Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur set for divorce on June 30

Bollywood actor Karisma Kapoor and her businessman husband Sunjay Kapur are all set to divorce by mutual consent as they signed the "consent agreement" in which she was given the full-time custody of their two children and the man was given adequate visitation rights over them.The "consent terms" was submitted before the Supreme Court, which has signed off on their settlement. On June 30, when the family court will take up the divorce petition, filed by Sunjay, it will formally grant the decree of divorce.

The couple, who married in 2003, have a daughter and a son.After the in-chamber hearing for more than an hour before a bench of headed by justice AK Sikri on Friday, the actor's advocate Sandeep Kapur said: "All pending disputes between the couple have been amicably resolved. It has been agreed that the divorce petition filed by the husband at a court in Mumbai will now be converted into divorce plea by mutual consent."

"Karisma was asked by the apex court to withdraw the case filed against him under the Protection from Domestic Violence Act in two weeks in view of the settlement arrived at today," the lawyer also said.Sunjay's lawyer Aman and Priya Hingorani said: "Karisma agreed for the quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated by her at a trial court in Mumbai under section 498A (subjecting woman to cruelty) of IPC and the apex court accordingly quashed it."

In their consent agreement, Sunjay has been given visitation rights for his children. He has agreed to transfer the ownership of the family's Mumbai home to Karisma.Earlier, Sunjay had agreed to pay Rs10 lakh for the maintenance of their children.

After separating in 2014 and filing for divorce, the couple swapped nasty allegations — Sunjay moved apex court alleging that an underworld don — Ravi Pujari — acted on behalf of her and threatened him against visiting Mumbai.

Karisma filed a criminal case against him on charges of cruelty and said the financial settlement he offered was unacceptable. Both parties have agreed to withdraw the complaints against each other.

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Royal couple in Mumbai tomorrow: Visit could be ‘full of surprises'

Britain’s royal couple Prince William and his wife Kate’s India visit that starts from Mumbai on Sunday could be ‘full of surprises’, according to officials from the British high commission. The week-long tour which includes a two-day stay in the city would comprise multiple events where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would meet people from different walks, officials added.

The itinerary would include meetings with young entrepreneurs, Bollywood celebs, underprivileged children and slums dwellers in South Mumbai.

The visit would begin with their stay at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Colaba, a gesture being perceived to show their solidarity towards victims of the 26/11 terror attacks. On Sunday the royal couple would first visit Oval Maidan to watch and participate in a cricket match between beneficiaries and representatives of three city-based non-governmental organisations – India’s childline, Doorstep and Magic Bus. In the evening the British high commission and the British Asian Trust would host a gala dinner which would see the who’s who from the business world and Indian movie stars, according to a press statement issued by the British high commission.

“The Duke and Duchess are most excited about their first visit to India, and we hope this visit will mark the start of a long friendship between them and this magnificent and diverse country,” said Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, the British high commissioner to India.

He added, “They are embarking on a packed, varied and exciting programme where they will gain an understanding of modern India – a vibrant, entrepreneurial, aspirational nation that faces both its challenges and huge opportunities with confidence. The royal couple would then head for the second leg of the journey which includes Delhi, Kaziranga national park, Thimpu in Bhutan and conclude their tour at the Taj Mahal in Agra, the release added.

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Modi to launch Stand Up India today, security tightened in Noida

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Tuesday launch the Stand Up India initiative at Noida.

The initiative will promote entrepreneurship among the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, by facilitating loans in the range of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 100 lakh, an official statement said.

As per the scheme, each branch of a scheduled commercial bank shall facilitate at least two such loans. A web portal will also be launched for the initiative, to enable online registration and support services.

Modi will also flag-off 5,100 e-rickshaws and also interact with the beneficiaries, besides inaugurating a Kaushal Vikas Kendra (skilling centre).

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by the police ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to neighbouring Noida to distribute e-rickshaw and inaugurate a micro credit programme, a senior police official said.

Apart from keeping an extra vigil in the bordering area and entry points, Ghaziabad police has enforced Operation Green under which no vehicle will be permitted to ply in the area, he said.

District borders touching Delhi and Noida will be sealed completely till the PM’s programme concludes, said Superintendent of Police (City) Salman Taj Patil. Apart from it, police personnel will be deployed on PCR vans and ‘Leopard’ motorcycle to keep a vigil in the area.

Four Deputy Superintendents of Police, seven inspectors, 30 sub-inspectors, 40 HCP (head constable promoted) and 300 constables have been sent to Noida from Ghaziabad for PM Visit duty, he added.

He said Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, who will also attend the function, will arrive here by helicopter which will land at CISF ground in Indira Puram. Following which, he will travel by car to Noida, the officer added.

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Assam goes to polls: All you need to know about the Assembly Election

The current Assam Assembly’s tenure ends on 5 June, 2016 and that’s why the Assembly elections are being conducted in this northeastern state this month. Currently, the Congress holds the majority in the Assembly and Tarun Gogoi is the chief minister. He has been in the post for the past 15 years. However, various opinion polls claim that this time, the Bharatiya Janata Party will win the elections. The verdict will be known on 19 May, when the votes will be counted. Till that happens, here’s what you need to know:

Polling:
Voting in Assam will take place in two phases – on 4 April and 11 April. The state government has declared that the constituencies will have a holiday on the day they go to polls. Assam has a total of 126 constituencies. A party needs to win 64 seats to prove majority and form the government.

Key issues:
The issue of Bangladeshi immigrants entering Assam is overshadowing all other issues in several constituencies in the state. As Sushanta Talukdar explains in this Firstpost article, this is one of the rare times that a national issue like foreign policy is affecting the Assembly elections of a state. Both the BJP and the Congress are using the issue as a major poll plank. In their attempt to woo voters, both parties are claiming that they will offer refuge to Hindu migrants from Bangladesh. This stepmotherly treatment to Muslim migrants from Bangladesh can end up polarising voters and giving the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), headed by Badruddin Ajmal, a boost. The BJP is so focused on its Hindutva politics that it is fielding its CM candidate Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli, which is home to Vaishnavite satras, Sanghamitra Baruah points out in this Firstpost article.

 The issue of Bangladeshi immigrants entering Assam is overshadowing all other issues in several constituencies in the state. As Sushanta Talukdar explains in this Firstpost article, this is one of the rare times that a national issue like foreign policy is affecting the Assembly elections of a state. Both the BJP and the Congress are using the issue as a major poll plank. In their attempt to woo voters, both parties are claiming that they will offer refuge to Hindu migrants from Bangladesh. This stepmotherly treatment to Muslim migrants from Bangladesh can end up polarising voters and giving the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), headed by Badruddin Ajmal, a boost. The BJP is so focused on its Hindutva politics that it is fielding its CM candidate Sarbananda Sonowal from Majuli, which is home to Vaishnavite satras, Sanghamitra Baruah points out in this Firstpost article.

Another major issue is that of floods. Every year, the Brahmaputra river overflows and floods the surrounding villages. Severe soil erosion has led to the island of Majuli shrinking in size. Despite promises by the state and central governments, voters say that not much has been done to help the residents, the article states.

The Muslim factor:

Muslims constitute 34 percent of the electorate – the second largest in the country, with only Jammu and Kashmir ahead of it. This proves a challenge for the BJP which has traditionally banked on the Hindu vote to get elected. In Assam, they are feeding into the fear of the Hindu electorate by claiming that Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF has a secret understanding with the Congress, and Ajmal might be made home minister or deputy chief minister if the Congress comes to power. As Sandipan Sharms writes in this Firstpost article, the BJP appears to have found an easy target in Ajmal.

Phase I
Polling day:
4 April

Constituencies:
Ratabari, Majbat, Sonari, Patharkandi, Dhekiajuli, Thowra, Karimganj North, Barchalla, Sibsagar, Karimganj South, Tezpur, Bihpuria, Badarpur, Rangapara, Naoboicha, Hailakandi, Sootea, Lakhimpur, Katlichera, Biswanath, Dhakuakhana, Algapur, Behali, Dhemaji, Silchar, Gohpur, Jonai, Sonai, Bokakhat, Moran, Dholai, Sarupathar, Dibrugarh, Udharbond, Golaghat, Lahowal, Lakhipur, Khumtai, Duliajan, Barkhola, Dergaon, Tingkhong, Katigora, Jorhat, Naharkatia, Haflong, Majuli, Chabua, Bokajan, Titabar, Tinsukia, Howraghat, Mariani, Digboi, Diphu, Teok, Margherita, Baithalangso, Amguri, Doom Dooma, Paneri, Nazira, SadiyaUdalguri, Mahmara

Key battles:
Titabar will see a clash of the titans. It’s Tarun Gogoi’s constituency, and the BJP is pitching another heavyweight against him – MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa. Tasa, 40 years old, has the advantage of age against the 79-year-old Gogoi. Titabar is also part of the Jorhat parliamentary constituency, from where Tasa won his Lok Sabha seat. However, Titabar has stayed loyal to Gogoi for 15 years and it is tough to imagine that that loyalty will change this time around.

Sonowal is contesting from Majuli, which is the first time any party has fielded its chief ministerial candidate from this tiny island. The Congress candidate is incumbent Rajib Lochan Pegu, a 55-year-old post graduate in English and former Minister of State (Independent charge), Water Resources and Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes, according to the official Assam Assembly website.

Contenders:
The BJP is fielding 54 candidates while its alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has 11 candidates. Congress is fielding 65 candidates and the AIUDF has 27, according to data provided by the election commission.

Phase II
Polling day:
11 April

Constituencies:Mankachar, Patacharkuchi, Barama (ST), Salmara South, Barpeta, Chapaguri(ST), Dhubri, Jania, Kalaigaon, Gauripur, Baghbar, Sipajhar, Golakganj, Sarukhetri, Mangaldoi(SC), Bilasipara West, Chenga, Dalgaon, Bilasipara East, Boko (SC), Jagiroad (SC), Gossaigaon, Chaygaon, Marigaon, Kokrajhar West (ST), Palasbari, Laharighat, Kokrajhar East (ST), Jalukbari, Raha (SC), Sidli (ST), Dispur, Dhing, Bongaigaon, Gauhati East, Batadroba, Bijni, Gauhati West, Rupohihat, Abhayapuri North, Hajo, Nowgong, Abhayapuri South (SC), Kamalpur, Barhampur, Dudhnai (ST), Rangiya, Samaguri, Goalpara East, Tamulpur, Kaliabor, Goalpara West, Nalbari, Jamunamukh, Jaleswar, Barkhetry, Hojai, Sorbhog, Dharmapur, Lumding, Bhabanipur

Key battles:
Badruddin Ajmal is contesting from the Salmara South constituency. The 61-year-old AIUDF chief is replacing incumbent and fellow party leader Abdur Rahman Ajmal. In 2011, Abdur Rahman won the election with Congress’ Wazed Ali Choudhury coming in second, according to elections.in. In the 2009 bypolls, Choudhury had emerged winner and Abdur Rahman second. The 54-year-old Choudhury is the Congress’ candidate this time around too. In fact in 2006, when Ajmal founded the AIUDF, he contested from this seat and defeated Choudhury. Whether history will repeat itself this election remains to be seen. (The BJP however is fielding relative newcomer, 28-year-old Shiraj Hussain. According to elections.in, data available till 1978 shows that BJP has never won this seat.)

Key battles:
Badruddin Ajmal is contesting from the Salmara South constituency. The 61-year-old AIUDF chief is replacing incumbent and fellow party leader Abdur Rahman Ajmal. In 2011, Abdur Rahman won the election with Congress’ Wazed Ali Choudhury coming in second, according to elections.in. In the 2009 bypolls, Choudhury had emerged winner and Abdur Rahman second. The 54-year-old Choudhury is the Congress’ candidate this time around too. In fact in 2006, when Ajmal founded the AIUDF, he contested from this seat and defeated Choudhury. Whether history will repeat itself this election remains to be seen. (The BJP however is fielding relative newcomer, 28-year-old Shiraj Hussain. According to elections.in, data available till 1978 shows that BJP has never won this seat.)

Contenders:
The BJP is fielding 35 candidates and its partner AGP 19. Congress is fielding 57 candidates, just 10 more than the AIUDF, according to data from the election commission.

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India will deliver on hope of driving global growth: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India will live up to the global expectation of being a bright spot for growth with requisite policy as also administrative reforms on a sustained basis.

"The world has much expectations from India in contribution to the global growth. I would like to place before you how India intends to meet the challenge," the prime minister told the Bloomberg India Economic Forum 2016, held here to commemorate the media group's 20 years in India. 

Modi said India today was not just the world's fastest-growing economy but also has a low capital account and fiscal deficits, along with low inflation. "This is the result of good policies and not good fortune," he said, alluding to the achievements in the difficult times globally. 

"Let me emphasise on our fiscal consolidation. We have met the ambitious fiscal deficit targets in each of the previous two fiscal years," the prime minister said, adding: "We have reduced the deficit even while increasing capital expenditure." 

He told the gathering that the country's net foreign direct investment inflow during the third quarter of the current financial year was an all-time record. "This is concrete evidence of the success of 'Make in India' policy in employment-intensive sectors."

As examples, Modi said motor vehicle production, which was a strong indicator of consumer purchasing power and economic activity, grew at 7.6 percent this fiscal, furniture output grew 57 percent and employment-intensive wearing apparel sector grew 8.7 percent 

"My goal is reforms through transformation. Administrative reform is a start."

The prime minister said since a large share of India's population still depended on agriculture, his government's target was to double the income of farmers soon. Towards this, he added, a big focus was being given to irrigation with a large budget.

"We are also creating a national agricultural market and removing distortions," he said, adding" "Seeds have been sown for a new dawn for farming, and retaining the youth in the sector." 

The prime minister said transparency was another hallmark of his government, giving the example of auction of resources such as coal through competitive bidding. "Our record on implementation in general and reduction in corruption in particular is now well understood."

Modi said his government will also work with the Reserve Bank of India to set inflation targets and that interest rates will be set by a Monetary Policy Committee -- a panel that will have no representative from the government.

He also referred to the new norms for exploration and production of hydrocarbons assets by the private players. "We have introduced pricing and marketing freedom and also a transparent revenue sharing system. This will eliminate several layers of bureaucratic controls."

He said in renewable energy India has grown from 1,500 MW of solar power to 10,000 MW per annum in a short span of time. People were surprised when the target of 175 GW of renewables was announced. But today, this stood to be recognised by the global stakeholders, he said. 

Listing other initiatives, the prime minister said parliament had recently passed a new law on inland waterways to make it an efficient mode of transport and foreign investment limits in the stock exchanges were raised and they were allowed to be listed. 

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Ban Ki-moon condemns Lahore public park blast

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned a powerful suicide bombing that ripped through Lahore's Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park.

Ban on Sunday called for "the perpetrators of this appalling terrorist act to be brought swiftly to justice, consistent with human rights obligations", Xinhua news agency reported.

At least 69 people were killed and over 250 injured, mostly women and children, when the blast occurred at Gate No 1 of the public park, where Christian families were celebrating Easter on Sunday.

The splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack and said it deliberately targeted Christians on Easter.

"We claim responsibility for the attack on Christians as they were celebrating Easter," a spokesperson for the terrorist group was quoted as saying.

"We had been waiting for this occasion... we want to convey... to the prime minister that we we have arrived in Punjab and we will reach you," it added.

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Vijay Mallya offers to pay Rs 4000 crore by September 31

Businessman Vijay Mallya on Wednesday offered to pay Rs 4,000 crore by September 31, 2016 to a consortium of banks, led by the SBI, against an outstanding loan of Rs 9,000 crore.

Mallya offered to pay Rs 2,000 crore upfront and remaining Rs 2,000 crore by September 31, 2016

Mallya's offer was made in the Supreme Court by his counsel C S Vaidyanathan.

But his counsel remained silent on the question of whether Mallya intended to return to India from London or not.

The SC allowed the consortium of banks to respond within a week's time to Mallya's proposal and posted the matter for hearing on April 7.

Mallya, promoter of long-grounded Kingfisher Airlines, had left India on March 2, presumably for London, days before the Supreme Court heard a plea of clutch of state-owned banks seeking recovery from his group firms.

During the hearing today, Mallya also accused media of running campaign against him while assuring to payback loans. On this, the SC bench observed that media is doing its job in public interest.

Mallya has also been summoned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) to make a personal appearance before its investigating officer in Mumbai on April 2 in connection with its money laundering probe in the over Rs 900 crore IDBI loan fraud case. He has sought more time from the agency to present himself on a later date instead of the scheduled time of March 18.

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