Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Newsband completes 11 years!' that was published in Newsband

Newsband completes 11 years!

Our English Daily Newspaper Newsband has completed 11 years today. This is a great moment for all those employees of this Newspaper who sweated it out to bring out this Newspaper regularly on time so that our Readers could obtain the Newspaper early in the morning every day. Last eleven years have been a great experience for us. There were many events that took place during this period.

Our efficient Reporters never hesitated to rush to the spots where important events were happening and cover those events, each in his own interesting style. Reporters are the front lines of any newspaper. If there are no Reporters, there cannot be a Newspaper. So indispensable are Reporters for any Newspaper. It is true that the Editorial Staff gives a shape to the Newspaper but Reporters are the people who provide most of the contents, if not all, for the Newspaper.

Then we have our Marketing Staff who kept themselves busy in the field to promote our Newspaper and try to get as many advertisements as possible. If a Reporter’s job is important, so also is the job of Marketing Staff which is really tough considering the fact that they have to do a lot of convincing about the merits of our newspaper to the potential advertisement givers who are very hard to please.

Then we have Graphic Designers who are the people who contribute towards making the Newspaper colourful and attractive so that members of the public are attracted towards it and buy it. Our Newspaper is completed after the entire team consisting of Reporters, Graphic Designers, Marketing Staff and Editorial Staff have played their respective roles most efficiently.

But this is not the end. Because after the Newspaper is completed, our Distributing Team comes forward to play their roles that of supplying Newspapers to every newspaper stalls and Newspaper Vendors in city. This is also a vital part of the entire process of bringing out the Newspaper. Without the Distributing Team the whole efforts of making the Newspaper would have been useless. Hence this Team plays the ultimate role of making our Newspaper reach the Reader who buys it from the Vendor or Stall.

Now who will ultimately give the Verdict whether our Newspaper was worth reading or not? Our Readers, Of Course! So, you see, if there were no Readers, there would be no Newspapers. Ultimately, one should not forget the Publisher of the Newspaper who does all the investments to bring out the Newspaper and eagerly looks forward to not only recover what he has invested but also make profit. Thus Newspaper is not one man’s job. It is Team Work and nothing but Team work.

Lastly, coming back to our Daily Newspaper Newsband! It is true that we are celebrating the completion of eleventh year of Newsband. But before Newsband came into existence our Newspaper was a weekly newspaper called In New Bombay which is still continued and is celebrating its completion of 21 years of existence. Thus the entire team of Newsband hopes that our Newspaper will continue enjoying the love and affection of all our Readers in the city even in the days to come.

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Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Fine gesture by PM Modi' that was published in Newsband

Fine gesture by PM Modi

The plane carrying the Congress president Rahul Gandhi developed a snag before landing at Hubballi airport on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Rahul Gandhi just before leaving for China on Wednesday to enquire about the latter's safety. The incident occurred in poll-bound Karnataka where Gandhi is on a two-day visit to the State to canvass for his party for the May 12 Assembly polls.

After the development of the technical snag, the plane tilted heavily on the left side and the altitude dipped steeply with violent shuddering of the aircraft at 10.45 a.m. The plane landed at the Hubballi airport at 11.25 a.m. in the third attempt.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is examining the issue, while the State police have registered a complaint. The Congress has demanded a thorough probe into the incident. Congress’s communications in charge Randeep Surjewala described the failure of the auto-pilot mode in the aircraft as “horrific” and “serious” and demanded a probe to find out if there was any “foul play”.

The pilot should be lauded for handling the situation till safe landing. But technical snag of the craft should be examined by the experts and those found guilty should be punished. PM’s call to Gandhi is really appreciable. As a general citizen we expect political leaders should be cordial, cooperative, constructive, not only in such type of situation, but also during the parliament session also for the best of the country.

It is true that Gandhi is an expert in politics but one can’t expect him to know about controlling an aircraft in such situations. How can he save the situation? Yes, his father was a pilot. But this knowledge doesn't come to you through genes.

But one should appreciate the action of the Prime Minister. He called Gandhi immediately after he got to know about the incident. It’s a very good act by Modi. Thus he proved himself as a great statesman.

Did Congress ever demand a probe when Sanjay Gandhi or Rajesh Pilot was killed in aircraft incident? What was the outcome? And why that was not made public?

Attention should be paid to such incidents even when common people are involved in such accidents like it happened in North India. Such an incident becomes an issue only when a politician is involved in it.

There is need to make the mention again about the very good gesture by PM Modi to enquire about the incident by directly talking to Gandhi and it is better if an Independent Enquiry is ordered and in the future care should be taken that all safety measures are followed before taking the aircraft for flying. And also based on the outcome of the enquiry whoever is at fault must be punished for the carelessness without any bias.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Sinha quits BJP – what difference does it make?' that was published in Newsband

Sinha quits BJP – what difference does it make?

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha announced that he was severing all ties with the party and preparing to launch a nationwide campaign to save democracy. Sinha said democracy today was in danger in the country. Once the democratic institutions are trampled upon, it takes a long time to restore them, he says. Is he trying to become Jayaprakash Naryan?

Yashwant Sinha first became irrelevant in BJP and then a dissident but only after he was not included in the inner circle of PM Narendra Modi. He did not get any post in the PM Modi’s cabinet and slowly he became a bitter critic of PM Modi. Instead of quitting BJP straight away some two years back, Sinha continued to criticise government policies. PM Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley were Sinha’s main targets. No one in BJP’s top leadership took serious note of Sinha’s criticism. This is background of his latest decision to quit BJP. Therefore, one feels that timing of decision to quit BJP is wrong. If Sinha had taken this step some 12 months back, it would have been appreciated. Now that he is absolutely sure that ‘ship called BJP’ is sinking (as per his own estimates), he has taken this step. He deserves to be ignored. Over a period of time he will just go out of public memory and that would be right response to an opportunist like Sinha.

His party gave him everything that he has in life today. There will not be many takers for the alibi of Save Democracy, Constitution etc. except that some disgruntled elements might support him. He will soon realize his situation outside the Party that gave him pride of place all these years.

Sinha, finally realizes that Indian democracy is in danger and the press is being stifled. And his heart too beats for the country. A clear case of grapes being "sour".

At the age of 80, Sinha, after enjoying all the great positions and benefits from the government wanted to 'start a movement to save democracy' because his 'heart beats for India'! Fantastic! Such dramatic scenarios are possible in India only!

One of the frontline leaders of the BJP, Sinha who held important portfolios including Finance and External Affairs during the Vajpayee regime has been chafing at the bit for quite some time, unable to reconcile himself to the fact that he would not be considered for any post in the party having crossed the age of 75. This rejection perhaps was the reason for his turning into a vehement critic of the Narendra Modi government and he has missed no opportunity to run down the administration. By refusing to sack him the party had given him a long rope and a few leaders had also hinted that he could leave the party on his own. Now that he has severed his links with the BJP the ex-IAS officer can be expected to voice his grievances at a much higher pitch than before and this could embarrass the Modi government quite a bit.

Sinha is leaving BJP in the strongest times, he should have stayed in BJP and done good for country instead of being mere critic. Really democracy is not in danger but his future in politics is in danger. All he is going to do is try and put pressure on BJP party. He might try to be country’s President in the name of saving democracy. Thus he is trying hard to save his political future.

Every one when enters into politics say that they are going to dedicate to the people. But the passage of time is making them spinning money and indulge in opportunistic politics. Sinha has been vocally criticizing BJP in outside forums which is against all ethics. He should have voiced his concern and resentment within the party forum and when he found that all his aversions did not bear fruit he has chosen to come out of BJP. By remaining in the party, he should have helped it to cleanse if he really loved the party. Saving democracy in alliance with Tejaswi Yadav whose father looted the poor and presently lodged in jail in fodder scam cases and who himself is being interrogated in disproportionate asset case and is a text book example of Dynastic politics. What a hypocrisy!

We should elect leaders who will give importance to secularism, globalism, security of needy neglected groups from all religions, all castes, all nations to check terrorism. Anyway, Sinha was never a politician with national following. He was long forgotten which is why he has roped in of all people,"Lalu's" family member to attract crowd! Media will totally ignore him now.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Internet believes in Right To Information' that was published in Newsband

Internet believes in Right To Information

Adam Smith wrote that it is the fear of becoming “the proper object of the contempt and indignation of mankind” that enforces our moral codes. Thirty years’ experience of social networks on the internet has proved that the Scottish philosopher was right. The Twitter mob, the skulking trolls and other hate figures of our time are evidences. Hence there is a need to remove some degree of privacy on the internet.

Freedom for users is an unmixed good. Human political authorities are not God and are not perfectly good and disinterested. They cannot be trusted with omniscience, or even with too much knowledge and power. Every web browser now has a “privacy mode” to allow people to do things – however legal – that they wouldn’t want others to find in their browsing history.

There has been a lot of discussions of freedom and privacy on the internet. The enemies of democracy and of honesty in public life depend far more on anonymity than on privacy. What is concealed by privacy-enhancing technologies is not the content of the messages but their purpose and origin. This encryption depends on mathematical principles that are accessible to anyone. The technology itself is, in this limited sense, democratic.

In China there is no such thing as a legal and private channel of communication for the authorities to ban. Everything is eavesdropped on and watched by the state. The Chinese model is one that tempts governments everywhere, and it can’t be resisted entirely by high-minded appeals to principle.

Privacy is one of the things that we need to be fully human that is the strongest defence of private, encrypted communications online. There are many people who buy into the 'nothing to hide, nothing to fear' line. The digital world, especially social media, is just another panoptic structure. Transparency seems to be the norm in civil society so individuals have to pay for privacy. But in political society privacy is free and so we have to pay for political transparency.

You can’t expect privacy in a country that has wholeheartedly accepted that CCTV spying is completely accepted, that no longer accepts that a person's home is their castle.

It is basically all about the fact that 21^st century gave us technological tools possible to be used in different ways; and in the same way it was in the 20^th century and all the centuries before. We can become as per the way we use, manage or depend on these tools. In that respect, history has shown the outcomes. If the 21^st century is all about the mis-use of repositories or data, or about the way we create 'news' to steer views, our society will be punished rightly so. There are and will be always two choices.

And before anyone can make intelligent decisions about what to do with 'smart' SocialMedia technologies, many more people need more reliable, practical knowledge about the following issues: => How to regulate mobile Internet in ways that free innovation and promote competitions without undermining the foundation of democratic societies => The interdisciplinary dynamics of cooperation systems, natural and artificial => The cognitive, interpersonal, and social effects on mobile, pervasive, always on media => How ubiquitous mobile Internet access and information embeded in places might reshape not only cities but our democratic societies - and not only to its best attention!

The rights of citizens to consume a large variety of information as well as to disseminate their own information widely (recent "S...-hole" tweet) held a great risk of losing fundamental ethical "DNA" within the metabolism of social media and internet values akin 'meta-technologies'.

But we can do wonderful things together, if enough people learn how. But technologies and methodologies of Web / SoMe cooperations are kind of embryonic today, and the emergence of democratic, convival, intelligent new social forms depends on how people appropriate, adopt, transform, and perhaps reshape the new media once they are out of the hands of engineers (coders) - as people always do.

The convergence of smart social media technologies is inevitable. The way we choose to use these technologies and the way governments will allow us to use them are very much in question today.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Ishq Tera and Daas Dev) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Ishq Tera

Ishq Tera is a film directed by Jojo D’Souza and written by Jojo D’Souza and Sapna Naik. The film is produced by Deepak Bandekar.

Ishq Tera is based on real life events of a woman with a broken mind and a man with a broken heart. The story of how men prey silently on this one disturbed Woman as her man fights to free her mind and win her heart - Again and again. Based on a real-life event, Ishq Tera is about a woman who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder. Her two personalities have contrasting traits; as Kalpana, she is weak and vulnerable and as Laila she is aggressive. Will she be able to destroy her past demons? Ishq Tera is the story of how men prey silently on this one disturbed woman as her man fights to free her mind and win her heart, again and again and again. Are we all who we seem to be, or is there someone else inside of us?  Can Dr Samira keep her emotions aside to cure her best friend or is she in love with her best friend’s husband? Is the husband who he says he is or is he the one responsible for her madness and the prime cause for her broken mind and broken heart? What if you fell in love with a young lovely woman and that too on the day her mother gets shot and her little brother is murdered in front of her, deliberately or by mistake by supposedly her own father. There's a madness that is real. Where one person is one person with multiple personalities or maybe not, feel the pain of a broken mind. The movie depicts the journey of a broken heart.

The movie has Hrishitaa Bhatt     as Kalpana / Laila, Shahbaz Khan as Pathan Seth, Mohit Madaan as Rahul / Kabir, Pyumori Mehta as Kalpana's Mother, Salil Naik as Sahil Sharma, Manoj Pahwa as Naresh Suri (BOSS), Manju Sharma as Rahul's Mother, Ujjawal Gauraha Shiva   as Karan Kapoor, Mozhgan Taraneh as Dr. Samira Khan, Rajeev Vashishth as Father and Aman Verma as Doctor.

Daas Dev

Daas Dev is a romantic political thriller directed by Sudhir Mishra, starring Rahul Bhat as Dev Pratap Chauhan, Richa Chadda as Paro, Aditi Rao Hydari as Chandni, and Saurabh Shukla, Vineet Kumar Singh and Dalip Tahil in complex supporting roles along with Anil George, Deepraj Rana, Saurabh Tyagi with Anurag Kashyap in a guest appearance.

Daas Dev is a 2018 romantic-thriller, with an interesting, modern take on the classic tale of DevDas-Paro-Chandramukhi love triangle, starring Rahul Bhat as Dev, the supremely talented Richa Chadda as Paro, and Aditi Rao Hydari as Chandni. Daas Dev is a political thriller in which Dev is not a loser but a person who takes control of his life. He gets addicted to drugs and alcohol and eventually becomes hungry for power. Whether Dev manages to rid himself of these addictions and how Paro and Chandramukhi figure in his already convoluted life forms the crux of the story.

If Devdas was a journey from a noble person to a 'Das', this is a journey from 'Das', a person who is a slave to his addictions and to the dynastic ambitions of his family to ‘Dev’. Set against the backdrop of Uttar Pradesh, ‘Daas Dev’ is a film about power, love and addiction.

The film has Richa Chadda as Paro, Aditi Rao Hydari as Chandni, Rahul Bhat as Dev, Saurabh Shukla, Vineet Kumar Singh, Dalip Tahil, Vipin Sharma, Deepraj Rana, Anil George, Anurag Kashyap (Guest appearance), Sohaila Kapur, Jay Shanker Pandey, Yogesh Mishra and Shruti Sharma.

The film has songs like "Sehmi Hai Dhadkan", "Rangdaari", "Challa Chaap Chunariya", "Azaad Kar" and "Tain to Uttey".

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Can normal monsoon prevent income shocks for farmers?' that was published in Newsband

Can normal monsoon prevent income shocks for farmers?

The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) has made a forecast of a third consecutive normal monsoon. It is too early to be factoring positive fallouts for the economy from the monsoon — be it from higher GDP growth, agricultural prosperity or the feel-good factor that propels rural consumption.

Even if this monsoon turns out to be normal, this is no guarantee of robust growth in the agriculture leg of GDP. It has become quite evident in recent years that a bountiful monsoon that leads to a bumper agri-output is a mixed blessing for farmers, though it tempers consumer price inflation. Unremunerative prices for wheat, oilseeds, pulses and vegetables have been at the centre-stage of farmers’ agitations in the last couple of years. As it is buoyant farm income that catalyses rural prosperity and spending, normal monsoons may not necessarily guarantee rural feel-good.

For the NDA, in its pre-poll year, the monsoon forecast may make for a tightrope walk between balancing the interests of inflation-afflicted consumers, and the income expectations of farmers who have been assured a 50 per cent profit over their costs. The Agriculture Ministry also needs to vastly improve its production forecasting skills, so that any policy can be taken in a planned and proactive manner, without causing income shocks to the farmer.

Feel-good factor for farmers plays out when monsoon translates into bumper agri produce, supported by remunerative prices. 50% profit over agri costs is not unachievable, if in between traders' profit spread is checked. Traders’ profits seem to be very high which needs to be effectively intervened if real benefits are to reach the farmers and consumers. The wholesale and retail trade in the country is so effectively structured and organised in such way so as to guarantee handsome to bountiful profits in all seasons by influencing the prices to their advantage. As direct marketing by farmers is beset with problems, a way out is to encourage big retail supermarkets to build more direct contact with farmers eliminating middle men to the least.

There was a time when co-operatives were used to hold the price line. Politics played havoc however to marginalise them.

However, the Application Laboratory of the Japanese national weather forecaster Jamstec is the latest to predict a ‘wetter-than-normal’ condition for India and Pakistan in terms of the expected seasonally averaged rainfall this summer. During its positive phase, the western basin of the Indian Ocean warms up relative to the East, and boosts a concurrent Indian monsoon. During a negative IOD, the East of the basin warms up but doesn’t help the monsoon. It starts around May or June, peaks in August-October and rapidly decays when the monsoon moves into the southern hemisphere.

The Japanese agency says North-West India alone would witness above normal temperatures in May. For the rest of the country it forecasts below normal temperatures ahead of the monsoon. May would also bring normal to excess showers for the South and slightly less for the North. June, the first monsoon month, is expected to be cooler than normal for most of the country. Rainfall during June would likely be above normal mostly except for parts of interior South Peninsula. Kerala and Tamil Nadu may fall under the less-than-normal rainfall category. In July, normally the rainiest month, the monsoon would be reasonably good for most parts of the country except in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and the North-East. Combined June-July-August outlook suggests heavy rain along the West Coast; a slight deficit in Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, the East Coast and Karnataka. The North-Eastern States might witness a larger deficit. September-October-November will see normal to slightly above normal rain in the South Peninsula and East-Central India, indicating a reasonably good North-East monsoon.

But below normal rainfall is forecast during this three-month period for Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, West Madhya Pradesh, South Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

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Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Colonial mindset with Imperialism attitude should stop' that was published in Newsband

Colonial mindset with Imperialism attitude should stop

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in London. The summit was being held in the U.K., the founder of the grouping of mostly former British colonies, after 32 years. It was widely expected that India would step up to a bigger role, and help chart a future course for the Commonwealth.

It was announced that Prince Charles would ‘succeed’ his mother as the head of the Commonwealth. There were substantive statements on the Blue Charter on Ocean Governance and on the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade and Investment, which could together counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Prime Minister Theresa May apologised for her Home Office’s threat to deport thousands of immigrants brought as manual labour in the 1940s from the Caribbean. Will Britain reverse its policies on immigration?

The U.K.’s hard line on Indian “illegals” indicates that post-Brexit London is likely to welcome trade in goods from the Commonwealth, not services. The Commonwealth remains a great platform for development aid, democratic values and educational opportunities. It should adopt a more egalitarian and inclusive attitude

Some people feel that Commomwealth is just a talking shop and parade opportunity for leaders. In the world where UN and WTO are there for equal participation, there is little space for Commonwealth to do anything, except organize games, summits and tour for British royalty. India should quit and stand on its own, they strongly feel. The meeting of Commonwealth nations yielded almost nothing because of its outdated approach towards the world's pressing problems.

Here were some important features of CHOGM> A brief paragraph touched on their recognition of “safe, regular and responsible migration”, and various protocols related to refugees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by his British counterpart Theresa May at the official welcome ceremony for the Commonwealth meet in London.

There were no India-U.K. deal on illegal migrants. Immigration has long been an issue for the Commonwealth as it has for other multinational bodies, but in the wake of the rise of populist forces around the world, and the supposed opportunity the Commonwealth offered as a bulwark against these, the 2018 summit could have presented an opportunity for it (its Western powers in particular) to send a signal that it stood for something different. Sending a message of openness would have indicated a real willingness to revisit and revitalise the organisation.

The attendance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was widely hailed as an example of the new importance accorded to it by India, one of the largest economies in the Commonwealth.

As far as Prince Charles is concerned, in Britain, questions about his suitability for the role surfaced, and whether he truly had grasped the changed nature of the world and Commonwealth nations that he would be heading.

This is not to say that the Commonwealth does not have a role at all. London played host to discussions on civil society tackling issues such as modern slavery, the need to clean up the world’s oceans, and malaria. India, for one, has very specific ambitions within the Commonwealth, centered around small island states that form the bulk of the members.

It is for the Commonwealth countries to accept the fact that the sun had already set on the British Empire and the rights to migration and free movement of people within the erstwhile realm must therefore need be adjusted to national boundary controls. The Commonwealth still have great relevance to grow into a huge a trading block and shine as a beacon for democratic ideals and jurisprudence.

Colonial mindset with Imperialism attitude of Britain should stop. It is irrelevant in the new global order. Any authoritarian dictates of the past must be buried deeply in the annals of history. Need of the hour is to look world stage with the lens of new and pragmatic aptitude and play the leadership role relevant to current scene. Britain still thinks of itself as a 'super-power'. It has not been able to come to terms with the fact that "the Sun does set over the 'Empire'". In fact the sun sets way too fast over the "Empire". The sooner it comes to terms with the ground realities the better it will be.

The Team of Kailashchandra Publication

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Judiciary should be both accountable and independent' that was published in Newsband

Judiciary should be both accountable and independent

The process initiated by major Opposition parties to impeach the Chief Justice of India is an unprecedented crisis. Their main charge is that CJI Dipak Misra selectively assigns cases to Benches of his choice. The CJI has stuck to his position that as ‘master of the roster’ he has the prerogative to allot cases. The argument is that the power to allot cases should be exercised by the Chief Justice in consultation with senior judges.

The movers of the motion do not have the numbers to get it passed. And it is wholly within the power of Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu to decide whether to admit it. The impeachment attempt led by the Congress is to highlight its claim that key democratic institutions are in danger under the present regime. What will cause greater damage to the institution, pursuing the process or rejecting it outright?

Any inquiry into the CJI’s conduct will imperil judicial independence. Ignoring the allegations will be more dangerous. Both accountability and independence of the judiciary have to be maintained.

Congress is setting a bad precedent. Judiciary should be kept away from petty politics. What if tomorrow BJP brings an impeachment process against any judge, supposedly appointed by the UPA government? The judicial posts should not be made like the governor posts.

Accountability and Independence of the judiciary, cannot be compromised, importantly when the common people seeks help of the Judiciary, as the last resort. Everyone knows that Congress is desperate and has launched an all out attack against the parliament by sabotaging its functioning, EC, EVM and now the judiciary. This ''my way or high way'' approach is going to bring to it more disaster than it faced in the wake of Emergency.

It is true that accountability is the crux of shouldering power. But what was the practice all these years? Did every CJI consult his senior colleagues while allotting cases to benches? If yes, no change should be allowed. If no, no change should be allowed. Basically, some lawyers want select judges to hear their cases. The CJI does not oblige. That is the crux.

Judiciary has never has been in such a turmoil. Congress certainly is fishing in the troubled waters given the dissent of senior judges in the allocation of cases to the benches by CJI. It is very unfortunate that unassailable edifice of judiciary has become a matter of public debate. It is high time the sanctity of judiciary be restored early.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'The 15-day ‘Road Safety Initiative’"

Navi Mumbai Traffic Police & Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital inaugurate the 15-day ‘Road Safety Initiative’

~ Over about 700 participants took part on day-1 of the initiative~

IMG1: Nitin Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police-Traffic, Navi Mumbai and Bhushan Gagarani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, CIDCO with the representative of Police Dept.

IMG2: Dr Gurneet Singh Sawhney, Neuro & Spine Surgeon, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital, Hon. Pravin Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hon. Nitin Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police-Traffic, Mr Bhushan Gagarani, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, CIDCO, Hon. Dr Sudhakar Pathare, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hon. Rajendra Mane, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai and Dr Sameer Kulkarni, Facility Director, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi-A Fortis Network Hospital holding up traffic signs.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Rock & Roll School of Performing Arts organize RANG 2018' that was published in Newsband

Rock & Roll School of Performing Arts organize RANG 2018

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Rock & Roll School of Performing Arts New Panvel established in the year 2008 by Mr. Pankaj Gogoi. The young and energetic music lover says, “Music is our passion, it’s not just our hobby. In Rock & Roll we are conducting various music and dance classes like Guitar, Piano, Keyboard, Tabla, Violin, Flute, Singing, Bollywood and Western dance class, Zumba, Aerobic, Art and Craft, Acting and in the list. Rock & Roll – it’s an academy with many courses under one roof, but individual trainer with a separate class room. We are examination and training partner with national and international body like Akhilbhati Gandharva Sangeet Mahavidyalya, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia's Vrindavan Gurukul, Trinity Guild Hall School of Music and Drama and Royal School of Music, London.”

On the occasion of 10^th anniversary, Academy organized a event "RANG 2018" - The colour of Music,Dance and Arts. In the event they are conducting Music and Dance performances with a Art, Mehendi and Rangoli competition followed by an Art Exhibition. It was a colorfull event and it became more colourful when the Dancing Celebrity Mr. Siddesh Pai moved his legs with the kids and few words from Shantanu Sawant (the Music Producer) encouraged the young musicians. Special performance by Mahek Yadav (a very young Dance Celebrity with D4Dance fame) made the audience to stand up for the standing ovation. Music performance by the Music Instructor of the academy and Dance Performance by the Dancing partner of the academy the Dazlers Dance Crew give the audience the real RANG of Music and Dance. Lastly very commendable and heart touching performance by the dancing kids was a tribute to one and only Bollywood Roop ki Rani Sridevi which made the audience mum.

Editor of Newsband Dinesh Kamath

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Impeachment drama' that was published in Newsband

Impeachment drama

Opposition leaders met Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M. Venkaiah Naidu to hand over a motion to impeach Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Chief Justice Misra is the 45^th Chief Justice of India, and has been in his position since August 2017.

The Chief Justice of India can also be impeached provided the necessary steps as laid out in the Constitution are taken. Justice V. Ramaswami was the first judge against whom impeachment proceedings were initiated.

Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India states: “A Judge of the Supreme Court shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the President passed after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting has been presented to the President in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.”

100 Lok Sabha MPs or 50 Rajya Sabha MPs is the minimum number of signatories required to issue the notice.

The impeachment motion floated, shall not earn two third majority in both the houses. Yet, MPs of 7 opposition parties are bent upon impeachment of CJI. This appears to be a move much more than that meets the eye. Every institution function with a motive which have their plus and minus. As long as those motive does not affect the nation and its citizens, it is fine. But, if the motives of these institutions are going to be "coloured" as the present impeachment suggests, then our Nation is not heading towards good times. The signatories to the motion should have a look at their backyard and ensure it is free of skeletons. All said and done, the opposition to the governing body are treading a dangerous path, and doesn't augur good for the country. We are yet to see a constructive role from the opposition parties. By hook or crook they are dividing the society, for personal reasons.

There should be a way of impeaching MPs and MLAs. Citizens too should have right to remove MP or MLA. In this case we find grandson following the grandmother in dividing the country in order to get power. Why pass a motion when it is know that BJP has majority in Lok Sabha? Ridiculed politics!

Congress and six other parties have moved to impeach CJI Dipak Misra. The CPI, CPI(M), NCP, SP, BSP and the IUML are the parties that have agreed to the motion. Just because one doesn’t get favorable judgments from CJI one tries to settle personal score.

It appears that attempt is being made to demolish the last pillar of democracy. If that is the case politics is a curse for India. This is totally disgusting on the part of the Opposition. If something does not suits them then they try to bring it down. Be it elections, or election commission or any other institution. Now they are trying to Bring down the Supreme Court, just because their favorite four judges did not get the cases they wanted. What stupidity is this?

Deepak Misra was appointed judge during Congress rule now they are challenging his integrity. There need to be a structural change in the Indian System of governance. Political bosses’ powers need tp be curbed. Their intrusion leads to large scale corruption and favoritism. Common men are losing faith in Government. How cheap has the judiciary become in the eyes of opposition, any judgment that doesn't suit their ideology is partial and they think of impeachment. Where was their morality and conscience when they stalled the impeachment motion of Supreme Court judge V Ramaswami. Ramaswami was a Congress (I) appointed judge and his removal could have undermined the party's credibility.

Video: He lent his Voices to 8 Cartoon Characters

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'PM promises justice to the rape victim' that was published in Newsband

PM promises justice to the rape victim

The rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua is a horrible news. The Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to protect its political constituency in Jammu. Two of its Ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti government had participated in a rally organised by the Hindu Ekta Manch in support of the accused in the case. BJP was slow to act against them. Soon after the two Ministers handed in their resignations, the party asked all its nine Ministers to step down, apparently to bring in new faces. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised justice to the rape victim.

Neither the People’s Democratic Party nor the BJP wants to end their coalition over this issue. What brought them together was the PDP’s interest in keeping the National Conference out, and the BJP’s in keeping the Congress out. The alliance was born of short-term electoral expediency rather than any long-term political strategy. But just as the two parties cannot fight the elections on the same electoral plank, they cannot afford to let go of their stakes in this government, for fear of conceding political space to their principal rivals.

BJP government should not hesitate to condemn this heinous act. But both the coalition partners are behaving like opportunists seeking safety to their power. They are reacting differently in different areas to keep their vote bank together. But, this strategy may not work long. Next year elections may see a vast change. If BJP keeps silent over this issue, there will be wrong message spread that Kathua is not just communalization but also criminalization of rape, and this will have serious consequence.

It's pathetic that how actions of politicians revolve around only power. Somehow, people and their problems are not main concerns for them. It may sound cliche but it is the reality which we have unknowingly accepted but there has to be firm stand against wrong things. We've been taught in schools that no matter how bitter and harsh the truth is you have to stand by it, even if it means going against your friends. But these values have no place in our politics one guesses. Yet, there is a hope that people will understand their rights and stand to protect them.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Why this cash crunch?' that was published in Newsband

Why this cash crunch?

The sudden cash crunch is become a big issue. The remonetisation process remains incomplete. The government had made the decision to scrap currency notes of ₹500 and ₹1,000, 18 months back. Today, large parts of India are in the throes of a severe cash crunch again. There are reports of cash shortages from States including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh

The shortage is a manifestation of an ‘unusual spurt in currency demand’. Thousands of automated teller machines are either not functioning or not dispensing adequate cash. The Reserve Bank of India has claimed there is enough cash in its vaults, but it has ramped up the printing of all notes. It is moving more cash to regions that witnessed high cash withdrawals.

Depositor fears about the impending Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill and hence a sudden love for cash. The government went for ₹2,000 notes post-demonetisation to remonetise the economy faster. The lower denomination notes taking longer to flow freely. Big note has become a preferred mode for hoarding capital.

Eighteen months ago government panged the hearts of the nation with demonetisation of the 500 & 1000 denominations. The aftermath of that has seen protracted queues and shortage of cash eventually agonizing demos of the nation. Though the demonetisation was perpetuated to curb the menace of black money and tax evasion and though the demonetisation 2.0 had pros and cons, nonetheless ATM`s going cashless still is a debatable event inked with irregularity and management of cash in the fiscal system. Is it that government is planning to shun 2000 notes, recalibration of ATM for 200 notes or did the upcoming elections which accentuated to make this happen?

Vigilance must be there and probe should be launched to find root cause of cash crunch. Than take some step to tackle down this problem. Demonetisation could be successful in the long run only when a constant and sharp vigilance is kept over transactions and deposition of money.

ATMs running out of cash in most parts of India reminds us of long queues after demonetisation of 2016 when 86 percent of cash in circulation was taken out of system. The situation may not be as bad now but cash crunch faced in many parts of the country is a matter of grave concern and explanation given by the Finance Ministry that there has been unusual spurt in cash demand for last three months may be partly true. The RBI’s assertion that shortage is due to logistic support, if true, also shows the cash management in very poor light. The malaise might be much deeper and result of recent banking scams and apprehensions of depositers regarding Financial Resolution and Insurance Bill, is eroding their faith in banking system. The government must bring banking system back on track immediately and re-assure the depositors that their money in banks is safe.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Nanu Ki Jaanu, Daas Dev, Truth or Dare and Beyond the Clouds) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Nanu Ki Jaanu

Movie Nanu Ki Jaanu is directed by Faraz Haider and written by Manu Rishi Chadha, Myshkin (original story) and stars Abhay Deol, Patralekhaa and Reshma Khan.

Nanu Ki Jaanu is a dark comedy, the story of which revolves around a Delhi land mafia agent (Abhay Deol) who tries to deal with the arrival of a ghost in his apartment. The movie depicts the story of a spirit, who falls in love with a hooligan and how their relation creates trouble to others form the plot of the movie. Nanu (played by Abhay Deol), a land mafia agent in Delhi, goes through many ups and downs in his life and things become worse for him as he tries to deal with an uninvited guest at his home. Thus the movie ‘Nanu Ki Jaanu’ is a supernatural romance comedy film which is an afterlife love story.

Daas Dev

Daas Dev is a romantic political thriller directed by Sudhir Mishra, starring Rahul Bhat as Dev Pratap Chauhan, Richa Chadda as Paro, Aditi Rao Hydari as Chandni, and Saurabh Shukla, Vineet Kumar Singh and Dalip Tahil in complex supporting roles along with Anil George, Deepraj Rana, Saurabh Tyagi with Anurag Kashyap in a guest appearance.

Daas Dev is a 2018 romantic-thriller, with an interesting, modern take on the classic tale of DevDas-Paro-Chandramukhi love triangle, starring Rahul Bhat as Dev, the supremely talented Richa Chadda as Paro, and Aditi Rao Hydari as Chandni. Daas Dev is a political thriller in which Dev is not a loser but a person who takes control of his life. He gets addicted to drugs and alcohol and eventually becomes hungry for power. Whether Dev manages to rid himself of these addictions and how Paro and Chandramukhi figure in his already convoluted life forms the crux of the story.

If Devdas was a journey from a noble person to a 'Das', this is a journey from 'Das', a person who is a slave to his addictions and to the dynastic ambitions of his family to ‘Dev’. Set against the backdrop of Uttar Pradesh, ‘Daas Dev’ is a film about power, love and addiction.

The film has Richa Chadda as Paro, Aditi Rao Hydari as Chandni, Rahul Bhat as Dev, Saurabh Shukla, Vineet Kumar Singh, Dalip Tahil, Vipin Sharma, Deepraj Rana, Anil George, Anurag Kashyap (Guest appearance), Sohaila Kapur, Jay Shanker Pandey, Yogesh Mishra and Shruti Sharma.

The film has songs like "Sehmi Hai Dhadkan", "Rangdaari", "Challa Chaap Chunariya", "Azaad Kar" and "Tain to Uttey".

Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare is a 2018 American supernatural horror film directed by Jeff Wadlow and written by Michael Reisz, Jillian Jacobs, Chris Roach and Wadlow. It stars Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beane, Hayden Szeto, and Landon Liboiron. Jason Blum produced through his Blumhouse Productions banner, and Universal Pictures distributed the film.

Olivia, Lucas and a group of their college friends travel to Mexico for one last getaway before graduation. While there, a stranger convinces one of the students to play a seemingly harmless game of truth or dare with the others. Once the game starts, it awakens something evil -- a demon which forces the friends to share dark secrets and confront their deepest fears. The rules are simple but wicked -- tell the truth or die, do the dare or die, and if you stop playing, you die. Thus a harmless game of "Truth or Dare" among friends turns deadly when someone-or something-begins to punish those who tell a lie-or refuse the dare.

The film has Lucy Hale as Olivia Barron, Tyler Posey as Lucas Moreno, Violett Beane as Markie Cameron, Hayden Szeto as Brad Chang, Landon Liboiron as Carter / Sam, Nolan Gerard Funk as Tyson Curran, Sophia Ali as Penelope Amari, Sam Lerner as Ronnie, Aurora Perrineau as Giselle Hammond, Tom Choi as Officer Han Chang and Gary Anthony Williams as the voice of Calax, the demonic entity controlling the game.

Beyond the Clouds

Beyond the Clouds is a 2018 Indian drama film written and directed by Majid Majidi and original score composed by A. R. Rahman. The film stars Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan in the lead roles. The film story is centered around a brother-sister relationship. Further it focuses on the siblings' bond, on human relationships in general. The film is a grown-up version of Majidi's previously directly Children of Heaven (1997), set in Mumbai.

The paths of two siblings collide, when on the run from the cops after a drug bust. Amir a 19 year old peddler from Mumbai finds solitude in his past, meanwhile his estranged sister Tara, who in a bid to protect her brother lands up in jail. This catastrophic incident turns serendipitous for them, whose entire lives have been clouded by despair as unexpectedly the light shines on them from Beyond the Clouds! The film highlights the many facets of India intertwined with celebration of love & family! The plot centres mainly in Mumbai.

The film has Ishaan Khatter as Aamir, Malavika Mohanan as Taara, Gautam Ghose as Akshi, G. V. Sharada as Jhumpa, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Dwani Rajesh, Mia Maelzer and Heeba Shah.

The original score and film soundtrack is written and composed by A. R. Rahman. The track "Ey Chhote Motor Chala" was the first single from the soundtrack album. The song portrays into the life of character Amir (played by Ishaan Khatter). Tracklist include "Son of Mumbai", "The Game of Life", "Twist of Destiny", "The Gift", "The Family Comes Home", "Second Thoughts", "Akshi", "Hospital", "Full Moon", "Reunited” and "The Family Leaves" – all performed by A. R. Rahman, "Beyond The Clouds" by Nikhita Gandhi, "Holi" by A. R. Rahman, "Ala Re Ala" by Dilshaad Shabbir Shaikh, Nikhita Gandhi and MC Heam and "Ey Chhote Motor Chala" by MC Heam, Additional Vocals: Arjun Chandy and Sid Sriram.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Simultaneous elections – a good idea' that was published in Newsband

Simultaneous elections – a good idea

The Law Commission of India recommends holding of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assemblies, possibly in 2019. It suggests amending the Constitution to realize this objective.

The commission says simultaneous elections were held in the country during the first two decades after Independence up to 1967. Dissolution of certain Assemblies in 1968 and 1969 followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha led to the “disruption of the conduct of simultaneous elections. Simultaneous elections may be restored in the nation by amending the Constitution, Representation of the People Act of 1951 and the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and Assemblies.

It recommends that in 2019, the election could be held in phases. In the first phase, it says, elections to the legislatures which are scheduled to go for polls synchronous with the Lok Sabha in 2019 could be held together. The rest of the States could go to elections in proximity with the Lok Sabha elections of 2024.

The panel says that in case of mid-term elections, the new Lok Sabha or Assembly would only serve the remainder of the term of the previous Lok Sabha/Assembly and not a fresh term of five years. It also says that the Prime Minister/Chief Minister should be “elected” to lead by the full House like the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Good move, but care must be taken in making the regulations at the time of hung assembly/parliament. The idea is good because some weight of election on Exchequer will be reduced. Conducting election simultaneously will also help party to promote their MP and MLA simultaneously; thus party could save funds. Secondly there should be a provision to be crafted that nomination should be restricted to one seat and also either for parliament or for legislation

It not only saves money but bring the deep nationality feeling among all citizen of India and the mind set of regionalism will be destroyed slowly. Simultaneous elections would reduce cost, increase effective governance time, formulate a stable government and increase productivity of states. On the other side voters should be wise enough to differentiate between local issue and central issue to choose appropriate government at State and central simultaneously. Amendment should also be made in Constitution to address the issue of mid term government collapse. Creative amendments will boost people's mandate. Each election heralds circulation of unaccounted money. It is a harbinger of devaluation of currency. This is the period communal feelings spread among the whole electorate. Simultaneous elections per decade is recommended in view of the cost and toll each election inflicts on the economy.

Simultaneous elections will be huge step forward for India. Governments will be more focused on working for people rather than fighting elections all the time.