ITV

Tag: Manmohan Singh

  • Films to form important part of Festival of India in China

    Films to form important part of Festival of India in China

    NEW DELHI: A film festival organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals on behalf of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will form an important component of the Festival of India in China which will be celebrated from next month to March next year.

     

    Culture Secretary Ravindra Singh on Thursday launched the logo, posters and webpage for the festival, simultaneous with their release in Beijing by Indian Ambassador to China Ashok K. Kantha. 

    Singh said pursuant to the mutual understanding reached during the visit of the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to India in May 2013 and that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to China in October 2013, the year 2014 was designated as the India-China Year of Friendly Exchanges. As part of the Year of Friendly Exchanges, the Culture Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Embassy of India in Beijing, along with the Consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, are organizing the Festival of India in 12 cities in China. 

    A 75 member Indian delegation led by Singh would be visiting China in the first two circuits beginning 7 May. 

    The Festival of India in China covers a wide-range of events showcasing Indian performing arts, exhibitions of modern Indian art, visual and photographic exhibitions on Buddhist heritage of India and its links with China, food festivals, and film festivals, as well as events involving eminent Indian and Chinese scholars and writers. Business and tourism promotion events will also constitute key components of the Festival.

     

    The Ministry of Culture Institutions – Kalakshetra Foundation, Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Sangeet Natak Akademy, Kathak Kendra, National Gallery of Modern Art, and Sahitya Akademi – would be participating in the festival. In addition the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Department of Ayush and the Ministry of Tourism would be participating in the Film Festival, Yoga Festival and Food Festival. 

    The Festival of India in China will be celebrated in four circuits, circuit one covering Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Chengdu, Circuit two will cover Beijing, Kunming, Dali and Shenzen; Circuit three will cover Lhasa, Urumqui, and Hangzhou and Circuit four will cover Chongquing, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The classical dance program of Kalakshetra will cover the following: Krishna Leela, Kolkali, Suppada, Excerpts from Meenakshi Vijayam, Kalinga Narthanam and Thillana. The Sangeet Natak Academy would be presenting a new composition by senior choreographer Madhavi Mudgal comprising six dance forms representing the diversity of India’s culture Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu (and the rest of southern India); Kathak, preeminently the dance of northern India; Odissi, from Odisha in eastern India; Manipuri from Manipur, the north-eastern State of India; Kathakali of Kerala at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula; 

    The colourful logo designed for the Glimpses of India Festival consists of a Kathakali and a Beijing Opera mask side by side. It has been chosen to depict the Indian and Chinese cultures that are shown to be seamlessly blending into one another, thus mirroring the long tradition of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The left side of the logo is a Kathakali mask from the classical Indian dance tradition that originated in Kerala. The right part of the mask derives from world famous Beijing Opera – a vivid embodiment of Chinese performing art. While the Kathakali dance involves delicate use of hand and eye gestures to communicate, masks in Beijing Opera symbolize different characters and emotions. This convergence of elements from great art forms of the two countries reflects the centuries-old civilizational contacts between India and China. Encompassed within a circle, a symbol of perfection, and with Indian and Chinese colours and motifs symbolising happiness and celebration, the logo represents the spirit of cooperation and harmony underlying the ‘Glimpses of India Festival’. 

    Two posters for Circuit one and Circuit two have been released indicating the festival’s events. 

    The Culture Ministry has created a dedicated webpage http://indiaculture.nic.in/FOI for the Festival of India in China. The webpage covers event schedule and the updates as also photographs and video links. 

  • Kamal Haasan honoured with Padma Bhushan, Vidya Balan with Padma Shri

    Kamal Haasan honoured with Padma Bhushan, Vidya Balan with Padma Shri

    NEW DELHI: Acting genius Kamal Haasan, renowned vocalist Parveen Sultana and popular lyricist and poet Vairamuthu have been awarded with the Padma Bhushan while the versatile Vidya Balan has been honoured with the Padma Shri by President Pranab Mukherjee.

     

    The dignified ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by Vice President M Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, among others.

     

    Renowned ghatam percussionist T H Vikku Vinayakram also received the Padma Bhushan, which is the third highest national civilian award.

     

    Recipients of the Padma Shri include famed Bangla actor Sabitri Chatterji, actor Naina Apte Joshi, celebrated theatre director Bansi Kaul and filmmaker Sooni Taraporevala.

     

    Others awarded include popular humour poet and satirist Ashok Chakradhar, Manipuri dancer Elam Indira Devi, Odissi dancer Geeta Mahalik and squash player Dipika Rebecca. 

     

  • President, PM condole passing away of legendary actress Suchitra Sen

    President, PM condole passing away of legendary actress Suchitra Sen

    NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have condoled the passing away of legendary actress Suchitra Sen.

     

    In a condolence message to her daughter, Moon Moon Sen, the President has said, “In the passing away of Smt. Suchitra Sen, the film industry has lost a highly talented and acclaimed actress who played memorable roles in a number of Bengali as well as Hindi films. She shall always be remembered by her countless fans for her versatile acting which brought life into the celluloid characters she played in films.”

     

    Sen was a legendary actress who ruled Bengali cinema for decades. Her powerful roles in films were highly acclaimed and will be remembered by generations of film lovers. During her illustrious career she was not only a recipient of Padma Shri Award, but also became the first Bengali actress who was awarded ‘Best Actress Award’ at an international film festival. Her sad demise is a huge loss to the Indian film industry, particularly Bengali cinema”.

     

    In his message, the Prime Minister said, “Ms. Sen had carved a special niche in the hearts of millions of Indians through her graceful cinematic presence. She was one of the first Indian artistes to win an international award at Moscow in 1963. Ms Sen’s versatility and range of performances, in a career spanning nearly three decades, mark a unique contribution to Indian cinema, and to Bengali films in particular.”

  • INC’s revamped website is all about Rahul Gandhi

    INC’s revamped website is all about Rahul Gandhi

    MUMBAI: Soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement that he isn’t in the race for the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the Congress party seems to be going for an overhaul. Reportedly, the national party has brought on board Dentsu India, the Japanese advertising and public relations company (along with JWT) that will be working on a massive campaign around the party’s vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

     

    However, Dentsu isn’t talking about the association as of yet. “No comments on Congress,” is what Dentsu India executive chairman Rohit Ohri who is holidaying in Koh Samui, Thailand said.

     

    But the idea is to build up the image of Gandhi before the election. And it seems the process has already begun. The homepage of the website of Indian National Congress shows Rahul Gandhi in the most positive light. The side panel on the website has stories just of Rahul Gandhi addressing people at different times. All his speeches that have made news till now also feature in the panel.

     

    Few of the highlights are: “An India In Which No One Is A Minority: Rahul Gandhi”; a video of Rahul Gandhi talking to the media in Delhi about combating corruption and tackling inflation; and also a report published in The Telegraph that talks about Rahul Gandhi already taking over the charge of the Indian National Congress. It says, “The new website the Congress launched a few days ago reflects the changes in the party, both in its content and approach, and provides evidence of Rahul Gandhi’s supremacy despite Sonia Gandhi still heading the hierarchy.”

     

    Besides, the Gandhi scion is the most highlighted person on the site’s homepage. The mention of everyone else who have contributed to the development of the Party is in different sections of the site.

     

    So, is it a beginning of announcing him as a PM candidate?

  • I&B Ministry dictates channels to follow the programme code

    I&B Ministry dictates channels to follow the programme code

    NEW DELHI: Taking umbrage at constant comparisons of the speech of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Independence Day to that of other political leaders, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry today advised all News and Current Affairs TV Channels to follow the provisions of the Programme and Advertising Codes ‘scrupulously’.

    An advisory issued by the Ministry also said it was necessary to keep ‘the significance of the solemn days like Independence Day, etc. in view while carrying the speech of the Prime Minister and the President of India’.

    The Ministry said any further violation of the provisions of the Programme/Advertising Code would attract penal provisions stipulated in Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and the terms and conditions of uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

    The advisory was issued in exercise of powers under Uplinking/Downlinking Guidelines issued by it, the terms of permission granted to the Channel to uplink or downlink TV Channels and under Section 20 of the Act.

     

    The Ministry said that the ‘telecast of this kind of programme on a day when the entire nation was celebrating its 67th Independence Day is highly objectionable. The Prime Minister spoke from the Ramparts of the Red Fort as the Prime Minister of the country and not as a leader of a political party.’

    ‘Therefore, on such a solemn day to put him in an artificial competition with anyone is not appropriate. On Independence Day when the Prime Minister addresses the nation and the country is united in the emotions of national integrity, patriotism and national fervor, the attempt by certain TV channels to denigrate the status of the Prime Minister can best be described as sensational against all norms of ethical journalism.’

    The Ministry pointed out that under Section 5 of the Act read with Rule 6 (1Xa) & (i) of the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994 as amended from time to time, ‘no programme can be transmitted/retransmitted on any Cable Service which contains anything offending against good taste or decency; and criticises, maligns or slanders any individual in person or certain groups, segments of social, public and moral life of the country.’

    It added that according to the basic conditions/obligations of permission/approval for
    Uplinking/Downlinking of TV Channels in India, the channels are bound to follow the Programme Code and Advertising Code as prescribed under the Act and rules framed there under. 

  • TRAI among other regulators to be answerable to Parliament

    TRAI among other regulators to be answerable to Parliament

    MUMBAI: The winter session of the Parliament seems to have seen the passage of one important bill. The Regulatory Reform Bill 2013 has been approved by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh making all sector regulators (except finance) directly accountable to the Parliament. According to reports, the draft bill gives powers of licensing to regulators, which it is not currently with them.

     

    The cabinet note of the draft bill says that regulators will be legally accountable to the parliament and will have to present a report at the end of every fiscal year regarding work done in the previous year and agenda for the next year.

     

    The note was suggested by the Planning Commission. Two functions of regulators mentioned in the draft copy are “to protect the interests of all consumers, by ensuring quality of service and lowering of costs and to promote competition, efficiency and economy and prevent market domination, cartelisation and anti-competitive behavior and for orderly growth of the relevant public utility industry.

     

    On being passed, this bill will put the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) directly under purview of the parliament.

  • 8th edition of CNN-IBN indian of the year announced

    8th edition of CNN-IBN indian of the year announced

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN is back again with one of the biggest and the most credible awards in Indian media, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in association with GMR, where the most inspirational faces of India in the present calendar year are recognized. Hindustan Times has been the Editorial partner of this initiative since the inception of this award in 2006.

    2013 has been a significant year in the history of India and has given rise to a set of role models who have been true ambassadors of brand India. These iconic achievers who have contributed in strenthening the foundation of our society in their own way are chosen from five different categories: Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Business and Public Service. The winners will be felicitated at a glittering ceremony to be held at Taj Palace, New Delhi on December 20, 2013.

    The winners of ‘CNN-IBN Indian of the Year, 2013’ will be decided by a highly distinguished Jury panel comprising of personalities bestowed with the most prestigious Padma honours; former Attorney General of India Padma Vibhushan Soli Sorabjee (Jury Chairman), Padma Vibhushan Danseuse Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Padma Bhushan author Ramachandra Guha, Padma Bhushan Deepak Parekh (Chairman, HDFC), Padma Sri & 4-time National Award winner Actor Mohanlal V Nair, Padma Shri & Billiards Champion Geet Sethi and Padma Shri Kiran Karnik, the President of NASSCOM.

    Instituted in 2006, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year has been the benchmark for credibility and excellence in media awards. The awards are held in high regard for precision, providing complete information about the process of nomination and selection of the final winners.

    Over the years, the recipients of this prestigious award have included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006), E Sreedharan (2007), G Madhavan Nair (2008), A R Rahman(2009), Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (2010), Anna Hazare (2011) and Indian Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (2012).

    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat, shares his views about the awards, saying, “Year after year ‘Indian of the Year’ is getting bigger and better. Today, it’s one of the most accredited awards in the industry. We are immensely proud to felicitate these role models of India for their contribution and achievements in their own respective fields.”
    Don’t forget to tune in to CNN-IBN as the Nominees in different categories will be unveiled 9th December onwards.

    Watch Nominee Specials – Dec 9-12 at 10 pm & Dec 13 at 10:30
    Log on to IndianoftheYear.com for more.

  • I&B Ministry dictates channels to follow the programme code

    I&B Ministry dictates channels to follow the programme code

    NEW DELHI: Taking umbrage at constant comparisons of the speech of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Independence Day to that of other political leaders, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry today advised all News and Current Affairs TV Channels to follow the provisions of the Programme and Advertising Codes ‘scrupulously’.

     

    An advisory issued by the Ministry also said it was necessary to keep ‘the significance of the solemn days like Independence Day, etc. in view while carrying the speech of the Prime Minister and the President of India’.

     

    The Ministry said any further violation of the provisions of the Programme/Advertising Code would attract penal provisions stipulated in Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and the terms and conditions of uplinking and downlinking guidelines.

     

    The advisory was issued in exercise of powers under Uplinking/Downlinking Guidelines issued by it, the terms of permission granted to the Channel to uplink or downlink TV Channels and under Section 20 of the Act.

     

    The Ministry said that the ‘telecast of this kind of programme on a day when the entire nation was celebrating its 67th Independence Day is highly objectionable. The Prime Minister spoke from the Ramparts of the Red Fort as the Prime Minister of the country and not as a leader of a political party.’

     

    ‘Therefore, on such a solemn day to put him in an artificial competition with anyone is not appropriate. On Independence Day when the Prime Minister addresses the nation and the country is united in the emotions of national integrity, patriotism and national fervor, the attempt by certain TV channels to denigrate the status of the Prime Minister can best be described as sensational against all norms of ethical journalism.’

     

    The Ministry pointed out that under Section 5 of the Act read with Rule 6 (1Xa) & (i) of the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994 as amended from time to time, ‘no programme can be transmitted/retransmitted on any Cable Service which contains anything offending against good taste or decency; and criticises, maligns or slanders any individual in person or certain groups, segments of social, public and moral life of the country.’

     

    It added that according to the basic conditions/obligations of permission/approval for
    Uplinking/Downlinking of TV Channels in India, the channels are bound to follow the Programme Code and Advertising Code as prescribed under the Act and rules framed there under.

  • Twitter Conference on Mahatma shows increasing use of social media by government

    Twitter Conference on Mahatma shows increasing use of social media by government

    NEW DELHI: With increasing dependence on online social media by the government, a Twitter conference to discuss the life and message of Mahatma Gandhi is to be held to mark the 144th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of the Mahatma.

    National Innovation Council chairman and the adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure to Improve Governance & Public Services Sam Pitroda will lead it from his Twitter handle @pitrodasam.

    The Twitter Conference to be held between 7.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. (Indian standard time) tomorrow is open to everyone. The hash tag for the conference is #Gandhi. The Twitter Conference is expected to be joined by Sabarmati Ashram Trustee Kartikeya Sarabhai, other Gandhians and several other people from across the globe.

    Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recently launched a Gandhi Heritage Portal and it is now available at www.gandhiheritageportal.org. The Portal developed by the Sabarmati Ashram under the aegis of the Culture Ministry hosts Gandhi’s Autobiography in 22 languages. It also has placed the ‘Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi’ in three languages: English 100 volumes, Hindi 97 volumes and Gujarati 82 volumes. In all, the Portal presents more than five lakh pages, 21 films, 72 audio speeches of Gandhi and over a 1,000 photographs.

  • NDA, Modi ahead of UPA if polls held now: ABP News-Nielsen Survey

    NDA, Modi ahead of UPA if polls held now: ABP News-Nielsen Survey

    NEW DELHI: According to the latest survey conducted by ABP News-Nieslen, if the Lok Sabha elections were to be held now, 40% respondents intend to vote for NDA and only 27% would vote for UPA.

    These statistics observed from the respondents could be a major setback for PM Manmohan Singh as his performance has been rated below average; people in North zone have rated his performance even poorer.

    Prime Minister’s performance is rated below UPA-II government’s performance.

    BJP wins support (36%); higher in North (48%) and among youngsters (40%) and affluent (44% among SEC A).

    Mixed response on UPA II performance; North zone and older generation (51+) are the unhappiest lot.

    40% respondents feel that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is responsible for poor economic situation of the country. In south Zone 45% feel that it is Finance Minister – P. Chidambram who is responsible.

    BJP emerges as a clear winner across all zones (more so in North and West zones) and gender. Major support is seen gained from younger lot (18-30 years). Congress, however, is neck and neck with BJP in the Southern zone.

    Major fraction (42%) of people in North zone are unhappy with the performance of UPA-II. People in age group 51+ years seem to be least happy with UPA-II, and this could be the reason for increase in margin of votes (from 3% in favour of BJP in 2009 to 8% now in favour of BJP) for BJP and INC amongst 51+ years age group.

    Across zone, gender and age people have rated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s performance slightly below UPA-II government’s performance.

    At an overall level people are in support of Food security Bill and (48%) feel that it is a step in the right direction.

    Modi leading the race for PM post

    More than 60% have rated Narendra Modi’s performance as good/ very good; much higher among younger age group and affluent. His performance is rated much higher among people from Gujarat.

    People feel that both INC and BJP are equally responsible for communalization of politics (29%)

    Narendra Modi is leading the race (47%) for Prime Minister followed by Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. Modi is popular among voters form North, younger generation and affluents.

    Gujarat’s Chief Minister has a strong support base not just in West Zone (70% rated his performance as ‘Very good’ or ‘Good’) but across other zones as well, with an overall mean score of 3.9

    79% of respondents in Gujarat have rated Narendra Modi’s performance as ‘Very good’ or ‘Good’, with a mean score of 4.3

    Across all zones except South, Narendra Modi emerges as the clear choice of the people for the position of Prime Minister of India. In South zone, it is neck and neck between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

    Majority of the respondents all across feel that Narendra Modi should be BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections

    In a scenario where it a competition between Priyanka Gandhi and Narendra Modi, BJP seems to be gaining more than Congress, even greater that it would have gained had it been some other candidate from Congress vs Modi, but we also observe no change in support base of Congress.