Kohima question promo of Kaun Banega Crorepati upsets Government official

July 25, 2014

Kohima questionJul 25: The 'Kohima question' promo of Kaun Banega Crorepati's latest season might have made you all emotional when you watched it, but guess who didn't appreciate the sentiment. A senior government official filed a complaint with the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) against the promo, demanding that it be taken off air, but the TV watchdog dismissed the complaint.

The promo in question shows a participant from the northeast sitting on the hotseat - at which point a cutaway shows a few young men watching on TV, who quip, "Arrey, yeh hotseat tak pahunch gayi!" The girl, when asked the question, 'Kohima is a part of which country?' and given the options of India, Bhutan, Nepal and China, opts to use the audience poll lifeline, eliciting sniggers from the aforementioned boys and dejected headshakes from various northeastern people watching the show at home. Thereafter, when Amitabh Bachchan announces the audience poll results with "100% logon ne kaha, India," and says to her, "Yeh baat toh sabhi jaante hain," the contestant replies, "Jaante sab hain, par maante kitne hain?"

Sources within the Council told us that the trailer irked a senior government official, who found it to be offensive and embarrassing for the government. "The official, in his complaint, said that the promo could create controversies and the question about Kohima was in extremely bad taste, and requested the Council to ask the channel to discontinue the promo," the source added.

Basis this complaint, the full promo was screened in a BCCC meeting held on July 18, where Council members viewed it and found nothing objectionable in it. "It was found that the trailer was highlighting the problem that northeastern people face, and is a step in the right direction. In fact, at a time when crimes against the community are on the rise, the promo was seen as emphasising the issue of alienation of the northeastern community, and making people aware of it," our source added.

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June 8,2020

Mumbai, Jun 8: Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has won the 2020 Richard Dawkins Award for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values.

Akhtar has become the first Indian to be given the honour, which recognises a distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth.

Akhtar's wife, veteran actor Shabana Azmi said the award's relevance becomes more prominent especially in the current times when secularism is under attack.

"I am thrilled. I know what a hero Richard Dawkins has been for Javed. The award gains all the more significant because in today’s time when secularism is being attacked by religious fundamentalists of all hues, this award comes as a validation of Javed’s long service to rational thinking," Azmi told PTI.

The award is named after world-renowned English evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins. Actor-comedian Ricky Gervais received the honour last year.

Bollywood celebrities Anil Kapoor and Dia Mirza took to Twitter to congratulate the 75-year-old writer for the recognition.

"Knowing that Richard Dawkins has been your hero since you read 'The Selfish Gene', the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award must be extra special for you @Javedakhtarjadu Saab! It's a truly incredible honour! Congratulations!" Kapoor tweeted.

Dia said Akhtar's win is a proud moment for rhe country.

"Javed Akhtar Saab has won the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award 2020 for critical thinking, holding religious dogma upto scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. He is the only Indian to have won this award! @Javedakhtarjadu Congratulations! You make us proud," Dia wrote.

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News Network
March 5,2020

New Delhi, Mar 5: Urging netizens to adopt traditional salutation styles like 'namaste' and 'salaam' to greet everyone in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, megastar Salman Khan on Thursday shared a picture from his workout session.

Flaunting his perfectly chiselled body, the 'Sultan' actor shared a picture of himself sitting on a pull-down machine with folded hands as a mark of Indian tradition 'namaste'.

"Namashkaar ... hamari sabhyata mein namaste aur salaam hai! Jab #coronavirus Khatam ho jaye tab Haath milao aur gale lago...." he captioned the picture.

Khan recently touched the mark of 30 million followers on Instagram on Saturday and shared a short video on the platform thanking his fans for it.

In the video, he first thanked fans with folded hands and then a salute.

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News Network
June 10,2020

Mumbai, Jun 10: Bollywood actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Varun Sharma's former manager Disha Salian reportedly committed suicide by jumping off the 14th floor of her apartment in Malad on June 8 night.

Varun Sharma mourned the demise on Instagram, sharing a photo with his former manager and friend.

"Am at a loss of words. Speechless. Numb. It all looks unreal. So many memories. Such a lovely person and a dear friend. You always wore that smile everyday, and with such kindness you dealt with everything that came your way. You will be deeply missed. Prayers and Strength to the Family. I still can't believe Disha you're gone. Gone too Soon," wrote Varun.

The young celebrity manager was reportedly with her fiance when she took the drastic step on June 8 night. She was declared dead on being rushed to a hospital in Borivali.

The police have started an investigation. As per reports, they have recorded the statement of the deceased's parents. Her fiance might also be asked for a statement.

Apart from Sushant Singh Rajput and Varun Sharma, Disha has managed comedian Bharti Singh in the past.

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