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HC stays order permitting key accused to go abroad CHENNAI, Nov 23: The Madras High Court today stayed its order granting permission to Appu, a key accused in the .....more Taslimuddin
granted PATNA, Nov 23: Union Minister of State for Civil Supplies Mohammed Taslimuddin was today granted bail after .....more Animation is a difficult form of cinema: says Shahrukh MUMBAI, Nov 23: Come December and king of Bollywood, as Shahrukh Khan is popularly known, will be seen in a .....more Third Sikh front surfaces in Badal’s shock defeat in Delhi NEW DELHI, Nov 23: A tiny grouping loyal to former Akal Takht Jathedar ......more |
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HC grants protection MUMBAI, Nov 23: The Bombay High Court today directed Gujarat and Maharashtra .....more AIDS should top political, practical agenda: Oscar MUMBAI, Nov 23: Asserting that the AIDS epidemic should top the country’s political and .......more India’s answer to Harry Potter to hit screens next month NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Move over Harry Potter India’s own "purely indigenous brand of......more Chopper service for tourists in HP on cards CHANDIGARH, Nov 23: The Himachal Pradesh Government is planning to introduce a helicopter service to enable tourists a comfortable and quick ......more |
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| Kanchi Seer’s issue to figure at BJP meet ........... | |
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HC stays order permitting key accused to go abroad CHENNAI, Nov 23: The Madras High Court today stayed its order granting permission to Appu, a key accused in the Sankararaman murder case, to go abroad. The interim stay was issued by a division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice N Dinakar and Justice D Murugesan, on a petition filed by the city police seeking cancellation of the permission granted to Kansami Gopal Krishnasamy alias Appu. The Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi has been arrested in connection with the murder. Appu, who is an accused in several other cases, had approached the High Court seeking permission to go abroad for medical treatment and it was granted by Justice K Raviraja Pandiyan on November four last. In the application for cancellation of permission, the police contended that the order of the single Judge was contrary to the provisions of Passport Act. Pointing out that there were eight cases pending against Appu, the police said in some cases trial had commenced and has been posted to various dates for appearance of the accused. The High Court on November 2o last year, had also permitted the accused to go abroad on the basis of documents furnished before the court. The first bench of the court while granting permission to Appu to go to the US last year, had directed him to inform the Indian embassy there about the place of his stay, weekly movements and other particulars about the hospital in which he proposed to undergo treatment. Relying on the first bench order permitting him to go abroad for a period of six months, Justice Raviraja Pandian granted the permission which was challenged in the High Court. Stating that the entire trial proceedings in cases involving Appu would be delayed if he was permitted to go abroad, the police contended that there was also a possibility of his absconding. Police said he had also not informed the Indian embassy in the US relating to the hospital in which he prefers to undergo treatment or details about his movements in that country. Police are on the lookout for Appu in connection with the Sankararaman murder case. (PTI) |
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Taslimuddin granted bail after surrender PATNA, Nov 23: Union Minister of State for Civil Supplies Mohammed Taslimuddin was today granted bail after he surrendered before a court here. Taslimuddin, against whom an arrest warrant was issued in connection with a cheque dishonour case, surrendered before the court of Magistrate S K Sinha here. He was granted bail after he furnished a bail bond of Rs 10,000 and two sureties of like amount each. The First Class Judicial Magistrate had on October five issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Taslimuddin on the basis of a complaint filed by a dealer of an automobile company. In the complaint, the dealer had charged the Union Minister with committing a fraud as a cheque of Rs three lakh, drawn in favour of the company by him, for purchase of a vehicle was dishonoured. Taslimuddin purchased the vehicle five years ago. (PTI) |
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Animation is a difficult form of cinema: says Shahrukh MUMBAI, Nov 23: Come December and king of Bollywood, as Shahrukh Khan is popularly known, will be seen in a role he has never done before. Lending his voice to the Hindi version of Disney/Pixar’s animation action venture ‘the incredibles’, Shahrukh will be heard as Bob Paal or ‘Mr Lajawaab’. Addressing the media here yesterday, Shahrukh said animation was a difficult form of cinema. "Its costing/expenses are so vast that it should not be meant only for children but should have a universal appeal." The superstar described his association with the animation film as a small step which would open a small inlet into the genre of cinema the Indian filmmakers would want to produce. To questions on whether he would continue doing animation, the actor said he would not like to be associated with such films just to lend star value, but because of his talent. "Initially, it was difficult because the character for which I gave my voice is completely different in physicality. When dubbing for your own film, you can improve upon a scene which you feel could have been better. But, now with sync sound, performances and overall look of the film improves considerably. Here, I had thought of changing my voice, but then I decided to be myself," he said. Shahrukh said the personality of the person lending his voice should be reflected in the character on screen. "This is where I faced difficulty. However, I hope I have not been a let down in this film." He felt that the English version still sounds better. "If there is a weak link in the film, it has to be me. I only hope I would not disappoint film lovers." The actor said lip sync was a problem while dubbing. "Mere English to Hindi translation loses charm, but Javed Jaffry, who was written the Hindi dialogues, had done a wonderful job almost bordering on the original," he said. He said an ideal situation, for him to dub for an animation film would be where all the artistes meet and interact before the dubbing and each voice artist could identify with the character on screen. The actor, while speaking about his son Aryan who lends his voice to character of ‘Tez’, Mr Lajawaab’s son in the animation film, said initially he was nervous and Wary about Aryan. "I first worked with him in ‘Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham’ where nobody minded how he behaved. But, now he is seven-year-old." "He has done a good job because he is much like the character Dash (Tez in Hindi version). I am proud of the work. I told him that he would be auditioned before being selected for the dubbing of Tez’s character. He told me that since he has been selected for the role, you (Shahrukh) would also be selected," the proud father said fondly. The ‘Main Hoon Na’ actor described the character for which he lent his voice as a middle class urban family man who is looking for adventure and the biggest thrill he gets when he is with his incredible family. Television actress Rakshanda Khan is the voice of Mrs Lajawaab, Javed Jaffry has dubed for Sankiman Vindu and Dara Singh for Barfila in the Hindi version, ‘Hum Hain Lajawaab’ releasing on December 17. The English version will be screened at the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at Goa beginning next week. (UNI) Third Sikh front surfaces in Badal’s shock defeat in Delhi NEW DELHI, Nov 23: A tiny grouping loyal to former Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh has emerged as a powerful third Sikh front in the capital after becoming instrumental in the shock defeat of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections. Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s SAD had sewn an alliance with Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna — the man who had unseated the party from the DSGMC barely two years ago — to regain entry to the influential Sikh religious office. As part of their alliance, Mr Sarna was to be elected president — which he became — and the key post of the committee general secretary was to go to the SAD — which the Akali Party lost in a surprise derailment of the understanding between Mr Badal’s party and Mr Sarna’s. Drama unfolded at the DSGMC election hall yesterday when a small opposition group led by Mr Manjit Singh, son of slain Akali leader Jathedar Santokh Singh, named Mr Ravinder Singh Khurana as its candidate against the SAD’s official nominee Kulmohan Singh. In clear cross-voting from Mr Badal’s support group, Mr Khurana defeated his SAD rival 32-18 in the 50-member house, confirming what analysts say was the surfacing of a third Sikh front led by the former Jathedar, a fierce opponent of Mr Badal. Mr Manjit Singh, who turned the tables against the former Punjab Chief Minister’s party, said there was a false hype created about unanimity in running the Gurdwara administration ahead of yesterday’s DSGMC governing body elections. "All groups were not taken into confidence and that is why members supported our candidate from among our rivals," he added. But the Ranjit Singh group, remarked Mr Singh, would lend its full support in bringing about reforms in the Sikh administration rocked time and again by allegations of fund embezzlement and massive corruption. (UNI) |
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Chopper service for tourists in HP on cards CHANDIGARH, Nov 23: The Himachal Pradesh Government is planning to introduce a helicopter service to enable tourists a comfortable and quick journey in the hill state. Addressing a press conference here, State Tourism Minister G S Bali said the State Government was discussing the plan with the Union Government.’’ It is yet to be decided whether to go in for a state-owned chopper service or to opt for a joint sector venture,’’ he said. Mr Bali said there were 55 helipads in Himachal Pradesh, besides three airports at Shimla, Kullu and Dharamshala. He said a Himachal tourist conclave would be held from December 10 to 12 at Shimla to position the state as a leading tourist destination nationally and internationally. The conclave, he said, would try to identify and provide an appropriate tourism infrastructure in the state with the participation of the private sector. The state had already offered 15 per cent subsidy in investment in the tourism sector up to a maximum of Rs 30 lakh, he added. Mr Bali said about 60 lakh tourists visited Himachal Pradesh every year and the tourist inflow growth rate was about six per cent. He said rural tourism was also high on the agenda of the State Government and three heritage villages were being developed to give the tourists the real feel of the countryside. The Government was also identifying new tourist places in the state in view of the increased tourist inflow to the well-known destinations. He said more ropeways would also be set up in Himachal Pradesh to provide the aerial view of the scenic beauty in the state. Besides the ongoing ropeway projects at Shimla, Dharamshala and Manali, an eight km ropeway was planned to be built from Anandpur in Punjab to Naina Devi temple in the state at a cost of Rs 60 crore, he added. Regarding the proposed privatisation of the state-owned hotels, he said the move was under consideration and within six months, the Government would identify the sick as well as profit-making hotels which could be privatised. The entire process would be totally transparent and global tenders would be floated to ensure privatisation in a professional manner. Regarding the Himachal Government’s efforts to protect environment, he said a complete ban had been imposed on the use of polythene bags in the state. (UNI) |
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Kanchi Seer’s issue to figure at BJP meet RANCHI, Nov 23: The issue of Kanchi Shankaracharya’s arrest is expected to figure prominently at the BJP national executive beginning here tomorrow as the party attempts to strike a delicate balance between its Hindutva ideology and compulsions of keeping the NDA intact. While the first national executive in Mumbai, immediately after the party’s debacle in the Lok Sabha polls, was overshadowed by differences among the party leadership on continuation of Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister, the coming session is expected to avoid discussing controversies including Uma Bharati’s suspension from the party but focus on the challenges confronting it, party sources said. To be attended by the party’s top brass, including former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the first meeting after L K Advani took over as the party president would draw up a strategy for the coming Assembly elections in Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana. The sources said the three-day meeting would target the Congress-led Government on issues, including inflation, national security, de-escalation of troops in Jammu and Kashmir and "deteriorating" condition of farmers. Though the VHP had boycotted BJP leaders, including Advani, at the recent RSS national executive meeting in Haridwar, apparently for "abandoning Hindutva", the arrest of the Kanchi Seer has united the Sangh Parivar once again with all the affiliates hitting the streets on the issue. While RSS general secretary Mohan Bhagwat had claimed that BJP had given the Sangh fountainhead an assurance on returning to the Hindutva ideology, party leaders have publicly remained non-commital saying they would "formulate a response" after discussions at the party fora. Though key NDA ally JD (U) had expressed reservations over Advani’s assertion of BJP’s commitment to the construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya last month, the saffron party subsequently appeared to have brought around the allies to its viewpoint. At a recent meeting of NDA leaders, a resolution not only preferred a negotiated settlement of the Ayodhya issue but also stressed on respecting the "aspirations of the majority community and the concerns of the minority community" while doing so. However, the opposition alliance committed itself to the "constitutional ideal of secularism." Adopting a different format, the meeting would begin with a public rally tomorrow to be addressed by both Vajpayee and Advani followed by the inaugural session later in the evening. The public meeting used to be the concluding feature of such meetings. The public meeting would virtually kick off the party’s election campaign in poll-bound Jharkhand. Unlike the seven star renaissance hotel in Mumbai where the first national executive in the aftermath of the Lok Sabha debacle was held reflecting the party’s power hangover, the meeting this time would be held at the Spartan state Government-owned Hotel Ashok, in what is being seen as indicative of the party’s coming to terms with its defeat and preparing to make a comeback from the grassroots. (PTI) PM’s gesture to Pandits "insufficient": Panun Kashmir NEW DELHI, Nov 23: Though appreciative of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for visiting Kashmiri Pandit migrant camps, an organisation of the community today described as "insufficient" the gesture extended to them. Panun Kashmir said Singh had not said anything about "long-term rehabilitation" of nearly three lakh people forced out of the Valley because of terrorism 15 years ago. "The Prime Minister’s gesture of visiting the Kashmiri migrant camps is appreciative. At least his move acknowledges that community members are living in pitiable conditions," Panun Kashmir general secretary Ramesh Manvati said here. He also welcomed Singh’s description of the displaced people as "refugees" and equating them with himself. "Quite clearly, he realised that condition of the migrants is not good," he said. On Singh’s announcement to construct two-room tenements for the migrants, he said "it is insufficient. The Prime Minister should have spelt out what the Government intends to do for long-term rehabilitation of the displaced people". "The Prime Minister should have clarified whether the provision of the accommodation meant that it was a long-term or temporary arrangement," Manvati said. The Panun Kashmir leader asserted that the only viable way for Kashmiri Pandits rehabilitation was through reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir State and creating a separate "homeland" for them. Meanwhile, another Pandit organisation condemned panthers party chief Bhim Singh’s remarks against provision of accommodation to the migrants. "It is for the first time in 16 years that a Prime Minister has spoken some kind words about Kashmiri Pandits but regretably, people like Bhim Singh cannot digest it for reasons best known to him," Kashmir Sewak Samaj vice president M L Hasha said. (PTI) Jaya takes wind out of opposition’s sails CHENNAI, Nov 23: The DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance, which was riding high after romping home in the may ten Lok Sabha elections, appears to have run out of steam, if its style of functioning during the just-concluded winter session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly is any indication. With the resurgent AIADMK Government scored over in many issues—elimination of Veerappan, implementation of Veeranam project and abolition of video piracy to its credit—the opposition finds itself running out of ammunition to fix the ruling party. When the Assembly met here for a brief five-day winter session from November 16 amid a host of dramatic developments, there was widespread expectation that the opposition, particulary the DMK, would embarrass the Government by raising various issues. Political observers had expected that the DMK would haul the Jayalalithaa Government over the coals on the alleged taping of telephonic conversation between Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and the Chief Minister. Also, the issue of Chief Secretary Lakshmi Pranesh making "serious, baseless and motivated allegations against DMK president M Karunanidhi" in a suit filed before the Supreme Court in the matter of transfer and appointment of Governors was expected to come up. However, the session saw the opposition not only remaining cool but also in an unenviable situation of endorsing the Government’s action in the Kanchi Shankaracharya’s arrest episode. Except for the last day when the DMK put up some spirited defence, it either maintained silence or made a token protest even when Ms Jayalalithaa made Jibes at them. "Undoubtedly, the mood in the ruling camp is upbeat now. They have scored over us on many issues. There is no point in kicking up a row at present," admitted a senior Congress leader. Also, too conspicuous to miss one’s attention was the lack of coordination and coherence among the DPA partners during the session. In total contrast to the unified and spirited show they put up in last time in boycotting the budget session, the DPA constituents were seen staging walkouts on separate issues. The Congress, Left parties and the PMK walked out of the house in solidarity with DMK members, who were evicted from the Assembly on the last day for shouting slogans against Industries Minister Nainar Nagendran. Pointing out that the Assembly elections were still one and a half years away, opposition sources said they would get their acts together before the D-day. (UNI) |
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