Cong files complaint against Shiv Sena for ‘insulting’ Prez

By

-

October 22, 2015

The state unit of Congress filed a complaint against Shiv Sena for “insulting” President Pranab Mukherjee through an “objectionable” poster, which claimed that he “bowed” before the late saffron party supremo Bal Thackeray.

A delegation of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), led by party legislator Bhai Jagtap lodged the complaint at the Shivaji Park Police Station.

“The objectionable write up on the poster was close to the President’s picture. Mukherjee had visited Thackeray during the Presidential election campaign. In keeping with Indian culture and tradition, Mukherjee folded his hands on meeting Thackeray. But, a write up on the poster says the President bowed before him,” the complaint said.

Congress has accused the Sena of using the poster showing the President, who is the constitutional head of the country, for “political mudslinging”.

“This is a serious matter,” the party said.

The poster which was put up at Sena Bhavan in Dadar by the Shiv Sena’s East Mumbai unit, also showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowing reverentially before Thackeray.

VK Singh shocker on Dalit killing: ‘Govt can’t be blamed if a dog is stoned’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Union Minister VK Singh has once again triggered a controversy by talking about a ‘dog being stoned’ while arguing that government must not be blamed for the brining alive of two Dalit children in Haryana.

“See, the thing is, never associate local incidents with the Central government (sarkar). There is an inquiry going on. There was a dispute between families. The dispute…How did it turn out…Where did the administration fail, after these it come to the Centre,” he said at Ghaziabad.

And in an afterthought – apparently aimed to stress that Centre must not be blamed for every incident – he added: “For everything…Like if somebody throws a stone at a dog, then the government is responsible…It is not like that.”

Later, in a statement, Singh described as “dastardly and cowardly act” the killing of two little children in Faridabad “which is a shocking reflection on the state of our society.”

“From all indications, the horrific incident was triggered off by a feud between two families. Our society is made up of many individuals, and the act of every sick mind cannot be put at the door of the government, regardless of which party is in power.

“It does not matter who or what the political affiliations are, the perpetrators have to be dealt with without mercy. I also appeal to the media not to deliberately twist my words out of context.

What I have said and continue to say is very clear, and there is no ambiguity about it,” he said.

“I have given an analogy by seeing an animal in front of me out there in that village (where he had gone for an event in Ghaziabad). Which is what happened. I have not said anything about those people (the victims of burning incident).

“All I said was suppose somebody wants to hit a dog and everybody starts saying in the media that this is what the government is doing….Now how it relates to that I cannot understand,” he said.

Expectedly, the Opposition latched on to Singh’s remarks.

The Congress demanded that he should be removed from the Union Cabinet and Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise.

Urdu poet Munawwar Rana, who has returned his Akademi award, to meet PM soon

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Urdu poet Munawwar Rana, who have returned his Sahitya Akademi award would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon.

“I got a call from PMO on Tuesday with a request to meet him the next day. As I was in Gwalior I said that it was not possible and the date and time should be fixed for some other day…On this I was told that it will take some time,” Rana said.

Rana (62), a big name in contemporary Urdu poetry further said that whenever PM would call him he would meet him and narrate his grief over the present scenario and would explain the reason behind his decision of returning award.

“I will meet the PM as a poet with reference to Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb of the country. My intention is to live the life which I was born with,” he said.

On being asked if he will meet PM along with other litterateurs, he said, “Somebody goes with me or not is his or her personal choice, but if Modi calls me I will definitely meet him.”

Meanwhile, Rana evaded the question of accepting his award again if Prime Minister would request.

Rana had recently announced to give up his Sahitya Akademi award dramatically during a live TV debate over the killing of Kannada writer M M Kalburgi and lynching of a man in Dadri for allegedly consuming beef.

‘Rajiv Gandhi backed Chandra Shekhar over Pranab Mukherjee as PM’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Pranab Mukherjee was favoured by late President R Venkataraman to be the Prime Minister after the fall of V P Singh government in 1990 but Rajiv Gandhi thought otherwise.

This has come to light in a book entitled, “The Chinar Leaves”, written by veteran Congress leader and close aide of the Gandhi family M L Fotedar, who claims that when he met President Venkataraman to discuss the political situation in the wake of V P Singh’s resignation in 1990, the President told him emphatically that Rajiv should support Mukherjee.

“I met President Venkataraman and discussed the political situation with him. I told him that under the present circumstances only the Congress Party could take along with it every section of society and provide a strong and stable government.

“I requested him to invite Rajivji to head the next government as he was the leader of the single largest party in the Lok Sabha. On this the President directed me, with an emphasis of authority, that I may put it to Rajiv Gandhi that if he supported Mr Pranab Mukherjee to be Prime Minister, he (the President) would administer the oath of office to him that same evening,” Fotedar says in his book.

The HarperCollins publication, due for release soon, also highlights how Mukherjee along with P V Narasimha Rao and Venkataraman were once considered by Indira Gandhi as those who could take over the Congress party after her until of course she decided to bring her son Rajiv into politics as her political heir.

Fotedar, currently member of the Congress Working Committee, writes that then President Venkatraman’s personal choice for the PM’s position left him surprised and he took time to recover his poise to ask the President, “Sir, how can that be done?”. Hearing this, the President said again with an aura of authority that he should inform Rajiv about his choice.

PM Modi lays foundation stone for Amaravati, says ‘political selfishness of Congress led to Andhra’s division’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Political selfishness led to the hasty division of Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday accusing Congress of “spreading poison”, instigating youth and creating tension between AP and Telegana.

Laying the foundation stone for the new capital, the Prime Minister exhorted people of both the states not to fall prey to lies and disinformation that could fuel tension between Andhra and Telangana.

“For some people’s political selfishness, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in haste without properly carrying out the process of proper consultation. I can even today feel the pain of those innocents who lost their lives and suffered loss to property in this episode.

“The British left behind such things due to which there is tension in the country even today. The previous government did something that due to which everyday there is tension created,” he said addressing a gathering here.

The Prime Minister assured the people that Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act will be implmented in ‘letter and spirit’ within the stipulated timeframe.

Modi accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of trying to sow the seeds of permanent problem between the two states and urged the people to move forward in the “true spirit and soul of Telugu”.

“Those people who while bifurcating Andhra and Telangana have attempted to sow the seeds of a permanent problem, they are even today adding fertilizer to create poison, create illusion and are trying to play with the emotions of the youth,” he warned.

Citing the example of creation of three new states – Uttarkhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh – during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure where there was no conflict, Modi said he was attempting to do the same now so that there is no problem or bloodshed between the people of the two states.

“The previous government has done a lot of such things that a lot of time and energy of this government is going into undoing and setting them right. But I assure Centre’s support to both the states and the Government of India will always stand by and support you,” he said.

The Prime Minister said he along with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will fulfil the dreams and aspirations of Andhra Pradesh and take it to greater heights by expediting the development process.

“I want to assure the people of Andhra that Government of India will implement the provisions of the Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit. I have come here to assure you that the Narendra Modi and Chandrababu Naidu duo will fulfil all the dreams and aspirations and the issues agreed upon within the stipulated time frame,” he said.

Modi, who had brought water from the Yamuna River and soil from Parliament Complex, to be spread in the new capital, said, “This symbol has a message and strength that Delhi will always stand and move shoulder to shoulder in Andhra’s journey to touch newer heights.”

Vijaya Dashami: The day of victory

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashami, is an Indian festival that celebrates good forces over evil forces various forms with great zeal and enthusiasm. It spans for 10 days and is celebrated in varied traditions across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Dussehra is celebrated, differently in different parts of the country, depending upon the legend that is followed in each region. People all over the country participate in the occasion in their own way. Even though festive celebrated in different ways across India, the motive remains the same – to spread good cheer and celebrate the victory of good over the evil.

Vijayadashmi (‘Vijay’ means ‘victory’ and ‘Dashmi means ‘tenth day’). Mythology states on this day that Lord Rama killed the demon-king, Ravana and rescued his abducted wife – Sita. In other words, symbolizes the victory of Good over Evil.

Mythology also states that Goddess Durga, a combined manifestation of the divine energies of the Holy Trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and all the other devatas, when they summoned her to kill the mighty demon known as Mahishasura and freed the world from his terror and on Dussehra Goddess Durga won the battle over the demon Mahishasur.

The Mahabharata is another series of Hindu mythology says it’s the day when Agyatawas of Pandavas got over.

All the above stories symbolize the victory of mankind. That is why this day is held in high regard by people who believe that whenever there will be chaos in the society and evil will try to take over humanity, God will appear in a the form of saviour to protect his devotees.

It is also interesting to know and very few people are aware that this day is also celebrated as “Ashok Vijayadashmi” since the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka is believed to have converted to Buddhism on this day. Ashok Vijaya Dashmi is being celebrated all over India by the followers of Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Since this festival is celebrated across the country in different ways, Bengalis celebrate Dusshera as a part of their main festival – Durga Puja. Similar customs are seen in Orissa and Assam. In the North-eastern state of Tripura, huge fairs are conducted and effigies of Ravana, burnt at Ramlila maidans. In the southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Vijayadashmi is considered auspicious for starting education or any form of art, such as dance and music. Saraswati Puja is conducted on this day. The Dusshera of Mysore is very famous in terms of grandeur and splendour. Each region of the country has its own specialty in the celebrations. While at some places people engage in public processions. At many places in the country, colourful fairs and exhibitions are also organized on this occasion.

The Vijayadashami or Dussehra festival holds tremendous cultural significance and we simply symbolize the power of goodness and humanity is above all kind of powers. For all who live on this land – irrespective of their caste, creed or religion – the festival should be celebrated with gaiety and love.

Prafful Sarda

I can be too polite to fans: Daniel Radcliffe

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

“Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe says he can be a little over-accommodating when fans ask him to pose for photos.

Radcliffe said he felt terrible for his “Harry Potter” castmate Rupert Grint when he heard the actor had followed a fan home – because he couldn’t say no to her, reports in a magazine said.

“I’m better at saying no than Rupert Grint. He ended up going back to a fan’s house because he couldn’t say no to anything they asked. That’s when it’s gone too far.” Radcliffe’s girlfriend Erin Darke has been known to give the actor a hard time when he’s too polite to rude fans.

“One time, a girl came up to me and said, ‘Could I have a picture?’ I said, ‘Yeah, sure, if you want to’. And she goes, ‘Well, I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to…’ “Me being me, I’m just like, ‘Sorry, that’s silly of me’. Then she walks off and Erin says to me, ‘You don’t have to be nice if someone’s rude’.”

Freida Pinto kisses new boyfriend

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

“Slumdog Millionaire” star Freida Pinto stepped out for a romantic evening with professional polo player Ronnie Barcardi at Fogo de Chao restaurant in Beverly Hills. The 31-year-old actress, who dated Dev Patel for six years after meeting on the set of

“Slumdog Millionaire” in 2008, looks fully enamored with the new man in her life, reported E!Online. After dining at the Brazillian steakhouse, the couple topped off the evening with a sweet ice-cream treat at Salt & Straw. Pinto wrapped her arms around his waist and they shared a kiss together.

The duo looked relaxed while in their element, Pinto dressed in a laid-back printed jumpsuit and Bacardi rocking a backwards cap and t-shirt.

Shah Rukh Khan claims his kids turning out very cool

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Proud father Shah Rukh Khan thinks that his kids are growing up to be very cool and he will have to make efforts to keep up to them.

The 49-year-old actor took to Twitter to share a picture of his 18-year-old son Aryan and 15-year-old daughter Suhana at the airport via a fan club.

He tweeted a picture of duo and captioned it

Shah Rukh Khan @iamsrk

“Sorry but can’t refrain from saying I think they are turning out lean mean & very cool. I need to keep up…”

Shah Rukh will be next seen in Rohit Shetty’s directorial ‘Dilwale’ that is slated to release on December 18.

Sanah Kapoor wants to do Sadhana’s role in ‘Mera Saaya’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

October 22, 2015

Sanah Kapoor, who will make her Bollywood acting debut with “Shaandaar”, says she would love to play veteran actress Sadhana’s role in the 1966 film “Mera Saaya”.

The courtroom drama saw Sadhana playing a double role and the budding actress wants to play the characters too.

Talking about her dream role from the old era of Hindi films, Sanah said: “I would love to do Anarkali’s role and Sadhana’s role in ‘Mera Saaya’. I would like to explore, do different roles and prove myself as a good actor.”

Speaking about bonding with her star brother Shahid Kapoor, Sanah said: “We share a typical elder brother and little sister bond. He is a very protective brother and he always treats me like a kid. I guess I will never be a grown-up for him.”

Sanah plays “a fat girl” in the film, which was released on Thursday.

“In our society there are certain fixed norms of beauty and beautiful girls. If someone is short or fat, people look at them differently which is very wrong. In the film, my character Esha goes through the same feelings,” she said.