New Delhi, Nov. 4 (ANI): The Shi’ite Muslim mourners take out Muharram processions amid tight security, as they indulge in self flagellation, to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad.
The Ashoora-e-Moharram which is being observed with reverence and solemnity in various parts of the country today marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad and his companions, who laid down their lives for upholding truth, righteousness and justice in Karbala.
Tazia processions are being taken out to mark the occasion of Ashoora-e-Moharram which is being observed with reverence and solemnity in various parts of the country.
In Uttar Pradesh, elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of Muharram all over the state.
On tenth of Muharram which is also known as Yaume Ashur, it is culmination of grief for the mourners of Imam Husain who lost his life fighting for truth and honour of Islam.
To mark the occasion, a procession will be taken out from Imabada of Nazim Sahab to Karbala Talkatora today.
More than 6,000 police personnel and several drones with live satellite feed would patrol and guard the city in so that mourners can observe the Muharram peacefully. (ANI)

New Delhi, Nov 4:

Mumbai has the highest number of Internet users at about 16.4 million in the country which has over 243 million web users, a study has found.

The commercial capital of India saw the Internet user base growing to about 16.4 million in October this year from 12 million in the same month last year, the joint study by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB said.

Delhi was second with a user base of 12.1 million. The National Capital recorded the fastest year-on-year growth rate of 50 per cent in Internet user base among top eight cities of the country.

India had about 243 million Internet users as of June 2014, according to IAMAI.

Top eight cities —— Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Pune —— accounted for over 58 million Internet users, the study said.

Kolkata ranked third in the list with 6.27 million users, followed by Bangalore (5.99 million) and Chennai (5.58 million).

“Overall, the top four metros have a 23 per cent penetration of Internet users in India. The other four metros have 11 per cent penetration,” it said.

Among other cities with a population of more than one million, Surat, Jaipur, Lucknow, Vadodara and Nagpur have the highest number of Internet users.

Surat had 2.97 million users, followed by Jaipur (2.35 million), Lucknow (1.95 million) and Vadodara (1.85 million).

On a Sunday after a long break from monotous work I took the privilege of watching a movie in a hall. Got myself a ticket and in good eneterd the balcony hall. To my dismay the ticket checker reminded me that the ticket was for the lower stands. How I cursesd myself for not checking the tickets properly before buying.
How insulted and disgusted I felt after having reviews of Roar and other movies promoting movies without a dime of benefit did not have the privilege of watching a movies comfortably. I wanted to meet the manager showing my press card but decided to let it go and satisfied myself in the lower stalls.
The movie went on, I like it from the start. Of course the idea and plot very similar to Anaconda. However a movie made by Indians was really of substance. I forgot to add an important remark. There was a big long line to enter the hall which I assumed is for some other regular sing song Hindi movie. To my surprise the line was meant for Roar. Here I really would like to comment that the choice of the audience has changed according to time. Here the audience is lower middle class with very little education.
This crowd thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The cast being all new looked fresh and fit according to each character of the movie. Therefore it is now or even in the past proved that for a movie to be successful doesn’t necessarily need a big name. For instance Mary Kom without Priyanka would be a hit because of a strong story line. In fact a Northeastern girl would have been more appropriate and effective. Unfortunately our directors with name and fame don’t seem to have confidence in themselves; they have to piggy back with a famous name and celebrity.
Now coming back to the movie every time the tiger was attacked in the deep jungle felt the connection with the builders of Mumbai trying to snatch any bit piece of empty space available. It was so strongly connected in my mind. The environment and healthy living can go for a toss but the land has to snatched by these merciless mercenaries. The mercenaries are so confident of themselves you could knock the doors of justice for decade you would get nothing but frustration, hatred and anger to the corrupt officers and politicians who these builders carry in their pockets. We have heard of plans of the beautiful lush green Mahalaxmi race course to be converted to a commercial complex soon. God forbid this does not happen.
The nature, animals and god created abodes will be a thing in past for the future generation where children will live in more concrete jungles. They will only have the privilege of watching nature and animals on Television with the famous tale “Once upon a time”

Shweta Prasad Basu who spent two months in a rescue home after her alleged involvement in a prostitution racket is now out, and in her home in Mumbai. For the first time, she breaks her silence on what happened that night and the sixty days that followed…
When did you get back home?
I came home on Friday. I’ve no complaints against anyone except the journalist who during my hour of crisis made up a statement attributed to me. That statement was circulated everywhere. I had no idea about it as I had no access to newspapers or websites for two months. It’s only now that I came to know of this.
You never made that statement that was picked up by every paper and website and television channel?
No I never made that statement. I was in custody. I wasn’t allowed to speak to my mother and father, then how would I speak to the media? Whoever made up that statement damaged my reputation by saying that all doors were closed on me—no such thing has happened and the film industry has always been very warm and welcoming to me—and that “people encouraged me to get into prostitution to earn money.” These are outrageous lies that I never uttered.
We’re in the process of tracking down the journalist and the newspaper where these fake statements originated. We are taking very strong legal action against them. I need to set this falsification right before I move on.
What kind of a journalist would make up something?
We as a nation enjoy watching suffering. We are sadistic people. I want to ask the journalist who made up this statement: how much do you know about me and my family? I’ve friends in the film industry. I am well-connected. I’ve been auditioning for roles even when this (the arrest) happened. I’ve spent three-and-half-years of my life making a documentary on Hindustani classical music. I turned down roles after my first Tamil film as a leading lady was a hit because I wanted to focus on my documentary. Now that it’s in post-production I want to concentrate on my acting. So I want to know which doors were being closed? Such shallow emotions and vocabulary! Any sane person would have seen it’s made up. I can’t understand how it was used everywhere as my statement.
But a major section of the media supported you in a graceful way?
Yes, I came across largely unscathed. I am at home and back at work. I don’t wish to go too deep into what happened, as it is a legal matter. But I am completely unaffected by the entire episode. I now see how futile and unnecessary it was. I am glad to be alive and kicking and raring to go. Life looks beautiful and hopeful.
Any regrets?
The media should have waited for me to come out before making up its mind whether I was guilty or not. I should’ve been given the right to defend myself. When I was in there I was not allowed to look at television or read papers. It’s now when I come out that I see what a media circus my life was made into.
Why were you caught in this situation?
(Pauses, sighs and answers) I hadn’t been called to Hyderabad by any agent for commercial sex. I had gone to there to attend an awards ceremony. Call it fate or whatever, I missed my flight back in the morning. My air ticket and stay were done by the organisers of the awards function. I still have the ticket. I’ve been told that the agent has been arrested. The case is being investigated. I am a victim in the whole situation. There was a raid… I am not denying the incident. But the facts are not what they’ve been made out to be.
Were you questioned harshly by the police?
No, but when I was detained for interrogation the police asked me the names of Tollywood actresses (allegedly involved in prostitution rackets). I didn’t even know many of their names. Why should I make comments on other actresses? Shame on the people who said I was forced to do certain things by my family to afford a lifestyle.
Were you treated well after arrest?
Absolutely. I was at the rescue home. It is a hostel for kids who are victims of human trafficking, etc. I volunteered as a teacher there and taught the kids Hindi, English and Hindustani classical music. I used my two months in there very productively. I was not depressed at all. Why should I be? I knew the truth. While I was in there I realized how lucky I was to have a family to support me. My parents have always wanted me to pursue a dignified career. After I did Iqbal, my parents made me pursue my studies. I make documentaries. I attend film festivals. I don’t have time to sit at cafes taking selfies. I’ve dedicated my life to cinema and acting. I am not going to let one incident spoil my life.
How did your parents take all this?
While I was in the rescue home my grandfather passed away. That’s one loss I’ll have to live with all my life. I couldn’t even be at the last rituals. I’ll have to live with the guilt. Thanks to the reports in the media my grandfather went thinking I had actually made those awfully wrong statements. Then my mother was running in and out of courts with petition after petition. She was confused. I wasn’t even allowed to call her. Later, I was allowed one call a week when she’d only be crying and reassuring me.
You are very strong girl.
I don’t think I’ve the luxury of being weak. Being strong is my only option. I’ve the truth on my side. And I’ve my parents and a lot of supportive friends.
Many filmmakers spoke up for you. Hansal Mehta wants to work with you?
I haven’t yet got a call from him. I’d like to audition for Hansal Mehta and get the role only if I am suitable for it. I don’t want a role out of sympathy. I don’t want people to think I am cashing in on the controversy.
Who would doubt your talents? You won a National award at 10!
People forget very easily. It’s only during tough times that you get to know who your friends are. There are many who turned their backs on my family. Many friends wouldn’t take my mother’s calls. If something had happened to my parents who would’ve taken responsibility? I am grateful to those who have supported us. As for those who didn’t support us, that’s life. It’s time to move on.
What plans now?
I am an actress. And I will always remain one. Right now, I have just returned to the post-production of my documentary on Hindustani classical music. Life has moved forward from exactly from where I left off.

Thiruvananthapuram: The ‘Kiss of love’ protest held in Kochi on Sunday has sparked a spat between CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan and Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala over the handling of the situation by police.

While Vijayan accused the government of having adopted “double standards” to deal with “unusual protest”, Chennithala said there was no lapse on the part of police in handling the situation at Marine Drive in Kochi.

“Ours is a country where the right to protest is allowed as a democratic means… When some form of protest is out of the ordinary, there will be people who support it and oppose it,” Vijayan said in a Facebook post.

Criticising the way police had handled the situation, the CPI(M) leader said the government had adopted “double standards” against both sympathisers and opponents of the protest.

“The attack by those who came to stop the ‘kiss of love’ had actually created unruly scenes at Marine Drive. Police used pepper spray and caned the gathering repeatedly. Police in fact protected those who came to oppose the protest wielding weapons and raising hatred slogans,” Vijayan said.

No “moral police” who are out to disturb peaceful life of people should be allowed to have their way, he said.

Instead, police had been used to protect those who sought to destroy peace, which is dangerous and shameful for a state like Kerala, he added.

Responding to his critics, Chennithala said there was no lapse on the part of police as they had acted just as they would have in any situation where there had been a huge gathering of people.

Pithoragarh: Border trade worth over Rs 3 crore took place between India and China this year through Lipulekh pass in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, according to final figures released by Dharchula sub-division of the district on Monday.

Indian traders imported goods worth Rs 2,14,71707 from Taklakot Mart in Chinese territory of Tibet while they sold goods worth Rs 19,12,0515 to their Tibetan clients.

“The imported goods include Pashmina wool, raw Tibetan wool jackets, shoes, and animal skin, besides several medicinal herbs while exported items include tobacco, sugar candy, jaggery (Gur) and items of daily use,” said Pramod Kumar, designated trade officer and SDM of Dharchula.

According to the official, a total of 273 persons, including 89 traders and their helpers had gone to Taklakot mart in western Tibet to transact business

Delhi appears to be heading for fresh polls with Bharatiya Janata Party, the single largest party, giving clear indication of not forming a minority government in the national capital and prefer election.

Top sources in BJP said the party has already taken “an in principle” decision of not taking power and top leadership has already conveyed to the city unit to make preparations for polls soon.

“The party has decided to decline any offer of government formation. We will prefer going to polls,” a top Delhi BJP leader said.

The political situation in the national capital was discussed at a meeting of top BJP leaders on Sunday evening where it was dominant view that the party should go for polls.

Government sources said the Lt Governor, who is holding talks with all three parties BJP, Congress and AAP to explore government formation, will take a final decision on the political situation by this evening.

The last date of filing of nominations for bypolls in three assembly constituencies in Delhi is November 5 and if there was no possibility of government formation, then LG may recommend dissolution of Delhi assembly “at the earliest” so as to avoid the bypolls, they said.

BJP sources said RSS has also conveyed its view that BJP should not form government adopting any “unfair means“.

Earlier in the day, Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay called on Jung and the party described it as as an “informal” meeting.

Mr. Upadhyay is understood to have conveyed BJP’s view on the political political situation to Jung.

Meanwhile, BJP central leadership has imposed a gag order on party leaders asking them not to speak to the media without authorization.