India

Mumbai, Feb 9 (IANS) Mira Rajput has reviewed her husband Shahid Kapoor’s latest release ‘Teri Baaton Main Aisa Uljha Jiya’ and called the actor the ‘OG loverboy’.

Mira took to her Instagram, where she shared a snap-shot from the film, which she called a complete “laugh riot.”

She wrote: “Complete laughter riot entertainment overload after ages. Love, laughter, masti, dancing and heart-touching message at the end. Kriti Sanon you were pitch perfect."

“Shahid Kapoor The OG loverboy there’s no one like you. You made my heart melt Dil se hasaaya stomach is hurting.”

The film is based on a love story between a human and a robot. It talks about the character Aryan, who is not able to find a perfect life partner. But he meets a perfect girl, Sifra, during an official assignment in the US and falls in love with her only to discover later that it's an impossible love story.

The film is directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah. It also stars Kriti Sanon and Dharmendra.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Feb 9 (IANS) Border Security Force on Friday said that they have seized smuggled snake venom worth Rs 12 crore from an Indo- Bangladesh bordering pocket at Hili in South Dinajpur district in the northern sector of West Bengal.

BSF said that one accused was arrested from whom the crystal jar containing the snake venom was seized. He has been handed over to the state forest department officials.

The arrested person has been identified as Tapan Adhikari (51).

It is learnt that the special crystal jar containing the snake venom consignment was made in France. State Forest Department sleuths suspect that in all probability the consignment was brought there to be smuggled to China via Nepal.

The Ranger of Balurghat forest division Sukanta Ojha said that the person was arrested with the snake venom consignment by 61 Battalion BSF.

“He is a resident of Trimohini which falls under Hili Police Station. He will be presented to a lower district court on Friday only. The seized consignment is being sent to Mumbai for examination purposes,” he said.

Sources said that this is the third incident of seizure of smuggled snake venom consignment in the last 14 months.

In September 2022, the officials at the forest sector in Jalpaiguri district seized snake venom worth Rs 13 crore.

In October 2022, the officials had seized smuggled snake venom of estimated market value of around Rs 30 crore from Ghoshpukur forest range area at Phansidewa community development block in the plains of Darjeeling district.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Bollywood star Akshay Kumar has heaped praise on 'Uri' helmer Aditya Dhar's upcoming film 'Article 370' starring Yami Gautam Dhar. After watching the film's trailer, he commented that it "looks full of passion."

Kumar, who played a patriot and hero in several films, including 'Holiday' and 'Baby', also reiterated that Kashmir is an integral part of the country.

"Kashmir was, is, and will always be a part of India #Article370Trailer looks full of passion!," the 'Special 26' star wrote in Hindi on X. The original in Hindi read: "Kashmir Bharat ka hissa tha, hai aur hamesha rahega."

The actor also extended his best wishes to Yami. "All the best, Jai Hind! @yamigautam @jiostudios," he wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Notably, in December last year, the Supreme Court had upheld the abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament on August 5, 2019. The film's trailer, which also has as Priyamani of 'Family Man 2' fame, offers glimpses of how Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated in response to the dire situation of Kashmir.

The trailer showcases Yami's character reflecting on the state of Kashmir, pained by the events in the region. The viewers are soon thrown into the action set-piece consisting of blasts and violence and separatists making inflammatory speeches.

Priyamani essays the role of an officer with the PMO; the trailer shows Yami's character being appointed by the NIA to round up potential threats in the Valley in order to ensure there's no trouble after the Act of Parliament.

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar, the film is slated to release on February 23.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Feb 9 (IANS) Legislators of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) arrived in autorickshaws to attend the Budget session of the state legislature on Friday.

Members of the Assembly and Council belonging to the main opposition party travelled in three-wheelers to reach the Assembly building to draw the government's attention to problems faced by autorickshaw drivers due to implementation of Mahalakshmi scheme under which women are allowed to travel free in TSRTC buses.

The MLAs and MLCs were carrying placards demanding the government to come to the rescue of autorickshaw drivers.

After reaching the Assembly in a three-wheeler from MLA Quarters, former minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao told media persons that 6.5 lakh autorickshaw drivers were literally on roads due to the Congress government’s scheme.

He demanded that the government provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each to autorickshaw drivers.

The BRS legislators also demanded Rs.15 lakh ex-gratia each to the families of autorickshaw drivers who committed suicide after implementation of the scheme.

There was tension at the Assembly gate as BRS legislators were prevented by security personnel from entering the Assembly building with placards. This led to an argument between both sides.

The MLAs and MLCs attended the session wearing black scarves to show solidarity with autorickshaw drivers.

Earlier, the BRS MLAs staged a protest at MLA Quarters Hyderguda. They raised slogans, demanding the government to allocate funds in the State Budget for autorickshaw drivers.

--IANS

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Patna, Feb 9 (IANS) Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Friday granted interim bail to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and her two daughters -- Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav -- in the IRCTC land-for-job case.

The court gave them the interim bail on Rs 1 lakh bail bond each. The next hearing of this case is scheduled on February 28.

Earlier, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav appeared in the Rouse Avenue court on Friday morning after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a charge sheet against them in the case.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had questioned Lalu Prasad Yadav for 10 hours, Tejashwi Yadav for eight hours, Rabri Devi and Misa Bharti for three hours each in Patna after the government changed in Bihar.

Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Hema Yadav, Amit Katyal, Hridayanand Choudhary and others are facing charges of money laundering of Rs 600 crore.

Lalu Prasad Yadav as the Union railway minister between 2004 to 2009 had given the jobs to several people in Group D after allegedly taking their lands.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Feb 9 (IANS) Condemning the removal of the Hanuman flag by the authorities, the Hindu organisations are observing a protest in Karnataka on Friday.

The authorities have also beefed up security in Mandya district.

The shops and establishments in Mandya district mostly remained closed in the backdrop of protest

The police have also tightened the security at the residence of Congress MLA Ganiga Ravi.

The BJP and JD (S) have also tacitly supported the protests. The Hindu organisations including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal have demanded that the state government reinstall the Hanuman flag atop a 108-feet tall flag post in Keragodu village in Mandya district.

The organisations are planning to recite Hanuman chalisa before all district commissioner officers and tehsildar offices. The organisations had also carried out saffron flag hoisting campaigns all over the state following the development of removal of the Hanuman flag.

The state government has warned of legal action over provocative posts on the matter, while the BJP has criticised the Chief Minister, saying there was an “undeclared emergency” in the state.

Minister for RDPR and IT and BT Priyank Kharge has said that the BJP and Sangh Parivar have made the coastal region its Hindutva laboratory.

“They are now active in Mandya district, conducting Hindutva experiments,” he said.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Feb 8 (IANS) Black Box Limited has announced the unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended 31st December 2023.

EBITDA for the quarter grew by 62 per cent YoY to Rs. 116 crores while Profit after tax for Q3FY24 stood at Rs 41 crore.

It said that revenue for Q3FY24 witnessed a growth of 5 per cent QoQ and was muted on a YoY basis. For 9MFY24 revenue grew by 4 per cent YoY

The strategy to focus on large revenue customers is yielding results and the pipeline continues to remain robust with some hold up in decision making, leading to delay in getting new orders.

It said that the EBITDA margins increased by a robust 270 bps YoY at 7.0 per cent for Q3FY24 and by 260 bps YoY at 6.4 per cent for 9MFY24.

It said that the emphasis on cost rationalisation and enhanced productivity has begun to generate positive outcomes, leading to an increase in the EBITDA margins.

It said that profit after tax for Q3FY24 increased by 5.2x YoY to Rs. 41 Crs and grew by 28 per cent on a QoQ basis and for 9MFY24 profit after tax increased to Rs 97 Crs as compared to Rs 1 cr in 9MFY23.

It said that the operating performance has resulted in better profitability despite higher interest costs.

Commenting on the results and performance Sanjeev Verma, Whole Time Director, Black Box said: “We are delighted by our achievements in Q3 and 9MFY24. Our EBITDA margins and overall profitability both on a QoQ and YoY basis has increased substantially due to our emphasis on cost rationalisation and enhanced productivity. Strong order book coupled with deal wins in excess of

$50Mn during the quarter, makes us confident in our resilient business model. As each of our business segments gathers momentum, it reinforces our confidence in delivering improved performance in the upcoming quarters.”

Deepak Kumar Bansal, Executive Director and Global Chief Financial Officer of Black Box, commented: “Revenue for Q3FY24 witnessed a growth of 5 per cent QoQ and was muted on a YoY basis. For 9MFY24 revenue grew by 4 per cent YoY. Our strong focus on profitability over the last few quarters has started yielding positive results as evidenced by our profit after tax surging 5.2 times YoY in Q3FY24.

“Further, we are optimistic, this trend to continue both in terms of margin enhancement and overall profitability, boosting our confidence in achieving strong performance in fiscal year 2024 and onwards.”

--IANS

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Guwahati, Feb 9 (IANS) At least 4.5 lakh new voters in 18-29 year age group have been added to the electoral roll in Assam, officials said on Friday.

According to Assam’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anurag Goel, the total electorate in Assam was 2,43,01,960. Of these, 1,21,79,538 were male and 1,21,22,602 female.

He said, “This time, 7,26,783 new voters were added to the electoral roll in the state. Out of these new voters, around 4.5 lakh are young voters in the age group 18-29 years.”

The officer also said that due to deaths, 7,27,291 voters' names were also deleted from the electoral roll.

The state election commission published a draft electoral roll on December 8, 2023. However, 508 more voter names were deleted after their death.

Goel said that if any person finds his or her name missing from the rolls, he or she can still apply through Form 6, in online or offline mode. He advised people to check the electoral roll available on the state election commission’s website as well as in respective district election offices.

According to the final photo electoral roll, the Amri Assembly constituency has the lowest number of 96,542 electors in the state and Dalgaon constituency has the highest number of electors among the Assembly seats, with 2,97,846 electors.

It was also mentioned that the lowest number of 8,92,789 electors is in the Diphu Parliamentary Constituency while the highest number of 26,43,403 electors was in the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat.

--IANS

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Srinagar, Feb 9 (IANS) Intense cold continued in Kashmir on Friday due to clear night sky as minimum temperature remained below normal in Jammu division.

A Meteorological (MeT) Department statement said that Srinagar had minus 4.8, Gulmarg minus 9 and Pahalgam minus 10.3 as the minimum temperature.

In Ladakh region, Leh town had minus 16.1 and Kargil minus 19.8 as the minimum temperature.

Jammu city had 5.3, Katra 5.8, Batote 3.3, Bhaderwah minus 1.6 and Banihal 2 as the night’s lowest temperature.

The MeT office has forecast dry weather with clear night sky till February 14 which means the intense cold is likely to continue at least for another four to five days.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) A 22-year-old scrap dealer was shot at in northeast Delhi over a monetary dispute, an official said on Friday, adding that a manhunt has been initiated to nab the five accused, who are on the run.

According to police, the incident occurred at 10:20 p.m. on Thursday at C- Block, Gali No-9, behind Gurudwara, Shastri Park.

The injured was identified as Shahrukh, who works as a scrap dealer and has more than 13 criminal cases, including robbery, snatching and Arms Act, registered against him.

“The accused have been identified as Farman, Fazil, Prince, Faizal and Wahid, all also scrap dealers by profession,” said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northeast) Joy Tirkey.

During the initial probe after the incident, it was revealed that Shahrukh and accused Fazil, Prince and Farman have an old money dispute.

“On Thursday, they cornered Shahrukh in Gali No. 9. After an altercation, Farman shot him. Shahrukh sustained a gunshot injury in his right lower abdomen. He was taken to GTB Hospital. He is stable,” said the DCP.

“An FIR under section 307, 34 of the IPC and 25/27 Arms Act has been registered at Shastri Park police station and efforts are being made to apprehend the accused persons,” the DCP added.

--IANS

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