Archives for 2018

Railways to seek Rs 2,500 crore loan through IRFC for CCTV project

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Unable to get further allocations from the Finance Ministry under the Nirbhaya Fund, Indian Railways is exploring the loan route to raise Rs 2,500 crore to install CCTVs at all stations and coaches to ensure state-of-the-art surveillance systems in the entire rail network across the country.

The loan is to be raised through Indian Railways Finance Corporation (IRFC), the finance arm of the national transporter. It raises financial resources for expansion and running from the capital markets and other avenues.

There is a total requirement of Rs 3,000 crore for the CCTV project, out of which Rs 500 crore has already been allocated by the Finance Ministry under the Nirbhaya Fund.

“While 436 stations are being equipped with CCTVs, 547 more stations would be covered under the Nirbhaya Fund this year,” a senior Railway Ministry official told IANS.

Giving top priority to safety and security at rail premises, the Budget for 2018-19 had approved CCTV systems in 58,276 coaches and 5,121 stations in the Indian rail network.

However, the Railways could not get the Finance Ministry’s nod for further allocation under Nirbhaya Fund and was told to raise resources on its own.

So it has been decided to raise Rs 2,500 crore through IRFC, with Railtel repaying the loan. Railtel, the telecom wing of the Railways, is responsible for executing the CCTV projects.

Raising loan through IRFC will be preferable for the Railways as against taking market loan.

According to a revised plan, 42,000 coaches and about 5,000 stations would be equipped with CCTV system to strengthen safety and security of passengers.

“We will begin with AC coaches and subsequently other coaches would also be covered,” said the official. “While each coach will have eight CCTV cameras covering the entry gates, aisle and vestibules, all crucial points at stations will have the systems.”

Railways has identified 10,349 coaches of suburban trains, 4,038 coaches of premier trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi, and about 27,000 coaches of superfast and express trains to be covered under the CCTV surveillance system.

All mail, express and premier trains, as well as local passenger services, will be equipped with the modern surveillance systems in the next two years as per the plan.

Mithun Chakraborty’s rape accused son Mahaakshay’s wedding cancelled

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty’s son Mahaakshay aka Mimoh has been accused of rape and cheating by a Bhojpuri starlet. The woman even alleged that when she became pregnant, Mahaakshay had given her some medicine which led to an abortion.

She filed the complaint alleging that the actor had cheated and raped her after being in physical relation with her for around four years on the pretext of marriage. She claimed that Mimoh’s mother veteran actress Yogita Bali had threatened her of dire consequences if she continued the relationship. The complainant also said in the court that she moved to Delhi from Mumbai as she feared for her life in view of threats made by Bali and her son.

According to PTI, Mahaakshay and Yogita Bali were granted anticipatory bail by the Delhi court. Special Judge Ashutosh Kumar granted the relief to Chakraborty’s wife Yogita Bali and their son Mahaakshay saying they have deep roots in society and are not likely to abscond.

However, Mahaakshay’s wedding was cancelled. The accused was set to marry in Udhagamandalam (Ooty) in Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu but after the arrival of a police team to investigate the case, the marriage was cancelled and the bride’s family left the place, police told PTI. Mahaakshay’s wedding was scheduled to take place on July 7, 2018.

Meanwhile, the complainant alleged that Mahaakshay he had physical relations with her for around four years after promising her marriage. The court had said that prima facie there are sufficient grounds for registration of an FIR against Bali and Mahaakshay and to proceed further in accordance with the law.

The woman alleged in her complaint that when she became pregnant, Mahaakshay had given her some medicine which led to an abortion.

Indian government wants to bring me back to win votes, says Vijay Mallya

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Embattled Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya said on Sunday he will comply fully with court enforcement officers seeking to seize his British assets, but there was not much for them to take as his family’s lavish residences were not in his name.

India wants to extradite the 62-year-old former liquor baron from Britain to face charges of fraud as a group of Indian banks seek to recover more than $1 billion of loans granted to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

A verdict is expected by early September, with July 31 the final date for closing oral submissions and appeals likely whatever the outcome.

Speaking to Reuters at the British Formula One Grand Prix, where he is principal and co-owner of the Force India team, Mallya said he would hand over British assets held in his name. But a luxury country residence belonged to his children and a house in London belonged to his mother, making them untouchable.

“I have given the UK court on affidavit a statement of my UK assets. Which, pursuant to the freezing order, they are entitled to take and hand over to the banks,” he said. “There are a few cars, a few items of jewelry and I said ‘OK, fine. You don’t have to bother to come to my house to seize them. I’ll physically hand them over. Tell me the time, date and place.’“

“There’s no question of being homeless because at the end of the day, they are entitled to take my assets in my name declared on oath to the court. They can’t go one step beyond,” he said.

‘Fugitive economic offender’

Mallya said a super-yacht he used for entertaining at races in Monaco and Abu Dhabi, which was recently sold at auction in Malta after a dispute over unpaid crew wages, was not his problem either.

“I have not owned the Indian Empress boat for more than seven years now,” he said. It had belonged to “a Middle Eastern gentleman”, whose name he would not disclose, in a deal that gave Mallya use of it for one month a year, he said.

Mallya has been in Britain since he left India in March 2016, unable to travel after his passport was revoked, so the annual British Grand Prix is the only race he has been able to attend since then.

The Indian government’s Enforcement Directorate, which fights financial crimes, is seeking to declare him a “fugitive economic offender” and to confiscate 125 billion rupees worth of his assets.

Mallya has denied the charges, decried a “political witchhunt” and has said he is seeking to sell assets worth about 139 billion rupees to repay creditors.

“I think the overriding consideration that everybody seems to be missing is that I have put $2 billion worth of assets in front of the Karnataka high court which is more than sufficient to repay the banks and indeed everybody else,” he said.

“So the question of attaching assets either in the UK or whatever should notarise.”

Mallya repeated recent complaints on Twitter that Indian criminal enforcement agencies had frozen assets in India so he could not sell them, while banks continued to tot up interest.

He said the enforcement directorate had also attached assets inherited from his father, including properties acquired in the 1920s, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

“How can those be proceeds of crime? This is the injustice that is happening,” he said.

The former billionaire, at one time dubbed the ‘King of Good Times’ and a former member of the upper house of the Indian parliament, bridled at being branded a ‘fugitive’.

“I was always a resident of England and a non-resident of India. So where else do I come back to? So where’s the running away concept? It’s just become too political,” he said.

“And now in an (Indian) election year, I guess what they want to do is bring me back and hang me on the holy cross and hope to get more votes.”

India ride Rohit ton, Pandya four-wicket haul to canter to 7-wicket win

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

India rode on Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten century and Hardik Pandya’s four-wicket haul to breeze past England by seven wickets at the County Ground on Sunday to clinch the three-match T20I series 2-1

Chasing 199 for victory, Rohit remained not out on 100 off 56 balls, and including 11 fours and five sixes. This was the right-hander’s third century in the game’s shortest format, making him just the second player to make three tons.

Put in, England posted 198/9 despite making a blistering start thanks to medium pacer Pandya’s heroics with the ball. The 24-year-old returned career-best figures of 4/38. In reply, India made 201/3 in 18.4 overs.

Pandya also played an unbeaten 14-ball 33-run cameo as skipper Virat Kohli (43; 29b; 2×4, 2×6) missed out on a half-century.

This was India’s sixth successive T20I series win. Rohit looked at his imperious best from the get-go, even though Shikhar Dhawan’s lean patch continued at the other end as the left-hander flicked a poor David Willey (1/37) delivery down the leg side to Jake Ball (1/39) at short fine leg.

However, there was no stopping Rohit as India raced to 56/1 inside five overs but a brilliant catch by Chris Jordan, running from long-on and diving full length, brought an end to K.L. Rahul’s (19; 10b; 1×4, 2×6) innings off a Ball delivery.

Kohli and Rohit then took India to 100/2 in 10 overs and were on course for a win with a 89-run stand for the third wicket.

Jordan gave England a ray of hope when things looked dim for the hosts by picking up Kohli’s wicket with a sharp catch off his own bowling.

With India still needing 48 runs for victory and five overs remaining, Pandya was promoted up the order. He smashed Willey for a six and two fours in the 18th over to take India to within touching distance of the target.

Rohit, in the next over, completed his hundred by dabbing the ball towards backward point while Pandya hit Jordan for a six to guide India over the line.

Earlier, it was Pandya who hauled the visitors back into the game after openers Jos Buttler (34; 21b; 7×4) and Roy gave England a flying start.

Hardik returned with career best bowling figures (4/38) but England posted a challenging 198/9.

Pandya bowled 11 dot balls in the middle overs and accounted for the wickets of Alex Hales (30; 24b; 3×4; 2×6), skipper Eoin Morgan (6), comeback man Ben Stokes (14) and Jonny Bairstow (25; 14b, 2×4, 2×6).

Giving 22 runs in his first over with England’s top-scorer Jason Roy (67; 31b; 4×4, 7×6) taking him to the cleaners, the all-rounder came roaring back to first remove Morgan and Hales in the same over and then repeating the same in the 18th over to send Stokes and Bairstow back on his fourth and sixth delivery.

Veteran M.S. Dhoni was also at his best behind the stumps, taking five catches and effecting one brilliant run out in the last ball of England’s innings to get Jordan’s wicket. Dhoni became the first glovesman to take five catches in a T20I, while also becoming the first man behind the stumps to pocket 50 catches in this format.

Buttler and Roy scored 73/0 in six overs with both in-form batters smacking 10 fours and four sixes in the process.

Deepak Chahar (1/43) — making his international debut in place of injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar — did not start off well, going for 13 runs with Buttler hitting him for three fours.

The 27-year-old Roy hit the first six of the match in the fourth over, a princely down the ground shot at long off before tonking Siddharth Kaul (2/35) for another maximum in the next over to show his intent.

To make matters worse, Buttler was dropped by Yuzvendra Chahal (0/30) just after Powerplay although it was a difficult chance.

In the next ball, Roy brought up his fifty in style, slapping Chahal for a six over long-on.

Kaul finally ended the carnage by rattling the stumps as Buttler tried to swipe across the line. Roy and Buttler stitched together 94-run partnership for the first wicket.

Chahar then got his first international scalp with a slower delivery that the dangerous Roy flicked to Dhoni behind the stumps.

At the halfway stage, England were 111/2 but Pandya then dented England’s surge as Morgan top-edged a back of a length delivery which Dhoni smothered, clattering the stumps in his follow through, and Hales was caught behind.

Later, Stokes holed out to Kohli at mid off and once again in the same over Bairstow, who was looking good after smacking two fours and sixes, nicked a half volley to the keeper.

The rest of the batsmen could not take England past the 200-mark but still posted a more than par total.

Brief scores: India 201/3 in 18.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 100 not out, Virat Kohli 43) beat England 198/9 in 20 overs (Jason Roy 67, Jos Buttler 34; Hardik Pandya 4/38, Siddharth Kaul 2/35).

PR Sreejesh to lead Indian squad at 2018 Asian Games

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh will lead the 18-member Indian Men’s Hockey Team at the 18th Asian Games, slated to be held in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18, Hockey India announced on Monday.

Midfielder Chinglensana Singh Kangujam has been named the Vice Captain for the tournament and he will be joined by the experienced Sardar Singh, Manpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad in the midfield.

India’s forward line will see Akashdeep Singh return to the squad. Experienced S.V. Sunil, Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Dilpreet Singh have been included in the squad.

The team’s defence will be strengthened with the return of experienced drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh who was rested for the Champions Trophy.

The backline will also see three other drag-flickers Harmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar and Amit Rohidas apart from the experienced Surender Kumar and Birendra Lakra.

Speaking about the team composition, Chief Coach Harendra Singh said: “We have a great mix of players who have shown their abilities in the recent tournaments. It is unfortunate we will be missing out on Ramandeep Singh’s experience as he is ruled out of the Asian Games due to a recent knee surgery he underwent.”

“But it is good to have Akashdeep Singh back in the mix. Both Rupinder and Akashdeep have remained in camp when the team was away in Breda and have had good match practice against Bangladesh over the past week and are raring to go,” he added.

India Squad:

Goalkeepers- 1. PR Sreejesh (Captain) 2. Krishan B Pathak

Defenders- 3. Harmanpreet Singh 4. Varun Kumar 5. Birendra Lakra 6. Surender Kumar 7. Rupinder Pal Singh 8. Amit Rohidas

Midfielders- 9. Manpreet Singh 10. Chinglensana Singh Kangujam (Vice-Captain) 11. Simranjeet Singh 12. Sardar Singh 13. Vivek Sagar Prasad

Forwards – 14. S V Sunil 15. Mandeep Singh 16. Akashdeep Singh 17. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay 18. Dilpreet Singh

Aussie teenager sets two world records for football skills

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Jeb Hockin, an 18-year-old from rural Australia, has become a double world record holder, demonstrating some truly incredible talents with a football.

Hockin set two Guinness world records for a “rabona” style kick, first for hitting the crossbar seven times in a minute, and then scoring a goal from 60 meters on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The “rabona” kick is “where you put your strong leg, behind your weak leg and kick the ball,” Hockin explained.

The teen also became internet famous last week with his “trick shot” videos being shared on the fans’ pages of Manchester United and Real Madrid that have millions of followers.

Australia’s lead goal scorer and former English Premier League and Chinese Super League player, Tim Cahill shared his admiration for Hockin in a video, saying “I’ve supported you from the start and it’s great to see you flourish.”

Hockin will keep kicking and attempting more records, but for now he is proud of what he has accomplished after a decade of practice.

“You start from basically nothing and you build up to all these crazy things,” Hockin said.

“It just goes to show anything is possible,” he added.

We are proud Indians because of you: Big B to Dipa Karmakar

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Amitabh Bachchan has congratulated ace Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who won gold at the Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup. The megastar also praised her by saying that he was a proud Indian because of her.

Amitabh on Monday tweeted: “Congratulations to Dipa Karmakar. She has won gold in the world championships for gymnastics on the vault. You proved to the world that what was wrongly denied to you in the Olympics, you won it here. Proud of you. We are proud Indians because of you!”

Karmakar, 24, bagged gold in the women’s vault event at the Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup on Sunday held in Mersin, Turkey.

The Tripura girl, who returned to action after two years due to injury, scored 14.150 to clinch the yellow metal. Dipa had topped the qualification round with a score of 13.400.

She also qualified for the balance beam finals by finishing third in the qualification with a score of 11.850.

She will now feature in the Indian gymnastics squad at the upcoming Asian Games.

Croatia will be fresh for World Cup semi final: Coach

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Croatia have the vitality to beat England in their World Cup semi-final despite playing in two consecutive matches that have gone to extra-time and penalties, coach Zlatko Dalic said.

After overcoming Denmark on penalties in the last 16, Croatia defeated hosts Russia in another shootout last Saturday.

On Wednesday, Croatia will confront England at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium for a place in the final on July 15.

“Of course there is some power left for the English,” Xinhua news agency reported quoting Dalic.

“We will not stop, we will try to play to get the best out of ourselves. We have two matches to play, we are very motivated, we will give our all,” he said.

While Croatia endured a gruelling 120-minute battle against Russia, England progressed to the last four with a relatively straightforward 2-0 win over Sweden last Saturday.

Croatia will be sweating on the fitness of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic after he played through the latter part of the quarterfinal with a hamstring injury.

Sports biopics can help in eliminating drug problem in India: Sandeep Singh

July 9, 2018 by Nasheman

Former India hockey team captain Sandeep Singh has given a thumbs up to sports films. Singh, on whom the forthcoming film “Soorma” is based, says sports biopics can play an important role in doing away with drugs in India.

Movies such as “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, “Mary Kom”, “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” and “Sachin: A Billion Dreams” delved into the lives of sports stars like Milkha Singh, M.C Mary Kom, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar.

Singh praises filmmakers for coming forward and engaging the masses in films made on such personalities.

“If biopics are made on sports and sports stars then a sports culture will develop in India. Through such biopics, you get to know that sports is a different world. It is important to inculcate sports culture in children because today if we talk about India and not just north India, there is a major problem of drugs.

“Sports is something that can help in doing away with drugs as drugs and sports don’t go hand in hand. You have to stay miles away from drugs if you want to play a sport,” Singh told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

“If there is a sports culture, then future generations will stay away from drugs, and sports biopics can play a role in this. Like they say, ‘What sells is what you see’. So, if biopics are shown then it will leave an impact on children and they will aspire to become sports stars like Sachin, Dhoni and Dhyan Chand.”

In fact, Singh wants his film to be tax-free in India.

“I request the chief ministers of different states to make ‘Soorma’ tax-free so that it can reach out to kids, families in villages and those who come from poor families. They can watch the film and inspire kids to take up sports,” said Singh, who hails from Haryana.

He also wants the film, which is slated to release on July 13, to inspire people who give up easily in life.

“I hope people like the film because the message is to never give up. Nowadays, whenever there is some problem, youngsters get scared easily. But you should not give up,” he said.

Singh is a fighter himself. He was left almost paralysed after he was accidentally shot by an Railway Protection Force jawan inside a train in 2006 while he was on his way to join the national squad due to leave for the World Cup in Germany. The incident forced him to be wheelchair-bound for two years.

But his passion for hockey brought him back on his feet and on the field. He took over as the captain of the Indian national team in 2009.

Asked about the fall and his rise, he said it’s all about will power.

“Every person has it. If you believe in yourself, then you can do anything. You just need to have the confidence and faith in yourself,” said the dragflick expert, who is nicknamed “Flicker Singh”.

And for sharing his life story with the world, he charged only Rs 101.

“My movie should reach every household. It’s not about getting money out of it. Had I been after money, I would have sold the rights of my story to somebody else long time back.

“Many regional channels and filmmakers had offered to make a film on my life. I ignored them as I thought that if I have to do it, then it should be done on a high level so that it can reach more number of people.”

Directed by Shaad Ali, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh plays his role in “Soorma”, which is produced by Sony Pictures Networks Productions, Chitrangda Singh and Deepak Singh.

Singh and his brother Bikramjeet have contributed a lot to the film.

“We have done the sports choreography. We have trained Diljit and Taapsee Pannu,” said the 32-year-old.

Does he miss playing hockey?

“Yes, I do. I still play, but not at the international level,” he said.

Hockey is not his only passion.

“I love listening to music. I also like to visit different cities and places and explore old structures. I like to know about them and their history,” said Singh. Former India hockey team captain Sandeep Singh has given a thumbs up to sports films. Singh, on whom the forthcoming film “Soorma” is based, says sports biopics can play an important role in doing away with drugs in India.

Singh praises filmmakers for coming forward and engaging the masses in films made on such personalities.

“If biopics are made on sports and sports stars then a sports culture will develop in India. Through such biopics, you get to know that sports is a different world. It is important to inculcate sports culture in children because today, if we talk about India and not just north India, there is a major problem of drugs.