TIMES OF INDIA
Monday 01 September 2008
Amarnath land deal ends stir in Jammu
Shrine Board Can Use Forestland During Yatra
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Jammu/New Delhi: Jammu broke into wild celebrations on Sunday morning after an agreement between a government panel led by governor N N Vohra and a conglomerate of Hindu groups gave exclusive right to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on forestland at Baltal for use during the pilgrimage season.
According to the agreement, the state government will set aside land at Baltal and Domail comprising 800 kanal for exclusive use by SASB for the purpose of yatra. The proprietary status of the land, however, shall not undergo any change.
Immediately after the announcement, the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti, spearheading the agitation in Jammu, suspended its campaign. In Kashmir Valley, the reaction was mixed. While PDP and Hurriyat Conference rejected the deal, National Conference gave it a thumbs-up.
Under the pact, SASB will be able to allow the use of the forestland, while the pilgrimage is on, by various service providers. The period for which the land will be under the board will include the time required for erecting and dismantling the temporary infrastructure for the Amarnath yatra.
The settlement was reached after the Congress leadership decided to view the matter through the political prism rather than leave it to the home ministry. Accordingly, Pranab Mukherjee, the tried and tested troubleshooter, was handed the baton and he opened negotiations with all the parties concerned, including BJP.
The agreement appears to have been reached in spite of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s defiant posturing. Political observers also see the urgency displayed by the Centre as reflecting UPA’s anxiety to defuse the explosive issue, which had emotive value for the majority community ahead of the coming assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, and which can play a role in shaping the terrain for the main prize: the Lok Sabha polls.
RIOT OF COLOURS: Revellers defy curfew in Jammu to celebrate the agreement
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S Ahmed Ali | TNN
Mumbai: In one of the toughest actions against corrupt policemen in recent times, the state government on Sunday dismissed high-profile encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma from service for his alleged links with the underworld. Inspector Sharma, once the blue-eyed boy of the city police with 112 encounter killings to his name, was served a notice of dismissal at 1 am on Sunday.
Police commissioner Hasan Gafoor said, ‘‘Sharma’s dismissal was not prompted by any particular case. We had learnt that he had several undesirable contacts and was involved in underworld activities. The dismissal is an administrative action.’’
A senior police officer corroborated his chief’s version, saying the decision was based on a variety of factors, including Sharma’s role as a middleman between gangster Chhota Shakeel and the builder mafia. ‘‘Telephonic interceptions have revealed that Sharma used to negotiate extortion threats received by builders and businessman. He also used to negotiate land deals. We wanted to put an end to this,’’ he said. Another officer said Sharma ‘‘is worth over Rs 3,000 crore’’.
Although convinced about his underhand activities, the police knew that it would be difficult to prove them in court. Therefore, the government invoked Section 311 of the Indian constitution whereby an officer can be dismissed without holding an inquiry in such situations. This is also one of the rare cases in which the deputy chief minister took an active interest in ensuring the dismissal of a police inspector.
Sharma is the latest in a series of encounter specialists who have been neutralised. Sub-inspector Daya Nayak, Nitin Vichare, Ravindra Angre and Praful Bhosle are all facing various inquiries. The only exception is police inspector Vijay Salaskar, who is posted with the crime branch.
Sharma was once the darling of the media with his pictures being flashed widely after every encounter. He has denied the allegations and will challenge the dismissal order in the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal.
GOOD COP BAD COP
Inspector
Pradeep Sharma, 47, Mumbai’s ‘encounter specialist’ credited with gunning down 112 gangsters and other suspects in a career spanning 25 years
1983 | Sharma joined the police force as a sub-inspector. His first assignment was at Mahim police station. Two years later, he was transferred to the special branch and then to Juhu. In 1991, he joined Ghatkopar police station
1990 | Sharma came in contact with the Chhota Rajan gang. In 1996, Sharma and his subordinate Daya Nayak were booked on charges of kidnapping a scrap dealer and extorting money from him
2004 | Downfall begins with Sharma taking charge of the crime branch’s Kandivli unit. He was accused of colluding with the underworld to broker land deals in the western suburbs between builders & businessmen
The final straw was his name being linked to the custodial death of Khwaja Yunus. Sharma was transferred to Amravati but he reported sick. He was last shown posted at Dharavi
WHAT NEXT
Sharma plans to move the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal for relief
ACES WITH MACES: Boxers Akhil and Jitender Kumar (L), who reached the last 8 stage at Beijing, with crowns and maces presented to them at Jitender’s house in Bhiwani
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TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Patna: There seems to be some good news finally from the flood-ravaged Kosi region in Bihar. The outflow of the Kosi’s water into the Ganga increased on Sunday. This, in turn, would not allow the river’s flood area to expand abruptly even if there is an increased water discharge into the Kosi from Barah Kshetra in Nepal.
‘‘Earlier, the outflow was taking place only from the main course. But now, after flooding the areas under its changed course, the river water is falling into the Ganga at Kursela from a new side as well,’’ said a senior engineer of the water resource development department.
He said the outflow from the main and changed course would not allow the water level in flooded areas to rise high as it would compensate for the water discharge from Nepal. The river maintained a receding trend on the discharge front and came down to 1.65 lakh cusecs at 4pm from 1.72 lakh cusecs at 12 noon on Sunday.
New Orleans empties out ahead of Gustav
With Hurricane Gustav heading for the US Gulf coast, New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin ordered over 240,000 residents to evacuate the city on Sunday ahead of the “storm of the century”, feared to be “much worse than Katrina”. Gustav has already claimed at least 70 lives in Haiti, 8 in the Dominican Republic and 4 in Jamaica
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Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN
New Delhi: If love is blind, so is justice. Long after a boy, then 19 years old, eloped with his 16-year-old girlfriend from rural Punjab and the two had sex, the boy — now a man — stands convicted by the Supreme Court for rape and will spend the next three years behind bars.
The girl being a minor, her consent to sex did not help mitigate the boy’s offence. For, law terms sex with a minor, with or without her consent, as rape.
What saved him from a harsher sentence of seven years was a leniency plea from the girl’s father. The boy, Rakesh Kumar, had been arrested after the girl’s father accused him of kidnapping and raping his minor daughter.
Times View: Sexual predators who prey on youngsters must be dealt with sternly. But the legal system should take a more lenient view towards consensual sex between teenagers — especially those in their late teens, as in this case. Sexual awareness — and experimentation — is on the rise among Indian teenagers. While this may disturb many parents, surely jailing young men as punishment is an excessive reaction. HC not justified in reducing sentence of a rapist, says SC
New Delhi: Long after Rakesh Kumar, then 19 years old, eloped with his 16-yearold girlfriend and had sex, was sentenced to three years by the Supreme Court for rape. A trial court in Patiala convicted him and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, despite the girl confessing that she had sex as she was in love with him.
Kumar appealed in the Punjab and Haryana high court, which said it would be harsh to send the boy behind bars, long after the incident, for seven years just because two youngsters in love had sex. While maintaining the conviction, it reduced the sentence to the period already undergone and asked the authorities to release him. The main ground for leniency, as mentioned in the high court judgment, was the rural background of the boy.
The state government appealed against the judgment saying rape convicts could not be let off lightly as it could encourage other such offenders.
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and M K Sharma was caught in a dilemma as on one hand a heinous crime like rape could not be condoned, while on the other, there was a confession from the girl and a plea from her father to be lenient to the convict. In the end, the bench felt that high court was not justified in reducing the sentence of a person convicted of rape, a heinous offence.
The court must not only keep in view the rights of the criminal but also the rights of the victim and the society at large while considering imposition of appropriate punishment, said Justice Pasayat, writing the judgment for the bench.
He said courts, while using their discretion to award punishment less than that prescribed in law, must record cogent reasons and not because the convict belonged to a rural background, as had been stated by the high court.
However, the apex court was also aware that the victim and the accused were in love and the victim had admitted that she willingly had sex with the accused.
What additionally weighed with the court in reducing the sentence to three years was the plea of the girl’s father, who had filed an affidavit saying since the victim was settled in life, a liberal view may be taken so far as sentence was concerned.
Heeding these circumstances, SC sent the man to three years behind bars and also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. The court asked Rs 8,000 from it to be paid to the victim.
Age of consent
The legal age for consensual sex in India is 18 years. However, after two high courts — Delhi and Andhra Pradesh — recognized the marriage of girls below 18 years, who had eloped with their beaus, and absolved the men from prosecution after ascertaining the girls’ views, a petition was moved in the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the age of consent and marriage.
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Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN
New Delhi: If you fail to pay the instalment for your flat on time, housing agencies like DDA charge a hefty interest. But these agencies themselves pay much lower interest on money they are supposed to return to unsuccessful applicants beyond the stipulated deadline.
This could soon become a thing of the past with the Supreme Court telling GDA that interest rate charged as penalty for delayed payments should be the same as the interest given on delayed refunds.
Usually a nominal interest, 5% or so, is given on delayed refunds to unsuccessful bidders by agencies like DDA or GDA. Ruling after HC order challenged
New Delhi: Supreme Court has ruled that the interest rate charged by housing agencies as penalty for delayed payments from consumers should be the same as the interest given by these agencies on delayed refunds to applicants who did not get a house.
For now, if the bidder’s deposit money is returned by the agency within the deadline, no interest is given. At the same time, installment defaulters are charged interest in the range of 18%. The apex court has said that if a land allotting authority demands penal interest on delayed payment of installments, then the same rate of interest will be applicable to all delayed refunds.
This ruling came from a Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and H S Bedi on a petition filed by one Manjul Srivastava, who challenged an Allahabad High Court order rejecting her claim for a residential plot in the Govindpuram area of Ghaziabad.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority, after taking the cost of the plot from Srivastava, declared that she was not selected in the draw of lots. It returned the money after the stipulated period for refunds had passed and paid a 5% interest.
The Bench rejected Srivastava’s claim for allotment of a plot as the GDA had taken full payment. GDA’s plea that she was unsuccessful in the draw of lots and that there were no more plots for allotment in Govindpuram area weighed with the court.
However, the Bench objected to GDA paying just 5% interest on Srivastava’s money. It said GDA’s land allotment brochure clearly stipulated that late payments by an allottee would attract a penal interest of 18%.
If that was so in favour of GDA, it should be the same for unsuccessful applicants when they get back their money from the authority, the Bench said.
Though the money was deposited in 1989, the refund was made after more than seven years, the Bench said. Therefore, ‘‘we must hold that GDA was liable to pay interest not at the rate of 5% but at the rate of 18%’’, the Bench said.
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Shalini Singh | TNN
New Delhi: If you work on an unsecured wireless internet network, beware. Someone right now could be moving around in the city looking for open WiFi spots for sending anonymous terror emails or accessing confidential information with almost no risk of being caught. Welcome to the dark world of wardriving.
A wardriver is a person who moves in a vehicle with a laptop — or a PDA like iPhone or BlackBerry — which has a software that detects WiFi networks. If an unscrupulous wardriver finds an ‘‘open’’ network, one that is not password-protected, he could use it for a range of nefarious activities.
The terror emails sent from the WiFi connections of an American in Navi Mumbai and Mumbai’s Khalsa College could possibly be examples of such misuse. These networks can also be used for identity thefts and corporate espionage.
Unless caught in the act, it’s virtually impossible to trace a wardriver. The wireless network can be accessed within a 25-30m radius of the point of installation. The malicious user can then piggyback on the network to send emails or access websites using the owner’s IP address, which when traced back leads to the owner of the network.
Says Sumit Grover, a vigilante wardriver, ‘‘I discovered many unprotected networks, observed their misuse. Over the past year, I tried to alert the ISPs involved, the Computer Emergency Response Team which analyzes threats to computers and networks in India, Trai, the ISP Association of India and even the IT ministry. Nobody took notice. Sadly, this was followed by a spate of terror attacks.’’
Wi ALERT
Wardriving means searching for wireless net connections while moving around in a vehicle with a laptop or PDA that has a software to detect such networks
These unprotected WiFi networks can be used for sending terror emails, accessing confidential information or corporate snooping
Since someone else’s internet protocol is used, there’s no way of zeroing in on a wardriver VIRTUAL THREAT 90% WiFi networks not protected
New Delhi: Software for wardriving — breaking into unsecured wireless internet — is freely available on the internet or even pre-installed in the device and such attacks are increasing with the rapid rise of wireless networks as laptop and broadband prices fall. The WiFi Alliance has estimated the WiFi market to be worth over $270 million and expects it to touch $900 million by 2011-12. Almost 90% or more of these networks aren’t password-protected.
The month of August saw a surge in such activity. Terror emails linked to July’s bomb blasts in Ahmedabad were traced to American national Kenneth Haywood’s unsecured WiFi network. Another terror email sent in the name of Indian Mujahideen was traced to a computer in Mumbai’s Khalsa College.
During the past year, hackers stole personal data worth an estimated $5 billion of up to eight million guests at over 4,000 hotels in 80 countries belonging to the Best Western hotel consortium alone. The data — which includes home addresses, phone numbers, places of employment and
credit card details — was sold via an underground network operated by the Russian mafia.
What’s most shocking is that this is quite easy to do. Open wireless networks can be accessed without any authentication and without attracting notice of the actual owner of the network. This is very different from hacking, which does not require physical proximity to the target network/computer. Cracking into protected networks, whether wireless or others, is a far more tedious process and can eventually be traced back to the hacker, while in the case of an unprotected wireless network, the intruder is virtually anonymous.
When done on a moving bicycle or motorcycle, wardriving is called warbiking. Then there’s warwalking (or warjogging), which is done on foot. This is the ugly face of India’s telecom revolution and the burgeoning demand for next generation smartphones and 24X7 internet access. Yet, the authorities appear either oblivious or unconcerned about its misuse and security hazards.
Capt Raghu Raman (Retd), a security consultant and CEO, Mahindra Special Services Group (MSSG), a corporate risk consulting firm, warns that it is critical to educate users on the risks of leaving their networks unprotected.
‘‘Access to unprotected networks is so easy, yet there are no laws or policies to educate or protect people. This is inexcusable given the growing environment of terror,’’ says Commodore Suresh Sahni (Retd), a radio frequency expert formerly with the Indian Navy.
‘‘As dependence on wireless/mobile infrastructure increases we can expect more destructive wireless attacks. The issue needs urgent attention through appropriate policies to secure wireless media usage, hardening wireless routers and access points, enabling firewall on wireless routers and educating users,’’ suggests Capt Raman.
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SUBHASH K JHA
Your life has gone through tremendous upheavals in recent times. Do you think the worst is over?
The best thing I did was to get rid of the undesirable people in my life. But I wish them well in life. I’ve no animosity against them, though they seem to have a lot against me. I wish well even to my enemies. God bless them.
Are your wild days over?
Absolutely over. I’m so happy, touch wood. God’s been kind to me.
Your sisters weren’t happy about your marriage to Manyata?
This is the happiest relationship I’ve ever been in, and I’d expect my sisters to be happy for me. Going by my past record, I don’t blame anyone for being suspicious of this relationship. My life has been a rollercoaster ride. For my family, especially my sisters, this was just another mistake that I was making. But I feel no one, not even the closest member of the family, has the right to interfere in my personal life.
Wasn’t your sisters’ approval of your wife and marriage important to you?
It was important. But don’t forget, they’re younger to me. And I felt they had no right to disapprove of something I was doing in my own life. Whether they liked it or not, they had to accept it. Anyway, I love my sisters, and I knew that, with time, they’d come around. The tangles are finally being resolved.
When will you, Manyata and your daughter Trishala be together?
I don’t think that will happen. My daughter is studying Forensic Science in the US. She’s now working partly with the FBI. I’m so proud of her.
Do you see the irony of it?
(Laughs) I know. She chose this line so she could help innocent people trapped in a legal maze. She had told me that when she took up Forensic Science. Apparently, you’re trying to get back into shape again...
Do you mean my life or body? My physique… well, I sometimes forget that I’m 49. But I’m getting there, I promise you. Hopefully, by December or January, I’ll be back in shape. I’ve a fantastic personal trainer, Lawrence from Los Angeles, who makes sure I’m not overdoing it.
Do you feel less stressed in life?
Yes. God has been great. There is good work coming my way. I’m happy because I’m getting substantial roles. It was important for me to finish my backlog and start afresh. I’m so relieved, I can’t tell you. I am finally able to sleep peacefully at night. I want to thank the whole industry for standing by me. I feel I’ve entered a whole new world now. I’m very happy in my marriage with Manyata. Everything seems so right for the first time in my life. I just want to do great work and be around friends who are like my brothers.
You really stood by Manyata?
That’s the least I could do. She has proved herself over and over again, though I’ve told her repeatedly that she doesn’t need to prove herself to me or to any member of my family. But she’s a very warm, giving and family-oriented person. And to her, winning over my family was very important. And she proved herself.
Are your sisters more accepting of Manyata?
I think so. But let’s see…
Why do you think Manyata is the right partner for you?
I have, somewhere in my heart, always wanted a woman like Manyata. In our society, a woman has to make a lot of sacrifices for her man. And Manyata has done that. I’m not the easiest of people to handle. She’s just right for me. Nowadays, I just wait for the day to be over so I can get back home to her. And I want to start a family with Manyata as soon as possible. Pray that it happens soon.
Are all your uncertainties gone?
It’s not as if everything is in place now. There are uncertainties still. I’d say 90 per cent of my worries are over. I wish my father could see me now. I’m so sorry that he didn’t live to hear that his son is not a terrorist. Wherever he is, he must be the happiest father in the world. I hope my parents are smiling. More than my own suffering, I hated to see my sisters suffer. I wish my father, family and daughter didn’t have to go through it.
Do you get to see her enough?
There’s a visa problem everywhere because of my conviction, but let me tell you – because of my daughter, getting a visa in the US is easier. She comes down to meet me quite often. She was in the Bahamas with me and Manyata. Whenever she has holidays in college, I make sure she’s with me wherever I am.
We heard that you and Suneil Shetty had a public pow-wow?
Do you believe that? You know how close we both are? I’ve just completed a film, EMI, with him. I will do anything for Suneil. I’ll give my life for him. I don’t even want any money for his films. There are people who can’t digest the fact that I have good friends like him. More than a friend, Suneil is family. I really feel there is someone trying to play a game to destroy my relations with him.
SKJ
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Mumbai encounter ace sacked for criminal links
Pradeep Sharma Said To Have Made Rs 3,000cr
S Ahmed Ali | TNN
Mumbai: In one of the toughest actions against corrupt policemen in recent times, the state government on Sunday dismissed high-profile encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma from service for his alleged links with the underworld. Inspector Sharma, once the blue-eyed boy of the city police with 112 encounter killings to his name, was served a notice of dismissal at 1 am on Sunday.
Police commissioner Hasan Gafoor said, ‘‘Sharma’s dismissal was not prompted by any particular case. We had learnt that he had several undesirable contacts and was involved in underworld activities. The dismissal is an administrative action.’’
A senior police officer corroborated his chief’s version, saying the decision was based on a variety of factors, including Sharma’s role as a middleman between gangster Chhota Shakeel and the builder mafia. ‘‘Telephonic interceptions have revealed that Sharma used to negotiate extortion threats received by builders and businessman. He also used to negotiate land deals. We wanted to put an end to this,’’ he said. Another officer said Sharma ‘‘is worth over Rs 3,000 crore’’.
Although convinced about his underhand activities, the police knew that it would be difficult to prove them in court. Therefore, the government invoked Section 311 of the Indian constitution whereby an officer can be dismissed without holding an inquiry in such situations. This is also one of the rare cases in which the deputy chief minister took an active interest in ensuring the dismissal of a police inspector.
Sharma is the latest in a series of encounter specialists who have been neutralised. Sub-inspector Daya Nayak, Nitin Vichare, Ravindra Angre and Praful Bhosle are all facing various inquiries. The only exception is police inspector Vijay Salaskar, who is posted with the crime branch.
Sharma was once the darling of the media with his pictures being flashed widely after every encounter. He has denied the allegations and will challenge the dismissal order in the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal.
GOOD COP BAD COP
Inspector
Pradeep Sharma, 47, Mumbai’s ‘encounter specialist’ credited with gunning down 112 gangsters and other suspects in a career spanning 25 years
1983 | Sharma joined the police force as a sub-inspector. His first assignment was at Mahim police station. Two years later, he was transferred to the special branch and then to Juhu. In 1991, he joined Ghatkopar police station
1990 | Sharma came in contact with the Chhota Rajan gang. In 1996, Sharma and his subordinate Daya Nayak were booked on charges of kidnapping a scrap dealer and extorting money from him
2004 | Downfall begins with Sharma taking charge of the crime branch’s Kandivli unit. He was accused of colluding with the underworld to broker land deals in the western suburbs between builders & businessmen
The final straw was his name being linked to the custodial death of Khwaja Yunus. Sharma was transferred to Amravati but he reported sick. He was last shown posted at Dharavi
WHAT NEXT
Sharma plans to move the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal for relief
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Hope floats: Kosi water enters Ganga
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Patna: There seems to be some good news finally from the flood-ravaged Kosi region in Bihar. The outflow of the Kosi’s water into the Ganga increased on Sunday. This, in turn, would not allow the river’s flood area to expand abruptly even if there is an increased water discharge into the Kosi from Barah Kshetra in Nepal.
‘‘Earlier, the outflow was taking place only from the main course. But now, after flooding the areas under its changed course, the river water is falling into the Ganga at Kursela from a new side as well,’’ said a senior engineer of the water resource development department.
He said the outflow from the main and changed course would not allow the water level in flooded areas to rise high as it would compensate for the water discharge from Nepal. The river maintained a receding trend on the discharge front and came down to 1.65 lakh cusecs at 4pm from 1.72 lakh cusecs at 12 noon on Sunday.
New Orleans empties out ahead of Gustav
With Hurricane Gustav heading for the US Gulf coast, New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin ordered over 240,000 residents to evacuate the city on Sunday ahead of the “storm of the century”, feared to be “much worse than Katrina”. Gustav has already claimed at least 70 lives in Haiti, 8 in the Dominican Republic and 4 in Jamaica
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SC convicts boy for sex with 16-yr-old girlfriend
Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN
New Delhi: If love is blind, so is justice. Long after a boy, then 19 years old, eloped with his 16-year-old girlfriend from rural Punjab and the two had sex, the boy — now a man — stands convicted by the Supreme Court for rape and will spend the next three years behind bars.
The girl being a minor, her consent to sex did not help mitigate the boy’s offence. For, law terms sex with a minor, with or without her consent, as rape.
What saved him from a harsher sentence of seven years was a leniency plea from the girl’s father. The boy, Rakesh Kumar, had been arrested after the girl’s father accused him of kidnapping and raping his minor daughter.
Times View: Sexual predators who prey on youngsters must be dealt with sternly. But the legal system should take a more lenient view towards consensual sex between teenagers — especially those in their late teens, as in this case. Sexual awareness — and experimentation — is on the rise among Indian teenagers. While this may disturb many parents, surely jailing young men as punishment is an excessive reaction. HC not justified in reducing sentence of a rapist, says SC
New Delhi: Long after Rakesh Kumar, then 19 years old, eloped with his 16-yearold girlfriend and had sex, was sentenced to three years by the Supreme Court for rape. A trial court in Patiala convicted him and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, despite the girl confessing that she had sex as she was in love with him.
Kumar appealed in the Punjab and Haryana high court, which said it would be harsh to send the boy behind bars, long after the incident, for seven years just because two youngsters in love had sex. While maintaining the conviction, it reduced the sentence to the period already undergone and asked the authorities to release him. The main ground for leniency, as mentioned in the high court judgment, was the rural background of the boy.
The state government appealed against the judgment saying rape convicts could not be let off lightly as it could encourage other such offenders.
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and M K Sharma was caught in a dilemma as on one hand a heinous crime like rape could not be condoned, while on the other, there was a confession from the girl and a plea from her father to be lenient to the convict. In the end, the bench felt that high court was not justified in reducing the sentence of a person convicted of rape, a heinous offence.
The court must not only keep in view the rights of the criminal but also the rights of the victim and the society at large while considering imposition of appropriate punishment, said Justice Pasayat, writing the judgment for the bench.
He said courts, while using their discretion to award punishment less than that prescribed in law, must record cogent reasons and not because the convict belonged to a rural background, as had been stated by the high court.
However, the apex court was also aware that the victim and the accused were in love and the victim had admitted that she willingly had sex with the accused.
What additionally weighed with the court in reducing the sentence to three years was the plea of the girl’s father, who had filed an affidavit saying since the victim was settled in life, a liberal view may be taken so far as sentence was concerned.
Heeding these circumstances, SC sent the man to three years behind bars and also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000. The court asked Rs 8,000 from it to be paid to the victim.
Age of consent
The legal age for consensual sex in India is 18 years. However, after two high courts — Delhi and Andhra Pradesh — recognized the marriage of girls below 18 years, who had eloped with their beaus, and absolved the men from prosecution after ascertaining the girls’ views, a petition was moved in the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the age of consent and marriage.
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SC to GDA: Pay more interest on late refund
Dhananjay Mahapatra | TNN
New Delhi: If you fail to pay the instalment for your flat on time, housing agencies like DDA charge a hefty interest. But these agencies themselves pay much lower interest on money they are supposed to return to unsuccessful applicants beyond the stipulated deadline.
This could soon become a thing of the past with the Supreme Court telling GDA that interest rate charged as penalty for delayed payments should be the same as the interest given on delayed refunds.
Usually a nominal interest, 5% or so, is given on delayed refunds to unsuccessful bidders by agencies like DDA or GDA. Ruling after HC order challenged
New Delhi: Supreme Court has ruled that the interest rate charged by housing agencies as penalty for delayed payments from consumers should be the same as the interest given by these agencies on delayed refunds to applicants who did not get a house.
For now, if the bidder’s deposit money is returned by the agency within the deadline, no interest is given. At the same time, installment defaulters are charged interest in the range of 18%. The apex court has said that if a land allotting authority demands penal interest on delayed payment of installments, then the same rate of interest will be applicable to all delayed refunds.
This ruling came from a Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and H S Bedi on a petition filed by one Manjul Srivastava, who challenged an Allahabad High Court order rejecting her claim for a residential plot in the Govindpuram area of Ghaziabad.
The Ghaziabad Development Authority, after taking the cost of the plot from Srivastava, declared that she was not selected in the draw of lots. It returned the money after the stipulated period for refunds had passed and paid a 5% interest.
The Bench rejected Srivastava’s claim for allotment of a plot as the GDA had taken full payment. GDA’s plea that she was unsuccessful in the draw of lots and that there were no more plots for allotment in Govindpuram area weighed with the court.
However, the Bench objected to GDA paying just 5% interest on Srivastava’s money. It said GDA’s land allotment brochure clearly stipulated that late payments by an allottee would attract a penal interest of 18%.
If that was so in favour of GDA, it should be the same for unsuccessful applicants when they get back their money from the authority, the Bench said.
Though the money was deposited in 1989, the refund was made after more than seven years, the Bench said. Therefore, ‘‘we must hold that GDA was liable to pay interest not at the rate of 5% but at the rate of 18%’’, the Bench said.
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Wardrivers target WiFi networks
Shalini Singh | TNN
New Delhi: If you work on an unsecured wireless internet network, beware. Someone right now could be moving around in the city looking for open WiFi spots for sending anonymous terror emails or accessing confidential information with almost no risk of being caught. Welcome to the dark world of wardriving.
A wardriver is a person who moves in a vehicle with a laptop — or a PDA like iPhone or BlackBerry — which has a software that detects WiFi networks. If an unscrupulous wardriver finds an ‘‘open’’ network, one that is not password-protected, he could use it for a range of nefarious activities.
The terror emails sent from the WiFi connections of an American in Navi Mumbai and Mumbai’s Khalsa College could possibly be examples of such misuse. These networks can also be used for identity thefts and corporate espionage.
Unless caught in the act, it’s virtually impossible to trace a wardriver. The wireless network can be accessed within a 25-30m radius of the point of installation. The malicious user can then piggyback on the network to send emails or access websites using the owner’s IP address, which when traced back leads to the owner of the network.
Says Sumit Grover, a vigilante wardriver, ‘‘I discovered many unprotected networks, observed their misuse. Over the past year, I tried to alert the ISPs involved, the Computer Emergency Response Team which analyzes threats to computers and networks in India, Trai, the ISP Association of India and even the IT ministry. Nobody took notice. Sadly, this was followed by a spate of terror attacks.’’
Wi ALERT
Wardriving means searching for wireless net connections while moving around in a vehicle with a laptop or PDA that has a software to detect such networks
These unprotected WiFi networks can be used for sending terror emails, accessing confidential information or corporate snooping
Since someone else’s internet protocol is used, there’s no way of zeroing in on a wardriver VIRTUAL THREAT 90% WiFi networks not protected
New Delhi: Software for wardriving — breaking into unsecured wireless internet — is freely available on the internet or even pre-installed in the device and such attacks are increasing with the rapid rise of wireless networks as laptop and broadband prices fall. The WiFi Alliance has estimated the WiFi market to be worth over $270 million and expects it to touch $900 million by 2011-12. Almost 90% or more of these networks aren’t password-protected.
The month of August saw a surge in such activity. Terror emails linked to July’s bomb blasts in Ahmedabad were traced to American national Kenneth Haywood’s unsecured WiFi network. Another terror email sent in the name of Indian Mujahideen was traced to a computer in Mumbai’s Khalsa College.
During the past year, hackers stole personal data worth an estimated $5 billion of up to eight million guests at over 4,000 hotels in 80 countries belonging to the Best Western hotel consortium alone. The data — which includes home addresses, phone numbers, places of employment and
credit card details — was sold via an underground network operated by the Russian mafia.
What’s most shocking is that this is quite easy to do. Open wireless networks can be accessed without any authentication and without attracting notice of the actual owner of the network. This is very different from hacking, which does not require physical proximity to the target network/computer. Cracking into protected networks, whether wireless or others, is a far more tedious process and can eventually be traced back to the hacker, while in the case of an unprotected wireless network, the intruder is virtually anonymous.
When done on a moving bicycle or motorcycle, wardriving is called warbiking. Then there’s warwalking (or warjogging), which is done on foot. This is the ugly face of India’s telecom revolution and the burgeoning demand for next generation smartphones and 24X7 internet access. Yet, the authorities appear either oblivious or unconcerned about its misuse and security hazards.
Capt Raghu Raman (Retd), a security consultant and CEO, Mahindra Special Services Group (MSSG), a corporate risk consulting firm, warns that it is critical to educate users on the risks of leaving their networks unprotected.
‘‘Access to unprotected networks is so easy, yet there are no laws or policies to educate or protect people. This is inexcusable given the growing environment of terror,’’ says Commodore Suresh Sahni (Retd), a radio frequency expert formerly with the Indian Navy.
‘‘As dependence on wireless/mobile infrastructure increases we can expect more destructive wireless attacks. The issue needs urgent attention through appropriate policies to secure wireless media usage, hardening wireless routers and access points, enabling firewall on wireless routers and educating users,’’ suggests Capt Raman.
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‘They had to accept MANYATA’
SUBHASH K JHA
Your life has gone through tremendous upheavals in recent times. Do you think the worst is over?
The best thing I did was to get rid of the undesirable people in my life. But I wish them well in life. I’ve no animosity against them, though they seem to have a lot against me. I wish well even to my enemies. God bless them.
Are your wild days over?
Absolutely over. I’m so happy, touch wood. God’s been kind to me.
Your sisters weren’t happy about your marriage to Manyata?
This is the happiest relationship I’ve ever been in, and I’d expect my sisters to be happy for me. Going by my past record, I don’t blame anyone for being suspicious of this relationship. My life has been a rollercoaster ride. For my family, especially my sisters, this was just another mistake that I was making. But I feel no one, not even the closest member of the family, has the right to interfere in my personal life.
Wasn’t your sisters’ approval of your wife and marriage important to you?
It was important. But don’t forget, they’re younger to me. And I felt they had no right to disapprove of something I was doing in my own life. Whether they liked it or not, they had to accept it. Anyway, I love my sisters, and I knew that, with time, they’d come around. The tangles are finally being resolved.
When will you, Manyata and your daughter Trishala be together?
I don’t think that will happen. My daughter is studying Forensic Science in the US. She’s now working partly with the FBI. I’m so proud of her.
Do you see the irony of it?
(Laughs) I know. She chose this line so she could help innocent people trapped in a legal maze. She had told me that when she took up Forensic Science. Apparently, you’re trying to get back into shape again...
Do you mean my life or body? My physique… well, I sometimes forget that I’m 49. But I’m getting there, I promise you. Hopefully, by December or January, I’ll be back in shape. I’ve a fantastic personal trainer, Lawrence from Los Angeles, who makes sure I’m not overdoing it.
Do you feel less stressed in life?
Yes. God has been great. There is good work coming my way. I’m happy because I’m getting substantial roles. It was important for me to finish my backlog and start afresh. I’m so relieved, I can’t tell you. I am finally able to sleep peacefully at night. I want to thank the whole industry for standing by me. I feel I’ve entered a whole new world now. I’m very happy in my marriage with Manyata. Everything seems so right for the first time in my life. I just want to do great work and be around friends who are like my brothers.
You really stood by Manyata?
That’s the least I could do. She has proved herself over and over again, though I’ve told her repeatedly that she doesn’t need to prove herself to me or to any member of my family. But she’s a very warm, giving and family-oriented person. And to her, winning over my family was very important. And she proved herself.
Are your sisters more accepting of Manyata?
I think so. But let’s see…
Why do you think Manyata is the right partner for you?
I have, somewhere in my heart, always wanted a woman like Manyata. In our society, a woman has to make a lot of sacrifices for her man. And Manyata has done that. I’m not the easiest of people to handle. She’s just right for me. Nowadays, I just wait for the day to be over so I can get back home to her. And I want to start a family with Manyata as soon as possible. Pray that it happens soon.
Are all your uncertainties gone?
It’s not as if everything is in place now. There are uncertainties still. I’d say 90 per cent of my worries are over. I wish my father could see me now. I’m so sorry that he didn’t live to hear that his son is not a terrorist. Wherever he is, he must be the happiest father in the world. I hope my parents are smiling. More than my own suffering, I hated to see my sisters suffer. I wish my father, family and daughter didn’t have to go through it.
Do you get to see her enough?
There’s a visa problem everywhere because of my conviction, but let me tell you – because of my daughter, getting a visa in the US is easier. She comes down to meet me quite often. She was in the Bahamas with me and Manyata. Whenever she has holidays in college, I make sure she’s with me wherever I am.
We heard that you and Suneil Shetty had a public pow-wow?
Do you believe that? You know how close we both are? I’ve just completed a film, EMI, with him. I will do anything for Suneil. I’ll give my life for him. I don’t even want any money for his films. There are people who can’t digest the fact that I have good friends like him. More than a friend, Suneil is family. I really feel there is someone trying to play a game to destroy my relations with him.
SKJ
HAPPY NOW: Sanjay & Manyata Dutt
Manyata & Sanjay
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ANSHUL CHATURVEDI Times News Network
The letter (inviting us to be part of the meeting) doesn’t talk of any new body. It talks of brainstorming to help new designers,” says Rathi Vinay Jha, till recently the DG of the FDCI. As a veteran bureaucrat, familiar with the model of the government’s functioning, Rathi is well placed to comment on speculation surrounding the agenda of the meeting convened by the textiles minister. “There is a lot of speculation in the market that it is about a third body, or about the government trying to do a
patch-up amongst
various industry factions. But I honestly don’t think the government would have the time or the inclination to bother about such things or to settle disputes. I believe that it is about helping young designers and not about any new body.”
The ministry pushing for such a meeting unilaterally hasn’t happened very often in the past, has it? “No, it hasn’t. Something may come out of it or not, that’ll only be clear after the meeting.” But isn’t a meeting purportedly called to discuss ‘promoting
young designers’ a tacit acknowledgement of the fact that new designers aren’t being promoted the way they should be? “Yes, I suppose so.”
What’s her take on the view that the fashion industry is inviting greater governmental ‘support’ – often a euphemism for control – on account of the fragmentation it’s seen over the past months and years? “See, in such bodies, the government steps in for either regulatory or developmental roles. Other bodies have had a far greater degree of government involvement, such as the AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council), but that was on account of issues that necessarily needed governmental involvement, such as export quotas. I don’t see it happening in the fashion industry at this point of time.” And if the government thinks differently? “If the government really wants to do something, I’d suggest they could strengthen and support the FDCI instead. However, if I were with the FDCI, I would say no thanks, because once the government steps in, unless it is backed by proportionate funding and support, it would impact autonomy. So we’ll need to understand if the FDCI can be strengthened, if so, on what terms, and if those terms are acceptable to the FDCI itself,” concludes Jha.
Rina Dhaka, who was contacted by Vaghela’s office and so was the first to inform FDCI’s designers that such a meeting was in the offing and invite them to it, says, “Mr Vaghela’s office took the initiative to contact us and expressed the desire that they would want to meet up with some designers.” Does she have an idea of the agenda? “When people like Mr Vaghela initiate something like this, I would expect that they have a plan in mind. I believe he lets people come out with ideas, and the government does think out of the box in various ways these days, so I don’t think there is any disconnect in the idea of a designers’ meeting with the minister.”
Will it involve people from the LFW and FFI as well? “I don’t think the government on its part would be engaging in bodies other than non-profit organisations such as the FDCI,” is Rina’s take. But it isn’t as if nobody who’s associated with the ‘other side’ will be present – Rohit Bal, for one, has been invited and says he’s ‘curious’ to know what’s being planned. From the FDCI, Sunil Sethi and Varun Bahl are among the confirmed invitees.
Ritu Kumar – who is also on the Board of governors at NIFT – believes that the meeting has been called “to discuss greater involvement of fresh talent in the fashion industry’s growth.” But, she says, she’s clear that her pitch would be to “consolidate. Another fashion week by youngsters is not what we need right now. We are already being inundated with foreign labels. We have to strengthen the platform we already have.”
But the ministry feels “the need of supporting the diversified talents in the field of fashion, to raise a platform for themselves,” as quoted in the letter issued to invitees. The shape that platform will take has been outlined by the minister in an exclusive chat with DT. What remains to be seen is how the fash frat reacts to Vaghela’s fairly radical vision of the future of fashion.
New fash body, 30% quota for jr designers
Is the meeting a general get-together or is this in response to something?
Many junior designers have been complaining to us that they also need some exposure, par humko kahin jagah nahi milti hai. So we thought that we should do something to promote them, such as giving them a 30 per cent reservation in fashion shows.
Is this being done in sync with the FDCI’s activities and shows?
No, this has nothing to do with FDCI. Where FDCI or other existing institutes or organisations, such as that set up by Sumeet Nair recently, are unable to give a chance to younger designers, we will. So you will set up a new organisation? Yes, definitely. Nayi sanstha hi banegi, ek nayi fashion council banegi. As per the constitutional norms, company banegi. Jaise AEPC ya EPCH (Export Promotion Council for the Handlooms) hai – jaise inme government ka share hota hai, waise hi yeh hoga. The government will have 4-5 people on the board of directors of this council.
But you will at least seek the FDCI’s cooperation in this…?
We will seek cooperation from everyone in the fashion industry. This activity is in no competition to any activity or any existing body, it will take its own track. At which point did it go from a discussion to a decision to form a new body? The issues had been there for some time. But earlier we thought, why should the government get into this, jo chalta hai, chalne deejiye. But it began to happen frequently, people would say that we have degrees from NIFT and NID but don’t get any exposure. So we decided to extend that support. Jab FDCI se Nair ka group alag nikla, hamne socha ki kahin toh fashion ki duniya mein asantosh hoga. Government grant de kar juniors ko dhyaan mein rakh kar ek body banayi jaaye. You mean the split was on account of youngsters being denied chances?
I am not saying that. The reasons for the split in the FDCI, I do not know much about them. What I know is that junior designers ko kahin bhi jagah nahi milti hai. Hum denge na unko jagah, unke liye reservation denge.
Will this impact the shows of FDCI, etc as well? Will the fashion shows taking place in October be governed by this 30 per cent quota?
No, no, the FDCI is not in our control. I don’t think they will listen, jo hamare control mein nahin hai, unko hum request nahin karenge.
– AC (With inputs from JYOTHI PRABHAKAR) anshul.chaturvedi@timesgroup.com
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FASHION KAQUOTA?
The ‘youth’ agenda of the meeting convened by mantrijifor the fash frat today promises many surprises
ANSHUL CHATURVEDI Times News Network
The letter (inviting us to be part of the meeting) doesn’t talk of any new body. It talks of brainstorming to help new designers,” says Rathi Vinay Jha, till recently the DG of the FDCI. As a veteran bureaucrat, familiar with the model of the government’s functioning, Rathi is well placed to comment on speculation surrounding the agenda of the meeting convened by the textiles minister. “There is a lot of speculation in the market that it is about a third body, or about the government trying to do a
patch-up amongst
various industry factions. But I honestly don’t think the government would have the time or the inclination to bother about such things or to settle disputes. I believe that it is about helping young designers and not about any new body.”
The ministry pushing for such a meeting unilaterally hasn’t happened very often in the past, has it? “No, it hasn’t. Something may come out of it or not, that’ll only be clear after the meeting.” But isn’t a meeting purportedly called to discuss ‘promoting
young designers’ a tacit acknowledgement of the fact that new designers aren’t being promoted the way they should be? “Yes, I suppose so.”
What’s her take on the view that the fashion industry is inviting greater governmental ‘support’ – often a euphemism for control – on account of the fragmentation it’s seen over the past months and years? “See, in such bodies, the government steps in for either regulatory or developmental roles. Other bodies have had a far greater degree of government involvement, such as the AEPC (Apparel Export Promotion Council), but that was on account of issues that necessarily needed governmental involvement, such as export quotas. I don’t see it happening in the fashion industry at this point of time.” And if the government thinks differently? “If the government really wants to do something, I’d suggest they could strengthen and support the FDCI instead. However, if I were with the FDCI, I would say no thanks, because once the government steps in, unless it is backed by proportionate funding and support, it would impact autonomy. So we’ll need to understand if the FDCI can be strengthened, if so, on what terms, and if those terms are acceptable to the FDCI itself,” concludes Jha.
Rina Dhaka, who was contacted by Vaghela’s office and so was the first to inform FDCI’s designers that such a meeting was in the offing and invite them to it, says, “Mr Vaghela’s office took the initiative to contact us and expressed the desire that they would want to meet up with some designers.” Does she have an idea of the agenda? “When people like Mr Vaghela initiate something like this, I would expect that they have a plan in mind. I believe he lets people come out with ideas, and the government does think out of the box in various ways these days, so I don’t think there is any disconnect in the idea of a designers’ meeting with the minister.”
Will it involve people from the LFW and FFI as well? “I don’t think the government on its part would be engaging in bodies other than non-profit organisations such as the FDCI,” is Rina’s take. But it isn’t as if nobody who’s associated with the ‘other side’ will be present – Rohit Bal, for one, has been invited and says he’s ‘curious’ to know what’s being planned. From the FDCI, Sunil Sethi and Varun Bahl are among the confirmed invitees.
Ritu Kumar – who is also on the Board of governors at NIFT – believes that the meeting has been called “to discuss greater involvement of fresh talent in the fashion industry’s growth.” But, she says, she’s clear that her pitch would be to “consolidate. Another fashion week by youngsters is not what we need right now. We are already being inundated with foreign labels. We have to strengthen the platform we already have.”
But the ministry feels “the need of supporting the diversified talents in the field of fashion, to raise a platform for themselves,” as quoted in the letter issued to invitees. The shape that platform will take has been outlined by the minister in an exclusive chat with DT. What remains to be seen is how the fash frat reacts to Vaghela’s fairly radical vision of the future of fashion.
New fash body, 30% quota for jr designers
Is the meeting a general get-together or is this in response to something?
Many junior designers have been complaining to us that they also need some exposure, par humko kahin jagah nahi milti hai. So we thought that we should do something to promote them, such as giving them a 30 per cent reservation in fashion shows.
Is this being done in sync with the FDCI’s activities and shows?
No, this has nothing to do with FDCI. Where FDCI or other existing institutes or organisations, such as that set up by Sumeet Nair recently, are unable to give a chance to younger designers, we will. So you will set up a new organisation? Yes, definitely. Nayi sanstha hi banegi, ek nayi fashion council banegi. As per the constitutional norms, company banegi. Jaise AEPC ya EPCH (Export Promotion Council for the Handlooms) hai – jaise inme government ka share hota hai, waise hi yeh hoga. The government will have 4-5 people on the board of directors of this council.
But you will at least seek the FDCI’s cooperation in this…?
We will seek cooperation from everyone in the fashion industry. This activity is in no competition to any activity or any existing body, it will take its own track. At which point did it go from a discussion to a decision to form a new body? The issues had been there for some time. But earlier we thought, why should the government get into this, jo chalta hai, chalne deejiye. But it began to happen frequently, people would say that we have degrees from NIFT and NID but don’t get any exposure. So we decided to extend that support. Jab FDCI se Nair ka group alag nikla, hamne socha ki kahin toh fashion ki duniya mein asantosh hoga. Government grant de kar juniors ko dhyaan mein rakh kar ek body banayi jaaye. You mean the split was on account of youngsters being denied chances?
I am not saying that. The reasons for the split in the FDCI, I do not know much about them. What I know is that junior designers ko kahin bhi jagah nahi milti hai. Hum denge na unko jagah, unke liye reservation denge.
Will this impact the shows of FDCI, etc as well? Will the fashion shows taking place in October be governed by this 30 per cent quota?
No, no, the FDCI is not in our control. I don’t think they will listen, jo hamare control mein nahin hai, unko hum request nahin karenge.
– AC (With inputs from JYOTHI PRABHAKAR) anshul.chaturvedi@timesgroup.com
Rina Dhaka
Ritu Kumar
Rathi Vinay Jha
Shankersinh Vaghela
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AFSANA AHMED Times Network
Now that the commotion over Sylvester Stallone doing Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambakht Ishq has died down, it’s time to check out Bond girl Denise Richards in action. The sexy actress, who was all oomph in The World Is Not Enough, is the first major Hollywood actress in recent times to play a fullfledged role in a Bollywood production. Kareena Kapoor and Denise are in competition for the love of Akshay Kumar, who plays a stuntman in Kambakht Ishq.
Instead, he talks of what a time the Hollywood actress gave him before she agreed to be part of his film. “It was a task just getting her to read the script. She sat on it for three months and our schedule was getting delayed. Finally, I went down myself. Getting her to agree was a big high because she’s known the world over for her Bond girl image,” says Nadiadwala.
Denise, who’s just getting over a messy divorce with Charlie Sheen and is busy with a popular American teleserial, was excited to be entering Bollywood. She says, “Bollywood is so unexpectedly awesome. Its style of functioning, I must say, is pretty impressive. It’s on par with Hollywood. It would’- ve been my loss if I had lost this role. I am now looking forward to coming to Mumbai for the premiere.”
delhitimes@timesgroup.com
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‘I’m coming to India’
...says Bond girl Denise Richards, who stars with Akshay Kumar in Sajid Nadiadwala’s next
AFSANA AHMED Times Network
Now that the commotion over Sylvester Stallone doing Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambakht Ishq has died down, it’s time to check out Bond girl Denise Richards in action. The sexy actress, who was all oomph in The World Is Not Enough, is the first major Hollywood actress in recent times to play a fullfledged role in a Bollywood production. Kareena Kapoor and Denise are in competition for the love of Akshay Kumar, who plays a stuntman in Kambakht Ishq.
Instead, he talks of what a time the Hollywood actress gave him before she agreed to be part of his film. “It was a task just getting her to read the script. She sat on it for three months and our schedule was getting delayed. Finally, I went down myself. Getting her to agree was a big high because she’s known the world over for her Bond girl image,” says Nadiadwala.
Denise, who’s just getting over a messy divorce with Charlie Sheen and is busy with a popular American teleserial, was excited to be entering Bollywood. She says, “Bollywood is so unexpectedly awesome. Its style of functioning, I must say, is pretty impressive. It’s on par with Hollywood. It would’- ve been my loss if I had lost this role. I am now looking forward to coming to Mumbai for the premiere.”
delhitimes@timesgroup.com
RAISING A TOAST: Akshay Kumar with Denise Richards
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OLE SENORITA: Jewellery designer Poonam Soni meets Mumbai Spanish consul general Cesar Alba y Fuster after she was accorded Spanish patronage for her new collection, Gaudi Revived. Inspired by the legendary Spanish architect of that name, Soni’s jewellery of mosaic-stained glass, brickwork and metal meshes has been patented and will be showcased at the Gaudi Museum in Barcelona and Madrid in 2009
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SHWETA THAKUR Times News Network
Known to go against the tide, Miss Afghanistan 2003, Vida Samadzai might have been plunged into controversies early in life, but that hasn’t deterred this optimist. “Many people call me ‘former’ but I am still Miss Afghanistan, because after I won the crown, no other pageant has been held there,” she stresses, brimming with pride. Vida was in Jaipur recently, to support a cause, of course.
So, apart from social work, what else keeps Vida busy? “My next Bollywood project is Sunil and Praful Tiwari’s Runway,” she informs. Vida has earlier worked in Subhash Ghai’s Black And White and says that the filmmaker told her to always remain a part of Bollywood. Ask her if she thinks the industry will work wonders for her, as it has done for some international actors, and she smiles mischievously, “I don’t have a Salman Khan to help me bag a lead role. In the Hindi film industry, foreign actresses are instantly offered item numbers. It is not that I don’t want to do them, if it’s a good production house, why not? I want to do challenging roles and would wait for the right scripts to come my way.”
And there is more! Vida also wants to write a book on her life. “Although I am too young to write an autobiography, I would eventually do that as well. Moreover, I want to initiate a communication between the Afghanistan government and me, as I am a good motivator and orator. Also, I want to help the women there,” Vida signs off.
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SHARIN WADER
It’s early morning. And taking the air on the promenade among the morning joggers and walkers at Bandra Bandstand, in Mumbai, are Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah. The two are back in a film – A Wednesday – after 12 years. We dragged them out to talk, argue, share a few laughs while Bollywood awaits the return to screen of these two veterans. “I skipped my yoga class to meet you,” grumbled Naseer. “So what?” asked Anupam, “I was down with fever but the thought of being photographed with you got me excited.” And, putting his arm across his old National School of Drama co-star, Anupam led Naseer down the cobbled pathway as the two went from present into flashback by the sea...
You’ll last acted together in the 1996 film Chahat starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pooja Bhatt. What happened after that? Naseer: We have a problem with each other! Anupam: I feel insecure if he is in the same film. In our new film, maine socha Naseer ne mujhse achchi acting ki hai. So I called the producer and reshot my scenes. Naseer: But what you don’t know is that maine bhi bina batayein film mein ek gaana dalwa diya. I’m playing a terrorist in this film but there’s a twist in the tale which justifies his actions. This film is an appeal to everyone’s conscience. It asks you how long you are going to sit down and watch. Anupam: I believe in the theme, too. But so many films being made on terrorism...
Naseer: But isn’t it better than watching a rich-boy-meets-poor-girl film? It’s wonderful that filmmakers are tackling such issues nowadays which show the real world rather than showing the Switzerland.
Anupam: I feel such films are made because there’s a change in the audience’s perception or else how would you explain the bombing of big films and the success of small films like Khuda Ke Liye.
Naseer: Yes, and that too it’s a Pakistani film with unrecognisable faces, yet people watched it instead of Tashan which has all the actors we like. Now it’s the film and not the stars that people watch.
Anupam: True, it’s not the stars that make the film, but the content. The last time I had seen such huge hoardings of myself was when Saaransh was released. Mein apne car se uttar ke dance karne laga!
Do you watch each others’ films?
Anupam: Shub
shub bolo. Why torture him with my films? Naseer: He doesn’t watch half of his own films. And I have not watched some of mine either, like the recent Mere Baap Pehle Aap and Jaane Tu.... Anupam: I don’t watch his films because phir mujhe complex ho jayega. I remember when I came to Mumbai and bought my first car and you gave me a proud look that said, “Wow, you have got a car now!” I also remember your expression after you watched one of my memorable films, and it was like “Kya kar rahe ho, yaar?”
Naseer: You buying a car was like a personal achievement for me. As beginners we didn’t have a ghost of a chance to succeed in the industry and I think if we didn’t have unshakeable faith in ourselves, we would have succumbed to the pressures.
Anupam: I think it’s also the madness in us that kept us going.
Naseer: That quality is common between us besides the fact that we faced rejection when we started. I remember when I went to the film institute, people asked me what course I had come for. Acting! Eh? Shakal dekhi hai?
Anupam: Tell me about it…
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‘I don’t have a Salman Khan to help me… ’
SHWETA THAKUR Times News Network
Known to go against the tide, Miss Afghanistan 2003, Vida Samadzai might have been plunged into controversies early in life, but that hasn’t deterred this optimist. “Many people call me ‘former’ but I am still Miss Afghanistan, because after I won the crown, no other pageant has been held there,” she stresses, brimming with pride. Vida was in Jaipur recently, to support a cause, of course.
So, apart from social work, what else keeps Vida busy? “My next Bollywood project is Sunil and Praful Tiwari’s Runway,” she informs. Vida has earlier worked in Subhash Ghai’s Black And White and says that the filmmaker told her to always remain a part of Bollywood. Ask her if she thinks the industry will work wonders for her, as it has done for some international actors, and she smiles mischievously, “I don’t have a Salman Khan to help me bag a lead role. In the Hindi film industry, foreign actresses are instantly offered item numbers. It is not that I don’t want to do them, if it’s a good production house, why not? I want to do challenging roles and would wait for the right scripts to come my way.”
And there is more! Vida also wants to write a book on her life. “Although I am too young to write an autobiography, I would eventually do that as well. Moreover, I want to initiate a communication between the Afghanistan government and me, as I am a good motivator and orator. Also, I want to help the women there,” Vida signs off.
Vida Samadzai
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‘The madness keeps us going’
SHARIN WADER
It’s early morning. And taking the air on the promenade among the morning joggers and walkers at Bandra Bandstand, in Mumbai, are Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah. The two are back in a film – A Wednesday – after 12 years. We dragged them out to talk, argue, share a few laughs while Bollywood awaits the return to screen of these two veterans. “I skipped my yoga class to meet you,” grumbled Naseer. “So what?” asked Anupam, “I was down with fever but the thought of being photographed with you got me excited.” And, putting his arm across his old National School of Drama co-star, Anupam led Naseer down the cobbled pathway as the two went from present into flashback by the sea...
You’ll last acted together in the 1996 film Chahat starring Shah Rukh Khan and Pooja Bhatt. What happened after that? Naseer: We have a problem with each other! Anupam: I feel insecure if he is in the same film. In our new film, maine socha Naseer ne mujhse achchi acting ki hai. So I called the producer and reshot my scenes. Naseer: But what you don’t know is that maine bhi bina batayein film mein ek gaana dalwa diya. I’m playing a terrorist in this film but there’s a twist in the tale which justifies his actions. This film is an appeal to everyone’s conscience. It asks you how long you are going to sit down and watch. Anupam: I believe in the theme, too. But so many films being made on terrorism...
Naseer: But isn’t it better than watching a rich-boy-meets-poor-girl film? It’s wonderful that filmmakers are tackling such issues nowadays which show the real world rather than showing the Switzerland.
Anupam: I feel such films are made because there’s a change in the audience’s perception or else how would you explain the bombing of big films and the success of small films like Khuda Ke Liye.
Naseer: Yes, and that too it’s a Pakistani film with unrecognisable faces, yet people watched it instead of Tashan which has all the actors we like. Now it’s the film and not the stars that people watch.
Anupam: True, it’s not the stars that make the film, but the content. The last time I had seen such huge hoardings of myself was when Saaransh was released. Mein apne car se uttar ke dance karne laga!
Do you watch each others’ films?
Anupam: Shub
shub bolo. Why torture him with my films? Naseer: He doesn’t watch half of his own films. And I have not watched some of mine either, like the recent Mere Baap Pehle Aap and Jaane Tu.... Anupam: I don’t watch his films because phir mujhe complex ho jayega. I remember when I came to Mumbai and bought my first car and you gave me a proud look that said, “Wow, you have got a car now!” I also remember your expression after you watched one of my memorable films, and it was like “Kya kar rahe ho, yaar?”
Naseer: You buying a car was like a personal achievement for me. As beginners we didn’t have a ghost of a chance to succeed in the industry and I think if we didn’t have unshakeable faith in ourselves, we would have succumbed to the pressures.
Anupam: I think it’s also the madness in us that kept us going.
Naseer: That quality is common between us besides the fact that we faced rejection when we started. I remember when I went to the film institute, people asked me what course I had come for. Acting! Eh? Shakal dekhi hai?
Anupam: Tell me about it…
Naseer & Anupam
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Amrita and Shreyas will be seen together for the first time on screen in Shyam Benegal’s Welcome To Sajjanpur where they play the main leads of the film. Amrita and Shreyas bonded big time on the sets – both knew Marathi and so, would chat away.
Apparently, Amrita is very fond of the language and loved talking to Shreyas in Marathi. Shreyas, himself being a Maharashtrian used to teach Amrita Marathi whenever they used to get time after the shoot. Says Amrita, “While shooting for Welcome To Sajjanpur, I learnt not one but two languages. Apart from the different dialect of Hindi that we speak in the film, I also learnt Marathi. I love the language and I can even speak it quite well, but not as good as Shreyas. So, in between the shots and we both used to speak in Marathi and it was great fun. Shreyas is a great co-star as well as a good teacher.”
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Shreyas & Amrita: Bonding bigtime
Amrita and Shreyas will be seen together for the first time on screen in Shyam Benegal’s Welcome To Sajjanpur where they play the main leads of the film. Amrita and Shreyas bonded big time on the sets – both knew Marathi and so, would chat away.
Apparently, Amrita is very fond of the language and loved talking to Shreyas in Marathi. Shreyas, himself being a Maharashtrian used to teach Amrita Marathi whenever they used to get time after the shoot. Says Amrita, “While shooting for Welcome To Sajjanpur, I learnt not one but two languages. Apart from the different dialect of Hindi that we speak in the film, I also learnt Marathi. I love the language and I can even speak it quite well, but not as good as Shreyas. So, in between the shots and we both used to speak in Marathi and it was great fun. Shreyas is a great co-star as well as a good teacher.”
Shreyas
Amrita
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SUBHASH K JHA
Your life has gone through tremendous upheavals in recent times. Do you think the worst is over?
The best thing I did was to get rid of the undesirable people in my life. But I wish them well in life. I’ve no animosity against them, though they seem to have a lot against me. I wish well even to my enemies. God bless them.
Are your wild days over?
Absolutely over. I’m so happy, touch wood. God’s been kind to me.
Your sisters weren’t happy about your marriage to Manyata?
This is the happiest relationship I’ve ever been in, and I’d expect my sisters to be happy for me. Going by my past record, I don’t blame anyone for being suspicious of this relationship. My life has been a rollercoaster ride. For my family, especially my sisters, this was just another mistake that I was making. But I feel no one, not even the closest member of the family, has the right to interfere in my personal life.
Wasn’t your sisters’ approval of your wife and marriage important to you?
It was important. But don’t forget, they’re younger to me. And I felt they had no right to disapprove of something I was doing in my own life. Whether they liked it or not, they had to accept it. Anyway, I love my sisters, and I knew that, with time, they’d come around. The tangles are finally being resolved.
When will you, Manyata and your daughter Trishala be together?
I don’t think that will happen. My daughter is studying Forensic Science in the US. She’s now working partly with the FBI. I’m so proud of her.
Do you see the irony of it?
(Laughs) I know. She chose this line so she could help innocent people trapped in a legal maze. She had told me that when she took up Forensic Science. Apparently, you’re trying to get back into shape again...
Do you mean my life or body? My physique… well, I sometimes forget that I’m 49. But I’m getting there, I promise you. Hopefully, by December or January, I’ll be back in shape. I’ve a fantastic personal trainer, Lawrence from Los Angeles, who makes sure I’m not overdoing it.
Do you feel less stressed in life?
Yes. God has been great. There is good work coming my way. I’m happy because I’m getting substantial roles. It was important for me to finish my backlog and start afresh. I’m so relieved, I can’t tell you. I am finally able to sleep peacefully at night. I want to thank the whole industry for standing by me. I feel I’ve entered a whole new world now. I’m very happy in my marriage with Manyata. Everything seems so right for the first time in my life. I just want to do great work and be around friends who are like my brothers.
You really stood by Manyata?
That’s the least I could do. She has proved herself over and over again, though I’ve told her repeatedly that she doesn’t need to prove herself to me or to any member of my family. But she’s a very warm, giving and family-oriented person. And to her, winning over my family was very important. And she proved herself.
Are your sisters more accepting of Manyata?
I think so. But let’s see…
Why do you think Manyata is the right partner for you?
I have, somewhere in my heart, always wanted a woman like Manyata. In our society, a woman has to make a lot of sacrifices for her man. And Manyata has done that. I’m not the easiest of people to handle. She’s just right for me. Nowadays, I just wait for the day to be over so I can get back home to her. And I want to start a family with Manyata as soon as possible. Pray that it happens soon.
Are all your uncertainties gone?
It’s not as if everything is in place now. There are uncertainties still. I’d say 90 per cent of my worries are over. I wish my father could see me now. I’m so sorry that he didn’t live to hear that his son is not a terrorist. Wherever he is, he must be the happiest father in the world. I hope my parents are smiling. More than my own suffering, I hated to see my sisters suffer. I wish my father, family and daughter didn’t have to go through it.
Do you get to see her enough?
There’s a visa problem everywhere because of my conviction, but let me tell you – because of my daughter, getting a visa in the US is easier. She comes down to meet me quite often. She was in the Bahamas with me and Manyata. Whenever she has holidays in college, I make sure she’s with me wherever I am.
We heard that you and Suneil Shetty had a public pow-wow?
Do you believe that? You know how close we both are? I’ve just completed a film, EMI, with him. I will do anything for Suneil. I’ll give my life for him. I don’t even want any money for his films. There are people who can’t digest the fact that I have good friends like him. More than a friend, Suneil is family. I really feel there is someone trying to play a game to destroy my relations with him.
SKJ
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‘They had to accept MANYATA’
SUBHASH K JHA
Your life has gone through tremendous upheavals in recent times. Do you think the worst is over?
The best thing I did was to get rid of the undesirable people in my life. But I wish them well in life. I’ve no animosity against them, though they seem to have a lot against me. I wish well even to my enemies. God bless them.
Are your wild days over?
Absolutely over. I’m so happy, touch wood. God’s been kind to me.
Your sisters weren’t happy about your marriage to Manyata?
This is the happiest relationship I’ve ever been in, and I’d expect my sisters to be happy for me. Going by my past record, I don’t blame anyone for being suspicious of this relationship. My life has been a rollercoaster ride. For my family, especially my sisters, this was just another mistake that I was making. But I feel no one, not even the closest member of the family, has the right to interfere in my personal life.
Wasn’t your sisters’ approval of your wife and marriage important to you?
It was important. But don’t forget, they’re younger to me. And I felt they had no right to disapprove of something I was doing in my own life. Whether they liked it or not, they had to accept it. Anyway, I love my sisters, and I knew that, with time, they’d come around. The tangles are finally being resolved.
When will you, Manyata and your daughter Trishala be together?
I don’t think that will happen. My daughter is studying Forensic Science in the US. She’s now working partly with the FBI. I’m so proud of her.
Do you see the irony of it?
(Laughs) I know. She chose this line so she could help innocent people trapped in a legal maze. She had told me that when she took up Forensic Science. Apparently, you’re trying to get back into shape again...
Do you mean my life or body? My physique… well, I sometimes forget that I’m 49. But I’m getting there, I promise you. Hopefully, by December or January, I’ll be back in shape. I’ve a fantastic personal trainer, Lawrence from Los Angeles, who makes sure I’m not overdoing it.
Do you feel less stressed in life?
Yes. God has been great. There is good work coming my way. I’m happy because I’m getting substantial roles. It was important for me to finish my backlog and start afresh. I’m so relieved, I can’t tell you. I am finally able to sleep peacefully at night. I want to thank the whole industry for standing by me. I feel I’ve entered a whole new world now. I’m very happy in my marriage with Manyata. Everything seems so right for the first time in my life. I just want to do great work and be around friends who are like my brothers.
You really stood by Manyata?
That’s the least I could do. She has proved herself over and over again, though I’ve told her repeatedly that she doesn’t need to prove herself to me or to any member of my family. But she’s a very warm, giving and family-oriented person. And to her, winning over my family was very important. And she proved herself.
Are your sisters more accepting of Manyata?
I think so. But let’s see…
Why do you think Manyata is the right partner for you?
I have, somewhere in my heart, always wanted a woman like Manyata. In our society, a woman has to make a lot of sacrifices for her man. And Manyata has done that. I’m not the easiest of people to handle. She’s just right for me. Nowadays, I just wait for the day to be over so I can get back home to her. And I want to start a family with Manyata as soon as possible. Pray that it happens soon.
Are all your uncertainties gone?
It’s not as if everything is in place now. There are uncertainties still. I’d say 90 per cent of my worries are over. I wish my father could see me now. I’m so sorry that he didn’t live to hear that his son is not a terrorist. Wherever he is, he must be the happiest father in the world. I hope my parents are smiling. More than my own suffering, I hated to see my sisters suffer. I wish my father, family and daughter didn’t have to go through it.
Do you get to see her enough?
There’s a visa problem everywhere because of my conviction, but let me tell you – because of my daughter, getting a visa in the US is easier. She comes down to meet me quite often. She was in the Bahamas with me and Manyata. Whenever she has holidays in college, I make sure she’s with me wherever I am.
We heard that you and Suneil Shetty had a public pow-wow?
Do you believe that? You know how close we both are? I’ve just completed a film, EMI, with him. I will do anything for Suneil. I’ll give my life for him. I don’t even want any money for his films. There are people who can’t digest the fact that I have good friends like him. More than a friend, Suneil is family. I really feel there is someone trying to play a game to destroy my relations with him.
SKJ
HAPPY NOW: Sanjay & Manyata Dutt
Manyata & Sanjay
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Sanjay Gupta is one cool boss. Recently, the filmmaker took his team on an all-expenses paid three-week holiday to London and New York. Not that anyone asked him for it, but the Sanjay, the boss, is so sensitive to the moods of his employees that he figured out that everyone has been overworked for almost a year and therefore, badly needed a break.
“We have been working non-stop and this was my first major break in three years. So, I took my team along as well as they are all my closest friends. And wherever we go, we go together.” Hopefully, all bosses are reading this!
(Snippets contributed By Gautam Buragohain and Urvashi Ashar)
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Celebration time for Sanjay
Sanjay Gupta is one cool boss. Recently, the filmmaker took his team on an all-expenses paid three-week holiday to London and New York. Not that anyone asked him for it, but the Sanjay, the boss, is so sensitive to the moods of his employees that he figured out that everyone has been overworked for almost a year and therefore, badly needed a break.
“We have been working non-stop and this was my first major break in three years. So, I took my team along as well as they are all my closest friends. And wherever we go, we go together.” Hopefully, all bosses are reading this!
(Snippets contributed By Gautam Buragohain and Urvashi Ashar)
Sanjay Gupta
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SANAT SAVANAL Times News Network
Not long ago, Bollywood films always came up with tried and tested music. Now, with the boom in Indipop, times have surely changed.
Some Indipop stars like Kunal Ganjawala, Vasundhara Das, Lucky Ali and others have blown us away with unforgettable songs. Though, given a chance, these artistes prefer cutting their own albums than the glittering world of Bollywood.
Vasundhara Das, who came out with her
own pop album, says, “The difference between a playback singer and a pop artiste is that the playback singer is the voice of an actor. It is never your own song. The music and the lyrics have been made by someone else, and you are just a contributor to the song. The pop artiste has her own personality, thoughts and emotions expressed in his or her own voice. There is always a need to express yourself through your own compositions.”
Shubha Mudgal believes there are a lot of reasons as to why some singers do not venture into the film industry permanently. “First of all, playback is a specialised performance. If the music composer and director feel a particular Indipop singer can render the song with the required singing style, then they will bring him or her into the film. On the other hand, film music is very clichéd, so much so that even playback singers like Abhijit, Kumar Sanu and Sonu Niigaam have ventured into the Indipop genre and come out with albums,” says she.
Shaan doesn’t feel that a lot of Indipop artistes are straying away from Bollywood. “A lot of Indipop artistes like Neeraj Shridhar of Bombay Vikings, Daler Mehndi, Mika, who have unconventional voices
are singing for Bollywood. You will also find singers like Shilpa Rao and Anushka Manchanda singing a Bollywood song. It is all about different voices today. And, if you look at the music that is being made these days, pop and Bollywood have no demarcation. It is a win-win situation.”
That Bollywood has major contributions by pop singers is a proven fact. As Hindi film music gears up to conquer fresh, new pastures, what we shall inevitably hear are more songs by more performers for even more varied kind of music.
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THEY ARE WHAT THEY SING
Indipop has made a big impact in Bollywood, but some artistes still prefer cutting their private albums. Is it a question of creative satisfaction?
SANAT SAVANAL Times News Network
Not long ago, Bollywood films always came up with tried and tested music. Now, with the boom in Indipop, times have surely changed.
Some Indipop stars like Kunal Ganjawala, Vasundhara Das, Lucky Ali and others have blown us away with unforgettable songs. Though, given a chance, these artistes prefer cutting their own albums than the glittering world of Bollywood.
Vasundhara Das, who came out with her
own pop album, says, “The difference between a playback singer and a pop artiste is that the playback singer is the voice of an actor. It is never your own song. The music and the lyrics have been made by someone else, and you are just a contributor to the song. The pop artiste has her own personality, thoughts and emotions expressed in his or her own voice. There is always a need to express yourself through your own compositions.”
Shubha Mudgal believes there are a lot of reasons as to why some singers do not venture into the film industry permanently. “First of all, playback is a specialised performance. If the music composer and director feel a particular Indipop singer can render the song with the required singing style, then they will bring him or her into the film. On the other hand, film music is very clichéd, so much so that even playback singers like Abhijit, Kumar Sanu and Sonu Niigaam have ventured into the Indipop genre and come out with albums,” says she.
Shaan doesn’t feel that a lot of Indipop artistes are straying away from Bollywood. “A lot of Indipop artistes like Neeraj Shridhar of Bombay Vikings, Daler Mehndi, Mika, who have unconventional voices
are singing for Bollywood. You will also find singers like Shilpa Rao and Anushka Manchanda singing a Bollywood song. It is all about different voices today. And, if you look at the music that is being made these days, pop and Bollywood have no demarcation. It is a win-win situation.”
That Bollywood has major contributions by pop singers is a proven fact. As Hindi film music gears up to conquer fresh, new pastures, what we shall inevitably hear are more songs by more performers for even more varied kind of music.
MUSIC OF THE HEART: (From left) Pop singers Vaishali Sawant, Mika Singh, Anushka Manchanda, Vasundhara Das & Daler Mehndi (right), prefer cutting their own albums
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Even though her songs are not making headlines, American singer Jessica
Simpson has found a way of expressing herself – through her cowgirl outfits. She had worn the cowgirl attire during a recent gig in California, and as it seemed to be quite a hit, she tried out a milkmaid style dress at a concert at Niagara Falls Fallsview Casino also.
Though her outfits were a success, the same could not be said for her songs, even though some of the songs in her new country album had intrigue in them. The singer based some of the songs on her past experiences with guys she had been having a relationship with. “There are guys that people don’t even know that I’ve been in love with. I’ve had secret lovers. I can keep some things quiet,” a newspaper quoted her as saying. ANI
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Jessica dons milkmaid dresses to sell her cowgirl songs!
Even though her songs are not making headlines, American singer Jessica
Simpson has found a way of expressing herself – through her cowgirl outfits. She had worn the cowgirl attire during a recent gig in California, and as it seemed to be quite a hit, she tried out a milkmaid style dress at a concert at Niagara Falls Fallsview Casino also.
Though her outfits were a success, the same could not be said for her songs, even though some of the songs in her new country album had intrigue in them. The singer based some of the songs on her past experiences with guys she had been having a relationship with. “There are guys that people don’t even know that I’ve been in love with. I’ve had secret lovers. I can keep some things quiet,” a newspaper quoted her as saying. ANI
Jessica Simpson
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VIKAS SHRIVASTAV
Gangster Abu Salem is probably missing his girlfriend Monica Bedi. He has apparently told some of his co-inmates at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai that he wants to see Bigg Boss Season 2 – the reality show in which Monica Bedi is participating as a contestant. According to sources, Salem is willing to ask the jail authorities for a TV with a cable connection as he wants to watch the show which is presently being aired on Colors. However, as of now, Salem has not spoken to jail authorities about this, sources inside the jail confirm the same.
“It can be understood that he is wanting to see the show. But, we can not allow it,” said Swati Sathey, superintendent of Arthur Road Jail. According to sources, Salem who is still emotionally attached to Monica wants to see the start of the second spell of her career. After Monica was deported from Portugal in November 2005 along with Salem, Bigg Boss is her first major break on the screen.
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Salem wants to watch Monica too...
VIKAS SHRIVASTAV
Gangster Abu Salem is probably missing his girlfriend Monica Bedi. He has apparently told some of his co-inmates at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai that he wants to see Bigg Boss Season 2 – the reality show in which Monica Bedi is participating as a contestant. According to sources, Salem is willing to ask the jail authorities for a TV with a cable connection as he wants to watch the show which is presently being aired on Colors. However, as of now, Salem has not spoken to jail authorities about this, sources inside the jail confirm the same.
“It can be understood that he is wanting to see the show. But, we can not allow it,” said Swati Sathey, superintendent of Arthur Road Jail. According to sources, Salem who is still emotionally attached to Monica wants to see the start of the second spell of her career. After Monica was deported from Portugal in November 2005 along with Salem, Bigg Boss is her first major break on the screen.
Abu Salem (l) and Monica Bedi in the Big Boss house (above). The CBI has also asked for all the uncensored footages of the show
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HIT MISSES
The race for the title of Mr & Miss DT is getting hotter. We now bring you the six Miss DT finalists in a glam avatar they have never been seen in before. Stylist Meenakshi Dutt’s deft hands, designer dresses and arclights quite funked up the girls, who loved the makeover session all the way. Here, they pose for a portfolio shoot after the makeover. Supermodels in the making... aren’t they?
COLOURFUL: Tamed tresses and a high-waisted shift later, Nayantara Sahunik spelt attitude her way
THE OOMPH FACTOR: Vandana Dahiya, a natural in front of the camera, redefined oomph with a chic hairdo and look. A tank top, teamed with a pleated denim skirt, completed her look
STRIKE A POSE: Neha Joshi’s wavy hair was straightened, cut into layers and set. She was also quite comfortable wearing this asymmetrical halter neck dress, and posed for our lensman like a professional
STAGE 1 The contestants were spunky enough when they posed for DT before the makeover as well
1. Vidisha Anand 2. Neha Joshi 3. Vandana Dahiya 4. Nayantara Sahunik 5. Sanjana Grover 6. Subhashree
1. Vidisha Anand 2. Neha Joshi 3. Vandana Dahiya 4. Nayantara Sahunik 5. Sanjana Grover 6. Subhashree
SIMPLE IS STYLISH: Subhashree showed how simple can be sexy as well
Stylist Meenakshi Dutt works on a contestant
OF BOW AND DIMPLE: A spaghetti strap bow top and a cotton skirt added elegance and style for Sanjana Grover. Bare minimum accessories and a slightly changed hairdo completed her makeover
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: With a short cowl-neck sundress and a changed hairdo, Vidisha Anand was all get, set and go!
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