Amy Poehler gets a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

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December 1, 2015

Comedienne and actress Amy Poehler is to be honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Golden Globe winner will unveil the coveted 2,566th plaque during a ceremony in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum on Friday.

Her former Parks and Recreation co-star Rashida Jones and the show’s creator Mike Schur have been tapped to salute their friend at the induction.

“We are thrilled to add Amy Poehler to our Walk of Fame,” Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez said in a statement.

“She has kept us in stitches for so many years with her career as one of Hollywood’s top comedic actresses. Fans should be ready for a ceremony full of laughter!”

Poehler shot to fame as a featured player on US comedy show Saturday Night Live, the 12-time Emmy nominee also runs her own production company and last year became a No.1 New York Times best-seller with her memoir, Yes Please.

SRK named the global icon at 2015 Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards

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Afternoon Voice

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December 1, 2015

Shah Rukh Khan has always been a global icon for his fans and the 2015 Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards have put a stamp on it this year. The Dilwale star also received the Most Glamourous Star award, which was presented to him by the veteran actress, Rekha.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s real life chemistry is equally charismatic on screen and keeping that in mind, they were honoured with the Most Glamourous on-screen couple award at the 2015 Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards.

It was a one plus one treat for Sonam Kapoor, who is known for her chic and classy fashion sense, as she won the Style and Substance award and the title of Stylish Star at the 2015 Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards. Sonam received the first award herself, but her Stylish Star award was collected by Ranveer Singh on her behalf.

Known for setting trends with her style sense, Alia Bhatt was recently awarded with the Trendsetter of the Year Award at the 2015 Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards.

Varun Dhawan, who alarmed other stars with his thrilling acting skills and dance moves, has now received the Emerging Face of Fashion Award at the Filmfare Glamour & Style Awards.

Priyanka Chopra scores four mn followers on Instagram

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Afternoon Voice

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December 1, 2015

As Priyanka Chopra scored four million followers on Instagram, Bollywood’s ‘Desi Girl’ sent out love to her virtual family, and thanked her admirers for showering her with love and appreciation.

“Four million and counting…my Instagram family continues to grow. Thank you all for the love! This is…because you,” the “Mary Kom” actor tweeted.

The actress, who made her debut in Bollywood with 2003 film “The Hero: Love Story of a Spy”, also shared a photograph in which her face is superimposed on the names of her followers.

The “Gunday” actress is an avid user of social media through which she stays connected with her fans and well wishers.

Priyanka was last seen in “Dil Dhadakne Do”, and is caught up with her international project “Quantico”.

On the home turf, she is prepping up for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Bajirao Mastani”, in which she will be seen essaying the role of Kashibai, Bajirao’s first wife. The film is scheduled to release on December 18.

Why can’t people spare 52 seconds for the nation

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Suraj Chandran

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November 30, 2015

People should stand up while the national anthem is being played and must not create any disruptions says Mumbaikars.

Mumbaikars strongly condemned the action of family of four members who refused to stand up while the national anthem was being played in the cinema hall at Kurla. Many of them took to social networking sites and criticised the family for disrespecting the national anthem. Netizens also asked why can’t people spare 52 seconds for the nation and display their patriotism. The family had visited PVR Mulitplex in Kurla for watching the Ranbir-Deepika starrer Tamasha movie. When the family remained seated while the national anthem was played it irked the audience as they asked them to leave the theatre. An angry man even threatened to slap them.

When AV spoke to Ashok Saxena, a Kandivali resident he said, “Since childhood teachers and parents have taught us to respect the national anthem. However, this family has shown disrespect to the national anthem. They could have displayed some patriotism for their motherland.”

Amit Barse, a media professional from Andheri said, “People should stand up while the national anthem is being played and should not create any disruptions. Strict action must be taken against the family members for disrespecting the national anthem.”

Rahul Deshmukh, a Borivali resident said, “It may sound like jingoism, but people should respect the National Anthem. Frankly, this family should be fined by the Courts.”

Pravin Seth, a Malad resident said, “Whatever it is they disrespected national anthem, but people do not have right/authority to behave like that with them or have no rights to remove them from theatre. People can complaint or but cannot be decision maker.”

Trendulkar @Trendulkar tweeted
“Why can’t you stand up for the National Anthem in theatres? Have some respect for UNESCO for voting it the best, 10 years in a row.”

Sumit Jain, a FY BSc student from Kandivali said, “What’s your problem? Can’t you spare 2 minutes for your country?”

“Wonder what kind of an impression would have been created on his children’s minds? For the rest of their lives they will only remember that they were kicked out of the theatre for disrespecting the national anthem” said Rishabh Singh a BPO employee from Andheri.

The video of this incident has already gone viral on social networking sites. The 2.40 minute video clip shows audience creating ruckus, while a few people questioning the family as to why they could not stand for the national anthem when they can sit for four hours to watch the movie.

Earlier the Madras High Court Bench had dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by an advocate seeking a ban on playing the national anthem in cinema halls since he witnessed that not many people in the theatres accord respect by standing to attention.

Justices R. Sudhakar and V.M. Velumani rejected the plea on the ground that the Union Home Ministry had made it clear on January 5 this year that the audience in cinema halls were not expected to stand up whenever the anthem was played as part of news reels and documentaries.

Too much tolerance from Mohd Salim, over intolerance

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

The BJP-led NDA government came under attack in Parliament, with Opposition parties issuing a number of notices in both Houses seeking a debate on ‘intolerance’ in society and action against some ministers for their alleged provocative remarks. Congress and JD-U have issued notices in Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue after suspension of business under Rule 267, while in Lok Sabha Congress and CPI-M have submitted notices for a debate under rule 193, which does not entail voting or require suspension of business. CPI (M) MP Mohammad Salim accused Home Minister Rajnath Singh of having said about Narendra Modi’s ascent to power that “a Hindu had come to power after 800 years”. Singh took objection to the statement, made in the Lok Sabha, and challenged Salim to either prove that he had said so or apologise. Singh added that he never made loose comments and was always very particular about what he said. Salim, however, said that he was quoting from a news magazine and if it was not true, Singh must send a legal notice to the media house. I remember, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal unabashedly announced Modi’s victory as power returning to a ‘Swabhimani Hindu’ after 800 years of void, since the time of Rajput king –Prithviraj Chauhan. I think that was his statement and not Rajnath Singh.

CPI (M) MP Mohammad Salim should have first written to the government to verify its worthiness before wasting the country’s time. This is a typical case on how media can disrupt the house by publishing reports. First, they should ban referring some media articles as part of their discussion in Parliament unless they own responsibility for what they are speaking. Otherwise, we are making mockery of Indian democracy and judicial system. Also, who knows, the same politician might have asked media to write some quote from his future discussion in the parliament, knowing that judiciary will take its own time to settle the matter. And till the time judgement deliver, this guy can freely spread the rumour in the disguise of media.

This intolerance debate is wasting the Parliament time. This nation knows the agenda behind the tolerance of the communal hatred incidents, statements and murders. What new information is going to be discussed and what new measures against newly emerging intolerance situation is going to be announced by the government? I was watching the session; this is ridiculous statement referring a newspaper. They don’t have courage to fight straight, hence raising hatred issue they want to fight with them. Don’t have guts to face these newspapers directly who made such a shameless comments? Our MPs should understand that Parliament meets to discuss important issues which are affecting millions of people. Rather, they are wasting time on petty issue and attacking Government. If a thing goes like this, even this session will also be a white wash like the previous one. With the Narendra Modi government reaching out to the Opposition to ensure the smooth passage for several crucial bills like GST, the Parliament took up a debate on the “situation arising out of incidents of intolerance” in the country under rule 193. Entire media was garnering TRP out of such controversial statements. Opposition is coming up with an agenda to disrupt the parliament.

After Mohd. Salim’s statement, National Conference president Omar Abdullah also said increasing incidents of intolerance and communal confrontation in the country has created a sense of despondency. Addressing a public rally at Banihal, he said, “Incidents such as Dadri and Udhampur are blots on the social fabric of the country and will continue to haunt the nation’s collective conscience. Omar said since PDP’s formation, the NC has consistently highlighted its political nexus with the BJP and RSS, which is an open fact. The NC president said the entire political discourse in the state has changed with the BJP exerting complete and total control not only on the institutions of governance but also the political articulation of outstanding issues.

Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that the Centre was ready to discuss the issue of intolerance in the ongoing session of Parliament if the Opposition allows the House to function. Naidu also alleged that opposition parties and some “pseudo-intellectuals” are “exaggerating” stray incidents that happened in states being “ruled by the Congress and their friends” with an aim to “tarnish” India’s image amid efforts to secure a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The bottom line here is that, the crucial time of parliament is wasted on unwanted issues and people are suffering in the end.

Peter Mukerjea’s CBI custody extended by a day

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

A special court on Monday extended the CBI custody by a day — till Tuesday — of former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea, one of the four prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation sought four days custody of Mukerjea for investigation pertaining to certain financial transactions and other issues connected with the case.

The CBI said it also wanted to ascertain whether Mukerjea gave any wrong replies during the polygraph test he underwent in New Delhi on November 28.

Strongly opposing further remand, the defence lawyer claimed that Mukerjea had nothing to hide and he had willingly undergone the polygraph test.

Mukerjea was arrested on November 19 from his home in Worli and has been in CBI custody since then.

Among other things, the CBI contends that Mukerjea was aware of the killing of Sheena, the daughter of his wife Indrani Mukerjea.

In August, Mumbai police arrested Indrani, her ex-husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver Shyamwar Rai in connection with Sheena’s murder.

The trio of Indrani, Khanna and Rai is in CBI custody till December 3.

Let people swear by the Constitution in courts instead of holy books: Shiv Sena

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Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Shiv Sena on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make taking oath on Constitution mandatory, replacing the holy books, so that the country can be pulled out of the tentacles of “religion-based politics”.

“The Constitution should be the sacred book for (people of) all religions. All religions are equal before law and this was what late Bal Thackeray said,” an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Saamana said.

“All are equal before law but the Constitution is supreme before the law,” the editorial said.

“Let people swear by the Constitution in courts instead of religious holy books,” the Sena said.

“Modi has said it will be suicidal to think of replacing the Constitution given by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The PM also said the Constitution is a holy book. He should now extend that thought and pull out the country from tentacles of religion based politics,” the Sena said.

Mumbai Metro fare hike deferred till December 17

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Days after it announced a hike of Rs. 5 in metro fares from Tuesday, Mumbai Metro One which is operating the 11.4 km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor has deferred the revision till December 17. MMOPL, in a statement, said the revision has been deferred as the Bombay High Court, which is hearing the petition against the proposed fare hikes by the company has scheduled the hearing for December 17.

“Since the high court has scheduled the hearing on priority basis on December 17, we have differed the fare revision till then,” MMOPL spokesperson said. As per the proposed revision, instead of the current four slabs of Rs. 10, 20, 30 and 40, the company has introduced five slabs and the fares will be hiked to Rs. 10, 20, 25, 35 and 45. The fare slabs per trip for the return journey token category will be revamped from Rs. 10, 15, 25 and 30 to Rs. 10, 20, 22.50, 30 and 35. The company had cited financial losses incurred by it the reason for this fare revision.

“While MMOPL continues to suffer losses of about Rs. 300 crore per year, we chose to defer any fare revision till November 30 and engage with the government with an intent to finding a viable solution and to avoid giving any shock to its valued commuters. We will continue to pursue the matter,” it had said.

Two held with gutkha

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

Police seized gutkha worth Rs. 6.62 lakh from a vehicle and arrested two persons for allegedly transporting the contraband.

A joint team of police and Food and Drug Administration officials intercepted the pick-up truck on Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in wee hours and arrested two persons, said Manor station Assistant Sub-Inspector C N Gaikwad.

The goods, including gutkha, flavoured tobacco and paan masala whose manufacture, sale and transport was banned in the state, worth Rs. 6.62 lakh.

The duo were identified as Prabhusingh Dahia and Nizaram Chaudhari.

They have been booked under various sections of Food safety and Regulation (Prohibition) Act.

SC asks actor Govinda to apologise to person for slapping him

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 30, 2015

The Supreme Court on Monday advised Hindi film actor Govinda to apologise to a person who had lodged a complaint accusing the industry veteran of slapping and intimidating him in 2008.

“You are a big hero, show your big heart,” a bench headed by Justice T S Thakur said, while suggesting the actor to settle the dispute with complainant Santosh Rai.

Rai has appealed against the Bombay High Court’s decision quashing his complaint against Govinda, saying there was no material against the actor to show criminal intimidation.

The apex court bench, also comprising Justice V Gopala Gowda, watched the video clip of the incident on a mobile phone and suggested that the actor should apologise to Rai.

The court said a film star should not indulge in fighting in a public place.

The actor does not need to do in real life what he does in “reel life”, it further said.

“We enjoy your films, but cannot tolerate you slapping somebody,” it said and fixed February 9 as the next date of hearing on Rai’s appeal.

The High Court, in 2013, had quashed Rai’s private complaint lodged against Govinda before a metropolitan court in Mumbai.

Rai had on February 2, 2009, filed the complaint under sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (1) (Criminal intimidation) of the IPC.