India's Bid To Promote Kashmir As One-Stop Destination For Filmmakers



International Desk, Barta24.com
Photo: Collected

Photo: Collected

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Srinagar's Dal Lake has been a witness to many romances in Indian cinema - Shammi Kapoor to Shah Rukh Khan, all have had their iconic dance sets filmed with the picturesque lake in their backdrop.

"Almost 370 Bollywood films have been filmed in the Kashmir Valley and now with the OTT platforms, this number will see a sharp increase," G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant stated.

According to him, the Working Group on Tourism will ensure more filmmakers from abroad visit the Valley.

"We are promoting Jammu and Kashmir so that foreign filmmakers also come here. We cannot become a world tourist destination without private investment. That's why we want global and domestic investment. We are also encouraging 100% FDI under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including in the North Eastern states and hill states," said Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy.

"In Kashmir, you will find everything within a radius of 10 km. There are snow-capped mountains, rivers and lakes. It would not be wrong to say that this area is a producer's paradise," Union Minister of State for the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh told NDTV.

Earlier, a lot of films were shot in the Valley but the trend faded in the 1990s due to terrorism. But now it seems old times are coming back again, according to him.

"For the first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, such a big international event is happening here. It signifies how the situation has changed and how the youth here no longer want to participate in strikes. They want employment," he added.

The G 20 summit organised at the Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) was also attended by Oscar-winning film 'RRR' actor Ram Charan.

He along with the delegates reached the stage and danced to the song 'Naatu Naatu' from 'RRR'. During his performance, he also taught the hook step of the song to Korean Ambassador Chang Jae-bok.

Sharing his memories of Kashmir, he said, "I have been coming here since 1986. My father shot a lot here in Gulmarg and Sonamarg. I too shot here in 2016. There is some magic in this place which grabs everyone's attention."

The government is trying to bring a new film policy through this working group meeting.

In discussions held on Monday, many countries shared their experiences about how to promote their countries as a destination for filmmakers.

It was also discussed how Tourism in New Zealand went up 40% after the 'Lord of the Rings' movie was filmed there.

"As many as 6% of international tourists who visited New Zealand admitted that they went there after watching the film," claimed an official.

He said even Singapore's tourist traffic saw a huge jump after Hrithik Roshan-starrer Krrish was shot there. "Indian tourism to Singapore increased after Krrish, from 6 million before to 7 million after the film," he added.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration stated that about 1.8 crore tourists visited the Union Territory last year. And indications so far suggest that this year this number will see a sharp increase.

Source: NDTV

Band star Shafin Ahmed passes away



News Desk, Barta24.com
Band star Shafin Ahmed passes away

Band star Shafin Ahmed passes away

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Popular musician Shafin Ahmed passed away. Musician's brother Hamin Ahmed confirmed the matter to the media.

Meanwhile, in a post on social media, actor Ziaul Farooq Apurba wrote, 'Bangladesh band star Shafin Ahmed passed away while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Virginia. May Allah grant him Jannat.

The musician's brother Hamin Ahmed told the media, "Shafin had a massive heart attack." On July 20 he had a concert in Virginia. Shafin fell ill before the show. He canceled the show. He was admitted to the hospital that day. After that, when his various organs failed, he was taken on life support. After that, he could not be returned.

Shafin Ahmed's mother is Nazrul Sangeet superstar Feroza Begum and father is composer Kamal Dasgupta. Being born in this family, Shafin grew up in music from childhood. Just as he sometimes learned high-pitched music from his father, he also learned Nazrul music from his mother. After that due to study abroad he came in contact with the West and started his band music.

In 1979, one of the most popular bands in Bangladesh, 'Miles', was formed a few days after Shafin and Hamin joined it. After that, they presented many popular songs from Bangladesh. Shafin has many popular songs outside the band. 

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After the reform of the quota I will again stand by the government: Mehzabeen



Masid Ron, Senior Newsroom Editor, Barta24.com Dhaka:
Mehzabeen Chowdhury

Mehzabeen Chowdhury

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Mehjabeen Chowdhury, the most popular actress of TV dramas, has also stood up against the ongoing violence against students with a strong voice. Highlighting the information of the Qur'an-Hadith today (Thursday) wrote a long text on the social handle. Mehjabeen Chowdhury's full text is presented here-

I have learned since childhood that family-society-state does not support raising hands on women. Our holy scriptures also never teach violence against women. It is said in the Holy Quran, "Be kind to women". It is said in the hadith, "The best of you are those who behave well with women".

But unfortunately, we have to see different pictures and shocking videos in the media or social media these days. Not one, not two, but countless of my sisters are being brutally attacked and bloodied. How cruel, what brutal! I will come to the topic of justice and injustice later, but I will say from my position: this violence against women cannot be accepted even on the pretext of the highest argument. 'No' means 'no'; not at all what did the students do? They were vocal about their rights. Quota reforms were demanded. So? Anyone can claim freedom in a democratic country. But raising hands on a woman, killing a promising young man like 'Abu Sayed' - does this fall under the level of civilization? Was there no other solution? Why do you have to shoot?

The situation may return to normal today or tomorrow. But the mother's chest is empty, the smile on the family's face is gone, can we fill that emptiness in exchange for something else? Not at all, history is a witness that no matter how great the power is, no one has ever achieved anything by overpowering the student society. So why this failed boom? We always cherish the great freedom war or our brave freedom fighters. We are proud that the brave freedom fighters sacrificed their lives to give us a free country. But in this country, one cannot express one's own feelings, one cannot demand rights, above all else, the identity of merit cannot be seen as the greatest, if you go against the wishes of the administration, you will be attacked and you will have to give your life prematurely - what is the dream of Bangladesh? Did you see our brave freedom fighters? I don't think so.

From rise in commodity prices, to question paper leaks to corruption - we remain silent on almost all issues. Even if the keeper becomes the eater, we sit in silence. Wait, maybe a solution will come. If not today, it will come in two days. On other issues we are not as vocal on social media. So why are you late? Why are common people like us condemning the action of the government regardless of party affiliation on the issue of quota reform? The reason is one; quota reform is the need of the hour. It is important to solve it as soon as possible. It should not be forgotten that we, the common people, clapped our hands with pride for many milestone achievements of the government including Metro Rail, Padma Bridge, Fly Over etc. I gave cheeky compliments. I joined social media. Surely, we will stand by the government again after the quota reform is done according to the demands of the students. I will cooperate with the government to solve all the problems of the country as a party. We will move the country forward together.

After all, students are the future of tomorrow. Mehjabeen Chowdhury appealed to the honorable Prime Minister and the Supreme Court to support their logical demands without suppressing them. I believe we will not be disappointed.

At the end of the post, the actress used the hashtag #SaveBangladeshiStudents. He added a collage of three photos of the ongoing movement.

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Salman was injured by physically joining the quota movement



Masid Ron, Senior Newsroom Editor, Barta24.com
Photo: Popular YouTuber Salman Muktadir has personally participated in the quota movement

Photo: Popular YouTuber Salman Muktadir has personally participated in the quota movement

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Popular YouTuber Salman Muktadir was the first showbiz star to take part in the quota movement. Meanwhile, a picture of the star wearing a mask has gone viral on social media. And without reading that film, Salman is getting great praise.

But a little while ago, another video of Salman has spread on social media. It is seen that some people are taking care of this star because he was attacked. He was slightly injured while physically participating in the quota movement.

A person posted that picture of Salman and wrote on Facebook, "Among the so-called popular figures, I saw only Salman Muktadir joining the movement directly on the field. Known to most as the 'rude boy'.

Salman Muktadir also posted on Facebook before joining the movement directly on the field. On July 16, Salman wrote on his Facebook, 'Is there any student who is infected or unable to enter the hall? I will take care of you. But it is impossible for me to filter through millions of messages or posts. So see if you have any mutual friends in my friend list and knock me.'

He also wrote, 'If you need a place to stay or you need medical care, I'm here. Just saw some videos where people can't enter their halls. If that's not enough, apologize again. I am truly heartbroken and embarrassed. I feel ashamed that I am really popular and not getting any help.' 

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Swastika's emotional status on the quota movement



Entertainment Desk, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Indian actress Swastika Mukherjee

Indian actress Swastika Mukherjee

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Students are protesting across the country demanding quota reforms in government jobs. Turbulent streets in one-point demand, YouTubers including filmmakers, actors and actresses have expressed solidarity with the protestors seeking quota reform. But this time the stars outside the country have also united on that issue. Recently, popular Indian actress Swastika Mukherjee opened her mouth on the quota issue.

In an emotional post on her Facebook account, the Indian actress wrote, 'I have not been in my country for almost a month. There is hardly any Third World news on US news channels. And I'm not much of a phone bug, so it was late to hear such bad news.

I went to Bangladesh a few months ago, I really wanted to go to Jahangirnagar University. Had the good fortune to go to art will be a memorable day of life. Every time I come, I can't go because of my busy schedule, my mother also wanted to go to Bangladesh, but she was not taken, but today I saw a video, the smoke of bullets. University students are affected. When the student age is over, Jahangirnagar and Jadavpur are very close to me. Kath Golap trees are also similar. The clouds in the sky are the same. Only today there is the smell of gunpowder.'

'The field is heavy with fog

Rootmarch fades to the horizon

Is it lying in the middle of the road?

I sit down and pick it up

Cut off your head, whale. '

'I have never seen such a hospitable nation, the invitation for food never ends, where else can I see such a beautiful display of language all over the road? Eyeglass wall writing? Perhaps it is possible for a nation to take the oath of liberation war.

Today, I'm feeling restless. I am also a mother of children. I hope Bangladesh will be calm. I am far away, I can only pray this.

Light from the source of darkness - that is our light... Let there be light... Let it be good for all.' 

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