BJP’s Gadkari, Cong’s Chavan, BBM’s Ambedkar file nominations

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March 25, 2019

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday filed his nomination for the Nagpur Lok Sabha seat, where polls will be held on April 11.

Gadkari, who had defeated Vilas Muttemwar (Congress) in the 2014 elections by a margin of 2.84 lakh votes, said he will win with a bigger margin this time around.

“This time, I will win with a bigger margin. People have a good opinion of the work done by the Narendra Modi-led government in the last five years. Our government did more than (was promised) in the poll manifesto,” Gadkari told reporters.

The BJP veteran was accompanied by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Energy minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, family members and a large number of party workers, while filing his nomination.

“Your support and love is the biggest strength for us,” Gadkari said.

Fadnavis said Gadkari will register a “historic win” from Nagpur.

“He will create a record in Maharashtra,” the chief minister said, adding that the “BJP-Shiv Sena combine would win 45 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Shiv Sena’s Krupal Tumane, sitting MP from Ramtek (SC) seat, also filed his nomination for the Ramtek seat.

Nana Patole of Congress, who will take on Gadkari in Nagpur, and former IAS officer Kishor Gajbhiye, pitted against Tumane from Ramtek, also filed their nominations later in the day.

Patole claimed Nagpur and Ramtek seats were Congress bastions, and said he would defeat Gadkari comfortably.

State Congress chief Ashok Chavan filed his nomination from the Nanded constituency.

He was accompanied by NCP leader Kamal Kishore Kadam on the occasion.

Chavan, the sitting MP from Nanded, exuded confidence that the Congress will emerge victorious in the country winning seats “in big numbers”.

He claimed that the present atmosphere was against the BJP.

“People are fed up. Farmers, students, unemployed and traders are fed up with the government. The (BJP-led) government has not kept its promises. Hence, there will definitely be a change in guard,” Chavan claimed.

Chavan is pitted against Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Chikhlikar, the latter contesting on a BJP ticket.

Another senior Maharashtra Congress leader, Manikrao Thakre, filed his papers from the Yavatmal constituency.

Meanwhile, Bharip Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, who has formed the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi along with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, filed nomination from Solapur seat.

He will take on Congress veteran Sushil Kumar Shinde there. The seat is held by BJP’s Sharad Bansode, who defeated Shinde in the 2014 polls by a margin of 1.49 lakh votes.

Ambedkar accused Shinde of not protecting interests of backward class communities from the constituency.

NCP corporator’s husband killed by mob in Beed

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March 25, 2019

The husband of an NCP corporator was on Monday hacked to death in Beed district allegedly by a mob which suspected he was helping members of the Shikalgar community in a kidnapping case, police said.
Pandurang Gaikwad (50) was attacked with swords, sickles and sticks in Phule Nagar area of Parli-Vaijnath town in the district, over 470 kilometres from here, an official said.
“Gaikwad sustained serious injuries in the attack in the early hours of Monday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival,” the official said.
Police said the attack might be a fallout of the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy four months ago allegedly by members of the Shikalgar community as the minor was in love with a girl from that community.
A kidnapping case was registered at the time with Purna police station, and the boy’s body was found a few days later, enraging local residents and kin, an official said.
“The mob, which included the mother of the kidnapped minor boy, attacked Gaikwad suspecting he was helping the Shikalgar community members in the kidnapping case,” said
Inspector Balasaheb Pawar of Sambhajinagar police station. He said 11 people, including two women, attacked and killed Gaikwad, five of whom have been arrested and charged with murder.
Efforts are on to nab the rest of the accused, he added.
The Shikalgar community is spread across the state and are traditionally engaged in making and sharpening weapons made from iron. The community’s name is derived from an Arabic word for sharpening.

Navy nuclear, biological, chemical training facility launched

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March 25, 2019

The Indian Navy’s Nuclear,Biological and Chemical Training Facility (NBCTF) was on Monday inaugurated at INS Shivaji in Lonavala by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba.

The NBCTF, christened “Abhedya”, Sanksrit for impenetrable, will help train personnel of naval ships fitted with nuclear, biological and chemical detection and protection systems.

It will provide realistic training to naval personnel in detection, protection against and decontamination of nuclear, biological and chemical agents, the Navy said in a statement.

During the event, Admiral Lanba launched the INS Shivaji’s website on the Indian Navy portal and also released the platinum jubilee logo, with the theme “Propelling the Indian Navy since 1945”, for the premier technical training establishment.

INS Shivaji is celebrating its platinum jubilee year in 2019-20 and Admiral Lanba, along with his wife Reena, was on a two-day visit to the facility.

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, Chief of Material and other senior officers and dignitaries attended the event.

2 booked for assaulting student in Thane

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March 25, 2019

Two persons have been booked for kidnapping and allegedly beating up a Class X student who owed them money, Thane police said on Monday.

The victim, 17 years of age, used to drive the autorickshaw of accused Sagar (25), police said.

“In December last year, the victim was held by traffic police for driving his vehicle without proper documents. Sagar paid the fine of Rs 4,000 on the victim’s behalf. Sagar had been demanding that money back,” he said.

“On Sunday, Sagar and his friend Ravi Gupta assaulted the victim. Both have been booked for kidnapping, assault, criminal intimidation. Further probe is on,” he added.

Former Dawood aide dies in Mumbai hospital of heart ailment

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March 25, 2019

A former aide of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim died in Jaslok Hospital in south Mumbai, medical authorities said on Monday.
Shakeel Ahmed Sheikh, also known as Lambu Shakeel, was suffering from a heart ailment and died late Sunday night, a hospital official said.
Details of his ailment and death would be released later in an official statement from the hospital, the official added.
Shakeel used to oversee smuggling and hawala operations of the Dawood gang in the 1990s and was a trusted lieutenant of the latter as well another gang operative Chhota Shakeel, a senior Crime Branch official said.
He took part in the gang’s gold smuggling activities and was also allegedly involved in transporting weapons and explosives for them, the official said.
“Having fled the country, he organised hawala rackets before being held and deported from Dubai in 2003,” the official said.
Sheikh was living with his wife and her parents in Bohri Mohalla in south Mumbai.

I believe in creating trends, not following them: John Abraham

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March 25, 2019

Films focusing on the golden moments of India’s defence history are currently in vogue but John Abraham, whose “RAW (Romeo Akbar Walter)” is set against the backdrop of 1971 war with Pakistan, says following a certain trend to make money is a big no-no for him.

The 46-year-old model-turned-actor has been a part of true-life-inspired defence stories like “Madras Cafe”, “Parmanu…” and now “RAW”. John says he has always found facts to be more interesting than fiction.

“I feel even if you don’t dramatise things at times, facts make the story very entertaining. They are more interesting than fiction,” he told PTI in an interview over phone from London.

Citing the example of “Vicky Donor” and “Madras Cafe”, John said these films set the path for stories such as “Shubh Mangal Saavdhan”, “Badhaai Ho” and “Uri: The Surgical Strike”.

“I never look at a trend because the minute one looks at the trend and starts following it and it goes out of fashion, they are in trouble. So, I make what I believe in. Everything is cyclical. There is a phase when South Indian remakes are in trend, and sometimes comedies, realistic films or films on the country work well.

“As far as I am concerned, the idea is not to be opportunistic with a certain trend, but to do what you believe in. I believe in the country, I believe in the way the country functions,” he added.

“RAW”, directed by Robbie Grewal, is based on true incidents and show how India’s intelligence agencies, especially RAW, played a crucial part in the conflict.

John, who plays a RAW agent in the film, said it is important to be responsible when dealing with stories revolving around the armed forces.

Produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Dheeraj Wadhawan, Ajay Kapoor, Vanessa Walia, and Gary Grewal, the film releases on April 5.

I will be first one to hang my boots when time comes: Yuvraj on retirement

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Web Team

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March 25, 2019

Yuvraj Singh’s cricketing future has been a topic of discussion for some years now but the player said that he would be the first one to bid adieu when he feels that his time is up.

Out of national team’s scheme of things for good, Yuvraj has had poor track record in IPL but started on a bright note with a half-century for his latest franchise Mumbai Indians.

“When the time comes, I will be the first one to hang my boots,” Yuvraj told the mediapersons after MI’s 37-run defeat against Delhi Capitals in the IPL opener.

However India’s 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup hero did admit that at times he felt indecisive about carrying on.

“The last two years, have been up and down (for me). And I could not decide on what to do,” said the 37-year-old.

Yuvraj said that when he did a self introspection, he found that he is still enjoying the game just as he did as an U-16 cricketer not thinking about national team selection.

“The main thing for me was why I played the game when I started off. I played the game because I enjoyed playing cricket. When I enjoyed playing cricket, I was not playing for India. I was playing for U-14s and U-16s. So till the time, I enjoy playing cricket, I am going to play.”

The veteran left-hander spoke to Sachin Tendulkar, who could relate with his situation as to how he felt when he was at the business end of his career.

“I have been speaking to Sachin (Tendulkar) as well and he has gone through that time when he was 37-38-39 (and how he felt). Talking to him makes things easier for me. And I am just playing because I enjoy playing cricket pretty much,” he signed off.

Conceding last minute goal in India’s mind ahead of clash against ‘nemesis’ Malaysia

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Web Team

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March 25, 2019

Conceding last minute goals have continued to haunt India for long now and that’s precisely what the team would look to avoid when it take on its ‘new-found’ nemesis Malaysia in its third league match of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on Tuesday.

After a not-so-convincing 2-0 win over Asian Games gold medallist Japan in the tournament opener, Manpreet Singh and his men conceded a goal in the final minute of the match to draw 1-1 against Korea on Sunday.

India are currently placed third in the six-team standings with four points after a win and a draw. Hosts Malaysia are leading the chart with maximum points after 5-1 and 4-3 wins over Poland and Japan respectively.

Korea are in the second position with four points, same as India, but they are ahead of the eight-time Olympic gold medallists owing to better goal difference.

On Sunday, India were well on course to register their second consecutive win in the tournament after taking the lead in the 28th minute through Mandeep Singh. But a defensive error, just 22 seconds from the final hooter, enabled Jonghyun Jang to score the equaliser from a penalty corner.

And come Tuesday, the Indians can ill afford to repeat similar mistakes, especially against a side like Malaysia, which, in the recent past, have time and again exploited such grey areas to continue to remain a thorn in the flesh for the Blue Sticks.

Gogoi slams Modi for neglecting BJP veterans

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March 25, 2019

A day after BJP leader Ram Madhav said the Congress might win an election in Pakistan if it contests from there, former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who “ate biryani” there and sent a “love letter” to his counterpart in the neighbouring country.

The senior Congress leader also slammed Modi for the “neglect” shown to the veterans in the BJP.

“It was Modi who wrote a love letter to Pakistan Prime Minister. He went to eat biryani and enjoyed birthday there, but accusing us,” Gogoi said at a press conference here.

The three-time chief minister was referring to a query on BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav’s comment on Sunday that the Congress might win an election in Pakistan if they contest from there as the opposition party is “banking only on the neighbouring country and lies.”

“It was Congress government which bifurcated Pakistan and created two nations. These comments by BJP are nothing but just an attempt to deviate public attention from the real issues – jobs crisis, farmers distress, corruption and deposit of Rs 15 lakh in our accounts,” Gogoi said.

He further denied any secret understanding between Congress and the perfume baron Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF as alleged by Madhav.

The veteran Congress leader expressed sadness over denial of ticket to former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, who has been replaced by BJP President Amit Shah in Gandhinagar seat.

“Advani had huge contribution in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government coming to power, but today he is neglected in his own party in a very pathetic way. Not only him, but the entire old-guard like Arun Shourie and others are neglected. They are intelligent people and Modi does not like intelligent people around him,” Gogoi said.

He alleged that the Modi government has “failed” on all fronts and has “not fulfilled” a single promise made to people in 2014.

“Our fight is not against the person Modi, but against his divisive, communal and economical policies. This election is a big challenge for democracy,” he added.

Talking about denial of Lok Sabha ticket to his former party colleague Himanta Biswa Sarma at the last moment by BJP, Gogoi said: “It is an insult to him. First, the name was included and then deleted. Amit Shah must have given consent, but Modi objected to Himanta.”

Vijender injured in training, US pro debut delayed

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March 25, 2019

Indian boxing star Vijender Singh’s much-awaited professional debut in the USA, scheduled for April 12, was Tuesday postponed after he injured himself during a sparring session in Los Angeles.

The 33-year-old, India’s first Olympic and world championships medallist in boxing, was to make his US debut at the Staples Center on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Anthony Crolla undercard. It was to be an eight-round contest and his opponent was yet to be decided.

“I got hurt during a sparring session on Friday. My left eye has received two kinds of stitches and doctors have told me they would remove the just the external stitches on coming Friday,” Vijender told PTI from his training base.

Vijender is so far unbeaten in his 10-bout pro career and claimed the WBO Asia Pacific super welterweight title during his stint with England. The celebrated Indian turned professional in 2015.

“I can’t recall the name of the guy I was sparring with but I got hit by his elbow. It is disappointing to be held back by something like this but I believe rab jo karda ae changa hi karda hai (Whatever God does is always for the best). So, I am sure he has a better plan for me,” he added.

Vijender, represented in India by IOS Boxing Promotions, relocated his training base to Los Angles earlier this month after signing up with the legenday Bob Arum’s ‘Top Rank Promotions’.

He is training at the ‘The Wild Card Boxing Club’ under Roach, a 2012 International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) inductee.

In his 32 years as a trainer, Roach is widely regarded as one of the best boxing coaches of all time.