Month: September 2024

Mona Singh recently shared a series of happy pictures from her close friend Gaurav Gera’s birthday bash, celebrating their long-lasting friendship. The two actors, who became household names with their iconic roles in Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, have maintained a strong bond over the years.
In the pictures, both Mona and Gaurav are seen smiling and enjoying the celebrations. Their friendship, which blossomed on the sets of Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, has only grown stronger with time.
Gaurav, known for his humor, added a witty caption to the pictures, writing, “Thank u Acha hai glass nahi toota ..nahiii tooooooo …”—a playful nod to the fun and laughter shared during the party.

Fans of the beloved show were delighted to see Mona and Gaurav together, reminiscing about their on-screen chemistry and the unforgettable moments they shared as Jassi and Nandu. The birthday bash, filled with joy and nostalgia, was a heartwarming reminder of their enduring friendship.

There are also pictures of Mona with her husband Shyam.
Mona Singh and Gaurav Gera both rose to fame with their roles in the popular TV show Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin, where Mona played the lead, Jassi, and Gaurav portrayed her quirky friend Nandu. Mona went on to have a successful career in television, films, and web series, with notable roles in 3 Idiots and Kavach. Having done several web shows and film, she was last seen in horror comedy Munjya. Mona Singh revealed that last year, producers and directors approached her about a role in a series and asked her to appear a certain way. She resolved to finally take fitness seriously after never having attempted to work on her resolutions to keep fit previously.

Gaurav became known for his comedic talent, featuring in shows like Comedy Nights with Kapil and creating viral characters like “Chutki.” Both have remained versatile in their careers, exploring different genres while maintaining a strong fan base.

The RG Kar rape-murder incident on August 9 has shaken Bengal to its core. The common people of the state have come out on the streets demanding justice for the victim and her family, as well as raised their voices collectively to protest against the culture of corruption and intimidation in various industries. Women’s Forum for Screen Workers + had already called to ensure safety and dignity for women in the workplace and issued a charter of demands.WFSW+ has now sent a letter to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, requesting formation of an independent committee to investigate workplace harassment and gender-based violence in the screen entertainment industry of West Bengal.
The letter sent to the CM of Bengal reads, “This tragedy not only highlighted the growing need to address violence, harassment and unsafe working conditions across all sectors, but also has rung the alarm for us to stand up against rampant sexual abuse and exploitation of women, minors and other marginalized identities working in our industry. Despite the legal frameworks available under the Sexual Harrassment Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013 (also known as PoSH Act), and the Protection of Children from Sexual Harrassment Act, 2012 (also known as POCSO Act), the implementation of safety measures and redressal mechanisms within our industry is inadequate.” The letter mentioned, “We urge the formation of an independent committee to investigate sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and unsafe working conditions within the screen entertainment industry of West Bengal. This committee would also review ground-level conditions in the light of existing laws and policies for workers, propose necessary reforms, and ensure that the POSH Act, the POCSO Act and other relevant laws are effectively enforced across all levels.”
WFSW+ once again put an emphasis on their demand charter, and made an attempt to draw attention toward certain serious matters like, the provisions under the PoSH Act not been uniformly implemented in the industry, lack of awareness of the offences and penalties as provided by the POCSO Act, unsafe working conditions for minors, and occupational safety.
The letter proposed certain terms of reference for the committee, saying, “We wish to emphasize that several safeguards must be put in place regarding the composition and terms of reference for this committee, ensuring it inspires confidence among our workers and is empowered to carry out its mandate effectively.”
For the sake of their safety and their dignity, WFSW+ requested for an independent investigating committee and wrote, “We insist that this independent committee be composed of gender sensitized legal experts, industry representatives, human rights activists, mental health experts and government officials who can work together to address these pressing issues and create a safer, more equitable work environment.” The letter concluded, saying, “We request your support in establishing this committee and urge the immediate action necessary to safeguard the dignity and rights of screen workers in West Bengal.”

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s new chief minister Atishi faced criticism from the BJP and Congress as she decided to leave Arvind Kejriwal‘s chair in the office empty in a symbolic gesture and sat on a second chair on the day she took over the office. The opposition hit out at Atishi describing the gesture as a “grave insult” to constitutional norms and the role of chief minister.
Atishi, who took office as Delhi’s eighth chief minister, said she would serve a four-month term, likening her role to that of Bharat from the Ramayana, who ruled Ayodhya in Lord Ram’s absence by placing his wooden slippers on the throne.
Atishi placed an empty chair beside her CM chair and said, “This chair belongs to Arvind Kejriwal. Today I took charge as the CM of Delhi. Today I have the same pain in my heart as Bharat ji had. Just like Bharat ji worked by keeping Lord Shri Ram’s sandals, I will take charge as CM for the next four months.”
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva condemned Atishi’s action, asserting it disrespected the position of chief minister and the sentiments of Delhi residents.
“What she did was not ideal. Through her gesture, she has not only insulted the post of chief minister but also hurt the feelings of the people of Delhi. Arvind Kejriwal needs to answer whether he will run the government through a remote control,” Sachdeva said.
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav labeled Atishi as a “dummy” chief minister for keeping Kejriwal’s chair vacant. Yadav expressed concern over the comparison of a figure recently jailed for corruption to Lord Ram, saying it undermined the dignity of the role.
“I have a strong objection to this that a person who was in jail for a corruption case is being compared to Lord Ram. Atishi has crossed all limits and presented herself as a dummy chief minister,” Yadav said.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also criticised Atishi, claiming her empty chair gesture demonstrated that she is a “puppet chief minister” and an affront to the Constitution.
“What is the meaning of an empty chair when there is a chief minister in the office? This act shows that she is a puppet CM and it is a grave insult to the Constitution. I am sure that the people of Delhi will take cognisance of it,” Tiwari said.
“How can someone compare a corrupt person who is out on bail to Lord Ram? Was Lord Ram accused of corruption? He was ‘Maryada Purushottam’ (the perfect man). These people (AAP) do not hesitate to degrade the Hindu gods. They continue to insult the Sanatan Dharma,” the BJP MP added.
Atishi took office on September 22, following Kejriwal’s resignation, and expressed confidence in his potential return in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for February. She highlighted that the BJP has actively sought to damage Kejriwal’s reputation, referencing his six-month incarceration and a court’s statement about the agency’s motives in his arrest.
Atishi, 43, is the third woman to serve as chief minister of Delhi, following Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit.

Old age is a time when community is most important. However, with today’s fast paced world where nuclear families and living alone in metropolitan cities is the norm, one unique village in India defies it all and becomes the forebearer of the ideal community Gujarat’s Chandanki village is a place where no one cooks food at home. This tradition began as a solution to a growing problem of loneliness among the elderly.With many young people moving to cities or abroad, the village, once bustling with 1,100 residents, now has around 500, mostly elderly individuals.
The community kitchen, where all the meals in Chandranki are cooked is a central feature of the village. With a common cooking area that is utilized daily, the kitchen was established to provide a sense of togetherness and support. The villagers pay a monthly fee ₹2,000 per person which is a modest amount for the two hearty meals which are provided. These meals are prepared by hired cooks who are paid ₹11,000 per month. The kitchen offers a variety of traditional Gujarati dishes, ensuring both nutritional balance and variety.

Poonambhai Patel, the village sarpanch, played a significant role in this initiative. After spending 20 years in New York, he returned to Chandanki, leaving his home in Ahmedabad. His efforts have been instrumental in maintaining the community spirit. As he puts it, “Our Chandanki is a village that lives for each other”.
The meals are served in a solar-powered air-conditioned hall, which has become a gathering place for the villagers. This hall is not just a dining area but also a place where people share their joys and sorrows. It has helped in creating a strong bond among the villagers, making them feel less isolated. The idea of a community kitchen was initially met with skepticism. However, as the benefits became evident, more villagers embraced it. The kitchen has not only provided a solution to loneliness but also ensured that the elderly do not have to worry about cooking their meals. This has given them more time to rest and engage in other activities.
The community kitchen has also attracted attention from outside the village. People from nearby areas visit Chandanki to see this unique setup. It has become a model for other villages facing similar issues. The success of Chandanki’s community kitchen lies in its simplicity and the strong sense of community it fosters.
The village has also seen a positive impact on the health of its residents. With regular, nutritious meals, the overall health of the villagers has improved. The shared meals have also encouraged social interactions, reducing the feeling of isolation among the elderly.
Chandanki’s community kitchen is a proof of the power of collective effort. It shows how a simple idea can bring about significant positive change. The village continues to thrive, with its residents enjoying the benefits of this unique tradition. The story of Chandanki is a all about the importance of community and the impact it can have on the lives of individuals.

NEW DELHI: The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Monday threatened to file a defamation suit against BJP MP Kangana Ranaut over her remarks that its government in the state had diverted funds meant for development to Sonia Gandhi.
“I openly challenge BJP MP Kangana Ranaut to show proof of even Re 1 being diverted to Sonia Gandi or apologise to the Congress leader for making such baseless and unwarranted allegations against her.Otherwise, the Congress will file a defamation case against her,” Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh said.
Kangana had on Sunday said, “The Himachal Pradesh government takes loans and gives it to Sonia Gandhi, which has made the state’s coffers hollow.” “If we (Centre) give disaster funds, it goes to the CM Relief Fund but everyone knows that it goes to the Sonia relief fund from there,” she had said during a BJP programme in Manali.
Reacting strongly to the BJP MP’s remarks, the Congress minister said Kangana’s “foolish statement” reflected her “intellectual bankruptcy”. “There cannot be a bigger foolish statement than saying that funds coming from the Centre or the state’s funds for development are being given to Sonia Gandhi,” Vikramaditya Singh said.
“It hurts to say that she is not much educated and the same reflects in her statements. We all know that funds from the Centre and state development funds are spent through line of credit, draft and overdraft facilities,” he added.
The Congress leader also took a dig at Ranaut and attributed her “baseless remarks” to the fact that her film “Emergency” has still not been cleared for release by the Central Board of Film Certification. “The BJP MP does not visit Himachal Pradesh often but, with her film being “blocked” by the censor board, maybe she is saddened and making baseless statements from her home in Manali,” he said.
This is not the first time that Kangana has stoked a controversy with her remarks. In August, Kangana Ranaut was reprimanded by her party over her controversial remarks that were rapes and murders during the farmers protest and suggesting that it could have led to a Bangladesh-like situation in the country if the BJP’s top leadership was not strong enough.
The BJP released a statement disowning Kangana’s remarks. “The statement made by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut in the context of the farmers’ movement is not the opinion of the party. The Bharatiya Janata Party expresses its disagreement with the statement made by Kangana Ranaut. She is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party’s policy. She has been directed not to make such statement in future,” the party had then said.
(With inputs from agencies)

NEW DELHI: Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan‘s car got stuck in a muddy pothole on Monday due to heavy rains in Baharagora in Jharkhand. He was en route to a public rally ahead of the upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections.
Chouhan had to abandon the vehicle after it became immobilised, and was quickly escorted by his security team to another vehicle amid pouring rain.

During the rally, Chouhan launched a scathing attack on Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and their allies in the INDIA alliance.
Criticising the current state government, he said, “The dark clouds hovering over us may seem like a crisis, but the bigger crisis is the Hemant Soren government, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha government, and the Congress government(Yeh jaise badal sankat bann k aaye hain usse jyada bada sankat hemant soren ki sarkar, jharkhand mukti morcha ki sarkar aur congress ki sarkaar hai).”
He further escalated his attack, saying, “This is not Jharkhand Mukti Morcha; this is a government of crime, murder, and mafia run by Hemant Soren (Yeh JMM nahi hai Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, yeh jurm, murder aur mafia ki sarkar chala rahe hain Hemant Soren).”

Chouhan, along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has been appointed as the BJP‘s in-charge for the Jharkhand elections. Addressing the rally, Chouhan launched a scathing attack on the Hemant Soren-led government, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and their Congress allies.