Page 106 - Human Interest
Elated Padma Shri awardees thank Centre for accolade
After their names surfaced in the list of Padma Shri awardees for the year, the elated recipients of the accolade expressed gratitude towards the central government for the recognition. Uttarakhand folk singer Pritam Bhartwan, whose name also surfaced among the list of Padma Shri awardees, thanked the government for recognising local music."I would like to thank the Government of India for recognising our local music. I dedicate this award to the audience, to the folk artiste of Uttarakhand, and to my father who was also my mentor," he told ANI.Mountaineer Bachendri Pal said the honour came as a surprise to her. "I was really shocked, it was a surprise for me as well, and I want to thank Modi government. I have not ever applied for an award. I would like to dedicate this award to my parents," said Pal.Social worker Chinna Pillai, who was conferred the Padma Shri, revealed that she first came into limelight due to former late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "I first came into ...
Kylie wants diamonds for Valentine's Day
Reality TV star Kylie Jenner wants diamonds for Valentine's Day, as she claims they are better than pearls.
Amazing to mete Federer, says awestruck Kohli
He may be one of the best batsmen in the world at the moment, but India captain Virat Kohli admitted that he turned into a fanboy when he met Roger Federer on the sidelines of the Australian Open recently.
Vicky, Yami, Varun celebrate R-Day at Attari-Wagah border
On the ocassion of 70th Republic Day on Saturday, the "Uri: The Surgical Strike" stars Vicky Kaushal and Yami Gautam, along with actor Varun Dhawan, performed live at the Attari-Wagah border.
My book is more than a story of gay romance, says Andre Aciman at JLF
American writer Andre Aciman, whose novel "Call Me by Your Name" has been hailed as the Romeo & Juliet of our times, discussed his thoughts on romance, writing, and the book that made him a household name, at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival.
Odisha CM's sister Gita Mehta declines to accept Padma Shri citing election year
Eminent writer Gita Mehta, who is Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's elder sister, on Saturday declined to accept the Padma Shri award, saying its timing could be "misconstrued" in an election year. Mehta, 76, will be awarded the Padma Shri in the field of literature and education, the Centre had announced on Friday. "I am deeply honoured that the Government of India should think me worthy of a Padma Shri but with great regret I feel I must decline as there is a general election looming and the timing of the award might be misconstrued, causing embarrassment both to the Government and myself, which I would much regret," Mehta, who is the sibling of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and daughter of former CM Biju Patnaik, said in a statement from New York. Elections to Lok Sabha as well as the Odisha Assembly are due to be held together this year. Mehta's declining of the Padma award, however, triggered a row in the state with the BJP saying her action was "not appropriate" and the ..
The Other Virat: Sitting on a bench with wife on full moon night, talking sport with Federer
Virat Kohli tries to find joy in the simplest of things in life when he is not focussed on winning matches for India. And nothing can beat a romantic getaway with wife Anushka by his side on a full moon night. The insane fan following that both Kohli and his wife, a leading actress in Hindi films enjoy in India, it becomes difficult to enjoy their own little time away from public glare. However on tour in a scenic country like New Zealand, the Indian captain enjoys those long walks with his lady love and not being identified. "Look me and my wife like to do normal things. We just like to go out for walks," Kohli told Sky Sports in an interview, which has also been uploaded by bcci.tv. "If we are in place like Napier, its beautiful. (One of the nights), We were at the Marine parade, enjoying full moon sitting on the bench and just talking. "It's actually the most simplest thing that gives us joy purely because we are always in the public eye and we are always doing things in-front of ..
Veteran Akali leader Dalip Singh Pandhi passes away
Veteran Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former MLA Dalip Singh Pandhi died here on Saturday after a brief illness, his family said. He was 82 and is survived by his daughter. Pandhi was a former member of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes. He had been a legislator from Amloh seat. His last rites were performed with full state honours. Mourning the demise of the SAD leader, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, in his condolence message, described Pandhi as a grassroots leader, who worked relentlessly throughout his life for uplifting the downtrodden. His remarkable contribution to safeguard the interests of the oppressed sections of the society would be ever remembered by one and all, the chief minister said. The SAD also condoled the death of Pandhi.
Bharat Ratna for Pranab Mukherjee: Moment of happiness for family, says sis
Pranab Mukherjee's sister Annapurna Banerjee Saturday said it was a "time of immense happiness" for the family, a day after the name of the former president was announced for the coveted Bharat Ratna. She said Mukherjee's son Abhijit and daughter Sharmistha telephoned her on Friday and conveyed the news. "This is a time of immense happiness for me. He got what he deserved," the elder sister of the former president told reporters who visited their ancestral residence here in Birbhum district. "The whole family believes he got the honour he richly deserved," Annapurna said. The government had on Friday announced the country's highest civilian award for Mukherjee for his contribution to public life. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Bandyopadhyay said, "We are proud as Bengalis that an elderly statesman like Pranab Mukherjee was chosen for Bharat Ratna." West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said he was happy as a Bengali that Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged Mukherjee's ...
Saina Nehwal to turn showstopper at LFW Summer/Resort 2019
India's premier badminton star Saina Nehwal will walk the ramp for Chennai based designer Vaani Raghupathy at the upcoming Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Summer/Resort 2019.
Country's highest peace time gallantry award Ashok Chakra presented to martyred soldier's wife
Late Lance Naik Nazir Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who got martyred in an anti-terror operation in Kashmir two months back, was on Saturday conferred with the country's highest peace time gallantry award Ashok Chakra.President Ramnath Kovind presented the award to Wani's wife Mahajabeen and his mother during the Republic Day celebrations at the start of the parade down the historic Rajpath here.The award was presented in the presence of Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the Chief Guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations.Wani, the first Kashmiri to receive the honour, was chosen for displaying exceptional courage when his unit engaged 6 heavily-armed terrorists on November 25 last year in Hirapur village near Batgund in Kashmir.Hailing from Cheki Ashmuji area of Kulgam district in Kashmir, Wani was once a militant but he gave up the militancy and joined the Territorial Army in
Pranab expresses gratitude to people for Bharat Ratna
Former President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday expressed his "deep sense of humility and gratitude" to the people of India for being awarded Bharat Ratna, saying that he had received much more from the people than what he had given in return.
It makes me nervous: Chhetri on Padma award
India skipper Sunil Chhetri on Saturday said being in the elite list of former footballers to be honoured with the Padma award makes him a bit "nervous" and brings "extra pressure" to strive for excellence. Chhetri, the second highest goal-getter (among current players) in international football after Cristiano Ronaldo, was among the nine sports persons to be honoured with the Padma Shri award. "At the moment, it's just pure happiness. It hasn't sunk in as yet. I need some time to feel it. I need some time to understand what the recognition actually means," said Chhetri. "Every person has flaws, so do I. I understand it and strive to be a better version of myself -- a better human being. I feel I need to set a better example to others. "On that perspective, I am loving that extra pressure which has come with this Padma Shri announcement." He became only the sixth footballer after the Late Gostho Paul, the Late Sailen Manna, PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami and Bhaichung Bhutia to be ...
UK daily apologises to Melania Trump
The UK's Daily Telegraph on Saturday apologized "unreservedly" to US First Lady Melania Trump and agreed to pay her "substantial damages" for an article it published last week.
UK paper pays damages to Melania Trump over false report
Britain's Telegraph newspaper has apologised and paid "substantial damages" to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump after publishing an article it says contains many false statements. The newspaper said Saturday it apologises "unreservedly" for the content of a cover story published January 19 in the newspaper's weekly magazine supplement. "As a mark of our regret we have agreed to pay Mrs Trump substantial damages as well as her legal costs," The Telegraph said. The paper said it falsely characterised Mrs Trump's father's personality, falsely reported the reasons she left an architecture program, and falsely reported her career as a model was unsuccessful before she met Donald Trump. The Telegraph is one of Britain's leading broadsheet newspapers and is traditionally aligned with the Conservative Party.
HP Guv unfurls tricolour in Shimla on R-Day
Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat unfurled the national flag at a state-level Republic Day function held on the historic Ridge Maidan here Saturday. The Governor inspected the parade and took salute from an impressive march past led by parade commander Major Vikram Dev Singh from 22 Rajput. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur was also present on the occasion. Contingents of the Army, the Indo-Tibet Border Police, the SSB, ex-servicemen, the state police and other forces presented a march past. A colourful cultural programme representing all districts was also presented on the occasion. Tableaux highlighting various development activities of different departments of the state government were a major attraction during the event. A special tableau focussed on Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Shimla on May 11, 1921. Cultural troupe Una received the first prize, NZCC Rajasthan the second and Yoga performers got the third prize. The governor also honoured the sports persons of the state who had .
Padma awards: Inspiring people include babycorn farmers, cataract surgeon, kabaddi player
The Padma awards 2019, announced on the eve of Republic Day, will honour 112 inspiring personalities, including a babycorn farmer, a cataract surgeon and a Kabaddi champion, who were selected from 50,000 nominations, officials said. The awardees are from across the nation and all segments of society, and the government has gone beyond excellence alone, recognising larger impact and their selfless services. The list of four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri awardees was prepared from a record50,000 nominations, which was a 20 times increase since 2014 when the government had received just 2,200 nominations, a Home Ministry official said. As many as 12 farmers were selected from nine states for the Padma awards, including Kanwal Singh Chauhan for babycorn and mushroom, Vallabhbhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya for carrot and Jagdish Prasad Parikh for cauliflower. Progressive farmers who have been adopting technology and scientific methods in cultivation are Bharat Bhushan ...
Padma awards: Inspiring persons include 12 farmers, 14 doctors, 9 sportspersons
The Padma awards 2019, announced on eve of the Republic Day, will honour 112 inspiring personalities that include 12 farmers, 14 doctors and nine sportspersons, officials said. The awardees are from across the nation, all segments of society and the government has gone beyond excellence alone, recognising larger impact and their selfless services. The list of four Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri awardees was prepared from a record50,000 nominations, which was a 20 times increase since 2014 when the government had received just 2,200 nominations, a Home Ministry official said. As many as 12 farmers were selected from nine states for the Padma awards, including Kanwal Singh Chauhan for babycorn and mushroom, Vallabhbhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya for carrot and Jagdish Prasad Parikh for cauliflower. Progressive farmers who have been adopting technology and scientific methods in cultivation are Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, Ram Sharan Verma, Venkateswara Rao Yadlapalli. Traditional
RDAY-SIDELIGHTS
Following are the sidelights of the Republic Day celebrations: The majestic Rajpath saw a scintillating display of India's military might and resplendent cultural diversity as the country celebrated its 70th Republic Day on Saturday, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attending the event as guest of honour. ******************** Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life fighting a group of terrorists in Shopian in Kashmir in November, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind. ******************** Colourfully bedecked camels, a contingent of the Border Security Force, used for patrolling in the Thar Desert region in Rajasthan and Gujarat, strolled down the ceremonial boulevard as bandsmen riding their backs played martial music. ******************** 'Nari Shakti' (women power) was on full display at the Rajpath with an all-woman Assam Rifles contingent creating history by participating for the first time in the parade, ...
UAE expats celebrate India's 70th R-Day
Hundreds of Indian expats from across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated their country's 70th Republic Day at the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Dubai on Saturday.