Modi blames UPA’s ‘unilaterism’ for distrust with States

New Delhi, April 16: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of ‘creating an atmosphere of distrust’ with the states through its move to give police powers to central paramilitary forces and investigating agencies. Speaking at the Chief Ministers conference on internal security, he urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to bridge the gap. “Whether it is the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Railway Protection Force or the Border Security Force, the centre’s unilateral activity is creating an atmosphere of distrust between the centre and the state... I urge Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to bridge the gap,” Modi told reporters on the sidelines of the meet.

The centre has proposed the creation of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) that will have powers to arrest terror suspects all over the country, apart from carrying out investigation and raids. This has been opposed by non-UPA chief ministers, including Modi, who shot off letters to the prime minister, resulting in the NCTC not becoming functional on March 1 as was originally proposed.

Modi has also written separately to the prime minister against the proposals to provide the central government-controlled Railway Protection Force (RPF) officers powers equivalent to state police officers; also amendments to the Border Security Force law to enable their officers to effect arrests in the hinterland, apart from existing powers to arrest border violators and cross-border smugglers. Modi said these actions of the centre were creating an atmosphere of distrust with the state governments.

Accusing New Delhi of adopting a unilateral approach on issues concerning internal security, Modi said it must see the states as partners in maintaining national security. However, he noted that the Central Government ‘after long, paid heed’ to the states objection on creation of NCTC and has now decided to hold a separate meeting with the chief ministers on May 5. Modi said the state governments faced the brunt of problems related to internal security and hence must be seen as partners.

Citing examples of ‘non-consultative’ approach of the union government, Modi referred to the amendment to the RPF Act, and said: “The union railway ministry has tried to create a state within state.”

“It is unfortunate that the union government has failed to instil faith and confidence about our defence preparedness in the common man,” Modi said in an obvious reference to the leaked letter of army chief Gen. VK Singh to the prime minister detailing gaps in India’s defence preparedness. “Any lacunae in our defence capability on account of resource constraint, demoralisation of the rank and file, and tensions between the civil and military wing is bound to have an adverse impact on the internal security of the nation. I earnestly request the Indian government to take proactive step to clear the fog of mistrust and suspicion that has arisen on account of the recent unseemly controversy and not remain content with mere issuance of statements,” the Gujarat chief minister added.

Referring to the issue of terrorism, he said it had international ramifications. “We have experienced terrorists fleeing our country and often carrying out subversive act sitting outside the boundaries of our nation. It puzzles me as to what a helpless situation we are put into; even we are unable to bring the perpetrators of terror to justice,” he added. (IANS)

Dhumal takes up Annadale ground issue with PM

New Delhi, April 16: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister P K Dhumal on Monday took up the issue of control over Shimla’s Annandale grounds, on which his government is at loggerheads with the army, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and said he would meet Defence Minister A K Antony also on the issue.

Dhumal told reporters here that ‘the way the Army people are interfering in Shimla on the Annadale issue, indiscipline is increasing and Army officers are making press statements. Indiscipline in central forces is an issue of serious concern.’

“I have met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. I have personally brought the matter to the notice of the Prime Minister. I am also trying to meet the Defence Minister and seeking time from him today,” Dhumal, who was here to attend the meeting of CMs on internal security, said.

Asked about moving the court against the Army for making ‘defamatory’ statements, Dhumal said “some press statement has been given. I have said if an unconditional apology is tendered it is fine, otherwise I am filing a defamation suit in the court. The allegations are without any basis... I don’t know why such a statement has been given. Now, let them face the result of giving such statements.”

Dhumal also raised the matter at the Chief Ministers conference on internal security and sought the handing over of the Annadale ground to the state government from ‘illegal’ possession of defence authorities because lease of the said ground had expired many years back.

He especially took up the issue of the army authorities raising the issue in the media by ‘not only distorting the facts but also making false and baseless’ allegation against the state government and elected high functionaries.

He also demanded an inquiry into whole matter and suitable action against all those responsible in this matter. (PTI)

Chidambaram asks States to combat domestic terror modules

New Delhi, April 16: Expressing concern over the growing number of domestic terror outfits, union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday appealed to states to join in countering such outfits. Speaking at the annual conference of chief ministers on internal security, Chidambaram said that in the two major attacks of 2011 - the serial blasts of July in Mumbai and the blast near Delhi High Court in September - the arrested suspects were Indians. “The chilling facts are principal suspects in two cases are Indian nationals... They operated across states, many of them had no previous criminal records,” Chidambaram said. “I have to conclude regretfully that thanks to radicalisation, there are many Indian groups, which have acquired the capacity to carry out terror attacks,” he said. The home minister informed the conference that in 2011 18 domestic terror modules were neutralised and 53 people were arrested, and in 2012 so far three modules were neutralised and 11 people were arrested. He said the state police and central agencies worked together in cracking these cases, and lauded their efforts. The home minister also expressed concern over the support being extended to those arrested by some groups.

“The cause of worry, however, in practically every case, is a small group of people spring to support of people who are detained for interrogation, or arrested for charge... There is no reason for such support except the affinity of religion or sect,” he said. “ This is a dangerous trend and makes the task of investigation agency more difficult,” said Chidambaram. He also urged the states to join in discouraging such practices. (IANS)

Akhilesh calls for better security infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi, April 16: Making his debut on the national stage after becoming Uttar Pradesh chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav on Monday called for better security infrastructure, more recruitment to police forces and asked for extending ‘mega-city policing’ to Noida and Ghaziabad that adjoin the capital. Yadav noted that the police in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas have been equipped with ‘the best of weaponry and is armed with advanced technology’. But he lamented that the benefits of mega-city policing project were yet to come to Ghaziabad and Noida, the two cities neighbouring the union capital.

He underlined the need for better coordination between security agencies of the state and centre and called for more recruitment in the security set-up as ‘police-population ration was very abysmal’.

Informing the gathering that Uttar Pradesh had taken concrete steps in the state to provide housing to police personnel, Yadav demanded that the union government financially help it with Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years. He rued the fact that provisions for the state police in terms of infrastructure and basic amenities were not up to the mark. Pointing out that the central aid of Rs 100 crore to Uttar Pradesh was paltry, keeping in mind the state budget of Rs.8,000 crore per annum, he urged the prime minister to ensure that Uttar Pradesh police be granted a central aid of Rs.800 crore for modernisation. This, he said, should be extended for the next 10 years.

Under the modernization plan, the chief minister mooted strengthening of video conferencing facilities between prisons and district courts, disaster management and fire services.(IANS)

Terror in Kabul: Antony asks armed forces to be vigilant

New Delhi, April 16: Describing the security situation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region as a ‘continuing cause of concern’, Defence Minister AK Antony on Monday called upon the top brass of the Indian Army to be vigilant and take steps keeping in view the latest terror attacks by the Taliban in Kabul.

Addressing the biannual army commanders conference here, Antony said India remains steadfast in its commitment to provide support and assistance to Afghanistan so that it evolves into a stable country, strengthened by pluralism and free from external interference. Antony called upon the defence forces and all other security agencies to remain prepared to tackle the entire range of security challenges.

“Balancing the imperatives of engaging globally with other powers and maintaining autonomy in decision-making, is one of the most important challenges of our times,” he said.

Referring to sharp increase in the defence spending by China for the modernization of its armed forces, Antony said:“On our part, we will continue to bolster our infrastructure and strengthen our capabilities along the border areas.” “However, our efforts are focused on safeguarding our security interests and not dictated by what other nations are doing,” he said. “Several of the proposals of the army are under implementation. Some others are expected to be cleared in the days ahead. We will provide all the support to modernise and enhance our defence capabilities to successfully meet any challenge,” he added.

Describing the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as stable, Antony said it was ‘a direct consequence’ of the ‘untiring’ efforts of the forces. He, however, said the peace process is extremely fragile and the armed forces need to operate with maximum restraint and control without dropping their guard.

Turning to modernization of the armed forces, an issue raised by Indian Army chief Gen. VK Singh in his March 12 letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Antony said the government’s endeavour has been to provide the desired impetus to arming the forces in a systematic manner.

He assured the forces that the government would continue to improve and fine-tune procedures ‘whenever and wherever necessary’ to ensure that the army meets its modernisation goals in an acceptable time frame.

Antony observed that the acquisition of critical technologies from foreign countries would no doubt get subjected to various technology denial regimes and post-procurement dependencies.

“There is clearly an urgent need,” he said, “to achieve self-reliance in the field of critical defence equipment.” “This can be made possible only with the continuous cooperation of the armed forces, the scientists and other participants in the defence industry,” he added.

Calling for strengthening cooperation in operational, training and administrative facets among the three services and the defence ministry, the defence minister said: “The various security challenges before our armed forces require a concerted effort by all the wings of our armed forces. No single service can achieve the national goals all by itself.”

The defence minister also strongly urged the army commanders to adhere to the highest standards of personal behaviour and professional probity in their day-to-day dealings. (IANS)

Jaitley slams government for ‘attack on federalism’

Jaipur, April 16: Slamming the Congress-led central government for encroaching on the rights of the states, BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Monday said Congress chief ministers should also protest the ‘attack on federalism’. “Concern has been raised by all non-Congress chief ministers in the country and all non-Congress states are seriously concerned about the attitude of the central government where the principle of federal polity and federal governance has been adversely affected,” Jaitley told reporters here. “...whether it is NCTC (National Counter Terrorism Centre), or BSF (amendment bill), they are all intended to encroach upon the law and order jurisdiction of state governments,” he said. “It is regrettable that Congress chief ministers, who should be fighting for the rights of the states, have chosen to be mute. Therefore, it is only non-Congress chief ministers who are speaking.” Jaitley’s comments come on a day when the prime minister called a meeting of all chief ministers to discuss internal security. The issue of NCTC, a proposed anti-terror intelligence agency, is to be discussed at a separate meeting on May 5. Jaitley also said he was ‘glad some UPA constituents are also speaking on the subject’, referring to UPA ally Trinamool Congress which has strongly opposed the NCTC. (IANS)

Lalu slams Nitish for ‘bowing’ before Raj Thackeray

Patna, April 16: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Monday lashed out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for ‘bowing’ before Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray to visit Mumbai for the Bihar Diwas celebrations and said he had humiliated people of the state. Lalu Prasad was also angry over Nitish Kumar raising the slogan of Jai Maharashtra before saying Jai Bihar at the celebrations. “Nitish has compromised with the prestige and sentiments of Bihar to keep Raj Thackeray happy,” the former chief minister said. He added that never before had a Bihar chief minister felt the need to take clearance from a leader like Raj Thackeray. “Nitish first used his party legislator Devesh Chandra Thakur to visit Raj Thackeray to pacify him and subsequently had a telephonic talk with him. Only after that did Raj announce that Nitish Kumar was welcome to come over to Mumbai and address the Bihar Diwas function,” Lalu Prasad said. Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan also criticized Nitish Kumar for kneeling before Thackeray. Thackeray had gently urged Nitish Kumar to refrain from making any political statements at the rally to be held at Somaiya Grounds in Vidyavihar in north Mumbai, MNS vice president Vageesh Saraswat had said. “We are not opposed to any cultural programmes to mark the Bihar Day and it can be held peacefully,” Saraswat said. (IANS)

Will do everything to get Hikaka released: Patnaik

New Delhi, April 16: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said his government will do everything for the release of Biju Janata Dal party legislator Jhina Hikaka, who was abducted by Maoists three weeks ago. Maoists have demanded the release of their comrades from jail in exchange for releasing Hikaka. Patnaik, who is here to attend the daylong conference of state chief ministers on internal security convened by the centre, said the situation was being monitored by the central government too. “I assure you that the government will leave no stone unturned to secure the release of our young tribal MLA,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the conference. Earlier, while going to attend a meeting of non-Congress chief ministers at Tamil Nadu Bhavan here, Patnaik said he had old family ties with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.  (IANS)

‘AFSPA required by armed forces in certain areas’

New Delhi, April 16: Amid renewed demands for the repeal of the controversial AFSPA, Army Chief Gen V K Singh on Monday said the law was a functional requirement for the armed forces in certain areas. “It would be better if you ask the Home Ministry on this issue,” Singh said when asked whether laws like AFSPA were required in the backdrop of Taliban attacks in Afghanistan and their likely impact in India. The General said that Defence Minister A K Antony had asked the armed forces to monitor the happenings in the neighbourhood as its fallout could be felt in the country someday or other. “We are discussing all kinds of issues and this would be a part of the overall discussion,” Singh said when asked about delay in defence acquisition. “Absolutely, a lot of work is being done,” was Singh’s reply to a question on whether enough was being done to provide weapons to modernise the Army. The Army Chief, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in March, had said that India’s security may be at risk as tanks were running out of ammunition, air defence was becoming obsolete and the infantry lacked critical weapons. (PTI)

Delhi civic polls: 32 counting centres set up

New Delhi, April 16: The Delhi State Election Commission has set up counting centres at 32 places across the city for counting of votes for the recently trifurcated Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls. The counting will begin at 8 am on Tuesday, State Election Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said. “We have made appropriate arrangements for carrying out the counting. We have set up 32 counting centres in various parts of Delhi. The counting will start by 8 am and the trends of the results are expected by 12 noon on Tuesday. But the final tally is expected to be out by evening,” Mehta told reporters. Polling for the trifurcated civic body was held Sunday in which 55 per cent polling was recorded. “We have deployed adequate number of security personnel at the 32 counting centres, where the electronic voting machines (EVM) are kept till the counting is taken up,” Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Dharmendra Kumar said. A total of 2,423 candidates were in the fray for 272 municipal wards of the three municipal corporations of North, South and East Delhi.“We will not allow mobile phones inside the counting hall. There is no CCTV coverage, but the counting process will be videographed. Apart from this, the counting agents will have separate entry and exit. A strict vigil will be kept by the police personnel in and around the counting centres, which are mostly educational institutions,” Mehta added. (IANS)

Toongate: Has Mamata Banerjee misused the IT Act?

Question: Why did Mamata Banerjee cross the road?

Answer: To see if the chicken were making fun of her!

In mid-April, the Chief Minister of West Bengal went viral with a vengeance. Hundreds of tweets (like the one above by @harqblack) carried the trendy arrestmenow tag. Courting arrest got a new meaning.

Now, Mamata is not the first to go viral. But such speed is usually found in other celebrity and entertainment domains. But on April 12, on her direction, Kolkata police arrested a Jadavpur University professor of chemistry for emailing a cartoon to a few friends.

The offending cartoon was mild and childish. It picks a dialogue from the Satyajit Ray movie Shonar Kella (the Golden Fort), and has Mamata pointing to a railways logo and saying: “See that, Mukul? Shonar Kella!” At which point Mukul Roy sees Dinesh Trivedi and says: “Bad man!” And Mamata says: “Bad man? Vanish!”

But it apparently had Mamata frothing in rage, and Prof Ambikesh Mohapatra behind bars, charged with wild crimes — Indian Penal Code, Sections 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman), 500 (defamation) and 114 (abetting a crime), and Information Technolocy Act, Section 66 A(b) (causing offence using a computer). But not before the professor was assaulted by over a dozen goons, four of whom (including two Trinamool Congress workers) were later arrested.

The fallout was immediate. Welcome to social media, Mamata.

The harmless, childish toon went wildly viral across the internet. A thousand people saw it earlier, but in 24 hours, a million people had seen and shared it. In 48 hours, the number reached tens of millions through Facebook, twitter and TV. And a mild, unknown Bengali became the most famous professor in India, an icon of free speech. The social media were flooded with messages and tweets, mocking didi - a flood of jokes with the arrestmenow Twitter-tag that became a top trending tag on that day - and severely criticizing her “Hitleresque” reaction to a harmless cartoon.

The outburst quickly transferred itself onto global media, with columns, critiques and a range of coverage that Mamata could hardly have aspired to. There are two big learnings from Toongate, other than the fact that Hitler is an anachronism in the social media era.

One, banning a cartoon or any other communication is beyond stupid, at least as a means of suppression. A thousand-viewer cartoon now has ten million and counting.

Two, that the misuse of the IT Act as an instrument of suppression - specifically, section 66A - will rise.

In India’s IT Act (2008 amendment), section 66A covers sending anything electronically that is grossly offensive or has menacing character. In this case, the childish, silly cartoon in question (twitpic.com/9975yy) was posted on various Facebook profiles, and subsequently used widely in online and electronic media and newspapers. Yet, the professor’s act of forwarding it by e-mail to a few friends has been considered a cyber crime.

India’s Ministry of ICT needs to urgently seek legal advice and recommend a modification. For a start, pre-publication in mainstream media could become grounds for non-applicability of section 66A. But I am not a lawyer. I am sure that given the will, they can find a way.

And a footnote. I sent that cartoon by e-mail to friends, probably before the professor did. Now it’s on my blog, and on my Facebook and Twitter timelines. Arrest me, Ms. Banerjee? (IANS)

Lahore is Delhi 50 years ago: Mira Nair

Mumbai, April 16: Internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, who managed to shoot a part of her next project The Reluctant Fundamentalist in Lahore, Pakistan, says the city, though unsafe to shoot in, was a ‘twin’ to Indian capital New Delhi’s old world charm. Nair managed to shoot in Lahore for four days, but had to shoot the remaining part in locations in New Delhi. “We had to do it with only a full Pakistani crew. It wasn’t safe to shoot there. But otherwise, such a beautiful, refined city and such a twin to Delhi! But Lahore is Delhi 50 years ago. So we had really look hard for a Delhi that isn’t so immediately visible to the eye,” she added.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist, based on Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid’s eponymous novel, narrates the transformation of a Princeton-educated Pakistani youth with a cushy American job and an American girlfriend.

Nair, who found international recognition with films like Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Fair, The Namesake and Amelia, hopes The Reluctant Fundamentalist gets released in Pakistan.

“I sure as hell hope it gets released in Pakistan. I mean I’m not too clear on political issues. But there’s a new liberalized trade policy between India and Pakistan. So if nothing else, at least we can hope to see the film gets released in Pakistan along with the rest of the world,” she said.

The US-based filmmaker says gets nostalgic as she talks about Pakistan. For now, she has immersed herself in the post-production work of the movie, which also features Shabana Azmi, in Mumbai.

Nair was recently also in Delhi to receive the Padma Bhushan award. (IANS)

Pakistan fashion fraternity eyes franchises, collaborations in India

New Delhi, April 16: Pakistan’s fashion fraternity has welcomed India and Pakistan’s decision to open more trade routes and hope to expand their reach by collaborating with Indian wholesalers, brands and opening retail outlets here.

“We are the largest retail brand in Pakistan with almost 60 outlets all across the country. Our plan was not just to stand here and sell our stuff as a brand, rather we are looking at a larger picture here,” Muhammad Iqbal, head of franchise and branding, Karachi-based Bonanza Garment Industries Pvt Ltd, said at the four-day Lifestyle Pakistan exhibition that ended in the capital on Sunday.

Danish A Adamjee, CEO, Karachi-based clothing brand Khaadi, adds that the move to open more trade routes will reap benefits for both the countries. “The day the trade opens up we will have two retails outlets in two major cities in India. We are told that by December the trade will be opened and by January-February we should have a store here,” he said.

Pakistan’s premier fashion designer Deepak Perwani says he has received lot of enquiries from Indian multi-design stores, who wish to stock up his collection.

Designer Honey Waqar has got offers from Ensemble, Carma and Kimaya, however, she still hasn’t planned how to work it out.

“I think FDI is great. This is going to bring lot of prosperity and friendship. I hope to see lot of things sorted out. If it works out well we will definitely open a store here,” she added.

Shehnaz Basit Ikram, director marketing, of another well-known fashion label Gul Ahmed, is looking forward to partnerships with Indian fashion brands rather than a franchise store. (IANS)

Food in art: Artists play with dynamics of gastronomy

New Delhi, April 16: A plate of food and wine on the table is no longer mere gastronomy. It is high art of flavour, colour, textures, concepts, cultures, science and politics - everything that contemporary art has been experimenting with for the last decade.

Food in conceptual art seeks to connect the visual with the cerebral and the visceral, says Indonesian contemporary Julian Abraham, who is working on the concept of fermentation, wine, prohibition and faith with installations. His new work, Karma Wine: Kapitan Biopunk, a multimedia installation on display in the national capital recently, relates to the art and science of wine-making.

A sculpture, resembling Abraham, responds to viewers’ repeated entreaties for wine over a microphone on the basis of sonic waves. Once the sound connection is made and the circuit established, the figure lowers its head and pours wine as benediction from its mouth into the devotee’s waiting cup. The installation is accompanied by texts ‘about the history of fermentation, its religious and scientific significance and analogies’.

The wine is tamarind water fermented over two weeks by the artist. “I have used the concept of a religious rite wherein the worshipper prays to the guru expecting a good life and probably a good afterlife. The wine is a salute while the viewers’ prayer is a rite,” Abraham said. “But it did not work out that way - people tried to brew their own alcohol with methanol or wood alcohol...I wanted to explore its implications and outlooks across cultures,” Abraham said.

The humble fortified biscuit - designed to enhance nutrition level - is a subject of food aid politics in young artists Ruchika Negi and Amit Mahanti’s new video installation, The Idea of The Biscuit - featuring a biscuit advertisement and a man masticating food. Studies say fortified biscuits with iodine and iron have improved the health of rural children in developing countries - and sparked virulent politics over brand placements, pricing and policies. Performance and installation artist Shweta Bhattad uses food and performance to address issues of wastage. Her new multi-media performance art, Three Course Meal and Dessert of Vomit, paints a macabre portrait of gluttons drowning in their own ‘vomit’.

Italian conceptual artist Alfonso Borrogain has been engaging with street food vendors in the capital with his concept of fluorescent food - lighting them up with phosporous or coloured phosphorescent lamps. The artist has been working with ‘Ostrich eggs and chicken egg’ pinhole cameras - made of the egg shells - that photograph people as they eat eggs.

“We are witnessing a global food revolution. So long, we had colonization of food with fares migrating to other parts of the globe. But now food is evolving in the same way as art has. People are beginning to recognize universal new symbols as in globalised art. Presentation and style have become more important in modernist cuisines,” critic Ryan Bromley said here. Bromley is working on a visual project, “How the food of the future will look”, together with large food chains.

Executive chef Shivanand Kain (Eggspectation) says art in food begins at the time when chefs begin to conceptualise the dish. The new kitchens add to artistic value, he says. (IANS)

BSNL launces six internet data centres for cloud services

New Delhi, April 16: State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Monday launched its internet data centres (IDCs) in six cities to offer managed hosting and cloud services in collaboration with IT services provider Dimension Data.

The centres are located in Mumbai, Faridabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Ludhiana and Ghaziabad. “BSNL will offer managed co-location, managed hosting and cloud services through these IDCs built, operated and managed by Dimension Data for BSNL,” the firm said in a statement.

Cloud computing is expected to be the future of information technology and its adoption will be driven by the increasing commitment of the government towards healthcare, education, rural development and other e-governance initiatives.

“The IDCs will enhance BSNL’s comprehensive service portfolio to meet the communications and IT needs of large medium as well as small business enterprises in India,” Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said, inaugurating the IDC services. “It will facilitate various organizations to quickly induct IT enabled services within their organizations without the hassles of setting up and maintaining their own data centres,” he added. (IANS)

Pungi Panga: Iranian band barobax apologizes to Pritam for plagiarism accusation

Mumbai, April 16: Composer Pritam Chakraborty can now finally heave a sigh of relief. The composer, who had been accused by Iranian band Barobax claiming that the song Pyaar Ki Pungi from the spy thriller Agent Vinod had beats lifted from their track Soosan Khanoom, has received an apology from the band. It seems that the band could not prove that Pritam has plagiarized the song and hence, they withdrew the case and submitted an apology. “We decided to withdraw the case filed against Pritam and others for the copying of a song of Barobax, an Iranian band. After looking into the defences of Pritam and the analysis made by various experts, we have realized that Pritam is right and there is no copying of our song and so we understood that we cannot built a good case. We do not want to get into any further legal issue and so we are withdrawing the case as we know that Pritam’s Lawyer Henal Vakharia  is an expert in Copyright laws  and there will be strong criminal action otherwise made out against us”, they said in a statement. On his part, Pritam’s lawyer Henal Vakharia further informed, “They decided to withdraw the case after realizing that we had a strong case. For probably the first time in India in a music infringement case, a defence as elaborate was set up. In music, what are apparent to a layman, as similar, may be poles apart from a technical perspective. It was a challenge to convince all that there was no plagiarism. We broke the entire composition threadbare and have proved that there were no copyright issues in any which way while preparing for the case, I actually learnt a lot on the technicalities of music and Pritam also picked up many nuances of law. There was no way that the plaint could be sustained and hence they had to withdraw and give a public apology.” (Agencies)

Two item songs in Zanjeer remake, Mahie gets one

Mumbai, April 16: Item songs have almost become a staple in Bollywood films, and Amit Mehra who is producing the remake of 1973 film Zanjeer too plans to cash in on the trend by including two item numbers, of which one will be featured on actress Mahie Gill. Mahie will also essay Bindu’s iconic ‘Mona Darling’ in the Zanjeer remake, to be directed by Apoorva Lakhia. The film will feature southern superstar Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan Teja and Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra in the lead. Mehra is extremely confident about Teja’s acting skills, and feels he will do justice to the role. Priyanka will join the crew of his movie by May end. However, music being a crucial part of movies, Mehra is yet to decided who to trust with the musical score for the film. The shooting of the Zanjeer remake began from April 13 at Mumbai’s Film city. It is expected to release by May 2013. (IANS)

People are tired of film promotion: Anil Kapoor

Mumbai, April 16: Actor Anil Kapoor, who will soon be seen in Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Tezz, feels people are tired with excessive film promotions, and says he is glad Tezz isn’t a part of that rat race. Talking further about his role, he said: “I’m playing the role of a police officer with a heart. I am an officer who is in the anti-terrorist squad and he is in England working since 20-25 years, However, he wants to go to his birthplace in Punjab and wants to take his kids there.” “The department gives him a last case, which involves some Asians and Indians and a hijacked train, and asks him to solve it. So, that’s his mission.” (IANS)

No marriage plans right now: Kunal Kemmu

Mumbai, April 16: Actor Kunal Kemmu and his girlfriend Soha Ali Khan have rubbished reports that they are set to tie the knot by November this year. The wedding plans are yet to be put in place, says the couple. Asked if they will pip Soha’s brother Saif Ali Khan and actress Kareena Kapoor to the wedding post, Kunal said: “It’s not like we are ahead of someone or behind. There is no hurry that if they are getting married, we should also do it.” Soha added: “It’s not a race! Whenever it is the right time, we will talk.” (IANS)

Highways through Indian tiger reserves will destroy habitat

New Delhi, April 16: As India strives hard to protect its big cats, a study in a tiger reserve has found that busy highways and excessive road expansion will destroy wildlife populations and their habitats in the long term, as large mammals avoid such areas. The study, comes at a time when there are just 1,706 tigers left in the country and a debate is on over according the green nod to construction of highways through various tiger reserves.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Centre for Wildlife Studies carried out a preliminary study examining the impact of vehicular traffic on the usage of road edges by large mammals — elephants, chital (spotted deer), tiger, leopard, gaur (Indian bison) and wild pigs — along a highway passing through Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.

The team of experts estimated large mammal encounter rates using remotely triggered camera traps on two consecutive sections — one closed to vehicular traffic and the other open to vehicles only during daytime — of the Mysore-Mananthavadi Highway, passing through the tiger reserve.

In all, a total of 681 animal trails intersected the highway. For species such as the wild pig, tiger and leopard, the photo-capture rates were zero-inflated and a more sustained monitoring overtime may enable a better assessment of how these species respond to vehicular traffic along highways. The study pointed out that while there are legally mandated assessments of the potential ecological impacts of such infrastructure projects prior to implementation, rarely are there post-implementation assessments of their real ecological impacts. (IANS)