Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil to premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024 : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama

Film Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur has joined hands with Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. to restore veteran Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal’s national award-winning film Manthan which starred the late iconic film actress, Smita Patil. The 4K restoration of the 1976 film has been selected for the official red-carpet world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. Noteworthily, Manthan is the only Indian film to be selected under the Cannes Classic section of the festival this year. The film premiere will be attended by Naseeruddin Shah, the family of the late Smita Patil, the producers of the film and Film Heritage Foundation’s Shivendra Singh Dungarpur.

Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil to premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024

Restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan starring Smita Patil to premiere at Cannes Film Festival 2024

Manthan, a fictionalized version of the beginnings of the extraordinary dairy cooperative movement that transformed India from a milk-deficient nation to the world’s largest milk producer inspired by Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution, is also India’s first crowd-sourced film produced by 5,00,000 dairy farmers who contributed Rs. 2 each towards the production of the film. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation states, “I am so delighted that Film Heritage Foundation will have a red-carpet world premiere of another one of our restorations of an Indian cult classic at the Cannes Film Festival. The restoration of a Shyam Benegal film has been on the Film Heritage Foundation’s wish list for years as he is one of India’s most venerated filmmakers whose early films were iconic in India’s Parallel Cinema movement. The restoration process has been an incredible experience, especially working so closely with Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani to painstakingly bring the film back to life. Almost half a century later, the power of the narrative and the compelling performances of the actors, especially Smita Patil, remains undiminished. I wish she was here to see the beauty of the restoration.”

Shyam Benegal states, “I was absolutely delighted when Shivendra told me that Film Heritage Foundation was going to restore Manthan in collaboration with the Gujarat Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. Manthan is a film that is very close to my heart as 500,000 farmers funded it and was instrumental in the growth of an extraordinary cooperative movement that was aimed at breaking the shackles of economic inequality and caste discrimination whilst empowering the farmers. It will remind the world of the power of cinema as a vehicle of change and also the legacy of the great Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution. Govind Nihalani and I have been following the progress of the restoration closely and I am amazed by the meticulous approach to the restoration. It is wonderful to see the film come back to life almost like we made it yesterday. Film Heritage Foundation has been doing remarkable work in film restoration. Not only are they beautifully restoring films from every region of India, but bringing them back to the public at festivals and screenings around the world in a way that showcases our unique film heritage to contemporary global audiences.”

Naseeruddin Shah states, “I started my career as an actor with ‘Nishant’ followed by ‘Manthan’, both directed by Shyam Benegal. Manthan was a runaway success when it was released almost 50 years ago and it is a film that is remembered even today. I remember that during the shooting of ‘Manthan,’ I lived in the hut, learnt to make cow dung cakes and milk a buffalo. I would carry the buckets and serve the milk to the unit to get the physicality of the character. I am so glad that the Film Heritage Foundation has restored this remarkable film and that this small film made with the support of the farmers has been restored with so much love and care. It is thanks to the persistence, hard work and efforts of the Film Heritage Foundation that the film will be premiered in its second life, as it deserves to be, at the Cannes Film Festival and I am so glad that I will be there to present it myself.”

Govind Nihalani states, “It is remarkable that the Film Heritage Foundation is restoring Manthan nearly fifty years since it was made. Being involved in the restoration has been an emotional experience. It has taken me back to 1976 when the entire unit lived like a family in the village of Sanganva in Gujarat for 45 days during which the film was shot. The shooting was challenging because we had to use a patchwork of different film stock– Eastman and Gevacolor besides Kodak, 35 mm for the film and 16 mm for the film within the film. I began my career as a cinematographer with Shyam Benegal first shooting ad films and then his early feature films. We’ve had an immensely creatively satisfying relationship over the years as Shyam involves you as a partner in the creative process of the film and not just as a cameraman. I am so happy to hear that the restoration of the film will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year.”

Presenting at the Cannes Film Festival for the third time in a row, the Film Heritage Foundation has previously premiered Thamp̄ (2022) and Ishanou (2023) at the prestigious film festival.

Film Heritage Foundation used the best-surviving elements for the restoration – the original 35 mm original camera negative and the 35 mm release print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. The sound was digitized from the 35 mm release print preserved at the Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai. They found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up were done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film.

Restored by Film Heritage Foundation at Prasad Corporation Pvt. Ltd.’s Post – Studios, Chennai and L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory, in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd., the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-Operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.

Released in 1976, Manthan (Hindi for “The Churning”) is a film by director Shyam Benegal that explores the challenges and triumphs of social change in rural India. Set against the backdrop of a village struggling with poverty and exploitation, the film chronicles the arrival of Dr. Rao (Girish Karnad), an idealistic veterinarian, who attempts to establish a milk cooperative movement.

The narrative unfolds in Sanganva, a village rife with social inequalities. The villagers, particularly the Dalit community (considered “untouchables” in the caste system), are forced to sell their milk at meagre prices to Mishraji (Amrish Puri), a local businessman with a monopoly on the dairy trade. The village headman (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), representing the upper caste, upholds the status quo, fearing a loss of power if the established social hierarchy is disrupted. Bhola (Naseeruddin Shah), the leader of the Dalit community, initially views Dr. Rao with suspicion, a sentiment echoed by Bindu (Smita Patil), a strong-willed milkmaid.

Dr. Rao’s vision is one of equitable distribution of profits, free from the exploitation of middlemen. This radical idea disrupts the existing power structures, sparking mistrust, anger, and resistance. The village headman and Mishraji, threatened by the potential loss of control, actively oppose the cooperative movement. Bhola’s initial scepticism gradually gives way to cautious support as Dr. Rao’s commitment to fair treatment becomes evident.

As Dr. Rao gains the trust of the villagers, particularly Bindu, Mishraji resorts to underhanded tactics. He exploits the existing social divisions, manipulating Bindu’s husband to fabricate a false accusation of rape against Dr. Rao. Devastated by the betrayal, Dr. Rao contemplates leaving the village. However, Bhola, inspired by Dr. Rao’s vision, steps forward to continue the cooperative’s development. With the villagers’ support, and Bindu’s eventual vindication, the cooperative flourishes, offering a glimmer of hope for a more just future.

Manthan is a richly layered film that transcends the boundaries of a mere social commentary. The stellar cast delivers powerful performances, bringing depth and complexity to their characters. The cinematography by Govind Nihalani captures the stark beauty of rural India, while the music by Vanraj Bhatia complements the narrative effectively.

ALSO READ: Nawazuddin Siddiqui applauds Smita Patil’s enduring beauty; says, “The West was drawn to her”

More Pages: Manthan Box Office Collection

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Everything You Need to Know When Using a Digital Currency Exchange

The crypto market is currently in another bull cycle. Bitcoin recently hit an all-time high price of $73,800. There are also hundreds of meme coins booming and busting in quick succession.

The crypto market is currently in another bull cycle. Bitcoin recently hit an all-time high price of $73,800. There are also hundreds of meme coins booming and busting in quick succession. Of course, you very likely already know this. And this is a testament to how much cryptocurrencies have permeated society and changed how we perceive and manage financial assets.

Much of this has been made possible by digital currency exchanges that provide platforms for billions of people worldwide to trade and invest in cryptocurrencies—at transaction speeds that even the traditional financial system is still only catching up to. Here’s an example of such an exchange: https://www.independentreserve.com/au.

 

However, as it is with any financial venture, these exchanges come with a unique set of risks and challenges. For anyone looking to navigate the crypto market, and hopefully participate in the bull season, it is crucial to understand these intricacies.

Why are Digital Currency Exchanges Necessary?

Crypto exchanges act as intermediaries and facilitate the trade of digital assets like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. They provide a structured marketplace that is usually intuitive enough to be navigated by both seasoned traders and newcomers alike.

 

Additionally, these also typically offer analytical tools, and real-time market data and sometimes even help provide educational resources to assist users in making informed decisions in trading their cryptocurrencies.

What Are These Risks And Challenges?

However, the purpose of this article is to get into the risks and challenges that are associated with these exchanges. So, let us get into them:

Volatility risk is not exactly directly tied to crypto exchanges. However, it bears mentioning, as these exchanges are the main arenas where crypto transactions take place. These fluctuations typically occur in mere seconds, leading to either high gains or heavy losses. This volatility is usually caused by a variety of factors including announcements from regulatory bodies or government leaders or random shifts in market sentiments.

 

As an investor, you need to learn how to navigate these turbulent waters with the care of an expert captain; developing a system that allows you to make quick movements in your portfolio, in adapting to market changes. Essentially, the markets are unpredictable, so you have to keep your ear to the ground. To do this, you need to switch on news alerts for the keywords that are often included in the news headlines that typically move the markets. 

 

Many crypto exchanges come with features like this that alert you to market-moving events; so it may be wise to consider that as a factor in selecting which exchange to use. However, you also need to develop your independent systems for monitoring these trends.

Another area with a lot of risks is the legal and regulatory aspects of things. The crypto market is relatively new, and hence the legal frameworks are largely nascent and evolving or even non-existent. From countries like el-Salvador where crypto adoption is encouraged by the government to countries like China, where it is permanently banned; regulatory attitudes vary widely. And sometimes, even within the same country, attitudes can shift, depending on internal political cycles.

 

This inconsistency can make compliance a complex affair. For example, in Nigeria, Binance suddenly got banned by the government, even after several government figures had indicated an interest in encouraging the growth of crypto in the country. This inconsistency also introduces a layer of uncertainty that can influence market behavior and price movement.

 

So, as an investor, it is quite important that you also keep an eye out for regulatory changes in the jurisdiction that you operate in. But, it is even more imperative that you find measures to insulate yourself and your assets from the reach of the regulatory agencies in your country.

As it is with anything else in this digital era, the threat of security breaches looms large over crypto exchanges. While most exchanges typically have an array of innovative protective measures, hackers and their tactics are also always evolving and getting more sophisticated.

 

Unfortunately, the consequences of one successful breach are usually enough to cause significant damage to both exchanges and individual investors; and make insignificant the efforts of the security systems in place in stopping a thousand earlier threats.

 

Anyway, it is important for you as an investor to research the security measures employed by the various exchanges before choosing one. We have said that security threats are ever-evolving, but it is still always best to be on the side that is always on top of its game when it comes to security. You want to look out for encryption protocols, cold storage solutions, and rigorous security audits.

 

However, the role of personal vigilance cannot be overemphasized. While it is great to trade with an exchange with cutting-edge security measures, you can also personally deploy strategies like using complex, unique passwords and employing two-factor authentication.

This is particularly important if you’re one of those who like to take advantage of meme coins that can see growths in thousands of percentages. Whether your coin gains 180% or 18,000%, it only matters if there are enough other traders in the market who are willing to buy it from you in exchange for other crypto coins or fiat. That is what liquidity is — your avenue to exit and take profit from a trade.

 

Exchanges that have low liquidity may expose you to the risk of slippage, which is when the final executed price of a trade diverges significantly from the expected price at the time the order was placed. These discrepancies can erode trading margins, and impact your profitability. So, you need to opt for exchanges that are known for substantial trading volumes to mitigate against possible liquidity problems.

Why you need Diversification to Mitigate Risks

There are many strategies that you can employ to mitigate risks, but like anyone will tell you, your top option is to diversify your holdings. Diversification can take varying forms. It can mean holding a varied range of cryptocurrencies across the industry—rather than focusing on only one token, as a way to shield yourself from the extreme volatility of the markets. It can also mean holding your assets in a variety of wallets and other storage options, to protect them from cyber-attacks.

 

Either way, diversification enables the spreading of potential risks, ensuring that the impact of one negative event does not necessarily wipe out your portfolio.

Conclusion

The global crypto markets are very volatile and can be fraught with a lot of security threats and other dangerous problems. However, it has also emerged as the greatest financial invention of the current century; as it has made more millionaires than any system before it.

 

However, it is always important for you as an investor to keep an eye on the market, and to arm yourself with the knowledge of various strategies to protect yourself from the pitfalls that abound in the ecosystem.

 

Do your own research, thoroughly, remain adaptable, and practice enhanced cybersecurity measures.

Image source: Shutterstock

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From Ananya Panday’s Call Me Bae to Uorfi Javed’s Follow Kar Le Na Yaar, Prime Video announces new Hindi web shows for 2024 : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama

On March 19, the highly anticipated Amazon Prime Video event took center stage. Witnessing a galaxy of 100 stars, the event unveiled a captivating line-up of upcoming Prime Video Original movies and series. Brace yourselves for a treasure trove of fresh Hindi content coming soon! Having said that, take a look at new Hindi shows which are slated to release this year on the streaming giant.

From Ananya Panday's Call Me Bae to Uorfi's Follow Kar Le Na Yaar, Prime Video announces new Hindi web shows for 2024

From Ananya Panday’s Call Me Bae to Uorfi Javed’s Follow Kar Le Na Yaar, Prime Video announces new Hindi web shows for 2024

Call Me Bae

Downsized from heiress to hustler, Bae discovers that her most valuable assets aren’t her diamonds, but her street smarts and style. Broke but refusing to be broken, she navigates the newsrooms of Mumbai, finding beaus, behens, and her better self.

Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta & Somen Mishra
Director: Collin D’cunha
Creator: Ishita Moitra
Writers: Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar & Rohit Nair
Key Cast: Ananya Panday, Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra & Mini Mathur

Matka King

In this fictional tale set in 1960s Mumbai, an enterprising cotton trader who craves legitimacy and respect starts a new gambling game dubbed ‘Matka’, which takes the city by storm and democratizes a terrain previously reserved for the rich and elite.

Production Company: Roy Kapur Films
Produced By: Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nagaraj Manjule, Gargi Kulkarni, Ashish Aryan, and Ashwini Sidwani
Director: Nagraj Manjule
Writers: Abhay Koranne and Nagraj Manjule
Key Cast: Vijay Varma

Dupahiya

In a village that is on the cusp of celebrating 25 years of being crime-free, chaos ensues when a coveted motorbike gets stolen! With the silver jubilee trophy, a wedding, and the pride of the villagers at stake, what follows is a crazy journey to retrieve the bike before it’s too late.

Production Company: Bombay Film Cartel
Producers: Salona Bains Joshi, Shubh Shivdasani
Creators: Chirag Garg, Avinash Dwivedi, Salona Bains Joshi, and Shubh Shivdasani
Director: Sonam Nair
Writers: Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg
Key Cast: Gajraj Rao, Renuka Shahane, Bhuvan Arora, Sparsh Srivastava, Shivani Raghuvanshi, and Yashpal Sharma

Rangeen

Confronted with an uncomfortable truth about his marriage, a middle-aged husband takes an unusual path, forcing him to re-evaluate his ideas of manhood and morality.

Production Company: Kabir Khan Entertainment LLP
Producer: Rajan Kapoor
Creative Producer: Kabir Khan
Creators: Amardeep Galsin and Amir Rizvi
Directors: Kopal Naithani and Pranjal Dua
Writers: Amardeep Galsin and Amir Rizvi
Key Cast: Vineet Kumar Singh, Rajashri Deshpande, and Taaruk Raina

The Tribe

Young, unafraid, and chasing an epic dream, The Tribe are a group of Indian influencers who have been set up to crack global fame in… Los Angeles! Are they fearless or just foolish?

Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Executive Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Aneesha Baig
Creator: Aneesha Baig
Director: Omkar Potdar
Creative Producers: Manu Maharshi and Naomi Datta
Key Cast: Alanna Panday, Alaviaa Jaaferi, Srushti Porey, Alfia Jafry, Aryaana Gandhi, and Hardik Zaveri

The Great Indian Code

The story of a bunch of humble and visionary middle-class engineers led by a meek-looking gentleman in the eighties to create a company that led the biggest wealth-generating industry India had ever seen: the IT industry. Set against the backdrop of the 70s-90s when the nation was gripped by poor governance, poverty, and a dependence on foreign charity for wealth and infrastructure, this story follows the middle-class heroes who, holding onto their values, fought against the time, traditions, and technological backwardness to create a software revolution.

Production Company: The Viral Fever
Producer: Arunabh Kumar, Shreyansh Pandey, and Vijay Koshy
Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra
Writer: Shubham Sharma

The Revolutionaries

The story of brave young Indian freedom fighters who believed that armed resistance was crucial to ending the British Raj. This is the story of their lives, sacrifices, and undying love for their country.

Production Company: Emmay Entertainment
Producers: Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani
Created for Television by Nikkhil Advani
An adaptation of the book The Revolutionaries, written by Sanjeev Sanyal

Daring Partners 

Two best-friends embark on a daring journey as partners in an alcohol start-up. The series unfolds their audacious journey, where they challenge norms, bend rules, and ‘craft’ their destiny within a male-dominated industry.

Production Company: Dharmatic Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Executive Producers: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra
Creators: Nishant Nayak, Mithun Gangopadhyay
Director: Archit Kumar
Writers: Nandini Gupta, Mithun Gangopadhyay, and Aarsh Vora
Key Cast: Tamannaah Bhatia, Diana Penty, and Jaaved Jaaferi

Follow Karlo Yaar

Uorfi Javed is India’s biggest viral sensation – where she goes, drama follows! Her fame, like her clothes, is self-made but now she’s taking it all to the next level. Get to know the real Uorfi as she ups her game and her fame while also keeping her fully dysfunctional family together.

Production Company: Sol Productions
Producers: Fazila Allana and Kamna Menezes
Director: Sandeep Kukreja
Creative Director: Meghana Badola
Creative Consultant: Naomi Datta
Story Supervisor: Anisha Raisurana
Key Cast: Uorfi Javed
Project Consultant: Collective Artists Network

Dil Dosti Dilemma

Asmara’s summer takes an unexpected turn when she is sent to her grandparents’ neighbourhood as a form of punishment. To maintain appearances with her friends, she pretends to be in Canada. Amidst the struggles of a traditional setting, she learns new life lessons.

Production Company: 10 Years Younger Productions
Director: Debbie Rao
Creative Producers: Seema Mohapatra and Jahanara Bhargava
Key Cast: Anushka Sen, Tanvi Azmi, Shishir Sharma, Suhasini Mulay, Khush Jotwani, Vishakha Pandey, Revathi Pillai, and Elisha Mayor

Bandwaale

Mariam, a young poetess, finds herself trapped in a sleepy town where every young girl’s future lies in wedlock. She hopes to find freedom by uploading her poetry on the internet with the help of her band of misfits – a brass band singer and a new age DJ

Production Company: OML Entertainment
Directors: Akshat Verma and Ankur Tewari
Creators: Ankur Tewari and Swanand Kirkire
Key Cast: Shalini Pandey, Zahaan Kapoor, Swanand Kirkire, Sanjana Dipu, Ashish Vidhyarthi, and Anupama Kumar

Ma Kasum

A 19-year-old math genius’ ultimate quest is to create an algorithm to find the ‘perfect match’ for his vivacious single mother. Despite his faith in the sanctity of numbers, he begins to realize that nothing in life is absolute – when it comes to human relationships, every equation is a ‘work-in-progress’.

Production Company: Eunoia Films
Creative Producer and Producer: Babita Ashiwal
Executive Producers: Ruchir Joshi and Babita Ashiwal
Created By: Samir Kohli, Prasad Kadam, and Vinay Joshi
Director: Nicholas Kharkongor
Writers: Vinay Choudary, Neha Sharma, Nicholas Kharkongor, Ravinder Randhawa, Sumrit Shahi, Akanksha Seda, and Prasad Kadam
Additional Writer: Samir Kohli
Key Cast: Mona Singh, Angira Dhar, Mihir Ahuja, and Ranveer Brar

Ziddi Girls 

Whether they like it or not, the lives of 5 self-absorbed, couldn’t-care-less Gen Z freshers are about to change as they enter the illustrious corridors of Matilda House College. Deep friendships form over a year of mistakes, heartbreaks, and self-discovery, forcing them out of their comfort zones as they put themselves between their college and the forces that threaten it.

Production Company: Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd.
Creator: Rangita Pritish Nandy
Co – Creator: Ishita Pritish Nandy
Directors: Shonali Bose, Neha Veena Sharma, and Vasant Nath
Writers: Vasant Nath and Neha Veena Sharma
Key Cast: Simran, Revathy, Nandita Das, Nandish Sandhu, Anupriya Caroli, Atiya Tara Nayak, Ayushi Rawat, Zaina Ali, and Umang Bhadana

Waack Girls 

Six Kolkata girls create Waack Girls, a dance group in a city unfamiliar with waacking. Led by Ishani, an expert waacker and managed by Lopa, this lighthearted story is filled with music, dance, comedy, and drama.

Production Companies: Matter Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Jigri Dost Productions
Creator and Director: Sooni Taraporevala
Writers: Sooni Taraporevala, Iyanah Bativala, and Ronny Sen
Key Cast: Mekhola Bose, Rytasha Rathore, Barun Chanda, Anasua Chowdhury, Chrisann Pereira, Priyam Saha, Ruby Sah, and Achintya Bose

Also Read: From Rana Daggubati’s chat show to Satya Dev starrer Arabia Kadali, Prime Video announces their South India slate for 2024

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The far-right surges but it’s too close to call Portugal’s election

With almost all the votes counted, the centre-right DA party and centre-left SP party are almost equal whilst the far-right Chega party gain third place.

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Results so far at 2333 CET:

With 97% of the votes counted the results are:

The centre-right Democratic Alliance, a grouping led by the Social Democratic Party, has 29.19%.

The centre-left Socialist Party is running second with 28.6%.

Populist party Chega (Enough) is third with 18.33%.

You can follow the results from the Interior Ministry live here:

https://www.legislativas2024.mai.gov.pt/resultados/globais

The candidates react:

“Chega could reach more than 20 percent of the votes tonight. It’s an absolutely historic result”, André Ventura, the leader of the far-right party said. “The Portuguese clearly said they want a two-party government: Chega and the Democratic Alliance,” he added.

First exit poll at 2110 CET:

Earlier in the evening a widely regarded exit poll by the Catholic University/ RTP had put the centre-right ahead, and the far-right Chega party at 14%-17% of the vote.

The poll predicted 29-33% of the vote for the centre-right Democratic Alliance, a grouping led by the Social Democratic Party. The centre-left Socialist Party gathered 25-29%, the poll indicated.

Populist party Chega (Enough) may have got 14-17% in third place, it suggested, up from 7% at the last election in 2022, in a drift to the political right witnessed elsewhere in the European Union.

The poll by Portugal’s Catholic University was published by public broadcaster RTP and in previous elections has proved largely accurate.

The Centre for Studies and Opinion Polls (Cesop) at the university earlier estimated turnout at between 62 and 68 percent. In comparison, in the 2022 general election, it was 51.46 percent.

A US based analyst suggested that this could help the far-right Chega party.

The election at a glance

A slew of recent corruption scandals has tarnished the two parties that have alternated in power for decades — the centre-left Socialist Party and the centre-right Social Democratic Party, which is running with two small allies in a coalition it calls Democratic Alliance. Those traditional parties are still expected to collect most of the votes.

Public frustration with politics-as-usual had already been percolating before the outcries over graft. Low wages and a high cost of living — worsened last year by surges in inflation and interest rates — coupled with a housing crisis and failings in public health care contributed to the disgruntlement.

The election is taking place because Socialist leader António Costa resigned in November after eight years as prime minister amid a corruption investigation involving his chief of staff. Costa hasn’t been accused of any crime.

The Social Democrats, too, were embarrassed just before the campaign by a graft scandal that brought the resignation of two prominent party officials.

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Voting began at 8 a.m. (0800 GMT) and most ballot results were expected within hours of polling stations closing at 8 p.m. (2000 GMT).

The far-right factor

If the first exit poll is accurate, it means the Populist party Chega (Enough) has gained around seven percent more of the vote in this election – seemingly a bigger gain than any other party.

That suggests it will be the third most-voted party in a political shift to the right that has already been seen elsewhere in Europe. Spain and France have witnessed similar trends in recent years.

Chega could even end up in the role of kingmaker if a bigger party needs the support of smaller rivals to form a government.

Chega party leader Andre Ventura has cannily plugged into the dissatisfaction and has built a following among young people on social media. Just five years old, Chega collected its first seat in Portugal’s 230-seat Parliament in 2019. That jumped to 12 seats in 2022, and polls suggest it could more than double that number this time.

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Ventura says he is prepared to drop some of his party’s most controversial proposals — such as chemical castration for some sex offenders and the introduction of life prison sentences — if that opens the door to his inclusion in a possible governing alliance with other right-of-centre parties.

His insistence on national sovereignty instead of closer European Union integration and his plan to grant police the right to strike are other issues that could thwart his ambitions to enter a government coalition.

Ventura has had a colourful career. He has gone from a practicing lawyer and university professor specialising in tax law to a boisterous TV soccer pundit, an author of low-brow books and a bombastic orator on the campaign trail.

The president urges people to vote

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, largely a figurehead but whose formal consent is needed for a party to take power, urged people to vote because uncertain times in world affairs threatened the country’s wellbeing.

In a televised address to the nation on Saturday night, Rebelo de Sousa said the unpredictable outcome of elections later this year for the European Parliament and in the United States, as well as the war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, could bring more economic difficulties.

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He said that “it is at grievous times like this that voting becomes more important.”

Will the low standard of  living be the decide factor?

Meanwhile, voters have expressed alarm at Portugal’s living standards as financial pressures mount.

An influx of foreign real estate investors and tourists seeking short-term rentals brought a spike in house prices, especially in big cities such as the capital Lisbon where many locals are being priced out of the market.

The economy feels stuck in a low gear. The Portuguese, who have long been among Western Europe’s lowest earners, received an average monthly wage before tax last year of around 1,500 euros — barely enough to rent a one-bedroom flat in Lisbon. Close to 3 million Portuguese workers earn less than 1,000 euros a month.

The number of people without an assigned family doctor, meantime, rose to 1.7 million last year, the highest number ever and up from 1.4 million in 2022.

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SHOCKING: CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi accused of delaying censor process of Bhojpuri film Rang De Basanti as its title is similar to 2006 Hindi movie; Pahlaj Nihalani LASHES out, “Prasoon ne producers ko laawaris bana ke rakha hai” : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) landed in a major controversy last year when South actor Vishal levelled charges of bribery and corruption against its officials. Less than 6 months later, the CBFC is back in the news for the wrong reasons. The makers of a big-budget Bhojpuri film, Rang De Basanti, have been running pillar to post in order to get the censor certificate. They have accused the CBFC chairperson, Prasoon Joshi, of deliberately delaying the process as their film has a similar name to that of a 2006 Hindi film, starring Aamir Khan. They claim that Prasoon is probably doing so as he was associated with the Hindi film as a lyricist.

SHOCKING: CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi accused of delaying censor process of Bhojpuri film Rang De Basanti as its title is similar to 2006 Hindi movie; Pahlaj Nihalani LASHES out, “Prasoon ne producers ko laawaris bana ke rakha hai”

SHOCKING: CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi accused of delaying censor process of Bhojpuri film Rang De Basanti as its title is similar to 2006 Hindi movie; Pahlaj Nihalani LASHES out, “Prasoon ne producers ko laawaris bana ke rakha hai”

On March 5, Roshan Singh, the producer of the Bhojpuri film Rang De Basanti, wrote a letter to the CBFC that he had applied for a certificate on February 3. Though the screening took place on February 19 and the screening report was submitted on February 21, the process has been delayed due to a clearance from the chairperson.

Then on March 6, Abhay Sinha, president of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) too wrote to the CBFC requesting urgent clearance, since Rang De Basanti is scheduled to be released on March 22.

With no update, the makers wrote another letter to the CBFC on March 9 in which they claimed that on March 8, they were asked to change the name of the film by a CBFC official on a phone call.

Bollywood Hungama exclusively accessed these letters and also spoke to Roshan Singh. He said, “The screening report was submitted on February 21 and then it was okayed by RO on February 26. Until March 6, we didn’t get any answer. That’s when we submitted a letter. I used to call them daily and when I went to meet them, I was made to wait for 4 hours. I asked why the certificate was not being given to us. But we were told, ‘We have no idea. He (the chairperson) is holding (the certificate)’.”

Roshan further added, “Since then, I have been calling them daily but to no avail. On March 8, I got a call from CBFC and I was asked, ‘Kya aap apni film ka title change kar sakte hai kya?’. I made it clear that it’s not possible as we have begun the publicity and the material has gone out. Also, we have applied in certain states for subsidy and the name of the film in the paperwork is Rang De Basanti. The caller said that he’ll pass on my message to the chairperson.”

He also said, “On March 9, we wrote another letter to the CBFC where we clearly mentioned that the chairperson is deliberately trying to hold the film as he is associated with the Hindi film, Rang De Basanti.”

Roshan Singh explained why he felt that Prasoon Joshi is deliberately targeting his film, “In 2008, a Bhojpuri film, Rang De Basanti Chola, had already been released. But Mr Prasoon wasn’t the chairperson then. Interestingly, another Bhojpuri film submitted for censor is Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gam. Its screening happened a day after Rang De Basanti’s screening. But since the chairperson wasn’t involved with the Hindi film of the same name, he didn’t hold it. It was passed on March 5.”

SHOCKING: CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi accused of delaying censor process of Bhojpuri film Rang De Basanti as its title is similar to 2006 Hindi movie; Pahlaj Nihalani LASHES out, “Prasoon ne producers ko laawaris bana ke rakha hai”

When asked what his next step would be, he replied, “On Monday, March 11, I’ll personally hand over the letter. We are so tense now as our film is releasing on March 22.”

Pahlaj Nihalani, filmmaker and ex-CBFC chairperson and a vocal critic of the current chairperson, told Bollywood Hungama that he’s aware of this episode, “CBFC works only for the corporates. It doesn’t care much for small Hindi or regional films. If Rang De Basanti featured a big star, CBFC 3-4 din mein certificate de deti.”

As of March 8, the dashboard on the CBFC website shows the status of Rang De Basanti as ‘Pending for Review of Examination Report by Chairman’. Pahlaj said that this rarely happens. “Usually, the chairperson never clears. The CEO or RO does the needful. But since Rang De Basanti was the title and Mr Prasoon Joshi wrote its songs, a call was made to the makers asking them to change the film’s name,” he said.

Pahlaj Nihalani decided to help the Rang De Basanti’s makers when he heard their plight. “For the first time, I called him (Prasoon Joshi) 3-4 times,” he said. “But he didn’t pick up the call or revert even once. Since he has assumed the position, I have never called him. But this time, I couldn’t stop myself as I wanted to ask him why the poor filmmaker was being harassed. If a big Bhojpuri film is waiting for a censor certificate for as many as 3 weeks, who’s responsible for this delay?”

The veteran filmmaker then thundered, “The chairman is nikamma. He has no right to be in that position. I wonder why the government has allowed him to continue. Usne producers ko laawaris bana ke rakha hai. How can they ask him to change the title? They have registered it at a respectable organization like IMPPA. If there’s any problem, the committee decides what to do. How can the chairperson decide to tweak the title? He’s misusing power because of his self-interest.”

When asked what the makers should do, Pahlaj Nihalani drew parallels with the infamous Udta Punjab-CBFC row that took place under his chairmanship, “He (the producer) might not have any other alternative but to go to the Court. Court ne Udta Punjab (2016) ek din mein dekhi thi. The court then rejected all cuts and allowed only one modification. If the court can act so swiftly then, I hope they do it for Rang De Basanti. Here, the objection anyway is only for the title.”

Pahlaj Nihalani also brought up the issue of the U/A certificate given to Ajay Devgn’s latest release, Shaitaan, while the original was an adults-only film, “Vash (2023) was ‘A’ while the remake is U/A. If Shaitaan is a remake, how can both films get different ratings? It shows CBFC is biased towards big-shots and is against small producers.” Bollywood Hungama was the first one to report on this aspect.

Rang De Basanti stars Khesari Lal Yadav, Rati Pandey, Diana Khan and is directed by Premanshu Singh.

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CONFIRMED! Sara Ali Khan starrer Ae Watan Mere Watan to premiere on Prime Video on March 21, 2024 : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama

On World Radio Day, Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, announced the premiere date of its upcoming Original movie Ae Watan Mere Watan. The date was revealed with a motion picture, featuring the voice of lead actor Sara Ali Khan as Usha, passionately urging the nation to unite against the British Raj through a clandestine radio.

CONFIRMED! Sara Ali Khan starre Ae Watan Mere Watan to premiere on Prime Video on March 21, 2024

CONFIRMED! Sara Ali Khan starrer Ae Watan Mere Watan to premiere on Prime Video on March 21, 2024

Ae Watan Mere Watan is a fictional tale that tells the riveting story about an underground radio station, led by a courageous young girl, that changed the course of India’s freedom struggle. Drawing inspiration from freedom fighter Usha Mehta’s remarkable journey, the film pays a tribute to both— the celebrated as well as the unsung heroes and encapsulates the bravery, patriotism, sacrifice, and persistence exhibited by the youth of India during the freedom movement. This evocative historical thriller-drama is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on March 21 in Hindi with dubs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Ae Watan Mere Watan is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership for just ₹1499/ year.
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Ae Watan Mere Watan is more than just a film; it’s a homage to the innumerable indomitable heroes whose sacrifices defined India’s path to freedom. The story struck a deep chord with us and we instinctively felt the need to bring it to life,” said Aparna Purohit, head of Originals, India and Southeast Asia, Prime Video. “Ae Watan Mere Watan further cements our long-standing relationship with Dharmatic Entertainment and underscores our collective commitment to telling stories that are not only entertaining and immersive but have a robust emotional core. It’s a privilege that the film’s unveiling aligns with the essence of World Radio Day, acknowledging the power of this medium in shaping historical narratives and establishing profound connection with audiences. We are immensely proud of this film and are thrilled to share it with audiences not just in India but across the world.

“At Dharmatic Entertainment, we have always taken pride in bringing forth stories that are told from the heart and Ae Watan Mere Watan exemplifies that,” said Karan Johar, Dharmatic Entertainment. “Kannan and Darab have taken inspiration from a poignant point of India’s history and woven a rich story with a strong emotional core that is further enriched by Sara’s exceptional portrayal of a young revolutionary. For decades Radio has thrived as a medium to inform, engage and entertain the masses, playing a crucial role in encouraging discourse. Ae Watan Mere Watan pays homage to the significant role radio played in uniting the country and fueling the fire in every Indian’s heart, further emboldening the Quit India Movement. With today being World Radio Day, we couldn’t have found a more auspicious day to reveal that the movie will premiere on March 21. Ae Watan Mere Watan has been a dream in the making and I am excited to embark on this journey with Prime Video and unveil this powerful and inspiring story to the world.”

Ae Watan Mere Watan is a riveting tale of courage, sacrifice, resilience and unwavering devotion to one’s country and one that we’re honoured to bring to audiences worldwide,” said Apoorva Mehta, Dharmatic Entertainment. “The film marks an exciting chapter in our partnership with Prime Video and is another step in our goal to back stories that pay tribute to this country’s rich history and cultural tapestry. It has been incredibly exciting to see Sara get into the skin of her character and her performance is a testament to her prowess as an actor and flourish under the skillful guidance of Kannan Iyer. We’re looking forward to finally premiering this movie to our audience and we’re sure it will awe and inspire them.”

Ae Watan Mere Watan, for me, is not just a movie, it is an emotion. The film is a labour of love and a matter of great pride,” said Somen Mishra, Dharmatic Entertainment “From the moment I heard Kannan and Darab’s story, I’ve known this is going to be a very special project. It is a heartfelt tribute to the courage of our freedom fighters and the many unsung heroes who have put their lives on the line for our country. I’m truly delighted to see this untold piece of Indian history be given the spotlight it so rightfully deserves and am eagerly waiting for its premiere on Prime Video.”

Directed by Kannan Iyer, the story of the film is written by Darab Farooqui and Iyer and stars Sara Ali Khan alongside Sachin Khedekar, Abhay Verma, Sparsh Shrivastav, Alexx O’ Neil and Anand Tiwari in pivotal roles and a special guest appearance by Emraan Hashmi. The movie is a Dharmatic Entertainment production and is produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra.

Also Read: Sara Ali Khan traces the journey of her multiple characters ever since her debut Kedarnath to Ae Watan Mere Watan in this new photo

More Pages: Ae Watan Mere Watan Box Office Collection

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Champions Cup: Marcus Smith stars as Harlequins thrash Cardiff, Exeter progress but Sale and Bristol lose


Harlequins’ Nick David in action against Cardiff

Harlequins took a giant stride towards progressing to the knockout stages of
the Champions Cup with a bonus-point victory over Cardiff in a thrilling game at
a sold-out Arms Park.

Cardiff competed fiercely in the first half hour but were then out-gunned by some exhilarating play from the visitors, who ran in eight tries in the 54-15 win.

Jack Walker, Will Evans, Andre Esterhuizen, Will Beard, Dillon Lewis, Fin Baxter, Tyrone Green and Marcus Smith all touched down for Quins.

England fly-half Smith converted seven of the tries in a personal points tally of 19.

Thomas Young scored two tries for Cardiff, with Tinus de Beer adding a penalty and a conversion.

Smith led out Quins on his 150th appearance for the club, but they were soon behind when De Beer kicked a fourth-minute penalty.

Early ferocity from Cardiff rattled their opponents and it resulted in a try for the Welsh region. Quins failed to deal with a well-judged cross-field kick from De Beer, with lock Seb Davies knocking the ball into the path of Young who raced 40 metres to the line.

Quins soon responded with a try from Walker after an unstoppable line-out drive, before Cardiff made two mistakes in quick succession to give the Londoners another attacking platform.

Willis Halaholo knocked on before De Beer lost substantial ground by kicking straight into touch. As a result, the visitors were able to win a penalty but they turned down a simple kick at goal in favour of more attacking options, however, it proved the wrong call.

The hosts suffered an injury blow when young full-back Cam Winnett was led off and failed an HIA, but they still led 8-7 at the end of a compelling first quarter.

Cardiff then produced a stunning second try. On the halfway line, they cleverly created for Harri Millard to make ground down the right flank before Tomos Williams was on hand to provide Young with his second try.

The English outfit reacted swiftly to score a try of equal merit. Quick hands and excellent ball-retention sucked in the defence leaving Esterhuizen with a 30-metre run-in.

The entertainment was now breathtaking as Quins looked in desperate trouble on their own line, but somehow Smith conjured up a gap to send Will Evans racing to near halfway. With men in support, Evans chose to kick as Tomos Williams was able to dash back and save the day.

However, Quins were not to be denied as a strong from Nick David set up a try for Evans before more incredible handling saw Beard just hold off a cover tackle from Mason Grady for the bonus point and a 28-15 half-time lead.

Within four minutes of the restart, Quins had another when Care gave Smith a walk-in try after the Cardiff defence was torn to shreds.

With Quins firmly in control, the action slowed but the visitors were still able to emphasise their superiority with late tries from front-rowers Lewis and Baxter before Green took his side past the 50-point mark.

Leinster and Exeter progress to knock-outs but costly defeats for Sale, Bristol

Leinster continued their 100 per cent start in the Champions Cup with a crushing victory over Stade Francais on Saturday.

Pool Four rivals Sale still have work to do to join them in the last 16, however, after going down to a bonus-point defeat against Stormers in South Africa.

Leinster were highly impressive as they ran in seven tries in an emphatic 43-7 win at the Aviva Stadium.

James Lowe began the rout after 17 minutes and Josh van der Flier and Dan Sheehan added further scores before the break.

Jordan Larmour and Caelan Doris then claimed two apiece after the break with Stade Francais limited to a late consolation from Joris Segonds.

Sale were edged out by four tries to three as they suffered a 31-24 loss in Cape Town.

Tries from Hacjivah Dayimani and Suleiman Hartzenberg gave Stormers an early advantage and, with Leolin Zas later scoring two, the hosts were able to stay ahead despite replies from Jonny Hill, Agustin Creevy and Sam Bedlow.

Bedlow was sin-binned in a dramatic ending but the Sharks clung on for their bonus point as Manie Libbok, who had earlier kicked 11 points, missed the resulting penalty.

Henry Slade’s late touchline conversion of Zack Wimbush’s try secured Exeter a 19-17 victory over Glasgow which sealed their place in the knockout stages.

The Chiefs could have lost in a dramatic end to the match, though, as Glasgow secured a five-metre scrum from the restart.

It was Exeter’s put-in but the ball ran loose for replacement Euan Ferrie to crash over but TMO replays showed he had broken from the scrum early and the try was disallowed.

Also in Pool Three, Munster boosted their hopes of reaching the next phase with a 29-18 triumph at Toulon.

The Irish province trailed 10-0 early on but recovered to lead 17-13 at the break and then powered on to their first victory in this season’s competition with tries from Tom Ahern and Calvin Nash.

Alex Nankivell and Simon Zebo had crossed in the first half in response to Duncan Paia’aua’s early score while Jack Crowley landed three conversions and a penalty.

In Pool One, Bristol‘s hopes of reaching the knockout stages were dealt a major setback as South African challengers the Bulls beat them 31-17 at Ashton Gate.

The west country club must now beat Connacht in Galway to have even an outside chance of making the last 16, but they are still likely to be reliant on results elsewhere.

Bristol Bears' Gabriel Ibitoye (left) is tackled by Vodacom Bulls' Khutha Mchunu

Bristol Bears’ Gabriel Ibitoye (left) is tackled by Vodacom Bulls’ Khutha Mchunu

Bristol were overpowered by a physical, unrelenting Bulls team, conceding tries to wing Sergeal Petersen, prop Khutha Mchunu, flanker Elrigh Louw and hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels, with fly-half Johan Goosen kicking three conversions and a penalty, and centre David Kriel landing one conversion.

Bulls’ bonus-point triumph owed everything to their overwhelming scrummaging superiority, with Bristol restricted to tries from scrum-half Kieran Marmion, wing Gabriel Ibitoye and number eight Magnus Bradbury, plus one AJ MacGinty conversion.

The Gallagher Premiership side could have no complaints, while the Bulls underlined credentials as a force in the 24-team competition.

Connacht slipped to their third successive defeat as they were beaten 34-20 in their Pool One encounter at Lyon.

Sean Jansen stunned the hosts with an early try but the French side hit back through Thaakir Abrahams and Alexandre Tchaptchet.

Cian Prendergast and Tadgh McElroy touched down to keep Connacht in contention but, with 12 points from the boot of Paddy Jackson and further tries from Mickael Guillard and Abrahams, Lyon had enough.

Ulster‘s hopes of going through remain in the balance after they were overpowered 48-24 by Pool Two leaders Toulouse.

Antoine Dupont was in inspired form, scoring two of his side’s seven tries and having a hand in a number of others as the French side secured their spot in the last 16.

Peato Mauvaka also touched down twice after Matthis Lebel had opened the scoring. Alexandre Roumat added another in a dominant first hour.

Tom Stewart, Will Addison and Nick Timoney restored some respectability to the scoreline for Ulster but Emmanuel Meafou put the seal on Toulouse’s performance.Thomas Ramos weighed in with 11 points.



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Discover Smodin: The All-in-One AI Writing Tool

Overview of Smodin

Smodin is a multifunctional All-in-One online AI writer and rewriter, offering a range of tools designed to facilitate the content creation process. Its services include AI-powered writing assistance, plagiarism prevention, automatic citation generation, and a multitude of language applications. Smodin supports over 100 different languages and is utilized by more than 100,000 businesses and 30,000 universities globally​​​​​​

The official Smodin website is: https://smodin.io/

                Smodin Mainpage, Source Smodin 

 

Why Smodin?

Research Faster: Smodin’s AI-powered tools enable swift and comprehensive research, yielding accurate results.

Overcoming Creative Blocks: The platform provides innovative ideas, helping overcome creative challenges and boosting productivity.

Detailed Answers: Smodin offers quick, detailed responses to a wide range of questions.

Broad Knowledge Base: The AI models cover various subjects, from biology to history, providing knowledgeable answers.

Instant Feedback: Users receive immediate, detailed suggestions for improving text, arguments, and structure.

Credible Sources and Citations: Smodin generates references in MLA and APA formats, ensuring credibility and ease of citation.

Structured Text: The tool crafts well-structured documents, enhancing message clarity and effectiveness.

Professional Quality Documents: From cover letters to research papers, Smodin maintains a high standard of professionalism.

Speedy Writing: Accelerate content creation with Smodin’s ability to quickly generate text on any topic.

Plagiarism-Free Content: Smodin ensures originality in AI-generated content, backed by plagiarism detection tools for added confidence.

Key Services and Tools 

AI Writer: Smodin’s AI Writer simplifies content creation, enabling the generation of original content for various purposes such as essays, articles, blogs, marketing content, and legal documents. This tool is particularly effective in overcoming writer’s block and inspiring new ideas​​.

Text Rewriter and Spinner: The platform’s text rewriter, or paraphrasing tool, rephrases existing text while maintaining the original meaning, enhancing readability and grammar. It’s widely used for rewriting books, articles, social media posts, and more, across multiple languages​​​​.

Plagiarism Checker: Smodin’s plagiarism checker supports over 100 languages, offering anonymous, fast, and accurate plagiarism detection. It includes a unique feature of automatically including citations for plagiarized sources​​.

Text to Speech and Speech to Text: The platform provides tools for converting text to speech and vice versa, supporting a broad range of voices and languages. This feature is especially beneficial for individuals with learning disabilities or those seeking to improve language pronunciation and fluency​​.

AI Grader: Smodin offers an AI essay grader that provides personalized feedback and objective evaluation, enhancing the essay-writing skills of students and teachers alike​​.

AI Content Detector: This tool helps detect AI-generated content, ensuring the authenticity and originality of written works. It can identify changes in tone or style, suggesting improvements for content creators​​.

Citation Machine: This tool automates the creation of citations in various styles, including MLA and APA formats. It is designed to help users quickly and accurately reference their sources, thus streamlining the writing process and ensuring academic integrity.

Summarizer: Smodin’s Summarizer tool condenses lengthy texts into shorter, concise summaries without losing the essence of the original content. This tool is particularly useful for quick comprehension of large documents or for creating abstracts and executive summaries.

Smodin Omni: As the market’s one of the most accurate AI homework solver, Smodin Omni stands out for its precision in assisting with various educational assignments. 

Besides the aforementioned services, Smodin also offers: AI Essay Generator, AI Article Generator, Story Generator, Story Script Generator, Title Generator, Headline Generator, Recommendation Letter Generator, Reference Letter Generator, Personal Bio Generator, Thesis Generator, Research Paper Generator.

Smodin Key Features

AI-Powered Research: Utilizes AI to aid in research, ensuring comprehensive and accurate results.

Writer’s Block Breaker: Offers innovative ideas to overcome creative obstacles, enhancing productivity.

100+ Languages: Capable of translating text into over 100 languages, broadening global communication.

Faster References: Quickly generates and cites references in MLA or APA formats with a single click.

Structured Text: Produces meticulously crafted documents with optimal word structure for effective communication.

Professional Quality: Enables creation of various documents, from cover letters to research papers, maintaining a high professional standard.

Smodin Omni Details

Smodin Omni is an easy-to-use AI homework solver, designed to assist students in a wide array of subjects. Utilizing machine learning models, it simplifies the process of finding answers to homework questions. Here’s how it enhances the learning experience:

Ease of Use: Students simply input their homework questions into Smodin Omni. The clearer the question, the more accurate the answer.

Comprehensive Search: The tool searches a vast database and the internet, providing relevant content, images, and explanations.

Adaptive Learning: Smodin Omni learns from each query, becoming more efficient over time.

Wide Range of Subjects: It covers numerous subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, and more, catering to a diverse educational need.

Multilingual Support: Smodin Omni is especially beneficial for languages with fewer online resources, supporting languages like Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, among others.

Improved Grades and Learning: It aids in efficient learning, helping students improve grades by understanding concepts quickly and effectively, especially when time is limited.

Equal Educational Opportunity: By providing instant answers, Smodin Omni levels the playing field for students from various backgrounds, offering equal access to quality educational resources.

Retention of Information: The instant provision of answers fosters better retention of subject matter, crucial for academic success.

Its proficiency spans biology, chemistry, physics, history, anatomy, physiology, math, earth science, astronomy, environmental science, organic chemistry, grammar, English, language, writing, economics, government, technology, sports, literature, zoology, ecology, algebra, geometry, general science, among others. 

Smodin Omni also supports multiple languages, enhancing its accessibility for a global student base. This multilingual capability includes languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Arabic, German, French, Norwegian, and many others. 

In essence, Smodin Omni is not just a homework solver; it’s a comprehensive educational tool that enhances learning, improves grades, and provides equal educational opportunities across a multitude of languages and subjects.

Smodin Pricing Plan

Smodin-pricing-yearly.JPG

              Smodin Pricing Plan, Source: Smodin 

Smodin offers various pricing plans tailored to different user needs:

1. Limited Starter Plan:

  1. 3 Writing Credits/day
  2. 5 daily entries for rewriter, plagiarism checker, and translator
  3. 1000 Characters/Text limit
  4. Free of charge

2. Essentials Plan (Most Popular):

  1. 100 Writing Credits/Month
  2. Unlimited rewrites and plagiarism checks
  3. 1000 Characters/Text limit
  4. Full access to Author features
  5. Priced at $10USD/month or $8USD/month when billed annually
  6. 3. Productive Plan (Best Value):

500 Writing Credits/Month

  1. 12,000 Characters/Text limit
  2. Access to Long-Form AI Writing up to 5,000 words
  3. Rewrite up to 1M characters using credits
  4. Priced at $29USD/month or $24USD/month when billed annually

 

Smodin key differences for pricing plans.JPG

              Comparison of Services Across Different Pricing Plans, Source: Smodin 

Each plan includes varying levels of access to Smodin’s features like AI Writing, Rewriting, Plagiarism Checks, and more. The “Productive” plan offers the most comprehensive set of features, suitable for users who require extensive AI writing capabilities.

Alternatives to Smodin 

Grammarly: Not just a grammar checker, Grammarly offers comprehensive writing assistance, enhancing clarity, tone, and style of the text. It’s an invaluable tool for writers of all levels, ensuring error-free and effective communication.

QuillBot: Renowned for its paraphrasing capabilities, QuillBot is a versatile tool that helps rewrite and refine text while maintaining the original meaning, ideal for academic and professional writing.

Jasper (formerly Jarvis): Jasper excels in creating compelling AI-generated content, particularly useful for marketing and SEO purposes. Its ability to produce high-quality, engaging copy makes it a favorite among content creators.

Writesonic: Tailored for digital marketing, Writesonic automates the creation of various marketing materials, from ad copy to product descriptions, streamlining content generation for businesses.

Hemingway Editor: This tool focuses on improving the readability and conciseness of text. It’s perfect for writers looking to make their content more engaging and reader-friendly.

Copysmith: Specializing in marketing content, Copysmith offers AI-driven solutions for generating creative and effective copy, particularly beneficial for e-commerce and advertising.

ProWritingAid: More than just an editing tool, ProWritingAid offers in-depth feedback on writing style, word choice, and grammar, making it a comprehensive assistant for improving overall writing quality.

Scrivener: Ideal for long-form writing projects like novels and research papers, Scrivener offers a unique combination of writing and project management tools.

Ulysses: A favorite among Apple users, Ulysses provides a distraction-free writing environment with powerful organization and manuscript management features.

INK Editor: Combining SEO and writing assistance, INK Editor helps content creators optimize their text for search engines while ensuring high-quality writing.

Zoho Writer: A cloud-based writing tool, Zoho Writer is excellent for collaborative writing, offering robust editing and commenting features.

Reedsy: Aimed at authors and novelists, Reedsy provides tools for book writing and publishing, along with access to a marketplace of professional editors and designers.

Article Forge: Designed for SEO-focused writing, Article Forge generates articles that are not only original but also optimized for search engines, making it a go-to for digital marketers.

Wordtune: This AI tool excels in rephrasing sentences to enhance clarity and style. It’s particularly useful for refining and polishing existing text.

AI21 Labs: Offering a range of AI-driven writing tools, AI21 Labs focuses on creative and diverse content creation, tackling a variety of writing tasks with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions for Smodin

Q: Why use an AI Content Writer?

A: AI content writers like Smodin simplify and expedite the writing process, making it less labor-intensive and time-consuming. They help overcome writer’s block by generating content with a simple click. The AI-generated text is generally original, reducing the likelihood of plagiarism. These tools are versatile, capable of writing essays, articles, and even marketing content in various languages, thereby increasing website traffic.

Q: What is a Text Generator?

A: A text generator is an online AI tool that produces text from a brief input. It expands initial ideas into fully fleshed-out content, maintaining key points.

Q: Why should you use a text generator?

A: Text generators are ideal for those who find writing challenging. They save time and effort by automating the creative process and can enhance imagination. They’re useful for anyone, regardless of professional writing skills.

Q: What content can a text generator write?

A: Text generators like Smodin’s can create diverse types of text in multiple languages, including blogs, articles, books, and essays. They serve as sources of inspiration and aid in generating new ideas and outcomes.

Q: How can I subscribe to Smodin?

A: To subscribe, visit the pricing page, select your preferred currency and plan, sign up or log in, complete the payment, and start using Smodin’s services.

Q: What should I do if I encounter issues with Smodin’s tools like the Rewriter, Translator, Author, or Plagiarism Checker?

A: If any of these tools are not working, try the request again as sometimes an individual request may fail. If the issue persists, contact Smodin’s support for assistance.

Q: What are writing credits in Smodin and how are they used?

A: Writing credits are used for various AI features on Smodin, such as Chat, Recreate Method, various Author tools, and rewriting larger texts. The number of words these credits produce varies based on usage.

Q: How do I manage my subscription or cancel it?

A: To manage your subscription, navigate to the account page and click on the “subscription” tab. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and it will remain active until the next billing cycle.

Q: What is Smodin’s policy on refunds and changing payment currencies?

A: Smodin does not offer refunds as they provide a free version for trial. Also, you cannot switch payment currencies within an existing subscription; a new subscription must be created in the desired currency.

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What is Chatgot? Everything You Should Know

Introduction to Chatgot

Chatgot is an AI service aggregator or AI agent, effectively integrating multiple AI chat assistants into a single platform to streamline and enhance user experience. Among its typical integrations are prominent AI services and projects such as GPT4, Claude V2, Google PaLM 2, and Midjourney. This innovative approach allows users to receive a variety of answers and facilitates the comparison and evaluation of these AI-generated responses. Additionally, Chatgot will offer a range of Customizable Characters, including an SEO expert, a virtual girlfriend, and a translation expert, catering to diverse user needs. The platform will also integrate with search engines like Google and Bing, ensuring access to the latest information. This multifaceted functionality makes Chatgot a versatile and user-friendly AI agent.

Why Choose Chatgot?

Here’s what Chatgot offers:

Direct Conversations: Utilize the ‘@’ symbol to direct your queries to a specific AI Bot. Whether you’re in search of varied insights or need expertise on a particular topic, simply tag the relevant AI.

Get Multiple Answers: Unsure which AI to consult? Tag multiple AI bots in your query to receive a spectrum of responses simultaneously, enriching your decision-making process with diverse perspectives.

Experience AI Artistry: In the mood for some creativity? Inform the AI, and it will automatically tag @Midjourney, our dedicated AI for drawing, to create a unique piece of art tailored to your request.

AI Interactions: Explore the intriguing world of AI evaluation. Ask a question to one AI, then have another appraise or comment on the answer. This feature offers an engaging mix of entertainment and critical analysis, providing a novel experience of AI communication dynamics.

Source: Chatgot.io

Applications

Chatgot’s applications are potentially vast and varied, encompassing areas such as:

Customer Service: Automating responses to common queries, thereby reducing the workload on human customer service representatives.

E-commerce: Assisting in product selection, providing recommendations, and guiding users through purchase processes.

Information Dissemination: In sectors like healthcare, education, and government, providing quick and reliable information to users.

Personal Assistance: Managing schedules, setting reminders, and performing other personal assistant functions.

How to Use Chatgot

Step 1: Signing In

Google Account Integration: Currently, Chatgot supports sign-in exclusively through your Google Account. To access Chatgot, visit their website and choose the option to sign in using your Google credentials. This integration ensures a secure and quick login process, leveraging Google’s robust authentication systems.

Step 2: Interacting with the Default AI Service

Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be greeted by the default AI service, GPT-3.5. To start a conversation or ask a question, simply type your prompt into the chat interface. GPT-3.5 is equipped to handle a wide range of queries, providing responses in real-time.

Step 3: Switching AI Services

Chatgot offers the flexibility to switch between different AI services. For instance, if you wish to use Midjourney, an alternative AI service, you can easily do so by tagging it in your chat. This feature enables the comparison of responses from various AI systems, allowing you to select the one that most closely aligns with your specific needs.

Source: Chatgot.io

Chatgot Privacy

ChatGot, which integrates various AI assistants into a single platform, maintains a privacy policy that emphasizes user data management. Presently, user conversations with ChatGot are stored locally on the user’s browser, allowing users the freedom to delete this data as they see fit. In terms of third-party analytics, ChatGot utilizes Google Analytics to understand user interactions, and details on data handling by Google Analytics are available in Google’s privacy policy. Additionally, users logging in via their Google account have their email addresses stored on ChatGot’s servers. The policy highlights the importance of users regularly reviewing these terms to stay informed, with significant updates being communicated effectively.

Chatgot Pricing Plan

As a new user, you are entitled to a 7-day trial period. Chatgot provides subscribers with access to a suite of advanced AI chatbots, including GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and Claude, each with a specific monthly usage limit. Subscription fees are package-dependent and may change without notice. Cancellations are permitted at any time without refunds for unused portions. Chatgot ensures user data privacy and security in line with its Privacy Policy. Chatgot is not liable for indirect damages or interruptions from third-party APIs. Chatgot terms may be revised, with continued use implying agreement. Subscribing to Chatgot constitutes agreement to these terms.

(1) Annual Subscription Plan:

Monthly Access Quota:

GPT-4.0: 600 queries per month

GPT-3.5: 5000 queries per month

Claude 1: 600 queries per month

Claude 2: 300 queries per month

Midjourney: 60 queries per month (marked as a gift, indicating it may be a bonus or a trial)

Llama v2: 1000 queries per month

Pricing: The cost is $12.9 USD per month, billed annually. The total annual cost at this monthly rate would be $154.8 USD, reflecting a 24% saving compared to the monthly billing option.

chatgot-pricing-plan-yearly.JPG

Source: Chatgot.io

(1) Monthly Subscription Plan:

Monthly Access Quota remains the same as the annual plan.

Pricing: The cost for monthly billing is $16.9 USD per month.

Both plans provide full access to all bots, including GPT-4 and Claude-2-100k. The use of different bots will consume the quota based on the model they are built upon. It’s important to note that the Midjourney bot is currently in beta and may be unstable, which could be relevant for users considering this option. By subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, customers are agreeing to its subscription terms, which typically include details about the usage policy, additional fees, and other terms of service.

chatgot-pricing-plan-monthly.JPG

Source: Chatgot.io

Alternatives to Chatgot

For users seeking alternatives with similar or distinct features, several other options are available in the market. This section explores these alternatives, highlighting their unique capabilities and how they compare to Chatgot.

Virtual Mate Network (VMN): Specializing in personalized AI interactions, VMN offers a range of virtual companions and experts. While it shares the customizable character feature with Chatgot, VMN places a greater emphasis on personalization and interactive experiences, making it a go-to for users seeking more than just information retrieval.

TranslateAI Pro: Focused primarily on linguistic services, TranslateAI Pro is an excellent choice for those who need real-time translation and language learning assistance. It differs from Chatgot by specializing in language services rather than providing a broad range of AI assistant capabilities.

AI Fusion Hub: This platform stands out with its ability to combine AI services from various providers. Unlike Chatgot, which focuses on chat assistants, AI Fusion Hub extends its services to data analysis and predictive modeling, catering to a more technically inclined audience.

InfoStream AI: Integrating with popular search engines like Google and Bing, similar to Chatgot, InfoStream AI differentiates itself with a unique feature of real-time news aggregation and summarization, appealing to users who need to stay updated with the latest global events and trends.

Conclusion

Chatgot represents an interesting AI technology application, seamlessly integrating various AI chat services such as GPT-4 and Claude V2 into a single platform. This integration offers users a diverse range of AI interactions and the ability to compare responses, enhancing their experience. The platform’s additional incoming features, including customizable characters and search engine integration, cater to a wide array of user needs, from personal assistance to professional queries. 

Image source: Shutterstock

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World Darts Championship: Luke Littler’s dreams ended by Luke Humphries in sensational final

Luke Littler defeated 7-4 by world No 1 Luke Humphries in final; Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday February 1 as Cardiff kicks off the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs on Thursday May 23 at London’s O2

Last Updated: 03/01/24 10:51pm


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Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final

Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final

Luke Littler’s World Darts Championship dreams were finally ended by world No 1 Luke Humphries in a sensational final at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night.

Humphries fought back from 4-2 down to win five consecutive sets and win his maiden world title 7-4 to make it four major victories in a row following his success at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and Players Championship Finals in recent months.

“I’ll draw a lot from this and this will be a moment that will never be forgotten,” Humphries told Sky Sports. “I don’t want to say that I’ve completed darts but everything that you want on the resume I’ve done now, so now it’s now about motivating yourself to do more and more.

World Darts Championship Final

Luke Humphries 7-4 Luke Littler

Humphries said he couldn't ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title

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Humphries said he couldn’t ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title

Humphries said he couldn’t ask for more after claiming the World Darts Championship title

Littler said: “It has been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs with my throw so Luke could break me.

“That was the only negative, I just couldn’t hold my own throw and I didn’t win. Every game has been good but that one has just really annoyed me, especially the three missed to keep it going.

“That’s what the crowd wanted but fair play to Luke, he deserves it.”

Humphries started the better by capitalising on a slow start from Littler to take the opening set 3-1 with a 99.2 average despite eight missed darts at doubles.

It didn’t take ‘The Nuke’ long to discover his best in the second set, coming from 2-1 down by producing two 12-dart legs with the aid of a spectacular 142 checkout and a ‘Shanghai’ 120 finish.

Littler hit a 142 and a 120 checkouts to win the second set

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Littler hit a 142 and a 120 checkouts to win the second set

Littler hit a 142 and a 120 checkouts to win the second set

The third set also went the distance with ‘Cool Hand’ edging it from 2-0 down to regain the upper hand with a 116 checkout to take it, but the Warrington teenage sensation struck back to secure the fourth set 3-1 and restore parity with a 99 average and an impressive 47 per cent on the doubles.

It was 2-2 in sets and 9-9 in legs with nothing to separate the two players.

Littler nailed this 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries

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Littler nailed this 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries

Littler nailed this 122 checkout to the despair of Humphries

For the first time in the match, the player who started the set won it after nine break of throws in 22 legs, with World Youth Champion Littler going ahead for the first time in the match before wrapping up the fifth set, averaging a ton.

The new world No 1 found himself under pressure here as Littler made it nine legs from the last 11 to open up a two-set advantage at 4-2.

Humphries reeled in his second 170 finish in a matter of days in a seventh set which was full of carnage.

Humphries took out 'The Big Fish' in the final

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Humphries took out ‘The Big Fish’ in the final

Humphries took out ‘The Big Fish’ in the final

Littler responded with a third ton-plus finish of the final – a 122 checkout – which Wayne Mardle described as “spiteful, dirty, nasty!” in the commentary box, before Humphries survived a set dart before sealing it on double 14 to reduce the deficit.

And Humphries piled in a classy 121 checkout on the bull to make it back-to-back sets to get back on level terms with a 114.17 set average but it also coincided with Littler slightly dropping off.

Humphries took out this 121 checkout in a sensational final

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Humphries took out this 121 checkout in a sensational final

Humphries took out this 121 checkout in a sensational final

The 28-year-old Newbury thrower threw back-to-back 108 checkouts to lead 2-0 in the ninth set and although the teenager battled back to level up, a 180 to start the set and a 36 checkout enabled Humphries to win the leg and set in 11 darts.

Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts

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Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts

Humphries pinned back-to-back 108 checkouts

A relentless Humphries made it four sets on the spin as he took full control of the final to go within a set of the title, despite Littler reeling in a ‘Big Fish’ of his own.

However, it was ‘Cool Hand’ who got his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy to become the 12th different PDC World Champion after pinning double 8 in the 11th set.

Talking about Littler, Humphries said: “I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke has been an unbelievable talent.

“Not just about the dartboard, he has been fantastic with all the media that has come about with him and he took the defeat so well.

“He said go on and celebrate. You will never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old kid like him who is just something else.

“I really hope he’s in the Premier League because, if he don’t want to play in it fair enough, but I think he’d be a pleasure to play alongside this year.

“He’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.”

Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final

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Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final

Littler nailed his own 170 checkout in an incredible final

Social media reaction to Humphries win…

Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday February 1 as Cardiff kicks off the 17-week extravaganza all the way through to the Play-Offs on Thursday May 23. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW



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