Now Hockey Ground use for jst Hockey By MHA

MUMBAI: The state is set to take over the 2.19-lakh-sq-ft hockey ground in Churchgate, leased to the Mumbai Hockey Association (MHA), after revoking the agreement.

Confirming the government's decision, deputy sports director N B Mote said he had written to the city collector—the competent authority in the matter—to take immediate physical possession of the land. Only 1,880 sq ft of MHA land leased to the Mumbai Cricket Association will not be taken over by the state, he added. The association retorted by saying it would move court soon to obtain a stay on the government's decision.

The reasons cited by the sports department for revoking the lease agreement include not promoting hockey, using the land for commercial purposes (such as letting out for marriages) and not granting membership to Olympians and Arjuna/Shiv Chhatrapati awardees. The government would now develop the ground and create facilities for the game, said officials.

While a government resolution was issued last week in this regard, the decision to cancel the lease was taken in July at a meeting called by then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. Several hockey players reportedly complained about the MHA management and how it "treated the sports body as its personal fiefdom". The state then decided to scrap the lease

The ground has been mired in controversy since 2003, when its 35-year lease expired. "In those 35 years, we received numerous complaints from citizens and players about the violation of lease conditions, government sanction not being sought for repair of the stadium and building, refusal to reply to government queries, etc. In 2004, when they sought renewal of the lease, the government decided not to grant it," an official said.

The MHA, earlier known as the Bombay Hockey Association, raised the matter before the competent authority who ruled in favour of the government. The association then challenged it before the sessions court, but lost there, too. In 2008, the MHA moved the high court against the order.

During the same period, the MHA again appealed to the government to renew the lease. It promised to abide by the lease conditions and also withdraw the case in the HC. Vilasrao Deshmukh, who was the chief minister at that time, allowed a new lease to be signed for 15 years with fresh conditions and with retrospective effect from 2004. However, the MHA is yet to sign the agreement as it wants a 32-year lease.

The MHA withdrew the case against the state in 2009, but filed a fresh plea owing to internal differences. This was dismissed by the court in 2010.

In June 2011, a meeting was called by CM Prithviraj Chavan and it was again decided that there would be no change in the terms and conditions specified in 2008. In July this year, Pawar called a meeting to discuss the contentious issues.

Reacting to the government's decision, MHA honorary secretary Ram Singh Rathore said: "We are in a state of shock, but we will move court at the earliest and are confident of obtaining a stay order. The authorities have alleged that we are not conducting matches and not giving membership to Olympians and former players. Both claims are untrue. We do lease out our facility, but that is purely to generate funds to run the show here."

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Remo D'Souza choreographed dance drama for Ram Leela for TV show

Mumbai : Choreographer Remo D'Souza is glad to have choreographed a Broadyway-style dance drama in the form of "Ram Leela", a five-part TV series on the life of Lord Rama.

"I always wanted to do a Ram Leela which would be choreographed in our own Indian style (with a touch of) Broadway and that is happening now," the 38-year-old said here Friday at the launch of the programme.

Remo says it was a bit tough for him to finish everything in limited time for the show, which will be aired on Life OK.

"It was a bit tough to choreograph these acts because I had less time and a lot had to be done. There are around 20 songs. This will be a different Ram Leela with music, dance and costumes," he said.

Remo has choreographed the dance and action sequences for the show, which has actor Rajneesh Duggal playing Ram.

Actor Ajay Devgn plays the narrator of the show, which will air every Sunday 8 p.m., starting Sunday. The series will end Nov 18.

Mumbai tallest Durga idol unveiled in Andheri

Mumbai, Oct 20: Mumbai"s tallest idol of Goddess Durga, 22 feet in height, was unveiled at the Sarbojanik Durga Puja in Andheri here Saturday. Amidst chanting of the "Chandi Path" by a group of 12 priests from Varanasi, thousands of devotees got a preview "darshan" (glimpse) of the goddess as Durga Puja celebrations got underway at 105 public "Durgotsavs" in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. The idol has been created by Amit Pal, son of the legendary idol-maker, the late Nimai Pal, and his team. They have added the finest details of Goddess Durga, the vanquished demon Mahishasur, the lion and the buffalo, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesh, Goddess Saraswati and Lord Kartik. The team of priests, led by Pandit Kedarnath shall also perform the main Maa Durga Puja headed by Kedar Mukherjee, of Dumjur Howrah, Kolkata, said Romeer Sen, joint secretary of the Sarbojanik Durga Puja, D N Nagar (Andheri West). A 20-strong group of musicians - Dhaki players, headed by Sudham Das and Khokan Das from Midnapore shall add to the sound beats and rhythm during the occasion. "This is our fourth year of celebrations and we expect several thousands of devotees in the pandal spread over an area of one-and-a-half acres," Sen told IANS. "This year, we are creating a palace set up, because this is what we see as Durga Maa"s house. We are doing it in a very polished and stylish manner," Sen explained. Referring to the pandal, counted among the best in the country, Sen said that the "real work is behind the scenes, by over one thousand people who struggle to make all this come alive" for the devotees. The season"s festive offerings, including the special "Bhog" will be prepared by Chef Chandan with all food and ingredients supplied by Hotel Sahara Star, in five-star air-conditioned comforts. A series of programmes are lined up for the devotees, including a classical dance performance by the event brand ambassador Rituparna Sengupta, Sarod maestro Sanjay Chakravarthy, comedian Raju Shrivastav, Usha Uthup, Shakuntala Barua, Saapna Mukerjee and Kunal Ganjavala. The organisers have deployed elaborate security comprising 80 security guards for the puja pandal besides a dog squad and other automatic surveillance systems in place. IANS

The Great Film Director Yash Chopra is Dead

Legendary film director, screenwriter and film producer Yash Chopra is dead. Chopra, 80, had been admitted to Lilavati hospital in Bandra on October 13 after being diagnosed with dengue, according to TV reports.

Known for making some of the best love stories and action dramas, the veteran had been busy shooting for his last directorial project Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

"He had been suffering from complications of dengue for a long time. He suffered from multi organ failure, because of which he died," a hospital source said.

According to reports Chopra had to even cancel a trip to the Swiss Alps for the filming of the last remaining song sequence in his upcoming film. The trip to had to be cancelled after he was admitted to Lilavati hospital.

Born in Lahore on September 27, 1932, Chopra began his career as an assistant director to I.S. Johar and his elder brother, B.R. Chopra.

Mr Chopra is survived by his wife Pamela and two sons Aditya and Uday.

Celebrating Durga Garbha Mahotsav 2012 In Mumbai

WADHWA RAAS
Venue : Hockey Ground, Ghatkopar.
Performers : Suyash Setpal, Harshit Chauhan, Priya Patidar and Priya Panchal.
Entry Fees (Per Person ) : Season Pass Cost – Rs. 750 and Daily Ticket Cost – Rs.200. Weekend Charges may differ.


KORA KENDRA NAVRATRI MAHAUTSAV
Venue : Kora kendra ground, Borivali (West).
Performers  : Sreeram. Swarpoop, Shivam, Rakesh, Tushar Sonigra’s Beat 16, Nilesh Thakar, Jayesh Desai, Sejal Shah and Falguni Brahmbhatt.
Entry Fees (Rate Per Person) : Season Passes (All 10 Days Dancing) – Rs.2250, Weekdays Charges  – Rs.360/- and Weekend Charges – Rs.450.

SANKALP DANDIYA NAVRATRI GROUP
Venue : Goregaon Sports Club (Goregaon Malad Link Road).
Performers : Falguni Pathak / Rahul Vaidya and group
Entry Fees ( Rate Per Person) : Season Passes Rs. 2500/-, Weekdays and Weekend Charges differes from 300 to 500 depending on response and crowd.

MUSA PAIK NAVRATRI UTSAV
Venue : MHADA ground, Kandivali.
Performers : Musa Paik and Crazy Beats.
Entry Fees (Rate Per Person) : Season Passes Cost – Rs.1000 to 1500, Weekly Passes : Rs.200/- and Weekend Passed : Rs.300. Individual Ticket Charges – No Details.

Finally Saif And Kareena "Saifeena" Married

 Bollywood star couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor today tied the knot in a quiet affair after a five-year courtship.

Saif, 42, son of late Nawab of Pataudi and former Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore, sealed his relationship with Kareena, 32, at his residence in suburban Bandra through a registered marriage.

"It was a registered marriage with three witnesses -- Kareena's father Randhir Kapoor, her mother Babita and Saif's mother Sharmila," marriage Registrar Surekha Ramesh told .

The couple who started dating in 2007, married in the presence of close friends and family this afternoon.

The couple had officially declared their intention to tie the knot in the beginning of 2012 after the release of their film 'Agent Vinod' in March.

Randhir and his elder daughter Karisma later waved to the waiting fans and media from the balcony of the house.

Kareena wore a green salwar-kurta with a heavy embellished red dupatta wrapped around her. She teamed it up with minimal jewelry, red bangles and left her hair open.

Saif, simply dressed in a grey kurta and white pajamas, came out with his new wife to greet fans from his balcony.

There is a buzz that a reception will be held tomorrow at a city hotel. This will be followed by another reception in Delhi on October 18 and a ceremony at Saif's ancestral Pataudi Palace in Haryana.

Although Saif and Kareena had maintained silence on their much awaited wedding, it was Saif's mother Sharmila who came out with the October wedding date.

Saif has two children - son Ibrahim and daughter Sara - from his previous marriage to actress Amrita Singh. Kareena was in a relationship with Shahid Kapoor earlier.

Saif and Kareena featured together for the first time in the 2008 movie 'Tashan', followed by 'Kurbaan'. They were last seen in Khan's home production 'Agent Vinod' in March this year.

The actor duo, popularly called 'Saifeena', have appeared in several advertisements also.

Sharmila had converted to Islam after her marriage to Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Earlier during an event, when asked if she would convert to Islam, Kareena had said, "It is a very personal question and I cannot answer it."

After the death of his father, Saif was anointed the new Nawab of Pataudi.

Thank TOI