Jayalalithaa Says No to Central Probe Into Chennai Blasts

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May 2, 2014

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has turned down the Centre’s offer for a probe by the elite National Investigation Agency and has handed the case to a special wing in the state police instead, asking only for a National Security Guard team to help with forensic analysis.

Early on Thursday morning, two blasts ripped through two coaches of the Guwahati-Bangalore Express just after it arrived at the Chennai Central railway station. A young woman was killed and 14 people were injured.

Sources said the union home ministry wanted to treat this as a possible terror attack and so send in the NIA, but the state authorities have booked a criminal case for offences under the Explosive Substances Act and cases of murder and damage to railway property.

The NIA has jurisdiction to investigate cases all over the country; the NSG can only assist in technical matters and does not investigate. State governments in Maharashtra, Andhra and Delhi have earlier opposed the NIA’s involvement.

Home ministry sources said the Centre expects the NIA to be called in eventually, but is willing to wait for Tamil Nadu to conclude its investigation before it launches its own.

A senior policeman in Chennai said the blasts, described as low intensity explosions, could have been triggered by a timer device. He said the case was initially being investigated as a terror attack, but that angle was eventually discarded and a “criminal case” was registered by the Crime Branch Crime Investigation Department which is now investigating the blasts.

CBI charges 7 people in Arunachal student Nido Taniam death case

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Afternoon Voice

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May 2, 2014

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet in the murder of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Taniam.
Seven people including three minors have been chargesheeted under the charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, wrongful confinement, destruction of evidence and various sections of the prevention of atrocities act.
The autopsy report of the student revealed that he died due to injuries to his head and face. It also said that the injuries found on the 20-year-old were reportedly caused by a blunt object confirming that severe internal bleeding led to his death following a fight with a shopkeeper and his aides in a South Delhi locality.
The incident had triggered a series of protests across the country demanding safety for people from Northeast India.

Here’s a museum dedicated to ‘jhaadu’. Is Mr. Kejriwal watching?

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Afternoon Voice

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May 2, 2014

Here’s something that may bring smile on AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal’s face. His party’s poll symbol ‘Broom’ is the theme of a Jodhpur-based museum.

Arna-Jharna, popularly known as the Desert Museum of Rajasthan, is situated on the Rock Mountains, approximately 15 kms from Jodhpur.

It displays a wide range of brooms which have been collected from different parts of the state and are of great historical significance.

This museum is the brainchild of Komal Kothari, a renowned cultural activist, who thought of collecting data about various brooms being used in the society and forming a 3D encyclopedia about the various myths and beliefs attached to them.

He was of the opinion that a broom has social, occupational, environmental and cultural importance and should be explored. Soon, his son Kuldeep Kothari turned the dream into reality.

“The project started in 2003. We were in no hurry. We wanted our concept to grow and evolve naturally. Now, tourists come to this place and study for hours. Sometimes, they want to buy some of the beautifully crafted brooms and we have to ask the locals to prepare it for them,”said Kothari.

4 students innovate a unique cooler; runs without water, still gives the comfort of an AC

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Afternoon Voice

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May 2, 2014

Now, coolers will produce cold air without using water, thanks to students of Maharshi Arvind College of Engineering and Research Centre in Jaipur.

With the use of a compressor and a copper tube grill, these students have been able to put together what they call a ‘low cost AC’.

They have fitted a compressor (from a refrigerator) in the cooler and connected it to copper tube grill at the front. When the cooler is switched on, cold air passes through the copper grill.

The model that the research students have designed is for people who want comfort like that of an AC on a hot summer day, but at a cheaper price.

Students say that the use of inexpensive equipment in their version of the cooler keeps it with at par with other usual models available in the market in terms of price.

The idea came to their minds when they saw an enhanced model of cooler in a marriage. The cooler was connected to a water tube. The moment it was switched on, the water would fall on the fans of the cooler and the fan in turn would throw out droplets and cold air.

They wanted to innovate a similar cooler, but one which doesn’t use water to produce cold air. So they replaced the usual aluminium grill in the cooler to copper due to their instant heating and cooling properties.

‘Kya Dilli Kya Lahore’ review: Cross-border message in a battle

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Afternoon Voice

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May 2, 2014

There`s something to be said about a film that takes so many risks with mainstream tastes that it automatically becomes a part of an endangered species of cinema known as Noble Art.

They don`t make movies like these. Not any more. Not too often in the past. Several years ago, Sunil Dutt shot ‘Yaadein’ with just one character on screen throughout. In ‘Kya Dilli Kya Lahore’ (KDKL) there are two characters, both respresentational and yet so finely played out that they emerge from the morass of mutual distrust as memorable individuals.

The partition has given us many memorable films. KDKL brings us a heartwarming, seriocomic parable on cross-border amity. With two outstanding actors – Vijay Raaz and Manu Rishi, this saga of soldierly solidarity looks at a historic twist of fate with unflinching sincerity and heartbreaking irony.

The writing is lucid, literate, luminous and funny. It doesn`t falter.

To go back to the beginning, post 1947, a Pakistani soldier played by Vijay Raaz strays into Indian territory and gets embroiled in a bitter-sweet verbal-physical duel with an Indian soldier. In a film such this where the dialogue between two characters sustains and nurtures the under-nourished drama, it is acutely imperative that the two central performances and the dialogues are perfectly cooked, crisp crunchy and easily digestible.

On both the counts, KDKD emerges trumps. Manu Rishi has not only written the dialogues, he has also played one of the two protagonists, the Indian soldier, if you must know. And what a fine job Manu has done in both the departments. The verbal sparring between the two soldiers could have easily lapsed into cheap name-calling between the two sides. Eschewing every provocation to get nasty, the dialogues take digs at India-Pakistan differences without losing their basic sense of humour.

Sample this: “Your watch says it`s 7 p.m. when ours says it`s 6.30 p.m. You people will always be behind us.”

Well, ha ha. And Ahem. KDKL makes us uncomfortable without pointing accusing fingers at either side. As a director Vijay Raaz, is not in search of solutions to the age-old cross-border conflicts. There is a deliberate staginess to the proceedings, a pronounced verbosity that never gets cumbersome, because, like I said, the writing has a distinct and distinctive `quoting` edge without getting show-offy.

There are some extremely squirmy references to bodies being transported from both ends. When Manu Rishi conversationally asks a Vijay Raaz about his parents, he replies: “You people cut my mother into pieces and sent her across.”

Ouch to that.

This is as good a place as any to say Vijay Raaz gives a performance that makes the Pakistani soldier look brave yet frail, cruel yet compassionate, cynical and still unspoilt or jaded. He brings to the rugged terrain a history of tears and bloodshed without plunging his solidier`s character into self-pity.

As an actor, Vijay Raaz seldom lets down a film. Here, he takes on the added responsibility of direction. He keeps the proceedings even-paced and free of techno-generated upheavals. The two actors are mostly left to their own devices. The end-result is a film of tremendous warmth and wisdom.

If ‘Garam Hawa’ were to be moved from Agra to the India-Pakistan border, it would have probably been this big-little film about the bitter-sweet encounter between two soldiers from the two sides of the barbed wire.

Fifth Newsmakers Achievers Award tonight

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Afternoon Voice

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April 30, 2014

Newsmakers Broadcasting and Communication Pvt Ltd will host the fifth edition of the ‘Newsmakers Achievers Award 2014′ on May, 1 2014 at Trident Hotel. The awards are being held to recognise the efforts of common man who has made some difference to the society through their hardwork and determination. Starting from a modest beginning our organisation has overcome several hurdles to complete five years. Within a short span of time NBC has become a force to reckon and has earned a name for itself in the media industry. Eminent personalities from various walks of life would be felicitated during the awards ceremony.

Prominent Ad filmmaker Shri Alyque Padamsee will be awarded with Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the Advertising industry. Ram Jethmalani, a well known senior lawyer and politician will be felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution towards Law and Politics. Saroj Khan, who is one the most successful choreographers in Bollywood will be honoured with lifetime achievement award. Noted journalist and media baron Baliram Gaikwad will receive the lifetime achievement award for his excellence in the field of Journalism.

Shri M Laxminarayan from Bangalore will receive the Best IAS Officer Award. While Shri Ramdas Athawle will be honoured with the Prominent Dalit leader award. The award for best lawyer will be bagged by famous lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani. Laxmi Narayan Tripathi will receive the best social worker award for working for the welfare of Transgender Community. Prem Shukla will be honoured with the best Hindi Editor and Journalist award. Vikas Shrivastava will receive the Best TV Journalist award. The award for the best Comedian will be given to the one of India’s best comedian Suresh Menon.

Vaidehi Sachin, Group Editor of NBC said, “We tried to set a trend by setting up self funded organization by the group of working journalists. This is the only parallel media existing at the moment, media being in corporate, political and mafia or politicians hands the charm of its independence is fading away.”

“We have pulled our socks with this 5th year, soon to hit long days of our glorious journey, we stand up with the pride of being what we are today and will continue carrying on with it. Any hurdles may come but we are committed to being… unstoppable.”

We believe in empowering people and providing them an opportunity to report about the news and other issues affecting the common man. We are offering a medium from where they can speak and debate about the issues pertaining to national interest.

Our newspaper Afternoon Voice’ is a Mumbai daily covering all aspects of the city. Besides the daily diet of news, sports and business; readers are served stimulating columns and features related to the theme of the day.

Click Here to complete list of Awardees on www.nbcaward.com

Man commits suicide after losing his job

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Prakash Jha

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April 30, 2014

A 29 year old man committed suicide after losing his job in Holland. The deceased Lokesh Vindokumar left behind a suicide note in which he mentioned that he is taking this drastic step due to depression after becoming employed.
Lokesh was a resident of Aqua Towers in Mira Road while his family stays in Bangalore. Few years back, Lokesh had gone to Holland for pursuing his MBA and landed a job in private firm after the completion of his studies. He was employed for one year on contractual basis which expired. His employer didn’t renew his contract and instead terminated him.

Lokesh’s relatives said that he was mentally disturbed after becoming unemployed and was undergoing treatment at Vedanta Hospital in Mira Road. Since last two days Lokesh’s parents was attempting to contact him but calls remained unanswered. They then asked some relatives staying nearby to inquire about Lokesh. When one of the relative visited Lokesh’s house he was shocked to notice him hanging from the ceiling fan.

A police official from Kashimira Police Station said, “We have registered a case of ADR (Accidental death report). We have recovered a suicide note from Lokesh’s room. We have sent his dead body for autopsy and are waiting for the report.”

Parents of the deceased have been informed about the incident and they are going to Mira Road.

HC tells passport office to decide on Kaskar’s application

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Afternoon Voice

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April 30, 2014

The Bombay High Court has directed the Regional Passport Office to decide the application of Iqbal Kaskar, brother of wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim, seeking fresh passport.

The direction was passed on Wednesday by a division bench of Justices PV Hardas and AS Gadkari, which was hearing a petition filed by Kaskar seeking a direction to the passport office to issue him a passport. Kaskar also sought permission from the court to travel to Saudi Arabia for Haj/Umrah pilgrimage for a period of four weeks from the day of his departure.

Kaskar had approached the high court after the passport authority rejected his application on the ground that the police report was against the grant of passport to him. Kaskar was tried under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for entering into a criminal conspiracy to construct shopping malls called ‘Sara-Sahara’, on a government-owned land at the instance of his brother Dawood Ibrahim.

In 2007, the trial court acquitted Kaskar due to lack of evidence, following which the state government filed an appeal before the high court, which is pending.

Kaskar’s advocate Ayaz Khan pointed out to the high court a notification dated August 25, 1993 which provides for such persons to produce orders from the court granting them permission to travel abroad.

The passport authority may then permit these persons to travel on certain conditions. The notification further deals with the period during which the passport can be issued to such a person.

Accepting this contention, the court directed Kaskar to file a fresh application to the authorities seeking passport. “We feel it appropriate to permit the applicant to apply for passport afresh by relying upon the notification. The passport authorities shall decide the application in accordance with law and on its own merits and if they find that the applicant is entitled to be issued a passport, the passport may be issued for a period of one year subject to such further orders which the court may pass from time to time,” the court said.

The passport authorities have been directed to decide the application within six months of its submission. The court further held that if the passport office grants Kaskar passport then he can approach the court again seeking permission to travel abroad.

Manish Tewari tenders unconditional apology to Nitin Gadkari in Defamation case

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Afternoon Voice

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April 30, 2014

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Wednesday tendered an unconditional apology to Nitin Gadkari, days after the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari was granted bail by a Mumbai court in connection with a defamation case filed by senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

Tewari had accused Gadkari of holding a ‘benami’ (held by proxy) flat in the controversial Adarsh Housing Society in Maharashtra.

In 2010, Gadkari had filed a defamation suit against Tewari.

Gadkari, in his complaint lodged before the Esplanade Metropolitan Court, had charged Tewari with making “false, baseless, reckless and malicious imputations” against him.

He had invoked Indian Penal Code Sections 499 and 500 in his complaint which pertain to defamation and defamatory utterances.

In November 2010, Tewari had alleged that Gadkari was also an owner of a flat ‘by proxy’ in the 31-storeyed Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society in the posh Colaba area of south Mumbai.

Tewari had claimed that the flat allegedly owned by Gadkari was in the name of the driver of BJP leader and businessman Ajay Sancheti.

The Adarsh Society has been in the eye of a storm after the names of several leaders across political parties and top state bureaucrats tumbled out as members of the society.

The political leaders and bureaucrats have been under a cloud for allegedly showing favours by clearing the files of the society, situated on the edge of the Indian Navy’s base in Colaba.

NGOs challenge deletion of over two lakh names in voters list

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Afternoon Voice

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April 30, 2014

A petition challenging the deletion of names of over two lakh voters from the electoral roll of Mumbai city and its suburbs was on Wednesday filed in the Bombay High Court.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah decided to hear on May 6 the PIL filed by two NGOs – Action for good Governance and Networking in India (AGNI) and Birthright.

This is the second petition challenging the deletion of names from voters list. The first one was from Pune voters and is pending in the High Court.

The PIL said that 2,10,123 names were found deleted from Mumbai’s voters list which appeared on the website of Election Commission of India.

Most of the persons whose names was found missing from the voters list had neither expired nor had they shifted their residence from Mumbai and hence their names should not have been removed thus illegally.

The petition said they were approached by 6,500 persons, whose names were “illegally” removed from the voters list, with a list of their names and details. Most of these persons had voted during 2009 parliamentary polls and also during civic polls in Mumbai in 2011.

The petitioners said they have filed the petition for judicial redress on behalf of the voters whose names have been deleted and denied their right of casting their vote in the Lok Sabha elections of 2014.

The petitioners stated that due to the arbitrary and illegal action on the part of the respondents, the democratic system and the structure of governance in India had been denigrated and its sacred foundations seriously undermined.

The petitioners said a ‘Right to Vote’ is the fountainhead of a democratic republic and the power that all citizens of a democratic republic have in their hands. A necessary corollary would also be that a denial of such right would amount to enslaving a republic to tyranny, autocracy and a situation where the concept of ‘Elected Representatives’ is set to naught and becomes farcical.