Uddhav Thackeray had to tackle two enemies simultaneously, Corona and BJP

By

-

August 8, 2020

For the time being, I shall give Uddhav Thackeray good marks because as a new ruler (first time minister and that too a CM from 28th Nov 2019), his introduction to administration has begun with a big crisis, and because of his freshness and compassion, he has been able to perform fairly well. No CM is perfect and he is also not. Whatever is happening in Maharashtra is happening across the globe, as the pandemic is not invited by Uddhav, its global catastrophe. He is already working hard to save the state from every calamity be it cyclone or COVID-19.

This has been just nine months since Uddhav Thackeray took over as Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he might not have come to this position because of his admirative skills or any virtues as a politician. As it is the first time that the Thackrey family took part in active politics. Those who are criticizing him, are actually licking their wounds that they could not grab power with his help. He is unnecessarily judged very early and came under attack since he has taken oath as Chief Minister of Maharashtra. When he was in alliance with BJP and when he broke the alliance, both the times he gave sleepless nights to various leaders. But this time they could not deal with Uddhav because he kept them out of rule.

He might not have contested elections or held any portfolios as a political leader, but he lived with politics under the guidance and shadows of his father late Balasaheb Thackeray. Balasaheb and Udhav Thackeray are very close to the people of Maharashtra, they know Maharashtra’s needs and its public. They are the grass root level leaders and loved by the people of Maharashtra. Most of the people who are criticizing him are either non-Maharashtrians sitting at home watching biased news channels and reading fake news on WhatsApp forwards and commenting about his leadership on Social Media. Or they are those IT cell members who are assigned to criticize him because he has crushed the ego of those people who were calming to return to power. People who live in Maharashtra know him very well and I am one of them, it’s not only about Marathi people but every Maharashtrian and others who have lived here for long have some soft corner for them. As far as Maha Vikas Aghadi is concerned, it is a lethal combination in political plethora. Congress and NCP have experience because they ruled the state for the longest time, on the other hand, Shiv Sena has the manpower and dedicated voters. Above all, they have Sharad Pawar to guide and bind them. BJP on its own, without any alliance or support, can never come to power in Maharashtra.

When BJP’s attacks could not make much difference, they threw him a bait through a rabble-rousing TV host. This isn’t an ordinary game. Who wins this round will have deep, longstanding consequences on the future of the Shiv Sena-led coalition government in Maharashtra? Republic TV’s Arnab Goswami is daring the Uddhav Thackeray government: do you have the guts to take me on? This dare has to be seen in the context of the BJP’s goals in the state. As we all know Arnab is nothing but a mouthpiece of BJP and he takes every liberty to attack and humiliate BJP opponents. For all its so-called Chanakyaniti, the BJP was overpowered in the post-election games in Maharashtra. Despite being the single largest party, and doing everything it could, including waking up the President of India at 5 am, it lost the plot to Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress. Uddhav Thackeray became chief minister. Not having a BJP CM in any state is intolerable to home minister Amit Shah. The embarrassment of losing Maharashtra to a rag-tag post-poll coalition made them inferior. To be swindled by a sober Uddhav Thackeray, and an ageing Sharad Pawar and an exhausted Congress is not something Amit Shah is going to forget. Because more they scream about “Congress mukt Bharat’, they are actually seeing congress somehow coming in their way. The BJP is burning to gain power back in Maharashtra. And before it can mount a coup, it has to do everything to weaken and disgrace the Uddhav Thackeray government. Uddhav needs to be very shrewd just like his father and mentor when it comes to dealing with BJP.

What I feel is BJP’s persistent attacks are probably pushing the ruling allies to stick together more closely. While NCP president Sharad Pawar has chosen to describe Fadnavis as an “impatient man”, senior party leader Nawab Malik avers that the BJP will not be able to weaken the government. “Let the BJP keep dreaming about the Maharashtra government’s fall,” Malik, a cabinet minister, says. “They have a right to dream but all the coalition parties in the government are together. Nobody can do anything.” When coalition leaders showing faith in each other, BJP opened attack from self-owned media houses and its instinctually mortgaged anchors. Post pandemic, it is going to be a litmus test for Uddhav Thackeray, because it depends on Sena’s equations with the allies, especially Pawar, who holds the key to its existence. At the same time, Maha Vikas Aghadi needs to come with some strong strategy, to deal with unreasonable media houses. They need to be given checkmate or else these brutal attacks will keep deterring the dignity of the alliance.

Thank You Readers: It’s Successful 12 years of Journey and Together WE DID IT…

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 8, 2020

We the Afternoon voices are 12 years old today. One long decade the publication stood against various challenges and sustained with the utmost integrity. Afternoon Voice is a tabloid published from Mumbai, fighting against all the odds in the fourth estate as well as outside, the motive of this parallel media to provide unbiased information and stand as the voices of people.

Dr Vaidehi, Editor-in-Chief of Afternoon Voice says, “The strength of our newspaper is our readers and content writers, and they support us unconditionally. My office staffs from editorial to circulation are young but well trained, there are hiccups but with the encouragement of readers we stood firm.”

Three months nationwide lockdown in light of the coronavirus outbreak has caused the distribution chain of newspapers across the country to collapse as dailies in some parts have stopped production altogether. Maharashtra, one of the states with the highest number of positive coronavirus cases, is also the worst affected in terms of newspaper distribution. But without taking a pause, the paper ventured into fulltime online news circulation.

Vishwajit Gaikwad, director of Afternoon Voice says, “We all directors hold our own businesses, for commercial gains and revenue generation. This venture is more of a social cause for me, with limited resources and staff we run this newspaper but stand at par with all reputed publications in the market.”

I never stopped reading Afternoon Voice

After getting up in the morning the first thing I do is take a look at newspapers. I am an avid reader and reading newspaper is my routine, in the era of yellow and commercial journalism there is one small neutral newspaper of Mumbai stood against all odds and that is “Afternoon Voice”. When I go in flashback, it was 2008-09, Dr Vaidehi the editor of publication approached my father’s publication house “Vatsala Baliram Prakashan Kendra” for help in printing of Afternoon Voice. Those days, I used to wonder how this young team could really deal with the newspaper industry, as it’s not a prerogative of ordinary persons. My father, who was a social worker and philanthropist agreed to help them with the startup. Somehow, I saw the newspaper getting launched and it was a very rebellious step though. But to my amazement, the content was so fresh that I become an avid reader of this newspaper. Since then I never stopped reading it.

Gradually, my family members got associated with this newspaper in some or the other way I’m seeing their struggle and success story since its inception. Sometimes the staff is not there and only a couple of people are running it without any deviation in the quality. Sometimes they’re going through the financial crisis but not letting the newspaper stop or compromising on any front. It reaches to the readers every day on time with a new story that is unparalleled. Stories which affect the common man, news reports that are unbiased.

Time has really flown and they have completed the 11 years of their journey with so many squalls and scuffles and I wish this organization all the best for their future. Actually, I’m a government officer and not really a writer, but today I thought sharing my views for this young and matured team and tried penning down my lines.

In the era of lockdown, many publication houses stopped breathing and they finished with the time. Afternoon Voice not only sustained the pandemic pressure but also gave every minute coverage.

I congratulate team Afternoon Voice for their success and hoping to see them venture ahead.

– Anilkumar Gaikwad

Afternoon Voice is synonymous with Vaidehi Taman who silently voices her words on print media for 11 years now. Bold and neutral in conveying news to the readers, people wait for articles which are penned in a uniquely bold and vociferous style.

These days I am enjoying tweets from Vaidehi. And also learning many aspects of Indian politics vis-a-vis from a journalist’s perspective. To be absolutely truthful is rare and dangerous in journalism but The Afternoon Voice has maintained their Freedom of Press.

God bless Afternoon voice and its team especially their young and budding journalists.

– Adv Pratibha Bangera

Let me Congratulate Dear Vaidehi for your remarkable grit to survive in your endeavour to uphold National spirit and the pursuit of truth in this cruel world. You are one of the fittest journalists who need to survive to uphold the rule Law in our great nation. Jai Hind. God bless your team members.

– Rohini Salian, Senior Lawyer

I am Suchita Bhide Shah a psychological counsellor and a family life educationist working for the society all 7 days of the week. I have experience of 20 years. In 2010 few boys aged 13/14 years were suffering from male teachers’ molestation and I was helping kids and their parents emotionally by counselling. Afternoon voice team came to me and understood the matter and made a point to bring this news to the front page and then it was followed by few. There I came in touch with Afternoon voice. Other parents also were more careful.

The Afternoon voice is high on content and quality. It has always gone beyond limits and helped people to get their voice heard. Along with that, the charity done by this newspaper has helped many underprivileged people.

Ms Vaidehi Taman, Editor-in-chief is well learned and empathetic female she understands the pain of such and many other incidents. I have lots of respect for her and her team. I am satisfied with their report and analysis. They are doing a good job.

I congratulate the entire team on their anniversary. Keep up the good work and keep analysing the social and holistic difference in our lines.

– Suchita Bhide Shah

Heartiest congratulation to team NBC completing 11 years continue publishing of all additions I am also lucky because I am the part of NBC group from last 11 years when they started, some special words for NBC group young team parallel media and young achiever Vaidehi Taman.

– Dr Vipin Gaur

This is to express my great happiness in the successful 11th anniversary of Afternoon Voice!

I see this as the personal achievement of Dr Vaidehi Taman and an ongoing successful journey of her wonderful team. I have known Afternoon Voice, for so many years now and I take pride in this wonderful milestone that the newspaper has built-in our Mumbai city.

Inspired by you, Afternoon Voice represents the city’s voice. It fearlessly addresses the city’s problems and brings them to the notice of the concerned authorities. Yet, it is warm, affectionate and celebrates the spirit of the Mumbaikars!

Actually, Afternoon Voice is an extension of the spirit and personality of its Editor in Chief, Dr Vaidehi Taman. It can easily connect with the reader and forms an individual friendly bond. This is how ‘Afternoon Voice’ connected with me and soon, I felt a strong bonding with the newspaper.

On meeting Vaidehi Ji, I was instantly drawn to her fearless – never say die spirit, humour and warmth. She and Afternoon Voice celebrates life. I sincerely wish Afternoon Voice, great success in building many more milestones, in the coming years.

– Dr Soma Ghosh, Padma Shree & Vocalist – Benaras Gharana

Our Marathi daily ‘Mumbai Manoos’

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 7, 2020

Five years back we came up with our Marathi publication titled “Mumbai Manoos” (www.mumbaimanoos.com) an online edition. Mrs. Amruta Fadanvis, a versatile personality, a trained classical singer, a social activist, and a banker has inaugurated this portal. While the mainline print media is facing an existential crisis over the rise of digital media, developments in the regional space paint a different picture. We need more local and regional bulletins to connect the people of soil with their issues and updates. The regional news space has grown phenomenally over the years. These days’ people prefer to read the news on apps through digital media; they want to stay tuned with their city and state. Our intention is to join these dots and bridge the gap. Connecting the Mumbaikar of the entire globe is out the motive. The regional press is scripting a new high for the print media industry. If you look at the growth of the regional press, it has been very promising over the years. This has also encouraged us to start more editions.

We have our English Daily “Afternoon Voice” (www.www.afternoonvoice.com) but that is not enough to be in touch with local readers. The very own language of land can give a sense of belonging to the readers. Moreover, we are parallel media house having no political or business group backing, this is the newspaper run by a journalist to fight the evil and odd in the fourth estate and maintain the democracy. Regional-language newspapers are easier to understand. We will ensure that our regional newspapers will connect more and more Marathi Manoos and Mumbaikar in the coming years.

Though print, especially the vernacular dailies might be witnessing robust growth in terms of readership and revenue, many wonders if print would eventually keep pace with the speed of digital news. The reality is that websites or digital news portals have ‘feet on the ground’ than competing news printed. Of late, newspaper managers are translating their local strength onto their websites on priority. India will continue to witness positive growth and there is no threat to this industry because the online publication has nothing much to lose. Social media has turned us all into citizen journalists with the ability to make the news whoever and wherever we are.

Reading a printed newspaper can be a sensory experience, but the fact is that these days newspapers suffer major drops in distribution numbers. Not only are users feeling more and more comfortable reading digitally, but digital reading also allows for easier switching between sources and content and looking for the right content. A strongly increasing number of people do not want to buy the whole newspaper anymore, where they only read a few articles.

Digital media is a major part of our world, and publications are using social media and website content as a cost-free way to market themselves. Many independent publications are even introducing a digital version of their publication, in the hope that it will complement sales by targeting those who like to view content on the go. In some aspects, print media becoming insignificant as people can access similar content through online websites. Blogs are becoming increasingly more popular due to their ability to give ordinary people a fashion presence, allowing them to share their opinions or showcase their own creative work. Over the past few years, the newspaper industry has entered a new period of decline.

As I have mentioned in my various edits, for ten long years, I tried my level best to keep parallel media alive. We are committed to uphold fair journalism and live with its integrity. The world is going digital and the existence of print medium for small organizations like us doesn’t make much sense. We are widely read by readers online, we could establish a good existence through this medium. We are a small newspaper and could not fetch much readership through print, but created our existence already. People have started noticing us. Sometimes, I get scared of getting vanished due to rat race competition in media. To strengthen our roots and remain here forever, we are making one more attempt towards the digitalization of our publications. Your support is our next step towards a fruitful journey in media.

Keep reading us.

Sharad Pawar – Maratha’s strongman and political luminary

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 7, 2020

The old political saying in Mumbai is “what Pawar thinks, what he says, and what he does are three completely different things”. Yes, it is not easy to take him for a ride or take him for granted. A leader with utmost understanding for Indian politics has his firm grip on power corridors. When you talk about Maharashtra politics, you cannot ignore the contribution of Sharad Pawar. Over the last 50 years, Maharashtra politics has spun him, and at the age of 80, he has fought many such brutal skirmishes. In 2019, he just refuted Modi-Shah’s political game plans by instilling new confidence in opposition parties in the country. Modi and BJP followers used to be overconfident about Amit Shah by calling him Chanakya, a strategist, but one Maratha shriveled them to size. There are few Indian politicians as enigmatic as Sharad Pawar. I can confidently say, with Sharad Pawar Maharashtra politics will have its existence and without him, state politics would be orphaned.

Ironically, his political party saw many opportunists who flipped their loyalties with time, more than a dozen leaders and an NCP Member of Parliament switched sides ahead of the elections. People also thought that his family looked to be splitting apart. But that can never happen as Pawar knows how to hold the roots of his family. The fact is that Pawar has never been the kind of statewide mass leader that the national media projects him as. His main base has been confined to his western Maharashtra bastion, where he keeps grip over his agrarian Maratha caste base. But he has never, for example, led the Congress, or indeed, the NCP to a majority win in Maharashtra, often relying on breakups and post-poll deals to glue his position in the state. He has successfully expanded his influence beyond Maharashtra. But the politics of the center has always betrayed him of opportunities. He had several chances to become prime minister, but his fate was blocked in the devious power corridors of the Delhi durbar. What Pawar has been, though, is a tireless, resourceful leader, and a perceptive political negotiator, living by the proverb of “no permanent friends or enemies in politics, but permanent benefits”. This has enabled him to build a wide network of friends and allies across party lines in Maharashtra and Deli as well. When he turned 75 in 2015, the entire political class, from Narendra Modi to Sonia Gandhi, were in attendance — the same Sonia Gandhi whose foreign origins had led Pawar to leave the Congress in 1999, but with whom he wholeheartedly forged an alliance in Maharashtra and at the Centre. NCP and Congress really changed the shape of Maharashtra in all dimensions, but the irony is that BJP government created a native through their media mouthpieces, also social media battalions and I.T. cell squads. They spend all their energies talking about Congress-NCP corruption and the merits of BJP. They changed political perceptions with their propaganda machineries. Modi alone was projected as a hero and rest everyone as corrupt.

Meanwhile, the agitation by Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev against Congress-NCP gave a political opportunity to Modi and BJP.

Huge money was spent on making Modi a political brand. On the other hand, Congress has leadership crises, and Pawar had to bear the burns of local politics and political vendetta. We can say that the voters of India were conditioned. In spite of being surrounded with such odds, Pawar stood straight, without taking any nonsense from Modi or BJP. He was named in an enforcement directorate First Information Report (FIR), a move that in retrospection may have been Devendra Fadnavis’s unforgivable mistake. It virtually signaled an open war between an ageing regional satrap and the ambitious star of Maharashtra politics. Cutting across party divides, Pawar’s networking skills are legendary. His friendships span across national and international boundaries and are closely guarded. Those who know him point out that he has a photographic memory — he rarely forgets any incident or a name.

The BJP’s big two may be seen as a political Chanakyas, but “Chanakya-neeti” cannot be built around threats and intimidation of smaller parties. It needs deft handling of bruised egos and a bit of give-and-take, rather than bullying people into submission. The spectre of a “dossier raj”, where State power is used for crushing political opponents, breeds suspicion and enmity, which is where Shah-Modi could perhaps take a leaf out of the Pawar playbook. Real politics is not just about the stick; it is often about the carrot top. Those who know Pawar say he is a silent worker. His sharpness has become a subject of drawing room humor. “His left brain does not know what the right brain is doing” and “his brain can defeat any computer” are the popular murmurs that cause much hilarity.

It is this capacity to cut through personal and ideological divides that have sustained “Pawar power” over the years. He was, in a sense, the original coalition-era politician. His Progressive Democratic Front-led government in Maharashtra in 1978 brought together the then Jan Sangh and socialists under one umbrella. And while the Shiv Sena was ostensibly a political opponent, Pawar never targeted Sena supremo Bal Thackeray beyond a point. Whether out of mutual respect or mutual convenience, the Pawar-Thackeray equation is proof of the politics of conciliation that has marked Maharashtra’s landscape. Unlike West Bengal or a Tamil Nadu, where fierce individual battles are waged and political adversaries vilified and even jailed, Maharashtra’s politics is built around quid pro quo deal-making.

A four-time chief minister of Maharashtra, Sharad Pawar is considered to be a friend of the farmers. His work in bringing in a culture of building percolation tanks in the rural areas to strengthen the groundwater levels has found many takers. In fact, he has been instrumental in bringing in the Israeli agricultural methods to Maharashtra which has helped enhance produce. He has also held the defence and agriculture portfolios at the Centre. The NCP chief’s political career has been peppered with much drama and breakups. In 1977, when Indira Gandhi broke up the Congress into Congress (I) and Congress (U), Pawar chose to go with his mentor Yeshwantrao Chavan to Congress (U). Chavan, the first chief minister of Maharashtra and the fifth Deputy Prime Minister of India, was one of the most powerful politicians in Maharashtra. Pawar has, on numerous occasions admitted to the impact Chavan had on him. In 1978, Pawar quit Congress (U) and formed a coalition government — the Democratic Progressive Government — with the Janata Party. At 38, he became the youngest chief minister of Maharashtra. His return to the Congress (I) in 1987 is considered to be the turning point for the Shiv Sena. His closeness to Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiv Sena, saw the saffron party grow by leaps. In June 1999, Pawar once again broke away from the Congress questioning Sonia Gandhi’s foreign antecedents and her suitability to become the prime minister. Demanding that a native-born should be holding that position, Pawar along with two other Congressmen — PA Sangma and Tariq Anwar — established the NCP. A few months later, after the Maharashtra assembly polls of that year, however, Pawar’s NCP aligned with the Congress to form a coalition government in the state. He later supported the tie-up citing regional compulsions. Despite numerous charges of corruption leveled against him from various quarters, the veteran leader has always walked away untouched. He has filed defamation cases against his accusers and ensured that the loud voices became whispers.

A member of the Rajya Sabha, he was in 2017 conferred with the Padma Vibhushan by PM Narendra Modi. He was awarded as an outstanding Parliamentarian, in 2003 from the then President of India Pratibha Patil. Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, Michigan, Detroit, U.S. bestowed him with an Honorary Doctoral Degree in Humanities.

He is one tall leader, who mentored many politicians of Maharashtra, he also knows how to make and when to break. Fighter but not quitter, Maharashtra needs the most, because at this time “Pawar is power and Power is Pawar”. The state still needs to breathe free from false clutches of supremacy, and that can happen only with his presence.

Mumbai actors – Depression, suicides are worrisome

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

August 6, 2020

2020 has arrived as a year of suicide for glamour industry, today one more 44-year-old TV actor Samir Sharma found dead at Mumbai home, he was seen in Balaji Telefilms’ popular TV series “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” and “Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki” – was found hanging in the kitchen of his Malad home. The reason for death is financial stress and no work.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by hanging out of depression is not just one case that has shaken the Bollywood industry, this is also not one rare case that had happened in recent past, the film industry needs to address mental health issues in young people. They should open up about any stressful situations or environments. They need a platform to speak it out. Sushant Singh Rajput had everything in life one can imagine; be it a name, fame, money, success, family, GF, and a great career. Every time a celebrity or a high-profile personality commits suicide, it brings issues related to mental health and depression into the limelight. The question we end up asking ourselves is, “Why would they want to take their own life when they had everything in terms of wealth, fame, and skills?” Whether it is depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or something else altogether, mental illness like any other disease is a battle that must be confronted. Sadly, not everyone can overcome the pain that weighs down on him or her. But Depression and Anxiety are two invisible diseases that cannot be x-rayed or scanned but very real and life-threatening. Our country now desperately needs to focus on mental education by introducing happiness class or something, which relates to it.

Also Read: Mumbai actor’s depression suicides is bothersome

Mental illness is a global problem. More than 300 million people, 4.4% of the world’s population, suffer from depression. These alarming figures reflect the wider prevalence of mental ill-health more generally. It is estimated that mental health conditions will affect a staggering one in four people at some time in their lives. Bollywood is depressed for some of the reasons, the actors who see peek are scared of falling down, and those who are in a hurry to get work to have different levels of depression. Deepika Padukone like a successful actress has time and again spoken her heart out on several issues. Deepika is always seen as being vocal about issues such as feminism and depression. She is the chairperson of the Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image and is the founder of the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which creates awareness on mental health in India. Deepika Padukone’s non-profit organization deals with mental health issues that also launched a program called “You Are Not Alone” but even somewhere she failed to reach out to those fraternity members who are suffering mental illness or vice versa, people failed to reach out to her for help.

Zia Khan Bollywood actress who shared the screen with legendary Amitabh Bachchan, at the age of 25 committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Mumbai. Her death left the entire Bollywood fraternity shocked as the bubbly star gave in to death due to depression and a failed love life. When popular television actress, Pratyusha Banerjee, best known for playing Anandi on the TV show, Balika Vadhu, was found dead in her Mumbai home by committing suicide, it once again opened the debate on depression. It was reported that the actress was distressed over her failed relationship and financial pressures made it difficult for her to survive. Both Zia and Pratyusha hanged themselves and ended their lives. “Crime Patrol” actress Preksha Mehta has committed suicide. She was 25. Preksha took her life by hanging from a ceiling fan at her residence in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

This year another actor Sejal Sharma, who acted in TV show Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji, committed suicide by hanging herself at her Mira Road residence. Sharma was a known face in the advertising world before moving on to TV. She worked with a number of Bollywood actors for her TV commercials. Originally from Udaipur in Rajasthan, Sharma moved to Mumbai in 2017. She also acted in a web show titled Azad Parinde. one more actor Kushal Punjabi had committed suicide, who has appeared in several films and television shows, committed suicide by hanging himself from a fan with a nylon rope, the incident happened at his residence at Bandra West. All these actors who hanged themselves are around the age of 25 to 35, they not even lived half of an average life span.

Also Read: The dark secrets of Sushant Singh’s death getting unveiled?

Lights, camera action, the three words any Bollywood star will be familiar with it. Supported by makeup artists, stylists, and wardrobe consultants, their job is made easier on set. They are always pretentious and live in the character of others with makeup and get up, but what about offset? The everyday look, being confronted by paparazzi and the pressures of social media, how does this impact a star mentally?

Stories from Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, and numerous other film stars have made headlines revealing their struggles with mental illness. Showing that these celebrated names are still human and cannot get away from issues related to mental health. However, celebrity depression whilst providing huge benefits to increase awareness of mental health does have different causes that would always not be experienced by the everyday person.

The Bollywood film industry today has huge demands on stars to look good appearance-wise as much as their acting talents. Actors and actresses are under major social pressure to look picture perfect no matter where and when. The stars of today are under more pressure than past stars that can easily cause the development of anxiety and phobia that can ultimately lead to depression. Depression is an ugly word and for different people, it can mean different things. For some, it can mean feeling listless and lying all alone in a room after work with disturbing thoughts fleeting in and out of consciousness until everything seems bleak. For some, it can manifest into physical symptoms like finding even the simple task of breathing really taxing. For the ones with depression, time crawls at its own speed transporting a person to a parallel world where simple everyday activities like sleeping, eating, and showering start looking like a humongous task. Its high time film industry comes to a reality check, before getting hanged furthermore.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Actor Samir Sharma hangs himself to death

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 6, 2020

Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Salien’s death mystery yet to get resolved, a TV actor and model Samir Sharma was found dead last night at his Mumbai home.

The 44-year-old actor – seen in Balaji Telefilms’ popular TV shows “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” and “Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki” – was found hanging in the kitchen of his Malad flat, police said, adding that they suspect he killed himself.

A security guard who alerted other members of the apartment complex found his body. The actor was living on rent at the Malad home.

A case of accidental death has been registered. “We have not found any evidence that suggests he may have been killed. Also, no suicide note has been found at the house so far. We are still investigating the case,” an officer said. The body has been sent for autopsy. Samir Sharma – a familiar face on the small screen – was also seen in the 2009 Bollywood movie – “Hasee Toh Phasee”. He acted in several TV shows- “Dil Kya Chahta Hai”, “Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi” and “Left Right Left”.

In the year 2020 there are several suicidal deaths in the Bollywood industry, some turned in to ugly political plat and some just got no mention.

Fire in COVID hospital leaves 8 patients dead in Ahmedabad, CM announces ex-gratia

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 6, 2020

Shrey Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Fire at Shrey Hospital, Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad, Rupani, CMO, Ex-Gratia, Gratia, — Image Courtesy: Reuters

Ablaze in the wee hours at a private hospital has left eight COVID-19 patients dead, a fire brigade official said on Thursday. The victims include five men and three women, who were being treated at the ICU ward of the COVID-19 designated Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad, the official said.

The fire broke out around 3.30 am on the fourth floor of the four-story hospital, he said. Around 40 other COVID-19 patients at the facility were rescued and shifted to a civic hospital in the city, he said.

“Eight coronavirus patients admitted in the ICU ward of Shrey Hospital have died due to the fire, which has been doused,” said an official of the Ahmedabad Fire Department. Primary investigations revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, police said.

“Forensic experts have arrived at the site for a detailed investigation,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police L B Zala. Shrey Hospital is among the around 60 private hospitals designated as COVID-19 hospitals by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has announced an ex gratia amount of Rs 4 lakhs each to the families of the eight victims who died in the fire at Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad, said the Chief Minister’s Office.

The CMO added that Rs 50,000 would be given to those injured in the incident. Earlier today, Gujarat Chief Minister ordered a probe in the incident. “CM Vijay Rupani has ordered a probe in the incident of fire at Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad.

Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) will be leading the probe. The CM has ordered a report within 3 days,” said the CMO.

Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to CM @vijayrupanibjp Ji and Mayor @ibijalpatel Ji regarding the situation. Administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2020

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) was announced to the kin of those who died in the fire, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the hospital fire.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 6, 2020

In addition, Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured in the incident.

Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire accident at a hospital in Ahmedabad. My condolences and thoughts are with the affected families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 6, 2020

Lockdown brings all lows to common man’s life

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

August 5, 2020

Lockdown, Economy, India, Job Losses, Loss of Jobs, Media, Industry, Economic Crisis, leave without pay, COVID-19, Coronavirus, India, PM Modi — Image Courtesy: PTI

When the world and opposition were warning about COVID-19 threat, our government was busy in the mass event where lakhs of people travelled to India and left giving us a gift of Coronavirus. Once the government got out of its languor and imposed a countrywide lockout, it did not bother them about the common man and migrant workers and daily wagers. On the one hand, all the MPs and MLA’s got a hike in their salaries amid these crises despite holding all riches and hardly doing anything for the people at large. On the other hand, the commoners are fighting for one meal and survival, but the government turned its back by being a mute spectator. The Centre declared the lockdown and imposed other harsh measures without consulting any of the state governments. Just like announcing demonetization, without any clue, people were thrown out with various challenges. Many lost their lives then, and many are losing their lives even today. The anarchy and confusion were foreseeable. No one knows what this government is up to and what this Prime Minister is doing? Cores of funds raised to battle the crises, people with large heart rendered donations, cores of rupees were taken as loan from banks in the name of COVID crises, but nothing has changed on the ground.

The unemployment tracker survey released by Centre for the Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE), the only data source of its kind that reports unemployment on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis. The CMIE interviews every day about 3,500 randomly selected persons in its consumer survey. Post-lockdown, like everything else, the survey too came to a halt. They managed to do only 2,289 interviews in the last week of March. But the data was not released as the sample was too small and the week was rather unusual. India has gone economically backward by many years, but the government seems to be too hardly bothered.

According to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Over 490 IT employees in Bengaluru and West Bengal have lost their jobs so far, citing a market slowdown due to the global Coronavirus the companies have laid off its employees, the startups are in the same boat. They just began, boomed and busted within no time. India’s startup ecosystem is also staring at monstrous losses. Many are instituting layoffs or pay cuts as fears intensify.

Many prominent media houses have sanctioned layoffs or mandatory leave without pay. While The Indian Express and Business Standard newspapers have announced pay cuts, others are also taking steps to curb costs. On April 10, 15 employees of News Nation, a Hindi news national channel, was asked to leave with immediate effect. On April 13, digital news website The Quint asked about 45 employees to go on indefinite leave without pay. The organization faced “a truly unprecedented situation… in these circumstances, it is clear that our revenues will be under severe strain over the next 3-4 months. Times Life, the Sunday supplement of the Times of India also asked its employees to leave on April 13. Small media houses just silently vanished from the race. It is with the salon and parlour industry many beauty parlour owners, and barbers committed suicides because three long months zero business has shattered their fortune. They have survival crises.

On April 15, global airlines’ grouping International Air Transport Association (IATA) noted that more than 20 lakh jobs are at risk in India’s aviation sector. Passenger revenue is expected to fall by more than $8.8 billion, and passenger demand decline by 36%. Some domestic airlines, such as SpiceJet and GoAir, have resorted to leaving without pay and layoffs of ex-pat pilots. Travel restrictions, including in India, are paralyzing the hospitality sector too. The coronavirus scare has crippled the industry entirely. In March, India’s merchandise exports shrunk by a record 34.6%, while imports declined 28.7% as countries sealed their borders to combat the virus. Like the hospitality industry, the export sector, too, is demanding the government to intervene to save it from the massive crisis. Over 1.5 crore people in India could lose their jobs in the wake of gloomy global trade trends due to COVID-19, predicted industry body. The sectors that are heavily dependent on exports are apparel, gems, jeweller, handicrafts, engineering, among others. The apparel export sector alone estimates 2.5-3 million job losses because of order cancellations. Now somehow flights are resumed, but the business has gone down to unexpected lows.

Unfortunate migrant labourers had nowhere to go, nothing to eat and none to look to for any help. The lockdown reminds one of this government’s colossal failures such as demonetization and flawed GST implementation. With India already grappling with an economic slowdown and job losses, COVID-19 has struck at the most unfortunate time. And the inept handling by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government has only worsened the situation. As always, the downtrodden sections of the society have had to bear the brunt of it. Doctors, nurses, health workers, and police personnel to have had to suffer a lot since the country was not prepared for this tragedy. After the lockdown, it will take months to get the workforce back and streamline the machinery. There will also be a rush to complete pending projects. Migrants have lost faith; they became hopeless and shattered. Asking them to resume is another catastrophe because they are so scared of present circumstances.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

‘Save Salon India’ – The campaign that needs urgent attention

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2020

The government’s decision to reopen the salon shop, which has been closed for the past three months due to lockdown, has not gone well with the mental health of parlour owners. Many owners either struggling to sell the business or switch to some other sector due to zero activity and additional liabilities.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May announced the Rs 20 lakh crore economic packages to support the economy and tackle the coronavirus crisis in the country. Among others, the Minister announced a slew of fiscal and regulatory measures for MSMEs and general businesses. This also covers the beauty and salon industry, but so far, no one has benefited from this scheme due to poor implementation.

Salon owners association’s Vice President Tushar Chavan, while speaking to Afternoon Voice, said, “Government should come out with clear cut modalities. Right now, our association meeting is going on where many issues were raised like beauty parlours are a source of income as well as women entrepreneurship. The government should take a decision on rendering some help to such businesses. Financial stress is not allowing many owners and small entrepreneurs to resume”. Even if they resume, there are many challenges.”

Almost 12 or more salon professionals committed suicide in this three-month lengthy lockdown, and most of them committed suicide in unlock 1.0 (mission begin again) phase. Now what is done cannot be undone, but the government must help families of these professionals by giving them compensation of 15 lakh, demanded Tushar Chavan.

Amid other businesses, salons and parlours also came to a halt after the coronavirus lockdown was enforced in late March. With the easing of coronavirus-induced curbs in different states, some salons opened after a gap of three months while many remained closed due to lack of manpower and money. However, many have complained of low turnout, saying people were scared of availing salon services.

During this, All India Hair and Beauty Association, with around 8 lakh salon professionals have launched a campaign titled ‘Save Salon India.’

Through the campaign, the salon owners and workers have asked the central government for financial aid.

Association’s Ashok Paliwal has appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mediate and form a bailout package. According to a report, the members of the All India Hair and Beauty Association have demanded a financial aid of Rs 10,000 for those in rural areas and Rs 15,000 for the professionals in urban areas. Apart from that, the association has also asked for health insurance, which will cover COVID-19, relief in income tax filing, and a deadline extension for goods and service tax. This comes after almost many salon owners committed suicide due to the financial crisis amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

Young engineer and social activist Priyanka Dhurpate told Afternoon Voice, “Looking at the overall conditions of an average parlour owner in the city, I thought I should join the campaign and appeal for the support from people. I have created a fundraiser account and request everyone to donate as it suits to their pockets. Once we collect the funds we are planning to go live on social media where we would give away funds to all those who are in need and who are struggling to sustain.”

[evp_embed_video url=”https://www.afternoonvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/Salon-India-Lockdown.mp4″]

Pranam Seth a makeup artist, told Afternoon Voice, “A parlour that has its own setup and establishment certificate can at least demand the aid from authorities and government, they will get any help or not is questionable though. But makeup artists like me and women who contribute a lot to revenue generation of state but run a private parlour within their home, have no voices, they equally suffered losses due to COVID-19 lockdown.”

Mrs Aditi, the owner of Orange Beauty Lounge & Academy, said, “My motive right now is to help salon industry personals who are majorly suffering financial distress. I appeal to all those biggies of the same fraternity who already made huge profits and sustained in this industry for years, should come forward and render support to small business groups.”

She further stated, “The government has promised help, but the uncertainty of reaching aids to salon individuals is another big challenge.” The huge time lapse may force to take some more lives, and that would be appalling.”

PM Narendra Modi performs ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya

By

Afternoon Voice

-

August 5, 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who arrived in Ayodhya earlier on Wednesday, took part in the ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ at Ram Janambhoomi site.

All in attendance sat around the havan fire maintaining social distancing norms while wearing masks, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
The priests chanted Vedic mantras and hymns as per the rituals of the ‘Yagya’.

Besides, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Governor Anandiben Patel, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat among several others were present at the site for the ceremony.

Earlier today, PM Modi planted a ‘parijat’ sapling in the temple premises, considered a divine plant, ahead of the foundation stone-laying of Ram Temple.

PM Modi arrived at Ram Janmabhoomi site after offering prayers at the Hanuman Garhi Temple in Ayodhya.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to unveil a plaque to mark the occasion and also release a commemorative postage stamp on ‘Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir’.