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Oppn. mounts pressure on Baalu issue;stalls RS business
New Delhi, April 25 (PTI) The opposition BJP and AIADMK stepped up pressure on the government to come clean on the issue of Shipping Minister T R Baalu allegedly using his influence to get natural gas for companies owned by his family, forcing adjournment of the Rajya Sabha today.
They demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should come to the House with a response to letters purportedly written by the PMO asking the Petroleum Ministry to expedite the release of gas to the companies owned by Baalu's family.
Raising slogans, they disrupted both the pre-lunch and post-lunch proceedings leading to two adjournments before recess.
The din continued as the House re-assembled after lunch and Vice Chairman P J Kurien adjourned it for the day after passage of the Central Universities Laws (Amendement) Bill, 2008. The bill was passed amidst pandemonium with very few members taking part and their submissions being drowned in the noise.
The trouble began immediately after the Question Hour as senior BJP member Ravi Shanker Prasad was on his feet seeking to raise the issue.
Joined by his party collegues and AIADMK members, including V Maitreyan, who was asked to leave the House yesterday after he persistently demanded that the Prime Minister respond to the issue, Prasad waved copies of letters which he said were written by the PMO to the Petroleum Ministry. PTI
Left stages walkout over cut in foograin quota for Kerala
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) The issue of cut in central foodgrain allocation to Kerala rocked Parliament today with the Left members staging a walkout in Rajya Sabha.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury said there has been a 86 per cent slash in foodgrain allocation to Left-ruled Kerala.
He asked Food Minister Sharad Pawar to restore the quota for Kerala as was done in the case of Andhra Pradesh and said there should not be any politics over this issue.
Replying to questions, Pawar said the quota is fixed on the basis of intake by states in the last 2-3 years and there is no question of different yardsticks being applied to states.
He said Andhra Pradesh lifted the foodgrain quota earmarked for it in the last two-three years while Kerala did not, a statement which drew angry reactions from Left members.
Pawar also suggested that Kerala should procure foodgrains on its own from other states and said Andhra Pradesh has expressed its willingess to supply rice to Kerala.
"Despite surplus production, Andhra Pradesh lifted the rice allocated to it. The same percentage is not lifted by Kerala," Pawar said.
Left members, however, stuck to their stand that the Minister should give an assurance that the foodgrain quota will be restored.
Unhappy with Pawar's reply, the Left members led by Yechury and Brinda Karat later staged a walkout. PTI
Mumbai cops to Cheerleaders: perform but no vulgarity
Mumbai, Apr 25 (PTI) Cheerleaders will not be banned during IPL cricket matches in Mumbai but they may have to shed their skimpy outfits with police today warning of action against the organisers if their shows are found to be vulgar.
As the police cleared the air on whether the scantily-clad cheergirls will be allowed to perform in a Navi Mumbai stadium on April 27 by imposing some conditions, the 'ban cheerleaders' chant grew loud with West Bengal joining Maharashtra in targeting the dancing beauties.
Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu also joined the chorus of protests saying the dance was a "distraction and nonsense" as a debate raged over whether US-style cheerleaders had a role during cricket matches in the country.
"The girls are merely artistes who perform as per the instructions of organisers," Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Ramrao Wagh said, adding that a performance license has been granted to the organisers of the match between Mumbai Indians and Deccan Chargers to be held at Nerul's D Y Patil stadium.
In the event of the cheerleaders indulging in obscenity, Wagh said, the "license holders" (the organisers) will be prosecuted under various provisions of the Bombay Police Act for indecency in a public place and breach of license terms.
Wagh said the show should not be vulgar or obscene nor offend the dignity of women. He however said there have been no instructions from the government.
West Bengal Sports Minister Subash Chakravarty said the cheerleaders had no role and were out of context during sporting encounters and there was no need to import Western culture. Chakravarty, who was supported by PWD Minister Kshiti Goswami(RSP and Water Investigation Minister Nandgopal Bhttacharya(CPI), said he will take up the issue with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. PTI
PM asks parties to avoid scare mongering on prices
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) With Opposition and the Left allies attacking the government on rising prices, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked political parties not not to indulge in "scare mongering" and create a environment of scarcity that would only help speculators and hoarders.
The Prime Minister's sharp words came after a meeting he had with the Left leaders led by CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat to discuss the issue of rising prices. The government's outside supporters and the Opposition parties have been scathing in their attack on the government on its handling of the price situation.
The government is taking all necessary steps to deal with the problem and there is no no need for political parties to indulge in scare mongering, Singh said.
"The prime minister urged all political parties to eschew the temptation of politicising the misery of the people and warned against creating an environment of scarcity which would only encourage speculators and hoarders," a press release issued by Singh's Media Advisor said after the meeting.
The Left parties meeting with the prime minister comes days ahead of the voting on the Finance Bill in Lok Sabha.
On their part, the Left leaders, including Karat and his CPI counterpart A B Bardhan, gave several suggestions to the UPA government and wanted their expeditious implementation to tackle the rising prices.
Asked whether the demands would have an impact on the passage of the Finance Bill, Karat said "there are one or two demands which are linked to the Finance Bill. The others are broader issues." PTI
KPS Gill hits back at Sports Minister
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) Under-fire hockey supremo KPS Gill today hit back at Sports Minister M S Gill for suggesting that younger adminstrators should head sports federations, saying younger people should first become Sports Minister.
In a scathing counter-attack, a defiant Gill said that there was no question of stepping down from his post in the wake of the bribe scandal and bluntly told the Sports Minister not to talk about accountability since he knew nothing about sports.
"Let younger people first become sports ministers before such suggestions are given. I don't think age has anything to do with managing sports," KPS Gill said.
"Let not sports ministers talk of accountability or responsibility. Most of them don't know anything about sports and have never done anything for hockey. In the past five years, have you seen these ministers doing anything?" he told CNN-IBN.
"What have these government bodies done for us? Where have they ever provided us with the funds or the facilities? They call it the national game, and do nothing for it," an angry Gill said.
The IHF President, who has been under pressure to resign with Members of Parliament, Sports Minister and several former players demanding his ouster, said other than Uma Bharti none of the sports ministers had done anything for the game. PTI
IPL may trigger premature retirements: Akram
Karachi, Apr 25 (PTI) Wasim Akram has no doubt that the cash-awash Indian Premier League (IPL) would improve the lifestyle of the cricketers but the Pakistani bowling great fears it might also trigger premature retirements among some players.
Akram said in interview from Lahore that he enjoyed watching the IPL matches and the abridged format was necessary keeping in mind the time constraints.
"But I still believe that the IPL and Indian Cricket League will create problems in international cricket. You will see players retiring prematurely from international cricket to play in these lucrative leagues," Akram said.
Explaining the case, he said, "Suppose I am a 34-year-old bowler with an uncertain future in the national side. I would retire prematurely to play in IPL or ICL, rather than risk being dropped from the team," he said.
Akram, however, supported payment of good money to players. PTI
Fleming in Super Kings squad of 16 for tie against Kolkata
Chennai, Apr 25 (PTI) In an effort to bolster the team's batting strength, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will replace Anirudha Srikkanth in the 16-member Chennai Super King squad for tomorrow's Indian Premier League match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
"We have decided to bring in Stephen Fleming in place of local lad Anirudha Srikkanth in the 16-member squad for the match against Kolkata. Any changes in the playing eleven would be finalised tomorrow," Kepler Wessels, coach of the Chennai side, said.
Wessels felt the bowlers too needed to put up a better show, especially while bowling at death.
"Hopefully, our bowling will improve at the death," he said.
Talking about the road ahead, Wessels said, "Each of the 14 league matches in the preliminary stage is crucial for us. It is too early to say whether this is a big match, but for us each game is crucial. They are all big and tough encounters." The side would be without the Australian duo of Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey, who would return home on national duties, but Wessels said he had adequate replacements.
"They will be available for our game against Bangalore Royal Challengers next week. Anyway, their absence would be sufficiently filled up with the arrival of South Africans Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel." Middle order batsmen Subramaniam Badrinath, who was present with Wessels at the press conference, said the team should strive to post 200-plus runs in their allotted 20 overs. PTI
PCB to launch Pakistan Premier League next year
Karachi, Apr 25 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board will launch a new look Twenty20 domestic tournament next year on the lines of the Indian Premier League, offering franchises of city-based teams to sponsors and companies.
A senior official of the board said that this year's Twenty20 competition, which has been delayed until August 10, would be the last time that the popular domestic event would be held on regional basis and without team sponsors.
"From next year, we will offer franchise of teams like in the IPL to interested companies and individuals and work has already begun in this direction," the official told PTI.
He said the Twenty20 national championship would also be expanded to possibly include foreign players.
"But that will definitely depend on the sort of money the companies and individuals buying the franchise of teams are willing to offer for overseas players," the official said.
He said the board had, however, decided to have a mandatory rule that every city team would have at least four under-19 players in their playing eleven in a bid to promote new talent and give them exposure alongside established players.
He said PCB's marketing department had already started the groundwork for a Pakistan Premier League but everything would depend on the response from sponsors and companies.
He said the board would offer exclusive television rights of the Twenty20 event in its package of international television rights which would be up for bidding this year.
"The fact is that Twenty20 leagues are now a popular form of cricket and we don't want to lag behind other countries in this regard," he said. PTI
Force India goes green, ties up for zero emission bikes
Barcelona, Apr 25 (PTI) In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, the Force India Formula One team today announced its partnership with Vectrix UK Ltd, the producers of the world's first high-performance, zero emission, electric motorcycle.
Accordingly, Vectrix will supply the team with two Force India-branded electric maxi-scooters to use at races, tests and at its Silverstone factory.
The pioneering bikes run exclusively on battery power, which is recharged by plugging the onboard charger into any standard electrical outlet.
Fully-charged, each bike has a range of up to 68 miles, making the Vectrix the 'greenest' way to get around.
"As a Formula One racing team we are well aware of our responsibility to off-set our carbon emissions from Grands Prix, testing and travelling around the globe and the Vectrix bikes are a practical and innovative way to continue our policies," Vijay Mallya, chairman and managing director of Force India, said.
"They're a great product; versatile, fast and cheap to run, they will be a very welcome addition to the team on events," he added. PTI
Govt to form strategic food grains reserve of 5 MT
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) The government has decided to create a strategic food grains reserve of 5 million tons, in addition to the buffer stock, to meet exigencies, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
"Pending revision of buffer norms and in order to ensure food security in the country, the government has decided that a strategic reserve of 5 MT of food grain would be maintained by Food Corporation of India (FCI)," Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar told the Upper House of Parliament.
This strategic reserve would be over and above the buffer stock and will be kept as reserve, he said, adding that the reserve would be built up over a period of time starting from 2008-09.
The minister also noted that FCI, Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), State Warehousing Corporation (SWC) and state agencies have sufficient capacity for storing the strategic reserve of food grains.
The maximum buffer norm for food grains as on July 1 is 26.9 MT. As on February 29, 2008, FCI had a total storage capacity of 24.10 MT, while CWC and SWC's storage capacity stood at 9.77 MT and 18.62 MT respectively.
The buffer stock is meant for supplying food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other welfare schemes. FCI is the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of food grains. PTI
Sensex at sweet 17K level after 2 months
Mumbai, Apr 25 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sesnex today regained the sweet 17,000-point level after almost two months by adding 405 points, with heavyweight metal, banking and refinery stocks attracting funds as well as general investors.
The 30-share Sensex, which was higher by 24 points in the previous day's trading, spurted by 404.90 points to close the day at 17,125.98.
The barometer touched the day's high of 17,150.92 and a low of 16,781.97 points. The index had last seen this level nearly two months ago.
The wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty ended at the day at 5,111.70, a gain of 111.85 points. It touched dipped to 4,999.15 points during intra-day.
The metal sector, the best performer of the day with a gain of 370.75 points at 15,735.18, was the major driver for the Sensex to surge to the 17K level. Bank index also rose by 286.03 points at 8868.08, and oil and gas index by 179.23 points at 11,554.59.
Marketmen said trading sentiment turned firm after Bharti Airtel, the largest mobile phone operator, reported a grwoth 37 per cent for Q 4 in last fiscal. The second largest communication company Reliance Communications stocks rose the most since February 14. PTI
Every suggestion on farm loan wavier under examination: FM
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said "every" suggestion on changes to the massive farm loan waiver scheme is under consideration, comments that come days after Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar appeared to have rejected Rahul Gandhi's demand in this regard.
"Every suggestion is under examination," he said replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha on the Rs.60,000 farm loan waiver scheme announced in the current year's budget.
Members had asked the minister whether the government was considering increasing the land holding limit from two hectares to five hectares for more farmers to be covered by the scheme.
"I can only do what is doable and afforadable," he added significantly in reply to demands from several members to consider extending the scheme to farmers with landholdings upto five hectares. "The loans will be waived by June 30, 2008," he said.
BJP member Haribhau Rathod, who had put the main question, pointed out that the Congress President Sonia Gandhi and "Yuvraj (Rahul) Gandhi" had made some suggestions regarding the scheme.
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had last week ruled out increasing the coverage of farm loan waiver scheme until the present package is implemented.
In a speech in the Lok Sabha, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi had specifically suggested that there should not be one landholding ceiling nor should there be a single cut-off date.
On concerns that banks were not sanctioning loans to farmers citing the scheme, Chidambaram said the banks were being sensitised on the matter.
The minister said he has convened a meeting of chairmen and managing directors of all banks in the first week of May to discuss writing off agricultural debts.
Chidambaram said that the RBI guidelines on the loan waiver were being formulated. PTI
Prices of most essential food items steady or lower: Govt
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) The government today said though the prices of foodgrain and essential commodities in the domestic as well as global markets have seen an upward trend due to a variety of reasons, the rates of most of the key items in the country have either become steady or declined.
"Only retail prices of mustard and vanaspati oil had shown an increase, but they are showing a declining trend from the last one month," Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Kanti Lal Bhuria told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
He said the prices have increased in both domestic and international markets due to reasons such as inadequate supply in relation to demand, diversion of foodgrain to bio-fuel and animal feed besides production losses on account of inclement weather conditions.
As per the details of retail price situation furnished by the minister for the national capital, atta prices have risen by over 50 per cent during the last four years while gram, dal and tur dal have become dearer by about 68 per cent and 45 per cent respectively. The rates of these commodities, however, have been steady for the last two months.
Similarly, rice and wheat prices went up by around 50 per cent during the last four years, but their rates have been constant at Rs 18 and Rs 13 per kg respectively during the last two months (as on April 21).
As per the data, prices of groundnut and mustard oils went up by around 39 per cent and 35 per cent respectively between April 04-08. However, mustard oil prices dropped to Rs 73 per kg as on April 21 from Rs 82 a month ago.
Bhuria said Government is aware of the increase in prices of essential commodities and has taken steps to check it through effective measures. PTI
Outcome on talks on defence spectrum expected in a month
New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) Mobile operators' long wait to roll out advanced broadband services may end within a month, with Telecom Minister A Raja today exuding confidence that talks with Defence Ministry for release of spectrum for 3G mobile services is expected to yield positive results.
"The matter is being discussed with GoM chairman... Already, National Security Advisor is dealing with all these issues... (and) is interacting with defence officials... I hope that within a month some outcome is expected...," he told reporters on the sidelines of a 3G seminar.
Besides, the Department of Telecom is also awaiting clarification from regulator TRAI related to 3G recommendations made by it.
Raja promised speedy roll out of 3G as soon as the clarifications sought from TRAI is received. The final guidelines are expected to be released by April. Government has already issued broad guidelines for rolling out 3G services.
Every effort is being made to get the Spectrum vacated and coordinated for commercial use, but it may take time and may become available only in phases, he added.
Defence is expected to release 45 Mhz of spectrum once an alternative network is ready for it. Out of the 45 Mhz, 25 Mhz would be kept for 3G services.
Speaking at a seminar on "3G Mobile Broadband For All," he said DoT had already announced the broad guidelines on 3G. These guidelines refer to the auction and allotment of spectrum for 3G services. PTI
Maoists bag 220 seats in Nepal polls
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, Apr 25 (PTI) Maoists have won the maximum 220 seats in the 601-strong Constituent Assembly following the landmark April 10 polls, more than double the number of their nearest rival Nepali Congress.
Election officials revealed the final tally today after seat adjustments were made taking into account the performance of various parties under both direct and indirect voting systems.
The elections were held for a total of 575 seats -- for 240 through first-past-the-post or direct voting system and for 335 through Proportional Representation (PR) or indirect system. The remaining 26 seats will be nominated by the Prime Minister.
The CPN-Maoist emerged as the single largest party by bagging 220 seats followed by the Nepali Congress of Prime Minister G P Koirala - 110 and CPN-UML - 103.
Under the PR system, the Maoists, NC and CPN-UML received 100, 73 and 70 seats respectively while they got 120, 37 and 33 seats respectively under the first-past-the-post system.
Among the Terai groups, Madhesi People's Rights Forum received a total of 52 seats, including 22 PR seats, Terai Madhes Democratic Party won 20, including 11 PR seats and Sadbhavana Party secured nine, including five PR seats. PTI
India, Pak hope work on IPI would begin next year
Rezaul H Lashkar
Islamabad, Apr 25 (PTI) India and Pakistan today said they had reached consensus on basic issues for building a pipeline for procuring gas from Iran and were hopeful that work on the 7.5-billion-dollar project could begin next year.
India's Petroleum Minister Murli Deora and his Pakistani counterpart Khwaja Asif said they had made "significant progress" in bilateral talks on the India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and were determined to go ahead with it despite reported reservations of the US on the project.
They said the two sides had reached a broad agreement on principles for deciding the transportation tariff and transit fee, two key issues that had held up the finalisation of the 2,600-km pipeline.
"We definitely made significant progress (on the basic issues related to the pipeline). Both parties will consult their respective governments and reach an early conclusion of the (bilateral) agreement (for the pipeline)," Asif told a news conference he addressed jointly with Deora here.
Describing the discussions on outstanding bilateral issues related to the pipeline as "very fruitful", Deora said, "We have reached agreement on the principles on which we hope the project can go ahead. India believes that close economic cooperation with its neighbours is not only a necessity, it also builds the stakes and trust that strengthen the overall relationship." Both the ministers dismissed reports about US reservations on the project as it involves Iran. They said the US had not officially communicated any reservations on the pipeline to their governments. PTI
Sarabjit Singh may escape the noose
Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Apr 25 (PTI) Indian death row convict, Sarabjit Singh, who has spent 18 years in a Lahore jail, may escape the noose next week with the likelihood of the Pakistan Government commuting capital punishment into life imprisonment.
"A summary prepared by the interior ministry is at an advanced stage and a final decision is expected within a few days," the Dawn newspaper reported today quoting an unnamed source.
A "major beneficiary" of the move would be Sarabjit, who was convicted of charges of allegedly carrying out four bomb attacks in Punjab province in 1990 that left 14 people dead, the source said.
42-year old Sarabjit's execution had been set for April 1 after the rejection of his mercy petitions by the Supreme Court and President Pervez Musharraf. But later, Musharraf delayed his execution for a month after receiving a fresh appeal from India so that Pakistan's new government could review his case.
Sarabjit's family had a emotional reunion with him at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore yesterday. They had separately sent a clemency appeal to Musharraf that is also currently with the government.
Sarabjit's sister, Dalbir Kaur carried 18 'rakhis' for her brother for all those years he was away when she met him along with his wife and daughters at the Lahore jail.
"The meeting was very emotional. I carried 18 rakhis for my brother. Initially, he was very reluctant to let me tie them on his wrist because he did not have any gift to give me," Kaur told PTI on phone from Lahore.
Sarabjit's wife Sukhpreet Kaur, daughters Swapandeep and Poonam, his sister Dalbir Kaur and her husband Baldev Singh have been trying hard to secure his release. They have insisted he is an innocent farmer who strayed across the border in an inebriated condition in 1990. PTI
Pak govt may convert capital punishment into life imprisonment
Islamabad, Apr 25 (PTI) Prisoners facing death row in Pakistan, including Indian national Sarabjit Singh, are likely to get a reprieve with the government "actively considering" a proposal to convert capital punishment into life imprisonment.
"A summary prepared by the interior ministry is at an advanced stage and a final decision is expected within a few days," a source was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper.
The source said a "major beneficiary" of the move would be Sarabjit Singh, who was convicted of allegedly carrying out four bomb attacks in Punjab province that left 14 people dead.
Sarabjit's execution had been set for April 1 after the rejection of his mercy petitions by the Supreme Court and President Pervez Musharraf. But later, Musharraf delayed his execution for a month after receiving a fresh appeal from India so that Pakistan's new government could review his case.
The condemned Indian prisoner's family, which is currently in Pakistan to meet him, had separately sent a clemency appeal to Musharraf that is also currently with the government.
Sarabjit's wife Sukhpreet Kaur, daughters Swapandeep and Poonam, his sister Dalbir Kaur and her husband Baldev Singh have been lobbying government officials and politicians to secure his release. They have insisted he is an innocent farmer who strayed across the border in inebriated condition in 1990.
Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq too had said yesterday that the government was considering the Indian government's appeal for clemency for Sarabjit and a decision would be taken in "due course".
Sources said certain parameters would be fixed to determine the eligibility of cases for commutation of death sentences. PTI
I trust Indian doctors: Amitabh Bachchan
Chennai, Apr 25 (PTI) Terming Indian doctors as more talented than their western counterparts, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan today said he would prefer them treating him whenever he fell ill.
"I trust Indian doctors and always prefer them treating me. The Indian doctors are doing wonders in the medical field and they are more talented compared to western doctors," Bachchan said here today, while spending time with a group of poor children, who had undergone free cardiac surgery at a private hospital.
Lauding the hospital for performing the surgery free of cost, Bachchan donated Rs 11 lakh as a goodwill gesture.
Bachchan is in the city to participate in the audio release of Tamil actor Kamal Haasan's new movie "Dasavathaaram". PTI
Former model Geetanjali fine, VIMHANS tells court
New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) Former model Geetanjali Nagpal, who underwent rehabilitation after a psychiatric problem that left her begging on streets, is now "independent, confident and insightful" and could be released for leading a normal life, a Delhi court was informed today.
Metropolitan Magistrate Ravinder Bedi was informed about her condition by VIMHANS hospital, where the model underwent rehabilitation, which filed a status report.
The medical report, prepared by doctor Jitender Nagpal of the hospital, said the model, who is presently doing a vocational course at a school at Hissar in Haryana was doing fine and the process for allowing her to lead a normal life could be initiated at the earliest.
"With a concerted effort of all the concerned, especially Vidya Devi Jindal School at Hissar, and the Delhi Commission for Women, she has become more independent, confident and insightful," the report said.
The model has started cooperating with her once estranged mother and is independently doing her daily works, it said.
The court, on October 29, had allowed Geetanjali to spend three months at the school in Haryana following her request of discharge from the hospital where she had been provided psychiatric help for nearly two months.
The model, in accordance with a magistrate's order under the Mental Health Act, was admitted to the hospital on September three last year. PTI
Bachchan and Sinha squabble over IIFA insinuations
Mumbai, Apr 23 (PTI) The old rivalry between Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha appear to have resurfaced with the Bollywood superstar lashing out at the star-turned-politician for his insinuations that the nomination list of the (IIFA) Awards were 'fixed'.
Taking the war of words to cyberspace, Bachchan, in his newly created blog reacted to media reports where "my colleague, friend and neighbour Shatrughan Sinha" is purported to have said "Sab kissika beta hai, ya kissiki bahu, ya kissiki biwi" in regard to the nomination list of International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards.
The Big B, who is IIFA's Brand Ambassador, said "I am surprised at this observation, especially since, during the time of the National Award selection for Best Actress in one of the past years, when the award went to Raveena Tandon. It was alleged that Mr Shatrughan Sinha's wife, the lovely and graceful Poonam, a great friend of Raveena's mother had recommended the appointment of MacMohan, brother of Raveena's mother, on the board of the jury to favour the actress." He also added, "If this alleged story is true then, I do value Mr Shatrughan Sinha's statement (Sab Kissika..)- you are so right Shatru !!," said Big B in the blog.
Reacting to Bachchan's outbursts, Sinha said he failed to understand the reason for him being overcome by anger.
Describing Bachchan as a "good friend" with whom he did so many successful movies, Sinha said the superstar's comments on him was "unnecessary and bad in taste." "I had just said the award has turned out to be a function of a Bollywood family and did not name anybody...There are families of Khans, Raj Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan in the films...So on what basis Amitabh assumed I was referring to his family," he told PTI in Shimla over phone. PTI
Remembering Satyajit Ray
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) "Not to have seen the cinema of Satyajit Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon." These words by legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurasawa best describes the man, who is considered to be have changed the face of Indian cinema forever.
Ray made his films in Bengali. Yet, they were of universal interest. His humanistic approach in dealing with the subjects and subtle handling of characters earned him a place among the league of extraordinary filmmakers of the world.
And even today after 16 years of his death in 1992, he still continues to inspire generations with his creative vision. Ray's death anniversary was observed today.
"He is the first filmmaker in Indian to follow the concept of world cinema and is responsible for bringing out the modern aspect of Indian cinema. His films have always been in the realm of realism and the characters always identifiable with the common man," says ten times National Award winning director Jahnu Barua.
"His cinematic discipline is incomparable and speaks volumes about his commitment to his craft," he adds.
From capturing the simplicity of rural life in Apu Trilogy-- 'Pather Panchali', 'Apur Sansar' and 'Aparajito', to the deft handling of the loneliness of Charu, with just one line of dialogue in seven minutes in 'Charulata', he has crafted each of his films with equal elan, brilliance and equanimity. PTI
India, through the lens of sexuality
New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) Sexuality can be an interesting lens to examine changes happening in India -- the economic surge, the higher political profile, the cultural explosion on the world stage and a new and assertive confidence in its own capability as a major world power, says a new book.
In 'Gay Bombay,' venture capitalist Parmesh Shahani, chooses Gay Bombay -- an online-offline community in Mumbai --to describe what it means to be a gay man in India's financial and entertainment capital.
"The timely emergence of pop culture homogeneity, pan-Indianness have enabled gay-identified Indian individuals to imagine a distinctively Indian gay identity," the Mumbai-based Shahani, who also works as research affiliate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Convergence Culture Consortium, writes.
He says the present gay scene would not have been possible but for the economic reforms of the 1990s.
"Closely connected to this is the political landscape of the time," he writes. According to Shahani, the queer activist movement in India is broad and diverse, pursuing several legal and health agendas.
"The history, the legal challenges and the medical interventions have enabled an ideoscape of gayness to be formulated and to circulate within the Indian society. There is an awareness of certain issues, an acknowledgment that gayness is something that exists in India," Shahani writes. PTI
Dangers ahead but India will weather economic turbulence: book
New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) India's journey to become an economic superpower is fraught with dangers but the country has the potential to overcome the turbulence,feels a management expert.
Kachru however expresses confidence in India's potential as an economic powerhouse, while simultaneously highlighting the dangers we face as a nation on the move.
The widely held belief, particularly among constituents of India's 300 million strong middle class that the country was on its way to becoming an economic superpower in the near future, was misplaced as the journey was "fraught with danger", cautions Upendra Kachru, a management expert. His book 'Extreme Turbulence' was launched in the capital recently.
Kachru however expresses confidence in India's potential as an economic powerhouse, while simultaneously highlighting the dangers we face as a nation on the move.
Unless the country gears up to face the onslaught of 'turbulence' resulting from a sudden yet tedious transition witnessed by the economy, it runs the risk of squandering the initial gains of growth, according to him.
"The focus of the book is on the challenges of change witnessed by India in its long journey of transition from a closed to an open economy and the resultant turmoils accompanied by this transition", says Kachru.
Though the Indian economy has crossed what Kachru calls the "inflection point" of integration with the global economy, it has now entered the period of "extreme turbulence", he says. PTI
Blogger Bachchan packing punches in cyber world
Bedika
New Delhi, Apr 23 (PTI) Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's blog has turned out to be an instant hit in the cyber world inviting comments from zealous fans and hawkish critics across the globe.
Fans are happy to find Big B within their reach and are lapping up every detail about the life of their favourite icon, who is whetting their appetite by blogging with unfailing regularity.
Bachchan is certainly going to have a tough time answering bloggers as they are not only querying Big B on his work, life and family but also filing details about their own life and seeking his advice on various issues as well.
The actor has been bombarded by fans from as far away as Poland, America, Europe, UK, Australia and Canada.
On his part Amitabh Bachchan is taking the job of blogging very seriously, going online about the latest developments in his life, discussing his daily routine or updating readers about the injury he incurred during the shooting of 'Aladin'.
Most comments directed to the actor are remarks about his family and he does not flinch from giving a point blank answer to one and all.
When a female blogger from Pakistan expressed her reservations on Abhishek's wedding with Aishwarya, Bachchan responded instantly, "You may differ with her in her work her profession, but if you will cast aspersions on her personally, I will defend her, fight for her and not tolerate this kind of talk, as I am sure neither would you, were someone to speak ill of a member of your family." PTI
I never wanted to be an actor: Arshad Warsi
Amit Das
New Delhi, April 23 (PTI) He might be one of the finest actors in Bollywood with an impeccable comic timing but actor Arshad Warsi, whose latest film 'Krazzy 4' has just hit the screens, says he did'nt dream of becoming an actor.
"I never wanted to be an actor. I was also terrible in business, so I didn't want to be a businessman either. I was interested in choreography. But now after spending 12 years in the industry I think people have accepted me and I am a decent actor now," says Arshad, who started his career with 'Tere Mere Sapne' in 1996.
Arshad, who immortalised the character of 'Circuit' a henchman of 'Munnabhai' in 'Munnabhai MBBS' and its sequel 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' says, he never tried to do anything different to get into focus.
"I never tried anything out of the way. For me, It has always been being in the right place at the right time. Now I'm getting a variety of roles and things are looking good," he says.
Arshad's 'Krazzy 4,' which is supposed to be a rip off from Howard Zieff's 'The Dream Team', has received some flak from the critics. However, Arshad has no qualms about acting in such flicks.
"I dont care for honesty. Every film is a copy of some other film, so it doesn't bother me. As long as the Indian junta is happy and are enjoying the flicks, I am happy to do such films," he says. PTI
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