Monthly Archives: June 2017

NASA Denies Anonymous Video on Alien Life Discovery Announcement

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US space agency NASA has denied global hackers group Anonymous claim that it is going make announcement on the discovery of alien life, said a spokesman.

Last week, the hacking group Anonymous posted a video on YouTube that said NASA is about to announce the discovery of life in our galaxy but NASA scientist beyond Earth.

“Contrary to some reports, there’s no pending announcement from NASA regarding extraterrestrial life,” said NASA science chief Thomas Zurbuchen in a tweet.

“Are we alone in the universe? While we do not know yet, we have missions moving forward that may help answer that fundamental question,” Zurbuchen said.

In fact, Anonymous has put out its video based on Zurbuchen’s testimony to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Science and Space in April this year. However, NASA has always maintained that there is no discovery of alien life and Anonymous video (see below) has surprised many.

Anonymous on their website said, “NASA says aliens are coming!” and  uploaded the above video citing alien-friendly comments made by NASA astronauts and space scientists.

Anonymous quoted Zurbuchen’s rendering before a Congressional hearing in April titled “Advances in the Search for Life” that said: “NASA`s recent advances, such as the discovery of hydrogen in Saturn`s moon Enceladus and the Hubble team’s promising results from the oceans of Jupiter`s moon Europa, are promising signs that we’re closer than ever to discovering evidence of alien life.”

“Taking into account all of the different activities and missions that are specifically searching for evidence of alien life, we are on the verge of making one of the most profound, unprecedented, discoveries in history,” Zurbuchen said. Perhaps the second part of the quote has made Anonymous see NASA forthcoming with an announcement.

 

 

 

Bangalore Faces ‘Pub’ Dilemma, Team Rushed to Delhi over Highway Liquor Ban

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What has been cited during the British period sketches has come up to put Bangalore’s famous Brigade Road and MG Road pubs to closure now, with the Supreme Court effecting ‘No Bars’ on Highways. No one had ever noticed that the famous Brigade Road was part of a highway.

In view of the impending order taking effect from July 1, 2017, the Excise authorities in Bangalore have issued closure notices to liquor licence holders last week citing the SC order.

The notice published in TOI reads: “…As per the SC order, we are instructed to close any shop selling alcohol within 500 metres from national and state highways by June 30. The relaxation (under Karnataka Excise Act) that liquor could be served in these areas given that they are within the city and have a population of more than 20,000 has also been struck down.”

The Karnataka government is contemplating to move the Centre or the apex court for a review petition on the order and has sent a team to Delhi to convince the Centre to denotify the six national highway stretches which run in the middle of new Bengaluru.

Once implemented, hundreds of pubs and liquor vending shops will have to shut their shops on MG RoadBrigade Road, Church Street, Indiranagar and areas around Hosur Road. The loss will amount to about Rs.60 crore in licence fee and Rs.5,000 crore as excise tax revenue to the state.

The option for all these shops is to shift elsewhere and keep away from a distance of 500 metres of highways in the city. “We are ready to renew the licence if they relocate to a different address,” TOI report quoted an official as saying.

Even five star hotels in the vicinity of these highways are in a dilemma over the confusion about which road is a highway and which one is not, as nearly 6 highways run through the heart of the city.

Many shop owners are upset with the state government which had remained lukewarm over the issue and had not acted swiftly when the Supreme Court gave its ruling moths ago.

Al Qaeda New Document Poses Threat to India, Hindu Outfits

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Al Qaeda, almost dead since Osama bin Laden’s shoot-out in 2011, has now turned to Indian Kashmir issue, issuing a threat not only to the Indian army and police but also adding Hindu organisations’ leaders.

In a document called “Code of conduct for Mujahideen in the subcontinent”, Al Qaeda has set its target and issued some do’s and don’ts for its members and affiliates, said a report in the Times of India.

“All personnel of the military are our targets, whether they be in the war zone or in barracks at their bases. Even the personnel on vacation are not exempted due to their battle against implementation of Sharia,” the outfit was quoted as saying in the report.

It said: “Those officers of the military who have the blood of our Kashmiri brothers on their hands are our targets.” Besides making Kashmir its major focus, the document also referred to Maulana Asim Umar, UP, as the ’emir’ (chief) of the so-called al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). It also asked terrorist wings in India to extend their allegiance to what they called the “Islamic emirate of Afghanistan,” said the report.

The TOI report said the Indian intelligence agencies are aware of the threat and thee is close watch on its movements in the country especially after former Hizbul commander Zakir Musa formed a new wing with open support from Al Qaeda.

Al Qaeda, founded by Ayman al Zawahiri and led by Osama bin Laden, has Pakistan’s ISI support and has several secret supporters in the country, said reports. The new warning, however, made it clear that the Mujahideen will not attack ordinary Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists, nor will it strike places of worship unlike Islamic State, another terrorist organisation that has been active in Syria and other Arab countries.

The document accessed by TOI reportedly claimed that hostages will be traded for release of arrested members or for extortion or killed. Moreover, the document has made Pakistan and Bangladesh also part of the target region besides India.

President Trump, PM Modi Joint Press Statement Reveals Little (Videos)

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The joint press statement from US President Donald Trump and the visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi elicited too little despite high expectations, especially on deep difference both nations have on several issues.

Trump in his typical speech pointed out that during his campaign, he had pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. “Not many people know it, but both American and the Indian constitutions begin with the same three very beautiful words: We the people,” and yes, democractic nations came together.

Appreciating PM Modi, he said, “In just two weeks, you will begin to implement the largest tax overhaul in your country’s history — we’re doing that also, by the way — creating great new opportunities for your citizens. You have a big vision for improving infrastructure, and you are fighting government corruption, which is always a grave threat to democracy.”

He sought more jobs to be created in the US and asked India to remove trade barriers to encourage the export of U.S. goods into their markets, and help US reduce the trade deficit, which means more concessions from India on American trading companies.

Trump was pleased with India’s decision on Indian Airlines’ recent order of 100 new American planes, one of the largest orders of its kind, which Trump said “will support thousands and thousands of American jobs.”

Then he pondered the energy sector and said, “We’re also looking forward to exporting more American energy to India as your economy grows, including major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas, which are right now being negotiated, and we will sign them. Trying to get the price up a little bit.”

He thanked PM Modi fro inviting his daugher Ivanka to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall and said, “I believe she has accepted.”

Finally, on security partnership, he shared India’s views on terrorism and vowed to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them. “We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism.”

On military preparedness, the progress is visible as the US administration has already cleared the $2 billion Drones deal. “Reflecting the partnership, the US has offered for India’s consideration the sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems, which would enhance India’s capabilities and promote shared security interests,” the joint statement said.

Further, President trump said, both US and Indian militaries will join together with the Japanese navy to take place in the largest maritime exercise (MALABAR) ever conducted in the vast Indian Ocean. Other issues on Afghanistan and North Korea figured in his speech.

In his reply, Prime Minister Modi thanked the US President and pondered on common priorities such as growth and terrorism being model democracies of the world. Increased productivity, growth, job creation, and breakthrough technologies will remain strong drivers of the cooperation, he said.

“I am sure that the convergence between my vision for a “new India and President Trump’s vision for “making America great again” will add new dimensions to our cooperation,” he said.

Finally, Modi termed his visit “very successful, very fruitful.” He concluded his speech inviting President Trump and the First Lady to visit India.”

Rajamouli to do Movie with Mahesh Babu Soon, Not Next One

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Bahubali director SS Rajamouli has revealed in a TV show that he would be making a film with the most-sought-after Telugu actor Mahesh Babu but has given enough indication that it won’t be his next film but later.

Rajamouli has made films with almost all the top Telugu heroes from Jr NTR, Prabhas, Nani and Sunil but remained choosy about his heroes till now. As there were several requests from Mahesh Babu’s managers, the combination would be the most acclaimed one and the movie has to be par excellent by any measure.

In his live interaction on TV with host Rana Daggubati in the “No.1 Yaari” TV show on Sunday the ace director said he would do a movie soon with Mahesh Babu, releasing enough bytes for the TV media for the next two years.

Otherwise, Rajamouli has his hands full on his next film with producer DVV Danayya, which he has repeatedly said will be without any VFX techniques and instead employ more human emotions, a film that may NOT go well with Mahesh Babu in view of his recent debacle over the failure of “Brahmotsavam”.

For all probabilities, it could be Jr NTR, with whom Rajamouli worked in two big hits in the past and it was said that Rajamouli was behind the sugggestion made to Jr NTR to become slim. He had also ruled out Pawan Kalyan who is already busy with his films and possible political career next.

That leaves a film for Mahesh Babu with in producer KL Narayana’s next film employing VFX, strong story line and even a huge budget making it possibly the “Bahubali 3” with ‘Prince’ Mahesh Babu in the lead role and the only question remains unanswered is the storyline.

If the plan for ‘Bahubali 3’ gets through, it would be another Prince who would take the centre-stage and Rajamouli will be keen to rope in the Prince for maximum effect of his next magnum opus.

India’s Bid to Buy $2 Billion Drones May Yield Positive Offers From Tough-Talking Trump Admin

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Within a couple of hours from now, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet US President Donald Trump for their first one-on-one exchange at the White House that may last for 20 minutes to be followed by respective delegations joining the bilateral discussions.

The carrots are already flying in each other’s direction with the US declaring Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, a move that vindicates India’s stand against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. In return, what India offers will be seen at a joint press meeting four hours later.

Otherwise, in display of special relations with India, the White House will host a dinner for PM Modi, which is the first for a foreign dignitary by President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump. Vice President Mike Pence will host a cocktail reception prior to it though.

Trump has sent out friendly gestures describing Prime Minister Modi as a “true friend!”, which could be an indication that the White House is pleased with India’s bid to place an order for $2 billion worth 22 drones for use in Southeast Asian corridor, squarely aimed at China and the growing unease over the South China Sea.

The delegation level meetings are being attended by top Indian officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar and the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, while the US side will be represented by Vice President Mike Pence, Defence Secretary James Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor Lt Gen HR McMaster.

India is keen that Washington DC increases its troops to at least 5,000 more in Afghanistan in the wake of recent attacks on US and Indian embassies and repeated terrorist attacks in Kabul, among others.

What both sides want to avoid is a direct confrontation on Trump administration’s recent decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Agreement and Modi has not uttered a word against Trump so far and may not raise it in his one-on-one meeting either.

Another contentious issue that has to crop up is the H1 B visa that many IT companies, NASCOM and ASSOCHAM have urged Modi to raise during the meeting with Trump. It remains to be seen whether the US administration seeks to dilute its stand or offer some other olive branch in the form of a temporary relief.

If that happens, Modi will be a happy man to return home thumping on his success. But knowing Trump, some surprises will always pop up from his magic box at the most unexpected time and venue.

Rentals in IT-Centric Cities May Come Down in Next 3 Quarters: Assocham Report

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Amid huge layoffs by IT companies, IT-centric companies are witnessing pressure on rentals of homes in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Gurgaon and Noida, which may decline to the extent of 10 to 20 percent over the next three quarters, said Assocham.

The worst hit was Bengaluru where the fresh inflows of young professionals is declining over the period as they constitute a major chunk of rental home seekers, which is fast bringing down the rentals with many house owners in the India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ slashing their rates, the study found after survey of owners.

“Even in the existing rental deeds, the tenants are seeking better options and no hike in the monthly outgo, quoting the adverse industry outlook. With better options, the market is tilting in favour of the tenants, especially those paying above Rs 50,000 per month,” said the report.

Owing to increase in layoffs, the rentals in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad may come down by 10 to 12 percent while in Pune it may see 20% decline, said the report. In delhi NCR region, Gurgaon and Noida rentals will see a decline of up to 10-15 percent, the study said in its forecast.

Currently, the IT sector employes over 40 lakh people, who are mainly spread over the five cities studied for the report, said Assocham in its report. “The IT and other services like financials are among the sectors which pay well. Besides, the age profile of these employees is quite tempting for the marketers. They are good spenders and want good life,” noted the report.

While rentals are seeing a decline in individual homes, the aprtments and gated communities are seeing the need for more such secure homes for the techies who work as couples and go to office in odd hours. “These factors kept the markets for rentals pushing up, especially in gated and well-equipped housing complexes and societies in Bengaluru, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad,” said D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, Assocham.

Meanwhile, techies in Bangalore have approached the state IT minister for intervention to stop the layoffs in several companies of late to trim the expenses. They had asked the government to ensure better deal while laying off the staff or deferring the move by few more months instead of effecting it overnight making lives of families miserable.

Meet Miss Haryana Manushi Chillar, Crowned Miss India World 2017

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The daughter of doctor parents, who studied at St. Thomas School in Delhi and a student of Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College for Women in Sonepat, Manushi Chillar went on to become Miss India 2017 and she will be representing the country at the Miss World 2017 pageant.

The 54th Femina Miss India World 2017 contest finale was held at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai on Sunday night and Manushi Chhillar was crowned amid glitterati and grandeur on the stage with the first runner-up Sana Dua from Jammu and Kashmir and the second runner-up from Priyanka Kumari from Bihar smiling at cameras. The contest will be shown on Colors TV on July 9, 2017 at 1 PM.

In an interview during the rehearsals, she had said: “The only thing I believe is certain in life is uncertainty and this is what is amazing about the pageant.”

In all, 30 participants from different states participated in the beauty pageant and 15 of them selected as Semi-Finalists and finally five could make it to the Final round where the judges bestowed on her the highest honour on Sunday night. Besides the three finalists, Vinali Bhatnagar won the Miss Active crown whereas Vamika Nidhi won the special award of ‘Body Beautiful’.

This year’s beauty pageant was changed and the selection of 30 girls from 30 states across the country was made after extensive tour of various places like Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand among others where participants came forward to be part of contest.

The costume design was made Manish Malhotra for the finale and all the 30 participants underwent a rigours process under the mentorship of former beauty queens and fashion industry heavy weights like Neha Dhupia, Waluscha De Sousa, Dipannita Sharma and Parvathy Omanakuttan.

Last year’s Miss World 2016 winner Stephanie Del Valle was present among the judges and Bollywood stars Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu, fashion designer Manish Malhotra, Abhishek Kapoor, Vidyut Jammwal, Ileana D’Cruz were part of the screening team.

Compered by Karan Johar and Riteish Deshmukh, the event also witnessed performances of top Bollywood names such as Sonu Nigam, Alia Bhatt, Sushant Singh Rajput and Ranbir Kapoor live on-stage.

Despite India Defeat, Virat Kohli Tops Facebook, with 3.54 Crore Followers, Second Only to Modi

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Despite anger and anguish at India’s defeat in the hands of Pakistan Cricket team at ICC Champions Trophy in London last weekend, Team India Captain Virat Kohli is still most followed celebrity on Facebook, second to PM Narendra Modi.

His followers on Facebook page has 35,444,199 followers, next to PM Narendra Modi’s 41,793,333 followers, reveal the latest figures, suggesting that Kohli may have the potential to become one of the most-followed celebrities in India though he may not overtake Modi’s numbers in terms of popularity.

Despite Kohli’s behaviour in ousting India coach Anil Kumble after the ignominous defeat of India at the Oval, severe criticism of his attitude towards coaches and the team’s discipline, Virat Kohli is not going down in his social media popularity.

Even among the Bollywood celebrities, Salman Khan who was ahead of others, is now trailing behind Virat Kohli with 6 lakh less followers compared to Virat Kohli. Salman Khan has 34,858,909 followers in India and Pakistan while Kohli has 35,444,199 followers.

Kohli also has considerable followers in Pakistan and Bangladesh, show the figures. About 83 percent of his followers are from India, 5 percent from Bangladesh and about one lakh followers are there in Pakistan, show the figures.

On Twitter, Virat Kohli has 16,106,040 followers though he joined the social media platform way back in September 2009. He still leaves a track of his team on Twitter and the latest was at a stopover from London to West Indies with his boys in Blue.

Virat Kohli’s Instagram is relatively new but his followers on this social website too are many at 14.3 million, indicating at his growing stardom in India, which was made possible for the first time by Sachin Tendulkar and next by MS Dhoni and now Virat Kohli. Time for Bollywood to pick up?

 

White House Not to Host Ramadan Dinner, Just Sends Out ‘Eid Mubarak’ Greetings

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As announced earlier, the US White House under President donald Trump has decided to skip the dinner hosted on the occasion for Muslims in the country and instead sent out ‘Eid Mubarak’ greetings in a statement, ending a two-decade-old tradition.

First time the Iftar party in the White House was hosted on December 9, 1805 by the then US President Thomas Jefferson coinciding with the presence of Tunisian envoy to the United States, Sidi Soliman Mellimelli, who had just arrived in the country and even the timing of usual dinners at White House was changed to evening as Muslims fast during the day.

Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and Muslims around the world will mark the end of the holy month by celebrating the holiday Eid al-Fitr, which falls on Saturday or Monday this year depending on moon-sighting in several regions of the world.

But breaking with the tradition of holding an evening Iftaar Party that was religiously followed by his predecessors Clinton, Bush and Obama, President Donald Trump has decided to give it a miss though citing lack of time to plan for it well in advance.

Instead a White House release from Trump and the first lady said:

“Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramadan to focus on acts of faith and charity… Now, as they commemorate Eid with family and friends, they carry on the tradition of helping neighbors and breaking bread with people from all walks of life. During this holiday, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill. With Muslims around the world, the United States renews our commitment to honor these values. Eid Mubarak.”

Rumana Ahmed, who had organised White House Iftar dinners during the Obama administration, told the Washington Post that the break from tradition was unfortunate. She recalled how the dinner changed over the years and included honoring Muslim American youth and recognizing their economic contributions.

“If you look at when it started and how it’s evolved, in a way it’s kind of been in response to conversations happening on a national level and in our society,” said Rumana Ahmed.

President Greets on Idu’l Fitr as Prayers, Celebrations Mark Ramzan

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The President of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee has greeted fellow citizens on the eve of Idu’l Fitr, known as Ramzan, which is being celebrated on Monday, June 26, 2017 in India.

In his message the President said, “On the auspicious occasion of Idu’l Fitr, I extend greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens, particularly my Muslim brothers and sisters, in India and abroad. May this joyous occasion, which marks the culmination of the period of fasting and prayer during the Holy month of Ramzan, bring happiness, peace and prosperity and be an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to serve humanity.

May this day, strengthen in each one of us, an unflinching faith in our unity and common destiny that has characterised our composite culture over the ages,” he said.

Earlier, the moon-sighting committee in Nashik announced that the moon has been sighted in most parts of the country, hence, Ramzan can be celebrated on Monday, clearing the confusion on the exact day of celebrations.

Though a cloudy weather deterred sighting of the moon in Nashik, in several part of India it was reported positively by local clerics. “The holy month of Ramzan was celebrated with devotion. Now, it is time for Eid. The Eid-Al-Fitr special prayers will be held at Shahajahani Eidgah ground on Monday,” said maulana Abdul Muktadir Rashidi, Imam of Khadkali Masjid in Old Nashik.

The clerics in Malegaon, Jalgaon and Dhule districts too announced the sighting of the moon on Sunday night and announcing that Eid will be celebrated today.

As mass prayers mark the end of Ramzan, fast-observing month of Muslims, Mumbai police and all city security agencies hyave beefed up security around mosques to avoid any untoward incidents. Several mosques and houses have begun celebrations with illuminated lighting on Sunday and many shops have reported brisk business on Sunday in view of Eid festival shopping.

PM Meets Indian Community in Washington DC, Praises Their Contribution

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As part of his US visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday interacted with the Indian community in Washington DC after his CEOs meeting where he pitched for more investments in view of GST roll out and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India.

Addressing the Indian diaspora, he noted that they rejoiced whenever there was good news from India, and wanted India to scale newer heights, reflecting their inevitable ties with motherland. He appreciated the role played by the diaspora in contributing towards the American science, education and economy. The Prime Minister was confident that they would play a key role in transforming the country.

The Prime Minister asserted that in the last three years, there has not been a single allegation of corruption on his government.

On technology front, he said reducing corruption was his priority and pass on the benefits of Direct Benefit Transfer to people directly by integrating with Aadhar card. The Prime Minister complimented families which have given up their LPG subsidy as it could help provide LPG connections to 5 crore poor households.

“When I think of a developed India, I think of a healthy India, particularly the good health of the women and children of our nation”, he added.

The Prime Minister said that through technology-driven governance, a modern India is on the cards when appropriate policies and governance are in place, achieving the aspirations of the people of India.

On terrorism, he said the world has now understood the threat it poses and pointed out India’s aggressive surgical strikes undertaken recently across the border to stem terrorists from entering the country.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the role of the Ministry of External Affairs, especially of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in helping people in distress, across the world through Twitter and other online social media interactions.

Modi in US Meets CEOs, Reiterates ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in India

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the first day of his US visit on Sunday met the CEOs of top 20 American firms, including Tim Cook of Apple, Sathya Nadella of Microsoft and Sunder Pichai of Google, and interacted wih them before highlighting his government’s reforms to make India a destination for ‘Doing Business’.

In a tweet, Modi said, “Interacted with top CEOs. We held extensive discussions on opportunities in India.” The 90-minute meeting focused on areas like manufacturing, trade, commerce, and people-to-people contact, young population in India and a rising middle-class.

“The whole world is looking at India. 7,000 reforms alone by GOI for ease of (doing) business and minimum government, maximum governance,” said the PM, according to Gopal Bagley, spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The highlight of Modi’s interaction was on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which he termed as a complex task and its implementation may soon be “a subject of studies in US business schools… This shows India can take big decisions and implement them swiftly,” he said.

On bilateral interests, he said, “If America becomes stronger, India will be a natural beneficiary,” which clearly indicates a changed tone in Indian diplomacy hinting at adjusting with changed US global priorities under US President Donald Trump.

Prior to the interaction at the Willard Hotel, where he is staying, Modi had a photo-shoot with CEOs and elicited their views unofficially. He assured them that India under his government would follow ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ principle for greater efficiency, transparency, growth and benefit for all.

“In concluding remarks, PM stresses importance of cooperation for start ups, innovation and tapping huge intellectual, education and vocational training potential in India,” Baglay tweeted.

The CEOs were positive to Modi’s agenda and expressed their willingness to be partners in skill development and education initiatives in India, which many of them have already undertaken as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Pichai told reporters after the meeting that the US companies are looking forward to the roll out of the GST. Tim Cook said the meeting outcome was “Good.” However, the contentious H1B visa issue was not discussed with them as it was a government policy.

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) president Mukesh Aghi said the CEOs praised the reforms but the H-1B visa issue was not discussed at the meeting. Other CEOs present included Shantanu Narayen from Adobe, Ajay Banga from Mastercard, David Farr from Emerson, Doug McMillon from Walmart, and Punit Renjen from Deloitte Global, Jim Umpleby from Caterpillar, Alex Gorsky from Johnson and Johnson, Jamie Dimon from J P Morgan Chase, and Marillyn Hewson from Lockheed Martin.

USIBC president Aghi said, “Today, as we witness a paradigm shift in the erstwhile global order, an opportunity has emerged for both countries to set new standards in bilateral ties that will be bound by their shared values.”

Miss India 2017: Miss Haryana Manushi Chillar Wins Crown to Represent India at Miss World 2017 Pageant

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Miss Haryana Manushi Chillar won the Miss India 2017 crown on Sunday night after a scintillating ceremony in Mumbai.

[FLASH: MANUSHI CHILLER WINS MISS WORLD CROWN 2017]

The five finalists included Shefali Sood, Sana Dua, Priyanka Kumari, Manushi Chillar, Anukriti Gusain and Aishwarya Devan who were quizzed further to select three of them to represent India in global pageants while Miss India crown was bagged by  Manushi.  They were quizzed on their plans by Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh and film producer and director Karan Johar.

The 15 semi finalists of Femina Miss India 2017 are Anukriti Gusain (Multimedia winner), Priyanka Kumari, Licha Thosum, Rody H vanlalhriatpuii, Shefali Sood, Triveni Barman, Sana Dua, Aditi Hundia, Navpreet Kaur, Aishwarya Devan, Manushi Chhillar, Audrey D’Silva, Maira Chowdhury, Mannat Singh and Swathi Muppala.

For the very first time every single Miss India finalist is a winner and she is representing her state at the grand finale of fbb Colors Femina Miss India 2017. They battled it out at the fbb Colors Femina Miss India 2017 grand finale held in Yashraj Studios in Mumbai on Sunday, the 25th of June 2017. The winner of the coveted crown will represent India at the Miss World competition.

Prior to event, the state winners were in Rajasthan visiting Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal and Albert Hall Museum, besides host of the iconic destinations in the state. The Rajasthali Resort and Spa played host to the 30 state winners, pampering them with its hospitality. Created by Manish Malhotra, the garments are adorned with handcrafted elements of design, including 3D floral threadwork, intricate brocade, fringes, sequinned highlights, signature jewelled necklines and much more, said the official Miss India website.

Manish Malhotra who designed for the stunning ladies said: “With silhouettes of global influences adorned with traditional handicrafts of India, the idea was to include some colour and texture play in the collection. I have used a lot of interesting pastels and muted colour tints in the garments. The proportion of thread-work in each outfit has been balanced out while pairing them together to enable fluidity for the wearer.”

PM Congratulates Kidambi Srikanth on Winning Australian Open

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian Badminton Player Kidambi Srikanth, on winning Australian Open Super Series.

“We are really proud of the victory of Kidambi Srikanth in the Australian Open. I congratulate him for yet another wonderful win”, the Prime Minister said.

Srikanth won the Australian Open over his Chinese counterpart Chen Long, finishing the game 22-20, 21-16 on Sunday, June 25, 2017.This is Srikanth’s 4th Super Series title, and first win over Chen Long in their six plays so far.

Ranked World No 11, Srikanth’s second straight title victory in a week after the Indonesian Open Super Series Premier last Sunday, sets him take on bigger names in the near future.

Srikanth took 11-9 lead at the break and gave in slightly to Long who made a return with three straight points at 12-11.Despite Chen’s game point with a cross court smash, Srikanth finally held the sway and won it 22-20.

In the second game too, Srikanth dominated with a five-point lead at 19-15 and finally sealed it with 21-16 to win the singles title.

Srikanth was honoured with Arjuna Award in 2015. President Pranab Mukherjee presented the Arjuna Award for the year-2015 to Kidambi Srikanth Nammalwar for Badminton, at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 29, 2015.

Diana Told Camilla ‘I Want My Husband Back’: Reveal Transcriptions of Tapes

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What happened when British Prince Charles’s late wife Lady Diana met the “Third Person” in their marriage Camilla Parker Bowles, with whom Charles had an affair and she later went on to become his wife upon Di’s demise?

They met at a party and the conversation was similar to what the Bollywood film “Deewar” would have had. When Don Amitabh Bachchan tells his brother Shashi Kapoor that he has got money, power and a bungalow, his police inspector brother retorts:”Mere Paas Maa Hai” (My mother is with me).

Hilarious but Diana tapes too show similar talk between the two as Diana said in her tapes: “Camilla said to me: ‘You’ve got everything you ever wanted. You’ve got all the men in the world falling in love with you, and you’ve got two beautiful children. What more could you want?’ So I said: ‘I want my husband.’” Diana wanted her husband back in every sense like any other married woman.

The transcripts of Princess Diana’s secret tapes sent to Andrew Morton in 1991 for his book “Diana: Her True Story” that came out a year after has been re-published this year (2017) with the transcripts of Diana’s secret tapes included verbatim.

Here are some astonishing facts which came to light now:

Within weeks after the fairy tale marriage in 1981, Princess Diana became so depressed with her marriage life that she tried to cut her wrists in a bid to commit suicide. “By October, I was in a very bad way. I was so depressed, and I was trying to cut my wrists with razor blades. It rained and rained and rained,” she said in the tapes, according to Daily Mail, which has published some excerpts.

From the day of her wedding, Princess Diana was looking over her shoulders for the third person in their marriage — Camilla Parker. She said: “I was obsessed by Camilla totally. I thought every five minutes he was ringing her up, asking how to handle his marriage.”

Another transcript revealed that Diana attempted suicide again while she was just four months pregnant with her first child Prince William. She said she threw herself downstairs, in a bid to get the attention of Prince Charles. Though Queen Elizabeth was horrified, Prince Charles didn’t, she noted wryly.

Next time, she revealed to her sister Jane that she had cut her chest and thighs. “The night before, I’d wanted to talk to Charles about something. He wouldn’t listen to me… So I picked up his penknife off his dressing table and scratched myself heavily down my chest and both thighs. There was a lot of blood — and he hadn’t made any reaction whatsoever,” she said in her tapes.

Next time, Diana threw herself against broken glass window piece and another time cut herself with a knife.

‘Single Lady Not Allowed’ in This Hotel, NRI From Singapore Stranded on Streets

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It happened in Hyderabad when a woman NRI from Singapore landed at her hotel duly booked online via Goiboibo but to be bluntly denied entry on the condition that the Hotel’s unique policy does not allow single women.

“Single Lady Not Allowed,” said the hotel staff to Nupur Saraswat on Saturday morning, June 24, 2017 and when she questioned why she was not informed or why Goiboibo did not deny her reservation online with the new rider when it booked her stay in the so-called Hyderabad Hotel.

An artist by profession, Nupur Saraswat told NDTV that she has been travelling around India solo for her shows but this is for the first time she encountered such strange rider for an alread-booked Hotel reservation that belies the rules of global tourism.

Undaunted, the 22-year-old NRI from Singapore decided to stand outside the hotel in Hyderabad and put her plight on Facebook, which was going viral throughout with more than 1,000 shares and double the number in reactions.

“So, I am standing outside a hotel in Hyderabad which didn’t let me stay because they realized I was a “single lady” even after confirming the online booking,” she wrote in her Facebook post. A policy of the hotel displays widely saying, ‘Single lady not allowed.’

Soon a Goibibo representative called her and arranged her stay in a different hotel and assured her that Goiboibo filters would be set right soon. “What if I had arrived at 11 PM? Would they still consider me safer in the streets than in the hotel?” questioned Nupur on Twitter. “I am just looking out for all my sisters who solo travel in the future,” she added.

Refusing to bow down to pressure, she said, “I am not ready to have an entire system push me around until I ‘find a man to travel with'”, she said in her Facebook post.

So, sol women should now check before reservation whether they are allowed by hotels or not as they may end up outside the hotel and in the nights, there will not be any Goiboibo person to take care of an alternative stay. Incredible India!

 

 

Anonymous Predicts NASA Announcement on Alien Life Soon; Will it be on Europa?

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Not NASA but the global hacking group Anonymous has come out with a revelation that the US space agency is likely to announce the discovery of alien life.

Anonymous on their website said, “NASA says aliens are coming!” and there is no confirmation from NASA, which never reacted on such alien stories in the last seven decades. Anonymous has also uploaded a video citing alien-friendly comments made by NASA astronauts and space scientists.

Otherwise afficionados of UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) and aliens have long argued about sighting aliens on Earth but Anonymous group suggesting that NASA might announce the truth behind it saying, “something is going on in the skies above” is very intriguing at a time when alien organism on Mars was a likely truth, though it may not wholly back the theory of UFOs or aliens.

Anonymous quoted NASA rendering before a Congressional hearing in April titled “Advances in the Search for Life” that said: “NASA`s recent advances, such as the discovery of hydrogen in Saturn`s moon Enceladus and the Hubble team’s promising results from the oceans of Jupiter`s moon Europa, are promising signs that we’re closer than ever to discovering evidence of alien life.” Made by Professor Thomas Zurbuchen, Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate of NASA, it had given enough hints at alien life, argued the hackers group.

“Taking into account all of the different activities and missions that are specifically searching for evidence of alien life, we are on the verge of making one of the most profound, unprecedented, discoveries in history,” Zurbuchen said.

Caught on that line, Anonymous has upped the ante over NASA disclosures to be made open for the first time since 1950. In September 2016, NASA announced a new discovery about Europa, an ice-encrusted moon of Jupiter that may be just like Earth in its features such as warm, liquid, and potentially habitable water.

Europa has a crust made up of blocks, which are thought to have been of a subsurface ocean at some time in its past. Combined with the geologic data, the presence of a magnetic field leads scientists to believe an ocean is most likely present at Europa today.

Will NASA made the next imminent announcement about some organism up there on Europa now?

Sushma Swaraj Digs out Old Lok Sabha Video to Counter Meira Kumar

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Sushma Swaraj, known for her open challenge to Sonia Gandhi when she was slated to become Prime Minister in 2004, has reiterated similar stand against the opposition candidate for President, Meira Kumar, digging out an old video from archives.

BJP Ram Nath Kovind and Opposition candidate Meira Kumar, former Lok Sabha speaker will be contesting the office of President of India in the July 17 Presidential elections. Though initial rumours hinted at Sushma Swaraj as the possible candidate, BJP leadership wanted to neuter opposition move by naming a Dalit and more acceptable leader Kovind who is currently Bihar Governor.

Sushma Swaraj, in her typical tirade against the congress and opposition nominee Meira Kumar tweeted saying the former speaker had interrupted her speech four times. The 6-minute video clip released by Ms Sushma Swaraj showed her accusing the then UPA government of corruption.

As the presiding officer, Meira Kumar was seen interrupting her saying, “All right”, “Thank you”, “Okay”, “I have to proceed”, though Sushma Swaraj continued her speech.

Not only video but Ms Swaraj also attached a press clipping from little-known daily Pioneer which said Swaraj was interrupted by the Speaker for at least 60 times during the next 2 minutes of Swaraj’s speech.

Ms Swaraj’s hostile gesture is seen as towing the leadership line though there was no need for any hysterical reaction in the race which is likely to go Kovind way as BJP and its allies comand majority of votes in the electoral college of the Presidential election that consists of elected MLAs and elected MPs. It could also be a move to ward off any suspicion from her own party bosses.

The trigger could be from the remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Kovind’s candidature saying, “The Office of the President is a key post. Someone of the stature of Pranab Da, or even Sushma Swaraj or Advaniji may have been made the candidate”. Though a positive gesture in support of Ms Swaraj, the BJP leadership grew uncomfortable over the remarks and hence, Ms Sushma Swaraj has to take the cudgils against Meira Kumar.

Vice President Ansari Greets People on Eid-ul-Fitr

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Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. In a message, he said that Id-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and signifies the traditional expression of brotherhood and understanding between people. The festival reaffirms the spirit of compassion, charity and generosity in our lives, he added.

“I convey my heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the joyous occasion of Id-ul-Fitr. Id-ul-Fitr marks the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan and signifies the traditional expression of brotherhood and understanding between people. The festival reaffirms the spirit of compassion, charity and generosity in our lives.May the noble ideals associated with Id-ul-Fitr enrich our lives with peace, harmony and the spirit of humanity,” he said in his message.

Ramzan or Eid is on Monday, June 26, 2017, marking the  completion of the holy Ramzan or Ramadan month (Islamic month of Shawwal) throughout which Muslims observe fasting.

The date for Eid al-Fitr, the first day of the month that follows Ramadan, is determined based upon the sighting of the new moon, which can vary in different parts of the world and this time it is expected to fall on Sunday or Monday in most of the Arab world.

In some Muslim countries, religious councils determine the moon sighting and Muslim clerics wait as the end of the month nears to know when the Eid date will be. The basis is that a new moon should be visible to the naked eye, unless clouds cover the sky in full.

It is believed that the holy book of Quran was written during this month and so people try to purify their soul with their thoughts and deeds. Muslims from all over the world greet this month with great anticipation and carry on fasting during daytime throughout the month and eat and drink even water only after sunset.

Eid is a day when people who have gone through a whole month of fasting and doing all deeds in the remembrance of Allah, wish to rejoice and they feel closer to Allah who they believe will help get rid of their sins of past. The entire month has witnessed Iftaar parties or communal meals.

Muslims also wear new clothes, visit friends, family members, exchange Eid cards and give presents of sweets and small toys to children.