Mumbai Cong takes out morcha to protest suspension of 25 MPs

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August 5, 2015

Scores of activists of several wings of the Congress party took out a morcha to Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar’s residence the protest against the suspension of 25 its members from Lok Sabha.

Activists of Mahila, Youth and NSUI wings of Mumbai Congress were also staging the protest over “non-fulfilment” of promises made during Lok Sabha and state elections by Narendra Modi-led BJP government, corruption allegations against BJP chief ministers and to counter the dharna at its leader Gurudas Kamat’s residence.

“Unlike the BJP activists, the Congress activists have been told strictly not to damage any property or to take law in their own hands, but to only demonstrate and protest by shouting slogans. BJP activists pelted stones at one of the vehicles carrying our workers and damaged the glass windows,” claimed Zakir Ahmed, Vice President of Mumbai Congress.

He said the morcha was led by Mahila Congress chief Sheetal Mhatre, Youth Congress president Ganesh Yadav and NSUI President Vipin Singh.

Ahmed said the protestors marched from Rang Sharda auditorium in Bandra to Shelar’s residence but were prevented by the police.

“Several of our activists were detained by the police,” he said.

The morcha was seen as a counter to BJP activists protesting against Kamat’s criticism of HRD Minister Smriti Irani outside his house recently.

When asked what was the reason for another morcha when city unit chief Sanjay Nirupam had led a protest on the same issue yesterday, Ahmed said today’s morcha was organised by the frontal organisations of the city unit Congress.

On August 3, 25 of Congress party’s 44 members were suspended for five working days for continuously disrupting the House by demanding resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over Lalit Modi issue and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over Vyapam scam.

Toll plazas likely to come up on Mumbai-Nagpur expressway

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

At a time when the BJP government is considering to make Maharashtra toll free, its ally Shiv Sena that controls the MSRDC department, is planning to set up toll plazas on the proposed six-lane Mumbai-Nagpur expressway.

The cost of the project is Rs. 30,000 crore and it will be recovered through toll, an official at Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said.

The BJP, during its state Assembly election campaign had announced to make Maharashtra free from toll booths. The government has exempted vehicles from paying toll at 63 booths across the state.

Exemption of toll at Mumbai entry points for vehicles is also on the agenda of the state government.

Minister for Public Work department (PWD) Chandrakant Patil had announced the toll policy in the recently concluded monsoon session of the state Legislature.

However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement of Mumbai-Nagpur Communication Super Expressway on the last day of the session.

Eknath Shinde, Minister of Maharashtra State Road Development Department (MSRDC), had on the same day said there are several options to raise funds for the project.

A senior official in the MSRDC department, requesting anonymity, said there is no other option but to impose toll on the proposed Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway to recover costs of the project.

“Some part of the proposed expressway will be developed by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), while other (will be done) by the MSRDC. We will ask NHAI for connectivity with state’s proposed expressway,” he said.

The NHAI has developed a segment from Bhiwandi to Shirpur in Dhule district at the boundary of Maharashtra on Mumbai-Agra NH-6.

MSRDC has developed Sinnar-Ghoti-Aurangabad diversion connecting to NH-6 at Nashik.

After Ajmal Kasab, another terrorist captured alive in J&K’s Udhampur; 3 hostages rescued

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

In a major breakthrough, the security forces managed to capture one of the three terrorists involved in the attack on a BSF convoy following an intense gunbattle near Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The captured terrorist has been identified as ‘Kasim Khan’, who has been trained in Pakistan.

The security forces also successfully rescued three civilians, who were taken hostage by one of the three militants, who hurled grenades on the BSF convoy, injuring several jawans.

“Three hostages have been rescued and one terrorist has been caught alive,” Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO told reporters on the Udhampur terror attack.

Meanwhile, Special Forces of Army along with columns of Rashtriya Rifles are conducting post-attack operation after the attack on the BSF convoy.

The retaliatory firing by the security forces earlier killed two militants, believed to be associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). However, two BSF jawans were also killed in the ensuing gunfight between the militants and the security forces.

Some media reports also claimed that the lone militant was captured alive by the local residents and was later handed over to the security forces.

Today’s incident comes days after the daring terror attack in Punjab’s Gurdaspur in which at least 7 people, including some policemen, were killed. The development is also significant as it is for the first time that a terrorist has been captured alive ever since the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai in which Pakistani national Ajmal Kasab was captured by the security forces and later executed.

The entire area was earlier cordoned off and search teams had launched combing operations to trace the lone terrorist who managed to escape towards nearby forests.

The Union Home Ministry also issued an advisory to Jammu and Kashmir Police, warning them of a likely attack.

The advisory said that the patch between Banihal and Jammu is vulnerable.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to DG BSF, DK Pathak regarding the attack on BSF convoy and took stock of the situation.

The BSF convoy was attacked near Sanruli, some 10 km from Udhampur on the Jammu and Srinagar Highway. The militants threw a grenade on the BSF convoy in which four jawans were injured.

Following the attack, a BSF contingent was immediately rushed from Udhampur to the attack site. CRPF and local police have also joined the operation.

“Militants fired at a BSF convoy at Narsu Nallah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today,” a senior police officer was earlier quoted as saying by IANS.

“Some BSF troopers were also injured in this attack. They were shifted to hospital for treatment,” he added.

Senior BSF troopers and police officers were also rushed to the spot.

The officer said the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is cleared for traffic each day by road-opening parties which employ high-tech equipment and sniffer dogs to ensure there are no explosive devices planted anywhere by militants.

“In the wake of today’s attack we have deployed additional forces in places overlooking the highway,” the officer added.

All essentials of life and security force deployments are routed to the landlocked Kashmir Valley through the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Nine terrorists enter Delhi; plan to disrupt Independence Day celebrations?

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

A high alert has been sounded in the national capital following intelligence inputs that nine suspected terrorists have already entered Delhi.

Mail Today reported on Wednesday as per sources, the terrorists are carrying a huge cache of explosives, including RDX and detonators.

The government has instructed all security agencies to step up vigil in the capital to avert any terror strike ahead of the Independence Day on August 15.

The intelligence input on nine Pakistani terrorists sneaking into Delhi has come in the wake of the recent terror attack in Gurdaspur in which seven people were killed including cops.

The report quoted sources as saying that the cache of arms had arrived in the capital about three months back.

Over 4,400 students dropout of IITs, NITs in three years

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

Over 4,400 students dropped out of IITs and NITs in the last three years due to various reasons including “academic stress”, the government said on Wednesday and assured that corrective actions have been initiated.

As many as 2,060 students dropped out from various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) from 2012-13 to 2014-15, Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani informed the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

During this three-year period, 2,352 students dropped out from the National Institutes of Technology (NITs).

“The reasons for dropouts may be attributed to shifting to other colleges/institutions, personal reasons, medical reasons, getting jobs during PG courses, inability to cope with academic stress etc,” Irani said in a written reply.

In 2014-15, IITs witnessed 757 dropouts which was higher than 697 dropouts (2013-14) and 606 (2012-13). During this period, IIT Roorkee saw the highest number of dropouts at 228, followed by IIT Kharagpur (209) and IIT Delhi (169).

Interestingly, there were no dropouts at IITs in Mandi, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Madras and Ropar during 2014-15 period.

There are 16 IITs and 30 NITs in the country.

Of the NITs, there were 717 dropouts in 2014-15, lower than 785 seen in the year-ago period. In 2012-13, the dropout numbers stood at 850.

Irani said there is a mechanism for helping students who are under stress. The government is committed to address issues related to academic stress, she added.

Listing out various initiatives that are in place to minimise dropouts at IITs, Irani said there is a guidance and counselling unit, headed by a faculty member. It works closely along with a number of faculty counsellors and advisors to “identify students facing emotional difficulties and guide them to professional counsellors for help”.

28 Dead, 25 Missing as Kamayani, Janata Express Trains Derail in Madhya Pradesh

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

Railways on Wednesday said the sudden flow of water on the tracks caused the derailment of the two trains while they were crossing the swollen Machak river near Harda in Madhya Pradesh.

At least 28 people have died and 40 are injured after two passenger trains derailed within minutes of each other while crossing flooded tracks in Madhya Pradesh late on Tuesday night. More than 25 are missing, say sources.

“According to reports, there was a possible burst in a nearby dam which caused sudden flow of water on the tracks and that resulted in the derailment,” Railway Board Chairman AK Mittal said. Several passengers have been rescued and sent to the nearest station, he said. Mittal said the Railways will enquire into the two derailments.

Six coaches of the Kamayani Express running from Mumbai to Varanasi derailed at around 11:30 pm while crossing a culvert near the Machak river close to Harda, about 160 kilometres from state capital Bhopal.

Minutes later, an engine and four coaches of the Janata Express, going to Mumbai from Jabalpur, derailed. Among those who have died are 10 women and five children, the Madhya Pradesh government said.

“I am going to the accident site, will talk after taking stock of the situation,” said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

A railway official said water flooding the tracks entered the derailed coaches. Earlier reports had said that the coaches fell into the river.

Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, in a statement in the Rajya Sabha, said that a flash flood caused the swollen Machak river to overflow and wash out a section of the rail tracks, leading to the derailment of the two trains.

Meanwhile, Railway Board Member (Traffic) Kundan Sinha said the tracks have been breached because of the flow of excessive water and the particular section has been closed for any train movement. The accident relief train has reached the spot and several passengers have been brought to a nearby station, Sinha added.

Kamayani Express enroute to Varanasi from Mumbai derailed near Harda, about 160 kms from Bhopal, and the Mumbai-Jabalpur Janata Express derailed around 11.30 PM on Tuesday. The derailment took place near Khirkiya and Harda station on Machak river.

Demi Lovato opens up about longtime boyfriend

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

Singer Demi Lovato has revealed she and longtime boyfriend Wilmer Valderrama broke up when she was relapsing.

Though the 22-year-old star has been very private about him in the past, Lovato openend up about her relationship with the actor for the first time, reported People magazine.

“People say that relapses happen before you use. Your mind starts setting up the relapse before you take that drink or that first hit,” she said.

“The times we’d broken up, I had already gone to that place of, ‘Yeah, this is what’s happening.’ I didn’t realize it at the time, but I just wanted to sabotage everything around me so that I could sabotage myself.”

The couple started dating when Lovato turned 18, “right after” she entered rehab for emotional and physical issues.

“People told him, ‘You should probably leave. She’s on a spiral, and you’re going to be sucked down with it,'” she said of Valderrama, 35.

“But he was like, ‘I’m not leaving. This is somebody I really care about,'” she added.

Pussycat Dolls in talks to reunite?

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

Pop group Pussycat Dolls are reportedly planning a comeback.

The group became a global phenomenon with their first single, “Don’t Cha”, but split in 2010 amid reports of a feud, reported Daily Mirror.

Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Melody Thornton are in talks to reunite.

“The band are in talks about reuniting soon and they are trying to see if they can get all of the girls together to do it,” a source said.

“The fall-outs and bitching from back in the day are all water under the bridge now,” the source added,

Scherzinger, 37, who starred in the group as the lead vocalist, went on to have a solo career but her latest single On the Rocks failed to climb the chart.

Meanwhile, Kimberly has gone on to become a television personality and recently won Celebrity Masterchef, while Ashley Roberts appeared on “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”

In December last year, brunette beauty Scherzinger revealed she wanted to apologise to her former bandmates because she was “distant and stand-offish” during their time together as chart-toppers.

Will Smith replaces Hugh Jackman in ‘Collateral Beauty’

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

Hollywood star Will Smith has been tapped to join “Collateral Beauty” after Hugh Jackman left the project.

Smith, 46, has closed a deal to star in the movie, taking over the role that was supposed to be played by the Aussie hunk, reported Ace Showbiz.

Smith will play a New York advertising executive who experiences a personal tragedy. His colleagues devise an unconventional plan to break him out of his depression, which works, but not in a way that anyone imagined. Rooney Mara is already on board the project.

Alfonso Gomez-Rejon will direct the drama film with the script provided by Allan Loeb.

PalmStar is fully financing. Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment is producing alongside Anonymous Content, PalmStar and Likely Story.

Principal photography is set to kick off in October. No release date is set for the movie just yet.

Jackman bowed out of the project in May due to scheduling issue because he’s already attached to “The Wolverine 3”. Last month, it was reported that Johnny Depp was eyed as a replacement.

Smith is currently filming “Suicide Squad” in which he plays Deadshot. He recently starred in “Focus” and will next be seen in NFL drama “Concussion”.

Government must regulate NGOs

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Afternoon Voice

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August 5, 2015

Large number of NGOs and social organizations are functioning in the country but it is a duty of the government to monitor the activities undertaken by them and probe about the source of funds received by them. Normally, it has been noticed that an organization keeps on doing its business and the government fails to notice until rape, murder or disappearance of some kids are being reported. Later on it has been found that the concerned organization has amassed huge wealth and property and also threatens to overpower the government.

The tragedy is that the party forming the government ends up seeking support of such organizations which have already become very powerful and unmanageable. Join them, if you can’t beat them becomes the obvious compulsion. Moral values take a back seat even in case of those parties professing pious conduct, free from corruption. Ruthless gangsterism then naturally transforms into criminality. It is such tendencies in the so-called social and cultural organizations that the government must curb in time.

Self-seeking PA’s should not misguide the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who has the work cut out for him. Both the husband and wife seem to be clean and full of idealism combined by practical approach. I am sure that both of them will not fall prey to corruption. According to me, Fadnavis will perform better job instead of Modi because the latter has ventured into self-promotion activities. Delhi is full of wheeler dealers and crooks but Modi has so far not done anything to curb their activities and nullify their effect in corridors of the ministries.

Mumbai was much more honest 34-35 years back when tasks could be accomplished without paying any bribes. However, the situation has drastically changed as PAs to ministers (may be some of them) are accepting bribes and official files are being recovered from their residence. I still remember when I first arrived in Mumbai, I got my children admitted to SIES Matunga without paying anything except for a form with attached post card. We never had to make any extra payment at the ration office or for procuring the milk card. Things were much better then and let us hope Devendra brings back those good days.

Mumbai’s roads need urgent attention and simultaneously the garbage management. Garbage and sewage management is an art and science and the efforts of people involved in maintaining cleanliness must be recognized. Discipline in citizenry must be imposed and filthy display of wealth by media must be curbed. You can get any advertisement published in popular daily by paying money. Media should exercise rectitude because it is very influential and people look towards it for correct guidance.