Month: January 2021

Shahid To Pair With Raashi In Raj & DK’s Next OTT Title

By LokMarg

Bollywood’s hunk Shahid Kapoor is all set to play the lead role in filmmakers Raj and DK’s upcoming Over-the-Top (OTT) project.

The ‘Kabir Singh’ actor shared the update by posting a picture of himself with the filmmakers as they dive into the pre-production stage of the project on Instagram stories.

“It’s taking off. These bad boys got a hard vibe and a dark plan,” Kapoor wrote along with the picture.

The picture was later also shared by ‘The Family Man’ filmmakers on their Instagram stories where they expressed their excitement for the project.

In the project, Kapoor will be seen opposite actor Raashi Khanna whom he introduced later in his Instagram story and welcomed her “onboard.”

The picture sees Raashi capturing a selfie as Shahid is seen standing besides him.

“Raashi Khanna welcome onboard. And thanks for letting me be part of your selfie. I feel blessed,” he wrote along with the picture.

The second season of Raj and DK’s ‘The Family Man’ is all set to release on February 12 on Amazon Prime Video.

Shahid Kapoor on the other hand will next be seen in the sports drama ‘Jersey’ which is a Hindi remake of Telugu superhit film of the same name. The film will release on November 5, this year. (ANI)

Why Is PM Tight-Lipped On Chinese Incursion: Rahul

By LokMarg

In a fresh jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday slammed the PM for being tight-lipped on the issue of Chinese intrusion into the Indian territory.

This comes as several Indian soldiers were injured in a physical brawl with the Chinese soldiers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last week near Naku La area in Sikkim. The Indian Army on Monday clarified that it was “minor face-off” between the troops on January 20.

The face-off was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols, the Army said in a statement.

In his latest tweet, Gandhi said, “China is expanding its occupation into Indian territory. Mr 56″ hasn’t said the word ‘China’ for months. Maybe he can start by saying the word ‘China’.”

Gandhi had on Sunday blamed the central government for Chinese intrusion into India.

If India’s labourers, farmers and weavers were strong, protected and given opportunities, China would never dare to come inside India, the Congress leader had said on Sunday.

Gandhi had further alleged that China has understood that Indian economy is on its knees, and every action of the government is designed to strengthen five-six big business people.

The former Congress president is on a three-day visit to the western belt in Tamil Nadu. He is interacting with farmers, weavers, and the general public over there.

Gandhi is in the state till today and is also scheduled to visit the Dindigul district.

Assembly elections are due in Tamil Nadu in April-May 2021. (ANI)

Delhi Chalo March

Farmers Gear Up For Republic Day Tractor Parade

By LokMarg

Farmers on Monday began gathering at Gazipur border between Delhi-Uttar Pradesh for the proposed Kisan Tractor Rally on the eve of Republic Day.

Tractors from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan have also reached on Tikri border between Delhi-Haryana as the farmers sit in for protest for nearly two months.

The move comes as Delhi Police formally granted permission for the rally on January 26, assigning them routes for the same.

Expressing dismay at the routes assigned for the rally, Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee told ANI, “We feel that the kind of permission granted to us for tractor rally is not right. We wanted to go to the old Ring Road but we were given conditional permission and assigned the portion that comes largely under Haryana.”

“All we’re saying we just want to go to Ring Road. We’ll have a meeting with the police today over this. Routes will be decided after that,” the farmer leader further added.

Farmers had proposed to hold the Republic Day tractor rally on Delhi’s Outer Ring Road. However, three routes other than the proposed one were allotted for the rally from three border points of Delhi, informed Special Commissioner of Police (CP), Intelligence in Delhi Police, Dependra Pathak on Sunday.

“The tractor rally will enter Delhi from Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur borders and return to its originating points. From Singhu, it will pass through Kanjhawala, Bawana, Auchandi border, KMP Expressway, and then return to Singhu,” Pathak told reporters at a press conference.

Farmers from all across the country are marching towards Delhi to take part in the scheduled rally.

Meanwhile, farmers from across various districts of Maharashtra gathered at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan on Monday to protest against the Central Government’s three contentious farm laws.

“We will submit a memorandum to the Governor today. Our families have also come with us because if we lose farming, the entire family will be rendered homeless”, a protester told ANI this morning.

The eleventh round of talks between farmers and the government was held on Friday.

The talks of farmer unions and the government have seemingly broken down after the former insisted on their demand for the repeal of three new farm laws and the latter asked them to reconsider its offer to put these laws on hold for about 18 months.

Farmers have been protesting on the different borders of the national capital since November 26 against the three newly enacted farm laws – 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)

Indian, Chinese Soldiers Injured In Brawl At Naku La

By LokMarg

Several Indian and Chinese soldiers were injured after they involved in a physical brawl along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last week near Naku La area in Sikkim.

However, Indian Army described the incident as a minor face-off which was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols, Army said in a statement.

“We have received several queries regarding a face-off between Indian Army and PLA troops in Sikkim sector. It is clarified that there was a minor face-off at Naku La area of North Sikkim on January 20, 2021, and the same was resolved by local commanders as per established protocols,” it said.

“Troops of India and China involved in a physical brawl along the Line of Actual Control last week near Naku La area in Sikkim. Soldiers from both sides are injured,” sources said.

In June last year, 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, lost their lives in the face-off in clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley.

The ninth round of Corps Commander Level talks between India and China to address the ongoing military standoff in Ladakh ended at 2:30 am on Monday.

The meeting lasted for more than 15 hours after starting at 11 am on Sunday at Moldo opposite Chushul in the Eastern Ladakh sector.

The two countries have been engaged in a stand-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) since April-May last year. While China began amassing massive military strength along the LAC, India responded with a befitting build-up.Multiple rounds of talks have failed to yield any significant result in defusing border tensions.

The last round of Corps Commander-level talks between both countries were held on November 6, 2020 in Chushul in Eastern Ladakh. (ANI)

Bangladesh Contingent ‘Proud’ To Be Part Of R-Day Parade

By LokMarg

Col Mohatsim Hyder Chaudhary, chief of the Bangladesh contingent taking part in the Republic Day parade, said that there is a ‘great responsibility’ assigned to the contingent to have a very good show and added that they are “very much excited”.

“2021 is very special for us because we are celebrating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It’s also the 50th year of our independence. So, from this point of view, participating in 72nd Republic Day parade, is very exciting,” the leader of the Bangladeshi contingent said.

“We feel (that there is a) great responsibility assigned to us to have a very good show, men with me are very much excited. It’s a very good experience (for us) and fortunately, the way we march is very similar to that of the Indian contingent,” Chaudhary said while exclusively speaking to ANI on Monday.

There are two contingents that are taking part in the parade on Tuesday comprising of the army, navy and the Air Force personnel, he said. “There will be a band contingent (and) we call it brass band, there will be musical equipment behind marching contingent so two contingents will be marching on that day and we are very fortunate we will be marching forward,” he added.

For the first time ever, a 122 member strong contingent of the Bangladesh Armed Forces will participate at the historic Republic Day celebrations.

According to sources, the majority of the soldiers in this contingent hail from the most distinguished units of the Bangladesh Army comprising of 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 & 11 East Bengal Regiment and 1, 2 and 3 Field Artillery Regiment. These units have the distinct honour of fighting and winning the 1971 Liberation War.

This Bangladesh contingent carries with them the legacy of legendary Muktijoddhas of Bangladesh, their fore-fathers who fought against oppression, mass atrocities by tyrannical forces and for the freedom of Bangladesh. The participation of the contingent also has members of the Bangladesh Navy and Air force who had contributed to the liberation of Bangladesh, Operation Jackpot and Kilo flight of the Bangladesh Navy and Air-force respectively was a demonstration of their resolve, courage and determination to fight against oppression, sources said.

The valiant Mukti Bahini and the Indian forces fought side by side against the enemy and secured victory.

Bangladesh Armed Forces are considered a disciplined and professional force. Growing numbers of women are joining the forces to serve the country, and like India armed forces, the Bangladesh Armed Forces has also contributed to the UN peacekeeping operations across the world, sources added.

This year, India and Bangladesh celebrate 50 years of the establishment their ties and Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of its independence. Both sides have agreed to hold commemorative events in several other countries and also jointly organise events throughout the year. It is these fraternal ties that exist between the two countries that make the relations transcend even a strategic partnership. (ANI)

Growing Trade Ties Of India And Vietnam

By LokMarg

As India and Vietnam compete to complement China as “factories of the world”, is there room for cooperation between the two rivals?

For companies moving out from China, in an effort to diversify their production sites as well as supply chains, India and Vietnam are locations that are foremost on their minds. With a recent surge of manufacturers relocating their facilities or building new ones, the competition for FDI (foreign direct investment) has intensified.

This trend has gathered urgency due to China’s increasingly higher costs, the US-China trade war, and the realisation that having alternative sources of supplies is necessary after experiencing supply-chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Vietnam Ministry of Planning and Investment, FDI into Vietnam stood at about USD 20 billion for 2020, a fall of 2 per cent from a year earlier. Furthermore, FDI pledges, an indication of future FDI disbursements, plunged last year by 25 per cent to USD 28.5 billion. The sector that nabbed the largest amount of investment is the manufacturing and processing sector which captured 49.1 per cent of total pledges.

This is followed by the production and distribution of gas, water and electricity with 34.7 percent. Singapore was the top source of FDI pledges last year, followed by China and Taiwan.

India, being a much larger country, has fared better on both the total FDI it has attracted as well as its ability to grow FDI in spite of COVID-19. Extrapolating based on figures from the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade up to September, India is expected to achieve an FDI of roughly USD 53 million for the calendar year 2020. (The October to December quarter figures have not yet been published.)

This is a growth of about 11 per cent from 2019. The common theme between India and Vietnam is that the highest FDI equity inflow also originated from Singapore, accounting for 25 to 30 percent of FDI flows to India in the calendar year 2020. This is followed by Mauritius registered companies where investment flows are roughly half of that of Singapore’s.

The Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade says that the higher equity inflow is attributed to the government’s efforts in improving ease of doing business along with relaxed FDI norms. In the fiscal year 2020 (ending March 2020), the industry that performed the best for total equity inflows is the service sector which brought in 17 per cent of the total investments. This was followed by the computer software and hardware sector, while the telecommunications and trading sector’s share ranked third and fourth, respectively.

Despite being competitors on the FDI front, there are signs that the trade relationship between India and Vietnam are expanding. Just last week, two trade and investment events were held between businesses from the two countries.

The first, which was held in Hanoi on January 21, was a seminar to promote cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry in both countries. It was hosted by the Embassy of India in collaboration with the International Investment Promotion Alliance (INVEST-GLOBAL), Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprise (VAFIE) and Indian Business Chamber (INCHAM).

The Vietnamese pharmaceutical market was estimated to be valued at USD 7 billion in 2019 and projected to grow another 8 per cent by 2024.

To meet production needs Vietnamese drug manufacturers import 90 percent of their active pharmaceutical ingredients and most of the raw materials. With regards to pharmaceutical end products, approximately 60 per cent of the demand is met by imports. India has been a key exporter of such products and raw materials to Vietnam. However, businesses in both countries feel that there is still great potential to promote investment cooperation in the pharmaceutical as well as the medical equipment industries.

Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, shared that Vietnam is a key consumer of Indian pharmaceuticals with annual trade worth USD 225 million, currently in 19th position among the top 25 destinations for Indian pharmaceutical products.

A day later, in the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), the Indian Consulate General in HCMC, the Private Economic Development Research Board, the Investment & Trade Promotion Centre of HCMC, and VinaCapital Group, jointly organised an India-Vietnam Investment Forum.

At the Forum, businesses discussed areas of cooperation and investment, determining that those sectors that presented the highest potential are garment, food processing, pharmaceuticals, information technology (IT), construction materials, and renewable energy.

Vietnam’s imports from India rose from USD 2.7 billion in 2016 to over USD 4.5 billion USD in 2019, while exports grew from USD 2.6 billion to USD 6.7 billion in the period.

According to Indian Ambassador to Vietnam, Pranay Verma, Vietnam’s investment in India now stands at USD 30 million, while Indian companies have invested USD 900 million in Vietnam.

Emphasising the benefit and opportunities for investments in Vietnam, Don Lam, deputy head of the Private Economic Development Research Board and CEO of VinaCapital, said, “The strategic relationship between the two countries does not stop at trade.”

He continued, “Indian companies consider Vietnam an attractive destination for their investments in the fields of oil and gas, steel, minerals, tea, sugar, and IT training, as well as a place for the transshipment of goods in Southeast Asia.”

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Tran Duy Dong, highlighted the need for both sides to step up investment promotion and connectivity, both online and in-person. He added that the ministry commits to working together with Vietnamese ministries, sectors, and localities to support Indian enterprises for win-win cooperation, thus helping to lift the Vietnam-India comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights. (ANI)

Ranveer-Deepika Celebrate 3 Years Of ‘Padmaavat’

By LokMarg

Bollywood stars and real-life couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone celebrated the three year anniversary of their blockbuster film ‘Padmaavat’ on social media.

The couple, who tied the knot in November 2018, shared throwback videos on Instagram as the film, which also starred actor Shahid Kapoor in the lead role, clocked three years today.

Celebrating her iconic character of Rani Padmaavati from the period drama, Deepika shared a behind-the-scenes video in which she thanked ace director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for giving her the opportunity.

She captioned the post as “3 Years of Padmaavat. Some memories & experiences are difficult to articulate but live in your heart forever. Padmaavat was one such experience. Thank you Sanjay Leela Bhansali for entrusting me with this movie & character of a lifetime.”

Ranveer, who essayed the character of Alauddin Khalji in ‘Padmaavat’ posted a video sharing his ‘unforgettable experience’ of his ‘tryst with the dark side’. He also thanked the filmmaker for the opportunity.

He wrote, “#3YearsOfPadmaavat My tryst with the dark side. An unforgettable experience. Thank you Sanjay Sir for making me a part of this spectacular vision. #Khilji”

He shared a BTS footage from his last day on the sets of the movie. In the video, an emotional Ranveer can be seen speaking about his preparation for the role. He also added how he had put all his blood and sweat into the film, wishing that audience would like it.

The film, which featured Shahid in the role of King Maharawal Ratan Singh, was marred by multiple violent protests and attacks on the film’s cast by certain power groups over the portrayal of Rani Padmavati in the movie. However, the film was well-received by the viewers and critics alike. It went on to make over Rs300 crores at the domestic box office. (ANI)

Parineeti on Sushant Birth Anniversary

Parineeti Excited About ‘The Girl On The Train’

By LokMarg

Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra is feeling over the moon as her upcoming outing titled ‘The Girl On The Train’ has been voted as the most awaited film of the season on IMDb by users.

The ‘Kill Dil’ actor is thrilled that her movie is being eagerly awaited by so many people. Parineeti is confident that the movie will thoroughly entertain the audience and hopes that the highly anticipated trailer will create an even larger impact than her much-appreciated teaser.

The 32-year-old actor, who has garnered immense appreciation for her transformation into a battered woman for the film said, “I’m excited as well as nervous that with the teaser drop of the film TGOTT has been rated the most awaited film! I just hope that even after the trailer and after watching the film people give it as much love as they gave the teaser.”

The upcoming film is an official adaptation of actor Emily Blunt’s Hollywood flick that was released back in 2016. It will feature Parineeti as Meera, who will be essaying the role played by Emily in the original.

In the film’s Bollywood adaptation, Parineeti plays the eponymous girl taking the train, an alcoholic divorcee, who becomes involved in a missing person investigation and uncovers deeper secrets.

The movie also stars Aditi Rao Hydari, Kirti Kulhari, Avinash Tiwary, Ishita Dutta, Vatsal Seth, and others. It is being helmed by Ribhu Dasgupta and bankrolled by Reliance Entertainment. The film is all set to premiere on Netflix on February 26.

Meanwhile, Parineeti will also be seen in ‘Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar’ and ‘Saina’, the biographical movie of badminton player, Saina Nehwal. (ANI)

Bollywood’s First Full-Time Woman Paparazzi

‘Work Of Paparazzi Is Tough, But Exciting Too’

By LokMarg

Sanjana Sarmah, Bollywood’s first full-time woman paparazzi, talks about the hard work that goes into getting exclusive shots of celebrities

I worked as a Bollywood woman paparazzi for four good years in Mumbai from 2014 to 2018. While I loved my job, I had to quit for better earning opportunities. Looking back at my stint as paparazzi, I absolutely loved that job; it gave you that adrenaline rush.

The work for a paparazzi could mean waiting outside a top notch gym at 7 am in the morning or sitting out at a late night party venue at 3 am, waiting for the celebrity to make an appearance for your exclusive shot. But I was trained well on the nuances of the job by senior shutterbugs.

Challenges are aplenty in this work. The first one is your mobility. You stay at one affordable end of the city but operate at the tony Juhu, Bandra or Pali Hill locales. Initially, I didn’t have a vehicle so it was difficult to move around with the heavy camera equipment. Thankfully, the office provided me with a bike.

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We were a team of six-seven photographers who worked in shifts. While my boss was considerate and allowed me to leave early (that is 10:30 pm), I found my job so exciting that I would happily put in extra hours for exclusive results.

Sarmah with Sanjay Dutt. She misses her days of as full-time paparazzi.

We would often hide to avoid being noticed by our fraternity members from other organisations. The wait could last for hours on end. But an exclusive shot was rewarding, we would connect our phones with the camera and quickly transfer our work to office. Desk will then put it up on social media, websites.

We marked elite gyms and nightclubs visited by certain celebrities. In time, we could figure out how much time a celebrity spent for a workout or at a party. Accordingly, we used the time and in the interim would hunt for other celebrities and opportunities. We knew their cars, their drivers, their bodyguards… so it was easy for us to spot their movement.

I can’t say the amount of hard work, time and effort paparazzi put is worth the money they earn in India. Besides, there is an image issue too. Paparazzi are seen as photographers who follow celebrities, with little concern for their privacy, and want a picture at any cost. But the same set of people would crave for exclusive, new pictures of those celebrities on Page 3 every morning.

My colleagues and I put in long hours, from morning to night, and it wasn’t easy. We could never enjoy a sit-in meal at work. There would only be enough time to grab a vada pav from a vendor and stay alert. You spot a celebrity car approaching, and you forget about the food in your plate.

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Although, I was lucky to have not legal issues during my work as paparazzi because we followed certain rules. We respected people’s personal space on request. You can imagine a shot that has potential of going viral, but we weighed the legal and emotional cost involved with it. At times, we could click the shot and leave the decision to our boss.

For an outsider – I came to Pune as a student from Assam when I was 17 – it has been a long journey to carve a career in Mumbai. I started my career as a photographer for a salary of Rs 5,000 in 2012. Two years later, a friend asked if I would take up paparazzi job and I decided to give it a shot. I enjoyed my work for as long as it lasted.

Shahrukh Khan shares a light moment with Sarmah

I was passionate about it. But there comes a time in life when finances take over one’s passions. So when the offer to work as a photo reviewer came up with better financial prospects, I chose to move on. Yes, I often miss the excitement on the beat at times. But all that is part of life

– As Told To Mamta Sharma

Rahul Slams RSS: Knickerwallah Can’t Decide Tamil Nadu Future

By LokMarg

In a fresh jibe at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said ‘Knickerwallahs’ from Nagpur can never ever decide the future of the Tamil Nadu.

Gandhi, who is on a three-day visit to the state, was addressing a public rally in Dharapuram, where he said the Congress will not allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “destroy the foundation of India”.

He slammed the Central government over farmers’ protest and said, “In the latest action to destroy the lives of our farmers, he (Prime Minister) has passed the three new farm laws. He wants to destroy the Mandies, he wants to allow his five or six business friends to store as much wheat, rice and grain as they want. They are allowed to store millions of tons of grains so that farmers will not be able to negotiate with them. Also, now farmers cannot go to court in case of a dispute.”

He said the lakhs of farmers are not ‘celebrating’ the laws and protesting at Delhi borders because “they understand you (PM) are robbing their future”.

“The Congress party will never allow you to do that. We will not allow Narendra Modi to destroy the foundation of India. He has also got confused. He thinks just because he can blackmail the government of Tamil Nadu, he can control the people of Tamil Nadu, he does not understand only Tamil Nadu can decide the future of Tamil Nadu. ‘Knickerwallahs’ from Nagpur can never ever decide future of the state,” he added.

Gandhi, during his current visit to the state, has repeatedly slammed the centre for intimidating the Tamil Nadu government with Central agencies.

Yesterday, taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said PM Modi does not understand the spirit, language, culture or history of Tamil Nadu, yet he is controlling the state government through CBI and ED. (ANI)