‘Breaking News’,the Smilie way

NEW DELHI, Jan 30: True to her name, the ‘Jiya-Dhadak-Dhadak’ girl from ‘Kalyug’ movie, Smilie Suri is all smiles these days as she talks about her soon to be released film "Breaking News". Smilie is enacting a role of call centre employee in the movie scheduled for March release.

"I am playing a Mumbaiya girl, Asha Ambedkar in the movie, who is totally different from Renuka (her name in Kalyug)," says the actress voicing her hope of capturing the heart of cine lovers with her power packed performance directed by N Chandra.

"In the movie, Asha works in a call centre and is a fun-loving girl. But when she comes to know about the harsh realities and exploitation in the call center, she decides to fight against it and does not commit suicide as Renuka did in ‘Kalyug’," she adds.

Smilie, whose debut movie "Kalyug" was a hit at box-office and also got critical acclaims, is sharing the screen presence with versatile actors like Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas and Atul Kulkarni.

"I am a great fan of Anupam Kher and Seema Biswas as I have learnt a lot from their acting. Atul is a very serious kind of actor and has shown his mettle of acting in ‘Page 3’."

But, why such a long gap after her first movie?

"I was flooded with offers after my successful debut but was getting more or less the same role. I was looking for more substantial role that can bring out the real actor in me."

Smilie, who would be facing tough competition from new heroines like Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor on her comeback, she says at the end of the day, it is only your acting, which matters.

"They both are very good actresses and very charming, but I don’t think that it will be difficult for me to make a comeback or establish myself. They are just a film old and have to go a long way. At the end of the day, what matters is the performance and I believe in the healthy competition."

"There were people like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil, who made their comeback after a long gap and then went on to capture the heart of cine lovers."

Smilie has always loved acting and took part in several theatre and dance productions even in school. She was also a member of Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe and has performed in many dance shows with the group.

"For me, films are the fulfilment of a creative urge. I had made myself very clear to my parents that I wanted to be in this line when I grew up," she says.

Smilie wants to enact a dance oriented role as Madhuri Dixit did in "Aaja Nachle" and also aspires to get into the shoes of Madhuri with her vivid dancing qualities.

"I am all praise for Madhuri’s performance in the movie and want to carry her legacy by becoming another Madhuri. I have grown up watching Madhuri’s film and want to become a flawless dancer like her. For me dance is like a therapy."

So what next after Breaking news?

"Let it first break the news with records then I would tell you about others. For now, I am considering movie proposals with good script. Acting is extremely stimulating and my journey has only just begun." (PTI)

Punjab CM asks DCs to identify shamlat land

CHANDIGARH, Jan 30: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh

Badal directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the state to

identify the Shamlat (Collective Panchayati) land in the villages

within their jurisdiction for the allotment of dwelling units to

the members of the ‘Vimukat Jatis’.

An assurance to this effect was given by Badal to the confederation of Punjab Pradesh Vimukat Jatis led by its President Dr.Tarsem Singh Mahla during a meeting held at Chief Minister’s residence late last evening.

Badal also asked the Deputy Commissioners to find out the ways and means to allot land to the eligible beneficiaries belonging to the Vimukat Jatis who had already constructed houses

on the Panchayati land over a past many years.

He also asked the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala to submit the final report with in a month relating to the case sent by the department of Welfare of SC/BC for reviewing

the Vimukat Jatis so that the state government could further take

up the matter with the GoI for inclusion of Vimukat Jatis in the

list of scheduled tribes.

Badal also asked the SC/BC welfare department to thoroughly

examine the proposal to grant 5 per cent reservation exclusively

for 8 vimukat jatis viz. Sansi, Bazigar, Bauria, Bengali, Nat, Gadhila and Barar put forth by the confederation. Responding to

another demand for the constitution of a separate commission for Vimukat Jatis on the pattern of commissions for scheduled castes and backward classes.

Badal asked the Chief Secretary to work out modalities for a separate board for the welfare of Vimukat jatis by giving

due representations to their members, an official spokesman said

here today.

He also agreed to the demand of the confederation to increase the income limit of Rs.5000 to Rs one lakh per annum for the scholarship to the eligible beneficiaries of Vimukat Jatis on the pattern of SC families.

Badal also assured the representatives of the Vimukat Jatis

that the state government would provide adequate funds for the construction of dharmshals and cremation grounds for their community provided they procure land on their own. (PTI)

Govt proposes to give incentives for donating organs

NEW DELHI, Jan 30: In view of the shortage of organs for transplant, the Government is planning to give incentives like free railway passes and health insurance to the family members of brain dead persons to encourage them to donate the organs.

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told the Eigth Editors Conference on Social Issues here that the proposed incentives like second class railway passes and health insurance to relatives would go a long way in encouraging the relatives of the brain dead persons to give consent for organ donation which was vital for promoting legal organ transplant in the country.

Such practice was already in place in many developed countries like Spain and played a vital role in increasing availability of organs for transplant and reducing kidney rackets like the one unearthed in Gurgaon in Haryana recently.

Meanwhile, the National Organ Transplant Act would be reviewed soon and stringent punishment would be given to those indulging in sale of organs illegally. The ministry has already sought a CBI inquiry into the Gurgaon kidney scam so as to unearth the whole gamut of the scam which has inter-state and international linkages. It would investigate where all the sales of kidneys were done and who were the people involved in such inhuman crime. The report was expected in a month’s time.

He said that more ORBO centres would be launched in states so that organs could be retrieved and used for patients needing transplants.

On Bird Flu, the Minister said that till now, the infection had not spread to humans and steps were being taken to control the avian influenza pandemic. Pointing out that all neighbouring countries like Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Indonesia had reported the spread of infection, Dr Ramadoss said that intensity of the infection had reduced in West Bengal and situation would soon be brought under control.

He said states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Assam had been asked to take preventive measures to check the spread of bird flu there.

He said that work was going on for setting up six new AIIMS like institutes. Regarding the NRHM progress, he said that steps were being taken to create health infrastructure in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Orissa.

Meanwhile, trauma centres would be made by upgrading the existing institutions by having neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons and launching ambulance services.

(UNI)

Hauz Khas’s deer park derecognised due to inhospitable environ

NEW DELHI, Jan 30: The deer park in the city’s Hauz Khas area is running illegally since 2006 as the Central Zoo Authority has declined to recognise it, citing lack of hospitable environment for the animals.

However, with neighbouring states refusing to accept the spotted deers and neelgai, the park is proving to be a thorn in the flesh of the DDA which owns the park.

Nearly 250 deer are housed in the park spread over an area of 24.16 hectare while the capacity of the park is hardly 50, prompting the CZA to ask DDA officials to come out with a viable solution-to either shift or provide conducive environment to the animals or close down the park.

"The park is overpopulated and does not have basic facilities like clean water and a veterinarian. Hence it can’t function like a zoo. We have asked the DDA to come out with a proper solution or close it down," CZA Member Secretary BR Sharma said.

"It is difficult to understand why proper healthcare is not being provided to the animals despite repeated instructions and even after it was derecognised in 2006," he said.

Sharma said an epidemic may kill all animals and infect humans in the area with zoonotics, a disease which spreads in unhygienic zoos.

As per the Wildlife Protection Act, no zoo can function without the approval of the CZA which is entrusted with the task of managing housing and care of animals in zoos or parks.

Due to similar reasons, the deer park at Dilshad Garden and Jhil Mil colony in East Delhi were shut down on the instructions of the CZA.

However, DDA officials say closing down the Hauz Khas park also seems to be impossible. "We have written to Delhi Zoo as well as to the neighbouring states to accept them. But none of them is willing to do so. They say they are already facing the problem of plenty," Atiq Ahmed, a DDA official said.

He said Haryana has shown interest but with a rider that all animals should be healthy, a condition which can be met only by conducting DNA test on each inmate which is an extremely costly affair.

"The decision to shift the animals to Sanjay Van in Qutub Institutional area was also shelved as permission from the Supreme Court is required," Ahmed said.

Taking care of the deers is also proving to be a costly affair as Rs 20 lakhs is spent every year to feed them. (PTI)

Rahul arrives in Kamshet for a stint in paragliding .......

PUNE, Jan 30: Taking a break from politics, Congress General Secretary, Rahul Gandhi arrived at Kamshet, a small village about 50 km from here, for a three-day training programme in paragliding.

Gandhi, who is a Lok Sabha member, reached Karanjgao in the village yesterday where he is expected to learn the nuances of the sports at an adventure club.

Authorities in Kamshet have thrown a security blanket around the area and are describing the visit as a private one, without any prospects of an interaction with public or media.

The region has some points from where a trainee in paragliding can take off with the favourable direction of wind. (PTI)

Creative liberty cannotabsolve Shahrukh : NGO...

PANAJI, Jan 30: An anti-tobacco organisation has rubbished mega star Shahrukh Khan’s justification of on screen smoking in the guise of "creative liberties" stating that "creativity just cannot escape public scrutiny."

"Creativity just cannot escape public scrutiny and even admonishment, if it tantamounts to social evil. In this case, it is an unadulterated invitation to death itself," Shekhar Salkar, General Secretary, National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), said reacting to Shahrukh’s contention.

Shahrukh, had earlier on Monday responding to Union health minister Ambumani Ramadoss’s appeal to Amitabh Bachchan and Khan to stop setting bad example by smoking in public and in films citing that children have their first puff due to celebrities, said that actors could not be asked to curb their "creative liberties".

"We strongly object to the statement of reel life hero Shahrukh Khan. It’s a pity that Khan had to hide behind the garb of creativity to defend his penchant for smoking unabashedly in the public," Salkar said.

NOTE, a national level anti-tobacco NGO, had earlier sent a legal notice to Shahrukh for smoking in public places including a twenty20 match in Mumbai and Hindustan Times Summit in Delhi.

The NGO had also served legal notice to Amitabh Bachchan taking objection to the huge billboard showing the actor smoking a cigarette.

"Shahrukh should know that lakhs of Indian youth, who do not think twice before emulating their idol, invariably fall prey to the ill effects of tobacco consumption," the General Secretary said.

"In fact, he should proceed on an unannounced tour of Tata hospital in Mumbai to personally witness the pitiable plight of young and unsuspecting smokers, waiting for the inevitable," he added.

The NGO lauded Aamir Khan for his decision on smoking.

"Aamir, like Shahrukh was a habitual smoker. However, his latest film Taare Zameen Par has admittedly helped him realize the after-effects of his senseless addiction," Salkar said.

"Aamir has worked with young kids in this film, which deals with learning disabilities, he was gracious to admit his follies in the past and quit smoking. Shahrukh should realize that small things such as this make man great", he added.

Taking a dig at Shahrukh, NOTE said that mere mention of creativity cannot absolve him, because he remains a compulsive smoker even in his off screen life, often unconcerned about the fact that even these private aspects are subject to constant media glare and thus, public viewing.

Salkar said that today cinema with its advanced techniques and imagery can convey meaningful emotions in a very subtle manner without resorting to crude symbolism. The penchant for creativity can find several non-violent avenues for its release. (PTI)

Telgi sentenced to 10 yrs RI.........

CHENNAI, Jan 30: The kingpin of the multi-crore fake stamp paper case Abdul Karim Telgi was today sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment by a Special Court here.

Special Judge N Velu also imposed a fine of Rs three crore on Telgi. In case of non-payment of the fine, the accused would undergo three more years of RI, the Judge said.

Telgi has already been sentenced to 13 years RI by a Pune court in connection with the fake stamp paper scam. Today’s sentence would run concurrently along with the Pune court order, Judge Velu said.

Allowing the petitions filed by Telgi and four others pleading guilty, the Judge convicted and sentenced Abdul Wahid, Balaji and Jacob Chacko to five years RI.

He sentenced another convict Peter Kennedy to three years RI.The Judge also imposed a fine of Rs three lakh on Abdul Wahid, on the non-payment of which he would have to undergo 18 months RI.

Balaji was imposed a fine of Rs two crore. In default, he would undergo two years of RI. Rs three lakh fine was imposed on Jacob Chacko and in default he would undergo another RI of 18 months.

The Judge imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Peter Kennedy, on the non-payment of which he would undergo seven and a half months RI.

The Judge read out the sentence to Telgi, Wahid and Chacko, who are lodged in Yerwada prison in Pune, through video conferencing.

Balaji, who was on bail in this case and lodged in Bangalore prison in connection with a similar case, was produced before the court. Kennedy, who was also on bail, was present in the court when the order was pronounced.

The Judge said the period of sentence already undergone by these five accused would be set off.

The other accused in the case, suspended DIG Mohammad Ali then city Assistant Commissioner Shankar, Nizamuddin and his wife Nasneen, and LIC agent, Ramasamy Sadhu, were present at the court.

The Judge posted the further hearing of the case to February 15.

The Judge, had earlier, convicted and sentenced Sarfraz Nawaz, another accused who pleaded guilty, to five years’ RI in the case.

According to the CBI, the accused conspired, printed, and circulated fake stamp papers in the state, thereby causing losses to the public exchequer.

The accused were charged with cheating, conspiracy, counterfeiting and forgery. (PTI)

Nation pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi...

NEW DELHI, Jan 30: The nation today paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 60th death anniversary, with President Pratibha Patil leading the countrymen in paying rich tributes to the messiah of non-violence.

An inter-religious prayer meeting marked the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation at Rajghat, the samadhi of Gandhi, where leaders, children, youth and women paid their respects.

Gandhiji’s favourite hymn "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram" was also played at the venue.

Besides Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and other ministers and three service chiefs also paid tributes to the Mahatma at the samadhi.

Hymns from various sacred texts were also rendered by Hindus, Jains, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and Judaists.

Gandhiji was shot dead by Naduram Godse on January 30, 1948 while he was going to attend a prayer meeting at Birla House in Delhi. (PTI)