Month: November 2024

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) following the recent controversy regarding Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan.

Earlier, a Rajasthan court accepted a petition submitted by the Hindu Sena claiming Ajmer Sharif Dargah to be Lord Shiva’s temple.

Speaking to ANI over the same, Owaisi highlighted the history of the dargah and said that previous Prime Ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru have sent “chadars” to the dargah.

“The dargah has been there for the last 800 years. At that time, the Mughals were ruling. Emperor Akbar erected many things there. Then Marathas came to rule Later, Ajmer was sold to the British for Rs 18,000. When Queen Elizabeth visited in 1911, they constructed a water house there. Prime Ministers starting from Nehru have been sending ‘Chadar’ to the dargah. PM Modi too sends ‘Chadar’ there. Why have BJP-RSS spread this hatred regarding mosques and dargahs?” Owaisi remarked.

AIMIM MP Owaisi further questioned the conduct of lower courts, implying that the Places of Worship Act was being ignored.

“Why are the lower courts not hearing the Places of Worship Act?” he asked.

“They have made the Ministry for Minority Affairs a party (in this case). What will the Modi government tell them? Why are the lower courts not hearing the Places of Worship Act? You will go everywhere and say that there was something else in place of a mosque or dargah. Next time, a Muslim would also go somewhere and say that this didn’t exist here. Where will this stop? What about the rule of law? Where will the democracy go?” Owaisi asked.

“The governance of Modi and RSS was weakening the brotherhood and rule of law in the country,” he said, adding that, “they will have to answer for this.”

“We have seen in Sambhal that five people lost their lives. This is not in favour of the country. The governance of Modi and RSS is weakening the country, brotherhood, and rule of law. They will have to answer this. All this is being done on the directions of BJP-RSS,” Owaisi said.

Congress MP Imran Masood said earlier that PM Modi should look into the matter related to Ajmer Sharif Dargah and the Supreme Court must take cognizance.

He accused the Union government of sidelining the Places of Worship Act and expressed his concerns over such incidents, saying that such things would set the whole country on fire.

“Such things will set the whole country on fire. What is happening? The PM should look into this matter, and the Supreme Court should take cognisance of this matter. Where do you want to sideline a whole community? You are not leaving their religious places and properties. Where do you want to sideline us? Where do we go? Exile us from the country. Under which mosques will you look for temples? Is there any limit or not? They (the central government) have kept aside the Worship Act 1991. Will they (the BJP) burn the whole nation for their political benefit? Jab aag lagti hai to sabke ghar lagti hai (When the fire rages, it rages everywhere),” Imran Masood said.

Syed Naseruddin Chishty, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, said earlier that Rajasthan’s Ajmer court has ordered the issuance of notices to three parties, including the Dargah Committee, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Ministry of Minority Affairs, in response to a petition claiming there is a Shiva temple inside Ajmer Dargah.

“The concerned parties have been issued notices, one is the Dargah Committee, the ASI, and the third is the Ministry of Minority Affairs. I am a descendant of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty, but I have not been made party to it. We are in touch with our legal team,” he told ANI.

Chishty criticised the rise in incidents where various groups are claiming mosques and dargahs.

“These incidents are on the rise in the country. Every second day we see groups claiming mosques and dargahs. This is not in the interest of our society and country. Today India is becoming a global power..Till when will we remain stuck in the temple and mosque controversy?” he said.

Chishty further urged the intervention of the Central Government into the matter adding that a law should be made and guidelines should be issued so that no one claims religious organisations such as these.

“Ajmer has a history of 850 years… I appeal to the government of India to intervene in this. A new law should be made and guidelines should be issued so that no one claims religious organisations such as these… In 2022, (RSS chief) Mohan Bhagwat had said that how long will we keep finding Shivalayas in mosques, and I agree with him,” he said.

Earlier this month, a survey team that arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to survey the mosque in Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh amid heavy police deployment faced stone-pelting from some “anti-social elements”.

This survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple. (ANI)

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was spotted at Mumbai airport on Thursday after attending an event in Dubai.

Aishwarya looked stunning in a black and grey jacket paired with matching jeggings and sneakers. She left her hair open and kept her makeup minimal.

The actress was alone on her way back from Dubai, and her daughter Aaradhya, who frequently travels with her, was not present.

The ‘Devdas’ actress greeted and waved to the paps stationed outside the airport with a warm smile before getting into her car.

Recently, Aishwarya gave fans a glimpse of the festivities from her daughter Aaradhya’s 13th birthday celebrations in Mumbai last week.

In a post on Instagram, the actress shared a series of pictures from her daughter’s special day on the occasion of her father, Krishnaraj Rai’s birth anniversary. One was a throwback picture of Aishwarya holding a newborn Aaradhya. The final was a picture of Aaradhya’s birthday celebration in Mumbai, complete with smiles and family love.

One picture shows Aaradhya bowing respectfully before her late grandfather’s portrait, while another captures Aishwarya and Aaradhya with Aishwarya’s mother, Brindya Rai.

On the work front, Aishwarya won the Best Actress in a Leading Role (Critics) award at the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) 2024 in Dubai, which took place in September this year.

The actress received the award for her outstanding performance in Mani Ratnam’s film, Ponniyin Selvan 2.

Ponniyin Selvan 2, directed by Mani Ratnam, is the sequel to the 2022 film of the same name. Actor Kamal Haasan lent his voice to the film’s narration. Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman has composed the music for the film. (ANI)

Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and his wife Sunita Kapoor recently visited the iconic Taj Mahal and treated fans to a glimpse of their special outing.

Anil took to his Instagram account to share pictures from the trip, where the couple looked both happy and stylish.

In one of the pictures, Anil and Sunita are seen posing sweetly together. Anil sported an all-black outfit, while Sunita dressed warmly for the winter weather.

Along with the pictures, Anil Kapoor added a caption, quoting Alain de Botton’s On Love: “Perhaps it is true that we do not really exist until there is someone there to see us existing, we cannot properly speak until there is someone who can understand what we are saying in essence, we are not wholly alive until we are loved.”

The post received love and compliments from friends and family.

Filmmaker Farah Khan jokingly asked, “Deep papaji! Who wrote it?”

Actor Varun Dhawan left a heart emoji, and designer Masaba Gupta complimented Sunita’s necklace.

Shilpa Shetty wrote, “Awww,” while Anand Ahuja and Rhea Kapoor also dropped heart emojis.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Meanwhile, on the work front, Anil Kapoor will be seen in the action-drama ‘Subedaar’.

The film is directed by Suresh Triveni, who previously directed T-Series’ comedy-drama Tumhari Sulu (2017) and Jalsa, both headlined by Vidya Balan.

Vikram Malhotra, Suresh Triveni, and Anil Kapoor serve as producers for the film. (ANI)

The Indian Navy has activated a comprehensive disaster response plan as Cyclone Fengal intensifies in the Bay of Bengal, posing a threat to Tamil Nadu’s coastal areas.

The Indian Navy has stepped up disaster preparedness efforts as Cyclone Fengal, currently intensifying in the Bay of Bengal, threatens to impact the Tamil Nadu coastline in the coming days.

The Eastern Naval Command, in coordination with Headquarters Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area (HQTN&P), has activated a robust disaster response mechanism to mitigate the cyclone’s potential effects.

Focusing on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, naval authorities are working closely with state and civil administrations to ensure rapid response capabilities.

Vehicles are being loaded with essential relief materials, including food, drinking water, and medicines, while specialized Flood Relief Teams (FRTs) are being positioned in vulnerable areas.

HQTN&P has also placed its diving teams on high alert, ready to undertake emergency rescue missions if required.

Cyclone Fengal, which is forecasted to intensify within the next 48 hours, is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and possible flooding to Tamil Nadu’s coastal regions.

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying and coastal areas to remain vigilant and adhere to safety advisories.

The Navy’s efforts are guided by the National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) guidelines for cyclone preparedness, which emphasise the importance of evacuation, shelter, and emergency supplies.

Some of the key measures the Indian Navy is undertaking are emergency supplies, which include stockpiling food, water, MREs and medical supplies to support the affected communities, search and rescue which refers to positioning naval personnel, including Geminis and helicopters for quick response to SAR requirements.

The measures also include loading warships with HADR relief materials, such as food, water, and medical supplies.

The Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation closely and is committed to supporting the affected personnel and ensuring their safety during Cyclone Fengal.

These measures underscore the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in anticipation of Cyclone Fengal’s landfall. (ANI)

The air quality in the national capital fell back to ‘very poor’ on Thursday from being in ‘severe’ category a day before, as AQI was recorded at 304 as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Several residents complained of irritation in the eyes and difficulties in breathing amid the rising pollution levels.

According to the CPCB data, the AQI measured at DTU as of 7 am was 261, Pusa at 281, ITO at 284, Lodhi Road at 250, and IGI Airport (T3) at 301, which are in the ‘poor’ category.

However, several places in Delhi recorded the air quality as ‘severe’ with AQI in Dwarka Sec 8 at 332, Jahangirpuri at 354, Sonia Vihar at 315, Wazirpur at 330, Ashok Vihar at 318, and Bawana at 341 as of 8 am today.

Chittaranjan Tripathi, a Delhi resident, attributed the main reason for the rising pollution levels to the increased number of vehicles running even after government restrictions.

“The main reason for this is the vehicles. Everyone opts for a car or bike even for two kilometres because nobody wants go by foot. Elderly people and children are the most affected. They are facing difficulties in breathing and irritation in the eyes. Everyone now is wearing masks when they go out,” he said.

Speaking to ANI, Chandra Bhardwaj, out on a morning walk, said, “Pollution has increased drastically here. Earlier, so many people used to come for morning walks; children also used to come. But now you see there is no one. Because of pollution, it is difficult to breathe. My eyes are burning too. This is not the first time; the pollution issue has been there for some years now, but the government is not doing anything.”

“The problems are faced by everyone, poor or rich; everyone is troubled. To eliminate this completely, the government has to take concrete steps; any temporary ban or restriction are not sustainable. Even though there is a ban on vehicles, vehicles are still running,” she added.

Speaking to ANI, Vijay Kumar, another resident in the area, said, “Air is poisoned in a way that now children are not able to go to school. There is a feeling pf burning sensation in the eyes. There is a big problem. Understand that it is a matter of big problems.”

Ayush Bharadwaj, a student who hails from Chhattisgarh said, “I have come here to study from a very far. There is a lot of difference between the temperature there and here. It is difficult to survive. The place I come from is very green. Here because of the pollution, it is difficult to breathe”

Kanishka, a student in Delhi hailing from Rajasthan, said, ” My eyes are hurting because of the pollution; even my throat is itching and it is difficult to breathe.”

Layer of smog enveloped most areas of the national capital on Thursday morning with air quality in the ‘very poor’ category. Visuals from Delhi’s Barapulla, Akshardham and Patparganj showed thick layer of smog covering the whole area.

Drone visuals captured frothy layer of toxic foam in River Yamuna in the Kalindi Kunj area, as the pollution level in the river continues to remain high. The toxic foam has continued to persist on the surface of the Yamuna River for the past several days.

Amidst the rising pollution levels in Delhi, the government has instructed the administration to use truck-mount water sprinklers to mitigate the effects of air pollution.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe.

Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government and Police to immediately set up checkpoints on all 113 entry points to Delhi to check the entry of trucks in the national capital. It appointed 13 members of the Bar as court commissioners to visit the entry points to Delhi and verify whether entry of trucks is being stopped.

The apex court also expressed dissatisfaction with the compliance of GRAP IV measures saying despite orders passed by the apex court and CAQM, there is a failure on the part of the Delhi government and Police to comply with clauses under GRAP stage IV.

As per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV restrictions imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the entry of trucks is prohibited in Delhi and public construction projects have been halted until further notice. Stage-IV of the GRAP was activated in the national capital keeping in view the rising level of pollution. (ANI)

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

She took the oath as a Member of Parliament while holding a copy of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, for the oath ceremony of Priyanka Gandhi, her mother Sonia Gandhi, brother Rahul Gandhi, Raihan Vadra and Miraya Vadra, the son and daughter of Priyanka and Robert Vadra, also arrived at the Parliament.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a margin of 4,10,931 votes, defeating Sathyan Mokeri of the Communist Party of India (CPI).

Wayanad, a Congress stronghold, witnessed a triangular contest between Priyanka Gandhi, BJP’s Navya Haridas, and CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri.

On Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi expressed her happiness after receiving her certificate of election, describing it as a symbol of love, trust, and commitment to shared values.

“My colleagues from Wayanad brought my certificate of election today. For me, it is not just a document; it is a symbol of your love, trust, and the values we are committed to. Thank you, Wayanad, for choosing me to take forward this journey to build a better future for yourselves,” she said on X.

The Wayanad seat was vacated by her brother Rahul Gandhi, who previously represented Wayanad but shifted to Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh after being elected to the Lok Sabha from there during this year’s general elections.

Congress leader Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan also took the oath as Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha.

Congress’ Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan won the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in a by-election with 5,86,788 votes. The seat fell vacant following the death of the sitting Congress MP, Vasantrao Balwantrao Chavan, necessitating the bypoll.

The by-elections were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states, with notable contests in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad, Kerala, where Priyanka Gandhi made her electoral debut. (ANI)

The excitement for the latest addition to the hit comedy franchise, ‘Housefull 5’ is at an all-time high!

As the film nears the end of its production journey, the entire cast, including Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Abhishek Bachchan, posed together for a group photo.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Nadiadwala Grandson shared the picture, revealing the glamorous on-screen avatars of the ensemble cast.

Akshay Kumar stood out in a white vest, brown cargo pants, and sleek sunglasses. Abhishek Bachchan looked dashing in a colourful, full-sleeved shirt as he posed for the camera. Jacqueline Fernandez, on the other hand, looked stunning in a short dress. Actors Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff too looked dapper in the picture as they posed in all-black outfits.

The cast also includes other names including Riteish Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Chitrangda Singh, Nana Patekar, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, and Johnny Lever.

Along with the picture, Nadiadwala added a caption that read, “Cruising through the last schedule of our cinematic journey!”

Check out the post

Helmed by Tarun Mansukhani, ‘Housefull 5’ will be released in theatres on June 6, 2025.

The film is backed by Sajid Nadiadwala.

‘Housefull 5’ marks the first-ever franchise film in Indian Cinema to have five instalments. The first part of ‘Housefull’ was released in the year 2010 and starred Akshay, Riteish, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Rampal and Boman Irani. The film was declared a hit, followed by another hit sequel ‘Housefull 2’ which was released in 2012 and included a stellar cast of Akshay, Ritiesh, John Abraham, Shreyas Talpade, Jacqueline Fernandez, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty and Asin. Both parts were helmed by director Sajid Khan.

Sajid was replaced in the third instalment of the film by director duo Sajid Samji and Farhad Samji. The film was released in 2016. Director Farhad Samji helmed the fourth part of the franchise which was a reincarnation comedy film. (ANI)

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Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman honoured the legacy of Lata Mangeshkar in a memorial talk at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), highlighting the legendary singer’s invaluable contributions to music and Indian cinema.

During the special session, Rahman reflected on Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar’s unparalleled artistry, saying, “Getting praise from her was very difficult because she had attained that level of perfection.”

Rahman reminisced about collaborating with Lata Mangeshkar on a song for Kapil Sibal’s album and shared an anecdote: “In 2014, when I was working on Kapil Sibal ji’s album, she was not well. I waited for her for three months. She quickly recorded other songs, but for this one, she had some apprehensions. Finally, she gave a date, and I came all the way from Los Angeles to record her. I went to the studio, and she said, ‘I don’t feel well’ (laughs). So, I went back to LA.”

Praising the legendary singer, Rahman said, “Her body of work, aura, sacrifice, and dedication to the art inspire all of us.”

Rahman has also taken on the role of producer for Headhunting to Beatboxing, a musical documentary on the evolution of music in Nagaland. He attended a special screening of the film at IFFI.

Speaking about the project, Rahman noted, “Headhunting to Beatboxing is a very inspirational tale. I visited and observed what was happening… The evolution was so inspirational that I felt it was a story that could inspire many. Most people don’t even know about this new Nagaland.”

The documentary, which was previously screened at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in August, explores Nagaland’s rich musical history. It traces the evolution of rhythm and sound across cultures, tribes, and generations–from the traditions of headhunting tribes to the state’s modern musical renaissance.

Expressing his excitement about the film’s premiere at IFFM, Rahman had remarked, “The film is very special to us as it sheds light on the beautiful state of Nagaland and highlights its rich cultural and musical history.”

Meanwhile, IFFI 2024, which began on November 20, is showcasing over 180 international films from 81 countries. The lineup includes 16 world premieres, 3 international premieres, 43 Asian premieres, and 109 Indian premieres.

This year’s theme, Young Filmmakers: The Future is Now, emphasises the importance of emerging voices in shaping global cinema. Australia is the Country of Focus, with a dedicated film package and collaborative initiatives through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Screen Australia and NFDC. The festival opened with Michael Gracey’s Better Man, offering an engaging insight into the life of iconic British pop star Robbie Williams.

IFFI 2024 champions diversity and inclusion, showcasing 47 films directed by women and 66 works by young and debut filmmakers. The Women in Cinema section highlights emerging talent and celebrates the contributions of female filmmakers.

Adding to its vibrancy, the festival launched the inaugural IFFiesta, an entertainment extravaganza featuring film, music, dance, food, art, and interactive experiences. A Carnival Parade celebrating the Journey of Indian Cinema was held on November 22 as part of IFFiesta.

IFFI 2024 also pays tribute to the 100th birth anniversaries of four Indian cinema legends: actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor, director Tapan Sinha, Telugu cinema star Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and singer Mohammed Rafi.

The 55th edition of IFFI will conclude on November 28. (ANI)

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Beloved actor and proud father Sunny Deol celebrated his elder son Karan Deol’s birthday with a touching montage of pictures and videos.

Sunny, who also has a younger son, Rajveer, took to social media to share the special bond he shares with his sons.

The video begins with a clip of Sunny and Karan in a stunning mountain setting, surrounded by clouds.

In the selfie video, Sunny is heard saying, “Father-son over here. We are on top of a roof, trying to collect clouds.”

The montage features several memorable moments, including candid shots of the duo, an image from Karan’s wedding day, and a beautiful moment of Karan posing with his grandfather, legendary actor Dharmendra. Sunny’s younger son, Rajveer, is also seen in some of the pictures.

Towards the end of the video, Sunny shares an emotional moment, saying, “Love you, beta!”

Sunny captioned the post, “Happy Birthday My Rocky! You are my pride and my heart.”

Check out the post

Meanwhile, on the work front, Sunny will be next seen in ‘Jaat’. The cast also includes Randeep Hooda, Vineet Kumar Singh, Saiyami Kher, and Regina Cassandra.

Sunny also stars in ‘Lahore 1947,’ directed by the renowned Rajkumar Santoshi.

This much-awaited film features Sunny Deol and Preity G Zinta in pivotal roles. Announced last October, the film has garnered attention for its star-studded cast and promising storyline. Actors Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal will also appear in the film, with Sunny sharing screen space with his son Karan Deol.

Additionally, Sunny has the war film ‘Border 2’ in his lineup. (ANI)

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Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Brajesh Pathak on Wednesday announced the removal of the principal of Jhansi Medical College and the suspension of three other individuals in connection with the November 15 fire incident that claimed the lives of 10 newborn babies.

Health Minister Pathak also stated that the Chief Medical Superintendent of the college has been charge-sheeted.

“Based on the investigation report of the four-member committee constituted on the instructions of the Deputy Chief Minister, the principal of the college has been removed. The Chief Medical Superintendent has been charge-sheeted, and three others have been suspended,” said Brajesh Pathak.

The incident occurred at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, where 54 newborns were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the time. The fire, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, spread rapidly in the highly oxygenated environment of the NICU, resulting in the deaths of 10 newborns.

Following the tragedy, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava wrote to all Chief Secretaries of states and union territories, urging them to review and strengthen measures for fire prevention, preparedness, and mitigation in all health facilities.

In a letter dated November 19, the Union Health Secretary stated, “This is in continuation of this Ministry’s previous communications via DO letters dated March 23, May 29, June 6, and July 30 (copies enclosed), wherein State Health Departments were requested to review and enhance capacities for fire accident prevention, preparedness, and mitigation in health facilities. Additionally, a detailed checklist on ‘Prevention and Maintenance of Fire Safety’ was shared with all States and Union Territories (copy enclosed).”

The letter further called on all states and union territories to immediately update their fire prevention plans for healthcare facilities and train healthcare staff in fire safety protocols, evacuation procedures, and the use of fire-fighting equipment. (ANI)

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