Depression a major issue, needs to be addressed: Deepika Padukone

By

-

August 6, 2015

Actress Deepika Padukone, who has battled depression in the past, feels it is a major health issue in the country today which needs to be addressed.

“The fight against depression is a cause very close to my heart and is one of the largest health issues facing the country today. Having experienced depression in the recent past, I realise how difficult it is to recognise the problem, find information and get the right kind of professional help,” Deepika said.

On Twitter, the Piku star launched the logo of her ‘The Live Love Laugh’ Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to addressing the issue of mental health in India. The foundation’s logo is based on the idea of hope and freedom.

“I was fortunate to get the kind of support and through this platform I hope others get the same kind of help. My team and I are working hard to set up the foundation and the logo launch is a small step in that direction,” she said.

The flying birds in the logo signify this very essence of the foundation. The logo also has a baseline ‘Foundation Against Depression’ that represents its mission.

What did Aamir Khan do to transform ‘Katti Batti’?

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 6, 2015

Katti Batti director Nikhil Advani says superstar Aamir Khan suggested one modification in the script which worked wonders for the film.

Addressing a press conference during the shooting of a song, Advani said: “Aamir and the ‘Katti Batti’ story started almost a year ago. I went and narrated the script to him. After listening to the script, he suggested one very important change in the script, which according to me changed the entire film.”

“When I recently met him at ‘PK’ party, he said people liked the trailer a lot, ‘so can I see the film?’ I said ‘Of course, it’d be my honour’… and he came and saw the film.”

On reports that Aamir was involved in the film’s marketing and was meeting Advani regularly, actress Kangana Ranaut refuted the rumours, saying: “It’s not that he’s taking keen interest in the marketing of the film. He wanted to see the film because he liked the promo a lot and his wife Kiran ji also liked it. So, their opinion was very important for us. If he wanted he could’ve suggested changes but he said, ‘This is as good as it can get’.”

Aamir had earlier tweeted about both Kangana and Imran Khan after watching the trailer.

“Good luck Kangana, for Katti Batti! Can’t wait for your next after TWM. Love. a. Hey guys, Imran’s back! Can’t wait to see your film Imran. Good luck!”

‘Katti Batti’ is scheduled to release on September 18.

Which building is the next?

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

More building collapse incidents will occur in Thane if authorities fail to act and residents don’t vacate dilapidated buildings.

It seems that the municipal authorities have failed to learn any lesson from the building collapse incident in Thakurli which had claimed nine lives. According to Thane Municipal Corporation’s (TMC) there are 2,566 more dangerous buildings and 58 dilapidated ones in the city. Of this, residents of 38 dilapidated buildings have been evacuated. Thus more building collapse incidents will occur if authorities fail to act and residents don’t vacate dilapidated buildings. Often it has been observed that residents continue to stay in dilapidated buildings despite getting a notice from municipal corporation. The civic body don’t provide any alternate accommodation to residents hence they don’t vacate their houses thereby risking their own lives.

On Tuesday a three storey building collapsed in Thane claiming the lives of 12 residents including six women and a seven year old girl. Seven people were injured in the incident. The building Krishna Nivas which is more than 50 years old collapsed at around 2.30 pm trapping 19 of its residents in the debris. Five families had occupied third floor of the building. Two other floors were vacant and the ground floor had commercial establishments. The fire brigade, and a 50-member team of the National Disaster Relief Force rushed to the site for rescue and relief operations.

Thane Municipal Corporation officials said the dilapidated building had been declared “dangerous,” and several notices were sent to the building owner, who had approached a builder for redevelopment. Though some families had vacated, at least five families were residing in the building after they refused to vacate their flats over a dispute.

Sanjeev Jaiswal, Thane Municipal Commissioner said, “A fresh survey will be conducted of those buildings which are more than 30 years old in the city. We will ask residents to vacate the dilapidated buildings. A Trisadasya committee under the leadership of Additional Commissioner Ashok Kumar has been constituted to probe the reason behind the Krishna Nivas building collapse incident. Ashok Burpalle, Deputy Commissioner and sub city development engineer Rajan Khandpekar too are included in this committee. They will submit a preliminary report. A technical report will be submitted by the VJTI institute.”

Ramesh Borse, a Thane resident said, “The government must appoint a housing regulator to oversee the problems of the realty sector. Poor construction materials are also to blame in these circumstances. Strict action must be taken against builders and construction firms if they use substandard materials for developing new projects.”

Ajit Deore, a Thane resident said, “All city corporations should be authorised to inspect the old buildings thoroughly before issuing fitness certificates. Everyone knows how money power plays a role in getting unfit structures certified by the same authorised structural engineers. Rampant corruption is prevalent in the realty sector which needs to be addressed on a priority basis.”

Rakesh Prasad, a Kalva resident said, “Time-bound Redevelopment of dilapidated buildings is necessary otherwise we will see a repeat of these incidents. Those who died continued to stay in a dilapidated building despite municipal warning, only because they had no other option. The government should provide affordable housing to the poor and middle class people.”

Thane MP Rajan Vichare said that he has taken up the issue of redevelopment with the Prime Minister. “I spoke to Modi-ji about the need for cluster development in Thane and he assured that he will ask the chief minister to look into the matter,” says Vichare

On July 28, “Matrukrupa,” a 40-year-old building had collapsed in Thakurli in Thane district, killing nine persons, and injuring 10 others.

Will we treat him also like Kasab?

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

August 5, 2015

In every attack from Pakistan, 2-3 jawans are killed for one terrorist and we call it as a “befitting reply”? It’s high time; government should hang its head in shame. One terrorist was killed and another was caught alive after a convoy of security forces were attacked by a group of terrorists on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Two BSF personnel were killed and 10 others were injured. I hope, government will not provide those benefits to him which was offered to Kasab. Government as usual tweet their statements, Prime Minister will condemn the attack with twitter posts and media will debate on terrorist’s age, native hood, his socioeconomic background, whether he is actually guilty or an innocent standing by etc. No one will ever discuss or will bother about the two jawans killed and 10 injured. It was Jawans’ occupational hazard and fate for the civilians. One has to look into the human rights of the criminal first. This nation is going to see another 20 years trial finally this fellow getting acquitted by some judges who may not be having the details of terror attack.

Terrorist from Pakistan got caught red handed; there is nothing that our judiciaries have to ponder much about before pronouncing him to hang till death, hoping for another capital punishment within this year. The details are all public, arrested terrorist’s real name is Usman. AK-47 rifle, magazines were recovered from him. Kasim speaks a Pakistan dialect, mix of Urdu and Punjabi. Captured terrorist admits his role in the attack. He is a Pakistan national with LeT operative. Now India needs to be stricter on Pakistan terror as no other country or US can reassure Pakistan against any Indian threat if it fails to commit itself towards working against anti-India terrorist groups operating within its territory. Pakistan can’t commit itself to working against the terrorists that have operated in India, then there’s not much anyone can reassure us.

Show no mercy, inflict heavy damage on the enemy for every militant attack and civilian deaths, repay them in the same way. There is no way around! Media should also refrain themselves putting on a live show and elaborate on this attack. This may become a morale boost for more attacks to happen. The planners will know the specifications and detailed points of the attack via news and they will improve their plans accordingly in their next attack. Pro activeness and defensive offense is the only solution to safeguard our border areas. India is struggling to defend its border whereas on the other hand Pakistan borders have no threat at all. Situation is very normal on the other side and it is very tense and burning on our side.

Earlier this month too, there were inputs that nine suspected terrorists entered Delhi and with cache of explosives, including RDX and detonators, which is used in manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), has already made its way into the Capital. The input, generated in the wake of the recent attack in Gurdaspur in which 13 people were killed, was received and the entire security apparatus galvanised to deal with the possible fallout of the terrorists’ entry into the Capital.

It was possible that the terror plans on Delhi were an extension of the Gurdaspur attack or that these suspected nine foot soldiers had been part of the same group that perpetrated the Gurdaspur attack. During the Gurdaspur attack investigation, security forces had found GPS devices. Since these devices record the route followed from the point of origin, it was easily established that the terrorists involved in the Gurdaspur mission had crossed back and forth several times between India and Pakistan.

The Kashmir issue has been the main cause, whether direct or indirect, of all major conflicts between the two countries with the exception of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 where conflict originated due to turmoil in erstwhile East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Since the partition of British India in 1947 and creation of modern republics of India and Pakistan, the two South Asian countries have been involved in four wars, including one undeclared war, as well as many border skirmishes and military stand-offs. One more fact is that the rise of Narendra Modi and India’s growing prestige in global affairs is actually going to make Pakistan’s behaviour worse than ever. Pakistan is not a rational state. Its purpose is not its own growth and rise, but the prevention of India’s rise. Pakistan defines itself as “anti-India”, an Islamic state fighting a “Hindu India” to the finish, by fair means or foul.

Lawyer Janhavi Gadkar gets bail in drunken driving case

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

A sessions court granted bail to 35-year-old corporate lawyer Janhavi Gadkar, who was arrested for allegedly crashing her car into a taxi under the influence of alcohol and killing two persons in June.

In the early hours of June 10, an Audi driven by Gadkar rammed into a taxi, resulting in the death of two persons, including the taxi driver, on the Eastern Freeway. She was allegedly drunk at that time.

She had moved the sessions court after Kurla Metropolitan Magistrate Court rejected her bail plea twice.

Gadkar, through her lawyer, had told the court that investigation in the case was over and no purpose would be served by keeping her in jail.

However, the prosecution had opposed it saying if she was released on bail, it would send a wrong message in the society.

The police had in their reply earlier said that Gadkar was also involved in accidents prior to the June 10 incident, and she was likely to repeat the offence, if released.

Police had also said that an earlier accident allegedly committed by her prior to the June 10 incident was settled between the victim and Gadkar and hence, no case was filed against her.

Two persons – Mohammed Abdul Sayyad (55) and Mohammed Salim Sabuwala (50) – had lost their lives when Gadkar’s car rammed into their taxi on June 10.

Non-bailable arrest warrant against Lalit Modi

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

In a major setback to controversial former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, a Mumbai Special Court on Wednesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against him for alleged involvement in a money-laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.

Last month, the ED had moved the Special Court seeking issue of an arrest warrant for investigating the case against the business tycoon.

Despite repeated attempts, Modi’s lawyers did not respond to calls and SMSes seeking his reaction in the matter.

“Your application is allowed,” Special Judge P.R. Bhavake told the ED counsel at the hearing on Wednesday morning.

When the matter came up before the court on Tuesday, Special Judge Bhavake wanted to know from the ED how an arrest warrant could be issued without a charge sheet being filed in the case and whether the court had powers to do so.

ED counsel H. Venegaonkar submitted that under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), cases follow a different format compared to regular criminal cases.

Besides, the lawyer contended that since the case was in the pre-investigation stage, the Special Court has the jurisdiction to issue the arrest warrant.

Moreover, since Modi was not in the country, the arrest warrant should be issued as he had failed to response to ED summons, Venegaonkar said.

With the issue of the arrest warrant, Modi faces arrest upon his return to India and also the possibility of a Red Corner notice if he fails to turn up.

The ED approached the Special Court after Modi — residing in London since 2010 — failed to respond to its summons last month.

As per procedure, the arrest warrant will be dispatched to the external affairs ministry, from where it will be sent to Britain.

The ED had initiated a probe against Modi in 2009 and later filed the case against him in 2012 under the PMLA in connection with a mega deal for telecast rights of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Soon after the ED launched the probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, Modi left the country.

The ED probe pertained to allegations of an irregular payment of Rs.4.25 billion as facilitation fees by MSM Singapore, the owners of Sony television channel to event management company WSG Mauritius.

The ED action followed a case lodged by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2008 Chennai against Modi and others pertaining to the 10-year media rights contract awarded to WSG for $918 million.

The WSG entered into another deal with MSM making Sony the official broadcaster. Later, this contract was changed into a nine-year deal in which MSM paid $1.63 billion.

No clean chit given to Nestle regarding safety of Maggi noodles, says FSSAI

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

Food safety watchdog FSSAI on Wednesday said it has not given any clean chit to Nestle’s banned Maggi noodles as it rubbished all-clear reports from two of its own empanelled labs, saying there were lapses in the tests.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, in a rare press statement, rejected findings of the Food & Drugs Laboratory of Goa as well as CFTRI, Mysore over test discrepancies. It also cast doubts over clean chits to Maggi noodles by UK and Singapore labs saying the Swiss food giant has not shared details of foreign test reports.

Rubbishing tests done by the Goa lab, the food regulator said food analysts at the lab had “wrongly taken the permissible limit of Lead as 10 parts per million as against the actual maximum permissible level of 2.5 ppm”.

On the report of the CFTRI on the same sample, FSSAI said the Mysore lab had not tested the noodles for the banned MSG.

“It is clarified in the first instance that FSSAI has not given anyclean chit regarding the safety of Maggi Noodles,” it said in the statement that followed reports that the Goa and Mysore labs have found Maggi samples safe.

FSSAI said the samples tested by labs at Goa and subsequently Mysore were primarily drawn from Nestle’s Bicholim factory in Goa, which manufactures the noodles largely for exports to as many as eight countries.

“In any case, the test results of Goa samples had no bearing on the order dated 5th June, 2015 as the samples tested qua Goa were notassumed to be unsafe while passing the Recall order by FSSAI. As such, the present test reports do not have any bearing onthatorder,” it said.

On reports of Maggi Noodles being found safe in UK and Singapore, the regulator said it had requested Nestle India to share details of the tests but the company “has not shared the details of the said test reports of UK and Singapore Regulators with the FSSAI stating that they do not have this information”.

FSSAI said the Food Safety Department of Goa had drawn 5 samples of Maggi Noodles on its direction issued in May. These samples were first sent to Goa-based Food and Drugs Laboratory and later to Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).

While the lead content has been found to be within permissible limits of test reports of CFTRI, FSSAI said: “A perusal of the tests results from CFTRI, Mysore shows that the said samples have not been tested for MSG.”

It further said, Nestle has not responded to the show cause notice of June 5. The regulator also said that Nestle had informed earlier that all their Maggi noodles for exports to eight countries were manufactured only at the Goa factory.

Railways cancel 10 trains after Kamayani-Janata derailment in Madhya Pradesh

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

In the aftermath of the twin train derailment near Harda in Madhya Pradesh, the Central Railways have cancelled 10 down trains for today and tomorrow that originate from its zone.

“As of now, 10 down trains originating from the zone have been cancelled following the accident at Harda in MP because track has been severely affected and unavailability of rakes,” a senior officer from Public Relation Department of Central Railways said.

“The Kamayani Express and Janta Express which were involved in the accident have also been cancelled for today and tomorrow,” he said.

The trains which have been cancelled for today are 11071 LTT-Varanasi Kamayani Express, 11081 LTT-Gorakhpur, 11053 11053/Mumbai LTT -Azamgarh Weekly Express, 11033 Pune-Darbhanga, 13202 Mumbai LTT – Rajendra Nagar Patna Janta Express, 11015 LTT-Gorakhpur Express and 12598 CST to Gorakhpur express.

The trains which are cancelled for tomorrow — 12167 LTT-Varanasi superfast, 51187 Bhusaval to Katnai Passenger and 12165 LTT – Varanasi Super Fast Express.

CR official also added that passengers are requested to have proper enquiry before planning their journey.

Another senior official of CR said that 11 coaches of Kamayani express have been derailed which include 8 coaches of sleeper class (from S4 to S11), two coaches of General Class and one coach of break Van.

Out of seven coaches of Janta Express which got derailed in the accident, four coaches are of sleeper class (S1 to S4), two of General Class and one coach of break Van.

CR has also set up four helpline numbers to provide relief to the passengers.

The Helpline numbers are – at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus 022-22694040, LTT 022-25280005, Thane 022-25334840 and 0251-2311499 at Kalyan.

29 persons were killed as two express trains derailed within minutes of each other on flooded tracks while crossing a railway bridge in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh in the dead of night and plunged into the swollen Machak river.

Minor girl gangraped in Mumbai, 6 detained

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

A minor girl was allegedly gangraped by some persons at a housing society in suburban Chembur in the wee hours on Wednesday, police said.

Six persons have been detained in connection with the gangrape of the girl, aged around 15. The offence took place on the ground floor of the housing society, they said.

“The alleged offence took place in the early hours today in Pestom Sagar area of Chembur,” Tilak Nagar police station’s senior inspector Bhagwat Sonavane said.

One of those detained is known to the girl.

The caretaker of the premises where the offence took place was untraceable and a search was on for him, police said.

The girl has been admitted to Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar, they said, adding that a probe is on into the incident.

Congress is like a wandering ship waiting to get destroyed: Sena

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2015

With the stalemate continuing in Parliament over Opposition demands of resignation of Union Minister Sushma Swaraj and Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the Shiv Sena said Congress is like a wandering ship waiting to get completely destroyed in a storm.

If Congress wants to tread the path that BJP took when it was in Opposition, then will it also emulate the positive steps taken by the BJP on the issue of Hindutva, the Sena sought to know in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

“As of now, the Congress is like a wandering ship, that will continue to wander till it encounters a storm and gets completely destroyed after hitting the rocks. After 25 MPs are suspended, it now remains to be seen what do the rest of the MPs do,” it quipped.

The ruling alliance partner further said that Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has made a statement on the Lalit Modi controversy in Parliament, and that a seasoned MP like her understands the consequences of giving false information in the House.

“The Congress is out to fight in the air against Sushma Swaraj and the other two leaders. Swaraj clearly said that she has not helped Lalit Modi in anyway. Being a seasoned parliamentarian, she very well knows the consequences of giving false information in the House,” it said.

“One cannot simply hold a person guilty and punish only because the Congress wants it. On one hand the Congress wants a probe (into the Sushma-Lalit controversy) and on the other hand, it pronounces judgement like a judge (by demanding resignations of leaders),” it said.

“After the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress is not even fit to be an Opposition (party),” the Sena added.