Sports channel shifts telecast of F1 races

Mumbai: A week after sports minister MS Gill’s statement that F1 not a sport, television channels are scrambling for the right program placement.

Yesterday, Star TV India announced they will shift F1 races from Star Sports to Star Plus entertainment channel. The races will be telecasted between Sajan Ghar Jana Hai and Sabki Laadli Bebo, other equally popular shows. FIA, the governing body of F1 is also contemplating changes in the race format. Like during the pre-race session, racers may discuss their relationship with wives/girlfriends on live television. Other programs on cards are Cooking with Hamilton and Kimi Räikkönen Talk Show.

In a similar move, DD Sports is planning to shift World Rally Championship to DD National. DD will also shift Pole Vault competitions because of the usage of carbon fiber pole which does not “satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavor for excelling in competition with others”.

Kaminey row: Underworld lodged FIR against Producer Vishal Bhardwaj

Mumbai : A day after Mumbai gangsters burned posters of Vishal Bhardwaj’s latest film, ‘Kaminey’, protesting against this Shahid Kapoor-starrer containing a ‘‘derogatory depiction’’ of the underworld, local police have filed a case against the producer of the film alleging profanity.
‘‘There are scenes in the film in which the gangsters are shown as merciless killers. They have also portrayed underworld as a threat to law and order and manipulators of corrupt cops. This desecrates our image and discourages young people wanting to join us,’’ said Kallu Zinga, sharp shooter.

Police said Underworld Sena, had lodged an FIR, alleging profanity. ‘‘We have registered a case against the producer for hurting sentiments of gangsters across India and Dubai,’’ said Mumbai inspector Derrick Lobo.

Case registered in parliament ragging case

Delhi: Most of us identify ragging incidences only with students and educational institutes. But an unfolding case has revealed that people with responsibility to run the country also take pleasure in tormenting newly joined colleagues.

Narayan Murthy, non-executive Chairman and Chief Mentor of Infosys, yesterday formally registered a complaint of ragging of his protégé, Nandan Nilekani by other cabinet ministers. Nandan Nilekani had recently moved to Delhi to head an ambitious government program to equip every Indian with a biometric Unique Identification Card.

The five page statement submitted by Narayan Murthy to President Pratibha Patil detailed Nandan’s ordeal since June 2009.

Second day in the job, a group of drunk senior cabinet ministers arrived at Nandan’s home on Tuglak Road in wee hours of morning. He was forcefully taken to the Parliament House and asked to measure periphery of the building with a smartcard. Nandan was set free only when the guards arrived on morning shift. A week later when Nandan was on his way to Parliament cafeteria, some seniors forced him to collect Swiss Bank account numbers from the female colleagues. But the biggest embarrassment to Nandan was when he was invited for a ‘shorts only’ party in what turned out to be the reception of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Narayan Murthy has requested the President to take strict action against the offenders. When asked by the reporters about whereabouts of Nandan, Mr. Murthy said that he is recuperating in Infy’s Mysore campus. He also added that Nandan had been complaining of ragging since the day he joined the parliament.

"He had been complaining of ragging ever since he joined the parliament. When I asked to talk to the PM or President, he said it would hurt his ability to get bills sanctioned if I complained. He said all new cabinet ministers depend on the seniors for getting bills passed. So I kept quiet. This should not happen to any other cabinet minister," said Narayan Murthy.

First ouster in ‘Iss Chintan Baithak Se Muze Bachao’

Simla: The mega hit reality show ‘Iss Chintan Baithak Se Muze Bachao’ (ICBSMB) saw its first causality yesterday. The participants unanimously voted out Jaswant Singh, a veteran BJP leader and MP. Mr. Singh became unpopular when he inadvertently sang ‘Jinnah tere bina kya jina’, a popular Pakistani anthem during the Antakshari competition. Some critics are calling Jaswant Singh’s ouster as a gimmick to increase TRP. If it is true then the move is certainly working. According to Neilson rating agency, about 50% young adults watched the episode on Monday. The only show that competed for eyeballs during the same time was 'Lingerie Walk' on Fashion TV.

ICBSMB was conceived by the cultural wing of Bharatiya Janata Party. According to show’s promotional material, last person standing will be chosen as the successor to current party Chief LK Advani. Incidentally, Mr. Advani is also participating in the show and doing his best to remain in the game.

ICBSMB consists of part games and part brainstorming sessions. BJP president Rajnath Singh seems to be overall favorite after winning five meter dash on crutches and bladder control competition. Narendra Modi has become another hot favorite after he gave foot massage to several senior party leaders.

The show had its awkward moments too. During the Vegetable Cutting team competition, BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi refused to go near to his partner Varun Gandhi who was wielding a large knife.

According to a BJP insider, Vasundhara Raje may end her rebellion against the party’s directive to quit as leader of the opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly in exchange wild card entry to the show.

There is lot more excitement coming in the future episodes of ‘Iss Chintan Baithak Se Muze Bachao’. So keep your eyes glued to the idiot box.