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Archives for May 2015

Allow city govt to function independently: Kejriwal to Modi

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kejriwal_modi

New Delhi: Taking his fight against the LG to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked him to allow the city government to function “independently” even as he accused the Centre of trying to run the Delhi administration.

In a letter to Modi, Kejriwal mentioned the posting and transfers made by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and said the elected government must have a say about distribution of work to senior officials.

“In Delhi, Central government is trying to run government unconstitutionally through the Lt Governor. Let Delhi government function independently,” Kejriwal said in the letter to Modi.

The letter by Kejriwal to the Prime Minister came a day after both he and Jung took their bitter fight to President Pranab Mukherjee, accusing each other of violating the Constitution and overstepping their respective jurisdictions.

The Lt Governor has been maintaining that he has the power to appoint and transfer the bureaucrats and none of his actions has been “unconstitutional” as was being alleged by the AAP government.

Kejriwal had yesterday met Mukherjee along with his deputy Manish Sisodia, who said “LG was functioning as if there is President’s Rule in the national capital and there is no elected government here.”

“Despite having a democratically elected government, he (LG) is bypassing the chief minister and ministers and issuing instructions to officers. He is even threatening them with transfers if they do not follow his orders. It is not good for democracy.

“We told the President that we accepted LG’s decision to appoint acting Chief Secretary even without consulting us. But after that too, he has been appointing officers bypassing the elected government.

He is even interfering in the appointments of secretaries and directly ordering them. Then where is democracy,” Sisodia had told reporters after meeting Mukherjee.

Jung had yesterday also met Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the issue and informed him about his stand-off with the AAP government.

The tussle over appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting chief secretary of Delhi had turned into a full-blown war between the AAP government and Jung with Kejriwal alleging that the LG was trying to take over the administration.

Despite Kejriwal’s strong opposition, Jung had appointed her to the post on Friday.

(PTI)

Bollywood Newswatch

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Aishwaryas-Jazbaa

Disney India’s Media Networks Bags 8 Awards

Disney India’s Media Networks recently bagged 8 Awards, 2 gold & 6 silver awards at the prestigious Promax BDA 2015. The Media Networks Team at Disney India proudly took away 2 Gold & 6 silver trophies at the Promax BDA 2015 function held recently in Mumbai. Popular channels from Disney India’s Media Network: Bindass, Disney Channel, Hungama TV and the recently launched Bindass Play secured wins across multiple categories at the coveted awards. The wins are in the following categories Gold for ‘Most Outstanding Station Image Campaign’ : Disney Channel brand films, ‘Beach-Proposal-Airport’ And another Gold, for the ‘Most Innovative Marketing Idea’-Disney Channel’s’ Kahani Masters’. Silver for ‘Most Innovative Marketing Idea’ Bindass’ Dreamstarts, Silver for ‘Best Holiday-Seasonal Event Spot’-Disney Channel’s ‘Kahani Masters’. Silver for ‘Best On-Air Branding Design-Bindass PLAY packaging, Silver for ‘Best children’s program promo’: Hungama TV’s Pokemon classroom promo

Actor Prashantt Guptha honoured

Actor Prashantt Guptha has been appointed as Key Indian Advisor & Festival Ambassador of San Francisco Global Film Festival and has signed a 3 film deal with a California based Producer. Last year, Prashantt Guptha’s film ‘Identity Card’ won “Best Film” award and he bagged the “Best Supporting Actor” at the SF Global Fest.

Abhay & Omi To Attend Asian American Heritage Festival

Abhay Deol & Omi Vaidya will be attending the Asian American Heritage Festival, which is being presented by Ultimate Media & Sony Entertainment Television Asia. The 2 actors will also be interacting with the audiences at the festival, which is being held on 31st May, 2015 at the New Jersey Expo & Convention Center in Edison, New Jersey. The event marks the celebration of the Asian American Heritage month of May in the US. The highlights of the Festival are as follows: Dance performances by top dance academies from the area, over 20 corporate sponsors & 100 vendors showcasing their products & services, a focus on the real estate market featuring builders from India & US, realtors, brokers & mortgage lenders. The Asian Realtors Association of America (AREAA), the trade organization that promotes home ownership opportunities within the Asian American community, is one of the Festival’s sponsors.

Aishwarya Unveiled 1st L Of ‘Jazbaa’ At Cannes

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been associated with Cannes for over a decade. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who will be seen as the protagonist in the upcoming Sanjay Gupta directorial ‘Jazbaa’, used Cannes as a platform to unveil the 1st look of this film. The 1st look of ‘Jazbaa’ was launched in a closed door discussion with United Nations panel on 16th May, 2015, after which, there was a media event scheduled on 19th May, 2015. The said panel included a list of some elite celebrities like Salma Hayek, Adele Exarchopoulos along with the producers of the film ‘Carol’, that is, Christine Vachone & Elizabeth Kushel. The trailer was also launched at the event amidst the presence of producer Essel Vision’s business head Akash Chawla & director & co-producer Sanjay Gupta. The film unlike any other ‘solo hero’ film has Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan Khan & Shabana Azmi occupying a prominent presence.
‘Jazbaa’ also starring Chandan Roy Sanyal, Anupam Kher and it is slated to release on 9th Oct, 2015.

SRK Summoned For Forex Violation

Shah Rukh Khan is heading into troubled waters. While on one hand the actor’s Indian Premier League (IPL) team the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has been playing well on the field, on the other hand the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned King Khan to appear before it in connection with forex violations. Apparently, the ED has summoned Shah Rukh Khan after shares of his IPL team KKR were undervalued in a transaction. Interestingly, this was not the 1st time when the actor was examined in such a case. He was questioned 4 years ago in Mumbai.

Mallika Sherawat’s Cannes Mission

Mallika Sherawat is a woman on mission in Cannes Mission. Mallika Sherawat, who’s always proved to be quite a head-turner in the Cannes Film Festival. She is readying to dazzle on the red carpet yet again as she recently went to attend the 68th Cannes Film festival that got kickstarted on 13th May, 2015. And this time around, she is on a mission. Mallika was invited to be on the discussion panel of “Co-Produce in India” by FICCI on behalf of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, on 14, May 2015.

FWICE Press Meet

The representatives of FWICE & Producer bodies recently met up at Sun N Sand hotel on the eve of the impending strike and amicably arrived at the following settlement after which the strike was called off. Workers, producers, artistes, technicians & broadcasters all heaved a sigh of relief as the deadlock was broken and the strike called off. The mutual settlement were immediate Wage hike on daily wages and base rate of contractual workers as follows 1st Year 13%, 2nd year 11%, 3rd year 11%, 4th Year 11% & 5th Year 12%. All payments to be issued within 30 days of work or raising of invoice, Appropriate safety & sanitary provisions on set (Joint committee for inspection), group insurance for all workers & technicians (compulsory), Letter of engagement to be issued to all workers clearly stating terms of engagement on commencement of work, proper rules & regulations of individual associations to be followed & implemented, defaulters on both sides to be identified & remedied & members to be paid as per the defined rates. The final MOU has been committed by both parties to be signed latest by 20th Jun, 2015.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Watches ‘Gabbar Is Back’

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal rently watches ‘Gabbar Is Back’ and Akshay Kumar was quite excited for his film ‘Gabbar Is Back’ as he reunited with his old pal Shabinaa Khan & Sanjay Leela Bhansali after ‘Rowdy Rathore’, ‘Gabbar Is a realistic film and has been relatable by every Indian citizen regardless of background caste & class. The film was a reflection of the current immoral ongoings of today’s modern society and how one should not sit back anymore and wait for the change to happen. With Akshay Kumar as Gabbar, this high octane action film is an entertainer with substance. An aam aadmi denied justice created Gabbar, a man who sets out on a fierce & ruthless path to fight corruption. Just recently Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal watched ‘Gabbar Is Back’ and he posted on the social networking site, “Watched ‘Gabbar is back”. An amazing movie. U must watch. Produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Sanjay Leela Bhansali & co-produced by Shabinaa Khan,

‘Kajarya’ & ‘Goatspeak’ Showcased In 68th Cannes Film Festival

Two films ‘Kajarya’ & ‘Goatspeak’ were were recently showcased in the 68th Cannes Film Festival. The critically acclaimed feature film ‘Kajarya’, directed by Award winning director Madhureeta Anand & ‘Goatspeak’ (Khashi Katha), directed by Judhajit Sarkar, were are recently premiered at the Marche Du Film at the 68th Cannes Film Festival. Madhureeta Anand’s ‘Kajarya’, starring Meenu Hooda, Ridhima Sud & Kuldeep Ruhil, has found critical appreciation internationally and has also been selected by the Forbes India magazine as the #1 in the Top 5 Indian Films. It deals with sex selection in India and consequent violence against women. ‘Kajarya’ has been co-produced by Odd Joint & Ekaa Films. Judhajit Sarkar’s ‘Goatspeak’ (Khashi Katha) is a tragic-comic tale narrated by a talking goat starring Naseeruddin Shah, Anindita Basu & Prasun Gyne and Ladoo the goat. It is a blend of fantasy & reality alongside incisive social & political statements.

Sanjay Juimani To Sell Bollywood Films

Sanjay Jumani of Sunstone Entertainment is in Cannes Film Festival to sell Bollywood Films. Besides he will also be acquiring the rights of Hollywood Films for the Indian market.

‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ Bags 3 National Awards

‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ recently bagged 3 National Awards. The film won 2 awards in general category and also the “Best Film” in Konkani. Nachom-ia Kumpasar, a Konkani musical film made as a tribute to the unsung musicians of Goa, bagged 3 honours at the 62nd National Film Awards with 2 awards and one special mention.
The film ‘l’ received the award for “Best Production Design” for recreating spaces from a different era and with minute attention to detail. It was also awarded the “Best Konkani Film” for its nostalgic recovery of a distinctive musical legacy, as told through the roller coaster lives of its practitioners that has remained unsung despite its influence on Bombay cinema.

‘Mohenjo Daro’ Release Date Announced

The release date of ‘Mohenjo Daro’ was announced recently. Hrithik Roshan’s upcoming film ‘Mohenjo Daro’s release date has been announced recently.
Disney & Ashutosh Gowariker Production Pvt Ltd (AGPPL) announced the release of ‘Mohenjo Daro’ on 12th Aug, 2016. Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, ‘Mohenjo Daro’ is an epic love story, set during the Indus Valley Civilization. The film marks the debut of Pooja Hegde in Bollywood, who stars opposite Hrithik.

Om Puri & Prashantt Guptha Honored At Rajasthan International Film Festival

The 1st Rajasthan International Film Festival at Jaipur saw veteran actor Om Puri & young talent Prashantt Guptha being felicitated with top honors. With the central theme of the festival being ‘The Common Man of Indian Cinema,” the festival highlighted the achievements of Om Puri for his contribution to Indian cinema with its equivalent of The Lifetime Achievement Award. Prashantt Guptha, being a Jaipur native who made his foray into Hindi cinema and showed immense progress over the last couple of years as the handsome villain in Pen India/Shailesh Singh’s ‘Issaq’, followed by 2 releases in 2014, ‘Identity Card’ & ‘6-5=2’ was bestowed upon the “Pride Of Rajasthan” Award. This award follows Prashantt Guptha’s awards at the San Francisco Festival and the National Awards for Excellence among others this year. Amongst several international, Hindi & regional films, the young actor’s critically acclaimed film ‘Identity Card’ was given “Best Feature Film” award at the hands of Padmini Kolhapure.

MPA APSA Academy Film Fund To Help Aspiring Filmmakers

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) & the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) gives an opportunity to aspiring filmmakers with the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund. MPA APSA Academy Film Funds is a unique initiative which has aided aspiring film makers in a lot of development in new film projects. A panel discussion was hosted at the 13th Pune International film festival on 10th Jan, 2015, to create awarness about the Asia Pacific Screen Awards & MPA APSA Academy Film Funds . The panelist for the discussion comprised of celebrated actor, Atul Kulkarni & Lohita Sujith, Director, Corporate Communications, Motion Picture Dist. Association (India) Pvt Ltd. Panelists also discussed how upcoming filmmakers/professionals can benefit from the MPA APSA Academy Film Fund worth USD 100,000. MPA APSA Academy Film Fund has been a hugely successful initiative taking the number of successful projects funded to a total of 20 feature films over the last 6 years. The projects now count amongst them winners of an Academy Award®, APSAs and an International Emmy Award. Grants have been awarded to projects from. India, Bangaldesh, Republic of Korea, People’s Republic of China, Iraq, Kazakhastan, Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2014, over 100 submissions were received for the film fund. 4 grants were awarded to 2 documentary film projects from Israel & Denmark and 2 film projects from Bangladesh and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

#ModiInsultsIndia trends on Twitter: Here's why

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Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic efforts with China turned sour on Tuesday with a leading Chinese government mouthpiece saying that not many foreign direct investments are coming to India.

According to the mouthpiece, “”For the moment, there is little evidence of success for foreign investments from private enterprises. Economy a dilemma for globe-trotting Modi. Relentless efforts at major power diplomacy. In the end, if any country tries to encourage investments to India, most of the programmes will be led by the government itself, with most of the private business sector skeptical about the whole idea.”

The Chinese media also pointed out that the daily hard-nosed assessment of the country stops investors from doing promising business in India.
The article also targeted disappointing power failures, lack of decent roads and ports for transportation.

“Labour unrest occurs from time to time. Attracting investments against such backdrop will prove to be a major problem,” it added.

The mouthpiece barely two days after Modi’s visit to the ‘Dragon Kingdom’ comes as a jolt to those Indians who are expecting much out of the foreign tour.

Meanwhile, it gives another issue to the opposition who has time and again targeted PM for spending much on his foreign tours.
The shaming act by Chinese act also led to a trend on Twitter with people adding remarks using hashtag #ModiInsultsIndia.

South east Asia’s migrant boat crisis is a global responsibility

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A Thai vessel provides supplies to Rohingya migrants on an abandoned boat. EPA/STR

A Thai vessel provides supplies to Rohingya migrants on an abandoned boat. EPA/STR

by Kirsten McConnachie, The Conversation

Thousands of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants have been left stranded at sea, after a crackdown against people traffickers in Thailand prompted dozens of boat owners and crew to abandon their human cargo.

Those at sea have been left without food and water, and will certainly die if they are not rescued soon. Now that more than 2,000 people have been rescued or arrived at their shores, Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai authorities have united in refusing to rescue further boats and claiming that they will turn back any more arrivals.

Their refusal to accept Rohingya boats mirrors the early years of the Indochina refugee crisis, when Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand collectively refused to grant asylum to arrivals from Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. After thousands of people had been pushed back by land and sea, that situation was eventually resolved with an agreement for permanent resettlement of refugees to western nations, primarily the US.

But that was a very different time, shaped by Cold War politics that are now a distant memory. Today, with the European Union showing little sympathy for boat arrivals on its own shores, a coordinated international response seems highly improbable.

Wrong answer

Thailand’s crackdown on migrant traffickers followed the discovery of a mass grave in a suspected trafficking camp in southern Thailand. But while trafficking is undoubtedly a very real risk, Rohingya migration is not only or even primarily an issue of trafficking, and pushing back boats is not the answer.

Many of those now stranded at sea are not voluntary migrants but refugees who face persecution if returned to Myanmar. As in the Mediterranean, ending boat migration in south-east Asia will require shifting the focus from smugglers and traffickers to address the drivers of forced migration. For the Rohingya, that means tackling statelessness and human rights violationsinside Myanmar, and discrimination throughout south east Asia.

This is obviously easier said than done. The crisis facing the Rohingya in Myanmar is an entrenched, intractable problem with few avenues for positive reform. Rohingya communities have been denied citizenship for decades and face draconian restrictions on travel, movement and marriage. This has been compounded recently by the cancellation of all Temporary Registration Certificates, the only identity document that most Rohingya possess, and a document required to vote in the upcoming elections.

Myanmar’s Rohingya fear for their survival. Those who have fled to Bangladesh have fared little better, with little or no access to education and health services and very restricted access to the UN and other international agencies. These conditions have forced migration to other countries: to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia but also to India, Nepal and even Saudi Arabia.

What can ASEAN do?

To stop the immediate humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait, and to develop a lasting regional solution, member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) need to step in.

Until now, ASEAN’s policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of a member state has prevented regional discussion of Rohingya statelessness and discrimination. The current crisis clearly shows that this is not a matter of Myanmar’s internal affairs but is affecting many other countries in the region. ASEAN members have a stake in resolving this situation and must cooperate in doing so.

Rohingya migrants in East Aceh, Indonesia. EPA/Hotli Simanjuntak

A meeting has been arranged in Bangkok for May 29 2015, but those at sea will certainly die if no action is taken before then. There is an urgent need to stop boat pushbacks and begin emergency rescue of those stranded.

In the longer term, the focus must be on improving the treatment of Rohingya people inside Myanmar. Full citizenship for stateless Rohingya is difficult to envisage in Myanmar’s current political climate, but there are other possibilities. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights have outlined a number of constructive suggestions, beginning with providing a mandate to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights to investigate the situation and officially monitor Myanmar’s response.

Practical action that should be taken by Myanmar includes improving basic living conditions of Rohingya communities in Myanmar by ensuring access to clean water, adequate nutrition and health care and appropriate shelter materials. Administrative and legal reforms should end discriminatory restrictions on Rohingya people (such as restrictions on movement and marriage) and reinstate the temporary registration cards that were recently withdrawn. Crimes of discrimination and hate speech should be prosecuted, not permitted to flourish as they have until now.

A global responsibility

ASEAN member states have a key role to play, but this is not solely an ASEAN responsibility. Many states have flocked to provide aid and assistance to Myanmar since a process of political reform began in 2011. Those states are now entitled to demand some return for their investment, in the shape of an improved protection environment for the Rohingya and for other ethnic groups inside Myanmar.

In the meantime, a massive humanitarian crisis is unfolding in south east Asia. Thousands of people remain stranded at sea, and they will certainly die if they are not rescued soon. But as in the Mediterranean, tragic suffering could still be averted if those with the power to act would only show some moral leadership and begin the required rescue.

Kirsten McConnachie is a Research Fellow in Refugee Studies at University of Oxford.

The Conversation

Arab diplomats held secret talks with Israel: report

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Israeli delegates reportedly met with Arab and EU diplomats in Jordan. (AFP/File)

Israeli delegates reportedly met with Arab and EU diplomats in Jordan. (AFP/File)

by Ma’an

A secret meeting between Israeli diplomats and diplomats from Arab countries that do not have open diplomatic relations with Israel was recently held in Jordan, Israeli radio station Voice of Israel reported Tuesday.

The broadcasting station added in a report on their Arabic-language website that representatives of the European Union and the United States had also attended the meeting.

The report alleged that several Arab diplomats said that countries in the region should be preparing for a new reality as the United States’ influence on regional security begins to retreat.

They also were quoted as saying that Sunni countries in the Middle East are interested in cooperating with Israel on security issues.

However, Voice of Israel added that political deadlock between Israel and Palestine has so far prevented cooperation between Arab countries and Israel.

In recent months, commentators have noted an increasing alignment between Israeli and Gulf security priorities.

Saudi Arabia has been leading a predominantly Sunni military coalition against allegedly Iran-backed rebels in Yemen since March and is one among several Gulf states believed to be funding Syrian rebels fighting Iran’s allies in Syria and Iraq.

Israel has long been a hostile opponent of Iran.

Both Israel and Gulf nations have expressed dismay over an Iranian agreement with world powers that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for an easing of crippling economic sanctions.

Southern Movies Round Up

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Paayum Puli

Paayum Puli

As compared to films produced in Bollywoodian & Hollywoodian Cinema arena, South Indian Cinema is rapidly & regularly progressing by churning out its own brand of gems of milestone movies in all the 4 languages namely Kannada, Malyalam, Telugu & Tamil. In an exclusive Nasheman.In, Shaheen Raaj will present a sneak preview of the productional happenings of Southern Cinema every fortnight. Time to stay tuned in.

Manisha Koirala Approached

Manisha Koirala has been approached to play a small role in actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan’s forthcoming Tamil thriller. Talks are going on with Manisha to play Kamal’s wife in the movie. It’s a small role. But nothing has been finalised yet. Manisha & Kamal were last seen in Shankar’s ‘Indian’ (1996).

Meanwhile, Kamal’s long-time associate Rajesh will wield the megaphone for the project, which is said to be a thriller that’ll unfold in a single night. The film, that features Trisha Krishnan in the lead role, is all set to go on the floors later this month.

The Battle Of Class Versus ‘Masss’

On 29th May, 2015 the most awaited summer release, Suriya’s ‘Masss’ is hitting the theatres and faces stiff challenge from the multiple National & International award winning ‘Kaaka Muttai’. ‘Masss’ has a lot going for it with perfectionist Suriya heading the cast, maverick director Venkat Prabhu at the helm and numero uno actress Nayanthara as heroine with a top notch supporting cast of Jayaram, Parthiban, Samuthirakani, Premgi, Karunaas, Sriman & Pranitha. The technical team comprises of the creme de la creme of the industry and with amazing CG work & riveting performance by Suriya are the main attractions of ‘Masss’ On the other hand ‘Kaaka Muttai’ is proving the saying ‘Small is Big’. This cute little film that tells the story of 2 underprivileged brothers Vignesh & Rajesh who crave to taste a pizza after watching a commercial ad and their angst filled journey towards their goal has garnered standing ovation all over the globe in film festivals. Dhanush & Vetrimaaran are the producers who have left no stone unturned to take ‘Kaaka Muttai’ and Manikandan along with the cast to the heights they deserve.

Vishal Salutes The True Hero Of ‘Paayum Puli’

On the eve of shooting the climax for ‘Paayum Puli’ actor Vishal has offered his salutations to the late Police Sub Inspector Alwin Sudhan on whose life the movie is based on. The SI who was known to oppose caste based riots was unarmed doing bandabost duties when he was murdered by an armed gang in Sivanganga district in the year 2012. He was awarded the Police Medal of Gallantry posthumously by the President of India. God – The Almighty bless his soul. ‘Paayum Puli’ is directed by Suseenthiran & produced by Vendhar Movies and has Vishal, Kajal Agarwal, Samuthirakani, Soori and a host of other stars in the cast. Music is by D.Imman, cinematography by Velraj & editing by Anthony.

Dileep

Dileep

Manjima To Make Her Telugu Debut

Naga Chaitanya might romance Manjima Mohan in his next film to be directed by Gautham Menon. Interstingly, the Malayalam actress is playing Simbu’s love interest in the Tamil version “Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada’ and buzz is that she’ll be paired opposite Naga Chaitanya for the Telugu version too. Apparently, the 22 year-old actress has replaced Pallavi Subhash, who was originally picked for the leading lady role. Gautham was impressed with her work in the Malayalam film ‘Oru Vadakkan Selfie’ and decided to cast her in the film. More details are awaited.

Nara Rohit’s Next Inspire By Real life Incidents

Nara Rohit’s upcoming Telugu crime-drama ‘Appatlo Okkadundevadu’, is said to be based on true events that transpired in 1990. It’s inspired from true events that happened during this time period. Nara has fictionalised these events for the screen. It’s partly based on a crime biography. The film, which also features, Sri Vishnu as one of the leads and the leading ladies are yet to be finalized.

Ravi Teja Signs His Debut Commercial

Ravi Teja has finally got into the bandwagon of endorsements. The aging-actor will be the brand ambassador for Lunar footwear & sandals in 2 states namely AP & Telangana and shall push the brand’s reach amongst the people. The mass maharaja will be seen in TV commercials & print advertisements endorsing ‘Walkmate’, one of the brand of Lunar. Apart from awaiting the release of ‘Kick 2’, Ravi Teja is fast wrapping the shooting of ‘Bengal Tiger’, directed by Sampath Nandi.

Balakrishna’s 2nd Role In Lion Will Be  Interesting

Nandamuri Balakrishna’s ‘Lion’ was released 14th May, 2015. Balakrishna will be seen in 2 different roles, Bose & Godse, in this movie. He played a CBI officer in the movie. Producer of the film, ‘Rudrapati Ramanarao’, averred  that the 2nd role will be very interesting. The action episodes, choreographed by Ram-Laxman, are going to be very interesting. The interval bang, the tribal fight in the 2nd half and the climax are going to be the highlights. Trisha & Radhika Apte romanced Balayya in this film. Satya Deva, the director of the film, is very confident that the film will be a big hit. He praised Balakrishna’s hard work for the film.

Samantha’s New Look In Her New Film

Samantha is playing one of the leading ladies in Dhanush’s upcoming film, directed by Velraj of ‘Velai Illa Pattathari’ fame. This film, which is tentatively titled as ‘VIP 2’, has Amy Jackson as the other leading lady. Anirudh Ravichander is the music director of this film. Samantha averred that the role she is playing in this film is her best ever.

Dileep In & As ‘Apoorva G.V’

Dileep’s upcoming movie has been interestingly named ‘Apoorva G.V’. He plays a character named George Vadakkan (GV) who is the all in all of a club named Apoorva. This is how the title has come about, setting a quirky moniker – the strange one – if read together. The movie will be high on humour and will have actors like Aju Varghese, Neeraj Madhav, Chempan Vinod et al gracing the screen.

‘Apoorva GV’ is being directed by Biju Arookuty, who is also the movie’s scenarist. His earlier movie ‘3 Dots’ had done quite well. Dileep has a lot many movies lined up. He is currently shooting for ‘Love 24×7’ directed by Sreebala. His latest release, ‘Chandrettan Evideya’ is doing well at the box office. Dileep’s heroine in ‘Apoorva GV’ is yet to be finalised.

Anu Roped In

Anu Mol has essayed some bold roles in the past and the actress has been roped in to play a very different role in an upcoming movie titled ‘Jamna Pyari’. The movie will have the actress in a new avatar, about which she doesn’t want to reveal much. All she says is that it will be a character which will redefine the kind of image she has.

Anu Mol added that her choice of this role was deliberate, to change the misconception that she will only do certain kinds of roles. Her character in the movie is named Veena who helps Kunchako Boban’s character at a critical juncture. Débutante Gayathri Suresh plays the female lead in the movie. ‘Jamna Pyari’ is being directed by Thomas Sebastian.

Karunya Ram back

The actress with quite a few films like ’10th Class’, ‘Seena’, ‘Nishedagne’, ‘Mathondu Madvena’ Priyanka Chandra made a stint in other languages and returns back to Kannada from ‘Vajrakaya’. Of course, she is with a change in her comeback. She is Karunya Ram in ‘Vajrakaya’. She is one of the 3 heroines with Nabha Natesh & Shubra Ayyappa. In her comeback with a big film opposite Dr Shivarajakumar in ‘Vajrakaya’, Priyanka Chandra alias Karunya Ram has also bagged offers in ‘Kiragurina Gayyaligalu’, ‘Eradu Kanasu’ et al. Working in Dr Shivarajakumar film in talented Harsha’s direction is a boon in her career feels Karunya Ram. From ‘Kannakol’ Karunya Ram entered Tamil cinema industry. She got offers in ‘Pongudi Ningalum Unga Kadalam’. Karunya Ram hopes to enter Malayalam cinema industry in this year.

Radhika On Her Dancing

A fond admirer of dance, actress Radhika Kumarswamy is on a new platform for a complete dance film titled as ‘I Hate Dance’. This film likely to go on floor in Jun, 2015 soon after director Raghuram ‘Namagagi’ finish shooting. Director Raghuram is getting ready for a film of Radhika Kumaraswamy & Vijaya Raghavendra.

‘I Hate Dance’ a home production of Radhika Kumaraswamy after ‘Sweety’ is having big stars polling up in one of the important situations. The Hindi film actress known for her dance, romance & sentiment portion Madhuri Dixit is likely to take an important role. Director Raghuram does not confirm the name of Madhuri Dixit as the proposal has not yet been moved.

RCB, Royals face off in IPL Eliminator

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Royal-Challengers-Bangalore

Pune: A battle royale is on the cards when Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lock horns with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Eliminator to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association International Stadium here on Wednesday.

The team which ends up second on the day will have to bid farewell to the eighth edition of the tournament and wait for another year to campaign for the coveted trophy.

The winner will face-off against the loser of Qualifier 1 — to be played in Mumbai on Tuesday — which will be either two-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or 2013 winners Mumbai Indians — who have had an amazing turnaround in fortunes this season.

For both RCB and the Royals, the next game would be a distant thought as first they have to outdo each other in one of the fiercest contests of this summer with both teams boasting of immense firepower.

Speaking of batting, it came to the forefront for both teams in their last encounters of the league stage where the Royals had the better of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and RCB blasted away a formidable challenge from the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The last game for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers against the Delhi Daredevils was a washout.

Against the Knights, it was Australian all-rounder Shane Watson who stood strong for the Royals, clubbing his way to an unconquered 104 off just 59 balls while it was Kohli and burly Jamaican Chris Gayle who stole the limelight in the game against Sunrisers as the Royal Challengers chased down 81 runs in barely six overs in a rain-curtailed tie.

Getting to the playoffs has not been a cakewalk for either, with both managing to win only seven of their 14 matches apiece — and in two cases each shared the spoils in rain-marred matches.

Nonetheless, the Royals will look to do a repeat of the inaugural edition where they clinched the title when most experts had written them off while RCB will look to holding aloft the trophy for the first time.

It is hard to separate the two outfits from their head-to-head encounters with each side pocketing seven of the 15 clashes between them.

It might just require a Herculean effort from the big guns to make a difference and clinch the contest on Wednesday night. Will it be Gayle, Kohli or AB de Villiers for RCB or will Watson and Steven Smith do it for the Royals?

Given the unpredictability of this format, it might also push up an unlikely hero in the form of a bowler like Mitchell Starc or Chris Morris.

(IANS)

China orders Muslim shopkeepers to sell alcohol, cigarettes, to ‘weaken’ Islam

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This photo taken on April 16, 2015 shows Uighur men praying in a mosque in Hotan, in China's western Xinjiang region. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images)

This photo taken on April 16, 2015 shows Uighur men praying in a mosque in Hotan, in China’s western Xinjiang region. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images)

by Simon Denyer, The Washington Post

Chinese authorities have ordered Muslim shopkeepers and restaurant owners in a village in its troubled Xinjiang region to sell alcohol and cigarettes, and promote them in “eye-catching displays,” in an attempt to undermine Islam’s hold on local residents, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported. Establishments that failed to comply were threatened with closure and their owners with prosecution.

Facing widespread discontent over its repressive rule in the mainly Muslim province of Xinjiang, and mounting violence in the past two years, China has launched a series of “strike hard” campaigns to weaken the hold of Islam in the western region. Government employees and children have been barred from attending mosques or observing the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. In many places, women have been barred from wearing face-covering veils, and men discouraged from growing long beards.

In the village of Aktash in southern Xinjiang, Communist Party official Adil Sulayman, told RFA that many local shopkeepers had stopped selling alcohol and cigarettes from 2012 “because they fear public scorn,” while many locals had decided to abstain from drinking and smoking.

The Koran calls the use of “intoxicants” sinful, while some Muslim religious leaders have also forbidden smoking.

Sulayman said authorities in Xinjiang viewed ethnic Uighurs who did not smoke as adhering to “a form of religious extremism.” They issued the order to counter growing religious sentiment that was “affecting stability,” he said.

“We have a campaign to weaken religion here, and this is part of that campaign,” he told the Washington-based news service.

The notice, obtained by RFA and posted on Twitter, ordered all restaurants and supermarkets in Aktash to sell five different brands of alcohol and cigarettes and display them prominently. “Anybody who neglects this notice and fails to act will see their shops sealed off, their businesses suspended, and legal action pursued against them,” the notice said.

Radio Free Asia, which provides some of the only coverage of events in Xinjiang to escape strict Chinese government controls, said Hotan prefecture, where Aktash is located, had become “a hotbed of violent stabbing and shooting incidents between ethnic Uighurs and Chinese security forces.”

China says Uighur militant groups based abroad are using the Internet to inspire local Muslims to take up violent jihad against the state. Critics say China’s long repression of Uighur rights and nationalist sentiment has pushed people toward Islam as the only permitted assertion of their community’s identity, and pushed a minority toward a violent form of Islam. Clumsy attempts to promote alcohol or forbid beards and veils may prove counterproductive, they warn.

James Leibold, an expert on China’s ethnic policies at Melbourne’s La Trobe University, said Chinese officials were “often flailing around in the dark” when tackling extremism. An acute lack of understanding leads them to focus on visible, but imprecise, perceptions of radicalism such as long beards, veils and sobriety, he said.

The result is often “crude forms of ethno-cultural profiling,” Leibold said.

“These sorts of mechanistic and reactive policies only serve to inflame ethno-national tension without addressing the root causes of religious extremism, while further alienating the mainstream Uighur community, making them feel increasingly unwelcome within a hostile, Han-dominated society,” he wrote in an e-mail.

Sulayman said around 60 shops and restaurants in the area had complied with the government order, and there were no reports of protests. But in an unrelated incident in neighboring Qinghai province on Friday, an angry crowd of Muslims smashed windows of a supposedly halal store in Xining city, after pork sausages and ham were found in a delivery van, according to the local government and photographs on social media

Philippines may open doors to Rohingya migrants

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Government indicates willingness to provide welfare for boat people, after other SE Asian nations reject new migrants.

Students in Indonesia have protested the government's policy to reject further Rohingya migrants [EPA]

Students in Indonesia have protested the government’s policy to reject further Rohingya migrants [EPA]

by Al Jazeera

Manila: The Philippine government has said it is willing to open the country’s doors to minority Rohingya migrants who have fled Myanmar and Bangladesh, saying that it is committed to the United Nations pledge to protect asylum seekers and refugees.

“Let us not fall short of providing humanitarian relief and assistance that is asked of us, as we pride ourselves to be a compassionate and hospitable people,” Senator Paolo Aquino said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“We call on the proper international agencies to process the legal issues immediately for the welfare of the boat people,” said Aquino, a cousin and political ally of President Benigno Aquino.

The statement came after Philippine Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Monday that the country has an obligation to admit and protect asylum seekers, even when the refugees do not have documents to prove their status.

“If there are boat people who come to us seeking the protection of our government, there is a process, there are existing mechanisms on how to handle these refugees or asylum seekers,” de Lima said in a statement.

The Philippine justice secretary’s remarks came after a spokesman of the president was earlier quoted as saying that the refugees could be turned away because they do not have the necessary documents.

The statements were issued as other Southeast Asian nations continued to reject taking in more migrants stranded on boats off Southeast Asia’s shores, despite growing international pressure.

Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have been in high-level talks in an attempt to solve the refugee crisis after boats holding more than 2,000 migrants, including many Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshis, landed in their countries in recent weeks.

UN agencies urged the three regional powers on Tuesday to step up their sea rescue operations and let desperate migrants reach land.

In a joint statement, joined by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the agencies called on the three countries to stop trying to push boats away from their territorial waters.

Authorities should “provide for effective, predictable disembarkation to a place of safety with adequate and humane reception conditions” and establish screening procedures to identify those in need of international protection as refugees, the statement added.

The Philippines has a long history of hosting refugees from other Asian countries, and as far as Europe.

During World War II, then Philippine President Manuel Quezon ordered the admission of 1,500 Jewish refugees fleeing from the Holocaust in Europe.

Following the war and the communist victory in the civil war in China, thousands of Chinese refugees also settled in the Philippines.

In the 1970s, as Vietnam was engaged in a civil war, the Philippines also provided sanctuary to Vietnamese “boat people” building a Vietnamese village in the western island of Palawan. Most of the refugees were eventually resettled in other countries, many of them in the US.

Yadav, Bhushan support Kejriwal in tussle with Delhi Lieutenant Governor

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Photo: Arvind Yadav, HT

Photo: Arvind Yadav, HT

New Delhi: Swaraj Abhiyan, a group formed by ousted AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, came out in support of Delhi dispensation in its tussle with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung over appointments, saying the choice of a democratically elected government should be respected.

It, however, condemned dragging of bureaucracy in the “petty” political fight.

“In principle, Swaraj Abhiyan believes that the choice of a democratically elected government should be respected by Delhi’s Lieutenant-Governor. But the politics of personal allegations, brinkmanship and dragging of the bureaucracy into petty political fights is unfortunate.

“Swaraj Abhiyan condemns it and believes that such a culture is not conducive to the health of democracy,” a statement from the group said.

The Delhi government has locked horns in a power tussle with Lt Govenor Najeeb Jung over appointment of Shakuntala Gamlin as acting Chief Secretary, which was opposed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The group also supported the AAP’s stand for full statehood to Delhi.

“Swaraj Abhiyan considers the demand for full statehood to Delhi as a genuine one. Parties like Congress and BJP have been adopting double standards and fooling the people on a critical issue. In the spirit of the democracy and benefit of citizens, we believe that important government decisions should always be taken with the elected government in confidence,” it said.

Swaraj Abhiyan hopes that both the sides show maturity, rise above ego-clash and petty political fights in order to break the deadlock so that the people of Delhi do not have to suffer, it added.

Just before Yadav and Bhushan were ousted from AAP last month, along with Anand Kumar and Ajit Jha, the rebel leaders organised an convention called Swaraj Samvad, which was followed by formation of the group called Swaraj Abhiyan.

(Agencies)

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