Arvind Kejriwal meets LK Advani at his residence, may discuss Delhi’s full statehood issue

By

-

July 27, 2015

In what may give rise to speculations, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday met BJP veteran leader LK Advani at his residence.

The meeting between the two leaders was cancelled in June, triggering speculation whether the BJP had a hand in the cancellation.

Interestingly, Kejriwal who had like other opposition leaders shared Advani’s fears on the possibility of imposition of Emergency in India had sought an appointment with the BJP veteran.

Sources in Kejriwal’s office had said it was conveyed to them by Advani’s office that he has some engagements and cannot meet the chief minister as decided earlier.

Advani’s office had assured that the meeting will be rescheduled in near future.

The chief minister, the sources said, wanted to discuss with Advani the demand for full statehood to Delhi besides other issues.

ED moves special PMLA court seeking non-bailable warrant against Lalit Modi

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday moved a sessions court in Mumbai seeking to obtain a non-bailable warrant against former IPL chief Lalit Modi

ED had served a notice to the Rajasthan Cricket Association president on July 3, directing him to turn up in court within two weeks in a case which is under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act

With Modi failing to reply, the agency then went ahead and served him an additional notice via email. With July 22 being the last date to respond, Modi once again decided to ignore the investigating agency.

The former IPL commissioner on Saturday claimed that he had not got any notice from the ED in the money laundering case.

He also took a dig at the agency and asked them to serve summon through “international process.”

Even the monsoon session of Parliament was not allowed to function as the opposition raised the same issue repeatedly.

Punjab terror attack: What makes Gurdaspur so vulnerable?

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

If it was not for a last minute change of plan by Radcliffe, the entire Gurdaspur would have been a part of Pakistan when the line was drawn on land and on hearts of millions of Punjabis.

Eventually, only the Shakargarh tehsil – which was on the other side of River Ravi, was awarded to the new country.

This despite Muslims – when including Ahmadiyya sect – being in majority in the district in 1947.

Later during militancy in the state, Gurdaspur was one of the worst affected districts in the state.

Gurdaspur borders Pakistan on its western front, thereby making it one of the most sensitive districts in Punjab.

The northern most district of the state, Gurdaspur., is the gateway to the state of Jammu and Kashmir and hence makes it vulnerable to any spill over terror activity from across the border.

The Pathankot-Jammu highway runs almost parallel to the international border, hence making it relatively easy for launching of attacks from across the border in Pakistan.

The haunting resemblance between Whitney Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown’s death

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Bobbi Kristina Brown, late pop singer Whitney Houston’s only daughter, breathed her last on July 27.

Her unfortunate death has left her admirers heartbroken and one cannot miss the striking yet eerie resemblance between the circumstances that led to the death of the mother-daughter duo.

Both the mother and daughter were found unconscious in their bathtub face down.

Whitney was declared dead in February 2012. She accidentally drowned herself to death because of drug overdose in a Beverly Hills hotel at age 48.

Bobbi was found face down and unresponsive in a bathtub in her home by her partner and a friend on Jan. 31 this year. She was shifted to hospital on February and has been in a state of coma, finally breathed her last on Monday.

Her death comes three years after her mother’s death in a similar manner.

Bobbi, who shared a close bond with her mother had inherited her entire fortune.

Post Whitney’s death, Bobbi made headlines because of family disputes and drug abuse.

Bobbi Kristina Brown was an aspiring singer who began performing with her mother as early as 1999, singing duets of ‘My Love is Your Love.’ In 2003 they recorded another duet of ‘Little Drummer Boy’ for a holiday album.

Jennifer and I are just having a good time: Casper Smart

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Jennifer Lopez and former boyfriend Casper Smart are enjoying each other’s company.

It is still unclear whether or not they’re officially back together, reported People magazine.

“We’re just having a good time, just being ourselves, that’s all,” the choreographer, 28, said.

Smart has recently taken his talents from behind the scenes to in front of the stage, appearing as a judge on “Fake Off”, a talent competition show featuring theater, acrobatics, aerial stunts and illusion.

Off the show’s set, Smart and Lopez, 45, have been spotted together quite frequently recently, holding hands and even sharing a kiss.

‘Top Gun 2’ would be fun to do: Tom Cruise

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Hollywood star Tom Cruise says he would love to do a sequel of his 1983 hit action drama “Top Gun”.

At the “Mission: Impossible” premiere, Cruise said that while he had not “turned an eye” to the thought of a Top Gun sequel, it would be “fun” to get back in the cockpit, reported Entertainment Weekly.

“It’s tricky to figure out. If I can figure it out, if all of us can figure it out, it’d be fun to do. I’d like to fly those jets again, but we’ve got to do all the jets practical? No CGI on the jets.

“If we can figure all that out, and the Department of Defense will allow us to do it, that would be fun,” he said.

A “Top Gun” sequel has been in the works for at least five years, and last month, producer David Ellison said that a screenplay is in development, with unmanned drones replacing many pilots.

Yakub Memon should be executed

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

The entire nation is involved in a debate about whether the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon should be hanged or not. There are many who still say that hanging or any sort of capital punishment should be abolished in our country but according to me it should exist. In India, the capital punishment is awarded only in the “rarest of rare cases” and after meticulous investigations. The verdict reaches a conclusion after considering all deliberations and arguments. Take the very latest case and just see how many petitions are being filed and re-filed in respect of mercy petition to be considered, reviewed and disposed of. The accused is given several opportunities to seek mercy. Above all, we do not have the barbaric or cruel way of carrying out a capital punishment like stoning, beheading or whipping in public and so on. Hence the death penalty is an ideal mechanism to deter criminals.

The anti-capital punishment group should think of the trauma and sufferings the victim and his/her families have undergone. As a friend of mine says, “Those who do not adhere to the tenets of humanism deserve no quarter. The death sentence should never be abolished”.

Ajmal Kasab the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused was offered several amenities and a lawyer to defend. He was given shelter and food in the jail and above all the tax payers money was being spent on his “well being” and security. The legal process took over five years and later he was hanged. Take the case of criminals involved in the brutal Delhi gang rape who are yet to be hanged though languishing in jail and the “juvenile criminal” who will be out very soon! The death sentence of Surender Koli, convicted in 2006 Nithari serial killings case, was commuted to life imprisonment by the Allahabad high court on the ground of “inordinate delay” in deciding his mercy petition.

Just imagine the plight of all those victims, their kith and kin and friends who are still to come out of the trauma. Parag Sawant who was injured in the 7/11 serial blasts in Mumbai died few days back after being in coma for several years. So no mercy at all to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes!

It should not be forgotten that India has a very hostile neighbour, and their sole intention is to unleash terror on our people. In such cases, if those terrorists are caught for their dastardly acts, the only penalty they deserve is death by hanging. Justice will seem to be done only if such hardcore criminals are awarded capital punishment and executed too.

(The views expressed by the author are his own)

Krishna Kumar

Aamir Khan worried about growing bond between Salman, Shah Rukh?

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

The Khan trinity of Bollywood – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan – in the recent times has flaunted its camaraderie. The giant trio even shared the platform at an event last year, thereby creating a historic moment that the Hindi film industry will cherish for years to come.

However, Aamir is apparently not quite comfortable with the growing friendship between his friend Salman and Shah Rukh.

Both Aamir and SRK had posted the first look of Salman’s ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ on Twitter. After watching the film, Aamir was apparently left teary eyed. The Mr. Perfectionist of Bollywood even took to Twitter to heap praise on Salman and the film.

Salman and SRK were indeed at loggerheads for years. The two reconciled a couple of years back and since the two have been back together stronger. They posed for the shutterbugs by hugging each other at Baba Siddiqui’s Iftaar party in 2013 and 2014. A picture of the duo kissing sister Arpita Khan on the forehead during her wedding ceremony was immensely appreciated.

Interestingly, the two superstars will be clashing at the Box Office next Eid – Salman will be back as ‘Sultan’ and SRK as ‘Raees’!

Freida Pinto doesn’t pick up ‘fan’ Hrithik Roshan’s phone!

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Looks like Frieda Pinto has a new admirer in none other than Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan.

The ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ famed actress’ film ‘Desert Dancer’ has left Hrithik spellbound and the actor cannot stop praising her.
In one of the tweets, he jokingly complained about how Freida doesn’t attend to his phone calls.

Though Hrithik is considered no less than a dance god in B-Town this time he is struck by Freida’s dancing prowess.

Well, for Freida with so much praise pouring in from Hrithik, hope she attends his call now.

What role is Kareena Kapoor Khan playing in film opposite Arjun Kapoor?

By

Afternoon Voice

-

July 27, 2015

Many would believe that Hindi cinema has evolved tremendously in the last year years- primarily because we have had films which have broken stereotypes. R Balki’s next starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Arjun Kapoor will reportedly be one such film.

Kareena will be playing the head honcho of a corporate firm, while Arjun, who plays her better-half, will be a ‘house husband’!

This certainly sounds interesting as we seldom have films that show the female characters stronger than men.

Kareena will soon be done with ‘Udta Punjab’, a film that will see her as a rustic damsel. But the R.Balki project will give her a look that will stand in stark contrast to her desi look in ‘Udta Punjab’, reports suggest.