The weight of expectations is enormous on Mary Kom but grabbing a sixth gold medal at the World Championships won’t be easy for the celebrated pugilist, says Indian boxing’s High Performance Director Santiago Nieva.
One of the most decorated boxers from India, Mary Kom is a five-time world champion and London Olympics bronze medallist. The Manipuri will spearhead India’s 10-member contingent in the World Championships, beginning on Thursday.
“Everybody expects Mary Kom to win a gold medal but it won’t be easy. She has strong competition, she needs to perform as nobody will give her the gold free,” Nieva said ahead of the elite International Boxing Association (AIBA) event which will be held for the first time in India.
At the same time, the Swede added that Mary Kom has it in her to deal with pressure.
“Everybody knows her. She has some pressure but she has done this before and we are confident she can do it again,” he said.
Nieva said his expectation includes a gold and anything less than that will be a below-par result for the hosts.
“I expect at least three medals, including a gold. We will not be satisfied if we can’t achieve that. Everything more than 3 medals will be a bonus and great result for us.”
Besides Mary Kom, Nieva expects good performances from some young Indian boxers in the tournament.
“Pollution is a problem but I will have to adjust to that. I won’t go for jogs and try to concentrate on indoor training.”
Nieva, on his part, said the Capital’s city’s worsening weather condition shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the participating nations as boxing is predominantly an indoor sport.
“Nobody wants to play in a city where you feel the difference in breathing but this is a major issue in all big cities of the world. We had that in Beijing Olympics. But it’s very important for the Indian government to deal with the issue and I think they are trying to do something about it. But there is no quick fix. This is something which will take years to bring it down,” he said.
“For us, it’s not a major issue. I have spoken to boxers of other countries as well and as Mira (Potkonen) said we usually train indoors, we stay inside the hotel, so it’s not that much of an issue,” Nieva added.
The administrators often use several draconian laws against the public. IPC section 353 certainly deserves a special mention when it comes to the list of top ten of such regulations in India.
“Is it a section to protect honest public servants?”
“As per the language of section 353, it is applicable if the public officer doing his lawful duty is hindered or deterred with a criminal force while performing his task. For example, if someone gets into a scuffle with the police officials in uniform during nakabandi, then, applying IPC section 353 on such accused persons can be fair enough. However, these days, public servants, who are expected to offer service to the public at large, are themselves making a mockery of the IPC section 353 to hide their wrong-doings,” said Mumbai-based senior Advocate Kaushik Mhatre. The senior lawyer suggests police often misuse this provision when they are off duty, or in a civil dress. If someone takes objection against their wrong acts, they fall back upon this section to fill up the lacuna and to side-track their mistake.
The term public servant covers all the elected representatives, doctors (in some states), and government officials. Cops often use it to curb dissent and to intimidate journalists from covering something.
No one would question the police officers if they have valid evidence like video footage to show that the accused person has harmed them, hindered them from performing their duties. But applying the section and arresting the citizens just because they dared to raise their voice and ask questions is entirely unconstitutional. Such cases often fall apart after reaching the court of law. But prove to be harassment, waste of time for citizens as well as the courts that are already over-burdened.
“Supreme Court urged states to control being overzealous while using the concerned section”
In April 2015, the country’s highest court observed how the section could be misused even by the courts to take the citizens’ freedom away within the blink of an eye. A 66-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Shevgaon district was arrested under section 353 and put behind bars because he shouted at one of the court’s employees. After the sessions court, even the Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court rejected his bail plea. The victim was forced to approach the SC. The bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph cracked the whip at lower courts for keeping the man in jail for 91 days. It clearly stated that courts should give priority to recover the payment of fine instead of imprisonment.
The section attracts two years of imprisonment or a fine as the punishment in most of the states. It certainly needs amendments to stop its misuse. However, the Maharashtra Government’s June 7, 2018, gazette notification (bill) has increased the jail term from two years to five years in the state. Devendra Fadnavis led Maharashtra Government’s amendment is undoubtedly against the suggestions laid down by the Supreme Court.
“Curbing the misuse is the need of the hour”
Mumbai-based investigative journalist Shahid Ansari also happens to be one of the victims of this section. In June 2011, traffic constable Shivaji Manik Kadam brought Ansari at Mumbai’s MRA Marg Police Station and continued mercilessly beating him even when the journalist was willing to pay the fine for breaking the traffic rule. After beating up, Kadam also filed a case under section 353 against the reporter. Fortunately, the journalist and his colleagues had the station’s CCTV footage in their favor. Due to protests from other journalists, PI Suresh Salunke had to send Shahid for a medical check-up and register his NC complaint against Kadam. Unfortunately, Kadam was not suspended but just transferred after the incident. The cop has been involved in multiple such cases as per Ansari.
If someone attacks a government official, the first step is to get the medical check-up done. The medical report would automatically prove how the concerned official was attacked and with what weapons. Further, a case against the accused persons under section 324 or 307 and of course, 353 sounds logical. In case of an argument with the public, some cops tear their shirt and get people arrested under section 353 claiming they were attacked. The accused person gets arrested, and his/her professional career remains at stake. Such cases fall apart after reaching the court due to lack of evidence. Ideally, an NC complaint should be filed in case of a verbal argument or even in cases where the officials claim a member of the public has torn their shirt. If there are no injuries, no blood, let the concerned officer approach the court and seek an order for FIR like an ordinary man. Some notorious police officers have registered multiple cases against people under the draconian law. They use it as a tool to harass the citizens, and checking the conviction ratio in the cases involving the concerned IPC section certifies the same. The conviction rate is too low because most of the time the law is misused, said Mumbai-based investigative journalist Shahid Ansari while sharing his opinion on the issue.
“I won’t hesitate to say that these days cops often misuse section 353, just like the SC/ST Atrocities Act and the Section 498A. If you question the police in their work, they will file a case under section 353 against you. In September, the Worli police registered a case against me under section 353 and 341 claiming that I caught hold of police vehicle’s steering and forced them to come to the police station. The reality is that I scolded them for stopping their vehicle in the middle of the road and urinating by the roadside during the night of September 20. Other people were wrongly restrained due to the vehicle parked by the constables, so police should have had filed IPC section 339 against the constables instead of turning the table on me,” said anti-corruption crusader, Mumbai police’s Constable Sunil Toke.
Nitten Gokhaley
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted to “theft” in the Rafale deal before the Supreme Court and changes in the contract without asking the Indian Air Force.
On Monday, the Centre submitted a 14-page document titled “Details of the steps in the decision-making process leading to the award of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft order” to the Supreme Court.
Modi Ji has admitted to his theft in the Supreme Court. In the affidavit, he admitted to changes in the contract without asking the Air Force and put Rs 30,000 crore in Ambani’s pocket.
The picture is still to come, my friend, Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.
He also tagged a media report, alleging that the government in its affidavit before the Supreme Court has thrown up more “wrongdoings” in the Rafale deal.
The Centre disclosed to the Supreme Court the pricing details for the 36 Rafale jets that were negotiated on “better terms” and said it “completely followed” the Defence Procurement Procedure laid out in 2013 and secured approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security.
The submission by the Centre was made in the 14-page document that has since been made public.
However, the pricing details provided in a sealed cover remained in the custody of the top court. The court will peruse both the documents and take up the matter on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed December 4 for final arguments on petitions filed by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi challenging the Delhi High Court order refusing to give them relief in a case of re-opening of their tax assessments for 2011-12.
The apex court did not issue any notice on their petitions as the Income Tax department was represented by its counsel.
The Income Tax department had filed a caveat in the apex court that it should be heard in case any appeal is filed against the high court order.
A caveat is a legal procedure by which an application is filed by any party to the litigation to pre-empt an ex-parte order.
After a brief hearing, a bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and S A Abdul Nazeer said, “Since respondent (Income Tax department) has put in an appearance, we are not issuing a formal notice. However, we are fixing the matter for final arguments on December 4”.
The appeals were filed by Rahul, Sonia, and veteran Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, who have challenged the September 10 verdict of the high court.
The Income Tax matter against the Congress leaders are linked to the National Herald case in which they are also facing a criminal case.
Akshay Kumar’s next “Mission Mangal”, which is being touted as India’s first space film, will hit the theatres on August 15 next year.
Akshay announced the release date on Twitter.
“A powerful true story of ordinary people with extraordinary dreams, on an unheard of mission to achieve the impossible. #MissionMangal will come alive on 15th August, 2019. See you at the theaters. @foxstarhindi,” he wrote.
Proud and excited to bring the story of India’s Mars Mission, #MissionMangal to you. Coincidentally the mission was launched on this very date, 5th Nov. 2013. Meet the team and do share your best wishes for our shubh mangal journey. Shoot begins soon ?? @foxstarhindipic.twitter.com/SYfSmoZEdb
Akshay is also producing the film via his banner Cape Of Good Films. The film will be made in collaboration with “PadMan” director R Balki and will be directed by Jagan Shakti.
The shoot for the film, which also stars Vidya Balan, Nithya Menen, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu and Sharman Joshi, begins this month.
The makers of ‘Kedarnath’ finally launched the trailer of the film in an event in Mumbai on Tuesday. Sara Ali Khan, who is making her debut with the flick, was flooded with questions during the trailer launch.
The debutante was asked to choose between her upcoming films ‘Kedarnath’ and ‘Simmba’ as her Bollywood debut to which she responded saying that she can’t choose between one of them.
“Both are such different films and such different experiences, how can you ask me such a question? Dono ne mujhe chuna uske liye mein buhut he grateful ho (I am just grateful that they chose me),” Sara commented.
One of the reporters also asked her on what she has learnt from Kareena Kapoor Khan, to which, the upcoming star said, “Kareena Kapoor Khan is amazing in the way she works and is extremely professional. If there is anything, I would like to learn from her is the professionalism. I would like to imbibe her professionalism in me.”
The trailer of the film dropped just a few hours back and is garnering a lot of appreciation for the cracking chemistry between Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan.
It is set in the backdrop of the flash floods that wrecked the temple town in June 2013. The film features Sara as Mukku, a Hindu tourist-pilgrim, and Sushant as a Muslim ‘Pithu’ named Mansoor, who carries luggage, old and ill people on his back. The biggest highlight of the film is the amazing chemistry between the lead pair. Showcasing the power of love, Sushant and Sara can be seen withstanding the wrath of nature as flash floods wreck havoc in Kedarnath.
The film is helmed by Abhishek Kapoor and is slated to release on December 7, 2018.
Arjun Kapoor believes his next “India’s Most Wanted” will ignite patriotism in people.
The film, a tribute to unsung heroes, centres around the capture of India’s most wanted, without firing a single bullet.
The actor, who plays an intelligence officer in the film, wrapped up the project Monday.
“It is a scary and real story. It will be fascinating for audience to see it because when I heard about it, it left me in shock. Also, it made me feel proud to be an Indian. It is a film that will bring out your patriotic side,” said Arjun to a agency.
The actor said unsung heroes need to be respected and praised.
“Men in uniform defend and protect us but there are so many young heroes who protect us in plain clothes in plain sight. They are also the true unsung heroes and they deserve to be respected and applauded for keeping our country safe. The film is based on one such important event that changed the course of our country’s history,” he said.
Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, the film is slated to be released on May 24, 2019.
Gupta is co-producing with Fox Star Studios.
Arjun, 33, also has Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Panipat” in his kitty and this will be his first historical period drama. The film also features Kriti Sanon and Sanjay Dutt.
“Ashu sir is an expert in such films. My job as an actor is to be on the sets and play my character to the best of my ability. There are certain things that we are working on since few months.
“I begin filming by end of November. I still have some time to work on my character. I can’t talk about it in detail as I feel at times it is better to do it and show, rather than speaking,” he said.
According to reports, Arjun will play the role of Sadashiv Rao Bhau, the nephew of Peshwa Bajirao I. He served as commander-in-chief of the Maratha army in the third Battle of Panipat.
The actor has started prepping.
“I am playing a warrior in the film. There are certain basic things that I will have to keep in mind. We have started training in horse riding. We start practising sword fighting in the next coming weeks.”
The film is slated to release on December 6, 2019.
And it’s here! The first trailer of ‘Detective Pikachu’ introduces us to the cute and cuddly avatar of Ryan Reynolds.
The ‘Deadpool’ star features as the titular character in the first-ever live-action Pokemon movie. The plot, which takes place in Ryme City, revolves around Tim (Justice Smith), a young man who stumbles upon Detective Pikachu.
Tim is the only person who can understand him and the two then team up to solve the mystery of Tim’s missing father.
Reynolds took to Twitter to share the trailer, writing, “I think we all knew I’d wind up as a miniature detective repeatedly saying the same two words. Just didn’t think it’d be this soon. #PikaPika #DetectivePikachu”
The Rob Letterman-directorial also stars Kathryn Newton, Rita Ora, Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy and Suki Waterhouse. It is all set to hit the big screens on May 10, 2019.
Susanne Bier has said her latest directorial “Bird Box” and smash-hit horror thriller “A Quiet Place” are two “very different” films.
The first trailer of the Netflix-backed project, starring Oscar winner Sandra Bullock in the lead, was recently unveiled and after watching it, many people noticed a similarity in the plots of both the films.
“A Quiet Place”, starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, featured monsters with acute sense of hearing while in Bier’s “Bird Box”, the protagonists are fleeing from creatures who should not be seen.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bier said the films are being compared because they both feature women as the protagonists.
“I think ‘A Quiet Place’ is a very good film, but I think they are very different. They’ll inevitably get compared, but I have to admit, I don’t see a lot of similarity. It’s almost a slight because they are two thrillers with two female leads, they’re compared,” she said.
“I guess I kind of go, ‘Hey, would you say the same thing if it were two guys?’ And I don’t think anybody would,” she added.
The film, based on Josh Malerman’s 2014 novel of the same name, also features Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, BD Wong, Jacki Weaver, Tom Hollander and Sarah Paulson.
I appreciate Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration of two major national highways and an inland waterways terminal in Varanasi. The newly inaugurated terminal in Varanasi is the first of the four multi-modal facilities being constructed on inland waterways as part of World Bank-aided Jal Marg Vikas project. These projects could be the answer to those who always mattered that BJP is wasting money for unproductive purposes. The steps taken by the government since 2014 to develop modern infrastructure and to clean River Ganga could now be visible for the people. It is a crystal clear indication that the Modi government is concerned to develop the country and to equip it with modern technology. I believe that now Varanasi and the eastern UP region would transform into a “confluence of nature, culture, and adventure,” along with modern amenities as PM Modi assured.
– M.F. Usmani
2) Will Ayodhya verdict come in Hindu’s favour?
Although the verdict of the Supreme Court about the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case is yet to come, the Hindu organisations such as RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal are preparing rapidly for constructing Ram Temple in Ayodhya as they consider that the verdict certainly will come in their favour. Now the Bajrang Dal is all set to enroll 25,000 ‘Ram soldiers’ who will help in the construction work of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The organisations should not engage with such activities until the SC decision comes because such activities provoke the religious sentiments and motions among the people which are harmful to the communal harmony. The Apex Court itself must give some proper instructions to prevent the people who are trying to spoil the peaceful atmosphere of the country.
– Mohd Faheem
3) SC should also respect religious sentiments
It is good that the left-front Kerala government at last taken practical steps to implement rather non-implement unjustified Supreme Court order on Sabarimala Temple when the state government deployed lady police of age-group above 50 years around the temple. Even a woman in age-group between 10-50 years was requested not to insist on entering the Temple when the woman confessed that she was forced by her husband to try to enter the temple.
It is prayed that good sense prevails with judges of the Supreme Court also for allowing review-petition on the matter where the issue is not at all of gender-discrimination but is of religious faith which is based on totally Hindu traditions which in turn are completely based on scientific aspects and requirement of traditions. The Supreme Court should realise that entry of women in age-group of 10-50 years is banned at Sabarimala Temple because the god worshipped there was a Brahmachari and entry of women in the marriageable age of 10-50 years must not be allowed. Ritual of prohibiting women during menstruation in kitchens, temples etc. was designed due to the hygienic and physical weakness of women these days because of excessive bleeding.
Fortunately, a disease of pseudo-secularism is fast diminishing from Indian politics. But to prevent judicial system from being the victim of pseudo-secularism, judges at the higher courts should consider all practical aspects in sensitive religious issues concerning majority community.
– Subhash Chandra Agrawal
4) I appreciate CRPF personnel
I extend my appreciations to the CRPF personnel for providing a peaceful environment to the Chhattisgarh people in the first phase of the Assembly polls. The people of Chhattisgarh are also appreciated for their courage because despite the boycott call given by the Naxals, tribals thronged the polling booths in large numbers in their respective areas to cast vote, and an impressive70 per cent voter turnout was observed in the first phase. It shows that Chhattisgarh people believe in peace and contentment. Only some evil elements want to destroy the peaceful atmosphere and they are supported by some political parties. We hope that the rest of the polling will go on peacefully.
– F.R.Murad
5) Kohli’s ‘Leave India’ comment
Kohli is seen bashing a fan who said that he likes English and Australian batsmen as players. While reacting to this, Kohli said that he should not live in India if he likes foreign players more than the Indian cricketers.
As a Captain, Mr. Kohli is a great person but he should not say so and so. He first should examine himself because those were the days when he was a fan of Herman Gibbs, a former South African cricketer who played all formats of the game for 14 years.
– A.Rafe
6) Cruelty over humanity
It seems that the cruelty has occupied on humanity. Instead of giving respect to others, we are so interested in harming each other. In the latest spine-chilling and horrific incident occurred with Jamal Khashoggi, the killer of the Saudi journalist poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, the pro-government daily said without quoting the sources. This led investigators to believe that his dead body was disposed of through the drains as a liquid. Human beings need to stand up against such barbaric incidents. The Saudi Government must also take immediate steps to prevent this kind of shameful incidents and accused must be punished inexorably. I offer my sincere condolences to his family.
– AR Taloja
7) Take a clue from TV ads
Presently a very interesting TV-advertisement of a paan-masala is on all TV channels where a successful industrialist is shown giving a Deepawali-gift of bail-out package to his only competitor in financial crisis citing a reason for such gesture that he does not want to participate in a race without any competitor.
The same position has developed in Indian politics where present top leadership in the main opposition party at the centre if continued will make present ruling party win the race without competition. A healthy democracy requires a strong two-party system at the centre. Mentor-organisation of ruling party at the centre should in larger public interest induce some of its strong cadre in the main opposition party also to make Indian politics healthy and stronger by ensuring a strong two-party system at the centre.
– Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
