Amar Singh calls on Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI, Oct 11: Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has called on AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa at her residence here and discussed possibilities of both parties working together.

Though Singh described the visit last night as a "courtesy call", both the leaders were understood to have discussed the possible formation of a non-Congress, non-BJP Government at the Centre "on a long-term basis".

They also discussed the modalities of working together in the Rajya Sabha, AIADMK sources said here today. (PTI)

No slowing down for Big B as he turns 64

MUMBAI, Oct 11: As he turned 64 today, there was no slowing down for Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan who vowed to keep going as long as he could to entertain his fans, who as always flooded him with their best wishes.

Thanking his fans, hundreds of whom had gathered outside his bungalow Jalsa here since early morning to get a glimpse of their favourite star, Bachchan said, "Every year I get so much love and affection and I have no words to express my gratitude."

"I hope that I can live up to the expectations of my fans and as long as I have the strength to keep going, entertain them," Bachchan told reporters.

"I don’t know what they (the fans) see in me that they come here. But I am overwhelmed and thank them."

The actor who transformed Hindi cinema with his trend- setting films, however, chose to have a quiet birthday as his mother Teji Bachchan was unwell.

Asked about his birthday plans, he said, "There are no plans. My mother is unwell. I will go to the hospital (to meet his mother) and will be with my family."

Bachchan said he was unable to read the SMSs sent to him today as his cellphone was not working, but promised to reply to all the messages.

The actor’s biographer Pradeep Chandra said he has always celebrated his birthday with his family in the confines of his home.

"It is only in the last few years that he has had some public celebrations, like for his 60^{th birthday, and a couple of years later when he launched the film ‘Viruddh’," Chandra said.}

^{Bachchan’s 60th birthday was celebrated in a grand manner as his company AB Corp was re-launched and a book written by his wife Jaya Bachchan on him was released.}

^{But for Bachchan’s fans gathered outside his Jalsa and Prateeksha bungalows, it was celebration all the way as they distributed sweets and prayed for his well-being.}

^{The fans brought a truck-load of bouquets for the Big B to Jalsa.}

^{Bachchan became an undisputed superstar with his roles in such classics of the 1970s as "Zanjeer", "Deewar" and "Sholay". The "angry young man" of yesteryears has wowed new audiences and registered hits like "Sarkar", "Bunty Aur Babli" and "Black" that marked his second coming.}

^{He swept the best actor honours at most major film events this year, including the Filmfare Awards, for his portrayal in "Black" of a sign language teacher who transforms the life of a girl who is deaf, dumb and blind.}

^{Of late, his portrayal of a 60-plus man who is still living life to the hilt in Karan Johar’s "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" has been lapped up by cine-goers.}

^{And as he blows out 64 candles, Bachchan is now preparing to play the villain Gabbar Singh in the remake of "Sholay". He had played Jai, one of the two heroes, in the original movie. (PTI)}

Bharti Yadav moves HC to release passport

NEW DELHI, Oct 11: Bharti Yadav, a key witness in the Nitish Katara murder case, has moved the Delhi High Court to release her impounded passport.

In her application, she said it would be difficult for her to return to India if the passport impounded by External Affairs Ministry was not released in time.

Bharti is scheduled to appear in court on November 25 in connection with the Katara case.

Since Nitish was murdered four years ago, Bharti, sister of prime accused Vikas Yadav, has gone underground, ignoring repeated summons and non-bailable warrants. (UNI)

From Jai to Gabbar; Big B setting new benchmarks at 64

NEW DELHI, Oct 11: For many Bollywood actors, 64 may be an age to hang up their boots and lead a secluded existence far from the glare of the arc lights.

However, for Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, who turned 64 today, it seems life in films has just begun.

For, at a time when many of his contemporaries like Vinod Khanna, Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha or Shashi Kapoor have either gone into semi-retirement or confined themselves to playing the stereotyped grandfathers in Hindi films, Big B, as Amitabh is known to legions of his fans, only gets better with age.

Having dazzled many cinegoers (while shocking many others) with his ‘flamboyant’ portrayal of ‘sexy Sam’ in Karan Johar’s ‘Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna’, as a 60 year-old who believes in living life to the fullest, Amitabh is set to appear in an array of characters in his forthcoming ventures, portrayals which reflect his amazing versatility as an actor.

At 64, Big B is all set to make what could easily be seen as one of the biggest makeovers by an actor in the history of Indian cinema- the ‘charming’ and ‘witty’ Jai of Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Sholay’ will now play the menacing Gabbar Singh in Ramgopal Verma’s remake of the film, shooting for which began a few days ago. The ‘Gabbar’ look of Amitabh was unveiled by Verma at a press meet in Mumbai a few days ago.

Further, the coming months will see the actor play an old man experiencing a feeling of sexual attraction for an 18-year-old girl, played by newcomer Jiah Khan, in Verma’s ‘Nisshabd’.

Also, he will be seen in Ravi Chopra’s ‘Babul’ as a 60-year-old who gets his widowed daughter-in-law remarried amid opposition from society.

According to analysts the fact that at the age of 64, Amitabh continues to be offered central characters like those in Ravi Chopra’s ‘Baghban’, Govind Nihalani’s ‘Dev’, Mahesh Manjrekar’s ‘Viruddh’, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Black’, Verma’s ‘Nisshabd’, Ravi Chopra’s ‘Babul’ and now, ‘Sholay’ is undoubtedly a reflection of the actor’s unfading charisma as also his tremendous growth as an actor over the years.

That roles are still being written keeping him in mind puts Amitabh in the same league with Hollywood greats like Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery and Richard Gere.

For example, for Ramgopal Verma who has been getting flak from several quarters for his remake of the blockbuster ‘Sholay,’ including Lata Mangeshkar and Saira Banu, casting Amitabh as Gabbar seemed to be the only trump card that would ensure a draw for the film at the turnstiles.

In fact, talking to UNI in an interview recently, Verma said that for the role of ‘Gabbar’, he could think of nobody else but Amitabh given his amazing range as an actor.

He is among the filmmakers smitten by the magic of Amitabh, having cast him earlier in films like ‘Sarkar’ and ‘Darna Zaroori hai’.

About Big B featuring in ‘Nisshabd’, he said, "It was a complex role of an old man caught between his feelings of sexual attraction for an 18-year-old and his feelings of responsibility. I could see no one else but Amitabh do the role. In fact, his performance in the film has been simply amazing."

Verma said that in today’s times, Amitabh is the only actor who is indispensable to a film, a fact that has been endorsed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who has stated that ‘Black’ would not have been possible without Amitabh.

Besides his unflagging popularity in India, Amitabh has, in the last few years, become India’s best known face abroad, a fact that is evidenced by a host of international honours coming his way over the years - from installation of his wax statue in London’s Madame Tussauds, French Company Lomani naming its perfume after him, Mayor of French town Deauville handing him over the key of the town, Britain’s Channel 4 naming him one of the top 100 film stars of all times, awards at the Marrakesh film festival for two successive years and so on.

For Big B it has been a long journey from his debut in Khwaja Ahmed Abbas’ ‘Saat Hindustani’ to ‘Sexy Sam’ in ‘Kabhi Alvida na Kehna’. However, looking at the tremendous verve displayed by the actor in the role of Sexy Sam and his palpable feeling of excitement at playing Gabbar Singh in Ramgopal Verma’s ‘Sholay, it seems the actor still has a long innings to go. (UNI)

BJP workers to refrain from campaigning: Chouhan

BHOPAL, Oct 11: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today asked ministers and BJP workers to refrain from campaigning for by-polls in Vidisha and Bada Malhera unless permitted by the party.

"No minister or BJP worker should visit Vidisha Lok Sabha and Bada Malhera assembly constituencies for electioneering for the coming by-elections without permission of the party," Chouhan told PTI in an interview here.

Stating that the Election Commission’s directives would be observed, he said the state unit of the BJP and the party government in the state were extra cautious in view of adverse remarks by the poll panels during the by-elections in Budhni, from where he was elected to the Assembly.

"We will leave no scope for any stricture from the EC in the run up to the October 30 by-elections," he said. Election tours by ministers and party workers could not be properly monitored during Budhni by-poll, he said.

Strict instructions have been given to party workers to ensure that the number of vehicles entering the poll arena in both the constituencies are limited, he said.

Expressing confidence about the BJP’s victory in by-polls to both seats, Chouhan said neither the Uma Bharati-led Bharatiya Janashakti nor the Congress would pose any major challenge to his party.

Ragarding Uma Bharati’s reported remarks about selection of BJP candidates for the two constituencies, Chouhan said the former chief minister is left with no option but to level "wild and irrelevant" allegations about anything.

The BJP leadership selected state PHE Minister Rampal Singh for the Vidisha by-poll as part of a well-thought strategy, he said, claiming that Singh, who enjoys overwhelming popularity in the area, would score a convincing victory.

On former CPI and Congress leader Kapurchand Ghuvara being chosen as the candidate for Bada Malhera, Chouhan said the BJP is a large political party capable of accommodating leaders of all hues within its fold.

Citing examples, he said that hardcore socialist leader Chandramani Tripathi and former Janata Dal leader Ganesh Singh had not only joined BJP but were now active leaders in it. Both are members of Parliament from the state.

Maintaining that Ghuvara was given the party ticket after he joined the BJP as its member, Chouhan said the candidate for Bada Malhera possesses extraordinary fighting qualities, mass base and popularity.

Claiming that people are happy with the pace of development during the BJP rule, Chouhan said details of the campaign for the by-polls are being finalised. (PTI)

Kerala mulls law to seize assets in corruption cases

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Oct 11: A legislation to enable forfeiture of properties in corruption cases involving public servants is under consideration of Kerala’s LDF Government.

Disclosing this in the state Assembly today, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said the State Law Reforms Committee had proposed a draft legislation in this regard titled Kerala Corrupt Public Servants (forfeiture of properties) Bill in 2003.

This draft bill, as well as existing Central laws, would be taken into account while seeking to bring in a legislation with provisions for seizure of assets amassed through corruption, he said in reply to questions.

The bill was being vetted by Vigilance Department and once it completed the process the Government would take necessary steps, he said.

The possibilities of bringing officials from the All India services within the scope of the state anti-corruption laws would also be explored in consultation with the Centre.

To a supplementary, Achuthanandan said the government would go ahead with legal proceedings in the Palmolein case pertaining to alleged irregularities in import of edible oil when K Karunakaran was chief minister in early 1990s.

The SNC Lavalin case, relating to alleged corruption in a contract entered by the state Electricty Board with the Canadian firm when the LDF was in power in late 1990s, had already been referred to the CBI, he added. (PTI)

Couples picked up for obscene acts

NAGPUR, Oct 11: Police here have launched a drive against "indecent" behaviour at public places by couples and rounded up 54 boys and girls, an official said today.

"These young boys and girls were found to be indulging in objectionable acts in a city garden, thereby embarrassing other law-abiding citizens visiting the garden with their families, particularly children," Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Bhushan Upadhyaya told PTI.

As part of the campaign to get the couples to "behave" in public places, the boys and girls were picked up yesterday and "given a dose of morality" by a group of social activists, police said.

Upadhyaya said a team of police officers, along with members of women’s cell, were selected for the job and given specific instructions on how to deal with the situation.

On the first day of the drive yesterday, 54 boys and girls, mostly college students, were picked up. They were later released after their names and addresses were recorded.

"We plan to conduct the drive two to three times a week or more if required to stop this nuisance," Upadhyaya said.

"There is no restriction on visiting or sitting in the garden in a proper way but if someone is found sitting on someone’s lap, we will take action," he said. (PTI)

Indian goes missing

DUBAI, Oct 11: A young job seeker from Kerala was reported missing after he arrived at Dubai International Airport from Iran’s Kish Island where he went for visa change after exiting from the emirate.

Immigration records showed that Mohammed Jassim, 22, landed at Dubai from Kish Island on October 5.

Jassim came to Dubai three months ago from Kasargod district in Kerala on a tourist visa and during his stay there, he got a job in a shop.

He then flew to Kish island from UAE in order to get the employment visa stamped.

Meanwhile, his relatives have lodged a report with the Dubai police. (UNI)

Daler case: next hearing on Oct 30

PATIALA, Oct 11: A local court today fixed October 30 as the next date of hearing in the ‘Kabootarbazi’ case involving pop star Daler Mehndi and his brother Shamsher Mehndi.

Daler who appeared in the court of Rajwinder Singh, Judicial Magistrate class-I was directed to obtain copies of the chargesheet which was submitted in the court in 2003 against his brother Shamsher Mehndi and in which his name was also mentioned as co-accused.

The defence pleaded that the court may grant Daler exemption of personnel appearance which was rejected. The pop singer was directed to obtain the copies personally from the court on October 30.

The case against the Daler Mehndi and his brother Shamsher Mehndi was registered away back in October 2003 when one Bakshish Singh of Balbera village filed a complaint with the police alleging that the Mehndi brothers had duped him of Rs 13 lakh. The amount was paid for sending the complainant abroad with a cultural troupe of Daler.

Following this 31 more complainants emerged, in which it was alleged that the Mehndi brothers had swindled them of Rs 1.94 crore. (UNI)

J&K HC surprised over inaction of Public
Service Commission

SRINAGAR, Oct 11: Expressing surprise over the inaction of the Public Service Commission (PSC) in implementing the court orders for completing the process of selection of 244 Assistant Surgeons, Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued notice to the Chairman of PSA to submit status report in the court.

Directing the Secretary of the Commission to remain personally present before this court to explain his position on the issue on next date, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mr Justice Bashir Ahmad Khan and Mr Justice B A Kirmani said the court was surprised at the inaction of Public Service Commission which was to ensure better medical care in rural sector

It directed the Commission to submit status report in the court on the subject one week in advance before the next date and to take immediate steps to complete the selections within two months from receipt of this order to overcome the acute shortage of medical service in rural areas.

By Court order dated July 24, 2006 Commission’_s counsel was required to inform the court about the status of the selection process but sadly enough, neither he nor any one from the Commission has bothered to make any representation before the court today. (UNI)

Efforts are on to include Chandigarh on
UNESCO’s World Heritage List

CHANDIGARH, Oct 11: Efforts are on to include Chandigarh on UNESCO,_s World Heritage List, according to Union Territory Home Secretary Krishna Mohan.

Disclosing this while addressing a seminar on "Chandigarh Cherishing the Past Nurturing the Future" at Chandigarh College of Architecture here yesterday, he patted senior faculty members of the college for their untiring efforts to prepare the nomination dossier for the world heritage list.

Mr Mohan enumerated various projects initiated within the city to make it a tourism destination. He envisioned Chandigarh to be a heritage tourist destination and not just a transit point.

The Home Secretary shared his experience of being overwhelmed by Le Corbusier_s designs during his first visit to the city in early 1968 as a young student. Twenty years later he came to live in the city and continues to be enthralled by its intrinsic character.

Mr Raj Rewal, Architect, New Delhi, while presenting the keynote address elaborated upon the evolution of the city-initiated by Le Corbusier and his team Pierre Jeanneret, Maxwel Fry and Jane Drew.

On this occasion Mr Mohan gave away the prizes for the academic and co-curricular achievements to the students of college.

The seminar was an attempt to debate upon and address certain critical themes in Chandigarh and assist the city in its search for holistic solutions integrating development with conservation. (UNI)

‘Ramani not made accused as no clinching
evidence against her’

NEW DELHI, Oct 11: The prosecution in the Jessica Lall murder case today told the Delhi High Court that Bina Ramani was not made an accused in the case as there was no clinching evidence against her for destruction of evidence.

Replying to a query raised by a Division Bench headed by Justice R S Sodhi that despite the statement of witnesses why she was not made an accused, Delhi Police Counsel Mukta Gupta said two witnesses in their testimony had stated differently against her.

"One witness said he had removed blood staines from the spot at the insistance of Ramani, however, other witness said some guest in the party told him to remove the staines," Gupta added.

The court was hearing an appeal filed by the Delhi police challenging all nine accused in the case. (PTI)