A 'Pakistan' where Kasab's hanging was celebrated

Days after the execution of Pakistani national Ajmal Amir Kasab for the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, the people of Pakistan are in a celebratory mode.

There is a village in Bihar that bears the same name as India's neighbour, Pakistan, and in that little village, with about 35 households and a total population of about 250, residents are happy that justice has finally been done to a man responsible for so many deaths four years ago.

Pakistan is the name of a village in Singhiya panchayat, Srinagar block, Purnea district, Bihar. It is about 30 km from Purnea town, the district headquarters.

"People in Pakistan not only distributed sweets and burst crackers but also plan to organise a feast soon to celebrate the hanging of the terrorist," said a police officer in Purnea, about 350 km from the state capital... Read More

Nothing like Muharram in Hyderabad

It is that time of the year when an atmosphere of grief envelopes parts of the old city of Hyderabad, as loudspeakers from dozens of ashurkhanas blare 'marsiye' (elegies) and 'nohay' (poems expressing sorrow).

Ashurkhanas are community spaces where Shia Muslims gather for mourning during Muharram.

 

Ashurkhanas derive their name from ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, which is also the climax of the period of mourning that marks Muharram, a commemoration of the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali, grandson of prophet Mohammed, in the Battle of Karbala 14 centuries ago.

This year, ashura falls on Sunday.

The sermons by zakirs (Shia clerics), describing the events of Karbala, amid cries and beating of chests by mourners create a pall of gloom in Darulshifa, Noor Khan Bazar, Purani Haveli and the surrounding localities in Hyderabad... Andhrareporter

Eighteen killed, several injured in Patna Chhath stampede

At least 18 people, including children and women, mostly devotees, were killed and several others were injured in a stampede during Chhath festival celebrations in Patna Monday evening, police said.

A district administration official said the incident took place when people were returning after offering prayers at sunset at Adalatganj ghat.

 

“This shocking incident took place after a temporary bridge made of bamboo collapsed due to heavy rush of people, mainly devotees and their family members,” a police official said... Click Here

Bal Thackeray’s newspapers sport black front pages

 

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray‘s favourite newspapers, Saamna (in Marathi) and Dopahar Ka Saamna (in Hindi), were published with a full black cover jacket and a full black cover page Sunday.

Thackeray, who passed away Saturday, was the founder-editor of both the newspapers, though the day-to-day affairs were managed by his hand-picked and trusted executive editors... Click Here

Hillary Clinton urges India to play larger role in Asia

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has lauded India as an important player in the Indo-Pacific region and has also urged New Delhi to play a larger role in the region's affairs.

"We've made it a strategic priority to support India's Look East policy and to encourage Delhi to play a larger role in Asian institutions and affairs. It's exciting to see the developments as the world's largest democracy and a dynamic emerging economy begins to contribute more broadly to the region," Clinton said in her speech at Perth's University of Western Australia.

"It's also important to see the burgeoning relationship between Australia and India," she said.

Hilary Clinton, who is in Perth for high-level talks with Julia Gillard-led government, also applauded the upswing in Australia's bilateral ties with the "world's largest democracy" India. She has encouraged Australia to increase military co-operation with India... Read More

SOTY effect: Karan Johar has a hangover

 

Filmmaker Karan Johar doesn’t know about his next directorial plans and says that he is still under the hangover of the success of his latest movie Student Of The Year (SOTY).

“Lots of conjecture on my next… none of it is true! Will announce details only when everything is final… as of now its still SOTY on my mind,” tweeted Johar... Read More

Fitness is best investment: Bipasha

At 33, Bipasha Basu is fit as a fiddle. She believes fitness is the best investment as good health leads to happiness.

"It's very important to love yourself because that's where your life begins. You have one life, one body that you need to respect and look after. There is no other place where you live but just your body," Bipasha said here Sunday at the Fittest City contest.

"It's really important that you give time to your body and care. It's the best investment you have. So every single person should teach their children to start early and start looking after your health and fitness," she added... News Source

Failures teach what not to do: Rana Daggubati

 

In his short and "experimental journey" in filmdom, the probability of success and failure has been high, says Telegu filmstar Rana Daggubati and adds that failures have taught him not to repeat the same mistakes.

"Since my journey has been experimental, the probability of success or failure is high. But I've always learned a thing or two from the experience. Most importantly, I learned what not to do from my failures," Rana told IANS...Read More

Justin Bieber to turn film star

Pop sensation Justin Bieber is eager to become a film star and for this he is looking at scripts as he is interested in trying out action and comedy roles.

"I have a few offers after my tour is done. I'm pretty excited, I want to do comedy stuff and some action but I don't know what exactly. I am a jokestar and I am good at it," said Bieber.

However, he is not planning to give up his successful music career... Click Here

Salman's no to drink, smoking

 

Has Bollywood become health conscious to maintain its high energy levels to meet deadlines. According to recent developments, a number of Bollywood actors have said no to smoking and drinking.

According to available updates, Bollywood tiger Salman Khan has stopped smoking and drinking completely. Salman who is undergoing for his nerve ailment, still suffers from pain occasionally. While taking medicines for it, has stopped alcohol consumption completely. According to sources, the actor has quit smoking also.

Nerve trouble reportedly made him very health conscious. Even during this shoot, Salman is preferring to have home - made food. Recently, while he was shooting for TV show in Lonavala and film in Satara, his sister Alvira used to send home food for him... More News on Andhra Reporter

Sanjay Dutt second lead in Luthria's next?

 

Filmmaker Milan Luthria's next film, a mix of romance, action and emotion, may feature Sanjay Dutt in the second lead along with Saif Ali Khan.

Produced by Bhushan Kumar and directed by Luthria, the untitled film has finalised Saif so far and it will go on the floors in July 2013.

"Yes, there are two leading men in this film. We have not finalised the second lead though. The film is in the writing stage and we will finalise the second lead soon."... Read More

Katrina Kaif's most embarrassing moment is here!

One of the most desired and adored Hindi Cinema actor Katrina Kaif recently went through something that she would soon like to forget. Katrina, during a recent public appearance was embarrassed by her small uncomforting clothes.

 

Miss Kaif went through a major embarrassment while she was addressing a press-meet about promoting her latest venture Jab Tak Hai Jaan that also features Shahrukh Khan and Anushka Sharma.

While Katrina was present with the other two stars SRK and Anushka, her inclination towards small clothes didn't go well as she was seen correcting her undergarments in front of the press. Katrina was seen inserting her coming out undergarment...

http://www.andhrareporter.com/tollywood-on-web/10764-katrina-kaif-s-most-embarrassing-moment-is-here

Ram Charan in Khaidhi remake

The suspense regarding who is the main lead in Chiranjeevi's Khaidhi's remake is over. It is none other than Mega Star's son Ram Charan himself. Khaidhi which released in 1983 propelled Chiranjeevi to top position in the number race. Gabbar Singh fame Harish Shankar will be directing this movie.

News from Andhra Reporter

Obama the defender: the idol comes down to earth

 

Catapulted to the world's most powerful office on the slogan of 'hope' and 'change' just four years ago, America's first African-American President Barack Hussein Obama is today engaged in a tough race to regain the White House.

Scoring a landslide victory over Vietnam War veteran Republican John McCain in the 2008 election, the son of a Kenyan father and a White American mother from Kansas caught the imagination of the world as he overcame challenges about his place of birth, his religion and his race.

Just nine months into his presidency, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" to a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures...Read More

A month after Krishna’s visit, Pak okays liberalised visa accord with India

 

The two countries had signed the agreement in September during the then Indian foreign minister SM Krishna’s visit to Islamabad.

Pakistan has approved a liberalised visa agreement with India that will relax curbs on issuing travel documents to traders, elderly people, tourists, pilgrims, members of the civil society and children, Xinhua reported.

Pakistan Information Minister Qamar uz Zaman Kaira told a news conference Wednesday that at a cabinet meeting presided by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, the members unanimously accorded approval to the relaxed visa agreement with India which he hoped will promote people-to-people contacts...Read More on AndhraReporter