Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for 2017

Archives for 2017

Two types of Rs. 500, 1000 notes: Oppn alleges ‘biggest scam of century’

by

New Delhi: Opposition Congress, supported by TMC and JD(U), today forced four adjournments of the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha over what it called as “biggest scam of this century” in the printing of two different kinds of 500 and 1000 rupee notes.

Slogan-shouting Congress members trooped into the well even as Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the opposition party has been raising “frivolous” issues without giving notices to stall Zero Hour proceedings.

They were supported by Sharad Yadav (JD-U) who displayed copies of some currency notes. Some members including Derek O’Brien (TMC) displayed the new 500 rupee notes issued after demonetisation to show the different sizes they were bring printed.

He first offered to submit the notes to Jaitley for scrutiny and then walked up to him to explain to him the difference. He, however, did not leave the notes with the Finance Minister.

Jaitley said there is no provision in the rules that anyone could “flash any paper and say it is point of order.” “There is a misuse of zero hour which is going on,” he said, adding that the Congress first raised the issue of provision for None-Of-The-Above (NOTA) in the ballot for Rajya Sabha poll but then discovered that the provision had been made during their rule.

“You have been raising frivolous issues in the Zero Hour without giving notice” with a view to disrupt and not get replies, he said, but did not reply to the opposition contentions on different sized notes.

Raising the issue through a point of order, Kapil Sibal (Cong) said different sizes of the new high denomination currency was being printed – “one for the ruling party (members) and one for the others”.

“We have today discovered the reason why the government did demonetisation (of old 500 and 1000 rupee notes in November last year),” he said. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad (Cong) said “this is the biggest scam of this century.”

As Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi countered, Azad said two types of notes are being printed.

“The government has no right to remain in office for even five minutes,” he said. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said even if there are two types of notes, it cannot be a point of order. “You raise the issue in a different form.”

“It is a serious issue,” O’Brien said as he displayed two 500 rupee notes that he said were different in size and design. Prasad asked opposition members to explain where they got the currency notes from.

Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said no country in the world has two notes of different sizes. “One is bigger, one is smaller,” he said. “I can give signed (copies of the notes).”

Kurien said he is not an expert to examine the notes. “You give separate notice.” “I will give them to Finance Minister,” O’Brien said. Kurien said “give it to the Finance Minister, I have no objection.”

Anand Sharma (Cong) said the credibility of the currency in circulation has been challenged. Kurien, however, said the issue cannot be taken up through a point of order and the members have to give separate notice.

Pramod Tiwari (Cong) said notice has been given, to which Kurien said the Chairman will examine them. As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes.

After the adjournment, as Kurien asked the members again to give notice on the issue, O’Brien said he has given notice for discussion on demonetisation for the past three weeks, but the government has not yet listed the matter.

As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the House till noon. Similar noisy scenes were witnessed when the Question Hour was taken up by Chairman Hamid Ansari, who adjourned the proceedings for another 15 minutes.

When the House assembled again, the opposition members continued slogan-shouting, forcing Ansari to adjourn the House till one PM.

(PTI)

SC dismisses plea for making yoga compulsory in schools

by

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea seeking framing of a national yoga policy and making the practice compulsory for students of classes 1-8 across the country.

A bench headed by Justice M B Lokur dismissed the plea and said it is for the government to take a decision on such issue.

“We are nobody to say what is to be taught in schools. It is none of our business. How can we direct that,” the bench said.

The apex court said it was not possible for it to grant the relief as sought by petitioners – Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a lawyer and Delhi BJP spokesperson and J C Seth.

“What is to be taught in schools is not a fundamental right,” it said. Upadhyay had sought a direction to the Ministry of Human Resources Development, NCERT, NCTE and CBSE to “provide standard textbooks of ‘yoga and health education’ for students of Class 1-8 keeping in spirit various fundamental rights such as right to life, education and equality.”

The apex court had on November 29 last year asked the Centre to treat the petition as a representation and take a decision.

The plea had said, “State has an obligation to provide health facilities to all the citizens, especially to children and adolescents. In a welfare state, it is obligation of the State to ensure the creation and sustenance of conditions congenial to good health.”

It had said that right to health cannot be secured without providing ‘yoga and health education’ to all children or framing a ‘national yoga policy’ to promote and propagate it.

(PTI)

Babri Masjid site is our property, says Shia Waqf Board to SC

by

The Shia Central Waqf Board of UP says mosque can be located in a Muslim- dominated area at a reasonable distance from the Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya

New Delhi: In a fresh turn of events, the Shia Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that a mosque could be built in a Muslim–dominated area at a reasonable distance from the disputed site in Ayodhya.

The Board also told the apex court in an affidavit that the Babri Masjid site was its property and only it was entitled to hold negotiations for an amicable settlement of the dispute.

The 30-page affidavit assumes significance as it has been filed within few days of the apex court agreeing to fast track the hearing on a batch of appeals challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict on the land dispute in the case.

The Waqf Board has sought time from the top court for setting up of a committee for exploring an amicable resolution of the vexatious issue.

Assailing the stand of the Sunni Central Waqf Board, it said, “…since Babri Masjid was a Shia Waqf Board property, Shia Central Waqf Board UP alone is entitled to negotiate and arrive at a peaceful settlement with other remaining stakeholders.”

“Answering respondent (Shia Board) is also of the view that, to bring quiet us, masjid can be located in a Muslim- dominated area at a reasonable distance from the most revered place of birth of Maryada Purshottam Sri Ram,” the affidavit said.

The Shia Board is one of the parties in the pending appeals in the apex court.

Recently, a three-judge bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Ashok Bhushan and S. A. Nazeer has been constituted by Chief Justice J. S. Khehar to hear a batch of petitions challenging the Allahabad High Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case from 11 August.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had in 2010 ruled a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres area at the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri masjid site in Ayodhya.

The three-judge bench of the high court, by a 2:1 majority, had said the land be partitioned equally among three parties—the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

On 21 July, a bench headed by Chief Justice J. S. Khehar had said that it would soon take a decision to list the matter for early hearing.

The court’s remark had come on a plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy who sought urgent listing and hearing of the matter.

Swamy had said the main appeals against the Allahabad High Court order are pending for the last seven years in the apex court and these required urgent hearing.

He had also said that a separate petition had earlier been filed by him seeking enforcement of his right to worship without much hassle at the site.

The BJP leader had told the court that he has been allowed by the apex court to intervene in the matter and is seeking expeditious disposal of the cases.

(PTI)

Book Bank comes to the aid of 5,000 students

by

A student collects textbooks for the academic year from Rajasthan Youth Association. Present at the 43rd Annual Book Bank and Scholarship Programme were (from left) Vinay Chordia, Secretary, Rajasthan Youth Association; Arjuna awardee Reeth Abraham; Vidya Laxman, Director Technology, Tesco; Surpat Chouraria, Trust Chairman, Rajasthan Youth Association; Priyank Kharge, Karnataka IT, BT & Tourism Minister; Rajesh P Shah, President, Rajasthan Youth Association; Dr Ramesh, Bangalore University Vice Chancellor; and Dr. Nirmal Sancheti, President, Terapanth Prof Forum, Bangalore

Bengaluru: Around 5,000 economically weak students of various colleges in the state were provided with textbooks covering the year’s syllabus as part of Rajasthan Youth Association’s 43rd Annual Book Bank and Scholarship Programme. Annual tuition fee for more than 250 students will also be paid by RYA. The book distribution was held today at the Jnana Jyothi auditorium on Central College campus.

Students receive textbooks for the academic year at the 43rd Annual Book Bank and Scholarship Programme organised by Rajasthan Youth Association

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka IT, BT & Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said, “Contributing towards knowledge transfer is one of the most noble forms of charity, and it is heartening to see so many youngsters benefiting from the Book Bank project. This makes me think that our future is in safe hands.”

He called upon the youth to not be afraid to ask questions. “Stay curious, always question and have the courage to make mistakes. That’s the only way you will learn,” he said.

Kharge was all praise for the Rajasthani community’s sense of social responsibility and spirit of entrepreneurship that has successfully steered many business ventures in the city. “The inbuilt bootstrapping spirit enables the community to lead enterprises to success. Wipro is one of the best cases in point,” he added.

Bangalore University Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh congratulated the young beneficiaries of the project and thanked the association for its help, while Arjuna awardee Reeth Abraham encouraged the students to chase their dreams. “You have to learn to dream to achieve anything in the future,” she said.

The annual programme was also graced by Gajacharya Dr. Sri Vishal Munishree; Vidya Laxman, Director Technology, Tesco; and Dr Nirmal Sancheti, President, Terapanth Professional Forum, Bengaluru.

The Shershah of Kargil by Deepak Surana that delves on the life of the late Captain Vikram Batra P.V.C was also released on the occasion.

The association will also be creating a computer lab for Bangalore University’s Department of Commerce and providing 80 desktops, 20 laptops, six LCD projectors and five water filters to Central College and other colleges.

This year the RYA is expanding its charity from Bengaluru to colleges in Chintamani, Chikkaballapura, Andhahalli and Vemagal. In the past few years RYA has extended its reach from Bengaluru Urban to Kanakapura, Devanahalli, Kolar Gold Fields and Kadur.

More than one lakh students have benefited from the text books over the past 43 years while 5,000 students have received scholarships during the period as part of the Annual Book Bank and Scholarship Programme.

The undergraduate students studying BCom, BBM and BSc are selected for tuition-fee payment based on their performance in the previous year. The books are given away as a loan without any deposit and the students have to return them at the end of the year.

“We are proud to say that about 95 per cent of the students return the books in a fair manner. Regarding the tuition fee, once the students are selected, we remit the entire amount along with the other fee a student has to pay, directly to the principal of the college concerned,” said Prasan Parekh, Chairman, Book Bank.

The book bank project was started in Bengaluru back in 1975 by philanthropist, the late Padmashree Mohanlalji Chordia. He began by distributing 101 sets of text books to students from the economically weaker sections of the society. In 1976, he entrusted the Book Bank project to the Rajasthan Youth Association, enabling a larger participation. Since then the association has been continuing the good work while expanding its reach and activities, most of which are in the field of education.

“If any change has to happen in the nation, it will be enabled by educating the people. And we believe that the highest form of donation is education,” said Rajesh P Shah, President, RYA. He proudly pointed out that it was the third generation at RYA that is at the helm.

The RYA president called for more support from publishers and donors besides colleges in identifying the deserving students. “We aim to add to what the government and others do towards the cause of education. A large section of school-goers fall out because of lack of access to textbooks and paucity of funds. We see a higher percentage of girls dropping out after school. We aim to contribute in whatever ways we can towards bridging this gap,” he added.

Interested students can download the application on www.bookbankrya.com. The application will have to be attested by the college and submitted along with an income proof letter, latest mark sheets and letter of recommendation.

Cow vigilante goons attacked in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district

by

Ahmednagar: A mob allegedly attacked 12 members of a cow protection group in Shrigonda city near here after police intercepted a tempo illegally carrying cows to a slaughterhouse, police has said.

The police intercepted the vehicle on Daund-Ahmednagar road and arrested its owners Wahid Sheikh and Raju Fannubhai Sheikh on Saturday afternoon.

A police official said one Shivshankar Rajendra Swami of Pune, and a team of 11 cow vigilantes had come to the police station where the case was registered against the tempo owners and others under the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act.

While the case was registered in presence of the Sheikhs, Swami and others told the police that they should act tough against those illegally transporting cows.

Shrigonda police station inspector Bajirao Pawar said Swami and others claimed they belonged to Akhil Bhartiya Krushi Gau Seva Sangh.

After the activists stepped out of the police station in the evening, they were attacked by a mob of around 50 people, some of them armed with butcher knives and rods.

Police have registered an FIR against 36 people in connection with the attack under various sections of the IPC, including attempt to murder, and under Arms Act, Pawar said, adding the injured ‘gau rakshaks’ left for Pune after the incident.

Nobody has been arrested so far in connection with the attack, the official said.

(PTI)

Karan Johar gives fans a glimpse of his twins

by

Mumbai: Filmmaker Karan Johar on Monday shared a heart-warming photograph of the “loves of his life” — his mother Hiroo with his twins Roohi and Yash, who have turned six months old.

Karan shared the photograph on Twitter. The grandmother is seen cuddling up to the babies.

Karan captioned it: “Loves of my life! My mom and my babies Roohi and Yash. Happy Rakshabandhan.”

The twins were born via surrogacy on February 7, and Karan has said time and again that fatherhood has been a life-changing experience for him.

Karan’s daughter has been named Roohi – a rearrangement of Karan’s mother’s name Hiroo — and the son Yash – on Karan’s late father’s name.

(IANS)

ICC suspends Jadeja from 3rd SL Test after breach of conduct

by

Colombo: India spinner Ravindra Jadeja was on Sunday suspended for the third Test against Sri Lanka as his accumulated demerit points reached six within a 24-month period following his latest breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Jadeja threw ball at opener Dimuth Karunaratne off his own bowling when the batsman was inside the crease and the unpired ruled it “dangerous”.

The latest breach added three demerit points to his tally, resulting in his suspension.

The third Test against Sri Lanka starts August 12 in Pallekel. Jadeja has also been slapped with a 50 per cent fine on his match fee (Level 2 offence).

Jadeja admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by ICC Match Referees Richie Richardson.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker, third umpire Richard Illingworth and fourth umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge.

In Jadeja’s absence, left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav is expected to play his second Test match at Pallekele (Kandy).

According to ICC media release: “During the third day’s play in the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday, Jadeja was found guilty of breaching article 2.2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Player and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.”

Jadeja had received a 50 per cent fine and three demerit points during the Indore Test against New Zealand in October 2016 for violating 2.2.11 of the Code.

With the addition of these three demerit points, he has reached the threshold of four demerit points, which, pursuant to article 7.6 of the Code, have now been converted into two suspension points.

Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

Following this suspension, the six demerit points will remain on Jadeja’s disciplinary record. If Jadeja reaches the next threshold of eight or more demerit points within a 24- month period, then they will be converted into four suspension points.

Four suspension points equate to a ban from two Tests or four ODIs or four T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.

(PTI)

BOLLYWOOD SUFFERS FROM ‘CHEATING DREAMS’ SYNDROME

by

Of late Bollywood suffers from “cheating dreams” synopdrome or so feels actor Vinay Pathak, a trendsetter in multiplex films. Perhaps he should know what he is talking about, as ever since he started shooting for The Dark Brew, he has literally become a shrink, in interpreting dreams. And many of his Bollywood co – stars, discuss & share their “Cheating dreams” syndrome with him. Not surprising still, as Bollywood has rampant stories of insecurities, guilt, betrayals, sex, dating, carnal desires etc.

According to sources close to him, “Cheating Dreams” syndrome or infidelity dreams is the result of trust, neglect, fear of abandonment, stagnant relationship, own insecurities & low self esteem. These dreams are the reflection of your thought process & of your present relationship status. And so you have many Bollywood couples freaking out when they dream with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar.

Vinay Pathak says in a lighter tone “Cheating Dreams syndrome is like Face book relationship status, faithful on your wall, but cheating in their inbox”

He adds “But on a serious note, those suffering from “Cheating Dreams” syndrome should re – evaluate & reset their relationship status, as dreams could be a reflection of your thoughts & present relationship status, of your own insecurities & low self esteem. Cheating on a good person is like throwing away a diamond & picking up a rock!”
The Dark Brew, produced by Warewolf Films, is a funny & a dark humorous take on a man committing a sin in his dream & gets killed; will he survive when he wakes up? The Dare Brew is directed by Akash Goila and stars Vinay Pathak playing a pivotal role.

Back from Bengaluru, Gujarat Congress MLAs taken to resort in Anand

by

Ahmedabad: Congress MLAs from Gujarat, who were camping in Bengaluru ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls, returned to the state this morning and were taken to a resort in Anand district, party leaders said.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel is in fray for the Rajya Sabha polls which will be held tomorrow. Patel is also the political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

“All our MLAs have returned and they have been taken to a resort in Anand,” Congress party chief whip and senior leader Sailesh Parmar told reporters in Anand.

The MLAs were whisked away from the airport here and have been kept together at one Nijanand resort on the outskirts of Anand town. “All our MLAs have decided not to go to their home even on this day of ‘Rakshabandhan’ and be loyal soldiers of the Congress party. They will stay together and they will go to vote for the Rajya Sabha polls tomorrow (to Gandhinagar) from Anand,” Parmar said.

“Ahmed Patel and state Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki will come to Anand to meet them,” he said adding they have not taken police security at the resort.

Election to three Rajya Sabha seats will be held tomorrow, in which Patel is pitched against BJP candidates including party chief Amit Shah, union minister Smriti Irani and former Congress party chief whip Balwantsinh Rajput who recently joined BJP.

A pitched battle is on between the two parties to win Rajya Sabha elections after senior Gujarat Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela quit the party. In a jolt to the Congress, six of its MLAs quit the party on July 27 and July 28. In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the strength of the Congress has gone down to 51 from 57.

Subsequently, the rattled Congress tucked away 44 of its MLAs to a Bengaluru resort to insulate them from alleged “poaching” attempts by the BJP.

(PTI)

Siddaramaiah cries foul over timing of Income Tax raids on DK Shivakumar

by

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday questioned the timing of the Income Tax (IT) raids, which continued the third day on the state Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, his relatives and aides in the city, state and Delhi.

“I am not against raids per se but look at their timing and the use of central (para-military) forces for it, which undermines our federal structure,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Dubbing again the raids ‘politically motivated’ by the central government, the Chief Minister alleged that the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had no moral right to say the searches were a fight against corruption when so many of its leaders were facing serious graft charges.

Asked if Shivakumar would be able to come clean on the charges of tax evasion and amassing benami properties worth crores of rupees, Siddaramaiah said he was not aware what was happening at the places where raids were underway to react.

“We do not know anything about the raids, what they (tax sleuths) found during the searches and his interrogation,” reiterated the official.

Though the IT Department remained mum on the raids at several locations, informed sources said the searches led to recovery of many incriminating documents, property records, cash, gold and jewellery valued at Rs 15 crore.

“As raids are being carried simultaneously by about 100-150 officers in the city, across state and elsewhere (Delhi), we cannot divulge or share any information now. Our higher authorities will decide when to do,” an IT official told IANS on the condition of anonymity.

Defending the deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the raids, the official said under section 132 of the Income Tax Act, the IT department was empowered to use them (CRPF) for the protection of the search teams.

“This is not the first time their (CRPF) services are used for such raids at multiple locations as they involve risk from those being searched or their people,” reiterated the official but declined to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

“He is a Minister. Taking reserve police to his house and other places is not fair,” he quipped.

(IANS)

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives