Woman trying to sell off minor sister for prostitution arrested

Mumbai: A 24-year-old woman, along with her husband, was arrested from suburban Andheri for allegedly trying to sell her minor sister for prostitution, police said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Samina Darzi, and her husband Mohammed, walked into the trap set up by the members of a local NGO and were held on Tuesday while accepting an advance of Rs 50,000 towards the "deal' to sell Samina's 12-year-old sister for flesh trade, they said.
According to police, Mohammed was promised a "good deal" by a middleman Mohammed Idrishi who was arrested later. The NGO, however, got the wind of the "deal" and contacted Idrishi by posing as clients, saying they were searching for minor girls. "Idrishi then got in touch with Darzis and promised them to pay Rs 70,000 for the minor girl, following which the couple contacted the minor girl's parents in Bangladesh and convinced them to send her to Mumbai on the pretext of providing her education", said a police officer. Idrishi then met the NGO members and fixed the deal for Rs 70,000 on Monday. He asked them to bring an advance of Rs 50,000 for the girl after showing them her photograph.
"The accused then brought the girl outside Andheri railway station when police caught them while accepting Rs 50,000 from the NGO members", the officer said. The accused were booked under relevant sections of IPC for kidnapping, selling the girl for prostitution and criminal conspiracy, he said. The accused were produced in a local court which remanded them in police custody till April 4, 2013.

The accused were booked under relevant sections of IPC for kidnapping, selling the girl for prostitution and criminal conspiracy.

RCB all set to give a royal challenge to the other teams

Hindu LET'S DO IT: RCB's new skipper Virat Kohli will once again be banking on Chris Gayle for rollicking starts and match-winning knocks. File photo

Ever since its starting-block stumble during the Indian Premier League’s inception in 2008, Royal Challengers Bangalore has made a steady climb, though the peak — a trophy triumph — has remained elusive.

From being whipping boys in the inaugural year (RCB finished seventh among eight teams), the squad is now considered a team to watch out for. The turn-around was engineered ever since it finished runner-up in the 2009 edition in South Africa.

Welcome infusion

The welcome infusion of batting mayhem thanks to Chris Gayle’s presence over the last two years has only added to the team’s allure. And it was largely riding on his heroics that RCB qualified for the 2011 edition’s final, though both the team and Gayle failed in the summit clash against Chennai Super Kings.

As a new season dawns, there has been a change of guard with Virat Kohli being anointed captain. It was a natural progression as Kohli was earmarked as future captain ever since he turned out in the red and gold colours. He had a taste of the hot-seat last year when he briefly stepped in for the then regular skipper Daniel Vettori, who for the sake of team balance sat out a few matches so that Muttiah Muralitharan could represent RCB. Kohli will surely miss chief mentor Anil Kumble, who has moved to the Mumbai Indians camp, but in coach Ray Jennings, the skipper has a solid support-base. Like in the past, the team is driven by its batting that features Gayle, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kohli and A.B. de Villiers. Gayle with his 170.17 strike rate and 1,341 runs, has been the force-multiplier for RCB besides stirring up the local fans, who have overwhelmingly embraced him as one of their own.

That Kohli, RCB’s highest run-getter (1,639), the adventurous de Villiers, who caned fellow South African Dale Steyn during last year’s league, and the maverick Dilshan, all play secondary roles to Gayle is just a testament to the Jamaican’s pulverising strength with the bat. A bristling top-order may be RCB’s strength but that cannot mask its soft underbelly despite the faith invested in Saurabh Tiwary, while Cheteshwar Pujara, though not a regular in the playing eleven, has been ruled out for the first set of matches due to a fractured finger.

It would also be interesting to see how RCB strikes a balance while fielding four foreigners in the eleven as Gayle, de Villiers and Dilshan are almost certainties though the last named has been benched a few times to make way for an extra overseas bowler.

RCB’s bowling, meanwhile, is shadowed by the injuries that plagued its key speedsters (Zaheer Khan and Ravi Rampaul) over the past year, though Jennings believes that his attack will deliver.

The spin department has three experienced men in Muralitharan, Vettori and Murali Kartik while seamers R. Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun along with batsman Mayank Agarwal, lend the local flavour. Australian all-rounders Daniel Christian and Moises Henriques also lend extra options to the team management.

All in all RCB is good to last the distance.

Keywords: Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2013, IPL-6

Saina nominated for best player award

Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was on Wednesday nominated for the 2012 ‘Female Player of the Year’ award of the Badminton World Federation following an impressive performance in the season which had seen her win a bronze medal in the London Olympics.

World No. 2 Saina is the only non-Chinese among the five contenders for the top annual award among women shuttlers instituted by the BWF.

The four Chinese are world No. 1 Li Xuerui of China who won eight titles in 2012, including the London Olympic gold medal, Olympic silver medallist Wang Yihan and Olympic women’s doubles gold-winning pair Tian Qing & Zhao Yunlei (China). Should a pair win the award, they will share it, the BWF said in a statement.

Saina won four major titles in 2012 — two Super Series and two Grand Prix Gold events, besides bagging London Olympics women’s singles bronze.

She won the Indonesian Open and Denmark Open Super Series titles besides the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold and Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold events.

Male nominees

Among those nominated for the ‘Male Player of the Year’ for 2012 are two-time Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan of China and his rival Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei — the current world No. 1 one and two-time Olympic silver medallist.

Others in that category are Olympic bronze medallist and winner of BWF World Super Series finals, Chen Long (China); men’s doubles Olympic gold medallists Cai Yun & Fu Haifeng (China) and Lee Yong Dae and now-retired Jung Jae Sung (Korea).

The announcement of the winners — to be chosen by the BWF Council — and the presentation of prizes will take place at a gala dinner here on May 18, following the BWF Annual General Meeting.

Keywords: Saina Nehwal, Badminton World Federation

Sale of IPL tickets commences

Ticket sales for the IPL matches in Chennai began on a brisk note on Wednesday. 

 

Ticket sales for IPL-VI matches at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium commenced here on Wednesday afternoon after the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) gave a written assurance to the city police that no Sri Lankan cricketer would figure in the matches here.

After the undertaking — which was asked for by the city police in the morning even as long queues waited outside the stadium gates for tickets — was provided by the TNCA, the selling of tickets got underway. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) takes on Mumbai Indians in the first match at Chepauk on April 6. In all, ten matches will be played here including eight league games.

The stadium has a capacity of 37,000 of which around 20 per cent is already being sold online.

“We expect the ticket sales to be brisk. CSK is a popular team and has a tremendous record in the competition. It has also been very successful at Chepauk,” said a TNCA official.

He added the spectators in Chennai wanted more cricketing action after the Indian team’s sweeping 4-0 Test series triumph over Australia with CSK stars captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravichandran Ashwin, Murali Vijay and Ravindra Jadeja playing a big role in the victory.

Keywords: IPL 2013, IPL-6, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium

Cricketer Jesse Ryder in hospital with serious head injuries after being involved in a fight

Jesse Ryder

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in hospital with serious head injuries after being involved in a fight in Christchurch. A Christchurch Hospital spokesperson told local media that Ryder was in intensive care with a fractured skull.
Calls to the hospital were not immediately returned. New Zealand Police said they were investigating an incident at a bar in Merivale, a suburb of Christchurch, early on Thursday and that Ryder had been involved. Ryder, 28, had left the bar with a group of people when he became involved in the incident, police said in a statement.
Police were called at 12:44 a.m. local time (1144 GMT) and Ryder was rushed to hospital by ambulance. "We are piecing together what took place and speaking to witnesses to understand how this incident unfolded," Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer said in the statement. "I would ask anyone who witnessed the incident or were part of the group involved with Mr Ryder to contact police."
Ryder was in Christchurch playing for Wellington against Canterbury in the semi-final of New Zealand's domestic one-day competition on Wednesday. An eye witness told New Zealand's Fairfax Media that the cricketer had been punched and kicked by at least four men. "We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse," New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said in a statement.
"New Zealand Cricket's thoughts are with him and his family." Ryder's manager Aaron Klee, Cricket Wellington chief executive Peter Clinton and New Zealand Cricket Players' Association head Heath Mills were all travelling to Christchurch, NZC said.
Radio New Zealand reported on its website (www.radionz.co.nz) that Ryder was in a coma and had a collapsed lung, without naming sources. The bar's manager said Ryder had been at the venue with his Wellington team mates, the report added. Wellington Cricket CEO Peter Clinton declined to comment on the incident or Ryder's condition when contacted by phone by Reuters, but said police and cricket officials would hold a media conference later on Thursday. Klee did not immediately return calls, but he wrote on his Twitter page: "thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to Chch to see him".
Ryder, one of the most gifted batsmen in New Zealand, has been in a self-imposed exile from international cricket after a series of alcohol-related incidents. In 2008, he needed stitches in his hand after he punched a window in a Christchurch bar, an injury that kept him out of the game for several months. He has also been in trouble several times for other incidents, one of which involved him turning up to training still affected after a heavy drinking session. Ryder was reprimanded by NZC last year after he and fellow New Zealand international Doug Bracewell were involved in a verbal altercation with bar patrons in Napier.
Both had missed a match while injured and breached team protocols about abstaining from alcohol. Ryder has voluntarily stood down from international selection since as he sought to address his issues with alcohol. He had been expected to travel to India for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament with the Delhi Daredevils on Friday, but was not expected to return to international cricket on New Zealand's tour of England in May-June.
New Zealand was within one wicket of beating England in their test series that ended in Auckland on Tuesday, with the visitors finishing the match at 315 for nine, chasing 481 for victory. The series ended 0-0. An aggressive batsmen with a superb eye and delicate touch, Ryder has made 1,269 runs in 18 tests at an average of 40.93 with a highest score of 201 and 1,100 runs in 39 one-day internationals at 34.37.

Police release CCTV footage of men who allegedly shot BSP leader Deepak Bhardwaj at farmhouse

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has released video footage that it says is from CCTV cameras at the farmhouse where BSP leader and real estate tycoon Deepak Bhardwaj was shot dead this morning.

The 27-second clip shows a grey Skoda car drive up to the farmhouse gate. Two men follow, one brandishing a revolver, apparently to threaten the security guard, and open the gate. The gun-toting man turns briefly and his face is visible for a few seconds before the two follow the car out of the farmhouse. The camera clock shows 9.14 in the morning. (Watch)

The police said the men in the CCTV footage were fleeing after shooting Mr Bhardwaj at his farmhouse near Rajokri on the Delhi-Gurgaon border this morning. The 62-year-old real estate dealer, who contested the last Lok Sabha elections on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket, had declared assets of Rs. 600 crore, making him the richest candidate in the 2009 elections.

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At 8.55 am, the police said earlier, three men drove into the farmhouse, Nitesh Kunj, which is right next to the National Highway 8 and is used as a hospitality hub. They gained entry at the gate on the pretext of booking the farmhouse for a wedding. Once inside they asked for Mr Bhardwaj, had an argument with him and then shot him twice at point-blank range, the police said. Two other people were injured. (Read: Tycoon who nursed political ambitions)

Mr Bhardwaj was taken to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital close by, where he died. A post-mortem is being conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Deepak Bhardwaj, who had contested elections from West Delhi in 2009, owned businesses in real estate and hotels and also ran a school in Dwarka; he had plans to open two more schools. He is said to have owned a lot of land in the Rajokri area.

No Holi for Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan

Bollywood might be known for its famous Holi parties, but this year, Hrithik Roshan will refrain from joining in the the revelry. “He won’t be celebrating Holi as a mark of solidarity with those who are suffering from the acute water shortage in Maharashtra. Instead, he will only use only a small amount of gulaal to apply a shagun tika as part of the traditional ritual,” says an insider close to him. According to the source, Hrithik feels that even dry colours should be used sparingly. If used in excess, they require a lot of water to be washed off, thus defeating the purpose of water conservation.
The insider adds, “Like Hrithik, even the other members of the Roshan family will keep the celebrations low-key. They will take part in the morning puja and then spend some some quiet time together.”
Despite repeated attempts, Hrithik remained unavailable for a comment.
Hrithik takes five
Recently, Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, among others, made the headlines for being the highest taxpayers in the country. Strangely, Hrithik Roshan’s name was conspicuous by its absence on all the lists that ranked actors by the amount of advanced tax they paid. We’ve now learned that Hrithik has paid over R7 crore as advance tax. That makes him the fifth highest taxpayer among the actors.

IPL 6: Sri Lankan players not to play in Chennai matches

The Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council on Tuesday decided not to field Sri Lankan players in the IPL matches to be held in Chennai due to security concerns in Tamil Nadu over the atrocities carried out against ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka during the war against Tamil Tigers that ended in May 2009.
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said on Tuesday that the local administration's advice cannot be ignored, but he said the IPL matches will not be shifted out of Chennai and they will be played as scheduled.

Mumbai Indians will miss the services of Lasith Malinga. File Pic/AFP

"All the matches scheduled to be held in Chennai will go on as scheduled. As far as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is concerned, we have briefed them about the security measures taken by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)," Shukla was quoted as saying.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh making it clear that IPL matches would be permitted in the state only if there were no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff in these matches beginning April 3.
A few hours later, the IPL Governing Council met to discuss the issue and decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in IPL League matches in Chennai.
The Governing Council will advise the nine IPL franchises accordingly, putting an end to the intense speculation regarding the fate of the Sri Lankan players.
Altogether 13 Sri Lankan players, two of whom are captains of their respective teams, are taking part in the sixth edition of the league.
Chennai, the home for Chennai Super Kings, will stage 10 matches in all, including two eliminators, and will continue to remain a venue.
"The IPL Governing Council met this afternoon to discuss the issue. The security of all involved in the IPL, whether players, spectators or those working in the stadiums, is of paramount importance to the BCCI. The Governing Council decided that Sri Lankan players will not participate in the Pepsi IPL 2013 League matches in Chennai and will advise the nine franchises accordingly", Shukla said in statement.
Shukla said that the Governing Council took the decision after the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister stating that she would not permit the Sri Lankan players in Chennai.
"This is with reference to news reports last week that the government of Sri Lanka has issued a travel advisory that its citizens should exercise caution when travelling to Tamil Nadu", the statement said.

IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla. File Pic

"Today, the Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written to the Prime Minister of India stating that she will not permit the participation of Sri Lankan players or umpires in matches in Chennai during Pepsi IPL 2013", the statement added.
Shukla said the Governing Council had to take the local sentiments and the safety and security of Sri Lankan players into account before taking a final decision. "We had to take two things into account. We have to take the local sentiments into account and at same time the safety and security of the Sri Lankan players are paramount," he said.
"If the local administration has given something we have to listen to that as ultimately we need the help of the state authorities to hold the tournament like security arrangement. We can't ignore the advice from the local administration," he said.
In the letter to the Prime Minister, Jayalalithaa said BCCI may be advised by the Centre to prevail upon the IPL organisers not to allow Sri Lankan players, officials, umpires and support staff to take part in the tournament in the state.
"In view of the popular antipathy and anger in Tamil Nadu against the actions of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Tamil Nadu is of the view that IPL matches involving Sri Lankan players, umpires and other officials should not be played in Tamil Nadu," she said.
"The Government of Tamil Nadu will permit IPL matches to be held in Tamil Nadu only if the organizers provide an undertaking that no Sri Lankan players, umpires, officials or support staff would participate in these matches," she said.
Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said that the Lankan players will be told not to take part in Chennai matches if the BCCI or the Indian government were not able to provide security to them.
"We have written to the BCCI whether they can provide security to our players. We have also requested the foreign ministry to ask the Indian government whether they would provide security to our players. Only in case our players are provided security we will allow them to take part in the matches in Chennai," he said.
For the league stages, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Hyderabad Sunrisers will have to bench key players like Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, respectively for their matches in Chennai.
Barring Kings XI Punjab, all the other franchises have at least one or more Sri Lankan players in their squad.

Sri Lankans in the IPL:

CSK: Akila Dananjaya and N Kulasekara, 

Delhi Daredevils: Mahela Jayawardene (captain) and Jeevan Mendis. 

Kolkata Knight Riders: Sachithra Senanayake. 

Mumbai Indians: Lasith Malinga. 

Pune Warriors India: Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews. 

Rajasthan Royals: Kusal Janith Perera. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Muthaiah Muralitharan and Tillakaratne Dilshan. 

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Kumar Sangakkara and Thisara Perera.

First colourful Holi for Vrindavan widows

PTI Bengali widows celebrating Holi festival with flower petals at a ashram in Vrindavan near Mathura on Sunday.

This Holi came with a difference for the widows and abandoned women living in Vrindavan, near Mathura.

Unlike earlier years, when these women — addressed respectfully as ‘mayyas’ or ‘matas’ — played Holi only with ‘Thakurji’ (Lord Krishna), this time it was a riot of colours, flowers and lots of people to celebrate with.

In a departure from tradition, hundreds of widows gathered to play Holi with one other with flower petals and gulal (coloured powder).

The spirit of Holi was palpable across the five government-run shelter homes where Sulabh International has been giving stipend, arranging for food and providing healthcare facilities to the women.

Around 800 women participated in the festivities on Sunday that marked the first day of the four-day celebrations. The celebrations were held at the 100-year-old Meera Sahbhagini ashram.

To add more colour, dozens of former conservancy workers were brought to the ashram. “Life has changed so much for us ever since we gave up conservancy work,” says Sheela Athwale. She started doing the work from the age of 7, but gave it up in 2006 when Sulabh imparted skills to them and sent their children to school. Many like her were imparted training for cutting and tailoring, and other crafts.

“You will not believe it, I have been to New York and Paris with Sulabh,” Ms. Athwale said with a glitter in her eyes. There were 115 families involved in conservancy work in her town in Alwar while the adjoining Tonk district had over 200. None exists now.

“In an effort to bring widows to the mainstream and help in their social assimilation, we have organised several events to encourage them to participate in Holi celebrations at Vrindavan,” founder of Sulabh Bindeshwar Pathak said.

As part of the celebrations, traditional “Raas-Leela” dance and other programmes have been organised at the ashrams. “I used to play Holi earlier also but not with so many people,” said an old and frail Rajdhwoni, her white outfit totally pink at the end of the celebrations.

Sulabh is working for the empowerment of these widows. In August 2012, the Supreme Court directed the U.P. government to ensure at least proper cremation and last rites for the widows in Vrindavan.

The court suggested that Sulabh can be contacted for help. Since then, the NGO is taking care of these widows by providing them healthcare and a monthly allowance of Rs. 2,000.

They are now learning English and earning by way of jobs such as making agarbathis and garlands.

Among the widows are many who lost their husbands at 16 or 17 and have since lived an obscure life, abandoned by their families.

“I want to ensure that no widow is found begging on the streets,” said O.P. Yadav, district probation officer of Mathura, who participated in the function.

Keywords: Holi festival, Vrindavan widows, festival of colours

Man throws chemical at girl for refusing physical advances

An 18-year-old girl escaped with minor injuries after her boyfriend allegedly poured a chemical, suspected to be acid, on her after she refused his sexual advances.
Though the incident took place at an isolated spot under Bheemunipatnam police station area yesterday night, it came to light today morning after she lodged a police complaint.
P Ganesh, a first year BTech student and a girl, a native of Narasanapeta area in Srikakulam district had eloped from their homes to get married against their parent's wishes and reached Bheemunipatnam area in the city on Saturday evening, police said.
The girl told the police that her boyfriend Ganesh had attempted to rape her at a lonely spot in Bheemunipatnam last night, after she refused his sexual advances.
When she tried to escape, Ganesh allegedly threw a chemical suspected to be acid on her. The injured girl was rescued by toddy tappers in the area and sheltered at a house last night, after which sheinformed the matter to her parents and lodged a police complaint against Ganesh today.
A team has been formed to trace the accused, while the girl was shifted to the King George Hospital for medical tests and treatment. The police said that Ganesh wanted to rape the girl and came prepared with a bottle of a chemical, suspected to be acid.

Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Pitbull: IPL's opening acts

SRK, whose team Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL series last year is apparently thrilled to perform at the opening ceremony. Katrina too is also set to give a sizzling performance.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan and international rapper Pitbull are all set to give a power packed performance at the Indian Premier League (IPL) opening ceremony on April 2, 2013 in Kolkata.

Actress Katrina Kaif will also give a sizzling performance at the ceremony marking the beginning of the sixth season of the IPL series, which opens on April 3, 2013.(Read: Katrina is unfazed about competition with SRK)

Shah Rukh Khan owns the Kolkata Knight Riders team in partnership with actress Juhi Chawla. The team won the last edition of the IPL. He is thrilled to perform at the ceremony. (Read: Farah Khan hopes SRK does her IPL signature moves )

"SRK loves the city of joy and he is already very excited to perform there. Katrina will be performing there for the first time," a source said.

Pitbull, known for hits like M.I.M.A.I., Armando and Planet pit, is said to be excited too about performing in Kolkata.

"When Pitbull was told that he is being invited to perform at the opening ceremony of IPL and SRK would also be performing as well, he agreed to come within minutes," a source said.

The edition will have nine teams fighting for the championship. The teams are Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab, Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals.

The prize money will help us pay the home loan: Jay

Nach Baliye-5 winners Mahhi-Jay

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Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij spoke to us after winning the Nach Baliye Season 5 trophy.
How has the experience of NachBaliye been?

J: It has been a superb experience. Show ke shuruwat mein I was 82 kg, now I am 12 kg lesser. When Shah Rukh Khan had delivered the dialogue, 'Kuch pane ke liye kuch khona padta hai', I didn't understand, but now I do. Nach Baliye has made me do things which I haven't done earlier. I have also worn costumes that I haven't worn ever. I used to hate chamkile clothes, but as a performer I am now used to it. The best part is now people respect me as a serious dancer, which they earlier did not. The whole credit goes to my choreographers Omkar and Vivek. I was a bad dancer but a hardworking dancer, and they worked hard on me. I am happy that they got Rs 5 lakh and an opportunity to choreograph a song for a film. Mahhi is a very dedicated and hard working person, I got my inspiration from her. Biwi ki zid se mai yaha tak pahucha

M: From the very first day, when Jay decided he will do it, I know we would win. He always said, 'Don't think of being in the finals, just think of winning the trophy.' He didn't even let me go home till the time I was perfect in my steps. The journey has been nice. We discovered a lot about each other, about life and dancing. We didn't want it to end so soon Teen mahine kab nikal gaye pata hi nahi chala.

How did you celebrate the win?

M: The feeling hasn't sunk in yet. There was a party in our honour, which we went to. Then, since my birthday is just a week away, (April 1), we will have a bigger party.

What has been your best performance till date in your opinion?

J: I like performances with a message, so our best one will be the Maa performance that we did for Govinda. It was very touching. I can't even explain what I went through during the performance.

M: According to me, the performance where we dressed up as Sunny and Bobby Deol was the best.

Which performance was the most difficult?

J: Every performance is difficult for a non-dancer like me. But still, the most difficult would be the Kathakali performance where I had to wear a 45 kilo costume and a 3 kilo ka head gear.

What do you plan to do with the prize money?

J: We got Rs 50 lakh, which we will use to pay off our home loan. It is a big thing for us as now the tension will be much lesser. Anyone who has a loan is looking for a chamatkar to earn money, and I saw that chamatkar in the form of Nach Baliye.

M: We will also go to Spain for a vacation, once we are free from Shriman vs Shrimati.

Did it help that you were the only couple in the final four who were not doing any other show apart from Nach Baliye?

J: To be really frank, it is not the hours, but the quality of work that you put in. Even when we practiced for just two days in a weak, we performed well. And those doing daily shows had an advantage as their fan following transferred in the form of votes.

Now that you have established yourself as a dancer, anchor and actor, would you now try hands at singing?

J: No, never. I don't want to torture my fans.

Now is Bollywood the next step?

J: Every TV actor wants to become a Bolly actor. I will also want that I take my career to that level. Even when I do TV, it's not for money. I always want to do good work. I believe in Aamir Khan's philosophy, that ek kaam karo, par aisa karo ki log saal bhar yaad rakhe.

M: I don't plan. If I get something good as Nakusha, I will take up a daily soap also.

Who is your favourite judges?

J: I like Sajid Khan while Mahhi like Shilpa Shetty Kundra. I have seen Sajid when he was an anchor. He is an inspiration for a lot of people. He boosted our confidence but unse darr bhi lagta hai.

M: I like Shilpa, since she is like an elder sister. Sajid is blunt and transparent and since Terence is a dancer, he appreciates good dance.

Was there any strategy that you followed?

J: Our well-wishers used to tell us that reality shows mein jo shuru se acha karta hai, they never win. So don't give consistently good performances. Give one or two bad performances, nahi to phasoge. I would just ask, 'How do I give bad performances?'

M: I think the tandav was the most difficult.

It's a known fact that Mahhi is very possessive about you....

J: Not at all. She trusts me. Even if she is possessive, I like it because you are only possessive about the person you love a lot. And with the person I am, it is important for someone to take full care of me. She is not just my wife, but also handles my calls, my work. She runs the show. There have been instances when I have forgotten to even collect my payment from production houses, it is she who reminds me.

There is a buzz that your struggle story started a sympathy wave in your favour?

J: Now that we have won, people are going to say all this. I just want to ask, 'Were my performances weak?

Ind vs Aus: India hailed after completing historic 4-0 whitewash of Australia

A battery of current and former cricketers hailed India's historic 4-0 whitewash of Australia as the hosts completed the clean sweep with a six-wicket win in the fourth Test, here.
Dropped opener Gautam Gambhir, who is down with jaundice these days, led the congratulatory messages on the social networking website.
"Congrats boys, well done. Njoy it big time, a well-deserved whitewash," wrote the Delhi opener on his twitter page.
Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne appreciated the young guns of India.
"Congrats to India on the series win and the way their young players have played..." he tweeted.
The BCCI also joined in praising the team and the exemplary leadership by skipper M S Dhoni.
"The overwhelming 4-0 Test series triumph of India over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy is a historic achievement to say the least. The triumph is indeed a reflection of Dhoni's able leadership skills as the chemistry and camaraderie between the Indian players was absolutely phenomenal throughout the series; the players really challenged themselves to play better and play more as a unit," said senior BCCI official Rajeev Shukla.
Former Australian pace bowler Glenn McGrath wrote, "A very convincing win to India. India totally dominated the series. Aussies have a lot of work to do before the Ashes. Congratulations India."
India's struggling paceman Zaheer Khan also congratulated the team.
"Congratulations team INDIA on a great series win !!"
Former India opener and now an expert and author Aakash Chopra wrote, "Lost all the tosses but won all the matches. Outstanding result for India. Well done :) "

Is Ravindra Jadeja Team India's new blue-eyed boy?

Ravindra Jadeja

In the past few years the Indian cricket team has seen a number of young players stand up and be counted when they were given the chance to represent the team in Test or ODI cricket.
From Harbhajan Singh to Yuvraj Singh to Virat Kohli who started off at a young age and then became an integral part of the team, the list of youngsters in the team is quite encouraging.
An important thing to note is that they all developed into handy all-rounders. A new addition to this list is Man-of-the-match in Delhi—Ravindra Jadeja.
The left-handed middle-order batsman is also a slow left-arm orthodox bowler in addition to being a great fielder. Jadeja has been in the news throughout this series for his ability to get Australia's best batsman and captain Michael Clarke out on multiple occasions.
Clarke who is known as one of the best batsmen of spin was left clueless when he faced Jadeja and got out to the bowler many times in this series.
Jadeja was first noticed when he was part of the Indian U-19 cricket team that won the World Cup in Malaysia in 2008. He made his his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on February 8, 2009 and scored an unbeaten 60 in that match. The all-rounder made his Test debut in December 2012, against England at Nagpur.
His Test career may be in its infancy but, Jadeja who is playfully called 'Jaddu' by captain MS Dhoni has shown the selectors and his captain that he has an X-factor with both bat and ball.
Indian cricket fans will be hoping that Jadeja continues his valuable contributions to the Indian team as he seems to be growing as a better fielder, bowler and batsman with the experience that he is gaining from exposure to international cricketin all forms of the game.

Navneet Kaur Dhillon crowned 50th Femina Miss India 2013

New Delhi: Navneet Kaur Dhillon was Sunday night crowned Femina Miss India 2013 in a star studded grand finale of the 50th edition of the beauty pageant.

The first and second runners-up were Sobhita Dhulipala and Zoya Afroz respectively. The trio was selected from 23 finalists from across the country.

Actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra added Bollywood glamour to the ceremony, which was judged by filmmaker Karan Johar, choreographer Shiamak Dawar, cricketer Yuvraj Singh, fashion designer Ritu Kumar, actors John Abraham, Asin Thottumkal and Chitrangda Singh.

The evening began with an entertaining performance by the star cast of Indra Kumar`s "Grand Masti" -- Aftab Shivdasani, Riteish Deshmukh and Vivek Oberoi who were there to promote the film.

It was followed by dazzling performances by Aishwarya and Priyanka.

Singer Sonu Nigam too enthralled the viewers when he sang some heart touching numbers.

The event marked Aishwarya`s comeback on stage post her pregnancy. The actress had not signed up any major projects after she became pregnant in 2011.

Ace choreographer Shiamak Davar confirmed the news. He tweeted, "Rehearsing with Aishwarya for Femina Miss India. Memories from when I choreographed her for Miss World. Don`t miss it today."

The beauty pageant completed its 50 years and so the organisers made it a pan India event in the true sense by taking extra care in selecting girls from every corner of India. Auditions were held at Pune, Goa, Indore, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Delhi.

The 10 semi-finalists were Anukriti Gusain, Apurva Lonkar, Gail Nicole Da Silva, Navneet Kaur Dhillon, Sagarika Chhetri, Sobhita Dhulipala, Srishti Rana, Swati Kain, Vijaya Sharma and Zoya Afroz.

Sobhita was crowned Femina Miss Itimes Digital Diva by Karan Johar. She also won the cash prize of Rs.1 lakh.

Need to regulate social media: Salman Khurshid

Salman Khurshid

Lauding the effectiveness of social media, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said the freedom that comes out of using it needs to be regulated.
"Social media is effective today because we are equal. It is the equality of social media and your ability to manipulate and use technology that gives you the freedom - a freedom which then, perhaps, needs to be regulated. It needs to be regulated because every freedom has to be regulated," Khurshid said here.
Speaking on the topic of freedom vs equality at The Telegraph National Debate here last night, he said, "I have never known of equality being regulated but I have known of every freedom (being regulated)."
"Please read the Constitution and if you are a true Indian, please bow to the Constitution which says reasonable restriction on all your freedom - on your freedom of speech, freedom of work, freedom of action," the senior Congress leader said.
During the debate, where other politicians like Corporate Affairs minister Sachin Pilot and BJP's senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also participated, it was announced that the views expressed by the speakers were personal and might not reflect the views of the party or government.
Advocating the setting up of an Equal Opportunities Commission, Khurshid, who had earlier held the post of Minority Affairs minister, said they are facing difficulties in establishing it.
"I think that this is the greatest idea that we can have in our society today. There is difficulty in pushing it and sometimes I wonder is it that I am not being able to explain it to some of my colleagues on the other side - Ravi Shankar Prasad or your party (BJP)," he said.
"Are you confusing this with equal commission for opportunities? Are you actually thinking that this is about equal commission for opportunities? I want to assure you that this is not about equal commissions but about equal opportunities," Khurshid said.

Two Ambani groups lose Rs 20,000 cr market value in a week

Amid an intense selling pressure in the stock market, the two Reliance groups headed by Mukesh and Anil Ambani have seen their respective market values skid by about Rs 10,000 crore each in a week's time.
With two listed companies, the Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries group saw its market capitalisation drop by about Rs 10,700 crore to Rs 2.63 lakh crore at the end of last week.
RIL accounted for most of this loss, as the group's other listed entity, Reliance Industrial Infrastructure Ltd, commands a total market value of less than Rs 500 crore.
On the other hand, the shares of all six listed entities of Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group came under selling pressure last week and saw their cumulative market value slump by Rs 9,600 crore to close to Rs 45,620 crore.
The fall in most of the shares from the two groups was steeper than a three per cent dip in the market benchmark Sensex over the last week.
The six listed companies from the Reliance Group are Reliance Communications, Reliance Power, Reliance Infrastructure, Reliance Capital, Reliance MediaWorks and
Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd.
Among these, Reliance Power saw the steepest decline of Rs 3,395 crore in its market capitalisation, as the shares of the company tanked by about 16 per cent and touched their lowest level of Rs 61.05 on Friday.
The market value of RCom also plunged by Rs 2,590 crore to Rs 11,156 crore, with its share tumbling 18.84 per cent.
Reliance Infrastructure's m-cap tanked by Rs 2,113 crore, while Reliance Capital lost Rs 1,440 crore of market worth.
The market-cap of Reliance Media fell by Rs 49 crore, while that of Reliance Broadcast slipped Rs 25 crore.
RBNL hit its one-year low on Thursday and Reliance MediaWorks touched its 52-week low on Friday.
Together, these companies have lost Rs 9,612 crore in market valuation since March 15.
According to market analysts, investor sentiment has turned muted for these stocks, especially for those of Reliance Group.
"All the areas that the group stocks are into, be it power, telecom or infrastructure are facing challenges at present. Also, in the last 15-20 days, mid-cap stocks have
been battered badly. The overall sluggish sentiment prevailing around these sectors are the ones which is causing damage," said Gajendra Nagpal, CEO of Unicon Financial Solutions.
Domestic equity market witnessed sluggish sentiment across the board last week amid a political uncertainty in the country and weak global sentiments.

Mumbai: Two MNS workers arrested for attack on Indiabulls office

Mumbai: The politics of drought in Maharashtra is turning violent. Two Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers have been arrested after several of them went on a rampage, attacking the Indiabulls office in Mumbai. This came hours after MNS chief Raj Thackeray said that water meant for drought-hit farmers was diverted to private companies.
Raj Thackeray, at a rally in Amravati, warned of consequences if the diversion of water to the Indiabulls project isn't stopped immediately. "There will be severe consequences if projects like that of Indiabulls Pvt Ltd, which require diversion of water, aren't stopped immediately," Thackeray said.
The state government had diverted more than 80 million cubic metre of water from the upper Wardha that was meant for irrigation to the 1350 MW thermal power project of Indiabulls Power Ltd at Amravati in Vidharbha. In September 2012, an NGO had filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court claiming that the diversion of water was in violation of the governor's diretives on usage of funds for backward regions and that the diversion will affect atleast 25,000 farmers directly depriving them of water for irrigation.

The attack came hours after MNS chief Raj Thackeray said that water meant for drought-hit farmers was diverted to private companies.

Ajit Pawar, it is alleged, had cleared the file for diversion of water to the projects in two days.
Now with Maharashtra in the grip of its worst drought in four decades, the anger over the diversion is expected to spill over. And those like the MNS, too, are sensing a political opportunity.

Goa trip to take a toll

Beach lovers, the next time you plan a visit to Goa, do factor in an extra expenditure besides accommodation and booze—toll—if you’re going by road. Starting April 1, all vehicles entering Goa from Maharashtra and Karnataka will have to pay a toll tax. The toll is applicable only to vehicles registered outside Goa.
For Maharashtra, three toll plazas have been set up and they will start functioning from April 1.
The move has been approved by the Goa assembly in January following the finance department pointing out that it could be a source of income.After the ban on mining the economy in the coastal state has taken a hit and is left with only one major source of income — tourism.
According to the details of the entry toll displayed at Pollem (border town) HTVs having multiple axel will have to pay Rs1,000 per entry, tourist buses having six wheels must pay Rs 500, cars and LCVs Rs. 250.The authorities were thinking of imposing a toll of Rs50 for two wheelers and a separate rate for luxury SUVs, but that will take some time to come into force, they told DNA.
Former chief minister of Goa, Alemao Churchill told DNA that the state will get an estimated income of Rs 50 crore annually by the toll. However, he said its impact on tourism should also be taken into consideration.
Sudin Dhavalikar, state PWD minister was happy over the decision.“We have taken care that the toll was not a deterrent for the motorists.In case the motorist returns within four hours, money collected from him will be returned,” he said.
However, the travel agents and tourism managers wanted a higher toll. They had even recommended individual toll at the rate of Rs500 per head. Their contention was that the tourist vehicles coming from Maharashtra and Karnataka do not contribute anything to the economy of the state as some of them come in the morning and go back in the night. Also, they do not go in for a hotel reservation.So various commercial associations wanted higher toll for vehicles in addition to the individual toll. This was not accepted by the government, sources in the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry said.
Over 5,000 vehicles of all categories enter Goa from Maharashtra while over 3,000 vehicles enter from Karnataka.But Goa was also in for some higher income through the tolls as the opening the ‘sand route’ by Karnataka and Maharashtra will increase the number of HTVs (tippers and trucks) entering Goa were on the increase as Goa gets its sand from Karnataka and Maharashtra for all its construction purposes.
Goa had reduced the state excise on petrol last year making the petrol prices come down by Rs. 10 per litre, this had delighted the vehicle owners in the border areas including Karwar.

India dominated in all departments of the game: Gavaskar

 Highly impressed by India's young players, legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar says they needed to be developed into top players as they look ready to face the stern challenges that tough Test cricket throws.

Gavaskar said the best way to build on the series-win would be help youngsters grow into mature and top players.

"There is so much of hope for the future. The guys who won the games for India were youngsters. All in their 20s with almost 8-10 years to go. I think they are ready to take on the tough world of Test cricket. If they have the same kind of impact as they had in India, though remains to be seen, certainly what has happened is development of a lot of players," Gavaskar said.

"It is important that useful or good players quickly develop into top players and I think that is a big plus for India after this series," he added.

The former skipper was pleased with the way India outplayed Australia in all departments of the game.

"4-0 win has not happened often in the history of Test cricket and but this was a total domination of the team in all departments of the game," Gavaskar told NDTV.

"Generally what happens is when you beat an opposition, there are some outstanding performances but the rest of the team (members) have not put their hands up. So I think, it was very very important to understand that this Indian team's performance was a team effort.

Ishant Sharma fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day's play in the fourth and last Test against Australia in Delhi on Sunday.

Sharma admitted to the charge and accepted the sanction imposed by ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle without the need to convene a disciplinary hearing, an ICC media release stated on Sunday.

Through his admission, Sharma was found to have breached Level 1 Article 2.1.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion by a bowler or a fielder upon the dismissal of a batsman during an International Match.

The incident happened on the fourth ball of the 45th over when Sharma, after dismissing Australia batsman James Pattinson, repeatedly gestured towards the pavilion while in his follow through.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has escaped a fine after being warned for his over-the-top celebration after dismissing Australian opener David Warner. Jadeja had started celebrating the Warner's dismissal after trapping him plumb in front of the wickets even before the umpire had raised his finger during Australia's second innings, which folded up for 164.

Jadeja was involved in a verbal spat with Warner on Saturday during India's first innings when he had shown the handle of his bat to the Aussie opener.

Commenting on his decision to fine Ishant, Mr Madugalle said: "Ishant's reaction after dismissing James Pattinson was inappropriate and clearly in breach of the Code. I'm sure Ishant will learn from this incident and ensure such actions are not be repeated in the future."

On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire S.Ravi and fourth umpire Anil Chowdhary brought the charge against Ishant.

All Level 1 breaches for this offence carry a penalty of a warning/reprimand and/or the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of the applicable match fee. As with other breaches at this level, the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.

South Africa beat Pakistan in final ODI to win series

BENONI: South African captain AB de Villiers hit an unbeaten 95 to guide his side to a series-clinching six-wicket win in the fifth and final one-day international against Pakistan at Willowmoore Park on Sunday.

De Villiers, who was dropped on one, overcame some hostile bowling on an unpredictable pitch as South Africa chased down Pakistan's 204 all out with six overs to spare.

On a day when most batsmen struggled to time the ball consistently, De Villiers made his runs off just 111 balls. He hit nine fours and a six.

A fourth wicket partnership of 87 off 88 balls with Farhaan Behardien (35) made South Africa's victory virtually certain after Pakistan's new ball bowlers, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan, caused early problems on a pitch where some deliveries bounced alarmingly, while others kept low.

Pakistan seemed headed for a more competitive total when they reached 151 for four in the 35th over after winning the toss.

Ryan McLaren took three wickets in 13 balls to swing the match in South Africa's favour.

McLaren had Shoaib Malik caught at midwicket and three balls later, with the last delivery before the batting power play, he had big-hitting Shahid Afridi caught at deep square leg without scoring.

Pakistan's hopes then rested with their captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, who had played a match-winning innings of 80 when Pakistan squared the series at 2-2 with a three-wicket win in Durban on Thursday.

As he had in Durban, Misbah started cautiously and he had scored only 24 runs off 46 balls when he was caught behind to become McLaren?s third victim.

McLaren finished with three for 32, with all his wickets coming in a three-over third spell which cost only five runs.

For the first time this season, South Africa fielded their two leading strike bowlers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, in their one-day international team.

The pair had been rotated during a series against New Zealand and Morkel missed the first four matches against Pakistan because of a hamstring injury.

Although Steyn and Morkel only took one and two wickets respectively, they contributed to a much-improved South African bowling performance.

Despite an innings of 48 off 51 balls by Kamran Akmal, and a third wicket stand of 66 between Akmal and Younis Khan (29) the Pakistanis were unable to dominate the bowling at any stage during their innings after Misbah won the toss and decided to bat.

South Africa were without opening batsman and Test captain Graeme Smith because of what was described as a chronic left ankle injury which kept him off the field for most of Pakistan's run chase in Durban.

He was replaced by 20-year-old left-hander Quinton de Kock.

De Kock looked out of his depth and was bowled by Junaid Khan for three, while Hashim Amla was unusually subdued in scoring 22 off 65 balls. With Colin Ingram bowled by off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez for 15, South Africa needed a partnership.

De Villiers edged Junaid low to Younis Khan at slip when he had one and the chance went down. The South African captain was soon into his stride as he took his aggregate for the series to 367 runs at an average of 91.75. He was named man of the match and man of the series.

Gold down on weak buying support; silver also slips

Silver also retreated below the Rs 55,000 per kg level on heavy speculative unwinding coupled with sluggish industrial demand.

MUMBAI: Gold prices moved down on the domestic bullion market today due to reduced buying from stockists and retailers at the existing levels amid bearish overseas sentiment.

Silver also retreated below the Rs 55,000 per kg level on heavy speculative unwinding coupled with sluggish industrial demand.

Standard gold of 99.5 per cent purity fell by Rs 45 to conclude at Rs 29,690 per 10 gm from overnight closing level of Rs 29,735.

Pure gold of 99.9 per cent purity slipped by Rs 50 to end at Rs 29,825 per 10 gm from Rs 29,875.

Silver ready (.999 fineness) slumped by Rs 475 to finish at Rs 54,710 per kg from Friday's closing level of Rs 55,185.

Globally, the yellow metal pulled back from its one- month high on easing fears of an imminent financial turmoil in Cyprus and expectations of an early breakthrough in the island nation's bid to secure a bailout deal from the European Union.

In New York, gold for April delivery declined USD 7.70 to settle at USD 1,606.10 an ounce on the Comex division of the NYMEX late yesterday.

Silver for May contract shed 51 cents to settle at USD 28.70 an ounce.

Xolo B700 featuring whopping 3,450mAh battery unveiled

Not officially, but a price of the Xolo B700 has indeed popped up and the Android smartphone has been made available at Rs. 8,999, through Flipkart. As far as affordable smartphones go, India is not new to this concept, but this device could stand as a tough contender to the likes of the Micromax A110 from the Canvas series, as it offers a 1GHz dual core processor at the said retail value.
Apart from the CPU, 512MB of RAM and a whopping 3,450mAh battery power up the operations of the device. The smartphone allots space on its front surface to an IPS touch display stretching as much as 4.3 inches and possessing a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels. It swells up to a height of 130.5mm, width of 66.5mm and depth of 12.1mm.

A 5MP camera mounted onto the flip side undertakes various activities ranging from capturing pictures to recording videos at 720p. Placed next to an LED flash, it moreover features auto focus and touch focus. A VGA webcam grabs a seat slightly above the display and facilitates live face-to-face conversations.
Internal memory amounts to 4GB, whereas the total expandable storage sums up to 32GB. The device may not flaunt top-notch connectivity features such as NFC, mobile hotspot or DLNA, but users can keep an eye out for Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1. On account of the aforementioned battery, 2G owners should be able to benefit from up to 23 hours of talk time or 380 hours of standby, while the gadget proffers around 20 hours of talk time or 363 hours of standby when employed on 3G.

Flipkart is offering the Xolo B700 with a one-year warranty as well as cash on delivery and EMI payment facilities. Aside from the said online shopping outlet, the handset has struck eBay. Interested folks will however have to buck up, seeing as limited units have been stocked with a retail tag of Rs. 8,990.

Let’s take note of the device’s important specifications:
- 4.3-inch IPS display
- 540 x 960 pixel resolution
- 1GHz dual core processor
- PowerVR SGX 531 GPU
- 512MB of RAM
- Android 4.0 OS
- 5MP main camera with LED flash
- VGA auxiliary webcam
- 4GB inbuilt memory, expandable up to 32GB
- 3,450mAh battery
- 66.5 x 130.5 x 12.1 in millimeters
- 160g weight