Author: Samikhsya Bureau

(UNI) The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has filed a Sou Moto case against the Meghalaya government for compensation of 14 miners trapped in the illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district, an official said on Wednesday.

On the other hand, the fate of 14 miners, who were trapped inside the 370 feet deep coal mine now for the last one week, remains unknown, even as rescuers from National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force are making all efforts to evacuate the trapped miners.

‘The State Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary Y Tsering to cause an effective enquiry to be conducted into the entire matter and submit the detailed report thereof so as to reach the same before the State Commission within 30 of receipt of this notice,” MHRC Secretary, Aldous Mawlong said.

(UNI) Mumbai resident Hamid Nihal Ansari, who returned to Pakistan Tuesday, met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj here along with his mother.

“Welcome home, son! Indian national, Hamid Ansari returns home after six years of incarceration in Pakistan. EAM Sushma Swaraj warmly welcomed him in Delhi today,” MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted on Wednesday.

Ansari, who was jailed in Pakistan, was released on Tuesday by Pakistan and allowed to cross the Wagah border to reunite with his family.

His mother got emotional on the occasion and said: “Mera Bharat Mahan…”.

She also thanked Ms Swaraj and said “madam ney hi sab kiya hae (It is you who has helped his return)”.

Ansari also turned sentimental and looked on the two with his moist eyes.

Taking a jibe at the Assam and Gujarat governments for announcing waiver of farm loans and rural electricity bills respectively, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said his party had managed to wake up these state governments from their slumber.

In a post on social media, Mr Gandhi, claiming that the decision of the two state governments was a fallout of the newly elected Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh governments announcing farm loans waiver, said the Congress would wake up the Prime Minister too.

‘The Congress party has managed to wake the CMs of Assam & Gujarat from their deep slumber. PM is still asleep. We will wake him up too,’ he tweeted.

(UNI) QYOU Media today announced that it has partnered with Airtel Digital TV, the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), to bring ‘The Q India’s 24/7 linear stream of digital first content to Indian homes’.
Airtel Digital TV customers can now enjoy The Q India’s exciting content that has been curated from top creators in the region, as part of their monthly DTH pack.

With the average Indian consumer increasingly watching short-form video content on social media platforms like YouTube and Facebook each month, there is growing opportunity to engage customers with short form content on a regular basis. Airtel Digital TV, which reaches over 14 million homes across India, is bringing The Q India to its platform to leverage this trend. The Q India will be available on channel number#125 on Airtel digital TV and will be broadcast in Hindi.
With this partnership, The Q India will continue to expand the viewership reach for its premium content coming from India’s leading digital content creators. The Q India is a 24/7 linear service stream of premium curated content that launched in December 2017 and is aimed at Young Indians (20-30 years).

(UNI) ZEE5 on Wednesday launched Rangbaaz, an action-packed show with a stellar cast Saqib Saleem, Aahana Kumra, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Ranvir Shorey and Ravi Kishan.
Directed by Bhav Dhulia,written by Siddharth Mishra and produced byJAR Pictures, Rangbaaz premieres globally across 190+ countries on December 22 on ZEE5.
Inspired by real-life events, the nine-episode web series shows the journey of one of the most feared gangsters from Uttar Pradesh in the 90s.

Set against the rustic background of India’s heartland, the UP of the 90s, Rangbaaz revolves around the story of Shiv Prakash Shukla, played by Saqib Saleem. It revolves around a man engaging in the dark and dirty world of crime and shows the human side of one of the most feared gangsters of the region from the ’90s.
Tarun Katial, CEO, ZEE5 India said, ”After a phenomenal year, we are now closing on a high with the launch of Rangbaaz, an action-packed series. Our ongoing research has indicated huge interest among our audience for series inspired or based on true life incidents. While this show is based on characters in North India, it is essentially a universal story and would resonate with our audiences across the country. Rangbaaz has a mix of strong and relatable characters played by class actors, and we are confident that it will get us a phenomenal response from across the nation.

(UNI) Veteran actress and wife of Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, has expressed hope that Prime Minister will look into the matter and help save her husband’s bunglow from the land mafia.

In a tweet post by Banu via Kumar’s Twitter account on Tuesday, the veteran actress requested for an appointment with PM Modi after slamming Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for not doing
anything in the matter despite assurances.

She further writes that she ‘begged’ the Prime Minister to protect their ‘only house’ from land mafia Samir Bhojwani.
Meanwhile, ‘Prime Minister’s Office has taken note of veteran actor Dilip Kumar’s tweet alleging threat from one builder (Samir Bhojwani)’, an official from the CM’s office said.

The tweet read “Padma Vibhushit betrayed, threatened by money and muscle power. Request meeting with you in #Mumbai,”.
Interacting with the electronic media, Saira Banu had sought audience with Modi, who was here on Tuesday, to discuss the issue following the builder’s release from jail.
Bhojwani had falsely claimed ownership of the two plots in upscale Pali Hill area of suburban Bandra on which the ailing 96-year-old actor’s bungalow is located.
Later, Mr Fadnavis said that he would speak to the couple and try sort out the issue.

“For the last three months, the CM has been promising me that he will talk to Bhojwani and resolve the issue. I hope he will stick to his words and do the needful,” she added.

Giving details about the dispute, “This man (Samir Bhojwani) is an expert at land grabbing, forgery and fraudulent cases. He is doing these things because he has muscle power and money. He has big
political connections, and therefore, no one is willing to take action against him.”
She also stated that Bhojwani has violated BMC guidelines but they have not taken any action against him.

Saira Banu said, “We have been facing this court dispute and harassment by Samir Bhojwani for the last 10-12 years.

(UNI) Amid heightened politics over farm loan waiver, former Vice Chairman of

NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya has said that such “sad race to the bottom” was no panacea to the farmers’ distress and suggested that there is need to look for ‘different solutions’ to farmers woes.

“‏A sad race to the bottom has begun. If loan waivers would fundamentally alleviate farmers’

plight, waivers would be a welcome step. But if after 70 years of Independence, farmers remain in distress, we need to seek different solutions,” tweeted Mr Panagariya, who had resigned in August 2017 as the NITI Aaoyg Vice Chairman.

Mr Panagariya is at present a professor at Columbia University.

In his Tweet, Mr Panagariya also attached a news item that shows Congress President Rahul Gandhi has dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to waive all farm loans in the country.

The promise of farm loan waive is said to have contributed chiefly to the victory of Congress in three heartland states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan also has lately said that farm loan waiver should not form

part of the election manifesto or promise during elections and that he has already written

Newly formed Bhupesh Government in Chhattisgarh has approved farm loan waiver of Rs 6100 crore for farmers within a few hours after it was sworn-in.
In a cabinet meeting,  Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday night, it was decided to waive off short-term farm loan of Rs 6100 crore in cooperative banks and Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank as on November 30, 2018. More than 16 lakh 65 thousand farmers will get benefit.

Kangna Ranaut directed Manikarnika’s trailer is out. Featuring in a titular role in her maiden directorial venture Kangna ‘s film will be released on Januray 25. Doing the role of Rani Jhansi the 3 minutes 20 second trailer provide a glimpse of the era into Rani Jhansi revealing the warrior skills of Manikarnika and her expertise with the sword.

(UNI) The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Tuesday hosted a roundtable discussion on “Piracy Prevention: New Media, New Challenges” in partnership with the Government of India’s Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) under the Department of Industrial Promotion & Policy (DIPP).
The roundtable brought diverse stakeholders from the Indian and U.S. governments, along with private sector and civil society, to discuss global best practices and respective roles and responsibilities towards combating piracy in India.

The EU countries agreed to prolong the Operation Sophia, formally European Union Naval Force Mediterranean (EU NAVFOR Med), aimed at rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea as well as countering human trafficking, for three months until March 2019, the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) said.
The mission was prolonged for three months instead of a year, as it has been done before, because of Italy’s wish to change the mission’s regulations in order to avoid accepting migrants rescued in the central Mediterranean route.
“The PSC agreed to prolong the mandate of the EU NAVFOR Med (Sophia) operation for three months,” the committee said, as quoted by Welt.

An FIR was registered here against five people, including the security guards of PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif, in connection with the assault on Samaa TV cameraman a day earlier.

On Monday, a TV footage had surfaced showing the cameraman Syed Wajid Ali lying on the ground outside the parliament building after being violently assaulted by a security guard for coming in the way of the PML-N supreme leader while recording him, a report in Dawn said.
He was then seen being joined another guard who kicks the cameraman on his face. The guard, as per the footage, then escapes the scene in one of the vehicles of the protocol.
The injured cameraman was admitted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) where the doctors administered three stitches on his lips, and on his head.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday announced shortlists in consideration for the 91st Academy Awards in nine categories, including foreign language films, documentaries, music, visual effects and shorts.
It is the first time for the organization to release those shortlists in consideration for Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, on the same day.
Nine films will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category. A total of 87 films, including three Chinese-language films, had originally been considered in the category.
According to the Academy, Los Angeles-based Academy members from all branches screened the original submissions in the category between mid-October and Dec 10. The group’s top six choices, augmented by three additional selections voted by the Academy’s Foreign Language Film Award Executive Committee, constitute the shortlist.

(UNI) The countdown began on Tuesday for the launch of India’s communication satellite GSAT- 7A at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The 26-hour countdown began at 1410 hrs as the satellite would be launched on-board GSLV-F11 at 1610 hrs on Wednesday.

Launch vehicle GSLV-F11 will inject the GSAT -7A into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GTO), while the satellite will be placed in its final Geostationary Orbit using the onboard propulsion system.

GSAT-7A, built by ISRO, will provide communication capability to users in Ku-band over the Indian region.

The satellite weighing 2250 kilogram will have a mission life of eight years.

MAIMANA(Afghanistan), Dec. 18 (Xinhua) Six militants including a Taliban judge were killed after Afghan force aircraft attacked a Taliban hideout in Dawlat Abad district of the northern Faryab province on Monday, said an army statement released here Tuesday.

“Mullah Rasoul the Taliban shadow judge for Faryab province was killed along with five armed insurgents after fighting aircraft targeted Taliban hideout in Firoza village of Dawlat Abad district on Monday afternoon,” the statement asserted.

Three more militants were injured in the strikes, the statement continued.

Taliban outfit has yet to make comment.

(UNI) Observing the “International Migrant Day”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said the doors of the state are always open for the migrants.

“Today is International Migrants’ Day. It is our humanitarian obligation to give refuge to migrants,” Ms Banerjee wrote in her Twitter account.

Ms Banerjee has been always compassionate to the misery of the homeless and refugees as she recently was vocal for the suffering of Rohingyas of Myanmar as well as to the cause of people, who have been left from the NRC in neighbouring Assam.

“In Bangla we will take care of anyone who seeks shelter in our state, to the best of our abilities,” Ms Banejee reiterated in her Twitter account.

The day also coincides with the “Minority Rights Day”. In her message Ms Banerjee said, “We are all equal and united.” Observing the day the chief minster said “Unity in diversity is our strength. You will be happy to know that in Bangla, we have distributed scholarships to over 1.7 crore minority students, the highest in the country. My best wishes to all.”

(UNI) Ashoka Buildcon Limited announces an Rs 150 crore investment commitment into its city gas distribution (CGD) business Unison Enviro Private Limited (UEPL) by Morgan Stanley India
Infrastructure (MSII).
UEPL builds and operates CGD networks across cities and towns in India.
Welcoming this investment, Ashok Katariya, Chairman of Ashoka, said “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Morgan Stanley India Infrastructure to build a nationwide city gas distribution business.
We commend the Government’s focus on increasing the share of natural gas in the overall energy mix as it is a clean and green fuel. The gas sector will see tremendous growth in the coming years and this partnership has come at the right time to take advantage of this transformational shift in India’s energy mix.”
Satish Parakh, Managing Director of Ashoka, added “Ashoka has consistently sought growth opportunities that leverage the company’s proven project execution skills. Within a short time, UEPL has already commenced operations in Ratnagiri district. This investment from MSII will allow us to expand our footprint.” Morgan Stanley India Infrastructure is the India infrastructure investing platform of Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners. 

(UNI) All eyes will be on the response from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India Rajiv Mehrishi to the ‘clarification’ reportedly sought by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Mallikarjun Kharge on the Rafale combat aircraft row.

According to BJP sources here, the CAG is on “tour” these days and will be back in the capital only on Wednesday, December 19.

Sources said Mr Kharge in the capacity of chairman PAC has written to the CAG seeking ‘clarification’ as to whether the government’s official auditor has examined the Rafale related papers of the Defence ministry.

“If so, the CAG has been advised to mention some details, like dates or so and also about their findings. The CAG reportedly has been asked to clarify whether the CAG has recommended to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to examine the Rafale related papers,” sources said.

Mr Kharge in the capacity of 22-member PAC chairman is not likely to press for ‘summoning’ CAG Mr Mehrishi and the Attorney General K K Venugopal if there is “no unanimity” in the committee.

Sources said earlier as the panel chairman, Mr Kharge has applied his ‘suo motu’ discretionary power and did initiate the deliberations on Non Performing Assets (NPAs) in banks. “But this time around given the sensibilities of the case especially in view of the Supreme Court orders, he may not press for the same,” a source said.

Mr Kharge’s predecessor K V Thomas also initiated actions suo motu on two occasions – the Public Private Partnership issue with certain projects and the demonetisation of high value currencies.

Japan’s defense guidelines for a decade to come, which the country’s government approved on Tuesday, envisage creating space and cyberdefense units, while the application of artificial intelligence will be expanded.
“Given birth rate reduction and population decline, defense capability maintenance and enhancement calls for staff reinforcement more than ever before. It is necessary not only to attract talented staff, but also to use advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, among others,” the document read.
An unmanned aircraft department will be created in order to enable permanent control of the air space and information gathering in “remote regions.”
The space and the cyberspace have never been tackled in Japanese defense guidelines before.
“To hold operations … in such new areas as space, electromagnetic waves, and cyberspace, it is necessary to strengthen joint control. For constant supervision of space, for impeding rivals’ command and information transmission, and also for … maintaining leadership in cyberspace use, it is necessary to create a special space unit within the air-force defense units, and to boost its joint control,” the document read.