Another shocking revelation, Indrani Mukerjea says Mikhail is her adopted son

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September 2, 2015

In a new twist in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case, Indrani Mukerjea reportedly said on Wednesday that Mikhail was her adopted son.

Indrani supposedly told her lawyers, who met her on Wednesday morning, that Mikhail was an adopted son.

Mikhail was said to be Indrani’s son and Sheena her daughter.

In various interviews to the media till now, Mikhail has been referring to Indrani as his mother and never once hinted to the fact that there was an adoption angle to the whole saga.

Also, Sheena’s biological father surfaced on Tuesday for the first time and sought death for her mother Indrani Mukerjea, wife of former Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea, if she had murdered her.

He had said Indrani left him in 1989 and they had not been in touch ever since. Das said he came to know about the murder through newspapers and was ready to cooperate in the investigation.

Das also said he was ready for a DNA test, if required, for confirming Sheena’s parentage.

As for Mikhail, he had earlier told the police that Indrani had thrice attempted to kill him and also spiked his drink the day Sheena disappeared in April 2012.

On August 31, Indrani faced fresh charges of poisoning and attempting to murder Mikhail.

Manmohan Singh was aware of everything in coal block allocation to Jindal group firm: Madhu Koda

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was “aware of everything” in the process of allocating a coal block to Naveen Jindal group firm, former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda told a special court on Wednesday.

Koda, who sought summoning of Manmohan Singh as an accused, said if there was any conspiracy to allocate the Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block in Jharkhand to Jindal group firm, it could not have been without the knowledge of the then prime minister who was also the coal minister at that time.

“The coal minister (Singh) was aware of everything and if at all there was a conspiracy, as CBI says, it cannot be complete without the knowledge of the coal minister,” Koda’s counsel told Special CBI Judge Bharat Parashar.

The lawyer also argued that Singh cannot take the defence that he was kept in the dark in this case as he was aware of the entire process, which led to the allocation of the coal block to Jindal group firm.

He said that according to CBI, then minister of state for coal Dasari Narayan Rao, who is also an accused in the case, wanted the coal block to be allocated to Jindal group but “actually the man behind this was the Prime Minister who approved it”.

Koda’s counsel concluded his arguments on the plea after which senior public prosecutor VK Sharma said he would respond to it tomorrow.

Koda, in his plea, has sought to summon Singh as an accused along with Anand Swaroop, the then Secretary (Energy), and Jai Shankar Tiwari, the then Secretary(Mines and Geology), contending that CBI’s theory of conspiracy remains incomplete without the involvement of the then prime minister who was also holding the portfolio of Coal Ministry.

He said Singh being the final authority to allocate coal blocks, cannot escape from the consequences of his decision.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in allocation of Amarkonda Murgadangal coal block to two Jindal group companies, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Gagan Sponge Iron Pvt Ltd (GSIPL).

Koda, Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal and 13 others were chargesheeted by the CBI in the case earlier.

In his plea, Koda said, “the materials placed by CBI shows that the said conspiracy, if any, cannot be complete without the involvement of the Coal Minister (Singh) who had the final say in the entire allotment.”

“The materials on record show that the Coal Minister was aware of the facts of the case and had taken the decision consciously with full application of mind to allot coal block to JSPL and GSIPL…which according to the CBI is the result of conspiracy and is illegal. Hence, he (Singh) is also required to be summoned,” the plea said.

It further said that the court is required to consider that the case of all the other accused “stand on a better footing as compared to Dr. Manmohan Singh” who has taken the “ultimate and final decision” to allot the coal block to the two Jindal companies.

Tamil Nadu official caught playing Candy Crush game during crucial farmer’s meet

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

A revenue department officer of Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri district was caught playing Candy Crush on her phone during a meeting with farmers’ from the drought prone area.

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows officer S Kavitha, engrossed in the game even as a farmer is speaking at the meeting. She stopped playing only after the game ended. However, District Collector K Vivekanandan who was seated next to her did not seem to have found anything amiss.

Following the uproar, the collector has ordered a probe in the matter. He said that an explanation has been sought by Kavitha. “We will forward it to the Public Department, which can take action if need be,” he added.

G Ramakrishnan, State Secretary of the CPI(M) has said that the incident shows the callous attitude towards farmers’ issues.

As per National Crime Records Bureau data from 2015, 68 farmers and 827 farm labourers have committed suicide in Tamil Nadu.

Rafiabad encounter ends with one terrorist dead; an Army jawan also martyred

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

The encounter underway between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rafiabad has ended.

One militant has been killed in the encounter while the reports on the presence of a second terrorist in Rafiabad’s Ladoora village in Baramulla district proved to be untrue.

“Earlier the reports were of two militants but there was only one who has been gunned down,” said Abdul Qayoom, SP, Sopore.

One Army jawan was earlier during the day killed in the encounter.

The encounter had started at around 7:20 am.

The terrorists were reported to be associated with the Lashkar-e-Islam terror group – the outfit that recently targeted cellphone operators in the Kashmir Valley.

Rafiabad is the same area from where the security personnel had captured second Pakistan terrorist Sajjad Hussain alive on August 28.

Sajjad was captured on August 28 following an overnight encounter near the Line of Control (LoC).

The recent cancellation of NSA-level talks between India and Pakistan has escalated tension across the LoC. Several civilians have been killed in recent ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border.

Manipur ‘very tense’ after eight die in violence, Centre monitoring situation

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

Manipur continues to be tense after eight people died and over 31 injured due to arson, violence and clashes between mobs and police in Churachandpur district even as curfew continued on Wednesday.

The violence has been triggered by the passage of three controversial bills by the Assembly, which has caused resentment among the tribals who fear that their land rights would be snatched by “outsiders”.

The Centre termed the situation as “very tense” and Union Minister Rajnath Singh called up Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh with an assurance that all central assistance would be provided to the state.

“Situation in Manipur is very tense. Curfew has been imposed all around the troubled areas. If necessary, we will take more steps,” Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters in Delhi.

The central government would rush additional paramilitary forces following a request of the state government to assist police in tackling the situation.

Three persons were killed today when police opened fire on a mob which attacked Churachandpur police station, police sources said. Two of the killed were in their 30s while another was 10 year old, the sources said.

With these deaths, the toll rose to 8 as five people had died since last night in arson and violence.

Four persons were injured in the police firing, taking the total number of the injured to 31. They were admitted to Churachandpur district hospital this evening, a hospital source said.

Five people were killed during a general strike called by the tribal student organisations called a bandh yesterday protesting against the passage of three bills – Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh amendment) Bill, 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 – in the state assembly to protect the indigenous people.

The tribals feared that the passage of the laws would allow “outsiders” to have rights over tribal land.

Turbulence in Air India: 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilots resign

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

In a huge setback for national carrier Air India, 30 senior Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilots have resigned, posting a human resource challenge for the company, according to Hindustan Times report.

The state owned airline operator is surviving on a bailout funded by the taxpayer, spent around Rs. 15 crore on training these pilots three years back, with no security bond or contractual obligation, the pilots were free to leave at their own will.

Hindustan Times quoting sources said that with half of the flying experience of these senior pilots, they can become a captain in a private airline. Also, the career progression opportunities are limited in Air India.

The pilots who have quit are senior co-pilots with 4,000 hours of average flying experience.

OMG! Angelina Jolie’s nude pictures go on sale

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

Hollywood stunner Angelina Jolie is one of the most beautiful actresses of all times. However, in an unexpected turn of events, a rare collection of her nude pictures has gone on sale in London. The actress-director posed for the stunning snapshots, taken by Kate Garner, when she was just 20 in 1995.

According to reports, a rare set of black and white photographs featuring a naked Angelina Jolie have gone on sale at a gallery in London. The actress-director posed for the stunning The arty images are on sale at London’s Zebra One Gallery for 1,800 pound.

In one shot, Jolie, who turned 40 this year, sits with feet bound and her knees clasped to her chest, while another highlights the star’s great beauty as she poses for a close-up and stares into Garner’s lens.

Julia Roberts Makes Rare Appearance With Family

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

Actress Julia Roberts made a rare appearance with her three children and husband Danny Moder.

She was seen smiling away as she posed next to twins Phineas and Hazel, both 10 and youngest son Henry, 8 and their father.

Her husband of 13 years joined the star at the launch of surfing pro Kelly Slater’s fashion brand.

The Pretty Woman star was dressed in silken shorts and a top, all in black. Her golden hair was let loose and she paired her outfit with beige pumps. She was joined by her husband in a casual tee and denims.

Her youngest son Henry, looked a little uninterested to pose, while the other two were all smiles for the camera.

They were seen at the fashion event in Malibu, alongside supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber and their children, son Presley, 16, and daughter Kaia, 13.

Animal rights protesters crash Rihanna’s perfume launch

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

Los Angeles: Rihanna’s new perfume launch in Brooklyn, New York was briefly disrupted after anti-fur protesters crashed the event and verbally attacked the star for choosing to wear animal products.

Hundreds of fans crammed into MACy’s department store in Brooklyn to catch a glimpse of the “Diamonds” hitmaker as she unveiled her latest scent, RiRi by Rihanna, reported E!Online.

But a small group of people caused a scene by parading around the shop, holding up posters of cuddly animals featuring phrases like, “Who died for your coat?” and “Skinned alive”.

Video footage shows the demonstrators repeatedly chanting “Shame on Rihanna” as security guards swoop in to spare the singer an angry confrontation with the animal rights protesters.

Rihanna, 27, has previously come under fire for wearing lavish fur accessories, while she was attacked by officials at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in 2012 after she stepped out wearing thigh-high snake-skin boots.

Avoid wastage of water

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Afternoon Voice

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September 2, 2015

Due to weak monsoon the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has announced 20 per cent water cut in the city. The stock of water available in the dams is insufficient to meet the metropolis needs for next year. Water levels in reservoirs are 28 per cent lower than the same period last year, and 25 per cent lower when compared to the average between 2005-2014. Rain Water harvesting is a new approach to solve the water shortage problem. The existence of water harvesting systems in India has a very long history. The use of artificial storage facilities within a rain water harvesting system requires exact calculation regarding their storage capacity depending on its intensive costs and other over heads. It is indeed quite imperative to have a National Policy to make Rain Water Harvesting mandatory and proper planning is required to tap the resource from the grassroots level. In cities like Chennai, Rain Harvesting is made compulsory in all the Housing Societies and the builders are given permission to construct buildings only when there is provision for such an arrangement.

There are so many available sites in Mumbai and other parts of the satellite city unless we take proper steps to implement the project in right spirits. The wastage of rain water is to be stored and preserved for future use. Not all the rain that falls can actually be collected. Efficiency is usually presumed to be more than 80 per cent depending on system design and capacity. Therefore, a 1200 square foot roof will collect 1100 gallons of water on a day with two inches of rainfall. Using this formula and region’s average rainfall numbers combined with an estimated water need, you should be able to calculate the approximate size of your tank or the so called Barrel System. This takes care of the requirement of a few. Harvesting rainwater in bulk quantities, which can cater to the needs of larger community, though out the year requires large space in location. Big Housing complexes can go for such a scheme to cater to the needs of huge population residing in prestigious complexes.

Instead of wasting space at focal points in the building complex, a large tank can be made from materials such as cement or metal is made available for storing water in large quantities. The height of this mammoth tank could be raised to a minimum of 20 feet, so as to allow for natural gravitational force and also allow the racing to happen undisturbed as continuous process. Stitch in time saves nine is really true. If we store rain water during monsoon season, the same can be used during acute shortage for washing and in case surplus water is available, then that can be used for watering the gardens surroundings of big buildings. Rain water harvesting is the need of the hour. There is no doubt about it.

We are all very much concerned about water that is so essential for life. Water wastage is to be prevented at all levels. BMC should take proper care of the sources of supply and prevent water wastage. Water starved city is facing repeated bursting of pipelines and leakage of pipes in the recent months sending millions of litres of usable water down thereby causing inconvenience to people. The civic body needs to work on war footing to replace the old pipelines and plug the leakage at focal points to save water from going waste. People on their part should play a pivotal role and avoid wasting of water. Around 76 million litres of water is wasted due to leakages and thefts which is a huge loss and it is time to plug the holes and save water.

C.K. Subramaniam