Who are these people? Salman Khan's 'airline' themed Bigg Boss 8 fails to take off

The cream of Indian reality shows began last night. I’m not being sarcastic.

Bigg Boss really is the crème de la crème of reality TV in India. And this is purely because of Salman Khan. Whatever we may think of his acting chops or lack thereof, his superstar status makes his hosting a reality show equivalent to having Brad Pitt hostBigg Brother US.

But that’s the where the glory of the show ends this season.

We don't need PM Modi's new 'smart' cities, we need to run the existing ones better

Fourteen years ago, when Bill Clinton was issued a driver’s licence in minutes by the then Chandrababu Naidu government in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, a classmate in Hyderabad immediately decided to bring my excitement and awe to a quick end.

“Don’t exult yet. Things can go wrong: the computer or the printer may not work, or the cussed clerk at the counter may just not let them work.”

This is more or less a truism of a sort, for later I discovered that a senior secretary to the Maharashtra government would just not get to read my emails. His PA with the password would be on leave, or in those days of limited sizes of the mailboxes, wouldn’t have cleaned it up. My mails would bounce back. It was exasperating to have access to technology and not use it.

Have you taken the Rice Bucket Challenge in India?

Desi Challenge for Desi Needs, Cook or buy one bucket of Rice / Biryani and feed the needy.

The whole world seems to be busy pouring buckets of ice water on themselves for spreading awareness and raising funds for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. 

But Manjulatha Kalanidhi, a 38-year-old resident of Hyderabad took inspiration from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and started the Rice Bucket Challenge to cater to needs of our country.

The challenge is simple but significant. All you have to do is donate cooked or uncooked rice to someone in need, post a picture with him or her on social networking sites and nominate four other friends to do the same.

Bigg Boss 8 ready to take off on 21st September 2014

Salman Khan as a dashing pilot in the new teasers of Bigg Boss 8, has increased the curiosity level of the viewers. In the promo, the Bollywood actor and Bigg Boss host promises to take the contestants, as well as the viewers, on a thrilling flight.

This year's theme will reflect in the new set of the Bigg Boss house, located in Lonavla, which has been designed to resemble a jumbo aircraft. A source says, "To elevate the excitement level, the house will be designed as the interior of an aircraft, just as last year's season seven was designed as heaven and hell." Sources further revealed that the house will also have a waiting lounge and two different sections for Economy and Business class.

Exclusive: 'Invisible Strings – The IB Report On NGOs'

Anti-growth. Anti-Hindu. Movement-buster. Reactionary. Corrupt. NGOs have drawn flak for one reason or the other. While there is a clear case for cleaning up the voluntary sector, nothing justifies this attempt at muffling dissent.

The Hindu nationalist. The neo-liberal. The grassroots activist. The Leftist. Everybody, it seems, has a reason to hate NGOs.

Some, like political commentator Radha Rajan who edited a collection of essays titled NGOs, Activists and Foreign Funds: Anti-Nation Industry, have charged several NGOs with “de-Hinduising India” and sought to expose “the essentially anti-Hindu activism of some NGOs and activists… and their foreign sponsors, supporters and funders who have their own vested interests in keeping the Hindus in this state of powerlessness”.

How hoarders and retailers are ripping off the govt in cigarette sales?

Every year, the Union Budget is a universal nail-biter. Members of the working class think of how much they have to shell out in taxes, companies work out how to avoid them using creative accounting techniques, the income tax department sits and thinks of new ways to ensure that you pay what you owe, and keyboard warriors go viral on social media decrying excess taxation, State spending, sops, no sops and so on.

Everybody’s woes are recorded except one group, who are consumers of a $4 billion industry — smokers, who shell out for the taxes and the production cost of cigarettes and a substantial amount in illegal profiteering, which generates thousands of crores of rupees in tax-evaded money.

Why Intel Agencies Are Wary Of Hiring Muslims And Sikhs?

SPECIAL REPORT: In the third year of UPA-2, the then prime minister Manmohan Singh called a meeting of top officials of the Special Protection Group (SPG), the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to seek advice on whether the representation of Muslims in the intelligence agencies could be increased, whether they should be allowed to join RAW and whether to end the ban on the entry of Sikhs and Muslims into SPG. The officers reportedly pointed out that any such move would be risky. They asked who would take the blame if something went wrong after the established system was tinkered with. Nothing came out of that meeting and the issue was never raised again.

Intelligence agencies in India have long followed an unwritten ‘no entry’ policy for Muslims (though there have been a few Muslim officers in the IB), while Sikhs are banned from SPG, formed in 1984 to provide security to the prime minister, and the National Security Guard (NSG), the elite anti-terror force functioning under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. “This is not a new policy. There have been no Muslim officers in RAW since its formation in 1969,” says a former RAW officer. “It has its own reasons for following this policy.”

Who is Responsible For Crimes Against Women?

While everything from the manner in which women dress to the eating of fast food and the use of mobile phones has been added to the cause list of why appalling crimes against women continue to take place in India’s most populous state, a recent report points to ‘unspeakable neglect of women’s rights, hatred, misogyny, and breakdown of governance, crisis and justice protocols’ as the actual reasons behind this trend.

Based on findings from primary research undertaken in Badaun, Sitapur and Bareilly- all three scenes of recent, sordid crimes, the 28 page report (titled ‘Report and Recommendations on Crimes Against Women in Uttar Pradesh’) puts the root of these crimes in ‘administrative lathery coupled with collusion between the police, politicians and local goons’ which leads to general lawlessness. Add to these a police system that places the onus of proof on the victim, a generally unsupportive social structure, woefully few police women, lack of any kind of training on dealing with crimes against women and it becomes clear why the state turned in the highest number of complaints of harassment and crimes against women to the National Commission for Women (2853 out of 2889 in 2011).

Another 26/11? LeT, ISI may strike India to protect turf from al-Qaeda

The announcement of a new al-Qaeda branch to target India in the sub-continent has generally been seen as an effort by this terror group to advertise its own potency and attract new recruits against strong competition from the more bloody-minded Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), complete with its own caliph.

The US has dismissed the new threat out-of-hand, with Caitlin Hayden, spokesperson of the National Security Council at the White House, claiming that the US has “seriously degraded al-Qaeda in the region” and that it does not “regard the announcement as an indication of new capabilities by al-Qaeda.”

Off the mark: Why did Modi's Teacher's Day speech ignore the teachers?

There is little doubt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with 1.2 crore students of the country encompassing 18 lakh schools was a success despite the controversies regarding the whole programme. 

Notwithstanding the response of the students to the prime minister, many questions have been raised about the relevance and focus of his speech. 

The nearly two-hour long interaction was largely anecdotal, interspersed with pints of advice to India's youngest generation about different aspects in life.

Exclusive: Al-Qaeda’s India 'Recruitment Advertisement'

NEWS IN FUN: INNLIVE sources has accessed a copy of recruitment ad which Al-Qaeda’s newly opened India branch is going to use for fresh hiring:

AL-QAEDA INDIA IS HIRING!
Business Development Manager- Al Qaeda (Pan India)

About The Organization
Al Qaeda is the market leader in the field of global terrorism for nearly 25 years. After starting out in a small village in Afghanistan, today the company has offices in 13 countries and a virtual office in nearly 100 locations. Despite stiff competition, Al Qaeda has remained the favorite destination for budding terrorists from all parts of the world thanks to our focus and commitment to our ideology. For those who are looking for a stimulating and satisfying environment and are ambitious and ready for challenges, Al Qaeda is the place to be.

Job Description
-  Develop the assigned market including hiring and training the new recruits.
-  Scope the assigned market and identify locations for Al Qaeda operations.
-  Develop relationships with local terrorists and explore possibilities of mergers and acquisitions.
-  Attend Idea Of India summits on company’s behalf.
-  Oversee all projects taking care of finance, logistics, and execution of a terror attack.

Desired Candidate Profile
-  Chemical engineers with hands on experience of working with explosives preferred. Though its not a must, we provide great training facilities.
-  Should be able to handle a knife.
-  Good throwing arm to lob grenades. Cricket background preferable.
-  Should be able to grow a beard. Tiger Shroff types, please excuse.
-  Open to any location across Indian sub-continent

Remuneration & Facilities
-  Free boarding & lodging provided with 3 meals a day.
-  3 porn movies per day to each employee. US commandos didn’t get all of our stash.
-  72 virgins in Jannat after your permanent retirement.
- One month long all paid Europe holiday package before going for a suicide attack.

Interested candidates should apply by sending a copy of their resume to our HR managers who are available at india.hr@alqaeda.world or admin-space@jannat.world

How Modi turned Teachers' Day into a giant PR blunder?

You can telecast a speech to a child, but you can't force him to listen. Or can you? Some schools in Delhi are certainly doing their best by making Narendra Modi's Teachers' Day speech part of their standard class exams.

Bal Bharati Public School, Noida, has issued a circular -- shared extensively and with great amusement on Twitter -- which read, “The school will remain closed (preparatory off) on September 5 for all classes. However, for classes III to XII, the key points of the Prime Minister’s address are to be noted and learnt for the school to evaluate the same (during the upcoming examination from Monday).” One question of two marks each will be included in each of the five main papers, it added.

Stevia, the leafy green sweetener for diabetics

EXCLUSIVE: Stevia, may be touted as a healthy herbal alternative sweetener to sugar for treatment of many ailments but as per law it cannot be used or sold as additive in food products. 

In fact, those selling it in any form that is meant for consumption are violating the law, said VN Gaur, chairperson of the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). There have been many complaints that some unapproved food items, ingredients, food additives etc. are being used in preparation of food products or being sold as such. 

Ebola in India: Suspected patient drives students out of hostel in West Bengal

Even if there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in the country yet, the Ebola-related hysteria has arrived in the country. Hundreds of students of the Raiganj Polytechnic in West Bengal vacated their college hostel after a suspected Ebola patient was admitted in the Raiganj District Hospital next door.

Alip Das who returned from Liberia on August 25, tested positive for malaria, and his Ebola test report is still awaited. A student told: ‘We are not taking a chance. We will return to the hostel once it is confirmed that the person is not infected with Ebola.’ Debashis Mandal, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health said: ‘His blood test confirms malaria and treatment is on. He is responding well. But we are not taking any risk. We are waiting for the report of his blood sample sent to Pune.’

'Bigg Boss 8': Salman Khan Show to Feature 'Couples' Only?

"Bigg Boss" always feeds off couple controversies to achieve higher TRP ratings. This trick has worked quite well for the makers of the show so far.

From Kushal Tandon-Gauhar Khan and Armaan Kohli-Tanishaa Mukherjee to Ashmit Patel-Veena Malik, the controversial reality show has given the world the juiciest of gossips. And now, according to reports, "Bigg Boss 8" will feature only couples.

Hindu Raksha Dal demands ban on hidden sale of beef

A Hindu outfit today submitted a memorandum to the district administration, demanding ban on surreptitious packaging and export of beef at various meat packaging units in the district.

Hindu Raksha Dal national convenor Bhupender Tomar alias Pinky Chaudhary along with members of the outfit submitted a signed memorandum to Atul Yadav, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Indirapuram, here.

Ravi Shastri: The man who changed India's fortunes in England!

SPECIAL REPORT: Days after Suresh Raina hailed Ravi Shastri's role as Team Director, Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan has said that the former captain instilled confidence in the side after the Test debacle.

Relieved after coming good with the bat following a string of poor scores in the Test series and then in the second and third ODIs, Dhawan thanked the support staff of the team and singled out Shastri for giving the team confidence.

BSF jawans made to sleep on floor in mosquito-infested Mumbai school

The Mumbai police, which had called in two Border Security Force (BSF) companies from Gujarat to help with the Ganeshotsav bandobast, especially at the Lalbaugcha Raja, is allegedly forcing its guests to live in rather shabby conditions.

The 200-odd jawans, who are expected to stay alert throughout their long duty hours to ensure the safety of devotees, are having trouble sleeping every night as the BMC municipal school in Parel, where they have been accommodated, is teeming with mosquitoes. Rainwater also seeps into the halls where they sleep. 

Disabled athlete sells gold medals to buy mother's medicines

There are few moments in a sportsperson’s life that are more heartbreaking than when they have to part with their hard-earned medals. Powe-rlifter Indira Gaikwad however, did not have much of a choice, as she had no other means to buy medicines for her mother.

Gaikwad, a disabled champion, has won 35 gold medals at various international and domestic events, some of which she sold as scrap recently, to collect Rs 500 for the medicines. She had received the Shiv Chhatrapati Award in 1997, the state’s highest honour for sportspersons, but despite that, she has spent 17 years struggling to make ends meet, searching for a government job in the meanwhile.

But her hopes were shattered last month, when the state Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Padmakar Valvi told her it was not possible to give her a job. “I heard that now a days, many sportspersons are getting jobs in various government departments, then why is the state government doing such injustice with me?” asked Gaikwad.

‘Makdee’ Actress Shweta Basu Took To Prostitution After Running Out of Money

National award winning actress Shweta Basu, who was arrested for prostitution in Hyderabad, has revealed that she took to the sex trade as she was running out of money. The 23-year-old actress, who was arrested,  is currently lodged in a state-run rescue home. She admitted she made wrong choices in her career.

“I was out of money. I had to support my family and some other good causes. All the doors were closed, and some people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money. I was helpless, and with no option left to choose, I got involved in this act,” police sources quoted her as saying.

Exclusive: The Worrying Trend in International Adoptions

Adoption can be a wonderful thing. Couples, or even financially independent single people, who want a family have the opportunity to give children with nobody a family and a secure future, while they get to reap the emotional benefits of having a child. But everything has its dark side, and while adoption as a concept is an excellent solution for one of the most horrible ills of the world, there are problems we need to keep in mind, especially with international adoptions.

Snub to Islamic State? Al Qaeda forms Indian wing to 'rescue' Muslims

Al Qaeda chief Zayman al Zawahiri's new tape about the formation of an Indian wing may seem like a declaration of intent against the Indian state given its timing, coming soon after the formation of the Narendra Modi government. However, there are already doubts that the terror group's chief may not be looking as much to wage war against the Indian state as prove that they are more relevant than its more brutal offshoot.

In the video tape released by the terror group last night, Zawahiri is heard describing the formation of "Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent" as glad tidings for Muslims "in Burma, Bangladesh, Assam, Gujarat, Ahmedabad, and Kashmir".

Big Boss 8 Tagline: 'Bigg Boss Aath, Saabki Lagegi Vaat'

While the list of its contestants is still under wraps, the tagline for the much-awaited Bigg Boss 8 has been revealed.

Going by its punch line which says 'Bigg Boss aath, saabki lagegi vaat', the reality show, which grabs major eyeballs, thanks to its concept and superstar anchor Salman Khan, indeed promises to be tougher and nastier, this time!

The show has already created much buzz because of its aircraft theme. The house has been designed like an aircraft this time with interiors made in a way that the inmates will get a feel of sitting in a plane. Even the promos feature Sallu in an avatar of a pilot.

Well, sounds interesting. And with the tagline and such a set, we are sure the programme is going to be a hit this time too. 

Bigg Boss 8: Kumar Vishwas asks for R 21 cr to War Widows Fund as a condition to participate in the show

Speculations are gripping of Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas can take part in the reality television show 'Bigg Boss'. To take part in the show Vishwas has kept a condition of depositing Rs 21 crore to War Widows Fund (fund for widows of the soldiers who died in war) in front of the company producing the Bigg Boss. Around 25,000 war widows live in India.

 

Vishwas in his letter to the show producing company says that he is uncomfortable to live his daily routine life under the scanner of the people. But for the betterment of society he will take part in the show. He said if he has to change his daily routine, do household work or live with unknown people he will do it for a big cause.

It took three long years for the producers to convince Kumar Vishwas for the show. According to the sources associated with Endemol, the producers had earlier even offered Rs 5 crore to be a part of the show. The show is expected to go on air from September 21. 

'Happy New Year' song: Shah Rukh, Deepika make embarrassing 'India waale'

Here's what Happy New Year was primarily meant to be: Shah Rukh Khan gifting Farah Khan back her career. This, after she made a film-shaped disaster called Jokerwhose only memorable bit was a gorgeous Katrina Kaif rubbing salt into the Tushar Kapoor world's wounds, saying, "I'm too sexy for you, main tere haath na aani".

Khan, as we have seen in the trailer, went to great lengths for it - you must have seen how he even agreed to dye ten strands of his hair blonde at the risk of looking like he has gum stuck on his hair. But, hey, he is Shah Rukh Khan. And for people who are fond of him, these are really minor impediments to their process of appreciating Khan.

SUPREME COURT HOLDS THAT CHEQUE DISHONOUR PROSECUTION CAN BE HELD ONLY AT THE COURT IN WHOSE JURISDICTION THE CHEQUE WAS ISSUED

A three judge bench of the Supreme Court in Dashrath Rupsingh Rathod v. State of Maharashtra (criminal Appeal No. 2287 of 2009) has laid the controversy pertaining to jurisdiction of the courts in cheque bouncing cases under Section 138 at rest conclusively.

The court has laid down that the place of the issuance or delivery of the statutory notice or where the complainant chooses to present the cheque for encashment by his bank are not relevant for purposes of territorial jurisdiction of the complaints. The court noted that the liberal approach preferred in Bhaskaran was being misused by issuance of notice from a situs which had no connection with the accused or with any facet of the transaction to confer territorial jurisdiction on courts which had none.