Page 333 - Human Interest
National Film Awards recipients to skip ceremony because Prez to give only 11 awards
More than 60 National Film Awards recipients today said they will skip the ceremony this evening because President Ram Nath Kovind will be presenting only 11 awards, a departure from established tradition. The artistes from across the country have written a letter addressed to the Directorate of Film Festival, Office of the President of India and the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to express their disappointment. They said they were "disheartened" on being informed at the last minute that the president will present only 11 awards. The rest will receive it from Information and Broadcasting Minister Smriti Irani. "It feels like a breach of trust when an institution/ceremony that abides by extreme protocol fails to inform us of such a vital aspect of the ceremony with a prior notice. It seems unfortunate that 65 years of tradition are being overturned in a jiffy," the letter read. The artistes said they discussed the matter with Irani last evening and were promised a reply. "In ...
Trump reimbursed lawyer for payment to porn star: Giuliani
Donald Trump reimbursed his long-time lawyer Michael Cohen over a USD 130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani said today. "That was money that was paid by his lawyer, the way I would do, out of his law firm funds or whatever funds, it doesn't matter. The president reimbursed that over a period of several months," Giuliani, who recently joined Trump's legal team, told Fox News host Sean Hannity, adding that the payment did not represent a campaign financing violation because it was "not campaign money." Trump had initially denied all knowledge of the payment to Daniels, before admitting last week that Cohen struck a "deal" with the porn star on his behalf.
Padma Awards 2019: Govt invites nominations, recommendations
Online filings of nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards have begun.The filing of nominations started from May 1 and the awards will be announced on the occasion of Republic Day, 2019The last date for nominations is September 15,18.Nominations have been invited from Central Ministries/Departments, States/UT Governments, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, Institutes of Excellence as also from several other sources to enable broad-based consideration.The MHA communication dated April 25, 2018 requested them to make concerted efforts in identifying talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized, and make suitable nominations in their favour.The nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards will be received online only on the Padma portal www.padmaawards.gov.in. All citizens can make nominations/recommendation including self-nomination.The nominations/recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format ...
First lady's parents appear with immigration attorney in NY
First lady Melania Trump's parents have visited a federal building in New York City with their immigration attorney. The Slovenian couple had no comment today afternoon after about an hour-long meeting in the building which houses offices for federal immigration officials who help process citizenship applications. Viktor and Amalija Knavs are lawful permanent residents of the US, according to their lawyer Michael Wildes. The attorney and the White House have declined to comment on whether the first lady's parents are seeking to become US citizens. Republican President Donald Trump has pushed to restrict immigration.
Hoax call sends IGI into tizzy
A hoax call about a bomb on a Mumbai-bound flight sent the security apparatus at the Delhi airport into a tizzy for a few hours today, officials said. A staffer of the Indigo airlines informed the security authorities that they had received a call at about 8:15 am from an unidentified man, who said there was a bomb on a Mumbai-bound flight, the officials said. The mandatory meeting of the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) was immediately convened at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), which declared that it was a "hoax" call after about two hours, they added. However, the BTAC directed the CISF, police and other security personnel at the IGI airport to step up their vigil, undertake full physical checking of hand baggages and an in-depth checking of passengers of the Mumbai-bound flights. The airlines operating services to Mumbai were also asked to conduct secondary checks on suspicious passengers and the entire cargo was screened minutely, the officials ...
Agitated family members of dead woman block road in Mathura
Traffic on Mathura- Vrindaban road was blocked for over an hour today by the agitated family members of the woman who was found dead near a ghat here. The 19-year-old woman was found dead in Mahadeo ghat on Tuesday after she had left home to buy some books, police said. The family members of the woman alleged that the police was shielding the culprits. The accused would be nabbed shortly and there is no question of shielding them, SP (City) Shravan Kumar Singh said.
Spokesman: Doctors pleased with George H.W. Bush's progress
A family spokesman says former President George H W Bush will remain hospitalised at least another day, but that doctors "are very pleased with his progress." Bush was admitted April 22 to Houston Methodist Hospital, the day after his wife's funeral. He's being treated for an infection that spread to his blood. Family spokesman Jim McGrath said today that the 93-year-old Bush "continues to regain strength." McGrath has said Bush hopes to travel next month to his family's home in Maine, where he spends the summers. Bush has a form of Parkinson's disease and a history of pneumonia and other infections. He was hospitalised after attending the funeral and burial of his 92-year-old wife, Barbara, who died April 17 at their Houston home.
Home ministry starts Padma award nomination process
The process of honouring people with Padma awards next year for their works of distinction and exceptional achievement in different fields has begun with the Union home ministry inviting nominations. The last date for receipt of the nominations for the top civilian honours is September 15, 2018, according to a notification issued by the ministry yesterday. The awards seek to recognise commendable works and exceptional achievements in fields and disciplines such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry. The nominations or recommendations for the awards will be received online only on the Padma portal www.padmaawards.gov.in. All citizens can make nominations or recommendation, including self-nomination. The nominations or recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the website, including a citation in a narrative form not exceeding 800 words ...
Bhandup collapse: BMC to survey public and community toilets
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to conduct a survey of all public and community toilets in the city in the wake of the Bhandup toilet collapse incident in which two people were killed, a civic official said today. "The BMC has decided to inspect all the old community/public toilets to avoid such incidents in future," the official said. The BMC has planned to pull down 11,170 existing toilets and construct 15,774 new toilets in their place using improved design, and will provide better amenities, he said. Two people were killed after the floor of a public toilet caved into septic tank in a chawl in suburban Bhandup on April 28. City Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar today visited the spot of the incident and also met the relatives of the deceased. He has directed the civic officials to reconstruct the toilet so as to avoid inconvenience to the people using it.
'Love School' redefines concept of love for millennials
The picturesque background of the sun, sand and sea in Goa serves as the perfect romantic location to find and get counselled for love in the third season of MTV "Love School", which sets out to redefine the concept for young couples.
Why no records of Padma awards panel meetings prepared: CIC to MHA
Expressing surprise that no minutes of the Padma Award Committee meetings to finalise awardees are prepared, the Central Information Commission has asked the Union home ministry to explain how does it present the list of finalists before the Prime Minister and the President in such a scenario. The case pertains to RTI applicant Ranjan Rao Yerdoor who got two different responses from the ministry on his query seeking to know about D. Veerendra Heggade, a Padma Vibhushan awardee in 2015. Heggade, a noted philanthropist, is also the 'Dharmadhikari' of the Dharmasthala Temple in Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. He had asked for the copy of minutes of the committee meetings for the awards given in 2015 and the nomination letter and the biodata of Heggade. No separate minutes of the meetings of the Padma Awards Committee are maintained, the ministry told him in RTI response on June 15, 2016. It also said the copies of nominations and recommendations are kept for only one year ...
MP police recruitment row: Medical tests in same room for men, women
In yet another shocking incident during recruitment of police constables in Madhya Pradesh, a number of female and male candidates were made to a undergo a physical test in the same room in a district hospital in Bhind on Wednesday.The incident comes days after candidates appearing for the post of police constable in Madhya Pradesh had their castes stamped on their chests during the physical examination on April 28.This medical test was being done as part of police constable recruitment.No female doctors were arranged for women constables and their medical examination was being conducted by male doctors.The men were asked to strip in front of female candidates, making them feel uncomfortable.The incident came to light after a video was shared on social media.According to media reports, 217 male and female candidates were admitted for training in police jobs and mandatory medical tests were being carried out.A total of 18 female and 21 male candidates were examined.
Meghan and Harry choose horse-drawn carriage for wedding day
It wouldn't a royal wedding without a horse-drawn carriage. Royal officials say Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have chosen an open-topped Ascot Landau from the royal carriage collection to use in their wedding procession. The couple's office said today that after their May 19 wedding the newlyweds will take the carriage, pulled by four horses, from Windsor Castle through the town center and back for their reception. Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the town west of London to see them. Kensington Palace says the couple hope it "will be a memorable moment for everyone who has gathered together in Windsor to enjoy the atmosphere of this special day." If it rains, the couple will use the Scottish State Coach, which has a glass roof.
Happy anniversary to 'my mummy & my papa': Esha Deol
Esha Deol has penned a heartfelt post for the "most precious people in the entire world", Hema Malini and Dharmendra, on the occasion of their 39th wedding anniversary.Along with the note, the 36-year-old shared a series unseen pictures of Indian cinema's power couple."Happy wedding anniversary to my most precious people in the entire world "my mummy & my Papa" without u both I'm nothing! I take this opportunity to say sorry for all the times iv hurt u, to say all I know is to love u both unconditionally& to say everything I achieve in life is because of ur blessings... really really proud to be the daughter of 2 of the most humble souls god has ever created! U both are all things love "Pure Love"! Stay happy & healthy! Here's to many many more years of togetherness! I love u stay blessed! (sic)", Esha wrote on Instagram.Hema Malini and Dharmendra, who got married on May 2, 1979, are blessed with two children - Esha and Ahana Deol.
Jagran Prakashan CMD Mahendra Gupta conferred honorary degree
The Jharkhand Rai University has conferred an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree on Mahendra Mohan Gupta, CMD and editorial director of Jagran Prakashan Ltd, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to media leadership and public life. The award recognises his contribution as a media stalwart who has helped create awareness and spearheaded movements concerning issues and challenges that afflict society, said a press release. From being a one-state, one-newspaper, one-language media player, the company has evolved into a multi-state, multi-brand, multi-language, multi-media conglomerate, it added. I truly appreciate the Rai University for conferring this honorary doctorate degree upon me, and will wear it with pride and humility. This will continue to motivate me to contribute to society with even greater commitment, the former Rajya Sabha member said while commenting on the honour. Gupta is on the board of directors of the Press Trust of India.
I feel so much more in control of OCD: Camila Cabello
Singer Camila Cabello says she feels "much more in control" of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The 21-year-old singer, who has struggled with the condition for years, said she has made peace with OCD as it is the healthy way to approach it. "OCD is weird. I laugh about it now. Everybody has different ways of handling stress. And, for me, if I get really stressed about something, I'll start to have the same thought over and over again, and no matter how many times I get to the resolution, I feel like something bad is about to happen if I don't keep thinking about it," Cabello told Cosmopolitan magazine. According to American Psychological Association, OCD is an anxiety disorder in which people have recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel driven to do something repetitively (compulsions). The "Havana" hitmaker added it was her mother, Sinuhe Cabello, who played an important role in helping her come to terms with the psychological ...
Amid Nobel Prize chatter, Trump says Moon 'very generous' to suggest his name
United States President Donald Trump, who is apparently in high spirits amid all the Nobel Peace Prize chatter, has said that South Korean President Moon Jae-in was "very generous" to suggest that the former should be bestowed with the prestigious award over his efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula."I just think that President Moon [Jae-in] was very nice when he suggested it. I want to get peace. The main thing, we want to get peace. It was a big problem, and I think it's going to work out well," the Hill reported, Trump as saying, on Tuesday, when asked about his Nobel prospects."We'll see. . But I thought it was very generous of President Moon of South Korea to make that statement, and I appreciate it, but the main thing is to get it done. I want to get it done."The remarks came a day after South Korean President Moon Jae-in lauded the U.S. leader for leading multilateral discussions with North Korea."President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize," Moon had remarked.It is
April GST collection 'a landmark achievement': Jaitley
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said that Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in April exceeding one lakh crore rupees is a landmark achievement and a confirmation of increased economic activity.Jaitley took to Twitter and wrote, "GST collections in April exceeding Rs. 1 lakh crore is a landmark achievement and a confirmation of increased economic activity as brought out by other reports.""With the improved economic climate, introduction of e-way bill and improved GST compliance, GST collections would continue to show a positive trend," he tweeted.The Finance Ministry said that this is the first occasion that the monthly revenue has breached the 1 trillion milestone. It said, the buoyancy in the tax revenue of GST reflects the upswing in the economy and better compliance.In his tweet, Jaitley also congratulated taxpayers, members of the GST Council, State and Central Government tax administration for the achievement."I would like to congratulate all Taxpayers, ...
Details on location, date of meeting Kim coming in couple of days: Trump
US President Donald Trump today said that details on the location and date for his meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would be announced in the next couple of days. Trump has accepted an invitation to meet the North Korean leaders, which would be the first ever between heads of States of the two countries. A day earlier Trump had floated the idea of having the meeting in the demilitarised zone or DMZ. Singapore is another option. Responding to shouted question, Trump told reporters that details on a location and date should be coming in the "couple of days." In response to another question, Trump said his priority is to get peace in the Korean Peninsula, and not the Nobel Peace Prize. The South Korean President had recently suggested that he be given the Nobel Peace prize. "I thought it was very generous of President Moon" to suggest he should be given the honour. "We want to get peace," he said. Trump also said that he "may" be visiting Jerusalem for the opening of the .
Trump hails astronaut Kalpana Chawla as inspiration for millions of girls
United States President Donald Trump has hailed the late Indian American astronaut Kalpana Chawla as an inspiration for millions of American girls.
