Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh says he never faced step-motherly treatment in Bollywood.

Diljit, who is a name to reckon with in Punjabi cinema, made a successful Bollywood debut last year with Udta Punjab and is now gearing up for the release of his second Hindi film Phillauri.

The actor-singer says everyone in the film industry treats him with respect and he has had a wonderful experience so far.

“I have never faced it (discrimination) nor has anybody tried to do bad to me. Whoever I met, they greeted me with respect and love. I never felt any camp system here,” Diljit

Asked what he thinks about the camp system in Bollywood, he says, “Yes, when you make films you can have your ‘team’.

One team is making a film like this, another will make a different film.”

Besides Diljit, Udta Punjab also featured another male actor, Shahid Kapoor. Phillauri also features another male lead – Life of Pi actor Suraj Sharma.

Diljit says he doesn’t ponder over the number of actors featuring in a film with him and rather looks for a good story.

“I have no such wish, to be honest. I want to do movies with great stories. The content should be strong. I have no problem if there are several actors with me. The number of artistes can vary but the content should be good. I have no such desire (to be solo),” he says.

“I look at the story and see what I have got to do in the film. Sometimes the story is great, set up is good but there isn’t much for you to do. I don’t want to do that.”

While he was paired opposite Kareena Kapoor Khan in his Bollywood debut, in Phillauri, slated to hit the screens on March 24, he will be seen opposite Anushka Sharma.

“They both are huge artistes and extremely dedicated to their work. I have seen Kareena ma’am work really hard for her role. Same goes for Anushka ma’am. Another plus point for her is that she is the producer as well,” he says.

“It’s a big achievement to come from a non-filmy background, do good films and set up her own production house.

On the sets I never felt she was also the producer. But still she prepared for her role really well.”

Diljit has no plans to slow down on Punjabi films.

“No. I do Punjabi films every year. I’ll start one in June and there is another which will release soon. It’s not difficult to manage both Hindi and Punjabi film industry.

There are 365 days, and movies get made in two months. For a director it is tough because he has to be with the film from the start to finish,” he says.

Having worked in both Hindi and Punjabi films, Diljit feels there is hardly any difference between the two industries.

“Most of the Punjabi directors, music composers are here because it’s easy here,” he says.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday held talks with the agitating Jat leaders from the state on the quota issue ahead of their planned march to Parliament in the national capital, where massive security arrangements have been made by authorities.

Before meeting Khattar here, All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) Chaiperson Yashpal Malik said that their protest will be peaceful and they will decide their next course of action after the talks.

"The protests will be peaceful. For 50 days our protests were peaceful.

We have made seven demands and we are here to meet the CM and others with a positive frame of mind.

"We believe that talks will provide solution to the issues… but we will decide our future course of action based on the outcome of the meeting," Malik told reporters here.

"If we reach agreement on all issues, I will inform you," he said on whether they will suspend the agitation.

Malik was accompanied by a group of 60-70 representatives of various khaps (sub-sects) of the Jat community.

Besides Khattar, Union Cabinet Minister Birender Singh was among those present in the meeting.

In view of the planned march tomorrow, prohibitory orders have been clamped in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to stop Jat protesters from entering Delhi and about 24,700 paramilitary personnel have been mobilies to maintain peace. Metro and road transport has been curtailed and several schools have been closed in the national capital.

The AIJASS, which is spearheading the agitation demanding reservations in education and government jobs, has given a call for a march to the national capital to gherao Parliament and to hold dharnas on the Delhi border blocking all highways to press for its demands.

Metro trains will not travel beyond the city's borders from 11.30 PM while 12 stations in Central Delhi will be shut from 8 PM till further orders.

As directed by Delhi Police, services will not be available at Yellow line stations at Gurgaon, Blue Line stations at Noida and Violet Line stations at Faridabad.

Roads like Kamal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kautilya Marg, Kautilaya T Point Near Bihar Bhawan, route from Teen Murti to Gole Methi roundabout and Zakir Hussain Road for commuters coming from Nizamuddin to India Gate will be closed from 8 PM onwards on Sunday.

Love skinny jeans, oversized bags and high heels? These fashion choices may be damaging your body, scientists have warned.

Wearing skinny jeans can wreak havoc in our body as they restrict free movement in areas such as the hips and knees, affecting the way we hold our body, researchers said.

Researchers from British Chiropractic Association (BCA) in the UK, have found that fashion forward people are putting style ahead of their health.

As much as 73 per cent of women suffered back pain and their wardrobe could be a major cause of the discomfort out of which 28 per cent of women were aware that clothing effects their back or neck pain and posture.

About 33 per cent were completely unaware that their choice of clothing could have an impact on their back or neck health.

According to the research, about 20 per cent of women chose to wear shoes which are without support at the back of the foot which will increase strain on the legs and lower back.

Similarly, 10 per cent of women sported heavy jewellery, such as statement necklaces, which increase pressure on the neck and can wreak havoc with posture.

Researchers revealed skinny jeans, oversized bags and those worn on one side of the body, coats with large fluffy hoods, high heeled shoes and backless shoes as the top five clothing culprits.

"Some of the most popular items of clothing can have a hidden health impact. While overloaded and heavy handbags are a common culprit, some more unexpected items like skinny jeans can also wreak havoc," said Tim Hutchful of BCA.

"I am always surprised at how many of my patients are unaware that their clothing and accessories can affect their back health and their posture and, equally, how many decide their outfit-choice outweighs their pain," Hutchful said.

"New trends such as asymmetric hemlines, over sized sleeves and hoods and heavy jewellery can also create problems," he added.

Unravelling the science behind Assam's ancient herbal ink Mahi, researchers are now planning to recreate the lost techniques of manuscript writing, a work they say is linked to the marketing of heritage tourism and the development of eco-friendly technologies in the digital age.

A cocktail of fruit pulp and barks such as haritaki, amla, bibhitakhi or bhomora, mango, jamun — often infused with the blood of eels or catfish — Mahi was extracted using cow urine. Rust from iron tools or nails were also added for an intense black hue.

Traditionally, Mahi was used in early and medieval Assam for writing on Sancipat (folios made of bark of the sanci tree) manuscripts. These folios were also gifted by Kumar Bhaskar Barman, the then King of Pragjyotishpura (ancient Assam) to Harshavardhana, an emperor who ruled north India from 606 to 647 AD, a testimony to the period of use.

Mahi's endurance is proven by the stability of Sancipat manuscripts that are said to have existed for centuries without fading or wearing out.

The key factor for this long-lasting marriage between Mahi and Sancipat is the herbal concoction's resistance to aerial oxidation and fungal attacks and its non-corrosiveness.

"One of the reasons for the manuscripts' stability is the antifungal activity of the ink. This is due to its raw materials, including astringent fruits and cow urine, which seems to have a protective effect on cellulosic Sancipat against fungal attack in the hot and humid climate of Assam," Robin Kumar Dutta, Professor, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, told.

In contrast, some formulations of acidic iron gall ink — which was in use at the same time in Europe — can render documents illegible by causing loss of text, bleeding, fading et al due to ink corrosion.

Dutta believes study of ancient ink and paint may help retrieve useful information regarding traditional practices in addition to unfolding historical mysteries.

"Efforts are on to recreate these heritage tokens (Sancipat and Mahi) in lab conditions and upscale them. They can be used as tourism marketing tools. For tourists who visit Egypt or Europe, papyrus scrolls are popular. Similarly, we are working towards the idea that Mahi and Sancipat can become popular tokens. In addition, for locals, there is an emotional attachment to a piece of heritage," Dutta explained.

Dutta and colleagues Barsha R. Goswami, Monoj K Das, Pranjal P Das, Tapas Medhi, Anand Ramteke and Simanta Hazarika (Gauhati University) published a report on scientific assays of Mahi in Current Science in February.

The major phytochemical constituents in Mahi have been identified as phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins and their complexes with iron. Though there are several recorded recipes for Mahi formulation, one commonality exists for all: the season during which it is concocted.

"It is only prepared (in natural settings) in the winter season. The low temperatures and dry conditions in winter ensure minimum exposure of the mixture to microbes and heat, which may decompose the dyes during the long time needed for extraction," Dutta noted.

Dutta and the co-authors also brought out important comparisons between the European iron gall ink, which was widely used till the late 20th century, and Mahi, which was in vogue till early part of the same century.

"In Mahi, no external stabiliser is used whereas Gum Arabic is used for the purpose in iron gall ink. Another interesting feature is that the pH of Mahi remains neutral because of cow urine and the absence of acidic ingredients like vinegar. Iron gall ink has an acidic character that leads to destruction of the manuscripts," he said.

The study was carried out using a sample of Mahi obtained from a practitioner (M.M. Bora of Dhing, Assam) of the manuscript-writing tradition on Sancipat and fresh model samples of Mahi were prepared under his supervision.

"We were driven by the fact that there is hardly any scientific report available on the preparation and properties of Mahi and its possible contribution to the survival of Sancipat manuscripts for centuries in the hot and humid climate of Assam. Papyrus scrolls or any other type of manuscripts would not have survived centuries in the harsh climate here," Dutta concluded.

Motivated by Cheteshwar Pujara’s impeccable double-hundred, Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets early in Australia’s second innings to keep them under control on the fourth day of the third Test on Sunday.

Opener Matt Renshaw (7) was on the crease as Australia were 23/2 at stumps, trailing India by 129 runs with eight wickets remaining at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi.

Earlier, middle-order batsman Pujara scored an imposing double-century as India declared their first innings for a mammoth total of 603/9.

The 29-year-old batsman played a marathon innings as he batted for 668 minutes, facing 525 balls. 

This was the record-longest innings by an Indian as Pujara broke Rahul Dravid’s record, who batted for 495 deliveries in a Test match in 2004.

Pujara scored his third double-century when India needed the most and put a mammoth 199-run partnership stand with Wriddhiman Saha for the seventh-wicket.

The 32-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Saha was another delight to watch as he smashed 117 runs off 233 balls. He scored his third Test century, well graced by eight boundaries and a six.

At the tail-end, Ravindra Jadeja (54*) and Ishant Sharma (0*) were batting when skipper Virat Kohli decided to declare the innings with a 152-run lead against Australia.

For Australia, spearhead Pat Cummins, who returned to play a Test after six years, claimed four wickets, while spinner Steve O'Keefe took three precious wickets.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon trapped the big fish, dismissing Pujara to join the celebration.
 

Four police officials, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police, were injured on Sunday in Fatehabad district in Haryana when Delhi-bound Jat community protesters clashed with them.

The police force was trying to stop them from moving towards Delhi. The clash took place on the Sirsa-Hisar-Delhi highway when the protesters, who were on tractor-trolleys, were stopped.

Police used force, including tear gas, as the protesters pelted them with stones.

Authorities in Haryana have imposed a ban on movement of tractor-trolleys in districts bordering Delhi to foil a call given by Jat leaders to lay seige to Delhi and hold a protest outside Parliament.

Ahead of Jat community protests, Delhi Metro announced on Sunday it will suspend services to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and close 12 important stations from Sunday night.

According to a Delhi Metro Rail Corp official, the 12 stations in central Delhi will be shut from Sunday 8 pm till further notice. 

But interchange facility will be available at the relevant stations.

The stations are Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhavan, Lok Kalyan Marg, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, R.K. Ashram Marg, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market and Shivaji Stadium.

Metro services will not be available outside Delhi — Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. 

The routes to remain closed from Sunday 11 pm are: 

Sarai to Escorts Mujeswar and Guru Dronacharya to Huda City Centre in Haryana and Kaushambi to Vaishali and Noida Sector 15 to Noida City Centre in Uttar Pradesh. 

The Jat groups are demanding reservation for the community in government jobs and educational institutions among others. 

Violence during the Jat agitation in February 2016 in Haryana left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Besides, government and private property worth crores of rupees was damaged.

Manoj Bajpayee says while a director can have a set genre, actors should not be biased towards a specific type of movie.

The 47-year-old actor, who will be seen playing a pivotal role in the upcoming spy action film Naam Shabana, says actors should constantly look for good roles and good scripts, irrespective of the genre.

"A director may work within the confines of a genre, but actors don't have a genre set. They are looking for good scripts and they go wherever they find one. That's what I do as well. I'm not biased towards any particular type of film, story or genre.

"But actors should not be biased towards their favourite genre. I am always looking for something exciting, entertaining and challenging. Sometimes it comes from Neeraj Pandey (scriptwriter for Naam Shabana), sometimes it comes in the form of a Hansal Mehta (Aligarh) too and sometimes it is from Anurag Kashyap (Gangs of Wasseypur)," says Manoj.

Talking about his character in Naam Shabana, the actor says, "This man has a gruesome past. He was a jawan and has seen many deaths, cold-blooded murders, including fellow agents." 

Manoj says it was a difficult role for him as Neeraj wanted him to say his lines without showing any emotion.

Praising women for their sixth sense, Akshay Kumar says they are best spies in the world and all husbands would agree with him.

The 49-year-old actor, who will be seen in a cameo in the upcoming spy action film, Naam Shabana with Taapsee Pannu in the lead, says women are blessed with this extra capability.

"According to international agencies like the CIA or Mossad, women are the best spies in the world. You can even ask any husband and no, this is not a joke, it is a fact.

"We men are very good with gadgets. But women have an inbuilt antenna in them. Taapsee has it too. I don't know how they do it but they find out things in a snap. It is the best kept secret," Akshay told reporters here.

The Jolly LLB 2 actor quips that this movie also sends a message to husbands to "not pick up fights with them as they get to know everything".

Akshay will reprise his role as Ajay Singh Rajput in the Shivam Nair film, which is the spin-off of the 2015 film Baby.

The actor says Shabana was picked up for the spin-off because out of all the Baby characters, her background story was the most interesting.

The actor says this is a one-of-a-kind film because for the first time the audiences will get to know the making of a spy.

"Till today whatever spy films have been made in India, the making of a a spy has not been shown. We always show them as if they were born-spies. 'Naam Shabana' is all about that," says Akshay, who is also a co-producer of the movie.

The film penned by Neeraj Pandey also stars Manoj Bajpayee and Prithiviraj Sukumaran with Anupam Kher and Danny Denzongpa.
 

Middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara scored an imposing double-century as India declared their first innings for a mammoth total of 603/9 on the fourth day of the third Test.

At the tail-end, Ravindra Jadeja (54*) and Ishant Sharma (0*) were batting when skipper Virat Kohli decided to declare the innings with a 152-run lead against Australia at the JSCA International Stadium Complex.  

Earlier taking the Ranchi spectators off their feet, Pujara played a marathon innings as he batted for 668 minutes, facing 525 balls. 

This was the record-longest innings by an Indian as Pujara broke Rahul Dravid’s record, who batted for 495 deliveries in a Test match in 2004.

The 29-year-old scored his third double-century when India needed the most and put a mammoth 199-run partnership stand with Wriddhiman Saha for the seventh-wicket.

The 32-year-old wicketkeeper batsman Saha was another delight to watch as he smashed 117 runs off 233 balls. He scored his third Test century, well graced by eight boundaries and a six.

Most people who follow a religion never read its holy books. They simply follow social customs that pretend to be part of the religion. For instance, the Prophet Mohammed’s eating habits were very frugal and he espoused vegetarianism by his actions and teachings, but every Muslim will swear that eating meat is part of his/her religion. The Sikhs do the same with eating meat even though all their Gurus are vegetarian. So do the Buddhists. The Tamilians grow up thinking they know the teachings of Thiruvalluvar, the poet who wrote one of the world's finest treatises on practical morality, Thirukkural. But, like all proponents of religions and philosophies, they take selectively and out of context what they need to bolster a way of life that suits them – whether drinking, gambling, eating meat or bigamy, whether beating women, stealing or whoring. During the recent mob violence in Tamil Nadu, that pushed the local government into a frontal attack on the Supreme Court, many people quoted Thirukkural as giving the sanctions for the annual assault on bulls that leaves many dead and maimed.

There any many savageries on animals in India and this is one of the worst. Unfortunately, since the mob got away with it, many other states are now demanding that the Supreme Court allow their people to be equally savage – cockfighting, bullfighting, cow racing, bulbul fighting, all this is now being pushed along with the appropriate Hindu scriptures. How sad to see the descendants of Thiruvalluvar pushing for permissions to be cruel to bulls and quoting his immortal Thirukkural as a reason. Give alcohol to a bull so that his liver is permanently damaged, tear out bits of his skin so that he is in agony, cut of his tail, put lime juice in his eyes and chillies on his genitals and then jump all over him till he falls and dies. This is not the sport that the poet advocated – it has become a furious, mad violence unleashed on an animal victim. The Thirukkural is composed of 1,330 couplets in Old Tamil. Each kural, or couplet, contains exactly seven words, known as cirs, with four cirs on the first line and three on the second. Each one teaches you how to live life at its purest level in a way that makes you enjoy being alive.

What does the Thirukkural say about compassion?

Wicked men do not fear, but worthy men dread : The arrogance of sinful deeds.

201

Only the forgetful plot another's ruin; others remember : That virtue itself devises a plotter's downfall. 204 Let him who wishes to be free from afflictions' pain:Avoid inflicting harm on others.

206

One can escape from hate-filled enemies : But one's own hateful acts will relentlessly pursue and destroy him.

207

Among the wealthy, compassionate men claim the richest wealth : For material wealth is possessed by even contemptible men.

241

Find and follow the good path and be ruled by compassion : For if the various ways are examined, compassion will prove the means to liberation.

242

Those whose hearts are drawn toward compassion : Will never be drawn into the woeful world of darkness.

243

Evil deeds dreaded by the soul will not afflict : The compassionate who foster and protect all life.

244

This wide and wind-swept fertile earth is witness to the truth : That misery is not for men who keep compassion.

245

They say those who act cruelly by forsaking compassion : Must have forgotten what it means to forsake morality.

246

As this world is not for the penniless : So is that world not for the pitiless!

247

Those without wealth may one day prosper : but those without Kindness are utterly forever doomed.

248

Practicing charity without compassion is as inconceivable : As realizing Truth without clarity of mind.

249

Before advancing against those weaker than yourself : Ponder when you stood before those more powerful.

250

The face's smile and the heart's joy are slain by anger : Does there exist a greater enemy than one's own anger?

304

If a man would be his own guard, let him guard against anger : Left unguarded, his own wrath will slay him.

305

Drawing near it, men are engulfed in fury's fire : Which burns even rescuing friends and family.

306

If hurting others would bring princely riches : The pure in heart would still refuse.

311

It is the principle of the pure in heart never to injure others : Even when they themselves have been hatefully injured.

312

 To harm even those who antagonize us unprovoked:Will bring boundless suffering.

313

What good is a man's knowledge unless it prompts him to : Prevent the pain of others as if it were his own pain?

315

Any actions which a man knows would harm himself:He should not inflict on others.

316

The supreme principle is this : Never knowingly Harm anyone at any time in any way.

317

Why does one hurt other lives : Doing what he knows can hurt oneself?

318

If a man inflicts sorrow on another in the morning : Sorrow will come to him unbidden in the afternoon.

319

Harm descends on those who harm others : Hence, those who wish not to be harmed, do no harm.

320

What is virtuous conduct? It is never destroying life : For killing leads to every other sin.

321

Of all the virtues summed by ancient sages the foremost are these : To partake of food one has shared and to protect all living creatures.

322

Not killing is the first and foremost good : The virtue of not lying comes next.

323

What is the good way? It is the path that reflects on : How it may avoid killing any living creature.

324

Among all who disown the world out of dismay, the foremost are : They who, dismayed with death-dealing, embrace non-killing.

325

Life-devouring death will not assail the living days : Of one whose code of conduct is to never kill.

326

Refrain from taking precious life from any living being: Even to save your own life.

327

By sacrifice of life some gain great wealth and benefits : But wise men scorn such gains.

328

The savages whose trade is killing creatures are defiled : Wise men know the defiling nature of being mean.

329

The beggar who suffers a sore ridden body and destitute life must have : Once deprived another's body of life.

330

All of you who believe that an animal, or even a human being, who has less power than you, is simply a being to be hurt and used, read these immortal verses and think about the quality of your own mind and life. Are you happy? Did you get any happier when you were hurting someone weaker than you?

National record holder KT Irfan clocked an impressive timing to win a bronze in the 20km men's event in the Asian Race Walk Championships here on Sunday.

Irfan finished the race in 1 hour 20 minutes and 59 seconds, a tad slower than his national record timing of 1:20.21 which he set while finishing 10th in the 2012 London Olympics.

Korea's Kim Hyun-Sub took the gold in 1:19:50 while Georgiy Sheiko of Kazakhstan bagged the silver in 1:20:47.

27-year-old Irfan had won the National Race Walking Championships here last month in 1:22:43.48 and has already qualified for the World Championships in London in August.

In the women's 20km event, India's Priyanka failed to climb the podium as she finished fourth with a time of 1:37:42.

China's Wang Na comfortably won the gold medal with an effort of 1:30:51. Host country walker Kumiko Okada finished second in 1:33:31 while Yeongeun Jeon of Korea took the third place in 1:34:35.

Manoj Bajpayee says while a director can have a set genre, actors should not be biased towards a specific type of movie.

The 47-year-old actor, who will be seen playing a pivotal role in the upcoming spy action film Naam Shabana, says actors should constantly look for good roles and good scripts, irrespective of the genre.

"A director may work within the confines of a genre, but actors don't have a genre set. They are looking for good scripts and they go wherever they find one. That's what I do as well. I'm not biased towards any particular type of film, story or genre.

"But actors should not be biased towards their favourite genre. I am always looking for something exciting, entertaining and challenging. Sometimes it comes from Neeraj Pandey (scriptwriter for Naam Shabana), sometimes it comes in the form of a Hansal Mehta (Aligarh) too and sometimes it is from Anurag Kashyap (Gangs of Wasseypur)," says Manoj.

Talking about his character in Naam Shabana, the actor says, "This man has a gruesome past. He was a jawan and has seen many deaths, cold-blooded murders, including fellow agents." 

Manoj says it was a difficult role for him as Neeraj wanted him to say his lines without showing any emotion.
 

Drum and bass music legend Goldie has announced he is releasing his memoir All Things Remembered this November.

Goldie has promised it will leave no detail out from his life, including his beginnings being raised in children's homes through to his work as a graffiti artist in the 1980s and the release of his 1995 debut album Timeless, considered a classic of the dance music genre, reporetd Contactmusic.

Announcing his book, he said: "All Things Remembered is not just the story of how and why, it's everything from the children's homes to the Whispering Wheels roller-disco to rolling with the graffiti kings of New York to writing with David Bowie to reinventing myself as the Dorian Gray of breakbeat."

UK publisher Faber describes the book as an "uncensored, hard-hitting" and an explosive story of abuse, revenge, graffiti, gold teeth, sawn-off shotguns, car crashes, hot yoga, absent fatherhood, and redemption through reality TV.

The book will follow the release of The Journey Man, Goldie's first album since 1998, which is set to drop on June 16.

Goldie, 51, became one of the biggest music stars on the 90s and was friends with Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, whom he collaborated on the 1998 single Temper, Temper from his second LP Saturnz Return. The same LP also contained the track Truth which featured the late David Bowie.

The dance music producer didn't just limit himself to the studio and embarked on acting career appearing as a henchman in 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough opposite 007 Pierce Brosnan and later he had a role as gangster Angel Hudson in British soap opera EastEnders.

Goldie – real name Clifford Joseph Price – has also appeared in several reality TV shows including Celebrity Big Brother in 2002 and BBC ballroom competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, whose USD 22 billion Carmichael coal mine and port cum railhead project in Queensland is being opposed by some people, says he is hopeful of starting it by August 2017.

"We expect the final federal approvals by May-June. We need just about three months from thereon to actually begin the work on the mine. Which means we can kick-start work from August this year," Adani told PTI in an interview here over the weekend.

He was flanked by the premier of Queensland Anastasia Palaszczuk, who was in town leading a 25-member delegation of mayors and state officials after visiting the Mundra port and solar power farms of the Adanis in Gujarat over the weekend.

Adani said he expects the first coal to come out of the mines by 2020.

The company has nearly halved the first phase of mining project to 25 mt per annum from the original plan of 40 mt, he said.

The Adani group entered Australia in 2010 with the purchase of the greenfield Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland, and the Abbot Point port near Bowen in the north.

Echoing Adani's confidence, the premier sounded sanguine about securing the pending federal approvals anytime soon as her country's national parliament is in session now and is keen to begin a debate on the project.

"Most of the approvals are in. There is no approval pending from my government. Some legislations are currently before the federal parliament," she said.

"I don't believe there will be any obstacles for that final piece of legislation in the federal parliament and the environmental conditions have been attached as well," Palaszczuk said.

The support for the investment in Queensland comes just days after Australian cricket legends Ian and Greg Chappell and scores of other prominent Aussies urged Adani to abandon the USD 21.7 billion project.

The company, however, rejected the demand as "a motivated attempt by a very small group of 76 misled people." 

The open letter, dated on March 16, cited public opposition, risks to miners' health, climate change and potential impact on the fragile Great Barrier Reef as reasons for their request not to proceed with the project in the Galilee Basin.

The letter warned that the project could hit the bilateral relationships, especially on the sporting and trade front.

The USD 21.7 billion Carmichael coal mine and port-cum-railhead project is said to be one of the world's largest and has already received the green light from the federal and Queensland governments.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police was among four policemen injured when Jat protesters clashed with police during their march towards Delhi here on Sunday, police said.

A Jat leader, however, claimed that police had lobbed tear gas shells and tried to disperse them when they were marching in a peaceful manner. He claimed a few protesters were also injured.

The clash took place in Dhani Gopal village on Sirsa-Hisar Delhi National Highway when police tried to stop tractor trolleys carrying protesters from heading towards the national capital, police said.

They said some stones were also pelted by the protesters as they clashed with the cops.

Police said that DSP rank officer Gurdial Singh and three constables were injured.

Police also said that two of its buses were damaged while some equipment of the electronic media was snatched allegedly by the protesters while they were covering the event.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has invited Jat leaders for talks in Delhi today, in a bid to end the community's 50-day long quota stir.

The talks come ahead of the Jat community's plans to gherao Parliament tomorrow in support of their demands.

Almost six million Adelie penguins are waddling along the icy Antarctic continent, 3.6 million more than previously estimated, according to a new study.

The research has implications for both terrestrial and marine conservation, with more birds potentially interacting with human activities on the continent and in the Southern Ocean than previously thought.

A team of Australian, French and Japanese scientists used aerial and ground surveys, tagging and re-sighting data, and automated camera images over several breeding seasons.

They focused on a 5,000 kilometre stretch of coastline in East Antarctica, estimating 5.9 million birds and extrapolating that out to likely global estimate of 14-16 million birds.

According to Australian Antarctic Division seabird ecologist, Dr Louise Emmerson, up until now population estimates only took into account breeding pairs and did not include non-breeding birds.

"Non-breeding birds are harder to count because they are out foraging at sea, rather than nesting in colonies on land," Emmerson said.

"However, our study in East Antarctica, has shown that non-breeding Adelie penguins may be as, or more, abundant than the breeders," said Emmerson.

"These birds are an important reservoir of future breeders and estimating their numbers ensures we better understand the entire population's foraging needs," Emmerson said.

Lead author of the study, Dr Colin Southwell, said the rocky, ice-free areas preferred by the penguins for nesting is also a region preferred for research stations due to ease of resupply.

"There are currently nine permanently occupied research stations in the ice-free areas of East Antarctica and we found over one million birds, or 29 per cent of the population, breed within 10 km of a station, and 44 per cent within 20 km of a station," Southwell said.

"Of the 16 Antarctic Specially Protected Areas in the study region, eight contain breeding Adelie penguins, encompassing about 10 per cent of the breeding age population.

"By identifying significant penguin breeding populations near stations we can better identify which areas may need enhanced protection into the future," Southwell said.

The research also estimates the amount of prey (krill and fish) needed to support the Adelie penguin population.

"An estimated 193,500 tonnes of krill and 18,800 tonnes of fish are eaten during the breeding season by Adelie penguins breeding in East Antarctica," Emmerson added.