Mumbai, Jan 22 (IANS) Bollywood megastar and Gujarat brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, who previously promoted areas like Kutch and Dwarka, is now set to attract tourists to other picturesque spots in the state.
“In serene quietness of Gujarat is Bhuj. The welcome and hospitality of the people, as always, extraordinary,” the 69-year-old posted on his blog bigb.bigadda.com Sunday.
“Bhuj airfield under repair, so the jet cannot land there, hence landing in Mundra, the private airfield of the business group Adani, who has built the third largest, soon to become the largest port in India,” he wrote on his way for the shoot of the latest ad.
Bachchan, who so far promoted the Kutch region, Dwarka, Somnath and Gir National Park, has been all praise for the development in Gujarat and said the state is worth visiting again and again.
“The day starts early tomorrow and starts at the Rann of Kutch, the white desert where a tent city has been put up for tourists to enjoy the moment,” he posted.
“And subsequently I should be visiting and shooting at all the areas that had got left behind the last time round… A region so close to home yet so diverse in so many ways.
“The clothing the language the food the environment, everything. But all Indian,” he added.
He once said that if the Gujarat government planned a documentary to showcase the state, he would like to be a part of it.
The state of Gujarat still stands against the public screening of Rahul Dholakia's film Parzania which is based on the communal rights of 2002 that happened in the state. However, an NGO named Anhad has been organizing private screening of the film across Gujarat.
Most of the viewers for the screenings were youth. After the screening they wondered why this film was banned in Gujarat as they feel that the movie hardly contains any offensive elements. Some of the audiences felt that the film is not at all biased towards any community and gives out the message of living together in harmony.
Anhad has already held a couple of special screenings of Parzania in Gujarat and continues to do so in the future. In fact, they are planning for about 1000 such screenings.
2011/10/20 19:53:18 An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit Gujarat state Thursday night, the Seismology department said. There were no immediate reports of casualty or damage to property.
The quake, which had its epicentre in Junagad district of Gujarat, hit the region at 8.49 p.m., an official told IANS over phone.
The epicentre, with a focal depth of 10 km, was stated to be 21.2 degrees north latitude and 70.7 degrees east longitude. IANS
2007/11/28 4:26:58 Chief minister Y S Rajashekar Reddy will go to Gujarat to campaign for the congress party. The congress party has drafted the services of YSR for campaigning in Gujarat. He will address a rally in Surat.
The chief minister will leave for Surat on December 8. Surat has a vast population of Telugu speaking people and hence, YS has been asked to campaign for the party there.
Unite against those obstructing Parzania: Bhatt to industry
2007/2/9 23:37:16
Bollywood film director Mahesh Bhatt said the film industry should unite against those preventing the screening of 'Parzania' in Gujarat. The film was being opposed by just 'one section' in Gujarat and amounted to gagging of the freedom of speech and expression, he said at a function here.
'The censor board has cleared the 'Parzania'... Then, what's the issue about it? The Industry should support every filmmaker who faces obstructive forces after clearing the legal hurdles,' he said. On his reported decision to boycott PVRs in Gujarat, he said 'whether we would boycott or do not; whether the film industry takes a unified stance or not on this issue; only time will tell.'
Rahul Dholakia's 'Parzania', starring Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika, is based on the Gujarat riots and revolves around a Parsi family in search of their lost son.
Just a month ahead of the fifth anniversary of 2002 riots in Gujarat, a film depicting the heart-rending story of a family during the post-Godhra violence is all set for release.
"It is funny that in the last five years nobody thought to make a film on Gujarat riots," Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah said.
Parzania, based on the true story of a Parsi family whose son went missing in Gujarat riots, is ready to hit the Indian theatres on Republic Day -- over a year after its completion.
The Parsi couple were played by Naseeruddin Shah and Sarika.
The film, whose language is English, shows how after violence, the family lives in constant fear and is ever-hopeful of the fact that one day, they would find their son.
The film-- which earlier attracted some controversy because of its sensitive subject line-- has been cleared by the Censor Board of India and it is now ready for release, Rahul Dholakia, the Director of the film, said.
2011/9/16 22:46:31 Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi began his three-day 'sadbhavana' fast Saturday saying the day is not far when the country, and indeed the world, will discuss the state as a model one.
"My fast is not against anyone... that was, is and will never be my agenda. Just like the world praises Gujarat's model for development and governance, that day is not far when people will discuss our model for inclusive growth and communal harmony," Modi said to a cheering crowd at Gujarat University's plush convention hall here.
"I can say with pride that we want to move ahead and give something back to the nation. A state like Gujarat can pull another state which is not so developed. We have the strength and the capability," he added.
Recounting the Gujarat earthquake of 2001, the communal violence of 2002 and the serial blasts of 2008, Modi said that each time the people have emerged stronger and have touched new heights of development.
"We have to move ahead taking everyone along and for that secularism and communal harmony is very important," he said.
A large number of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders like L.K. Advai and Arun Jaitley were present at the event.(IANS)
2011/9/18 4:53:37 With Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's fast being seen by many as a sign of his desire to play a bigger role, the Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday said Modi is already a national figure.
"He is a national figure. Let us not forget, he is a successful chief minister. At the same time, he is the demand of people from all over the country," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.
"I think he is on the national seat...(He is) dedicated to work on a mission to develop Gujarat, because that is the mandate today... if he gets a different mandate, he will prove himself then too," Javadekar told TV channel Times Now.
He said Gujarat was the real example of 'sadbhavana' or amity.
"The real sadbhavana is equal growth, equal opportunity for all sections," he said.
Narendra Modi began his three-day fast Saturday by heaping praises on the state for its inclusive growth and communal harmony. (IANS)
Even US knows I'm incorruptible: Narendra Modi on WikiLeaks
2011/3/22 9:11:00
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday used the latest WikiLeaks disclosures to pat himself on the back, saying "Now even the US knows that I am incorruptible".
Reacting to the recent WikiLeaks disclosures in which a top US consular official described him as a "non-corrupt and efficient administrator", Modi told reporters on the sidelines of an event this proved his credentials.
"WikiLeaks shows two faces - one that of the government of India and the other of progressive Gujarat," the chief minister said.
In the latest leaked diplomatic cables accessed by The Hindu newspaper, Michael S. Owen, the US consul general in 2006, wrote to the US State Department that they might have to reassess the Gujarat chief minister, whose visa they revoked due to his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Owen also said that Modi could emerge as the Bharatiya Janata Party's next national leader.
"Modi has successfully branded himself as a non-corrupt, effective administrator, as a facilitator of business in a state with a deep commercial culture, and as a no-nonsense, law-and-order politician who looks after the interests of the Hindu majority.
"Modi's backers in the BJP now hope to convince the party leadership that he can use these positive traits to attract voters throughout India. Some BJP leaders believe, or hope, that voters will forget or forgive Modi's role in the 2002 bloodshed, once they learn to appreciate his other qualities," Owen wrote in his assessment.
Modi said he met Owen in Mumbai, where they discussed Gujarat.
Recalling his meeting with Owen, Modi said: "I looked into his eyes and said, 'do not preach... I am a son of India, I know what human rights violations you have done'. Good that the dialogue has been faithfully reproduced."
The Gujarat chief minister also said he that "government of India should address the issue of American interference" in Indian affairs. (Courtesy: Times of India)
Rahul Dholakia's acclaimed film "Parzania" that focuses on the 2002 Gujarat communal violence was Friday released across the country except in this state, with the filmmaker alleging that "some people, some parties" had warned cinema owners against showing it.
"Parzania" is based on a real life incident in which an Ahmedabad-based Parsi family's son went missing during the sectarian strife that began Feb 28, 2002.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has not imposed any ban on the film, cinema houses across the state refrained from screening the film that was released in the rest of the country by Dholakia himself.
Some cinema owners said the small-budget film made no economic sense as multi-starrer "Salaam-e-Ishq" was releasing the same day.
However, Gujarat Multiplex Owners Association vice president Mahendra Goswami was more candid, saying: "The film's theme might disturb the peace in the state."
An angry Dholakia told CNN-IBN in Mumbai: "Exhibitors in Gujarat are reluctant to screen the film. They don't tell me exactly why, but I believe they were informed by some people, some parties not to show the film."
"Parzania" seems to be going the way of the Aamir Khan-starrer "Fanaa", one of the top blockbusters of 2006 that was not shown by any cinema house in the state after the youth wings of the BJP as well as the opposition Congress called for its boycott.
They were angry at Aamir's criticism of the Sardar Sarovar dam project on the Narmada river.
New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi may not be welcome in the US, but China is ready to roll out the red carpet for him as he gears up to visit the world's fastest growing economy and Asian powerhouse next month.
Modi is likely to visit China Nov 8, reliable sources told IANS. The visit has been cleared by the external affairs ministry.
Modi is expected to make a pitch for greater Chinese investment in Gujarat and showcase his state as a hub for foreign investment. In particular, Modi is likely to discuss the prospects of Huawei, China's biggest telecom company which has a considerable presence in India, investing in Gujarat.
China has been impressed by the economic transformation of Gujarat in the last decade and the massive foreign investment it has attracted in different sectors. When China's Vice Minister Ai Ping visited Gujarat last week, he had lauded Gujaratis' contribution to business development in different countries, including China. He had also extended an invitation to Modi to visit China.
Modi is expected to seek Chinese assistance to develop a "Gautam Buddha circuit", that includes constructing a temple where Buddha's relics would be preserved, to attract tourists to the state.
Modi's visit will take place soon after Nur Bekri, chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, visits New Delhi and Mumbai next week to explore investment opportunities.
The visit by regional leaders has become a trend of sorts lately, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar going to China in June. Kumar's visit was focused on cooperation in the field of infrastructure, agriculture and rural development.
Despite differences over a host of issues, economic ties between India and China have been showing a steady upswing.
The two countries recently held their maiden strategic economic dialogue to exchange their experiences in macro-economic management and to address issues like the growing trade imbalance in favour of Beijing.
Bilateral trade is already touching $60 billion, with both sides confident of scaling it up to $100 billion.
2011/11/9 6:42:08 Kolkata, Nov 9 (IANS) Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd, the largest independent met coke producer in India, Wednesday reported a 19 percent dip in its net profit for the second quarter ended Sep 30, which slipped to Rs.8.04 crore from Rs.9.92 crore during the corresponding period last year.
A company release here said the total income for the quarter, however, stood at Rs.270.04 crore as against Rs.243.57 crore during the like period last year.
The firm's chairman and managing director Arun Kumar Jagatramka said sales were affected during the quarter by the iron-ore crisis and heavy rainfall.
Jagatramka said the company has a steady export order book, and with the situation in the iron and steel industry improving in south India, the company has seen orders flowing in for the current month.
Shah Rukh clueless about Shakira performing for KKR!
2011/3/16 2:42:55
Buzz is in the air that international pop star Shakira will be performing as a part of the promotional video for King Khans IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) but King Khan is clueless about this.
At a press conference on Monday, King Khan stated We have a team of people working around the marketing for KKR.
He said further, But I really dont know if Shakira is going to dance for KKR. It is wonderful if she is going to but I really dont know yet.
The superstar who was in the city to launch the latest Nokia handset E7 stated that Nokia which is one of the main partners of KKR was also clueless about this news.
The promotional song of KKR will be sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and composed by Salim-Suleiman.
Firoz Nadiadwala is known for his lavish action flicks and the kind of money he spends to give them his best shot. He is doing the same this time around. His next film Fool N Final having a mammoth cast of Sunny Deol, Shahid Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Vivek Oberoi, Bipasha Basu, Arbaaz Khan, Ayesha Takia and Sameera Reddy is completed. And like every other film, Firoz has planned to shoot a promotional video for the film.
So what's new about that, you ask? Well the celebrity who he is getting to feature in the promotional song. According to our sources, Firoz Nadiadwala has approached world famous boxer Mike Tyson to appear in the promotional track to be shot for Fool N Final. Doesn't the choice sound surprising? While other filmmakers are roping in international singing sensations to feature in their video, how does a boxer arise on Nadiadwala's list? That is perhaps because the film has to do a lot with action.
And has Tyson agreed? "Well almost", says the source. "He is just to sign the dotted line. His managers are working out details for Firoz Nadiadwala. In fact Mike Tyson has even given a clearance of coming down to India on April 20 to participate for the shoot. Ahmed Khan who has directed the film will be choreographing the promotional track", adds the source. In fact there is buzz that Mike Tyson might even release the music of the film composed by Himesh Reshammiya.
2011/9/30 9:47:24 Senior Indian Police Service officer Sanjav Bhatt, in the eye of storm after he filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court implicating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 communal riots, was arrested Friday for allegedly threatening a policeman and making him sign a false affidavit.
Deputy Inspector General of Gujarat Police Sanjiv Bhatt was arrested in connection with an FIR filed in June for allegedly threatening a police constable and making him sign a false affidavit.
On June 24, K.D. Pant, a constable working with Meghaninagar police station, lodged an FIR at Ghatlodiya police station in Ahmedabad against IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt.
He alleged that Bhatt threatened him and forced him to sign a false affidavit regarding a meeting called by Narendra Modi on Feb 27, 2002. That affidavit supported Bhatt's claim that he was present at the meeting of the chief minister where Modi allegedly asked police officers to go slow during the 2002 riots.
The Ghatlodiya police had registered an FIR against Bhatt for threatening a public servant, fabricating false evidence, wrongful confinement, and initiated investigations agaist him.
The arrest comes within 48 hours of Bhatt filing an additional affidavit in the Gujarat High Court implicating the chief minister and the then minister of state for home Amit Shah in connection with a report pertaining to the murder of Haren Pandya, another former minister of state for home and BJP leader.
Bhatt has stated in his affidavit before the Supreme Court that he was present at the meeting the Gujarat chief minister called on Feb 27, 2002, where his driver constable Pant was also with him.
Pant subsequently went back on his earlier stand and said in his FIR that on June 16 he was threatened by Bhatt and forced to sign an affidavit to the effect that he had accompanied him to the meeting at the chief minister's residence.
Pant stated in the FIR that he had protested, pointing out that he had already stated before the Special Investigation Team on April 5 this year that he was on leave in February 2002 when the communal riots broke out in the state.
Bhatt was served a charge sheet Sep 18 by the Gujarat home department for his alleged unauthorised absence from duty for the last ten months. (IANS)
Other than being busy shaking a leg at a celebrity dance show, Mika is busy these days helping out friend Sanjay Gupta.
The filmmaker, whose Dus Kahaniyaan , is all set to release soon, doesnt want his production to be outshone by the other two big films that have just been released.
Thanks to the competition, Gupta has decided to add one more promotional video for his film. The video will feature Mika who will be seen in the music video, along with Dia Mirza.
Says Mika, Ive composed and sung the song for Dus Kahaniyaans promotional music video. Sanjay is a friend and Ill be shooting with Dia for the song soon.
2011/9/12 3:54:00 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday said the Supreme Court directive to a trial court to hear a case against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the killing of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri during the 2002 riots was a "victory" for the chief minister and he would now play a bigger role in national poitics.
"It is not just a relief for Modi, but a victory for Modi," BJP spokesperson Balbir K. Punj told reporters here. BJP leader Arun Jaitley said there was no evidence against Modi.
Punj said Modi will now "play a much larger role in the national political scene".
The apex court order came on a petition of Zakia Jafri, the widow of Ehasan Jafri, urging a probe into Modi's role in the Gulberg Society carnage and the trial of the case by a special court outside the state.
"The BJP had always said that the allegations made against the Gujarat chief minister in relation to 2002 riots were absolutely false and there is not a shred of evidence," said BJP leader Arun Jaitley.
He said the trial in the case is in final stages and there is no evidence against Gujarat chief minister.
"There is no evidence to connect him (Narendra Modi) with any of this crime. Propaganda and falsehood can never be a substitute for hard evidence... we are glad this is now being accepted. I am glad that the apex court came to a conclusion that trial in the state of Gujarat can be fair and free," he said.
In the 2002 mob attack on Gulberg Society, 37 people, including former Congress MP Jafri, were killed. The rampaging mob targeted members of Muslim community in the Ahmedabad neighbourhood during the riots.
Zakia Jafri has alleged inaction of 63 people, including the cnief minister, ministers and high-ranking officers, in the incident.(IANS)
The BJP Government in Gujarat state led by its Chief Minister Narendra Modi makes a clean swipe in civic polls by winning 22 of the 24 seats. In a significant move Modi has stalled 100 Muslim candidates on behalf of his party, and all of them win the elections. The humiliating defeat makes its rival state Congress party president resign to his post. He attributes the defeat to tampering of EVMs by Modi government.
Speaking in a press meet Modi said "It's clear that even my Muslim brothers have taken part in this developmental success of the government. It is an all inclusive victory."
Ace Tamil actress Trisha played tennis with India's prominent tennis star Mahesh Boopathy in the sands of Mahabalipuram on Tuesday.It was part of a promotional activity for an international tennis tournament to be played in Chennai.
Trisha played tennis to promote Sun Feast International Tennis tourney which would feature who's who of women's tennis circuit from all around the globe.According to Trisha, I am great lover of tennis. I admire Sania Mirza. I played tennis during my school days. I was thrilled when I was asked to be part of the promotional campaign playing tennis alongside Mahesh Boopathy.
2011/10/17 3:06:16 Suspended Gujarat police officer Sanjiv Bhatt Monday was greeted by loud cheers as he walked out of the Sabarmati jail here on being granted bail after spending 18 days inside.
"I am happy that the rule of law has prevailed and this would be a victory for hope," a composed Bhatt told reporters outside the jail.
Rose petals were showered on him and his supporters shouted slogans in his support as he left the jail.
A court here Monday granted bail to Bhatt, who has accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of complicity in the 2002 communal riots.
He was arrested Sep 30 for allegedly forcing a police constable, K.D. Panth, to sign a false affidavit about his attending a meeting called by Modi soon after the Godhra train burning that sparked the riots.
Jaipur, Dec 21 (IANS) Abhishek Bachchan, on a promotional tour for his upcoming film “Players”, took time off to visit the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer after a gap of seven years.
“Had the morning off so drove down to Ajmer Sharif. Went back there after almost seven years. It’s always wonderful to go there and seek blessings,” Abhishek wrote on Twitter.
The actor is currently in Jaipur for the film promotion.
Directed by Abbas-Mustan, “Players” has an ensemble cast featuring Bobby Deol, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sikander Kher, Bipasha Basu, Sonam Kapoor and Omi Vaidya, apart from Abhishek.
“Driving back to Jaipur after visiting Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Off to the airport and Jaipur. Promotional tours are tougher than making the film!!!!” he futher posted.
An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit Gujarat state Thursday night, the Seismology department said. There were no immediate reports of casualty or damage to property.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi began his three-day 'sadbhavana' fast Saturday saying the day is not far when the country, and indeed the world, will discuss the state as a model one.
With Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's fast being seen by many as a sign of his desire to play a bigger role, the Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday said Modi is already a national figure.
Senior Indian Police Service officer Sanjav Bhatt, in the eye of storm after he filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court implicating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 communal riots, was arrested Friday for allegedly threatening a policeman and making him sign a false affidavit.
