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Archives for March 2015

Cabinet approves Bill on black money

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BLACK-MONEY

New Delhi: To check black money menace, the Cabinet today approved a new Bill that would give more powers to the tax department in tracking illicit wealth stashed abroad and provide for strict penal actions for such offence.

Sources said that the Cabinet approved the new Bill this evening and it could be presented in Parliament during the ongoing session.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced in his Budget speech on February 28 that the government would bring in a comprehensive law to check the black money menace by providing for a jail term of up to 10 years for hiding foreign assets and up to 300 per cent penalty.

Jaitley had also said that a host of other tough measures including dis-incentivising of cash dealings in Real Estate and other transactions would be put in place.

Under the proposed law, concealment of income and assets and evasion of tax in relation to foreign assets will be prosecutable with rigorous imprisonment of up to 10 years, Jaitley had said, while adding that the offence will be made non-compoundable and the offenders will not be permitted to approach the Settlement Commission.

As regards curbing domestic black money, the Finance Minister had said a new and more comprehensive Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Bill would be introduced in the current session of Parliament.

He had also proposed to amend the Income-tax Act to prohibit “acceptance or payment” of an advance of Rs 20,000 or more in cash for purchase of immovable property.

(PTI)

Don't insist on Aadhar card for social benefits: Supreme Court

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Aadhar

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday asked the central and state governments not to insist on possessing Aadhar card for availing benefits under the various social security schemes as it reiterated an order it passed in September 2013.

A bench of Justice J.Chelameswar, Justice S.A. Bobde and Justice C. Nagappan, without going into concrete examples, said: “In certain quarters, Aadhar cards are being insisted on by various authorities.”

The apex court by its September 23, 2013, had said “no person should suffer for not getting the Adhaar card inspite of the fact that some authorities had issued a circular making it mandatory and when any person applies to get the Adhaar Card voluntarily, it may be checked whether that person is entitled for it under the law and it should not be given to any illegal immigrant.”

The court reiterated its order after senior counsel Gopal Subramanium drew the attention of the court towards the Delhi government directive insisting on an Aadhar card for the registration of marriages. Subramanium had appeared for one of the petitioners.

The court did not appear appreciative when Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar submitted that some states were not abiding by the court order.

“It is your duty to ensure our orders are followed. You can’t say states are not following our order,” it told him, stressing it was incumbent upon the central government to ensure that the states complied with the apex court’s order.

Directing the next hearing of the matter in the second week of July and noting the presence of the centre and all the states, the court said: “We expect all to scrupulously adhere to our order dated 23 Sept 2013.”

The court’s order came as it took up the batch of petitions challenging the Aadhar card which were last heard by it on April 28, 2014.

Karnataka High Court’s former judge K.S. Puttaswamy had moved the court in 2012 contending that the entire Aadhar scheme was unconstitutional as the biometric data collected under it was an incursion and transgression of individual privacy.

(IANS)

Defamation case: Kejriwal, Sisodia, Yogendra forced to appear

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Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his deputy Manish Sisodia and dissident AAP leader Yogendra Yadav were today forced to appear before a Delhi Court in a criminal defamation case after their failure to do so drew a stinging remark by the judge that they have “no respect for law”.

“There is nothing to reflect why the accused (Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yadav) have not appeared. Accused have no respect for law. Considering no one has appeared for accused, I am keeping the matter pending at 2PM. Call at 2PM,” Metropolitan Magistrate Mayuri Singh said after the trio failed to comply with court’s order that they were to “positively” appear today.

Hours after the court rejected their plea for exemption from personal appearance for the day citing lawyers’ strike, the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and Yadav showed up before the Magistrate who marked their presence and fixed the case for May 2 for pronouncing order on the issue of whether to frame charges against the accused.

Kejriwal and Sisodia reached the court room together at around 1.45 pm while AAP leader Yogendra Yadav arrived few minutes later.

The presence of the Chief Minister resulted in over crowding of the court room and the premises prompting the magistrate to ask the onlookers to vacate the room.

On the arrival of the three leaders, the police barricaded the premises and the court room, which was already filled with advocates, litigants, mediapersons and staff of other courts, was latched from inside.

The case was put up before link magistrate Singh as Metropolitan Magistrate Muneesh Garg, before whom the matter was going on, was on leave today.

“As the presiding officer (before whom the case is going on) is on leave, I will fix the case for the purpose already fixed and will give you the date.

“I have marked the presence of the three accused, they can leave,” the magistrate said.

The three leaders had sought exemption from personal appearance for the day saying the case was at a crucial stage and the presence of advocates was necessary.

Later on, the lawyers, including senior advocate H S Phoolka and advocate Rahul Mehra, who accompanied the AAP leaders were without bands due to the strike.

In the morning, the court had directed them to personally appear before it at 2 pm saying there was no ground for exemption from their appearance and they “have no respect for the law”.

The court said the exemption application displayed no reason for the absence of the accused.

The court had noted that a clerk appeared on behalf of the accused and their advocates and moved the exemption plea.

The exemption plea, however, was opposed by complainant and advocate Surender Kumar Sharma saying the lawyers are on strike and not the litigants.

“It is mockery of justice. It would not be in the interest of justice if any adjournment is given in the case as the matter had earlier been adjourned three times due to absence of the accused,” he said.

The court had earlier issued summons against the three AAP leaders under sections 499, 500 (defamation) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, and had said there was prima facie material to summon the accused.

The court had granted bail to Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yadav, after they had appeared before it on June 4 last year in pursuance to summons against them.

In the post-lunch proceedings, complainant Sharma who was accompanied by large number of lawyers sought court’s permission to advance arguments.

However, the magistrate denied the request saying the concerned court will hear the matter on the next date of hearing.

The court on February 11 had given last opportunity to Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yadav and directed them to positively appear before it today as it was scheduled to pass order on the issue of framing of charges.

Sharma, in his complaint, had alleged that in 2013 he was approached by volunteers of AAP who had asked him to contest the Delhi Assembly elections on a party ticket, saying Kejriwal was pleased with his social services.

He filled up the application form to contest the polls after being told by Sisodia and Yadav that AAP’s Political Affairs Committee of the party had decided to give him the ticket. However, it was later denied to him.

On October 14, 2013, the complainant claimed that articles in leading newspapers carried “defamatory, unlawful and derogatory words used by the accused persons” which have lowered his reputation in the Bar and the society.

While issuing summons against AAP leaders, the court had said, “The press release published in newspapers as well as testimonies of witnesses reflect that defamatory remarks were published in the newspaper which affected the reputation of the complainant in the society and lowered his reputation in the eyes of other members of the society.”

(PTI)

SC quashes extension of OBC reservation to Jats

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Supreme Court India

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the March 4, 2014, notification by the then UPA government extending OBC reservation to Jats in nine states, ignoring the recommendation of the National Commission for Backward Classes to the contrary.

An apex court bench of Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman said: “We can’t agree that politically organised Jats are backward class so as to be entitled to OBC reservation.”

“Inclusion of politically organised class such as Jats… can’t be affirmed,” said Justice Gogoi pronouncing the judgment.

The court said that inclusion of politically organised castes like Jats in the OBC list is not good for other backward classes.

The UPA government had announced reservation for Jats in 2014 by including them in the OBC category on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections. However, a group of petitioners claimed that Jats were politically and socially advanced and that the decision to extend reservation to them was electorally motivated.

(IANS)

On Eve of Election, Netanyahu Promises No Palestinian State If Re-Elected

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Under political pressure, Israeli prime minister admitted publicly what has long been evidenced by behavior

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters at his office in Jerusalem. (Photo: Reuters)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters at his office in Jerusalem. (Photo: Reuters)

by Jon Queally, Common Dreams

On the eve of national elections in Israel, politically-embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that if he and his Likud Party were returned to power for another term he would make sure that an independent Palestinian state would not come into being.

The comments come as a reversal of official Israeli government policy which, like the U.S. government, states that a two-state solution is the preferred outcome for the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

As the New York Times reports:

Mr. Netanyahu made the assertion on the eve of an election in which he is trailing in the polls. He has been campaigning aggressively, appealing to conservatives for support.

“I think that anyone who is going to establish a Palestinian state today and evacuate lands, is giving attack grounds to the radical Islam against the state of Israel,” he said in a video interview published on the NRG website. “Anyone who ignores this is sticking his head in the sand. The left does this time and time again. We are realistic and understand.”

Asked if he meant that a Palestinian state would not be established if he were to continue as Israel’s prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu replied: “Correct.”

Netanyahu’s comments on Monday come a day after stating that his government, if it remains in power, will not be afraid to build new settlements in East Jerusalem and across the occupied territories. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the rightful capital of a future Palestinian state.

“My friends and I in Likud will preserve the unity of Jerusalem,” he said. “We will continue to build in Jerusalem, we will add thousands of housing units, and in the face of all the (international) pressure, we will persist and continue to develop our eternal capital.”

Reaction on Twitter was quick to acknowledge that few ever thought Netanyahu had any commitment—official or otherwise—to what is called the two-state solution. As journalist Murtaza Hussein tweeted with implied sarcasm:

The Associated Press adds:

Tuesday’s election caps an acrimonious three-month campaign that is widely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu. The hard-line leader has portrayed himself as the only politician capable of confronting Israel’s numerous security challenges, while his opponents have focused on the country’s high cost of living and presented Netanyahu as imperious and out of touch with the common man. As Netanyahu’s poll numbers have dropped in recent days, he has appeared increasingly desperate, stepping up his nationalistic rhetoric in a series of interviews to local media to appeal to his core base. Netanyahu has also complained of an international conspiracy to oust him, funded by wealthy foreigners who dislike him, and on Sunday night, he addressed an outdoor rally before tens of thousands of hard-line supporters in Tel Aviv. The strategy is aimed at siphoning off voters from nationalistic rivals, but risks alienating centrist voters who are expected to determine the outcome of the race.

When it comes to establishing a viable and equitable Palestinian state, author and rights activist Ali Abunimah also took to Twitter in the wake of Netanyahu’s comments to point out that Likud’s largest political rival in this election, the newly formed Zionist Union coalition, is not itself likely to make any substantial moves toward supporting a settlement with the Palestinians or ending the occupation of the West Bank. 

Haryana Police arrest main accused in Hisar church attack case

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hisar-church-vandalised

New Delhi: Haryana Police on Tuesday arrested the main accused in the vandalisation of an under construction church in a village in Hisar district.

“The main accused Anil Godara has been arrested from Hisar today,” Hisar SP Saurabh Singh said.

He said that the accused will be produced before a court and police would seek his remand.

“Further investigations in the case are under progress and search is on for remaining accused,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep concern” over the gang-rape of a 71-year-old nun in West Bengal’s Nadia district and the vandalisation of a church in Hisar, Haryana.

“The Prime Minister is deeply concerned about the incidents in Hisar, Haryana and Nadia, West Bengal,” the PMO said in a tweet.

On Sunday, an under construction church in Kaimri village in Hisar district of Haryana was vandalized by miscreants and the idol of Hindu god Hanuman was placed inside the premises.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had told the assembly on Monday that the church was reportedly built in an illegal colony and the dispute was the result of an altercation between the priest and those who attacked the place of worship.

Making a statement in the state assembly, Khattar that an FIR has been registered on the statement of church priest Subhash Chander, against accused Anil Godara, Dalbir Singh, Raj Kumar, Kuldeep, Satpal, Krishan, Suresh, Dinesh, Jogender, Kulwant, Sudhir, Bijender, Satnarain, Chhotu Ram and others.

The complainant has alleged that the accused entered into his house and damaged their religious symbol.

The accused persons have carried out this act because an altercation had taken place between the church priest and them on February 8, Khattar told the House.

(Agencies)

Vatican backs military force to stop ISIS ‘genocide'

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pope-francis

by John L. Allen Jr, Crux

In an unusually blunt endorsement of military action, the Vatican’s top diplomat at the United Nations in Geneva has called for a coordinated international force to stop the “so-called Islamic State” in Syria and Iraq from further assaults on Christians and other minority groups.

“We have to stop this kind of genocide,” said Italian Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican’s representative in Geneva. “Otherwise we’ll be crying out in the future about why we didn’t so something, why we allowed such a terrible tragedy to happen.”

Tomasi said that any anti-ISIS coalition has to include the Muslim states of the Middle East, and can’t simply be a “Western approach.” He also said it should unfold under the aegis of the United Nations.

The call for force is striking, given that the Vatican traditionally has opposed military interventions in the Middle East, including the two US-led Gulf Wars. It builds, however, on comments from Pope Francis that the use of force is “legitimate … to stop an unjust aggressor.”

Tomasi issued the call in an interview with Crux on the same day he presented a statement entitled “Supporting the Human Rights of Christians and Other Communities, particularly in the Middle East,” coauthored with the Russian Federation and Lebanon, to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The statement has drawn almost 70 nations as signatories, including the United States.

Tomasi told Crux that in the first instance, he hopes the statement will galvanize nations around the world to provide humanitarian aid to Christians and other groups suffering at the hands of ISIS, “so they can survive and stand up for their own rights.”

Beyond that, Tomasi said, the crisis requires “more coordinated protection, including the use of force to stop the hands of an aggressor.”

“It will be up the United Nations and its member states, especially the Security Council, to determine the exact form of intervention necessary,” he said, “but some responsibility [to act] is clear.”

Tomasi applauded an initiative by France to call a special meeting of the Security Council later this month to discuss the situation facing Christians in the Middle East.

Thousands of Christians are believed to have been killed in various parts of the Middle East, principally Iraq and Syria, since the eruption of the Syrian civil war in 2011 and the declaration of an ISIS-led “caliphate.” Hundreds of thousands of Christians and other minority groups have been driven into exile.

To be effective, Tomasi said, an anti-ISIS coalition must include “the countries most directly involved in the Middle East,” meaning the Islamic states of the region.

 

Pakistan carries out mass executions

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At least 10 convicts hanged, marking highest number in a single day since lifting of moratorium on capital punishment.

Human rights group Amnesty International estimates that Pakistan has more than 8,000 prisoners on death row [EPA]

Human rights group Amnesty International estimates that Pakistan has more than 8,000 prisoners on death row [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

Pakistan has hanged at least 10 convicted murderers, the highest number in a single day after the government lifted a six-year-old moratorium on capital punishment, officials said.

Eight of the convicts were hanged in the Punjab province on Tuesday, while two others were hanged in the southern metropolis of Karachi, according to prison officials.

The latest hangings bring to 37 the number of convicts hanged since Pakistan resumed executions in December after Taliban fighters gunned down 154 people, most of them children, at a school in the restive northwest.

The partial lifting of the moratorium, which began in 2008, only applied to those convicted of terrorism offences, but was last week extended to all capital offences.

Only one person was executed during the period of the moratorium – a soldier convicted by a court martial and hanged in 2012.

Human rights group Amnesty International estimates that Pakistan has more than 8,000 prisoners on death row, most of whom have exhausted the appeals process.

Critical voices

Supporters of the death penalty in Pakistan argue that it is the only effective way to the deal with the scourge of rebel groups in the country.

But rights campaigners have been highly critical, citing problematic convictions in Pakistan’s criminal justice system, which they say is replete with rampant police torture and unfair trials.

“This shameful retreat to the gallows is no way to resolve Pakistan’s pressing security and law and order problems,” Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s deputy Asia-Pacific director, said last week.

European Union diplomats have also raised the issue of capital punishment – and the case of one man who was condemned to death as a teenager in particular – in meetings with Pakistani officials focused on trade and human rights.

The EU granted Pakistan the much coveted “GSP+” status in 2014, giving the country access to highly favourable trade tariffs, conditional on Pakistan enacting certain commitments on human rights.

 

50 plus Heroes ruling the roost In Bollywood

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Earlier on our Bollywood actors had a very limited time span of their professional career. By the time they had crossed the 35 summers of their lives they either had to quit or switch to characters roles. And unconventional heroes in Bollywood firmament was a strict no – no. Only good looking so called chocolate heroes stood a chance to survive in the rat race to Stardom.

But since the last 1 decade this scenario of Bollywood has done a total & complete volte face. Let’s first take the example of Bollywood’s one & only midget hero Aamir Khan, who has just stepped into the 50th summer of his life. But much before that Aamir Khan had already started chartering his success route stardom with hard work and above all his sheer grit & determined resolve. And his repertoire of runaway successful films include ‘Taare Zammen Par’, ‘3 Idiots’ & ‘PK’ to name just 3 and his steady policy of doing only 1 film at a time also stood him in good stead. At this rate he is all set for a still longer innings at the box office turnstiles with his next upcoming project namely ‘Dangal’.

Apart from Aamir Khan it is Big B who is the classic example of this trend of 50 plus heroes ruling the roost. At 70 plus, Big B is still calling the shots on the big screen with his hit films like the sequel of ‘Bhootnath’ to name just one, on the small screen with all the Seasons of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC) and mini series of ‘Yudh’ and he is still going strong with many upcoming films in his kitty like ‘Piku’, ‘Wazir’, ‘Ghoomketu’, ‘Hasmukh Pigal Gaya’ et al. Not to forget the public issue short films and all the endorsements he keeps doing left, right & centre. All this is enough to give the younger breed of actors a run for their money.

Next in line is the ultra energetic actor like Akshay Kumar aka Akki. When he had made his debut eons ago in ‘Saugandh’, he had gone on record saying that he would be most happy if he could survive in tinsel town even for a decade. And look where he has reached now & how?. His successful films include ‘Boss’, ‘Rowdy Rathore’ & ‘Baby’ to name just 3. So even Akshay Kumar is all set to romance with lady luck for a long. Long time to come. Among the many upcoming films that he has lined up is ‘Airlift’ to name just 1.

The same is the case with Ajay Devgn who was ridiculed for his unconventional dark look since his ‘Phool Aur Kaante’ days. But he changed the entire conception in his stride. With his recent successful films like ‘Son Of Sardar’ and the ‘Singham’ series and upcoming films like his own directorial venture ‘Shivaay’ and many more. So now even he is set for a longer dalliance with the Goddess of box office.

And last but not least is undoubtedly our very own Sallu miyan nay Salman Khan who has created his own success history in spite of all the upheavals & roadblocks in his personal life as well as his professional career. Indeed this ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ has given a real ‘Kick’ to all his detractors.

So here is a cautionary piece de resistance advice to all the younger heroes to take a leaf out of the above mentioned REAL HEROES or be prepared to quit, hang their boots or worst still get blown away with the wind. Period!

In conversation with Minhaz Lokhandwala, CEO of Novosol Mobile Magic

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“Funpack Is India’s 1st Multimedia Mobile Magazine!!!” – Minhaz Lokhandwala

Minhaz Lokhandwala is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer in Novosol. Minhaz began Novosol in 2006 and is the Principal Shareholder of the company. Minhaz holds 2 decades of experience in Telco Business coupled with a strong vision, strategy & skills set. He has held senior operational business management & consulting roles at McKinsey, PBS & Hewlett Packard across US & South-East Asia. He has completed Bachelors in Physics & MBA (Marketing & Finance) from Rice University, USA in the year 1987. He also has Diploma in Project Management from IIM, Ahmadabad, India & also a Diploma in Structured Software Development & Architecture. Minhaz is a member of several prestigious associations such as IEEE; MENSA-San Francisco; Singapore Logistics Association; Project Management Institute (USA) & Singapore-India Association.

To set the ball rolling in your court, kindly give us an insight into the concept of Funpack?

Ok so let’s come straight to the point. Funpack featuring fresh & engaging content such as Latest Movie Trailers & Reviews, Off-beat Unique Content, Cricket & Football Updates, and much more in high-tech audio-visual format – Funpack entertains, informs & uplifts the viewers. In this uplifted context, the advertiser’s message & promotion is brought to the viewer’s attention.  With a reach of over 1 Crore Mobile Numbers, Multimedia Elements & Interactivity…….Funpack delivers superior exposure, impact & leads…….in short a unique & superior marketing ROI.

How & when did Funpack originate?

Funpack started in Malaysia 4 years back and with the support of all the Telcos it reached over million users,  25% of the population. On the advertising part, all major media companies such as Disney, Sony Pictures, Universal Music Group, 20th Century Fox, StarTV had used it to gain rapid & broad exposure of their new releases. In India, Funpack has been used by Red Chillies for ‘Happy New Year’ movie promotion. We believe that Funpack offers an unbeatable business case for the entertainment & media industry.

What are the subscribers’ charges & spam concerns?

Funpack is free to subscribers, we don’t charge from users; it is actually an ad supported service and a permission-based service, so no question of being a spam. Subscribers can stop the service anytime with an SMS.

And why the tagline ‘Fun On The Run’?

The Funpack subscribers get unique, interesting, happening & uplifting content, aimed to win a smile. Cricket, Football, Movies, Current Events, Public Service messages and more are presented to users with a twist & attitude. Since, Funpack is delivered straight into the mobile’s inbox, the subscribers can access this fun content anytime, anywhere and smile. Hence, the tagline ‘Fun On The Run’.

How is Funpack different from other digital advertising solutions?

Well, Funpack has many unique aspects: over 10 million reach, mgram tech, which delivers rich media content directly to the phone, Unique ‘Fun On The Run” Content, Interaction and Lead Generation, Superior visibility as compared to any other BTL platform and most importantly, a superior ROI.

With its potentially huge mobile reach, visibility, impact & interaction, Funpack will be a game changer in marketing. We are currently working to expand our reach to 25 million and there is no reason why Funpack cannot reach all Indian mobile users. Presently no other digital advertising service has these capabilities or possibilities.

What kind of campaigns would you suggest for Bollywood?

Well, ‘Win Free Tickets’ is very effective. The contests asking for ‘Slogans or Quiz Responses’ generate very high exposure & engagement, higher engagement greatly increases the likelihood that the subscribers will buy the products or tickets.

How does the advertiser track the campaign? Is there any reporting system?

Novosol believes in ‘Complete Transparency’ and Funpack provides an online reporting mechanism, which an advertiser can access by logging-in with their ids & passwords. Once logged in, the advertiser can view……..Daily summary of Funpack delivered with their Ads, Daily Summary of Funpacks retrieved & viewed with their Ads, Details of SMS Responses & Interactions (if enabled by advertisers). All these reports are backed by Telco Logs and viewable for audit.

Are there any other benefits to Bollywood?

There are many benefits, being a publisher we review movies, rate item songs, cover celebs, events & awards. Thus for added exposure, we can cover the Movie on Funpack and on our MoMoviez.com publication. We also offer banner ads on our various momags- mocricket.com, mofutbol.com,momoviez.com & mosportz.com, which provide an additional 12 million reach in India, Malaysia & Indonesia.

Lastly tell us about other Funpack advertisers?

Funpack has recently been launched in India, yet our list of advertisers includes Samsung, Dominos, Dabur, Red Chillies & Foresight Opticals.

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