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<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> <keyword id="20626605" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shuttler" source="keywords">shuttler</keyword> <keyword id="20419517" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nitesh-Kumar" source="keywords">Nitesh Kumar</keyword> cruised to a comfortable win while <keyword id="20156841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manoj-Kumar" source="keywords">Manoj Kumar</keyword> suffered a defeat in the <keyword id="20646411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mens-singles" source="keywords">men's singles</keyword> SL3 Group A event in the ongoing <keyword id="20420017" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paris-paralympics" source="keywords">Paris Paralympics</keyword> on Friday. Nitesh enjoyed a comfortable outing against China's Jianyuan Yang. He established his dominance by racing to a 21-5, 21-11 win. Yang struggled to match Nitsh's intensity and got completely outplayed. On the other hand, Manoj suffered a straight-game loss against Thailand's Mongkhon Bunsun by 19-21, 8-21 in the men's singles SL3 Group A match. Manoj showed grit and resilience in the opening set against the Thailand shuttler. The opening set went right down the wire but Bunsun held his composure to go 1-0 up in the game. In the second set, Bunsun turned out to be a challenge that Manoj failed to overcome. Bunsun took the lead and never looked back after that. Manoj had no answer to the questions that the Thailand shuttler put in front of him and eventually succumbed to defeat. Earlier on Friday, Manasi Joshi crashed out of the women's singles SL3 Group A event after Ukraine's Oksana Kozyna scripted a remarkable comeback at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena. Manasi began the proceedings on a dominant note, taking control of the opening set by maintaining a healthy gap. Within the blink of an eye, she raced to a 21-10 win in the opening set to go 1-0 up. In the second set, Oksana responded brilliantly and turned the tide with an impressive overall display. She pushed Manasi on the back foot and restored parity at 1-1 with a 15-21 win. In the match decider, Manasi settled her nerves and looked well set to walk away with the win. However, Oksana had different plans. She overcame the deficit of three points towards the end and took away the match with a 21-23 win. The defeat ensured Manasi's exit from the event. This year, India has sent its largest contingent ever to the <keyword id="20396851" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paralympics" source="keywords">Paralympics</keyword>, comprising 84 athletes across 12 sports, a testament to the country's expanding para-sports ecosystem. India's participation in the <keyword id="19916613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris" source="keywords">Paris</keyword> 2024 Paralympics marks not only a significant increase in numbers but also in medal hopes, as the nation aims to surpass its previous achievements in <keyword id="19909001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tokyo" source="keywords">Tokyo</keyword>. In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, the Indian <keyword id="20012442" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="badminton" source="keywords">badminton</keyword> contingent secured a total of four medals, including two gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

Paris Paralympics: Shuttler Nitesh cruises to comfortable win, Manoj suffers setback in men's singles SL3 Group A

It was a "moment to cherish" for <keyword id="53763" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pramod-Bhagat" source="Orion">Pramod Bhagat</keyword> who on Saturday clinched India's first <keyword id="30621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="badminton" source="Orion">badminton</keyword> gold in <keyword id="6387644" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paralympics" source="Orion">Paralympics</keyword> and he attributed his win against Great Britain's <keyword id="4324036" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Daniel-Bethell" source="Orion">Daniel Bethell</keyword> in the finals to a strategy that he devised after losing to the same opponent in the past. Reigning world champion Bhagat beat Bethell 21-14, 21-17 in the summit clash. Another Indian, <keyword id="23353" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Manoj-Kumar" source="Orion">Manoj Kumar</keyword> won the bronze after beating Daisuke Fujihara in the third place play-off. <div type="twitter" handle="Tokyo2020hi" handlename="#Tokyo2020 for India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1221978814495854595/bUI2yuI7_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2257" retweetcount="588" status="World Champion, and now Paralympics Champion 👑Here's the moment when Pramod Bhagat scripted history. #Gold medall… https://t.co/eJDlQItBnp" createdat="1630753381000" id="1434109742268526597"></div> With badminton making its debut at the Paralympics this year, Bhagat, the current world No. 1, thus became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the sport. "This is a very proud moment for me. I'm representing the Indian badminton community and India as a whole," Bhagat said after winning the gold. "This is the first time that para badminton is appearing in the Paralympics and winning the first gold medal for India is a moment to cherish for me," said 33-year-old from Odisha. <div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1249934092994375680/xX66NSZP_normal.jpg" favoritecount="18360" retweetcount="2861" status="Pramod Bhagat has won the hearts of the entire nation. He is a Champion, whose success will motivate millions. He s… https://t.co/s8uH8NCdLd" createdat="1630753764000" id="1434111347256606721"></div> Bhagat, who had contracted polio when he was 4 years old, avenged his loss to Bethell at the Japan Para Badminton International in November 2019. "I played the same opponent in Japan two years ago and I lost. That was a learning opportunity for me. "Today it was the same stadium and the same environment, and I devised a strategy to win. I was very determined." <div type="image" title="India at Tokyo Paralympics copy" msid="85925456" hostid="83"></div> On his strategy, Bhagat said, “I just focused on playing the shuttle on each and every point rather than on winning the whole game. Every point was precious." Bhagat also remains in contention for a bronze medal in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 class. He and his partner Palak Kohli will square off against the Japanese pair of Daisuke Fujihara and Akiko Sugino in the bronze medal play off on Sunday. They had lost the semifinals 3-21 15-21 to Indonesian combination of Hary Susanto and Leani Ratri Oktila earlier in the day. Bhagat picked up the sports after watching his neighbours play. Initially, he competed against able-bodied players before getting into competitive para badminton in 2006. He eventually emerged as one of the best para shuttlers in the country with 45 international medals under his belt, including four world championship gold medals and a gold and a bronze in 2018 Asian Para Games. He also had started his career as a badminton coach but took a break in 2019 to focus on <keyword id="3653803" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tokyo-paralympics" source="Orion">Tokyo Paralympics</keyword> qualification. In 2019, he received the Arjuna Award and Biju Patnaik Award for Excellence in Sports in India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/icici-lombard-gets-final-approval-to-acquire-bharti-axa/articleshow/85923283.cms">ICICI Lombard gets final approval to acquire Bharti AXA</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/tokyo-paralympics-shooter-manish-narwal-clinch-indias-third-gold-singhraj-bags-silver/articleshow/85918377.cms">Tokyo Paralympics: Shooter Manish Narwal clinch India's third gold, Singhraj bags silver</a>

Pramod Bhagat wins India's first badminton gold in Paralympics

<keyword id="6702825" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rio-Olympics-2016">Rio Olympics 2016</keyword> is underway and yes India has not opened its medal tally as yet, but fret not, because that could be changing soon. 
 
Some of our sportspersons lost the chance to get the medal by a whisker as shooter Abhinav Bindra, rower Dattu Bhokanal and judoka Avtar Singh finished fourth, missing the third spot by a point or two. 
 
Indian weight-lifter Sathish Sivalingam was also out of the medal bracket and India’s hope for medals from Jitu Rai, Gagan Narang and Heena Sidhu also ended. 
 
Indian swimmers Sajan Prakash, Shivani Kataria were also knocked out of the competition and even archer laxmirani Majhi crashed out of women’s individual archery event. 
 But, there is still hope for India, which has sent its largest contingent ever, as boxers <keyword id="23353" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="manoj-kumar">Manoj Kumar</keyword>, Vikas Krishnan and gymnast Dipa Karmakar are still in the foray. 
 Our badminton stars Jwala Gutta, <keyword id="30618" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saina-Nehwal">Saina Nehwal</keyword> and wrestlers <keyword id="157783" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yogeshwar-Dutt">Yogeshwar Dutt</keyword> and Narsingh Yadav are still to compete and there are bright chances for India to win a medal there. 
 
The biggest thing is to compete at Olympics as with given infrastructure in India, achieving this level of feat in sporting era in itself is commendable and we all should be proud of our sportpersons who are taking the pressure, sweating it out and doing everything they can for India. 
 
Here are the hopefuls that will open the scorecard for India on medal tally. Fingers crossed! 
 
(Image credits: Indiatimes/Reuters)

India still stands many chances to win medals at Rio Olympics 2016. These are the hopefuls

<keyword id="142169" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="VAS">VAS</keyword> or Value added services have faced a deep slump in the market with the emergence of Over-The-Top (OTT) services. Operators do accept that the entire structure of VAS has been turned upside down because of this. “MVAS or Mobile Value Added Services are dead... There was a time when people bought cricket scores. Now it is easily available online. Why would anyone buy it?” said <keyword id="372268" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Joshi">Rahul Joshi</keyword>, National VAS, Enterprise Head, <keyword id="71055" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MTS">MTS</keyword> India at the 16th VAS Asia, International Conference and Exhibition. 

	So what is the next big thing in VAS which the big shots of IT and Telecom industry are betting on? Hear it from the experts themselves.
 

	MTS
 

	Mobile innovation is the next big thing.
 

	“Growth will come from data coupled with apps,” said Rahul.
 

	AIRCEL
 

	Aircel is betting on Geo-Location as it is a big challenge for VAS where OTT has beaten them almost.
 

	“When it would be easy enough for customers to find out what he wants. And, how closely can we find out what the customers want? When we achieve these two, we would feel we are at home,” said Reena Rathi, Business Head, VAS, Aircel Limited.
 <keyword id="2942865" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="MoMagic">MoMagic</keyword> 

	MoMagic is focusing on consolidation of VAS services.
 “From user’s point of view, they don’t want to go to multiple places for different purposes. Consolidation has to happen. For example, through a messenger, one must be able to chat, book a flight, see videos, book a restaurant and so on; more of an API-driven service,” said <keyword id="168741" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arun-Gupta">Arun Gupta</keyword>, CEO and founder of MoMagic. 

	MICROMAX
 

	Payment is the next big thing. 
 “How easily can one pay? We have repeatedly failed with VAS retail cards,” said <keyword id="23353" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="manoj-kumar">Manoj Kumar</keyword> Gupta, Head-VAS, Micromax 

	The next best thing is advertising.
 

	“If we could get the brands to sponsor the experiences for the customers, like through a sponsored view or a sponsored click, VAS would benefit largely,” he added.

	 
	(Image credits: bharatexhibitions)

What is the next big thing in VAS: Hear it from the industry
experts

If you’re amongst the ones going crazy about flashsale on eCommerce sites, this piece is for you. There are hundreds like you and most of them are working with <keyword id="46431" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India-Inc">India Inc</keyword> and ending up spending too much in online shopping is the new in thing. As per a news report in The Economic Times, employers are conducting shopping de-addiction programme. Optum International, the organisation that conducts the de-addiction programme, connects the candidate with counsellor. 
 
HRs across various industries have noted, employees would have various shopping apps open in their mobile and would be seen secretly shopping the entire month. 
 
The financial daily has reported that a person named Anirudh Sehgal has recently undergone Optum treatment. 
 "We not only made him realise the long-term impact and possible ways to tackle this addiction, we also connected him to our financial advisors who helped him plan his expenses better," Amber Alam, <keyword id="193500" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="head-of-business">head of business</keyword> (India), Optum International (formerly <keyword id="175916" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="PPC-Worldwide">PPC Worldwide</keyword>), a provider of employee counselling told the ET. 
 
It has so far conducted online shopping de-addiction programmes for about 500 executives. 
 
The tribe of such compulsive online prodigals is slowly growing, say counsellors and psychiatrists. This is forcing companies to come alongside and offer help to executives addicted to buying stuff online. 
 "Shopping addiction exists in our study on exploration of behavioural addiction in community," Dr <keyword id="23353" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="manoj-kumar">Manoj Kumar</keyword> Sharma, additional professor, department of clinical psychology, NIMHANS, Bangalore told the financial daily. 
 About 4.7% of female respondents and 3.5% of male respondents admitted to <keyword id="2828857" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Online-shopping-addiction">online shopping addiction</keyword> in a NIMHANS study of 2,750 people in the age group of 18-65 years. The study was funded by Indian Council of Medical Research, Delhi. 
 Every day, <keyword id="127958" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sameer-Malhotra">Sameer Malhotra</keyword>, who heads the department of <keyword id="6354774" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mental-health">mental health</keyword> &amp; behavioural sciences at <keyword id="129905" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Max-Healthcare">Max Healthcare</keyword>, treats at least two patients struggling with compulsive online shopping disorders. Leading multinational corporations are seeking de-addiction and counselling assistance for their employees, companies that provide such assistance say. 
 
"There is a lot of anxiety because people are spending money buying stuff on the Internsitting in offices, airports, washrooms, wherever they can, and damaging their finances," added Alam. 
 
"This is a kind of compulsive behaviour where consumers get a kick or are compelled to buy things they do not need in abundance," says Max Healthcare's Malhotra. "It sometimes boils down to keeping them under supervision or keeping away plastic money from them," he adds. 
 Online retailers claim to be unaware of this syndrome. "We haven't come across any cases of online addiction among consumers so far," Praveen Sinha, co-founder and managing director of <keyword id="1484171" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="jabong-com">Jabong.com</keyword> told the ET. " 
 
(Image: Reuters)

​Online shopping is the new drug addiction that is pulling India’s professional

<keyword id="20166561" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="swapnil-kusale" source="keywords">Swapnil Kusale</keyword>, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the <keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword>, draws inspiration from <keyword id="20214927" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="m-s-dhoni" source="keywords">M S Dhoni</keyword>, as he too is a railway <keyword id="20107836" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ticket-collector" source="keywords">ticket collector</keyword> like the cricket icon was, early in his career. The 29-year-old from Kambalwadi village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra has been competing in international events since 2012, but he had to wait another 12 years to make his Olympics debut at the Paris Games. Being calm and patient are pre-requisites for a shooter and those two traits are also the hallmark of <keyword id="19896463" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhoni" source="keywords">Dhoni</keyword>'s personality. It is therefore no surprise that Kusale relates to Dhoni's life story. He has watched the biopic of the World Cup winner multiple times and hopes to match the lofty achievements of the champion cricketer. A top-three finish in the 50m rifle three positions final here on Thursday would certainly put Kusale in the list of high achieves in Indian sport. "I don't follow anyone specific in the shooting world. Outside of that, I admire Dhoni for the person that he is. My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was," Kusale told PTI shortly after finishing seventh in a tightly contest qualification here. Kusale has been working for <keyword id="21895115" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Railways" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Central Railways" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Central Railways">Central Railways</keyword> since 2015. His two rivals from Czech Republic also shot 590 but the Indian had the most inner 10s -- 38 -- compared to Jiri Privratsky and Petr Nymbursky, who sealed the eighth and last qualification spot. He also doesn't have to look too far beyond home for inspiration. His father and brother are teachers in a district school while mother is the sarpanch of Kambalwadi village. The fancied Aishwary Pratap Tomar ended 11th with a total of 589 in a session topped by China's Liu Yukun. Kusale did not know about his classification in the final until his coach told him that. He shot 197 in prone, 195 in standing and as much in kneeling. "Every shot is a new shot. I was just trying to be patient. The whole match I had the same mindset. Just shoot with patience. At the back of the mind, you are thinking about your scores but it is better if you don't," said Kusale. The job is half done in his debut Games and Kusale is fully aware of that. <keyword id="20241095" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="manu-bhaker" source="keywords">Manu Bhaker</keyword>'s unprecedented two medals here has also provided an extra dose of motivation. "It has been a great experience so far. I love shooting and I am glad that I have been able to do it for so long. Seeing Manu do well gives us a lot of confidence. If she can do it, we can do it too," said Kusale. National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan was tracking Kusale's progress from a distance and he is bullish about his chances in the final. "He is in a good frame of mind. We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient. He is good technically and physically," added Ohlyan.

Ticket collector like Dhoni, son of female sarpanch makes rare Olympic final

For a country struggling to fight brutal poverty, internal conflicts, political instability, and bureaucratic inefficiency, the 1990s was a breath of fresh air. The economy was liberalised, the IT industry started booming, a telecom revolution was underway, a successful nuclear test was conducted, and the emergence of strong regional parties gave voice to the politically weak sections. But on May 3, 1999, as Pakistani intrusion was reported at the Kargil borders, India was on the cusp of losing a decade-long progress to an unprovoked war. Over the next three months, the Indian <keyword id="19903970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="armed-forces" source="keywords">armed forces</keyword> fought with all might not just to defend the borders, but to show to the world that its preference for peace is not a sign of weakness. <keyword id="21429298" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kargil-Vijay-Diwas" source="keywords">Kargil Vijay Diwas</keyword>, commemorated annually on July 26th, stands as a testament to India's indomitable spirit and the unwavering courage of its armed forces. This day marks the culmination of the <keyword id="20143432" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kargil-War" source="keywords">Kargil War</keyword>, a conflict that tested the nation's mettle and forged a legacy of heroism. Addressing the 25th celebrations of the Kargil War victory, <keyword id="6354814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-narendra-modi" source="Orion">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> said that the Kargil War win is neither the victory of any government in power nor of any political group, it is the heritage and the victory of 140 crore people of India. <h2>The genesis</h2>Despite signing the Lahore Declaration in February 1999 for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, a covert infiltration by Pakistani troops into the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir in May 1999 triggered a crisis. Disguised as militants, they occupied strategic positions along the Line of Control (LoC), aiming to disrupt the Kashmir-Ladakh link. The <keyword id="19908736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Army" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Army">Indian Army</keyword>, upon discovering the intrusion from local shepherds, launched Operation Vijay, a counter-offensive to reclaim the occupied heights. <h2>Battling against nature and the enemy</h2>The Kargil War was a gruelling ordeal, fought in the unforgiving Himalayan terrain. Soldiers battled not only the enemy but also the harsh, high-altitude conditions. The covert movement of the Pak army helped them position themselves at strategically advantageous, high-altitude positions. As temperatures plummeted and oxygen levels dwindled, the rugged mountains posed immense logistical challenges to the ground forces. Yet, the Indian Army, driven by patriotism and a relentless determination to protect the nation's sovereignty, pressed on. <h2>Heroes of the Kargil War</h2>The Kargil War produced a pantheon of heroes whose bravery continues to inspire generations. Captain <keyword id="20211435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vikram-batra" source="keywords">Vikram Batra</keyword>, with his iconic battle cry "Yeh Dil Mange More," led his troops to capture Point 4875, a pivotal victory. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, displaying exceptional courage, made the supreme sacrifice while defending his post. These brave soldiers, among many others, epitomized the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army. The Kargil War galvanized the nation. People from all walks of life came together to support the armed forces. The collective outpouring of patriotism and solidarity fueled the soldiers' resolve. Nearly 500 Indian soldiers lost their lives battling the enemy in unforgiving Himalayan terrains. The war also highlighted the sacrifices made by the families of the martyrs, whose courage and resilience were equally inspiring. <h2>A legacy of valour</h2>Kargil <keyword id="21992554" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vijay-diwas" source="keywords">Vijay Diwas</keyword> is more than just a commemoration; it is a reaffirmation of India's commitment to peace and security. The sacrifices made by the brave soldiers who fought in the Kargil War will forever be etched in the nation's memory. Their unwavering courage and determination continue to inspire future generations to serve the country with dedication and honour. As India celebrates the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas today, it is essential to remember the heroes who laid down their lives for the nation. Their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten by a country on its path to glory on a global stage. <h2>A continued tragedy</h2>The Kargil War left behind a deadly legacy along with long-term trauma among the local residents and the defence personnel who fought valiantly. As per a TOI report, unexploded bombs scattered across the region continue to pose a significant threat to the local population. In 2023 — 24 years after the tragic war — a total of around 336 such unexploded bombs were reportedly neutralised by the Army. Residents live in constant fear of accidental detonations, especially during construction or excavation work. These incidents have resulted in multiple casualties in the past several years, including the tragic death of a young child. Despite the passage of 25 years, the Army remains actively engaged in defusing these dangerous remnants of war. Even this year, as many as 103 such bombs were defused by the Army. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112016324" title="Ex-army officer runs 160 km, 40 km per day, to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas anniversary" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112031216" title="Families of soldiers pays tribute to soldiers who lost lives in 1999 Kargil War" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div>

Kargil Vijay Diwas: A tale of valour and sacrifice

The <keyword id="20000743" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RJD" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="RJD" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="RJD">RJD</keyword> on Tuesday afternoon claimed that Bihar Chief Minister <keyword id="19907431" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nitish-Kumar" source="keywords">Nitish Kumar</keyword> and Telugu Desam Party president <keyword id="19926151" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chandrababu-Naidu" source="keywords">Chandrababu Naidu</keyword> "shared a dislike for vendetta politics" which could lead them away from the BJP-led <keyword id="19938590" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA" source="keywords">NDA</keyword>. RJD national spokesperson Manoj <keyword id="20785661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kumar-jha" source="keywords">Kumar Jha</keyword> also recalled the forecast of Kumar, who heads the JD(U), that "those who came to power will be ousted in 2024", and the efforts he made in laying the foundation of the <keyword id="19895684" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="INDIA-bloc" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="INDIA bloc" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="INDIA bloc">INDIA bloc</keyword>. "We have been, formerly, in alliance with both Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu. We know they share a dislike for vendetta politics which the <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> stands for. Narendra Modi seems to be on his way out. We are hopeful that the two leaders will play a crucial role in the change of guard at the Centre," Jha told reporters here. He also made it clear, "I am making no appeal to Nitish Kumar or Chandrababu Naidu. I am only expressing my hope, given the understanding I have of their temperament". Notably, the JD(U) has put up a better than expected performance in <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> polls, establishing a lead in 14 out of the 16 seats it had contested, surpassing the BJP which had fought 17 but was trailing in five of these. In Bihar, the INDIA bloc was leading in only eight out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats but Jha was confident that the numbers would look up for the coalition in the state, even as he complained about the tardy pace of counting. "We have written to the Election Commission drawing attention towards the extremely slow pace of counting. Only 3-4 lakh votes have been counted till afternoon in most seats in Bihar where, on an average, about 10 lakh people have exercised their franchise in each constituency," said Jha. "We are confident that as the counting progresses, in many seats where we are trailing by slender margins, the picture will change. But we urge the Election Commission to carry out the exercise as per the rule book and not act on any telephone calls they may be getting from Delhi," said the Rajya Sabha MP, who has been alleging that the poll panel has often acted under pressure from the ruling BJP at the Centre. "To all our cadres in the INDIA coalition, I would appeal not to let their guard down. Counting may continue till late in the evening. We must remain vigilant," said Jha. Among the INDIA constituents in Bihar, RJD had contested 23 seats, out of which it was trailing in all but four, while Congress, which got nine seats, was leading in two. The CPI(ML) Liberation, which had contested three seats, was leading in two.

Nitish, Naidu may dump NDA, help INDIA bloc form govt: RJD

Mumbai, Director <keyword id="7936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vidhu-vinod-chopra" source="Orion">Vidhu Vinod Chopra</keyword>'s "<keyword id="15771130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="12th-fail" source="Orion">12th Fail</keyword>" has earned Rs 50.68 crore in nett box office collections, the makers on Wednesday said. Starring <keyword id="189215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vikrant-massey" source="Orion">Vikrant Massey</keyword> and <keyword id="3273821" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Medha-Shankar" source="Orion">Medha Shankar</keyword>, the film released in theatres on October 27 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. "12th Fail" is based on Anurag Pathak's bestselling novel about the journey of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS officer Shraddha Joshi. "In a remarkable feat, the Vidhu Vinod Chopra directorial '12th Fail' has crossed the 50 crores nett mark in its sixth week, totalling Rs 50.68 crore nett signalling a resounding success for content-driven cinema. Starring Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar, this real-life tale has not only captured hearts but also emerged as a triumph at the box office," the makers said in a statement. "12th Fail" also stars Anant V Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, <keyword id="5500198" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="sanjay-bishnoi" source="Orion">Sanjay Bishnoi</keyword> and Priyanshu Chatterjee.

Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail crosses ₹50 crore-mark at box office

New Delhi, Films should serve as a catalyst of change and not a business model, believes filmmaker <keyword id="7936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vidhu-vinod-chopra" source="Orion">Vidhu Vinod Chopra</keyword> as he returns to the big screen after three years with "<keyword id="15771130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="12th-fail" source="Orion">12th Fail</keyword>", a story of ambition, dedication and overcoming setbacks. The ace director, known for films such as "Khamosh", "Parinda", "1942: A Love Story" and "<keyword id="3897" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Kashmir" source="Orion">Mission Kashmir</keyword>", said money has never dictated his creative decisions. "My job as an artist or a filmmaker is to make the world slightly better than what it was when I came. So, if I can make a film that can make a slight difference to people's lives, it inspires me. "Money has never driven me. I could have made 'Munnabhai' 3, 4, 5, 6... and be a multi-millionaire, which I'm not. I chose to make '12th Fail', with <keyword id="189215" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vikrant-massey" source="Orion">Vikrant Massey</keyword>," Chopra told PTI in an interview here. Not only his directorial efforts, the 71-year-old said he makes sure even his production ventures, which include acclaimed titles such as "Munna Bhai" franchise, "3 Idiots" and "Parineeta", have something important to convey. "In 'Parinda', I talked about violence. '1942' was about patriotism and 'Mission Kashmir' was about religious divide.... In all my films, it is important that they say something," he added. "12th Fail" is based on Anurag Pathak's best-selling novel about the incredible journey of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and IRS officer Shraddha Joshi. The movie stars Massey in the lead along with Medha Shankar. Though inspired by Sharma's life, Chopra said "12th Fail" is a story of "each one of us" coming to big cities with aspirations and dreams. "I started writing this film when I was 66 and now I'm 71. You can't write a film like this in months. It takes years because every character has a story. It's not a biopic. It's each one of us... There is a lot of me and you in the film." Integral to the movie's storyline is the idea of "restart". As inspirational and motivational it may sound, the concept stemmed from a personal tragedy, said Chopra. "My brother was the closest person to me in the world, apart from my wife and kids. During the pandemic, when I was developing this film, he was in Maldives. He delayed coming to Mumbai and couldn't survive. It hit me very hard. "Within a week or so, I realised it is not fair to the people who are around me. I was already in the story and the whole concept of restart took place in my head. It didn't come from a happy place. It came from a tragedy that struck me," the director recalled. Chopra said somewhere while healing through the personal loss, he realised that life was much like a video game -- "you lose, you press a button and move on". "I told myself why can't we do that in life. We have setbacks, we fall, and then we lose everything. Life is a game too. The thought is inspirational but not easy. It is about the way you look at life," he added. Chopra said through "12th Fail", which released on Friday, he wants to address that nothing is impossible to achieve, but if one faces a setback, the goal should always be to "restart". "When I read about the suicides in Kota and anywhere else. I want to tell those kids.... It's tough, I understand. I lost the man I loved the most in my life. (But) you got to restart. And UPSC is not just one thing, you can explore so much in life." Apart from Massey, who has established himself as a dependable performer with projects such as "A Death in the Gunj", "Haseen Dillruba" and "Criminal Justice", the film features an impressive supporting cast in Anant V Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, Sanjay Bishnoi and Priyanshu Chatterjee. Chopra said ever since he decided to make a film on the subject, he was sure about casting "real people". "I didn't want filmy heroes pretending to be these people. Most of the cast are new actors, first time actors or not very famous. But they are real people. I rehearsed with them for one year," the director said, adding that he is currently writing a film for which he would be needing movie stars. "I will cast a movie star, if it is a movie star role. Like I'm writing a film for which I need big movie stars. I made 'Eklavya' and I wouldn't have made that movie without Mr Bachchan. Every film has its own demand, so to say. '12th Fail' demanded me to be very real." Produced by <keyword id="3415325" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="zee-studios" source="Orion">Zee Studios</keyword>, "12th Fail" has been released worldwide in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Could have made Munnabhai 3, 4, 5 ... and be a multi-millionaire: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Good books continue to receive appreciation from readers despite the proliferation of social media and other means of engagement, according to veteran author <keyword id="65736" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ruskin-bond" source="Orion">Ruskin Bond</keyword>. "The surroundings will change, but if an author is able to tell stories that can establish a connection with the readers, those stories will find readers," he said after formally launching a book by Guwahati-based author-journalist <keyword id="2326" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="manoj" source="Orion">Manoj</keyword> <keyword id="14538706" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kumar-goswami" source="Orion">Kumar Goswami</keyword> at his residence here on Sunday. Praising Goswami's literary and journalistic journey spanning several decades, <keyword id="6368266" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bond" source="Orion">Bond</keyword> said, "I am delighted to launch his book of short stories. I am sure, through this, he will win many more readers and please the ones he already has." <keyword id="2911051" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="reminiscing" source="Orion">Reminiscing</keyword> his own literary journey, Bond said he feels fortunate to be read and appreciated by generations of readers. In "Muppet and Other Stories", Goswami acknowledges the horrors of intimate struggles among the natives of Assam. Irrespective of their professions, the characters always find themselves in a dilemma, dealing with the overarching theme of humanity. Love wears a veil of trust and longingness, only to be shattered by bleak reality. "Muppet and Other Stories" boil in the realm of characters like an old woman, who is blissfully satisfied at being the only one to know about her deceased husband's darkest secrets and youth at a bookstall, fantasising about a woman in a sky-blue sari, exploring opportunities to begin a new life with her. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/yudh-abhyas-22-will-be-conducted-in-uttarkhand-this-month/articleshow/95531667.cms">"Yudh Abhyas 22" will be conducted in Uttarkhand this month</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/indian-origin-paediatrician-angraj-khillan-wins-australian-of-the-year-award/articleshow/95552979.cms">Indian-origin paediatrician Angraj Khillan wins Australian of the Year award</a>

You Searched For "manoj kumar" and got 11 results

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You Searched For "manoj kumar" and got 11 results

Paris Paralympics: Shuttler Nitesh cruises to comfortable win, Manoj suffers setback in men's singles SL3 Group A

ANI

Pramod Bhagat wins India's first badminton gold in Paralympics

PTI

India still stands many chances to win medals at Rio Olympics 2016. These are the hopefuls

Akanksha Jain

What is the next big thing in VAS: Hear it from the industry experts

Usha Rani Das

​Online shopping is the new drug addiction that is pulling India’s professional

BI India Bureau

Ticket collector like Dhoni, son of female sarpanch makes rare Olympic final

PTI

Kargil Vijay Diwas: A tale of valour and sacrifice

Deekshith Pinto

Nitish, Naidu may dump NDA, help INDIA bloc form govt: RJD

PTI

Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail crosses ₹50 crore-mark at box office

PTI

Could have made Munnabhai 3, 4, 5 ... and be a multi-millionaire: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

PTI

Good books will continue to find readers says Ruskin Bond

PTI

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Online shopping is the new drug addiction that is pulling India’s professional