Month: March 2013

Sonu Nigam’s mother passes away

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Noted Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam’s mother, Shobha Nigam, has passed away after prolonged illness, sources said today.

She was 63.Sonu’s mother breathed her last yesterday at around 1.45 PM at their Andheri residence in Mumbai.

Her last rites were performed at Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle today at around 9.30 AM.

Bollywood personalities like actor Manoj Bajpai, composers Sajid-Wajid, Lalit Pandit, Shankar Mahadevan and others came to pay their last respects to the departed soul.

Subhash Kapoor to direct next ‘Munna Bhai’ film

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“Munna Bhai Chale Dilli”, the tentative title of the third “Munna Bhai” film of the popular Bollywood franchise, will be directed by Subhash Kapoor.

The earlier films in the franchise – “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” and “Lage Raho Munnabhai” – were directed by Rajkumar Hirani under the Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films Pvt Ltd. banner.

Now, Kapoor, who has earlier helmed “Phas Gaye Re Obama” and also the upcoming “Jolly L.L.B”, has taken over, said a statement.

Separatist shutdown affects life in Kashmir Valley

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Shops and other businesses were shut in most parts of the Kashmir Valley Friday in response to a shutdown call by separatists demanding that the body of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was executed Feb 9, be returned to his family.

The authorities have, however, not imposed any restrictions.

“No restrictions have been imposed anywhere in the valley today (Friday) although adequate steps have been taken to monitor the law and order situation,” a senior police officer said.

Bangladesh violence toll rises to 42

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The toll in fierce clashes in Bangladesh between activists of an Islamist party and law enforcers over a war-crime trial verdict has risen to 42, the authorities said.

Dozens were injured in about a dozen districts of Bangladesh, Xinhua reported citing an agency.

It was not known whether all the victims were engaged in party politics.

To thwart any further untoward incidents, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed in violence-hit cities and towns.

BGB personnel also patrolled some important areas in the capital city from Thursday night.

Emma Watson to play Cinderella?

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Actress Emma Watson, 22, is in talks to play Cinderella in Kenneth Branagh’s film of the same name.

“We are still in talks with Watson. It’s too early to say anything. But Emma seemed excited when we discussed the role with her.”

Cate Blanchett has already agreed to play the wicked stepmother in the film.

—IANS

Jaitley’s call data records not disclosed: Shinde

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Attempts had been made to access Arun Jaitley’s phone records but no information had been obtained, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Friday in reference to allegations that the opposition leader’s phones had been tapped.

“This was not the case of phone tapping. The Delhi Police has made some arrests, they said we came to know some person sought to know call record data of Arun Jaitley… The call data records were not disclosed,” Shinde told Rajya Sabha.

He also informed the house that four arrests had been made.

Budget will lead to further price rise: CPI-M

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Flaying the Congress-led UPA government over several issues including the budget, the CPI-M Friday said only the Left parties had alternative policies that were being propogated through the party’s “Sangharsh Sandesh Jathas” (revolutionary message marches).

“The budget has once again proved that this government thinks only about the rich. Subsidy worth Rs.26,000 has been withdrawn from petroleum, which eventually will lead to further price rise,” party general secretary Prakash Karat said here.

Lok Sabha mourns MP’s death, adjourned for the day

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The Lok Sabha was Friday adjourned for the day after condoling the death of Banaskantha MP Mukesh Gadhvi.

Gadhvi, a first term Congress MP, breathed his last in Ahmedabad. He was 50.

He had been a member of Gujarat assembly for three terms from 1998 to 2009.

“An active social and political worker, he promoted the cause of education, particularly of the girl child,” Speaker Meira Kumar said in her obituary reference as soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day.

The house also mourned the loss of 19 lives in a major fire that broke out in a market in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Shinde identifies Bhandara rape victims, names expungedShinde identifies Bhandara rape victims, names expunged

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The names of the three minor girls who were raped and murdered in Maharashtra’s Bhandara district had to be expunged Friday after Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde identified them in the Rajya Sabha, attracting the ire of the opposition BJP.

Shinde read out a statement on the gruesome incident in Maharashtra where three minor sisters were kidnapped, raped and murdered last month. Their bodies were taken out from a well.

Shinde named all the rape victims, which according to thelaw is prohibited.

BJP, JD(U) demand govt to come out clearly on phone tapping issue

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The BJP and JD(U) today demanded that the government should come out clearly on the controversy over alleged tapping of phones of prominent MPs belonging to Opposition parties, saying it was a serious matter.
“This government has continuously engaged in snooping and there are several agents in this regime who are involved in spying on leaders.First this government was found spying on its ministers, then its allies and now the Opposition leaders.This is a serious matter,” BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters outside Parliament House.

PM condoles death of MP Mukesh Gadhvi

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday condoled the passing away of Congress MP from Gujarat Mukesh Gadhvi, sayinga promising political career had been cut short by death.

“In the sad and untimely demise of Gadhvi, a promising political career has been cut short. I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and admirers of Gadhvi,” the prime minister said.

Gadhvi, a first-term Congress MP, breathed his last in a hospital in Ahmedabad Friday, after suffering a brain stroke ten days ago. He was 50.

Gadhvi is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

UP allows sale of premium liquor in shopping malls

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Premium foreign liquor would now be available in Uttar Pradesh’s shopping malls. For this, the state government has decided to levy a license fee of Rs.10 lakh.

A proposal mooted by the excise department was approved by the state cabinet Thursday, paving way for opening of liquor vending shops in malls across the state.

This move comes as part of the new excise policy of Uttar Pradesh for the financial year 2013-14 which aims at a revenue realization of Rs.12,500 crore.

LET RESPECT, KINDNESS, AND TRUST RULE THE AFFAIRS OF THE FAMILY!

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Aa’ishah (RadiyAllahu Anha) said: “The Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“When Allah – may He be glorified – wills some good towards the people of a household, He introduces kindness among them.”
(Reported by Imaam Ahmad in “al-Musnad”, 6/71; “Saheeh al-Jaami’”, 303).

Each individual has a unique identity and individuality that deserves to be respected. Giving time to listen to each other and helping solve problems in the light of Islam will make a household more conducive for productive problem solving.

State budget on March 18

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The state budget session will be presented on March 18.

State Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy said that the session will be convened from March 13.

The budget will be presented on March 18.

After discussion on the budget, the House will be adjourned and will meet again on April 23 and the session will go on till May 2, he said. (INN)

Police want lie-detector test for Kadapa ex-Mayor

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The Kadapa Police has filed a petition before the First Additional Civil Judge Court seeking permission to conduct lie-detector test of former mayor of Kadapa Ravindranath Reddy in a forgery case.

Ravindranath Reddy, who surrendered before the court on February 26, was sent to police custody for one day on Thursday. After the expiry of custody, he was produced before the court and was later shifted to the district jail.

SC notice to CBI JD call tracking accused

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The Supreme Court has issued notice to the accused in tracking the telephone calls of CBI Joint Director VV Lakshminarayana.

The two accused, Raghuram Krishnamraju and MV Ramana Rao, could get a bail in the High Court in the phone tapping case. The CID moved the apex court in the call data case and it has served notices on the accused. (INN)

Farmers storm sub-station over power cuts

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Irked by the unscheduled power cuts, farmers stormed the sub-station at Syampet here on Friday.

The farmers demanded that the unscheduled power cuts should be done away with. They also damaged the office furniture. Police rushed to the spot and took the situation under control. A few agitating farmers were also taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the government has announced power cuts from Friday. It will be 12 hours in rural areas, 8 hours in mandal headquarters, 6 hours in municipalities, four hours in district headquarters and 2 hours in main cities.

CM presents Rs 50 lakh to Saina

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today presented a cheque of Rs 50 lakhs to badminton ace Saina Nehwal. She was felicitated at a simple function for winning the Indonesia Open title.

The cheque was presented to the city lass by the Chief Minister on behalf of the State Government. The state has a policy to give cash awards to sports persons winning medals and titles. Several speakers at the function lauded Saina for her and hoped that she will bring more laurels to the State. (INN)

Major fire broke out in city

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A major fire broke out at an industrial estate in the city on Friday.
The fire razed in an oil company in the Katedan industrial estate. No loss of life has been reported althuogh the property gutted in the fire is estimated to be several lakhs. Fire tenders were pressed into service to put down the fire.

(INN)

Rolls-Royce sees potential sales of 150 cars in India

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India is a key market for Rolls-Royce, with potential sales of 130 to 150 super luxury cars annually, says a spokesperson for the legendary British automotive manufacturer.

The 108-year-old carmaker, which returned to India in 2005, has been witnessing strong growth since 2010 and has plans of expanding its reach.

Rolls-Royce currently offers Indian customers six versions of its Ghost and Phantom models, with a price range of Rs.3.2 crore to Rs.4.9 crore.

No permission for Asad’s Aurangabad meet

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The Aurangabad bench of the Mumbai high court has rejected MIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi’s request for permission to hold a public meeting at Aurangabad.

 

When local police rejected permission to hold the meeting on February 2, Asad moved the court. Asad was also directed by the police not to enter Aurangabad till March 2. Prohibitory orders under section 144 were imposed in the town.

 

Now, Asad’s lawyers said they would challenge the high court’s verdict in the supreme court.

 

 

Michael Clarke urges players to show more hunger in Hyderabad Test

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Australia captain Michael Clarke has urged his players to show more hunger during the second Test against India in Hyderabad on Saturday, adding his team needs to take their lessons from their eight-wicket defeat in Chennai.

“The series opener did not go to plan and there are a few lessons we must take out of it,” Clarke wrote in his column for News.com.au.

War crime trial: Bangladesh violence toll rises to 42

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The toll in fierce clashes in Bangladesh between activists of an Islamist party and law enforcers over a war crime trial verdict has risen to 42, the authorities said.

Dozens were injured in about a dozen districts of Bangladesh, Xinhua reported citing an agency.

It was not known whether all the victims were engaged in party politics.

To thwart any further untoward incidents, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed in violence-hit cities and towns.

BGB personnel also patrolled some important areas in the capital city from Thursday night.