HDFC Life presents an inspiring “BounceBack” story
HDFC Life in its latest video showcases the story of Darpan Inani, India’s highest rated visually impaired chess player as of January’19. Darpan became a chess champion despite losing his sight at the age of 3. The film highlights how a strong will to fight and the right financial support can help you bounce back from life’s biggest challenges.
Govt moves SC against Delhi HC order over Oxytocin ban
The government has approached the Supreme Court contesting Delhi High Court’s decision which set aside government’s notification imposing a ban on manufacture and sale of Oxytocin by private companies. The Delhi High Court had in December 2018 quashed the Centre’s decision calling it “arbitrary and unreasonable”. Oxytocin is a drug which induces labour and controls bleeding during childbirth.
Bhima-Koregaon accused moves Bombay HC for anticipatory bail
Activist Anand Teltumbde, an accused in the Bhima-Koregaon case, on Monday moved the Bombay High Court seeking anticipatory bail. This comes after Teltumbde was arrested on Saturday after a Pune sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. However, the sessions court later ordered his release, terming the arrest “illegal” since Teltumbde was given interim protection till February 11.
Match 50% EVM votes with paper trails: Opposition parties to EC
Leaders of several opposition parties on Monday demanded the Election Commission to ensure that 50% of EVM results are matched with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). The leaders also told the poll panel that people doubted the efficacy of EVMs and this issue needs to be redressed. The poll panel had earlier reiterated that it won’t revert to ballot papers.
Anything can happen till polls are declared: Bihar CM on WB row
Talking about the confrontation between CBI and Kolkata police, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Monday said, “Till the Election Commission announces the dates of elections, anything can happen in the country.” He added, “These things can only be explained by people who are doing it.” “Nobody is concerned about the country. All are interested in votes,” he further said.
Tax rebate proposed for those who need it most: Piyush Goyal
Discussing the proposed zero tax for individual taxpayers having an annual taxable income of up to ₹5,00,000, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal has said, “These are the people who need it the most.” He added, “We are clear that the benefits of formalisation of the economy, the larger tax base, more taxes… have to be shared.”
Out of love we call Siddaramaiah our leader: Karnataka Cong Prez
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee chief Eshwar Khandre on Monday said that it is “out of love” that the party considers former CM Siddaramaiah as their leader. “We’ve already clarified that HD Kumaraswamy is the CM,” he added. This comes after Kumaraswamy recently threatened to step down when asked about Congress MLAs’ comments that Siddaramaiah was their CM.
Archery board not in list of recognised national federations
The Archery Association of India (AAI) does not figure in the Sports Ministry’s list of recognised national federations after the annual renewal despite the AAI holding fresh elections under a new constitution. The AAI’s elections were initially not recognised by its international parent body, World Archery, but the results were later accepted by them.
Salman and Sooraj Barjatya to collaborate for a family drama
Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya will collaborate for a family drama. Confirming the news, Sooraj said, “It will have all the necessary ingredients that a Rajshri production has – emotions, drama and a lot of music.” Sooraj and Salman earlier collaborated for films like ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’, ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.
Kareena Kapoor to appear in a song in ‘Dabangg 3’: Reports
Kareena Kapoor Khan, who had appeared in the song ‘Fevicol Se’ from Salman Khan’s ‘Dabangg 2’, will reportedly be appearing in a song in ‘Dabangg 3’. Arbaaz Khan, who will be producing the film, recently revealed that Salman will start shooting in April. Actress Sonakshi Sinha had earlier confirmed that she will be starring in the film opposite Salman.
Can’t see anyone but Shahid in ‘Kabir Singh’: Kiara Advani
Kiara Advani, who is starring opposite Shahid Kapoor in their upcoming film ‘Kabir Singh’, said, “After completing an entire schedule with [Shahid], I can definitely say that I can’t see anyone but him in the titular role.” “It’s a pleasure to work with someone who brings so much to a scene,” Kiara added while talking about her co-actor.
Indian man in US smuggled 400 people, took up to ₹60 lakh from each
A 60-year-old Indian man has pleaded guilty for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle individuals from India to the US for profit. Yadvinder Singh Bhamba personally assisted around 400 individuals to unlawfully enter the US between 2013 and 2015. Individuals paid between $30,000 (over ₹20 lakh) and $85,000 (over ₹60 lakh) to be smuggled from India to the US.
UN monitors say North Korea protecting nuclear missiles
UN monitors have said North Korea is protecting its nuclear and ballistic missiles, adding that sanctions against the nation were proving ineffective. This comes ahead of the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea has said it’ll never unilaterally give up its nukes unless the US first removes any threat to it.
Don’t overburden Iraq with your own issues: Iraq President to Trump
After US President Donald Trump said he would ask US troops stationed in Iraq to “watch” Iran, Iraqi President Barham Salih said, “Don’t overburden Iraq with your own issues.” Salih added US troops in Iraq are there as part of an agreement between the two countries with a specific mission of combating terrorism and that they should stick to that.
UP police get adoption requests for rape survivor’s newborn baby
Days after a 15-year-old rape survivor gave birth to a boy in Meerut, several couples have approached the police seeking to adopt the baby. The police said the girl will take a decision on the adoption requests, even as her family expressed displeasure over them. She had used her baby as evidence against her rapist in court.
Indian media barred from event addressed by Pak minister in UK
Indian media was not allowed entry into the ‘International Conference on Kashmir’ event addressed by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the UK House of Commons complex on Monday. India registered “strong” opposition over the matter, following which the UK government responded stating Qureshi was not an official guest as he was on a private visit to Britain.
Passenger finds cockroach in Air India meal; airline apologises
A passenger of Air India’s Bhopal-Mumbai flight on Saturday complained that he found a cockroach in idli-vada-sambar he was served during the flight. Following the complaint, the airline on Monday apologised to the passenger and said it has initiated “corrective action internally”. “Our senior officials are in touch with the aggrieved passenger,” Air India tweeted.
Intelligent data platform fleetx raises pre-Series A funding
Gurugram-based intelligent fleet management and predictive analytics platform fleetx has raised pre-Series A funding from India Quotient, LetsVenture’s Angel Fund and others. Last year, fleetx raised angel funding from Travel Boutique Online Founders Ankush Nijhawan and Gaurav Bhatnagar, Mediology Co-founder Manish Dhingra, and others. The startup was founded in 2017 by IIT, NIT and Purdue alumni.
UP CM to travel to WB by road after not allowed to land chopper
Two days after he was denied permission to land his chopper in West Bengal’s South Dinajpur district for addressing political rallies, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has decided to travel by road to the state. “How is the ‘khauf’ (fear)?” BJP leader Mohsin Raza said in an apparent dig at West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on CM Yogi’s visit.
Comparisons to PM Modi are an insult to Indira Gandhi: Rahul
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has called comparisons between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi “an insult to Indiraji.” Rahul said, “My grandmother’s decisions came from love and affection… Modi’s decisions come from anger and hatred and his decisions divide the country.” He further claimed that unlike PM Modi, Indira had cared for the poor in India.
Spent last 10 yrs in a jail: IAS topper Shah Faesal on his tenure
In his first public meeting in Jammu and Kashmir after quitting the services, 2009 IAS topper Shah Faesal on Monday said, “To tell you honestly, I spent the last 10 years in a jail.” He asserted that despite being a senior government officer, he used to feel helpless seeing “atrocities and injustices”. Faesal resigned last month to protest Kashmir killings.
WB CM Mamata holds Cabinet meeting in traffic outpost amid dharna
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday held a Cabinet meeting to pass the state budget in a traffic outpost on a pavement in Kolkata. The full cabinet comprising over 50 ministers huddled in the room. This comes amid the dharna she has staged to protest the CBI’s move to raid Kolkata Police chief in connection with chit fund scams.
Kolkata Police chief can’t be arrested: SC to CBI in chit fund cases
Responding to a plea filed by the CBI, the Supreme Court has said the agency cannot take any coercive action, including arrest, against Kolkata police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with the chit fund scams. However, the court directed Kumar to appear before CBI and cooperate with it. This comes amid West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s dharna against CBI action.
Rustomjee set to redefine luxury real estate in South Mumbai
Rustomjee has introduced a palatial gated estate in Prabhadevi with 3,4 and 5 bedroom luxury residences, spread over 5.75 acres. This gated estate is replete with 60+ lifestyle amenities, from tropical pools to idyllic spas. It features two 68 storey towers and one 65 storey tower with a floor to ceiling height of up to 11.9 ft.
15 Thai election candidates change names to those of former PMs
Fifteen election candidates in Thailand have changed their names to those of former Prime Ministers in a bid to remain memorable to voters. While 10 men have legally changed their names to Thaksin, after former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, five women have changed their names to Yingluck, after the country’s first female PM, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Kerala gets ₹102 cr bill for use of IAF aircraft during floods
The Centre has forwarded a bill of ₹102 crore to the Kerala government for the use of IAF aircraft and helicopters for flood relief operations in the state, Union Minister Subhash Bhamre said on Monday. The IAF had carried out 517 sorties of Fixed Wing aircraft, airlifting 3,787 people, and 634 sorties of helicopters whereby 584 people were winched.
13k killed in Maha road accidents in 2018; highest in 3 years
As many as 13,059 people were killed in road accidents in Maharashtra in 2018, the highest in last three years, state Transport Minister Diwakar Raote said. Of these, 80% or around 11,000 deaths were caused due to human error, he added. Pedestrians, two-wheeler riders and cyclists together comprised 66% of the fatalities, Raote further said.
B’desh board to build stadium after PM Sheikh Hasina’s name
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has decided to build an international cricket stadium in the country after the name of the current Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. The stadium will be built in Dhaka’s Purbachal area over the next three years. The board also thanked the PM for allocating nearly 38 acres in Purbachal for the new cricket stadium complex.
I’m going to shoot up a school: US boy tells Siri; gets list of schools
A middle school student in Indiana, US got a list of schools after he told Apple’s digital assistant Siri, “I am going to shoot up a school.” The 13-year-old, who took a screenshot of Siri’s response and posted it on social media, was arrested and charged with intimidation. His friends on social media had alerted the police.
Those not giving birth responsible for falling population: Japan Dy PM
Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso has said that those who “didn’t give birth” are to be blamed for the country’s declining population. “There are lots of strange people who say the elderly are to blame, but that is wrong,” he added. In 2017, around 9.5 lakh babies were born while the number of deaths rose to around 13 lakh.
Trainee aircraft crashes near Pune, pilot injured
A trainee aircraft of Carver Aviation, a pilot training institute, on Tuesday crashed near Indapur in Maharashtra’s Pune. The incident has left a trainee pilot injured and the aircraft was completely damaged after the incident. The pilot was immediately rushed to the nearby hospital in Baramati.
Ex-Chattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi, son booked over bypoll fixing
An FIR has been registered against five people, including former Chhattisgarh CM Ajit Jogi, his son Amit and former PWD Minister Rajesh Munat, in connection with the Antagarh tapes case. The audio tapes had purportedly revealed that the 2014 Antagarh assembly bypoll, which was won by BJP, was fixed. The FIR was filed following a complaint by a Congress leader.
4 female friends, including minor, commit suicide together in Gujarat
Four female friends, including a minor, have allegedly committed suicide by jumping into Narmada canal in Gujarat’s Banaskantha. Police said according to their suicide note, one friend said she was suffering from a heart ailment and the second said she was not happy with her marriage. The other two took the step as separation from friends was unbearable for them.
Explosives recovered from train coach, Assam railway station
Explosives including 600 gelatin sticks and 1,200 detonators were recovered from the Guwahati Railway Station and Avadh-Assam Express in Assam’s Morigaon district on Monday. A bag was found abandoned at the railway station, while another unclaimed bag was recovered from the train coach. The items were seized and a case was registered.
Walmart may exit Flipkart due to new FDI rules: Morgan Stanley
US-based brokerage firm Morgan Stanley has said the US-based retail giant Walmart’s exit from Flipkart is “likely, not completely out of the question” with India’s new FDI norms for e-commerce. “We estimate that Flipkart derives 50% of its revenue from high-selling electronics category,” said Morgan Stanley. “It could face meaningful disruption and top-line pressure in the near term,” it added.
Sarfaraz Ahmed to captain Pakistan in 2019 World Cup, PCB confirms
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed Sarfaraz Ahmed will remain Pakistan’s captain till World Cup 2019, which will be staged in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14. Sarfaraz, who returned to Pakistan from South Africa after being banned by ICC for four matches over racist remarks, said he’s delighted the PCB has reassured its confidence in him.
