Statement from NDP Leader on Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights – a time to celebrate the light, the hope, and the inner strength within each of us.

It is a time for many traditions to be shared with family and friends, and a time to look to the bright future ahead.

Every Canadian can share in that hope for the future.

Around the world, our multicultural nation is a beacon of hope. We pride ourselves on our openness and our compassion. We strive to build an inclusive society, where all people are respected and celebrated.

But we’re not there yet. So we must draw on the good within each of us, to open our hearts and minds, and increase our understanding of one another. So that one day we may share a country where race and religion; color and language are not barriers, but rather reasons to celebrate each other.

On behalf of New Democrats everywhere, I wish you and your family the very best at this special time of hope and light.

Best wishes for Diwali and happy New Year!
Diwali aur naiya saal mubarak!


source: http://www.voiceonline.com/2011/10/21/statement-from-ndp-leader-on-diwali604/

Prime Minister of Canada on Diwali

Prime Minister of Canada on Diwali

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on Diwali:

“Laureen and I would like to extend our best wishes to all South Asian Canadians and the many people around the world who will be celebrating Diwali – the festival of lights. “Diwali commemorates the triumph of good over evil. It is a time to gather with family
and friends to reflect on the events of the past year and on hopes and aspirations for the
future. It is also a time to count blessings and to remember to help those in need.
“I invite all Canadians to take part in vibrant Diwali festivities across the country and
to experience the rich culture of Canada’s South Asian communities who contribute so
much to the fabric of our nation.
“Happy Diwali!
“Namaste.”

source: http://www.voiceonline.com/2011/10/21/prime-minister-of-canada-on-diwali604/

Illegal cracker store unearthed, two arrested

PANIPAT: Police here have unearthed a cracker store, allegedly functioning from a residential area in Tehsil Camp area of the city and arrested two persons for violating the rules. They also confiscated crackers worth over Rs 1 lakh.

On a tip-off that some persons were hoarding crackers after renting an accommodation in Jawahar Colony ahead of Diwali, police arrested Praveen Chabbra and Jatinder Chabbra, brothers, who owned a general store in the same locality and had set up this store behind their shop.

Police said that the lure of making huge profits by buying crackers at lesser rates and selling these at higher rate near the festival, proved too much for these people, who did not bother much about putting lives of many in danger by storing crackers in residential areas.

A few days back, three persons had lost their lives in neighbouring Karnal district, as a major fire broke out in a similar store in Shri Ram Colony there. Police said that a case has been registered against the two. The crackers confiscated would be sold through open auction as it was not possible for them to store these at the police station for long, police said.


source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Illegal-cracker-store-unearthed-two-arrested/articleshow/10448413.cms

Diwali turns out to be a torture fest for animals

Imagine loud bombs are going off everywhere around you. You panic and run around blindly. Suddenly you’re caught, and a string of firecrackers is tied to you. The crackers start going off burning the skin right off your sweating torso.

Every Diwali, the city turns into an apocalyptic nightmare for animals, especially stray dogs. According to the BMC census, there are 70,000 dogs in the city, most of them strays.

But, Canines Can Care, a canine welfare organisation, has taken it upon itself to make the streets a little safer for dogs this Diwali.

They have started a campaign, Festival of Kindness, which aims to spread awareness in schools and firms about the havoc that crackers wreck on dogs. They are also counselling people on how to take care of their pets during the festival.

“We want to make sure that the festival is a happy time for all, animals included,” says Madhvi Tangella, 33, a counsellor with Canines Can Care.

Such initiatives are very essential, said Sudnya Patkar, 64, who is the founder of In Defence of Animals. “The cruelty towards animals during Diwali is shocking. People tie crackers on the tails of dogs and donkeys and watch them run around in pain and fear.

They burst crackers in front of bullocks and horses,” said Patkar.
A dog’s hearing ability is seven times that of humans. Certain frequencies of sound register 40 times more loudly in dogs than they would in humans.

Veterinarian cardiologist Sangeeta Vensarkar Shah said: “Every Diwali, you see scared stray dogs running on the streets. There is no one to comfort or look after them.” The bang of a bomb is so loud that it can cause a heart attack among dogs, even if they are in the safety of a house.

“I once had a woman call me up frantically screaming that her dog dropped dead after a bomb went off in front of their house,” said Shah.

Sunish Subramanian, secretary of the Plants and Animal Welfare Society of Mumbai, said that even birds and rodents are affected during Diwali. “Can we not celebrate without being cruel to the creatures around us? If a dog or a cat or a pigeon takes refuge in your building, don’t drive them away they’re just looking for a place to hide because they’re scared,” he said.


source:dnaindia.com

Diwali special: With greater awarenes, firecracker sales to be hit this festival

Diwali special: With greater awarenes, firecracker sales to be hit this festival

This Diwali, expect less noise and less fumes.

Greater environmental awareness, rising prices of firecrackers and anti-cracker campaigns have taken their toll on the sale of firecrackers.

The demand for firecrackers is likely to be fall by 35% to 40% this year, revealed a recent survey by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

Moreover, a 30% to 40% increase in the cost of crackers over last year is also expected this Diwali.

But this has not dampened the spirit of most Mumbaikars. “We are not going to call off celebrations because of the price rise. But, we will surely cut the budget for firecrackers considerably,” said Mona Bharatiya, a homemaker from Thane. “We usually spend Rs2,000 to Rs3,000 on firecrackers.”

The apex industry body interviewed 250 firecracker manufacturers in Sivakasi at Tamil Nadu and 500 dealers and retailers in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Lucknow from September to October 15 to gauge people’s sentiments in the domestic firecracker industry. The survey found that citizens are more inclined to protecting the environment and not burning a hole in their pocket this year.

Most of the firecrackers sold across the country are made at Sivakasi, where 1.5 lakh people work in around 10,000 firecracker factories.

Manufacturers blamed the hike in fuel prices, increased road freight, escalating raw material (sulphur, potassium and nitrate and waste paper) prices due to shortage have led to slump in profits for the firecracker industry.

“It is great that people have started thinking seriously about their health and the environment too. This is definitely because of the aggressive anti-crackers campaign launched by most schools who educate their students about the harmful effects of firecrackers. Children are more sensitive to the cause and even influence their families,” said Dr Rakesh Kumar, director, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_diwali-special-with-greater-awarenes-firecracker-sales-to-be-hit-this-festival_1601910

Price rise may defuse Diwali spirit in Ahmedabad

Diwali is next week but the shops selling crackers are not yet seeing buyers. Those dealing in crackers say the whopping rise of about 40%-50% in the prices of crackers in comparison to last year is putting customers off.

A visit to cracker stalls at Dilli Darwaza and other places in the city tells one how the owners are anxiously waiting for people to make purchases for the 'Festival of Lights'. The colourful crackers in various shapes and sizes are yet to be picked up by customers.

Said Ashish Khajanchi, a wholesaler: "Rise in prices of raw materials like paper and chemicals has led to the rise in the prices of crackers. Also, due to diesel price hike, the transport cost of crackers has gone up." According to him, this is the highest increase in the prices of crackers in last few years.

So will the price rise mean that the quantity of crackers to be sold will come down this year? A retailer at Dilli Darwaza, Roop Lal, said: "We are not sure whether this year there will be good business or not. It all depends on the last three days when the sales actually pick up. Now, there are customers but the response is not as good as it was last year during this period. So, we are keeping our fingers crossed and hoping that the sales pick up in the last three days."

Another retailer, Vyasuddin Ghulam, said, "I am in the business of crackers for long and I have never seen such poor response from customers. I believe this year we are witnessing the worst market and demand for crackers."

When asked about whether people will raise their cracker-buying budget in view of high prices, retailers say it can be known only in the last three days. "Those who normally spend anywhere between Rs2,000 and Rs2,500 are upper class people high spending capacity. However, whether this class will spend this much or not this year will be known during the last three days,'' said a shop owner.


source: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_price-rise-may-defuse-diwali-spirit-in-ahmedabad_1601676

No crackers for SRK's sake: Jasria

LUDHIANA: Meeting Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has changed 8-year-old Jasria Juneja. Though she is very fond of bursting crackers on Diwali, Jasria was convinced by SRK's message of celebrating it in a safe way, minus the crackers. So, she has resolved to go eco-friendly.

"When we wished Shah Rukh uncle a happy Diwali, he told us that when he was 15 years old he got burnt while bursting a cracker and still has the burn mark. He said, since then he has been extremely scared of crackers and wants everyone to celebrate the festival of lights in a safe way,'' said Jasria, a student of Sat Paul Mittal School. She added that since her mother's favourite actor has advised to stay away from crackers, she will celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly way from this year on. "I am also requesting all my friends to say no to crackers,'' said Jasria.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-21/ludhiana/30305998_1_crackers-eco-friendly-srk

Diwali Crackers in Trivandrum

Diwali Crackers in Trivandrum

Celebrate this Diwali with www.malapadakkam.com and get free home delivery.

* Super Box - Crackers
worth over Rs. 1000, 23 items, for just Rs. 600 only.
* Children Box - Crackers worth over Rs. 1000, 16 items, for just Rs. 300 only.
* Family Box - Crackers
worth Over Rs. 800, 20 items, for just Rs. 450 only.

Shop Details : Sneha Collections (Cracker Shop), Pazhavangadi

Diwali crackers prices skyrocket

Diwali crackers: Another major reason why Diwali doesn’t seem so noisy this year is because the crackers have become unaffordable. Crackers have witnessed a 30 to 40 per cent increase in prices this year.
Vendors say the increase in the cost of raw materials, a labour shortage due to the T bandhs and the rains last year have wreaked havoc on sales. “We haven’t got much orders too; sales have been very dry resulting in a heavy blow on our profits,” said Vikhyat Jonnada, a firecracker wholesaler, adding, “Adequate supply to other districts wasn’t possible due to shortage of transport vehicles and labour. The labour charges too have increased by 10 per cent.”

Prices compared to last year 2010 - 2011
1,000 wala garland Rs 300- Rs 375
Flower pot (giant) Rs190- Rs 250
Shots rocket Rs1,400- Rs1,800


source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/hyderabad/thanda-diwali-cracker-prices-skyrocket-221

Eco-friendly crackers to lure customers

LUCKNOW News: With Diwali extravaganza, shopkeepers have come up with firecrackers designed especially for children. The markets are flooded with variety of crackers like whistle sparklers, magic whip, ghost rocket, rainbow thunder that are grabbing the attention of kids. Because they are eco-friendly, they are high in demand.

Take for instance, the magic whip, which is a long red-coloured string which doesn't emit smoke. Neatly designed, the strip is priced at Rs 85 and has five prices. "It bursts 500 times continuously but is a better and cheaper version of the ordinary 'chatai','' said a wholeseller.

The 'whistling sparklers' only emit silver colours with no sound and smoke. Priced at Rs 85 for five pieces, the whistling sparklers are to impress kids who are too fond of it. The 'wheels' other than the usual round shaped, this year, has come in shape of a 'swastik'. When it is lighted, it will give a look of moving swastik. This unique cracker is also priced at Rs 85 for five pieces.

Besides, colorful fountains have also acquired the centre-stage. Available in the market at Rs 150 (for five pieces), triple coloured fountains is the highlight of the season. To impress the children, crackers have come in the name of IPL teams, like Chennai Super Kings, Deccan Chargers and others. The crackling bullet which costs Rs 30 is also high in demand. The colourful zig zag reaches the sky and produces multi-colours.

In the rockets, which the sellers say that is diminishing in demand, Ghost rocket is a novelty. Instead of a regular triangle top, this rocket has a face of ghost on it. Eco-friendly crackers shaped like 12-star is being preferred because of no smoke and sound. It can be lighted inside the bedrooms also. "The demand for eco-friendly crackers has increased. Nearly 40 percent crackers that we sold are eco-friendly,'' said Gulsher Azad, a wholeseller.

The prices seemed to be high but the crackers are worth it. They have been designed taking the risk factor involved while burning it. And the branded ones are trustworthy. For example, the magic whip is so neatly covered with red paper and gives a long string where one needs to light. 'With long string, there is ample time for people to light it. This decreases the risk involved,'' said another shopkeeper.

However, the price of crackers this year has increased to 40-45 percent in comparison to last year. President, Lucknow Aatisbaji Vypyar Mandal, Akhilesh Gupta reasoned incessant rains in Sivakasi and MNREGA as prime reason for the high cost. This year, there were a lot of rains in Sivakasi which hampered the production. Moreover, the labour now doesn't look up to this work as he finds better money in MNREGA,'' said he. The cost of labour has also led to an increase in the cost of production. Giving an example of the price hike, he said, the 'lal pataka' which was till last year priced at Rs 20 is being sold at Rs 25 now. Similar hike is in other crackers too.


source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/10447984.cms

Green Diwali in clubs

PATNA: The awareness to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly way has caught up in city. Almost all city clubs this year have decided to celebrate this festival without jeopardizing the environment. Not only plans have been finalized to exclusively use eco-friendly crackers, but Diwali extravaganzas will cut on sounds too, to check noise pollution.

"We have cut down on crackers with sound and smoke. But as children can't be persuaded for the same, we have provided them eco-friendly firecrackers. The focus is on visual treat, rather than on high-decibel sound," said Manik Vedsen, secretary of the city's lone golf club.

New Patna Club is also preparing for a grand crackers show. It will be held on Monday. "We have brought designer, less smoky eco-friendly firecrackers worth Rs 75,000 from Kolkata and experts to burst them as well," said Rohit Singh, an official.

For over 1,500 guests, the club has planned three rounds of high-priced bumper housie; food and game stalls will also add to the merriment.

An eco-friendly crackers show will be organized at Bankipore Club on the eve of the festival of lights. "We have placed orders for exotic firecrackers. It will create a splendid show in the sky. Around 1000 members are likely to participate in the programme," Mahesh Agrawal, secretary of the club, told TOI.

"This time we will enjoy Diwali celebrations without pollution bogey. Over Rs 30,000 worth of firecrackers will be used," Agrawal added. The club, which will be exotically decorated, will also organize a bumper housie on October 25.

City's eating-joints are not to be left behind either. "At the revolving restaurant, Pind Balluchi's lounge & bar, complimentary welcome drinks will be offered to all lady drinkers. Cocktails like Daiquiri, Mojito, Pina Colada, Cosmopolitan etc will be offered," said Amar Kumar, manager of the restaurant chain.

Pind Balluchi will organize Punjabi food festival from November 7 to 20. It will also launch an open-air "Sunday Brunch" at the 16th floor of Biscomaun Tower soon. Currently, the lone revolving restaurant has around half-a-dozen bookings for Diwali parties. Diwali parties have also started at the other eating joints in the city.

City's another hotel Gargee Grand (GG) has for the first time brought Thai cuisines for Patnaites this Diwali. "Thai food festival has begun on Friday. We have brought Bangkok-trained chef for the purpose. Foodies can enjoy authentic Thai cuisines with a minimum price of Rs 550," said the hotel's general manager, Richard Pereira. He said all those visiting the hotel during Diwali will be given complimentary mocktails and desserts.

Amid exotic decoration, we will organize Awadhiyan, Punjabi, and Mexican food festivals in the days to come. Over 90% of our banquet capacity is booked for Diwali parties, which are generally organized by young Patnaites living outside who come home to spend holidays, he said.

At Hotel Maurya, Purple Lounge, and other joints, which are regularly frequented by patrons, the guests will be getting complimentary mocktails and Diwali gifts. "All those walking in will be given a bunch of home-made chocolates as gifts," Hotel Maurya GM BD Singh said.


source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Green-Diwali-in-clubs/articleshow/10450075.cms

Ra.One gets a breather, but at considerable cost

MUMBAI: Just days before Ra.One's planned Diwali release, Shah Rukh Khan got a breather from the Bombay high court. On Friday, he and his company agreed to deposit Rs 1 crore to ensure the movie's release in theatres.

But in a setback to Khan, a division bench of chief justice Mohit Shah and justice Roshan Dalvi held that prima facie it was convinced that television writer Yash Patnaik had copyright over the concept on which Ra.One seemed to have been modelled on.

The court said it was inclined to grant an interim stay on the release of the movie in theatres, over satellite, video or DVD. At this point, Khan's lawyers agreed to deposit a demand draft of Rs 1 crore in court. The judges said that if the amount was not deposited by Saturday, its stay would come into force. "It is an unfortunate part of the film industry that people use concepts developed by others and then don't want to pay or give them credit," the judges remarked.

TV writer Patnaik had claimed that he had developed the concept of an Indian superhero, where the lead character is called 'One' and had registered it with the Film Writers Association in December 2006. He was in talks with Mushtaq Sheikh to develop the concept. A few months ago he found that Sheikh had been credited for writing the story and screenplay of Ra.One. The court held that it found substance in Patnaik's claim that "prima facie he had copyright in the concept embodied in the concept note, including materials, graphics, illustrations, drawings, monograms, and scenes and pictures of flying robots and gadgets."

Patnaik had said that his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Sheikh's name in the credits for the film and the promos of Ra.One where the lead character of the film "stands on a high-rise overlooking the cityscape with a waterbody in the foreground, which was the same as the end page in his concept note".

"The efforts put in by Patnaik, commencing from 2002, including the concept note, development of the concept and the storyline are sufficient to confer on him the copyright for the concept note, which prima facie appears to have been relied upon by (Khan and his company) for making the film," the judges said.

The court pointed out that Patnaik's allegations were not controverted by Khan, Red Chilli or Sheikh. Last week, a single judge bench of the high court had refused to stay the release of the film. The division bench said the interim stay should not have been declined by the court on the grounds that Patnaik had filed the case after a considerable delay.

Khan's lawyers had opposed the stay saying a considerable amount had been spent to distribute the movie-Eros International said it had bought its worldwide distribution rights for Rs 150 crore. The movie is set to hit the screens in Dubai on October 24, and in India, London and other parts of the world on October 26.

COURTING CONTROVERSY

* The Bombay high court in 2008 restrained film producer Rakesh Roshan from releasing Krazzy 4 with certain songs after jingle composer Ram Sampath claimed that they were plagiarized from tunes he had composed. Sampath and Roshan reached an out-of-court settlement to ensure the movie's release

* Farah Khan's debut film as director, Om Shanti Om, plunged into controversy after writer Ajay Monga alleged that it was based on a story written by him

* Madhur Bhandarkar's Jail got into copyright issues

* Ramgopal Varma's Rann got into legal trouble after a writer claimed that the film was based on her story

* Haji Mastan's children dragged Ekta Kapoor to court over Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, which was based on Mumbai's underworld, including Mastan

* Salman Khan's Dabangg got caught in litigation over the lyrics of the item number Munni Badnaam Hui

* Sanjay Dutt-starrer Kncok Out faced two rounds of litigation over copyright issues


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/RaOne-gets-a-breather-but-at-considerable-cost/articleshow/10446460.cms