Three militants killed in encounter along Indo-Myanmar border

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September 6, 2015

Three militants were killed in an encounter with the combine forces of 11 Assam Rifles and 6 Dogra regiment on Saturday along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Chandel district.

Police said the encounter lasted for about 90 minutes from 11 A.M and saw a fierce fight between the security personnel and the militants in which automatic weapons were used.

While three militants were killed, the rest escaped to Myanmar, the police said.

The bodies were handed over to Moreh police station, the police said adding the outfit to which the militants belonged was yet to ascertained, the police added.

Islamic State not a big challenge for India, says Rajnath

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Saturday tore into Pakistan for fomenting terrorism on Indian soil by sending terrorists here while observing that the dreaded extremist outfit IS is not a “big challenge” and that the country is well-equipped to tackle any eventuality posed by them.

“A few years back (Ajmal) Kasab (involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack) was caught alive and now two other terrorists have been nabbed.

“From this, it is clear where these terrorists come from. Pakistan always says that roots of terrorism are not in their country, but elsewhere…But this is amply clear to us now,” Singh said, addressing a public lecture on internal security and development here late this evening.

Rajnath’s tough talk came days after Pakistan called off NSA-level talks with India.

Last month, security forces caught two Pakistani terrorists, affiliated to Laskhar-e-Taiba, alive after separate encounters with them in the Kashmir Valley. While Mohammad Naveed alias Usman was nabbed on August 3, two days later Sajad alias Javed alias Abu Ubaidullah, who hails from Balochistan, was also captured.

“Pakistan does not want to keep cordial relations with India and has continuously been violating the ceasefire norms,” he added.

The Minister said that India’s diplomatic skills forced even America and UAE to pull up Pakistan for supporting terrorist activities.

“America has also asked Pakistan to stop supporting terror activities. The UAE, which has never spoken against Pakistan, has also made it clear to Pakistan that it has to curb such activities…This is our diplomatic skills,” he said.

On the terror outfit in West Asia, the IS, Rajnath said, “They are not a big challenge to us as we are well equipped to deal with any eventuality from them.”

He said that India has witnessed a reduction in Moaist activities by 30 per cent, “which will further come down”.

He also said the government is making every effort to stop smuggling of cows through Indo-Bangladesh border.

“Every year 20-22 lakh cows are smuggled to Bangladesh. Now it has come down to 2.5 lakh. We are making efforts to completely stop this,” Singh said.

The Minister also welcomed the government’s decision to implement ‘One Rank One Pension’, the long pending demand of ex-servicemen.

Rajnath said the government is moving faster towards making the country’s economy very strong.

BSF-Pak Rangers meet from Sept 9

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir, including sniper attacks, infiltration, intrusion in Rann of Kutch and smuggling are among the key issues India is expected to raise with Pakistan during the five-day DG level talks between their border guarding forces from September 9.

A 16-member delegation headed by Pakistan Rangers Director General (Punjab) Maj Gen Umar Farooq Burki is expected to travel to Attari-Wagah border crossing in Punjab on September 8 and later fly down from Amritsar to participate in the talks here with the Border Security Force from September 9-13, officials said.

The Indian delegation with as many members will be led by BSF chief Devendra Kumar Pathak.

The Indian agenda for the talks has put extra stress on the “most important” issue of breach of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, which has led to loss of lives of civilians and troops and “unprovoked” firing by the Rangers along the IB, they said.

The Indian side will also take up the issue of “no response” by the other side when BSF waves the ‘white flag’, which is used to indicate stopping of fire and meeting of on-ground commanders of the two sides.

The BSF will also take up the issue of intrusion in the ‘Harami Nallah’ area of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, smuggling of contraband from across the border and illegal movement of suspects up to the zero line area along the IB in order to facilitate illegal activities.

Issues of infiltration from across the border and use of sniper weapons to target troops manning border posts will also be raised.

Pakistan had last month sent confirmation and agenda for these DG-level talks despite it calling off the meeting of the NSAs of the two countries a fortnight ago after India made it clear that Kashmiri separatist leaders would not be allowed to meet Pakistani NSA Sartaj Aziz during his visit here.

I Would “Seriously Consider” Playing James Bond: Hugh Jackman

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

The actor, known for playing Wolverine in the X-Men films, told Australian television series The Program that producers of the James Bond film series asked him years ago about playing the suave spy, but he wasn’t interested back then.

“At the time, I was just about to do X-Men 2, and I was like, ‘Ah, I don’t think it’s the right time,’ ” said Jackman, who soon can be seen in the final Wolverine film, set for a 2017 release.

But Jackman, 46, still remains open to the idea of donning the iconic spy character’s tux.

“I’d seriously consider it,” he said of playing 007.

BRITNEY SPEARS TIGHT WITH EX-FIANCE’S BFF

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Britney Spears had an interesting liaison Friday night … playing grabsees with ex-fiance Jason Trawick’s best buddy.

Britney was at XS nightclub in Vegas when she and Cade Hudson got cozy in the DJ booth and on the dance floor. She bear-hugged him and generally looked pretty intimate.

The “bro code” clearly has a statute of limitations … or at least it should.

Selena Gomez joins ‘Neighbors 2’

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Pop star Selena Gomez will star alongside Seth Rogen, Zac Efron and Chloe Moretz in the upcoming “Neighbors” sequel, along with.

“Neighbors” was a surprise hit with USD 269 million in worldwide grosses. Rose Byrne is set to reprise her role, with Nicholas Stoller returning as director, reported Variety.

The original revolved around a couple whose lives are turned upside-down after declaring war on the fraternity that moved in next door.

The sequel’s plot is unknown, though sources say a sorority could be the couple’s problem this time.

23-year-old Gomez’s involvement in the film broke when fan photos revealed that she was on set.

While details surrounding her role are unknown, her sorority girl-esque costume (a tight pink dress) suggests her character’s involvement with the Greek system.

Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver will produce under their Point Grey Pictures banner.

Teachers are our role models

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee addressed and interacted with students on the occasion of Teachers Day which commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan. He resolved students’ queries and there was exchange of ideas with them. The function began by reciting prayers to Goddess Saraswati. HRD Minister Smriti Irani quoted an anonymous author, “That Human Spirit collapses when it is denied a dream”. Modi later interacted with students outside through the video conferencing mode, which was broadcast live by Doordarshan and All India Radio. Some very studious and innovative students who have done India proud internationally spoke and received complements by the PM and vice versa. Many of them were inspired by his “Swachh Bharat” campaign and are working on dry waste and how to turn wet waste into fertilizer and energy.

Education takes you from darkness to brightness and today the population being 65 per cent of youth between 9 and 15 years old we can see a unique India emerging in their hands and the mighty minds of Generation Next. Thanks to teachers who can be great educationists and their determination can make them influential catalysts to the students. As a mark of respect Modi released two commemorative coins of Rs 125 and Rs 10 in the memory of former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The coins will be in circulation soon and is made up of silver, zinc, copper and nickel. Taking a leaf from his life and recently from some others like APJ Abdul Kalam would be an inspiration for the receptive minds.

According to our 5000 years old culture mother gives you birth but guru-teacher- is defined as the one who gives life and shows you the right path. That’s why the saying “Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devo Maheshwara”. One of the relevant questions addressed to Modi was that he had launched the “Digital India’ programme with much fanfare but how will it click when there is shortage of electricity in many regions of India. Modi has promised that he is hoping that within 1000 days 18,000 thousand villages will be provided with full electricity by the time the nation observes 75^th Independence Day this country will be more digitally savvy . If this does not remain a promise but actually happens then this government will prove to be a beacon for millions of students in India. The other thing that stood out was when the PM mentioned that instead of just receiving a character certificate one will now receive an aptitude certificate wherein the skill you are best at should be pursued and excelled at instead of following some parents who ask their children to become something they wanted to achieve but didn’t. Parents, he mentioned which guided their children in the right direction should be saluted. He said that we should not become Robots now that technology is so advanced but still remain sensitive. This is reminiscent of Bill Gates who said that “Technology is just a tool, it is the teachers who nurture the real you.”

Coming back to the creative students, who have achieved milestones at a young age, were given the opportunity to be pro-active with the PM and ask queries. One of them is a mountaineer from class 10^th from Telangana who sponsored it. Malavat Poorna at the age of 13 years is the youngest person to reach the Mt. Everest Summit. A group of five girls have represented our country in Los Angeles and have developed an app for dry waste called ” Sellixo” where in users can log on to which helps them to market and recycle it. There is one 12 year boy who has won the “Amul Chef of the year” award. In the future we will see him as Master Chef in the Australian franchise hosted now here as well. There were so many achievements which is a very encouraging sign for this country.

Allka V Aswani

Really tough to be a ‘star kid’: Sooraj Pancholi

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Actor Aditya Pancholi’s son Sooraj, who is entering showbiz with forthcoming “Hero”, says being a ‘star kid’ is tough as people have several expectations from them and they are under constant scrutiny.

He says he has “struggled” to land a role in “Hero”, in which he stars with Suniel Shetty’s daughter Athiya.

“Struggle has been there… not every star kid gets a platform. It is easier to get it (work), but there has to be some talent and some hardwork in you. Our struggle is very different because star kids come with certain criticism towards them.

“We have to deal with all that and cope with expectation of everyone because they want us to be as good as our parents, who have been a part of the film industry since a long time. It is really tough to be a ‘star kid’,” Sooraj said.

The emerging star was in the Millennium City on Saturday to promote his film with Athiya and superstar Salman Khan, who has produced the film.

Talking of the struggles of being a star kid, Salman said: “It is difficult as their first film is compared to their parents’ last film.”

I have never been surprised by a flop in my career: Imran Khan

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Actor Imran Khan, who will be back on the big screen with ‘Katti Batti’ after a gap of two years, believes his last few films faltered at the box office because something went wrong while they were being made. Imran’s last three films – Vishal Bharadwaj’s ‘Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandoloa’, Milan Luthria’s ‘Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbai Dobaara’ with Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha and Karan Johar’s ‘Gori Tere Pyaar Mein’ opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan – did not do well.

‘I have done enough films to know that anything can happen (hit or flop film). If I have worked with honesty. I am happy about it. I have never been surprised by a flop in my career,’ Imran said in an interview here.

The ‘Delhi Belly’ actor said he has learnt his lessons from the past and would believe on his instincts and listen to what his heart says while doing a film. ‘Two years ago, the media was celebrating my choice of films with Vishal Bharadwaj and Milan Luthria. They said I was making smart decisions… what happened to that?’ the 32-year-old actor said.

‘The choices were intelligent but I think we went wrong in the making of the films, which often happens. You sign on with the best of people but when you end up with the final cut you realise that this was not what we had intended,’ he said.

When asked about his take on contemporaries and if he has lagged due to his absence in the film circuit, the actor said, ‘I am an actor who loves to watch and make films along with living my life. I don’t want to earn money or fame. I want to make movies. I’m not interested in playing this game.’

Meanwhile, Imran is looking forward to the release of ‘Katti Batti’ opposite Kangana Ranuat, which hit screens on September 18.

It will be difficult to make film on my father, says Saif Ali Khan

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Afternoon Voice

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September 6, 2015

Actor Saif Ali Khan says he would love to make a film on father Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi but also feels it will be an uphill task for him to get the nuances of the legendary cricketer right.

With the latest trend of biopics made on sportspersons in Bollywood, when asked if he is approached for a biopic on Pataudi, Saif said he is open to the idea given that the story has to be interesting.

“Depends on the script. I feel most actors can’t (do it)… It’s difficult to play sports on screen convincingly. He (father) was a stylish batsman.. How you imitate that. It would be embarrassment if I don’t do justice to it (film) as a son,” he said.

Titular Nawab of Pataudi from 1952, until 1971, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, fondly called as Tiger, was former captain of the Indian cricket team. The right-handed batsman damaged his right eye in an accident but continued to play the game.

Saif, 45, had earlier expressed his desire to make a documentary film on his father but the actor seems to be still toying with the idea.

On being asked about his plan on the documentary, he said, “There is not much footage to make a documentary, what I have found is so rare and little. If we could get some more details about it then it would be amazing.”

“There is no sports story like it.. (of a sportsperson), who lost one eye and played international cricket. He did not talk about it when he was alive. When he died some people remember it. But to be famous after six generation is a great thing but they still remember… It is hell of a story,” he said.

The “Phantom” actor thinks one can make an English or bilingual film on his father but not a typical Bollywood film.

“May be someone can make film on him but you can’t make a Bollywood (movie), he can’t sing songs.. You can make a bilingual or English. May be one can make English film for India depends on how the story is,” he said.