VK Singh’s daughter joins OROP protest, calls for speedy implementation

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August 23, 2015

Union Minister and former Army chief Gen (retd) VK Singh’s daughter Mrinalini joined One Rank One Pension (OROP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday and called for its speedy implementation.

“I am there to support the cause of ex-servicemen because I am an ex-servicemen’s daughter,” said Mrinalini.

Mrinalini, the wife of an Army officer, said, “This is a just cause and the matter has been pending for many years. I have come here as the daughter of an ex-serviceman to give support to the veterans who have served the country but are now protesting for their rights for over two months”.

Asked if her father, Minister of State for External Affairs Singh, approves her joining the protest since he is serving in the Narendra Modi government, she said, “I have not sought his permission and neither do I need his permission. I have come straight from Hisar because I feel for the cause. A few years down the line, I will also become the wife of an ex-serviceman.”

She added that she has full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has promised the OROP.

Representatives of ex-servicemen have been protesting for the implementation of ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme for the last over two months and are likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week to press for early implementation of their demand.

The protest over the delay in the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme continued for the 70th day with three veterans observing an indefinite fast for nearly a week.

Support also poured in the form of monetary assistance and other things with NGOs, individuals and organisations coming forward to back the veterans.

The ex-servicemen are hoping to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and have sought help from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for this.

Gujarat government rejects Patels’ OBC status demand, says can’t change reservation guidelines set by SC

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

Rejecting the reservation demand of state’s economically and politically powerful Patel community, the Gujarat government on Sunday said that they do not want to make any amendment in the guidelines set by the Supreme Court for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC).

“We don’t want to change reservation guidelines set by SC for SC/ST and OBC and more than 50% reservation cannot be given as per the Supreme Court guidelines,” said Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel.

The announcement has been made ahead of a proposed mega-rally of Patels to be held in the city on August 25, where at least 20 lakh community members are expected to participate as a show of their strength.

Earlier in the day, thousands of Other Backward Class communities’ members held a rally here to counter the agitation of the Patel community and threatened to “uproot” the Gujarat government if it bows to the demand of the Patels.

The state government had invited the Patel leaders including Hardik Patel (convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti) to hold talks with them over the said issue today.

However, Hardik had earlier said that he will not hold any talks with government at this juncture ahead of the rally.

Members of Patel community have been holding protests and organising rallies in various parts of the state demanding reservation in government jobs and education under OBC quota.

Megan Fox files for divorce with husband Brian Austin Green

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

Days after announcing her separation from husband Brian Austin Green, actress Megan Fox has now filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’ actor.

According to sources close to the couple, there is no prenuptial agreement between the duo, so earnings during their five-year marriage are community property and divided half, reports tmz.com.

Fox is now asking for joint physical and legal custody of the couple’s two sons.

The sources also say there is the possibility that Fox will end up paying Brian spousal support, partly because of the disparity in income and partly because he’s had medical problems.

The divorce is “very amicable,” to the point they continue to live in the same house, the sources further added.

The date of separation is listed as June 15th.

Kristen Stewart to star in Karl Lagerfeld’s film

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

Actress Kristen Stewart, the new face of French fashion use Chanel’s latest campaign, will star in a film directed by designer and its creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

The story conceived by Lagerfeld is for the French fashion house’s upcoming show, reported Variety.

The film will offer a fictional, behind-the-scenes look at a biopic in the making about founder Gabrielle Chanel.

Stewart, 25, will portray an actress impersonating the designer as a young woman. Geraldine Chaplin, who has played Chanel in previous Lagerfeld films, also stars in the movie. The designer filmed the project last month in two days at director Luc Besson’s Paris studio.

“You only see her in tests and she’s complaining about everything. She’s mean with the director; mean with the producer,” Lagerfeld, 81, said. “They make so many movies about Chanel, why can’t I make one?” he added.

George Clooney, Amal visit Ibiza for tequila launch

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

Actor George Clooney and wife Amal visited Ibiza for the Spanish launch of Clooney’s tequila company, Casamigos.

The 54-year-old “Tomorrowland” actor and his wife, 37, were joined by longtime friends and Casamigos co-founders, Rande Gerber and producer Mike Meldman, along with Gerber’s wife Cindy Crawford, reported People Magazine.

“The whole group was so excited to be together. George had the group laughing with tales of his early acting days and not-so-glamorous auditions,” a source said.

After arriving, Clooney and the rest of the crew headed out to Es Torrent, a high-end waterfront restaurant, where they enjoyed a dinner and Casamigos cocktails.

The Clooneys have been vacationing at their Italian villa, where they have been hosting family and friends since the beginning of summer.

World must unite to fight against ISIS

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Mahendra Singh

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August 23, 2015

Almost everyday we read reports about ISIS killing people in a brutal manner. The members of the association of Islamic nations must take steps to address this issue instead of relying only on the USA. Jordan is a beautiful and orderly place. I visited Aquaba port several times. It is very clean and cheap. If you visit Alibaba hotel, you will notice beautiful scenery and select a fish from the aquarium of the hotel and enjoy it with other delicious items.

Even smaller road side hotels serve delicious “kebabs”. The cloth and tailoring is very cheap and can be quickly stitched. Dry fruits are available at cheap prices and can be purchased in large quantities. You can stroll on the beach, sit down and enjoy drinks along the sea shore. Morocco is such a beautiful country having historic places like Casablanka and Safi. The shops and hotels at Safi are located at a higher altitude and you can enjoy sea view by sipping fruit juices. The night life of Casablanca is very pleasant.

What to say about Egypt? You can enjoy fantastic belly dances there. It has several places for playing water sports and good clean beaches. Shopping is very lively as you can bargain and interact with the girls in the shops. Suez Canal has become much better as plenty of greenery is visible now as compared to the past. Turkey is a fantastic place. Pass through Istanbul in the night and see the lights, clean roads, good shops, excellent food and a special drink with the taste of “ saunf” after you mix water to it. Even though it is a very tasty drink but consume it in small quantities. Live music is played as you sit in the evening to eat and drink. We bought very good leather jackets from there. Erigli and Bandirma are happening places but visit pubs after ten in the night, if you are looking for ladies.

Turkey is also technically very strong nation. There are efficient and hardworking fitters and Bosuns hailing from this place. Some steps must be taken to end this mindless violence and killings. As you walk along the streets, you notice different types of food displayed in very hygienic glass enclosures. You can select, sit down and eat in clean surroundings with soul enriching music played by artists whom you never grudge to tip. This practice must be followed in Mumbai too. Walk on streets but don’t go to roof tops except to protest against indiscipline, discourtesy, pollution and lawlessness.

In showbiz, you don’t retire: Anupam Kher

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who has dedicated over three decades of his life to filmdom, says a star only fades away and does not retire in the world of glitz and glamour. The 60-year-old says there’s a “long time” before he hangs up his boots.

The actor shared his views during a candid chat with users on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

When a user quizzed about his retirement plans, the actor said: “In my profession, you don’t retire, you are forgotten. But don’t worry, I am going to stick around for a long time.”

Married to actress Kirron Kher, Anupam says it was her honesty that took his heart away.

A user asked “What is that you like the most in KirronKher?”. The actor responded “Her honesty”.

In his career, Anupam showed versatility with a range of movies from “Saaransh” to “The Shaukeens”.

His big ticket debut came with Mahesh Bhatt’s “Saaransh” in 1984, and there has been no looking back. The actor has also gone global with his talent by doing a bevy of international projects like “The Mistress of Spices” and “Silver Linings Playbook”.

Katrina Kaif is hot and fit: Alia Bhatt

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

She made her stunning debut in Karan Johar’s ‘Student Of The Year’, and surprised everyone with her hot-bod drop dead gorgeous looks. Alia, before joining the film industry looked a little plum but once she decided to enter the showbiz world, took upon herself to turn fab from flab.

The chirpy actress, who is now ready to entice her audience with ‘Shaandaar’ opposite Shahid Kapoor was quoted as saying that it is Katrina Kaif, whom she finds exceptionally hot and fit and at the same time.

“Regarding Katrina, you see all her songs whether it is ‘Chikni Chameli’, ‘Sheila Ki Jawaani’ or ‘Dhoom’, she looks different in each song. She’s still hot and she’s still fit at the same time… she’s still different. So that is something that I hope to achieve in life if I get the opportunity,” said Alia at the launch of the book, “Sculpt and Shape: the Pilates Way” written by well-known fitness experts Yasmin Karachiwala and Zeena Dhalla.

Asked by a journalist about the importance of a hot body to get better roles, Alia said: “I feel nowadays there are characters and we’re trying to fit into characters. Just looking at my roles, for ‘Udta Punjab’, I had to lose a lot of weight because I was playing a particular character, for ‘Shaandaar’ I had to fit into a bikini and look desirable as a woman, not as a girl.”

Katrina and Sophie Chaudhry were also present. Alia and Katrina, who are trained by Yasmin for their toned bodies said that they blindly follow Yasmin’s instructions and credited her for their fit bodies.

Story of ‘Talvar’ grabbed me emotionally: Irrfan Khan

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Afternoon Voice

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August 23, 2015

Piku star Irrfan Khan says a powerful and emotional story-telling compelled him to be a part of his upcoming film “Talvar”.

The Meghna Gulzar-directed mystery thriller is inspired by the sensational murder of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar and 45-year-old Hemraj Banjade, a domestic help in Noida, India on the night of 15-16 May 2008.

Writer-director Vishal Bhardwaj has penned the story of the film. “What happens with us is that we only read headline… We listen to news or somebody’s version and we tend to believe that. When I read the story, it grabbed me emotionally. Everybody has the responsibility to go beyond the headline and do their homework and come to their own conclusion. We should not let headlines form our opinion,” Irrfan said.

“With this (case) there were so many versions to the story but there was such a powerful emotion coming out of the story and that compelled me to do the film. I would congratulate Meghna Gulzar for this film.”

The 48-year-old actor, who plays the role of an investigative officer, insists the film remains neutral and offers three different versions of the case from separate point of views.

“The film presents multiple version of the same story. It is a real life incident. It is an important film. When you perform, you have to be sensitive as you put in various versions of human beings, who are alive and suffering today,” he said.

“We are not giving stance… We kept it neutral and left it for the audience to judge. Please dwell into it (film)… It is a mystery. You can’t get easy answers to it,” the “The Lunchbox” actor added. When asked what made him do this controversial movie, Irrfan said “Talvar” should not be seen as controversial film.

Will Dahi Handi be low profile this time?

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Afternoon Voice

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August 21, 2015

Organisers upset with the new safety norms issued by the government which is difficult to comply.

Janmashtami festival is likely to lose its sheen this year after the Maharashtra government issued new safety guidelines for dahi handi celebrations. The new norms released by the government have upset dahi handi organisers as they will have to seek permissions from the local police, traffic police, transport department and fire brigade prior to forming human chain. According to them, the government should review the norms as it is a herculean task to obtain permission from all these departments. The government had drafted the norms after several persons were injured during last year’s dahi handi celebrations. It has also accorded the adventure sports status to Dahi Handi. As per the new guidelines, child below 12 years of age won’t be allowed to participate to form human pyramids during Dahi Handi. The participants will have to submit a No-Objection Certificate (NoC) signed by their parents or guardians.

The organisers will have to provide safety nets, helmets, safety harness, mats and other security requirements to participants for preventing injuries. According to Education Minister Vinod Tawde Dahi Handi would hence forth be celebrated round the year. Dahi Handi celebrations hosted by NCP legislator Jitendra Awhad has been cancelled due to drought in several parts of Maharashtra and new rule imposed by the state. Last year Awhad had announced Rs 1 crore award to mandals forming 10-tiered human pyramids to break the handi.

“The drought situation in the state has taken a dangerous turn. The city too may face scarcity of water as it has not been raining. In such a scenario, it would be inhuman to celebrate when most people in the state are going through a tough time. So we have decided to cancel the event,” said Awhad.

Awhad also blamed government for ‘imposing restrictions’ on the event this year. “The restrictions put by the government like usage of roads, loudspeakers, construction of mandaps, etc. are so bad (that) it will be impossible for us to do anything.

A BJP leader spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity said, “Awhad’s morale has taken a severe beating after the state government had honoured Babasaheb Purandare. Awhad had protested against this issue and had asked the government to withdraw the award. He also is disappointed with the debacle suffered by the NCP in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections and is resorting to cheap gimmicks by abandoning dahi handi celebrations.”

On the other hand, Shiv Sena alleged that Awhad is only trying to gain political mileage by abandoning dahi handi celebrations.

Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik said, “Last year Awhad had opposed my decision to scrap Dahi Handi celebrations but today he is emulating me. What was he doing when the state was witnessing drought from last four years?”

The cultural activity, celebrated on Gokulashtmi (Lord Krishna’s birthday), involves forming a human pyramid to reach an earthen pot, filled with buttermilk, at a considerable height. Injuries are common as the human pyramid often collapses.

Janmashthami celebrations in Mumbai have become an annual big business affair with prizes running into crores of rupees, mega-sponsors, intense competition among various groups, mostly backed by politicians and political parties, attracting millions of locals, domestic and foreign tourists.