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#AwardWapsi: 24 National Award winning filmmakers return their awards

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Photo: ANI

The "award wapsi" movement continues to gather steam as 24 filmmakers returned their national awards as a mark of protest against the "intolerance and crackdown on freedom of speech".
Among the filmmakers who joined the movement are Kundan Shah, who had announced that he will return the National Award that he received for the iconic 1983 film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Saeed Mirza.
Filmmakers who have the returned the award include Virendra Saini, Saeed Mirza, Arundhati Roy, Ranjan Palit, Sanjay Kak and others.

Will help India fight Dawood, want justice, says Chhota Rajan

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Photo: ANI

Even as underworld don Chhota Rajan, who was arrested in the Bali last month, heads to India, he has spoken to the media about "what he has to offer to the Indian government". In an interview with Times Now, Rajan, who is charged in about 70 cases, said he wants justice from the Indian government.

He said he would help Indian authorities to "fight Dawood Ibrahim". Rajan was a close aide of Dawood. But the duo fell apart after the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. Dawood is accused of masterminding the attack, to which Rajan was opposed.

Earlier in the day, as the decks were clear to deport the 55-year-old don, Rajan said he was happy that he was returning to his country. He is being deported to India tonight after air services resumed at the Bali airport.

It's advantage Grand Alliance, predicts Exit polls

Bihar Opinion polls
Exit polls at the end of the fifth and final phase of polling for the 243-seat Bihar assembly on Thursday indicated an advantage to the Mahagathbandhan over the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), while the Chanakya has predicted otherwise. With the exception of Chanakya, most exit polls have given an edge to the grand alliance with 120-140 over the NDA with 111-123 seats, while others are likely to get 4-8 seats.

Saradha scam: Mitra to be kept in house confinement

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Photo: Getty Images

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed that the West Bengal Transport Minister Madan Mitra, who got a bail in Saradha Chit Fund scam by a Alipur court on October 31, be kept under house arrest till November 17.

Responding to the CBI's petition for cancelling bail of Mitra, the vacation bench of the court said he should be kept under house arrest till a regular bench of the Calcutta High Court hears the case.

Economy improved on all parameters in 17 months: Modi

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Photo: Getty images

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the economy has improved on all parameters including inflation and foreign investment since his government assumed power in the centre, 17 months back.

He was speaking at the Delhi Economics Conclave in the capital where he also stressed on inclusive reforms that improve people's lives and not just grab headlines at the .

He also said the government's efforts to bring back black money stashed abroad have yielded as much as Rs 10,500 crore.

The Prime Minister further said government's JAM (Jandhan, Aadhar and Mudra) initiatives were all about "achieving maximum values for every rupee spent, maximum empowerment and maximum technology penetration among the masses." .

Drive against 'intolerance' an attempt to derail development momentum, says BJP

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Photo: Getty Images

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 5 November said the campaign against " climate of intolerance" was an attempt to derail the development momentum of the government.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the government had a vested interest in maintaining the atmosphere of tolerance in the country as development was possible only in such a situation.

The party also released a compilation of articles that defended the government and questioned the protesting intellectuals and parties.

#AwardWapsi for OROP: War veterans to return medals on November 10, 11

The Award Wapsi movement started by Sahitya Akademi award winning writers has reached the armed forces now. After the movement was endorsed by the filmmakers and intellectuals, it turns out even the veterans of Armed forces have joined the movement with a vow to return their medals. However, their move to return medals has nothing to do with the ongoing debate on tolerance and crackdown on dissent, that has brought together eminent people from different walks to life to speak up against the government in unison. The reason why the retired defence personnel have decided to return their medals is the delay in the notification of the One Rank One Pension policy, that was announced on 5 September after prolonged protests.

Chhota Rajan in stable medical condition

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File photo

Underworld don Chhota Rajan, who was brought back today morning from Indonesia is in stable medical condition and does not require any kind of medical intervention.

After his arrival at the Palam airport here, CBI spokesperson said Rajan was medically fit and required no dialysis.

This statement comes after Maharashtra government had made arrangements for dialysis following reports that Rajan's kidneys were not functioning properly.

CBI sources said a detailed medical examination was done at the agency headquarters which suggested that he was in stable medical condition and no intervention was needed.

Greenpeace India society's registration cancelled

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File photo

The Tamil Nadu Registrar of Societies has cancelled registration of Greenpeace India society - the environmental NGO which has been campaigning in the country against air pollution and unsustainable use of natural resources, including water and forests for long.

The NGO, which is registered in India under the Tamil Nadu Registrar of Societies (RoS), received the order of cancellation of its registration on 6 November. According to a report published in the Times of India, the order was formally issued on November 4.

The NGO will now reportedly challenge this order in the Madras high court.

Nepal PM criticises India for border blockade and UNHRC issue

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Photo: Twitter

Nepal's new Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday said that the blockade of key border points with India is 'more inhuman than a war' as he criticised New Delhi for raking up alleged rights abuse in Nepal at the UNHRC.

"Foodstuff and protection come into priority under the humanitarian aspect even during a war. Neighbouring country has further troubled our country by blocking checkpoints while it is still paralysed by the April 25 devastating earthquake. This is objectionable," Oli told a delegation of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ).

He said the current problem of blockade is the result of an "imported agenda carried by certain elements". "Nepal is currently at the receiving end of unofficial blockade. But this is the time for us to find alternative," he was quoted as saying by local media.

Emami fined Rs 15,00,000 for Fair and Handsome

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Photo: Representational Image

The District Consumer Forum in New Delhi has fined Emami, the manufacturer of Fair and Handsome cream, the sum of Rs 15 lakhs. A petitioner had filed a complaint against Emami in 2012 on behalf of his brother after the fairness product promised fairness in 3 weeks, but failed to deliver. The company has also been ordered to pay the petitioner Rs 10,000 as compensation, on top of the 15 lakh fine. Further, the company has been told to withdraw all ads claiming their products can make people fair.

Star World issued notice for homosexual scene

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Photo: Flickr

TV channel Star World was on the receiving end of a government notice for airing a homosexual encounter that was part of popular TV drama Grey's Anatomy. The notice was issued by the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) and the channel has been asked to reply by December 1. According to the BCCC, which issued the notice to Star World for "denigrating women", the notice was issued on the basis of complaints from the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry which found the scenes "indecent" and "vulgar".

Gene editing saves young girl from cancer

In a medical first, a young girl suffering from leukaemia has been saved thanks to the pioneering new gene editing treatment. After conventional treatments failed 1-year-old Lisa, doctors turned to an experimental form of gene therapy - fighting the cancer using genetically engineered immune cells from a donor. In less than a month, the therapy had worked, killing off all the cancerous cells in Lisa's bone marrow. While there is the possibility that the cancer may return in a year or two, doctors remain hopeful going by current signs.

Apple watch launched in India starting at Rs 30,900

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Photo: Representational Image/Flickr

After launching the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus in India last month, Apple has now launched its much-awaited Watch range in the country ahead of Diwali.

Starting today, Apple Watch will be officially available for sale through Apple's retail channels across the country.

The Apple Watch will be available in three variants - Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition - and two sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm. - it has been launched seven months after its first debut in many countries.

The starting price of the Silver Aluminium Case and White Sport Band is Rs 30,900 for the 38mm and Rs 34,900 for the 42mm, making these two the cheapest of the lot.

This Haryana hospital hires fake patients for Rs 200

Want to hire patients to increase your hospital's strength? This Haryana hospital just did.

Adesh, a private hospital in the state has been reportedly admitting fake patients to show more bed strength during the mandatory inspection by the Medical Council of India.

The inspection is necessary in order for the hospital to be recognised as a medical college. According to the council's guidelines, a hospital looking to admit 100 MBBS students must have 600 beds with at least 70 per cent patient occupancy.

Foreign guests under threat at Chilika Lake in Odisha

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Photo: Getty Images

Migratory birds which grace the Chilika lake in Odisha from far off places during this time of the year, are reportedly under the threat of poaching.

According to media reports, wildlife personnel have arrested two poachers from Subhadrapur under Tangi wildlife range on 5 November and seized three dead birds of two species - gadwall (2) and pintail (one).

This was the first bird poaching case reported after the migratory birds arrived at the Chilika, known as the winter abode of millions of avian guests.