Coal-gate: Will CBI name Ashwani in Supreme Court?

The Central Bureau of Investigation is likely to convey to the Supreme Court on Monday that changes were proposed both by Law Minister Ashwani Kumar and Attorney General G M Vahanvati in its status report on investigations into the controversial allocation of coal blocks.

CBI's Director Ranjit Sinha discussed an affidavit in this connection to be filed by the agency on Monday with its lawyer U U lalit who has replaced Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval.

The ASG resigned after a controversy that put the government in a spot erupted over his allegation that Vahanvati tried to influence the probe.

Sources said today the crucial CBI affidavit while confirming that changes were made in the draft status report is also likely to say that the Law Minister had proposed a "dilution" of language in the document before it was given to the apex court.

The affidavit is also likely to mention that the Law Minister disagreed with the line --"rules not being followed in coal allocation" -- in the status report, the sources said.

It will further state that the Law Minister had argued that CBI cannot reach this conclusion before the investigation is completed, the sources added.

The sources said that CBI is likely to confirm that the Attorney General saw more than one draft of the status report.

The sources said CBI will tell the apex court that the probe agency manual rules remained silent on the issue of access to the status report.

The sources said the affidavit is also likely to name the Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office and a Joint Secretary in the Coal ministry in connection with the status report. The document is also likely to say there was a meeting with a PMO official and that changes were made.

The CBI Director had told the apex court in a two-page affidavit that the draft status report was shared with the Law Minister 'as desired by him' and also shown to a JS in the PMO and a JS in the coal ministry.

rediff

A 19th century album of imperial calligraphy

Calligraphy by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II

Calligraphy by Prince Darabakht, heir to the throne 

Calligraphy by Prince Muhammad Sultan Fath al-Mulk Shah

Calligraphy, dated 1268 (1851/52) by Sayyid Muhammad Amir

This is where MOVIES are made

A hundred years ago, Dadasaheb Phalke converted his home as the set of the very first Indian film, Raja Harishchandra.

As films grew in grandeur, their canvas grew too, leading the birth of iconic studios, where glittering stars and powerful filmmakers canned magic that would unspool on the silver screen.

We begin our celebration of the 100 years of Indian cinema by taking you on a tour of some of Mumbai's movie studios.

Hidden behind these gates are massive grounds, where iconic sets have been created, and destroyed. 

Where blockbusters were filmed. 

Where beautiful heroines fluttered their eyelashes and danced to unforgettable songs. 

Where handsome heroes wooed shy damsels and beat up dastardly villains. 

Where love stories blossomed, both on and off-screen. 

Where people were drawn like moths to a flame, hoping for that once successful shot at Bollywood. 

These are the studios of Mumbai, where a million dreams were woven. And a million dreams shattered. 

Take a look. 

Kamal Amrohi Studios

Also known as Kamalistan, this studio was built in 1958 by filmmaker Kamal Amrohi of Mahal and Pakeezah fame.

Some of the films shot here are Amar Akbar Anthony, Razia Sultan, Kaalia, Koyla and Khalnayak.

Recently, Salman Khan booked the entire studio for Dabangg 2, while John Abraham and Sanjay Dutt shot their films, I Me Aur Main and Policegiri respectively.

R K Studios

Last updated on: April 29, 2013 10:57 IST

R K Studios was founded by Raj Kapoor in 1948.

The first film shot at the studio was Aag in the same year, which did not do well.

Some of Raj Kapoor's best films were filmed here like Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Boot Polish (1954), Shri 420 (1955), Jagte Raho(1956), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili(1985).

Raj Kapoor's sons also made movies here -- Randhir Kapoor completed his father's last fim Heena while Rajeev Kapoor made Premgranth and Rishi Kapoor directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen.

Ranbir Kapoor, Raj Kapoor's grandson, wants to revive the RK banner.

YRF Studios

Yash Raj Studios was built in 2006 by Yash Chopra.

Designed by his elder son Aditya Chopra, it is equipped with high-tech shooting equipment, and covers 20 acres on seven floors.

The first film to be shot here was 2006's Fanaa, followed by Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), Band Baaja Baraat (2010), Ishaqzaade (2012), Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and many more.

Filmistan Studio

Filmistan was founded in 1943-1944 by filmmaker Shashdhar Mukherjee, who was instrumental in introducing Ashok Kumar to the movies. His granddaughter is Kajol.

Some of the films shot here are Krissh 3, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Delhi 6 and Partner.

Filmalaya Studio

Also founded by Shashdhar Mukherjee, Filmalaya Studio is currently co-owned by his older brother's son Ram Mukherjee (Rani Mukerji's father) and his sons Rono and Shubir Mukherjee.

Nasir Husain's Dil Deke Dekho (1959) was the first film to be shot here, followed by Love in Simla, Leader, Chhaila Babu and Hum Hindustani.

BIG ND Studio

In 2005, the wellknown art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai opened the ND Studio on 52 acres of land.

Later, Reliance Entertainment took a 50 per cent stake; it is now called BIG ND Studio.

Some films filmed here are Jodhaa Akbar, Action Replayy, Ishqiya, Traffic Signal and Lage Raho Munnabhai.

Mehboob Studio

Mehboob Studio was built by the legendary filmmaker Mehboob Khan, who filmed Mother India, here.

Other landmark movies shot here include Guru Dutt's Kaagaz Ke Phool and Dev Anand's Hum Dono and Guide.

Dev Anand liked the studio so much that he rented an office here for 20 years.

Salman Khan prefers to shoot his movies here, as the studio is located near his home in Bandra.

Famous Studios

Famous Studios was built in 1946 by film producer and financier Shiraz Ali Hakim. After Partition, it was taken over by the Roongtas, the financiers of the building.

Some films shot here: Taj Mahal, Seeta Aur Geeta, Kanyadaan and Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Chandivali Studios

Chandivali Studios was founded by actor-filmmaker Chandrarao Kadam in 1940.

Some films shot here are Deewar, Karz, Coolie, Mard, Tridev, Tezaab, Dil Se, Black Friday, Veer-Zaara, Dev and Lafangey Parinde.

Ranjit Movietone

Ranjit Movietone, also known as Ranjit studios, was founded in 1929 by director-producer Sardar Chandulal Shah and singer-actress-producer Gohar.

The studio started with silent movies like Bikharan and later made talkies like Devi Devyani.

After Chandulal Shah's death in 1965, films were no longer shot at Ranjit studio, but it has become a historic monument.

Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari

Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari -- popularly known as Film City -- was built by the Maharashtra government to provide facilities and concessions to the film industry.

Some films shot here: Sholay, Kala Pathar, The Burning Train, Karz, Lawaaris, Maine Pyar Kiya, Chandni, Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, 3 IdiotsandKrrish.

rediff

red

PICS: The fascinating history of the Khan-i-Khanan Tomb

The tragic and endearing tale of Abdul Rahim Khan's tomb.

Who can forget reciting dohe in our school Hindi classes? Dohe are short Hindi couplets conveying profound messages that draw meaning from everyday life for easy understanding. Apart from Kabir, another prolific dohe writer was Rahim. To understand the childhood connection with Rahim, we need to jog our memory to recall a popular doha:

Rahiman Dhaga Prem Ka, Mat Todo Chatkaya,Toote Se Phir Na Jude, Jude Gaanth Pari Jaaye

It can be loosely translated in English as 

Rahim says: Do not break the thread of love between people. If the thread breaks, it cannot be mended; even if you mend it there will always be a knot in it. The friendship will not be same anymore.

Now, that sure brought an instant childhood connection with Rahim and a smile to the face. 

Khanzada Mirza Khan Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana (17 December 1556 -1627) popularly known as Rahim was one of the Navratnas (Nine Ministers or Nine Gems) in Akbar's court. 

Abdul Rahim Khan was the son of Bairam Khan. 

History is amazing -- how could a son of a Mughal general infamous for atrocities could turn out to be composer and poet.

Akbar who was probably sick of the overbearing and revolting Bairam Khan -- his tutor, regent and general -- retired him and sent him packing to Mecca. This was better than being thrown off the Agra Fort as Adham Khan would testify.

On his way, in Gujarat, Bairam Khan was recognised by a certain man called Hazi Khan whose father was brutally killed by Bairam Khan during the Second Battle of Panipat between Akbar and Hemu.

Bairam Khan had exhorted the kid Akbar to behead Hemu as he lay bleeding from an arrow wound in the eye. 

Bairam must have done something similar to this guy's father too. Anyway, Hazi Khan takes revenge and kills Bairam Khan. Maybe it was all planned by Akbar! However, Rahim Khan then four and his mother were released unharmed and they returned to Akbar's court. 

Rahim Khan joined Akbar's court, regaled the court with his songs and poetry, rose through the ranks until he was promoted as one of the Navratnas and conferred with the title of Mirza Khan.

He was master of several languages like Persian, Chagatai, Sanskrit and Hindi. To augment his salary, he started writing Hindi Couplets for NCERT books. He was a contemporary of Tulsidas and both would exchange notes.

Although a Muslim, he was a devotee of Lord Krishna and wrote poetry dedicated to Him. The reason could be owing to his maternal lineage tracing back to Jadaun Rajputs and Yadavas.

History again has a way of repeating unflinchingly in gory ways. Just like Rahim's father Bairam Khan tutored Akbar and was unceremoniously disposed off in an ambush in Gujarat for his efforts.

Rahim tutored Akbar's son Jahangir. For his efforts, Jahangir had Rahim's two sons killed and their bodies left to rot at Khooni Darwaza opposite Feroz Shah Kotla.

Jahangir was simply annoyed that Rahim supported Jahangir's eldest son Khusrau to succeed Akbar. 

During his trips to Delhi, Mirza Khan marvelled at the beauty of the recently built Humayun Tomb. He figured that he would build something similar for his wife; just like Bu Halima did in her husband Humayun's memory.

Built in 1598, about 30 years after Humayun's Tomb, the structure and planning of Khan-i-Khanan Tomb are similar. However the latter is in on a much smaller scale. 

The tomb, like Humayun Tomb is faced with red sandstone and white marble. The high dome has decorated plaster work. On his death Rahim Khan was also buried here along with his wife and sons.

Mirza Khan's cenotaph lies on the first floor. The tomb was stripped of its sandstone and marble for building the Safdurjung Tomb -- a pattern repeated earlier by Sher Shah Suri who dismantled Siri Fort to build Shergarh and Shahjahan who walked away with Feroz Shah Kotla to build Shahjahanabad.

The chain of inspiration for building tombs for spouses continued and later Shahjahan taking a cue from Rahim Khan built a popular tomb in Agra for his wife.

Today, the Khan-i-Khanan Tomb sits on prime real estate in East Nizamuddin. The lawns are lush and well maintained. Since it is a ticketed monument and that too in the shadow of Humayun Tomb, it does not get many visitors. 

Most people driving on the busy Mathura Road are too busy negotiating the traffic to look. Few who do, look at the tomb with some bewilderment. People are not sure what to make of the stripped exterior.

The tomb looks like a once rich person who has been dealt a bad hand and all that is left now is a tattered coat and some old glory. It looks tragic and at the same time endearing -- just like Rahim's life.

Come and spend some time among the scarred and stripped walls. You just might hear poetry and couplets wafting in the air.

Getting There: As you drive on Mathura Road from Subz Burj roundabout towards Nizamuddin Railway Station, the tomb lies on the left.

IN PICS: The hottest IPL wives and girlfriends

The sexier halves of our swashbuckling cricketers

What is IPL without a dash of glamour right? Stepping in to break the monotony of the game are these hot wives and girlfriends or WAGS of IPL glamming up the stands.

Mashoom Singha

We start off with the stunning Mashoom Singha and Shaun Tait who are making their long-distance relationship work really well.

According to reports the lovebirds met a few years ago during an IPL event and have hit it off ever since.

The Australian cricketer who divides his time between his hometown of Adelaide and Mumbai confesses that he is a much calmer person thanks to Mashoom.

Shaun Tait plays for the Rajasthan Royals.

Kyly Boldy

Michael Clarke's first reaction to his relationship with Kyly Boldy was the predictable 'She's just a friend!' Having burnt his fingers earlier with another model Lara Bingle, Clarke was keen to play out this relationship tad differently.

Even though they got married only in May last year, Boldy and Clarke have known each other since school.

Boldy, a former swimsuit model currently runs an interior design business, has also helped Clarke design their new pad.

Michael Clarke plays for the Pune Warriors.

Sakshi Dhoni

Next up is the Queen Bee herself. In the almost-three years of being married to one of India's hottest cricketers, Sakshi Dhoni nee Rawat has slipped into the role of the first lady of Indian Cricket rather well, we'd say.

All of 21 when she married Dhoni, Sakshi had only just completed her internship with Hotel Taj Bengal in Kolkata after completing her hotel management degree.

She's been by her husband at all the major matches, managing to make all the right noises in the stands and being a media darling. What else could Captain Cool ask for from his wife now? Really!

Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays for the Chennai Super Kings.

Jeanne Kietzmann

When South African bowler Dale Steyn spotted Jeanne Kietzmann working in a restaurant in Cape Town and asked her for her number the young lady had absolutely no clue about who on earth he was.

Kietzmann is a model and an actress, who has gone on to act in television shows such as League of Glory and BBC's Outcasts. She is also said to enjoy adventure sports such as mountain biking and hiking. An even though she confesses that she isn't a cricket fan Kietzmann travels with him as often as her schedule permits.

Dale Steyn plays for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Geeta Basra

She may not have a particularly flattering career in Bollywood but if rumours are to be believed Geeta Basra has managed to land herself a fairly good catch in Harbhajan Singh. The two have been linked for years now but for some reason both insist on denying all rumours, including Geeta who told us that Bhajji was just a friend  Really now!?!

Harbhajan Singh plays the for Mumbai Indians.

Shamone Jardim

The South African model has been dating Jacques Kallis for over half a decade now and has been by his side all along. Like all the WAGs here, Shamone Jardim also follows her better half around the world to watch him play.

In the various trips to India, Jardim has fallen in love with the country and hopes they get married or at least host one of the ceremonies against a rural set-up in India.

Jacques Kallis plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Lee Furlong

The sports presenter was introduced to the dashing Shane Watson's by his teammate Brett Lee way back in 2006. But it wasn't until late 2009 that he popped the question and the two were married in May 2010. Lee Furlong has since delivered a baby boy and continues to feature in various lists of hottest WAGs even beating Victoria Beckham in some of them.

Shane Watson plays for the Rajasthan Royals.

Jessica Bratich-Johnson

This hottie who is married to the Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson isn't just a pretty face. Besides holding a degree in communications, Jessica Bratich-Johnson is also a karate professional, designs leather accessories and a mother of one! Whoa! Right?!

Mitchell Johnson plays for the Mumbai Indians.

Weird superstitions of Karnataka politicians

Superstitions always seem to leave a mark in Indian politics. And that's no exception in the case of poll-bound Karnataka.

Many candidates have been rushing to file their nomination papers on Monday following astrologers' advice that today happens to be a very auspicious day to do so.

Also, most leaders will use either blue or green ink pens to file their nomination papers.

That's not all. There are other stranger acts.

Many Congress leaders would never use a black ink pen to file their nomination papers. They would also wear four layers of clothes while doing so.

BJP leaders consult at least four to five astrologers and depend a lot of vaastu shastra before filing their nomination papers.

A common thing noticed is that these leaders always point their nomination papers North before filing their papers.

There is also a BJP leader who always wears a fur hat before he files his nomination.

Some leaders from B S Yeddyurappa's Karnataka Janata Party have decided to wear clothes which match the colour of their birth stone before filing their nominations.

Yeddyurappa himself has been famous for visiting several temples before he files his nomination.

Then there some leaders who leave very early in the morning to either campaign or file their nomination papers. They do not mind waiting for a couple of hours. They do want to get stuck in traffic as they feel that a red signal means bad luck.

The Deve Gowda family is all about numerology.

Five is considered to be a lucky number for Deve Gowda. The first list announced had 122 names, adding up to five.

Gowda's son, H D Revanna wears a gold chain around his neck and also his waist before filing the nomination for good luck.

rediff

Centre opposes PIL seeking removal of Sebi chief

The Centre on Wednesday opposed in the Supreme Court a plea seeking removal of  SEBI Chairman U K Sinha on grounds of alleged irregularities in his appointment, saying the charges against him are false as recently he acted against corporates including Sahara.

"They are obsessed with conspiracies...This man (SEBI chairman) has gone against Sahara and is looking into the case of RIL [ Get Quote ] and others," Attorney General (AG) G E Vahanvati submitted before a bench of justices S S Nijjar and Pinaki Chandra Ghose.

The AG was responding to arguments of Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Arun Kumar Agrawal, that M Abraham, a Kerala-cadre IAS officer and a whole-time member of SEBI, had written a letter to the Prime Minister that information regarding cases, pending with the market regulator, against some corporates were sought by the Finance Ministry.

Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran said Omita Paul, Secretary to the President, who was then advisor to the then finance minister, had "no role" in the appointment of Sinha as SEBI Chairman.

The Cabinet Committee on Appointment, headed by the Prime Minister, appoints the SEBI chairman and the advisor has no role in it.

Seeking dismissal of the PIL of Agrawal, the AG said that complete facts relating to two earlier petitions on the same issue were not disclosed to this court.

"I should have raised preliminary issues earlier. The court entertained the petition in good faith. The PIL petitioner should have disclosed these facts," Vahanvati said, adding "this kind of selective amnesia is not expected of a veteran PIL petitioner...”

Bhushan, however, said the PIL, filed by Agrawal, was different from earlier petitions of retired IPS officer Julio F Ribeiro which were dismissed as withdrawn and moreover, the court had granted him the liberty to file it afresh.

He also referred to the prayers sought by Agrawal and Ribeiro in their respective pleas.

Initiating the arguments, Bhushan said Sinha, who was appointed as SEBI Chairman for three years in February 2011, allegedly lacked "integrity" to head the market regulator which has "become an extremely important institution in the wake of various scams in the stock market in recent past."

He also referred to the rules governing the salary to be drawn by an IAS officer if he is sent on deputation to a PSU or to private firms, NGO and other independent bodies.

Sinha, who had become the CMD of UTI Asset Management Company, earlier hit by the Ketan Parikh stock scam, withdrew salaries which was inconsistent with the rules, he said.

The lawyer also said Sinha, who also served as Joint Secretary (Banking) and CMD of UTI Asset Management Company, gave wrong undertaking before becoming SEBI chairman that he was not privy to "various sensitive and strategic information".

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Sinha, raised preliminary objections relating to previous PILs on the issue and said "this court needs to decide the preliminary issues ... what the champion of human rights and public cause was doing since 2005."

The petition is a "motivated one" and does need to be entertained, Salve said, adding that he would later advance arguments on merits in the case.

Earlier, the court had issued the notice to the Centre and others on the PIL alleging irregularities in Sinha's appointment as chief of the market regulator.

The bench had impleaded the President's Secretary Omita Paul, who was advisor to the then Finance Minister, when the decision to appoint Sinha as SEBI chairman was taken.

The impleading was done after it was alleged that the process of selection of SEBI chairman was interfered with due to which incumbent C B Bhave was refused extension and Sinha appointed. It was contended that Sinha had not even applied for the post.

Bhushan had submitted the "appointment of Sinha is malafide and a result of a deep-rooted conspiracy" and placed various documents which were procured through Right to Information Act to buttress his allegations.

"Sinha failed to fulfil one of the eligibility conditions as laid down in the SEBI Act which requires that the Chairman shall be a person of high integrity. He is not a person of high integrity as is apparent from various facts," Bhushan had further said.
rediff.com