Songsters in Uniform

After having endorsed the Election Commission’s proposal to restrict publication and dissemination of opinion polls during elections,the Congress has gone a step further. The party has directed its spokespersons not to participate in panel discussions on opinion polls on television channels. The logic being proffered is that the party cannot participate in such debates after having taken the stand that such surveys lack credibility and could be manipulated and manoeuvred.

Common platform

Hollywood actor-activist Susan Sarandon and Iranial film director Majid Majidi will share the stage at the inauguration of the International Film Festival of India later this month. They are the two guests of honour at the inaugural ceremony. Among the films on display will be a host of biopics including those on Nelson Mandela,Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Lech Valessa. Included in the international panorama is a rare film shot in Afghanistan by Afghan director Sediq Abedi titled A Man’s Desire for a Fifth Wife. The film captures the current happenings in the trouble-torn country.

Under scanner

The CBI recently got access to a large number of files in the Railway Board related to catering on trains and stations. Last week,few senior officials had been asked to verify their signatures and explain processes related to contracts. The scope of the scrutiny is said to be files which moved during the time of former railway ministers Pawan Bansal and CP Joshi.