Month: August 2024

Two lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court on Thursday wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urging him to take auto moto cognizance of the tape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.

Advocates Ujjawal Gaur and Rohit Pandey wrote the letter to the CJI, saying to take suo moto cognizance of the incident, for it is the need of the hour that the highest court of the land intervenes with the urgency and gravity that this situation demands.

“The nation looks to the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of justice, the last refuge for those whose cries have been silenced by brutality. The victim in this case, a young doctor whose life was dedicated to serving others, deserves nothing less than the full measure of justice that our legal system can provide. Her death must not be in vain, it must galvanize us to act, to ensure that no other woman suffers such a fate,” stated the letter.

It further stated that the time has come for the judiciary to send a clear and resounding message that such heinous crimes will not be tolerated, that the sanctity of life and the dignity of women must be fiercely protected by the full might of the law.

“This case is not merely a bizarre violation of an innocent life, it is an assault on the very soul of our nation, an egregious affront to the ideals of justice and humanity that our great Constitution upholds,” it added.

Another letter petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking immediate intervention following a series of incidents of attacks on medical professionals, particularly the incident of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

The letter petition by Dr Monica Singh, from the Army College of Dental Sciences from Secunderabad, Telangana, through her advocate Satyam Singh, highlighted the rape and murder of the PG doctor at a Kolkata medical college on August 9, 2024, and subsequent attacks on the RG Kar Medical College on August 14.

“The attacks have severely disrupted hospital operations and created an atmosphere of fear among medical staff. There must be immediate deployment of the Central Forces to protect RG Kar Medical College and its staff,” the letter said.

Through the letter, Singh sought a thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks, as well as comprehensive security measures for medical institutions across the country.

Singh has also requested the Supreme Court to take suo moto cognizance of the case and sought an order of deployment of the Central Forces to protect RG Kar Medical College.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which has led to nationwide strikes and civil societies and doctors across States protested against the incident and demanded severe punishment to the accused persons and sought safety and security for themselves. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

To promote the indigenously designed and developed weapons, the Indian Army issued a tender for buying 400 howitzers from Indian firms on Friday.

Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery is looking to use the expertise of Indian Industry to produce a 155 mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System, which will be lighter, versatile and cater for future technological advancements.

“A tender for buying 400, 155-mm 52-calibre towed artillery gun systems (TAGS) along with towing vehicles from Indian firms under the Buy Indian-IDDM category has been issued,” senior military officials told ANI.

“The firms who have received the tender include local defence majors Bharat Forge, Larsen and Toubro, Adani, and Ordnance Factory Board,” they said.

The Indian Army has already issued a tender for buying 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) along with one for finding a mounted gun system for its requirements along borders with China and Pakistan.

The Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured howitzer would mean that it would be totally Indian in all ways.

The Army wants the guns to be lighter in weight and easier to deploy in high-altitude areas like the older Bofors guns.

The procurement process is part of the Army plan for Mediumisation with indigenous guns and is likely to be completed by the year 2042.

In the last decade, four contracts have been concluded for the procurement of a 155 mm howitzer. These Gun Systems have already been inducted and more number of Regiments are being equipped with these guns.

In the last decade, four contracts have been concluded for the procurement of a 155 mm howitzer.

These Gun Systems have already been inducted and more number of Regiments are being equipped with these guns. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrived to record a digital blueprint of the site where the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor took place at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday afternoon.

The CBI team, which had taken over the investigation into the rape and murder of the female trainee doctor, carried a high-accuracy 3D laser scanner to record the digital blueprint of the site of the incident.

Earlier in the day, four doctors of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital were summoned by the CBI amid the ongoing protest over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor, sources said.

According to the sources, the CBI summoned the four doctors for interrogation regarding what happened the night of the incident.

Accused Sanjoy Roy was also brought out of the CBI Special Crime Branch in the CGO Complex, Kolkata for a medical examination.

Meanwhile, doctors across the nation intensified their protests over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. Junior doctors and medical students at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad staged a protest against the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

In Delhi, junior doctors and medical students at RML Hospital staged a protest against the rape and murder of a woman resident doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A 12-hour general strike was called in Siliguri on Friday by the Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) over the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

A nationwide withdrawal of services has been announced by doctors of modern medicine starting from 6 am on Saturday, August 17 to 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 18, per the official statement released by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday.

On Thursday, police said that a mob of between 5,000 and 7,000 people, including several individuals invaded RG Kar Hospital, attacked protesting doctors and medical students, and attempted to ransack the premises on the night of August 14.

On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which has led to nationwide strikes and protests by the medical fraternity. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Music maestro AR Rahman bagged the Best Music Director (Background music) award for his work in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ at the 70th National Film Awards for the year 2022.

‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ also bagged the Best Tamil Film award. Ravi Varman won the Best Cinematography award.

Helmed by Mani Ratnam, the film stars south actors Vikram, Trisha Krishnan Karthik Sivakumar, Jayam Ravi and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead roles.

‘Ponniyin Selvan-Part 1’ is a cinematic adaptation of author Kalki Krishnamurthy’s Tamil novel of the same name which was released in the form of a series during the 1950s. It marks the third collaboration of Aishwarya with south actor Vikram after their critically acclaimed film ‘Raavan’ in 2010.

In the film, Aishwarya could be seen in dual roles. Queen Nandini, the princess of Pazhuvoor, who is on a mission to seek vengeance, and Mandakini Devi in the historical drama.

Pritam received the award for Best Music Director (Songs) for ‘Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva’.

Directed by Ayan Mukerji with its VFX Supervisors Jaykar Arudra, Viral Thakkar, and Neelesh Gore, ‘Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva’ won the award for Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects Gaming & Comic).

‘Brahmastra Part One: Shiva’ is the first part of the planned trilogy in the Astraverse by filmmaker Ayan Mukerji. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna Akkineni. The storyline of Brahmastra follows Shiva, a DJ, who learns about his strange connection with the element of fire. He also holds the power to awaken the Brahmastra, a supernatural weapon that is said to be able to destroy the universe, capable of destroying creation and vanquishing all beings.

It stars an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy and Nagarjuna.

The 70th National Film Awards were announced on Friday in the national capital.

The Jury comprised of eminent filmmakers and film personalities. The awards were announced by Rahul Rawail, Chairperson, Feature Films Jury, Nila Madhab Panda, Chairperson, Non-feature Films Jury, and Gangadhar Mudaliar, Best Writing on Cinema Jury in the presence of Vrunda Desai, Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Rishab Shetty has been awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie ‘Kantara’ whereas Nithya Menen bagged the award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for ‘Thiruchitrambalam’.

Pavan Raj Malhotra won the award for Best Supporting Actor while Neena Gupta won the Best Supporting Actress Award in the Feature Films category. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Actor Sonnalli Sajnani, who married her long-time boyfriend Ashesh L Sajnani last year in June, announced her pregnancy on Friday.

The couple announced that they are expecting their first child together by sharing a series of pictures on social media.

The first photo captures Sonnalli flaunting her baby bump while munching on chips and chocolates. Ashesh, on the other hand, is seen holding a beer bottle in one hand and a baby’s milk sipper in another.

The picture also features their pet pooch.

Sharing the photos, she wrote, “From beer bottles to baby bottles… Ashesh’s life is about to change! As for me, some things stay the same. Was eating for 1… now eating for 2! Meanwhile Shamsher is taking notes on how to be a good big brother. Overjoyed & Grateful. Keep us in your prayers.

The actor also revealed that she will deliver the baby at the end of this year.

“December 2024 (baby emoji) coming,” she added.

As soon as the post was shared, fans and friends chimed the comment section with congratulatory messages.

Sonnalli and Ashesh L Sajnani exchanged vows at a Gurdwara in Santa Cruz West in Mumbai on June 7, 2023. The who’s who of Bollywood attended the wedding, including Kartik Aaryan, Sunny Singh, director Luv Ranjan, Shama Sikander, Mandira Bedi and Raai Laxmi.

Sonnalli rose to fame in 2011 with her role in Luv Ranjan’s ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’. Before entering the film industry, she was a ramp model and participated in the Miss India Worldwide competition.

After appearing in ‘Pyaar Ka Punchnama’, she was featured in films like ‘High Jack’, ‘Ishq Da Rog’ and ‘Jai Mummy Di’ among many others. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Film fraternity have been expressing their support and outrage on the ‘rape and murder’ of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Veteran actor Anupam Kher joined the list and urged people to raise their voices in every situation.

Expressing his feelings and how this situation has left him speechless, Kher took to his Instagram and shared a video message.

He shared the details of the case and how the victim was the only daughter in the family and the nation failed to protect her.

Kher demanded justice in the case and public capital punishment for the rapist and said “iski saza sirf maut hai, aur koi saza nahi hai.”

Sharing the video, he wrote, “Raise the voice!! Raise your voice in every situation! #Kolkata #RGKARHospital.”

Filmmaker Karan Johar shared his disappointment and shock over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata on Friday.

Sharing an Instagram story, he wrote, “For the past few days I have been trying to express my thoughts on this heinous unpardonable crime … the biggest human failure to protect our women… I still don’t have the words … how can any written word describe this atrocity… words do matter but action and the authorities waking up to the fact that if justice is not served severely this will be the end of us!!!”

Karan said that the case represents the biggest failure of our country, and it will have “repercussions”.

“We failed our women and this failure will have karmic repercussions … on all of US… the big massive irony of independence for every living woman in our country! This breaks my heart and makes me sick to the core…,” he added.

On Thursday, Genelia Deshmukh has been particularly vocal, advocating for capital punishment for those responsible.

On her X, Deshmukh wrote, “Monsters need to be hanged!!! Just reading what the victim went through sent chills up my spine. A woman, a lifesaver who was on duty faced this horror in the seminar hall. My heart goes out to the family and her loved ones – can’t even imagine how they are facing this tragedy.”

Hrithik Roshan also expressed his deep anger and concern on social media.

On his X account, Roshan wrote, “Yes we need to evolve into a society where we ALL feel equally safe. But that is going to take decades. It’s going to hopefully happen with sensitizing and empowering our sons and daughters. The next generations will be better.”

“We will get there. Eventually. But what in the interim? Right now justice would be to put a hard stop to such atrocities. And the only way to do that is a punishment so harsh that it scares the living daylights out of such perpetrators. That’s what we need. Perhaps? I stand with the victim’s family in seeking justice for their daughter and I stand with all the Doctors that were attacked last night,” his post further read.

Celebs including Alia Bhatt, Sara Ali Khan, Suhana Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan among others have also shared their condolences and called for justice on social media.

The post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

The family has alleged that the victim was raped and murdered. The CBI has taken over the case and an investigation into the matter is underway. The opposition BJP has accused the ruling TMC of a “cover-up” in the matter.

In a strong display of support, doctors across the nation continue to protest over the murder and alleged sexual assault of a post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor, demanding justice for the victim. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Veteran actress Neena Gupta has added another glory to her remarkable career by winning the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the movie Uunchai.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Neena Gupta expressed her surprise and gratitude for the award.

“Not at all. It is a big surprise for me because it has been a long time since the film came out. I didn’t even know when the National Awards happen. I had no idea about it. I’m very thankful to get this award because a National Award is a big deal,” the actor said.

Speaking on how special the film is to her, Neena said, “Uunchai is a very special film for me. First, I worked with really good actors from the film industry. It was my dream to work with Sooraj ji, and I am very happy he also got an award. It was a very special film for me.”

70th National Film Awards winners were announced on Friday in the national capital. The jury includes – Rahul Rawail, Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury; Nila Madhab Panda, Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury; Gangadhar Mudalair, Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.

‘Uunchai’ tells the story of the friendship between Boman Irani, Amitabh, Danny Denzongpa and Anupam Kher’s characters. It also stars Neena Gupta, Sarika, and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles

The film showcased Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher, and Danny Denzongpa planning and discussing the notion of summiting Mount Everest, but Danny dies of old age before they can reach a decision.

The rest of his friends decide to carry on his wish and to immerse Danny’s character’s ashes at Mount Everest. Parineeti is seen as a trainer in the movie as she trains them for their task and eventually, they make it possible with Neena and Sarika in the company.

With the company of Neena and Sarika, they end up climbing the Mount Everest.

The film marked the directorial comeback of Sooraj Barjatya after his 2015 family drama ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ which starred Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, and Anupam Kher in the lead roles. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday said that the Election Commission should announce Maharashtra assembly elections by today itself and Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is prepared to fight together. He further added that he does not support the idea of the party with the maximum MLAs getting the Chief Minister post.

“The election commission should announce the elections of Maharashtra today, we are prepared. We will contest elections together as Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi. We will see whom to make Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan, and Pawar Saheb is here, and you may announce anyone as a CM candidate. I will support that name,” said Uddhav Thackeray.

“After our experience with BJP in alliance, we are of the view that we should not follow the policy of the party with the most number of MLAs in the alliance will get the CM post. Because in the last elections, with the BJP in alliance with us, we experienced that to get the maximum number of MLAs, the allies themselves try to put other ally candidates down. So, I will not favour the party with the most number of MLAs getting the CM post,” he added further.

Speaking at the occasion Aditya Thackeray called on the MVA cadre to fight unitedly to ensure victory.

*The strength that we saw during Lok Sabha a similar strength needs to be shown in the Assembly elections. When a journalist asked me how we won if we had no PM I said those claiming 400 seats got limited to half that’s our victory. If these people had won they would have raised the bulldozer and would have changed the constitution. It’s not a fake narrative, they started this from Maharashtra by putting aside a constitutional government. Looted our name and symbol is this not disrespect to the constitution? Let’s declare election today we are ready to fight and ready to win the Maharashtra assembly elections,” he said.

Shiv Sena Leader Sanjay Raut called the MVA alliance a World Cup-winning team.

“MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) is a world cup winning team. One match we have won another we will win.

When we were with BJP, today’s bjp is fake, Atal Bihari ji had said haar nahi manunga main.

Now Modi himself forgot how many inches his chest measures, he’s hollow,” Raut said.

Senior leader and NCP patron Sharad Pawar also gave a message of unity to the MVA bloc.

“Go forward together in upcoming elections, those who get seats from MVA we all support them and walk together in Maharashtra assembly elections,” Sharad Pawar said.

Notably, the ECI will announce the schedule for assembly elections on Friday at around 3 pm. However, the Election Commission is not expected to announce the schedule for Maharashtra today.

Elections are due in Haryana, and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Elections are also due in Maharashtra later in the year. Sources say the poll body will announce the schedule for Haryana and J-K today.

The schedule will include dates of filing of nominations, polling and declaration of results. On August 14, The Election Commission held a meeting with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Actor Rishab Shetty clinched the Best Actor award for his blockbuster film ‘Kantara’ at the 70th National Film Awards, whose winners were announced in the national capital on Friday.

The Best Actress honour was shared by Nithya Menen and Manasi Parekh. While Nithya bagged the honour for her role in Tamil film ‘Thiruchitrambalam’, Manasi won the award for teh Gujarati film ‘Kutch Express’.

The awards honouring the best films and cinematic achievements of the year 2022, were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) at a press conference here.

The jury included – Rahul Rawail, Chairperson of the Feature Film Jury; Nila Madhab Panda, Chairperson of the Non-Feature Film Jury and Gangadhar Mudalair, Chairperson of the Best Writing on Cinema Jury.

Set in the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada, ‘Kantara’ follows the character of Shetty, who essays the character of a Kambala champion, who has a faceoff with an upright Forest Range officer. Kantara also won the ‘Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment’ award.

Manoj Bajpayee’s ‘Gulmohar’ bagged the ‘Best Hindi Film’ award and the film also recieved a Special Mention. Helmed by Rahul V. Chittella, ‘Gulmohar’ revolves around the multi-generation Batra family who are all set to move out of their 34-year-old family home – Gulmohar- and how this shift in their lives is rediscovery of the bonds that have held them together as a family with secrets and insecurities.

The film also stars Sharmila Tagore, Simran, and Suraj Sharma in the lead roles.

Malayalam-language drama ‘Aattam’ won the Best Feature Film award.

At last year’s 69th National Film Awards, Allu Arjun, Alia Bhatt, Kriti Sanon, and Pankaj Tripathi were among the winners. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

The Elections to the 90 assembly constituencies in Haryana will be held in a single phase on October 1 and the counting of votes will take place on October 4, Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar announced on Friday.

While addressing the press conference in the national capital, the Chief Election Commissioner said that “Assembly Elections will be held in one phase; voting on October 1. Counting of votes will take place on October 4.”

Meanwhile, in Haryana, there are a total of 2.01 crore voters in Haryana, of which 1.06 crore are males, 0.95 crores are females, 4.52 lakhs are first-time voters and 40.95 lakhs are young voters.

“There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies in Haryana, of which 73 are general, SC-17 and ST-0. There will be a total of 2.01 crore voters in Haryana, of which 1.06 crore are males, 0.95 crore are females, 4.52 lakhs are first-time voters and 40.95 lakhs are young voters. The electoral roll of Haryana will be published on August 27, 2024,” the Chief Election Commissioner said.

The last day to file the nominations of Haryana will be September 12. The date of scrutiny of the nominations is September 13. The last date for the withdrawal of candidatures will be September 16.

Soon after the announcement of polls, BJP leader Anil Vij said, “It is a good thing that elections in Haryana will be held on October 1. Our party and workers are ready to contest the elections…”

Former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda also said that the Congress is ready for the polls.

Hooda said, “Congress is ready and people of all sections have decided to bring Congress to power.”

Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said, “We welcome it and Congress is ready. Congress will form the government with a 2/3rd majority…”

He further said that the Election Commission recently visited Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana to take stock of the election preparation in these places.

“We recently visited Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana to take stock of the election preparation in these places. A great enthusiasm was seen among the people. They wanted to participate in the election process. People want elections to be conducted there as early as possible. The long queues at the polling booth in J-K during the Lok Sabha elections are proof that people not only want change but also want to raise their voices by becoming a part of that change. This glimpse of hope and democracy shows that the people want to change the picture. They want to write their own destiny. The people of Jammu and Kashmir chose ballot over bullet in Lok Sabha elections,” he added.

The assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases from September 18.

He further said that the 2024 Lok Sabha polls were the biggest election process at the world level.

“It was completed successfully and peacefully. It created a very strongly democratic surface for the entire democratic world, it was peaceful without any violence and the whole country celebrated the festival of elections. We also made many records. For the first time, maximum polling took place in the world,” Kumar said.

Recently, a poll body delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reviewed the poll preparations in Haryana.

The term of the current government in Haryana will end on November 3, 2024, and elections will take in 90 legislative assembly constituencies in the state.

After the 2019 elections, the BJP, with 40 seats in the 90-member assembly, formed a coalition government with the JJP. The JJP had won 10 seats, while the Congress had won 31 seats. The BJP-JJP alliance broke earlier this year.

In 2024, Haryana is likely to see a four-way contest between the BJP, the Congress, the JJP, and the AAP. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/