Let’s go places

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September 16, 2015

So often we hear friends say they are going out of town over the weekend. Especially if there is a festival and you get three days at a stretch. And if you’re taking a yearly holiday from office for a fortnight you can explore the vast treasure trove of places in India. Almost or very often your friends inform you that they’re travelling to Lonavala, Khandala, Mahableshwar or Goa for the weekend but recently I heard of so many unheard places which you can visit. On the Mumbai-Pune road there is a place called Sandhaan Valley where you can sight a swing of fireflies in the late evening. There are snake shows for schoolchildren, information about flora and fauna and they also arrange sizzling barbeques. There are arrangements for camping, rappelling (climbing steep rocks with a rope) and stargazing. Officials provide tents with airbeds, not only individual shelter but one that can accommodate eight in one big tent, arrange campfire, also provide dry toilets in tents with water, lake crossing @ Rajmachi Jungle trail and a Night Treasure hunt. They also have Water sports and guided tour of planets.

Another place that few of my colleagues and I had not heard of was Saputara. Situated in a densely forested plateau in the Sahyadri range, holds the distinction of being the only hill station in the Dang district of South Gujarat State which means you take the Mumbai-Ahmedabad road and can reach the destination within five hours.

The name Saputara literally stands for ‘abode of serpents,’ a fact that is highlighted by the presence of an image of a snake on the shores of the Sarpagana river, which flows through the town. This image is worshipped by the region’s tribal folk, especially during major festivals such as Holi. Adding to Saputara’s mystique is the legend that Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile in these very forests. This being a hill resort the temperatures here are moderate to cool. From Sardar Shikhar point you can see the sun spreading its beautiful soft morning rays on the greenery. The Lake & Boating Club, right in the heart of the valley, is in the extremely calm Saputara Lake. It is 70 feet deep and spreads in the vast valley surrounded by the hills. Row and paddle boats are available for hire. Several types of amusement facilities for children are available near the lake.

The Rose Garden contains different types of roses which offer scenic places for tourists to laze in, while walking around this fragrant garden. There are so many enticing places to visit here that tourists from all over the world come here and spread the word so our office staff members being impressed have decided to visit the place over the next weekend. Other places include Ratangad a hill fort located in the Sahyadris, near Bhandardara dam is known for trekking activities. The fort, initially ruled by the Mughals, was conquered by Shivaji Maharaj who loved it like a jewel! It is known to be more than 20 centuries old and is the origin of the enormous river Pravara, also known as Amrutvahini. It boasts of clear views of the Kalsubai peak and the Kokan-Kada (where the Sahyadris descend steeply into Konkan), thus becoming a trekker’s and photographer’s delight. So look up and you will want to visit other places close to Maharashtra and Gujrat. Happy Exploring.

Allka V Aswani

Ashley Graham Stuns While Modeling Her Lingerie Line

By

Afternoon Voice

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September 16, 2015

Ashley Graham talks the talk and walks the walk.

The supermodel has been a strong advocate for embracing plus-size figures in the fashion industry, and this week, she was able to show just how fierce she is by strutting the catwalk during New York Fashion Week at KIA STYLE360—but not only that.

Graham was modelling her own line of lingerie! Get it, girl.

The brunette beauty led the way as she and other gorgeous girls flaunted their curves in various pieces from her Black Orchid collection, which included sexy cut-out bras, lace, and sheer panties.

Kristen Stewart: Not Using Antidepressants, They’re Bizarre

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Afternoon Voice

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September 16, 2015

Twilight actress Kristen Stewart thinks that antidepressants are “bizarre” and said that she fails to understand why anyone would want to take antidepressants because they “lessen the feeling of anything”, said Kristen.

“I know a lot of people on meds who don’t have mental health issues. Not all emotional issues are mental health issues. As far as we know, you have one shot at this and it can be so beautiful, so why lessen the feeling of anything? Why numb yourself? I’m not on antidepressants. I think it’s bizarre,” she said.

The Equals actress thinks there is nothing wrong with showing intense feelings, even if being emotional can be seen as “weakness” by some people.

No One Thought I Could Pull Off a Badlapur: Varun Dhawan

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Afternoon Voice

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September 16, 2015

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan said that his film Badlapur offered him a chance to experiment with a genre which he enjoys watching.

“I had always wanted to do a thriller but I guess no one thought that I could ever pull it off. Badlapur offered me the chance to experiment with the genre which I enjoy watching,” said Varun.

Varun, who made his debut in Bollywood with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year, has featured in films like Main Tera Hero and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

Regarding his transformation from a romantic hero to an action hero, Varun said: “Well, Badlapur did transform me. I never looked at the role as the hero’s, but just prepared for Raghu’s role. I felt his pain. He is as flawed as any other human being.”

“SriramRaghavan (director of Badlapur) is a mad genius who keeps looking to push the envelope and do something new. I am very lucky to have worked with a director like him so early in my career,” said Varun.

Willing to wait a lifetime for Deepika Padukone says, Ranveer Singh

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Afternoon Voice

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September 16, 2015

Ranveer Singh says he is willing to wait for his rumoured girlfriend DeepikaPadukone for a lifetime.

“She is so beautiful that I would wait all my life for her,” Ranveer said at a promotional event of “BajiraoMastani” in Pune where Deepika was also present.

When asked whether she too would be willing to wait for a lifetime for him, Deepika says, “What? You have to ask him in what context he said that. Wait at a restaurant… or…”

The 30-year-old actor said it was just a joke before adding, “It was one of those random, smart, wisecracks which I cracked by saying ‘she is so beautiful that I will wait all my life for her’. You guys waited since morning for us. So if you ask me I would say she is so gorgeous that I would wait for her all my life.”

To this, Deepika interrupted saying, “I don’t understand English at this point.”

Deepika, who has earlier worked with Ranveer in “Ram Leela” and will next be seen with him in “BajiraoMastani”, says that she has not seen any change in him as a person.

“As a person I think he is the same… same energy and same enthusiasm, same protectiveness and same warmth. As a person he has not changed,” the 29-year-old actress said.

If celebrities can why can’t politicians?

By

Afternoon Voice

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September 15, 2015

Why can’t politicians provide financial assistance to farmers instead of playing politics over drought issue asks Mumbaikars.

Actors Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure have come forward to provide financial assistance to the farmers of drought hit Marathwada region. For taking this mission forward, they have established the Nam Foundation. This institution will play a vital role for providing relief to distressed farmers. Cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has donated Rs 5 lakh to the Chief Minister Drought Relief Fund to help struggling farmers in Maharashtra. Rahane had said that he was inspired to donate the money because of his 92-year-old grandmother who works in farm.

Considering the worsening situation in the Marathwada region, Akshay Kumar has pledged an amount of Rs 90 lakh for the families of drought affected farmers who’ve committed suicide. This amount will be disbursed over the period of next six months. Around 80 per cent of cultivable land in Maharashtra is rain-fed, has been reporting more drought-affected areas than any other state for the last four years.

When celebrities are helping farmers why can’t the government perform similar tasks? The Fadnavis government has already received flak for ignoring the interest of farmers and concentrating more on irrelevant issues like meat ban. The NCP already had organised Jail Bharo Aandolan to highlight the failure of the government to resolve the drought crisis.

Nana Patekar said, “Those who are interested can help farmers by associating themselves with Nam foundation. Nam has opened a bank account where people can send their contribution to farmers. The institution will also provide updates to contributors about how their money is being used for developmental work for ensuring transparency. I would also like to thank Ajinkya Rahane for helping farmers in the hour of crisis.”

“We are providing Rs 15,000 to the families of farmers who have committed suicide. Today a tea vendor has come forward and contributed Rs 2,000 for the welfare of Marathwada farmers. Such type of initiative will go a long way to motivate others to do something for farmers. Every contribution matters as it can save lives of farmers and provide them source of livelihood” he added.

“My grandmother is around 92 years old and she still goes to the farm and works hard. It is her passion. She can’t sit idle. She inspired me. My uncle also works in the farm the whole day. So I felt that I should do something for the farmers who are going through a very tough time right now,” Rahane said.

Arjun Deshmukh, a Thane resident said, “Politicians only think about farmers before election. They always try to derive political mileage by raising the drought issue and organising protests. Why can’t they provide assistance to farmers instead of playing politics over this issue? It’s time for them to act and not speak.”

Sunil Seth, a Borivali resident said, “If actors and cricketers can come forward to help the drought affected farmers why can’t the state government take this initiative? Politicians only debate over this issue as farmers continue to face hardships.”

Nana Patekar and Makrand Anaspure distributed cheques of financial aid to as many as 113 families of farmers from Latur and Osmanabad districts of Marathwada, who have committed suicides, owing to drought and indebtedness. He wants top Maharashtra leaders to come together to face the challenge posed by drought as no single party can tackle it alone.

Patekar urged people to refrain from depositing money in any other account. The contributions can be deposited in the following account number.

SBI

35226127148
– IFC Code No.
SBIN 0006319
– Swift Code No.
SBININBB238

The Lalbaug cha Raja which is the premier Ganesh Mandal in Mumbai donated Rs 25 lakh towards drought relief for the Chief Minister’s fund.

Bihar to go in BJP’s kitty?

By

Vaidehi Taman

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September 15, 2015

NDA is aggressive in making its strategies and going random appeasing its alliance partners to get that magic figure. The strategies of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are par excellent in sabotaging CM Nitish Kumar. The NDA finalised its seat-sharing arrangement for the Bihar Assembly elections amid much bargaining by the Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), with some heartburn for Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Upendra Kushwaha-led Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP). This is a winning alliance combination as the seat sharing arithmetic clearly indicates that the NDA has the potential for stability in the state. Let’s hope that good administration will come in Bihar which is also an essential ingredient for development, whereas the alternative arithmetic of 100 plus 100 plus 43 of the grand alliance is characterized by credibility crisis, mutual suspicion and internal contradictions with the potential for blackmail, instability, policy paralysis, chaos and a possible midterm election preceded by the President’s rule.

Assuming that JD (U) and RJD will win 50-50 seats each, and the Congress wins 23 seats due to Rahul’s aggressive campaigning, which totals 123 seats for the grand alliance, then Nitish can be CM again. However, this may be a remote possibility. The atmosphere of confusion surrounding the grand alliance, this scenario cannot be entirely ruled out. Nitish Kumar will be remembered more for what he should not have done to Bihar than what he had done, as its CM. His first tenure was given a seamless administration free of any controversies caused by political opportunism. That’s why he could have got his second term. In the middle, he chose to leave NDA and created controversy. The parting of company with the BJP not on local issues that affected Bihar’s economic growth and development but on an extraneous issue of his own making was his first mistake. Appointing Manjhi with a lack of understanding of the latter’s potential for revolt with the idea that Manjhi was a use and throw stuff was his second mistake. For the sake of retaining his position as CM more than aiming for the growth of Bihar, he chose to ally with the Congress, forgetting the emergency days. That is his third mistake. His alliance with fodder scam tainted Lalu, who stands disqualified from contesting polls and is out on bail is the fourth mistake. In spite of all these odds, let see if he can pass the test.

NDA too had struggled in dealing with Manjhi earlier. Manjhi’s demand was high for a certain number of seats. The HAM get 20 seats and 4-5 members of Manjhi’s party would fight on the BJP symbol. Announcing the NDA’s seat-sharing arrangement for the Bihar elections, Amit Shah refused to clarify whether or not seats in dispute between Jitan Ram Manjhi and Ram Vilas Paswan, especially in the Jamui and Chakai areas, were decided on. Manjhi and Paswan both issued statement to media about their disappointment and also agreements. Meanwhile two Dalit trump cards clashed with one another; even they might sabotage party by using their potential to mounding Dalit votes. Some BJP leaders are sidelined here, Sushilkumar Modi is also cornered. There is an unseen anger within the party and even RSS is not active this time as it was earlier in Lok Sabha elections.

Bihar government run by NDA, when Nitish Kumar was the Chief Minister and Sushil Modi was the Dy Chief Minister performed exceedingly well. Nitish Kumar was not under the hope that he will be chosen as the Prime Ministerial candidate from NDA but he was against Modi as PM candidate and he refused to support him. He thought he had a secular image which Narendra Modi does not pose. He quit NDA and performed miserably in the Parliamentary election. He joined hands with his opponent Lalu Prasad Yadav to defeat the BJP.

You cannot fool common man twice through false promises. People are experiencing the developmental agenda in state like Bihar. BJP ruling lacks exclusive development. It is developing only corporates and traders. Common people, workers and farmers are distressed due to BJP’s misrule. Have you seen any development in BJP ruled states of Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Goa, etc. There is nothing except corruption in those states. Onion is sold for Rs. 80/- per kg all over India with the active support of BJP. PM is on 27th pleasure jaunt abroad within 15 months. The social fabric of India is at stake. 14000 farmers committed suicide owing to the anti-farmer policies of BJP within 15 months. Black money issue too flopped; BJP is thriving on propaganda and publicity. I hope, Bihar voters will make wise decision for themselves.

“To avoid larger mishap, motorman hit the brake harder,” DRM WR, Shailendra Kumar

By

Afternoon Voice

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September 15, 2015

To save the lives of hundreds of commuters, the motorman had hit the brake hard which led to derailment of the seven compartments of the train, operating on the Western Line, slid onto the adjoining track. Disaster was averted as an alert driver on the approaching train hit the brakes, preventing a collision.

“It is an unprecedented accident. The driver braked. Otherwise it could have been worse. We are probing the cause,” said Shailendra Kumar Divisional Railway Manager of the Western Railways.

The coaches derailed just ahead of north Mumbai’s Andheri, one of the city’s busiest and biggest stations.

Because the train was moving slowly to pull out of the station when the accident took place, the injuries were minimal. Two people were hurt, with one suffering a minor fracture in the ankle.

The train was plying from Andheri to Churchgate when seven of its coaches derailed. Few passengers were said to be injured.

The train coming from Borivili to Churchgate derailed at around 11 am between Andheri and Vile Parle stations, the second such incident involving local trains in as many days.

A team of engineers and rescue officials have rushed to the spot to restore the services, said Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Western Railway, Sharat Chandrayan.

An inquiry would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the derailment, he added.

The suburban train services were badly affected on the busy route due to the derailment, causing trouble to commuters.

“Trains have been so delayed. Luckily it happened as peak hour ended. But if it’s not up by this evening, I won’t reach home before midnight,” said one commuter at Churchgate station who lives at the end of the route at Virar.

Autorickshaw permits only to Marathi-speaking people: Minister Raote

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Afternoon Voice

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September 15, 2015

Triggering a fresh controversy, Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued a circular stating that from November 1, 2015 fresh autorickshaw permits will now be issued to only those who can speak the regional language of the state – Marathi.

“After 1st November, permit for new auto rickshaw will be given only to those applicants who can speak Marathi,” Maharashtra Transport Minister Diwakar Raote said.

However, this will not be applicable for those who already have auto rickshaw permits.

Apart from knowing Marathi language, applicant should be 8th class pass. Also the new autorickshaws would have GPS and RPRS system installed, as per media reports.

This move by the state government has the potential to stir up a hornet’s nest, for there are thousands of migrants in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, from north Indian states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh who make a living by driving taxis and autorickshaws in India’s financial capital.

The development has come in the midst of a raging controversy over ban on sale of meat in Mumbai in view of a Jain festival.

Cop jumped into the river to save a life in Kumbh Mela

By

Afternoon Voice

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September 15, 2015

While thousands continue to throng Nasik every day to take a dip in the holy waters of Godavari River to wash away all their sins, here is one ordinary policeman who has done a great job of saving a precious life and thereby setting a glaring example of selfless service to the mankind.

According to media reports on Tuesday, Manoj Barahate, a 24-year-old trainee police constable, jumped from a 20-feet high bridge at the Kumbh Mela in order to save a person who decided to commit suicide yesterday afternoon.

This young cop, who hails from the Wardha district in Maharashtra, is currently posted at the Kumbh Mela in Nashik.

Yesterday afternoon, Manoj and some of his colleagues were patrolling the Amardham Bridge when they spotted a middle-aged man preparing to jump from the bridge in order to end his life.

Sensing the situation, Manoj and his colleagues shouted and tried to persuade the man from not jumping into the water. However, they failed and the man, in a delirious state, jumped from the bridge.

Panic ensued and people started to rush to the cemented base at the bottom of the bridge in order to save the man. However, on not seeing any movement under water, the brave cop decided to jump from the bridge as rushing to the base of the bridge would have meant that the man would have drowned.

Instead of waiting for help or caring for his own life, Manoj immediately dived into the water after the man. While doing so, this young cop did not think even twice before jumping off a 20-feet high bridge into water to save the man’s life.

“There was no other option.” Manoj, later said about his decision to jump. “That was the only way to save him. I saw that there was no movement in the water after he jumped. So if I would have gone from under the bridge he would have lost his life,” he added.

Interestingly, Manoj’s bravery was also captured on CCTV and he became the talk of the town soon after the incident.

Later, IAS Officer and Commissioner Praveen Gedam praised Manoj for his bravery and posted an image of the young policeman in action on Twitter.

Through his brave act, Manoj has not only brought laurels for the Maharashtra Police but also compelled the people to change their perception about police, which is often criticised for its inaction, high-handedness and insensitive behaviour.

With this, Manoj also joins a rare league of those policemen, who dedicate their entire lives in carrying out their duty even without getting any recognition for their selfless service.