Shoaib Dipika Baby Boy

Shoaib, Dipika Welcome Baby Boy

TV actors Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim have been blessed with a son.

On Wednesday, Shoaib took to Instagram Story and shared the good news with his fans and followers.

In his note, Shoaib also revealed that Dipika had a ‘premature delivery’, but there was ‘nothing much to worry’.

Alhamdulillah today 21st June 2023 early morning we are blessed with a baby boy. Its a premature delivery nothing much to worry. Keep us in your prayers.(sic)”

Dipika re-shared the story on her Instagram.

Dipika and Shoaib announced their pregnancy in January 2023.

They took to Instagram and wrote, “Sharing this news with you all with our hearts full of gratitude, happiness, excitement, and also nervousness. Humari life ka ye sabse khoobsurat phase hai (the most beautiful phase of our lives). Yessss, we are expecting our first child! Going to embrace parenthood soon. Aapki dher saari duaon aur pyaar ki zaroorat hai (We need a lot of your prayers and love) for our little one (sic).”

Having worked together on the popular TV show Sasural Simar Ka, Shoaib and Dipika got married in 2018. They dated for a few years before the marriage. (ANI)

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India Strongest Possible Defense

Trying To Help US, India Develop Strongest Possible Defense Ties: Former Envoy

Atul Keshap, president of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), on Wednesday weighed in on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing maiden state visit to the United States, saying that the forum was working to help the two all-weather allies develop the “strongest possible” defence ties for the shared prosperity of both the countries.

Speaking to ANI, the senior US diplomat said, “We are trying to help the US and India develop the strongest possible defence ties for our shared prosperity. The state visit of PM Modi marks the strategic, economic and technological convergence of the United States and India.”
Sharing his excitement on PM Modi’s ongoing visit, during which he will address a special joint session of the US Congress and be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner, added, “I am really excited about this and I think that PM Modi and President Biden have shown real leadership in taking our countries to the next great level.”

On the bilateral ties between India and the US, Keshap said both countries were working together to ensure that every country in the Indo-Pacific can exercise its sovereignty and have equal opportunities to take care of its people.

“We are Quad partners and are working together in so many ways to ensure a free and open Indo-pacific. We recently had a meeting with our defence staff of the Quad in California. I think US and India are trying that every country in the Indo-pacific has sovereignty and opportunity to take care of its people. We believe in the peaceful arbitration of disputes and have strong defence ties so that our people are safe,” he said.

Last week, while addressing an ‘India Ideas Summit’ organised by US-India Business Council (USIBC) in Washington DC, Keshap, the former US envoy to India, said the ongoing visit of PM Modi will be “truly momentous.”

Terming the partnership between the two countries as a “resilient” one, Keshap said in the 2 years that he has been the president of the US-India Business Council, he has seen the ties between the two countries transform. (ANI)

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9th International Day of Yoga

Embassy Of India In Kuwait, Japan, Celebrate International Day Of Yoga

The Indian Embassy in Japan and Kuwait observed the 9th International Day of Yoga by organizing events in Tokyo and Kuwait City respectively on Wednesday.

The official Twitter account of the Embassy of India tweeted the video of people performing Yoga and chanting ‘Om’ in Tokyo.

“The sacred Om chants reverberate across Tokyo during the celebrations of the 9th International Day of Yoga #IDY2023 organised by Embassy of India Tokyo @ICCR_Japan

#ConnectingHimalayaswithMountFuji #YogaforVasudhaivaKutumbakam”, tweeted the Embassy of India.

Whereas, Kuwait also participated in the celebration of International Day of Yoga.

The official Twitter account of the Embassy of India in Kuwait tweeted a video of the people of performing Yoga. The event was also attended by yoga trainers, enthusiasts, members of diplomatic corps, people of Kuwait and members of Indian community.

“The 9th International Yoga Day celebrations were held at Indian Embassy in Kuwait on 21 June. The event was well-attended by yoga trainers and enthusiasts, members of diplomatic corps, friends from Kuwait and members of Indian community. #IDY2023@ANI, the tweet said.

On Tuesday, the Embassy of India in Muscat, in collaboration with Visit Oman, the national travel operator and a subsidiary of Omran Group jointly released a short video titled “Soulful Yoga-Serene Oman.” This groundbreaking initiative marks the first time that India and Oman are utilizing yoga as a medium to promote tourism and spread the message of yoga’s harmony to both Omani citizens and international tourists.

In Oman, which is India’s close maritime neighbour and a close strategic partner in the Gulf region, Yoga has become very popular in recent years. The seven lakh-strong Indian community in Oman played an important role in this endeavour.

The video was made in collaboration with the Government of Oman. The Embassy of India partnered with ‘Visit Oman’, a subsidiary of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism to produce this video. (ANI)

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Sensex Macro-Economic Conditions

Sensex Hits Record High On Overall Firm Macro-Economic Conditions

Indian stock indices, which have been buoyant over the past several sessions, touched their all-time highs during Wednesday’s trade. The rise in domestic stocks is in tune with the global market rally and firm domestic macro fundamentals.

Sensex touched its record high of 63,588 points to later settle at 63,523 points, up 0.31 per cent.
Strong fundamentals including a firm GDP outlook, moderate inflation and strong purchases by foreign investors saw the markets trading in the green.

“Sensex rallying to an all-time-high is in tune with the global rally in stock markets. Most markets are at 52-week highs. Last year, global markets had corrected discounting a US recession early this year and its impact on global growth and corporate earnings,” said VK Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

Vijayakumar, however, cautioned a sustained rally beyond the record highs is difficult since current valuations of stocks in India are rich.

Sensex, so far, accumulated 4 per cent returns this year, rising about 23 per cent over the past 12 months.

“Benchmark Indices touched new highs today on the back of a sustained increase in capital expenditure by the government coupled with rising manufacturing PMI (index). Despite the increase in interest rates we are witnessing rising credit demand and India Inc today can boast of much better Balance Sheets than ever before,” said S Ranganathan, head of Research at LKP Securities.

Going ahead, the slow progress of the southwest monsoon may remain a concern for the financial markets. Monsoon, typically, has a bearing on the country’s economic outlook.

Southwest Monsoon hit India on June 8, arriving in Kerala a week after the scheduled onset of June 1.

The monsoon normally hits Kerala on June 1, with a standard deviation of about seven days. It is crucial, especially for the kharif crops. The country has three cropping seasons — summer, kharif and rabi.

Amid the markets posting record trading numbers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing US visit and possible defence deals between the two countries have brought the focus back on the Indian defence stocks. Defence stocks have performed quite well, with many accumulating manifold returns, over the past few years owing largely to the government’s aggressive indigenous defence manufacturing push.

PM Modi is currently in the US on his maiden state visit to the country at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. After attending Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters later on Wednesday, PM Modi will travel to Washington DC where he will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the White House on June 22. (ANI)

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China For Blocking Move In UN

India Slams China For Blocking Move In UN To Label 26/11 Accused As Global Terrorist

India has lashed out at China for blocking proposals at the United Nations to designate Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba’s Sajid Mir as a “global terrorist.”

“…If we cannot get established terrorists who have been proscribed across global landscapes listed under security council architecture for pure geopolitical interest, then we do not really have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism…,” Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary, at the Ministry of External Affairs, said at the United Nations counter-terror meeting on Tuesday.

In a stern response to China’s move at a high-level summit, India without naming its neighbouring country said it “had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime as manifested in the Security Council.”

Detailing a history of terror attacks in India, Gupta said, “India has faced the brunt of terrorism largely flowing from across our borders for well over three decades. Whether it is the Mumbai terror attack of 2008, the 2016 Pathankot Air Base attack, or the 2019 Pulwama terror attacks, we have lost several thousands of innocent civilians as well as the bravest of our armed forces in this battle against terrorism.”

“But regretfully, justice still continues to elude the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks,” he added.

The MEA Joint Secretary then played an audio in which Mir is heard instructing the attack on Chabad House, one of the terror targets in the Mumbai attack.

“Even as the terror attacks were unfolding, Sajid Mir, a very dreaded terrorist who directed the terrorists from across the border in real time to hunt down foreigners in the Taj Hotel and kill them indiscriminately. He was listed as a proscribed terrorist under the national laws of India. He was prescribed, under the laws of the United States, this host country and of several other countries globally, many of whose nationals lost their lives,” Gupta added.

He then in a veiled attack on China said, “When the proposal for labelling him as a global terrorist did not go through the Security Council sanctions regime, we had strong reasons to believe that something was genuinely wrong in the global sanctions regime as manifested in the Security Council.”

“We really do not have the genuine political will needed to sincerely fight this challenge of terrorism,” India said.

Even 15 years after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, its masterminds have not yet been brought to justice.

So the first and most critical gap we feel addressing is avoiding double standards and this self-defeating justification of good terrorists versus bad terrorists.

The MEA joint secretary also reiterated PM Modi and said, “We consider that even a single attack is one too many, and even a single life lost is one too many.”

On Tuesday, Beijing blocked the proposal that had been moved by the US and co-designated by India to blacklist Mir under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council as a global terrorist and subject him to assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

China’s blocking of the proposal by US and India comes as prime minister Narendra Modi is in the US for his first State visit.

Sajid Mir, one of India’s most wanted terrorists, is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India. Mir served as the chief planner of the attacks, directing preparations and reconnaissance, and was one of the Pakistan-based controllers during the attacks.

“Beginning on November 26, 2008, and continuing through November 29, 2008, ten attackers trained by the Pakistan-based foreign terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai, including hotels, cafes, and a train station, killing approximately 170 people. Six Americans were killed during the three-day attacks,” the FBI website reads.

Earlier in 2022, India at the UN counter-terror meet in Mumbai revealed in detail Pakistan’s role in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack by playing Pakistan-based terrorist Sajid Mir’s audiotape. In the audio clip, he is heard directing the attack on Chabad House during Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks.

Meanwhile, China, in recent months, has blocked several bids to designate several terrorists based in Pakistan. In October last year, Beijing put on hold a proposal to list Talha Saeed, son of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed. This bid was moved by India and co-supported by the US, under the 1267 sanction regime.

It was the fifth time that China has blocked an India-US proposal in recent months, Lashkar-e-Taiba member Shahid Mahmood in October, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Sajid Mir in September, LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) leader Abdul Rehman Makki in June, as well as Abdul Rauf Azhar in August, the brother of Jaish-e Mohammed (JEM) chief Masood Azhar, were protected by Beijing. (ANI)

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‘Adipurush Is An Epic Joke; Better Watch Japanese Anime or Ramanand Sagar’

Dhairya Gupta, a movie buff from Lucknow, says that the movie Adipurush makes a mockery of not only our sacred epic the Ramayana but also revered figures in Hinduism. His views

There is already an outrage over the dialogues and depiction of characters in Adipurush in the mainstream and social media. There is also a demand to ban the movie for wrongful depiction of the Hindu epic Ramayana and ‘twisting the narrative’. I feel the demand is justified as the use of sadak-chhap (pedestrian) language in many scenes and the creative liberty in portrayal of characters are overbearing.

Take for example the by-now well-known dialogue of Lord Hanuman, whose tail has been set afire with an oil-soaked cloth: ‘Kapda Tere Baap Ka, Tel Tere Baap Ka… Jalegi Bhi Tere Baap Ki’. Such foul language coming from one of the most revered figures in Hinduism! Isn’t Manoj Muntashir, ashamed of stooping so low? Worse, all this was done by making tall claims of being inspired by Valmiki Ramayana, and making a movie for the younger generations to know about our culture.

Let me begin with the portrayal of the character of Rawana, which is perhaps the biggest distortion in Adipurush. For all we know, Rawana was a Brahmin and a Prakaand Pundit (a highly learned man) according to the original epic by Valmiki. However, the way Rawana has been projected in the movie, he comes as a cross between a monster and a clown.

The character of Rawana is the biggest distortion in Adipurush, Says Gupta (right)

In fact, Rawana (Saif Ali Khan) and Meghnaad (Vatsal Seth) look more like characters stolen from Avengers of Marvel series or from a graphic video game. Some of the most offensive scenes show Rawana feeding flesh to a demon; another one shows him wearing a metal facemask like a welding mechanic and fixing his armour; in another scene he is sleeping with snakes and seemingly enjoying it; in yet another, his ten heads are shown floating around him like a juggler’s trick. How would one ever explain such theatrics to one’s children who watched the movie?

ALSO READ: ‘Ban Adipurush’: Cine Workers Body Writes to PM

I would never ever refer to the film to people who are planning to see the movie with their younger children who are still in the learning phase. It’s better to sit with them and watch the original Ramayan of Ramanand Sagar relayed on Doordarshan or the Japanese animation movie The Legend of Prince Rama which were way better than Adipurush.

And to make things shamelessly worse, Muntashir is claiming that there has been a kind of diversion, a division in the dialogues and they have been made simple as there are multiple characters in the film and all of them can’t speak the language. To my surprise, in a TV interview, he is also substantiating his `work’ by asking for artist freedom like Tulsidas!

The film is a stark example of a typical bankruptcy of brains and morals and proves that by merely spending crores of rupees (₹600 crore to be precise), you cannot produce quality content. Also, if we talk about the much hyped VFX, even a bunch of passionate college goers or internet buffs could create a more sensible experience.

Perhaps the only two characters who somehow remain close to the original epic depiction are of Ram and Sita, played gracefully by Prabhas and Kriti Sanon. Mercifully, these two characters were spared from the film-makers creative liberty. But, they still are unable to save this trash of cinematic work

My two-bit to the association of film broadcasters: they should have at least watched this movie (as it is related a religious theme) before releasing it in theatres as it could not only have saved peoples’ money but also saved them from incurring loses which this movie is definitely going to give them

As told to Rajat Rai

Karan Honour By UK Parliament

Karan Honoured By UK Parliament

Director Karan Johar has been honoured by the British Parliament today for his contribution to the global entertainment industry. He has completed 25 years in the Indian film industry and on this special occasion, he unveiled the teaser of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’.

Baroness Verma of Leicester hosted the event with members of Parliament in attendance including Lord Desai, Baroness Uddin and Rt Hon Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP and British Asian trailblazers, influencers and community leaders.
He took to his Instagram handle to share a picture in which he can be seen receiving the certificate. He wrote in the caption, “Today has been SUCH A SPECIAL day! I am fortunate and deeply grateful to be honoured at the British House of Parliament, in London by the esteemed Baroness Verma of Leicester. We celebrated my 25th year as a filmmaker in the film industry and I launched the teaser for #RockyAurRaniKiiPremKahaani too!”

“It’s one of those days where I pinch myself and realise that dreams do come true. Thank you everyone for the unabashed love you have shown me in my journey. And I promise you, there is more to come!@ukparliament,” he added.

As a result of filming several of his projects there, including ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, Johar has a unique bond with the UK.

His blockbusters ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ and ‘My Name Is Khan’ broke records as the highest-grossing Indian films at the UK Box Office upon their theatrical releases.

Karan, who made his directorial debut with the blockbuster ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ in 1998, is all set to come up with ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’ on July 28, 2023.

The family drama features Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, and Jaya Bachchan in lead roles. (ANI)

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Malaika On International Yoga Day

This is how Malaika Arora celebrated International Yoga Day

On International Yoga Day 2023, fitness enthusiast Malaika Arora explained the benefits of practising yoga asanas in daily life.

Taking to Instagram, Malaika dropped a video in which she is seen performing yoga.
“POV: Yoga is, quieting the mind…Yoga, is calming the nerves. Yoga is developing strength, growth and love. Happy International Yoga Day,” the text inserted in the video read.

Malaika has her own yoga studio named Diva Yoga Centre in Mumbai. She often posts pictures and videos from her wellness studio.

Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The concept of International Yoga Day was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.

This year the theme of Yoga Day is ‘Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ i.e. Yoga for the welfare of all in the form of ‘One World-One Family’. It emphasises the spirit of Yoga, which unites and takes everyone along. (ANI)

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Shilpa's Message On Yoga Day

Check Out Shilpa’s Message On Yoga Day

Though Shilpa Shetty is on holiday, it hasn’t stopped her from exercising.

As it’s International Yoga Day today, Shilpa took to Instagram and dropped a video of her performing yoga against a scenic backdrop.
Alongside the clip, Shilpa urged everyone to make Yoga a part of their life.

“A spark of a smile can spread the fire of happiness around us. But to be able to do so, one needs to be happy within… Make Yoga a part of your lives too, for a healthy mind, body, and soul. As they say, a healthy person is a happy person. Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy Yoga Day..Atmanamaste,” she wrote.

Shilpa has been practising yoga for years now. She had earlier launched a holistic health app known that caters to yoga, exercise, diet programs, and immunity.

Shilpa once took to her Instagram to share, “Yoga adds years to your life and life to your years.” She mentioned that she believes this saying to be very accurate. She starts the day with yoga as it sets the tone for the rest of the day. She shares that she does the Eka pada Utkatasana (one-legged chair pose) and goes into Anjaneyasana (low lunge).

Meanwhile, on the acting front, Shilpa will be seen in Rohit Shetty’s OTT debut ‘Indian Police Force’, which also stars Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi. The series will stream on the OTT platform Amazon Prime.

She will also act in ‘KD-The Devil’ as Satyavati alongside V Ravichandran, and Sanjay Dutt. The pan-India multilingual will be released in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. (ANI)

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Tamannaah, Vijay Varma’s Intriguing ‘Lust Stories 2’ Trailer Out

Finally, the trailer of the much anticipated second edition of the International Emmy-nominated anthology ‘Lust Stories 2’ is out.

Taking to Instagram, Tamannaah Bhatia treated fans to a trailer.
Sharing the trailer, she wrote, “How much lust is 2 much lust? Find out for yourself, because #LustStories2 is coming on 29th June, only on Netflix!#LustStories2OnNetflix.”

It is helmed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, R Balki, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Sujoy Ghosh.

The show stars Kajol, Neena Gupta, Tamannaah Bhatia, Vijay Varma, Mrunal Thakur, Angad Bedi, Amruta Shubhash, Tillotama Shome and Kumud Mishra.

Apart from the star cast what caught the attention was the chemistry between Tamannaah and Vijay.

The new season showcases multiple shades of lust across age groups and class, and their perspective towards the taboo subject.

The trailer has Neena Gupta who is playing a role of a grandmother comparing one’s body to Mount Fuji, where lust erupts like a volcano. She also suggests her granddaughter Mrunal Thakur sleep with her prospective husband as a ‘test drive.’

The video also gives a glimpse of Kajol’s intense avatar. The character played by Kajol believes her husband (Kumud Mishra) has feelings for their housekeeper.

At the end of the trailer, Vijay Varma’s character is seen breaking into the house of his former love played by Tamannah but she refuses to sleep with him because he’s married.

Produced by RSVP and Flying Unicorn Ent, ‘Lust Stories 2’ is a collection of films that shed light on relationships from the female lens of woman, stringing them together thematically.

Speaking on the second anthology of Lust Stories R Balki said in a statement, “Lust is natural and most important in a relationship. It’s critical for all to recognise it. I wanted to create a lust story that a family can watch together. Why should a story of lust always make for exciting solo viewing and be uncomfortable for family viewing when families are created by love and lust? Neena Gupta, Mrunal and Angad have brought to life this simple, hilarious tale in the most charming way possible. Having partners like Netflix, RSVP and Flying Unicorn trust me to create a film for this reputed anthology has been immensely gratifying. I hope it’s a story that will resonate with people”

Konkona Sen Sharma also shared her thoughts, “There is something exhilarating about a woman getting her rightly deserved freedom and taking control of her life and this is exactly what I wanted to showcase in my anthology for Lust Stories 2. I was quite thrilled and excited when I was approached by RSVP, Flying Unicorn and Netlfix to do this project. Lust for me, like many, is a forbidden topic and I wanted to break away from the norm which was only possible because of my wonderful co-writer Pooja Tolani. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast than Amruta and Tillotama, who worked so in sync with each other!”

Adding on to that, Sujoy Ghosh said, “This time lust stories are all about the different shades of Lust. I am so glad that RSVP, Flying Unicorn and Netflix brought this opportunity to me, and that our lust story will be watched by audiences in 190 countries. Tamannah and Vijay brought the film to life just as I had imagined it, and I am hoping audiences will enjoy seeing their chemistry on screen.”

“When Netflix, Ronnie and Ashi approached me to be a part of their Emmy Nominated anthology Lust Stories, it was an immediate yes for me. It was truly an exceptional experience to work with actors like Kajol and Kumud Mishra to bring this complex and edgy vision of lust to the audiences. Lust has multiple shades and this film of mine depicts the lust for power and ambition,” Amit Ravindernath Sharma said.

The official streaming date of ‘Lust Stories 2’ is still awaited. (ANI)

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