Secunderabad: A Ganesh idol set up in Telangana’s Secunderabad has stirred up controversy over what many termed its ‘Muslim-like’ appearance, India Today reported.

Organisers of the annual Ganpati festival, the Young Leo’s Youth Association, said that the theme of the idol was inspired by the Bollywood film ‘Bajirao Mastani’.

The dress of the Ganesh idol, which is claimed to be resembling the actor Ranveer Singh’s attire in the movie, caused the row.

It is reported that the attire has raised heckles among some groups who called it ‘inappropriate’.

However, some section termed the theme an expression of secularism..But the final outcome did not align with their vision, one of the organisers of the event clarified.One member of the organising committee said that Bajirao Mastani theme was not deliberately chosen but things led to misunderstanding, adding that ‘Our goal was never to hurt anyone’s feelings.’Expressing disappointment at the backlash on social media, organisers reportedly said that miscommunication with the artist was responsible for the design.The Young Leo’s Youth Association said it would continue with celebration, adding that ‘we don’t wish to escalate the situation’.

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New Delhi: 

Former US President Donald Trump narrowly escaped an alleged assassination attempt on Sunday in Florida, according to the FBI. A 58-year-old suspect, Ryan Wesley Routh, was arrested after Secret Service agents opened fire near the boundary of Trump’s golf course. A high-powered AK-47-style rifle with a scope and a GoPro camera was recovered at the scene.

When Secret Service agents opened fire, Routh reportedly bolted out of the shrubbery he was hiding in and escaped in a black car. Authorities were able to track down the car after witnesses helped police identify it. 

“We have somebody in custody right now that is a potential suspect,” Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw told a press conference, as quoted by news agency AFP.

Who Is Ryan Wesley Routh?

According to the New York Times, Routh is a former construction worker from North Carolina Greensboro. Routh had no formal military background but expressed strong desires to participate in armed conflict in the past, particularly in Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion. In one post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Routh declared his willingness to “fight and die” in Ukraine. He also advocated for civilians to change the course of global conflicts.

“I AM WILLING TO FLY TO KRAKOW AND GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE TO VOLUNTEER AND FIGHT AND DIE,” he wrote.

According to the New York Times, on the messaging application Signal, Routh wrote, “Civilians must change this war and prevent future wars” as part of his profile bio. 

“Each one of us must do our part daily in the smallest steps help support human rights, freedom and democracy; we each must help the Chinese,” his bio on WhatsApp reads. 

Routh’s activities didn’t stop at online declarations. In a 2023 interview with The New York Times, he claimed to have travelled to Ukraine to support the war effort and recruit Afghan soldiers. 

This wasn’t Routh’s first brush with violence. In 2002, he was arrested after barricading himself inside a building with a fully automatic weapon in Greensboro. The charges were serious, though the outcome of the case remains unclear.

Donald Trump “Safe”

“President Trump is safe following gunshots in his vicinity,” his campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement.

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

“Fear not! I am safe and well, and no one was hurt. Thank God!” Trump himself said in a website fundraising message, as quoted by news agency AFP 

he latest shooting incident comes weeks after Trump was the Target of another assassination attempt while addressing a rally in Pennsylvania. The would-be assassin fired a bullet from his sniper from a distance, which grazed the former US President’s ear. The suspect was then shot dead by authorities. 

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Two days after talks between her and protesting doctors broke down, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee landed up at the dharna site of junior doctors. She said that if the agitators could trust her, she would be ready to consider their demands, but that she needs time.

Banerjee added that the administrative and police officials whose resignations the junior doctors have demanded are not her “friends” — she needs “time to probe” them.

She claimed this would be her last attempt to appeal to junior doctors.

On Thursday, scheduled talks between the state government and junior doctors broke down over the issue of livestreaming at Nabanna. While the CM waited inside Nabanna, junior doctors stayed outside after the state government denied their demand for a live telecast of the meeting.

At the dharna, junior doctors welcomed her and said they are open to discussions with the government “anywhere”, but stated that they would stick to their five-point demands.

At around 1 pm on Saturday, she and Rajeev Kumar, director-general of West Bengal police, had reached. “I have personally come here to you. My post is not a big thing. People’s posts are big. I could not sleep last night. I felt the pain. You were sitting on dharna while it was raining last night… I too spent sleepless nights because I am your guardian,” said the Chief Minister, holding a microphone.

“If you return to work. I promise I will study your demands and talk to the officers. I will look into your demands with sensitivity. If you trust me, give me some time. I will take action against anyone guilty,” she said.

“You all are brothers and sisters. Please return to work. We have started work for the development of infrastructure in hospitals,” Banerjee added.

“I will make principals chairmen in all Rogi Kalyan Samitis (patient welfare committees) in all hospitals of the state,” she said. Earlier, political personalities, MLAs, and MPs would hold these posts. “In the Samitis, all including students will have proper representation,” the Chief Minister said.

“As a CM, elder sister, and one among your agitation, I will try to solve your problems. I cannot force you. I can only appeal to you. I went on hunger strike for 26 days when the CPIM was in power. No one came to me then. I will not take any action against you. We are not the Uttar Pradesh police. We need you back to work. Think and decide,” she said.

“We need to probe anyone’s role before we can take action. It cannot be done overnight… If I can come to your dharna manch, trust me and give me some time. No complaint of corruption has come to me. If there is a complaint, we will investigate and give punishment,” Banerjee reiterated, adding: “I promise there will be no injustice,” before leaving the site.

Later, speaking to mediapersons, junior doctor Aniket Mahato said, “The CM is the guardian of the state — we welcome her visiting the Dharna Manch. We have been on the streets for 35 days. It would have been better to hold discussions earlier. We are ready to talk anytime and anywhere. But there will be no compromise with our five-point demands. We want to return to work.”

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New Delhi: Residents in Manipur’s Bishnupur and Imphal East districts turned off their lights on Friday night following multiple drone sightings. This precautionary measure comes in response to recent incidents where militants used drones to drop bombs in nearby areas.

Security forces are on high alert in the peripheral regions, closely monitoring large gatherings and movements. In Bishnupur district, several illumination rounds were fired into the sky, adding to public panic and confusion. It remains unclear whether these rounds were fired by security forces or other entities.

Earlier in the day, suspected militants launched rocket attacks on the residence of Manipur’s first chief minister, Mairembam Koireng. The attack resulted in one death and six injuries. In response, security forces destroyed three militant bunkers in the neighboring Churachandpur district. The Manipur police reported that militants had deployed long-range rockets in Bishnupur, resulting in the death of a senior citizen and injuries to six others.

Aerial patrolling using a military helicopter is underway, and high-level security meetings are being held to assess the situation. The first recorded use of drones as a weapon in Manipur occurred on September 1 in Koutruk village, Imphal West district, where guns were also used, killing two and injuring nine. The following day, another drone attack in Senjam Chirang, about three kilometers away, resulted in injuries to three individuals.

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In her detailed note, Swara Bhasker expressed deep admiration for the Women In Cinema Collective (WCC), praising their bravery in confronting sexual harassment and violence in the industry. She acknowledged their efforts in urging for an expert committee to investigate and address these issues and for providing support to victims. “A big hug and gratitude to the brave women of the WCC who have consistently raised their voices and sought justice. You are heroes and are doing the work that should have been done by those in positions of power. Respect and solidarity with you!” she wrote.

Swara’s note reflected on the findings of the Hema Committee report, noting that while some details were new, the overall picture of systemic issues was all too familiar. She criticized the entertainment industry as inherently male-centric and patriarchal, emphasizing that the industry’s risk-averse and perception-sensitive nature often sidelines ethical concerns in favor of financial practicality. “Showbiz has always been a male-centric industry, a patriarchal power set-up,” she said. “It’s so much more convenient and financially practical to just carry on, even if it means ignoring ethical issues.”

Swara also questioned whether other regional film industries in India are addressing similar issues, highlighting the need for broader conversations and reforms across the industry.

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Activists wrecking barricades set up by the police during a rally on Tuesday (AFP)

In response to the recent clashes between Kolkata Police and protesters during a march to Nabanna, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for a state-wide bandh in West Bengal today, August 28, 2024. The bandh, announced by BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, follows violent confrontations on August 27 during the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally.

Background: During the rally, protesters overturned barricades, prompting police to use lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas to disperse the crowd. The ruling Trinamool Congress has criticized the protest for being violent and accused the BJP of inciting the unrest. BJP national president JP Nadda condemned the police actions, describing them as an abuse of power and an attack on democratic principles.

Details of the Bandh:

• Start Time: 6:00 AM on August 28, 2024
• Duration: 12 hours

Sukanta Majumdar’s Statement: Majumdar condemned the police’s actions against students involved in the protest, demanding the release of those detained. He criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly suppressing peaceful protests and vowed to ensure that the bandh is observed.

What’s Open and Closed:

• Schools, Colleges, Government Offices, and Banks: Likely to remain open but may face disruptions due to the bandh affecting traffic and public movement.
• Essential Services: Medical facilities, drinking water services, public transport, rail services, and electricity are expected to operate normally.
• Markets and Businesses: The BJP has urged business organizations to close their markets in support of the bandh. However, the West Bengal government has stated that efforts will be made to maintain normalcy, and nothing will be officially closed due to the opposition’s strike.

Government Assurance: The West Bengal administration has promised to minimize disruptions and ensure that essential services continue without significant interruptions.

For the latest updates, residents are advised to stay informed through local news and official announcements.

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Salman Khan, a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, is indeed known for both his substantial earnings and his philanthropic efforts. According to the Times of India, his net worth is reported to be 2900 crores, which places him among the highest-paid actors in the industry. Despite his immense wealth, Salman is known for leading a relatively modest lifestyle in terms of his living arrangements, residing in a one-room apartment.

Salman has been active in charity work through his Being Human Foundation, which has gained significant attention and support. In a recent television interview, Salman clarified that while he does save a portion of his income—around ten percent—the claim that he spends 90 percent of his earnings on charity is not entirely accurate. He acknowledged that while he is committed to charitable causes, his financial contributions are balanced with other responsibilities, such as taxes.

Salman Khan’s lifestyle reflects his personal preferences. Unlike many of his Bollywood peers, he prefers not to indulge in extravagant mansions or bungalows. Instead, he cherishes his 150-acre farmhouse in Panvel. Among his collection of luxury vehicles, his bicycle holds a special place. Salman has a history of using his bicycle to travel to shooting locations, showcasing his down-to-earth nature despite his fame and success.

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The visa-free access will be available to travelers from various countries, such as the UK, the US, China, and Germany, simplifying the travel process by eliminating the need for a visa. Currently, about 20 percent of Sri Lanka’s foreign tourists are from India.

Additionally, Sri Lanka had previously waived visa fees for tourists from India and six other countries beginning in October 2023. This fee waiver has now been extended until May 31, 2024.

The Sri Lankan government hopes that this new visa-free policy will enhance tourism and attract a greater number of visitors to the country.

This version maintains the original details while providing a clear and engaging summary.

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The action came after the Special Cell of Delhi police registered a criminal conspiracy case under Section 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on July 15. The anti-terror unit had been tracking the suspects since then, according to PTI.

Details of the Arrests

In Rajasthan’s Bhiwadi, six individuals were apprehended during weapons training. They are Hasan Ansari, Enamul Ansari, Altaf Ansari, Arshad Khan, Umar Farooq, and Shahbaz Ansari, all from Jharkhand but residing in Rajasthan recently.

In Ranchi, Jharkhand, five people were arrested: Ishtiyaq Ahmed, Motiur, Rizwan, Mufti Rahmatullah, and Faizan. Additionally, three individuals were detained in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, for further questioning.

During the raids, the police recovered a range of weapons and equipment, including an AK-47 rifle, a .38 bore revolver, six live cartridges of .38 bore, 30 live cartridges of .32 bore, 30 live cartridges for the AK-47, a dummy Insas rifle, an air rifle, an iron elbow pipe, a hand grenade, a remote control mechanism, wires, a 1.5-volt AA battery, a table watch, four ground sheets, a target, a camping tent, and various food items.

Investigation Findings

According to Delhi police, the module was led by Dr. Ishtiyaq from Ranchi and aimed to establish a ‘khilafat’ while planning serious terrorist activities within India. There is speculation that the group was preparing for a terror attack in northern India during the upcoming festive season.

A senior police officer involved in the investigation revealed that the module had been active for several months, with members connecting via social media. The group had undergone weapon handling training in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan.

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The CBI officer revealed to PTI that Roy showed no signs of repentance during interrogation. He recounted the details of the crime without hesitation or remorse. “He narrated the entire crime with chilling detail and without any sign of remorse,” the officer said.

The victim, a doctor working a 36-hour shift, was attacked while resting in the hospital’s seminar hall. The post-mortem report indicates that she was raped, brutally beaten, and had suffered 16 external and nine internal injuries before dying from strangulation.

Sanjay Roy was apprehended the day after the crime. He was seen entering the hospital around the estimated time of the attack, and Bluetooth headphones belonging to him were found near the crime scene. Pornographic material was discovered on his mobile phone.

Technical and scientific evidence, including CCTV footage, places Roy at the crime scene. The footage shows him around the chest department at 11 am on August 8 and entering the building again at 4 am on August 9. The estimated time of the victim’s death was between 3 am and 5 am on August 9.

The CBI is investigating whether there was a larger conspiracy behind the murder. They have questioned former RG Kar Medical College principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, and are considering polygraph tests for Roy, Dr. Ghosh, and others involved.

Additionally, the Kolkata Police are examining allegations of financial irregularities against Dr. Sandip Ghosh. On Wednesday, Akhtar Ali, a former colleague of Dr. Ghosh, accused him of involvement in the “business of dead bodies.”

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In Patna, Bihar, police have resorted to lathicharge to disperse protesters. Prominent political figures such as Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, BSP leader Mayawati, and several Congress leaders have voiced their support for today’s Bharat Bandh.

Reason for Bharat Bandh Today

The Bharat Bandh on August 21 has been called in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling that excludes the “creamy layer” from SC/ST quotas. This decision has triggered widespread controversy, leading to today’s nationwide strike.

Supreme Court Ruling on SC/ST Quota System

On August 1, the Supreme Court authorized states to sub-classify SCs and STs when assessing their representation. The Court emphasized that such sub-classification should be based on “quantifiable and demonstrable data” regarding backwardness and representation in government jobs, rather than being influenced by “whims” or “political expediency.”

The ruling, delivered by a seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, was passed by a majority of 6:1. It overturned the previous EV Chinnaiah judgment, which had deemed sub-classification within SC/STs as impermissible, arguing that SC/STs should be considered a homogeneous group.

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The case, officially titled “In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and related issue,” gains particular importance as the Calcutta High Court has already intervened and transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In related news, a second-year B.Com student was arrested by the Central Division of the Kolkata Police on Monday, August 19, 2024. The student is accused of posting threatening messages about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and revealing the victim’s identity. The police described the posts as “provocative,” potentially inciting “social unrest and promoting hatred.” The student was presented in court the same day.

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The 56-year-old actor, who was admitted to a Chennai hospital last week, assured his fans he was well and thanked them for their wishes

Chennai: South superstar Vikram says he is doing well and was in hospital following “mild chest discomfort” and not a cardiac arrest as blown up by sections of the media and some “creative” minds on social media platforms.

The 56-year-old actor, who was admitted to a Chennai hospital last week, assured his fans he was well and thanked them for their wishes.

“There was a mild chest discomfort. I went to the hospital only for that. But it was blown out of proportion. I am doing well… When all of you are there with me nothing will happen to me. My family, friends, fans and you are there for me,” Vikram said at the audio launch of his upcoming Tamil film “Cobra” on Monday evening.

The National Award winner was taken to Kauvery Hospital on Wednesday but reports of his hospitalisation surfaced on Friday, hours before the teaser launch of his much-anticipated period drama “Ponniyin Selvan: I”.

Soon, rumours that he had suffered a cardiac arrest started doing the rounds. The claim was dismissed by hospital authorities as well as Vikram’s manager Suryanarayanan M. The actor was discharged from the hospital on Saturday.

Taking a swipe at the media, the star of films such as “Pithamagan”, “Anniyan” and “Raavanan” said he saw a lot of misinformation floating about his health.

People also got “creative”, Vikram said, recounting how a thumbnail was photoshopped by some who morphed his face on a patient.

“I should not place my hand on my chest. They (the media) may come up with a claim that I am having a heart attack. I can visualise the headline they may pick for tomorrow’s edition.

“They may say that what they had predicted was confirmed by Vikram. They may say that Vikram gestured that he had a heart attack while he was on the dais for ‘Cobra’ audio launch,” he said.

Directed by Ajay Gnanamuthu with A R Rahman as music composer, “Cobra” is set to be released in theatres on August 11. It also stars Srinidhi Shetty, Miya George, Roshan Mathew, and marks the feature film debut of cricketer Irfan Pathan.

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In late 2019, Kerala society was shaken by the news of a spate or murders committed by an attractive and dynamic woman in her forties – six murders spurred by greed for money and property and family intrigue. The Koodathayi case as it soon came to be known after the location of the killings has even inspired a prime-time serial on TV. Jolly, the serial killer, had done it with cyanide, and she attained increasing criminality and pleasure from her actions as her crime went undetected for 14 years.

Watching director Dileesh Pothan’s Joji on Amazon Prime Video upon its release on April 7, one could not help comparing the criminal minds of both Jolly and Joji, the protagonist of the movie. With Pothan and scriptwriter Syam Pushkaran, Fahadh Faasil presents another stellar performance after Maheshinte Prathikaram, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and Kumbalangi Nights. From a mediocre photographer hell-bent on revenge in the first, Fahadh’s histrionics reached its zenith in the latter two where he boldly etched characters with questionable credentials – a shifty nameless thief and a psycho hairdresser. In them, as well as in the latest movie, Fahadh performs with his eyes and going the extra mile in Joji to look gaunt and sickly.

The titular hero here is a lethargic engineering dropout, who dreams of a life abroad. But he does not have the drive to prepare earnestly for TOEFL exams. He logs into a session but soon falls asleep. When he is not sleeping, he is either smoking or fishing or unobtrusively watching people. He is right on time to grab a gun his nephew Popy (Alister Alex) has stealthily ordered online, which also marks his theatrical entry in the film.

Unlike his father Panachel Kuttappan (PK Sunny) and brothers Jason and Jomon (Baburaj and Joji Mundakayam) who slog to maintain their vast rubber and pineapple estates in Erumely, a hilly town in southern Kerala en route to the Sabarimala shrine, Joji is a wastrel who shares a bond with his sister-in-law Bincy (Unnimaya). For all her quiet and composed nature, Bincy is ambitious and unhappy with the status quo. One sees her slogging alone in the kitchen in an all-male household but the moment the patriarch’s stifling and looming presence has gone, she hires a help. From the kitchen, she slowly relegates herself to the drawing room daring to sit on the regal chairs with her legs up.

The role of the church in the lives of the community is amply demonstrated as they half-heartedly heeds to established practices relating to death – while anticipating death, upon death and 40 days after. The most comical situations revolve in this conflict between the two. The young priest almost looks as if he will not be able to handle the chaos and disobedience around, but he manages to stand his ground.

This is probably the first movie that shows the face mask being a part of our daily lives. It comes in useful to hide emotions, as in Bincy’s instructions to Joji on funeral day. Even without a mask, Bincy has a face that masks her actual emotions. Glamourless and way too ordinary, Bincy is a courageous creation in a film that has no other major female faces.

The film professes to be inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a tragic tale of greed for power and the protagonist’s machinations to cover up the first crime. Like Macbeth, Joji gets bolder in his crimes, lies and blackmails but in the end has to pay for them. Bincy’s Lady Macbeth persona is the perfect foil to Joji as both are driven by a greed for property and desire for freedom from the dictatorial clutches of the father. In the end, the weakest eliminate the strongest through guile and patience.

As a dark comedy, the film rightly manages to elicit a chuckle or a guffaw from audiences familiar with local habits and parlance.

It has also captured the beauty of Kerala’s high ranges that many settler families toiled to tame and reap profits. Shyju Khalid’s photography and Justine Verghese’s music provide the perfect background for this suspense thriller.

For a pandemic-era movie – shorter and with fewer locales – Joji keeps you riveted to the screen for its one hour 53 minute duration.

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The event is aimed at raising awareness about this new genre and inspire college students to explore their creativity. The theme for the competition is ‘Karnataka Tourism: One State, Many Worlds’.

Students from around 100 major colleges in Karnataka are participating in this event. The award carries cash and trophies; and participants will also be given certificate.

Mr. C.P.Yogeshwar, State Minister of Tourism, Ecology & Environment Department,, will be the Chief Guest at the event. Mr T K Anil Kumar IAS, and Mr Ramesh IAS, the Principal Secretary and Director respectively, will be the Guests of Honour of the event.

The special invitees are Dr.Joseph VG, Chancellor Garden City University, Dr. Thomas John,Chairman T-John College Bangalore, Girish Kasaravalli,Film Director, Saraswathi Jgirdar Film Journalist, Jai Jagdeesh, Director/Producer and many others from Kannada film Industry, representatives of NGOs such as YMCA, Lions’ Club, and Rotarians etc

For more information please contact Dr Rajah Balakrishnan, Competition Director 9740415690 / 9480451483

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Along with Vijay starrer Master, Silambarasan aka STR-starrer ‘Eeswaran’ are hitting the theatres on January 13 and and January 14 respectively.

This decision of the government has not gone down well with many people. With the pandemic still persistent, the rise in the number of people affected by the new COVID strain has only added more cases to the coronavirus tally.

On Monday, Aravinth Srinivas, a junior resident doctor from Puducherry on Facebook wrote a hard-hitting post addressed to Vijay, STR and the Tamil Nadu government. Here is his full post

Dear Actor Vijay sir, Silambarasan sir and the respected Govt. of Tamil Nadu, I am tired. We are all tired. Thousands of doctors like me are tired. Health care workers are tired. Police officials are tired. Sanitary workers are tired.

We have worked so hard at the ground level to make sure the damage done is kept to as low as possible amidst an unprecedented pandemic. I am not glorifying our work for I know there is nothing so great about it to the onlooker’s eyes. We don’t have cameras in front of us. We don’t do stunt sequences. We aren’t heroes. But we deserve some time to breath. We don’t want to fall prey to someone’s selfishness and greed.

The pandemic isn’t over and we have people dying till today to the disease. A hundred percent theatre occupancy is a suicide attempt. Rather homicide, for none of the policy makers or the so called heroes are going to put themselves under the pump, to watch the movie amidst the crowd. This is a blatant barter system, trading lives for money.

Can we please slowly try and concentrate on our lives and make sure we tide through this pandemic peacefully and not reignite the slowly burning out flame, that is still not completely put out?
I wanted to make this post scientific and explain why we are still in danger. But that’s when I asked myself, “what’s the point?”

Yours tiredly
A poor, tired resident doctor.

The Facebook post

Voices against Tamil Nadu government’s move are increasing with many citizens and doctors raising concerns. According to medical experts , allowing 100 per cent attendance in theatres may lead to more cases. Closed spaces can be an optimal situation for the disease to spread as social distancing can’t be maintained.

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The actor has been shooting in Hyderabad for the last 10 days but the shoot was suspended after at least four people on the sets tested positive, while the actor himself had tested negative. He has been isolating himself ever since.

According to a release by Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, though Rajnikanth does not have any symptoms of COVID-19, his blood pressure showed severe fluctuations and needed further evaluation for which he has been admitted to the hospital. He will be under close observation in the hospital till his blood pressure settles down before being discharged. Apart from fluctuating blood pressure and exhaustion he does not have any other symptoms and is hemodynamically stable.

A press release by Apollo Hospitals said, “Mr.Rajinikanth has been admitted in the hospital today in the morning. He was shooting for a movie in Hyderabad since the last 10 days. A couple of people on the sets tested positive for Covid-19. Mr. Rajnikanth was tested on 22 December for Covid 19 and he was negative. Since then he isolated himself and was monitored closely.”

“Though he did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, his blood pressure showed severe fluctuations and needed further evaluation for which he has been admitted to the hospital. He will be investigated and monitored closely in the hospital till his blood pressure settles down before being discharged. Apart from fluctuating blood pressure and exhaustion he does not have any other symptoms and is hemodynamically stable,” the note said.

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The recently launched music video “Kankal Neeye”, composed and directed by cine director Sajid Yahiya is getting rave reviews and running top on charts with its spell-binding making and unexpected twist which has made it like a slick short film. The magical voice of Sreya Raghav brings out the complete essence of the song which has come out both in Tamil and Malayalam separately. It’s Anas Rahman, a new-face, is sharing screen space along with Sreya in the video. The music video is produced by CP Originals under “Cinema Prathan Productions”. Both the Malayalam version, launched by lady superstar Manju Warrier and Tamil version launched by South Indian Superstar Rahman through their social media pages have gone viral ever since their launches last week.

The song was penned by Vyshak Sugunan and Lingu Abraham in Malayalam and Shiva Ganga in Tamil. Music by Sajid Yahiya. Cinematography by Soni Seban, Asif Pav, editing by Amal Manoj, Programming by Sibi Mathew Alex, Make up by Aneesh C Babu, Second Unit Camera Sajan Sebastian, Ashiq, Hisham Anwar. Production Designer Shahid Muhammed, Costume, Jishad Shamsudin, DI and Coloring Sujith Sadashivan, Mastered by Akhil Tom Abraham.

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Dhanya Mary Varghese started her career as a lead actress with the Tamil movie Thirudi which was released in 2006. Soon, she became one of the most prominent actresses in both Mollywood and Kollywood, and went on to act in noted films that include Thalappaavu, Vairam, Drona 2010, and Red Chillies. The actress last appeared in Pranayam, which was released in 2011. The film had Mohanlal in the lead role, and Dhanya played the role of the superstar’s daughter.

And now, after nine years of hiatus, Dhanya Mary Varghese is making a comeback to Mollywood. According to reports, Dhanya will be next seen in a movie that will have Tovino Thomas in the lead role.

This upcoming film has been titled Kaane Kaane, and it is directed by Manu Ashokan who has previously helmed the acclaimed flick Uyare. After the grand success of Mayanadhi, Aishwarya Lekshmi will be sharing screen space with Tovino in this movie.

“I am happy to play a small role with today’s youth icons Tovino Thomas and Aiswarya Lekshmi in the upcoming movie ‘Kaane Kaane’ directed by Manu Ashokan, the man behind “Uyare”. Happy that I could be amongst several familiar technicians including cinematographer Alby, with whom I have worked in my previous films,” said Dhanya.

According to reports, ‘Kaane Kaane’ will be an emotional romantic drama. More details regarding the cast and crew of the movie will be unveiled in the coming days.

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India’s Premier Expo and Conference for the Facilities Management Products and Services to be held on November 26 and 27, 2020. The ‘Facilities Show India’ will act as a global hub for facilities and field service management professionals while introducing thousands of visitors to innovations, solutions and ideas within the sector and connecting them with industry leaders.

Also known as FM, Facilities Management includes a range of disciplines and services to ensure the functionality, comfort, well-being, safety and productivity of a built environment – buildings and grounds, infrastructure and real estate. FM is classified into two categories – Hard Facilities Management Services and Soft Facilities Management Services. While Hard FM deals with physical assets such as plumbing, heating and cooling, elevators, soft FM focuses on tasks performed by people such as custodial services, lease accounting, catering, security, grounds keeping.

Supported by associations such as TELMA and APSA, the virtual show will bring together local and global manufacturers, suppliers, consultants, service providers and decision-makers from various facilities management verticals looking to market or procure latest products and services. It will facilitate career development, networking, and sourcing cost-effective solutions in sectors ranging from office design and maintenance to smart energy and lighting. With new technologies such as green energy management and smart buildings creating a wealth of opportunities, the show will give professionals access to education and thought leadership so they can engage with a constantly shifting landscape.

Speaking on the launch of the Facilities Show India in the virtual format, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, who are the organisers of the show, said, “The Facilities Management industry is all about maximizing returns on investments. Companies across the world are recurrently shifting their focus to maximize their assets, improve customer relations, and redefine their workspaces to be more pleasing and productive, as well as decreasing their carbon footprint. At its core, the facility management industry is all about maximising returns on investments. In the current scenario, companies are not shying away from investing in the tools they need for a sustained growth. The Indian facility management market reached a value of USD 150 billion in 2019. The industry is expected to grow at a rapid pace in the forecast period of 2020-2025, growing at a CAGR of 20% to reach a value of around USD 406 billion by 2025. With such a growing expanse, it makes perfect sense for us to put facilities management into the spotlight. Bringing the virtual edition of Facilities Show to the Indian subcontinent is just one of the many endeavours from Informa Markets in India to focus on the crucial importance of facilities management and to streamline business operations. The show will bridge the knowledge gap and offer you many insights of facilities management that are yet awaited to be touched upon.”

The virtual expo will feature top notch brands such WEWORK, 3M INDIA, MALLCOM, HELIX SENCE, ABACUS INFOTECH, 75 F, MoveInSync etc and will also see the virtual edition of IFMA Global 2020 conference. The high-level virtual conference will bring together local and global thought leaders and experts to share their insights on various pertinent areas with regard to Organisational culture, Business Continuity, Workplace transformation, Employee wellbeing among other areas. Key sessions include: The Future of Work , Building Employee Experience and Organisational Culture through Workplace transformation, Business Continuity, How FM will be delivered in the new world, Healthcare: New ways of working, health and wellness at the workplace, The changing face of work and workplace design, Technology -Reinventing for the Future of Facilities, Leading and Developing Emerging FMs, FM Specialisation -Exploring Changes and Innovations.

Key Speakers at the conference include: Mr. Peter Ankerstjerne, Global Lead, FM & Experience Services JLL & Chairman of the Board IFMA; Mr. Sandeep Sethi, Managing Director, Corporate Solutions – West Asia, JLL; Mr. Mahantesh Mali, Sr. VP – Real Estate Operations, Nucleus Office Parks, Blackstone Portfolio Company; Mr. Sumeet Sharma , Global Contracts Director, workplace services at Capgemini group; Mr. Aman Dutta, Partner EY Consulting, Chris Hood, Director at Advanced Workplace Associates (AWA); Maj. Bijay Mukherjee – Head – Corporate Workplace Solutions, Cognizant Technologies; Dr. Shalini Lal – Organizational Consultant; Mr. Shravan Bendapudi – Studio Director, Gensler; Mr. Parthajeet Sarma, Workplace transformation specialist, Workplace Evolutionaries (WE) Hub Lead, Chevening scholar; Mr. Asan Dasari, Senior Director, Global Real Estate, NTT Data Services; Mr. Peter Andrews; Executive Director, CBRE Workplace Strategy Centre of Excellence, APAC; Mr. Arunjot Singh Bhalla Managing Director India, RSP Architects Planners Engineers; Mr. Keith Monteiro- Senior Vice President, Reliance Industries Ltd.; Mr. Amitabh Satyam, Chairman, Smart Transformations amongst others.

Speaking on the announcement of the show and the industry, Mr. Peter Ankerstjerne, Global Lead, FM & Experience Services JLL & Chairman of the Board IFMA said, “There has never been a better time for facility management professionals to demonstrate leadership. Our industry is playing a critical role in rebuilding our businesses and communities with an emphasis on sustainability and well-being. COVID-19 forced fundamental questions about the way we live and work. As a result, we have the collective will to make meaningful progress. Leading change is never easy; but the burden of breaking new ground is lighter when we work as a team. The long-term impacts of the pandemic will affect us similarly – from India, to the Netherlands, to Washington, D.C. – which presents our profession with an opportunity to prepare for a new, future status quo together.” “This virtual exhibition and e-conference is an effort to cater to market changes, address challenges and chalk out the strategy forward while providing a platform to connect, network and grow.” He further added.

According to a recent industry report, the Facilities Management industry in India is dominated by in-house segment; however, these services are increasingly being outsourced. The growing demand for integrated facility management is also driving the industry growth. While, currently, the industry is highly fragmented and is dominated by unorganised small operators, with larger players increasingly acquiring smaller players, the industry is projected to become more organised in the coming years. Corporate offices like IT, BPO, and BFSI sectors are rapidly shifting towards outsourcing their services, thus, driving the industry growth in India. The industry is primarily concentrated in Tier 1 and metro cities. Pune and Mumbai are expected to witness significant growth within the industry. Globally, too, the industry is growing rapidly, driven by the rising outsourcing of services by companies. The industry is also being supported by the growing demand for integrated facilities management in the Asia Pacific region. The Asia Pacific region is also the fastest-growing region for the industry, driven by the growing economies like India and China. The rapidly rising population in these regions is also boosting the market growth.

Raghuvinder Singh Pathania, Head of Operations, WeWork India, said: “The pandemic has certainly affected the way companies use their workplaces. That being said, we believe that the prevailing crisis has given rise to innovative solutions and work practices, and facilities management has played an essential role in enabling the same. I look forward to partnering with IFMA and Facilities India Virtual Expo to discuss important developments in this segment that will help redefine the future of work.”

Mr. Gaurav Burman, APAC President – 75F said: “As the world slowly progresses towards reopening their facilities post-COVID, technology and collaboration has changed. A digital platform like the Facilities Virtual Expo that connects us to all the FM stakeholders gives us an opportunity to not just share knowledge and our advancements but also learn and upgrade at the same time. Looking forward to an insightful event!”

Mr. Jatin Mehta – CEO, Abacus Infotech, said” “In this pandemic situation virtual expo is very good concept. Using this platform customers and vendors are connect on single platform. Customers can get the latest technology update from their desk. This will save their travelling time and can focus on right products/technologies with limited vendors. In virtual Expo there is no restriction of number of people in booth, so vendor can dedicate marketing person for each customer, and they can attend every customer query online. I feel everyone have to work with new technology and I am very much confidence that this expo will be benefit to customers as well as company who are participating in this expo. Our best wishes to everyone and looking forward to have a great success of this event.”

Mr. Rana Rajvinder Singh, Director of Operations & Customer Success, Helix Sense Technologies Pvt. Ltd., said: “Facilities Virtual Expo has created a brilliant opportunity for the FM/PM fraternity despite COVID-19 to connect and showcase capabilities, we are glad to be part of this event and looking forward for a successful event.”
Mr. Rana Das, Associate Vice President – Branded Sales , Mallcom India Ltd, said: “Mallcom, one of the leading manufacturers, exporters and distributors of a comprehensive range of Personal Protective Equipment is proud to be associated with IFMA Global India and participate in Facilities India Virtual Expo as a Silver Sponsor on 26th-27th Nov 2020.”

Mr. Deepesh Agarwal, Co-founder & CEO, MoveInSync Technology Solutions, said: “COVID-19 has made Facilities Management every organisation’s core focus today. We faced the same dilemma ourselves and were pushed to find an innovative solution as well. I look forward to the Facilities Virtual Expo to share WorkInSync, our very own solution, to manage the hybrid workplaces. We couldn’t have asked for a better stage to showcase WorkInSync.”

Accroding to Mr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Country Business Leader, TEBG, 3M India Ltd, “Virtual Expo is a new way to engage industry and community in COVID-19 situation. We are glad to participate and look forward to engage with Facility management professionals for a successful virtual event at Facilities India Virtual Expo | 2020″.

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio is comprised of more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world’s leading exhibitions organiser, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com About Informa Markets and our business in India Informa Markets is owned by Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. Informa Markets in India (formerly UBM India) is India’s leading exhibition organizer, dedicated to help specialist markets and customer communities, domestically and around the world to trade, innovate and grow through exhibitions, digital content & services, and conferences & seminars. Every year, we hosts over 25 large scale exhibitions, 40 conferences, along with industry awards and trainings across the country; thereby enabling trade across multiple industry verticals. In India, Informa Markets has offices across Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. For further details, please visit – www.informa.com About IFMA IFMA India brings educational,informational and networking services, programs and benefits to help meet the growing demand for the facility management market. IFMA has local chapter networking groups in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai and employees Bengaluru-based staff who liaises directly with the association’s global headquarters staff in the United States. Whether you have years of experience as a facility manager or new to the profession, you will find valuable opportunities to grow your career and business through IFMA.

To register,

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