Here Comes The Bribe

In India bribes are common-place, second-nature almost. But if a unique initiative against bribery sustains its fledgling momentum, paying off an unscrupulous government Babu or that policeman with a smug smile plastered on his face could become a thing of the past.

A Goan is compelled to pay a Rs 70,000 bribe for permission to rebuild his family home in Margao after he is told, "Can't be done, sir, not until...". For refusing to pay off a municipal employee, a 45-year old man in Ahmedabad is kept waiting a year to get his birth certificate. A New Delhi resident buckles and palms a 100-rupee note to a policeman accusing him of illegally operating his car as a cab while driving a foreigner friend to Agra.

IPaidABribe.com registers an astonishing assortment of first person anecdotes detailing bribe-giving across India. From Agartala to Vijayawada, it is a first-of-its-kind chronicle of you-and-me Indians' brush with an array of corrupt government officials. By graphically detailing and recording the universality of this Indian problem, IPaidABribe wants to analyse patterns, change processes and tackle corruption.

Launched six weeks ago, IPaidABribe (IPAB) is already making waves on the internet. It was set up by the Bangalore-based Janaagraha, a non-profit that works to change the quality of life in urban India by working with both citizens and governments. In the short time since its launch, thousands of Indians have gone online to record their experiences under a laundry-list of headers: I paid a bribe, I didn't pay a bribe, I didn't have to pay a bribe, I don't want to pay a bribe.

On its website, IPAB asserts that it wants citizens to "uncover the market price of corruption" and illustrates it with a graphic of a corporate employee bribing a policeman with his official entitlement of Sodexho food coupons. The numbers, types, locations, frequencies and value of bribes paid provide a snapshot of the extent of corruption in different cities. Janaagraha then uses them to argue for improved governance systems, tighter law enforcement and stricter regulation, thus reducing the scope of corruption.

According to Janaagraha co-founder Swati Ramanathan, recording a bribing incident is like owning up a sin in a confessional. She says IPAB is a "mandi", a marketplace where prices for various services are openly shared. In order to encourage more 'confessions', IPAB does maintain the anonymity of the bribe-giver. It does not unmask the bribe-taking government official's identity either — it aims to change processes and not target individuals.

As an early endorsement for its crusade, Janaagraha has just received a $3 million grant from the social philanthropy investment firm, Omidyar Foundation, backed by Pierre Omidyar, the founder of auction website eBay. This is the foundation's first grant towards government transparency outside the United States. Enthused by the responses to IPAB, Sunlight Foundation, an American firm that works in digitising government documents in various US States, is talking about launching a similar initiative in the United States. The Foundation said the website would help heighten awareness about the subtle forms of corruption rampant in the United States.

The results are already beginning to show. Karnataka's transport department has gleaned details of the bribes collected by transport officials based on the locations mentioned by the bribe givers. It has sent show-cause notices to 20 senior officials.

The initiative is headed by T.R. Raghunandan, an upright IAS officer who quit the civil service to join Janaagraha. In the "Ask Raghu" section of the website, the former official provides advice on how to deal with a policeman demanding a bribe or how to get a driving license or a passport without giving a bribe. Often, average people pay bribes because they do not have access to information on either the process or the fee to be paid for a particular service.

The website is supported by a dozen volunteers from Bangalore's IT industry. To get more Indians involved, the website will launch in several regional languages. By speaking up, Indians will perhaps shame the system into reforming. The Goan who paid the bribe to restore the family home speaks up on IPAB: "I am Indian, but I'm ashamed of this bribery culture in all walks of life."

Source: Indian Express

NEHU Students Ask New VC to Step Down

Shillong, Oct 12 : The North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) students today asked the new Vice Chancellor, Prof AN Rai, to vacate his chair by 4 pm this evening, for his alleged tainted image, or risk facing an intensified agitation. The students are demanding a tribal VC to the post.

Right from morning today, students gathered outside the new VC’s office and shouted slogans against him after he took over charge. Slogans like: “Go away Prof Rai, NEHU not a dumping ground for tainted people” and others, ranted the otherwise quiet NEHU office campus here.

Prof Rai, who served in the University for 26 years and is credited for setting up the Bio-chemistry department here said, he was a “little hurt” by the students’ opposition against him. His request to hold a meeting with the Meghalaya Tribal Students’ Coordination Committee, spearheading the move to remove him, was rejected.

“We would have no talks with Prof Rai. We have served him a deadline till 4 pm this evening or else we would intensify our agitation,” Kynpham Kharlyngdoh, chairman of the committee said.

Prof Rai was seen removing paraphernalia of the former NEHU VC, Pramod Tandon with the help of staff in the morning. He said he would meet the teachers and staff of the Central University to set things in order. “There is nothing hidden about my image. The staff at NEHU know me for the past 26 years and the same can be inquired from Mizoram University where I served as its VC for the past four odd years,” the new VC said in an impromptu press meet, amidst continued slogan shouting by students.

The bio-chemist said he hoped that the students would see reason behind his appointment. “This is a Central University and a select committee of the Human Resource Department recommended my name and the President of India who is the Visitor of the University appointed me. If the students have any opposition things can be sorted out reasonably and through proper channel,” the new VC said.

Hinting that he would not add to the turmoil in the University, Prof Rai said, he would take a “reasonable decision” at the right time.

Landslides in Mizoram Make it Impossible For Bru Repatriation

Aizawl, Oct 12 : Landslides triggered by heavy rains this month has made repatriation of Bru refugees from six relief camps in Tripura practically impossible, Mizoram Home Secretary Lalmalsawma said here today.

The roads connecting the villages selected for resettlement of the refugees, staying in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura district, were blocked by landslides and rendered inaccessible by vehicles, Lalmalsawma said.

The state home department has requested the Union Home Ministry to extend of the deadline for repatriation from October 18 to November 18.

However, the state was yet to receive any response from the Home Ministry, he said.

According to the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), which had conducted population survey of the Bru refugees in Tripura, there were 31,703 people belonging to 5,448 families.

Majority of the refugees left Mizoram in 1997, while a few hundreds other fled to Tripura in the wake of the murder of a 17-year-old Mizo boy on November 13, 2009 by Bru militants.

Mizoram Govt to Hold Talks With Hmar Militants

Aizawl, Oct 12 : Mizoram government would soon hold talks with the underground Hmar People's Convention - Democrats (HPC-D), Home Secretary Lalmalsawma said here today.

Lalmalsawma said that the HPC-D had approached the Mizoram state government for talks and the government agreed to engage the outfit for negotiations.

"Both the parties are yet to elaborate on the issues to be discussed in the talks and no pre-conditions have been set by the Hmar militants," he said.

The Mizoram state government constituted a committee to conduct the talks with the HPC-D under the chairmanship of the home secretary where Saizela, DIG (Headquarters), C.Thanchhuma, Deputy Commissioner Aizawl, C. Laldinliana, SP, CID (SB) and Hriatpuia Under Secretary for home were members.

The HPC-D is a Hmar militant outfit, operating mainly in neighboring Mizoram, Manipur and South Assam and demanding a separate Hmar Autonomous District Council comprising Hmar-inhabited areas in the north eastern part of Mizoram.

The Hmar militant outfit has been alleged to be indulging in a number of illegal activities including, murder, abduction and extortion in Manipur and also in Mizoram.

Tripura Celebrates as Somdev Scripts History

Agartala, Oct 11 : Tripura was in celebratory mode on Monday, a day after Somdev Devvarman's gold scripted history at the Commonwealth Games (CWG). The tennis sensation, who belongs to the state's erstwhile royal family, is being hailed as a shining star of the northeast.

Crackers were burst, boxes of sweets passed around and congratulatory messages flooded the home of Somdev's parents in Agartala. Residents cheered the 25-year-old's achievement - he has become the first Indian to win a gold in men's singles tennis at the Games, which made its debut in Delhi.

"We would felicitate both Somdev and gymnast Dipa Karmakar very soon," Tripura Sports Council secretary Kamal Saha told IANS.

It was also Somdev's first gold at the CWG.

His father Pravanjan Devvarman, a retired income tax commissioner, said: "We are very proud of him. He put up a very good show. Not only Tripura, but the entire nation is proud of his success."

"Somdev gave his career's finest presentation in the contest and we expect him to play some good tennis in future too," Pravanjan told IANS in Agartala just after talking to his son on the phone.

Somdev won the gold in tennis by outclassing Australia's Greg Jones 6-4, 6-2 in the men's singles competition on Sunday. He left New Delhi on Monday for Uzbekistan to take part in the Tashkent Open tennis tournament.

Somdev's relatives termed his victory as "historic" for Indian tennis. "We are proud of him and we are certain he will do better in the coming days," said Dayamay Debbarman, Somdev's uncle.

The tennis star is expected to visit his home in Agartala soon and will be given a reception by Tripura government and the Tripura Tennis Association.

"Somdev's success proves beyond doubt that there is no dearth of talent in the northeast and that all these bright youngsters need a platform or an opening to prove their capability and ability," Tripura Sports Council secretary Kamal Saha said.

"With Somdev's performance, now the world will know better about the northeast, where despite no scope for developing tennis, there are capable players," he said.

Somdev belongs to Tripura's erstwhile royal family. He is the grandson of Tripura's late royal scion Bikramendra Kishore Debbarman, popularly known as Bidurkarta.

Tripura Tennis Association secretary Sujit Roy said: "Somdev's father Pravanjan, a recipient of 'College Blue' in 1967-68, excelled in table tennis and cricket during his student life."

"We are really thrilled by Somdev's performance and energy. This boy will earn much credit for India in future in the field of sports," Roy said.

According to Roy, after Somdev's series of success during the past few years, the Tennis Federation of India (TFI) decided to develop a tennis court in Agartala for him at a cost of Rs.200,000.

The Tripura Tennis Association has requested the state government to provide land for the proposed tennis court.

Another Tripura player, Dipa Karmakar, finished a distant seventh in the single's event in a gymnastics event with a score of 12.687.

Somdev wins CWG Gold in tennis

India inched closer to history even as Somdev made history himself at the CWG late on Sunday. Somdev Devvarman won the singles Gold to make it his first big international gold medal.

Somdev Devvarman has been Indian men's tennis hope for sometime now as far as singles is concerned and on Sunday he showed once again why he is the great prospect going forward. In front of a packed crowd in Delhi, Somdev thrashed Greg Jones of Australia 6-4, 6-2 in the final.
Starting off a little nervous, Somdev accelerated just when it was needed to break the serve of Jones in the 7th game of the first set to go ahead 4-3. He then held his serve for the remainder of the first set to finish it off 6-4.
The win in the first set bolstered the confidence of the India number one, who wasted no time in racing to a 5-0 lead in the second set. His serve was then broken in the 6th game but Somdev regained composure to finish it off in the 8th game to win the set 6-2 and the match 6-4, 6-2.

'His court coverage as good as Nadal'
Somdev was ecstatic after his historic feat. He was thrilled to see the crowd assemble in large numbers to support him. "I am really really happy and thank the crowd for the support they have extended right through the past week."

Somdev added the key to his victory was the way he attacked his opponent's serve. "I took chances ion Greg's second serve. I got some good returns going and that is why I could get such a good result."
Somdev now sets his sights on t
he upcoming Asian Games in China where he should be a good medal prospect for India. He got a great compliment when Greg had compared his court movement to that of Rafael Nadal. "That is amazing. If I am being compared to someone like Nadal, it feels great."

Source: India Syndicate , IANS

Meet Sameera Reddy

India first took notice of this Rajahmundry (Andhra Pradesh) lass when she roamed Scottish locales playing the ever-elusive eve for Pankaj Udhas's 'Aur Ahista...' from the album, 'Stolen Moments'.

After a rollercoaster ride in Bollywood, Sameera Reddy struck gold down South. Her Tamil releases 'Vaaranam Aayiram' and 'Asal', were both critically and commercially acclaimed.

In early 2010, she played a labourer-turned-naxalite in Anant Mahadevan's 'Red Alert - The War Within'.

She is now back to familiar grounds with her item number - "Isak Se Meetha" - in 'Aakrosh'. Click on, for the Sameera Reddy album!

Source: Bollywood Hungama, FilmySouth

Sameera Reddy was born on December 17, 1982, in Hyderabad.

“I’m a Sagittarian, and a true one at that. Even if you bring me the most morose person on earth, I will make him laugh,” says Sameera.

Before hitting the ramp, Sameera worked as a Marketing Executive with an MNC. Her two sisters, Meghna Reddy and Sushma Reddy, are models.

A graduate from Sydenham College, Sameera first tried her acting skills in a Telugu movie, which went unnoticed.

Her Bollywood debut was opposite Sohail Khan in ‘Maine Dil Tujko Diya’.

Sameera is a fitness freak. She begins her day with 20 minutes of yoga, followed by stretching exercises.

Sameera loves eating at small restaurants as “she finds the food a lot tastier than 5-star hotels and restaurants”. She loves digging into Sushi. Her favourite drink is Soya milk.

Sameera shocked the prudes, when she got bold for ‘Musafir’, which starred Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt.

In Bollywood, Sameera is known for her characters in ‘Race’, ‘Darna Mana Hai’ and ‘No Entry’.

Tollywood rumour mills have linked Sameera to Junior NTR, the young scion of the Nandamuri clan.

Her first Bengali film, ‘Kaal Purush’, landed awards and accolades for Sameera.

“Realistic cinema is great. I had the best of experience during ‘Kaal Purush’, with Buddhada (Buddhadeb Dasgupta),” says Sameera.

Sameera considers Rekha’s ‘Khoon Bhari Maang’ character as “my dream role”.

The Lovely and Talented Christina Hendricks

Christina Hendricks' Mass Appeal

Christina Hendricks' husband has a rough life.

Not only is he married to the voluptuous "Mad Men" star, he has to fight women off.

Not off of himself -- off of her!

“Women hit on me," she tells the November issue of Harper's Bazaar. "My husband thinks it’s so odd that so many women hit on me.”

Hendricks: “When the attention started to become about my figure, I was surprised, because it wasn’t something I was focused on. And then it became very positive, and people were saying very nice things.”

(Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar)

Hendricks: "A fan approached her and said, "Excuse me, I just want to tell you that I watch your show, and you make me feel better about myself. I am a curvy woman and you’ve made me feel sexy and beautiful.’ I got teary eyed.”

Christina Hendricks Covers Harper's Bazaar

The November issue of Harper's Bazaar hits newsstands October 26.

(Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar)

A Baby-Face Extortioner

By Hemanth Kashyap

Bangalore, Oct 11 : Nisha, a top leader in banned outfit National Democratic Front of Bodoland was extorting crores of rupees from the rich in Northeast. She was arrested in Bangalore on Saturday

Don’t be deceived by the demure look on Nisha Daimari’s face. This 21-year-old petite female from Assam is a terrorist. This mother of two has reportedly been extorting crores of rupees from the rich in northeastern states of India. According to police, Nisha is a top leader in the banned separatist organisation National Democratic Front of Bodoland.

Police arrested Nisha and her accomplices Dwimalu Daimari (28) and Jani Dung (22) from a house in JP Nagar, fifth phase, on Saturday. Daimari and Dung are also said to be top leaders in the terror outfit, which has nearly a thousand members in its ranks. Cops recovered from the trio a laptop, mobile handsets, about 25 SIM of different states, about a thousand condoms and pornographic material.

Nisha's first husband is said to be Ranjan Daimari, the chief of National Democratic Front of Bodoland. (It is not clear who her second husband is.) Her brief in the outfit was to extort money from the rich. After Assam police arrested Ranjan in May, fearing arrest Nisha flew to Bangalore along with Daimari and Dung. The trio, who had more than 50 cases against them, landed in the city on May 5. They rented a house in JP Nagar.

Nisha and Dwimalu purchased many SIM cards of different states. They procured a list of rich people in northeastern states. Before she called a rich person, she gathered all details about her target with the help of NDFB cadres. The laptop recovered from the trio had details about hundreds of rich people in the Northeast. 

She used to call her targets using the SIM cards or via Internet. A senior police officer said, “At first she would talk politely to the victim, explain about her outfit, and demand money for its activities. If the person refused to part with money, her angry side would surface. She would threaten them that they would be killed if they did not pay up.

The NDFB cadres in Assam would then collect money from the victims.” She used to make extortion calls to about 10-15 people every month. Thanks to her efforts, the NDFB would collect about Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore every month for her organisation.

Nisha had accounts in different banks. The money extorted would be deposited in these accounts. She would distribute this money to her cadres in the Northeast.

Nisha underwent a three-month training in guerilla warfare in Kaggar Soli, Bangladesh. She learnt how to operate weapons and make bombs. After this training, she became the 'Dimi Cadre' — the main leader in the NDFB.

NDFB’s main objective is to extort money in the Northeast. It also creates panic by bombing parts of the north-eastern states.

Acting on a tip off, a JP Nagar police team — headed by inspector S K Umesh and sub-inspector Manoj Kumar — arrested the terrorists. Assam police, who assisted in this operation, took the trio to Assam on Saturday night.

Inspector Umesh said, “Without any fear, she narrated all the details about her activities.

Primary investigation showed us that she has collected crores of money from the rich people in northeastern states. All the items seized from the trio have been handed over to Assam police as they are investigating the case."