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It’s curtains down for 46th IFFI Goa 2015

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Allah Rakha Rahman

AR RAHMAN DELAYS THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF IFFI GOA 2015

And finally it was curtains down for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI GOA 2015) last monday. And as usual like every year there were some skirmishes and this time it was the airborne flight, carrying the musical maestro Allah Rakha Rahman, which got delayed by 3 hours and everything got delayed including the award ceremony as well as the screening of the closing film namely The Clan. So time to have a spotlight on the closing award ceremony! To start off with Indian filmmaker Kaushik Ganguly won the newly-instituted UNESCO Fellini medal for his film Cinemawala.

South American filmmaker Ciro Guerra’s film Embrace of the Serpent won the prestigious Golden Peacock award. British filmmaker Peter Greenaway won the best director award for his film Eisenstein in Guanajuato, while Julia Vargas’ film Sealed Cargo won the Special Jury award. The best actor male award was won by French actor Vincent Lindon for Measure of a man, while five actresses — Gunes Sensoy, Doga Dugusulo, Tukba Sungurugulu, Eltitz Kan, and Liada Akdogan, who acted in the Turkish film “Mustang” jointly won the best actor female award, which is the 1st time ever in the history of IFFI. Goran Radovanovic’s Serbian film Enclave won the special mention award from the IFFI jury headed by renowned director Shekhar Kapoor also.

The IFFI closing ceremony came to an end with the awarding of the lifetime achievement to Russian filmmaker Nikita Mikhailkov. The 11-day festival began on 2oth Nov, 2015, with the opening film The Man Who Knew Infinity directed by Mathew Brown a film on the 1913 self-taught Indian mathematical genius Ramanajun and his friendship with G.H. Hardy who helped reveal the mathematics genius to the world. Over 7,000 delegates from 38 countries, most from India, attended the festival, which closed with the screening of the Argentinian film The Clan (El Clan). A total of 187 films from 89 countries, 26 of which are official Academy award entries, were screened at IFFI apart from the films which were part of the Indian Panorama section.

THE MOST POPULAR MOVIE OF IFFI GOA BOX

Augenschein Filmproduktion, Fantascope & MPM Films & director Forin Serban’s film Box is an unusual & silent love story of 2 unusual people namely Rafael and Cristina, they are 2 people that were never supposed to meet. Rafeal is 19 year old gypsy, who works in a car-wash and wants to make it big as a boxer; he lives with his grandfather and is about to have a breakthrough as an athlete. Cristina is 34, Hungarian, actress in the local theatre, married, and goes through a professional & personal crisis; her husband is the star of the theatre ensemble and it seems that she has been living in his shadow for a while. Without knowing each other, Rafael follows Cristina everyday on the cobblestone streets of an old provincial town. She knows it and enjoys the attention. One time, she turns back and they face each other. The following day he looks her in the eyes and asks: “If you hadn’t been married, would you have married me?” From that moment on there is no way back for neither of them, 2 different destinies, 2 different worlds facing different dilemmas. It stars Rafeal Floria as Rafeal & Hilda Peter as Crsitina. Bo was one of the film screened at the recently concluded IFFI Goa 2015.

Goa: Ramnathi villagers seek ban on Sanatan Sanstha

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Sanatan Sanstha

Panaji: Locals of Ramnathi in North Goa district where the Sanatan Sanstha is headquartered, have demanded a ban on the right-wing outfit and urged the state government to ensure that its ashram is shifted out of their village failing which they would intensify their agitation against them and their ‘sadhaks’ (seekers).

The villagers have given the state government a week’s time to ban the Sanstha or shift the ashram at Ramnathi saying that they would organise a rally and a public meeting at Ponda (taluka) bus stand if their demands are not met.

This is not the first time that the villagers have protested against the Sanstha based in Ramnathi in Ponda, known for a cluster of popular temples.

They had earlier done so after the 2009 bomb blasts when mastermind Gonda Patil and accomplice Yogesh Naik, both full-time members of the Sanstha, died while ferrying IEDs on their scooter to a Diwali gathering in Margao, located 35 km from Panaji.

Village sarpanch Shamila Lotlikar claimed that she has been approached by several locals with a demand that the ashram be shifted from Ramnathi following which she has appealed to the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to do so immediately.

Ramnathi Yuva Sangh President Saurabh Lotlikar also sought to free the village from the “menace of Sanstha” after its members came under the scanner for alleged involvement in the murder of veteran communist leader and rationalist Govind Pansare in Maharashtra.

Sameer Gaikwad, a full-time seeker of the Sanstha, has been arrested in the Pansare murder case.

The Special Investigating Team (SIT), probing the murder of Pansare, suspects role of two more Sanstha members Rudra Patil and Sarang Akolkar alias Kulkarni, who are absconding in connection with the 2009 blast, in the case.

Rudra along with Sarang have been declared absconders by National Investigation Agency (NIA) since the Goa blasts.

Pansare was shot along with his wife near his residence in Kolhapur in Maharashtra on February 16. He succumbed to injuries four days later in Mumbai.

(PTI)

Goa CM rejects demand for ban on Sanatan Sanstha

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Laxmikant Parsekar

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Wednesday rejected a demand to ban Sanatan Sanstha, whose members are accused of killing leftist leader Govind Pansare in Kolhapur in Maharashtra in February.

“There have been allegations against them (Sanstha) in Maharashtra, but as far as their functioning in Goa is concerned, there is nothing we have found objectionable. They have not created any controversy,” Parsekar told reporters at the state secretariat here.

The chief minister said a case against eight members of the Hindu right-wing organisation in connection with the 2009 improvised explosive device blast case in south Goa’s Margao town fell through because “concrete proof could not come out”.

While six Sanstha members were acquitted, two other accused, including Rudra Patil who is wanted in leftist Govind Pansare murder case, are still absconding.

The Goa unit of the Congress on Wednesday demanded a ban on state-based Sanatan Sanstha.

The right wing Hindu organisation was allegedly involved in spreading hatred and dividing the country on religious lines and should be banned, Goa Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from St. Andre constituency, Vishnu Wagh, demanded a ban on the Sanstha, headquartered in Ramnathi village, 35 km from Panaji.

“In a democracy, there is no scope for violence. All those who try to use bullets to threaten the voice of opposition are terrorists, because they try to frighten the opposition. It is evident from the killing of Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi. The Sanatan Sanstha’s hand is evident in these cases,” alleged Wagh who is considered close to the chief minister.

Many top politicians, including some cabinet ministers in the BJP-led coalition in Goa, have backed the organisation in public fora.

The Sanstha, through statements issued in Panaji, has repeatedly rejected the charges that its members were involved in the attack on Pansare, even as a Special Investigation Team probing the murder arrested Sanstha member Sameer Gaikwad and is on the lookout for another member Rudra Patil.

(IANS)

Supreme Court recalls Mangaluru pub attack, bans Muthalik’s Goa entry

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Pramod Muthalik

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday banned the Hindutva activist and Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik from entering into Goa over so called moral policing issues.

The court slammed Muthalik for beating up girls at a Mangaluru pub a few years ago and restrained him from entering Goa for at least six months.

The SC withheld the Bombay High Court’s order barring the Sri Ram Sene Chief from entering Goa.

Muthalik had moved the Supreme Court against Bombay High Court’s order.

Pramod Muthalik, 52, grabbed the headlines after a group of men headed by him attacked women visiting a pub in Mangaluru in 2009.

In 2010 Muthalik and top aides of his outfit, were caught on camera agreeing to vandalise an art exhibition in return for money. Despite warnings, he continued to deliver provocative statements in public meetings and press conferences.

(Agencies)

Former Goa minister Churchill Alemao arrested in Louis Berger bribery case

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Churchill Alemao

Panaji: Former Goa Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao has been arrested by the crime branch in connection with the Louis Berger bribery case.

Alemao was arrested under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code. The former minister claimed his arrest was part of a political conspiracy and said he was innocent.

“I am happy they have arrested me.This is a political game. I have not done any wrong,” Alemao told PTI while being taken for medical examination during the wee hours today.

“Why should I go for anticipatory bail.I am innocent. I have not done anything wrong,” said Alemao when asked why he didn’t move anticipatory bail plea.

Crime Branch officials said the team had gone to arrest Alemao at his residence at Varca in South Goa. “But Alemao was at Agassaim village for a private function from where he was picked up.After initial questioning at crime branch office, he was placed under arrest,” a senior official said on the condition of anonymity.

The former minister was questioned twice along with former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat by crime branch in past. Kamat had moved the court yesterday fearing arrest in connection with the case.

Alemao was state PWD minister when US-based company Louis Berger officials allegedly paid bribe to win consultancy for water augmentation and sewerage pipeline project under Japan international cooperation agency (JICA).

“This is politically motivated case.When it comes to politicians all the books of law are kept on the shelf,” said Mike Mehta, lawyer for Alemao, who had come to meet him at crime branch office during the wee hours.

He said Alemao had anticipated the arrest and was ready for it anytime. “He could have gone for anticipatory bail but he refused to go for it. He wanted to face the investigators,” said Mehta.

The crime branch officials took Alemao for medical check up at Goa Medical College and Hospital during the wee hours and the former minister was later sent to police lock up.

“Alemao was reluctant to go for medical examination due to which it was delayed by almost three hours,” said a crime branch official. He would be produced before a local court later today.

(Agencies)

Goa renews ban on Sri Rama Sene’s Muthalik

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Muthalik

Panaji: Authorities in North Goa and South Goa districts have renewed the ban on the entry of Pramod Muthalik, chief of the Mangalore-based Hindu right-wing organisation Sri Rama Sene, a government official said on Wednesday.

“Muthalik and his associates from the Sri Rama Sene have been banned from entering the two districts of Goa for 60 days from July 16 (Thursday) onwards as his aggressive statements and comments could hurt community feelings of certain groups and create violence, riots or an affray resulting in serious law and order problem,” a government spokesperson said.

The ban orders against Muthalik – infamous for his alleged communal speeches – were passed by North Goa’s Additional Collector Swapnil Naik and South Goa’s District Collector Sachin Shinde respectively, the spokesperson said.

Muthalik, who first shot to notoriety nearly a decade ago after beating up patrons of a Mangalore pub, was first banned from entering Goa by the then Congress government in 2009, after he publicly announced that he would try to curb the pub culture in Goa and try and establish ‘Hindu culture’ in the state.

The ban was subsequently renewed by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in 2014.

(IANS)

Jain sage booked for roaming naked in Goa

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Margao

Panaji: A trial court has ordered Goa Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against a Jain sage for roaming naked around Margao town last month.

In his order dated May 26, Judicial Magistrate First Class (Margao) Bosco Roberts ordered police to file an FIR under section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with obscenity in public places.

The order, which was passed on May 26, but was formally issued on Wednesday, said that the photos of the Jain sage in the procession “prima facie make out an offence under section 294 of the IPC”.

“No doubt the freedom to practice and propagate one’s religion is sacrosanct under the constitution of India, but with every freedom comes responsibility and duty not to cause annoyance to others,” the order said.

Pranam Sagar Maharaj, a Jain Digambar sage had conducted a procession around Margao town, 35 km from Panaji, accompanied by local Congress MLA Digambar Kamat.

The sage’s photographs had gone viral on social media last month, even prompting a cabinet minister to demand a ban on sages roaming around in the buff in Goa.

Digambar is a sect in Jainism whose followers traditionally do not wear clothes and is symbolic of rejection of any possessions.

(IANS)

Smriti Irani finds hidden camera in changing room

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Smriti Irani

Candolim: A police complaint has been registered in Goa after Union Education Minister Smriti Irani spotted a hidden camera inside a changing room at an outlet of popular clothing chain Fabindia.

Irani, who is on holiday in the sea-side state that her party the BJP rules, had gone shopping at the Fabindia store in Candolim, when she spotted the camera.

She called a local legislator, Micheal Lobo of her party, who filed the FIR. Lobo said that the camera was positioned in a way that it pointed right into the changing or trial room and was not easily visible.

The police have registered a case of outraging a woman’s modesty against the store and are investigating to find out who had put the camera there.

Irani, 39, has recorded a statement at the Candolim police station.

(Agencies)

Youth from Goa held for hoax call of terror attack on Obama

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Barack Obama

Panaji: A 19-year-old youth from Goa has been arrested for making a hoax call to Delhi Police warning them of a terror attack on US President Barack Obama. The youth, from South Goa district, made the call to the Delhi Police control room at around 7 AM yesterday saying that he has recorded a conversation of terrorists plotting an attack on Obama during his upcoming India visit, Superintendent of Police (South) Shekhar Prabhudesai said.

According to police, the youth “did it to get publicity” and was upset at not being able to take part in the Republic Day parade. The law enforcement agencies in Delhi swung into action after getting the call and at around 12.30 PM they traced it to South Goa’s Cuncolim village, 45 kms from Panaji.

The college-going youth was picked up based on the mobile phone call details by Cuncolim police. They interrogated him in the presence of senior officers who had rushed to the village from Panaji. During interrogation, the youth “confessed that he did it to get publicity”, Prabhudesai said adding that subsequently he was arrested last night.

“He said he did it to get publicity. He also wanted to participate in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, but he could not do so because of which he was disturbed,” he said. The youth would be produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class in Margao town.

(PTI)

Laxmikant Parsekar elected as the new Goa CM

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LAXMIKANT-PARSEKAR

Panaji: Goa Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar was today elected leader of the BJP Legislature Party, paving the way for his elevation as the new Chief Minister, snuffing out any challenge from Deputy CM Francis D’Souza.

Parsekar, who was unanimously elected the leader at a meeting of the BJP Legislature Party, will succeed Manohar Parrikar after he resigned earlier in the day and is set to join the Union Cabinet.

His name was proposed by Parrikar and seconded by the Deputy Chief Minister D’Souza, who had earlier staked claim to the post on ground of seniority.

However, he backed Parsekar after being mollified by the party leadership.

“Parsekar was elected the leader of the BJP Legislature Party unanimously,” said party general secretary Rajiv Pratap Rudy, party’s observer for the election.

Parsekar, MLA from Mandrem constituency, would be sworn-in as Chief Minister at 4 PM at Raj Bhavan today.

Earlier, Parrikar faxed his resignation to Governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhavan. The 58-year-old technocrat- turned politician had taken over as Chief Minister in March 2012 after BJP rode to power in the coastal state.

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