Monday, July 31, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Will Pakistan have to face political instability now?' that was published in Newsband

Will Pakistan have to face political instability now?
Will Nawaz Sharif’s exit fuel political instability? Over the last four years Pakistan has had a spell of relative economic stability, an easing of the electricity crisis and a drop in terror attacks. But now Sharif is gone. How will the military deal with the situation?
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has named Shahbaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister’s brother and the Chief Minister of Punjab, as his successor. Pakistan is going to the polls next year. Pakistan is coming under increased pressure from the United States to act against militants. Border tensions with India and Afghanistan continue to remain high.
Corruption in Pakistani government is not new. Elected politicians have been found to involve in unfair deals. But, the Supreme Court indicting top politician is very rare in any country.
That Pakistan lays no great trust in democratic and judicial principles is a well-known fact which does not need repetition. First, the courts conceded their powers to the military in cases involving terrorism. It is the military courts that dispense justice in such cases, always conducting them as a court-martial with completely abridged human rights. The accused are summarily executed. It is one such court that convicted Khulbushan Jadhav too. Then, the Supreme Court allowed the Pakistani Army to appoint two serving officers in the Joint Investigation Team that probed the Panama gate affairs. Now, it is well known that the once-blue-eyed 'boy' of the Army had become its implacable enemy decades back.
While Nawaz appears fraudulent, his dismissal brings back memories of how Z. A. Bhutto was hanged on frivolous charges by Army. Pakistan, though formed on the same day/night in 1947, when India also became Independent, took the wrong path of the Muslim Theocracy to rule the nation, through a quirk of fate in Partition, abetted by the Pakistani Top leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Pakistan became unstable from day one of its formation. Unlike India, which chose a democratic path, Pakistan was virtually taken over by the Military and the Mullahs, reneging and usurping the Constitution. Rest is history.
Nawaz Sharif is but one cog in the Pakistani Governance wheel, which cannot be corrected unless Military and Mullahs are controlled by the elected government. The people are God fearing, simple, and sincere. Their qualities are smothered buy the uncertainty of Governance systems. In all fairness - how many judges in our High Courts and the Supreme Court have the guts like their Pak counterparts?
The vaccum caused by the departure of Nawaz Shariff cannot be filled by his brother and now Pakistan's polity is at the cross road. Displeasure of US, commitment on CPEC, controlling the terror factories, updating the Afghanistan stand – all these are the major issues in which the new incumbent has to concentrate. The pivotal thing is that hard stance against India needs to be changed and bring a climate of slating bilateral talks.
As far as India is concerned it really didn't matter who was the PM or political CEO, the fact being the military bosses either directly or through ISI call all the shots against India with no exception. Time and again, it was proved that all agreements with political leadership were broken by them and even today it is not clear with whom in Pakistan, India should start the dialogue process often advised by one and all which would end up in failure by a terrorist attack sponsored by the backroom boys.

The Pakistan Supreme Court has acted in great haste, unseated a democratically elected premier - so far only the prerogative of the men in fatigues - and debarred him from public office for life, even before a substantive finding of guilt is handed down in the Panama Papers case. Clearly, it was a puppet on a chain. One hopes the people of Pakistan will continue to repose their faith in the deposed PM and his proxy. He has always tried to improve relations with India.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Kishore Kumar Nite at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, on 5 August' that was published in Newsband

Kishore Kumar Nite at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, on 5 August
By Dinesh Kamath

Kishore Kumar  


Sujeet Kumar
Fourth August marks the birthday of the legendary Kishore Kumar, the most successful playback singer of the Hindi film Industry. A grand musical extravaganza is being organised to celebrate this day. Sujeet Kumar, who is popularly known as Junior Kishore, a fortunate coincidence, even looks like the legend Kishore Kumar and sings his songs with much ease and elan and his team will pay tribute to the singing legend, along with a grand live bollywood orchestra. A backdrop screen will depict some important milestones of the legend Kishore Da. A renowned anchor from bollywood will host the show. Celebrity guests are expected to grace the occasion. Two shows are organised one is on 4th August, Friday, at Dinnanth Mangeskar Auditorium, Ville Parle at 8.30 pm, and second on 5th August, Saturday, at Vishnudas Bhave Auditorium, Vashi, Navi Mumbai at 8.30 pm. This is the eleventh year in row that the group is celebrating the birthday of the legends; this show is for a noble cause. The proceed of the show will be utilised for poor cancer patients. For more details, enquire on 8286610904/9967312271/022 7838712 also visit www.bookmyshow.com/legendentertainment.co.in . A music album inspired by Kishore Kumar will be released on that day.
Sujeet Junior Kishore, a trained versatile singer, to his credit has sung in a number of music albums (Hindi, Odiya, Marathi, Bengali) and add zingles etc.  He has performed in several live shows all over. A fortunate coincidence is that Sujeet Kumar is a look alike of legend Kishore Kumar and he sings and acts like Kishore Kumar. Kishore Bhakt Sujeet Kumar is a singer and actor too. A splitting image which looks virtually like that of Kishore Kumar sings his songs with much ease and elan. At live shows, people lovingly call him Junior Kishore. He has also participated in TV shows like K for Kishore (SONY TV), Main Bhi Kishore (Zee News), acted in a show Jhumroo (based on Kishore Kumar), Recently done an album Ek Anjani, inspired from Kishore Kumar songs. The songs are so composed that you will feel they are more songs of Kishore Kumar. They are not exact copy but new compositions inspired by Kishore Da’s songs.

Yodelling Club is to be started on the auspicious occasion of Kishore Kumar’s birthday. Any music lovers, die-hard fans of Kishore Kumar can be the members of this club, because Kishore Kumar is the pioneer of yodelling in Bollywood. He developed yodelling for bollywood after being inspired by Swiss Yodler Robert Tex Norton and Australian Jimmy Rogers. Yodyeling is a form of singing which involves repeated and rapid changes of pitch between the low pitch (chest voice) and the high pitch head register(or falsetto); this is a vocal technique which involves high and low pitch both , i.e a vocalist / singer who can do yodelling is capable of singing any type of songs. A yodler singer is much capable of singing varieties of songs. There is no age limit to be the member of yodelling club. A member is selected after a basic audition by experienced vocalist. Although it will be started in Mumbai/ Navi Mumbai, it can go all through India and Globe especially for Kishore Kumar fans worldwide. Mostly songs of Kishore Kumar which are yodley based will be presented at the show to be held on 4th August at Dinnanth Hall at Ville Parle and on 5th August at Vishnudas Bhave, Vashi, Navi Mumbai, timing of both shows being from 8.30 pm. Kishore Kumar’s music directorial debut was the film Jhumroo. The title song is a brazen blend of Robert Tex Nortons (big rock candy mountain) and Jimmie Rogers (blue yodel no 1). The title song will be the centre of attraction; the song is totally yodelling based. 

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Battle for free expression' that was published in Newsband

Battle for free expression
Certificate has been granted to the film ‘Indu Sarkar’, a film directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. Freedom of expression cannot be curtailed without a valid reason. The film is nothing but artistic expression within the parameters of law. There is no warrant or justification to curtail it. The film relates to events set during the 1975-77 Emergency. Its factual content is limited to 30%.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) does not always see itself as a certifying authority, but rather plays the censor quite merrily. The Bombay High Court had to remind the CBFC that certification, and not censorship, is its primary role and that its power to order changes and cuts must be exercised in accordance with constitutional principles. Sometimes the CBFC seeks to play the moral censor. It is good that the courts prefer to protect the right to free expression rather than entertain flimsy excuses.
It is disconcerting that one has to fight for the freedom for free expression these days quite often. But the way forward for today's society need some revamping of CBFC according to modern outlook and needs. In the world of internet everything (true or false) is easily available in the public domain. CBFC needs some overhauling or complete renovation to prevent future cases where freedom of expression is denied or where someone's sentiments are hurt. Today a lot of ruckus is created to get some limelight and TRP in the name of Censorship.
Largely the average Indian movie goer does not care about the certification provided by the CBFC, since content which the user likes is available at his finger tips which is a click away. Movie should be only certified, censorship must be limited to contents which will disturb the harmony of the society or that could motivate a person to choose a path which is detrimental not only to himself but his surrounding.
For genres like documentary or real life based movies, the certification board should provide guidelines to analysis and validate the content before releasing such movies, these data should be freely available to the public for all future references. When a movie is based on a fiction, the filmmaker should get every right to experiment with his creativity.
Rights are being attacked consistently these days, specially speech and expression. Tolerance has become a rarity and any opposite view is being met with hate and aggressive disapproval. But freedom of expression is far better in India than in many other countries in the world. It is true that most of the filmmakers these days mix more unnecessary spices to sell the films and later cry for freedom of expression.
It is true that constitution gives power of freedom to all Its citizen. Making spicy movies is also a sort of free speech, innovation and progress lies in it. Regulating free expression will kill innovation. Censorship on films should not be detrimental to the freedom of expression. It is the duty of the Censor Board to see that the films must be taken within the ambit of the guidelines given by the Censor Board. Giving unwarranted cuts and blocking the films on flimsy reasons are common now a days and it is without understanding the pain of the producers spending crores on the film. At the same time producers must produce films not hurting the interest and sentiments of celebrities and people just for commercialising the film and filling up their coffer.

With the changing times attitudes towards censorship too need to change. While films which are mass media are often subjected to rigorous examination for morality and obscenity much of the media on TV or You Tube go scot free without any censorship providing the makers license to indulge in the most vilest form of social behaviour which set bad examples to society who are addicted to them. Self regulation is the way forward as well as some kind of self control on artistic expression as Life tends to imitate Art as well as Vice Versa. 

Friday, July 28, 2017

Dinesh Kamath’s Score in Blog crosses Half A Million Views

Dinesh Kamath’s Score in Blog crosses Half A Million Views

Dinesh Kamath’s score in Blog on 29 July 2017 at 9.30 am was 500,022 Views i.e. Five Lakhs and Twenty Two Views. This score is as per the Statistics displayed by the Blog Authorities.



The following are the names of the countries which have most number of Dinesh Kamath’s Blog Readers (placed in right order):



(1) India
(2) France
(3) United States
(4) Germany
(5) Russia 
(6) Spain
(7) Indonesia
(8) Pakistan
(9) Ukraine
(10) Netherlands


For your information, Dinesh Kamath’s Score in Google Plus last displayed by the Google Plus Authorities in January 2017 was 14,631,371 Views i.e Fourteen Millions, Six Lakhs, Thirty One Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy One Views.



Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'SC's ruling on POCSO Act' that was published in Newsband

SC's ruling on POCSO Act
The Supreme Court refused to extend POCSO to adults with mental retardation. ‘Child’ under POCSO refers to those below 18 years of age. Both biological and mental age within the POCSO framework would have helped extend its beneficial features to another section of vulnerable persons. POCSO is meant to protect children from sexual offences. To extend it to adult victims based on mental age would require the legislature to enact the law.
According to SC, there may be different levels of mental competence, and that those with mild, moderate or borderline retardation are capable of living in normal social conditions. The onus is always on trial judges to keep in mind the degree of retardation of victims and their level of understanding while appreciating their evidence.
Either the government should include the persons with mental ill health into the ambit of POSCO or they should prepare a new law to tackle such situations. Hope they act soon.
According to SC, POCSO focuses on children, age cannot include ‘mental age’. The apex court said that according to Section 2 (d) of the POCSO Act, the term "age" cannot include "mental" age as the intent of the Parliament was to focus on children, that is, persons who are physically under the age of 18 years. The Parliament, when it made the 2012 POCSO Act, was fully aware of the distinction between a woman who is a minor and an adult woman who is mentally ill and chose to protect only children whose physical age was below 18 years.

The verdict came on a plea filed by a 60-year-old Delhi-based lady doctor whose 38-year-old daughter, suffering from cerebral palsy with a mental age of 6-8 years, was raped by a man in 2010. The man accused of sexually assaulting the woman had died during the pendency of the case. The victim’s mother had contended that biological age should not be the governing yardstick and her daughter should be considered as a child because she is intellectually challenged and mentally retarded.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'War against pollution' that was published in Newsband

War against pollution
Indian government is serious about cutting noxious emissions. The government is focusing on a clean, green image of the 21st century. For this to happen there should be a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.
The government should address the health crisis that must be tackled now: the air pollution that chokes our cities. Almost all new cars and vans sold should be near-zero emission and ban the sale of all fossil-fuel-dependent cars.
Momentum in electric purchases is building rapidly, thanks to falling costs, longer battery ranges and more charging points, even if the total number of sales remains relatively low; Volvo has said it will make only hybrid or fully electric cars from 2019.
Tens of thousands of people die prematurely each year because of air pollution, and many more experience related health problems. Introducing charges for vehicles to enter clean air zones would be the quickest and most cost-effective way of lowering nitrogen dioxide levels on most urban roads to acceptable rates.
The problem the government has is that the problems are long-term, but their term is only five years, so they have little incentive to take the long view.
Obviously there is a direct correlation between population and pollution. Houses should be built on Green Belt. Most pollution comes from Diesel engines not petrol engines. It makes more sense to ban diesel vehicles but allow petrol vehicles. But keeping older vehicles going is greener than replacing them with new vehicles.
It is easy to be critical and lay responsibility for air pollution at the door of this Government. This is a problem that has crept up on us. What can we do now without creating a riot? - not easy. Ironically a rapid increase in population has increased the pollution problem.
The most urgent and immediate problem is the gross pollution by nitrogen dioxide and particulates of some streets of our towns and cities. People who live and work there just cannot wait much longer for some improvement in these conditions. Environmental groups will be considering their options to help to save the lives of these people.
A range of measures is needed: more and cheaper hybrid cars with drivers only allowed to use the electric side in these streets, more parking areas in big open spaces on the edge of towns with electric transport into towns etc.
The government could do something really meaningful right now - lower the speed limits. Especially in residential areas where a 20mph speed limit would mean that cyclists and motorised traffic would be able to share roads more safely, and pedestrians would be given half a chance too.

Clean air zones may not sound as flashy or exciting as the distant vision but they would mean purer air and healthier residentsLet's all live longer.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Indu Sarkar, Raag Desh, Barat Company, Mubarakan, Berlin Syndrome and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets) that was published in Newsband


New movies released in Navi Mumbai
By Dinesh Kamath
Indu Sarkar

Indu Sarkar is an Indian Hindi film, co-written, co-produced and directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. The story screenplay of the movie is written by Anil Pandey and Madhur Bhandarkar and the dialogues are penned by Sanjay Chhel. Indu Sarkar is produced under the banner of Bhandarkar Entertainment and Mega Bollywood Private Limited. The film is set in the period of the emergency in India, i.e. the 21-month-long period from 1975 to 1977 when there was a state of emergency across the country. According to Madhur Bhandarkar 70% story is fictional and 30% is true. The film stars Kirti Kulhari, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Anupam Kher, Tota Roy Chowdhury and Supriya Vinod. The music is composed by Anu Malik and Bappi Lahiri.
Indu Sarkar is set during the emergency period, between 1975 to 1977, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Indu Sarkar is based on the 21-month long period, when the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi had unilaterally declared a state of emergency across the country. There are bold and clear references to the Gandhi family. Kirti’s bold avatar promises a good artist-versus-system fight in the movie. Supriya Vinod dons the role of former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi while Neil Nitin Mukesh plays Sanjay Gandhi in the film. The movie also stars Kirti Kulhari and Anupam Kher in pivotal roles. The movie has in it an interesting announcement - Ab is desh me Gandhi ke mayne badal chuke hain - and goes on to show the situation during emergency. Kirti, who was last seen in Amitabh Bachchan-Taapsee Pannu-starrer Pink, essays the role of a rebel poet in the emergency era.
Indu Sarkar includes a recreated version of Aziz Nazan's popular qawwali, Chadhta Sooraj Dheere Dheere Dhal Jaayega.

Raag Desh

Raag Desh is a 2017 Indian Film Directed by National Award winning Director Tigmanshu Dhulia and Produced by Gurdeep Singh Sappal & RSTV. The film is based on Indian National Army trials, the joint court martial of Indian National Army officers Colonel Prem Sehgal, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, Major Shah Nawaz Khan. Mohit Marwah, Amit Sadh and Kunal Kapoor and will play the lead roles respectively in the film. Rishi Punjabi is the cinematographer of the film.
The film is a period drama, based on the Indian National Army set up by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the war to liberate India from the British Government which was fought on the shores of the Irrawaddy in Burma. The British Government called the soldiers of the INA "renegades and japanese stooges", and a trial was held at the Red Fort in Delhi, which was called the Red Fort Trials of 1945. Raag Desh brings to life that epic trial which paved the way for India's freedom. Three officers of the Indian National Army are on trial for treason. An ailing lawyer must help them face the consequence of their courage. Raag Desh takes us back to these heroes. It tells the story of Maj. Gen. Shahnawaaz Khan (Kunal Kapoor), Lt. Col. Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon (Amit Sadh) and Col. Prem Sahgal (Mohit Marwah), three officers of Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army, who put everything on the line and gathered troops to re-enter India to take down the British after the Second World War. Khan, Dhillon and Sahgal are captured and tried in court for conspiring against the British Indian Army, while their lawyer, Bhulabhai Desai (Kenneth Desai), tries to twist facts to free them of the charges.
The film has Kunal Kapoor as Shah Nawaz Khan, Amit Sadh as Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, Mohit Marwah as Prem Sahgal, Kenny Desai as Bhulabhai Desai, Kenny Basumatary as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kanwaljit Singh, Mrudula Murali, Zakir Hussain, Kanwaljit Singh, Ali Shah, Rajesh Khera, Anil Rastogi, Hikaru Ito and Jatin Singh Kindra.
The film has songs like Hawaon Mein Woh Aag Hai, Tujhe Namaami Ho, Ghar Chaado (Bengali) and Teri Zameen.

Baraat Company

Baaraat Company is a rom-com, directed by Syed Ahmad Afzal, produced by New Age Cinema and distributed by Viacom 18 Motion pictures. The movie is a romantic comedy shot and rooted in Lucknow with a thought provoking subject that will appeal to the sensibilities of all age groups.
Baaraat Company is a romantic comedy that brings to light the different cultural diversities that exist in Indian towns.
It is a Hindi movie starring Ranveer Kumar and Sandeepa Dhar in lead roles, and Vishal Karwal and Anurita Jha in supporting roles. The movie is produced by New Age Cinema and direccted by Syed Ahmad Afzal. The music is given by Ali Ghani, Siddharth Rishi and Shiraz Uppal.

Mubarakan

Mubarakan is an Indian romantic comedy film directed by Anees Bazmee, and it will be produced by Sony Pictures Networks, Murad Khetani and Ashwin Varde.
Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Ileana D'Cruz and Athiya Shetty will be playing the lead roles in the film. It is a story about twin brothers. Arjun Kapoor appears in a double-role as Karan and Charan. Karan is born and brought up in London, and Charan is born and brought up in Punjab. Karan is in love with Sweety (Illena Decruz), but his marriage gets fixed with Binkle (Athiya Shetty). Charan is in love with Binkle, but his marriage gets fixed with Sweety. All of this confusion happens because of Karan's maternal uncle and Charan's paternal uncle Kartar (Anil Kapoor), and now it is upto him to solve this issue.
The film has Anil Kapoor as Kartar Singh, Arjun Kapoor as Karanveer Singh and Charanveer Singh, Ileana D'Cruz as Sweety, Karan's girlfriend and Charan's wife, Athiya Shetty as Binkle, Charan's girlfriend and Karan's fiancee, Neha Sharma as Nafisa Ali Khan, Rahul Dev as a Punjabi, Karan Kundra, Ratna Pathak as Binkle's mom, Anil Mange, Pavan Malhotra as Charan's father and Krishan Tandon as Babaji.
The music of the fim has been composed by Amaal Mallik, Gourov Roshin, Rishi Rich and while the lyrics have been penned by Kumaar. The film has songs like "The Goggle Song", "Mubarakan (Title Track)", "Dil Dhadke Louder Louder", "Haathon Mein Thhe Haath", "Hawa Hawa" and "Jatt Jaguar".

Berlin Syndrome

Berlin Syndrome is a 2017 Australian psychological thriller-horror film directed by Cate Shortland, and written by Shaun Grant, based upon the novel of the same name by Melanie Joosten. It stars Teresa Palmer and Max Riemelt.
While holidaying in Berlin, Australian photographer, Clare (Teresa Palmer), meets Andi (Max Riemelt), a charismatic local man and there is an instant attraction between them. A night of passion ensues. But what initially appears to be the start of a romance, takes an unexpected and sinister turn when Clare wakes the following morning to discover Andi has left for work and locked her in his apartment. An easy mistake to make, of course, except Andi has no intention of letting her go again. Ever. 
The film has Teresa Palmer as Clare, Max Riemelt as Andi, Matthias Habich as Erich, Andi's father, Lucie Aron as Elodie Zadikan and Emma Bading as Franka Hummels.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (French: Valérian et la Cité des mille planètes) is a 2017 English-language French science fiction action-adventure film[9] written and directed by Luc Besson and co-produced by Besson and his wife, Virginie Besson-Silla. The film is based on the French science fiction comics series Valérian and Laureline, written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières. It stars Dane DeHaan as Valerian and Cara Delevingne as Laureline, with Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Herbie Hancock, Kris Wu, and Rutger Hauer in supporting roles. Besson independently crowd-sourced and personally funded Valerian and, with a production budget between $177–209 million, it is both the most expensive European and independent film ever made.
In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha—an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe. 

The film has Dane DeHaan as Major Valerian, a space-and-time-traveling agent and Laureline's partner/love interest, Cara Delevingne as Sergeant Laureline, a space-and-time-traveling agent and Valerian's partner/love interest, Clive Owen as Arün Filitt, Valerian and Laureline's commander, Rihanna as Bubble, a shapeshifting entertainer, Ethan Hawke as Jolly the Pimp, Herbie Hancock as Defence Minister, Kris Wu as Captain Neza, Rutger Hauer as the President of the World State Federation, John Goodman as the voice of Igon Siruss, a Kodar'Khan pirate captain and the galaxy's most-wanted criminal, Elizabeth Debicki as the voice of Emperor Haban Limaï, Sam Spruell as General Okto Bar, Alain Chabat as Bob the Pirate, Thom Findlay as the voice of the Pirates, Mathieu Kassovitz as Camelot on Big Market, Jonas Bloquet as K-Tron Warrior/Control Room Soldier, Sand Van Roy as Jessica Rabbit Creature, Sasha Luss as Princess Lihö-Minaa, Louis Leterrier as Captain Welcoming Mercurys, Olivier Megaton as Captain Welcoming KCO2 and Sam Douglas as American Tourist.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'IR needs to scale up its services to global standards' that was published in Newsband

IR needs to scale up its services to global standards
India’s railway network carries millions of people every day, linking the remotest destinations. It needs to scale up its services to global standards. The rot in passenger services has only grown worse. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) provides further evidence that little has changed in the system. Unauthorised items are sold on trains, all endangering the health of passengers. The process of identifying caterers, fixing prices, and ensuring quality control should be transparent and monitored by external auditors.
The NDA government began its tenure with a focus on modernising India’s creaking railways. The findings of the CAG are nothing new. In fact, the sub-standard quality of services in IR is evident as soon as one steps in a Railway station or boards a train. The other aspect that is not yet came to limelight is, IR manipulating the train running statuses through National Train Enquiry Service (NTES).
IR should look to mitigate the factors resulting in train delays instead of manipulating the online statuses. The common public would be happier to travel in existing trains that runs on time rather than boarding imaginary 'Bullet trains'.
IR should first solve the perennial problem faced by commuters in railways. Though measures for increasing efficiency are being initiated, the basic problems are not being addressed adequately so that railways could attract many travellers and earn more profits in future.
The following are the problems that IR needs to solve: (1) Railway employees travel with passes, but without making entry of their journey. (2)  Transgenders harrass bonafide passengers. Railway officials show misplaced sympathy for them. (3) Trains and stations are unhygienic. (4) Unauthorised vendors and beggars make the travel very uncomfortable. (5) TTEs show no interest to solve any problem or listen to a complaint. (6) Train compartments are old and need refurbishing. (7) Security on trains has become very rare; thefts and other crimes have become common.
The sordid catering of Rlys, have suffered more due to lack of responsibility with the services rendered. Catering by IRCTC, which is considered more professional than the time rejected departments, is only like shifting from one hand to another. Most of the same Rly men get into IRCTC to continue an almost substandard attitude towards work ethics .The shocking revelation of blankets not cleaned for years show the poor standard of supervision. This is despite Rlys having spent several crores in acquiring mechanised power, laundries and many contractors in recent years. When catering was corporatised through IRCTC, initially the supply was conforming to standards. They whittled because of corrupt supervision and a non-responding system. A direct FB post or "E" mail to minister can only be here and there intervention. What is required is thorough cleansing with fixation of clear responsibility. Due punishment for failures including top management can change the corrupt stink.
In a country where almost all things within all administrative machinery starting from the Presidential Office/PMO right through down to the lowest Village Office levels are steeped and fully clothed by rampant corruption with absolutely no practical mechanism to modify or correct those terrible slap on the Tax paying public, what can One Railways do differently. The malady of TOTAL CORRUPTION is the root cause for all that have been "found out" by the CAG in this case of railway's Catering Services - and as if other things were different and OK?

Railway services were widely in shoddy business practises as far as passengers are concerned for quite a long time. CAG reports is testimony to suffering of passengers. Time is high to bring Poor people's transportation services in order. This is must for developing and fastest growing economic country like India.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Indian women lost the match but won many hearts' that was published in Newsband

Indian women lost the match but won many hearts
Women’s cricket in India reached a crescendo when India met England in the final at Lord’s in London. India lost by just nine runs. Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami proved to be towering figures. Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut and Harmanpreet Kaur are growing stronger. Raj topped the run charts with 409 runs. Deepti Sharma, only nineteen, has the potential to become one of the all-time great all-rounders; Shikha Pandey, has a controlled swing and was economical throughout the tournament.  
In the past month, what kept fans riveted was the imagery of Kaur’s hitting, Raj’s poise, Raut’s determination and Goswami’s perseverance. These are likely to stay etched.
Indian women's cricket team achieved this feat without much furore or craziness which we see in case of men's cricket team. The women team's achievement depends neither on mammoth board like BCCI nor any controversy surrounding the appointment of coaches. If the captains of both the teams are compared in terms of yearly earning, the women team is lagging far behind. It is time women are given equal status as men. They proved that they can and will rise to the occasion when needed.
There should be held bilateral tournaments throughout the year to make women’s cricket more attractive and catchy. Women cricket in India has come of age. The performance in the world cup is commendable. They should be rewarded for their achievement and good facilities must be provided to them for the future.
They played very well without enough facilities. The nation is proud of them. They are amazing players having a good energy. It is hoped that after seeing them some people will change their mentality about girls. Actually, the situation in many region of our country is not considered as good. Here, people treat girls as a burden. For a healthy society we must change that mentality.
Our women’s cricket team might not have won many trophies but over the decades, Indian eves have always been a force to reckon with. The two big differences I am seeing in the current team are the effusive talent and a determination to do well. Though one loathes the disproportionate attention to cricket in this country, one must welcome the women's cricket. BCCI, with its swelling coffers, should be more generous in popularizing women's cricket. It can conduct a Women's IPL all by itself even if sponsors are not found. To start with, it need not be as elaborate as the men's IPL; but, BCCI must hit the iron when it is hot.
It is only fit to say that this team came so close to winning but snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. India (particularly Indian men) must stop belittling women - and that is the First thing needed for developing Women's Cricket or anything connected with women. Finally, as Shantha Rangaswamy said, “There has to be a will. Without follow- up action, this interest will just evaporate into thin air. The way Indian women's cricket reached the level they are now in, is an excellent portrayal of their determination - with Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswamy, Harmanpreet Kaur and Poonam Raut standing a bit taller than others - although all of them (others) have contributed well enough to take Indian Women reach the present zenith. Women may not have the pure "muscle power" of men; but these superb young girls, under Mithali Raj have shown that they can combine human women power with skill and grace - equal to or even at greater levels than men.

The women's team got encouragement and appreciation on a grander scale than what it used to get from the discerning public. This speaks volumes about the performance of the team which it should "keep up" both in the interest the team and women's cricket at large. Indian side deserves every credit for its performance to stage it upto finals and lose the cup by just nine runs. The spirit and enthusiasm showed by the players was amazing and time is not far away for the team to be crowned as world champion in the years to come.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Law against social boycott was always needed' that was published in Newsband

Law against social boycott was always needed
Maharashtra’s law criminalising social ostracism is greatly appreciated. Maharashtra’s new law prohibiting the social boycott of individuals, families or any community by informal village councils has pleased may right thinking people. This law received Presidential assent recently.
The Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016, is a law which is most necessary. The Act lists over a dozen types of actions that may amount to ‘social boycott’, which has been made a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine of ₹1 lakh or both.
This law takes into account discrimination on the basis of morality, social acceptance, political inclination, sexuality, which it prohibits.
These are legal protections intended for the Scheduled Castes. In reality, members of various castes and communities also require such protection from informal village councils and gatherings of elders who draw on their own notions of conformity, community discipline, morality and social mores to issue diktats to the village or the community to cut off ties with supposedly offending persons and families.
Ostracism is a practice repugnant to human dignity. This law needs to be extended to cover the urban areas also - particularly the cooperative housing societies. It will help in running the cooperative housing societies in a transparent manner.
It is not enough to just make a law but its enforcement is also needed. Social ostracism through informal caste panchayats formed by dominant sections like the one of Raigad forced Maharashtra to bring out an exhaustive legislation. Sure it can aim at outlawing subjective inferences on what is social conformity and likeable civil behaviour.
The government itself should not become a bigger panchayats that have assumed what is good for the society by virtue of political majority.
That we require a legislation to prevent social boycott even after these many years of freedom shows that there are still communal tones continuing to exist.  

More protection is needed beyond scheduled castes. Protection of people against social boycott is a crucial responsibility of the government. This law may be a positive step. But, it should be implemented stringently to be effective. The progressive Act is a welcome piece of legislation. The inherent punishment element will act as a powerful deterrent against the repugnant informal panchayat that has led to grave tragedies in many communities. Emulation of the Act in other states is an imperative need.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Hats off to Harmanpreet!!!!' which was published in Newsband

Hats off to Harmanpreet!!!!
Harmanpreet Kaur is India women team’s new batting sensation who smashed 171 runs against Australia in ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 Semi Final. She played the innings of her life. She blasted the Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground with her unbeaten knock of 171 off 115 balls. She is known for her big-hitting abilities. She hit 20 fours and 7 sixes in career-best knock. She bravely fought cramps and exhaustion which was bothering her.
A right-handed top-order batsman, Kaur is capable of hitting long sixes. Kaur has now emerged as one of the topmost successful Indian woman cricketers. Thanks to her, the future of Women’s Cricket is bright in India.
Images of Captain Mithali Raj and star batswoman Harmanpreet Kaur are being adorned in the front pages in the recent past and the team is being hailed on social media after India stunned defending champions Australia in Thursday’s semi-finals.
The win comes as a welcome boost. Now it is clear that Indian women’s team is destined for the big time. The future of women’s cricket is now here to stay in India.
This victory is a something historic as India has already beaten New Zealand, Australia and England. Kaur’s display is unanimously described as an “unforgettable knock” by one and all on social media. This is undoubtedly a Kapil-Dev-at-Tunbridge-Wells kind of innings. It is bound to inspire other young girls to follow.
There is indeed a new generation of young players who play it like a modern game. They are physical, they field well, are aggressive. They are like 21st century kind of women.
Kaur has set a standard in excellence. She played like a woman possessed, and yet with perfect control.  Harmanpreet set the field ablaze.
Kaur has played the Women’s Big Bash League. India’s T20 captain, she was picked by Australian scouts precisely because of her aggression. She has also signed up with England’s domestic T20 tournament, the Kia Super League. She is one of the most sought-after female cricketers on the international scene. Her avenging-juggernaut performance is simply unforgettable.  

The only question that is bothering the Indian cricket lovers is whether the Indian women will succeed in bringing home the Cup from Lord’s.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Video: Various characters portrayed by Dinesh Kamath in his Short Films

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Venkaiah Naidu versus Gopal Krishna Gandhi for VP’s post' that was published in Newsband

Venkaiah Naidu versus Gopal Krishna Gandhi for VP’s post
Venkaiah Naidu, Vice Presidential Candidate of NDA, quit BJP and Government. He was in charge of Urban Affairs and Information and Broadcasting. He completed the formalities for joining the vice presidential contest. Opposition candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi is the nomination of the opposition party.
The government estimates that its candidate has the votes of around 550 MPs in the electoral college of 787 MPs, and can easily win. Naidu as candidate falls in neatly with the party's big plans for expanding its base in the south, especially Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Naidu's nomination marks the return of a politician to the post, which ranks above the Prime Minister.
Naidu has been a champion of what is otherwise seen as a ‘North Indian’ party. That rare South Indian to support the cause of Hindi. He has been a two-time MLA of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, a four-time member of the Rajya Sabha, and has held several important portfolios in government. His long association with the RSS and the Sangh Parivar may also have been an important consideration.
He has been a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even going so far as to say that ‘Modi’ stood for ‘Making of Developed India’. As the spokesperson of his party, he was found to be a non-confrontational person with the management abilities and political acumen. He is known for his alliterations, witticisms and quips.
M Venkaiah Naidu will take on Gopal Krishna Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and the Opposition’s candidate, in the election on August 5. Naidu’s career started with student politics in 1971.
In the beginning Naidu was reluctant to contest for Vice Presidential election. He wanted to be an “active politician” till his end. He felt that becoming vice-president would be the end of his political career. He wanted to remain the voice of Prime Minister Modi and play a key role in making his ‘dream India’ a reality.

But both the Prime Minister and Shah wanted an experienced man of stature with flexibility and pragmatism to conduct the House smoothly. The BJP also wants to discard its image as a North Indian party. Hence they felt Naidu was the right choice.  

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Video: Dinesh Kamath with prominent local politicians of Navi Mumbai

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Ram Nath Kovind to succeed Pranab Mukherjee as Indian President' that was published in Newsband

Ram Nath Kovind to succeed Pranab Mukherjee as Indian President
Ram Nath Kovind, born on 1 October 1945, is an Indian politician who will succeed the incumbent president Pranab Mukherjee as the President of India on 25 July 2017. He was the Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017. He had also served as the Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006.
Kovind was born in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh. His father was a farmer. He holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce and a LLB from DAV College, (affiliated with Kanpur University).
After graduating in law from a Kanpur college, Kovind went to Delhi to prepare for the civil services examination. He passed this exam on his third attempt, but he did not join as he was selected for an allied service instead of IAS and thus started practicing law. He was Central Government Advocate in the Delhi High Court from 1977 to 1979 and served as a Central Government standing counsel in the Supreme Court from 1980 to 1993. In 1978, he became an advocate-on-record of the Supreme Court of India. He practiced in the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court for about 16 years until 1993. He was also enrolled as an advocate in 1971 with the bar council of Delhi. As an advocate he provided free legal aid to weaker sections of society, women and the poor under the Free Legal Aid Society in New Delhi. He also served as the personal assistant of Prime Minister of India Morarji Desai in 1977-1978.
He joined the BJP in 1991. He was President of the BJP Dalit Morcha between 1998 and 2002 and President of the All-India Koli Samaj. He also served as national spokesperson of the party. He donated his ancestral home in Derapur to the RSS. He contested from Ghatampur and Bhognipur (both in Uttar Pradesh) assembly constituencies on the BJP ticket but lost both elections.
He was elected and became a Rajya Sabha MP from the state of Uttar Pradesh in April 1994. He served a total of twelve years, two consecutive terms, until March 2006. As a member of parliament he served on the Parliamentary Committee for Welfare of Scheduled Castes/Tribes, Home Affairs, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Social Justice and Empowerment, Law and Justice. He also served as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha House Committee. During his career as a parliamentarian, under M.P. L.A.D. Scheme, he focused on education in rural areas by helping in construction of school buildings in Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand. As a member of parliament, he visited Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom and the United States on study tours.
He has served on the Board of management of Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Lucknow and as on the Board of Governors of IIM Calcutta. He has also represented India at the UN and addressed the United Nations General Assembly in October 2002.
On 8 August 2015, the President of India appointed Kovind as Governor of Bihar. On 16 August 2015, the acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, administered the oath to Kovind as the 36th Governor of Bihar. The function took place at Raj Bhawan, Patna.
As Governor, he was praised for constituting a judicial commission to investigate irregularities in promotion of undeserving teachers, mis-management of funds and appointment of undeserving candidates in universities.
After nomination for the post of 14th President of India, he resigned from his post as Governor of Bihar, and President of India Pranab Mukherjee accepted his resignation on 20 June 2017. He won election on 20 July 2017.

Kovind married Savita Kovind on 30 May 1974. They have a married son, Prashant Kumar, and a daughter, Swati.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Munna Michael, The Black Prince, Lipstick Under My Burkha and Dunkirk) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai
By Dinesh Kamath
Munna Michael

Munna Michael is an upcoming Indian action dance film directed by Sabbir Khan and produced by Viki Rajani and Eros International. The film features Tiger Shroff in a lead role alongside Nidhhi Agerwal and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. It marks the third collaboration between Shroff and director Khan after Heropanti and Baaghi.
The story is about a young man from the streets, called Munna (Tiger Shroff), who from a young age was a big fan of Michael Jackson. Mahinder Fauji (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is a gangster who aspires to dance. The film is a tribute to Michael Jackson’s hugely popular dance moves. Tiger introduces himself as Munna, a huge fan of the late popstar and one who is hugely popular in the slums of Mumbai. Nawazuddin plays a “ruthless gangster from Delhi” who claims to be a “running national champion”. Nawazuddin wants Tiger to train him in dance and he takes up the challenging task. Tiger flaunts his impressive dance moves and flexible body with several sequences. With Nawaz’s brilliant acting chops, the trailer suggests Munna Michael may just be a fun adventure.
The film has Tiger Shroff as Munna Michael, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Mahinder Fauji and Nidhhi Agerwal as Dolly.
The music for the film is composed by Meet Bros, Tanishk Bagchi, Pranaay, Vishal Mishra, Javed-Mohsin and Gourov-Roshin while the background score is given by Sandip Shirodkar. The lyrics have been written by Kumaar, Danish Sabri, Pranaay, Tanishk-Vayu and Sabbir Khan. The movie has songs like "Main Hoon",
"Ding Dang", "Pyar Ho", "Swag"  , "Beparwah", "Shake Karaan", "Feel The Rhythm", "Beat It Bijuriya", "Pyar Ho (Redux)" and "Swag Rebirth".

The Black Prince

The film ‘The Black Prince’ is directed and written by Kavi Raz and stars: Jason Flemyng, Amanda Root and Shabana Azmi.
'The Black Prince' is a story of Queen Victoria and the Last King of Punjab, Maharajah Duleep Singh. His character as it evolves, torn between two cultures and facing constant dilemmas as a result. His relationship with Queen Victoria will be the most impactful relationship in the film, the Queen representing the English culture he was drawn into. The Black Prince begins a lifelong struggle to regain his Kingdom. It takes him on an extraordinary journey across the world.
The film has Jason Flemyng as Dr. Login, Amanda Root as Queen Victoria, Shabana Azmi as Rani Jindan, Kavi Raz as Beggar, Satinder Sartaaj as Maharaja Duleep Singh, Ameet Chana as Aziz-Ud-Din, David Essex           as Colonel Hurbon, Joe Egan as Irish Rebel, Leanne Joyce         as Ada Wetherill, Sha'ori Morris as Pauper, Keith Duffy as Casey, Jack Gover as Gentleman, Alexa Morden as Young Victoria, Madhurima Tuli     as Young Maharani Jinda and Raji James.

Lipstick Under My Burkha

Lipstick Under My Burkha is a Bollywood film written and directed by Alankrita Shrivastava and produced by Prakash Jha. The film stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur in lead roles along with Sushant Singh, Vikrant Massey, Shashank Arora, Vaibhav Tatwawaadi and Jagat Singh Solanki in supportive roles. The story is lady oriented, their fantasy above life. There are contagious [sic] sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society.
Rihanna seeks the freedom to be who she wants. A two-timing beautician (Leela) seeks to escape the claustrophobia of her small town. A housewife (Shireen) with three children seeks the alternative life of a saleswoman. A 55-year-old widow, Usha finds sexual reawakening through a phone romance with a young swimming coach.
The film has Shashank Arora, Plabita Borthakur as Rihana, Sonal Jha, Aahana Kumra as Leela, Vikrant Massey, Mayur More as Michael Jackson, Ratna Pathak as Usha, Konkona Sen Sharma as Shireen, Jagat Singh Solanki, Sushant Singh, Akash Sisodia, Vaibbhav Tatwawdi and Santosh Kumar.

Dunkirk

Dunkirk is a 2017 English-language war film written, co-produced and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy. Set during the Second World War, it concerns the Dunkirk evacuation. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film is an international co-production between the United Kingdom, the United States, France and the Netherlands. Nolan wrote the script, told from three perspectives – the land, sea and air – to contain little dialogue and create suspense solely through details.
Allied soldiers from Britain, Belgium, Canada and France are surrounded by the German Army on the beaches of Dunkirk and evacuated in Operation Dynamo between 26 May and 4 June 1940, during the early stages of the Second World War. Summary: Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in. To be exact, in May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.

The film has Fionn Whitehead as Tommy, a British Army private, Tom Glynn-Carney as Peter, Mr Dawson's son, Jack Lowden as Collins, a Royal Air Force pilot, Harry Styles as Alex, a British Army private, Aneurin Barnard as Gibson, a low-ranking soldier, James D'Arcy as Colonel Winnant, Barry Keoghan as George, Kenneth Branagh as Commander Bolton, the highest ranking officer on Dunkirk, Cillian Murphy as Shivering Soldier, Mark Rylance as Mr Dawson, a mariner and Peter’s father, Tom Hardy as Farrier, a Royal Air Force pilot and Michael Caine appears in a spoken cameo role as radio communication to the Royal Air Force.