Eid-ul-Fitr: The festival of fast breaking

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July 17, 2015

Eid is a Muslim festival similar to Christmas, which the Christians celebrate. But unlike Christmas, Eid is celebrated not for any significant dates or birth of any prophet, but to mark the end of the holy month long fasting of Ramadan. Eid, also known as the ‘Festival of fast breaking’ is a three-day affair, wherein Muslims from all over the world, celebrate the event by giving gifts to their family members, friends, relatives and neighbours. Eid is celebrated twice a year — the first one is after the Ramadan, the occasion which is called ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’, and the other, which is celebrated during Dhu-al-Hijjah. This festivity is called ‘Eid-u-Adha’.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a very important day for the Muslim community, as this day marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan (or Ramzan) is when Muslims from all over the world observe fasting from dawn till dusk as a mark of piety to the one who created the universe. Not even water is drunk during this entire holy month, however hot the climate may be, or however thirsty one may feel. It’s sacrifice to Allah, they say.
The holy month of Ramadan is very auspicious to Muslims all over the world. It is celebrated on the day after the crescent moon is sighted. The Muslims observe a fast for 30 days, starting with the sighting of the new moon and end it after seeing the new moon, the next month. Muslims give alms and recite the Holy Quran during the entire holy month. Eid is celebrated in India with much enthusiasm and fervour by Muslims from all walks of life.

The importance of ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ is associated with an actual event in the history of Islam. Allah sent an angel by the name of Gabriel (remember, it was the same angel that was sent by God to give the good news of Jesus’ birth to Mary). to reveal his words over a period of 23 years. These teachings formed the Holy Quran. Following the successful completion of the month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr becomes a great occasion to thank Allah for giving believers the will-power and endurance to observe the month-long fast and follow rules in personal conduct. It is also a time to renew one’s faith in Allah and seek His blessings.

The Islamic practice of giving ‘zakat’ (alms) is also upheld during this time. Just before Eid, Muslims part with some portion of their earnings and give grains to the poor, so that they too can celebrate Eid with full fervour. On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by a sermon and a congregational prayer at the mosque. Muslims offer Eid prayer ‘Do Rakat Namaz’ on this day. Then, dressed in new clothes they proceed to greet their family members, relatives and friends. This is done through friendly embraces and handshakes as good gestures of unity. The ritual of distributing alms on this day is observed throughout the ongoing celebrations.

Great importance is attached to Eid-ul-Fitr in India, as it is an important public holiday. All schools, colleges and public institutions remain closed on this day to mark its significance. Also, there exists a considerably large population of the Muslim minority, which adds to the cultural demographics of India. With time, these traditions have strengthened their interaction and intermingling with the Indian culture. Eid-ul-Fitr has, thus, seeped into India’s cultural milieu and is looked forward among people of all communities.

Jubel D’Cruz

A Peek into the Dance Bag

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Afternoon Voice

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July 17, 2015

What a dancer carries with him is the most essential aspect.

Think of a bad headache, a scheduling blunder, tender skin on your foot, a last minute audition, a deficit of energy in class, smelly feet, a bad hair day or a snapped elastic: each of these things are likely to happen to all of us. A dancer needs to be prepared by having proper remedies in such cases.

Real dancer is one who expresses feeling and emotions through their movements, completely care free and relaxed about the surroundings and themselves. While we are into the dance we must not forget that to bring us on to the dance floor all prepared, we need to get ready and therefore must know what we should carry with us in our bag. Every dancer needs to make sure they are fully prepared, especially when tending to a rigorous dance schedule. What a dancer carries in their dance bag can sometimes make or break a day in dance class. Without being properly equipped, a dancer is sure to be left unprepared to dance when circumstances arise.

The only way to narrow down the possibility of being caught off guard is to equip the dance bag with emergency items. A dancer needs to be able to concentrate on their dancing, rest assured that they are prepared for anything that comes their way. Dance happens fast, and opportunities are everywhere, being ill-prepared could cost an audition, admittance into a higher class level, or a festering injury.

I have specially compiled a list of the most important things a dancer should have in their dance bag. I conducted a poll asking hundreds of my students from all over India. I asked what they found to be lifesavers and narrowed it down to cover health, hygiene, appearance, nutrition, attire and the agenda.

Health
Make sure to pack a small emergency kit in case of headaches, blisters, a fragile ankle or knee or any kind of light pain from rigorous dancing. Some items ideas from our poll are: Pain killer tablet, Bandaids, foot tape, Second Skin, Neosporin.

Hygiene
You never know when an embarrassing hygiene situation might strike! Especially in a crowded dance class. Imagine you discover your feet are smelling or excessive sweating has made you smell really awful, or your breath is bad and you have a partner to dance with. Our top polled items in this category are: anti-fungal foot spray or cream, hand sanitizer, mouthwash /tooth brush and paste, a hand towel and last but not least, good very strong deodorant and perfume.

Appearance
We all want to look our best when we dance. Sometimes simple appearance related things can break our concentration such as a loose bun. Take a look at some of the suggestions my students gave me: Chapstick, a portable fold up brush, hair pins, rubberbands, safety pins, light make up for girls and a set of extra clothes for changing.

Nutrition
All students experience the disappointment of simply running out of energy during a dance class, an important rehearsal or a dance gig with long hours. Preparation for these times can save you the hassle of missing a lesson or being behind with choreography. Try packing: lots of bottled water (especially during the summer season), an energy bar, dried fruits, fresh fruits like a banana and high energy biscuits.

Attire
One of the most important aspects of preparation is having the proper dance gear. The dance bag should be equipped with all the tools a dancer needs for all the different styles of dancing and conditions a dancer faces while warming up and while cooled down: appropriate dance shoes, shoe polish, shoes brush, toe pads, cotton wool, soft ballet slippers, knee pads, light dance sweater, legwarmers and a portable sewing kit.

Agenda
Dancers often overlook this category! The agenda can become quite busy as a working or studying dancer. It’s best to keep the agenda in order so all the auditions, classes and rehearsals are attended to. So don’t forget to pack a small notepad and a pen, or a daily planner whether it is on a paper or electronic (Some cell phones have this function as well) Also, bring your ipod!

A fully prepared dancer is what a teacher and choreographer look for; it reflects that the dancer is interested, experienced and professional. Without the proper essentials packed, circumstances could cause a dancer to look really amateur or unprofessional to their superiors. Dancers need to be self-sufficient by preventing anything from standing in the way of performing their best.

The dance bag isn’t just a place to dump all your shoes, think of it as an emergency kit. There are dance bags out there with nice little compartments, netting areas for dance shoe ventilation, and bags with enough room to carry these things around neatly. Whether it be an audition, a performance or simply taking class; carrying the proper tools can prevent a disaster from striking at the worst time.

Artscape By Sandip Soparrkar

Meet Poonam Pandey’s sweetheart: Vinod Khanna’s son Sakshi Khanna!

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Afternoon Voice

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July 17, 2015

Whoa! Poonam Pandey is seeing someone and gossip mills are abuzz about the hot-bod model dating none other than Vinod Khanna’s son, Sakshi.

The duo have been spotted together in the city. “Of late, Sakshi has been pub-hopping a lot with Poonam in tow. On many occasions, the duo has been seen partying at a SoBo club till the wee hours and they were clasping each other’s hands firmly. Their body language and comfort level suggested that it’s not just plain friendship.

The two have been spotted partying together and getting quite cosy with each other recently at a club in Mumbai.

Well, now that is quite a catch!

The controversial model has courted many troubles in her past and now she has another juicy tidbit to her kitty.

Sakshi is reportedly assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali in ‘Bajirao Mastani’.

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif engaged?

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Afternoon Voice

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July 17, 2015

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif have been dating each other for years now. Although they have publicly never accepted the relationship, they haven’t denied it either. And for time immemorial, there have been speculations of their engagement and marriage. But now, it can be confirmed that the two have indeed got engaged.

It all happened at Katrina Kaif’s birthday. The couple zoomed off to Alibaug to ring in Kat’s birthday and that’s where Ranbir popped the million dollar question to his ladylove. A leading daily reported that Ranbir also gifted her a platinum and diamond eternity band after proposing her.

No prizes for guessing what Katrina’s answer was. But one thing that we would like to know from the couple is- when are they planning to get hitched? After Shahid Mira ki shaadi, it seems the industry is gearing for another big, fat Bollywood wedding soon.

When will you sue Mr Fadnavis?

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Afternoon Voice

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July 16, 2015

It seems that the CM has already forgotten the flight delay incident and he is now busy with the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state legislature.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who was upset with the allegations made against him for delaying the Air India flight from Mumbai on June 29 had threatened to file defamation after returning to India. Even though 10 days have passed ever since Fadnavis has returned from the US trip but he has not taken any action in this regard. It seems that the CM has already forgotten the flight delay incident and he is now busy with the monsoon session of the Maharashtra state legislature. Afternoon Voice had published the story ‘Co-passengers defend CM’ on Saturday, July 4 edition.

The monsoon session has begun on a stormy note with the Congress-NCP protesting against the ruling government for the alleged involvement of its ministers Vinod Tawde and Pankaja Munde in fake degree and Chikki scam respectively.

Netizens had posted some tweets to express their views about the Fadnavis’s post where he had threatened to file defamation case.

meetu jain @meetujain
@Dev_Fadnavis criminal defamation has been stayed in this country. You can only sue anyone for civil defamation @KanchanGupta

Narayan Nedungadi @NarayanNed
@Dev_Fadnavis you will be a hero if you do that. This channel has become a yellow journalism channel.

Nayan @nayanchandra
@Dev_Fadnavis .. weldone.. we screaming for this day & nite dear CM..just clarification dont work..Sue 100cr..damaging ur reputation & party

A journalist spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “Fadnavis had said that he will file defamation case but he has failed to do so. May be he might be busy with the monsoon session of the state legislature. Let’s wait and watch whether he will take any legal action.”

A controversy had erupted during Fadnavi’s tour following reports that the Air India flight in which he was travelling to New York had to be delayed as Principal Secretary in Chief Ministers’ Office Pravin Pardeshi had forgotten his visa.

Fadnavis had tweeted that he would file for defamation once he was back in the country over the controversy of his delegation delaying the Air India flight from Mumbai to New York on June 29.

“Enough is enough. Once I’m back to India I will initiate proceedings of criminal defamation,” he had tweeted.

He also dubbed the reports against him as “misleading”. “I reiterate, the reports of me delaying flight are misleading. In fact when I’d already boarded, how can I say I won’t travel without delegation?” said Fadnavis on Twitter.

The incident took place June 29 when Fadnavis was leaving on a week-long visit to the US along with his industries Minister Subhash Desai, Chief Secratary Swadheen Kshatriya and Principal Secretary Pravin Pardeshi besides other delegation members.

According to sources, Pardeshi was cleared at the check-in but was held back before boarding as the passport he was carrying did not have the valid US visa.

Sources said that Pardeshi had got a valid US visa in his old passport but this was not reflected in the new one which he was carrying. He quickly arranged to bring his old passport which had valid US visa stamp after which he was allowed to proceed to the aircraft, they said.

Last week, the Oshiwara police registered an FIR against one Ajay Hatewar for tweeting defamatory statements against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and posting a picture of the CM enjoying a vacation with his family in 2011-2012.

He has been booked for defamation and also under Section 67 (A) of the IT Act.

NCP does not join Congress in protest against farm loan waiver

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Afternoon Voice

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July 16, 2015

Strains were evident in opposition ranks when NCP did not join the Congress in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to protest against the government over demand to write off farm loans.

NCP did not join the Congress in the sit-in dharna on the stairs of the Vidhan Bhavan building and while staging a walkout from the House.

As soon as the House assembled for the day, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said the Congress will not participate in the debate until Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarifies the government’s stand on the issue of farm loan waiver.

“Fadnavis told us that media has wrongly quoted him saying that farm loan waiver was not possible. If that is so, he should place that on record on the floor of the House,” Vikhe Patil and Chavan said in the Assembly.

“Since Fadnavis had ruled out writing off farm loans, what is the point in having a farce debate in the House,” Chavan said, adding, the CM should clarify the same.

The Congress members came into the Well and shouted slogans in favour of their demand before staging a walkout.

However, NCP members did not join them. NCP members Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil and others sat through the proceedings.

The NCP is reportedly incensed over Congress joining hands with BJP for a post-poll alliance in the Gondia Zilla Parishad.

Udaan actor Sai Ballal arrested for sexually harassing co-star

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Afternoon Voice

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July 16, 2015

Udaan actor Sai Ballal has been arrested for sexually harassing a 58-year-old television actress.

The victim has accused the actor of sending her obscene messages and some pornographic videos.

The victim lodged a complaint with the Police on Wednesday against Sai, who according to the complaint, started to harass her in April through lewd video clips on WhatsApp. He also tried to sexually harass her.

Sai, who was arrested by Borivali police has been produced in a court on Thursday.

Ballal has been booked under Section 354-A (sexual harassment) and 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe her) of the IPC and section 67-A of the IT Act.

Government to allot 10,000 houses to mill workers: CM

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Afternoon Voice

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July 16, 2015

The Maharashtra government would initiate the process of allotting 10,000 houses to mill workers by December this year, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

He also said that an additional 8,710 houses would also be alloted to the mill workers.

Making a statement in the lower house, Fadnavis said that the mill workers are entitled to get houses of 225 square feet under the scheme for mill worker’s housing.

“6,925 houses were built under the scheme and 5,644 have already been transferred to eligible applicants. 6,794 new houses are under construction and the third phase would involve construction of 2,911 houses,” he said.

Apart from these houses developed by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would provide 4,800 houses under the scheme. Thus a total of 10,000 houses would be available for distribution by this year, the Chief Minister said.

MMRDA would provide for additional 8,710 houses which will be available by December 2016, Fadnavis said.

There had been 1,48,067 applications when lottery was drawn for the first phase in 2012. Government would ask MHADA and the MMRDA to build more houses in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) to implement the scheme, he said.

When Congress’ Prithviraj Chavan questioned the delay in providing the houses till December, Fadnavis said the total provision is for 38,000 tenements on mill land.

“The process of identifying land for mill workers colonies in MMR region is taking time,” he added.

Chavan said during his tenure as Chief Minister, first lottery for allotment of tenements was done and over 6,000 homes were given to the beneficiaries.

Mistaken for thief, youth stoned to death

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Afternoon Voice

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July 16, 2015

A 28-year-old youth was stoned to death allegedly by three persons, who mistook him to a thief, at a quarry in Phule Nagar area of Bhiwandi town in the district, police said.

The victim, identified as Shivshankar S Bansode, along with a couple of friends yesterday went near a non-operational quarry where there was a natural pond for fishing.

However, Surej Patil, a relative of the quarry owner, mistook him to be a thief following which he and his two bodyguards attacked the youth with stones, police said.

Bansode suffered serious head injury in the attack and died, police said.

Patil and his bodyguards have been booked under sections 302 (murder), 323, 341 (wrongful restraint) and 504 read with 34 of the IPC, and also sections 3, 2 and 5 of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, police said.

The body was sent for post mortem, they said.

The quarry belonged to one Dhiraj Patil.

A probe is being conducted into the incident by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bhiwandi-West, Ravindra Bhosle.

Waiter, manager of lodge sentenced to imprisonment under PITA

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Afternoon Voice

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July 16, 2015

Two employees of a lodge were sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment by Thane Assistant Sessions Judge Mridula Bhatia, after being found guilty of running a flesh trade racket.

The judge found waiter Prabhadas Srikrupanath Jha alias Pappu and cashier-cum-manager Leo Walter Joseph Menezes guilty under Section 3(1) as well as Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA).

Additionally, the judge found Prabhadas guilty under Sections 5(1)(a), Section 5(1)(b) and Section 7(2) of PITA, as well as Section 366-A, Section 372 and Section 373 of the Indian Penal code.

The duo were convicted and sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment as well as a fine of Rs 2,000 each.

In her judgement, the judge stated that the fine amount collected must be paid as compensation to the four girls, who were rescued from the lodge.

In her order, the judge stated, “In addition, this court hereby recommends further compensation to the girls, under Section 357(A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure from the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA). The DLSA shall decide the quantum of compensation to be awarded under the scheme as referred to in Section 357(A)(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, within four weeks from today”.

“The said amount be disbursed within a period of eight weeks from today,” the court ordered.

Prosecutor Buleshwar Hinge, told the court that the accused and the absconding accused were caught by the Thane district rural police at Mira Road at a lodge on March 11, 2013, while they were running a prostitution racket.

The court was told that the police booked a total of seven accused in the case, out of which four suppliers of girls are still at large.