Nasheman

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

You are here: Home / 2018 / Archives for October 2018

Archives for October 2018

Cabinet sanctions Rs 3,074 cr to set up 2 new IISERs

by


The Union Cabinet on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 3,074 crore for the establishment of permanent campuses of two new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati and Odisha’s Berhampur cities.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad made the announcement after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Minister said that the Tirupati centre was part of Andhra Pradesh package while Berhampur centre was a budget announcement.

“A total of 1,855 students will study in both the institutions that will be operational from December 21. Both the states have given land for the construction of these campuses and the total cost is Rs 3,070.12 crore,” Prasad said.

Cabinet approves Rs 2,044 cr for bonus to around 12 lakh railway staff

by


The Union Cabinet on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 2,044.31 crore for 78 days productivity linked bonus to about 11.91 lakh non-gazetted railway officials.

The announcement was made by Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while addressing a press conference here after a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Each employee under this head would get about Rs 17,951 for 78 days,” Prasad said.

IANS

Cinema not a Bible to teach people to be good humans: Gulzar

by

Veteran writer-filmmaker Gulzar says cinema is not like a Bible which will teach people to be good human beings, but it is rather a mirror which reflects society.

Gulzar was interacting with the media at the launch of Bhavani Iyer’s debut novel “Anon” on Tuesday in Mumbai.

The #MeToo movement exploded in India after Tanushree Dutta renewed a decade-old complaint of harassment against Nana Patekar two weeks ago.

Commenting on the movement that has gained momentum, Gulzar said: “Cinema is reflection of the society. If we say harassment of a women or a girl is happening only in cinema, then I don’t think so. It has spread all over the society. Cinema has yet spared you where sexual harassment cases are still occurring with 4-year-old girl and a 8-year-old girl and thank God that cinema hasn’t put that mirror in front of people.

“But beware, cinema has started reflecting every part of your life.”

Gulzar has directed path-breaking films like “Koshish”, “Aandhi” and “Maachis” in his career. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2004.

He said cinema cannot teach people how to be good humans.

“It is not only dependent on good old stories. We say we love children and we respect women, but are we doing that in our real life? So cinema is still sparing you… Which you have started realising, so let the cinema come in and tell you this is what you are.

“It is not that cinema will teach us good values and morals to carry. Cinema is not meant for that. If you are thinking that cinema is like a Bible which will teach you to be a good human, then you are mistaken.”

IANS

Sriramulu and DK Shivakumar’s picks to face off in Bellari lok sabha by-polls

by


While Sriramulu has picked J Shanta, Congress is yet to finalise its candidate for the Bellari by-polls.

An otherwise low-key bye-election in the three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats in Karnataka on November 3 will see a clash of two high-profile leaders for the Ballari Lok Sabha seat in the state’s north-west mining heartland.

While the central team of the BJP has given MLA B Sriramulu from Ballari a free hand to pick his candidate in Bellari, Congress has entrusted DK Shivakumar, the district minister-in-charge of Ballari, with the responsibility to ensure a Congress victory in the constituency.

The BJP finalised its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat in Ballari after consulting with Sriramulu, who stepped down as the MP from Ballari when he was elected as an MLA earlier this year. Following a closed-door meeting on Tuesday evening, he has nominated his sister J Shanta for the seat. T Suresh Babu, a close relative of Sriramulu was considered for the seat.

While the Congress is yet to finalise its candidate, it is learnt that Venkatesh Prasad, brother of MLA B Nagendra, and senior leader Ramprasad are among those in the fray. The decision, however, will rest with Shivakumar after he chairs a meeting with state Congress leaders.

On November 3, three Lok Sabha seats in Mandya, Bellari Shivamogga and two State Assembly seats— Ramanagaram and Jankhandi – will go to polls.

With BS Yeddyurappa publicly stating that the Lok Sabha polls are “unnecessary” given that the tenure of the current House will expire in May 2019, the preparations for the elections have been low-key so far.

The BJP also announced that BY Raghavendra, son of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, will be the party’s candidate in Shivamogga and Srikant Kulkarni will contest for the Jamkhandi Assembly seat.The Shivamogga seat was vacated by Yeddyurappa himself. It also notified that senior leaders including R Ashok, Govind Karjol and Sadananda Gowda will be part of committees in charge of the by-polls in the three Lok Sabha constituencies.

With the Congress and JD(S) top-brass agreeing to go for an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it is expected that the parties will agree to divide the five seats based on their local strength.

The JD(S) is expected to project a candidate in Jamkhandi and Ramanagara while the Congress is expected to field candidates in Shivamogga, Mandya and Bellari.

Nearly 400 Swine flu cases confimed in Karnataka

by

As of Tuesday evening, 400 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Karnataka, according to an official from the state health department.

Speaking to media, district health officer of Bengaluru (Urban) Dr Sreenivasa stated that there have been 48 confirmed cases in Bengaluru Urban and 2 in Bengaluru Rural.

“Statewide we have confirmed 400 cases of swine flu at present,” stated another official from the state health department. “All the measures are in place and we are advising people to maintain good hygiene habits,” he added.

In Thirthahalli, where a few cases were reported earlier, senior medical officer Dr Kiran stated to media that the number of confirmed cases are now at 28.

Authorities have started statewide surveillance to ensure that people are treated and that the disease is contained soon.

“We had already distributed around 150 tablets of Tamiflu in the city, but now are urging people to take good hygiene measures,” stated Dr Sreenivasa.

An official from Bengaluru Rural Health Department stated that infected people traveling within the state could be playing a significant role in the spread of the flu so far. People are being urged to take all precautionary measures particularly to wash hands and to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing.

“Most people are being treated through a conservative line of treatment, mainly supportive measures are being given through IV fluids and medications to treat the fever and other symptoms. Earlier over 100 tablets of Tamiflu were distributed in the city,” explained the Bengaluru Rural health official.

Swine flu, also known as H1N1, is caused by the influenza A virus. Pigs were found to be the primary host, though it can be transmitted from an infected person to another individual through air droplets. A worldwide outbreak of the flu in 2009 led to health officials deeming the crisis a pandemic. Seasonally, it is seen each year during the rainfall periods in particular. A vaccine is available against the flu, which those in contact or at risk of exposure to an infected person (namely doctors and other medical personnel) have been advised to take the vaccine as a precaution.

Symptoms of swine flu include high fever, cough, cold, fever, sore throat, headache, nausea, and vomiting. People may also present with chills or extreme fatigue and muscle pain known as myalgia. A throat swab and culture will determine whether a person is indeed suffering from swine flu.

Coalition partners reach for understanding on seat sharing for upcoming lok sabha bypolls

by


Partners of the state coalition government, Congress and JD(S), have reached an understanding on sharing of seats in respect of three Lok Sabha seats and two assembly constituencies which will face bypoll next month. They also have decided to undertake joint campaigning for the election.

This decision was taken at a meeting organized on Tuesday October 9 night at Kumara Kripa guest house. Leaders of both the parties like former Prime Minister, H D Deve Gowda, state Congress affairs in-charge, K C Venugopal, coordination committee chairman, Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dinesh Gundu Rao and JD(S) chief general secretary, Danish Ali, took part in this meeting.

Briefing the media persons after the meeting, Venugopal said that Ballari and Shivamogga Lok Sabha seats and Jamkhandi assembly constituency have been allocated to his party while JD(S) will field its candidates in Mandya Lok Sabha and Ramanagara assembly constituencies. He also said that the parties will undertake campaigning jointly. He added that this partnership has been forged with the clear aim of giving a strong message that secular parties have been joining hands at the national level.

Siddaramaiah said that Congress and JD(S) will fight the bypoll together, and their main aim is to defeat BJP.

It is said that before the meeting, Deve Gowda and chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, held telephonic consultation over reaching an understanding with the Congress for the bypoll. Their discussions also included choice of candidates for Ramanagara assembly seat and Mandya Lok Sabha seat, sources said. It is learnt that candidatures of Anita Kumaraswamy for Ramanagara and either Laxmi Ashwini Gowda or minister, D C Thammanna’s son, Santosh, for Mandya Lok Sabha seat have been finalised.

BJP too held prolonged core committee meeting on Tuesday on the issue of party candidate. It decided to field B Y Raghavendra from Shivamogga, former MP, J Shantha from Ballari, and Srikant Kulkarni from Jamkhandi seat. These names are being sent to the central leaders for approval. Yeddyurappa has been vested with the power to decide on the candidates for Ramanagara assembly seat and Mandya Lok Sabha (LS) seat. Reports say that the BJP is trying to rope in leaders from other parties for being fielded from these two constituencies as it does not have a formidable presence here.

Congress also held meeting presided by K C Venugopal with the participation of deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwar, coordination committee chairman, Siddaramaiah, KPCC president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, working president, Ishwar Khandre and minister, D K Shivakumar. It is said that the party has zeroed in on the name of Anand Nyam Gowda for Jamkhandi constituency, former minister, Kimmane Ratnakar, Sundaresh or former MLA, Belur Gopalakrishna, for Shivamogga LS seat. As there are many aspirants for Ballari seat, Shivakumar has been given the authority to choose a candidate through unanimous decision.

Revanna claimed that Toll collection decision in state highways was of BJP government.

by


PWD minister, H D Revanna, claimed that the decision to collect toll charges on state highways was not taken by the current coalition government. He said that the then BJP government had decided to levy toll charges in the year 2010.

“Tender has been floated for collecting toll charges in respect of 17 state roads. Decision to collect toll pertains to roads like Padubidri – Karkala, Hosakote – Chinthamani and Tumakuru – Pavagada roads. These roads were developed under the grant of Asian Development Bank and World Bank by Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd under K-Ship project. The toll collection tender is for three years. Toll charges will increase by ten percent per year with 30 percent hike in the third year. Rules were framed for toll collection in 2015, and tenders were floated in 2017,” he explained.

About the death of an elephant after having been hit by a bus in Bandipur forest area, he said the proposal to erect humps on this road would be considered if the same comes from forest department.

In the meanwhile, Karkala MLA and chief whip in the state assembly, Sunil Kumar, said that collection of toll charges on state highways will put additional burden on the citizens. He urged the government to reverse the decision although this was taken by the previous government, for the benefit of the people.

IANS

F-Secure appoints Rahul Kumar as Country Manager for India and Saarc

by

Global cybersecurity firm F-Secure on Wednesday announced the appointment of Rahul Kumar as the Country Manager for India and Saarc.

Prior to joining F-Secure, Kumar was the Country Manager and Director of data security provider WinMagic, where he spearheaded the sales, pre-sales, marketing and post-sales support for the company in India.

In his career spanning over a decade, Kumar has had the opportunity to work closely with companies such as Dassault Systemes, Sutherland Global Services and WNS Global Services, among others.

“Cyber security has a great role to play in India as the nation witnesses’ unprecedented digitisation. I am excited to join F-Secure at this crucial juncture,” Kumar said on his appointment.

Kumar will report to Keith Martin, F-Secure’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific and Japan.

Have faced harassment in Bollywood and south film world: Amyra Dastur

by


With actress Tanushree Dutta opening the floodgates for the #MeToo movement in India, leading to several celebrated names coming out to speak about their unsavoury experiences, actress Amyra Dastur says she has been a victim of “harassment” at the hands of “men and women” herself. However, she says she doesn’t have the guts to name and shame them.

Amyra made her acting debut in Bollywood with “Issaq” in 2013 and was later seen in Hindi films like “Mr. X”, “Kaalakaandi” and “Kung Fu Yoga”, which was also dubbed in Mandarin and English.

The 25-year-old actress has also featured in Tamil and Telugu movies like “Anegan”, “Manasuku Nachindi” and “Raja Gadu”.

Asked if she had faced the casting couch or harassment in her journey, Amyra told IANS in an e-mail interaction: “To be honest, I haven’t faced casting couch in the south or Bollywood. But yes, I have faced my share of harassment in both industries. I don’t have the guts to name them because they are powerful people — men and women who made sure I felt helpless.”

She says one day she will “definitely call them out on it”.

“But until I don’t feel safe and secure, I won’t point fingers. They know exactly who they are and what they have done. What I will say for now is that they better stop their discriminating ways because there’s definitely a wave of change coming and their status won’t be enough to protect them from Karma,” she added.

Citing an incident, Amyra said: “I have had an actor squeeze himself up against me during a shot in a song and whisper in my ear that he was so glad that I was in the film with him. When I threw him off me and refused to speak to him again, he made my experience miserable.

“My director told me to suck it up and honestly couldn’t care less. I was constantly called early to set, made to wait for hours and hours for my shot. I was made to shoot 18 hours a day, I slept for 4-5 hours if I was lucky.”

The actress, who started her career at the age of 16 as a model, says ultimately she was made to apologise to the actor.

“To top it all, I was made to apologise to the actor for my difficult behaviour (as I kept ignoring him) by the producer,” she said.

Amyra says that on another film set, the director would yell and scream at her every single day of the shoot.

“Sometimes he would call me early to set, make me wait all day in my vanity van and then send an assistant director after 12-13 hours to tell me I wasn’t going to shoot. He told me I should be ‘grateful’ that he even took me for this film.”

The #MeToo movement in India started after Tanushree in September recalled an unpleasant episode with veteran actor Nana Patekar from the sets of “Horn ‘OK’ Pleassss” in 2008.

After that, a slew of controversies surrounding Vikas Bahl, Chetan Bhagat, Gursimran Khamba, Kailash Kher, Rajat Kapoor and Alok Nath have emerged.

The #MeToo movement began in Hollywood last year with The New York Times reporting multiple sexual assault allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. It led to the opening of a Pandora’s box of complaints against celebrated personalities like Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey.

Earlier this year over 82 film personalities from Hollywood led a powerful women’s march on the red carpet of Cannes International Film Festival.

IANS

Archana storms into Youth Olympics TT quarters

by

Indias rising star Archana Kamath put up a spectacular fight to overcome Hong Kongs Lee Ka Yee and storm into the quarter-finals of the table tennis event at the Youth Olympics here on Tuesday evening.

Archana triumphed 4-2 in the women’s singles to be just one step away from a medal in this super elite event.

Archana had to summon all her skills, energy and nerves to beat Lee in a gripping contest. Each game went down to the wire, with Archana showing more composure to win 14-12, 14-12, 9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 15-13.

She will play her quarter-final late in the evening — early morning back home in India — and a victory will ensure her a place in the Last 4 and at least a bronze medal.

“It was a tough match and I am glad I came through,” she said shortly after her victory.

“I am feeling confident now and hope to get past the next hurdle too to get into the medals’ bracket,” she added.

The country’s other medal hope Manav Thakkar, however, couldn’t emulate his compatriot and lost to top seed and former world junior champion Tomokazo Harimoto 1-4 in the men’s singles pre-quarters.

Manav began on a rousing note, winning the first game 11-9. But he couldn’t sustain the momentum and despite creating a number of opportunities lost the next four 8-11, 7-11, 8-11, 7-11.

IANS

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives