Prabhu Deva and Varun Dhawan back together for Street Dancer 3D

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February 6, 2019

Bhushan Kumar and Remo D’Souza’s next, Street Dancer 3D, will mark the reunion of the dancing duo Prabhu Deva and Varun Dhawan. They will not only showcase their passion for dance but also raise the bars with intensive dance forms and routines for India’s biggest dance film ever!

Directed by Remo D’Souza, the film is set to create a new benchmark for dance films in Indian cinema. The film will be made in 3D.

Varun Dhawan, who started the first schedule of the film in Amritsar with Punjabi actress Sonam Bajwa, will begin his next schedule in London on 11th Feb till end of March where Prabhu Deva will be joining him and the other cast. The reunion does not end there; Shraddha Kapoor, who has shared screen space with Varun & Prabhudeva in Remo’s previous dance film, is set to join the team in London too. Joining this cast is leggy lass ‘Dilbar girl’ Nora Fatehi.

Director Remo D’Souza shares, “For me, Street Dancer is a family reunion. I am looking forward to again work with Prabhu Sir, Varun and Shraddha and welcome Bhushanji in our journey this time. We have envisioned Street Dancer to be a seamless amalgamation of emotion and dancing but this time the passion will be limitless!”

Producer Bhushan Kumar shares, “Varun, Prabhudeva, Shraddha, Nora along with others is a powerful package that has come together for Street Dancer. I am looking forward for the audiences to see how our vision will come to life on the silver screen. Remo will set new parameters with this dance entertainer.”

Producer Lizelle D’Souza adds, “Street Dancer is like old friends coming together to make yet another beautiful film. We can’t wait to show the magic that will be created by spectacular dancing and performances by all.”

Street Dancer 3D produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar and Lizelle D’Souza, directed by Remo D’Souza, starring Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudeva and Nora Fatehi releases on 8th November, 2019.

Cong, BJP MLAs demand cancellation of Question Hour

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

The proceedings of the Odisha Assembly were disrupted on Wednesday as opposition Congress and BJP MLAs raised the farmers issue and demanded the cancellation of the Question Hour.

Speaker P K Amat adjourned the House till 3 PM in two phases, first for one hour and later till post lunch session.

Soon after the House made obituary reference to Aska MP Ladu Kishore Swain, the BJP and Congress members raised farmer issues and Mandi irregularities.

They rushed to the well of the House demanding cancellation of Question Hour for a discussion on the issues.

The treasury bench members on their part stood near their seats demanding Special Category status for Odisha.

The House also condoled death of freedom fighter and former MLA Priyanath Dey.

It’s time for Pagalpanti on December 6, 2019!

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat and Abhishek Pathak are all set to bring a rollercoaster comedy – Pagalpanti – directed by Anees Bazmee. Pagalpanti, an out and out commercial multi-starrer romantic comedy starring Anil Kapoor, John Abrham, Ileana D’ Cruz, Arshad Warsi , Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda, Urvashi Rautela and Saurabh Shukla.

The film produced by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat and Abhishek Pathak’s Panorama Studios and is co-produced by Aditya Chowksey and Sanjeev Joshi. The film is slated to release on 6th December 2019.

Anil Kapoor, John Abraham have previously worked with Anees Bazmee in Welcome Back while Ileana D’Cruz has worked with Anil Kapoor and Anees Bazmee in Mubarkaan. Joining this friendly environment is Arshad Warsi who has already shown us his comic side in several of his previous films.

Bhushan Kumar who is producing the film with Kumar Mangat after Raid again says, “T-Series and Kumarji’s Panorama Studios have worked before with Raid and doing Pagalpanti was a immediate yes. Kumarji and his son Abhishek got us the script of this film and my team and I were in splits with what we heard. Plus the entire team right from director Anees to actors Anilji, John and Ileana we have worked with. Anees directed one of our biggest hit Ready, John and we have collaborated before and now doing several films together. And I have always liked the way Arshad has left us in split with his comic timings. We are happy to have Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda on board too. The characters written are so hilarious that you are laughing throughout.”

Abhishek Pathak, Panorama Studios, adds, “Pagalpanti’s script is a laugh riot and with an ensemble cast like this and Anees Bazmee’s command over the comedy genre, the audience are going to be in for a blast at the cinemas.”

The film will have a 90 day start to end schedule in London and Leeds staring from February 17.

Ariana Grande will not be attending Grammys after disagreements with producers

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

Ariana Grande, who has already been featured on billboards promoting Grammys all over Los Angeles, will now not be performing due to disagreements with Grammy producers over which songs she would perform at the show.

Not only will the singer not perform, she will not even be in attendance on February 10, reported Variety.

According to reports, Grande felt “insulted” after producers initially refused to allow her to perform ‘7 Rings’, the latest single from her album ‘Thank U, Next’.

A compromise was reached whereby ‘7 Rings’ would be part of a medley, but Grande pulled out after producers insisted that the second song be of their choosing.

The situation is more than a little similar to the impasse the Grammys reached with Lorde last year, whereby they declined to let her perform a song from her ‘Melodrama’ album – one of the five Album of the Year nominees – and instead offered her a spot during the show’s Tom Petty tribute, which she declined.

Opposition BJP MLAs in K’taka disrupt Governor’s address in legislature

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

Opposition BJP in Karnataka on Wednesday disrupted Governor Vajubhai Vala’s address to the joint sitting of the state legislature here.

This is the first session after the cabinet expansion in December and political turmoil that engulfed the state following the alleged attempt by the BJP to topple the government by poaching disgruntled legislators of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition.

As soon as the governor started his customary address to the joint sitting, BJP members entered the Well of the House, asking him not to deliver the address.

“You are made to read lies, so please don’t read it,” BJP members said.

However, Vala continued with his speech, even as BJP members intensified their sloganeering.

“We don’t want a bundle of lies to be read. Down down.the government that has lost majority and trust,” they shouted.

As the BJP’s protest intensified, the governor said he is concluding his address, and it should be deemed as read. Vala read out the last paragraph of his speech.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who also holds the Finance portfolio, is scheduled to present his coalition government’s second budget on February 8.

Hindu temple vandalised in Pak, PM Imran Khan orders swift action

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

A Hindu temple was vandalised in Pakistan’s Sindh province by miscreants who set the holy books and idols on fire. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered swift and decisive action against the perpetrators.

The incident happened last week in Kumb, a town in Khairpur district. On Tuesday night Khan Twitted that provincial authorities must take swift action against the culprits.

Khan said that the govt of Sindh must take immediate and decisive action against the perpetrators as this is against the teachings of the Quran.

The community has approached the police to register a case against unidentified persons.

The temple has no caretaker because the community felt that it was safe enough, since it was surrounded by their houses.

After the incident, the Hindus in the area held a protest in the city, Samaa TV reported.

Rajesh Kumar Hardasani, the adviser of the Pakistan Hindu Council, has demanded the formation of a special task force for the security of Hindu temples.

“This action has caused unrest among the Hindu community. These types of attacks are done in an attempt to disturb religious harmony across the country,” he said.

Police said that they were hunting for the attackers but so far no arrest was made. Nobody or group took responsibility of the attack.

Out of 220 million population in Muslim-majority Pakistan, there are two per cent Hindus which live mostly in Sindh province. They are often harassed by the extremists.

Jennifer Lawrence is engaged to boyfriend Cooke Maroney

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

It is official, Jennifer Lawrence is engaged to boyfriend Cooke Maroney.

The 28-year-old Oscar winner was spotted with a ring on her finger while enjoying what appeared to be a celebratory dinner with 34-year-old Maroney, at Raoul’s, a French restaurant in New York City.

The actress was seen wearing a cute black dress with white polka dots.

A few days earlier, the happy couple was spotted on another date in the West Village, all bundled up to battle freezing temperatures.

A source told an leading magazine in June that the actress was dating Maroney and the two have never shied away from going on dates in public together. In late June, the couple was photographed enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner in New York City.

Liam Neeson’s ‘Cold Pursuit’ red carpet premiere cancelled after controversial remarks

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Web Team

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February 6, 2019

The New York red carpet opening for Hollywood actor Liam Neeson’s latest action flick ‘Cold Pursuit’, has been cancelled after backlash over the actor’s comments that he once considered a racist “revenge” attack after somebody close to him was raped.

On Monday, in an interview with a leading British newspaper, the Neeson recalled a disturbing incident when he contemplated a racist revenge attack after somebody close to him was raped.

“I went up and down areas with a cosh (a club), hoping I’d be approached by somebody, I’m ashamed to say that, and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some ‘black bastard’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him,” he said.

Shortly after the interview was released, the ‘The Commuter’ actor faced strong criticism on social media with people calling him racist.

Following the backlash, the Irish actor, on Tuesday, featured on ABC’s Good Morning America to address the issue and clarified that he is not a racist. “I was trying to show honor, to stand up for my dear friend in this terrible, medieval fashion. I am a fairly intelligent guy and that’s why it kind of shocked me when I came down to earth after having these horrible feelings,” he asserted.

Neeson also mentioned that following the incident, he decided to seek the counsel of a priest and exercise helped him get rid of the anger.

Neeson starrer ‘Cold Pursuit’ is all set to hit the big screens on February 8. In the film, Neeson’s character will be seen seeking violent revenge after his son dies mysteriously.

Senior Citizens steals the show

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C K Subramaniam

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February 6, 2019

Simple living and high thinking is the motto of the Senior Citizen. The “Helping Hands” of the seniors spread to every nook and corner of the country. It helps to spread awareness about the needs of the Senior Citizens that makes them know their own rights. This includes how to make use of pension benefits to profitable investments and earning good returns. Such returns earned can be made use for the monthly medical expenses without pinching the pocket. It is time to sit and chit chat in a nearby park or garden and relax and enjoy life the fresh air. Doing yoga for few days in a week can also benefit the seniors to carry on with added spirit and vitality.

It is often said that poverty in childhood and loneliness in old age are curses on human beings. Maybe this statement was made during the years when the situation of elders living alone was a rare occurrence. In the olden days, the joint family system existed in India. This beautiful social institution took care of elders, the orphaned children, destitute and widows. But in today’s global village scenario, when the children are more often than not settled elsewhere in the globe, the elders are left alone. It may be due to the children’s inability to take them along with them or due to the desire of the elders themselves to stay alone in India. They join senior citizen clubs and make their life meaningful by entering into social activities by playing a game of chess or turn to Carrom Board by playing few games for the diversion of their mind and forget about worries.

The tag senior citizen is generally given to a person who is between 58 and 65 years of age and has superannuated from active service. This age band fixed for retirement was based on the old system followed decades ago when longevity was lower than 60 years. With the advance in medical sciences and health supporting systems, longevity now goes up to 75. Perhaps, the retirement age needs revision to make use of the services of experienced people for some more time in the interest of the national development.

The presence of relatives and old-age homes, however comfortable, cannot provide for emotional needs. Some people overcome the blues by taking recourse to cultural and social activities but others suffer silently. Low income and poor health aggravate the misery. With about 50 per cent of the elderly being financially dependent on others, it is affordable housing, health care, and the psychological and social manifestations of aging that we will struggle to respond to as a country with no social security and dismal elderly care facilities. What will be the combined impact of this trend on small, nuclear families, along with an improvement in lifestyle and an increase in degenerative diseases and lifespans, especially for women? Where are we going to live as we grow old and who is going to take care of us?

While we hope that the Indian family continues to be stronger than in most countries and provides a caring environment for the elderly, it can’t be the basis for our ability to support the elderly. India needs to take a serious look at the needs of the elderly in a more pragmatic and holistic manner. For starters, it could focus on the three key aspects of health, housing, and dignity. NGOs and social organisations are doing their best to provide a better and satisfactory way of life in metro cities. Old age homes are coming up in Coimbatore, Bengaluru, and Chennai for the upkeep and make them rehabilitated with proper food and health care. But how many people can afford such facilities of their own or through the resources of their children? Children live in far places like America or Australia and thus making the parents weary of their life in isolation and worried about the well being without the personal touch of their children.

There is a need for a network of old age homes, both in the private and public sector. While the private sector has taken the lead in setting up some state-of-the-art facilities, most of these are priced well out of the reach of the ordinary citizens. State governments must be mandated to set up quality, affordable homes. A growing number of old people live alone while their children work abroad. The Senior Citizens feel insecure and helpless with no one to take care of their daily needs. Loneliness and depression may be unwanted bed fellows of old age people, but along with advancing years come more palpable enemies.

That means the seniors have understood the concepts and techniques of active aging and about healthy living, which is possible only through positive thinking. Such seniors are role models to the younger generation. There lies the real success of life and let others live in a serene atmosphere as seniors don’t become a burden to the family as well as to the society.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

SC issues notice to Prashant Bhushan on contempt plea by AG and Centre

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Afternoon Voice

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February 6, 2019

The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan on contempt pleas by Attorney General K K Venugopal and the Centre for his tweets allegedly criticising the court over the appointment of M Nageswara Rao as interim CBI director.

Bhushan was given three weeks to reply and the next hearing is scheduled on March 7.

A bench headed by Justices Arun Mishra and Naveen Sinha said it would deal with the larger question of whether it is open for lawyers or any other person to criticise the court in a sub judice matter which would lead to influencing public opinion.

Criticising the court may also lead to interference in the course of justice, the bench added.

“This issue required to be heard in length, notice issued,” it said, listing the Bhushan, in his tweets, alleged that the Centre, represented by Venugopal, misled the apex court on the issue of Rao’s appointment.

On Tuesday, the Centre moved the apex court seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Bhushan for his tweets and said they amounted to making false statement in a pending case. This was days after Venugopal’s contempt petition against Bhushan.

Venugopal, in his contempt plea, referred to the extracts of the minutes of the meeting of the high powered selection committee comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Justice A K Sikri and leader of the largest opposition party Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Centre’s plea also referred to the contents of Venugopal’s petition and submitted that they be also read as part of its plea.

Venugopal’s petition referred to Bhushan’s February 1 tweets in which he alleged that the government appeared to have misled the apex court and perhaps submitted fabricated minutes of the meeting of the high-powered selection committee.

Through his tweets, Venugopal said, Bhushan appeared to have deliberately intended to cast aspersions on the “integrity and honesty” of the attorney general who had placed the minutes of the meeting before the apex court during the February 1 hearing.

On February 1, a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra was hearing a petition filed by NGO Common Cause challenging the Centre’s decision to appoint Rao, an IPS officer, as interim CBI director.

Venugopal said in his petition that Bhushan’s tweets “scandalise or tend to scandalise and lower or tend to lower the authority of this court”.

He said during the hearing on February 1, he had handed over to the bench the minutes of meeting of the high-powered committee held on January 9 and January 10.

According to the petition, signatures of all the three members of the committee — were affixed in the decision taken by the panel.

Venugopal said Bhushan, in one of his tweets on February 1, had said, “I have just confirmed personally from the leader of opposition Mr Kharge that no discussion or decision in HPC meet was taken re-appointment of Nageswara Rao as interim Director of CBI. The govt appears to have misled the court and perhaps submitted fabricated minutes of the HPC meeting.”

The attorney general said the statement/confirmation attributed to Kharge could never have been made by him for the simple reason that he himself had signed the minutes of the meeting which also contained the final decisions of the high-powered committee.

“If the minutes of the meeting were to be fabricated, the members of the high powered committee who constituted the majority would have to be parties to such fabrication as their signatures are contained on the very same page on which the decision is recorded in the minutes,” the plea had said.