Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday disclosed the names of the guardian ministers of all 36 districts of the state. While Aaditya Thackeray has been named the guardian minister charge of Mumbai suburban district, the deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar will be guardian minister of Pune.
Congress leader and minister for textile and fisheries of Maharashtra Aslam Shaikh has been appointed as the guardian minister of Mumbai city while senior congress leader and Revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat has been named guardian minister of Kolhapur.
Sena leader and minister for urban development, Eknath Shinde has been given the responsibility of two districts viz. Thane and Gadchiroli.
Ending the year 2019 on a happy note with the grand success of Good Newwz, Karan Johar has announced his next venture to be made under the banner of Dharma Productions. Johar will adapt Nitin Gokhale’s book R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster on the silver screen. The film will be jointly presented by Dharma productions and Still and Still Media collective
Sharing the news, Karan Johar wrote, “Turning pages into frames, one thrill at a time. Bringing to you an adaptation of Nitin Gokhale’s book – “R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster” to the silver screen. More information coming soon!”
Kao was a spymaster and the first chief of India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) from its founding in 1969 to 1977. He was one of India’s foremost intelligence officers and helped build R&AW. He held the position of Secretary (Research) in the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India which has been held by all R&AW directors since. He had also, during the course of his long career, served as the personal security chief to Prime Minister Nehru and as security adviser to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. He also founded the Aviation Research Centre (ARC) and the Joint Intelligence Committee.
The film will tell the story of the real-life Indian spymaster Rameshwar Nath Kao who founded India’s external intelligence agency R&AW and how he became a success story in the world of international espionage.
Meanwhile, Johar is currently doing a recce in London for his upcoming directorial Takht, a period drama that stars Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Bhumi Pednekar.
This news must have made Ashutosh Gowariker happy to no end. His period drama ‘Panipat’ has been exempted from tax by the Maharashtra government.
Taking to Twitter, the filmmaker thanked the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray for making the film tax-free. “Heartfelt Gratitude! Thank you Hon’ble CM @OfficeofUTji for imparting TAX FREE status in our attempt of bringing the Maratha Glory to the screen through #Panipat!,” he wrote.
Panipat stars Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon and Zeenat Aman. The film is based on the third battle of Panipat that was fought between the Marathas and Ahmad Shah Abdali, the Afghan emperor, in 1761.
This would be the first film where Arjun, Kriti and Sanjay play stellar roles.
Talking to IANS, Arjun said that working with Gowariker in the film was ‘always a dream’ and described the filmmaker as “humble, hard working and disciplined”.
“(It was) amazing (working with him). I had seen ‘Lagaan’ twice in two days, first day in trial theatres and second day in the theatres with dhols playing. So, for me it was a dream to be able to spend time with him and to be able to make a film like this with him,” the actor said.
1Every state should be allowed to display cultural performance at Republic Day
Rejecting Maharashtra’s request of a tableau at the Republic Day Parade in the national Capital is revenge politics by the ruling government at the centre. Even Bihar and West Bengal has been sidelined for similar reasons which doesn’t augur well for the unity of the country. Every State should be allowed to display a cultural performance at the Republic Day parade irrespective of the government in any State which may not match the government at the Centre.
A successful democracy is living with differences and trying to solve every problem at hand. Our communal fabric is our strength and politicians should not divide the nation on the basis of any parameters be it religion or differences among political parties. We still have time for Republic Day and hope every State is accommodated to perform.
S.N. Kabra
2Parliamentarians must pay from salaries for non-availed train-reservation
It is quite usual practice amongst parliamentarians that they make multiple priority-reservations in First-Class Air-Conditioned coaches of railways in different trains for a single journey to get benefit of last-moment change in travel-programmes, but evidently use maximum one reservation in a single train. This is because all railway-bills for multiple reservations so made are paid by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats irrespective of journeys made or not made by Parliamentarians. Such a practice results in depicting full-reservation to normal commuters desiring to travel in First-Class Air-Conditioned class of trains. It also tends to result in corruption where rail-staff unauthorizedly allows travel persons bribing train-staff to use luxury of First-Class travel in air-conditioned coaches.
System should be formulated whereby Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats may for rail-travel of Parliamentarians only on their getting signed and rubber-stamped forms issued by Train-Ticket-Examiners -TTEs for their actually travelling utilised reserved accommodation. Cost of rail-reservation paid by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats for unutilized train-reservation may be deducted from salaries or pension of Parliamentarians.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
Heart breaking, it is to see all this gory violence, arson, clashes and conflicts in the name of the Citizenship Amendment Act bill. Come what may,violence is not going to yield any good result. Our heads have to hang in shame as this is happening in a land where the greatest of preachers of peace and non-violence were born.
Albert Einstein, the great scientist, once said about Mahatma Gandhi thus, “Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth”. In a land where the greatest of apostle of peace was born, it seems his people have completely forgotten that. Gandhiji’s principles and ideals paved the way for a nation and its people to unharness themselves from a powerful empire. And to get freedom , Mahatma didn’t instigate his people to follow the path of violence and crooked ways but preached plain non-violence, truth and tolerance.
There is a lot of difference between the generation the great Mahatma led and that of today. Even though most of the people of that era were poor, uneducated and unemployed, they didn’t resort to unwanted arson, clashes and conflicts and the credit for that goes to the leaders who were committed to the cause. They were dedicated to their motherland, transparent to the core and duty bound to see that they worked along with the followers, teaching them the right way to attain whatever the aim be. Today, we have the so called “leaders” seated in their air-conditioned suites watching arsons and clashes live and remote controlling the activities done by their well-fed mobs. They are neither seen along with the followers nor do they in reality feel the heat of the conflicts. And really amusing is the way in which these leaders yield themselves to get arrested with so much of multimedia fanfare and so!
The language used, the scribbling on the placards and the photo-ops all expose their gimmicks which is just to be in the limelight and nothing else. Poor people are just taken for a ride. They are completely misguided, instigated, incited and brainwashed to the core only for these pseudo leaders to achieve their aims and for their selfish motives. We the citizens of a beautiful nation rich in its culture and heritage must truly introspect ourselves, analyse the matters in deep and choose the right. Let us also not forget the Mahatma’s thought provoking word’s-be the change you wish to see in the world.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
The nationwide strike called by all the trade unions has failed to evoke any response in Maharashtra till Wednesday afternoon with transport and banking services remaining largely unaffected in many districts as well as in the country’s financial capital Mumbai. Besides, no untoward incidents were reported from any region of the state.
Suburban trains known to be the “lifeline of Mumbai” with a ridership of more than 75 lakh commuters per day, public buses, taxis and autorickshaws have all been running normally in the island city and suburbs.
Similarly, Metro and Monorail services were running smoothly, officials said, adding that BEST-operated bus services were also running as per schedule. Private transport services like taxis and auto-rickshaws were also plying normally in Mumbai.
Besides, film and TV shoots also remained unaffected. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said that all its members reported to work as usual and nothing was hampered because of the strike.
In Pune, transport services remained unaffected.”Buses operated by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) are plying normally,” reported Shankar Pawar, Director, PMPML. Educational institutes and commercial establishments in the city remained open as usual.
Federation of Chakan Industries (FCI) secretary Dileep Batwal said that 20 to 25 per cent of industries were affected in Chakan MIDC area due to the strike. In Solapur in south-west Maharashtra, transport and other services remained largely unaffected. A senior Solapur Police officer said that the strike had no impact on the normal life in the city. A district official said that attendance remained thin in various government offices in Solapur.
Trade unions INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC along with various sectoral independent federations and associations participated in the strike for various demands.
Voices on Bharat Bandh
Shivani Lokhande
“Yes, I support the concept of Bharat Bandh. When people are politely keeping their points before the government, they haven’t paid attention. My question is why have people to resort to a strike, why can’t the government understand the importance of unemployment, minimum labour wages, privatising the public sectors? As the government is not paying attention to all this, jobs of many public sector workers are at stake for eg :BSNL, MTNL. Labourers are fighting for their rights which I don’t think are wrong. Had the government addressed all the queries in the meeting held on 2nd Jan 2020, then strike wouldn’t have happened. This is a total ignorance of the government.”
Sumita Chakraborty
“No, I don’t support any bandh. By closing down things, you cause a disruption of work which affects the economics of the country. And if you check our history, none of the bandhs so far has been instrumental to solve a problem. If you want a nation to progress, I think we should do away with this bandh culture as a form of protest.”
Forum Soni
“No, I don’t support Bharat Bandh because I think it creates a lot of inconvenience for the people who work on daily wages. For other people, it doesn’t impact because as for us it’s like a normal holiday and we will enjoy the day. But when it’s a Bharat Bandh, a lot of violence takes place like the bus are burnt, auto-rickshaws doesn’t ply and due to this people suffer. According to me, it’s a complete nuisance for everybody. People who want to do Danga in the country get an opportunity by this.”
Roshni Vishwakarma
“I don’t support Bharat Bandh. There are many people who are completely dependent on their daily income and are just trying to manage for survival. In a country like India, twists and turns take place everyday and it is really commendable that people are raising their voice against what they feel is right and it’s a sign of democracy. But Bharat Bandh is not a solution as it is harmful for many people.”
Abhishek Rai
“I don’t support Bharat Bandh. And many people who are supporting Bharat Bandh just because they don’t want to get on the wrong side of urban naxals. We all have seen this first-hand example in JNU where students are trying to create chaos in the University just because they don’t want to get registered for their upcoming exams. Also, we saw the violence regarding the CAA and NRC. A complete no for Bharat Bandh.”
Vinod Patidar
“I don’t support Bharat Bandh, because of this bandh we daily wage workers suffer the most. And talking about the other people, then they have already got their salary. So it won’t affect them at all. Due to Bharat Bandh there is a slowdown in business.”
Aditya Iyer
“I do not support Bharat Bandh as these activities disrupt various other activities of the nation. Moreover conveyance and going to work or places becomes difficult as there are traffic jams. Most of the people try to stop and disrupt public transport. There, it becomes difficult for ambulances as well as school buses to drop the students’ home. These activities affect the economy of the nation as the gross output of the day is lost. I truly believe that bandhs like this are not a solution to any problem and such practices are just a waste of time.”
Ashesh Pandya
“It is very difficult question to answer which side you are. I would not like to take any side. This is not the right time for any kind of bandh in India the economy is on the downslide and everything is haywire. This kind of politics is absolutely a no no. I will not support bandh.”
Dilip Joshi
“I don’t know whether I should support Bharat Bandh or not but all I can say I am tired of the current government because of their work. I don’t quite understand the motive behind the strikes and if the government fails to fulfill the single demand of people then we will show them the true power of democracy.”
Saburi Vilankar
“Being the citizen, I would never support Bharat Bandh as it brings violence and safety issues along with it. Seeing all the current situation it’s good that Mumbai seldom witness bandh, even a single day counts for our economy and sabotage with it. This is my opinion and I think we all should think clearly and concisely.”
Chetan Kirdat
“Bharat Bandh in my point of view is choking your own country’s market for a day or more. Let me give you an example; on Wednesday I went to Kurla spare parts market to buy some parts for my bike. But the entire market was closed in support against CAA and NRC. As on every shop it was written, the shop will remain closed in support against CAA and NRC. Closure of shops would definitely affect the business. So, in the name of Bharat Bandh you are choking your own business. I don’t think bandh can be the right way to oppose.”
Mumbai Social media mongers have appealed people to boycott the Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak for two reasons; one because the Bollywood actress was seen outside Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi recently.
Deepika was in New Delhi to promote her upcoming film Chhapaak that also stars Vikrant Massey as the male lead. The actress joined a protest against violence in the JNU campus. The Meghna Gulzar directorial is based on the life of acid attack survivor and social activist Laxmi Agarwal.
While Deepika Padukone is yet to speak about the violence at JNU, the actor earlier on Wednesday told media, “If we want to see change in life and society, it is important that a point of view be put forward. I feel proud about it that people are coming out, be it on the streets or wherever they are, they are raising their voice and expressing themselves as it is important.” This visit has not gone well with right-wingers.
The second reason is that in reality, the guy who threw acid on Laxmi Agarwal was Nadeem Khan, in the movie. His name has been changed as Rajesh in the film. The movie is based on a real life story.
The name change from Nadeem Khan to Rajesh has not gone well, this is translated as pro- Hindu propaganda. Deepika Padukone has been widely attacked and trolled on social media. But many acid attack victims came forward in her support requesting people not to boycott the movie.
Acid attack victim Anshu Rajput has asked people not to boycott the movie as this has shown the struggle of acid attack survivors. She said, “Just because Deepika stood with JNU students, one should not ban the movie, look at the larger subject, this is story of we the survivors.”
“No matter which political party you support, do you support violence? Don’t visuals of bleeding students and teachers shake you up? We can’t sit on the fence any longer. Kudos to Deepika Padukone for showing up and all those who spoke for speaking up. This is not the time to stay quiet,” said Sonakshi Sinha.
“More power to Deepika Padukone, can’t wait to watch Chhapaak tonight. United we stand,” said Bhumi Pednekar.
“There comes a tipping point in everyone’s life. I guess the violence in JNU was Deepika’s. Salutations Deepika, the country will remember this act of courage,” filmmaker Aparna Sen stated.
Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar said, “More power to Deepika and thank you for your solidarity and support. You might be abused or trolled today, but history will remember you for your courage and standing by the idea of India.”
Another acid attack survivor Azam Mazaher told Afternoon Voice, “JNU and acid attack survivors are two different issues. Deepika has every right to stand where she wants and with whom she can, but boycotting the movie means disrespecting the spirit of victims”
Since ages, men and women have been subjected to acid attacks after which they go in deep depression and end their lives in dark rooms. Acid attacks in India is on the rise and the women who survive such attacks are forced to live as outcasts. India has made international headlines for horrific rape cases in recent years, but acid attacks are common too although they receive less attention. Despite laws restricting the sale of acid, there are 250 to 300 acid attacks or by other deadly chemicals reported in India every year, according to Stop Acid Attacks, a non-profit group.
Despite stricter laws and punishments, the number of acid attacks in India continues to increase. Statistics show a clear increase in the number of acid attacks in the South Asian country in recent years. At least 106 such attacks were reported in 2012. And that figure rose to 122 in 2013 and 349 in 2014. Activists say that that the figure rose to over 500 in 2015. There are many unreported cases of acid attacks in which victims die especially in rural areas. Sometimes, people try to hide information if the attacker was the husband or a family member of the victim. The victims are attacked over domestic or land disputes, a rejected marriage proposal or spurned sexual advances. Acid attacked victims had no social acceptance and resource to stand back, but now the scenarios have changed. With growing awareness and adequate support to victims gives new hope and confidence. There is social acceptance and there is kindness in people’s heart that is voluntarily giving support to such fellow human.
Thankfully, Bollywood personalities like Deepika Padukone and Meghna Gulzar took up this subject to the silver screen and gained a lot of respect. Chhapaak (Splash) is a Hindi-language drama film based on the life of Laxmi Agarwal that stars Padukone as an acid attack survivor alongside Vikrant Massey and Madhurjeet Sarghi.
Laxmi Agarwal and her partner inspired many men to come forward and take a step ahead. She was an acid attack survivor who spoke for the rights of acid attack victims and gave voices to such victims. Since then, the society at large is openly speaking about the same. Not only that, but also many celebrities have come forward to help them voluntarily. The victims have got life partners too. Laxmi was attacked in 2005 by a 32-year-old man Naeem Khan alias Guddu whose advances she had rejected when she was just 15. Her story, among others, was told in a series on acid attack victims in a media report. She has also advocated against acid attacks by gathering 27,000 signatures for a petition to curb acid sales and taking that cause to the Indian Supreme Court. Her petition led the Supreme Court to order the central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid and the Parliament to make prosecutions of acid attacks easier to pursue.
In 2014, she fell in love with social activist Alok Dixit. Both decided not to get married and instead be in a live-in relationship. They decided to live together until death. But later on, they tied themselves in a wedlock. Now, they have a beautiful daughter too.
This particular love story has set examples for many youth. Since then, there are numerous stories of acid attack victims getting married and extending families. Laxmi is the director of Chhanv Foundation, a NGO dedicated to help the survivors of acid attacks in India. Incidentally, she received a 2014 International Women of Courage award by US First Lady Michelle Obama. Since she has taken up this issue to the globe, now there are many victims who follow her footsteps and all are doing reasonably well for their future life.
Trustworthy statistics for the crime are difficult to ascertain. The Indian government confirmed the number of female acid attack victims as 98 in 2011, 85 in 2012 and 80 in 2013. But acid survivor support groups say these figures are misleading and do not account for the many cases that go unreported as well as those involving male victims. Instances of acid attacks have been reported in nearly all parts of the world. What has changed now is the outlook, people are openly condemning such attacks and society at large has stood by the victims in recent past. Brave young women who suffered a horrific acid attacks have spoken out against the culprits. They are strongly holding their foot in the ground and yet trying to live with dignity.
Acid attack is not something unnoticed in India. It has stunned the morality of our nation again and again with mutilated faces, unbeaten survivors coming to the frontlines to share their horrific stories and families driven to bankruptcy supporting recovery costs. The Indian Penal Code was modified in 2013 for the first time to add regulations tailored to acid attacks. Acid attack is possibly the worst infliction on another human – leading to complete debilitation, loss of income and opportunity and even social sequestration. It can happen to anyone, at any time. The means to this evil remain quite accessible to most and the causes provoking such cruelty can be incredibly trivial. 85 per cent of victims are women, so acid attack can overwhelmingly be classified as gender violence. For the 15 per cent male victims, the primary cause of attack is property dispute or jealousy.
The reason for an attack might be anything, but these odd acts of people have not deterred good people to come forward and lend their hand in all capacities. The society is changing, its people are more mature and sensitive towards these victims and every day there is new hope in their lives. There are many who can raise their voices unless they are heard and attended to. Chhapaak is one such story and subject that needs utmost attention. Hope this movie makes a lot of difference to the mindset of those men who can go to any extent to deface a woman.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)
Ajay Devgn, whose film Tanhaji is set to release this week, is the latest celebrity to come out against violence. He says that violence is not the solution to any problem.
While he was unclear on what transpired behind the attacks at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. He said that he had been watching the news since morning and that it was very conflicting. He said till the time it is not clear who has done what, he wouldn’t want to comment. He however said what was happening was very sad. He added that till the time one person is not fully aware, that person shouldn’t speak and add to the confusion. He said that it is stupid to think it is complicit. He said that they can’t add fuel to fire.
The actor further said that whoever is doing this, is doing a wrong thing. Violence is not the solution of this; it is only harming the country. He said that whenever they say something, it is taken seriously either in a good way or a bad way.
With the Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak all set to release, the promotion of the film is at its peak. As a part of this endeavour, the lady stepped out on the streets of Mumbai in the garb of Malti (the character which she plays in Chhapaak) with a few acid attack survivors.
Among the places she visited were a mobile store, a supermarket, an accessories shop and a local clothes market to gather people’s reaction. There were certain people who gave awkward glances and refused to help Deepika Padukone and other survivors. On the other hand, there were kind people who helped them not feeling awkward to move around with them at all.
This film has Deepika essaying the role of an acid attack survivor. The film is based on the life of Laxmi Agarwal. For the Meghna Gulzar directorial, DP decided to take up a social experiment in order to know how people react to acid attack survivors.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday disclosed the names of the guardian ministers of all 36 districts of the state. While Aaditya Thackeray has been named the guardian minister charge of Mumbai suburban district, the deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar will be guardian minister of Pune.
Ending the year 2019 on a happy note with the grand success of Good Newwz, Karan Johar has announced his next venture to be made under the banner of Dharma Productions. Johar will adapt Nitin Gokhale’s book R.N. Kao: Gentleman Spymaster on the silver screen. The film will be jointly presented by Dharma productions and Still and Still Media collective
This news must have made Ashutosh Gowariker happy to no end. His period drama ‘Panipat’ has been exempted from tax by the Maharashtra government.
Heart breaking, it is to see all this gory violence, arson, clashes and conflicts in the name of the Citizenship Amendment Act bill. Come what may,violence is not going to yield any good result. Our heads have to hang in shame as this is happening in a land where the greatest of preachers of peace and non-violence were born.
The nationwide strike called by all the trade unions has failed to evoke any response in Maharashtra till Wednesday afternoon with transport and banking services remaining largely unaffected in many districts as well as in the country’s financial capital Mumbai. Besides, no untoward incidents were reported from any region of the state.
Ajay Devgn, whose film Tanhaji is set to release this week, is the latest celebrity to come out against violence. He says that violence is not the solution to any problem.
With the Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak all set to release, the promotion of the film is at its peak. As a part of this endeavour, the lady stepped out on the streets of Mumbai in the garb of Malti (the character which she plays in Chhapaak) with a few acid attack survivors.