Excelsior... Nation

‘Border’ was dedicated to my brother: J P Dutta

CHANDIGARH, Nov 25: He loves rubbing shoulders with soldiers, but in his own ‘unique’ way. He ‘directed’ them not only once but twice in ‘Border’ and ‘Refugee’, and as if it was not enough, this resolute and indefatigable director is once again ready to cross the Line of Control (LoC) which the other directors in the film industry fear to tread.

For him, learning is a process and this lesson seems to be indelible in his mind. Bollywood director J P Dutta, who directed blockbuster ‘Border’ and an average hit ‘Refugee’, has now another much-awaited war saga ‘LoC’ up his sleeves.

"Making a war film is not easy. Too much effort goes into the making of war films. Though ‘ Border’ was a war film, ‘Refugee’ was not. I did research for seven months before starting ‘LoC’," Dutta said while talking to newspersons here yesterday.

Dutta who was in the city with Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan to shoot some portion of his new film, said," ‘Border’ was a tribute to my brother who died during a MiG crash. And after ‘Border’ I thought I would never make a war movie, but after the Kargil conflict some army officers requested me to make a film on it and I agreed."

"The film is almost 80 per cent complete and if everything goes right, then I am planning to release it in June next year," Dutta informed.

If a Bollywood buzz making the rounds is to be believed then J P Dutta is all set to release ‘LoC’ on June 13, 2003. On the very same date in 1997, he released ‘Border’ and during its screening on that day, the Uphaar tragedy had happened which left more than 50 people dead. The case is still pending in a Delhi court. But for Mr Dutta ‘June 13’ brought luck and ‘Border’ went on to become one of the major blockbusters.

Coincidentally, June 13, 2003, is also a Friday. For Mr Dutta, June 13 may be a lucky date for releasing his war sagas, but for the families of the victims of the Uphaar tragedy, this date always brings forth harrowing memories of that day.

But the phobia of ‘Friday, the 13th’ does not deter this director’s unflagging spirit. The film also has the longest song in the history of Bollywood. The song’s duration is thirteen and a half minutes. It has been sung by Sonu Nigam and the music director is Anu Malik. The song is dedicated to the soldiers of the Kargil conflict.

"Dor the film, I also met some officers who took part in the Kargil conflict. I also spent some time with the families of the martyrs of the conflict to understand the ground situation. ‘LoC’ will depict the Kargil conflict in the true sense. It is no fiction. People will get to see the hostile conditions and circumstances our soldiers had to face to defeat and push back the intruders."

The film has a mammoth starcast of 28 actors, something not even heard before in any multi-starrer."During the Kargil conflict, there were ten battalions, but in my film I have shown only five battalions. And I think if I had to show ten battalions, then I would have needed more than 100 actors for my film," he answered placidly in reply to a question.

The starcast of the film includes Ajay Devgan, Akshay Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Rani Mukherjee, Kareena Kapoor, Esha Deol, Raveena Tandon, Saif Ali Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Ashish Vidyarthi and Karan Nath. (UNI)

‘Rishtey’ is not a repeat of ‘Shakti’: Karisma

LUCKNOW, Nov 25: Undeterred with the failure of her last film ‘Shakti’, Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor says her latest release—‘Rishtey’ would be an audience’ delight.

"I play a vulnerable woman who is torn between relationships. It is the story of a common man", Karisma told newspersons here yesterday during the promotion of ‘Rishtey’, directed by Indra Kumar.

The actress said she was glad that her performance in ‘Shakti’ was appreciated eventhough the film was not commercially successful. She, however, stressed that her role in ‘Rishtey’, which also features Anil Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty, is "very different".

When reminded that director Indra Kumar’s last film ‘Aashiq’ in which she starred opposite Bobby Deol was an immensely forgettable film, she said Mr Kumar had given several big hits before like ‘Dil’ ‘Beta’, ‘Raja’ and ‘Ishq’ and hence the failure of a couple of his last releases should not be a negative reflection of his talent.

On why has there not been another ‘Fiza’ and ‘Zubeida’ in her career, the blue-eyed Kapoor said for long, she has not come across any powerful script as far as parallel cinema is concerned. In the same vein, she said her foray into television would prove to be an interesting turn in her career graph.

"The serial—‘Karishma’, to be launched on Sahara TV, is about the journey of a woman’s life from childhood to old-age. I took the assignment as I found the subject to be very interesting, better than the movie offers I had been receiving."

Karisma, whose engagement with Abhishek Bachchan was announced recently, said she had received film offers opposite Junior B but nothing had been finalised as yet.

To a query, the actress said she has no regrets in her career spanning more than 10 years. "I have put in a great deal of hard work and dedication to achieve a mark and do not carry regrets for any kind of decision taken during this process", she said adding her other forthcoming release is a thriller called ‘Baaz’ in which she co-stars Sunil Shetty, Jackie Shroff and Dino Morea.

Karisma was accompanied by actor Anil Kapoor and Sandeep Marwah, director of the Asian Academy of Films and Television and co-producer of ‘Rishtey’, to be released on December six next. (UNI)

What’s to debate in making truth a defence in contempt

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Law and Justice Minister K Jana Krishnamurthi has indicated he is inclined to plead for making truth a defence in contempt of court cases.

Releasing a book on "law of contempt" written by Uttaranchal High Court Chief Justice Ashok A Desai in New Delhi last evening, Krishnamurthi called for a debate to crystallise public opinion on the issue, wondering whether it lent itself to much discussion.

He said the first question that came to mind was whether there was any real need for a discussion on making truth a defence in contempt cases, considering that all judicial pursuit is aimed at truth.

Left to himself, the Law and Justice Minister indicated he would definitely plead for an amendment making truth a defence in contempt matters. His remarks evoked an applause.

The question he raised was attempted in the very 772-page treatise— described by an introductory speaker as a "handy guide"— the minister released.

In India, law defines contempt of court as a civil offence if it involves wilful disobedience to a court order or other process or breach of an undertaking given to a court.

Under the contempt of court act, 1971, criminal contempt involves publishing matter scandalising or lowering court’s authority or otherwise obstructing administration of justice.

At the heart of the issue, experts say, is citizens’ right to exercise freedom of speech on inefficient or corrupt judicial officers and upright judicial officers’ right to protection against mudslinging by dissatisfied lawyers, litigants or "self-oriented" journalists or politicians.

Proven contempt is punishable with up to six months of simple imprisonment or up to Rs 2,000 in fine or both. An accused may be let off on apologising. But experts say contempt powers of the courts are far too wide and it is vital for the administration of justice to make truth and good faith valid defences in such cases.

They have been advocating a review of the act, saying there has been a tendency to use the power for punishing persons for scandalising the court much too frequently.

Official figures released around February 2002 showed there were 67,626 contempt of court cases in high courts as against 55,737 in May 2000— 11,889 new cases in such a short span.

But the author of the new book cites such factors as "larger public interest" to suggest that "it would not be expedient to permit truth to be defence in contempt proceedings."

Under a chapter ‘could truth be a defence,’ Justice Desai starts by acknowledging that "a popular debate currently going on... Mostly... Leans on the side that in a contempt proceedings, truth need(s) to be a legitimate defence to save the contemner from the penal consequences."

Noting that truth is "a universal virtue for all living creatures," that "truth and honesty are the foundations of democratic polity" and that "truth is (the) very foundation of judicial system," the book poses: then what is so distinguishing from other proceedings that in contempt, truth is precluded to be a defence."

Justice Desai quotes senior advocate Dali Sam Nariman’s view that "truth and good faith must be reinstated as valid defences (either by judicial dictate or by law) because they are vital for the future administration of justice."

The author sees the national commission to review the working of the constitution as having been "very guarded" in recommending that "in the matter of contempt, it shall be open to the court, on satisfaction of bona fide of the plea and requirement of public interest to permit a defence of justification by truth." "They (the commission) don’t envisage absolute freedom to set up a plea of genuineness of the offending statement. The plea further need to be qualified as essential in public interest. The debate therefore has to go on."

Justice Desai says: "Truth has a great strength. It need to be used to achieve larger interest or public good... Invariably the contemner while scandalising the court, arrogate(s) to himself that what he possesses is the truth. If his belief is a reality, he can press into service that truth in an appropriate manner.

"However, if it is proved to be a disillusion, the damage done to the public faith due to such statement would be irreparable.

"Even on test of sense of proportion of the public behaviour and having regard to larger public interest of paramount consideration, it would not be expedient to permit truth to be defence in contempt proceedings. Legislature has, therefore, thoughtfully not averred the same."

Justice Desai says: "It is in public interest that criticism of the judiciary which would lower or tend to lower the authority of the judiciary is not permitted."

He cites the court observation in one such matter: ‘’...It is an injury to the public because it tends to create an apprehension in the minds of the people regarding the integrity, ability and fairness of the judge.

"The viability of the judiciary as an institution depends on continued public assumption that the judiciary is an honest and incorruptible institution and any allegations of corruption ostensibly or apparently deriving their veracity from some facts are bound to undermine the status of the judiciary.

"It is for this reason that the courts in contempt proceedings refuse to examine the strength of the allegations..."

The author says: "The view has a sanctity from the democratic values as well the rule of law." (UNI)

Maharashtra academy to rescue fading art forms

MUMBAI, Nov 25: Several folk art forms of Maharashtra like the Lavani, Tamasha, Bharud and Lazim, languishing for want of state patronage and public support, are expected to get a boost with the establishment of the ‘Pu La Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy’.

The first-ever arts academy of the State that has come up in the metropolis, was inaugurated on November 17 by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. It was the fulfilment of a dream for Mr Deshmukh who had conceived the idea way back in 1990 when he was the Culture Minister.

The academy, set up to promote folk and fine arts, drama, classical music, dance motion picture and related arts, is centrally located in the premises of the ravindra drama complex at Prabhadevi.

Completed at a cost of Rs 38 crore, the academy has 17 different sections including an exhibition hall, arts museum and halls for holding concerts. Facilities have also been provided for teaching various dance forms such as Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Manipuri. In addition, it has rooms for Riyaz, sculpture, handicrafts, lecture halls, library, recording room and three auditoriums.

Mr Deshmukh announced a grant of Rs three crore from the MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) funds for the academy to meet its immediate expenses.

Although the building of the academy is now ready, the functions and programmes of the academy are yet to be worked out. A meeting of the experts in the field of music, drama, dance, folk arts, painting, sculpture and literature, convened on Friday decided to focus on revival of the culture and arts of the state by bringing in artistes, teachers and experts in various fields, cultural affairs secretary govind swarup told UNI. It is expected to be operational within two to three months, he added. Although Maharashtra is rich in art forms, the State did not have a Kala academy of its own. When Mr Deshmukh visited Goa as the State’s Culture Minister over a decade ago, he was impressed by its Kala Academy, which inspired him to set up a similar institution in Maharashtra.

Accordingly, a decision was taken in 1991 to set up the academy and the actual construction work began in 1997 in the Ravindra Natya Mandir complex.

Ravindra Natya Mandir, as the theatre is known, itself was set up three decades ago with funds from West Bengal Government as a memorial to one of the greatest sons of India, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

It is a happy coincidence that the academy named after Pu La has come up in the premises of a drama complex named after Gurudev. The academy spreads over 87,000 sq feet land.

For Pu La Deshpande, the renowned litterateur, who ruled over hearts of millions through his writings, dramas, songs, films and not the least with his unmatched humour, Rabindranath was like a Guru. He had spent some time in Tagore’s Shantiniketan and penned a highly acclaimed tribute to the Gurudev.

An interesting feature of the academy will be its Gurukul style of learning, said Mr R Gaud, Commissioner of the Cultural Affairs. The students of Hindustani classical and Carnatic as well as various dance forms will learn the art as part of the Guru-Shishya tradition.

Mr Govind Swarup said at least 16 to 18 gurus will be appointed in various faculties. They will train the students for four to five years on a one-to-one basis. Such a scheme would ensure survival of the art forms as well artistes besides encouraging the new generation to explore the rich heritage, he added. The academy’s acoustics and sound system is such that one can show movies and stage programmes at the auditoriums without causing any disturbances to each other, Mr Gaud said.

The academy has two mini-theatres, with a seating capacity of 206 and 300 seats respectively.

According to Mr Gaud, the Ravindra Natya Mandir will serve as the academy’s mini theatre, where dramas will be staged. The theatre, which is currently under renovation, is expected to open for stage performances in January next year. It has a sitting capacity of 956 and is equipped with the state-of-the art dolby digital sound system and movie projector.

A number of ambitious programmes will also be undertaken by the academy. Research and documentation of the ancient Indian music, dance, drama and folk traditions is planned.

The most important aspect would be imparting training of Hindustani classical music, Carnatic music, Rabindra Sangeet and classical instruments to students.

The dance forms that will be taught to students include Bharat Natyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Odissi and Mohiniyattam. Drama and related arts would be taught separatly.

During vacations, training programmes will be planned to teach Maharashtra’s dying folk arts, including ‘Lawani’ (rural dance programme), and street plays, Mr Gaud said.

Telefilms, art films and documentaries would be screened at the academy and special training programmes for tv animation, motion picture art as well as photography would be conducted.

It is also planned to organise dance, drama and music festivals at the academy. Meanwhile setting up of the academy has evoked a positive response from artistes and others.

Ram Krishna Das, a leading dhrupad singer expressed the hope that the academy would be able to stem the onslaught of Western culture. He warned against the academy getting mired in red tapism which might hinder its functioning.

Mr Nayan Ghosh, principal of the Sangeet Mahabharati, a music academy, said the classical musicians’ community was disappointed over the lack of support from the State as well as the Central Government. The new academy should come to the aid of those institutions struggling to keep the culture and art alive.

While inaugurating the academy, Mr Deshmukh paid rich tributes to late Pu La and said the academy will be a fitting memorial to the great humourist.

A life-size statue of Deshpande adorns the entrance of the academy. It was inaugurated on November 8, his birth anniversary. The statue is the work wellknown sculptor Mr Yawalkar. (UNI)

2 million malaria cases reported last year

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: More than two million cases of malaria have been reported during each of the years 2000 and 2001, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Number of deaths reportedly from malaria were 1084 during 1999, 931 in 2000 and 1003 in 2001, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare A. Raja told the House in reply to a question.

He said for countering malaria and related deaths, National Anti-Malaria Programme (NAMP) has been in operation in the country as a category-2 Centrally sponsored scheme. Under the scheme the Central Government provided assistance to the states in the form of drugs, insecticides and larvicides, he added.

In addition, the Minister said an Enhanced Malaria Control Project (EMCP) with the World Bank support was being implemented in predominantly tribal areas of 8 states since 1997. Hundred per cent Central assistance was also being provided to North Eastern states for malaria control since December, 1994.

Mr Raja said anti-malaria drugs were being provided free of cost to patients.

Cancer Cases: Mr Raja, in reply to another question, admitted that no drug was being developed for treatment of cancer under National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). The chemotherapy, however, was available for the patients, he said.

He said that expected number of new cancer cases in 2001 were 8.06 lakh. The figure is based on data from population-based cancer registry programme of Indian Council of Medical Research.

As per the cancer mortality observed in the Mumbai Population based cancer registry, the projected number of deaths caused by cancer in the country is about 4.3 lakh, the upper house was informed.

Under the NCCP, the Ministry was implementing various schemes aimed at creating awareness among the people and for facilitating treatment and research activities, Mr Raja said.

Dengue Fever: The Minister also admitted in the Rajya Sabha that the dengue fever was prevalent in Delhi and some other parts of the country. Technical assistance for investigation, prevention and control of dengue outbreak was being provided to the states through the Directorate of National Anti-Malaria Programme (NAMP) and National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Delhi, he informed the house.(UNI)

Postal deptt to launch e-mail service across country

CHANDIGARH, Nov 25: Department of Posts will shortly launch its own e-mail services for those who do not have access to computers and internet, a senior postal official said today.

The "e-post" service would enable people to send their e-mail, the hard copy of which would be delivered at the destination, Vijay Bhushan, Principal Chief Postmaster General (Punjab), told reporters here.

He said the department was in the process of connecting all head post offices located at district headquarters and the work was expected to finish by next month. The charges for the "e-post" service were being worked out.

Vijay Bhushan expressed concern over the "significant decline" in letter writing and noted that the volumes of advertising mail or "junk mail" were going up each passing day.

He said the department of posts would have tie-up with Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for facilitating payment of electricity bills.

The postal department will charge Rs five per bill from PSEB for this service.

Vijay Bhushan said the service of receiving electricity bill would be launched in all post offices in Patiala division from the next month.

He said the postal department proposed to provide "drop boxes" in selected post offices in Punjab and Chandigarh for private tele services.

Last year, the department of posts generated a revenue of Rs 85 crore in Punjab as against the expenditure of Rs 109.79 crore.

"Seventy per cent of common market is occupied by telephone and only 25 per cent is with physical mail of postal department," he said, adding that there was a great risk of further decline in the market of physical mail.

He said the postal department was likely to make up in it’s revenue deficit to some extent in the coming years. (PTI)

Parliament to debate UP political situation

LUCKNOW, Nov 25: With the BJP central leadership endorsing thedemand of the party’s state unit for seeking cancellation of theAssembly membership of its 10 dissident MLAs for anti-partyactivities, political situation in Uttar Pradesh expect to figure inParliament, is likely to give rise to a heated debate.

Police harassment of some independent MLAs would be the top in the agenda of the main opposition Samajwadi Party in the Lok Sabha along with its demand for recalling Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri.

According to Samajwadi Party sources, the party MPs wouldraise the issue in a "stormy way" in Parliament and would forcethe Government to reply. The opposition will also try to putpressure on the Mayawati Government in the state through theCentre for the early special session of the state Assembly.

Earlier on November 20, the Lok Sabha witnessed an unusual scenewhen an SP member manhandled a BSP leader in the house over the political situation in the state.

SP sources said that the party MPs have chalked out a strategy tocounter the onslaught of the BSP-BJP combine in Parliament. Thesources further said the day would be crucial in term of politics in the state, as the action of the Congress would be interesting to watch.

"If the Congress keeps quiet on the issue, it will certainlyproves its nexus with the coalition Government in the state," thesources said.

Meanwhile, the dissident BJP leaders in the state have sentletters to all the MPs from the state in their stand in the presentpolitical crisis.

SP sources said the letters despatched to all the MPs raise thepoints about the lapses of the present Government and reasons fortheir annoyance with the Government as well as with the party.

Four rebel independent legislators, including an MLC, had beenarrested so far in connection with different criminal cases in thestate within a month.

The police action started on November 3 with the arrests ofRahguraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya and Dhananjay Singh, themain leaders of the dissident group. On Saturday, two others, AkshyaPratap Singh, counsin of Raja Bhaiya and MLC from Pratapgarh alongwith another independent MLA Ramnath Saroj, were arrested oncriminal charges in the state capital.

Dissident BJP group spokesman Ramashish Rai, terming the arrestsas a "political conspiracy" to put pressure on the rebelsto end their agitation against the Government said "we will continueour fight against the Government till our demands are conceded."

Earlier, the BJP high command approved the state leadership’sdecision to seek the cancellation of the Assembly membership of the10 dissident MLAs on basis of "anti-party activities."

The BJP high command convened a meeting at Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s residence on Saturday with the state leaders who apprised the leadership of the present political situation in the state.

The two-hour meeting was attended by the party top brassincluding Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee, Deputy Prime MinisterL K Advani, BJP national general secretary Rajnath Singh, in-chargeUP Affairs Kalraj Mishra, state BJP president Vinay Katiyar, andsenior leaders Kushabhau Thakre and Lalji Tandon.

Later, state BJP legislature party leader Lalji Tandon said MrVajpayee and Mr Advani were convinced of the role of the stateleadership in the wake of the current political situation in thestate. He said the party central high command had given its go-aheadas far as the action against the dissidents was concerned.

This was the first collective meeting of party leaders since thepolitical crisis began in the state more than a month ago.

The MLAs, defying the party’s stand, had voted for thedissidents’ candidate in the bypoll for one of the legislativecouncil seats held on November 18.

Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Keshri Nath Tripathi will start thehearing on the writ of the BJP and the BSP to disqualify their11 MLAs from November 30. The BJP had asked the Speaker tocancell the membership of 10 party MLAs while the BSP had asked for one.(UNI)