Congress leading in Telangana, Chandrasekhar Rao trailing in Kamareddy segment 2
The Congress is leading against its rival BRS in Telangana even as Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was trailing in Kamareddy constituency, the Election Commission said. Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy was ahead of his nearest rivals in both Kodangal and Kamareddy constituencies.
As per EC’s latest update, the national party was leading in 53 while BRS in 30 seats. The BJP and CPI were leading in 6 and one seat, respectively. The simple majority mark to form government in the southern state is 60 seats. The Chandrasekhar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) has been in power since 2014, when Telangana was granted statehood and won the 2018 elections as well and is hopeful of a hattrick.
The Congress had mounted a spirited election campaign with a view to unseat the near decade-old incumbent, even as the BJP also launched a no holds-barred attack against the ruling dispensation.
Grocery shop owners among 3 held after 5 die due to suspected consumption of Ayurvedic syrup in Gujarat 4
At least three persons, including two grocers, have been arrested, days after five persons died due to suspected consumption of an Ayurvedic syrup containing methanol sold by their shop in Gujarat’s Kheda district, police said on Saturday.
Two others, who had supplied bottles of the syrup, are yet to be arrested. The shop had sold bottles of the syrup to at least 50 persons, as per the preliminary investigation. A five-member special investigation team (SIT) led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Nadiad, was formed to investigate the case, said Kheda district Superintendent of Police Rajesh Gadhiya.
”We have arrested Kishor Sodha and his brother Ishwar Sodha, the owners of the grocery store which sold the suspected syrup to the victims. When the duo was questioned, they identified one Yogesh Sindhi as the person who supplied them with the syrup. All three were arrested yesterday (Friday),” Gadhiya told reporters.
Sindhi disclosed the names of Nitin Kotwani and Bhavesh Shevkani from whom he had procured bottles of the syrup before Diwali. The duo, who hail from Vadodara city, are wanted in this connection, he said.
Gadhiya said since the syrup bottles bore duplicate labels of manufacturers and marketers to mislead the people, police have added a section pertaining to forgery under the Indian Penal Code to the FIR.
An FIR (First Information Report) was registered at Nadiad rural police station on Friday evening on the charges of culpable homicide, poisoning, and forgery among others after five persons died in Bilodara and Bagdu villages on November 28 and 29. The deceased were suspected to have consumed `Kalmeghasav – Asavarishta’, sold over the counter, to nearly 50 people by the grocery shop owned by the Sodha brothers from Bilodara village near Nadiad.
According to officials, such medicinal syrups are sometimes misused by alcohol addicts in the ‘dry’ state of Gujarat.
”While five persons died after consuming the syrup, two others are undergoing treatment at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad. Another person who was treated at a private hospital for two days was shifted to Nadiad Civil Hospital on Friday evening,” Gadhiya said.
The police officer appealed to all the private hospitals to report any such suspected cases that have approached them for treatment. ”Shop owner Kishan Sodha allegedly admitted that he had sold syrup bottles to nearly 50 persons last week. He bought them for Rs 100 a piece and sold them for Rs 130,” Gadhiya said. The Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has said ‘Asavas’ and ‘Arishtams’ are fermented Ayurvedic mixtures which contain less than 12 per cent self-generated alcohol.
Administrative Reshuffle: Anilkumar Gaikwad appointed as new MD of MSRDC, replaces Mopalwar 6
In a significant administrative reshuffle, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has relieved Radhesham Mopalwar of his additional duties as the Managing Director (MD) of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). Anilkumar Gaikwad, a Joint Managing Director, has been appointed as the new MD of MSRDC. According to reliable sources, Chief Minister Shinde approved Gaikwad’s appointment on Wednesday, with the official order set to be issued on December 1.
Radheshyam Mopalwar, an experienced officer, was appointed as the Managing Director of MSRDC in 2017. Following his retirement, he received a significant seven-year extension, beginning in February 2018. During his tenure, Mopalwar played a crucial role in overseeing numerous infrastructure projects, including the Nagpur-Mumbai Prosperity Corridor. His multiple extensions, spanning both the Fadnavis and Thackeray administrations, make him the first officer to receive such frequent renewals. Despite stepping down from additional responsibilities at MSRDC, Mopalwar will continue to play an important role as the Principal Secretary for Infrastructure.
Anilkumar Gaikwad has been asked to hold an additional charge as MSRDC MD until the state government makes a full-time appointment. Following his retirement, the government retained Gaikwad’s services with a formal appointment as the Joint Managing Director. Now, with his direct appointment as the Managing Director, he assumes greater administrative responsibilities.
As the completion of the Samruddhi Mahamarg, a flagship project under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, nears its end, discussions have arisen about extending Mopalwar’s term in government decisions, prolonging his tenure until August 31, 2022.
The state government’s decision to appoint Anilkumar Gaikwad as the Managing Director of MSRDC has been made public, underscoring its commitment to ensuring smooth administrative transitions within the organisation.
The BJP once again announced that their election motive is to change the name of Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar if they are voted to power in the November 30 Assembly elections. This is not the first time that the BJP has called for changing the name of Telangana’s capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar in his various speeches. Telangana has a mixed population and a backward class and Muslims are the majority of the population. Apart from the Brahmins and upper caste voters, the BJP actually has no takers in this state. The BJP, which is seeking to make a foothold in Telangana, vigorously pushed its Hindutva agenda under its former state chief, Bandi Sanjay Kumar. As part of this move, Sanjay started his statewide “Praja Sangrama Yatra” in 2021 at the Bhagyalakshmi temple, which is located adjacent to the iconic Charminar monument in Hyderabad.
There have been numerous theories about Hyderabad’s name. The most popular belief is that the city got its name after its founder, Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah of the Golconda Sultanate, who ruled the city between 1580 and 1612 and named it Bhagyanagar after Bhagmati, a local dancer, his beloved with whom he got married. Bhagmati converted to Islam and adopted the name Hyder Mahal, and the city was renamed Hyderabad in her honour. According to a scholar of Islamic architecture, Andrew Petersen, the city was originally called Baghnagar because it is surrounded by many gardens. The people of Hyderabad never had an issue with its name; they all want this name to remain as it is.
The majority of the people in Telangana do not like the name change. The city has always been known as Hyderabad since it was founded in the late 16th century. Not only the city, but the entire kingdom was called Hyderabad. One cannot wipe out the history of a city for political motives. Moreover, it will not serve any purpose. With all due respect to the sentiments of the Telugu-speaking people, Hyderabad’s name should not be changed to avoid ruckus. Because the name change will be perceived from a religious angle. There will be riots and unrest, and thousands of innocent lives will suffer. Politicians should bring harmony rather than create communal clashes. This is one strong reason why people in Telangana do not support the saffron party.
If Hyderabad is changed to a new name, There may be demands to change the names of Aurangabad, Firozobad, Allahabad, Secunderabad, Ahmedabad, and so on. Bangalore, Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Trichinopoly names got changed because these names were considered as the British Colonial names which is not the case with Hyderabad. BJP has been on a renaming spree in a bid to make the names of various places “more Hindu”. In Maharashtra, Aurangabad was renamed as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar while Osmanabad became Dharashiv. In UP, the Mughalsarai railway station was renamed after Deen Dayal Upadhyay while Allahabad became Prayagraj. Recently, UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said the state’s capital city Lucknow will be renamed as Lakshman Nagari.
Hyderabad is rich in culture and history in the last 1500 years. BJP doesn’t have any development schemes to offer. So, they let out a populist slogan. Changing city’s names doesn’t change the living standards of people. It’s just politics to eyewash the public and divert them from real issues. Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana, is known by two names: Hyderabad and Bhagyanagar. The reason behind this dual jargon is rooted in the city’s history and the cultural and political shifts it has experienced over time.
The dual names for Hyderabad reflect the cultural and historical influences of both the Qutb Shahi dynasty and the Mughal empire. Over time, the name “Hyderabad” gained prominence and became the widely accepted and recognized name for the city. However, some groups and individuals, particularly those with a historical or cultural connection to the Qutb Shahi dynasty, continue to use the name “Bhagyanagar” to honour its original founder and preserve that aspect of the city’s heritage. During the time of the then Chief Minister of Andhrapradesh (1980–1982) T Anjiah, the name change was proposed and many institutions like Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA) was renamed as Bhagyanagar Urban Development Authority etc- which gradually evaporated and got renamed as Hyderabad Urban Development Authority at the end of 1982.
Hyderabad is among the most developed Indian cities. The city of Hyderabad is famous for its rich architecture, culture & history. Hyderabad is the fourth populous metropolitan in India. It is an emerging Bio-Technology & IT (Information Technology) hub of India. Hyderabad is not a name; it is an emotion. Name change is nothing but playing with the emotions of the people. Lets see how BJP can make it to power by playing with people’s emotions.
Timothee Chalamet jokes it was 'a lot of auto-tune' singing in 'Wonka' 10
Actor Timothee Chalamet developed some new skills while filming ‘Wonka’. The actor, 27, shared that performing the film’s dance numbers was “a great learning experience.”
The actor chatted with ‘Extra’ at the film’s London premiere and said, “I loved it. My mom is a dance teacher and my grandmother was a dancer; my sister is a dancer, so I was always sort of around it but it’s a big difference between being around it and having to do it”, reports People magazine.
As for the singing, he joked that it involved “a lot of auto-tune.” Chalamet told People on the red carpet that he also had to learn how to “live and love the tone” of the film.
“I realised everything I’ve worked on (has had a) grounded seriousness to it, and here I had to loosen up and play, kind of like I did in high school, but I hadn’t done it in 10 years or something. So, that was the learning curve,” he said. “But once it was in full swing, then it felt like we were cooking.”
As per People, the film serves as the prequel to Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, with Chalamet as Willy Wonka. While Chalamet has expressed that he had a learning curve he had to go through in the film, Wonka director and co-writer Paul King previously said how he was impressed by the actor’s performance.
“I think what’s so remarkable about his performance is not only that he is funny and mischievous and quite mysterious, as well—just like the Willy Wonka that people will know—but also that he brings such heart to the role and he’s a brilliant actor,” said King.
The director also said that fans can expect to see Willy Wonka’s “energy” shine during the musical numbers.
“We try to evoke that through these kinds of dance sequences there. And there’s a couple of really big numbers in there, and there’s an amazing sort of zero-gravity set piece (and) some really lovely numbers”, he said.
Matt Smith to lead drama series 'The Death of Bunny Munro' 12
British star Matt Smith will be featuring in the upcoming limited drama series ”The Death of Bunny Munro”.
Written by Pete Jackson, the six-episode show is based on Nick Cave’s darkly comic novel of the same name, according to a press release from Sky Studios.
Smith, known for British shows ”Doctor Who”, ”The Crown” and ”Game of Thrones” spinoff ”House of the Dragon”, will play the titular role of Bunny Munro, a sex addict, door-to-door beauty product salesman and self-professed lothario whose life is derailed by his wife Libby’s suicide.
”Together with 9-year-old son Bunny Junior, he embarks on an increasingly out-of-control road trip across Southern England as the two struggle to handle their grief. Bunny, by trying to seduce any woman he meets, and Bunny Junior by talking to the ghost of his mother as he slowly realises his father is a mess,” the official plotline read.
”The Death of Bunny Munro” will be produced by Clerkenwell Films in association with Sky Studios. It will be directed by Isabella Eklof.
”To work alongside Nick Cave on ‘The Death of Bunny Munro’ feels like a great honour. It’s a brilliant exploration of love, grief, and chaos. At its heart is a deep, difficult, and tender story about a father and son coping with loss and change. Clerkenwell Films and Sky feel like the perfect home to make such a bold story and Pete has delivered such wonderful scripts, both funny and heartbreaking in equal measure.
”I can’t wait to collaborate with Isabella and begin the journey with everyone at Clerkenwell,” Smith, who will also executive produce the show, said.
”The Death of Bunny Munro” will begin filming in 2024 across the south of England. The show will be available in the UK on Sky Atlantic and its streaming service NOW. NBCUniversal Global Distribution is handling international sales of the series.
Ex-Mumbai mayor Datta Dalvi held for 'objectionable' remarks against CM Shinde 14
The Mumbai police on Wednesday arrested Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former city mayor Datta Dalvi for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, an official said.
During a probe, the police found that a meeting was organised on Sunday by the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in suburban Bhandup, where Dalvi allegedly made some objectionable remarks against Shinde, the Bhandup police official said.
On that basis, an FIR was registered against Dalvi under various Indian Penal Code sections, including 153 (a) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.), 153 (b) (imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration), 294 (obscene acts and songs) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).
He was arrested in the Bhandup area on Wednesday, the official said.
Rajasthan: Man kills daughter by slitting throat, setting her ablaze 16
A man allegedly killed his daughter in Rajasthan’s Pali district on Tuesday afternoon by slitting her throat and later setting her on fire, police said.
Efforts are underway to nab the absconding accused, they added.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the accused, Shivlal Meghwal had been living in Pali separately from his family for 12 years. His wife and children resided in Gujarat, the police said.
Meghwal believed his elder daughter Nirma (32), who was married, was the source of discord in the family, the deceased’s kin told the police.
Nirma had come to Isali village of Pali on Monday to attend a wedding ceremony when her father met her. He then asked the victim and her younger sister to accompany him to a place, the complaint said.
He asked his younger daughter to wait while he went ahead with Nirma to a secluded place where he allegedly slit her throat and set her body on fire after sprinkling petrol, it added.
When Meghwal returned and his other daughter spotted blood on his hand, she raised an alarm and called the villagers, who then alerted the police upon discovering Nirma’s half-burnt body, the police said.
A case has been registered against the accused under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and efforts are on to nab him, they added.
SC-appointed SIT on black money to submit eighth interim report soon 18
The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money will soon submit its eighth interim report to the apex court, the panel’s vice chairman, Justice (Retired), Arijit Pasayat said here. After coming to power in May 2014, the Narendra Modi government, in its first cabinet meeting, approved the appointment of the SIT as directed by the Supreme Court. In the last nine years, the SIT has submitted seven interim reports to the apex court.
Justice Pasayat held a meeting at his residence here on Tuesday with officers of both central and state governments in connection with the detection and curbing of black money generation in the country.
”A meeting of officers from the Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate, Customs and Excise, and Central Board of Indirect Tax departments was held for over two hours in which participants discussed the methods to be applied for the detection and curbing of generation of black money in India and abroad,” Justice Pasayat told reporters.
Ready to face any probe, says Punjab Minister Harjot Bains on illegal mining allegations 20
Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains refuted allegations of illegal sand mining in his constituency on Tuesday, saying he was ready to face any probe.
During the Zero Hour on the first day of the two-day winter session of the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday, Congress MLA Pargat Singh alleged that illegal mining was going on in the Anandpur Sahib constituency of Bains.
The minister dared the opposition leader to furnish evidence to back his allegations. “I am ready to undergo a polygraph or narco test,” said Bains.
Bains said that when he was the mining minister, he got a man arrested for his involvement in illegal mining and asserted that the state earned the highest revenue from the mining sector.
After Pargat Singh raised another issue of the recruitment of 1,158 assistant professors, Bains said the Congress government started the process for the recruitment of college teachers at the last moment when the model code of conduct was being enforced.
He pointed out that the Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, had written a dissent note regarding the recruitment process and despite this, the previous government continued with the recruitment process by going against the rules, which were rejected by the high court.
Therefore, the Congress government is fully responsible for the cancellation of these recruitments, he added.
Candidates had applied for 1,158 posts of assistant professors and librarians in the state colleges in 2021 during the Congress regime. Against these posts, some candidates were given appointment letters.
However, after some candidates challenged the recruitment criteria, the Punjab and Haryana high court in August 2022 quashed the selection process.
Bains said a hearing on the review petition of the Punjab Government concerning the recruitment of 1,158 assistant professors and librarians will take place on November 29.
The state government will request the court permit the immediate allotment of stations to 600 assistant professors selected under this recruitment drive, said Bains.
Meanwhile, Akali MLA Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi sought a probe into the firing incident in Sultanpur Lodhi by the CBI or a sitting judge of the high court.
A home guard Jaspal Singh was killed when a group of ‘Nihangs’ resorted to unprovoked firing in Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala a few days back.
The incident took place when policemen tried to get Gurdwara Akal Bunga Sahib in Sultanpur Lodhi vacated from a faction of Nihangs.
Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa sought an adoption of a resolution to press the Centre to accept the demand of farmers who are demanding legal guarantee to the MSP, withdrawal of cases filed against them during the 2020-21 stir against the now-repealed farm laws, compensation, and jobs for any one of the family members of farmers who died during the stir, debt waiver, and pension.
After the Zero Hour, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the demand of farmers should be fulfilled by the Centre.
