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Censor Board refuses to give reasons why it rejected the documentary on Modi elections

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the-battle-for-banaras

40 days after the censor board declared to the media that they have refused to give a censor certificate to Kamal Swaroop’s documentary THE BATTLE FOR BANARAS, the censor board is yet to officially communicate to the producer the reason for the rejection of the film.

The documentary was officially invited to play at the 17th Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival but the invitation was withdrawn in the absence of clarity on the censor certificate. “This lack of clarity & communication from the censor board is irresponsible,” says Manu Kumaran (BOMBAY BOYS, YELLOW, STORAGE 24) the producer of the film. “It’s outrageous that the censor board chief Pahalaj Nihalani has the time to run down the film in the media but has no time to do his duty of communicating officially the reason for the rejection of the film,” says Kumaran.

Director Kamal Swaroop adds, “It is an attempt to understand the crowd phenomenon, anthropologically, without getting into voter politics,” he argues, pointing out that people are talking not just about Arvind Kejriwal & Narendra Modi in the film but also about 40 other candidates across political parties. “Of course the main face – off is between Modi & Kejriwal with the latter having a slight edge till the polarisation happened. Then, the Muslim votes went to him while Modi swept the Hindu votes, including the Dalits.”

The film was screened for the censor board on 27th Aug, 2015. “We contest each & every claim made by Mr Nihalani in the media. The film is neither pro Kejriwal or against any politician. It is not a political satire. Kamal Swaroop has only documented what happened in the general election,” said Kumaran. “We will fight this unjust ruling of the censor board. But this can happen if instead of talking to the media, they officially issue a letter stating the reasons for rejection. This delay tactic by the censor is both unwanted & unprecedented,” says Kumaran.

Inspired by Nobel laureate Elias Canetti’s book, “Crowds And Power”, the documentary, THE BATTLE FOR BANARAS captures the excitement, the madness & the noise behind the high – octane poll battle in the holy city of Banaras, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency.

And in the process, for the 1st time lays bare the equation & the politics of democracy called India. Produced by Manu Kumaran & Mediente International Films, the documentary was shot in 4K, over a 44 – day schedule in Banaras during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Love Jihad, killings don’t fit well with Modi’s emphasis on India rising: Rajan

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RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan

RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan

New Delhi: Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on India being an economy which is trying to get it right does not fit well with incidents like that of love jihad and killings.

“I think there are always issues on the fringe. I think the Finance Minister has said very clearly that these tend to distract rather than contribute. And clearly these are certainly worrisome features which have to be dealt with on the basis of law and order and so on.

“The emphasis that Prime Minister and Finance Minister have been putting on this being an economy which is trying to get it right and move forward on sustainable basis. I think that does not fit well with these kinds of incidents. And we need to figure out the way to reduce and certainly, I think, there is law and order issue there,” he told Karan Thapar on India Today channel.

He was asked whether India’s image was being impacted on incidents like love jihad, conversion, ghar vapsi and the recent killings, an apparent reference to the murder of a man in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh over rumours of eating beef.

Replying to questions on his relationship with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Rajan said it “has been of the highest order ever since he moved into the office that was when I first met him.” “It has been great. I think these reports of differences tend to exaggerate and sometime over-complicate what is essentially a very strong relationship,” he said.

He said the media tends to emphasise differences rather than the large areas of commonality under competitive pressure for news.

Asked if he was open to a second term after 11 months when his term comes to an end, he said it was a hypothetical question. “I have not been offered one. We will cross the bridge when we come to it.”

On his larger than expected 0.50% cut in interest rate last week, Rajan said it was part of the process of getting investment.

Asked if the rate cut was enough to boost growth rate, he said, “The real deficiency in our economy today is private investment is not picking up as it should at this stage of the cycle. The key concern of policy maker is how to get it started. How we get it going.”

(PTI)

Nitish accuses Modi of brazen attempt to add communal colour to polls

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nitish kumar

New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his attack on ally Lalu Prasad over beef remarks terming it as a “brazen attempt to add communal texture” to the Assembly polls and said the “real Modi” is on display.

Minutes after Modi ended his Munger election speech in which he accused Lalu of insulting his community ‘Yaduvanshis’ and the people of the state with his ‘Hindus also eat beef’ remarks, Kumar took to Twitter slamming the PM’s “deafening silence” on the Dadri lynching incident.

“The real Modi on display — brazen attempt to add communal texture to Bihar polls, but deafening silence on deplorable incident of Dadri,” Kumar said.

A 50-year-old Muslim man was killed by a mob in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh recently after rumours that he and his family had eaten beef.

In another tweet, Kumar said it was for all to see “why Vajpayee ji was forced to remind him (Modi) to follow Raj Dharma, but wonder who will do the Vajpayee today ?”

Kumar was referring to the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words during his visit to a relief camp after the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat when Modi was the Chief Minister.

Addressing a poll rally in Munger today, Modi latched on to RJD chief Lalu’s remarks on beef and said a “shaitan (devil) has entered a human body”.

“What all did he eat? It (the remarks) insulted the Yaduvanshis… Laluji these Yaduvanshis helped you to come to power. What all Yadavs eat…is it not an insult of Yadavs and Bihar?” he said.

The JD(U) leader came down heavily on Modi for his languge saying after terming Kumar’s DNA defective, he had called Lalu a shaitan’ (devil).

In a series of tweets, Kumar said this showed Modi’s mentality towards the people of Bihar as well as his dejection.

“First he said there is a flaw in our DNA. Then her dubbed Bihar as BIMARU and its populace unfortunate. Now he has attacked the grand alliance and Lalu ji as shaitan,” he said.

(Agencies)

Bengaluru: Modi woos foreign investors, hopes for GST roll out in 2016

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modi-Merkel

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India is a “bright spot” in global economic slowdown and assured foreign investors of favourable business conditions, including strong intellectual property rights protection.

He also said that the government hopes to roll out the Goods and Service Tax (GST) next year.

Renewing government’s commitment to creating favourable conditions for business and industry, Modi said: “Never before is India so well prepared to absorb talent, technology and investment from outside.”

“We have introduced the GST Bill in parliament; we are hopeful to roll it out in 2016,” Modi said at the Indo-German Summit here, sharing the dais with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She is on a three-day visit to the country.

The GST bill is facing hurdles in the opposition dominated Rajya Sabha despite an aggressive push by the government for its passage.

At the Summit attended by the who’s is who of the India Inc, particularly the IT sector, Modi also said India is committed to protecting Intellectual Property Rights of all innovators and entrepreneurs.

A comprehensive National IPR Policy is being finalised, he said, adding that it will be “progressive and forward looking”.

“Such a huge potential for creation and production will not be available in any one country,” the Prime Minister said as he spoke of the slew of steps taken by the government to ensure ease of doing business.

Modi said across the board the validity period of Industrial Licences had been increased and regulatory clearances including security and environmental expedited.

“We have taken very decisive steps to remove a number of long pending concerns of investors,” he said.

(Agencies)

Merkel visit: 18 MoUs inked, India to fast track system for German firms

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German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, ileft, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photograph before a meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. Merkel is on a three-day visit to India. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photograph before a meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. Merkel is on a three-day visit to India. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

New Delhi: India and Germany on Monday gave a major boost to their bilateral ties, especially in the economic field, by inking 18 MoUs, including one for setting up a fast-track system for German companies in India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks here.

The range of MoUs includes one on security cooperation, and another for promotion of German as a foreign language in India and for the promotion of Modern Indian languages in Germany.

Modi, in his speech, termed the bilateral mechanism of Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) as unique, saying it had helped bring growth in relations.

“We see Germany as a natural partner in achieving our vision of India’s economic transformation. German strengths and India’s priorities are aligned. And, so is our mutual goodwill,” he said, after holding the 3rd IGC with Merkel here.

He said both sides have convergence of views and rapidly growing cooperation in the field of clean energy and combating climate change.

Both agreed on the India-Germany Climate and Renewable Alliance for combating climate change, Modi said, and thanked Germany for its over one billion euro aid each for India’s Green Energy Corridor project and for solar projects in India.

“We look forward to a concrete outcome at COP21 (Conference of Parties) in Paris,” Modi said.

He said both sides will see a boost in partnership in areas of defence manufacturing, trade in advanced technology, intelligence, and countering terrorism and radicalism.

He thanked Germany for its strong support for India’s membership of the international export control regimes.

“As we discussed in the G4 Summit in New York, Chancellor and I are committed to pursue reforms of the United Nations, especially the Security Council,” Modi said.

He also thanked Merkel for the return of a 10th century statue of Durga in her Mahishasurmardini avatar from Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi said the statue is a symbol of the victory of good over evil.

He said: “This also suggests that in this age of transitions and turmoil, India-Germany partnership will be a force of good for the world.”

Merkel, in her media statement, said both sides held very good IGC and bilateral talks. She said the IGC mechanism has underscored the intensity of bilateral ties with India.

She said the inking of so many agreements is a “testimony to the dynamic relations”. She said more than 1,500 German companies are in India and more would be glad to open up in India. She commended the inking of the fast track agreement on German companies. “The speed at which you grant licences has increased, which is a good thing,” Merkel said.

She said Germany can help India in the area of sustainable development in the villages.

On expansion of the UN Security Council, Merkel referred to the meeting of the G4 countries of India, Germany, Japan and Brazil last week in New York and said the members of G4 are trying to seek permanent seat at the UNSC.

Both sides inked an agreement on security cooperation; an MoU on Solar Energy Partnership; for cooperation in the field of Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training; on Security Cooperation; railways and for cooperation in disaster management.

(IANS)

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan only ‘showbaazi’: Kejriwal

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Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he has witnessed only “showbaazi” and not any real action in the Swachh Bharat campaign, even as he announced construction of over 750 new toilets in the national capital.

Without naming Narendra Modi, Kejriwal, on the first anniversary of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, said, “Nothing has happened in the last one year. On this day, last year, Swachch Bharat campaign was launched and I along with the citizens of the country had participated in it. There was a hope that perhaps now India will become clean.”

“In the last one year, I haven’t seen any action apart from advertisements or showbaazi. I can’t see any street which has become clean. I want to say that we all should work on this. Let us all talk less and work more,” he added.

“1 yr of swach bharat. Which streets got cleaned as a result of “this campaign”? How much budget spent on it? Time to question symbolism? (sic),” he tweeted.

Kejriwal also said the state government will construct more than 750 new toilets in the national capital.

“Delhi Government has also taken a pledge to build toilets across the slums of Delhi by March 31. The existing toilets in the slums will also be cleaned and water supply will be provided,” Kejriwal said while inaugurating a toilet block in Majnu Ka Tila area.

“Today, AAP govt has added 350 new toilet seats across Delhi in 10 new toilet blocks. In the last six months, 750 toilet seats have been added,” he added.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched last year on the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The campaign aims at making India a clean country by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

(PTI)

Unfortunate that Modi was born in Gandhi’s land: CM Siddaramaiah

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siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said it was unfortunate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been born in the land of Mahatma Gandhi.

Speaking after inaugurating a function organised at the KPCC headquarters to mark Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s birth anniversary, he said people should be cautious about BJP leaders.

The communal BJP always pursues hidden agenda and Congress members should be doubly careful about BJP leaders and always be ready to counter their agenda, he added.

He came down heavily on RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over his recent statement calling for review of the reservation policy, and said the system would continue as long as the country had the caste system.

The caste system can go only when there is change in people’s mindset and that can happen only when there is social and economic equality in society, he added.

“Modi is dreaming of smart cities. It is not a mistake. We, too, support it. But villages must also become smart along with cities. Only then will Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of gram swaraj come true,” said the chief minister.

Speaking later at a function to give away the Gandhi Grama Puraskara awards, Siddaramaiah said care should be taken to ensure people in rural areas do not migrate in large numbers to urban areas while developing smart cities.

“A large section of people are still living in rural areas. So importance should be given on the development of villages,” he said.

KPCC president G Parameshwara also attacked Modi at the KPCC function, saying it was unbecoming of a prime minister to speak lightly of Opposition parties abroad.

No prime minister in the past, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, had spoken ill of the Opposition when travelling abroad, he added.

Modi leaves for home after concluding US, Ireland visit

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modi

New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday left for home after concluding his seven-day visit that took him to Ireland and the US.

“An extraordinary visit ends, with a relentless focus on the future. PM @narendramodi emplanes for New Delhi,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.

Modi had visited Ireland on September 23 and then left for the US, during which he was in New York and also visited San Jose on the West Coast.

(IANS)

Ashamed of Modi’s behaviour on foreign soil: Congress

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modi-usa

New Delhi: Congress on Monday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his barbs at the party in the US, saying they were “ashamed” of his behaviour on foreign soil.

“Listening to the Prime Minister’s speech I am ashamed. Indian PM after going to California is making fun of his countrymen and is only praising himself,” Congress leader Rashid Alvi said. In a veiled attack on corruption during UPA regime and a barb at the Congress President’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, Modi in his address to the Indian community in California today deprecated the culture of graft in the country.

“In our country it doesn’t take much for allegations to come up against politicians… Someone made 50 crores, someone’s son made 250 crores, (someone’s) daughter made 500 crores, (someone’s) damaad (son-in-law) made 1000 crores…” he said. Countering Modi, Congress leader Manish Tiwari said, “Indians are fed up with the government who helps a ‘baghoda’.

Is there any state government in India like Rajasthan where there are scams after scams. Before taking a dig at others, he should look at his party,” he said. JD(U) leader K C Tyagi also took a dig at Modi, saying, “Questions can also be raised as to why he does not stay with his mother”. He said the Prime Minister should never attack his country’s opposition in the foreign land.

Alvi said he had written to Modi after Lok Sabha polls, saying “You say your mother works even today. Then why are you not caring for your mother. Is your salary less that you cannot take care of your mother?”

Modi had on Sunday got emotional while talking about the sacrifices his mother made as he grew up.

(Agencies)

Expand 4G network in India soon: US media honchos to PM

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a photo with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and other media honcos before a round table meeting 'Media, technology and communication - Growth story for India' in New York on Thursday. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi poses for a photo with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch and other media honcos before a round table meeting ‘Media, technology and communication – Growth story for India’ in New York on Thursday. PTI

New York: Presenting India as a technology-driven society, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pledged protection to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as he met top executives of major media and communication companies here.

“This is a technology-driven era. We are a technology-driven society,” he said at a round table meeting with the top executives of companies like Comcast, Time Warner, Discovery, Sony, ESPN, News Corp, 21st Century Fox, Disney Industries, ABC television group.

The focus of the Prime Minister’s meeting with over dozen media honchos was to understand about the trends in media and communication technologies and the opportunities for India.

“We are committed to protecting IPR which is essential to fostering creativity,” Modi told them at the round table on Media, Tech & Communications.

The CEOs present included Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman News Corp and 21stCentury Fox; James Murdoch, CEO, 21st Century Fox; Robert Thompson, CEO, News Corp; John Skipper, president, ESPN; Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India; David Zaslav, president and CEO, Discovery Communications and Michael Lynton, CEO, Sony Entertainment.

Others present at the round table were Brian L. Roberts, CEO, Comcast; Michael Roth, CEO, Interpublic Group of Companies; Shane Smith, CEO, Vice Media; Martin Sorrell, CEO, WPP; Jeff Bewkes, CEO, Time Warner; Nancy Dubuc, CEO, A&E Networks; Anthony Pratt, chairman, Visy Industries; William Duhamel, Route One Investment Company and Jeff Ubben, CEO, ValueAct Capital.

US media honchos for early rollout of 4G

Describing India as the ‘biggest market’, America’s media honchos have called for speedier digitisation of the Indian system, including early expansion of the 4G network, during a one-of-its kind meeting with PM Narendra Modi.

During the meeting wherein the focus was on the role that the media and entertainment industry can play in development and generation of employment opportunities in the country, CEOs of the top media houses appreciated Modi for ‘energetic and dynamic leadership’ and expressed optimism about the future of India, a statement said.

The CEOs representing 40 per cent of the world’s entertainment industry – were enthusiastic about the digital transformation that is taking place in India through the ‘Digital India’ initiative.

They said that the current strong trajectory of the Indian economy makes it at a unique moment to accelerate growth in this sector.

“All of them said India is the biggest market for them in terms of the phenomenal growth of the entertainment channels, in terms of the youth in India wanting more such content. They asked for speedier digitisation of the Indian systems,” External Affairs Minister spokesperson Vikas Swarup told reporters.

Shane Smith for instance, said that he wanted rolling out of the 4G systems as soon as possible. This is the bandwidth that they need for their program contents to be rolled out and to reach people as fast as possible.

All the CEOs said that India is already a big market for them and they do not have any issues with the existing norms.

“What they wanted was speedier expansion of broad band infrastructure,” he said.

“The Prime Minister and CEOs observed that the changes in technology and media in recent times have led to an enormous democratisation of knowledge. He said that the world is now in a technology- driven era, where growth of digital infrastructure is as important as growth of physical infrastructure,” Swarup said.

(Agencies)

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