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Tag: India

  • Two years since Sidhu Moose Wala’s death, parents keep son’s memory alive

    Two years since Sidhu Moose Wala’s death, parents keep son’s memory alive


     
    Today is the second death anniversary of the late Punjabi singer/rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, who was the ‘King of Punjabi music industry’ and ‘Heartthrob of Young Hearts’.
     
    On May 29, 2022, Sidhu Moose Wala was brutally murdered by gunfire in Jawaharke village of Mansa district on May 29, 2022. Over 30 bullets were fired at him.
     
     
    Lawrence Bishnoi, a renowned mobster, was later identified as the murder’s facilitator. The singer, a political activist who ran for office in the last election from Mansa on a Congress ticket but was unsuccessful, was the target of the attackers’ long-standing anger.
     
    The Indian police have been unable to locate the criminals and prosecute them, even after making many arrests. Today, the family of Sidhu Moose Wala has announced a unique ceremony to honor his memory.
     
     
    His mother has posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, saying, “We remember you, dear son Sidhu. We will never forget you, and your memory will always be alive in our hearts. This day is written in black ink in history.”


     
    Moose Wala’s father, Sardar Balkaur Singh Sidhu, has also posted a picture of his son and appealed for justice, using the hashtag #JusticeForSidhuMooseWala. He expressed his disappointment and frustration over the lack of justice, saying, “Justice has become a distant hope.”


     
    Sidhu Moose Wala’s parents, ‘Balkaur’and ‘Charan Kaur’, have recently welcomed their second son. ( Shubhdeep)

  • My father left his job, my mother left her family: Tabish Hashmi on family’s move to Pakistan

    My father left his job, my mother left her family: Tabish Hashmi on family’s move to Pakistan

    Host and stand – up comedian Tabish Hashmi is one of our favourite people on screen but did you know that until very recently, his family was living in India?

    The star host was invited as a guest on Hafiz Ahmed’s Podcast where he detailed the difficulties his family faced when they shifted to Pakistan from India in 1984.

    “My father moved to Pakistan in 1984, leaving behind a comfortable life in India where he had a good job. His brothers, who were already settled in Pakistan, encouraged him to make the move. It was my grandmother’s illness that finally prompted him to take the leap. While my father’s sacrifice was significant, as he gave up his job, it was my mother who made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind her entire family to join my father in Pakistan. My elder sisters were born in India, and I was born in Pakistan.”

    Talking about how his father became a citizen of Pakistan, he said, “At that time, it was relatively easy to settle in Pakistan by showing investment in the form of dollars or money. Fortunately, my father had the necessary funds, so we were able to obtain Pakistani nationality.”

    Well, we are glad that Tabish’s family made the move. Or else we would have been deprived of one of our brightest stars.

  • Indian capital records highest-ever temperature of 49.9 Celsius

    Indian capital records highest-ever temperature of 49.9 Celsius

    New Delhi (AFP) – Temperatures in India’s capital have soared to a record-high 49.9 degrees Celsius (121.8 Fahrenheit) as authorities warn of water shortages in the sprawling mega-city.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which reported “severe heat-wave conditions”, recorded the temperatures on Tuesday at two Delhi suburbs stations at Narela and Mungeshpur.

    The weather bureau said the temperatures were nine degrees higher than expected.

    Forecasters predict similar temperatures Wednesday for the city of more than 30 million people, issuing a red alert warning notice for people to take care.

    In May 2022, parts of Delhi hit 49.2 degrees Celsius (120.5 Fahrenheit), Indian media reported at the time.

    India is no stranger to searing summer temperatures.

    But years of scientific research have found climate change is causing heatwaves to become longer, more frequent and more intense.

    ‘Water scarcity’

    New Delhi authorities have also warned of the risk of water shortages as the capital swelters in headache-inducing heat — cutting supplies to some areas.

    Water Minister Atishi Marlena has called for “collective responsibility” in stopping wasteful water use, the Times of India newspaper reported Wednesday.

    “To address the problem of water scarcity, we have taken a slew of measures such as reducing water supply from twice a day to once a day in many areas,” Atishi said, the Indian Express reported.

    “The water thus saved will be rationed and supplied to the water-deficient areas where supply lasts only 15 to 20 minutes a day,” she added.

    The IMD warned of the heat’s impact on health, especially for infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases.

    Many blame the soaring temperatures on scorching winds from Rajasthan state, where temperatures on Tuesday were the hottest in the country, at 50.5 degrees Celsius.

    Rajasthan’s desert region of Phalodi holds the country’s all-time heat record, hitting 51 degrees Celsius in 2016.

    At the same time, West Bengal state and the northeastern state of Mizoram have been struck by gales and lashing rains from Cyclone Remal, which hit India and Bangladesh on Sunday, killing more than 38 people.

    Bangladesh’s Meteorological Department said the cyclone was “one of longest in the country’s history”, blaming climate change for the shift.

  • What will Fawad Khan’s upcoming Indian series be about? Amna Isani has the details

    What will Fawad Khan’s upcoming Indian series be about? Amna Isani has the details

    Get the scoop on Fawad Khan’s upcoming Indian series as journalist Amna Isani shared exclusive details about the actor’s new venture on her show ‘Haute Review’ hosted by Hassan Choudhry and herself.

    “Fawad Khan is doing a big-budget series where he plays a polo players’ trainer. The series is written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Asim Raza. The production is led by Misbah Shafique, who has worked with Zee 5. It will be released on Sony Life. The cast includes Sanam Saeed, Mikaal Zulfiqar, and Hira Khan. The series was shot in London, Islamabad, and Chitral. Fawad Khan plays a Chitrali Nawab who trains polo players, and Sanam Saeed probably plays a British girl.”


    Here is the link to the video:

  • Erica Robin and Mashal Khan condemn assault on Christian man in Sargodha

    Erica Robin and Mashal Khan condemn assault on Christian man in Sargodha

    Earlier in the week, a Christian man was injured in Sargodha by a violent mob, while his house and factory were set on fire on allegations of blasphemy. While police were able to control the situation before it spiralled out of control, the situation was reminiscent of Jaranwala riots for many people.

    Miss Universe Pakistan 2023 Erica Robin and Pakistani actor Mashal Khan have talked about the attempted lynching, asking authorities to protect minority rights.


    Robin posted a powerful message on her Instagram about how minorities in Pakistan face difficulties and why things must change. She said, “It’s sad that minorities in Pakistan aren’t treated the same as the majority. If it wasn’t for the votes of minorities in 1947, Pakistan wouldn’t be here today.

    Even Quaid-e-Azam recognized that minorities played a big part in making Pakistan. But what’s happening in Pakistan now is terrible and has been happening for a long time.”


    Robin spoke up after the terrible attack in Sargodha, saying that this isn’t just one incident. She said, “The recent sad event in Sargodha, where an innocent person was killed, shows how minorities are treated badly. This isn’t the only time it’s happened; there have been other incidents like the Gojra riots, where Ahmadis were targeted, and attacks on Hindu and Christian communities for many years.”

    She also talked about how Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are sometimes used unfairly against minorities. She said, “The blasphemy law in Pakistan has been used unfairly against minorities many times. Most Pakistanis need to speak up and say we should get rid of this law. Minorities are a big part of our country and deserve to be treated fairly and protected.” Robin also shared her love for Pakistan and her hope for things to get better. “We care about our country and are an important part of it. It’s time for things to change.”


    Mashal also used Instagram to speak out against the attacks and highlight the important role minorities played in Pakistan’s history. “I keep having to say the same thing over and over. Minorities helped build Pakistan, and it was meant to protect them too. Muslims were a minority before Pakistan was made and faced hate because of their religion. We can’t let this keep happening in our own country,” Mashal said. The Suno Chanda actor added, “If we let these terrible people get away with this, they’ll feel more powerful. We need to stand up for minorities.”

    The victim, Nazir Gill, was critically injured despite police saving his life. He’s being treated at a hospital. When the angry mob attacked, they wrecked Nazir Gill’s house and factory. Scared, many Christian people ran away from their homes, some taking shelter in churches nearby.

  • Mukesh Ambani’s gift to son is mind-blowingly expensive

    Mukesh Ambani’s gift to son is mind-blowingly expensive

    Mukesh Ambani, the richest man in India and the tenth richest person worldwide, has the means to spoil his kids, twins Akash and Isha, as well as their younger brother Anant, according to India Today.

    Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani’s bachelorette celebration cost the rich couple almost INR 1259 crore. Global superstar Rihanna was paid between between INR 66 to INR 74 crore. For the July wedding, the family is now planning to spend double that amount.
    Mukesh Ambani has purchased an opulent beachfront house in Dubai for Anant. The property isn’t just any old villa, but supposedly one of the priciest in all of Dubai, located on the Palm Jumeirah.

    In April 2022, Ambani bought a luxurious 3,000-square-foot home with 10 bedrooms and a private 70-meter beach. According to News18, he paid an astounding INR 640 crore for the mansion. Hindustan Times reported that this was the second-largest residential real estate deal in Dubai.

  • Naimal and Hamza’s lunch date video will make you go ‘aww’

    Naimal and Hamza’s lunch date video will make you go ‘aww’

    The delightful Naimal Khawar Khan has been cherishing moments with her husband, superstar Hamza Ali Abbasi. She recently treated her followers to adorable snapshots and a vlog capturing their latest lunch date. They ventured out to explore a new coffee shop in Islamabad’s picturesque rainy weather. Naimal generously shared the vlog on her YouTube channel, and now we’ve gathered some delightful pictures for you to enjoy.


    Check the pictures below:

  • Fire at children’s hospital in India kills six babies, owner arrested

    Fire at children’s hospital in India kills six babies, owner arrested

    Indian police said on Monday they had arrested a doctor and the owner of an unlicensed hospital where six newborn babies died when a fire erupted in a crowded ward without fire exits.

    The blaze broke out at the New Born Baby Care hospital in New Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area late Saturday evening. In the crucial first minutes, bystanders spotted the fire and braved the blaze to rescue the newborns inside.

    “We didn’t even name her […] I never even held her in my arms,” Anjar Khan, whose 11-day-old daughter died in the blaze, was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

    Vinod Sharma, who lost his day-old baby boy, blamed the hospital authorities for the tragedy.

    “He had a problem with breathing. The doctor had said that he will be fine in a few days,” Sharma was quoted as saying by The Indian Express newspaper. “We didn’t know that the hospital would kill him.”

    Mothers wait to identify the bodies of their children a day after a fire broke out at a children’s hospital in New Delhi
    Arun SANKAR

    Five babies rescued alive

    Fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding and a lack of adherence to safety regulations. The narrow two-storey hospital building was squeezed between a row of homes, without space on either side, making it hard for fire engines to reach.

    “We were trying to control the fire, but there was no way to enter the building and rescue the 12 babies who were trapped,” local fire officer Atul Garg told reporters.

    Senior police officer Surendra Chaudhary told AFP that the hospital did “not have a fire exit system”.

    Its licence expired in March and the owner filled the ward with more than twice the number of beds it previously had permission for.

    “The hospital had permission for up to five beds but they had installed more than 10 beds,” he said. “In view of all this, we have made the arrests.”

    Five babies pulled out from the fire are still recovering in another hospital.

    ‘Highly flammable’

    The blaze in the hospital on Saturday broke out just hours after a separate fire at an amusement park in India’s western state of Gujarat. The toll from that fire rose to 28 on Monday, police said.

    The blaze — which ripped through a centre with a bowling alley and other games crowded with youngsters — was triggered by welding work on the ground floor, chief fire officer Ilesh Kher told reporters.

    “The CCTV footage clearly shows that a spark from the welding work fell on a stack of corrugated cardboard sheets below, causing the fire,” Kher said. “This spread very fast as the material was highly flammable.”

    The corpses were so badly burned they have not been identified so far.

    Police have charged seven people with culpable homicide in connection to that fire. The two fires came as northern India was gripped by intense heat, with temperatures in Delhi hitting 46.8°C.

  • ‘Snapshots of Hell’; reactions to Israel’s massacre in Rafah

    ‘Snapshots of Hell’; reactions to Israel’s massacre in Rafah

    Amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, many Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, Armeena Khan, Anoushey Ashraf, Hania Ahmed, and Fatima Bhutto, are using their social media platforms to highlight Israel’s atrocities in the strip. These public figures drew attention to the dire humanitarian conditions in Rafah, emphasizing the urgency of international intervention and support for the victims.

    Celebrity advocacy for Gaza

    Mahira Khan, known for her influential presence both on and off-screen, has shared emotional images and videos. One of her posts featured a heartbreaking video from Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, showing the bodies of children killed by Israel. She poignantly captioned it, “How can this be the world we live in?”

    Armeena Khan, a dedicated advocate for social causes, highlighted the struggles of Rafah’s residents through her Instagram stories. She expressed gratitude for her privileged position of living in safety while others suffer and shared harrowing content, stating, “Motaz’s stories destroyed my soul tonight. They look like snapshots from hell. Watch, but be mindful; it’s the sort of thing that scars you for life.” Her aim is to maintain global awareness of the crisis.

    Hania Ahmed and Anoushey Ashraf also took to Instagram to spotlight the grim reality in Rafah. They stated, “Israel is burning people alive in Rafah right now. They’re counting on Americans to be too busy during this holiday weekend to pay attention to their latest massacre.”


    Fatima Bhutto shared alarming statistics about the recent attacks, revealing, “Israel bombed Rafah over 60 times in 48 hours after International Court of Justice orders.” She stressed the need for relentless advocacy, captioning her post, “We should not rest till this is stopped. My heart aches.” Bhutto has consistently posted crucial information to keep her followers informed and engaged.

    Bassem Youssef, an Egyptian-American comedian and television host, used his platform to draw attention to the atrocities. He reminded his followers of past misinformation and pointed to the current, documented horrors, urging the world to acknowledge and respond to the genocide in Gaza.

    The collective efforts of Pakistani celebrities on social media remind us that behind our screens lie the harsh realities faced by many. Raising awareness is a powerful way to help those suffering. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 35 Palestinians and wounded dozens on Sunday in an area designated for the displaced in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, according to Palestinian health and emergency service officials. These celebrities aim to keep the world’s attention on these tragic events and encourage action.

  • AR Rehman’s mother made a huge sacrifice for her son’s passion

    AR Rehman’s mother made a huge sacrifice for her son’s passion

    Indian musician AR Rahman has revealed that his mother sacrificed her jewelry to purchase his first musical instrument.In a recent interview with ‘Netflix India’ celebrating the success of their most recent project, Rahman revealed that he never attended college and felt like he was losing out on a lot at the time. He was speaking with the musical team of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila,’ which includes Imtiaz Ali, Mohit Chauhan, and Irshad Kamil.

    AR Rahman said, “I got bored, so I started listening to different things to see what else was out there. I found that side amazing with so much to explore.” Recalling his early struggles he said, “When I first set up my studio, I couldn’t afford an amplifier or equalizer. It was just a bare space with an air conditioner, a shelf, and a carpet. I had no equipment, but I was determined to make it work.”

    He also said “My first recorder came when my mom gave her jewels as a loan. That moment made me feel strong and changed my future.”