Centre approves Delhi Metro’s extension to Ghaziabad’s New Bus Adda

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January 23, 2019

The Centre on Wednesday approved the extension of the Delhi Metro corridor from Dilshad Gardern to New Bus Adda in Ghaziabad, which will provide a much-needed additional public transport infrastructure to NCR.

The approval was given at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a statement, the government said the total distance of the extended line will be 9.41 kilometers.

“The Union cabinet has approved the extension of Delhi Metro corridor from Dilshad Gardern to New Bus Adda Ghaziabad,” it stated.

The cabinet has also approved contribution of Rs 324.87 crore as central financial assistance for the extension at a total completion cost of Rs 1,781.21 crore, it said.

CBI books former Air India chief for irregular promotions

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January 23, 2019

The CBI has booked former Air India Chairman-cum-Managing Director Arvind Jadhav for allegedly violating procedures while making various promotions and appointments, officials said on Wednesday.

Along with Jadhav, the CBI has also named then Executive Director (Personnel) L P Nakhwa (now retired) and former Additional General Mangers (Operations) A Kathpalia, Amitabh Singh and Rohit Bhasin in its FIR registered under IPC section related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI alleged that Jadhav had constituted a panel in 2010 to promote officers to the rank of General Manager (operations) in violation of laid down procedure.

The three member panel included then Chief Operating Officer Gustav Baldauf, then Executive Director (operations) AS Soman and former Executive Director (Personnel) LP Nakhwa, it said.

PM inaugurates museums on Bose, Jallianwala Bagh in Red Fort complex

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January 23, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Subhash Chandra Bose museum at the iconic Red Fort to mark the leader’s 122nd birth anniversary.

Modi also inaugurated the Yaad-e-Jallian Museum, (museum on the Jallianwala Bagh and World War I), the Museum on 1857- India’s first war of Independence, and Drishyakala-Museum on Indian Art within the Red Fort complex.

The museum on Bose and the Indian National Army showcases various artefacts related to Subhash Chandra Bose and INA. The artefacts include wooden chair and sword used by the leader, medals, badges, uniforms and other artefacts related to the INA.

A documentary on Bose and the INA will help visitors understand the vision of the freedom fighter. Actor Abhishek Bachchan has lent his voice for the documentary.

The Yaad-e-Jallian Museum provides an authentic account of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place on April 13, 1919.

A replica of the memorial erected at the Jallianwala Bagh has also been placed at the museum.

The museum will also showcase the heroism, valour and sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the World War-I.

A poem penned by Sarojini Naidu on the plight of Indian soldiers who fought the World War I for the British Empire is part of the artefacts at the museum.

The poem, titled ‘The Gift’ describes sacrifices made by 1.5 million Indian soldiers in the First World War

The Museum on 1857-India’s first war of Independence portrays the historical narrative of war of independence, showcasing the valour and sacrifices made by Indians during the period.

The Drishyakala-Exhibition on Indian Art showcases art works from 16th century till India’s independence. It has paintings by Amrita Shergil and Raja Ravi Varma on display.

The PM spent nearly an hour at the museums and shuffled between venues on a golf buggy.

In a tweet earlier, Modi said he bows to Bose on his birth anniversary.

“He was a stalwart who committed himself towards ensuring India is free and leads a life of dignity. We are committed to fulfilling his ideals and creating a strong India,” he wrote.

Key WTO members to meet in Davos to discuss reform measures

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January 23, 2019

Key members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including from India and South Korea, will meet on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum summit in Davos on Thursday and Friday to discuss reform measures of the multilateral body, an official said.

Commerce Secretary Anup Wadhawan will represent India in the mini-ministerial meeting of the WTO, the official said.

The meeting move assumes significance in the backdrop of growing protectionism in the global trade, hurting the confidence of the WTO.

Certain members want to further strengthen the 164-member body to make it more effective.

WTO chief Roberto Azevedo had said the US has some concerns on the way the global trade body functions.

Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu had earlier stated that India would prepare an agenda for the meeting in consultation with developed as well as developing countries.

According to industry sources, India is expected to present a paper for reforming the WTO.

Duty hike by the US on certain steel and aluminium products has triggered a trade war kind of situation.

The rich nations are forming groupings to prepare ground for pushing new issues such as investment facilitation, preparing rules for e-commerce, promoting gender equality and reducing subsidy on fisheries.

India has been keenly pushing agricultural issues at the WTO.

The talks at the WTO’s 11th ministerial conference collapsed after the US went back on its commitment to find a permanent solution to the public food stockholding issue, a key matter for India.

Indian economy grows irrespective of govt in power: Nath

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January 23, 2019

India has shown to the world that it can grow irrespective of the government in power, but there is an urgent need to ensure all-inclusive economic expansion by addressing the twin problem of unemployment and farmers’ distress, senior Congress leader Kamal Nath said on Wednesday.

Addressing a session on emerging market outlook here at the WEF Annual Meeting, Nath said India is heading towards becoming the world’s second largest economy but that is happening because of lot many factors.

“India grows irrespective of the government policies and is driven by its tremendously aspirational young generation,” the Chief Minister of one of the India’s largest state Madhya Pradesh said.

He, however, cautioned that there is huge unemployment and that coupled with issues faced by farmers are the biggest problems faced by India.

Any policy decision should focus on these issues to unlock India’s huge growth potential, Nath who had held various ministerial positions at the central government said.

On importance of sustainable economic growth and why it is not a political issue in India, Nath said, it was indeed a political issue in the country and India was certainly addressing issues like environment.

Nath said that there is a need to look at the “distributed justice” in a new way.

“There is a global disorder in all facets, whether it’s economy or politics and all of this needs to be looked at in a holistic manner. Unless that is done, this disparity will further increase,” he said.

Problems in India and for Indian farmers are different from what is the problem of inequality in the US and therefore the solutions would need to be different, he said.

Nath noted that it’s very important that rule based trading systems remain in place for the global trade to happen.

“Nowadays bilateral trade deals are happening a lot, raising questions about multilateral frameworks,” said Nath who also served as a union commerce minister in the past.

He added that India has always supported rules based trade systems and it will fully support it. But one must understand that free trade should also mean fair trade.

India’s industrial activity likely to remain subdued in near term

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January 23, 2019

India’s industrial activity is expected to remain subdued in the near term, owing to muted domestic demand, weak global economic outlook and uncertainty among businesses over the outcome of Lok Sabha elections, 2019, says a report.

According to D&B Economy Forecast, concerns about the government curtailing its investment due to significant shortfall in tax collections against the target, are expected to keep the industrial activity subdued in the near term.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) expects Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to have moderated by 1.5-2 per cent during December 2018.

As per data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), industrial output growth dropped to a 17-month low of 0.5 per cent in November on account of contraction in manufacturing sector, particularly consumer and capital goods.

Factory output as measured in terms of the IIP had grown by 8.5 per cent in November 2017.

D&B Lead Economist Arun Singh said the likelihood of a robust economic growth during 2018-19 was dented by unfavourable developments and unexpected shocks that occurred during the year.

He said that the upcoming union budget will set the tone for the economy.

“We believe that there are likely to be some populist measures announced in the Budget, given it is the election year, around the rural and MSME sectors and overall job creation,” Singh said adding that the initiatives around labour and land laws, if taken, would be an added support.

On rupee, the report said that concerns over widening trade deficit, rise in global crude oil prices, and uncertainty over the general election outcome are expected to drag down the domestic currency in the near term, even as a likely pause in the US Fed rate hike is expected to support the local unit.

Enjoy live interactions with my audience, says Sushmita Sen

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January 23, 2019

Former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen has said she was waiting for the right script to make her comeback and might even don the cap of film producer in the near future.

The style icon, who walked the ramp here for designer Ashish N Soni, also said that she felt more comfortable directly interacting with her audience as a professional model than facing the camera in films.

Since my days as a girl, I have been doing fashion shows. I always feel at home in events where I can have live interactions with audience,” she told reporters recently.

Asked if she had plans to take up film projects any time soon, Sen, who has acted in top grossers like Sirf Tum (1999), Biwi No 1 (1999) and Main Hoon Na (2004) said, “I have to wait for the right thing.”

“I was very close to being a part of a film, which finally did not happen Not because of me though. Let’s see, God has better plans.

Sonam Kapoor gushes over meeting Mindy Kaling

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January 23, 2019

Sonam Kapoor, who is currently in the US, met Mindy Kaling and the actor could not contain her excitement.

The 33-year-old actor attended a Lakers game at the Staples Center with husband businessman Anand Ahuja on Tuesday where she bumped into the Hollywood star.

“So last night at the game I got to meet and hang out with one of the coolest people I’ve ever met @mindykaling she’s impossibly sweet, funny and smart. Also thanks @anandahuja for taking multiple pictures of us!” Sonam wrote on Instagram and also shared a picture.

View this post on Instagram

So last night at the game I got to meet and hang out with one of the coolest people I’ve ever met @mindykaling she’s impossibly sweet, funny and smart.. also thanks @anandahuja for taking multiple pictures of us! #everydayphenomenal #comefeelthelove

A post shared by SonamKAhuja (@sonamkapoor) on Jan 22, 2019 at 9:51am PST

Sonam’s cousin and actor Arjun Kapoor commented on the post, saying, “I wanna be @mindykaling she’s the best.”

Mindy also posted about her chance encounter with Sonam on Twitter.

“Had the best time meeting the gorgeous and hilarious @sonamakapoor and her husband @anandahuja at the game last night,” she wrote.

Sonam will be next seen in “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga”, which is set to bow out on February 1.

Kaling was last seen in “Ocean’s 8”.

Had the best time meeting the gorgeous and hilarious @sonamakapoor and her husband @anandahuja at the game last night ? pic.twitter.com/ChYumjmCIq

— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) January 22, 2019

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ scores 5 Oscar nominations, producer Graham King ‘overwhelmed’

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January 23, 2019

After making its mark at the Golden Globes, the Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is now leading the race at the Academy Awards with 5 Oscar nominations.

The music film that sweeped awards at the Golden Globes has been nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor In a Leading Role (Rami Malek), Film Editing, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.

The film has been performing outstandingly well in and outside theatres ever since its release in October last year.

In a statement reacting to the nominations, Producer Graham King asserted that he thinks they have “made the best version of a Queen story.”

Thanking the Academy for recognising the film, the producer said, “Heartfelt thank you to the Academy for recognising a film that has been a true collaboration from a team with a specific vision and determination to honour Freddie Mercury and Queen,” he said.

He also asserted that he is “extraordinarily proud of all of the nominations and the entire Bohemian Rhapsody team.”

After impressing the fans on the big screens, the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ team kick-started the year by performed exceptionally well at the 2019 Golden Globes. Rami Malek won an award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) while the film won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Drama. The team’s big honour has however sparked controversy.

Depp ready with new evidence to disprove Amber’s domestic violence allegations

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January 23, 2019

Johnny Depp has claimed that he has fresh evidence to disprove his ex-wife Amber Heard’s domestic violence allegations against him.

Depp is all set to use the evidence in his libel case against ‘The Sun,’ said a UK tabloid which published an article in which the actor was called a “wife-beater.”

The UK based tabloid also went on to criticise writer J.K. Rowling for allowing the Hollywood actor to continue working in the ‘Dangerous Beasts franchise,’ despite reports of his alleged abusive behaviour towards Heard.

Asserting that they have found some evidence that will prove Heard’s allegations wrong, Adam Waldman, said, “Today we filed a partial list of evidence that we will use to disprove the fraudulent underlying allegations against Depp.”

The former Hollywood couple settled their divorce in 2017 and Depp agreed to pay around 7 million USD, however, Heard ended up donating the money to a charity.

They even issued a joint statement during the time of their divorce, saying, “Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love. Neither party has made false accusations for financial gain. There was never any intent of physical or emotional harm.