Beyoncé has turning 34 years-old today, September 4! The “711” singer is one of the most celebrated and revered artists of all time, and she only continues to get better year after year. From her Destiny’s Child days, to her days reigning the world as Queen Bey, Beyoncé is #1.
Obviously, Beyoncé had a fabulous year. She’s Beyoncé, after all! Her time was filled with new music and collaborations, rocking phenomenal fashion, and spending quality time with little Blue Ivy.
For some reason we can’t quite comprehend, Queen Bey’s birthday isn’t a national holiday. The singer turns 34, which seems as good an excuse as any to take the day off, crank up “Drunk in Love,” and bust out your best “Single Ladies” choreography.
Talent is acquired through experience and most of the companies are not ready to part with their employees on the pretext of pregnancy. Working mothers are given all the facilities so that they remain in service and not quit the job. By increasing the maternity leave from three months to eight months useful purpose is served for both employer and the employees. Already women employees are given liberty to work under flexible time keeping their responsibility at home into consideration. Day care in offices is not much prevalent in India but in foreign countries it is mandatory to have such an arrangement to keep pace with the modern day requirement.
Again, the work from home facility is offered to women during post-delivery period so that they can recover well to commence their full time duty without any health issues. There is no substitute to experience and we cannot get the same quantum of work done by a new comer or a fresh candidate. Under the circumstances, it is advisable to have a working arrangement which will benefit both the parties and the work move smoothly. Further, hike in salary is offered every year to keep the employee in good stead and not allowing the women staff to leave the job once for all or look for an alternative job.
Human Resource department should be instructed to keep the efficient workers certain leeway by way of flexible timings but at the same extract maximum work when the women staff present during stagnated working hours. It is a right step in the right direction to extend maternity leave from three to eight months as the working mothers need not go on loss of pay and thereby lose interest in the nature of job and look for better opportunities. Issue is very simple. It is time to keep the working mothers with a chance to work with the institution rather than being strict to annoy them and then leave the job once for all.
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty supported actress Sunny Leone and said that the recent controversy regarding her condom advertisement is “silly”.
“It’s just some of the fringe who thinks like that. I don’t think everybody thinks like that. It’s very silly. These things happen everywhere. There are controversies everywhere and this is a really silly thing that you’re giving too much attention to,” said Shilpa.
“I just think that all five fingers can’t be like each other. You got to have all kinds that make the world. Just concentrate on the positives. I think India is a great country. I love it and feel very proud to be Indian, to represent my country anywhere in the world,” added Shilpa.
Communist Party of India’s national secretary (CPI) Atul Kumar Anjan said that Sunny’s condom advertisement will trigger the tendency among men to commit rape and that it was developing sexuality and ruining sensibilities. Sunny is a former adult film star who made her debut in Bollywood with 2012 film Jism 2.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan will return as the host of popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ in its upcoming ninth season, a top official from Colors channel has confirmed.
“Colors welcomes #BhajrangiBhaijaan @BeingSalmanKhan to #biggboss9 Presented by @Snapdeal Powered by @Oppomobileindia This October @ColorsTV,” Colors CEO Raj Nayak tweeted on Friday.
In fact, the actor is already at work for the controversial reality show.
Salman, 49, hosted the last season of the show, but later stepped down from its extended edition ‘Bigg Boss Halla Bol’ which was hosted by choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan. At that time, he had to attend to his other film commitments.
Thereafter, there were reports that Salman might not return as the host of the show due to his busy schedule. However, now it’s clear that he will be back!
Describing herself as a “greedy actress”, Vidya Balan said she is glad that she grabbed roles in Dirty Picture and Kahaani, the two movies she feels fuelled a spate of successful women-centric films in Bollywood.
“Yes, I am a greedy actress. So, I just jumped into these great opportunities and those films (Dirty Picture and Kahaani) did in a way paved the way for the success of those films (heroine-led movies that followed),” she said.
“I love to take credit for it (that women-centric movies are also making money now). I am extremely humbled when anyone says that. But the truth is that I think cinema reflects reality and the reality around us is that more and more women are leading lives on their own terms,” she said.
The actress feels that the audience also wants to see that such movies are doing well.
“That is finding representation on screen making for more well-rounded characters, not just black or white, not characters you just glorify or vilify. They are more people; they are more human. So, I think audiences also want to see that… these films are doing well,” the actress said.
Vidya was addressing reporters on the sidelines of an event, organized by FICCI Ladies Organization on revival of handlooms. At the event, Vidya made no secret of her love for saris, particularly handloom.
“I just love hand-woven fabrics whether it is saris or garments in every other form. I have grown up in handlooms and watching my mom, my aunts, my neighbors wear cotton saris, I think that’s where my love for both saris and handloom comes from,” she said.
Recently I was invited to attend Krishna Katha by legendary dancer Dr. Sonal Mansingh at yoga ashram in green and very chilly Lonavala, a beautiful hill station near Mumbai.
The drive was longer than normal but the desire to see an artist like Sonal Mansingh perform live for me kept me awake in middle of the Mumbai traffic jams. When I reached the ashram I realised the fan following of the legend, the ashram was packed with people of all age group all waiting to see the dancing diva on stage. Guest like actors Tanuja, Arif Zakaria, Jesse Randhawa, Anahita Sheroff, political giants, corporate head honcho all were seated awaiting to be mesmerised.
The Yoga ashram was the ideal venue for the Krishna Katha, the beauty of the place and the charisma of Dr. Mansingh was perfect. The show began dot on time, sharp at 7pm something very rare to see in India as for dance shows are concern. Sonal ji in her trade mark bright sari, red Tilak and kohl filled eyes appeared in front of the eager audience. It looked as if Maa Yashoda walked up on stage in front of us to narrate the story of her beloved son Lord Krishna.
The sound of auspicious Shank announced the start of the journey. Sonal ji narrated incidences from the childhood days of Lord Krishna in a very unique manner, there was song, dramatic narration, live music to support the story line. Each chapter of the life of Lord was opened like a book with all explanations, small descriptions of the characters and the narration was so captivating that one could not stop signing along with her.
The best part came when in the middle of the Katha the diva got up and danced to a poem written by her on the description of Radha. It was as if Radha had descended right there on stage and taking about herself to each and everyone of us. The Katha had popular gujarati, hindi, sanskrit songs and shlokas, the energy of Dr. Masingh’s performance was so that the entire crowd seated there looked like as if they were in the temple praying to the Lord.
The show ended with Krishna Sudama tales and there were people in the audience including me who had tears in their eyes, such was the power of presentation of the Goddess of dance Sonal Mansingh.
Later after the show while I was dining with Sonal ji I mentioned to her, that it was not her on stage that we saw, she had transformed into a messenger of God who had descended on stage and was there telling the story to each one of us. She was humble at that time and said, it is all Gods Grace. This is one quality that we all dancer must imbibe in ourselves. In Sonal Mansingh’s word ‘Dance is the Gift that God has given to just a few selected people what is there to feel proud about a gift.’
Well the entire evening, spellbinding performance and the magical words were some memories that I took back with me not just for that day but for my entire lifetime. Artist like her are rare and are born once in thousand years. God bless her for making us see God through her words, Music, songs and dance.
Our former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has beautifully said, “If you are a teacher in whatever capacity, you have a very special role to play because more than anybody else it is you who are shaping the future generation”. Indeed, these words aptly highlight the significant role bestowed upon a teacher to play in students’ life. Today, we see the world changing day by day and our society is not the same. There are paradigm changes in the segment of education worldwide and these changes have also drastically influenced changes in the role of a teacher. Teaching and learning process is also evolving and therefore teachers cannot afford to remain attached to their old-fashioned methods. Today, the teacher is called to be a facilitator and a guide in the entire teaching-learning process.
With technology pervading the present education system, teachers today are left with no other options other than to equip themselves adequately. Teachers have to be visionaries, information and technology savvy to cope up with high expectations of the students, with multiple tasks of teaching, researching and being the resource persons in consonance with the changing times. However, in this context, it is relevant to remember what Bill Gates has beautifully stated, “Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.” It is a teacher who can prepare our youth to face the future with confidence, purpose and responsibility. I strongly believe that while technology does its bit, teachers as facilitators add the desired human touch and instill values for holistic development and uplift the essence of education.
September 5th, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, is a special day that is dedicated to all our beloved teachers to remember and thank them for their sacrifice for the humanity. On this day, one can look back, admire and get inspired by the lives of teachers that have influenced thousands of minds. In the present globalized world, the youngsters are faced with lots of challenges. They need to be instructed and inspired in order to reach their potential growth and development. Today’s teacher has a tremendous responsibility to reinvent her/himself to be able to assist carefully every child helping them integrate their social, emotional, and intellectual growth arousing their natural curiosity to develop a love for learning. On this teachers’ day, I would like to leave you with what Dalai Lama has wonderfully said, “When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.”
Wishing you a very Happy Teachers’ Day!
(The author is the Managing Director of Ryan International Group of Institutions)
Since the state government has failed to extend the lease of dumping grounds it also is responsible for the garbage mismanagement in the city say citizens.
The Bombay High Court has banned thousands of under construction projects in Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) for its failure to resolve the garbage dumping issue thereby causing inconvenience to lakhs of home buyers who had availed loans. These home buyers are now facing severe hardships as they are yet to get the possession of their homes due to stay imposed on new constructions. The state government got directions from Justices N H Patil and V L Achaliya who asked the state not to grant further permissions till further orders. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) was asked to bring errant civic officials to book.
The scenario is no different in Mumbai where the High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to overhaul the waste management system failing which it will deny permission for new constructions in the metropolis. Such move will also affect the realty sector in the city which is already witnessing a negative growth. However, the question which arises here is how will the civic body comply with the new directive within a short span of time?
The state government has failed to extend lease and permission for dumping grounds. The BMC is likely to shut the Mulund dumping ground. The civic body has invited fresh tenders to begin the waste-to-energy project at the Deonar site. Mumbai’s total waste generation is approximately 10,500 metric tonnes, of which 3,700 tonnes is sent to the Deonar dumping ground and another 2,600 metric tonnes to the dumping ground at Mulund and 3,000 tonnes to Kanjurmarg. The garbage-height at Deonar currently peaks at 30 meters in some parts, while in Mulund, the height has gone upto 22 meters approximately, officials from solid waste management (SWM) department of BMC said. The BMC had also tried to set up waste-to-energy plant in the city and small processing plants at the ward level for effective solid waste management, but the plans has not taken off.
“Since the state government has failed to extend the lease of dumping grounds it also is responsible for the garbage mismanagement in the city. They don’t have a concrete plan to dispose garbage which is increasing everyday” said Ashok Arsud, a Kandivali resident.
“On one hand the civic body issues notices to hotels, hospitals, housing societies, malls, shops for its failure to dispose garbage on the other hand it penalises the common man if he spits on the street. The civic body must streamline the wastage management system to make the city garbage free” said Abhijit Salunke, a Borivali resident.
A senior civic official said, “We will initiate a scientific process to close down the Mulund dumping ground, but we cannot afford to shut Deonar. In the meantime, we are looking at doubling the waste quantity in Kanjurmarg which will reduce the burden in Mulund and Deonar. This is the only short-term measure we can introduce.”
Finally, the differences have cropped up in the United Front of Ex-Servicemen. Many ex-servicemen wants Major General (retired) Satbir Singh, Chairman of Indian Ex-servicemen Movement, to be reasonable and consider others also. Most of the ex-servicemen leaders are accepting the government proposal of revising pension every five years as their worry is 7th pay commission.
War veteran Major General (retired) Singh, who has been leading the protest in Jantar Mantar for the last 80 days, said they were getting positive signals from the government from the last few days but stopped short of saying there was a breakthrough. Earlier in the day, in the three-day coordination meeting between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) OROP was an important issue. RSS has asked the BJP to resolve the OROP issue. Manohar Parrikar briefed the representatives of the RSS on the issue, and that’s how it might be announced ahead of Bihar elections.
Meanwhile, the protestors are willing to accept two years relaxation as normalisation period but they will not accept revision in 5 years. This will be defeating the purpose of OROP. They will continue with agitation if it’s 5 years. He said the issue was non-negotiable and both the elements of the OROP concept cannot be interfered. An agreement can be reached once we know what is on the platter (offer by the government), he said, adding effective date of revision must be from April 1, 2014. Independent MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who has been mediating on the issue, said it was time veterans must return home with honour and grace by reaching an early settlement. He urged them to accept the revision of pension every three years.
Not in the best of health yet undeterred, Colonel (retired) Pushpendra Singh resumed his fast-unto-death demanding prompt implementation of One Rank, One Pension scheme at Jantar Mantar hours after he was discharged from an Army hospital. Singh, one of the ex-servicemen fasting in demand of the immediate implementation of the OROP scheme, was hospitalised last week- the ninth day of his fast after his medical report showed increased ketone levels.
Singh was admitted to the ICU of Army Hospital Research and Referral, from where he was discharged on Thursday. Hours later, he returned to the protest site to join his fellow ex-servicemen, whose agitation entered the 81st day.
Rs. 8300 crore is very much affordable amount and 30 per cent increase in every 10 years again can be borne by the government. It is the babus who have planted stories. India afforded OROP as per 1973 when we were poor; India is growing 8 per cent for next 30 years. Another thing, when babus granted themselves OROP, no one has commented that India will become bankrupt. Babus have virtually forced public debate on veterans OROP.
In the eighth installment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio talk, he had assured ex-servicemen that his government would soon resolve the OROP issue. The agitation by ex-Army personnel comes two weeks after PM Narendra Modi repeats his assurance to execute the OROP in the eighth episode of his radio programme “Mann Ki Baat”. However, the delay in the implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) policy, ex-servicemen held protests across the country, demanding its immediate introduction. The pension issue for ex-service men is very crucial and government needs to understand that just by speaking on radio or television the issue of their lives will not be resolved. All ex-servicemen always worked hard for the country at least they should not be forgotten. One year is too long time to implement such a simple thing particularly when the Defence Minister said that he had worked out all the details and is ready but needs the Finance Ministry’s nod. However, the civil servants applied the veto exposing the political leadership as weak and untrustworthy.
It is extremely painful to see that politics is being played out on such an important issue and Prime Minister Modi as usual promising things but hardly implementing anything. Can’t we look after our veterans, who put their life for the safety of our nation? We are not doing any favour to them by giving adequate pension. It is an opportunity to do something for their selfless service to the nation. Present government must take this issue with utmost seriousness and sincerity. It is actually shameful for us that the policy is being delayed because of the issue of funding. In a country where lakhs and crores of rupees scams happened, this urgent policy, which requires around eight thousand crore, had to be delayed for decades, citing the lack of funds. Now the new government has to understand the need of the hour and take necessary and quick actions.
Mounting pressure on the government ahead, four former service chiefs in an “open letter” sought intervention of the President for early implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) to avoid the situation “getting out of hand”.
One Rank, One Pension is an old demand of Indian military personnel. The term means armed forces personnel holding the same rank and same length of service will get the same pension, regardless of the last drawn pay. The Indian government accepted the demand in 2014. In its July 2014 Budget, Government of India allocated Rs. 1000 crore for this scheme. Due to some technical calculations and interpretations to be concluded by the related ministry, there was a delay in the implementation of the scheme in 2014. Recent meetings have been on the positive note indicating that the scheme will be implemented before the approval of budget of India 2015-16. Due to a fear that civilian retired employees of central government may also demand OROP, the Defence Minister decided to rename the Defence pensions as military pension which could not possibly be claimed by civilians. OROP has been a long-standing demand of over two million ex-servicemen of India. It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension for the Defence personnel retiring in the same rank with the same length of service, irrespective of their date of retirement. The ex-servicemen maintained that they were not against any government but were protesting to get their long-pending dues. May be the mounting pressure from all sides and Bihar elections, somewhere BJP is forced to announce OROP and deliver it in given time.
As the murder mystery of Sheena Bora continues to surprise the nation, Indrani Mukerjea, the wife of former STAR India CEO Peter Mukerjea, confessed to her role in the sensational crime on Thursday.
Indrani, the mother of Sheena, broke down before the investigators who have been grilling her for the last 10 days. Indrani was arrested by the Mumbai Police on charges of killing Sheena and disposing of her body in Raigad, near Mumbai.
Indrani’s reported admission would now help the Mumbai Police team, headed by Commissioner Rakesh Maria, to collaborate all the findings and find the exact motive behind Sheena’s murder.
Sheena was murdered on April 24, 2012. Her body was found a month later, on May 23.
It was last month when Indrani’s driver Shyam Rai revealed the murder site to police.
Both Indrani and the driver were arrested on charges of killing Sheena and disposing of her body in Raigad. Indrani is in police custody till September 05.
Sanjeev Khanna, the former husband of Indrani, has also been arrested in connection with the Sheena murder case.
Beyoncé has turning 34 years-old today, September 4! The “711” singer is one of the most celebrated and revered artists of all time, and she only continues to get better year after year. From her Destiny’s Child days, to her days reigning the world as Queen Bey, Beyoncé is #1.
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty supported actress Sunny Leone and said that the recent controversy regarding her condom advertisement is “silly”.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan will return as the host of popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ in its upcoming ninth season, a top official from Colors channel has confirmed.
Describing herself as a “greedy actress”, Vidya Balan said she is glad that she grabbed roles in Dirty Picture and Kahaani, the two movies she feels fuelled a spate of successful women-centric films in Bollywood.
September 5th, the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, is a special day that is dedicated to all our beloved teachers to remember and thank them for their sacrifice for the humanity. On this day, one can look back, admire and get inspired by the lives of teachers that have influenced thousands of minds. In the present globalized world, the youngsters are faced with lots of challenges. They need to be instructed and inspired in order to reach their potential growth and development. Today’s teacher has a tremendous responsibility to reinvent her/himself to be able to assist carefully every child helping them integrate their social, emotional, and intellectual growth arousing their natural curiosity to develop a love for learning. On this teachers’ day, I would like to leave you with what Dalai Lama has wonderfully said, “When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.”
The Bombay High Court has banned thousands of under construction projects in Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation (KDMC) for its failure to resolve the garbage dumping issue thereby causing inconvenience to lakhs of home buyers who had availed loans. These home buyers are now facing severe hardships as they are yet to get the possession of their homes due to stay imposed on new constructions. The state government got directions from Justices N H Patil and V L Achaliya who asked the state not to grant further permissions till further orders. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) was asked to bring errant civic officials to book.
As the murder mystery of Sheena Bora continues to surprise the nation, Indrani Mukerjea, the wife of former STAR India CEO Peter Mukerjea, confessed to her role in the sensational crime on Thursday.