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Animated Draupadi

Entertaintment

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October 9, 2013

Mahabharata, that most-loved Indian epic, will be back on the big screen, albeit in an animated version.

Some of the biggest names from the film industry have dubbed for the mythological characters. While actors Amitabh Bachchan and Sunny Deol have already come on board, now Vidya Balan has joined the team. Vidya will lend her voice to the character of Draupadi. But what’s more interesting is that to suit the voice, the on-screen image of Draupadi will be given a makeover.

A source close to the production house reveals, “Once Vidya agreed to be associated with the character for the film, the animation of the character was enhanced and worked upon in order to make it look closer to Vidya’s real-life personality. The actor’s physical attributes were added to the animated character of Draupadi, so that there is a connect between what the audience hear and watch on screen.” To make the animated character look more like Vidya, the team has made her more full-figured and curvy.

The source adds, “The film is being made with the good intention of parents being able to show it to their children in order to acquaint them with the stories. Vidya is the most appropriate choice to do the voice-over for the iconic character, Draupadi.”

Dressed for dubbing

Entertaintment

India Post Newspaper

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October 9, 2013

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Kangana Ranaut arrived for dubbing for Vikas Bahl’s Queen wearing a top and denims. It did not work out well. So she went back home to don something similar to the costume she wore while shooting.

According to a source, “Kangana had shot for the film a long time ago and was busy with other films. During the dubbing, she realized that she couldn’t get into the skin of her character. So, to get the feel, she went back home to dress up the way she did while shooting for the film. She returned wearing a loose salwar and slippers”

Director Bahl explains the reason for Kangana’s act. “Kangana is playing an extremely complex role and, to stay in the character post the shoot, was difficult. So, Kangana made sure that she was dressed in her look to dub for the film.”

JK Speaker to summon V K Singh over remark

India

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October 9, 2013

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SRINAGAR: Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Mubarak Gul today said he will summon former Army Chief V K Singh to explain his position on his controversial statement about payoffs to politicians in the state.

“I will summon him (Singh) very soon,” Gul said amidst uproar in the Assembly, which saw Opposition PDP storming the well of the House and demanding the Speaker set a time-frame for it.

The Speaker refused to spell out the time-frame for summoning Gen Singh, who had alleged that money was being paid to ministers in Jammu and Kashmir for getting certain jobs done, saying the proper procedure will be followed.

The BJP and National Panthers Party (NPP) members also rushed to the well of the House urging the Speaker not to change his earlier ruling in which he had said that he will write a letter to the former Army Chief seeking an explanation from him on his controversial remarks.

The ruckus began when National Conference member and Law Minister Mir Saiffullah, supported by PDP members, demanded that Gen Singh be summoned to the house instead of writing a letter to him for seeking an explanation.

This prompted the Opposition PDP members to storm the well of the House after which the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

As soon as the House re-assembled, pandemonium continued for another 15 minutes before the Speaker adjourned the House for a second time for 20 minutes.

As the proceedings resumed, the Speaker called for tabling of bills and other listed business before the House but the Opposition PDP members again stormed the well.

Amidst din, the House approved extension of time for presenting reports of various select committees till the end of the next session.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti suggested that the House take a vote on whether to summon former Army Chief or seek an explanation from him through a letter.

Gul said there was no need for voting on the issue.

The PDP members, however, pressed that the Speaker set a period of one month for summoning the Army Chief.

The MLAs of PDP, BJP and NPP shouted slogans in the well of the House leading to adjournment of the assembly sine die by the speaker. “I may do it even before that. Any communication from the Speaker is a summon,” Gul said in response to PDP members asking him to summon Gen Singh within a period of one month.

The Speaker said he will call a special session of the Assembly if need arises.

Gul said the resolution passed by the Assembly on Monday has already been sent to the Centre, while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding a credible probe into the allegations made by Gen Singh.

Gul’s remarks prompted BJP and NPP members to storm the well of the House, saying the Chair should not be pressurized into changing its earlier ruling.

The MLAs of PDP, BJP and NPP shouted slogans in the well of the House leading to adjournment of the Assembly sine die.

Earlier, the House extended the time for presentation of report of select committee on Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious places (management and regulation) Bill, 2009 up to the last day of the next session.

It also extended time for presentation of the report of Joint Select Committee on Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of conversion of Agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes bill, 2011. -PTI

India to set up separate mission for ASEAN

India

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October 9, 2013

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BRUNEI: India plans to set up a new mission for ASEAN and would appoint a separate ambassador for the strategically important region as it aims to take forward its relationship with the ten-member block.

The announcement for setting up this new mission is likely to be made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the ASEAN-India summit here tomorrow. Singh arrived here today and would attend the ASEAN summit and also the East Asia Summit tomorrow, before leaving for a bilateral visit to Indonesia from October 10-12.

The new mission would be set up in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia where ASEAN Secretariat is also based, official sources said.

Singh came here today to participate in the 11th ASEAN-India summit, during which he is expected to meet leaders of various countries of this regional grouping that includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

India’s relationship with ASEAN has expanded considerably in the recent years in areas ranging from economy, security and defense cooperation.

“To take this relationship to the next step, we will set up a new mission for ASEAN and a separate ambassador for the region.

“The announcement is expected to be made by the Prime Minister during this trip at the ASEAN-India summit,” official sources said.

India already has separate missions for multi-country groupings like European Union and the United Nations.

India’s ASEAN focus is part of the country’s Look East policy to boost ties with the nations of this region. A Free Trade Agreement in trade and services is already in the making between India and ASEAN and a pact for the same is expected to be signed within the next three months.
According to official sources, the implementation of the new FTA would begin in July 2014. An FTA in trade and goods is already in place between India and ASEAN and the same has helped expand their trade to about USD 76 billion annually.

The new FTA in services and investments is considered to be key in further growing India-ASEAN trade to USD 100 billion in 2015 and to USD 200 billion by 2022.

The areas of cooperation between India and ASEAN include science and technology, agriculture, environment, human resources, space, energy, telecom, infrastructure, tourism, defense, security, culture, health and pharmaceuticals.

The issues to be discussed during PM’s visit could also include progress on Mekong-India project, which has made some improvement, but the pace has been slow, sources said. -PTI

India to discuss uranium issue with Australia

India

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October 9, 2013

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BRUNEI: The issue of uranium sale to India from Australia may figure in discussions when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets his new Australian counterpart Tony Abbott here tomorrow on the sidelines of East Asia Summit.

Singh, who arrived here today for 11th ASEAN-India summit, would also meet leaders of various other countries on the sidelines of the summit and attend the East Asia Summit as well tomorrow.

East Asia Summit is a forum for co-operation between various countries of this region with ASEAN and includes Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US, in addition to the ten ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) countries.

Official sources said that the issue of uranium sale may come up for discussion during Singh’s meeting with Abbott here tomorrow.

While maintaining that all issues can not be covered during this meeting, which would be the first between the two leaders, they said that uranium issue could still be very high on agenda.

“The new government in Australia has said they would be happy to schedule a meeting on uranium matter relatively very soon and therefore the issue could be deliberated upon during this meeting,” they added.

“While finer details might not be discussed, the initial issues must be talked about there,” sources said.

If the two nations go ahead with the deal, India will be the first customer of Australia that is not a signatory to the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Australia holds about a third of the world’s recoverable uranium resources, and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes a year. -PTI

Political forces behind Muzaffarnagar riots: Rahul

India

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October 9, 2013

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ALIGARH, UP: In a veiled attack on SP and BJP, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today said political forces were behind the recent Muzaffarnagar communal riots as they feel they cannot win without creating such conflicts.

“People are made to fight for political gains…If Uttar Pradesh is going behind, it is because people are divided here. Hindus and Muslims are made to fight each other. One caste is made to fight another.

“The common people don’t want to fight. There are such political forces who feel if there is no fight, they will not win…That’s why they want Hindus and Muslims to fight,” he said, addressing a public meeting in Aligarh, which is not very far from Muzaffarnagar, without naming any political party.

The ruling SP and BJP have been blamed for the recent riots in Muzaffarnagar and adjoining areas that claimed 62 lives as part of polarization efforts ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections.

Exhorting people to unite, Gandhi said, “Till you unite, Uttar Pradesh cannot move forward. The Congress will help you do this and fight for you and your rights.”

He also lamented that Indian politics had seen such times when one had to select a time to speak the truth, as he did on the issue of rejecting the Ordinance brought by the government to save convicted lawmakers from immediate disqualification.

He also took a dig at the Akhilesh government in the state saying it had made a lot of promises but fulfilled none and said it was only the Congress that can ensure speedy development of the state through unity and harmony among all religions and castes.

Reminding people of his “fight for their cause” on forcible land acquisitions, the Congress Vice President said he stood by his promise of providing a Land Acquisition Bill, which got passed in Parliament despite hurdles by the Opposition.

Gandhi undertook a padyatra in Bhatta Parsaul in 2011 for the rights of farmers in Uttar Pradesh, after which his party brought a new land bill that made acquisition of land difficult till the farmers got adequate compensation in lieu thereof. -PTI

Fight against terrorism has to be unrelenting: India

India

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October 9, 2013

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UNITED NATIONS: India has said that the fight against the scourge of terrorism has to be unrelenting and nations cannot adopt selective approaches in dealing with terrorist groups.

Talking tough on terror, visiting Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said resorting to the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is short-sightedness.

“The fight against terrorism has to be unrelenting and fought across all fronts. The international community cannot afford selective approaches in dealing with terrorist groups or in dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism,” Jaitley said here yesterday during a session on ‘Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism’.

Jaitley, who is part of a delegation of Indian parliamentarians attending sessions of the UN General Assembly, reiterated India’s call for the adoption of a holistic approach that ensures zero-tolerance towards terrorism.

“Terrorists are waging an asymmetric warfare against the international community, and are a major most threat to the international peace and security. India holds the firm view that no cause whatsoever or grievance could justify terrorism.

“India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including those in which States are directly or indirectly involved, including the State-sponsored cross-border terrorism,” he added.

He said India strongly supports all efforts, particularly within the purview of the UN that strengthen international and regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“We must step up our collective efforts with real cooperation among member states to confront the scourge of terrorism squarely and decisively. Terrorism is a Frankenstein monster. Indeed, those who have taken recourse to it have invariably themselves suffered immensely from it proving the age old dictum that those who play with the sword, shall also perish by it,” he said. Jaitley told the UNGA session that India has faced the scourge of terrorism for over two-and-a-half decades.

“Indeed, our entire region has been wracked by the activities of the biggest terrorist actors in the world, be they Al-Qaeda, elements of Taliban or Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamat-ud Daawa and others. Terrorism, extremism and radicalization continue to pose a serious challenge to peace, progress and prosperity in the region.

“We believe that in addition to the law enforcement measures, the preventive aspect is equally important. Focus on development, education, social integration, tolerance, rule of law and respect for human rights are the integral components of such an approach,” he added.

Jaitley noted that India strongly favors the strengthening of the normative framework at the United Nations to effectively deal with the scourge of terrorism.

“We continue to stress the need for expanding the scope of the legal instruments and the enforcement efforts to destroy safe havens for terrorists, their financial flows and support networks and to bring the terrorists to justice,” he said.

He said the work undertaken by the Ad-hoc Committee towards negotiations of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) has been significant.

Earlier this year, the committee recommended establishment of a working group of the Sixth Committee during the 69th UNGA session, with a view to finalizing the process on the draft CCIT.

“We reiterate our support to the Coordinator’s text and are hopeful that all States, considering the seriousness of the threat of the menace of terrorism and the importance of the measures to deal therewith, will consider according their acceptance to the text of the draft Convention,” he said.

He added that India is working with fellow SAARC nations to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation. -PTI

Mayawati attacks Rahul, says Cong biased against Dalits

India

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October 9, 2013

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NEW DELHI: A day after Rahul Gandhi attacked her, BSP supremo Mayawati today slammed the Congress for adopting a “casteist” attitude towards her party founder Kanshi Ram by not declaring national mourning on his death.

The Congress Vice-President had yesterday accused Mayawati of not allowing any Scheduled Caste leader to rise in Uttar Pradesh, as he said the Dalit community needs “escape velocity” of Jupiter to underline that they needed to make more efforts for success.

Addressing party workers here at Bahujan Prerna Kendra to mark the seventh death anniversary of Kanshi Ram, Mayawati said parties opposed to the party founder, especially Congress, had a “casteist” and “disdainful” attitude towards him.

“This is the reason why the Congress-led government at the Centre did not declare even a day’s mourning on his death for which our people will never forgive Congress. This is a proof of their anti-Dalit mentality for which we criticize them in strong words,” she said in a statement issued here.

Addressing a program on National Awareness for Scheduled Castes Empowerment here, Gandhi had said: “If you want to take this (Dalit) movement forward, then one Dalit leader or two Dalit leaders would not be enough.

“Lakhs of Dalit leaders are needed….the leadership of the movement has been captured by Mayawati. She doesn’t allow others to rise.”

Congress leaders have claimed that Dalits were originally with the party but were weaned away by BSP in the wake of the Mandal-Mandir agitation. The party believes efforts should be made to bring them back to their “original home”. -PTI

Impossible to normalize ties if Pak doesn’t stop infiltration: Omar

India

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October 9, 2013

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SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said it was impossible for India to normalize relations with Pakistan till it does not stop infiltration and ceasefire violations.

He also said that calling the operation against holed up militants in Keran sector as “second Kargil” was a media hype.

“At least, it is through talks that Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) talked to (Pakistan Prime Minister) Nawaz Sharif in clear terms in New York and he said the situation should not remain as such and infiltration and ceasefire violations should stop.

“They reintroduced a mechanism for it?-that the DGMOs of both the nations would talk to each other?- perhaps we will benefit from that,” Omar told reporters here after teeing-off the 17th All India Police Golf Tournament at Royal Springs Golf Course.

The Chief Minister said, “However, thinking that the relations will get normalized in such a situation, that is impossible. We will surely talk, but the results that we want out of that dialogue, we cannot achieve those till such things (infiltration and ceasefire violations) are not stopped.”

Advocating dialogue for solving issues even as there has been a spurt in ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control (LoC), Omar said both the countries should continue to hold talks as such attempts continued even when the two countries were not talking to each other.

“When there were no talks, was the infiltration not happening? It was going on continuously even then,” he said.

The Chief Minister said as the winter approaches, the infiltration attempts increase and efforts are made to push in as many of them from across the LoC.
Omar said, “The attempts of infiltration take place continuously, especially in this season (summer). Winter is approaching and after snowfall, the infiltration gets not just difficult but impossible. They try to send as many people they could before the winter.”

He said first they used to send the infiltrators in groups of five to six, but now they find it difficult to cross and so they send 30-40 persons in groups because even if five out of the 40 cross the LoC, they think of it as a success. This is what they try to do and it is nothing new, he said.

Omar declined to comment on the Keran operation, which ended yesterday after 15 days.

“It is a question for the Army. The operation was conducted by the Army and there was no involvement of either the police or the civil administration. If you (media) have any questions, you will have to ask them to the Army, I do not have answers to such questions,” he said.

He also said that calling the operation “second Kargil” was a media hype.

“It is you (media) who gave it the hype. Did you hear the Army saying that it was a second Kargil? Did you hear the civil administration or Government of India saying it was a second Kargil? The name of second Kargil was given by you people. You create the hype and how can you blame the Army for that,” he said. -PTI

High exports, low imports bring down trade deficit in Sept

India

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October 9, 2013

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NEW DELHI: Rising exports and declining imports in September narrowed the trade deficit to a 30-month low of USD 6.76 billion, which may help the rupee to stabilize after excessive volatility in the past few months.

“Imports have shown a significant fall of 18.1 per cent and exports have shown a rise of 11.15 per cent in September.

The trade deficit is the lowest in the last 30 months,” Commerce Secretary S R Rao told reporters here.

While exports of textiles, pharmaceuticals and agriculture recorded decent growth, imports came down mainly on account of a decline in inward shipments of gold and oil.

Imports of gold and silver plunged more than 80 per cent to USD 0.8 billion in September from USD 4.6 billion a year earlier. Oil imports declined by about 6 per cent to USD 13.19 billion.

“I am confident that import-containment measures put in place for non-essential imports are playing out extremely well and we need to continue this so that our rupee becomes stronger,” Rao added.

The rupee has depreciated by about 15 per cent since April.

The previous low for the trade deficit was USD 3.8 billion in March 2011. The gap was USD 10.9 billion in August.

Exports and imports in September stood at USD 27.68 billion and USD 34.4 billion, respectively.

During April-September this fiscal, exports grew by 5.14 per cent to USD 152.1 billion while imports declined by 1.8 per cent to USD 232.23 billion. The trade deficit for the six-month period was USD 80.1 billion.

The Secretary expressed confidence that the export target of USD 325 billion this fiscal would be achieved.

India’s trade deficit has been fuelled by high imports of gold and crude oil, contributing to the current account deficit, which has touched an all-time high of 4.8 per cent of GDP, or USD 88.2 billion, in 2012-13. . During the first half of this fiscal, gold and silver imports rose 8.7 per cent to USD 23.1 billion.

Rao said the import figure for September was the lowest in the past 30 months.

“The government has taken steps to curtail imports of non-essential commodities, particularly precious stones. That is the singular reason for decline in trade deficit,” he said.

Oil imports during April-September grew 3.58 per cent to USD 82.87 billion. Non-oil imports declined 4.55 per cent to USD 149.35 billion. In September, they dipped 24.19 per cent to USD 21.24 billion.

Rao said engineering, which contributes the most to the country’s exports, has started showing positive growth.

Engineering exports rose 15.2 per cent to USD 5.2 billion in September, while they declined 0.62 per cent to USD 28.07 billion in April-September.

Rao said with the Commerce Ministry having resolved the 80:20 issue, there should be resurgence in the export of gems and jewellery.

The Reserve Bank of India introduced the 80:20 scheme in July, under which 20 per cent of gold purchased from overseas had to be exported to avail of further imports of the metal.

The restriction was aimed at curbing the widening current account deficit.

A government official last month said more than 20 per cent of the imported metal could be exported, clearing the confusion that had held up inbound shipments at customs.

Gems and jewellery exports in September declined 8.31 per cent to USD 3.79 billion. They were down 8.7 per cent to USD 20 billion during April-September.

Exports of tea, coffee, spices have come down.

Apparel Export Promotion Council Chairman A Sakthivel said exports may be good this year on the back of a good monsoon, positive manufacturing and a revival in the US economy.

Federation of Indian Export Organizations President Rafeeque Ahmed said exports will touch USD 350 billion this fiscal.

“The trade deficit is likely to come down to below USD 150 billion for this fiscal, which will help the government to keep the CAD within USD 70 billion,” he said. -PTI