Month: November 2020

Hours after the arrest of Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami in an abetment to suicide case, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday hit out at Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, terming him a “completely unworthy son of Balasaheb Thackeray”, and Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh, saying he was the “most coward officer in India”.

“The Maharashtra chief minister has betrayed the trust of the nation, a completely unworthy son of Balasaheb Thackeray. He has brought defame to his late father, Maharashtra, and the entire country,” Sarma said, calling for Goswami’s immediate release and demanding a public apology.

The Assam Minister called Mumbai Police Commissioner Singh coward for allegedly deploying a policeman, armed with an AK-47 rifle, to arrest the journalist.

“I had heard that the Mumbai police commissioner was a strong officer. But just to arrest Arnab Goswami, he had to deploy a cop with an AK-47. This means that he is the most coward officer in India,” he said.

He added the Maharashtra government must release Goswami immediately and render a public apology. “The people of Assam are closely observing. The chief minister should listen to the voice of democracy and not harass a simple journalist,” Sarma said.

Goswami, who hails from Guwahati, was arrested in the wee hours of Wednesday in connection with the death of interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother who allegedly died by suicide in Alibaug in May 2018. A suicide note purportedly written by Naik alleged that Goswami had not paid him his dues. Following this, Goswami was named in the FIR on Naik’s death case.

After being presented in a court on Wednesday, Goswami alleged that he, along with his mother-in-law, father-in-law, son, and wife, had been assaulted by the Mumbai police at his residence.

Republic TV channel has telecast visuals of Mumbai police entering Goswami’s residence and what appears to be a scuffle. (ANI)

On the occasion of Karva Chauth, actor Shilpa Shetty’s husband Raj Kundra posted two hilarious pictures on social media: One showed his star wife looking at his face through a sieve while the other showed that the hungry wife imagines her husband to be a vada pav.

The 45-year-old businessman, Kundra, shared this hilarious meme on Instagram and wished the ‘Dhadkan’ actor a happy Karva Chauth. The theme was “What men think women see vs What women actually see.”

In the caption to the picture, Raj wrote, “To all you wonderful ladies out there and the caring men wishing you a Happy Karva Chauth. Make sure you drink plenty of water to see you through the day. Men try fasting with your wife; it saves you from their hunger spells, brings equality and above all increases the love 11 years and fasting! #Love #gratitude #wife #karvachauth #rajfuntra.”

The ‘Apne’ star Shetty replied to the funny meme, commenting, “You are mad but this is true,” followed by laughing emojis.

Karva Chauth is an special occasion dedicated to married women. It is considered to be one of the most sacred traditions for married Hindu women, who observe a fast from sunrise to moonrise for the long life, prosperity and well-being of their spouse. (ANI)

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday informed that the country’s recovery rate reached 92.09 per cent while the case fatality rate stands at 1.49 per cent.

53,357 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours, taking the overall recoveries to 76,56,478, according to the Union Health Ministry’s release.

80 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States and Union Territories. Kerala is leading with more than 8,000 single day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 7,000 recoveries.

On Wednesday, India’s coronavirus tally crossed 83-lakh mark after new 46,254 infections were reported in the past 24 hours. The coronavirus cases in the country continue to decline further but the overall infections reached 83,13,877 including 5,33,787 active cases.

76 per cent of the new confirmed cases are from 10 States and UTs. Kerala and Delhi have contributed the maximum to the new cases with more than 6,000 cases each, the ministry said.

514 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 80 per cent are concentrated in ten States/UTs. (ANI)

The festival of Karwa Chauth, which is predominantly a north Indian festival has expanded its roots as it has become a pan-India concept now.

A major reason for the festival to become rather a trend in the country today is its popularisation among the masses by various Bollywood films including Aditya Chopra’s blockbuster hit ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayengey’ (DDLJ).

Indian cinema has given much more than just entertainment to moviegoers including the fashion trends, romantic gestures and the tradition of Karwa Chauth.

The iconic Karwa Chauth scene between Raj and Simran from ‘DDLJ’ has set an example for lovers, following which a lot of unmarried couples have also been celebrating the festival by fasting for their loved ones.

Priya Gupta, a resident of New Delhi told ANI that this year, she will be fasting for her fiancee and will wish for his long life.

“I have seen my mother celebrate the festival by fasting for my father and I have always wanted to do the same for my partner. This year I will be fasting for the well-being of my fiancee. I am excited and nervous too since it is my first time,” she said.

Besides unmarried couples, the festival is also being celebrated by people from different regions of the country other than northern India, which is the place where the festival originated.

Every year we see scores of Bollywood actors celebrating the festival in Mumbai.

From Bipasha Basu to Shilpa Shetty, a number of actors living in the western state of Maharashtra fasting for their husbands symbolise the wide popularisation of the festival.

Kaushalya Jha who is based in New Delhi but hails from Bihar’s ‘Darbhanga,’ told ANI that though there has never been a tradition of Karwa Chauth in her family, she has been celebrating the festival for years just because her neighbours here in Delhi celebrate it.

“My friends in society celebrate the festival and I celebrate it with them too. It is not in my tradition but I always wanted to celebrate the festival just like they do it in movies. After coming to Delhi I saw my neighbours celebrating it and I enjoyed watching them,” she said.

“I asked my husband and told him that I would want to fast for him, for his long life and he was really happy. So I spoke to my neighbours and asked them to teach me about the tradition, following which I started celebrating the festival every year,” the 36-year-old homemaker said.

Besides ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge,’ there are scores of other Bollywood films like ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham,’ ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,’ and ‘Baghban,’ that have made the festival a part of the pop culture. (ANI)

Considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning of crackers amid the Covid-l9 pandemic situation and approaching winter, the Government of Odisha has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers from November 10 to 30 in the public interest.

“In some parts of our country and in the world, where Covid-19 appropriate behaviours have not been strictly adhered to, the resurgence of Covid-19 infection has been witnessed. A number of countries across the world have been compelled to reimpose the lockdowns and other extreme measures to contain the resurgence and further spread of the disease. The international experience shows that the coming winter season may see the further spread of the pandemic,” Odisha government said.

“It is generally observed that elderly persons, children, persons with comorbidities and others develop respiratory problems during winter. Further, air pollution, a higher concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the air aggravates respiratory problems,” it added.

Odisha government further said: “It is a well-known fact that burning firecrackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals like nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc, which have a severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups. Such pollutants can further aggravate the health conditions of Covid-19 positive persons besides persons staying in home isolation.”

The state government further said that it has prohibited sale and use of firecrackers during the aforementioned period in public interest. It further said that Deepavali, the festival of lights, may be celebrated in the traditional way by lighting of earthen lamps (Mati Deepa/Diya), candles and other traditional lighting materials. (ANI)

Union Ministers including Prakash Javadekar and Piyush Goyal condemned the Mumbai Police’s action against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami on Wednesday and lashed out at the Maharashtra government.

The ministers took to Twitter to share their views on the journalist’s arrest.

While condemning action against Goswami, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said “we condemn the Congress for its fascist and emergency mindset”.

“We condemn the #Congress, led by Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi, for its fascist and emergency mindset, which is on display in #Maharashtra,” Javadekar tweeted.

“We condemn the attack on press freedom in #Maharashtra. This is not the way to treat the Press. This reminds us of the emergency days when the press was treated like this,” he said in another tweet.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said Goswami’s assault is an example of misuse of power.

“Strongly condemn this attack on freedom of press in Maharashtra. This fascist move is a sign of undeclared emergency. Assaulting journalist #ArnabGoswami is an example of misuse of power. We must all stand up against this attack on India’s democracy,” Goyal tweeted.

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Goswami’s arrest is seriously reprehensible, unwarranted and worrisome.

“The arrest of senior journalist #ArnabGoswami is seriously reprehensible, unwarranted and worrisome. We had fought for freedoms of Press as well while opposing the draconian Emergency of 1975,” he tweeted.

The minister said Sonia and Rahul are completely silent over “blantant” suppression of press freedom.

“Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have openly attacked Narendra Modi Govt through motivated charges of attack on institutions yet they are completely silent when their own Govt in Maharashtra is blatantly suppressing freedom of Press. Textbook case of hypocrisy!” Prasad tweeted.

“One can differ, one can debate and one can ask questions too. However, arresting a journalist of the stature of #ArnabGoswami by abuse of Police power, because he was asking questions, is something which we all need to condemn,” he said in another tweet.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said this is fascist intolerance towards freedom of expression.

“How can you false arrest someone just because you don’t like him? Remember, Indians will fight back against this kind of draconian act. I condemn the forceful arrest of Journalist #ArnabGoswami. This is fascist intolerance towards freedom of expression,” he tweeted.

Condemning Goswami’s arrest, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said those who really believe in this freedom must speak up.

“Shades of the Emergency! The arrest of Arnab Goswami is an attack on the freedom of press. Those who really believe in this freedom must speak up!” he tweeted.

MoS Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the immediate thing that the Maharashtra government can do to vindicate the freedom of press is to release him immediately.

“Are we returning to an age of facism and dictatorship in the garb of democracy. Vendetta politics exceeding all limits. Absolutely no ground to arrest #ArnabGoswami. Minimum that the Maharashtra Govt can do to vindicate the freedom of press is to release him immediately,” Singh tweeted.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Maharashtra government’s this “act of vengeance” is against the freedom of press and highly condemnable.

“Shameful how Mumbai Police have picked up Republic TV Editor #ArnabGoswami from his residence. Maharashtra Govt’s this act of vengeance is against the freedom of press and highly condemnable,” Joshi tweeted.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said believers of press freedom must come together to fight back this “fascism”.

“Inspired by the Congress’s dark days of emergency when freedom of the #Press was at its nadir, the #maharashtragovt actions against #arnab_goswami are highly deplorable! Believers of #PressFreedom must come together to fight back this fascism,” Vardhan tweeted.

The journalist has been arrested in the death case of interior designer Anvay Naik, who allegedly died by suicide in Alibaug in May 2018. A suicide note purportedly written by Naik alleged that Goswami had not paid him his dues. Later, Goswami was also named in the FIR of Naik’s death case.

A closure report was filed in the case in 2019, but the case was re-opened after Naik’s wife Akshata approached the court. In September this year, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had ordered re-investigation in the case after a fresh complaint by Naik’s daughter Adnya Naik.

“Adnya Naik had complained to me that #AlibaugPolice had not investigated non-payment of dues from #ArnabGoswami’s Republic which drove her entrepreneur father & grandmom to suicide in May 2018. I’ve ordered a CID re-investigation of the case,” Deshmukh had tweeted. (ANI)

Calling the Pakistan government’s decision to make Gilgit Baltistan a fifth province ‘illegal and unconstitutional’, Pakistan occupied Kashmir activist Shabir Choudhry said people of the PoK should formulate appropriate policies to fight back Pakistani imperialism.

Asserting that Islamabad is fooling people in the name of development, Choudhry, a London-based writer, on Tuesday said that if Prime Minister Imran Khan had any sympathy with the people of Gilgit Baltistan, then he could have declared to abolish Schedule four, which restricts fundamental rights of the people; and other anti-people laws which allow secret agencies to curb fundamental rights of the people.

He added that Imran Khan could have declared to release all political prisoners, like Baba Jan and dozens of other people imprisoned for demanding fundamental rights.

“In view of the looming threat, the Prime Minister of so-called Azad Kashmir needs to formulate appropriate policies, and may consider visiting Britain where more than one million citizens of Azad Kashmir reside,” said Choudhry

“If they wanted to empower the people of Gilgit Baltistan and carry out development programmes, they could have done that in 73 years of their occupation. To develop a region, one does not need constitutional changes. What is required for development and to empower people is a clean heart and will, which is absent,” he added.

Choudhry remarks came days after Imran Khan had announced the granting of provisional-provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan, Geo News reported.

This comes following Saudi Arabia removing PoK and Gilgit Baltistan from Pakistan’s map.

Massive protests have been taking place against the Imran Khan-led government over the issue of Gilgit Baltistan.

This announcement is likely to spark massive outrage as it will have much wider implications which will set the tone for exacerbating tensions, that are already being played out in the east along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the India-China border.

The activist said that Pakistan has totally exposed itself by declaring Gilgit Baltistan a province.

“People of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir should take note of this and formulate appropriate policies to fight back Pakistani imperialism,” he said.

“What suffering people of Jammu and Kashmir have endured since 1947, and especially after 1988, that is as a direct of wrong policies of Pakistan, and we need to learn from that,” he added. (ANI)

Talking about the gratification that she got from playing the role of political stalwart J Jayalalithaa to perfection in her film ‘Thalaivi,’ actor Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday opened up on her journey of weight management for and after the completion of the film.

The ‘Queen,’ actor took to Twitter to post a picture of herself from her recent workout sessions and a picture of herself portraying the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in her film.

She went on to pen down a short note about her weight management journey for the film.

“I played the first super humangirl on Indian screen, thanks to my body a rare combination of dainty yet strong looking, in my 30’s I had to gain 20 kgs for Thalaivi n do Bharatnatyam,it left my back severely damaged but no bigger gratification than to play a role to perfection,” she wrote.

“Journey back to my fit body wasn’t easy, I feel good but even in seven months not able to achieve my earlier stamina and agility back and those last 5 kgs arnt budging, there are moments of despair and then my director Vijay sir shows me Thalaivi footage and all seems fine,” she wrote in a separate tweet.

The 33-year-old actor had earlier in October wrapped up the shoot for ‘Thalaivi’ in Hyderabad. (ANI)