Firstpost Editor's Picks: Boat capsize in Andhra Pradesh, Hindi 'imposition' debate, why Onam movie releases failed; today's must-read stories
Firstpost Editor's Picks: Boat in Andhra Pradesh capsizes, Hindi 'imposition' debate, Nirmala Sithharama's press conference, Interview of Lucy Ellmann, why Onam releases failed.

The boat, belonging to a private operator, was on its way to the picturesque Papikondalu tourist spot in the middle of the Godavari river when it met with the accident, apparently on colliding with a large rock formation, at Kachchuluru in East Godavari District, about 200 km from Amaravati, police said. Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for bereaved families. Narendra Modi tweeted: "Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy."
A strong language bonding across the country is not only desirable, but also essential for national integration.A school curriculum requiring the learning of English, the mother tongue, and one language from the other group, would have promoted national integration much more efficiently, cohesively, and in a non-controversial manner.
Nirmala Sitharaman announced Rs 10,000 crore special window to provide last-mile funding for the completion of ongoing housing projects which are not NPAs or facing bankruptcy proceedings under NCLT. She said inflation is under control and there is a clear sign of revival of industrial production. The minister further said the steps announced to increase credit flow to NBFCs, including the partial credit guarantee scheme, has started showing results. The revised Priority Sector lending (PSL) norms for exporters would release additional funding of Rs 36,000 crore to Rs 68,000 crore to them. Sitharaman said a scheme for faceless assessment of income tax returns has been implemented.
In an interview with Firstpost, Lucy Ellmann talks about the success of her latest book, her connection with James Joyce, and why she prefers Anne Elliot's story over Elizabeth Bennet's. The American-born British novelist, however, is no stranger to accolades. Her debut novel, Sweet Desserts (1988) came at a time when she wrote on art for the Times Literary Supplement; the book explored the convoluted lives of two sisters with an Oxford art historian father. It went on to win the Guardian Fiction Prize the same year.
Ittymaani: Made In China was packaged as a family entertainer but there was nothing new in script or presentation. Love Action Drama was also poorly written and the romance between Nivin Pauly and Nayanthara was insipid and unconvincing. The trouble with Prithviraj’s Brothers Day was it fell between two stools; it was neither a full-fledged comedy as expected from debutant actor turned director Kalabhavan Shajohn nor a thriller. Rajeesha Vijayan’s Finals, a sports film about a cyclist, got the best reviews among Onam releases but some shows in small stations had to be canceled due to lack of audiences.
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