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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Salman Khan starrer Dabangg wins the national award

Salman Khan starrer ‘Dabangg’ was declared the wholesome entertainer at the 58^th National Films Awards that was declared on Thursday (May 19, 2011). But, the south Indian movies outshines majority of Hindi movies in the top category. While Tamil movie 'Aadukalam' was named in six top categories, Malayalam film 'Adaminte Makan Abu' picked up four honours.

Here's the list of winners:

Best Film: 'Adaminte Makan Abu'
Best Hindi Feature Film: Do Dooni Chaar
Best 'Wholesome Entertainer of the Year' : Dabangg
Best Sports Film National Award: 'Boxing Ladies'
Best sci & tech film: Heart to Heart
Best film on social issues: Champions
Best English film - Memories in March
Best Art & Culture Film: Leaving Home (Indian Ocean Film)
Best Marathi Film: Mana Ayi Vacha
Best Kannada Film: Putukarna Highway
Best Children’s Film: Hejjegalu
Best Investigative Film: K R Manoj's 'A Pestering Journey' on Endosulfan victims
Best special effects: - Enthiran, Robot
Best Actor: Salim Kumar for Adaminte Makan Abu and Dhanush for Aadukalam
Best actress: Marathi actress Mitalee Jagtap Paradhar and Tamil actress Saranya
Best director: Vetrimaaran for 'Aadukalam'
Best supporting actress: Malayalam actress Sukumari
Best Male Playback Singer: Suresh Wadkar
Best Female Playback Singer: Rekha Bhardwaj for Ishqiya
Best Music: Vishal Bharadwaj for Ishqiya
Best audiography location sound recordist: Kamod Karade (Ishqiya)
Best re-recordist of the final mixed track: Debajit Changmai
Best cinematographer: Madhu Ambattu has won award for Adaminte Makan Abu.
Best production design: Sabu Cyril for Enthiran
Special jury award: Mee Sindhutai Sakpal

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Batla House encounter still haunts its residents

Two years have been passed since an infamous encounter took place at Batla House, where the police gunned down two militants belonging to the banned Indian Mujahideen outfit and also lost one of its highly decorated officers. But, the ghost of this infamous encounter still haunts the residents of this Muslim dominated locality.

There are innumerable incidents, where the residents of this colony were humiliated by multiple sections of the society including leading politicians and government officials. Being a resident of Batla House, I had also undergone through a series of horrible experiences. Sometimes, vicious comments of my friends disappointed me and sometimes, I had to undergone through a ‘Loyalty Test,’ that was especially framed by some employers for the residents of this area to check whether I am Indian or a terrorist.

But, what annoyed me the most was the words said by one of the officers of the UP Police. During his routine check up, he addressed me as “Ye Mian hai Batla House ka aur hamara dushman hai,” (This Muslim, who resides at Batla House is our enemy or anti-national). These words not only question fidelity of all the residents of my locality but also showcase the thinking of law enforcement authorities towards it. The words still haunt me.

I know this incident was just like a drop in ocean and there are many cases where the office bearers of security agencies and even some media houses touted this slum as the safe heavens for the militants. The main opposition of the country, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), even made this neglected colony as its main election issue during last Assembly Elections. The eye-catchy banners reading “Mushrooming Batla Houses,” were posted all across the national capital region to malign the image of this colony that accommodates a huge chunk of some highly literate Muslims.

Now the question arises, what the victimized residents of this colony—that is a home to some noted scholars and academicians of the country--will do and when the self-declared nationalists—the police and politicians, who themselves are involved in corruption, would stop this non-sense.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Honour Killings and the helpless legal system

Killing in the name of honour or pride is not a new term in Indian society, particularly in rural areas. The northern states of Haryana and UP have always been notorious for this henious crime, but the sudden surge in the cases of honour killing in metropolitan cities has undoubtedly shaken everyone.

The recent murders of a young couple and a woman, allegedly by their own brothers in the city like New Delhi not only highlights the darker side of Indian social system but also raised a question mark on the effectiveness of legal enforecement authorities.

These unjustified and brutual killings of youths, who dared to love or tie the nupital bond with their will, but against the wishes of their family members, only showed the helplessness of our legal system.

In most of the cases the victims had demanded police protection but their application remained unheard. Sarcastically, the alleged killers or the so-called crusaders of local customs showed no remorse for their crime. I heard one of the accused saying “we killed them for bringing disgrace for our family and we have no regret,” when he was asked by media persons.

These cases gives a sensational revealation that how the self-styled crusaders of tradition-preservation forces are involved in murders for the sake of dignity and pride.

Interestingly, the Khap Panchayats (local caste councils of elders), an influential local bodies formed to solve local issues, have played a crucial role in issuing diktats against young couples who dared to marry within the same gotra (clan), the thing which is against local customs and is regarded as one of the most henious crime.

Even politicians are seem to be reluctant in bringing tougher laws to protect the killings in the name of honour and dignity in the country. One of the finest examples of politician’s apathy is Haryana state, which has recorned a number of cases regarding caste related violence and honour killings. The state has witnessed a series of such incidents in the past few years.

The bigwigs of state politics, right from the state Chief Bhupinder Singh Hooda and main opposition leader Om Prakash Chautala to the businessman turned lawmaker Naveen Jindal, are trying to defend Khap Panchayat leaders saying that the khap panchayats are just like social organisations which have been doing social work for centuries.

Now, the question arises, whether our legal system is strong enough to provide full proof security to young couples who dared to marry within the same clan or against the wishes of their family members? I think the government must realise the sensitibility of the iisue and bring tougher laws to prevent these killings.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

No army in anti-Maoists operation; a right step

The federal government’s decision of not deploying army and air force in tackling Maoists is a praiseworthy effort. Right from the very beginning both the army and air force were reluctant in accepting active participation in anti-Maoist operations as they knew that if any such operation is launch then only poor, deprived and marginalised civilians particularly tribes residing in remote forest regions would suffer.

They were right as Maoists always use civilians as their safety shields. The red cadres have deep influence in tribal areas, among those who are residing in remote forest regions and are deprived of economic development or in many cases deprived of basic amenities viz. Food, Shelter and Clothes. I am doubtful whether these masses of the growing economic superpower of the world are capable of meeting their daily food requirements.

The majority of tribes doesn’t even aware of the outside world, their rights; they just know about their natural resources, which they claimed as their own. They oppose compulsory acquisition by legislature in the name of economic reforms.

Maoists gained some support by pledging their support to local villagers in their resistence against land acquisition by large companies. And there is no denying of the fact that communication gap coupled with corruption, justice denial and police atrocities on innocent masses only added fuel to the fire.

Civilians, residing in Maoist-infested belts, are caught between both stones of the mill and most of the times they find themselves on cross roads as both rebels and police are well aware about the power of the gun and both perties know how to use this.

Media reports suggest that there are some 20,000 fighters, out of which only some 8000 are hardcore fighters and are well versed in handling automatic weapons and explosives, rest are armored with traditional bows and arrows. So, it is unfair to use full-fledged power to crush rebels equipped with traditional weapons. The weapons that army uses are meant for causing maximum lethalties and in any case innocent civilians would only be the ultimate sufferers.

I think the country which gave the concept of ahimsa or non-violence to the world prefers diplomatic efforts to a full-fledged war. Nation’s interest must be given full priority and the government must appoint some envoys to reach rebels. I think the nation, which is the birth place of Gautam Buddha and Mahavira, must appoint goodwill ambassadors and try to reduce the communication gap.

This is the high time to take concrete steps as the Naxal (Maoist) Movement, which started in Naxalbari town of West Bengal, and has now spread in rural swathes of 20 of India's 28 states. The movement may derail the process of economic growth of Asia’s second largest growing economy.

Hundreds died in a series of violent incident involving red cadres killing police personnel and activists of opposition parties in central Chattissgarh and eastern West Bangal state. Recently a rail accident claims more than 70 lives in West Bengal state that claimed more than 70 lives. Officials claimed that the incident occurred after rebels sabotaged the track.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Google entering the 'smart TV' market, reports say

(CNN) Google and its partners are looking to become the latest players to beam Web content onto your television, according to media reports.

The Web search giant, along with Intel and Sony, would integrate applications like Twitter and the Picasa photo site onto TV screens, according to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.

Both reports attributed news of the project, said to be in its early stages, to unnamed sources. Google did not return a message from CNN seeking comment.

Google would open its Android smartphone operating system to developers to use for the television project, according to the reports.

Projects based on the software could begin popping up as early as this summer, the Times reported.

The move would follow several established companies and some startups working to more fluidly combine Web content and television viewing.

Earlier this month, TiVo announced that subscribers will be able to pull Internet content, music and movies onto their televisions more easily with a new Premiere service.

The "Boxee Box," which won the title of "Last Gadget Standing" at January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, lets users search and store Web content and either play it on television or share it on social-networking sites.

California-based company Roku has also rolled out a digital video player that integrates television, Web content and a video library.

What do you think? Would you welcome Google's entry into the TV business?

Facebook responds to massive phishing scheme

(CNN) Facebook has responded to a an apparently massive attempt to steal passwords from its users.

"There's another spoofed email going around that claims to be from Facebook and asks you to open an attachment to receive a new password," read a post on the Facebook Security page.

"This email is fake. Delete it from your inbox, and warn your friends."

Facebook will never send users a new password in an attachment, the post says.

The messages claim to be from Facebook, with a return address that looks legitimate. A message sent twice to a CNN.com staffer reads:

Hey [user's name],

Because of the measures taken to provide safety to our clients, your password has been changed. You can find your new password in attached document.

Thanks,The Facebook Team.

McAfee security warned users in a blog post Wednesday that the link is a password stealer that becomes active when the user clicks on it. Once installed, malicious software, or malware, could potentially access all username and password information used on a computer, not just on Facebook, the post said.

Reports suggest the scheme continued to spread on Friday.

McAfee and Facebook urged users to not open the attachment and immediately delete the message, if up-to-date security software programs don't catch the message first.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Twin suicide attacks kill 39 in Lahore

M Zulqernain
Lahore, Mar 12 (PTI) Terrorists today struck Pakistan's heartland of Punjab targeting the military as a pair of suicide bombers detonated their explosives seconds apart in the heavily-guarded cantonment area here, killing at least 39 people and injuring nearly 100 others.

In the second major attack in the city within a week, the bombers, who were on foot, hit vehicles of the Garrison Security Force patrolling the cantonment near a mosque in the busy R A Bazar area at 12.48 pm local time and the dead included 10 security personnel.

The area where the attacks occurred is full of residential and commercial complexes and also houses several security agency facilities. Within minutes of the explosions, it was swarmed with security personnel who stopped even media, including TV crew, from approaching the site of the blasts.

"Two suicide attackers struck the army vehicles which were on patrol.