Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Honest public servants should be protected' that was published in Newsband

Honest public servants should be protected

Sincere anti-corruption efforts should be done. The amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, is a good effort aimed at combating corruption in government. The amended form may have a liberating effect on honest officials. It is more concise and restricts criminal misconduct to two offences: misappropriating or converting to one’s own use property entrusted to a public servant or is in his control, and amassing unexplained wealth. A person “shall be presumed to have intentionally enriched himself” if he cannot account for his assets through known sources of income.

By making citizens liable for offering a bribe to a public servant, the anti-corruption law has been brought in line with the UN Convention Against Corruption. The only exception to this rule is when one is forced to give a bribe. The penal provision can empower people to refuse to pay a bribe.

Public servants need to be protected against unfair prosecution. The "giver" is equally responsible as the "taker", however, it still seems difficult to curb the corruption in the form of bribes. After this amendment, a corrupted official per se, may remain assured that no one is going to complain because of the nature of the amendment which says "both" are culprits. Nevertheless, this amendment is in line with the UN Convention Against Corruption and that's the only good thing about it.

The giver having to face music hampers levelling of charges. The insulated provisions for bureaucracy indulging in corruption act as dampener for the teethy laws to crack down on corruption. Requirement of prior sanction for initiating investigation against government officers is a shield for corrupt govt officers; such officers will commit corruption with impunity.

Corruption should be curbed at any cost. Law maker make policy for their interest and they don’t introduce anything that will benefit public but introduce thing which is better for themselves. It’s not their fault; it’s our fault; we choose them.

When an individual is forced to part with bribe and he has to report to law enforcement agencies within seven days and if the agencies refuse to accept what is the alternative? Further prior permission to start investigation only will help increase corruption since the permission to start investigation is very rarely sanctioned.

While assets not proportionate to income can be assumed as obtained illegitimate it is to be proved by court and it may take its own time hence it is indirect protection. Still the law favours the corrupt.

The amendment saving the honest officials is welcome. The previous provisions were menacing the officials who exercised their power which resulted in favour to some others. Indeed prevention of corruption should start from top brass. If the polity is very strict and serious on corruption the officials will have the fear. But now the top to bottom fearless corruption made it normal and the public servants demand it. Another side of the coin is the public who yield to the demand for corruption from polity and officials. Hence eradicating corruption is a two way process and this will never happen. Lakhs of officials are booked for corruption but it is not a whistle blower and corruption is still rampant. Strong judiciary with time bound trials may have some effect on corruption.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Why only UP? Why not other States too?' that was published in Newsband

Why only UP? Why not other States too?

Modi has launched 81 investment projects worth over ₹60k crore for UP. These projects have the potentials of creating over two lakh new jobs. The projects are expected to give a big boost to industrialisation in the state.

Is Money from other regions is being diverted to UP so that Modi can win re-election? It is patently unfair and unjust. The question everybody asks is why Modi didn't launch these so called 81 investment projects earlier? Is this act a part of electioneering?

Also the list of invitees present on this occasion shows the prospective beneficiaries. In case the projects take off as envisaged and if lakhs get employed the losers will be the realtor enterprises who have a chunk of workers in their construction work from U.P. (Bihar) spread over the country.

While on this, it makes one wonder what type of projects are these as none have been specified. Secondly, why all these are in one State, viz. U.P. only? Modi should have specified the projects instead of leaving the people guessing or is there any secrecy factor preventing him to do so?

Increasing private investment is indicators of improving legal situation and systemic inertia. Anyway credit should go to Yogi government for improving business sentiment. Now time for results.

It is a matter of pride that 81 new projects worth 60,000 crores have been launched by the PM in UP on a single day all of private entrepreneurs. This certainly will generate more employment and ancillary units and other business to support these units. But why PM's all benevolence is restricted only for UP? As a PM, he is supposed to look after the development of whole of the country and not one or two states dear to his heart. Or is it the game of 80 MPs Vs 13 MPs from state like Punjab or with other states still having less numbers of MPs.

Before implementing these projects, better set right the officials who (majority) are highly corrupt and then projects may be announced.

Some people call this act as spending out of proportionate money in UP for its 80 Lok Sabha seats. Money is mostly wasted for unproductive causes. Hence the rupee is going down. Modi needs to focus on measures to increase productivity. Spend more money on southern states. That is the bread and butter of this economy.

Maybe Modi thought that UP being one of the biggest state of India have huge potential in terms of employment, industrialization, agriculture, SME, skill development. UP for the first ever time accept development as its first & foremost agenda. So it’s time for PM to showcase the growth like his own native state not only to gain the voter for coming 19 election but also move towards a developed India.

It marks a major shift. Clearly the emphasis is now on the private sector that is going to play a major role in these projects. For too long we have suffered with mega government projects that invariably end up in scams and delays.

However, we cannot simplistically assume that private sector is scam-free. Secondly, there is no doubt that announcement of these projects in the electorally central and biggest state of India is simply an election stunt. The PM is going to UP every weekend and his party has been using symbols like a Yogi as CM to keep the cadre happy.

Dinesh Kamath talks about FAME and MONEY

Dinesh Kamath talks about FAME and MONEY

Hi Friends,

In this world, there are many people with Money. But these Rich people yearn for Fame. Almost all of them can’t acquire Fame because their money can buy anything but not Fame. Now my question is: Is there any person who has a lot of Fame but very little Money? If there is one then he or she is an exceptional person because everybody believes that Money automatically accompanies Fame. It is not necessary that Fame should accompany Money. In most of the cases, it doesn’t. But between Fame and Money, which is difficult to acquire? I strongly believe that it is much easier to acquire Money but it is extremely difficult to get Fame. Fame is not easy to get. In the entire world, less than one percent of the population is Famous. But more than fifty percent are Rich. This fact itself proves that one can get Money easily but one cannot get Fame so easily. My another question is: If you land in a situation where you have to choose between Money and Fame, which one would you choose? I am asking this question because I personally had landed in this situation and I don’t regret the decision that I had made. Bye!

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Focus on modernity' that was published in Newsband

Focus on modernity

Outsiders have a more clear-sighted view of everydayness than us. Some talk against the communalism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) But a European philosopher observed that the categories of left and right were grossly overdrawn in India. According to him, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s idea of capitalism is adequate. Mohandas Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore were more creative nationalists than Veer Savarkar or K.B. Hedgewar.

Indian parties were more vehicles for modernity. When the Congress lost its modernising impetus, the BJP became the surrogate moderniser. If the left saw economics as a classic force, history was always the collective impetus for the BJP.

It contemporarises the ancients by creating equivalences to current achievements in ancient times. The examples range from test-tube babies and plastic surgery to biotechnology. India is seen as one fluid continuity from the Vedic Age to now. While ancient history is rendered current, it rewrites the history of the last 500 years, unable to accept defeat.

It is perpetually encouraging people to rectify history at every stage, where even murder becomes an act of rectification. BJP fetishes 2019, which it sees as the end of Congress history and the beginning of Ram Rajya. It dissolves the Planning Commission not because it was a Congress idea but because it was a futurist notion. The BJP likes nationalism because it unifies time and history into a reign of uniformity. No party dreads plurality, diversity and difference as much as the BJP does.

When the south appeals to a different language, the BJP has no answer. It has no idea of the vernacular. The minute India responds either civilisationally or in the vernacular. One has to focus on modernity,

The idea of India which emerged and developed during the anti colonial movement respected all the forms of diversity and the same is reflected in the constitution. Rise and growth of regional parties and Dravidian movement in the post independence India should be study in this context.

People might interpret what BJP is communicating in a way based on their education and mindset. No one can agree on what some BJP leaders speak. They might be wrong as well as every other party. Human being has many identities. A person can have religious, linguistic, social, region based, national as well as global identity at the same time. If certain people can't get it, it is their narrow view. A Hindu considers himself as Hindu, Indian, Nationalist as well as a global citizen. Why is Nationalism a bad word? One can hold a strong national identity even after carrying other identities mentioned at one level slightly less than it. But as a Hindu for him Nation is prime and his religion and nationalism can't collide. If someone was born as a Hindu in Europe or USA or Namibia, one would still hold National identity as strong as other identities. Other people can't get it. Some people just can't comprehend his capacity to hold all identities without collision.

It is true that BJP is pro-Hindu. But it is not anti-minority. Congress was pro-minority and anti-Hindu. Congress was promoting the minority communities at the cost of Majority community. This game which they were playing cost them the PMship. Reservation policy is one example. It was the brainchild of Congress. Who were the winners and who were the losers in this dirty game is very clear to everyone.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Wishing Imran Khan Good Luck!' that was published in Newsband

Wishing Imran Khan Good Luck!

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has emerged from Wednesday’s election within touching distance of a majority. The former cricketer will come to the Prime Minister’s office. First he will have to assert a legitimate claim to power.

Are the allegations of rigging and military interference true? The removal of Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister and later from the electoral arena has helped Khan considerably.

Pakistan has already sought more loans from China, This will be a big challenge for Khan. His next set of challenges emerge from the region, where he will have to crack down on terror. Khan has soft corner for Taliban militants who he had said were fighting for “independence”.  Khan will also have to tackle terror groups inside Pakistan.

Khan had spent the most time on ties with India when listing his foreign policy priorities. His comments on alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir will not be viewed kindly in New Delhi. Khan claimed that no Pakistani leader had engaged more with India than he had. He offered to take two steps forward if India reciprocates.

We need not worry about the way elections were conducted but focus on how he tackles the Army which puts stumbling blocks in the relationship between the two countries. His relations with China and US are of nominal importance to us as both will have not much confidence in him in leading the country until he proves himself.

Imran Khan is probably the first person in the world to become the leader of a nation after leading his country in an international game. Imran’s career in Cricket was exceptionally good. In the field he was always at the centre of attraction for his mastery in bowling, prowess with the willow. History anywhere in the world has not recorded an instance where successful sports person has become successful leader as well. The reason is simple. What matters most for success in politics is rectitude much more than fortitude and probity more than competence whereas in Sports it is the vice versa.

This is one of the reasons why Imran had to work hard for over two decades in politics. Imran has to continue to work hard to adapt himself and answer in time to the demands of politics in leading a nation. The all rounder Imran has a herculean task of lifting Pakistan from the deep pit.

While congratulating Imran Khan, the Cricketer turned politician, for working upward and reaching the position of PM of a tumultuous Pakistan, one must also be cautious in trying to predict about how he might conduct himself in taking Pakistan forward. The primary problem of Pakistan, an otherwise excellent Society, is that in spite of attempting to usher in Democracy, the Law of the Land and Governance are dictated/ controlled by the Army, the Intelligence wing of the Army, the ISI, the religious Mullahs and added to this is the fear complex instilled by Militant Taliban groups. Imran Khan has been observing that Pakistan is always under control of the USA, and he is against the same. However, his attempt to soft pedal the role of Taliban as a group working against USA, for the purpose of bringing Independence, is fraught with danger in that Talibanism has created conditions for nurturing Terrorism. The immediate future would tell us how Imran works. Let us wish him well.

It seems that he may soft pedal with India and come to talks across table. The cricket hero who bowled bouncers in games now has to face tough political bouncers during his tenure of polity.

Wishing him good luck!

Video: Dinesh Kamath sings Elvis Presley's song 'Marguerita'

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Stop tinkering with the RTE Act' that was published in Newsband

Stop tinkering with the RTE Act

Is the legislation to amend the Right to Education Act, passed by the Lok Sabha, to give States the power to detain students who fail an examination in Class 5 or 8, a right measure? The proposed change will allow State Boards to declare a student failed and detain her on the basis of an examination. But Section 30(1) of the RTE Act holds out the assurance that no child shall be required to face any Board examination till completion of elementary education. Detaining already disadvantaged children can only break it further, and render the RTE Act a dead letter.

In fact, in 2016 the NITI Aayog found, based on a study in Punjab, that bringing back detention in elementary schooling would increase the dropout rate, impacting the poor and Dalits the most as they depended on government institutions.

Basic education alone would create sufficient condition for the development of the nation. Education should be a natural process of time-function worldly experiences, supported by elderly mentoring that helps youngsters to open up their creativity and innovative power. Additionally, the national objective should be to make sure that Education helps in human thought-processes working on real problems and needs of the nation. Heretofore our Education system has only been an externally concocted irrelevant arrangement whereby youngsters are forced to "mug up" things that they would never understand in a natural manner, and not knowing why they study those. This should change

Many are of the opinion that only fear of failure will make the so called disadvantaged student put effort on at least clearing the exams. What is the use of automatic pass? Some students were heard saying that they are coming to school just to receive Free Laptop and Free meals only. Nothing else. It is an insult to the education system if it doesn't change course. The recent amendment will restore some semblance of quality in the education system.

But there are others who argue that detention demoralizes the kids. The number of years schooling will be affected.  Success in learning does not depend upon only the school, but the educational attainment of parents, siblings and financial strength of parents. Permit the students to study and attend schools for minimum of 12 years. It helps the society and the younger lot in the long run.

Detention has not led to improvement of their academic performance. Much more than that, teachers had an aversion towards the second year students and approached them as useless.

Dinesh Kamath’s column ‘New movies released in Navi Mumbai’ (Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, Nawabzaade, When Obama Loved Osama, 3 Dev and Mridang) that was published in Newsband

New movies released in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3

Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (transl. The master, the wife and the gangster 3;) is an Indian action thriller film directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. It is the third instalment in Tigmanshu Dhulia's series of films started by Rahul Mittra Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster. Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Shergill, Mahi Gill, Chitrangada Singh and Soha Ali Khan will play the lead roles in the film.

The royal saga of deceit, conspiracy, greed and lust continues in the third installment of the film series, as the Saheb and Biwi are pitted against a foe who is dreaded by one and all. With everyone involved scheming ruthlessly for their own personal gain, the cloak-and-dagger game is about to take a dark and bloody turn.

The film has Sanjay Dutt as Kabir Aka Baba, Jimmy Shergill as Aditya Pratap Singh, Mahi Gill as Madhavi Devi, Deepak Tijori Kabir's Step Brother, Chitrangada Singh as Mona, Soha Ali Khan as Ranjana, Kabir Bedi as Kabir's Father, Deepraj Rana as Kanhaiya, Nafisa Ali as Kabir's Mother, Imran Hasnee as Aslam Bhai and Rishina Kandhari as Aditya's Sister.

The soundtrack of the film has been composed by Rana Mazumder, Aanjan Bhattacharya, Siddharth Pandit while the lyrics have been provided by Sandeep Nath, Revant Shergill, Kausar Munir, Kumaar and Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. The film has songs like "Baba Theme Song", "Kesariya Jugni", and "Lag Ja Gale" (Original composition by Madan Mohan).

Nawabzaade

Nawabzaade (transl. Prince's son) is a 2018 Bollywood romantic comedy film starring Raghav Juyal, Punit Pathak and Dharmesh Yelande in leading roles and also features Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Badshah and Athiya Shetty as a special appearance in the songs. The film is produced by Lizelle D'Souza under R.D.Entertainment and directed by Jayesh Pradhan.

The film has Raghav Juyal as Karan, Punit Pathak as Abhishek, Dharmesh Yelande as Salim, Isha Rikhi as Sheetal, Zakir Hussain, Mukesh Tiwari as Raghavan Ghatge, Vijay Raaz as Inspector Kabir, Varun Dhawan (Special Appearance in song "High Rated Gabru"), Shraddha Kapoor (special appearance in the song"High Rated Gabru"), Shakti Mohan (Special appearance in song "Amma Dekh"), Athiya Shetty (Special appearance in song "Tere Naal Nachna") and Sanjeeda Sheikh (Special appearance in song "Mummy Kasam").

Soundtrack album is by Gurinder Seagal, Guru Randhawa and Badshah. The film has songs like "High Rated Gabru", "Tere Naal Nachna", "Mummy Kasam", "High Rated Gabru" (Female Version) and "Lagi Hawa Dil Ko".

When Obama Loved Osama

When Obama Loved Osama is directed by Sudhish Kumar Sharma.

The subject of the film is exceptionally intriguing. It revolves around a girl named Maggi Obama and a boy named Aman Osama. To win the hand of the young girl, the hero needs to cross a few obstacles on his way as he is a Muslim and the young girl is a Christian.

The cast consists of Amrita Acharya, Kimti Anand, Rahul Avana, Mohit Baghel, Manoj Bakshi, Swati Bakshi, Parul Chauhan, Lilliput Faruqui, Vikas Giri, Mushtaq Khan, Lokesh Mittal, Heena Panchal, Hemant Pandey, Mousam Sharma and Himani Shivpuri.

3 Dev

3 Dev is a film directed by Ankush Bhatt and written by Ghalib Asadbhopali.

India is generally a superstition dominated country. And the people here strongly rely on God to resolve the problems or issues that are beyond them. This is where beliefs and superstitions come into the picture. But what is really superstition or belief or God? This is what the movie is about

The movie has Karan Singh Grover as Vishnu, Ravi Dubey as Brahma, Kunaal Roy Kapur as Mahesh, Kay Kay Menon as Satyavan, Tisca Chopra as Savitri, Raima Sen as Bhairvi, Poonam Kaur as Radha, Priya Banerjee as Vani, Prasenjit Chatterjee as Professor and Puja Bose in Special Appearance (as Pooja Banerjee).

Mridang

Mridang is a film directed and written by Ritesh S Kumar.

When headline goes as 'Naked man arrested' a chaos is originated among the common men while the man was running in the streets with no clothes. He fights his own case and end up in the legal heated debates to prove himself infront of a crowd of thousands.

The film has Rose Laskar and Manoj Kumar Rao in lead roles.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'FRDI Bill dropped' that was published in Newsband

FRDI Bill dropped

The government decided to drop the controversial Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill, thus allowing bank customers to breathe easy. This means the present system of insurance deposits will continue and customers will not have to worry about the ‘bail-in’ provision in the proposed Bill.

There were two controversial clauses in the Bill: a bail-in provision and an insurance on deposits. The bail-in provision stipulated that if a bank fails, depositors will have to bear part of the liability. Technically speaking, this provision says, “It amounts to liabilities’ holders bearing a part of the cost of resolution by reduction in their claims.” it angered depositors and invited criticism from opposition parties.

Currently, deposits are insured up to ₹1 lakh. The Bill proposed to delete the legal provision for the present insurance system and defined this protection in a new way. It also said that under the provisions of the FRDI Bill, in case of liquidation of a bank, the claims of uninsured depositors will be higher than those of unsecured creditors and government dues. Therefore, “the rights of uninsured depositors will be better protected... in the FRDI Bill.” However, the perception was that there would not be any insurance cover, which prompted the opposition attack.

In case of problem in the banks, the losses have to be borne by all parliamentarians, and legislators because they run the Government and they are benefited in every sense and more than that they came to power to serve the people and let them pay all the dues to the banks and serve the people. People know that they have enough money inside and outside and if they pay proportionately, they will still have enough money to spend for next election.

The Deposit insurance cap of 1 lakh is too little. So, the Government must come forward to hike it for deposits up to 10 lakhs immediately.

Sometimes even the elected governments act like dictatorial governments at times and so such public outcry and loud protests are needed to tame such bullying governments. People have to bear this in mind whenever any government acts against the interests of the people who elected such a government. It is a victory for the outcry which has sensitized the government. The Deposit insurance cap of 1 lakh is too little, archaic, and insignificant and so the government must come forward to hike it to the deposits up to 10 lakhs immediately. The members of the opposition parties have the responsibility of raising the issue in both houses of the Parliament as the banking system of India travels towards a deep erosion due to the mounting NPA. Will any member raise this issue in the Parliament?

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Why people avoid travelling by AI flights?' that was published in Newsband

Why people avoid travelling by AI flights?

Several passengers have complained of bed bugs in the Business Class of Air India flights over the past week. The airline has taken up fumigation of the aircraft to tackle the menace. One passenger had to take medication for rashes that she developed due to the bug bites. She is now covered with painful bites all over her arms, forearms, legs, ankles, back, neck and abdomen.

This is a health and safety violation. It is nothing but callousness, affecting the prestige of our country. It tarnishes the image of India and also its people. The airline should be sued for compensation. At least somebody complained about it. This might have happened before also but people don’t dare to complain or they leave it just like that.

The airline should give financial compensation and an apology to those affected by their carelessness. It’s a gross apathy. That is why public sector enterprises failed, are failing and will fail. Air India is no exception. And the government wants to revive Air India.

By travelling in Air India business class you give business to doctors and hospitals too. That's Maharaja. Business for all. That could be the reason why no one is interested to buy air India.

This is what happens when the government runs organisations. Similar is the case with government offices and the plight of most of the branches of nationalised banks. This may be why the employees protest. It is a happy go lucky life. If you pull up the cleaning staff, you have to get ready to face a strike fully supported by the unions and of course the opposition.

The airline authorities should keep the airline clean for the Indian Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and bureaucrats, then only will it become a clean airline. Because the above category will not let it be privatised and the Air India staff be held accountable. It's white elephant of Indian Govt. It's making losses & Govt. pays it with hard earned money of common people.

Sad that one has to suffer and lodge a formal complaint for what should really be a routine exercise - to fumigate and ensure procedures of cleanliness. Maharaja is symptomatic of many of our ‘Chalta Hai’ mentality - let's all constructively deal with lethargy of Indian psyche

Hope the Air India officials take preemptive steps to eradicate the bug menace and other inconvenience. Air India thirty years back was a great airline till Praful Patel came and sold it for money. Really hope they can revive this because it’s India's pride.

The bug related incident is shameful. If this happened in a private airline, there would be a big price to pay with their stock price taking a nose dive. In case of AI, the government keeps the incompetence going, by making money from the tax payer. Just shut down the airline or sell it off in pieces. If any opposition party makes a noise, just ignore.

AI’s service is pathetic. It is prudent to get merged with a profit making carrier before it is too late.

But private airlines are not without their faults. Dilapidated aircraft, drunken pilots and robust behaviour of the crew members is a routine complaints you hear of private airlines. To meet the bottom line in cut-throat competition, these private airlines compromise on airworthiness of the aircrafts. Therefore, highlight lacunae of these new generation airlines.

A big noise is made about what happened in an airline. But this is what a common man in India endures during public transport travels. It comes to public notice only when it affects the higher class people.

Dinesh Kamath's news 'Where to Every Where: Animation Films Poised for a Boom in India...' that was published in Newsband...

Where to Every Where: Animation Films Poised for a Boom in India...

Above: Trailer 1 and 2 of Stolen Princess
As per the Ernst and Young report in FICCI Frames 2018 animation sector in India has been growing steadily over the past few years and has reached INR 17 billion in 2017, registering a growth of 13 % over 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% till 2020. India also is now attracting a lot of work from France, Germany and Middle East other than US and UK thus driving up the volume of international TV productions outsourced to India. India has emerged as a key animation development market as Hollywood studios have been tapping India’s large pool of low-cost, English- speaking animators who are familiar with the western culture. Even the increased consumption in Tier II and Tier III Indian cities is creating more opportunities for the industry.

At large, Governments of various states are coming up with suitable policy and strategy to support the animation industry. like Maharashtra is allocating land for setting up National Centre of Excellence for Animation, VFX, Gaming and Comics & Telangana is planning to set up an incubation centre in Hyderabad.

Since the past 3 years animation films from both Bollywood & Hollywood have shown major consumption in India across various genres & languages:

·         Incredibles 2 which released in India on 22nd June 2018 by Disney Pixar in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu collected more than 30 Crores till date since its release, becoming the highest grossing Hollywood animation film in the country.

·         Peter Rabbit released on April 2018 in English & Hindi collected more than 6 Crores in India

·         Coco released on November 2017 in English & Hindi garnered more than 10 Crores in Indian box office

·         Despicable 3 released in June 2017 in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu made more than 19 Crores in India 

·         Cars 3 released on June in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu made more than 11 Crores in India

·         Boss Baby released in March 2017 in English & Hindi garnered more than 18 Crores in India

·         The Jungle Book which released in India in March 2016 in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu crossed Rs 100 Crores within just 10 days. Eventually ending up collecting Rs 243.27 crore at the box office

Animation Films to be released in India in 2018:

·         Hanuman and Mahiravana: 6th July. Distributed by Yash Raj Films to release in Hindi & Tamil languages in India in 3D and 2D versions.

·         Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacations: 13th July by Sony Pictures Animation to release in English, Hindi,Tamil & Telugu 

·         The Stolen Princess: 24th August 2018– A Ukrainian film by Ultra Media & Entertainment Group in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu 

·         Chhota Bheem: Kung Fu Dhamaka by Yash Raj Films in Hindi & Tamil languages in 3D and 2D versions (releasing in this year, date not yet confirmed)

·         Spiderman into the Spider Verse: 14th December 2018 by Sony Pictures in English, Hindi, Tamil & Telugu

·         Small Foot: 28th September by Warner Bros in English

·         The Grinch: 9th November by NBC Universal in English and many more…..

Animation Films released in 2018 till date are:

·         Shiva The Secret World Of Vedas City on: 9th June, 2018 in Hindi

·         Pakdam Pakdai Doggy Don in Egypt: 2nd June, 2018: Hindi

The Regional Touch:  In the 1st week of its theatrical release, the dubbed versions collections of Jungle Book garnered 52 % compared to 48 % from the English version. Local audiences are keen on watching films in a language that provide them experiences that local films cannot deliver. Indian market is diverse, comprising several powerful regional centres. Dubbing the Hollywood animation films localise its content into regional languages & helps it to penetrate into newer markets & attract newer audience. What were once considered as an English film strictly for the multiplex audiences now releases in single screens too catering to the B and C centers

The Right Voice: Using voices of well-known Bollywood Celebrities for key animated characters have also helped in creating the right credibility & curiosity amongst the audience. Kajol Devgan being the latest to lend her voice for the “Elastic Girl” in “The Incredibles 2”. In the past Priyanka Chopra, Nana Patekar, Irrfan Khan & Om Puri dubbed for The Jungle Book. Akshay Kumar & Shah Rukh Khan has dubbed for The Incredibles 1.

 OTT & digital platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and VooT have also increased their Indian animation content. Amazon Prime has partnered with the likes of Green Gold Animation to commission exclusive animated series of its popular IPs such as Chota Bheem. Netflix signed Green Gold to produce Asia’s first animation original with their own IP – Mighty Little Bheem – to be syndicated in over 190 countries

Sushil Kumar Agrawal, CEO, Ultra Media & Entertainment Group said, “India has a fair appetite for good animated films made in different languages if the story is engaging and told in the regional language. Hence, we are releasing a well-known Ukrainian film The Stolen Princess in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in India. The film has been very well received globally. It’s an engaging fairy tale, where the protagonists are involved in several adventures. It will appeal to children, teenagers and other age groups too. The arresting visuals will add to the appeal. We have also acquired other animated films from around the globe, which we will be releasing in theatres in due course of time.”     

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Why the No Confidence Motion?' that was published in Newsband

Why the No Confidence Motion?

There was no need of No Confidence Motion. Neither the TDP nor the Congress had hope of bringing down the Narendra Modi government a year before its term ends.  Yet they went on with the debating and voting exercise which was not worth anything.

The TDP wanted to use the vote to signal its clear break with the BJP. The motion brought to light differences within both camps. While the Shiv Sena, a partner in government, abstained from voting, the BJD and the TRS did not join ranks with the other Opposition parties. How will the BJP deal with the Sena’s defiance? But they need each other in Maharashtra.

If the BJP’s alliance concerns are focused on Maharashtra, the Congress’s alliance-building will be hard work in most States. Even the TDP does not appear to be on the side of the Congress. The Congress is not in a position to dictate the terms of alliance in many States. In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and the BSP are the key players; in Bihar, the RJD will take the lead position. In Karnataka, the JD(S) is in a position to drive a hard bargain; and in Tamil Nadu, the DMK is the leading partner. TRS chief and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao speaks of a non-Congress, non-BJP coalition of regional parties. The BJD counts both the Congress and the BJP as opponents.

BJP is too strong for the opposition. Perhaps in state by elections it is different. People do not trust Congress or other opposition as there is no consensus PM candidate. So it is going to be Modi again.

Political scenario which exists today cannot be considered to be of any comfort for the Congress. It is unlikely that there will be a broad anti-BJP front at national level. If the Congress leadership is thinking seriously about Lok Sabha election in 2019 it must be clear about one simple decision: in which States would Congress like to have an alliance or sharing of seats? It is not an easy decision. Congress is confident of doing well on its own in 3 States, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. At the same time Congress would like to have some kind of an alliance or seat arrangement with (a) SP & BSP in Uttar Pradesh, (b) with RJD in Bihar, and (c) with NCP and some smaller parties in Maharashtra. Question is whether SP, BSP RJD, NCP etc. would give the Congress a chance to increase its strength in Lok Sabha. It would be interesting to watch developments in this regard in next six to eight months.

The no-confidence motion turned out to be a dampener for so called marriage of convenience of opposition parties. Modi knows too well that his political juggernaut could never be dented with these disgruntled and disparate opposition parties. Rahul Gandhi's antics at the parliament on the day of confidence motion has miserably failed to pass grade in galvanising a opposition

Humility and accomodation do not come naturally to the Congress. In Karnataka, the desperate offer of the CM's chair to Shri Kumaraswamy was followed by some tough negotiations on portfolios. In UP and Bihar, with 120 seats, it is a minor presence. Instead of triggering a row with powerful, ambitious regional leaders like Mamata Banerjee, the effort should simply be to work out the modalities for straight contests in as many seats as possible. The campaign itself should be disciplined, focused on the incumbent's Report Card, no diversion to emotive issues, careless remarks by senior leaders.

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'No Confidence Motion – An unnecessary drama' that was published in Newsband

No Confidence Motion – An unnecessary drama

The BJP-led NDA government on Friday defeated the no-confidence motion moved against it by the Opposition and initiated by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) after a 12-hour debate. The final figures, subject to correction, stood at 325 with the government and 126 against, with no abstentions. Even without the Shiv Sena, the BJP got support from non-NDA parties.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s sharp attack over defence deals and crony capitalism failed to make an impact. Rahul Gandhi hugging the startled Prime Minister made the latter remark that the hug reflected a “hurry to come to power”. All these dramas set the tone for the next general election.

Modi’s speech was dominated by references to the Congress and its attempts to forge an Opposition unity against the BJP. Modi rightly said that this is not a floor test of the government but a floor test of the Congress and the parties it wants to ally with. It is the Congress seeking validation from allies for their leader’s candidacy as the candidate for prime minister, he added.

Recent world soccer matches showed that, all teams being nearly of equal standards, the most opportunistic players win for their side. In the No Confidence Motion, by a combination of various factors and Indian inability to forge a selfless and effective third front, and an already declined Congress, a political void has been created. Now it is the turn of BJP to avail the opportunity and dominate the national political scene for a while

The timing selected for bringing out No Confidence Motion against the ruling party is ill timed. Rather, it is an unwarranted one, after the ruling party completed its term of more than four years. One should support neither the Opposition nor the Ruling. All that is expected is that the country should have a stable economy, a stable stature and position globally and in the eyes of competing nations. The country should be in a position to tackle external threats which is possible only by a stable government. The country should have a stable economical position and improved Balance of Payments position with improved reserve of Foreign Exchange, which is quite possible with stable economic and banking policies. The country should have a peaceful situation across all the States devoid of any threats to social life. Let the support be to those who concentrate on such above aspects, instead of proving who is Big and who is Small, which is already proved by the electoral mandate.

If objective of ‘No confidence motion’ was to embarrass the Prime Minister by making unsubstantiated allegations against PM it has failed. If objective was to compel Centre to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, it has not been achieved. Whether before the Lok Sabha election in 2019, the motion will lead to unity among the regional parties, it is difficult to say as the BJD, AIADMK and TRS do not wish to be part of the grand alliance. As far as Congress is concerned, whether it will benefit from the motion, the chances are that it will neither be part of grand alliance not will it openly excluded from it. Leaders of regional parties like SP, BSP, RJD, NCP, TDP and others everyone knows strengths and weaknesses of Congress party and they will make ensure that the Congress’ will not be a gainer from alliance. If Congress can concentrate in four or five states, (Karnataka, Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra), it may be able to make it a contest.

At the end of the day, a common man wants a country of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas from our present government or future government, whether it is ruled by BJP or Congress or by someone else. Even after 70 years of Independence, we have not improved much in spite of our huge potential in every filed.

In the NCM, the country merely witnessed a clash of personalities, frivolous use of parliament to abuse each other, and the mega-enormous waste of tax-payer money in petty bickering. The debate, if indeed it can be called that, was mostly in poor taste, unparliamentary in the temple, and did not focus on the outcome of governance and performance over the last four years. It was an opportunity lost. The voting public did not come away any better informed at the end, than they were when they went into the debate. This was reality theater which did nothing to change or garner opinion based on volleyed arguments on the merits and demerits of policies implemented by the government. At the end of the day the contours of partisanship remained intact. A grammar school student could have counted the final votes even before they were cast in the parliament.

Is this why we pay these guys to go to the parliament for?

Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Inflation worries' that was published in Newsband

Inflation worries

A sharp surge in wholesale inflation is a cause for concern. A detailed look at The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) data for June reveals several pressure points warranting closer macro-economic scrutiny.

Inflation in the fuel and power group has quickened. Food articles are another source of worry, especially the prices of vegetables and the politically sensitive duo of potatoes and onions. Manufactured products — the third key group-level constituent of the WPI - are also signaling a worrying wider inflationary trend. Manufacture of basic metals that includes a range of goods from alloy steel castings, stainless steel tubes to copper plates and aluminum sheets posted headline inflation.

The policy makers can ill afford to ease their vigil. After all, a sustained trend of high WPI inflation will not only add pressure on the RBI to raise interest rates, but could also potentially undermine the pace of GDP growth. The Finance Ministry must come up with more and more shorthands in dealing with the problem of inflation. The cabinet should hold some powerful economist for the post of the Finance minister for a much robust economic structural revolution. An LL.B. will not work for each and every post.

Unless the economy is dealt by real economists instead of an advocate how one may think of a good economy. It’s high time that some prominent economist take over the Finance Ministry. The current FM is a complete failure. PM must also understand that only loyalist should not be the prime criteria to allocate important ministries.

When we look at the overall scenario, in terms of Economics and Econometric orientation and policy thrusts, the Government seem to have failed miserably in creating any positive thrusts for Growth/ Value Addition and base level production-commerce related activity acceleration. Some say that their hegemonic implementation of Demonetization and GST have added salt to injury. One wonders where we are moving to, in the coming months?

A large and increasing population combined with an abysmally low standard of living is ensuring that the demand for consumable items outpaces supply thereof. Hence the inflation.

Inflationary pressures on oil, vegetable prices and manufacturing products are on surge thanks to the 7th pay commission hike and easy consumer loans by banks. But there is no alarming bell on the issue and it is well under control. Rural spending is coming up and demand for consumer and durable commodities are on the surge by rosy hike in wages. Anyhow both the WPI and CPI must be kept under control.

The RBI has little option but to raise rates. That is also required to protect the rupee. Benign inflation, courtesy lower oil and commodity prices, was the only bright spot on the economic Report Card. As we head into important state elections and then the general election, even that source of comfort is fading