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Wondrlab appoints Ajeeta Bharadwaj as Chief Secretary Officer

By
Shivani Negi
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Wondrlab, which was launched recently, has appointed Ajeeta Bharadwaj as Chief Secretary Officer (CSO). Bharadwaj will foresee company’s entire strategic planning function from Mumbai.

She will be working under Rakesh Hinduja, co-founder and managing partner of content platform at Wondrlab.

In her illustrious career of 20-year, Bharadwaj has had an experience of working with the Publicis network for 18 years. She has also led content strategic planning function for Leo Burnett Mumbai. At Wondrlab, her responsibilities will involve using her experience to bring the best marketing strategies to the table for clients’ businesses.

Hinduja said, “I can think of no one better to lead Wondrlab’s strategy piece than Ajeeta. We have worked together extensively and I know the excellent thinking that she can bring to the table. Ajeeta isn’t just a strategist, but someone who deep dives into a client’s business to create contemporary solutions. I am confident that she will harness all her knowledge and experience at Wondrlab to help clients win strategically.”

“I have worked with Saurabh, Rakesh and Vandana and have seen the transformational solutions that came out of this collaboration. I also find the focus on platform-first thinking, extremely relevant. As consumers, we use different platforms differently and adding this understanding to strategy can get the brand entrenched better in the purchase process. It is an exciting vision and the attempt will be to consistently look for data-backed, dynamic solutions that deliver on this,” Bharadwaj added.

Video: Here’s how Kangana Ranaut celebrated Arnab Goswami’s bail

By
Shivani Negi
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Actor Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday took to twitter to post a celebratory dance to welcome Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim bail to Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami.

Kangana, who is currently in Udaipur for her brother’s wedding festivities, posted a video on Twitter of herself and her sister dancing on a Rajasthani folk song.

“Yes it’s a big day for our family but just got to know ki #arnabisback So here we go.. Welcome back dear friend …,” she tweeted.

 Earlier, in a video shared on Twitter, she had said, “I want to ask the Maharashtra government that today, you went inside Arnab Goswami’s house, beat him, pulled him by his hair, assaulted him. How many houses will you break? How many throats will you choke, how many people’s hair will your pull and how many voices will you silence? Sonia Sena, how many mouths will you gag? These voices will keep growing. Before us, so many martyrs’ throats were slit, they were hanged for their right to free speech. No matter, you will silence, many others will rise.”

Kangana has been leading from front in garnering support for Republic TV chief ever since he was arrested earlier this month.

Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami and two others – Feroze Shaikh and Nitish Sarda – were arrested by Alibaug Police in a case related to the 2018 suicide of architect-interior designer Anvay Naik and his mother over alleged non-payment of dues by companies of the accused.

Meanwhile, talking about Kangana Ranaut’s professional front, the actor has recently finished the shooting of her much-anticipated film, Thalaivi. She will soon start working on her next acting project, Tejas.

Comedian Kunal Kamra to face Contempt of Court

By
Jyoti B
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Attorney General K K Venugopal on Thursday gave his consent for the initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra for his tweets following the Supreme Court’s decision to grant interim bail to television anchor Arnab Goswami.

Granting permission to initiate contempt proceedings, the Attorney General said that the tweets were not only in bad taste but also crossed the line between humour and contempt of the court.

Attorney General KK Venugopal today gave his consent to eight people who want to sue Kunal Kamra for criminal contempt.

“It is time that people understand attacking the Supreme Court unjustifiably and brazenly will lead to punishment,” Mr Venugopal said in his response to their request.

In one of the letters seeking Attorney General’s consent for initiation of contempt proceedings against Kamra, three lawyers have claimed that he allegedly attempted to lower the authority of the Supreme Court of India through his tweets after the apex court had granted interim bail to Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami.

“Apart from this, is a picture of the Supreme Court building dressed in saffron colours with a flag of the ruling political party, namely the BJP having replaced the Tricolour. This is a gross insinuation against the entirety of the Supreme Court of India that the Supreme Court of India is not an independent and impartial institution and so too its judges, but on the other hand is a Court of the ruling party, the BJP existing for the BJP’s benefit. All this in my opinion constitutes criminal contempt of Court,” further added the letter.

Kunal Kamra has put out multiple tweets targeting the Supreme Court and judges since Wednesday.

Jab We Met actor Asif Basra, 53, dies by suicide

By
Shivani Negi
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Bollywood actor Asif Basra has allegedly died by suicide at a private guest house in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. He was 53. He was reportedly renting the space with his female friend for five years now. No suicide has been found, said the police.

In a statement to ANI, SSP Kangra Vimukt Ranjan confirmed, “Film actor Asif Basra was found hanging in a private complex in Dharamshala. Forensic team is at the spot and police is investigating the matter.”

On hearing the news, filmmaker Hansal Mehta expressed his shock in a tweet that said, “Asif Basra! Can’t be true… This is just very, very sad.”

“What? This is too shocking!! Shot with him just before Lockdown!!! Oh My God!!!” Manoj Bajpayee tweeted.

Divya Dutta, who has worked with the late actor in the web-series Hostages, wrote, “Terribly shocked to hear about @asifbasra s untimely demise. We shot together for #hostages2. Looked sucha happy free spirited man! And was Sucha fab actor!! Rip Asif. this is hard to digest.

Basra is a well known figure of theatre, Hindi film and television industry. He has been a crucial character actor in some of the Bollywood blockbusters including Black Friday, Jab We Met,  Once Upon A Time In Mumbai among others. Besides films, he has also worked in web-series such as Paatal Lok and Hostages.

He also worked with actors like Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole in historical drama One Night with the King. The actor also featured in a Hollywood romantic comedy film, Outsourced.

His demise has brought shock to an already mourning film industry that has lost many jewels in the year 2020.

More details of the case are yet to be revealed as a forensic team has reached on the spot.

Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

By
Jyoti B
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced income tax relief for developers and home-buyers to boost real estate demand, along with a “Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana” to incentivise creation of new employment. 

The Finance Minister said the country’s economy is seeing a strong recovery taking root, which is due not only to pent-up demand.

The Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana will create more jobs, and the income tax relief for first-time home-buyers will boost demand in the residential real estate sector, Ms Sitharaman said in a media briefing.

The employment scheme effective from October 1 will be applicable to eligible new employees joining the EPFO-registered establishments.

It is for those who exited these concerns during the COVID pandemic (March 1-September 30, 2020) and drawing monthly wages of less than Rs 15,000.

Central government will subsidise the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for two years.

For establishments with over 1,000 employees, the Centre will only subsidise 12 percent of the employees` EPF contributions.

Establishments eligible for the scheme include those that added a specified number of employees compared with the base month of September 2020.

India has entered recession for first time: RBI official

By
Jyoti B
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India’s economy is likely to enter a recessionary phase for the first time ever in the second quarter (July-September) of the current financial year, with the Gross Domestic Product expected to contract by 8.6%, the Reserve Bank of India said in a bulletin released on Wednesday.

In economics, when the GDP growth rate is negative for two consecutive quarters or more, it is termed recession. ‘Nowcasting’ is the prediction of the present or the very near future of the state of the economy.

The pandemic-induced lockdowns had led to a steep contraction of 23.9 per cent in the GDP for the April-June quarter as compared to the same period a year ago.

“India has entered a technical recession in the first half of 2020-21 for the first time in its history with Q2 2020-21 likely to record the second successive quarter of GDP contraction,” as per the article titled ‘Economic Activity Index’, authored by Pankaj Kumar of the Monetary Policy Department.

It, however, added that the contraction is “ebbing with gradual normalisation in activities and expected to be short-lived.”

Dhanteras 2020: Everything you need to know about date, muhurat and puja timings this year

By
Shivani Negi
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Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras marks the beginning of festival of lights — Diwali — which is celebrated across the country with great zeal and enthusiasm. Indians are of the belief that on Dhanteras, the Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, visits our houses.

The auspicious days falls on Trayodashi Tithi (Thirteenth) of the Krishna Paksha of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. Along with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Dhanvantari, Lord Kubera (God of wealth), and Yamraj (God of Death) are also worshipped on this day. People light diyas (lamps) and keep them alight all through the night to welcome the Goddess into heir houses.

The festival of Dhanteras comes with ritual of making new purchases such as gold and utensils. It is a common belief among Hindus that purchasing metal on this day brings wealth and prosperity.

Dhanteras 2020 Trayodashi Tithi

This year people are confused whether to celebrate Dhanteras on November 12 or November 13. We would like to inform you that it should be celebrated on November 13 as the the Trayodashi Tithi begins at 9.30 pm on November 12 and ends at 5.59 pm on November 13.

Dhanteras 2020 Puja Muhurat

Dhanteras Puja is usually performed in the evening after the sun sets down. It is said that the Pradosh Kaal Muhurat is ideal for Dhanteras Puja. This year, the Pradosh Kaal starts at 5.28 pm and ends at 8.07 pm on November 13.

This year the Pradosh Kaal on Dhateras (November 13) starts after sunset and it lasts for approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes.

Every year, Diwali is celebrated on the new moon day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month, however, this year, due to malmas, the festival got delayed by a month.

On Dhanteras, markets are a site to see with people hustling to make their purchases amid lighted up shops. This year, due to covid-19 outbreak, the festival may see different colours. However, more than purchases, the festival is about praying for prosperity and well being.

Image credit: Google

US election 2020: After Trump’s lawsuit, Georgia announces recount

By
Shivani Negi
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Continuing their refusal to accept the US election loss, President Donald Trump’s campaign on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in Michigan while Georgia announced a recount.

Georgia secretary Brad Raffensperger announced a hand-counted audit of the presidential vote in his state, where President-elect projected win after leading by more than 14,000 votes.

Trump’s goal is to stop certification of the November 3 election in Michigan, a state that he had won in 2016.

“It’ll take every bit of the time that we have left, for sure. It’s a big lift,” Raffensperger told a news conference.

Jake Rollow, a spokesman for the Michigan Department of State, said the Trump campaign has accused fraud only to erode public confidence in the result.

“It does not change the truth: Michigan’s elections were conducted fairly, securely, transparently, and the results are an accurate reflection of the will of the people,” Rollow said in a statement.

Biden had a lead of over 14,000 votes in Georgia, becoming the first Democrat since 1992 to register win in the southern state.

While Trump has refused to concede, President-elect Joe Biden has started establishing his administration.

Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to file a lawsuit has received support from Republican lawmakers and his allies, saying it is only fair to call for recount.

The decision to file a lawsuit came after President-elect Joe Biden started laying foundation of his relationships with global leaders. Even Trump’s close ally Boris Johnson sent warm greetings to Biden.

Biden projected victory in the US election after he registered back to back win in key states, exceeding the 270 electoral votes. Biden will take office on Inauguration Day, Jan 20. His transitioning is in process.

However, Trump administration is not cooperating with Biden’s transition team. Trump’s secretary, Mike Pompeo, even went on to announce Trump’s 7-nation tour, promising a smooth transition to a second Trump administration.

Image Courtesy: Google

Covid-19 update: 47,905 fresh cases push India’s tally to 8,683,916

By
Shivani Negi
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In last 24-hour, India reported 47,905 fresh cases of covid-19 and 550 fatalties. The total case load and death toll now stand at 8,683,916 and 1,28,121 resepctively after the latest addition.

Delhi, meanwhile, shows no signs of improvement as it recorded 8,593 cases in last 24-hour, which is its highest spike so far. The total infection in the city now stand at 4.59 lakh. With 85 new fatalities, the death toll has reached 7,228/

Up to 12,19,62,509 samples have been tested for COVID-19 till Wednesday, of which 11,93,358 were tested on Wednesday alone, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Active Covid-19 cases in country stand at 4,89,294, while 80,66,501 people have recovered from the disease so far: Union Health Ministry

Here’re more updates related to the covid-19 pandemic:

*One in four persons have contracted the covid-19 infection in Delhi, said the Delhi High Court, adding that the virus has touched every household.

The Delhi High Court also asked the AAP government what arrangements it has made for patients suffering from COVID-19 who may be critical and require to be shifted to care homes or centres.

*Serum Institute of India & ICMR, announce completion of enrolment of phase 3 clinical trials for COVISHIELD in India. The two will now be workinh together on development of COVOVX(Novavax) developped by Novavax USA and upscaled by SII

*Delhi govt has decided to ban community Chhath Puja celebrations at Ghats to contain the spread of Covid-19: Satyendar Jain, Delhi Health Minister

*Arunachal Pradesh’s Covid-19 tally rose to 15,657 on Thursday as 76 more people, including five security personnel, tested positive for the infection, a senior health official said.

*Moderna expects to have an announcement on the efficacy of its Covid-19 vaccine after it finished accumulating data for a first analysis of the vaccine, the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

*Union Minister Smriti Irani tested negative for covid-19. “Would like to extend my grateful thanks to everyone for their good wishes & prayers,” she said.

*The United Kingdom has become the fifth country to record more than 50,000 Covid-19 deaths. With an additional 594 deaths on Wednesday, UK’s toll rose to 50,365. 

*BJP MLA from Uttarakhand Surendra Singh Jeena passed away this morning. He was being treated for Covid-19 in a hospital in Dehradun.

*India has entered into recession for the first time in history. Mr Modi’s actions have turned India’s strength into its weakness: Rahul Gandhi

*The Tamil Nadu government has withdrawn its decision to reopen schools following opposition from parents. The government had earlier announced to resume schools for classes 10,11, and 12 from November 16.

* Greek government announced on Wednesday a nationwide curfew starting from Friday evening as a new daily record of 43 Covid-19 deaths was reported.

*The Covid-19 cases in Italy exceeded one million on Wednesday, official statistics by the Health Ministry showed.

* Covid-19 cases in Nepal surpassed 200,000 mark on Wednesday, country’s Ministry of Health and Population said.

*Russia recorded 19,851 fresh Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hours, ending the five-day streak of new cases topping 20,000, the country’s Covid-19 response centre said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile,  the overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 52 million, while the deaths have surged to 1,282,790, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

Image Courtesy: Google

Cuemath appoints Vidya Balan as its brand ambassador

By
Shivani Negi
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Cuemath, a Mathematics learning edtech service, has roped in Vidya Balan as brand ambassador. The actress was seen campaigning for their latest TVC.

The TVC featured Balan with Nitesh Pandey and child actor Purab Mody wherein they solve math with food for thought, literally. The ad shows the kid tutoring his dad how a large pizza has more area than two medium pizzas with the help of math he has been learning with teachers at Cuemath.

Manan Khurma, chief executive officer, Cuemath, said, “We help children learn Math organically by visualising concepts from different points of view, building their own mental models and algorithms, developing logical reasoning by finding multiple answers, and applying math in everyday thinking and problem solving. Our aim is to train our future generation at not just solving Math problems easily, but also tackle the challenges that life throws up with confidence and logic.”


“I attended a Cuemath demo class while researching for my last film. Imagine my surprise when 45 minutes into the demo, I learnt to visualise Math concepts with simulations. I never thought I could see Math! It’s this Cuemath way of making Math fun and taking the anxiety away from it that appealed to me immensely and is the future of learning in the 21st Century,” Balan said.

Balan seems like an apt choice for the campaign as she garnered heaps of praises for her portrayal of math genius Shakuntala Devi in a film based on the legend’s life.

Bollywood drug case: NCB grills Arjun Rampal’s girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades

By
Shivani Negi
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Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal’s girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades was grilled by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday as part of their probe in the alleged drug nexus of Bollywood.

On Monday, NCB had conducted a raid at the couple’s house and had seized laptops, mobile phone, tablets, and several documents.

The NCB traced Arjun and Gabriella after her brother was nabbed Lonavala last month. The agency have suspected that Rampal’s girlfriend might have a bigger role in the alleged Bollywood nexus.

According to several media reported, Gabriella;s brother is accused of being in contact with drug peddlers who were reportedly in contact with Sushant Singh Rajput and his former girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Showik Chakraborty.

“Demetriades was dealing in a variety of drugs. Electronic evidence showed that he was in touch with Dipesh Sawant and Samuel Miranda, who are linked with accused Rhea and Showik Chakraborty,” an officer told Hindustan Times.

In other updates related to the Bollywood’s alleged drug nexus, NCB recently summoned Firoz Nadiadwala and his wife after raiding their property. The NCB said it had seized drugs worth Rs.3.59 lakhs from his home, other locations and from at least four drug peddlers.

In the last few months, the NCB has tracked down a number of drug dealers who were in contact with Bollywood celebrities. The Bollywood drug angle emerged after Sushant Singh Rajput death case which had his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty dealing with drug peddlers allegedly.

IPL 2020: Rohit regrets Suryakumar’s run-out

By
Harshit
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Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma regretted the runout of Suryakumar Yadav in the finals and said: “I should have lost my wicket for him.”

Rohit scored 68 off 51 balls, with the help of which Mumbai defeated Delhi Capitals by five wickets.

Rohit called Suryakumar to take an impossible one in the middle of the innings, but he continued to refuse from the other end. Although Rohit had come to the other end by then, Surya sacrificed his wicket for the captain.

Rohit said, “The form he was in, I should have sacrificed my wicket. He performed brilliantly throughout the tournament and made incredible shots.

Supreme Court orders Arnab’s release from jail

By
Harshit
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Arnab Goswami,
Arnab Goswami,

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to the Republic TV editor-in-chief, Arnab Goswami, who was arrested in 2018 abetment to suicide case of an interior designer.

Earlier his bail plea was denied by the Bombay High Court, and he was given liberty to move to the session courts. But Arnab moved to Supreme Court with a row of support all around the nation.

The Supreme Court said a lower court had been wrong to deny bail to Arnab Goswami and ordered his release on bail of Rs 50,000.

Leaders from political spectrum came forward and supported Arnab on his return from jail.

SC directs “Release of #ArnabGoswami on Interim Bail” Yet again the Hon’ble Supreme Court comes to the rescue of the citizen of the country against violation of human rights & personal liberty
Welcome the order whole heartedly. A tight slap for Maharashtra Govt.”

Vogue features KK Shailaja in cover page

By
Harshit
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The Indian edition of fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue has featured Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja as the Woman of the year 2020.

The Vogue magazine which is currently in the high talks carries an interview with Shailaja which was done by Manju Sara Rajan. Manju is co-authoring a book with the Kerala Health Minister on public health system and Kerala’s response to COVID-19. The book is set to be released by early 2021.

KK Shailaja was honored by the United Nations in the month of June this year for Kerala’s effective management of the pandemic. She was also appreciated by the World Health Organization for her efforts during COVID times

Gambhir hits out at BCCI, urges to name Rohit Sharma as captain of Indian T20 team

By
Harshit
-

Cricketer-turned-MP Gautam Gambhir has supported Rohit Sharma to be the captain of the Indian T20 team. Former Indian opener Gambhir even said that it would be ’embarrassing’ if this star bleacher was not given this role. Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit, won the fifth Indian Premier League title on Tuesday. Apart from scoring a half-century in the final, he also impressed with his clever captaincy. He is currently the vice-captain of India in the limited-overs format.

Gambhir said in ESPNcricinfo’s ‘T20 Time Out’ program, “If Rohit Sharma does not become Indian captain then it is his loss, not Rohit’s.” He said, “Yes, the captain is as good as his team. It happens and I completely agree with it, but what is the scale to test a captain as to who is good and who is not? The scale and criteria must be the same. His team (Mumbai Indians) led by Rohit has won five IPL titles.

Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals by five wickets in Dubai on Tuesday to clinch the IPL title for the fifth time. Gambhir said, ‘We keep saying that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the most successful captain of India. Why? Because his team has won two World Cups and three IPL titles.

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