Sir,
This has reference to the news item regarding International Day against Drug Abuse which was observed in the State recently.
Though the day was marked by awareness rallies, these symbolic rituals are not going to bring the desired change among those who are addicted to drugs. It will need a sustained awareness campaign by the authorities in tandem with a cross section of society. Besides, police has to keep people indulging in drug trade at bay. Those involved in it should be punished according to law of the land. But, it is disappointing to note that those who are charged with drug trade often get free from the clutches of law as prosecution fails to plead the case properly before judicial authorities. The police while filing a case in the court of law should make it foolproof so that there is no technical or a legal flaw as may allow him to get free.
There are also reports that there are not enough treatment facilities or drug de-addiction or rehabilitation centres for the suffering community in the State.
The rising drug addiction tendency among youth is an alarming call for the society to wake up to this harsh reality.
Yours etc…
Suresh Samyal
Jammu
Drug abuse
Kellan Lutz takes extra care for topless scenes
LONDON, June 30: “Twilight” actor Kellan Lutz says he took extra care to ensure he was in prime physical condition for ‘The Legend of Hercules’.
The 29-year-old actor said he put in more effort than usual at the gym and carefully watched his diet to prepare for his role, reported Contactmusic.
“I keep fit for roles and I love my fitness. I’ve got a film called ‘Hercules’ coming up and I’m in a loincloth or topless for that, so I had to take extra care of myself,” he said.
The blue-eyed star loves cooking but admits he would be happy to survive on a diet of just vegetables.
Quizzed what food he’d pick if he could only eat one, Lutz answered, “Organic raw vegetables, full of nutrients – it’s the only choice. I love cooking Italian. I make a mean chicken cordon bleu.” (PTI)
Mentha oil futures fall over 1% on sluggish demand
NEW DELHI, June 30: Mentha oil prices fell by 1.14 per cent to Rs 739.30 per kg in futures trading today as speculators reduced positions amidst sluggish demand from consuming industries in the spot market.
Further, increased supplies from producing regions also put pressure on mentha oil prices.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, mentha oil for delivery in June eased by Rs 8.50, or 1.14 per cent, to Rs 739.30 per kg in a business turnover of 126 lots.
Similarly, the oil for delivery in July lost Rs 6.90, or 0.90 per cent, to Rs 759.90 per kg in 715 lots.
Analysts attributed the fall in mentha oil futures to offloading of positions by speculators amidst subdued demand from consuming industries in the spot market. (PTI)
Lana Del Rey wants to be biker
LONDON, June 30: Singer Lana Del Rey would love to have the freedom of being a biker.
The ‘Video Games’ hitmaker said she always wanted to be a leather-clad, cross-country driving motorbiker, reported Contactmusic.
Discussing the casting of bikers in her video for ‘Ride’, she explained, “The reason why bikers and biker culture is so important to me is that we have the same principle in mind, freedom and staying free. For them that means being on two wheels on the road, which is why that’s a recurring motif for me.
“I’m not able to be free like that right now, I still have a lot of work. What I aspire to be is probably on a bike on the road at some point.”
Del Ray, who is currently single, revealed she needs a more mature boyfriend to give her the intellectual stimulation.
“Knowing what I’ve wanted to do for so long, and being tamed in my own way for so long, the person I’m looking for is a more serene, intelligent and probably an older figure. I was aware that people would take (the older men) literally as an archetypal already been done, played on relationship. But for me I have more personal connection with the concept of a very giving, affectionate, older than me character,” she added. (PTI)
Colin Firth quits Paddington Bear movie
LOS ANGELES, June 30: Colin Firth has revealed that he has chosen to remove himself from the upcoming ‘Paddington Bear’ movie.
The Oscar-winning actor, who amusingly borrowed the phrase from Gwyneth Paltrow, who famously coined it when she announced her separation from Chris Martin in March 2014, told Entertainment Weekly: “After a period of denial, we’ve chosen ‘conscious uncoupling.'”
The actor said his decision to leave the movie was bittersweet but Firth felt his voice did not suit the role.
“It’s been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn’t have my voice. I’ve had the joy of seeing most of the film and it’s going to be quite wonderful. I still feel rather protective of this bear and I’m pestering them all with suggestions for finding a voice worthy of him.”
Director Paul King also felt that Paddington needed a different voice.
“I cannot thank (Firth) enough for his contribution to Paddington. We love the voice and we love the bear, but as our young bear came into being we agreed that the two didn’t seem to fit. So, with somewhat heavy hearts we decided to part ways.”
The film is slated to release this Christmas. (PTI)
Keira Knightley finds romantic comedy tricky
LONDON, June 30: Actress Keira Knightley, who will seen next in ‘Begin Again’, says she generally stays away from romantic comedies.
The 29-year-old actress said she could not resist starring alongside Adam Levine and Mark Ruffalo in the quirky new musical rom-com, reported Contactmusic.
“After ‘Anna Karenina’, I realised that I’d done five years of work where I’d died or something horrific had happened to me in absolutely everything. I wanted something more positive and with hope in it.
“Romantic comedy isn’t a genre I usually go to – it’s one that I find quite tricky, but I thought this was strange enough with enough of a sort of acerbic quality to it,” she said. (PTI)
Netanyahu calls for Jordan support, Kurdish autonomy
JERUSALEM, June 30: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the international community to support Jordan in the fight against “Islamic extremism” and to back the independence of Iraq’s Kurds.
“We need to support efforts by the international community to strengthen Jordan and support the aspirations of the Kurds for independence,” Netanyahu said yesterday in a speech to the Institute of National Security Studies think-tank in Tel Aviv.
“I think it’s our common interest to make sure that a moderate, stable regime like (Jordan) is able to defend itself.”
His remarks follow reports in Israeli media that officials in Tel Aviv fear Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants may extend their control to areas of Jordan after seizing parts of Iraq in recent weeks.
In Syria, ISIL’s fighters already control large swathes of territory in Deir Ezzor near the Iraq border, Raqa in the north, as well as parts of neighbouring Aleppo province.
In Iraq, they have spearheaded a lightning offencive, capturing sizable territories in the north and west of the conflict-torn country.
Netanyahu also called for independence for Iraq’s Kurdistan region, where Kurdish peshmerga security forces have mobilised in an unprecedented deployment to fight against ISIL.
The premier voiced concern over “the powerful wave triggered by ISIL, which could reach Jordan in a very short time.”
He added: “We must be able to stop the terrorism and fundamentalism that can reach us from the east at the Jordan line and not in the suburbs of Tel Aviv.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry hosted talks with Gulf allies and Jordan last week, emphasising the Hashemite kingdom’s key role in helping to stem the regional gains of ISIL, who had earlier seized control of a Jordanian border crossing in Iraq.
ISIL yesterday declared it had established a “caliphate”, or Islamist state, straddling Iraq and Syria. The jihadists said the state would spread from Aleppo in northern Syria to Diyala in eastern Iraq, ordering Muslims in those areas to pay allegiance to the group. (AGENCIES)
Sugar futures up 0.35% on summer demand, tight supply
NEW DELHI, June 30: Sugar prices rose 0.35 per cent to Rs 3,160 per quintal in futures trade today as speculators enlarged positions, supported by summer season demand against tight supplies in the spot markets from millers.
Besides, a slew of measures announced by the government last week to bail out the cash-strapped mills, supported the upside.
At the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, sugar for delivery in August rose by Rs 11, or 0.35 per cent, to Rs 3,160 per quintal with an open interest of 25,770 lots.
Likewise, the sweetener for delivery in July gained Rs 9, or 0.29 per cent, to Rs 3,121 per quintal in 28,980 lots.
Analysts said the rise in the sweetener’s prices was mostly due to summer season demand from bulk consumers against tight supplies by millers in the spot markets amidst a slew of measures announced by the government for cash-strapped mills.
Meanwhile, the government last week raised import duty to 40 per cent from 15 per cent besides additional interest-free loan of Rs 4,400 crore for sugar mills. (PTI)
Crime against women
Sir,
Crime against women is rising day in and day out. Though there are a number of special legislations for providing protection to women, the incident of crime against women in India continues to increase. It is reported that 423 such cases take place everyday in the country. Rape, kidnapping and abduction has become now a regular affair towards women.
These incidents are now non-stop and our State is not lagging behind in this race. No day is out when we come to know about rape. Sex rackets have been located both in Jammu and Srinagar cities some time back. It is shameful here to mention that minor girls are being sexually exploited. National Crime Records Bureau recorded 2208 cases of crime against women in our State during the past year. If this ugly trend goes ahead we will be answerable to our future progeny. Let us all join hands to work for our women folk who are epitome of love and devotion.
Yours etc…
S. N. Raina
Jammu
Crude palm oil futures up 0.25% on rise in demand
NEW DELHI, June 30: Crude palm oil futures traded higher by 0.25 per cent to Rs 527.60 per 10 kg today as speculators enlarged positions on upsurge in demand in the spot market.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude palm oil for delivery in July moved up by Rs 1.30, or 0.25 per cent, to Rs 527.60 per 10 kg in a business turnover of 136 lots.
Similarly, the oil for delivery in August edged up by Rs 1.10, or 0.21 per cent, to Rs 525.60 per 10 kg in 14 lots.
Analysts said the rise in crude palm oil prices in futures trade was mostly influenced by rise in demand in the spot market against tight supplies from producing regions. (PTI)