Month: November 2020

As the blockbuster movie Dhoom 2 clocked 14 years, actor Bipasha Basu on Tuesday reminisced about playing a double role in the film.

The ‘Alone’ actor shared a video reel announcing the 14-year anniversary of the film featuring some of the scenes from the action entertainer.

She complimented the video reel with a short note about the experience she had while preparing for the film.

“I know everyone loved watching #dhoom2. The experience of prepping and shooting for this film was simply amazing. And the best co-stars and crew ever,” the 41-year-old actor wrote with red heart emoticons.

She also extended her thanks to the makers of the film for giving her the opportunity to act in the film.

“Thank you Adi, @yrf, @sanjaygadhvi4 for giving me the opportunity to play sharp Shonali Bose and Sexy Cute Monali #14yearsofdhoom2,” she added with heart emoticons.

The action-thriller directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner Yash Raj Films starred Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Bipasha Basu, and Uday Chopra in lead roles. The movie was released on November 24, 2006 and clocked 14 years on Tuesday. (ANI)

India on Tuesday successfully test-fired a land attack version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory, sources said.

The supersonic cruise missile was test-fired at 10 AM today and it successfully hit its target, which was on another island, they added.

“The test was conducted by the Indian Army which has many regiments of the DRDO-developed Missile system. The strike range of BrahMos missile has now been enhanced to over 400 km,” sources said.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is the world’s fastest operational system in its class and recently DRDO has extended the range of the missile system from the existing 298 km to around 450 km.

In the last two months, DRDO has been successful in testing both new and existing missile systems including the Shaurya missile system which can hit targets at over 800 km and technology demonstration vehicles for hypersonic missile technology.

Last month, the Indian Navy had also carried out the test firing of the BrahMos missile from its warship INS Chennai to showcase its capability to strike targets at ranges more than 400 km in high seas.

India is also working on finding export markets for the supersonic cruise missile which has been indigenised to a large extent by the DRDO under its project PJ 10.

After the launch of the joint venture between India and Russia in the late 90s, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has become a potent weapon for all three armed forces. (ANI)

Sharing a glimpse of what she terms as ‘crazy’ fun, actor Taapsee Pannu who seems to be on a picture sharing spree from her upcoming sports drama ‘Rashmi Rocket’ on Tuesday treated fans to ‘the boot camp-like schedule’ she went through for the film.

The 33-year-old actor took to Instagram and shared an intriguing picture in which she showcased her muscular physique- while running on a sprinter’s track. Sporting a grey top and olive green shorts, Taapsee is seen running in full power amid the track and field leaving the fellow competitors behind. In the snap, the actor’s muscular shoulders and thighs are on display, that is the result of tremendous training sessions the actor went through to get into the skin of the character- of an athlete.

Talking about the best unwinding after completing the ‘boot camp schedule 1’, the ‘Thappad’ star in the caption hinted that she is running towards the shooting of her next flick ‘Loop Lapeta’, (an Indian adaptation of Tom Tykwer’s 1998 German hit Run Lola Run). She noted in the caption, “The boot camp like schedule 1 gets done, now running towards the lola family.”

In between, starting the shoot for ‘Loop Lapeta’, the actor shared her plans for chilling. She noted, “Going to have a very chill cool stopover with the loooopers. The best unwinding I could’ve asked for ! This is going to be ‘crazy’ fun. #RashmiRocket to #LooopLapeta.” [sic]

‘Rashmi Rocket’ chronicles the story of a girl Rashmi and her journey from a tiny village to athletic contests.

Directed by Akarsh Khurana and co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Neha Anand, and Pranjal Khandhdiya, the sports-drama is expected to release sometime in 2021. (ANI)

Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) chief and Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya has called AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi as the new “avatar” of Pakistan’s Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“People of Telangana should vote for development, they should vote against dynasty politics. We have finished family Politics in the country. In Kashmir, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been sent to a permanent quarantine by the people,” Surya told reporters on Monday.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the 100 smart cities programme. What has happened to the funds allocated to Telangana? … Owaisi is Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s new avatar. TRS and MIM are two faces of the same coin. KCR wants to turn Hyderabad into Istanbul. Turkey is a 100 per cent Muslim country. Turkey’s president talks against our country. MIM wants Hyderabad of India to look like Hyderabad of Pakistan. We will make Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar but not Istanbul,” he said.

Speaking further, Surya accused Owaisi of speaking the language of “rabid Islamism, separatism, and extremism” saying that this was also used by Jinnah.

He said that every single vote to Owaisi is a vote against India.

“Laughable that Akbaruddin and Asaduddin Owaisi are speaking of development. They haven’t allowed development in old Hyderabad, the only thing they allowed is Rohingya Muslims. Every single vote to Owaisi is a vote against India and everything that India stands for,” he said.

Speaking to reporters, MoS Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said that the people of Hyderabad want a change and only BJP can make this possible.

“People are wanting to change from this dynastic politics. There is a saying that, ‘Baldiya Khaya Piya Chaldiya’. Where are Rs 67,000 crores? Where has the Chief Minister spent it? BJP will work to bring Hyderabad city to the International platform. We are a peaceful party. We work for development. I urge the people of Hyderabad to come forward and vote for BJP in this GHMC elections. Change Hyderabad today to Change Telangana tomorrow,” he said.

Elections for the GHMC will be held on December 1 and results will be declared after counting of votes on December 4. (ANI)

Law enforcement officers in Paris dispersed migrants setting up tents on Place de la Republique on Monday, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

Utopia 56 volunteer association said on Twitter that about 450 migrants, left in the streets after the dismantlement of the Saint-Denis camp last week, gathered in the square on Monday.

According to a Sputnik correspondent, by 22:00 local time (21:00 GMT) on Monday, police had completely cleared the Place de la Republique square, where migrants had set up tents. Some of the tents were taken away by the migrants themselves, while the rest were confiscated.

“A group of numerous people gathered on the Place de la Republique, setting up tents. The installation of such camps by certain associations is not acceptable. The police prefecture therefore immediately took action to disperse this illicit occupation of public space,” the police headquarters said in a statement late on Monday night.

Utopia 56 said on Twitter that the tents were given to the migrants by aid associations and collectives, using donations from citizens.

“Tonight, more than 500 tents and 1,000 blankets had been provided by Utopia 56,” the volunteer group tweeted on Monday.

Earlier this month, French police dismantled a migrant camp in Paris’s northern suburb of Saint-Denis, evacuating some 2,500 refugees and homeless people.

According to media reports, the first tents in the migrant settlement were set up in early fall but the camp quickly expanded over a few months before it was dismantled on November 17. (ANI/Sputnik)

India’s coronavirus count crossed 91-lakh mark on Monday after 44,059 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

The overall count of cases reached 91,39,866 including 4,43,486 active cases and 85,62,641 recoveries.

With 511 more persons succumbing to the virus, the toll has mounted to 1,33,738, according to Health Ministry.

Today is the sixteenth day when India reported less than 50,000 cases in a day. The last time daily new cases crossed the 50,000-mark was on November 7.

Delhi reported 4,454 new cases on Monday and 121 people died in the national capital in the last 24 hours. The total COVID count in Delhi has reached 5,34,317, including 37,329 active cases, 4,88,476 recoveries and 8,512 deaths.

Maharashtra reported 4,153 new COVID-19 cases, 3,729 recoveries, and 30 deaths on Monday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 17,84,361. There are 81,902 active cases in the state and 16,54,793 patients have recovered so far. The death toll in the state has reached 46,653.

Kerala recorded 3,757 new COVID-19 cases today taking the total active cases to 64,166. A total of 5,00,089 recoveries have been reported so far in the state.

West Bengal reported 3,557 new COVID-19 cases, 3,687 discharges, and 47 deaths in the last 24 hours. The total cases in the state stand at 4,59,918, including 25,030 active cases, 4,26,816 discharges, and 8,072 deaths.

A total of 3,232 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Rajasthan today taking the total cases in the state to 2,47,168. The state has 24,116 active cases and 2,20,871 recoveries/discharges. The death toll in Rajasthan due to COVID-19 stands at 2,181.

Haryana recorded 2,633 new COVID-19 cases, 2,567 discharges, and 28 deaths on Monday. The COVID-19 count in the state has reached 2,19,963, with 20,214 active cases, 1,97,335 discharges, and 2,216 deaths.

A total of 1,624 cases were reported in Tamil Nadu on Monday, taking the total cases in the state to 7,71,619. There are 12,245 active cases in the state while 7,71,619 patients have been discharged after recovering from the viral infection. A total of 11,622 people have lost their lives due to coronavirus in the state.

Karnataka reported 1,509 new cases reported on Monday. Total cases in the state has reached 8,74,555, including 8,38,150 discharges and 11,678 deaths and 24,708 active cases.

A total of 1,487 new COVID-19 cases, 1,234 discharges/recoveries, and 17 deaths were reported in Gujarat today. The total positive cases in the state have reached 1,98, 899, including 1,81,187 recoveries,13,836 active cases, and 3,876 deaths.

Andhra Pradesh reported 545 new COVID-19 cases, 1,390 recovered cases, and 10 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total positive cases in the state to 8,62,758. There are 13,394 active cases, 8,42,416 recovered cases, and 6,948 deaths in the state.

Punjab recorded 748 new COVID-19 cases, 731 discharges, and 17 deaths today. The total count of cases in the state has reached 1,47,057, including 1,35,739 recoveries and 4,631 deaths. Active cases stand at 6,687.

A total of 376 new COVID-19 cases, 428 recovered cases, and seven deaths were reported in Uttarakhand today. The total count of cases in the state reached 71,632 including 65,530 recoveries, 4,298 active cases, and 1,162 deaths.

A total of 351 new COVID-19 cases, 608 recoveries, and 12 deaths were reported from Jammu and Kashmir today. The total cases in the UT has reached 1,06,899, including 5,431 active cases, 99,827 recoveries, and 1,641 deaths. (ANI)

India has briefed a select group of head of missions here about Pakistan’s direct role in planning the terror attack which was recently foiled by Indian security forces with the killing of four Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir.

ANI has learnt that heads of missions were provided a detailed information docket giving details of the incident as it transpired as well as list of items and ammunition that was recovered from terrorists clearly indicating their Pakistani origins.

Sources said they were also briefed on how terrorists got into India, which is now clear as an underground tunnel has been found in the Samba sector.

They said envoys were told how preliminary investigations by police and intelligence authorities and markings on the recovered AK-47 rifles and other items brought it out that terrorists belonged to Pakistan-based Jaish-e- Mohammed.

“It was pointed out how the incident of November 19 is part of Pakistan’s ongoing terror campaign in Jammu and Kashmir and that in 2020 itself we have seen 200 incidents of terrorist violence and neutralization of 199 terrorists. Details of JeM’s involvement in previous such incidents were also shared,” a source said.

In terms of the bigger picture, it was clear that the terrorists were planning biggest terror attack in India since Pulwama in February 2019 and implications can be guessed, the sources said

They said it is part of a plot to sabotage DDC (District Development Council) elections in Jammu and Kashmir and to carry out terror attack to coincide with the anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan briefed the select group of Heads of Missions on the planned terrorist attack and the implications of the incident on security, diplomacy and the battle against terrorism.

ANI has learnt that this is the first of several briefings to be conducted by MEA in small groups in view of COVID-19 situation.

Other secretaries will also be briefing Heads of Missions in their areas of jurisdiction. The idea is to share information as widely as possible with the international community.

The Heads of Missions were sensitized about India’s concerns regarding Pakistan’s sustained efforts to destabilize the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and to subvert local elections and democracy, sources added. (ANI)

India and Israel joined hands to develop rapid test kits and cooperate on vaccine research while collaborative technology projects will help in securing new markets globally, said Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary (CPV, OIA & Arab), Ministry of External Affairs.

“With the unprecedented disruption of Covid pandemic, India and Israel joined hands to develop rapid test kits and cooperated on vaccine research.The scope for high-tech collaboration has grown in defence, under Make in India, and cooperation to combat cybercrimes has become more important,” said Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Secretary (CPV, OIA & Arab), Ministry of External Affairs while addressing 13th India-Israel Forum virtually.

“As we face the threat of terrorists. In an era where technology dominates, India-Israel projects can lead the way, not only bilaterally but in securing new markets globally,” he added.

The MEA in an official statement said, ”our shared vision hopes for regional peace and stability, economic growth and engagement consistent with development priorities, collaboration in resources and technologies and efforts for a reformed and responsible multilateral system. These form the important pillars of a future-oriented strategic engagement.”

“We call this region our extended neighbourhood, an indication of cultural affection and policy priority. We saw unprecedented positive momentum in our ties with the countries in this region, in recent decades. We forged several strategic partnerships, including with Israel. The region is central to our economic and security interests and important for our role in a globalized world and reformed multilateralism,” MEA official statement said.

“Our shared vision hopes for regional peace and stability, economic growth and engagement consistent with development priorities, collaboration in resources and technologies and efforts for a reformed and responsible multilateral system. These form the important pillars of a future-oriented strategic engagement,” it added.

According to the officials, the recent rapprochement between Arab states and Israel leading to the normalization of relations. This could improve prospects for a brighter future for the region. The ideal future rests on the realization of the legitimate aspirations of the people. We have often said that direct negotiations between the parties can provide solutions for peaceful and secure co-existence between the two sides and also provide peace and prosperity to the citizens of two States, living side by side.

India-Israel relations are steeped in history, a chequered one, as we know. The steep trajectory over almost three decades, since we established full diplomatic relations, has been nothing less than extraordinary. The establishment of a strategic partnership in 2017 was not a mere declaration of intent but an enumeration of the true and special character of the relations. Today, we are embarked on exploring newer vistas of cooperation.

MEA said, that high technology, innovation, water and energy have great potential and contemporary relevance.(ANI)

As the mercury at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) dropped to minus 15 degree Celsius, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has equipped its jawans with special clothing and mountaineering equipment (SCME), said SS Deswal, Director General of ITBP on Monday.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, DG Deswal said that all arrangements for the tough winter season have been made in the border areas, and jawans have been equipped with proper uniforms and ration for winter.

“These days, the temperature in Leh is around minus four degrees Celsius, and it is around minus 15 degrees Celsius at the border. Our jawans are equipped with SCME to bear such harsh weather,” he said.

When asked about the situation on Line of Actual Control (LAC), DG said the “Indian security forces are guarding the borders at best of their capabilities.”

“The doctors and paramedical staff also available there to look after the Jawans, and in case of any emergency, there is also the facility to airlift them to Leh for treatment,” he stated further.

Giving an update about ITBP’s plan to increase border outposts (BOP) on all country borders, DG said, “We have identified the locations for new BOPs, and we are in the process of acquiring land from state governments. And hope to establish all new BOP by next year-end. Dozens of BOPs will be ready in Arunachal Pradesh.” (ANI)