Y!RAL

The south actor shared a video of a paranormal sighting last night. His facebook post read:

My Real Ghost Encounter, Unbelievably True. Coimbatore to Palani Road at 2.30am.

The video shows the actor and his driver conversing in Tamil as they approach a strange hooded figure on the road. He tells the driver to speed up but the driver responds that he cannot go ahead. Then Soori asks him to turn off the lights. There is a loud thud and the actor asks his driver to turn the lights on inside the car. When they do, the car’s windshield is covered with some rug, which disappears in a split second.

Here is the video for you:

A-list actress Kangana Ranaut is now the face of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. She features in a new ad along with a host of other actors, and supported by the recognisable voice of Amitabh Bachchan.

The ad is sweet and implores the Indian public to refrain from littering in public places. Watch it here:

We only have one question – If cleanliness is important, so is road safety. Why didn’t she wear a helmet?

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At the launch of the public interest spot, Kanagana said that growing up she was a slob who hated taking a shower, but reading up about energies changed her lifestyle, which can be seen with her promoting cleanliness by playing Goddess Laxmi in a cleanliness campaign.

“Growing up I was a slob, very lazy and I hated having shower. I was a really dirty person. My parents were fed up, nothing good ever happened. I never made friends, no opportunities came my way. Then I read a lot about elements, compositions and energies and I learnt energies are of three types, Sattva, Tamas and Rajas.

The most superior type is Sattva and that is all about cleanliness, truth and anything beautiful, artistic, so it starts with a beautiful environment. And that is what Laxmi is about. Laxmi is an energy which you can attract only if you have Sattvik energy. And ever since I used these things in my life my life changed. So now I love to have shower, love to keep my environment clean and I make sure I never litter,” Kangana said.

She was present at the unveiling of a campaign for Swachh Bharat initiative titled “Don’t Let Her Go” at Welingkar Institute here. The campaign features an ad directed by Pradeep Sarkar which sees actors Omkar Kapoor, Ravi Kishan, Isha Koppikar littering and then seeing the picture of Goddess Laxmi near them disappearing.

Then Goddess Laxmi, played by Kangana, is also seen going away and Amitabh Bachchan’s voiceover warns of Laxmi disappearing in real life if people litter.

Kangana said that Sarkar had asked her if she knew to ride a bike and when she said no, he told her that they would make her sit behind the rider. But Kangana then asked why a bike and not a Ferrari, he said that she was supposed to see where all garbage was littered by people.

About the concept Kangana said, “Initially I thought it was a different thought. The environment in which I have grown up, be it Goddess Laxmi or Goddess Durga, we have always worshiped it a lot. So taking up her role was a different and uncomfortable kind of concept. But being an artist, it is the costume of a character on which we all have worked hard on.”

Item girl and ex-Bigg Boss inmate Rakhi Sawant has taken her admiration of PM Narendra Modi to new heights. Recently, at a per-Independence Day event in the US, she posted several photos while wearing a Modi dress.

The skimpy, black number has Modi photos all over it, and when we say all over, we mean it. (Check out her derriere!)

A photo posted by Rakhi sawant (@rakhisawant151) on Aug 8, 2016 at 1:09pm PDT

As expected, Twitter jumped in and had a field day with these photos. Here are some of the funniest:

Rakhi Sawant's #MakeInIndia Costume is declared as the Best Costume in the world by *UNESCO and Textile Ministry. pic.twitter.com/FiTQR6h3zi

— Amman Sheikh (@amman_sheikh) August 10, 2016

The TV actress also lashed out at people who call her publicity-hungry.

Rakhi Sawant on people who criticize her for doing publicity stunts: “Unki maa ki C***, unki behen****, jo bhi hai”https://t.co/eW9chtKbT4

This is a short story of a young man, Rohan, a complete party animal and his strict, old fashioned landlady, Mrs Braganza. It is also the story of an old woman, forgotten and forgetful, and her attempts to reconnect with a world obsessed with technology. It is the story of their bonding. The story of an unlikely but honest human connection in a world where even the most loved ones are viewed on a screen.

This Friendship Day, find that special someone who’s only friend is you.

Watch this heart-touching story of Mrs Braganza, an old landlady who finds an unusual friend in Rohan.

Redditer jmankruse can be credited for giving us the next mind-bending spot-it. After the internet was bamboozled with the blue or gold dress, and then the spot-the-phone photo, here’s another one to exercise your brain with.

There is a orange tabby cat taking a nap somewhere in this huge pile of firewood. It. is. somewhere.

We have looked for it, and we have found it. And now it is your turn.

Can you spot the kitty? How much time did you take to find it? Tell us in the comments below.

India made history yesterday when Rohit Khandelwal from Hyderabad won the prestigious Mr World 2016 title. The male pageant was held in Southport, U.K. This makes Rohit not only the first Indian to win the title, it makes him the first Asian to be Mr World as well.

Quick pic of the top 10! #MrWorld2016 pic.twitter.com/4V8zaQURdr

— Mr World Official (@MrWorldOfficial) July 19, 2016

  Together we are one , One family , Brotherhood at Mr.world #mrworlddiaries

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@rohit_khandelwal77) on Jul 17, 2016 at 4:32am PDT

 “I feel so privileged and humbled to be Mr World 2016. I would like to thank all my fans and all the people who have been giving me all their blessings. It is only your love and support that has been my inspiration to win Mr World 2016. It has been an amazing journey to this point, and I cannot wait to see what happens next,” Rohit said to the media.

  Humbled to be the first Asian , Indian to win Mr.world 2016 . Thanks for all the love ???????? With @mrworld2014

A photo posted by Rohit Khandelwal (@rohit_khandelwal77) on Jul 19, 2016 at 7:25pm PDT

And we are all set for our first performance on the stage #mrworld2016

Announcing that the most-awaited “Freedom 251” smartphone priced at less than $4 will go out for delivery from Friday, Noida-based Ringing Bells Pvt Ltd on Thursday also launched a 31.5-inch HD LED TV, four feature phones, two smartphones and three power banks at a packed event in the capital.

While the HD LED TV is available for Rs 9,900, the four feature phones are available under the names of Hit (699), King (Rs 899), Boss (Rs 999) and Raja (Rs 1099).

The two smartphones — Elegant 3G and Elegant 4G — are available for Rs 3,999 and Rs 4,999, respectively.

“We are focused manufacturers who keep in mind a tight perspective on Bill of Material (BOM), value engineering, productivity, cost of sales and economy of sales, etc. while deciding the prices of our products. It is for this reason that we have been able to pull out stunning deals for our customers and we will keep doing so,” Mohit Goel, Director, Ringing Bells, told reporters here.

King and Boss feature phones come with 2.4-inch TFT display, 2MP primary camera. The devices support up to 32GB of expandable memory via microSD card. While King has a 1,800mAh battery, Boss is backed by 2,000mAh battery.

The specifications for Raja are the same as King, except it sports a larger 2.8-inch TFT display. Hit comes with 1.8-inch display, 2MP primary camera, 1,250mAh battery.

The two smartphones have 5-inch HD IPS display, 1GB DDR3 RAM and 1.3Ghz Quadcore processor, 8MP rear and 3.2MP front camera. Elegant 3G sports a 2,500mAh battery while the 4G variant has a 2,800mAh battery.

The company said it has tied up with RV solutions Pvt Ltd for the distribution of the devices.

The delivery of LED TVs will start from August 15.

“For distribution of the products, we will be utilising online and offline channels. For offline, we have an extensive network of distributors and retailers gridding our phase 1 target geography,” Goel added.

The first lot of 5,000 ‘Freedom 251’ devices will finally be out for delivery from July 8 and the receiver will have to pay Rs 291 (including Rs 40 as delivery charge) to get the unit.

“In order to digitally-empower every Indian, if I can get government support under the Digital India programme, I can ensure timely delivery of ‘Freedom 251’ phone to all citizens at the same price,” Goel said.

“Freedom 251” has tied ups with apps such as hike that will come pre-loaded with the device.

Goel also announced that over 95 per cent of company’s profit will be donated to charity.

He also clarified that the payment of first 29,200 units booked online on February 18 for Rs 84 lakh was received by payment gateway and was returned by the gateway itself.

According to him, there were over 7.5 crore registrations and the company selected first batch recipients on the basis of a draw. “The cash will be paid by customers only on delivery of Freedom 251,” he added.

According to him, he initially faced Rs 930 loss on each ‘Freedom 251’ handset that cost him Rs 1,180 and for which parts were imported from Taiwan.

“I recovered Rs 700-800 from app developers and revenue generated through advertisements on Freedom 251 website. After selling the device for Rs 251 (cash on delivery), the total loss per handset is expected to be in the range of Rs 180-270,” Goel told IANS in an interview on the eve of the launch.

–IANS

Murli Manohar Joshi poses next to cut-outs of Freedom 251 mobile phone during its unveiling in New Delhi

Murli Manohar Joshi (R), a senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) poses next to cut-outs of Freedom 251 mobile phone during its unveiling in New Delhi, India, February 17, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer/Files

In a much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Modi yesterday removed Smriti Irani from her role as HRD minister and gave her the Textile portfolio.

The PM also inducted 19 new faces, who were chosen after an exhaustive vetting process to carry forward the government’s vision of ‘Gaon, Garib aur Kisan’.

The 19 leaders from the BJP and alliance partners the Apna Dal, AGP and RPI were sworn-in at a glittering ceremony held at the Rastrapati Bhawan.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar, who has been promoted to the Cabinet rank, will replace Smriti Irani.

Soon enough, the hashtag ByeByeSmriti started trending on social media channel Twitter. While some expressed happiness at her ouster, some wished her well and other saw more propaganda at these turn of events. Take a look at some of the popular tweets.

Those trending #ByeByeSmriti should not forget that javdekar is RSS implant for saffronization of education, aasmaan se gire khajoor pe atke

— Arvind Kejriwal (@TrollKejri2) July 6, 2016

Chetan Chauhan is the new NIFT Chairman & #ByeByeSmriti is now textile minister! This will SERIOUSLY be fun!!

— Radhika Khera (@Radhika_Khera) July 6, 2016

#ByeByeSmriti Contrary to expectations, Smriti has not been sacked 4 incompetence. She has been sacked 4 not promoting Saffron agenda

— RKHURIA (@rkhuria) July 6, 2016

Preview of Future of textile in country Since now we have @smritiirani at helms of Textile Ministry #ByeByeSmritipic.twitter.com/2L0i31mp5A

— Jayrajsinh Mori (@jayrajmori) July 6, 2016

#SmritiIrani was a deadly combination of ignorance and arrogance, says historian #RamachandraGuha. #ByeByeSmriti

— Shankar Raj (@menonrs1) July 6, 2016

Prakash Javdekar goes to Smriti Irani's house to meet her. This shows the kind of clout that she still enjoys. Its not yet #ByeByeSmriti

— bhageerathi (@bhageeerathi) July 6, 2016

People think it's #ByeByeSmriti but I think @narendramodi has relieved @smritiirani frm HRD so that she can devote more time to UP elections

— Rahool Gupta (@rahoolgupta) July 6, 2016

Reaction of Indian Students on hearing #ByeByeSmriti pic.twitter.com/JoeoRjyZ2g

It is International Day of Yoga - a perfect time to remind ourselves - to BREATHE.

This is the true experience of a young girl and aspiring actor, who was in a same situation and was on the edge, on the verge of ending her life. What she found through her experience, was priceless.

Take a look.

Can you guess who this 'The Roadside Ustaad' is?

Should we give you a hint?

Listen carefully to his voice, and see if you recognise the distinctive tone.

This social experiment was done on the busy streets of Mumbai - and we got some heartwarming response.

Take a look at the video by Being Indian.

It is amazing how no one recognised Sonu Nigam in his tattered look. But this is not the first time he surprised everyone. Recently, the artist wowed passengers on board a flight he was on, when he gave them a private concert through the in-flight PA system.

As he says, “Music is a gift from God, and I am but a student of this art.”

...what happens? Magic!

Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, but love is in still in the air all this month. We love a good love story, but when it involves impossible odds, the impact is much more.

Meet Raju, a Hindi-speaking Hindu taxi driver from Dharamsala, and his wife Roza, a Russian Muslim tourist who just happened to be his passenger. On their journey through Dharamsala, they got talking and realised how similar their interests and worldview was. It was love at first conversation, and there was no looking back.

Both speak broken English, but the love that they have for each other is so evident, so tangible, that you could touch it with your hands.

101India’s #LoveInIndia covers the unconventional love stories that make India the amazing melting pot it is. This one is sure you tug at your heartstrings.

PS - Don’t miss each of them serenading each other. Sigh!

Watch the video here:

What caused Rohith Vemula to take his own life?

The tragic story of the Dalit youth, who belonged to Guntur district of Amravati, is still being discussed today. He was found hanging in his hostel room in late January. He was doing his PhD in science technology and society studies for the past two years.

So why did Vemula commit suicide? Was it because he was ostracized for being a Dalit? What do we know about Dalits anyway? Untouchables, menial workers - is that all they are? it is time we got to know them better.

‘The Indian Dalit’ by Being Indian, is a poignant reminder of who this 16.6% of the Indian population are, and the terrible life they live, just because of a deep-rooted (and highly misplaced) mindset.

Featuring Dalits from various walks of life and across social strata, the documentary covers various struggles of their life. Difficulty in finding jobs outside of scavenging despite being highly qualified, being beaten up and discriminated against based solely on their last names and being refrained from to enter places of worship; these individuals labelled as “untouchables” by society, continue to struggle even in the 21st century.

Despite the relentless challenges in their personal and professional lives, the Dalits in the video continue to hope for a promising future. They talk at length about Dr. B.R Ambedkar’s contribution in empowering them and the role of education in reforming the society.

Watch the powerful video here:

Yesterday, a Facebook board member and rich white person Marc Andreessen tweeted that British colonialism was great for India, and that us poor brown natives ought to grateful for the scraps of internet being thrown at us by Facebook.

Indian Twitter and net neutrality activists then jhaaped him left, right and centre for actually coming clean about what they had believed to be Facebook’s masked intentions: of colonising India’s internet users.

Andreessen first tried the “C’mon! I’m joking but you know it’s true” manoeuvre. He retweeted a bunch of people who had sided with him in the conversation about Free Basics. 

He then went to sleep, woke up the next morning to a shitstorm of his own creation, and proceeded to issue two different sets of apologetic tweets.

Here’s the first.

The second apology came a few hours after Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s statement that he was “deeply upset” at Andreessen’s tweet. 

Andreessen, realising he may have cost Facebook the chance to win back a billion new users, apologised again. 

Marc Andreessen has since deleted his tweet following Indian Twitter’s backlash.

Marc Andreessen, the co-founder of Netscape and currently among the board of directors for Facebook, was fair game today for Indian Twitter after his shocking comment about colonialism in India.

“Anti-colonialism has been economically catastrophic for the Indian people for decades. Why stop now,” he said this morning in a tweet that has now been deleted.

Andreessen had earlier tweeted that India’s opposition to Free Basics is “morally wrong”.

Andreessen, who has a penchant for blocking those who object to his bizarre tweets, made his comment in a conversation about Facebook’s Free Basics being banned in India.

Andreessen’s comments follow Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s throwing of toys from his pram, asserting that his company would not rest till India and other developing countries accept Free Basics. 

“While we're disappointed with today's decision, I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India and around the world,” Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post soon after TRAI, India’s telecom regulatory authority, blocked differential pricing by telecom operators.

The comment justifies strongly-held fears of net neutrality activists who believe Free Basics to be a form of internet casteism that only means to serve Facebook’s interest in finding its next billion users.

Andreessen later tweeted he is opposed to colonialism.

“I hereby withdraw from all future discussions of Indian economics or politics. :D Carry on...”

“And for the record, I am opposed to colonialism, in any country.”

Not surprisingly, people on social media -- and not just Indians --  didn’t take kindly to Andreessen’s idiotic assertion, and let him have it. 

New Zealand have just beaten Australia in the decider in Hamilton to win the Hadlee Chappell Trophy. Australia have had the better of their bilateral exchanges -- they’ve not lost a series to New Zealand since 2007 -- and this is a welcome win for New Zealand especially since this was their captain Brendon McCullum’s final ODI.

The game ended in a minor controversy over Mitchell Marsh’s dismissal. Pace bowler Matt Henry collected a return shot which seemed like a bump ball. New Zealand’s half-hearted appeal got no attention from umpire Ian Gould. 

As Henry prepared to bowl again, the moment the replayed on the big screen. And it became very clear what happened: Marsh was clearly out. 

McCullum walked straight to Gould, who then consulted leg umpire Derek Walker and TV umpire S Ravi. It was decided the delivery would be replayed, and the outcome of this was that Marsh was given out -- and correctly so.

Watch the incident here:

While the correct decision was taken, the manner in which it was arrived at left some people upset, most notably Marsh himself, who walked off mouthing some unprintables. 

Following Anupam Kher’s claim that he was denied a visa to attend a literature festival in Pakistan, actress Nandita Das’ Wikipedia entry was vandalised today. 

Nandita had expressed scepticism about Kher’s claims and said we need to get the Pakistan high commission’s version of events. This led to further exchanges between Nandita and Kher on TV and on social media before the vandalisation.

Her Wikipedia page briefly said she was born in Karachi and is a Pakistani, before the original page was restored.

“When an allegation like this is made, it is very important to know the other side of the story,” Nandita told Times Now. “I was very shocked to hear the news and it is very foolish of the Pakistani high commission to not grant him visa.”

Following Nandita’s comments, Kher responded that Nandita is “coming across as a spokesperson of Pakistan.”

Nandita Das is coming across more as a spokesperson of Pakistan: Anupam Kher #PakBlocksKher https://t.co/1FlRi0OpW5

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) February 2, 2016

To which Nandita said:

A GoPro camera can heighten the experience of playing hide and seek. 

Dan Iverson, his wife Kallie and their young son decided to play the game in their house, and Dan added to the fun by strapping a GoPro to the boy’s head.

What follows is a recording of their son running through their house trying to find mom and dad, who’d done a pretty good job of hiding -- but not good enough to hide from the family dog.