MMS scandal: Things like these can ruin lives and careers forever, says Mona

Neha Maheshwri, TNN Mar 30, 2013, 12.00AM IST

(A still from controversial…)

Mona Singh speaks about the MMS doing the rounds.

There's a scandalous MMS clip doing the rounds allegedly of Mona Singh. The actress, who has filed a police complaint regarding this, said, "It is just completely appalling and disgraceful that someone on the web can go to the extent of morphing my face onto someone else's body to create a sensational video! We have filed a complaint at the Cyber Crime Cell and are hoping to find the culprit. People need to realise that before being actors, we're respectable women and have family and friends who we are answerable to and who get affected by negativity that is thrown in our direction."

"Thankfully, my family and friends are standing by me like they always have, supporting me to see this through. If today, this can happen to me, it can happen to any innocent girl and things like this can ruin lives and careers forever. This is a very serious issue and it needs to stop! As members of the media, journalists and editors should also take a stand against such acts and not provide the culprits with the publicity that they are hoping for as the outcome of their dastardly acts, " says Mona.

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Techies on hunger strike for HCL jobs offered to them in 2011

BANGALORE/CHENNAI: Over 50 engineering graduates who were made offers in 2011 by India's fourth largest IT company, HCL Technologies, observed a hunger strike at Freedom Park in Bangalore on Saturday, demanding that HCL intimate their date of joining.

The engineers have held a series of protests over the past few weeks. It's close to a year since they graduated and they still don't know when they would be called to join. The street campaign began, thanks to a Facebook group called HCL Technologies 2012 Freshers. Some graduates travelled from Hosur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Assam and other parts of Karnataka to participate in the protest.

HCL has so far only said it was committed to "have each individual with letters of intent from HCL join us" and that it would start communicating joining dates in August.

The one-year delay has hit some graduates hard, either because they are from families that are not well-off or because they've taken loans to pay for their education. Some have been forced to take up part-time jobs that have little to do with their qualifications. "I got a call centre job in Bescom with great difficulty," said an engineering graduate from Malnad College of Engineering in Hassan.

Another student said she was job-hunting by day and giving tuitions in the evening to meet her monthly expenses. "I'm staying with a relative as I can't afford to stay in a paying guest accommodation. I'm embarrassed living off my parents, who have to take care of my EMI," she said.

They are overqualified

Even BPO companies have rejected some candidates as they're overqualified for the job. "Placement firms told me to hide my percentage. They prefer BSc graduates over us," said a computer science graduate from Pondicherry University, who scored 82% in engineering.

Companies have generally gone slow on hiring because of the weak economic environment, so alternative jobs for engineering graduates are hard to come by. "We've lost the fresher tag. Our juniors will complete engineering in June and we won't stand a chance then," said another student.

1,000 are on board, says HCL

Some company staff said HCL chairman Shiv Nadar had personally intervened in the matter and was pushing HR managers to quickly resolve the issue. "Some HR managers are under a lot of stress," said an employee.

In a recent YouTube post, HCL HR head Prithvi Shergill said 1,000 candidates holding letters of intent from the 2012 batch have been onboarded as of February this year. "On March 1, the company released openings in its infrastructure services business, for which it has already received over 5,000 applications. The preassessment and selection process started from March 12 for these applicants," he said. Of the 5,000 applications, 500 have come from the 2012 batch. "Of these, we've already finalized 100 students and a list of another 100 should be ready by next month," a company official said.

HCL had said that those who wanted to join the company immediately could join its infrastructure services business, where openings existed. However, these offers come with lower salaries than promised in their letters of intent. More importantly, if a candidate chooses to join HCL Infrastructure, it voids the letter of intent and he/she cannot necessarily claim a position in HCL Tech based on that, at a later date.

"We were offered jobs as software engineers with a salary of 3.25 lakh (annual) compared to the Rs 2.75 lakh for infrastructure. I don't want to go for that as I have a loan," a student said.

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Narendra Modi inducted into BJP's parliamentary board

NEW DELHI: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi appears set for a bigger role at the national level in BJP ahead of the next Lok Sabha polls with the party on Sunday re-inducting him into the central parliamentary board, its top decision-making body.

62-year-old Modi is the only serving chief minister to be included in the parliamentary board by BJP president Rajnath Singh, who announced his new 76-member team on Sunday to steer the party into the next general elections.

Modi comes back to the party's top body after a gap of six years after having been removed from the board by Singh during his previous tenure as party president, ending speculation over the chief minister's future role at the national level in BJP.

Modi, who has been projected by a section within BJP as the party's prime ministerial candidate, has also been included in BJP's Central Election Committee, headed by Singh.

Singh's new team has 12 vice-presidents, 10 general secretaries, 15 secretaries and seven spokespersons, besides a 12-member Central Parliamentary Board, a 19-member Central Election Committee and a five-member Central Disciplinary Committee.

Among the new faces in Singh's team are former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharti and Modi's confidant Amit Shah who have been made vice-president and general secretary respectively. Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi has also been elevated as the party's general secretary.

Party's senior leader and former finance minister Yashwant Sinha has not found a place in Singh's team. Among those who have been dropped include Najma Heptulla, Hema Malini and Shanta Kumar as vice-presidents and Vasundhara Raje as general secretary.

Smriti Irani, who is a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and considered close to Modi, has also been promoted as vice-president.

Former Karnataka chief minister Sadananda Gowda has been given the post of vice-president while Rajiv Pratap Rudy has been elevated as general secretary.

Durg MP Saroj Pandey has been made the new president of BJP Mahila Morcha, while Anurag Thakur continues as Yuva Morcha president in the new team.

While Prakash Javadekar, Shahnawaz Hussain and Nirmala Sitharaman will continue as spokespersons, the new additions are Vijay Sonkar Shashtri, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Meenakshi Lekhi and Capt Abhimanyu.

Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, has been dropped as the chief spokesperson of the party.

Poonam Mahajan, daughter of late party leader Pramod Mahajan, has found a place in Singh's team and has been made a secretary, while Punjab's former health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla is also a new inclusion and has been given the post of vice-president.

SS Ahluwalia, who was earlier BJP's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, will be a vice-president.

The new BJP team, which has adequate representation of women, includes tribal face Jual Urao as vice-president and Luise Marandi from Jharkhand as secretary.

The 12-member Central Parliamentary Board headed by Singh has top party leaders Atal Behari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, M Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitley, Ananth Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot and Ram Lal in it, besides Modi who was inducted on Sunday.

All these top leaders alongwith Gopinath Munde, Jual Oran, Shahnawaz Hussain, Vinay Katiyar, J P Nadda and Dr Harshwardhan are part of the party's Central Election Committee. Mahila Morcha chief Saroj Pandey is the ex-officio member of this committee.

The new vice-presidents also include Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, C P Thakur, Balbir Punj, Satpal Malik, Prabhat Jha, Bijyo Chakravarti and Kiran Maheshwari, while the other general secretaries are Ananth Kumar, Thawar Chand Gehlot, J P Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan, Tapir Gao, Murlidhar Rao and Ram Lal, who will continue as organising secretary of the party.

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Mumbai's rich go for Gujarat parking bays

AHMEDABAD: After landing at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad one might just get a feeling that this is a city of billionaires. What else does a long queue of neatly parked private jets mean?

But much of this is a spillover from Maximum City. Heavy congestion at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai is forcing the rich to park their flying machines in Ahmedabad. The low parking charge in Ahmedabad, a mere one-third of Mumbai's, is a plus.

There are about 20 private jets and choppers parked at Ahmedabad airport. Of these,only five are owned by local business groups Adani and Zydus Cadila.

Besides heavy parking charges at the Mumbai airport, the owners had to shell out high penalty if their planes were parked beyond the allotted time. R K Singh, director of the Ahmedabad airport, says the higher occupancy at Ahmedabad is due to an increase in parking charges in Mumbai. "Some corporate houses are in talks with us for a permanent parking space," says Singh.

Mumbai has a parking facility for 30 private jets but had about 50-odd planes parked there until last December. It was when the DGCA pointed out that stacking of 50 aircraft compromised safety that the Mumbai airport raised the penalty. Between June and December 2012, the Mumbai airport collected Rs 4 crore in fines.

The penal parking charges at Mumbai airport range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 15,000 per hour depending on the weight of the aircraft. The penalty was almost 50 times more than routine parking charges.

Rohit Kapur, president of Business Aircraft Operators Association, admits that private aircraft are making a beeline for parking in Ahmedabad. But flying to Ahmedabad is not economically viable. "We have challenged the order of the Mumbai airport authorities in the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority Appellate Tribunal," he says.

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TV actor Mona Singh’s morphed video goes viral

MUMBAI: Popular TV actor Mona Singh lodged a complaint with the Versova police on Thursday night about an objectionable MMS clip that has gone viral, saying she wants to investigate its origins.

Singh, who plays the lead in KyaHua Tera Vaada, said: "I am aware about a scandalous video in circulation. At this point of time, all I can say is that this is a morphed video. I have lodged a complaint at the cyber crime branch and an investigation is on."

The police said they had registered a complaint against an unknown person and were trying to trace the computer used to upload the offending content. The police are also trying to find out if someone known to the actress is involved. Officers said they suspected the involvement of some local elements.

"We are trying to trace the IP address of the computer with the help of cyber experts," an officer said.

Singh, who is dating actor Vidyut Jamwal, said as of now she did not suspect anyone familiar. The actress shot to fame with her role in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin. She also played a small role in Raju Hirani's 3 Idiots.

On rumours that the clip could be a publicity stunt ahead of Jamwal's upcoming film Commando, Singh said: "No one, and I mean no one, would want this kind of cheap and disgraced publicity.."
MORPHED VIDEO, SAYS MONA

Actor Mona Singh, known for her role in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, says objectionable MMS clip that has gone viral is a morphed video

Police suspect the MMS is a local job. They are trying to find out if someone known to Singh is involved

Victims of such crimes can approach the cyber crime cell at the police HQ, Crawford Market, or the cyber cell police station, BKC

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No panic situation in Kerala due to new Saudi job law: CM Oommen Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 30 () Saudi Arabia's new labour policy, which is expected to affect expatriate workers of the state, has not created a panic situation and India is trying to find a solution to the issue based on its cordial relations with that country, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said today.

"We expect to resolve the matter amicably as India has a good and friendly trade relation with Saudi Arabia," he said while addressing a press conference here.

There was no "panic situation" due to the labour policy titled 'Nitaqat,' part of Saudi Arabia's effort to strengthen localisation of jobs. The decision has triggered apprehension among lakhs of Keralites working in that country regarding their jobs.

The state has already taken up the issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. It has approached Central ministers hailing from Kerala -- A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi and E Ahamad -- seeking the Centre's intervention so that Saudi Arabia takes a liberal view on the issue.

Chandy said though the policy came into force in July of 2009, "Now Saudi government had decided to strictly implement it, under which 10 per cent of total jobs should be for locals."

Efforts were underway to see that there was no exodus of expatriates from Saudi Arabia, he said.

However, the government would work out a rehabilitation package for those returning from that country. Steps would also be taken to arrange for their air travel on concessional ticket rates, he added.

Around 5.7 lakh Keralites are working in Saudi Arabia as per a 2011 estimate. According to a report, out of the total population of 1.87 crore there, 87 lakh were foreigners.

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North Korea readies missile after US stealth bombers fly over South

SEOUL/WASHINGTON: Increased activities involving vehicles and troops at North Korea's mid- and long-range missile units have been detected by South Korea's military, Yonhap news agency said on Friday, just hours after the North's leader ordered rocket units to be ready to attack U.S. bases.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed off on the order at a midnight meeting of top generals and "judged the time has come to settle accounts with the US imperialists in view of the prevailing situation", official KCNA news agency said.

On Thursday, the United States flew two radar-evading B-2 Spirit bombers on practice runs over South Korea, responding to a series of North Korean threats. They flew from the United States and back in what appeared to be the first exercise of its kind, designed to show America's ability to conduct long-range, precision strikes "quickly and at will", the US military said.

The news of Kim's response was unusually swift.

"He finally signed the plan on technical preparations of strategic rockets of the KPA, ordering them to be standby for fire so that they may strike any time the US mainland, its military bases in the operational theaters in the Pacific, including Hawaii and Guam, and those in south Korea," KCNA said.

The North has an arsenal of Soviet-era Scud missiles that can hit South Korea, but its longer-range missiles are untested. Independent assessments of its missile capability suggest it may have theoretical capacity to hit US bases in Japan and Guam.

The North has launched a daily barrage of threats since early this month when the United States and the South, allies in the 1950-53 Korean War, began routine military drills.

The South and the United States have said the drills are purely defensive in nature and that no incident has taken place in the decades they have been conducted in various forms.

The United States also flew B-52 bombers over South Korea earlier this week.

The North has put its military on highest readiness to fight what it says are hostile forces conducting war drills. Its young leader has previously given "final orders" for its military to wage revolutionary war with the South.

Despite the tide of hostile rhetoric from Pyongyang, it has kept open a joint economic zone with the South which generates $2 billion a year in trade, money the impoverished state can ill-afford to lose.

Pyongyang has also cancelled an armistice agreement with the United States that ended the Korean War and cut all communications hotlines with US forces, the United Nations and South Korea.

US says North Korea on dangerous path

"The North Koreans have to understand that what they're doing is very dangerous," US defense secretary Chuck Hagel told reporters at the Pentagon.

"We must make clear that these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously and we'll respond to that."

The US military said that its B-2 bombers had flown more than 6,500 miles (10,461 km) to stage a trial bombing raid from their bases in Missouri as part of the Foal Eagle war drills being held with South Korea.

The bombers dropped inert munitions on the Jik Do Range, in South Korea, and then returned to the continental United States in a single, continuous mission, the military said.

Thursday's drill was the first time B-2s flew round-trip from the mainland United States over South Korea and dropped inert munitions, a Pentagon spokeswoman said.

Victor Cha, a North Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the drill fit within the context of ramped efforts by the Pentagon to deter the North from acting upon any of its threats.

Asked whether he thought the latest moves could further aggravate tensions on the peninsula, Cha, a former White House official, said: "I don't think the situation can get any more aggravated than it already is."

Despite the shrill rhetoric from Pyongyang, few believe North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, will risk starting a full-out war.

Still, Hagel, who on March 15 announced he was bolstering missile defenses over the growing North Korea threat, said all of the provocations by the North had to be taken seriously.

"Their very provocative actions and belligerent tone, it has ratcheted up the danger and we have to understand that reality," Hagel said, renewing a warning that the US military was ready for "any eventuality" on the peninsula.

North Korea conducted a third nuclear weapons test in February in breach of UN sanctions and despite warnings from China, its one major diplomatic ally.

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I don't need any sympathy, says Gautam Gambhir

NEW DELHI: When Gautam Gambhir lifted the glitzy IPL trophy for Kolkata Knight Riders in May 2012, he was on top of the world. A year on, having been dropped from the Indian team, the opener is out to restore his reputation as a top player.

The opener seems to be doing his best to rediscover the intensity that once made him a key member of the national team.

"I don't need sympathies," Gambhir declared at a promotional event on Thursday, adding that his objective was to be a part of an overseas Test series win.

"My personal aim has always been to be a member of a Test series-winning squad abroad and contribute to it by scoring runs," the opener said while adding that it was an "honour, not pressure" to lead KKR's title defence.

"If I had not been confident, then I wouldn't have taken up the Knight Riders' captaincy." Being eager to make it back to the Indian team for the tour of South Africa later this year, Gambhir was excited to learn that the Indian cricket board ( BCCI) was planning an 'A' tour to the country prior to the national team's departure.

"Oh, that's great news. Generally, two warm-up games in those conditions are not enough as by the time the players get used to the pace and bounce of the surfaces, two Test matches are already over.

This 'A' tour will help players gauge their weaknesses, come back and then work on them before the Test series gets underway."

Gambhir, a member of the team which suffered eight straight Test losses abroad, was vocal about making rank turners for visitors from outside the subcontinent.

Asked if the rhetoric of 'you beat us there and we will beat you here' has been settled, the southpaw said: "Unless a team wins overseas, it is not recognized as a force.

I have always believed that winning in overseas conditions matters a lot. I am happy that we have done well at home. There is nothing wrong in using home advantage as every country does that.

But look at South Africa. They beat Australia in Australia and England in England. They deserve to be the No.1 side in the world."

'Political decision'

Terming it as a "political decision", Gambhir stressed that one or two Sri Lankan players not playing a game in Chennai would not matter a lot. KKR has one Sri Lankan player in off-spinner Sachitra Senanayeke.

"One or two individuals don't make a team. If 11 people are going in the same direction, it is a bigger threat for the opposition. In any case, we will get Senanayeke for the other 15 league games. I hope he will strike a good combination with Sunil Narine."

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Mona Singh files complaint as MMS clip goes viral

Television actress Mona Singh has filed a complaint to investigate an MMS clip that has gone viral online.

It is alleged that the semi-nude clip is that of the actress who is currently playing the lead in 'Kya Hua Tera Vaada'.

The actress said, "Yes I am aware about a scandalous video in circulation. At this point of time, all I can say is that this a morphed video. I have taken relevant action against this and lodged a complaint at the cyber crime branch and investigation is on."

Mona Singh is a very popular television actress who shot to fame with her role in 'Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin'. She also played a small role in Raju Hirani's 3 Idiots.

She is currently dating actor Vidyut Jamal.

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Sanjay Dutt turns to Salman-Ajay for help

While there is a growing clamour for clemency to Sanjay Dutt on the one hand, the actor faces a very real possibility of imprisonment for three-plus years on the other.

Not surprisingly, for the past few days, an anxious Dutt has been trying to tie the loose ends, given the limited time frame he has before surrendering to the court.

The actor has been calling close friends, pleading with them to take care of wife Manyata and their three kids in his absence.

He has also been rather worried about the future of his production house, considering Manyata does not have the requisite experience to single-handedly run the show.

Sources reveal the couple has approached Dutt's closest buddies, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, to help them, and Salman and Ajay have readily agreed. So much so, the duo have promised to star in the films produced by the Dutt banner, should the need arise.

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DCP's death an accident, not a suicide: Wife

MUMBAI: Anti-terrorism squad DCP Sanjay Banerjee's wife, Sushmita, has told investigators that her husband did not commit suicide but died after his pistol went off accidentally.

Sushmita told the police that Sanjay who was having lunch at a Thane restaurant with the family, was trying to take out his handkerchief from his pocket when his pistol fell and went off, the bullet hitting him in the head. This statement contradicts her earlier one.

Thane police commissioner K P Raghuvanshi said, "The probe is still on. We are still probing and yet to come to a conclusion. We have not come to a conclusion yet."

An officer said he did not believe Sushmita, who had earlier said Sanjay was under stress. He said Sanjay was familiar with weapons and couldn't have committed such a mistake. Banerjee had been posted with the anti-terrorism squad, where he headed the Data Analysis Wing, from June 25, 2012. He had taken out his family for a lunch last Saturday as his 13-year-old son, who studies in a boarding school at Panchgani, had come home on a vacation. He did not take his official vehicle and even asked his radio operator and driver to stay back while he drove his own car to Goa Portuguesa in Thane where the incident occurred.

Cops have got Sanjay's call records and are quizzing those who he had spoken to on the day of the incident. However, they are clueless about the "suicide" motive.

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Who shot bin Laden? Media feud among Navy SEALs

WASHINGTON: A new version of the events surrounding the killing of Osama bin Laden was unveiled sharply contradicting earlier claims by a Navy SEAL who said he pulled the trigger.

Esquire magazine published a long interview in February with a man identified only as "the shooter" who said he had shot the al-Qaida leader twice in the head on the night of the May 1, 2011 raid on his Pakistan hideout.

The commando said he had been alone when he entered bin Laden's third floor room in his Abbottabad hideout.

But CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen, an al-Qaida expert, dismissed that account as completely false.

A SEAL Team 6 member interviewed by Bergen told him three SEALs out of the 23-strong team were the first to make it to the top floor of the compound, including "the shooter" and "the point man."

The third was Matt Bissonette, who published his "No Easy Day" book last year about the raid under the pen name Mark Owen.

According to Bergen, it was "the point man" who ran up the stairs and saw bin Laden poking his head around his bedroom door and shot him first, gravely wounding the al-Qaida leader.

The "point man" -- who was not identified -- then rushed two women in the room, fearing they might be wearing suicide vests packed with explosives "gathering them in his arms to absorb the explosion," Bergen writes.

Two more commandos then entered the room and shot the fallen bin Laden in the chest, killing him.

Other members of the SEAL team 6 are said to have been angered by the Esquire article and are now in "serious lockdown" when it comes to "talking to anybody" about the raid.

And "the shooter" has reportedly been thrown off the team because he was "bragging about his role in the raid in bars around Virginia Beach, Virginia," where the SEAL team is based, Bergen added.

However, the intense focus on the events led The Atlantic Wire to say that the official story on bin Laden's death has "given way to a stupid media feud."

"This is all to say that the struggle to find out who shot Osama bin Laden is well beyond a simple fact-finding mission," said the website linked to The Atlantic magazine.

"It's instead turned into the stupid pissing match between multimillion-dollar media companies and gossipy, potentially disgruntled Navy SEALs."

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There is no equation between SRK and me: Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn, who turns 43 (April 2), is your quintessential Bollywood machismo symbol. He's firmly ensconced in the Hindi cinema hierarchy — alongside the Khans — with a neat track record of some 100-crore hits and some piddly misses. This Son of Sardaar balances his cinematic choices, with mainstream masala (Himmatwala) and the sensitive (Satyagraha). And he will always speak his mind, no matter what the consequences are. So we ask:

What's this obsession with alpha male titles — Singham, Son Of Sardaar, Himmatwala...
Well, it's only a happy coincidence that when filmmakers register these 'macho' titles, they come in my direction. There is nothing to prove. I have maintained that the Bollywood box office clearly knows the difference between the boys and the men. It's not because I'm in my 40s, that I'm saying so. If you look closely, you will see that it's the 40-plus actor who is ruling the roost. (Laughs and adds) And anyway, there are only few actors with whom you can make Himmatwala. With others, it will probably have to be 'Himmatwali'.

Jokes apart, you seem obsessed with the macho image.
Frankly, actors do not court images. It's the media that is busy trying to give us slots. Someone is a chocolate boy, romantic; someone is the action king and so on. I don't wish to be pigeon-holed. But you could say that I'm more suited for macho roles than I am for romantic ones. That doesn't mean I can't succeed at romance. One of my biggest hits was Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha with my wife Kajol. And what I did in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was also pure romance. There you go; as an actor I can balance romance and action, but the media conveniently forgets that.

How far have you come with your dancing? By your own admission, till a while ago, you had two left feet.
I'm still awkward with dances, but I'm improving. I actually managed to do an item song in Bol Bachchan (laughs). Of course, I still fight better than I dance. But in Himmatwala, I've attempted Taki O Taki and Thathaiya — cult 80s Bollywood dances. I've done my best. Let me wait for the audiences' verdict on that one.

How do you go from Sajid Khan to Prakash Jha? They are guys from two different schools of cinema. As an actor, doesn't it mess with your head?
Look, there are stars who are happy to conform to just one genre. And then, there are actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and some others, who are happy to mix their cinema. At 70, the ageless Amitji does a Bbuddha Hoga Tera Baap and a Paa with equal ease. Likewise, I'm game with balancing my choice of cinema. It's the media who has an issue with a certain genre. They have pre-decided, this is mindless... or this is purist. As far as I'm concerned, I give my best to whatever I take on. The Son Of Sardaars and Himmatwalas are Bollywood's answer to a Superman. You just go along for the ride and try to ensure everyone suspends their beliefs for those two and a half hours.

Talking of SOS; the film did extremely well. So now, is your fight with Aditya Chopra over?
I didn't fight with Aditya Chopra for box office numbers. SOS was a Diwali entertainer and it got its due. I was fighting on principle and I was fighting an unfair practice. I'm told this Ramzan Eid, two more producers will be at loggerheads. Someone else will knock on the doors of the Competition Commission. Wherever there is malpractice, someone will raise their head. And a fight will ensue.

Fair enough. It was Ajay the producer versus Aditya the producer. What bones do you have to pick with Shah Rukh Khan? He is, after all, an actor with whom Kajol has done some of her finest work.
Personally, I have never had a fight with SRK. Kajol maintains her equations, I maintain mine. Professionally, he reminded me, through others, that he was also the producer of Jab Tak Hai Jaan. So, he was on the other side of the firing line. Hence, technically, my fight was also against him. He made no attempts to rectify the wrong they (Adi and he) did. I wasn't going to give up what I believed in. That's why there is no equation between SRK and me.

Don't you think it's a small industry and that people do come around?
I have stood for a principle. If anyone tries to suppress me or my family, or deny us our dues, I will pick up the cudgels. That will never change. As for people and equations within the industry, I will cross the bridge when I come to it.

What's this development about Himmatwala not being a part of the 400 crore deal that you have with a satellite channel?
UTV has the satellite rights of Himmatwala. My 400-crore deal with Star is applicable to my future projects.

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'Sex on the reef' during Holi in Lakshwadeep

NEW DELHI: A different type of Holi will be seen in Lakshwadeep. A group of marine biologists having recently observed the phenomenon of coral spawning — popularly also called 'sex on the reef' — will be spending all of Wednesday observing the rare occurrence.

Corals, marine animals found on reefs, reproduce by releasing gametes (eggs and sperm) into the water. Scientists who have closely observed this say it looks like snowflakes rising from bottom to top. On the surface of the sea, where the gametes fuse to form larvae, the water can turn from pink, purple, green and even brown.

Marine biologist Subburaman S was cruising through the clear waters of near the Kavaratti island in the Lakshwadeep last week when he noticed a pink-brown colouration, which is otherwise uncharacteristic. Local fishermen told him it was an oil slick - the kind of pollution plaguing a large number of water bodies and hence a fairly plausible hypothesis. But when he collected the slick-like sample to test it, the microscope revealed that it indeed was coral spawn. .

Subburaman, who was visiting the region for coral reef transplantation work along with the Central Marine Fisheries and Research Institute (CMFRI), told TOI over phone from Bangaram island that "something like this was reported from Tamil Nadu's Gulf of Mannar some time last year, but on the west coast, this is the first time it has been scientifically reported".

At the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the month of November sees a great many tourists, the main attraction being the coral spawning that ensues soon after the full moon of the month. It was here in 1981 that the first ever instance of coral spawning in the world was scientifically recorded.

Predicting it, however, is no easy task. "It is hard to pin down what the cue is. Some coral scientists feel it is the full moon night that triggers it, others think it is a chemical release from other species. The temperature too needs to be just right," says Professor B C Chaudhury, Advisor to the Wildlife Trust of India.

In 2010, corals in the Lakshwadeep were reported to have undergone "stress", because of El Nino - an abnormal warming of the waters around the tropical Pacific. The stress refers to coral bleaching wherein corals lose their algal covering and their chances of survival slim down. Coral bleaching was also reported in 2012, though Chaudhury says the reasons are unknown. However, with this spawning, marine biologists are a lot less skeptical now. "The sea temperature had risen at that time and the corals had turned white, losing all resources of life sustenance. But this shows a continuance of life," notes Subburaman.

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PM-Sonia model of 'two power centres' a failure, Digvijaya Singh says

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Digvijaya Singh dubbed the experiment of "two power centres" in UPA as a failure and said Rahul Gandhi should not repeat Sonia Gandhi's decision to nominate a leader as prime minister.

"Personally, I feel this model hasn't worked very well. Because, I personally feel there should not be two power centres and I think whoever is the PM must have the authority to function," the Congress general secretary said in a TV interview.

While Singh clarified that Sonia had never interfered in government functioning during the two UPA stints, his comment marked the first frank assessment of the split leadership of government and party post-2004.

The former Madhya Pradesh chief minister has often been a critic of the government's policies and his remarks can be seen as a less than flattering assessment of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's stewardship.

The stinging analysis of the UPA experiment came in the context of Singh strongly rebuffing suggestions that Rahul was reluctant to take up the top job and a reiteration of the belief that the Congress president should also be the PM when the party is in power.

Media reports earlier this month quoted Rahul as telling party MPs that he did not want to become the PM and was instead keen on focusing on organizational revival.

While reinforcing apprehensions in some party quarters that he continued to be a reluctant leader despite his elevation at Jaipur, the statement was read by some to mean that he could repeat the experiment put in place by mother and Congress chief Sonia.

Singh denied the "I-will-not-be-PM" remark attributed to Rahul Gandhi. "Rahul said his priority was welfare of the people. Media assumed that he was saying becoming PM was not his priority," the AICC leader explained.

According to Singh, Rahul told him that his statement had been misrepresented.

The denial of the "not-be-PM" statement, read alongside the failure of "dual power centre", coming from the senior leader seen to be close to Rahul, indicates the heir-imminent would be willing to take up the top job if Congress leads a coalition to majority in 2014.

The statement apparently rebuffing the PM's post kicked off murmurs about the "next Manmohan Singh" in Congress, a reference to the leader who could be put in the hot chair if the Gandhi family did not claim it.

Congress insiders said the picture of a reluctant prince was not good for the party's health ahead of elections as it carried the risk of demotivating cadres and confusing voters. The Gandhi family is seen as the glue holding together diverse factions and ideological camps that crowd the organization from top to bottom.

Singh praised the leadership of 10, Janpath, to advocate that Rahul should step up to the plate when the time comes. "I think... I strongly feel that... when time comes and if the Congress gets majority or it is in a position to form the government, I think Rahul Gandhi should take the call," he said.

He said even in an unwieldy coalition, Rahul would be able to manage the intricacies of the coalition politics since he is "mature enough" and would have the assistance of senior party leaders.

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BSP leader shot dead at farmhouse in south Delhi

NEW DELHI: A 62-year-old Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) leader was shot dead by unidentified assailants inside his south Delhi farmhouse on Tuesday morning.

The deceased, Deepak Bhardwaj, had contested 2009 Lok Sabha elections from west Delhi constituency and was termed the richest contestant in the 15th LS elections with assets around Rs 614 crore. He lived with his family at Lajwanti Garden in west Delhi.

The incident took place around 9.15am when two men in a Skoda car arrived at the Nitish Kunj farmhouse located near NH8. Witnesses said the assailants spoke to Bhardwaj for a few minutes and then opened fire probably with a 9mm pistol. A guard was also allegedly shot at when he tried to intervene.

The police received a PCR call at 9.28am about the incident and teams rushed to the spot.

Bhardwaj had sustained three bullets and was rushed to the nearby RR hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The body has been sent for postmortem which will be conducted in presence of his family members.

The cops suspect a personal enmity behind the firing and are questioning the family members and relatives. The call detail records and the CCTV footages are being analyzed.

Six teams have been formed to catch the shooters and crime branch has also been roped in.

Bhardwaj owned businesses in real estate, hotels and education. He ran a school in Dwarka and claimed plans to open two more schools, one in Dwarka and the other in Dhansa, both in west Delhi.

Bhardwaj also owned a township project in Haridwar and a hotel on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway.

Last year in November, liquor baron Ponty Chadha was killed over a family feud about a property in a farmhouse in close proximity to this one. Chadha also had a large business empire and was closely connected to the BSP.

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Chennai Super Kings set to drop Sri Lankan recruits

CHENNAI: Chennai Super Kings are set to drop their two Sri Lankan recruits - Nuwan Kulasekara and Akila Dhananjaya - for the entire sixth edition of the Indian Premier League starting on April 3.

It is seen as a compromise formula to appease the Tamil Nadu government, who are not in favour of Sri Lankan sportspersons playing in the state following the current political unrest.

One is given to understand that the IPL commission is not in a position to ask the franchises to drop their Sri Lankan players for matches to be played in Chennai, which also include two eliminators. However, two-times champions CSK, on their own, can drop their Lankan players.

Paceman Kulasekara is a vital cog in the CSK wheel, while Dhananjaya is an offspinner who was picked during this year's auction. But the CSK bosses are ready to 'sacrifice' both the players for the full season so that the IPL matches stay in Chennai.

Their first home match is against Mumbai Indians on April 6 and preparations have already began. "It will be a logistical nightmare if the matches go out of Chennai at this stage," an IPL insider said.

Apart from the CSK duo, leading Sri Lankan players like Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Matthews, Ajantha Mendis and Mahela Jayawardene are part of other franchises.

"Sangakkara is the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad while Malinga is the key bowler for Mumbai Indians. It's not fair for the IPL commission to ask the teams to drop such players for crucial games in Chennai," the source added.

Meanwhile, BCCI president N Srinivasan hoped that the issue will be sorted out ahead of the tournament. "These are operational matters. I don't want to get into this issue.

The IMG (event manager) and the IPL will look at it and decide. The government of Tamil Nadu is capable of handling the law and order situation. I feel these issues will get sorted out," Srinivasan said.

It's understood that the BCCI president is likely to have a meeting with the state government representatives very soon over the issue.

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I am ready for marriage: Siddharth

Siddharth, 33, is an optimist and grew up being a linguist. He considers doing South films his job and Bollywood, his hobby. The actor-writer-singer and producer hopes to turn director some day. Ahead of his upcoming release 'Chashme Baddoor', he talks TOI about the superiority complex of Bollywood, his readiness for marriage and why Mani Ratnam will always remain his boss. Excerpts:

How did you get into films?
Born in Chennai, I am a Tamilian. I grew up in Chennai and Delhi. My father retired after working in Nestle for 37 years. Right from my childhood, my mother exposed me to a lot of music and films from across the world and I grew up wanting to be in films. Even though I had a happy childhood, I am not too nostalgic about it and was in a hurry to grow up. As children, you are not allowed to do what you want to. So, I was happy to be older as I could do what I wanted to. I was not too happy with my school life as the academic pressure on kids in Chennai is too high and I was happiest when I went to college. I went to college without an agenda. I went to school to just get out of school. My parents have always allowed me to be myself and are the best parents you can have. There were no beliefs enforced on me and they are both my friends, but wanted me to complete my education. I completed my management and managed to reach Mani Ratnam through email. He met me and even though I had no formal training and had just done theatre in Delhi, he acted on his instinct and hired me as his assistant director at 21, replacing Shaad Ali.

Are there are differences between the South film industry and Bollywood?
As a country, we really encourage mediocrity and we cherish it. We like to insulate ourselves from the rest of the world. People who prevent good work from happening are usually the people in power and that is the tragedy. I am not particularly fond of numbers, but in Bollywood, you will not see a small budget film doing 100 crores unlike in Chennai, where I am proud of the independent films being made with small budgets and sometimes without stars. And they still do well. While independent cinema is finally getting a voice in Bollywood, the numbers are small. The quality of films in Tamil is far better than Bollywood. Production value is not about making a film look pretty. Tamil cinema is far more realistic and the good thing is that even the common audience watches it.

In contrast, there is so little evidence of the front bencher watching good cinema in Bollywood. People are used to seeing films that have no relevance to their life and remains a medium of escape. When you make a film because another film did well, then that's the death of cinema. In Bollywood, films are made by watching films and not by watching life. We have a billion people, but only one way to watch a film. Marketing is fantastic in Bollywood. As stars in the South, we don't see as much promotion. People understand the making of the product better in the South and they understand marketing better in Bollywood.

What's your motivation for being a part of David Dhawan's Chashme Baddoor?
I am doing a Hindi film not because I want to further my film career here. I couldn't be bothered. I have no reason to come here and fight for a film. I am doing it only as David is a friend of mine and was wanting to work with me for five years. Also, I needed a break and wanted to take some time off. And the only way I could take the break while working is with David Dhawan. I do films that give me creative satisfaction, but I can do a Chashme Baddoor to be with friends, have fun and recharge my batteries. South Indian films is my job, Hindi cinema is my hobby.

Are there things about Bollywood you don't like?
It is an old prejudice that Bollywood has, about their willingness to take from the South but not willing to acknowledge it. The standard Bollywood mindset thinks of itself on top of the Indian film chain and that they are only below Hollywood. I refuse to let anybody else's superiority complex to become the truth. Mumbai's problem is that they assume that if some one has done a Hindi film they will want to move to Mumbai and do Bollywood. In reality, when you see stardom in one place, you don't want to become a newcomer at another place. You have no idea how much fame and money we make down South. We need to crossover within our country.

Are there are people responsible for your success in the film industry?
We are always in a hurry to figure out who our roles models for our youngsters are or whom they resemble. I want to be the best of myself. I have been lucky working with people who I grew up watching like Mani Ratnam and whom I have worked closely with. Had I not started with him, I would have been different. He is my boss and teacher and his obsession with the craft and the process of making films consumes you. He is an enigma and a private person in public. Those who don't know him will never know him and those who do know him, do so in a special way. I have worked with accomplished people at regular intervals. I am a greedy person and have learnt from everyone including David Dhawan who, even after having made 41 films, has this childlike enthusiasm working with newcomers.

Why have you always been silent about your affairs?
I speak to my family and friends. As it is, it is a difficult thing to make a relationship work. It is even more difficult to make a relationship work when you are in this business. And it is most difficult to make it work when every one is commenting on it. It is human decency to let people lead their personal lives. And I genuinely don't want to share my personal life with people whom I don't want to share it with. You can be my biggest fan, but that still does not give you the right over my personal life. You buy a film ticket; if you like the film, tell ten people. If you don't like the film, you will anyways tell a 100 people not to watch the film. I don't believe that a true fan deserves to know every personal detail about the star.

Do you see yourself getting married?
Absolutely. And I am ready for it. I hope to have a family with children and am hoping it happens soon. I have been written about with a lot of women. I have chosen not to respond. My family does not read gossip rags and what is in the paper today is the packing for a pakoda tomorrow. You can attribute a quote to a person without meeting him. The inverted comma is being molested beyond identity.

Editor's note: We could say two things for sure. One, the girl Siddharth is seeing is not Tamannah, and two, it is for sure Samantha. We eagerly await the marriage :-)

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Jay-Mahhi winners of Nach Baliye-5

After entertaining viewers with their dance moves for almost three months, beautiful and talented Jodi of Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij have emerged as the winners of Star Plus' dance reality show Nach Baliye-5.

Jay and Mahhi were pitted against three other strong contenders Neelu-Arvind, Ravi-Sargun and Jaysheel- Suhasi but it was Jay and Mahhi's electrifying dance moves and consistent performance that won them the title of the show. Ravi Dubey and Sargun Mehta stood as the runner-up's on the show. Ajay Devgn and Tamanna also made their presence felt on the reality show.

The grand finale saw some brilliant performances by judges Terance Lewis, Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Bollywood actress Tamanna who came to promote her soon to be released film Himmatwala. The actress grooved on Naino Mein Sapna and Taaki Taaki, the popular tracks from her upcoming film Himmatwala.

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25-year-old Jain sadhvi abducted, stripped in MP

BHOPAL: A 25-year-old Jain sadhvi was battling for her life days after two youth stripped and assaulted her at Mow in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind district.

Reports said the sadhvi was sleeping on her house's terrace when the two — Pradeep Yadav and Ashok — abducted her on Wednesday. They took her to Ashok's house, where she was stripped and thrashed with canes. The two later left her outside her house in an unconscious condition.

Police did not register a case against them when the sadhvi's father approached them a day later.

The accused were booked and Ashok was arrested on Friday after the local Jain community protested.

Naib tehsildar Shubrata Tripathi said the victim was being treated in Gwalior and had sustained serious injuries.

It was not immediately known what prompted the attack.

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Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma get warnings for wild celebrations

NEW DELHI: Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Ishant Sharma were on Sunday warned by umpire Aleem Dar for wildly celebrating the dismissals of Australian batsmen during the third day's play of the fourth and final cricket Test on Sunday.

While Jadeja was warned for his over-the-top celebration after dismissing Australian opener David Warner, Ishant was cautioned for giving James Pattinson a send off after disturbing his timbers at the Feroze Shah Kotla stadium.

In both the cases, Pakistani umpire Dar had a word with India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Jadeja had started celebrating the Warner's dismissal after trapping him plumb in front of the wickets even before the umpire had raised his finger during Australia's second innings, which folded up for 164.

The incident happened in the seventh over bowled by Jadeja when he showed Warner his way back to the pavilion to which Dar, who was standing at the square leg, took exception.

Dar then called Sachin Tendulkar, who in return spoke to Jadeja. Later on, the umpire had a brief chat with Dhoni too.

Jadeja was involved in a verbal spat with Warner on Saturday during India's first innings when he had shown the handle of his bat to the Aussie opener.

Both the captains, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shane Watson, had to intervene to stop the verbal dual.

In Ishant's case, the Indian pacer could not keep a check on his emotions as he pointed the pavilion to Pattinson after dismissing him in the 45th over with the visitors' at 157 for nine.

Ishant pointed towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner which prompted Dar to call upon Dhoni and had a word with him. Later, Tendulkar was also seen chatting with Ishant.

Dar was then seen discussing the incident with other on-field umpire, England's Richard Kattleborough.

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Ajit Tendulkar causes a flutter at the Kotla

NEW DELHI: Why is Sachin Tendulkar's elder brother and mentor Ajit watching the Test at the Kotla, when he is not known to travel to watch Tendulkar bat?

Is it because India won't play at home for the next 15 months and this might turn out to be Tendulkar's last Test on home turf?

"You never know," Sunil Gavaskar told a TV channel when asked about the prospect.

"From 2006-07 there has been this talk of Tendulkar's retirement going on. Only he will know this."

Ajit is expected to stay back for the duration of the Test. Tendulkar will turn 40 in a month's time.

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Ind vs Aus: India take slender lead despite Lyon's five-for

NEW DELHI: Nathan Lyon scalped five wickets as Indian batsmen were tested for the first time in the series on a crumbling track but still managed to take a slender four-run first-innings lead in the fourth and final Test against Australia on Saturday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

At stumps after an intriguing second day's play, India struggled their way to 266 for eight despite a century-plus opening stand between Cheteshwar Pujara (52) and Murali Vijay (57) after the visitors had scored 262 in their first innings.

The bulk of the damage was done in the post-tea session when India lost six wickets as the Australian bowlers looked menacing for the first time.

If India manage a lead of even 50 runs, it could turn out to be a decisive one considering Australia's lack of firepower to counter the Indian spinners.

Curator Venkat Sundaram designed the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla keeping in mind the requirements of the Indian team, but it boomeranged on the hosts instead, as Lyon (5/94) extracted sharp turn and bounce to get rid of top-order players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Pujara and debutant Ajinkya Rahane.

Ravindra Jadeja survived a hostile spell from James Pattinson and faced constant sledging from the close-in fielders as he fought his way to a fighting 43 before getting a questionable leg before decision off Glenn Maxwell.

Pattinson and Peter Siddle also got certain deliveries to rear up awkwardly from the good length spot, which caused trouble for the batsmen.

Having gone into tea at a relatively comfortable 114 for two, the trouble started in the final session with an inspired spell of fast bowling from Siddle.

A nasty bouncer accounted for Vijay as he lobbed a simple catch to wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.

A second bouncer by the bowler softened up debutant Rahane (7), who got hit on the helmet and didn't recover from the psychological blow. Lyon took advantage of the situation as he got one to pitch on the rough as Rahane presented a tame catch to the backward short-leg fielder.

Operating from the Delhi Gate End, Lyon used the deteriorating pitch conditions to good effect, using the rough created outside the leg-stump well. Also he got awkward bounce that created problems for the Indian batsmen who time and again got beaten while trying to play for the turn.

Even Tendulkar (32) found it difficult to hit him. Having survived a confident leg before appeal in the post-lunch session, the veteran did hit five boundaries with three lovely ones of Siddle. But the offie pushed one quicker through the air and it hurried off the surface to find the batsman plumb in-front.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a few boundaries en route to his 24 but he committed early into a slow bouncer from Pattinson to give a simple catch to mid-wicket.

Earlier, the makeshift opening stand of Pujara and Vijay turned out to be a productive one as it yielded 108 runs in 25 overs with both players helping themselves to contrasting half-centuries.

While Pujara's 76-ball 52, with five boundaries, was a busy innings, Vijay, who has been in fine form since the Hyderabad Test match, contributed a useful 57 off 123 balls and hit eight fours.

However, the Tamil Nadu opener was subdued after the completion of his 50 as his next seven runs came off 38 deliveries.

At the onset, Pujara played a majestic backfoot cover drive off Pattinson after Vijay opened his account with a streaky boundary past the slip cordon.

Pattinson drifted one onto his pads and he promptly got his second boundary. Then came the best shot of the morning session as he hit left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson for a straight drive.

The three boundaries gave Pujara confidence to get off the blocks. Pujara's stroke-making must have inspired Vijay as he elegantly played pacer Pattinson through the wide mid-on area.

The first five overs of the innings produced 34 runs and it looked as if Vijay and Pujara were already in the Indian Premier League mode, which is scheduled to start in 10 days' time from now.

The 50-run partnership was completed in the 10th over. Pujara was finally dismissed after completing a well deserved half-century. Facing a Lyon delivery, Pujara played for the turn, but the ball went straight to hit the off-stump. Pujara faced 76 balls and hit five boundaries in the process.

Kohli also didn't stay long as Lyon trapped him plumb-in-front for one.

Around 1:25 pm, Tendulkar walked out amid standing ovation from the 20,000 odd weekend crowd, and got off the mark off the 10th delivery that he faced.

In the morning, Australia finished their first innings on 262, adding 31 runs to their overnight total of 231 for eight.

Siddle completed his maiden Test fifty but was done in by a straighter one from Ashwin who completed his fourth five-wicket haul in the series. Siddle scored 51 off 136 balls with four boundaries. Ashwin finished with figures of five for 57 in 34 overs.

The Australian innings lasted a shade over 14 overs as Pattinson's (30) dogged resistance ended with Pragyan Ojha getting his 100th Test wicket. Ojha completed the feat in his 22nd Test and is the third fastest to reach the milestone after Erapalli Prasanna and Anil Kumble.

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10 reasons why breasts are awesome

Video blogger Emily Hartridge, who's laugh-out-loud videos on topics ranging from why men cheat to why it's a good idea to get married have made her become an internet sensation, has taken up the topic of boobs this time.

"Hello lesbians, perverts, anyone who appreciates the female upper body. This topic is just for you," the Daily Mail quoted her as saying.

Her first reason for why breasts are so marvellous is that "babies get free food from them".

Reason two is "bras are an amazing place to store things, so we don't need to carry a bag with us".

Reason five is "Boobs can really help in a job interview... but only if the person interviewing you is a man or a lesbian".

Reason six is defined as "If you're having an ugly day you can detract the attention form your face'.

Another reason is "After a long hard day at work nothing is as comforting a resting place for our weary heads as the cushion of a bosom".

She names reason ten as "Boobs are pretty good for getting you laid".

This is illustrated as she dances with Chris, knocks him out with a boob, then drags him up to her bedroom.

"Hi, I'm Emily, I take a wry look at the top 10 reasons why... a weekly show that proves that everything in the world can be explained with 10 reasons. You might not agree with everything I say and that's fine, my only intention is to provide you all with some much needed light entertainment," says the description of her video.

After discussing the 10 reasons boobs are awesome, Emily then discusses some of the comments on her video and shows some funny outtakes.

The 10 reasons why boobs are awesome are:

Babies get free food from them
Bras are an amazing place to store things, so we don't need to carry a bag with us
They're pretty fun for boys to play with
Scientifically boobs are very important to keep a girl standing upright
Boobs can really help in a job interview
If you're having an ugly day you can detract the attention form your face
Only women get to have them
Boobs have phenomenal powers to control men
After a long hard day at work nothing is as comforting a resting place for our weary heads as the cushion of a bosom
Boobs are pretty good for getting you laid.

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Sachin Tendulkar's last Test in India?

NEW DELHI: The fourth Test against Australia at the Ferozeshah Kotla could well be fans' last opportunity to see Sachin Tendulkar play an international match in India.

India is scheduled to next play a Test series at home against the West Indies in October 2014, Tendulkar would be 41.5 years old by then.

India's next Test series will be in South Africa in November this year.

One of the game's all-time greats, Tendulkar announced his retirement from one-day cricket in December last year, bringing to an end a glorious 23-year-old career in the one-day format during which he rewrote numerous batting records.

The absence of controversies in his resume make Tendulkar the coolest of all Indian icons.

His greatness as a batsman lies not in having made more runs than anyone else, but the process he adopted. Tendulkar's success underlines the fact that talent alone is not enough. It is what you do with it that matters in the final analysis.

Not for a second has Tendulkar let his focus slip. He has always preferred the hard grind to shortcuts. In spite of his cult status and the trimmings (fame, power, wealth) that go with it, Tendulkar has never let anything interfere with his game.

Never has an Indian celebrity spoken so little and yet inspired so much awe as Tendulkar.

Not one word out of place, not one step out of turn in his 23-year career in the course of which Tendulkar has scaled peaks of success that lesser mortals can only dream of.

Yet, Tendulkar continues to be humble and honest - values that his parents had instilled in him at an early age. If at 39, his brand value remains intact, it is because he continues to inspire millions to dream.

To say that Tendulkar has enriched the game with his exceptional talent is like thanking the sun for sunshine.

Cricket will not be the same when Sachin Tendulkar walks into the sunset.

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Delhi Police arrest Hizbul Mujahideen operative, foil plot to strike terror in national capital

NEW DELHI: The special cell of Delhi Police foiled a plot to strike terror in the national capital after apprehending a Hizbul Mujahideen operative from Gorakhpur.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Delhi Police confirmed that the arrested terrorist was a Hizb operative who had entered India from Nepal.

He was carrying a Pakistani passport, which he destroyed on entering India as per the instructions of his handlers, Delhi Police said.

The arrested operative has been identified as Liaqat Ali, who is a resident of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

Liaqat Ali is a hardcore terrorist , who initially underwent rigorous training in Pakistan, and has been associated with HizbulMujahideen for the last 15 years, the cops said. He has been involved in several operations.

Based on inputs provided by him, the cops raided a guest house in Jama Masjid area on Thursday night.

Special police teams and bomb squads reached the Hazi Arafat guest house in Jama Masjid area of central Delhi at 10.30pm and cordoned it off.

They recovered assault rifles, hand grenades and more than 2kg of explosives from room number 304 of the guest house. The room was later sealed.

The ammunition was delivered in the room by a third person and was reportedly to be used by Liaqat Ali, cops say.

Two of the guest house staff were taken into custody for questioning, but were let off later after the sleuths found nothing against them. They provided information about the identity of the people who visited the guest house.

The Hizb terrorists had planned a huge strike in the national capital to avenge the executions of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Mumbai terror attack convict Azmal Kasab, the cops said.

The officers, though, have not confirmed if the cricket Test match between India and Austrailia at Ferozeshah Kotla was the target of the terrorists. The stadium is barely 4 km away from the hotel.

Liaqat Ali has told the cops about the presence of his associates in the national capital after which a manhunt has been launched to nab them.

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Ind vs Aus: Australia 231/8 at stumps on Day 1

NEW DELHI: India's quest for a historic clean sweep started on a good note as the host spinners continued their dominance over Australia to take the honours on the opening day of the fourth and final Test on Friday.

Scorecard | Match In Pics

Australia, sans their injured skipper Michael Clarke, managed 231 for eight at stumps on the first day after opting to bat on a dodgy Feroz Shah Kotla strip.

The visitors' total was given a semblance of respectability by the 53-run eight-wicket partnership between Steven Smith and Peter Siddle followed by an unbroken 43-run ninth-wicket stand between Siddle and James Pattinson.

Phillip Hughes, with a quick fire 45 in the top-order, and Steven Smith, with a patient 46 in the middle-order, were the two major contributors.

The gutsy Siddle (47 batting) also fought hard, adding some crucial runs with Pattinson.

Ravichandran Ashwin (4/40) was the wrecker-in-chief and was ably complemented by Ravindra Jadeja (2/34) and Ishant Sharma (2/35).

If the first day's pitch was any indication, the match is unlikely to go into the fifth day as the considerable wear and tear made life difficult for the Aussie batsmen, majority of whom didn't seem to possess the requisite technique to counter the questions asked by the Jadeja-Ashwin duo.

After Ishant provided a couple of breakthroughs in the opening session, Ashwin and Jadeja ripped through the middle-order in the post-lunch session, helped by some atrocious shot selection on part of the opposition batsmen.

From a relatively secure 94 for two at lunch, the visitors suddenly looked in a hurry and paid dearly for their indiscretion losing wickets in a heap.

Credit should also be given to India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for rotating his bowlers successfully. He frequently changed the ends from which each one of them operated, thereby making life difficult for the batsmen.

Ed Cowan (37) did all the hard work surviving the dangerous first session playing and missing on a number of occasions. Just when he looked set, Cowan went for a sweep shot and was bowled round his legs.

Leading the side, Shane Watson didn't impress on his Test captaincy debut. Having survived a stumping appeal in the first session, the all-rounder was removed by a typical left-arm spinner's delivery from Ravindra Jadeja.

The delivery pitched on the leg-middle as he drew Watson forward and the stand-in captain was beaten comprehensively while trying to whip the delivery through mid-wicket.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni whipped off the bails in a flash. Watson made 17.

Matthew Wade (2) was caught by the silly point fielder to give Ashwin his second wicket while IPL's newest 'million dollar' man Glenn Maxwell gave Jadeja the charge to offer a simple catch to Ishant at mid-on.

Mitchell Johnson had no clue about Ashwin's carrom ball, failing to offer a stroke thinking that the ball would spin away. To his utter surprise, it spun back sharply to hit the off-stump.

From a relatively decent 106 for two, the Aussies were left gasping for breath at 136 for seven, and the writing was on the wall.

However, Smith and Siddle added 53 runs for the eighth wicket to stem the rot. Smith hit two huge sixes off Pragyan Ojha during his 145-ball innings.

In the morning session, Ishant, who had yesterday spoken about him being more effective with the old ball, decided to prove himself 'wrong' as he got a couple scalps early on.

For a change, Ishant got a wicket in his very first over with a fullish delivery outside the off-stump which Warner played away from his body with minimal feet movement.

Virat Kohli, standing at second slip, finally held onto a catch, having missed a couple of chances in Mohali.

While Ishant and his new ball partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled well in tandem but the track, prepared by curator Venkat Sundaram, also helped their cause to some extent.

Hughes, who found some form going his way during the second inning in Mohali, took the attacking route knowing well that playing a game of survival would be difficult on this track. He hit 10 boundaries in his 59-ball 45.

The left-hander hit some flowing cover drives off both Bhuvneshwar and Ishant. He dispatched a lot of length deliveries to the boundary but somehow never looked set, which was partly due to the nature of the pitch. Even some of the deliveries bowled by Ashwin rose awkwardly and frequently hit the handle of the bat.

In fact, before his dismissal in the 21st over, Ishant softened up Hughes with a delivery that took off from short of a good length spot and hit him flush on the grill of his helmet. The delivery unnerved Hughes big time and two balls later, a delivery that landed on the same spot kept low and the batsman played on.

Cowan and Hughes added 67 runs for the second wicket, which was the lone bright spot in another disappointing show by Australia's top-order.

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Sanjay Dutt gets 5 years in jail in 1993 Mumbai blasts case

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of actor Sanjay Dutt and has sentenced him to five years imprisonment. The actor has four weeks to surrender. The court said that the circumstances and nature of the offence was so serious that Dutt cannot be released on probation.

The apex court upheld the conviction of Sanjay Dutt under Arms Act in 1993 blasts case, but reduced the six year jail term given by TADA court to five years.

The apex court said it agreed with TADA court's decision to acquit him of terror charges but offences under Arms Act were clearly made out for possessing and later destroying weapons of prohibited calibre.

Sanjay Dutt, who has already served nearly 18 months in jail, will now have to go to jail and serve the remaining term.

Dutt will not be able to shoot pictures during the remaining three and a half years of prison term, the apex court said.

The judgement was delivered by a bench of Justice PS Sathasivam and BS Chauhan. The judges only read out the excerpts of the voluminous judgement that lasted for one and a half hours.

Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to a jail term of six years for illegal possession of firearms acquired from terrorist acquaintances, who were responsible for the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts on July 31, 2007.

He was granted bail by the apex court on November 27, 2007.

A total of 257 persons were killed and 713 others injured when a series 13 coordinated explosions shattered the metropolis on March 12, 1993.

The blasts occurred at 12 places including Bombay Stock Exchange building, Air-India Building at Nariman Point, at Worli opposite Century Bazaar, Hotels Sea Rock and Juhu Centaur.

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1993 Mumbai serial blasts case: SC upholds death sentence of Yakub Memon, calls him mastermind of terror strike

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the death sentence of Yakub Abdul Razzak Memon in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

The apex court said Yakub, younger brother of Tiger Memon, was the mastermind of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

The Supreme Court commuted the death sentence of 10 other accused to life imprisonment.

The court observed that the other 10 accused were mere 'arrows in the hands of archers in the shape of Yakub, Tiger Memon and Dawood Ibrahim'.

The SC said though these 10 parked explosive laden vehicles at places in Mumbai, they were mere pawns and deserved life sentence.

The apex court severely criticized Pakistan for training and arming terrorists, who caused mayhem in Mumbai.

SC said Pakistan's ISI was singularly responsible for training the accused and equipping them to cause the bomb blasts in Mumbai.

Islamabad owes an explanation not only to India but also to the entire world for the terror strike, the SC said condemning Pakistan's role.

SC also severely criticized Mumbai police, custom department officials and coast guards for failing to check the transportation of sophisticated weapons and RDX into India.

Their greed and lack of honesty and integrity not only resulted in huge loss of lives but also caused a serious set back to India's economy, the SC said.

The apex court awarded five years sentence to Yusuf Nulwala. The court allowed Samire Hingora to come out of prison as he had already served 6 and a half years, the sentence it imposed on him.

A bench of Justice PS Sathasivam and BS Chauhan read out in one and a half hours the excerpts of the vouminous judgement.

As many as 257 people were killed and 713 injured in the serial blasts that rocked 12 locations in Mumbai on March 12, 1993. Property worth Rs 30 crore was damaged in the terror strike.
The fishermen's colony at Mahim Causeway, Bombay Stock Exchange, Zaveri Bazar, Plaza Cinema in Dadar, Century Bazaar in Worli, Hotel Sea Rock, Sahar Airport, Air India building, Hotel Juhu Centaur and a petrol pump opposite the Sena Bhavan were some of the places that were targeted.

According to the CBI, fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim, along with Pakistant's ISI, engineered the blasts, and Tiger Memon and his brother Ayub were the main conspirators.

In 2007, a trial court held 100 people guilty while 23 were acquitted. Twelve people were sentenced to death, 20 to life and 68 were given various prison terms. Three of the convicts — one sentenced to death and two to life-died during the pendency of the appeal in the apex court, which held day-to-day hearings for 10 months before reserving its verdict in August 2012.

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Sanjay Dutt to explore legal options, says he believes in judiciary

MUMBAI: Actor Sanjay Dutt, who has to undergo three-and-a-half years in jail in the Mumbai serial blasts case, on Thursday said he believed in judiciary and would explore legal options after going through the Supreme Court verdict.

"I still believe in judiciary. My family is with me and I am still strong," he said in his first reaction to the judgement upholding his conviction in the 1993 case.

53-year-old Dutt, who remained confined in his 10th floor flat at 'Imperial Heights' at Pali Hill in suburban Bandra, said in an SMS to the media he would explore legal options available after going through the verdict.

Earlier, his lawyer Satish Maneshinde had said he had accepted the punishment handed down by the apex court "as it is".

Maneshinde, who represented Dutt at the trial in the blasts case in the TADA court, said he had spoken to the actor who will have to undergo three-and-a-half more years in jail.

"Sanjay Dutt told me I have accepted the judgement as it is. I have accepted it," Maneshinde said quoting the actor.

The lawyer said though they will pursue the legal course available, "I am not sure what relief he can claim".

"But Sanjay Dutt will abide by the apex court's order of undergoing the sentence of three-and-a-half years in letter and spirit. Three-and-a-half-years is not a long period," he said.

"We have prepared him (for sentence) from the very beginning. Sanjay Dutt is a strong man and will fight for himself," Maneshinde said.

Eminent criminal lawyer Majid Memon, who defended many of the accused in the case, said there was only a "narrow" window open for actor to seek relief after the Supreme Court judgement.

"He has only a narrow window of approaching a larger bench or file a review petition but in that case also, I am afraid that unless stay is granted on today's order, he will have to walk into the prison," Memon told reporters here.

Describing as "unfortunate" Dutt's conviction, Memon said since the actor had already undergone 18 months' imprisonment, he was expecting that the apex court, after examining evidence against him and taking into account facts and circumstances singularly applicable to him, could give him the "benefit of sentence undergone".

"But in its wisdom and fairness, the Supreme Court has felt that he needs to be sentenced to five years. Consequently, he will have to go back and suffer the remaining period of his sentence.

"The law says once the highest court has passed the order, the law will take its own course. Proceedings will start unless stayed by the highest court," he said.

As Dutt remained closeted with close family and friends at his home, several Bollywood personalties including director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Vidya Balan went to him to express their solidarity.

B-town personalities Apoorva Lakhia, Milan Luthria, Sujoy Ghosh, Bunty Walia, Rumi Jaffery and Congress MLA Baba Siddiqui, a close family friend, also visited him.

Security at 'Imperial Heights' has been tightened with a police van being stationed inside the premises.

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US should dump Islamabad, Pakistan diplomat says

WASHINGTON: Washington and Islamabad should give up the fiction of being allies and acknowledge that their interests simply do not converge enough to make them strong partners, Pakistan's recent envoy to the US, who is now a hunted man in his home country, has advised both sides in a searing examination of tortured relationship between the two countries.

Instead, says HussainHaqqani, till recently Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Washington should leave Pakistan to its own devices so that it can discover for itself how weak it is without American aid and support, eventually enabling it to return to the mainstream suitably chastened about its limitations.

"By coming to terms with this reality, Washington would be freer to explore new ways of pressuring Pakistan and achieving its own goals in the region. Islamabad, meanwhile, could finally pursue its regional ambitions, which would either succeed once and for all or, more likely, teach Pakistani officials the limitations of their country's power," Haqqani writes about the broken relationship in the latest issue of Foreign Affairs journal.

"Once Pakistan's national security elites recognize the limits of their power, the country might eventually seek a renewed partnership with the United States -- but this time with greater humility and an awareness of what it can and cannot get," says Haqqani who was ousted by Pakistan's security establishment because he was seen to be working with Washington to contain the overarching influence of the military on Pakistan.

Taking a distinctly dim view of Pakistan's prospects without US support, Haqqani acknowledges that "it is also possible, although less likely," that Pakistani leaders could decide that they are able to do quite well on their own, without relying heavily on the United States, as they have come to do over the last several decades. In that case, too, the mutual frustrations resulting from Pakistan's reluctant dependency on the United States would come to an end.

"Even if the breakup of the alliance did not lead to such a dramatic denouement, it would still leave both countries free to make the tough strategic decisions about dealing with the other that each has been avoiding," Haqqani writes. "Pakistan could find out whether its regional policy objectives of competing with and containing India are attainable without US support. The United States would be able to deal with issues such as terrorism and nuclear proliferation without the burden of Pakistani allegations of betrayal."

After all, Haqqani says, "they could hardly be worse off than they are now, clinging to the idea of an alliance even though neither actually believes in it. Sometimes, the best way forward in a relationship lies in admitting that it's over in its current incarnation."

Haqqani's critique traces US-Pakistani ties from the early years, showing that it was dodgy, mistrustful, and never based on realistic expectations from the very beginning. Both sides repeatedly papered over cracks for expediency as Pakistan sought security based on spurious grievances and assumptions against India and the US sought a foothold in the region to counter communism.

A former journalist who has written and spoken against the Pakistani security state with remarkable clarity and candor except when he was in office, Haqqani is literally in exile in the US, wanted and summoned by the courts in Pakistan but fearful to return because of the threats to his life. In a remarkable insight, he describes the work of his immediate predecessors in Washington DC, including a fellow journalist-turned-ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, who he says worked to build the case that Pakistan was the frontline state in the war on terrorism by reaching out to the US media and lobbying Congress. With support from the Bush administration, he says the ambassadors were able to fend off criticism and get huge aid packages approved in the face of criticism from skeptics unconvinced that there was any change of heart in Pakistan, a conclusion he appears to agree with in the Foreign Affairs article.

Describing his own tenure, Haqqani says he and the late AfPak special envoy spent hours together going to the movies and meeting for lunch when their spouses were away from Washington to discuss how to resolve the US-Pak security imbroglio. Convinced that the Pakistani military held the key to stability in the region, President Barack Obama conveyed to Pakistan that the United States wanted to help Pakistan feel secure and be prosperous but that it would not countenance Pakistan's support for jihadist groups that threatened American security, he reveals, conceding that in the end, these attempts to build a strategic partnership got nowhere.

"The civilian leaders were unable to smooth over the distrust between the US and Pakistani militaries and intelligence agencies. And the lack of full civilian control over Pakistan's military and intelligence services meant that, as ever, the two countries were working toward different outcomes," he concludes.

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Large asteroid heading to Earth? Pray, Nasa says

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla: Nasa chief Charles Bolden has advice on how to handle a large asteroid headed toward New York City: Pray.

That's about all the United States - or anyone for that matter - could do at this point about unknown asteroids and meteors that may be on a collision course with Earth, Bolden told lawmakers at a U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee hearing on Tuesday.

An asteroid estimated to be have been about 55 feet (17 meters) in diameter exploded on Feb. 15 over Chelyabinsk, Russia, generating shock waves that shattered windows and damaged buildings. More than 1,500 people were injured.

Later that day, a larger, unrelated asteroid discovered last year passed about 17,200 miles (27,681 km) from Earth, closer than the network of television and weather satellites that ring the planet.

The events "serve as evidence that we live in an active solar system with potentially hazardous objects passing through our neighborhood with surprising frequency," said Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Texas Democrat.

"We were fortunate that the events of last month were simply an interesting coincidence rather than a catastrophe," said Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, a Texas Republican, who called the hearing to learn what is being done and how much money is needed to better protect the planet.

Nasa has found and is tracking about 95 percent of the largest objects flying near Earth, those that are .62 miles (1 km) or larger in diameter.

"An asteroid of that size, a kilometer or bigger, could plausibly end civilization," White House science advisor John Holdren told legislators at the same hearing.

But only about 10 percent of an estimated 10,000 potential "city-killer" asteroids, those with a diameter of about 165 feet (50 meters) have been found, Holdren added.

On average, objects of that size are estimated to hit Earth about once every 1,000 years.

"From the information we have, we don't know of an asteroid that will threaten the population of the United States," Bolden said. "But if it's coming in three weeks, pray."

In addition to stepping up its monitoring efforts and building international partnerships, Nasa is looking at developing technologies to divert an object that may be on a collision course with Earth.

"The odds of a near-Earth object strike causing massive casualties and destruction of infrastructure are very small, but the potential consequences of such an event are so large it makes sense to takes the risk seriously," Holdren said.

About 66 million years ago, an object 6 miles (10 km) in diameter is believed to have smashed into what is now the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, leading to the demise of the dinosaurs, as well as most plant and animal life on Earth.

The asteroid that exploded over Russia last month was the largest object to hit Earth's atmosphere since the 1908 Tunguska event when an asteroid or comet exploded over Siberia, leveling 80 million trees over more than 830 square miles (2,150 sq km).

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Mumbai teen hangs self after sexual abuse at ashram school

ULHASNAGAR: A 14-year-old girl on Monday night hanged herself from a ceiling fan at her Ulhasnagar home following alleged sexual abuse by the superintendent of an ashram where she studied in Class V. The victim's family has refused to take the body from hospital unless the superintendent is arrested. The victim's family has alleged that Vijay Patil (24), superintendent of Rajashri Sahu Maharaj Ashram, allegedly sexually abused the girl on false promises of marriage.

Following protests by the family outside the Central police station till late on Tuesday, an abetment to suicide case was filed against Patil. "We will take action after detailed inquiry," said senior inspector M Pimpalkar.

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I am not running a prostitution racket: Deepti Naval

Veteran actors Deepti Naval and Farooq Shaikh, who had formed a very successful romantic team in the eighties with classics like 'Saath Saath', 'Katha' and 'Chashme Buddoor' among others, were harassed and hounded out of Deepti's apartment by members of her housing society.

Last Friday, Deepti and Farooq were speaking to a prominent TV journalists about the remake of Chashme Buddoor at the actress's spacious terrace apartment where she has been living since the last 30 years. This is also where she has hosted high-profile parties and conducted many press meets and does all her writing and painting.

The two actors were in the midst of the interview when office bearers of the society in the building 'Oceanic 1' at Seven Bungalows, barged into her apartment and took strong objections to her conducting work in her residential space. They asked her and Farooq to stop "all this naatak" and they threatened to call in the police. They argued: conducting interviews in one's home was against the rules of the society. The two actors who had never faced such an embarrassing situation did not want to create a scene or get into any argument with those who were determined to stop them from completing the interview. A pained Deepti profusely apologised to Farooque and the TV crew, and was so humiliated that she immediately left for her apartment in Harmony in Madh Island from where she has yet to return.

Speaking to TOI she could not hide her despair, "I was the first occupant of the building when no one dared to buy an apartment here. I have had many parties and the press has always found it very pleasant to meet me in my house. This is the first time that I was made to feel as if I was running a prostitution den. I have never felt so humiliated in my entire life. My only crime is that I don't mix around with the people in the building because I have nothing in common with them. I don't know what rules they are talking about when most of my friends have their meetings with the media in their own homes. I feel so terrible that I don't feel like going back to my own house."

Farooq felt bad for his colleague and said that he was unaware of any such law that prevented artistes from giving interviews at home.

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DMK pulls out of UPA govt over Sri Lanka Tamils issue

CHENNAI: In a dramatic development, the DMK, a key constituent of the ruling UPA at the Centre, decided to pull out of the Union government and the UPA alliance over the Sri Lanka issue.

Reading out a terse statement at Anna Arivalayam, the DMK HQ, party chief M Karunanidhi said, "The Government of India did not even consider the amendments (to the US resolution in the UNHRC) proposed by the DMK. So, a situation has arisen where the alliance will not benefit Eelam Tamils in any way. Despite this, if the DMK continues in the Union government, it will be a grave injustice. So, the DMK has decided to pull out of the government and the UPA."

The DMK's decision was greeted by cadres cheering and setting off fireworks in the premises of the party headquarters. The five ministers, including Cabinet-rank minister and Karunanidhi's son, M K Alagiri, will tender their resignations during the course of the day, Karunanidhi said.

Nevertheless, the DMK chief added a rider that his party would reconsider its decision if the UPA government heeds to its demand and adopts a resolution in Parliament, censuring the Sri Lankan government for alleged war crimes and genocide.

The DMK's decision came a day after talks with Congress emissaries and senior ministers, A K Antony, P Chidambaram and Ghulam Nabi Azad, failed to thrash out a consensus on the issue of India backing a strongly-worded resolution in the UNHRC, seeking an international, independent probe against Sri Lanka and using stronger terms like 'genocide' and 'war crimes'.

The DMK has taken the gamble to pull out of the UPA, sensing the growing anti-Lanka sentiments in the state in the run up to a crucial session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

There has been a strident student upsurge against alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka with mainstream political parties, including the ruling AIADMK and fringe pro-Eelam outfits too raising the pitch for action against the Island nation.

While the DMK, finding itself in political wilderness after its defeat in the 2011 assembly elections and civic polls the same year, chose to rev up the Eelam issue, the release of pictures of 12-year-old Balachandran, son of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, just before he was shot in cold blood, fuelled sentiments further.

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UK tourist jumps from hotel to escape sexual assault in Agra

AGRA: Close on the heels of the gang-rape of a Swiss tourist in Madhya Pradesh, a 25-year-old British woman on Tuesday jumped off a hotel room here to save herself from an alleged sexual assault bid and suffered a leg fracture.

The tourist, who had checked into the hotel in Idgah area two days back, said a man entered her room early in the morning on the pretext of giving her a body massage and tried to molest her, police said.

She suffered a leg fracture in the escape bid, police said, adding the girl has been admitted to the district hospital.

The police have arrested the hotel owner Sachin Chauhan, a Delhi native, on charges of molestation and have booked him under relevant sections of IPC, circle officer of Sadar police station Ram Suresh Yadav said.

Meanwhile, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has reviewed its travel advisory for women travellers to India, which was issued after the gang rape of a 39-year-old Swiss tourist in Madhya Pradesh on March 16.

"We are aware of an incident involving a British national in Agra, India, and are urgently looking into it. We are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the woman," an FCO spokesperson told PTI in London.

It said, "Women travellers should exercise caution when travelling in India even if they are travelling in a group."

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Ind vs Aus: India beat Australia by 6 wickets to seal series

MOHALI: India clinched the Test series against a spirited Australia with their biggest-ever margin after recording a nerve-wracking six-wicket victory in the third cricket Test to take a 3-0 lead in the four-match series on Monday.

Scorecard | Match in Pics

Never in their 81-year-old Test history, have India won more than two matches against Australia in a single series.

After bowling out Australia for 223 in their second innings, India chased down the target of 133 with 15 balls remaining before close of play in a match which saw a nail-biting finish.

The hosts encountered some tense moments in their run chase before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed three fours off Mitchell Clarke in a row to seal the match in India's favour much to the delight of the home crowd.

Earlier, it was a defiant 65-minute last-wicket stand between Starc and Xavier Doherty, during which they consumed 18.1 overs for 44 runs to ensure the Indians, at least, don't run away with the game before the start of the 15 mandatory overs.

When the final hour started, India required 45 runs from a minimum of 15 overs. They completed the chase losing the wickets of Murali Vijay (26), Cheteshwar Pujara (28), Virat Kohli (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (21).

Dhoni (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (8) were at the crease when the winning runs were scored.

In the process, India reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which they relinquished after a 0-4 drubbing in Australia last year.

The victory was achieved on the back of some fine batting by debutant Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, both of them scoring big centuries in India's first innings.

Dhawan smashed 187, his 100 coming off a mere 85 balls making him the quickest-ever debutant to reach the three-figure mark.

India will now push for a clean sweep when the fourth and final Test starts in New Delhi from Friday.

Not to be left behind were the host spinners, who accounted for 14 of the 20 Australians wickets to have fallen in the match.

And leading the show with the ball was all-rounder Jadeja, who bagged six wickets in the match, including that of Australia skipper Michael Clarke, in both the innings.

With Australia resuming on 75 for three, the Indian spinners once again worked their magic as they bundled out the visitors for 223 in their second innings, setting India an achievable target to win in a minimum of 27 overs (+15 mandatory overs) at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium.

During his knock, Pujara, who opened the innings in place of Dhawan, who could not take to the field on the final day due to an injury on his left knuckle, completed 1000 runs in the country to become the 34th Indian to achieve the landmark.

Excluding the one-off Test victory way back in 1996, this was the fifth time India have won the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

After the damage was inflicted on Australia by the spinners, India started the chase on a confident note, with both Vijay and Pujara playing some delightful shots before getting out to Doherty and Lyon. Kohli made 34 before being dismissed by Peter Siddle.

Earlier, Doherty and Starc's spirited effort could only delay the inevitable, as there was just enough time for the hosts to fashion a comfortable win.

Left-arm spinner Jadeja was once again the most effective bowler for the hosts, returning with impressive figures of three for 35 - his all three wickets, including that of Australian skipper Michael Clarke, coming on the final day.

There were two wickets apiece for fellow left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and off-break bowler Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ashwin leads the wickets tally in the series with 22 scalps, followed by Jadeja who has 17 to his name, reflecting the Indian spinners' dominance.

Young paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar had taken three wickets yesterday evening to rock the Australian top-order. India grabbed the remaining seven Australian wickets in the first two sessions while giving away 148 runs.

While the Indians were 30 for no loss with Vijay and Pujara at the crease at tea, Australia, after losing eight wickets, were ahead by 79 runs with Brad Haddin and Mitchell Starc batting on 23 and nine respectively, when the lunch break was called.

Jadeja finished the innings by claiming the wicket of Starc. Nathan Lyon, Clarke, overnight batsman Phillip Hughes (69), Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Brad Haddin and Starc were the batsmen to have been dismissed on Monday, which had left India within sniffing distance of winning their third straight Test against the team from Down Under.

In the morning, Jadeja picked up the wickets of Henriques and Clarke -- this was the fifth time in six outings in the series that the Saurashtra player had taken the Australian skipper's wicket. He then came back to pack off the innings by claiming Starc's wicket.

After night-watchman Lyon was caught behind off Ojha for the day's first wicket in the innings' 28th over, in walked Clarke, who demoted himself in the batting order due to a recurring sore back.

Clarke survived 49 balls for his 18 while hitting three boundaries, before Jadeja got his 'bunny', caught at forward short-leg by Pujara who held on the catch after the Aussie got an inside edge onto his pads.

There was some confusion over his dismissal, but the field umpire checked with the third umpire to clear his doubts as Clarke trudged back to the pavilion.

In deep hole at 119 for five, and with their captain gone, Hughes got a poor decision from Aleem Dar which added to Australia's woes.

Ravichandran Ashwin's delivery struck Hughes on the pads but the ball had pitched outside leg stump line and didn't look like straightening enough to hit the stumps.

Woefully out of form prior to this innings, Hughes dug in for 165 minutes before becoming a victim of the bad decision. He struck 11 fours and a six during his 147-ball knock.

Jadeja then pulled off a blinder to dismiss Henriques. After luring the batsman to go for the shot, Jadeja stretched full-length to his left to pull off a diving catch.

Peter Siddle was sent back by Ojha, who castled the right-hander to leave Australia stuttering at 143 for eight.

After conceding a 91-run first innings lead, the visitors were struggling at when stumps, with Bhuvneshwar producing a brilliant spell to remove openers David Warner (2), Ed Cowan (8) and Steven Smith (5), who was promoted ahead of the injured Clarke.

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Daring escape: Two inmates escape from Quebec jail in helicopter

SAINT-JEROME, QUEBEC: Two Quebec inmates climbed up a rope into a hovering helicopter to make a daring daylight escape on Sunday from a jail northwest of Montreal, authorities said.

Quebec provincial police said later that they had arrested three people about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the Saint-Jerome jail from which the inmates escaped. One of those arrested was 36-year-old inmate Benjamin Hudon-Barbeau.

Authorities late Sunday located the second inmate and said a security perimeter had been set up around the area where 33-year-old Danny Provencal was found.

Earlier on Sunday, police received a call from the staff at the Saint-Jerome jail, reporting the escape around 2:20pm, said Quebec provincial police Sgt. Benoit Richard.

The jail's warden told police that Hudon-Barbeau and Provencal had grabbed a rope dropped from the helicopter to make their getaway, Richard said.

Quebec provincial police tracked down the helicopter used in the escape on Sunday afternoon to Mont-Tremblant, about 53 miles (85 kilometers) away from the jail but only the chopper's pilot was still at the scene. He was taken to a local hospital, Richard said.

"He's going to be questioned later on by investigators, within the next couple of hours," Richard said, adding that it's too early to say what the pilot's role was in the escape.

According to a provincial police, Hudon-Barbeau was arrested in November on two firearm related charges and associating with people who have a criminal record. The arrest came as part of an investigation of a double murder in Quebec

A Montreal radio station, 98.5 FM, said it received a call Sunday from a man claiming to be Hudon-Barbeau, who said he was "ready to die" as he tried to evade police.

"The way they're treating me in there, it's unreal," the man told the radio station. "They won't let me be. They put me back in prison for nothing."

Authorities did not immediately respond to the claims made in the radio station interview.

Yves Galarneau, the correctional services manager who oversees the Saint-Jerome jail, said he'd never seen anything like the dramatic escape in more than three decades on the job.

Galarneau said there are no security measures in place at the jail to prevent a helicopter from swooping down from above.

"As far as I know, it's a first in Quebec," he told reporters at the scene. "It's exceptional."

Although the tactic may have been a first for Quebec, using a chopper to break out of jail has a long and colorful history, and not just in the movies.

A New York businessman, Joel David Kaplan, used a chopper to escape from a Mexican jail in 1971, and went on to write a book about it. Pascal Payet, a French prisoner, used a helicopter to escape on three occasions, only to be caught by authorities every time.

The jail at the center of Sunday's escapade in Quebec is a provincial detention center with a maximum-security wing.

Saint-Jerome jail, located about 37 miles (60 kilometers) northwest of Montreal, experienced a mini-riot by about a dozen prisoners a little over a month ago. In that incident, police were called in to secure the outside of the jail, which holds about 480 inmates, and jail staff used pepper spray to disperse the mob.

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