There is deep-rooted corruption in the police force, there are politicians. And there are feudal lords (often you cannot tell the difference). And their wayward gun-totting sons who have a penchant for terrorising the neighbourhood. And the honest police officer who gets stick from both ends. Prakash Jha's Gangaajal (co-produced by Manmohan Shetty who also produced Ardh Satya), is no different. It follows in the footsteps of E Niwas' Shool, one of the better Hindi films about the predicament of an upright cop who takes on a degenerate system. Jha makes things a little easier for himself by not making his hero a low-ranking inspector. Instead, Amit Kumar (Ajay Devgan) is the new Superintendent of Police in charge of a notorious district in Bihar called Tejpur. Tejpur, which lies on the banks of the Ganga, is a particularly lawless town ruled by the father-son duo of Sadhu and Sundar Yadav (Mohan Joshi and Yashpal Sharma). Even the DIG of police, Amit's boss, and the state home minister turn their eyes away from the Yadavs' crimes. Moreover, just about every officer working under Amit is on their payroll. So when Amit tries to clean up the system, he meets with stiff resistance from within and without. His idealism rubs off on one of his subordinates, Bachha Yadav (Mukesh Tiwari), who turns against his mentor Sadhu Yadav and stands by his boss. When Bachha and three of his subordinates vent their frustrations on two of Sundar's cronies in police lock-up by blinding them with acid (a reference to the Bhagalpur Blindings of 1979-1980 when 30 undertrials were blinded by policemen), the situation spirals into a crisis that gets out of everyone's hands, including that of the filmmaker. Suddenly, Amit becomes a social crusader than cop, with the entire population of Tejpur standing by him. Good and evil neatly stack up against each other. There are tokenisms like a bad cop whom Amit has suspended suddenly reforming into an honest tea-stall owner, making a very mushy speech about his makeover with a Raj Kapoor song with a socialistic message playing in the background. The symbolism of acid being described as the gangajal used to cleanse the system does not filter through the confusion of the post-interval mayhem. But it is heartening to watch Jha's hero keep his idealism intact to the very end and not cop out and go on a killing spree like most other noble filmi policemen do in the name of justice. While Gangaajal doesn't have anything original to say, it is well shot, well edited and brilliantly enacted by most of the lead actors. Cinematographer Arvind K's visuals lend tremendous character to the discontented yet deceptively calm temple town (shot in Wai, Maharashtra) where the plot unfolds. Wayne Sharpe's background score is outstanding. There is a stream of restlessness in the seemingly serene notes of the fusion music used in the background track. The film has one song. One wishes directors would do away with these raunchy item numbers, irrespective of whether they are relevant to the storyline or not. Oh for a heroine who has a role to play! Jha seems to have spent all his creative energies on writing the character of Amit Kumar, his deputies and adversaries and forgotten all about the SP's wife (Gracy Singh), whose only role in the proceedings is to warn her husband about the hazards of smoking, caution him against drinking too much and heating the food. Worse, Gracy Singh doesn't attempt to lend colour to her screen self. She only makes the heroine look like a caricature. Mohan Joshi repeats his Mrityudand (also directed by Jha) act by playing the supercilious villain with vigour. Yashpal Sharma, on the other hand, has essayed the hedonistic bad man so often in his short career that he has become totally typecast. One of the most engaging performances in the film comes from Mukesh Tiwari. After a hyped debut in Chinagate five years ago, he finally gets a role that offers scope for histrionics. He delivers the goods without much ado. Ajay Devgan pulls up an ace with a part tailormade to reinforce his seething-under-the-surface angry hero image. To his credit (and the director's), he brings style and grace to a largely stereotypical, righteous protagonist. To a great extent, his presence covers up the film's patchiness in the second half. Director Jha does not take the problems addressed by Shool and half-a-dozen other films on similar lines much further. Also, he is rather simplistic with his solutions. But considering the fact that you rarely get to see justice being done outside the fictional confines of the movie halls these days, Gangaajal does offer solace and a sense of retribution. CREDITS Cast: Ajay Devgan, Gracy Singh, Mohan Joshi, Mukesh Tiwari Writer-Director: Prakash Jha Music: Sandesh Shandilya Producers: Entertainment One, Prakash Jha Productions
Gangaajal
Sunday, August 31, 2003
There is deep-rooted corruption in the police force, there are politicians. And there are feudal lords (often you cannot tell the difference). And their wayward gun-totting sons who have a penchant for terrorising the neighbourhood. And the honest police officer who gets stick from both ends. Prakash Jha's Gangaajal (co-produced by Manmohan Shetty who also produced Ardh Satya), is no different. It follows in the footsteps of E Niwas' Shool, one of the better Hindi films about the predicament of an upright cop who takes on a degenerate system. Jha makes things a little easier for himself by not making his hero a low-ranking inspector. Instead, Amit Kumar (Ajay Devgan) is the new Superintendent of Police in charge of a notorious district in Bihar called Tejpur. Tejpur, which lies on the banks of the Ganga, is a particularly lawless town ruled by the father-son duo of Sadhu and Sundar Yadav (Mohan Joshi and Yashpal Sharma). Even the DIG of police, Amit's boss, and the state home minister turn their eyes away from the Yadavs' crimes. Moreover, just about every officer working under Amit is on their payroll. More on rediff.com! Sneak preview: Gangaajal Slide show: Boys will be boys! Slide show: See Ash, Rani! Tell us why Koi... Mil Gaya is a hit! So when Amit tries to clean up the system, he meets with stiff resistance from within and without. His idealism rubs off on one of his subordinates, Bachha Yadav (Mukesh Tiwari), who turns against his mentor Sadhu Yadav and stands by his boss. When Bachha and three of his subordinates vent their frustrations on two of Sundar's cronies in police lock-up by blinding them with acid (a reference to the Bhagalpur Blindings of 1979-1980 when 30 undertrials were blinded by policemen), the situation spirals into a crisis that gets out of everyone's hands, including that of the filmmaker. Suddenly, Amit becomes a social crusader than cop, with the entire population of Tejpur standing by him. Good and evil neatly stack up against each other. There are tokenisms like a bad cop whom Amit has suspended suddenly reforming into an honest tea-stall owner, making a very mushy speech about his makeover with a Raj Kapoor song with a socialistic message playing in the background. The symbolism of acid being described as the gangajal used to cleanse the system does not filter through the confusion of the post-interval mayhem. But it is heartening to watch Jha's hero keep his idealism intact to the very end and not cop out and go on a killing spree like most other noble filmi policemen do in the name of justice. While Gangaajal doesn't have anything original to say, it is well shot, well edited and brilliantly enacted by most of the lead actors. Cinematographer Arvind K's visuals lend tremendous character to the discontented yet deceptively calm temple town (shot in Wai, Maharashtra) where the plot unfolds. Wayne Sharpe's background score is outstanding. There is a stream of restlessness in the seemingly serene notes of the fusion music used in the background track. The film has one song. One wishes directors would do away with these raunchy item numbers, irrespective of whether they are relevant to the storyline or not. Oh for a heroine who has a role to play! Jha seems to have spent all his creative energies on writing the character of Amit Kumar, his deputies and adversaries and forgotten all about the SP's wife (Gracy Singh), whose only role in the proceedings is to warn her husband about the hazards of smoking, caution him against drinking too much and heating the food. Worse, Gracy Singh doesn't attempt to lend colour to her screen self. She only makes the heroine look like a caricature. Mohan Joshi repeats his Mrityudand (also directed by Jha) act by playing the supercilious villain with vigour. Yashpal Sharma, on the other hand, has essayed the hedonistic bad man so often in his short career that he has become totally typecast. One of the most engaging performances in the film comes from Mukesh Tiwari. After a hyped debut in Chinagate five years ago, he finally gets a role that offers scope for histrionics. He delivers the goods without much ado. Ajay Devgan pulls up an ace with a part tailormade to reinforce his seething-under-the-surface angry hero image. To his credit (and the director's), he brings style and grace to a largely stereotypical, righteous protagonist. To a great extent, his presence covers up the film's patchiness in the second half. Director Jha does not take the problems addressed by Shool and half-a-dozen other films on similar lines much further. Also, he is rather simplistic with his solutions. But considering the fact that you rarely get to see justice being done outside the fictional confines of the movie halls these days, Gangaajal does offer solace and a sense of retribution. CREDITS Cast: Ajay Devgan, Gracy Singh, Mohan Joshi, Mukesh Tiwari Writer-Director: Prakash Jha Music: Sandesh Shandilya Producers: Entertainment One, Prakash Jha Productions
Anant Balani
Sunday, August 31, 2003
Film-maker Anant Balani had a lot to look forward to. His Joggers' Park, starring Perizaad Zorabian and Victor Banerjee, releases on September 12. Mumbai Matinee (Zorabian again, with Rahul Bose this time) and Ek Din (Bose, Nandita Das) are due to release by the end of this year. Shooting for his fourth film this year, Chameli, starring Bose and Kareena Kapoor, began last month and was in full flow. Clearly, after a decade of obscurity, debts and hardship, Balani was feeling good. He was doing good work, the kind of work he wanted to do. And he seemed to be on the way to success at last. But alas! success was not his to savour. Late Thursday evening, the director died of a massive heart attack while on his way home in an autorickshaw. He was returning from a shooting schedule of Chameli, at Mumbai's Rajkamal Studios. Excerpts from what turned out to be one of Balani's last interviews: What is Chameli about? It is about a commercial sex worker [Kapoor] who bumps into an investment banker [Bose] on the streets of Mumbai one rainy night. They have no option but to spend the night together. The story takes place in one night. I like the idea of two characters from different worlds who meet accidentally and are forced to be together. That is why I decided to direct Chameli. Where do these people meet? They meet at the Flora Fountain area in South Mumbai. How do these two meet? The hero's car breaks down. His cell phone runs out of charge. He then runs to take shelter in a building, where he meets this commercial sex worker. Rahul suits the role of an investment banker staying in the upmarket South Mumbai. Do you think this kind of film will work where a commercial sex worker romances a hero? This is not a romantic film. There is no love. This film is about relationships. Does it have any resemblance to Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts? No, not at all. This is an original script. It has nothing to do with that film. What is the USP of your film? It is based on emotions. It has an unusual story. There are only two main actors. It is a compact film and with a compact budget. What made you cast Kareena? I wanted someone who has never played a sex worker before. I wanted to cast against type, break the mould of someone from mainstream cinema. Also, Rahul and Kareena are from different schools of cinema, so the combination works. And no, I did not cast Kareena for sensational value. Was it difficult to convince Kareena? It was not too difficult to convince Kareena. When she read the script, she was very excited. She has never done this kind of film before. She is different. What do you think made her accept this film? You will have to ask her that. But I think she has made a clever move. She will explore herself as an actress with this role. It is very good sign -- it gives a fillip to filmmakers as well. Is it difficult in any way to make Kareena act as a commercial sex worker? I think she has acted brilliantly in the last four days [since the launch of Chameli]. She is doing well. Once she read the script, she picked it up soon. She learnt the body language of commercial sex workers. She is very spontaneous as an actress. Don't you think she looks too upmarket to be convincing as a sex worker? I don't think so. See her dress, her makeup. You won't believe it. She does not look like Kareena. How did you come up with the name Chameli? It is just Kareena's name in the film. Chameli is a flower. I don't know why this name occurred to me. How many songs do you have in Chameli? There are three songs and the music director is Sandesh Shandilya. Is there a message in the film? There is no message. I am simply narrating a story. When do you plan to complete the film? The film will be over in a month. I think we will release it in November. It will be shot only in Mumbai. The film has a tight script and I want to finish this film in 30 days. Why? First, the film is not more than two hours. Second, the economics of film-producing works well for this schedule. The actors are happy to give me bulk dates and finish the film. A lot of films are being made on start-to-finish schedules these days. Why do you think this was not done earlier? Simply because actors were busy. Now they are becoming professional. They know that filmmaking is an expensive medium. Are Indian audiences mature enough to accept such films? Yes, why not? Five years ago, I would not have believed that a film like [Sujoy Ghosh's] Jhankaar Beats would do well. Now, there is lot of scope for such films. Audiences want something new. They are ready for something different. Why the long gap in your career? Everything is destiny. I directed television serials for some time. I didn't make more films because I wanted to make good films. I was just waiting for the right time. But yes, work is pouring in for me now. I have lots of films in hand. I am happy about that. Times have changed drastically. How would you describe your films? My films are not really arty; they are realistic. Stories about real people and real situations. They are more identifiable than the cardboard characters we have today. Are you happy with the way things are going with Chameli? Yes, I am very happy. Very, very happy.
Sobig 'Carpet Bombs' the Internet
Sunday, August 31, 2003
Sobig 'Carpet Bombs' the Internet 30/08/2003 Sobig-F, which has been causing chaos on corporate networks the past three days, is now being called the fastest spreading virus in the industry's history. ''It was a carpet bombing,'' says Chris Belthoff, a senior security analyst with Lynfield, Mass.-based Sophos Inc., an anti-virus company. ''We're judging this to be the fastest spreading worm ever, even surpassing Klez and LoveBug. This is really just a complete swamping, or inundation, of networks... Companies are having their email systems taken down because of the sheer volume of emails they're getting. It's a slow down, then a slow to a crawl and then just being taken offline.'' Sobig-F, which first appeared this past Monday as the latest member of the malicious Sobig virus family, hit the Internet hard, flooding email servers and inboxes. Corporate networks staggered under the barrage with network access slowing to a crawl, and some email systems being taken temporarily offline to stop the siege. AOL saw email traffic nearly quardruple yesterday, according to Nicholas Graham, an AOL spokesman. Graham says AOL scans email attachments at the gateway, checking for viruses. On an average day, the ISP scans approximately 11 million attachments. On Wednesday, the staff scanned 40.5 million email attachments and found 23.7 of those to be infected with viruses. Of those, 23.2 million were infected with Sobig-F. ''People are just getting pummeled, either with the virus or with notifications,'' says MJ Shoer, president and chief technology officer of Jenaly Technology Group, Inc., an IT provider and consultant based in Portsmouth, N.H. ''We're just getting beaten on. One of our clients is seeing a 90 percent increase in email messages. In the case of my mailbox, it's close to 70 percent. And I have a firewall, a spam and content filter and anti-virus.'' And Shoer says the virus attack is bringing regular work to a standstill. ''It's rendered IT staffs useless,'' he adds. ''They're just flooded. If there was going to be a rollout or something, it's just not getting done. We're putting off everything that was a high priority.'' Shoer also noted that he talked to an IBM engineer on Wednesday who wasn't able to offer him customer service because his email was down. Security analysts verified IBM's troubles but the company could not be reached for comment and its Web site was unresponsive Wednesday afternoon. ''A lot of corporations and universities had to literally shut down their email networks because of the huge volume of traffic of inbound Sobig emails and bounced email messages,'' says Steve Sundermeier, vice president of products and services at Central Command Inc., an anti-virus company based in Medina, Ohio. ''If you're talking about a large corporation -- a Fortune 100 or a Fortune 200 -- and you take down an email system for an hour, it could cost that corporation a million dollars.'' But three different security experts say the Sobig-F assault seems to have peaked yesterday afternoon, when the malicious email was accounting for at least 70 percent of all email flowing around the world. Today, the number is still high but most estimate that it has dropped down into the 60 percent to 70 percent range. Sophos' Belthoff says the virus, which is a mass-mailing worm that also can spread via network shares, hit the Net so hard so quickly because of the spam-like spreading technique that the author used. ''They carpet bombed the Internet and played the numbers game,'' says Belthoff. ''There were just millions of copies out there hitting the Internet all at the same time. It's a matter of sending out enough copies so that somebody will click on it. When you send out that many, even a small percentage of a response, is going to make for a successful virus.'' But other security analysts say the virus is hitting the Internet so hard because it is building on the impact of its Sobig predecessors. Sundermeier explains that earlier variants of Sobig have infected computers and then downloaded Trojans to set the machines up to be hidden proxy servers. ''The author has a huge army now for the next seeding,'' he says. ''Every Sobig variant becomes bigger and bigger, and we believe it's because of this army he's building of infected machines.'' Sobig-F is designed to die out on Sep. 10. That's leading many analysts to suspect that the next variant will hit on Sep. 11 or soon after. And if that variant builds on the malicious success of Sobig-F, then the damage could be even worse. AOL's Graham says they are already planning defenses for the next Sobig attack. ''We're already gearing up for the next variant, Sobig-G, if you will,'' he says. When the worm arrives via email, it poses as a .pif or .scr file. The sender's address is spoofed. The subject lines used are taken from a list, including 'Re: That movie', 'Re: Wicked screensaver', 'Re: Approved' and 'Your details'.
Gazi Baba killed along with four associates
Sunday, August 31, 2003
Gazi Baba killed along with four associates Srinagar,Saturday, August 30, 2003: One of the most wanted terrorists in India, Gazi Baba, who mastermind the attack on Parliament House nearly two years ago, was killed along with four associates in a 10-hour encounter with the security forces here today, according to a top BSF officer. One BSF jawan was killed and eight other security personnel, including a commandant and two assistant commandants, were injured in the operation in Noorbagh locality that began at 3 am following a tip-off about the whereabouts of Gazi Baba, the operational chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Kashmir. "What was believed to be mission impossible was made mission possible by BSF... We have Gazi Baba dead. This, to our mind, is a great feather in our cap," BSF Inspector General Vijay Raman told reporters this evening. However, JeM denied Gazi Baba was among those killed in the encounter. "Gazi Baba was not even in the vicinity of Noorbagh area," the outfit's spokesman Abu Muslim said in a statement to a local news agency. Two JeM militants were killed while five others escaped with one of them in injured condition, he added. Raman, however, maintained that he was sure of the identity of Gazi Baba, whose real name was Shabaz Khan and whose death was a severe blow to the militancy in the state. "I am not a damn fool...We were targeting him for the past two months and I am sure it is him." "Killing of foot soldiers does not have much impact on the militants....We need to get generals, the brain behind the militancy and Gazi Baba was one of them," he said. 20:33 IST
21.2 kg explosives found at ND Railway Station,tragedy averted
Sunday, August 31, 2003
21.2 kg explosives found at ND Railway Station,tragedy averted New Delhi,Saturday, August 30, 2003: A possible tragedy was averted today with timely detection of a huge quantity of explosives at the busy New Delhi Railway Station here. 150 gelatine sticks weighing 21.2 kgs and contained in a bag were detected at an area between Platform 6 and 7 during routine random checking by police at the railway station at around 11.45 AM, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Railways) Dependra Pathak told PTI. The bag was lying unattended and two cops got suspicious, he said. Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and sniffer dogs were called and after an examination confirmed it to be gelatine, Pathak said. The explosive was enough to cause a huge damage at the station, particularly considering that hundreds of people are present there at any time. No arrests have been made but a number of people have been questioned to obtain a clue. Meanwhile, at Nizamuddin Railway Station here, a "suspicious" looking man was detained by police within 30 minutes of detection of gelatine at New Delhi Railway Station. A huge amount of cash - Rs 77 lakh - was recovered from the possession of the man who identified himself as Ram Rai, Pathak said adding he was being questioned about the source of cash and the intention of its use. Interestingly, he allegedly offered upto Rs five lakh to three policemen -- Head Constable Sri Pal and Constables Zaman Khan and Jetendra -- who nabbed him in exchange of release, the DCP said, adding but they refused. 19:06 IST
30 feared killed in Himachal bus accident
Sunday, August 31, 2003
30 feared killed in Himachal bus accident Nalagarh (HP),Saturday, August 30, 2003: At least 30 people, including some school children, were feared killed when a bus was washed away by flash floods in Sirsa river in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh today, official sources said. Eight bodies had been recovered and four people rescued by divers while 18 people were still perched on the roof of the totally submerged bus carrying 45 to 50 passengers, Deputy Commissioner of Ropar in Punjab, Seema Jain told here. Those rescued included the driver of the ill-fated Punjab Roadways bus which was on its way to Ropar in Punjab to Solan, she added. The survivors told that a tyre of the bus got stuck in the muddy waters of the river in Nalagarh area and as the driver tried to move the bus to safety, water came gushing down from upstream and washed the vehicle away. 20:33 IST
Vajpayee promises electricity in all villages by 2007
Sunday, August 31, 2003
Vajpayee promises electricity in all villages by 2007 Omkareshwar (MP),Saturday, August 30, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said his government was committed to provide electricity in all villages by 2007 and all houses by 2012. "Jahan andhera hai, wahan mrityu hai, jahan jeevan hai, wahan prakash hai (Where there is darkness, there is death. Where there is life, there is light)," Vajpayee said after laying the foundation stone of the 520 MW Omkareshwar Hydel Project here. The Prime Minister expressed concern at the stagnation in hydel power generation and said an additional 34,000 MW of hydel power was targeted during the 10th and 11th plan as against 27,000 MW generated so far. 18:18 IST
India's foreign exchange reserves rise by USD 148 mn
Sunday, August 31, 2003
India's foreign exchange reserves rise by USD 148 mn Mumbai,Saturday, August 30, 2003: India's foreign exchange reserves rose by US dollar 148 million at USD 85,563 million, a record high level, during the week ended August 22. The foreign currency assets increased by USD 147 million at USD 81,932 million in the period under review, according to Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement released here today. Gold reserves remained unchanged at USD 3,628 million while special drawing rights at USD three million, registered a rise of USD one million, it said. For the week ended August 15, the country's foreign exchange reserves had jumped by USD 418 million to cross the USD 85 billion mark. In the week ended August 22, loans to the state government were up by Rs 1,348 crore at Rs 5,279 crore while that to central government showed a nil balance, RBI added. 18:18 IST
Mulayam Singh sworn in as U.P. Chief Minister
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Mulayam Singh sworn in as U.P. Chief Minister Lucknow,Friday, August 29, 2003: Mulayam Singh Yadav returned to power today after a gap of eight years, being sworn in as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister at the head of a coalition, and immediately announced that all "politically-motivated" POTA cases were being withdrawn, a move that will mean freedom for the controversial independent MLA Raja Bhaiya. The 63-year-old Samajwadi Party leader, who has 14 days to prove his majority in the Assembly, was guarded in his comments on sensitive political issues such as the cases against top BJP leaders in the Babri Masjid demolition case. He would consult his coalition partners on whether to issue a fresh notification to pave the way for trial of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and others in the case. Watched by NDA Convener and Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Prime Minister Chandrashekar, state BJP leaders, his coalition partners, film stars Amitabh Bachhan, Jaya Prada, industrialist Anil Ambani, Yadav alone took the oath of office administered by state Governor Vishnukant Shastri on the banks of the Gomti river here. This is the third time Yadav has become Chief Minister, the first being in 1989 and later heading a coalition with BSP, which collapsed in 1995. None of the representatives of the supporting parties Congress, RLD, RKP, CPI-M, and BSP rebels, found a place in the Yadav ministry with the Congress still undecided on joining it. 17:07 IST
Five arrested for Akshardham attack
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Five arrested for Akshardham attack Ahmedabad,Friday, August 29, 2003: In a major breakthrough, Gujarat police today arrested five persons hailing from sensitive Dariapur and Shahpur areas in connection with Akshardham temple attack and said their interrogations revealed that terrorist outfits Jaish-E-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-E-Toiba (LeT) had masterminded the strike. Among the arrested was a Maulvi, who was running a relief camp for victims of post-Godhra communal riots in Dariapur area of the city, City police commissionmer K R Kaushik told reporters here. Thirty two people, including three security personnel, were killed in the attack on September 24 last year. Kaushik said it was sometime during the post-Godhra riots last year that the conspiracy to attack the Akshardham temple was hatched in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, and the five accused had provided logistic support to the two terrorists, who were killed by the NSG commandos. Acting on a specific information, police arrested Salim Sheikh, Mufti Abdul Kayoom Mansuri, Maulvi Abdul Miyan Sayyed -- all residents of Dariapur area and Altaf Malek and Suleman Aadam Ajmeri, staying in the Shahpur area, he said. Police acted after getting information that some Muslim youths of the city, who were working in various cities of Saudi Arabia and were closely associated with Pakistan's ISI and JeM and LeT, had come to Ahmedabad recently. 20:18 IST
PM announces economic package for J and K
Saturday, August 30, 2003
PM announces economic package for J and K Jammu,Friday, August 29, 2003: Taking into consideration the additional requirements of new schemes for the speedy development of the state, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today announced a 9-point third economic and development package for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "During my interaction with people here I found that there are additional requirements of new schemes and programmes, which the government of India will help in implementation", he said in a statement at a press conference today. A new package comprising of nine points has been announced for the people of Jammu division and Kashmir Pandits, he said. The schemes announced by the Prime Minister include, Rs 30 crore one-time grant for University of Jammu, improved water supply, a 220kw single-circuit transmission line from Srinagar to Leh via Kargil, increase in scale of relief for valley's migrant families, 500 new tenements and shifting of some border villages for those affected by shelling from across the border and opening up of Kendriya Vidyalayas. A one-time special grant of Rs.30 crore will be given for development of University of Jammu and its affiliated collages, Vajpayee said. A scheme has been prepared at a cost of Rs.175 crore to provide drinking water to 2284 habitations and 1400 schools in Kandi area of the state, he said. 17:07 IST
Inflation based on Consumer Price Index rises to 4.16% in July
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Inflation based on Consumer Price Index rises to 4.16% in July New Delhi,Friday, August 29, 2003: Mumbai continued to be the most costly city with consumer price index shooting to 589 points compared to the national average of 501, even as inflation rate based on the index rose to 4.16 per cent in July from 3.89 per cent a year ago. Mumbai was closely followed by Delhi with Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) at 577 points, Kolkata (545), Chennai (538), Ahmedabad (501) and Bangalore (481), an official release said today. Rise in prices of rice, wheat, milk, vegetables and fruits, pushed up the inflation rate based on CPI-IW to 4.16 per cent last month from 3.89 per cent in July 2002. The inflation rate, however, came down by 0.25 per cent compared to 4.41 per cent in June mainly due to cheaper kerosene oil and onions. The consumer price index rose by 4.0 points to 501 last month compared to 497 in June. Of the 70 centres in the country, the CPI-IW rose by 1-22 points in 58 centres while it remained static in four centres and declined 1-6 points in eight centres. 20:18 IST
Petition filed in HC for confiscation of Tendulkar's Ferrari
Saturday, August 30, 2003
Petition filed in HC for confiscation of Tendulkar's Ferrari Chennai,Friday, August 29, 2003: Giving a new angle to the controversy over cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's gifted Ferrari, a petition was filed today in Madras High Court seeking confiscation of the car presented to him by the Italian car maker. Contending that he was not questioning the waiver of 120 per cent excise duty on the car, the petitioner, K T Kuppiah, in a public interest litigation, claimed that the manner in which the car was imported was contrary to law and against the policy governing import of cars. Besides, the special treatment to this car "is clearest violation of the right of equality", he said adding that it violated relevant provisions of Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 as the car was not subjected to any test as specified in the rules. He contended that the union ministries of Finance, Revenue and Commerce, the Central Board of Excise, the Chief Commissioner of Customs (Imports) Mumbai and Tendulkar were duty bound to answer and satisfy the court as to how the import of the car was in accordance with law and in conformity with the centre's import policy for new cars. 20:18 IST
President gives away Arjuna Awards
Saturday, August 30, 2003
President gives away Arjuna Awards New Delhi,Friday, August 29, 2003: After a bitter controversy, the nation's highest sporting honours were conferred on 33 sportspersons including cricketer Virender Sehwag and shooter Anjali Bhagwat at a glittering function here today. President A P J Abdul Kalam gave away the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards 2002 at the ceremonial function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan bringing to an end yet another chapter of controversy-ridden awards. But the bitterness and the wranglings were set aside once the ceremony unfolded with the customary national anthem. Khel Ratna winners -- shooter Anjali Bhagwat and athlete K M Beenamol attired in lemon yellow silk sarees and maroon blazers -- were the first to walk up to the President to collect their medal, a scroll of honour and a trophy amidst thunderous applause. The cash prize of Rs 5 lakh was split between Anjali and Beenamol but the duo said there were no hard feelings. The newly formed Arjuna Awards Committee triggered off a controversy by nominating more sportspersons for the Awards than stipulated in the government guidelines. It made matters worse by leaking the provisional list to media. The Government added its bit to the drama by declining to accept the list and asking the committee to cut down the nominations. Even as the controversy raged over the government's stand, the Sports Ministry eventually decided to accept all the recommendations as a one-time exception. 17:07 IST
"Meaningful" talks not possible in the face of violence: PM
Saturday, August 30, 2003
"Meaningful" talks not possible in the face of violence: PM Jammu,Friday, August 29, 2003: Observing that the situation was "not normal" for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said "meaningful" talks were not possible in the face of continuing terrorist violence. Winding up his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Vajpayee also said that if the Hurriyat leaders were ready to talk to the government, they were welcome. Government was willing to talk to anyone but they must lay down arms, Vajpayee told a crowded press conference here on being asked whether militant outfit Hizb-ul Mujahideen would be invited for parleys. On resumption of talks with Pakistan, he said "terrorist violence is going on. People are being killed. Then, how can meaningful talks take place?" Vajpayee said "there is violence along the border. Terrorist activities are going on. Whatever happened yesterday (in Srinagar) clearly shows that the situation is not normal. How can talks take place without normalcy. "We would like to have meaningful talks with Pakistan. But, if terrorist activities continue, that will not be possible". The Prime Minister responded to questions on political developments in UP and strongly discounted a media report on his health. 17:07 IST
Mobiles became a blessing during encounter
Friday, August 29, 2003
Mobiles became a blessing during encounter Search for More News Srinagar, August 28: It was the mobile telephony, which was started partially in Kashmir region recently, especially for top security officers, that came as a boon for civilians trapped inside Greenway Hotel during the night-long encounter between a holed-up militant and the police. "People inside the building contacted our control room on telephone. They were redirected to our senior officers camping at the site of the encounter," DGP Gopal Sharma said here. The officers, equipped with newly-procured WLL phones, a different version of mobile phones, kept in constant touch with those trapped inside the building and guided them to safer places during the rescue operation, Sharma said. One of the civilians jumped from the second storey of the building while the police placed their bunker vehicle beneath to facilitate his jump to freedom, he said. (Agencies)
25 people killed, 8 presumed dead in Daman bridge collapse
Friday, August 29, 2003
25 people killed, 8 presumed dead in Daman bridge collapse Daman,Friday, August 29, 2003: At least 25 people, including 22 school children, were on Thursday killed and eight were missing and presumed dead, when nearly ten vehicles and pedestrians fell into Damanganga river after a dilapidated bridge collapsed due to heavy rains in Daman and Diu. The children in the age group of 10 to 15 years were returning from school when the 100 year old bridge connecting residential areas of Moti Daman and Nani Daman gave way, official sources said. At least 25 people were injured, eleven of them seriously. Six of the seriously injured were admitted to a hospital in neighbouring Haria town where 13-year-old Ashok Tandel succumbed. "We have recovered 24 bodies, of which 21 are of children and three are adult males", Additional Director General of Police (Daman) R P Upadhyay told PTI. He said the deceased include 12 girls and nine boys, and were students of Lady Fatima Convent School in Moti Daman. "Eight people are still missing and it is feared that they might have been swept away into the Arabian sea", the official said. "Rescue operations are now coming to an end as chances of finding more bodies are negligible", Upadhyay added.
Hema Malini, Jalan, Kasturirangan among 7 nominated to RS
Friday, August 29, 2003
Hema Malini, Jalan, Kasturirangan among 7 nominated to RS New Delhi,Friday, August 29, 2003: Dream girl of yesteryears Hema Malini, RBI Governor Bimal Jalan and ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan were among the seven nominated to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Wrestler-turned-actor Dara Singh, Pioneer Editor Chandan Mitra, Hindi scholar Vidya Niwas Mishra and social worker Narayan Singh were the other persons nominated to the Upper House, a Home Ministry spokesman said. The names were cleared by the BJP top brass, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, here on August 24. The seats had fallen vacant following retirement of eight nominated members including actress-turned-social activist Shabana Azmi, nuclear physicist Raja Rammana and veteran journalist Kuldip Nayyar. 55-year-old Hema Malini, who had campaigned for the BJP in recent elections, was the box office queen of her time, reigning for a decade with a huge fan following. An exponent of Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohini Attam dance forms, she shot to the highpoint of her career with the Bollywood film "Sapno Ka Saudagar". Other successful films included "Sholay", "Johney Mera Naam", "Jugnu" and "Kinara". A former Secretary, Banking, Jalan served as Chief Economic Adviser to the Finance Ministry before assuming the charge as RBI Governor. Educated at Cambridge and Oxford, Jalan had held various positions in the IMF and World Bank. Eminent space scientist and astrophysicist Kasturirangan, 63, was honoured with a Padma Vibhushan in year 2000. He is also a recipient of Padma Bhushan and Padma Shree national awards. 09:26 IST
"Sale of Arrow anti-missile system to India a test case"
Friday, August 29, 2003
"Sale of Arrow anti-missile system to India a test case" Washington,Friday, August 29, 2003: As the Indo-US military cooperation was "deepening", the proposed sale of Israeli Arrow anti-missile system to India would be a "test case" on how far Washington was willing to go ahead regarding the sale of weapons to New Delhi, a defence consultant has said. "The Arrow issue is a test case of how far the US is willing to go regarding weapons sales to India," said John E Carbaugh, who regularly issues an 'India Report'. US, however, balks at sale of the anti-missile system to India, he said. The Arrow anti-ballistic missile system, jointly built by Israel and Boeing Co., requires US approval for sale since Washington funded its development. According to Carbaugh, US officials with inside knowledge of Indo-US military cooperation believe that deepening defence ties with India could pave the way for an eventual strategic alliance between Washington and New Delhi. "The US is looking to incorporate the deeper military ties into a broader security alliance with India. There is even some talk of the US and India anchoring an 'Asian NATO' made up of Asian-Pacific democracies," he said. US ideally would like to establish access to military bases in India to have more flexibility in responding to regional crisis and deal with terrorism, he added. 09:26 IST
ISC for safeguards on imposition of President's rule in states
Friday, August 29, 2003
ISC for safeguards on imposition of President's rule in states Srinagar,Friday, August 29, 2003: Ending more than a decade of discussions on the Sarkaria Commission recommendations, the Inter-State Council on Thursday "unanimously" decided to incorporate safeguards into the Constitution on imposing President's rule in states which would be used "sparingly" and only as a "last resort". The two-day meeting of the Council, held for the first time outside Delhi, which concluded today, however, rejected a demand of some states for scrapping of Article 365 that provides the Centre with powers to impose sanctions against states defying its directives. In his concluding remarks, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had urged for a finality and consensual decision on the Sarkaria Commission recommendations, asked Law Minister Arun Jaitley to prepare the amendments to Article 356 to incorporate the safeguards on imposition of President's rule so that they can be legislated upon by Parliament at the earliest. Briefing newsmen after the meeting which was attended by a dozen Chief Ministers and representatives of other states, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said he was happy that the Council has completed discussions on the Sarkaria Commission recommendations. He said most of them have been accepted while some have not been accepted and on some others there were differences.
Govt takes the first step in tax reforms, introduces E-filing of IT returns
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Govt takes the first step in tax reforms, introduces E-filing of IT returns NEW DELHI: Resisting stiff opposition from the unions, the government pushed ahead with its tax reform agenda by launching electronic filing of income tax returns in seven cities across the country on Wednesday. While E-filing of returns is expected to make the process hassle-free for the assessees it would also make the tax administration efficient. To begin with, electronic filing would be done through select banks in the seven cities. The banks selected by the finance ministry for the purpose are HDFC Bank, UTI Bank, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, Indian Overseas Bank and Bharat Overseas Bank. The facility would be available in six bank branches in Delhi, five in Mumbai, four each in Chennai and Bangalore and three each in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Talking to reporters, chairman of CBDT, PL Singh explained that initially electronic filing was being done through intermediary banks as individuals would have to secure digital signature first for filing of electronic returns directly. The necessary notification for this purpose has been issued by CBDT. Singh also stated that the selected banks would charge Rs 100-400 for filing of returns per individuals depending upon the services they provide. According to Singh, as a first step towards paper-less filing of tax returns, paper challans as proof of tax payment would be dispensed with for tax deduction at source (TDS) from this year. From next year, paper challans for income tax payment too would be dispensed with, Singh said while adding that assessees would be able file E-returns on their own once they acquire digital signature, which was a legal requirement. So far only 5,000 persons have secured digital signature. As already announced, income tax returns could be filed this year upto September 30 and this was applicable for electronic filing as well, Singh said. Reacting on the issue of outsourcing of PAN cards, Singh said UTI's subsidiary, from whom the service was being outsourced, has issued over 8 lakh applications. Of the 8 lakh, 4.33 lakh applications have been received, of which 81,000 cards have been issued and an additional 1.33 lakh cards have been processed. Claming that all pending income tax refunds were being cleared expeditiously this year, Singh said all those giving their bank account numbers could get their refunds transferred into their accounts. With the establishment of TIN (tax information network) by next year, online accounting system would be started by the tax department.
Advani takes centre stage as BJP turns the heat on Ram temple
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Advani takes centre stage as BJP turns the heat on Ram temple NEW DELHI: The ASI report on excavations carried out at the Ayodhya site might have been temporarily overshadowed by more sensational developments, but the BJP, conscious of this value-addition to its temple cause, has embarked on a sustained campaign for Ram temple construction. Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani took up the issue at Aurangabad on Tuesday, saying ``the ASI report must have gladdened crores of people''. He did not go any further in view of the sensitivity of NDA partners to the issue. However, on Wednesday, M. Venkaiah Naidu hammered home the issue. Being the BJP president, he can obviously position himself more strongly in favour of the temple. Therefore, speaking at a press conference, Naidu described the ASI findings as ``conclusive evidence'' and appealed to Muslims to start a ``fresh dialogue to remove all hurdles in the construction of a Ram temple''. Naidu said the ASI investigation makes it clear that the Babri Masjid built by Mughal invaders in 1528 was constructed on the site of a grand 10th-century temple. ``There have been several other historical, literary, epigraphical and sceintific evidences, all of which have established the fact that the Babri structure was built after demolishing a temple,'' he said. Claiming that the ``ultimate evidence'' sought by the critics of the temple in the form of ASI excavations was before everybody, Naidu remarked: ``It is unfortunate that some of the contending parties in the court are now saying that the ASI report is doctored.'' He recalled that ``the court agreed to all the demands of contending parties during the investigations. When they alleged that the chief scientist of the ASI was not impartial to them, the court had him replaced. Thereafter, the work force used for digging was also picked up on the basis of religious ratio following insistence by these parties. Hence, their criticism of the ASI now is unjustifiable.'' ``In the light of this conclusive evidence,'' said Naidu, ``this dispute should be put to rest and all of us should come together to re-build the Ram temple.'' He said even if the court delivered a judgement, ``it will make one party a winner and the other a loser''. Therefore, ``this is the moment for all communities to shed past differences and concentrate on the national mission to make India a proud, prosperous and secure nation. A united approach for the construction of the Ramjanmabhoomi temple will be an important symbolic step in that direction.'' However, when asked if the ASI report will be an issue in the elections, Naidu replied in the negative. ``ISI, not ASI, will be the issue,'' he quipped. However, given the way the Sangh Parivar speaks in different voices, this has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Another key national functionary of the party informally admitted that the BJP would certainly go to town with the ASI report because this would bring focus back on the Ram temple.
Salman to promote Tere Naam, fashion in South Africa
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Salman to promote Tere Naam, fashion in South Africa IANS JOHANNESBURG: It will be a double bill for Bollywood star Salman Khan here this week, promoting India's leading fashion designers as well as his new film 'Tere Naam'. The Indian designers will feature at the South African Fashion Week, the country's premiere fashion event, to be held from August 27-30 but Salman will not be opting for his traditional chest-baring role as in his films. He will only speak at the forum and attend a gala dinner where he will draw the winner of a competition in which one of the expected 1,000 guests will win two tickets for a trip to India. Salman's appearance here is also expected to give added impetus to his latest movie 'Tere Naam', which is playing to capacity houses across South Africa since opening two Friday's ago. Although not all the designers will be present themselves, the work of almost all top designers will be modelled in a show put together by model and actor Milind Soman for South African promoters. One designer who has confirmed her attendance is Neeta Lulla, who designed the stunning outfits for the film 'Devdas' last year. She will be auctioning two of the outfits worn by the leading ladies in the film, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit. Malaika Arora, Salman's sister-in-law, is the compere for the evening and will also perform some dance items. She will be joined by playback singer Babul Supriyo and six dancers from Mumbai. "It started when we were in India and were offered Milind's film Rules - Pyar Ka Superhit Formula for our company Tip Top Entertainment," organiser Sugen Nair told IANS. "We took the movie on condition that Milind and the cast come and do a fashion show here to help promote the movie. He is getting outfits from the top designers to be modelled by the cast of the film." Nair said the original plan was to host the premiere of "Rules..." and then have the fashion show afterwards but this was not possible because the release of the movie had been postponed by a week. "But it's not just about the fashion show and Salman's attendance, although these are certainly highlights," Nair added. "It will be an unprecedented celebration of Indian couture and lifestyle that will help usher in an exciting international dimension into South Africa's fashion industry. "The fusion of Indian designers' authentic style on vibrant Indian fabric meeting Western designs brings in an eclectic mix to fashion houses all over the world, and are making Indian designers more and more popular," said Nair. "As this year marks the 10th anniversary of resumed trade relations between South Africa and India, we are proud that we can commemorate this at South African Fashion Week," Nair concluded.
Its now Vijay Anand who plans meaningful TV channel
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Its now Vijay Anand who plans meaningful TV channel IANS KOLKATA: Film director Vijay Anand is starting a 24-hour TV channel which will have "alternative and meaningful entertainment" as its USP. Promoted by three businessmen whom Anand doesn't wish to name, the new channel will showcase soap operas, talk shows, game shows and musical programmes, among other things. "But the entertainment will be meaningful and will give viewers an alternative to the present set of TV channels," Anand told IANS here. Anand, the brother of famed Bollywood actor-director Dev Anand, will be the new channel's managing director. Lamhas Communications Ltd. will have an annual budget of Rs.2 billion-2.5 billion. The director says he was prompted to consider starting a new channel after closely watching the fare on offer on different cable stations now. "I have watched various channels and I feel the Indian viewer is not getting the best," Anand says. "The gap in quality entertainment encouraged me to consider this new channel." The date for his channel's launch hasn't yet been fixed. Anand, who also shone as an actor in films like Kora Kagaz, claims the serials on his channel wouldn't be the "artificially glamorised and overdone" variety that is the staple of most entertainment channels. In India, an estimated 70 million homes have TV sets. The popularity of Hindi satellite channels has skyrocketed in cities and towns over the past couple of years, mostly riding on drama serials and game shows. Anand says his channel will have serials based on popular short stories and plays. To begin with, he would roll out a 365-episode soap on Indian women. A treatise on the fallible Indian male has also been lined up. About 40 projects have been cleared to be made into programmes for the new channel. Anand says he wants to have a bank of quality programmes before going on air.
One killed, nine injured as militants attack BSNL building
Thursday, August 28, 2003
PTI SRINAGAR: A BSF jawan was killed and nine people, including a BSF DIG, were injured as heavily-armed militants made a vain attempt to storm the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd building here on Wednesday evening, official sources said. BSF constable Des Raj succumbed to wounds in hospital where he and eight other injured were moved after militants hurled a grenade on security personnel in a bid to storm the BSNL building around 1900 hours. Deputy Inspector General of BSF Desh Raj, who was also injured has been rushed to Soura Medical Institute, the sources said. Two militants belonging to al-Mansooren outfit lobbed a grenade near the main gate of the BSNL building in their bid to gain entry into the building, but took shelter in a nearly hotel when faced with retaliatory fire at the hands of forces deployed there. As the security men took position outside the hotel, they exchanged intermittent firing with the militants holed up in the building, which also houses offices of several local dailies, the sources said.
Encounter at Srinagar hotel ends, 5 dead
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Encounter at Srinagar hotel ends, 5 dead Srinagar,Thursday, August 28, 2003: A fierce encounter between two militants holed up in a hotel here since 7:00 pm Wednesday, ended early this morning with five deaths and several people injured. Both the militants, who had entered Hotel Greenway and engaged in exchange of fire with security forces for about 12 hours, are believed to be among the dead. Three other bodies were recovered from the hotel. These are believed to be those of National Conference leader Javed Shah, a former militant and former MLC, his bodyguard and an unidentified civilian. The four-storey hotel building caught fire during small hours of the morning when the encounter was continuing but fire fighters extinguihsed the fire later. Those injured in the encounter, included BSF DIF Desh Raj who received a gash in the shoulder last night but his condition was described as stable this morning. 09:21 IST
Rush for coins caused stampede, say eyewitnesses
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Rush for coins caused stampede, say eyewitnesses NASHIK: As millions of pilgrims turned out for the "Mahaparvani" -the most auspicious occasion of the Nashik kumbh on Wednesday- some were not so lucky. At least 33 persons were killed in a stampede at Sardar Chowk near Kalaram Mandir, Panchavati. Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased. The incident took place at 2.35 p.m. when some sadhus were returning after the holy bath at Ramkund in Godavari river. On the same road, pilgrims were walking from the opposite direction towards Ramkund. Former corporator, Sanjay Adayprabhu, who was an eyewitness of the incident, said that a sadhu threw some coins, toffees and flowers from his vehicle on the pilgrims. The pilgrims rushed at the coins and toffees, causing the stampede. Another thing that worsened the situation was that at the same time a large number of pilgrims following the sadhus vehicles rushed at the spot. Another eyewitness, Narhari Bhagwat, who was watching the crowds from his balcony from a distance of about 100 metres said that it was because suddenly there was commotion among pilgrims in the narrow road that winds from the south door of Kalaram temple towards Ramkund. He said that he was not aware whether coins were showered by some sadhus as the exact spot where it all began was out of his sight. There is confusion over the immediate cause for the stampede. Some police officials said that the showering of coins caused the stampede, while deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal said that some pilgrims broke barricades, causing the stampede. However, the persons who survived the stampede do not buy the police version. Kiran Sharma (30) from Jehanabad, Bihar, who lost her mother Sitadevi Bahadur Sharan (50), and her aunt Ramkumari Sharma (60). "I think that the police have concocted the story to hide their inefficiency" she said, " There was not even a single police on that road." She further said she was returning after the holy dip when the road got saturated with people. Then with a choked voice she said, "Then suddendly the crowd form the opposite side came on us and we were trampled upon." She said that there was no sadhu on the road at the time of the incident. "They should have kept the flow of people one-way only," she said pointing out that she and her family was caught between the mob charging from the front while the crowd behind kept pushing them forward. Raghunath Kaushik from Bijapur, whose right leg was fractured in the incident also said that there was no showering of coins by any person. "I got trapped because of my wife, Kamaladevi," he said, "We were returning to sadhugram after the bath when the crowd swelled. My wife lost balance and fell down and suddenly there were people all over us." He said that he protected his wife by covering her, but got trampled upon by the crowd. He said that his wife became unconscious for two hours and had regained senses after that. Another pilgrim, Chhabu Gahinaji More from Ozar (Nashik) said that he was returning with his family after the bath and heading for the sadhugram. "There was suddenly a large crowd charging at us from the front and the crowd behind us pushing forward," he said, "And I got trampled upon." He is recuperating at the civil hospital with an injured leg. According to unofficial figures, 49 people died in the stampede, while officials put the figure at 33. Only nine deceased could be identified till evening. The names of the other deceased were not known as they were not carrying any identification papers. The Nashik district civil surgeon Dr Ashok Wankhede told this website's newspaper that he had received 33 dead bodies- 27 women and 7 men. He said that 69 injured persons had also been admitted for treatment. The flow of bodies decreased at the hospital after 5.00 p.m. Dr Wankhede saidthat the hospital had a strength of 550 cots and additional section of 100 beds were specially created for the kumbh. He said that most of the deceased were elderly ladies. Most of the victims were pilgrims returning from the holy dip. Till evening only nine dead bodies had been identified as Seetadevi Jeetbahadur Singh, Mahendiyadevi, Ramkumari Sharma, Sumitradevi Laxmisharan, Mogilal Gundecha, Selubala Mohanty, Indiraben Patel,Seetadevi and Bachhindradevi Sahay. Chaos prevailed at the civil hospital as dead bodies and injured persons continued to be brought into ambulances and official vehicles. The commissionerof police, P T Lohar, said that he was himself confused about the cause of the stampede while district collector Mahesh Zagade said that he would not like to hazard any guess and that the proper person to tell the official version was the police commisssioner.
Karishma to marry Delhi-based businessman
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Karishma to marry Delhi-based businessman MUMBAI: Bollywood's leading star, Karishma Kapoor, who essayed the roles of a firebrand protagonist fighting against all odds in films like Zubeida and Anari, has interestingly opted to settle for a typical traditional arranged marriage with a Delhi-based businessman. The wedding bells for the 28-year-old grand daughter of showman Raj Kapoor with industrialist Sanjay Kapoor of Sona Steering company would ring around Dussehra festival in October. The actress, who was lauded for her role as an obsessive lover married to a member of a royal family in Zubeida or that of a girl born with a silver spoon but defies family pressure to marry a simpleton domestic help in the film Anari, would settle down to being Biwi No 1 by tying the nuptial knot in the traditional fashion. "The marriage is an arranged one and would be performed in the traditional manner in Mumbai around Dussera time," the actress' father Randhir Kapoor told on Thursday. Going by the past experience, the Kapoors have decided to skip the traditional "magni" ceremony. "We will not have an engagement but will straight go ahead and solemnise the wedding," Randhir added. "The date of the wedding has not yet been fixed. We are discussing the matter. The wedding is expected to take place around Dussehra time," Randhir said. On the choice of the groom, he said, "Karishma and Sanjay have known each other. The marriage was arranged through some common friends". The actress, who bagged an award for her role as a friend who sacrifices her love in the box-office hit Dil to pagal hai, had earlier been engaged to actor Abishek Bachchan but called off the marriage reportedly following differences of opinion. The engagement, which was announced with great fanfare by the veteran actor and father of Abhishek, Amitabh Bachchan, during the latter's 60th birthday last October, was called off with neither party going public about the exact reason. However, she had on August 18, emerged in front of the television cameras after a long time to announce her debut in a mega serial -- Karishma, the miracles of destiny.
RDX is the culprit in the twin blasts of Aug 25: Krishnamurthy
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
RDX is the culprit in the twin blasts of Aug 25: Krishnamurthy Mumbai,Wednesday, August 27, 2003: Forensic experts have found use of RDX in the twin car bomb blasts that rocked the city on Monday killing 52 people and injuring over 130. Director of State Forensic laboratory Dr Rukmini Krishnamurthy told their report was based on the samples collected immediately after the blasts at the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazar. "On the face of it, it does not appear to have had any `external missiles' as was the case in 1993 serial blasts," she said. "The explosive must have been kept in the dicky of the taxis used in the blasts and the CNG cylinders added to the high-explosive device's impact," she said. The remnants of the CNG gas cylinders were found in both the sites thereby confirming that the CNG gas added to the impact of the blast, she said. The tissues of some of the mutilated bodies where identification by the relatives was impossible, have been sent to the forensic lab by the police for identification by DNA fingerprinting technique, Krishnamurthy said.
Blast in Srinagar ahead of Vajpayee's arrival; No casualties
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Blast in Srinagar ahead of Vajpayee's arrival; No casualties Srinagar,Wednesday, August 27, 2003: Hours before the arrival of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee here today, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off in the city but there were no casualties. The IED, planted by militants, near the boundary wall of an abandoned house in Karan Nagar went off at 1010 hrs shattering window panes of nearby houses, official sources said. They said no one was injured in the blast. JKLF vice-chairman Javid Ahmad Mir and three others were arrested when activists of JKLF and Awami Action Committee, constituents of Hurriyat Conference, tried to take out a procession in the city ahead of Prime Minister's arrival. Police arrested them on charges of violating prohibitory orders in force in Srinagar, the sources said. Led by Mir and Shahidul Islam of Awami Action Committee, the activists raised slogans and marched towards Budshah chowk here. Police swung into action and arrested Mir,Islam and two others, the sources said. Residents of the area, protesting the arrests, threw stones at police, the sources said. 12:53 IST
I’m against item songs: Urmila
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
I’m against item songs: Urmila KOCHI: Urmila Matondkar talks about what scares her in real life, her upcoming movies and why she hates item songs. The best compliment you got for Bhoot? From Orlando to Bhuleshwar to Bhayander, people have said I deserve awards. But Rekha discussed my performance for one hour and wrote me a beautiful letter. Do you think you did a good imitation of Linda Blair in The Exorcist? It’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard! I saw The Exorcist years ago, but in that the bed flew, red, blue and green stuff came out of her mouth and her head turned. Bhoothas nothing to do with any horror movie seen before. What scares you? Lizards and snakes make me go yuck. When I was shooting for Kaun, I felt I was reading a Stephen King novel. Once I was wearing the same white outfit and when I passed the mirror, I thought it was very spooky. Any characters you would play from a book? So many, I’m such a book-worm- Anna Karenina. In Tehzeeb, you’re playing Shabana Azmi’ daughter after Masoom. It’s all about relationships, the sparks between characters. People will have a laugh at my expense - all the characters are having fun, but at the base is a volcano. Do you fight as much with your mother? Not a lot. My relationship with my mom is very chilled out. But there’s that feeling - can’t do with them, can’t do without them. Would you give up your career for marriage? No, I think that defies the purpose of a relationship. But sometimes, with the right man and for the right reasons, it’s the obvious next step. It’s moving on to another level. You’re doing another psycho-thriller Ek Hasina Thi. I play a single girl living as a paying guest in Mumbai. It’s funny because this is also the first time I’m working with Saif Ali Khan. Rajkumar Santoshi is also making Khakee. You’re considered his lucky mascot. Are you doing an item song for this film? No, in fact, I’m totally against item songs. They are so cut off from the rest of the movie. I would have beaten everyone hollow if I thought otherwise. But I have done one kick-ass dancing song in Tehzeeb!
Rakesh Roshan
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
MUMBAI: Flush with the spectacular success of his latest release Koi... Mil Gaya, director Rakesh Roshan says the film is special because it breaks Bollywood norms, something the audiences find unsettling. In an interview with IANS, the director spoke of the journey from blockbuster >I>Kaho Na... Pyar Hai to Koi... Mil Gaya, son Hrithik and more. Excerpts: You've done it again! Yes, god has been kind again. I don't know how big Koi... Mil Gaya will eventually be. But the first week's collections have shattered all records in India. No other film has done as much business in the first week. But the collections outside India, especially in the U.S., are disappointing. That isn't entirely true. In the U.S. collections will cross $400,000 in the first week. This isn't a small figure. But, yes, the box office figures in the U.S. aren't going berserk as they're in India. In the U.S. my Kaho Na... Pyar Hai had collected less than $100,000 in the first week. In Britain, Kaho Na...Pyar Hai had collected 63,000 pounds as compared to the 300,000 pounds which Koi...Mil Gaya has collected in the first week. This is almost the same collection as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Mohabbatein in Britain. Would the success of Koi...Mil Gaya encourage you to make further experiments within the mainstream format? Let's see. It depends on the subject. I choose my subjects on intuition. But the film industry is bound to stay away from hackneyed subjects. How much of the success would you attribute to Hrithik's performance? Everything depends on the film. Without a proper subject no actor can do anything. Because the film is good Hrithik's performance has been liked immensely. It's a two-way traffic: first the film gives the actors a push, then the actors push the film. That's what happened to Kaho Na... Pyar Hai. The film ran on its merits. And then Hrithik shouldered it from the fourth week onwards. The audience has to like the film to like the actors. But as a father aren't you happy to see Hrithik again getting his due? Oh yes. What a return! He has come back not only at the box office but also as an actor. I'm thankful to the people for accepting a film that's different. There can be no greater pleasure for a filmmaker than to be accepted for a film where he's gone beyond the expected. I can't understand why people ask me if Koi...Mil Gaya will be as big as Kaho Na... Pyar Hai. It's not in my hands to repeat the success of my earlier films. Let's not forget. Kaho Na...Pyar Hai was accepted as a blockbuster after seven-eight weeks. Even when Spielberg made ET there was a lot of public debate. They had never seen anything like it before. But they still went to see the film. But in Koi...Mil Gaya it isn't the sci-fi but the emotions with Hrithik that work. I'm not comparing my film to ET. We've made our film within a budget of $5 million-$6 million. In Hollywood they've a budget of $400 million. I don't think any Indian film has got special effects as good as mine. Perhaps they were still not good enough? I couldn't have done any better. Within my budget I've created an authentic ambience. When a film is different from the expected it unsettles the audience. When they come out of Koi... Mil Gaya they can't stop talking about it.
Pooja Bhatt weds ‘Udham Singh’ Makhija
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
MUMBAI: When she finally tied the knot, actress and film-maker Pooja Bhatt did it with none of the fanfare that surrounded her staged wedding in father Mahesh Bhatt’s Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin. Pooja wed hotelier and Channel [V]’s former veejay Munish Makhija at a temple in Goa on Saturday. Her mother was present but father Mahesh Bhatt begged off. ‘‘I have always supported her. But I didn’t attend the function because I feel uncomfortable with anything related to religion,’’ Bhatt said. He added that he was the first person Pooja consulted through an SMS when Makhija proposed. Makhija, famous as Channel [V]’s Udham Singh armed with a lathi buffalo and his deadpan jokes, now runs a restaurant in Goa and dabbles in music. The two are said to have begun their four-month courtship on the sets of Pooja’s directorial debut Paap, starring John Abraham and Udita Goswami, being shot in Sikkim.
Lara Dutta
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
IANS MUMBAI: After playing a sexy city girl in Andaaz, beauty queen turned actress Lara Dutta portrays a village belle in her just released film Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost and is hoping audiences will like her this time too. In an interview with IANS, Lara revealed among other things that she was nervous about her new film and co-star Abhishek Bachchan, a "little brat". Excerpts: Your debut Andaaz clicked. Now comes Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost. That's what makes me jittery. Andaaz put me on a really firm footing in the industry... I've been extremely cautious with the selection of my films. They can't understand why I insist on knowing what I'm doing in a film before signing on. Thank God, things are changing. It's no longer that shocking for an actress to ask for a script. People were shocked by the amount of skin display in Andaaz. I don't think there was lots of that, at least not in the character that I was playing. I think the makers of Andaaz wanted to cash in on Miss Universe and Miss World, that's me and Priyanka Chopra, being in the film together. Both of us came from an out-there field like modelling and we were comfortable with our bodies. We knew fully well what we were doing, and wearing. I wore what today's college-going girls wear. The only song where there was extra glamour was "Rabba Ishq Na Hove". It wasn't as if I was deliberately trying to be hot and provocative. I was confident I wouldn't look vulgar. Did the success of Andaaz put an added responsibility on you? For starters it made everyone aware that I was serious about my film career. A successful debut also puts a great burden on the debutante. I don't want to be known as a one-film wonder. I've become very cautious about what I sign. I'm not in this business to make hay while the sun shines. In Mumbai Se... I'm poles apart from Andaaz and, if I may say so, lots better. My character in Mumbai Se... is much more vibrant, much more a woman of the earth. But in hindsight I'm glad I was introduced to cinema with Andaaz. Having learnt the ropes of conventional acting it was relatively easier for me to work within a set-up where the crew was closer to me in age and sensibility. Did you have a tough time getting into the rustic groove in Mumbai Se...? The fact that we shot on location in Jaisalmer really helped me to get into character. There was a lot of time to absorb the local colours and flavours. It definitely did take me a while to get adjusted. I remember on the first day I sat down on the sets and my director said, "Hello? This isn't Fifth Avenue". My director Apoorva Lakhiya was very helpful in getting me into character. How was Abhishek after Akshay Kumar? : I call him a little brat. But he's an amazing co-star. Getting fresh off the sets of Andaaz and Akshay Kumar and straight into Mumbai Se... and Abhishek was quite a jump. We were like two school children while our director was the headmaster. Abhishek and I are both outspoken. Once he accepts you as a friend he opens up. I think we've worked really well together. We were constantly playing off one another, so there was a lot of improvisation in our performances. What have you signed now? There's a Venus film Yuddh that Vikram Bhatt is directing. I'm paired with John Abraham. It's an action film and I'm part of the main action. I'm looking forward to doing my own fights. Even in Mumbai Se... you get to see me doing a little bit of Lara Croft in the climax. In my other action film, Madhur Bhandarkar's Aan, I'm not part of the main action. It's a film about cops where I play Akshay Kumar's fiancée. Are you and Priyanka Chopra vying for the same roles after Andaaz? I don't think so. We're two very different actresses. She has very different aspirations. I want to build a base for myself as an actress so that if tomorrow a filmmaker wants to cast me in a Nargis role in Mother India, he'll have the confidence to cast me. I don't want to burn myself out. I don't want the audience to say, 'Oh no, she's in this one too'. Roles of substance aren't easy to come by for women in Bollywood. No they're not. And it's very hard to find the right balance between being a woman of substance and a sex symbol. I want to play the entire gamut. In Dharamesh Darshan's next film for Venus I co-star again with Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra. It's a very young film. What I like about our Hindi movies is the vibrancy... It's an intelligent script with subtle humour. Are you happy with your career? I'm very happy. I've got my plateful. But I'm not overeating. I don't think a film like "Mumbai Se..." is going to come my way in a long, long time.
Going the Bhagyashree route
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
MUMBAI: Bhumika Chawla did the unforgivable at the premiere of her debut Hindi film, Tere Naam. She offered the required thank-yous to her director Satish Kaushik and producers Sunil Manchanda, Gautam Kumar and Mukesh Talreja. Then she committed the ultimate celluloid sin. Referring to co-star Salman Khan, she said, ‘‘Thank you, Salman bhai!’’ Imagine the stir, as the shirtless box-office wonder went red in the face. Of course, he bettered the remark by claiming, ‘‘This is why the film’s called, ‘Unfortunately, a love story’!’’ But Chawla set us thinking. Her clothes (always sarees or salwar-kameez sets); her stance (posing with a pensive expression); and her one-film-at-a-time-funda remind us of another Salman Khan heroine. Yes, we’re talking about Bhagyashree of Maine Pyar Kiya. Remember how she always preferred Indian dresses and gave those touch-me-not-vibes? And they have a similar stance on exposure. Chawla, a Sardarni, goes a little further and says that she’ll also think twice about cutting her locks. ‘‘If I have to lend authenticity to a character, I don’t mind,’’ defends this actress, a well-known name down South. As for exposure, ‘‘I’m not open to it but it depends on how it’s portrayed. If the script demands it and I’m assured the director will portray me aesthetically, then maybe... but, as of now, I won’t.’’ Chawla is also politically correct. Gushing about Khan, she says, ‘‘He’s a gem of a person. He never throws his weight and is a smooth guy to work with.’’ It’s hardly surprising that Tere Naam is close to her heart. ‘‘I could relate to my character, Nirjara, because she’s a simple girl. I, too, believe in Indian culture and traditions.’’ So like all good Indians, she waits her turn. ‘‘I don’t jump into things and like to do one project at a time. I’ve been acting in the South for the last four years and have only done nine films. This is a record, as actors there usually go on signing sprees,’’ adds the actress, who has also acted in the Telugu version of Khushi. Chawla will next be seen with Abhishek Bachchan in Run and rumours float that she may be cast as Salman’s wife in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani. ‘‘Offers are pouring in after Tere Naam, but I’m not in a hurry to sign anything,’’ she gives a Bhagyashree-like reply. All this sounds nice, but we hope you know what happened to Bhagyashree!
Abhishek Bachchan shines in slightly boring MSAMD
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Abhishek Bachchan shines in slightly boring MSAMD IANS After Hrithik Roshan in "Koi...Mil Gaya" and Salman Khan in "Tere Naam", for the third week in a row, the leading man scores way above the parent product. In debutant director Apoorva Lakhia's long-awaited desert parable "Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost", Abhishek Bachchan fits hand-in-glove into his role of Kanji, the domestic servant in Mumbai who creates cyclonic havoc when he brings a television set and a dish antenna into his newly electrified village. A brilliant premise for a film supported by a team of incredibly proficient actors and technicians. The sandy brown textures of Jaisalmer in the frames are consistently eloquent. Not since "Lagaan" have we seen the desert ambience in such undulating glory. Cinematographer Gururaj R J and music composer Anu Malik make the desert a canvas of kaleidoscopic expressions. Alas, the canvas needed to be filled with more tangible images than the ones writer-director Apoorva Lakhia conjures. Ironically it's Lakhia who spoils a great deal of his work's rustic resplendence by opting repeatedly and annoyingly for overstatement. Initially it's amusing to watch the effects of television on the villagers. Specially funny is their wonderment when they see Aamir Khan kissing Karisma Kapoor in "Raja Hindustani". After a while, however, the satire begins to tire. Repeated invocation of images from commercial Hindi cinema flashing on the television set (indeed, the television set is the other iconic hero of the film) to create a distance between Lakhia's rural Rajasthan and the kitsch quality of life in Hindi cinema, finally comes to a rather laughable and ironic impasse. The very crassness in Hindi films that grips Lakhia's villagers also takes control of his film as "Mumbai Se..." dissolves at an alarming rate into a traditional battle between good and evil with every workable and non-workable cliché crowding the landscape. The classic conflict between the heroic low-caste hero Kanji and the boorish thakur (Yashpal Sharma) is treated by Lakhia with a mixture of arrogance and reverence that finally leaves the narrative totally unanchored. Lakhia has the guts to take on the commercial format headlong and turn it on its head. Hence Kanji and his skittish ladylove KC (Lara Dutta) meet, sing serene duets and even get intimate. At least that's what we presume them to do when he unstrings her trendily styled blouse. Does pre-marital sex between a city-returned hero and an ethnically chic heroine in a semi-primitive village seem incongruous? Director Lakhia lays the filmy elements thick on the plot. Lara Dutta's seductive song-and-dance numbers, choreographed with ambrosial élan by Vaibhavi Merchant, constantly challenge the film's ruggedly real ambience. The scenes in the city showing Kanji with his employers are tacky. The vulgar homophobic jokes in this section are out of step with the rest of the film. To Lakhia's credit, he builds the unevenly paced, sluggish and often repetitive plot to an exciting climax. The battle between the "good and simple" villagers and the evil thakur is well-pitched, exuding an energy and force often lacking in the rest of the narrative. The little tribute to Ketan Mehta's "Mirch Masala" where the village women fight the thakur with chilli powder is specially heart warming. But why on earth is a satellite crew, led by an over-bubby Raageshwari, brought into the plot at this late stage? Besides the breathtaking locales, what makes "Mumbai Se..." watchable, is Abhishek Bachchan. His eloquent eyes, shy smile and vastly improved body language (watch him match steps with Lara Dutta in "Shahar Ka Jadoo" and the Holi song) go a long way in making us bear with the film's flat-footed humour. As for Lara Dutta, she looks as much like a village belle as Zeenat Aman in "Satyam Shivam Sunderam". In both cases the cleavage is required to be the most expressive part. Zeenat would be proud of Lara. The rest of the cast is filled with "Lagaan" actors. This film fails to provide them with the energy to shine once again. Lakhia, who assisted on "Lagaan", pays the other film a homage in the colours, actors, ambience and even an inspirational song "Jeetenge Baazi Hum" that echoes "Baar Baar Hum" in "Lagaan". If only inspiration was echoic. Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta, Yashpal Sharma. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia
World leaders condemn Mumbai twin blasts
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
World leaders condemn Mumbai twin blasts Washington,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: US President George W Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan today joined the international community in expressing outrage over the twin car blasts in Mumbai terming them as "acts of terror", "despicable act" and called for close cooperation among nations to combat the scourge of terrorism. Indian organisations in US and UK also condemned the bombings and demanded strong action by the Indian Government to deter and eliminate terrorists. "I strongly condemn the bombings... On behalf of all Americans, I send condolences to all affected by today's tragedy and to the Government and people of India," Bush said in a statement. "Acts of terror are intended to sow fear and chaos among free peoples. I hope that the perpetrators of these murders will be identified quickly and brought to justice," Bush said. UN Secretary General described the bombings as "despicable acts" of terrorism and said he "adamantly opposed all acts of terrorism, from whatever quarter." Fifty people were killed and about 140 were injured in twin blasts that rocked the famous monument of Gateway of India and city's jewellery market in what intelligence sources suspect is the handiwork of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Students Islamic Movement of India (SINI). A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said "the terrorist acts in Mumbai once more highlight the need for close unity of all the members of the world community in combating the global scourge of international terrorism". 10:19 IST
Bush expresses sympathy for lives lost
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Bush expresses sympathy for lives lost in Mumbai blasts New Delhi,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: U S President George W Bush today telephoned Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to voice sympathy for the loss of life in Monday's Mumbai blasts and said in the fight against terror, India has a friend in the US.. PTI 08262206 R NNNN ZCZC URG WEB NAT .MUMBAI WEB122 CLUES Police gather clues of blast suspects, teams go to Guj, Bihar Mumbai, Aug 26 Mumbai police today claimed to have gathered certain clues about those behind the twin car bomb blasts in the metropolis and sent teams to Gujarat, Bihar and various parts of Maharashtra to trace the suspects even as the death toll rose to 52 with two more succumbing to injuries in the hospital. About 100 people across the state had been detained for questioning in connection with Monday's blasts but no arrest had been made so far, Joint Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh told reporters here. Official sources said two among the seriously injured in the blasts died today in the J J hospital The driver of the taxi in which bomb was placed meanwhile told police that a couple had hired his vehicle from suburban Andheri yesterday and placed their baggage in its boot. Based on the clues provided by the driver, police has drawn sketches of the suspects and circulated it across the state. The city gradually recovered from the shock due to the blasts with shops and business establishments opening. Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Congress President Sonia Gandhi visited the city to take stock of the situation. The Shiv Sena-BJP opposition combine met the Governor Mohammed Fazal and demanded dismissal of the state government and imposition of President's rule. A section of media reported that Bedal-ul-umar group and Gujarat Revenge Group were suspected to be behind the blasts but no official confirmation was available on this. 22:09 IST
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Centre asks SC not to stay HPCL, BPCL privatisation
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Centre asks SC not to stay HPCL, BPCL privatisation New Delhi,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: Government has asked Supreme Court not to stay the privatisation of oil PSUs HPCL and BPCL as it would lead to irreparable loss and injury to economic sentiments in the country besides impacting the stock markets. Replying to Supreme Court notices on a petition challenging privatisation of Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd without Parliamentary approval, the Disinvestment Ministry has sought to make out a case for the court not to intervene in the matter citing its earlier ruling in the Balco case. The case is likely to come up for hearing on September 1. Pointing to the Supreme Court ruling in Balco case that "the decision to disinvest and the implementation thereof is purely an administrative decision relating to the economic policy of the state and that is open to the elected Government to follow its own policy", the ministry said Government's disinvestment policy "cannot be made the subject matter of judicial review." It said prior approval of Parliament for disinvesting Government's holding in HPCL and BPCL was not necessary as "in the Acquisition Acts (under which ESSO was nationalised as HPCL and Burmah Shell as BPCL in 1970s) as also in the Companies Act, there are no restrictions on the disinvestment." Shares in BPCL/HPCL were sold during 1991-92 to 1993-94 through executive decisions. "Another PSU - Maruti Udyog Ltd., where acquistion was through an Act of Parliament, was disinvested through executive decisions". 17:29 IST
Scam tainted Home Trade officials arrested
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Scam tainted Home Trade officials arrested New Delhi,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: Delhi Police has arrested the top officials of Home Trade allegedly involved in the multi-crore Government securities scam that shook the financial sector last year. Sanjay Hariom Aggarwal, Ketan Seth and Suboddh Bhandari, Directors and Vice President of Home Trade were arrested from Surat, police said here today. Home Trade is alleged to have siphoned off around Rs 800 crore from urban cooperative banks, concentrated mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, by purchasing Government securities on behalf of these banks. Delhi Police action in this regard followed a bunch of FIRs registered on complaints by several companies, including Bajaj Capital, alleging that Home Trade cheated them on the purchase of Government Securities (G-secs) and did not deliver the securities to them. A case was registered against Home Trade under various sections of Indian Penal Code for entering into criminal conspiracy to cheat the investors. Many prominent film and sports personalities had endorsed the scam-tainted company in its promotional acttivities. There are 21 cases against the accused officials of the Home Trade elsewhere in the country, police said. 20:13 IST
Centre to fight terrorism jointly with Maharashtra: Advani
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Centre to fight terrorism jointly with Maharashtra: Advani Mumbai,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said the Centre and Maharashtra government will work jointly to fight terrorism. "The Centre and the intelligence agencies will provide all possible assistance to Maharashtra government," he told newspersons after visiting the blast site in Zaveri bazaar, the hub of gold and diamond trade, where one of the two car bombs exploded. On the Sena-BJP demand to dismiss the state government, Advani said "I have come here only to jointly work with the state to fight terrorist activities. "I had talks with Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Home Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and senior officials about the blasts and am confident that the government would trace the culprits," he said. Comparing yesterday's blasts to those which had shaken Mumbai in 1993 when explosives were placed in scooters, he said "I cannot talk much at this moment except say that the blasts here may have also been carried out by keeping explosives in suitcases and placing them in vehicles". 20:13 IST
Mayawati quits, urges Governor to dissolve assembly
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Mayawati quits, urges Governor to dissolve assembly LUCKNOW,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: IN A SUDDEN DEVELOPMENT, UTTAR PRADESH CHIEF MINISTER TODAY RESIGNED URGING GOVERNOR VISHNU KANT SHASTRI TO RECOMMEND DISSOLUTION OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY PAVING FOR FRESH ELECTIONS. A DAY AFTER RULING OUT HER RESIGNATION TILL THE ASSEMBLY WAS DISSOLVED, MAYAWATI DROVE TO RAJ BHAWAN AND SUBMITTED HER RESIGNATION TO SHASTRI. ADDRESSING A PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER PUTTING IN THE PAPERS, MAYAWATI SAID SHE HAD SOUGHT TO IMPRESS ON THE GOVERNOR THE NEED FOR IMPOSITION OF PRESIDENT'S RULE IN UP TO PREVENT HORSE-TRADING AND BRING AN END TO POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN UP. THE CHIEF MINISTER CLAIMED AT LEAST 40 BJP MLAS WERE READY TO QUIT THE PARTY AND HELP THE OPPOSITION TO FORM AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT. SHE ALSO CLAIMED SAMAJWADI PARTY HAD APPROACHED SOME BSP MLAS FOR SUPPORT TO FORM AN ALTERNATIVE MINISTRY IN RETURN FOR MINISTERIAL BERTHS AND SAID "THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY. IT WILL BE BETTER TO DISSOLVE THE ASSEMBLY AND HOLD FRESH ELECTIONS." MAYAWATI, HOWEVER, SAID BSP WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED IF THE GOVERNOR IGNORED THE SUGGESTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY. SHE SAID SHE QUIT IN ORDER TO DISPEL THE "DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN" AGAINST HER BY BJP AND OTHER OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT SHE WANTED TO CLING TO POWER EVEN AFTER BEING REDUCED TO MINORITY FOLLOWING WTHDRAWAL OF SUPPORT BY BJP. MAYAWATI SAID SHE HAD URGED THE GOVERNOR THAT SHE WOULD NOT LIKE TO CONTINUE EVEN AS CARETAKER CHIEF MINISTER.
Vajpayee for making sports integral part of educational curriculum
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Vajpayee for making sports integral part of educational curriculum New Delhi,Tuesday, August 26, 2003: Keen on making sports an integral part of the educational curriculum, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today announced renaming of an existing fund as Prime Minister's Sports Development Fund to attract more contributions and for promotion of sports in the country. "The subject of sports needs to become an integral part of the educational curriculum and effective steps should be taken in this direction," he said inaugurating the All India Sports Congress here. He said the Ministries of Human Resource Devleopment and Youth Affairs and Sports should chalk out a time-bound action plan to include sports in the curriculum. "Let us, today, adopt a motto of 'Fit and Strong India' and try to make sports a part of our lifestyle," he told the audience which included several Union Ministers, Chief Ministers and eminent sports personalities. 14:21 IST
Tendulkar's Ferrari car issue adjourned
Monday, August 25, 2003
Tendulkar's Ferrari car issue adjourned Kochi,Monday, August 25, 2003: The PIL challenging the Rs 1.13 crore duty exemption to Sachin Tendulkar for the Ferrari car gifted to him by Fiat was today adjourned by a division bench of the Kerala high court after the petitioner submitted that he was approaching the Supreme court. When the case was taken up today, the counsel for the NRI petitioner, Sanu Joe Mathew, submitted that he would be approaching the Apex court under Article 129 (A) of the constitution. The article stipulates that cases involving same or substantially same question of law, pending before Supreme court or one or more high courts, and if SC was satisfied it could withdraw the cases pending before various high courts and dispose of all the cases by itself. Following this submission, the bench, comprising chief Justice J L Gupta and Justice A K Basheer adjourned the case. The bench had earlier posted the case for today for a detailed hearing. According to the petitioner, the exemption is "illegal" and "discriminatory" as no public interst was involved in granting the exemption to Tendulkar. If the government had collected the duty from the cricketer, it could have been utilised for some public welfare scheme. Section 25 of the Customs Act empowers the central government to waive customs duty on imported goods if it was satisifed that exemption should be given in public interest. It also stipulates that exemption should be granted only in exceptional cases. Besides, a notification also needs to be published in the gazettee, he said. 16:02 IST
Army help sought for probing blasts
Monday, August 25, 2003
Army help sought for probing blasts New Delhi,Monday, August 25, 2003: Army experts have been called to help in the investigations into the explosions that rocked Mumbai today with possibility of use of RDX explosives not being ruled out. The state government has sought their assistance keeping in view the large scale devastation caused by these blasts. Though sources were tight lipped, it is feared that the vast area of the impact of the blast could have been due to the explosives like RDX or Semtex which are used by terrorists in recent bomb blasts in other parts of the country. 16:02 IST
High alert sounded in Delhi after blasts in Mumbai
Monday, August 25, 2003
High alert sounded in Delhi after blasts in Mumbai New Delhi,Monday, August 25, 2003: In the wake of bomb blasts in Mumbai, state of high alert was today sounded in Delhi which remains a target for terrorists. The entire police force, particularly those deployed at vital installations and other sensitive places, have been sensitised, police sources said. Extra force have been deployed at market and other crowded public places, the sources said. Police pickets have been erected at various places across the Capital and random checking of vehicles is being carried out, they said. Top Delhi police officials held a meeting to review the situation in the Capital in the wake of developments in Mumbai. 15:36 IST
IMF warns India of high deficit, but pegs GDP growth at 5.5%
Monday, August 25, 2003
New Delhi,Monday, August 25, 2003: International Monetary Fund has warned that large fiscal deficit and public debt was hampering India's economic growth, which is slated to go up by 1.0 per cent to 5.5 per cent this fiscal in the face of good monsoon. "India's large fiscal deficits and public debt are exacting an economic cost in term of foregone growth," IMF said, but projected GDP growth of 5.5 per cent for 2003-04 in the face of recovery in agriculture. "The projection for 2003-04, which was broadly in line with the consensus forecast, incorporates a recovery in agriculture. But there is a potential for even a stronger rebound in this sector," the fund said in its latest country report after consultation with Indian government. IMF said inflation was expected to be "moderate" at around 4.5 per cent by end of this fiscal. "The external current account situation is expected to remain in surplus," it said. IMF acknowledged the "resilience" of the Indian economy in warding off recessionary trends worldwide, which was a testimony to the benefits of reforms. But the apparent ease with which the fiscal deficit has been financed, IMF said "there would be detrimental effects on growth through crowding-out of critically needed spending on fiscal and social capital and through the pre-emption of resources for private investments." "Large fiscal imbalances leave little room for manoeuver in the face of shocks and have tended to result in ad hoc policy changes, which increase investment uncertainties," IMF cautioned. 16:02 IST
Share prices tumble as bomb blasts rock Mumbai
Monday, August 25, 2003
Share prices tumble as bomb blasts rock Mumbai Mumbai,Monday, August 25, 2003: Share values crashed across the board around midsession on the Mumbai Stock Exchange as news of a series of explosions having rocked the city filtered in this afternoon. From the Intra-day's high of 4170.58, the BSE sensitive index tumbled to 3945.45 before being quoted at 3950.64 at 2 p.m. All 30 index-based counters including heavyweights RIL, HLL, Infosys Tech, BHEL, Grasim, HPCL, SBI, ITC, L&T, Satyam Computer, Telco and Tisco were quoted sharply lower. Operators turned heavy sellers as the news filtered in, a broker said. Among major losers, Zee Tele was quoted down by 15.09 per cent, SAIL by 9.74 per cent, ACC by 7.30 per cent, BPCL by 6.33 per cent, BHEL by 6.08 per cent, RIL by 2.57 per cent and HLL by 2.98 per cent. 14:29 IST
42 killed in two blasts in Mumbai
Monday, August 25, 2003
42 killed in two blasts in Mumbai Mumbai,Monday, August 25, 2003: Two powerful bomb blasts in crowded areas of the city today killed at least 42 people and injured over 150, officials said even as security forces were put on high alert in Maharashtra and neighbouring Gujarat. Police sources said that explosives concealed in two taxis went off in quick succession in the vicinity of Mumbadevi near the crowded Zaweri bazaar and Gateway of India. Twenty-six people were declared dead before admission at J J hospital and 85 others were admitted with serious injuries, Maharashtra Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar told PTI. At G T hospital, three persons were declared dead before admission while 35 were admitted with serious injuries. City police commissioner R S Sharma said the explosions were suspected to be the handiwork of terrorists but so far no one has claimed responsibility for the blasts. The explosions occurred in Gujarati dominated areas prompting the authorities in Maharashtra and Gujarat to put the security forces on high alert. 16:02 IST
Cabinet reshuffle on the cards
Sunday, August 24, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Top BJP leaders at a meeting here this evening are believed to have discussed a minor cabinet reshuffle. The meeting at the residence of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was attended among others by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu. While Naidu declined to comment on the meeting, party sources indicated that a minor reshuffle cum expansion was on the cards. Interestingly, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee who is expected to join the cabinet was present for half an hour at the Prime Minister's residence during the meeting but told reporters that she did not attend the meeting and had merely gone to invite the Prime Minister's family for Durga Puja. "No news," she shouted when asked by waiting reporters whether she had any good news (about her induction). Besides, Banerjee, speculation is rife about the possible induction of BJP Chief Whip in Parliament V K Malhotra in the cabinet. Malhotra is currently the Chairman of the National Sports Council of India and enjoys cabinet status. Besides, some ministers of state including Vijay Goel are likely to be given independent charge, party sources said. 21:50 IST
India in 'sleepy mode', says Sri Lanka President's aide
Sunday, August 24, 2003
India in 'sleepy mode', says Sri Lanka President's aide Colombo,Saturday, August 23, 2003: India has gone into a "sleepy mode" and is unaware of the growing strength of Tamil Tigers in north-eastern district of Trincomalee that could threaten Indian interests, a top aide of Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has said. New Delhi had been lulled into believing that there was peace in Sri Lanka, President's International Affairs advisor and former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar told the Foreign Correspondent's Association of Sri Lanka Friday night. "India has gone into a sleepy mode... to the extent that they consider the only problem for them is Pakistan," he said. Kadirgamar, who had just returned from New Delhi, said he drew India's attention to the growing strength of Tamil Tiger rebels in the north-eastern port district of Trincomalee where Indian Oil company has a facility. "India must be ready. India must be prepared and should not be taken unawares," he said suggesting that the rebels could go back to fighting despite a truce in place since February last year. He said India should consider setting up a separate cell in New Delhi to study and analyse the developments in Sri Lanka because he felt that the Indian authorities did not have a correct assessment of what is going on here.
Pak says India adopting "coercive means"
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Pak says India adopting "coercive means" Islamabad,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Charging India with adopting "coercive means", Pakistan has written letters to UN General Assembly and the Security Council to urge New Delhi to start composite dialogue with Islamabad and agree for a ceasefire on the Line of Control. In letters addressed to the UN General Assembly and Security Council Presidents, Pakistan's Permanent Ambassador to the UN Munir Akram said "so far, there is no talk about talks, no roadmap and no signpost for moving towards a genuine process for peace and security in South Asia". Calling upon the international community to urge India to agree for resumption of composite dialogue, he said "a bilateral dialogue is not a favour which either country would bestow on the other. "India's demand that Pakistan make unilateral concessions to its position is designed to frustrate not facilitate a dialogue. India's aversion to talks, is premised on seeking concessions from Pakistan unilaterally through coercive means". 18:20 IST
Cabinet approves new pension scheme
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Cabinet approves new pension scheme New Delhi,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Government plans to come up with a contributory pension scheme for its employees who joined service after October 2002, but deferred a decision (rpt deferred a decision) to set up a National Tax Tribunal to speed up settlement of disputes. The decision on the pension scheme was taken by the Union Cabinet at its meeting here today. The new contributory pension scheme, managed by independent fund managers, has been mooted by the Finance Ministry for all government staff, as part of efforts to reduce government's pension liabilities, sources said. One-tenth of the basic pay of government staff and dearness allowance will be deducted from their salary and put in the pension fund with the Centre making a matching contribution. Government would mandate the proposed Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority to licence the new pension funds. The new scheme follows the recommendations made by the B K Bhattacharya Committee that went into Centre's own pension provisions. 17:53 IST
Aussies trounce Argentina to reciprocate India's favour
Sunday, August 24, 2003
Aussies trounce Argentina to reciprocate India's favour Amstelveen (Holland),Saturday, August 23, 2003: Australia set up yet another India-Pakistan clash when they hammered Argentina 8-3 to join Holland in the final of the 25th Champions Trophy hockey tournament here today. The victory took Australia's tally to 10 points at the end of the league, while Argentina, who needed to win today to make the final, remained on six, the same as India. However, India (-2) finished ahead of Argentina (-5) in the league standings on superior goal-difference. India thus will play Pakistan tomorrow for the bronze medal. Argentina take on Germany for the 5-6 spots. The awesome Aussie firepower was well in evidence as Michael McCann (12th, 53rd), Craig Victory (28th), Grant Schubert (39th, 56th), Troy Elder (55th), Robert Hammond (59th) and Tristam Woodhouse (63rd) came up with clinical finishes. Argentina, hopelessly outplayed in the second-half, had their moments of success when Jorge Lombi (45th, 68th) and Carlos Retegui (57th) scored. Later, in an inconsequential match, the Netherlands got past Germany 6-0, without raising much of a sweat and top the table with 13 points. Germany, fielding a development team, suffered their fifth straight defeat. The Dutch virtually sealed the issue in the first-half when, during a nine-minute spell, they struck thrice through penalty corner specialist Bram Lomans (20th, 29th) and Karel Klaver (25th) before easing off. 21:50 IST
Two killed, 9 injured as passenger train collides with engine
Sunday, August 24, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Two persons were killed and nine injured after a Rohtak-bound train collided head-on with a stationary engine in a West Delhi area this evening, police said. The two engines also caught fire after train from Tilak Bridge collided with the engine at Shakur Basti station in Rani Bagh at around 7.35 PM, they said. Altogether 11 people were injured in the mishap and two of them died on way to the hospital, they said. Seven injured have been admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital while one each is undergoing treatment in Jaipur Golden and Agrasen Hospitals, they said. The blaze has been doused, police said. Delhi Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor, Police Commissioner R S Gupta along with senior railway and police officials have rushed to the spot. 21:50 IST
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Anjali, Beenamol
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Anjali, Beenamol New Delhi,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Bowing to pressure from various quarters, the government on Friday deviated from its existing policy and selected two sportpersons -- athlete K M Beenamol and shooter Anjali Bhagwat -- for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, the country's highest sporting honour. The government also named 21 sportspersons for the Arjuna award 2002, accepting in toto the original recommendations of the Arjuna Awards Committee, which had triggered off a controversy by submitting a list with recommendations in excess of the number stipulated in guidelines. Five sportspersons have been named for the Dhyan Chand award for lifetime achievent while an equal number were selected for the Dronacharya award. 09:28 IST
Malaysian MP takes up Indian workers' cause
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Malaysian MP takes up Indian workers' cause Kuala Lumpur,Saturday, August 23, 2003: A Malaysian parliamentarian on Friday took up the cause of Indian workers who took refuge in a local Gurdwara while fighting for justice against their employer for cancelling their work permits. Kerk Kim Hock of the opposition Democratic Action Party in Malacca on the southwest coast of Malaysia said he would fight to eradicate abuse of migrant labour rights. The 38 Indian workers were fighting against Technointan Holding, a company based in Malacca. "I am appalled at the number of reports against employers about the breach of contract. I want all these cases to be investigated and resolved," said Kerk. This type of news brings down the image of the country, it is high time that Malaysian government deal with the situation with utmost seriousness," he added. Kerk said he would bring this issue in the parliament session starting next month. "Whereas foreign workers come to Malaysia to earn money, Malaysia also needs foreign workers and if these cases are true, I am afraid other countries may take tough measures," he said. "I will call upon the ministry of Human Resources to intervene in the case. Secondly we must have proper government to government agreement on recruitment of foreign workers to stop such incidents in future," Kerk added. Reports said that Technointan Holding also tried to deport the workers, who had obtained their jobs paying heavy sums of money six months ago through Mumbai-based Gulf Exports, run by one Kamal Sharma, who recruited them through agents in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh.
Vajpayee holds meeting on CAS, Khurana says Delhi to be spared
Saturday, August 23, 2003
New Delhi,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Amid assertion by Delhi BJP chief Madan Lal Khurana that the capital would be spared from CAS implementation for now, the issue was discussed at a top-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee but no decision was taken as it remained "inconclusive". Attended by Deputy Prime Minister,L K Advani, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Law Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP General Secretary V K Malhotra and Khurana, the meeting discussed whether CAS implementation should be deferred in Delhi beyond September one or could be introduced in some other form like dual-use, sources told PTI. The hour-long meeting did not take any decision as it remained "inconclusive", they said, adding another round of discussions would be held soon over the issue. Prasad refused to speak on the matter after the meeting. Fearing backlash in the Assembly polls due in November, Delhi BJP has been vociferously opposing implementation of the controversial Conditional Access System in the capital for now. Having fresh memories about 1998 when the party lost power due to onion shortage, BJP apprehends that Congress could take advantage of "initial problems" that might occur in CAS implementation. Before the meeting, Khurana claimed that he had virtually been assured by Vajpayee and Advani that CAS would not be implemented in Delhi along with other Metros on September one. 09:28 IST
Six Pak ultras, four army personnel killed in Poonch encounter
Saturday, August 23, 2003
Jammu,Saturday, August 23, 2003: Six Pakistani militants trying to infiltrate into Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir were killed in an encounter with army in which four personnel also lost their lives, official sources said here today. The exchange of fire which occurred in mendhar sector of the district on Friday night lasted several hours and also left three personnel injured, the sources said. Three junior commissioned officers were among the army personnel killed in the encounter. The militants, after crossing over to the Indian side, had tried to flee into the forests of Gani area on being challenged by army, they said. Six AK rifles and some ammunition were seized from the encounter site.
BSNL to roll out 10 million mobile phone connections
Friday, August 22, 2003
BSNL to roll out 10 million mobile phone connections Srinagar,Thursday, August 21, 2003: Bouyed by the success of its Cellone service, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today said it had set a target of rolling out 10 million mobile telephone connections in the country for which work would begin from April next year. "We are planning to roll out one crore telephones on mobile and hope that it can be started from April next year," BSNL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Pritpal Singh told reporters here. Singh said the state-run telephone service provider would roll out another 2.5 million connections by the end of current financial year which would also cater to expansion of subscriber base in Jammu and Kashmir. "We are improving the infrastructure that will cover 800 important towns, which were not covered untill now, roads and highways all over the country," Singh said. He said BSNL was also in the process of improving the services provided to the customers by way of value addition. The customers will not only be able to access voice telephone but data services as well, he said, adding infrastructure for the purpose had already been tested and the services would be implemented in near future. Singh said BSNL, which has marked a 100 per cent increase in subscriber base in the past four years and registered 36 lakh mobile subscribers since October last year, would soon introduce short message service (sms) facility on the fixed landlines.
Thousands pray for Paes in Kolkata
Friday, August 22, 2003
Thousands pray for Paes in Kolkata Kolkata,Thursday, August 21, 2003: Kolkatans prayed for Leander Paes at churches, mosques and temples after this metropolis, hometown to the 30-year-old tennis ace, woke up this morning to the disturbing news of him suffering from a brain cyst. Special prayers were also held at the global headquarters of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity here, a place Leander frequented alongwith his father whenever he was in town. Leander's father, Dr Vece Paes, who could not leave for the US Wednesday evening as he missed the connecting flight, had some encourating news to share. "He is now stable. The headache has gone. He seems more cheerful and better now," the senior Paes told PTI. Reports from Orlando were also encouraging as Clarence Brown III, President and CEO of M D Anderson Cancer Centre where the India star is admitted, said "Leander is in excellent spirits." "He is physically strong and currently able to exercise and perform yoga. His appetite is excellent," he said. Paes, a winner of six Grand Slam doubles titles and former doubles world number one, will be out of action for at least a month. He will miss the US Open and is also doubtful for next month's Davis Cup world group qualifying match against Holland. 21:35 IST
SC asks CBI to complete Taj Heritage Corridor probe by Sept 11
Friday, August 22, 2003
SC asks CBI to complete Taj Heritage Corridor probe by Sept 11 New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: Indicating involvement of "high and mighty" of Uttar Pradesh Government in the Taj Heritage Corridor (THC) scam, the Supreme Court today directed CBI to interrogate "four to five important persons" mentioned in the "interim secret" report submitted by the investigating agency. Turning down CBI's plea for four months time to complete the probe, a Bench comprising Justice M B Shah and Justice AR Lakshmanan directed a "higher officer of CBI to interrogate four or five or more persons" who were involved in the scam and submit report to the Court on September 11. Referring to the CBI interim report, the Bench said as it was alleged that Rs 170 million were released for the construction of the THC without proper sanction, the investigating agency should not only interrogate the suspects but also look into their assets. Directing speeding up of the probe in view of allegations of interpolation of certain important documents pertaining to the Rs 175-crore corridor project, the Court said "immediate action is to be taken by CBI wihout giving opportunity to persons named named in the report to manoevoure." "There is this person who is weilding the authority there," the Bench observed while indicating the involvement of key officials of the State Government in the scam. On the interpolation of documents, the Court ordered the Director of Central Forensic Science Laboratory to engage a handwriting expert immediately and give opinion on the alleged manipulation of documents. 15:59 IST
Lok Pal bill not in this session
Friday, August 22, 2003
Lok Pal bill not in this session New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: The Lok Pal bill will not be taken up for consideration and passing in the current session of Parliament which is concluding Friday. The bill was tentatively listed for consideration and passing in the current session after the Cabinet recently approved bringing the office of the Prime Minister within its purview. Parliament sources said tonight the bill could not be taken up during the monsoon session as drafting of certain amendments was still under process. The bill was introduced on August 14, 2001 in Parliament and was later referred to the concerned Parliamentary Standing Committee. 21:42 IST
Retreat on cow slaughter bill major reverse for BJP: Cong
Friday, August 22, 2003
Retreat on cow slaughter bill major reverse for BJP: Cong New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: Terming Government's "hasty retreat" in Lok Sabha on introduction of bill to ban cow slaughter as a "major reverse for the BJP", Congress today said it indicated that the party was "not sincere" in the matter and had brought the legislation "casually". The "hasty retreat ... is a major reverse for the BJP as a great blow has been inflicted on it", party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters. He said the government's decision to defer introduction of the measure amid protests by some NDA partners showed that BJP was "not sincere" in the matter and had brought the legislation "casually". Reddy said Congress was for such a ban, in principle, as the party respected the sentiments of every religion. He, however, said the party felt that enacting such a measure was infringment on the powers of state governments under whose purview the matter comes. "There was no need for us to tell our stand as before that Government deferred the bill". 18:09 IST
"Involvement of US in a conference on Kashmir inappropriate"
Friday, August 22, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: The Government today termed as "politically and diplomatically inappropriate", the involvement of the US state department in a Conference on Kashmir. This was stated by Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh in Rajya Sabha while replying to a written question from Congress MP Saif-ud-din Soz and Prem Chand Gupta. Although the organisation of Conferences and seminars was an internal matter of the US Department of the state, but the Government "believes that the involvement of the US Department of State in organising this conference was politically and diplomatically inappropriate," he said. Singh was referring to the US State Department's sponsored "Conference of Kashmir Update" recently in Washington in which personalities from India, Pakistan and the US were invited. The Indian invitees, including PDP leader (Mehbooba Mufti), declined the invitation, he said. He said the US conveyed that the conference did not constitute or reflect any change in its position on Jammu and Kashmir and had reiterated that "it did not seek to play a mediatory role between India and Pakistan.
Govt to rework uplinking norms, Star shows the way
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Govt to rework uplinking norms, Star shows the way New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: With Star's proposal for uplinking its news channel from India stirring a hornet's nest, Government on Wednesday decided to rework the guidelines in a bid to ensure adherence to it in "letter and spirit" and avoid any circumvention. At the first meeting of a Group of Ministers (GoM) examining the contentious issue, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and Law Minister Arun Jaitley are understood to have conveyed this view to Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the other member of the GOM, sources said. Prasad's Ministry, which has identified several areas of concern in Star's application, will undertake the task of reworking the guidelines on uplinking to make it "fool-proof", they said. However, while the exercise is on, Government is not likely to stop Star News from uplinking and will give time to it to abide by the changed norms. 09:47 IST
J-K put on mobile map
Thursday, August 21, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: Nearly seven years after mobile phones made an entry into the country, Jammu and Kashmir was put on the cellphone map on Wednesday with state Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed making the first call to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Mobile telephony in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir was not allowed there as the security agencies feared it might be misused by terrorists. It became a reality after Vajpayee announced in his Independence Day address to launch the service within a week. The cell telephony, provided by the lone service provider BSNL, is being rolled out initially in Jammu, Srinagar and pilgrim city Katra after proper scrutiny of applications. The service provider plans to issue 13,000 connections in Srinagar initially. "It is a great gesture on your part and it will help our people to get connected with the nation and other countries," Sayeed told the Prime Minister during the 10-minute inaugural call viewed through tele-conferencing. Telecommunication Minister Arun Shourie was also present. "My people used to feel discriminated against as the service was available elsewhere in the country," he said quipping "daer ayed, durust ayed (better late than never)". Vajpayee responded by stating "In my Independence Day speech I had said the atmosphere is changing in Kahsmir and the launch is a part of that change." "The service will help the people of the state as it connects hearts and is not the exclusive property of the wealthy alone," the Prime Minister said.
BJP reviews NDA victory, expresses happiness over NDA unity
Thursday, August 21, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: The BJP brass, including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, on Wednesday reviewed the NDA victory in Lok Sabha on the no-confidence motion Sabha and expressed happiness over the unity within the ruling coalition. Talking to reporters after the meeting, BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu said "in the two day no-trust debate in the Lok Sabha, the NDA has registered a significant triumph. The victory is not just of numbers. It has enabled the NDA to present to Parliament and thus to the people unity and a comprehensive picture of the remarkable achievements of the Vajpayee-led Government. "In fact, the two-day debate often gave the impression as if it was not the NDA Government but the Congress Party that was in the dark. The disunity among the Opposition was exposed," he said. "The Congress party's decision to move a no-confidence motion has recoiled badly on it. We were able to convert this challenge into an opportunity. We are happy about not only the victory but also the message we were able to give to the country," he said. Naidu said the party will take up the programme to reach different parts of the country to highlight various aspects of the two-day debate. Top BJP leaders will be touring the country to highlight the achievements of the NDA Government soon after the conclusion of the current session of Parliament. 09:47 IST
Pilot presses wrong button sending security in tizzy
Thursday, August 21, 2003
New Delhi,Thursday, August 21, 2003: A pilot of the Srinagar-bound Indian Airlines Airbus apparently pressed a wrong button that sent a distress message of hijack alarm creating panic among 53 passengers including Union Ministers Chamal Lal Gupta and Ashok Pradhan on board and sending security forces into a tizzy at the Indira Gandhi International airport here on Wednesday. As the IC-825 A320 aircraft was taking off at around 1100 hours, an emergency was declared at the airport after the Air Traffic Control (ATC) received from Capt R Nanda in the cockpit a message code usually denoting hijack emergency. CISF personnel, responsible for security of the airport, rushed to the tarmac along with fire tenders and ambulances and surrounded the aircraft after taking it to an isolated spot, airport sources said. The drama continued for some time before it was found that the plane had no fault and the SOS message had apparently been sent out by the pilot by "mistake", they said. However, all passengers including the two Ministers were offloaded and the plane was checked, the sources said. The passengers were later sent to their destination by another plane, they said. 09:47 IST
Petition for arrest of Modi turned down
Thursday, August 21, 2003
London,Thursday, August 21, 2003: A London court on Wednesday turned down a petition seeking the arrest of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on charges that he was the instigator of the post-Godhra massacre of Muslims for "lack of evidence." Leading solicitor Imran Khan, moving the petition on behalf of Awaaz, a voluntary organisation campaigning against the atrocities in Gujarat, said they had enough evidence to prove that it was Modi who had instigated the "whole thing." Rejecting the appeal moved under article I of the International Convention against Torture and Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1988, Judge Timothy Workman at the Bow Street Magistrate's Court said: "The petition is rejected on the ground of lack of evidence against Modi." The petitioners could come back with a renewed application and he would be available, he said. After the ruling Suresh Grover, one of the three petitioners said, "We are not going to give up. We are going to pursue this case against Modi." He said even after Modi's departure at the end of his four-day visit here today, a ruling of the court against him could be implemented anywhere. The other two petitioners were Jagdish Patel and Gautam Appa, all office bearers of Awaaz. 09:47 IST
Footpath
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Director Vikram Bhatt Producer Mukesh Bhatt Music Nadeem-Shravan Cast Aftab Shivdasani Bipasha Basu Vikram Bhatt's latest offering Footpath, an action thriller, is another film based on the life of underworld. We had seen a similar film made by Mahesh Bhatt some years back, in the form of Angarey with Akshay Kumar, Nagarjuna, Pooja Bhatt and Sonali Bendre. Also, another film with a similar subject called Annarth starring Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty was also released some time back. Footpath is the story of three friends Shekhar (Rahul Dev), Raghu (Imran Hashmi) and Arjun Singh (Aftab Shivdasani). All the three have been friends since childhood and Arjun comes back after ten years to meet his friends. However, things have changed drastically, as they have become hardcore underworld goons and are engaged in the business of drugs. Arjun is on a mission with the help of Inspector Singh (Anup Soni) to eliminate the underworld and to get to the bottom of this drugs hassle. Unwillingly he accepts the job, as he does not want his friends to be killed in police encounter. On the other hand, he is in love with their sister Bipasha. Will Aftab succeed in getting his friends back, or will they perish in the race of underworld is what the film is all about. The subject as we know is black, and has been treated in a similar manner. But Vikram Bhatt has definitely been able to get some good performances from the cast and has some very well executed sequences. The sequences between Imran and Aftab are well executed and Imran has some very interesting dialogues, which work as a relief factor. But there was hardly any need for the romantic angle in the film. The lesser said about the music of the film, the better. Except for a single number in the first half, there is nothing to remember. Also, the film dies once Aftab enters the underworld, and there is no excitement. As far as the technique is concerned, the lesser said the better. The story-screenplay is a big disappointment and there is nothing to write home about. Apart from Imran Hashmi and Anup Soni, all others are disappointing. Aftab looks completely disinterested in the film, Bipasha looks very bad. Rahul Dev goes over the top. Aparna Tilak makes a fair debut. Irfan Khan in a cameo shines. Vikram Bhatt tries his best to do something, but only manages to come up with some good sequences. But fails to a larger extent. Basically, the subject selection was wrong right from the word go. Overall, the film will find the sailing difficult and is a disappointment all the way. Kunal Shah India Syndicate
Tere Naam
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Director Satish Kaushik Producer Mukesh Talreja Sunil Manchanda Cast Salman Khan Bhumika Chawla Satish Kaushik's latest offering Tere Naam is the remake of the South hit Sethu and is an ‘unfortunate love story’ of an obsessed guy and a simple girl. Radhemohan (Salman Khan) is an ex-college student who still hangs around at the college premises with his group of friends. He stands up for the right and does not spare anyone who dares to break his path and rules. He is wild, obsessed and fights, but is a gem at heart. People all over the college, respect and as well as fear him. Radhe encounters Nirjara (Bhumika), who is a fresher and daughter of village Pujari. Nirjara is an innocent girl who believes in the basic values of life, she has not been influenced by the western culture. Radhe falls for her, but she refuses his love for her as she considers Radhe nothing more than a roadside Romeo. Unfortunately for Radhe, she always sees him doing all the wrong things. One day, Radhe saves the life of a girl who happens to be Nirjara's sister. But he makes enemies out of some dreaded people. On the other hand, Nirjara's would-be fiancée Rameshwar (Ravi Kissen) informs Nirjara why Radhe is the ideal choice for her. Slowly, but surely even Nirjara realises that she is in love with Radhe; she even confesses that to him when destiny strikes a fatal chord. The same guys from where he had saved Nirjara's sister attack Radhe. They leave him unconscious and with a major injury on his brain which makes him lose his mental imbalance. What happens hereafter forms the crux of Tere Naam. The film is a real love story told in a very convincing manner of a college backdrop. Thankfully, Salman is not shown as a college student but an ex-student. The first half is lighter and characters are established through narrative and incidents. Although all of them are well established, the pace is very slow and drags at certain levels. Also there are many songs in the first half, which again hamper the pace. There are many sub-plots, which could have been easily avoided and have nothing to do with the film. The pace actually gains momentum in the second half and the story moves ahead. The last 30 minutes of the film are nothing short of amazing. The character of Salman takes a unique turn and his portrayal of a man turned vegetable is just brilliant. The audiences’ hearts go out to him when he tries to convey that he has actually recovered. A couple of sequences are mind blowing, like the sequence where he tries to escape, the scene where Bhumika comes to meet him and from thereon, right till the climax, the goings-on keep the interest alive. The climax, which is the highlight of the film has also been executed perfectly. On the other hand, Tere Naam falls on one front and that is the basic emotions. A cinegoer never actually identifies with the character of Salman and just does not feel that he should get the girl till the second half. It is only in the second half that the character actually manages to get the sympathy. The most important sequence where Salman kidnaps Bhumika to express his love does not have the desired impact. The film starts off very well, but the story stagnates once Salman's romantic track starts off. The songs that follow in rapid succession are sure to test the patience of the viewer. The music is a mixed bag, while some of the songs, like Accha lagta hai, Odhni and the title track, are very good. But they are misplaced and a majority come in dream sequences. The rest of the songs are just about average. The film is also just about average technically, while the cinematography varies from good to bad, the editing leaves much to be desired. The story is novel but the screenplay in the first half disappoints. The dialogues lack the punch and just about go with the flow of the film, but there is nothing extraordinary. Without doubt, the film has its share of well-penned sequences and they do crop up at regular intervals, but the outcome after the first half leaves you with a been-there-done-that kind of a feeling. Salman Khan is just brilliant in the film, although he seems very uncomfortable with his new haircut. Watch him in the second half where he not only emotes with his eyes, he justifies his character and comes up with a commendable performance. Bhumika Chawla is a pleasure to watch. She lives her character and in spite of not many variations, shows signs of brilliance. Sarfaraz Khan and Sachin Khedekar are other two positive fronts in the film. The rest of the cast pass muster. Mahima Chowdhary in an item track fails to impress. Satish Kaushik proves that he is brilliant in remakes. But this time around, he deals with a completely different subject. No doubt, he has done a fair job is making the subject universal but somewhere he falls to being unsuccessful. Except the last 30-40 minutes, the film fails to impress. While Satish Kaushik needs to be complimented for picking a climax that defies the stereotype and which has rarely been attempted by Hindi film-makers, it is still doubtful that the climax will have a universal acceptance. At the Box-Office, the film will work on a limited level largely as it is a film of Salman after a long time. Secondly, it has Salman in an action role, which will appeal to the masses. The film is a fair entertainer with an ordinary first half and an engaging second. But business will be different from circuit to circuit. Kunal Shah India Syndicate
Ash angry at reports saying she is in Pak
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Mumbai, August 20: Leading Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai today refuted media reports of her secret visit to Pakistan, terming them as "false and baseless". "A ridiculously baseless note, claiming me to be in Pakistan, at politicians/diplomats/house on a break for three days - is one big figment of someone's wild, almost suspect imagination," the actress, who was shooting for a film in London, said in a statement, forwarded by Subrota Roy Sahara, chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, to the media. "Why would such a claim be made of someone like me (dare I say a fairly renowned, recognisable face) when I am obviously shooting in another country - in London. I haven't been to Pakistan ever," the actress, who is currently shooting for Bride and Prejudice, added. "This time they have gone too far and crossed all limits of decency with such ugly insinuations. This is serious - and if ignored, could then encourage many more such probabilities, which is absolutely not acceptable," she said. "The media has no right to go ahead and print some speculation of such serious insinuations/attack/question the dignity and self-respect of a lady... with political innuendos...A wrong suggestion by the media today, if ignored, could take the shape of some other worse situation tomorrow - and the media cannot and must not be so irresponsible towards their national personalities," she said. (Agencies)
India dimisses as absurd Pak's charge
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
India dimisses as absurd Pak's charge New Delhi,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: India today dismissed as "absurd" Pakistan's charge that it was running more than 55 militant training camps to carry out subversive activities against that country, and asked Islamabad "think, act and speak responsibly". "This is one more figment of Pakistan's imagination. One would have chosen not to comment on this absurd allegation, but for the mindset that it reveals," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navej Sarna told reporers. "It is a mindset that thinks of stopping at nothing to make a propaganda point," he said. Sarna said "the more Pakistan makes such wild allegations, the less will we and the international community believe that it is serious in dealing with its responsibility to end cross border terrorism against India". New Delhi's retort comes in the wake of stepped-up anti-India tirade by Pakistan in recent days. Islamabad claimed that India was preparing for military action in the Dras-Kargil sectors, a charge denied as "baseless" by the Defence Ministry. Sarna said "we would again wish to underline that Pakistan should think, act and speak responsibly to make full use of the opportunity offered by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's initiative to improve relations between India and Pakistan, an objective to which Pakistan's Government should show as much commitment as its people seem to have begun to show. 19:01 IST
Swaraj counters Gandhi's charges
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Swaraj counters Gandhi's charges New Delhi,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today sought to demolish Sonia Gandhi's chargesheet against the BJP-led coalition asserting it does not behove the Congress President to speak on issues like undermining Parliamentary democracy and misuse of institutions like CBI. In a spirited speech during the debate on the no-confidence motion against the Government in the Lok Sabha, Swaraj recalled it was during Indira Gandhi's tenure that even the House was "misused" to bring a Constitution Amendment making the office of Prime Minister beyond judicial scrutiny. She said this was done in 1975 when Allahabad High Court nullified her election to the Lok Sabha and the Supreme Court only granted her a conditional stay. Countering Gandhi's charge that the BJP was instrumental in toppling the Arunachal Pradesh Government recently, Swaraj said the Congress which has ruled for 40 long years has "great expertise" in toppling Governments. The Minister said it was the Congress which had indulged in destabilisation games in the North-East. She said in 1980, after Indira Gandhi returned to power, the entire Janata Party Government in Haryana had overnight crossed over to the Congress and got the dubious sobriquet of "Alibaba and 40 thieves". Swaraj, who repeatedly faced interruptions from the Opposition and whose speech was loudly cheered by the ruling benches, had a dig at Gandhi by telling the Congress President to brush up her knowledge about the history of her party or else "you would have to face embarrassment".
Turmoil in LS over members seeking to table documents
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Turmoil in LS over members seeking to table documents New Delhi,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: Lok Sabha was today plunged into repeated turmoil over attempts by members seeking to table documents to embarass Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi but Speaker Manohar Joshi staved off trouble by his rulings. More than an hour was spent in levelling charges and counter charges towards the fag end of the two-day debate on the no-confidence motion with members from both sides raising points of order why the documents should be allowed or not depending on which side of the fence they were. Samata Party member Prabhunath Singh, as is his wont, provoked the Congress benches with his usual tirade against Gandhi raking up her Italian origin. The real red rag came when he claimed to have in possession some documents and levelled allegations over which he had given advance notice to the speaker. Anticipating his move, Congress member Avatar Singh Bhadana had also given some documents purportedly against the Samata Party member. Former Speaker and Congress Deputy leader Shivraj Patil quoted from rules to say whether Prabhunath Singh's charges were really germane to the debate under discussion and whether they should be allowed. He said Prabhnunath Singh was in the habit of making wild allegations against Gandhi and that the Speaker should once for all decide to put an end to the member's attempts to "malign and bring down the dignity of the members and the House". 21:53 IST
Gujarat to host global investors summit from Sept 28
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Gujarat to host global investors summit from Sept 28 London,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: In a bid to attract foreign investment, Gujarat will host a three-day global investors summit in Ahmedabad from September 28 to showcase its industrial capabilities. Announcing this at a press conference here, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said the Summit would bring together local and global companies, Governmental agencies and financial institutions and highlight investment possibilities in the state. "We will turn red tape into red carpet. The idea is to combine commerce and culture, trade and tradition, and entrepreneurship and entertainment," said Modi, who is here to scout for business investors for the state said here on Monday. The international mega convention would be the first of its kind, presenting the enormous investment opportunities available in Gujarat to the global corporate world, he said. While the London Chamber of Commerce has agreed to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Conference, about 500 delegates from Europe would attend it, he said. The Government was also committed to promote tourism during the Navaratri festival, the largest dance festival of the world commencing from September 25 to October 5. "Navratri will be a turning point for Gujarat and the country," he said. Asked about the extent of NRI investment he expected, the Chief Minister quipped: "sky is the limit." He said the government has identified 133 projects and planned to develop 72 clusters.
Five terrorists shot dead in Udhampur
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Five terrorists shot dead in Udhampur 18-August-2003 Five terrorists were shot dead by security forces in a fierce encounter in Mahore area of Udhampur district on Sunday evening. Acting on a tip-off that some ultras were hiding in the forests of Mahore area in Udhampur district, security forces launched a search operation to flush them out, said Army spokesman Lt Col Bhanwar Rathore. As the security forces zeroed in on the ultras, they opened fire with their automatic weapons. In the ensuing gunbattle, five terrorists were shot dead. The encounter was still going on when the last reports came in, Col Rathore said and added that four AK rifles were recovered from the site of encounter.
INSAT-3E launch postponed by 3-4 weeks
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
The launch of communications satellite INSAT-3E has been postponed by three to four weeks from September 3 following an alert that there may be glitches in some of the components in the payload. ly 16. "The retests of the components have become necessary in view of a quality alert received from the manufacturer of these components," said a press release from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Bangalore. "Arianespace will finalise the new launch window based on the requirements of SMART-1 of the European Space Agency and e-Bird of EUTELSAT, which are also to be launched along with INSAT-3E on board the 162nd flight of Ariane," the release said. "Delays are common in space programmes. We wanted to make sure that the satellite is 100 per cent functional before it goes out of our reach," an ISRO spokesperson said. However, he declined to say which manufacturer had alerted ISRO about the possible glitches. The 2.75-tonne INSAT-3E, the fourth satellite in the INSAT-3 series, will carry 24 C-band transponders and 12 extended C-band transponders. The satellite was transported to Kourou in French Guyana on July 16.
Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter honoured on Independence Day
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Subhas Chandra Bose's daughter honoured on Independence Day London,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: Anita Bose, daughter of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and her husband Martin Pfaff, until recently a member of the German Parliament, were honoured with Indian Overseas Congress annual awards here on Monday night. At a function organised to celebrate India's 56th Independence day at the Indian Gymkhana, Anita and her husband were presented with a medal and shawl each by Kalpana Sen and her husband Ronen Sen, the High Commissioner for India in UK respectively. Others who received the awards included Indian-origin cricketer Vikram Solanki who scored a century for England in their one-day match against South Africa and Atma Singh, NRI policy adviser to the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone on Asian Affairs. Besides, Brigadier Shaheed Swaroop Singh Rai who died soon after the Bangladesh Liberation was honoured posthumously. Youngest Brigadier of his time, Rai had fought during the Liberation of Bangla Desh, both the Indo-Pak wars, the China war and liberation of Goa. His younger brother Captain Gurmeet Singh Rai received the honour. Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner said India's progress on the path of socio-economic development, within the framework of a democratic, secular and federal policy, has been sustained by the efforts of all Indians, including those residing abroad. He noted that after every conceivable challenge, be it the natural disaster or border conflict, the country has emerged stronger. It has also made significant progress in diverse fields.
Frank Pallone for closer US-India defence ties
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Frank Pallone for closer US-India defence ties Silicon Valley,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: India and the United States need to build a strong defence relationship on the lines of NATO, a leading US Congressman Frank Pallone has said. Pallone, who was here for a fundraising event hosted by local activist and Kashmiri leader, Jeevan Zutshi, said "I believe it is very difficult to develop a true close relationship with another country, unless there is a defense relationship." "I honestly believe that we are going to see the day when there is going to be a formal defence treaty arrangement, maybe something like NATO. It could be a South Asian alliance, with India leading other countries of the region into some kind of formal military alliance with the United States," Pallone, co-founder of India Caucus said. This, the Congressman said, did not mean that India had to give up its sovereignty or give up its position as a country that has always been at the forefront of the Non- Aligned Movement. "I am very supportive of the fact that India has over the last couple of months said to President George W Bush that we are not going to send our forces to Iraq, unless you put this under the United Nations. "India has to continue its role as a leader of non-aligned movement and also as a very important country within the UN and that doesn't preclude a close defence relationship with the United States". 10:26 IST
Fernandes challenges Gandhi to produce evidence
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Fernandes challenges Gandhi to produce evidence New Delhi,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: Facing an Opposition boycott, Defence Minister George Fernandes on Monday accused Congress President Sonia Gandhi of carrying on a campaign of calumny against him and challenged her to produce evidence to substantiate the charge that he and the Government had made money in the purchase of coffins for Kargil martyrs. Throwing the gauntlet at her during the debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, he said "I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to bring evidence and substantiate the charge......If you are honest, if you have the courage, produce evidence". An agitated Fernandes said if he made money out of jawans' blood, "I am not not fit to be a member of the House. "If I have spoken a lie, I should be punished. Similarly, if the Leader of the Opposition has done so, she should be punished," he said in his 90-minute intervention often marked by clashes between him and the Congress benches. Chinks in the Opposition armour over boycott of Fernandes came to the fore when RJD and Left parties' members walked out when he began his speech while Congress lifted the boycott albeit for a day. Samajwadi Party and NCP members had already made it clear that they will not not boycott him. 10:26 IST
Oppn blasts Govt, says it has failed on all fronts
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Oppn blasts Govt, says it has failed on all fronts New Delhi,Tuesday, August 19, 2003: Moving its first no-confidence motion against the BJP-led coalition, the Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Monday came down heavily on the Government accusing it of jeopardising the nation's security and defence, indulging in brazen corruption and threatening the secular fabric, but the Government sought to turn the tables saying opposition was leaderless and cynical. Though the motion, moved by the Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi, poses no real threat to the four-year old Government in its second term, the debate on it often turned acrimonious with a combative Gandhi charging the Government with failure on all fronts. After the two-day debate, the motion would be put to vote today evening following Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's intervention. Initiating the debate, Gandhi said the days of the BJP-led coalition were numbered and charged the Government with weakening national security, wrecking social harmony, subverting the secular character of the education system and destroying probity in administration and public life. She also alleged that the Government had denigrated key institutions of Parliamentary democracy and undermined independence of foreign policy. Fielding Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani as the first speaker, the treasury benches hit back saying Gandhi had presented a picture to the world that only condemned and hurt India's image. He gave a number of examples claiming the country has been recognised by the world for its achievements in various spheres.
TRAI asks government to limit WLL services
Monday, August 18, 2003
TRAI asks government to limit WLL services New Delhi,Monday, August 18, 2003: In what could prove to be a major jolt to WLL service providers, TRAI has asked the government to restrict the multiple registration provided by basic services providers to offer better coverage area to their customers. TRAI has asked Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through a communication to restrict the mobility on WLL phone within a local call area known as SDCA. While DoT Secretary Vinod Vaish and officials in TRAI declined to comment on the development, Association of Basic Telecom Operators (ABTO) dubbed the move as "unfair." Such a move is contrary to licence conditions and could severely impede the basic telecom service providers who have already pumped in Rs 20,000 crore to roll out WLL services, ABTO officials said. "This is unfair and would amount to breach of contractual agreements if the licensor (DoT) amends the licence based on TRAI's recommendation," ABTO Secretary General S C Khanna told PTI. 10:15 IST
Spiritual ecstasy as over two million take Royal Bath
Monday, August 18, 2003
Spiritual ecstasy as over two million take Royal Bath Nashik,Monday, August 18, 2003: Over two million pilgrims and 70,000 sadhus on Sunday took holy dip in Ramkund on the banks of Godavari river, amidst tight security, on the occasion of the 'Shaahi Snan' (Royal Bath) of Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Sinhastha Kumbh Mela, which returned to the city after a gap of 12 years. Apart from minor stampede due to heavy rush of pilgrims from across the country, the royal bath was peaceful in Ramkund, the holy site where Lord Rama stayed during his 14 year exile according to legend. A massive security force of over 7000 policemen including from outside the district, 1650 homeguards, 15 platoons of SRPF, 6000 volunteers and hundreds of NCC cadets were present to see that the event passed off peacefully. Director General of Police O P Bali who was present to review the proceedings told PTI: "We have adequate force to handle the situation here, though it is a very difficult job. You have to do your best and leave the rest to god." To avoid heavy currents, only adequate amount of water has been released to the river from the nearby Gangapur dam, he added. In the morning, the sadhus and Mahants (head priests) belonging to three akhadas of the Vaishnav Sect- Nirvani, Digambar and Nirmohi- proceeded in a royal procession from Lakshmi Narayan temple, where their 'tapowan' is located. 10:15 IST
Sathe, Salve quit Cong; launch new party to fight Congress
Monday, August 18, 2003
Sathe, Salve quit Cong; launch new party to fight Congress Nagpur,Monday, August 18, 2003: Giving a jolt to the ruling Congress in Maharashtra, two senior leaders and former Union Ministers Vasant Sathe and N K P Salve quit the party and announced formation of a regional outfit to fight Congress in next year's assembly polls and promote the cause of a separate Vidarbha state. The new party - Vidarbha Congress - will be launched on September 2, Salve told a press conference here after addressing a meeting of pro-Vidarbha Congress workers. "We will fight against Congress on the issue of statehood to Vidarbha during the assembly polls", he said claiming the newly-formed outfit has been supported by NCP President Sharad Pawar. Sathe told from Gurgaon that the new party would be ready to align with any party which supports their demand for separate Vidarbha. In Delhi, AICC general secretary Ambika Sonia sought to downplay the formation of the new party by Sathe and Salve and said Congress was confident the two leaders would not do anything to weaken the party ahead of assembly polls. Salve said the Congress high command was "biased" in its response to the demand for statehood for Vidarbha. "I and Salve were pained to take the decision but have resorted to it as there was no alternative before us as our efforts to persuade the Congress leadership to agree to the just demand of carving out a separate Vidarbha out of Maharashtra had failed to yield results," Sathe said. 10:15 IST
Demonstrations greet Gujarat CM in London
Monday, August 18, 2003
Demonstrations greet Gujarat CM in London London,Monday, August 18, 2003: About 200 people demonstrated against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, holding him responsible for post-Godhra violence in Gujarat and demanding his arrest, as he addressed a gathering organised by Friends of Gujarat at Wembley Conference Centre here. A group of 200 demonstrators representing Southasia Solidarity, Awaaz and Indian Muslim Council, carried placards and held a noisy demonstration outside the centre on Sunday night, demanding his arrest. Raising a fresh controversy, the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that the state has a right over the Sindhu river waters currently being utilised by Pakistan. "I have a document dated back to 1932 which clearly establishes that Gujarat has a right over the Sindhu river waters," Modi said. Modi, who came to the dais accompanied by the Indian High Commissioner to the UK Ronen Sen, said he has requested the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that as and when the two countries resume a dialogue, he should "remember me (regarding the state's claim)." During the hour-long speech punctuated by repeated applause from the gathering, Modi lambasted Pakistan for waging a "proxy war" against India and adopting "new terror tactics" particularly in Gujarat and Mumbai. 10:15 IST
DMK announces its support to NDA Govt
Monday, August 18, 2003
DMK announces its support to NDA Govt New Delhi,Monday, August 18, 2003: Breaking the suspense, the 11-member DMK on Sunday announced its support to the NDA government as the stage is set for a political battle royale in Lok Sabha today when it takes up the Congress sponsored no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led coalition government, the first in five years. After questioning moves for seeking its arch rival AIADMK's support on the motion, DMK president M Karunanidhi said in Tiruchirapalli that his party was part of the NDA line-up and how it would vote for the motion. Maintaining that he was not being childish about AIADMK's possible support to the government, he said the day BJP-led coalition brings forward legislation for construction of Ram temple and cow slaughter ban he would oppose the government. Though the ruling coalition does not not face any real threat of defeat on the floor of Lok Sabha with about 323 MPs in its favour, the DMK decision brought relief to it. The AIADMK, which has 11 MPs and has been supportive of BJP much to the chagrin of DMK, is expected to take a decision today at its executive.
Professional education is becoming commercial venture: Kalam
Friday, August 15, 2003
Professional education is becoming commercial venture: Kalam New Delhi,Thursday, August 14, 2003: President A P J Abdul Kalam today lamented that professional education was becoming a commercial venture and was not affordable even for middle class people. Addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day, he said State Governments, universities and the managements of educational institutions should review and streamline the procedural systemic bottlenecks in executing missions. "Today professional education is becoming a commercial venture. It is not affordable for even middle class people, what to talk of people below the poverty line. State governments, universities and the managements of eduational institutions should review and streamline the procedural and systemic bottlenecks in executing missions. "Actions emanating from the Government in all its public dealings should become fully transparent through e-governance," Kalam said. 21:23 IST
CBI submits interim probe report on Taj Corridor to SC
Friday, August 15, 2003
CBI submits interim probe report on Taj Corridor to SC New Delhi,Thursday, August 14, 2003: The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) today submitted its interim probe report to the Supreme Court on the aspect of alleged irregularities in the multi-crore Taj Heritage Corridor Project. The report submitted by the CBI assumes significance in the wake of the investigating agency interrogating Uttar pradesh Chief Secretary D S Bagga, suspended Environment Secretary R K Sharma, Principal Secretary (finance) and other high officials on their alleged role in the construction of the corridor project. The Court on July 16 had ordered a comprehensive probe into the construction activities undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh Government after it noticed major irregularities and illegalities in the implementation of the project without any approval sanction from the statutory authorities. Rejecting the State Government's plea to await the outcome of a probe ordered by it through the Comptroller and Auditor General, a Bench comprising Justice M B Shah and Justice AR. Lakshmanan had asked the CBI to identify officials who gave green signal to the project without mandatory environment and other statutory clearances. 19:05 IST
Fiat "volunteers" to pay import duty for Sachin's Ferrari
Friday, August 15, 2003
Fiat "volunteers" to pay import duty for Sachin's Ferrari New Delhi,Thursday, August 14, 2003: Fiat India today said it would pay the import duty of Rs 1.13 crore that was waived for the Ferrari car gifted to Sachin Tendulkar following a controversy over the waiver. "We have volunteered to pay for the import duty of the Ferrari Modena car... we feel it is the right thing to do considering the recent developments," a Fiat India spokesman told over phone from Mumbai. "The gift was meant to felicitate and honour our brand ambassador for his achievement. We believe that this gesture on our part of paying the import duty is in keeping with the spirit in which the gift was given," he said. Tendulkar, who has been the brand ambassador of Fiat since September 2001, was gifted the Ferrari car for equalising late Sir Donald Bradman's record of scoring 29 Test centuries. The Delhi High Court had Wednesday issued notices to Tendulkar and the Union Government asking them to show cause why the import duty was waived for the Ferrari car he got as a gift, describing it as a "profligacy" at a time when the Sports Ministry was refusing to increase the number of Arjuna Awards due to lack of funds. Taking suo motu cognizance of various newspaper reports on the duty waiver, Justice Vikramjit Sen also issued notices to the Union Ministries of Finance and Sports while fixing the matter for further hearing on August 19. 21:23 IST
Kalam opens message to nation in Hindi
Friday, August 15, 2003
Kalam opens message to nation in Hindi New Delhi,Thursday, August 14, 2003: President A P J Abdul Kalam today opened his eve of Independence Day message to the nation in Hindi. The President's decision to start his message in Hindi followed a spate of letters received by him through e-mails that would like him to do it, Rashtrapati Bhawan sources said. Another unique feature was that unlike a plain background, the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt with the dome formed the backdrop of the President's recorded address. 21:23 IST
Cong tables no-confidence motion against NDA govt
Friday, August 15, 2003
Cong tables no-confidence motion against NDA govt New Delhi,Thursday, August 14, 2003: Surprising the Government, Congress today tabled a no-confidence motion against the BJP-led coalition in the midst of a week-long stalemate over Government's refusal to part with a CVC report to Public Accounts Committee seeking to probe defence purchases during the Kargil conflict. A day after the CPI-M dinner to Opposition leaders in which they decided to take on the BJP, Congress President Sonia Gandhi gave notice of the motion which Party Spokesman Jaipal Reddy said expresses Opposition's lack of faith in the Government. The motion which takes top priority over all other business is expected to be taken up on Monday for a two-day debate after which Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will intervene on Tuesday followed by voting. The NDA, which is comfortably placed in the numbers game with a strength of 325 in a House of 543, expressed confidence it would defeat the motion hundred per cent. This is the first no-confidence motion against the Vajpayee Government in the present Lok Sabha and comes towards the fag end of the Monsoon Session and significantly ahead of the Assembly elections later this year in five states. In a parallel development, the Opposition also announced a boycott of the Rajya Sabha for the rest of the Session following Government's refusal and also picked holes in Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat's ruling on the CVC-PAC issue.
Kashmir most dangerous part in the world: Armitage
Friday, August 15, 2003
Kashmir most dangerous part in the world: Armitage Sydney,Thursday, August 14, 2003: Taking India by surprise, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has said that Kashmir, apart from Israel and Palestine, was the "most dangerous place in the world." "There are a lot of other dangerous parts in the world. India and Pakistan over Kashmir comes to mind," Armitage said in response to a specific question after his lecture at the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre here on Wednesday, attended among others by Indian High Commissioner to Australia R S Rathore. Armitage was asked to comment on the progress in the roadmap to peace in West Asia and Israel and Palestine being the most dangerous places in the world. Rathore later said he was surprised at Kashmir being referred to as a "dangerous place" even after India had taken several peace initiatives to normalise relations with Pakistan. "I was surprised at the reference of Kashmir being a hot spot. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has already taken several initiatives in improving relations with Pakistan," he told PTI. "State elections have been held in Kashmir and civilian authority and civilian life is functioning normally. However, we do get occasional terrorist attacks, aided and abetted from across the border," he said.
Ram Gopal Varma's hunt for writers
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
The filmmaker has decided to launch a nationwide hunt for writers. "See, the basic idea for looking for writers emerged from the stories in [Prawaal Raman's] Darna Mana Hai. I realised everyone has his own favourite ghost story. I want to tap the common man's imagination. Anyone can send in a ghost story which will go into the making of Darna Zaroori Hai, the sequel to Darna Mana Hai. The six contestants whose stories are finally selected will be given Rs 1 lakh each." Varma has employed a team of people to sift through stories. "They will have to stick to a word limit which we have yet to fix. But I am not just looking for professional writers. I am equally interested in the layperson's experiences. I am also searching for ideas which may be converted into screenplays by my team." While details and legalities are being worked out, Varma is sure the six-segment film will work. "I think we went wrong in Darna Mana Hai because we confused the audience's genre expectations. Because Bhoot had been released earlier and this one had Dar (fear) in its title, Darna Mana Hai didn't really scare. They enjoyed some stories and were puzzled by others. Their emotions were confused. In the sequel, our motive would be to directly and unambiguously scare audiences, hence the title Darna Zaroori Hai." Unlike Darna Mana Hai, the sequel will have six separate directors. Prawaal Raman, who directed the original film, may direct one of the stories in the sequel. "With six directors doing separate stories, I feel each director would be enthused to do his best." Varma is also open to the idea of taking on directorial talent from the streets. He will audition anyone in whom he sees the potential to direct a film. "Believe me, it is not that time-consuming. To spot talent isn't that hard," says Varma, who has spotted and given careermaking break to dozens of actors directors and other technicians.
Industry grows by 5.3 per cent in the first quarter
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Industry grows by 5.3 per cent in the first quarter New Delhi,Tuesday, August 12, 2003: Aided by a steady growth of the manufacturing sector, the Industrial production grew by 5.3 per cent during the first quarter of the current financial year. According to Quick Estimates of Index of Industrial Production, the sector grew by 5.7 per cent during June as against 4.5 per cent during the corresponding period of the previous year. The Index of Industrial Production for the first quarter of 2002-03 stood at 4.3 per cent. The manufacturing sector registered a growth of 5.5 per cent during April-June, 2003, as against 4.1 per cent during the same period of the previous year. While the electricity sector showed a growth of 3.9 per cent during the first quarter of current fiscal as against 3.7 per cent during the same period of last fiscal, the mining sector registered a decline to 5.3 per cent as against 6.8 per cent during April-June, 2002. The Mining sector also showed a decline to 5.9 per cent during June, 2003, as against 9 per cent growth registered during June, 2002. 16:51 IST
US says it has given okay for Israel to sell Phalcon to India
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Washington,Tuesday, August 12, 2003: The United States has said that it has given the go-ahead for Israel to sell the Phalcon airborne radar system worth one billion dollars to India, nearly three months after the approval was reported in the Israeli press. "The United States has informed the governments of Israel and India that we have no objection to the Israeli transfer of the Phalcon airborne early-warning system to India," a State Department official told on Monday. He said Washington had approved for the sale, which was reported on May 22 by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, because the improving security situation between India and Pakistan had made the sale less likely to destabilise the region. "We've been discussing this potential sale with Israel for several years, and in the past we have expressed concern that heightened tensions between India and Pakistan made the transfer inadvisable. Recent developments in the region have eased those concerns," the official said. The US had in principle supported the sale to India about two years ago. However, in early 2002, Washington asked Israel to postpone the sale because of rising tension between India and Pakistan and the deal had since been frozen, waiting for US approval. 09:30 IST
Hopes of finding survivors fade
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Hopes of finding survivors fade Mumbai,Tuesday, August 12, 2003: With fading hopes of finding any survivors in Monday's helicopter crash in the Arabian Sea with 29 people on board, mostly ONGC employees, rescuers today battled poor visibility to lift the wreckage of the chopper and the cockpit voice recorder that could throw light on the possible cause of the mishap. While two bodies were recovered and three persons rescued Monday, 24 people still remain missing and were presumed dead. Angry ONGC employees stonned the car of their Chairman- cum-Managing Director Subir Raha at Juhu helibase and prevented him from entering the ONGC office there. Raha, however, escaped unhurt. The employees have also threatened to go on cease work from Wednesday demanding Raha's removal, Rs 2.5 million compensation to kin of those killed and employment to one member of the deaceased's families. However, the Mumbai High Court restrained the employees from going on a strike and directed the management to conduct n inquriy into the mishap and award compensation to the releatives of the victims. While the tail portion of MI-72 helicopter owned by Mesco Aviation was found broken, the cockpit and passenger cabin were found intact, an ONGC official said. "Visibility is very poor in the area, which is 55-60 metres deep but the chopper has been straightened and ready to be brought up on to one of the vessels", he said. A crane is expected to bring the copter, found lying upside down this morning, on to vessel's deck.
India rejects Musharraf's ceasefire call
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
India rejects Musharraf's ceasefire call New Delhi,Tuesday, August 12, 2003: Rejecting as "propagandist" Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's call for ceasefire on Line of Control and inside Kashmir, India today said "facts" point to continuing Pakistani support to terrorism directed against it. "There is nothing new in these suggestions," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters when asked about remarks made by Musharraf to visiting Indian Parliamentarians, journalists and others in the context of the meeting organised by SAFMA. "Instead of propagandist statements, Pakistan should take effective and long-term oriented measures to dismantle the infrastructure of support to terrorism," he said. Musharraf proposed a ceasefire along the LoC and offered to "facilitate" a truce in Jammu and Kashmir if India stopped "atrocities" in the state. In characteristic blow-hot-blow-cold pronouncements, the Pakistani ruler said that a ceasefire can be achieved on the LoC by tomorrow morning by giving orders today to the two armies. Sarna said these suggestions "have not been found effective in the past because Pakistan has continued to sponsor terrorism directed against India and provided support to cross-border infiltration. "Once this is stopped and Pakistani-aided terrorist stop crossing the LoC, the level of firing would naturally go down," he said. 20:01 IST
Cabinet okays ban on cow slaughter; approves amendment in CrPC
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Monday approved two proposals which would give the BJP much to tom-tom about in the run-up to the Assembly elections. At a hastily-called meeting, the Cabinet okayed a Bill banning cow slaughter throughout the country and another granting statehood to Delhi. Sources said it had earlier been decided that no Cabinet meeting would be held until August 15. With not much working days left before Parliament's monsoon session concludes on August 22, it was decided to push these Bills in the current session itself, ahead of the state polls slated for November. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed to reporters later that both Bills would be introduced during the current session. In another significant move, the Cabinet also approved a legislation to amend the Criminal Procedure Code to prevent witnesses from turning hostile. A Bill to this effect will also be introduced this session. ``Such witnesses who turn hostile should also face punishment. This is one of the highlights of the proposed Bill,'' Sushma Swaraj said. Prosecuting agencies have suffered major setbacks in a spate of high-profile cases with witnesses turning hostile in court. The proposed legislation will make it compulsory for all statements by witnesses to be recorded before a magistrate instead of the police. But it's the Bill on cow slaughter that's being discussed most. The Bill proposes a nationwide ban on cow slaughter, making it binding on all states under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Sale of beef would become a cognisable, but bailable offence and abetment of crime would also be a crime under the proposed law. Smuggling of cows from one state to another and constitution of a permanent National Development Commission on Cows also feature in the amendment. Export of beef would also be banned. The move would take cow slaughter into the Congress camp, forcing the latter to take a stand on an issue that has now snowballed into a secular versus non-secular forces. The Bill would be brought under Entry 17 of the Concurrent list which provides for prevention of cruelty against animals, Swaraj said. Currently, the law is under Entry 15 of the State list which provides for preservation of animals and the states are free to pass laws under Article 252 (1) of the Constitution. The Bill to confer statehood to Delhi was also a frontal strategy to woo voters ahead of the Assembly polls in Delhi in November. Swaraj said the proposed Delhi Statehood Bill, 2003 would grant statehood to the entire national capital territory while keeping law and public order under the Centre's purview. The Centre would retain the power to issue directives to the state government on issues where differences between the two crop up and the state would have to abide by these directives, Swaraj said. Articles 239-a (A) and 239-a (B) of the Constitution, conferring Union Territory status to Delhi, would be done away with.
Hrithik mania once again
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
MUMBAI: After three long years, Hrithik Roshan is again weaving his magic and tickets for his just-released film Koi... Mil Gaya have long been sold out from the weekend through Independence Day on August 15. The brawny actor who delivered a series of duds after his debut film and roaring hit Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai in 2002 seems to have struck gold. Scalpers outside Mumbai's movie houses are raking in the money after a long while. Tickets for the first day first show of the flick featuring Hrithik as a mentally retarded youth were being sold for a whopping Rs.500 each on Friday. "The audience response for the first day's shows was good and we have a hit on our hands," says Haridasbhai, manager of a city cinema where the movie is on. Produced by father Rakesh Roshan with uncle Rajesh Roshan scoring the music, Koi... Mil Gaya promises an encore from the team that launched Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai. Trade reports quoting the Roshans say the Rs.3,000 million movie will recover costs from the first week's box office collections itself. The Roshans themselves along with YashRaj Films are distributing the movie at important territories in the country. The film is being released with 300 prints targeted at the domestic markets, including 35 digital prints, and 160 prints for overseas exhibition. More prints may be rushed in if required from the second week. The movie, which combines Bollywood songs and light romances with science fiction inspired by Spielberg's ET, has Hrithik playing the role of a youth with the mind of a 12-year old. The film has Roshan rescuing a blue extraterrestrial, named Jadoo, from evil scientists and the army. The Roshans have also tied up with Hallmark cards to merchandise Jadoo, the alien created by Marc Kolbe and Craig Mumma who have been associated with Hollywood hits like Independence Day, Godzilla and Spy Kids. The Roshans say 20 percent of the film's budget has been spent on special effects. The trade is hoping that Koi... Mil Gaya proves to be the big hit Bollywood needs. The last quarter has seen a number of movies like Chalte Chalte, Bhoot, Andaaz, and Qayamat, but none of them were smash hits like Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai, Lagaan or Gadar that swung the box office in the past years.
‘As actors we live pretty useless lives’-Naseeruddin Shah
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
‘As actors we live pretty useless lives’ CHENNAI: For the annual fundraiser of the Spastics Society of Tamil Nadu, actor Naseeruddin Shah and wife Ratna Pathak Shah staged Jerome Kilty’s Dear Liar at Music Academy, Chennai, on Saturday evening. After visiting the many departments of the Society at Taramani, Naseeruddin Shah said at a press conference, ‘‘ I’m humbled by the works done by the Spastics Society. I don’t think I’m doing something great. As actors we live pretty useless lives. We only entertain people. So, we try and find ways to do something more.’’ He further added, ‘‘I hope I have the courage and the commitment to continue (with the Spastics Society).’’ The Play: Set over a period of 40 years from 1901 to 1940, Dear Liar by Jerome Kilty is about the strange love between Irish playwright and wit George Bernard Shaw and actress Mrs Patrick Campbell, for whom he wrote the celebrated play Pygmalion. Its film version My Fair Lady in which Audrey Hepburn plays the female protagonist Eliza Doolittle has made it memorable. The Execution: The Shahs sauntered onto the stage and talked about the play and punned on ‘‘Shah’’ and ‘‘Shaw’’. Then, they went behind the portraits of GBS and Mrs Campbell hung on the backdrop, and putting them down, perfectly assumed the roles through the two-hour duration. Replete with repartees (trust even the character of GBS), the play was engaging, despite its duration and only verbal dramatic highpoints. The transformation of GBS and Mrs Campbell, from their active and youthful 40s to their redundant and youthful 80s, was carried out marvellously by Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah.
Pak minister looks like Saddam, says Laloo
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed looks like 'Saddam Hussein' as his features are very much similar to the deposed Iraqi leader, suggested visiting Indian parliamentarian Laloo Prasad Yadav. "Your features, height and moustache are just like that of Saddam Hussein and you are really a Pakistani Saddam Hussein," The Nation quoted Laloo as telling Ahmed in his inimitable rustic style. The popular leader from Bihar is visiting Pakistan as part of a 60-member Indian delegation of politicians, intellectuals and journalists, and has so far been the star attraction. Yadav said this while pointing at one of Ahmed's posters with the minister by his side. "Lalooji, you would just get me killed," Ahmed jocularly remarked. Laloo Yadav had paid a surprise visit to the famous Lal Haveli to see the minister on Sunday evening. Ahmed, who was working out in a gym, cut it short to meet the Bihari leader. The two leaders warmly hugged each other and exchanged pleasantries in the presence of hundreds of people. ANI
Shah Rukh to lead New York India Day Parade
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
NEW YORK: Shah Rukh Khan is to lead a host of celebrities at the India Day Parade in New York. The annual celebrations to mark India's Independence Day, which falls on August 15, are being organised by the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) Tri-State Area. "Khan is currently shooting in New York and has a busy schedule, but he has said he will attend the parade," said Jagdish Patel, president of FIA Tri-State Area. Other celebrities who will take part are Bollywood star Sonali Bendre, magician P.C. Sarcar Jr., police officer Kiran Bedi (who is now with the UN), cricketer Kapil Dev and Indian-origin astro- naut Sunita Lynn Williams. Patel said rains had led to the rescheduling of the shooting schedules of both Khan and Bendre. "Khan will be at the Galaxy Star Nite banquet at Royal Albert's Palace in New Jersey on August 18, or at the cultural programme at the end of the programme on August 17, or at the Review Stand during the parade." Patel said for the first time, retired Indian armed services personnel would march in the parade. "The official flags of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force have already arrived at the Indian embassy in Washington," he said. Indo-Asian News Service
23 pilgrims drown in Bihar boat capsize
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
KISHANGANJ: At least 23 pilgrims, mostly women, drowned and 17 went missing when an over-crowded boat capsized midstream of swollen river Kankai in Bihar's Kishanganj district today. Twenty-three bodies have been fished out at different ghats along the river under Terha gachh block in the district while the search continues for the missing. Twelve of the occupants of the boat swam to safety, the police said. The tragedy struck when the boat carrying 52 pilgrims, mostly women, was on way from Biwiganj in Kishanganj district to Khania- bad in Nepal to offer prayers at a Shiva temple on the occasion of last Somwari, marking the end of the month-long Shravani festival. While eight bodies each were recovered from Matiayari ghat and Dubyabhedi, four bodies were washed ashore at Motitola and three at Kankaghat, the police said. Divers from adjoining Araria, Purnia and Bhagalpur districts were pressed into service to locate the bodies and survivors, the police said, adding senior Bihar minister Mohammed Taslimuddin and district magistrate KS Kumar are camping at Biwiganj to oversee relief and rescue operations. Agencies
Sangh Parivar favours LS polls in Feb, 2004
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
NEW DELHI: Despite Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's pronouncements on simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and Assemblies, Sangh Parivar leaders feel that general elections would not be held in Novem- ber. And that the earliest dates could be in February. Also a section of the Parivar holds that the BJP should fight the coming Lok Sabha polls on its own agenda. The RSS sarsanghachalak K S Sudarshan had earlier asserted that when each NDA constituent has its own agenda the BJP should also pursue its own. The Parivar elders believe that the Sangh cadre would be enthused and on their feet during elections if the BJP is fighting on its own manifesto that would have all the three contentious issues: Ayodhya, uniform civil code and Article 370. It remains to be seen how far the BJP would oblige the Parivar. Their calculation is that this way the core constituency of the Parivar would remain untouched by the pressure and compromise of alliance politics. And after the polls the BJP could still cobble together an al- liance to come back to power. According to senior RSS leaders the earliest that the elections could be held is February 2004. Apart from the Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh's opinion against joint polls, the Sangh has other considerations too. "Advani might have raised the issue to wake up the cadre and gear up the election machinery. But we don't think they are ready for polls within three months. We don't campaign for them but only render logistical support but there haven't been any serious discussions on this yet' said a Parivar leader. Also, the leaders feel that the grand strategy for Lok Sabha polls could be worked out only after seeing the performance of the party in the four states that go for Assembly polls in Novem- ber. For instance, certain leaders in the Vishwa Hindu Parishad thought that bringing in a legislation on Ayodhya and to dissolve Parliament on that issue would be ideal for the BJP. But these issues have not been thrashed out yet. And the debate on whether to go for polls at all if the BJP does not win three out of the four Congress-ruled states is still not settled. The Sangh leaders have not met since the national executive meeting on July 1 and is not expected to do so till the diwali baithak in October. Agencies
27 feared dead in copter crash
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
MUMBAI: In one of the worst accidents involving a helicopter, at least three persons were killed and 22 employees of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and two crew members were feared drowned when the chopper carrying them crashed into the Arabian sea, 35 km from here today. Two ONGC employees survived the crash which took place at 12:18 pm when the MI-72 copter belonging to a private firm Mesco was ferrying personnel from Sagar Kiran to Sagar Jyoti jackup rig plunged into the sea, ONGC Director (offshore) VK Sharma said here today. In all, it had 29 people on board. The bodies of the commander, flight engineer and an ONGC employ- ee, were flown to the Juhu helibase this evening. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Ram Naik has ordered two separate inquiries--one into the crash by the Civil Aviation Ministry and another relating to inspection of all helicopter operations to Bombay High region. There was no distress call nor any snag reported from the heli- copter which had taken off from the Juhu helibase early today for Sagar Kiran. Joint Secretary of Civil Aviation Ministry Raghu Menon and the Director General of Civil Aviation Satindra Singh flew into the city following the crash of the helicopter. Asked about the ONGC employees threat to stop offshore operations till the suspension of Raha, Naik said he has appealed to the workers not to stop operations in the interest of the nation and as it would affect the production of oil and crude. Naik said the Mesco Aviation helicopter involved in the accident was a Russian-made one and the services of that company were taken by ONGC on call-on basis. The helicopter involved in the accident was a 1995 model and had a certificate of airworthiness taken in April 2003. ONGC has a permanent arrangement with Pawan Hans Ltd and uses the other company's helicopters whenever there is demand. On a query whether the Home Ministry in a report had found the Mesco Aviation's service unsatisfactory, Naik said that was four to five years back and during that time the company may have bridged its shortcomings. The two who survived the crash are S Mandoli and AJ Mhatre. Agencies
Advani launches BJP's poll campaign with Khurana as CM nominee
Monday, August 11, 2003
Advani launches BJP's poll campaign with Khurana as CM nominee New Delhi,Sunday, August 10, 2003: Launching BJP's campaign for Delhi Assembly elections projecting Madan Lal Khurana as chief ministerial candidate, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today announced a bill to grant statehood to the capital would be introduced in the current Parliament session. Addressing the party's "Parivartan Rally" here, a day after Congress' "August Kranti Rally", he limited his speech to the performance of the Vajpayee government and avoided any criticism of the opposition party despite Sonia Gandhi's severe attack on the NDA government Saturday. "The statehood bill will be introduced in this session of Parliament," Advani told a large gathering of BJP supporters, adding he hoped the entire House would support it. "Delhi should get statehood and it is a part of our manifesto," the Deputy Prime Minister said. He said the Home Ministry has prepared the draft of the bill on statehood, expected to be a major plank for the assembly polls. Patting Khurana's back, Advani asked people to elect him as Delhi Chief Minister for changing the "shape" of the capital. "You have to change not only the Chief Minister of Delhi but its shape as well," Advani told the gathering. He emphasised that Delhi should be made to attain the foremost place in the country for which BJP under Khurana's leadership would have to be brought to power. 17:04 IST
Cooperation and not confrontation holds key: PM
Monday, August 11, 2003
Cooperation and not confrontation holds key: PM Islamabad,Sunday, August 10, 2003: Asserting that "cooperation" and not "confrontation" held the key to solving problems between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said violence and bloodshed cannot provide any enduring solutions to differences between the two countries. "Violence and bloodshed cannot provide any solutions. We can live together only if we let each other live," Vajpayee said in a statement read out at a peace conference attended by Indian parliamentarians and journalists here. "Cooperation rather than confrontation is the answer to our common problems of development and poverty alleviation," he said adding both countries must let each other live in peace. In the message, he also referred to the process of globalisation and emerging trends of regional and sub-regional economic cooperation and said India and Pakistan should heed these winds of change in today's world. "We should not defy logic and distort reality to avoid mutually beneficial cooperation. We cannot deny our people their right to peaceful and cooperative economic cooperation," the Prime Minister said on the opening day of the two-day conferecne organized by South Asia Free Media Assosiciation. Among the Indian delegates attending the conference are RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav, Mani Shankar Aiyer, Balbir Singh Punj, Ram Vilas Paswan, Ram Jethmalani and senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar.
PM promises quota for FC poor
Monday, August 11, 2003
PM promises quota for FC poor Jaipur, Aug. 10: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Sunday, while launching BJP’s electoral campaign in Rajasthan, promised to bring a legislation to provide reservation to the economically backward among forward caste in the current Parliament session. He, however, said a political consensus and the acceptance of other parties was important. “If other parties support we are ready to introduce a Constitution Amendment Bill, which requires two-thirds majority in Parliament, on Wednesday when Parliament reopens, but first we should have the confidence that it would not be defeated,” he said. Addressing a mammoth rally on the conclusion of the BJP State unit’s Parivartan Yatra at Amroodon ka Bagh here, the PM also took strong exception to the latest pandemonium in Parliament over defence procurements during Kargil operations saying problems can be solved only by working together and not raising an uproar. While skipping contentious issues of Hindutva and Ram temple, he chose to highlight the reservation issue which has become sensitive in Rajasthan following the Gehlot government’s decision to provide quota in government jobs to the economically backward among forward castes. Vajpayee said the reservation should not pit brother against brother.
Buffaloes derail MMTS train
Monday, August 11, 2003
Buffaloes derail MMTS train Hyderabad, Aug. 10: Barely 24 hours after its launch, a Multi Modal Transport System train hit two buffaloes on the track and derailed near Hitec City when it was travelling at an estimated 80 kmph. No one was injured, but it could have been serious as the train was travelling on a bund with a huge ditch on one side. The incident took place about 11.40 am. The train was carrying about 300-odd commuters, mostly holiday-makers out on a joyride. Two front wheels of the front engine-cum-passenger cabin came off the rails when the train hit the animals that had strayed across the track. Residents had stopped the MMTS train heading for Lingampally on Saturday demanding that a railway crossing gate be opened at the place. They contended that the track had come up over a well-used path and said that providing a level crossing would make it safe for crossing. When Union Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya visited the spot, a wag asked him if the accident was a result of the South Central Railway starting the service without a bali (sacrifice), seeing that the animals that died were buffaloes. The Minister smiled away the question. SCR General Manager Stanley Babu said, “The front wheels of the engine derailed when it hit the buffaloes. But we cleared the track within hours and service was restored at about 3.15 pm.” The MMTS train on service SL6 from Secunderabad to Lingampally started its journey at around 10.50 am from Secunderabad. An assistant commercial manager of the Secunderabad division P V N Ravi Kumar, who was on board to collect the reactions of passengers, said that the train came to a halt after it hit the cattle. “More than 90 per cent of the commuters were on a joy trip. Most of them boarded the train along with family members to enjoy the travel by the new train. The six bogies of the train including first class were packed with commuters. The train, with an engine each in the front and rear, was moving at 80 kmph when it hit the buffaloes. With the cattle caught between the wheels, the driver tried to shake it free by moving the train back and forth. This resulted in the front wheels jumping off the rails,” Ravi Kumar said. Passengers were asked to get down from the train and they were taken to Secunderabad by another train after half an hour. “We were shocked when the train suddenly stopped and tilted. Thank God we are safe and escaped without any injuries or casualties,” K Ajay Kumar, who boarded the train at Secunderabad said. The driver of the train Satyanarayana said he tried to stop the train when he saw the cattle. Stanley Babu said traffic on the route was affected for four hours. “It’s a very minor mishap. No one can stop buffalos from crossing the track,” he said. The same MMTS train moving towards Lingampally was stopped by residents of Borabanda on Saturday demanding that a crossing gate be opened at the place.
Disillusioned Anjali slams Arjuna Awards committee New Delhi,Sunday, August 10, 2003: Ace air rifle shooter Anjali Bhagwat today slammed the Arjuna Awards committee for nominating athlete K M Beenamol for this year's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award ahead of her, saying its decision showed it was not performance alone which is the criteria for the award. "I had a wonderful 2002. I was ranked number one in the world and bagged four Commonwealth gold medals, a silver in the World Cup and in the Asian Games. If this performance is not enough then I cannot say (what determines the winner)," Anjali told PTI. Anjali said she was disappointed initially but now she had realised that winning the Khel Ratna was not her "ultimate goal". "I have also become used to such disappointments now," said Anjali, who is the only woman shooter to have qualified for the Athens Olympics next year. "Last year too I was recommended for the Khel Ratna by my association. But the award went to (shooter) Abhinav Bindra who made an individual application. "They (Bindras) are rich and influential people. No one has the guts to speak against them," Anjali charged. Asked if her preparations for Olympics will be affected by this controversy, Anjali said, "I am not bothered. I do not give importance to petty things". On reports that the committee had decided to award Beenamol because Anjali could always bag the honour next year, she said, "I don't know. 'Shayad agle saal koi aur Beenamol paida ho jaaye (maybe another Beenamol will crop up next year)". 16:31 IST
Inflation at 27-week low of 4.09 per cent
Monday, August 11, 2003
Inflation at 27-week low of 4.09 per cent New Delhi,Tuesday, August 10, 1999: Inflation fell to 27-week low of 4.09 per cent, shedding 0.5 per cent during the week ended July 26 with primary articles and manufactured products becoming cheaper. The point-to-point Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation fell to little over four per cent, which is also this fiscal's lowest level, but prices of essential items like vegetables and fruits soared. The rate was 4.59 per cent a week ago. The Quarterly Review, an offshoot of the passage of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Bill in Parliament, said the inflation was decelerating. The WPI inflation stood at 3.04 per cent during the same period of 2002-03. WPI fell by 0.2 per cent to 172.9 points in the last week of July even as fuel prices stood unchanged though global oil prices witnessed a decline on the reports of death of Saddam Hussein's sons and the index was 166.1 points in the previous year period. Government made a final revision in WPI at 173 points for the week ended May 31 as compared to the provisional figure of 172.5 points and the final inflation stood at 5.75 per cent as against the provisional mark of 5.44 per cent. The index of mass consumption Primary Articles' group was down by 0.3 per cent to 179.4 points due to fall in the prices of food and non-food articles and it was 173.3 in the previous year period.
VHP hits back; Ram temple not at Advani's mercy: Kishore
Sunday, August 10, 2003
VHP hits back; Ram temple not at Advani's mercy: Kishore New Delhi,Saturday, August 09, 2003: Reacting sharply to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's statement that the NDA government cannot be "sacrificed" for a legislation on Ayodhya, VHP today said the construction of the Ram temple was not at "his mercy" and its agitation on the issue would intensify in the coming days. "We don't need the sacrifice of any Government to construct the temple. Let him continue to govern, we will work for the construction of the temple," VHP Senior Vice-President Acharya Giriraj Kishore told reporters here. "The temple is not at his (Advani's) mercy. It would be built through the devotion and strength of the Hindu society," Kishore said on the sidelines of a condolence meeting for the late Chief of the Ram Janambhumi Nyas Mahant Paramhamsa Ramchandra Das. Advani's statement, Kishore said, was on "expected lines but people will make him do the needful". Asked about the shift in the stand of Advani, who had declared at the Mahant's funeral that no power on earth can stop temple construction, Kishore said sarcastically, "One is not a politician if he does not change his statement." To a question on the BJP's stand that a legislative option was not viable, Kishore said, "we will go to the people, who are more powerful than anybody else." He said the VHP's apex decision making body and high-power panel would meet in the capital on September 13 to chalk out the future course of action. "Advani's statement will not make any difference. Our agitation will intensify," he asserted.
US shares India's concerns on terrorism: Mansingh
Sunday, August 10, 2003
US shares India's concerns on terrorism: Mansingh Washington,Saturday, August 09, 2003: The arrest of some people of Pakistani origin, allegedly linked with Lashkar-e-Toiba, in United States shows that Washington was sharing New Delhi's concerns with regard to terrorism, India's Ambassador to US Lalit Mansingh has said. The arrests in Virginia state "vindicates our belief that there cannot be any distinction between 'your terrorists' and 'our terrorists'," Mansingh said at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, where a permanent exhibit on Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled. "The swamp, as President George W Bush described it, is one and the same and we have to combine our resources in order to drain it," he said. Eleven people, some of them with Pakistani origins and supected links with Lashkar-e-Toiba, are being tried in a Virginia court for allegedly waging war against India in violation of the US Neutrality Act. Mansingh said India and US, inheritors of the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, have now to confront a threat which is "far more virulent and destructive than what our forefathers ever faced" -- the menace of terrorism. "Democratic and multi-cultural societies such as ours are particularly vulnerable to the threat of terrorism since the values we share are precisely those which the terrorists seek to destroy." The fact that the terrorist attacks on 9/11, 2001, were conceived and planned in India's neighbourhood does not come as a surprise to New Delhi. India has been a victim of terrorism for more than two decades, he added. 09:32 IST
Pakistan hopes to seek possession of Jinnah House
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Pakistan hopes to seek possession of Jinnah House Islamabad,Saturday, August 09, 2003: Pakistan hopes that India will live up to its "commitment" to hand over the house of Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Mumbai to it, foreign office spokesman Masood has said. He said this when asked to comment on Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh's statement in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that Jinnah's house at Malcha hill in Mumbai had been handed over to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and part of it would be used for cultural activities. Singh said the property has since been renamed ICCR Mumbai branch office. During the Agra summit, President Pervez Musharraf had asked Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to lease the house to Pakistan.
Tendulkar gets his Ferrari at last
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Tendulkar gets his Ferrari at last Mumbai,Saturday, August 09, 2003: Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar got his much awaited and much talked about Ferrari-360 Modeno today after the Finance ministry exempted 120 per cent import duty. Tendulkar, who went for a drive after he received the car transported by an Air France flight from Paris, refused to comment on his new vehicle. The Finance ministry exempted around Rs 1.13 crore towards the import duty of the red Ferrari, valued at Rs 75 lakh, early this week. The car was gifted to Tendulkar by Fiat after the Mumbai batsman equalled late Don Bradman's tally of 29 Test centuries. Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher presented the car on behalf of the company to Tendulkar when the two met last year at Silverstone, England. The Ferrari was draped in controversy after it was reported that the batting maestro had requested a custom duty waive on the car despite getting it as a gift and not winning it as a prize in any tournament.
India's forex reserves decline by USD 204 million
Sunday, August 10, 2003
India's forex reserves decline by USD 204 million Mumbai,Saturday, August 09, 2003: After witnessing an upward swing for the previous few weeks, India's foreign exchange reserves have recorded a fall of US dollar 204 million at USD 84,700 million during the week ended August one following the contribution to Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and revaluation in gold. The foreign currency assets of the country declined by USD 133 million at USD 81,067 million during the reporting week, according to Reserve Bank of India's weekly statistical supplement released here today. Gold reserves at USD 3,628 million, decreased by USD 70 million while special drawing rights saw a fall of USD one million at USD five million, it added. The RTP as on August one stood at USD 964 million. RBI said loans to the central government declined by Rs 3,604 crore at Rs 4,755 crore while that to states fell by Rs 747 crore at Rs 2,429 crore. Aggregate deposits of scheduled commercial banks for the fortnight ended July 25 rose by Rs 6,853 crore (0.6 per cent) at Rs 13,49,972 crore. Bank credit at Rs 7,27,401 crore, recorded an increase of Rs 1,827 crore (0.3 per cent), the apex bank said. Food credit declined by Rs 311 crore at Rs 43,277 crore while non-food credit increased by Rs 2,138 crore at Rs 6,84,124 crore, it added.. 05:40 IST
Govt unable to get legislation on Ram temple passed
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Govt unable to get legislation on Ram temple passed in Par" On Board Special Aircraft,Saturday, August 09, 2003: Expressing government's inability to get a legislation on Ram temple construction passed in Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said such a measure has to wait for a political consensus. "We are not ready to bring a legislation to create a division..... But a real solution lies in an agreement between the two communities and I am optimistic that it is going to come", he told reporters accompanying him to Hyderabad. He said the Government could bring a legislation "only in case of consensus not only within the NDA but also the opposition". "VHP wants us to bring such a legislation which will definitely not get passed in Parliament. It wants us to contest elections on this plank. We are not ready to sacrifice the Government", Advani said as far as BJP was concerned, it had already passed a resolution calling for a solution to Ayodhya issue either through court order or an agreement between the two communities.
Beenamol chosen for Khel Ratna Award
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Beenamol chosen for Khel Ratna Award New Delhi,Saturday, August 09, 2003: Asian Games gold medallist K M Beenamol was selected for the country's most prestigious sports award -- the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna -- here today. The decision to nominate the middle distance runner for the top honour was revealed to by one of the members of the committee which met here today to prune the original list of nominees. The decision also put to rest the confusion over whether there would be two Khel Ratna Awardees this year. Beenamol edged out ace shooter Anjali Bhagwat who was initially in the running after the committee recommended that the award be shared between the two top women performers of 2002. Beenamol had an extraordinary 2002 with the Kerala athlete winning two gold medals and a silver in the Busan Asian Games. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was instituted in 1991-92 to honour the most spectacular and outstanding performance in a year and carries Rs 5,00,000 a medallion and a scroll of honour. The President gives away the award, along with the Arjuna and Dronacharya awards, at a ceremonial function at the Rashtrapati Bhavan every year on August 29. 05:00 IST
Bomb scare in Parliament complex
Saturday, August 9, 2003
NEW DELHI: Security forces on Saturday went on tizzy in Parliament House complex after police received a call about a bomb being planted there. A bomb disposal squad and fire tenders were rushed to the complex where a meeting to review security in the Parliament premises was on, police said. The unidentified person, who called at 3.15 pm, said the bomb would explode at 4.30 pm, police said. The entire area was being searched with the help of a dog squad, they added.
CSE shifts blame from Cola majors to govt
Saturday, August 9, 2003
CSE shifts blame from Cola majors to govt New Delhi,Friday, August 08, 2003: In the midst of raging controversy on alleged presence of pesticides in soft drinks, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) today blamed the government for lack of adequate regulations for the soft drinks industry. "Cola companies cannot determine the regulations they will follow," the Centre's Director Sunita Narain said, adding "we have consistently maintained, it is not Coke or Pepsi per se that are to blame, it is the lack of government regulations." She refused to accept cola majors' contention that they are meeting global standards and said they were meeting only the "virtually non-existent government norms". She welcomed Health Ministry's initiative to get samples from the two cola giants, Coke and Pepsi tested independently for pesticides residues. She also welcomed Pepsi's move to file a writ petition in the High Court saying it was prepared for a legal battle on the issue. "We are yet to receive a communication in this regard and have heard about it (petition) from the media. We welcome the move and are looking forward to discuss the issue with Pepsi in court," Narain said. She disassociated CSE from those groups which were smashing and burning bottles of Coke and Pepsi and even calling for their ban. Instead of breaking bottles, it is important for the same activists to point accusing fingers at the weak regulatory framework for the soft drink industry, she added. 21:08 IST
PAC issue paralyses Parliament proceeding: RS, LS adjourned
Saturday, August 9, 2003
PAC issue paralyses Parliament proceeding: RS, LS adjourned New Delhi,Friday, August 08, 2003: An unrelenting Opposition today forced adjournment of both Houses of Parliament over the issue of denial of CVC report on Kargil arms purchases to Public Accounts Committee amidst vociferous anti-Government slogans. Agitated Congress members stormed the well in the Lok Sabha also protesting against the arrest of party leaders in Gujarat and accusing the Narendra Modi Government of targeting them in view the Congress-sponsored statewide bandh. While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day amid uproarious scenes within 30 minutes of the morning session, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi called it a day as the Opposition kept up the pressure after smooth passage of two Constitution amendment bills. Despite the Speaker pleading for taking up a special discussion on atrocities on dalits, which has been postponed twice, the Congress members were in no no mood to relent and trooped to the well shouting "PAC lachar hain, ghotala ki sarkar hain (PAC is helpless, it is a Government of scams)". Joshi first adjourned the House for half-an-hour and finding no no change in the Congress attitude when it re-assembled at 1400 hours, he returned to his chambers. Both Houses would now now meet on Wednesday after a four-day break in view of Raksha Bandhan on August 12. 17:00 IST
Clouburst claims 26 labourers, 17 missing in Himachal
Saturday, August 9, 2003
Clouburst claims 26 labourers, 17 missing in Himachal Shimla,Friday, August 08, 2003: In the second major cloudburst to hit Himachal Pradesh in three weeks, at 26 labourers, mostly from Nepal and Jharkhand, were killed and 17 went missing and presumed dead in Kullu district last night. Deputy Commissioner of Kullu R D Nazeen said 26 bodies have so far been recovered while 17 were missing in the flash flood that struck Kangri nullah, 22km from Manali, at 2340 hours. Seventeen bodies, including those of three children and a woman, were fished out from Kangri nullah, one from Nehru Khud, three from Bhang, two from Manali and three from Solang nullah. Fifteen people were injured. The victims were labourers from Jharkhand and Nepal engaged in construction of Rohtang tunnel project being executed by Ground Engineering Reserve Force of Border Roads Organisation. The gushing waters of swollen nallah carried huge boulders and heaps of debris along and the labour tents along the banks were either washed away or buried. So far, 15 bodies have been identified which included a woman and three children.Five of them are from Nepal and ten from Jharkhand. Some heads of cattle belonging to Gujjar community camping downstream were also washed away by the flash flood. Relief and rescue operations were in full swing and over 150 jawans of ITBP, police, homeguards and GREF were combing the entire area to search for possible survivors or the dead. In this monsoon's first catastrophic cloudburst, 30 people were killed in Punianullah area of Kullu district on July 16.
TDSAT chairman blames DoT, TRAI for creating WLL controversy
Saturday, August 9, 2003
TDSAT chairman blames DoT, TRAI for creating WLL controversy New Delhi,Friday, August 08, 2003: The Chairman of the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal Justice D P Wadhwa today disagreed with the majority decision upholding WLL services by basic telecom operators and questioned the role of Government and telecom regulator TRAI to permit this in the first place. The dissent note from TDSAT Chairman, a former Supreme Court Judge, questioned the legality of the government's decision and blamed the Department of Telecom for not supplying relevant records to the empowered Group of Ministers (GOT-IT) which had recommended allowing WLL services by basic operators. "Even TRAI failed in its legal obligations and gave faulty recommendations," Justice Wadhwa said in a strongly worded judgement comprising his dissent. "We regret we are unable to agree with the report of GoT-IT in spite of its constitution of profound persons. But for this it is the DoT which is to be blamed as relevant record was suppressed from the empowered committee," he said. Justice Wadhwa in his order pointed out that telecom regulator TRAI in its move to consider the issue had raised the question of whether WLL with mobility should be permitted. "It would be seen that the approach itself was faulty. It posed a wrong question and got a wrong answer. The first and foremost question should have been if the WLL is permissible at all. You cannot give correct answer when you start with a question whether WLL with mobility should be permitted," Wadhwa said. 17:00 IST
Prakash Jha
Friday, August 8, 2003
He's just back from his duty as the jury chairman of selecting this year's National Awards. After Dil Kya Kare and Rahul, director Prakash Jha is back to doing what he is best at - realistic cinema. And so due for an August 29 release is Gangaajal, starring Ajay Devgan and Gracy Singh. After Damul, Parinati and Mrityudand, Gangaajal is another film that delves into socially relevant issues. This time Jha takes on the police system and the judiciary and its impact on the society. Shot on location in Wai, a small town in Maharashtra, the film is set in an imaginary place called Tejpur in Bihar. We met Jha at his suburban office where he is amidst some pre-release preparations. Excerpts: How does the title Gangaajal justify the film? One uses the term Gangaajal to purify and cleanse something. So the title is used as a metaphor to cleanse the system, in this case, it's the system of law and order that needs to be purified from the anti-social elements. Is it based on a real-life story? How much of it is fictional? The structure is fictional while the plot is derived from various bits and pieces of real life stories. One has read stories, heard them, seen them and so the actual story is a combination of all this. There have been films in the past about the police and films are being made on them, so how is Gangaajal different from what one has already seen? Well, for one, we are not talking about corruption here because we all know that it exists in the system. The society, the law and the judiciary are the three chief aspects of my film. I have raised questions like should law and order exist in the society? Are the people satisfied with the system they have? For instance, we hear and read about police encounters. The society feels there is nothing wrong in an encounter, the reason being some anti-social elements are eliminated by the police. The media writes about it and the society gives its collective approval to the act of an encounter. Or something like Bhagalpur blindings or the Godhra incident whereby the society at large justified the carnage by the majorities taking to task the minorities. This approval by society, is it right? The film questions all that. Ajay Devgan who plays the superintendent of police tries to rejuvenate the system, gets defeated and in frustration retaliates to violence which snowballs into greater violence. Does society stand by him and approve his act is what forms my film. After Damul and Mrityudand, Gangaajal too is a film which is seeped into reality and though you have tried the family film genre with films like Dil Kya Kare and Rahul, it's your realistically-inclined films that have been critically acclaimed and well-received... Films like Damul, Mrityudand or Gangaajal are really difficult subjects to make. It's an all-consuming process and by the time I finish them, they have had completely exhausted me. Because unlike family dramas or romantic films, they don't just follow the lives of one family or a person. The structure of such films is quite complex. So naturally, one can't be churning out these films only. Occasionally, one has to try out other genres. But yes, the family/social films are something, which probably any filmmaker can make but the ones that are seeped in reality may not be everybody's area of interest. Over the years, I think people have come to associate these kinds of films with me. Subjects like a Damul or Mrityudand or a Gangaajal are novel to make and you are singled out for making them. In this industry you do get branded for making a certain kind of cinema. As far as I am concerned these films are my way of sharing my understanding of the society. Gangaajal has been shot at Wai in Maharashtra. Why didn't you choose a place probably in UP or Bihar where the film is actually shot? Wai is a beautiful place and logistically it worked for me. It's closer to Mumbai, the locals are friendly and it was just a matter of recreating a village in Bihar in Wai. The man woman relationship, conflict haves always been a strong aspect of your films... Because conflicts give rise to drama and one always looks for drama in a film. We always talk of the abnormal it interests us more than the normal behaviour. Lastly, your work experience with Ajay Devgan. He's an actor who has the advantage of just standing there and bringing a lot of credibility to his character, to his presence. He doesn't distract you because he is that character and he doesn't make you forget that. And of course, he's a professional and a very hassle-free person to work with, otherwise how do you explain the fact that we started the film in February and have managed to complete the film and release it in August. More on Bollywood at glamsham.com
Mumbai Se aaya Mera Dost
Friday, August 8, 2003
Mumbai se... is about a village of Rajasthan and revolves around the lives of its dwellers. Vishal Nihalani (son of Govind Nihalani) produces the film whereas debutante Apoorva Lakhia directs the flick. Apoorva is no novice to films, infact he has been an assistant director to Hollywood films like "The Perfect Murder" and "Flawless". The movie features Abhishek Bachchan along with Ex-Miss Universe Lara Dutta in lead roles. Music is by Anu Malik, Ranjit Barot and Amar Mohile and lyrics by Sameer. The story is about one of the thousands of villages in India, who don't have access to the basic amenities of life. The film deals with a month in the life of Kanji (Abhishek Bachchan), whose innocent gift to his grandfather's recently electrified village, sparks a power struggle and ends up with laugh out loud humor. The modern world takes over the lives of these villagers, which had been alien to them so far. The film is about the old and the new, the rural and the post-modern. At the core of the film is a simple drama of the heart, enriched with acute observations of the village psychology, an accurate portrayal of the little-known aspects of Indian Culture. The film was shot for 70 days in Rajasthan, where in a set of village was erected with 40 huts, wells and cowsheds to give it an authentic look. After the completion the set was granted to the locals. Scheduled release is 22nd August. More on bollywood at glamsham.com
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa
Friday, August 8, 2003
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa, is a love story of an Indian boy with a Pakistani girl. Together with the love side of the story, the narration has a strong patriotic feel. DPHG is about this young man Sunny (Kapil Jhaveri) trapped by emotions crosses the border and lands in Pakistan. His elder brother; an army officer is been taken to Pakistan and Sunny sets out to rescue him from the Pakistani clutches. There he encounters Rukhsar (Saloni Aswani) who was trapped in the fire to save the life of a child, he jumps in the fire, and, saves both of them. He again encounters Rukhsar in a party and their love blossoms... And one day. She asks him to marry her. At this juncture he reveals his identity that he is an Indian and he has come to Pakistan for a mission that shocks Rukhsar. But Sunny's mission concerns Rukhsar's father (Amrish Puri) the man of great principals and morals who is a brigadier in Pakistani army. She feels the sky has fallen on her and her dreams are crushed... The love of Rukhsar and principals of her brigadier father comes face to face and this creates highly charged climax of Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa. More on bollywood at glamsham.com
Antara Mali: Next Madhuri?
Friday, August 8, 2003
Besides Main Madhuri Dixit Banana Chahti Hoon, if you look closely at Antara's sequence in Darna Mana Hai, you will notice that many of her expressions do resemble Madhuri Dixit. Antara is sparing no efforts to walk, talk and be exactly like her for Main Madhuri Dixit Banana Chahit Hoon. Those who have had a glimpse of the rushes feel that she is really good in the film. Also the film has a very different story. But the million dollar question is - Will Antara Mali be another Madhuri Dixit?
Rani
Friday, August 8, 2003
Rani Mukerji began her career with Salim's Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat. But did you know Mamta Kulkarni was the original choice for the role? Again, in Vikram Bhatt's Ghulam, Pooja Bhatt was supposed to be Aamir Khan's leading lady. She walked out of the film at the last minute and Rani stepped in. Aishwarya Rai began playing Priya in Chalte Chalte before her former beau Salman Khan turned up on the sets and quarrelled with producer-lead actor Shah Rukh Khan. The next thing you know, Ash was out and Rani was in. "It is just coincidence," she says. "But, today, people are writing roles for me. I am very happy about that." The 25-year-old actress spoke to Syed Firdaus Ashraf about her latest film, Chori Chori, which released yesterday. Excerpts: How is Chori Chori a departure from your previous films? I am not a playing a typical Hindi film heroine. My looks are not important in this film. For the first time in my film career, I have tried comedy. I really enjoyed doing it because I always wanted to do comedy. I am playing the role of Miss Nautanki and Ajay [Devgan] is called Mr Sadiyal. I am a fun-loving person. He is tall, dark, and handsome. He is serious and I am not. The relationship between us is very funny. It is about two people who would never dream of being together but come together because of certain circumstances. What was working with Ajay Devgan, who happens to be your brother-in-law, like? He was very helpful. He is my senior. I don't want to bring personal relationships into this [Ajay Devgan is married to actress Kajol, who is Rani's cousin]. The experience has been fabulous. The best part about working with seniors is that you learn a lot. He was a thorough professional. Did you feel bad when Chori Chori's release was delayed? Yes. This is true for every film that gets delayed. We work as a family and a team to make a good film. We get emotionally attached to it. But the good thing is that the film is being released. This is a good time for a release as people are going to the theatres. How important is growth for an actor? Growth is very important in life. If you don't grow as an actor, you don't change. You can do that only if you work with all kinds of directors. There is a transformation in my looks and the actress in me. I am grateful to everyone in the film industry for that. And the numbers game? Is it important to be number one? I am not in the numbers game. I have always worked hard and that is my motto. My father [producer Ram Mukerji] is from a filmi family. He told me in the beginning that this line is all about ups and downs. He said if you are successful you will be on a constant high but when you fail you are very down. So I must take both success and failure in my stride. People say that this is my rebirth [as an actress]. If that is true, I am grateful to God. You have lost a lot of weight… It is important for every one to keep fit. I lost weight three-four years ago. Sometimes I feel my weight is more popular than my acting [laughs]. Earlier, when I joined the industry, I used to eat a lot at night. Once I controlled that, I lost weight. You are sporting a new look as well. The credit for that goes to my make up-men, dress designers, et al. I am quite lazy. I don't bother much about what to wear and what not to wear. I know nothing about fashion. I am cool with a sari or maybe a tee shirt and jeans. In films, I am doing different kind of roles so I have to change according to my role. I feel if you look good on screen, half your battle is won. Would you like to do Bengali films? Yes, I would love to. I am a true blue Bengali. It is my mother tongue. I am looking for a good script and director. You played a married woman in Shaad Ali's Saathiya and Aziz Mirza's Chalte Chalte. Has this help you mature as a person? There are many women who are not married till they are 30 and they are mature. Saathiya is about of a young couple and the difficulties they face immediately after marriage. Chalte Chalte is a mature love story. Any dream roles? Not yet. Never thought of that till this juncture. When someone asks me this question, I feel I have grown as an actress. I have never planned my career. I have always accepted my roles spontaneously. If I can relate to the character I have to play, I immediately agree to do the film. Who are your favourite actors? Amitabh Bachchan. He is incomparable. When I was in school, I would skip classes to see him acting on the sets. As far as actresses are concerned, I am a great fan of Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi. I have always been a film buff. How does it feel to have been signed by Mani Ratnam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Bajirao Mastani and Black)? I don't plan anything. I only try to work hard. It is an honour for me to work with these filmmakers. Now that you are doing so well, do you feel insecure? I don't feel insecure but I always want to do better films. Source: rediff.com
'Hrithik is the jaadoo of the industry'
Friday, August 8, 2003
Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan has been holding screenings of his latest film, Koi... Mil Gaya, starring Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Rekha in Mumbai and New Delhi. One of the special screenings was held on August 2 in New Delhi. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and many other government dignitaries were present at the show. All were impressed by Hrithik's performance in the film. Hrithik says, "He [Vajpayee] is a man of few words. He just came to me and said, 'Bahut bade ho gaye ho [you have become very big]. That was enough for me." Roshan Sr said the PM complimented him too, saying, 'Aapne bahut achchi film banayi hain [you have made a very good film].' One more person who calls herself Hrithik's greatest fan was also present at the screening: Vajpayee's granddaughter. "She is a sweet girl," Hrithik says. Akshaye Khanna, whose latest film Hungama opened to warm response, says, "Hrithik Roshan is simply superb in the film. KMG is a sureshot hit. There are no two opinions on it." Rishi Kapoor, a close friend of the Roshans, says, "Hrithik is simply superb in the movie. With this film, I am sure he is going to win the hearts of people once again like he did in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai." Lagaan director Ashutosh Gowariker claims Hrithik's performance in KMG will go down in history as a reference point for a long time to come. Sridevi, who attended one of the screenings with husband Boney Kapoor, told Hrithik he was the jaadoo [magic] of the film industry. Boney went a step further to say Hrithik could only be compared to legends. Trade pundit Taran Adarsh claims, "KMG has the golden combination of Hrithik, Rakesh and Rajesh Roshan. It has a bumper opening but there are two extremes to it: if it works with kids, it will be a blockbuster. The concept of an alien is alien to Indian cinegoers. Yet, the idea is novel. That is the USP and mainstay of KMG. As for Hrithik's performance, it is outstanding. He gets 10 on 10 for his role as Rohit in the film."
Koi... Mil Gaya
Friday, August 8, 2003
With Koi... Mil Gaya, director Rakesh Roshan has proved two things. One, he truly can give Hrithik Roshan a role to chew into and two, it takes guts and gumption to make a really 'different' film within the commercials parameters of filmmaking. Sanjay Mehra (Rakesh Roshan) is a scientist who is trying to make a breakthrough - his aim is to establish that there is life on other planets and that it's possible to reach them. For that, he has set up a computer, which transmits different sounds - Aum being one -- in different variations to space. One day he gets a response from the outer space but the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation dismiss his findings as a big joke. When his pregnant wife Sonia (Rekha) and he are returning home, he sees a spaceship in the sky. Elated by the sight his car rams into something and Sanjay dies. His wife gives birth to a mentally challenged boy, Rohit (Hrithik Roshan) who she lives with in Kasauli. As years pass by, Rohit grows into a young man but mentally he is still a child. While Rohit lives a carefree life - that is when he is not bullied by the neighbourhood hero, Raj (Rajat Bedi) - with a group of small kids, his mother increasingly worries about this future. Enters Nisha (Preity Zinta) who after the initial hiccups befriends Rohit and becomes his 'girlfriend'. A couple of songs later, Rohit and Nisha one day come across the computer his father had created at his outhouse. Accidentally, they find out about the 'Aum' signal and send it to the space. That night, a spaceship visits Kasauli leaving the entire town in disbelief. It's then found out that some aliens from 'the other planet' had come down and one of them has not gone back. Rohit and Nisha find it - an adorable three-feet high alien, which looks like a seagull - in the jungle and hide it in the outhouse. They call it Jaadu because it manages to make the "kachha" Rohit into a "pakka" young man. Which means, Rohit can now flex his bulging muscles, which develop overnight, can see without his glasses, dance like Michael Jackson and play basketball with Raj and his bullies. All's fine till Kasauli's police officer (Mukesh Rishi) finds out about Rohit's little secret. He, with the help of the district collector (Prem Chopra), start tracking down the alien, so that they can hand it to the scientists for further investigations. Meanwhile, Rohit decides to call the spaceship back and send Jadoo back to his rightful place, the other planet. Rohit succeeds though in the bargain, he loses all the powers Jadoo has given him. But no sweat, what's a good Hindi film without its happy ending... Koi... Mil Gaya is an immensely enjoyable film. Yes, there are people who may find it a copy of ET-meets-Forrest Gump but what the heck, it's still a film that's not been seen on the Indian screen before. The special effects may come across as child's play and Jadoo may look like a small child disguised as an alien but it still manages to touch your heart. The film gives many reasons to smile. First and foremost, it looks very fresh, including the freshly scrubbed Preity Zinta. The breathtaking locales of Nainital and Canada provide ample visual relief. The cinematography by Ravi Chandran and Sameer Arya is awesome. The music by Rajesh Roshan though not in the league of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai is still hummable, especially the title track and the superbly choreographed Idhar chala number. The dialogues by Javed Siddiqui (some of the lines actually bring a lump in the throat) and the screenplay (Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt and Rakesh Roshan) too are above average. Last but not the least, Koi... Mil Gaya sees some wonderful performances by Rekha, Preity Zinta and Mukesh Rishi. And of course, Hrithik Roshan who lends his all to Rohit Mehra. It's very obvious that Hrithik has enjoyed playing the mentally-challenged-boy-transformed into-your-regular-hero (in fact, the transformed Rohit reminds you of Raj of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai) immensely. He plays the character without any inhibitions and succeeds in involving you in his life. Your heart really goes out to Rohit Mehra. All said and done, Koi... Mil Gaya mein emotions bhi hai, romance bhi hai, drama bhi hai, action bhi hai and still it's different. Kudos to the father-son jodi who may yet repeat history! You can't fault the logic of Koi... Mil Gaya. But to imbibe and revel in it, some givens have to be taken in one's stride: * An alien will always be the 'other' and any attempt to portray the 'other' will invariably translate into a creation that is furthest to the human form. Hollywood, the mecca of alien potboilers, is guilty of this. It is only fair to give Bollywood generous leeway in this regard. Jaadoo, in KMG, hence, is mottled blue, stands approximately three-and-a-half feet short, has huge saucer eyes, blurts in a harsh metallic voice, and has an odd-shaped head that is neither a football nor a rugby ball. * An alien ought to have extra-human powers. Importantly, those that can be transferred to ordinary mortals like you and me. * Songs. Commercial cinema cannot do without it. KMG is no exception. But Rajesh Roshan's songs waft into your ears and stay on for quite some time. Most of them are in sync with the storyline. My favourite is Idhar chala mein udhar chala. Most songs have also been picturised well and rely on the actors to provide the impetus rather than group dancers or 'gimmicks' as Bappi Lahiri would put it. The last song, Haila haila hua hua, though, is an obvious attempt to rope in audiences who might not otherwise be sucked in by unconventional promos. It has both Hrithik Roshan (Rohit) and Preity Zinta (Nisha) changing into weird outfits at the end of each stanza, typical Bollywood ishtyle. Once these givens are factored in, it is not wrong to say Koi... Mil Gaya treads where Bollywood seldom travels -- the path of science fiction -- and where the protagonist is not a hulk imbued with supernatural physical prowess coupled with Einstein's brains. A mega positive is Hrithik Roshan's acting. He is the turbojet that propels the film to the realm of the extraordinary. On screen you see Rohit, the mentally challenged adult, and not Hrithik Roshan, the star. Rohit connects with you immediately. His endearing innocence and the clean-hearted fun he indulges in has you in splits. But within seconds, he also brings a lump to your throat when the bullies pick on him. What gives Rohit's character flesh and blood, so to speak, are the screenplay (Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt and Rakesh Roshan) and the dialogues (Javed Siddiqui). Rohit is essentially a child in an adult body and the dialogues amply reflect that. His repartees are a treat, especially the ones reserved for the neighbourhood bullies (Rajat Bedi et al). The maturity of the screenplay comes to the fore when one does not notice the antics of the kids (Parth Choksi, Chhotu Dada, Afzal Khan, Bobby Bedi, Rahul Mahajan, Dimple, Sunita Padbidri). They are neither shrill nor syrupy nice. They are normal and blend integrally with the story. They are Rohit's pals, partners-in-crime, and their comic timing is spontaneous. Watch out for the way they 'clear' Rohit's head on who is a girlfriend and who is not. The locales are also superb and a sight for sore urban eyes. Verdant green is the dominant colour, though much of what passes for Kasauli appears to be Calgary, Canada. While the positives outweigh the negatives, Papa Roshan's much-hyped Jaadoo aka the little blue thing is a big letdown. The effort to make it look not human is obvious. Sometimes, when effort is obvious, it translates to a job not well done. An obvious comparison that springs to mind is Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. The second half of the movie, especially the establishment's efforts to capture Jaadoo and Rohit's efforts to safekeep the alien, remind you of the all-time sci-fi classic. But Rakesh Roshan is no Spielberg; Jaadoo amply demonstrates it. For those who have seen E.T., the most impressive part of that alien were the eyes, which were warm, friendly and naughty. Jaadoo is plasticky, exudes the life of a mechanical contraption, and has big, but blank, eyes. Another sore point is the spaceship. I, for one, still can't believe they hired the Independence Day special effects guys for this. I have seen better ones in the thirty-second ads that news channels show between bulletins. The inside of the spaceship looks like a circuit board with backlight, which contributes to a high tackiness quotient. The poor production quality also takes the gloss off parts of the film. Accustomed to seeing, for instance, hi-tech trucks used for capturing aliens in Hollywood counterparts, it is disappointing to see genuine cardboard passing off as supposedly hi-tech trucks. Preity Zinta's outfits, Rekha's passive sob-sob sniff-sniff mother role, Prem Chopra as the collector of Kasauli, Mukesh Rishi as the honest cop, and Johnny Lever as the loud Sindhi constable strike jarring notes. Preity's outfits are skimpy, but you are left wondering if there is anything the friendly neighbourhood tailor could not have done. All said, however, one thing is sure. Papa Roshan has done a good turn and infused a fresh lease of life into junior Roshan's career. KMG is a potent mixture. In all probability, it is what the doctor ordered for a weak box office. Hrithik alone is worth the price of your ticket. CREDITS Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Rekha, Prem Chopra, Johnny Lever, Rakesh Roshan (special appearance) Director, producer: Rakesh Roshan Music: Rajesh Roshan Cinematography: Ravi K Chandran, Samir Arya Screenplay: Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt, Rakesh Roshan Dialogues: Javed Siddiqui
Congress calls bandh in Gujarat
Friday, August 8, 2003
Security is tight security in Gujarat in view of the bandh called by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Party to protest the hike in college fees and electricity rates for the agricultural sector. Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly, Amar Sinh Chaudhary, Gujarat State Congress President Shankar Sinh Vaghela and four Congress MLAs have been arrested. “The bandh has been called because of the BJP government’s non-performance and the anti-people policies pursued by them,” said former Mayor Himmat Singh Patel. There have been sporadic instances of violence in Maninagar, the constituency of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Rajkot. Congress workers were arrested last night when they tried to stop rail traffic in Maninagar. The party has called for all rail and road traffic to be disrupted statewide. Party workers even tried to set some buses on fire in Vadodara.
Thunderstorm kills 15 workers
Friday, August 8, 2003
Thunderstorm kills 15 workers building tunnel near Indian resort in Himalayas By DEEPAK SHARMA The Associated Press 8/8/03 1:10 AM AMRITSAR, India (AP) -- A fierce thunderstorm near a Himalayan resort washed away the tents of workers building a mountain tunnel, killing at least 15 people, police said Friday. At least 20 others were injured by the sudden flood in the Solang Valley of northern Himachal Pradesh state, officer Shadi Lal told The Associated Press by telephone from the local police station. The site is located on the outskirts of Manali, one of India's most popular mountain resorts. Monsoon rains annually cause landslides in Himachal Pradesh, a Himalayan state bordering China. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the Solang Valley each year, drawn by its ski resorts. The area is near a revered Hindu temple and is the favorite summer retreat of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The tunnel is part of a larger tourism and hydroelectricity project designed to create tunnels crisscrossing through the mountains. Some will be used for travel, while others will help tap water and create electricity. Since the monsoons began in June, landslides, lightning, overflowing rivers and waterborne diseases have killed at least 912 people across South Asia, including 358 in India, according to government estimates. More than 12 million people have been left homeless or stranded after their houses collapsed. The rains occurred overnight and police and rescue teams rushed to the area to look through the debris for more bodies and possible survivors, Lal said. The injured were admitted to local hospitals. Most of the dead workers were from the eastern Indian state of Bihar, one of India's poorest.
No fresh proposals, says Kanchi seer
Friday, August 8, 2003
No fresh proposals, says Kanchi seer Kancheepuram,Thursday, August 07, 2003: Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi today said he had not sent any 'fresh proposal' to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to solve the vexed Ayodhya issue. 'There is no fresh proposal or any missive from me in this regard', he told here tonight. The seer described as 'highly imaginary' reports in a section of the press that he had sent yet another proposal to the AIMPLB to solve the tangle. Mutt sources also said that reports in this connection were 'grossly erroneous'. The Sankaracharya's proposal sent last month was rejected by the Board on July 6 which had accused him of slamming the doors for talks and giving "veiled threats" to Muslims to surrender unconditionally to Sangh Parivar demands. Jayendra, however, had denied the charge and said the doors would always remain open for talks with Muslim leaders. 21:43 IST
PAC issue paralyses Lok Sabha proceedings
Friday, August 8, 2003
PAC issue paralyses Lok Sabha proceedings New Delhi,Thursday, August 07, 2003: An agitated Opposition today paralysed proceedings in Lok Sabha demanding privilege action against Defence Minister George Fernandes over denial of CVC report on Kargil arms purchases to Public Accounts Committee, forcing adjournment of the House for the day. Congress members repeatedly stormed the well raising anti-Government slogans. With no let-up in the uproar, Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed adjourned the House for the day. Earlier Speaker Manohar Joshi had adjourned the House thrice finding the agitated members in no mood to relent. Samajwadi Party members joined the Congress in the well before the Speaker adjourned the House for the first time during the stalled Question Hour but later chose to remain in their seats. Fernandes, who faces boycott by Congress, Left parties and RJD for the last 18 months over the Tehelka expose, was present in the House when the members trained their guns at him on the new issue.
Ayodhya to be key issue in LS Polls: RSS
Friday, August 8, 2003
Ayodhya to be key issue in LS Polls: RSS New Delhi,Thursday, August 07, 2003: The RSS today categorically said Ayodhya issue would be a key issue in the Lok Sabha elections next year and Sangh Parivar outfits would back candidates and political parties which support construction of the Ram temple at the disputed site. "Organisations involved in the Ram temple movement including VHP would certainly go to the people and ask them to support only those candidates or political parties who support the cause of the Ram temple," RSS Spokesman Ram Madhav told reporters here. He, however, said the intensification of the VHP agitation now had nothing to with the elections neither would the Ayodhya issue be an important issue in the coming Assembly elections in five states. Though presently, BJP and Shiv Sena are the only two major parties supporting the temple cause, BJP had been consistently maintaining it would not rake up the Ayodhya issue but would "respond" if the opposition raises it. About 160 MPs, mostly belonging to BJP and Shiv Sena, and some NDA allies have signed on the VHP pledge to support the the temple cause, Madhav claimed. Endorsing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's recent statement in Ayodhya vowing to fulfil late Mahant Paramhamsa Ramchandra Das' last wish regarding Ram temple, Madhav charged the opposition with "politicising" a non-issue for the sake of vote bank politics. The RSS Spokesman also welcomed new Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas Chief Nritya Gopal Das' proposal to negotiate with local Muslims on the Ayodhya issue and claimed "some other efforts were also on" to resolve the imbroglio. 20:36 IST
Oil India not to be disinvested: Shourie
Friday, August 8, 2003
Oil India not to be disinvested: Shourie New Delhi,Thursday, August 07, 2003: Government today informed Rajya Sabha that Oil India Ltd is not to be disinvested and its equity will not be reduced below 51 per cent in IOC, ONGC and GAIL. "Oil India Ltd is also not to be disinvested," Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie said in a written reply when asked if there was any change in the disinvestment policy specially with respect to profit-making PSUs. While denying there was any change in policy, Shourie said all non-strategic central PSUs, whether profit making or loss making, are to be disinvested. "However, government has decided that in the case of IOC, ONGC and GAIL, government shareholding would not be reduced below 51 per cent," he added. On whether Jessop Company Ltd disinvestment has been cleared by the Calcutta High Court, he replied in the affirmative. "Jessop & Co Ltd Staff Association has filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court. No stay has been granted by the Supreme Court," the Minister added.
Star likely to get 2-week extension
Friday, August 8, 2003
Star likely to get 2-week extension New Delhi,Thursday, August 07, 2003: Government is likely to give Star another two-week extension for temporary uplinking of its news channel, which is now in the eye of a storm over its application for permanent uplinking from Indian soil. The IMG may meet on Saturday to finalise its recommendations on Star's proposal, being seen as a test case for Government's future policy on uplinking. Though the two-week deadline of the previous extension given to Star expired Wednesday night, the channel continues in its earlier format in view of a court stay restraining VSNL from switching off its signals. Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources today said it was likely to give its formal nod for another fortnight's extension Friday. With Star being the only such case which has come up, the IMG is focusing on its application to see if the uplinking guidelines need further tightening, they said. On suggestions about an Indian shareholder having at least 51 stakes, sources said major policy changes would require a cabinet approval. The Government also realises that enforcing the "spirit" of guidelines was not an easy task and the Group of Ministers (GoM) to which the issue will be referred may look at the matter in a wider context. Star has got four consecutive weekly permissions and a fortnight long one after the June 26 deadline for meeting the uplinking guidelines stipulating a 26 per cent cap on foreign equity expired. 20:51 IST
Arjuna Awards Committee to reconvene on Aug 9
Friday, August 8, 2003
Arjuna Awards Committee to reconvene on Aug 9 New Delhi,Thursday, August 07, 2003: The newly-formed Arjuna Awards Committee, which has sparked off a controversy by recommending an excess number of sportspersons for the coveted honour, will reconvene here on August 9 to prune the list in accordance to government guidelines. "We will meet in New Delhi on August 9 and finalise the list for the Awards. We will prune the list befoe submitting it to the Sports Ministry," chairman of the committee and former footballer P K Banerjee told over phone from Kolkata. "We have no other option but to cut down the list. I have consulted various people and have found out that our committee has no power to increase the list. We have to abide by the government guidelines," Banerjee said. The committee had suggested to the Government to increase the number of awardees to accomodate deserving candidates and had nominated 21 sportspersons for the Arjuna Awards and two -- athlete K M Beenamol and shooter Anjali Bhagwat -- for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2002. But the government had last week rejected the proposal saying it will not deviate from its old policies while selecting sportspersons for the honour. The Sports Ministry also made it clear that it was for the committee to prune the list before submitting it for final approval. As per the government guidelines, 15 sportspersons and a disabled athlete are selected for the Arjuna Awards each year while the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is given to one sportsperson. 16:00 IST
Guj govt points flaws of judge in its appeal in High Court
Friday, August 8, 2003
Guj govt points flaws of judge in its appeal in High Court Ahmedabad,Thursday, August 07, 2003: Ahead of Friday's Supreme Court hearing of the NHRC petition, the Gujarat government today challenged in the state high court the acquittal of 21 accused in the Best Bakery case by a Vadodara court. The Gujarat govenrment also simultaneously moved an application challenging the decision of a Godhra sessions Court earlier in which several persons accused of atrocities and rioting during the communal violence were also acquitted. In its appeal, the state government cited "flaws" of the judgement of Fast Track court judge in Vadodara H U Mahida and said while pronouncing the acquittal orders on June 27 "the trial court had acted illegally and with material irregularities by not treating the statement of Zaheera Shaikh, the key witness, as an FIR right from the start". The state government said the trial court in Vadodara had 'materially erred in law' and had ignored a settled legal position that 'merely because witnesses turned hostile the entire evidence could not be discarded in toto'. The Gujarat government's action today is seen as an attempt to preempt any moves to shift trial in the Best Bakery case outside Gujarat, a plea that has been made by NHRC to the apex court. The NHRC last week moved the SC seeking fresh trial in the Best Bakery and four other cases of post-Godhra violence and wanted the cases to be heard outside Gujarat. 21:43 IST
Bighelp organized 'Fun-A-Thon'
Friday, August 8, 2003
Bighelp organized 'Fun-A-Thon' to promote the literacy programs in India. Total 136 people have participated in annual 'Fun-A-Thon 2003' event on August 3rd, 2003 organized by 'Bighelp For Education' at American Legion, Norwood, MA. This is the first fund raising and fun filled family friendly event organized by Bighelp since its incorporation in July 2002. Participants came from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, said Chand Pasha, Founder and president. The response from all participants was phenomenal and heartening. Mr. Anup Sodhani has decided to sponsor the education for 7 children. Mr. Sudhakar Tadepalli has started sponsoring the education of 2 children on occasion of his twin daughter's birthday, said Chand Pasha. Dr Jagannadha Rao has decided to donate his 27" TV to continue sponsor 2 children those who have been getting his support since October 2002 through Bighelp. TV was bought by Mr. Srinivas for $100 on the same day of event. Mr. Deepak Wadhwa and Mr. Srinivas Chaganti have decided to sponsor 2 kids each. Mr. Satya Duggirala and Mr. Anand Dave have sponsored one kid each. The generous donations from all participants was a pleasant surprise for the organizers. Mr. Srihari Valiveti, program coordinator said, there is no other gift that can match the gift of an education for an underprivileged children. Within one year Bighelp has achieved a tremendous recognition among the community and made a significant contribution in promoting the literacy among underprivileged children in India. Srihari said, Bighelp is offering three kinds of programs. They are, 'Sponsor A Child', 'Adopt A School' and 'Merit Awards'. Currently 62 students are being sponsored through Sponsor A Child program. Each of them receive the worth of Rs 250 every month for continuing their education through this program. Around 2100 students have benefited in 9 schools in 4 districts of Andhra Pradesh through 'Adopt A School' program. Currently 2 merit awards are being facilitated by Bighelp, one of which is being sponsored by Mr. Chand Pasha, founder and President of Bighelp on the name of his loved ones, said Srihari. Mr. Chand Pasha attributed the success of the organization to Indian heritage and culture. He said, our Indian culture and its system has inbuilt philanthropy which made his life easy every time he approached the people for supporting the cause that he stood up for. Chand mentioned that he did not have to explain the importance of education to anyone as all NRIs have already tasted the fruits of higher education. Chand mentioned, many people have joined the organization to support the cause and these people are making wonders for the betterment of unfortunate kids in India. He said, the future of the organization is going to be very bright looking at the achievements they had in the past year. You do not need to be very rich or spend full time to help the people in your country where you live and the country where you educated, all you need is an intention to help and make the difference, then every moment will present you an opportunity to seize life, said Chand Pasha. You can reach poorest of poor and bring the light in the life a poor kid by $7 per month through Bighelp. Bighelp does not act just like a funding agent, but, directly involve and expect the socio-economic change by leading the education development programs through its own organization "Bighelp For Education, India", with head office in Hyderabad. The issues being addressed by Bighelp are enrolment, retention and quality of education in India. Currently Bighelp does not fund any other organizations, said Chand Pasha. Sreenivasulu Batchu, the general secretary has congratulated the volunteers for exceeding the target of collecting $2000 funds, thanked and praised the volunteers for their hard work in organizing this event. Without the help and support from volunteers, their spouses, kids and restaurants, the fun-A-thon would have not been so much of fun, said Srini. The money collected will be spent in 'Sponsor A Child' and 'Adopt A School' programs. Money will be equally divided between these 2 programs except for the donations that were made specifically for one of the above programs. Kids competitions were organized by Dr Sunitha and Mrs Kuntal which include coloring competition (Winners Shalini & Meghana), Jelly bean & spoon (winners Sanjay & Sadhana), four corners (Winner Sahil), Simon Says (Winners Sadhana & Meghana) and Musical Chairs (Rahul & Vijay). Due to inclement weather conditions, this initially planned outdoor event had to be moved indoors to American Legion in Norwood, MA. The event has started right on scheduled time of 11:30AM and continued till 4:00 PM. The highlight of the day was the delicious food sponsored by four Indian restaurants which include Karma India from Arlington Heights, Jaipur Café from Norwood, Jewel Of India from Waltham and Gourmet India from Burlington and mouth watering food prepared by volunteers Hameeda, Jyothi, Haritha and Phalguni, inspiration and enthusiasm shown by all volunteers and participation of kids in fun filled games organized by Dr Sunitha Kandula & Mrs Kuntal. Bighelp For Education, is a voluntary, nonprofit organization based in USA dedicated for uplifting the underprivileged children in India through education. What makes Bighelp unique is the fact that all programs are being done in the name of donor, donors have all the information about where their money is spent, the effective way of fund utilization by project committees and having a unique procedures to ensure the quality. The organization has no administrative overhead and thus applies 100% of all contributions towards the integral development of underprivileged and the needy who are at risk of discontinuing their studies due to very impoverished circumstances. For more information about Bighelp, visit http://www.bighelp.org "
Simultaneous polls will lead to "cheating like hell": Lyngdoh
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Simultaneous polls will lead to "cheating like hell": Lyngdoh New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: As a controversy rages over the suggestion for synchronisation of Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, Election Commisioner J M Lyngdoh today said simultaneous polls will lead to "cheating like hell" which cannot be tackled and the idea is of anti-democratic character. However, the Commision is prepared to hold Lok Sabha polls anytime if the situation demanded. Lyngdoh also dismissed Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's idea on synchronisation of polls as "not a happy proposal." "There are certain states which need special attention. In terms of electoral records it is very bad. Obviously we cannot allow everybody to go to polls at the same time. It is not a good situation to have everybody going to polls at the same time. "We won't be able to pay attention. They will cheat like hell and we won't know what to do with that," he said in an interview to PTI. In any case, he said, why should any state be oriented towards Parliamentary elections. "There is nothing in democracy which says Parliament is more important than assembly. They all have same weightage. Why should not Parliament be oriented towards assembly elections. So it is not democracy. That is it". 19:11 IST
Ban Coke, Pepsi: Members
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Ban Coke, Pepsi: Members New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: Voicing serious concern in Lok Sabha over the reported presence of high levels of pesticides and insecticides in Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola and ten other soft drink brands causing dreaded diseases like cancer, angry members today demanded an immediate ban on these drinks. Responding to members' concern, Health Minister Sushma Swaraj said the Government had sought a comprehensive report in this regard. "Government will take steps keeping in mind the collective wisdom of the members here," she said. Rejecting the opposition members' notices of adjournment motion on the issue, Speaker Manohar Joshi, however, allowed them to speak briefly. Describing the issue as "serious and startling", Swaraj said her reaction was the same what members had stated after going through media reports. "I will collect all the facts and come back to the House," she added. Shiv Sena member Suresh Jatav said the Multinational companies were not only looting the country but spreading dreaded diseases through these soft drinks. Samajwadi Party member Ramji Lal Suman said these companies were selling these drinks in Europe and Western countries in which the level of the pesticide and insecticide was very low whereas it was high in India. CPI-M member N N Krishnadas and CPI member Prabodh Panda sought immediate banning of these soft drinks to save the future generations. 15:46 IST
Govt under attack on Star, hints at tighter uplinking norms
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Govt under attack on Star, hints at tighter uplinking norms New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: Under severe opposition attack for allowing Star News to continue operations in India, Government today assured in Rajya Sabha that every effort will be made to ensure that editorial control vests in Indian hands and hinted at tightening of eligibility criteria for uplinking. Amidst an Opposition walkout, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad turned down the demand to stop permission to Star News for temporary uplinking saying the matter is under consideration. "We will give them a fair and transparent consideration ... should I stop midway when consideration is on," he said replying to a calling attention motion on CAS and uplinking of foreign channel. Expressing dissatisfaction with the minister's reply, the entire opposition staged a walk-out. "If we feel the present guidelines require eligilibility criteria to be tightened up, we will do it," the Minister said as he ruled out putting in place a regulator for broadcasters saying it was part of the Convergence Bill. However, he said Government was open to consultations and come back to the House on this. While making a strong case for introduction of the controversial Conditional Access System (CAS), Prasad said this would usher in technological empowerment of households and transparency in viewership. 19:11 IST
PAC refuses to probe Kargil purchases
Thursday, August 7, 2003
PAC refuses to probe Kargil purchases New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: A fresh battle broke out today between the Government and Opposition with the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, headed by Congress M P Buta Singh, taking an unprecedented step refusing to probe the Kargil arms purchases following Defence Ministry denial of Central Vigilance Commission report on the purchases. The PAC tabled a unanimous report in Parliament expressing inability to go into certain irregularities pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditer General on Kargil purchases, which the opposition contended was "an unprecedented constitutional stalemate". The Opposition is planning to rake up the issue Thursday feeling vindicated in its position on Defence Minister George Fernandes who is already facing a boycott for the past 18 months on Tehelka issue. Describing it as an "anamolous situation" that while the CAG findings on Kargil arms purchases were made public, the PAC said secrecy was being claimed by the Defence Ministry to withhold the CVC report from the committee. 20:52 IST
Govt employees have no right to go on strike: SC
Thursday, August 7, 2003
New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: In a judgement of far-reaching implications, the Supreme Court in a major ruling today said the government employees have no "fundamental, legal, moral or equitable right" to go on strike and hold the society to ransom. In a 21-page judgement, the apex Court held that the government employees had neither any fundamental, legal or statutory right nor moral or equitable justification to go on strike. On the question of right to strike, whether fundamental, statutory or equitable/moral right, a Bench comprising justice M B Shah and Justice A R Lakshmanan said "in our view, no such right exists with the government employees." This ruling was given by the Court while disposing of petitions pertaining to dismissal of nearly two lakh employees by Tamil Nadu Government for going on strike from July 2. Justice Shah, writing for the Bench, said "law on this subject is well settled and it has been repeatedly held by this Court that the employees have no fundamental right to resort to strike." Extracting a 41-year old constitution Bench Judgement relating to bank employees, the Bench said the apex Court had specifically held that even a very liberal interpretation of constitutional provisions "cannot lead to the conclusion that trade unions have a fundamental right to an effective collective bargaining or to strike, either as part of collective bargaining or otherwise". 19:11 IST
'Chalte Chalte' makes Shah Rukh richer
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan's latest low cost film 'Chalte Chalte' has emerged as a box office hit, earning more than Rs 33 crore internationally in the first month of release, trade analysts and director Aziz Mirza said. "Chalte Chalte", produced by Khan's company Dreamz Unlimited, was made on a budget of Rs 8 crore, just over half the average cost of a Khan starrer of around Rs 15 crore. Mirza said he believes the key factor for the success of the movie is that it reflects real life situations of married couples, especially in urban India. "I think this film touched the heart of the audience. They could relate the film to their lives," Mirza told AFP. "Chalte Chalte" is the story of a couple played by Khan and actress Rani Mukherjee, whose relationship goes through troubled times after their marriage. "The film did well because it was an interesting viewing. Once the audience got involved in the subject, they started liking it," said Mirza. "My earlier film with Shah Rukh, 'Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani' did not go down well with the audience as they were confused and could not relate it to their lives. This time I was very clear in my mind before making the film." Rani Mukherjee agreed with the director. "It is the job of analysts and journalists to think about what made the film a hit. But, I feel that the film was about a mature couple and the subject appealed to the audience," said Mukherjee. The movie has travelled well internationally, the English-subtitled version taking more than one million dollars in the United States and 1.9 million dollars in Britain. Trade analysts said some of the factors favouring the film were the popularity of its songs, the fact that "Chalte Chalte" was Khan's first release in more than a year after early last year's tragic love story "Devdas" and the low production cost. "The music has really done well and the movie is the first outright commercial release of Shah Rukh after a long, long time. Therefore a lot of his fans turned up to see the film again and again," said trade analyst Amod Mehra. He said an alleged quarrel between Shah Rukh and Salman Khan during the early days of the shooting with Aishwarya Rai worked in the film's favour. "People were curious about this tiff between Shah Rukh and Salman. They therefore went in large numbers to know more about the film as it had generated a certain amount of hype among the viewers," Mehra said. He said the low cost of the film had also helped roll in the profits. "The producers of "Chalte Chalte" were very pragmatic in their approach to this film. They kept the costs very low from the very beginning," he said. Ronnie Screwvala, chief executive of the Mumbai-based UTV Group which produced the movie, said it had done well because it was a "simple love story" that offered more philosophical fare than the standard Bollywood flick. "We have moved away from the usual Bollywood formula and are finding support from more (cinematically) mature audiences," Screwvala told AFP. He said Indian audiences were changing, with the demands of urban audiences quickly becoming more sophisticated than those of their country cousins.
'Koi Mil Gaya' impresses PM
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Mumbai: Hrithik Roshan is probably the happiest man in India. And why not? After all the most important man in India gave him a thumbs-up sign to his movie, Koi Mil Gaya. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee saw Hrithik's latest film and in Hrithik's words, 'he really enjoyed it'. PM reportedly congratulated Hrithik on his film and his performance in it. However, the real test is yet to come for Hrithik. ANI
Kuch Na Kaho
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Director Rohan Sippy Producer Ramesh Sippy Choreographer Saroj Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant and Bosco-Caesar Cast Abshihek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Satish Shah and Suhasini Mulay Arranged marriages vs love marriages have since long been a favourite theme in Bollywood. Most of the time, love marriages triumph over arranged ones. Kuch Na Kaho seems to be no different. Debutant director Rohan Sippy takes a look at what happens when a young Indian-American, who doesn't believe in arranged marriages, finds himself being forced to meet potential brides. Kuch Naa Kaho, stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles. Ramesh Sippy is the producer. Raj (played Abhishek Bachchan) who lives in New York is asked by his mother, Dr. Malhotra (played by Suhasini Mulay) to get married and settle down. But Raj is against marriage, and that too an arranged one. However, his mother gets her brother (Satish Shah) to emotionally blackmail Raj into agreeing to meet with eligible girls. And, the twist comes when, the person raj’s uncle chooses as the matchmaker and go-between for these meetings is the one person Raj has already antagonized in his 24 hours in Mumbai. Enter, Namrata [played by Aishwarya Rai), as the marriage planner. After a series of meetings with potential brides, it becomes apparent to Namrata that finding a match for Raj is not only a nightmare, but an exercise in futility. What does she do next? Rohan Sippy tries to give you the answer. Apart from Abhishek and Aishwarya, Kuch Naa Kaho has a variety of stars in Satish Shah, Suhasini Mulay, Jaspal Bhatti, Himani Shivpuri, Tanaaz Currim, Meghna Malik, Gautami Gadgil, Divya Palat, Ramona Sunawala and Parth Dave. The story is by Rohena Gera and the screen play by Neeraj Vora. Lyrics are by Javed Akhtar and music by Shakar-Ehsaan-Loy. The film will open in theatres in August. India Syndicate
Milan Luthria
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Milan Luthria has been a director to watch out since his Kacche Dhaage released some four years ago and made an impact. Milan learnt the ropes of filmmaking from Mahesh Bhatt. He speaks on his latest film Chori Chori Why such a along gap between films? The producer passed away last year. That was a set back. Fortunately, we had completed the film. But after that we were stuck with various other factors. The industry was passing through a lean phase, and distributors were looking only for action films. Then came the industry strike, and then came the exams. All these delayed the film. We decided to pull everything off the air and wait for a substantial period of time and come back with an entirely new promotional campaign. That's only because the film has shaped up well. We didn't want it to be just released. It had big stars too. So we waited till the atmosphere both in the country and in the industry was such that people wanted to go to cinema halls again, spend money to buy tickets. At the end of the period we found that things had shaped up well. Rani is doing very well and so is Ajay Devgan. Though I believe firmly that audiences decide on their own. No amount of promotions can either coax them or deter them from seeing a film. Is it just another love story? No it isn’t. It's the story of a girl who is an orphan and is raised by a traditional group of north Indian wedding singers. So all through her life she has seen beautiful weddings and she wants one of her own. But she's also a trickster and she always finds herself in difficult situations. One of these happens to be this big family which has Ajay Devgan. She finds herself stuck in a situation in which she is planning a wedding which she's really good at, but which is not to be hers. She finds herself falling in love with a man who doesn't love her. The two of them don't see eye to eye. It is a story of Ajay Devgan who believes in living life on his own terms but who doesn't realize it, but the catalyst which he needs is right by his side – a person he cant stand. So in many ways it's not your typical jaded love story. The spine of the story is the character. We have strictly kept away from the usual clichés like family differences, religious differences family dramas, sacrifices being made at the altar etc. That's something that I'm very proud of. Rani is outstanding. These are the things that set the film apart. The approach is fresh, it's a fresh story treated in afresh manner. Do you think the Ajay Devgan-Rani Mukherji pair would work? Cinema is a work of make-believe. When you see a pair for the first time the credibility level is higher. You feel that they are meeting for the first time. And then the contrast is interesting. Rani is bubbly, vivacious and full of life, while Ajay is cynical. The chemistry is new as opposed to seeing her with a Shah Rukh Khan. I think that helps. In a romantic comedy Ajay Devgan is an unusual casting as opposed to the pros who have done so many romantic comedies. Did you choose this cast? Yes I wanted Ajay Devgan because I wanted him in this role. The kind of comedy that Mr Bachchan has done. I wanted Rani because she represents a lot of laughter. There is a lot of emotional depth which you can see in her eyes so it's not only superficial laughter. I keep telling her that she's probably the most emotional actress of our times. That's her strength. When you see her you feel for her and identify with her feelings. That's one quality that stands out, it's not beauty or sex appeal, but it's an honesty that people are now appreciating. And you can see that in her recent films. Don’t you think Rani hasn't received her due and that people take her too much for granted? Yes. I think her best time is yet to come. People are just about waking up to her huge potential. I think she's here to stay and to rule. I know there are a lot of directors who are keen to work with her. She's a very committed actress, very hardworking and very committed to her work, very eager to learn from directors. I think there is a lot to come from her. This is the phase that will define what she's going to be from here on. This is not what she can attain, this is only scratching the surface. Ajay Devgan seems to be a favourite with you? Ajay I think is very underrated. People wake up from time to time and say yes he's a great actor. They did it when he did Najayaz, when he did Zakhm and Bhagat Singh, and Company. I'm surprised how many times are people going to say 'oh we didn't realise he's a good actor. It's just that he is media shy, low profile, and believes in his work speaking for him. Also, there's a lot of maturity in him now with regard to role selection. I think he's finally getting it right. He's picking good directors, like JP Dutta, Ram Gopal Varma and Mani Ratnam. Lata Khubchandani India Syndicate
Chupke Se
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Director Shona Urvashi Producer Jayshree Makhija, Nirmal Anand Cinematographer Madhu Ambat Music Vishaal Bharadwaj Cast Zulfikar Syed, Masumi, Rati Agnihotri Virwani The Story Varun, a software millionaire has spent his life surfing the net. He has lost his teenage years behind the monitors of virtual reality. He now excuses himself from his mundane life and is ready to take reality head on. Megha dreams of having the most fun-filled life that ever was. She longs for the life of virtual reality as promised by television, advertisements, beauty contests and films. Her wonderfully cozy home and a spontaneous, albeit predictable life is not enough... She dreams the dream of wearing the crown and becoming a celebrity. Two contrasting people. Varun, a modern man, looks for a traditional romance. Megha, from a traditional home, longs a modern lifestyle of glitz and glamour. They meet and our crazy love story begins. Varun chases Megha, Megha chases her dreams. Megha's father Mr. Timgire, The income tax man, chases the dream maker Almira. The Don chases the Taxman. 'The dream makerl Almira chases the dreamers. The police chase the Don. A merry go round of madness n' mayhem creates this comical love story that is naughty by nature. The Characters Zulfikar Syed as Varun While most teens spend their time on the computer, he spent his inside one! Meet the Software millionaire who has been hit by the sudden realization that its necessary to have fun, the problem is there is no software that can teach you how to have fun thqugh...you just got to out there and find out for yourself...Chupke Se. Masumi as Megha Up till now she's played the role of a suburban girl leading a bland & inconsequential life. Being at the wrong place, at the right time, sets her on the path to fame and fortunes... But it all happens rather `Chupke Se` Raman Lamba as Riz Riz (as he in better known) is the perfect example of the idle mind is a devils workshop, so when he's not busy fueling his lady love Almira Kochhar's vain notions, he's busy recking havoc in other peoples otherwise mundane li ves... but Chupke se! Rati Agnihotri as Mrs. Almira Kochhar Her life spans around her social circle. A very glamorous yet nasty character. Her role has lot of substance and a dual twist. Om Puri as Qasim Khan Qayamat A don in search of fame. Loves the limelite and would do anything to be part of the rich and famous. A don who is not so Chupke se!
Kiss Kis Ko
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Kiss Kis Ko Director Sharad Sharan Producer Studio Medient Cast Bhumika Puri Band of Boys A dream girl. A team of boys fall for her. Debutant director Sharad Sharan’s Kiss Kis Ko tells the tale of these boys who woo the dream girl. Produced by Studio Medient, Kiss Kis Ko promises to be different from the run-of-the-mill tales that are being churned out in Bollywood today. The film is also the debut vehicle of the pop band 'Band of Boys' and model Bhumika Puri. Bhumika Puri plays the dream girl who drives the boys crazy. The film is a fictional tale of a boy band, featuring the band of boys, Aly Khan, Aparna Vasisht and Zutshi. The film was shot entirely in Bali in 45 days. Bhumika has worked in ads for brands like Dermi Cool, Toyota Qualis, Whisper, Everest Masala, Dabur Vatika, BPL TV, Kodak, Ponds, Voltas AC, Samsung, etc. She has also worked in music videos, Udit Narayan's Dilbar (remix) and also with Sonu Nigam. She has also had a little theatre experience with the English play O God of which she did 20 shows. As the name suggests, Kiss Kis Ko is a youthful film and the presence of the 'Band of Boys' makes it interesting. The film is expected to open in theatres by mid-August. Lata Khubchandani India Syndicate
Mumbai Matinee
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Mumbai Matinee Director Anant Balani Music Farhad Wadia Cast Parizaad Zorabian Rahul Bose Saurabh Shukla Vijay Raaz Director Anant Balani lines up a movie with a difference. Mumbai Matinee narrates the tale of Debu, who is in his early thirties and works in an ad agency. He is a happy man, but faces only one problem -- he is still a virgin!! Debu considers this a major problem and needs to find a solution to it very fast. His search for a solution leads him to a man, who calls himself Baba Hindustan, who promises to cure him of his problem. Debu goes to visit the Baba in a hotel. There he meets Nitin Kapoor, a small time filmmaker and the two get along at once. The Baba gives Debu a bottle of strange pills telling him these would solve his problem immediately. A week passes but Debu's virginity remains intact. Things come to a head when Debu gets conned by Kapoor and the Baba. The Baba films Debu doing some physical exercises and then misuses them as visuals of a man performing sexual intercourse. Debu is unaware of all this. Debu, on his part, comes to terms with his fate and his virginity. Kapoor's film releases and becomes a huge success. Ironically Debu now becomes a "sex star" while still being a virgin in reality. Debu soon gets arrested and lands in jail. Enter Sonali Verma, a journalist. She wants to interview the star in Debu. Though Debu refuses, she bails him out of jail and helps him by putting him up at her house when he gets thrown out of his own house. Debu finds solace in Sonali and they fall in love. Debu realises that there is more to a relationship than sex. His urge to somehow lose his virginity dies off. Love takes over. He finds love in Sonali. Anant Balani tries to tell a simple story in a humorous and convincing manner. Farhad Wadia scores music to lyrics by Anand Raaj Anand and Milap Zaveri. Farhad Wadia has also penned some songs. The movie will hit the theatres soon.
Rules - Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Director Parvati Balagopalan Producer Crossover films Nirja Shah Music Sandesh Shandeliya Cast Tanuja, Milind Soman Namrata Barua Meera Vasudevan Rules-Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula is a lighthearted look at the game of love. Director Parvati Balagopalan tells the story of a girl who has a crush on a famous supermodel, for a long time. One day, she actually meets him, and her world turns upside down. She wants to make him her’s, but she doesn’t know how to go about it. Enter her grandmother and she agrees to help her and gives her a set of rules. These rules of attraction are the subliminal codes of human behaviour, honed over generations of courtship and romance. These rules have been filtered to form the essence of the rules that are employed by the girl to try and get this man of her dreams. Does she actually succeed? Do these rules of attraction really work? This young contemporary love story is set against the backdrop of the glamorous fashion world. Crossover Films, an integrated film production company headed by Nirja Shah, produces the movie which releases on August 10. The film has music by Agra-born Sandesh Shandeliya who has learnt classical music under Ustad Sultan Khan. He has worked as assistant to the reputed music arranger Surinder Singh Sodhi and later composed for Udit Narayan's album 'I Love You'. He was also associated with Shubha Mudgal’s 'Pyaar Ke Geet', Chitra-Ustad Sultan khan’s 'Piya Basanti' and films like 'Road', 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum' and 'Agni Varsha'. The director Parvati Balagopalan is a post-graduate in Mass Communication and has assisted Ketan Mehta in 'Maya Memsaab' and 'Oh Darling, Yeh Hai India'. She has earlier directed ads, corporate films and TV serials like 'Margarita', 'Chota Mooh Badi Baat', 'Hu Ba Hu'. Lata Khubchandani India Syndicate
American Chai
Thursday, August 7, 2003
Director Anurag Mehta Cast Aalok Mehta, Sheetal Sheth, Josh Ackerman and Paresh Rawal American Chai is a romantic comedy about Sureel (Aalok Mehta), a first generation Indian-American college student who can’t tell his parents that he wants to be a musician, not a doctor. Growing up in New Jersey, Sureel just wanted to be like his American friends, but his strict, immigrant parents kept a tight rein on his life: no dating, no staying out late, no music, no R-rated movies, no prime time TV, etc. Caught between progressive American culture and long-standing traditions of his family, Sureel chooses to create two lives, one for himself, and a fabricated life for the benefit of his family. Now, in his senior year at college, Sureel’s duplicitous ways have reached a breaking point. His grades are good, he has a girlfriend, and his rock band is doing well …but his parents don’t know about most of this. They think he is going to graduate with a pre-Med degree, and that he is steering clear of dating, partying and music. His father (Paresh Rawal) has decided that Sureel will become a doctor, and he would be crushed to find out about Sureel’s rock-and- roll ambitions -- and that his girlfriend is not Indian. Things start to unravel when Sureel and his band have a falling out, and his girlfriend dumps him to follow the band. Soon he finds himself falling for the beautiful dancer Maya (Sheetal Sheth), and looking for a new band to fulfill his musical aspirations, all the while continuing to hide his true life from his parents. As the story unfolds, Sureel must discover who he really is and what he really wants, and whether he is willing to pay the price for following his dreams. Does he reveal his secret life to his parents and risk their rejection? The film is all about how Sureel falls in love, faces the music, and discovers his destiny. American Chai is written and directed by Anurag Mehta and stars his real-life brother, actor-musician Aalok Mehta in his acting debut, Sheetal Sheth, Josh Ackerman, Aasif Mandvi, Ajay Naidu and Paresh Rawal in his first American feature. The soundtrack features four songs by lead actor Aalok Mehta (who also co- composed the score), along with songs from Jeff Buckley, Fathead, Electric City, and In Between Blue. American Chai, won the audience award for best feature at the Slamdance Film Festival. The film also won the Audience Award at the Gen Art Film Festival and Best Feature and Technical Awards at the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema. India Syndicate
Media personalities seek equal treatment
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
Media personalities seek equal treatment New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: Seeking a level-playing field, leading Indian television and print media personalities met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday and later said he assured them that the government would ensure that the nation's laws on foreign investment across all media would be complied with in letter and in spirit. "The Prime Minister gave a patient hearing to the group's apprehensions on a level-playing field for Indian and foreign broadcasters on the taxation regime and proxy foreign editorial control across television, print, radio and direct-to-home television," a press release issued by the newly-formed Indian Media Group after the meeting said. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, PM's Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and I and B Secretary Pawan Chopra were also present at the meeting. After the meeting with Vajpayee, the delegation also met Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and Law and Company Affairs Minister Arun Jaitley and Prasad. The delegation emphasised that government should maintain the foreign investment at 26 per cent but ensure that a resident is the single largest shareholder with at least 51 per cent equity across all media. 10:08 IST
Modi writes to Kalam, hits back at NGOs
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
Modi writes to Kalam, hits back at NGOs Ahmedabad,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit back at his critics and NGOs making an issue out of the Best-Bakery case judgement by writing a letter to President A P J Kalam urging him to direct "compilation of communal clashes" across the country since Independence to "expose the vested interests" behind the campaign "to malign Gujarat". In an apparent reference to the outcry over Best Bakery verdict acquitting 21 accused, Modi said in his letter "these groups (NGOs and human rights' bodies) do not even hesitate to point fingers at judiciary and even cast aspersions on a judicial commission headed by a retired judge of Supreme Court that is looking into all aspects of communal riots." "They cannot even wait for the report," he said. Taking strong exception to "Gujarat being singled out" as far as communal violence is concerned, Modi said "group clashes and communal clashes have occurred in many parts of the country and Gujarat is no exception". "Why do these so-called champions of human rights focus only on Gujarat? Why are they not so active where group clashes have attained alarming proportions in other states too?" he asked. He alleged that the Human Rights Groups were "all out to malign Gujarat's and the nation's image with the help of section of a media". The Chief Minister urged Kalam to direct compilation of "number of registered cases of terrorist and extremist attacks, group clashes and communal violence, number of cases in which chargesheets were filed, number of those cases wherein the governments withdrew the cases even after filing of chargsheet and the acquittal rate". 10:08 IST
Five dead in Kashmir copter crash
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
SRINAGAR: A helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims has crashed into a mountain in Indian Kashmir, killing five people including its pilot, police said. He said the US made Bell helicopter belonging to the state government went down in the Ganderbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar, summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir state. Four of the dead were pilgrims headed for a mountain cave shrine deep in the Himalayas. One pilgrim survived the crash but he was in hospital with injuries. "The initial findings and reports suggest no sabotage and looks like an accident but we are still in a process of investigation," M. A. Shah, Deputy Inspector General of police told reporters. Witnesses said the helicopter was flying low in foggy weather when it hit a hill at 0730 hours (2pm yesterday NZ time). Nearly a dozen guerrilla groups are fighting Indian rule in Muslim majority Jammu and Kashmir. More than 38,000 people have died since the revolt began in late 1989. Each year, thousands of Hindu devotees trek to the Amarnath shrine situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres. This year the government has also been flying affluent pilgrims and security officials on the helicopter to the shrine.
Quake jolts Gujarat
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
AHMEDABAD Aug. 5 . Panic gripped several parts of Gujarat today as an earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale jolted the State, including Kutch which was the worst hit by an earthquake over two years ago which killed more than 20,000 people. The Meteorological centre said the epicentre was somewhere in the Rann of Kutch near Bhuj. There were no immediate reports of loss of life or property. The shock was felt throughout the State from Kutch in the north to Surat and Bulsar in south Gujarat.
Indo-US military cooperation continues to increase: Myers
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
Washington,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: Complimenting India for its cooperation in the global war against terrorism, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard Myers today said the Indo-US military cooperation was increasing substantially. "Not only is India's cooperation in the global war on terrorism significant, but the US-India military cooperation continues to increase, an important fact given that India will soon have the largest population in the world," Gen Myers, who returned from a visit to India and other countries in South Asia and the Middle East, said at a press conference here. "In India, I met with my Indian counterpart and discussed ongoing military-to-military ties between India and the United States," he added. During his two-day visit last week, Gen Myers had hectic rounds of talks with top military brass and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra. He had then said that India's refusal to send troops does not bother United States. In Pakistan, Gen Myers said, he discussed the ongoing operations on the border with Afghanistan to trace Taliban and al Qaeda survivors. "Pakistan is providing tremendous support to the US in this regard. And they have stepped up troop levels and patrols on the country's borders with Afghanistan," he said. On his visit to Iraq, he said "I was impressed with the mission accomplishments and the progress we were making." He said the morale among the troops was very high. "Their mission is difficult and they are doing great". 10:07 IST
Govt not influencing CBI in Ayodhya case: Vajpayee
Wednesday, August 6, 2003
Govt not influencing CBI in Ayodhya case: Vajpayee New Delhi,Wednesday, August 06, 2003: Rejecting the opposition charge that Government influenced CBI in Ayodhya demolition case, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday night asserted in Lok Sabha "neither I nor my office ever interfered" in the working of the premier investigating agency. "Even though cases in Ayodhya matters are pending against some of my own distinguished colleagues, my government has neither withdrawn those cases nor taken any steps to interfere with the functioning of the CBI," Vajpayee said replying to a five-hour long debate on the working of investigating agencies particularly CBI. "Neither I, nor my office has ever interfered in these matters," Vajpayee emphasised rebutting the opposition charges for the second straight day in Parliament. Yesterday he had made a his government's position clear in a similar discussion in Rajya Sabha.
Houses clear corporate funding of parties
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Houses clear corporate funding of parties Our Political Bureau in New Delhi Published : August 5, 2003 Parliament today approved a legislation to legalise funding of political parties by corporate houses and make it more transparent with the Rajya Sabha passing the measure by a voice vote. The Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill 2003, passed by the Lok Sabha earlier, was approved by the Rajya Sabha today. Replying to a debate on the Bill, Law Minister Arun Jaitley said this Bill in no way legalised corporate donations or corruption in the political system but was meant to infuse accountability in the entire process. Speaking during the debate, Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee claimed a great deal of the credit for the suggestions incorporated in the Bill that were made by the House standing committee. Mukherjee said in 1985, the issue of lifting the ban on corporate contribution to political parties was mooted, but the modalities could not be worked out. The proposal made then was that companies should be entitled to donate 5 per cent of their three-year annual profits. But the response to this was not good because there was no incentive for corporates. Also this had to be passed by shareholders who felt this made companies hostage to political parties. However, by introducing the tax incentive in the current Bill, the corporates would be more forthcoming in making political contributions. Mukherjee also said there was a repeated demand for state funding. But this Bill effectively did provide for state funding - the tax break to corporates would go out of revenues the government would normally have earned. Direct broadcast time offered on television channels also represented revenue. Also the printing and supply of voters’ lists to political parties was also part of the state funding of elections, he added. Satish Pradhan (Shiv Sena), Ramdeo Bhandari (RJD), Ram Gopal Yadav (Samajwadi), M Sankaralingam (DMK) and P G Narayanan (AIADMK) expressed their apprehensions that corporate funding would only come for big parties and leave smaller organisations to fend for themselves. Prasanta Chatterjee (CPI-M) was the lone member who opposed the Bill saying if corporates were allowed to fund political parties, they should route it through states.
Airport on alert to arrest Shahabuddin
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Patna: Apprehending escape of RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin, the Bihar government alerted all international airports in the metropolitan cities across the country. Police sources said the MP, against whom arrest warrant had been issued, might escape to another country. To prevent this the airports had been asked to keep a strict vigil on all passengers. The sources said a copy of the arrest warrant against Mohammad Shahabuddin had been sent to the Director General (Incharge) of Cental Industrial Security Force (CISF) Ramesh Chandra Agrawal. Police Commissioners of Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad had also been apprised of the decision taken by the Bihar police in a meeting held here during the day. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh DGP was informed about the arrest warrant against the MP and requested to nab if Mr Shahabuddin reached there.
Sangh Parivar comes to the rescue of Vajpayee
Tuesday, August 5, 2003
Sangh Parivar comes to the rescue of Vajpayee Press Trust of India New Delhi, August 4 Even as the Opposition sought to put Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the dock on the Ayodhya issue, Sangh Parivar on Monday came out strongly in his defence saying he had said "nothing wrong". "There is nothing wrong in what he (Vajpayee) had said at Ayodhya. All the opposition parties are trying to politicise it," RSS Spokesman Ram Madhav said. VHP senior vice-president Acharya Giriraj Kishore, otherwise a critic of both Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on the Ayodhya issue, charged the opposition with "wasting the precious time of Parliament". "This is opposition for the sake of opposition. Vajpayee had only said (at Ayodhya) that the wish of late Paramhamsa Ramchandra Das would be fulfilled. Doesn't he have human feelings," Kishore asked. Both RSS and VHP had welcomed the Prime Minister's statement at Ayodhya.
UN must play an enhanced role in Iraq: India
Monday, August 4, 2003
UN must play an enhanced role in Iraq: India Damascus,Sunday, August 03, 2003: Declaring their common concern that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be established at all cost, India and Syria Sunday asserted that the United Nations must play an "enhanced role" in that war-ravaged country. "Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq have to be assured," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told after his wide-ranging talks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, Prime Minister Mustafa Mero and Deputy Minister and Foreign Minister Farouk Al Shara here. Concluding his three-day visit to this key Middle- Eastern country, Sinha, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry R M Abhyankar, said Damascus appreciated India's decision not not to send troops to Iraq till there was an explicit U N Mandate. "The U N should play an enhanced role in Iraq as there is no no alternative to the world body," the leadership in Syria told Sinha agreeing with India's stand on the issue. 21:07 IST
No change in Govt's stand on Ayodhya: PM
Monday, August 4, 2003
Seeking to defuse a gathering storm over his Friday speech, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said there is no change in government's stand on Ayodhya dispute which he felt can be solved either through a negotiated settlement or court verdict. "There has been no change in our stand on Ayodhya issue. We have been saying from the beginning that a temple should be constructed with mutual agreement and cooperation," Vajpayee told a delegation of Delhi BJP leaders here, a day after he came under attack from Opposition parties for his reported statement at the funeral of Paramhans Ramchandra Das that a temple will be built at the birth place of Ram in Ayodhya. In his speech to party workers at his residence, Vajpayee said the Ayodhya issue could be resolved through mutual agreement with Hindus and Muslims. "Efforts are on in this direction and I believe that this efforts are moving towards a positive direction," he said. "The other option is that the issue should be left to the court. Whatever verdict is given by the court, should be accepted by all," Vajpayee said. The Opposition parties yesterday attacked the Prime Minister for his speech in Ayodhya, accusing him of deviating from NDA agenda and threatened to raise the issue in Parliament tomorrow. NDA ally DMK president M Karunanidhi also demanded that Vajpayee clarify his speech to clear people's "doubts".
Apang sworn in as Arunachal CM
Monday, August 4, 2003
Apang sworn in as Arunachal CM Itanagar,Tuesday, August 03, 1999: United Democratic Front leader Gegong Apang was today sworn in as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh along with a 35-member council of ministers, ending a week-long political crisis in the state. Kameng Dolo, leader of Congress (D), which is part of the newly formed UDF, was sworn in as the first Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Besides the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, 31 were sworn in as cabinet ministers and three as ministers of state by Governor V C Pande at a function at the Rajbhavan here. All 22 members of Mukut Mithi cabinet were included in the new ministry which had eight new faces-- six of cabinet rank and two ministers of state.
Syria calls for more active Indian role in Middle East
Monday, August 4, 2003
Syria calls for more active Indian role in Middle East Damascus,Tuesday, August 03, 1999: Syria has called called for more active Indian role in the Middle East and praised New Delhi's "wise stand" of not sending its peacekeeping troops to Iraq without explicit UN mandate, as both countries agreed that the sovereignity and territorial integrity of the war-torn country should be assured. "Both sides are of the view that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq should be assured,'' External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told Saturday after wide-ranging talks with Al Assad and deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Farouk Al Shara here. Assad said India should play a more active role in the Mideast peace process and praised India's "wise stand regarding the occupation of Iraq and the Arab-Israeli conflict," according to offical Syrian News Agency (SANA). Sinha, in turn, told Al Assad that India was committed to establish peace and tranquility in the entire Gulf and Middle-Eastern regions, including Syria. Sinha and Al Assad discussed the situations in Iraq and the Palestinian territories, plus ways to bolster bilateral relations, the SANA agency said. Sinha, who is on a three-day visit to Syria, said the Syrian President during 'free and frank'' exchange of views described as "positive" India's decision not to send its soldiers to Iraq till there was an explicit UN mandate. Following talks with Al Shara, Sinha told reporters that talks covered issues of common interest and ways of "further deepening bilateral relations," particularly in the economic, investment and technological fields.
23 killed as explosion brings down three buildings
Monday, August 4, 2003
At least 23 people, including five women, were killed and nearly 40 injured when a three-storey residential building collapsed following a powerful explosion triggered by LPG cylinders in Varachha area here Sunday. Two adjoining buildings also came crashing down in the impact of the explosion which occurred at about 3.25 am on the ground floor of the building which housed a unit manufacturing instruments used in diamond industry, Additional Commissioner of Police Mohan Jha told PTI. As of now police have ruled out chances of any kind of subversive activity and suspect that sub-standard material could have been used in the construction of the buildings and this could have led to the structures caving in. A team of forensic experts were at the spot but they could get a clear picture only after the debris are removed. To a question whether police is contemplating filing an FIR against the builder, Jha said "at present, we have only registered a case of accidental death. Only after receiving the forensic science laboratory report, any decision on action against the builder can be taken." Rescue operations were on, Jha, who is on the spot said. An inquiry has been ordered into the blast and collapse of the buildings, to be conducted by Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone), Jha said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Narendra Modi has announced compensation of Rs 50,000 to the kin of each deceased in the tragedy.
Cronje may have been murdered: report
Monday, August 4, 2003
Cronje may have been murdered: report London,Sunday, August 03, 2003: Former South Africa cricket captain Hansie Cronje, who was killed in a plane crash last year, might have actually been murdered, news report claimed Sunday. Cronje, who was banned for life from playing all levels of cricket after he admitted to match fixing three years ago, might have been killed to make sure the complete truth behind the worst scandal to affect the game never came out, The Oberserver website reported. "A lot of people wanted Cronje dead," the website quoted one investigator close to the case as saying. "They feared that he would one day tell the full truth, and then many more would be implicated. "I know people who have looked closely into what happened but who were warned off by threatening phone calls. They're scared of getting a bullet in the head," the investigator said. "I understand that police have found evidence of sabotage, but they're reluctant to go public on this. The full cost of a follow-up investigation would be too great in a country that is already riven by crime. It suits the police to have a closed case".
Kuch Naa Kaho
Sunday, August 3, 2003
What happens when a young Indian-American, who doesn't believe in arranged marriages, finds himself being dragged off to meet a string of potential brides? He surprises himself, by falling in love… and shocks those around him by choosing the most ineligible woman of all as the object of his affections. A man who doesn't believe in marriage… meets a woman who can't. Will love find a way? KUCH NAA KAHO is a heart-warming film by debutant director Rohan Sippy, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Ramesh Sippy, the maker of SEETA AUR GEETA and SHOLAY, has produced the film. The synopsis – Raj [Abhishek Bachchan] lives in New York with his mother, Dr. Malhotra [Suhasini Mulay]. They are very close and share a great rapport. But there is one issue they can't see eye to eye on: his mother wants him to settle down… Raj won't hear of an arranged marriage. When Raj visits India for his cousin's wedding, his maternal uncle [Satish Shah] emotionally blackmails him into agreeing to arrange meetings with eligible girls. To make matters worse, the person his uncle chooses as the matchmaker and go-between for these meetings is the one person Raj has already antagonized in his 24 hours in Mumbai. That person is Namrata [Aishwarya Rai], Raj's uncle's favourite employee at his design studio. She is only too happy to put Raj through this torture. After a series of meetings with potential brides, it becomes apparent to Namrata that finding a match for this particular suitor is not only a nightmare, but an exercise in futility. A man who does not believe in marriage and a woman who can't… Can true love find a way? In a light-hearted journey that offers honest answers to questions about love and the quest for a perfect mate, KUCH NAA KAHO is a heart-warming offering from debutant director Rohan Sipy. The cast & technicians – KUCH NAA KAHO co-stars Satish Shah, Suhasini Mulay, Jaspal Bhatti, Himani Shivpuri, Tanaaz Currim, Meghna Malik, Gautami Gadgil, Divya Palat, Ramona Sunawala and Parth Dave. Story: Rohena Gera. Screenplay: Neeraj Vora. Dialogue: Naushil Mehta and Nidhi Tuli. Art: Sharmishta Roy. Action: Bhiku Verma. Choreography: Saroj Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant and Bosco-Caesar. About Rohan Sippy – Rohan has worked for Merchant Ivory in New York, was the executive producer of two television shows for Star TV and has written on Hindi cinema for various publications. He has also assisted his father Ramesh Sippy on various projects and balances his instinctive understanding of Hindi films with the perspective he has gained from his education and exposure overseas. http://www.indiafm.com
Reema refuses to reveal!
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Reema Sen had a dream debut in Tamil with that minty cool Minnale, but she lost out in the race when she started doing item numbers! In Dhool she was an item girl with two songs where she frolicked with Vikram in micro mini skirts. She may have got a number of admirers but producers stopped signing her as a full-fledged heroine. Recently director Saran offered her item number in his latest film JJ, but she demanded Rs 15 lakhs! Producer Oscar Ravichandran agreed and she was on the sets at the Visakhapatanam railway station to do the dance number (see pic). But soon she started throwing tantrums by saying that she will not reveal her thighs or belly button and needs a decent dress from the costume designer. Finally Saran intervened and convinced her that the song will be a bigger hit than his “O Podu…” number in Gemini! JJ has Madhavan and Amoga in the lead and a major part of the film has been shot in Kolkotta.
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa, is a love story of an Indian boy with a Pakistani girl. Together with the love side of the story, the narration has a strong patriotic feel. DPHG is about this young man Sunny (Kapil Jhaveri) trapped by emotions crosses the border and lands in Pakistan. His elder brother; an army officer is been taken to Pakistan and Sunny sets out to rescue him from the Pakistani clutches. There he encounters Rukhsar (Saloni Aswani) who was trapped in the fire to save the life of a child, he jumps in the fire, and, saves both of them. He again encounters Rukhsar in a party and their love blossoms... And one day. She asks him to marry her. At this juncture he reveals his identity that he is an Indian and he has come to Pakistan for a mission that shocks Rukhsar. But Sunny's mission concerns Rukhsar's father (Amrish Puri) the man of great principals and morals who is a brigadier in Pakistani army. She feels the sky has fallen on her and her dreams are crushed... The love of Rukhsar and principals of her brigadier father comes face to face and this creates highly charged climax of Dil Pardesi Ho Gayaa.
Live man, declared dead will be Satish Kaushik's next film
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Even before Tere Naam hits the theatres, director Satish Kaushik has already started his next project. The venture, which has buddy Anil Kapoor in the lead, is based on a true story of Lal Bihari, a village chap, from Azamgarh (U.P), who according to government records is dead, but since past 18 years, he has been fighting the case to prove it otherwise. Lal Bihari has been roaming in the corridors of the court to prove that he is very much alive. In fact, he fought the election against former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to prove his existence. He lost the election, Gandhi is dead but the man is yet to get a certificate from the court about he being alive. According to Kaushik, the film is targeted at the international audience as well. Maybe a look at the film will show the world about India's legal system, which is nearly dead, as it cannot decide between a live person and a dead one.
Advani hints at combined early election
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Pune, Aug. 2: The Centre is exploring the possibility of holding general elections along with Assembly polls in five states early next year, deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani indicated today. Advani told reporters that the NDA government has “informally” sounded members of the Election Commission about going back to the pre-1971 system in which parliamentary and Assembly elections were held simultaneously. The deputy Prime Minister only spoke of the government’s hopes of reforming the system and did not set a time frame. But his remarks are being seen as a sign that the general elections will be held before the budget session, possibly in January. Asked if the proposal would be implemented with the coming Lok Sabha polls, Advani said “a decision has to be taken”, adds PTI. But probed about which part of the year would suit such synchronised elections, he said: “The first quarter.” The general elections are due in October 2004, but there has been speculation that they could be brought forward. Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Mizoram are scheduled for November this year. The Congress wants these elections a month later so that they do not coincide with Ramazan. Explaining why the government was keen that central and state elections be synchronised, Advani said frequent polls come in the way of good governance because ruling parties are forced to take decisions with an eye on the ballot box. “These five years in government have made us conscious of the fact that the continuing election mode in which the ruling party finds itself is a serious handicap to good governance. Every important decision, including the budget, is influenced by this,” Advani said. He blamed the problems in pushing through the economic and labour reforms on this. “These days, we are seriously considering if somehow we could either reschedule the poll timetable or, if necessary, bring in change through a constitutional amendment to synchronise the Lok Sabha and state election routine.” The government has not yet discussed its plans with Opposition parties. Among the allies, Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam has been consulted. The thinking is that the current state governments can continue to function under caretaker chief ministers and have a new Assembly in place by the middle or end of January. The Constitution says there cannot be more than a six-month gap between two Assemblies. Much will depend on the Election Commission’s reaction. The government will make its case that simultaneous elections will help reduce expenses and that the Centre will be in a position to spare paramilitary forces. The Congress spoke in two voices. Spokesperson S. Jaipal Reddy described the suggestion as “semi-academic speculation” and said: “If Advani is so keen on synchronisation, his government should advance Lok Sabha polls to November.” (See P 6) But in Calcutta, senior leader Pranab Mukherjee echoed Advani and said a discussion was on at political and apolitical levels to evolve a mechanism for holding simultaneous polls. Asked if he was taking over as BJP president, Advani refused to reply.
Malaysian firm appeals against ruling in favour of Indians
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian firm has appealed against a high court judgement directing it to pay 52 Indian workers all wages it had promised to them, their air fares and legal costs. Penang High Court Judge Kamalanathan Ratnam had on June 20 directed Malaysian company Chin Well Fasteners Co Sdn to honour the promises made to the immigrant workers and pay all the arrears due to them within a week. The workers had been paid RM 350 (approximately Rs 4,600) a month but the court ruled that the firm was obligated to pay them RM 750 (approximately Rs 10,000) a month along with other standard perks. The judge also said the firm must pay for their air fare to and from Malaysia and reimburse them the fee of around USD 1,000 paid to a recruitment agent. The judge had asked the counsel of the Indian workers for estimates about the amount due to each worker. The counsel said the company owes a total of RM 800,000 (approx Rs 1.04 crore), including RM 300,000 (Rs 39 lakh) exemplary damages which depends entirely on the discretion of the judge, to all the workers. Each worker is to be paid around RM 17,000 (Rs 221,000) including RM 5,000 (Rs 65,000) as exemplary damages, a counsel said adding that "we will place these figures before the court soon."
Gavaskar says India also play the sledging game now
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Gavaskar says India also play the sledging game now Sydney,Saturday, August 02, 2003: After attacking Australians for sledging, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said even Indians "sadly" are indulging in on-field personal abuse these days. Australians may be the worst behaved but other teams also needed to pull up their act, said Gavaskar and even criticised the umpires for turning "a blind eye" to such abuse. "I would say the Australians have perhaps been more known for it (sledging), not that the other teams are not doing it," said Gavaskar in an interview to the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "Maybe not Bangladesh, maybe not Sri Lanka. But even India -- sadly -- has resorted to personal abuse," said the Indian master when asked if his recent comments on sledging in a speech at Lord's was directed only against Australia. Gavaskar, who still holds the record for maximum Test centuries at 34, said he had nothing against banter "but what you see today is direct personal abuse at the opponent, which is what I feel sad about". Gavaskar believes that Australia under Allan Border and Mark Taylor did not indulge in personal abuse but the same could not be said about the current Steve Waugh-led team. "I think I played more than 10 or 15 Test matches against the Australians and excepting the last in Australia in 1986, there was never any abuse directed at me. "I think the Lillees and the Chappells, to a great extent were maligned by the media because I played a bit against them and I experienced no abuse whatsoever. "So I certainly think it's more modern. There's been absolutely no complaint about the Australians under Mark Taylor, no complaints about the Australians under Allan Border. That tells you a story," he said. 18:56 IST
No disinvestment plans for BSNL and MTNL: Thirunavukkarasar
Sunday, August 3, 2003
No disinvestment plans for BSNL and MTNL: Thirunavukkarasar Chennai,Saturday, August 02, 2003: The Centre, at present, has no plans for disinvestment of public sector telecom PSUs - BSNL and MTNL - as the two were performing well in the competitive telecom sector, Union Minister of state for Communications and IT, S Thirunavukkarasar said today. "Both BSNL and MTNL are faring quite well in the highly competitive telecom scenario and no disinvestment plans are on the cards as of now", he said here while releasing the Chennai telephone directory-2002. However, he said this did not amount to a long term guarantee of what would happen in the next 50 or 100 years. A total of about four million "cellone" connections had already been given across the country, he said adding that at present 400,000 "cellone" connections were being added every month. He said the tele-density of the country, which currently stood at seven per cent, was poised to touch 17 per cent in the next few years.
No proposal to take over as BJP President: Advani
Sunday, August 3, 2003
No proposal to take over as BJP President: Advani On board special IAF aircraft,Saturday, August 02, 2003: Dismissing a speculation about his taking over as BJP President ahead of next Lok Sabha elections, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said there is no such proposal. "There is no such proposal," Advani told accompanying reporters enroute to Pune when asked whether he was ruling out the possibility of taking over as the party chief. "This has been going on for a long time," Advani said about the speculation in this regard. Speculation on the issue had been rife ever since Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a surprise remark at a function in Delhi two months back that Advani would lead the party to victory. The party at its national executive at Raipur last month also amended its constitution providing a second term for its president, albeit not consecutively, fuelling further speculation.
US, India lead in several certified professionals, says study
Sunday, August 3, 2003
US, India lead in several certified professionals, says study Silicon Valley,Saturday, August 02, 2003: The United States and India have the largest number of certified professionals in critical job skills in various sectors ranging from IT to healthcare, according to a new study. The United States leads the world in number of skill certifications earned with over 239,000 in 2002, followed by India with 38,195, and the Russian Federation with 15,242, says Brainbench, an online testing company. Pakistan is ninth, with Bulgaria rounding out the top ten in the world. Interestingly, with 354 certifications, Japan was placed 56 in the world. The report said that despite far fewer certifications than in 2001, primarily reflecting Brainbench's move in this period to begin charging for its tests, India maintained its dominance in South Asia. Pakistan, with 4,970 certifications, was ninth in the top 10 countries and second in the South Asian region. Bangladesh, with 455 certifications took the third spot in the region, followed by Nepal with 105. Despite its substantial lead among South Asian countries in the number of certified professionals, it is Bangladesh which has the highest in average test scores in the region, followed by India. Nepalese test takers scored lowest among all South Asian nations. 09:35 IST
PM's statement on temple construction sets off controversy
Sunday, August 3, 2003
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's statement on construction of temple in Ayodhya today set off a fresh round of controversy with NDA constituent DMK expressing "shock" and the Opposition parties accusing him of deviating from the ruling coalition's agenda. The Opposition parties gave notice of their plan to rake up the issue in Parliament on Monday seeking explanation from the government. However, another BJP ally, TDP, avoided a direct reply on the issue. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu merely repeated his party's known stand that everyone should await Supreme Court's judgement on the matter and abide by it. DMK President M Karunanidhi said the Prime Minister's statement yesterday in Ayodhya contradicted his assurances to Parliament and the commitment in the NDA agenda. "It is the Prime Minister's duty to remove these apprehensions," he said writing in his party organ 'Murasoli'. He also said it was shocking that there were contradictions in what the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's statements on the issue. The Opposition parties accused the BJP leaders of endorsing the RSS views on the temple issue and playing politics on the occasion of the funeral of Mahant Paramhans with an eye on elections. "It is unfortunate that Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister used a sad occasion to rake up a controversy on the Ayodhya issue. By doing so they went against the agenda of the NDA which is supposed to be their manifesto," Congress spokesman Jaipal Reddy said.
Heavy rain claims eight lives in Himachal
Saturday, August 2, 2003
SHIMLA: Incessant rain has claimed at least eight lives in three separate accidents across the mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, police said. Five people died near the temple town of Baijnath, 230 km from here in the Kangra valley, late Thursday when a swollen stream was blocked by a landslide. This triggered a flash flood that swept away a few houses on the banks of the stream, drowning four women and a man, besides injuring two others. Police said two persons were buried alive in a landslide in the adjoining Chamba valley, 520 km from here, on Friday. One person died in a rain-related accident in Bilaspur district, 90 km from here, police said.
Srinagar Rail project will be an engineering marvel: Nitish
Saturday, August 2, 2003
The ambitious Srinagar Rail Project, which will be dotted by several tunnels and difficult linkages, would be an engineering marvel when completed in 2007, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar told the Rajya Sabha. Setting to rest all speculation regarding problem of acquisition of land for the project, Kumar said though it is a "difficult project", the work is progressing smoothly and on schedule. "It is a very difficult project. It will be an engineering marvel when completed and we can proudly show it to the whole world." Kumar said replying to supplementaries during Question Hour. Kumar said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed's decision to publicly distribute money to two persons from whom land was acquired for the project has assured others that adequate compensation would be paid for the purpose. He told Ambika Soni (Cong) that the decision to allow private negotiations for land acquisition had made the task of acquiring land for the project much easier. The government has sanctioned Rs 500 crore this year for the project, Minister of State for Railways Bangaru Dattreya said.
Rupee declines sharply against US Dollar
Saturday, August 2, 2003
The rupee declined sharply against the US currency early today due to heavy month-end dollar demand from corporates and importers in a fairly active, but slightly nervous trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (FOREX) market. Opening on a weak note at 46.16/17 per dollar, the rupee later tumbled down to 46.18/19 in late morning deals, pulled down by all-round month-end dollar demand. The rupee closed at 46.14/15 per dollar yesterday. Customary month-end pressure took a heavy toll of a rupee value early today but there is adequate local dollar supplies to absorb the demand, a forex dealer said. Nervousness over the greenback's rally overseas compounded the rupee woes, he added. Banks buy dollar for their customer clients to pay for the normal month-end import payment and overseas debts. In cross currency trades, the Euro was quoted at Rs 51.87/90, Pound Sterling at Rs 74.39/41 and Japanese Yen (100) at Rs 38.33/35.
OOPS!
Saturday, August 2, 2003
When you saunter into a theatre screening OOPS!, you expect to watch a sex comedy. But OOPS! is not a sex-laden teen comedy as being projected, but also delves into relationships and the loneliness/frustrations of an ageing woman. Most importantly, OOPS! [heavily inspired from the Jacqueline Bisset flick CLASS, with a little of THE FULL MONTY thrown in!] sheds light on the life of male strippers, an issue that has been witnessed only once before in Hindi films [BOMBAY BOYS], but not at length, like it's done in OOPS!. Jahaan [Kiran Janjani], Aakash [Vikas Sethi] and Nikki [Adyasha] share a passion - dancing - and take up the profession as background dancers in films. Jahaan is a lower middle class guy living with his dipsomaniac father and aspires to be rich and powerful. Aakash is a rich heir and a dancer by choice. Nikki is a middle class girl in love with Jahaan, but is not sure about the way Jahaan's fundas of life work. The three are busy performing as dancers in films and corporate shows till a very lucrative proposal comes their way from a film star - Sonia [Mink Singh]. She invites Jahaan to perform a strip show. Yearning to be rich and not wither out as a mere dancer, Jahaan instantly takes up the offer to be a male stripper. After a little cajoling, Aakash agrees to accompany Jahaan and both perform their first-ever strip show despite Nikki's discomfort. Aakash opts out of doing more strip shows, Nikki is disillusioned by the way Jahaan has started behaving and Jahaan is crazily in love with his image as a casanova. And this is where the journey to stardom begins for Jahaan... In his want and greed to be with the people of power and position in society, Jahaan and the rest land up in a situation which is OOPS!. The one department OOPS! scores in is the issue that it tackles - Male strippers. In that respect, the film has enough 'masala' to shock the sensibilities of an orthodox Indian viewer, who may have read about male strippers, but may not have seen their lives minutely. And if the subject-base of the film is stripping, then sex, lust and a lot of skin show follow obviously. That's precisely what the first half of OOPS! offers. In fact, the first half has several interesting moments. The reasons that prompt the protagonist to take to male stripping looks justified. The first strip act has been well choreographed and offers eroticism aplenty. It is more likely to appeal to the youth, leaving them astonished. The best part is that the story is very convincing right through the first half and with the introduction of Mita Vashisht's character, the goings-on get all the more interesting. The interval point is the best part of the enterprise and the twist in the tale is sure to prove a shocker. If the first half has its share of poignant moments, the second half takes a different route altogether - emotions. Showing the stripper fall in love with the socialite gives the story a new dimension, which adds to the drama. The film reaches its zenith when the friends confront the stripper at the hotel and the true identity of the stripper's lover is revealed, but the portions thereafter are not as gripping as one would've expected them to be. The last half-an-hour focusses on the emotional side and justifications of various acts and deeds, which takes the fizz away from the film. The sermonizing bit towards the end makes the film talk-heavy and the viewer restless. In fact, when the goings-on get serious, the movie tumbles like a house of cards, degenerating into plain old dull melodrama. The ending is even lamer, showing signs that the writer simply ran out of ideas. It is as if a speeding car had suddenly encountered speed breakers. Director Deepak Tijori needs to be complimented for opting for a bold theme for his debut film, but as a writer, he should've given the story a proper culmination. The climax is the weakest link of the film and even otherwise, the pace drops alarmingly, with the goings-on moving at a languid/lethargic pace. Music [Ravi Pawar] is quite tuneful. Unfortunately, the non-promotion of songs is another area where the film suffers. Cinematography [Thomas Xavier] is first-rate. The choreography of the songs deserves special mention. The choreography of the strip show also deserves full marks. Both Kiran Janjani and Vikas Sethi do quite well in their debuts, delivering committed and believable performances. Kiran handles the delicate emotional scenes with care and excels in dances. Vikas is yet another newcomer to watch. Camera-friendly and a bundle of talent, the yougster is at ease in most sequences. Adyasha does very well, although the spotlight is on the two lead boys all the while. Mita Vashisht is brilliant in a role that could've been essayed only by a seasoned performer. Her work is bound to win her tremendous acclaim. Mink is superb in a small, but significant role. Kiran Kumar is just alright. Ali G. supports well. On the whole, OOPS! has a novel theme and sex as its USP. However, the subject being alien for the Indian masses, would restrict its appeal to the urban youth primarily. At the box-office, the film should generate some curiosity in metros mainly, but a long run seems unlikely. More bollywood masala at IndiaFM
Chori Chori
Saturday, August 2, 2003
There are times when a good product suffers if not released on time. The freshness is lost and the curiosity to watch the film fizzles out. That's precisely the case with CHORI CHORI, directed by Milan Luthria. Ranbir [Ajay Devgan] is an architect in a Delhi firm. He hails from Shimla, from one of the most lovable, most loving families [Kamini Kaushal, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Tiku Talsania, Smita Jaykar]. Khushi [Rani Mukherji] is a hostess in a banquet hall in Delhi. Ranbir and Khushi meet unexpectedly, but the sparks refuse to fly. But what begins is the most unexpected adventure, with them striking an even more unexpected deal. The vagabond Khushi, an orphan, has secretly longed for her Knight in shining Armour to sweep her off her feet. Gradually, Ajay and Rani are drawn towards each other, but there's a hitch. Ajay is confused about his feelings for her because he thinks Rani is just 'acting' her part, as per the pact. So, what happens next? Whom does Ajay opt for eventually - Rani or Sonali? Although CHORI CHORI has an interesting storyline, it suffers on account of a hackneyed screenplay. In fact, a similar story was witnessed in BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD not too long ago, which looked similar to the yesteryear hit DULHAN WOHI JO PIYA MAN BHAYE. A story like this may've worked a few years ago, but it holds minimal appeal in the current scenario. The film starts off pretty well, but runs out of steam in the second half. That's mainly because too many songs have been incorporated in this half, which also come in very quick succession and seem forced in the goings-on. From the script point of view, Rani's role is under-developed. The presence of Shashikala-Sadashiv Amrapurkar in her life and even the relationship she shares with the wedding singers, does not come across effectively. Even Ajay's role has been penned in haste, seems like. The relationship he shares with his boss [Satish Shah] has not been developed at all. In fact, towards the latter part of the film, Rani is shown landing up at the office and impressing the boss to grant Ajay a leave - that looks plain ridiculous. Right through the second half, the romance between Ajay and Rani does not strike a chord. Even the climax is long-drawn and not half as impactful as one would've expected it to be. Director Milan Luthria has handled a few sequences with flourish. But he is letdown by a script that looks implausible and far-fetched at most times. Moreover, due to the sluggish pace the film moves at, boredom sets in after a point of time. The biggest culprit is its screenplay, which does not boast of moments that would keep the audience interest alive. In fact, it's a screenplay of convenience. Sajid-Wajid's music is quite okay, although the placement of songs is improper. In fact, the film can easily do without a couple of songs in the second half. However, 'Chori Chori Chupke Se' is the pick of the lot. Cinematography is striking. The outdoor locales of North India appeal. The story primarily revolves around Ajay and Rani, but it is Rani who registers a stronger impression. Even though her character is not well sketched, her performance more than makes up for the flaw. Ajay Devgan's appearance and styling gives the film a dated look. His performance is also lacklustre. Although it is meant to be a special appearance, Sonali Bendre is present throughout the first half, but is relegated to the background in the other half - again, a case of half-baked characterisation. Yet, she does her part efficiently. Amongst character artistes, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Kamini Kaushal are fair. The remaining cast has been used as mere props. On the whole, CHORI CHORI is too ordinary a product that doesn't have much to offer in terms of content. At the box-office, it has bleak prospects. Rating:- *. More bollywood masala at IndiaFM
Maruti July sales jump
Saturday, August 2, 2003
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's biggest carmaker, Maruti Udyog Ltd, a unit of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp, said on Friday its July sales jumped 69.9 percent from a year earlier on surging demand for its cheapest, best-selling model. The automaker, which completed India's biggest initial public offering in nearly five years in June, said in a statement it sold 41,795 vehicles in July, up from 24,604 in the same month a year ago. Sales in April-July, the first four months of the fiscal year to March 2004, were up 53 percent at 145,843 units. "The growth in the first four months of this fiscal year has to be viewed in the context of unusually low sales in the same period last year," Maruti said in the statement. Domestic sales in July rose 60 percent to 36,545 vehicles while exports nearly trebled to 5,250 units. Sales of its mini Maruti 800, India's top-selling car, jumped 83.6 percent in the month to 13,126 units, helped by a tax cut five months ago. The Indian budget in February cut excise duty or production tax on cars and utility vehicles to 24 percent from 32 percent, leading Maruti and other manufacturers to reduce prices by more than five percent. Maruti's recent tie-up with State Bank of India, the country's biggest bank with a national network of 9,000 branches, was also helping sales by making car loans easily available at cheaper rates. The New Delhi-based firm also said the combined sales of its Omni and Versa vans rose 19 percent to 5,052 units, while its three compact cars posted 57 percent growth to 13,673 units. The automaker, 54.2 percent owned by Suzuki, makes 10 models in India and imports one fully built model from Japan. Its sales rose 2.9 percent in the past year to March from the previous year to 362,253 units, for a commanding 50.8 percent share of India's domestic new car market. In June, the Indian government sold a 27.5 percent stake in the carmaker to public and financial institutions as part of its privatisation drive.
Jogeshwari blast 100 per cent accident case, claim police
Saturday, August 2, 2003
Jogeshwari blast 100 per cent accident case, claim police Mumbai,Friday, August 01, 2003: Mumbai Police today claimed that the Jogeshwari blast was "100 per cent an accident case" but they were still trying to verify the antecedents of Dilnawaz Khan who was killed in the explosion in his house. "The Jogeshwari blast is 100 per cent an accident case," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Satyapal Singh told reporters here today. "However, we are trying to find out from where he procured the explosives and whether he had supplied the explosive material to any person," he said. "Most of the chemical explosives supply comes from outside Mumbai, including Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Mumbai also had several stockists and suppliers and we are in the process of collecting the list of people involved in the business of supplying chemical explosives," he said. "We are also in touch with Movie Action and Dummy Effects Association to help us trace the number of people involved in providing special effects in movies and those possessing a licence to do so," he said. Investigations revealed that neither Dilnawaz had a licence to store explosives nor was his company, Visual Effects, a registered one. Khan, who was a special effects assistant had started handling such work independently though he was not authorised to do so, Singh said. As per the normal procedure the department of explosives, which has branches in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Nagpur, are in charge of issuing the licence. The department receives several applications and forwards them to the police to verify the antecedents of the applicant, he said. 22:10 IST
Tendulkar praises Hussain's leadership qualities
Saturday, August 2, 2003
Tendulkar praises Hussain's leadership qualities New Delhi,Friday, August 01, 2003: Nasser Hussain, who stepped down as England captain recently, has received whole hearted praise from batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar who described him as "a very good captain and always up to something". "India and England have had some interesting duels on the field recently... and he (Hussain) was a very good captain, he was always up to something," Tendulkar was quoted as saying by Cricket website. Hussain stunned the cricketing world when he announced his resignation immediately after England's first Test against South Africa early this week. "I felt I was a bit tired and stale," said Hussain who had opted out of one-day captaincy at the end of the World Cup in South Africa early this year. Hussain, who was born in India before his parents moved to England, will be remembered as a shrewd captain who had the measure of Tendulkar. He caused a huge rancour when he asked left-arm spinner Ashey Giles to bowl around Tendulkar's leg-stump to curb his strokeplay during a Test series in India two years ago. Giles was successful in his task of keeping India's strong batting line-up under check and had Tendulkar stumped in the third and final Test in Bangalore, the only time when the star batsman was dismissed in such fashion in his 14-year long career.
Paramhans cremated, Vajpayee vows temple will be built
Saturday, August 2, 2003
The mortal remains of Ramchandra Das Paramhans, who speaheaded the movement for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya for more than half a century, were consigned to flames here today with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee vowing that "obstacles" in the path of building a grand shrine at the birthplace of Rama would be removed. In the overwheming presence of the Sangh Parivar top brass, his cabinet colleagues including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and a number of saints, Vajpayee told hundreds of mourners at Tulsi Ghat on the bank of Saryu river that "we would fulfill his (Mahant's) last wish. "I am certain that all obstacles would be removed and the path paved for it," he said, adding good sense would prevail even on those who are opposed to construction of the temple. "Everyone will have to put in efforts to make the last wish of the Mahant come true", said Vajpayee, who was making a rare visits to this temple town. Earlier amidst chanting of slogans "Baba Tera Swapna Adhura, Usey Hum Karenge Poora" (Baba, we will fulfil your unrealised dream), Vaishnav Das Shastri, a disciple of Paramhans, lit the funeral pyre. 22:10 IST
India engaged in nuclear cooperation dialogue with US
Friday, August 1, 2003
NEW DELHI: The Government is engaged in a dialogue with the US to develop and expand civilian nuclear and space cooperation, Rajya Sabha was told on Thursday. The dialogue, initiated after the United States lifted sanctions in September 2001 which were imposed in May 1998, is predicated on India maintaining its indigenous nuclear weapons and missiles programmes, Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh said in a written reply. The government has not requested the US assistance for setting up nuclear power plants, he said, adding India and the US have initiated five safety-related projects for safeguarded nuclear facilities. Exchange of visits of US and Indian neclear regulatory officials has also commenced, Singh said. The United States has offered to resume cooperation in space applications for sustainable development, weather research missions, tele-medicine, tele-education and disaster management, the minister said, adding joint workshops on civilian space applications and research have also started. As part of the process of stimulating high technology commerce, including trade in ‘dual use’ items, the two sides have established a bilateral High Technology Cooperation Group, which held its first meeting in Washington early this month, Singh said. —PTI
India to deploy US radars on LoC
Friday, August 1, 2003
NEW DELHI: India has leased two sophisticated weapon locating radars from the US for use in Kashmir and 12 more radars ordered under a $190 million deal will be delivered from September 2004, IANS quoted Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes as saying. Reports have indicated that the radars, which are used to locate enemy artillery guns and rocket batteries, will be deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, which witnessed frequent artillery duels between Indian and Pakistani forces. “Twelve weapon-locating radars (WLRs) were contracted with the US government in 2002. Delivery of these WLRs will commence from September 2004,” Fernandes said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. “In addition, two WLRs were also contracted on lease basis and these have already arrived in the country.”
Net policing comes to India
Friday, August 1, 2003
The thought police is gearing up to storm the virtual world. In what appears to be its first serious attempt to monitor the Internet, the Government of India has outlined an official procedure for blocking websites. An order issued by the department of information technology on July 7 enables a bunch of bureaucrats to decide the websites Indian surfers are allowed to access. "This is the first formal step towards Internet censorship in Indian law," warns Somasekhar Sundaresan, a lawyer who specialises in technology issues. "The order provides the State with sweeping powers to police Internet content. For example, news breaks such as those in Tehelka.com can simply be blocked by the government using these powers." Interestingly, the Information Technology Act, 2000, only provides for the blocking of pornographic websites and the monitoring of websites which endanger public order, the integrity and security of the nation and relations with other countries. But the new diktat goes a few steps further " permitting the blacking out of "websites promoting hate content, slander or defamation of others, promoting gambling, promoting racism, violence and terrorism and other such material, in addition to promoting pornography, including child pornography and violent sex". The order " No. GSR529(E) " goes on to add: "Blocking of such websites may be equated to balanced flow of information and not censorship." Critics, however, point out that much can be accommodated under this umbrella clause.
Five militants dead in Held Kashmir
Friday, August 1, 2003
Violence leaves six dead in Held Kashmir SRINAGAR: Five militants and an Indian soldier have been killed in clashes in Indian-held Kashmir, a police spokesman said Thursday. He said Indian troops shot dead three militants in the Kreeri area of northern Baramulla district Thursday during an anti-insurgency operation. “We are trying to ascertain the group the three belonged to,” the spokesman said, adding the fighting lasted three hours. Another two militants and a soldier were killed in three separate overnight encounters in northwestern Kupwara district, police said. One of the militants was killed along the Line of Control (LoC), the spokesman said. “He was trying to enter Kupwara district when he was shot dead,” he said. A former senior commander in Held Kashmir’s largest militant group, who last week announced he was renouncing violence and entering politics, was arrested Thursday, sources said. They said Zafar Akbar, alias Zafar Abdul Fateh, former divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahedin was arrested in the Baghe-Mehtab area of the summer capital Srinagar. —AFP
India to acquire Russian warships
Friday, August 1, 2003
India to acquire Russian warships NEW DELHI: India will acquire three warships from Russia, Defence Minister George Fernandes told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Of these, two ships had already been delivered and the third was likely to arrive by September, 2003, Fernandes added. —PTI
We will fight Lok Sabha polls with BSP: BJP
Friday, August 1, 2003
We will fight Lok Sabha polls with BSP: BJP NEW DELH: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Parliamentary Board on Wednesday decided to continue the alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh after a meeting at the residence of the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, reviewed the situation in that State its entirety. The view was that seat-sharing talks for the Lok Sabha elections should be held with the BSP in the next 10 or 15 days. The BJP, leaders said, favoured contesting 50 of the 81 seats in the State leaving the rest to the BSP. The decision was a foregone conclusion for the problem arising out of the Taj Corridor controversy had been resolved on Wednesday after the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mayawati, hastily withdrew her demand that the Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jagmohan, be dismissed. On Wednesday, the board sent out a positive signal: all was well with the coalition, the BJP and the BSP would fight the next Lok Sabha elections together, and Ms Mayawati would continue as Chief Minister. —The Hindu
Rani in Bhansali’s Black
Friday, August 1, 2003
After Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum, Rani Mukerji will once again be seen acting alongside Amitabh Bachchan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-talked-about Black. Rani has also admitted to this. But she isn’t too keen to talk about it at the moment, saying: "I speak about my films only after I am directed by my producer to do so." Meanwhile, it is also learnt that Rani is in consideration for one of the main leads in Bhansali’s costume drama Bajirao Mastani. Aishwarya Rai is said to be a close competitor for this coveted role, which insiders believe will eventually go to Rani. Kareena Kapoor has already bagged a pivotal role in the film.
Chokher Bali selected for Locarno Film Festival
Friday, August 1, 2003
Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali has been selected for the international competition section at the Locarno Film Festival between August 6th and 16th. The theme for this year's festival is passage – historical, geographical and personal. Chokher Bali is about a woman's fight for freedom set against a national struggle. The movie is currently in its post-production stages and is slated for October 2003 release.
Madhya Pradesh banned K3G
Friday, August 1, 2003
A division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High-Court has banned the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham taking strong exception in the manner in which the National anthem is sung in the movie. The division bench comprising Justice Deepak Mishra and A. R Srivastava has also directed the censor board to withdraw it's clearance certificate until the objectionable song is deleted from the film. The order was issued following a writ petition filed by Mr. Choksey. The court has also directed Dharma Productions to pay Rs. 15,000 each to the petitioner to cover the expenses incurred by him in fighting the case. Orders have also been issued to exhibitors and television channels to restrain them from screening the film.
Bollywood plays for Rs 100-crore stake in August
Friday, August 1, 2003
NEW DELHI: Come August and cinefans will have a gala time with over 20 Bollywood films lined up to hit the silver screen. Riding on an investment of nearly Rs 100 crore, the stakes are high for Bollywood, especially so after the recent successes at the box office. In the pipeline is an assortment of biggies like Rakesh Roshan's Koi Mil Gaya and Salman Khan-starrer Tera Naam, several mid-budget ones such as Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Ramesh Sippy's Kutch Naa Kaho, Tinnu Anand's Ek Hindustani, Ajay Jadeja's debut film Khel, Kaizad Gustad's Boom while the list of small budget flicks includes the like of Nagesh Kukunoor's Teen Deewarein, Deepak Tijori's Oops!, Mukta Art's Jogger's Park, N Chandra's Excuse Me and Prakash Jha's Gangajaal. "August this year has quite a few holidays including Raksha Bandhan (August 12th), Independence Day (August 15th) and Janmasthami (August 20), and it makes a good business sense to release films in this time of the year," says Shyam Shroff of Mumbai-based Shringar Films, a major distributor in West and North India, and also runs several theatre screens in Mumbai. Every year the month of August does see a large crop of releases also because there is general drop in business post this month till around October for the period spanning Ganesh festival, Shradh, Navaratri, pre-Diwali and ramzan. With so many flicks hitting the screen in the course of a month, industry players do not rule out cannibalisation of business. As many as four films - Hungama, Chori Chori, Teen Dewarein, Opps! - would premiere on August 1 . Similarly, the holiday weekend starting August 15th will see at least another four flicks vying for audience attention. This includes Tera Naam, Kutch Na Kaho, Jogger's Park and Vikram Bhatt's Footpath. "Audience do not have appetite for taking in more than two movies in a week given the high ticket rates specially in metros," points out Taran Adarsh, who edits a trade magazine. "Though there have been instances of two big budget movies, Gadar, ek prem katha, and Lagaan, releasing on the same day and both hitting it big at the box office, but in majority of the cases any new release each week eats into the business of earlier films," notes a Delhi-based exhibitor. The flurry of releases does not spell well for the big budget glossy of the month, Rs 25-crore-sci-fi drama, Koi Mil Gaya, scheduled to hit the big screen on August 8. Bollywood has seen a fair degree of success at the box office this summer with movies like Chalte Chalte, Andaaz, Bhoot, Iskh Vishk and Qayamat. However, the search is still on for the super-duper hit of 2003 that would help to wipe out the red ink from Bollywood Inc's balance sheet for the year estimated to be in the region of Rs 125 crore for the first six months. Almost everyone in the film trade feel that Hrithik Roshan's caper with an Extra-Terrestrial being has the potential to bring in the family audiences and turn the tide for the industry. "Koi Mil Gaya is the most widely-anticipated movie in August and is likely to hold its ground," says a confident Adarsh. However, single-screen theatre owners and programming heads of various multiplexes do admit to having a tough time at hand juggling among various movies on offer. While admitting that there is problem of plenty facing the exhibition industry, Gaurav Varma, manager (programming), DT Cinema, a Gurgaon-based multi-screen theatre, feels that the situation is likely to aggravate further if few of the movies do well at the box office. "If two or three of the movies that hit the screen early in the month do exceptionally well, some producers and distributors are likely to put off their release in view of scarcity of screens," says Varma. The growth of multiplex theatres in metros does ease matter for the exhibition business, giving them more option to juggle movies around. Shroff points out that out of twenty odd movies, the major ones would be about around six in number. "These can be accommodated in various the various multiplexes in major cities, " says Shroff. Many producers and distributors point out that the poor performance of the industry over the last two years has come up as a wake-up call. "We have had to give up lot of formulae. Each of the movies that have done well this year have freshness and their own USPs," points out producer-director Harry Baweja, whose Qayamat opened well at the box office. Though business prospects have looked up only in the summer of 2003, most in the trade feel that the losses this year would be substantially less than those in 2002 when industry was in the red by around Rs 300 crore. With Rs 100-crore worth of investments riding on 20-odd productions, the month of August will hold the key to industry's turnaround efforts.
Bipasha Basu
Friday, August 1, 2003
Ever since she made her debut, two years ago, Bipasha Basu has consistently given hits. Last year it was Raaz, this year Jism. Both films were highly heroine centric. But the characters she played in them were as diverse as chalk and cheese. Raaz had her as a woman haunted by a spirit while Jism had her practically as a vamp using men to achieve her goals. The films proved to be controversial. So did her personal life. There was mayhem when she went to promote Jism in Jaipur. Amidst the melee of men, one managed to over cross the rope barrier and manhandled her. The second incident occurred in Mumbai's plush pub Rain where a man teased her. The former incident left her shocked. The latter one she dealt with more calmly. The media went over board accusing her of indulging in black magic voodoo dolls et al. Plus her liaison with co-star John Abraham came much under speculation. Shooting for Vikram Bhatt's Footpath at Mumbai's Filmcity, we pinned down the actress to come clear about the hullabaloo surrounding her- By Parag Maniar The minute she sees you she says, "I'm really sorry I haven't bothered to reply back to you. It is just that I have been very busy off late. I have just moved into a new apartment. Shifting my paraphernalia has been a tough task. What's worse, when I arrived from Austria today I got to hear that there have been a lot of robberies in the very lane I have moved in. In fact, someone on the very first floor of my apartment building got robbed. I'm just being careful!" "So tell me more! What's the latest gossip? I'm asking about myself. Not about others,eh," she states clearly. Remind her about the Jaipur incident and she says, "Ever since that incident I'm scared to go in a crowded place. I cried throughout my journey to Bombay. The incident left me shaken. Imagine, despite of tight security the man had the gall to crossover come up to me and grab me roughly. I slapped him. That was my instant reaction. Even before John and Mahesh Bhatt could nab him, he vamoosed from there." "Also, what happened at Rain was sad. I know people said that the incidents happened to me because of the image I projected. But that's not true. What happened to me could happen to any decent girl living a decent life in society." There were reports in the media about that she carried voodoo dolls wherever she went. Bipasha pooh-poohs the accusation. "I will tell you how this rumor began. There was some journalist who had called me asking me if I believed in black magic and whether I read books on witchcraft et al. Ever since these rumors have sparked off. This is completely irresponsible reporting. Forget reading books, even the thought of ghosts gives me a shiver," she shivers. Ask her about John and she says, "The press can write whatever they want to I'm not going to bother to clarify things. I love John yes, but it is my personal life. And I don't have to talk about my personal life in print. I'm here to work. Not to discuss my personal life." Bipasha is content with the way her career is shaping out. "I have just signed Indra Kumar's Khujlee. Vivek Oberoi is my co-star in the film." Khujlee, you say. "Oh! I hope they change the name," she laughs. Besides Khujlee, Bipasha is also looking forward to two Vikram Bhatt films-Footpath and Aitbaar. "My role in Footpath is long. The film basically focuses on four friends out of which one is my brother who gets into drugs. I do not agree with the way they are living their life and want them to live a good decent life. Aftab is in love with me in the film. But things do not work out the way I want them to. While Aitbaar I play college-going girl whose father is overprotective about her. John Abraham falls in love with me. Little does he know the kind of obsession my father has for me and I'm caught between the two not knowing what to do? The film is interesting. There have been several offers but I haven't signed any film as off now," she concludes.
Aish see Vivek
Friday, August 1, 2003
There was a flutter in Bollywood last night when reigning diva Aishwarya Rai called on the injured actor Vivek Oberoi and enquired about his health. The industry was agog with rumours about the seriousness of the relationship between the two since Aish had dashed down all the way from London to see the actor. Star Vivek Oberoi is meanwhile fast improving and has started walking with support, doctors attending on him said here today. "He has started walking with support and crutches ... He is comfortable," doctors at the Hinduja Hospital, where Vivek is undergoing treatment, told newsmen. Interestingly, since Aish broke up with Salman Khan after many hiccups in the relationship, she is supposedly seeing Vivek now. She made no bones about her coming to see the star, when she stated at the airport that she had no other reasons for her hurried visit to India. She said Vivek was a dear friend and she had been worried since the time that she heard about his injury. She was hold up in his room for eight hours. Vivek had sustained a leg fracture on July 16 while shooting for a Mani Ratnam film in Kolkata. Later, he was flown to the city hospital. Vivek, who had developed a lung complication due to the fat metabolism during the treatment, is perfectly all right now, the doctors stated.
Sachin is 'Kohinoor' of India: Mushtaq Ali
Friday, August 1, 2003
Indore,Thursday, July 31, 2003: Describing Sachin Tendulkar as the "Kohinoor", legendary cricketer Mushtaq Ali has said the batting maestro's technical skill and strokeplay has made modern-day cricket worth watching. "The original Kohinoor may be resting in England but we have our own Kohinoor -- Sachin Tendulkar," Mushtaq, a member of India's first cricket team, said. Praising Tendulkar for playing a technically perfect game, Mushtaq said the presence of such a great batsman was necessary to "restore the beauty of the sport." Mushtaq, a stroke-player himself during his playing days, said it would have been interesting to see how Tendulkar reacted to the challenge of facing the feared West Indian fast bowlers of the 80's. "Sunil Gavaskar got the chance to face better quality bowlers (from West Indies) during his time. But Sachin has never played them. I would have loved to see him play against such great fast bowlers", he said. Mushtaq, who played in 11 Tests and scored 612 runs, believed that the current Indian team under captain Sourav Ganguly had the potential to be the best side in the world. "Our present team is quite good with players like Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid shouldering the responsibility. The youngsters have a lot of talent and we have the potential to be the best side", he said.
Basic telecom operators can provide SMS
Friday, August 1, 2003
Basic telecom operators can provide SMS New Delhi,Thursday, July 31, 2003: Ending year long uncertainty on the issue of SMS permissibility to basic operators, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India today clarified that SMS (short messaging service) could be provided by basic service licencees. "The authority having considered the terms and conditions of the licence, and the existing international practices, has decided that SMS could be provided by basic service licencees and has informed all basic service operators on July 29, 2003," TRAI said in a statement here. TRAI's green signal would mean that WLL operators too can offer SMS which is growing in popularity. "As per the basic service licence condition, the service covers collection, carriage, transmission and delivery of voice or non-voice messages over licencee's PSTN in the service areas and includes provision of all types of services except those which require a separate licence," it said. TRAI officials said the decision was taken about 20 days ago. SMS could be provided by messaging centre which could be attacted to any switch - fixed or mobile. Meanwhile, the basic operators have welcomed the move allowing SMS to basic service licences. "This was earlier permitted in our licence, TRAI has confirmed it and we welcome it," S C Khanna, secretary general of Association of Basic Telecom Operators, said. 21:13 IST
BJP, Sangh flay NHRC
Friday, August 1, 2003
BJP, Sangh flay NHRC; Move carries seeds of partition: VHP New Delhi,Thursday, July 31, 2003: BJP and the Sangh Parivar today made a scathing attack on the NHRC for petitioning the Supreme Court for a fresh trial outside Gujarat in Best Bakery and other cases dubbing it as an attempt to "damage" India's image, and warned the watchdog against "crossing its mandate". Firebrand VHP Secretary General Praveen Togadia went to the extent of saying the move carried "the seeds of partition in its womb" and demanded the retrial of all killings in Jammu and Kashmir over the past one decade. BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu said the move was aimed at damaging India's image and attempt to defame Gujarat. "There has been no such precedent. It will set a precedent." Party General Secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the NHRC action was "only for the sake of publicity" and it would "vitiate the communal atmosphere" in the state. "We wonder at whose behest the NHRC is acting," he said. RSS charged NHRC with "indifference" to the killings in Kashmir, Kerala and West Bengal, and asked the body "not to cross its mandate." "The NHRC should not cross its mandate," RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said. An apparently angry Togadia told from Ayodhya, "Muslims are demanding a separate judicial system now. Tomorrow, they will demand a separate country." "In India, conviction in murder case is only 6-7 per cent and failure for conviction in most cases is evidence turning hostile. Are we demanding retrial in all murder cases in which accused have been acquitted?" he asked. 22:22 IST
No compromise on terrorism: Vajpayee
Friday, August 1, 2003
No compromise on terrorism: Vajpayee New Delhi,Thursday, July 31, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said India considered it "important" to have friendship with Pakistan but made it clear that there would be no compromise on the issue of terrorism. Replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on his recent visits to Germany, St.Petersburg, Evian and China, he said "it is important to have friendship with Pakistan. But that does not mean that there should be a compromise on the issue of terrorism". He said "we (the two countries) will have to meet the challenge posed by terrorism head on". At the same time, both have to move towards friendship, he said. The need of the hour for New Delhi and Islamabad was to join hands to fight poverty plaguing the two countries, Vajpayee said. Observing that there was immense potential for bolstering trade and economic ties with China and Pakistan, he said concerted efforts have to be made in this direction to promote mutually beneficial and good neighbourly relations. 20:54 IST
UK to buy Hawk Advanced Jet trainers
Friday, August 1, 2003
UK to buy Hawk Advanced Jet trainers New Delhi,Thursday, July 31, 2003: After months of dithering the British Government has placed an order for purchase of 20 Hawk Advanced Jet trainers powered by New Rolls RoyceMK951 Adour engines, a development which could have a bearing on the purchase of the trainer by the IAF pending before the Cabinet Committee on Security. Besides placing an order for 20 Hawks, the Royal Air Force has kept the option of purchasing another 24 aircraft in a deal worth more than 160 million pound sterling. The Indian acquisition of the AJT had run into trouble after British media reported that Royal Air Force was dithering on further purchases of Hawk trainers. The British Hawks will have the latest Adour engines which are presently undergoing flight trials in South Africa, a Rolls Royce release here said. The Company said South Africa which has ordered 24 hawk trainers are the launch customers for the new aero engine. The company said the new generation Adour MK951 engines increasing the thurst from 6,000LB to 6,500lb would increase the overhaul life of the new engines from 2000 to 4000 flying hours. "The UK Government confidence in the Adour powered Hawks sen s strong signal to prospective customers that this is the optimal combination for 21st century training requirement" Colin Green President of the Rolls Royce said. 20:54 IST
