Opposition’s only poll agenda is ‘Modi Ka Vinash’, says Narendra Modi

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October 12, 2015

Even as the first phase of polls in Bihar is under way, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a direct attack on JD(U)-RJD combine and said that their only agenda is to ensure the fall of Narendra Modi.

Addressing a mammoth gathering here, Modi said, “All BJP leaders say give us vote for the development of Bihar, it is our only agenda…and what do they say…they keeping on saying that we will ensure ‘Modi ka vinash’ (fall of Modi).”

“Is ‘Modi ka vinash’ an election issue…daily they say this and one leader even says that once Bihar is over, Modi will be finished off in Delhi as well,” he added.

“Democracy is not meant to be used to ensure someone’s fall but is meant to ensure that the aspirations of people are fulfilled,” Modi said.

Exhorting people to vote for the BJP, Modi said, “It is after 30 years that people of Bihar have decided to have a government that will be friendly with the Centre.”

“Bihar now needs a government that will be accountable in Bihar as well as Delhi. I want to work for Bihar but if there’s a government here that will create roadblocks then no matter how much I try I will not be able to develop Bihar,” he added.

57pc voter turnout in first phase of Bihar polls, says EC

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Afternoon Voice

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October 12, 2015

The first phase of the Bihar assembly elections on Monday saw a voter turnout of 57 per cent. Polling was held for 49 of 243 constituencies on the state, where the BJP hopes to deprive Nitish Kumar of a straight third term as Chief Minister.

The Election Commission said voter turnout is a record for Bihar. In the 2010 assembly elections, 50.85 per cent of the electorate had voted. Women turned out in larger numbers to vote than men – 59.5 per cent of the women voted and 54.5 per cent of the men. There were 1.35 crore voters in this phase.

Added to the tight security detail for the first phase election was the deployment of three drones.

Polling was very peaceful, said Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha

Of the 49 seats where polling was held, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) had won 29 in 2010. But it had fought that election in partnership with the BJP, which now leads the rival camp. Mr. Kumar’s new ally is Lalu Prasad Yadav, his number 1 rival in the last election.

This time, the JD(U) is contesting 24 of the 49 seats in the first phase, Lalu’s RJD is contesting 17 and third partner Congress is contesting eight. The big worry is whether Lalu Prasad will be able to transfer his votes to the JD(U).

The BJP is contesting 27 seats in the first phase and ally Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP is contesting 13. The LJP has high stakes in this phase – it holds four of this region’s eight Lok Sabha seats. Other BJP allies are contesting the nine other seats.

The BJP-led coalition is targeting at winning at least 30 of the 49 seats in today’s election to get a strong start in what is seen as a neck-and-neck contest.

Ban the bans

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Afternoon Voice

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October 12, 2015

This season belongs to bans and we are embarrassed in such ticklish situation as there is stiff resistance for such events to take place in Mumbai. Backing out at the eleventh hour despite the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s assurance and that too due to political pressure is not in good taste. Indian culture is ancient and we give more importance to music from the Mughal days in this country. It is matter of time we realise the real value of music before taking into account the political angle of such memorable ghazal concerts and other musical performances involving Pakistani artists.

If the political pressure is exercised with proper reasoning then the same can be considered by looking into pros and cons. However, beef ban appears to be rather silly as people follow their own eating habits. Why then so much fuss and it is time to ensure that no controversy is created in permitting such actions without any bias. There lies the success in implementing such bans. Anyway ban is not the end solution.

It is indeed precarious position in this country that even trivial issues are taken rather seriously and ban is enforced. It is a sort of virus catching up with the people in India. Beef banning touched a new low and went to the extent of murdering a person in this regard. It is notable that the members of minority community are religiously ordained to eat beef while observing a certain holy festival. Cow slaughter is banned as it is a sacred animal.

Again, perpetrating problem in Pakistani ghazal singer is yet another episode, which is causing ripples in the minds of people loving art, culture and music. As lovers of music, we like the ghazals of both Ghulam Ali and Pankaj Udhas in the same manner. We should broaden the horizon and make sure that the Government at the centre and at the State should not encourage such ban under political pressure. It is indeed a timid approach to the problem in hand. Thus the plays about nuns were also banned. Hopefully, we will be in a position to shed our narrow outlook and make our mind for a free India in future. Better council should prevail in dealing with such sensitive matters of mutual interest.

C.K. Subramaniam

Vin Diesel’s answer to Body-Shamers

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Afternoon Voice

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October 12, 2015

Furious 7 star Vin Diesel shared a new photo of him showing his abs as reply to people, who mocked him for having belly fat. He posted the image on October 11, particularly “For those who wanted the show”.

With a caption: “The pic from yesterday… For those who wanted the show… For all the angels that love dad bod regardless… I will post an exclusive video on my Facebook when I am done with press today. #LastWitchHunter #HappyCreative”

Mr Diesel made headlines for showing off his belly during his stay at a hotel in Miami earlier this month. The 48-year-old actor took to Instagram, to address the media and say that “Body-shaming is always wrong.”

Bobby Darling set to marry

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Afternoon Voice

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October 12, 2015

Bobby Darling became one of the most popular names on the Indian silver screen after her appearance on Bigg Boss.

Born as Pankaj Sharma, Bobby Darling had done 18 roles as gay men by the time she was 23 years old. She even made it to the Limca Book of Records for that.

Bobby Darling is all set to tie the knot with Bhopal-based businessman Ramneek Sharma.

According to the reports, the ex-Bigg Boss contestant will have a court marriage in November this year followed by a starry wedding reception in Bhopal and Mumbai both.

Confirming the wedding reports, Bobby said, “Yes I am getting married to Ramneek Sharma. It’s going to be a grand wedding but I don’t want to discuss much about it as of now.”

Earlier, there were several rumours around her love life. She has been linked to the Indian cricketer Munaf Narula and most recently to a struggling actor Ankit Sharma.

Spat, between Salman and Sonu?

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Afternoon Voice

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October 12, 2015

Superstar Salman Khan reportedly had a bitter argument with singer Sonu Nigam at a recently concluded T-series event in Mumbai.

Sonu Nigam hosted the concert – ‘Suron Ke Rang’, celebrating three decades of T-Series and their founder Gulshan Kumar. Salman Khan was present there as a guest.

The Dabbangg Khan landed up at the event on time to enjoy the musical extravaganza and all was going smooth.

When Sonu invited Salman Khan on the stage, the actor gave him a sharp verbal rebuke. The Dabangg Khan even went on to allege that he does not need a playback singer to croon for him in the movies.

Such reaction from the superstar not only shocked Sonu Nigam, but also the audiences presented there for the musical evening.

“Sonu looked visibly upset about Salman’s comments. Khan was adamant to prove that singers have a very easy job to do. He even went on to say that he has a decent voice that can be improved using technology and made to sound good, then why would he need a Sonu Nigam or anyone else to croon for him. And obviously Sonu did not take this very well. In fact there was a fun segment that was to be shot between Salman and Sonu, which was then scrapped,” a source was quoted by a leading entertainment website.

It is not the first time that the two have got into such type of argument. As per sources, during ‘Kick’ recording, Salman and Sonu debated on the same issue.

While Salman was adamant that singers shouldn’t be given more weightage as he can sing his own songs now, Sonu was keen to explain him that signing needs commitment. To provie his point, Salman even proved Sonu that his eversion of ‘Hangover’ is as good as Sonu Nigam’s.

Recently, we saw Salman Khan singing ‘Main Hoon Hero Tera’ in his home production movie ‘Hero’. The song, bettered with the with use of technology, turned out be a chart buster and Salman was on cloud nine for the obvious reasons.

Well! Seeing Salman’s attitude, it looks like he is going to sing himself in his coming ways. So!! Good-bye to singers?

Sena under compulsion to support BJP: Vikhe Patil

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Afternoon Voice

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October 11, 2015

If Sena has some self-respect then it would have severed ties with the BJP said Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.

Leader of the opposition in the assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil took potshots at Shiv Sena and said why is Sena continuing to support BJP even though it has been insulted. Patil said that the BJP was initially reluctant to invite Shiv Sena for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at BKC. It had sent last minute invitations to Sena which the party turned down. Patil said that ever since BJP had won the assembly election it has been playing the role of big brother to Sena. Both the party has been at loggerheads over various issues as Shiv Sena attacks BJP through its mouthpiece Saamna. Patil asked is the Shiv Sena under some pressure to continue it’s alliance with the BJP?

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said, “The BJP is trying to lure Dalit voters by performing the bhoomipujan at Indu Mills for the B R Ambedkar Memorial. This event was planned garner political mileage ahead of the Bihar assembly polls. The Congress had played a significant role in getting the Indu mills land for Ambedkar memorial in the city. All the formalities pertaining to this issue was completed during the Congress reign then how can the BJP suddenly come forward to take credit for it?”

However some work remained pending as the model code of conduct had come into force last year due to assembly election. He said that the Fadnavis government has only completed the final formalities pertaining to this project. The bhoomi pujan of this Indu mill could have completed during the Congress reign.

Earlier the government had planned to organise the bhoomi pujan on the occasion of Ambedkar’s birthday on April 14. However this event was postponed as both Modi and Fadnavis had embarked on a foreign tour. Later the event was planned to be held on October 4 but it was postponed by a week to October 11. This bhoomi pujan would not have happened if the Bihar polls were not held this year.

Uddhav Thackeray had gone a tour to Beed as he didn’t receive any invitation for Modi’s event in Mumbai.

“The Shiv Sena is hungry for power hence they are continuing to support the Fadnavis government. If Sena has some self-respect then it would have severed ties with the BJP. Shiv Sena is not bothered about the plight of farmers and it is undertaking this tour simply to garner political mileage” added Patil.

When AV spoke to Shiv Sena spokesperson, Neelam Gorhe she said, “Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil should understand that we have our party policies in place and we are capable of managing everything. So there is no need for him or anyone else to poke his nose.”

“Even though Uddhav Thackeray and other Sena leaders received invites, but it was not sent through proper channel. Uddhavji had pre-planned his visit to Marathwada. Since when we are having an alliance with BJP they should have given us a proper invite. The excuses given to us about protocols are simply ridiculous.”

Maran brothers are threat to the nation?

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Vaidehi Taman

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October 11, 2015

There is clear wedge being driven in between Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) through the Maran brothers’ issue. Essentially, it’s the clause of 3.2.1 and 3.8 which is the base of the Maran and MHA conflict. Of course, I&B Ministry is soft on the Marans. Also not known to anybody in the Indian media, in February 2009 four employees of Sun TV were arrested in Sri Lanka for Pro-LTTE activities. Maran is trying to use 3.2.1 to continue the bid for FM stations and MHA is firm on 3.8 which restricts them on account of investigations.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has declined to grant security clearance to the group to further its television and radio businesses in India. In a similar manner, Sri Lanka has blacklisted Sun TV and its employees from reporting on Sri Lanka as it is seen as an LTTE sympathizer.
On February 1st, 2009, four employees of Sun TV network were arrested by the Sri Lankan army for anti-government propaganda and Pro-LTTE decimation of news. Investigations revealed that Sun TV also operated without a valid license in Sri Lanka. The employees were handed over to the Vavuynia Police.

Similarly in April, 2012, a crew of four Sun TV employees were prevented from reporting on the visit of the Indian delegations after their equipment was impounded by the Customs shortly after arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Authorities in Colombo had informed the Sun TV employees that their organization were working against the interest of Sri Lankan government and were a security threat. The then Permanent Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the media that the “Marans should concentrate on seeking a separate Tamil State in Tamil Nadu, because the Tamil population was much larger than Sri Lanka”.

Maran brothers are facing a CBI probe over alleged allotment of 300 high-speed BSNL telephone lines to the residence of former Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran in Chennai which were extended to his brother’s Kalanithi’s channel Sun TV. The Aircel-Maxis deal also came under the scanner after Aircel owner C. Sivasankaran lodged a complaint with the CBI in April-May 2011 alleging that he was forced to sell his stake to Maxis.

There are various things to be considered while giving contracts to firm:

First of all, tenders are issued by the ministry for any work.

The tender process is a composite process having various stages, you cannot go to the next stage without clearing the earlier stage. The process of elimination of persons held to be unfit is in two stages. In the first stage those applicants which are controlled by persons who are convicted of specified offenses are eliminated from the very beginning, one such offense is money laundering, it means that he who is convicted is barred from participating in the tender process itself. In the present case this clause is not applicable and because of that respondents were allowed to go to the next stage, this is in 3.2.1 of Notice Inviting Application (NIA).

The next stage is clearance from security angle (Ministry of Home Affairs), this requires that even if a person is not convicted of specified offenses like money-laundering etc, still he has to have the security clearance, this means that a non-convict may also be debarred from participating in tender process, if he is not clear from security angle, this is clause 3.8 of NIA. The difference between clause 3.2.1 and 3.8 is that while those afflicted with clause 3.2.1 cannot improve but those afflicted with clause 3.8 can improve later if there is change in their security status depending upon facts of the case. Another point is, persons who need to be security cleared is specified and that earlier included companies/firms and Directors/Key executives of the applicant, but this has been changed by the government w.e.f. 16.01.2015. In addition to earlier categories, now any person including firms/companies/entities who have 10 per cent or more shares of applicant is required to be security cleared.

Kalanidhi Maran is the Director as well as the owner of 75 per cent shares of applicant company and therefore he needs to go through security clearance, besides, he is the key executive taking all important decisions on behalf of the applicant company, hence he has to go through security clearance. Further, the requirements of clause 3.8 is not statutory mandatory but terms and conditions between two contracting parties and if applicant does not want to meet the same, it cannot proceed with the contract further. Clause 3.2.1 and Clause 3.8 are not interrelated or interdependent nor are they alternates, they are to be read independently and not in conjunction with each other. Therefore, Sun TV Group has accepted all the terms and conditions including clause 3.2.1 and clause 3.8 in their pre-bid conference held on 28.01.2015 and now cannot challenge the same merely because in the process of verification, they have been found to be unsuitable. The law of Estoppels will clearly apply as India and Sri Lanka both see the Sun TV as a security threat.

The Kalanithi Maran owned Sun Television Network is under watchful of eye of the Central Intelligence Agencies not only in India but also in Sri Lanka.

Inputs from Savio Rodrigues
@PrinceArihan

PM Modi accuses previous govts of not conferring Bharat Ratna to BR Ambedkar

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Afternoon Voice

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October 11, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the previous governments of “not awarding” Bharat Ratna to Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of Indian Constitution, stating everyone knows who got the prestigious award and when.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial, the Prime Minister heaped praise on Dr BR Ambedkar.

Addressing a public meeting here, PM Modi said, “We know who got the Bharat Ratna and when. But they did not give the Bharat Ratna to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.”

The Prime Minister also announced that November 26 will be observed every year as “Constitution Day” and there will be awareness programmes on the Indian constitution in schools/colleges across the country.

“26th November will be marked as Constitution Day. People must know about our constitution, how it was made,” PM said.

While hailing Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, PM Modi said, “Babasaheb Ambedkar is an inspiration not just for one community but for the entire world.”

“Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar faced so many challenges but there was no bitterness in him. He is a Maha Purush,” PM added.

PM Modi further said that five landmarks associated with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s life will be developed as ‘Panch-Tirth’.

Later, while speaking after laying the foundation stone for two new Metro lines at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) here, PM Modi said infrastructure is the key to the development of the nation, and congratulated Roads, Highways and Shipping minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for working towards better infrastructure.

“In the past 15 months, Gadkari has done what was not done in 10 years. He has given new strength and speed to the port and road sectors. The pace brought by Gadkari in the transport sector in commendable. Everyday more than 15 km of road is being made in the country. For development, better infrastructure is a must. When roads are made, money automatically starts flowing. This is the strength of roads,” he said.

“I would also like to congratulate Devendra Fadnavis for making the DPR (Detailed Project Report) of the Metro within four months. Two sectors-coastal and space – are going to be important this century. Be it space or sea, we are moving at a quick pace,” PM Modi added.

In a scathing attack at the opposition, PM further said that citizens should not believe in rumours that “the BJP was against reservation”.

“Lies are being spread that the government is out to scrap reservation system,” PM said.

The two new Mumbai Metro corridors – the 18.5 km Dahisar East-Andheri West route estimated to cost Rs 4,994 crore and the 16.5 km Dahisar East-Andheri East route estimated at Rs 4,737 crore, in quick succession.

The Prime Minister, during his half day visit to Mumbai, also laid the foundation stone of the new Rs.7,915 crore container terminal at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust.

Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, union ministers Nitin Gadkari, and Santosh Gangwar, officials, several prominent Dalit leaders and other invitees also attended the programmes. However, the entire Shiv Sena leadership starting from party president Uddhav Thackeray to city Mayor Snehal Ambekar boycotted the functions.

The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party criticized Fadnavis for “converting a national function” into a party function and not inviting other party leaders for the event.

“We welcome the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ambedkar Memorial, the project initiated by the Congress-NCP Government. We regret Maharashtra government’s attempts to politicize it by portraying it as a BJP function,” said senior state Congress leader and legislator Sanjay Dutt.

NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said in a statement, “Fadnavis is a man with small heart. He should have personally invited NCP president Sharad Pawar who had championed the cause of Indu Mills. It was the NCP which had demanded that Ambedkar Memorial should be set up there.”

Taking a dig at the Modi governmnet, Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam thanked PM for “carrying forward” the party’s project to make the world-class Ambedkar Memorial today.

Referring to the boycott by ruling ally Shiv Sena, Nirupam tweeted: “Complete breakdown in Maharashtra ruling alliance – they hate each other like ‘sautan’ (mistress).”

Most banners and hoardings on the day’s events in different parts of the city blacked out the Shiv Sena and other parties with the focus on BJP national and state leaders.

According to plans, the Ambedkar Memorial will have a more than 100 feet tall statue of Ambedkar, a stupa, museum, a library and research centre and other facilities for attracting global tourists.

Recovery rate of mentally ill high in India: Noted psychiatrist

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Afternoon Voice

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October 11, 2015

The recovery rate of mentally ill patients is higher than any other country owing to the caregivers playing their role effectively, an eminent psychiatrist said.

India Psychiatry Society (IPS) president Dr Vidyadhar Watve made this observation as a chief guest at a function organized by the Institute for Psychological Health (IPH).

In mental illnesses, timely intervention leads to better recovery and this was mostly present in the country, which has upped the recovery rate, Watve said.

People should realize that a majority of psychiatric diseases are brain disorders like schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder. These are the major and most common ailments that are caused by chemical disorders in the brain, which means that they are just medical conditions and can be treated with medicines, he further said.

The renowned psychiatrist asserted that globally, the focus is shifting from morbidity of pyschiatric disorders to positive mental health.

On the occasion, several patients who had recovered from dreaded illnesses as well as those who took their proper care were honoured with “Dwij” awards.

IPH is an NGO wherein more than 70 mental health professionals work under one roof to give care to individuals, besides operating a number of support groups and a telephonic helpline ‘Maitra’.