Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Fantastic scheme' that was published in Newsband

Fantastic scheme

Many people in rural as well as urban areas do not have a bank account. The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech attempts at extending formal financial services in a country. This will help many without bank account to avail themselves of banking services.

But there is the important question of keeping the first-time bank account holders engaged. Experience suggests that a high proportion of such accounts are hardly used after the initial enthusiasm wears off. There also arises a problem when subsidies, benefits etc., declared by central/state government do not reach the eligible people. Bankers should come forward to help the villagers and illiterate people. One of the main discouraging point in terms of banking services is language. Banks should provide their services in particular Indian languages in respective states.

More than 40 percent of our households are without banking services. This is really a shameful statistics in an age of globalization where the technology has become the buzzword. Some people are enjoying the fruits of advancement of technology while others are not. This service, if implemented properly and efficiently, can do wonders for those who are out of the banking services.

It is indeed a great initiative by the PM. Government is planning to route all the cash based subsidies through banking system thus giving no chance for the middle man to swindle this amount. There should be inclusion of a clause that banks shall not levy penalty for not keeping minimum threshold amount so that poor stands really benefitted.

This is a great initiative because financial inclusion will help many dwellers in the remote corners of our country to benefit. There are many farmers who farm in small scale. They are the people who are hit by the uncertainties of monsoons etc, hence the scheme of insurance and accounts is a must.

This is a path breaking concept of inclusivity and the benefit will be felt more amongst womenfolk. In fact the financial-distress-related suicides in society may come down if the women also have access to financial services, since right now culturally finance is being managed mostly by men. Also the inclusivity is going to bring in a sense of balance as well as multi dimensions in management and investment options in finance.

The scheme is laudable. Its crux lies in implementation when you have a very large percentage of people specially in rural India who are illiterate. The rural people should be given interest-free loans for purchase of hens, goats, cows, etc. This will help them to eke out a living and saving & make them self-sufficient. This will also enhance the agriculture production. Employment guarantee scheme should be extended for farming activities and wages against the scheme should be paid through banks. Soft loans should be extended to small and marginal farmers for starting "Farmers' Co-operative Marketing Societies". Farmers should be trained to market their products through such Societies. This will eliminate middlemen, who cheat farmer as well as consumer.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Both basic and applied researches are important' that was published in Newsband

Both basic and applied researches are important

Of the eight winners of the top awards in mathematics given away at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Seoul on August 13, the focus in the Indian media has been on three of them, the two Fields Medalists, Indian-origin Manjul Bhargava and the Iranian Maryam Mirzakhani; and the Rolf Nevanlinna Prize winner, Subhash Khot, also of Indian origin.

The Indian-origin laureates instill a sense of pride although they have little to do with the Indian educational system. India needs to have good mathematics teachers who are able to spot bright students. Also there should be conducive educational environment for talented youngsters to pursue their interests and these youngsters should be given the necessary freedom to explore beyond the printed curriculum.

The Indian S&T Ministry has established a proven scheme to nurture school students with exceptional talent and also programmes for women scientists to pursue research careers. But without a change in the societal attitude towards research in the basic sciences, mathematics in particular, nothing significant will come about.

Just like fine arts, literature, and religious studies, basic research does not pay the individual or the nation. Applied research, application, and technology transfer to manufacture are the need for a developing nation and its starving millions.

The problem lies in the mindset of the society, specially parents. They pressurize children to pursue professional courses like engineering, medical, CA etc, instead of formal courses because former are more job oriented than latter. We cannot change this mindset until we strengthen the economic condition of people. India is a country where most of the people are poor or middle class. That is the reason why parents want their children to pursue the courses which are job oriented.

We should work on promoting expertise in our young crowd and bolster them to grow beyond books. Today much of the public funding for science research goes to a few elite institutions leaving out thousands of colleges and private research organizations starving for even small grants. Let it not be forgotten that great minds like Ramanujam did not go to IITs or IIScs. Indian talents are often found like uncut diamonds in remote towns and villages. It is important that the government stops funding the already rich elite institutions and focus on improving support to the less fortunate educational organizations. Elite institutions can generate their own funds through industry collaboration. This is what top US institutions like Stanford and MIT do.

Our society measures every thing and every one in term terms of money. Researchers do not earn much money hence very few take up to research. Here, society has to develop a positive attitude towards research and researchers.

Progress is technology-centric and technology is not an exact science. It is a combination of science, analysis, personality, character, and imagination. There should be a balanced approach between basic and applied research. If basic research alone is pursued it will amount to stopping a construction after the basement. However, emphasising applied research alone will amount to building a structure without foundation.

Government should create world class research facilities in India for research in science and arts with stipend, so that student from middle class can enroll themselves in research fields and more noble laureates will emerge from India. Then only Modi’s dream for technology-developed India will be possible.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies that’ll get released in Navi Mumbai’ (Raja Natwarlal, Step Up All In, Last Benchers, Ninja Turtles, The November Man, Identity Card and Trip To Bhangarh) that was published in Newsband

New movies that’ll get released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Raja Natwarlal

Raja Natwarlal is a Bollywood crime comedy film directed by Kunal Deshmukh and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur under UTV Motion Pictures. The film features Emraan Hashmi in the title role, alongside Humaima Malik, Paresh Rawal and Kay Kay Menon. Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed music for the film.

Emraan Hashmi plays role of Raja in this movie. Paresh Rawal plays his mentor.  Paresh Rawal teaches Emraan tricks and trades of scam. And Emraan becomes a scammer and he sells Taj Mahal and Rashtrapati Bhavan along with others numerous times. Kay Kay Menon plays role of Vardhan, who is villain in the movie. The film has some smart dialogues like “Life iss paise ki tarah hai, bus ek baar kharch kar sakoge” and “Aaj tak tum sirf Raja the, Natwarlal main tumhe banaunga”

Thus the film has Emraan Hashmi as Raja/Mithilesh Kumar, Humaima Malik as Ziya, Paresh Rawal as Yogi, Kay Kay Menon as Vardha Yadav and Deepak Tijori.

The film's soundtrack is composed by notable Tamil film composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. The lyrics are written by Irshad Kamil.

The film has songs like Tere Hoke Rehengay sung by Arjit Singh, Dukki Tikki by Mika Singh, Tere Hoke Rehengay (Reprise) by Shweta Pandit, Kabhi Ruhani Kabhi Rumani by Benny Dayal, Namak Paare by Mamta Sharma, Anupam Amod and Flip Your Collar Back by Benny Dayal.     

Step Up: All In

Step Up: All In (also known as Step Up 5: All In) is a 2014 American 3D dance film directed by Trish Sie.

The movie has an interesting plot. All-stars from the previous Step Up installments come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers.

Lastbenchers

Lastbenchers is a film directed and written by Prajact Rebeloma and stars Pooja Bhattad, Shriya Fule and Sanket Galactus.

It’s a movie about the life of Last benchers who are failures in their academic life but when it comes to real life they struggle hard to become someone whom world can recognize and judge them by the work they do and not by the grades they get.

In the film, Dipak has a fear of speaking English. Sanket is insecure about his looks. Prashant works in garage to fill his pocket and Prajakt is a college drop-out for whom facing taunts is daily routine. But despite their average looks and no recognition, they enjoy their life. But soon after they finish their college or fail in their college, they have a bigger challenge in front of them called "Life". They have to decide which way to go - conventional way of following line, participating in rat race or to make their own way. But soon life kicks their asses and burns them in hot desert of problems. And when they realize that every student must be facing same problems, instead of giving up, they try to help other students overcome their problems in college life. But life is not that easy, it's not cream over cake or a catwalk. Will Prajakt and his friends overcome criticism, failure and broken heart?

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a 2014 American science fiction action comedy film based on the franchise of the same name. A reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film series, the film is directed by Jonathan Liebesman, and stars Megan Fox, Johnny Knoxville, Pete Ploszek, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Alan Ritchson, Danny Woodburn, Tony Shalhoub, William Fichtner, and Will Arnett.

The film has an interesting plot. April O'Neil is a reporter for Channel 6 news in New York who has been researching a gang called the Foot Clan which has been terrorizing the city. She questions a dock worker about shipments of chemicals that may be linked to the Foot Clan. April eventually learns that something is being brought in by the docks. That night, she returns and sees the Foot Clan unloading cargo. April tries to record footage using her phone, but a shadowy figure arrives and takes out the Foot Soldiers one by one. She tells her coworkers and her boss Bernadette Thompson, but no one believes her story. From here the movie moves on towards the climax.

The November Man

The November Man is a spy thriller film based on the novel There Are No Spies by Bill Granger, which is canonically the seventh installment in The November Man series of books, published in 1987. It stars Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, and Olga Kurylenko with the screenplay written by Michael Finch and Karl Gajdusek. The film is directed by Roger Donaldson.

The film narrates an interesting story. Code named 'The November Man', Peter Devereaux (Pierce Brosnan) is a lethal and highly trained ex-CIA agent, who has been enjoying a quiet life in Switzerland. When Devereaux is lured out of retirement for one last mission, he must protect valuable witness Alice Fournier (Olga Kurylenko). He soon uncovers an assignment that makes him a target of his former friend and CIA protégé David Mason, (Luke Bracey) because of information Devereaux has about the Chechen War which was conspired by the CIA and resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent people. With growing suspicions of a mole in the agency, there is no one Devereaux can trust, no rules and no holds barred.

Identity Card

The film Identity Card is directed by Rahat Kazmi, written by Sanjay Amar and stars Tia Bajpai, Brijendra Kala, Prashaant Kumar

The film narrates the story of a journalist from Delhi who happens to go to Kashmir and gets caught by STF forces, how her one day in a specially police cell changes her life. Identity card talks about the history of Kashmir, ideological differences of people... myths about religion, about identity of a common person in a warlike situation... situation of a police person serving his duty, a common man, parents whose children are missing... and at the end, a ray of hope towards the changing scenario of Jammu and Kashmir... a suggestive thought, a solution; rehabilitation of those who have chosen a wrong track. There are Black humor with a touch of satire at some places and elements of thrill.

Trip To Bhangarh

Trip to Bhangarh is a film directed by Onkar Singh and is based on real haunted place. Bhangarh comes is among the three most haunted places in the world. Horror movie lovers can watch this horror film which is based on real stories.

The film has actors like Suzanna Mukherjee, Vikram Kochar, Manish Choudhary, Rohit Chaudhury, Rachit Behl, Vidushi Mehra, Piyush Raina, Poonam Pandey and Sudheer Rikhari

Trip to Bhangarh is based on a group of friends who decide to go for a trip to Bhangarh for fun. The film starts with a reunion party of college after two years. Five friends meet at this reunion party. Trip to Bhangarh narrates the story of five friends who are busy with their personal or professional life.

These friends decide to visit Bhangarh. They search all infos about Bhangarh through Interenet. They check the location of Bhangarh. The story of Bhangarh is based on a princess whose name was Ratnavati. Ratnavati was a rare beauty. In the area of Bhangarh a magician used to live and he falls in love with princess Ratnavati. Then King of the Bhaangarh fixes her marriage with another prince. Hence the magician curses the place with death for all who dwelt in it.

No one can live in Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset. But these friends get trapped in Bhangarh. The film then describes the experiences they undergo. 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'BJP govt. is controlled by RSS – so what?' that was published in Newsband

BJP govt. is controlled by RSS – so what?

The influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on the Bharatiya Janata Party is always greater during periods when the party is in power. It is clear that RSS exercises control over the party’s organisational affairs. The top rung of the party is packed with those from the Sangh. The RSS ensures that its writ runs where it matters: in the BJP, and in the BJP governments at the Centre and in the States. With its organisational strength, and the large number of committed cadre, the RSS is the backbone of the BJP, and not just an ideological mentor. Hence RSS leaders had to be accommodated in a big way in the decision-making structure of the party.

It is clear that RSS remote-controls the BJP government. There are members of BJP who tend to equate Hindutva with Indianness and Hindustanis (Indians) with Hindus. There is nothing wrong in it. There is also nothing wrong if RSS controls BJP. It is far better than control of a family over a party since 1947 or family politics. Indian media is fond of declaring them secular and blaming and defaming Hindus all the times.

People associated with various service wings of RSS have been seen serving downtrodden in all sorts of ways. Instead of appreciating their selfless service to the community at large, there is a section of society which sees only negative aspects only of RSS. No doubt India is a diverse country and many sects merge into it. The tolerance towards every religion is the true essence of Hinduism. But that doesn’t mean we should pamper and tolerate all unlawful activities in the name of minority appeasement.

The minorities are better off in India than minorities in other countries. We have tolerating culture and accommodating nature. We should be afraid of forceful conversions, religious fundamentalists, maoists, extremists, terrorists, jehadists, separatists and anti nationals. RSS has proved many times that they are disciplined patriotic organisation. They are the first people to come to the rescue during calamities and disasters.

Swami Vivekananda had asked those critics of Hinduism at World Parliament of Religions a question as to how much they knew about Hinduism. He had taunted 'You are criticizing Hinduism about which you do not know anything'. This is surprising. The same is the situation about these self-styled critics, journos, intellectuals, and so on, who write about RSS without knowing about it.

Well, it is better that Modi is controlled by RSS which is at least Indian rather than ex PM ManMohan Singh controlled by Sonia Gandhi.  

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Yes to life and no to drugs through Music & drama' that was published in Newsband

Yes to life and no to drugs through Music & drama

By Dinesh Kamath

(Above Picture): Senior PI. C Deshmukh talking to the children as Dr. Jayakar Ellis and ACP Vivek Massal look on.

NAVI MUMBAI: In continuation with the series of seminars on drug and sexual abuse in different Civic and Private Schools by the Navi Mumbai Turbhe MIDC Police and Heart Foundation, a musical and drama concert "Josh" was organized at Hotel Bliss Banquets, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai on Saturday 23 August 2014 on the same lines.

The program saw over 500 students from VIII - X standards and children from the slum areas taking part. "Preventing addiction among children and teens is the need of the hour. Music and drama is the most effective way of reaching out to them and drawing their attention to these issues. We were able to succeed in doing this with the children with the participation of Zamaars, a musical band from Dharavi and Arrows, a drama Company from Ahemdnagar," said Dr Jayakar Ellis, Founder President, Heart (Helping to Educate Associate Rehabilitate & Teach) Foundation. "Children these days are confronted with various addiction, peer pressure, broken homes and pressure to perform. Home surroundings also play a vital role in these areas. Thus we plan to continue such programs and touch the hearts of these tender ones," he added.

"We have had reports of drug usage and Tobacco products in schools and colleges. We want to try and prevent it before it starts so we have taken this initiative with Heart Foundation to reach out to the youngsters. We have chalked out a year long programs for the same," said Senior Police Inspector C Deshmukh.

"We are so happy that we could participate in such a lovely program. I did not know that drugs would be so dangerous. I will neither indulge in it nor allow my friends to do so," said Sachin Mane, a school student.

The program was attended by Shri S Umap, DCP, Zone 1, Shri Suresh Mengde, DCP-Crime, Shri Vivek Massal, ACP, Zone - 1 wherein all of them spoke on how the children should stay away from drugs. The above program was done under the guidance of Shri Umap and Shri Vivek Massal. Various Corporators from that area too attended the function.

Dinesh Kamath's cartoons based on 'Alooramji' that were published in Newsband

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Puratos India opens new bakery school to help solve skilled labor shortages' that was published in Newsband

Puratos India opens new bakery school to help solve skilled labor shortages

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Puratos India has inaugurated its Bakery School at the Shirvane School and Junior College in Navi Mumbai. With few professional bakery schools in India, but a growing demand for skilled labour in the ever-increasing number of hotels, bakeries, pastry shops and supermarkets, Puratos has decided to share its expertise and skills in bakery, patisserie and chocolate. 25 students will be enrolled each year for an intensive 2-year program.

Meeting skills shortage

As in any fast-developing economy, consumer tastes in India are becoming ever more sophisticated and this is reflected in a strong demand for bakery, patisserie and chocolate products. New bakeries, cake shop and supermarkets, as well as hotels and cruise ships seek to offer such products, but they are faced with significant shortages in skilled Indian labor in the sector. Moreover, very few schools in India offer the professional training needed to develop the necessary skills, so most people have to learn on the job. This was the prime motivation for Puratos to set up a school in India to teach 16-17 year-olds the professional skills needed to work across all three sectors – bakery, patisserie and chocolate.

A second and important reason for the school’s creation is the Puratos Group’s commitment to social corporate responsibility wherever we operate. We  attach great importance not only to sharing our own knowledge and skills with our business partners, which are the bakeries, supermarkets and food service companies to which we supply products, but also to helping others in the local community. Being good local partners is vital to our corporate philosophy all around the world.

The school is located on the premises of the Shirvane School and Junior College in Navi Mumbai and the 25 students enrolled each year will be selected primarily from this school, many of whose 3000 students come from underprivileged backgrounds. Mr Dhiren Kanwar, Country Head, Puratos Indian Subcontinent said, “We see a huge gap in availability of skilled craftspeople in the Bakery & Patisserie industry. On the other hand, there are many students who do not have the opportunity to acquire skills or higher education due to lack of resources. As a key player in the industry, it is our responsibility to bridge the gap.”

Highly trained teachers and a wide curriculum

The specially-selected teachers for the bakery school have experience not just in the technical areas of bakery, patisserie and chocolate, but also in computers, finance, presentation and soft skills such as teamwork and communication. The teachers have received additional technical training at a bakery school in Belgium as well as further teaching skills.

The 2-year course at the Baking School, organized over 4 semesters, has a wide curriculum, beginning with the basics and patisserie and moving on to advanced levels of patisserie, sugar work and chocolate making in year two. In addition to the strong technical foundation, students will be introduced to new methods and materials in the industry. High quality products, for which Puratos is renowned, will provide inspiration for the course and students will have the opportunity to learn from experienced Puratos employees. The program will also involve short periods of work experience in various companies, for which students will be paid. Mr Peter Deriemaeker, Markets Director, Asia Pacific, Middle Eat and Africa, said, “The India market offers great opportunities to Puratos. Since 2007 Puratos India has invested significantly in people and resources to develop a strong foothold on the Indian market. As an international company we acknowledge that our business operates in a community and contributes to the wellbeing of this community. This bakery school is another way to contribute to the community, providing schooling to underprivileged youngsters in a domain guaranteeing them later a good employment”

Student and parent commitment key criteria for selection

The course is designed to prepare students, many of whom would not normally progress beyond basic schooling though lack of money or opportunity, with real training that will earn them a livelihood. Admission to the school is based on motivation and commitment on the part of the students, but also their parents, who are involved in the selection process. The school has an equal opportunity policy for boys and girls and students are recruited irrespective of social background. Other companies participating in the program will be encouraged to engage students who graduate and Puratos India or other Puratos subsidiaries may go on to employ students, although all such engagements would be made entirely on merit. We live in a competition era. Today we find students struggling to carve a niche for them in the industry. “We at Shirvane School and Junior College have always catered to students from Low Income Group. Puratos is a renowned company and a major player in the Bakery Industry today globally. We are honored to have been a part of this endeavour. The Bakery industry is booming today, but we have seen there is a need of skilled labourers here. Puratos is helping them in the process and creating employment for the needy students,” explains Dr Rajesh Patil, President, Shirvane School and Junior College.

About Puratos India

Puratos India was established in Navi Mumbai in 2008 as part of the international Puratos Group. Like other Puratos subsidiaries around the world, Puratos India works with its customers to help them grow their businesses through introducing innovative products and providing pioneering technologies and support services. Puratos is the only company in India to provide products and services across all three sectors of bakery, patisserie and chocolate and since 2008 Puratos India has launched some 80 new products. From its head office and factory in Mumbai, Puratos India supplies 35 cities nationally as well as exporting to Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A new office will soon be opening in New Delhi. For further information, visit www.puratos.in

Dinesh Kamath finds Sushmita Sen irrresistable

Dinesh Kamath finds Sushmita Sen irresistable

Photographs of Dinesh Kamath

(Below) Dinesh Kamath in relaxing mood

(Below) Dinesh Kamath in contemplating mood

(Below) Dinesh Kamath with one of his favourite novels 'The Fountainhead' written by Ayn Rand

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'NJAC to benefit the politicians?' that was published in Newsband

NJAC to benefit the politicians?

Indian Parliament has come up with a law setting up the National Judicial Appointments Commission. Our Parliament has amended the procedure by which members of the superior judiciary are appointed in India. Thus it has broad-based the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and the various High Courts with participation from the judiciary and the executive and from among eminent persons to ensure greater transparency, accountability and objectivity in the process.

Giving the power to amend these regulations to a panel that will itself keep changing from time to time instead of being cast in law may undermine judicial independence, as the norms could be tweaked for reasons of expediency. And it hardly needs to be emphasised that the independence of the judiciary is part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

We can't expect miracles at the top unless the society as a whole values honesty and integrity. Unfortunately in India there is little reward for honesty and integrity. We love those who play tricks with words and some how get to power and continue to entertain us. There is no value for quality in life or behaviour. We look at the position occupied and not the person. Not even 1% of the politicians qualify as honest. Businesses, politicians and bureaucrats form an impregnable club that has replaced colonialists in dominating the society. Business culture has moved into medicine, legal profession and the core values are eroded. There is a need for massive change to take place in the attitude of the society as a whole.

The NJAC by the NDA is merely a continuation of the abject surrender and genuflection of politicians to great wealth. The loss of judicial independence is only a harbinger of the woes that are sure to follow.

Among the three pillars of our democracy only the judiciary, particularly the high courts and Supreme court, have retained some credibility with people’s faith in Legislature and Executive being totally eroded by the misdeeds, corruption, nepotism etc. Now with the enactment of NJAC with some roles being assigned to politicians we have to be ever alert that politicians do not interfere with the process.

The possibility of misusing judicial appointment procedure to further their own interests by the corrupted and ill-motivated politicians is what seems to be the major issue here. The checks and balances devised by the forefathers of our constitution among the three arms of our democratic system, should not, at any cost, turn into undue interference and encroachment upon the powers/functions of the other. We hope the new system works in tandem with moral and legal ethics of this country without compromising with the independence of judiciary and the respect it commands.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'US and West are more reliable than Russia and China' that was published in Newsband

US and West are more reliable than Russia and China

India and United States are the two countries bound by virtue of being ‘the world’s largest democracy and the world’s oldest democracy’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to visit the White House in September. He will be holding talks with President Barack Obama.

India is the world’s largest importer of arms, and also among the biggest buyers of U.S. material. New Delhi has bought U.S. defence equipment worth nearly $10 billion and has been pushing for transfer of technology to manufacture those weapons here. The best way to transform defence ties would be to move from simply buying and selling to co-production, co-development, and freer exchange of technology. Can Modi get the U.S. to take its military partnership with India to a higher level?

The United States has identified India as a pivotal player in the world affairs ahead. The prime consideration that prompts US to establish close defense based relation is that US wants to check the growing ties between India and China and utilize the ever growing weapon market in India. Knowing very well that India is surrounded by perennial enemies, the U.S has been providing arms and ammunition to India.

But if you consider the love-hate relationship of US with India and Pakistan, the US, for strategic reasons, shows more love and less hate towards Pakistan. Here India will have to make great effort to come in the good books of US. The US has been having an unwavering strategic relationship with our neighbour, Pakistan, for decades now in spite of the repeated back stabs it has received from the ally.

It's important to note that India will play a crucial role in the "LOOK EAST POLICY" of the US, since it's facing a tough challenge from the Chinese in all sectors. So it will be important from the India's perspective to bargain in all sorts of thing keeping ourselves in upper-hand. We can dictate the terms on various background such as in technology transfer in defense sector, greater role in U.N. security council etc.

India holds an important position in USA's geo politics. For USA, Indian support is must to maintain its strong position in Asia and to counter the burgeoning power of China and Russia. Strong Indo-US ties are favourable to both the nations.

Some lovers of Russia feel that friendship between India and US cannot be eternal and hence India should rely more on Russia. Have these pro-Russians forgotten the backstabbing by the USSR during the China-India war of 1962? Were the Russian warplanes reliable then?

The thing is both India and US, and so also other Western countries, are not only democratic but they are nations which pursue some religion or the other. Hence both tend to practice morality. On the other hand, Russia and China are communist, capitalistic and autocratic countries. Hence India has more things in common with America and the West and they are more reliable than Russia and China. 

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies that’ll get released in Navi Mumbai’ (Mardaani, Mad About Dance, Life is Beautiful, The Expendables 3 and Katiyabaaz) that was published in Newsband

New movies that’ll get released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Mardaani

Mardaani (English: Masculine) is a 2014 Hindi crime drama film directed by Pradeep Sarkar and produced by Aditya Chopra. The film features Rani Mukerji in the lead role, with Jisshu Sengupta and Tahir Bhasin appearing in supporting roles. The film tells the story of a female cop whose interest in the case of a kidnapped teenage girl leads her to uncover secrets of human trafficking by the India mafia.

Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukerji) is a senior inspector crime branch, in Mumbai. She lives with her husband Dr. Bikram Roy (Jisshu Sengupta) and her little niece Meera which she is very protective of. Clever at picking up hidden clues and fearless in confronting hardened criminals with wild chase, Shivani takes on a case that changes her life. A teenage girl, Pyari, who is like a daughter to her, is kidnapped by the trafficking mafia and the mafia kingpin smuggled the girl outside the city. The mafia kingpin Walt calls Shivani and wants to know what she wants, so she will stop chasing them. Shivani asks the mafia kingpin/Walt (Tahir Bhasin) to let Pyari free, but he won't let her free, because Pyari has seen too much. Shivani Shivaji Roy doesn't know the name of mafia kingpin and she challenges him that she is going to catch him in 30 days and what follows is a cat and mouse game between a young, ruthless mafia kingpin and police.

The film has Rani Mukerji as Shivani Shivaji Roy, Jisshu Sengupta as Dr. Bikram Roy, Tahir Bhasin as Walt, Priyanka Sharma as Pyari, Akhilesh Verma as Police and Vikrant Koul as Inspector Mathur.

Mad About Dance

Mad About Dance is a 2014 Indian dance film. The film is directed by Saahil Prem. The film stars Saahil Prem and Amrit Maghera in the lead roles. Saahil Prem debuted as an actor alongside Sunny Leone in the 2014 film Ragini MMS 2, and is now making his debut as a director with Mad About Dance.

Essentially a dance film, it focuses on the youth, their dreams, anxieties, disappointments and hopes for their future. The film is based in the quaint and beautiful university town of Sheffield and brings to light the stories of Asian students who leave their home and country and go to study abroad…Their struggles, their heartbreaks, their trials and triumphs…

Mad About Dance is basically a movie of three Asian boys, who leave their home and country and go to study abroad. The movie goes on to depict their struggles, their heartbreaks, their trials and triumphs. Life changing experiences coupled with new responsibilities help push our 'boys' into the journey of manhood.

The film has songs like Ishq De Bukhar, Party is Going Mad, Kahan Hai Khuda, Punjabi Mundeya, Kahan Hai Khuda (Dubstep) and Kahan Hai Khuda (Remix).

Life is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful movie is a romantic and comedy movie. The director & producer of this movie is Manoj Amarnani. The star cast of Life Is Beautiful consists of Manoj Amarnani, Anokhi Dalvi, Nancy Brunetta, Parth Naik and Raj Zutshi. The shooting of this movie is done in Canada, Toronto and India.

The story writers of Life Is Beautiful are Manoj Amarnani and Sanjay Sankla. The music of Life Is Beautiful is directed by John Hunt and the music company is Biscool Music for this movie. The Banner to Life Is Beautiful is given by M.A.A Productions.

The movie has an interesting story. Raj is an ambitious guy living with his friend Prem. Prem is sick of Raj for occupying his little space of living. Raj and Prem lives in Toronto. Raj ha some goal to attain that says acquisition of Canadian citizenship for a better and bright future. Raj’s first trail for applying for Canadian residency was rejected. Raj comes up with an idea that makes him to marry with a girl Pia having Canadian citizenship. Pia just hates Raj and hates to live with him but she has to live with Raj now.

Raj and Pia living together confronts annoying and amazing situations. Out of their fights and stubborn they find themselves laughing together, having memorable moments and a feel of having soft corner for each other. Eventually they become friends and start enjoying company of each other. The rosy days comes to a halt when Linda comes in the life of Raj. Linda’s entry in the life of Raj happens to be a complete disgust creating too much fuss and woes. Now Raj has to meet the new challenging circumstances.

The Expendables 3

The Expendables 3 (also marketed as The Expendables III) is a 2014 American ensemble action film directed by Patrick Hughes, and written by Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt, and Sylvester Stallone. It is a sequel to the 2012 action film The Expendables 2, and the third film in The Expendables film series. The film features returning cast members Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Kelsey Grammer, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Robert Davi, Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford all join the cast.

The story follows the mercenary group known as "The Expendables" as they come into conflict with ruthless arms dealer Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), the Expendables' co-founder, who is determined to destroy the team. We see an action-packed beginning as a motley group of Expendables headed by Barney (Stallone) and Lee Christmas (Statham) go about retrieving former colleague Doc Death (Wesley Snipes) from a prison. 

The scene involves a chopper, a train that eventually blows up and some very startled prison guards. The scene then shifts to Somalia where Expendables are supposed to take out an arms dealer. The scene goes wrong and the dealer turns out to be an Expendable-gone-rogue Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson). To take out Stonebanks, Barney is instructed by his CIA pointsperson (Ford) to retire his old team and get in some fresh blood. With the four young Expendables in tow, Barney heads to Bucharest. In between fighting, these young whippersnappers also kid Barney about his methods (So your plan is to just slam down a door and start spraying bullets?) Instead of capturing Stonebanks and delivering him at The Hague where he can be tried for his crimes, Barney barely escapes with his life and the young ones are captured. Now everyone (old and new) has to come together to fight off an entire army in a country whose name ends with 'istan'.

Katiyabaaz

Deepti Kakkar and Fahad Mustafa's documentary Katiyabaaz is an unusual film for a number of reasons. It's a documentary about a rough-and-ready India but despite the grimness of the reality, there's a crackling joie de vivre in the people who star in the film. Katiyabaaz is also a beautiful looking film, which is a rare feat amongst Indian documentaries. Perhaps most importantly, this documentary about the terrible power situation in the industrial centre of Kanpur unfolds with all the drama and charm of a feature film. So perhaps it's fitting that Kakkar and Mustafa's crew was suspected to be the crew of Dabangg while they were shooting in Kanpur. At the heart of the film is a contest between bureaucrat Ritu Maheshwari who is trying to fix the electric supply and Loha Singh, who sets up illegal electricity connections because the state supply is so erratic.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Modak making workshop at Inorbit Mall, Vashi' that was published in Newsband

Modak making workshop at Inorbit Mall, Vashi

By Dinesh Kamath

(Above) Inorbit Mall, Vashi

Inorbit mall, Vashi organises a special modak making workshop on this weekend, the 23rd and 24th Aug, for its patrons.

This Ganesh Chaturthi, learn to make delicious modak, from the experts, to offer to the lord. Inorbit Vashi invites you to a special modak making workshop on 23 and 24 Aug.

Ganesh chaturthi being round the corner, the first thing which comes to our mind is modaks and nothing other than hand made modaks would please you and your guests. To help you make delicious modaks, Inorbit Vashi is coming up with a two day workshop over the weekend, i.e., 23 and 24 August. Patrons who shop for Rs. 1000 or above, can get a chance to register for the workshop free of cost.

You wouldn’t want to compromise on the taste of ready made modaks. So come to Inorbit Vashi and learn to make mouth watering modaks.

Date: 23 and 24 August

Time: 2pm – 7pm

Venue: Inorbit Malls, Vashi 

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Our PM showed his guts to speak out the truth' that was published in Newsband

Our PM showed his guts to speak out the truth

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dared to declare in Pakistan itself that Pakistanis had lost the ability to fight a conventional war, but continued to engage in the proxy war of terrorism. What he said was right considering the fact that the ISI had unleashed militant groups against India. His critics say that making deliberately provocative statements is not a good way to kick off. But we had even Pakistan President Nawaz Sharif admitting that his country did not have good ties with India and that it was time to work towards achieving that.

Because Sharif is a honest man and speaks the truth Pakistan military does not love him and distrusts him particularly because he wants good relations with India. The Pak military feels that Sharif is bending over backwards to please New Delhi. But don’t forget that Sharif was the same man who when he was espousing friendship and warmth with former Indian PM Vajpayee, he and his army were planning Kargil. In Pakistan, the Prime Minister of that country will go to any extent to please the army in order not to be another ‘Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’ who was hanged by military man Zia ul Haq for defying the military. You can’t shift the PM from its Army in Pakistan and so stop giving its polity the benefit of doubt as Politicians and Army are one over there.

Modi has merely stated the facts as they are. It is a well known fact that Pakistan is excellent in double standards and that there are multiple power centres in that beleaguered country. India should not be too bothered about offending a problematic neighbour that always keeps its fists clenched towards us.

India has always been taking the initiative of confidence building with Pakistan because India is bigger and stronger. India tried to keep engaged the Pakistan political and military leadership about coexistence and mutual respect with ultimate aim of mutual peace and economic prosperity as our primary goals. When engaging with the Pakistan political leadership, it always included both the one in the government and those in the opposition. But it is Pakistan which failed to offer adequate cooperation.

Normalization cannot be expected when one side is doing its best to break rules of diplomacy and ground level attacks all the time. Do you expect PM to stand with a bouquet all the time till Pak's army and political wings unite and wage another war against India?

Our PM was thinking about men at the borders constantly facing attack from the Pakistani side while making that statement and warned Pakistan that it will not be tolerated. Why media has problem with that? It looks like media wants Manmohan Singh back.

Dinesh Kamath's cartoons based on 'Alooramji' that were published in Newsband

Alka Yagnik is Dinesh Kamath’s most favourite Bollywood Singer

Alka Yagnik is Dinesh Kamath’s most favourite Bollywood Singer

Why Alka Yagnik is my most favourite Bollywood singer? That’s because she can sing excellently varieties of songs to suit varieties of moods. For example, her song ‘Saare Sapne kahi kho gaye, Hie, Hum kyase kya ho gaye’ soothed me during the most crisis period of my life. The lyrics of the song were written by Javed Akhtar. Another song of Alka that appealed to me was ‘Tum aaye to aaya mujhe yaad, galli mein aaj chand nikla’. Still another unforgettable song of Alka is ‘Panchi, nadiyan, pawan ke jhoken, kohi sarhad na inhe roke’. These are just three out of many memorable songs that Alka crooned. If I try to speak about all her songs, I’ll have to write a book on her.

Another thing about Alka is that she is not only a great singer but also one with a stunning look. Keep crooning your way to more and more glory, Alka!