AR Rahman was ‘starving’ to look thin a day before his Oscar win

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February 5, 2019

AR Rahman created history in 2009 by becoming the first ever Indian to win two Academy Awards in a single night but the music composer says on the eve of the ceremony, he was “starving” to look in shape.

Rahman bagged two Academy Awards, one for the original score for “Slumdog Millionaire” and the other for the hugely popular global hit “Jai Ho.”

While things changed dramatically for Rahman post his win, when asked what was his mental space on the eve of the big award event, Rahman told media, “Actually nothing. I was just starving to look thin for the ceremony!”

The Danny Boyle-directed drama swept the 81st Academy Award with 8 trophies out of 10 nominations.

Rahman shot to global fame with his win and went on to get two more Oscar nominations in 2011 for his original score and song for Boyle’s “127 Hours”.

When asked if it is difficult to move past the shadows of two Oscars, Rahman said, “Yes. I have moved on because it’s a great identity for me and I needed that identity to be in Hollywood. Now, whenever I am mentioned there, people know my name.

“That helped me move further not just in music, but also producing movies and going into technologies like virtual reality and cinematic virtual reality and so much of the stuff that’s going to come this year. So, all this freedom came with this power.”

I am the star of my life story, says Kareena

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February 5, 2019

She is one of the finest actors of her generation and a style inspiration for many but Kareena Kapoor Khan says being considered a trendsetter does not dictate her choices be it films, fashion or life.

The actor says the fact that she was never aspiring to be someone else has helped her stay comfortable in her space.

“The fact that I am aware about my strengths, makes me secure. I am never looking at what others are doing, which films they are choosing, the directors or actors they are working with. All these things never bothered me. I am the star of my life story. Nobody else can dictate my choices,” Kareena told an agency in an interview.

“As a person, I am very comfortable in my space. I have always been content with the choices I made in my career as well as my personal life. I was never aspiring to be someone. I was always working and will keep working towards being the better version of me.”

The actor says that very early in her life, she realised that it was important to be secure to be a good artiste.

“Otherwise, you won’t be able to do justice to your character. And to be secure, one needs to focus on their work and career graph rather than constantly looking at what others are doing.”

Kareena, who was last seen playing a commitment-phobic bride-to-be in “Veere Di Wedding”, will next be seen in “Good News”, in September this year.

The film will see her opposite Akshay Kumar, her co-star of many films, after a gap of four years

Sooraj Barjatya to team up with Salman Khan for his next

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February 5, 2019

Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya has revealed that he will be reuniting with Salman Khan for a family drama, the idea of which he has already discussed with the superstar.

Sooraj has collaborated with Salman, right from his debut “Maine Pyaar Kiya” to “Hum Aapke Hain Koun!”, “Hum Saath Saath Hain” and recently “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.”

The director said that currently he is consumed with work on his production, “Hum Chaar” and work on the Salman film will begin much later.

“Right now the focus is on ‘Hum Chaar’. Then my younger son Avnish will debut as a writer-director with a film this year. It’s a very big responsibility. After that I start writing my film with Salman,” Barjatya told an agency.

When asked if the film will be on the lines of trademark Rajshri Productions strong, rooted family drama Sooraj said, “It’s a family drama, but not about joint family. It’s about husband and wife and I’ve already discussed the idea with Salman.”

There were also reports that the filmmaker was keen to have Salman feature in his son’s debut but Sooraj said that is not happening.

“Initially there were just talks but it was never discussed. My son is making a love story, a young film, so Salman doesn’t fit in,” he added.

SC raps Centre on NRC, says hell bent on not allowing process to go on

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February 5, 2019

The Supreme Court Tuesday came down heavily on the Centre over the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) process and said it is hell-bent on not allowing the work to continue.

The top court rapped Ministry of Home Affairs for its plea seeking to stall the NRC work for two weeks keeping in mind the role of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the election duty.

Reiterating that July 31 deadline for the completion of NRC exercise will not be extended, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the Centre is not cooperating in the NRC process and it seems the entire effort of the MHA is to destroy the NRC process.

The apex court asked the Election Commission to consider exempting certain state officers from election duty to ensure that the NRC process continues.

NGT slaps Rs 25 lk fine on UP govt for failing to stop dirty water discharge into Ganga Canal

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February 5, 2019

Dumping of sewage in water bodies is an offence, the National Green Tribunal said Tuesday while slapping a penalty of Rs 25 lakh on the Uttar Pradesh government for its failure to stop the discharge of dirty water into Upper Ganga canal.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel said adequate steps have not been taken for proper waste management and its treatment.

The green panel said that a clean environment is a fundamental right and the apathy by the authorities has to be dealt with coercive action.

It noted the submission of the state government that a sewage treatment plant at Niwari will be completed within six months and asked the urban development ministry to give an undertaking with a performance guarantee of 35 lakh.

“The chief secretary may furnish progress report to this tribunal. Having regard to the serious implication on public health, the matter must be seen with due attention from the highest level of authorities instead of being left to the lowest level,” the tribunal said.

NGT had earlier constituted a joint committee of Director of local bodies and Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department to prepare short term and long term Action Plan with timelines for stopping the pollution, reversing the damage and prosecuting the offenders.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by local resident Vivek Tyagi alleging that Niwari Nagar Panchayat has illegally constructed a drainage system to Upper Ganga canal belonging to UP irrigation department.

According to the applicant, Niwari Nagar Panchayat has illegally opened the municipal drains into two ponds which are polluting the water body resulting in contamination of the groundwater.

“Not only this, even some municipal garbage generated from the town is being dumped in the said two ponds, which is threatening the existence of these water bodies,” it said.

In the absence of a facility for treating domestic wastewater, the drainage system serves as a channel to carry wastewater into Upper Ganga canal thereby polluting it and other water bodies.

Army helicopter makes emergency landing near Bengaluru

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February 5, 2019

An army helicopter made an emergency landing on an agriculture field in the city outskirts on Tuesday following a technical snag. However, no one was injured. The incident occurred at Thattaguppe under Kaggalipura police station limits at about 1 pm, , police said.

Two trainee pilots noticed the technical fault in the helicopter and informed the local authorities before grounding it. “Some problem was detected in the engine due to which they (pilots) landed at Thattaguppe. Nobody was injured,” a police official told media.

The incident comes close on the heels of a Mirage 2000 aircraft crash at the HAL airport in the city on February 1 killing both the pilots while performing sorties.

Reaches agreement on French back taxes: says Apple

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February 5, 2019

(BUSINESS, COMPANY)

Apple has reached an agreement with French authorities over 10 years of back taxes, the US firm told AFP on Tuesday, confirming information published by the French magazine L’Express.

The magazine reported that the firm paid nearly 500 million euros ($570 million) to resolve the case in a confidential settlement reached in December. A source familiar with the case confirmed the amount to AFP.

Gold rises tracking firm trend overseas; silver gains

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February 5, 2019

Extending the upward trend, gold prices on Tuesday gained marginally by Rs 25 to Rs 34,475 per 10 gram at the bullion market in the national capital, tracking firm trend overseas, according to All India Sarafa Association. Silver, similarly, advanced by Rs 170 to Rs 41,700 per kg on increased offtake from industrial units and coin makers.

Traders said, with local demand remaining flat, firm trend overseas influenced the sentiment, leading to marginal increase in the prices of yellow metal. Globally, gold traded higher at $ 1,315.33 an ounce while silver stood at $ 15.88 an ounce in New York.

On Monday, gold had surged by Rs 340. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purities advanced by Rs 25 each to Rs 34,475 and Rs 34,325 per 10 gram, respectively.

However, sovereign gold held steady at Rs 26,100 per piece of eight gram. Silver ready gained by Rs 170 to Rs 41,700 per kg, while weekly-based delivery was up by Rs 208 to Rs 40,645 per kg. On other hand, silver coins held flat at Rs 80,000 for buying and Rs 81,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

RSS is most secular organisation: Vidyasagar Rao

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February 5, 2019

RSS is one of the most secular and inclusive organisations as it has always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith, Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao said Tuesday.

Speaking at the inauguration of the New Academic Complex and a gurukulam named after late RSS sarsanghchalak Golwalkar guruji at Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya (KKSV) at Ramtek, the governor said the journey of the Sangh has been spectacular as well as tough.

M S Golwalkar, popularly known as guruji, was the second Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). “The sapling planted by (RSS founder) Dr KB Hedgewar in the form of Sangh has grown into a large banyan tree having its branches all over the world. This journey (of RSS) has been both spectacular and tough. The toughest challenge to the Sangh came soon after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, when it was banned by the government on February 4, 1948,” an official release quoted Rao as saying.

Rao said that Golwalkar played a crucial role and gave the call for a nationwide satyagraha from the prison. “‘Guruji” challenged the government to prove the charges against the RSS or lift the ban, which was finally lifted on July 12, 1949. Thanks to persistent efforts of Golwalkar.

Rao further said, contrary to what the opponents of the Sangh say, the RSS is one of the most secular and inclusive organisations. RSS has always respected the right of individuals to practice their own faith and religion. RSS remembers saints, social reformers and patriots from various parts of the country in its morning prayer, which underlines inclusiveness of Sangh. However, in order to reclaim our glory as a ‘Vishwa Guru’, we need an education system that will be Indian which will encourage the spirit of enquiry, innovation and enterprise.

Mamata vs CBI: Rajya Sabha proceedings washed out again

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February 5, 2019

Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out on Tuesday for the second day in a row amid protests by opposition parties, including TMC, SP and Congress, over alleged misuse of the CBI in West Bengal. As soon as the House resumed proceedings in the afternoon, members of the TMC, SP and Congress trooped into the well raising slogans like “Save Constitution, Save Nation”.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh said that the opposition members can raise issues under laid down rules and procedures of the House and they should allow discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. He further said that there is no limit on the scope of discussion on an issue under rules whereas Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel said that there was no morality in protesting in Parliament as the Supreme Court order on the issue has already come.

When the opposition did not relent, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for the day. Earlier in the day, the House was adjourned amid protests. Besides TMC members, Congress members too were on their feet.

As repeated request for continuation of scheduled business went unheard, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House till 2 PM. Soon after ministers laid on table the listed papers, TMC member Derek O’Brien wanted to raise the CBI issue. The Chairman said that he has not accepted the notices given by different members on this issue, but permitted Derek O’Brien to speak on the matter during Zero Hour. However, some other members too started raising their points while Congress members were on their feet.

Asking members to maintain order in the House, Naidu had said that all issues could be raised while debating the President’s address to the joint sitting of Parliament. Members from TMC and some other opposition parties started raising slogans and trooped into the well. Some Congress members were in the aisle before the adjournment of the House. However, Goel also urged members to start discussion on the President’s address and also charged that the constitutional crisis was being created in West Bengal.