A real estate agent allegedly killed a 37-year-old woman inside a high-rise in Bhandup and later jumped off the building from his own apartment on Monday.
According to the Bhandup police, the incident took place around 11.30 on Monday morning at the victim’s building where the accused killed the woman with a hammer. The accused was identified as Kishore Sawant whereas the deceased was identified as Yasmita Salunkhe.
The incident took place in the parking lot of the deceased’s apartment where the duo had an argument following which Sawant hit Salunkhe’s head with a hammer. Police also said that the security guard of the building tried to catch Sawant; however, he pushed him and fled from the spot.
After that, Salunkhe was rushed to a Mulund hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. The police have registered a case of murder against Sawant.
Salunkhe was a school teacher and a resident of Vakratund Palace building in Bhandup. Police said the accused and the deceased were known to each other. The police are investigating the motive behind the murder,reports awaited.
Today happens to be a sad day for both the Kapoor and the Bachchan family because of the sad demise of Ritu Nanda, the sister of Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor and mother-in-law of Shweta Bachchan Nanda. She passed away after battling with cancer. The 71-year-old took her last breath after a prolonged fight with cancer for 6 years. Ritu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, post which she went to the US for treatment.
Hailing from the famous Kapoor family, Ritu got married to Rajan Nanda. They were blessed with two children namely Nikhil Nanda and Natasha Nanda.
Ritu Nanda’s sister-in-law, Neetu Kapoor shared the news of her demise on Instagram through a heartfelt post. Her post read as “My dearest, may your soul Rest In Peace.”
Confirming the news of the demise of his daughter’s mother-in-law, Ritu’s samdhi and Shweta Bachchan Nanda’s father Amitabh Bachchan. Took to his blog and wrote “My ‘samdhan’ Ritu Nanda, Shweta’s mother in law passed away suddenly at 1.15 am .. cannot communicate .. travelling.”
A few months ago, Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda’s kids Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda had spent quality time with their paternal grandmother, Ritu Nanda and aunt Nitasha Nanda.
Ritu’s brother and veteran actor, Randhir Kapoor confirmed the news by saying, “Ritu Nanda passed away early morning today. She was suffering from cancer. We are in Delhi. The funeral is today.”
Ritu Nanda’s sister-in-law, Neetu Kapoor too, shared the news of her demise on Instagram through a heartfelt post. Neetu’s post could be read as “My dearest may your soul Rest In Peace.” Ritu’s samdhi and Shweta Bachchan Nanda’s father, Amitabh Bachchan confirmed the news of the demise of his daughter’s mother-in-law. Big B wrote on his blog, “My ‘samdhan’ Ritu Nanda, Shweta’s Mother in Law passed away suddenly at 1.15 Am .. cannot communicate .. travelling.”
Her last rites will be performed at the Lodhi Road cremation ground in Delhi at the Lodhi Road cremation ground in Delhi this evening.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti all around the country, the woman folk are gearing up to celebrate haldi kumkum, a ceremony which follows Makar Sankranti, the first festival to kick-start the year. This day also happens to be the only Hindu festival based on the position of the sun (the others follow the moon). More importantly, it’s the only festival which falls more or less on the same date, either 14th or 15th of January. Since this mostly applies to married women, singletons can just enjoy the day off and munch on ’til-gul’.
To celebrate this day, women also organise an event known as ‘Haldi kumkum’. It is the day during which women invite others of the same tribe to come over and apply turmeric (haldi) and vermilion (kumkum) on their foreheads, dab perfume (attar) on their forearms, sprinkle rose-water over them and offer them a sweet, a flower, a coconut and a small gift .
This ceremony is for the well-being of the applier of the haldi kumkum and the ‘appliee’. Mostly popular in the western states of India, the period of Makar Sankranti is considered favourable for spiritual practice and any gift given during this period is equivalent to offering and receiving the grace of the divine on both sides.
Especially in these days, it is best to wear black cotton. Because black has the ability to absorb heat and last longer. It helps protect against the cold. In Maharashtra, black sarees are mainly worn on Makar Sankranti day. Primarily for the newlyweds, this festival is special for the first time after marriage. These days, both are adorned with plow ornaments. Mangalsutra, naths, chinchpatti, bangles are made from side to side from the plow. Women and men wear black clothes on Makar Sankranti Day. Seniors in the house observe newlyweds on this day. On this day, Sun enters Capricorn.
It is a social purpose for women to come together following a tradition that began last year. In view of the condition of the Eastern female class, women were not allowed to leave the house unless there was a religious cause. At present, women enthusiastically form a group of friends and establish a board through which they also invest in various programs, trips, and visas throughout the year. As a result, women who are looking to develop their own home-based careers get discreet friendships. Together, they work together on the home business and get along well. Saying ‘तिळगूळ घ्या आणि गोड गोड बोला’, all the little ones enjoy such nutritious foods.This gives the important message of bonding with relatives by exchanging thoughts and ‘Haldi kumkum’ which brings women together for religious reasons also succeeds !!
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Pongal, also known as the harvest festival, is celebrated by the people of Tamil Nadu every year on January 15. The idea of celebrating this festival is their gratification towards their god, the sun for bringing about the season of harvest for them.
A few days before the festival, Tamilians, particularly the women, clean and decorate the house with fresh flowers. They also use swastik and kumkum to embellish big earthen vessels. The pit is filled with water and rice by either the eldest or the youngest member of the family. Colourful designs known as rangoli are also made at the entrance of their houses. Rangoli is a popular folk art and is known by different names in different parts of the country. The design is made by using special kind of coloured powders that are available in the market.
As per the traditions, it is of paramount importance to add some milk to water in which rice is cooked which is to be offered to the sun god. People who get involved in cooking rice for the sun god have to take utmost care of cleanliness. They are not supposed to step over the rangoli design which has been designed.
JubelD’Cruz
2Improve air quality of Mumbai
The level of dangerous pollutant particles in the air is touching a new high and it is very difficult to achieve balance between rapid development and finding a way to keep its air safe and clean in a metro city like Mumbai. A balanced environment on earth is what makes the survival of species possible. Modern man has made great development in the fields of science and technology. Air is most polluted in the early morning hours and it is not good as the morning walkers face breathing problem. It is now or never situation to improve air in the city during the winter months.
Anandambal Jayanthy
3Wheel of Karma comes full circle in the Nirbhaya case
Justice delayed is not always justice denied as the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case would finally be hanged in Tihar jail on January 22 this month. Legal procedure in our country may have moved at a snail’s pace but we have a vibrant democracy and all convicts were given ample opportunity to prove their innocence before the death sentence was pronounced which would now be executed for a final closure to one of the most deadliest sexual murder encounter ever witnessed in our country’s history.
Nirbhaya was brutally raped and killed by the culprits in an in-humanitarian act of madness and not sure if this sentence would bring a relief to the soul of the victim but the wheel of Karma has come a full circle and people who rape and murder fellow human beings have no right to live. Cases of rapes and murders gets lost in procedural hurdles and sentencing gets delayed which lessens fear among people committing such crimes. The hanging is a landmark judgement and we also need to make our legal system move at a faster pace in special court hearings to create fear in the minds of people committing such crimes in future.
S.N. Kabra
4Necessary to impose restrictions on on-line sale
Multi-page super-costly advertisements are usually seen in leading newspapers offering extra-ordinary heavy discounts on popular-branded electrical and electronics items. Even extra heavy discount is added if items are purchased through credit-cards issued by some specific banks.
Discussion with dealers investing hugely for trade of these items revealed that companies sell all their obsolete models and returned items after claim lodged by consumers through such on-line sale. If it is really so, then all such media-publicity should be directed to compulsorily boldly mention about such bitter reality. Department of Consumer-Affairs should make proper study-report on aspect of extra-ordinary heavy discounts through on-line sale, and logic behind banks giving extra discounts if such on-line purchase is made through their credit-cards.
Main reason for economic recession is steep fall in wholesale and retail trade which contributes maximum 28-percent to Indian economy. Increasing trend of gimmick on-line sale has crushed wholesale and retail trade. In interest of economy and consumers, on-line sale should be restricted to promote wholesale and retail trade. It will also tackle high unemployment in private sector.
Madhu Agrawal
5Bring all cricket-bodies under RTI Act
It refers to recent disturbances in Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) leading duly elected Chairperson to resign, then unruly Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 12, 2019 and now signatories refusing to sign hefty bills of rupees one crore as legal-fees for just one month and of rupees 90 lakhs to spruce up marquee stands for a T-20 International against about one-third of the awarded tender.
Such hefty payments raise eye-brows in almost all sports-bodies including Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) where coach of cricket-team gets package of rupees ten crores per annum and cricketers get annual packages of rupees seven, five, three and one crores respectively in four categories A-plus, A, B and C respectively apart from hefty match-fees, huge awards money and life-time pensions.
BCCI and its state-affiliates qualify for being under RTI Act on various parameters including indirect government-funding and other aspects qualifying these to be public-authorities under section 2(h) of RTI Act. The then Chief Justice of India required government to study the matter where government required Law Commission to send recommendations. Now with Law Commission recommending BCCI to be covered under RTI Act, steps should be taken to declare BCCI and its state-affiliates including DDCA to be under purview of RTI Act.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Since the Delhi elections is just round the corner, the IT cells of political parties are all set to spread fake news, hate post, derogatory statements on a particular leader and party and there is no control or monitoring on this. Some IT-cells that are powerful spread content in larger volume as for them, it’s a number game.
Above all, the spiritual leaders too play spoilers. There is one video of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on social media referring to Hindutva where he says, “As young people, you all have to be very active on this digital front. If there is an onslaught on the principle of this religion or this tradition, this civilisation or this culture, befitting response has to come. And that has to come from young people like you all”.
This video of Sri Sri is not well translated by the youth. He may have said it in a broader context, but now unfortunately the same video has provoked many youth to attack other religions randomly.
NCP MLA and state minister of Maharashtra Aditi Tatkare said, “Firstly, the use of social media has been under monetary influence for a while now, but it needs to be even more regular. The cases of hacking personal accounts have also been on rise and the cyber cell and government should be taking action regarding it. Apart from that, the political parties or other institutions which are using the social media should be given some kind of rules and regulations regarding the same. I wouldn’t say that they would stop completely but at least it can be reduced to a certain extent.”
These days there are random flooding of fake news on the social media and un-parliamentary attacks on various people for speaking their mind or taking up their stand. But no one has any control on these fake spreads and rumour mills.
Earlier, the government had asked for public comments on the recommended amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Act that seek to make it mandatory for platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to trace “originator” of “unlawful” information while also removing such content within 24 hours after being notified. As per the draft, ‘The Information Technology [Intermediaries Guidelines (Amendment) Rules] 2018’ released, the intermediary after being notified by the appropriate authority should remove or disable access to unlawful content within 24 hours in the “interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India.”
Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said, “If this is creating problem in the society then of course the government should definitely take action against it seriously. Given that it can act according to the Section 66 of the IT act, the government should strictly impose the Act against the people and political parties that are spreading fake news, derogatory statements on a particular leader or party. The fact is that the BJP’s IT cells is mostly responsible for this kind of nonsense.”
The Supreme Court order also gave a green signal to the government to frame guidelines or a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to deal with the objectionable material through social media intermediaries like Google, YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp. The Centre’s draft SOP include setting up of proactive monitoring tools for auto deletion of unlawful content, deployment of trusted flaggers for identifying and deletion of unlawful content, setting up of a 24/7 mechanism for requisitions of law enforcement agencies and appointment of India-based contact officers.
BJP spokesperson Shaina NC said, “The social media is a double edge source which comes with its own sense of disclaimers. If somebody is putting his views on issues, we can’t hold him for his viewpoints or cannot suggest whether the same is correct or not. But when it comes to news or facts and if there is anything which attacks national security, then the cyber cell and government must be check the points which the social media or political parties are spreading it.”
Following fears of “surveillance and censorship” with the proposed norms, the government clarified that it does not regulate content appearing on social network platforms. Inspite of discussion on such bills there is hardly any implementation.
BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, “There are many laws to control fake news and hate post but are we (People) ready to accept those laws? Are we ready to behave properly? These are the questions we need to answer. And if any government is asked to follow any law, then people start talking about the freedom of speech, freedom of expression and many more immediately. But these people do not understand that indirectly they are creating protest and spreading fake news.”
These days political party IT cells are surviving on fake news circulated through WhatsApp and other social media sites. Misuse of social media platforms and spreading of fake news is quite frequent, now its government’s responsibility to strengthen the legal framework and bring the social media posting under strict surveillance.
Social media users in India needs to be careful of propagandas ahead. Delhi polls are approaching and social media battle has heated up as BJP, Congress are trying their best to breach ‘Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi’. The high-stakes tussle for power in the national capital is also being hotly contested in the virtual world with social media warriors of parties getting battle-ready with their ‘weapons’ of parodies, memes and hashtags.
Ever wondered how a messaging app could change political fate in India? WhatsApp users in India may be astonished to learn that there’s more to messaging apps than interactive medium. These days, it has become a political propaganda tool to porn sharing groups. Anything to everything, moral to immoral and fake to make belief as truth, this one particular app has not only grabbed your time, peace and attention by getting you addicted to it but it has influenced your thought process and also your mindset. It is conditioning you every day against one particular agenda. Educated people falling trap to such things then one can imagine about common man of this country. What are we achieving out of it? No one knows. Similarly, there are many groups in the name of Dalits, Muslims or ideology of this party or that party and they just create an impression and panic among their community people as if India is not safe for them. They too share photo shopped pictures, videos, fake write-ups and much more to make believe their point by endorsing one or the other political party and condemning the rival party.
There are thousands of such groups and people who are divided in those groups. The acclimatising goes on 24/7. They just don’t stop there, the same post is circulated on social media by all the participants and from there it again gets circulated further. This is how we collude the entire ambience against our country. Trust me, our country knows how to live with diversity, all those are born on this soil belong to this nation and it belongs to them. There is nothing to feel unsecured or threatened. You have both sides; if some hate you, some are there in bulk to hold you. No matter whosoever rules you, they don’t change your life for sure. WhatsApp is probably the best example of the vast potential that messaging apps hold. With over millions of active users, it helps them socialise. But the abuse of such apps needs to be monitored. Visual cues such as photos and graphics, portraying Modi as the saviour of the nation, alongside memes mocking the candidates of the other parties were shared on social media and WhatsApp messenger by a team of dedicated Modi supporters, their numbers stretching into the far hundred thousands.
On the other hand, how fake is India’s PM and attacks on Modi with videos and pictures too get viral but in comparison right-wingers are more aggressive. If you remember there was a photo meant to show a younger, humble Modi sweeping the floors went viral, and was later debunked as a doctored image of another man. That didn’t matter, though; for a very long time during and after the elections, the photo had become a symbol of Modi’s modest roots. It continued to be right-winger’s social media warfare not only as effective communication, but also contributed to Modi’s win in the elections. However, the reality of their claims got exposed. Six years on, nothing has changed much in IT Cell’s approach. They are after anyone to anything, latest victims are all those news personnel who exposed JNU violence or those who stood by students, celebrities to think-tanks all were under attack with derogatory statements. Same is in the case of Arvind Kejriwal, there are social media posts that say if you want to teach lesson to JNU and leftists, then vote out Kejriwal in Delhi and chose a BJP government whereas the fight between JNU students is all about ideology.
Students were beaten brutally for protesting against fee hike to CAA and NRC, the new bill that BJP implemented recently. Every action calls for reaction, both right and left are equally guilty for spreading violence and creating unrest across country especially in Delhi to target 2020 elections.
The fake news problem in India is very real. Depending on the content spread on the social media which is unfortunately based on falsified information, the opinions are created. The fake information on social media builds fear psychosis among people. In fact, ongoing tension itself was believed to have been a sure to result of an image offensive to JNU students circulated through Facebook. Plus attributed to anti-Hindu and anti-national rant these fake circulations created lots of anxiety among students. There was almost a riot like situation in University but no one took action against the perpetrators, rather action taken on the ones who unmasked the fact, took beatings and attacks.
There are many such stories and numerous videos get circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter allegedly showing anything to everything by conditioning the minds of people. Having investigated the sources of every single video, each could have led to communal tensions and violent incidents in parts of India. But we the people of nation have become slaves to smart phone and IT-Cell Propaganda University. Social media has been a breeding ground for misinformation since long time and ironically the seeds of misinformation somehow sown by the IT-Cells on root level itself.
While Facebook and Twitter are highly public spaces where news, photos and videos generally flow freely, WhatsApp is more classified. This app was actually designed to keep people’s information secure and private, so no one is able to access the contents of people’s messages but now this has become a dangerous tool in people’s hand to propagate all that they want. People are afraid that bad things will happen if they say something wrong on social media. WhatsApp is a kind of safe place for people and they can discuss more conspiracy things. However, while WhatsApp-spread misinformation has become an increasing concern across the world along with efforts to debunk it, this is somewhat looming danger. Without facts checking, the users are irresponsibly passing the messages about crime, violence and politics and communal riots. Now all Indian political parties geared up for 2020 against one particular party of Assembly elections by making thousands of groups and communities. The whoopla has already begun; so one needs to be smart enough to not get carried away by such schemes and use their own judgement.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
During Makar Sankranti people across India fly kites and celebrate the harvest festival in a fitting way. In Gujarat, people make it a big festival when the State Government sponsors kite flying competitions. Even foreigners participate in the celebrations.
However, the dangers relating to kite flying are too many. First and foremost, one should know his/her surroundings and watch where they are going. Tripping and falling can actually result in some rather serious injuries including head trauma and broken bones in the most severe circumstances. Even in the less severe circumstances, bad cuts and sprains are certainly no walk in the park and give a you testing time. Having your throat slit is statistically very rare but it obviously can occur when flying a kite as evidenced above.
If the wind takes hold of your kite and causes it to crash, it could also cause harm to another person such as hitting them very hard on the head. This could cause just bruising or if it hits them in the eye, a very serious and potentially life-threatening injury might occur.
Do not fly a kite near power lines because if it gets entangled in these power lines, electrocution is a possibility. Standard power lines carry thousands of volts of electricity and this can be fatal to a human. If you ever have a kite that gets away from you and ends up in power lines, do not attempt to retrieve it yourself. Instead, call the utility company and notify them right away. They will come out and remove it. We do not read media reports of kite-related deaths daily or even monthly but they can and do happen.
When you are flying a kite, practice safety to ensure that your next kite-flying adventure remains fun for everyone involved. Safety is of foremost importance when you fly kites. The manja used for flying kites is sharp one and can cause damage to the human limps and animals as well. Even when a kite is flying high and in the competition, is cut by another kite, then the remaining manja along with the kite drags around the busy streets. It sometimes crosses the railway lines and children in their own spirit go to catch the kite. Sometimes they hit a passing train and either get injured or are killed.
So, it is better to take all precautions rather than risk our lives only for the sake of flying a kite during the Makar Sankranti day.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
In artist Akbar Padamsee’s demise the nation and the world of fine arts has lost one of the most prolific, most talented and versatile artists of all times. The modern era of arts and paintings will always be remembered with the name of this great artist who marked a niche of his own in the world of arts and gave Indian arts and painting a new definition.
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, Founder of Isha Foundation centre Coimbatore, where the artist spent his last days said that Akbar Padamsee was a genius of colour and craft and generations to come shall relish and be inspired by his magic of colour.
Akbar Padamsee, a recipient of Padma Bhushan, created paintings that extensively depicted the elements and senses. A pioneer in progressive modernist movement Padamsee besides being known as a world class painter was also a renowned photographer, sculptor, film-maker, lithographer and engraver. His versatile paintings had a midas touch and have found a place of prominence in eminent galleries in India and around the world. The brother of celebrated late film-maker and ad-man Alyque Padamsee, Akbar was honoured with fellow ships by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the JD Rockefeller foundation besides a list of national and international awards making him a global artist of repute. His name and arts will remain immortal and his works – an inspiration to aspiring artists and painters.
M Pradyu
Deepika championing for social causes
It is good that fully active professional celebrity Deepika Padukone at peak of her youth and professional career has become sensitive to social causes where she went at Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi) on 07.01.2020 to express solidarity with protesting students against recent violence in the campus by unidentified persons. She should better utilize her celebrity-status for guiding JNU students for concentrating more on studies as students rather than misusing the campus for anti-national activities and rising as future politicians.
But a curious question is why she chose JNU as her entry-point for social causes. She could even do so in raising voice for increasing crimes against women. She should have joined public-protests against recent episode of rape-cum-murder of Dr Priyanka Reddy in Hyderabad. It should be hoped that not only Deepika Padukone but other celebrities from film-industry especially youngsters will devote time for uplifting morals and character of youth in the country.
Madhu Agrawal
Trade union activities at university campuses should be banned
I strongly condemn the brutal attack on students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi but it is not all hunky dory at learning campuses in our country which has been turned into a battleground by politicians who use student unions for fighting their own vested political agendas against their opponents. Students should not be used as pawns in the hands of political parties and their leaders.
Students join universities to fulfill their aspirations but their inspirations are hijacked by political leaders to fulfill their own goals as they are used for shadow boxing which needs to be halted. JNU is at the centre of all controversies as it happens to be in the National Capital and easy target for all. Security at JNU should be beefed up and people indulging in violence including the students should be severely punished. Trade union activities and all politics in university campuses should be banned with immediate affect.
S.N. Kabra
Delhi govt should repeal RTI act
Jammu-Kashmir Government directed all its departments to implement national RTI Act, 2005. With such implementation of the national Act in the state, Jammu-Kashmir RTI Act, 2009 will lose its relevance. Therefore Jammu-Kashmir government should simultaneously repeal Jammu-Kashmir RTI Act of 2009.
There are several states including Delhi where irrelevant RTI Acts of individual states legislated prior to implementation of national RTI Act in the year 2005 are not yet repealed, thereby unnecessary burdening the system and resources to keep the outdated RTI Acts of individual states in force where very few rather negligible RTI applications are filed under obsolete Acts of individual states. Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) should write to all states including Delhi to repeal RTI Acts of individual states. Delhi government should repeal Delhi RTI Act of 2001.
Subhash Chandra Agarwal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Is the BJP gone off its head? If not then who has given it the authority to compare Narendra Modi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This was proved when a book titled Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi was released last Sunday, 12th January at a religious-cultural meet organised by the Delhi BJP.
Where was Shivaji Maharaj and where is Modi. Where the noted Maratha king had numerous followers who liked and revered him, Modi is worshipped by only a few BJP bhakts who treat him like God. Well if this was somewhere in 2014, when Modi’s popularity was at its peak, people would not react. But now in 2020, his popularity has waned and the process goes on.
This endeavour by the ruling party has landed the party in a controversy. Criticising the author and BJP leader Jay Bhagwan Goyal, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said . “This man has compared Narendra Modi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Is it acceptable to Maharashtra leaders of the BJP? Is it acceptable to the descendants of the king? Shouldn’t they speak up?” he asked. “At least the Maharashtra BJP should come clean and announce its position on this. Chhatrapati Shivaji cannot be compared to anyone in the world. There is only one Chhatrapti Shivaji Maharaj,” Mr. Raut said adding, one can compare the great king in whatever manner.” Incidentally, Mr. Goyal was in the Sena until a few years ago but was thrown out after he attacked Maharashtra Sadan.
The king’s descendants include former NCP MP Chhatrapati Udayanraje Bhosle who joined the BJP but lost the Lok Sabha by poll and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje, a Rajya Sabha member from the BJP’s quota. On his part, Chhatrapati Sambhaj Raje said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our revered king. Comparing him to contemporary politicians is not acceptable to us Shiv Bhakts. The party that has published this book should not take our sentiments for granted. I demand the party president withdraw this book.”
State Public Works Department minister and Congress leader Ashok Chavan said the personality and work of Shivaji Maharaj are unmatchable. His party too condemned the book. “Comparing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to Narendra Modi is an insult to the ideology with which Maharaj worked. This is exactly the opposite to that of the BJP,” Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said.
NCP leader and State Social Justice Minister Dhananjay Munde said that the action had hurt the feelings of all Marathi-speaking people. “Maharashtra will not forgive those who attempt to compare themselves to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” Mr. Munde averred.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe has filed a complaint against Mr. Goyal and the publisher at Nagpur’s Nandanvan police station and sought an immediate ban on the book.
With days left for the Central government to present its Union Budget for 2020-21 fiscal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens of the country to share their ideas for the budget which will most likely to be tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. PM Modi is taking active role in this year’s budget.
With just 7-10 days remaining for the budget documents to be printed at the press in North block’s basement, Modi is taking steps to meet corporate honchos and economists as some of their suggestions might get included in the budget. Each ministry has been asked to prepare a roadmap of five-year vision plans. In its first term, the Modi government had decided to advance the date of Budget from last working day to first working day.
The Union Budget represents the aspirations of 130 crore Indians and lays out the path towards India’s development. I invite you all to share your ideas and suggestions for this year’s Budget on MyGov,” Modi tweeted.
The Union Budget represents the aspirations of 130 crore Indians and lays out the path towards India’s development.
I invite you all to share your ideas and suggestions for this year’s Budget on MyGov. https://t.co/zVCL06TdLn
Even the Government of India’s citizen engagement platform MyGovIndia has asked for suggestions for Budget 2020 on Twitter. MyGovIndia has asked people to share valuable ideas for the farming sector, education and others. Salaried class are expecting a cut in personal income tax rates which will provide more money with them to spend and thereby reviving demand.
Over the last few weeks, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced several measures to tackle economic slowdown. These steps have come after India’s GDP growth in the first quarter of FY20 slowed to 5 per cent–the lowest in 25 quarters or in six years. Sitharaman’s primary tasks involve reviving the Indian economy which witnessed the number of decade lows in 2019. Sitharaman and her ministry faces tough task to address unemployment, reduced demand and rising inflation.
In her July 2019 budget Sitharaman had set a fiscal deficit target of 3.3% for 2019-20; this was more stringent than the one set by the erstwhile UPA government regime when it allowed the deficit to increase 5.7 per cent in 2011-12 before a fiscal consolidation road map was followed by successive Finance Ministers.
However, key Indian sectors are facing a slowdown that seems far more than a cyclical occurrence, said many economists including former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is also one of India’s most prominent economists.
Here are the suggestions made by citizens to revive the economy by way of an effective budget:-
1Vicky Vishwakarma
“The rate of GST should be sliced as it would help businessmen and other small industries to grow at a good pace and, I think this will be a key step towards improving the Indian economy.”
2Vijay Panchal
“There are so many unused railway lines lying across the country. The government should remove these tracks and either get them recycled or sell them in scrap. Through this endeavour, the government can make lots of money by which our economy could be vastly improved. There are so many cars that the police confiscate and keep them to rust. The authorities should make efforts to sell them. There are several government owned companies where money is not utilised in a proper manner and this practice should be stopped.”
3Alphonsa Suresh
“Modi Ji should change his Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and appoint an economist like our former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It is always better to seek the advice of the Ex-Prime Minister, instead of asking solutions from the under privileged. The government should think about common citizens, compulsory minimum salary system, diesel, petrol, cooking gas prices should be under control. Stop selling of public properties to private parties and keep something under government control.”
4Amritesh Shet
“Investments, especially foreign investment must be encouraged only at selective sectors or must be permitted which ensure guaranteed profits, income and employment generation and boost exports. Some type of catalyst must surely be introduced in order to control the already suffered economy and by reducing the tax in some percentage.
5Yash Kambli
“According to me, the honourable prime minister Narendra Modi Ji should provide daily necessities like food, clothing and shelter at very reasonable prices to all our Indian citizens.”
6Deepak Gagwani
“Firstly, the government should make income of senior citizens totally tax free because they have very meager income. Secondly, the government also accrues tax of the fixed deposits that senior citizens keep in banks for their monthly expenses. This practice should be totally withdrawn.”
7Rishabh Singh
“Firstly, the government should replace the current finance minister and should appoint Subramanian Swamy. And secondly tax terrorism should be abolished.”
8Shiv Rajvanshi
“By improving access, enhanced transportation projects positively affect the economic impact of metropolitan areas. Easier access to needed supplies and materials and faster delivery times to customers can help lower transportation and inventory carrying costs while increasing both productivity and profitability.”
“It helps to raise the production of raw materials, fuels and machineries etc. by providing market to it. It widens the size of the market. Transport system is regarded as a strong pillar to protect the people from the difficulties of war, natural calamities and other problems.”
9Gauri Mitra
“Through its large resources, the government must catch the nerves of the people to know how the economy of the country can be improvised. And moreover the sincerity should be there to implement the suggestions.”
A real estate agent allegedly killed a 37-year-old woman inside a high-rise in Bhandup and later jumped off the building from his own apartment on Monday.
Today happens to be a sad day for both the Kapoor and the Bachchan family because of the sad demise of Ritu Nanda, the sister of Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor and mother-in-law of Shweta Bachchan Nanda. She passed away after battling with cancer. The 71-year-old took her last breath after a prolonged fight with cancer for 6 years. Ritu was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, post which she went to the US for treatment.
On the occasion of Makar Sankranti all around the country, the woman folk are gearing up to celebrate haldi kumkum, a ceremony which follows Makar Sankranti, the first festival to kick-start the year. This day also happens to be the only Hindu festival based on the position of the sun (the others follow the moon). More importantly, it’s the only festival which falls more or less on the same date, either 14th or 15th of January. Since this mostly applies to married women, singletons can just enjoy the day off and munch on ’til-gul’.
During Makar Sankranti people across India fly kites and celebrate the harvest festival in a fitting way. In Gujarat, people make it a big festival when the State Government sponsors kite flying competitions. Even foreigners participate in the celebrations.
Is the BJP gone off its head? If not then who has given it the authority to compare Narendra Modi to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This was proved when a book titled Aaj ke Shivaji: Narendra Modi was released last Sunday, 12th January at a religious-cultural meet organised by the Delhi BJP.
With days left for the Central government to present its Union Budget for 2020-21 fiscal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens of the country to share their ideas for the budget which will most likely to be tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. PM Modi is taking active role in this year’s budget.