India

New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) He says the guiding thought was ensuring unusual experiences, doing formal things in informal spaces, and vice-versa. For him, it was important to look at newer groups from across the country, and how their work is smashing ‘order’, and conveying the unsaid.

Theatre director Quasar Thakore Padamsee, curator of the theatre segment at the recently concluded Serendipity Arts Festival-2023 in Goa, tells IANS that it was important not to play safe and present the form in multiple and novel ways.

Padamsee, who helmed the curation before as well, says that in the beginning one mostly tries to capture the greatest hits. “However, over some time, we have achieved a lot and the confidence to take greater risks and the ambition has grown. We are constantly finding things that can be done differently. This is also one of the few festivals that has such a good relationship with space. There is so much cross-pollinating between art forms and a very interesting merger happens. It is very liberating to witness how art forms are shifting and coming together in a modern context,” he says about the festival that witnessed 150 events, works by over 300 artists, and 15 commissioned projects.

The theatre segment offered a wide range encompassing many foundations. From war, mental health, and alienation to LGBT+ themes.

The play ‘Jump’, directed and written by Maneesh Verma was performed on the terrace of a building, while Vikram Phukan’s ‘Postcards from Goa’ was ‘staged’ on a walking trail. ‘Afganisthan is Not Funny’ was brought forth using photographs while Tim Supple’s ‘Lives of Clay’, performed by Vidya Thirunarayan was experienced in a garden. ‘Aur Theatre Karo’ by Gopal Das was a collection of songs he had composed for the stage over decades.

The curator, who insisted that all participating groups underwent workshops to create more and new roots in the space for exchange of ideas adds, “A young theatre artist is excited to discuss things. Such festivals open doors about things that they might not have access to.”

Talk to Padamsee, who has directed and produced over 20 plays with his Mumbai-based theatre company QTP, about corporate funding in theatre and he laments that while 15-20 years back, the corporate world wanted to be seen as ‘giving’, but now everything is about sales. “Believe it or not, sometimes they even ask how their product will be placed on the stage. Everything has become just about sales, sadly. Also, most corporates will not touch a play that is difficult or experimental. Precisely why festivals are extremely important for theatre groups so they can tell the stories in the ways they want to.”

Even as several unique productions have been coming from small towns in the past few years, the director admits that are more connected to what is happening around them. “To be universal, you have to be connected. The experiences of major cities are becoming more similar...”

Even as his theatre company turns 25 next year, Padamsee wants to shut down all the old plays in the first half of the year. “We will be running one of our newer shows called ‘Lungs’ which is about a couple who are deliberating whether to bring a child into the world or not because it will add to the carbon footprint,” he concludes.

--IANS

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Ayodhya, Dec 25 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a roadshow and address a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on December 30 after inaugurating the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport and the redeveloped railway station in the temple town.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the temple town comes weeks ahead of the much-awaited consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla on January 22 and is part of the government’s infrastructure push to make Ayodhya a lucrative religious tourism destination.

According to official sources, the roadshow will cover a distance of about 15 km between the airport and the railway station and pass through Dharam Path, Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, Ram Path, Tedhi Bazaar and Mohabra intersection.

The Prime Minister will be in Ayodhya for two hours from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

“The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Ayodhya airport first and then he will move to the railway station in a roadshow. At the railway station, he will flag off Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, following which he will return to the airport by road and address a public meeting,” Ayodhya District Magistrate Nitish Kumar said.

The facade of Ayodhya airport’s terminal building (both urban and aerial) is said to reflect the architecture of the Ram Temple.

The interior of the new terminal building is being enlivened with local art from across India, art and paintings depicting the life of Lord Ram. It is proposed to be decorated at different heights to convey a feeling of grandeur of the structure.

The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 100 crore for Ramotsav, a series of events that will be held from December 30 to January 22 to mark the consecration of the Ram temple.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) Sanjay Singh, the newly elected chief of the Wrestling Federation of India (WGI) who was suspended by the Centre on Sunday, has said that he would meet Sports minister Anurag Thakur soon and explain his point of view in response to the Ministry's claims that led to the new body suspension.

The reactions came after the ministry reportedly asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to form a temporary panel to oversee the operations of the WFI.

Singh, who is a close associate of ex-WFI chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, said he will meet the Sports Minister Anurag Thakur with the letter from all the state federations and explain his point of view.

Responding to the announcement to hold U15 and U20 nationals, which led to a suspension of the new WFI body, Singh said that whatever decisions were taken, were taken by consensus.

"Where the elections were held, the ad-hoc committee had called the general body and that meeting was adjourned and we decided to have a meeting in the hotel where the delegations from 24 states federations were present," he told India Today.

"This year's U15 and U20 calendar is ending on Dec 31, keeping this in mind, everyone decided that U-15 and U-20 Nationals should be conducted so that the children get certificates and the future of the children does not get spoiled.

"Everyone has been asked and everyone has given their consent. Whatever decisions were taken, were taken by consensus. It was not my personal decision and all 24 state associations had given affidavits also, said Singh.

Days after the WFI election was held, The Ministry suspended the Sanjay Singh-led new WFI body over 'hasty' announcement to hold nationals.

The ministry had issued a letter stating, “Sanjay Kumar Singh, newly elected President of Wrestling Federation of India announced on 21.12.2023, the day he was elected as president, that U-15 and U-20 nationals for Wrestling will take place in Nandini Nagar, Gonda (UP) before the end of this year.

"This announcement is hasty, without giving sufficient notice to wrestlers who are to take part in the said nationals and without following the provisions of the constitution of WFI," the letter read.

--IANS

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Chennai, Dec 24 (IANS) A 25-year-old female techie was chained and burnt to death, allegedly by a transman, in the suburbs of Chennai, police said on Sunday.

The half-charred body of R. Nandini, 25, was recovered at Thalambur on Saturday night.

According to police, she was chained and had deep injuries from a blade on her neck, hands and legs.

Police on Sunday arrested a 27-year-old transman, who allegedly killed the woman for turning down his proposal.

The accused, identified as Vetrimaran, and Nandini, both natives of Madurai, had been working in a software company in Thoraipakkam for the last few months. They had become friends and later fell in love.

However, recently when Vetrimaran told Nandini about his gender identity and proposed to her, she turned him down.

Nandini had subsequently started a relationship with another man and this had enraged Vetrimaran. He wanted to take revenge by killing her.

On Saturday, Nandini’s birthday, the accused took her out saying he wanted to give her a surprise. The accused took her to an isolated place, tied her and after inflicting injuries with a blade set her ablaze, police said.

--IANS

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Patna, Dec 24 (IANS) A day after an undated video of DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran surfaced in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the BJP leaders in Bihar criticised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad for their silence on the matter.

"The leaders of Congress, JD-U and RJD should apologise for the way Maran insulted the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar should break their silence. The BJP has made a strong objection to the remarks and asked Dayanidhi Maran to apologize. If he does not apologise, the party leaders will launch an agitation," Bihar unit BJP president Samrat Choudhary said.

Criticising Maran, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is building the nation with the concept of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' but the leaders of INDIA bloc are discriminating over North and South India. Their attempt would not be successful. PM Narendra Modi gives respect to sanitation workers. Some people talk like this and create differences. Dayanidhi Maran should apologise to the nation."

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sushil Kumar Modi said: "Will the leaders of INDIA bloc keep DMK out of the alliance now? Many people are engaged in the construction sector in Tamil Nadu and Dayanidhi Maran's toilet cleaners remark is highly objectionable. Why Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad are silent over the remarks of Dayanidhi Maran on the basis of state and language? Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin should take action against him."

Dayanidhi Maran, during an event, allegedly said that the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh used to come to Tamil Nadu and clean toilets.

"Those who speak Hindi come here and are involved in small-scale construction," he had allegedly said.

--IANS

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According to the sources, the victim Irshad Mohammad's motorbike had hit a man, who was taking part in Dusshera celebrations in Luhari village late on Tuesday night.

The minor accident led to a verbal row which soon turned violent after a group of people beat Irshad Mohammad, who fell to the ground and hit his head a stone.

He was rushed to the local hospital where doctors declared him brought dead, the police said.

As news of Mohammad's death reached the village, his family members and locals rushed to the spot.

Both groups attacked each other.

The Bahadurgarh police reached the spot and had to use force to disperse the crowd.

Hapur Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma said, "We have identified five people who have beaten Irshad and they will be arrested soon. A first information report (FIR) in this connection has been lodged at the Bahadurgarh police station. Adequate police force has been deployed at Luhari village to ensure that the incident does not lead to further trouble."

--IANS

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Coming from Morena in the Chambal region once infamous for dacoits in Madhya Pradesh, Manoj Kumar Sharma was an IPS aspirant who had put up a brave fight while trying to chase his dreams.

From failing in Class XII to bagging the rank of 121 in the country's most sought-after examination -- the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) -- to becoming an IPS officer in the Maharashtra cadre, Sharma's life is nothing short of an inspirational journey.

Sharma, now a CISF officer, did not have any problem till Class VIII, but in the 9th and 10th he struggled to clear the papers and managed them somehow, but in Class XII, he failed the Board exams. After clearing Class XII in the second attempt, he completed his higher studies, and cleared the UPSC exam in his fourth attempt.

Along the way, he worked as a tempo driver, slept with beggars on the road, worked in a library, and also as a dog walker to pay the coaching class fees and buy books to prepare for the UPSC exam.

Sharma also met the love of his life, Shraddha Joshi, during his days of struggle. In those tough times, she supported him a lot. They'remarried today and Shraddha is an IRS officer.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra's movie '12th Fail' is based on the novel of the same name by Anurag Pathak. It narrates the real-life story of the lakhs of students who take the UPSC exam year after year.

It also features how these people come in droves, possess very little and receive next to no encouragement as they pursue their difficult dream.

Speaking to IANS, Vikrant talked about the relatability factor and the nuances of the role as well as the responsibilities that come with it.

He said doing justice to the character was very important for him. The role came with a sense of responsibility."

"But in many ways my job was easier because of Mr [Vidhu Vinod] Chopra," Massey added. "He is such an experienced filmmaker, he has given us some of the best films in Hindi cinema. The idea was to bring the character to life, and to be honest with it. But I was lucky that I got this part, because I could relate with most of the things."

He shared that though he did not face the kind of struggles Manoj Sharma did, he knows personally what it means to be a struggler.

"The responsibility that we are talking about to begin with was to make sure the character is relatable," Massey said.

"We have said in the media, written on the poster, and also said in the trailer that it is based on a true story, but it is inspired by a million true stories. It represents that common man who has faced hardships. And I just had to go out there and represent my own life. I had to go out and do justice to Manoj Sharma's life, and to do justice to Mr Chopra's vision. It was a daunting responsibility,” Massey said.

He noted the role was physically, emotionally and mentally challenging. "But I think today we have a very good film in our hands and we are proud of it," Massey said.

Talking about the relatability factor, Massey pointed out: "My financial status was very much similar to Manoj Sharma's. I come from a regular middle-class family. Many times I feel the conditions we had were of the lower middle class. The lower social acceptance you have because of your financial status, we have also faced that."

Looking back at his own life, Massey said: "We used to travel in a single auto together, and since I was small, I used to sit on the lap of someone. On birthdays we had to think twice before buying a Rs 200 cake. I wore people's castaway clothes. There was no problem with the clothes, but when I had to wear someone's rejected shoes, then it was a problem for me. I could therefore personally relate to many parts of the story."

The actor further said: "Most importantly, even Manoj Sharma in real life wanted to be heard. He had a very strong point of view. And I would want to believe that I as a person and not just an actor have a lot to prove, to present my worldview, and to be wholeheartedly accepted in our society."

On his personally meeting with Manoj Sharma, Massey said: "Vidhu sir was very clear. He did not want to replicate Manoj Sharma. He wanted me to represent Manoj Sharma but in his own way."

He added: "In Manoj Sharma you will also see Vidhu Vinod Chopra also. He has also struggled a lot in his life. He has made this film, and chosen this story because when he was reading this story, he reminisced about his childhood, life and struggles."

Massey concluded by noting: "The idea was to give the role your own touch and not replicate Manoj Sharma. I met him, understood his thought process and worldview, and the things missed by the book or the script. But then it is a creative process, and in it you get the liberty to create life, which is an amalgamation of a lot of things."

'12th Fail' will be released on October 27 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.

--IANS

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The AQI at Dhirpur was recorded at 300 falling under "poor" category.

Notably, the AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

In Pusa, the AQI recorded PM 2.5 at 128 "moderate" category. At Lodhi Road, the AQI with PM 2.5 concentration was at 149 under the moderate category and the PM 10 stood at 135 also under the "moderate" category.

At IIT Delhi station, the PM 2.5 was at 173, "moderate" category while the PM 10 reached 162, in "moderate" category.

The AQI at the city's Mathura Road was under moderate category with PM 2.5 at 152 with PM 10 concentration at 101.

According to the forecast from the SAFAR, the air quality of the city will deteriorate further under "poor" category with PM 2.5 reaching 218 and the PM 10 concentration at 167 under "moderate" category on Thursday.

The AQI of Delhi's neighbouring cities of Noida stood at 208 and the PM 10 concentration at 218 both under "poor" category, while it was reported at 169 and the PM 10 concentration at 133 under moderate category.

--IANS

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This is a major decision which will bring relief to these 2,000 youth whose appointments under SRO 43 will now be cleared, officials said.

SRO 43 pertains to compassionate appointments in government service for kin of militancy victims, border shelling/ firing and death cases of government employees who died in harness.

“The government has decided to clear a backlog of nearly 2,000 SRO 43 appointments pendingso far before the switch over to new policy for such appointments.

“The government has introduced a new policy of compassionate appointments from January 1 this year, which is on the pattern of the central government.

“Under SRO 43kin of those killed in militancy or border shelling-firing and government employees who died in harness were eligible for a government job.

“Under the new policy, which came into effect from January 1, 2023, a merit-based criteria has been adopted for such posts and only those who fall in the criteria will get the government jobs while others will be paid a fixed amount of compensation,” officials said.

Under SRO 43, 2000 vacancies, mostly in Class-IV category in different departments, have been identified and 2,000 youth will be cleared for the government appointments now.

“This decision will generate 2,000 jobs and will also bring major relief to the victims of militancy, border shelling/firing and kin of dead government employees who were waiting for compassionate appointments for a long time.

“The new scheme which has already come into force will grant appointment or monetary compensation on compassionate grounds to a dependent family member of a government servant, who may die in harness or as a result of militancy-related action or due to enemy action on the Line of Control/International Border within Jammu and Kashmir and is not involved in militancy-related activities or retires on invalid pension, thereby, leaving his family in penury and without any means of livelihood,” officials added.

Under the new scheme, which came into force on January 1, 2023, the number of vacancies and the merit list of the eligible candidates will be prepared annually and eligible candidates will be considered purely on the basis of merit obtained with regard to a point-based merit system on quarterly basis. Both the list of vacancies and merit list of candidates will be put out in public domain to make the process fully transparent and accountable.

The appointment on compassionate grounds will be made for the multi-tasking staff or equivalent or lowest non-gazetted cadre posts in the department.

--IANS

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Speaking on Tuesday at the Security Council’s high-level meeting on Palestine held in the aftermath of the brutal Hamas attack on Israel, he said: “Our Prime Minister was one of the first global leaders to have conveyed his condolences for the loss of lives and prayers for the innocent victims and their families. He stood in solidarity with his Israel in their moment of crisis when they were facing these terror attacks.

“The October 7 terror attacks in Israel were shocking and we condemn them unequivocally."

On the October 17 Gaza hospital blast that killed more than 425 people, he said: “We have also expressed deep shock at the tragic loss of life."

Stepping away from the blame game for the explosion, Ravindra said: “Our Prime Minister clearly spelt out that those involved must be held responsible."

Israel has blamed a failed rocket launch aimed at Israel by the Islamic Jihad terror group for the explosion, which the US has said was likely.

On the other hand, the Palestinians have said it was destroyed by a missile from Israel, a claim echoed by several countries at the Council meeting.

Ravindra said that "civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. All parties must protect civilians, especially women and children”.

Looking towards a solution to the Israel-Palestine crisis, he reiterated India’s support for a two-state solution.

“India backed the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side in peace with Israel, taking into account the legitimate security concerns of Israel."

To achieve this goal, “every effort must be made to create conducive conditions for resumption” direct talks between Israel and Palestine, he added.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

--IANS

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