Latest news with #Sparsh
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
UP CM calls for vigilance in institutes catering to differently-abled, emphasises student safety
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed officials to ensure a vigilant, sensitive and alert administrative system in educational institutions catering to the differently-abled. He also said that Divyang Rehabilitation Centres should be established at all 18 divisional headquarters of the state to provide accessible local services related to rehabilitation, education, and skill development Chairing a review meeting of the Divyangjan Shaskhaktikaran and backward welfare departments, he warned against attempts by certain elements to mislead students under the guise of support. Highlighting the need for strict background checks, he said external organisations proposing assistance to these institutions should only be allowed after thorough verification. 'We must be completely vigilant to ensure the safety and psychosocial protection of students,' he added. Adityanath ordered a comprehensive inspection of all childhood day-care centres, mental asylum homes, integrated schools, and special schools such as 'Mamta', 'Sparsh', and 'Sanket'. Vacant teaching posts in special schools should be filled promptly, and until regular appointments are made, services of eligible youth should be engaged through other arrangements, the chief minister said. He suggested offering weightage to these candidates in future recruitment processes. During the meeting, Adityanath emphasised the need for transparent and technologically equipped welfare programmes that ensure timely benefits for targeted recipients. Citing the state's commitment to the welfare of differently-abled persons, the chief minister said the department's budget has increased over tenfold in the past eight years. Officials informed that under the Divyangjan Pension Scheme, ₹1,300 crore has been disbursed to 11.04 lakh beneficiaries, while around 12,000 leprosy-affected persons are receiving monthly assistance of ₹3,000. He directed that a state-wide campaign be launched to identify eligible individuals not receiving pensions and weed out ineligible beneficiaries. Officials said in the last financial year, ₹28.93 crore was spent on distributing assistive devices like tricycles, wheelchairs, and Braille kits to 35,136 beneficiaries. Besides, 270 severely disabled persons received motorised tricycles under a scheme that offers up to ₹2 lakh in assistance. The CM urged coordination with MPs and MLAs to support the motorised tricycle scheme through their local development funds. The meeting was informed that over 31 lakh differently-abled individuals availed of the free travel facility in state-run buses in the last fiscal.
Pink Villa
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
'There's no worse torture...': Naseeruddin Shah recalls his realization that 'no amount of money' was worth agony of tirelessly working
Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is known for his honesty, and he recently opened up about the toll his hectic work schedule once took on him. Speaking candidly, Shah said, 'There's no worse torture in the world' than juggling three film shoots a day. In a brutally honest reflection, he revealed that there was a time in his career when he took on back-to-back films only for the money, a decision he now views with regret. Shah explained how the constant hopping from one film set to another left him exhausted. 'I was acting in several lovely movies just for money. And I realized no amount of money is worth this agony,' he admitted. According to the actor, the pressure wasn't just about delivering performances, it also involved wasting time in routines that felt pointless. He recalled how much of the day on set was often spent socializing, having breakfast, enjoying the surroundings, and indulging in gossip before actually getting to work. His wife, actor Ratna Pathak Shah, had a different experience. She shared on the Aadyam Theater YouTube podcast that she never had to endure the chaos of managing three shifts a day like her husband. She believed that doing fewer projects allowed her to stay true to her craft. Though she admitted most of her work wasn't of the highest quality, she emphasized that unless she gave her full effort, the result would never feel or sound right. Ratna also expressed that because she took on so few roles, she found it impossible to cut corners. She mentioned that while actors doing four shifts a day might be tempted to rush through roles, she felt a strong responsibility to give her best when a good project came her way after years. At the FICCI Flo Hyderabad summit, Ratna also reflected on her marriage, admitting that Naseeruddin's unwavering focus on his work had once left her feeling overshadowed. However, she had come to terms with it over time. She acknowledged his dedication and generosity, both as an actor and as a director, and appreciated the support he offered to others in bringing out their best performances. Married since 1982, Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah continue to collaborate on stage, demonstrating their shared love for theatre, even if their professional approaches differ. Naseeruddin Shah has delivered powerful performances in several iconic films across genres. In Masoom (1983), he portrayed a father grappling with guilt and responsibility, while Sparsh (1980) showcased his sensitive portrayal of a visually impaired principal. He brought depth to A Wednesday! (2008) as a mysterious vigilante and delivered a chilling performance in Nishant (1975), a landmark parallel cinema film. His roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Iqbal (2005), Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai (1980), and Pestonjee (1988) further reflect his range, making him one of Indian cinema's most respected and versatile actors.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Naseeruddin Shah recalls doing movies just for money, working three shifts a day: ‘There's no worse torture in world'
Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah, known for his films like Bazaar, Aakrosh, Sparsh, A Wednesday! and more, recalled in an interview with Aadyam Theatre how he once took on certain films purely for financial reasons. He described working three shifts a day as "torture". (Also Read: Naseeruddin Shah 'could hardly hold back tears' as he attended Manthan screening at Cannes almost 50 years after release) The actor revealed that his technique does not differ when acting in front of the camera versus on stage. When asked if he had ever done four shifts a day, Naseeruddin said, "I've done three shifts a day, and there's no worse torture in the world. There was a time when I was acting in several films just for the money. And I realised no amount of money is worth this agony — jumping from one set to another. Half the time, you're just socialising on set. You arrive for a 9 am shift, then spend another hour or so having breakfast, enjoying the scenery, and gossiping. I know someone who'd love that," he added, pointing towards Ratna. Ratna spoke about putting equal effort into all her work, even if the quality varied, and said, "I've done very little work that is of high quality. Most of my work has been on television, so that's not the kind of quality we refer to when we talk about great art. But I've realised that if I don't give it my all — if I don't apply the same skills I use while doing theatre — then it neither sounds nor looks right." Naseeruddin Shah was last seen in the film Fateh. Sonu Sood's directorial debut also starred Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in key roles. Released in February, the film follows the story of Fateh, an ex-agent who comes out of his peaceful life to dismantle a cyber mafia syndicate after a local girl becomes a victim and goes missing. Fateh received mixed reviews from both audiences and critics, and failed to make a significant impact at the box office, earning only ₹19.06 crore worldwide.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Grumpy and disinterested' Sanjeev Kumar told Sai Paranjpye that he could spare just 15 minutes for narration, backed out of film because he had beef with Basu Bhattacharya
Renowned filmmaker Sai Paranjpye, one of the leading voices of India's New Wave cinema, recently shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes story with Filmfare about the casting of her acclaimed film Sparsh. Known for directing classics like Katha, Chashme Buddoor, and Disha, Paranjpye revealed that she originally envisioned legendary actor Sanjeev Kumar in the lead role of Anirudh, a part that would eventually go to Naseeruddin Shah. In the candid conversation, Paranjpye recalled approaching actor Tanuja first, who immediately agreed to come on board. And it was Tanuja who suggested Sanjeev Kumar, affectionately known as Haribhai in the industry, for the male lead. 'For years, I had Sanjeev Kumar in mind when I wrote the damn script,' Paranjpye said. 'In fact, when I wrote it in its final film form, I had seen Sanjeev and Tanuja saying the dialogues that I was writing down. It was so clear in my mind.' Excited by the suggestion, Paranjpye asked Tanuja, 'Fantastic, but how do we get to Haribhai?' To which Tanuja confidently replied, 'Leave that to me.' What followed was a peculiar yet memorable moment. Tanuja called Sanjeev Kumar right in front of her. Paranjpye remembered him being 'very reluctant,' but Tanuja persisted, reassuring him: 'No, no, no, but Haribhai, you can trust me, I won't just bring someone random to you… I mean, no, no, she hasn't made anything before, but believe me…' Eventually, they secured a meeting with the actor. Paranjpye vividly recalled the encounter. 'Anyway, finally we went there, to Haribhai. And there he was, looking very grumpy, because I don't think he was at all keen on hearing the script. But I think Tanu just bulldozed her way through. So we went in, and he said, 'I can just spare you 15 minutes because I've got to go somewhere in 30 minutes.' I said, 'Okay.' So we sat down, and he said, 'You ladies don't mind if I shave?' I was a bit surprised, but I said, 'Okay… beggars can't be choosers,' right?' She continued, 'So there he was, with my script, Sanjeev Kumar, with his brush, applying lather to his face, and I found it very peculiar. But somehow, my feistiness (came through) and I started reading.' As she read, something shifted. 'After about 10 or 15 minutes, or even before that, I saw the brush slowly stop. His body language changed. He leaned forward to listen. Then he put the brush down. And he was listening. And after 15 minutes, I stopped. He said, 'Haan?' I said, 'Well, the 15 minutes are up.' He said, 'No, no, that's okay, carry on.' I said, 'But I have to go somewhere after 15 minutes.' And Tanuja was scandalised: she looked at me, very annoyed, like, 'What the hell? Is this woman mad?' But I was very, very sure. Because I knew I had caught the fish, you see.' Also Read | Sai Paranjpye on advice for budding filmmakers: 'I believe people should carve their own paths, I did' Before leaving, Sanjeev Kumar asked her, 'Well, can you at least leave the script?' Paranjpye obliged. The next day, Tanuja confirmed that Haribhai had read the story and loved it. He was ready to do the film. But just as things were falling into place, fate intervened. Basu Bhattacharya stepped in as producer. Both Sanjeev Kumar had worked with him previously on Anubhav, an experience Paranjpye described as 'terrible' for Sanjeev. Because of this history, Sanjeev Kumar backed out of the project. Determined to move forward, Paranjpye turned to Naseeruddin Shah, fresh out of the National School of Drama. He came on board instantly. However, a suggestion came from someone close: pair him with a different female lead, not Tanuja. So Paranjpye approached Shabana Azmi, who too agreed immediately. The resulting film, Sparsh, was not only a critical success but also won multiple accolades, including the National Film Award for Best Actor for Naseeruddin Shah and Best Screenplay for Paranjpye.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
20% cap on spending of Plan funds
T'puram: Amid tight liquidity conditions, the state govt has imposed a 20% ceiling on departmental spending of Plan funds for the first quarter of 2025-26. It has directed departments with critical social sector commitments to urgently assess and report their fund requirements to ensure timely disbursal of payments like scholarships and welfare revelation was made at a high-level review meeting chaired by the chief secretary last month, where the finance (resources) department flagged the potential impact of the spending cap on essential govt functions. According to the minutes of the meeting (accessed by TOI), departments handling time-bound or welfare-linked payments were specifically asked to examine fund flow requirements and notify the finance department without review also focused on centrally sponsored schemes (CSS), which form a major part of state development funding . The central share for CSS in 2025-26 is projected at Rs 9,153.71 crore — an increase from Rs 8,259.19 crore in 2022-23. However, several departments have yet to receive full allocations for ongoing schemes, prompting the govt to order a department-wise review of CSS fund receipts for both the current and previous financial the meeting, the departments were instructed to identify delays, determine the reasons for non-receipt and take up the matter with Centre if required. The finance department is also monitoring utilisation patterns to ensure funds already sanctioned do not lapse due to procedural meeting underscored the operational challenges posed by the single nodal agency (SNA) Sparsh system, which requires state's share to be deposited in designated accounts before central share can be released. To avoid delays, departments have been asked to inform the finance department of fund needs in advance to facilitate smooth fund finance department maintained that the 20% cap is a temporary fiscal control to manage early-year cash flow, experts cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach to spending restrictions."A trend seen earlier was to make a large chunk of the expenditure of the Plan funds in the last quarter or even last month of the financial year, which is an unhealthy practice and indicates that no proper implementation of the schemes or projects is happening. Though it is not the case now, the ideal scenario is to spend funds uniformly. Keeping fixed caps for spending for schemes or projects is not logical as you never know what is the status of the schemes or projects. Such a cap may affect those schemes or projects," said economist and State Public Expenditure Review Committee former head D additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, secretaries and special secretaries have been directed to ensure strict adherence to these instructions and coordinate with the finance department to avoid service disruptions. The govt is also exploring temporary reallocation models to prioritise committed expenditures without breaching fiscal CSS commitments grow and the state's fiscal space remains constrained, the coming quarter will test the state's ability to balance prudent financial management with uninterrupted public service delivery.
