Monks, sex workers watch film’s premiere together
Kolkata: A group of Buddhist monks and sex workers came together in the same multiplex to watch the premiere of Hindi film Umformung – The Transformation, which is about how a Tibetan monk travels all the way to a city brothel to realise the truth of life. The film has been directed by criminal psychologist- filmmaker Dr Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar. “I liked the film as it is about the life of a Buddhist monk and his search for truth in life,” Dr Arunjyoti Bhikkhu, director of the Tallygonj Sambodhi Buddhist Monastery, told PTI after the screening. The monk, who has openly endorsed the film, said Lord Buddha preached against hating anyone and this film follows that spirit. The film which will be released commercially in theatres on August 26 has already won awards at various film festivals. “At a time when there is so much of strife, intolerance and terrorism, we have a story which inspires us to remain together,” the director said. When asked whether he fears any controversy arising out of the subject of the film he said, “I have shown this to many monks who have endorsed my film completely. One of the sex-workers present during the screening said it is a matter of pride for them to be invited to a film’s premiere. (PTI)
Lalu thanks Paswan for liking his tweet on Bihar’s growth rate
Patna: In the backdrop of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and his LJP counterpart Ram Vilas Paswan trading charges over alleged spurt in crime in Bihar, the former today thanked the Union Minister for liking one of his tweets. “Thank u Paswan Ji for endorsing my stand that Bihar is outperforming so called developed states ruled by BJP,” he tweeted. Paswan had reportedly liked Prasad’s yesterday’s tweet praising the Grand Alliance government, in which his party is a partner, for registering a 15.6 per cent growth rate and outperforming the “so-called developed states” being ruled by ‘mangalraj wale’. Prasad used ‘mangalraj wale’ apparently to refer to BJP. “Tathakathik Vikshit Rajyon ko buri tarah pachharta hua Bihar 15.6 per cent vikas dar ke sath desh ka awwal rajya! Kahan hain mangalraj wale (as compared to so-called famous states, Bihar has registered a 15.6 per cent growth…),” the RJD supremo had tweeted. The Union minister had repeatedly taken dig at the state government for the “deteriorating law and order situation” by claiming it to be “return of jungle raj”, an apparent reference to the crime situation in Bihar RJD’s rule between 1990-2005. (PTI)
Nigerian held for drug peddling in Delhi, cocaine seized
New Delhi: A Nigerian national has been arrested on the charge of drug peddling and cocaine worth Rs 3.5 crore seized from him, police said on Sunday. Accused Okpala James, 28, was arrested on July 10 by Crime Branch sleuths when he visited the MCD Civic Centre area, at Minto Road in central Delhi, to deliver cocaine to some clients. Police said 310 gm of cocaine, valued at Rs 3.5 crore in the international market, was seized from his possession. “He came to India in April 2015 on a medical attendant visa and got involved in drug smuggling after meeting another Nigerian national Chi Chi B.,” Joint Police Commissioner (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav said. James used different mobile phones for his illegal business, police said. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered against James. (IANS)
