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Parmeet Kaur

03 Aug 2017,Thursday

Delhi HC reduces aid for 'negligent' accident victim by 45%

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-high-court-accident-compensation/1/1017531.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Delhi High Court reduced the compensation awarded to a motor accident victim by 45% after it found negligence on the part of both parties. A compensation of ?10 lakh was earlier awarded to the victim. The court observed, "It's possible despite the vehicle being driven in permissible limit, an accident can occur when a jaywalker suddenly appears on road."

In an interesting ruling, the Delhi high court reduced the compensation awarded to a motor accident victim by 45 per cent after it found negligence on the part of both the parties.Deepak Kumar, the victim, was hit by a motor vehicle driven by a government employee named Ajay Kumar in Palam.Deepak told the court that while he was on his way to work, he stopped his vehicle after crossing Palam flyover to feed a cow. While he was crossing the road, he was hit and suffered injuries. The trial court had awarded a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to him after ruling negligence on Ajay's part.Ajay challenged the trial court order based on the detailed accident report that mentioned motorcycle was not being driven dangerously or at an excessive speed, and was being driven in its lane and within the permissible speed limit.He sought examination of the contributory negligence on behalf of the injured through advocate Trideep Pais and Pranav Jain. The court observed, "It is possible that despite the vehicle being driven in permissible limit, an accident can occur when a jaywalker suddenly appears on the road.""Such people apart from impairing their own lives also pose a threat to the safety and security of the ongoing traffic. The fact that the victim chose to walk across a busy road near the airport, with heavy morning traffic, he knowingly exposed himself to dangers that such risk may entail. It exhibits his negligence towards his own safety," the court added.Quoting the detailed accident report, the court said if the vehicle was in good condition, being driven in the right lane at the right speed, the accident which was caused at a non-zebra crossing, could be attributed to the sudden appearance of the jaywalker in front of the vehicle.In the circumstances, a portion of the blame and negligence would have to be shared by the claimant. While noting that there was a fair chance of the accident being avoided if the vehicle was being driven at the permissible limit and maintaining fair distance with the vehicle moving ahead of it, the court said, " One has also to bear in mind that not all city roads are carefully marked for pedestrian or zebra crossing.""The time of the accident was about 9.40 am. The visibility was clear. The appellant could have well seen from some distance the movement of the pedestrian crossing the road," the court added.

Abhishek Bansal

03 Jun 2017,Saturday

ISIS failed in India despite large Muslim population: Singh

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/isis-failed-in-india-despite-countrys-large-muslim-population-rajnath-singh/1/970005.html

Stating that India has been successful in facing off the challenges posed by the Islamic State, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the terrorist group failed in the country despite a large Muslim population. Singh also spoke about the situation in Kashmir and the challenge of Naxalism and added that the security situation in India has largely been under control.

Saying that India has been successful in facing off against the challenges posed by the Islamic State, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday, dubbing the global terror group a failure in the country. Addressing a press conference on the three years of the Narendra Modi government, Singh said the security situation in the country has largely been under control. Singh, who also spoke about the situation in Kashmir and the challenge of Naxalism, said the Islamic State (IS or ISIS) has failed to gain a foothold in India despite the country's large Muslim population."India is the second largest country as far as Muslim population in the world is concerned. I can say with full responsibility that despite such a large population (of Muslims), the ISIS has not been able to set foot," Rajnath Singh said. (With inputs from agencies)ALSO READ | Hurriyat terror funding: NIA raids 23 sites in Kashmir, Delhi, Haryana; recovers Rs 1.5 crore cash

Chhavi Tyagi

05 May 2017,Friday

Juvenile convicted in Dec 16 gangrape now cooks at a dhaba

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/juvenile-in-2012-delhi-gang-rape-case-unaware-of-verdict-works-as-cook-in-south-india/story-35jbhO8sDu5z8xH3wVbxeN.html

While the Supreme Court upheld four Nirbhaya gangrape convicts' death penalty, the juvenile convict in the case now works as a cook at a dhaba in South India. The exact location of his place of work has not been disclosed, fearing a threat to his life. The juvenile was released in 2015, after completing the three-year sentence awarded to him.

Away from the limelight on the verdict in the December 16 gang-rape and murder, the ?juvenile? convicted in the case, who was found guilty of raping and killing the 23-year-old physiotherapist on December 16, 2012 ? has settled well in his new life. He is cooking at a prominent restaurant. The minor has turned 23 years old now.?He was always worried about getting lynched and that is why he was sent to the southern part of the country. Now, the verdict has come, focus will again move to him but he is at a place where he might not even see the national news channels. His employer is not aware of his past and even he has left it behind,? said a NGO official, who was part of his rehabilitation process. The officer, however, refused to reveal any further details fearing safety of the ?juvenile?. A year after he walked free, he was employed at a dhaba in south India. ?After his release on December 20, 2015, he was kept with an NGO for a few days. Later, the NGO rehabilitated him to the southern part of the country. He is currently employed as cook at a restaurant,? he said. The officer said that not many are aware of his background. He was 11 when he fled home, 240 km from Delhi. His elder sister single-handedly fends for the family of six ? ailing mother, younger siblings and bedridden father. The family still lives in the same village.After leaving home, he came to Delhi to earn money and got in touch with Ram Singh and the other accused. He used to clean the bus in which the physiotherapist student was raped on December 16, and they would give him food in return. On that night too, they asked him to accompany them.During his time at the shelter, he used to call his mother often, said an official.A number of welfare officers and a counsellor, who spoke to him at the correction home, told HT that he was the most disciplined inmate.They say soon after coming to the shelter, he turned religious. He grew a beard and started offering namaz five times a day. Initially, he was kept away from the other inmates. But during the last year of his stay, he shared the dormitory with a high court blast accused.?This led many to believe that he was radicalised. So he was shifted to a separate room. He had little interest in studies and the only thing he learnt was to write his name. Cooking is his passion and he was always there to give a final touch to dishes prepared by the staff. Inmates often demanded food cooked by him,? the officer added.However, intelligence bureau still keeps a watch on him.?He was a victim of circumstances. When I got a chance to meet him, I found him sad the way his role was portrayed in the incident. He was pushed into child labour at the age of 9 and worked at hazardous sectors. He is leading a Normal life, which all he wanted,? said Amod Kanth, chairperson of Prayas, an NGO who runs a home in Feroz Shah kotla, where his trial was conducted.

Saloni Tandon

18 Jan 2017,Wednesday

Kapil Dev inducted into Legends Club 'Hall of Fame'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kapil-dev-sunil-gavaskar-nari-contractor-madhav-apte-legends-club-hall-of-fame-cricket-club-of-india/1/859940.html

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev was inducted into the Legends Club 'Hall of Fame' at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai on Tuesday. He was presented with a citation by ex-India player Madhav Apte, with former India captains Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar and Nari Contractor also in attendance. Gavaskar was already inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Cricket icon Kapil Dev was on Tuesday inducted into Legends Club 'Hall of Fame' in presence of former India captains Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar and Nari Contractor at the Cricket Club of India here. (Latest Cricket stories)Kapil, who led India to the emphatic World Cup victory in 1983, is considered as the country's greatest all-rounder. He was presented with a citation by former India player and Legends Club president Madhav Apte.Gavaskar, who was the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, was also presented a citation by Wadekar. He was already inducted into the club's Hall of Fame on July 11, 2013.Accepting the honour, the Haryana Hurricane said, "There is nobody in this country who do not want to be Sunil Gavaskar. For Sunil, was he best in the best in the game, no, he was best for the game."Lot of people will come in, but this name (Sunil) will remain on the top. We had a passion for the game and were not looking for rewards and awards, anything. At that time we had so much of passion. With our success, if people get happiness, you feel proud about it. Now I feel, cricket has changed (and) it feels so nice," said Kapil."I was not technically correct, but we had no one to teach. In Mumbai, there were a lot of teachers. When we played cricket, there were no turf wickets in Chandigarh, what was there is passion," he remembered.Dev, also recalled that his wife Rommie's grandfather had asked "ladka kya karta hai (What does the boy do), wo cricket kelta hai, wo theek hai, par wo karta kya hai (he plays cricket, but what does he do)".GAVASKAR PAYS TRIBUTE TO KAPIL DEVDescribing Kapil as India's greatest match winner, Gavaskar said, "For me it was an absolute honour to have played in the same team (as Kapil). With due respect to all those wonderful players who have won matches for India over the last years, there has been nobody who has turned around with bat and ball as Kapil has."It has been hardwork for him, it has not been easy. His enthusiasm is absolutely incredible. (It was) hard time for me as a captain to stop him," recalled Gavaskar.

Sonu Kumari

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Stray dog mauls 3 students outside school in Ghaziabad

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/dog-mauls-three-junior-class-students-outside-school-in-ghaziabad-s-brij-vihar/story-mqZUj7j6xhYfVFMkAj3JFJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A stray dog on Thursday mauled three junior class students outside a Ghaziabad school when they were heading towards their transport vehicles. Members of the People for Animals said they had picked up the stray dog and suspect it was suffering from rabies. Residents claimed to have often taken up the issue with the municipal corporation, but the menace continues.

A stray dog mauled three students of the junior wing of Bal Bharti Public School in Brij Vihar, Ghaziabad, on Thursday afternoon. Members of the People for Animals (PFA) said they had picked up the stray dog and suspect it was suffering from rabies. It would be caged for a couple of days.The incident took place outside the school premises when the students were heading towards their transport vans after school. All three students are aged five to seven years.?The dog attacked the three students and mauled them severely. We sent them for medical aid and informed their parents. We approached police and sought their help to get the dog removed with the help of PFA activists. The incident took place outside the school premises. There have been similar complaints about stray dogs in the area. It is up to the municipal corporation to tackle the issue,? said Arvind Bhatia, school principal.The injured students were rushed to a hospital in Vaishali from where they were taken to a hospital in East Delhi. ?The three children were given medical aid and are under treatment. They suffered major injuries,? said the mother of an injured student who did not wish to be named.CP Singh, Ghaziabad municipal commissioner, said, ?We will seek immediate help from PFA and sterilise stray dogs in the area.??We suspect that the dog suffer from rabies. We have put the animal in a cage. Such dogs chew up anything and have a lot of saliva. The dog has shown the same signs,? said Sumedha Iyer from PFA society, Ghaziabad.According to official records available with the Ghaziabad municipal corporation, around 2,621 stray dogs were sterilized from February 2013 to July 2016. But the stray dog menace stays.Various localities in Ghaziabad, including Indirapuram, Vaishali and Vasundhara, have witnessed a number of cases of dog bites. Residents have often taken up the issue of stray dog menace with the corporation but have failed to yield desired results.

Ayushi Ahluwalia

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Curfew imposed in Mangaluru amid communal violence

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/prohibitory-orders-clamped-in-mangaluru-seer-summoned-over-rss-worker-s-murder/story-uCrX0RLpQhJGus72nPKQ6I.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Karnataka government has imposed prohibitory orders starting Sunday in Karnataka's Mangaluru till July 30 after recent incidents of communal violence. All acts of public utterance such as singing songs, playing music, and others which may affect public order would be banned. Communal tension in the region escalated after a RSS worker was stabbed by unidentified assailants on July 4.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in the city limits on Sunday till July 30 in the wake of recent incidents of communal unrest in parts of Dakshina Kannada district.In a related development, head of a local mutt has been asked to appear before police in connection with his claims that he had ?vital leads? on the murder of an RSS worker in nearby Bantwal, police said at the district headquarters here.Prohibitory orders under section 35 of the Karnataka Police Act 1963 will be in force from 6 am today till the midnight of July 30, an official release quoting Mangaluru Police Commissioner TR Suresh said.All acts of public utterance of cries, singing of songs, playing of music, use of gestures, exhibition or dissemination of objects such as placards and pictures which may affect public order would stand prohibited.The measure had been undertaken to avoid recurrence of unwarranted incidents having potential of disturbing peace in the society, the release said.Four other taluks of the district, including Bantwal, are under the prohibitory orders as per Section 144 of CrPC for the past several weeks in view of the unrest.Karnataka chief minister Siddaramiah had on July 10 directed the police to arrest those disrupting communal harmony in the district.His directives came following a spate of stabbing incidents, including that of RSS worker Sarath Madivala by unidentified persons on July 4. The victim died on July 7.A 24-year old man, claimed to be a right-wing sympathiser, was attacked by some people at Kuthar near here on July 8.Earlier, murder of a Social Democratic Party of India worker at Benjanapadavu in Bantwal on June 21 escalated the tension, forcing authorities to extend the ban orders which were first imposed on May 27 following skirmishes between two groups.Meanwhile, police have issued a notice to honorary president of Hindu Samrakshana Samiti, Sri Rajasekharananda Swami, asking him to appear before investigation officer at Bantwal police station tomorrow.The swami, who is chief of Gurpur Vajradehi Mutt, had told a press meet here on July 14 that he had exclusive information about the conspiracy and other details about the murder of Madiwala. He had also said that he would reveal it only if the National Investigation Agency took up the case.Reacting to his claim, state food and civil supplies minister UT Khader had on Saturday said concealing a known fact relating to a criminal case itself amounted to crime and that the police had its ways to secure such information.

Dishant Sharma

09 May 2017,Tuesday

Pakistani players will perform well against India: Inzamam

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/inzamam-ul-haq-icc-champions-trophy-india-vs-pakistan/1/948394.html

Former Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has backed the Pakistani cricket team to perform well against their Indian counterparts in the upcoming Champions Trophy. "We don't have a great record against India in major events, but every day is a new day and I am sure the players will perform well in the first match," Inzamam added.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, chief selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), believes the clash against their arch-rivals India in next month's Champions Trophy will be important for the Men in Green to make a right start in the tournament.India announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming 50-over pinnacle tournament on Monday, and the fans from both nations have marked their calendars for June 4 when the two arch-rivals take on each other in their group clash.Inzamam admitted that Pakistan didn't have a good record against India in the major events, but added he was sure his players could perform well this time around."We don't have a great record against India in major events, but every day is a new day and I am sure the players will perform well in the first match. The June 4 game is very important for us, not only because it is against India, but also because it will go a long way in helping us qualify for the semi-finals," the Express Tribune quoted Inzamam, as saying.Talking about his team, the Pakistan chief selector said that the side was a perfect blend of young and experienced players.

Parmeet Kaur

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Delhi Police share Bollywood-inspired memes on social issues

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-police-takes-up-serious-issues-with-a-pinch-of-humour/story-Kg5m7TMtmXBpmP9g6D4HXI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Delhi Police have been using Bollywood-inspired memes to spread awareness about social issues on Twitter. "Memes are helpful in establishing a connect with young people and they also popularise our on-ground campaigns to counter drug addiction, ragging and cyber crimes," police said. Hashtags like #Drugskadanda, #Drugskapanchnama and #Jabwearrest were also used in the campaign.

If you thought that cops lack sense of humour, Delhi Police?s Twitter handle will prove you wrong. From ?Drugwale ko Delhi Police le jayenge? to Bollywood inspired ?Bhaag Charsi Bhaag?, Delhi Police is using funny, creative memes to counter social problems. These memes aim to catch the attention of the youth and put an end to various menaces. ?Social media is an important medium to connect with the youth. We have been actively interacting with them. These memes are helpful in establishing a connect with young people and they also popularise our on-ground campaigns to counter drug addiction, ragging and cyber crimes,? says Madhur Verma, DCP (Crime) and PRO, Delhi Police. Inspired by Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, this creative aims to sensitise youngsters on drug addiction. A city-based advertising agency has put these creatives together ?We try to fit in the popular culture. For example, drug consumers are often young people and to sensitise them, we have used Bollywood movie titles, as they are relatable. Our campaign hashtags are also inspired by Bollywood. #Drugskadanda, #Drugskapanchnama #Abnoraggingbose and #Jabwearrest are some of the examples,? says Ankir Pujari from Astral Advertising. What do young people think about the funny creatives? ?It makes Delhi Police more real and approachable. They have turned really cool,? says 20-year-old management student Harshita Agarwal. Agrees Mohit Randhawa, 23, engineering student. ?No one likes to be lectured. Saying important things in a fun way is nice. I saw these Tweets and shared them. If they were not so cool, I wouldn?t have noticed them.?Follow @htTweets for more

Niharika Prabhakar

26 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Didn't ask anyone to resign: Nitish Kumar post resignation

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bihar-political-crisis-live-updates-cm-nitish-kumar-meets-governor-keshari-nath-tripathi-amid-row-over-graft-charges-against-tejashwi-yadav/story-TWzgT6JfRqu1MJ7GF6MyiN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

After resigning as Bihar's Chief Minister, JD(U)'s Nitish Kumar has clarified that he did not ask for anyone's resignation. This comes after reports suggested that Kumar asked for Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav's resignation over corruption allegations and the RJD leader refused to resign. Kumar added that he only sought a proper explanation on the allegations.

In dramatic developments in Bihar, Nitish Kumar on Wednesday resigned as chief minister, dumping the RJD and Congress to stitch a new alliance with BJP, which quickly announced support to a new government under him. Kumar, whose resignation was immediately accepted by governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, will take oath at the chief minister at 5pm on Thursday.?In the circumstances that prevail in Bihar, it became difficult to run the grand alliance government,? Kumar told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation to governor Keshri Nath Tripathi.Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Kumar?s resignation, saying in doing so he has joined the fight against corruption. Immediately after Kumar announced his resignation, Modi tweeted: ?Congratulations! Mr Nitish Kumar for joining the fight against corruption.?Here are Wednesday?s highlights on the political crisis in Bihar:12.30am: Lalu Prasad says: ?Nitish Kumar has underlined that he is an opportunist. Having done what he has, he cannot stake claim without a challenge. The Congress, CPI-ML and independents will back our claims to form the next government... Struggle is my life. I have to be in Ranchi for the next three days. However, Tejashwi has been asked to present the claim to the governor in the forenoon tomorrow.?12.28am: Tejashwi Yadav along with RJD delegation will meet Bihar governor KN Tripathi at 11 am on Thursday; to stake claim for forming government.12.07am: Taking a letter of support to governor to stake claim for forming government: Prem Kumar, BJP, on Sushil Modi and Nitish Kumar?s meet with governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.12.04am: Have asked Governor for time to meet, being the largest party we will stake claim to from government, tweets Tejashwi Yadav. We will also get support from JDU MLAs, he says.11.56pm: Nitish Kumar, Sushil Modi and BJP, JDU leaders leave for Raj Bhavan to meet governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.11.11pm: Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi reaches Raj Bhavan after being discharged from hospital.10.36pm: Nitish Kumar to take oath as CM of Bihar at 5pm tomorrow.10.31pm: Bihar governor KN Tripathi admitted to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Patna due to an ENT problem.10.20pm: Nitish may take oath on Thursday. A meeting of JD(U) and BJP MLAs is underway.10.07pm: When Nitish Kumar broke alliance with BJP in 2013 he choreographed and followed the same script to secure himself. He surrenders as per needs: Lalu Prasad?s tweet9.55pm: Sushil Modi says BJP has handed over a letter of support to the governor, and will be part of the new government. All NDA members are heading to 1, Aney Marg to elect Nitish Kumar as the leader, Modi adds.9.49pm: Sushil Modi, Nityanand Rai and other BJP MLAs reach Nitish Kumar?s residence in Patna for a meeting of JDU-BJP MLAs, reports ANI.9.30pm: Sushil Kumar Modi says BJP will be part of the government under Nitish Kumar. BJP and JD(U) leaders are headed to the Raj Bhawan to meet governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.9.02pm: ?There are charges against both Nitish and Tejashwi. The MLAs of the Grand Alliance parties should sit down and pick a new leader. Bihar?s poor, deprived and reservation-backed sections gave the Grand Alliance historic majority against the BJP. This is foeticide of the Grand Alliance? There were corruption allegations against us before. Did Nitish Kumar not know while making an alliance and forming a government?? -- Lalu Prasad?s tweets9.01pm: Nityanand Rai and I called Nitish Ji. The BJP decides to support him; we will support the government formed under him. We will inform the governor also: ANI?quotes Sushil Modi as saying9pm: Thank PM Modi for his tweet on my decision, tweets Nitish Kumar after resigning as Bihar CM8.55pm: There?s involvement of Narendra Modi. Nitish Kumar slapped people of Bihar. People like Sushil Modi are eager to form a government in Bihar: Lalu Prasad8.40pm: Meeting underway at Lalu Prasad?s residence in Patna. Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and senior RJD leaders present.8.23pm: CP Joshi was informed at the governor?s house; he asked Kumar to wait. Joshi said he will get back after a word with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi: ANI quotes sources8.21pm: Nitish Kumar did not inform Rahul Gandhi about his intention to resign in their meeting: ANI?quotes sources.8.02pm: I appeal to Nitish Kumar... All RJD, JD(U) and Congress MLAs should sit down and pick new leader and make a government... His unwillingness to do so will prove he has already struck a deal with the BJP: Lalu Prasad7.59pm: The BJP welcomes the battle against corruption in Bihar; not in favour of midterm elections... A three-member panel from Bihar will report to central leadership for final call: JP Nadda after the BJP?s parliamentary board meeting.7.58pm: We are deeply disappointed by the news of Nitish Kumar?s resignation. The Congress respects Nitish Kumar as a leader: Randeep Surjewala, Congress7.57pm: Nitish Kumar knew that he is accused of section 302; one of India?s CM is main accused in murder and arms case : Lalu Prasad7.51pm: Nitish Kumar had said that he will never join hands with BJP: Lalu Prasad7.50pm: RJD chief Lalu Prasad says did not speak to the press over corruption allegations against Tejashwi following lawyers? advice. 7.49pm: Nitish Kumar did not ask for resignation: RJD chief Lalu Prasad at a press conference after Nitish Kumar quits as Bihar CM.7.45pm: RJD chief Lalu Prasad to address a press conference shortly.7.42pm: We are happy that Bihar CM didn?t compromise on issue of corruption and did not kneel down before RJD: BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi7.36pm: We don?t want midterm elections in Bihar. The MLAs should complete their term. A three-member committee will talk to MLAs and apprise the Centre of the situation in the state: BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi7.26pm: Source say BJP legislature party to finalise support without preconditions at its meeting late evening today.7.25pm: Nitish-Lalu alliance was a mismatch. This had to happen: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Nitish Kumar?s resignation7.24pm: PM Narendra Modi arrives for BJP parliamentary meeting in Delhi.7.09pm: The country and time require that for the bright future of India, and especially Bihar, people need to rise above political disputes and fight against corruption together: Prime Minister Narendra Modi7.09pm: I congratulate Nitish Kumar for joining the fight against corruption. The 1.25 billion people of the country are welcoming and supporting his honesty: Prime Minister Narendra Modi7.08pm: Before resigning, I had informed Laluji and Congress Bihar in-charge CP Joshi: Nitish Kumar.7.05pm: Gandhiji always said needs can be met on the Earth, but greed can never be fulfilled: Nitish Kumar7.04pm: I am not blaming anyone, those who want to blame me are free to do so: Nitish Kumar7.02pm: I felt that for a person like me it was not possible to run this government. I don?t want to create a dispute... When I saw there was no other way... I broke myself away (from the alliance with the RJD). The governor has accepted my resignation, and asked me to continue working till the next development.6.58pm: We worked in the alliance till the point we could: Nitish Kumar6.57pm: If there are charges then they must have replied to it. We felt they were not in a position to speak: Nitish Kumar6.56pm: It?s not possible to work in this environment; I tried. Tried to find out a solution: Nitish Kumar6.52pm: The situation is such that it?s not possible to work. Whatever we do, the discussion is only about one thing: Nitish Kumar6.50pm: Not possible to work in the grand alliance. We made all attempts. We never asked for anyone?s resignation: Nitish Kumar6.34pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reaches Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi amid speculation that he may resign.6.33pm: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on his way to Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Shubhodeep Datta

24 Dec 2016,Saturday

Who could succeed Najeeb Jung as Delhi's next Lt Governor?

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/who-will-become-lieutenant-governor-of-delhi-after-najeeb-jung/story-j08t2eyQWr6opnkfJa9SHP.html

Following Najeeb Jung's resignation from the post of Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, former Union Home Secretaries Anil Baijal and GK Pillai could be possible replacements, a report said. Former Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi could also bag the post, as per reports. Jung quit 18 months before the end of his tenure but the Centre has not accepted his resignation yet.

In a surprise announcement on Thursday, Najeeb Jung announced he was stepping down from his position as Delhi?s lieutenant governor.Many believe Jung?s decision was a surprise to the Centre as well for a day before his announcement, he had met the Union home secretary and informed him about a seven-day leave to visit Goa.Read | Najeeb Jung?s sudden exit as lieutenant governor keeps Delhi guessingIn office for about three-and-a-half years, Jung?s tenure has largely been marked by an acrimonious tussle with the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government over the national capital?s administration. The power struggle is rooted in Delhi?s unique position: a Union territory functioning as the Capital with the elected government having negligible say over important departments and agencies. When Jung goes, he also leaves behind ongoing legal tussles in the matter ? issues his successor will have to tackle.The government is yet to accept Jung?s resignation or appoint his successor, but former Union secretaries GK Pillai and Anil Baijal are believed to be strong contenders for the job. Former Delhi police chief BS Bassi, who was the police commissioner for about three years, is also in the fray, sources said. Jung, as it stands, was one of the few Congress-government appointments that the Narendra Modi administration did not change. A former vice chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia, Jung was also believed to have been a top candidate to replace Hamid Ansari, the vice-president of India.Also read |?Administrator, actor, academician: Delhi?s L-G Jung is a man of several talents

Vani Vivek

07 Jan 2017,Saturday

Uber hikes ride time charges by up to 50% in Delhi NCR

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/uber-hikes-taxi-fares-up-to-50-in-delhi-ncr-minimum-fare-to-start-from-rs-60/story-4UCKNruoQ46SooDJsH5nlL.html

Taxi-hailing service Uber has increased the ride time charges by 50% from ?1 per minute to ?1.5 per minute in Delhi NCR for its UberGO, UberX, and UberPOOL services. UberGO has a base fare of ?40 but the minimum fare for the service has been increased to ?60. The changes are expected to raise the total ride fare by 10-15%.

App-based cab aggregator Uber has hiked fares of its entry and premium level services by up to 50% in Delhi-NCR.The US-based firm has increased ride time charge to Rs1.5 per minute from Rs1 earlier for its UberGO and UberX services. The transportation app charges Rs6 per kilometre up to 20km and Rs12 per km thereafter at a base fare of Rs40 for UberGO. While the revised fare irked users who sought the intervention of the Centre and the Delhi government, many were left confused. ?Uber seems to be fooling us. On the one hand, it says that its base fare is Rs40 and on the other, it charges us a ?minimum fare? of Rs60. On top of that, now they have increased the ride time,? said Pooja Shah, an IT professional who regularly uses Uber cabs to tavel to and from work.?Starting January 5, 2017, we have made some changes to our pricing structure in Delhi-NCR in order to serve the city better,? an Uber spokesperson said.The move made many feel the need for a policy that would guide such companies. ?There should be a policy to guide app-based cab providers. They are enjoying monopoly and flouting all rules. At present, they are not bound by any rules and surge pricing is still levied on us,? said Ajay Anand, another regular user.Last year, Uber had introduced ?upfront fare? under which the company calculates and shows rates depending on expected time and distance of travel and local traffic. The fares fluctuate due to demand.The company, which operates in 29 Indian cities, counts India as its second largest market, after the US. Affordable pricing has been one of the important factors driving the uptake of on-demand taxi services in the country.

Aarushi Maheshwari

06 Jan 2017,Friday

Delhi Metro allows women to carry knives for self-protection

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/now-lighters-matchboxes-allowed-in-metro-women-may-carry-knives-too/story-gFva8T84XrLyMER88wNdeN.html

The Delhi Metro has allowed women to carry small knives for their protection, a CISF official said. The Metro is allowing all passengers to carry lighters and matchboxes, as well as tools, after receiving requests from labourers. The CISF official said, "We carried a review and found that with these items, passengers? safety is not in danger."

Lighters and matchboxes are off the restricted items list for Metro travel in Delhi. And women can now carry a small knife for self-protection.The decision was taken by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) which has been left with thousands of these piling up at its depot in Shastri Park, an official of the force said.Though the items have never been counted, CISF officials said 100-odd lighters and matchboxes are seized on an average daily at present at different stations.?Apart from one lighter and one matchbox per passenger, we have also allowed passengers to carry tools. We received several requests as labourers travel by metro and carry tools for work,? a CISF official said.?However, we examine the tools and make an entry in a register so that the passenger can be traced if needed,? he added. It?s a practice followed in the case of passengers of certain faiths who are allowed to carry certain items.In the case of women allowed to carry a knife of up to 4 inch, the official said the security personnel on frisking and scanning duty has the right to refuse entry if the passenger id seen as a security threat.An estimated 30 lakh passengers travel every day in Delhi metro, which started functioning around 10 years ago.Sharp objects like knife and sword, guns and firearms, explosive materials, flammable items, dangerous chemicals and liquor bottles are among the 54 items restricted inside the metro.?World over it is a practice that only items that can cause mass destruction are not allowed. We carried a review and found that with these items, passengers? safety is not in danger,? the official added.

Chhavi Tyagi

24 Jun 2017,Saturday

In a first for Manipur, 24/7 helpline for women launched

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/biren-singh-bjp-manipur-24-hour-helpline-181-launched-women/1/986579.html

For the first time in the history of Manipur, Chief Minister Biren Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has launched a toll-free 24/7 helpline number '181' for women. Addressing the launch programme, State Minister for Social Welfare and Corporation Nemcha Kipgen said that the helpline will help fight and reduce crime against women in the state.

To battle the ever increasing crimes against women in Manipur, the Biren Singh-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has launched a toll free 24/7 helpline number 181 for women in the state.This is first time in the history of Manipur. A helpline just for women was launched today at Kuranga Nayani Hall, D C office complex of Lamphel by Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) and department of social welfare.The helpline 181 was launched by State Minister for Social Welfare and Corporation Nemcha Kipgen.Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) J C Ramthanga, Director (Social Welfare), Jacintha Lazarus and Deputy Commissioner (Imphal West District) N Geoffrey attended the function as guests of honour.Addressing the launch programme, Kipgen said the helpline will help fight and reduce crime against women in the state."The reports of crime against women have been alarmingly increasing over the years, as can be observed through the daily news, which calls for an action to stop such incidents from occurring in our near future," she said.She also urged the people of Manipur to cooperate. Further, she urged that people should extend support to run this helpline smoothly and effectively in the interest of all women in Manipur.BENEFITS OF HELPLINEThe helpline will provide a 24-hour telecom service to women affected by violence, seeking support and information. The helpline will also facilitate crisis and non-crisis intervention through referral to the appropriate agencies such as police, hospitals, ambulance services, District Legal Service Authority (DLSA), protection officer (PO)/OSC.The helpline will also provide information about the appropriate support services, government schemes and programmes available to the women affected by violence, in her particular situation within the local area in which she resides or is employed.WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN THE STATEDignitaries expressed their heartfelt congratulations to the MSCW and hoped that it will not just become an ordinary helpline but bring positive changes in the state amid everyday news of crime against women.Chairperson of Manipur State Commission for Women, K Sobita Devi, said this is only a beginning to empower in the state.This scheme is available and designed for all 16 districts of the state and for this purpose District level nodal officers have been appointed.

Rini Sinha

21 Apr 2017,Friday

Don't think Karisma wants to get married right now: Randhir

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karisma-kapoor-sandeep-toshniwal-wedding-randhir/1/934429.html

Randhir Kapoor said he feels that his elder daughter Karisma Kapoor doesn't want to get married right now. He added, "Karisma's an excellent mother who dotes on her children and probably doesn't feel the need to get married." Karisma divorced husband Sunjay Kapur in 2016 after 13 years of marriage. They have two children together, daughter Samaira and son Kiaan.n

We all know that Karisma Kapoor's ex-husband Sunjay Kapur recently married longtime girlfriend Priya Sachdev. Rumours were doing the rounds that Karisma is also ready to walk down the aisle with her boyfriend Sandeep Toshniwal. However, the actor's father, Randhir Kapoor dismissed reports that Lolo is getting married.He told DNA, "I think Lolo is very well settled and happy. I have never discussed the issue of marriage with her but if she does plan to, she will always have my blessings. But I don't think she wants to get married. She is a happy mother and if she wants, she can get married any time but there is no step in that direction right now. She is happy the way she is. Lolo is an excellent mother who dotes on her children and probably doesn't feel the need to get married."For the last few months, speculation is rife that Karisma and Sandeep are ready to take their relationship to the next level. The actor was clicked wearing a huge ring, sparking rumours that she got secretly engaged. It is also being said that the two have finalised an apartment to move in together.

Chhavi Tyagi

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Be vegetarian, no cricket during family time: RSS on values

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/be-vegetarian-wear-saree-don-t-talk-cricket-or-politics-during-family-time-an-rss-guide-on-values-ethics/story-g1gT4j4Ca0yFpKr24lBh3N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The RSS has started a family counselling programme issuing guidelines on public and private conduct, wherein it visits people's homes and advices them to be vegetarians and wear Indian attire.The RSS further asks families to avoid discussing politics and cricket during family time. Reportedly, the RSS also asked people about their favourite TV channels/shows and how they celebrate birthdays.

What to eat, what to wear, how to celebrate birthdays and advice on public conduct -- all this is part of the RSS? family counselling programme launched in?April. The pan-India campaign involves visiting people?s homes to ?instill values and ethics? apart from advocating vegetarianism and promoting Indian attire. Named Kutumb Prabodhan (family counselling), the campaign will continue till the 2019 general elections. The move comes amid widespread outrage and anger over mob violence in the name of the cow, considered holy by many Hindus.RSS insiders said senior swayamsevaks, along with one or two swayamsevaks and a Rashtra Sevika Sangh (RSS? women?s wing) worker, visit families and ?educate? them on the benefits of vegetarianism and how to avoid being influenced by foreign culture, especially as shown by various television channels and social media portals.One such group led by RSS leader Ashok Bhatt, the Vidarbha convener of Kutumb Prabodhan, visited the family of Suresh Deshpande in Nagpur?s Sadar locality last week. The team advised them to wear sarees and kurta-pyjamas during festivals and told them celebrating birthdays by blowing candles and cutting cakes was not a part of the Indian culture.The Deshpandes, a family of four, were told about traditional Hindu practices such as chanting mantras before meals. They said all the family members must eat together at least once a week and should not watch television at the time, instead bond with each other. During their family time, they should avoid discussing politics and cricket. Besides, every person must respect women, fight casteism, and inculcate the habit of reading good books that feed one?s intellect. The Deshpandes were told to take up social work.?The RSS team enquired about our food habits, favourite TV channels and shows, how we celebrate birthday and our preference of attire,? said Suresh.He said the talk was a good concept aimed at strengthening the bond between family members. ?Besides, through the interaction we could understand the problems faced by our children and other members of the family,? said Sunita, Suresh?s wife. Bhatt said they have been getting a good response.?We are also asking the families to sit together at least once a week to help to create bonhomie and strengthen ties among the members,? he said.Atul Pingle, a senior RSS leader and Vidarbha Prant Pracharak Pramukh, said such an initiative was the need of the hour when people were becoming more materialistic and self-centred.?We will also visit the families of minorities like Muslims and Christians,? said Pingle, adding the campaign would help restore harmony, friendship and community bond among people.The Kutumb Prabodhan campaign is a major initiative of the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP, after its pet project of ?one temple, one crematorium and one well for all in each village? that was launched last year across the country on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar?s 125th birth anniversary in an effort to propagate social equality and harmony. The project was appreciated by noted industrialist Ratan Tata when he met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Nagpur last year.Political observers feel that such ventures would give the swayamsevaks a direct access to families and reap dividends for the BJP in the ensuing elections.

Saloni Tandon

13 Jan 2017,Friday

Virat and his team will win more games than me: MS Dhoni

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mahendar-singh-dhoni-press-conference-india-limited-overs-captain/1/856529.html

In his first conference after resigning as India's limited-overs captain, MS Dhoni said Virat Kohli will win more matches than he did. "Virat and his team will win more games than me in all formats. It will be the most successful Indian team ever," he said. Dhoni captained India in 199 ODIs, winning 110, the most in Indian cricket history.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who stepped down as captain of India's limited-overs teams last week, is addressing his first press conference after relinquishing his position. CLICK HERE TO WATCH FULL VIDEODhoni will feature in the ODI series against England starting January 15. He reportedly wants to play on till the 2019 World Cup. Virat Kohli, who took over as captain, said he hoped Dhoni would play fearlessly after the shedding the burden of leadership. The 35-year-old is also expected to bat higher up the order under Kohli and could be key to India's success as they seek to defend the Champions Trophy in England later in the year.Here are the highlights from Dhoni's press conference:- I wanted to bat low because we didn't have any explosive batsmen lower down the order. Depends on the situation and I will see where to bat. - Won't grow my hair.- To the long story short - in my mind, my last series at home was vs South Africa. Split captaincy does not really work. It was always in mind when Kohli took over the Test captaincy. I wanted him to have some time and then I decided it was time to move on and give Kohli the full captaincy.- As a wicketkeeper, I will have to keep a close eye as to what the skipper really wants "I don't believe in split captaincy. For the team there has to be only one leader" @msdhoni#TeamIndiapic.twitter.com/vjbJilTJX0- I had a chat with Kohli to see where he wants his field. - Overall, it has been a journey for me, the ups and downs. When I started, there were a lot of senior players and we had to make sure the transition was smooth when they left.- The juniors who came in when the seniors left will take the legacy forward. It has been a journey I have really enjoyed-  Kohli and I have always been very close. He was never worried when he missed out but he always wanted to contribute whenever he got a chance. Was waiting for right time,ws waiting for Virat to ease in into test format. Feel this team has the potential to win in all formats-MS Dhoni pic.twitter.com/8T17nreoRB- My job will be to assist Kohli whenever it is needed. I will tell him what I think from behind the stumps. As a wicketkeeper, I will get to see the game and see details. - The more I can serve Kohli, the better it will be for Indian cricket "I believe this team will be the most successful Indian team under Virat's captaincy" @msdhoni#TeamIndiapic.twitter.com/gzGAoj1I4J- - The more I can serve Kohli, the better it will be for Indian cricket- I was willing to bat lower down the order because I thought I could do it. I am ready to bat wherever the team wants me to bat - As a captain you have to be very practical- Sometimes you have to give false confidence to a player.- You may face a few problems but more often than not, you look at the bigger picture. You have to see who can win big games for you - Always thought there were too many press conferences. You need fresh views from a player. One press conference after the match is enough- The skipper is best placed to go. Became difficult to convince the local organisers that press conferences were not needed- Press conferences were a waste of time- Split captaincy does not work in the Indian set-up. It's the right time to step down. This team has the potential to win more games than any other team has.

Shubhodeep Datta

25 Dec 2016,Sunday

Dec 24 most polluted day of the month in Delhi so far

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-saturday-was-most-polluted-day-this-december/story-maJy1HkiU50vYskFa3Gh6M.html

Delhi witnessed the most polluted day of the month so far on December 24, as per reports. The level of particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometer (PM 2.5) touched the 500-mark, which is the highest recordable value in the national capital. The minimum safe level of PM 2.5 set by Central Pollution Control Board is 60 µg/m3.

Saturday turned out to be the most polluted day of December this year. Christmas day is predicted to get worse with the air quality is likely to remain in the ?severe? zone like it was on Saturday. The level of particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5micrometer (PM2.5) touched the 500-mark?the highest recordable?in the national capital, according to the Ministry of Earth Science?s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). The levels of PM10 (particulate matter with diameter less than 10 micrometer) also remained high.In Dhirpur, Delhi University, Pitampura, Terminal-3, and Mathura road, the PM levels were recorded at 500 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3). In other stations such as Lodi Road, the levels remained above 450.The minimum safe level of PM2.5 set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is 60ug/m3 and for PM10 the standard is 100ug/m3. Read: Let?s fight pollution: Choked in a dusty DelhiAccording to real-time pollution data recorded by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), Anand Vihar recorded the highest level at 899ug/m3 around 2pm.Gufran Beig from SAFAR said that after a week of relatively good air quality days, compared to the last three years, there was a spike on Friday mainly because of a sudden fall in the wind speed.?The wind speed recorded on Wednesday was 16kmph and on Saturday it fell to 1kmph. This was made worse by a dip in the minimum temperature, which fell from 11 degree Celsius to 8 degree Celsius,? Beig said.He explained that such a dip in the air quality was because of the polluted air carried by winds from the Indo-Gangetic Plains. This is likely to continue in the coming days and is expected to bring smog back to the city.The forecast says the average pollution level is likely to get worse on Sunday. From Monday, the situation may improve.Despite high pollution levels, Delhi is yet to put in place a comprehensive response mechanism. The graded response system, proposed by the CPCB, is yet to be notified or enforced. The proposed plan had suggested that when the air quality remains in the ?severe? level for 48 hours, entry of trucks, barring those carrying essential commodities, will be stopped from entering the city and the odd-even road rationing scheme will kick in.Read: Pollution beats Delhi?s champs: Sportsmen, fitness freaks at greater riskThe proposal says there should be a complete ban on the burning of waste, brink kilns operating in and around the city will be shut and parking rates will be hiked by at least four times.On December 16, China declared the first ?red alert? of this season in Beijing, where schools were shut and thousands of vehicles were pulled out of roads. Residents were advised to stay indoors.?Here, if the pollution levels spike like that on Saturday, we all are clueless on what should be done. We need a plan for such days. Opening your eyes only when the situation gets really bad will not solve anything,? said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Aarushi Maheshwari

03 Jul 2017,Monday

Amit Shah holds meeting at Goa Airport, man files complaint

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/goa-amit-shah-bjp-dabolim-airport-manohar-parrikar/1/992743.html

BJP President Amit Shah on Sunday addressed a public meeting at Goa International Airport, following which a lawyer filed a complaint terming it a "gross abuse of power." Hundreds of people including Goa CM Manohar Parrikar attended the meeting, which was right outside the airport. A congregation of people outside airports is barred by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

A day after BJP president Amit Shah addressed a public meeting at the Goa airport complex, a lawyer-activist has filed a complaint against party chief and Manohar Parrikar terming the meet as "gross abuse of power". BJP national president Amit Shah was addressing the 'illegal' meeting wherein Chief Minister Manohar Parikkar was also present. Not only is congregation of people barred outside airports but it is also against rules laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. However, the public meeting was organised at the Goa International Airport. Chairs were arranged, speakers were put in place and the dais was ready before Amit Shah's arrival, around 11 am. All arrangements were made even as Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is entrusted with security of all Indian Airports, allegedly behaved indifferently.Union minister Sripad Naik, local party chief Vinay Tendulkar and minister Mauvin Godinho were present in the public meeting. At least a few hundred people assembled in thE limited periphery right outside the Dabolim airport. ACTIVISTS DEMANDS AN FIR BE FILEDThis prompted lawyer and activist Aires Rodrigues to formally put forward a complaint with the Secretary of Civil Aviation, Chief Secretary of Goa as well as the DGP of the state. In a very strongly worded letter that India Today is in exclusive possession of, Rodrigues wrote, "It constitutes act of unlawful assembly as defined in section 141 (IPC) by which not only mischief has been caused but also other people who were arriving at or departing from the airport, were restrained by the blockage due to the public meeting".Rodrigues not only demanded that an FIR be registered against the organisers but also all dignitaries including Amit Shah. He also demanded action against the public servants responsible for the security of the area for dereliction of duty. Though no official statement has come so far from the Bharatiya Janata Party, the state Congress was quick to hit out calling it 'abuse of power'.

Daisy Mowke

27 Dec 2016,Tuesday

NGO starts 'Wall of Kindness' for people living on pavements

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/chandigarh-wall-of-kindness-ngo-yuvsatta/1/843591.html

Yuvasatta, an NGO has started an initiative named 'Wall of Kindness' in Chandigarh, wherein they have hooked up a pipe on a school wall and put up a signboard asking people to donate clothes. Several donors have donated items for the needy people living on pavements. The NGO also plans to start this programme in other cities and towns.

The societal difference between the rich and poor no longer prevails in the city of Chandigarh.With the inception of 'Wall of Kindness' also known as 'Neki ki Diwar', life seems easier for those who spend their nights on the pavements in this shivering cold winter. The whole idea of  the 'Wall of Kindness' originated from NGO Yuvasatta, that works for the benefit of needy. The practice was first initiated in September 2016. They simply hooked up a pipe on a school wall and put up a signboard asking to donate clothes. The initiative goes by the motto ''Leave if you do not need. Take if you need.''

Aarushi Maheshwari

02 Mar 2017,Thursday

Delhi Metro to introduce music on Airport Line

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-metro-s-airport-line-stations-will-soon-played-ambient-music-for-commuters/story-iFXsDZX3HCs5szEWbb3XWO.html

The Delhi Metro is planning to play instrumental music in its stations on the New Delhi-Dwarka Airport Line. An official said the decision was taken after a public survey revealed that 80% people wanted light music in stations. The Metro, which has applied for the required license, will introduce music on other stations and inside trains based on users' feedback.

Delhiites may soon look forward to a soothing Metro commute during rush hours.The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has decided to start playing music in stations on the New Delhi-Dwarka airport line and plans to extend it inside trains and across its network gradually, depending on user feedback.The decision to roll out instrumental music on the airport line ? used by an average of 40,000 people a day ? came after a public survey last year.?As per the survey, 80% of the people desired to have light music in the station premises, the modalities for which are being worked out,? said a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) official.Sources say the facility may be rolled out in a month or two and the DMRC has already applied for a license from the Indian Performing Right Society and Phonographic Performance Limited. Depending on feedback, the music may soon be extended inside trains.?These two companies give license if a public transport facility wants to play music. We have public address system in the entire metro network and playing music won?t be a problem,? the official added. ?The music will be on the lines of what plays in flights so that it doesn?t annoy the passenger. Once we get the license, the facility will start at the airport line stations.?The music is part of a turnaround in the airport line after the DMRC took over in June 2013. The daily ridership jumped from 9,000 to 40,000. Many VIPs including Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu, travelled on the line and have even tweeted photos. To attract passengers, the DMRC has revised the fares twice and made several other changes to ensure more people use this line. The maximum fare has been reduced to R 60 from R 180 and the minimum is now R 10 against r 30 in 2013.On August 12, the ridership reached a peak of 50,077. Passengers traveling with Air India and Jet Airways can also check-in from New Delhi and Shivaji stadium metro station.

Parmeet Kaur

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Delhi man kills pregnant wife for not making round rotis

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/murder-delhi-man-kills-pregnant-wife-for-not-making-round-rotis-crime/1/1009354.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A Delhi man murdered his 22-year-old pregnant wife on Saturday as she could not make perfectly round rotis. The couple had reportedly got into a fight during which he kicked her in the stomach and later strangled her to death. "My mother was a good cook but the chapati shape angered my father," the couple's four-year-old daughter told the police.

In Delhi's Jahangirpuri , a 22-year-old pregnant woman was murdered by her husband for an absurd reason. Because she could not make perfectly round chapatis.Simran and her husband got into a fight on Saturday during which he kicked her in the stomach. When the couple's four-year-daughter tried to save Simran, she was dragged into another room and locked up. He later then strangled Simran to death. It was on Sunday around 4 am that Simran's brother found her lying unconscious in her flat and called the police. The daughter told the police that her parents often fought about her mother's chapatis. "My mother was a good cook but the chapati shape angered my father," she said as reported by TOI .

Dishant Sharma

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

R Ashwin is a smart cricketer: Sri Lanka's Muralitharan

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ravichandran-ashwin-is-a-smart-cricketer-says-muttiah-muralitharan/story-8VLzPSEWYkQ1435nPzn0ON.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who has the highest number of wickets in international cricket, has praised Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and called him a smart cricketer. Muralitharan further said that he is looking forward to watching Ashwin in action during the Indian cricket team's upcoming tour to Sri Lanka.

India and Tamil Nadu off-spinner Ravichandran has improved a lot and is a smart cricketer, legendary Sri Lanka bowler Muttiah Muralitharan said today.?Ashwin has improved a lot in the recent past. He played really well in the recent matches. He has the experience and talent to showcase his skills in the upcoming ones. In fact, according to me, he is a smart cricketer. Looking forward to see his performance,? he told reporters on the sidelines of an TNPL event here.Muralitharan, who holds the record for most Test wickets, however, said the Lanka team?s performances in the recent time were not very good.READ?|?Mithali Raj, Rajeshwari Gayakwad take India to ICC Women?s World Cup semis?I am happy that the present Sri Lankan team is absolutely new. But I can notice the team is slacking a bit in overall performance these days. They should solve all their problems themselves and build on the reputation of the team. The retirement of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and myself both from Test and ODI cricket has weakened the team but they need to move on,? he said.He said he was looking forward to his role as mentor of TNPL franchise VB Thiruvallur Veerans and hoped to guide the young players to the best of his ability.READ?|?Money matters: Anil Kumble wanted Rs.9 crore, Ravi Shastri could get Rs.7 crore?I am happy to be a part of this wonderful team. All the players have got a great opportunity to showcase their skills in the upcoming league matches. Though I am not a full-fledged coach, I will surely guide them in the best possible manner,? he added.About the return of Chennai Super Kings to the IPL fold, Murali said, ?I have been associated with the team for quite a long time. But in the near future, if I again get an opportunity to work with CSK, I will enthusiastically do it,? he said.To a question as to why spinners were doing better when compared to the pacers, he said, ?Spinners always have a lot of opportunity in cricket. But to be honest, the world has a lot of highly talented spinners which is the actual reason.?READ?|?BCCI inks five-year deal with IMG for Indian Premier LeagueHe also spoke about his association with Tamil Nadu and said, ?I always prefer to be here. My grand parents are from Namakkal and I am also, right now, doing business in Tiruchirappalli. Many of my relatives are also from the state.?

Sonu Kumari

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

E-rickshaws to get charging points in parking lots of Delhi

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/charging-points-for-e-rickshaws-at-north-mcd-parking-lots/story-rrh2KUiNeiYQt3knra9CiJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

North Delhi Municipal Corporation has reportedly decided to develop e-rickshaw charging points at select parking lots. Drivers would be able to charge their e-rickshaws at "minimal" prices at night, reports said. Authorities reportedly plan to develop the charging points away from main roads to avoid jam, and expect to develop the facility at six locations by the end of August.

To streamline the parking of e-rickshaws in the city and avoid congestion on roads, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation has decided to set up charging points for the battery-operated vehicles at select parking lots in its jurisdiction.The agency has finalised six spots where the facility would be developed by next month end. The e-rickshaw drivers would be able to charge their vehicles at nominal prices during night.The location include the North MCD parking lots near Badli Metro station, village Singhalpur (Haryana irrigation canal), Railway Reservation Office near Kela godown, Keshavpuram and Sector 11, Rohini.?Most of the parking lots remained vacant during the night. So, we have decided to appoint a contractor who will install the charging points at the selected parking lots, collect a minimal amount from e-rickshaws and allow them to charge their vehicles here,? said Praveen Gupta, commissioner, North MCD.The contractor will also be responsible for maintaining the ?law and order situation at these places? during the night when the e-rickshaws will be charged.According to Gupta, there are various reasons for starting the facility at selected parking lots .?We are choosing locations which are close to internal/arterial roads and far from the main stretches in city. The idea is to avoid jam on the main roads. We have also taken into account the demand for charging faciliyt. For example, there is long requirement for battery charging point for e-rickshaws near DRDO and Delhi University area that?s why among the six parking lots, one is located near DRDO office,? he said further.In future, the agency is also planning to open all the parking lots, developed near the Metro stations as charging points for e- rickshaws. ?This would include the six parking lots which would be developed in North Delhi on Delhi Metro Rail Corporation land. This will also help us to deal with unauthorised parking of vehicles on the roadside,? said a senior North MCD official. According to official, since the e-rickshaws drivers get their most customers from near the Metro stations, a charging facility nearby would be convenient to use for them.

Chhavi Tyagi

19 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Delhi Metro to get 'driverless' trains in June

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/botanical-garden-kalkaji-mandir-section-of-delhi-metro-likely-to-open-in-june/story-YW8hvzcnqKkksQv7PuirII.html

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set to get its first 'driverless' trains on tracks between Noida and Kalkaji in June this year. These trains will run only on two metro lines ? Pink (Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar) and Magenta (Botanical Garden-Janakpuri West) ? and cannot be integrated with the other existing lines. Trials on these lines started last year.

Come June and you will be able to travel on the swanky new trains of the Delhi metro, which can also run without drivers. Passengers travelling between Noida and Kalkaji are likely to be the first one to experience the travel with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) scheduled to complete the work on this section of phase-III in May.It will then apply for inspection, which usually takes a month, which means the line can be opened for public by June.The new trains will run on two new lines - Pink (Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar) and Magenta (Botanical Garden-Janakpuri west) and will cover a distance of 96 km. Delhi metro has also ordered 516 coaches (86 trains). These trains will run only on these two lines and cannot be integrated with the other existing lines. These trains have many unique features, which sets it apart from existing trains.Trials between Botanical Garden in Noida and Kalkaji Mandir (13 kilometres) in Delhi had started on October 27 last year while trial runs between Terminal 1-IGI airport and Janakpuri west (10KM) began on December 21. Track laying is nearing completion in the remaining underground section between Terminal 1 ? IGI Airport and Kalkaji Mandir and trials will be started on this section also in the coming months.?Since the signalling system and trains are new, we need at least six months of trial run. The mandatory tenure is completed for the Botanical Garden-Kalkaji section and after opening the Heritage Line (ITO-Kashmere Gate), we will start the process for this section,? said a DMRC official.The new trains, with extremely high levels of automation, had to undergo rigorous trials between these stations to ensure that they are ready for smooth operations after the commissioning of the corridor. Initially, train operators will run the trains, but gradually, driverless operations (on the Unattended Train Operation or UTO mode) will be possible.During the trial runs, the interface of the metro train was checked to ensure that there was no physical infringement with civil infrastructure and the various subsystems of coaches were also tested.Later on, in stages, the new signalling technology was implemented on this corridor; the Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) had to undergo rigorous testing. The response of the train at different speeds, braking and the interconnection with the Operations Control Centre (OCC) was also monitored during the trials. The behaviour of the track system and the Over Head Electrification (OHE) was checked repeatedly.This particular section from Botanical Garden till Kalkaji Mandir consists of nine elevated stations ? Botanical Garden, Okhla Bird sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Work on all stations has been completed and finishing activities are in progress.

Prashanti Moktan

13 Dec 2016,Tuesday

Karisma plans to move in with rumoured boyfriend: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karisma-kapoor-rumoured-boyfriend-sandeep-toshniwal-first-photos-together-kareena-kapoor-khan/1/833198.html

As per reports, actress Karisma Kapoor is planning to move in with her rumoured boyfriend Sandeep Toshniwal. Sandeep is reportedly looking for a spacious apartment in Bandra, which he is planning to buy as a gift for Karisma. The two were recently spotted together on their way out of Karisma's sister Kareena Kapoor's house in Bandra, Mumbai.

Unlike her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor has always been a private person. Be it her divorce with ex-husband Sunjay Kapur or her alleged relationship with rumoured boyfriend Sandeep Toshniwal, Lolo has kept her personal life under the wraps. But it seems that is a matter of the past as Karisma was recently spotted with Sandeep at Bebo's house. ALSO READ: Karisma Kapoor and beau Sandeep Toshniwal ready to move in together?ALSO READ: Karisma Kapoor-Sandeep Toshniwal party together, put break-up rumours to restKarisma, who had dropped by to check on the mom-to-be, was clicked along with Sandeep on their way out of Kareena's house in Bandra. Interestingly, the two did not shy away from paparazzi. Buzz has it that Karisma and Sandeep have been going strong for a while now. The two started dating admist Karisma's bitter divorce from ex-husband Sanjay Kapur.  

Nandini Sinha

14 Jul 2017,Friday

Teenagers arrested in London after 5 acid attack incidents

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/teenager-arrested-after-five-acid-attack-incidents-in-london/story-28MBnoDFn1eWAeBBGqsiuO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Two teenagers aged 15 and 16 were arrested over a series of five acid attacks that took place in less than 90 minutes in London on Thursday. Calling the incidents "completely barbaric", police officials said the attacks were carried out by two male suspects on a moped. The attackers stole the moped from one of the victims, police officials added.

A teenager has been arrested following a series of acid attacks in northwest London on Thursday night, Scotland Yard said on Friday.Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward for information.They found a 32-year-old man suffering from facial injuries , Scotland Yard said in a statement. They were called by the London Ambulance Service at 10.25 pm on Thursday to Hackney Road junction with Queensbridge Road.The victim was on a moped when another moped, with two male riders, pulled up alongside him. They threw a ?corrosive substance? in the victim?s face, with one stealing his bike and the other making off.The victim was taken to a hospital in east London. His injuries are not being treated as life-threatening or life-changing.Following this incident, at 11.05pm, a ?corrosive substance? was reported to have been thrown in the face of another man by two males on a moped in Shoreditch High Street. The victim was admitted to a hospital and his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.At 11.18pm, the police received a call to a similar incident, a robbery in Cazenove Road, where a corrosive substance had been thrown.Officers found a man suffering from facial injuries. He was taken to a hospital in east London and his injuries were described as life-changing.The fourth incident was reported to the police at 11.37pm in Chatsworth Road. A man said he was on his moped when two men on a bike pulled up alongside him and sprayed liquid in his face. They stole his moped and left quickly.The victim made his way to his home before contacting the police. He was also taken to an east London hospital.Following the incidents in Hackney, officers learned about a similar attack reported in Islington. At 10.49pm, a man was reported to have had a ?corrosive substance? thrown in his face by two males on a moped in Upper Street junction with Highbury Corner. He was taken to a north London hospital.Police said they were treating all five incidents as linked.Inquiries are ongoing and officers from Hackney CID are investigating.

Akshita Jain

14 Feb 2017,Tuesday

HC stays AAP govt's distance criteria for nursery admissions

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-hc-stays-aap-govt-s-neighbourhood-criteria-for-nursery-admissions-to-private-schools/story-d5f86MXiNtrcjsit2IWGhN.html

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the AAP government's nursery admission norm, which made it mandatory for private unaided schools to accept admission forms based on the neighbourhood criteria. Justice Manmohan termed the notification as "arbitrary, unreasonable and against public interest." The notification gave priority to people living within a radius of 1 kilometre from the school.

The Delhi high court on Tuesday stayed a controversial nursery admission notification by the AAP government that made 298 private unaided schools, built on public land, to accept admission forms based only on the neighbourhood or distance criteria.Justice Manmohan termed the notification as ?arbitrary, unreasonable and against the public interest? before ordering a stay on its application on the private unaided schools for this year?s nursery admission process.Earlier, the court had directed the private schools to accept applications based on their own criteria as well as city administration guidelines. Tuesday?s order will give the schools a free hand to admit toddlers using their own criteria.?State cannot impose a restriction on choice of parents to choose a school for their wards just because it is beneficial for the child,? justice Manmohan remarked.Around 150,000 aspirants vie for 125,000 seats every year but the process gets caught in last-minute litigation as either parents or schools go to court almost every year.The court also questioned the city government?s decision to impose the neighbourhood restriction to only those schools that are built on Delhi Development Authority land.?Public interest cannot be confined to 298 schools,? justice Manmohan remarked adding, ?primary cause of nursery admission chaos is the lack of good schools in the capital?.The court?s order came on pleas by the Action Committee for Unaided Recognised Private Schools ? comprising more than 450 private unaided recognised schools in Delhi ? and the Forum for Promotion of Quality Education and some parents challenging the government?s January 7 notification.The notification gave priority to those living within a radius of 1 kilometre. In case seats remained vacant, those living within a 3-kilometre radius could get a chance. Which meant these schools could no longer deny admission to anyone from the neighbourhood.Earlier, the high court stayed city government?s controversial nursery admission notification that made it mandatory for private unaided minority schools to admit students, in the unreserved category, on the basis of neighbourhood criteria.The order gave relief to around 15 minority schools in the capital that were set up on public land.

Chhavi Tyagi

14 Apr 2017,Friday

?40 cr in old notes seized from ex-B'luru corporator's house

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bengaluru-demonetised-notes-former-corporators-residence-v-nagraj/1/929097.html

Bengaluru Police on Friday recovered old demonetised notes worth ?40 crore from the residence of a former corporator, who has been identified as V Nagraj. The house of the accused was raided after the police received a tip-off about the cash. Nagraj, who also contested elections in 2004, was reportedly involved in a kidnapping case in the past.

Bengaluru Police today recovered a large stash of demonetised notes from the residence of a former Corporator.The accused has been identified as V Nagraj. The recovered cash amounts to about Rs 40 crore.Nagraj's residence was raided after the police received a tip off regarding the presence of cash. Based on the information the police reached his residence on Shri Rampura road on Friday morning.Sources from the police said that the accused was involved in a kidnapping case in the past.The police is presently counting the notes recovered from Nagraj's residence. Sources from the police said that Nagraj is a historysheeter. He contested the elections against KPCC working president M Dinesh Gundurao in 2004 and lost by 400 votes.

Tarun Khanna

06 Mar 2017,Monday

Will make Delhi like London if AAP wins MCD: Kejriwal

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-will-be-like-london-if-aap-comes-to-power-in-mcd-cm-kejriwal/story-LWLJ1uooNXiwTWm1wymRjI.html

Campaigning for Aam Aadmi Party ahead of MCD polls, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that if his party will come to power in the MCD, then they will make the city like London. Cleaning the city is not Delhi government's responsibility, but MCD's responsibility, he said. "Delhi government gave MCD ?2,800 crore," he added.

Pitching for Aam Aadmi Party?s victory in the upcoming municipal elections, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said if his party comes to power in MCD then they will make Delhi comparable to London.Addressing a gathering at Uttam Nagar, Kejriwal said the BJP-ruled municipal bodies have not been able to keep Delhi clean.The dates for MCD elections are yet to be announced.?Last time you gave us 67 seats but this time don?t even leave the 3 seats. If we win MCD once, we will change Delhi so much in one year that you will compare Delhi to London,? he said.The CM said that people have the misconception that Delhi is not clean due to AAP government?s failure. ?Wherever I go, people have misconception that garbage is not being picked up and there is no cleaning because of Delhi government. It is not our but MCD?s responsibility,? he said.Kejriwal said the BJP and Congress have been leading the municipal bodies for the last 20 years without doing anything.?They have looted MCD. MCD collects so much money from house tax, hoarding, parking. Last year, Delhi government gave them Rs 2,800 crore. But where is all this money? Why is Delhi not being cleaned? They make the same road thrice on paper and eat all the money,? he said.Kejriwal said his government has been able to do many things in the last two years which the BJP-run governments in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have not been able to do in the last 10-15 years.?Before we came to power, the Delhi government had a policy of doing development activity in regularised colonies only. But we changed it. We said it doesn?t matter if the colony is regularised or not, people living there are humans and they need water, sewer, power, and road,? he said.Meanwhile, Congress workers led by former Uttam Nagar legislator Mukesh Sharma protested near the venue where Kejriwal was addressing the gathering. As they tried to show black flags, police stopped the protesters from reaching near the crowd. The protesters then burnt effigy of Kejriwal accusing the AAP government of ?cheating the city residents?. ?All these inaugurations are an eyewash. Incomplete sewer work is being inaugurated just because of the MCD polls. I got the sewerage work started in the area during my tenure,? Sharma said.

Chhavi Tyagi

27 Jun 2017,Tuesday

Presidential poll a fight of ideologies: Meira Kumar

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/presidential-election-meira-kumar-congress-ram-nath-kovind-bjp/1/988237.html

The Congress-led Opposition's President nominee Meira Kumar on Tuesday said that the presidential poll contest with BJP-led NDA's candidate Ram Nath Kovind is not a political war but a fight of ideologies. "Sad caste is a factor in election... Pained by discussion over my caste. Why doesn't the society rise above these divisions," the former Lok Sabha Speaker added.

The Congress-led Opposition's President nominee Meira Kumar today described the contest with BJP's candidate Ram Nath Kovind as a 'fight of ideologies'.Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Meira Kumar thanked all the Opposition parties for unanimously picking her as a consensual candidate to contest the July 17 Presidential election."Sad caste is a factor in election. This is the election for the highest post in the country. This is not a political war but a fight of ideologies. I am pained by discussion over my caste. Why doesn't the society rise above these divisions," the former Lok Sabha Speaker said responding to a question about her and Ram Nath Kovind's caste. Both Kumar and Kovind are Dalits. "Some ideologies benefit the weaker sections of the society, some don't. We will not tolerate atrocities on Dalits and weaker sections. I want complete destruction of caste system," Meira Kumar said.She also played down the issue of Nitsh Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JD-U) deciding to support NDA's Kovind and not her . "Such things happen in politics. I will decide what to do at an appropriate time," Meira Kumar said.  Meira Kumar, daughter of former deputy PM and prominent Dalit leader Jagjivan Ram, said she would begin her campaign from Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat where Mahatma Gandhi numerous years.Meira Kumar had earlier appealed to members of the electoral college to "heed the inner voice of conscience" while casting their vote in the July 17 election and said the President's office "cannot function to serve narrow political interests".In a statement, she stressed that the post of President of India is "not symbolic" and that "capability and experience must always supersede" every other consideration while choosing the person for the post.ALSO READ:Meira Kumar joins Twitter ahead of presidential election. Will she take on Sushma Swaraj now?Day after Sushma attacks Meira Kumar with a 2013 video, Congress takes Swaraj down memory lane

Rini Sinha

02 Jan 2017,Monday

China mall installs 'Donald Trump-like' rooster statue

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/donald-trump-rooster-statue-china-president-elections-funny-mascot/1/847844.html

A mall in China's Shanxi has created a rooster statue resembling US President-elect Donald Trump. Smaller replicas of the statue are available for sale, with prices starting from ?3,800 to ?1.1 lakh for a 32-feet-tall statue. Notably, the new year in China, which will begin on January 28, is the Year of the Rooster according to Chinese zodiac.

After looking at the recently erected rooster statue in China, it surely looks like that 2017 might prove to be Donald Trump's year. A shopping mall in downtown Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi province has erected a giant rooster statue which resembles  President-elect Donald Trump. The sculpture is sporting a hairstyle that resembles Mr. Trump's hairstyle and will be the official mascot.Small replicas and merchandise will also be available of the unique statue, some of them have even hit the market already  and are available on Taobao, the chinese e-commerce giant by Alibaba. This is how the rooster statue looks like:Photo: Twitter/@USrealitycheckBut this isn't the first time when Donald Trump has been compared to birds, earlier in 2016, he was compared to a bird and a rooster mercilessly on Twitter. Take a look at how Trump was trolled on Twitter:China Erects Massive Statue of Donald Trump as Rooster https://t.co/9Dzr9YktRB#USNews#USRC#USNewspic.twitter.com/jgAh30ab6WFollow the Chinese Calendar, not the polls! 2017 Year of the Rooster. You know he ain't gonna die #AliceinChains#Election2016#DonaldTrumppic.twitter.com/0rDRSqr8ij"Bald Eagles are losers, okay? They're bald. They don't have great hair like me."- Donald Trump declares Golden Pheasant new National Bird pic.twitter.com/c6W2hNELNw  

Chhavi Tyagi

04 Feb 2017,Saturday

Focus on your work, don't worry about chair: Stalin to TN CM

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/tamil-nadu-dmk-mk-stalin-ops-aiadmk-panneerselvam-sasikala/1/874657.html

DMK working president MK Stalin on Saturday advised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to quit worrying about his post and concentrate on governance instead. "AIADMK head is only worried about removing the CM and coming to that position. As the officers can't work under Panneerselvam without AIADMK head's nod, the state machinery has come to a halt," Stalin said.

DMK working president MK Stalin released a statement today advising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to quit worrying about his post and concentrate on governance instead. Stalin said that Tamil Nadu is facing threats from neighboring states who wish to build dams across the interstate flowing reverse, which my cause adverse effects on farming. "AIADMK head is only worried about removing the CM and coming to that position. As the officers can't work under OPS without AIADMK head's nod, the state machinery has come to a halt", he stated. "Sheela Balakrishnan's resignation only seems to be a beginning of a cold war between OPS and AIADMK head", he said.

Chhavi Tyagi

03 Feb 2017,Friday

TMC MPs protest outside Parliament

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/trinamool-congress-mps-protest-parliament-over-modi-vendetta-politics/1/873745.html

TMC MPs on Friday protested against the Centre in the Parliament House complex, alleging it was indulging in "vendetta politics" in a probe into a chit fund scam. They raised slogans against the Centre saying that it was harassing TMC leaders because the political party raised its voice against demonetisation. TMC also staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Trinamool Congress MP today protested against the Narendra Modi government in the Parliament House complex on Friday, alleging that it was indulging in "vendetta politics" in a probe into a chit fund scam.Half an hour before parliament was to meet for the day, the Trinamool Congress members gathered near the statue of Mahatama Gandhi shouting slogans against the Centre.They said the Centre was harassing Trinamool leaders because the Mamata Banerjee-led party raised its voice against Modi's demonetisation policy.On Thursday also, the TMC members staged a walkout from Rajya Sabha levelling the same charges against the government.They also alleged that the Central Bureau of Investigation was being misused by the government.TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay was recently arrested in connection with an alleged chit fund scam of the Rose Valley company.Also read: Rose valley chit fund probe: Investigating officer removed over alleged links with wife of prime accused

Radhika Chugh

31 Jul 2017,Monday

190-yr-old Mumbai temple to save ?8L by using solar power

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/mumbai-temple-to-reduce-annual-power-bills-by-rs8-lakh-using-solar-energy/story-JEEJGRIfIUgXTxXiV3DU6I.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 190-year-old temple in Mumbai's Byculla has installed a 37.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system with 115 panels which will enable it to cut down its annual electricity bill by ?8 lakh. The temple management will reportedly install more panels by the end of this year. Notably, about 20 religious institutions in Mumbai have switched to solar power.

A 190-year-old Jain temple at Byculla is the latest addition to the growing list of religious and educational institutions and housing societies, who are harnessing solar energy for an eco-friendly future. Sheth Motisha Jain Temple, spread across two acres, installed a 37.5 kilo-watt (KW) power rooftop solar system with 115 panels earlier this month, which will help the management save Rs8 lakh on electricity bills annually. The system will power lights and fans along the pathways, bhojanalaya (mess), storerooms and guest accommodations for devotees. The trustees who took up the initiative claimed theirs was first temple in Byculla to which harnessed solar energy. ?With soaring temperatures, electricity consumption has increased. This electricity is generated at plants that use coal, gas or oil to generate electricity. The process releases harmful chemicals into the air and adds to the pollution,? said Kiranrajji Mangalilalji Shah, chairperson, Sheth Motisha Jain Religious and Charitable Trust. He added,?Each system has advantages and disadvantages, but renewable resources do not exploit any exhaustible resources. So we decided to rely on solar energy to produce electricity.? So far, about 20 religious institutions in the city have switched to solar power.Other trust members added that more panels will be installed by the year-end. ?The present installation is the first phase of the project. Our aim is to convert the entire campus into solar power zone. We are happy to give something back to the society and achieve our goal of maintaining an environmental balance,? said Jagdishchandra Chandulalji Mehta, managing trustee. The setup installed atop the building, which provides lodging facilities to devotees, on the temple premises on average generates 160 kilowatt hour (kWh) electricity per day. A Mumbai house with two bedrooms, on an average, uses 8 to 10 kWh electricity daily. ?We first want to test the system for three months before installing more panels in the phase II. During summers, the power generated is expected to be much more. We are using two German inverters to produce electricity in the first phase,? said Partth Kothari, company partner, Appsolar LLP, a private company that installed the project. The trust has also installed a net-metering system, which allows surplus power generated by solar to be exported back to the grid and any deficiency is imported from the grid. ?The benefits will be reflected every month in the temple?s electricity bills,? said Ghaverchandji Jivrajji Sanghvi, trustee, adding that the trust spent Rs 26 lakh to install the system with the help of donations from devotees. ?We expect to recover this in the next three years.?In the phase II of the project, the trust wants to convert the entire temple area into a green zone by planting fruiting trees along the periphery and within the temple complex.Satish Gavai, additional chief secretary, state environment department, said, ?We congratulate the different religious groups that have come forward and adopted renewable energy means to produce electricity. Religion can be one of the strongest sources of motivation for people to adopt green practices. These initiatives will encourage devotees to adopt such practices and contribute towards protecting the environment.?

Sumedha Sehra

03 Jun 2017,Saturday

Not a single bullet fired in 40 years on China: Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/modi-not-a-single-bullet-fired-in-40-years-despite-border/1/969562.html

PM Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Indian side hasn't fired a single bullet in the last 40 years because of the border dispute with China. However, he acknowledged that "we have a border dispute with China". He was responding to a question asking whether there is discord due to China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) project.

The world has increasingly become inter-connected and inter-dependent, a transformation that has made it necessary for India and China to cooperate on trade and investments despite a simmering border dispute, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today."It is true that we have a border dispute with China. But in the last 40 years, not a single bullet has been fired because of border dispute," Modi said during a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. He shared the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Austria and Moldova.Modi was responding to a question whether India's opposition to China's One Belt One Road project reflects deep discord in their relationship. India had boycotted a high-profile conference recently hosted by China on the project, citing "sovereignty" issue since it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.The prime minister noted that it is not the same bipolar world of before when nations were aligned either with the United States or the former Soviet Union."It is an inter-connected and inter-dependent world. So countries may have some disputes and some areas of collaboration," he said, noting that India and Russia relationship has stood the test of time as it was based on trust.The 24-page St Petersburg Declaration, released yesterday after his summit with Putin, is a testament to India-Russia relation, Modi said. "And I know the world will minutely scrutinize every word for future direction of our relations."On China, he said that despite differences, New Delhi and Beijing have come together on the BRICS platform to create two financial institutions, one headed by China where India is a partner and one BRICS Bank where the two regional superpowers are collaborators.

Chhavi Tyagi

11 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Golgappa vendor stabbed 18 times for refusing to serve

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/delhi-vendor-stabbed-18-times-for-refusing-to-serve-golgappas-five-held/story-jhjG33smczE4oGV8TKAQ6O.html

A golgappa seller in outer Delhi's Mangolpuri area was killed on Sunday by five people who stabbed him 18 times after he refused to serve them. The police have held all the five accused, including two juveniles, and said that they have confessed to the crime. The accused told the police that they were drunk and got enraged over refusal.

Three men have been arrested and two juveniles apprehended for allegedly murdering a golgappa seller in outer Delhi?s Mangolpuri on Sunday night. Raju (24) was stabbed 18 times after he refused to serve golgappe to the five accused, police said. According to the police, the five have confessed to their involvement in the murder. During the interrogation, the five reportedly told the police that they were drunk and got enraged when Raju refused to serve them golgappe. They have been identified as Gogi (22), Anil (28) and Nikhil (24) - all residents of Mangolpuri. Raju lived with his family in Mangolpuri?s I-Block and sold the street snack at a roadside cart with his father, Radhey Shyam. On Sunday around 11.30 pm, he had closed his shop and was returning home. His father was walking about 200 metres ahead and had almost reached home. Police said when Raju reached I-Block, five men consuming alcohol stopped him and asked him to serve golgappe. Raju told them he did not have the ingredients to make them.?The men insisted on having golgappe. When Raju refused, they began assaulting him. One of them took out a knife and stabbed him multiple times till he collapsed on the road,? said an investigating officer. Hearing Raju?s screams, his family and neighbours rushed to him but the attackers had fled by then. However, they managed to see at least two of the five attackers. A neighbour then informed the police. Raju was rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. The doctors said Raju suffered 18 stab injuries that punctured his vital organs, police said.A case of murder was registered at the Mangolpuri police station and three teams were formed to nab the attackers, who were suspected to be from the same locality. According to MN Tiwari, deputy commissioner of police (outer district), they zeroed in on Gogi, who had been missing after the crime. His cellphone records showed that he kept changing his location as he knew that raids were being carried out at his possible hideouts. ?Through our technical surveillance and criminal intelligence network, we tracked down Gogi?s location in Agra and arrested him on Monday night. His interrogation led us to the other accused,? added the DCP.Tiwari said that Gogi was previously involved in seven cases of theft and carjacking. Anil too has a criminal background and was involved in ten criminal cases. Nikhil did not have a criminal background but he was often seen with petty criminals of Mangolpuri.

Dishant Sharma

22 Mar 2017,Wednesday

Pakistan cricket going through tough times: Pak captain

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pakistan-cricket-sarfraz-ahmed/1/909898.html

Pakistan cricket team's new ODI and T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed claims that Pakistan cricket is going through tough times, following the involvement of several Pakistani players in PSL spot-fixing scandal. "[W]e need to do well in the coming series [against West Indies] to boost our people," Sarfraz said. Notably, Pakistan are yet to qualify for a World Cup 2019 spot.

Pakistan's new ODI and T20 captain Sarfaraz Ahmad avoided speaking on the PSL spot-fixing scandal, which has rocked the cricket community, but admitted that the country's cricket was going through tough times.Terming the coming series in the West Indies as a big challenge for Pakistan cricket, the wicketkeeper-batsman told the media on the eve of the team's departure for the Caribbean that the first target was to win the three match ODI series and qualify directly for the next World Cup."I don't want to comment on the PSL issue but yes we are going through tough times and we need to do well in the coming series to boost our people," he said.He conceded that like in 2010 Pakistan cricket team would again have to do a lot to overcome the recent scandal, which has led to the suspension of five players.During the tour of England in 2010, three players - then captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir - were found involved in spot-fixing and banned for five-years.Sarfaraz had earlier said that Pakistan would miss the services of opener Sharjeel Khan in the West Indies as he was suspended in connection with the spot-fixing scandal.Head coach Mickey Arthur said while the PSL scandal and the involvement of his players was disappointing, one had to move on.

Sumedha Sehra

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

My election represents all such Kovinds: Ram Nath Kovind

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/president-ram-nath-kovind-gentleman-politician-lawyer-dalit-rights-champion-dog-lover/story-y7SDuSwMpjBMKT17P6rukM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

President-elect Ram Nath Kovind, who will take the oath as the country's 14th President, talked about his childhood, saying his election to the post "is to represent all such Kovinds toiling away to make a living". He was born in an Uttar Pradesh village, and his father had to sell off a piece of his land to fund his education.

Ram Nath Kovind was sworn in as India?s 14th president on Tuesday. Kovind, a low-profile politician, will have the task of establishing himself as the first citizen, and not the government?s rubber stamp. Here are key points to know about him. Kovind, 71, was born in a poor family in Paraunkh village in rural Kanpur. The Hindu reports Kovind and his siblings would stick to the corners of their mud hut, as the thatched roof could not stop the rain from pouring into their home. ?My election as President of India is to represent all such Kovinds toiling away to make a living,? he recalled the day he was elected.Kovind?s father was a farmer who had to sell off a piece of land to fund his son?s education in Kanpur. Kovind is a lawyer, who has practised at the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. Kovind, as a lawyer, worked to provide free legal aid to the poor and Dalits. Kovind?s Dalit identity is a ?matter of fact? but that?s just one part, says the BJP. ?If at all Kovind represents any section, it is that of the majority of India--rural, agrarian, economically and socially underprivileged. It is the same section that Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents. He too was sneered at by some Lutyens? intellectuals as ?chaiwala?. But both Kovind and Modi represent the true India - Marx?s proletariat and Socrates? philosopher rolled into one,? BJP leader Ram Madhav wrote in an article in The Indian Express.Kovind will be the country?s first president born and brought up in Uttar Pradesh. Zakir Hussain, the third president, was from Uttar Pradesh but he wasn?t born there. Kovind?s election as president is expected to ?repair and consolidate? the BJP?s social base in the state after Yogi Adityanath, a Rajput, was made the chief minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents Varanasi, the UP temple town, in Parliament. President elect Ram Nath Kovind greets people during a ceremony after his election, in Delhi on July 20. (AFP) Kovind unsuccessfully contested assembly elections twice and Lok Sabha polls once. He was elected to Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh in 1994 and served two consecutive terms. He spoke on a variety of subjects in Rajya Sabha: from adult movies on TV to a sensitive report on the 1962 war. Kovind posed 283 questions during the two terms in Rajya Sabha. Media profiles written after the National Democratic Alliance selected Kovind as its presidential nominee described him as ?soft-spoken, low profile, unassuming and affable?. It is perhaps Kovind?s style of politics that led Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to back him for the president?s office though the JD(U) leader had criticised his appointment as the state?s governor in 2015. When Kovind visited his village in Uttar Pradesh in 2001, people presented him 11 silver crowns and tried to weigh him in coins. He politely refused both, asking if their love was limited to mere symbolism. He got the silver crowns sold and used the money to marry off 20 women in the village. Kovind, as BJP?s national spokesperson between 2010 and 2012, addressed just three press conferences. ?Heavyweight spokesmen overshadowed him,? a BJP leader who worked with Kovind in the media department told Hindustan Times. Kovind held a press conference in March 2010 which created controversy when he was named for the presidential race. Kovind reportedly rejected a commission?s report recommending reservation for religious minorities. ?Islam and Christianity are alien to the nation,? he reportedly said at the press conference. But his supporters say he was misquoted and he actually said ?notion?. Kovind could be a gentleman politician but as president he doesn?t have to a rubber stamp of the government. There is no constitutional provision that obliges the president to act on the ?aid and advice? of the Cabinet. As this opinion article notes: ?Through the intelligent use of power of reconsideration of the Cabinet?s advice (like KR Narayanan did) and the use of pocket veto and right to be informed like Zail Singh, Kovind can fulfill his oath and enhance the stature his office.?Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah selected Kovind for the job around the first week of June, but Kovind himself was unaware of his candidature till June 17, reports India Today. When a source close to Shah asked him on May 30 whether Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot was to be the NDA candidate, he was told: ?Someone like him.?Kovind?s family stays away from the limelight. His wife, Savita, called him for hours before she could speak to him after he was declared the NDA?s presidential candidate on June 19. Kovind?s daughter, Swati, is an air hostess with Air India and his son, Prashant, owns a petrol pump.Dog lovers will take pride in President Kovind. An India Today report notes that when Kovind and his family lived at 144 North Avenue, New Delhi, they adopted six stray dogs. Will these dogs move to Rashtrapati Bhavan now?

Tanya Dhingra

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

I like to get customised gifts on my birthday, says Taapsee

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/taapsee-pannu-turns-30-i-look-forward-to-getting-customised-gifts-on-my-birthday/story-QPxlmCiCcoIenlGTsQ9eZI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actress Taapsee Pannu, who turned 30 on Tuesday, has said she doesn't like typical off-the-shelf gifts and instead likes something customised on her birthday. She added, "Every year, I like that pressure that my friends and family have to bring their creative side out and think of a gift." Taapsee is known for films like 'Pink', 'Naam Shabana', among others.

Bollywood actor Taapsee Pannu isn?t a heavy-on-party kind of person. Maybe that?s why, the actor, who turns 30 today, has taken a day off to be in Delhi with her family.?I?ve never liked high-octane parties for my birthdays. Usually, it?s [celebration] with friends or family, depending upon where I am. But one thing that stays constant is that it has to be a holiday. I don?t usually have working birthdays. I try to take that one day off and even if I am shooting abroad, I make sure to get that one day off. I just want to not do anything... just sit back and see what has happened in the past one year and probably look forward to setting some new goals for the next year,? says Taapsee, who just wrapped up the last shooting schedule for her upcoming film Judwaa 2, co-starring Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline Fernandez.?I have been on a pre-birthday vacation this year. It?s one of my favourite days of the year and that entire schedule was on the beach and everyone was on party mode. I had the most beautiful bringing in of my birthday with that Mauritius schedule,? says Taapsee. Annnnndddddd it's a wrap on Project Number 22 #Judwaa2 Such a perfect schedule to end it with. See u in theatres on 29th September 2017 ? A post shared by Taapsee Pannu (@taapsee) on Jul 28, 2017 at 5:13pm PDT Asked about the most cherished birthday gift she has ever got, Tapsee says that she doesn?t like typical off-the-shelf gifts. ?I don?t really enjoy these things, as I can buy them myself. So it has to be something customised for me. Every year, I like that pressure that my friends and family have to bring their creative side out and think of a gift,? says Taapsee, adding that her mom gets really frustrated, running out of creative ideas for what more to gift her daughter.?Once, she just got a new photo album and put together selected pictures from my childhood till that birthday and gave it to me. [Also] my sister once made a really funny poem with pictures of both of us on a chart paper and gifted that to me. So this is how crazy I want my birthday gifts to be,? shares the actor.Going down memory lane, Taapsee recalls how birthdays used to be most special during her childhood. ?I would look forward to wearing that special birthday dress to school, and rack my brain thinking what special [item] I could distribute as return gift to my classmates. It would be special because you are the most important person [that day] and all your friends want to be around you all the time,? she quips.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Prashanti Moktan

02 Jul 2017,Sunday

Raj village bans girls from wearing jeans, keeping phones

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dholpur-panchayat-bans-girls-mobile-phones-wearing-jeans/1/992516.html

The panchayat of a village in Rajasthan has issued an order prohibiting girls from wearing jeans or keeping mobile phones. The panchayat also decided that any dispute regarding the order would be referred to the panchayat head Phauran Singh and not to the police. Prohibition of liquor, betting and stopping intake of gutkha were other issues that were discussed.

Dholpur district's panchayat has issued an order prohibiting girls from wearing jeans or keeping mobile phones.The panchayat gathered in Dholpur's Baldiyapura village on Saturday to decide on issues of liquor prohibition, betting and gutkha consumption. However, the meeting ended after arriving at a decision to curtail the freedom of girls by prohibiting them from carrying mobile phones or wearing jeans. It was also decided that in case of any dispute, the matter will be referred to the panchayat head and not to the police.   "The panchayat was held in the village on Saturday on liquor prohibition, betting and use of gutkha. In that, alongwith liquor prohibition, betting and stopping the intake of gutkha, it was also decided to curtail the wearing of such clothes and use of mobiles. Everyone agreed over the order issued over mobile use," Phauran Singh, Panchayat head (panch patel) said.The decision to prohibit the use of mobile phones or wearing of jeans was arrived at by consensus during the panchayat meeting. "The panchayat that happened in the village happened for the benefit of the society and have taken the vow to disown liquor, betting alongwith other evil practices of the society. Along with that, the ban imposed on daughters of the village for wearing jeans and carrying mobiles is a good thing. It will make the village better. The decision to keep the matter before panch patel in case of a dispute is also right," Jagdish, a villager, said.PROTESTS AGAINST LIQUOR PROHIBITION In several villages of Rajasthan, there have been protests in favour of liquor prohibition with the villagers seeking a total ban on sale and consumption of alcohol. However, this decision of panchayat prohibiting girls from wearing jeans or carrying mobile phones has not gone down well with the district administration."The administration welcomes the awareness being brought about through consensus by holding many panchayats in one month by villagers of Dholpur and Saipau on issues of liquor and other issues, alongwith doing away with social evils of child marriage and dowry. If the freedom, rights of any person are violated, then it is not right. The ban imposed on girls from keeping mobiles or wearing jeans in the panchayat is violation of law and is not right. But so far no such complaint has been received. If any such complaint is received, then we will take action after consulting senior officials," Vinod Kumar Meena, SDM, told India Today. Also read: Ghostbuster of Rajasthan: Superstitious doctor uses agarbatti, slaps woman to treat 'ghost'

Aarushi Maheshwari

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Australia to build one of world's longest electric highways

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jul/27/queensland-to-build-one-of-worlds-longest-electric-vehicle-highways?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Australia's Queensland is building a 2,000-kilometre network of electric vehicle charging stations, which will make up one of the longest electric vehicle highways in the world. The Electric Super Highway will be completed within six months. Its stations will offer free power for at least one year, in an attempt to boost the number of electric cars in Queensland.

Queensland will have a 2,000km network of electric vehicle charging stations that make up one of the world?s longest electric vehicle highways within six months.The state government announced on Thursday it would build an 18-station network stretching along Queensland?s east coast from Cairns to Coolangatta and west to Toowoomba.The stations, which recharge a vehicle in 30 minutes, will offer free power for at least a year in what the environment minister, Steven Miles, said was a bid to boost the number of electric cars on Queensland roads, currently about 700.?This project is ambitious, but we want as many people as possible on board the electric vehicle revolution, as part of our transition to a low-emissions future,? Miles said.The $3m network had ?the potential to revolutionise the way we travel around Queensland in the future?, he said.Queensland?s ?electric highway? will span a comparable distance to the ?west coast electric highway? in the US, which runs from California to Oregon and Washington state. However it is dwarfed by the Trans-Canada EV highway, which, at about 8,000km, is the world?s longest.But the US in total now boasts 16,107 stations and 43,828 charging outlets, according to the US Department of Energy. Tesla drivers can reputedly make journeys of 20,000 km.The Queensland stations, which will range from the capital Brisbane to the small sugar town of Tully, would be powered with ?green energy? bought through renewable energy credits or offsets.Miles said a state household energy survey showed half of Queenslanders would consider ?an electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid or regenerative braking hybrid? when buying a new car in the next two years.While lower prices and longer-lasting batteries were driving global uptake, most in the survey said ?improvements to public fast-charging infrastructure would further tempt them into purchasing an EV?, Miles said.Car executives from Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes Benz and Mitsubishi lined up to praise the move and called on other states to follow.The Audi Australia managing director, Paul Sansom, said electric car drivers travelling ?the vast distances in between our capital cities ? need to have confidence that they will be able to find a charging station when they need it, even if they?re driving in an unfamiliar region?.?This is the current expectation around frequency of petrol stations, and it?s, rightly, what consumers will demand as EVs become more prevalent.?Behyad Jafari, the chief executive of the Electric Vehicle Council, said the state government had shown ?national leadership? with ?a signal to the market that Queensland is serious about electric vehicles?.This gave the industry ?certainty to unlock investment to grow our economy and create new, high skilled jobs?, he said.?I encourage all governments across Australia to follow suit, particularly as this support will help to provide motorists with increased choice of cars that are cheaper and healthier to operate.?Queensland is Australia?s biggest carbon polluter, with the transport sector making up the state?s second largest source of carbon emissions with 21.1m tonnes in 2014, having almost doubled since 1990.Passenger cars make up almost half of transport emissions, according to the state environment department.The $3m contract to build the network has been awarded to Brisbane technology company Tritium, which began as a solar car racing parts manufacturer.

Aarushi Maheshwari

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Flight suffers tyre burst, gets stuck in middle of runway

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/etihad-airways-aircraft-s-tyre-bursts-at-mumbai-airport/story-aWKVUWeYvAfrsmK8R1cruJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An Etihad Airways aircraft carrying nearly 200 passengers suffered a tyre burst upon landing, forcing Mumbai airport authorities to shut operations at the main runway on Monday evening. The Abu Dhabi-Mumbai flight got stuck in the middle of the runway, following which operations were shifted to the secondary runway. Notably, the two runways at Mumbai airport intersect each other.

An Etihad Airways aircraft with more than 200 people on board suffered a tyre burst on landing, forcing the Mumbai airport authorities to shut operations at the main runway Monday evening.The operations were moved to the secondary runway after the plane from Abu Dhabi got stuck in the middle of the runway, an airport official said.The incident took place around 7 pm.The aircraft had 196 passengers and 13 crew members on board, the official said.A comment from Etihad Airways is awaited.The Mumbai airport has a unique layout with two runways ? the main runway and a secondary one ? intersecting each other.?Runway 14-32 (the secondary one) was in use as runway 09-27 (the main one) was taken over for inspection as Etihad Airways flight EY 204 had a tyre deflated after arrival on the main runway,? the official said. The airline said in a statement that ?all passengers and crew are fine?, and it was ?assisting guests who may be impacted by the delay of the outbound flight and advising them of any subsequent changes to their travel plans?.

Rini Sinha

29 Apr 2017,Saturday

SS Rajamouli bigger than Khans, Roshans, Chopras: RGV

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/baahubali-2-rgv-praises-ss-rajamouli-criticises-bollywood/1/941290.html

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma tweeted that SS Rajamouli, director of film franchise 'Baahubali', is bigger than all Khans, Roshans and Chopras. "Like world was divided into BC and AD (before death of Christ and after) Indian cinema is going to be BB and AB (before Bahubali and after)," he tweeted further. Baahubali 2 reportedly released on 6,500 screens in India.

India's most awaited film Baahubali: The Conclusion is in theatres and has opened to phenomenal response from fans all over the world.Heaping praise on SS Rajamouli for Baahubali 2, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma took a dig at the Khans, Roshans and Chopras of Bollywood, saying Rajamouli is "bigger" than the aforementioned superstars.Going by MegaDinosaur day1 it's clear @ssrajamouli is bigger than all Khans,Roshans and Chopras..I salute @karanjohar for discovering himð???In a series of tweets, RGV appreciated The Conclusion, saying that the film has sent shock waves to every Bollywood superstar.All people of india who luvd BB2 should touch the feet of @karanjohar for him having the genius to discover a diamond like @ssrajamouli ð???ð???ð???Every super star nd every super director in entire Bollywood is shivering in various places looking at impact of @ssrajamouli 's Bahubali2Released in over 9000 screens worldwide, the Prabhas-starrer has received mind-blowing response from the audience. As per early trade estimates, Baahubali 2 is expected to do a whopping business of Rs 100 crore on its opening day.Baahubali: The Beginning ended with Katappa revealing himself as the killer of Amarendra Baahubali. And The Conclusion takes the story forward from where its predecessor ended.Made on a budget of Rs 250 crore, the film has already fetched enough moolah for the producers and reportedly raked in Rs 500 crore through its satellite and distribution rights. Baahubali 2 is released in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi.Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Sathyaraj and Ramya Krishnan star in pivotal roles in this instalment of Baahubali too.ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 Tamil Review

Chhavi Tyagi

01 May 2017,Monday

Alert in Kathua after 3 men hijack car, flee towards border

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jammu-high-alert-kathua-hijack-car-border-areas-rajouri/1/942481.html

A high alert has been sounded in Jammu's border district of Kathua today following reports of three men hijacking a Tavera car from near Jammu bus stand and fleeing towards border areas. As per reports, the incident took place at around 2 am, wherein the suspects also tied the car's driver Kabir Hussain and snatched his mobile phone and money.

A high alert has been sounded in Jammu's border district of Kathua today following reports of three men hijacking a Tavera vehicle from near Jammu bus stand.According to the police, three suspected men hired a white Tavera car from Jammu and later tied its driver Kabir Hussain. They snatched his mobile phone and money near Chadwal Morh along Jammu-Kathua highway.The incident happened at around 2 am today when the suspected men were travelling from Samba to Chadwal. They are believed to have fled towards the border areas.As per initial reports, the three men were Gujjars from Rajouri and were speaking the local language. They were seen without any luggage or arms.All police posts in the area have been alerted to check their movement.Meanwhile, the Rajouri area of Jammu has been put on high alert after an AK-47 rifle of a policeman was stolen.Also Read:Internet suspended in Jammu and Kashmir for a month over student protests Major terror attacks on Indian Army, CRPF in Jammu and Kashmir: A timeline 

Chhavi Tyagi

11 Apr 2017,Tuesday

Students made to clean school due to lack of cleaning staff

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajasthan-students-sweep-classrooms-lack-of-cleaning-staff-bharatpur/1/925922.html

The students of a government school in Rajasthan's Bharatpur district are made to clean and mop their classrooms and corridors regularly due to the shortage of sweepers. Reportedly, there are 132 vacant posts of grade four type employees in 232 schools in four divisions of the district and the education department provides ?500 to every school facing crunch of sweepers.

Due to severe shortage of cleaning staff, students of Rajasthan's Bharatpur district government school are often seen holding brooms instead of books in the premises. Students allege that their teachers make them sweep rooms and corridors. Deepak, a class third student says, "There is no cleaning staff. So, our teachers tell us to clean. And we do."There are 232 schools in four divisions in the district, all of whose positions for class four type employees amounts to 368. Out of these 368, 132 position are vacant. But the education department in defence says that they have been providing Rs 500 each month (typically for 10 months) to every school that is facing crunch of sweepers. However, the department is unaware of students taking up the job of cleaning their school. "I do not have information of students cleaning but there will be an investigation about this. However, there is a shortage of cleaning staff," said Anil Kumar Aggarwal, Deputy District Education officer.

Shubhodeep Datta

29 Apr 2017,Saturday

Property papers worth crores looted from Jaya's bungalow

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kodanad-murder-mystery-jayalalithaa-ooty-estate-tamil-nadu-kerala/1/941395.html

The police on Saturday discovered that property papers worth hundreds of crores were looted from ex-Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa's Kodanad estate bungalow on April 23, in which a security guard was also murdered. Notably, some papers were also in the name of AIADMK jailed chief Sasikala Natarajan. This comes amid the death of two accused in the guard's murder.

In a startling twist to the Kodanad estate murder mystery today, the police discovered that three suitcases with documents of Jayalalithaa's property worth crores were stolen from the estate.According to sources,"Documents worth hundreds of crores were taken from the Kodanadu estate... Some were in the name of Sasikala and Jayalalithaa jointly." Reportedly, the mastermind of the heist was close to both Jayalalithaa and Sasikala. On the other hand, two main accused in the case met with separate accidents today.One of the accused Kanakaraj, a former employee at Poes Garden died in a car crash in Tamil Nadu's Salim district. While his close aide and the second accused, Sayan met with a car accident in Kerala's Palakkad district today.Sayan was traveling with his wife and daughter who died in the collision.In a simultaneous development, based on the inputs from Krishna Bahadur, the other security guard who was injured in the Kodanad estate attack, police have released a sketch of one of the assailants.This comes a day after the Tamil Nadu Police claimed to have solved the murder mystery, naming a Kerala-based Hawala operator and an ex-employee at Kodanad estate for conspiring the heist.Kanakaraj worked as a driver for four years at Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden residence in Chennai. Sayan alias Shyam was the owner of a bakery in Palakkad.Meanwhile, leaders from opposition parties are raising questions on the mysterious theft.DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, "The documents worth hundred crores have gone missing. Something mysterious was going on in Jayalalithaa's house and people surrounding her. Something to do with properties purchased illegally. We need proper investigation into this..."

Parmeet Kaur

14 Jul 2017,Friday

HC stays women panel's order summoning Delhi Golf Club Secy

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/delhi-hc-stays-meghalaya-women-s-panel-order-to-summon-delhi-golf-club-secretary/story-qI9LNbSEqJDQ9pcVuZFHKM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Delhi High Court has stayed the Meghalaya State Commission for Women order summoning Delhi Golf Club Secretary after a Khasi woman was asked to leave the club allegedly because her traditional attire looked like a maid's. The club argued that the Commission did not have jurisdiction to issue orders on incidents outside the state.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the Meghalaya State Commission for Women?s (MSCW) order summoning the Delhi Golf Club secretary over the incident involving a Khasi woman being asked to leave the premier club allegedly because of her attire.Justice Vibhu Bakhru also sought response from Meghalaya women?s commission by September 8, the next date of hearing, on a petition filed by the Delhi Golf Club challenging the commission?s July 3 order. ?Prima facie, this court finds merit in the submissions of the counsel for the petitioner (the Delhi Golf Club). Consequently, the notice is stayed till further order of this court,? the High Curt said. The commission had directed the secretary of the club to appear in person before it on July 14. Challenging the commission?s order, the club said that the commission in Meghalaya did not have jurisdiction to issue such direction on an incident, which had happened outside that state. The commission acted upon a complaint made by Tailin Lyngdoh, a governess, who accused the club and its members of allowing racial profiling of people, which was tantamount to racial discrimination of tribal people, which is a punishable offence. On June 25, staffers of the Delhi Golf Club had asked Lyngdoh, an invited guest, to leave the dining room because her traditional Khasi attire ?jainsem? looked like a ?maid?s uniform?. Last week, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) also issued a notice to the Delhi Golf Club.

Tarun Khanna

22 Apr 2017,Saturday

9-year-old, 4 others attacked by Gau Rakshaks in J&K: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/gau-rakshaks-attack-nomad-family-jammu-kashmir/1/935433.html

The alleged Gau Rakshaks have reportedly attacked five people, including a nine-year-old girl, in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. As per the report, the attackers took away their entire flock of goats, sheep and cows. "They beat us ruthlessly. Somehow we managed to flee. A 10-year-old is still missing. We don't know whether he's alive or dead," said a victim.

A nine-year-old girl was among five people attacked by self-proclaimed 'gau rakshaks' in Jammu and Kashmir, news channel NDTV reported. The incident reportedly took place on Friday in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, around 250 kilometers south of Srinagar. Reports about the total number of people injured in the attack remained unclear, with NDTV saying that all five, including the the girl, were wounded. Mufti Islah, a journalist based out of Srinagar, tweeted that four people, including the girl, were injured and that five 'gau rakshaks' were behind the attack.NDTV and Islah both said that those attacked belong to the same nomad family and that the attackers took away the family's entire flock of goats, sheep and cows. "We have registered an FIR. I have asked DIG of Udhampur range to visit the area. Strict action will be taken against these goons," Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid was quoted as saying by NDTV.Recounting the incident, one of the victims of the attack told NDTV, "They beat us ruthlessly. Somehow we managed to flee from there. One of our children, a 10-year-old, is still missing. We don't know whether he is alive or dead. They even beat our elders very badly. They wanted to kill us and throw our bodies into the river." The Jammu and Kashmir incident comes against the backdrop of heightened cow vigilantism in the country. Just this month, the Alwar attack, in which one diary farm owner was killed by cow vigilantes, sparked nationwide furore. Leading government officials and political figures, including RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, have come out strongly against such attacks, with police officials in the country also vowing to take strong action against such attackers.

Mishika Bangia

17 Jul 2017,Monday

SRCC student slaps professor after scoring low marks

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/srcc-student-slaps-professor-low-marks-in-exam-delhi-university/1/1003673.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A student from Delhi University's SRCC has slapped and physically assaulted his professor over being awarded low marks in the internals. The student also reportedly kicked the professor's car in front of the college principal RP Rustagi. The professor has left for Haryana following the incident after filing an FIR against the student.

Reacting to low marks assigned to him, a student from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) slapped and physically assaulted his professor on Friday evening, sending a wave of shock across the college faculty. Ashwani Kumar, an assistant professor at SRCC's global business operations in Delhi University, was attacked by his student of management discipline who resorted to kicking the professor's car and slapping him multiple times over being awarded low marks in his internal examination. The professor has left the city and gone to Haryana following the incident. "The student - who fought with Ashwani and slapped him - holds a record of irregularity in academics. The incident took place in the parking area and in the presence of the college principal R P Rustagi," said professor Alok Kumar, calling it a heinous crime. ASSAULT ON PROFESSORS NOT NEW FOR SRCC"How will we inculcate discipline on the college premises if teachers are attacked for nothing but performing their duty?" wondered Alok, who is an assistant professor in the commerce department. SRCC's officiating principal and professor Ashwani Kumar did not answer to Mail Today's calls.

Mansha Mahajan

18 Dec 2016,Sunday

Gold worth ?2,700 crore bought in Hyderabad post note ban

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/demonetisation-hyderabad-gold/1/837386.html

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has discovered that gold biscuits worth ?2,700 crore were bought in Hyderabad from the period of November 8 to November 30. Further, all payments were made in cash with demonetised currency notes. The ED suspects that people, who made the gold biscuit purchases, went underground and the agency is trying to locate them, sources said.

On November 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the existing notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 would no longer be valid currencies. Some relaxations were also announced for the use of discontinued notes. Buying gold was one of the options.Now, records obtained by Enforcement Directorate show that Hyderabad madly went after the yellow metal. ED investigations have revealed that gold biscuits worth Rs 2,700 crore were bought in the City of Nizams between November 8 and 30. All payments were done in cash with demonetised or discontinued currency notes.READ| Huge cash and gold recovered since demonetisationED also suspects that the people, who made the purchases, went underground after the buying spree. The agency is trying hard to locate those buyers of gold biscuits.There was a sharp spike in the import of gold into Hyderabad during the same period. Approximately 8,000 kg of gold was imported into the city after demonetisation, ED sources said.WATCH:Interestingly, there was a fresh import of about 1,500 kg of gold between December 1 and 10, the ED sources said.

Rini Sinha

29 Jul 2017,Saturday

I'm overprotective, want to wrap my sister in blanket: Tiger

http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/tiger-shroff-i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-just-wants-to-wrap-his-sister-in-a-blanket/story-Xiso8Htq1HlF1eHIbgh9oN.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Actor Tiger Shroff has said he's an overprotective brother and is the kind of person who wants to wrap his sister in a blanket. He added, "I know that after saying this, people will...say, 'Oh, he's a sexist,' and I'll be called all sorts of names. But I don't care." Tiger's sister Krishna Shroff is three years younger to him.

Usually soft-spoken, actor Tiger Shroff says that he is ?over-protective? beyond imagination when it comes to his sister Krishna Shroff. ?If you ask me, obviously I?m the kind of guy who just wants to wrap his sister in a blanket, because I am an over-protective brother,? says Tiger. ?I know that after saying this, people will react and say, ?Oh, he?s a sexist,? and I?ll be called all sorts of names. But I don?t care, because people like to perceive things in their own way.? Tiger recently faced flak for calling his female co-stars ?padding?, but he later clarified that the word was used for anything outside his own zone in a film project, and that he wasn?t referring to the female leads specifically.Given how protective he is, we ask why Tiger didn?t fire at those who trolled Krishna for posting her ?topless? photos on Instagram ? the photos, in fact, only showed her bare back ? even though his father, actor Jackie Shroff, was vocal about the matter. #Repost @divina_rikhye_photography with @repostapp. ??? With @kishushroff ? #natural #photography #portraitseries A post shared by Krishna Shroff (@kishushroff) on Aug 20, 2015 at 6:22am PDT Tiger says, ?I didn?t take a stand because I don?t see anything wrong with what my sister posted? it wasn?t in your face. A lot of people out there get [all sorts of] photo shoots done and post their pictures, so it?s her wish, whether she wanted to or not. Everybody has that freedom of [expression] and? you can?t always expect positive [reactions] from others.?The actor, whose films include Heropanti (2014), Baaghi, A Flying Jatt (2016) and the recent release Munna Michael, calls his sister his ?biggest and most honest critic?. #Repost @divina_rikhye_photography with @repostapp. ??? With @kishushroff ? #natural #photography #portraitseries A post shared by Krishna Shroff (@kishushroff) on Aug 20, 2015 at 6:22am PDT Stating that his father rarely gives him feedback on his performance, Tiger adds, ?The maximum inputs come from Krishna. She has studied filmmaking, so she?s very intellectual in that sense. The best piece of advice she gave me was, ?Don?t overdo it, and just be in the character. Don?t do too much, don?t do too little.? Thankfully, after Munna Michael, she didn?t have much to say, because she was there on the sets all the time.? That?s because Krishna was assisting on the film.?She was like my second director,? says Tiger. ?Every time I was unsure about a particular scene, she?d always be there to support and guide me, because she could see how it looked on the monitor screen. She?d tell me things like how Nawazji [Nawazuddin Siddiqui] was reacting, what was happening in the background, what I shouldn?t do in empty spaces, and how I could improvise.?Follow @htshowbiz for more

Saloni Tandon

23 Jun 2017,Friday

Truck carrying LPG cylinders explodes on Badrinath highway

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/multiple-gas-cylinder-explosions-rishikesh-badrinath-highway-char-dham-yatra/1/985439.html

Multiple explosions occurred on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway on Friday morning after a truck carrying LPG cylinders burst into flames. A video of the incident has emerged, which shows at least eight explosions occurring in the truck. The Char Dham Yatra has been affected but no injuries have been reported, while the reason for the accident is still unknown.

The Char Dham Yatra was affected today morning following multiple gas cylinder explosions on the Rishikesh-Badrinath NH 58 in Khankra.The truck carrying cylinders of gas company Indane could be seen on the open road bursting into flames as the cylinders exploded.

Anmol Sharma

19 Apr 2017,Wednesday

Youth stabbed to death over cricket ball hitting woman

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/vijaywada-youth-stabbed-to-death-galli-cricket/1/932541.html

Kiran Kumar, a 20-year-old from Vijayawada, was reportedly stabbed to death on Tuesday after he hit a woman with a ball while playing cricket at a local ground. The woman and her son picked a quarrel with Kiran after the ball hit her. Kiran apologised to the woman but her son stabbed him in the chest and ran away.

In a shocking incident, a youth was stabbed to death in Vijayawada on Tuesday after his cricket ball hit a woman in the area while playing galli cricket.The deceased identified as Kiran Kumar, a native of Krishnalanka locality of the city, was playing cricket along with few of his friends in P&T colony ground. As per eyewitness account, the ball accidentally went and hit Devaki Devi who lives in the premises of the ground. Enraged over it, the lady and her son picked a quarrel with Kiran.The youth however apologised to Devaki Devi but her son P Srikanth Chowdary, who was angry over the issue, stabbed him in the chest with a knife and fled away. Kiran's friends then rushed him to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.According to police, the 20-year-old deceased was an engineering student and the accused Srikanth had a history of animosity with him. Kumar, in past had raised objection to Srikanth driving his bike in the colony at a very high speed, and the two had arguments over the issue.The Krishnalanka police has registered a case and took the accused Srikanth into custody while Kiran's body was sent for postmortem.

Saloni Tandon

13 Jul 2017,Thursday

Zaheer not bowling coach, only consultant for overseas tours

http://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/zaheer-khan-s-appointment-like-rahul-dravid-is-tour-specific/story-eGNjvBE5Ohznd7YJ9zi5MP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The BCCI has clarified that former India pacer Zaheer Khan has been appointed as a "consultant on overseas tour-to-tour basis", and not as a full-time bowling coach of the Indian cricket team. The board added that the appointments of Rahul Dravid, who is the overseas batting consultant, and Zaheer were made after discussion with new head coach Ravi Shastri.

The BCCI today made it clear that Zaheer Khan?s appointment as bowling consultant of the Indian cricket team is also tour specific, just like batting consultant Rahul Dravid.The Board of Control for Cricket in India also said that the appointment of both Zaheer and Dravid was done after consulting new head coach Ravi Shastri.The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, had interviewed five candidates for the post of head coach on July 9.READ?|?With governance under strain, cricket needs strong leadershipThe BCCI thanked the CAC for its job without taking any money.?BCCI expresses its sincere gratitude to the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) who most willingly agreed to undertake the process of selection of the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. The three members of the committee have executed the assigned task with total transparency, professionalism and commitment to Indian cricket,? the BCCI said in a release.READ?|?Ravi Shastri and the support staff quandary: Is trouble brewing already??The recommendation for Mr. Ravi Shastri was made on the merit of his presentation and the vision that he projected for taking the team to greater heights. After taking the decision on his selection, the CAC consulted him and decided on having Batting and Bowling consultants on overseas tour-to-tour basis, as per the requirement of the team,? the release added.READ?|?How relevant is Sourav Ganguly?s advisory panel, if Virat Kohli has the last word??The BCCI wishes to thank the CAC for the selfless pro bono service rendered to assist the Board in the selection process of India Cricket Team?s Head Coach.?At the time of announcing the new coach on Monday, the BCCI clearly mentioned Zaheer as the team?s full-time bowling coach.The appointment of Shastri adds to the never-ending drama, which began with the bitter exit of Anil Kumble as chief coach following differences with skipper Virat Kohli.

Abhishek Bansal

11 May 2017,Thursday

How has SC dealt with issue of personal laws in the past?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/triple-talaq-supreme-court/1/951068.html

The Supreme Court has taken differing views on the question of precedence of personal laws over fundamental rights. In 1985, the court directed Muslim woman Shah Bano's husband to pay her alimony according to the laws applicable to other Indians. In several separate cases, the court said personal laws could not be challenged for being in violation of fundamental rights.

Triple talaq case, originative from the petition filed by Shayara Bano in a case of divorce from her husband, is not the first matter relating to personal laws before the Supreme Court. The apex court has dealt with several such cases before but surprisingly it has not given a consistent interpretation of the laws and provisions of Constitution. The conflict arises when personal laws are perceived to be in violation of the fundamental rights.Article 13 of the Constitution states that any law, which goes against the provisions of fundamental rights, shall be void to the extent of contravention.SUPREME COURT'S STAND ON PERSONAL LAWSPersonal laws in India are codified and uncodified - existing in custom and practice. Over the years, the Supreme Court has taken differing views on the question of precedence of personal laws over the fundamental rights. In Krishna Singh vs Mathura Ahir case of 1980, Maharshi Avdesh case of 1994 and Ahmedabad Women Action Group case of 1997, the Supreme Court held that personal laws could not be challenged for being in contravention of the provisions of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.Many believe that this interpretation of the Supreme Court has been based on a ruling of the Bombay High Court in Narsu Appa Mali case of 1951. In this case, the Bombay High Court has enunciated that personal laws are not 'laws' under Article 13 of the Constitution.But, a three-Judge Supreme Court bench in Mudaliar case of 1996 held that personal laws are void to the extent that they are in violation of the fundamental rights.All these aspects and arguments are likely to be placed and reexamined the Supreme Court during the seven-day hearing of the triple talaq matter this summer.SOME RECENT CASES OF PERSONAL LAWS: SHAH BANO MATTERThe most famous case relating to personal laws was that of Shah Bano, who had fought long drawn legal battle seeking maintenance from her ex-husband. In 1985, the Supreme Court had directed Shah Bano's husband to pay her alimony according to the laws applicable to other Indians.The Supreme Court had rejected the argument of Shah Bano's ex-husband that since she was paid during the period of iddat - the waiting period after divorce and also the amount of mehr, she was not entitled to any further maintenance under the Muslim personal law.MARY ROY CASEThe very next year, the Supreme Court decided another case relating to Christian personal law in the 1986-case of Mary Roy. The Supreme Court ruled that Syrian Christian women were entitled to equal share in their father's property.Before the Supreme Court order, the Syrian Christian community settled property inheritance issue as per the Travancore Succession Act, 1916 and Cochin Succession Act, 1921 while other Christians followed the Indian Succession Act of 1925 for the same. As per the Travancore and Cochin Acts, women received only a quarter of their male siblings or Rs 5,000 whichever was less.DANIAL LATIFI CASEDanial Latifi was the lawyer of Shah Bano, who has won a maintenance case against her ex-husband in the Supreme Court. But, the apex court verdict was not received well by the conservative segment of Muslim society.In order to pacify the swelling sentiment of the community, the then Rajiv Gandhi government enacted the Muslim Women (Protection on Divorce Act), 1986. The new Act overturned the judgment of the Supreme Court providing that a man was required to pay maintenance to his divorced wife only during the period of Iddat.Danial Latifi challenged the constitutional validity of the Personal law. The Supreme Court, in 2001 during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, held that the Muslim Women (Protection on Divorce Act), 1986 did not violate the Constitution or the fundamental rights.The Supreme Court maintained that the personal laws need not be tested on the touchstone of the provisions of the fundamental rights.TRIPLE TALAQ CASE IN BOMBAY HIGH COURTIn another case of triple talaq, the Bombay High Court held in 2002 that if wife contests this practice of divorce, it needed to be proved in a court of law. In its 88-page judgment, the Bombay High Court ruled that "divorces between Muslims couples will now have to be convincingly proved under Civil Procedure Act and Indian Evidence Act. A mere statement, written or oral, by a Muslim man seeking divorce will not be enough proof of his having obtained the divorce."The Bombay High Court also held that a Muslim man did not have a unilateral right to divorce his wife by triple talaq. The man is bound to provide good reasons for a divorce.ADOPTION BY MUSLIM WOMENThe Supreme Court again delivered a landmark judgment in 2014 on the question of adoption of child by a Muslim woman. The Muslim personal law does not give women of the community the right to adopt children.A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court headed by the then Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam ruled that Muslim women had the right to legally adopt children like any other Indian citizen. The Supreme Court held that the right to adopt children could not be denied by Muslim personal law.RIGHT OF UNWED MOTHERUnder the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act of 1956 father was held as the natural guardian of a Hindu child. If a child was born out of wedlock, only then the mother could be considered a natural guardian.But, in 2015, the Supreme Court held that an unwed mother can legally become the sole guardian of a child. The apex court held the consent of the biological father is not necessary for the mother to become legal guardian of the child.The Supreme Court observed that the father could not have 'a preferential right over the mother in the matter of guardianship'.ALSO READ |Triple talaq: Supreme Court begins hearing on whether it is fundamental to Islam

Rini Sinha

18 Mar 2017,Saturday

My current girlfriend is not from the film industry: Sooraj

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sooraj-pancholi-girlfriend-confession-jiah-khan-death/1/906113.html

Actor Sooraj Pancholi has revealed that he is in a relationship and his current girlfriend is not from the film industry. He added, "She is a nice girl...I wanted a simple soul and I guess I have found her." Sooraj was earlier dating late actress Jiah Khan, who committed suicide by hanging herself in the year 2013.

Sooraj Pancholi, whose relationship with late actor Jiah Khan stirred up a storm, has finally moved on and found love again. Talking to Filmfare, the actor said, "I'm in a relationship. She's not from this industry. She's a nice girl... I always wanted my partner to be a simple person. She can do what she wants, wear what she wants, work wherever she wants. I wanted a simple soul and I guess I've found her."Sooraj, unlike most of his contemporaries, does not mind being in the news for his link-ups. However, he does have a problem if his family is made a part of it. "If I've decided to be a celebrity, I know that it comes at a cost. But people should understand where to draw the line. I don't like it when my family is dragged into things... I walked out of a restaurant with my sister Sana and the next day it was all over the media, 'Sooraj seen with a mystery girl'. That mystery girl was my sister. It's not fair. They should have some protocol."On the work front, Sooraj was last seen in the 2015 film, Hero (also his debut), opposite Athiya Shetty. He will be seen next in a film written by Farook Kabir, based on a true story. Talking about why he took so long to sign on his second film, he said, "It has been a long wait. I wouldn't say a lot of films were offered to me. But yes, there were some offers. I didn't feel convinced enough to do any of those films though."

Chhavi Tyagi

12 Apr 2017,Wednesday

CBSE textbook says perfect female figure is '36-24-36'

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cbse-textbook-36-24-36-figure-best-for-females/1/926815.html

A Physical Education textbook for CBSE Class 12 students says that '36-24-36' figure is the best body shape for females. Published by New Saraswati House, the book further states that this is the reason why such type of shape is taken into consideration in beauty pageants. The book added that the 'V' body shape is considered the best for males.

What is the perfect body type? A Class 12 textbook meant for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students is putting all speculation over that question to rest, declaring authoritatively that the much-celebrated 36-24-36 figure is, in fact, the "best" body shape for females.It's not all hyperbole, though. The textbook, which The News Minute reports is titled Health and Physical Education Textbook, goes on to reason that even Miss World and Miss Universe beauty pageants take the 36-24-36 body shape into consideration while judging their contestants.An image of the section of the textbook comparing the physical and anatomical differences between males and females was initially posted on social media by a Twitter user named Anuj Khurana.The textbook doesn't stop at just female body shapes. A cursory sentence in the section on 'Differences in shape' says that when it comes to males, the 'V' body shape is considered the best.According to The News Minute, the textbook has published by the New Saraswati House and not the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which usually brings out textbooks used in CBSE schools.After reports of the textbook started coming to light, the CBSE issued a clarification saying schools must take responsibility if they choose to include books of private publishers in their curriculum. The CBSE has been in the news recently for seemingly controversial content that has appeared in its textbooks or examination papers.Just a week ago, Class 12 students appearing for their biology examinations, were asked to answer which practice between burial and cremation was better. The students were asked to base their answers on which practice would help contain air pollution the best.And, earlier this year, news emerged about a Class 4 textbook for environmental studies seemingly encouraging students to carry out an experiment that could lead to a kitten's death."You can do an experiment" a paragraph accompanied by graphics said, going on to encourage students to place two kittens in separate wooden boxes, one with holes in the lid and another one without.The purpose? To show students how, if they carried out the experiment, the kitten in the box without holes would die.

Aarushi Maheshwari

17 Jul 2017,Monday

Air India Express flight skids off runway

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mangaluru-mishap-averted-as-ai-flight-veers-off-the-runway/1/1003601.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

An Air India Express flight with 185 passengers onboard veered off the runway at Mangaluru Airport on Sunday during touchdown due to "unfavourable winds," an official said. All passengers and crew members were unhurt, while no "noticeable damage" to the aircraft was found. "An alert pilot immediately corrected the path and the aircraft landed safely," the official added.

Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) A mishap was averted at the Mangaluru airport in Karnataka in the wee hours today when an AI aircraft from Dubai with 185 passengers on board, veered off the runway slightly while touching down, an Air India Express official said. The incident involving the flight- IX 814 - took place at around 04:45 hours and all the passengers and crew were unhurt, the official said. "The aircraft suddenly took a right turn while touching down due to unfavourable winds", he said. "An alert pilot immediately corrected the path and the aircraft landed safely", said the official, adding the matter has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Niharika Prabhakar

28 Jul 2017,Friday

Delhi power companies ordered to buy more green energy

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/derc-orders-delhi-discoms-to-buy-more-green-power/story-Xpx84jO2zPqpEZnBDL6zFO.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has directed power distribution companies in Delhi to either generate their own electricity through renewable sources or increase their purchase of green energy from generating companies. Reportedly, DERC will make it compulsory for the companies to buy 100% electricity being generated from the waste-to-energy (WTE) plants set up in the capital.

Power distribution companies will now have to procure more green energy or electricity generated from renewable sources.The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has issued a new regulation according to which discoms will either have to generate their own electricity through renewable sources or increase their purchase of green energy from generating companies.The draft rules termed as the ?DERC (Renewable Purchase Obligation and Renewable Energy Certificate Framework Implementation) Regulations, 2017 will also make it compulsory for discoms to buy 100% electricity being generated from the waste-to-energy (WTE) plants set up in the Capital. Currently, Delhi has four WTE plants. ?The distribution licensees shall compulsorily procure 100% power produced from all the Waste-to-Energy plants in the State, in the ratio of their procurement of power from all sources including their own as approved by the Commission from time to time, which shall qualify towards compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) for the Distribution Licensee,? read the draft regulations for which comments from public are being sought. People can send their comments to the commission till August 15.?The annual target for RPO required to be met by the discoms shall be notified by the dommission in the tariff order that is likely to be announced in September,? a DERC official said. The DERC in October 2012 had notified regulations making RPO compulsory for all discoms in the city. RPOs make it mandatory for all discoms to purchase some percentage of electricity through renewable sources of energy. In 2016-17, the discoms had to get 9% of their total electricity from renewables and in 2015-16 it was 7.6%.However, since 2012, the power regulator had only been carrying it forward to the next financial year as discoms had repeatedly failed to meet the RPOs.As a result, by the year 2015, the defaulting amount has risen up to almost 15 per cent of the total electricity procured by the companies.After defaulting on RPOs for years and with the Aam Aadmi Party government notifying the Delhi Solar Policy, the city?s three discoms have now pulled up their socks. Tata Power procured 400 MW of solar power and Reliance Infra-backed BSES announced it would procure 700 MW ?green energy? for the city.BSES, which distributes power to 70 per cent of the areas in Delhi, has decided to procure both solar and non-solar power at under Rs5 per unit through the ?reverse auction? route to ensure an ?extremely competitive? rate to benefit consumers.

Dishant Sharma

30 Jul 2017,Sunday

Completing antibiotics course not necessary: Study

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/26/rule-patients-must-finish-antibiotics-course-wrong-study-says?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A new study has found the rule that patients must complete the course of their prescribed antibiotics is false instead they should stop taking the drugs when they feel better. The study disproves traditional practice of completing courses, which claims that taking too few tablets allows the disease-causing bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the drug.

Telling patients to stop taking antibiotics when they feel better may be preferable to instructing them to finish the course, according to a group of experts who argue that the rule long embedded in the minds of doctors and the public is wrong and should be overturned.Patients have traditionally been told that they must complete courses of antibiotics, the theory being that taking too few tablets will allow the bacteria causing their disease to mutate and become resistant to the drug.But Martin Llewelyn, a professor in infectious diseases at Brighton and Sussex medical school, and colleagues claim that this is not the case. In an analysis in the British Medical Journal, the experts say ?the idea that stopping antibiotic treatment early encourages antibiotic resistance is not supported by evidence, while taking antibiotics for longer than necessary increases the risk of resistance?.There are some diseases where the bug can become resistant if the drugs are not taken for long enough. The most obvious example is tuberculosis, they say. But most of the bacteria that cause people to become ill are found on everybody?s hands in the community, causing no harm, such as E coli and Staphylococcus aureus. People fall ill only when the bug gets into the bloodstream or the gut. The longer such bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, the more likely it is that resistance will develop.The experts say there has been too little research into the ideal length of a course of antibiotics, which also varies from one individual to the next, depending in part on what antibiotics they have taken in the past.In hospital, patients can be tested to work out when to stop the drugs. ?Outside hospital, where repeated testing may not be feasible, patients might be best advised to stop treatment when they feel better,? they say. That, they add, is in direct contravention of World Health Organisation advice.Other experts in infectious diseases backed the group. ?I have always thought it to be illogical to say that stopping antibiotic treatment early promotes the emergence of drug-resistant organisms,? said Peter Openshaw, president of the British Society for Immunology. ?This brief but authoritative review supports the idea that antibiotics may be used more sparingly, pointing out that the evidence for a long duration of therapy is, at best, tenuous. Far from being irresponsible, shortening the duration of a course of antibiotics might make antibiotic resistance less likely.?Alison Holmes, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, said a great British authority, Prof Harold Lambert, had made the same point in a Lancet article entitled ?Don?t keep taking the tablets? as early as 1999. ?It remains astonishing that apart from some specific infections and conditions, we still do not know more about the optimum duration of courses or indeed doses in many conditions, yet this dogma has been pervasive and persistent.?Jodi Lindsay, a professor of microbial pathogenesis at St George?s, University of London, said it was sensible advice. ?The evidence for ?completing the course? is poor, and the length of the course of antibiotics has been estimated based on a fear of under-treating rather than any studies,? she said. ?The evidence for shorter courses of antibiotics being equal to longer courses, in terms of cure or outcome, is generally good, although more studies would help and there are a few exceptions when longer courses are better ? for example, TB.?But the Royal College of GPs expressed concerns. ?Recommended courses of antibiotics are not random,? said its chair, Prof Helen Stokes-Lampard. ?They are tailored to individual conditions and in many cases, courses are quite short ? for urinary tract infections, for example, three days is often enough to cure the infection. ?We are concerned about the concept of patients stopping taking their medication midway through a course once they ?feel better?, because improvement in symptoms does not necessarily mean the infection has been completely eradicated. It?s important that patients have clear messages and the mantra to always take the full course of antibiotics is well known. Changing this will simply confuse people.?England?s chief medical officer, Prof Dame Sally Davies, said: ?The message to the public remains the same: people should always follow the advice of healthcare professionals. To update policies, we need further research to inform them.?[The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] is currently developing guidance for managing common infections, which will look at all available evidence on appropriate prescribing of antibiotics.?The Department of Health will continue to review the evidence on prescribing and drug-resistant infections, as we aim to continue the great progress we have made at home and abroad on this issue.?

Chhavi Tyagi

27 Mar 2017,Monday

AAP doing nothing for cows: Ved Prakash after joining BJP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-civic-polls-mcd-election-aap-mla-ved-prakash-bjp-modi-yogi/1/913644.html

Former AAP MLA from Bawana Ved Prakash Satish, who has quit the party and joined the BJP, has accused the Delhi government of not doing anything for cows. "Prime Minister Modi has come at the forefront as a yogi (ascetic) and Yogi (Adityanath) has come in Uttar Pradesh. I have come here to become part of that change," he added.

In the run up to Delhi's municipal corporation elections, Aam Aadmi Party MLA Ved Prakash Satish has quit the party to join the BJP. Ved Prakash Satish represented Bawana in the Delhi Assembly after securing a big win the 2015 polls with a margin of over 50,000 votes.Ved Prakash joined the BJP in presence of Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and party MLA Vijender Gupta. Manoj Tiwari tweeted the photograph of Ved Prakash joining the BJP and his resignation letter.Quitting AAP, Ved Prakash Satish said that the country is 'undergoing a change'. Ved Prakash said, "A big change is taking place in the country. Prime Minister Modi has come at the forefront as a yogi (ascetic) and Yogi (Adityanath) has come in Uttar Pradesh. I have come here (in the BJP's fold) to become part of that change."Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari said, "The opposition is getting frustrated seeing the rise of BJP, which is why they are making false accusations." 'KEJRIWAL IS NOT GETTING RIGHT INFORMATION'Ved Prakash also said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is surrounded by people who are giving him wrong information, which is slowing down progress. Ved Prakash Satish accused Arvind Kejriwal government of doing 'nothing for improvement in Shahabad Dairy region', which falls under his Assembly constituency of Bawana. He said, "The Delhi government did not do anything for Shahabad Dairy region. Nothing was done in Shahabad Dairy in the last two years. Even a crematorium was not built there.""School building was not built. I tried several times. But, no one listened to me," Ved Prakash said.'NO ONE LISTENS IN AAP'Ved Prakash Satish accused Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia of not addressing the concerns of the people. Ved Prakash said, "A five-year-old girl was raped in my area. I called up Manish Sisodia. I messaged him. But, he did not pick up my phone for three days.""The minister does not pick up phone calls from an MLA," Ved Prakash complained.Ved Prakash Satish is the vice-chairman of Delhi Khadi Gramodyog and also the chairman of District Development Committee."I had not come here to become an MLA. I went there thinking that something new was going to happen. I don't have lust for an MLA's position. This is why I tendered my resignation," Ved Prakash said.

Rini Sinha

18 Jun 2017,Sunday

No mention of Gandhis in Indu Sarkar trailer: Pahlaj on NOC

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/no-noc-gandhi-family-indu-sarkar-pahlaj-nihalani/1/981723.html

CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani, when asked about a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Gandhi family for the upcoming film 'Indu Sarkar', said, "There's no mention of Indira Gandhi or Sanjay Gandhi in the trailer." The CBFC usually asks for an NOC from the concerned people before the release of a film, if it revolves around real people and situations.

While the makers of a film on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be asked to get a no objection certificate(NOC) from the man himself, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar can heave a sigh of relief for Indu Sarkar, a film on Indira Gandhi-declared Emergency.Indu Sarkar won't have to get an NOC from anyone in the Congress or the Gandhi family, says censor board chairman Pahlaj Nihalani, who is thrilled to see the Emergency being slammed in the film's trailer.Nihalani said: "I saw Madhur's trailer, and I want to congratulate him for blowing the lid off one of the most shameful chapters of Indian politics. This was a time when the nation was put in the most embarrassing spotlight in the global arena. Many of our biggest leaders had to go to jail during the Emergency. Indian people's morale had hit rock-bottom."But what happened to the rule that says no film about real incidents and situations can be passed without NOCs from the concerned people?Nihalani said: "Indu Sarkar does not name anyone. There is no mention of Mrs Indira Gandhi or Sanjay Gandhi or anyone else in the trailer. You are only presuming the film is about the people you mention because of the physical resemblance.""I didn't hear anyone's name mentioned in the trailer. If they are mentioned in the film, we'll see. At the moment, I am glad someone has made a film on the Emergency. It is a 'kaala dhabba' (black spot) in our political history," added the CBFC chief.

Vaibhav Gupta

11 Jan 2017,Wednesday

India stands for 3 Ds - Democracy, Demography, Demand: Modi

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prime-minister-narendra-modi-vibrant-gujarat-global-summit-buisness/1/854129.html

PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India's strength lies in 3 Ds - Democracy, Demography and Demand, while addressing the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in Gujarat. Adding that Gujarat represents the business spirit of India, PM Modi said the Centre has evolved a culture of healthy competition among states. India is now sixth largest manufacturing country in the world, he added.

Addressing the Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gandhinagar today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today told global investors that India's strength lies in its 3 Ds - Democracy, Demography, and Demand. "Gujarat, the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also represents the business spirit of India," Modi said. "Over the last two and a half years, we've also evolved a culture of healthy competitions among states which are being rated on the parameters of good governance," he said. "We have seen in the last two and a half years that it is possible to deliver quick results in a democratic set-up as well," the PM said. Earlier, Modi met several visiting foreign dignitaries including President of Rwanda and Prime Minister of Serbia to promote bilateral relations and investment opportunities. A number of India's leading corporate leaders including Mukesh Ambani of the Reliance Industries, Ratan Tata of the Tata Group and Mukesh Adani of the Adanis also addressed the event. Modi also met several delegates from different nations as well as Fortune 500 CEOs including John Chambers of Cisco on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.BUSINESS TYCOONS PRAISE GUJARATMeanwhile, industry stalwarts like Ratan Tata and Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani lauded  the Gujarat's potentials."If you have not visited Gujarat you are stupid. It is the fastest growing state. I am fortunate to have a car company in Gujarat," said Ratan Tata.Business magnate and chairman of Reliance Industries Limited said that the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit got better each time. "History will record you PM Modi as a great transformative leader," said Ambani."By Diwali entire Gujarat will be covered by Jio 4G," he added. Praising PM Modi, Ambani further said that the he transformed Gujarat and he is now transforming India. Business tycoon Gautam Adani said that his Adani Group Commits Rs 49,000 crore investment in Gujarat, 25,000 local employment in next 5 years and  will invest in water.CEO of Suzuki Motors, Toshiro Suzuki said that the company will expand its Gujarat plant to the capacity of 7,50,000 units. Here are the latest updates: Also read:

Chhavi Tyagi

10 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Merit in politics getting compromised by caste: K'taka Min

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-conclave-south-rv-deshpande-pallam-raju-kt-rama-rao/1/853976.html

Answering a question about how ministries are allocated in a government, Karnataka Minister RV Deshpande said that merit in politics is getting compromised by caste and loyalty to party leaders. Adding that increased competition between states has led to greater transparency, he said that in the post-liberalisation era it is difficult for red-tapism to go undetected.

Merit in politics is getting compromised by caste and loyalty to party leaders, said RV Deshpande, Minister for Large and Medium Industries in Karnataka, at the India Today Conclave South.The minister was replying to a question on how ministries are allocated in a government. RV Deshpande said that in his long political career he has also seen people from the grassroots going on to become highly successful ministers.

Dishant Sharma

12 Feb 2017,Sunday

Golfer escapes alligator's jaws by beating it by golf club

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/golfer-escapes-alligators-jaws-using-putter/1/880990.html

Tony Aarts, a Florida-based golfer, used his golf putter club to beat an alligator that attacked him and caught him by the ankle as he was approaching the fourth hole at the golf course. The alligator dragged Aarts into a nearby water hazard, before his eye socket was attacked by Aarts which caused the animal to loosen its jaw.

Houston, Feb 12 (PTI) A quick-thinking golfer in the US hit life-saving shots with his putter when he used the club to save himself from the clutches of a 10-foot alligator. Tony Aarts, a resident of North Fort Myers, Florida, used his Cleveland Golf putter to subdue the alligator that attacked him and caught him by the ankle as he was approaching the fourth hole at Magnolia Landing Golf and Country Club. "As I was walking about 5 to 6 feet away from the water I heard a splash, and as soon as I heard that splash I knew it was an alligator, and he got me," Aarts was quoted as saying by WINK News. The alligator had grabbed Aarts by his right ankle and he rolled into the nearby water hazard as they struggled. "I remember having a club in my hand, and as soon as he had me in the water up to my waist, I started hitting him over the head," Aarts said. The alligator did not give up easily and soon the water was up to Aarts chest. "He was looking at me with his big eyes, and I kept hitting him. And Im thinking Im getting deeper and deeper, and I thought youre not gonna get me," he was quoted as saying. However, Aarts then went for the reptiles eye socket with his club which finally saved him. "I started hitting him in the eye socket. I hit him three times and he let go of my foot, so I crawled back out and by that time the guys were there," he said.

Prashanti Moktan

28 Jun 2017,Wednesday

Rajini to seek Big B's advice on joining politics: Report

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rajinikanth-politics-thalaivar-to-seek-amitabh-bachchan-advice/1/988977.html

As per reports, actor Rajinikanth will be seeking advice about his entry into politics from old friends whose judgement he trusts, including Amitabh Bachchan. Rajinikanth's family is said to be against him joining politics. A source was quoted as saying, "They (Rajinikanth's family) cite the example of Amitabh Bachchan, who to this day, regrets his sticky stint in politics."

Over the years, speculations over Rajinikanth's entry into politics is a news that never sleeps. Last month, Rajinikanth, while addressing his fans, said he has no political aspirations but will consider taking the path "if it's God's will". While Rajinikanth is likely to float his own political party by the end of this year, reports now suggest that Thalaivar is keen on discussing his political career with his friend, Amitabh Bachchan.   Speaking about the news, a close friend of Rajinikanth was quoted by DNA as saying, "He may be mildly tempted to get into active politics, but he won't. His family is dead against bringing politics into Rajini's career. They cite the example of Amitabh Bachchan, who to this day, regrets his sticky stint in politics.""He wishes to think over the issue, talk about it and explore the possibility. Even though there is a lot of pressure on him to get into active politics from many quarters, he is no hurry to bite the bait. He will be meeting old friends whose judgment he trusts, including Bachchan saab and discuss it with them," the source added. After all these years, will Thalaivar finally venture into politics? Only time will tell.On the work front, Rajinikanth will resume shoot of Kaala, which is being directed by Pa Ranjith. He also awaits the release of the magnum opus, 2.0, starring Akshay Kumar in the lead.

Chhavi Tyagi

18 Jan 2017,Wednesday

BJP moves poll panel over Rahul's "hand of God" remark

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bjp-poll-panel-rahul-gandhi-congress-symbol-code-of-conduct/1/859597.html

The BJP on Tuesday demanded that the Election Commission freeze the election symbol of the Congress, alleging that its Vice President Rahul Gandhi violated the model code of conduct by linking his party symbol "hand" with various religious figures. "This is a clear-cut case of corrupt practice. There should be action against both Congress and its leader," the BJP said.

BJP today demanded that the Election Commission freeze the election symbol of Congress, alleging that its vice-president Rahul Gandhi violated the model code of conduct by linking his party symbol "hand" with various religious figures.A BJP delegation comprising union ministers Prakash Javadekar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and party office-bearers Bhupender Yadav, Anil Jain and Sidharth Nath Singh lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Gandhi and sought freezing of the symbol.Also read | Phata kurta, nikla Rahul Gandhi: What the Congress leader said on Modi's kurta "The grand old party Congress' grand new leader has tried to give communal colour to the elections by his statement in which he co-related the Congress' 'hand' with various religious figures such as Lord Shiv, Guru Nanak, Buddha and Islam. This is a clear cut case of corrupt practice. There should be action against both Congress and its leader", Naqvi told reporters after filing a complaint with the Election Commission.WHAT BJP'S COMPLAINT SAYSAt the Congress' 'Jan Vedna Sammelan' earlier this month, Gandhi had made comments co-relating his party's symbol 'hand' with religious gods, violating the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, model code of conduct and the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, BJP wrote in its complaint.Alleging that Gandhi's remarks were in violation of the model code of conduct, Javadekar said, "We have requested the Election Commission that the Congress party's election symbol should be frozen."Also read |  RSS didn't hoist national flag at their headquarters for 52 years: Rahul Gandhi   Javadekar said that as soon as the schedule for Assembly elections in five states was declared, the Congress had started raising communal tension and seeking votes on the basis of religion.Echoing Javadekar's view, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "The grand old party has a brand new communal agenda. The Election Commission has said they will take up the matter. We want an investigation into this and the party symbol should be sealed". BJP national secretary Singh said that contents of Gandhi's speech were not only offensive, but also an attempt to communalise the polity in poll-bound states.

Radhika Chugh

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Two accused in Dadri mob lynching case get bail

http://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/2-accused-in-bisada-lynching-case-gets-bail-father-praises-bjp-govt-in-up/story-or1Hi3GIp1SnUGudNznzTM.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted bail to two accused in the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri for allegedly slaughtering a cow. A local BJP leader, who is the father of one of the accused who got bail, praised the BJP for providing justice to his son. Notably, 14 people have been granted bail in the case.

Vishal Rana (21) and Hari Om (26), accused in the 2015 lynching of Mohammad Ikhlaq in Bisada for allegedly slaughtering a cow, was granted bail by the Allahabad high court on Monday.Vishal?s father Sanjay Rana (47), a local BJP leader, said his son ?got justice? because Uttar Pradesh ?has a BJP government?.?Though government has no say in court?s decision, it ensured justice is done,? he said, and claimed that in the previous regime, officials were did not ensure fair investigation.Sanjay also claimed that ?the whole village, including Muslims, were happy over the bail of my son?.?I do not have any grouse against my Muslim brothers. I am annoyed over Ikhlaq?s family, who slaughtered a cow and later made my family victim for it. It was a mob that attacked the family and I have suffered for it,? he claimed.The case pertains to the September 28, 2015 lynching of 55-year-old Ikhlaq and the assault on his family in Bisada village near Noida by a mob on the allegation of slaughtering a cow and storing its meat for consumption. Following the incident, 18 people were taken into custody, of which 14 had gotten bail. One of the accused in jail, Ravin (22) died in police custody in October 2016, allegedly due to dengue, while his family had blamed it on torture in the jail.Vishal and Hari Om along with another accused had been in Luksar Jail of Greater Noida for the last 22 months. The duo, who got bail, would be released after two days due to legal formalities.The case had political repercussions as BJP leaders ? in opposition to then-CM Akhilesh?s Samajwadi Party, which was seen to be favouring Muslims ? wooed voters in from the region on the plank of getting the accused released from jail during the UP assembly elections earlier this year.Union home minister Rajnath Singh, too, had addressed a gathering in the village.Vishal?s advocate Ram Sharan Nagar said the court of Justice SK Gupta granted bail to his client on Monday. He said the court took cognisance of the fact that it was a mob attack and the accused had been in jail for 22 months.

Sumedha Sehra

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Which Indian Vice Presidents have been elected Presidents?

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/venkaiah-naidu-gopalkrishna-gandhi-vice-presidential-election/1/1004607.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A total of six Indian Vice Presidents went on to be elected as Presidents later. The list includes Dr S Radhakrishnan, who was elected as the country's President after serving two terms as the Vice President. The other five people on the list are Dr Zakir Hussain, V V Giri, R Venkataraman, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, and K R Narayanan.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chose Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu as its candidate for the vice-presidential election on Monday.A veteran parliamentarian who has a close and long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Venkaiah Naidu ticks all the boxes for the BJP as the vice-presidential candidate. The Opposition has already named Gandhi's grandson Gopalkrishna Gandhi as its choice for the vice-presidential post. Both Venkaiah Naidu and Gopalkrishna Gandhi have filed their nominations for the vice-presidential election today. Of them, one will succeed Hamid Ansari as vice-president and will also be the chairman of Rajya Sabha. In the past, there have been several instances when the Vice-President of India went on to become the President.While no one knows if history will repeat itself in near future, we take a look at six such people who were first elected as vice-president and later became the country's president.1) Dr S RadhakrishnanIn 1952, Dr S Radhakrishnan and Janab Shaik Khadir Hussain filed nominations for vice-presidential election. The Returning Officer found Radhakrishnan's nomination valid and declared him unopposed to the office of the vice-president on April 25, 1952. After two terms as vice-president, Dr Radhakrishnan was elected as the second President of India in 1962. 2) Dr Zakir HussainBefore Dr Radhakrishnan's term as vice-president ended, elections were held to choose his successor. While Dr Zakir Hussain polled 568 votes, N C Samantsinhar secured 14 votes. Dr Hussain assumed the office of vice-president on May 13, 1962. He later succeded Dr Radhakrishnan as the third President of India in 1967 and remained in office till his untimely death in May 1969.3) V V GiriAfter Dr Zakir Hussain, V V Giri succeeded him as the vice-president of India in 1967. In the vice-presidential election, Giri got 483 votes against 193 votes for Professor Mohammad Habib.V V Giri assumed the office of vice-president on May 13, 1967. Following Dr Hussain's death in 1969, Giri also took charge as the acting president. He resigned from both the posts, vice-president and acting president, to contest the presidential election. Giri faced stiff competition from N Sanjeeva Reddy but eventually managed to get past the required quota of votes in the second count. Giri was sworn in as the President of India on August 24, 1969.4) R VenkataramanRamaswami Venkataraman assumed the office of vice-president on August 31, 1984. In the vice-presidential election, he secured an easy win over Bapu Chandrasen Kamble, and succeeded M Hidayatullah to the post. In 1987, R Venkataraman succeeded Gyani Zail Singh as the next President. 5) Dr Shankar Dayal SharmaAfter R Venkataram was elected as the President, he tendered his resignation as the vice-president. The election for the post was announced and 27 candidates filed their nomination. On scrutiny, the Returning Officer found only one nomination valid, that of Shankar Dayal Sharma. He was elected unopposed to the post of vice-president and assumed office on September 3, 1987. He fought the presidential election of 1992 and beat competition from G G Swell and Ram Jethmalani. Shankar Dayal Sharma succeeded R Venkataraman as the president and assumed office on July 25, 1992. 6) K R NarayananShankar Dayal Sharma resigned as vice-president after becoming the President, and elections were announced. K R Narayanan won the vice-presidential election with an overwhelming margin and secured 700 of the 701 valid votes. He was declared elected on August 19, 1992. In the 1997 presidential election, K R Narayanan defeated T N Seshan with a huge margin to succeed Shankar Dayal Sharma as the next president. (Source: Election Commission of India) ALSO READ:Before Ram Nath Kovind vs Meira Kumar, a look at biggest, closest victory margins in presidential elections

Chhavi Tyagi

22 Feb 2017,Wednesday

Will ensure he doesn't influence others: Rape accused's mom

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/mother-of-hauz-khas-rape-accused-says-she-ll-ensure-her-son-doesn-t-influence-other-kids/story-vV7AueAvNFMyVa1Iqv9tdK.html

The mother of 20-year-old Raja, who is accused of the recent Hauz Khas rape, has said that when her son comes out of jail she will ensure he does not influence her other children. Acknowledging that Raja was into drugs and committed thefts, the woman claimed, "He was a bad boy, but he never troubled girls."

From arranging money to enable her son to start a small business, to beating him up for keeping ?bad company?, Angoori Devi did all within her means to keep her 20-year-old son Raja away from petty crimes and frequent quarrels.But when Raja continued bringing trouble to the family, Devi decided she had had enough of him. Around five months ago, she kicked him out of her humble house in Dhobi Mohalla of South Delhi?s Arjun Nagar, warning him to return only after he had mended his ways.?He would fight with my husband and me when we corrected him. I thought he would be ashamed of his behaviour if he was thrown out of the house. But I would not have sent him away had I known it would land him jail one day,? Devi told HT on Tuesday, hours after Raja was arrested for allegedly raping a 24-year-old woman inside the Deer Park in the early hours of Sunday.Angoori Devi, the mother of the accused, says she was not surprised when a police team visited her on Monday to enquire about her son. (HT?Photo) The frail woman is now determined to ensure that her four younger children do not drop out of school or fall in bad company. ?I don?t know when will Raja be released from jail. But if I am alive when he comes out, I will ensure he does not influence my younger children,? Devi said.Working as a maid in some bungalows in the area, Devi has two other sons and daughters younger than Raja. These children who are aged between eight and 13 years and are unaware of the developments have two older sisters who are married. Her husband works as a vegetable vendor.Devi was not surprised when a police team visited her on Monday to enquire about her son. Raja would frequently get picked up by the local police for questioning as he was seen as a petty thief in the area. ?I did not know why police were looking for my son this time, but I told them that he does not live here anymore and does not listen to me,? she said.Despite acknowledging that her son ? who had tattooed his nickname ?Jundal? on his arm ? was into drugs and committed thefts, the woman refused to believe that Raja allegedly committed a rape. ?He was a bad boy, but he never troubled girls,? she reasoned. She now wants to meet her son once and ask him if he really did what police accuse him of. ?I do not know where Tihar Jail is located in Delhi. I will ask my husband to hire an auto and take me to him once,? she said.Meanwhile, locals accused Raja of being a troublemaker. Kartik Bariya, a local youth, who has known Raja?s family for years said: ?He would steal and get caught most of the times. People in the locality would not let him enter their houses as he would even steal their footwear,? alleged Bariya.Arjun, another local youth, alleged that Raja would indulge in violent quarrels and would carry a knife with him always. ?Only a few months ago, he pulled out a knife during an argument with someone, but accidentally ended up hurting himself,? Arjun said. Both police and locals confirmed that he was never arrested.

Mansha Mahajan

01 Jan 2017,Sunday

Jan Dhan account deposits doubled to ?87,000cr post note ban

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jan-dhan-a-c-deposits-double-to-rs-87k-cr-i-t-dissects-data/1/847067.html

Jan Dhan account deposits have more than doubled to ?87,000 crore till December 23, prompting tax department to "dissect" information relating to them, a senior official said. Inflow of funds into these accounts was highest in the first week post demonetisation. If it's found that money in these accounts belongs to other persons, necessary action will be taken, he added.

New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) Deposits in Jan Dhan account have more than doubled to Rs 87,000 crore in 45 days post demonetisation, prompting the tax department to "dissect" information relating to such deposits, a top government official said. Besides, the tax department also has data on small cash deposits between Rs 30,000-50,000 made in 4.86 lakh accounts totaling to Rs 2,000 crore. Between November 10-December 23, the total deposits in Jan Dhan accounts reported is Rs 41,523 crore in 48 lakh accounts. This, together with the total deposits of Rs 45,637 crore as on November 9, takes the aggregate amount in Jan Dhan accounts to over Rs 87,100 crore. "All these information received on Jan Dhan Accounts are being dissected. If it is found that money deposited in these accounts belong to some other persons, necessary action will be taken at appropriate time," the official told PTI. Cash deposit between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 have been reported in 4.86 lakh accounts till November 30, taking the total deposits in such quantum to Rs 2,022 crore. The official further said that inflows of funds into Jan Dhan accounts was the highest in the first week after demonetisation at Rs 20,224 crore, but after that the deposits went down substantially. "The inflow of funds in Jan Dhan accounts after the first two weeks was below Rs 5,000 crore per week and thereafter it got reduced to about Rs 1,000 crore per week," the official said, adding that the deposits have come down significantly after the tax department warned people not to allow their accounts to be misused for converting black money into white. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on November 8 announced junking of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes, and replaced the currency with new Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 notes.

Chhavi Tyagi

31 May 2017,Wednesday

Peacock is national bird as it doesn't have sex: HC judge

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/peacocks-mate-cow-national-animal-rajasthan-judge-sharma/1/967453.html

Urging the Centre to declare cow as the national animal, Rajasthan High Court judge Mahesh Chandra Sharma today said that peacock is the national bird because it doesn't have sex to reproduce. "The peahen gets pregnant by drinking the tears of the peacock. Even Lord Krishna carried the feather of a peacock on his head for this reason," Sharma added.

Justice Mahesh Chandra Sharma of Rajasthan High Court has set social media on fire saying peacock is India's national bird because the bird does not have sex to reproduce. Justice Sharma said that the peahen gets pregnant drinking the tears of the peacock.  We know cow is a holy animal in India. Slaughtering cows hurt religious sentiments of many Hindus. Cows have also become an excuse for extreme Hindutva organisations to thrash Muslims mercilessly, and to even kill them in the name of 'gau raksha'.Tiger is the national animal of India. But as cow is becoming the single most important source of controversies in the nation, of course other than assault on women, many people feel cow should be India's national animal. The Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Mahesh Chandra Sharma thinks so too. This morning, the Rajasthan High Court recommended life imprisonment for cow slaughter. Justice Sharma also urged the Centre to declare cow India's national animal. Keeping in mind Articles 48 and 51A(g) of the Constitution and to provide legal entity for their proper protection and conservation of cow, it is expected from the government that cow is declared a national animal," Justice Mahesh Chandra Sharma said in his 145-page order after hearing the Hingonia Gaushala case. It was Justice Sharma's last day at work today.   Interacting with the media post giving the verdict, Justice Sharma said, "Peacock is a bramhachari and it does not have sex with a female peacock. The peahen gets pregnant drinking the tears of the peacock. Even lord Krishna carried the feather of a peacock on his head."HOW DO PEACOCKS MATE? Peacocks mate how other birds mate. Female peacocks do not impregnate themselves by gulping down make peacock's tears. That happens only in mythology. Male peacock usually spread its tail feathers, strut about shaking the feathers and attract the attention of the female peacock. The female peacocks, often picky, mates with the male peacock who has the largest and most colourful feathers. Male peacocks even dances before the female peacock to impress and to get an indication of consent unlike many human beings. Once female peacock consents, the male peacocks jumps on the female peacock's back, align its sexual organ known as cloacas and have intercourse.Here's a video to prove peacocks do not swallow tear drops to satisfy their bodily needs: Unlike human beings, peacocks are polygamous and are open about it. Male peacocks often part ways with the female peacocks after mating, and in search of new mates. The female peacocks do not expect male peacocks to help it to raise the young ones either.HOW DO MYTHOLOGICAL PEACOCKS MATE? As per Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna is adorned with peacock feather as a sign of purity. Peacock feather is considered pure because the myth has it that peacocks and peahens do not mate to reproduce, but that the peahen gets impregnated by swallowing peacock's tears.    INTERNET TRUMPS JUSTICE SHARMASince internet is internet, it doesn't disappoint. There have been many discussions on Quora about the piousness of peacock even before Justice Sharma triggered a conversation about how peacocks mate, and people have been sensible enough to understand that impregnation through the intake of tear drops is nothing but a myth. This is one of the answers on Quora.There are versions supporting what Justice Sharma says too. Because, internet.Also read: Make cow national animal, give life imprisonment for slaughter: Rajasthan High Court tells Centre Beef fest at IIT-Madras: Student groups hold protests against attack on PhD scholar

Tarun Khanna

03 May 2017,Wednesday

MP govt decides to grant living entity status to Narmada

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mp-cabinet-in-principle-nod-to-living-entity-status-to-narmada/1/944019.html

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday decided to grant the status of "living human entity" to Narmada river. Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had asked the state government to introduce a bill in the Assembly. The proposal to grant the status to Narmada river came after the Uttarakhand High Court accorded the status to Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

Bhopal, May 2 (PTI) The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet today gave an in-principle nod to granting the status of "living human entity" to Narmada river, over a month after the Uttarakhand HC accorded the status to the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. The proposal would be discussed during the one-day session of the Assembly tomorrow, Public Relations Department Minister Narottam Mishra said after attending a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Participating in the Namami Devi Narmade Seva Yatra in the state last month, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had suggested the MP government bring a bill in the Assembly to accord the living entity status to the river. Chouhan had assured his government would introduce a bill to this effect in the next session of the Assembly. At the Cabinet meeting today, the CM also asked all departments to put up the logo of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay centenary year on their letterheads, hoardings, posters, banners and advertisements. "This is to be done with immediate effect," Mishra said. The BJP is observing the birth centenary year of Upadhyay, an RSS-ideologue and former president of Bhartiya Jana Sangh, the BJP forerunner.

Mansha Mahajan

29 Dec 2016,Thursday

Jeweller arrested for selling ?100 crore gold to fake buyers

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hyderabad-jeweller-arrested-rs-100-crore-gold-fake-customers/1/844645.html

Officers of the Central Crime Station, Hyderabad have arrested a director of Musaddilal Jewellers for allegedly selling gold worth ?100 crore to fictitious customers. The jeweller used fake names and fake addresses on the bills, according to reports. The arrest was made after the Income Tax department lodged a complaint alleging fraud by the jeweller.

Officers of the Central Crime Station (CCS) Hyderabad today arrested director of Musaddilal Jewellers Private Limited Kailash Chand Gupta for allegedly selling gold worth Rs 100 crore to fictitious customers.

Parmeet Kaur

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

Govt plans to make Connaught Place car-free on weekends

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/connaught-place-to-go-car-free-on-weekends-from-august/story-uCdkb3474kwtvQzpHhWGKI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

New Delhi Municipal Council is reportedly planning to stop vehicular movement in Connaught Place on weekends in order to decongest the area which gets around 5 lakh visitors every day. A pilot-launch of the plan is scheduled for August and after studying traffic flow and parking issues, the Council will decide whether the arrangement should be made permanent or not.

Delhi?s iconic shopping arcade, Connaught Place is set to go car-free and become pedestrian-friendly from August even though traders opposed the move, fearing it would kill their business.An official of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) who did not wish to be named said the council plans to carry out the pedestrian-only campaign in the weekends.?We plan to close down vehicle movement from 4pm on Friday and will continue it on Saturday and Sunday. This will be a soft launch of sorts in August, after which we can proceed towards making CP a no-vehicle zone in phases based on the response,? the official told HT.?We will study traffic flow, parking issues and experiences of pedestrians and shop owners,? he said, adding that based on the feedback, they will decide whether to make the arrangement permanent.The three-month trial for a car-free Connaught Place, which the NDMC had planned in February, was put off after opposition from traders at the popular shopping hub.Traders have threatened to protest again, saying Saturdays, Sundays, and even Mondays were peak days of business for them.?We are absolutely against it. It is not practical at all to not allow vehicles inside Connaught Place. And this soft launch is the perfect way to kill business. ?Saturday and Sunday and even Monday are the peak days for us. We will go all out to stop it. We can?t allow them to kill our livelihoods,? New Delhi Traders? Association (NDTA) president Atul Bhargav said.Traffic at Connaught Place is a nightmare on most days. The situation worsens on weekends and public holidays.The car-free plan, given a go-ahead by the Union urban development ministry after extensive talks with NDMC and traffic police in early January, aims to decongest the heritage shopping arcade which gets around 5 lakh visitors a day. Nearly 2,000 parking spaces ? 1,500 in inner circle and 400-500 in middle circle ? are to be removed.Authorities had proposed two ways to implement the project. In the first, cars will be allowed to enter from Janpath, people will alight at Palika Bazar or Palika Parking and exit through Baba Kharak Singh Marg. The second plan had proposed that cars will be allowed in the middle circle but only to drop visitors and shoppers, making it a no-parking zone.Officials say free ?park and ride? services from major parking areas at Shivaji Stadium, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Palika parking will be made available. The council has plans to make battery-operated vehicles and cycles-for-hire available to get to and come back from Connaught Place.Pedestrian-only zones are popular abroad. London, Montreal and Copenhagen have areas where no vehicles are allowed. Many cities in Europe and Asia also have car-free zones. In Puducherry, Goubert Avenue that runs along the French Quarters is closed to motorised vehicles after 5pm.

Deepali Aggarwal

29 Jun 2017,Thursday

UK school offers 'uniform hijabs' for Muslim pupils

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uk-school-offers-uniform-hijabs-for-muslim-pupils/1/989514.html

A secondary school in the UK is offering hijabs or headscarves worn by Muslims as part of the uniform for pupils, becoming the first school in the country to do so. However, Muslim parents and pupils have complained that the uniform hijabs are not modest enough and could pose a suffocation risk if pulled back by other pupils.

By Aditi Khanna London, Jun 28 (PTI) A secondary school in north-west England has become the first in the UK to offer hijabs or headscarves worn by Muslims as part of the uniform for pupils. Sir John Thursby Community College in Burnley, Lancashire, reacted to concerns that some hijabs were being worn incorrectly by introducing a uniform version. However, the move has come under fire from some Muslim parents and pupils, who feel the uniform hijabs are uncomfortable and not modest enough. They have launched an online petition, signed by 150 people, protesting against the lack of consultation over the new uniformed hijab. "Unfortunately, there was very little consultation by parents or the girls attending the school. Consequently, a scarf designed by the school has been created. It is very tight and in some cases too short as some of the girls have long hair and so it defeats the object to wear it," the petition reads. It also questions the "real agenda" behind the move and if it is to "put girls off" wearing a headscarf. Headmaster David Burton has written to parents to defend the policy and dismiss suggestions that the school is against headscarves as untrue. "We are sorry that there have been suggestions that the school is against headscarves. This is not true. We respect fully the wishes of girls to wear a headscarf and we always have done," he said.

Mansha Mahajan

27 May 2017,Saturday

ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar's pay hiked 64% to ?7.85 crore

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/icici-bank-ceo-kochhar-draws-rs-7.85-cr-in-fy17-rs-2.18l-day/1/963551.html

ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar has drawn ?7.85 crore as total remuneration in 2016-17, a jump of nearly 64% from a year ago. The hike was primarily driven by performance bonus, which Kochhar had forgone a year ago owing to the bank's weak financial results. In 2015-16, Kochhar was the third-highest paid bank chief with a pay of ?4.79 crore.

Chanda Kochhar, the head of country's largest private sector lender ICICI Bank, has drawn Rs 7.85 crore as total remuneration in 2016-17, a jump of over nearly 64 per cent from a year ago. ICICI Bank MD & CEO Chanda Kochhar's basic salary increased over 15 per cent to Rs 2.67 crore during the fiscal ended March 2017, as per banks annual report. Calculated on daily basis, her cost to the company was Rs 2.18 lakh. During the year, she took home performance bonus of Rs 2.2 crore. However, the bank had not not given performance incentive in 2015-16 due to weak financial status. Her total cost to the company was over Rs 4.79 crore in 2015-16 and basic salary was Rs 2.32 crore. The total remuneration included perquisites as well as retrial benefits. Furnished accommodation, gas, electricity, water and furnishing, club fees, group insurance, use of car and telephone at resident, reimbursement and leave travel concession, provident funds are among the major heads of perquisites. The monthly basic salary for Kochhar will be within the range of Rs 1,350,000-Rs 2,600,000, said the annual report 2016-17.

Abhishek Bansal

18 Jun 2017,Sunday

Posters demanding Advani as Prez outside BJP office removed

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/posters-rooting-for-lk-advani-as-president-removed-from-bjp-headquarters-in-delhi/1/981625.html

Posters supporting BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani for the post of the President were spotted outside the headquarters of the party in New Delhi. The posters, however, were torn apart and thrown outside the party office later. The posters described Advani as the best-suited contender for the post and were published in the name of a farm leader.

The political corridors these days are abuzz with speculations over who is going to be the country's next president.Parties across spectrum are reaching out to each other to arrive at a consensus ahead of the Presidential election. In this scenario, posters supporting Lal Krishna Advani for the post of the president have come up at some prominent locations in Delhi.These posters were also put up outside the headquarters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at 11, Ashoka Road. The posters, however, were torn apart and thrown outside the party office.The posters backing L K Advani for president have been published in the name of Ashok Tanwar, who calls himself the convener of Gurjar Samaj and a farmer leader.In these posters, L K Advani is described as the best-suited contender for the president's post. Many of these posters have been put up in and around Raisina Road in Lutyens Delhi.Senior BJP leader L K Advani's name has been doing the rounds as a probable BJP candidate for the Presidential election. Recently, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha batted for L K Advani as the presidential candidate through a series of tweets. "Advaniji is far above others if election is done through a referendum or direct voting by the people, of the people and for the people. Advani ji should have been the 1st and last choice of the country for the President's post in present scenario," the actor-turned politician tweeted.   Besides Advani, names of Murli Manohar Joshi, E Sreedharan are also doing the rounds for presidential candidate. ALSO READ:Presidential poll: How a joint Opposition candidate may trump Modi-Shah combination

Mansha Mahajan

22 Jul 2017,Saturday

JioPhone at effectively ?0 clever marketing: Industry body

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jiophone-at-effective-zero-price-clever-marketing-coai/1/1008075.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Industry body COAI has termed the launch of JioPhone at an "effective zero price" as a "clever marketing" position because the move will help the company save licence fee and other government levies. COAI Director General Rajan Mathews further termed the phone's launch as "clearly a big win for Jio" that will put pressure on incumbent telecom operators.

New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Industry body COAI today termed the launch of JioPhone a "clever marketing" and said Jio selling the device at effective zero price is an attempt to save government levies like licence fee by the company. The Reliance Jios new 4G-enabled feature phone at a fully refundable one-time payment of Rs 1,500 will offer free voice calls to customers with unlimited data when they recharge their account for Rs 24 onward whereas the full-month service will cost Rs 153 only. COAI Director General Rajan S Mathews said the Jios announcement is a bundled offer and the plan to sell it at an "effective zero price" is a "clever marketing position" as the move will help the company save licence fee and other government levies. "Previously, when you bundled handset along with services the 14 or 11 per cent that an operator paid as licence fee got imposed on handsets. So as an operator one cant compete with a handset seller because handset seller is not required to pay this extra levy of 11-14 per cent," Mathews said. He said a bundled offer would have increased cost of providing service for operators. "Reliance Jio offer is clever marketing position... they are saying the handset price is effectively zero. So no licence fee, spectrum usage charge has to be paid on that. Government will have to look at what sale of price for zero means," Mathews said. Mathews termed the todays launch as "clearly a big win for Jio" that will put pressure on incumbent telecom operators as well as on handset makers to match the offer and cable service providers. Mathews, however, said this might have a bit of adverse impact for Jio as well. "For existing (Jio) consumers who are already paying Rs 303 and above, unless they want to spend additional Rs 1,500, there is no impact. Of the 120 million customers, some of them might switch to this new plan. In such cases, there will be dilution for Jio from customers paying Rs 303 moving to Rs 153," Mathews said. He said that with this launch, data usage is expected to significantly increase. "There will be a shift also from 2G to 4G. The whole game is going to shift again to high volume, low margin. If you go to that segment where device price was impediment from switching to 4G from 2G, clearly this helps them. But competition is not going to stay put," Mathews said. He said handset manufacturers will have to scramble to compete with Rs 1,500 handset. A top official of a leading telecom company said it is too early to assess the impact of the new offering. He said that customers may prefer to have choices rather than being "locked into" into a handset for three years. Also, the offer at Rs 153 a month needs to be seen in the context of three years and whether the consumers are prepared to commit themselves to such an outgo on a monthly basis, he added. At present, the average revenue from feature phone subscribers is up to Rs 100 a month, said the official who did not wish to be named. Mobile phone companies body Indian Cellular Association (ICA) termed it as a disruptive move that will expand scope of 4G technology in the country. "It is a very well crafted package to enable entry-level subscribers to step into the digital data revolution. This package will be a catalyst also for spreading 4G networks into the deeper hinterland," Indian Cellular Association National President Pankaj Mohindroo said.

Chhavi Tyagi

01 May 2017,Monday

Karnan wants medical test on SC judges who wanted one on him

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/karnan-supreme-court-contempt-medical-examination/1/942777.html

Calcutta High Court Judge Justice CS Karnan ordered a psychiatric medical examination for the seven Supreme Court judges who ordered the same test on him in a contempt case. "I direct DGP, New Delhi to take the seven accused and produce them to psychiatric medical board attached to AIIMS and conduct medical test," Justice Karnan said.

The legal battle between the Supreme Court and Calcutta High Court judge CS Karnan took an amusing turn today after Karnan ordered a psychiatric medical examination of the seven Supreme Court judges who ordered the same on him.Justice Karnan said he has ordered the Delhi Commissioner of Police to take the seven judges for a medical test to AIIMS. "I direct DGP, New Delhi to take the seven accused and produce them to psychiatric medical board attached to AIIMS and conduct medical test," Justice Karnan said.Karnan Strikes back,Orders Psychiatric Medical Examination of 7 JudgesKarnan also threatened to issue a suo moto suspension order against West Bengal DGP, "if he comes to check my mental health forcefully."DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CASEThe Supreme Court had earlier today ordered the medical examination of Justice Karnan in a contempt case for accusing 20 current and former judges of higher judiciary of corruption.The apex court had directed Calcutta government hospital to constitute a board for a psychiatric medical examination of Karnan.SC had also directed Director General of Police to form a team of police officials to assist with the medical board. The apex court bench led by Justice Kehar had ordered Calcutta government hospital doctors to examine Justice Karnan on May 4 and submit a report by May 8.The Supreme Court had also said that Justice Karnan may submit a response if he likes.Justice Karnan had earlier banned eight Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice J S Kehar from travelling abroad.  He had also ordered CJI Kehar and seven other SC judges to appear before him.

Ankush Verma

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Russia probe not witch hunt: Trump's FBI nominee

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/fbi-nominee-christopher-wray-says-trump-russia-probe-is-no-witch-hunt/story-yWqVeiqefQHJctsZ0103OL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

US President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the FBI, Christopher Wray, has rejected the President's claim that an inquiry into alleged Russian hacking of the US election is a 'witch hunt'. Adding that he will never allow the FBI to be driven by anything other than facts, Wray said he would quit if Trump asks him to do anything illegal.

Breaking with the President, the lawyer Donald Trump picked to lead the FBI declared Wednesday that he does not believe a special counsel investigation into possible coordination between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign is a ?witch hunt?.Christopher Wray, the former high-ranking Justice Department official whom Trump nominated last month, also told senators at his confirmation hearing that he would never let politics get in the way of the bureau?s mission.The FBI?s work will be driven only by ?the facts, the law and the impartial pursuit of justice,? he said, asserting his independence. ?My loyalty is to the Constitution and the rule of law. They have been my guideposts throughout my career, and I will continue to adhere to them no matter the test.?Trump has repeatedly derided as a ?hoax? and a ?witch hunt? an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Robert Mueller, the former FBI director selected in May as the special counsel to oversee the probe.Wray, selected for the FBI job last month after Trump fired James Comey, made clear that he disagreed with the characterization.?I do not consider Director Mueller to be on a witch hunt,? he said under questioning from Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.He pledged to lead the FBI ?without regard to any partisan political influence? and said he would consider unacceptable any efforts to interfere with Mueller?s investigation.After Trump dismissed Comey on May 9, the ex-FBI director said that the President had asked him to pledge his loyalty during a dinner at the White House months earlier. He also said Trump had encouraged him to end an investigation into the former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Wray said Trump made no demand for loyalty from him.Wray, 50, would inherit the nation?s top law enforcement agency at a particularly challenging time, given the abrupt dismissal of Comey by a president who has appeared insensitive to the bright-line boundary between the White House and the FBI.Wray?s lengthy legal career included a stint as a top Justice Department official in the Bush administration and white collar work at an international law firm with several major corporations and banks as clients. He served the government at a time when harsh interrogation techniques were approved within the Justice Department for terror suspects captured overseas, though Wray said he was never involved in signing off on those methods.Though Trump as a candidate professed support for waterboarding, Wray said he considered torture to be wrong and ineffective. ?The FBI is going to play no part in the use of any techniques of that sort.?Wray was announced as the nominee in a curt, early morning tweet by Trump, and without the pageantry of a Rose Garden ceremony. So the hearing offered the first public, close-up look at him and his background.Several senators stated that they feel he is ?the right man for the job.? Attorneys and FBI agents who have worked with him describe him as a steady hand, dedicated and low-key, seemingly impervious to political influence.An association representing the majority of FBI agents on Monday voiced its support for Wray, saying ?he understands the nature of investigative work and the centrality of special agents to the mission of the FBI.?Bill Mateja, a Dallas attorney who worked with Wray in the Justice Department, said ?he has a great moral compass and he?s no one?s minion.?Wray also faced questions about his relationships with Comey and Mueller. Trump allies have said Mueller?s closeness to Comey shows he can?t lead an unbiased probe. But Trump nominated Wray despite his having worked with both men in the Justice Department.Wray was at the department in 2004 when Comey, then the deputy attorney general, was prepared to resign during a dispute with the White House over the reauthorization of a domestic surveillance program. Wray stopped Comey in the hallway one night amid resignation rumors with a particular request, according to the 2011 book, ?The Threat Matrix.??Look, I don?t know what?s going on, but before you guys all pull the rip cords, please give me a heads-up so I can jump with you,? Wray is quoted as saying.Those who know him say that unlike the outspoken Comey, Wray would be a more reserved leader. His reserve could bode well for the agency at a time when its work has been thrust into the center of a political maelstrom.He has deep experience in Washington, having served as head of the Justice Department?s criminal division in the Bush administration, a position that had him overseeing major criminal prosecutions ? such as the special task force investigating the Enron collapse ? and also developing the US government?s legal response to terrorism and national security threats.Over the past decade, he has worked in private practice at King & Spalding in Atlanta, where he?s defended large corporations and financial institutions in criminal and civil cases.He provided legal services to Johnson & Johnson, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse and fantasy sports providers DraftKings and FanDuel, among other big-name clients, according to ethics documents released Monday. If confirmed, he?ll have to step aside for a year from matters involving those clients and the law firm. He also assisted New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the so-called Bridgegate scandal.

Sonu Kumari

25 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Mumbai education society digitises 7 schools and colleges

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/seven-institutes-under-education-society-in-mumbai-go-digital/story-cgq7u8rzZinezRKxRo75DL.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Mumbai's Rizvi Education Society has reportedly digitised seven schools and colleges in its first phase of digital transformation. It has introduced paperless admissions and biometric entry for students among others. Authorities said the parents are "happy" as they can check their child's attendance on an app. It reportedly plans to start online checking of exam papers in the second phase.

Bandra?s Rizvi Education Society, which manages seven institutes including schools and colleges, recently implemented the first phase of digital transformation of its education and administration system. The institutes now have technology-driven teaching interface in all classrooms, bio-metric entry for students, paperless admissions and mobile apps for better teacher-parent interaction. The education society also plans to introduce online assessment of all examinations soon.?Paperless admissions have not only reduced the work of our staff but have also made the process very transparent for everybody. Parents are also happy as they get daily updates about their child?s attendance in college without even having to visit the institute,? said AH Rizvi, president, Rizvi Education Society. The society spent around Rs1 crore and took seven months to implement the first phase.He added that in the second phase, the education society plans to start online assessment of exam papers and make study material available online for all its 6,000 school and college students.The management trained its teachers in collaboration with a technology provider to ensure the final implementation is foolproof. Also, CCTV cameras were installed in all its institutes and all laboratories were equipped with latest technology. ?Our attempt to digitise almost all our academic functions right from admissions to the generation of results has been very fruitful. We intend to digitise the infrastructure, administration as well as teaching-learning process to ensure a 360 degree effort,? said Rubina Rizvi, director, Rizvi Education Society.

Daisy Mowke

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Actor Dileep's bail plea rejected in actress abduction case

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sexual-assault-case-actor-dileep-s-bail-plea-rejected-remanded-in-10-days-judicial-custody/story-X7VuDFJSI5TBsTpAlbOR4L.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Angamaly judicial magistrate court on Saturday turned down actor Dileep's bail plea in the Malayalam actress abduction case. The court remanded him to judicial custody till July 25. The actor's counsel had claimed that he has been falsely implicated in the case and the investigation team was "busy fabricating evidence against him".

The Angamaly (Kochi) judicial magistrate court on Saturday turned down Malayalam superstar Dileep?s bail plea and remanded him in judicial custody till July 25.Dileep was arrested last week in connection with the abduction and rape of a popular actress four months ago. He is the eleventh accused in the case.The public prosecutor opposed the superstar?s bail application, stating that he could use his clout to influence witnesses and weaken the ongoing investigation. The prosecution also referred to an ongoing pro-Dileep social media campaign to secure his release.However, the embattled actor?s counsel ? Ram Kumar ? claimed the actor has been falsely implicated in the case and the investigation team was ?busy fabricating evidence against him?. He also submitted two mobile phones used by the actor for further tests.Dileep was later taken to the Aluva sub-jail. He is expected to move the high court on Monday.The 31-year-old actress was returning from a film shoot when she was abducted by a gang of criminals and sexually assaulted in a moving car over a period of three hours on February 17. The assailants recorded the assault on their mobile phones and threatened to release the clip if she dared approach the police. During the attack, the main accused ? Pulsar Suni ? reportedly hinted that they were committing the crime at somebody else?s behest.After the actress lodged a complaint, police arrested all the accused directly involved in the crime. An investigation aimed at identifying the conspirators behind the attack finally led to Dileep?s arrest last week.

Vani Vivek

05 Jun 2017,Monday

OnePlus 5 to launch in June with dual camera, 8 GB RAM

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/technology/story/oneplus-5-dual-camera-4-000-mah-battery-snapdragon-835-and-all-that-we-know-so-far/1/969039.html

One of 2017's most anticipated smartphones, OnePlus 5 is expected to launch on June 15 with a dual primary camera setup. According to recent leaks, the device will have 4,000 mAh battery powered by Dash Charge technology with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage. It will be the first Android flagship with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor.

The OnePlus 5 is one of the most hotly anticipated handsets of the year, arguably even more than the iPhone 8. If the rumours and leaks are to be believed, then the phone may launch on June 15 itself. The smartphone will succeed One Plus 3T, which was arguably one of the best phones to launch last year. With such a glorious past, it is natural to have high hopes and expectations with the upcoming OnePlus 5. Update: Earlier we heard that the OnePlus 5 will launch on June 15. Well, at least that was the information that was leaked. Now it seems there is a new date. This latest rumour hints that the OnePlus 5 will be launched on June 20. The latest information comes courtesy leak from China where a screenshot of a image with June 20 circled has been leaked. Well, whether it is June 20 or June 15, it seems that the OnePlus 5 is just weeks away. The phone has been subjected to several leaks and rumours lately. A lot has been heard, written and spoken about the device. While the company has already confirmed few specs of the phone, a roundup of all the rumours and leaks of the phone will help you get a clearer idea of what the smartphone could bring to the table.OnePlus 5 is expected to sport a 5.5-inch display with thin bezels. Also, the phone could bear A5000 model number. While there is no word on the resolution yet but the phone could come with either 1440P or 1080P, similar to what we see in OnePlus 3T.OnePlus 5 could share its looks with OnePlus 3T. The phone may flaunt a metal unibody design with aluminium built metal frames and  rounded edges. OnePlus 5 is expected to be slimmer and compact than the OnePlus 3T. Look into the shadows. What do you 5ee? pic.twitter.com/QPQq9feIMeRecently, one of company's key officials also dismissed the rumours of OnePlus ditching the 3.5mm headphone and confirmed that the flagship phone will come with the 3.5mm headphone jack and a front-placed  fingerprint sensor. The volume and power button placed on the right side, similar to the OnePlus 3T. OnePlus 5 is expected to sport bigger battery than the  previously announced OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T. There are rumours that the smartphone could come with 4000mAh battery and support for Quick Charge 4.0. It is also almost confirmed  that OnePlus 5 will come with Oxygen OS based on Android Nougat. The smartphone could come be powered by the latest Snapdragon 835 processor with Adreno 540 GPU. Rumours suggest that the smartphone could come in two storage variants- with 6G RAM and 64GB ROM and the second one with 8GB of RAM with 128GB internal storage. This is going to be the USP of OnePlus 5. The phone is expected to come with a major upgrade over its predecessor in terms of photography. India Today Tech, in its previous report, had confirmed of dual rear-camera set up which will put the phone in competition against the likes of iPhone 7 and Xiaomi Mi 6. While previous rumours hinted of only dual camera set up at the back, a recent teasers released by company starring  Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput suggests that the device might also come with dual cameras at the front. Expect a 16 MP camera, both at the front and back. The company last month entered into partnership with DxO to better the photography experience of OnePlus 5. DxO is a company best known for developing the photography benchmark test called DxOMark. OnePlus 5 could come in funky colour options like Yellow, Red, Turquoise with hint of pink and green, Gold and Black. OnePlus 5 could be priced higher than its predecessor. Reason being the dual camera set up and  latest processor but that does not mean that the phone could cost Rs 60,000 or above like the iPhone.

Tarun Khanna

12 Mar 2017,Sunday

Congress got lesser seats than Apna Dal (Soneylal) in UP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/up-election-final-result-assembly-election-rahul-gandhi-congress-bjp-apna-dal/1/902491.html

Congress which contested on 105 seats in UP could manage to win only seven seats, which are less than the number of seats won by BJP ally Apna Dal (Soneylal). Notably, Apna Dal (Soneylal) had contested on 11 seats and won 9 of them. Anupriya Patel, President of Apna Dal (Soneylal), is a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi Cabinet.

In a more shocking revelation for beleaguered Congress, the Uttar Pradesh verdict has thrown up yet another disturbing fact: that it is now an even smaller player than BJP ally Apna Dal.ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2017: FULL COVERAGEApna Dal (Soneylal) headed by Anupriya Patel, who is a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi cabinet, contested on 11 seats and won nine of them. On the other hand, the Congress, which contested the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election as junior ally to the ruling Samajwadi Party, fielded candidates on 105 seats. The party won a meagre seven seats. What was more humiliating for the Congress is that it lost all the four Assembly seats in Amethi, a region considered to be the grand old party's pocket borough. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi represents Amethi in Lok Sabha and despite the party using its 'star campaigner' Priyanka Gandhi to campaign for it in the region, voters rejected it.THE INSULTWhen Congress decided to contest Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh in association with the Samajwadi Party, the Opposition mocked it for playing a junior partner to the ruling party. The Congress has long been a spent force in Uttar Pradesh and Rahul Gandhi's aim of resurrecting it in one of the most populous states of the country seems to have hit a dead end.Web Exclusive Result TV With Rahul KanwalRahul Gandhi must realise that relentless attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not win him elections rather the party should work on grassroot level to win back the confidence of its loyal votebank. Despite the embarrassment in UP, veteran party leader Digvijaya Singh asserted that there was no question of Rahul Gandhi stepping down."There is no question of Rahul Gandhi stepping down," said Singh in response to media queries about a change of guard in the Congress top brass."The Nehru-Gandhi family is the greatest binding factor for the Congress and the leadership has to come to Rahul," he said.Singh, however, conceded that the Congress party needed to build regional leaders."I have said this even earlier that we need to build up new leadership in states. We have to take decisive action to build up the party where we do not have strong regional leaders," added Singh.Congress is returning to power in Punjab after a gap of 10 years but it was more due to the massive anti-incumbency against SAD-BJP combine and efforts of veteran party leader Captain Amarinder Singh than Rahul Gandhi. He hardly campaigned in the state.In 2014, the Congress was decimated by a massive BJP wave. The saffron tsunami has hit it again in 2017. The party must put on its thinking cap so as to prevent the BJP from realising its dream of a 'Congress-mukt Bharat' in 2019.WATCH: How UP turned 'gerua' on election day ALSO READ:

Chhavi Tyagi

17 Jun 2017,Saturday

Just imagine yourself in grave: Slain J&K cop wrote on FB

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmir-unrest-just-imagine-yourself-in-grave-alone-slain-cop-dar-wrote-on-facebook/1/981038.html

Thirty-two-year-old Jammu and Kashmir police officer Feroz Ahmed Dar, who was buried on Friday, had written a Facebook post, "Just imagine... yourself in your grave. Down there in that dark hole... Alone." Dar along with five other policemen was killed on Friday in an ambush in Achabal in Anantnag district by suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants.

In a chronicle of his death foretold, Feroz Ahmed Dar wrote, "Just imagine... yourself in your grave. Down there in that dark hole... Alone."The 32-year-old Jammu and Kashmir police officer was buried last night in the family's ancestral graveyard in Dogripora village in Pulwama district with many from the village and his department bidding him a tearful adieu.Dar and five other policemen were killed yesterday in a gruesome ambush in Achabal in Anantnag district by suspected LeT militants who tried to disfigure their faces before walking away with their weapons.As his family and friends prepared for his last journey, his words written on January 18, 2013 came back to haunt. "Did you ever stop for a while and asked yourself, what is going to happen to me the first night in my grave? Think about the moment your body is being washed and prepared to your grave."Think about the day people will be carrying you to your grave and your families crying ...think about the moment you are put in your grave," he had written on his Facebook wall.MOURNING IN VALLEYAs Dogripora mourned its hero, his premonition of death echoed from his "first night" in the grave. The village, which shares its border with Budgam as wellas Shopian districts, was awash with tears as it were.Villagers queued up outside Dar's home to offer their condolences. His two daughters -- six-year-old Addah and two-year-old Simran - watched bewildered, unable to understand the sudden rush of people at their house.His wife Mubeena Akthar and aged parents wailed and beat their chests, trying to come to terms with the devastating loss.Nicknamed Dabang (daring) by his friends and a "one man army", Dar had wished earnestly for the situation in the Kashmir Valley to return to normal.FACEBOOK POST"Oh God! When will be the day we see normal Kashmir," he had written on his Facebook page on March 8, 2013."Bus itna yaad rahe, ek saathi aur bhi tha..." was the refrain of the Bollywood song from the film "LoC Kargil" recalling the sacrifices of a soldier echoed their grief.His batchmate Sunil Sharma posted Dar's picture and recalled the lyrics of the song in memory of those martyred in war. Many of his batchmates and colleagues recalled their association with Dar and said he was a god fearing man and a true Muslim who offered prayers five times a day."The officer whom everybody loved and who could get the support and respect of everybody around will always be in our heart. This inhuman act will be punished and punished suitably. Condolences for all the men that we lost today," Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) Swayam Prakash Pani posted on his official Facebook page.As the memories continue to build, and his family learns to live with the tragedy that has befallen them, Dar's hope for a peaceful Kashmir lives on.ALSO READ | Section 144 imposed in south Kashmir after LeT commander Junaid Mattoo's death in encounter

Rini Sinha

20 Mar 2017,Monday

Kamal Haasan posts message on elder brother's demise

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamal-haasan-emotional-message-chandrahasan-death/1/907743.html

Actor Kamal Haasan took to Twitter to post a message after the demise of his elder brother Chandrahasan (82) on Saturday night. "He was a friend, philosopher, brother and a good father. I've failed to fulfil even half of his dreams that he had for me," wrote Haasan. Notably, Chandrahasan was in charge of Kamal's home production Raajkamal Films International.

Kamal Haasan's elder brother Charuhasan passed away at his residence in London on Saturday. According to reports, Chandrahasan suffered a cardiac arrest. He was 82. Chandrahasan is the younger brother of Charuhasan.Condoling his death, Kamal took to Twitter and wrote a heartwarming post. He said, "He was a friend, philosopher, brother and a good father. I've failed to fulfill even half of his dreams that he had for me (sic)."நணà¯?பனாயà¯? நலà¯?லாà®?ானாயà¯?, தமயனà¯?à®®à¯? தà®?பà¯?பனà¯?மாயà¯? à®?வரà¯? பà¯?à®±à¯?றதாலà¯? à®?à®±à¯?றதà¯? நலà¯? வாழà¯?வà¯?. à®?னà®?à¯?à®?ாà®? à®?வரà¯? à®?ணà¯?à®? à®?னவà¯?à®?ளிலà¯? பாதியà¯?à®?à¯? à®?à¯?à®? நானà¯? நிரà¯?வà¯?à®±à¯?றவிலà¯?லà¯?It must be noted that Chandrahasan was in charge of Kamal's home production RaajKamal Film International, which has produced films like Hey Ram, Nala Damayanthi, Virumaandi and Vishwaroopam. A lawyer by profession, Chandrahasan played a huge role during the Vishwaroopam row and ran from pillar to post for his brother. Chandrahasan is survived by his son Nirmal and daughter Anu Hasan.Anu's cousin and actress Suhasini Mani Ratnam too expressed grief on Twitter.My uncle chandrahasan ,father of Anu Hasan ....left us yesterday WE Hasans lost a rare gemEarlier this year, Chandrahasan's wife Geethamani had passed away. She was 73.  "He was at his daughter Anu Hasan's residence at the time of his death on Saturday," a source was quoted by IANS.On the work front, Kamal Haasan's trilingual comedy Sabash Naidu has been postponed indefinitely. Haasan's much-anticipated Vishwaroopam 2 is likely to be released in the second half of this year.

Sonu Kumari

18 Jul 2017,Tuesday

Only 3,000 of 36 lakh farmers seek interim loan of ?10,000

http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/only-3-000-of-36-lakh-maharashtra-farmers-seek-interim-loan-of-10-000/story-s5jPk8gfboCfD0Wp7PrEEP.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Less than 3,000 out of 36 lakh eligible farmers have opted for an interim loan of ?10,000 in Maharashtra. The state had offered the interim loan to facilitate sowing of kharif crops until the actual farm loan waiver was announced. Noting poor response to the interim waiver scheme, advertisements were also published in newspapers, urging farmers to avail the loan.

More than five weeks after it announced an interim loan of Rs10,000 to facilitate sowing of kharif crop until the actual waiver is credited in farmers? accounts, there seem to be no takers for government?s offer. While the government claimed more than 36 lakh farmers were eligible for the interim help, less than 3,000 of them have opted for it.With a decision on farm loan waiver pending, the government declared a Rs-10,000 interim loan for farmers for the sowing season. Taking note of the poor response, several district central cooperative banks (DCCBs) have published advertisements in newspapers, urging farmers to avail the loan. The government has also extended the deadline to claim the money to August 31 from the earlier July 15.The delay in issuing directions to banks owing to the failure in convincing RBI is to blame for this.?There is poor response to the interim waiver scheme. There was a delay in issuing directives to the district banks, but now the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank has written to all DCCBs, saying it will avail the finances for such loans,? cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh told HT. ?I think farmers are now waiting for the actual farm waiver than going for an interim offer.?The Congress said the interim loan waiver scheme failed owing to government apathy. ?Only 2,200 farmers could avail the interim loan. Many district cooperative banks and almost all nationalised and private banks have not shown any interest in the disbursement. The state took 25 days to extend guarantee to the banks for the loan that was announced on June 11. It is a failed initiative that has left farmers in the lurch,? said Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant.

Prashanti Moktan

12 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Censor Board stalls Amartya film over word cow: Report

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/censor-board-stalls-film-on-amartya-sen-over-words-gujarat-cow-report/story-m485SUqiIamu00RxtK8d8N.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

As per reports, the Censor Board has stalled the release of the documentary The Argumentative Indian, which is on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, over the use of words 'cow', 'Gujarat', 'Hindutva view of India' and 'Hindu India'. The documentary's maker Suman Ghosh said that he would never agree to beep or mute anything that Amartya has said in the documentary.

A documentary on Amartya Sen will not be released in Kolkata after filmmaker and economist Suman Ghosh refused to follow the Central Board of Film Certification?s order to mute words such as ?Gujarat?, ?cow?, ?Hindutva view of India? and ?Hindu India? spoken by the Nobel laureate, The Telegraph has reported.Ghosh was told The Argumentative Indian, which was screened at the CBFC office in Esplanade on Tuesday, could only be released with a UA certificate if he agreed to beep out the words, the newspaper said.Idea of individual liberty has taken the biggest knock in India: Amartya Sen: Read Rajesh Mahapatra?s interview of Amartya Sen?The attitude of the censor board just underlines the relevance of the documentary in which Sen highlights the growing intolerance in India. Such scrutiny of any criticism of the government in a democratic country is shocking. There is no way I would agree to beep or mute or change anything that one of the greatest minds of our times has said in the documentary,? Ghosh told The Telegraph on Tuesday.Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and actor Soumitra Chatterjee during the special screening of Suman Ghosh?s film The Argumentative Indian. (IANS) According to the report, the word ?Gujarat? came up during a lecture Sen delivered at Cornell University in The Argumentative Indian that was shot in two parts in 2002 and 2017.?...Why democracy works so well is that the government is not free to have its own stupidities, and in case of Gujarat its own criminalities, without the Opposition being howled down and booted out ...? Sen said.Asked by economist Kaushik Basu about the context of his book, The Argumentative Indian, Sen said that it was ?really based on my understanding of the country... (and) the country was now being interpreted sometimes as Hindu India and sometimes as other restricted visions of the country....??...There was a kind of grandness of vision there, and an integrated picture which hangs together in trying to embrace each other, not through chastising people for having mistreated a cow or some other thing, but dealing with people in terms of argument,? Sen said as part of his answer to Basu.Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen gives his autograph on the Bengali translation of his own book The Country of First Boys,during its launch at ICCR in Kolkata on Monday. (PTI) On Wednesday, Sen refused to comment on the controversy.?Since I am the subject of this documentary film, I should not pass any comment. It is the director, or other people, who can react. I should not speak on this matter,? he told a Bengali television channel. A member of the board refused to comment when asked about the objections, the newspaper said.Ghosh, who teaches economics at Miami in the United States, is yet to decide on his next course of action.Follow @htshowbiz for more

Chhavi Tyagi

09 Dec 2016,Friday

Divyang people needn't stand for National Anthem in theatres

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/supreme-court-national-anthem-cinema-halls-doors-not-bolted/1/830696.html

The Supreme Court on Friday exempted people with physical disabilities from its recent ruling of making it mandatory for everyone to stand during the National Anthem to be played compulsorily before film screenings in theatres. The apex court further clarified that the doors of the cinema halls will be closed, but not bolted when the National Anthem is played.

The Supreme Court has relaxed rules for the differently-abled and clarified that the doors will not be bolted when the National Anthem is played in cinema halls.The doors would be closed, but not bolted. 

Ayushi Ahluwalia

19 Jul 2017,Wednesday

Delhi govt launches 'merit cum means' scholarship scheme

http://www.hindustantimes.com/education/delhi-government-launches-merit-cum-means-scholarship-scheme/story-Gs4WtjOt2mys7fkN1bPTvI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The Delhi government on Tuesday announced a 'merit cum means' scholarship for students from low and middle-income groups studying in state universities. The scheme has three categories based on the students' family income and will provide fee waivers up to 100%. However, students will need a minimum of 60% in the class they passed to qualify for the scheme.

Delhi government on Tuesday launched ?merit cum means? scholarship scheme in the national capital, with an aim to benefit the students from poor and moderate means of income group.Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, while making the announcement in New Delhi, said the scholarship scheme would be a fee waiver scheme for the needy students who pursue higher studies in any of the state universities of Delhi, namely GGS Indraprastha University, Delhi Technological University, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Ambedkar University, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technological University for Women and Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU).Sisodia, who also holds education portfolio, said that to avail the benefit of the scheme the students must have secured at least 60 per cent marks in the class he/she has passed.?The scheme has been divided in three slabs -- 100% fee waiver for category of students coming from a BPL family, 50% fee waiver for students from families with income upto Rs 2.5 lakh per annum and 25% fee waiver for students from families with income above Rs 2.5 lakh and not exceeding Rs 6 lakh per annum,? Sisodia told reporters.He added the scheme would be applicable to all students in any of the undergraduate courses.He also said that in case of SC/ST students, an additional 5% waiver in the fee would be given. ?It is a proud moment for the people of the national capital that Delhi will be the first state to provide fee waiver to students from families with income upto Rs 6 lakh per annum,? the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader said.He added that the scheme is expected to benefit about 20-25,000 students from poor and moderate means of income. The scheme has been framed under the framework of The Delhi Higher Education Aid Trust.The scheme would also be extended to the Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT) as and when the institution becomes a state university.?AAP government is committed to ensure that no child is left behind in the higher education system for want of monitory resources. We have allocated a budget of Rs 10 crore for the academic year 2017-18 for this scheme,? Sisodia added.

Deepali Aggarwal

16 Jul 2017,Sunday

Thailand to check monks' bad habits with smart ID cards

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/thailand-to-check-monks-bad-habits-with-smart-id-cards/story-GUc7KWzvvEZgPx9mHYfPSJ.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

The military-run Thailand government is planning to issue digital ID cards to Buddhist monks, listing their backgrounds to enable scrutiny by authorities. The move is "to prevent fake monks using religion, or suspected wrong-doers from hiding their illegal acts behind orange robes," officials said. This comes amid a series of scandals ranging from sex and drugs to murders involving monks.

Thailand?s Buddhist monks could soon be issued ?smart ID cards? flagging any drug or criminal records, in the latest move by the junta to restore the tarnished image of the men in orange robes.The kingdom has around 300,000 monks, who are held in high regard as keepers of the national religion. But in recent months the clergy has been plagued by a series of high-profile scandals ranging from sex and drugs to murders taking place at temples.The junta, which took power in 2014, wants to reorganise Thai Buddhism, with misbehaving monks first in their crosshairs.?Monks across the country already hold the paper-based cards but the information is out-of-date, which makes it hard to verify their background,? Ormsin Chivapruck, an official at the Office of the Prime Minister, told reporters on Thursday.Digitalised smart cards would enable up-to-date tracking with the monk?s monastic history recorded alongside any criminal offence or report of drug use, he added. The move is ?to prevent fake monks using religion, or suspected wrong-doers from hiding their illegal acts behind orange robes,? he added.Details will be discussed next week at a meeting of the Supreme Sangha Council, the body governing the national faith.But rollout of smart cards may be complicated as all Thai men are expected by social convention to ordain for at least a few weeks.Critics say the rigid hierarchy of the Supreme Sangha Council makes it unable to counter corruption or embrace change.The government has already forced more than 46,000 temples to submit their financial accounts, amid claims of widespread irregularities.The most famous monk scandal played out earlier this year as troops searched the temple of the mega-rich Dhammakaya sect on the outskirts of Bangkok, to arrest the controversial former abbot who is accused of money-laundering. The abbot remains at large.

Rini Sinha

05 Jun 2017,Monday

Tubelight won't break records of Baahubali 2: Salman Khan

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/salman-khan-tubelight-baahubali-2-record-break/1/970960.html

Actor Salman Khan has said that his upcoming film 'Tubelight' won't break the records of SS Rajamouli's 'Baahubali 2'. He added, "Hindi film-goers lapped up the film despite watching a dubbed version of it." Salman further said that 'Baahubali 2' got box-office success because of Hindi cine-goers.

Ever since the trailer of Salman Khan's Tubelight released, a lot has been said about how the film would probably break Baahubali 2's records at the box office. Many are of the opinion that Tubelight will be able to pull this off as Salman has a huge fan following. In fact, Salman's not-so-good friend Vivek Oberoi in a recent interview said that he wants Tubelight to break the records of Baahubali 2. He told IANS, "I want Tubelight to break records of Baahubali and become a superhit film. I feel Tubelight has all the capacity to make Hindi cinema proud all around the world and I would like to wish all the luck for the entire team of Tubelight."But Salman, who has collaborated with Kabir Khan for the third time, thinks otherwise. In an interview to Firstpost, the Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor said, "I doubt that Tubelight will break Baahubali 2's record, because the latter is one of the most freakish films that has been made. Hindi film-goers lapped up the film despite watching a dubbed version of it. It is because of the Hindi cine-goers that they have got these numbers."However, the actor added, "As long as nobody loses money, I am fine. I don't feel the pressure."Set against the backdrop of 1962 Sino-Indian war, Tubelight tells the story of two brothers. It is after a gap of seven years that Salman and brother Sohail Khan will share screen space. The film, which is set to hit the screens this Eid, also stars Chinese actor Zhu Zhu and late Om Puri.

Dishant Sharma

10 Jan 2017,Tuesday

Football World Cup to have 48 teams instead of 32 teams

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/10/fifa-vote-expand-world-cup-48-teams-from-2026?CMP=share_btn_tw

World football's governing body, FIFA on Tuesday approved plans to expand the World Cup from a 32-team tournament to a 48-team format from 2026 onwards. This is the first time since 1998 World Cup that changes have been made to the make-up of the tournament, with the 2026 edition set to feature 16 groups of three.

The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, has robustly defended the decision to expand the World Cup from 32 competing national teams to 48, which will begin with the 2026 tournament, in the face of immediate criticism from top European clubs. At a meeting in Zurich, Fifa?s rule-making council unanimously passed the new format, which will create a first round of 16 groups, from which two of three teams will qualify and proceed to a knockout competition beginning with 32 countries.Fifa has projected that the increase to 48 countries will generate around $1bn more income, and $640m profit, from greater television rights and sponsorship. Infantino said the money will be reinvested in football; he has promised all Fifa?s 211 member countries? associations $5m a year to aid development.Speaking after the meeting, Infantino argued that the expanded tournament will increase interest in football worldwide by involving more countries, while not burdening players with more matches.Responding robustly to criticism from the German football association (DFB) and European Club Association (ECA), which derided Fifa?s decision as having been taken for ?political reasons rather than sporting ones,? Infantino said: ?We are in the 21st century, and we should shape the World Cup for the 21st century. Football is more than Europe and South America; football is global.?Fifa?s football associations, particularly in Africa and Asia, have historically been in favour of the tournament?s expansion, which Infantino said will give them all more places in the finals. Precise numbers are yet to be decided, as are some of the format?s details, including whether drawn first-round group matches could all be decided on penalties. The host for the 2026 tournament is due to be considered in 2020, with a bid featuring the US, either on its own or in conjunction with one or both of Canada and Mexico, the overwhelming favourite.Arguing that qualification for the World Cup provides a key boost to football development in smaller countries, Infantino pointed to the advances of Iceland, Wales and Hungary in last year?s European Championship as examples of ?beautiful stories?. European football?s governing body, Uefa, decided in 2008 to expand its tournament from 16 countries to 24, and Europe?s representatives on Fifa?s council supported the World Cup increase, despite the opposition from leading clubs.In a statement the ECA, which has 220 member clubs in 53 European countries, said that the 32 team format is ?a perfect formula? and suggested that Infantino had in mind electoral support from Fifa?s member associations, which each vote for for the president. Questioning the ?urgency? with which so historic a decision was taken, less than a year since Infantino was elected, the ECA said ?stakeholders? who will be ?impacted? had not been properly involved.?We understand that this decision has been taken based on political reasons rather than sporting ones and under considerable political pressure, something ECA believes is regrettable,? the statement said.Infantino declined to respond to reports immediately after Fifa?s announcement that the Spanish football league, La Liga, which claimed it was not consulted at all, is considering a lawsuit. Last week the DFB president, Reinhard Grindel, expressed ?immense reservations? about the proposed expansion, arguing that allowing 16 more countries to qualify would reduce the quality of the football.Referring to his election last February on a proposal to expand the World Cup to 40 teams, Infantino said the prime objection from European clubs had been to increasing the number of matches played, and the tournament?s length. He said Fifa administrators had since examined four different formats and found that the 48-team expansion could address those concerns.The immediate move to a 32-team knockout competition after the two matches played by each country in the first round of 16 groups, means the finalists will have played seven games, the same as in the current format. The tournament can still be played over 32 days, as it is now. Infantino pointed out that Uefa?s expansion lengthened the European Championship by a week, and incorporated one more match for the finalists.Arguing that the quality of football is improving around the world, and pointing to the elimination of both England and Italy by Costa Rica in the last World Cup in 2014, Infantino said: ?Increasing the size of teams which can participate will increase the investment in football development, to make sure that the teams can qualify.?The FA?s chief executive, Martin Glenn, had said his preference was ?to keep the tournament smaller,? but he acknowledged that ?smaller countries understandably want to be part of the tournament.? The English representative on the Fifa council, David Gill, did not attend the meeting because of a previously arranged visit to Australia, but given the strength of support for the expansion, he had been expected to vote in favour.In a statement after the decision, the FA said: ?We will work with Uefa, Fifa and the other European associations to understand how the 48-team Fifa World Cup will work. The priority has to be consideration of the potential impact on fans, players, teams and leagues, and also recognition of the importance of sporting integrity and commercial viability.?

Tarun Khanna

26 Dec 2016,Monday

Don't be overconfident of your win in UP: Shiv Sena to BJP

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shiv-sena-pm-narendra-modi-bjp-up-polls-bsp-samajwadi-party/1/842866.html

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna, the Shiv Sena has warned the BJP not to be overconfident of its win in the 2017 UP Assembly elections. Even in the past Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have been taught lessons by people in elections, read the editorial. Notably, Shiv Sena has decided to contest 200 seats in UP polls.

Deepali Aggarwal

15 Jul 2017,Saturday

Corpses seen floating in river near ISIS-liberated city

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jul/15/stream-of-floating-bodies-near-mosul-raises-fears-of-reprisals-by-iraqi-militias?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

Unidentified dead bodies are spotted floating almost daily in the Tigris river near the recently ISIS-liberated Iraqi city of Mosul, according to reports. The bodies are the evidence of extrajudicial executions of ISIS militants by the Iraqi security forces, non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch has alleged. Soldiers have shifted the corpses to a morgue at the city's general hospital.

The bodies washed up with grim regularity on the banks of the Tigris downstream from Mosul, a daily reminder of the vicious fight against Islamic State that played out a few dozen miles away.All were heavily decomposed, most bound and blindfolded, some mutilated. The corpses began arriving last spring, but as the mission to oust Isis fighters from the once-thriving city intensified, so too did the number of dead floating towards the west bank town of Qayyarah.?I see dead bodies in the water daily,? said Ahmed Mohammed, a driver, speaking earlier this year. ?The number has increased since early April. There were five bodies floating in the river recently in one single day. They are young men with their hands tied behind their back and are blindfolded.?Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi this week declared victory after nearly nine months of fierce fighting to displace the extremist group from the city where it proclaimed its ?caliphate? in 2014. But as Mosul lies in ruins ? and the last women and children emerge from the rubble ? a bloody picture of the campaign?s impact is emerging. Local people who spotted corpses midstream would try to catch them and then call the army, Mohammed said. Soldiers then take them to a makeshift morgue at the city?s general hospital, run by Mansour Maroof Mansour. Most of the dead found in the river with some identifiable features intact were young men who appeared to be in their late 20s, said Mansour, but he has learned little else about who they were. ?We can?t identify the bodies in the river. They are very decomposed and there is nothing on them to use for identification,? he said, standing in a room filled with dozens of bodybags. None had been claimed, and even that toll of the unknown dead is not exhaustive; some bodies are lost.?(Once) the body of a boy also floated by but we could not catch it as it was too small and went through the gaps in the barrier,? said the driver Mohammed, who is haunted by guilt at letting the young boy drift away.Human rights organisations had raised alarm about the number of unsolved killings in and around Mosul city and in particular the corpses washing up along the Tigris river. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said evidence points to government forces, killing suspected Isis members or collaborators without trial or due process.Warning of the killings in April, Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director for HRW said: ?The bodies of bound and blindfolded men are being found one after the other in and around Mosul and in the Tigris river, raising serious concerns about extrajudicial killings by government forces. The lack of any apparent government action to investigate these deaths undermines the government?s statements on protecting detainee rights.?Little has been done to investigate the killings, however. ?The horrors that the people of Mosul have witnessed and the disregard for human life by all parties to this conflict must not go unpunished,? Lynn Maalouf, research director for Amnesty International in the Middle East, said. The violence upstream casts a long shadow in Qayyarah, which was freed from Isis rule at the start of the nine-month Mosul campaign. Most residents are reluctant even to talk about the bodies in the river. ?I don?t know anything about that subject,? said one fishmonger in the newly re-opened market, buzzing with soldiers and militia fighters.Isis exploited Iraq?s sectarian tensions to facilitate its rise to power. Many Sunnis who felt disenfranchised by the Shia majority government or feared becoming targets of security forces welcomed or at least tolerated the group?s arrival in 2014. As the extremism and violence of Isis world view became clearer, many Sunnis left or privately turned against the group, but suspicions of collaboration linger and in some Sunni areas a sense of apprehension remains.?Blood for blood,? reads graffiti on a wall of a house in Qayyarah that locals say belonged to Ali Khether, a well-known Isis commander who had lived in the town. He is described by one as ?The child of adultery, Ali Khether, the Daeshi? ? a name that refers to Daesh, a pejorative name for Isis.Close by stands the town?s small stadium where Isis, with the aid of local people, killed dozens, with the most cursory of trials, on charges ranging from spying for the security services to homosexualityNow as Isis retreats to the Syrian city of Raqqa and desert areas of western Iraq, those who were on the receiving end of their brutality for over two years have set up their own militia groups. Loosely attached to the Popular Mobilisation Units (PMU), they are taking the law into their own hands.?PMU militias have carried out a systematic pattern of violations, including enforced disappearance, extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings and torture of Sunni Arab men and boys, seemingly in revenge for IS attacks,? said Amnesty International in a report earlier this year.Security forces who retook the town found the bodies of many Isis victims that had been dumped in the river, said Walid Khaled an officer at Qayyarah police station, but he had no idea who the more recent waves of dead might be. ?We don?t know where they come from, they are unidentified,? he said.Some in the town say the bodies are more Isis victims killed by the last fighters holed up in Mosul, but the Iraqi security forces had blocked the river around 20km outside the city with a floating boom designed to stop fighters sneaking out or reinforcements getting in by water. Territory further down river towards Qayyarah has been in the control of Iraqi security forces for months.A soldier guarding a floating bridge connecting Munirah village, around 20km south of Mosul on the western bank, refused to give his name, but appeared to confirm that extrajudicial killings were taking place beside the river.He showed the Guardian a video of himself and other soldiers, dragging a limp body with a bloody face along the edge of the water. ?He was Daesh hiding in the reeds and we killed him,? the soldier said with satisfaction.

Ankur Vyas

20 Apr 2017,Thursday

SC scraps Bihar topper scam mastermind Bachcha Rai's bail

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bihar-topper-scam-mastermind-bachcha-rai-bail-supreme-court/1/933496.html

The Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the conditional bail granted by the Patna High Court to Amit Kumar alias Bachcha Rai, the alleged mastermind behind the Bihar topper scam. Rai is in prison along with former Bihar Board Chairman and his wife. Notably, he is the Principal of the college where Ruby Rai, the class XII Arts topper, was enrolled.

The Supreme Court today cancelled the conditional bail granted by the Patna High Court in February this year to Amit Kumar alias Bachcha Rai, the alleged kingpin of the Bihar topper scam.The Nitish Kumar government had moved the Supreme Court asking for the removal of the bail, which was granted in case Rai is not convicted by a lower court within a month.Rai is currently lodged in a jail along with other key accused, including Lalkeshwar Singh, former Chairman of the Bihar School Examination Board, and his wife Usha Sinha.Bachcha Rai, the Secretary-cum Principal of Vishun Rai College in Vaishali district of Bihar, was arrested in June last year. It was from this college that Ruby Rai and Saurabh Shrestha - Class XII Arts and Science toppers respectively - were caught on camera with absolutely no knowledge of their streams.The video featuring Ruby has her describing political science as "prodigal science" and saying the subject that she topped was about cooking. Similarly, Saurabh Shreshtha was seen giving wrong answers to basic science questions.The sting by a TV news channel suggested that the "toppers" may have cheated to achieve their ranks. In 2015, Bachcha Rai's daughter Shalini was the Bihar state topper in science stream.ALSO READ:

Chhavi Tyagi

01 Aug 2017,Tuesday

Woman stabbed in front of 4-yr-old son outside Thyagaraj

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/four-yr-old-watches-as-mother-stabbed-to-death-outside-thyagraj-stadium-in-delhi/story-E0wnMO24Hy3jFhUsLyBiEI.html?utm_source=inshorts&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=fullarticle

A 40-year-old woman was stabbed outside the Thyagaraj Stadium in south Delhi on Monday evening in front of her four-year-old son while she was returning home from a weekly market. The attacker, who is reportedly in his mid thirties, managed to flee the spot leaving behind the kitchen knife used in the murder.

A 40-year-old woman was stabbed outside the Thyagraj Stadium in south Delhi on Monday evening even as her four-year-old son watched.Santoshi, a resident of the nearby Prem Nagar Colony, was returning home with her son from a weekly market near the stadium when the incident took place. Eyewitnesses told police that a man, seemingly in his mid thirties jumped from behind and stabbed the woman multiple times. The spot outside Thyagraj Stadium where a woman was stabbed to death. (Picture: Sourced) Santoshi cried for help, alerting three security guards at the stadium. Her attacker, however, fled the spot leaving behind the kitchen knife used in the murder. A police team reached the spot and rushed her to the Trauma Centre where Santoshi was declared dead. Doctors told police that she had been stabbed at least five times. Santoshi, a mother of five was separated from her husband. Her husband, police said lives in Rajasthan. Investigating officials said a CCTV camera at the stadium has recorded the stabbing. The incident took place at around 8pm. Police sources said they have identified a suspect. They are exploring the angle of money dispute and spurned love.Additional deputy commissioner of police south Chinmoy Biswal said police have registered a case and are working to arrest the murderer.

Aarushi Maheshwari

07 Apr 2017,Friday

Woman falls off California's tallest bridge, survives

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/woman-falls-off-tallest-california-bridge-while-taking-selfie/1/922269.html

A woman, who fell from the tallest bridge in USA's California while taking a selfie and landed 60 feet below on a trail, is expected to survive, the Placer County Sheriff's office said. The woman suffered several fractured bones and requires surgery. She fell from the 730-feet-tall Foresthill Bridge, the highest in California and among the highest in the US.

A woman fell 60 feet from one of the US tallest bridges while taking a selfie but miraculously survived after landing on a trail below. The Sacramento-area woman was expected to survive after she fell 60 feet off the restricted area of the Foresthill Bridge near Auburn, California, while trying to take a selfie, the Placer County Sheriffs Office said. Paul Goncharuk, a friend of the woman, told CNN affiliate KOVR that "she was knocked unconscious, suffered a deep gash to her arm and fractured bones that will require surgery." Goncharuk also confirmed that "they were taking a picture on the bridge, and then the big bolts that are holding the beams together, she stepped on them kind of weirdly and lost balance and fell backwards." Police in a California county put out a Facebook post after she fell, warning camera-toting thrill seekers that, "You can lose your life and none of that is worth a selfie!" The 730-foot-tall bridge is the highest in California and one of the highest in the United States. The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, and a group of her friends were walking on the catwalk underneath the bridge when she tried to take a selfie and fell 60 feet onto a trail below, the sheriffs office said. She was airlifted to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment. The walkways under the bridge were closed to the public, and it was illegal to walk on them, according to the sheriffs office. Anyone seen on the catwalks could be cited or arrested if they were found in any closed area. "This young lady is very lucky to be alive and the consequences could have been worse for her, her friends and her family," the Placer County Sheriffs Office wrote on its Facebook page. The bridges off-limits underbelly seems to be a popular, but dangerous spot for social media posting. Police have started patrolling the area after a series of pictures and videos of people dangling from walkways under the bridge.

Rini Kapoor

29 Jan 2017,Sunday

4 Delhi Univ students arrested for robbing delivery boy

http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/4-delhi-university-students-arrested-for-robbing-delivery-boy/story-Ca1NXn25csAIfxDkQWOSzO.html

Four students of Delhi University have been arrested for allegedly robbing a delivery boy of a phone in northwest Delhi, police said on Friday. When the victim reached at the mentioned address to deliver a phone worth ?26,000, he was taken to an abandoned plot and the accused allegedly snatched the packets he was carrying for delivery.

Four Delhi University students, who wanted to live a ?lavish? lifestyle, have been arrested for allegedly robbing a delivery boy of an expensive phone in northwest Delhi?s Swaroop Nagar area, police said on Friday.The four accused were students of BSc and BA courses at the same college and became friends a few months ago, police said.The victim, Selvin, told the police that the accused had ordered a phone worth Rs 26,000 and when he reached to deliver the order on the mentioned address, two people took him to an abandoned plot nearby, saying they were friends of the person who had placed the order and were taking him to the customer.Selvin, who had grown suspicious by then, noted the number of their bike as he went with them. After reaching the spot, they thrashed him and snatched the packets he was carrying for delivery, police said.An FIR was registered and the accused, who were aspiring to have a ?lavish? lifestyle, were later identified and arrested, police said.