Latest news with #Pooja
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
DAME DIANA JOHNSON: Ronan's memory deserves nothing less than real change to knife laws
Writing for The Mirror, Policing Minister said a ban on ninja swords - which comes into effect today - is the first part of delivering Ronan's Law in memory of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda Every day across Britain, thousands of parents wave off their children at the doorstep, never thinking it will be the last time they hug them goodbye. But too many families have had their lives torn apart after losing a loved one to knife crime. Pooja Kanda is one of those mothers and she is one of the strongest people I have ever worked with. Her son, Ronan, was just 16 when he was murdered in 2022 with a ninja sword in a case of mistaken identity. An innocent child just walking home to his family, killed by a deadly weapon bought online with no legitimate purpose beyond causing harm and collected at a local Post Office. Since that tragic day, Pooja and her family have shown extraordinary courage to relentlessly campaign for the banning of these weapons and raise awareness about the dangers of carrying knives. Ronan's memory deserves nothing less than our unwavering commitment to create communities where every child can walk home safely. Halving knife crime is one of this government's central missions and since day one, we have acted with urgency. Today ninja swords are officially banned delivering the first part of what we're calling 'Ronan's Law', as promised in our manifesto. As part of our Plan for Change, anyone possessing, manufacturing, importing or selling a ninja sword will now face up to six months in prison. And our Crime and Policing Bill will up the sentence for carrying an illegal weapon to up to two years prison time. Ahead of this ban, we gave people the opportunity to surrender their ninja swords, and other dangerous weapons, and in just one month more than 1,000 weapons were handed in. The fact that Ronan's killer could purchase such a weapon highlights the shocking accessibility of these blades. That is why we will also bring forward the toughest measures to date to tackle the sale of weapons online. Retailers will have to report suspicious knife orders to the police; put in place stronger age-verification checks and tech executives whose platforms fail to prevent illegal sales will face significant penalties. I want to thank Pooja, her family and all those including the coalition to tackle knife crime who campaign tirelessly to stop knife crime. Their voices and experiences will help us to create real change and help ensure our children can return home safely every evening.
India.com
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This legendary actress married a 15-year-older man, was forced to quit acting, died a lonely death at 39, her name is...
In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, where it's often the dazzling and glitzy lives of celebrities that take center stage, the struggles and challenges are often overshadowed and don't come to the spotlight. One such similar tale is of a legendary actress from the golden era who captivated the audience with her painful and sorrowful roles, but her real life was no less than that. Behind her luminous eyes that lit up the screen was a life scarred by emotional pain, unfulfilled love, and a tragic end. The Tragedy Queen The actress that we are talking about is none other than Meena Kumari, also known as the Tragedy Queen. Born on 1 August 1933 as Mahjabeen Bano in Dadar, Mumbai. Meena ventured into the world of the limelight at a very young age when she was just five. Her debut film was Leather Face (1939). She worked tirelessly through her childhood, appearing in films like Adhuri Kahani, Pooja, and Bachchon Ka Khel. Post-independence, her career blossomed with acclaimed performances in Baiju Bawra, Parineeta, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, and Phool Aur Patthar. Her screen presence, often melancholic, made her the face of tragic romance in Hindi cinema. How was Meena Kumari's married life? Speaking of her personal life, it was no less than her on-screen tragic avatar, full of challenges and struggles. At 19, she married filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, 15 years her senior and already married with children. Meena's father was against this marriage and objected to her decision, but Meena, blinded by love, moved forward. Soon after the wedding, tensions rose. Amrohi reportedly restricted her freedom, insisting she quit acting. Conflicts deepened during the making of Pakeezah, a film they began together but halted due to marital issues. What Was the Reason for Her Untimely Demise? Though she continued to act in other films, her troubled marriage and emotional isolation pushed her into depression. The shooting of Pakeezah was shelved for years. It was finally released in February 1972 and turned out to be a timeless classic, but it was too late for Meena. Just a few weeks later, on 31 March 1972, she died at the age of 39 due to liver cirrhosis. As per reports, Meena had been battling alcoholism, which stemmed from emotional trauma and loneliness. Tragically, Pakeezah, the film she had waited her whole life to complete, also became her final performance. In it, Meena glows with unmatched vulnerability—perhaps because she was portraying her pain. Her untimely demise left her fans shocked, but even in death, she remained unforgettable. Even today, she lives on not just through her films but in the collective memory of a nation that still mourns its most heartbreaking star.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum of teen murdered with ninja sword makes powerful plea on day of major law change
Pooja Kanda, whose son Ronan was murdered in 2022, has called on anyone who still owns a ninja sword to 'do the right thing' and surrender it as a ban comes into force Since her 16-year-old son Ronan was murdered with a ninja sword, Pooja Kanda has been on a mission to make the streets safer. The heartbroken mother has a powerful message to those who still have the deadly weapons, which today become illegal to possess. "Do the right thing - save yourself, your family and your future," she said. Pooja knows full well the misery such swords - which for years have been readily available online with minimal checks - can cause. Schoolboy Ronan was stabbed through the heart as he walked home in June 2022 in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Her voice cracking, Pooja reflected on the way her life changed that day - and her desperate need to stop others going through the same thing. Ronan's teenage killers had bought the 20-inch blade online, and murderer Prabjeet Veadhesa collected it along with a machete on the morning of the attack. Pooja only learned how easy it was to buy these weapons at the trial of Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, who were both found guilty of murder. Speaking at her home in Wolverhampton she said: "When I left that courtroom I just didn't know how it was happening. It was a shock to my whole system, I was in pain. "And my son, when you see the reality of what happened to Ronan, that is beyond words. There was no chance that he would have survived that." During the harrowing weeks of evidence, it emerged that Veadhesa - who was only 16 when he murdered Ronan - had amassed an array of weapons that he purchased online. A 16-year-old was able to buy 25 of those weapons, it was beyond words," Pooja said softly. "I had to do something at that point. I lost the most beautiful, loving, caring, intelligent human being who would have made a positive difference on this earth." Determined that Ronan's death would make a difference, Pooja set about campaigning for the law to change and outlaw weapons like the one that killed her son. She said: "There is no reason for these weapons. This is not a kitchen knife, there is no sense of purpose. "These large knives do not serve any purpose. And when they get into the wrong hands they are used for what happened to Ronan, for a murder to harm somebody else." Ronan was walking home after buying a a PlayStation controller from a friend when he was set upon. His killers had mistaken him for another teenager, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard the following year. Pooja said: "The weapon went through his heart. It was small and sharp and long, and what Ronan went through in that moment he should not have gone through. This type of weapon should have been banned years ago. "They should have been monitoring online activity of these types of weapons years ago. They should have been doing that and my son would have been here today." Pooja, who was awarded an OBE in the King's birthday honours list in June, branded internet weapon vendors "heartless". "All they care about is their money," she said. "And the bloodshed, what's happening behind it, they do not care about it." Her tireless work in Ronan's memory has already made a huge difference in tackling the horrendous online loopholes. Today's ban is a landmark, but it's not the end. Legislation working its way through Parliament will bring in mandatory two-step age checks for anyone buying blades. Tougher sentences for those who sell knives to under-16s will be brought in what the Government has called Ronan's Law. There will also be a new criminal offence of possessing an offensive weapon with intent for violence - carrying a jail term of up to four years in prison. The bereaved mum said today is a "strong step forward" - but more needs to be done to keep kids safe. She said: "This is very important legislation that will be protecting youths. Children will be able to walk home not much more safely. "I'm not saying this is the end. I'm saying this is a one strong step forward, but there are many more to take." She said now is the time for families to stand up and make the streets safer. Her next step, she revealed, will be to demand a licensing system for online and face-to-face sales of sharp blades. "We need the community to come forward and, come forward, speak to us, support us," she said. "Right now I could do with more support from the public and I want mums and dads and the siblings, everyone to come forward now. These kind of people (knife sellers) must be held accountable." She praised Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for finally tightening the law around online knife sales. "I believe that the government is walking on the right path," Pooja said. "They're doing much more than the previous governments do, and they are definitely committed to halving knife crime." Since June more than 1,000 ninja swords have been handed in at amnesty bins and police stations ahead of the ban. This will make it illegal to possess, manufacture, import or sell these deadly weapons. From now on anyone caught in possession of a ninja sword in a private place could be jailed for six months. This will go up to two years when the Crime and Policing Bill becomes law. And there is already a penalty of up to four years in prison for carrying any weapon in public. Writing for The Mirror, Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson said ninja swords are "a deadly weapon bought online with no legitimate purpose beyond causing harm". She praised Pooja for her relentless campaigning since Ronan's death, writing: "Ronan's memory deserves nothing less than our unwavering commitment to create communities where every child can walk home safely." The ban on ninja swords has been welcomed by police chiefs. Simon Foster and Matthew Barber, who lead on serious violence at the Association for Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) said it will make a "significant difference" in the availability of these deadly weapons.
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who made her debut with blockbuster, worked with Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, left Bollywood due to..., had failed marriage, she is...
In late 1990s, a striking beauty walked into Bollywood, capturing hearts with her elegance, tall frame, and calm screen presence. She starred opposite some of the biggest names in the industry and was poised for a long, successful film career. But unlike many of her contemporaries, this actress chose to leave the arc lights behind just as her popularity was soaring. At peak of her fame, she married and moved abroad, only to later return to India, far removed from the limelight that once followed her. Which actress is this? Here we are talking about Pooja Batra, who made memorable debut in the critically acclaimed film Virasat (1997), opposite Anil Kapoor and Tabu. Before her acting career began, Pooja was already in the public eye as Miss India International 1993. How was Pooja Batra's Bollywood career? Pooja Batra had a promising Bollywood career in the late 1990s, known for her roles in films like Bhai, Nayak, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Talaash, and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, where she worked with stars like Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. Known for her poise and expressive eyes, Pooja had all the makings of a long-term leading lady in the Hindi film industry. However, her career didn't sustain momentum, partly due to fewer leading roles and that's when she decided to leave the world of glitz and glamour. How was Pooja Batra's personal life In 2002, Pooja surprised many by marrying Los Angeles-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonu S. Ahluwalia. She relocated to the United States, putting her acting career on hold. During her time abroad, she kept a low profile, occasionally engaging with entertainment world through small roles and independent projects. After eight years of marriage, the couple parted ways in 2010. As per reports, Pooja Batra, who had moved to Los Angeles, received film offers, including from Hollywood, but her husband opposed her return to acting and wanted to start a family, which she wasn't ready for and decided to end their marriage. More about Pooja Batra Following her divorce, Pooja returned to India and gradually reentered the public sphere, not as mainstream actress, but as a wellness advocate and occasional performer. In 2019, she married actor Nawab Shah in presence of friends and family and the two often share glimpses of their life on social media. Though she hasn't returned to full-time acting, Pooja remains a graceful presence in the industry, known for her calm demeanor and balanced lifestyle and today, Pooja Batra focuses on wellness, yoga, and personal growth.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
‘A social person, passionate about fitness': Day after Hinjewadi techie's death by suicide, family looks for answers
A day after Piyush Kawade, a 23-year-old software engineer, allegedly died by suicide at his office building in Pune's Hinjewadi IT Park, his devastated family is scrambling for answers. 'He had no problems in his personal life and had no relationship issues as well. He used to enjoy his weekends, as he did the day before this incident on Monday,' Pooja, Piyush's younger sister, told The Indian Express. Piyush began Monday like any other day, his sister said. He stayed with his elder sister in Wakad and followed his usual routine of having breakfast and leaving for his office at around 7.30 am. According to the police, Piyush was attending a meeting when he suddenly walked out midway and allegedly died by suicide. A note was found at the scene, the police said. 'Piyush was very passionate about fitness. He used to work out regularly. Even in the rainy season, he used to be punctual when attending the gym, eating homemade food, and following a healthy lifestyle. Also, he used to be a social person. He had also planned to visit Nashik for Raksha Bandhan,' Pooja said. Pooja said Piyush had talked about a new project he had been recently allocated while conversing with his elder sister just two days ago. 'He said the pressure was gradually building up and there were unrealistic deadlines,' Pooja said, adding, however, that he did not seem to be overwhelmed by the deadlines or work. 'We don't know what exactly happened during the meeting that he left midway and took this step. We are trying to connect with Piyush's colleagues, and we request that the police investigation be done transparently. The truth should come out,' Pooja added. According to Senior Police Inspector Balaji Pandhare of Hinjewadi Police Station, Piyush had been working as a design engineer at the company for about a year.
