5 useful apps for power users of Android

f you are an avid Android user and love to tweak your device to get the best and optimum performance, then you must checkout these apps.

Android is the only mobile platform that enables users to fiddle around with its settings and get the best and optimum performance. With a number of apps available, one can easily make their Android smartphone or tablet much more productive as well as take advantage of some great features.

We have listed out some apps for the Android enthusiast that makes your experience on Android worthwhile. Remember, some of these apps require root access, so make sure you have your Android device rooted.

1. Greenify

 

If you want to save up on battery, then you should try Greenify. This app basically kills background processes and apps that hog battery from your device. You can select the apps which you think are not so relevant and Greenify will put them to sleep so that they don’t keep running. This not only saves battery but also saves up on mobile data if the apps (like emails, Facebook, Twitter) sync on regular intervals. The latest version of the app works without root access, which means you can install and run this app on almost any Android device. But in order to unleash its true potential, it works best on a rooted device.

2. Titanium Backup pro

 

One of the best backup tools available for Android is Titanium Backup Pro. The app requires root access and lets you back-up all of your apps along with your data. It even lets you backup your system apps in case you plan to change your smartphone or just plan to change your ROM. One of the best features of Titanium is that you can uninstall any app from your device meaning that all the unnecessary bloat-ware apps that you don’t use can be removed from your device. Just a word of caution, do not remove any Android system related apps as you could end up damaging the operating system files. Titanium backup pro is available on the Google Play store for Rs. 413.

3. Root Browser

 

This is your traditional file manager application which allows you to access all of your files and folders. You can move, copy or delete files, open or create zip files, sort your files in any order, share files with anyone, etc. Once you have rooted your device this app will let you access your system files and set read and write permissions of files and folders. Root browser is a very useful app as it makes the task for searching files and folders very easy.

4. AirDroid

 

If you want to control and manage your Android device without the hassles of plugging in cables or installing various drivers, then AirDroid is the solution.  It's one of the easiest ways to wirelessly transfer files between your phone or tablet and your PC. Just install the PC software and the AirDroid app onto your Android device, connect via an IP address and that is all. AirDroid also serves as a dashboard for your device when you're on your PC which means you can send a text message or manage your apps directly from your PC's browser.

5.    Clean Master

A very useful tool to have is Clean Master which helps you to keep your Android device free of temporary and unused files which are not required by the system. You can (and should) periodically clean your device’s memory to free space. Files left behind by various apps, cache, temporary files, image files etc. can all be removed safely with the Clean Master app. The app also clears up your RAM, and also can be used to remove unwanted applications from your device.

Source: Thinkdigit

7 Best Home Remedies to Soothe Sunburn

Overexposure of the skin to the sun leads to sunburn. While it is difficult to resist basking in the first few rays of the sun after the cold winters, sometimes lounging in the sunshine for too long can cost you dearly- leading to darkening, chapping, blistering or discolouration of the skin. Here are some tried and tested home remedies to cool off your stinging skin and to treat sunburn naturally.

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Apply cucumber juice

It helps to reduce the redness and inflammation of the skin. Take few tablespoons of cucumber juice, and add some milk to it. Dab the solution on the sunburnt areas on your face with a cotton ball. Leave it to dry for at least 30 minutes before wiping it off with a wet cotton ball. You can also apply slices of cucumber on the affected area to soothe your skin.

Opt for aloe vera

The cooling and healing properties of the herb make it an excellent treatment for sunburn. Make a paste, or squeeze the juice, of aloe vera leaves, and apply it on your skin to get relief from the pain and discomfort. To further speed up the healing process, apply a cold compress on the affected area.

Don't Miss: 7 Aloe Vera Face Packs for Fair and Radiant Skin

Try sandalwood

Make a paste of sandalwood powder and apply it evenly all over your face and neck. Let it remain for at least 20 minutes. Wash off with cold water. When done regularly for a few days, it helps to completely eliminate sunburn, as it has anti-inflammatory properties that also help to reduce puffiness and redness of the skin. You can also mix sandalwood with some turmeric for faster results. Or, add sandalwood oil to your bathing water.

Potatoes to cool off

Potato juice is also extremely effective in helping soothe sunburns. Take some potato juice on a cotton ball, and dab it on the affected parts. Leave it on the skin for at least 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.

Also Read: Tips for Rejuvenating Foot Spa at Home

Gently rub coconut oil

Here is a classic remedy that also acts as a sunblock. Apply coconut oil on your skin every day, for some days, to treat the inflammation and discolouration caused due to sunburn. Being enriched with vitamin E, makes it a good remedy to tackle sunburn, which keeps your skin hydrated, smooth and supple. But, be careful, do not go out in sun soon after applying coconut oil, as that can make your skin prone to tanning.

Don't Miss: Benefits of Coconut Oil for Skin

Spray some vinegar

It is a highly effective and cooling remedy to treat sunburn. Mix one part vinegar with one part water, and gently dab the solution on the affected parts. Alternatively, you can fill a spray bottle with the solution, and spray it directly on the skin. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for this. Before applying vinegar solutions on your face, we would advise you to do for a patch test first, to check for any allergic reactions on your skin.

Apply or drink chamomile tea

The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile tea make it good to treat sunburn. It can be used both externally and internally to cure skin issues. Externally, it can be applied as a soothing solution. Brew the tea, and let it cool down. Then soak a washcloth in it and apply on the affected area. Chamomile might cause allergic reactions in some people. It is therefore important to first do a patch test on your hand to see how your skin reacts to it.

Source: Yahoo!

Supreme Court recognises transgenders as third gender in landmark ruling

NEW DELHI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Supreme Court on Tuesday recognised India's long marginalised transgender community as a third gender and, in a landmark judgment lauded by human rights groups, called on the government to ensure their equal treatment.

There are hundreds of thousands of transgenders in India, say activists, but because they are not legally recognised, they are ostracised, discriminated against, abused and often forced into prostitution.

"Recognition of transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue," the Supreme Court's two-judge bench said in its ruling.

"Transgenders are also citizens of India. The spirit of the constitution is to provide equal opportunity to every citizen to grow and attain their potential, irrespective of caste, religion or gender."

A person who is transgender does not identify with the gender stated on their birth certificate.

The court ruling - which came after hearing a petition filed by a group of transgenders demanding equal rights - recognised the community as a marginalised group and directed authorities to implement policies to improve their socio-economic status.

The petitioners' lawyers said that this would mean that all identity documents, including a birth certificate, passport and driving licence would recognise the third gender, along with male and female.

The government will also have to allocate a certain percentage of public sector jobs, seats in schools and colleges to third gender applicants, said lawyer Sanjeev Bhatnagar.

Due to their lack of access to jobs and education, many male-to-female transgenders - also known as "hijras" - are forced to work as sex workers or move around in organised groups begging or demanding money.

Hate crimes in the conservative country are common, say activists, yet few are reported partly due to a lack of sensitivity by authorities such as the police.

Transgender rights activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi said the verdict was a great step towards ending such discrimination."Today Justice Radhakrishnan and Justice A.K. Sikri said that any nation can progress only after it grants all the rights and human rights to its citizens. The transgenders have been given the biggest right," said Tripathi. "Today I feel a proud citizen of India."

The Supreme Court was slammed by human rights activists in December when it reinstated a ban on gay sex, following a four-year period of decriminalisation that helped bring homosexuality into the open. The court said only parliament could change the law.

Human rights groups said they hoped the ruling on transgenders would encourage the new parliament to repeal the anti-homosexuality law as one of its first actions.

India is currently holding general elections with the results due on May 16.

(Writing by Nita Bhalla; Additional reporting by Suchitra Mohanty and Sunil Kataria; Editing by Douglas Busvine)

Source: Reuters

61st National Film Awards for 2013 Announced

The 61st National Film Awards for the year 2013 in the Feature Film category, Non-Feature Film category and Best Writing on Cinema were announced today at a press conference held at the National Media Centre. The list of the successful films in various categories are as follows:

Naa Bangaru Talli directed Rajesh Touchriver is adjudged as the best regional Telugu film. Shantanu Moitra has also won best music award for Naa Bangaru Talli. Cinemaga Cinema written by Nanda Gopal is selected for best book on cinema.

S.No.	Name of Award	Name of Film	Awardee	Medal & Cash Prize	Citation
1	BEST FEATURE FILM	Ship of Theseus(English-Hindi)	Producer: Recyclewala Films Pvt Ltd Director : Anand Gandhi	Swarna Kamal and ` 2,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A quietly powerful film of an unusual photographer, an erudite Jain monk and a young stock broker told through different segments which finally unites them through a strange circumstance. In the process the film depicts issues of intuitive brilliance, metaphysical belief and intricate morality in a world full of contradictions.
2	INDIRA GANDHI AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT FILM OF A DIRECTOR	Fandry (Marathi)	Producer:  Navalkha Arts and Holy Basil Combine Director : Nagraj Manjule	Swarna Kamal and ` 1,25, 000/- each to the Producer and Director	A stark and realistic portrayal of Dalits in India seen through the eyes of a young boy who is desperately trying to break age old shackles. It makes a strong statement that despite various reformers doing their best…. much remains to be done.
3	BEST POPULAR FILM PROVIDING WHOLESOME ENTERTAINMENT	Bhaag Milkha Bhaag(Hindi)	Producer: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, ROMP Pictures Director : Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra	Swarna Kamal and ` 2,00,000/- to the Producer and Director	For retaining the story and values of a great sportsman and translating it into the cinematic medium with aplomb.
4	NARGIS DUTT AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM ON NATIONAL INTEGRATION	Thalaimuraigal(Tamil)	Producer: Company Productions Director : Balu Mahendra	Rajat Kamal and ` 1,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A sensitive tale about the breaking of walls of orthodoxy and religious and linguistic bias in a small village in Tamil Nadu. Love and compassion of a small boy and his mother wins over not only their own blood but the whole rural community.
5	BEST FILM ON SOCIAL ISSUES	Tuhya Dharma Koncha (Marathi)	Producer: Indian Magic Eye Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd. Director : Satish Manwar	Rajat Kamal and ` 1,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director	Tale of a poor tribal family being torn between prosecution by law enforcing agencies on one hand and issue of loss of their traditional faith and culture through religious conversions on the other.
6	BEST FILM ON ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION/ PRESERVATION	Perariyathavar(Malayalam)	Producer: Ambalakkara Global Films Director : Dr Biju	Rajat Kamal and ` 1,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director	It tells the story of those nameless, faceless marginalized people through the life of a widowed father who works as a scavenger and his eight year old son. It depicts the real lives of the poor who live in the margin of civilized society with an unusual power and artistic honesty.
7	BEST CHILDREN’S FILM	Kaphal (Hindi)	Producer: Children’s Film Society of India Director : Batul Mukhtiar	Swarna Kamal and ` 1,50,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A small village deep in Uttarakhand. A touching story set in beautiful mountains where two young boys pine for their father who has been away for quite a few years. They have dreams which they share with their close friends as they frolic around.
8	BEST DIRECTION	Shahid (Hindi)	Hansal Mehta	Swarna Kamal and ` 2,50,000/-	A remarkably handled film that traces the true story of a slain human right activist and a lawyer Shahid Azmi in the backdrop of communal violence unleashed in Mumbai. The story of an impoverished Muslim struggling to come to terms with injustice, inequality and rise above his circumstances. It is an inspiring testament to the human spirit.
9	BEST ACTOR	Shahid (Hindi) & Perariyathavar(Malayalam)	Raj Kumar & Suraj Venjaramoodu	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-  (Cash component to be shared)	For portrayal of the intriguing journey of a Muslim young man who is persecuted. He rebels and ultimately comes back to fight the injustice as a committed law abiding lawyer. Raj Kumar brings to life the soul of Shahid. For the dignified and quiet portrayal of a man on the lower margins of the society. His turmoil struggles and sufferings are soulfully brought out with subtle body language and eyes which transcend word
10	BEST ACTRESS	Liar’s Dice (Hindi)	Geetanjali Thapa	Rajat  Kamal and `  50,000/-	If ever an actress could merge completely into a role and look the character to perfection, it is Geetanjali Thapa. Her searching eyes and vulnerability are breath taking.
11	BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR	Jolly LLB (Hindi)	Saurabh Shukla	Rajat  Kamal and `  50,000/-	For a heart-warming and exuberant performance as a judge, who discovers his authority and conscience in the process of conducting a  high profile case.
12	BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS	Astu (Marathi) & Ship of Theseus(English-Hindi)	Amruta Subhash & Aida  El-Kashef	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-  (cash component will be shared)	Amruta touchingly portrays the emotions of  a poor woman who brings to life compassion and warmth in dealing with human relationships.. For a sensitive portrayal of a blind photographer who entirely depends on her intuitive creative power and has a fiercely independent mind.
13	BEST CHILD ARTIST	Fandry (Marathi) & Thanga Meengal(Tamil)	Somnath Avghade & Sadhana	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-  (cash component will be shared)	Somnath Avghade plays the role of a Dalit teenager to perfection. His angst clearly boils over as the realities of life dawn upon him. Sadhana has played the part of a dyslexic child with sensitivity and exuberance and yet with ease.
14	BEST MALE PLAYBACK SINGER	Jaatishwar (Bengali)	Rupankar For the song E Tumi Kemon Tumi	Rajat  Kamal and `  50,000/-	A soulful voice with a rich resonance that enhances the theme of the film.
15	BEST FEMALE PLAYBACK SINGER	Tuhya Dharma Koncha (Marathi)	Bela Shende For the song Khura Khura	Rajat  Kamal and `  50,000/-	The singer has evoked the requisite emotions of the theme of the film. She has displayed a rare variety in the rendering of this composition.
16	BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY	Liar’s Dice (Hindi)	Rajeev Ravi	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	Rajeev Ravi captures life from the picturesque snow-laden mountains through a strenuous bus journey, to the crowded and dingy streets of Delhi with a rare fluidity.
17 i) ii) iii)	BEST SCREENPLAY i)  Screenplay Writer      (Original) : ii)  Screenplay Writer (Adapted) : iii)  Dialogues :	December I(Kannada) Prakruti (Kannada) Astu (Marathi)	P. Sheshadri Panchakshari Sumitra Bhave	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/- Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-  Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	For its kaleidoscopic variety that uses realism and colloquialism that is soaked in a contemporary flavour.  For retaining the concerns and values of an original work by a celebrated author while adapting it into the cinematic idiom. An extraordinary blend in language and conversations that cover philosophy day-to-day anxieties and emotions in a most compelling manner.
18 i) ii) iii)	BEST AUDIOGRAPHY i)    Location Sound Recordist ii)   Sound Design iii)   Re-recordist of the final mixed track	Madras Café (Hindi) Madras Café (Hindi) Swapaanam(Malayalam)	Nihar Ranjan Samal Bishwadeep Chatterjee D Yuvaraj	Rajat  Kamal  and ` 50,000/- Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/- Rajat  Kamal  and ` 50,000/-	Superlative professional job, in picking up minute nuances, covering indoor as well as outdoor locations. With his competent sound design Bishwadeep adds authenticity and another dimension to the film. A commendable job of keeping a perfect balance between, dialogues, sound effects and resonant ‘chenda’ playing.
19	BEST EDITING	Vallinam (Tamil)	V.J. Sabu Joseph	Rajat  Kamal and `  50,000/-	An excellent pace set in this sport based film by the editor. The match sequences have been masterly cut.
20	BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN	Miss Lovely (Hindi)	Ashim Ahluwalia, Tabsheer Zutshi, Parichit Paralkar	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	For a style and finesse realized by authentic recreating an era in a not too distant past and dressing up the location that is coherent with the visual style of the narrative.
21	BEST COSTUME DESIGNER	Jaatishwar (Bengali)	Sabarni Das	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	For realizing effectively the texture of colonial Bengal upto the modern period through a rigorous attention to details .
22	BEST MAKE-UP ARTIST	Jaatishwar (Bengali)	Vikram Gaikwad (for the make-up of the actor Prasenjit)	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	For the admirable detailing and remarkable consistency achieved in the etching of the characters played by Prasenjit Chatterjee.
23 i) ii)	BEST  MUSIC DIRECTION i)        Songs ii)      Background Score	Jaatishwar (Bengali) Na Bangaaru Talli(Telugu)	Kabir Suman Shantanu Moitra	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/- Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	The music director has presented a rich variety of musical genres of Bengal with appropriate voices, instruments and orchestration. The music composer has kept a balance of music programming and regional acoustic instruments like Saraswati Veena, Mridangam, Ghatam, Morsing and voices to underline the theme of the film.
24	BEST LYRICS	Thanga Meengal(Tamil)	Na. Muthukumar for the lyric Ananda Yaazhai	Rajat  Kamal and ` 50,000/-	For giving a poetic expression to the narrative through contextual amplification of emotions.
25	SPECIAL JURY AWARD	Yellow (Marathi) & Miss Lovely (Hindi)	Producer: Viva In En Director : Mahesh Limaye Producer:  Future East Film Pvt Ltd Director : Ashim Ahluwalia	Rajat  Kamal and ` 2,00,000/- (Cash component to be shared)	An unbelievably inspiring film about a specially gifted girl who overcomes all the odds to make an international mark. Set in the criminal depths of Mumbai’s c-grade film industry, bathed in sleaze and sex, the plot explores intense and mutually destructive relationships. A densely layered narrative, period costumes and production design conveys a pulp style, all its own.
26	BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS	Jal (Hindi)	Intermezzo Studio Alien Sense Films Pvt Ltd	Rajat  Kamal  and `  50,000/-	For creative and organic use of special effects to enhance the theme of the film.
27	BEST CHOREOGRAPHY	Bhaag Milkha Bhaag(Hindi)	Ganesh Acharya for Maston ka Jhund	Rajat  Kamal and `  50,000/-	For effectively using young soldiers and just the props available within the barracks to create a rugged and exuberant dance.
	BEST FEATURE FILM IN EACH OF THE LANGUAGE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION
28	BEST ASSAMESE FILM	Ajeyo	Producer: Shiven Arts Director : Jahnu Barua	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	The story of a boy who stands up against in pre-independent India and hopes for rule of law in independent India. But his hopes are all but shattered by happenings later on.
29	BEST BENGALI FILM	Bakita Byaktigato	Producer: Tripod Entertainment Pvt Ltd Director : Pradipta Bhattacharya	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A delightful film about the need for love in our cynical times.
30	BEST HINDI FILM	Jolly LLB	Producer:  Fox Star Studios Director :  Subhash Kapoor	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A fast-paced film of an ambitious lawyer wanting to make it big through short-cut method ends up opening a high profile case and what follows is a roller coaster ride of a man, his moralities, ambitions and relationships.
31	BEST KANNADA  FILM	December 1	Producer: Basant Productions Director : P. Sheshadri	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A hard-hitting tale of a poor family in  a village that gets enmeshed with the crooked ways of politicians.
32	BEST KONKANI FILM	Baga Beach	Producer:  Sharvani Productions Director : Laxmikant Shetgaonkar	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	Based on a true story, an honest and simple revelation of darkly-held secrets on the beaches of Goa.
33	BEST MALAYALAM FILM	North 24 Kaadham	Producer: Surya Cine Arts Director : Anil Radhakrishnan Menon	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A train journey that transforms an eccentric character by taking him through trying situations and making him more compassionate.
34	BEST MARATHI FILM	Aajcha Diwas Majha	Producer: White Swan Productions Director : Chandrakant Kulkarni	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A parody on musical chair in politics and a critique of the hierarchical system in bureaucracy, the film takes an unusual turn when the political boss has a change of heart.
35	BEST TAMIL FILM	Thanga Meengal	Producer: JSK Film Corporation Director : Ram	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	An emotional tale of a man who separates from his wife and beloved eight year old daughter to look for a job in a distant city. The consequences that follow, finally lead to an emotional and heart-warming reunion.
36	BEST TELUGU FILM	Na Bangaaru Talli	Producer: Sun Touch Productions Director : Rajesh Touchriver	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	The film is a searing indictment of the pervasive and ruthless world of the sex trade.
	BEST FEATURE FILM IN EACH OF THE LANGUAGE SPECIFIED OTHER THAN SCHEDULE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION
37	BEST ENGLISH FILM	The Coffin Maker	Producer: Shree Narayan Studio Director : Veena Bakshi	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	Tale of a coffin maker and his wife living in a small Goan village. The film gets very interesting, intriguing and philosophical as death as a character enters their lives.
38	BEST KHASI FILM	RI	Producer: Kurbah Films Director : Pradip Kurbah	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A complex tale of insurgency and reconciliation set in the turbulent North East state of Meghalaya.
39	BEST SHERDUKPEN  FILM	The Crossing Bridges	Producer: TNT Films Production Director : Sange Dorjee Thongdok	Rajat  Kamal and ` 1,00,000/- each to the Producer and Director	A well-crafted film that tells the tale of a young man who comes back from Mumbai to his remote village in Arunachal Pradesh to find his roots.
40	SPECIAL MENTION	Yellow (Marathi)	Gauri Gadgil, Sanjana Rai	Certificate	To pay our salutation to the indomitable spirit of a special child.
		Na Bangaaru Talli(Telugu)	Anjali Patil	Certificate	Kudos to the courage of a girl, who brought out her real life story and told it to the world.

 61st  NATIONAL FILM AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2013

NON-FEATURE FILMS

S.No.	Name of Award	Name of Film	Awardee	Medal & Cash Prize	Citation
1.	BEST NON FEATURE FILM	Rangbhoomi (Hindi)	Producer : Films Division Director : Kamal Swaroop	SWARNA KAMAL & ` 1,50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For an innovative and artistic exploration of the themes and concerns of the celebrated pioneer of Indian cinema, during a relatively unknown phase of his life, which leaves the viewer moved and shaken.
2.	BEST DEBUT FILM OF A DIRECTOR	Kanyaka (Malayalam)	Producer : Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Director : Christo Tomy	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 75,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its wholly convincing mise-en-scene set in a convent run by Malayali nuns, wherein the grief and guilt of the young protagonist is presented in a manner that leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer.
3.	BEST BIOGRAPHICAL/ HISTORICAL RECONSTRUCTION	The Last Adieu (English)	Producer : Films Division Director : Shabnam Sukhdev	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its insight into the work of an exceptionally passionate documentary filmmaker blended with a frank and moving account of his daughter’s attempt to come to terms with his estrangement from the family.
4.	BEST ARTS /CULTURAL FILM	Shared a.      The Lost Behrupiya(Hindi) b.      O Friend, This Waiting ! (English, Telugu)	Producer : Holybull Entertainment LLP Director : Sriram Dalton Producer : Justin McCarthy Director : Sandhya Kumar & Justin McCarthy	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director (cash component to be shared among the films)	a. For a near surreal depiction of a dying art form in a globalised society. The film combines elements of drama and visual art with a lament for a rich cultural tradition. b. For its wholly unconventional investigation of the Devadasi tradition in South India, combining an appreciation of this delicate and sensuous art form with a genuine sociological exploration.
5.	BEST SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FILM	The Pad Piper (English)	Producer : Akanksha Sood Singh Director : Akanksha Sood Singh	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its portrayal of a sensitive man with a profound belief in appropriate technology who came up with a simple piece of engineering – an affordable sanitary napkin that has had an extraordinary impact on the health of millions of poor women.
6.	BEST PROMOTIONAL FILM	Shared a.      Chasing The Rainbow (English) b.      Kush (Hindi)	Producer Edumedia India Director : Charu Shree Roy Producer : Red Carpet Moving Pictures Pvt. Ltd. Director : Shubhashish Bhutiani	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director (cash component to be shared among the  films)	a. For scratching the moral surface of the Indian middle class and holding a mirror for all of us who are torn between self interests and ethical dilemmas. b. For sensitively revisiting a dark phase of Indian history when communal passions ran amuck. The film looks at the impact on young children and questions why we allow history to repeat itself.
7.	BEST ENVIRONMENT FILM  INCLUDING AGRICULTURE	Foresting Life (Hindi, Assamese)	Producer : A Media For Social Impact Director : Aarti Shrivastava	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its earthy look at a man, the forest he created all by himself, and the heroic effort that is necessary to sustain that forest without any government help.
8.	BEST FILM ON SOCIAL ISSUES	Gulabi Gang (Hindi, Bundelkhandi)	Producer : Raintree Films, Piraya Film As, Final Cut for Real Aps Director: Nishtha Jain	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its powerful depiction of a crusader for the subaltern that takes us deeper into the continuing struggles of the rural Indian woman set in a milieu of chauvinistic scepticism.
9.      b	BEST EDUCATIONAL FILM	The Quantum Indians (English)	Producer : Public Service Broadcasting Trust                                    Director: Raja Choudhury	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For an extremely efficient and precise analysis of the contributions of three renowned scientists in a manner that not only educates today’s generation but also provides insights into complex scientific phenomena in an accessible manner.
10.	BEST INVESTIGATIVE FILM	Katiyabaaz (Hindi,Urdu,English)	Producer : Globalistan Films Pvt. Ltd. Director: Deepti Kakkar & Fahad Mustafa	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its cutting edge investigation into the life of a typical Indian city, the film uses strong characters, juxtapositions and humour to create a visual arch that delineates the haves and have-nots of power
11.	SPECIAL JURY AWARD	Shared a.     Ananthamurthy – Not A Biography…But A Hypothesis (English) b.         Tamaash (Kashmiri)	Director:Girish Kasaravalli Director: Satyanshu Singh & Devanshu Singh	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 1,00,000/- (cash component to be shared among films)	a. For the clarity and the insight with which it looks at the work of Ananthamurthy, one of the finest Indian writers, whose work carries exceptional social significance. b. For presenting a heartwarming story of friendship in a lucid and engaging style and for using elements of the magical and the macabre to create a modern day fable of Kashmir.
12.	BEST SHORT FICTION FILM	Mandrake ! Mandrake ! (Hindi)	Producer : Film and Television Institute of India Director: Ruchir Arun	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/-  each to the Producer & Director	For the deftly crafted story of a young man who transforms a rundown warehouse into an Aladdin’s Cave through the fun and frolic of the moving image where magic, mystery and adventure become possible.
13.	BEST FILM ON FAMILY VALUES	Heyro Party (Bengali)	Producer : Baishakhi Banerjee & Deepak Gawade  Director: Deepak Gawade	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/- each to the Producer & Director	For its poignant reflection of selfless dreams and aspirations, the film depicts the struggles and dilemmas of a poor family in a simple and compelling cinematic language.
14.	BEST DIRECTION	Chidiya Udh (No Dialogue)	Director: Pranjal Dua	SWARNA KAMAL & ` 1,50,000/-	For his unique vision of urban angst told without dialogue. The de-emphasised narrative masterfully blends visual, sound, music and acting.
15.	BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY	Mandrake ! Mandrake ! (Hindi)	Cameraman : Kavin Jagtiani Lab : Reliance Media Works	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/-each to cameraman and laboratory	For exhibiting a wide spectrum of hues, both colour and  black and white, while picturising the action in a dark warehouse full of unlikely light sources as also for the simulation of a silent era film with amusing trick photography.
16.	BEST AUDIOGRAPHY	Chidiya Udh (No Dialogue)	Gautam Nair	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/-	For a layered and resonant sound track with elements of ambiguity and discord contributing to an overwhelming sense of urban disconnect.
17.	BEST EDITING	Gulabi Gang (Hindi, Bundelkhandi)	Arjun Gourisaria	RAJAT  KAMAL & `50,000/-	For imparting the film with its structure and rhythm, tempo and drama, movement and exposition.
18.	BEST MUSIC DIRECTION	Yugadrashta (Assamese)	Anurag Saikia	RAJAT  KAMAL & ` 50,000/-	For its spectacular blending of folk elements with a rich and nuanced classicism that conveys an enthralling period feel.
19.	BEST NARRATION/ VOICE OVER	Kankee O Saapo (Odia)	Lipika Singh Darai	RAJAT  KAMAL & `50,000/-	For its soulful and enigmatic interior dialogue between two generations that operates at an allegorical level, gently synthesising apparently unrelated visuals leaving the viewer with a strong sense of evocation.
20.	SPECIAL MENTION	a.      Accsex (English, Hindi) b.      Candles In The Wind (Punjabi, Hindi) c.       Dharmam (Tamil) d.      At the Cross Roads :  Nondon Bagchi Life and Living (English, Bengali)	Director : Shweta Ghosh Director : Kavita Bahl & Nandan Saxena Director : Madonne M Ashwin Director : Rajdeep Paul   and Sarmistha Maiti	CERTIFICATE	a.  For vigorously taking up the challenge of exploring sexuality in women perceived to be differently abled. b. For its chilling depiction of the ground realities in the bread basket of India. The tone and texture of the film contradict the prevalent narrative of it being the best place to live and work. c. For its searing critique of middle class hypocrisy and a corrupt society as seen through the eyes of an impressionable child. d. For an entertaining biography of a wonderfully engaging personality, with shades of a near chaotic life style, set in a period known for its path-breaking music.

61st NATIONAL FILM AWARDS, 2013

BEST WRITING ON CINEMA

 Best Book on Cinema 

Title of the Book	Author	Publisher	Citation
Cinema Ga Cinema (Telugu)	Swarna Kamal and Rs 75000 to the author :Nandagopal	Swarna Kamal and Rs 75000 to the Publisher: Praga India, Hyderabad	Cinema Ga Cinema is a refreshing treatise on various aspects of film making from its beginning in the early 20th century to the present and even into the future. Veteran film journalist Shri Nandagopal deals in an exhaustive, research based and yet elegant manner with different aspects of the art of cinema, aesthetic values, roles of dance and music, photography, costumes and myriad other aspects of film making not just in India but even in world cinema. His extensive exposure and experience in the film industry lends richness to all parts of the book.

 Best Film Critic

Name of Critic

Citation

Swarna Kamal and Rs75000 to the Critic : Alaka Sahani (English)

Through her articles published in 2013, film critic Alaka Sahani has highlighted facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip by delving deeper into the contemporary relevance of iconic film makers, hunting down the remnants of yesteryear theatres in Mumbai, investigating the new lease of life given to documentary film makers by the Internet and by looking at film making on the other side of the border. The Jury recommends her for the award for the non-mainstream theme of her articles and the sensitivity with which she has presented these issues.

Source: idlebrain