Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Yet another case of defaulting on payment of whopping Rs 3 crore by Wasankar Wealth Management has come to light. Wasankar has reportedly threatened an investor who parked his moolah into the company’s dubious scheme promising him of 24-27% of high yearly returns. Wasankar applied the pressure tactics after the cheques issued to the said investor bounced for lack of funds.

The said investor who resides in Laxmi Nagar had invested the amount of Rs 3 crore he secured from his business and bank loans. He had taken the loan for some business purpose which did not work out and eventually put his money into Wasankar’s scheme in July 2013.

When the cracks started appearing into the scheme and the investors panic grew, this investor approached Wasankar and informed him about his concerns. He told Nagpur Today that when he asked for his money back, he was misguided by the company which gave him few cheques which did not carry the stamp and name of the signatory. Even the promissory note was not issued to him. “Only after I repeatedly insisted on the required documentary assurance, Wasankar gave us the revised cheques bearing the stamp and name, along with promissory note,” he informed.

The investor then deposited the cheques as per its due date in September this year, but the cheques bounced due to insufficient funds. He contacted Wasankar and asked for his invested sum back if the latter could not give any interest.

This investor further told Nagpur Today that on September 28, 2013 when he went to Wasankar’s office, he was warned that his money would not be returned if he further makes issue out of it. Wasankar also bought 4 days to return the money but later refused to talk or meet in this regard.

The investor is wary of lodging the police complaint in this regard as he feared that he could lose his money in the process.

Wasankar requested investor not to reveal anything in media

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Wasankar turned extra cautious after the media approached this investor. “Then Wasankar approached me and requested not to speak out anything before media,” the investor informed adding that he only reverted with the demand that Wasankar should return his money.

Wasankar then assured of paying Rs 52 lakh on the spot while the rest to be paid in instalments through post dated cheques for the months of January, February and March next year. After Wasankar paid Rs 52 lakh, Rs 2.75 crores were left to be paid. Succumbing to the pressure from the said investor, Wasankar gave away post dated cheques of the instalment along with a promissory note.

This week, the investor approached Wasankar again to ask for money as he required to pay off against some immediate purchase of property. But Wasankar not only refused to meet him but also not paid anything. However Wasankar came with this piece of advice to the investor to refrain from going to media against him.

:: Rajeev Khushwaha

Wasankar warns investor to keep shut on cheque bounce; fails to repay Rs 3 cr

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News: Five persons, hailing from Nagpur, were killed on the spot, and four others were injured seriously, when the car they were travelling in, collided head on with a truck in Karnataka.

According to reports reaching Nagpur, G. K. Patil, Chief Regional Manager, the New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Regional Office, Nagpur, was proceeding to attend the marriage of his relative along with his wife, nephew and other close family members.

However, the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in which the Chief Regional Manager and his relatives were travelling, collided head on with a sugarcane laden truck near Mahagaon crossing on the National Highway connecting Jewargi with Humnabad around 1.00 am on Friday.

The impact was so horrible that five occupants of the SUV, including wife and nephew of Patil, died on the spot and four others received serious injuries.  Patil is also seriously injured in the accident but his condition is stable and out of danger.
The SUV was turned into the mangled heap of steel due to the impact. The injured have been shifted to the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, where their condition was stated to be out of danger. The driver of the truck escaped the spot.
The victims were returning to Basavakalyan in Bidar district after attending a marriage in Gulbarga city when the accident took place.

More details are awaited.

Five persons, including wife of CRM of New India Assurance G K Patil, die in road accident

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Representational picture

Nagpur News: In a tragic incident, a 17-year-old boy fell from fourth floor of an undergoing construction site while he had gone to give lunch box to his father. The heart rending incident took place at Ankush Plaza at Teka Naka in Jaripatka police station area on Friday morning.

The deceased is identified as Bhushan Mankar, a resident of Binaki Mangalwari.

Mankar had gone to give lunch box to his father Arjun who works at the construction site. While coming down, he slipped from the fourth floor of the under construction building. Including Arjun, who was left stunned, the incident had sent shockwaves to all others present at the site.

Mankar was rushed to nearby private hospital. However, he was declared brought dead by the doctors. Hospital authorities later informed the incident to Jaripatka police who registered a case of an accidental death and sent the body for autopsy at Mayo hospital.

Teen boy give lunch box to father, dies after falling from 4th floor

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Thakre’s warning pertains to supplementary agreement with Star Bus which benefited Vansh Nimay Company and put NMC at massive loss. Mayor had ordered registering of criminal offences against guilty officials.

Nagpur News: The Leader of Opposition in NMC Vikas Thakre has warned that work of the NMC would be severely crippled if the Ruling Party (BJP) tries to change the minutes of the General Body Meeting (GBM) of the civic body and takes the U-Turn over Mayor’s announcement in the House.

It may be recalled, the Mayor Anil Sole, two months ago, had ordered registering of criminal offences against the then NMC Commissioner and Legal Consultants who had negotiated a supplementary agreement with Star Bus Company. The agreement was found more beneficial to the Vansh Nimay Company, operator of Star Bus, and put the NMC at massive loss. The General Body Meeting discussed the issue in details two months ago. The Opposition had demanded registering of criminal offences against the guilty officials and had resorted to utter chaos in front of Mayor’s Chair. The Mayor, bowing to the pressure of Opposition, had ordered the NMC Administration to register criminal offences against the guilty officials.

However, the NMC Administration neither lodged criminal offences against the guilty officials even after two months of Mayor’s directives nor shown its keenness in this connection, Thakre said. “On the contrary, the Administration and the Ruling Party, in a well-planned strategy, have been trying to save the guilty officials by changing the very minutes of the General Body Meeting. We will not allow the plan of Administration and the Ruling Party to succeed. We will oppose with all our might any move to alter the minutes in the next General Body Meeting to be held on December 4. The Opposition Corporators and myself would meet NMC Commissioner and Mayor and urge them to not save the guilty officials. We will launch in intense agitation demanding action against the guilty officials,” Thakre said.

“The process of registering criminal offences against the Vansh Nimay and the guilty officials, in accordance with Mayor’s directives, is in final stage. Now, officials are trying to save each other. The NMC Administration is facing pressure from Mumbai officials to change the minutes of the General Body Meeting and if the Ruling Party sides with the Administration, the NMC will be shut down and a strong agitation will be launched during Winter Session to draw the attention of State Government in this connection,” warned the Opposition Leader Vikas Thakre.

Thakre warns of paralyzing NMC work if GBM minutes changed to save guilty officials

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News:  The Orange City Craft Mela and Folk Dance Festival got underway at the premises of South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur on November 29, 2013.

The festival was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by Air Marshal P Kanakaraj. The other dignitaries present on the occasion included Usha Kanakaraj, Director of SCZCC Dr. Ravinder Singal, Anita Meshram and others.

Dr. Ravinder Singal welcomed the dignitaries with floral bouquets. The captains of the various folk dances and their groups were also felicitated by the dignitaries. Earlier, all dignitaries visited the different stalls which showcased various crafts displayed by artisans from all over the country. They appreciated the beautiful artifacts, handicrafts, handlooms and artisans. Cultural troupes from different regions of the states welcomed the dignitaries with their various folk dance forms.

Dancers from different States showcased their talents, performances and recitals which included Jogi Nrtiya from Haryana, Badhai Nritya from Madhya Pradesh, Dahal Thungri from Assam, Purulia Chhau from West Bengal, Mewasi Nritya from Gujarat, Kavadi Karagam from Tamil Nadu, Kaksar from Chhatisgarh and Bharud from Maharashtra.

This year about 250 folk dance artists and 150 artisans are participating in the festival. This annual cultural and food festival will continue till December 11, 2013. This year the Director of the SCZCC Ravinder Kumar Singal, has roped in the participation of nearly 150 artisans in the field of wood carving, metal casting, terracotta and iron sculptors. These artisans were exclusively engaged in raising and creation of artistic images, articles, structures and sculpture to reflect and demonstrate the traditional environment unraveling the ethnic culture of the participating states for the connoisseur of art, to be premier in Nagpur city.

The environment fostered in an around the campus induced applauding response from all the art lovers and endeared cultural waves, motivating most of the visitors to capture the scenic art and beauty in their lenses. This in turn provides an impetus to carry the message to others about the creative displays and attributes of the Centre.

This festival has emerged to be a National platform for the artisans for the sale of their handicraft items and even for the folk/ tribal artists rendering their art forms in presence of large audience, art lovers including the Media fraternity of the city.

:: Pallavi – Sanjeevni

Zestful beginning of Orange City Craft Mela and Folk Dance Festival

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News: The day after Saoner MLA Sunil Kedar was ordered by the Cooperation Department of Maharashtra Government to deposit Rs 300 crore in Nagpur District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB) after he was guilty in the purchase-sale of Government Bonds, the picture of corruption in cooperation sector is getting clearer and clearer. Massive corruption has been found in 42 Cooperative Institutes in Nagpur District, according to the District Deputy Registrar of Cooperation Department.

The Social Worker Abhay Kolarkar had put up queries to the Office of District Deputy Registrar under RTI seeking the status of Cooperative Institutes in Nagpur District. The subsequent replies cleared the overall scenario in Nagpur District in a transparent manner: No corruption was found in 72 Cooperative Institutes but irregularities were noticed. FIRs were filed against 5 Institutes. The Cooperation Department initiated various actions under Sections of Cooperative Societies Act like Section 73H against one Institute, Section 77A against 8, Section 78 against 27, Section 83 against 6, and Section 88 against 30 Cooperative Institutes. The Cooperation Department appointed Administrators in 56 Cooperative Institutes in the past 3 years.

Even though the number of Cooperative Institutes increased in the past 3 years, 30 Institutes downed their shutters till March 31, 2013 for various reasons but not by irregularities, the RTI replies informed. There were a total of 4702 Cooperative Institutes in Nagpur District during 2010-2011. The number increased by 108 in a year totaling 4810 Institutes.

The year 2012 was declared International Cooperation Year and in accordance with directives of United Nations, the Central Government celebrated 2012 as International Cooperation Year. Moreover, various schemes were also implemented in Maharashtra. Dozens of speeches, discussions were held to strengthen the Cooperation Movement. However, the number of Cooperative Institutes did not increase in the International Cooperation Year as compared to previous year. A total of 108 new Cooperative Institutes were added in 2011 but the International Year saw only 77 Cooperative Institutes coming up. Now, at present, the number of Cooperative Institutes in Nagpur District stands at 4887, the RTI replies stated.

- Rajeev Kushwaha ( rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com )

Cooperation cauldron: Nagpur Distt witnesses hazy, murkier picture of Cooperative Institutes

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

A young girl lodged a complaint of rape with Sitabuldi Police on Friday against 27-year-old youth.

The accused Beliprasad Manoharrao Jhunjhunkar (27) is a resident of Gittikhadan, Borgaon Road, in front of Choubey Katiya Bhandar.

The accused forcefully took the girl in his Maruti WagonR car parked in the common parking lot at Tekdi Road in December 2010. The accused raped the girl in the car after threatening to kill her. Later, the accused lured the girl into marriage and repeatedly assaulted her sexually. But, later the accused stepped back on his words and refused to marry the victim. He used the victim between December 2010 and November 22, 2013.

On the complaint of the victim girl, Sitabuldi police booked the accused Beliprasad and registered an offence under Sections 376 (1), 417 and 506 of the IPC.

Youth booked for raping young girl

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

XOLO, the Indian handset maker is gradually expanding its credibility network across various smartphone users. With its portfolio going strong by the day XOLO looks optimistic with another launch in the economy range of handsets. The new entrant to XOLO’s smartphone family is XOLO Q500 which for the first time introduces language translation tool in the headset industry. And with the price that stands at attractive 7999 and wide array of features in its range, XOLO Q500 looks all set to become the best pick of the season.

XOLO Q500 is the latest in the company’s Q series models. It features 4-inch WVGA display with OGS (One Glass Solution) technology and 233 PPI for a rich multimedia experience and runs on Android OS Jelly Bean v4.1. It is powered by Qualcomm® Snapdragon 200 (quad-core processor).

One of the unique features of the device is the X-TransPic mobile application, a language translation tool that helps users translate Hindi words by just pointing the app camera at any sign board, advertisement or poster. The company says that it allows users to translate Hindi words to English, or read out the detected text by using text to speech functionality.

The smartphone sports a 5 MP AF rear camera with LED flash and VGA front camera . It comes with 1 GB RAM and internal memory of 4 GB and External Memory – MicroSD (up to 32GB). It has 1450 mAh battery. It comes with popular apps, music, videos and games.

Thumbs Up

-       XOLO Q500 will be the first phone to come preloaded with an X-TransPic app, a language translation tool that translates Hindi words by just pointing the app camera at any sign board, advertisement or poster.

-       Great price at Rs 7,999

-       Thinner body

-       Improved image quality

Thumbs Down

-       May not appeal overseas users

XOLO Q500 : With translation tool for the first time, it’s the best economic buy at Rs 7,999

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

The next time you write the list of grocery (Kirana) items for your monthly needs, don’t write chocolates. Or you plan to visit a kirana shop for purchasing a petty item, be prepared to receive one or two chocolates priced at Re 1 or Rs 2 without demand. Now-a-days, the kirana traders have adopted a new tactic of handing over a chocolate or two in place loose coin change. The acute shortage of coins is forcing the traders go for chocolates notwithstanding customers like it or not.

However, only kirana traders or to some extent medical shops, who also store chocolates, have been sparing themselves from the shortage of loose coins the chocolate way! But the awkward situation is not easy for hundreds of other traders to deal with. And the customers, too. Many customers were seen keeping the big currency note with the traders for want of change and out of no choice, too.

The most difficult time the citizens take the maximum brunt of coin shortage is at Railway counters, buses, Government offices where money transactions take place, hospitals and at other places. Here, the chocolate tactic could not adopted, and the net outcome is citizens running from one corner to another or purchasing unnecessary items for the sake of change to complete the deal at Railway counters and other transactions.

One of the traders admitted acute shortage of coins and was also a surprised one. The Reserve Bank is making coins of different denominations available in sufficient proportion. Where the coins of going? According to the trader, “Dalals” (Touts) have gone on coin grabbing spree and are selling the same to needy traders on hefty commissions. The touts earn Rs 15-20 for every deal of Rs 100 coins.

The touts are ruling the roost and the customers and the traders are ruing the situation.

Enjoy chocolate…city lacks the change…!!

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

The Maharaja Vishramalaya (Retiring Room) at Nagpur Station has gone abuzz with its popularity across the nation

Nagpur News: The Central Railway, taking a grand step ahead to provide best possible comfort to passengers, has made online booking for its Retiring Rooms available at Nagpur Railway Station’s Reception Centre. And the Maharaja Vishramalaya (Retiring Room) at Nagpur Station has gone abuzz with its popularity across the nation.

The Maharaja Retiring Room and Reception Centre, the concept of Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Central Railway, was inaugurated by the then General Manager of Central Railway Subodh Jain on January 17, 2012. Now, the passengers can book Indian Railway’s Retiring Rooms at CST Mumbai, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Thane, Kalyan, Pune, Solapur, Gulbarga, Miraj, Allahabad, Itarsi, Nashik Road, Simla, New Delhi, Haridwar, Amritsar, Jammutawi, Kanpur, Amethi, Rae Bareli, Varanasi, Lucknow, Howrah, Bhuwaneswar, Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Puri, Rameshwaram, Madurai, Coimbatore, Vishakhapatnam, Secunderabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Habibganj, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna, Kota, Ahmedabad, Sawai Madhopur, Rajkot, Badoda and other 44 stations from Nagpur Railway Station’s Reception Centre. The booking at Nagpur and other railway stations has been made online.

The Maharaja Vishramalaya (Retiring Room) has been located on the first floor above Nagpur Railway Station’s main porch. The Maharaja Retiring Room consists of one Maharaja Suite, three Air-Conditioned and three non-Air-Conditioned rooms apart from two Air-Conditioned and three non-Air-Conditioned Dormetaries. The Retiring Room also provides 58 beds for comfort of passengers at a very reasonable rate. The newspapers and tea/coffee are served free of cost to Maharaja Suite and on payment for other Retiring Rooms.

A total of 19,992 passengers cherished the Retiring Rooms at Nagpur in the year 2012-13 and 12,703 passengers made their stay from April, 2013 to October, 2013. The Nagpur Vishramaaya’s contribution in providing beds during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 was 57 per cent in total availability in the country. The Retiring Rooms in Nagpur earned Rs 27,51,639 for the period from April 2013 to September 2013 which stands 17.6 per cent more in comparison to Rs 23,39,694 for period from April 2012 to September 2012. Similarly, the Maharaja Vishramalaya, in its first year branding earned revenue of Rs 17,00,684 from April to September in 2011. This year’s earning is 61.8 per cent more than the earning of 2011. On the other hand, a total of 1792 passengers stayed at Retiring Rooms in Nagpur Division’s Wardha, Chandrapur, Ballarshah, Sewagram and Baitul Railway Stations. Around 468 passengers booked Retiring Rooms in Nagpur from other stations from April 2013 to October 2013 which is 2.23 per cent compared to total bed availability.

The Nagpur Railway Station offers Retiring Rooms/Beds for the period of 12 hours and 24 hours. The 12-hour starts from 0800 hours to 2000 hours and from 2000 hours to 0800 hours and from 0800 hours to 0800 hours next day and 2000 hours to 2000 hours next day. Apart from this facility, upper and lower bed facility is also available in Nagpur Railway Station’s Vishramalaya at very reasonable rates.

The online booking for Vishramalaya (Retiring Rooms) begins before 60 days.

Central Railway’s Maharaja move, starts online booking for Retiring Rooms at various stations

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News: IMA, Nagpur Branch won 6 awards at 53^rd IMA Maharashtra State Annual Conference ‘MASTACON-2013”, which was held at IMA Bhavan Ahmednagar recently.

Dr. Harish Chandak Imm. Past President IMA, Nagpur received “Best” President from Big Branch.

Dr. Krishna Parate, Dr. Anand Kate Past Presidents IMA, Nagpur and Dr. Warsha Dhawale President, IMA Nagpur received the Presidents’ Special Felicitation Award for the work done for IMA MS 2012-13. Dr. Warsha Dhawale President and  Dr. Vaishali Khandait , Hon. Secretary of IMA, Nagpur received the President IMA MS Appreciation Award for EVECON Conference – 2013. Dr. Manisha Rathi received the award for Membership Drive.

All the Past Presidents and senior members of IMA congratulated them for their hard work done for IMA.

Dr. Ashok Adhao Past National President, whose candidature was unanimously declared by IMA MS for the forthcoming MCI Elections also congratulated the whole team for their wonderful performance and wished them success in the forthcoming year.

IMA, Nagpur Branch wins 6 awards at ‘MASTACON-2013” held at IMA Bhavan Ahmednagar

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Eight different wine companies are participating in this festival

Nagpur News.

The Nagpur Wine Lovers Club has organized a two-day Wine and Food Festival, 2013 at CP Club on November 30 and December 1, 2013. Eight different wine companies are participating in this festival.

The participating wine companies are Pause, Fratelli, Chateau D’Ori, Grover Zampa, Turning Point, Nine Hills, Four Seasons and Sula.

Sources said that if one were to see the market share of the wine companies Sula tops the list, followed by Four Seasons, Nine Hills, Turning Point, Grover Zampa, Chateau D’Ori, Fratelli and lastly Pause.

The Nagpur Wine Lovers Club has 125 Life Members, while only 8-10 members have Annual Membership, all the rest are Life Members.

The members of the Executive Body which included Chairman Sharad Fadnis, Joint President Sunil Maulikar, Secretary Ulhas Mohile, Joint Secretary Rishikesh Gupte and Treasurer Pramod Dongre were present on the occasion to welcome the members of the Wine Lovers Club.

This programme was sponsored by Indian Grape Processing Board, All India Wine Processing Association, Someliaer India Wine Magazine, Nashik Valley Wine Producers Association (NVWPA).

Connoisseur wine tasting

The office-bearers of the club said that they meet once every three months at some hotel. One of the other winery sponsors the wine, while the members pay for the food, snacks and the hotel charges. The wine company officials or some of the connoisseurs of wine teach the rest of the members the art of tasting the wine.

A wine’s quality can be judged by its bouquet and taste. The bouquet is the total aromatic experience of the wine. The experts also opined how it is consumed all over the world and how it is good for the heart.

Many members had gathered at the venue and Wine companies were showcasing the beauty of the wine from their winery. The ambiance with the setting on the lawns made an ideal atmosphere for experiencing wine.

Nagpur Wine Festival uncorks today

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News: The firebrand Opposition Leader in NMC Vikas Thakre today put Mayor Anil Sole on notice and told him in hardest ever words that a major agitation would be launched if the Opposition’s demands on crucial issues are neglected and sidelined by various uncanny way and means.

A delegation led by Vikas Thakre met the Mayor and submitted a memorandum to him on the burning issues of NMC’s agreement Star Bus, roads riddled with life-threatening potholes left as it is by Orange City Water (OCW) during road works, scam pertaining to wood supplied to NMC-run crematoriums, stealing and evasion of Octroi Duty (LBT) and other issues. The delegation then held a “Dharna” protest against Star Bus.

Those present in the delegation include Congress Corporators Prashant Dhawad, Yogesh (Guddu) Tiwari, Arun Davre, Dr Prashant Chopra, Deva Usre, Deepak Kapse, Sanjay Mahakalkar, Aman Ullah Khan, Vasudeo Dhoke, Prasanna Borkar, Shilpa Tarale, Bhavna Lonare, Sheela Mohod, Abha Pande, Harshla Sable, Saraswati Salame, Yashasvi Nandanwar, Sindhu Uike, Vidya Lonare, Kumuduni Kaikade, Ravinder Kaur, Pushpa Nimje, Asrafu Iftikhar, Nayna Zade, Nimisha Shirke, Adv Rekhatai Barahate, Rajashree Pannase, Ujwala Bankar, Prerna Kapse, Padma Uike, and others.

Thakre puts Mayor Sole on notice on various burning issues, warns of strong protest

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Praveen Dixit , DG ( ACB) speaking in Nagpur at a function

Nagpur: State Director General of Anti-corruption Bureau Praveen Dixit, who was in city for assessment for two days assessment assured that the department will no longer neglect neglecting the corruption cases that, has alleged involvement of senior officers.

“In majority cases, juniors got trapped in ACB net while he is accepting bribe in the name of the seniors. Despite of the allegations, the seniors remain tension free. Now on wards, strict investigations will be conducted to reach the main culprit,” said he.

He informed that within 90 days, ACB officials will be taking action against any senior officers allegedly involved in the corruption case.

“Usually, we have to wait for years to get an order from government to conduct check or take action against corrupt senior officials but now onwards within 90 days the investigation will begin,” told the top cop.

The top cop informed an application has been submitted for Independent court to increase the conviction rate.
While Nagpur leading with 441 cases pending for Trail in special courts in Maharashtra (as per the statistics uploaded at official website of ACB Maharashtra),

“Currently, the conviction rate is 26% but it’s not satisfactory,” said Dixit while addressing media persons with SP Nishith Mishra in the city at ACB office on Saturday.

He assured of getting Independent courts at Nagpur, Mumbai, Thane Pune and Nanded. ACB official website shows that the cases pending for Trial in special court is 441till 2013, followed by Pune with 373 cases and Pune with 304 cases.

At the outset, Praveen Dixit lighted the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of the seminar. He thanked the President of Maharashtra Police-Nagrik Samanvay Samiti Pravin Raut for inviting him for the seminar. Those who graced the function include senior social worker Umesh Chaube, Constitutional expert Mahesh Joshi, famous Tabla player Prashant Gaekwad, who has entered his name in the Guinness Book of World Records, Dr Rajendra Gundewar, Dr Vaishali Raut, and large number of Maharashtra Police-Nagrik Samanvay Samiti members and hundreds of citizens.

The President of Maharashtra Police-Nagrik Samanvay Samiti Pravin Raut felicitated the Director General ACB Praveen Dixit by offering him shawl and Shriphal on behalf of Nagpurians. Replying to his felicitation, Dixit said, “Nagpurians showered their love on me when I was Police Commissioner of Nagpur City. I will always be grateful to them for their love.” Dixit also extended his greetings to Maharashtra Police-Nagrik Samanvay Samiti and hoped the Samiti will work for welfare of people. He wished that the Samiti will make a great progress in the near future.

Action will be taken against senior officials involved in corruption cases: DG ACB

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Three men have been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each for raping a Nagpur-based model and demanding Rs 20 lakh for her release. The court also imposed heavy penalty on the three convicts and made it clear that inability to pay the fine would lead to increase in period of imprisonment.

District government counsel (criminal) Anil Kumar Singh said that in May 2012, one Sanjay Singhania alias Salman alias Vajid contacted model Priya(name changed) of Nagpur in Maharashtra. Posing as a choreographer and casting agent for a photo-shoot for a sari manufacturer’s catalogue, he finalized the deal with her over phone on May 8-9, 2012.

As a part of the deal, Priya was to be paid Rs 80,000 in cash along with accommodation in a good hotel during her stay in the city and a return air ticket. After receiving the tickets by post, Priya reached the city on May 16, 2012 evening.

Soon after landing, Salman expressed regret over his failure to confirm a hotel room. Later, he and his two aides Samir alias Dastgir and Rajan took Shivani to a house in Hukulganj. Once inside the house, the trio told her that she had been kidnapped and demanded Rs 20 lakh from the model for her release.

The trio gang-raped her repeatedly and threatened to upload her objectionable pictures on internet. On May 17, Priya offered to arrange some money by contacting one Nitin Shah. Salman allowed her to call Nitin, who in turn directed Priya to contact his local friend Vinod Maheswari to get Rs 1.50 lakh.

Vinod asked Priya to reach his place at Gola Dinanath under Kotwali police station to collect the money. Salman later sent Shivani along with Rajan in an autorickshaw to collect the money. During interaction, Priya informed Vinod about the incident. Realizing her piquant state, Vinod with the help of other traders of Gola Dinanath nabbed Rajan and reported the matter to Kotwali police. The police later nabbed Salman and Samir.

File Pic

Trio jailed for 12 years for raping Nagpur based model

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Rashmi, 10, usually starts her day like any child of her age. She readies herself for school, scores remarkably well in her studies and also helps her mother in the kitchen. Only difference is that she has now attained the maturity levels much more than her friends did. She acquired it from the sympathy filled eyes of everyone who knows that she is HIV infected. Like Rashmi many other children and adults ailing from HIV infection has to face similar treatment once they bring their condition in the open.

As the World observes AIDS Day today (December 1 every year) to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic, the city struggles to come off the stigma attached to the disease. Compelling societal thought process still plays major hurdle for the HIV infected people in the city to come out of the self-imposed hibernation and live life as usual. The thought of letting others know about their ailment fills them with lots of apprehensions which are ironically true as far the citizens’ affinity towards the sufferers is concerned.

Between 2011-2015, World AIDS Day has the theme – Getting to Zero which means Zero new HIV infections,  Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

However the battle against AIDS in Nagpur has shown remarkable results on other parameters but the efforts to reach zero discrimination are yet to bear fruits. Unfortunately, AIDS discrimination and stigma also fuel the epidemic. They prevent people from talking about their HIV status with sex partners or people with whom they share needles. Fear of rejection and worries about confidentiality also prevent many from getting tested for HIV. This means they may spread HIV to others without knowing it.

On the occasion of World Aids day, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and DAPCO Nagpur, organized an awareness rally on November 29, 2013. With over 500 students took part in it, the rally started from the IGGMC Hospital with Morris College Nagpur was the point of culmination. The main objective of this rally was to raise awareness since awareness tool is the excellent means for prevention from HIV/AIDS.  This was also show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died of HIV.

However the big question is that how much these rallies and public awareness campaign helped in eliminating the discrimination?

Leading healthy life with HIV

Meanwhile Nagpur Today spoke to some of the HIV positive patients on the health issues, and ART treatment that they have undergone through. M.A Student, Rajeev M said that he is a HIV positive patient, but he is taking his ART medicines regularly and he is fine now. He said that earlier, he was suffering from some allergic conditions due to the ART medicines but later with the proper recommendation and combination of right medicines, he did not face any side effects. He added that his life span has increased.

BSc Student Umesh D said that he is suffering from AIDS since 2 years but Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) helped him a lot. He told that in stage II, when he started taking his ART medicines in beginning, he was suffering from some skin infection problems and body heat problems. He added that later on his body get used to of ART medicines and now he is alright and living a healthy life.

ITI Student Ganesh R. said that he a HIV positive patient. He said he started taking the new ART medicines recently. He said at the beginning his hemoglobin level became very low and he was dealing with various problems like Persistent fever, Extreme fatigue, severe malnutrition, losing weight. Hence, doctors recommended him some medicine and nutrition powder due to which his HB level started increasing and he started recovering to some extent.

Management Student Rahul G. said that he is HIV positive from 3 years. ART medicines helped him a lot to get better now. He said that at the beginning when he started taking ART medicines he dealt with issues like Oral thrush, Headache, Vomiting, lack of hunger etc, but gradually when he started taking his ART medicines regularly, his life span has increased since Antiretroviral combination therapy defends against resistance by suppressing HIV replication as much as possible. He added that one should not afraid of HIV patients as Hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food or water does not transmit HIV. He opined that patients who maintain proper therapy can stay on one regimen without developing resistance

Let’s fight against discrimination

What exactly is AIDS discrimination? It means you are treated differently than other people simply because you are infected with HIV. For example:

-       A person denies you access to medical care at a hospital, medical or dental office, skilled nursing facility, or drug treatment center.

-       A person denies you child custody or visitation, or the right to adopt or become a foster parent.

-       An employer asks unlawful questions on a job application or harasses, fires, or transfers you to a lesser job position.

-       A person of authority reveals your HIV status at school, at work, or within a health care institution.

-       You are evicted from a rental property.

If you are an HIV infected patient and is dealing with any or all of the above discrimination, fight back to secure your rights.

Report to Nagpur Today at news@nagpurtoday.in and we will take your voice further.

World AIDS Day : Zero discrimination remains far cry in Nagpur despite awareness

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

While the conserved and hard core traditional lot in Nagpur might raise eyebrows over a couple staying together without tying nuptial knot, the latest Supreme Court ruling has left them tongue tied over the fast catching trend. SC ruled that a live-in relationship not sanctified by marriage is neither a crime nor a sin. The apex court has asked Parliament to frame laws that will protect women in such relationships, and also the children born outside of wedlock.

“Live-in or marriage like relationship is neither a crime nor a sin though socially unacceptable in this country. The decision to marry or not to marry or to have a heterosexual relationship is intensely personal,” the SC said adding however that it was not asking the Legislature to promote pre-marital sex.

In the light of above decision Nagpur Today explored the viewpoints of citizens across various professions and what came out was the mixed bag of expressions.

Still worrisome for women

Rajni, a housewife for 10 years said one of her friends in Nagpur has been staying with her boyfriend after their parents disapproved of their marriage. “They carried the relationship quite well and now have two years old child. They still live together and enjoying each other’s company but still my friend has apprehension about the future of this relationship. She is most bothered about the security of her child. Now she plans to marry her,” she said.

Shudh Desi Romance?

Sarika, a college student commented, “If you remember the last scene of the latest flick Shudh Desi Romance, both the boy and the girl run away from the altar and end up reaching the same place where they earlier lived-in. I find the boy’s views at the end quite justified when he says that if you find yourself inside the locked room then you struggles to break free and when it remains open then you may feel like staying inside the comfort of that room. So is the difference between marriage and live-in relationship.”

Nobody mentions plight of men

LLB Student Rajneesh Roy said, ‘Not crime not sin but foolishness. In most cases women will not support men when he faces difficult situations. The men end up realising that women were there only for their money and years of his savings wasted. As soon as the male becomes unstable the women will choose to leave him. Women easily find new live-in partners. If the man chooses to leave, then too the woman will make sure she gets a big pie as they know to play victim easily. Not to mention the humiliation. I’m not trying to be biased but nobody ever mentions the men. Supreme Court must ban such practices and in special cases must provide some sort of legitimacy for such relationships, she said.

Humans are not objects for ‘test drive’

Retired Civil Engineer Manoj Kumar said, “It’s a shame that some people can’t see the difference between an inanimate emotionless object like a car, and a human being. One can test-drive a car before owning it, or even discard it to buy a better one, at will. But, with most people marriage is a once in a lifetime event, and one chooses a life-partner who’s a companion for life. It’s the misguided youth who ape the Western culture, who treat relationships without much sincerity or commitment. If you are a man, how would you feel if your wife had test-driven many ‘cars’ before you married her or vice-versa? Would you like to own that car or even drive it ever again? He asked.

It’s fine if situation favours

An engineering student Devansh Jayaswal said, ‘Getting involved into something like live in relationship is something that should actually be done with a matured thought. He added that getting into this is not a joke it can affect one’s whole life. He opines that there’s nothing wrong if one gets involved in it. While talking about the decision taken by the Supreme Court he said, in my opinion the decision taken by the Supreme Court depends upon the situation. If a married woman gets the maintenance then the girl involved in this situation should also get the maintenance, he said.

Grow up before you get into live-in

School Teacher Manisha Kumar opined that, ‘Being amongst the youth I realize that they think they get mature before they actually do. Though she added that it’s true that children nowadays get matured fast but that doesn’t means that they can take such decision in a haphazard manner. This is not something funny to take decision without thinking number of times. Though she added that, people think if they get involved in this live in relation they will understand each other more. It may even help them know if they are really their true partner, she said. If maturely taken the decision is not wrong. But if taken by a young mind it’s completely wrong. Talking about the Supreme Court’s decision she said, “Since there is nothing illegal it’s right.”

Protection should be taken

Engineering Student Animesh Sharan said, “Such relationship, may endure for a long time and can result pattern of dependency and vulnerability, and increasing number of such relationships, calls for adequate and effective protection, especially to the woman and children born out of that relationship.”

Take factors into account before moving in

Businessman Arvind Mehra said, “Duration of relationship, shared household, pooling of resources and financial arrangements, domestic arrangements, sexual relationship, children, socialization and intention and conduct of the parties about their relationship should surely be heard and kept in mind before making any decision. He added that decision should be dependent on the case and not just one firm result. “

Bane for Indian society

Retired environmental engineer Arjun Rajonkar opined, “Supreme court is transgressing its limits by saying that live in relationship is not a crime or sin. Who are they to decide what is acceptable to Indian society and what is not? Live in relationships are a bane to the society. Whichever countries have endorsed such anti-social setups have already ruined their family and social setups completely. It is not always necessary for Indians to imitate the west in every issue. Indian family set up is much stable and better in comparison to western society and we do not want to learn from the west in this aspect.

SC ruling over live-in relationship finds fewer takers in Nagpur; Many disagree with trend

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

The talented 18-year-old shuttler has made her Nagpur a proud city by her hands and head high.

Nagpur News.

Rasika Raje, a name synonymous with Orange City’s budding Badminton stars, has broken the jinx when she achieved the glory by winning her maiden national-level title. Rasika triumphed on the final day of the 12th Union Bank All-India Junior Ranking Badminton tournament held at the KBA courts, Bangalore in Karnataka on Saturday.

The talented 18-year-old shuttler made her Nagpur a proud city by her hands and head high. Rasika, born and brought up in Nagpur, is full of confidence and a determined badminton player with an aim to reach pinnacle of glory. But the path to success is not easy one. Rasika is coached by Prasad Sir and Robin Simon and the Subedar Hall is not just a Hall but a temple for Rasika for dedicating all her efforts to bloom in Badminton court with hardest practice under the watchful eyes of her coaches. Passion for Badminton overflowed in her mind and heart since Rasika was in 3rd grade. And now that passion made her a part of Maharashtra team for shining in National tournaments and also part of Nagpur team for playing in State tournaments.

In the12th Union Bank All-India Junior Ranking Badminton tournament for U-19 Girls, Rasika outshined to the top seed in singles final. In an awesome game of Badminton, Rasika rallied back superbly to stun top ranking Reshma Karthik 21-7, 21-17, 21-19 in 50 minutes. Karnataka’s Reshma saw her title race going the self-destruction way after a promising start.

Rasika excelled even in U-17 and U-19 Girls doubles by grabbing the titles. But she failed to pocket the singles title in Under-17. She had lost to Reshma in the final and had never beaten her in her previous four meetings. Rasika, a trainee of Pullela Gopichand Academy, was in IBL team Mumbai Masters.

Rasika Raje is again going to participate in the upcoming event to be held in Chandigarh. Team events were conducted from November 29 to 30 which will be followed by individual events from December 1 to 5. And Rasika will certainly make Nagpur proud is foregone conclusion.
While having an interactive session with Rasika Raje, she shared some of her finer points with Nagpur Today that made her achieve success.
Rasika disclosed, “They get up at 4 am and their first training session starts from 4:30 am and lasts till 6:00 am. Then, after a short break, the 2nd training session begins from 7 am till 8:30 am. Then again, after a short break, the last session of the morning is carried out from 10:30 am to 12 noon. The off court training or gym session is held from 4 pm to 6 pm and if the time permits, I practice standing strokes. My food contains appropriate amount of nutrients, vitamins, carbohydrates etc. needed by the body in appropriate amount. My food must have chicken, mutton, fish, mutton or chicken soup and 2 boiled eggs,” Rasika said with confidence and determination staring her face.
Rasika Raje concluded by saying, “Hard work and dedication are the buzzwords for her to reach the stars in style. For me sky is not the limit. Rather it is just a milestone pointing out very clearly that hundreds of milestones have to be reached in my journey in the Badminton courts and I will surely reach there soon,” she said.

By Sanjeevani Sharan

For Rasika Raje, hard work, determination are buzzwords for excellence in Badminton court

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

The Debit card holders will be required to punch in their PIN numbers every time they use the card, a move aimed at minimizing frauds from December 1, 2013. In June, the Reserve Bank had extended the deadline for implementation of mandatory PIN punching at Point-of-Sales (PoS) and merchant outlets till November 30 following representation of banks.

HDFC Bank has already made changes in all our PoS and back-end system is in place and merchant outlets to accept PIN (basically ATM PIN) from tomorrow.

As part of awareness drive, SBI has, in a notice asked its customers not to hand over ATM-cum-Debit card to any person.It also advised the customers that they should not keep any records of the PIN in physical form.According to a senior official of Canara Bank the PIN is another layer of security for the debit cards.

First, merchants will have to swipe the cards at a PIN enabled PoS terminal and punch in the transaction amount. That will be followed by customers entering their PINs to complete the transaction.

As for credit cards, this requirement has been made mandatory for international transactions, including on the Internet. In such cases, users will have to replace their existing credit cards with the EMV Chip card and get a PIN. Increased use of credit and debit cards has led to rise in frauds, especially in the case of lost or stolen cards. Also, there have been reports of data on cards being compromised and cards skimmed/counterfeited.

Nagpur Today spoke to some of the prominent businessmen and traders of the city about the new safety measure introduced by RBI. This is what they all had to say.

CEO of SS Sales (Distributor of Taparia Tools) Tarun Mehra said that since I have always been using an SBI Debit Card, I have always been using the pin number. It is a safe measure for the card users. This will ensure that nobody else can fool around with your Debit Card. Even if one loses one’s card, nobody else can misuse your card without the pin numbers. It is a good thing that RBI has devised and implemented such a move through all the banks.

CEO Deep Motors of Hero MotoCorp Hemant Khungar said that It is a good gesture of RBI to ensure the safety of all the card users. This will definitely stop misuse of the card. Only those who have set their number can use the card and nobody else can use it. We can now ensure that our card, our money and our transactions will remain safe.

President of Whole Sale Cloth and Yarn Merchant’s Association Dinesh Sarda said that it is definitely a safe mode for the Debit Card users. The only problem he felt is that what all secret codes and passwords is one required to remember now. E-mails, Pan Number, Credit Card pin, ATM card pin number etc. However the time consumed over a transaction will also be longer  and if in case somebody does see your pin number, then also problems can arise.

Secretary of Vidarbha Tax Payers Association Tejinder Singh Renu said that this kind of safety move should have been introduced a long time ago. Unless Banks make it safe and foolproof for the card users, they will not feel safe in using Debit or credit cards. More such safety measures should be introduced by RBI or the banks in future too. More secure transaction through cards or plastic will soon pave way for removing cash transactions.

MD of Mascot Motors, Laxman Singh T Bhonsle who is from a Royal family said that anything new regulation from RBI is binding on all the banks and the customers as well. There has been misuse of Debit Cards in the past so the RBI has introduced this safety measure. This will ensure that the Debit Cards are not misused by miscreants and unscrupulous persons. This step is a good one and will certainly help the customers in the long run. The banks will certainly come up with a new system or a machine that ensures that the pin you enter is not seen by anyone and remains safe and secret.

Punching PIN must for debit card transactions from Dec 1

Nagpur Today : Nagpur News

Nagpur News.

Two minor girls were kidnapped from the Government Minor Girls’ Hostel on Saturday.

According to police, the girls Priyanka Hemant Shelke (13) and Sunita Babu Uike (15), staying in Government Girls Hostel, Katol Road under Sadar Police Station jurisdiction, Nagpur, left the Hostel without coming in the notice of the Caretaker of the Hostel. However, the Caretaker (Superintendent) Rajani Manikrao Kamble (56), Resident of Plot No. 103, Kasturi Nagar, Chinchbhavan, Wardha Road, soon noticed the girls missing from the Hostel. The panicky Rajani Kamble and others started a massive search for the girls and searched them at all possible places where the girls could have gone. However, she failed to trace the girls. Finally Rajani Kamble lodged a complaint in this connection with Sadar Police Station. The Senior Sadar PSI Hivrale, acting on the complaint of Kamble and following the Supreme Court directives that any minor girl or boy goes missing then the case should be treated as that of kidnapping, registered an offence under Section 363 of the IPC and has launched manhunt to trace the girls.

Representational Pic

Two minor girls kidnapped from Government Hostel, Police launch manhunt to trace them