Pioneer In Short
National Film Awards leave Delhi
For the first time in its 72-year history, the National Film Awards ceremony will be held outside Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours at Kevadia, Gujarat, on September 22, officials said Monday. Kevadia, renamed Ekta Nagar, is home to the 597-foot Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. The first National Awards, held in 1954, took place at Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan, which has hosted most subsequent ceremonies. The 72nd edition, announced in July, marks a break from that tradition. Article 370 has been named Best Feature Film, while Yami Gautam won Best Actress. Mammootty and Kartik Aaryan will share the Best Actor award for Bramayugam and Chandu Champion, respectively.
Randeep Hooda won Best Debut Director for <Swatantrya Veer Savarkar></i>, a biopic on VD Savarkar. <Kalki 2898 AD></i> won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, while Tamil film <Captain Miller></i>, directed by Arun Matheswaran and starring Dhanush, was named Best Feature Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental Values.
Justice Mishra takes Punjab HC Helm
Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, a day after the Punjab Government urged the Union Government to halt the oath-taking over objections to his appointment. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria administered the oath to Justice Mishra, 57, at Lok Bhavan. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann was absent from the ceremony, which was attended by Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini and other dignitaries. Justice Mishra had been serving as the HC’s acting chief justice since June 1, following Justice Sheel Nagu’s elevation to the SC. He was transferred from the Allahabad HC to the Punjab and Haryana HC in July last year. The Government notified his appointment on Saturday, about a month after the SC Collegium recommended his elevation.
The Mann Government had on Sunday passed a resolution seeking a stay, alleging that Punjab’s views were not obtained before the appointment. Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain rejected the allegation, saying Punjab had sufficient time to convey its views and that the State had not submitted them despite the proposal being sent to the governors in August. The dispute comes months ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.
