IFTDA sends show cause notice to Vikas Bahl
Mumbai, Oct 9: Indian Film & Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) has sent a show cause notice to filmmaker Vikas Bahl after allegations of sexual harassment resurfaced against the director.
Last year, a woman employee at Phantom Films, which had Bahl as one of the partners along side Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena, had alleged that Bahl behaved inappropriately with her during a trip to Goa.
"IFTDA has taken a stern stand against Vikas Bahl by issuing a show cause notice and asked him to respond within one week's time, failing which his membership will be terminated," the statement read.
The association said it has immediately set up a women grievances redressal cell.
The three member all women committee will be headed by celebrated TV and film director Swapna Waghmare Joshi as chairperson with Bhavna Talwar as convenor and Priyanka Ghatak as co-convenor, supported by the entire executive committee of IFTDA.
"This is being done to crate a safe place for its women professionals and will only be strengthened when directors and production houses pledge to work for the government sanctioned POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace) guidelines.
"This will only lead to the creation of confidence among not only the experienced seniors but the posterity of female professionals who are planning to enter the industry in the future," the statement read.
The Producers Guild of India, also extended its support "to the movement to call out and report sexual harassment and abuse whenever and wherever it occurs in our industry."
"We believe that there is an urgent need to set up a robust process to ensure the highest standards of safety for employees and crew members at the workplace - whether in offices or on sets of productions.
"We are instituting a committee within the Guild to lead this effort, and we are determined to stay the course till workplaces in the industry are safe spaces for everyone," the statement read.
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‘Tree man’ of Telangana: Padma Shri awardee Daripalli Ramaiah passes away
Hyderabad, Apr 12 (PTI): Padma Shri awardee 'Vanajeevi' Ramaiah died in Khammam district of Telangana on Saturday, family sources said.
He suffered a heart attack at his house in Reddipalli village, they said.
He was 87.
Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as the green crusader, “Chettu (tree) Ramaiah” or “Vanajeevi" in Khammam district, for planting more than one crore saplings over the last several decades, was recipient of Padma Shri Award for 2017.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy condoled the death of Ramaiah and said his demise is an "irreparable loss" to the society.
The Chief Minister further said Daripalli Ramaiah, strongly believed that survival of mankind is impossible without nature and environment, a release from CMO said.
"Ramaiah launched plantation as an individual and influenced the entire society," Revanth Reddy said adding the Padma Shri awardee inspired the youth by dedicating entire life to environmental protection.
The CM conveyed deep sympathies to the bereaved family members.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and several other leaders condoled the demise of Ramaiah.
In his message, Kishan Reddy said Ramaiah planted over one crore saplings during his lifetime and was at the forefront of protecting and furthering nature and the environment.
Paying homage to the departed soul, Sanjay Kumar said the demise of the green crusader, who was awarded Padma Shri, is a loss to Telangana and the cause of nature.
KCR said Ramaiah's life stands as a role model for future generations in conserving the environment.
