Part 1 - South Asian Daily

INDIA BREAK 23-YEAROLD JINX, BEAT SOUTH
AFRICA IN WORLD CUP
India handed South Africa their biggest defeat in World Cups,
India v South Africa, World Cup 2015, Melbourne, Australia
EDUCATION MINISTER LIZ SANDALS DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY.
(PHOTO THE CANADIAN PRESS)
ONTARIO'S NEW SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM
COMING IN SEPTEMBER, GETS MIXED REVIEWS
BY SHAZIA MALIK
TORONTO - The much anticipated and talked about sex-education curriculum was released by Ontario's Education Minister Liz Sandals during
a press conference on Monday. Ontario's new sex education curriculum
will be introduced in Ontario schools coming September.
Ontario is releasing updated Health and Physical Education curriculum
to give students accurate information that will help keep them safe and
healthy. The province is also providing parents with resources to help
them understand and participate in what will be taught to their children.
Starting September 2015, the updated curriculum will reflect health, safety
and well-being realities faced by today's students. Updates to the curriculum include healthy relationships, consent, mental health, online
safety and the risks of "sexting."
Ontario's Education Minister Liz Sandals said "We are updating the curriculum to ensure the safety and health of our students. Schools and
parents both play an essential and complementary role in suppor ting student learning - including learning about human development and sexual health. We are listening to parents. That is
why we are working with education par tners to develop a number
of resources for parents and educators about the curriculum and
about issues impacting today's children and youth." Children will
learn about their body par ts in Grade 1 and about homosexuality
and same-sex marriage in Grade 3. In Grade 6, they'll talk about
puber ty - a chat that will cover masturbation. When they get to the
subject of sexually transmitted diseases in Grade 7, they'll learn
just how they're contracted, including through oral and anal sex.
The new sex education curriculum is getting mixed reviews with
some protesting and some calling it much ado about nothing. At
the hear t of this debate is also the timing of the introduction of sex
education as some agree that children need this education but is
the timing right to teach about these issues at an early age.
Though the government officials insist that the revamped curriculum
will enhance healthy relationships and that views of a reasonable sample
of parents was taken into account before its introduction, a large number
of parents from various groups have shown their remorse. The government has permitted parents to pull their kids from a particular class on
sex education without retarding the grades of their kids.
It is interesting to note that the document has the consent of all major
political parties in Ontario -Liberals, NDP and PC except few MPPs asking tough questions.
I CONTD. ON PAGE 9
INDIAN CONSUL GENERAL AKHILESH MISHRA AT THE MULTILINGUAL LITERARY FORUM IN TORONTO.
I DETAILS ON PAGE 4
Melbourne (IANS): India finally managed to break a 23-year-old jinx
when they thrashed favourites South Africa by 130 runs to win their
second World Cup Pool B match at the 90,000-capacity Melbourne
Cricket Ground (MCG) here Sunday.
After keeping their unbeaten run against Pakistan in World Cups, the
defending champions, a week later, straightened another record when they
beat the Proteas -- their first in the quadrennial event. The two-time champions had lost all their three previous meetings in 1992, 1999 and 2011.
It was a crucial toss to win as a marvellous 137 by Shikhar Dhawan
guided India to a healthy total of 307/7 in their 50 overs. In reply, the
strong South African batting unit, comprising of the two-top batsmen
in the world, collapsed for a mere 177 in 40.2 overs.
Dhawan's ton, his seventh and also his highest One-Day International
(ODI) score, is also the best World Cup score so far against the Proteas, surpassing former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming's unbeaten 134 in 2003.
At the star t, the defending champions got a huge jolt when opener
Rohit Sharma (0) was run out by a direct hit from South African skipper AB de Villiers in only the third over.
However, Man-of-the-Match Dhawan and vice-captain Virat Kohli (46)
combined well to put up a 127-run second-wicket par tnership. The
duo were extremely cautious after Rohit's wicket which resulted in a
very slow star t for India.
I CONTD. ON PAGE 25
PETROLEUM MINISTRY LEAK
FRESH ARREST EXPOSES NEW
ESPIONAGE RACKET
New Delhi, (IANS) The Delhi Police Monday said it has arrested
another person in the case relating to the leak of petroleum ministry documents, and thus busted another espionage racket targeting the coal, power and other ministries.
"We have arrested one more person, Lokesh, who used to provide stolen documents of coal and petroleum ministry to some
corporate houses. His arrest led us to bust another racket," Delhi
Police chief B.S. Bassi told the media.
Lokesh Sharma, in his 30s, was formerly with the multi-tasking
staff (MTS) at Shastri Bhawan. A resident of Vijay Nagar in west
Delhi's Uttam Nagar area, Sharma was arrested from Dwarka.
Sharma, who has been par t of the racket for more than two years,
had two forged identity cards of the coal and power ministries
and copies of various secret documents in his possession.
Police said Sharma was also attached with the first module busted
by Delhi Police Feb 17 night. He was also in touch with former
journalist Santanu Saikia and Melbourne-based energy consultant Prayas Jain, to whom he used to provide stolen documents.
Both are in custody.
During investigation, police found out that Sharma's father worked
at one of the government ministries but have yet to identify which
par ticular one.
Police sources said Sharma not only stole documents from the
ministry of coal at the Shastri Bhawan, but also from the ministry
of power at Shram Shakti Bhawan.
CIRCULATED THROUGH : TORONTO, MARKHAM, SCARBOROUGH, RICHMOND HILL, VAUGHAN, WOODBRIDGE, ETOBICOKE, NORTH YORK, MALTON, REXDALE, BRAMPTON, MISSISSAUGA, OAKVILLE, HAMILTON, MILTON, STONEY CREEK, BURLINGTON
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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
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MIDWEEK NEWS
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
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PAGE 3
'BIRDMAN' FLIES HIGH AT 87TH ACADEMY AWARDS
3
BIG B LAUGHS-OFF
'DISAPPOINTED' FAN'S
REMARKS
J.K. Simmons won best suppor ting actor for his role as a tyrannical
music teacher in "Whiplash", which also won for editing and sound
mixing at the event, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.
"Selma", which depicts the US civil rights struggle, won the best
original song for "Glory". John Legend and Common took to the stage
to perform the number during the ceremony. While accepting the award,
Legend said voting-right restrictions and incarceration rates for black
menshowed that there was continuing need for action.
"The struggle for justice is right now," he said, repor ts guardian.co.uk.
Among the documentary features, it was Laura Poitras's "Citizenfour",
on Edward Snowden, which received the golden statuette.
Poland's "Ida" walked away with the accolades in the foreign language film category, to which Indian movie "Liar's Dice" failed to
make a cut even as a nomination.
BIG B LAUGHS-OFF 'DISAPPOINTED'
FAN'S REMARKS
Alejandro G. Inarritu (2nd R) poses with Sean Penn (2nd L) after winning the Best Original Screenplay award for "Birdman" (The
Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) during the 87th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, USA (IANS).
Los Angeles, (IANS) "Birdman", a satirical tale of an ageing movie
star attempting to reinvent himself via Broadway, clinched key honours
Sunday night at the 87th Academy Awards, where India had a no
show this time.
"Birdman", which was nominated in nine categories, picked up four
honours - Best Picture, Best Director (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu),
Best Writing (Original Screenplay) and Best Cinematography - at the
gala, which saw a melange of Hollywood stars come together to
celebrate cinema.
Another big winner was "The Grand Budapest Hotel", which tied with
"Birdman" for four awards. The Wes Anderson-directorial won Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score)and
Production Design.
One of the season's favourites - "Boyhood" - could manage just one
Oscar for Patricia Arquette. She secured the Best Suppor ting Actress
award - and delivered a fitting acceptance speech, demanding equal
pay for women. In response, veteran actress Meryl Streep stood up
and cheered at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.
"The Imitation Game" went back home with only one award for Graham Moore's adapted screenplay. Even "American Sniper" managed
just one win - sound editing.
It was Eddie Redmayne's victory for his performance as Stephen
Hawking in "The Theory Of Everything" which turned out to be a highlight at the Oscars ceremony. Calling himself "one very very lucky
man", he dedicated the award to the film crew and his wife, the Hawking family and to "everyone around the world suffering from ALS".
The best actress title went to Julianne Moore for her por trayal of a
woman diagnosed with early onset dementia in "Still Alice".
Mumbai (IANS): Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has laughed off snide comments
from one of his blog readers and says he isn't sure if the individual
has lost his "sense of humour". Big B posted a long letter from a
"disappointed" fan, who complained about the style of the
superstar's writing calling it "a tor turous bheja-fry", on his official blog srbachchan.tumblr.com, which he uses to express his
thoughts on varied subjects or to even promote his projects, late
Thursday night. Keeping his calm, the 72-year-old, who is gearing up for the release of his films "Piku" and "Wazir", replied by a
simple laugh, writing "Ha ha..." Referring to the fan as an "EF"
(extended family), Amitabh added: "Come on EF…what
happened..lost your sense of humour…many feeling offended by
the Blog content..really…do you really think it was offensive..you
must be joking..do you genuinely believe that I could ever do
that.. "It was a pat on the backs of the EF .. feel it and feel the love.."
JOIN THE DISCUSSION EVERYDAY
ON CRICKET WORLD CUP
From MARCH 2 on Southasian PULSE Radio on AM 770 at 6: 45
AM , 7: 15 AM , 10: 45 AM & 11:15
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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
INDIAN CONSULATE IN TORONTO HOSTS A
MULTI-LINGUAL POETRY RECITAL TO CELEBRATE
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
TORONTO - The Consulate General of India, Toronto
hosted a multi-lingual poetry recital (Bahu Bhashiya
Kavi Goshthi) to mark the International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2015. The programme
hosted in the premises of the Consulate was attended by about 100 literary personalities who travelled from all over the Greater Toronto Area despite
extremely harsh winter and severe snowfall.
The multi-lingual poetry recital was a unique initiative to provide a larger and broader platform for presentation of poetry in all major Indian languages represented in Ontario including Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu,
Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telgu, Oria, Kannada,
Bhojpuri and Sanskrit.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Akhilesh
Mishra highlighted the importance of the multilingual literary forum not for mere presentation of poetry in different languages, like screening of various
films in a multiplex theatre, but for catalyzing a process of intellectual dialogue and conversation among
all Indian linguistic groups. He stressed on the
need for various ethnic literary organization to shed
their parochial and compartmentalized approach
and engage in inter-lingual conversation and exchange for creating fresh ideas, vitality and energy in all linguistic communities. He also underscored the significance of presenting a holistic
understanding of India’s extremely rich and diverse
literary heritage to the next generation of Canada-born youths. In this context he exhorted
the community to develop an online portal to provide an easy mechanism for sharing of
educational material, literary creations and new ideas in various Indian languages,
with translation in Hindi and/or English.
Expressing great optimism about the future of vernacular literature in India, Consul
General Mishra referred to the transformational initiation of Prime Minister Modi
regarding inclusive economic development through policy of Sabka Saath - Sabka
Vikas, financial inclusion and direct transfer of benefits to the poorest and Digital India
mission to provide broadband WiFi connectivity to 250,000 villages in the next 3
years. This could empower about 600 million rural Indian population to create
and share their poetry and literary creativity with the global audience. In view
of the overwhelming appreciation of the initiative to bring together all Indian
languages for the first time, the Consulate proposes to organize such programme
periodically.
GANDHI STATUE TO BE UNVEILED IN
BRITAIN'S PARLIAMENT SQUARE
London, (IANS) A statue of Mahatma Gandhi will be unveiled in Britain's prestigeous Parliament Square in London next month, a
media repor t said Monday.
The memorial will be unveiled March 14 and will stand alongside those of Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela. The Gandhi
Statue Memorial Trust has given one million pounds (over $1.5 million) for the sculpture.
Gandhi will be the first Indian, and the only person never to have been in public office, to be honoured with a statue in the square,
BBC repor ted.
Gandhi earned his law degree in London before leading India's independence movement against British rule.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of Gandhi's return to India from South Africa to start the country's struggle for self-rule.
MYSTERY TUNNEL DISCOVERED
NEAR PAN AM GAMES VENUE
Toronto - Toronto Police has discovered a tunnel that has
been dug in the woods near Toronto's Rexall Centre and
York University's Keele campus. The tunnel is around 2.5
metres in height, and about seven metres long, is well lit
and powered by a generator. The tunnel is near the venue
for this summer's Pan Am Games in Toronto. The police
have made no arrests and ruled out any terrorist activity
but urged the residents to share any information they might
have. Tennis Canada, which operates in the Rexall Centre,
is co-operating with the police investigation, a spokesperson said.
PM ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF DR. NOËL A.
KINSELLA AS CANADA'S NEWEST PRIVY COUNCILLOR
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, look on as Dr. Noël A. Kinsella is sworn in as Canada's newest Privy Councillor during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced the appointment of Dr. Noël A. Kinsella
as Canada's newest Privy Councillor.
Dr. Kinsella is being honoured for his outstanding public service to Canadians. He was a senior
public servant, serving as Associate Under-Secretary of State of Canada when he was appointed to the
Senate of Canada on September 12, 1990. While in the Upper Chamber, Dr. Kinsella served as Opposition
Whip, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and Leader of the Opposition before being appointed as Speaker of
the Senate of Canada on February 8, 2006, and serving until November 26, 2014.
In addition to his many contributions to public service, Dr. Kinsella served as President of the
New Brunswick Human Rights Commission for 22 years. He is an Honorary Captain in the Royal
Canadian Navy's Naval Reserve as well as a licensed member of the College of Psychologists of
New Brunswick, and spent 41 years as a faculty member at St. Thomas University where he
taught psychology, philosophy and human rights.
Dr. Kinsella has earned several university degrees, has had a successful career as a psycholo-
gist, labour arbitrator, and author, and is a well-known human rights advocate and academic in
Canada and around the world.
Quick Facts
"
Privy Councillors are members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, established
under the Constitution Act, 1867 to advise the Governor General.
"
The Privy Council includes all past and present Ministers, as well as a number of select
persons honoured for their contributions to Canada.
"
Members are appointed by the Governor General, on the recommendation of the Prime
Minister.
"I am pleased to announce that Dr. Noël A. Kinsella has been appointed as the newest Privy
Councillor, to recognize his many years of public service and the strong leadership he showed
during his time as Speaker of the Senate." - Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Source: pm.gc.ca
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
breaking news
HEAT OVER LAND BILL AS OPPOSITION,
KEJRIWAL SLAM 'ANTI-FARMER' BILL
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In the Rajya Sabha, the opposition alleged that the government was trying to
bypass parliament on the bill, while the government denied it.
"We have given a notice. The whole country is agitated against the ordinance,
there are protests going on in Delhi," said Samajwadi Party leader Naresh
Agarwal.
Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien urged the members to discuss the matter when
the measure comes to the house. "Ordinance has to be replaced by bill.
When the bill comes, you can discuss."
Congress Deputy Leader Anand Sharma alleged the government was trying
to bypass parliament through an ordinance.
"We can't accept that the government will govern through ordinances overriding the legislative scrutiny of parliament," he said.
Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, however, said it was
unfair to say the government was bypassing parliament.
"No law can bypass the house. My friend should remember 636 ordinances
have come and 80 percent of them came when Anand Sharma's party was in
government," he said.
BHAGWAT'S MOTHER TERESA
COMMENTS KICK UP STORM
New Delhi (IANS): The NDA government came in for strident criticism over
the land acquisition bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, with
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joining Gandhian activist Anna Hazare in
slamming the legislation as "anti-farmer" and demanding its withdrawal.
The Rajya Sabha witnessed a ruckus as opposition members demanded a
discussion on the bill, leading to suspension of business of the house.
The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill 2015 was introduced in the Lok
Sabha amid an uproar by the opposition. Once passed, it will replace the land
ordinance promulgated by the NDA government Dec 30, 2014.
In a bid to mollify the opposition, the BJP has set up an eight-member committee of party MPs, headed by former union minister Satyapal Malik, to
seek to hold discussions with farmers and other organisations on the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile asked his party MPs to aggressively defend the land acquisition bill saying that it is pro-farmer, sources
said.
According to the sources, the prime minister said at the BJP parliamentary
party meeting Tuesday morning that the bill will work in favour of farmers and
asked MPs to defend it.
At the Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal joined anti-corruption activist Hazare in his
agitation against the bill, saying he will not allow the central government to
forcibly take land away from anyone in the national capital under the land
acquisition law.
Addressing a crowd of protestors, Kejriwal said: "We will use all our force to
ensure that land is not taken away forcibly from anyone in Delhi."
He noted that land is a subject that comes under the purview of the central
government but his government would still make all the necessary efforts to
protect the poor.
Hazare, who led an anti-corruption movement against the previous UPA
government, has termed the bill as "undemocratic" and demanded its withdrawal.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, speaking in Patna, hit out against the bill
and termed it against the interests of farmers.
"We are opposed to the bill and there is no question of supporting it," he said.
He said his party along with other like-minded parties would not allow the bill
to be passed in parliament without a proper discussion, and accused the
Narendra Modi-led government of working against the interests of farmers to
benefit industrialists.
New Delhi, (IANS) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's comments on
Mother Teresa kicked up a furore as political par ties and Christian groups Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi
show that he meant every word of his assurance last week that he
would not tolerate inciting of religious hatred.
From Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said Mother Teresa,
recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Bharat Ratna, was a
"noble soul" and should be spared, to the Congress par ty and
Christian organisations, including the Missionaries of Charity
founded by Mother Teresa, all termed Bhagwat's comments "uninformed" and "unfor tunate".
A week after Modi spoke out strongly on religious freedom, saying "My government will not allow any religious group to incite
hatred against others, overtly or cover tly. Mine will be a government that gives equal respect to all religions", there was a chorus
of demands from all quarters that the prime minister show that he
meant what he said.
"I worked wid Mother Teresa for a few months at Nirmal Hriday
ashram in Kolkata. She was a noble soul. Pl spare her," Kejriwal
tweeted. Bhagwat said in Rajasthan Monday that Mother Teresa's
service to the poor was aimed at conver ting them to Christianity.
The Congress raised the issue in the Lok Sabha but the government refused to respond.
"The government has nothing to do with such statements. Individual organisations have every right to speak outside (parliament)," Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said.
The Missionaries of Charity described Bhagwat as "uninformed"
in the light of his conversion remarks. The Diocese of Calcutta too
termed the comments "unfor tunate".
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PM CELEBRATES THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AT THE
AUSTIN HARRIS RESIDENCE IN RICHMOND
PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER, HIS WIFE LAUREEN, AND ALICE WONG, MINISTER OF STATE (SENIORS), MEET WITH RESIDENTS
AT THE AUSTIN HARRIS RESIDENCE TO MARK THE LUNAR NEW YEAR. (PHOTO BY JASON RANSOM)
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
SUKHWINDER BHAURA
RECOGNIZED AMONG TOP 75
REALTORS FOR EXCELLENCE
Brampton - A tenacious attitude combined with great customer service is being rewarded as Sukhwinder
(Sukh) Bhaura of CENTURY
21 President Realty Inc. Brokerage was awarded Double
Centurion Producer, Centurion Honor Society by CENTURY 21® Canada at the Annual Kick Off Event held in
Toronto.
He was also recognised among the top 75 realtors in the country. He is ranked 39th for Individual Production in Canada and
71st for Individual Units Sale in Canada. “My success has come
from my personal goal of providing a high level of service and
market knowledge to each one of my customers. In addition,
CENTURY 21 has consistently given me the professional training and suppor t I need to reach my goals,” said Sukhwinder
(Sukh) Bhaura.
Sukhwinder (Sukh) Bhaura has been a real estate broker for 12
years. He is also involved as a volunteer with the Toronto Real
Estate Board (TREB) as par t of its Member Communications
Committee. He is an active member of the community and involved in fundraising and other initiatives.
Sukhwinder (Sukh) Bhaura’s professionalism and dedication
has made him a valued and trusted real estate par tner in the
community and a major contributor to the overall success of our
office,” said Broker of Record Gurcharan (Garry) Bhaura “Congratulations from all of us!”
REALTORS® with CENTURY 21 President Realty Inc. Brokerage
are uniquely qualified to help home buyers navigate the opportunities that exist in the local real estate market and provide
sellers with excellent marketing and exposure for their properties.
To
view
proper ty
listings,
visit
www.century21president.com
MISSISSAUGA MAYOR BONNIE
CROMBIE CONGRATULATES
VARIOUS COMMUNITIES
PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER IS GREETED BY ABBESS VENERABLE YUNGKU DURING THE 2015 CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL
AT THE FO GUANG SHAN TEMPLE OF TORONTO. (PMO PHOTO BY JASON RANSOM)
Liberal
Leader Justin
Trudeau on
Chinese New
Year
TORONTO - The Leader of the
Liberal Par ty of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has issued the
following statement on the
occasion of the Chinese New
Year:
"Today marks the star t of the
Chinese New Year, during
which Chinese communities
around the world will celebrate the Year of the Goat. As
we gather with friends and
family for dinners, dragon
dancing, and the exchanging
of gifts, let us take this opportunity to reflect on the important role that the Chinese community has played in shaping
our nation. Let us look with
optimism to a future filled with
good health, happiness, and
prosperity for all.
"I am deeply honoured to be
joining the Chinese community at events in the Greater
Toronto Area to celebrate this
impor tant occasion. On behalf
of the Liberal Par ty of Canada
and our entire Parliamentary
Caucus, Sophie and I extend
our warmest wishes to all
Chinese-Canadians as they
ring in the New Year.
"Kung Hay Fat Choy! Xin Nian
Kuai Le!"
Mississauga - "On behalf of the City of Mississauga and Members of Council, I would like to offer our city's vibrant and thriving Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese communities - best wishes
for a happy, healthy and prosperous Lunar New Year.
"Lunar New Year is an oppor tunity for all residents to reflect on
the impor tant and lasting contributions Mississauga's AsianCanadian community has made as engaged volunteers; public
servants; entrepreneurs; and business people.
"Each Lunar New Year is a welcomed oppor tunity for personal
renewal. A time for all people to under take resolutions, overcome challenges, and enrich their lives.
"2015 marks the year of the goat. It is said that this animal
represents thoughtfulness, sympathy and other good-natured
qualities. "I have seen first-hand how all Mississaugans embody these genuine characteristics. Mississauga is a city that
cares. "As we celebrate the arrival of this Lunar New Year, let
us be mindful of those less for tunate in our community who
need our sympathy, compassion and assistance. "I ask all residents to be generous with their time and talents. I encourage
Mississaugans to engage in random acts of kindness. It is up to
all of us to strengthen our neighbourhoods and make our worldclass city an even better place to call home. "Once again, let me
wish all Mississaugans a Happy Lunar New Year."
CITY OF TORONTO'S PLAN
FOR MANAGING GRAFFITI
RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
TORONTO - The City of Toronto's Graffiti Management Plan has
been honoured with the Silver Award for Leadership in Municipal
Government by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada
(IPAC) and Deloitte.
The City's Graffiti Management Plan is an integrated approach to
graffiti and street art that combines enforcement, removal and beautification through the StARToronto initiatives and improved coordination to both support victims of graffiti vandalism and showcase
street art and artists. The program is led by Transportation Services and Municipal Licensing and Standards in conjunction with
the Toronto Police Service and community groups such as Business Improvement Areas, arts organizations and artists.
"Receiving this award illustrates the creativity and ingenuity of
those involved with the Graffiti Management Plan," said Councillor
Cesar Palacio (Ward 17 Davenport), Chair of the City's Licensing
and Standards Committee. "City staff were able to par tner
with different organizations and groups in order to come up
with innovative solutions that have helped to beautify communities across the city."
"Congratulations are in order for city staff, the police and the many
community groups and artists involved in this great program," said
Councillor Jaye Robinson (Ward 25 Don Valley West), Chair of the
Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "This award highlights
a tremendous success story for the City of Toronto."
The IPAC - Deloitte national leadership awards were established to
recognize organizations across Canada that have combined outstanding leadership, innovation and strategic thinking with effective collaboration and partnerships that take bold steps to improve
and advance public policy and management.
The City of Toronto Open Government Initiative was also recognized at the IPAC - Deloitte Public Sector Leadership Conference as
a finalist for the Leadership in Municipal Government award.
Additional information about all award recipients is available at
ipac.ca.
Source: toronto.ca
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
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community
ISHA GUPTA CROWNED
MISS TEENAGE PEEL
TORONTO - Fifteen-year-old upcoming model
Isha Gupta was crowned Miss Teenage Peel
2015 recently and won from amongst 40 girls
that took par t in the contest. Isha will soon be
walking the ramp for the Miss Teenage Canada
at the national level that is taking place in
August this year.
Isha is a very talented young lady who loves to
dance and learned the trade at the tender age of
10 from her mother who is a trained Indian
classical dancer. She also paints in her spare
time. However, she wishes to become a pilot.
Her love for children who require help in any
realm is immense and she is always there to
assist them in every possible way. Isha is also
a high-school coordinator for the Canadian
Cancer Society and according to her this
victory will help her reach the needy in a more
meaningful manner.
Quoting James Allen, Isha said: "The key to
happiness is to dream, the key to success is to
turn your dreams into reality."
Harper Regan to be
staged at Bluma Appel
Theatre from Mar 1 to 22
TORONTO - Canadian Stage presents the Canadian premiere of Harper Regan, a contemporary tale about loyalty,
morality and the bonds of family, by acclaimed British
playwright Simon Stephens from Mar. 1 to 22 at the Bluma
Appel Theatre (27 Front St. E). Harper Regan is directed by
Canadian Stage's ar tistic & general director, Matthew
Jocelyn and features Canadian film and television star,
Molly Parker ("Deadwood"; "House of Cards") who will be
suppor ted by a gifted Canadian cast consisting of Vivien
Endicott-Douglas (Stophear t), Lynne Griffin (Stratford
Festival and Shaw Festival), Hardee T. Lineham (The Ugly
One), Alex Poch-Goldin (Scorched), Philip Riccio (The
Seagull) and Izaak Smith ("Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B").
This marks the first time Stephens' work will be presented on a
main stage in Canada.
THE NDP WILL PROTECT
PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICES
UNITED WAY'S LONGEST NIGHT AIMED AT
RAISING FUNDS AND COMBATING POVERTY
MISSISSAUGA - The Longest Night challenges Mississauga and all
Peel residents to sleep in their cars overnight which will help put
people in the shoes of those living in pover ty in Mississauga and
throughout Peel," Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said today.
"I will be par ticipating. I am raising money for this cause. I will be
sleeping in my car overnight," Crombie added. On the night of Friday,
February 27, the United Way of Peel Region will host The Longest
Night - an effor t to increase awareness and raise funds to combat
pover ty and homelessness in Mississauga and throughout the Region of Peel.
"Unfortunately, there are a number of people who call their cars, home,"
Crombie said. "This is the face of homelessness," Crombie added. "I
am inviting all Members of Council; their staff; and the Leadership
Team to join me in par ticipating in our own The Longest Night event at
Celebration Square on the night of February 27. I am delighted that
Shelley White, President and CEO, at United Way of Peel Region, will
par ticipate with us."
This is not a public event; however, residents are encouraged to participate in the driveways of their own homes. The United Way is ask-
7
ing everyone to please take the necessary precautions to ensure a
safe night.
Crombie concluded, "I have always said Mississauga is a city that
cares. Members of Council have seen firsthand the generous and
thoughtful work residents; volunteers; and charitable organizations
under take in neighbourhoods throughout our community to improve
the quality of life for those in need. The Longest Night is another
oppor tunity for Mississaugans to show their compassion."
Shelley White added: "United Way of Peel Region focuses on pover ty
- reducing it, preventing it and suppor ting those who are experiencing
pover ty right now. For those struggling to make ends meet, the threat
of homelessness is very real and the reality is often hidden. The need
to create awareness and a system of suppor t is essential. As a central point of mobilization for social change, the United Way is hear tened to see community leaders coming together to make a difference
on such a critical issue."
The Longest Night was launched by the United Way of Peel Region
and the community can access more info at http://
www.unitedwaypeel.org/
New Democrats are taking action to ensure more reliable passenger train service with legislation aimed at preventing federal
cuts that threaten those services to rural communities.
MP Philip Toone? (Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine) has
tabled a bill to ensure that VIA Rail maintains minimum service levels and makes cancelling services subject to parliamentary approval. The bill will be debated at second reading
in the House of Commons this afternoon.
"Passenger services to remote regions are in free fall.
Without any legislative protection, Via Rail's services have
continued to be targeted by disastrous cuts. My bill aims
to provide a framework for VIA Rail's mandate so that
Canadians get the services they pay for with their taxes,"
said Toone.
Last year, on the strength of suppor t from thousands of Canadians, the NDP was able to maintain rail services between Miramichi and Bathurst, after CN and VIA Rail threatened to shut the line down. Faced with this popular pressure,
the government had no choice but to restore the funds required for these services.
"When sustained and reliable, passenger train services are
a major driver of the economy in Canada's rural areas. We
have the means to offer better railway services across the country
and I hope we are able to get all par ties on board in the House
today."
Source: ndp.ca
Arooj & Canada Zindabad's Memorable Valentine's Day Musical Night
PERFORMANCE BY USTAD KAMRAN MEHDI HASAN KHAN
MEHDI HASAN JEETU
MS. AROOJ FRONT
MEHDI KAMRAN MUMTAZ AROOJ
REETI MISHRA, AKHILESH
MISHRA, MAHDI HASSAN
JEETU AND KAMRAN AROOJ
THE VENUE WAS PACKED WITH QUALITY CROWD.
INDIAN CONSUL GENERAL AKHILESH MISHRA WAS THE CHIEF GUEST
8
MidWeek
opinion
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
ACTIVE VOICE
RETHINKING GLOBAL FIGHT
AGAINST EXTREMISM
BY HARDEEP SINGH PURI AND OMAR EL OKDAH
Between February 17-19, a large conference on 'Countering
Violent Extremism' convened in Washington, bringing together
political and diplomatic representatives from over 60
countries, law enforcement officials, religious leaders and
exper ts.
The meeting constituted a reaffirmation of the need for an
effective multilateral strategy to counter and prevent violent
extremism in today's increasingly challenging environments. At the same time, it hinted at a very significant
change in the international community's approach to these
problems: scope, strategy and semantics are being duly
reconsidered. And yet a series of contradictions threaten to
hamper the possibility of making credible headway.
A CHANGE IN SCOPE
9/11 is considered the paradigmatic moment that transformed definitions of terrorism and the general global
security framework. Today we are experiencing another
paradigm shift. The scope of the "problem" itself has
changed dramatically and the response to the problem is
slowly following suit.
The crucial distinguishing feature of today's threat boils
down to one word: territor y. That violent non-state actors epitomized by Daesh - are in control of territory as large as
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Britain, marking a serious evolution, both tactically and
strategically, from the Al-Qaeda-esque organizations of the
last decade.
They also act as trend-setters for other non-state actors Boko Haram, for example - that "territory" is both up for
grabs and attainable. Indeed, "black holes" - to borrow a
term from John Simpson - are traceable across the Middle
East and North Africa from Mali to Iraq, from Libya to Syria. The
counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency architecture in place
since 2001 and customized to Al Qaeda-style organizations is
therefore out of tune with the realities on the ground. Shortsighted
military response - while necessary at times - is no longer
adequate to deal with such deep-rooted entities that have a
persuasive ideological premise.
The sustained use of terror by said rogue elements may
constitute continuity, though today's actors are proving to
be true "entrepreneurs" of violence. Tactics and methods
have evolved. Daesh is the innovator of barbarism par
excellence with its sophisticated video productions of
immolations, beheadings and other atrocities, all of which
is par t of a sensationalist propaganda campaign that
intends to both shock the world and inspire new recruits.
With over 90 nationalities now represented in Daesh, a
dynamic online presence and reverberations in Ottawa,
Paris and Copenhagen, it is a decidedly "global" operation.
GETTING THE STRATEGIC DIAGNOSIS RIGHT
The statements that came from Washington indicated that
we are slowly coming to the correct strategic diagnosis of
the problem. In his remarks, President Barack Obama
raised the "undeniable" nexus between oppression and the
socio-economic exclusion that gives rise to terrorism.
This is a clarion call that fighting extremism is anchored in
human rights. But it is also a reminder that violent extremism is a symptom of an underlying cause and a physical
manifestation of governance deficits. Member states are
thus faced with asking an impor tant introspective question:
what policies are incubating violent extremism? What are
the economic, social and political circumstances that
render cer tain individuals vulnerable to recruitment and
prone to radicalization?
ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
When it comes to the appropriate response, a number of
elephants continue to crowd the room in which this discussion is being had at the highest level of international
diplomacy. First, the discussion on human rights and
oppression becomes more complicated when some of the
IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE
ACROSS THE GTA
BY PARM GILL
PHOTOGRAPHERS
LEGAL ADVISOR
major players in the fight against extremism are amongst
the least inclusive and undemocratic countries in the
world.
This is a paradox that requires overcoming and serves as
an example of the real disconnect between the "national"
and "multilateral" channels of political play.
Second, a similar contradiction exists in the "global" will to
address the scourge of terrorism versus the tendency by
some members of the international community to
instrumentalize the use of armed groups to fur ther national
interests at the expense of the sovereignty of other states.
There has yet to be a frank and open conversation about
this two-tiered chess game: the one taking place on the
table and the other taking place directly below. This
geopolitical contradiction will continue to undermine any
concer ted international effor t to address violent extremism.
The third and final elephant relates to the issue of religion.
President Obama's deliberate decision to opt for the
umbrella term "violent extremism" rather than the more
specific "Islamist" label has some practical benefits.
It keeps the conversation broad by recognizing other
"extremisms", from the ilk of Anders Breivik in Norway to
Buddhist groups in Myanmar. Additionally, it prevents the
United States - and the world at large - from feeding into
the propaganda ploy that the West is at war with Islam
more generally (a statement President Obama choose to
deliberately refute in his remarks).
This should not deter from the reality that the majority of
extremist groups are "perver ted" variations acting in the
name of Islam. Par t of addressing this burden thus falls on
the Muslim world itself, to play a more engaged role and
mobilize a counter-narrative through its religious institutions, authorities and civil society groups.
CONCLUSION
There is now momentum for a meaningful change in the
global fight against extremism. It first manifested itself
following an international solidarity rally in Paris last month
and more recently at the Washington meeting.
But to go beyond the symbolic pageantry of a street rally
and a political summit requires a serious and frank
conversation that addresses how best to implement and
frame the question within the lens of social inclusion and
effective governance, and one that acknowledges the
troubling disconnect between so-called national interests
and global security when it comes to violent extremism.
Newspaper
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
children and grandchildren with debt.
Investing in this critical infrastructure is a key element of our efforts
to help create jobs, growth, and long-term prosperity. Under our
Conservative Government, Canada leads the G7 in job creation with
over 1.2 million net new jobs since the depths of the recession. With
the new Building Canada Plan, we’re continuing to help create jobs
and help keep the GTA strong and prosperous.
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Area—helping move people and goods more efficiently—while
delivering funding to help maintain and improve vital infrastructure across the GTA. Indeed, since forming government in 2006,
we have committed over $3.2 billion to build a variety of transit
projects. This includes investments in key projects for
Brampton such as a $95 million investment for the development
of Zum in Brampton, $7.6 million towards the Mount Pleasant
Village Mobility Hub, and another $53 million for Phase I of
Brampton’s AcceleRide program.
Now, through the new Building Canada Plan, we’re expanding on
those commitments with the largest and longest federal
investment in job-creating infrastr ucture in Canadian history.
The Plan commits $70 billion to public infrastructure over the
next decade, including $53-billion for provincial, territorial and
municipal infrastructure. For Ontario alone, the new Building
Canada Plan represents almost $11 billion in dedicated federal
funding.
What’s more, our Government is delivering on these commitments without having to raise taxes on hard-working Canadians
and families. In fact, we’ve cut taxes over 180 times, bringing
the federal tax burden down to its lowest level in a generation.
And we’re poised to deliver a balanced budget, helping ensure
Canada’s finances stay strong and that we don’t burden our
DISCLAIMER: THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THIS PAGE ARE THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF THE AUTHORS.THE INFORMATION, FACTS OR OPINIONS APPEARING IN THE
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MidWeek
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
canada
PM ANNOUNCES MEASURE TO SUPPORT
JOBS AND GROWTH IN THE LNG INDUSTRY
PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER ANNOUNCES THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF NEW AND WELLPAYING JOBS IN THE EMERGING LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY.
SURREY - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced the
Government's intent to suppor t the creation of new and well-paying
jobs in the emerging liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. He was
joined by James Moore, Minister of Industry, Alice Wong, Minister of
State (Seniors), Wai Young, Member of Parliament for Vancouver
South, and Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince GeorgePeace River.
In order to ensure that Canadian natural gas can reach new and growing international markets, and make it accessible for new domestic
uses, the Government intends to establish a capital cost allowance
rate of 30 per cent for equipment used in natural gas liquefaction and
10 per cent for buildings at a facility that liquefies natural gas. This tax
relief will be available for capital assets acquired after February 19,
2015, and before 2025.
Canada has an impor tant oppor tunity to build on its record of developing natural resources in a responsible manner while securing longterm prosperity for Canadian families. Canada benefits from large
reserves of natural gas but has limited capacity to supply it to emerging international and domestic markets where demand is growing.
This measure will allow companies investing in new facilities that
liquefy natural gas to create jobs and economic growth, while recovering their investment more quickly. It will also encourage investment in facilities that liquefy natural gas to supply emerging international and domestic markets.
Quick Facts
" The supply of LNG to both domestic and international markets represents an impor tant new market for Canadian natural gas production.
" The International Energy Agency expects global LNG trade to rise by
40 per cent between 2013 and 2019.
" Over the International Energy Agency's projection period, growth in
natural gas demand in Asia is expected to represent half of the world's
incremental needs.
" In domestic markets, LNG is increasingly used in remote power
generation and the high-horsepower engines used in trucking, shipping, rail, drilling rigs and pressure pumping services.
" LNG has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions internationally when it replaces coal for power generation and
replaces diesel in many domestic applications.
"Our Government is committed to providing the right conditions so that industries and businesses can succeed and compete in the global economy, by lowering taxes, cutting red tape and encouraging entrepreneurship. Today's announcement builds on our low tax plan for jobs and growth, strengthening the already
strong case for business investment in Canada." - Prime Minister Stephen Harper
"Through our ambitious trade agenda, we are opening new markets for
Canadian businesses and developing the infrastructure to transpor t
Canadian products to new markets, which is essential for Canada's
future prosperity and security." - Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Source: pm.gc.ca
ONTARIO INVESTING $4 MILLION TO
HELP SOCIAL ENTERPRISES GROW
ONTARIO - To help create jobs and build a fairer, more prosperous
province, Ontario is providing funding to 11 organizations that suppor t early-stage social enterprises.
Premier Kathleen Wynne announced these investments today at the
Economic Club of Canada. Through the Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund, Ontario will suppor t 11 social finance organizations across
the province. These organizations will, in turn, provide loans or grants to
early-stage social enterprises, helping them start or grow their businesses.
Ontario's $4 million contribution is expected to leverage more than $6 million
in investment from other sources, including the private sector.
The government wants to make Ontario the leading jurisdiction in North
America for social enterprise. Sustainable social enterprises provide jobs for
youth, women, newcomers, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and
those with mental health or addiction challenges.
Growing the province's social enterprise sector is part of the government's
economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads
and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business
thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
quotes
The social and economic aspects of our government's plan are interconnected. A society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute in a
positive way is the foundation of our future prosperity. We're proud to invest in
savvy entrepreneurs who will improve life for people in Ontario, while driving
economic growth and creating jobs.
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
9
PREMIER KATHLEEN
WYNNE AT THE
CELEBRATION OF
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Premier's Remarks at the 2015
OGRA/ROMA Combined Conference
ONTARIO - The Ontario Good Roads Association and the Rural
Ontario Municipal Association's Combined Conference is a highlight in all of our calendars, as it is for the many mayors and
councillors whose presence here speaks volumes about their
commitment to their constituents, and highlights the impor tant
work that gets done at the OGRA/ROMA forum.
The Combined Conference and its predecessors have a proud history of
bringing us closer together and closer to solving our challenges, and a
proud history of building up our province and tearing down the myth that
we are divided along rural and urban lines. As Premier, I try to do my
part to tear down that myth too. And I know I can count on you to help.
OGRA was founded in 1894 to help the province see the potential that
good roads would unlock for urban and rural Ontarians alike. Now, 121
years on, we have progress to celebrate - and still a ways to go. The
saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same" applies.
Here is a good example.
At OGRA's 23rd annual conference in February of 1925, Ontario's Deputy
Minister of Highways, S.L. Squire, filling in for his absent boss, declared
that financing of roads was one of the great problems in which every
municipality and municipal officer was interested in. Squire acknowledged that the province had "passed the buck" to municipalities, that
taxes were unlikely to rise anytime soon, and went on to cite the many
reasons why the federal government should financially assist provinces and municipalities in the matter of road improvement.
Things had changed since 1867, he said. It was time for governments to
change too, he argued.
So when I saw that the theme of this year's conference is
CTRL+ALT+DEL: Rebooting Ontario's Municipal Sector, it got me thinking about where we have been stuck in the past and where we have
been able to make progress - and it also made me energized by the
unique oppor tunity before us.
Ontario's 444 municipalities have just been through elections.
Provincially, we too have a fresh mandate. This gives all of us an
oppor tunity to deliver the positive change we all believe is possible and that many of us campaigned on. But we also know that
we cannot make that change alone - that now is the time for us to
work together.
Ontario's new sex education
curriculum coming in
September, gets mixed reviews
CONTD. FROM PAGE 1
The recent discussion on Southasian PULSE radio under took all
these topics with community objecting to making children conscious
about a complicated subject that is not necessary at that tender age,
however others endorsed its introduction saying the curriculum
should be read in its entirety before being rejected. They claimed the
new curriculum is the need of the hour as puberty age is going down
and with the ever-changing technology when children at an early
age have access to cell phones and other gadgets, it is essential to
safeguard kids.
One caller said he as a father cannot dare talk to his young son about
these matter openly, how will those be discussed in the class. Due
to similar concerns several protests were held outside Queen's
Park on Tuesday. But according to the education minister the new
curriculum will be introduced in all schools including Roman Catholic institutions regardless of any protests from new school year
commencing in September.
Social enterprises present a huge opportunity for all parts of the economy in
areas that matter to Ontarians, such as creating a fairer society. This new
social finance fund will help connect high-potential, early-stage social enterprises with the capital they need to grow and create jobs. It will also help
position Ontario as a global impact investment leader.
Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
The Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund will help in tackling some of
Ontario's pressing social issues. It provides a chance for collaboration between the government, private and not-for-profit sectors. It will connect capital to good ideas that are designed to make a positive difference for people
and their communities, and the fund will also contribute to building interest
and investment in this important sector.
Tonya Surman
Co-founder and CEO, Centre for Social Innovation
Quick Facts
"
Social enterprises are ventures that use business strategies to
drive social, environmental and economic change.
"
The Social Enterprise Demonstration Fund is one of the key
commitments in Ontario's Social Enterprise Strategy.
"
Ontario has about 10,000 social enterprises that employ an
estimated 160,000 people.
"
Over the next decade, the global social finance market is
expected to generate up to $1 trillion in new impact investment capital.
"
It is estimated that 68 per cent of social enterprises in Ontario
have a pover ty reduction focus.
416-907-4420
10
MidWeek
canada
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
Liberal Party actions compromise
Canadian diplomacy
Justin Trudeau is putting Canada's international relations at risk
for his own par tisan benefit by inviting foreign diplomats to attend par tisan events.
"Foreign governments should not be meddling in Canada's internal politics, and Canadian politicians should never use foreign
diplomats for par tisan gain," said NDP Foreign Affairs Critic Paul
Dewar (Ottawa Centre). "The Liberal Par ty of Canada has shown
poor judgement by inviting foreign diplomats to par tisan eventsand worse, using their presence to raise money for the Liberal
Par ty of Canada."
Less than a week after Justin Trudeau invited the Chinese Ambassador to share a stage with Liberal candidates, it was repor ted that Pakistan's consul-general in Toronto attended both a
Liberal Par ty fundraiser and a campaign office opening of a Liberal candidate.
"By involving foreign diplomats in par tisan events, Trudeau has
once again shown a lack of experience," said NDP Ethics Critic
Charlie Angus (Timmins--James Bay). "Poor judgement like this
shows that he's just not ready to lead."
Source: ndp.ca
PREMIER KATHLEEN WYNNE AT THE QUEEN'S PARK RECEPTION IN CELEBRATION OF CHINESE NEW YEAR (PREMIER.GOV.ON.CA)
PREMIER WYNNE DURING A CEREMONIAL KEY HANDOVER FOR THE PANAM-PARAPANAM GAMES FACILITY AT THE COOPER KOO
FAMILY YMCA GYMNASIUM IN TORONTO (PREMIERPHOTOS)
Premier Wynne celebrated Korean Traditional Lunar New Year at the Korean Canadian Cultural Association in North York (premierphotos)
GET INVOLVED IN
BRAMPTON'S BUDGET 2015
This is your City. Your Tax Dollars. Get Involved!
Brampton - As par t of the ongoing Budget 2015 public engagement process, the City of Brampton is providing more ways for
residents to get involved and provide their feedback on budget
priorities. A Proper ty Tax Budget Allocator is now available at
www.brampton.ca/budget. Residents have the oppor tunity to
provide feedback on where and how their tax dollars should be
spent. The allocator is an easy-to-use tool that explains how an
increase or decrease in budget allocations impacts services provided to residents.
Numerous opportunities are being provided for Brampton residents
to provide their input, including public meetings, Council meetings
and workshops, an online survey and the online Property Tax Budget Allocator. And, that is not all. If residents are unable to attend any
of the meetings or go online to provide feedback, they are encouraged to sign up for a Tele Town Hall atwww.brampton.ca/budget.
This is an opportunity for residents to talk directly with their Councillors and the Mayor and provide feedback on how they want their
tax dollars spent. A series of five Tele Town Halls will be hosted by
the City. This will be a live forum where residents can call in to a
specified phone number and speak to their Councillors and the
Mayor about Budget 2015. The forum will include a live question
and answer session, oppor tunities to respond to polling questions using the phone keypad, and the option to leave a message
at the end of the event.
The Tele Town Halls will be conducted from 7pm to 8pm. Here
are the dates:
February 25 - Regional Councillor Elaine Moore and Regional
Councillor Grant Gibson
February 26 - Regional Councillor John Sprovieri and City Councillor Gurpreet Dhillon
March 4 - Regional Councillor Gael Miles and City Councillor
Pat For tini
March 9 - Regional Councillor Mar tin Medeiros and City Councillor Jeff Bowman
March 10 - Regional Councillor Michael Palleschi and City Councillor Doug Whillans
This is your City. Your Tax Dollars. Let's Connect.
Source: brampton.ca
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
india
BJP-PDP to form Kashmir
government, Mufti to be CM March 1
PDP LEADER MEHBOOBA MUFTI AND BJP CHIEF AMIT SHAH TALK TO PRESS REGARDING GOVERNMENT FORMATION IN
JAMMU AND KASHMIR, IN NEW DELHI (IANS)
MidWeek
11
ROADMAP FOR AAP
GOVERNMENT IP12
Jammu/New Delhi (IANS): The BJP was poised to create history,
getting a partnership role in governing Jammu and Kashmir for the first
time as it on Tuesday announced a coalition with the PDP after both
arrived at an "agreement on a common minimum programme" to govern
the state.
Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be sworn
in as the chief minister March 1.
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah Tuesday announced that both
parties had arrived at an agreement for a coalition government, with the
BJP for the first time getting a governance role in India's northernmost
state.
"We have reached an agreement on a common minimum programme
with the PDP and we will form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir," Shah told reporters in New Delhi after meeting PDP leader Mehbooba
Mufti.
Shah said a formal announcement will be made "in the next few days"
after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sayeed.
Mehbooba Mufti said the new government will work in the national interest, ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir get a clean, corruption-free rule.
"Fortunately we have reached an understanding. The agenda of this alliance is to win the hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," she said.
"This is not a power-sharing deal," she added.
The agreement was hammered out after weeks of negotiations, though
the two parties have differing ideologies on sensitive subjects like Article 370 on the state's special status and the Armed Forces Special
Powers Act.
The PDP has 28 seats, the BJP 25 and the People's Conference two seats
in the 87-member state assembly.
A simple majority of 44 is needed to stake claim to form the government.
Jammu and Kashmir was put under governor's rule Jan 8 after no single
party or group of political parties came forward to stake claim to form the
government.
Top sources in the PDP told IANS that the swearing-in ceremony will be
held at the Zorawar Singh Memorial Auditorium of Jammu University.
Sayeed, during his meeting, with Modi will request the prime minister to
attend the swearing-in ceremony of the coalition government, a source
said. The prime minister had strongly campaigned in the state for the BJP
ahead of the assembly elections.
The names of PDP leaders doing the rounds for cabinet posts are
Abdul Rehman Veeri, Naeem Akhtar, Haseeb Drabu, Zulfiqar
Choudhary, Abdul Haq Khan and Altaf Bukhari.
Those likely to be sworn in from the BJP are Nirmal Singh as deputy
chief minister, Bali Baghat, Sham Choudhar y, Kavinder Gupta,
Choudhary Lal Singh and Abdul Gani Kohli.
Sources in the BJP said Sajad Gani Lone of the People's Conference,
who announced his support to the BJP, is also a hot contender for a
ministerial ber th in the new state government.
WAR MEMORIAL IN PUNJAB TO
BE INAUGURATED ON I-DAY
PDP LEADER MUZAFFAR HUSSAIN BAIG WITH BJP CHIEF AMIT SHAH (IANS)
Chandigarh, (IANS) A Rs.130-crore war heroes' memorial-cummuseum in Amritsar would be dedicated to the nation Aug 15 on
the occasion of India's 69th Independence Day, Punjab Chief
Minister Parkash Singh Badal said Monday.
"This novel project is coming up in the holy city at a cost of
Rs.130 crore. It will showcase the enormous contribution of
brave Punjabi warriors and soldiers in safeguarding the integrity of our motherland," Badal said after a meeting on the project
here.
Punjab has faced the brunt of most attacks from ancient and
medieval to modern times.
Badal said he had recently met Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar to seek his cooperation for getting rare ar tefacts, war
equipment and memorabilia to be exhibited in the museum.
PM Narendra Modi firm on
changes in Land Acquisition
Act; Amit Shah forms panel to
seek farmers' views
NEW DELHI: Amid stiff opposition to government's move to
amend Land Acquisition Act, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on
Tuesday made it clear that there was no going back.
The BJP was, at the same time, preparing for discussions
with NDA par tners to make the legislation more "effective"
and "farmer-friendly".
BJP president Amit Shah also formsed an eight-member
committee to seek farmers' suggestions on the Land Acquisition Bill.
At the meeting of the BJP parliamentar y par ty here, Modi
said the bill will benefit farmers and that the amendments
brought by his government were based on suggestions and
demands made by Congress-ruled states and their chief ministers. He asked par ty MPs to "bust the myths" propagated
by Opposition par ties on it, sources said quoting the Prime
Minister.
To make the Land Ordinance Bill more effective in favour of
far mers, the BJP and NDA leaders will meet on Tuesday
evening to discuss and work out means to fur ther improve it.
"It was reiterated at the parliamentar y par ty that we are for
the welfare of farmers and every step that this government
will take will be for the welfare of farmers, for the welfare of
the poor and the downtrodden," Union Minister rajiv pratap
rudy told repor ters after the meeting. The sources said the
Prime Minister made it clear that the BJP stood for the welfare of farmers and was committed to them. He told the MPs to
remove the "myths" allegedly propagated by opposition par ties
as the proposed bill was good for the country and farmers would
benefit from it.
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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
INDIA LACKS SPECIALISTS
FOR PREPARING BUDGET:
RBI GOVERNOR
Panaji (IANS): There are far too few people in the government
who can even prepare a budget, Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Governor Raghuram Rajan said Friday adding that well-trained
economists were at a premium throughout the government sector. "(There are) too few people who can prepare a budget, too
few people who can do public debt management. We need far
more capacity in government," Rajan said while speaking at an
ongoing lecture series here. The RBI governor's comment comes
ahead of the budget session of Parliament, where union Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley is expected to present the first full budget of
the National Democratic Alliance government (NDA).
As the economy develops, the country would need specialists
with domain knowledge and experience in many areas of governance and regulation and there are few going around, Rajan said.
"For instance, well trained economists are at a premium throughout the government. There are far too few Indian Economic Service
officers to go around and I know because I was for a little while, the
head of the service and got constant requests," Rajan said.
PEOPLE WEAR MASKS AS A PROTECTIVE MEASURE AGAINST SWINE FLU IN NEW DELHI (IANS).
Roadmap for AAP government
New Delhi (IANS): Delhi is exposed to a "very high risk" due to "severe" level of air pollution, environmentalist Sunita Narain said, calling on the Arvind Kejriwal-led government to treat the problem in
earnest.
"Delhi is exposed to very high risk and the Delhi government should
treat the problem seriously in depth," Narain told the media. Releasing the results of an analysis conducted by Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) here, Narain said: "As the overall air quality of
Delhi worsens, our exposure to toxic air increases several-fold. "The
new Aam Aadmi Par ty (AAP) government has taken on the reigns in
Delhi; we expect it to now lay down the priority action to control air
pollution and protect public health in the city."
The study indicates that the common citizen is exposed to "very high
pollution-level in all transpor t modes, especially the open modes like
autorickshaws, walking and cycling being at the highest exposure".
The average levels recorded by the CSE's pollution monitoring device
were two to four times higher than the background levels repor ted by
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
Anumitra Roy Chowdhury of the CSE said the Delhi government should
have emergency policies in place for city reeled under the "worst
winter this year. Based on the DPCC data between October 2014 and
January 2015, Delhi has had 12 clusters of three consecutive days in
each that saw severe levels of pollution at par ticulate matter 2.5."
Chowdhury said, 65 percent of the days had pollution-level in that
category in the December alone. Impressing upon the need for immediate measures, the CSE called on the AAP government to mount
pressure on the government at the Centre that could introduce Euro IV
emission standards across nor th India by the end of 2015 and roll out
Euro V nationwide by 2017.
It recommended scaling up the fleet of public buses in Delhi as a
measure to encourage public transpor t while enforcing strict parking
laws to discourage use of private vehicles. Implement the Air Quality
Index with health advisories and pollution emergency measures as
well as tighten pollution under check (PUC) testing method and compliance. It sought to make PUC cer tificate conditional requirement for
obtaining annual insurance for vehicles.
Rahul Gandhi to skip budget session, takes leave of absence
New Delhi, (IANS) Ahead of the crucial budget session, Congress vice
president Rahul Gandhi took "leave of absence" to reflect on a series of
electoral defeats and deliberate on the future course of the 130-year-old
party, top sources said here Monday.
"Rahul Gandhi has been granted leave of absence for 'aap chintan, aap
manthan' (introspection)," a party leader told IANS. "He will not be in
Delhi until the end of this week to attend the presentation of the budget,"
he said. However, the entire duration of absence is not known, another
source added. The budget session began Monday with the address of
President Pranab Mukherjee to a joint session of both houses of parliament. The absence of Rahul Gandhi, son of party president Sonia Gandhi,
from a crucial budget session assumes greater significance at a time
when parliament is likely to witness stiff opposition in view of six ordinances, including the controversial Land Acquisition Ordinance, that await
the parliament's nod to be replaced by relevant laws.
Fifth in a row since the 2014 general election, the recent embarrassing
drubbing in Delhi has posed a formidable challenge for the party to reverse its sliding fortunes ahead of the Bihar assembly polls later this
year.
The party vote share has been on a down-slide since 2013 that witnessed
a 24 percent drop. It further dipped to 15 percent in the 2014 general
election and ended with nearly 9.7 percent in the Delhi assembly polls
this month.
Hundreds of thousands of traditional Congress supporters from all social
segments shifted their loyalty en masse to the 27-month-old Aam Aadmi
Party (AAP) in the national capital. The AAP registered a clean sweep
bagging 67 seats in the 70-member assembly, relegating the Bharatiya
Janata Party to mere three seats, while the Congress failed to even open
its account in the assembly it ruled for 15 years until 2013.
AMUL PLANS RS.5,000
CRORE INVESTMENT, TO SET
UP 10 NEW PLANTS
Kolkata (IANS): Indian milk products major Amul Thursday said
it is planning to invest in excess of Rs.5,000 crore in the coming
three years to increase milk production as well as acquire new
processing capabilities besides expanding into new markets.
"We will require Rs 5,000 crore over three years in adding new
capacities, ramping up existing facilities and entering new markets," managing director R.S. Sodhi told media persons here.
The company has plans to increase its milk processing capability by 90 lakh litres in the coming years and will be coming
up with ten new milk processing units across the country. Sodhi
said the existing plants will also be upgraded to meet the production target.
Gujarat will be the major beneficiary of the expansion plans of
the company. It will set up five new plants in that state and one
each in Faridabad in Haryana, Kanpur, Lucknow and Varanasi in
Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata in West Bengal. Gujarat already
houses 41 units of the 51 plants of Co-operative Milk Marketing
Federation owned dairy farm.
The new plant in Sankrail near the state capital will attract an
investment of Rs. 250 crore from the company and will have a
capacity of 15 litres each day. It will be spread across 16 acres
of land. Sodhi said the dairy company will focus on manufacture of milk products, beverages and ice cream in the upcoming
plant in the city. "The new investments will help attaining
Rs.50,000 crore turnover in 2-3 years from Rs.18,000 crore as
on March 2014," he said. It is expecting to close the ongoing
fiscal year over Rs.21,500 crore.
CCEA extends incentive scheme
for raw sugar marketing
New Delhi (IANS): The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Thursday approved the continuation of the incentive scheme for marketing and promotion services of raw sugar
production during current sugar season 2014-15 (October-September) for a quantity of 14 lakh MT, an official statement said.
"As the quantity is fixed, settlement of claims will be prioritized
on the basis of the date of export/deemed expor t as cer tified by
concerned customs and excise authorities," the statement said.
The CCEA meet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further
approved fixed uniform rate of Rs.4,000 per MT for 2014-15 sugar
season. "Other conditions will remain the same, as were last year
except that in case of mills having alcohol production capacities,
the incentive would be available if they offer to supply ethanol to
OMCs (oil marketing companies) under the EBP (ethanol blending
programme) upto 25 percent of their annual production level of
alcohol," it added. This will help sugar mills to clear the cane price
dues of the farmers, it said.
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strong emphasis on "Make in India".
He said the government has initiated measures to stir action in a range of
areas from sanitation to smart cities, poverty elimination to creation of wealth,
skill development to conquering space, tapping demographic dividend to
diplomatic initiatives.
Mukherjee said the government had also taken steps to enhance ease of
doing business, put in place a stable policy framework, empower individuals, ensure quality infrastructure, end financial untouchability, make the country
a manufacturing hub, contain inflation, stimulate economy, ignite minds,
ensure inclusive growth, promote cooperative federalism and encourage a
competitive spirit among the states.
"A strong beginning has been made. A promising future awaits us," he said.
The president also referred to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's ideologues
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee - at the beginning
of his speech.
The president said the government had elevated erstwhile department of
AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy)
to a full-fledged ministry to increase footprint of traditional systems of
healthcare.
BJP LEADER SUSHIL KUMAR MODI WITH JD(U) LEADER NITISH KUMAR DURING HIS SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AS THE CHIEF
MINISTER OF BIHAR AT RAJ BHAVAN IN PATNA (IANS)
LAND ACT HAS BEEN REFINED: PRESIDENT
New Delhi, (IANS) President
Pranab Mukherjee Monday said
the land acquisition Act has been
"refined" to minimise some procedural difficulties in acquiring
land for critical projects and that
inclusive growth is government's
topmost priority.
Addressing a joint session of both
houses of parliament, the president said the National Democratic
Alliance government has embarked on a comprehensive strategy in nine months to unleash the
country's full potential.
Describing terrorism and left wing
extremism, as "a grave challenge" to the country's internal
security, the president said the
government was "firmly committed to deal with them".
Referring to the land ordinance,
being firmly opposed by many
Opposition par ties, the president
said the government attaches
paramount impor tance to safeguarding interests of farmers and
families affected by land acquisition.
He said utmost care has been taken
to protect the interest of farmers, including their compensation entitlements, and the original Act has been
"suitably refined to minimise certain
procedural difficulties in acquisition
of land required for infrastructure
projects and for creation of basic
amenities like rural housing, schools
and hospitals particularly in remote
areas".
"Inclusive growth covering the poorest of poor from the most vulnerable
and disadvantaged sections of our
society is my government's topmost
priority," the president said.
The president also said that legal reforms were a priority for the government and it was committed to repeal
obsolete laws, simplify procedures,
swift decision-making and taking
governance to the doorstep of the
poor.
He said the government has sought
to create a conducive and enabling
environment in Jammu and Kashmir,
especially for various displaced segments of its population.
The president also said that the government had accelerated the
modernisation of armed forces with
AHEAD OF BUDGET
SESSION, GOVERNMENT
REACHES OUT TO
OPPOSITION
New Delhi (IANS): Facing the crucial budget session where half
a dozen ordinances have to be replaced by relevant laws, the
NDA government Sunday reached out to the opposition over various issues, including the contentious land acquisition ordinance,
even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted said it was the
"collective responsibility" of all par ties to run parliament.
A day ahead of the session, Modi, at an all-par ty meeting,
assured leaders that issues raised would be discussed according to their impor tance.
"The prime minister stressed on the impor tance of the budget
session of parliament saying that the people of the country
look at the session with lot of hope and expectations," Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu told media persons after the meeting.
Modi stressed that it was the collective responsibility of all
par ties and leaders to enable the people fulfill their hopes
and aspirations through proper functioning of both houses of
parliament, said Naidu.
The government, meanwhile, sought to reach out to the opposition over the agenda for the budget session which includes
44 items of financial, legislative and non-legislative business.
Naidu met Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the morning
and later met leaders of opposition par ties over lunch to seek
their cooperation, but they all conveyed their concern on the
land ordinance. Though the government has not spoken of
making changes in it so far, there now appears to be a rethink
on the issue.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who Saturday met some farmers' representatives on the issue, was told by them that the
government had brought the measure without proper consultations and asked the government to ensure that their views
are taken into account before bringing the bill replacing it,
said sources.
Naidu told Sonia Gandhi that the land ordinance was brought
after "enough" consultations with various states and stakeholders but she said that her par ty had its concerns on it,
while assuring the government of cooperation.
However, the par ty said there was no "softening" of its stand
on the ordinances passed by the Modi government.
"There is no questioning of softening the stance when it comes
to the land acquisition bill, and also on the coal ordinance,"
Congress leader Anand Sharma told news channel CNN-IBN.
"This government has shown utter disrespect to Indian parliament by embarking on the ordinance route. Any new law
brought in by the government... has to go through parliamentary scrutiny. By taking the ordinance route, they (the government) are bypassing parliament's scrutiny," he added.
Naidu, however, termed the all-par ty meeting "very successful".
"The general view expressed was that parliament should function smoothly. Focus should be on financial matters since
this is the budget session," he said, adding that there was
broad consensus on "four-five ordinances" of the six that need
to be replaced by bills in the first half of the session ending
March 20.
But the opposition par ties raised objections to the one on
land acquisition and the government conveyed its willingness to address any issue, he said.
Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the par ty will suppor t the government on bills and ordinances which benefit
the common man but not those which are "anti-people".
The opposition par ties are expected to raise a number of issues including attacks on churches, ceasefire violations by
Pakistan and concerns of Tamil fishermen.
In the all-par ty meeting, several leaders welcomed Modi's
recent statement on religious freedom and right to promote
one's religion and his call for respecting all religions.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjuna Kharge said:
"Parliamentary democracy is all about deciding on issues
through discusssion. Different par ties will convey their views
on ordinances and other issues whenever taken up."
Nationalist Congress Par ty chief Sharad Pawar said: "The
budget session is impor tant and we need to ensure smooth
functioning of parliament."
In the evening, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan held a
meeting of leaders of par ties in the house to ensure its smooth
functioning.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Mahajan said
she was in favour of discussing the land acquisition bill in
the house so that both opposition and government can have
their say.
The session will begin with President Pranab Mukherjee's
address to members of both houses of parliament.
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MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
WHY HAVE SEVERAL
BOLLYWOOD FILM RELEASES
BEEN POSTPONED IN 2015?
FANS IN KOLKATA CELEBRATE AFTER INDIA DEFEATED SOUTH AFRICA IN THE ICC WORLD CUP 2015 MATCH AT MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (IANS)
WELL PLAYED TEAM INDIA: B-TOWN
ON WIN OVER SOUTH AFRICA
Mumbai (IANS): Expressions like "Well done India!", "glorious victory" and "superb team effor t" flooded the social media as celebrities
including Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan took
to micro-blogging site Twitter to rejoice over India's win over South
Africa in a World Cup pool B match Sunday.
With the victory, India managed to break a 23-year-old jinx.
The members of the film fraternity also lauded the performance of the
team with a special mention of Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni
and cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane.
Here's what they tweeted:
Lata Mangeshkar: Hamari Bhar tiya Cricket Team,Shikhar Dhawan
aur lucky Captain Dhoni ko shaandar jeet ke liye bohot badhaai. (I
would like to congratulate our Indian cricket team, Shikhar Dhawan
and lucky captain Dhoni for the glorious victory)
Amitabh Bachchan: History has been created in the Cricket game
today...I watched the entire MATCH on TV...hahahah aha...AND WE
WON!!!
Anil Kapoor: Congratulations to team #India. Our first victory over
South Africa in the World Cup Tournament. #BleedBlue #CWC15
#IndiaVsSA
Aamir Khan: Well done India! One step closer!
Shahid Kapoor: What a star t for the defending champs. 2 convincing
wins by us. I'm getting pumpppped.
Sonakshi Sinha: Aaaand team INDIA does it again!!! Woo hoo!
#BleedBlue #INDvSA #WorldCup2015
Alia Bhatt: Whattt a winnnnnnn!!!!! Wohoooo goo INDIAAAAA !!!!
#IndvsSA #WeWontGiveItBack #BleedBlue #ICCWorldCup
Varun Dhawan: Victory. The boys are back in town. #dhawan shows
his class in Australia #IndvsSA #badla after 4 workd cups
Sushant Singh Rajput: From maintaining a win record in the last
match to creating one today...this is #TeamIndia,still,A World Champion. #IndvsSA #WeWontGiveItBack
Anupam Kher: CONGRATULATIONS INDIA. Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Thank
you Team India for this great victory..:) #MyCountryBest
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra: #CWC15 @msdhoni way to go mahi
love to all the boys a true team victory
Preity Zinta: Yeahhhhh!!! What a spectacular WIN by India Superb
team effor t #BoysInBlue #INDvSA #shikhardhawan #BleedBlue
Tingggggg !!!
Manoj Bajpayee: Congrats team India! All areas played beautifully.
Rahane is back.oh boy what batting rahane exhibited!
Randeep Hooda: This was an emphatic win .Congratulations Team
India. Such a relief to see super fielding and run outs by the fast
bowlers..Carry the form
Farhan Akhtar: Spectacular victor y. Well played Team India.
#IndiaVsSA #CWC15
Arjun Rampal: One more step closer. Congratulations India what a
huge victory.#worldchampionsindia #wewontgiveitback
Huma Qureshi: Indiaaaaa #Proud
Sanjay Gupta: JEEYO TEAM INDIA.
Prosenjit Chatterjee: Congrats to Indian team..what a
performance..India beats SA by 130 runs..Cheers
Saqib Saleem: Yeaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Abhi toh par ty shuru
hai...we looked like a team on a mission...well played boys!!
Kunal Kohli: I had faith we would peak at the right time & we sure did.
#INDvSA They said our bowling is weak we got #SA & #Pak out.
Who's next?
Sophie Choudry: Yesssss!!! We finally beat the team we always lose
to in the World Cup & How!!! AWESOME job #TeamIndia #BleedBlue
#IndvsSA #WC2015 #Proud
FARAH WISHES TO INVITE SALMAN, SRK
TOGETHER ON 'FARAH KI DAAWAT'
MUMBAI (IANS): Filmmaker-host Farah Khan, who is set to hit the small screen with her
cookery show "Farah Ki Daawat" wishes to see superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman
Khan together cooking for her on the show. Farah was present at the launch of the show here
Wednesday. Asked if she would love to invite Shah Rukh and Salman together for "Farah Ki
Daawat", she said," I wish and who wouldn't like to bring Shah Rukh and Salman together?"
Star ted on Feb 22 on Colors channel, "Farah Ki Daawat" will see Bollywood stars like Abhishek
Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Malaika Arora Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia showing their
culinary skills. All these celebrities have already shot for the show, however, Farah is more
than excited to bring Shah Rukh on the show and says "it will be good to see him cook" after
a long gap of twenty years.
"Shah Rukh is set to come on the show and it will be good to see him cook. He has promised
to make a special pasta dish for me," Farah, who is a good cook herself, said.
"But I have not seen him cook for the last twenty years, so it will be interesting to see him
cooking. Moreover, he keeps on telling me that he cooks for his children, so I think it would be
good to see him here," she added.
With the release of 'NH10' being pushed ahead by a week, we track some
other projects that have been delayed and some films that were inexplicably shelved this year. While announcing a film, the makers barely
forget to declare the tentative release date along with it. But then the
proverbial slip between the cup and the lip often interferes with their
plans - like in case of Anushka Sharma's maiden production venture
'NH10' whose release has been delayed by a week. The film was supposed to release on March 6, but will now hit the big screen on March 13.
The producers of the film have attributed the delay to "unavoidable circumstances", but sources have revealed that the film is yet to get the
green signal from the Censor Board. 'NH10', which deals with the subject
of honour killing, is peppered with cuss words apart from violent sequences. The first trailer of the film was issued an 'A' certificate.
Shah Rukh Khan in a still from 'Fan', which will not keep up its preIndependence Day rendezvous with cine-goers as the VFX work is taking
inordinately long. Censor Board chief Pahlaj Nihalani says: "The film
was submitted to us last Friday. We were considering it as a special case
for clearance, but we have a board meeting on Monday and will be able
to see the film only on Wednesday. We are trying our best to speed up the
process, clearing films and promos even on Sunday."
Besides 'NH10', many other films have been pushed ahead due to various reasons. Initially slated for a February 27 release, 'Badmaashiyaan'
starring Sharib Hashmi and other fresh-faced actors will have to wait
longer to greet moviegoers, thanks to a legal dispute. A source close to
the production team says: "The hearing of the case is on Tuesday and so,
the makers have postponed the release date."
No film sequel pattern
for Shraddha
Actress Shraddha Kapoor seems to have turned into a reigning queen
of sequels in Bollywood with films like "ABCD 2", "Rock On 2" in her
kitty. But the actress says there is no par ticular pattern she follows
while choosing films, but just looks for good scripts.
"I did not realise this pattern, but I feel extremely for tunate to be
working with such talented people and being a par t of such good
scripts," Shraddha said in a statement.
After failure in "Teen Patti" and "Luv Ka the End", the actress rose to
fame with romantic film "Aashiqui 2" in 2013, sequel of the 1990
movie "Aashiqui".
Shraddha has been paired with Varun Dhawan for the first time for the
sequel of Remo D'Souza's dance film "ABCD: Anybody Can Dance".
And Shraddha will be seen sharing screen space with Farhan Akhtar
in the sequel of rock musical "Rock On!!".
The actress has carved a niche for herself in the film industry with her
per formance in films like "Ek Villain" and "Haider". She has also
showcased her dancing skills in songs like "Dance Basanti".
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Movie Review
19
RASNA SIGNS UP AKSHAY TO
SAY 'I LOVE YOU RASNA'
Chennai (IANS): Concentrated drink major Rasna Pvt Ltd is mulling to set up two new facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat at
a total outlay of around Rs.100 crore, said a top company official.
He said the company is also planning get into the breakfast food
segment with the product based on rice and wheat. "We are looking at setting up two facilities as part of our expansion plan.
FORTUNATE TO WORK WITH NANA
PATEKAR: GUL PANAG
Mumbai (IANS): Actress Gul Panag, who will be seen in "Ab Tak Chappan
2", says she agreed to do the film because of her role and acclaimed actor
Nana Patekar. "Ab Tak Chappan 2" is a sequel to the Shimit Amin directed
2004 release "Ab Tak Chhappan" that featured Nana and Mohan Agashe. In
the sequel, Gul Panag will be seen as a crime reporter who works with
Nana's character in the film to investigate a case. "When I came to know that
I have been signed for "Ab Tak Chappan" sequel, my first question was "what
will be my character in the film ?" Because the prequel was about encounter
and squad which is a very male dominated system. To this they said that I will
play an investigative journalist," the 36-year-old said here in an interview.
MIDWEEK BOX
OFFICE REPORT
OR,
PAL, RANBIR KAPO
CAST: ARJUN RAM
DEZ;
JACQUELINE FERNAN
JIT SINGH
DIRECTOR: VIKRAM
RATING: ***
'ROY': AN INTRIGUING JOURNEY
THAT LEADS NOWHERE
S
omewhere long before the debutant director Vikramjit Singh's
tormented characters find their nemesis, the beauteous
Jacqueline Fernandez playing an avant-garde filmmaker tells
Arjun Rampal(playing a hatted, smoke-shrouded bratty masala filmmaker) that when a story doesn't seem to be getting anywhere, it's
better to end it then and there.
Some such thought crosses our minds repeatedly as we waltz and
stumble along Vikramjit Singh's fascinating but frustrating exposition
on the creator and the muse.
"Roy" is an impor tant but unfinished film. It dares to define the uneasy
relationship between the ar tiste an his ar t....Or in this case, the masala
movie-maker and his masala. Arjun's character Kabir Grewal is a
contradiction of creativity. On one end, he behaves as though his
style and poise are redolent of an era that was gone with the
Lean(David, we mean). On the other hand, he makes the kind of massy
enter tainers that make money but never get awards.
Ironically Kabir's brand of cinema is exactly what "Roy" is not. Moving away from the norm, it creates a world where the filmmaker and
his film become two separate entities, the one feeding on the other
with parasitical glee.
Our hero Kabir is the kind of self-indulgent hedonist whose girlfriends
are numbered by the press.When the self-willed Ayesha refuses to
become No.23 in Kabir's life, he's challenged, intrigued, and actually
defeated by love.
It's in showing how Kabir falls (in every sense of the word) in love that
the narrative gains its advantage and strength. Discarding the droopy
dimensions displayed in the first half, "Roy" confidently shifts into the
second, tragic and fulfilling movement where we see Arjun get leaner
and more gaunt, bearded and shattered as Ayesha vanishes into London, leaving him to feel genuine hear tbreak for first time.
Something akin to what Ranbir Kapoor had experienced in "Bachna
Ae Haseenon" when Deeepika Padukone had dumped him. There was
a fabulous moment for Ranbir in that film when he catches himself by
surprise when he feels a teardrop on his cheeks.
In "Roy", Arjun's character gets no such moment of liberating catharsis. This is a very European film in spirit. Cry babies and babes are
not allowed. The emotions are all bottled up by the main characters.
There is never that moment when the tears just flow out.
The tight-lipped approach, the film's USP, is also its undoing.
While we applaud the narrative's refusal to give in to the schmaltzy,
even in Arjun character's intermittent conversations with his dying
father (Anupam Kher), we also crave to see the characters lose their
sterility, to abandon the brittle wall they seem to have built around
their hear ts, none more so than Ranbir Kapoor's, ahem, "Roy" who is
a stymied enigma, a character frozen in time and space.
Perhaps that explains why he spends most of his playing-time wearing the expression that we've seen this brilliant actor wear when he is
at a par ticularly brainless press conference.
Jacqueline Fernandez wears even less. If you know what I mean. Her
expressions, or rather the lack of them, are amply compensated by
her dazzling good looks. For the rest, we can tell her two characters
apar t by the colour of their lipstick.
Audaciously she is saddled with two roles. Only the most daring who
cast her in a dual role.But then this is a film that dares to do the
unthinkable. It merges fantasy and reality without boundaries so that
we are left looking at either perception simultaneously, or both.
Arjun holds the film together. He has the look of brooding intensity that
the film requires. The director uses his physical presence to create
an alternate reality, a figment of the writer's imagination ignited by a
man who feeds on fantasy....that's how we must define Rampal.
To accentuate Arjun's burnt-out character, the director shoots the film
in night colours, highlighting that state of the soul which better learn
to appreciate light if it doesn't want to be trapped in darkness.
"Roy" is an interesting amalgamation of sassy spirit and sexy looks.
The three good-looking characters constantly seem to suggest they
mean more than they say. There are lots of half-finished sentences
hovering in the narrative trying to find a resting-place in lives that
know no respite from desire.
Though they come together in only one sequence, Arjun and Ranbir
play sharply and smar tly against one another.
Shaded in pastel colours and cloaked in a tender timbre, "Roy" undertakes an intriguing journey where the real mocks the reel and the
creator merges into his creation. Finally,though, "Roy" leaves is with
a sense of betrayal and dissatisfaction. There should have been a
more satisfactory payoff at the end.
The four main characters never quite attain the infinite immediacy of
a film-within-film format that we saw played out so strikingly in "The
French Lieutenant's Woman" or nearer home, "Khamosh" and "Akaler
Sandhane".
Perhaps the first-time director should have attempted the complexities of this film after making five other films. But the fact that he did
attempt this film as his directorial debut is admirable.
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bollywood
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
SRK TURNS 'SUTRADHAR'
FOR 'RAZIA SULTAN'
VARUN DHAWAN TAKES SELFIE WITH FANS IN MUMBAI (IANS).
Atif, Mohit rocked Gurgaon with duet performance
Gurgaon (IANS): Popular Pakistani singer Atif Aslam and India's Mohit
Chauhan spread the message of peace and love through their duet
performance here Sunday.
Before crooning together at RED LiVE presents 'Asli Rockstars with
Atif Aslam and Mohit Chauhan', Mohit, who changed his outfit thrice
during the show, enthralled his fans by singing his hit tracks.
If he chose to spor t a pair of jeans with red shirt, black jacket and his
signature cap for the opening song "Jo bhi main" from "Rockstar", he
soon switched to a white shir t, jeans and unbuttoned red velvet coat
with a cap to perform "Pee loon" number.
After singing more hit tracks like "Masakali" and "Kuchh khaas", he
was joined by "Rockstar" director Imtiaz Ali on the stage. Though the
director did not say anything or sing a line, Mohit thanked him for
giving a chance to work in his 2011 film.
"It's because of him (Imtiaz) that I got to sing these beautiful songs,"
said Mohit, who also performed "Sadda haq" and "Nadaan Parindey"
from the Ranbir Kapoor starrer musical romantic drama.
He wrapped up his performance with high on energy song "Ilahi",
another one from Ranbir's film "Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani".
About 15 minutes later, Atif, dressed in a T-shir t and jeans, entered
the stage singing "Hum kis gali".
Prior to his performance, he told repor ters that when he was here in
November quite a few fans, whom he fondly calls Aadeez, were disappointed as he sang mostly Bollywood numbers.
But with this gig, he must have managed to make all his fans happy
as he performed songs from his albums like "Doorie" and "Jalpari"
apar t from popular Hindi film numbers like "Bakhuda tumhi ho" and
his latest "Badlapur" track "Jeena jeena".
Before introducing Mohit on stage, Atif emphasised on how music
binds countries by saying: "Sarhad ke iss paar ya uss paar, music
toh ek hee hai. I would like to call Mohit on stage. Let's have a little
'jugalbandi' and spread the message of peace and love."
Donning a denim jacket, jeans, white shir t and a scarf with cap,
Mohit soon joined Atif. He was all praise for the Pakistani ar tist.
"I love this guy and I love his songs," he said after giving a tight hug
to the singer.
Then they both asked the audience which song should the two play.
"I heard this song for the first time when I was 18 and I fell in love
with it. So, we will play an unplugged version of it," said Atif.
The duo then star ted singing "Dooba dooba" from 1990s when Mohit
used to front the Silk Route band.
Since Atif, 31 now, got hooked to the song since his teen days, he
sang it effor tlessly.
But when it came to performing Atif's Bollywood song "Tera hone
laga hoon", Mohit had to take little help from a sheet of paper. Nevertheless, he hit the right notes and left the audience mesmerised.
The duet performance was not the end of the concert. Atif entertained
audience with more songs, but as the clock struck 10 and police intervened.
Mumbai (IANS): Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has lent
his voice as a 'sutradhar' of the forthcoming historical TV show
"Razia Sultan".
Based on the life of the first woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate,
the show aims to bring the message of women's empowerment
to viewers through Razia Sultan's inspirational tale.
King Khan, who is heading back to television with the game
show "India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun", was repor tedly approached for the historical drama in the middle of his shoot.
Shah Rukh, who visited the set of "Razia Sultan" Monday, had
many questions in his mind regarding the characters, the look
and the feel of the show. In an in-depth discussion, he took time
to rehearse the lines as the dialect and diction had to match the
era that he had to speak about.
"It was 1 a.m. but Shah Rukh's energy was high. While the channel representatives were happy with the first take, he insisted on
doing it again with more variation. He then wanted to try something different and got under the skin of the characters, acting
them out through dialogue," a source said in a statement.
Both "Razia Sultan" and "India Poochega Sabse Shaana Kaun"
will be aired March 2 on the new channel &TV.
IRRFAN KHAN CAST IN TOM
HANKS-STARRER 'INFERNO'
Los Angeles (IANS): Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan has been roped
in for yet another Hollywood project -- this time he will share
screen space with Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones in the upcoming mystery thriller film "Inferno". Apar t from the 48-year-old,
"Inferno", the third film in the franchise that launched with "The
Da Vinci Code" in 2006 and continued with "Angels & Demons" in
2009 will also star French actor Omar Sy, repor ts
hollywoodrepor ter.com. The film adaptation of Dan Brown's
eponymous novel will witness Ron Howard returning to the
director's chair, and Hanks will play the lead character Rober t
Langdon. In this latest instalment, Langdon finds himself in a
hospital room in Venice as well as the target of a manhunt. With
the help of Sienna, a nurse, and his knowledge of symbology, he
will try to escape while they have to solve the most intricate riddle
Langdon has ever faced. Irrfan will portray Provost, the head of a shadowy
group that becomes involved with Langdon, while Sy will play the leader of a
disease prevention team. After starring in Hollywood films like "A Mighty
Heart", "Slumdog Millionaire", "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "Life of Pi",
Irrfan has been on a roll in the West. He will also be seen in the Hollywood science fiction adventure film "Jurassic World", which will
hit theatres June 12.
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
MidWeek
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22
MidWeek
entertainment
MIDWEEK NEWS WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
HOLLYWOOD
SELENA GOMEZ FACES CRTICISM
FOR TOPLESS PHOTOSHOOT
NANA PATEKAR DURING THE PROMOTION OF FILM AB TAK CHHAPPAN 2 IN MUMBAI (IANS).
WHAT KEEPS SRK ON THE MOVE? LOCATION SCOUTING FOR 'ROCK
Mumbai (IANS): Shah Rukh Khan has a packed schedule, but the
Bollywood superstar has no qualms over this and believes in the "no ON 2' BEGINS IN SHILLONG
pain no gain" theory.
"Hectic day on Fan & I hav to get back to Sabse Shaana Kaun 2.
Eventful & packed days & nite but no pain no gain....so i go on relentlessly," he tweeted. After enter taining with "Happy New Year", SRK
has turned all his focus on Maneesh Sharma's directorial "Fan" and
for thcoming TV show "India Poochega... Sabse Shana Kaun?".
The superstar, often called as "King of romance", will be seen interacting with common people on the reality TV show. In the film, Shah
Rukh will be seen playing a fan.
JOHN ABRAHAM EXCITED FOR
'THE SKYBAGS CANVAS PROJECT'
Mumbai (IANS): Actor-producer John Abraham, also brand ambassador for Skybags, is on a look-out for a creative designer for the next
collection of the luggage brand under a digital campaign called "The
Skybags Canvas Project". He says he is excited to witness myriad
ideas with vibrancy.
"I am excited to par take in this fantastic online initiative. 'The Skybags
Canvas Project' is a terrific way for people to engage with the brand
and I'm eager to see what vibrant and bold prints along with creative
designs the par ticipants come up with," John said in a statement. The
activity is an online competition for anyone creatively inclined to
design a vibrant pattern for a new collection of luggage from Skybags.
Contestants need to upload their entries on site -- www.skybags.co.in
-- or on Facebook and generate maximum 'likes' from their friends
and followers on social media until Feb 28. The campaign star ted
Friday. All entries will be personally reviewed by John and Vasant
Dewaji, vice-president - Design and Development, VIP Industries.
The winner will also win a two-wheeler, while the runner-up will bag
a domestic holiday package for two.
SHABANA AZMI CALLS 'QISSA' A
MASTERFUL DIRECTORIAL
Mumbai (IANS): Veteran actress-social activist Shabana Azmi heaped
praise on Punjabi feature film "Qissa", which narrates the life of a
Sikh family post-par tition. She said the film depicted the turmoil after
the par tition in a true yet restrained form. "Anup Singhs direction is
masterful n restrained. He shows how suggested violence is far more
chilling than graphic depictions of it #Qissa," Shabana tweeted recently. Shabana also praised the performances of the cast of the film
that included critically acclaimed actors like Irr fan Khan and Tisca
Chopra. "Irrfan Khan is a giant of an actor. Tisca Chopra Tillotama
Shome, Rasika Duggal give outstanding performances.#Qissa," she
added. In the film, Irrfan plays Sardar Umber Singh who walks across
the border with his family including his wife (played by Tisca) and
three daughters. The film released on Friday.
LINK-UP REPORTS WITH YUVRAJ
SINGH IRKS PREITY ZINTA
Mumbai (IANS): Actress-producer Preity Zinta has never refrained
from speaking her mind, so it did not come as a surprise when she
took to micro-blogging site Twitter to shun link-up reports with Indian
cricketer Yuvraj Singh calling such comments as sexist. "Comments
like these are sexist & reek of cheapness at my place of work. Pls
refrain from writing that YUVRAJ & PREITY were in a relationship,"
the actress tweeted. "Dear Media (Specially International Business
times) HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE 2 SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER
DATED OR INTENDED TO DATE YUVRAJ SINGH?," she added. The
actress, who uses the digital platform to connect with her fans, was
last seen in the 2014 release "Happy Ending".
Mumbai (IANS): It seems that the "Rock On 2" film will not only be
backed by power ful music but also by the scenic beauty of nor theast
India. Producer Ritesh Sidhwani is scouting locations for the sequel
of the 2008 movie in Meghalaya capital Shillong.
"Shillong it is," Sidhwani tweeted recently. "Rock On!!", a rock musical, launched the acting careers of Prachi Desai and Farhan Akhtar.
Farhan even produced the film, which also stars Arjun Rampal, Luke
Kenny and Purab Kohli. And Shillong may act as an apt location as it
is often referred as India's rock capital. The film, which had blockbuster music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, was about the fate of a Mumbaibased rock band Magik, members of which reunite after a decadelong split. Before revealing the location, Sidhwani star ted a minigame with his followers on Twitter by asking them to guess the location, which got lot of responses.
"Tom morning location scout for #RockOn2 begins... Can u guess
which state & city?" he tweeted late Thursday night. "I've got Banglore
Delhi Goa Shimla till now as the possible location for #Rockon2. Sab
Galat hai. Come on try harder," he added. "Ek Villain" star Shraddha
Kapoor has also joined the cast as the female lead.
RAM KAPOOR PERFECT FOR 'DIL
KI BAATEIN...': MAHESH BHATT
Mumbai (IANS): Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who has produced the
for thcoming TV show "Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane", says Ram Kapoor
was the per fect choice for it. The "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" star is
heading back to television with "Dil Ki Baatein Dil Hi Jaane", where
he will play the role of Ram, who is on the brink of losing his terminally ill wife Anandita (played by Gurdeep Kohli) forever. "Ram Kapoor
as himself was the perfect fit for the role that I had visualised, hence
there was no requirement for him to lose weight. His acting skills are
enough to move viewers to tears and make them feel the same pain
as he is going through," Bhatt said in a statement. "Dil Ki Baatein Dil
Hi Jaane" will be aired on Sony Enter tainment Television from March
onwards.
'Badlapur' most uncompromised
film of Raghavan: Nawazuddin
Mumbai (IANS): Versatile actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will be
seen in Sriram Raghavan's "Badlapur", says this is the director's
most uncompromised film.
"This is a beautiful film which depicts Raghavan's style of filmmaking. This is the
most uncompromised film of the director. He has made this film with his heart,"
Nawazuddin told IANS.
"This is not an art or a commercial film this is Raghavan's film. Every director
makes his film with honesty but at time something still remains," he added.
Nawazuddin will be seen sharing screen space with Varun Dhawan, Yami Gautam,
Huma Quereshi in the film. He says he is happy with whatever he has achieved so
far. "Everything has its own time and things happen at the right time. I wished of
getting fame long back but, I am happy with whatever I have achieved in my life. I
am satisfied being an actor. Be it a small film or big film, I have to be satisfied by my
performance," he said. Meanwhile, Actress Huma Qureshi, who is getting good
reviews for her performance in her latest release "Badlapur", has given credit to its
director Sriram Raghavan. "We feel good when we get appreciation because as
actors we work for appreciation. I thank Sriram Raghavan. It's just because of him
the film happened. The way he conceived all the characters, the way he directed all
of us is amazing. "If I have done a bit of good work in the film, I would credit my
entire performance to him (Raghavan), Nawaz (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and Varun
(Dhawan)," Huma said here Thursday at the screening of "Badlapur". "I think when
you work with good actors you automatically perform good," she added.
"Badlapur", which released Friday, is a dark and intense revenge
drama.
Los Angeles (IANS): Singer Selena Gomez has been criticised over a
photoshoot that she did for a magazine after it was branded as being
reminiscent of Lolita, the underage girl seduced by a middle-aged
man from the famous Vladimir Nabokov book.
The 22-year-old posed topless for the spring 2015 issue of V Magazine, reports aceshowbiz.com.
In one of the photograph, topless Gomez was seen crossing her
arms to cover her breasts. She only wore a pair of tiny pants with
her hair styled in small, voluminous curls. She accentuated her
baby face with dramatic lashes and some accessories like hop
earrings and a red polkadot bow.
Her pictures grabbed criticism on twitter.
One of the post reads: "How disturbing is @selenagomez' topless
shoot for @vmagazine? She looks like an absolute 12-year-old.
What is up with that make up."
Another fan posted: "Selena Gomez cover for V Magazine is very
Lolita like,right? she's a beautiful girl but imo this way looks really
young.."
Some other users said the magazine spread was creepy. One of
them tweeted: "Selena Gomez is a grown woman but on the cover of
V, she looks like a 13 year old Lolita-type with that hair clip and doeeyed look #creepy."
Another one said: "If I could erase images from my mind it would be
those @selenagomez pics for @vmagazine! She's cute but not in that
super creepy spread #ugh."
Don't believe everything written in
media: Emma Watson
London, (IANS) "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson has urged fans
not to go with every report that the media publishes.
It was reported last week that Watson and Prince Harry are dating
each other but the 24-year-old took to Twitter Sunday to express her
feeling on such rumours, reports dailymail.co.uk.s "World. Remember that little talk we had about not believing everything written in
the media?!" she tweeted.
As per reports Harry sent Watson an email to invite her out when
she split from her boyfriend Matthew Janney after a year of dating.
But Watson set the record straight and tweeted saying: "Also.....
marrying a Prince not a prerequisite for being a Princess." She also
posted a link to 1995 drama film "A Little Princess" which includes
the line: "I am a princess. All girls are."
DWAYNE JOHNSON TO MISS
PAUL WALKER IN FURIOUS 7
Los Angeles (IANS): Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he
still feels heartbroken over his "Fast & Furious" co-star Paul Walker's
death. The 42-year-old was left devastated when Walker passed
away in a car crash in November 2013 and he is particularly sad for
his friend's daughter, 16-year-old Meadow, because he knew how
much he loved her, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
Johnson, who has 13-year-old daughter Simone, with his former
wife Dany Garcia, said: "My heart broke for his family and it continues to break for his daughter. Paul and I talked all the time about
how cool it is to be daddies to little girls. Our girls aren't so little but
they'll always be little to us."
The "Furious 7" shooting was stooped following Walker's death and
Johnson thinks it was hard to know what was the "appropriate"
thing to do, but he hopes the finished movie serves as a fitting
tribute. "It was one of the most difficult things we had all gone
through. It affected the movie in that it completely shut it down,
which was the right and appropriate thing to do," he said. "You're
left with, 'What do we do next? What's the most appropriate step?
What's the most respectful step?'
KIM KARDASHIAN DESPERATE
TO BE 'EDGY, COOL'
TILLOTAMA SHOME, IRRFAN KHAN AND RASIKA DUGGAL DURING THE SCREENING OF FILM QISSA, IN MUMBAI (IANS)
Los Angeles (IANS): Reality TV star Kim Kardashian, who has been
participating in strange photoshoots of late, says she's not doing it to
distance herself from her family's reality show "Keeping Up With the
Kardashians". The 34-year-old has participated in an increasing number of photoshoots in the past year, and rumours had it that there's a
purpose behind it. Kim says that while she still enjoys filming the show,
she also wants to explore fashion in a bid to be more "edgy and cool",
reports femalefirst.co.uk. "I'm not purposely trying to do it to get out of
reality-TV world. I'm doing it because I think it will be really fun, like
edgy and cool. I love fashion and it's something I want to be a part of,"
LOVE Magazine quoted Kardashian as saying.
MidWeek
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
WEEKLY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
23
INDIA BREAK 23-YEAR-OLD JINX
BEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN WORLD CUP
CONTD. FROM PAGE 1
Backed by some excellent fielding, South African pacers restricted India quite easily in the powerplay
because of which India were only 10/1 at the end of the fifth over.
But as lethal pacer Dale Steyn (1/55) steamed in from one end, Dhawan gradually star ted targeting
other bowlers.
Both the Delhi batsmen played the ball to its merit and kept building the innings. The left-handed
Dhawan took charge and played the anchor's knock in the presence of Kohli, which does not happen too
often these days.
A fantastic square cut brought up Dhawan's half-century. But he was immediately given a reprieve when
he was dropped by a flying Hashim Amla at backward point in the 20th over. Though it was a difficult
chance, Dhawan's wicket could have turned the match in favour of the Proteas.
Meanwhile, Kohli got out while trying to pull a shor t ball off Imran Tahir (1/48) at shor t mid-wicket. The 26year-old, who scored a match-winning 107 against Pakistan last Sunday, was livid with himself.
However, incoming Ajinkya Rahane (79) ensured that India did not suffer a setback. His knock of 79 from
60 deliveries was studded with seven boundaries and three sixes over the huge MCG boundary.
Both Dhawan and Rahane upped the ante in the batting powerplay from 36th over to provide a brilliant
platform for India to post a big total. The duo scored all over the park and the South African bowlers
appeared hapless.
In the process, Dhawan notched up his century in 122 balls while Rahane brought up his ninth ODI halfcentury. The run-flow continued as India pushed on the pedal after Dhawan's century.
The 29-year-old from Delhi hit 16 boundaries and two sixes in his 146-ball knock. Even Steyn, regarded as
the world's best pacer, was hit for several sixes!
However, from a strong position of 261/2 in the 44th over, India finished poorly as they lost five wickets in
the last six overs. Three consecutive boundaries by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped India push the score.
In reply, South Africa star ted well despite losing wickets. Opener Hasim Amla (22), Faf du Plessis (55)
and de Villiers (30) looked good at the crease until they gave away their wickets.
South Africa looked well on course at 133/3 in the 29th over but a batting collapse saw any chance of them
winning diminishing. From 133/3, the African team were tottering at 161/9 in the 38th over and it was only
a matter of time before India sealed the match.
It was a very disciplined bowling performance from the Indian attack. Pacers Mohammed Shami (2/30)
and Mohit Sharma (2/31) picked up two wickets each while offie Ravichandran Ashwin finished with 3/41
from his 10 overs.
It was a complete performance: Dhoni
Melbourne (IANS): India skipper
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was delighted
at the way his team drubbed heavyweights South Africa in a World Cup
Pool B encounter here Sunday and
said it was "one more complete performance". It was indeed a complete
performance as the defending champions piled up a healthy total of 307/
7 -- courtesy a brilliant century from
left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan
(137). They followed it up with good
bowling and fielding to bowl out South
Africa for a paltry 177 in 40.2 overs.
"More than just the result, it was how
we played. Back-to-back performances by both the bowling and batting units. South Africa are a very good
side, so one more complete performance," Dhoni said at the post-match
presentation ceremony.
India had also beaten traditional rivals Pakistan in their tournament
opener at the Adelaide Oval last Sunday. Dhoni lauded India's fielding and
bowling that helped skittle out the
South Africans.
"We were able to swing the ball under lights. The bowlers bowled in
good areas and even (Ravindra)
Jadeja bowled very well, not just
quick and flat the way he usually
bowls. Very pleased with the run-outs.
Mohit (Sharma) and Umesh (Yadav)
are quite fast and have good arms.
What's happening really well is we
are able to execute our plans," said
the 33-year-old.
"I can give fields to the fast bowlers.
They are not bowling loose balls. They
bowled tight lines and the batsmen
had to play big shots to get runs. The
amount of effort the fast bowlers are
putting in the nets is beginning to
show now," concluded the captain.
Terrific performance by India: Tendulkar
Melbourne (IANS): Former batting great Sachin Tendulkar hailed India's 130-run victory over South
Africa here Sunday, saying that it was a "terrific performance" by the defending champions at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
India beat the Proteas to break their jinx of losing to the latter in World Cup matches. The Asian
powerhouse had lost all their previous three Cup meetings in 1992, 1999 and 2011 to South Africa.
"Terrific performance team India. First win in a World Cup against South Africa. First time for me in the
stands in a World Cup. Memorable firsts," tweeted Tendulkar.
Guided by Shikhar Dhawan's match-winning knock of 137, India posted a strong total of 307/7 off their
50 overs. In reply, South Africa folded up for 177 in only 40.2 overs.
The former right-handed batsman also expressed his feelings about visiting the historic 90,000capacity stadium.
"Always special to be back at cricket stadiums. Atmosphere at the MCG is fantastic! #CWC15
#IndvsSA," tweeted the 41-year-old, posting a selfie with the crowd in the background.
Tendulkar was seen sitting and having a discussion with International Cricket Council (ICC) chief
executive officer (CEO) Dave Richardson. Regarded as the greatest batsman of modern era, the
Mumbaikar is the brand ambassador of the ICC World Cup 2015.
The crowd at the iconic stadium erupted in loud cheers, chanting "Sachin! Sachin!" after getting a
glimpse of the former opening batsman on the big screens at the ground. Tendulkar, in response,
waved to the jubilant spectators, who were mostly Indians.
Later, several photos of Tendulkar went viral on social networking sites where he was seen in-andaround the stadium.
Tendulkar was par t of India's 2011 World Cup-winning squad.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
HARBHAJAN, ISHANT
CONGRATULATE INDIA
Melbourne (IANS): Pacer Ishant Sharma, who was ruled out of
the World Cup with an injury, and out-of-favour off-spinner
Harbhajan Singh congratulated the Indian cricket team on winning their World Cup Pool B encounter against South Africa here
Sunday.
India posted a healthy 307/7 in their 50 overs, cour tesy superb
knocks from Shikhar Dhawan (137) and Ajinkya Rahane (79).
The bowlers then came out firing as they bundled out South
Africans for 177 in 40.2 overs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
(MCG). "Congrats Team India! What a superb win! Brilliant performance @SDhawan25," Ishant tweeted.
Harbhajan, on the other hand, who was India's lead spinner in
the 2011 World Cup, tweeted: "Massive win ! well done shero
@BCCI ..great team effor ts... Maza aa gaya. Celebration time."
India next play the United Arab Emirates at the WACA in Perth Saturday.
SRINIVASAN SHOULD'VE
REFRAINED FROM FUNCTIONING
AS BCCI CHIEF: SC
R Ashwin is all smiles after dismissing JP Duminy, India v South Africa, World Cup 2015, Group B, Melbourne, Australia.
RUN-OUTS COST US
DEARLY: DE VILLIERS
Melbourne (IANS): South Africa captain AB de Villiers rued the runouts that cost them dearly as they slumped to a 130-run defeat to
India in their World Cup Pool B encounter at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground (MCG) here Sunday.
Chasing a target of 308, South Africa were cruising at 108/2 in the 23rd over
when de Villiers, trying to return for a second run, got run out. Wickets kept
falling thereafter. Another run-out, that of David Miller, affected the run flow of
the Proteas. The Africans finally wrapped up in the 41st over with 177 on the
board. "The run-outs cost us dearly tonight, just when we got started with the
bat. We lost our way," said de Villiers at the post match presentation ceremony. The skipper, however, praised his bowlers for restricting India to 307/
7 but added that losing Vernon Philander due to an injury dented their bowling
strength. "Thought our bowlers fought back well, we were looking at 350 at
one stage. It was a 270-275 kind of wicket. But looking at the way the Indians
batted, it was a good effort to restrict them to 307. We just have to regroup as
a batting unit and work hard on our game," said the 31-year-old.
"I still thought it was a good toss to win (for Dhoni). It was one of those
where you wanted to bat first and put a team under pressure who had
fielded in the heat, but still no excuses. We lost Vernon and I needed
Parny's (Wayne Parnell) overs. Otherwise I'd have ended up bowling
again. We just didn't bat well enough."
New Delhi, (IANS) The Supreme Cour t Monday said sidelined
BCCI president N. Srinivasan should have refrained from functioning as the cricket board chief after the apex cour t had declared that he was in a conflict of interest situation and could not
contest elections.
Referring to its Jan 2 verdict which held that Srinivasan, head of
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the owner of
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings, was
in a conflict of interest situation, the apex cour t bench of Justice
T.S. Thakur and Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla said:
"Having said that it makes him very vulnerable. We are not very
happy about it.
"Where was the need for him to preside over (the working committee meeting). We are not very happy about it," the cour t said,
adding: "So long there is a judgment holding him in conflict of
interest, we feel when you know you are vulnerable, how can
you ignore the fact that when you can't contest election, how can
you continue to hold the position (of BCCI president)."
"If you can't even be a candidate, can you hold the post," Justice
Thakur asked senior counsel Kapil Sibal, who appeared for
Srinivasan.
The cour t's unambiguous obser vation, disapproving of
Srinivasan presiding over the meeting, came as Sibal sought to
reason that Srinivasan did not act in violation of the cour t's order
and his understanding of the Jan 2 verdict was that he was only
barred from contesting elections and could discharge functions
as BCCI head till new office bearers are elected.
Sibal said there was no contempt as there was no wilful violation of the cour t's order. Having said that, there was no cover-up
by Srinivasan and giving him the benefit of doubt, the cour t said:
"We found that cer tainly he was in conflict of interest and this
makes him very vulnerable. We don't want to sound that we are
against somebody. He must have realised.
"These things don't go beyond a point, once there is an announcement of the court," the court said as Sibal tried to impress upon the
court that "legally his (Srinivasan) position is vulnerable but within
the BCCI there is an enormous confidence in him."
"With people like you advising him, people must have realised the
implication of our order," Justice Thakur told senior counsel Kapil
Sibal apparently pointing that people could not be that naive.
MOEEN TON GIVES
ENGLAND OPENING WIN
The timely appearance of the Auld
Enemy proved to be a World-Cup
blessing for England. Scotland
rarely pass muster these days
even in their most culturally-ingrained team spor ts of football
and rugby union and, as far as
cricket is concerned, their fortunes have yet to cause much
impassioned
debate
on
Sauchiehall Street. England, easy
victors by 119 runs, were grateful for that as they began to restore their World Cup reputation.
For all the belligerent pre-match
cries of Paul Collingwood, a proud
Englishman finding himself reading from the Bravehear t script,
Scotland have never beaten a Full
Member nation in a one-day international. Repelled by Moeen
Ali's confident century, 128 from
107 balls, they managed little
more than a skirmish in
Christchurch, although all remains far from right for England
because while Moeen oiled the
England innings, there was the
sound of clanking and grinding all
around him.
There is no more modest bowling attack in this World Cup than
Scotland's and the immediate
consequence for England was a
first-wicket record in World Cups:
172 in 30.1 overs by Moeen and
Ian Bell, surpassing the 158 gathered by Dennis Amiss and Barry
“
ENGLAND 303 FOR 8 (MOEEN 128, BELL 54,
DAVEY 4-68) BEAT SCOTLAND 184 (COETZER 71,
FINN 3-26, MOEEN 2-47) BY 119 RUNS
Wood against East Africa at
Edgbaston in the first World Cup
in 1975. England's approach, their
critics have been sniping, has not
changed all that much in the intervening 40 years.
Expectations that they might pass
350-plus for only the third time in
ODIs departed with Moeen. In the
end, England's captain Eoin Morgan would be grateful for lesser
mercies: a total beyond 300, the
fact they batted their full quota of
overs, a semblance of form for
himself - 46 until he fell in the
final over, one of four wickets for
Josh Davey - which ensured those
minimum targets were met.
As for England's bowling, it did
what it had to do; dismissing Scotland within 42.2 overs the
bowlers began to remedy what
had been the worst net run rate in
the group in a manner the batsmen, Moeen apar t, had found beyond them. Kyle Coetzer drove
vigorously in making 71 before
Moeen again underlined his allround attributes by having him
caught at long-on - Coetzer coming down the pitch to loft the ball
on the full. But the dangerous
Calum MacLeod fell making room
to James Anderson's outswinger
and the captain Preston
Mommsen, so productive in the
qualifiers, fell on the sweep to
Joe Root just as he was threatening to lead a second wave.
England will seek value in Steven
Finn's display, coming so soon
after his two overs were savaged
for 49 by Brendon McCullum in
Wellington. He settled his nerves
with three cheap wickets, including the impor tant one of Matt
Machan, caught at the wicket. He
upped his speeds as the day
wore on, but while his pace remains
so irregular - more, it seems, by accident than design - he will not altogether convince. The World Cup had
briefly turned its attention to a very
British rivalry on a very British sort
of day: England v Scotland under initially grouchy Hagley Park skies, with
the discordant chants of the Barmy
Army combated by the screech of
the pipes and a brandished flag bearing the word "freedom", a vestige of
Scotland's failed independence referendum. For the tournament proper,
it all seemed a bit inconsequential,
but for England, bereft of form and
reputation, a bit of parochialism was
just what they needed.
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MCLAREN'S ALONSO
INVOLVED IN SERIOUS CRASH
Barcelona (IANS): Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso
was involved in a serious crash during the last day of pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya here Sunday.
The McLaren Honda driver hit a wall at around 150 miles per
hour as he came out of the third corner of the circuit when his car
ran out of control, exiting the curve shor tly before the lunch
break, repor ts Xinhua.
He was taken from the crash scene in an ambulance and then
air-lifted to hospital for tests. McLaren said that Alonso was
"conscious" while his advisor Luis Garcia tweeted saying the
driver was "okay".
Alonso rejoined McLaren, whom he had left in 2007, after ending
his contract with Ferrari at the end of last season. He hopes that
the return to one of his former teams will help him in his aim to
lift a third world title.
The 2015 season star ts with the Australian Grand Prix March 15.
Modric's return to provide
timely boost to Real Madrid
Lovell Tyler of Ranchi Rays receives cheque for Man of the Match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. Ranchi
Rays won the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) title defeating Punjab Warriors 3-2 via a penalty shootout in the final (IANS).
Ranchi Rays beat Punjab Warriors
to emerge HIL champions
New Delhi (IANS): Ranchi Rays won the Hero Hockey India League (HIL)
title defeating Jaypee Punjab Warriors 3-2 via a penalty shootout in the
final at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Sunday.
During the 60 minutes of play, Kieran Govers (39th minute) and Christopher Ciriello (56th) scored for the 2014 edition runners-up Warriors. Rays
drew level through Stanli Minz (43rd) and Barry Middleton (57th).
The game went into the penalty shootout where Warriors' Simon Orchard,
Rob Hammond, S.V. Sunil failed to score. Dharamvir Singh and Chris
Ciriello managed two goals for them.
For Rays, skipper Ashley Jackson scored once and returned to convert a
penalty stroke, while Daniel Beale scored the other goal.
With this win, the city of Ranchi has got two HIL titles as the now-defunct
Ranchi Rhinos had won the inaugural title in 2013.
Many members of the Rhinos played for Rays, which was co-owned by
Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sahara group.
Warriors also lost the second consecutive final of the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Waveriders defeated Uttar Pradesh Wizards 2-1
to claim the third position. Rupinderpal Singh (fifth minute), Yuvraj Walmiki
(50th) scored for 2014 edition champions Waveriders, while Nikkin
Thimmaiah (18th) scored the only goal for Wizards.
Warriors had lost to Waveriders in the 2014 edition final and it hunted the
Chandigarh-based side again in this year's final.
The final opened up at a breakneck speed with both the teams not trying
to outwit each other and they hardly put a foot wrong in the first quarter.
They were determined not to leave any space of opportunities for each
other. Despite the five-time World Player of the Year Jamie Dwyer not
playing the match, Warriors peppered the rival circle with several quick
forays. Jake Whetton, Kieran Govers combined well with S.V. Sunil and
Malak Singh. Skipper Mark Knowles played most part of the match and
looked fit despite an ankle injury that subdued him in the semifinal against
Delhi Waveriders Saturday.
For Rays, skipper Jackson led from the front and along with veteran
Englishman Middleton, he kept goalkeeper Jaap Stockmaan busy.
Jacksona¿s contest with Orchard was enthralling.
However, defenders of both the sides ensured that they don't concede
penalty corners. Both the teams had powerful drag-flickers and this meant
that Sandeep Singh and Jackson were bereft of set-pieces. This resulted
India get their groove back
in the goalless scoreline till the half-time. Six minutes into the third quarter, Warriors pressed hard for a penalty corner and they got after Sunil
combined with Dharamvir Singh, who passed it to Whetton. The Australian found a foot of a defender that followed a short corner. But Sandeep
flicked straight to Rays goalkeeper Tyler Lovell to waste the chance.
Warriors' hard work paid dividends when Govers slapped past Lovell in
the 39th minute to give Warriors the crucial lead.
Wounded after conceding the lead, Rays hit back. Minz earned a penalty
corner after Sandeep pushed the striker. However, Jackson't flick was
halted and it rebounded towards Minz, who guided the ball in to score the
equaliser in the 43rd minute. With Fergus Kavanagh's solid defence,
Jackson's energy and Middleton's strategic play, Rays moved ahead.
Warriors looked more passive after conceding the goal and slowly upped
their game. Christopher Ciriello converted a penalty corner in the 56th
minute. But, it didn't take much time for Rays to bounce back as a hungry
Middleton made the most of a pass from Trent Mitton to deflect the ball in
from a close range that took the game to the penalties.
Other teams in the six-side tournament, Kalinga Lancers finished fifth
with 21 points, while debutants Dabang Mumbai took the last spot.
GAYLE'S DOUBLE CENTURY
SMASHES MANY RECORDS
Canberra, (IANS) Chris Gayle's majestic 215 broke several World
Cup and One-Day International (ODI) records when the West Indies
took on Zimbabwe in a Pool B clash at the Manuka Oval here Tuesday.
The following is the list of records registered:
* Gayle smashed the highest score of a World Cup match. The previous best was South African Gary Kirsten's 188 not out against the
United Arab Emirates in 1996
* The 138-ball knock was the fastest double hundred in ODIs
* West Indies' total of 372/2 is the fifth highest total in World Cup
history. The biggest total was by India, who scored 413/5 against
Bermuda in 2007
* Gayle combined with Maron Samuels (133 not out) to score 372
runs - the highest ODI partnership. It bettered the previous best between Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who put together 331 against
New Zealand in 1999. The previous best World Cup par tnership also
involved Dravid, who with Sourav Ganguly, struck 318 runs against
Sri Lanka in 1999. These are the only three par tnerships to have
crossed the 300-mark in ODI history
* The Jamaican hit an incredible 16 sixes, equalling Rohit Sharma
and AB de Villiers ODI record and registering a new World Cup record
for the most number of sixes in a match
* The 35-year-old became only the four th batsman and first nonIndian to score an ODI double hundred. Legendary Sachin Tendulkar
was the first to score an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in 2010.
The next year, Virender Sehwag smashed 219 against the Windies.
Current India opener Rohit Sharma is the only batsman with two double
hundreds to his name which came against Australia (209 in 2013) and
Madrid (IANS): Spanish football giants Real Madrid have received a major boost in their effor ts to win the La Liga and retain
the Champions League trophies with the return of Croatian
midfielder Luka Modric to full training.
Modric has been out of action for over three months after damaging knee ligaments while on international duty in November
and his absence has been hard for coach Carlo Ancelotti to cover,
especially in the wake of recent injuries to midfielders Sami
Khedira and also James Rodriguez, repor ts Xinhua.
Ancelotti clearly has little faith in former Real Sociedad midfielder,
Asier Illaramendi and it was recent signing, Lucas Silva who
par tnered Tony Kroos in his side's 2-0 win away against German side Schalke 04 in the Champions League Wednesday.
Kroos complained of tiredness at the end of last year, but
Modric's absence means that the German has been forced to
play in every game from a deep midfield position.
The return of Modric would allow him to push forward to his
preferred role closer to the rival penalty area.
Ancelotti will not take any risks with Modric at this stage in his
recovery and he certainly won't form any par t of the squad which
will play against Elche Sunday in La Liga, while it is also unlikely he will play the following weekend at home to Villarreal.
However, Modric can make his return when Madrid travel to
play Athletic Club Bilbao March 7 or in the return leg against
Schalke 04.
But Ancelotti will be ensuring Modric attains his peak fitness
when Madrid face fierce rivals Barcelona March 22.
With just a point separating the two, thw winners of the 'Classico'
can well emerge as the league champions.
Sri Lanka (264 in 2014). The latter is the highest individual score in
ODIs.
* Along the way, Gayle passed 9,000 career runs and scored his 22nd
ODI century. He holds the record for the most number of centuries for
any West Indies player. The second best is Brian Lara with 19
* With the century, Gayle became the only batsman in history with an
ODI double hundred, Twenty20 International century and Test triple ton
Piece by piece, India are rediscovering their one-day mojo. Or
perhaps they had never lost it really, and their lacklustre performance during the tri-series that preceded the World Cup was
merely a tactical retreat to keep something in the tank for their
title defence. Four months of international cricket on the road
can make you fall out of love with your job, and that India have
looked fresh and sharp in their opening World Cup matches is a
win in itself.
For Indian fans, this 144-day campaign carried the risk of the
nightmare of 1992 repeated, when defeats in the stop-star t Test
series and in the tri-series finals were followed by just two
World Cup wins - against Pakistan and Zimbabwe. This time,
India came to the World Cup with an even more dismal record:
not till they beat Afghanistan in the final World Cup warm-up
match had they managed to win a thing all summer. After a
spirited Test series, their batting seemed to have lost its spring,
and the bowling hadn't turned up at all.
But throughout his captaincy, in one-day cricket in par ticular,
MS Dhoni has made the ability to play around the limitations of
his team his greatest vir tue. He ran the 2011 World Cup campaign around an unfit team, with the knowledge that he could
only push his bowlers so much. Four years later, with a team
that has only four survivors from 2011, Dhoni has had two big
challenges: to give belief to his inexperienced charges, and to
keep them from burning out. Those familiar with Dhoni's methods know that he will have invested very little in the tri-series,
both in terms of mental and physical energy. In fact, not getting
to the final meant more downtime.
And now, two games into the World Cup, the levers of the Indian
one-day machine are falling into place. The win against South
Africa was achieved with a felicity that might have surprised
even them, but a template is becoming evident. And what will
encourage the Indian suppor ters - they are a story in themselves - is that the perceived weak links of the team have played
starring roles in both wins.
Throughout the tour, Shikhar Dhawan, India's major batsman in
their last successful world title campaign - the Champions Trophy in the UK - has cut a forlorn figure, unable to come to grips
with the bounce on Australian pitches. For the second successive Test series away from home, he had to be dropped from the
playing XI following a sequence of poor scores apparently caused
by a lack of technique for the given conditions. He was so unconvincing that not retaining M Vijay, one of India's major batting
successes during Test tour, for the World Cup had begun to seem
a tactical blunder. But as Dhoni said after the South Africa game,
the space and time to work in the nets is sometimes underestimated. Dhawan's 38 in India's final game of the tri-series, against
England, was perhaps the only gain for India from their poor
batting performance, but Dhawan has returned from the break in
a far more decisive frame, and his off-side strokeplay, his strength
as well as his weakness - has regained its verve. He has been
prepared to leave balls outside the off stump, and the tentativeness that had crept into his game is gone: the bat now meets the
ball with the old swagger, and the cuts are going screaming
again. He was set for a century when he was run out against
Pakistan, and in Melbourne, he made good his luck from a drop
by adding nearly a hundred runs to his total.
MIDWEEK NEWS
NEWS WEEKLY
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AUGUST 28,
24,2012
2015
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