HC cancels bail of 2003 Mumbai blasts accused - India

19 aug 2012

HC cancels bail of 2003 Mumbai blasts accused

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiothoracic Cardiac Heart surgeon India

Mumbai: In a new development in 2003 Mumbai triple blasts case, the Bombay High Court has cancelled the bail of Dr Wahid Abdul Shaikh, one of the accused, observing that there was prima facie evidence against him.

Bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Srihari Davare, while cancelling the bail of Dr Shaikh on August 17, asked him to surrender before the trial court in Mumbai.

The bomb blasts had occurred at Mulund, Mumbai Central and Vile Parle in Mumbai, killing 12 and injuring 141.

Shaikh was arrested soon after the blasts. Overall 19 accused are facing the trial.

The Court was hearing an appeal filed by Maharashtra Government, challenging bail granted to Dr Wahid in February 2011. Government pleaded that police had seized material used for making bombs from the accused's clinic in suburban Saki Naka.

The High Court, in its ruling, also asked Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) Court (which is trying the case) to reconsider the bail granted to prime accused Saquib Nachan, a leader of banned outfit Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

The Government's case is that Nachan conspired to "wage war against the country" by avenging the demolition of Babri Masjid, Gujarat riots and other atrocities against Muslims.

The division bench asked the Government to file a petition before the trial court seeking cancellation of Nachan's bail. The trial court will have to decide the plea within 12 weeks.

Nachan was arrested on April 10, 2003, and got bail only on January 31 this year.

Noted lyricist Gulzar turns 76 - India

18 aug 2012

Noted lyricist Gulzar turns 76

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiothoracic Cardiac Heart surgeon India

Gulzar

Most people know him by his pen name but very know that the noted lyricist of the Indian film Industry, Gulzar, was born as Sampooran Singh Kalra.

Gulzar's contribution to poetry, films and music cannot be fathomed without mentioning his accolades that include the Padma Bhushan, the Sahitya Akademi Award, a Grammy (for Jai Ho) and several Filmfare and National Awards. 

 

He's a noted poet who writes in both Hindi and Urdu and a director whose films have been critically acclaimed including Aandhi, Mere Apne, Maachis and Hu Tu Tu to name a few. But his accomplishments do not stop here. Gulzar has also directed the popular TV series Mirza Ghalib that had Naseeruddin Shah play Mirza Ghali

 

bGulzar's collaboration with Vishal Bharadwaj and A R Rehman has gone on to create magic!

On His birthday today, we take a look at Gulzar's top ten hit songs penned by him that continue to enthrall listeners.

Tere Bina Zindageese Koi- This poignant song from the film Aandhi was picturised on Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar that still moves the hearts of listeners and the poignant lyrics make it an evergreen song!

Tujhse Naaraz Nahin Zindagi - This song was beautifully picturised in the movie Masoom that starred Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi. Through the lyrics, Gulzar conveyed the pain and betrayal of a wife feels, making it an all time favourite that is hummed by the older generation and youngsters alike!

Musafir Hoon Yaro- Penned by Gulzar, this song from the film Parichay is till date considered as one of Jeetendra's greatest songs.

Tere Bina-AR Rehman's music and Gulzar's lyrics wove some great tunes, making Guru a hit film, notably for its music too! Especially the song Tere Bina which was picturised on Bollywood's hottest celebrity couple, Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan.

Chaiyya Chaiyya- Gulzar once again teamed up with AR Rehman for the film Dil Se and his song Chaiyya Chaiyya went on to become a craze, with Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan dancing on a train top. Beautifully written in Urdu, Chaiyya Chaiyya is one of Shahrukh's most memorable songs!

Jai Ho- Composed by AR Rehman and written by Gulzar, this song broke all records in the truest sense! Jai Ho won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. It also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and acclaimed international band The Pussycat Dolls did an English rendition of the song that became a huge hit abroad!

Tum Pukar Lo- Sung by the legendary singer Hemant Kumar in the Lyrics of Gulzar, Tum Pukar Lo is a heart wrenching song that has the same freshness as it did when it was first released. This song conveys the pain and feelings of a lover pinning for his love!

Dhan Te Nan- Gulzar's Dhan Te Nan rode the popularity charts when it was first released and was continuously dished out in nightclubs. The song was re-mixed and became an instant hit with the youth!

Dil Hoom Hoom Kare- Gulzar wrote this song for the film Rudaali and it continues to move listeners with its honest and intense lyrics that convey the pain of Dimple Kapadia in the film.

Beedi- This item number from the film Omkara is still played at weddings and parties and is largely popular because of its lyrics, "Beedi jalai lay, Jigar se piya, Jigar maa badi aag hai". This song also became a hit with the common masses and was played in most form of public transport.

For a man whose contribution to Indian cinema is immense, here's wishing him a very Happy Birthday and years of success!

National War Memorial approved: Defence Minister - India

17 aug 2012

Finally, plans for National War Memorial approved: Defence Minister

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiothoracic Cardiac Heart surgeon India

New Delhi: The long-delayed national War Memorial for Indian soldiers, first proposed in the 60s, has been cleared by a group of ministers handled to manage the project. It will be constructed next to the India Gate in New Delhi, a location preferred by the armed forces.

Defence Minister AK Antony told reporters today, "Most hurdles for the construction of War Memorial has been cleared." While the armed forces wanted the war memorial to be built at India Gate at the centre of the capital, the Urban Development Ministry and other bodies like the New Delhi Municipal Corporation had objected, saying that the construction would mar the landscape that includes Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Indian Parliament. Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy was among the group of ministers who were appointed in 2009 to resolve differences of opinion. They have agreed that the layout of the memorial will be organic to the India Gate vista; it will surround the main canopy or chhattri at India Gate, and will list the names of thousands of soldiers who died in the line of duty.

The Union Cabinet is expected to formally approve the construction in the next few weeks.

India Gate and the eternal flame there, the Amar Jawan Jyoti, which remembers the unknown solider, was built by the British in honour of Indians who died during World War 1. Since its independence, India has gone through five wars; soldiers have died in counter-insurgency operations, too. But there has been no memorial built in their honour.

Armed forces will now consult design experts to finalise the design.

All-star game MVP Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games - India

15  aug 2012

All-star game MVP Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games after testing positive for testosterone

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiothoracic Cardiac Heart Surgeon India

DAVE KAUP/REUTERS Melky Cabrera, suspended 50 games, leads the NL in hits and is one plate appearance shy of qualifying for the batting title.

SAN FRANCISCO—Melky Cabrera was suspended 50 games Wednesday following a positive test for testosterone, putting an abrupt end to what had been an MVP-calibre regular season and throwing the San Francisco Giants’ playoff hopes into doubt.

Cabrera leads the National League with 159 hits, and is second in batting average behind Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen. Cabrera’s penalty was the first for a high-profile player since last year’s NL MVP, Ryan Braun, had his suspension overturned by an arbitrator last winter.

“My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used,” Cabrera said in a statement released by the union. “I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down.”

The suspension would extend into the playoffs if the Giants advance.

Indian Sarabjit fears poisoning in Pakistan prison - India

15 aug 2012

Indian Sarabjit fears poisoning in Pakistan prison

AMRITSAR: Indian death row convict Sarabjit Singh has alleged poisoning and "mental torture" by officials at Pakistan's Kot Lakhpat Jail in a letter written to his sister, Dalbir Kaur. Quoting Sarabjit's letter, Dalbir said her brother expressed doubts over the food being served to him in jail saying he suspected it was laced with poison. The letter reached Sarabjit's sister through his lawyer Awais Sheikh.

In the letter, Sarabjit has accused Kot Lakhpat jail officials of conspiring to drive him insane. "They make fun of me when I ask them for painkillers," alleged Sarabjit. He also said that his health has deteriorated in the past two months because of slow poisoning.

Ensure medical help to Sarabjit, sister says

Sarabjit Singh has claimed that jail authorities were issuing veiled threats while humiliating him whenever he sought medical help or better food. "They tell me that they will send my mortal remains to India," he wrote to his sister Dalbir Kaur.

An alarmed Dalbir has appealed to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to instruct the Indian high commission in Islamabad to intervene immediately and get Sarabjit medically examined. "According to his letter, the food served to him needs to be examined. He should get the best medical treatment" she said. Dalbir added that Sarabjit said the jail superintendent had banned his meeting with Indian prisoners every Saturday and Sunday, she said.

In another letter to Sonia Gandhi, Sarabjit has appealed for diplomatic intervention for visas for his family members in India so that they can visit him in jail.

15 aug 2012

Minorities can rise to top jobs only in India: Chief Justice of India

NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia on Wednesday said India was the only country in the region where members of minority communities could aspire to become the head of judiciary because of the full play given to constitutional values and ideals.

"I am proud to be an Indian," declared the CJI. "India is the only country where a member of the minority Parsi community with a population of 1,67,000, like myself, can aspire to attain the post of the Chief Justice of India," he said, adding, "These things do not happen in our neighbouring countries."

The remark comes in the backdrop of minority Hindu community members fleeing Pakistan, complaining of harassment at the hands of government and seeking asylum in India.

After giving his own example to highlight the equal treatment given to minority communities in India, Justice Kapadia said, "Thus, we realize the values of constitutional ideals and principles."

Attorney general G E Vahanvati, who belongs to another miniscule minority community of Dawoodi Bohras and has risen to become the country's top law officer, appeared to share the CJI's sentiments. He said, "In 1931, Winston Churchill, in a derogatory reference, said India was only a concept and it was no more a unified country than the equator. Sixty-six years later, Churchill has been proved terribly wrong."

First woman to moderate US presidential debate in 20 years - India

13 aug 2012

First woman to moderate US presidential debate in 20 years

Reuters 

Dr Sanjay Kumar Cardiothoracic Cardiac Heart surgeon India

Washington: CNN's Candy Crowley will become the first woman in 20 years to moderate a US presidential debate when she questions US President Barack Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney in October.

The cable network's chief political correspondent is set to lead one of three debates before the November 6 general election, the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates said on Monday.

"I am wowed, amazed and excited by the opportunity to moderate a 2012 presidential debate," Ms Crowley said.

The move follows a recent push for a female moderator since ABC's Carole Simpson in 1992. The commission made no mention of the gender milestone in making its announcement, only the moderators' expertise.

"These journalists bring extensive experience to the job of moderating, and understand the importance of using the expanded time periods to maximum benefit," the commission's co-chairmen Frank Fahrenkopf and Michael McCurry said.

Several female US lawmakers and other women's groups pressed for a newswoman to lead a debate after three New Jersey teen-aged girls began an online petition at Change.org. The girls also called on Romney and Obama, a Democrat, for support.

"It is long past due to have a woman on the same stage as the men running for president," one of the girls, Sammi Siegel, wrote online. Their petition drew 170,000 signatures, several lawmakers said earlier this month.

Other debate moderators include PBS Newshour's Jim Lehrer on October 3 and CBS News' Bob Schieffer on October 22. Both have led several past presidential debates. ABC News' Martha Raddatz will moderate the October 11 debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Romney's running-mate US Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.