Film world has capitalism and crisis in its sights

BERLIN: Communism and terrorism have long vied for the title of cinema’s favourite bad guy, but now it seems capitalism looks set to challenge them, with globalisation as its evil sidekick.

At least 11 dramas and documentaries at this year’s Berlin film festival cast a mostly critical eye on the world of banking, big business, shocking gap between rich and poor and the harsh reality of economic migration. By questioning the West’s long-held belief that free markets are the way forward and globalisation is a force for good, the films resonated with increasingly skeptical audiences aware of the gathering economic storm in the real world.

India raises defence budget outlay by 34%

NEW DELHI: India has increased defence budget by 34 % to Rs.1,41,703 crore.

The stand-in Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has presented the interim budget in the Lok Sabha for the next fiscal.

Mukherjee said the increased plan expenditure for defence this year would be Rs 86,879 crore. Last year’s plan expenditure was only Rs 73,600 crore, thereby providing an increase of Rs 13,279 crore this year.

“Mumbai attacks have given a new dimension to cross-border terrorism. In this context, I propose to raise defence allocation to Rs.1,41,703 crore,” said Mukherjee.

Indian troops martyr one innocent youth in IHK

SRINAGAR: A large number of Kashmiris took to streets at Maisuma in Srinagar against subjecting of a shopkeeper to brute force by Indian troops here on Tuesday.

Pitched battles were witnessed between the demonstrators and the troops. People took out a procession from Medical College Srinagar to Lal Chowk to protest the anti-people policies of the puppet administration.

Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred one innocent Kashmiri youth during a siege and search operation at Kalihand in Doda district.