Teen pleads guilty after blog confession
Dec 21, 6:28 AM EST
TAVARES, Fla. (AP) -- An 18-year-old passenger who caused a fatal crash by pulling on the steering wheel pleaded guilty to DUI manslaughter after prosecutors discovered a confession on his online blog.
Blake Ranking wrote "I did it" on his blurty.com journal three days after the October 2004 crash that caused a friend's death and left another seriously injured. He had previously told investigators he remembered nothing of the crash and little of its aftermath.
Blake was sitting in the back seat as he and then-17-year-old friends Jason Coker and Nicole Robinette left a party when he pulled the steering wheel as a prank, causing the car to somersault off the road.
His blood alcohol content after the crash measured 0.185, more than double the legal limit.
Robinette, who was driving and had no traces of drugs or alcohol in her system, was seriously injured. Coker lay in a coma at Orlando Regional Medical Center until he died Jan. 11.
"It was me who caused it. I turned the wheel. I turned the wheel that sent us off the road, into the concrete drain ..." Ranking wrote in the blog. "How can I be fine when everyone else is so messed up?"
Ranking later retracted his words, deleting them from the blog and penning an explanation.
"People say I 'contradict' myself since I 'already admitting pulling the wheel.' I didn't 'ADMIT' anything. I went on a guilt trip, and I posted the story that I WAS TOLD . . . Nicole told me I pulled the wheel, I believed her," he wrote.
Still, the confession forced him to lead guilty Monday to manslaughter charges. He could have gotten 15 years in prison, but defense lawyer John Spivey and Assistant State Attorney Julie Greenberg recommended five years in prison, 10 years of probation and a permanent license suspension.
Circuit Judge Mark Hill agreed to impose the sentence Dec. 28.
Greenberg said she had planned to use the blog as evidence, a first for the office covering Lake, Citrus, Hernando, Marion and Sumter counties, but almost certainly not the last.
"Anytime a defendant confesses, that is very relevant and important," she said.
Ranking posted the lyrics to Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" the day of Coker's funeral, but prosecutors said his remorse was not always apparent in his blogs, which included entries railing at Coker's mother because she asked him to stop calling and coming to the hospital.
"He lost the best friend he ever had," Spivey said in Ranking's defense.
Ken Coker, Jason's father, said his family never wanted prison time for Ranking, but they wished Ranking would stop writing about them because they felt the blog was insensitive. He said Ranking would benefit more from psychiatric counseling.
"There's not enough forgiveness in the world," he said.
SignOnSanDiego.com > News > AP News
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Tuition teacher held for alleged child abuse
Tuition teacher held for alleged child abuse
MANJIT KAUR, 17th December 2005
KANGAR: A 10-year-old girl was allegedly punched and slashed, and had a toenail removed and her private parts pinched by her tuition teacher for faring poorly in lessons.
Nor Adilla Syikin, from Taman Kemajuan near here, suffered bruises all over her body as a result of the abuse by the teacher, whom she called “auntie”.
Kangar OCPD Yusof Mohd Diah said police arrested the 54-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter at their house in Taman Perlis at 2.30am yesterday and obtained orders to remand them for five days.
The girl’s father Abdul Halim Ibrahim, 43, believed that Nor Adilla was abused on Wednesday night at the teacher’s house.
He said that his daughter, from SK Seri Perlis, had been taking lessons in English and Mathematics from the woman since Year One.
“The teacher contacted me about 8pm on Wednesday to say that my daughter would be staying overnight at her place,” he told reporters at Hospital Tuanku Fauziah on Thursday night.
Abdul Halim, a restaurant cook in Mata Ayer, said his daughter fled from the teacher’s house at 4.45pm on Thursday and ran crying in the rain to her grandmother’s house.
He said that the woman, who gives tuition to 20 pupils, was never a schoolteacher. She performed odd-jobs and worked at a laundry shop, besides tutoring students.
When interviewed, Nor Adilla said she and her friends would be beaten when they could not answer questions and that she suffered the most.
“I was scared of her and dared not tell my parents about her behaviour,” she said.
In Penang, police rescued a 10-year-old girl who had scars on her body believed to have been been caused by boiling water and cigarettes.
Her mother, 36, and stepfather, 26, a video arcade caretaker, were arrested at their home in Jalan Besi here at 10.50pm on Thursday.
It is learnt that the couple, who had only been married for a year, would also cane the Year Four student for the slightest mistake.
The couple's neighbours, who had been turning a blind eye to the abuse for some time, tipped off the police.
Read the full article at : Tuition teacher held for alleged child abuse
MANJIT KAUR, 17th December 2005
KANGAR: A 10-year-old girl was allegedly punched and slashed, and had a toenail removed and her private parts pinched by her tuition teacher for faring poorly in lessons.
Nor Adilla Syikin, from Taman Kemajuan near here, suffered bruises all over her body as a result of the abuse by the teacher, whom she called “auntie”.
Kangar OCPD Yusof Mohd Diah said police arrested the 54-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter at their house in Taman Perlis at 2.30am yesterday and obtained orders to remand them for five days.
The girl’s father Abdul Halim Ibrahim, 43, believed that Nor Adilla was abused on Wednesday night at the teacher’s house.
He said that his daughter, from SK Seri Perlis, had been taking lessons in English and Mathematics from the woman since Year One.
“The teacher contacted me about 8pm on Wednesday to say that my daughter would be staying overnight at her place,” he told reporters at Hospital Tuanku Fauziah on Thursday night.
Abdul Halim, a restaurant cook in Mata Ayer, said his daughter fled from the teacher’s house at 4.45pm on Thursday and ran crying in the rain to her grandmother’s house.
He said that the woman, who gives tuition to 20 pupils, was never a schoolteacher. She performed odd-jobs and worked at a laundry shop, besides tutoring students.
When interviewed, Nor Adilla said she and her friends would be beaten when they could not answer questions and that she suffered the most.
“I was scared of her and dared not tell my parents about her behaviour,” she said.
In Penang, police rescued a 10-year-old girl who had scars on her body believed to have been been caused by boiling water and cigarettes.
Her mother, 36, and stepfather, 26, a video arcade caretaker, were arrested at their home in Jalan Besi here at 10.50pm on Thursday.
It is learnt that the couple, who had only been married for a year, would also cane the Year Four student for the slightest mistake.
The couple's neighbours, who had been turning a blind eye to the abuse for some time, tipped off the police.
Read the full article at : Tuition teacher held for alleged child abuse
Scotsman.com News - Latest News - John Spencer dies of heart problems
John Spencer dies of heart problems
Scotsman.com, Press Association Ltd, 17-Dec-05 11:07 GMT
John Spencer, the actor who played a tough, dedicated politician who survived a coronary illness to run for vice president in TV drama The West Wing, has died of a heart attack.
Spencer, 58, died after being admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on Friday, said his publicist, Ron Hofmann. He would have been 59 on Tuesday.
He was "one of those rare combinations of divinely gifted and incredibly generous", said actor Richard Schiff, who played Toby Ziegler on the NBC television series. Schiff revealed Spencer had been struggling with health issues but seemed to have rallied.
Spencer played Leo McGarry, the savvy and powerful chief of staff to President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet (Martin Sheen). In a sad parallel to life, Spencer's character suffered a heart attack that forced him to give up his White House job.
Spencer, who also starred in LA. Law as streetwise lawyer Tommy Mullaney, received an Emmy Award for his performance in The West Wing in 2002 and was nominated four other times for the series.
The actor, whose world-weary countenance was perfect for the role of McGarry, mirrored his character in several ways: both were recovering alcoholics and both, Spencer once said, were driven.
"Like Leo, I've always been a workaholic, too," he told The Associated Press in a 2000 interview. "Through good times and bad, acting has been my escape, my joy, my nourishment. The drug for me, even better than alcohol."
Spencer grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of blue-collar parents. With his enrolment at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan at 16, he was sharing classes with the likes of Liza Minnelli and budding violinist Pinchas Zukerman.
As a teenager, he landed a recurring role on The Patty Duke Show as the boyfriend of English twin Cathy. His big break came, playing Harrison Ford's detective sidekick in the 1990 courtroom thriller Presumed Innocent.
His made his feature film debut with a small role in War Games. In recent years, he worked both in studio and independent films, including The Rock, The Negotiator, Albino Alligator, Lesser Prophets and Cold Heart.
Last updated:
Read the full article at : Scotsman.com News - Latest News - John Spencer dies of heart problems
Scotsman.com, Press Association Ltd, 17-Dec-05 11:07 GMT
John Spencer, the actor who played a tough, dedicated politician who survived a coronary illness to run for vice president in TV drama The West Wing, has died of a heart attack.
Spencer, 58, died after being admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on Friday, said his publicist, Ron Hofmann. He would have been 59 on Tuesday.
He was "one of those rare combinations of divinely gifted and incredibly generous", said actor Richard Schiff, who played Toby Ziegler on the NBC television series. Schiff revealed Spencer had been struggling with health issues but seemed to have rallied.
Spencer played Leo McGarry, the savvy and powerful chief of staff to President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet (Martin Sheen). In a sad parallel to life, Spencer's character suffered a heart attack that forced him to give up his White House job.
Spencer, who also starred in LA. Law as streetwise lawyer Tommy Mullaney, received an Emmy Award for his performance in The West Wing in 2002 and was nominated four other times for the series.
The actor, whose world-weary countenance was perfect for the role of McGarry, mirrored his character in several ways: both were recovering alcoholics and both, Spencer once said, were driven.
"Like Leo, I've always been a workaholic, too," he told The Associated Press in a 2000 interview. "Through good times and bad, acting has been my escape, my joy, my nourishment. The drug for me, even better than alcohol."
Spencer grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, the son of blue-collar parents. With his enrolment at the Professional Children's School in Manhattan at 16, he was sharing classes with the likes of Liza Minnelli and budding violinist Pinchas Zukerman.
As a teenager, he landed a recurring role on The Patty Duke Show as the boyfriend of English twin Cathy. His big break came, playing Harrison Ford's detective sidekick in the 1990 courtroom thriller Presumed Innocent.
His made his feature film debut with a small role in War Games. In recent years, he worked both in studio and independent films, including The Rock, The Negotiator, Albino Alligator, Lesser Prophets and Cold Heart.
Last updated:
Read the full article at : Scotsman.com News - Latest News - John Spencer dies of heart problems
Welcome back, Mr Bachchan
Welcome back, Mr Bachchan
Sunday, December 18, 2005
The Shahenshah is back.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has finally been discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Saturday, where he has been recovering after a successful operation to treat his diverticulitis condition.
Huge crowds of fans surrounded the hospital, many travelling extensively just to get a glimpse of the actor.
Before he was discharged, Bachchan made a memorable appearance on the balcony of his 11th floor hospital room. Accompanying him were son Abhishek, daughter Shweta, wife Jaya and close friend Amar Singh. Industrialist Anil Ambani was seen at the hospital earlier in the morning. Amitabh looked down at the gathered media and fans, and waved -- one of those moments where the whole country collectively breathes a sigh of relief; Amitabh Bachchan is all right.
The fans weren't lucky enough to see Bachchan as he was whisked efficiently and discreetly out of the hospital. Rajesh Jadhav, one of the many who had travelled from far corners of Mumbai, said he was very disappointed. "I came early in the morning, and have been standing here for a long time. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to see Amitabh Bachchan recovered. I'm heartbroken that I couldn't see him up close."
But this disappointment is shortlived, and the general feeling is one of great relief.
Welcome back, Mr Bachchan.
Read the full story at : Welcome back, Mr Bachchan
Also read : The scene outside Lilavati Hospital
Sunday, December 18, 2005
The Shahenshah is back.
Superstar Amitabh Bachchan has finally been discharged from Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Saturday, where he has been recovering after a successful operation to treat his diverticulitis condition.
Huge crowds of fans surrounded the hospital, many travelling extensively just to get a glimpse of the actor.
Before he was discharged, Bachchan made a memorable appearance on the balcony of his 11th floor hospital room. Accompanying him were son Abhishek, daughter Shweta, wife Jaya and close friend Amar Singh. Industrialist Anil Ambani was seen at the hospital earlier in the morning. Amitabh looked down at the gathered media and fans, and waved -- one of those moments where the whole country collectively breathes a sigh of relief; Amitabh Bachchan is all right.
The fans weren't lucky enough to see Bachchan as he was whisked efficiently and discreetly out of the hospital. Rajesh Jadhav, one of the many who had travelled from far corners of Mumbai, said he was very disappointed. "I came early in the morning, and have been standing here for a long time. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, to see Amitabh Bachchan recovered. I'm heartbroken that I couldn't see him up close."
But this disappointment is shortlived, and the general feeling is one of great relief.
Welcome back, Mr Bachchan.
Read the full story at : Welcome back, Mr Bachchan
Also read : The scene outside Lilavati Hospital
Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com
BOSTON (Reuters) - Are diamonds really forever?
An anonymous gift-giver left a $15,000 diamond engagement ring to the owner of an unlocked car in western Massachusetts with a typed note hinting at a broken heart.
"Merry Christmas. Thank you for leaving your car door unlocked. Instead of stealing your car I gave you a present. Hopefully this will land in the hands of someone you love, for my love is gone now. Merry Christmas to you," the note said.
The three-diamond ring with a white-gold band appeared on the seat of the man's car at a train station in Westborough, about 30 miles west of Boston, on December 7, police said. Four days later, the man reported it to police.
"This appears to be random," said Westborough Police Lt. Paul Donnelly. "I think there was a search for a car that was unlocked."
The 37-year-old man decided to keep the ring after a jeweler appraised its value at $15,000, police said.
Read the full article at : Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com
An anonymous gift-giver left a $15,000 diamond engagement ring to the owner of an unlocked car in western Massachusetts with a typed note hinting at a broken heart.
"Merry Christmas. Thank you for leaving your car door unlocked. Instead of stealing your car I gave you a present. Hopefully this will land in the hands of someone you love, for my love is gone now. Merry Christmas to you," the note said.
The three-diamond ring with a white-gold band appeared on the seat of the man's car at a train station in Westborough, about 30 miles west of Boston, on December 7, police said. Four days later, the man reported it to police.
"This appears to be random," said Westborough Police Lt. Paul Donnelly. "I think there was a search for a car that was unlocked."
The 37-year-old man decided to keep the ring after a jeweler appraised its value at $15,000, police said.
Read the full article at : Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.com
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Saif wasn't drunk, say cops
Saif wasn't drunk, say cops
Mayank Soni, December 11, 2005
On Friday evening at about 4:45 pm, Saif Ali Khan drove over the foot of a Shakeel Shaikh (13) outside the Bhavan’s ground at DN Nagar, while returning from his rehearsals for the MTV Immies. Shaikh had minor injuries, but was advised a month of bed rest.
Khan (who was at the police station on Friday from 12 am to 1:30 am) says, “I was just returning from the MTV rehearsals when the boy suddenly came in front of my car. I applied the brakes, but the tyre stopped on the boy’s foot. I immediately came out and rushed him to Arogya Nidhi hospital.
He has suffered a hairline fracture. I have taken care of his hospital bill and will also pay for other medical expenses. After seeing that the boy was fine, I myself went and surrendered to the D N Nagar police station at 7 pm. I was not driving fast or anything; it was just an unfortunate accident.”
Shaikh was on his way to pick up his young cousin from the municipal school when the incident occured. “I saw the car stop so went on to cross the road, but suddenly it started and the car’s tyre ran over my left foot.
Seeing me cry out, Saif immediately rushed me to the nearby hospital in his car. Saif stayed for an hour at the hospital. He only left after enquiring about my health. Doctors have said that I have to take bed rest for a month.”
Khan was driving a silver-coloured Lexus. Inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi says, “Khan was released on bail of Rs 5,000. He has been asked to be present in the court on December 12. He was tested for alcohol, but the result was negative.”
Read the full article at : Saif wasn't drunk, say cops
Mayank Soni, December 11, 2005
On Friday evening at about 4:45 pm, Saif Ali Khan drove over the foot of a Shakeel Shaikh (13) outside the Bhavan’s ground at DN Nagar, while returning from his rehearsals for the MTV Immies. Shaikh had minor injuries, but was advised a month of bed rest.
Khan (who was at the police station on Friday from 12 am to 1:30 am) says, “I was just returning from the MTV rehearsals when the boy suddenly came in front of my car. I applied the brakes, but the tyre stopped on the boy’s foot. I immediately came out and rushed him to Arogya Nidhi hospital.
He has suffered a hairline fracture. I have taken care of his hospital bill and will also pay for other medical expenses. After seeing that the boy was fine, I myself went and surrendered to the D N Nagar police station at 7 pm. I was not driving fast or anything; it was just an unfortunate accident.”
Shaikh was on his way to pick up his young cousin from the municipal school when the incident occured. “I saw the car stop so went on to cross the road, but suddenly it started and the car’s tyre ran over my left foot.
Seeing me cry out, Saif immediately rushed me to the nearby hospital in his car. Saif stayed for an hour at the hospital. He only left after enquiring about my health. Doctors have said that I have to take bed rest for a month.”
Khan was driving a silver-coloured Lexus. Inspector Pradeep Suryavanshi says, “Khan was released on bail of Rs 5,000. He has been asked to be present in the court on December 12. He was tested for alcohol, but the result was negative.”
Read the full article at : Saif wasn't drunk, say cops
Saif Ali Khan held after his SUV injures boy - Sify.com
Saif Ali Khan held after his SUV injures boy
Saturday, 10 December , 2005, 16:33
Mumbai: A teenaged boy was injured when an imported sports-utility vehicle driven by Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan hit him at suburban Andheri on Friday evening, police said.
The boy escaped with minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital this morning, police said.
Saif was arrested and later released on bail of Rs 5000 at D N Nagar police station at Andheri in western Mumbai.
Police said the actor was passing by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhawans college at around 6 pm last evening, when his SUV Landcruizer vehicle which he was driving hit a 13-year-old boy, Shakil Sheikh, a nearby resident, who was reportedly attempting to cross the road.
The boy escaped with minor injuries as the vehicle was at a slow speed, police said.
Saif later rushed to injured boy to a nearby private nursing home, where the boy was admitted.
The actor informed the D N Nagar police station about the incident.
Since Saif himself was driving the vehicle, he was made to undergo a medical examination to find out alcohol content in his blood, police said, adding that the report showed that there was no alcohol in the blood.
The D N Nagar police granted a bail of Rs 5000 to Saif at around 1:30 am and asked him to visit the police station in the morning to complete formalities.
when the actor did not turn up, police moved the Andheri court and informed that the actor had not completed formalities regarding the bail.
The court adjourned hearing of the case till December 12. Meanwhile, Saif visited the police station at 4 pm, police added.
Read the full article at : Saif Ali Khan held after his SUV injures boy - Sify.com
Saturday, 10 December , 2005, 16:33
Mumbai: A teenaged boy was injured when an imported sports-utility vehicle driven by Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan hit him at suburban Andheri on Friday evening, police said.
The boy escaped with minor injuries and has been discharged from hospital this morning, police said.
Saif was arrested and later released on bail of Rs 5000 at D N Nagar police station at Andheri in western Mumbai.
Police said the actor was passing by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhawans college at around 6 pm last evening, when his SUV Landcruizer vehicle which he was driving hit a 13-year-old boy, Shakil Sheikh, a nearby resident, who was reportedly attempting to cross the road.
The boy escaped with minor injuries as the vehicle was at a slow speed, police said.
Saif later rushed to injured boy to a nearby private nursing home, where the boy was admitted.
The actor informed the D N Nagar police station about the incident.
Since Saif himself was driving the vehicle, he was made to undergo a medical examination to find out alcohol content in his blood, police said, adding that the report showed that there was no alcohol in the blood.
The D N Nagar police granted a bail of Rs 5000 to Saif at around 1:30 am and asked him to visit the police station in the morning to complete formalities.
when the actor did not turn up, police moved the Andheri court and informed that the actor had not completed formalities regarding the bail.
The court adjourned hearing of the case till December 12. Meanwhile, Saif visited the police station at 4 pm, police added.
Read the full article at : Saif Ali Khan held after his SUV injures boy - Sify.com
Saturday, December 10, 2005
HindustanTimes.com: Miss World 2005
Iceland's Unnur Birna crowned Miss World 2005
Press trust of India, December 10, 2005
Sanya, China : Miss Iceland, Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir, who plans to be a lawyer as well as an anthropologist, was on Saturday crowned as Miss World 2005 in the tropical resort of Sanya in southern China.
Unnur, 21, who describers herself as an "organised, ambitious and good-humoured" person, won the hearts and minds of the judges at the glittering finals of the 55th Miss World contest, held for a record third time in Sanya.
She said her motto is, "You are what you do."
Miss Mexico, Dafne Molina Lona, 23, came runner-up while Miss Puerto Ricco, Inngrid Marie Rivera Santos, 22, was adjudged second runner-up in the two-hour-long gala, seen live by over two billion people worldwide.
Miss India, Sindhura Gadde, who entered the semi-finals, lost to her South Korean rival, Eun-Yong Oh in the contest for selection from the Asia-Pacific region.
This year the Miss World said they had introduced an "innovative" new voting system this year, each contestant will be allocated a number for worldwide short messaging service (SMS) voting or via the Voting Hotline in their particular country.
Six 'Vote For Me' TV specials will present contestants from each continental zone and invite the global television audience to cast votes to determine the top two from each zone to go through to the Miss World Final where the six continental winners will be chosen, Miss World Northern Europe, Miss World Southern Europe, Miss World Asia Pacific, Miss World Africa, Miss World Americas and Miss World Caribbean.
Read the full article at : HindustanTimes.com: Miss World 2005
For more images of Miss World 2005 : Beautiful Women From Around The World : Miss World 2005
For more images of Beautiful Women : Beautiful Women From Around The World
Press trust of India, December 10, 2005
Sanya, China : Miss Iceland, Unnur Birna Vilhjalmsdottir, who plans to be a lawyer as well as an anthropologist, was on Saturday crowned as Miss World 2005 in the tropical resort of Sanya in southern China.Unnur, 21, who describers herself as an "organised, ambitious and good-humoured" person, won the hearts and minds of the judges at the glittering finals of the 55th Miss World contest, held for a record third time in Sanya.
She said her motto is, "You are what you do."
Miss Mexico, Dafne Molina Lona, 23, came runner-up while Miss Puerto Ricco, Inngrid Marie Rivera Santos, 22, was adjudged second runner-up in the two-hour-long gala, seen live by over two billion people worldwide.
Miss India, Sindhura Gadde, who entered the semi-finals, lost to her South Korean rival, Eun-Yong Oh in the contest for selection from the Asia-Pacific region.
This year the Miss World said they had introduced an "innovative" new voting system this year, each contestant will be allocated a number for worldwide short messaging service (SMS) voting or via the Voting Hotline in their particular country.Six 'Vote For Me' TV specials will present contestants from each continental zone and invite the global television audience to cast votes to determine the top two from each zone to go through to the Miss World Final where the six continental winners will be chosen, Miss World Northern Europe, Miss World Southern Europe, Miss World Asia Pacific, Miss World Africa, Miss World Americas and Miss World Caribbean.
Read the full article at : HindustanTimes.com: Miss World 2005
For more images of Miss World 2005 : Beautiful Women From Around The World : Miss World 2005
For more images of Beautiful Women : Beautiful Women From Around The World
Groom pays for snapping wedlock : HindustanTimes.com
Groom pays for snapping wedlock
Sanjeev K. Ahuja, December 10, 2005
Gurgaon : A man got it nice and proper for backing out of his marriage at the eleventh hour. His family had to pay Rs 10 lakh in cash and a few post-dated cheques of an unspecified amount after the girl’s family took the matter to the police.
The groom, from Gurgaon’s posh HUDA Sector 14, refused to marry the girl moments before the shubh mahoorat, citing “compatibility problems” on Friday evening.
When his relatives and the bride’s family raised a hue and cry, he went on to offer a “one-month contract marriage” to the girl. This baffled the girl who, too, refused to marry him.
The bride’s family then took the matter to the police and at the police station, it was decided that the groom must compensate the girl. He was asked to bear the entire marriage expense borne by the bride’s family.
Both the groom and the bride are software engineers, working for Pune-based companies. They were engaged on November 4 and their marriage was slated for December 9.
Rohit Nagpal, the groom, started dating her on weekends but found her to be “incompatible”, J.M. Nagpal, his father said.
“She is a nice and intelligent girl but somehow I got a feeling that I was not made for her. I was under acute pressure from my parents as well as from bride side as the date of marriage was nearing in. On the very day of the marriage I delivered my decision that I would not marry her. It was better to face it now than regret for rest of my life,” said Rohit.
On the day of marriage, the bride’s family was awaiting the baraat at a banquet hall when they received a call saying that Rohit had a change of mind. The shubh mahoorat was due at 8.30 p.m. Shocked, the bride’s family and relatives promptly left for the groom’s house in sector 14, where there were heated arguments.
Elderly people from the girl’s family tried to convince the boy. It was then that they got another shock. Rohit was willing to marry the girl only for a month and also wanted a contract to this effect.
“Rohit said he would marry the girl but on a month’s contract during which he would see whether or not he would be able to continue with her,” said a relative of the girl. Soon the girl’s family approached the police and lodged a complaint. Police officials steered the two families to a settlement, whereby the groom’s family was asked to bear the entire expenses of the marriages.
Read the full article at : Groom pays for snapping wedlock : HindustanTimes.com
Sanjeev K. Ahuja, December 10, 2005
Gurgaon : A man got it nice and proper for backing out of his marriage at the eleventh hour. His family had to pay Rs 10 lakh in cash and a few post-dated cheques of an unspecified amount after the girl’s family took the matter to the police.
The groom, from Gurgaon’s posh HUDA Sector 14, refused to marry the girl moments before the shubh mahoorat, citing “compatibility problems” on Friday evening.
When his relatives and the bride’s family raised a hue and cry, he went on to offer a “one-month contract marriage” to the girl. This baffled the girl who, too, refused to marry him.
The bride’s family then took the matter to the police and at the police station, it was decided that the groom must compensate the girl. He was asked to bear the entire marriage expense borne by the bride’s family.
Both the groom and the bride are software engineers, working for Pune-based companies. They were engaged on November 4 and their marriage was slated for December 9.
Rohit Nagpal, the groom, started dating her on weekends but found her to be “incompatible”, J.M. Nagpal, his father said.
“She is a nice and intelligent girl but somehow I got a feeling that I was not made for her. I was under acute pressure from my parents as well as from bride side as the date of marriage was nearing in. On the very day of the marriage I delivered my decision that I would not marry her. It was better to face it now than regret for rest of my life,” said Rohit.
On the day of marriage, the bride’s family was awaiting the baraat at a banquet hall when they received a call saying that Rohit had a change of mind. The shubh mahoorat was due at 8.30 p.m. Shocked, the bride’s family and relatives promptly left for the groom’s house in sector 14, where there were heated arguments.
Elderly people from the girl’s family tried to convince the boy. It was then that they got another shock. Rohit was willing to marry the girl only for a month and also wanted a contract to this effect.
“Rohit said he would marry the girl but on a month’s contract during which he would see whether or not he would be able to continue with her,” said a relative of the girl. Soon the girl’s family approached the police and lodged a complaint. Police officials steered the two families to a settlement, whereby the groom’s family was asked to bear the entire expenses of the marriages.
Read the full article at : Groom pays for snapping wedlock : HindustanTimes.com
Sonia visits quake victims in J&K - NDTV.com - News on Sonia visits quake victims in J&K
Sonia visits quake victims in J&K
NDTV Correspondent, Saturday, December 10, 2005
(Jammu) : Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited Teethwal on the Line of Control on her second day in the earthquake-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
She inspected the relief and rehabilitation work in the region.
Very few national leaders have been so close to the LoC. In fact, all that separated Sonia Gandhi and the people from PoK, was the Kishanganga river.
During her visit to the quake-hit areas in Uri on Friday, Sonia said she was satisfied with the relief work.
"A lot of work has been done, but there is still some work that remains. We must make sure that every individual receives relief. But on the whole I think work has been carried out well," she said.
Boosting students' morale
While most of the people were clamouring for relief, for the children of Teethwal, Sonia Gandhi's visit to their school was a major morale booster.
"It was really good that Sonia Gandhi visited our school. We had never thought that she would come to our school," said a student.
It was the Congress President's second visit to earthquake-hit areas in the state.
Sonia, who spent her birthday on Friday among the quake victims, said she was happy to celebrate her big day in this far more worthy manner.
"Well I thought it would be more worth one and time spending in better way. I came here to listen to the griviences of people," she said.
Keeping the promise
She also said that she had made a promise to come back and review the relief work and that she had kept her promise.
"I had come here on October 9, a day after the earthquake, and I promised that I would come back to inspect the relief work. I made sure that I fulfill the promise before the year-end,'' she added.
It was not only the people of Teethwal who were waiting for Sonia Gandhi, but people across the LoC in PoK also came out to watch her.
Hopefully, the visit will translate into a significant improvement in the distribution of relief.
Read the full article at : Sonia visits quake victims in J&K - NDTV.com - News on Sonia visits quake victims in J&K
NDTV Correspondent, Saturday, December 10, 2005
(Jammu) : Congress president Sonia Gandhi visited Teethwal on the Line of Control on her second day in the earthquake-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
She inspected the relief and rehabilitation work in the region.
Very few national leaders have been so close to the LoC. In fact, all that separated Sonia Gandhi and the people from PoK, was the Kishanganga river.
During her visit to the quake-hit areas in Uri on Friday, Sonia said she was satisfied with the relief work.
"A lot of work has been done, but there is still some work that remains. We must make sure that every individual receives relief. But on the whole I think work has been carried out well," she said.
Boosting students' morale
While most of the people were clamouring for relief, for the children of Teethwal, Sonia Gandhi's visit to their school was a major morale booster.
"It was really good that Sonia Gandhi visited our school. We had never thought that she would come to our school," said a student.
It was the Congress President's second visit to earthquake-hit areas in the state.
Sonia, who spent her birthday on Friday among the quake victims, said she was happy to celebrate her big day in this far more worthy manner.
"Well I thought it would be more worth one and time spending in better way. I came here to listen to the griviences of people," she said.
Keeping the promise
She also said that she had made a promise to come back and review the relief work and that she had kept her promise.
"I had come here on October 9, a day after the earthquake, and I promised that I would come back to inspect the relief work. I made sure that I fulfill the promise before the year-end,'' she added.
It was not only the people of Teethwal who were waiting for Sonia Gandhi, but people across the LoC in PoK also came out to watch her.
Hopefully, the visit will translate into a significant improvement in the distribution of relief.
Read the full article at : Sonia visits quake victims in J&K - NDTV.com - News on Sonia visits quake victims in J&K
Cyclone set to hit TN; PM cancels visit
Cyclone set to hit TN; PM cancels visit
December 9, 2005
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has deferred a visit he had planned on Saturday of the flood-affected areas in Tamil Nadu in view of a cyclone warning.
The prime minister's media advisor Sanjaya Baru said that Singh had expressed a desire to visit the flood-affected parts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, but due to the cyclone warning, he has been advised not to undertake the journey.
In Chennai, precautionary measures are under way and the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu are gearing up with the warning Cyclone Fanoos is likely to cross between Nagapattinam and Chennai by noon tomorrow.
Fanoos, located just 300-km east southeast of Nagapattinam, is likely to intensify and move in west northwesterly direction and cross the north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai tomorrow around noon, Area Cyclone Warning Centre director S R Ramanan, told reporters here.
Under the influence of the system, the cyclone and widespread rains with isolated heavy downpour was likely to commence along Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast from morning, they said.
Strong winds with speeds between 60 and 70 kmph were likely during this period.
As the system comes closer, the condition of the sea would be "rough to high" and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, they added.
In view of the impending threat, the PM has also been advised that local authorities might be busy in dealing with the relief work and that he should postpone his visit to the state.
"The prime minister, therefore, decided that he will visit the state after his return from Kuala Lumpur", Baru added.
Read the full article at : Cyclone set to hit TN; PM cancels visit
December 9, 2005
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has deferred a visit he had planned on Saturday of the flood-affected areas in Tamil Nadu in view of a cyclone warning.
The prime minister's media advisor Sanjaya Baru said that Singh had expressed a desire to visit the flood-affected parts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, but due to the cyclone warning, he has been advised not to undertake the journey.
In Chennai, precautionary measures are under way and the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu are gearing up with the warning Cyclone Fanoos is likely to cross between Nagapattinam and Chennai by noon tomorrow.
Fanoos, located just 300-km east southeast of Nagapattinam, is likely to intensify and move in west northwesterly direction and cross the north Tamil Nadu coast between Nagapattinam and Chennai tomorrow around noon, Area Cyclone Warning Centre director S R Ramanan, told reporters here.
Under the influence of the system, the cyclone and widespread rains with isolated heavy downpour was likely to commence along Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coast from morning, they said.
Strong winds with speeds between 60 and 70 kmph were likely during this period.
As the system comes closer, the condition of the sea would be "rough to high" and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea, they added.
In view of the impending threat, the PM has also been advised that local authorities might be busy in dealing with the relief work and that he should postpone his visit to the state.
"The prime minister, therefore, decided that he will visit the state after his return from Kuala Lumpur", Baru added.
Read the full article at : Cyclone set to hit TN; PM cancels visit
No method to media madness : HindustanTimes.com
No method to media madness
V Gangadhar, December 10, 2005
At Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, there is now a new daily prayer for doctors, nurses and general staff: "O, Lord God, send us dengue cases,/ Malaria, hepatitis, encephalitis and the rest,/But God, please spare us from reporters,/Photographers and Amar Singhs."
As India's number one showman Amitabh Bachchan lay ill at hospital, the Indian media, both print and TV, provided us with examples of 'new journalism' made up of exaggeration, sensationalism and plain silliness. About half-a-dozen OB vans belonging to various TV channels were parked near the hospital; reporters, mostly young and brash, were determined to tell the world what they thought of Bachchan's illness. In the process they proved a nuisance to other patients and genuine visitors to the hospital.
One man's illness was turned into a soap opera with tears, rage, and a bit of attempted deceit for that elusive scoop. One of the reporters from Aaj Tak tried to enter the hospital posing as a doctor though this was denied by the channel's editor who pointed out that his reporter did not wear a gown and was without any hidden camera or electronic equipment.
Facts were hard to come by, so imagination took over. It was colitis the first day, though Khalid Mohammad of DNA, a close family friend of the Bachchans came out with some facts. The mob fell on anyone who had visited the hospital's 11th floor where the Bachchan family was staying and bombarded them with questions and quoted them as though they were medical experts. When a movie director came down after meeting the family, reporters from Headlines Today peppered him with questions on how the Hindi film industry would manage without Bachchan because more than Rs 500 crores were invested in him. This was a recurring theme with the media, As the star underwent surgery the media could not decide which angle was more important: the medical details or the AB financial deals.
Star News led the race in breathless frivolity devoting nearly 20 hours of its daily news to the Bachchan health saga. Its breaking news included such gems like 'Abhi Amitabh ko stretcher mein laya gaya', 'Amitabh aaj juice piya tha' (I don't know why they missed out whether he drank orange, apple or pineapple juice!). Detailed references were made to the earlier accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982 and the treatment at Breach Candy. One channel read out excerpts from Bachchan Senior's autobiography which blamed the treatment given to his son after the first accident.
The print media was no better. The Times of India carried in detail views on the lookalikes of Amitabh and Sachin Tendulkar on what they thought of the Shahenshah's illness. The Sachin lookalike was asked, "Do you want Amitabh to get well?" which made no sense at all. Amidst all this, Amar Singh often spoke as though Amitabh Bachchan was God while son Abhishek was kept busy trying to shoo away reporters from anywhere near the 11th floor.
The coverage had the message that nothing else was happening in the country. But this was not so. Young viewers polled by Mid-Day agreed that the Volcker committee report was more important than the Amitabah soap opera. The media ignored the fact that one of the most famous music directors of Bollywood, OP Nayyar, was also admitted to the Lilavati hospital just before the Amitabh illness. The Uma Bharti revolt and the final One-Dayer between India and South Africa were also drowned in the flood of the Bachchan barrage. The Hindi channels were the worst in trivialising the Lilavati episode while NDTV 24x7 was the most dignified and to the point. Sreenivasan Jain on this channel was spot on with his matter-of-fact comments.
News is Big Business...
Trying to share the media limelight was the intriguing Volcker committee report. While most of the media wanted the head of former External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, The Hindu was restrained in its write-ups while pointing out that the report details were vague and that Volcker had left many questions unanswered. But the media always wants the blood of politicians who cannot hit back. Editor Vinod Mehta came out strongly against the media silence on the alleged involvement of nearly 130 Indian commercial firms (including the Tatas and the Ambanis) in Oil for Food deals with Iraq.
This media-Big Business nexus is now in the open. I remember the time when Dr Manmohan Singh's Cabinet was announced late one night. The NDTV announcer after reading out the name of a minister immediately asked an industrialist or businessman what he thought of the appointment. It was as though Big Business had to approve of the choices of the Prime Minister. These days the news readers' eyes light up whenever they mention the rising Sensex. How else can the channels have the indulgence of 10 minutes news and 20 minutes of breaks? There is this story going around about TV news readers finding it difficult to get life partners because of the feeling that at crucial stages of consummating the wedding they may burst out, "Wait, we have to take a break". Habits die hard, you know!
As is trivia...
A media watcher for over 30 years, I am distressed at the lack of news sense and the focus on trivia. Nothing is serious, we are told. Watching We the People show, I am often shocked that even while discussing serious issues like rape, child molestation and caste wars, the discussion often degenerates into a club-like atmosphere with laughter and giggles. What kind of conclusions can one draw from this mood of jollity?
I worked in an era when everyone had to be referred to as 'Mr' particularly in big newspapers. There are rotten eggs in politics but that did not mean you can refer to them by their first names. But on TV this trend is catching on. During the first few days of the Volcker revelations, sleepy-voiced Amitabh of NDTV kept on referring to 77-year-old Natwar Singh as 'Natwar' as though they were school chums. Today's media is also highly conscious of colour. Television anchors often sneer at Indian politicians but are all sweetness, courtesy and reasonableness while interviewing, say, Condoleeza Rice, one of the chief architects of the US invasion of Iraq. One programme had the anchor and a group of Indian youngsters who had nothing but praise for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and never once mentioned his lying to the British people, doctoring of British intelligence reports over Iraq and his reputation as a poodle of George Bush.
Media scream of 2005: Sania Mirza can change the world! Hasn't she already edited The Times of India?
Read the full article at : No method to media madness : HindustanTimes.com
V Gangadhar, December 10, 2005
At Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital, there is now a new daily prayer for doctors, nurses and general staff: "O, Lord God, send us dengue cases,/ Malaria, hepatitis, encephalitis and the rest,/But God, please spare us from reporters,/Photographers and Amar Singhs."
As India's number one showman Amitabh Bachchan lay ill at hospital, the Indian media, both print and TV, provided us with examples of 'new journalism' made up of exaggeration, sensationalism and plain silliness. About half-a-dozen OB vans belonging to various TV channels were parked near the hospital; reporters, mostly young and brash, were determined to tell the world what they thought of Bachchan's illness. In the process they proved a nuisance to other patients and genuine visitors to the hospital.
One man's illness was turned into a soap opera with tears, rage, and a bit of attempted deceit for that elusive scoop. One of the reporters from Aaj Tak tried to enter the hospital posing as a doctor though this was denied by the channel's editor who pointed out that his reporter did not wear a gown and was without any hidden camera or electronic equipment.
Facts were hard to come by, so imagination took over. It was colitis the first day, though Khalid Mohammad of DNA, a close family friend of the Bachchans came out with some facts. The mob fell on anyone who had visited the hospital's 11th floor where the Bachchan family was staying and bombarded them with questions and quoted them as though they were medical experts. When a movie director came down after meeting the family, reporters from Headlines Today peppered him with questions on how the Hindi film industry would manage without Bachchan because more than Rs 500 crores were invested in him. This was a recurring theme with the media, As the star underwent surgery the media could not decide which angle was more important: the medical details or the AB financial deals.
Star News led the race in breathless frivolity devoting nearly 20 hours of its daily news to the Bachchan health saga. Its breaking news included such gems like 'Abhi Amitabh ko stretcher mein laya gaya', 'Amitabh aaj juice piya tha' (I don't know why they missed out whether he drank orange, apple or pineapple juice!). Detailed references were made to the earlier accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982 and the treatment at Breach Candy. One channel read out excerpts from Bachchan Senior's autobiography which blamed the treatment given to his son after the first accident.
The print media was no better. The Times of India carried in detail views on the lookalikes of Amitabh and Sachin Tendulkar on what they thought of the Shahenshah's illness. The Sachin lookalike was asked, "Do you want Amitabh to get well?" which made no sense at all. Amidst all this, Amar Singh often spoke as though Amitabh Bachchan was God while son Abhishek was kept busy trying to shoo away reporters from anywhere near the 11th floor.
The coverage had the message that nothing else was happening in the country. But this was not so. Young viewers polled by Mid-Day agreed that the Volcker committee report was more important than the Amitabah soap opera. The media ignored the fact that one of the most famous music directors of Bollywood, OP Nayyar, was also admitted to the Lilavati hospital just before the Amitabh illness. The Uma Bharti revolt and the final One-Dayer between India and South Africa were also drowned in the flood of the Bachchan barrage. The Hindi channels were the worst in trivialising the Lilavati episode while NDTV 24x7 was the most dignified and to the point. Sreenivasan Jain on this channel was spot on with his matter-of-fact comments.
News is Big Business...
Trying to share the media limelight was the intriguing Volcker committee report. While most of the media wanted the head of former External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, The Hindu was restrained in its write-ups while pointing out that the report details were vague and that Volcker had left many questions unanswered. But the media always wants the blood of politicians who cannot hit back. Editor Vinod Mehta came out strongly against the media silence on the alleged involvement of nearly 130 Indian commercial firms (including the Tatas and the Ambanis) in Oil for Food deals with Iraq.
This media-Big Business nexus is now in the open. I remember the time when Dr Manmohan Singh's Cabinet was announced late one night. The NDTV announcer after reading out the name of a minister immediately asked an industrialist or businessman what he thought of the appointment. It was as though Big Business had to approve of the choices of the Prime Minister. These days the news readers' eyes light up whenever they mention the rising Sensex. How else can the channels have the indulgence of 10 minutes news and 20 minutes of breaks? There is this story going around about TV news readers finding it difficult to get life partners because of the feeling that at crucial stages of consummating the wedding they may burst out, "Wait, we have to take a break". Habits die hard, you know!
As is trivia...
A media watcher for over 30 years, I am distressed at the lack of news sense and the focus on trivia. Nothing is serious, we are told. Watching We the People show, I am often shocked that even while discussing serious issues like rape, child molestation and caste wars, the discussion often degenerates into a club-like atmosphere with laughter and giggles. What kind of conclusions can one draw from this mood of jollity?
I worked in an era when everyone had to be referred to as 'Mr' particularly in big newspapers. There are rotten eggs in politics but that did not mean you can refer to them by their first names. But on TV this trend is catching on. During the first few days of the Volcker revelations, sleepy-voiced Amitabh of NDTV kept on referring to 77-year-old Natwar Singh as 'Natwar' as though they were school chums. Today's media is also highly conscious of colour. Television anchors often sneer at Indian politicians but are all sweetness, courtesy and reasonableness while interviewing, say, Condoleeza Rice, one of the chief architects of the US invasion of Iraq. One programme had the anchor and a group of Indian youngsters who had nothing but praise for British Prime Minister Tony Blair and never once mentioned his lying to the British people, doctoring of British intelligence reports over Iraq and his reputation as a poodle of George Bush.
Media scream of 2005: Sania Mirza can change the world! Hasn't she already edited The Times of India?
Read the full article at : No method to media madness : HindustanTimes.com
Train services resume in Mumbai
Train services resume in Mumbai
Prasad Kathe, Saturday, December 10, 2005
(Mumbai): Train services resumed in Mumbai after violent protests broke out between police and local train commuters.
Angry demonstrators, demanding better service to their area, stopped all trains between Virar and Borivili and threw stones at the police.
They had to be dispersed by tear gas, and at least 12 people including police personnel, were injured in the lathicharge that followed.
"They were making several unreasonable demands. We tried calming them down but when they started damaging vehicles and injuring people, we started using tear gas and lathicharge," said Suresh Khopade, Railway Police Commissioner.
The Western Railway is the lifeline of Mumbai's transport network and from Virar alone, more than 10 lakh passengers use the local train daily to come into Mumbai for work.
Pacifying commuters
Now these people are clamouring for more tracks on the route, more frequent trains and a special shuttle between Andheri and Virar.
"The work on the track has been going on way too long, it's high time they wrapped up," said a local.
The rail roko and violence that followed brought all train traffic on this route to a standstill.
And now the Western Railway is trying to bring back its train servives to normal.
It tried to convince angry commuters that all their demands will be met and that work has constantly been going on to upgrade the system, but could not keep up with the rapid growth in commuter population.
Read the full article at : Train services resume in Mumbai
Prasad Kathe, Saturday, December 10, 2005
(Mumbai): Train services resumed in Mumbai after violent protests broke out between police and local train commuters.
Angry demonstrators, demanding better service to their area, stopped all trains between Virar and Borivili and threw stones at the police.
They had to be dispersed by tear gas, and at least 12 people including police personnel, were injured in the lathicharge that followed.
"They were making several unreasonable demands. We tried calming them down but when they started damaging vehicles and injuring people, we started using tear gas and lathicharge," said Suresh Khopade, Railway Police Commissioner.
The Western Railway is the lifeline of Mumbai's transport network and from Virar alone, more than 10 lakh passengers use the local train daily to come into Mumbai for work.
Pacifying commuters
Now these people are clamouring for more tracks on the route, more frequent trains and a special shuttle between Andheri and Virar.
"The work on the track has been going on way too long, it's high time they wrapped up," said a local.
The rail roko and violence that followed brought all train traffic on this route to a standstill.
And now the Western Railway is trying to bring back its train servives to normal.
It tried to convince angry commuters that all their demands will be met and that work has constantly been going on to upgrade the system, but could not keep up with the rapid growth in commuter population.
Read the full article at : Train services resume in Mumbai
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Aamir Khan sings again - Newindpress.com
Aamir Khan sings again
IANS, Saturday December 3 2005 14:16 IST
MUMBAI: Remember Aamir Khan's hit number "Aati kya khandala" in Vikram Bhatt's "Ghulam"? Seven years later he's back at it with another full-fledged song in Rakeysh Mehra's "Rang De Basanti".
Aamir's singing was so good in "Ghulam" that even legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar had commented on how tunefully Aamir sang the Jatin-Lalit number.
The number in "Rang De Basanti", titled "Lalkaar", is a contemporary inspirational number written by Prasoon Joshi and composed by A.R. Rahman who has been closely associated with Aamir since the "Lagaan" days.
Talking about the song Mehra says: "Both Aamir and Rahman have been so closely associated with 'Rang De Basanti' from the start they know every heartbeat and rhythm in the plot. None of the 10 songs in 'Rang De Basanti' are items. They're all part of the narrative.
"Aamir's song comes at a critical juncture in the narrative. When we arrived at this song there was no hesitation - Aamir was the first and only choice. Rahman and I immediately thought of him. Aamir was the first and last choice for the 'Lalkaar' track. And it's turned out so beautifully."
Adds Rakeysh: "What makes the music of 'Rang De Basanti' as special as the music in my 'Aks' is that the 10 songs didn't just happen in the studio. They grew out of the narrative. We'd scrap tunes, find new ones, create and re-create the songs until they gelled completely with the situations. And yes, Aamir was a part of the film's musical journey."
Read the full article at : Aamir Khan sings again - Newindpress.com
IANS, Saturday December 3 2005 14:16 IST
MUMBAI: Remember Aamir Khan's hit number "Aati kya khandala" in Vikram Bhatt's "Ghulam"? Seven years later he's back at it with another full-fledged song in Rakeysh Mehra's "Rang De Basanti".
Aamir's singing was so good in "Ghulam" that even legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar had commented on how tunefully Aamir sang the Jatin-Lalit number.
The number in "Rang De Basanti", titled "Lalkaar", is a contemporary inspirational number written by Prasoon Joshi and composed by A.R. Rahman who has been closely associated with Aamir since the "Lagaan" days.
Talking about the song Mehra says: "Both Aamir and Rahman have been so closely associated with 'Rang De Basanti' from the start they know every heartbeat and rhythm in the plot. None of the 10 songs in 'Rang De Basanti' are items. They're all part of the narrative.
"Aamir's song comes at a critical juncture in the narrative. When we arrived at this song there was no hesitation - Aamir was the first and only choice. Rahman and I immediately thought of him. Aamir was the first and last choice for the 'Lalkaar' track. And it's turned out so beautifully."
Adds Rakeysh: "What makes the music of 'Rang De Basanti' as special as the music in my 'Aks' is that the 10 songs didn't just happen in the studio. They grew out of the narrative. We'd scrap tunes, find new ones, create and re-create the songs until they gelled completely with the situations. And yes, Aamir was a part of the film's musical journey."
Read the full article at : Aamir Khan sings again - Newindpress.com
Entertainment: People Article | Reuters.com
Brad Pitt moves to adopt Jolie children: reports
Reuters, Sat Dec 3, 2005 4:13 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Brad Pitt has filed legal papers in Los Angeles to adopt the children of actress Angelina Jolie, news media reported on Friday, adding that this might be a step leading to the couple's marrying.
Life & Style magazine said Pitt, 41, has filed to become the legal adopted father of Jolie's two children, Maddox, 4, and Zahara, 10 months. They will go by the last name of Jolie-Pitt when the legal steps are completed, the magazine said, quoting a representative for Pitt.
Jolie, 30, adopted Maddox from Cambodia and Zahara from Ethiopia.
"The ink isn't even dry on the adoption papers, and Brad is literally jumping for joy," the magazine quoted an unnamed "insider" as saying. "He's calling friends and telling them the great news."
Meanwhile, In Touch magazine reported that the couple is expected to marry soon and have already drawn up a prenuptial agreement, primarily to benefit the two children.
Pitt's divorce from actress Jennifer Aniston, 36, was completed in October after 4 1/2 years of marriage. Jolie will also change her last name to Jolie-Pitt after the marriage, the magazine said.
Pitt and Jolie met on the set of their film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" last year and denied being anything more than friends though tabloid newspapers insisted that they were romantically involved.
Representatives for Pitt and Jolie were not immediately available for comment.
Read the full article at : Entertainment: People Article | Reuters.com
Reuters, Sat Dec 3, 2005 4:13 AM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Brad Pitt has filed legal papers in Los Angeles to adopt the children of actress Angelina Jolie, news media reported on Friday, adding that this might be a step leading to the couple's marrying.
Life & Style magazine said Pitt, 41, has filed to become the legal adopted father of Jolie's two children, Maddox, 4, and Zahara, 10 months. They will go by the last name of Jolie-Pitt when the legal steps are completed, the magazine said, quoting a representative for Pitt.
Jolie, 30, adopted Maddox from Cambodia and Zahara from Ethiopia.
"The ink isn't even dry on the adoption papers, and Brad is literally jumping for joy," the magazine quoted an unnamed "insider" as saying. "He's calling friends and telling them the great news."
Meanwhile, In Touch magazine reported that the couple is expected to marry soon and have already drawn up a prenuptial agreement, primarily to benefit the two children.
Pitt's divorce from actress Jennifer Aniston, 36, was completed in October after 4 1/2 years of marriage. Jolie will also change her last name to Jolie-Pitt after the marriage, the magazine said.
Pitt and Jolie met on the set of their film "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" last year and denied being anything more than friends though tabloid newspapers insisted that they were romantically involved.
Representatives for Pitt and Jolie were not immediately available for comment.
Read the full article at : Entertainment: People Article | Reuters.com
outlookindia.com | wired
Salem gets police custody till Dec 17
MUMBAI, DEC 2, 2005 (PTI)
A designated TADA court today extended the police custody of extradited gangster Abu Salem till December 17, as the prosecution claimed that "new names have come to light" which may have a bearing in 1995 murder case of real estate developer Pradeep Jain.
Salem was first remanded to police custody in the Jain murder case on November 24 after spending 12 days in CBI custody.
Seeking extension of remand, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the court that during Salem's interrogation the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Mumbai police have come across certain new names in connection with Salem's extortion racket which may have a bearing in the Pradeep Jain murder case.
"New names have been revealed," Nikam said, adding that there would be arrests soon.
Apart from progress in probe of Pradeep Jain case, Nikam stated, the ATS has recorded statements -- before Magistrate -- of two victims of Salem's extortion racket.
"Salem used to call people from two phone numbers in Dubai to make extortion demands. We have now recorded statements of two new persons, who got calls from these numbers, went to Dubai to meet Salem and paid up (ransom)," Nikam said.
Talking about need for further remand, Nikam argued that police have to probe how the "supari" amount in Pradeep Jain murder case was routed and how much money changed hands.
"It is also to be found out who were the participants in the conspiracy, apart from seizing of some material evidence and certain documents," Nikam said.
Prosecutor Nikam said, "sophisticated" weapons were used in Jain's murder, and the police want to find out how they got into the hands of the killers. Without elaborating, Nikam asserted, "there have been some sensitive revelations." Opposing the extension of police custody, defence counsel Ashok Sarogi alleged that Salem was being tortured in custody.
"If it is not true, then why prosecution is opposing our demand that defence lawyers be allowed to be present during the interrogation?" he asked.
Sarogi also reiterated the defence team's earlier allegation that Sunil Jain, brother of Pradip Jain was allowed to meet and put questions to Salem during the interrogation.
When judge P V Bavkar asked Salem who were interrogating him (judge had earlier ordered that only two officers were to question him), he did not name Sunil Jain.
But when Advocate Sarogi mentioned Sunil Jain having confronted Salem in custody, the latter endorsed it.
Salem also alleged that despite the Judge's earlier direction he was being grilled by several officers. "They ask me about things other than the Jain case," he complained. But he didn't say anything about alleged torture.
Meanwhile, the court also allowed any one of the lawyers -- including Harjyot Singh who flew in from London last night -- to meet Salem everyday, notwithstanding prosecution's objection.
Opposing the ATS petition, Salem's lawyer O A Siddiqui said the petition cannot be admitted since the TADA court's order can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The public prosecutor pointed out that November 29 order of TADA court was interlocutory and could be challenged under Section 19 of TADA Act.
Read the full article at : outlookindia.com | wired
MUMBAI, DEC 2, 2005 (PTI)
A designated TADA court today extended the police custody of extradited gangster Abu Salem till December 17, as the prosecution claimed that "new names have come to light" which may have a bearing in 1995 murder case of real estate developer Pradeep Jain.
Salem was first remanded to police custody in the Jain murder case on November 24 after spending 12 days in CBI custody.
Seeking extension of remand, special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told the court that during Salem's interrogation the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Mumbai police have come across certain new names in connection with Salem's extortion racket which may have a bearing in the Pradeep Jain murder case.
"New names have been revealed," Nikam said, adding that there would be arrests soon.
Apart from progress in probe of Pradeep Jain case, Nikam stated, the ATS has recorded statements -- before Magistrate -- of two victims of Salem's extortion racket.
"Salem used to call people from two phone numbers in Dubai to make extortion demands. We have now recorded statements of two new persons, who got calls from these numbers, went to Dubai to meet Salem and paid up (ransom)," Nikam said.
Talking about need for further remand, Nikam argued that police have to probe how the "supari" amount in Pradeep Jain murder case was routed and how much money changed hands.
"It is also to be found out who were the participants in the conspiracy, apart from seizing of some material evidence and certain documents," Nikam said.
Prosecutor Nikam said, "sophisticated" weapons were used in Jain's murder, and the police want to find out how they got into the hands of the killers. Without elaborating, Nikam asserted, "there have been some sensitive revelations." Opposing the extension of police custody, defence counsel Ashok Sarogi alleged that Salem was being tortured in custody.
"If it is not true, then why prosecution is opposing our demand that defence lawyers be allowed to be present during the interrogation?" he asked.
Sarogi also reiterated the defence team's earlier allegation that Sunil Jain, brother of Pradip Jain was allowed to meet and put questions to Salem during the interrogation.
When judge P V Bavkar asked Salem who were interrogating him (judge had earlier ordered that only two officers were to question him), he did not name Sunil Jain.
But when Advocate Sarogi mentioned Sunil Jain having confronted Salem in custody, the latter endorsed it.
Salem also alleged that despite the Judge's earlier direction he was being grilled by several officers. "They ask me about things other than the Jain case," he complained. But he didn't say anything about alleged torture.
Meanwhile, the court also allowed any one of the lawyers -- including Harjyot Singh who flew in from London last night -- to meet Salem everyday, notwithstanding prosecution's objection.
Opposing the ATS petition, Salem's lawyer O A Siddiqui said the petition cannot be admitted since the TADA court's order can only be challenged in the Supreme Court. The public prosecutor pointed out that November 29 order of TADA court was interlocutory and could be challenged under Section 19 of TADA Act.
Read the full article at : outlookindia.com | wired
Chennai flooded from weekend rains - NDTV.com - News on Chennai flooded from weekend rains
Chennai flooded from weekend rains
NDTV Correspondent, Saturday, December 3, 2005
Chennai : Parts of Chennai remain flooded from heavy showers on Friday. Navy divers have been called in to help with rescue work.
Lawyer Sudha Ramalingam, a victim blamed rising road levels as one of the reasons for rainwater sweeping into homes.
"Every time they [authorities] relay the street, they do not keep to the level. The street [levels] goes up and the houses go down. Except for two houses all the old houses are in knee-deep water, she said of the flooding.
The city received 31 cms of rainfall and the sky remains overcast. The Met Department has predicted another night of showers accompanied by thunder.
But reports also said the depression over Bay of Bengal has weakened.
Earlier reports spoke of possible heavy rains in southern Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The sea is expected to be rough and wind speed is likely to touch 70 km an hour.
Read the full article at : Chennai flooded from weekend rains - NDTV.com - News on Chennai flooded from weekend rains
NDTV Correspondent, Saturday, December 3, 2005
Chennai : Parts of Chennai remain flooded from heavy showers on Friday. Navy divers have been called in to help with rescue work.
Lawyer Sudha Ramalingam, a victim blamed rising road levels as one of the reasons for rainwater sweeping into homes.
"Every time they [authorities] relay the street, they do not keep to the level. The street [levels] goes up and the houses go down. Except for two houses all the old houses are in knee-deep water, she said of the flooding.
The city received 31 cms of rainfall and the sky remains overcast. The Met Department has predicted another night of showers accompanied by thunder.
But reports also said the depression over Bay of Bengal has weakened.
Earlier reports spoke of possible heavy rains in southern Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The sea is expected to be rough and wind speed is likely to touch 70 km an hour.
Read the full article at : Chennai flooded from weekend rains - NDTV.com - News on Chennai flooded from weekend rains
Amitabh's condition steadily improving - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition
Amitabh's condition steadily improving
Mumbai, PTI: December 3, 2005
The condition of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who underwent a surgery for an intestinal problem, is steadily improving but it would take at least a week before he can be discharged from hospital.
"There has been a steady improvement in his condition and he continues to remain stable," sources at Lilavati Hospital here said today.
It would be around a week before Amitabh was discharged, they said adding he was talking to family members and visitors.
He was on intravenous fluids, supplemented with antibiotics and vitamins, the sources said.
After a successful operation performed for perforated diverticulitis of the small intestine on the 63-year-old actor on November 30, his physical parameters continue to remain normal, suggesting that the "healing process of the wound caused by perforation is also taking up smoothly," they said.
The hospital, meanwhile, continued to witness a steady stream of well-wishers and Bollywood stars.
A large number of fans has gathered outside the hospital gates.
Read the full article at : Amitabh's condition steadily improving - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition
Mumbai, PTI: December 3, 2005
The condition of megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who underwent a surgery for an intestinal problem, is steadily improving but it would take at least a week before he can be discharged from hospital.
"There has been a steady improvement in his condition and he continues to remain stable," sources at Lilavati Hospital here said today.
It would be around a week before Amitabh was discharged, they said adding he was talking to family members and visitors.
He was on intravenous fluids, supplemented with antibiotics and vitamins, the sources said.
After a successful operation performed for perforated diverticulitis of the small intestine on the 63-year-old actor on November 30, his physical parameters continue to remain normal, suggesting that the "healing process of the wound caused by perforation is also taking up smoothly," they said.
The hospital, meanwhile, continued to witness a steady stream of well-wishers and Bollywood stars.
A large number of fans has gathered outside the hospital gates.
Read the full article at : Amitabh's condition steadily improving - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition
Friday, December 02, 2005
Rumour Mills Work Overtime- The Times of India
Rumour Mills Work Overtime
Saturday, December 03, 2005 02:12:24 am, TIMES NEWS NETWORK
MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan's fifth day in hospital had all the highs and lows of a Bollywood blockbuster — rumours of ill-health and news of recovery kept fans and media guessing.
The hospital management released a short statement about Bachchan recovering in the ICU, but Mumbai's rumours mills seemed to be working overtime throughout the day with the news of "profuse internal bleeding" and the "family's decision to shift him to Breach Candy Hospital".
The hospital management said that a decision to move Bachchan to a private room will be taken on Saturday morning.
Bachchan was operated on Wednesday evening for perforation in his intestine.
Monday will be a critical day as he will be started on liquid diet, said doctors. "He is much better," said a Bollywood visitor on his way out.
Family friends and sources claimed that Bachchan was seen sitting on a chair, looking out of the window. "His vital parameters are fine, his pulse rate is normal, he is stable. Things are going well," said a hospital source.
But SMSes on mobile phone read that Bachchan was leaving the hospital for another due to internal bleeding. "A team from the other hospital is already there," insisted another.
In fact, the hospital management took cognisance of this and its statement noted that "Rumours of him being treated by outside doctors are false".
According to sources, Farokh Udwadia who had taken care of Bachchan during his earlier surgery at Breach Candy Hospital had dropped by to meet him and his family.
"This could have led to the rumours even though Udwadia was here purely for social reasons rather than medical," said a hospital source.
Amar Singh, Samajwadi Party leader who is close to the Bachchan family, also denied the rumours about the Big B being shifted out of Lilavati.
Addressing reporters in the morning, he said, "We are very happy with Lilavati and have no intentions of shifting Mr Bachchan to Breach Candy."
The stream of visitors and fans continued for the fifth day. Actor-MP Dharmendra told reporters in an emotional tone, "My elder brother has always emerged victorious from all his crisis.
This time, too, he will." Abhishek Bachchan's close friends Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl visited the hospital. Lending credence to Bachchan's recovery, wife Jaya left the hospital for the first time since his admission to hospital.
Manoj Kumar, Aruna Irani, Keshu Ramsay, Gauri Khan, Suniel Shetty, Bipasha Basu, Danny Denzongpa, Romesh Sharma, Rajkumar Santoshi were some of the other visitors.
Read the full article at : Rumour Mills Work Overtime- The Times of India
Saturday, December 03, 2005 02:12:24 am, TIMES NEWS NETWORK
MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan's fifth day in hospital had all the highs and lows of a Bollywood blockbuster — rumours of ill-health and news of recovery kept fans and media guessing.The hospital management released a short statement about Bachchan recovering in the ICU, but Mumbai's rumours mills seemed to be working overtime throughout the day with the news of "profuse internal bleeding" and the "family's decision to shift him to Breach Candy Hospital".
The hospital management said that a decision to move Bachchan to a private room will be taken on Saturday morning.
Bachchan was operated on Wednesday evening for perforation in his intestine.
Monday will be a critical day as he will be started on liquid diet, said doctors. "He is much better," said a Bollywood visitor on his way out.
Family friends and sources claimed that Bachchan was seen sitting on a chair, looking out of the window. "His vital parameters are fine, his pulse rate is normal, he is stable. Things are going well," said a hospital source.
But SMSes on mobile phone read that Bachchan was leaving the hospital for another due to internal bleeding. "A team from the other hospital is already there," insisted another.In fact, the hospital management took cognisance of this and its statement noted that "Rumours of him being treated by outside doctors are false".
According to sources, Farokh Udwadia who had taken care of Bachchan during his earlier surgery at Breach Candy Hospital had dropped by to meet him and his family.
"This could have led to the rumours even though Udwadia was here purely for social reasons rather than medical," said a hospital source.
Amar Singh, Samajwadi Party leader who is close to the Bachchan family, also denied the rumours about the Big B being shifted out of Lilavati.
Addressing reporters in the morning, he said, "We are very happy with Lilavati and have no intentions of shifting Mr Bachchan to Breach Candy."
The stream of visitors and fans continued for the fifth day. Actor-MP Dharmendra told reporters in an emotional tone, "My elder brother has always emerged victorious from all his crisis.
This time, too, he will." Abhishek Bachchan's close friends Sonali Bendre and Goldie Behl visited the hospital. Lending credence to Bachchan's recovery, wife Jaya left the hospital for the first time since his admission to hospital.
Manoj Kumar, Aruna Irani, Keshu Ramsay, Gauri Khan, Suniel Shetty, Bipasha Basu, Danny Denzongpa, Romesh Sharma, Rajkumar Santoshi were some of the other visitors.
Read the full article at : Rumour Mills Work Overtime- The Times of India
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