Latest news with #Vandana
New Indian Express
20 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Families allege foul play, say nuns always cared for underprivileged
KOCHI: A journey to help three young girls from underprivileged families gain a livelihood turned nightmare for two nuns of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate on Saturday, when they were arrested by the Chhattisgarh police. Sr Vandana of Udayagiri in Kannur and Sr Preethy Mary of Angamaly have been charged with forced religious conversion and human trafficking. Jins Mathew, the younger brother of Sr Vandana, rubbished the allegations. 'Why convert a person who is a Christian? The girls hail from Pentecost families,' he told TNIE. 'The families of the girls converted to Pentecostalism a long time back. Also, they carried permission letters from their parents, the copies of which were with the nuns. In fact, the parents had approached the convent seeking employment for the girls after coming to know that Fatima Hospital in Agra, where the nuns, worked needed staff,' said Jins. He said the nuns, who had been working in underprivileged areas of North India for years, knew about the dangers of travelling with young native girls. 'Hence, they insisted on all the documents, including letters from the parents. Sr Vandana and Sr Preethy travelled to Durg from Agra just to accompany the girls as the journey was long and this was their first time travelling outside their village,' he added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mob justice: Church condemns arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh
Kochi: The Syro-Malabar Church on Sunday strongly condemned the arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh, calling it an attack on minorities. The nuns—Sister Vandana and Sister Preeti from the Green Gardens religious community—were arrested by the railway police in Durg on Friday, on charges of human trafficking. The Church stated that the nuns were accompanying three adult women to Fatima Hospital in Agra, where they were scheduled to begin work. Despite carrying all the required documents, they were intercepted at Durg railway station by a mob claiming to be Bajrang Dal activists, who accused them of engaging in religious conversion. It further said the nuns, who have made significant contributions to leprosy eradication and patient care, were subjected to mob justice and falsely accused, leading to their arrest and imprisonment. This incident, it stated, reflects a breakdown of the rule of law and growing bias in the legal system. Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has taken steps toward securing their release, and is expected to file a bail plea on Monday. CBCI spokesperson Fr Robinson Rodriquez stated that the nuns were being targeted by anti-national elements and that the matter would be raised with the Prime Minister and the home minister. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Comfortably: 60m2 prefabricated bungalow for the elderly in Oued Rhiou Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Sr Asha Paul, secretary of the CBCI Council for Women, alleged that the women accompanying the nuns were coerced into changing their statements and say that they were brought there against their will. Political leaders also condemned the incident. MP KC Venugopal said attacks on minorities have increased in BJP-ruled states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. "The latest attacks by Bajrang Dal goons on two Catholic nuns in Durg, Chhattisgarh, point to a tacit support for such hate crimes from the ruling establishment," he posted on X. Opposition leader V D Satheesan called it a "police witch-hunt" and a "mob trial," demanding the immediate release of the nuns. He accused the Sangh Parivar of hypocrisy—showing a friendly face in Kerala while persecuting Christians elsewhere. The Church also said the communal atmosphere is becoming so hostile that nuns now fear travelling in religious attire. It expressed concern over the growing influence of mobs and fringe groups acting above the law and the Constitution. KCBC Vigilance Commission said the arrests were prompted by false and baseless allegations of religious conversion and human trafficking and urged the Union govt to adopt firm measures to curb religious fanaticism and prevent mob violence.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
I'm fine with playing mother to an actor my age: Vandana Pathak
Vandana Pathak embraces playing roles older than her age, citing her theatre background as influential. In the TV show Tumm Se Tumm Tak, Vandana Pathak plays mother to Sharad Kelkar , who in real life is her age. So, does it bother her? 'I was a part of Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, where I played an older character. For an actor, it is challenging to portray characters that are younger or older than their actual age. For me, that has never been an issue. In fact, it challenges the actor in me. I'm fine with playing mother to an actor my age,' she replies, adding, 'I believe it is my background in theatre which has shaped this mindset.' Viewers associate Vandana more with comedy because of her past roles, but she doesn't feel she has been typecast. She says, 'When Khichdi was on, people felt that I might get typecast in comedy roles, but I have done roles in other genres, too. So I don't let these things bother me.' Despite her three-decade-long career, Vandana says she still has the enthusiasm of a newcomer. 'For an actor, if you are satisfied, then it's over. I still have the hunger. I took time off from work when my kids were younger. I've managed to balance things well, and maybe that's why I'm still here, working.'
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
2 men get life term for kidnap and murder
New Delhi: A court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for kidnapping and killing another man in 2017. Ruling out death penalty, the court observed that the proportion between the crime and the punishment was a goal respected in principle in the criminal law. Additional sessions judge Vandana termed the nature of the offence as "very serious", but not "rarest of rare". The court was hearing the arguments on sentencing against Navrattan alias Kale and Naushad, who were convicted of the offences of kidnapping, murder and causing the disappearance of evidence in Nov 2024. Additional public prosecutor Vineet Dahiya submitted before the court that the convicts deserved no leniency for the brutal murder. The deceased, Om Hare, was kidnapped by the convicts with premeditated planning and murdered. His body was then disposed of by the convicts. The court sentenced them to simple imprisonment for life under Section 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi The judge said the court was well aware of the fact that the protection of society and stamping out criminal proclivity must be the object of law, which must be achieved by imposing an appropriate sentence. She also said it was the duty of this court, as that of any other court, to award a proper sentence, considering the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was executed.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Srikanth regrets drug use as family faces an uncertain future after being arrested in a drug case: 'When I made a mistake...'
Actor Srikanth was recently arrested and imprisoned in a drug case. After the incident, he expressed his anguish and concern for his family's situation to the police. "I didn't know that using cocaine was illegal. I made a mistake without knowing it. Now that I have been arrested and imprisoned, I fear that the education and future of my son and daughter will be affected," he is reported to have said. Early cinema success and challenges Srikanth has no film background. He made his debut in 2002 with the film 'Roja Koottam' directed by director Sasi. That film brought him good name and fame. Later, he impressed the audience by acting in many films like 'April Mathathil', 'Manasellam', and 'Parthiban Kanavu'. Films like 'Varnajalam', 'Bose', 'Kaana Kanden', and 'Pambarakannale' received good reviews from him. But later, several bad story choices hindered his acting journey. A love story marked by trials Srikanth also had challenges in his personal life. He fell in love with Vandana from Chennai and secretly married her. After living as husband and wife for three months, allegations were made against Vandana. After a long court battle, the verdict came in Vandana's favor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Woman Spots 'Snake' In Her Sink. Vet Takes One Look And Says, You're Not Going To Believe This Novelodge Undo Later, the two families reconciled, and Srikanth and Vandana remarried in 2008. Today, they have two children. A father's regret and uncertain future In this situation, Srikanth regrets the impact his family is having due to his arrest in a drug case. 'When I made a mistake, I never thought it would have this much impact. I feel very sad when I think of my son. He can't live without me," he told the police. Only the future will determine how much impact this case will have on the actor's life, family, and cinematic journey.
