First Ever FIR Against Me, I Won't Forget This Day: Narendra Modi - India

30 apr 2014

First Ever FIR Against Me, I Won't Forget This Day: Narendra Modi

Photo: AFP

Narendra Modi had displayed the BJP symbol and taken a selfie at a polling booth in Gandhinagar

Tirupati: Narendra Modi, who was booked in Gujarat for violation of electoral laws, on Wednesday night said no FIR has ever been lodged against him in his entire life and asserted that he will never forget this day.

The 63-year-old BJP prime ministerial candidate also said that the FIR showed how shaken the Congress is, observing it was facing defeat and was worried that "a person who (once) eked out his livelihood by selling tea" was challenging it.

Addressing a campaign rally in Tirupati, Mr Modi said he has not committed any offence that warranted an FIR and that he only showed a lotus badge to people. Lotus is the symbol of the BJP.

 "To date in my entire life, not even a single FIR has been registered against me, not even for wrong-side scooter driving, and not even for wrong parking. Suddenly today when I landed here I came to know that an FIR has been registered against me...I will never forget April 30," he said.

One can understand if someone points (threatens with) a knife, a pistol or a gun (and FIR is registered). But do you know why FIR was registered against me? Because I showed a lotus to the people," he said.

The Congress was staring at defeat and "the Delhi government" was worried that a person who eked out his livelihood by selling tea was challenging them, he added.

Stoking a huge controversy earlier in the day, Mr Modi displayed the BJP symbol and made a speech in a polling booth in Gandhinagar in violation of electoral laws, following which
police filed an FIR against him.

The police action came after the Election Commission took serious note of the Gujarat Chief Minister's violation of electoral laws, under which no person can display any election matter or address a meeting in a polling booth on the day of election, and ordered filing of an FIR against Modi. 

Just married: Rani Mukerji, Aditya Chopra; Karan Johar attends wedding - India

21  apr 2014

Just married: Rani Mukerji, Aditya Chopra; Karan Johar attends wedding

 

Rani, star of films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Black and No One Killed Jessica , allegedly began dating Mr Chopra in 2008

Actress Rani Mukerji today confirmed that she married Aditya Chopra, the head of Yash Raj Films in Italy last night.

Among the select guests at the wedding was filmmaker Karan Johar, who directed Rani in her breakthrough film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and thereafter in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. Mr Johar tweeted today: And finally.Mr and Mrs Chopra.Love you both.

Uday Chopra, Aditya's younger brother, also tweeted a short while ago: We welcome Rani Chopra to the family.lots of love to the newly weds

"It was a beautiful wedding in the Italian countryside with just a few of our close family and friends with us. The one person I missed terribly was Yash Uncle, but I know he was there with us in spirit and his love and blessings will always be with Adi and me," said the 36-year-old star in a statement.

She added, "I have always believed in fairy-tales and with God's grace my life has been exactly like one, and now as I enter the most important chapter of my life - the fairy-tale continues."

Rani, star of films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Black and Bunty Aur Babli allegedly began dating Mr Chopra, 42, in 2008. He is divorced.

Mr Chopra, son of legendary Bollywood film-maker Yash Chopra, has directed blockbusters likeDilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, and Mohabbatein. 

Suspected militants kill sarpanch, his son in Jammu and Kashmir - India

21 apr 2014

Suspected militants kill sarpanch, his son in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar:  Suspected militants today killed a sarpanch and his son in south Kashmir's Tral area. According to the police, a few men barged into the house of Congress' sarpanch Ghulam Nabi Mir and started firing indiscriminately.

Mr Mir's son was critically injured in the firing, the police said, adding that he was shifted to hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Mr Mir is the second sarpanch who has been killed in the last three days.

A sarpanch affiliated to Opposition Peoples Democratic Party was shot dead by suspected militants in Pulwama district on Thursday.

Two unidentified gunmen knocked at the door of Mohammad Amin Pandith and asked him to come out on the pretext of discussing some poll-related issues, police said.

As soon as Mr Pandith reached the main gate of his residential compound, the suspected militants shot him dead, police said.

Pulwama district, which is part of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, goes to polls on April 24 in the third phase.

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker - India

21 apr 2014

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker

Photo courtesy: AFP

AAP candidate Kumar Vishwas throws flower petals to supporters during his election campaign in Amethi

Amethi: Aam Aadmi Party's Kumar Vishwas, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi, says he fears a "threat to his life" after a Congress worker was seen in a video talking to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about killing him.

A First Information Report or FIR has been filed against Congress worker Vinod Mishra. Mr Vishwas also wanted to file the FIR against Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, his supporters say, but it was not registered.

In the video, Mr Mishra, a Congress worker from Amethi, is seen stopping Priyanka Gandhi on the road and complaining about harassment by Kumar Vishwas and AAP workers. He is heard saying that he would "shoot" Mr Vishwas if nothing was done about it.

Priyanka Gandhi says "no, no don't talk like that. Come and meet me at the Munshiganj guest house." The video was reportedly taken on Tuesday, when Priyanka was on a campaign tour of her brother's constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Kumar Vishwas says the video is proof of a conspiracy being planned against him.

"Rahul-Priyanka close aide threatens to KILL me. Priyanka invites him to guest house to discuss," he tweeted.

He later told reporters that he was "afraid that my workers and I may be attacked. They can go to any length."

The Congress accused Mr Vishwas of twisting the episode to run a false campaign against the Gandhis. "It is obvious that Priyanka called the man to talk some sense into him.  Kumar Vishwas is interested only in cheap publicity," said the party's Meem Afzal. "I am sure he will even harm his own party one day."

Open letter written by Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj appealing voters to choose a secular party - India

20 apr 2014

Read: Open letter written by Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Vishal Bhardwaj appealing voters to choose a secular party

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Mumbai: More than two dozen well known film and music personalities have appealed to the voters to elect a secular party in the Lok Sabha election. Govind Nihalani, Vishal Bhardwaj, Imtiaz Ali, Shubha Mudgal, Swara Bhaskar have signed an open letter urging the voters to "vote for the secular party, which is most likely to win in your constituency".

Here's full text of their open letter

Dear Fellow-Indians,

A file photo of Imtiaz Ali.

The best thing about our country is its cultural diversity, its pluralism - the co-existence of a number of religions and ethnicities over centuries, and hence the blooming of multiple streams of intellectual and artistic thought. And, this has been possible only because Indian society has prided itself on being essentially secular in character, rejecting communal hatred, embracing tolerance.

Today, that very sense of India is vulnerable. The need of the hour is to protect our country's secular foundation. Undoubtedly, corruption and governance are important issues, but we will have to vigilantly work out ways of holding our government accountable to that. However, one thing is clear: India's secular character is not negotiable! Not now, not ever.

As Indian citizens who love our motherland, we appeal to you to vote for the secular party, which is most likely to win in your constituency.

Jai Hind!

Yours

Imtiaz Ali (Writer-Director: Highway, Jab We Met)

Vishal Bhardwaj (Writer-Director: Omkara, Maqbool)

Govind Nihalani (Director: Tamas, Ardh Satya)

Saeed Mirza (Director: Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai)

Zoya Akhtar (Writer-Director: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara)

Anand Patwardhan (Documentary Film-maker: Jai Bhim Comrade)

Vijay Krishna Acharya (Director: Dhoom 3)

Kabir Khan (Director: Ek Tha Tiger)

Kundan Shah (Director: Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro)

Nandita Das (Director-Actress: Firaaq, Fire)

Hansal Mehta (Director: Shahid)

Anjum Rajabali (Writer: Raajneeti, Satyagraha)

Shubha Mudgal (Singer-Musician)

Swara Bhaskar (Actor: Raanjhana, Tanu Weds Manu)

Aditi Rao Hydari (Actor: Murder 3, Rockstar)

Mahesh Bhatt (Director-Producer: Saaraansh, Jannat)

Anil Mehta (Cinematographer: Lagaan, Jab Tak Hai Jaan)

Saket Chaudhary (Writer-Director: Shaadi Ke Side Effects)

Rakesh Sharma (Documentary Film-maker: Final Solution)

Vinay Shukla (Writer-Director: Godmother)

Kamlesh Pandey (Writer: Rang De Basanti)

Robin Bhatt (Writer: Chennai Express, Krish 3)

Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla Maestro)

Sanjay Chhel (Writer: Rangeela, Yes Boss)

Sameer Anjan (Lyricist: Dhoom 3, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai)

Imteyaz Husain (Writer: Parinda)

Rajesh Dubey (TV Writer: Balika Vadhu)

Vinod Ranganath (TV Writer: Shanti, Swaabhiman)

Jalees Sherwani (Lyricist: Dabang)

Amitabh Shukla (Film Editor: Lagaan)

Sukant Panigrahi (Art Director)

Surabhi Sharma (Documentary Film-maker)

Anusha Khan (Producer)

Bishwadeep Chatterjee (Sound Designer: 3 Idiots)

C.K. Muraleedharan (Cinematographer: 3 Idiots)

Dr Manasee Palshikar (Screenwriter-Teacher)

Jyoti Dogra (Actor:

Joy Sengupta (Actor)

Kauser Munir (Lyricist: Dhoom 3)

Mazahir Rahim (Screenwriter)

Nishant Radhakrishnan (Film Editor: Satyamev Jayate)

Preety Ali (Producer)

Priyanka Borpujari (Screenwriter)

Rajashree (Filmmaker-Teacher)

Ruchika Oberoi (Film-maker)

Rukmini Sen (Screenwriter and TV Journalist)

Sameera Iyengar (Theatre activist)

Sharad Tripathi (Screenwriter)

Shivani Tibrewala Chand (Playwright)

Siminatini Dhuru (Activist)

Sona Jain (Film-maker)

Tushar Gandhi (Activist)

Teesta Setalvaad (Activist)

Javed Anand (Activist)

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker - India

19 apr 2014

AAP's Kumar Vishwas alleges 'death threat' in Amethi, FIR filed against Congress worker

Photo courtesy: AFP

AAP candidate Kumar Vishwas throws flower petals to supporters during his election campaign in Amethi

Amethi: Aam Aadmi Party's Kumar Vishwas, who is contesting against Rahul Gandhi, says he fears a "threat to his life" after a Congress worker was seen in a video talking to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra about killing him.

A First Information Report or FIR has been filed against Congress worker Vinod Mishra. Mr Vishwas also wanted to file the FIR against Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, his supporters say, but it was not registered.

In the video, Mr Mishra, a Congress worker from Amethi, is seen stopping Priyanka Gandhi on the road and complaining about harassment by Kumar Vishwas and AAP workers. He is heard saying that he would "shoot" Mr Vishwas if nothing was done about it.

Priyanka Gandhi says "no, no don't talk like that. Come and meet me at the Munshiganj guest house." The video was reportedly taken on Tuesday, when Priyanka was on a campaign tour of her brother's constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Kumar Vishwas says the video is proof of a conspiracy being planned against him.

"Rahul-Priyanka close aide threatens to KILL me. Priyanka invites him to guest house to discuss," he tweeted.

He later told reporters that he was "afraid that my workers and I may be attacked. They can go to any length."

The Congress accused Mr Vishwas of twisting the episode to run a false campaign against the Gandhis. "It is obvious that Priyanka called the man to talk some sense into him.  Kumar Vishwas is interested only in cheap publicity," said the party's Meem Afzal. "I am sure he will even harm his own party one day."

In midst of election, another insider's book deals blow for Congress - India

14 apr 2014

In midst of election, another insider's book deals blow for Congress

Former coal secretary PC Parakh releasing his book 'Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths' in New Delhi on Monday

New Delhi: A new book accuses Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of being weak and unable to stamp out corruption on his watch, the second recent attack by an insider that undermines the Congress party as it seeks re-election despite trailing in opinion polls.

PC Parakh retired as Coal Secretary in 2005. His book, released on Monday, called "Crusader or Conspirator? Coalgate and Other Truths" claims that the PM's inability to take on vested interests led to the scandal dubbed "Coal-Gate" in which ineligible firms were allegedly granted valuable coal licenses without a fair bidding process, costing the government hundreds of crores, according to the national auditor.

This is the second book in the last week to portray Dr Singh, prime minister since 2004, as a well-intentioned man of high personal integrity but one often unable to assert his authority.

The other, by Sanjaya Baru, a former media adviser to Singh, was greeted with glee by the BJP. The book, released on Friday, claims that the Prime Minister allowed his authority to be undermined by Sonia Gandhi, the president of the Congress party.

The BJP under prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is expected to emerge as the largest party in the election that ends on May 12, although surveys conducted before voting began last week suggest it is unlikely to win an outright majority and will need to form a coalition with other parties.

The Congress is headed for one of its weakest ever showings, the same polls showed.

In his book, Mr Parakh says that Dr Singh, though keen to introduce open bidding, could not tackle resistance from coal ministers in his administration. Mr  Parakh said he himself came under pressure from people interested in acquiring coal blocks.

"Pressures come in the form of enticements such as post-retirement assignments, partnership in business, bribery, blackmail or pure intimidation. Pressures also come from friends and relations," Mr Parakh writes in the book.

"Some can resist these pressures. Others succumb," he said, adding that at no time did the prime minister's office make recommendations or exert pressure in favor of any party.

The Congress said today that the book was a hatchet job. "It is all orchestrated. Narendra Modi's money is flowing in good measure these days," said party leader Digvijaya Singh.

The PM has consistently denied his government did anything wrong, blaming the delay in introducing competitive bidding on resistance from coal-rich states ruled by opposition parties.

Sanjay Kumar fraud charges - India

25  feb 2014

Former CA head Sanjay Kumar pleaded 'not guilty' to fraud charges

Former Computer Associates chief executive Sanjay Kumar has pleaded not guilty to charges including securities fraud.

Kumar, and former CA head of sales Stephen Richards, were charged earlier in the week with securities fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice relating to their alleged involvement in a multi-billion dollar accountancy scandal.

Kumar has appeared in a US court and pleaded not guilty to the charges and in a statement released by his lawyer he said he, 'denies any wrongdoing and expects to be exonerated of all charges'.Computer Associates has accepted responsibility for the executives' conduct and agreed to pay $225 million in compensation to shareholders, in a bid to defer company prosecution.

Both Kumar and Richards have been ordered to return to court on 23 November. They were also told to post $5m 'personal recognisance bonds', to surrender their passports and limit their travel to within the US.

The magnitude of the accounting fraud became apparent on 26 April, when CA filed forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission restating financial data for the financial years 2000 and 2001.

An internal investigation undertaken by CA's Audit Committee found that $2.2bn of revenue was booked prematurely.

'The defendants are accused of perpetrating a massive accounting fraud that cost public investors hundreds of millions of dollars when it collapsed. Then they allegedly tried to cover up their crimes by lying,' said Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey.

'If proven true, such a conduct cannot be tolerated and the Corporate Fraud Task Force's track record shows that it will be met with severe penalities.'

Celebrating Maha Shivratri in India

25  feb 2014

Celebrating Maha Shivratri

• The festival of Maha Shivratri is celebrated with great religious fervor all over India as well as its neighboring country Nepal. This festival holds a great importance in the lives of Hindus, especially Shiva followers who await the coming of this special night every year on the 14th New Moon of Maagha (Hindu month of Jan and Feb) and Phalgun (Hindu month of Feb and March), as per the Hindu calendar on the Chaturdashi of Krishna paksha.

Many mythical stories associated with this "big night of Lord Shiva":

Different reference books and Puranas associate the origin of this day with different events; some attribute Maha Shivratri as the night when Lord Shiva did Tandava, others associate it as the day when he drank the poisonous drink "halahal" and came to be known as Neelkantha. There are others who believe it as the night when he got married to Goddess Paravati while some communities celebrate it as the birthday of Lord Shiva when he came in the form of lingam. Despite the multiple reasons for celebration, the enthusiasm among the Shiva bhaktas is infectious. This year, Maha Shivratri falls on the 27th of February, 2014 and preparations have already started in all the Shiva temples.

The main rituals involving purification, virtue and enlightenment:

It starts with bathing the lingam with milk, curd, honey, ghee and water. Later, the leaves of Bel fruit along with betel leaves, flowers and fruits like dhatura and baer are placed around the lingam.

Sandalwood paste is applied on the lingam.

Incense sticks are burned along with the ghee lamp.

Hymns and mantras are recited which are concluded with Shiva aarti in the end.

Food and Fasting:

The significance of this festival is grand both for married as well as unmarried women and all those who want to fulfill their desires. Many devotees keep fast on this day till midnight and start their day with the worship of Lord Shiva. The Shiva temple is flooded with devotees who perform all the rituals of Shiva lingam pooja and all the rituals continue throughout the night.

Post rituals the other crucial thing is the procedure of fasting where you can have saatvik food like sabudana khichdi, bhang, thandai for dinner. Wearing a rudraksha mala is considered to be very auspicious as rudraksha beads are supposed to have been originated from the tears of Lord Shiva. There is constant recitation of "Om Namah Shivaya" and Mahamritiyunjay Jap.

Relevance of Maha Shivratri:

Apart from keeping fast, simply worshipping the lingam after taking bath grants the blessings of Lord Shiva and the person is said to achieve moksha. This day is celebrated more like a festival with feasting and fairs hosted in different cities. The worshipping of Lord Shiva helps in attaining liberation from all past sins and awakens spirituality.

The significance of this festival is associated with the revival of creative spirit and the whole notion behind creation, destruction and maintenance that are an intricate part of our lives. It helps in strengthening the body, mind and soul guiding us towards enlightenment and happiness. This day marks the union of Shiva and Shakti, the Goddess of energy.