Dum Dum, Kolkata, 27 December : West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has said he will give a ‘befitting reply’ Tuesday to union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s letter alleging that the state’s ruling CPI(M) had set up armed camps in the Maoist-prone areas.‘For the last few days there has been much talk about a ‘letter’. This morning I have received the letter sent by Chidambaram. But that letter has already been published in the media three-four days back. ‘Tomorrow I will give the reply. I will give a befitting reply tomorrow,’ said Bhattacharjee Monday, addressing a public rally at Dum Dum in the neighbouring North 24 Parganas district. There had been a political furore in the state after Chidambaram’s missive to Bhattacharjee was leaked in the media.
Chidambaram had said in the letter that complaints received by the central government ‘indicate that armed cadres of the CPI(M) were deployed in a covert manner under the guise of ‘village protection groups’ to guard against Maoist attacks. ‘There is evidence to show that the camps are mostly located in CPI(M) offices and those of local cadres. It is a matter of grave concern that these cadres have been provided with firearms,’ he had said.
The chief minister alleged that the letter was sent to appease Trinamool Congress, which is a partner of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. ‘Trinamool has made them write this letter. As Trinamool Congress and Congress are having an alliance, Chidambaram has sent the letter to please Trinamool Congress,’ the chief minister said.
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Tripuri Somdev Devvarman honoured at Agartala ceremony
Agartala, 27 December : India's No 1 Somdev Devvarman on Monday said his dream is to lead India to a Davis Cup title win. "India have entered in the World Group of tennis. My dream is to bring the Davis Cup title for my country," Somdev said during a felicitation organised by the Tripura government, where he was given a standing ovation.The tennis sensation, who belongs to the Tripura's erstwhile royal family, came to Agartala on Saturday after a month's practice in Texas in the US. Thrilled by the huge reception in the presence of hundreds of sports-loving people, Somdev said : "I loved to play tennis and fly the tricolour abroad. I enjoy playing on behalf of my country."
Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar, sports minister Tapan Chakraborty, their cabinet colleagues, assembly speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath, Somdev's father Pravanjan Kishore Devvarman and mother Ranjana were also present at the felicitation.
At the felicitation, a gold medal bearing the likeness of Rabindranath Tagore, a tennis racket made of silver, Rs 500,000 in cash, a plaque and other mementoes were given to Somdev. န Photo : Parthajit Dutta
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Chidambaram' letter aimed at disarming CPM cadre: Cong
IANS, New Delhi, 27 December : The Congress Monday said Home Minister P. Chidambaram's letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about armed CPI(M) activists in the state was only meant to disarm the cadre, and was not politically motivated.
"CPI(M) cadres are armed and they are working like millitia in the state," party spokeman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters here.
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Paid news dangerous for democracy: Indian Press Council
PTI, Agartala, 27 December : Expressing serious concern at the steady erosion of ethics and values in the Indian media, the Press Council of India (PCI) today said paid news is dangerous for the survival of democracy.
"An investigation conducted by the PCI found that many of the big newspaper houses had indulged in paid news which is dangerous for democracy," PCI Chairman Justice G N Ray said at a seminar here organised by the Tripura Journalists Union . He deplored the media's involvement in the paid news scandal and said that a sub-committee of the Press Council had carried out intensive investigations into the allegations and come out with truth in a detailed report. Ray asserted that the media enjoys more legal rights and privileges because it contributes to the society.
"Media cannot be viewed from the perspective of mere capital or ownership," he said while hinting at journalists to take an initiative in launching newspapers and electronic channels on a co-operative model to save the profession. "In order to insulate the profession of journalism from pollution of big and ill-begotten money, working journalists must come out into the open, otherwise the profession itself will be destroyed. Apart from this, the system of monopoly rights over media should be abolished," said Justice Ray.
PTI, Agartala, 27 December : Expressing serious concern at the steady erosion of ethics and values in the Indian media, the Press Council of India (PCI) today said paid news is dangerous for the survival of democracy."An investigation conducted by the PCI found that many of the big newspaper houses had indulged in paid news which is dangerous for democracy," PCI Chairman Justice G N Ray said at a seminar here organised by the Tripura Journalists Union . He deplored the media's involvement in the paid news scandal and said that a sub-committee of the Press Council had carried out intensive investigations into the allegations and come out with truth in a detailed report. Ray asserted that the media enjoys more legal rights and privileges because it contributes to the society.
"Media cannot be viewed from the perspective of mere capital or ownership," he said while hinting at journalists to take an initiative in launching newspapers and electronic channels on a co-operative model to save the profession. "In order to insulate the profession of journalism from pollution of big and ill-begotten money, working journalists must come out into the open, otherwise the profession itself will be destroyed. Apart from this, the system of monopoly rights over media should be abolished," said Justice Ray.
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Chidambaram' letter aimed at disarming CPM cadre : Cong
IANS, New Delhi, 27 December : The Congress Monday said Home Minister P. Chidambaram's letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about armed CPI(M) activists in the state was only meant to disarm the cadre, and was not politically motivated.
"CPI(M) cadres are armed and they are working like millitia in the state," party spokeman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters here.
IANS, New Delhi, 27 December : The Congress Monday said Home Minister P. Chidambaram's letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee about armed CPI(M) activists in the state was only meant to disarm the cadre, and was not politically motivated.
"CPI(M) cadres are armed and they are working like millitia in the state," party spokeman Shakeel Ahmed told reporters here.
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Chomsky and 81 others, bat for right' activist Binayak Sen
IANS, New Delhi, 27 December : Support continued to mount for jailed rights activist Binayak Sen, with noted American scholar Noam Chomsky and 81 other intellectuals and academicians Monday expressing shock at the life sentence awarded to him and a protest staged here to demand justice for him.
‘Doctor Binayak Sen has never resorted to violence against any other person, never incited anyone else to resort to violence, never entered into any conspiracy against the constitutional order of the country and never entered into regular service of any organisation that was involved in any such conspiracy, for furthering its cause,’ a statement issued by Chomsky and the others said.
IANS, New Delhi, 27 December : Support continued to mount for jailed rights activist Binayak Sen, with noted American scholar Noam Chomsky and 81 other intellectuals and academicians Monday expressing shock at the life sentence awarded to him and a protest staged here to demand justice for him.
‘Doctor Binayak Sen has never resorted to violence against any other person, never incited anyone else to resort to violence, never entered into any conspiracy against the constitutional order of the country and never entered into regular service of any organisation that was involved in any such conspiracy, for furthering its cause,’ a statement issued by Chomsky and the others said.
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Vice Ad DK Joshi hands over Andaman-Nicobar Command
Kolkata, 27 December : Vice Admiral DK Joshi handed over the Command of the Andaman & Nicobar Command today. The Admiral was presented with an impressive Tri-services Guard of Honour at the Naval Air Station Utkrosh today as part of the Command Ceremonial Parade. The Admiral also reviewed the Ceremonial Parade as part of the outgoing ceremonies and protocols.
Vice Admiral DK Joshi’s tenure at Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command saw a slew of wide-ranging evolutions, some of which will remain milestones in the annals of this Joint Command. Vice Admiral DK Joshi is now proceeding to Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, New Delhi as the new Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
Kolkata, 27 December : Vice Admiral DK Joshi handed over the Command of the Andaman & Nicobar Command today. The Admiral was presented with an impressive Tri-services Guard of Honour at the Naval Air Station Utkrosh today as part of the Command Ceremonial Parade. The Admiral also reviewed the Ceremonial Parade as part of the outgoing ceremonies and protocols.
Vice Admiral DK Joshi’s tenure at Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command saw a slew of wide-ranging evolutions, some of which will remain milestones in the annals of this Joint Command. Vice Admiral DK Joshi is now proceeding to Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, New Delhi as the new Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
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Death toll rose to Eight in Dhaka's Khilkhet fire incident
Dhaka, 27 December : Another victim of the capital’s Khilkhet fire succumbed to his burn injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital early Monday.
Five people died in the devastating fire that broke out at Good Night Mosquito Factory in Khilkhet Friday night. Six seriously burn-wounded people were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Three seriously burn injured now undergoing treatment at the burn unit of DMCH.
Dhaka, 27 December : Another victim of the capital’s Khilkhet fire succumbed to his burn injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital early Monday.
Five people died in the devastating fire that broke out at Good Night Mosquito Factory in Khilkhet Friday night. Six seriously burn-wounded people were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Three seriously burn injured now undergoing treatment at the burn unit of DMCH.
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CHTRC's Chairman Shantu Larma's motorcade attacked
UNB, Rangamati, 27 December : Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC) Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, alias Shantu Larma`s motorcade came under attack, allegedly by UPDF men at Bogachhari in Naniarchar upazila on Monday.
UNB, Rangamati, 27 December : Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council (CHTRC) Jyotirindra Bodhipriya Larma, alias Shantu Larma`s motorcade came under attack, allegedly by UPDF men at Bogachhari in Naniarchar upazila on Monday.
None, however, was injured in the attack but two cars of his motorcade, including a police van, were damaged. Miscreants waylaid his motorcade and pelted stones targeting Shantu`s car on his way back to Rangamati after attending a meeting of CHT Peace Accord in Khagrachhari town at 10am(BDST).
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WB based Bengali film industry got back its shine in 2010
Kolkata, 27 December : With awards, critical acclaim and box-office success, an ailing Bengali film industry got back on it's feet this year.
Kolkata, 27 December : With awards, critical acclaim and box-office success, an ailing Bengali film industry got back on it's feet this year. Besides bagging five National Film awards, and the coveted Golden Peacock trophy at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), a number of Bengali movies produced this year made film buffs and critics all over the country stand up and take notice.
The difference between parallel cinema and mainstream commercial cinema blurred as works like 'Autograph', 'Moner Manush', 'The Japanese Wife' and 'Shukno Lanka' kept cash registers ringing at the box-office while garnering critical applause.
Most Bengali films in the past few years had became the butt of all jokes as filmmakers went on churning out no-brainer flicks and "copycats" of popular South Indian films.
Most Bengali films in the past few years had became the butt of all jokes as filmmakers went on churning out no-brainer flicks and "copycats" of popular South Indian films.
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