If Sonia Gandhi was in my place, would she have let Lalit Modi’s wife die, asks Sushma Swaraj

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August 6, 2015

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament that she extended no favours for cricket boss Lalit Modi, countering the opposition Congress, which has pledged to disrupt Parliament till she quits office. The only assistance she provided, the minister said, was to Lalit Modi’s wife, who is “an Indian citizen and asked for the support of her husband as she travelled to Portugal for treatment for cancer.”

Sushma has been accused of helping the former boss of cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) obtain travel documents from the UK to travel to Portugal in 2014, to visit his cancer-stricken wife.

Modi has been living in the UK since 2010 when he fled India after cases were registered against him for alleged money laundering.

Speaking in the Lower House, Sushma said that injustice is being done to her as she is not getting a chance to clarify and put forth her opinion.

The minister was, however, able to speak today without being shouted down as the opposition benches were empty due to the ongoing protest by opposition parties over suspension of 25 Congress MPs from the Lok Sabha.

“Stars are probably not in my favour. That is why those who have always supported me are now demanding my resignation. But, stars will surely turn in my favour again,” she said, making a case for her.

Sushma said she had never recommended or requested the British government to grant Lalit Modi travel documents.

“Words in such communication are important. If I had recommended the UK government to grant travel documents to Lalit Modi, then I would have written that clearly,” the minister told the House.

“I had only conveyed to the UK government that if they decide to grant travel documents to Lalit Modi, that would not affect the India-Britain ties,” the senior BJP leader said.

“Did I help Lalit Modi flee India? No! Did I recommend travel documents for Lalit Modi? No!” Sushma said categorically.

“Lalit Modi’s wife has been suffering from cancer for the past 17 years. She was receiving treatment at a research centre in Portugal. She has been diagnosed with cancer for the 10th time. Doctors said this time her cancer is life-threatening,” Sushma informed the House.

“The medical institution said Ms Modi’s condition is life-threatening and that her husband must be present during treatment. That’s the background of ‘humanitarian grounds’ on which I helped Lalit Modi,” she clarified.

“I had no role either in taking the decision or in recommending it to the British authorities,” the minister again stated.

Getting emotional, Sushma asked, “If Sonia Gandhi was in my place, what would she have done? Let Modi’s wife die?”

Turning to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, she again asked, “If you were in my place, what would you have done? Let her (Lalit Modi’s wife) die?”

“Help has been extended to that lady who is the citizen of India, who was not involved in the crime (IPL money laundering). If helping a lady like this is a crime, then yes, I have committed a crime,” the minister stated.

Teacher beats up class 3 student, fractures his leg for refusing to massage his feet

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

In a shocking incident, a school teacher has been accused of assaulting a class 3 student for refusing to massage his legs. According to the 8-year-old student, the teacher beat him up so badly that he suffered a fracture in his leg.

The student claimed that the teacher used to ask students to massage his legs inside the classroom, and when he complained about it, the teacher allegedly assaulted him.

“The teacher used to ask us to massage his feet/legs and used to keep two kids at the door to make sure no one comes. I refused, so he picked me and threw me to the ground and left me there. My father came later, took me home and then to the hospital,” said the child.

Following the alleged assault, the family of the child lodged a complaint with the police in this regard.

The child’s mother claimed that no one in the school came forward to help her son, adding that “they just left him lying there like that”.

“Another teacher came and said that if he was lying there for that long, he could’ve easily gotten up and left. We complained to the principal, he said come tomorrow. We went the next day and the principal asked us to come next week and threw us out,” she added.

The incident comes just days after a class 10 student died in a Delhi government school after he reportedly hit his head on a desk. The school authorities allegedly didn’t take the student to hospital on time, leading to his death.

India’s claim baseless, need proof of any Pakistani’s involvement in terror act: Islamabad

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Continuing to be in a defiant mode, Pakistan on Thursday reiterated that India should provide proof of any Pakistani found involved in terrorist activity on Indian soil.

Terming India’s claim over arrest of terrorist Usman Khan alias Naved Khan as baseless, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Syed Qazi Khalilullah said, “We have repeatedly asked India to refrain from accusations.”

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday shifted the arrested terrorist from Udhampur to an undisclosed location for further investigation.

This comes even as Pakistan has continued to insist that it is not aware of Usman’s arrest. Pakistan wants India to inform them about Usman’s arrest through official channels and provide proof.

Earlier, Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority claimed that Usman is not a Pakistani citizen and his information could not be found in records.

Notably, the arrested terrorist had on Wednesday said in a confession video that he came to India from Pakistan 12 days ago.

Louis Berger bribery case: Former Goa PWD minister Churchill Alemao arrested

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Former Public Works Department (PWD) minister Churchill Alemao was arrested by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police late on Wednesday in connection with the Louis Berger bribery case, in which Goa`s former chief minister Digambar Kamat is also linked.

Alemao, who police claim is one of the recipients of the $976,630 bribe paid by Louis Berger officials in 2010, in order to secure implementation rights for a Rs.1,031 crore worth water and sewage management project funded by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

Police sources said that Alemao, who had been detained at the Crime Branch premises since late evening, was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Alemao is a former chief minister and had been detained under the National Security Act in the past.

Director of the JICA-funded project Anand Wachasundar and former India head of Louis Berger Satyakam Mohanty have already been arrested, while former Congress chief minister Digambar Kamat, who is also being probed, secured interim bail on Wednesday.

Sadhvi Prachi stokes controversy, says ‘there are terrorists in Parliament’

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Firebrand VHP leader Sadhvi Prachi triggered another controversy on Wednesday by alleging there are “one or two terrorists” in Parliament in remarks that appeared to be targeting MPs who were against hanging of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon.

Prachi’s controversial outburst that sparked an outrage also saw her asking the Centre to hand over the Pakistani terrorist Mohammed Naved Yakub arrested in Udhampur yesterday to Hindu organizations so that he is taught a “good lesson”.?

The saffron leader was speaking to mediapersons in Roorkee when asked about some opposition to death penalty for Memon who was hanged on July 30 in a Nagpur prison.

“It is a big misfortune that in the Indian Parliament, we have one-two terrorists sitting there. I do not think there can be a bigger misfortune for India than this as they who, are disobeying the judgement of a court, because the court has proved that he(Yakub) is a terrorist.

When the court has already proved so, those supporting the terrorist are terrorists themselves I believe,” she said.

Shortly after Yakub’s execution, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said he was saddened by the hanging of the lone death row convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and said that the “state-sponsored killing diminishes us all by reducing us to murderers too.” Tharoor also argued against the death penalty.

“Yakub Memon hanged. Exemplary urgency and commitment has been shown by Govt and Judiciary in punishing an accused of Terror,” said another Congress leader Digvijay Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP.

Congress took on the Sadhvi for her remarks against parliamentarians and demanded action against the Hindutva leader.

“The Parliament belongs to all of us. The Constitution has said that Parliament is the temple of democracy. And if someone calls those sitting inside it, as terrorists, then it is not just an insult to the Parliament but also the Constitution. I think it is the right time that Speaker Sumitra Mahajan takes action,” Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said.

Media gave too much coverage to Yakub Memon case

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

After the execution of Yakub Memon many have opined that the Indian media had gone overboard as everything was blown out of proportion and extensive coverage was given to this news. What time Yakub went to bed, colour of the shirt worn by him, how many and who were allowed to see him, whether he ate or not and if he did….what did he. His family’s complete details, post hanging how his body was taken out, when and which aircraft it was loaded onto, what time the aircraft left and then reached Mumbai, when did his body reach his home and then the burial site, and of course in the end how, where and when he was buried. And how many people gathered in the procession, how many police forces were deployed and so on and so forth too.
Several “debates”, special telecast”, non-stop telecast”, special newshour, and so were being aired without any break! We were also bombarded with choicest statements and even abusive ones, from as many political and community leaders and several VIPs who came out to seek ban on his hanging! Even inciting and derogatory statements were made which showed that most of these leaders ignored the nation’s interest lacked patriotism.

On the other hand, the US forces (after ascertaining the hiding place of Osama Bin Laden), just landed in Pakistan, reached the place of Osama, just started pounding the house and him, and at last killed him point blank. They then took his body which was then said to be “buried in the sea” ! After killing Osama nobody protested against this incident in Pakistan. You never saw any wide coverage in the media, no debates and special shows and non-stop telecast, no inflammatory and inciting speeches or statements even by perhaps, the terror-organisation leaders, not even a protest outside the US Embassy. The US came down, achieved their mission, just went off quietly and this incident was forgotten too!

Why only in India we always see a regional, communal or caste color being given to any and every event? Why every case is being ” blatantly politicised” ? Why do our VIPs and leaders not show responsibility, wisdom and maturity to maintain peace but always go overboard and sensationalise issues? Where was the necessity for them to come out in the open to show “sympathy” and file a petition seeking mercy for Yakub? Why those “elite leaders” always rush to make inciting and inflammatory speeches by often referring to religion and community-always? Is it because, India is a “democratic and a “secular” (whatever that means!!) country that one can make blasphemous and severely attacking statements as he or she likes ?
It is high time for all of us – we the people of India, politicians, leaders and every one to stay united and show our patriotism and concern towards our motherland and for the sake of peace, serenity, calmness and progress. Because, the more we spew venom and attack in the name or religion and community, within our own country, against our own people, the more are the chances of attack from the enemy nation, from just across the border! Shouldn’t we therefore, maintain restraint and show unity for our country?

Above all, my fervent appeal to the media (Press and TV channels), to ban special telecast and coverage, debate and so on when it comes to such sensitive cases and volatile situation. Let us see which media or the channel will take the lead and show wisdom and will power to ban such coverage/ telecast in the future.

Krishna Kumar

Never done plastic surgery: Paris Hilton

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Television personality Paris Hilton says she never resorted to plastic surgery to look beautiful.

The 34-year-old “The Simple Life” star said she chose to listen to her mother advice than going under the knife, reported E! Online.

“I’ve never done anything in my life. People love making things up, but I am very lucky that I have listened to my mom through my young age.

“She told me to stay away from the sun, so my friends would be frying in the sun every day and now they all look much older and all have Botox,” she said.

Hilton said even her doctor refused to give her botox because her skin was perfect. “I even asked my dermatologist if I should do it and he’s like, ‘I refuse to do it to you… Your skin is perfect. I will not do it to you until you need it and I don’t know if you ever will.’ I am happy with that.

“I have nothing against it, all my friends have done everything, nose, chin, cheeks. I live in Hollywood so I’m used to seeing it. It’s just that I’ve never wanted to do it,” she said.

Filming argument scenes with Brad was very heavy: Angelina Jolie

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Actress Angelina Jolie says it was difficult filming argument scenes with her husband Brad Pitt for their upcoming drama “By The Sea”.

The film written and directed by Jolie, 40, chronicles the story of an unhappy couple where the 51-year-old “World War Z” actor plays the husband, reported E! Online. Jolie said filming the drama’s intense argument scene was “heavy” as there was aggression.

“I’d be directing myself and him in a scene where we’re having a fight, and I’d be pulling out the parts (of him) that have an aggression toward me or when you’re frustrated with each other? it was very heavy,” Jolie said.

The “Wanted” actress joked that the argument scene resembled parents fight at home. “We kept joking that all of the crew felt like they were living in a house where the parents were fighting and you don’t know where to stand or where to look.”

“By the Sea” is about a deeply unhappy couple on vacation in France who becomes involved with a pair of newlyweds staying at their seaside inn.

I took retreat to deal with split: Emma Watson

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Harry Potter star Emma Watson needed a silent retreat to deal with the breakdown of her one-year relationship with rugby player Matt Janney last year.

The 25-year-old actress split up with her boyfriend in December following a year together and she fled to Canada’s Rocky Mountains shortly before it fell apart to stay at a facility which enforces a week-long vow of silence, reported Vogue magazine.

“I felt really uncomfortable, even before my relationship ended, I went on a silent retreat, because I really wanted to figure out how to be at home with myself,” she said.

The star, who shot to fame as a child by playing Hermione Granger in the films, said she does not think her celebrity status has had a negative impact on her relationships.

“The boyfriends or partners I’ve had have generally made me feel really cherished. They’ve built me up. I certainly haven’t found that with doing all that I do or being all that I am, that I’ve struggled in my love life. I just think it’s very patronising towards men. It undermines them.”

When ‘star’ Poonam Pandey’s belly dance landed producer in trouble!

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Afternoon Voice

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August 6, 2015

Poonam Pandey is back in action after spraining her back during a rigorous training schedule of belly dancing.

Poonam was enthusiastic about the belly dancing classes she was taking to get into the eponymous character in the film ‘Helen’.

But too much enthusiasm got the better of her when she twisted her back. Eventually the shooting had to be cancelled.

“We had set up a Rs.1 crore set at a Mumbai studio but we had to eventually dismantle it because Poonam was advised not to dance for a while. But now she is fine and we have planned another schedule this month,” said producer Suresh Nakum.

“The film is an expensive one and we did not want to harm the film or take any risk which would have disturbed the star actress. Now as Poonam is back, the shoot will continue through August and September,” he said.

The music-and-dance film is being written and directed by Ajit Rajpal, who had earlier also written Poonam-starer ‘Nasha’.

Rajpal feels ‘Helen’ by name itself generates curiosity and entertainment, and said Poonam’s career will be completely transformed after this movie.

The film is being produced by Suresh Nakum, Vipin Medhekar and co-produced by Rakesh Bhosale under the banner of The World Networks.