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Left blames govt for failing to check inflation
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) The Left parties, which have announced nationwide agitations on price rise later this month, today blamed the government for failing to check the rising inflation graph and trashed the argument about price rise being a "global phenomenon".
"Government is looking towards god... The rain god (for increasing agricultural production). The global factor argument is an excuse. You (government) are importing the global factor.
"...If you have your own public distribution system which subsidises foodgrains and essential commodities that are purchased by the common people. By this, they will be insulated from the global factors," CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said here.
Reacting to the latest rise in the inflation rate, his party colleague D Raja said despite "tall claims by Finance Minister P Chidambaram with respect to fiscal and monetary measures, inflation rate is going up. It shows the government's failure. How are they going to balance between GDP growth rate and inflation".
Raja also demanded a review of the Fiscal Regulation and Budget Management Act saying there was no rationale to have such a law in a developing economy.
The CPI(M) has already given a call for a mass picketing in front of the Central Government offices all over the country on May 15, barring Karnataka where elections are being held.
The party has maintained that the government's "refusal" to put curbs on private companies buying food grains and prohibiting forward trading in 25 agricultural commodities, "reveals the bias of the Union Government in favour of big business and trading companies at the expense of the people's interest". PTI
Inflation soars to 7.57%, FM asks people to keep patience
New Delhi/Bangalore, May 2 (PTI) Inflation soared to a 42-month high of 7.57 per cent for the week ended April 19 on account of higher prices of vegetables, food articles, steel and some fuel items.
The wholesale price-based inflation rose 0.24 percentage points from 7.33 per cent in the previous week despite concerted efforts by the government and the Reserve Bank to check price rise.
However, Finance Minister P Chidambaram exuded confidence that inflation would be tamed and he appealed to the people to have faith in the government and keep patience.
"Inflation will be tamed... Contained. My only appeal to the people is to be patient and have faith. The current spurt is because of international developments", the Finance Minister said in Bangalore.
While government announced slew of measures sacrificing a revenue of more than Rs 6,300 crore to contain inflation, RBI increased Cash Reserve Ratio (proportion of banks' deposits maintained with the apex bank in cash) in three tranches to tighten money supply.
An increase of 0.75 per cent in CRR is expected to suck out about Rs 27,500 crore from the banking system.
"Steps taken by government and RBI would lead to easing of inflationary pressure in future and it can come down to 5.5 per cent," Crisil Principle Economist D K Joshi told PTI.
The common man was affected the most by surging prices of milk and rice that showed an increase of one per cent each, while vegetables were dearer by 0.3 per cent. Prices of tea went up by 17 per cent and mutton by two per cent, while steel products became expensive by as much as 51 per cent.
Inflation, which was 6.07 per cent a year-ago, had last reached the high of 7.76 per cent for the week ended November 6, 2004. PTI
Par panel disfavours uncontrolled access under RTI
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) A Parliamentary panel, which has opposed uncontrolled access under RTI to information relating to proceedings of the House, has said that many legislatures across the world have provisions to protect Parliamentary documents from being made public.
The Lok Sabha Committee for Privileges, headed by senior Congress leader V Kishore Chandra Deo, wrote to the Parliaments of 35 countries out of which 22 replied.
The House of Lords, UK, has no recent record of a court or investigating agency requesting for a parliamentary document and such documents are mostly protected by Parliamentary privilege from use in court.
In the Sri Lankan Parliament, if any document is requested, it can be obtained on written approval of the Speaker.
According to the Sri Lankan Constitution, "no member or officer of Parliament shall give evidence elsewhere in respect of the contents of such evidence or of the contents of any documents laid before Parliament".
In the National Assembly of South Africa, any request from a court or an investigating agency requires the express permission of the presiding officer for the execution or service of any summon or subpoena.
In Canada, the law of Parliamentary privileges is operational in the Senate. It rules that no proceeding in Parliament shall be questioned in any court or placed outside In its report to the Speaker on Wednesday, the Committee had disfavoured uncontrolled access under RTI to information related to proceedings in the House and advocated amendments in the RTI Act. PTI
Par body dismayed: non-launch of 12 health progammes
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Even as the Centre is in the midst of announcing new health schemes, a Parliamentary Committee expressed "dismay" over the government not launching a dozen health programmes that were to take off in 2007-08.
Every year, the Health Ministry announces new schemes, and programmes, many of which are without finalising the modalities and proper ground work, thereby resulting in under or no utilisation of funds, the Parliamentary Committee on Health, headed by senior Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, said in its report.
Some of the programmes, scheduled to take off in 2007-08, which have not been launched are the Pilot Project on Prevention and Control of Human Rabies, Medical Rehabilitation, National Organ Transplant Programme and the Oral Health programme.
The Committee recommends to the department to enhance its efforts to complete all necessary formalities and launch the programmes at the earliest so that funds do no get blocked in such schemes.
It also found fault with the fact that the department had taken large scale construction work under PMSSY or giving grants to states for upgradation of redevelopment plans.
It asked the government to take care of the eco-friendly part of the whole exercise.
Taking note of the acute shortage of dialysis machines, it asked the authorities to work out modalities for establishing specialised kidney centres immediately and in the meantime approach the Planning Commission for funds with a proposal to improve dialysis facility in the country. PTI
Ganguly, Warne fined for misconduct; umpire suspended
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Rival skippers Sourav Ganguly and Shane Warne were today fined 10 per cent of their match fee and reprimanded for their conduct as the Indian Premier League continued to crack the whip on on-field indiscipline.
A day after the two veteran cricketers engaged in a public spat following the IPL match between their respecctive sides, the IPL was quick to punish the two captains and said it would not tolerate any indiscipline.
While Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ganguly was penalised for forcing the on-field umpire to refer a contentious catch to the third umpire, Rajasthan Royals' captain Warne was punished for lambasting Ganguly's conduct in the post-match press conference.
The IPL also decided to suspend the on-field umpire in question, G Pratap Kumar, for a match.
"It has been informed by Farokh Engineer, the Referee in the IPL game between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on May 1, that he has issued an official reprimand to Sourav Ganguly, and fined him 10 per cent of his match-fee for showing dissent on the field," IPL commissioner and chairman Lalit Modi said in a statement today.
"The Referee has also suspended Pratap Kumar for one match, on the grounds that there was no reason for him to accede to Ganguly's request to consult the TV umpire," Modi added. PTI
Rajasthan Royals not to lodge complain against Ganguly
Jaipur, May 2 (PTI) Softening their stand, Rajasthan Royals today decided not to lodge an official complaint against Sourav Ganguly for resorting to time-wasting tactics but left it to the Indian Premier League authorities to deal with the issue.
"In a meeting of the officals of the Rajasthan Royals, it was decided that the matter should not be taken too far and no official complaint should be lodged. It was there for everybody to see what has happened on the field," Rajasthan Royals' media manager Anant Vyas told PTI.
"The officials of the IPL and the Match Referee were also there and they should decide what action should be taken against Kolkata Knight Riders and their captain Sourav Gnguly," he said.
Warne had said he would lodge a complaint against Ganguly for resorting to time-wasting tactics during their IPL match on Thursday night and refusing to accept the fielder's word on a "clean catch".
Ganguly, in turn, dismissed the Warne's claims, saying "Look who's talking. If you look at his career and the icidents he got in, it will give you the answer". PTI
PCB chief files defamation suit against Akhtar
Karachi, May 2 (PTI) Banned pacer Shoaib Akhtar's never-ending woes have been compounded further with Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf today slapping a Rs 220 million defamation suit against him.
Tafazzul Rizvi, the legal counsel for Ashraf, filed the suit in a civil court in Lahore headed by Judge Hina Muzaffar. The court will begin hearing the case from tomorrow.
The defamation suit has been filed against Shoaib for making allegations on a television show that the PCB Chairman had demanded money from him and other players for allowing them to sign contracts with the lucrative Indian Premier League.
Shoaib later retracted his claims and also made an unconditional apology before the appellate tribunal hearing his appeal against the five-year ban imposed on him by the disciplinary committee of the board.
Shoaib apologised for causing "grief and pain in particular to the Chairman of the board with the unsubstantiated and damaging allegations against him".
Rizvi said the filing of the defamation suit was a natural process of law.
As you are aware that we had already served a legal notice on behalf of Chairman PCB on Shoaib Akhtar for the defamation and defamatory statements he made on TV against the Chairman, Rizvi said. PTI
Knight Riders look for elusive win against the tough Kings
Sanjay Ganjoo
Mohali, May 2 (PTI) A team that started out as a tournament favourite is suddenly looking down the barrel after three successive losses and the task does not get any easier for Kolkata Knight Riders when they take on an on-the-rise Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League here tomorrow.
After two initial losses, the Yuvraj Singh-led Kings XI have been on a winning streak and continued to do well despite the exit of top Australian players like Simon Katich and pace spearhead Brett Lee from their team.
On the other hand, the Sourav Ganguly-led Knight Riders will be desperately looking for a win here to keep their chances in the tournament alive.
The Punjab team have the home advantage going for them with some of their top-order batsmen like Shaun Marsh, son of Aussie great Geoff Marsh who scored an unbeaten 85 against the Deccan Chargers, looking in terrific form.
Even the absence of Lee and Katich was not felt by the team after Marsh not just came good with the bat in the very first game he played against Chargers, but also saved a few runs with his agility on the field.
Yuvraj and Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara have been in ominous touch while Mahela Jayawardene has also struck form. Ramnaresh Sarwan's presence also lends assurance to the Punjab batting. PTI
Second IPL season to be bigger and better: Lehmann
Melbourne, May 2 (PTI) Australian Cricketers' Association President Darren Lehmann, who came out of retirement to play in the cash-rich Indian Premier League, believes the Twenty20 venture would be "bigger and better" in its second season in next April and May.
"They have another 12 months to get it right and there will be even greater interest," said Lehmann, who had replaced South African captain Graeme Smith in the first two games of Rajasthan Royals in the cricket extravaganza.
The 38-year-old former Australian player also suggested expansion of international quota in the playing XI of IPL teams and said the competition should be played as a "boutique" tournament.
"They could add another overseas player to rosters and open up the window for all international team including England to play," Lehmann was quoted as saying by 'The Advertiser'.
"We need the best possible outcome so this can happen. I feel a bit sorry for the English boys but think we can work around it to help get things across the line. The IPL should be played as a boutique tournament for international players." The charged IPL atmosphere and the chance to work with young Indian players has made Lehmann ambitious to coach.
"I am really looking forward to getting into the coaching side of things now," said Lehmann. PTI
Banks ordered to give cheap loans to cobblers, blacksmith: FM
Bangalore, May 2 (PTI) Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said he has asked PSU banks to provide loans at lower interest rates to workmen, like cobblers and washermen, and brushed aside apprehensions of possible repayment delays by them.
Chidambaram said he had directed that all branches of PSU banks, numbering over 70,000, should provide Rs 5,000 loans at four per cent interest to workmen.
He also wanted shepherds and fishermen to be added to the list of workers who could be given the loans.
In his address at a function organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, he said the contribution of this section of the society should not be underestimated or undervalued. "They are the ones that sustain the village economy," he said.
Setting aside apprehensions that this section might default on their repayments or slip away, he said that when Rs 12,000 crore could be written off for the steel industry why should such fears over smaller amounts arise.
He also said that these small entrepreneurs traditionally continued to work from the same place for years and hence there was no question of them slipping away.
It is those who deal with stock exchange who disappear after siphoning off money, he said in lighter vein. PTI
Markets buoyant, Sensex gains 313 pts
Mumbai, May 2 (PTI) The markets discounted the inflation concerns with the benchmark Sensex ending the day firm with gain of over 310 points amid strong global cues.
The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange settled the day at 17,600.12, a rise of 312.81 points, or 1.81 per cent, over its previous close.
The broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also shot up by 62.30 points, or 1.21 per cent, to close at 5,228.20 points.
Marketmen said the bourses rallied taking cues from sharp surges in global exchanges. While the Asian indices ended higher by 0.5-5.0 per cent, European markets traded up by over one per cent in early trade on strong gains in American stocks yesterday.
They said investor sentiments turned optimistic after global scene changed for better after US economy began showing signs of resilience with easing crude oil prices and better- than-expected US manufacturing data.
The US Federal Reserve's decision on Wednesday to cut interest rate by a quarter percentage point, also impacted the markets, which were closed on Thursday.
Inflation pressure and consequent hikes in Cash Reserve Ratio it seems had had little effect on bank shares which stole the limelight today. Key bank stocks SBI, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank attracted good buying support. While ICICI Bank was up 6.38 per cent, SBI closed higher by 2.58 per cent followed by HDFC Bank at 1.59 per cent. PTI
India receives USD 24.57 bn FDI in FY08
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) High on the radar of global investors, India received 24.57 billion dollars of foreign direct investment in 2007-08, prompting the world's second fastest growing economy to set an FDI target of 35 billion dollars for the current fiscal.
The FDI inflows in 2007-08 saw an increase of 56.50 per cent over 15.70 billion dollars in the previous year. India, which saw a GDP growth of 8.7 per cent in 2007-08, aims to more than double its FDI inflows between 2006-07 and end of the current financial year.
"India remains attractive investment destination and it will be a good parking lot for money. FDI inflows reflect growing confidence (of global investors) in India," Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said while releasing the FDI data today. PTI
China builds secret underground nuclear submarine base: report
London, May 2 (PTI) China has secretly built a major underground nuclear submarine base with a capacity to conceal 20 vessels, posing a major threat to Asian countries and American interests in the region, media reported today.
Satellite imagery obtained by The Daily Telegraph indicated that a substantial harbour has been built that could house nuclear submarines and a host of aircraft carriers.
One photograph shows China's latest 094 nuclear submarine at the base just a few hundred miles from its neighbours, the British daily reported.
Another shows warships moored at long jetties and a network of tunnels at the Sanya base on the southern tip of Hainan island.
According to the report, the images were obtained by Janes Intelligence Review after the periodical was given access to imagery from the commercial satellite company DigitalGlobe.
One of the issues of concern to the Pentagon is the immense tunnel entrances, estimated to be 60 ft high, carved into hill-side around the base. They could lead to caverns capable of concealing from spy satellites up to 20 nuclear submarines.
While it has been known that China might be developing an underground base at Sanya, the pictures provide the first proof of its existence and the rapid progress made.
Two 1,000-yard piers and three smaller ones could accommodate two carrier strike groups or amphibious assault ships. Analysts for Janes suggest that the base could be used for "expeditionary as well as defensive operations" and would allow the submarines to "break out to launch locations closer to the US".
The Daily Telegraph reported that military analysts believed China's substantial build up of its forces was gaining pace but has remained hidden from the world in the run up to the Beijing Olympics. PTI
41 LTTE cadres, one soldier killed in Lanka clashes: army
Colombo, May 2 (PTI) At least 41 LTTE cadres and a soldier were killed in fierce clashes in embattled northern Sri Lanka as the army claimed capturing a town centre in Mannar district, officials said today.
"Troops gained total control over Karukkakulam town area, located North West of Parappakandal in Mannar yesterday following concentrated amour and artillery shell attacks at LTTE, security sources said.
"Army infantrymen made swift incursions into the LTTE strong point and have reportedly captured 1.6 km of land stretch in the area," it said.
According to military sources, a soldier was killed while another was wounded during the advances made yesterday.
Meanwhile, ground sources citing intercepted LTTE communication said that Tamil Tigers suffered at least 15 fatalities during confrontations that erupted with the government troops.
Three LTTE militants were killed in the Navatkulam area in Vavuniya yesterday, the Defence Ministry said. At least six rebels were killed when the army destroyed three of their bunkers in the Mattiramattakulam area in Vavuniya, it said.
As many as two LTTE militants were gunned down during clashes in Palampiddi in North-western Mannar yesterday, the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said. While two Tamil Tiger rebels were gunned down in Chinnayayankulam in Vavuniya yesterday, four LTTE cadres were shot dead in Karukkakulam area in Mannar in various incidents.
At least eight LTTE cadres were gunned down in three different incidents in Vediyamuripu area of Mannar yesterday, the army said. It said one militant was killed by troops in Nedunkandal area of Mannar yesterday, the defence ministry said. PTI
US makes cautious contact with Maoists in Nepal
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, Mar 2 (PTI) The US has asked Maoists, who are set to lead the new Nepal government, to show commitment to the peace process "through actions" as its ambassador met their chief Prachanda in the first official contact with the former rebels, designated by Washington as a terrorist outfit.
US envoy Nancy J. Powell met Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal at his Nayabazaar residence where the two discussed the April 10 Constituent Assembly elections in which the Maoists emerged as the biggest party, formation of a new government and bilateral relations.
Powell asked the Maoist leader to "ensure that all Maoist organisations illustrate their commitment to the political process through their words and actions," a US embassy statement said here.
During the meeting, which came on the eve of her departure to Washington where she will brief the Bush Administration about the political situation in Nepal, Powell also sought "assurances that the new government would respect current donor agreements and ensure the safety of those implementing them." Powell also discussed with the CPN-Maoist chief the future plans of his party which has bagged 220 seats in the 601-member House and is mobilising support for a unity government led by it.
The US government has accused Maoists, who gave up a decade-long armed struggle by signing a peace agreement in 2006, of indulging in intimidation, extortion and terror tactics across the country even after entering mainstream politics.PTI
India favours democratic republic for Nepal: Yechuri
Shirish B. Pradhan
Kathmandu, May 2 (PTI) Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, who played a key role in bringing the Nepal Maoists into mainstream politics, has said India favours the consolidation of the process for the formation of a democratic republic through drafting of a new constitution for the country at the earliest.
Yechuri, who is in Nepal on a two-day visit, expressed confidence that all issues, including the formation of a new government and drafting of a new constitution will be resolved through consensual approach.
"We basically came here to express our congratulation and best wishes in their efforts to consolidate the process for the formation of a democratic republic," he told PTI after meeting Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-Maoist chairman Prachanda today.
"Indian people welcome the results of the constituent assembly election, which was a historical step towards building a modern Nepal," he said.
With regard to Prachandas recent remarks about scrapping the 1950 Indo-Nepal Peace and Friendship Treaty, he said: "Our party has been saying that there is a need to have a fresh look at the treaty, which is nearly 60 years old." "Things have changed both in Nepal and in India in the last 60 years, so the treaty has to be updated, he stressed, adding the 1950 treaty is not on agenda at the moment, "now the agenda is drafting the new constitution.
"After the constitution is drafted, parliamentary elections will be held and a new government will be formed and that government will negotiate the treaty," he pointed out.
"When I met the Prime Minister, Prachanda and Madhav Nepal I found that they were all committed for consolidating the process for the formation of a democratic republic," he said. PTI
China secretly built nuclear submarine base: report
Prasun Sonwalkar
London, May 2 (PTI) China has secretly built a major underground nuclear submarine base that could threaten Asian countries and challenge American power in the region, British media reported today.
Satellite imagery, passed to The Daily Telegraph, reportedly shows that a substantial harbour has been built which could house a score of nuclear ballistic missile submarines and a host of aircraft carriers.
The daily reported that one photograph shows China's latest 094 nuclear submarine at the base just a few hundred miles from its neighbours.
Other images show numerous warships moored to long jettys and a network of underground tunnels at the Sanya base on the southern tip of Hainan island.
The images were reportedly obtained by the Janes Intelligence Review after the periodical was given access to imagery from the commercial satellite company DigitalGlobe.
Analysts for the respected military magazine suggest that the base could be used for "expeditionary as well as defensive operations" and would allow the submarines to "break out to launch locations closer to the US".
The Daily Telegraph reported that military analysts believed China's substantial build up of its forces was gaining pace but has remained hidden from the world in the build-up to the Olympics. PTI
Not enough theatres in Karachi to entertain movie buffs
Karachi, May 2 (PTI) Pakistani moviegoers are finding it hard to celebrate the government's decision to allow screening of Indian films in the country as there are not enough cinema halls here to meet the demands of the audience.
In this port city of Pakistan, cinema halls and multiplexes have been screening the latest Bollywood movies like 'Race', 'Taare Zameen Par', 'Awarapan' and 'Welcome' since last month, all running into packed shows.
With Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Bhootnath' also slated for a countrywide release on May 9, Nadeem Mandviwalla, owner of the plush Nishat cinema here, says exhibitors are now finding it difficult to accommodate the latest releases.
"We are already screening 'Race' since last month and it is doing good business. We are also running a special noon show of 'Taare Zameen Par' and we have advance bookings from schools and corporate houses for special screenings," he said.
"In the last few years the cine business was so bad that many halls closed down and owners converted them into shopping malls or offices. But now I think the trend will have to change to accommodate all latest Indian and English films." Qaiser Rafiq, owner of the Prince cinema which is also screening 'Race' and 'Taare Zameen Par', said there were some 800 cinema halls nationwide in the early 1970s when the Pakistani film industry was booming.
"Now the number has come down to around 250. But the new releases are bringing back business," he said.
Leading media groups like 'Geo', 'Express' and 'Aaj' have also entered the business of being media partners in the release of latest Bollywood films. PTI
Bollywood fans boost tourism in Britain
Prasun Sonwalkar London, May 1 (PTI) Keen to visit the popular film shooting locations in the country, cinema lovers from India and other countries are flocking to Britain, boosting its tourism by 2 billion pounds.
The euphoric interest shown by Indian tourist in visiting the places where several Bollywood films were shot, have prompted the Britain's tourism authorities to come up with a 'Bollywood map' depicting the popular shooting locations.
Though, separate figures for Indian films-related tourism are not available, but its thousands of tourists visiting UK every year have made a contribution of whopping 1.8 billion pounds, says a report 'Stately Attraction - How Film and television programmes Promote Tourism in the UK'.
The report was commissioned by the UK Film Council.
Films like "Harry Potter" series, "The Da Vinci Code", "Gosford Park" and "Pride & Prejudice" and television programmes including "Balamory and Monarch of the Glen" have been identified as a major booster for tourism in the country.
"Effect of film tourism was long lasting. British films and television programmes play a powerful role in showcasing the UK to the rest of the world and increased tourism," said John Woodward, chief executive, UK Film Council.
"Bend it like Beckham," a film by Indian-origin director Gurinder Chaddha, raised the profile of Britain in India, south Asia and the Far East. It suddenly placed the west London town of Southall on the international tourist map.
It was the first commercial Western film to be shown in North Korea and in China and changed the perception of Britain. The film also prompted a surge of interest in women's football including the founding of the first women's football league in India, the report says. PTI
Bollywood divas light up billboards again in NWFP
Islamabad, Apr 30 (PTI) Bollywood divas Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are back on billboards in Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province after the ouster of the previous hardline regime in the recent elections.
Such billboards were removed during the tenure of the hardline Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal government, which termed the display of women's images as "un-Islamic".
With the new provincial government headed by the secular Awami National Party in place, billboards have been reinstalled at prominent junctions in Peshawar with the Bollywood actresses smiling down at Pushtuns who love music and dance.
Along with the Indian divas, cut-outs of prominent Pakistani models too are up on the billboards.
Besides banning such billboards, the MMA government had shut down cinema houses and the famous cultural hall - Nishtar hall -- bringing all such activities to a grinding halt. CD shops and cyber cafes were bombed by pro-Taliban militants and their owners took up other trades.
While most residents have welcomed the change, conservative forces are still opposing the installation of the billboards.
"Most of these boards have been put up outside girls' schools and women's colleges, which would certainly promote vulgarity in our society. We should discourage it.
The government should also take measures to stop the practice," Ameenullah, a resident of Peshawar, told The Nation newspaper.
But university student Baryal Khan was happy to see the billboards back. "This will help portray a soft image of the NWFP to the world," he said. PTI
After TV, reality radio shows seek singing talents: Sonu
Saibi Hussain
New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) After playing the judge on TV reality shows, playback singer, Sonu Nigam says that it is the turn of radio stations to bring out new singing talents through their music reality shows.
"Radio channels are coming up with many talent hunt shows. Participants shared stage with me in Big FM's "Sing with Sonu" contest. Similarly, in Fever 104 FM's "Sing with AR Rahman" contest winners got the chance to performed live with Rahman sahab," says Sonu.
The singer has judged popular music talent hunt 'Indian Idol' on small screen besides hosting his own radio show 'Life Ki Dhun With Sonu Nigam' on Radiocity 91 FM, where he had interviewed famous music personalities including legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.
Sonu, however, says finding talented singers is not easy, "It is appreciative that various radio stations are discovering promising talents but I think they must understand that the effort requires great responsibility from their side," he says.
The singer is currently cashing in on the success of his latest music album 'Classically Mild', which has classical songs of different genres that targets different age groups.
"It's not a typically classical music album. Every listener will love it as I have taken care of each and every aspect. The album is very personal and very close to my heart and provides me inner satisfaction," says Sonu.
Famous for his unique style of playback singing, Sonu says he likes to experiment with his voice, "I have sung classical songs in films like 'Baabul', 'Dev' and 'Dharam'. At this stage of my career, I can experiment with myself and can do something of my choice," he says. PTI
Dharmendra for desi ghee
New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) It is some endorsement many celebrities would think ten times before agreeing to. But it suits the image of Bollywood's original macho man - Dharmendra who met the media as brand ambassador of a 'Desi Ghee' company.
It is neither the gym nor the latest diet programmes. "It is ghee along with one litre of milk daily that has made me rock solid even at this age," quiped the actor turned politician.
Contrary to new age workouts and diet charts that forbid consumption of anything cooked using 'ghee', the actor has now endorsed a ghee brand.
"Pure ghee is never bad for health but these days it is difficult to find something pure," Dharam said.
Talking about his succesful career, the actor said credit goes to people who still love him.
"I am what I am because of love of people who could relate to the character I played on screen," said Dharmendra who was in the capital to promote 'Samband' ghee.
The actor was literally mobbed by his fans and the media that he ended up fleeing in an auto rickshaw, which he hired just outside a five-star hotel in central Delhi. PTI
Bollywood has no scope for creativity, says Lekh Tondon
Himanshu Vatsa
New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) After proving his prowess with Shammi Kappor-starer 'Professor' and several other movies and TV serials in good old days, director Lekh Tondon has become estranged from making bollwood films believing the industry has "lost its scope for creative freedom." The filmmaker says that the artists' creativity is suppressed due to commercial compulsion of film makers.
"Bollywood has become a corporate business. You have to be focused on commercial profit rather than on your creativity. The chances of experiment is very less," says Tondon adding "absolutely, this is the reason why I have stopped making Bollywood films and shifted to small screen long back." The director also feels that Aamir Khan's 'Taare Zameen Par' and Ajay Devgan's 'U, Me aur Hum' are some of the outcome of suppressed creative thrust of the actors.
"Its because of their dissatisfaction... They (Aamir Khanand Ajay Devgan) are not satisfied with what they are doing. Can any producer do what Aamir Khan has done in "Tare ZameenPar"? asks Tondon while commending recent works of a few actor-turned-directors in Bollywood.
Tondon also refuses to believe the financial constraints in making films meaningful and socially relevant. "Financial problems can not become obstacles. Not only Aamir Khan can take risk because he can afford, Shyam Benegal takes risk even in less money," adds Tondon who always believe in working on socially relevant themes.
On the recent Pakistani film 'Khuda Ke Liye' made by Pakistani director Shoab Mansoor, Tondon says that a character of Muslim cleric (played by Nasiruddin Shah) has made a significant comment indirectly towards communalism. PTI
I am not joining TV to gain votes: Shatrughan Sinha
Amit Das
New Delhi, Apr 30 (PTI) Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who is all set to take part as a judge in a popular reality show with fellow politician Navjot Singh Sidhu, says his decision is not a move to woo voters or make monetary gains.
"I am not only a politician but an actor too. And now that my Rajya Sabha term ended, I have some time before the Lok Sabha elections kicks off. So I thought to extend my professional career a bit and be a judge in a TV show. This is neither for note (money) nor for vote," says Sinha.
Sinha will be seen judging contestants participating in the fourth edition of 'Great Indian Laughter Challenge', which starts from next month.
However, the actor, who had taken a break from his acting career to focus on his political aspirations doesn't believe in creating fuss over joining TV.
"I have been a performer, a celebrity all my life so I don't think my joining the show is either a bad news or a big news," he says.
"I have got such offers earlier but nothing materialised. So, may be yes I have joined the small screen rather late but I am hopeful it will be a good experience," he added.
Sinha, who is known for his impressive dialogue delivery has also acted in some films with comic theme, and hopes that his recent avatar will connect with audience.
"I have done films like 'Naram Garam' and a play called 'pati, patni aur main'. I wanted to get into the same role again so that I can spread laughter and connect with the audience," he says. PTI
I want to be known as a writer: Arundhati Roy
Zafri Mudasser Nofil
New Delhi, Apr 29 (PTI) Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy says she is not comfortable with the activist tag and wants to be identified as a writer only.
"I am a writer and want to be identified as a writer only," she says.
"One should not define me as an activist. I am not an activist," she told PTI at the release of her book "The Shape of the Beast", a collection of 14 interviews conducted by her between January 2001 and March 2008.
Roy been vocal on several issues like the Narmada Bachao Andolan, India's nuclear policy, US policies and the Gujarat riots.
In "The Shape of the Beast" through the conversations, Arundhati talks about the necessity of taking a stand, as also the dilemma of guarding the private space necessary for writing in a world that demands urgent and equivocal intervention.
"A writer hones his or her language, makes it clear and private and individual as possible. And then you look around and see whats happening to millions of people. You find yourself in the heart of the crowd, saying things that millions of people are saying and it's not private and individual any more," says Arundhati, who won the Booker in 1997 for her first novel 'The God of Small Things.' "How do you hold these two things down? These are very fundamental questions. This is why so many writers are frightened of political engagements. They feel it is a risk, and it is a risk, and yet I would rather do it than not." PTI
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