A life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalized at Charkha Park in Bihar’s Motihari town on Sunday night. The 8ft-high structure on Mahatma Gandhi Road had been installed by the Power Grid Corporation of India under its corporate social responsibility. According to police sources, some unknown antisocial elements desecrated and ripped the statue from its base. East Champaran DM Shirsat Kapil Ashok visited the site and directed the executive officer of Motihari Municipal Council to install CCTV cameras, depute a guard and arrange for lights in the park. Police are investigating the incident.
Lata’s kin opposed to memorial at Shivaji Park
Lata Mangeshkar’s family is not in favour of a memorial to the legendary singer at Shivaji Park. In a statement, her brother and music director Pandit Hridayanath Mangeshkar said the family was opposed to any memorial on the ground. Shivaji Park residents, who have voiced objection to a memorial on the ground, will draw comfort from Hridayanath’s statement, said observers. They are planning to start a signature campaign to stall the move, it is learnt. The issue has assumed political overtones, much to the discomfiture of the Mangeshkars. BJP has been vocal about a Lata memorial in the park, where she was cremated recently.
BJP MLA booked for slapping poll official
BJP MLA Sangeet Som has been booked for allegedly thrashing a presiding officer on duty in Sardhana during the first phase of voting in the UP assembly polls last week. The Sardhana legislator, who was furious after his supporters alleged slow voting at the polling station, was also accused of taking away the cameras installed inside the booth. In his complaint, the presiding officer said that Som “abused, pushed and even slapped him”. The incident took place during polling in Meerut district. Voting was affected at the polling station for a few hours due to the ruckus. SP (rural) Keshav Kumar said, “Sangeet Som and his supporters have thrashed a poll officer. This is a cognisable offence and hence an FIR has been lodged in this matter. Further investigation is on”.
Olympian, on-screen Bheem passes away
Olympian Praveen Kumar, who hurled his way to two gold medals in discus at the Asian Games and later drew instant recognition nationwide playing Bheem in ‘Mahabharat’ on television, passed away following a cardiac arrest at his Ashok Vihar residence. He was 74. Built like a fort and an imposing six feet, six inches in height, Praveen Kumar Sobti had the power, coordination and body-size to excel in both discuss and hammer events. “If he had received the kind of training and other facilities available today, an Olympic medal would have been within his grasp,” Olympian and Asian Games gold medalist shot putter Bahadur Singh said. When his stellar athletics career was on the wane in the 1980s, Bollywood stepped in. Ravi Tandon’s ‘Raksha’ (1982) marked his celluloid debut. He acted in about 50 films, notably ‘Meri Aw aaz Suno’, ‘Khudgarz’ and ‘Shahenshah’. ‘Mahabharat’ (1988) changed his life and Bheem became one of the most-loved characters of the serial.
Cong MLAs join Meghalaya ruling party
All five Congress MLAs in Meghalaya joined the BJP-backed ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), leaving only Mamata Banerjee's TMC occupying the opposition space in the state assembly. They will, however, remain in the Congress, CLP leader Ampareen Lyngdoh said. Once a formidable opposition with 17 MLAs, the Congress was left with only five MLAs after 12 legislators, including former chief minister Mukul Sangma, defected to the TMC in November last year. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) formally handed over a letter of support to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. "We the undersigned MLAs of the Indian National Congress have decided to join the MDA (Meghalaya Democratic Alliance) government. We wish to support you and the MDA to strengthen the government's arms in the general interest of its citizens," the letter stated.
‘Writing With Fire’ nominated for Oscar
Indian documentary ‘Writing With Fire’ has been nominated in the ‘best documentary feature’ category at the 94th edition of the Academy awards. The nominations were announced by Tracee Ellis Ross and Leslie Jordan. Directed by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh, both debuants, ‘Writing With Fire’ chronicles the rise of Khabar Lahariya, India’s only newspaper run by Dalit women. “We are beyond delighted. This is a massive moment for us and for Indian cinema. . . This film is about fearless Dalit women journalists who are redefining what being powerful means, quintessentially the story of the modern Indian woman,” Ghosh said.
Surat girl tops in CA final exam
Surat’s 19-year-old Radhika Chauthmal Beriwala topped the list of successful candidates in CA final exams (new scheme) in India, scoring 640 out of 800 marks. Altogether 32,888 students registered for the CA final exam (old scheme) and 95,213 for the new scheme. Beriwala said the lockdown proved to be a blessing in disguise for her as she could take out more time to study. “With God’s grace and my family’s support, I secured the first rank in CA finals. My parents are happier than me” she said.
Boy dies after trying to recreate Anime scene
A 12-year-old boy, in a bid to recreate a scene from an Anime series, allegedly jumped off the terrace of a high-rise building in Kolkata's Phoolbagan area and died, a police officer said. Biraj Pachisia, a class V student of a reputed city-based school, was declared "brought dead" on being taken to a nearby nursing home, the officer said. "The boy jumped off the terrace of an 11-storey residential building. There are several injury marks on his body. Doctors at a private nursing home stated that he died due to the fall. "Initial probe suggests that he was hooked to an Anime series and wanted to imitate its hero. We have, however, not reached any conclusion. The investigation is underway," the officer added.
