Page 238 - Human Interest
Vajpayee great leader, talented poet, reminisces noted singer
Classical singer Padmaja Phenany Joglekar, who often used to sing former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's poems, fondly remembers him as a great poet and has expressed grief over his demise. Vajpayee died yesterday after prolonged illness at the age of 93. He was undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) since June 11. Padmaja says the country has lost not only a great leader but a very talented poet as well. "I am in shock, I think he is still around. I won't be able to go for his last rites but would sing a few lines in his loving memory," she told PTI. Recalling her last meeting with the BJP stalwart, Padmaja (56) says that last year she went to Delhi on December 25 and sang a few lines from his poetry 'Aao Phir Se Diya Chalaye' on his birthday. "I was told that he was very happy listening to it. There was no bigger joy than to know that we could make him happy and smile." Walking down memory lane, the noted singer says her first
Bollywood mourns passing away of Vajpayee
Bollywood celebrities have expressed their heartfelt condolences over the demise of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.Praising Vajpayee's openness and his skills as an orator and poet, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Javed Akhtar , Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Priyanka Chopra, Madhur Bhandarkar, and Paresh Rawal paid their tributes minutes after Vajpayee's death was announced.Poet and song writer Javed Akhtar said that it's is rare that a politician is respected across party lines. "People with different ideology have also come as they love him because he used to love all," he said.Film maker Madhur Bhandarkar remembered the former Prime Minister for his inspiring poetry, speeches and oratorship and said, "The void of his absence can never be filled by anyone in Indian politics, he was a role model for many."The Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan took to his official Twitter handle and penned down a heartfelt message for Vajpayeeji. The King Khan said that he ...
Manipur declares holiday as mark of respect to Vajpayee
The Manipur government today declared holiday in its offices and educational institutions as a tribute to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday evening in Delhi at the age of 93, an official statement said. All public banks, too, will remain closed for the day, it said. The BJP-led government also announced a seven-day-long mourning in the state, during which the Tricolour will fly half mast at office buildings and no official entertainment programmes will be held, the statement issued by the general administration department added. Condoling the demise of the former prime minister, Chief Minister N Biren yesterday said Vajpayee was a "towering figure and statesman" of Indian politics. "He was one of the founders of the BJP, a man of sharp intellect and outstanding wit who was known for his oratory skills and poetry. Vajpayee will forever remain an inspiration to all Indians," Singh added. The CM left for Delhi last evening to pay his last
Foreign leaders arrive to attend Vajpayee's funeral
Foreign dignitaries have started arriving in India to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He will be cremated today with full state honour at Smriti Sthal.King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrived in Delhi on Friday morning to attend the funeral of the former Prime Minister. Subsequently, Nepal's Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali also reached Delhi to pay homage.Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on his arrival told ANI, "We remember him for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War and strong support to the people of Bangladesh. He had a great liking for Bengali music. I had the privilege of serving in Delhi as career diplomat when he became the Foreign Minister."Sri Lanka's acting Foreign Minister Lakshman Kiriella also reached India. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is also expected to arrive in the national capital to pay their homage to the 'Iron Man' Vajpayee.Mortal ...
Director Steve McQueen to get BAFTA honour
British director Steve McQueen will receive BAFTA's John Schlesinger Britannia Award.
Travis Scott helps pay for fan's mother's funeral
Rapper Travis Scott has donated USD 800 to one of his fans to help cover the cost of his mother's funeral. Peter Valdriz reached out to Scott earlier this week when the rapper was offering to give away USD 100,000 to a select group of fans. Valdriz tweeted that he would use the money to help pay for the service. In response, Scott sent USD 800 via Cash App with the message, ''For not much but hope can help. Your mom looking down on you (sic).'' Valdriz posted a screenshot of the transaction on Twitter. According to TMZ, Valdriz's mother died last week after a battle with a brain virus. He received the money on what would have been his mom's 52nd birthday. "Knowing that someone is out there trying to help us during this difficult time means the world to us," Valdriz told TMZ. "I personally want to thank Travis Scott for really making a tough day for my family into a day we can cherish.
Vajpayee was an extremely rare human being: Amitabh Bachchan
A stalwart, a poet, a writer, an enlightened mind and a compassionate being leaves this world -- that's how megastar Amitabh Bachchan began his tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose demise has left the nation mourning.
Mortal remains of Vajpayee being taken to BJP headquarters
The mortal remains of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are being taken to the BJP headquarters from his residence on the Krishna Menon Marg here with people in large numbers joining the procession. Amid chants of 'Atal Bihari Amar Rahe', a decorated gun carriage carrying the mortal remains of Vajpayee, who passed away last evening, left for the BJP headquarters on Deen Dayal Updadhyay Marg around 10 am. A huge crowd has gathered outside the BJP headquarters where the top party leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party chief Amit Shah and several union ministers will pay their last respects. Vajpayee,93, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here last evening after a prolonged illness. A state funeral would be accorded to Vajpayee.The funeral procession would leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites would be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal here at 4 pm. Early this morning, Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Andhra
Priyanka Chopra welcomes Nick Jonas, his parents in Mumbai
Actress Priyanka Chopra welcomed her American singer beau Nick Jonas and his parents, fuelling rumours that they will be reportedly formalising their relationship with an engagement party.
Elaborate security arrangements in Delhi for Vajpayee's funeral
Delhi Police on Friday said they have made elaborate security arrangements in the city in view of the final journey and funeral ceremony of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
'The Royals' cancelled after four seasons
"The Royals" has been cancelled by E! after four seasons. "E! will not be moving forward with another season of 'The Royals', which launched in 2015 as the network's first original scripted series," a network spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. "Over four seasons, 'The Royals' took viewers behind the palace gates on a scandalous journey filled with twists and turns. We are grateful to the cast and our producing partners at Lionsgate and Universal Cable Productions." Starring Elizabeth Hurley, "The Royals" followed a fictional modern day royal family as they find love, conspire against one another, and are forced to face long-hidden secrets, all in the name of the crown. In addition to Hurley, it also starred Max Brown, William Moseley, Jake Maskall, Tom Austen, Alexandra Park, and Genevieve Gaunt. Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, and Shauna Phelan served as executive producers. The season four finale aired earlier this year. In December of last year, creator/showrunner Mark ...
Serena thinking of slain sister shortly before lopsided loss
Tennis great Serena Williams tells Time Magazine in a cover story published Thursday that shortly before the worst defeat of her career she learned the killer of her sister Yetunde Price had been paroled. The 23-time Grand Slam champion was stunned 6-1, 6-0 by Britain's Johanna Konta on July 31 in San Jose, California. The defeat marked the first time in 928 professional matches that Williams failed to win more than one game. At the time she spoke of having "so many things on my mind" without elaborating. But in a wide-ranging interview with Time, she said that 10 minutes before she took the court she learned via Instagram that Robert Edward Maxfield, the man convicted of killing Price in a drive-by shooting in 2003, had been released from prison earlier in the year after serving 12 years of a 15-year sentence. "I couldn't shake it out of my mind," she said. "No matter what, my sister is not coming back for good behavior. It's unfair that she'll never have an opportunity to hug ...
Architect of Osama raid issues rebuke of Trump
Retired Adm. William McRaven, the man who oversaw the 2011 raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden, issued a stunning rebuke of President Donald Trump's decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance, defending the former spy chief as "one of the finest public servants".
B-town mourns passing away of Vajpayee
Bollywood celebrities have expressed their heartfelt condolences over the demise of former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.Praising Vajpayee's openness and his skills as an orator and poet, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rajinikanth, Priyanka Chopra, and Paresh Rawal paid their tributes minutes after Vajpayee's death was announced.The Badshah of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan took to his official Twitter handle and penned down a heartfelt message for Vajpayeeji. The King Khan said that he considers himself lucky to have got the opportunity to meet him and have had Vajpayee's influence during his growing-up years."My father used to take me for every speech that Vajpayee made in Delhi when I was growing up. Years on I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for the screen. He was fondly addressed as 'Baapji' at home. Today the country has
Rahul, Doval, armed forces chiefs pay homage to Vajpayee
Congress President Rahul Gandhi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and all the three armed forces chiefs on Friday led a host of leaders in paying homage to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose body was lying in state at his residence.
Nick Jonas arrives in India with parents
Priyanka Chopra's alleged beau Nick Jonas has arrived in India with his parents - mother Denise and father Kevin Jonas Sr.The family was spotted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport here on Thursday night. It was earlier reported that Jonas and his immediate family are travelling to India to attend an engagement party to be hosted by Priyanka's family.Earlier this week, PeeCee showed off her massive diamond rock on her ring finger at ace designer Manish Malhotra's party.Reportedly, Nick popped the question when they were celebrating the 'Baywatch' star's 36th birthday in London.The speculation about their relationship brewed after the pair met each other's family. First, Chopra met Jonas' family at his cousin's wedding in New Jersey, after which Nick travelled to India to meet Chopra's mother.
'Internet celebrity' detained over online extortion
Chinese police have arrested a man who allegedly used his influence on social media to extort money.
Special envoys of neighbouring countries to attend Vajpayee's funeral
India's neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are sending their special representatives to attend the funeral of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away yesterday at the age of 93 after a prolonged illness.Vajpayee, who was the country's 10th Prime Minister, will be laid to rest at the Smriti Sthal on Friday afternoon.According to Dunya News, Pakistan is planning to send its envoy to attend Vajpayee's funeral procession. Pakistan's acting Law and Information Minister Ali Zafar is likely to attend the last rites of former Indian prime minister.Sri Lanka's Department of Government Information confirmed that the country's acting foreign affairs minister Lakshman Kiriella would grace his presence at the funeral service of 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart, as the special envoy of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.According to The Himalayan Times, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's Press Advisor Kundan Aryal said that the ...
Trump, ex-presidents remember music legend Aretha Franklin
US President Donald Trump and other public figures mourned the death of soul singer Aretha Franklin, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 76.
Vajpayee was a role model, says Telangana CM
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died on Thursday, led politics with highest standards and stood tall as a role model for the country and the world.