Farhan Akhtar finally has an answer to frequently asked question: When is ‘Mirzapur 3’ coming?

Mumbai, June 20, 2024
Bollywood multi-hyphenate Farhan Akhtar on Thursday attended the trailer launch of his home production ‘Mirzapur 3’ along with the star cast of the much-anticipated series.

Speaking about the large fan following enjoyed by the crime thriller across the globe, Farhan said, “Wherever I go in the world, I face three questions. First, ‘What I’m doing there?’ Second, ‘When is ‘Mirzapur 3’ coming?’ And third, ‘When is ‘Don 3’ coming?’. I’m glad that I have answers to all three questions now,” sending the packed ballroom into splits.

The filmmaker-producer-actor, however, refrained from making any remark on ‘Don 3’, which has been facing the wrath of a section of the fans for replacing Shah Rukh Khan with Ranveer Singh for the titular role.

‘Mirzapur’, which belongs to the second generation of web content, is set to return with its third season that will drop on Amazon Prime on July 5.

The trailer of the upcoming season promises more blood, gore, drama, and politics.(Agency)

IndiGo ties up with Garuda to train fresh pilots

New Delhi, June 20, 2024
Leading low-cost carrier IndiGo has partnered with Garuda Aviation Academy to train fresh pilots as future junior first officers, under the airline’s Cadet Pilot Program.

This is the eighth partnership for cadet pilot program by IndiGo in the last 13 years, the airline said on Thursday.

The 21-month course also includes three-month ground schooling at Garuda Aviation Academy training centre in Gurugram, followed by 12-months of training at 43 Air School in South Africa, which has a track record of training 6,000 plus ab-initio pilots over the years, according to an IndiGo statement.

Over the past 13 years, IndiGo has inducted over 1,000 pilots through these full training programmes, which include commercial pilot license and A320 type rating, the statement added.

Captain Ashim Mittra, IndiGo’s senior vice president-flight operations, said: “This initiative also aligns with the Government of India’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) mission, fortifying our commitment to connecting with smaller and medium-sized towns and cities. At IndiGo, we focus on the personal and professional growth of our pilots.”(Agency)

Golf: Diksha Dagar to defend her LET title in Czech Republic

Beroun (Czech Rep), June 20, 2024
India’s top star on the Ladies European Tour, Diksha Dagar, will defend her title this week at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open. Last year, her win at the event was her second career win. The Indian star secured a three-shot victory at Royal Beroun Golf Club to win her second title, five years after her first.

Being back in Beroun is special for Dagar, who will have her father Narinder on her bag once again, and she is relishing the opportunity to defend and potentially retain her crown. Apart from Diksha the other Indians in the field are rookies Pranavi Urs, Tvesa Malik and Vani Kapoor, and Ridhima Dilawari.

“It’s always amazing to be back here as a defending champion because it is a very rare opportunity to defend your title and it’s a new challenge for me,” she said. “I would love to win again. If I can do that, it will be a mark off my bucket list. I remember on the second day I played seven-under; I remember every shot and every hole because it was very precious to me.

“It is always a special moment having your parent in your bag, especially your family. This year he will be my caddie and he also knows about the course well, it’s going to be so exciting for us.”

After her victory, the two-time LET winner recorded a further five top-10 finishes that season as she finished third in the 2023 Race to Costa del Sol.

It’s been a good start to the 2024 season for Dagar, who has had four top-10 finishes to date on the LET and sits 10th in the Order of Merit.

Coming off the back of a T6 at last week’s Ladies Italian Open, the 23-year-old believes she is in good form and is hoping to carry some positive vibes.

She continued: “This golf course is in the same condition as last year. The greens are smaller, I love smaller greens on the golf course. The greens are a bit different from last week in Italy, I have to read carefully because it will be more challenging.

“I feel I am keeping up my game and going in a very good momentum. I’m super excited to play in this tournament.

“I played in the Pro-Am and put really well, made lots of birdies. I feel there are going to be some positive vibes coming in and I’m sure I can do well and finish in the top 10 again.”

Having been successful around this golf course previously alongside her form, Dagar is hopeful that her third LET title is just around the corner.

She added: “I always enjoy here. Before winning in Czech last year, I was playing well, I was in the leading group in Germany and also Belgium.

“I was hoping that I was very close to winning and finally it happened, after a long gap of five years. This year is the same, I finished in the top ten last week, so I feel I am getting closer to the win.”

The 2023 champion gets her title defence underway at 1.14 pm (local time) on June 21 alongside Czechia’s Klara Davison Spilkova and Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz.

The Indian star secured a three-shot victory at Royal Beroun Golf Club to win her second title, five years after her first.

Being back in Beroun is special for Dagar, who will have her father Narinder on her bag once again, and she is relishing the opportunity to defend and potentially retain her crown. “It’s always amazing to be back here as a defending champion because it is a very rare opportunity to defend your title and it’s a new challenge for me,” she said.

“I would love to win again. If I can do that, it will be a mark off my bucket list. I remember on the second day I played seven-under; I remember every shot and every hole because it was very precious to me.

“It is always a special moment having your parent in your bag, especially your family. This year he will be my caddie and he also knows about the course well, it’s going to be so exciting for us.”

After her victory, the two-time LET winner recorded a further five top-10 finishes that season as she finished third in the 2023 Race to Costa del Sol. It’s been a good start to the 2024 season for Dagar, who has had four top-10 finishes to date on the LET and sits 10th in the Order of Merit.

Coming off the back of a T6 at last week’s Ladies Italian Open, the 23-year-old believes she is in good form and is hoping to carry some positive vibes.

She continued: “This golf course is in the same condition as last year. The greens are smaller, I love smaller greens on the golf course. The greens are a bit different from last week in Italy, I have to read carefully because it will be more challenging.

“I feel I am keeping up my game and going in a very good momentum. I’m super excited to play in this tournament.

“I played in the Pro-Am and putted really well, made lots of birdies. I feel there are going to be some positive vibes coming in and I’m sure I can do well and finish in the top 10 again.”(Agency)

Pune Horror: Missing woman’s body found in water tanker; suicide or murder?

Pune (Maharashtra), June 20, 2024
In another shocker from Pune, a woman’s body was found in a water tanker that had come to supply water to a parched locality in the Fursungi area of Hadapsar, sending officials into a tizzy on Thursday.

An officer from the Hadapsar police station said the incident came to light when the tanker operators connected a pipe to provide water to the crowd gathered at the Power House neighbourhood.

When they started the valve, the water stopped coming after some time, as the operators disconnected the pipe to check if there was some problem in the valve.

As they opened the outlet, a piece of cloth was found stuck inside it following which one attendant climbed atop the tanker to peek inside. To his shock, he saw a woman’s body at the bottom of the water.

The tanker operators immediately informed the police who retrieved the body and launched a probe, as the incident sparked a sensation in the locality with a large crowd gathering to catch a glimpse of the victim.

The officer said that soon afterward the police confirmed that a missing woman’s complaint was lodged at the Kondhwa police station recently, who was identified as Kaushalya M. Morya (25).

The police tracked the victim’s family members who reached the spot and confirmed the deceased woman’s identity.

The police have sent the body to the Sassoon General Hospital for an autopsy before handing it over to the family for the last rites.

“After the autopsy report is received, we shall be able to confirm if it was an accident, murder, or suicide. We are also questioning the victim’s family and others as to why she had gone missing,” the officer said.(Agency)

Yoga helped actress Apoorva Arora relieve PCOD symptoms

Mumbai, June 20, 2024
Actress Apoorva Arora, who is known for her work in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Kannada films, on Thursday shared how yoga has benefited her.

On the eve of International Yoga Day (June 21), the actress told IANS that yoga has helped her relieve PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) related symptoms.

“Yoga has been crucial in my fitness journey. I’ve tried multiple forms of exercise but it turns out that yoga has been the most sustainable one for me. It has helped me relieve PCOD-related symptoms over the years and also helped heal old injuries, she told IANS.

PCOD is a medical condition of hormonal imbalance that disrupts the normal fertility cycle in women.

The actress said, “I’ve recently ventured into ‘chakras’ practice and while I’m still exploring this aspect, I feel there has definitely been a positive change. I recommend yoga to children and young adults who want to venture into performing arts or sports because it’s a great base to have before you start any kind of training.”

Recently, the actress attended the Adishakti workshop at Auroville, which, she said, gave her a deeper understanding of herself as an artiste.(Agency)

NEET row: High-level panel being formed, guilty won’t be spared, says Education Minister

New Delhi, June 20, 2024
Facing flak from various quarters over the paper leak episode in NEET examinations, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday announced the setting up of a high-level committee to probe the irregularities while asserting that none of the guilty will be spared.

Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said that the future of students remains a top priority for the government as it is committed to conducting zero-error exams.

“I want to assure everyone that once we get concrete evidence, none of the guilty will be spared. Our priority is the future of students,” he said.

He also told the press that the government has decided to set up a high-level committee for improving the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts a slew of entrance and competitive examinations.

“The committee will give recommendations on improving the NTA’s structure, its functioning, examination process, transparency and data, and security protocol,” the minister stated.

Declaring the paper leak in Bihar as an “isolated” incident, he said that the future of lakhs of students should not be impacted because of this. He also made an appeal to not spread rumours nor make any attempt to politicise the issue.

The minister also said that his ministry was in regular touch with Bihar Police, with regards to the paper leak of NEET-UG. Notably, at least four students, including a mastermind, arrested in Bihar for NEET paper leak, confessed before the police that they got access to the question paper, a day before the examinations and they also paid a hefty sum for it.(Agency)

Joey King added ‘cute little lisp’ to her voice for ‘Despicable Me 4’ character

Mumbai, June 20, 2024
Actress Joey King, who has done the voice-over for the character Poppy in the animated film ‘Despicable Me 4’, added a cute little lisp to her voice for the job.

The actress feels voice acting comes with the freedom to let loose and not worry about appearances for the camera.

“Recording voice-over for an animated movie is one of my favourite things because you have to give everything using just your voice. You end up making a bit of a fool of yourself to understand what the character is going through.

You can’t be afraid to throw yourself around to make it resonate in your voice. The freedom to let loose and not worry about appearances is what I love the most, especially when I get to play such a fun, over-the-top yet endearing character like Poppy,” she said.

“I can really go for it, do some wild stuff and there’s no wrong way to do it. Poppy’s voice differs from mine because I added a cute little lisp to her voice, which is one of my favourite things about the character.

I love when kids try to be all serious and make a point with that innocent, childlike voice, and in Poppy’s case, with her lisp. And although it wasn’t really my intention, somehow her lisp makes her come off even scarier,” she added.

The fourth instalment of the franchise begins as Gru, Lucy, Margo, Edith, and Agnes welcome a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.

Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his girlfriend Valentina, and the family is forced to go on the run.

Universal Pictures (distributed by Warner Bros. Discovery) is all set to release ‘Despicable Me 4’ in theatres on July 3 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.(Agency)

Adopt scientific approach to fixing MSP for all crops: Sukhbir Badal

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Thursday called for adopting a scientific approach towards fixing the minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, even as he asserted the marginal increase in the MSP for paddy by Rs 117 per quintal did not take into account the comprehensive cost plus 50 per cent profit as mandated by the Union government and the Swaminathan Commission.

He also noted that though the MSPs for both moong and maize had been increased, no mechanism was in place to procure these crops on MSP.

“Farmers in Punjab as well as elsewhere in the country have been left to the mercy of private players because the Union government is not procuring these crops from MSP.

In case of Punjab, farmers bore huge losses after their sowed moong over a huge area following an appeal by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann the same would be procured on MSP, but the government reneged on its promise.”

Speaking about the manner in which the MSP for paddy had been increased, Badal said: “The entire process of calculation of the comprehensive cost (C-2), including the imputed cost of the land and its rent value should be put in public domain.

Farmers rightly feel that they are being short-changed and that if the C-2 cost is not calculated accurately then they will not get the justified MSP as 50 per cent profit is to be calculated on the C-2 figure.”

He advocated that a committee be formed to calculate the C-2 plus 50 per cent profit figure for all 14 kharif costs and that this committee should include farmer representatives.

“If this committee is formed immediately and given a timeframe to submit its recommendations, then the MSP for all kharif crops can be revised appropriately,” he added.

Making a strong case for calculating the true cost of production accurately, Badal said: “Till this is not done the agriculture sector will continue to face an economic crisis and the Prime Minister’s stated objective of doubling farmer incomes by the end of this year will not be achieved.”(Agency)

Mann Govt to export Pathankot litchis to augment income of farmers: Jouramajra

Chandigarh/Pathankot, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government is in full swing to export the best quality litchi of Pathankot district to foreign countries, which will help increase the income of farmers and producers and also reduce the farmers’ dependence on groundwater.

This announcement was made today by Horticulture Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra while addressing the State Level Litchi Exhibition being held at Litchi Zone Sujanpur. He was accompanied by Sh. Lal Chand Kataruchak, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and Forest & Wildlife Protection.

S. Jouramajra said that Pathankot district produces the best quality litchi in Punjab and contributes 60 percent of the state’s litchi production.

“With the aim of raising farmers’ awareness about litchi production, the Punjab government will strive to ensure that litchis from Pathankot district reach international markets. For this purpose, the very first consignment of litchi will be exported abroad soon,” mentioned the Cabinet Minister.

S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra also noted that underground water levels are declining rapidly and the only solution to prevent this is to encourage farmers to shift from paddy and wheat cultivation to horticulture. He stressed that the more orchards are planted, the less the heat will be, thereby improving the environment.

He added that Pathankot district is ideal for litchi cultivation and that special efforts are being made to increase the profitability for litchi farmers by enhancing production and sales.

The Horticulture Minister announced that the first consignment of litchi will soon be exported, enabling farmers and producers in the Pathankot district to earn higher profits from the litchi crops.

He mentioned that exporting litchi to foreign countries is likely to incur significant costs. To support this initiative, the Cabinet Minister contributed Rs.1 lakh from his salary to facilitate the export of Pathankot’s litchi.

S. Jouramajra informed that approximately 3,900 hectares in Punjab are dedicated to litchi cultivation with about 2,200 hectares located in the Pathankot district, accounting for around 60 percent of Punjab’s total litchi cultivation.

Litchi farming is expanding in the district, with new orchards being planted every year, providing farmers with substantial income. He added that the plantation and production of litchi are expected to increase further in the future.

He also said that to promote litchi cultivation, a Litchi Estate has already been established at Sujanpur in the Pathankot district, where all necessary facilities are provided under one roof to the gardeners of the region.

Besides this, many small farmers in Pathankot district are engaged in other subsidiary occupations such as mushroom cultivation and silkworm rearing under the horticulture sector.

He said that the Punjab government is providing technical assistance and financial subsidies to silkworm rearers under various schemes of the horticulture department. During the current year, the horticulture department has coordinated with the electricity and canal departments to ensure the continuous supply of electricity and canal water to the orchards.

Director Horticulture Mrs. Shailender Kaur said that efforts are being made to prepare and implement various schemes of the Horticulture Department as per the needs of the farmers. She informed that 50 percent subsidy is being provided on 10 kg cardboard boxes for packing litchis, up to a maximum of 500 boxes per farmer.

Besides this, fruit and vegetable producers will be given a 50 percent subsidy for plastic crates. She stated that a 50 percent subsidy is being provided for replacing the poly sheet of poly house structures that are more than three years old.

Similarly, the state government will give an incentive amount of Rs.10,000 per acre to farmers who plant new gardens using drip systems. Financial assistance at the rate of Rs.14,000 per acre are given to promote flower seed production. Financial assistance, with a 50 percent subsidy, is also provided to promote mushroom cultivation.

On this occasion, the litchi exhibition was organized at the Litchi Estate Sujanpur, where various varieties of litchi were displayed of distant areas and the district of Pathankot.

During the exhibition, the best litchi varieties were selected by experts, and the first and second ranked producers were awarded by Cabinet Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra. Similarly, progressive farmers involved in litchi and silk production were also honoured.

Punjab Govt releases Rs.1.71-cr for Backward Classes and Economically Weaker sections: Dr. Baljit Kaur

Chandigarh, June 20, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)

The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to supporting all communities, including backward classes and economically weaker sections. As part of this effort, Rs1.71 crore has been allocated for Malerkotla district through the Ashirwad scheme.

Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, told that this amount will benefit 337 people in Malerkotla, covering the period from December 2022 to March 2023. Specifically, the funds will aid 84 beneficiaries from December, 68 from January, 80 from February and 105 from March.

The minister assured that any pending cases will be resolved soon. She added that to qualify for the Ashirwad scheme, applicants must be permanent residents of Punjab, fall below the poverty line, and belong to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or other economically weaker groups.

Families with an annual income of less than Rs.32,790 are eligible and up to two daughters from such families can receive benefits.

Dr. Kaur emphasized that the Punjab government is dedicated to the well-being of these communities, ensuring that financial assistance is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.