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Bhagat Singh: Mired NEW DELHI, June 3: Even as one has already been released and a demand has been raised for a ban on all the ....more BJP to review defeat RANCHI, June 3: Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today said he would soon review the reasons behind the party’s .....more BJP-led
Govt in Goa PANAJI, June 3: Newly sworn-in Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar today expressed confidence that his BJP-MGP-...more PPSC to reconduct CHANDIGARH, June 3: Emboldened by the High Court order which declined to stay the dismissal of 46 PCS officers in .....more |
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Center to tap hydrel-energy potential of N-E: Prabhu BURAGAON (ARUNACHAL PRADESH), June 3: Union Power Minister Suresh P Prabhu has said the Centre was planning to exploit the immense .....more Parrikar:
A meteoric PANAJI, June 3: Manohar Parrikar, who donned the mantle of Chief Ministership of Goa for the second consecutive time today in a short span of ........more SYL
canal to be constructed by REWARI, June 3: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has said the remaining portion .......more Urdu writer Narang selected for Alami award DUBAI, Jun 3: Dr Gopi Chand Narang, an eminent Urdu writer from India, has been selected along with Shaukat ....more |
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Bhagat Singh: Mired in controversy seven decades after martyrdom NEW DELHI, June 3: Even as one has already been released and a demand has been raised for a ban on all the five celluloid versions on the life of Bhagat Singh, the revolutionary martyr’s name has been dragged in any unseemly controversy more than seven decades after his hanging. And though the makers of each of them claim to have adhered to historical fact, questions are being raised on various issues linked to the life of the martyr who was hanged by the British on March 23, 1931, including one relating to whether he was seriously involved with any woman, and another on the songs he wrote and sang. While tips who have produced ‘The legend of Bhagat Singh’ by Raj Kumar Santoshi with Ajay Devgan in the title role have taken pride in the fact that the martyr’s ageing brother Kultar Singh had been associated with the making of the film, Iqbal Dhillon who has produced the already-released ‘Shaheed-e-Azam’ directed by Sukumar Nair says the research was done by Professor Jagmohan Singh, son of Bhagat Singh’s sister. ‘The legend of Bhagat Singh’ stars Amrita Rao as the girl who loved Bhagat Singh, apart from Farida Jalal who plays his mother. But despite this, the martyr’s youngest brother Rajinder Singh and his sons and daughters have moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a stay on the screening of all films based on the life and history of the martyr. And the Delhi-based Article 51 a forum demanded a ban on all the versions, questioning the authenticity of the films and accused them of distorting history. Soham Saha, researcher and writer of the film ‘Shaheed-e-Azam’ which has already been released, claimed that his research of over one year has revealed that Bhagat Singh never penned the song ‘Mera Rang De Basanti Chola.’ ‘The revolutionary leader, inspired by communism and socialism, was more attracted to colours like black and red and not basanti,’ Saha told UNI in an interview in Mumbai. He attributed this misconceived belief to Manoj Kumar who had first shown the martyr singing this song in his film. Actor Sunny Deol who produced ‘23rd march 1931 - Shaheed’ with brother Bobby Deol in the title role and his director Guddu Dhanoa at a press meet recently claimed that a lot of research had gone into the making of the film, and denied that it was based on "Shaheed" made by actor-director-producer Manoj Kumar in 1965. Apart from Sunny, the film also stars Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai. The two other versions are by senior filmmaker Ramanand Sagar and by Tarun Wadhwa, written by famous writer Baldev Gill and starring Punjabi folk-turned-pop singer Harbhajan Mann in the lead role. While Manoj Kumar is said to have read more than 150 books on Bhagat Singh in course of his research, Sunny said he had consulted some historians in different parts of the country including Punjab and Bangalore. Guddu added that his version had also explored certain aspects like Bhagat Singh’s childhood and the influences on him, which had not been shown by Manoj Kumar. Santoshi’s team relied on several biographies of the man including those by K K Khullar, A G Noorani and Kuldip Nayyar. Ajay Devgan said recently that the film ‘Shaheed’ had not concentrated merely on Bhagat Singh and had also not shown why he had turned into a freedom fighter and a revolutionary. Soham Saha lamented that the Central Board of Film Certification deleted a scene in his film relating to Mahatma Gandhi despite historical evidence that Gandhi had not tried wholeheartedly to save Bhagat Singh. He alleged that the censors do not want any ‘truth’ about Gandhi-Nehru to come out. He said there had even been a demand to remove a scene that shows that the British tried to tamper with Bhagat Singh’s body, but this was allowed after referring to the facts, he said. ‘Shaheed-e-Azam’ stars Sonu Sood, Raj Zutshi and Shama Sikandar. While Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued notices to the producers of the different versions, the Article 51 a forum has particularly objected to the introduction of the female character portrayed as Bhagat Singh’s lover (played by Aishwarya Rai in 23 March 1931 - Shaheed and Amrita Rao in the legend of Bhagat Singh). Both Guddu and Kumar Taurani of TIPS are emphatic that there was a woman in Bhagat Singh’s life and extensive research had been done on this subject. A booklet issued by TIPS says: "It would have been a dream come true if she was to marry Bhagat Singh. This girl from Manawale village loved Bhagat Singh so totally that she remained unmarried till death and was known as Bhagat Singh’s widow." But despite the controversy, many feel that the purpose of making films on the freedom fighters like the revolutionary Bhagat Singh would be achieved if even a handful of people are inspired to fight against injustice and corruption in society. Senior actress Farida Jalal said the films had been made at a very apt time, since the generation of today had forgotten or were unaware of the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and were frittering away the hard-earned gains of the freedom struggle. (UNI) |
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BJP to review defeat in Dumka polls RANCHI, June 3: Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today said he would soon review the reasons behind the party’s poll debacle in Dumka Lok Sabha constituency, aimd immediate resignation demand from his political rivals. "We are down but not out, the party will fight back," said the Chief Minister accepting the verdict of the 500,000 electorate in Dumka who exercised their franchise to decide the fate of the 13 candidates in the fray. The opposition Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) won the seat defeating ruling BJP by a record margin of more than 94,000 votes in the May 31 bypolls. The opposition, emboldened by the defeat of the BJP in Dumka, has started demanding resignation of Mr Marandi. The Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) had gone to the polls, fielding JMM founder and vice-president Simon Marandi as their nominee against the BJP and the JMM. They were the first to demand the resignation of the Chief Minister saying the Dumka bypolls were a refrendum on the performance of the Government. Mr Simon Marandi has resigned from the JMM, agitated over the latter’s decision to field its chief Shibu Soren, just a fortnight before he was accepted by the Congress and fielded in the Dumka bypolls. The massive defeat margin was an indication that the people had rejected the BJP-led NDA Government in the state which had seemingly failed to live up to their expectations, said Congress state chief Pradeep Balmuchu and RJD state president Aklu Ram Mahato. Both leaders, hinting towards the possibility of a fresh political polarisation in the state, demanded immediate resignation of Mr Marandi and holding of fresh elections in the state. The RJD sponsored Congress nominee Simon Marandi, who came third, polled just 73,000 votes in the Dumka bypolls. However, the party had received over 4,30,000 votes in the last general elections. The Congress had gone to the electioneering in Dumka with its star campaigners Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and AICC general secretary Oskar Fernandes, besides RJD supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav calling JMM’s nominee Mr Soren "a candidate eating into others’ votes’ and BJP’s ramesh hembrom "a non-entity". Meanwhile, the BJP faced stiff opposition after its defeat in Dumka even from a few of its own allies. The Samata, which had faced embarrasment during the recently concluded Rajya Sabha polls losing the seat to the BJP, came out strongly against the latter saying the Dumka by polls were fought by the BJP and not the NDA. The Samata agitated over the BJP’s contesting the May 30 Rajya Sabha elections had even supported the opposition JMM against the BJP in Dumka by polls which was held just a day after. Samata Party general secretary and Rajya Sabha member Lallan Singh had gone to the extent of even demanding Mr Marandi’s resignation in the wake of the Dumka reults. He said the Dumka by polls had proved beyond doubt that the people were against the Mr Marandi Government. The BJP central leadership must consider replacing him to save the BJP from facing further humiliations in the state, he added. Further clarifying his party’s position, he said the Samata was no more in the NDA in Jharkhand as its leaders who were members of the NDA state coordination committee had already resigned. However, the Janata Dal (United), said the NDA acccepting the verdict of the people of Dumka would strive to refurbish its image in the state. "We will unitedly strive for realisation of the people’s aspirations instead of fighting against each other," said Mr Rana and added "we must shed our difference and work in the larger interest of the NDA in Jharkhand." The left also did not lag behind in criticising the Government and demanding resignation of Mr Marandi. The CPI (M-L) had also fielded its candidates for the Dumka bypolls. Meanwhile, the JMM, which won the Dumka seat, has attributed its victory to the people’s mandate against the performance of the Government. The Morcha further held that the Dumka results have also proved beyond doubt that the people were against being governed by a party which had virtually no contributions towards the creation of Jharkhand as a separate state. Morcha chief Shibu Soren, who wrested the Dumka Lok Sabha seat from the BJP, said the people in Jharkhand still went with the ‘bow and arrow’ symbol of the JMM. The party had been assigned additional responsibility of protecting the state from further onslaught of the communal and opportunist forces, he added. The JMM would soon bring out ‘a rath yatra’ from Dumka to Ranchi in protest against the communal forces, said Mr Soren. A few JMM leaders ethused by the massive victory of the party even demanded resignation of Mr Babulali Marandi. The Dumka Lok Sabha, a prestigeous tribal seat, for which results were declared yesterday was wrested by oposition Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Shibu Soren securing 2,58,000 votes, while the nearest BJP rival Ramesh Hembrom got over 1,64,000 votes. The Congress came a poor third polling just over 73,000 votes. The Dumka Lok Sabha seat was won by the BJP in the last general polls. Bypolls were necessitated as the sitting representative Babulal Marandi of the BJP resigned after assuming charge as the first Chief Minister of Jharkhand. (UNI) |
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BJP-led Govt in Goa will last full term, says Parrikar PANAJI, June 3: Newly sworn-in Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar today expressed confidence that his BJP-MGP-UGDP coalition Government would last its full term and said his priority would be development of the state, especially in the infrastructure sector. Talking to reporters immediately after the swearing-in at the Raj Niwas, Mr Parrikar said Governor Mohammed Fazal had not asked him to prove his majority in the 40-member Legislative Assembly. "I have to pass the vote of account by June 15 and the Assembly will be convened in the next three to four days," he said. The Chief Minister said he had been invited to form the Government only when the Governor was convinced that he had the requisite numbers. The ministry sworn in today will be single tier and there will not be any increase in its size, he added. Replying to questions, Mr Parrikar said no decision had been taken yet about the speaker’s post. The present incumbent Pratapsingh Rane, having been elected as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP), will be quitting the post. He evaded replying to a query whether Dr Wilfred D’Souza, NCP legislator and one of the senior-most members of the Legislative Assembly, has been offered the post of the Speaker. He said the portfolios will be allocated in three phases and the first list will be announced tomorrow. Asked about the size of the ministry, Mr Parrikar said 13 was the final number. "In the last Government, the size of ministry was 14, and now I have reduced it by one. I have already said that eight would be an ideal number. May be I can do it after two to three terms, as I will want a absolute majority on my side," he added. About his expectations of the Government lasting a full term, he said: "I have a cohesive number of 18 BJP members including one independent. Goa has witnessed 13 Governments in as many years." Asked about the third UGDP Legislator, Mr Parrikar said Mathany Saldana has agreed to give issue-based support. Replying to a question about steps to maintain efficiency in his ministry, he said the ministers had already been told that a half-yearly review of their work would be undertaken. "All of them are enthusiastic to perform," he added. Asked about the criminal case pursued by his earlier Government in the sex scandal allegedly involving UGDP Legislator Atanasio Monsorrate, Mr Parrikar said his Government had initiated investigations into the matter and not against any particular person. "There are certain cases against him, we will sort it out," the Chief Minister said. Asked whether his ministry will have a Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Parrikar replied in the negative. Those sworn in today along with Mr Parrikar, who was elected from the Panaji constituency, are — Digambar Kamat (Margao), Suresh Amonkar (Pale), Manohar Azgaonkar (Dhargarlim), Ramarao Desai (Curchorem), Fransis D’Souza (Mapusa) — all BJP members and ministers in the earlier Government headed by Mr Parrikar. Independent member Philip Neri Rodriques (Velim) was also a minister in that Government. However, he had contested this Assembly election as an independent. Those present at the ceremony were Union Information Technology Minister Pramod Mahajan, former Union Minister of State for Shipping Sripad Naik, newly elected CLP leader Pratapsingh Rane, NCP Goa president Dr Wilfred D’Souza, MGP president Shashikala Kakodkar and senior Government and police officials. (UNI) |
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SYL canal to be constructed by Jan 15 next year REWARI, June 3: Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala has said the remaining portion of the Sutlej-Yamuna link canal will be constructed and completed by January 15 next year, the last date fixed by the Supreme Court. The Chief Minister was interacting with some people at the residence of the deputy leader of Haryana Pradesh Congress Legislature Party, Capt Ajay Singh, in Rewari last evening where he had gone to condole the death of his father Rao Abhay Singh. Mr Chautala said he had a very long association with the late Rao Abhay Singh. Mr Rao Abhay Singh had led his long political life with simplicity and honesty, he added. In his death, he said, the family lost its eldest member, the people of the area also lost a great social worker. Earlier, while talking to mediapersons at Jhajjar, the Chief Minister appealed to the people to give their wholehearted cooperation in maintaining peace in the state and not to be misled by those who were indulging in blocking roads by felling trees. They should be aware of the prevailing tension on the Indo-Pak border and the obstructions being created to affect the movement of traffic was also affecting the movement of vehicles of the Army. He also said he would not tolerate those anti-social elements, who were trying to disturb peace and tranquillity in the state in the name of farmers’ agitation. Nobody would be allowed to take law in his hands, he said and added taking weapons in hands was no solution to any problem and grievances could be addressed by sitting across the table. The doors of the Government were always open for talks, he noted. He said a four-member committee had already been constituted under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Mr Sampat Singh for the redress of the grievances of the farmers. (UNI) |
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Urdu writer Narang selected for Alami award DUBAI, Jun 3: Dr Gopi Chand Narang, an eminent Urdu writer from India, has been selected along with Shaukat Siddiqui of Pakistan for the seventh Alami Farogh-e-Urdu Adab award to be presented in Doha in October. Two independent juries met in Lahore and New Delhi recently to select the writers for the prestigious award set up by Doha’s Majlis Farogh-e-Urdu Adab in 1996 and carrying a prize money of Rs 1,50,000. The Indian jury was chaired by Prof Sheryar and had Dr Sughra Mehdi, Dr Sadiq and Balraj Komal as its members. "We congratulate the winners and renew our pledge to continue serving the cause of promoting Urdu at the international level," Mohamed Atiq, chairman of the Majlis Board of Patrons, and Museebur Rahman, founder of the Majlis, said in a press statement, the Gulf Times of Doha reported. Twelve noted Urdu scholars, six each from India and Pakistan, have so far been given the Alami award. The Indian winners awarded in the past are Prof Aale Ahmed Suroor, Quratul Ain Haider, Jilani Bano, Kalidas Gupta ‘Raza’, Joginder Pal and Surendra Prakash. Dr Narang, born in Dukki, now in Baluchistan, Pakistan, in 1931, is an internationally-renowned Urdu writer, researcher and critic. He has 50 books to his credit - 40 in Urdu, seven in English and three in Hindi. His famous books include ‘Mirajul Ashiqin’, ‘Iqbal Ka Fan’, ‘Safar Ashna’, ‘Intizar Husain aur Unke Afsane,’ ‘Saniha-e-Karbala Bataur Sheri Istiara’ and ‘Amir Khusro ka Hindvi Kalaam’. Dr Narang’s distinguished literary contribution has won him many top awards including the Padma Shri, President of Pakistan’s special Gold Medal for scholarly work on Iqbal, Ghalib award, Amir Khusrau award, Sir Syed award, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad award and the Sahitya Akademi award. He had been a visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota in the US and delivered lectures at many other prestigious universities in the United States, Canada, Russia and Scandinavian countries. The Majlis would issue a special souvenir on the personalities and works on Siddiqi and Narang. "A grand international mushaira (poetry session) would also be held on the occasion of the award presentation ceremony," the Majlis statement added.(UNI) |
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