100,000 people to sing patriotic song in Mumbai

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January 16, 2014

A staggering 100,000 people are expected to sing the patriotic song “Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logon” to mark the end of its golden jubilee celebrations on January 27, an organiser said on Thursday.

The function, to be held at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Race Course, has been organised by Shahid Gaurav Samiti (SGS) in which Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar — who first rendered it on January 27, 1963 to remember the heroes of the 1962 India-China war — will be present.
“Over a lakh people will sing the song in presence of Lata Mangeshkar and she may also join them. She will be felicitated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi along with other war heroes and their families,” SGS spokesperson Vaibhav Lodha said.

He added that over 100 Param Vir Chakra, Mahaveer Chakra and other gallantry awardees, families of martyrs and other dignitaries shall be present and felicitated.

“The golden jubilee of this patriotic song was celebrated (for) the ethos of nationalism and patriotism among Indians and to inspire future generations,” said SGS convenor and Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Mumbai, Mangal Prabhat Lodha.

“Ae Mere Vatan Ke Logon”, penned by the late Kavi Pradeep, was first sung by Lata Mangeshkar Jan 27, 1963 after the 1962 war, at a function in Delhi where India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and other dignitaries were present.

SGS also has declared January 27 as ‘Shreshtha Bharat Divas’ in memory of the martyrs who lost their lives defending the country’s borders during various wars, the spokesperson said.

The event will see the presence of soldiers and officers from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy besides common citizens.

55 workers of MNS arrested by police for vandalising toll plaza in Dombivili

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

Over 50 men belonging to Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) vandalised and ransacked a toll plaza this morning in Dombivili in Thane.

The MNS workers were demanding that the toll plaza should be shifted from the current location where roads were too narrow causing accidents and traffic jams.

The workers also claimed that they had warned the toll plaza authorities about this earlier and since they didn’t follow the diktat, they went on the rampage, breaking tables, doors, windows and computers.

The police have arrested 55 MNS workers for rioting.

On Army Day, a special gesture for bravehearts

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

The Indian Army marked its 66th anniversary in Mumbai by honouring the martyrs at the Gateway of India. And for the first time, families of martyrs were adopted by local Army units to ensure that Army assistance is available to them in the long run.

Families of 18 martyrs were present at the function where Governor of Maharashtra K Sankaranarayan gave the Veerta Puraskar. Among the awardees was Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s mother. Unnikrishnan had died fighting terrorists during 26/11 at the Taj Mahal Hotel, situated right opposite the ceremony venue.

“It’s not about financial assistance. It’s about honour. I have not come to terms with the fact that Sandeep is not here anymore. I feel he is right here, somewhere,” his father, K Unnikrishnan said.

While there will be no financial assistance, the martyr’s families will be allowed to use Army infrastructure. Army schools, medical facilities and Army hostels will be open to them. This means that the families will be able to use most facilities that serving Army personnel get to use. For many, this is crucial.

Rajshri Mane, wife of martyred jawan Naik Kundlik Mane was emotional while speaking. She said, “My husband is like my god. My only responsibility will be to bring up my son and make him like my husband.” Naik Kudlik Mane was killed in an ambush along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He hailed from Kolhapur in Maharashtra and has a little son.

Harshala Garje, who husband Major Atul Garje lost his life when his helicopter crashed, told, “This is society’s respect towards the martyrs. We are here to celebrate their bravery. We are still a part of the Army family.”

For the martyr’s families, life often becomes a struggle. This unique gesture to extend support will look after every need of the families of these bravehearts.

NCP asks AAP to spell out stand on secularism, reservation

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

NCP asked the Aam Aadmi Party to spell out its stand on secularism and reservation for backward classes and minorities.

The new party should give a clear view on where it stands on the principles of secularism. AAP should spell out its ideology, NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said at a press conference.

When HRD minister late Arjun Singh introduced reservations for OBCs in IIMs and IITs, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia’s Youth for Equality forum opposed the move.

“The party should clarify if it is opposed to reservations. NCP supports reservations for minorities and Maratha community in jobs and education. Since AAP is contesting Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, we would like to know their view on this issue,” Malik said.

Taking a dig at the Shiv Sena for its proposed January 23 rally to mark the birth anniversary of late Bal Thackeray where the Shiv Sainiks will have to “pledge” their loyalty to the party, he said, “Late Balasaheb never felt the need for such oath from Sainiks. Irrespective of the pledges administered to them, Sainiks, MLAs and MPs are not happy with the current party leadership.”

When asked about Shiv Sena corporator Sheetal Mhatre and former Mayor Shubha Raul’s charges of women not being treated well in the party, Malik said, Bal Thackeray had opposed reservation for women in politics, saying that a woman’s place is in kitchen and she should be looking after children.

“The party has not yet changed its attitude towards women,” he said.

Prosecution allowed to drop lesser charges against Abu Salem

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court allowed the prosecution to drop some less serious charges against deported gangster Abu Salem in connection with the murder of city-based real estate developer Pradeep Jain in 1995.

“We filed an application in the special court, saying that some less serious charges under the Indian Penal Code and and TADA may be dropped and the court has upheld our application,” special prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said.

Nikam said that earlier Abu Salem had moved an application in court seeking that charges of criminal conspiracy against him in the murder case be dropped due to the order of the constitutional court of Portugal which had terminated his extradition.

“We told the court that charges were withdrawn to maintain cordial relations between India and Portugal, but we contended that charges of criminal conspiracy would not be dropped,” Nikam said.

Abu Salem, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, was extradited from Portugal on November 11, 2005, after a prolonged legal battle.

According to the police, on March 7, 1995, a city-based real estate developer Pradeep Jain was shot dead by assailants outside his Juhu bungalow after he allegedly refused to part with his huge property for Abu Salem.

Perhaps, Rahul is Congress’ last trump card

By

Vaidehi Taman

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January 16, 2014

The Congress leaders are still in confusion and wondering whether to project its 43-year old Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate or not. There seems to be a plumb division among the senior party leaders. Many believe that Rahul needs experience to contest against the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. It is a shame that the grand old party which has many members with long years of political and administrative experience and having proven abilities has to depend on a particular family to take decision on Prime Minister of the country if the party or a coalition led by it wins the Lok Sabha election. Unfortunately, no political pundit has come out with a credible explanation for this totally undemocratic tradition. Depressed Congress workers want Rahul as the prime ministerial candidate to go to Lok Sabha polls with a face. But at senior levels, leaders say that a “battle of personality” will cost the party and Rahul his image. There are many disagreements and differences over Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate. It was so, during Indira Gandhi’s time when Nehru and Gandhi legacy was still fresh and lasting and subsequently Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia, due to sympathetic factors consequent to their unfortunate violent ends. It is time to come out of this syndrome; it is time the wiser heads of the Congress community voiced their sincere opinions to save it from ignominy and rise to its earlier glory sooner, even if not in the ensuing elections.

If Congress is looking only at youth to qualify to be the PM nominee, why would they not groom more accomplished and self-thinking bright young leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiaditya Scindia or any other deserving young generation candidates? Aren’t in the Party ‘men’ or ‘women’ to challenge Rahul Gandhi. Is dynasty connection also one of the factors for leadership? Is the Congressmen petrified by the domineering dynastic overpower so as to even coerce a ‘reluctant’ Rahul to take up the leadership mantle?

Rahul is still immature and he doesn’t have any vision or any impressive qualities to boast about. He has also been a witness to the government and its malfunctioning and corruption till date. He and his mother made the post of PM to be a mockery. Rahul has neither proved that he is an effective parliamentarian, nor a forceful speaker and is only the custodian of huge wealth amazed without any credible means. Congress is one of the political parties with senior and most educated leaders. Congress is blessed with grassroot level leaders and this has helped them to rule India for the maximum years after Independence. Right now, the waves are anti-Congress and people need change. They are not in a mood to retain back Congress and in such crises, if Rahul Gandhi is projected as PM candidate then the party would be putting last nail in its own coffin. There are no achievements of Rahul Gandhi after he joined politics in 2004. There is nothing which can be discussed about him as a politician in these 10 years. After miserably flop in Delhi, Congress should learn that they could not attract their own voters. Corruption and dynasty politics both are on the radar of other political parties. Congress lost its ground over dynasty politics. Congress should promote some good leader as their prime ministerial candidate; at least they can succeed in grabbing some votes. Moreover, if India ever wants to become a super power, we need to get rid of dynasty politics. Why do all the politicians’ sons enter politics, is it because politics runs in their blood and they can serve people better?

We need a law to make it mandatory for all politicians to send at least one of their daughters or sons to serve in the Indian army. Immediate descendants of the politicians should not be allowed to enter politics. Though, these actions sound anti-democratic, this will surely help India in curbing the practice of running party and government as their family business. Moreover, Rahul Gandhi is not at all inspiring. It was amazing to hear what Mani Shankar Iyer said; he said that even Rajiv Gandhi was initially reluctant to lead and many wrote him off but he surprised everybody by majestically rising to the occasion, but you cannot compare the two to support Rahul’s candidature for PM’s position. Rahul is perhaps seen by Congress as its last trump card. If he cannot deliver despite his lineage, nothing better can be done.

There are many deserving personalities in Congress party to project as Prime Ministerial Candidate. Power is poison and absolute power in a single family for over 60 years is absolute poison for the country. Mahatma Gandhi wanted Congress to dissolve. Nehru could have done that easily and started a new national party. But Congress’s name was something that resonated with illiterate people across India. No doubt, the views of Rahul Gandhi seem to be good and striking. He is the one who can even oppose his own party’s decision. However, it is possible in Congress party only for Gandhi family members. If the same attitude and trantum would have been shown by other leaders, he would have been shown the doors by now. Sonia and Congress leaders tried their level best to project him as an angry young man but he finally could not establish himself. We as Indian citizens deserve better politicians and bureaucrats. We need leaders who will put our country first rather than petty politics. It is time to overhaul entire system.

Women protest against Vinod Ghosalkar outside Dahisar Police station

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Prakash Jha

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January 16, 2014

Women’s organisation protested against Shiv Sena MLA Vinod Ghosalkar and his son, corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar outside Dahisar Police station for mentally harassing Sheetal Mhatre and demanded a complaint to be filed against them.

Shiv Sena MLA Vinod Ghosalkar refuted all claims made against him by Sheetal Mhatre and former Mayor Shubha Raul. Ghosalkar also clarified that he is a Shiv sainik and there is no place for such acts there. Further, Ghosalkar stated that he is ready to face the investigation whenever demanded.

Ghosalkar said, “Senior party leaders Gajanan Kirtikar and Subhash Desai were planning to conduct a probe over this issue. However, they were unable to investigate the matter as both Raul and Mhatre were absent.”

Earlier Sheetal Mhatre had submitted her resignation to the party president Uddhav Thackeray. Both Raul and Mhatre were miffed as they were unable to meet Thackeray despite being given an appointment to have a discussion pertaining to the Ghosalkar issue.

Sheetal Mhatre’s brother Bunty Patil alleged that Ghosalkar was planning to hold a women’s procession at his sister house. After hearing this news, Sheetal’s started getting high blood pressure and later she was admitted to hospital.

National Commission for Women have forwarded a letter to the Mumbai Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh and asked him to submit a report within 10 days.

Swimming competition to be held in Vashi

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

Swimming competition will be organised at Sector 1. Vashi, Navi Mumbai on 18th and 19th January. Ganesh Naik, Revenue and Excise Minister of Navi Mumbai and Thane will inaugurate the event. Children from the age group of 7 to 17 along with adults will participate in the competition. The competition will be held under the leadership of Mayor Sagar Naik.

MP Sanjeev Naik, Navi Mumbai Deputy Mayor Ashok Gawde, MLA Sandeep Naik, politicians like Suresh Kulkarni, L.L Jahad, Anant Sutar, opposition leader Dilip Ghodekar and other politicians will be present at the venue. The winners will be awarded cash prize and certificate of participation.

The organizer Suraj Patil cultural programme committee head requested all the residents of Navi Mumbai to participate in the event. Prize distribution ceremony will be held on January, 19 at 6 pm under the leadership of MLA Sandeep Naik.

Those against Rahul Gandhi within Congress will have to go: Salman Khurshid

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

Amid reports that a section of its top leaders are against naming Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate of the party, senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Thursday warned that those who have a problem with the party vice president will have to go.

The External Affairs Minister said, “If anyone has a problem with Rahul, they will have to leave.”

Khurshid, who endorsed Rahul’s nomination as PM candidate, was also quoted as saying, “Time has come for generational change. There shouldn’t be adjustment problems with Rahul. Those who have a problem with him will have to go.”

The reaction from Khurshid came shortly after many top leaders, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, Rashid Alvi and Oscar Fernandes, backed Rahul’s name for the top job.
While many have voiced support to Rahul Gandhi, a section of its leaders have also expressed reservations over the party projecting him as the face for the 2014 polls.

Few Congress leaders does not want Rahul to be exposed to the tirade of Narendra Modi, the main opposition BJP’s PM candidate.

If sources are to be believed. then instead of being named as the PM candidate, Rahul could be elevated as the Congress working president at the AICC session.

At the moment, the party central leadership is said to weighing all options regarding Rahul Gandhi.

Before making any major announcement on Rahul Gandhi, the party leaders want to deliberate on three main options – conferring him as its prime ministerial candidate, promoting him to Working President, or declaring that he will lead the campaign for the national election that must be held by May.

Rahul, in an interview published recently, had indicated that he is ready for the top job.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has already ruled himself out of a third term if the ruling UPA comes back to power. Manmohan has already praised Rahul’s “outstanding credentials”.

If officially nominated, Rahul would take on BJP’s Narendra Modi in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Tharoors ‘happily married’ amid Twitter controversy over Pakistani journalist

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Afternoon Voice

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January 16, 2014

In an indecorous controversy surrounding Shashi Tharoor, the Union Minister’s wife Sunanda Tharoor on Wednesday alleged that her husband was having an “extra-marital affair” with a Pakistan-based journalist.

Talking to a daily, Sunanda also said she would now “seek divorce” from Tharoor. The journalist has threatened to sue Sunanda and Tharoor’s wife has welcomed the scribe’s move.

The furious wife’s statement came shortly after the suave thrice-married human resources minister claimed that his Twitter account had been hacked. Notably, some controversial tweets were posted from his account last evening, leaving the followers utterly astonished. The tweets referred to one Mehr Tarar, a Pakistani journalist.

The minister then claimed that his account had been hacked and and will be not functioning for a few days before the issues are sorted out. The controversial tweets, which have now been deleted, showed private exchanges apparently between 57-year-old Tharoor and Mehr Tarar, 45, in which she professed her love for him and he explained that his wife had discovered his adultery.

The controversy was about to die down when Sunanda declared that neither her or her husband’s account has been hacked. As a matter of fact, it was she, who had logged into Tharoor’s account and posted messages that the Lahore-based journalist had sent to her husband. She did it to show the world how Mehr “is stalking my husband”.

Sunanda also dragged up a corruption scandal that nearly wrecked her husband’s career: “Our accounts have not been hacked and I have been sending out these tweets. I cannot tolerate this. This is a Pakistani woman who is an ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) agent, and she is stalking my husband. And you know how men are. He is flattered by the attention. I took upon myself the crimes of this man during IPL (Indian Premier League). I will not allow this to be done to me. I just can’t tolerate this. I have nothing more to say.”

On Thursday, Sunanda, however, denied logged into Tharoor’s account, saying her’s and her husband’s accounts are still not working and Twitter is working on that. Sunanda confirmed that the Pakistani journalist wants to have a life-long relationship with Tharoor, not knowing that he is a happily married man. I am sick and was away for three months for treatment. She followed Shashi to an event and fell in obsession, said the livid wife.

I did send out two-three tweets to the Pakistani journalist’s account, added Sunanda. “The tweets that I sent today were that a woman should stay away from a woman’s husband, it’s not morally right.”

“Shashi is a happily married man with no intention of leaving his wife and his wife has no intention of leaving him,” declared Sunanda.