Month: December 2020

The makers of upcoming horror-comedy ‘Bhoot Police’ featuring an ensemble star cast including Arjun Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Yami Gautam, on Saturday announced the end of first shooting schedule in Dharamshala and will be heading to Mumbai for the second one.

Film critic and movie trade analyst Taran Adarsh announced the news on Twitter.

He wrote, “FIRST SCHEDULE ENDS… Team #BhootPolice – shooting in #Dharamshala – have completed the first schedule…”

He also announced that the second schedule of the film will be shot from December 15, in Mumbai.

“Second schedule from 15 Dec 2020 in #Mumbai… Stars #SaifAliKhan, #ArjunKapoor, #JacquelineFernandez, #YamiGautam and #JaavedJaaferi… Directed by Pavan Kirpalani,” added Adarsh.

Directed by Pavan Kirpalani, ‘Bhoot Police’ is being produced by Ramesh Taurani and Akshai Puri. The makers had earlier announced that the movie will be filmed in Dharamshala, Dalhousie, and Palampur. (ANI)

During the fifth round of talks on the farm laws, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Saturday requested farmer leaders to ask senior citizens and children at the protest sites to go home.

The farmers’ agitation at Delhi borders and national capital entered the tenth day today with a large number of farmers gathered in and around the national capital to protest against the three farm laws. Many senior citizens and children have also joined the farmers in their agitation.

“I appeal to all of you to kindly ask senior citizens and children at the protest site to go home,” Tomar said while requesting the farmer leaders present in the meeting on farm laws.

Farmer leaders did not accept the request of the minister and said, “We have supplies to last a year. We have been on the road for the past several days. If the government wants us to stay on the road, we have no problem. We won’t take the path of non-violence. Intelligence Bureau will inform you what we are doing at protest site.”

“We do not want corporate farming. The government will benefit from this law and not the farmer,” they added.

Threatening to leave the meeting with the government, the leaders said, “The government should make a decision on our demands. Otherwise, we are walking out of the meeting.”

A written reply of the minutes of the last meeting was given to the farmers after farmers’ representatives asked the Government to give a point-wise written reply.

Tomar and Union Food and Railways Minister Piyush Goyal are leading the talks with the farmer groups.

Ahead of the talks at Vigyan Bhawan, senior leaders including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other ministers met and briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On December 3, the farmers held the fourth round of talks with the Centre and said the government had talked of bringing some amendments to farm laws. In the fourth round of the meeting, farmer leaders suggested the government to hold a special session of the Parliament and sought the abolition of the three farm laws.

Meanwhile, a nationwide shutdown has been called by the protesting farmers on December 8.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

By Sahil Pandey

As the farmer agitation against farm laws reached tenth day, many Punjabi singers came to Singhu border in order to show their solidarity with the mass gathering.

Famous Punjabi singers like Gurshabad, Galaav Waraich, Harf Cheema and Diljit Dosanjh tried to boost the morale of the farmers at the protest site.

Punjabi playback singer Gurshabad Singh Kular told ANI, “Protest will keep on going and we have expectations from the government but our expectation is shattered with this regime. I expect meeting to be successful. Government need to do something. Otherwise there can be threat to economy as well. We singers are here to boost morale in people for this movement and to maintain discipline. This government should take back the laws.”

Another Punjabi star Harf Cheema said that farmers made him a star and he is also son of the soil and hence lending support to the movement is his duty.

“This is not the last meeting. Pressure is on government and people have joined the protest. Eighteen states are with this protest. We are also son of farmer and these farmers made us what we are. Artists are from farmer family and we need to come here. The protest which started 2-3 months back and we are with these people not as artist but as brothers,” Cheema said.

Galaav Waraich who is also a Punjabi artiste participating in the protest said, “This agitation is upto centre that how long this will go. Farmers decided they won’t get up till they don’t get their right. They have their food and supplies and it is totally backed. As soon as govt acts on it, the farmers will go back to their home. The Land of Punjab has revolutionaries and many slogans and songs were made in the past whenever we fought either Mughals or Britishers. We are son of farmer and then we are artistes. We are standing with them. People accuse us of being from a party but we have come voluntarily by our own vehicles because it is our right. “

Actor and Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh also visited the farmers’ protest at Singhu (Delhi-Haryana) border.

Addressing farmers, Dosanjh said, “I have come here to listen not speak. Thank you to the farmers from Punjab and Haryana. You have created history once again. I want to say to the government– Do not divert from the issues. There is no other discussion going on here apart from that related to farmers. Whatever the farmers want, the government should accept. All are sitting peacefully. There is no talk of bloodshed. Everyone twists [facts] on Twitter.”

The fifth round of talks between leaders of farmer groups and ministers of the Central government began on Saturday at Vigyan Bhawan here to end the deadlock over the new farm laws. A written reply of the minutes of the last meeting was given to the farmers after farmers’ representatives asked the Government to give a point-wise written reply.

Farmers said that they need a solution/commitment. They said that they do not want further discussion and want to know what has the government decided on the farmers’ demand.

On December 3, the farmers held the fourth round of talks with the Centre and said the government had talked of bringing some amendments to farm laws. In the fourth round of the meeting, farmer leaders suggested the government to hold a special session of the Parliament and sought the abolition of the three farm laws.

Meanwhile, a nationwide shutdown has been called by the protesting farmers on December 8.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

The new Parliament building, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone and perform ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ on December 10, will be an epitome of Atmanirbhar Bharat and will feature crafts by local artisans, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Saturday.

The construction of the new Parliament building, which will have a seating capacity for 888 members in the Lok Sabha and 384 members in Rajya Sabha as against the present 543 members and 245 members respectively, will begin this month.

Speaking about the new Parliament building, Birla said that the temple of democracy is about to complete 100 years and said that the construction of the new Parliament building is set to begin this month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays the foundation stone and performs Bhumi Pujan on December 10.

The capacity of the Lok Sabha chamber is expected to be 1,224 seats for joint sittings.

“This is a proud moment for 130 crore Indians that after Independence, with the help of Indian architects, the new building too will be made by Indian artists and will be an epitome of Atmanirbhar Bharat. It will display local crafts and art from various states. It will showcase new art and handicraft of all the states. When we commemorate the 75th year of Independent India, we would enter our new building and both chambers will sit,” Birla said.

He said that the new building, which will be 17,000 sqm bigger than the previous, will be earthquake-proof. We are the world’s biggest democracy and we have to keep in mind that this is reflected in the new building, he added.

Birla said that the new building will be built on an area of 64,500 sqm at a cost of Rs 971 crores.

“I am fortunate to witness this all. In Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, collectively we urged the Prime Minister that our democracy has matured and we have touched new heights of development. In the present context, this building is not sufficient and not technologically sound to fulfil our responsibility and thus there is a need for a new building,” Birla said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government accepted our demand. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu too had requested for the same,” he added.

Earlier, Lok Sabha secretary-general Utpal Kumar Singh had informed that the construction is likely to be finished within two years so that the 75th year of Indian independence can be commemorated in the new Parliament building.

Saying that the Constitution had come into being in the current Parliament building, Birla said that it is a heritage property and will be preserved as such. He said there is a Committee, which will look into what can be done with the old building. But it will be kept the same with minor alterations if needed, Birla said.

“The new building will be equipped with modern amenities. We are discussing this with all political parties. The whole world will be able to see the Bhumi Pujan physically or virtually. We will invite floor leaders and chairpersons of Parliamentary Standing Committees will also be present,” he said.

Birla said that Members of Parliament have demanded that they should have separate offices for Parliamentary work and added that it has been decided that in the Shram Shakti Bhawan 400sq ft office space will be allocated for them.

HCP Design, Planning and Management Private Limited has won the contract for building a new Central vista and Parliament building that will have four floors with separate access for the President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, Rajya Sabha chairperson, Members of Parliament and public.

The new building will be equipped with digital interfaces to create a paperless office.

Apart from the offices of MPs and ministries, the new building will have a Constitution hall to showcase the original Constitution. The officials said that big statues that adorn the space between the house and entry of Parliament will also get relocated as per the design.

“The building will be technologically sound and equipped with modern upgraded facilities. We changed many things with time but we need to think 100 years ahead and have incorporated it in the vision of this project. This won’t be a building of brick and sand, but of aspirations of 130 crore people where MPs would deliberate on the needs and aspirations of people they represent,” Birla said. (ANI)

Bollywood star Sara Ali Khan on Saturday shared a glimpse of her workout routine as she performed push-ups and crunches.

The ‘Kedarnath’ star hopped on to Instagram and shared a short clip featuring herself going through a tough work out routine.

In the video, Sara is seen dressed in gym wear as she performs several harsh workouts to keep the body in shape. The actor is seen putting efforts in performing the exercises along with her trainer, the actor is also seen holding dumbbell as she does the legs workout.

Inspiring her fans to engage in physical exercise, the ‘Love Aaj Kal’ star advised her fans to workout in her own unique poetry style.

“When in doubt, You must workout, Push-ups, and crunches, don’t lose count. With health and fitness, you must be devout. Because that’s what life is really about.”

With the post hitting the photo-sharing platform, it garnered more than 1 lakh views within 27 minutes of being posted.

Appreciating the ‘Simmba’ star’s workout video, many of the fans left red heart and fire emojis in the comments section.

On the work front, Sara has started shooting for Akshay Kumar and Dhanush co-starrer ‘Atrangi Re’ and her Varun Dhawan co-starrer ‘Coolie No. 1’ is also set to be released on Amazon Prime on December 25. (ANI)

Even as Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, a volunteer in the third phase of vaccine trials for India’s first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, said he has tested positive for the virus, medical experts in the national capital say that no vaccine makes a person 100 per cent immune from any disease.

Talking to ANI, experts explained that once an antigen enters the body, it all depends on the strength of the immune system to create the antibody against it.

Doctor SP Byotra, Chairman Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital said: “There is a notion in the public that once a person gets vaccinated he becomes immune to any infection but this is an antigen that will produce antibodies in a person within a stipulated time. If a person gets the infection even after getting the vaccine then it should not be considered as a failure of the vaccine.”

Several vaccines required to be given in two doses. First is a half dose which starts stimulating the production of antibodies followed by the second which maintains a high level of antibodies in the body.

Dr Prasun Chatterjee, Associate Professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences said: “Covaxin is a killed virus which once infused in a human body some of the property like surface glycoprotein stimulates antibodies. What is dangerous for Covid is the glycoprotein. One-shot gives partial protection but booster is better. It stimulates the immune system twice.”

Stressing on Covid- appropriate behaviour even after being immunised Chatterjee said that one has to follow all health protocols even when the person is immunised.

Both the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech vaccines are in their phase three trial.

The first phase trial includes very seriously ill patients where no risk is taken followed by phase two trial which was been conducted on a particular group of patients.

Under these phases, it is being observed if the adequate antibody is produced or not.

In last phase trial which is presently going on in the world, a lot more people are vaccinated under various age groups including children, which will determine if the vaccine was ready to be in the market or not.

Haryana’s Health Minister Anil Vij, 67, who volunteered for Covaxin trial and was administered a dose on November 20 tweeted about being corona positive on Saturday morning.

As per the procedure, a second dose was scheduled after 28 days.

In a press release issued by Bharat Biotech stated: “COVAXIN(tm) clinical trials are based on two doses schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days post the second dose. COVAXIN(tm) has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both doses and post the 14 day period after the second dose.”

Covaxin’s phase three trials are double-blinded and randomised, where 50 per cent of subjects will receive the vaccine and 50 per cent of subjects will receive a placebo. (ANI)

Actor Anangsha Biswas, infamous for her performance as Zareena Begum Mirzapur and Mirzapur 2. Won the Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award 2020 for Jury Choice held in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Admired by audiences for her performances on various OTT platforms, Anangsha took home the prestigious Dadasaheb Icon Award.

The actor who played the role of dancer Zareena Begum in Mirzapur and Mirzapur 2 on Amazon Prime. Also enacted the character of Hymna in Hostages and Hostages 2 on Netflix.

The star who is being cherished by the OTT viewers has also worked with Naseeruddin Shah in her first play in Mumbai. Which was ‘Women in waiting Men in line’ in Prithvi theatre and ‘Kusum Manohar Lele’, a cine play on zee5 with ‘Under the influence’ production.

In addition to OTT, she has also worked in movies like Fraud Saiyaan and Be Careful. Anangsha’s previous film to hit the theatres was Fraud Saiyaan in the year 2019. Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, Maaya 2, Aashcharyachakit in the year 2012, 2018, and 2018. (ANI)

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said Dharma Swatantrya (Religious Freedom) Bill 2020 (the bill against love jihad) is the state’s Beti Bachao Abhiyan.

“It is easy to mislead young girls with malicious intent. Later, their life becomes hell. Dharma Swatantrya (Religious Freedom) Bill 2020 is our beti bachao abhiyan,” said the Chief Minster while interacting with media in Bhopal.

He added the state government will give the final shape to the bill today.

Notably, Chouhan is scheduled to chair a high-level meeting on Dharma Swatantrya (Religious Freedom) Bill 2020 in Bhopal today.

Madhya Pradesh government has proposed a maximum punishment of 10 years for so-called ‘Love Jihad’-related offences, in its new ordinance. With this, the state government has doubled the jail term in its proposed Freedom of Religion Bill 2020. It had earlier proposed a five-year jail term.

Under this new proposed ordinance, there will be a provision of punishment of up to 5 years for a religious leader, Qazi or Maulvi who has preformed religious conversion before submitting an application. The complaint of conversion and forced marriage can be made by the victim, parents, family or guardian.

The Union Home Ministry on February 4 this year clarified that the term ‘love jihad’ is not defined under the existing laws and no such case has been reported so far. No such case was reported by any of the central agencies yet.

However, two cases from Kerala involving inter-faith marriages have been investigated by the National Investigation Agency, according to the Home Ministry. (ANI)

After Canada, 36 United Kingdom MPs led by the Labour Party have written to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab asking him to raise the matter of ongoing farmers’ protest with New Delhi.

In a letter addressed to UK’s foreign secretary, Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi claimed, “The introduction of these new laws by the Indian government (Centre) has, despite the Coronavirus, triggered widespread farmers’ protests across the country for failing to protect farmers from exploitation and to ensure fair prices for their produce.”

“This is an issue of particular concern to Sikhs in the UK and those linked to Punjab, although it also heavily impacts on other Indian states. Many British Sikhs and Punjabis have taken this matter up with their MPs, as they are directly affected by family members and ancestral land in Punjab. About three-quarters of the state’s 30 million-strong population is involved in agriculture. Therefore, these new laws present the Punjabis with a huge problem, with some describing it as a “death warrant,” he added in the letter raising the issue of farmers’ who have been protesting against the three new agricultural laws in India.

Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Labour MP on Farmer’s protest tweeted, “Farmers from Punjab and across India are peacefully protesting against #FarmersBill2020.Following our October meet, further discussions and given a strong sense of injustice felt by many constituents, a cross-party letter from British MPs have been sent to the Foreign Secretary.”

“Many constituents, especially those emanating from the #Punjab, have contacted MPs to express solidarity with the farmers opposing #FarmersBill2020 in #India. Dozens of MPs duly deliberated and signed a cross-party letter, seeking justice for the peacefully protesting farmers,” he wrote in another tweet.

Jack Harris, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, said in his tweet, “The violence targeting farmers in India is alarming. The peaceful protests embody the resilient spirit of Punjabi farmers. On Gurpurab, I join Sikhs from across Canada in calling on Justin Trudeau to condemn the Indian Govts violent repression of protests.”

Andrea Horwath, Leader of Opposition Ontario said in a tweet, “#IStandWithFarmers in India who are protesting peacefully, as well as their loved ones here in Ontario, who are watching the violent crackdown in horror. Everyone deserves to be able to exercise their democratic rights without fear of state-sanctioned violence.”

Despite India’s warning to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over his earlier remarks on farmers’ protests, the PM has once again commented that he “will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests”.

Speaking at a press conference after the External Affairs Ministry issued a demarche to Canadian High Commissioner, Trudeau said, “Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests anywhere around the world.”

Meanwhile, the Sikh Council UK has demanded the political leaders to support the Canadian PM.”Political leaders should stand alongside @JustinTrudeau to oppose human rights violations by the Indian authorities & not bow to bullying,” the Sikh Council UK said in a tweet.

Farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. (ANI)

Bollywood star Sonakshi Sinha on Saturday channelled her weekend mood by sharing a stunning no-makeup selfie.

The ‘Dabangg’ star hopped on to Instagram and shared a gorgeous picture as she stood amid picturesque view of rich flora.

Sinha looks beautiful as she flaunts her luscious locks flowing with the wind. The actor is seen sporting a deep neck top and seems to be enjoying her weekend.

She captioned the post as, “Salty.”

Celebrity followers including actor Dia Mirza among over 71,000 fans liked the post within 45 minutes of being posted.

Of late, the actor has been updating fans on her activities by posting pictures and videos.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ‘Holiday’ star shared an alluring picture of herself in a white outfit with open wavy hair. (ANI)