Author: Vividh Bharathi

6-7 pc growth rate in India good given global average, infra work on solid ground: Mark Mobius

Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS) India’s ability to manage inflation without compromising growth will be pivotal in attracting sustained foreign investments, global ace investor Mark Mobius said on Thursday, adding that on a macro front, 6-7 per cent growth rate in India is a good rate given the global average.

Addressing an investor webinar organised by PL Capital-Prabhudas Lilladher, the veteran investor said the Indian economy grew a good 5.4 per cent in Q2 FY25, despite having a size as big as $4 trillion.

“On a macro front, 6-7 per cent growth rate in India is a good rate given the global average. ‘Make in India’ and the impetus the government provides to manufacture locally is a big positive and the biggest advantage of local manufacturing in India is that they have a big market for local/self-consumption,” said Mobius, Chairman of Mobius Emerging Opportunities Fund.

He further stated that the Indian government has done phenomenal work by creating solid infrastructure to support growth.

“Despite political challenges, PM Modi’s administration remains focused on reducing inefficiencies, modernising infrastructure, and enhancing governance. The central challenge lies in balancing populist measures with long-term structural reforms,” Mobius stated.

He highlighted key areas where India stands to gain both domestically and globally, identifying sectoral shifts and emerging opportunities, like defence manufacturing, semiconductors, infrastructure and urbanisation, tourism and travel growth, energy and commodities and digital public infrastructure.

On US President-elect Donald Trump’s trade tariffs, he said that Trump could use tariffs as a bargaining chip to negotiate open trade deals.

“Emerging Markets like India stand to benefit as there is a limit to which investors would want to put their money in the US market. Plus, the opportunities in emerging markets are also thriving,” he added.

Mobius articulated a cautiously optimistic outlook for global and Indian economic trends, driven by both cyclical and structural factors. Tapering off Russia-Ukraine conflict and reduced Middle East turmoil, are expected to bolster global growth, he noted.

–IANS

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Veteran actor Mohan Babu booked for attempt to murder

Hyderabad, Dec 12 (IANS) Police have booked an attempt to murder case against veteran Tollywood actor Mohan Babu for attacking a television journalist at his residence recently.

Rachakonda Police, which earlier registered a case under Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 118 (1) (causing hurt with dangerous weapons or substances), has added Section 109 (attempt to murder).

Police said that after taking the legal opinion they added Section 109 to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at Pahadi Shareef Police Station.

The FIR was registered on a complaint by M. Satyanarayana, a reporter of Telangana news channel TV9.

Mohan Babu attacked the TV reporter when the latter had gone to his residence in Jalpally to cover the ongoing dispute between him and his actor son Manchu Manoj.

Journalists had staged protests on Wednesday, demanding the police book an attempt to murder case. They had also demanded an apology from Mohan Babu, who is also a former Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, Mohan Babu remained in hospital. He was admitted on Tuesday night with high blood pressure and anxiety.

He could not appear before Rachakonda Police Commissioner, who had served notices to him and his two sons. The senior actor approached Telangana High Court, which exempted him from appearance till December 24.

Mohan Babu’s elder son and actor Manchu Vishnu on Wednesday termed the Tuesday night attack on the journalist unfortunate. He claimed that the act was not deliberate. He said that their father came before the media by doing ‘namskar’ but when a mike was put close to his mouth, he attacked on an impulse. He assured all help to the family of the injured journalist.

Manchu Manoj, who is locked in a bitter fight with his father, said that he was apologising to the media on behalf of his father. He said the media persons came under attack while supporting him.

The injured reporter stated in his complaint that when Manchu Manoj and other journalists went into the house on the invitation of Manchu Manoj, Mohan Babu confronted them aggressively, used abusive and foul language, grabbed the mike and attacked him with the mike. This resulted in severe head injury.

The incident occurred when Manchu Manoj broke the gate to enter the house after an argument with the bouncers deployed there. Along with Manoj and his private security men, some journalists also entered the house.

When the TV 9 reporter asked a question to Mohan Babu about the dispute with his son, he got enraged, grabbed the mike and attacked the reporter with the mike. The journalist collapsed on the ground. The bouncers drove all the journalists out of the house.

The injured reporter was admitted to a hospital in Shamshabad. According to doctors, he has suffered three fractures in zygomatic bone (cheekbone) and needs plastic surgery.

–IANS

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Eminem has a cameo in Adam Sandler’s ‘Happy Gilmore 2’

Los Angeles, Dec 12 (IANS) Hollywood star Adam Sandler has made a revelation about ‘Happy Gilmore 2’, and it’s bound to catch the attention of the hip-hop legend Eminem.

The actor appeared on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ recently, and spilled the beans that the ‘Lose Yourself’ rapper, 52, will also feature in the film, reports ‘People’ magazine.

“I don’t know if they’re going to yell at me no matter what because they asked me not to do any press, but what do you want to say?”, Sandler said after show host Dan Patrick asked if he can discuss certain cameos in the movie.

“You say it and I’ll tell you if it’s good or bad to talk about.” “Can I talk about Eminem having a cameo?” Patrick said with a laugh. “Okay, yes, yes you can,” Sandler responded. “Eminem was cool, he came by, he was great”.

As per ‘People’, Sandler did not reveal exactly what role Eminem will play in the next Happy Gilmore movie, a sequel to his 1996 classic golf-based sports comedy, nor how he convinced the rapper to take part in the upcoming Netflix film.

“I can’t tell you all that but I’ve known Eminem for a long time, he’s a great guy and he came in and was funny as hell”, he said. “I think we just hung out a day with Eminem and he just shot and shot and he was insane. (He) said a million things we can use and a million that we’re glad we have him on tape”.

Netflix announced that Sandler would make a sequel to Happy Gilmore in May, two months after Christopher McDonald, who played the villainous golfer Shooter McGavin in ‘Happy Gilmore’, let it slip that a sequel was in development during a March 2024 interview.

In addition to McDonald, Kelce, Sandler, Patrick, Margaret Qualley and Eminem, the upcoming sequel will also feature Benny Safdie in “a juicy part”.

–IANS

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Disheartening to see disruptions in Parliament over wealth creators: Sadhguru

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Jaggi Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation on Thursday expressed dismay over repeated disruptions in the ongoing session of Parliament, particularly over matters related to privately owned businesses and conglomerates.

“It is disheartening to observe disruptions in the Parliament, particularly when we aspire to be a beacon of democracy for the world,” the spiritual guru said.

Taking to his social media handle on X, he advised, “The wealth creators and job providers of India should not become subject of political rhetoric.”

The spiritual guru further suggested that if there are discrepancies, they should be handled within the framework of law and let them become a political football.

“The Indian business must thrive for Bharat to become a Bhavya Bharat,” Coimbatore-based Sadhguru remarked.

Sadguru’s remarks comes amidst the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, scheduled to end on December 20, as it faces repeated adjournments over one or the other issue.

Congress-led Opposition has been targeting the government for “favouring” a few business houses while the NDA leaders have been attacking the INDIA bloc for corruption, accusing former Congress president of having links with ties with an organisation reportedly funded by the George Soros Foundation, which once supported the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation.

The foundation has been accused of backing narratives challenging India’s sovereignty, including advocating for Kashmir’s independence.

A day ago, the INDIA bloc moved a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankar accusing him of partisan behaviour and acting as the spokesperson of the government.

The INDIA bloc held Jagdeep Dhnakar responsible for the repeated stalling and disruption of the House over his ‘headmaster-type attitude’ and treatment of ‘Parliament like a school.’

Justifying their stance against Jagdeep Dhankhar, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said: “We were left with no option but to go ahead with this notice. For three years, he has been acting in a partisan manner. He has given ample time to the treasury benches, denied the Opposition a chance to present their views and also resorted to schooling the Opposition leaders like a headmaster.”

–IANS

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CM Stalin, EPS wish Rajinikanth on his birthday

Chennai, Dec 12 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin extended his heartfelt wishes to superstar Rajinikanth on his 74th birthday.

In a post on the social media platform X, CM Stalin wrote: “Happy birthday to my wonderful friend, Superstar Mr. @rajinikanth, who has crossed borders and won fans from six to sixty with his acting and style! I wish you, who have achieved continuous success in the film industry, a life filled with peace and happiness. May you continue to delight people always.”

Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) also wished the superstar on his special day.

In his message, EPS wrote: “Dear friend Rajinikanth, who has a global fan base thanks to his unique acting skills and pleasant personality, @rajinikanth, my heartfelt birthday wishes to you. As you celebrate the golden jubilee of your film career, I pray for many more years of good health and happiness to continue pleasing your fans.”

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai also joined in celebrating the superstar. In a post on social media, he said: “Happy birthday to Mr. @rajinikanth, a beloved and respected superstar who rose from humble beginnings to become an icon of Indian cinema through hard work and noble character. For over 50 years, you have captured the hearts of three generations. I pray to the Lord that you may live many more years in good health.”

Superstar Rajinikanth, one of India’s most celebrated actors, turned 74 on Thursday.

Born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, Rajinikanth enjoys legendary status in Indian cinema and commands a fan following that spans generations. Known for his charisma and unique style, his birthday is nothing short of a festival for his devoted fans, especially in Tamil Nadu.

In Chennai, fans gathered outside Rajinikanth’s residence to extend their birthday wishes.

Social media platforms lit up with birthday wishes for the superstar, with hashtags like #HBDSuperstarRajinikanth and #Thalaivar trending throughout the day.

Fans offered prayers at the Rajinikanth temple in Madurai, while others performed private pujas to honour him.

This year, fans are also celebrating the re-release of his 1991 blockbuster ‘Thalapathi’ in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Adding to the excitement, updates on movies ‘Jailer 2’ and ‘Coolie’ were anticipated as part of the birthday festivities.

–IANS

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Fresh snowfall in J&K, minimum temperature improves

Srinagar, Dec 12 (IANS) Higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Thursday as the minimum temperature improved with Srinagar city recording minus 0.5 degrees Celsius as the lowest temperature.

Fresh snowfall occurred in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Zojila Pass, Doodpathri and other places as the nightlong cloud cover brought up the night temperature.

The Meteorological (MeT) department officials said that due to the cloud cover, minimum temperatures have improved in Kashmir Valley.

The MeT department has forecast that there would be no major change in weather in the union territory till December 20.

Srinagar recorded minus 0.5, Gulmarg minus 5.2 and Pahalgam minus 4.6 as the minimum temperature.

Jammu city recorded 6.8, Katra 7.4, Batote 5.3, Banihal 3.9 and Bhaderwah 2.9 as the minimum temperature.

Morning chill accompanied by frost kept most Kashmiris inside their homes in the early hours of the day as fewer pedestrians and vehicular movement were seen in Srinagar city this morning.

The Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed for general traffic due to heavy snowfall in the Zojila Pass area.

The 40-day-long period of bitter winter cold called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ will start on December 21 and end on January 30. It is during this period that the gap between the minimum and the maximum temperature narrows down adding to the chill factor.

Water bodies, including lakes, rivers and streams, also freeze partially during the Chillai Kalan hampering the movement of boats in the local water bodies.

For centuries, Kashmiris have relied on the earthen firepot woven in a willow wicker basket filled with embers to ward off the winter cold. This is called the ‘Kangri’.

Kept under the loose tweed overgarment called the ‘Pheran’, the Kangri remains the local’s best bet to bear the extreme winter cold.

As electricity remains undependable due to frequent power cuts and shutdowns, locals have to depend on age-old practices to survive the bone-chilling cold of Kashmir winter.

–IANS

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Jal Jeevan Mission empowering women in rural areas: PM Modi

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Jal Jeevan Mission is facilitating the empowerment of more women in India, especially in the rural areas, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Launched in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide functional tap water connections to every rural household.

PM Modi said that women can now easily focus on skill development and self-reliance as they need not go long distances to fetch clean water, and can get water at their doorstep.

“A good perspective on how the Jal Jeevan Mission is furthering women empowerment, especially in our rural areas,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

“With clean water at their doorstep, women can now focus on skill development and self-reliance,” he added.

From just 3.23 crore (17 per cent) rural households with tap water connections in 2019, the initiative has successfully added 11.96 crore new connections by October 2024.

Currently, more than 15.35 crore or 79.31 per cent of households have tap water connections, as per the government data.

About 11 states — Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Puducherry, Telangana, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram — have had 100 per cent coverage of tap water connection, it showed.

According to a recent research report by the State Bank of India, rural households across the country have seen an 8.3 percentage point decline in fetching water from outside premises. It has led to a 7.4 percentage point increase in women’s participation in agriculture and other productive activities.

The report noted exceptional progress made by states such as Bihar and Assam. The female workforce in these states has risen by over 28 percentage points.

–IANS

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Austin Butler to reprise Christian Bale’s iconic role in ‘American Psycho’

Los Angeles, Dec 12 (IANS) Hollywood actor Austin Butler is set to reprise the role of Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino‘s new interpretation of the book ‘American Psycho’ by Bret Easton Ellis for Lionsgate. The character was earlier played by the Hollywood star and the master of body transformations, Christian Bale in ‘American Psycho’.

While there had been rumors that Jacob Elordi was being eyed to play Patrick Bateman, that casting didn’t come to pass, reports ‘Variety’.

Elordi and Butler have something in common, having both played very different versions of Elvis in movies by Sofia Coppola (‘Priscilla’) and Baz Luhrmann (‘Elvis’), respectively.

As per ‘Variety’, the film, which features a script by Scott Z. Burns (‘The Laundromat’), will not be a remake of the 2000 film, but a new adaptation of Ellis’ novel. In the original movie, which came out in 2000 and is set in the 1980s, Christian Bale stars as Patrick Bateman, a Wall Street yuppie and serial killer.

Under the lens of Guadagnino, who is best known for ‘Call Me by Your Name’, ‘Challengers’ and most recently ‘Queer’, the new take on the book could have a larger erotic emphasis than the original horror satire. Guadagnino has also dabbed into genre in “Suspiria” and “Bones and All.” While Butler is attached to play the lead role in the movie, Guadagnino might have have interpreted the Patrick Bateman character in a much different way than its previous incarnation.

Guadagnino just wrapped the shoot of “After the Hunt” starring Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. His previous two movies “Queer” and “Challengers” turned up in the Golden Globes nominations. Daniel Craig (“Queer”) was nominated for best actor, while Zendaya is vying for best actress in “Challengers,” which is also nominated for motion picture (musical or comedy) and music.

–IANS

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Arpita Khan on opening a restaurant: Food has always been an expression to us as a family

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s youngest sister Arpita Khan, who tags herself as a “foodie”, has come up with her very own restaurant in Mumbai and said that for generations, she and her family have celebrated through food, and it’s this deep-rooted connection that inspired her to take this passion to the next level.

Talking about opening her own restaurant “Mercii”, Arpita told IANS: “Food has always been an expression to us as a family. Our home has been a place where people are welcomed with warmth, and sharing a meal is the ultimate gesture of love and hospitality.”

“For generations, we’ve celebrated through food, and it’s this deep-rooted connection that inspired me to take this passion to the next level. When Ketul met me for this project , it felt like it was time to expand the family with the boys into a natural extension of our home.”

She revealed that the name Mercii holds a special meaning for her.

“It’s derived from the French word for ‘thank you,’ and for me, gratitude is fundamental. In today’s fast-paced world, where basic kindness and appreciation can sometimes feel forgotten, I wanted Mercii to serve as a reminder of the importance of giving back and saying ‘thank you’—to the people who work with us, those who dine with us, and the universe itself,” said Arpita.

She suggested that the “Potato Mille-Feuille with Périgord truffle” is a must try from the menu and her personal favourites include Rigatoni Arabiata Pasta, the delicious four cheese pizza and Coco Lobster.

Asked if she would describe herself as a foodie?

“Absolutely! I’ve always been someone who finds joy in exploring flavors, ingredients, and the stories behind them. For me, food is not just about taste, but about culture, tradition, and connection.”

Arpita, who is married to actor Aayush Sharma, revealed that her travels have introduced her to diverse cuisines and culinary techniques, which she loves discovering and sharing.

“Whether it’s enjoying a simple home-cooked meal or savoring an elaborate dish, I believe food has the power to create memories and bring people together,” said Arpita.

–IANS

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Gillespie’s future in doubt after PCB’s treatment to Nielsen: Report 

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Pakistan’s Test head coach Jason Gillespie is reportedly reconsidering his options after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided not to renew the contract of assistant coach Tim Nielsen for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.

Nielsen, who was appointed as ‘high-performance red-ball coach’ in August, had been awaiting a contract renewal following Pakistan’s tour of Australia. Despite expressing commitment to the South Africa and West Indies series, Nielsen was informed his services were no longer required, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Gillespie was not consulted about the decision to let Nielsen go, which has caused significant frustration. His dissatisfaction is compounded by the PCB’s earlier removal of him from the selection panel in October, reducing his role to a “matchday strategist”. He has also expressed disappointment over Nielsen’s rapport with players not being considered in the decision.

The PCB has increasingly leaned towards appointing local coaches, citing the limited time overseas coaches spend in Pakistan as a key concern. This reasoning was similarly applied when former head coach Gary Kirsten resigned in October.

While Gillespie remains scheduled to travel to South Africa on December 13, speculation over his future persists. If the PCB terminates his contract, it may owe him a substantial payout due to its mid-2026 expiration. However, resignation on Gillespie’s part would significantly lower any severance payment. The PCB has yet to finalise Nielsen’s replacement or comment publicly on Gillespie’s future.

Last month, PCB denied reports of Gillespie’s exit and confirmed that he ‘will continue to coach the Pakistan side for the two red-ball matches against South Africa’.

However, on the next day, PCB appointed Aaqib Javed as Pakistan’s interim white-ball head coach till the 2025 Champions Trophy. PCB added that during this tenure, Aaqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the men’s national selection committee, and will be assigned additional responsibilities following the conclusion of the eight-team tournament.

–IANS

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