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Wed, 28 February 2018
Lookout Notice issued against Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi: IT sources
Timeline Refresh
23:45 Teacher in custody after reports of gunfire at US high school
Police took a teacher into custody on Wednesday after responding to reports of gunfire at a high school in Dalton, Georgia, the Dalton Police Department said.
No children were hurt or in danger, the police department said on its Twitter feed.
After responding to calls, police said they found a barricaded person inside a classroom that they believed to be a teacher. Few other details were immediately available.
It was unclear whether the person barricaded in the classroom was the teacher later taken into custody.
The students were being taken to a nearby convention center in Dalton, which is located about 90 miles north of Atlanta.
The incident comes two weeks after a shooting rampage at a Florida high school left 17 dead and led to calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for arming teachers as a way to protect students.
23:17 Lookout Notice issued against Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi: IT sources
On the request of Income Tax Department, a Lookout Notice/ Blue Corner Notice has been issued against Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi separately by the Bureau of Immigration, New Delhi in connection with multi-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case.
According to IT sources, the Lookout Notice/Blue Corner Notice would be valid for one year from the date of issue 22.02.2018 at all ports of embarkation.
The IT has further attached four more properties of Nirav Modi which includes a farmhouse at Mumbai's Alibag worth Rs 13 crore and 5.24 MW Solar Power Plant with 135 acres of land at Karjat, Ahmednagar worth Rs. 70 crore as per books.
Moreover, 34 more bank accounts of the Gitanjali group with the balance of Rs 1.45 Crore have been attached.
Meanwhile, Nirav Modi has refused to join Central Bureau of Investigation probe in connection with the PNB scam.
The CBI emailed Nirav Modi on his official id asking him to join investigations, however, in his reply the jeweller said that he will be unable to join the investigations owing to business abroad.
-- ANI
22:50 Meghan Markle joins UK royals to create new charity 'Fab Four'
Meghan Markle, the American actress and fiancee of Prince Harry, today made her working debut in London by joining forces with her husband-to-be's brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton to create what is being dubbed by the British media as a "Fab Four".
Launched in 2011, the Royal Foundation was set up by William and Harry as the main vehicle to pursue their charitable and philanthropic interests.
Kate became a formal member after her wedding to William in April, 2011 and Meghan will be enrolled as a patron after her wedding to Harry on May 19 at Windsor Castle.
Meghan joined Harry, William and Kate at an event for their personal charity, the Royal Foundation, to set out the collective charitable vision of the younger royals.
"We've all got that same passion to want to make a difference. For me it's very important to want to hit the ground running," Meghan said, adding that women's issues would be at the heart of her work with the foundation.
"There is no better time to really continue to shine a light on women feeling empowered, and people really helping to support them men included," she said.
Opening the event, William, the Duke of Cambridge, welcomed Meghan to the royal fold and said that the foursome intended to work for long-term charitable goals.
"We would not seek quick wins, but would strive to make a real and lasting difference. All of the projects have seen us working to change mindsets to make a real and lasting difference.
"They have all seen us trying to tackle the biggest challenges of the day and they have all seen us uniting people, forming teams and coalitions, to work to make a difference together," William said.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is pregnant with her third child, spoke about parenthood influencing her charitable work.
"The work we do can, and should, have a long-lasting resonance. For this reason, we are able to support causes which we're passionate about for decades into the future. Rather than just for a few months or years," she said.
Harry said that he hoped to focus on sustainable tourism as part of the foundation.
-- PTI
22:28 She was my love, my friend, mother to our girls, my partner: Boney on Sridevi
Hours after a family statement was issued, Boney Kapoor issued another statement mourning the loss of his wife -- Sridevi.
In the evocative message, the producer who cremated his wife today, said, "To the world she was their Chandni... the actor par excellence... their Sridevi... but to me she was my love, my friend, mother to our girls... my partner. To our daughters, she was their everything... their life. She was the axis around which our family ran."
He also stated that the media should give him and his family time to grieve privately and asked that if Sridevi had to be remembered, it should be of special memories, of love.
The message could be considered as a message to the media, who has been slammed for its speculative and sensational coverage of the superstar's demise.
In conclusion, Boney Kapoor wrote, "My only concern at this time is to protect my daughters and find a way to move forward without Sri. She was our life, our strength and the reason we always smiled. We love her beyond measure."
Image: Boney Kapoor's full statement.
22:10 Kamala Mills fire: Two more arrested, chargesheet filed against 12
The Mumbai Police arrested two more people in the December 29, 2017 blaze at the plush Kamala Mills Compound that killed 14 including 13 patrons. The city police also filed a 2706- page chargesheet against 12 accused including the owners of retro-bars- 1 Above, Mojos Bristo and Kamala Mills.
The two arrested have been identified as Dinesh Yashwant Mahale, Sub Engineer G/south ward with the BMC and Sandeep Shivaji Shinde, Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Worli Division.
While Mahale failed to raze the illegal constructions at the two resto-bars, Shinde issued fire NOC based on the report submiitted by arrested accused junior fire officer Rajendra Patil. Patil purported submitted forged pictures to help the establishments get NoC, said an officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The 12 accused have been chargesheeted under certain sections of the IPC including those for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, cheating and forgery.
21:43
JUST IN: Film director Rajkumar Santoshi admitted to Mumbai's Nanavati Hospital following some cardiac related issues.
21:24 MPs' monthly allowances to increase by Rs 40,000
The monthly allowances of Members of Parliament are all set to increase by Rs 40,000 per month, with the Union Cabinet today approving up to 55 per cent hike.
At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet approved the amendment to allowance rules effective from April 1, which will have additional financial implication of more than Rs 39 crore and Rs 6.64 crore on account of recurring and non-recurring expenditures respectively.
Now MPs will be paid to Rs 70,000 per month as constituency allowance instead of Rs 45,000 per month at present. Similarly, office expenses allowance has also been increased to Rs 60,000 from Rs 45,000, the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry said in an statement.
Besides these two allowances, the furniture allowance which is being paid to the parliamentarians once in five years, is also increased to Rs one lakh from Rs 75,000.
All the allowances will automatically increase after every five years starting from April 1, 2023 on the basis of cost inflation index.
The decision of the Cabinet will be conveyed to Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament for making amendments in the relevant rules.
It will be approved and confirmed by the Chairman and the Speaker and will be published in the Official Gazette, the ministry said.
20:35 After his Darwin theory remarks,HRD minister stokes controversy over Newton
The junior HRD minister, Satyapal Singh, has courted another controversy with his comment that 'mantras' had codified laws of motion before Isaac Newton, even as he sought to clarify his earlier remarks on Darwin's theory that had raised eyebrows, saying it was his "personal opinion".
At a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education which was chaired by Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, the IPS-turned-politician said that "certain 'mantras' codified the laws of motion much before they were discovered by Isaac Newton, according to the minutes of the meeting held last month
Singh had also suggested that Vaastu compliance of educational buildings was important for learning.
CABE is the governments highest advisory body for policy making in education.
"Whatever I had said on Darwin was my personal opinion. It has nothing to do with the government or party's line," the minister said at the National Science Day event today.
He, however, refused to comment on the controversy over his Newton remarks.
Singh had drawn flak last month when he claimed that Darwin's theory of evolution was incorrect and should not be taught in schools and colleges.
Javadekar had asked Singh to refrain from making such comments and leave the science to scientists as it is their domain.
-- PTI
20:09 'We laid to rest a beautiful soul who has gone too soon'
Hours after family and friends say goodbye to Sridevi and cremated her, the family has issued a statement, saying, "Past few days have been trying times for us. Today, particularly, has been one of the hardest. We laid to rest a beautiful soul who has gone too soon. She leaves behind a legacy that is unique. Sridevi had same connect with her family.
"Let us all who loved Sridevi, envelope her two little ones, her life, as she often called them, with as much or more love than we gave Sri so that they can live their lives ahead with a little less ache in their hearts.
"Let's help them remember their mother fondly and help them build life & be what Sridevi had dreamt for them. We ask that you respect our privacy & allow us space to grieve. Sri lived her life with dignity& we implore, you give her the same respect."
Sridevi's funeral procession was the biggest Mumbai had seen for a Bollywood star since Rajesh Khanna in 2012 and perhaps the biggest for a woman, said old timers. There was a sea of people as far as the eye could see.
The last rites were conducted by her filmmaker husband Boney Kapoor as her family and close friends from the industry and outside packed into the Vile Parle Seva Samaj crematorium.
The couple's daughters, Jahnvi and Khushi, were by his side, sources close to the family said.
Fans and the media were kept outside as the mortal remains of the star through the ages were consigned to the flames.
The actor's body was draped in a red kanjivaram sari with a bindi on her forehead.
Few could hold back their tears as the ceremonial gun shots rang out and the pyre was lit.
Outside, there was mayhem with thousands of people, including star-gazers looking to freeze the moment on their phones, blocking the road leading to the crematorium. Police had a difficult time controlling the crowds.
Mourners in the crowd, some with flowers and pictures and others with just a prayer on their lips, said they were still trying to come to terms with the suddenness of her death in a hotel room in Dubai, where she had gone to attend a family wedding.
19:40 Delhi Patiala House Court sends Karti Chidambaram to 1 day police custody
The trial court has given the Central Bureau of Investigation one day custody of Karti Chidambaram, son of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
The CBI has sought two weeks' custody of Karti Chidambaram, saying he was arrested because he failed to cooperate with the investigation.
Karti, was earlier arrested by the CBI at Chennai airport in connection with its probe in the INX media case.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said the arrest was "classic diversionary tactic" of the government deflect attention from the massive PNB fraud that involved celebrity jeweller Nirav Modi. "This is law, not vendetta," BJP's Sambit Patra said. "If corrupt are being jailed and the law is taking its own course, I see no reason why any political party should cry vendetta."
19:27
JUST IN: CBI arrests auditor of Punjab National Bank in the $2 billion fraud involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi
19:11 Indrani drops bombshell, says paid Karti Rs 10 lakh for FIPB clearance
In a statement to the CBI, Indrani has confessed of criminal conspiracy between INX Media Ltd and Karti's company, Chess Management Service.
The then director of INX Media Ltd allegedly confessed in 2007 that she and her husband Peter Mukerjea took help of Karti's Chess Management Service once their application for Foreign Investment Promotion Board clearance of Rs 305 crore was rejected, and only allowed Rs 5 crore clearance.
Indrani allegedly also confessed that once Chess Management was hired, rules were made for Karti 'services' and his company was paid Rs 10 lakh.
Earlier in the day, Karti, son of former finance minister P Chidambaram was arrested by the CBI at Chennai airport.
In May 2017, the Enforcement Directorate had registered a money laundering case against Karti for his role in facilitating FIPB clearance for INX Media Ltd and its directors, Peter and Indrani Mukerjea - both accused in the murder of Sheena Bora -and others.
Karti illegally took service charges for getting the FIPB clearance to the INX Media for receiving funds from abroad worth Rs 305 crore in 2007 when his father was the finance minister in the Congress-led UPA government.
18:53
JUST IN: Congress retains Madhya Pradesh's Mungaoli assembly seat in a by-poll by a margin of over 2,000 votes, says poll official.
18:30 GDP growth rises to 7.2%, India fastest growing economy again
India regained the status of the world's fastest-growing major economy in the October-December quarter, driven by higher government spending and a pick-up in manufacturing and services.
Gross domestic product grew 7.2 per cent in in the October-December quarter from a year earlier, according to government data released today.
The growth rate is higher than what the Street had expected.
A Reuters poll of more than 35 economists estimated the economy to grow 6.9 per cent in the October-December quarter. China had recorded a growth of 6.8 per cent in the December quarter.
India's GDP had fallen to a three-year low of 5.7 per cent in the April-June quarter due to destocking in the run-up to the July 1 launch of the goods and services tax and a lingering impact of demonetisation. But in July-September quarter, the economic growth picked up to a revised 6.5 per cent annually, a return to a faster growth trajectory after five consecutive quarters of slowdown.
Meanwhile, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, the government revised its GDP growth forecast higher to 6.6 per cent from 6.5 per cent earlier.
18:22 Nirav Modi refuses to join probe in PNB scam case: CBI
Diamantaire Nirav Modi has refused to join CBI investigation in the Punjab National Bank scam case, officials said today.
Modi was asked to appear before the agency in connection with its probe in the over $two billion alleged fraud perpetrated in the PNB.
He was summoned through email but he refused to join the investigation saying he has "business abroad", the officials said.
The CBI today directed him to contact the embassy of India in a country where he is staying so that his travel to India can be arranged, they said.
-- PTI
17:53 Till death do us part: Boney Kapoor performs the last rites
And so it ends... Boney Kapoor does the 'mukhaagni', the last rites, the last rites, for Sridevi. VVIPs at the crematorium are now on their way out. The Kapoor family is still inside the crematorium. Sridevi was cremated with state honours.
Wrapped in the tricolour, Indian cinema icon Sridevi today began her final journey with thousands of mourners jostling with each other to catch a glimpse of her cortege as it slowly made its way through the city to the Vile Parle crematorium.
The body of the 54-year-old, who died in Dubai on Saturday, was taken in a hearse that was covered with white flowers, the colour of mourning. Sridevi, Indian cinema's first woman superstar, was given a gun salute at the Celebration Sports Club, minutes away from her home in Green Acres Lokhandwala where her body was kept before leaving for its last journey.
Wrapped in the tricolour, Indian cinema icon Sridevi today began her final journey with thousands of mourners jostling with each other to catch a glimpse of her cortege as it slowly made its way through the city to the Vile Parle crematorium.
The body of the 54-year-old, who died in Dubai on Saturday, was taken in a hearse that was covered with white flowers, the colour of mourning. Sridevi, Indian cinema's first woman superstar, was given a gun salute at the Celebration Sports Club, minutes away from her home in Green Acres Lokhandwala where her body was kept before leaving for its last journey.
17:33 Aircel files for bankruptcy
Billionaire T Ananda Krishnan's Aircel Ltd says it has filled for bankruptcy as the firm was facing troubled times in a highly financially stressed industry.
Aircel says the reason is due to a significant negative business and reputational impact on the company due to unsustainable debt and increased losses.
Aircel, along with its units-Aircel Cellular and Dishnet Wireless, has filed for bankruptcy in the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT)- Mumbai on Wednesday. This last resort was taken when the Malaysian owned Maxis company failed to strike a truce with its lenders and shareholders.
Aircel says the reason is due to a significant negative business and reputational impact on the company due to unsustainable debt and increased losses.
Aircel, along with its units-Aircel Cellular and Dishnet Wireless, has filed for bankruptcy in the National Companies Law Tribunal (NCLT)- Mumbai on Wednesday. This last resort was taken when the Malaysian owned Maxis company failed to strike a truce with its lenders and shareholders.
17:24
Boney Kapoor and Jahnvi (wiping her face) with Sridevi's cortege. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
17:10
Dia Mirza and her husband Sahil Sangha arrive at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj crematorium also called the Pawan Hans crematorium.
17:09
Farhan Akhtar at the Pawan Hans crematorium
17:07
Vidya Balan and her husband Siddharth Roy Kapur at the crematorium
16:41
PTI reported that at the Celebration Sports Club in Andheri where the body had been lying in state, fashion designer Manish Malhotra broke down as did filmmaker Karan Johar. Sridevi's daughter Jahnvi Kapoor will debut in a romantic drama, Dhadak, produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. Manish Malhotra couture has been a Sridevi favourite.
16:32 Near stampede as Sridevi's hearse reaches crematorium
Sridevis funeral procession has reached the cremation ground in Vile
Parle. Reports say there has been a near-stampede outside the crematorium as crowds in their thousands surged to get a better glimpse of both Sridevi and celebrities arriving there.
Police lathicharged the crowd, the second time today, to control the crowd. Reports say people were perched on trees, lined rooftops and the skywalk for a look at Sridevis cortege. Her stepson Arjun Kapoor requested people with folded hands to let the funeral procession pass through.
Thousands walked along with the hearse all the way to crematorium, a distance of about 7km.
The family has given a list to the Mumbai police of VVIPs who can be allowed inside the crematorium. But the surging crowds has made it difficult for them to enter the crematorium.
Image: Thousands of people on the route to the crematorium has made it difficult for VVIPs to enter. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
Police lathicharged the crowd, the second time today, to control the crowd. Reports say people were perched on trees, lined rooftops and the skywalk for a look at Sridevis cortege. Her stepson Arjun Kapoor requested people with folded hands to let the funeral procession pass through.
Thousands walked along with the hearse all the way to crematorium, a distance of about 7km.
The family has given a list to the Mumbai police of VVIPs who can be allowed inside the crematorium. But the surging crowds has made it difficult for them to enter the crematorium.
Image: Thousands of people on the route to the crematorium has made it difficult for VVIPs to enter. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
16:18
Lyricist Prasoon Joshi at the crematorium. Only close friends and family are being allowed inside the crematorium. It's out of bounds to both the public and the press.
16:13
Sridevi's body arrives at the Pawan Hans crematorium. Shah Rukh Khan arrives at the crematorium.
16:03 She died as she lived -- in public glare
Wrapped in tricolour, Indian cinema icon Sridevi today began her final journey with thousands of mourners jostling each other to catch a glimpse of her cortege as it slowly made its way through the city to the Vile Parle crematorium.
The body of the 54-year-old, who died in Dubai on Saturday, was taken in a hearse that was covered with white flowers.
Sridevi, Indian cinema's first woman superstar, was given a gun salute at the Celebration Sports Club, minutes away from her home in Green Acres Lokhandwala where her body was kept before leaving for its last journey.
Her filmmaker husband Boney Kapoor, stepson Arjun Kapoor and other family members were with the body as it left the building. As crowds mobbed the vehicle -- with some climbing on trees and clambering on gates to get a better look -- Arjun Kapoor requested them with folded hands to let the funeral procession pass through.
Thousands of people walked along with the hearse as it left the venue for the crematorium, about seven kilometres away.
There was a sea of people as far as the eye could see. A prayer was performed at the hall before taking the actor's body for the last rites.
The white hearse had a giant photograph of the actor edged with white flowers. It was the theme of the day with white lilies, mogra and red roses also covering the hall where her body was kept.
With flowers in their hands and a prayer for their screen idol on their lips, thousands of fans filed past the body at the hall to pay their last respects. Sridevi's body was brought to the venue at 9 am by her family members.
Inside the hall, her family, including brothers-in-law Anil Kapoor, and Sanjay Kapoor as well as nephew Harshvardhan Kapoor and nieces Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, stood in a corner, their eyes wet with tears.
Sridevi's daughters Jahnvi and Khushi were standing a little behind them. The actor's mortal remains were draped in a red kanjivaram sari with a bindi on her forehead. -- PTI
Image: Photographers line the road outside Celebration Sports Club this morning. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
The body of the 54-year-old, who died in Dubai on Saturday, was taken in a hearse that was covered with white flowers.
Sridevi, Indian cinema's first woman superstar, was given a gun salute at the Celebration Sports Club, minutes away from her home in Green Acres Lokhandwala where her body was kept before leaving for its last journey.
Her filmmaker husband Boney Kapoor, stepson Arjun Kapoor and other family members were with the body as it left the building. As crowds mobbed the vehicle -- with some climbing on trees and clambering on gates to get a better look -- Arjun Kapoor requested them with folded hands to let the funeral procession pass through.
Thousands of people walked along with the hearse as it left the venue for the crematorium, about seven kilometres away.
There was a sea of people as far as the eye could see. A prayer was performed at the hall before taking the actor's body for the last rites.
The white hearse had a giant photograph of the actor edged with white flowers. It was the theme of the day with white lilies, mogra and red roses also covering the hall where her body was kept.
With flowers in their hands and a prayer for their screen idol on their lips, thousands of fans filed past the body at the hall to pay their last respects. Sridevi's body was brought to the venue at 9 am by her family members.
Inside the hall, her family, including brothers-in-law Anil Kapoor, and Sanjay Kapoor as well as nephew Harshvardhan Kapoor and nieces Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, stood in a corner, their eyes wet with tears.
Sridevi's daughters Jahnvi and Khushi were standing a little behind them. The actor's mortal remains were draped in a red kanjivaram sari with a bindi on her forehead. -- PTI
Image: Photographers line the road outside Celebration Sports Club this morning. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
15:34 Janhvi, Boney, Arjun, Anil escort Sridevi on her last journey
Behind the glass coffin holding Sridevi's body, is her daughter Janhvi Kapoor with Boney Kapoor. A very difficult time for the family and her friends after Sridevi's sudden death on Saturday and the delay in the repatriation of the body. Jhanvi makes her film debut with Dhadak, a romantic drama produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, slated for release on 20 July.
Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
15:14 Prayers held before body left for last rites
Prayers were offered at the hall at the Celebration Sports Club before Sridevi's body was taken for the last rites. A giant photograph of the actress edged with white flowers was put up outside the club, which was covered with white lilies, mogra and red roses.
Sridevi's body was brought to the venue at 9 am by her family members.. Inside the hall, her family, including film-maker husband Boney Kapoor, actors Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, stood in a corner, their eyes wet with tears. Sridevi's daughters Jahnvi and Khushi were standing a little behind them.
Sridevi's mortal remains were draped in a red kanjivaram sari. A bindi on her forehead and lipstick completed her. Well-wishers offered flowers kept in baskets.
A sombre, red-eyed Boney Kapoor stood in a corner surrounded by his family and friends from the film fraternity.
Fashion designer Manish Malhotra broke down and was consoled by film-maker Karan Johar, who was also unable to control his grief. Rani Mukerji sat near the body, and was consoling Sonam Kapoor.
The hall had three entry points - for VIPs, the media and the public. Nearly 200 policemen were present at the venue to keep the crowd in check. While the gates for the general public opened after 10 am, fans from across the country started queuing up to pay their last respects to the "Chandni" star since 6 am.
Image: Aishwarya Rai at the Celebration Club this morning. Her mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan and sister-in-law Shweta Nanda were also there. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
Sridevi's body was brought to the venue at 9 am by her family members.. Inside the hall, her family, including film-maker husband Boney Kapoor, actors Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Harshvardhan Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, stood in a corner, their eyes wet with tears. Sridevi's daughters Jahnvi and Khushi were standing a little behind them.
Sridevi's mortal remains were draped in a red kanjivaram sari. A bindi on her forehead and lipstick completed her. Well-wishers offered flowers kept in baskets.
A sombre, red-eyed Boney Kapoor stood in a corner surrounded by his family and friends from the film fraternity.
Fashion designer Manish Malhotra broke down and was consoled by film-maker Karan Johar, who was also unable to control his grief. Rani Mukerji sat near the body, and was consoling Sonam Kapoor.
The hall had three entry points - for VIPs, the media and the public. Nearly 200 policemen were present at the venue to keep the crowd in check. While the gates for the general public opened after 10 am, fans from across the country started queuing up to pay their last respects to the "Chandni" star since 6 am.
Image: Aishwarya Rai at the Celebration Club this morning. Her mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan and sister-in-law Shweta Nanda were also there. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
14:59
Husband Boney Kapoor looks at Sridevi as he escorts the body to the crematorium. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
14:59 Fans for their girl
Thousands of fans outside the Celebration Sports Club. The police had to resort to a lathicharge when the crowds became unruly after the gates to the club were shut at 12:30 pm ending the time for public to pay homage to Sridevi. Pic: Pradeep Bandekar
14:53 Family surrounds Sridevi on her last journey
Mohit Marwah (the family was in Dubai for his wedding. He is Boney Kapoor's nephew), Arjun Kapoor and Anil Kapoor with the cortege.
Pic: Pradeep Bandekar.
Pic: Pradeep Bandekar.
14:41
Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor, daughters Khushi and Janhvi, were beside the cortege when it emerged from the Celebration Club.
14:35 Goodbye Sridevi! Our last glimpse of the superstar
And that's the final glimpse of Sridevi dressed like a bride, adorned in a red and gold kanjeevaram sari. The orange that you see at the right hand side of the image is the tricolour she has been draped in. She is being accorded a state funeral.
14:28
The flower-draped cortege heads to the crematorium. The funeral is expected to take place at around 3:30 pm, 7 km away near Pawan Hans, Vile Parle West.
14:23 Draped in tricolour, Sridevi's cortege leaves for crematorium
The funeral cortege of Sridevi leaves the Celebration Sports Club for the Pawan Hans crematorium. Sridevi, who will be accorded a state funeral, was draped in the tricolour.
14:19 Police lathicharge crowds outside Celebration Sports Club
Rediff.com videographer Afsar Datayar who was at Celebration Sports Club said the police had to resort to a lathicharge to control the crowd. Fans were not let in after 12pm to pay their last respects, as a result of which many of them ended up waiting outside. Despite repeated warnings by the police, the crowd refused to leave.
14:10 Coffee, mate?
Virat Kohli is back home and he can't stop grinning. He was rested from the T20 tri-series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starting next week and the Indian captain decided to enjoy the down time. Kohli tweeted this picture saying, "Coffee at home tastes even better."
14:09
Riteish Deshmukh on the media circus surrounding Sridevi's death. He posted this six hours ago. @Riteishd It's a bloody circus. Some of the TV channels have dug new lows for themselves. Let's give #Sridevi Ji & her family the dignity & respect they deserve. #LetHerRestInPeace #SrideviForever #NewsKiMaut
14:07
Sonam Kapoor and her friend Anand Ahuja. Sonam is Boney Kapoor's neice.
14:05
Shiv Sena chairperson Aditya Thackeray and his mother Rashmi at the venue
13:46
Vidya Balan, Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vivek and Suresh Oberoi, John Abraham, Malaika Arora, Jackie Shroff, Rajkummar Rao, Patralekha, Shahid Kapoor, Mira Rajput also paid their respects. Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought her body in a private jet last night after three days of uncertainty over her unexpected death on Saturday in Dubai.
13:33 Sridevi lay beautiful in a red sari: Hema Malini
Hema Malini, who paid her last respects to Sridevi at the Celebration Sports Club at Andheri, tweeted to say, "Paid my last respects to Sridevi. The entire industry was there grieving, some on the verge of breakdown. Such was her aura & magic in films. She lay there, beautiful in a red saree, serene in death & totally at peace. Arrangements were so well made that the whole atmosphere was tranquil, everything was smooth & executed with finesse - befitting the departed soul. Goodbye dear friend."
Sridevi will be cremated with state honours, news agency ANI reports. The Mumbai Police band has already reached the club a while ago.
The Indian Express also reports that Sridevi's body has been laid inside a glass casket, adorned with flowers. Husband Boney Kapoor and daughters Janhvi and Khushi appeared 'visibly shattered.' Other family members including Boney's brothers Sanjay and Anil are receiving the guests while his niece Sonam Kapoor and her boyfriend Anand Ahuja are standing beside Sridevi's body.
The mortal remains of the superstar, who died on Saturday in Dubai, arrived at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, where her colleagues and fans are paying their last respects. Her last journey will begin at 2pm and Sridevi's cremation will take place at 3.30pm at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj.
Sridevi will be cremated with state honours, news agency ANI reports. The Mumbai Police band has already reached the club a while ago.
The Indian Express also reports that Sridevi's body has been laid inside a glass casket, adorned with flowers. Husband Boney Kapoor and daughters Janhvi and Khushi appeared 'visibly shattered.' Other family members including Boney's brothers Sanjay and Anil are receiving the guests while his niece Sonam Kapoor and her boyfriend Anand Ahuja are standing beside Sridevi's body.
The mortal remains of the superstar, who died on Saturday in Dubai, arrived at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, where her colleagues and fans are paying their last respects. Her last journey will begin at 2pm and Sridevi's cremation will take place at 3.30pm at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj.
12:34 State funeral for Sridevi
Sridevi will be cremated with state honours, news agency ANI reports. The Mumbai Police band reaches Celebration Sports Club where her body is lying in state.
The mortal remains of the superstar, who died on Saturday in Dubai, arrived at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, where her colleagues and fans are paying their last respects. Her last journey will begin at 2pm and Sridevis cremation will take place at 3.30pm at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj.
Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought her body in a private jet last night after three days of uncertainty over her unexpected death on Saturday in Dubai.
Earlier yesterday, Dubai Public Prosecutor's Office put an end to speculation about the cause of her death, saying she accidentally drowned in the bathtub following loss of consciousness, and that the "case was now closed". It did not say what caused the 54-year-old superstar to lose consciousness.
The Embraer jet, owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, landed in Mumbai around 9.30 p.m. and the cremation is scheduled tomorrow around 3.30 pm. Anil Ambani, wife Tina Ambani and Anil Kapoor were among those at the airport when the plane landed.
The mortal remains were then taken to the Lokhandwala residence of the Kapoors where several police personnel along with a host of private security men were deployed for crowd management.
As the ambulance carrying Sridevi's mortal remains entered her residence in suburban Andheri, a large number of fans jostled for a glimpse of their favourite actor.
Both sides of the road leading to Sridevi's 'Green Acres' residence in Lokhandwala were crowded with her fans, with some even climbing the trees to have a clear view.
The mortal remains of the superstar, who died on Saturday in Dubai, arrived at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, where her colleagues and fans are paying their last respects. Her last journey will begin at 2pm and Sridevis cremation will take place at 3.30pm at the Vile Parle Seva Samaj.
Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought her body in a private jet last night after three days of uncertainty over her unexpected death on Saturday in Dubai.
Earlier yesterday, Dubai Public Prosecutor's Office put an end to speculation about the cause of her death, saying she accidentally drowned in the bathtub following loss of consciousness, and that the "case was now closed". It did not say what caused the 54-year-old superstar to lose consciousness.
The Embraer jet, owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, landed in Mumbai around 9.30 p.m. and the cremation is scheduled tomorrow around 3.30 pm. Anil Ambani, wife Tina Ambani and Anil Kapoor were among those at the airport when the plane landed.
The mortal remains were then taken to the Lokhandwala residence of the Kapoors where several police personnel along with a host of private security men were deployed for crowd management.
As the ambulance carrying Sridevi's mortal remains entered her residence in suburban Andheri, a large number of fans jostled for a glimpse of their favourite actor.
Both sides of the road leading to Sridevi's 'Green Acres' residence in Lokhandwala were crowded with her fans, with some even climbing the trees to have a clear view.
12:25
BJP MP Varun Gandhi tweets this image with the Kanchi seer, saying, "Parampujya Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Maharaj ji attained samadhi today as he left his physical body. He was a father figure to me: a great source of strength and guidance always, and had presided over my wedding. May he watch over all of us forever..."
12:19 And a time of mourning at the Kanchi mutt
Visuals from Sankara Mutt in Kanchipuram. TamilNadu Kanchi Mutt head Jayendra Saraswathi passed away today at the age of 82, following a cardiac arrest, hospital sources said. The seer was rushed to a private hospital in Kanchipuram after he complained of uneasiness, they said without divulging further information.
Jayendra Saraswathi, pontiff of one of the oldest Mutts in the country, had been heading it for a very long time. He had succeeded Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal as the head of the Shaivaite mutt.
Jayendra Saraswathi, pontiff of one of the oldest Mutts in the country, had been heading it for a very long time. He had succeeded Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal as the head of the Shaivaite mutt.
11:51 And in Tamil Nadu, children remember a real star
Students of a primary school owned by Sridevi's family paid tributes to the actress in Sivakasi, TamilNadu.
11:40
Actress Jacqueline Fernandez (pictured), TV actors Karishma Tanna and Rakhi Sawant were also at the venue.
11:38
Green Acres housing society in Mumbai, where Sridevi used to live, cancels Holi celebrations as a mark of respect towards her.
11:35 Saroj Khan worked with Sridevi in 22 films
Choreographer Saroj Khan at the venue.
Speaking to Patcy N/ Rediff.com, Saroj Khan, who worked with Sridevi, in 22 films, said she was a very good dancer and loved doing comic dances.
"She was a good human being and a good friend. She was like a daughter to me." Read the rest of the interview here.
Speaking to Patcy N/ Rediff.com, Saroj Khan, who worked with Sridevi, in 22 films, said she was a very good dancer and loved doing comic dances.
"She was a good human being and a good friend. She was like a daughter to me." Read the rest of the interview here.
11:26
And that's Jaya Bachchan
11:23
Madhuri Dixit and her husband Dr Shriram Nene at the Celebration Sports Club.
11:20 Hema Malini admired Sridevi for her south Indian sanskars
Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini and her daughter Esha Deol arrived to pay homage to Sridevi. Hema Malini had said yesterday that Sridevi had achieved the highest position in Bollywood because of her dedication to her work. "I value her for her sanskars as in spite of achieving the highest position of 'superstar' in Bollywood, she never compromised with the south Indian sanskars inculcated in her."
11:15
Former Miss Universe and actress Sushmita Sen at the venue
11:10 Goodbye Sridevi! Final farewells begin
Update on the Sridevi: Fans were seen queuing up outside Celebration Sports Club near her residence in Lokhandwala, where her body is kept for 'darshan' (public viewing), to pay their last respects to the Bollywood diva.
Long queues of fans holding flowers in their hands and chanting prayers were seen as the body of the actor was brought to the venue at 9 am along with an entourage of family members. Nearly 200 policemen were present at the venue to keep the crowd in check.
While the gates for the general public opened after 10 am, fans from across the country started queuing up to pay their last respects to the "Chandni" star since 6 in the morning.
"We thought we would be the first ones to come but people had already reached the venue, around 6 in the morning. I am here because I want my son and daughter to see what a legend Sridevi was," said 45-year-old city resident Sunil Raghavan. People have come from as far as Karnataka and Chennai to catch the last glimpse of their screen idol.
Among the crowd is a group of fans from Karnataka waiting to pay their respects to the actor. "We were there even at Anil Kapoor's bungalow earlier and will not leave Mumbai without seeing our idol," said a fan waiting in the line.
Filmmaker Karan Johar was the first among prominent personalities to arrive at the venue, followed by other Bollywood celebrities like Arbaaz Khan and Farah Khan.
The body of Sridevi was flown back to Mumbai last night after the Dubai authorities determined that she had accidentally drowned in her hotel bathtub.
The family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought the body in a private jet after three days of uncertainty over her unexpected death on Saturday in Dubai. The 54-year-old Bollywood icon was in Dubai to attend a family wedding. In a statement, the family said the funeral will take place at 3.30 pm today.
"The last journey will commence at 2 pm from Celebration Sports Club to Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery," the statement said. -- PTI
Image: Aishwarya Rai at the Celebration Sports Club.
Long queues of fans holding flowers in their hands and chanting prayers were seen as the body of the actor was brought to the venue at 9 am along with an entourage of family members. Nearly 200 policemen were present at the venue to keep the crowd in check.
While the gates for the general public opened after 10 am, fans from across the country started queuing up to pay their last respects to the "Chandni" star since 6 in the morning.
"We thought we would be the first ones to come but people had already reached the venue, around 6 in the morning. I am here because I want my son and daughter to see what a legend Sridevi was," said 45-year-old city resident Sunil Raghavan. People have come from as far as Karnataka and Chennai to catch the last glimpse of their screen idol.
Among the crowd is a group of fans from Karnataka waiting to pay their respects to the actor. "We were there even at Anil Kapoor's bungalow earlier and will not leave Mumbai without seeing our idol," said a fan waiting in the line.
Filmmaker Karan Johar was the first among prominent personalities to arrive at the venue, followed by other Bollywood celebrities like Arbaaz Khan and Farah Khan.
The body of Sridevi was flown back to Mumbai last night after the Dubai authorities determined that she had accidentally drowned in her hotel bathtub.
The family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought the body in a private jet after three days of uncertainty over her unexpected death on Saturday in Dubai. The 54-year-old Bollywood icon was in Dubai to attend a family wedding. In a statement, the family said the funeral will take place at 3.30 pm today.
"The last journey will commence at 2 pm from Celebration Sports Club to Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery," the statement said. -- PTI
Image: Aishwarya Rai at the Celebration Sports Club.
11:06 Beyond the diva, the generous, warm, Sridevi, only a few knew about
As preparations were being made for veteran actor Sridevi's final journey, last night, this visually impaired man from a village in Uttar Pradesh has been camping outside the actor's residence, ever since the news of her demise broke.
Soon after hearing of the 54-year old actor's demise, the man, Jatin Valmiki, decided to make his way to Mumbai to pay his respects to the departed soul, not just as an ardent fan, but as someone who was helped by the noted actor.
"I was given an opportunity to meet Srideviji at an event, where I discussed with her about my brother having a brain tumor. She immediately gave me Rs 1 lakh and got an additional Rs 1 lakh waived off from the hospital bill. While I am not a fan of movies, I am here to pay my respects to the actor who is responsible for my brother's recovery. He is alive today only because of her," Jatin told ANI.
"I know I cannot do anything to pay her back, but I felt I should at least be a part of her final journey. Therefore, when I heard of her demise, I decided to travel from my village in UP to Mumbai. I have been waiting here for two days now," he added.
Fans have gathered around Sridevi's residence since the news of her mortal remains being brought to her residence broke and eagerly await catching a last glimpse of their idol.
Meanwhile, a number of eminent B'town celebs have visited the actor's residence since Tuesday evening, such as Salman Khan, Satish Kaushik, and Rajpal Yadav, to name a few. -- ANI
Soon after hearing of the 54-year old actor's demise, the man, Jatin Valmiki, decided to make his way to Mumbai to pay his respects to the departed soul, not just as an ardent fan, but as someone who was helped by the noted actor.
"I was given an opportunity to meet Srideviji at an event, where I discussed with her about my brother having a brain tumor. She immediately gave me Rs 1 lakh and got an additional Rs 1 lakh waived off from the hospital bill. While I am not a fan of movies, I am here to pay my respects to the actor who is responsible for my brother's recovery. He is alive today only because of her," Jatin told ANI.
"I know I cannot do anything to pay her back, but I felt I should at least be a part of her final journey. Therefore, when I heard of her demise, I decided to travel from my village in UP to Mumbai. I have been waiting here for two days now," he added.
Fans have gathered around Sridevi's residence since the news of her mortal remains being brought to her residence broke and eagerly await catching a last glimpse of their idol.
Meanwhile, a number of eminent B'town celebs have visited the actor's residence since Tuesday evening, such as Salman Khan, Satish Kaushik, and Rajpal Yadav, to name a few. -- ANI
10:50 Trudeau blames India, backs 'Atwal theory'
In other news, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not refute the 'conspiracy theory' that Indian government factions sabotaged his trip by approving the visa for pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal.
Responding to a Conservative leader's question about the "allegations" made by a senior government security source, Trudeau said, "When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians it's because they know it to be true."
Adding that it was the previous Conservative government that "torqued the public service every possible way they could."
During Prime Minister Trudeau's visit to India, Atwal was invited to dine with him at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded. Prime Minister Trudeau also received backlash over his wife Sophie Trudeau's photo with convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist.
Canadian Member of Parliament Randeep S Sarai, however, took responsibility for inviting Atwal to Trudeau's reception dinner in New Delhi.
Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. -- ANI
Responding to a Conservative leader's question about the "allegations" made by a senior government security source, Trudeau said, "When one of our top diplomats and security officials says something to Canadians it's because they know it to be true."
Adding that it was the previous Conservative government that "torqued the public service every possible way they could."
During Prime Minister Trudeau's visit to India, Atwal was invited to dine with him at a formal event hosted by Canadian High Commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded. Prime Minister Trudeau also received backlash over his wife Sophie Trudeau's photo with convicted pro-Khalistani terrorist.
Canadian Member of Parliament Randeep S Sarai, however, took responsibility for inviting Atwal to Trudeau's reception dinner in New Delhi.
Jaspal Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986. -- ANI
10:46
Sonam Kapoor's sister (Boney Kapoor's neice) at the venue. Sonam arrived a while ago.
10:42
Sonam and Rhea's brother Harshvardhan Kapoor arrives at Celebration Club.
10:41
Sridevi's brother-in-law Sanjay Kapoor arrives at Celebration Club.
10:36 Goodbye Sridevi: India bids farewell
You can pay your last respects to Sridevi at Celebration Club till 12:30 pm after which the venue will be closed to the public. That's of course after you get in line.
10:34
The police bandobast outside Celebration Club at Andheri where Sridevi's body has been kept for people to pay their last respects. There was heavy police bandobast outside Sridevi's home, Green Acres at Lokhandwala yesterday when her body was brought home from the airport and at Anil Kapoor's house where the family and the film fraternity had converged after news of her death broke on Saturday night.
10:27
Arbaz Khan at the venue.
10:26
Filmmaker Farah Khan at Celebration Club
10:23 Sridevi's body arrives at Celebration Club
Sridevi's mortal remains were brought to the Celebration Sports Club, at Andheri in suburban Mumbai, close to her home, this morning. People and her co-stars have already begun arriving at the venue. The body arrived at around 9:30 am and will lie in state till noon. The funeral will take place at around 3:30 pm today.
10:20 Sridevi's co-stars, fans pay their last respects at Celebration Club
The mortal remains of Sridevi, who died on Saturday in Dubai, arrived at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, where her colleagues and fans will pay their last respects. The body will lie in state at the club till 12.30pm. Thereafter the body will be taken at 2pm to the Pawan Hans crematorium nearby. The cremation is expected to take place at around 3.30 pm.
Her colleagues in the film industry have already started arriving to pay condolences to Sridevi's family. Akshaye Khanna, who worked with Sridevi in her last film, 'Mom', paid his last respects to his co-star.
Filmmaker Farah Khan, actors Sonam Kapoor and Anu Kapoor are also at the Celebration Sports Club.
Image: Sonam Kapoor arrives at Celebration Club.
Her colleagues in the film industry have already started arriving to pay condolences to Sridevi's family. Akshaye Khanna, who worked with Sridevi in her last film, 'Mom', paid his last respects to his co-star.
Filmmaker Farah Khan, actors Sonam Kapoor and Anu Kapoor are also at the Celebration Sports Club.
Image: Sonam Kapoor arrives at Celebration Club.
10:04 Kanchi Shankaracharya dead
Jayendra Saraswathi, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi, dies at the age of 82. Details awaited, but just last month he had been hospitalised for breathing problems, but was discharged and had resumed normal activities.
The Kanchi seer had been arrested in 2004 for the murder of Sankararaman, the manager of Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram. Sankararaman is had allegedly accused Jayendra Saraswati and Vijayendra Saraswati (the other seer of the Kanchi mutt) on the functioning of the Kanchi Mutt.
Also read: Why Shankaracharya's arrest was in bad taste
And this: Kanchi Shankaracharya: 'Jayalalithaa will win'
The Kanchi seer had been arrested in 2004 for the murder of Sankararaman, the manager of Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram. Sankararaman is had allegedly accused Jayendra Saraswati and Vijayendra Saraswati (the other seer of the Kanchi mutt) on the functioning of the Kanchi Mutt.
Also read: Why Shankaracharya's arrest was in bad taste
And this: Kanchi Shankaracharya: 'Jayalalithaa will win'
09:51
Sushma Swaraj tweets her condolences: @SushmaSwaraj My respectful homage to Param Pujya Swami Jayendra Saraswati Ji who has attained mahasamadhi this morning. I was fortunate to have his blessings always.
09:27 Pak is yet to take decisive actions against terrorists; US general
The freeze in US security aid to Pakistan will continue as it is yet to take any decisive action against the Taliban and the Haqqani network. "That's the current posture. And I would imagine, hopefully, in the future, well have an opportunity to (review)," General Joseph Votel, Commander of the US Central Command, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee when asked about the future of freeze of American security assistance to Pakistan.
"So, we remain in a posture of discontinuing that support (to Pakistan)," inquired Indiana Senator Jim Banks. Votel said the US has started to see an increase in communication, information sharing and actions on the ground in response to specific US requests.
"These are positive indicators," he said, adding that "however, ongoing national counter-terrorism efforts against anti-Pakistan militants throughout the country have not yet translated into the definitive actions we require Pakistan to take against Afghan Taliban or Haqqani leaders," "This problem is compounded by increasing cross-border terrorist attacks and fires between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which hinders both countries abilities to coordinate on border security," Votel said.
The US, he said, has preserved its valuable military-to-military relationship with Pakistan and attempted to increase transparency and communication with influential military leaders, while pressing its serious concerns about the country's provision of sanctuary and support to militant and terrorist groups that target the US personnel and interests. "Achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan and defeating the insurgency will be difficult without Pakistan's support and assistance," he said. -- PTI
"So, we remain in a posture of discontinuing that support (to Pakistan)," inquired Indiana Senator Jim Banks. Votel said the US has started to see an increase in communication, information sharing and actions on the ground in response to specific US requests.
"These are positive indicators," he said, adding that "however, ongoing national counter-terrorism efforts against anti-Pakistan militants throughout the country have not yet translated into the definitive actions we require Pakistan to take against Afghan Taliban or Haqqani leaders," "This problem is compounded by increasing cross-border terrorist attacks and fires between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which hinders both countries abilities to coordinate on border security," Votel said.
The US, he said, has preserved its valuable military-to-military relationship with Pakistan and attempted to increase transparency and communication with influential military leaders, while pressing its serious concerns about the country's provision of sanctuary and support to militant and terrorist groups that target the US personnel and interests. "Achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan and defeating the insurgency will be difficult without Pakistan's support and assistance," he said. -- PTI
09:10 CBI arrests P Chidambaram's son Karti
The Central Bureau of Investigation today arrested Karti Chidambaram, son of Congress leader P Chidambaram in INX Media case.
Karti's name had cropped up in the case which relates to Foreign Investment Promotion Board approval granted in 2007 for receipt of funds by INX Media when his father and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was the Union finance minister during the previous UPA regime.
Last week, Karti moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the Enforcement Directorate's summons against him in the case.
He reportedly told the ED that he was appearing before the agency "under protest".
He was first grilled by the agency on January 18.
The ED had earlier summoned Karti on February 2 after which he informed them he would be unable to depose as he had an interlocutory application pending in the Supreme Court in this case.
The central probe agency had registered the case against Karti and others in May last year.
08:47 Strong institutions are important than individual leaders: US on China's plan to remove Pres term limits
The United States has said that it was closely watching China's ruling Communist Party's plans to abolish presidential term limits, while asserting that strong institutions were more important than individual leaders.
"We have been following very closely what has happened in China and the response to the Communist Party seeking to abolish term limits there," State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference
"Strong institutions -- and this is another fundamental freedom of the US -- we believe that strong institutions are more important than individual leaders," she said.
The Communist Party of China, which is in power since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, had proposed on Sunday to amend the country's Constitution to remove the two term limits for the president and vice president, potentially allowing Xi Jinping to rule for life
Nauert said promoting human rights and democratic governance was a core element of the US foreign policy
"Its an essential foundation of a stable, secure and functioning society," she said, adding that the United States remains "unwavering" in its commitment to advance personal liberty, human dignity and prosperity globally. -- PTI
08:41 Sridevi's final journey to begin at 2 pm today
Bollywood actor Sridevi's funeral will take place today late afternoon in Mumbai.
In a detailed announcement, the family said her body will be kept at Celebration Sports Club in Lokhandwala for people to pay their last respects before it is taken for cremation.
"On behalf of Khushi, Janhvi, Boney Kapoor, the entire Kapoor and Ayyappan families, a sincere thanks to the media for your continued sensitivity and support during this emotional moment," the statement read.
It said that well-wishers can pay their condolences from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm at Celebration Sports Club, Garden No 5, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri West.
The family said media can also pay their respects "provided camera, recording devices, etc are left outside the venue".
"The last journey will commence at 2 pm from Celebration Sports Club to Vile Parle Seva Samaj Crematorium and Hindu Cemetery."
The cremation will take place at around 3.30 pm.
The 54-year-old actor, known as Indian cinema's first woman superstar, passed away in her hotel room in the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai late on Saturday. -- PTI
Photograph: PTI Photo
00:20 Sridevi's body kept at Mumbai residence, funeral today
The body of Bollywood icon Sridevi was flown back to Mumbai on Tuesday evening.
Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought her body in a private jet.
The Embraer jet, owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, landed in Mumbai around 9.30 pm and the cremation is scheduled for today around 3.30 p.m.
Anil Ambani, wife Tina Ambani and Anil Kapoor were among those at the airport when the plane landed.
The mortal remains were then taken to the Lokhandwala residence of the Kapoors where about a dozen police personnel and as many private security men were deployed for crowd management.
Earlier on Tuesday, Dubai Public Prosecutor's Office put an end to speculation about the cause of her death, saying she accidentally drowned in the bathtub following loss of consciousness, and that the 'case was now closed'.
It did not say what caused the 54-year-old superstar to lose consciousness. -- PTI
IMAGE: The ambulance carrying Sridevi's mortal remains outside the Kapoors' Lokhandwala residence on Tuesday night. Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar
Family members, including her film-maker husband Boney Kapoor and stepson Arjun Kapoor, brought her body in a private jet.
The Embraer jet, owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, landed in Mumbai around 9.30 pm and the cremation is scheduled for today around 3.30 p.m.
Anil Ambani, wife Tina Ambani and Anil Kapoor were among those at the airport when the plane landed.
The mortal remains were then taken to the Lokhandwala residence of the Kapoors where about a dozen police personnel and as many private security men were deployed for crowd management.
Earlier on Tuesday, Dubai Public Prosecutor's Office put an end to speculation about the cause of her death, saying she accidentally drowned in the bathtub following loss of consciousness, and that the 'case was now closed'.
It did not say what caused the 54-year-old superstar to lose consciousness. -- PTI
IMAGE: The ambulance carrying Sridevi's mortal remains outside the Kapoors' Lokhandwala residence on Tuesday night. Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar
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