Music composer Amit Trivedi will be collaborating with singer Shreya Ghoshal to compose the title track of upcoming TV show "Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji".

The show is a sequel to the popular soap opera "Diya Aur Baati Hum", which ran for over five years.

While singers Kailash Kher and Shubha Mudgal composed the title track of "Diya Aur Baati Hum", Trivedi and Goshal have joined hands for making the title track of the new show.

"We're all very excited for the sequel. A fresh cast, a fresh name and a new song, all for with the same meaning of becoming soulmates. 

"I'm glad that we're reaching out to the legends in the country for the title track of the sequel thereby leaving no stone unturned to make the sequel a homecoming for all the viewers," actress Neelu Vaghela, who will return as Bhabho in the show, said in a statement.

As "Diya Aur Baati Hum" ended with the death of its lead pair Sooraj and Sandhya Rathi (played by actors Anas Rashid and Deepika Singh), "Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji" will focus on the journey of their children Ved, Vansh and Kanak Rathi.

"M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story" fame actress Rhea Sharma will be seen as Kanak while actors Mayank Arora and Kabeer Kumar will play the roles of Ved and Vansh.

"Tu Sooraj Main Saanjh Piyaji" will start from April 3 and will be aired on Star Plus.

The Rajya Sabha on Friday passed the controversial Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, after walk-outs by a few Opposition members who wanted the Bill taken up next week because of thin attendance on their benches on Friday afternoon.

The Deputy Chairman, PJ Kurien, allowed the Bill to be taken up as the private members’ business was disposed off by 4 pm, and the Bill was on the day’s agenda. 

The government turned down the Opposition request for postponement till next week saying the Opposition parties
should have taken care of their members’ presence in the House.

The Opposition view given by Jairam Ramesh (Congress) and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Trinamul Congress) who said the Bill, already passed by Lok Sabha, was controversial and was examined by a Rajya Sabha Select Committee. If the debate took place next week, many members would be able to speak on it, they said.

The Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, intervened to say that the Bill was brought to replace an Ordinance whose life was expiring on 14 March. Therefore, it was necessary to pass the Bill as early as possible so as to prevent any uncertainty on the law.

The Opposition was caught unawares just as the private members’business, which could go up to its scheduled hour of 5 pm, concluded at 4 pm, with the completion of the debate on a private Bill on Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism, and its withdrawal by its mover, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Most of the movers of other private Bills were absent. The Minister of State for Parliamentary
Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, therefore proposed that the Enemy Property Bill be taken up.

The Opposition benches were virtually empty. Sukhendu Roy said he could not oppose the Chair’s view but there was hardly any attendance in the House for a thorough discussion on the Bill. Ramesh said the Bill could not be passed with subterfuge. 

Just then, Jaitley came to the House, and explained why the Bill must be passed without any
delay. After hearing him, the Opposition knew it had lost its case.

Before the Bill was moved for consideration by the Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir, the Congress member, Dr Subbarami Reddy, moved the statutory resolution against the Ordinance and wanted to know the extraordinary circumstances behind its promulgation.

Explaining the Bill’s rationale, Jaitley said a country which goes to war against India is an enemy country, and neither the enemy country nor any of its citizens could be allowed to hold property in
India. Such properties are acquired by the Government.

This practice was followed everywhere. Even the Defence of India Act said so.

The Amendment Bill was brought because an apex court ruling was altering the situation in one particular case, he added. 

Javed Ali Khan (Samajwadi Party) asked what the hurry was, saying the government could have brought another Ordinance. Sukhendu Roy said the Bill had contradictory provisions, and there was need for a
comprehensive Bill. 

Along with Punjab, even Bengal was partitioned in 1947, and migrants from east Bengal got just 25 per cent value of their properties left behind. He said he was walking-out as no detailed discussion was allowed.

After this TK Rangarajan (CPI-M), requesting the government to postpone the Bill, walked out. Rajeev Shukla announced the walk-out for the Congress Party saying the official Bill should not have been
taken up during the time allotted for private members’ business. 

A few members raised the issue of quorum but it was found okay. The Bill was passed after the Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, said Jaitley had already explained the reasons for the Bill.

The Rajya Sabha on Friday passed the controversial Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, after walk-outs by a few Opposition members who wanted the Bill taken up next week because of thin attendance on their benches on Friday afternoon.

The Deputy Chairman, PJ Kurien, allowed the Bill to be taken up as the private members’ business was disposed off by 4 pm, and the Bill was on the day’s agenda. 

The government turned down the Opposition request for postponement till next week saying the Opposition parties
should have taken care of their members’ presence in the House.

The Opposition view given by Jairam Ramesh (Congress) and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Trinamul Congress) who said the Bill, already passed by Lok Sabha, was controversial and was examined by a Rajya Sabha Select Committee. If the debate took place next week, many members would be able to speak on it, they said.

The Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, intervened to say that the Bill was brought to replace an Ordinance whose life was expiring on 14 March. Therefore, it was necessary to pass the Bill as early as possible so as to prevent any uncertainty on the law.

The Opposition was caught unawares just as the private members’business, which could go up to its scheduled hour of 5 pm, concluded at 4 pm, with the completion of the debate on a private Bill on Declaration of Countries as Sponsor of Terrorism, and its withdrawal by its mover, Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Most of the movers of other private Bills were absent. The Minister of State for Parliamentary
Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, therefore proposed that the Enemy Property Bill be taken up.

The Opposition benches were virtually empty. Sukhendu Roy said he could not oppose the Chair’s view but there was hardly any attendance in the House for a thorough discussion on the Bill. Ramesh said the Bill could not be passed with subterfuge. 

Just then, Jaitley came to the House, and explained why the Bill must be passed without any
delay. After hearing him, the Opposition knew it had lost its case.

Before the Bill was moved for consideration by the Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir, the Congress member, Dr Subbarami Reddy, moved the statutory resolution against the Ordinance and wanted to know the extraordinary circumstances behind its promulgation.

Explaining the Bill’s rationale, Jaitley said a country which goes to war against India is an enemy country, and neither the enemy country nor any of its citizens could be allowed to hold property in
India. Such properties are acquired by the Government.

This practice was followed everywhere. Even the Defence of India Act said so.

The Amendment Bill was brought because an apex court ruling was altering the situation in one particular case, he added. 

Javed Ali Khan (Samajwadi Party) asked what the hurry was, saying the government could have brought another Ordinance. Sukhendu Roy said the Bill had contradictory provisions, and there was need for a
comprehensive Bill. 

Along with Punjab, even Bengal was partitioned in 1947, and migrants from east Bengal got just 25 per cent value of their properties left behind. He said he was walking-out as no detailed discussion was allowed.

After this TK Rangarajan (CPI-M), requesting the government to postpone the Bill, walked out. Rajeev Shukla announced the walk-out for the Congress Party saying the official Bill should not have been
taken up during the time allotted for private members’ business. 

A few members raised the issue of quorum but it was found okay. The Bill was passed after the Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, said Jaitley had already explained the reasons for the Bill.

After much controversy and infighting within the cabinet and party, the cash strapped Congress government in Himachal Pradesh finally announced promised Unemployment Allowance to the unemployed youth in the state budget for 2017-18, presented in the HP assembly by Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh on Friday.

The unemployed youth having 10+2 qualification or above will be given Rs 1,000 per month, while the  disabled, unemployed youth will be given Unemployment Allowance of Rs 1,500 per month, said CM, who presented his 20th annual budget as Finance minister of the state in his six tenures as CM.

He said that the detailed guidelines on eligibility would be issued by the state government shortly.

The government has kept an outlay of Rs 150 Crore for the Unemployment Allowance, which is likely to benefit around 1.5 lakh such unemployed youths in HP, who are registered in the employment exchanges in HP.

Earlier, the government was reluctant to give Unemployment Allowance and the CM had focussed more on the skill development allowance instead. But, with the opposition BJP is making it an issue and the Congress party too putting pressure on him recently, he considered it in the budget, eyeing elections, which are due by the year end.  

The budget proposals for 2017-18 in HP are estimated at Rs 35,783 Crore, with a fiscal deficit of Rs 4,946 Crore.

However, keeping with his populist approach and it being a election year, the CM has not levied any additional taxes even this time and has given a ‘please all’ budget, taking care of different categories, especially the marginalised section, farmers and employees.

Out of every 100 Rupees, the state will have Rs 77.45 as total receipts, including transfers from the central government, including loans. The government will meet the gap of Rs 22.55 by borrowings. Out of Rs 100, Rs 39.55 would be spent on development works.

“The budget is a reflection of my sentiments towards people. I would have given more, if there were more funds,” said the CM.

Former BJP Chief Minister and leader of opposition, Prem Kumar Dhumal, however, dubbed the budget as “much ado about nothing.”

In his longest ever budget speech that extended to over four hours, the CM announced to enhance the Social Security Pension of 650 per month to Rs 700 per month.

He said the pension would be provided to all mentally retarded children/adults without any income limit, while the pension for the beneficiaries above 80 years of age is proposed to go up from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,250 per month.

As per budget proposals, the reservation quota for the disabled will be increased from 3 to 4 per cent. The additional state honoraria of Anganwari workers will be enhanced from Rs 450 to Rs 1,000 per month and that of Anganwari helpers from Rs 300 to Rs 600 per month.

The budget proposals include due benefits to employees, who comprise a formidable number of over 2.5 lakh, and rolls out schemes for boosting organic farming, polyhouse cultivation of vegetables and the fruit production in the state.
The Himachal assembly will pass the budget proposals on March 30.

After much controversy and infighting within the cabinet and party, the cash strapped Congress government in Himachal Pradesh finally announced promised Unemployment Allowance to the unemployed youth in the state budget for 2017-18, presented in the HP assembly by Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh on Friday.

The unemployed youth having 10+2 qualification or above will be given Rs 1,000 per month, while the  disabled, unemployed youth will be given Unemployment Allowance of Rs 1,500 per month, said CM, who presented his 20th annual budget as Finance minister of the state in his six tenures as CM.

He said that the detailed guidelines on eligibility would be issued by the state government shortly.

The government has kept an outlay of Rs 150 Crore for the Unemployment Allowance, which is likely to benefit around 1.5 lakh such unemployed youths in HP, who are registered in the employment exchanges in HP.

Earlier, the government was reluctant to give Unemployment Allowance and the CM had focussed more on the skill development allowance instead. But, with the opposition BJP is making it an issue and the Congress party too putting pressure on him recently, he considered it in the budget, eyeing elections, which are due by the year end.  

The budget proposals for 2017-18 in HP are estimated at Rs 35,783 Crore, with a fiscal deficit of Rs 4,946 Crore.

However, keeping with his populist approach and it being a election year, the CM has not levied any additional taxes even this time and has given a ‘please all’ budget, taking care of different categories, especially the marginalised section, farmers and employees.

Out of every 100 Rupees, the state will have Rs 77.45 as total receipts, including transfers from the central government, including loans. The government will meet the gap of Rs 22.55 by borrowings. Out of Rs 100, Rs 39.55 would be spent on development works.

“The budget is a reflection of my sentiments towards people. I would have given more, if there were more funds,” said the CM.

Former BJP Chief Minister and leader of opposition, Prem Kumar Dhumal, however, dubbed the budget as “much ado about nothing.”

In his longest ever budget speech that extended to over four hours, the CM announced to enhance the Social Security Pension of 650 per month to Rs 700 per month.

He said the pension would be provided to all mentally retarded children/adults without any income limit, while the pension for the beneficiaries above 80 years of age is proposed to go up from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,250 per month.

As per budget proposals, the reservation quota for the disabled will be increased from 3 to 4 per cent. The additional state honoraria of Anganwari workers will be enhanced from Rs 450 to Rs 1,000 per month and that of Anganwari helpers from Rs 300 to Rs 600 per month.

The budget proposals include due benefits to employees, who comprise a formidable number of over 2.5 lakh, and rolls out schemes for boosting organic farming, polyhouse cultivation of vegetables and the fruit production in the state.
The Himachal assembly will pass the budget proposals on March 30.

Don’t let your skin and hair get damaged this Holi. Take gentle and tender care of them.

The invigorating air of Holi celebrations can be seen all around with the festival coming soon. People have already started stirring up their unstoppable excitement by buying colours, water balloons, pichkaris and other stuff associated with Holi. Actually, the fervour of the festival lies in playing with colours and water. It is the way through which people show their emotions and demonstrate their love and compassion to their families and friends with complete openness. But, ironically the festival that uses all hues of nature is celebrated nowadays with toxic and deadly chemicals that have adverse effects on hair and skin like irritation, itching, rashes, puffiness, allergies, hair roughness, hair fall, etc. There are few easy ways that can protect them and prevent damage from harsh colours:

Use natural Holi colours. Discourage your friends and relatives to use chemical colours. Make your own colours at home. They are 100 per cent made from herbs, agricultural products, vegetable extracts and fruits. This is the best solution to enjoy Holi with full masti and protecting your skin and hair completely.

Choose clothes that cover whole of your body, except the face. Try to wear cotton hi-necks with full sleeves. Wrap a colourful stole around the neck in a stylish way. It will protect your neck, shoulder and back area fully from harsh colours and give you a modish look all together. Tie a bandana around your head to protect your hair. It will keep your hair safe in a chic way.

Apply mustard oil/coconut oil/olive oil/Vaseline/cold cream on whole body at least half an hour before you go out to play with colours. Use some extra amount for the exposed body part like face, hands and feet. By doing this, your skin will absorb and store less colour and it can be removed easily on having a thorough bath.

Soak multani mitti for an hour in raw milk. Apply this paste on your skin after playing with colours. Let the pack dry. Take a bath. The colour will go off with the pack to a great extent.

Make a mud pack using water instead of raw milk to apply on hair. Wash your hair with this pack. Don’t let it dry. Just apply it after shampooing your hair and rinse with warm water. It will soften the texture of your hair and treat the scalp.

Apply a pack made up of besan, rose water, sandalwood powder and raw milk on your face. Rub gently and leave for half an hour. Wash off gently with any herbal face wash. You will get good rid of colour.

Don’t rub your skin harshly to remove the colours while bathing. It may damage your skin.

Apply a good quality organic moisturiser on your skin after having a bath. It will weaken the hold of the remains of the colour left after washing off.

Give your hair an oil massage after shampooing them. Let the oil rest for a day. Shampoo again the next day to clear off the remaining colour.

Sit under the sun for some time after having bath and apply moisturiser on the skin. The sun will soak up the remains of the colour very effectively.

Have a healthy experience with these tricks. You are perfectly right…. Your hair may look strong and your skin may look durable. Yet, they are ultra-sensitive to synthetic colours. It doesn’t mean that you stop enjoying the festival with colours. All you have to do is take all the preventive measures and take good care of your skin and hair type. Enjoy a safe and delightful Holi!

Undaunted by the current security situation in Afghanistan, India has decided to spend nearly $450 million in the embattled nation to build low-cost houses for Afghan refugees repatriating to the country.

According to official sources, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Manpreet Vohra has had detailed discussions with officials of the Afghan Urban development and Housing Ministry on various housing projects to be launched.

India is believed to have asked Afghan authorities to share the various models and plans regarding housing projects to be launched in different parts of the country. The Afghan Government, it is learnt, was designing housing projects, taking into account factors like environment and living conditions.

Afghan National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar, who was in India earlier this week, had also met senior Indian officials and discussed the progress on various reconstruction and infrastructure projects under way in Afghanistan with India’s assistance.

The Afghan authorities reiterated their gratitude to India for playing a huge role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime. India has invested about two billion dollars in various projects in the war-ravaged nation and its contribution has come in for praise even for the common people. The construction of the Salma Dam, new Afghan Parliament building and Zaranj-Delaram Highway are some of the major projects that have been undertaken by India.

The sources said the Afghan Government has also expressed its desire to increase the exports of dry fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables to India. The exports of these items from the land-locked country to Pakistan have suffered in recent months due to the ongoing border tension between the two nations.

Undaunted by the current security situation in Afghanistan, India has decided to spend nearly $450 million in the embattled nation to build low-cost houses for Afghan refugees repatriating to the country.

According to official sources, Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Manpreet Vohra has had detailed discussions with officials of the Afghan Urban development and Housing Ministry on various housing projects to be launched.

India is believed to have asked Afghan authorities to share the various models and plans regarding housing projects to be launched in different parts of the country. The Afghan Government, it is learnt, was designing housing projects, taking into account factors like environment and living conditions.

Afghan National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar, who was in India earlier this week, had also met senior Indian officials and discussed the progress on various reconstruction and infrastructure projects under way in Afghanistan with India’s assistance.

The Afghan authorities reiterated their gratitude to India for playing a huge role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime. India has invested about two billion dollars in various projects in the war-ravaged nation and its contribution has come in for praise even for the common people. The construction of the Salma Dam, new Afghan Parliament building and Zaranj-Delaram Highway are some of the major projects that have been undertaken by India.

The sources said the Afghan Government has also expressed its desire to increase the exports of dry fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables to India. The exports of these items from the land-locked country to Pakistan have suffered in recent months due to the ongoing border tension between the two nations.

Fifty-three Indian fishermen were on Friday released from a Sri Lankan jail, days after the two countries decided to release fishermen in each other's custody to defuse tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman allegedly by the Lankan navy.

"53 fishermen have been released from Jaffna jail while 32 others are still in custody in Vuvuniya jail," Fishery Ministry officials said.

Sri Lanka had earlier informed the Indian High Commission in Colombo that it will release all 85 Indian fishermen in their custody, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

Sri Lanka and India on Wednesday agreed to release fishermen held in each other's custody after a high-level discussion between the two sides in Colombo in a bid to defuse the tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman.

A 22-year-old fisherman from Tamil Nadu was killed and another injured on March 6 allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Fifty-three Indian fishermen were on Friday released from a Sri Lankan jail, days after the two countries decided to release fishermen in each other's custody to defuse tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman allegedly by the Lankan navy.

"53 fishermen have been released from Jaffna jail while 32 others are still in custody in Vuvuniya jail," Fishery Ministry officials said.

Sri Lanka had earlier informed the Indian High Commission in Colombo that it will release all 85 Indian fishermen in their custody, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Gopal Baglay said.

Sri Lanka and India on Wednesday agreed to release fishermen held in each other's custody after a high-level discussion between the two sides in Colombo in a bid to defuse the tension following the killing of an Indian fisherman.

A 22-year-old fisherman from Tamil Nadu was killed and another injured on March 6 allegedly by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Country's largest lender State Bank of India on Friday said it has signed an agreement with German KfW Development Bank for $274 million (Rs.1,800 crore) loan facility to finance affordable housing segment in the country.

With its focus on housing loans for economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower income group (LIG) households, the facility is designed to complement the government's flagship affordable housing programme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the bank said in a statement issued here on Friday.

The promotional loan has a maturity of 15 years.

“SBI is committed to support government's mission of housing for all and this facility will be additional impetus to support this mission,” SBI's deputy managing director Siddhartha Sengupta said.

The lower income household categories account for 95 per cent of the estimated shortage of 20 million housing units in the country.

German KfW Development Bank executive board member, Norbert Kloppenburg, said, “Sustainable mortgage loans to low income families to purchase, build or upgrade their homes are critical for inclusive growth and development.”

The fund raising process was facilitated by SBI Capital Markets.

Country's largest lender State Bank of India on Friday said it has signed an agreement with German KfW Development Bank for $274 million (Rs.1,800 crore) loan facility to finance affordable housing segment in the country.

With its focus on housing loans for economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower income group (LIG) households, the facility is designed to complement the government's flagship affordable housing programme, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the bank said in a statement issued here on Friday.

The promotional loan has a maturity of 15 years.

“SBI is committed to support government's mission of housing for all and this facility will be additional impetus to support this mission,” SBI's deputy managing director Siddhartha Sengupta said.

The lower income household categories account for 95 per cent of the estimated shortage of 20 million housing units in the country.

German KfW Development Bank executive board member, Norbert Kloppenburg, said, “Sustainable mortgage loans to low income families to purchase, build or upgrade their homes are critical for inclusive growth and development.”

The fund raising process was facilitated by SBI Capital Markets.

New currency notes worth over Rs.12,00,000 crore are currently in circulation in the country, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Friday.

Jaitley said in the Lok Sabha that as far as the re-monetisation exercise is concerned, the RBI has been injecting new currency notes of Rs.500 and Rs.2,000 denominations systematically into the market since November 8.

He said that the last data the Reserve Bank of India has released was on February 24, and till then currency in circulation was about Rs.11,64,100 crore.

"So, this is the quantum of currency which they, as on February 24, made available in the market. A fortnight has almost elapsed since then. This amount itself would have now increased to beyond Rs.12,00,000 crore," he said during Question Hour.

He said the RBI keeps releasing data from time to time.

Responding to supplementary questions, the minister said it was difficult to give an exact figure on the number of defunct Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 notes deposited so far.

"Every currency note has to be verified – whether it is genuine or fake. Then the genuine and fake notes have to be segregated. It is a very large exercise. It is difficult to tell (the figure) now. Once the RBI completes the exercise, we will inform the House in details," he said.

Jaitley said the cost of the currency note is the function of direct and indirect material and labour cost, which changes every year. Differences also arise due to type and age of machines and the skill level of the employees.

"Due to the differences mentioned, the cost of notes varies from Rs.2.87 to Rs.3.09 per Rs.500 note (old or new) and from Rs.3.34 to Rs.3.77 for a Rs.1,000 note. The cost of a Rs.2,000 note is in the same range as that of the old Rs.1,000 note," he said.

The minister also said that the net direct tax collection in December last year was Rs.1,40,824 crore compared to Rs.1,35,660 crore in December 2015.

The stage has been set for the Assembly elections 2017 results for five states, which is to be announced on Saturday.

According to the Election Commission, the trends for the five states —  Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa — will start pouring in from 8 am on March 11.Tens of thousands of central forces have been deployed at the counting centres.

The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance in Uttar Pradesh is hoping to stop the BJP juggernaut, which had earlier stumbled in Bihar and Delhi, and lead the way for opposition unity in the run up to the 2019 general election.

The Congress is claiming it will wrest power in Punjab and retain its hold in Uttarakhand and Manipur.

The election is also important for the Aam Aadmi Party, which is hoping for success in its maiden outing in Assembly elections outside Delhi and has put up a spirited fight in Punjab and Goa.

Uttar Pradesh: The state has a 403 constituencies and 78 counting centres have been set up in 75 districts.

Uttarakhand: Fifteen counting centres have been established in Uttarakhand, where the strength of the Assembly is 70 .

Punjab: Votes will be counted at 54 centers in 27 locations in Punjab, which has a 117-member Assembly.

Goa: In Goa, votes will be counted at two centres in North and South Goa to declare the winners in 40 seats.

Manipur: In Manipur, counting of votes will be held for 60 seats.

The Election Commission has issued strict guidelines on security arrangements for counting of votes and has prohibited mobile phones inside the counting halls.

In addition to general observers, a micro-observer will be deputed for each and every counting table. A three-tier security arrangement has been made in and around the counting centres.

Only central forces will be deployed inside the counting centres while local police will be deployed in the outer circle and forces from other states will be around the centres to prevent entry of any unauthorised persons.

A London-bound Air India aircraft from Ahmedabad on Friday had to be escorted by fighter jets after it lost contact with the Air Traffic Control while flying over Hungary.

The plane, with 231 passengers and 18 crew members onboard, lost contact with the ATC due to "frequency fluctuation", an Air India spokesperson said.

The aircraft, which took off from the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai at 0700 hours, landed safely at London's Heathrow Airport at 11.05 hours, the spokesperson said.

Samuel L Jackson re-enacted some scenes from his most iconic films in ten minutes on "The Late Late Show with James Corden".

The 68-year-old star appeared on the talk show where he recreated some of the scenes from over two dozen of his career-best films, along with host Corden, reported Variety.

When Corden asked the "Avengers" actor, "Do you think we would be able to recreate some of those films right here, right now?" Jackson was game.

The duo recreated moments from "Goodfellas", "Jurassic Park", "Shaft," "The Incredibles" and "Jackie Brown" .

Jackson and Corden also switched wigs and exchanged ties-jackets when they started off with the classic "Pulp Fiction" and closed the segment with "Soul Men." 

To sum up his role as SHIELD head Nick Fury, the two enacted best sequences from the Marvel franchise films such as "Iron Man," "The Avengers," "Thor," "Captain America": The First Avenger," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Avengers: Infinity War" and wrapped them up into a single scene.

They also enacted a snippet from Jackson's latest film "Kong: Skull Island".

The Central government on Friday reported that direct tax collections continued to show a steady growth till February 2017 and were up by 10.7 per cent from the year-ago period. The net Indirect tax collection up to February 2017 stood at Rs.7.72 lakh crore. 

"The collection net of refunds stands at Rs.6.17 lakh crore, which is 10.7 per cent more than the net collections for the corresponding period last year. This collection is 72.9 percent of the total Budget estimates for direct taxes for Financial Year 2016-17," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the growth rates for Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Personal Income Tax (PIT), in terms of gross revenue collections, showcased growth with rate under CIT being 11.9 per cent while that under PIT (including STT) is 20.8 per cent.

However, after adjusting for refunds, the net growth in CIT collections is 2.6 per cent while that in PIT collections is 19.5 per cent. Refunds amounting to Rs.1.48 lakh crore have been issued during April 2016- February 2017, which is 40.2 per cent higher than the refunds issued during the corresponding period last year, the ministry said. 

Meanwhile the figures for indirect tax collections (Central Excise, Service Tax and Customs) up to February 2017 showed that net revenue collections are at Rs.7.72 lakh crore, which is 22.2 per cent more than the net collections for the corresponding period last year. Till February 2017, about 90.9 per cent of the Revised Estimates (RE) of indirect taxes for FY 2016-17 has been achieved.

On account of Central Excise, net tax collections stood at Rs.3.45 lakh crore during April-February, 2016-17 as compared to Rs.2.53 lakh crore during the corresponding period in the previous fiscal, thereby registering a growth of 36.2 per cent. The net tax collections on account of service tax during April-February, 2016-17 stood at Rs.2.21 lakh crore as compared to Rs.1.83 lakh crore during the corresponding period, a growth of 20.8 per cent as compared to the previous fiscal. The collections on account of Customs during April-February 2016-17 stood at Rs.2.05 lakh crore as compared to Rs.1.94 lakh crore during the same period in the previous Financial Year, thereby registering a growth of 5.2 per cent.