have received from my friends, neighbours from my home town and here in Delhi after the incident gives me peace of mind. I stuck to the lessons of my father and feel satisfied. My moral values are greater than my personal needs,? Kapri said. Asked what he would do if he has Rs 8 lakh of his own, Kapri says, ?I will first repay the loan. From the remaining amount, I will purchase my own taxi that will certainly improve my lifestyle.?

Shubhodeep Datta

06 Apr 2017,Thursday

Maharashtra Assembly passes bill to allow bullock cart races

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bullock-cart-races-maharashtra-bill-animal-husbandry-minister/1/922039.html

The Maharashtra Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to legalise bullock cart races in the state. The amendment is aimed at ensuring the preservation of native breeds of bulls, reports said. Earlier, Tamil Nadu had passed a similar bill to overturn a Supreme Court-ordered ban on the bull-taming sport of Jallikattu.

Following the footsteps of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra govt too passed the bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 paving way to legalize the bullock cart races in the state. The bill was tabled in the Lower House by Animal Husbandry Minister Mahadev Jankar.Last week, the state Cabinet had decided to appoint a cabinet sub-committee to study the draft of the amendment bill to revoke the ban on bullock-cart racing.The reasoning given to the amendment is to follow and promote tradition and culture and ensure preservation of native breeds of bulls as also their purity, safety, security and well-being.The amendment will be applicable to bullock cart races in the state which are known by different names in different parts like "Chakadi", "Bailgada Sharyat" , or "Shankar Paat" . Bullock cart races will be allowed in any district where it is being traditionally held at such places. Bullock cart races could be conducted with the prior permission of the collector on the condition of no pain or suffering envisaged by any person or person in charge of the animal used to conduct the bullock cart race.According to the amendment, any person found guilty of injuring or causing harm to the animal shall be punished with three years imprisonment or a fine of upto Rs 5 lakh.According to the Maharashtra amendment sec 28 (2) organising bullock cart races to follow and promote tradition and culture will not be an offense.Also read:Maharashtra govt to introduce bill to restart bullock cart racingExclusive: Maharashtra govt to seek legal opinion on lifting ban on bullock cart racesWATCH THE VIDEO:

Daisy Mowke

02 Aug 2017,Wednesday

Kriti replies to Hate Story actress Bhairavi's remark on her

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/bhairavi-goswami-kriti-sanon-s-reply-to-your-crass-remark-must-have-hurt/story-AsPPb8EBROTo6fOFWEcKqO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Kriti Sanon, when asked about 'Hate Story' actress Bhairavi Goswami's tweet saying Kriti is a "deranged actress" with "no headlight" and "no bumper", enquired who Bhairavi is. She further said, "I'm just happy for her. She got a lot of publicity. Now you guys know her name also". Bhargavi had also commented that even college students look better than Kriti.

It was last week that Kriti Sanon posted a video where she is dancing to a song from Mubarakan. Immediately Kamaal R Khan, the serial offender, posted a tasteless comment on the actor targeting the poor box office performnce of Kriti?s last cinematic outing, Raabta. Adding her voice to the chorus was actor Bhairavi Goswami who last appeared in Hate Story.Taking to Twitter, Bhairavi wrote, ?she is really behaving like a deranged woman. How did she become an actress. No headlight, no bumper. Even college students look better.? The crass tweet soon got a serious backlash on Twitter with many questioning who Bhairavi was.But the best reaction, by far, has been that of Kriti herself. On Tuesday at an event, Kriti was asked by the media about Bhairavi?s tweet. ?Who is Bhairavi Goswami?? Kriti enquired. When told about Bhairavi?s filmography, the Bareilly Ki Barfi star said, ?I think, I?m just happy for her. She got a lot of publicity. Now you guys know her name also, so yeah.?Now, that is badass.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Sanira Mediratta

13 Apr 2017,Thursday

Driver stops train midway for 2 hrs to take bath in Bihar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/driver-patna-bihar-stops-train-take-cold-shower/1/928387.html

The driver of a local train in Bihar reportedly went missing for about two hours on Monday to take a shower. The driver, MK Singh, did not return even after an announcement was made on the panel address system. A probe has been ordered into the incident, which took place at Buxar railway station.

At a railway station in Patna, Bihar, hundreds of passengers aboard a local train were left to their own devices for as long as two hours after the train driver abandoned the train midway, for a cold shower to beat the heat.A probe has been ordered after the incident which took place at Buxar railway station on Monday.A passenger train coming from Patna was on its way to Moghulsarai station in Uttar Pradesh when the driver left it at Buxur station at 10.55 am and vanished into thin air, according to a Gulf News report.The train received the green signal but when it failed to move, furious passengers got off the train and protested angrily.FYI || Humanity derailed: Unhelpful people ignore woman stuck between closing train doors ||The panel controller had to make an announcement using the panel address system and asked the driver to return immediately and get the train moving to let other tains move forward as well.But the driver was nowhere to be found since he did not turn up even after the announcement. A search for the train driver was launched by the authorities.Soon it was found out that driver MK Singh left to take a refreshing bath in the sweltering heat in the region where mercury soars over 40 degree Celsius.FYI || MBBS student helps a woman give birth on moving train, uses WhatsApp to seek advice from doctors ||When the search failed, the protest failed, and the announcement fell on deaf ears, eventually the train driver returned around 1.20 pm.The train was soon moved, finally, but the frustrated and angry passengers took his case in his cabin.

Tanya Dhingra

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Karan, Saif, Varun chant 'nepotism rocks' at IIFA

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/nepotism-rocks-karan-saif-and-varun-take-potshots-at-kangana-ranaut/story-IzHP3dZvW8jJXcENEc7qsK.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Karan Johar, Saif Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan have said that they are in the industry because of their parents and went on to chant "nepotism rocks" at IIFA Awards 2017. They also sang the song 'Bole chudiyaan bole kangana', following which Karan said, "It's better if Kangana (Ranaut) doesn't speak." Notably, Kangana did not attend the awards show.

Bollywood stars Varun Dhawan, Saif Ali Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar brought back the Kangana Ranaut-Karan Johar nepotism controversy at the 2017 IIFA awards stage on Sunday.Varun Dhawan performs on stage during the 18th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Festival. (AFP) The ceremony?s hosts - Karan and Saif - took a dig at the Queen star when Varun joined them on the stage to receive the award for the best performance in a comic role for Dishoom.Saif raked up the nepotism issue when he joked that the actor had made it big in the industry because of his father, director David Dhawan. ?You are here because of your pappa,? Saif quipped.Best Performance in a Comic Role - @Varun_dvn for Dishoom. #IIFA2017 pic.twitter.com/RnF3rGroC7? IIFA Awards (@IIFA) July 16, 2017To which Varun replied, ?You are here because of your mummy (referring to Sharmila Tagore).?Soon, Johar joined them and said he was in the industry because of his father, filmmaker Yash Johar.The trio then shouted, ?Nepotism rocks?.Saif and Varun then sang Bole chudiyaan Bole kangana from Johar?s film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...But the director quickly reacted, saying, ?Kangana nahi bole toh achha hai (It?s better if Kangana doesn?t speak).?Kangana had fuelled the nepotism debate when she appeared on the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil director?s chat show. She had referred to Johar as ?the flag bearer of nepotism?, which had not gone down well with the director. Follow @htshowbiz for more

Tarun Khanna

21 Feb 2017,Tuesday

Modi is a dictator who wants to split India: Lalu

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pm-modi-dictator-lalu-prasad/1/887607.html

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has alleged that PM Narendra Modi is a dictator who wants to split India into parts. "Prime Minister of the country should not be speaking in a manner which belittles his stature," he said. "He should rise above party politics. He should talk about development and not destruction," Lalu added.

As RJD chief Lalu Prasad left for Uttar Pradesh today to campaign for the Congress and Samajwadi party alliance in Raebareli and Amethi on Tuesday, he made scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling him a dictator who was out to split the country in parts. Taking to Twitter, Lalu said Prime Minister of the country should not be speaking in a manner which belittles his stature."Ye to tanashah pradhanmantri hai. Desh ke tukde tukde kar ke barbaad kar dega. Janab aap pradhanmantri ho, itni choti, aochi aur khoti baatein nahi karni chahiye", tweeted Lalu.Lalu's strong reactions came a day after PM Modi at a rally in Uttar Pradesh leveled charges on the Samajwadi party govt that they were discriminating with people in supplying electricity during festival of Eid and Diwali, a comment which Lalu believed was made to communalise the polls.

Dishant Sharma

14 Dec 2016,Wednesday

Virat Kohli is twice as aggressive as I was: Sourav Ganguly

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/virat-kohli-india-vs-england-test-series-sourav-ganguly/1/834340.html

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said that current Indian Test team captain Virat Kohli is twice as aggressive as he was. "His [Kohli's] aggression is two times more than mine," Ganguly said while addressing reporters during the launch of the Sourav Ganguly Foundation and Sourav Ganguly Cricket School in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Virat Kohli is two-times more aggressive as the India captain than me, former skipper Sourav Ganguly said on Wednesday. (Kohli plays FIFA on PlayStation with teammates in Chennai)"His aggression is two-times more than mine," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Sourav Ganguly Foundation and Sourav Ganguly Cricket School launch, which is powered by PitchVision Cricket Technology here.The technology is a motion-tracking tool which helps players at the grassroots level better their skills through television and academy style feedback. (Kohli achieves career-best second spot in ICC Test rankings)Ganguly, during his time as the India captain was also known to be an aggressive leader, famously celebrating India's Natwest triangular Series win in 2002 by taking off his shirt at the Lord's cricket ground. (Kohli turns peacemaker to douse Ashwin-Anderson fire)Kohli also is not known to give an inch to the opposition. (Kohli takes a dig at England batsmen)The dashing right-hander recently led India to their fifth successive Test victory after India's innings and 36 runs win at Mumbai, their biggest triumph over England in Tests at home. (Kohli one of the batting greats of our generation: Cook)

Deepali Aggarwal

24 Jul 2017,Monday

UK Foreign Secy jokes Maori greeting could start pub fight

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/24/boris-johnson-maori-greeting-glasgow-pub-new-zealand-visit?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson likened a traditional Maori greeting, hongi, to a head butt while visiting indigenous leaders in New Zealand. He said hongi which involves two people pressing their noses together "might be misinterpreted in a pub in Glasgow". Boris is visiting New Zealand as Britain aims to strengthen ties with it in preparation for Brexit.

The British foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, joked on his visit to New Zealand on Monday that a traditional M?ori greeting could be misinterpreted as a head butt in other countries.Johnson is visiting the South Pacific nation for two days as Britain looks to strengthen its ties with its former colony amid a broader reshaping of Britain?s global relationships as it prepares to leave the European Union. Topics on the agenda include trade, foreign policy and international security.He visited the South Island tourist town of Kaikoura, which was struck by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake in November that killed two people.Johnson thanked townsfolk for looking after tourists, including 200 Britons, who were stranded in the town after the quake and for teaching him a M?ori greeting called a hongi, in which people press noses together.?I think it?s a beautiful form of introduction, though it might be misinterpreted in a pub in Glasgow,? Johnson joked, in a reference to a head butt.Pleasure to show Boris Johnson around Kaikoura this morning. He thanked the community for looking after British tourists after the quake. pic.twitter.com/KWthaApDOgJohnson said it was his first visit to New Zealand.?This is the most mind-blowingly, mind-numbingly beautiful country that I have ever seen,? he said of New Zealand, adding it was the only landscape he thinks could do justice to the imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ?he Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, which were filmed in New Zealand.Johnson was described by the New Zealand media as the eccentric ?flamboyant, blonde tousled-haired former mayor of London?. Johnson is due to travel to Australia on Tuesday.Associated Press contributed to this report

Vani Vivek

23 Jun 2017,Friday

Google removing people's medical records from search results

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/23/google-begins-removing-private-medical-records-from-search-results?CMP=twt_a-technology_b-gdntech

Google has started removing private medical records from its search results, after adjusting its policy regarding personal information. In 2016, an Indian pathology lab mistakenly leaked names and HIV blood test results of over 43,000 patients. The last change to Google's removal policy was made to cover "revenge porn" in which people's sexually explicit images are uploaded without their consent.

Google has started removing private medical records from its search results, after adjusting its policy regarding personal information.The change was made on Thursday to include the ?confidential, personal medical records of private people? in the bracket of information Google may remove unprompted from search results. Other examples of such information include national or government issued identification numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers and images of signatures.The leaking of private medical records can be extremely damaging to the victims, both financially and emotionally, with future prospects affected and private lives of the vulnerable exposed. Given that Google?s indexing system will capture anything that?s publicly accessible on the internet, leaks such as those created by an Indian pathology lab which uploaded more than 43,000 patient records in December, including names and HIV blood test results, can be particularly damaging.The last change to the removal policy was made in 2015 with the addition of ?nude or sexually explicit images that were uploaded or shared without your consent? to cover so-called revenge porn.The new addition to Google?s scrubbing policy marks a change from the search company?s traditional hands-off, algorithmic approach which resists attempts at censorship. This has come under scrutiny over the last few years due to the spread of fake news and misinformation. Google recently adjusted its search results to down-rank contested information such as fake news.For many Google has become the gateway to the internet, meaning that removal from the company?s search results effectively scrubs them from the internet. While the information will still be accessible via other search engines or directly, other associated actions including the European right to be forgotten have seen being removed from Google?s search results as good enough to affect change.Google has recently come under fire for its search and services such as YouTube being used to spread extremist content, as well as its ad network being used to fund sites dedicated to spreading hate speech and propaganda. The company introduced new measures for YouTube to tackle the spread of terrorist material, while its head of European operations apologised after adverts for major brands appeared next to extremist material.

Chhavi Tyagi

29 Apr 2017,Saturday

If petrol can be stolen, why can't EVMs be hacked: Akhilesh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/petrol-stolen-using-chip-why-cant-evms-hacked-questions-akhilesh-yadav/1/941363.html

Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said, "When petrol can be stolen from remote by a chip without any internet connection then it can happen in an EVM also." Yadav, who lost the recent UP Assembly polls, said that we have to stop the misuse of technology.

Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said if remote-controlled electronic chip in fuel dispensing machines can dupe unsuspecting consumers then electronic voting machines (EVMs) can also be hacked in a similar way.In a tweet he said, "When petrol can be stolen from remote by a chip without any internet connection then it can happen in an EVM also," he said.Yadav, who lost the recent UP Assembly polls, said we have to stop the misuse of technology.The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) had yesterday raided seven petrol pumps which were allegedly using remote-controlled electronic chip in fuel dispensing machines to dupe unsuspecting consumers.STF sleuths found that an electrician used to instal these chips in petrol dispensing machines which reduced the fuel output.The chip costing around Rs 3,000 when installed in the dispensing machines reduced the output by nearly five to ten per cent. The chip is attached with a wire which is linked with a remote control that set the limit, the STF said. Questions over the possibilities of EVM tampering have been raised from various quarters. After losing the UP election, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati had alleged that the machines were tampered with.After the Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCD) election results in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) made a clean sweep, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) too had claimed that EVMs were hacked.Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged widespread tampering of EVMs to favour the BJP and said there was "no reason" for the people of Delhi to favour the BJP."This is not Modi wave, this is EVM wave. This is the same wave that they (BJP) used in the Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab polls," Delhi minister Gopal Rai had said.

Tarun Khanna

09 May 2017,Tuesday

Mishra submitted no concrete proof against Kejriwal: ACB

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kapil-mishra-aam-aami-party-hands-over-useless-documents-to-acb/1/949120.html

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has said ex-Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra has submitted no concrete evidence against CM Arvind Kejriwal, a report stated. "Mishra had submitted a summary drafted by him about the tanker scam, resubmitted documents he had earlier submitted," an ACB official reportedly said. Mishra has alleged he saw Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain giving ?2 crore to Kejriwal.

After Kapil Mishra submitted 'documents' to the ACB to back his allegations, highly-placed sources in the agency said all the papers submitted by him are useless.A senior ACB official said, "Mishra had submitted a summary drafted by him about the tanker scam, resubmitted documents he had earlier submitted and enclosed a cover letter with these two documents. No concrete evidence or document has been submitted to ACB." Mishra, who had earlier 'briefed' L-G Anil Baijal about the tanker scam, said on Monday that he had shared all evidence related to the same with ACB. "I told officials how Kejriwal deliberately delayed the report and how public money was misused.""I also told them how Kejriwal, along with two of his aides, interfered in the tanker scam probe. The government also tried to shield Sheila Dikshit time and again," he told reporters after the meeting.Also Read:Kapil Mishra submits proof against Arvind Kejriwal, aides on water tanker scam, seeks time with CBI

Pragya Swastik

30 Dec 2016,Friday

World's cheapest phone Freedom 251 maker's MD quits

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/ringing-bells-md-mohit-goel-has-quit-but-company-isnt-shutting-shop/1/845201.html

Noida-based company, which claims its phone Freedom 251 is the world's cheapest, Ringing Bells' MD Mohit Goel has quit weeks after the company confirmed his wife and CEO Dharna Goel's resignation. Earlier this month, Ringing Bells rubbished the reports of its shutdown. "Anmol Goel, one of the founder directors, is looking after the company affairs," said a company spokesperson.

Noida-based startup Ringing Bells, infamous for selling the 'cheapest smartphone in the world' aka Freedom 251 is in news again. Co-founder and MD Mohit Goel, who is said to be the brains behind the Rs 251 smartphone, has quit. His wife, Dharna Goel, who is CEO of Ringing Bells, has also resigned. But Ringing Bells isn't (apparently) shutting shop."At Ringing Bells we have our clear business objectives which we have shared earlier with everyone and we are sticking to it. Now Anmol Goel, who is also one of the founder directors, is looking after the affairs of the company and will take forward the company to make it achieve the goals that it has set for itself," a company spokesperson said in a statement.Also Read: Ringing Bells wants to promote Digital India, but doesn't quite believe in Startup IndiaAnmol Goel, as clear from the statement, is also one of the founder directors of Ringing Bells. Anmol and Mohit are brothers. The company president (consulting) Ashok Chadha, meanwhile, will continue as one, sources have confirmed to India Today Tech.That however does not explain why the company's sector 62 office in Noida has been shut for over two weeks now. India Today Tech has reached out to the company seeking more clarity on the issue and will update the piece once we have more information.As of the Freedom 251 itself, the company claims that it has so far delivered around 70,000 units of the Rs 251 smartphone, and will continue to do so, albeit a little differently. "Delivery of Freedom 251 will be made by retailers who will get the products in turn from the distributors and they in turn from the company as is the standard practice in trade. In addition, as has been underpinned and re-clarified on several occasions, the sales are only on cash on delivery basis. The company is making efforts to deliver more Freedom 251 in recent months," it said.  That should explain why ringingbells.co.in wouldn't open anymore, however, not entirely. This is because the only way to order (and luckily receive) a Freedom 251 was via the official website. Now that the website is down, there is no way for those who registered (for the device) to know their impending status. The company has launched a slew of other devices (feature phones, smartphones, TVs and power banks) in the meanwhile, and at least some of them are available from Amazon India. The future of the Freedom 251, however, remains as bleak as ever. Again, we've reached out to the company for a little more clarity and will update the piece as and when we get a response. Ringing Bells claims that it has so far delivered around 70,000 units of the Freedom 251 in states such as West Bengal, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, New Delhi, Punjab, J&K, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Apparently, it is "still getting lot of interest in its product," that many have called a Ponzi scheme. "We have proved that it is possible to arm each and everyone with the reality of digital world. Our target is the low income people who fancy the chances to own a smart phone. We wish to fulfill their dreams soon," the company added.

Shubhodeep Datta

13 Dec 2016,Tuesday

South Delhi Municipal Corp to start e-toll collection

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-s-south-corporation-to-make-toll-collection-electronic/story-SOf3RmowmAnfji7LVn9XzL.html

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation is planning to install electronic toll system for collecting tax to decongest toll plazas. The equipment will be installed at 13 locations by March-end on a pilot basis, officials said. The e-toll system involves tax payment through radio frequency device system which allows automatic deduction of toll tax from a customer's account.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) plans to install an electronic toll system for collecting tax, in order to decongest toll plazas.The equipment will be installed at 13 locations by the end of March, 2017, on a pilot basis.?We have started the tender process and a total of 65 lanes will be developed at 13 toll plazas for e- toll collection system. Based on the reviews, we will extend it to other locations. We will complete the work by end of the financial year,? said Puneet Goel, commissioner, South Corporation. ?It will work faster, compared to the manual process of collecting toll tax and also help reduce traffic jams,? he added. The toll points selected for the project include Ghazipur (main and old), Shahdara flyover, Kundli, Rajokri, Kalindi Kunj, Tikri, Kapashera and Aya Nagar.The terms and conditions for the functioning of the system have been laid out on the advice of the Environment Pollution Control Authority.The e-toll system involves tax payment through Radio Frequency Device System (RFDS), which allows the automatic deduction of toll tax from the customer?s account. ?We will sell the Radio Frequency Identification cards to the vehicle owners and recharge it with a certain amount. The ID will be pasted on the windshield of the vehicles. The e-toll machine installed at the toll plaza will read the ID card at a distance of 100 metres and automatically deduct the amount from person?s account,? said Shailendra Singh, standing committee chairman. Read more: South Delhi residents to soon get integrated grievance redressal cellThe initiative has been taken following the instruction of Supreme Court on July, 2016 to modernise toll collection by introducing RFID-based systems and install CCTV cameras at all the 124 entry points to the city.According to an SDMC official, the RFID will also boost cashless transactions. ?The corporation often receives complaints from toll points about drivers not paying the environment compensation charges (ECC). By introducing RFID, the taxes will be collected directly through e-purses,? an official said.In October 2015, the Supreme Court had asked the municipal corporation to levy ECC tax on commercial vehicles entering the city, citing increasing air pollution. The tax was implemented in November and within two months, the number of trucks entering the capital declined by 20%. This also brought down the tax collection of three corporations by one fourth. This year, the South Corporation collected a total of ?630 crores from toll plazas.Sunil Dahiya, a Greenpeace India campaigner, said the equipment would help monitor the vehicles entering the city and reduce the emission of fuel. ?It will no doubt help reduce air pollution. But the technology is based on electronic payment and I doubt how prepared the corporation is, to popularise the concept ,? he said.

Sanira Mediratta

11 Jan 2017,Wednesday

B'desh court orders doctors to write readable prescriptions

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bangladesh-court-orders-doctors-to-write-legible-prescriptions/1/853943.html

Bangladesh court has ordered doctors to write easy-to-read prescriptions in block letters or type them to prevent wrong medicines being issued to patients. The government has been asked to issue a circular for the same and provide a report within six weeks. The court also said that doctors must use generic drug names rather than specifying particular brands.

Dhaka, Jan 10 (PTI) Taking exception to doctors sloppy handwriting, a top Bangladeshi court has ordered them to write easy-to-read prescriptions in block letters or type them to prevent wrong medicines being issued to patients. The High Court asked the government to issue a circular in this regard among the countrys doctors within 30 days. The health secretary and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Councils registrar will have to carry out the order. They will also have to inform the court about their progress within six weeks, the Dhaka Tribune reported. The court yesterday also issued a ruling asking as to why the doctors should not be directed to mention generic names of medicines in prescriptions. A bench comprising Justice Naima Haider and Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman issued the order after holding a primary hearing over a writ petition. The Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) moved the court with the writ petition on January 2, highlighting the difficulties faced by patients due to illegible prescriptions. HRPB counsel Manzill Murshid said: "Sometimes even employees at drug stores fail to read prescriptions and give wrong medicines to the patients."