DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:36:28 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vp-radhakrishnan-takes-time-out-of-busy-schedule-to-meet-his-mother-in-tiruppur-645340.html New Delhi Oct 29 In a heartfelt moment that drew emotional responses from supporters and wellwishers Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Tuesday shared that he was blessed to receive the blessings of his mother during his visit to Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu Taking to X the Vice President wrote Blessed to get the blessings of my mother today at Tiruppur He also shared a photograph in which his mother can be seen blessing himRadhakrishnan who has been touring the region as part of a series of public engagements and community outreach programmes took a brief pause from his busy schedule to visit his family home The visit marked by warmth and simplicity was highlighted by his touching gesture of seeking his mothers blessings a tradition deeply rooted in Indian cultureEarlier on Tuesday the Vice President urged citizens to work with dedication and unity to achieve the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047Addressing the Coimbatore Citizens Forum Radhakrishnan said that both farmers and industrial workers form the backbone of Indias progress and that the nations prosperity depends on their collective strengthModernisation does not eliminate labour it enhances it the Vice President said emphasising that the growth of agriculture and industry must go hand in hand to ensure inclusive and sustainable national developmentHe added that Indias transformation into a developed nation by 2047 would require determination discipline and a shared sense of purpose among all citizensRadhakrishnan who began his public life in Coimbatore arrived in the city earlier in the day to a grand welcome marking his first visit after assuming office as Vice President last monthHe landed at the Coimbatore International Airport on a special flight from Seychelles where he had attended the swearingin ceremony of the island nations new PresidentTamil Nadu Ministers Muthusamy and Saminathan BJP State President Nainar Nagendran former State party chief K Annamalai and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan received him IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vp-radhakrishnan-takes-time-out-of-busy-schedule-to-meet-his-mother-in-tiruppur-645340.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias scientific community received a resounding tribute last week with the announcement of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar RVP 2025 list honouring 24 distinguished scientists and one pioneering research team for transformative contributions across diverse domains Building on the inaugural edition the awards underscore the Union governments vision of Viksit Bharat through Vigyan a developed India powered by scientific temper and innovationAt the apex stands the Vigyan Ratna the nations highest civilian honour in science and technology instituted in 2023 and first conferred in 2024 upon Dr Govindarajan Padmanabhan the eminent biochemist whose decadeslong work on the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum illuminated drug resistance mechanisms and inspired global antimalarial strategiesConferred annually on National Space Day which is celebrated on August 23 it mirrors the prestige of the Bharat Ratna but is dedicated solely to lifetime scientific excellenceComplementing this pinnacle are three other categoriesEight senior researchers received the Vigyan Shri for sustained impact in fields ranging from quantum materials to sustainable agricultureFourteen early and midcareer innovators all under 45 were named Vigyan YuvaShanti Swarup Bhatnagar awardees a reimagining of the iconic SS Bhatnagar Prize to nurture Indias next generation of scientific leadersThe sole Vigyan Team award went to the CSIR Aroma Mission a multiinstitutional consortium that has revitalised aromatic crop cultivation across 60000 hectares empowering more than 50000 farmers in 26 states with highyielding lavender rosemary and lemongrass varieties generating Rs 1200 crore in rural revenue since 2017The 2025 cohort reflects Indias widening scientific footprintAmong the Vigyan Shri recipients are a climate modeller whose AIdriven monsoon forecasts have reduced crop losses by 18 per cent in Odisha and a materials scientist whose biodegradable polymer from agricultural waste is now scaling for medical implantsThe Yuva awardees include a 38yearold astrophysicist decoding fast radio bursts at Punes Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and a 41yearold biotechnologist engineering salttolerant rice strains already under field trials in coastal Tamil NaduLaunched in 2023 to replace 16 fragmented science awards the RVP scheme streamlines recognition under a single transparent frameworkNominations are vetted by a 300member searchcumselection committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to Union government Ajay Kumar Sood ensuring peerdriven meritocracyUnlike earlier prizes RVP carries no cash component instead offering a sanad citation and a medal cast in panchdhatu symbolising unity of five classical elementsThe awards will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu at a Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony on National Science Day on February 28 2026As India targets a 1 trillion research economy by 2047 the RVP not only celebrates past breakthroughs but signals a national resolve to place science at the heart of development IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tourism-witnessed-surge-in-uttarakhand-with-over-23-crore-visitors-in-last-three-years-govt-645061.html Dehradun Oct 27 The relentless efforts of the Pushkar Singh Dhamiled BJP government to promote tourism and pilgrimage in Uttarakhand are coming to fruition with more than 23 crore tourists arriving in the hill state during the last three years government officials said quoting the data released by the Tourism department This fresh surge in tourism has not only supported the livelihood of homestay hotel dhaba operators women selfhelp groups as well as businessmen employed with the transport sectorDue to the diligent efforts of the state government tourism and pilgrimage is continuously booming in UttarakhandThe special thing is that tourism in Uttarakhand has now become multidimensional tourists are not only limited to big cities and selected hill stations but are also reaching small tourist destinations in remote areas as wellAlong with this participation of not only domestic but also foreign tourists has increased in the hill state promoting adventure activities like rafting trekking bungee jumping mountaineering etcDue to this surge in tourism sector in Uttarakhand the benefits of tourism are directly reaching lakhs of people of the state which includes hotels restaurants homestay operators transport businessmen women selfhelp groups etcAt present more than 6000 homestay operators in the state have emerged as direct beneficiaries of increased tourism activities in the statePilgrimage activities have also increased significantly in the state As of now this year the number of pilgrims for the revered Char Dham Yatra alone has reached five millionThis year more than 4300 horse and mule operators provided their services on the Kedarnath and Yamunotri trekking routeThe state government is now promoting winter travel as wellPrime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the sacred Adi Kailash has also boosted pilgrimage and tourism in the border region of Uttarakhands Pithoragarh districtTourism is the backbone of Uttarakhands economy as the benefits of tourism and pilgrimage directly accrue to the local peopleTherefore the Uttarakhand government is striving to continue tourism and pilgrimage activities throughout the yearPrime Minister Modis visits to the hill state have boosted pilgrimage spirituality and tourism in UttarakhandThe Uttarakhand government continues to invest in tourism infrastructure publicprivate partnerships and digital solutions to improve tourist experiences and increase regional accessibilityFrom the launch of digital tourism platforms to improved transportation networks the state is positioning itself as a global leader in tourism innovation and sustainable growthIn addition partnerships with international airlines and tour operators are helping to expand international tourism to Uttarakhand particularly from key Asian and European markets IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tourism-witnessed-surge-in-uttarakhand-with-over-23-crore-visitors-in-last-three-years-govt-645061.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 04:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vijay-to-meet-families-of-karur-stampede-victims-in-mahabalipuram-today-645070.html Chennai Oct 27 TVK president and actor Vijay will on Monday hold a meeting with families who lost their loved ones in the Karur stampede tragedy The meeting organised at a private resort in Mahabalipuram Tamil Nadu comes exactly a month after 41 people died during a TVK rally in Karur marking the first time Vijay will personally interact with the bereaved familiesOn Sunday TVK functionaries arranged for the families to be brought from Karur and the surrounding districts to Mahabalipuram Around 38 families arrived in eight private buses arranged by the party while two families are scheduled to reach by air on Monday morning A family from Tiruppur however has chosen to stay backAbout 50 rooms have been booked at the seaside resort along East Coast Road for their accommodationAccording to TVK sources the families were first picked up from their homes and transported to a common assembly point in Karur before being taken to Mahabalipuram by road The arrangements were coordinated by three district secretaries representing Karur Coimbatore and ErodeInitially Vijay had planned to visit Karur to meet the families at their residences However the plan was dropped due to security and logistical constraints The party then decided to bring the families to a common venue to facilitate a quiet and private meetingThe meeting will begin with a candlelight tribute for the 41 victims at the resorts convention hall Vijay will then meet each family individually to offer his condolences and extend assistance The event is expected to conclude by 3 pm followed by lunch after which the families will begin their return journeyParty functionaries described the event as a solemn humane occasion meant to express solidarity rather than seek publicityVijay wanted to stand by the families in their moment of grief and assure them that their pain has not been forgotten a senior TVK leader said adding that the meeting is intended to bring comfort and closure to the affected families IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vijay-to-meet-families-of-karur-stampede-victims-in-mahabalipuram-today-645070.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/paddy-procurement-rises-sharply-in-tn-over-17-crore-tonnes-procured-in-four-years-645076.html Chennai Oct 27 The state government announced a significant rise in paddy procurement under the DMK regime highlighting a neardoubling of average annual procurement when compared to the previous government According to an official release the state procured 17045545 tonnes of paddy between 2021 and 2025 translating to an annual average of 4261386 tonnes In contrast the previous administration 201617 to 202021 had procured 11351469 tonnes with an annual average of 2270293 tonnesThe difference amounts to 1991093 tonnes more under the current government which officials said reflects improved operational efficiency early planning and support to farmers The statement also said that the current paddy procurement season began on September 1 a full month ahead of the earlier practice of starting on October 1As of October 24 as many as 1853 Direct Procurement Centres DPCs have been opened across Tamil Nadu and 104 lakh tonnes of paddy have already been procured Of this 877 lakh tonnes have been transported to various districts by train while the remainder has been stored safely in the respective procurement centresThe release added that each DPC handles about 1000 bags of paddy per day with working hours extended till 8 pm to accommodate the heavy inflow of produce To meet the high demand DPCs are functioning even on Sundays 55104 tonnes were procured on October 19 aloneOfficials said this proactive approach has ensured timely payments and eased the burden on farmers during the peak harvest period The state government has also ensured adequate logistics and storage supportAn inventory of 265 crore gunny bags and 28856 plastic tarpaulins has been distributed statewideIn addition 4000 lorries and 1315 trains are being deployed daily to transport nearly 35000 tonnes of paddy To further streamline operations 100 additional load workers have been engaged since October 21 The Food and Civil Supplies Department said continuous monitoring is in place to ensure smooth procurement storage and transport across all districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/paddy-procurement-rises-sharply-in-tn-over-17-crore-tonnes-procured-in-four-years-645076.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-reviews-adyar-river-works-for-2nd-straight-day-as-monsoon-gains-strength-645013.html Chennai Oct 26 Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday undertook a surprise inspection of the Adyar River mouth for the second consecutive day reviewing the ongoing dredging and widening operations intended to facilitate free flow of floodwater into the Bay of Bengal during the intensifying northeast monsoon The inspection which took place near Srinivasapuram follows CM Stalins earlier visit on October 24 Officials from the Public Works Department and the Greater Chennai Corporation briefed the Chief Minister about the progress of works and the measures taken to prevent flooding in vulnerable zones across the cityThe Chief Minister directed officials to accelerate the widening of the river mouth and ensure that the works were completed before heavy rainfall intensifies in the coming days He emphasised that the Adyar estuary plays a crucial role in draining surplus water from city reservoirs into the sea helping to mitigate flooding in lowlying areasDeputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian and Thousand Lights MLA Ezhilan accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspectionThe team closely reviewed the dredging machinery deployed along the estuary and interacted with engineers supervising the operationsAuthorities said that the Adyar River mouth had been narrowed over the years due to siltation and encroachments leading to water stagnation during intense rainfall The ongoing dredging and desilting efforts are part of the states premonsoon preparedness plan which includes strengthening river embankments clearing blockages in stormwater drains and installing motor pumps at key floodprone intersectionsThe Tamil Nadu government has intensified preventive measures across the coastal districts following the formation of a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic system in the coming daysThe India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast widespread rain for Chennai Tiruvallur Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram districts in the next 48 hoursOfficials added that roundtheclock monitoring teams have been deployed to track water levels in major reservoirs including Chembarambakkam and Poondi and to regulate surplus discharge through the Adyar River into the seaCM Stalin instructed officials to maintain high vigilance and ensure that floodmitigation works remain uninterrupted even during adverse weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-reviews-adyar-river-works-for-2nd-straight-day-as-monsoon-gains-strength-645013.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-15-crore-train-passengers-travelled-in-festive-season-so-far-ashwini-vaishnaw-644909.html New Delhi Oct 25 Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said nearly 15 crore train passengers have travelled so far in this festive season adding that over 25 crore passengers are likely to travel by the end of the festival season Vaishnaw informed that big holding areas have been set up at 30 railway stations for smoother crowd managementSpeaking to reporters here the minister further said that during former Railways Minister Lalu Prasads tenure 178 special trains were run during the Diwali and Chhath festival which have now increased to over 13000 a massive jumpThe safety has also increased and the number of accidents has reduced from over 170 in 2014 to just 31 in 202425 and we aim to reduce it further and make it saferAccording to Vaishnaw rail track construction has risen from 400600 kilometres per year to over 4000 per yearThe Indian Railways is also gearing up for the safe and comfortable return journey of passengers after the Chhath Puja festivities For October 28 6181 special trains have been notified to facilitate passengers returning to their workplaces after the festival seasonAround 30 stations in Bihar are gearing up for the festive rush with holding areas additional ticket counters CCTV surveillance and other passengerfriendly arrangements Moreover Railways has set up 24x7 medical booths at Patna Muzaffarpur Darbhanga Gaya and Saharsa with fire brigade and ambulance services on standby for prompt passenger health assistance and safety managementThe minister further said that more than 12 lakh Central Government employees have been onboarded on Zohos swadeshi digital suiteChipsets for various applications including CCTV are being developed in India Within two years India is set to achieve complete domestic production of mobile phone components The government will invest more than Rs 200 crore to develop energyefficient microprocessors for highperformance computing including servers said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-15-crore-train-passengers-travelled-in-festive-season-so-far-ashwini-vaishnaw-644909.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/empowered-by-nrlm-chamoli-women-transform-dairy-farming-into-livelihood-success-644620.html Chamoli Uttarakhand Oct 23 The National Rural Livelihood Mission NRLM is transforming the lives of rural women of Chamoli district by providing them with sustainable livelihood opportunities They have gained financial independence as a result of these opportunities Implemented under the guidance of the Central government the mission aims to empower women from economically weaker sections by forming SelfHelp Groups SHGs and supporting them in incomegenerating activitiesThe story is about the Dasholi development block of Chamoli There women from eight village councils have joined hands under the Hariyali Swayatt Sahkarita DevarKhadora which was established through NRLM These women have gone for dairy farming as their main source of income Their routine is that every morning they collect milk from nearby villages and sell it to a milk dairy The dairy has been set up under the Uttarakhand governments Gramothan Project This initiative has not only provided them with a steady income but also boosted their confidence and social standingSuman a beneficiary of the project told IANS that before joining the selfhelp group most women had very limited sources of income and were financially dependent on others Now by working together they are earning a respectable living We collect milk daily and supply it to the dairy It feels great to contribute to our familys income she said proudlyMamta another group member said that the dairy generates an income of over Rs 2 lakh per month which is shared among the group members after expenses We never thought we could earn this much in our villages The training and support from NRLM have completely changed our lives she addedUnder NRLM women are also receiving regular training in bookkeeping dairy management and financial planning helping them manage their smallscale enterprises efficiently The initiative has encouraged savings improved decisionmaking and fostered unity among womenThe success of the group has inspired women from neighbouring villages to form similar groups and start their own ventures in poultry vegetable farming and handicrafts IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/empowered-by-nrlm-chamoli-women-transform-dairy-farming-into-livelihood-success-644620.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hyderabad-court-dismisses-plea-to-reject-suit-for-partition-of-nizams-palaces-644627.html Hyderabad Oct 23 A Hyderabad court on Thursday dismissed the interlocutory application of Azmet Jah and Shekhar Jah in a case for partition of the palaces belonging to the Seventh Nizam Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan The City Civil Court allowed the partition case filed by Mir Osman Ali Khans grandson Nawab Najaf Ali Khan to go to full trialAzmet Jah and Shekar Jah are the son and daughter of Prince Mukarram Jah alias Nawab Mir Barkat Ali Khan the titular Eighth Nizam of Hyderabad who passed away in 2023They sought orders to reject the partition suit filed by Najaf Ali Khan one of the grandsons of the Seventh NizamHis counsel argued that the plaintiff being one of the rightful heirs of the Seventh Nizam is in constructive possession of the ancestral properties and that issues relating to possession ownership and valuation can only be determined through a detailed trial on the meritsThe suit filed by Najaf Ali Khan seeks partition and separate possession of five of the most prominent and historical palaces of the Seventh Nizam which include Falaknuma Palace Chowmahalla Palace Purani Haveli King Kothi Palace and Harewood amp Cedars Bungalow situated in Ooty Tamil Nadu all valued at more than 10000 croresThe suit involves 232 defendants including Indian Hotels Company Private Limited which runs Taj Falaknuma Palace a sevenstar hotelNajaf Ali Khan maintains that the properties and heritage of the Seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan belong collectively to all legitimate heirs not to any one individualHe had filed the suit in 2021 questioning the sole authority and enjoyment of the said properties by Prince Mukarram JahAfter the passing away of the Seventh Nizam on February 24 1967 Prince Mukarram Jah was recognised as successor to his grandfather by the Government of IndiaNajaf Ali Khan argues that the private properties of the Seventh Nizam are to be divided among all his legal heirs as per the Islamic Shariat Law and as such his 34 children are entitled to inherit the Matruka IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hyderabad-court-dismisses-plea-to-reject-suit-for-partition-of-nizams-palaces-644627.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/17th-national-rozgar-mela-51-000-candidates-receive-appointment-letters-across-india-644734.html Ahmedabad Oct 24 The Central government organised the 17th edition of the Rozgar Mela across various cities and districts of the country including Gujarat As part of the nationwide initiative appointment letters were distributed to candidates selected for various Central government departments In Ahmedabad the event was held in the presence of Union Minister Nimu Bambhaniya where 150 candidates received their appointment letters Across India more than 51000 candidates were handed official offer letters under this drive aimed at boosting employment opportunitiesAddressing the newly appointed candidates through video conferencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated them and said This is not just a job but an opportunity to contribute to the service of the nationHe urged them to work with the spirit of Citizen Devo Bhava focusing on serving people and strengthening the nationThe Prime Minister noted that India has been progressing with determination for the past 11 years and over 11 lakh appointment letters have been distributed in recent years under various recruitment initiativesUnder the Skill India Mission youth across the country have been receiving training to enhance employability The government highlighted that measures like the GST Savings Festival have reduced prices of essential goods encouraged production and consequently created more employment opportunitiesUnion Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also addressed the event virtually extending his best wishes to the candidates and highlighting key achievements of the Central government in creating a robust employment ecosystemAccording to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey PLFS data for 202223 Gujarat continues to maintain one of the lowest unemployment rates in India at 17 per cent compared to the national average of 32 per cent This reflects the states strong industrial base entrepreneurshipdriven economy and a growing focus on manufacturing and servicesGujarats labour participation rate remains high supported by sectors such as textiles chemicals engineering automobile manufacturing ports and renewable energy The state has also seen significant growth in MSMEs Micro Small and Medium Enterprises and infrastructure projects that have expanded job opportunities especially for skilled and semiskilled workers IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/17th-national-rozgar-mela-51-000-candidates-receive-appointment-letters-across-india-644734.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/amrut-20-helps-indores-historic-surajkund-stepwell-regain-its-ancient-splendour-644763.html Indore Oct 24 The Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Departments campaign to preserve and restore traditional water structures has yielded positive results in Indore where the historic Surajkund Stepwell has regained its ancient splendour Located within the Mangleshwar Mahadev Temple complex in Depalpur Indore district the centuriesold stepwell has been restored to its former glory with active participation from local citizens and youthAccording to a government statement issued on Friday the restoration work was carried out under the AMRUT 20 scheme of the Urban Development Department Today this water structure stands as an inspiration not only for Depalpur but for the entire state it saidThe project involved improving both the quality and quantity of water rebuilding damaged steps and pathways cleaning plastic and solid waste enhancing greenery and landscaping and promoting community awareness toward water conservationAs per local belief the Surajkund Stepwell was built during the reign of the Parmar dynasty in the 11th century and later renovated by Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar who made it a vital source of drinking water for the towns residentsOver the years however neglect led to its deterioration with broken steps eroded pathways and a dwindling water source The government credited Indores youth for their commitment to protecting heritage and advancing the water conservation movementUnder the states Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan the Urban Development and Housing Department has launched a citizenparticipation initiative to preserve and rejuvenate water structures across all urban bodies in Madhya PradeshOfficials said the results so far have been encouraging with local communitiesparticularly the youthactively pledging to protect water resources and revive the states traditional water heritageA statement mentioned that local citizens and youth have played a vital role in preserving the Surajkund Stepwell They have pledged never to let this historic monument fall into neglect again This is our heritage they said Our ancestors cherished it and we want our future generations to take pride in it as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/amrut-20-helps-indores-historic-surajkund-stepwell-regain-its-ancient-splendour-644763.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/10-favourite-indian-destinations-to-welcome-2026-644771.html New Delhi Oct 24 As October fades and the countdown for the new year begins Indias favourite travel spots glow with festive energy From beachside bonfires to palace galas the country offers countless ways to welcome the New Year Goas beaches come alive with music fireworks and latenight parties while Manalis snowcovered slopes invite travellers to gather around crackling bonfires Rajasthans royal cities host elegant celebrations in ageold palaces and Keralas backwaters offer peaceful houseboat cruises where the first sunrise of the year reflects on quiet waters Across India from the hills to the coast each destination carries its own charm and rhythm of festivityTravelling during this season needs some planning Hotels and flights fill quickly and weather changes sharply between regionswarm woollens for the north light cottons for the coast Confirm event timings entry passes and transport options beforehand Keep identification handy avoid overcrowded areas after midnight and follow local customs and ecofriendly practices to keep celebrations safe and mindfulWith a little preparation ringing in the New Year in India becomes a journey in itselfHere are ten destinations that offer unforgettable ways to welcome 20261 GoaGoa Indias favourite seaside destination bursts into celebration during the New Year with its beaches music and cheerful crowdsFrom luxury retreats to budget stays the state offers something for every traveller Baga Anjuna and Calangute beaches remain the liveliest spots with beach shacks hosting allnight parties bonfires and fireworks For a calmer atmosphere Palolem Agonda and Colva beaches provide relaxed gatherings and candlelit dinners by the seaBudget travellers can find many affordable hostels and guesthouses near Anjuna Modest hotels and homestays across Candolim and Morjim also offer comfortable stays at reasonable rates Many of these houses are old Portuguesestyle villas with tiled roofs courtyards and gardens filled with coconut and banana treesLuxury hotels in Goa have become popular venues for New Year celebrations offering a blend of festive atmosphere and refined comfort Most highend resorts curate exclusive packages that include gala dinners live entertainment fireworks and beachside parties These events are organised with meticulous attention to detail ensuring guests experience both elegance and local charmBeyond festivities Goas cultural charm lies in its heritage monuments and architecture The Basilica of Bom Jesus Se Cathedral Fort Aguada and the old Latin Quarter of Fontainhas reflect its Portuguese legacy Visitors can explore flea markets at Anjuna or night bazaars in Arpora for local crafts and food With its beaches music history and welcoming spirit Goa offers an unforgettable New Year celebration for every budgetDuring the festive week security is tightened across beaches and major venues Police patrols traffic control and coastal surveillance ensure public safety Special assistance centres are also set up for tourists making Goas New Year celebrations both joyous and secure for all2 Kovalam KeralaKovalam a serene coastal town near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala is a charming destination to welcome the New Year Famous for its crescentshaped beaches Lighthouse Hawa and Samudra it attracts visitors from across the country for its lively yet peaceful atmosphere On New Years Eve the beachfront comes alive with music dance and fireworks that reflect beautifully over the Arabian SeaFor those who are looking for luxury topend hotels and resorts offer fine dining spa treatments and private seafacing rooms Budget travellers can find good accommodation in guesthouses and homestays near the beach which provide clean rooms and warm local hospitality Several budget homestays also give visitors a taste of Keralas traditional food and lifestyleRestaurants and beachside cafes host live bands and themed dinners while some resorts arrange cultural shows and countdown parties The area remains safe for tourists with police patrols ensuring order throughout the celebrations The people of Kovalam are known for their friendliness and helpful nature adding to the charm of the experience With its mix of tranquillity and celebration Kovalam offers a memorable way to usher in the New Year by the Arabian Sea3 Fort Kochi KeralaFort Kochi with its blend of colonial charm and coastal beauty is one of Keralas most vibrant destinations for New Year celebrations The narrow streets lined with Portuguese and Dutchera buildings fill with music lights and festivities as the year draws to a close The highlight is the famous Cochin Carnival held at the Fort Kochi beach featuring parades cultural shows and the symbolic burning of the giant Pappanji effigy at midnight to mark the end of the old yearVisitors can choose from both luxury and budget stays The luxury options are set in restored heritage buildings and seaside resorts offering elegant rooms curated dinners and quiet celebrations within historic surroundings Many such places provide rooftop views of fireworks and the harbour along with fine dining and cultural performancesFor budget travellers Fort Kochi has numerous homestays and guesthouses that capture the areas local warmth These smaller establishments are ideal for those who prefer a homely environment and easy access to public celebrations at the beach and streetsThe seaside promenade and cafés near Princess Street and Vasco da Gama Square become lively spots for gatherings and openair parties Many restaurants host gala dinners and live performances on New Years Eve Security arrangements are wellmanaged and the local people are known for their hospitality and cheerful spirit With its artistic energy and festive air Fort Kochi provides a unique and culturally rich way to welcome the New Year4 Munnar KeralaMunnar nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala is an enchanting hill station that offers a wonderful New Year celebration Surrounded by tea plantations misty valleys and cool mountain air it provides a peaceful yet lively setting to welcome the year ahead During the New Year season the town and nearby resorts host bonfires live music and openair dinners under starlit skiesLuxury stay facilities are available offering fine dining spa services and scenic views of the hills Budget and comfortable accommodations such as small lodges cottages and homestays are also available in plenty where hosts often arrange local cuisine and cultural eveningsThe central market area and viewpoints like Pothamedu and Top Station see cheerful gatherings while several resorts organise private countdown parties for guestsDespite the crowd during the festive period Munnar remains calm and secure with police patrols and travel assistance for tourists The warm hospitality of the local people adds to the experience With its cool climate natural beauty and relaxed celebrations Munnar is an ideal destination to begin the New Year amidst the hills5 Ootty Tamil NaduOoty often called the Queen of Hill Stations is a favourite destination in Tamil Nadu for New Year celebrations Surrounded by rolling hills eucalyptus forests and serene lakes it offers a charming mix of festivity and tranquillity The town takes on a cheerful mood with illuminated streets music and bonfires that draw both locals and visitors The Ooty Lake area Botanical Garden and Charing Cross are popular spots where people gather to celebrate amid cool mountain airVisitors can choose from both luxury and budget accommodation The luxury stays are located amid tea estates or overlooking valleys offering refined rooms fireplaces fine dining and private bonfire evenings to welcome the New Year in comfort and style These places often arrange small gatherings or themed dinners providing a relaxed celebration in a serene atmosphereBudget travellers have a wide range of guesthouses cottages and homestays that offer basic facilities with local hospitality These stays are usually close to the market or main attractions allowing guests to join public festivities and enjoy Oottys cheerful New Year mood at a modest costSecurity arrangements remain wellcoordinated ensuring safe celebrations for allThe friendly nature of the local people combined with Ootys scenic beauty and pleasant weather makes it an ideal place to welcome the New Year in peaceful surroundings6 Mamallapuram Tamil NaduMamallapuram also known as Mahabalipuram is a lively coastal town near Chennai that blends heritage and festivity making it an ideal destination for New Year celebrations Known for its ancient rockcut temples and seaside charm the town takes on a festive look as travellers gather along the shore to welcome the New Year The beachfront near Shore Temple becomes a hub of activity with music dance and fireworks lighting up the nightLuxury stay options in Mahabalipuram offer elegant rooms seafacing views and private celebrations in tranquil surroundings Guests can enjoy curated dining live music and openair parties set against the backdrop of the waves combining comfort with cultural ambienceBudget travellers can find affordable options in hotels along with several guesthouses and homestays offering simple clean rooms and traditional Tamil hospitality Homestays in Fishermans Colony also give visitors a glimpse of local life and cuisineThe cafés along Othavadai Street and the beachside shacks host live bands and bonfires drawing both locals and tourists Security arrangements are well managed and the friendly nature of the local people ensures a safe and cheerful celebration With its blend of heritage music and seaside beauty Mamallapuram offers a memorable way to begin the New Year by the Bay of Bengal7 Pondicherry PuducherryPondicherry with its blend of French charm and coastal beauty is one of South Indias most popular destinations for New Year celebrations The towns colonial streets vibrant beaches and relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for both lively parties and quiet reflection On New Years Eve the Promenade Beach becomes the heart of the festivities with fireworks live music and openair gatherings stretching late into the nightLuxury travellers hotels offer elegant accommodation fine dining and special New Year events Budget stays also provide good facilities at moderate rates Many charming homestays in the White Town area offer a more personal experience with colonialstyle rooms and homecooked mealsCafes and rooftop restaurants along Mission Street and Beach Road host countdown parties while Auroville nearby provides a quieter celebration focused on meditation and community gatherings The local administration ensures safety with police patrols across main areas Known for its friendly people and artistic spirit Pondicherry offers a unique New Year experience where culture sea breeze and celebration meet in perfect harmony8 Udaipur RajasthanUdaipur the City of Lakes takes on a regal glow during the New Year Its tranquil waters illuminated palaces and festive streets create an atmosphere of warmth and celebration The city blends royal heritage with a relaxed holiday spirit drawing visitors from across India and abroadLuxury stays in Udaipur offer lakeside views traditional performances and elegant dinners that reflect the grandeur of Rajasthan Guests can enjoy fireworks from rooftop terraces boat rides on Lake Pichola and cultural evenings with folk music and dance The experience is graceful and serene ideal for couples and families seeking a refined celebrationBudget travellers can choose from several guesthouses and homestays within the old city close to the main attractions and local festivities The markets cafés and lakeside ghats remain lively late into the night giving a festive yet homely feelAs part of the New Year celebrations visitors often explore Udaipurs historic landmarks such as the City Palace Jag Mandir Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace and the old havelis that overlook the lake A visit to these places during the season adds a cultural depth to the festivities making Udaipur a perfect blend of history hospitality and celebration9 Jaipur RajasthanJaipur the Pink City is another historic and royal destination in Rajasthan to welcome the New Year The citys palaces forts and bazaars come alive under glowing lights creating a festive mood that blends history with celebration Cool winter evenings and the grandeur of Rajasthans heritage make Jaipur a captivating destination for the seasonVisitors can explore the citys historic monuments such as Amber Fort City Palace Hawa Mahal and Nahargarh Fort where panoramic views of the illuminated skyline offer a memorable start to the year The Albert Hall Museum and Jantar Mantar provide glimpses of Jaipurs rich artistic and scientific heritageLuxury travellers can enjoy cultural evenings traditional performances and fine dining in elegant settings while budget guests will find numerous comfortable guesthouses and heritage homestays near the old city offering warmth and easy access to local festivitiesThe markets of Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar bustle with shoppers while rooftop cafes and openair venues host countdown gatherings and music events Fireworks light up the night as locals and visitors celebrate together Combining royal architecture cultural heritage and joyful festivity Jaipur offers an unforgettable New Year experience that reflects the heart and colour of Rajasthan10 Manali Himachal PradeshManali nestled in the snowcovered Himalayas offers a magical setting for New Year celebrations The towns crisp mountain air pine forests and white peaks create a festive atmosphere that feels both lively and serene As winter deepens bonfires music and cheerful gatherings light up the valleys making Manali one of the most soughtafter hill destinations for the seasonLuxury stays in Manali offer warmth mountain views and elegant celebrations with local cuisine and traditional music Budget travellers can choose from homely guesthouses and cottages that provide comfort and a friendly environment close to the main town The Mall Road remains the centre of activity with cafés bakeries and shops bustling late into the nightVisitors can explore local attractions such as the Hidimba Temple Manu Temple and Vashisht hot springs all of which add a cultural and spiritual charm to the holiday Adventure enthusiasts often head to Solang Valley for skiing and paragliding while those seeking calm enjoy scenic walks along the Beas RiverWith snowflakes in the air glowing lights and a mood of togetherness Manali captures the spirit of winter festivity offering the perfect mix of adventure culture and celebration for the New Year IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/10-favourite-indian-destinations-to-welcome-2026-644771.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-l-g-inspects-chhath-preparations-at-yamunas-vasudev-ghat-644603.html New Delhi Oct 23 Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena and Minister of Art Culture and Languages Kapil Mishra jointly inspected Yamunas Vasudev Ghat on Thursday with the Minister announcing that Chhath Puja celebrations will be organised at more than 1300 ghats this year LG Saxena and Minister Mishra issued detailed directions to the concerned officials to ensure that no aspect of the arrangements is left incompleteMishra said the Delhi government is working on a war footing for the preparations of Chhath Puja 2025The Minister emphasised that cleanliness lighting security and traffic management should be completed within the stipulated time so that devotees do not face any inconvenienceSenior officials from the Delhi government the Municipal Corporation and other departments were present during the inspectionThis year grand Chhath Puja celebrations will be organised at more than 1300 ghats across Delhi The arrangements being made along the Yamuna are on an unprecedented and historic scale said MishraFor the first time such an extensive organisation is being undertaken for Chhath Puja in Delhi and the governments preparations reflect strong planning and dedication he saidDuring the inspection at Vasudev Ghat Mishra said that this years Chhath Puja celebrations in Delhi will be the most extensive organised everOur goal is to provide devotees with a clean safe and culturally enriching experience he saidAlong with the Lieutenant Governor I inspected Vasudev Ghat today and directed all departmental officials to complete preparations on time he saidHe added This is not a government that only talks it delivers This is the first Chhath Puja under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and in this very first celebration the promise of enabling worship along the Yamuna banks is being fulfilled It is a matter of pride for Delhi that devotees will now be able to perform traditional rituals on the banks of the YamunaMishra also said that the previous government had deliberately imposed a ban on Chhath PujaArvind Kejriwal insulted the people of Purvanchal but this time the people of Purvanchal will celebrate their Chhath festival with pride and selfrespect For the past six years Kejriwal had banned Chhath Puja along the Yamuna banks but not anymore Now the Delhi government stands with every devotee said Mishra IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-l-g-inspects-chhath-preparations-at-yamunas-vasudev-ghat-644603.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-post-diwali-gadhon-ka-mela-draws-crowds-crores-with-celebrity-named-superstars-644604.html BhopalChitrakoot Oct 23 The ancient town of Chitrakoot nestled along the banks of the sacred Mandakini River in Satna district recently witnessed the vibrant conclusion of its 350yearold Gadhon Ka Mela Donkey Fair a tradition that began during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Held annually after Diwali in conjunction with the Annakoot festival this threeday spectacle is not only a cultural marvel but also a bustling marketplace that draws traders from across IndiaChitrakoot town MP shares its border with Uttar Pradesh This years fair saw an estimated 5000 donkeys and mules bought and sold with a turnover expected to exceed Rs 1 croreTraders from Uttar Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan Bihar Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Maharashtra and Uttarakhand participated showcasing animals priced for their strength breed and gaitqualities essential for construction and brick kiln workOne can find pictures comments and tags on donkeys mules and even horses on social media The fairs undeniable charm lies in its quirky tradition of naming donkeys after Bollywood celebritiesThis years showstopper was a donkey named Sunny Deol initially priced at Rs 15 lakh but eventually sold for Rs 105 lakh after spirited bargaining Its popularity created a buzz throughout the fairgroundsAnother crowdpuller was Shah Rukh Khan which fetched Rs 80000 while bids for Salman Katrina and Madhuri also soaredInterestingly Lawrence Bishnois mule which made headlines last year failed to attract buyers despite a bid reaching Rs 125 lakh There is no formal organiser for the Mela but managed by local selfgoverning bodies transforming the serene riverbanks into a carnival of colour and commerce that creates a bond between people of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar PradeshDecorated donkeys paraded to the beat of traditional drums while traders and buyers haggled enthusiastically under the autumn sunThe events historical roots trace back to a time when Aurangzebs army faced a shortage of horses prompting the import of mules from Afghanistan and the inception of this unique fairNow considered Indias secondlargest animal fair after Pushkar the Chitrakoots Gadhon Ka Mela continues to thrive blending heritage humour and hard commerceAs one organiser aptly put it Its not just about buying donkeysits about celebrating a tradition that has galloped through centuries IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-post-diwali-gadhon-ka-mela-draws-crowds-crores-with-celebrity-named-superstars-644604.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pakistan-pays-heavily-for-afghan-conflict-tomato-prices-jump-to-rs-600-per-kg-644368.html Islamabad Oct 22 Tomatoes are being sold at Rs 600 per kilogramme in Pakistans Rawalpindi as vegetable prices continue to sour in the entire country due to the ongoing tensions along the PakAfghan border local media reported on Wednesday The supply of tomatoes is low while demand is high and tomatoes are no longer being imported from Afghanistan Until the supply is fully restored tomato prices will not decrease and this surge will persist leading Pakistani daily Express Tribune quoted President of Rawalpindis Sabzi Mandi Traders Union Ghulam Qadir as sayingThe report highlighted that small vegetable vendors have stopped selling tomatoes peas ginger and garlic due to the high pricesGarlic has reached Rs 400 per kg while ginger has risen to Rs 750 per kg Onions are priced at Rs 120 per kg and peas are retailing at Rs 500 per kg The price of capsicum has decreased to Rs 300 per kg with okra also selling at the same rate Cucumbers are available for Rs 150 per kg and local red carrots for Rs 200 per kg Local lemons are priced at Rs 300 per kg while coriander which was previously given free now costs Rs 50 for a small bunch the report statedAmong fruits apples are selling for Rs 250 to Rs 350 per kg and grapes for Rs 400 to Rs 600 per kg Pomegranates are priced at Rs 400 per kg while guavas cost Rs 170 per kg A single coconut is being sold for Rs 400 In terms of dozenbased pricing sweet oranges are priced between Rs 250 and Rs 300 and bananas cost Rs 150 to Rs 200 per dozen it addedThe development comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following Islamabads airstrikes on Afghan territory and the mass deportation of Afghan refugeesThe Taliban regime in Afghanistan on Wednesday highlighted that the agreement with Pakistan completely emphasises ceasefire mutual respect the avoidance of attacks on each others security forces civilians and facilitiesIn a statement released on X Afghanistans Ministry of Defence stated Islamic Emirates Defence Minister has provided a comprehensive explanation during a press conference concerning the agreement with Pakistan no further information exists beyond that The agreement completely emphasises ceasefire mutual respect the avoidance of attacks on each others security forces civilians and facilities the resolution of all matters through dialogue and not facilitating attacks against one another Any statements beyond these terms are invalidThe conflict began when Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul Both Islamabad and Kabul have accused each other of aggression in recent daysVegetables imported through the Wagah border from India are cheaper as compared to vegetables being imported from Iran Import of white onions from Iran failed as their taste was not up to customers another vendor told the Pakistani daily IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pakistan-pays-heavily-for-afghan-conflict-tomato-prices-jump-to-rs-600-per-kg-644368.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/un-says-delivering-aid-to-gaza-remains-challenging-644424.html United Nations Oct 23 UN humanitarians have said that delivering vital support to northern Gaza remains challenging even though the ceasefire took effect more than 10 days ago The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said on Wednesday that since the ceasefire took effect on October 10 the world body and its partners have made progress in scaling up response efforts especially in central and southern areas of the Gaza StripHowever the continued closure of the Zikim and Erez border crossings which provide direct access to the north makes it extremely challenging for humanitarian aid to reach the area OCHA addedAt the same time UN partners monitoring population flows across Gaza have reported more than 425000 movements from southern to northern parts of the strip since October 10 Xinhua news agency reportedUN Population Fund Deputy Executive Director Andrew Saberton who just returned from Gaza told reporters that the agency was able to bring in some assistance last week through the Kerem ShalomKarem Abu Salem crossingWe have been distributing medical supplies and equipment including incubators delivery beds and fetal monitoring machines that were prepositioned inside Gaza to hospitals he saidBut the trickle of aid being allowed to enter Gaza after the ceasefire is nowhere near enoughInside Gaza on Tuesday out of 10 humanitarian missions coordinated with the Israeli authorities six were facilitated including the collection of water tanks hygiene kits and fuel from the crossings into Gaza OCHA saidAbeer Etefa senior regional communications officer and spokesperson for the World Food Programme WFP said that since the ceasefire began on October 11 the agency has delivered more than 6700 metric tonnes of food enough for nearly half a million people for two weeksDaily deliveries continue and now average around 750 tonnes she said noting this remains well below WFPs target of 2000 tonnes a dayUnless all border crossing points are used reaching this target is almost impossibleCurrently only the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings in the south are open Severe destruction continues to block access to northern Gaza where famine was declared in August We need Erez we need Zikkim we need these border crossing points to open Etefa stressedReaching northern Gaza with largescale convoys is a priorityWeve cleared roads at scale into the north she said but we need these crossings open to connect to Gaza City where conditions are especially direWFP is restoring its food distribution network aiming for 145 distribution points across the Strip of which 26 have reopened People are showing up in large numbers grateful for the efficiency and the dignified way they can collect their rations Etefa saidThe aid is especially crucial for the most vulnerable the women femaleheaded households and the elderly she addedWhile many are hopeful there is cautious optimism about how long current conditions will lastMany families save part of their rations because they are not confident the ceasefire will holdIt is a fragile peace she saidFood prices remain prohibitive and supplies are still insufficient People can find food in the market but its out of reach because its extremely expensive Etefa warnedWFP is also helping the most foodinsecure households through digital payments enabling about 140000 people to buy food locally with plans to double that number soon But Etefa stressed that humanitarian aid alone cannot solve the crisis and commercial supplies must enter to complement relief effortsOnly a fully implemented and sustained ceasefire can allow WFP to operate at the scale needed Etefa said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/un-says-delivering-aid-to-gaza-remains-challenging-644424.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/meghalaya-khasi-hills-council-opposes-centres-move-to-scrap-public-hearings-for-uranium-mining-644492.html Shillong Oct 23 The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council KHADC has opposed a recent Central government directive that removes the requirement for public consultations before uranium mining projects can begin in tribal areas calling it a direct threat to indigenous rights and environmental safeguards During a council session here on Wednesday night Chief Executive Member CEM Winston Tony Lyngdoh introduced and passed a resolution rejecting a September memorandum issued by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFCCThe memorandum exempts mining projects involving atomic minerals such as uranium from mandatory public hearings under amendments made to the Mines and Minerals Act 2023The move is intended to expedite approvals for what the Centre terms critical and strategic mineralsLyngdoh warned that the exemption could have farreaching consequences for tribal communities in Meghalaya He said the directive undermines longstanding traditional governance systems by allowing mining in tribal territories without the consent of local populationsSuch policies disregard community voices and put both the environment and public health at risk Lyngdoh told the HouseThe resolution urged the Central government to exclude areas under the KHADCs jurisdiction from the memorandums purviewLyngdoh said that the council had already written to the MoEFCC secretary seeking such an exemption but had not received any formal response so farOpposition leader Titosstarwell Chyne however said the resolution fell short of expectations He argued that limiting the exemption request to Khasi Hills alone would tacitly endorse uranium mining in other tribal regions such as the Jaintia and Garo HillsChyne demanded that the KHADC call for the complete withdrawal of the memorandum across all tribal territories in MeghalayaHe further cautioned that removing the public hearing process would effectively silence indigenous voices and weaken community oversight of mining decisions that could irreversibly impact their ancestral landsChyne reminded the council that earlier attempts by the Centre to initiate uranium mining in the state had met with widespread protests reflecting deeprooted public opposition to such projects due to their environmental and social implications IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/meghalaya-khasi-hills-council-opposes-centres-move-to-scrap-public-hearings-for-uranium-mining-644492.html Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-submerges-paddy-crop-in-tns-thanjavur-farmers-fear-losses-644125.html Chennai Oct 21 Unseasonal and heavy rainfall over the past few days has severely damaged shortterm paddy crop in Tamil Nadus Thanjavur district leaving vast stretches of fields inundated just as they were ready for harvest The downpour has hit one of Tamil Nadus major riceproducing regions at a critical juncture putting hundreds of farmers on edge about potential crop lossesAccording to the Agriculture Department paddy was cultivated across 199 lakh acres during the Kuruvai season this year of which 165 lakh acres have already been harvested However standing crop in areas such as Orathanadu Thanjavur and Ammapettai remain exposed to waterlogging with an estimated 1500 acres of shortterm paddy now submergedThe rains have flattened large tracts of paddy with farmers unable to access the fields due to stagnant waterFarmers said the unexpected spell of rain could cause significant yield losses if the water does not drain soon The crop that was ready for harvest are now lying in water Even if we harvest now the grains will be of poor quality said several cultivators from OrathanaduThey added that government procurement centres had not begun operations on time forcing many to delay harvesting Agricultural experts warn that the longer the water remains the greater the damage to both grain quality and soil structureAs fields remain soaked the cost of hiring mechanical harvesters has also surgedFarmers point out that operating machinery on wet land is difficult and increases expenses significantly deepening their financial distressOfficials from the Revenue and Agriculture departments are assessing the extent of crop damageFarmer associations have urged the state government to announce relief measures and compensation for those affectedWith the Northeast Monsoon intensifying Thanjavurs farmers who form the backbone of Tamil Nadus delta rice belt now face the grim prospect of losing their entire shortterm paddy yield to natures fury IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-submerges-paddy-crop-in-tns-thanjavur-farmers-fear-losses-644125.html Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/fbi-director-patel-us-lawmakers-extend-wishes-on-diwali-644109.html Washington Oct 20 A leading member of the Donald Trump administration along with prominent lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties have conveyed their wishes on the occasion of Diwali Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday extended Diwali greetings to people across the world calling it a celebration of the triumph of good over evilHappy Diwali celebrating the Festival of Lights around the world as good triumphs over evil A very Happy Diwali to all Patel said in a post on XPatel who became the first IndianAmerican to lead the FBI took his oath of office earlier this year with his hand on the Bhagavad Gita His appointment marked a historic moment for the IndianAmerican community in the United StatesIn his message Patel acknowledged the global observance of Diwali one of the most significant festivals for Hindus Sikhs Jains and Buddhists The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evilDiwali is celebrated with traditional lamps sweets and family gatherings in India and by millions of people around the world including the large Indian diaspora in the United StatesAnother leading Republican leader and the candidate for the Governor of Ohio Vivek Ramaswamy also posted his wishes on XHappy Diwali May the light prevail over darkness he wroteGreg Abbot the Governor of Texas celebrated Diwali at his mansion in the city of Austin over the weekend The event was attended by Indias Consul General DC ManjunathThe Consulate General of India in Houston posted on X Diwali 2025 celebrations at the Governors Mansion in Austin Texas Heartfelt thanks to Governor GregAbbottTX for continuing this beautiful tradition of celebrating Diwali with the IndoAmerican community spreading the spirit of light unity and togethernessDemocratic Congressman Ro Khanna and Republican Congressman Pete Sessions conveyed their Diwali greetings while Republican Brian Fitzpatrick and Democrat Suzan DelBene joined community celebrations marking the festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/fbi-director-patel-us-lawmakers-extend-wishes-on-diwali-644109.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/true-light-is-awakening-of-soul-mahant-swami-maharajs-divine-diwali-message--644058.html Jaipur Oct 20 On the sacred occasion of Diwali and the Hindu New Year His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj Swami Keshavjivandas extended heartfelt blessings to devotees saints and wellwishers of BAPS across the globe His message transcended mere celebration offering instead a profound invitation to kindle the inner lighta Diwali that glows within the soul and radiates throughout society Those who have attained Maharaj and Swami live in eternal Diwali he wrote in a handwritten letter For those who have received the divine grace of the Guru and God every day is Diwali Their lives shine with unwavering faith disciplined living and spiritual practice One who remains steadfast in observance humility and service truly leads an illumined life Diwali he explained is not simply the lighting of lamps but a solemn vow to dispel the darkness of ignorance and ignite the flame of virtue The essence of spiritual life is to keep the inner light ever aglow Lamps of service humility and righteousness form the true aarti of life he said Extending his blessings for the New Year Mahant Swami Maharaj offered a prayer for universal wellbeing May this New Year bring auspiciousness and prosperity into your life May peace unity and happiness prevail in your family and may love and harmony flourish in all your relationships He further inspired devotees to ensure that every home glows not only with lamps but also with the light of love compassion and service A lamp burns only for a while but when the souls light is kindled it illuminates life forever he added Across continentsfrom Delhi Akshardham to London Abu Dhabi Sydney Nairobi and AtlantaBAPS Mandirs celebrated Diwali and the Hindu New Year with devotion joy and gratitude Ceremonies such as Aarti Chopda Pujan Bhajans Pravachans and Deepotsav were observed with great fervour In his Diwali video message broadcast on the BAPS YouTube Channel Mahant Swami Maharaj reiterated The light of the lamp fades but the light of the soul once lit makes life eternally bright The essence of his message was clear Diwali is not merely an external festivity but a spiritual awakening Through discipline devotion and service life remains eternally illuminated Spreading peace and love within the family society and the nation is the truest form of worship Living in the grace of God and the Guru is the eternal source of happiness May the divine light of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the Guru Parampara forever shine in your life May peace devotion and service illumine your home and may the radiance of Maharaj and Swami remain eternal in your heart IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/true-light-is-awakening-of-soul-mahant-swami-maharajs-divine-diwali-message--644058.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/during-diwali-perambur-in-tn-chooses-silence-to-protect-its-sacred-bats-644060.html Chennai Oct 20 As Diwali lights up Tamil Nadu with colour and sound the quiet village of Perambur near Kollidam in Tamil Nadus Mayiladuthurai stands apart not reverberating with fireworks but shrouded in silence For more than a century the villagers here have upheld a remarkable vow no bursting of crackers no burning of waste and no loud festivities Their reason is both simple and profound to protect hundreds of bats roosting in a sprawling banyan tree located about a kilometre away from the residential areaThe ancient banyan tree home to hundreds of fruit bats is central to the villages identity But it has now become a subject of gentle dispute among residents While one group wants to promote the bat grove as an ecotourism attraction that could generate local jobs others warn that increased human activity might disrupt the fragile ecosystem they have safeguarded for generations We dont want to lose the villages identity local farmer B Karthi said Even a little bit of smoke or noise will hurt the bats Many villagers treat the bats as sacred beings I havent burst a firecracker in 25 years said Brema Palani 48 who moved to the village from Salem after marriage Its not a restriction but a tradition Weve learned to respect itDespite growing curiosity among birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts the site remains difficult to access The only way to reach it is by walking through kneedeep muddy fields along a narrow threefootwide path Villagers said a mud road once connected the grove to the village but was lost when farmers expanded their fields We have been asking officials to restore the road said a farmer Sirkazhi Forest Range Officer B Ayub Khan said officials are considering options carefully Laying a road straight to the tree will cause noise pollution A better approach would be to construct a road only up to 500 metres from the site and set up an observation zone for visitors and researchers he said However no formal plan has been drawn up yet Even as Deepavali festivities reverberate across Tamil Nadu Perambur continues to uphold its centuryold vow choosing silence over spectacle and reverence over revelry to ensure its winged inhabitants remain undisturbed IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/during-diwali-perambur-in-tn-chooses-silence-to-protect-its-sacred-bats-644060.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/guj-cm-patel-extends-diwali-greetings-urges-gujaratis-to-embrace-vocal-for-local-spirit-644067.html Gandhinagar Oct 20 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday extended his Diwali and Vikram Samvat 2082 New Year greetings to citizens across the state and to Gujarati families around the world Wishing prosperity and progress for all he expressed hope that the coming year would bring renewed enthusiasm collective growth and continued development for the people of GujaratIn his festive message the Chief Minister said The festival of lights inspires us to move from darkness to light Guided by this spirit Gujarat continues its upward march of progress under the vision of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas CM Patel appealed to citizens to celebrate the festivals by supporting local artisans traders and entrepreneursHe urged every household to take a pledge for Har Ghar Swadeshi Ghar Ghar Swadeshi and to strengthen the Vocal for Local campaign carrying forward the message of Atmanirbhar Bharat selfreliant IndiaReferring to the recent fiscal reforms announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Chief Minister said the Next Gen GST Reforms have brought a double bonus of happiness this Diwali by making business processes easier and accelerating Indias pace of development With these reforms Gujarat is scaling new heights of prosperity he addedCM Patel reaffirmed his governments commitment to the Viksit Gujarat 2047 vision in alignment with the Prime Ministers goal of making India a developed nation by 2047 He said the states Agenda for 2035 outlines a roadmap for holistic growth across sectors from infrastructure and education to industry and innovationHighlighting Gujarats growing stature as the countrys growth engine the Chief Minister said the upcoming 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad will mark another proud milestone for the state On this festival of light I wish that Gujarats culture development and dynamism continue to inspire the entire nation he saidConcluding his message CM Patel conveyed his best wishes for the new year expressing confidence that Vikram Samvat 2082 will further accelerate Gujarats journey of progress and strengthen the collective resolve to build a prosperous selfreliant India IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/guj-cm-patel-extends-diwali-greetings-urges-gujaratis-to-embrace-vocal-for-local-spirit-644067.html Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/beyond-borders-sri-lankan-author-shehan-karunatilaka-on-how-travel-reveals-the-self-643850.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 18 Travel it seems is as much about discovering oneself as it is about exploring the world a sentiment that resonated at the opening session of Yaanam 2025 Indias first travel literature festival organised by the Kerala Tourism Department Booker Prizewinning Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka in conversation with Malayalam writer KR Meera and journalist Pallavi Aiyar reflected on how travel writing stretches beyond destinations to reveal the authors inner landscapeTravel writing can be political deeply personal or even whimsical More often than not it shows who the writer is rather than where they are Karunatilaka said sharing anecdotes from his own journeyModerated by festival curator Sabin Iqbal the session set the tone for a festival that promises to traverse continents cultures and consciousnessKarunatilaka spoke of his fascination with writers like AA Gill whose sharp critiques of places he visits reveal both wit and audacityOn his own work he observed that stepping away from Sri Lanka allowed him a clearer vision saying I became obsessed with my country only when I was outside it more than when I was living thereKR Meera recounting her travels in Kazakhstan noted the striking parallels between distant culturesSome shamanic practices there mirrored rituals in Kerala It made me think about humanitys shared origins she saidFor Meera travel is inseparable from creativity her acclaimed novel Aarachar emerged from journeys through Calcutta and all her stories she said begin on the roadPallavi Aiyar echoed the universality of human experiencesFrom Japan to Europe people share similar daily concerns like traffic food routines she saidTravel she added is a process of selfrevelation saying Venturing abroad taught me what it means to be IndianYet she drew distinctions in travel experiences noting that fleeing conflict as a refugee is profoundly different from backpacking through EuropeThe threeday festival which began on Friday evening in Varkala will host around 50 speakers from India and abroad blending personal stories with reflections on identity culture and the art of observationAs the participants journeyed through distant lands and inner landscapes alike Yaanam emerged not just as a festival of places but of people their histories stories and the threads that connect us all IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/beyond-borders-sri-lankan-author-shehan-karunatilaka-on-how-travel-reveals-the-self-643850.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-18-lakh-chennaiites-travel-home-for-diwali-celebrations-city-roads-terminals-witness-huge-rush-643861.html Chennai Oct 19 With Diwali set to be celebrated on Monday thousands of Chennai residents began their journey home from as early as October 16 marking one of the citys busiest travel weekends of the year A massive exodus was witnessed across bus stands railway stations and highways as people set out to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family and friendsTo manage the rush the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation TNSTC arranged a total of 20378 special bus services from Chennai to various districts across the state In addition to the regular fleet of 2092 buses 2834 special buses were pressed into service daily carrying thousands of passengers to southern and western districtsAccording to official data over the past three days alone 615992 passengers have travelled in government buses from Chennai On Saturday 4926 buses including both regular and special services transported around 256152 passengers the transport department saidDespite the additional services most bus stands including Koyambedu Madhavaram and Tambaram remained overcrowded with passengers waiting for hours to boardThe rush was equally intense at Chennai Central Egmore and Tambaram railway stations where all southbound trains were packed to capacitySouthern district trains were especially crowded with many passengers standing throughout the journey Railway officials reported that most Deepavali special trains were fully booked days in advanceMeanwhile private vehicles added to the congestion on arterial highways such as the GST Road Long lines of cars moved bumpertobumper giving the impression of a slowmoving parade stretching from Tambaram to Chengalpattu and beyondToll plazas at Paranur Singaperumal Koil and Perungalathur saw waiting times stretching to over an hour with heavy traffic reported late into the nightAccording to official estimates from the transport department around 18 lakh people have already left Chennai to celebrate Deepavali in their native towns Of these 95 lakh travelled by train 615 lakh by government buses about two lakh by omnibuses and 15 lakh in private carsWith lakhs leaving the city Chennai wore a near deserted look on Saturday evening its usually bustling streets turning quiet as families reunited across Tamil Nadu to mark the festival of lights IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-18-lakh-chennaiites-travel-home-for-diwali-celebrations-city-roads-terminals-witness-huge-rush-643861.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-mullaperiyar-river-overflows-several-villages-in-theni-inundated-harvest-destroyed-643865.html Chennai Oct 19 In what residents describe as the worst flood in three decades torrential rains and the overflowing Mullaperiyar River have inundated several villages in Tamil Nadus Theni district leaving behind widespread destruction and despair The swelling river breached its banks early Sunday morning flooding lowlying areas across Uthamapalayam Veerapandi Uppukottai and Palanichettipatti As the water level kept rising houses farmlands and roads were quickly engulfedLocals said the floodwaters entered residential zones within hours forcing many families to flee to higher ground The road leading to the famous Veerapandi Gowmariamman Temple was completely washed away cutting off access to the temple and nearby settlementsMore than 200 acres of paddy ready for harvest were submerged and standing crops of banana coconut and maize were also destroyed We were preparing for harvest next week but everything is gone said R Raman a farmer from Veerapandi looking at his flooded fields in disbeliefResidents reported that snakes and wild creatures were swept into the villages by the floodwaters adding to the panic Its terrifying especially for families with children We cant even step out without fear said Malathi a resident of UthamapalayamIn Anjaneya Nagar near Palanichettipalayam several homes were marooned prompting a dramatic rescue operation by the Fire and Rescue Services DepartmentUsing JCB machines and boats rescue teams evacuated stranded residents late into the night Local people blamed the scale of the disaster on the lack of preparedness by the authorities If precautionary steps had been taken when water levels began rising we wouldnt be facing such losses today said another residentOfficials from the Theni district administration said that relief and rescue operations are in full swing with temporary shelters being set up in schools and public halls However as heavy rain continues in the region fears of further flooding remain highThe Mullaperiyars overflowing fury has once again revived calls for a longterm flood management plan to protect the vulnerable villages along its banks IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-mullaperiyar-river-overflows-several-villages-in-theni-inundated-harvest-destroyed-643865.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/childs-mistaken-late-night-call-prompts-haryana-dgp-to-issue-a-cautionary-message-to-parents-643866.html Chandigarh Oct 19 Haryanas Director General of Police DGP OP Singh has issued a cautionary message to parents about the dangers of excessive screen time for children following a mistaken latenight phone call he received from a child Recounting the incident on X Singh wrote Got a latenight call turned out the callers child had dialled by mistake Before hanging up I reminded him phones teach quick swipes not slow smilesUsing the episode to highlight the growing issue of screen addiction among children the DGP shared a video titled The Impact of Too Much Screen Time for Kids by psychologist Dr Rachael SharmanLet kids grow with mud on hands not glass in palms he wrote emphasising the importance of outdoor play and realworld social interactionSingh also cited a 2021 Journal of Paediatrics study that linked more than two hours of daily screen exposure with an increased risk of depression and anxiety in children due to disrupted sleep patterns and overstimulation of brain reward systemsElaborating on the findings the DGP said The main mental health effects of screen time on kids include increased risks of depression and anxiety particularly linked to video gaming and nighttime screen use which disrupt sleep and activate brain reward pathways associated with ADHD behavioursHe added that prolonged screen exposure can also lead to emotional and behavioural problems such as aggression low selfconfidence social anxiety and difficulties in peer relationships often creating a cycle where children use screens to cope with these challenges further worsening their symptomsSingh further warned that excessive screen use can cause decreased social coping skills impaired emotional regulation and developmental delays in language cognition and social abilities especially when it replaces realworld interaction and outdoor activityLimiting screen exposure and encouraging realworld socialisation is crucial for healthy mental development he said urging parents to take proactive steps in ensuring a balanced childhood for their kids IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/childs-mistaken-late-night-call-prompts-haryana-dgp-to-issue-a-cautionary-message-to-parents-643866.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/woman-child-killed-as-water-tank-collapses-in-telangana-village-643880.html Hyderabad Oct 19 A woman and her sixyearold child died when an overhead water tank collapsed in Telanganas Nalgonda district police said The incident occurred late on Saturday night in Peddakaparthy village of Chityala mandalTragedy hit the family hours before the inauguration of their hotel A water tank installed on the roof of corrugated sheets collapsed killing P Nagamani 32 and her son Vamshi Krishna Two others were injured in the accidentOn receiving the information the police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the hospital The bodies were shifted for autopsyThe hotel was scheduled to be inaugurated on Sunday and the family was busy making preparations on Saturday night The roof apparently could not withstand the weight of the water tank resulting in the tragedyPolice registered a case and took up further investigationMeanwhile police in Komuram Bheem Asifabad district of Telangana continued investigation into a suspected case of honour killingA pregnant woman was killed allegedly by her fatherinlaw on Saturday as he opposed her marriage to his sonThalandi Shravani alias Rani 22 belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community was nine months pregnant when she was attacked with an axe by the accused at Gerre village in Dahegaon mandal resulting in her deathRani had married Shivarla Shekhar belonging to Backward Class community Besta in October 2024 The marriage had taken place against the wishes of Shekhars familyThe couple had recently started living with Shekhars parents believing the hostility had subsided However on Saturday when no one else was at home Shekhars father Shivarla Sathaiah allegedly attacked Rani from behind with an axe striking her neck She collapsed in a pool of blood and died on the spotPolice arrested the accused and took up the investigation The motive of honour killing is yet to be verified IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/woman-child-killed-as-water-tank-collapses-in-telangana-village-643880.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/festive-shopping-frenzy-grips-chennai-ahead-of-deepavali-despite-heavy-rain-643918.html Chennai Oct 19 On the eve of Diwali festive excitement has swept across Chennai as residents thronged textile and sweet shops despite continuous rain since Sunday morning For many the festival brings to mind new clothes fireworks and sweets and the citys markets are buzzing with lastminute shoppers determined not to let the downpour dampen their festive spirit From early morning shoppers carrying umbrellas filled popular commercial hubs such as T Nagar Washermenpet Purasawalkam and Sowcarpet T Nagar in particular turned into a sea of moving umbrellas as crowds made their way through rainsoaked streets to pick out the latest designs and colours in festive wear Textile shop owners said they had arranged displays similar to previous years with a wide variety of fabrics and readymade garments to attract customers Sales have improved in the last few days and today being a holiday we expect an even bigger crowd one shopkeeper said Sweet shops too witnessed brisk business as people queued up to collect their preordered Diwali treats Traditional delicacies such as ghee sweets kaju katli and laddoos were in high demand with some major stores refusing new bulk orders due to overwhelming demand Many shoppers were seen sampling and buying newly introduced varieties of sweets adding to the festive rush Though sales were initially slow this season traders said they had picked up momentum over the past few days However the citys firecracker trade faced temporary setbacks due to the rain Many of the stalls set up across the city remained quiet on Saturday morning with only a handful of buyers turning up Sellers said business picked up in the afternoon once the rain subsided slightly Weve started seeing more customers this evening If the rain eases today we expect strong sales tomorrow Cracker Sellers Welfare Association Executive Chairman Sheikh Abdullah said Meanwhile automobile showrooms also reported higher footfall this week The recent GST reduction on vehicles coupled with festive discounts from car manufacturers encouraged many to book new cars and motorcycles ahead of Diwali Despite the rain Chennais festive spirit remains undiminished with traders hopeful that Diwali day will see record sales across all sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/festive-shopping-frenzy-grips-chennai-ahead-of-deepavali-despite-heavy-rain-643918.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/assams-kaziranga-records-146-bird-species-in-latest-survey-643922.html Guwahati Oct 19 Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Indias seventh UNESCO world heritage site recorded a total of 146 bird species and 1919 individual birds in its latest bird survey officials said on Sunday A senior official said that the Kati Bihu Bird Count 2025 was successfully organised at Kaziranga on Saturday by the Assam Bird Monitoring Network ABMN in collaboration with the KNPTR authoritiesThe KNPTR official said that the bird surveys were conducted across five key locations Panbari Range Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary Panpur Gamiri Range both under the Biswanath Wildlife Division and Agoratoli RangeThe collective survey recorded a total of 146 bird species and 1919 individual birds with Agoratoli showing the highest diversity at 89 species followed by Gamiri and Panbari 59 species each Panpur 55 species and Laokhowa 37 speciesAmong the recorded species two were endangered Swamp Grass Babbler and Pallass Fish Eagle six were vulnerable River Tern Greater Spotted Eagle Slenderbilled Babbler Lesser Adjutant Great Hornbill and Swamp Francolin six were near threatened Woollynecked Stork Northern Lapwing Blossomheaded Parakeet Greyheaded Fish Eagle Spotbilled Pelican and River Lapwing while 132 species were of least concernAccording to the official the survey documented several important resident and migratory birds including Blueeared Barbet Bluethroat Greyheaded Lapwing Greyheaded Woodpecker Greater Rackettailed Drongo and Indian Spotbilled DuckIt also recorded Jerdons Baza Rubycheeked Sunbird Swamp Francolin Taiga Flycatcher Chestnutcapped Babbler Greater Spotted Eagle and Bluenaped PittaThe official said that the Kati Bihu Bird Count 2025 served as a significant citizen science initiative promoting inclusive communitybased conservation He added that the active participation of students youth birders and especially women forest staff demonstrated a growing commitment to wildlife conservation in AssamThe findings will contribute to longterm monitoring of bird populations and enhance understanding of habitat health in the Kaziranga landscape the official notedThe ABMN extended its sincere appreciation to all participants coordinators and the KNPTR authority for their support It also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kaziranga National Park Director Sonali Ghosh for her encouragement and unwavering support which was instrumental in making the Kati Bihu Bird Count 2025 a successA total of 63 participants including bird enthusiasts students researchers and forest officials took part in the countThe event aimed to promote bird monitoring raise conservation awareness and encourage participation among local communities with a special focus on engaging women forest staff and the younger generationThe Bihu festivals of Assam are three major celebrations connected to the agricultural cycle Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April marking the Assamese New Year and spring Kongali or Kati Bihu in October a solemn occasion for seeking a good harvest and Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January a harvest festival marked by community feasts All three are celebrated with unique traditions such as the Bihu dance traditional music and festive delicacies IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/assams-kaziranga-records-146-bird-species-in-latest-survey-643922.html Sun, 19 Oct 2025 16:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/met-office-predicts-light-rain-for-next-two-days-in-south-bengal-kolkata-643793.html Kolkata Oct 18 The Met office on Saturday predicted light rain in six districts of south Bengal and over Kolkata in the next few days However there is less possibility of rain during Kali Puja and Diwali on Monday and Bhai Dooj on Thursday The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkatas Alipore on Saturday said the rain will occur due to the interaction of the southerly wind and the westerly wind As a result there is a possibility of rain with thunderstorms and lightning in six districts on Saturday and SundayRain is likely in the North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts on Saturday Similarly there is a possibility of rain in North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East Midnapore districts and Kolkata on SundayHowever the possibility of rain will decrease from Monday There is a possibility of clear weather on Kali Puja on Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday Bhai dooj The moisture in the air will gradually decrease from MondayThe weather on festive days will remain clear There is less chance of rain on those days Rain is likely later today and tomorrow Rain is likely on Monday only in the coastal districts of South Bengal said an official of the Met departmentMeanwhile the minimum temperature in Kolkata was 246 degrees Celsius On Friday the maximum temperature in the city was 326 degrees Celsius Winds from the north have brought down the mercury in Kolkata and its adjoining areas which have also witnessed a dip in the minimum temperature of the dayMeanwhile there is a chance of rain in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong of north Bengal later in the day On Sunday rain and thundershowers along with lightning are likely in some parts of Darjeeling Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts Not only rain but the possibility of fog will also increase in the hill areas including Darjeeling for the next few daysHowever the weather will clear in north Bengal from Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/met-office-predicts-light-rain-for-next-two-days-in-south-bengal-kolkata-643793.html Sat, 18 Oct 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ayodhya-yogi-government-aims-for-unprecedented-scale-in-deepotsav-2025-643691.html Ayodhya Oct 17 Ayodhya is all set to host the most magnificent edition of Deepotsav 2025 a celebration poised to become a defining chapter in Indias cultural and spiritual calendar Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath the preparations are in full swing to make this years festival not only grander than ever before but also a symbol of devotion heritage and national unityThe spiritual capital of India Ayodhya will soon be illuminated with millions of earthen lamps creating a divine spectacle along the banks of the sacred Saryu River The event is being coordinated with strong support from local administration cultural organisations and most notably Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University which has taken a leading role in organising the DeepotsavThousands of volunteers and students under the guidance of ViceChancellor Colonel Dr Bijendra Singh have been working tirelessly at the Ram Ki Pauri ghats to prepare for the event On the second day of largescale preparations volunteers on Friday arrived in reserved buses from the university campus to assist in placing the lamps across all 56 ghatsProf Anup Kumar who is coordinating transportation shared that volunteers gathered enthusiastically from early morning filling the campus with energy and devotion Volunteers were divided into groups and deployed systematically to ensure a wellcoordinated setup of the deep arrangementsDr Bijendra Singh remarked Deepotsav is not merely an event it is a public celebration of the values and ideals of Lord Shri Ram Every volunteer is contributing with full dedication treating this as Ramkaryaa service to Lord RamAccording to university sources over 60 pc of the lamps have already been placed Many ghats have already completed their targets and the remaining work is progressing rapidly under the supervision of ghat incharges and coordinatorsAs chants of Jai Shri Ram echo across the riverbanks and millions of lamps light up the sacred city Ayodhya is preparing to fulfil Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths vision of a historic and divine celebrationThis year the Deepotsav is not only about illuminating the city but also about elevating Ayodhyas spiritual and cultural identity to new heights A grand aarti of the Saryu River is also set to take place expected to break previous records and leave an indelible mark on the minds of devoteesIn the previous edition 1151 participants performed the Saryu aarti together earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records This year organisers aim to double that scale The event will showcase Ayodhyas spiritual strength and collective devotion on a national and global platformThe aarti is being organised by the district administration and municipal corporation with the Vasistha Foundation handling key logistical responsibilities Scheduled for October 19 at 5 PM the aarti venue has been divided into 11 zones extending from Naya Ghat to Lakshman Ghat with space for 200 participants per zoneMayor Mahant Girishpati Tripathi has been personally overseeing arrangements to ensure the event runs smoothly He confirmed that every effort is being made to make this Deepotsav inclusive reflective of Ayodhyas traditions and aligned with the cultural vision of the Yogi governmentOn October 17 at 3 PM a Deepdaan ceremony was held as part of the preevent activities Participants also underwent aarti rehearsals to synchronise Vedic chants lamp lighting and group formationsensuring that the event proceeds with discipline and grace IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ayodhya-yogi-government-aims-for-unprecedented-scale-in-deepotsav-2025-643691.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 22:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bjp-seeks-ncw-intervention-on-rising-sexual-assaults-on-girls-in-karnataka-643545.html Bengaluru Oct 17 The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka has written a letter to the National Commission for Women NCW on Friday citing the rising number of sexual assaults on girls in the state and demanding urgent intervention He also urged the NCW to send a factfinding committee urgently to the stateAshoka stated The law and order in Karnataka has collapsed In just 4 months 979 incidents of sexual assaults on girls were reported In Bengaluru alone more than 114 cases have come to light Our women and children are living in fear due to the Congressled governments criminal inactionFrom the brutal rape and murder of a tribal girl in Mysuru to the tragic suicide of a librarian in Kalaburagi due to harassment this is a moral and administrative failure I have written an urgent letter to the National Commission for Women demanding immediate intervention We need a factfinding team in Karnataka now Ashoka statedAshoka stated BJP will not stay silent while our sisters and daughters are unsafe The government must answer for this breakdown and act swiftly to ensure a guarantee of safety and security to our women and childrenThe letter states I write to you in the gravest of terms as the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly deeply anguished and alarmed by the surge in heinous crimes against women and minors across the state The recent spate of incidents reflects a collapse of law and order and an alarming erosion of the safety of women children and marginalised communitiesAccording to official data and media reports 979 cases of sexual assaults and atrocities against minors have been reported in just the last four months across Karnataka Bengaluru alone accounts for over 114 such cases indicating that the crisis has reached alarming proportions and that deterrence has failed completely Ashoka underlinedAmong the many tragic incidents that have shaken public conscience are the brutal rape and murder of a juvenile girl in Mysuru belonging to the Hakki Pikki nomadic tribal community who had migrated from Kalaburagi to sell balloons during the Dusshera festivities This horrifying act expresses the vulnerability of migrant and tribal families and the complete absence of preventive policing even in highsecurity areas The tragic suicide of a woman librarian in Kalaburagi reportedly following sustained workplace harassment and humiliation This heartbreaking episode underlines the growing crisis of womens safety and dignity even within educational and institutional spaces Ashoka notedThese incidents combined with the shocking statewide statistics represent a deep moral and administrative failure Women in Karnataka today are forced to live in fear not of the law but of its absence The governments silence and inaction in the face of such atrocities are unacceptable Ashoka slammedIn this context I urge the NCW to take immediate suo motu cognisance and initiate the action Constitute a highlevel factfinding delegation to visit Karnataka particularly Mysuru Kalaburagi and Bengaluru to assess the situation on the ground interact with victims families and evaluate institutional lapses he demanded He has also asked NCW to seek a comprehensive report from the Government of Karnataka IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bjp-seeks-ncw-intervention-on-rising-sexual-assaults-on-girls-in-karnataka-643545.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhis-air-quality-dips-ahead-of-diwali-aqi-levels-in-very-poor-category--643546.html New Delhi Oct 17 The capital is raring for Diwali celebrations this weekend The permission for bursting green firecrackers this Diwali has added zing to the excitement and festive mood However the dipping air quality ahead of the festival is threatening to play spoiler Air quality in the capital as well as the National Capital Region NCR has fallen to the very poor category creating concerns for both the public and the administrationAccording to the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB the Air Quality Index AQI was measured at 367 this morningMany parts of the DelhiNCR region registered air quality below substandard levels this morning Ghaziabad remained the most polluted city followed by Noida and DelhiIn Ghaziabad the AQI reached 301 which is considered very poor Loni area recorded AQI of 352 very close to the severe category while Sanjay Nagar recorded an AQI of 288 Indirapuram 280 and Vasundhara 284PM10 levels also reached 307 levels on October 16 254 on October 15 and 261 on October 14The situation in Noida was no better Sector 125 recorded AQI of 337 Sector 116 recorded AQI of 269 Sector 1 recorded an AQI of 257 while Sector 62 recorded an AQI of 218The situation in Delhi was also concerning According to the official data the Anand Vihar area recorded the worst air quality this morning with AQI hitting 365 falling in the severe category The AQI was recorded at 333 in Wazirpur 306 in Bawana and 283 in MundkaNotably the AQI reading is categorised under various categories as Good 050 Satisfactory 51100 Moderately Polluted 101200 Poor 201300 Very Poor 301400 and Severe 401500The Meteorological Department and environmental experts believe that slow wind speeds and dropping temperatures are the main reasons behind pollutants filling the air making it toxic particularly for the elderly and children IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhis-air-quality-dips-ahead-of-diwali-aqi-levels-in-very-poor-category--643546.html Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-madurantakam-lake-restoration-nears-completion-revival-to-boost-irrigation-643343.html Chennai Oct 16 The centuryold Madurantakam lake in Chengalpattu district one of Tamil Nadus largest and most historic waterbodies is nearing the end of its massive restoration effort with officials confirming that nearly 95 per cent of the work has been completed The Rs 163crore project is expected to be fully operational by February 2026 Constructed in the 10th century by King Uthama Chozhan the Madurantakam lake spans around 4752 acres and once held a full storage capacity of 234 feetIt has long been a crucial irrigation source for about 2853 acres of farmland across 36 villages including Valarpirai Mullai Kadaperi Vilagam and Mukkancherry However decades of silt accumulation had drastically reduced the lakes waterholding capacity causing even 10 feet of water to appear fullResponding to repeated demands from local farmers and environmentalists the state government sanctioned Rs 120 crore for the lakes restoration in 2021 with work commencing the following year Later an additional Rs 43 crore was allocated for constructing a 12shuttered surplus sluice gate to manage inflows and prevent floodingAccording to engineers from the Water Resources Department WRD the upgraded system features 12 automated shutters spanning 144 metres powered by electric motorsThese gates will regulate both water storage and release ensuring effective flood control and increased irrigation potentialTrial operations to release water through the new gates are currently underway aided by the steady inflows from the northeast monsoonThe initial tests of the automated gates have been successful and the lake is already receiving healthy inflows a senior WRD official said Once completed this project will restore the lakes full capacity help recharge groundwater and significantly benefit paddy cultivation in the regionBefore restoration the reservoirs capacity stood at 694 million cubic feet mcft Upon completion the modernised Madurantakam lake will be capable of storing up to 1000 mcft of water annually a nearly 45 per cent increase in capacityOfficials added that by February 2026 the lake will be fully functional for agricultural and public use marking the revival of a waterbody that has served as a lifeline for generations of farmers in Chengalpattu IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-madurantakam-lake-restoration-nears-completion-revival-to-boost-irrigation-643343.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/adani-green-energy-gallery-at-uks-science-museum-draws-a-million-visitors-10-000-students-643457.html London Oct 16 Energy Revolution The Adani Green Energy Gallery an awardwinning free gallery at the Science Museum has welcomed one million visitors including over 10000 students since its launch last year said the company on Thursday The gallery is dedicated to examining the rapid energy transition and decarbonisation needed to limit climate changeIt features striking displays of contemporary and historic objects engaging digital exhibits and specially commissioned models which together show how the past present and future of energy systems are shaped by human imagination and innovationWe are honoured to witness Energy Revolution The Adani Green Energy Gallery inspiring a million minds and igniting conversations around sustainability and innovation At Adani Green Energy we believe that a sustainable future is rooted in bold innovation and collective action This milestone reflects the shared commitment to shaping a greener tomorrow and showcases the power of education in driving meaningful change said Sagar Adani Executive Director Adani Green EnergyWe congratulate the Science Museum Group on achieving this significant landmark and are proud to support a gallery that continues to trigger curiosity and nurture solutions for a cleaner more resilient world he addedThe gallery which highlights technologies and projects from the UK and abroad from hydrogen power on Orkney to terracotta aircooling façades in India and solar farms in Morocco is popular with both families and school groups More than 10000 students have now explored the gallery as part of educational visits since it opened the company saidWe are delighted to have welcomed a million visitors to this stunning gallery helping ignite curiosity among those who visit and sparking conversations about the need to generate and use energy more sustainably Reaching this impressive milestone is a testament to the gallerys awardwinning design and the stories behind the remarkable objects on display said Sir Ian Blatchford Chief Executive and Director of the Science Museum GroupBlatchford also expressed gratitude to Adani Green Energy one of the worlds leading renewable energy companies for their generous sponsorship which made the gallery possibleThe free gallery opened at the Science Museum on March 24 last year on Level 2 in the West HallDesigned by architect and design studio Unknown Works the Gallery recently received a Retrofit and Reuse Award from the Architects Journal for its sustainable approach to design and installation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/adani-green-energy-gallery-at-uks-science-museum-draws-a-million-visitors-10-000-students-643457.html Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-coimbatore-corporation-plans-sports-complex-for-para-athletes-643119.html Chennai Oct 15 The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation is set to establish a stateoftheart sports complex exclusively for paraathletes The proposed facility to be developed on a 242acre site along Jeeva Nagar Road in Ward 45 for Rs 15 crore aims to provide dedicated infrastructure for paraathletes to train and compete in various disciplines According to corporation officials the civic body had submitted a detailed proposal and design plan to the state government two months ago The proposal which included architectural and accessibility features was reviewed by the state authorities and returned with recommendations for modificationsThe design plan is now being revised in line with the governments directions and will be resubmitted for approval shortly Among the key changes made are improvements to the ramp design and other accessibility features to ensure full compliance with national standards for facilities catering to persons with disabilitiesOnce approved the project will mark a major milestone in Coimbatores efforts to build an inclusive sports ecosystem The proposed complex will be designed to host both competitive events and regular practice sessions It will include indoor training areas for multiple sports with special provisions for disciplines such as shooting table tennis and athleticsThe plan also envisions accessible infrastructure such as wheelchairfriendly pathways specialised toilets and other mobilitysupport featuresOfficials said the location at Jeeva Nagar Road was chosen for its accessibility and proximity to major city routes ensuring convenience for players coming from different parts of the districtThe facility is also expected to include basic accommodation units for visiting athletes participating in tournaments and training camps Sports associations in the district have welcomed the initiative calling it a timely step toward encouraging participation of differently abled athletes in competitive sportsThe project once completed is expected to serve as a model for similar infrastructure in other cities across Tamil Nadu By focusing on inclusivity and accessibility the Coimbatore Corporations proposed complex is seen as a major stride in promoting equal opportunities for paraathletes and enhancing the citys sporting credentials at both state and national levels IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-coimbatore-corporation-plans-sports-complex-for-para-athletes-643119.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-heavy-rain-water-to-be-released-from-poondi-red-hills-reservoirs-to-prevent-overflow-643152.html Chennai Oct 15 The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department WRD will release about 700 cubic feet per second cusecs of water from the Poondi reservoir and 200 cusecs from the Red Hills reservoir on Wednesday to manage rising inflow caused by heavy rainfall across the state According to WRD officials the water from Poondi will be let into the Kosasthalaiyar River and will reach the Tamaraipakkam anicut from where it will be diverted to the Cholavaram tank for storageThe decision follows a surge in inflow of 2260 cusecs from catchment areas the Kesavaram anicut Illupur check dam and the KandaleruPoondi canalAs per the WRDs compendium of rules the water level in Poondi reservoir should be maintained at 33 feet during October However the level now stands at 3430 feet The release of excess water is a precautionary measure to prevent overflow and to store surplus in the Cholavaram tankOfficials said the Red Hills reservoir one of the key drinking water sources for Chennai is also filling up rapidly The department will release water from it depending on the days inflow and rainfall intensityMeanwhile the Tiruvallur district administration has issued a flood warning to lowlying areas including Vadakarai Naravarikuppam Sadayankuppam and Kosapur located along the surplus course of the reservoirsWidespread rainfall lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Wednesday under the influence of a weather system over the Bay of BengalChennai experienced intense showers as strengthening easterly winds signalled the approach of the Northeast monsoonThe Regional Meteorological Centre RMC said that the simultaneous withdrawal of the Southwest monsoon and the onset of the Northeast monsoon were likely by Thursday October 16 A further update on the monsoons onset is expected soonIn the 24 hours ending at 830 am Wednesday Ennore in Chennai recorded 14 cm of rainfall while Kathivakkam received 10 cm and Manali New Town and Kodanad Nilgiris recorded 9 cm eachWimco Nagar in Chennai received 8 cm and Sembanarkoil in Mayiladuthurai recorded 7 cm Light to moderate showers were also reported from Thanjavur Thiruvarur Vellore Kallakurichi Villupuram Tirunelveli Pudukottai Cuddalore Thoothukudi Ramanathapuram Nagapattinam Ranipet and TiruvallurThe wet spell is attributed to an upper air cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal moving towards the Comorin area IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-heavy-rain-water-to-be-released-from-poondi-red-hills-reservoirs-to-prevent-overflow-643152.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/give-us-infrastructure-and-collect-taxes-bengalurus-taxpayers-forum-to-ktaka-cm-643184.html Bengaluru Oct 15 The residents and taxpayers of Varthur Balegere and Panathur localities located close to tech hubs in Bengaluru have written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanding that the government provide good public infrastructure and then only collect taxes The letter sent to CM Siddaramaiah by the Individual Tax Payers Forum ITPF has stirred a debate over Bengalurus infrastructure on Wednesday following repeated concerns raised by IT industry leaders and the BJPs criticism of the Congressled government for losing the Google AI hub to Andhra PradeshThe letter states that Urgent concern regarding unscientific and incomplete road white topping drainage works in VarthurBalgerePanathur area and request to CM to order Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA not to collect Property Tax for not providing us basic public infrastructureNamma Bengaluru is globally recognised as Indias IT hub and such a casual approach and civic negligence simply erodes the pride and credibility of Brand Bengaluru and should be unacceptable Since the last few decades the recognition is getting changed and we being the citizens and residents of Bengaluru dont want to hear our city as a garbage city a pothole city a traffic jam city a nofootpath city a poor public infrastructure city etc the forum underlinesIf the GBA continue to ignore the taxpayers request on basic public infrastructure we request you to order the GBA not to collect property tax from us Give us good public infrastructure and then collect taxes the forum reiteratedWe wish to bring this to your notice that the citizens and taxpayers are suffering immensely along with our families and children because of Bad Civic Infrastructure planning by Municipal Authorities BBMP GBA and wish to draw your kind attention to the ongoing Half Measured Unscientific and poorly Coordinated Road WhiteTopping and Stormwater drainage works in the Varthur BalgerePanathur area the forum saidAs expected flooding continues to occur repeatedly like we saw recently on 10th 11th October one of the worst ones mainly due to the absence of a properly connected stormwater drainage network to carry rainwater into the water bodies such as Varthur Lake Despite your recent visit to this locality on September 27 ignoring your instructions the officials in the municipal bodies have yet again ignored planning and resorted to shortcuts with no action the forum statedInstead of first completing the drainage network which is the foundation for road stability authorities have hastily started filling potholes whitetopping works in VarthurBalagerePanathur Such halfmeasures will only lead to rapid deterioration of the new roads wasting public funds and taxpayer contributions Panathur main road repair work done recently is already seeing water accumulation because of bad sloping the forum pointed outThe forum said that Namma Bengaluru is the brightest jewel in our nations crown We sincerely hope your decisive leadership will restore its shine through transparent scientific and sustainable civic planning Bengaluru is one among the top 5 states in the entire country in terms of tax generation for contributing to the development of the country and Bengaluru was known as a Garden City a Silicon Valley a retired persons paradise once upon a time the letter concludes IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/give-us-infrastructure-and-collect-taxes-bengalurus-taxpayers-forum-to-ktaka-cm-643184.html Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/reviving-roots-women-bring-back-the-charm-of-handmade-diwali-lamps-642985.html Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh Oct 13 With Diwali just around the corner women from rural selfhelp groups SHGs in Jaunpur are playing a vital role in keeping the spirit of the festival alive They are spreading its light across the country and even overseas Under the centrallysponsored National Rural Livelihood Mission NRLM women including those from the Muslim community are crafting vibrant ecofriendly lamps made of clay and wax in both traditional and tricolour designs This years Diwali carries special significance as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to embrace Swadeshi Made in India products The lamps created by these women not only align with this vision but also reflect the resilience creativity and economic empowerment of rural womenOne such initiative is the Milki SelfHelp Group comprising ten women who work together from 11 am to 5 pm everyday Most members belong to the Muslim community and include Zafrun Ejaz Rihana Chand Tara Najbun Sofia Johri Indu Bala Bishakha Subhawati and Seema The group leader explains that they have been engaged in this work for the past three yearsWe started with just 1000 lamps in our first year This year weve already received orders for over 15000 diyas including from Mumbai and even abroad says Zafrun Ejaz a leading member of the groupThe lamps made without any machinery are fully handmade using clay wax and natural colours The women buy raw clay lamps from another local SHG helping boost the income of fellow artisans in the communityThe initial capital came from their personal savings and later they received financial support of Rs 11 lakh from the government under NRLM which helped them scale their operations Now each woman earns approximately Rs 10000 per Diwali season contributing significantly to their household incomesThese are 100 per cent Swadeshi products made by the hands of village women Theres no factory or machine involved Zafrun adds proudlyThe group also shared a special moment when one of Zafruns husbands friends who lives in America visited them and was so impressed with the diyas that he took 50 lamps with him as samples He plans to light them in the US this Diwali she said with a smileEach diya burns for about an hour to an hour and a half and they are sold individually for Rs 15 or as a pack of 12 diyas for Rs 150 with an MRP of Rs 200 The packaging and design make them ideal not only for homes but also as festive giftsThe women thanked Prime Minister Modi for promoting the Swadeshi movement which has opened up new markets and opportunities for local products We are proud to contribute to this movement Lets use what is made in our own country Zafrun said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/reviving-roots-women-bring-back-the-charm-of-handmade-diwali-lamps-642985.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-farmers-cry-foul-as-cooperative-societies-restrict-crop-loans-below-rs-2-lakh-limit-643041.html Chennai Oct 14 Even after the Tamil Nadu government increased the ceiling for collateralfree crop loans from Rs 160 lakh to Rs 2 lakh with effect from January 1 2025 several cooperative societies across the state are allegedly providing lower amounts to farmers Many cultivators have also complained that only those who had borrowed in the previous year are being considered for fresh loans this season while firsttime applicants are being deniedThe revised ceiling allows eligible farmers to avail interestfree crop loans up to Rs 2 lakh through Primary Agricultural Cooperative Banks PACS repayable within 12 months However farmers associations have raised concerns that a number of societies in districts such as Tiruppur and Coimbatore are issuing loans capped below the old limit forcing many growers to depend on private moneylenders at higher interest ratesWhile some cooperative banks are reportedly implementing the revised limit the distribution remains inconsistent In certain taluks farmers have been able to access the full Rs 2 lakh loan amount without any restrictions whereas in others applications are being processed selectivelyComplaints have also emerged over the slow pace of loan approvals with some societies taking over 10 days to process applications that should ideally be cleared within a week Instead of handling applications individually several banks are said to be bunching them together for collective processing delaying disbursals during the peak cultivation seasonOfficials in the cooperative department have attributed the variation in loan amounts to differences in crop costs They said that societies assess the type of crops proposed for cultivation and determine the loan quantum accordinglyFor crops with lower input costs the sanctioned amount may fall below Rs 2 lakh Nonetheless department sources have maintained that all eligible farmers are being covered under the revised schemeFarmer groups have urged the cooperative department to intervene and issue clear instructions to ensure that all eligible applicants receive the full revised limit of Rs 2 lakh regardless of their past borrowing record They also sought stricter monitoring to ensure that the governments interestfree crop loan initiative reaches every farmer without bureaucratic hurdles or regional disparities IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-farmers-cry-foul-as-cooperative-societies-restrict-crop-loans-below-rs-2-lakh-limit-643041.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/after-delays-tnuhdb-to-inaugurate-1-152-flat-housing-project-in-tiruvallur-by-dec-643045.html Chennai Oct 14 After a significant delay the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board TNUHDB is set to inaugurate its major housing project with 1152 flats spread across 16 blocks at Poochi Aathipedu village in Uthukottai taluk Tiruvallur district by December The fourstorey project constructed for Rs 156 crore is aimed at providing affordable homes to families from economically weaker sections in both Tiruvallur and Chennai districtsThe project initiated in 2019 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana PMAY Housing for All scheme was originally scheduled for completion within 18 months However the pandemic brought work to a standstill for nearly two years The construction timeline was later extended thrice from December 2022 to June 2023 and then to June 2025 before being finalised for completion this yearIntended to improve urban housing conditions the scheme focuses on providing secure and affordable accommodation to slum dwellers and lowincome familiesThe Tiruvallur TNUHDB executive engineer said each flat costs Rs 1355 lakh of which Rs 65 lakh is contributed by the state government and Rs 15 lakh by the Union government Beneficiaries with an annual income below Rs 3 lakh are eligible under the scheme and are required to pay Rs 65 lakhNearly 90 per cent of the construction has been completed with only finishing works such as painting and the installation of a sewage treatment plant pendingThe project is expected to be ready for occupation by December following an extension granted to the contractorIn addition to the residential blocks the housing complex is being developed with essential civic amenities including a community hall a primary school a Primary Health Centre PHC two nursery schools and three ration shopsApplications for the flats were accepted through the TNUHDB portal and the Chief Ministers Special Cell Once inaugurated the project is expected to mark a major milestone in the state governments ongoing efforts to provide affordable housing and improve living standards for economically weaker sections across the ChennaiTiruvallur region IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/after-delays-tnuhdb-to-inaugurate-1-152-flat-housing-project-in-tiruvallur-by-dec-643045.html Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/flavours-of-kerala-top-five-eateries-to-explore-642926.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 13 Kerala is a treasure trove for food enthusiasts offering a delightful blend of traditional flavours and contemporary culinary experiences Whether youre a connoisseur seeking authentic tastes or an adventurous eater eager to explore here are five exceptional dining destinations in Kerala that promise to tantalise your taste buds Paragon Restaurant A legacy of flavourFounded in 1939 in Kozhikode Calicut north Kerala Paragon Restaurant has grown from a humble eatery into one of Keralas most iconic culinary destinations Founded by PM Govindan whose passion for food led him to start the restaurant after retiring from the Indian Railways along with his son PM Valsan the venture reflects Govindans deep love for cuisine that distinguished him beyond his career as a government officialOver the decades it has become a beloved institution renowned for preserving the essence of Malabar cuisine while adapting to modern tastes Under the guidance of its thirdgeneration management Paragon has expanded across Kerala and even internationally to Dubai introducing authentic Kerala flavours to a global audienceSignature dishes and culinary magicParagons menu is a celebration of Malabars diverse heritage with dishes inspired by Moplah and Thiyya traditions Its Malabar Chicken Biryani is legendary made with fragrant jeerakasala rice tender chicken and a delicate blend of spices Other favourites include Mutton Varattiyathu a spicy slowcooked mutton delicacy Koonthal Ularthiyathu stirfried squid with aromatic masalas and Kozhi Porichathu a crispy perfectly seasoned fried chickenSeafood lovers swear by the Crab Bhoomika a coastal speciality bursting with flavourParagon has its restaurants in Kozhikode Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala Paragon Restaurant remains a shining symbol of Keralas vibrant culinary spirit timeless flavorful and unforgettablePazhayidom Preserving Keralas sadya feast traditionPazhayidom has carved a distinguished space in Keralas rich culinary scene especially celebrated for its mastery over traditional vegetarian feasts and catering on a grand scale More than just a restaurant chain Pazhayidom is deeply rooted in the traditions of Keralas sadya feast culture the majestic multicourse spread served during festivals temple occasions weddings school and university arts festivals and communal gatheringsPazhayidom has restaurants in almost every town as well as on highways across KeralaTraditional sadya feastWhat sets Pazhayidom apart is how it carries forward the ritual of sadya with elegance and authenticity Their menu features an array of vegetarian Kerala classics from colourful and flavourful curries like Sambar Avial and Kalan the hearty Parippu dal crispy Pappadams Mezhukkupuratti spiced vegetable stirfries Thoran to the aromatic rice served on fresh banana leaves But the real point of pride lies in their desserts the payasamsPazhayidom offers multiple signature payasams each rich with coconut milk jaggery or sugar sometimes fruity or nutty notes each one crafted to complete the sadya or feast in its sweet crescendoBeyond the food Pazhayidoms strength is in its scale and consistency They are equipped to cater thousands during big events yet manage to maintain taste texture and visual appeal no small feat when preparing so much food at onceIn short for anyone wanting to experience pure vegetarian Kerala cuisine in its traditional glory Pazhayidom delivers its like tasting the legacy hospitality and festive spirit of Kerala all rolled into one sumptuous mealVilla MayaVilla Maya is not just another restaurant its an experience rooted in history ambience and flavours Tucked away on Airport Road Thiruvananthapuram Villa Maya holds deep historical significance as one of the five prominent Ammaveedus in ThiruvananthapuramStepping in you immediately feel like youve travelled back in time antique furniture elegant architecture indoor rooms charming outdoor courts and serene water features complete the settingCuisinewise Villa Maya is all about fusion with deep respect for Keralas culinary DNA Their menu weaves together traditional Kerala dishes with international flavours from Italy Morocco France and beyondYoull find classic Kerala dishes like appams with stew banana leafwrapped fish prawns in mellow coconut gravies and seafood platters that highlight local coastal tastesAt the same time there are also continental creations pastas stuffed crab elegant desserts like chocolatecoffee fudge baked yoghurt and regional sweet treatsWhat makes Villa Maya special is the pace this isnt for a rushed meal They want you to linger savour each course enjoy the artful presentation and the ease The service matches the setting refined detailed warmMalabar CafeNestled along the serene waterfront of Bolgatty Island in Kochi Malabar Cafe at Grand Hyatt Kochi is a culinary gem that offers a refined yet authentic taste of Kerala With its elegant decor and relaxed ambience it provides an inviting space for both locals and tourists to explore the regions vibrant flavoursThe cafes menu beautifully celebrates Keralas traditional cuisine with a modern touchSignature dishes include the Malabar Chicken Biryani rich with fragrant jeerakasala rice and tender chicken and the famous Karimeen Pollichathu pearl spot fish marinated in spices wrapped in banana leaf and gently grilledOther highlights include appam with stew traditional Kerala fish curries prawns roast and a delightful range of vegetarian curries showcasing the states spice heritageBreakfasts here are lavish featuring local favourites like puttu idiyappam dosas and fresh tropical fruitsKayees Rahmathulla HotelEstablished in 1948 by VK Kayee Kayees Rahmathulla Hotel in Mattancherry Kochi has grown into an iconic culinary destination The restaurant is legendary for its signature Kayikkas Biryani a dish celebrated for its perfect blend of aromatic spices tender meat and fragrant basmati rice slowcooked to perfectionIts mutton biryani in particular is a musttry with layers of rich flavours that captivate every visitorApart from mutton the chicken and fish biryanis are also highly popular each dish offering a unique taste experience Complementary sides like tangy lemon pickle and crunchy pickled onions elevate the meal making every bite more memorableKayees launched a second location near Durbar Hall Ground in Ernakulam serving both locals and tourists who crave authentic Kerala flavours The restaurant maintains a simple unpretentious setting focusing entirely on delivering exceptional food rather than flashy decorKayees Rahmathulla Hotel is more than just a place to eat it is a culinary journey through tradition and flavour a spot where history culture and food come together in every plate of biryani IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/flavours-of-kerala-top-five-eateries-to-explore-642926.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/madhya-pradesh-to-celebrate-foundation-day-on-industry-and-employment-theme-642951.html Bhopal Oct 13 Madhya Pradesh will celebrate its Foundation Day on November 1 under the theme Industry and Employment Year The statelevel event in Bhopal and districtlevel programs across Madhya Pradesh will highlight innovations youth empowerment and the economic impact of cultural and tourism activities Madhya Prades Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired a highlevel meeting in this regard The events will be organised on the theme Industry is the Temple of Employment aims to showcase initiatives that promote selfreliant India and selfreliant Madhya Pradesh Activities will focus on skill development technical education and entrepreneurship connecting youth to employment opportunities The Chief Minister emphasised that the Foundation Day should be celebrated as a state festival with vibrant participation from all regions a statement issued on Monday said From November 1st to 3rd Bhopal will host a series of exhibitions and cultural events These include displays on One District One Product Emperor Vikramaditya and Ayodhya ancient temple architecture and the Indian Rishi tradition A Van Mela fair on forests drone tech workshop traditional art showcase and local cuisine fair will also be organised reflecting the states rich heritage and innovation The celebrations will kick off with a grand event at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal featuring a performance by renowned playback singer Jubin Nautiyal who will sing devotional songs of Lord Krishna said the statement A drone show themed on heritagebased development and fireworks will add to the spectacle On November 2nd and 3rd the epic play Emperor Vikramaditya will be staged along with light music performances CM Yadav also directed that beneficiaries of welfare schemes industrial contributors and selfhelp groups be actively involved in the celebrations Districts will present their progress and achievements while institutions like ITI and Polytechnic will showcase efforts in youth and women empowerment Farmers organisations will display their contributions to agricultural development In previous years Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day has celebrated themes such as cultural heritage women empowerment and sports and youth development reflecting the states evolving priorities This years focus on industry and employment marks a strategic shift toward economic resilience and inclusive growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/madhya-pradesh-to-celebrate-foundation-day-on-industry-and-employment-theme-642951.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/diwali-rush-pushes-omnibus-fares-to-record-high-across-tn-642769.html Chennai Oct 13 With the Deepavali travel season at its peak omnibus operators across Tamil Nadu have significantly raised fares leaving passengers with little choice but to pay steep rates for their festive journeys Despite repeated warnings from the State Transport Department against overcharging fares on major routes from Chennai to southern and western districts have nearly doubled On several private booking platforms oneway tickets on the ChennaiMadurai route are listed for up to Rs 4500 while ChennaiTiruchy and ChennaiCoimbatore services show fares touching Rs 3500 and Rs 3000 respectively far above normal levelsAs per the fare structure agreed between the state government and Omni Bus Associations in 2022 the approved oneway rates range between Rs 1200 and Rs 1980 for ChennaiTiruchy Rs 1930 and Rs 3070 for ChennaiMadurai and Rs 1730 and Rs 2880 for ChennaiCoimbatore However fares for both inbound and outbound travel between October 17 and 23 have surged across all routes as passengers rush to book holiday ticketsThe shortage of direct services to certain destinations has compounded the situation particularly for passengers travelling to Tiruchy and smaller towns en route to southern districts Many such buses are routed to Madurai or Tirunelveli resulting in passengers on intermediate routes being charged higher fares pegged to longerdistance destinationsOperators have attributed the fare escalation to rising operational costs including fuel prices and maintenance expenses and have sought a revision of the 2022 fare chartThe Owners Association maintains that the existing chart only specifies maximum rates and that any disputes can be raised through its grievance redressal mechanismMeanwhile officials from the Transport Department have launched statewide enforcement drives at major checkpoints including toll plazas and entry points to cities such as Madurai Tiruchy and CoimbatoreSpecial monitoring teams have been tasked with verifying fare compliance and safety normsTransport Minister SS Sivasankar has confirmed that multiple cases of overcharging have already been reported and that Associations have been directed to immediately reduce fares to approved limits Strict action including permit suspension and penalties has been warned against violators as the state seeks to keep festive travel affordable and safe for the public IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/diwali-rush-pushes-omnibus-fares-to-record-high-across-tn-642769.html Mon, 13 Oct 2025 08:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chhattisgarh-ujjwala-yojana-brings-positive-change-in-lives-of-women-in-bastar-region-642757.html Raipur Oct 12 Bijapur district in Bastar division of Chhattisgarh once infamous for the Left Wing Extremism menace is writing a new story of development and prosperity Ujjwala Yojana one of the flagship schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government has brought transformational change in the lives of women here Not just this slew of other public welfare programs like Good Governance Festival and Niyad Nellanar have brought profound changes to the lives of peopleEarlier women previously toiled for hours collecting firewood and working in smokefilled kitchens but now cooking with LPG gas has made life easier safer and healthierThousands of women have received free gas connections and are now not just saving their time in cooking meals but also safeguarding their health from toxic smokeEarlier eye irritation and respiratory illnesses in women were common but now the kitchens are filled with smiles and not smokeMany women say that cooking with LPG saves their time thereby allowing them to take better care for their children and other household choresThe benefits of government schemes and services are visible in almost every village hereRural women are participating in the SelfHelp Groups SHGs the Nutrition Campaign and the Swachh Bharat Mission Administrative officials are regularly visiting villages to listen to peoples problems and provide solutionsThese initiatives have given a new direction to transparency and public participation in governanceThese schemes have significantly increased womens participation and empowerment Women are now not only managing their homes but also becoming selfreliant by engaging in employmentoriented activitiesThey are selling their products in local markets becoming financially strong through selfhelp groups and playing a role in village development IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chhattisgarh-ujjwala-yojana-brings-positive-change-in-lives-of-women-in-bastar-region-642757.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/up-swadeshi-abhiyaan-lights-up-gorakhpurs-kumhar-gali-ahead-of-diwali--642759.html Gorakhpur Oct 12 The impact and outreach of the Central Governments Swadeshi campaign is being felt on the ground and is being reflected in peoples priorities as they venture out to buy products ahead of Diwali Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local has brought new light to the lives of the potter communityIn Kumhar Gali Potters Street Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh there is a soaring demand for clay lamps pots and idols of Lakshmi Ganesha and KuberaThe local businessmen are witnessing swelling demands from consumers who are prioritising swadeshi and countrymade goods over othersGorakhpurs Potters Street is now ablaze with light and hope reflecting the spirit of a selfreliant IndiaWhile Chinese goods once dominated the markets people are now prioritising indigenous clay lamps and utensils Foreign decorative items have almost disappeared from the local marketsSeema Prajapati a businesswoman from the potter community told IANS Now people are avoiding Chinese goods Clay lamps and idols are selling well This has boosted our business and strengthened our financial standingSoninath Prajapati who has been involved in this profession for nearly 30 years says There was a time when we had to stop work but now we have found renewed enthusiasm The government is providing facilities for the potter community This Diwali the demand for clay lamps is so high that we are unable to meet itGudiya Prajapati echoing similar thoughts said There was a time when the family would discuss the lack of work and the need to close this business and start something else After receiving govt support work has become easierInitially we thought we should close this business but now the demand has increased so much that the potters wheel is spinning day and night he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/up-swadeshi-abhiyaan-lights-up-gorakhpurs-kumhar-gali-ahead-of-diwali--642759.html Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-gears-up-for-intense-northeast-monsoon-mayor-announces-extra-flood-prevention-measures-642564.html Chennai Oct 11 As the northeast monsoon is expected to be more intense this year the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC of Tamil Nadu has begun implementing additional floodcontrol measures in lowlying areas Addressing reporters on Saturday Mayor Priya Rajan said the civic body is acting on the requests of councillors to ensure the citys preparedness The rainfall this northeast monsoon may be heavy according to available forecasts But nature cannot be precisely predicted Stormwater drain works are under way across the GCC limits and 100horsepower motor pumps will be stationed in vulnerable areas the Mayor saidEarlier in the day Rajan laid the foundation stone for a new indoor badminton stadium at Millennium Park in Anna Nagar West Extension The facility estimated to cost Rs 93 lakh will be funded under the Mayors Development Fund She also inaugurated the EmpowHer womens gym in the same park constructed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh under the GCCs Capital FundMinister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P K Sekarbabu Corporation officials and elected representatives attended the eventsAccording to the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC two prevailing weather systems near the Tamil Nadu coast are expected to bring widespread rainfall to several districts until October 13 An orange warning has been issued for the Nilgiris district where isolated very heavy rain is likelyThe northeast monsoon is expected to set in between October 16 and 18 coinciding with the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon and the strengthening of easterly windsWhile southern districts such as Tirunelveli and Tenkasi may receive belownormal rainfall northern regions are likely to experience abovenormal showers this seasonB Amudha AdditionalinCharge Head of the RMC said Tamil Nadu has recorded abovenormal northeast monsoon rainfall in most of the past 15 years with an average seasonal total of 44 to 50 cm expected this year across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal Rainfall has so far been deficient in parts of Chengalpattu Pudukottai and KanniyakumariHeavy rain is likely on Saturday in at least 10 districts including Tiruppur Coimbatore Sivaganga and Salem Amudha clarified that a cloudburst refers to about 10 cm of rain within an hour in a localised area While such extreme events are difficult to predict with complete accuracy she said the RMCs recent forecasts for intense thunderstorms in Chennai had been reasonably preciseThunderstorms typical of the transition phase between monsoons are expected in some areas of the city later on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-gears-up-for-intense-northeast-monsoon-mayor-announces-extra-flood-prevention-measures-642564.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chief-of-naval-staff-lauds-14-year-old-sailing-champion-rameeza-bhanu-642440.html New Delhi Oct 10 Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Friday interacted with SK Rameeza Bhanu a 14yearold National Sailing Champion The Chief of Naval Staff was all praise for Rameeza whose life is a moving testament to courage resilience and hope Left homeless at a young age Rameeza found a new beginning through the Rainbow Homes which provided her with care education and the opportunity to explore her potential according to a post by Navy spokespersonIntroduced to Sailing through The Yacht Club of Hyderabad Foundation she discovered her passion and talent for the sport Within just one year of training she has won multiple medals at national regattas and has now been selected to represent India in Oman The Chief of Naval Staff lauded her indomitable spirit discipline and determination while appreciating the vital role of Rainbow Homes and The Yacht Club of Hyderabad in transforming young lives through mentorship and opportunity Rameezas inspirational journey reflects the spirit of Nari Shakti the strength courage and perseverance of a young girl who charted her own course against all odds and resonates deeply with the ethos of the Indian Navy where resilience dedication and service above selfdefine every sailors path Rameeza overcame a difficult past to excel in the sport After being homeless at a young age she was provided with care education and opportunities by the Rainbow Homes charity Within a year of training she won multiple medals at national regattas In July 2025 she topped the girls section in the Optimist Main Fleet at the YAI Tiscon Youth Open Regatta at Hussain Sagar Lake in HyderabadRainbow Homes had said that Rameezas inspiring win is a story of resilience guided care and the magic of opportunity Her triumph reflects the power of dreams discipline and the unwavering support of mentors who stood by her IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chief-of-naval-staff-lauds-14-year-old-sailing-champion-rameeza-bhanu-642440.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/manipur-is-a-unique-blend-of-creativity-and-resilience-claims-guv-bhalla-642445.html Imphal Oct 10 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday highlighted that the state represents a unique blend of natural abundance creativity and resilience a dream come true for anyone seeking diverse opportunities Addressing the inaugural session of the Manipur Global Buyers and Sellers Summit held at the City Convention Centre Imphal the Governor said that from the lush hills to the fertile valleys the state offers many distinctive products The products include black rice ChakHao organic produce handloom and handicrafts each enriched by the ingenuity of its people he stated Bhalla also highlighted Manipurs abundant human resources skilled adaptable and enterprising and noted the growing strength of the states IT and service sectors which are contributing significantly to employment generation and innovation The Governor observed that despite recent challenges communities across Manipur including those once displaced have shown remarkable resilience reengaging in economic activity and creating valuedriven products that are now reaching both national and international markets Emphasising the growing entrepreneurial spirit of the state the Governor described the summit as more than an event a statement of confidence in Manipurs potential as a strategic gateway for global trade in the Northeast He commended the concerted efforts of the Directorate of Trade Commerce and Industries MANIDCO MCCI in partnership with national programmes such as the RAMP initiative of the Ministry of MSME for strengthening womenled enterprises and promoting local entrepreneurship With improved logistics expanding digital platforms and proximity to Southeast Asian countries the Governor expressed optimism that Manipur is poised for rapid growth through global partnerships sustainable production and inclusive innovation The twoday summit organised under the theme Bridging Business Sans Borders is being held as part of the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance RAMP initiative of the Union Ministry of MSME The event is jointly organised by the Directorate of Trade Commerce amp Industries Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd MANIDCO and Manipur Chamber of Commerce amp Industry MCCI The Governor also visited the various stalls set up as part of the summit by local entrepreneurs and industries showcasing Manipurs diverse range of indigenous products and innovations The event witnessed participation from neighbouring countries such as Myanmar Bangladesh and Thailand as well as representatives from Japan and several North Eastern states of India along with local entrepreneurs and businesses highlighting Manipurs growing potential as a hub for regional and international trade Anurag Bajpai Additional Chief Secretary Textiles Commerce amp Industries and Transport and Basudev Singh President Manipur Chamber of Commerce amp Industry also attended the inaugural function of the twoday summit IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/manipur-is-a-unique-blend-of-creativity-and-resilience-claims-guv-bhalla-642445.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/migratory-birds-arrive-in-thousands-as-kashmir-prepares-to-host-them-for-winter-months-642540.html Srinagar Oct 11 As the mountain tops get their first snowfall of the season the annual migration of avian visitors to Kashmir Valley starts a little earlier this year Officials of the Wildlife Protection Department say more than six lakh migratory birds have already arrived in the Valley to ward off the extreme cold of their summer homes and spend the winter months in the comparatively warmer water bodies of KashmirMore than six lakh migratory birds have already arrived here so far and we are expecting the number to double by the middle of the next month said officials of the Wildlife Protection DepartmentThese birds spend their winter months in the various water bodies of the Valley including the wetland bird reserves like the Hokersar on the outskirts of Srinagar city Mirgund and Hygam in Baramulla district Shallabugh in Ganderbal Chatlam in Pulwama district Wullar Lake and also outside the protected reserves in the Dal Lake and other large water bodiesAround 22 species of migratory birds leave their summer homes in China Siberia Central Asia and Eastern Europe to spend winters in KashmirMost of these bird species include Gadwalls Wigeons Shovellers Pintails Mallards TuftedDucks Ruddy Shelducks Greylag Geese Smews Grebes Cormorants and the Sandhills cranesOf these the greylag geese are the last to arrive while cormorants and the Sandhill Cranes are birds of passage spending some time in the Valley before migration to the Indian plains in winter and before migrating back to summer homes in Spring from the Indian plainsThe flight over thousands of miles to and from their summer and winter homes by the migratory birds is a marvel of aerial navigation that has no parallel in the animal kingdomThese birds orientate their flight by the sun during the day by the stars at night and by the geomagnetic field at any timeSome species can even detect polarised light which many migrating birds may use for navigation at nightIt is always the eldest of the flock that leads the flight as this bird is acquainted with the flight routeIf for any reason the eldest bird piloting the flight is unable to continue the second in the line takes overEach species of migratory birds fly separately in strict adherence to the adage birds of a feather fly togetherThus the teals mallards wigeons shovellers Ruddy shelducks Pintails and Pochards have separate flightsSince migratory birds are at the highest risk of extinction an international intergovernmental environment treaty on wetland protection was signed in 1971 called the Ramsar ConventionThe treaty is meant to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands which are crucial for biodiversity and sustainable developmentNamed after the Iranian city where it was adopted it sets out a framework for national and international cooperation designating certain wetlands as being of international importance called Ramsar Sites for their ecological character hydrological functions or value to wildlifeThere are five Ramsar sites in Jammu and Kashmir including Hokersar Shallabugh Wullar Lake and Hygam in the Valley and the MansarSurinsar lake in Jammu divisionAs the wetlands especially the protected bird reserves come to life with the arrival of the migratory birds in Kashmir villagers around these wetlands start hearing the cackle of the migratory birds and see the pageant of colour and discipline over the night skyThe duck tales recalling the stories of the arrival and survival of these hardy souls once formed an important moral narrative of the Valley passed on by elders of the family to the younger generationsTh duck tales have become events of the past as children now get to learn digital access to lessons and history at an early age but the marvel of the migratory birds continues to be an inseparable part of our heritageThreats to the migratory birds by poachers still continue despite stringent antipoaching laws in Jammu and KashmirUnscrupulous poachers are seen selling the birds on the sly during the winter monthsThe threat of poaching has though been reduced by the watch and ward staff of the Wildlife Protection DepartmentWeapons of poachers are seized and the offenders are tried in the courts of lawUnless people learn that coexistence is the only way to exist for humankind the migratory birds will continue to remain at the greatest risk of extinction in the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/migratory-birds-arrive-in-thousands-as-kashmir-prepares-to-host-them-for-winter-months-642540.html Sat, 11 Oct 2025 17:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/2025-nobel-peace-goes-to-venezuelas-maria-corina-machado-no-prize-for-trump-642344.html New Delhi Oct 10 IANS The highly coveted 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to Venezuelas Maria Corina Machado for being a steadfast supporter of democracy and not to US President Donald Trump who had been gunning for the prestigious awardnbspMachado was awarded the prize for being a brave and committed champion of peace and for keeping the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darknessnbspThe Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2025 NobelPeacePrize to Maria Corina Machado for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy the Norwegian Nobel Committee saidnbspMachado had been a key unifying figure in the democracy movement in Venezuela Her leadership showed that the tools of democracy are also the tools of peaceShe also embodied the hope of a different future one where the fundamental rights of citizens are protected and their voices are heardnbspShe is receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy the Committee saidnbspThis years Nobel Peace Prize was muchawaited as it had stirred intense speculation with Trump emerging as a frontrunner and also pushing for it aggressivelySeveral nations like Israel Russia Azerbaijan Pakistan Thailand Armenia and Cambodia are said to have nominated the US President crediting Trump with mediating several protracted conflictsnbspSignificantly the prestigious award has drawn 338 nominations this year including 94 organisations and 244 people from different walks of lifenbspTrump claimed to be the first in history to have solved eight wars in a period of nine monthsSince 1901 the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 105 times to 139 laureates 92 men 19 women and 28 organizationsnbspIn 2014 Malala Yousafzai became the youngest peace laureate at 17 years old At 86 years old Joseph Rotblat is the oldest to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995nbspThe Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 was awarded to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/2025-nobel-peace-goes-to-venezuelas-maria-corina-machado-no-prize-for-trump-642344.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/munambam-waqf-dispute-case-kerala-hc-clears-way-for-probe-observes-ulterior-motives-642345.html Kochi Oct 10 The Kerala High Court on Friday cleared the path for the state governments inquiry into the longstanding Munambam land dispute while observing that the petitioners challenging the commission were acting on behalf of certain other interested parties with ulterior purposes A division bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and Syam Kumar VM allowed two appeals filed by the state government overturning a March 17 singlejudge order that had quashed the appointment of an inquiry commission set up to resolve conflicts between around 600 residents and the Waqf BoardThe residents had protested over difficulties in paying land tax and registering mutations claiming their predecessors purchased land from Farook CollegeThe dispute traces back to 1950 when Siddhique Sait gifted the property to Farook College Decades later the Kerala Waqf Board classified the land as waqf property invalidating previous sales and sparking opposition from residentsThe state government in November 2024 appointed a commission headed by retired Justice CN Ramachandran Nair to find a permanent solution for bona fide occupants and thirdparty purchasersThe High Court noted that the petitioners Kerala Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi and others failed to show how they were directly affected questioning why they filed as persons aggrieved instead of pursuing a public interest petitionThey slept till 2019 while thirdparty rights were being created the court observed highlighting that the actual transferees Farook College management had consistently maintained that the 1950 deed was a simple gift not a waqf deedThe court concluded that the original petitioners were masquerading the interests of invisible third parties attempting to claim the property from Farook Management It further noted that the Kerala Waqf Board itself had not contested the legality of the government commissionBy dismissing the singlejudge verdict the High Court cleared the way for the inquiry commission to proceed potentially paving the way for a resolution in the decadeslong Munambam dispute while reaffirming the legal principle that only those directly impacted can challenge the state government action IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/munambam-waqf-dispute-case-kerala-hc-clears-way-for-probe-observes-ulterior-motives-642345.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-reunited-after-nine-years-kozhikode-woman-returns-home-642378.html Kozhikode Oct 10 After nine long years of separation Geetha who had been residing at the Government Asha Bhavan in Mayanad Kozhikode was reunited with her family The 55yearold woman originally from Bhokar Nandi Nagar village in Nanded district Maharashtra had suffered a mental breakdown following the death of her parents which led her to take a train to Kozhikode in 2016Geetha was initially admitted to the Kuthiravattam Mental Health Centre where she received treatment and gradually regained her mental stabilityPostrecovery she continued to live under the care of Asha BhavanDue to language barriers Geetha was unable to communicate her hometown clearly but she provided crucial clues enabling the local police to trace her family in MaharashtraHer children Santosh Kumar Waghmare and Lakshmi Waghmare who had assumed she was dead and performed the last rites years ago were overwhelmed with emotion upon learning she was aliveThis feels like a rebirth for us they said sharing the struggles they endured after losing contact with their motherThe reunion was facilitated by M Shivan a retired officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs and a social worker who intervened to coordinate between the children and Asha Bhavan staffGeethas husband belonging to the Adivasi community had married another woman 35 years ago leaving her with three children which compounded the familys hardshipsThe children who had been working in Nizamabad Andhra Pradesh immediately travelled to Kozhikode to bring their mother homeAsha Bhavan staff witnessed the deeply emotional moments of the reunionExpressing their gratitude to the institution and the government for safeguarding their mother over the years the children finally escorted Geetha back to her homeThe story highlights not just the emotional toll of longterm separations due to mental health crises but also the role of social workers and authorities in reconnecting families after years of uncertainty IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-reunited-after-nine-years-kozhikode-woman-returns-home-642378.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mea-proposes-overseas-mobility-bill-for-comprehensive-emigration-management-642420.html New Delhi Oct 10 The Ministry of External Affairs MEA on Friday proposed to introduce the Overseas Mobility Facilitation and Welfare Bill 2025 in the Parliament aiming to ensure comprehensive emigration management establish regulatory mechanisms for safe and orderly migration and govern overseas employment of Indian nationals The proposed bill establishes a framework that creates policies and schemes for incentivising policy actions for the protection and promotion of the welfare of emigrants The bill will replace the existing Emigration Act 1983According to the MEA the proposed bill seeks to establish an Overseas Mobility and Welfare Council to promote greater convergence between Ministries with respect to policy managementThe Bill seeks to strike a balance between promoting opportunities abroad and establishing a regulatory framework for the protection and welfare of vulnerable categories The Bill creates a mechanism to oversee administration and implementation of international agreements on migration and mobility It creates robust data driven policy management based on labour studies and coordinated actions with different ministries and departments the MEA statedEarlier this year the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs in its fourth report to Lok Sabha stated that the MEA was seriously considering enacting a new law tentatively titled Overseas Mobility Facilitation and Welfare Bill that will replace the outdated provisions of the Emigration Act 1983The report also details that the Ministry stated that in recent years there has been a visible enhancement in Indias standing as a global power with advances in economic scientific and technological arenasThere is a growing interest from across the world in engaging with India This has resulted in expansion of Indias diplomatic outreach manifesting in India taking the lead in regional groupings increase in the number of highlevel exchanges bilateral agreements and MOUs signed growth in economic and developmental cooperation and initiatives led by India on the international stage such as the International Solar Alliance ISA Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure CDRI etc the report mentionedThe government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built a conducive environment for Indias growth and development through partnerships with friendly countries over the last decade IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mea-proposes-overseas-mobility-bill-for-comprehensive-emigration-management-642420.html Fri, 10 Oct 2025 22:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-to-inaugurate-tns-longest-flyover-in-coimbatore-today-642056.html Chennai Oct 9 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate the states longest flyover on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore on Thursday The ambitious project constructed at a cost of Rs 1791 crore is designed to ease traffic congestion and drastically cut travel time between key points in the city and the airport The 10kilometrelong flyover built between Uppilipalayam and Goldwins is named after legendary industrialist GD Naidu known as theEdison of India The structure rests on 304 pillars and features 10 lanes making it the largest of its kind in southern IndiaIncorporating modern construction techniques the bridge has been designed to minimise vibration and noise during vehicle movement ensuring greater durability and commuter comfortOfficials said the new bridge would reduce the travel time from central Coimbatore to the airport from around 45 minutes to just 10 minutesThe project is expected to significantly benefit industries IT parks and residents who depend on Avinashi Road one of the citys busiest and most vital transport corridorsThe inauguration of the flyover is part of the Chief Ministers daylong tour of Coimbatore district during which he will also launch several welfare and development programmesCM Stalin will inaugurate the World Innovation Summit 2025 underscoring Tamil Nadus growing reputation as a hub for technology entrepreneurship and industrial advancement Following the flyover inauguration the Chief Minister is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a Rs 126crore Gold and Jewellery Industrial Park near the SIDCO Industrial EstateThe park aims to enhance the regions jewellery manufacturing potential promote exports and generate employment opportunities for local artisansThe Avinashi Road flyover is expected to transform Coimbatores traffic landscape easing bottlenecks and improving urban mobility With this project the city takes another major stride toward becoming a model for integrated urban and industrial development in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-to-inaugurate-tns-longest-flyover-in-coimbatore-today-642056.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-govt-approves-one-paid-menstrual-leave-every-month-642177.html Bengaluru Oct 9 The Congressled government in Karnataka on Thursday has approved a proposal to grant women staffers in all sectors one paid menstrual leave every month Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru after the cabinet meeting Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil announced the decisionThe decision was taken at the state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister SiddaramaiahMinister Patil stated that menstrual leave will be applicable in government offices garment factories multinational companies MNCs IT firms and private industrial sectors across the stateWhen asked about the policy being adopted in four states Minister Patil stated that no study is conducted by the governmentPerhaps as the policy is useful and successful in other states its been adopted in Karnataka alsoState Labour Minister Santosh Lad stated We have been working for the past one year to introduce the rule granting menstrual leave Women shoulder multiple responsibilities Along with household work they also take care of children During menstruation they experience both physical and mental stress Hence we formed a committee to deliberate on granting menstrual leave The committee had recommended six days of leave annually The government has now decided to provide 12 days of leave per yearWe are not sure how it has been implemented in other states but in Karnataka we are committed to implementation It will be applicable across all sectors both government and private the Labour Minister addedThe cabinet also agreed to earmark Rs 200 crore for fertiliser stocking for the financial year 202526Inprinciple approval has been granted for the reconstruction and renovation of bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 2000 crore the state government saidFor the educational progress of children of registered workers under the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board administrative approval has been given to establish 11 labor residential schools in the second phase at an estimated cost of Rs 40555 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-govt-approves-one-paid-menstrual-leave-every-month-642177.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 19:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/budget-travel-in-kerala-exploring-heritage-hills-and-beaches-under-rs-10-000-642199.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 9 Travelling across Kerala on a modest budget is entirely possible if one plans trips well in advance and avoid expensive travel modes Keralas extensive rail and bus networks combined with budget accommodation facilities and local or street food make it possible to explore rich cultural spiritual and natural destinations within Rs 10000 per person The key lies in advance preparation group travel and excluding expensive air and train travel from itineraries By relying on trains buses budget stay facilities and local food travellers can explore heritage cities coastal towns and hill retreats at modest cost Kerala offers experiences that combine beauty and culture with affordabilityAs far as cheap and best food concerned Kerala offers Veettil Oonu food at home Veettil Oonu provides a more personal and genuine dining experience than restaurants highlighting communal eating traditional recipes and the warmth of a homely atmosphere This facility is available across the state on the roadside homes mostly run by womenRemember Keralas public transport system including water transport is excellent and quite cheap too For budget travel tourists can depend on Kerala SRTC and private buses to their various destinations in Gods Own CountryKerala SRTC operates weekly special trips to major tourist destinations at the most affordable rates from its major depots in addition to its regular services connecting almost all popular tourist spots across Kerala Online booking can be done on its portal and spot booking facility is available at all major KSRTC depots in the stateHere is the list of 10 Kerala destinations you can enjoy under Rs 10000 budget1 KozhikodeKozhikode also known as Calicut is a charming northern Kerala district rich in culture history and natural beauty perfect for a budget trip Travellers can visit Kappad Beach where Portuguese traveller Vasco da Gama first landed in 1498 enjoy the tranquil waves and catch stunning sunsetsTali Temple and Mananchira Square reflect the citys historic heritage while Kozhikode Beach is ideal for evening walks and local street food Nearby attractions include Beypore famous for traditional boatmaking and Thusharagiri Waterfalls offering scenic trekking and refreshing viewsIf budget allows neighbouring Wayanad can also be explored with selective destinationsKozhikode is also renowned for its culinary delights such as the iconic Kozhikode biryani halwa and banana chips all easily available at budgetfriendly eateries Using Kerala SRTC and private buses for local travel and staying in affordable homestays ensures the trip remains economicalWhen to visit The ideal time to visit is October to March2 WayanadWayanad nestled in Keralas Western Ghats is a perfect destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alikeTravellers can explore lush forests tea plantations waterfalls and serene landscapes while staying in affordable homestays and hotels Popular attractions include Edakkal Caves famous for their prehistoric rock carvings that reveal the areas ancient human history and Banasura Sagar Dam the largest earthen dam in India offering boating at low costChembra Peak ideal for trekking and Meenmutty and Soochipara Waterfalls add adventure and natural beauty Visitors can also enjoy Pookode Lake a scenic freshwater lake surrounded by greenery and the rolling Wayanad tea plantations which provide stunning views and a glimpse of Keralas teagrowing heritageWayanads rich tribal culture and historic temples add to its charm Remember night trekking is costly hereWhen to visit The ideal time to visit Wayanad is between October and May when the weather is pleasant and perfect for trekking day sightseeing and exploring waterfalls and tea plantationsMonsoon could be dangerous because of landslides and floodingNearest railway station Kozhikode About 75 km from Kalpetta3 ThrissurAthirappallyVazhachalThrissur known as the cultural capital of Kerala is famous for its vibrant festivals temples waterfalls and rich heritage making it an ideal destination for a budgetfriendly tripVisitors can explore the magnificent Vadakkunnathan Temple an architectural marvel and Thrissur Zoo and Museum which showcases Keralas wildlife and culture besides Kerala Kala Mandalam a major centre for learning Indian performing arts in CheruthuruthiThe Athirappilly Waterfalls often called the Niagara of India and its nearby Vazhachal Falls provide breathtaking natural scenery at low cost Guruvayur Temple nonHindus are not allowed here and its nearby elephant camp known as Punnathur Kotta are also major attractions in ThrissurKerala SRTC buses and private buses connect all these destinations making travel inexpensive and convenient Staying in budget homestays or hotels and enjoying meals at local eateries ensures the trip remains within budgetBudgetconscious travellers will find the city accessible and affordableLodges and guesthouses are available at reasonable rates within the town and its outskirts Street food and small eateries provide authentic flavours without burdening the wallet4 KochiKochi known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea is one of Keralas most vibrant and affordable tourist destinations With a budget of under Rs 10000 visitors can explore the citys rich blend of history culture and natural beauty Popular attractions include Fort Kochi famous for its Chinese fishing nets Mattancherry Palace and the historic Jew Town with its ancient synagogue and antique shopsTravellers can enjoy a scenic boat ride along the backwaters or a night cruise on the harbour adding a magical touch to their trip The scenic Marine Drive peaceful Cherai Beach and Bolgatty Island offer perfect spots for relaxationHistory lovers can visit the Hill Palace Museum while nature enthusiasts can explore Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary and Kumbalangi Village Budget hotels and homestays are available plenty in the city Public transport facilities are also goodBudget eateries are also available in every nook and corner of the city Nearby destinations include Alappuzha Kumarakom ThrissurNearest railway stations Ernakulam North and Ernakulam South Junction both in Kochi city5 Alleppey AlappuzhaAlappuzha fondly called the Venice of the East offers a wonderful travel experience even on a small budget Famous for its serene backwaters it offers breathtaking houseboat cruises through scenic canals lined with coconut palms and lush paddy fields Budget travellers can opt for a shared or shortduration houseboat ride on the backwaters instead of booking an expensive private cruiseVisitors can enjoy the scenic Alappuzha Beach the peaceful Marari Beach and a short boat ride to Pathiramanal Island known for its rich birdlife The historic Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple and nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary add spiritual and natural charm to the trip Exploring the backwaters and green villages of Kuttanad it lies below the sealevel gives a glimpse of Keralas traditional lifeBudget hotels and homestays are available in Alappuzha Lowcost travel facilities like buses ferries are also in plenty across the district Enjoy delicious local food at small eateries and at homesWith smart planning and simple choices one can experience the beauty culture and serenity of Alappuzha and its surroundings comfortably within the budgetNearest railway station Alappuzha Railway Station6 KumarakomWagamonWagamon nestled in Keralas lush landscapes is perfect for budget travellers seeking natural beauty and tranquillity Kumarakom is famous for its backwaters and bird sanctuary where visitors can enjoy serene boat rides through the Vembanad Lake and spot migratory birds Nearby attractions include Pathiramanal IslandThe ideal time to visit is October to March when the weather is pleasant and suitable for sightseeing trekking and boating Wagamon about 65 km from Kottayam is a peaceful hill station on the Western Ghats offers scenic tea plantations rolling meadows and trekking trails ideal for nature loversVisitors can explore the expansive Wagamon Meadows stroll through tea plantations and enjoy peaceful walks in the pine forests Scenic viewpoints like Thangalpara and the glass bridge offer breathtaking views of the valleys while Mundakayam Dam and nearby rivers provide a calm retreat for nature loversAdventure seekers can enjoy trekking on the MundakayamElappara trails or try paragliding for an adrenaline rush Nearby attractions include Maramala Waterfalls Ilaveezhapoonchira famous for its mystical rock formations and the Kurishumala Church for a spiritual experience amidst the hillsKerala SRTC buses are available to Wagamon from Kottayam making travel convenient and budgetfriendly7 MunnarMunnar Keralas picturesque hill station is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and budget travellers alike Visitors can explore sprawling tea plantations tea museum misty hills and charming viewpoints without overspending Popular attractions include sandalwood plantation worlds best sandalwood is available in Munnar Eravikulam National Park home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and Mattupetty Dam where boating is both fun and affordableMunnar offers plenty of trekking opportunities Nature enthusiasts can also visit Anamudi Peak Attukal Waterfalls and Top Station for breathtaking panoramic viewsDuring the blooming season the hills are carpeted with Neelakurinji flowers creating a spectacular purple landscape that appears once every 12 years The nearby Kundala Lake offers serene paddle boating while local spice gardens provide a glimpse into Keralas aromatic heritageBudget hotels as well as homestays are available here Local food is cheap and hygienic Public transport facilities are available to almost all the destinationsWhen to visit For sightseeing and outdoor activities the best time is September to March8 ThekkadyThekkady nestled in Keralas Western Ghats is famous for its rich wildlife and spice plantations making it a perfect destination for nature lovers on a budget Tourists can explore the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary enjoy boat ride on Periyar Lake and spot elephants deer and exotic birds in their natural habitat Nearby attractions include Kadathanadan Kalari Centre aromatic cardamom plantations lush tea gardens and the stunning Paruthumpara Viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of the hills and valleysVisitors can also enjoy short trekking trails and ecotours around the forest area Like Wayanad night trekking is costly here tooTourists can visit Gavi a serene ecotourism destination by taking a shared taxi or Kerala SRTC bus covering around 50 km through scenic forest roadsWhen to visit The ideal time to visit is October to May when the weather is pleasant and wildlife sightings are more frequent Nearest railway station Kottayam 100 km9 ThiruvanthapuramKovalamPonmudiThiruvananthapuram the capital of Kerala is a vibrant city blending history culture and natural beauty making it perfect for a budgetfriendly trip Visitors can explore the Padmanabhaswamy Temple an architectural marvel and the historic Napier Museum and Kuthiramalika Palace adjacent to Padmanabhaswamy temple to soak in Keralas royal heritage Nature lovers can relax at Kovalam Beach and Varkala Beach just a short drive away or visit the serene Ponmudi Hills for scenic treksThe nearby Shankumugham Beach and Veli Tourist Village are perfect for evening strolls and lowcost recreational activitiesKerala SRTC buses and private buses connect all these destinations making travel lowcost and convenientThis city offers a variety of budgetfriendly options including restaurants hotels and comfortable homestaysWhen to visit The ideal time to visit is October to March10 VarkalaVarkala a scenic coastal town in Keralas Thiruvananthapuram district is famous for its cliffside beaches and relaxed vibe making it a perfect destination for a budgetfriendly trip Travellers can stroll along Varkala Beach Cliff watch spectacular sunsets and enjoy the tranquil sands of Papanasam BeachNearby attractions include Janardana Swami Temple a historic pilgrimage site and Kappil Lake ideal for boating and picnicsBesides Thiruvananthapuram city about 60 km from Varkala and its nearby places can also be visited under this budget through proper planning Nature enthusiasts can explore the Anchuthengu Fort and nearby backwaters for a glimpse of Keralas serene landscapesThe ideal time to visit is October to March when the weather is pleasant and perfect for beach walks sightseeing and water activitiesNearest railway station Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/budget-travel-in-kerala-exploring-heritage-hills-and-beaches-under-rs-10-000-642199.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-hasanamba-temple-doors-opened-for-people-642218.html Hassan Karnataka Oct 9 The doors of the Hasanamba Temple which are opened once a year for devotees were opened on Thursday Thousands of devotees eagerly awaited the darshan of Hasanamba with people arriving not only from different parts of the state but also from other statesThe sanctum doors were opened following traditional rituals and ceremoniesOn this occasion Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Mutt Siddalinga Swami of Tumakurus Siddaganga Mutt District Incharge Minister Krishna Byre Gowda Congress MLA HP Swaroop Prakash and Congress MP Shreyas Patel were presentLast year the Hasanamba fair was held from October 24 to November 3During this period more than 20 lakh devotees had darshan of HasanambaThe sanctum doors which had been closed on November 3 last year were opened on ThursdayThis year more than 25 lakh devotees are expected to visitEach year during the temples opening in October devotees flock to seek blessings from Goddess HasanambaThe temple follows a strict tradition of closure and when it shuts its doors certain rituals ensure the divine presence remains undisturbedThe deities are offered two bags of rice fresh flowers water and a continuously burning ghee lampRemarkably the lamp is expected to stay lit for the entire duration of the temples closure until the next yearThe flowers which are kept on the idols of goddess will remain freshFrom October 9 until October 23 the temple will be open for devotees darshan for a total of 13 days excluding the last three daysLast year more than 20 lakh devotees visited the temple and this year more than 25 lakh devotees are expectedThe district administration has made special arrangements for the devoteesIt is believed that the Hasanamba Temple in Hassan is a unique Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Hasanamba which is an incarnation of the goddess ShaktiUnlike most temples which are open yearround this temple opens its doors to devotees only once a year for just one week during the month of DiwaliMany devotees consider themselves fortunate if they get a chance to visit during the brief period when the temple is open IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-hasanamba-temple-doors-opened-for-people-642218.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/empowered-women-innovators-key-to-balanced-digital-growth-delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-642223.html New Delhi Oct 9 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday highlighted that empowering women innovators and professionals is central to achieving balanced and sustainable digital growth Addressing a special session on Women in Tech Diverse Minds Disruptive Ideas on the sidelines of the ongoing India Mobile Congress IMC 2025 CM Gupta called upon industry and government stakeholders to create a stronger ecosystem for mentorship skilling and entrepreneurship that enables women to become active leaders in Indias digital transformationChief Minister Gupta emphasised that the governments focus is on selfreliance across sectors from defence to technologyThe vision is clear our country should make its own semiconductors build its own networking systems and make the most mobile phones in the world she saidThe Chief Minister also highlighted the growing role of women in shaping Indias technology storyThere is no gender for courage creativity innovation or vision The sky is the limit she saidDuring her visit to various pavilions at IMC 2025 CM Gupta interacted with women entrepreneurs researchers and startup founders showcasing emerging technologies in artificial intelligence Internet of Things robotics and telecom innovationHer address aligned with the theme of IMC 2025 Innovate to Transform and reaffirmed the governments commitment to inclusivity innovation and citizencentric developmentEarlier CM Gupta inaugurated a threeday Swadeshi Utsav 2025 organised by the Delhi governments Department of Industries and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation LimitedInspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat the festival celebrates the theme Swadeshi Substitution of Foreign Made Goods with Swadeshi GoodsIn her inaugural address CM Gupta said Every Indian must recognise the industrial soldier within one who protects the nations economic frontiers through hard work and dedicationInspired Prime Minister Modis Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision we are witnessing a resurgence of confidence and innovation among our citizens she saidThe Chief Minister added that the Swadeshi movement is far more than a symbolic appealThese campaigns are not limited to diyas or handicrafts their purpose is to give Indian brands global recognition across every sector The time has come for us to take pride not in foreign labels but in our own creations Let us wear use and celebrate Indian products and say with pride This is my Indian brand she saidDelhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that at India Gate more than 100 stalls are showcasing Indias entrepreneurial strength including 11 enterprises under the PM Formalisation of Food Processing Enterprises Scheme two stalls from Tihar Jail selfhelp groups and artisans from across the country all living the resolve of adopting SwadeshiThe Swadeshi Utsav 2025 will continue till October 11 featuring 100 exhibition stalls for MSMEs artisans selfhelp groups One District One Product exporters women and SCST entrepreneurs Food courts serving traditional Indian cuisines daily cultural performances showcasing Indias artistic and cultural heritage and Panel discussions with experts from CII ASSOCHAM FICCI SIDBI Chamber of Indian MSME and other industry leaders IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/empowered-women-innovators-key-to-balanced-digital-growth-delhi-cm-rekha-gupta-642223.html Thu, 09 Oct 2025 23:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-ips-officers-death-day-before-committing-suicide-puran-kumar-was-booked-on-bribery-charges-641935.html Chandigarh Oct 8 A day before Haryanas Inspector General of Police IGP Y Puran Kumar an IPS officer from the 2001 batch was found dead with a gunshot wound at his residence in Chandigarh it is learnt on Wednesday that he was booked by the police on allegations of bribery The officer was reportedly perturbed over the inclusion of his name in a bribery case on the complaint of a liquor contractor without the permission of the state government The Rohtak Police on Monday registered a first information report FIR based on a complaint by the liquor contractor who alleged that Kumars aide Sushil Kumar had sought a bribe of Rs 25 lakh in the officers nameOn September 29 Kumar was transferred to the Police Training College in Sunaria in Rohtak Previously he was posted as the IG Rohtak Range The contractor in a complaint had submitted CCTV footage and audio recordings as evidence to substantiate his allegationsWhile the police had arrested Sushil Kumars name figured in the FIR However the FIR has not been uploaded online and officials linked to the case have been avoiding commenting on the matterSources said the IGP was purportedly upset about including his name in the FIROn Tuesday soon after the crime a will and a final note were recovered from Kumars official residence It is learnt that the IGP named at least 10 IPS officers serving and retired for abetment to suicide However the police have not disclosed its contentPolice said Puran Kumar allegedly shot himself with his service revolver and his body was found by his daughter in the basement His death has left police and administrative circles in shockChandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur had told the media that information regarding a reported suicide was received from House No 116 Sector 11 Chandigarh around 130 pmShe said the deceased has been identified as Puran Kumar The police have also taken custody of Kumars mobile phones and other documents from the spot Previously Kumar had raised questions over the promotion of certain IPS officers belonging to the 1991 1996 1997 and 2005 batchesAn engineering graduate he was born on May 19 1973 and was due to retire on May 31 2033The investigating agency is examining whether recent professional developments or personal reasons may have contributed to the tragic stepThe body has been sent for postmortem examinationEarlier Kumar wrote a letter to Chief Minister Saini questioning the promotions granted to IPS officers He alleged that these promotions were conducted illegally by overriding Union Home Ministry MHA guidelines based solely on the consent of the Finance DepartmentHis central argument stemmed from the discrepancy in the application of promotional benefits While some officers received their promotion to the rank of DIG with retrospective effect January 1 of the promotion year others including Kumar were given the promotion with immediate effect on the actual date of the order leading to significant financial losses and unfair treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-ips-officers-death-day-before-committing-suicide-puran-kumar-was-booked-on-bribery-charges-641935.html Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nhrc-seeks-answers-from-mp-govt-in-incidents-of-child-branding-electrocution-deaths-641850.html Bhopal Oct 7 The National Human Rights Commission NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of two separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh that raise grave concerns over the safety and dignity of children The Commission has issued notices to senior district officials demanding detailed reports within two weeksThe first incident reported from Jhabua district involves three children suffering from pneumonia who were allegedly branded with a hot iron rod by a local faith healer Shockingly the parents themselves had taken the children to the healer believing in traditional practices over medical treatmentDoctors later confirmed that the children were indeed suffering from pneumonia and bore visible burn marks on their bodies One of the children is said to be in critical conditionThe NHRC in its preliminary observation stated that if the contents of the media report are accurate they point to a serious violation of human rights Notices have been sent to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police Jhabua seeking a comprehensive report on the incident including the action taken against the faith healer and the steps being initiated to prevent such practices in the future a NHRC statement saidIn a separate tragedy two children aged 8 and 10 lost their lives due to electrocution while playing inside a Durga Puja pandal in Jabalpur district The incident occurred on September 24 when the children came into contact with an iron pipe that had been negligently wired with electricity by the pandal organisersThe media report published on September 25 prompted the NHRC to interveneThe Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh and the Superintendent of Police Jabalpur demanding a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the deaths and the status of the investigationA threemember inquiry team led by a Sub Divisional Magistrate SDM has reportedly been formed to probe the matterBoth incidents have sparked outrage and underline the urgent need for stronger child protection mechanisms public awareness and accountabilityThe NHRCs intervention signals a call for systemic reform and justice for the victims as Madhya Pradesh grapples with the dual challenge of combating superstition and ensuring safety in public spaces IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nhrc-seeks-answers-from-mp-govt-in-incidents-of-child-branding-electrocution-deaths-641850.html Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/janata-darshan-up-cm-addresses-grievances-of-people-instructs-officials-for-timely-resolution--641753.html Lucknow Oct 6 IANS At the Janata Darshan meeting held at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths residence on Monday the message that resonated among the public was Service and security of every resident is the state governments top prioritynbspHundreds of people from various parts of the state assembled at UP CMs residence for Janata Darshan this morning where Yogi Adityanath personally met them and heard their complaints and grievances related to multiple government departments including police revenue employment and othersHe personally received petitions from the people and instructed officials to ensure swift and fair resolution of each case within a set timeframenbspCM Yogi reiterated that ensuring happiness and satisfaction on every citizens face is the top priority of his governmentnbspBringing a smile to someones face is equivalent to serving God he saidnbspThe UP CMO also took to X to share the pictures from CM Yogis Janata Darshan at his residence this morningCM Yogi met personally with people who came from various districts today at Janata Darshan held at his official residence located in Lucknow district and listened to their problems The Chief Minister instructed the concerned officials to resolve the peoples problems within a definite time frame it said in the post on XnbspThe Chief Minister further said that the state government is working with full devotion to ease the suffering of every individualHe stated that the benefits of government schemes are reaching everyone without any discrimination and Janata Darshan plays a vital role in resolving peoples issuesnbspCM Yogi also interacted warmly with the children who accompanied their parents He patted their heads affectionately offered them chocolates and toffees and encouraged them to study well and play with enthusiasm thereby creating a homely and compassionate atmosphere at the event https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/janata-darshan-up-cm-addresses-grievances-of-people-instructs-officials-for-timely-resolution--641753.html Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/comet-3iatlas-rocketing-through-solar-system-at-61-km-per-second-poses-no-threat-to-earth-nasa-641568.html New Delhi Oct 4 The rare Comet 3IATLAS rocketing through the solar system at 61 km per second poses no threat to Earth according to the US space agency NASA which is tracking the celestial being Comet 3IATLAS is the third known object from outside our solar system to be discovered from outside our solar system after Oumuamua in 2017 and 2IBorisov in 2019The letter I stands for interstellar indicating that the object came from outside our solar system Its the third known interstellar object hence the 3 in the nameIt was first discovered by the NASAfunded ATLAS Asteroid Terrestrialimpact Last Alert System survey telescope in Rio Hurtado Chile It observed the Minor Planet Center of the comet 3IATLAS on July 1 2025As per NASA the rare comet is travelling very fast yet poses no threat to usWhen it was discovered the interstellar comet was traveling about 137000 miles per hour 221000 kilometers per hour or 61 kilometers per second and its speed will increase as it approaches the Sun the US space agency said3IATLAS is expected to reach its closest point to the Sun around October 30 at a distance of about 210 million kilometers just inside the orbit of MarsComet 3IATLAS poses no threat to Earth and will remain far away The closest it will approach our planet is about 18 astronomical units about 170 million miles or 270 million kilometers NASA saidThe space agency tracking the comet through its various space telescopes including Hubble Webb and SPHEREx confirmed that there is no danger of this interstellar object hitting EarthAlthough the trajectory of the object brings it into the inner solar system it wont come close to Earth As the comet 3IATLAS journeys through the solar system it wont come closer than 18 astronomical units about 170 million miles or 270 million kilometers to our planet it addedThe comet is on course to pass behind the Sun in late October and venture past Jupiter in March 2026 on its way out of our solar system IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/comet-3iatlas-rocketing-through-solar-system-at-61-km-per-second-poses-no-threat-to-earth-nasa-641568.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 20:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ghaziabad-school-girls-take-charge-of-traffic-in-awareness-drive-under-mission-shakti-abhiyan-641416.html Ghaziabad Oct 3 School girls took charge of traffic management in Ghaziabad on Friday raising awareness about traffic rules among local residents Organised under the Mission Shakti Abhiyan the campaign saw young girls managing traffic at the busy Hapur Chungi intersection and issuing challans to drivers violating traffic laws Girls from various city schools enthusiastically participated in the campaign working alongside traffic police to ensure smooth traffic flow They monitored compliance with traffic rules helped prevent disruptions and issued onthespot challans to rulebreaking drivers while educating the public on road safetyThe campaigns primary goal was to promote womens safety and empowerment As part of the broader Mission Shakti initiative this traffic operation marked an important step toward empowering young girls and fostering a culture of safety and lawfulness The students highlighted that such campaigns not only empower women but also contribute to improved law and order in the communityLocal residents lauded the initiative calling it a positive development Many expressed hope that continued awareness efforts would lead to better traffic conditions in GhaziabadIANS spoke with some of the participating students about their experienceTanushree Yadav said We got the opportunity to become traffic police for the day and we are grateful for it We also taught people that when there are two people on a motorcycle both must wear helmetsShreya added Through this experience I learned how important helmets are We issued traffic tickets to violators some people followed our rules but others ignored themAnshi shared We issued tickets to those not wearing helmets and stopped car drivers not using seat belts We also informed people about the significance of obeying red and green traffic signalsMission Shakti is a flagship government scheme aimed at strengthening womens safety security and empowerment It seeks to realise the governments commitment to womenled development by addressing challenges throughout a womans life cycle and making women equal partners in nationbuilding through convergence and citizen ownershipThe scheme includes two subprogrammes Sambal and Samarthya The Sambal subscheme focuses on womens safety and security by integrating existing initiatives such as the One Stop Centre OSC Women Helpline WHL and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao BBBP with enhancements and the addition of a new component Nari Adalata womens collective IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ghaziabad-school-girls-take-charge-of-traffic-in-awareness-drive-under-mission-shakti-abhiyan-641416.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 20:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vijayadashami-marks-triumph-of-truth-and-righteousness-cm-sharma-641232.html Jaipur Oct 2 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the festival of Vijayadashami is a celebration of the victory of truth over falsehood and righteousness over unrighteousness He remarked that the day reminds us that no matter how challenging the path of truth may be a bridge of solution is always formedAddressing the gathering at the 132nd National Dussehra Fair in Kota on Thursday in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla the Chief Minister said the fair is not merely a festival but a living symbol of Rajasthans cultural heritage Sharma described the Kota Dussehra Fair as an event renowned across India for its grandeur and historical importance It attracts tourists and devotees from across the country and abroad serving as a confluence of religious faith cultural programs entertainment and folk traditions Sharma also emphasised that Lord Shri Ram established Ramrajya by eradicating evils like Ravana and ensuring happiness and prosperity reached the last person in society He said the state government guided by the principle of Man as Narayan and Deen as God is working to bring positive change in the lives of women youth farmers and the poor He noted progress in womens safety womens empowerment and poverty alleviation through initiatives like the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Poverty Free Village Scheme aimed at uplifting BPL families in 10000 villages Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressing the gathering said that Dussehra is a festival that celebrates the victory of truth over falsehood He recalled that Shri Ram defeated the arrogant Ravana by uniting people and building an army of righteousness Birla urged citizens to follow the path of truth and morality to contribute to the development of the nation and the stateHe added that Kotas Dussehra Fair is a historic symbol of tradition and culture and echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for Swadeshi stressing that it will make the country selfreliant and developed Birla also pointed out that the reduction in GST rates has directly benefited both indigenous producers and consumers He said that people this year are celebrating the savings by purchasing handicrafts and local products in large numbers at the fair He extended greetings on Vijayadashami and expressed hope that the event would bring new prosperity and joy to artisans and craftsmenOn this occasion representatives of the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records presented a certificate to the Chief Minister for creating Indias largest effigy of Ravana measuring 233 feet The effigy was traditionally set on fire by former Maharao Ijyeraj Singh representing Lord Laxminarayan amid spectacular fireworks that thrilled the audience Earlier on arriving at Kotas Garh Palace Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla were welcomed by former Maharao Ijyeraj Singh at the Darikhana Members of the royal family estate holders and a large number of citizens extended greetings for the festival School Education Minister Madan Dilawar Minister of State for Energy Independent Charge Hiralal Nagar MLA Sandeep Sharma Kalpana Devi Mayor Kota South Rajiv Agarwal along with several public representatives and a massive crowd of people attended the Dussehra Fair celebrations IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vijayadashami-marks-triumph-of-truth-and-righteousness-cm-sharma-641232.html Fri, 03 Oct 2025 01:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-doorstep-pds-delivery-reached-45-pc-of-elderly-disabled-beneficiaries-641055.html Chennai Oct 1 The doorstep delivery of essential Public Distribution System PDS commodities to senior citizens aged 70 and above and persons with disabilities PwDs launched in August under the Thayumanavar Scheme has yet to push coverage beyond previous levels raising concerns about its initial rollout Despite the governments aim to improve food security for vulnerable groups official data show that only 40 per cent to 45 per cent of the targeted population actually received commodities through door delivery during August and SeptemberThe rest continued buying from ration shops or were not available at home had shifted residence or were reported deceased Overall supply to this segment remains stuck at about 70 per cent the same level seen before the scheme beganThe initiative was introduced to cover an estimated 1673 lakh ration cards benefiting 217 lakh people Officials had anticipated that direct delivery would lift coverage beyond 70 per cent but August saw a dip to 65 per cent recovering to 70 per cent in September Roughly 8 per cent of the listed beneficiaries were found to be no longer alive and their names have been flagged for deletion while many others appear to have relocatedAnother key operational issue is the timing of delivery Door delivery is currently done in the second week of each month but a significant number of beneficiaries prefer to collect rations in the first weekTo address this the Cooperation Department plans to shift the service to the first Saturday and Sunday of the month starting in October hoping to improve reachPerformance has varied across districts Ariyalur Perambalur and Kanniyakumari have already recorded 80 per cent 81 per cent coverage including those who still buy directly and excluding deceased beneficiariesChennai continues to lag with an average offtake of only 53 per cent though slightly better than the 50 per cent before the schemes launchDistrict Collectors have been instructed to identify more eligible persons with disabilities to widen the base Fieldlevel staff face logistical hurdles Each home delivery takes time due to biometric procedures and travel especially in multistorey apartments without lifts Female staffers in particular report difficulty managing long delivery rounds without adequate supportEven so beneficiaries who have successfully received their supplies say doorstep delivery reduces the burden of travelling to ration shops especially for those who are frail or dependent on othersAuthorities believe that refining delivery schedules updating beneficiary lists and reallocating service clusters could help the scheme gain momentum in the coming months IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-doorstep-pds-delivery-reached-45-pc-of-elderly-disabled-beneficiaries-641055.html Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kashmirs-gulmarg-gandola-resumes-operations-from-today-640884.html Srinagar Sep 30 The famous Gulmarg Gandola resumed its commercial operations on Tuesday after the successful completion of crucial trials related to cable cabin and loadbearing tests of the famous cable car project All the safety checks were completed smoothly before the resumption of the commercial operations officials saidThe restart of Phase I operations comes with an enhanced carrying capacity promising visitors a more comfortable and efficient experience on one of the worlds highest and most popular ropewaysOfficials have extended a warm welcome to tourists and adventure seekers inviting them to experience the services of the Gulmarg Gondola a major attraction that continues to boost the regions tourism potentialThe Gulmarg Gondolas operation was suspended from September 22 to September 29 for its annual mandatory inspection and maintenance with normal operations resuming on September 30This routine annual closure allows certified engineers to conduct thorough checks and servicing of the mechanical and electrical systems to ensure the cable cars safety and smooth functioning in compliance with international standardsGulmarg Gondola is the secondlongest and secondhighest cable car in the WorldHigher lines include the Mi Teleferico in Bolivia and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in ChinaThe twostage gondola lift ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak 4260 m 13976 ftThe ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and the French firm PomagalskiThe first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2650 m 8694 ft to Kongdoori Station in the bowlshaped Kongdori valleyThe second stage of the ropeway which has 36 cabins and 18 towers takes skiers to a height of 3980 m 13058 ft on Kongdoori Mountain a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak 4200 m 13780 ftThe second stage was completed in a record time of about two years for Rs 18 crore and was opened on May 28 2005The French company had also built the first phase of the gondola project connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori in 1998The timing of the gondola is 10 am to 5 pm dependent upon the weather at both stagesA gondola cable car can carry six people at a time It takes approximately nine minutes to reach the first stage and 12 minutes for the second stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kashmirs-gulmarg-gandola-resumes-operations-from-today-640884.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/african-swine-fever-outbreak-in-mizoram-over-9-380-pigs-dead-3-690-culled-in-seven-months-640885.html Aizawl Sep 30 Northeastern state of Mizoram has been battling a severe outbreak of African Swine Fever ASF since midMarch which has left over 9380 pigs dead and affected around 3690 families across 162 villages and localities in eight districts officials said on Tuesday A senior official of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department AHVD said that the fastspreading disease continues to surge with no indication of easingSo far the AHVD teams in eight districts have culled around 3455 pigs in a bid to contain the outbreakSince March this year pig farmers in Mizoram have suffered an estimated loss of Rs 11036 crore so far the official told IANSSiaha district in southern Mizoram remains the worst affected with over 3380 pig deaths reported in 38 villages and localities affecting 1295 families Around 935 pigs have been culled in the district as a containment measureBesides Siaha the other major affected districts are Lawngtlai Khawzawl Hnahthial Lunglei Serchhip Mamit and ChamphaiAfter Siaha Lawngtlai district follows closely behind in the outbreak of the disease with 1771 pig deaths affecting 381 families across 18 villages Lunglei district which has reported the highest number of 1619 pigs being culled followed by Siaha district with 935 pigs culledThe Mizoram government has been urging farmers to remain vigilant and cooperate with AHVD authorities in their efforts to curb the spread of the ASFAs the highly communicable virus continues to wreak havoc on the states pig population preventive measures remain a priority for the authorities to curb further outbreaksTo contain the outbreak the veterinary department has implemented mass culling in the affected regions and districtsSeveral teams of AHVD are on a regular visit to the affected areas to monitor the situation closely and take immediate steps to curb the spread of the diseaseEarlier Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh retd held a review meeting with senior officials of the AHVD and discussed the ongoing ASF outbreak in the stateOfficials giving a detailed overview of the ASF situation in Mizoram and its critical aspects said that the first ASF case in Mizoram was reported at Lungsen village in Lunglei district on March 21 2021Since March 2021 so far around 72000 pigs have died due to ASF with over 53000 culled to prevent further spreadThe outbreak has affected 11382 households resulting in an estimated financial loss of around Rs 1000 crore an AHVD official said Through the assistance to the state for control of animal disease and the state government Rs 1451915 lakh has been disbursed as compensation for culled pigs while an additional Rs 47708 lakh has been provided through the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation DMampR Department for pigs lost to the diseaseThe ASF which however does not affect humans is a highly infectious disease among pigs and poses a severe threat with a very high mortality ratePork is one of the most common and popular meats consumed by both the tribals and nontribals in the Northeastern region comprising eight statesWith heavy demand for pork in the Northeast region its annual business is worth around Rs 800010000 crore with Assam being the largest supplierMyanmars Chin state has unfenced border with six Mizoram districts Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and SerchhipMizoram shares 510 km and 318 km unfenced border with Myanmar and Bangladesh respectively Experts said crossborder ferrying of pigs and pork might be one of the reasons for the ASF outbreak in Mizoram IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/african-swine-fever-outbreak-in-mizoram-over-9-380-pigs-dead-3-690-culled-in-seven-months-640885.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/year-after-year-appeal-of-belur-maths-kumari-puja-remains-the-same-640889.html Kolkata Sep 30 On the occasion of Maha Ashtmai on Tuesday Kumari Puja worship of girls as Goddess Durga was performed at Belur Math the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission at Belur in Kolkataadjacent Howrah district with enthusiasm and devotion of the followers of Shri Ramakrsihna Paramhansa his wife and spiritual consort Maa Sarada and disciple Swami Vivekanda Ardent believers of Swamiji and his philosophy of Service of God through service of humanity is the basic reason that the devotional attraction of the Kumari Puja has remained the same year after year since Swamiji started this ritual at Belur Math in 1901According to Jayita Sarkar an avid believer in Swamijis philosophy and a teacher of English literature in one of the reputed Kolkatabased schools the main idea behind Kumari Puja is the expression of respect towards womenpower and womendignity in societyInspired by the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and blessed by the support of Maa Sarada Swamiji established Belur Math and said the unblemished rays out here will enlighten the entire world and will change the pattern of human life For me with the goal of bringing this attitudinal change in human thought process especially as regards acknowledging womens power Swamiji started Kumari Puja where the main idea is worshipping a young girl as the symbol of MatruShakti or womens empowerment For every woman this occasion is truly special Every time I am there at Belur Math on the occasion I am swayed by the spiritual devotion of the thought behind this ritual Sarkar saidAccording to Sampa Chowdhury a senior counsel of Calcutta High Court and an avid enthusiast of Swamijis philosophy the concept of Kumari Puja also reflects Shri Ramakrishnas spiritual thoughts of viewing the Goddess in every womanAs per historical records nine girls were worshipped on the first occasion of Kumari Puja in 1901 Since then the ritual became an integral part of Durga Asthami Tithi at Belur MathOn Tuesday as every year thousands visited Belur Math and became witnesses to the ritual which was marked by the same enthusiasm and devotional spiritualism associated with itThe ritual started around 9 am and ended a little after 10 amThousands of followers of the Sanatan Dharma celebrated the Kumari Puja with grandeur at Belur Math They consider this ritual to be simultaneously the worship of God and the establishment of womens dignityOn Tuesday the ritual was performed as per tradition with the message being honouring and acknowledgement of womens power worship of the Divine Femininity and service to humanityThe monks at the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission performed the rituals Thousands of devotees attended the puja coming from faraway places maintaining the dignity and devotional spiritualism associated with the ritualsThe day will end with the Sandhi Puja held at the juncture of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami which is regarded as the most sacred moment of the Durga Puja festival The ritual commemorates Goddess Durgas victory over demons Chanda and Munda IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/year-after-year-appeal-of-belur-maths-kumari-puja-remains-the-same-640889.html Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ashwini-vaishnaw-flags-off-7-new-trains-from-bihar-including-three-amrit-bharat-express-640722.html Patna Sep 29 IANS Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday inaugurated seven new train services from Bihar including three Amrit Bharat Express trains aimed at providing affordable longdistance travel options for lower and middleincome passengersnbspVaishnaw flagged off the new services virtually from New Delhi while Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary symbolically inaugurated them at Patna JunctionnbspThe newly launched Amrit Bharat Express trains will operate between DarbhangaMadar Ajmer MuzaffarpurCharlapalli Hyderabad and ChhapraAnand Vihar DelhiIn addition four passenger trains were introduced on shorter routes within Bihar These passenger trains will run between JhajhaDanapur PatnaBuxar NawadaPatna and PatnaIslampurnbspnbspHighlighting the significance of the launch Vaishnaw said these trains would provide hasslefree and affordable transportation for Bihari migrants and daily passengersnbspOn the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the partnership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar we are launching seven new trains that will connect various cities and offer lower fares for the middle and lowerincome groups he saidThe Railway Minister credited Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for his past contributions to the railway sectornbspnbspWhen Nitish Kumar was the Union Railway Minister he took the department to new heights A slowdown came between 2004 and 2014 but after PM Modi took charge Indian Railways began transforming once again achieving new milestones Vaishnaw notednbspThe introduction of the Amrit Bharat Express a costeffective alternative to the premium Vande Bharat trains is part of the Centres push to modernise railway services while keeping travel affordable for millionsDeputy CM Samrat Choudhary who was present at the Patna event expressed gratitude for the Centres focus on Bihars infrastructure growthnbspI am thankful to PM Narendra Modi CM Nitish Kumar and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for transforming Bihar in sectors including rail and road infrastructure Choudhary saidnbspHe announced upcoming projects such as a ring road in Bhagalpur and a fourlane road connecting Sultanganj Bhagalpur to Deoghar Jharkhand along with a new railway line to link the two prominent pilgrimage sitesnbspHighlighting the scale of Central assistance Choudhary added During the UPA government Bihar was getting only around Rs 1000 crore annually for the railway sector In the last 11 years of the Narendra Modi government the Centre has provided more than Rs one lakh crore for railway development in Bihar https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ashwini-vaishnaw-flags-off-7-new-trains-from-bihar-including-three-amrit-bharat-express-640722.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karur-stampede-death-toll-reaches-41-after-woman-succumbs-to-injuries-640729.html Karur Sep 29 The death toll from the devastating stampede at actorpolitician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK campaign rally in Karur has risen to 41 after a woman succumbed to her injuries The woman 65yearold Sukuna from Velusamipuram succumbed to injuries late Sunday night Sukuna who worked for a private company had gone missing after the rally Her relatives later found she had been admitted to the Karur Government Hospitals intensive care unit but could not be saved despite treatmentThe tragedy struck on Saturday evening at Velayudhampalayam where thousands had gathered to hear Vijay speak Witnesses said the crowd swelled beyond capacity and as people pushed forward to catch a glimpse of the TVK leader chaos erupted A brief power disruption reportedly added to the panic In the crush many were trapped in narrow exit lanes several fainted and were trampled By Sunday night 34 bodies had been identified and handed over to families More than 80 others remain injured some critically Emergency services struggled to move victims to hospitals and ambulances were pressed into service through the nightPresident Droupadi Murmu had expressed deep sorrow saying she was pained by the tragic loss of lives in Karur and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families while wishing the injured a swift recoveryPrime Minister Narendra Modi termed the incident heartrending and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund PMNRF to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 for the injuredChief Minister MK Stalin who flew to Karur soon after the tragedy called it an unprecedented loss of innocent livesHe announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for each family of the deceased and ordered a judicial inquiry headed by retired High Court judge Aruna Jagadeesan to identify safety lapsesOpposition Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami visiting survivors and families demanded accountability from the state government and said police and intelligence had failed to anticipate the massive turnout and ensure proper securityVijay called the deaths an irreparable loss and said his heart was overwhelmed with profound heavinessHe pledged personal compensation of Rs 20 lakh per bereaved family and Rs 2 lakh for the injured vowing to support victims in every possible way Authorities have registered cases and launched an investigation into the disaster with a focus on crowd management and safety protocols for large political events IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karur-stampede-death-toll-reaches-41-after-woman-succumbs-to-injuries-640729.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/electricity-consumers-in-andhra-pradesh-to-get-rs-895-crore-refund-640757.html Amaravati Sep 29 The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission APERC has ordered a refund of Rs 895 crore to electricity consumers in the state Power distribution companies will credit a refund of approximately 13 paise per unit to consumers in equal monthly instalments It will be automatically adjusted in the bills and there is no action required from the consumersRefunds for consumption months April 2024 to March 2025 will be credited from November 2025 to October 2026 in monthly cycles The discount will apply to the power consumption bill for October the government said on MondayThe state government has claimed that the power sector which has long been debtridden has achieved a remarkable milestone this year by saving as much as Rs 89512 crore during 202425Noting these landmark savings in the Fuel and Power Purchase Cost Adjustment FPPCA the Andhra Pradesh discoms would be refunding this money to all electricity consumers in the state starting in November this yearThe APERC noted that an expenditure of Rs 186364 crore was incurred under FPPCA against the budgeted Rs 275876 crore or expected earlier for 202425 This has resulted in savingsreduction of Rs 89512 croreEarlier the APERC had levied an FPPCA charge of 40 paise per unit on consumers for 202425 Out of this there has now been a return of Rs 895 crore which the distribution utilities will be credited back to consumersThe government called the refund of the bill a historic development This is the first time since electricity sector reforms began in 1999 that power distribution utilities will refund FPPCA amounts to consumers in monthly instalments This marks a milestone in proconsumer governance and financial prudence in the power sector it saidAs per the order of APERC discomwise refund amount is Rs 01328kWh for Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited APSPDCL Rs 01343kWh for Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited and Rs 01312kWh for Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company APEPDCL IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/electricity-consumers-in-andhra-pradesh-to-get-rs-895-crore-refund-640757.html Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karur-stampede-death-toll-rises-to-39-cm-stalin-visits-site-orders-probe-640629.html Karur Sep 28 The death toll rose to 39 in the tragic stampede that occurred during the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagams TVK political rally in Tamil Nadus Karur said officials on Sunday The rally was being addressed by party president actor Vijay on Saturday when the stampede occurred leaving at least 39 people dead and over 50 others injuredThe public meeting held at Velusamypuram in Karur was part of Vijays fastgrowing outreach campaign across Tamil NaduAccording to police and local officials thousands of supporters began gathering on the narrow approach roads from early morning to secure a vantage point for the evening addressThe event started around 720 pm but as crowds swelled in the confined space a section became dangerously congested Witnesses said people began fainting and stumbling as panic rippled through the dense crowd Several victims were trampled in the chaos before rescue teams could reach themTamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin who rushed to Karur late at night to console bereaved families and meet the injured at Karur Medical College Hospital confirmed that of the 39 who lost their lives nine were children and 16 were womenMore than 50 persons are injured and are being treated at Karur Medical College Hospital and nearby private facilities he saidThe death toll may rise further as some remain critical The state government has announced a onemember judicial commission to investigate the incidentRetired Madras High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will lead the inquiry and submit findings as early as possible Stalin saidAsked whether TVK chief Vijay could face action the Chief Minister stated that further steps will depend entirely on the Commissions reportQuestions have been raised about whether the meeting was held on an inadequately narrow road that was unable to accommodate the surge of attendeesCM Stalin did not comment on the suitability of the venue but assured that accountability will follow once the probe concludesIn the immediate aftermath the government rushed senior ministers and medical teams to Karur Emergency care units were set up to treat the injured and additional ambulances and rescue personnel were deployedThe tragedy has sparked a wave of grief across Tamil Nadu with condolences pouring in from political leaders cutting across party lines Safety arrangements at political gatherings are now under sharp scrutiny as the state reels from one of its deadliest crowd disasters in recent years IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karur-stampede-death-toll-rises-to-39-cm-stalin-visits-site-orders-probe-640629.html Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/unfortunate-and-deeply-regrettable-tamil-nadu-dgp-on-karur-stampede-640631.html Karur Sep 28 Tamil Nadu Director General of Police DGP G Venkataraman on Sunday described the stampede at actorturnedpolitician Vijays Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK rally in Karur as deeply regrettable An unfortunate incident happened a regrettable one Venkataraman told reporters in an early morning briefing adding that the tragedy was caused by an unexpected surge in the crowd and poor amenities at the venueThe DGP said one of the triggers for the rush was confusion over the timing of Vijays arrival Permission for the meeting was sought between 3 pm and 10 pm But the TVK Twitter account said he would arrive at noon so people began gathering from 11 am He actually came at 740 pm The public had to wait in the hot sun without enough food and water he explainedWhile organisers expected about 10000 attendees nearly 27000 people converged on Velusamypuram to see Vijay Police had prepared for around 20000Our intention is not to blame anyone but these are the facts Venkataraman said adding that a frenzied welcome for Vijay at one point caused a forward push as fans followed him into the venueOn questions about possible security lapses the DGP stressed that the event was held on a public road making additional barricading difficult The police are only extra help we clearly briefed organisers about crowd and safety measures he saidThe senior officer added that while about 500 police personnel were initially deployed more forces were mobilised as the situation escalatedPresently ADGP Law amp Order Davidson Devasirvatham three Inspectors General two DIGs 10 Superintendents of Police and over 2000 additional personnel have been rushed to KarurThe state government has ordered a judicial inquiry headed by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan to investigate the cause and fix accountabilityThe tragedy among Tamil Nadus worst at a political event has triggered widespread calls for stronger safety norms and better crowd management at large gatherings IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/unfortunate-and-deeply-regrettable-tamil-nadu-dgp-on-karur-stampede-640631.html Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karur-tragedy-aiadmk-chief-meets-victims-families-seeks-impartial-probe-640643.html Karur Sep 28 Tamil Nadu Opposition leader and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday visited the families of those who lost their lives in the devastating stampede during Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK chief Vijays rally in Karur The death toll in the tragedy has climbed to 39 including several women and children while over 80 people remain injured and under treatment in government and private hospitalsPalaniswami after consoling the bereaved families at Karur Government Hospital strongly criticised the lack of adequate safety arrangements at the rallyHe pointed to reports that a sudden power outage left the venue in darkness causing panic and triggering the deadly crush Precautionary measures should have been in place TVK has already held meetings in four districts Authorities should have anticipated the turnout and made proper security arrangements But it seems no effective planning was done he saidThe AIADMK chief also alleged that police protection for opposition rallies was often insufficient Even for my own campaign events police have not provided full security But when ruling party meetings are held the government ensures tight protection This selective approach is dangerous Had proper arrangements been made these deaths could have been avoided he remarkedPalaniswami stopped short of directly blaming any single leader but stressed that political parties must act responsibly Leaders should keep to their announced schedules Delays cause unnecessary surges and restlessness in large gatherings I am not blaming anyone personally but India has rarely seen such a large number of deaths at a political event The tragedy points to police and administrative lapses he saidHe also flagged concerns about reports of an ambulance entering the rally venue unexpectedly saying it raised questions and must be part of the official inquiry There should be a fair and thorough investigation This is beyond politics we owe the truth to the families who lost their loved ones he saidChief Minister MK Stalin has announced Rs 10 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased and Rs one lakh for the injured from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund A judicial commission headed by retired High Court judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan will probe the incidentPalaniswami urged the state to act transparently ensure accountability and implement new safety protocols to prevent such tragedies The government must rise above politics and work to protect peoples lives at mass gatherings he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karur-tragedy-aiadmk-chief-meets-victims-families-seeks-impartial-probe-640643.html Sun, 28 Sep 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kolkata-waterlogged-after-cloudburst-residents-hitch-rides-in-pickup-trucks-to-reach-destinations-640110.html Kolkata Sep 23 A cloudburst at midnight has thrown life out of gear in Kolkata West Bengal leading to severe waterlogging across the city Even the usually dependable Metro Railway hasnt been spared and services between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar Metro Stations were suspended early Tuesday due to flooding on the tracks Metro officials are working roundtheclock to drain water and restore services but commuters were left stranded during the busy morning rushAn IANS team visiting Masterda Surya Sen Metro Station found anxious commuters grappling with the disruption Many were unaware of the suspension of services and found themselves stuck with no buses cabs or even bike taxis in sight With limited transport options some officegoers resorted to unconventional means including pickup trucks to reach their workplacesDeepak another commuter shared his frustration Im on my way to the office but its extremely difficult Even bike taxis arent running We have no choiceLocal resident Lalit Parida voiced his concern bluntly We are facing a lot of problems No buses no cabs Its chaosMeanwhile Vicky chose to see the brighter side I didnt know about the waterlogging as I was sleeping But suddenly when I woke up then I saw news of waterlogging It reminds me of childhood Theres inconvenience but thats part of lifeFollowing overnight heavy rain which crippled the city resulting in seven deaths due to electrocution Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim on Tuesday appealed to people not to venture out of their homes for the dayThe city Mayor said that it will take at least another 12 to 14 hours for the situation to become normal subject to no rain occurring during that period However scattered light rain has been continuing across the city since morning after a massive downpour since 1 AM due to a cloudburst Over 300 mm of rain was reported till 5 AM across the city and suburbsI have never seen this type of rain in my life before Over 300 mm of rain in 5 hours due to a cloudburst is unprecedented in Kolkata It is a horrific situation which was never been seen before in the city This has resulted in overflowing of rivers such as the Hooghly We opened the lock gates to drain out the water into the river But the water has backflowed into the city as the rivers are overflowing This made the situation worse said HakimHe went to KMC headquarters to monitor the situation and give instructions to officials to work on a war footing to bring the situation under control in view of Durga Puja which officially begins on September 27 while Puja mandaps are scheduled to be opened on Wednesday eveningAmid record overnight rainfall Kolkata and its surrounding areas were submerged under kneedeep water on Tuesday disrupting daily life Officials reported that at least seven people were electrocuted in the cityI would appeal to the people of the city not to go out of their homes today There are reports of deaths due to electrocution in several places This is due to a short circuit or electric poles going underwater We will advise people to stay safe and wait for the situation to improve said the Kolkata MayorAt the same time he could not give assurance about when the situation would become normalThe situation is such that even if there is not much rain for the next few hours it will take at least 12 to 14 hours for the waterlogging situation in Kolkata to become normal The lock gate was closed from 1230 AM to 400 AM today Unfortunately during that period there was 250 mm of average rain This worsened the situation said Hakim IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kolkata-waterlogged-after-cloudburst-residents-hitch-rides-in-pickup-trucks-to-reach-destinations-640110.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/japanese-city-passes-ordinance-capping-daily-screen-time-to-two-hours-640139.html Tokyo Sep 23 Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture has become the first municipality in Japan to introduce an ordinance asking all residents to limit their use of smartphones Toyoakes municipal assembly passed an ordinance limiting daily leisurerelated screen time for all residents to two hours the local media reported on TuesdayThe ordinance reports cited aims at preventing an excessive use of smartphones personal computers and tablet devices It was approved via a majority vote at a plenary session of the assemblyTaking effect October 1 the local law serves as guidance and does not apply to the use of such devices for study work or household chores and there are no penalties for the violatorsToyoake Mayor Masafumi Kouki was quoted by Japan Times as saying that the ordinance is only part of the citys measures on resident health and the aim was for residents to see whether they are losing sleep by using smartphones too muchWere not rejecting smartphones he told reporters the daily reported highlighting that the ordinance is also designed to increase conversations within families and calls for refraining from using smartphones and other gadgets after 9 pm for elementary school students and younger children and after 10 pm for junior high school students and others under18 yearsSome residents have argued that the municipality should not meddle in family matters while others have taken the move by the assembly as an opportunity for discussions with family members The municipal assembly also adopted a supplementary resolution calling on the city to review the ordinance when necessary after examining its effects and residents opinions on a regular basis the Japanese media reportedAccording to the Nippon Television Network NTV during previous deliberations even council members who supported the ordinance repeatedly pointed out that the explanation to residents was insufficientThe city council also passed a supplementary resolution that includes measures to respect the diversity of residents lifestyles and home environments and to provide clear and concise information to avoid misunderstandings NTV reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/japanese-city-passes-ordinance-capping-daily-screen-time-to-two-hours-640139.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sc-upholds-service-tax-on-cargo-handling-by-airports-authority-of-india-640205.html New Delhi Sep 23 The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed by the Airports Authority of India AAI challenging the levy of service tax on handling export cargo at airports The appeal filed under Section 35L of the Central Excise Act 1944 challenged the Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal CESTAT ruling that confirmed AAIs service tax liability under the category airport services with effect from September 10 2004AAI had argued that services related to handling of export cargo are excluded under the Finance Act 1994 placing reliance on Section 6523 which defines cargo handling serviceIn its judgment a Bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale noted The definition of taxable service read with subclause zzm means any service provided or to be provided to any person by Airports Authority or by any other person in any airport or a civil enclave All kinds of services rendered by the Airports Authority in any airport are taxable services and are chargeable to service tax under Section 66 of the Act it saidAddressing AAIs claim regarding export cargo the Justice Mithalled Bench observed The definition of cargo handling service includes various kinds of services rendered at the airport but it specifically excludes handling of export cargo Thus handling of export cargo stands excluded from the cargo handling service but that by itself would not be sufficient to exclude it from the definition of taxable service under Subsection 105 of Section 65 of the ActThe apex court also dismissed reliance placed by AAI on various circulars observing that they are merely circulars and cannot override the express statutory provisionsConcluding the judgment the Justice Mithalled Bench observed Accordingly we are of the opinion that the CESTAT or the Authorities below have not erred in taxing the services rendered by the appellant in relation to export cargo as 8 taxable service under subclause zzm of Subsection 105 of Section 65 of the Act with effect from 10092004 The appeal as such lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sc-upholds-service-tax-on-cargo-handling-by-airports-authority-of-india-640205.html Tue, 23 Sep 2025 20:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/golden-yellow-season-arrives-in-kashmir-as-countryside-turns-magical-with-colours-cicadas-whine-639853.html Srinagar Sep 22 An autumnal sun shines over the golden yellow countryside beset with the grainladen Paddy fields as Kashmir farmers hasten to gather the crop Nomadic goatherds called the Bakarwals move down from highland meadows with their families and livestock to spend the next seven months in the warmer climate of the plainsIn rainfed areas people are harvesting the maize crop using hoots to ward off bears that descend into the maize fields to feed on the succulent crop As humankind invades the natural habitats of the wild animals incidents of mananimal conflict have increased alarmingly in the ValleyThe wild animals are now paying back the lefthanded compliment by destroying maize fields injuring human beings lifting poultry and devouring livestock to warn humankind to respect the borders defined by natureThe Cicada bug on the willow trees with its rhythmic highpitched whine reminds locals to make hay while the sun shinesApple growers are picking the fruit and packing it into cardboard boxes for transport to markets outside Jammu and Kashmir The offandon closure of the SrinagarJammu highway has resulted in huge losses to the growers this yearBut life must go on and so are the apple growers trying to reconcile to their losses by accepting them as a consequence of destinyGrapes are hanging from vines in places like the famous Rapore village in Ganderbal district as the area is known for its best quality grapesFlocks of domestic ducks and swans in villages close to lakes and other water bodies start returning to their coops earlier as fear of jackals has taught them not to risk their lives by feeding in darknessLeaves on the majestic Chinar tree have started turning into shades of crimson before they finally turn amber yellow and fall on the ground Folklore says a Persian visitor saw the Chinar trees in their autumnal crimson and amber colour in Kashmir and shouted Chi Naar What FireThe luxury of walking over the ground covered with a thick carpet of fallen Chinar leaves puts to the test some of the best cushioned surfaces in palaces and Manor houses The dry leaves provide the muchneeded charcoal to the poor people who light their earthen firepot woven in a basket of willow wicker called the KangriA Kangri carrying live charcoal kept under the tweed overgarment called the Pheran is still the common Kashmiris best bet against modern central heating and other heating appliances used in the WestAs electricity starts playing hide and seek during the winter months locals have learnt to keep stocks of charcoal stored for the winter monthsIn addition to the changing colours of the Chinar leaves the Cicadas whine the hastening of the farmers to harvest the Paddy and maize crop the cackle of the migratory birds arriving in protected bird sanctuaries and other water bodies are sure signs of autumn having set in KashmirThe cloudless sky with the soothing autumn sunshine the morning and evening nibble in the air the gradual change of dress from summer wear to light woollens a blanket over the quilt during the night and other such small comforts would not be bartered by locals even with the best comforts available to those living in the hot climateThe Shabdeg a dish of rooster cooked with turnips over a simmering fire on an earthen hearth will not be bartered by the Kashmiri families with the best dishes available in 7star hotelsStocks of tomatoes brinjal and pumpkins are painstakingly cut and dried in the autumn sun to be used during the snowbound days of harsh winter when even the waters of the Dal Lake start freezing at minus 8 to 10 degrees CelsiusIt is rightly said that if a tourist has not seen Kashmir in the autumn months heshe has for sure not seen enough of Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/golden-yellow-season-arrives-in-kashmir-as-countryside-turns-magical-with-colours-cicadas-whine-639853.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-navratri-pandals-echo-with-operation-sindoor-theme-in-surat-639993.html Ahmedabad Sep 22 As the nation celebrates the auspicious festival of Navratri beginning on Monday the people in Gujarat are gearing up for the garba celebrations Preparations are underway at various places in Surat and other districts of the state One of the major attractions this year is the erection of Garba pandals with major thrust on Operation Sindoor seeking to emphasise and celebrate our forces bravery in punishing the perpetrators of terrorMany puja committees in Surat have prepared attractive pandals with most of them centered around Indias decisive military operation against Pakistan Operation SindoorThe pandals depict figures like Rafale fighter jets and rocket launchers in the background and this has rightfully caught the attention of visitors as well as on onlookers These pandals are also gearing up to celebrate the garba festival with devotees already performing to the tunesA couple of doctors participating in the garba event spoke to IANS and shared their experience of how they were raring to celebrate the moment in a special way this yearA large number of doctors from different areas of the city participated in Garba dance organized by the Doctors and Medical Association in SuratDr Deepak Patel said that the Operation Sindoor enhanced the countrys honor and that is why they chose to celebrate it in the name of brave soldiersDr Deepti Patel said that the pooja and Garba are being performed in honor of the soldiers on Operation Sindoor themeWhat the Indian Army achieved during daring operation has never been done before which is why we are praying to Goddess Durga to protect the brave soldiers she saidDr Nikunj Vithalani the organiser of Garba and head of Doctors Association said that this time three associations have jointly organized the GarbaA special puja is being performed for the brave soldiers who not only took revenge but also brought Pakistan to its knees for cowardly terror act against our people he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-navratri-pandals-echo-with-operation-sindoor-theme-in-surat-639993.html Mon, 22 Sep 2025 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/a-look-at-indias-7-natural-heritage-locations-picked-up-as-unescos-world-heritage-sites-639758.html New Delhi Sep 21 In a remarkable development Indias presence in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites has seen a spike with seven natural and picturesque locations making it to the tentative list thus paving the way for their formal inclusion in the final list With these additions the countrys count in the tentative list has risen from 62 to 69 properties The Ministry of Culture informed that after this inclusion India now has 49 cultural 17 natural and three mixed heritage properties listed on the UNESCO listThe newly listed sites include the Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra the geological heritage of St Marys Island in Karnataka Meghalayan Age caves Naga Hill Ophiolite in Nagaland Erra Matti Dibbalu in Andhra Pradesh the natural heritage of Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh and the Varkala Cliffs in KeralaNotably the inclusion in the tentative list is a precursor to its nomination in the prestigious World Heritage ListThe addition of the new sites to the UNESCO list reaffirms Indias unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting its extraordinary natural and cultural legacy said a government statementNotably India recently hosted the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in July 2024 which saw the participation of more than 2000 delegates from over 140 countriesBrief details of Indias seven picturesque locationsDeccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar MaharashtraThey are home to some of the bestpreserved and among the worlds most studied lava flows These volcanic formations lie within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary already a UNESCO World Heritage site thereby showcasing Indias geological marvelsSt Marys Island Cluster KarnatakaThese island clusters are famous for striking columnar basalt formations and date back to 85 million years to the Late Cretaceous period making them a rare geological treasureMeghalayan Age Caves MeghalayaThe spectacular cave systems named Mawmluh Cave serve as the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age reflecting key climate and geological shiftsNaga Hill Ophiolite NagalandThese unique hills offer clear and detailed insight into plate tectonics ocean ridge dynamics and Earths deep geological pastTirumala hills Andhra PradeshThe famed Tirumala hills are home to Silathoranam natural arch and the Eparchaean Unconformity They represent rare geological formations depicting 15 billion years of Earths history IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/a-look-at-indias-7-natural-heritage-locations-picked-up-as-unescos-world-heritage-sites-639758.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-5-000-join-namo-youth-marathon-for-fight-against-drugs-639763.html New Delhi Sep 21 Nearly 5000 youths took part in a Namo Youth Run on Sunday at the Delhi University Sports complex as part of the DrugFree India Campaign for spreading awareness against drug abuse Sharing details about the event organised by the Delhi BJP Yuva Morcha BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said On the occasion all youths were administered the pledge for a drugfree IndiaHe also posted a message on X and said Participated in the NamoYuvaRun marathon organized at the Delhi University rugby ground on the occasion of Prime Minister Shri narendramodi jis birthday under the Seva PakhwadaThrough this run all youth were administered the pledge for a drugfree India On this occasion State Organization General Secretary Shri PavanRanaRSSji State Coincharge Smt alkagurjarji Water Resources State Minister Shri drrajbhushanji State General Secretary visshnumittal ji Youth Front State President SagarTyagiBJP ji Incharge abhishektandonD ji Coincharge Sumit Seth ji were specially present he wroteBrand ambassador Padma Shri Sudha Singh led the marathon held at the Rugby Stadium Sports Complex Delhi University said a BJP leaderOn the Namo Yuva Run Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary said Through this marathon our objective is to make India free from obesity and addiction so that the younger generation can contribute to building a Viksit Bharat in the futureA BJP leader said the run was being organised under the Seva Pakhwara being celebrated by the party from the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 to the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2The Namo Yuva Run was being organised to educate the youth against drug addiction in the whole country she saidEarlier while announcing the run New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said PM Modi is the source of inspiration for 140 crore Indians and he knows that the youth is the future of the countryShe said that the PM is laying a strong foundation to achieve a developed India and today we do not just talk about youth empowerment but we talk about strengthening the country under the leadership of the youthPadma Shri Gold Medallist athlete Sudha Singh earlier said that the Marathon is a special campaign to make the youth free from drug addictionWe would request everyone that if you have any child or youth in your home who is addicted to drugs then explain to him because if a young person in a family is an addict then his whole family becomes weak said Singh IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-5-000-join-namo-youth-marathon-for-fight-against-drugs-639763.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sujalam-sufalam-scheme-gujarat-farmers-no-longer-dependent-on-rain-for-farming-639802.html Ahmedabad Sep 21 Gujarat has taken the lead in expanding the agricultural and irrigation landscape for farmers and also setting new benchmarks for other states Its success could be attributed to the Gujarat governments flagship Sujalam Sufalam scheme which played a crucial role in strengthening the irrigation network to large tracts of agricultural lands The Sujalam Sufalam Scheme was launched in 2003 by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and is said to be the backbone of the famed Gujarat model of improved irrigation and modern agricultural techniquesThe main objective of this scheme was to provide irrigation water to several districts of the state by diverting a canal from the Kadana Dam on the Mahi River in Mahisagar districtA water management expert Abhay Rawal praising the scheme said that it was a big success for 10 districtsThe Sujalam Sufalam spreading canal has also proven to be a lifesaver for areas with water scarcity While continuous water supply has increased farmers yields it has also improved their economic conditionThis scheme has transformed the fortunes of Gujarats farmers Previously farmers relied on rain for agriculture but now the yearround availability of water has enabled them to grow crops in every seasonKutch farmer Rajesh Bhai sharing his experience said Thanks to SujalamSufalam Yojana our fields have turned green and our incomes have increased Under this scheme we no longer have to depend on rain for water for our cropsUnder the leadership of current Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Sujalam Sufalam 20 is being further expandedThis scheme is proving to be revolutionary in addressing water scarcity across the state through water management raising groundwater levels and building check dams and canals This initiative has not only turned into a boon for the farmers but also an inspiration for other states in the countryIt has not only made Gujarat selfreliant in agriculture but has also set a new benchmark in water management IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sujalam-sufalam-scheme-gujarat-farmers-no-longer-dependent-on-rain-for-farming-639802.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-to-unveil-one-city-one-ticket-transport-app-on-monday-639725.html Chennai Sep 21 Chennai is set to make history by becoming the first city in the country to integrate all modes of public transport under a single digital platform On Monday Chief Minister MK Stalin will launch the muchawaited Chennai One app developed by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority CUMTA at the authoritys second governing board meetingThe launch marks a major step in the state governments efforts to create an inclusive and sustainable transport ecosystem for the fastgrowing metropolis Alongside the app the Chief Minister will also approve the Comprehensive Mobility Plan CMP a longterm roadmap that will guide the citys transport strategies over the next 25 yearsThe CMP has been designed to ensure seamless connectivity improve commuter convenience and reduce carbon emissions by strengthening the share of public and nonmotorised transportAt the heart of this initiative is the One City One Ticket feature which will allow passengers to use a single QRenabled ticket across buses metro trains suburban rail cabs and autorickshaws This means commuters can switch between modes of transport without having to stand in multiple queues or buy separate tickets saving both time and effort In addition to ticketing integration the app offers realtime updates on the arrival and departure of buses and trains enabling passengers to better plan their journeysTickets can be purchased directly through UPI and other digital payment modes further encouraging cashless transactions and reducing congestion at ticket countersThe government has also placed emphasis on inclusivity by ensuring the app supports multiple languages including Tamil English Telugu Kannada and others making it accessible to a wide section of commutersOfficials believe the app will not only improve the commuter experience but also encourage a shift from private vehicles to public transport thereby easing road congestion and cutting emissionsFor a city that handles millions of daily trips this integration is expected to be a gamechanger in urban mobility With the dual launch of the Chennai One app and the CMP the state is signalling its commitment to modernising transport infrastructure while prioritising sustainability efficiency and commuter convenience IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-to-unveil-one-city-one-ticket-transport-app-on-monday-639725.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/india-moving-ahead-with-courage-and-confidence-in-amrit-kaal-pms-principal-secretary-pk-mishra-639638.html New Delhi Sep 20 Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra on Saturday said that India is advancing with courage and confidence during the Amrit Kaal and stressed that institutions like the Indian Institute of Management IIMs will play a vital role in building capacity for the nations growth commerce and governance Addressing the second annual convocation of IIM Mumbai Mishra said In the midst of complexities and challenges India is moving ahead with courage and confidence We are in Amrit Kaal Our Prime Minister envisioned a grand vision for India in 2047 Farreaching changes will be taking place in India and the world in the coming decades PM Modi wants all of us to take the country to the next level through the process of reform perform and transformHe emphasised that the graduating students have a critical role in ensuring India becomes a developed country by 2047Mishra highlighted the rapid pace of technological transformation saying smartphones big data analytics augmented reality robotics blockchain and artificial intelligence are fundamentally transforming our world and the way we engage in it from how we interact to the way we move from one place to anotherReflecting on the changes of the past decades he said Nowadays one cannot imagine life without a mobile phone But for many years we lived without it and without realtime connectivity He underlined that capacity building remains central to Indias progressCapacity building is the process that brings lifelong change IIMs stand with the youth and we must combine ethics and technology to transform everything he later told reportersMishra lauded the contribution of IIM alumni in industry commerce and governance calling their role hugely relevant in Amrit KaalHe said resilience in times of global uncertainty requires not only professional competence but also adherence to moral and ethical principles urging graduates to adopt the spirit of a Karma YogiPointing to Indias efforts to attract talent back from abroad Mishra cited examples of academics like Dr Balasubramanian who returned from the US to contribute to capacitybuilding initiatives We have used the best possible talent from government and the private sector he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/india-moving-ahead-with-courage-and-confidence-in-amrit-kaal-pms-principal-secretary-pk-mishra-639638.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ujjwala-yojana-brings-relief-empowerment-to-women-in-chhattisgarhs-kondagaon-639670.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana PMUY launched in 2016 to provide free LPG connections to women from poor households continues to transform lives in rural India bringing both relief and empowerment In the Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh women beneficiaries say the scheme has freed them from the drudgery of cooking on traditional mud stoves and spared them the health hazards caused by smokeThe central government scheme aimed at promoting LPG use in place of firewood and other fossil fuels has also reduced the time spent on daily chores giving women greater opportunity to focus on other activitiesSharing her experience Roshni Sori a resident of Bade Rajpur village said that Ujjwala Yojana has been a turning point in her lifeDue to Prime Minister Modis initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana I have received huge benefits If Ujjwala Yojana had not been there I would still be cooking on a traditional chulha spending so much time and suffering from the smoke Now cooking has become much easier she told IANSSori pointed out that access to LPG cylinders at subsidised rates has helped save both money and timeEarlier we had breathing problems due to the smoke from chulhas Now with LPG those health issues are gone This scheme has brought real relief she addedShe also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving womens empowerment through such welfare programmesBecause of PM Modi women like us have become selfreliant He has thought so much about the poor and we hope he will continue to work for everyones welfare she saidThe Ujjwala scheme besides addressing health concerns is widely seen as a tool for social change in rural India giving women dignity and independence in their everyday livesWith millions of connections distributed across the country the initiative remains one of the key flagship programmes of the central government in its effort to empower women and improve rural living conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ujjwala-yojana-brings-relief-empowerment-to-women-in-chhattisgarhs-kondagaon-639670.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chhattisgarh-skill-india-empowers-kondagaon-youth-through-pm-kaushal-vikas-yojana-639685.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY popularly known as the Prime Minister Youth Training Programme is transforming the lives of young people in Kondagaon Chhattisgarh by equipping them with marketrelevant skills and boosting their employment prospects Launched in July 2015 PMKVY was envisioned as a flagship scheme of the Central Government to provide training to 1 crore youth by 2020Its objective is to offer job opportunities to those with limited formal education or who dropped out of schoolUnder the programme candidates can register for training courses of three months six months or one year On successful completion trainees receive certificates that are valid across the countryThe scheme has since grown into one of the largest skill development initiatives in India According to government data PMKVY has trained nearly 137 crore people preparing them for employment in a rapidly changing job marketTo support this effort over 720 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras PMKKs have been set up nationwide These centres serve as stateoftheart hubs of vocational education using modern pedagogy and technology to polish skills across diverse sectorsHighlighting the impact of the scheme Vidya Thakur a student in Kondagaon told IANS Because of PM Modis Kaushal Vikas Yojana I am able to undergo computer training free of cost Along with this I have benefited from schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Without these initiatives I would not have been able to polish my skills This training will help me get a job in the futureShe added that such schemes are not only creating employment opportunities but are also empowering people from economically weaker sections especially womenBecause of these programmes poverty has reduced and women are becoming socially and financially independent she saidWith its growing reach the Skill India mission under PMKVY continues to play a critical role in shaping a workforce ready for the vision of a New India IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chhattisgarh-skill-india-empowers-kondagaon-youth-through-pm-kaushal-vikas-yojana-639685.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-nh-disruption-special-train-service-for-15-days-between-katra-banihal-639351.html Jammu Sep 19 To mitigate the hardships faced by people due to the disruption of the JammuSrinagar highway the Northern Railways is starting a special train service on Friday for 15 days between Katra and Banihal Officials said the train will operate between Katra and Banihal stations for 15 days starting from September 19 as an alternative to ensure safe and efficient travel for the public following the disruption of traffic due to the closure of the JammuSrinagar highwayEarlier on September 8 a special local train service was started between Katra and Sangaldan to facilitate stranded passengers in the wake of the closure of the JammuSrinagar national highway in Udhampur districtThis train will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Banihal for 15 days from September 19 to September 30The train will depart from Banihal at 11 am and arrive at Katra at 130 pm It will stop at Reasi Bakkal Dugga Sawalkot Sangaldan Sumber and Khari stations along the routeSimilarly the train will run between Katra and Banihal departing from Katra at 145 pm and arriving at Banihal at 410 pm Both trains will have stoppages at the same stationsThe safety and convenience of passengers is our top priority in the division With road services suspended in the Banihal and Katra areas this special train will provide an important alternative to ensure safe and efficient travel for the public railway officials saidNear the Tharad bridge in Udhampur district of the JammuSrinagar highway 5060 metres of the highway had sunk and men and machinery of the BRO have laid an alternative stretch at Tharad During the last two days over 4800 fruitladen trucks used this alternative stretch to carry apples to outside markets from the ValleyApple growers and traders in the Valley have suffered huge losses due to the continued disruption of the highway Fruit laden in stranded trucks at different points of the highway had rotted forcing growers to dispose of the rotten fruitThe Railways also ran parcel trains to carry fruit from Kashmir to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi to support the fruit growersChief Minister Omar Abdullah has requested that more parcel trains be operated to ensure that the horticulture industry of Kashmir is saved from suffering further losses IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-nh-disruption-special-train-service-for-15-days-between-katra-banihal-639351.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/udta-punjab-no-more-youth-high-on-spirit-of-sewa-chardi-kala-helping-in-survival-revival-of-flood-ravaged-state-639376.html Chandigarh Sep 19 As Punjab is grappling with unprecedented riverine flooding leading to the loss of 56 precious lives inundation of 2300 plus villages loss of property livelihoods and infrastructure worth a whopping Rs 13800 crore its the indomitable attitude of the young people that keeps alive the spirit of sewa and Chardi Kala resilience to fight it out despite the most challenging times in four decades and to rebuild the state together A notable trend has come to the fore that the youth of Punjab who has been branded as idle and druggy in the past is now turning out to be the saviour of the peopleYoung men and women are fulfilling their humanitarian duties by reaching out to marooned villagers with daily utilities and strengthening river embankments to prevent further flooding of fields and human habitationsAs water levels are finally starting to recede after weeks displaced families have begun returning home to find their houses crops and livelihoods almost wiped out even as the Punjab government promised to compensate all victimsNow rural communities led by celebrities influencers and community and faith leaders are seen in transformative roles with focus on reconstruction of homes schools and health facilities besides strengthening embankments and drainage to prevent a delugeFlooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains and water from swollen rivers since August has inundated large parts of Punjab the countrys food basket where over 2 million people have been impacted and five lakh acres of crops destroyed after the release of water from upstream dams leading to rivers bursting their banksOctogenarian Vijay Khanna a doctor based in Zira a rural town in Ferozepur one of the worst ravaged districts told IANS over phone that youngsters in almost every village have been assigned duties to carry out rehabilitation work in floodprone areasThe work ranges from strengthening the river embankments to setting up floodpreparedness committees to mobilise resources and to clearing silt and muck left behind by the floodwater from houses streets and fieldsEvery youngster who has been assigned a duty has been using his or her tractortrailer through community networks to do community work he saidKhanna said its wrong to project the youth of Punjab as drug addicts In fact they are the ones who first braved the floods then helped in saving others and now they are helping in the revival of rural livelihoodsSet against the backdrop of rampant drug abuse among the youth in Punjab the crime drama Udta Punjab highlighted the states drug crisis and its dark realitiesIn a role reversal from Udta Punjab these floods the worst in living memory showcased the survivaltorevival spirit of the youth that is based on the Sikh belief of Sarbat da Bhala meaning welfare of allA volunteer with an international charity told IANS It is wrong to project the youth of Punjab as drug addicts They are addicted to sewa Wherever you see building of embankments it is the local youth that is workingCan a drug addict do labourintensive jobs only a Punjabi can do that with the strength of the youth who is strong adamant and always in Chardi KalaChardi Kala means the concept of high spirits in all conditions including adversitiesInterestingly the youth are doing more mitti di seva for flood relief Mitti di seva means a community effort to contribute earth to rebuild embankmentsBJP leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal wrote on X on Friday This sacred land Punjab of Gurus carries the true voice of every Punjabi Punjab must rise togetherHe demanded a white paper on floods to fix accountability as he believed its a manmade disaster and alleged that it was government failureIn Gurdaspur Amritsar Fazilka and Tarn Taran districts global charities along with local youth are taking volunteerism into their own hands and providing relief to villagers for longterm economic stability beyond twothree monthsChief Minister Bhagwant Mann this week launched Mission Chardi Kala a global fundraising campaign to raise funds for the rehabilitation efforts for flood victimsChief Minister Mann said now is the time to move beyond relief and begin rehabilitation as the farmers need to sow their fields again children need to return to school and families need to rebuild their homesVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/udta-punjab-no-more-youth-high-on-spirit-of-sewa-chardi-kala-helping-in-survival-revival-of-flood-ravaged-state-639376.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-governor-to-inaugurate-special-event-for-persons-with-disabilities-639236.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 18 When the Different Art Centre DAC opens its doors on September 27 the stage will belong to artists who have long defied odds to express themselves through music dance and theatre Nearly 200 performers from across the country will converge for the event which will be inaugurated by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath ArlekarThe second edition of Sammohan a national festival dedicated to celebrating the talents of persons with disabilities promises two days of inspiration and artistic brilliance in Keralas capitalFor many it is not just a festival but a rare national platform where ability takes precedence over disabilityThis year Sammohan brings together diverse institutions and groups the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities Divyangjan Kolkata the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities CRCNagpur SATYA Art amp Culture Dance Studio from Odisha and Chayanit The Chosen Ones a neurodivergent music collective from Delhi The fivemember band Chayanit is set to be a highlightCofounded by 22yearold drummer Chayan Taneja of Delhi and 29yearold pianist Devanga Bidrum Kalita of Assam the group has been breaking barriers with its performances showing how music can transcend labels and limitationsSammohan is not just a cultural event it is a national platform said Alendra Tripathi of NILD Kolkata It inspires confidence builds skills and gives individuals with disabilities the chance to present their talents before the countryFor DAC the festival reflects a larger mission Its upcoming International Institute for People with Disability IIPD in Kasaragod aims to weave healthcare education therapies arts sports and livelihood into one holistic ecosystemAt DAC we believe in dignified artistic platforms that empower said Gopinath Muthukad Founder and Executive Director Sammohan is our call to society to celebrate diversity and recognise every individuals potentialMuthukad is the first Keralite to be honoured as a celebrity supporter by UNICEF for promoting child rights activities in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-governor-to-inaugurate-special-event-for-persons-with-disabilities-639236.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-shri-scheme-transforms-government-school-in-chhindwara-639313.html Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh Sep 18 The launch of the PM SHRI Schools Scheme has sparked a wave of positive change in the infrastructure and quality of education in schools across the country One such example is the Bhaisadand Government School in Chhindwara district now recognised under the PM SHRI PM Schools for Rising India initiative The school is affiliated with the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education It has undergone a transformation leading to empowerment of students and teachers alikeThe PM SHRI Scheme a centrally sponsored initiative of the Government of India aims to develop over 14500 schools across the nation into model institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy NEP 2020 The scheme focuses on providing holistic education improved infrastructure and skill development that equips students to meet future challenges with confidenceTaruna Kayande Principal of Bhaisadand Government School soke about importance of the school under PM SHRI scheme She told IANS The school has undergone significant improvements in both educational standards and facilities We are now better equipped to shape responsible and skilled citizensEchoing her thoughts Manisha Rajput a teacher at the school said With updated resources and new teaching methodologies we can now offer a more engaging and modern learning environment Another teacher Vinay Kumar Mandloi added We are seeing real growth in students participation confidence and performance thanks to the PM SHRI upgradesStudents too are feeling the impact Sonali Chandrawanshi a student said Earlier we didnt have access to proper career guidance But now subject experts and guest faculty are helping us explore career paths with clarity Monika Vanshkar another student highlighted the increased access to resources We now have the support we need to dream bigThe PM SHRI Scheme has also introduced advanced sports equipment and infrastructure encouraging participation in extracurricular activities A male student summed it up best Now learning isnt just confined to bookswere growing in every directionThrough such initiatives the PM SHRI Scheme is not just enhancing education but building a foundation for innovation leadership and holistic development in government schools like Bhaisadand IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-shri-scheme-transforms-government-school-in-chhindwara-639313.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sulabh-toilets-transform-sanitation-landscape-in-ayodhya-with-over-100-high-tech-facilities-639315.html Ayodhya Sep 18 In a remarkable push towards modern and hygienic public sanitation Sulabh International has established stateoftheart toilet facilities at more than 100 locations in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya From the Dharampath to Rampath these modern restrooms are setting a new benchmark in cleanliness and convenience Equipped with air conditioners CCTV surveillance hand dryers and sanitary pad dispensers these public toilets are making a significant impact on the experience of both tourists and locals visiting the holy city The initiative is being praised for its innovation maintenance and alignment with national cleanliness goalsParveen Kumar Singh a local user said These Sulabh International toilets are really good The cleanliness is commendable There are two cleaners stationed here and all necessary facilities are availableCaretakers like Mukesh Kumar Singh are on the ground every day to ensure smooth functioningWe manage 90 toilets in Ayodhya Each one is equipped with ACs CCTV cameras and hand dryers Cleanliness is our top priority he saidAnother caretaker Sunil Kumar Jha said These toilets are wellmaintained If anyone faces any issues assistance is readily available Hygiene and service are both excellentThis initiative is part of the broader Swachh Bharat Abhiyan the countrys largest cleanliness drive led by the Narendra Modiled Union government Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 the campaign gained momentum when he led a historic cleanliness pledge at the India Gate in Delhi joined by nearly 30 lakh government employees nationwideAs part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 a nationwide voluntary campaign titled Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath will be held on September 25 encouraging citizens across the country to contribute an hour of shramdaan towards cleanlinessThe Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen launched on October 2 2014 aimed to eliminate open defecation in rural India By October 2 2019 sanitation coverage increased from 39 per cent to 100 per cent with more than 10 crore individual household toilets built All villages had declared themselves Open Defecation FreeWith the success of Phase I Phase II of SBMG began in April 2020 This phase focuses on sustainability and solid and liquid waste management to transition from ODF to ODF Plus villages As of March 17 2025 out of 586788 villages nationwide 564096 have declared themselves ODF Plus with more than five lakh villages now equipped with proper solid and liquid waste management systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sulabh-toilets-transform-sanitation-landscape-in-ayodhya-with-over-100-high-tech-facilities-639315.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/telangana-mla-cancels-sons-wedding-reception-to-donate-rs-2-crore-for-farmers-639191.html Hyderabad Sep 18 A Congress MLA in Telangana cancelled the wedding reception of his son to donate Rs 2 crore to the government for distributing urea to farmers Bathula Laxma Reddy the MLA from Miryalaguda met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for giving him the cheque on ThursdayThe MLA requested that the money be spent to give a bag of urea to one lakh farmers in his constituencyThe MLA was accompanied by his son Sai Prasanna and other family members Prasannas wedding took place recently and the family had planned a grand receptionHowever considering the problems faced by farmers due to urea shortage the MLA decided to cancel the lavish reception and instead use the same money to help farmersAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CM Revanth Reddy lauded this selfless act appreciating the MLA and his family for turning a personal celebration into a collective blessing for the farming communityThe MLAs gesture came days after his gunman allegedly diverted a full lorryload of urea allocated for farmers in Miryalaguda Assembly constituency There were allegations that the urea was being blackmarketedThe gunman allegedly impersonated MLAs personal assistant and pressured officials He claimed the shipment was needed for official use and redirected the lorry bound for the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society concernedThis came to light when officials crosschecked records after the MLA enquired about supplies for his constituency The officials complained to the MLA about their gunmans unauthorised calls and bullying tacticsSuperintendent of Police Sharatchandra Pawar took serious note of the issue and ordered an immediate probeFollowing the incident Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president K T Rama Rao had accused Congress leaders of involvement in black marketing of urea He remarked that when an MLAs gunman takes away a lorry of urea the MLA may be diverting the entire warehouse of urea IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/telangana-mla-cancels-sons-wedding-reception-to-donate-rs-2-crore-for-farmers-639191.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-svanidhi-scheme-brought-my-family-back-on-track-mp-beneficiary-expresses-gratitude-on-pms-birthday-639011.html New Delhi Sep 17 On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday beneficiaries of various central welfare schemes across India are expressing their gratitude Among them is Mohammad Wasim Khan an electrical technician and motor rewinding expert from Khandwa who credits the PM SVANidhi Yojana for transforming his life and reviving his familys legacy business I inherited my fathers workshop but we lacked the necessary tools to work efficiently I had to borrow equipment from others which delayed my projects and affected my income said Khan who now operates a fully equipped shop in Khandwa cityWhen I learnt about the PM SVANidhi scheme through the Khandwa Municipal Corporation I applied and received a loan of Rs 10000 With that I bought essential tools and restarted my business Now Im handling more clients and earning well My family is secure again I truly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this opportunity he addedLaunched in June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi PM SVANidhi scheme aims to provide collateralfree working capital loans to street vendors and small traders affected by the COVID19 pandemicThe scheme enables vendors to avail a loan of 10000 in the first year followed by 20000 in the second year and 50000 in the third based on timely repayments Recently additional benefits of 5000 have been included increasing the initial disbursement to 15000Speaking about the schemes local impact Mohammad Saeed Shah City Mission Manager of Khandwa Municipal Corporation said This scheme is nothing short of a blessing for street vendors In Khandwa many beneficiaries like Wasim Khan have successfully restarted and expanded their businesses We are now offering 15000 in the first year and 25000 in the second and I urge more vendors to come forward and avail these benefitsOn PM Modis birthday beneficiaries like Wasim Khan say they are not just celebrating a leader but also the lifechanging opportunities that his governments schemes have brought into their lives For many small traders across India PM SVANidhi is not just financial support it is dignity restored IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-svanidhi-scheme-brought-my-family-back-on-track-mp-beneficiary-expresses-gratitude-on-pms-birthday-639011.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-svanidhi-scheme-brought-my-business-back-on-track-mp-beneficiary-expresses-gratitude-on-pms-birthday-639013.html New Delhi Sep 17 On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday beneficiaries of various central welfare schemes across India are expressing their gratitude Among them is Mohammad Wasim Khan an electrical technician and motor rewinding expert from Khandwa who credits the PM SVANidhi Yojana for transforming his life and reviving his familys legacy business I inherited my fathers workshop but we lacked the necessary tools to work efficiently I had to borrow equipment from others which delayed my projects and affected my income said Khan who now operates a fully equipped shop in Khandwa cityWhen I learnt about the PM SVANidhi scheme through the Khandwa Municipal Corporation I applied and received a loan of Rs 10000 With that I bought essential tools and restarted my business Now Im handling more clients and earning well My family is secure again I truly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this opportunity he addedLaunched in June 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi PM SVANidhi scheme aims to provide collateralfree working capital loans to street vendors and small traders affected by the COVID19 pandemicThe scheme enables vendors to avail a loan of 10000 in the first year followed by 20000 in the second year and 50000 in the third based on timely repayments Recently additional benefits of 5000 have been included increasing the initial disbursement to 15000Speaking about the schemes local impact Mohammad Saeed Shah City Mission Manager of Khandwa Municipal Corporation said This scheme is nothing short of a blessing for street vendors In Khandwa many beneficiaries like Wasim Khan have successfully restarted and expanded their businesses We are now offering 15000 in the first year and 25000 in the second and I urge more vendors to come forward and avail these benefitsOn PM Modis birthday beneficiaries like Wasim Khan say they are not just celebrating a leader but also the lifechanging opportunities that his governments schemes have brought into their lives For many small traders across India PM SVANidhi is not just financial support it is dignity restored IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-svanidhi-scheme-brought-my-business-back-on-track-mp-beneficiary-expresses-gratitude-on-pms-birthday-639013.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajasthan-artist-mahesh-vaishnavs-cow-dung-painting-honours-pm-modi-on-his-75th-birthday-638914.html New Delhi Sep 17 As India celebrates Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday tributes are pouring in from across the nation One unique tribute is a painting by Rajasthanbased artist Mahesh Kumar Vaishnav crafted entirely from cow dung which depicts the Prime Minister feeding milk to a lion cub Sharing his inspiration the artist said This painting is made from cow dung It took about one and a half months to complete In the artwork PM Modi is depicted feeding a lion cub with milk The message is that even fierce animals such as lions can be nurtured with love and care Without fear the Prime Minister feeds it milk symbolising courage and compassionThe artwork has quickly gone viral on social media and is being widely praised for its symbolism and ecofriendly materialVaishnav said he chose cow dung to reflect traditional Indian values sustainability and humility qualities he associates with the Prime Ministers life journeyMeanwhile PM Modi is spending his 75th birthday in Madhya Pradesh where he visited Bhainsola village in Dhar district to lay the foundation stone of Indias first PM MITRA Park a mega textile hub under the Centres flagship initiative to strengthen the garment and apparel sectorIn addition PM Modi launched two major health and nutrition campaigns Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Healthy Women Empowered Families and the eighth Rashtriya Poshan Maah National Nutrition Month aimed at improving health services for women and children nationwideMore than one lakh health camps will be held across India from September 17 to October 2 as part of the governments largestever public health outreach initiative under the ongoing Seva Pakhwada Fortnight of ServiceThese camps will provide womencentric preventive promotive and curative health services including screenings for noncommunicable diseases anaemia tuberculosis and sickle cell disease as well as maternal and adolescent health checkups immunisations and nutrition counsellingSpecialised services in gynaecology paediatrics dermatology psychiatry and more will be mobilised through public and private medical institutions Blood donation drives will also be organised nationwide with donors registered via the eRaktkosh portal and engagement through the MyGov platform IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajasthan-artist-mahesh-vaishnavs-cow-dung-painting-honours-pm-modi-on-his-75th-birthday-638914.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tribal-man-battling-fever-carried-on-shoulders-for-6-km-through-forest-to-reach-hospital-in-kerala-638939.html Munnar Kerala Sep 17 An elderly tribal man suffering from high fever was carried by community members on their shoulders for over six km taking six hours through dense forest in Keralas Idukki district to the nearest medical facility which highlights the acute shortage of healthcare in remote tribal areas The 64yearold patient identified as Malayappan from the Kuddikaar settlement in Idamalakkudi tribal belt about 45 km from here is now recovering at Mankulam Government Hospital according to a reportMalayappan had been battling a severe fever for two days when his condition deteriorated on Tuesday morning leaving him too weak to walkIn a desperate effort to save him his fellow community members carried him on their shoulders through difficult forest terrain to Anakkulam where an ambulance was arranged to transport him to the nearest hospitalThe incident underscores the inadequate medical infrastructure in the Idamalakkudi region which is governed by a tribal local bodyWhile a Primary Health Centre operates in Societykudi residents in more remote areas like Koodalar and Meenkuthi are forced to undertake arduous journeys through the tough forest paths to reach thereConsequently many prefer the closer albeit still distant option of traveling to Anakkulam This is not an isolated incidentLast month a fiveyearold child from the Koodalar settlement died from a fever after a similar effort to shift him to a hospital The child was carried on foot to Anakkulam and from there he was shifted to the Taluk Hospital in Adimali but could not be savedThe lack of proper road connectivity poses a major challenge in the tribal belt Vehicle access is limited to the route from Munnar to SocietykudiBeyond this point the roads are in such poor condition that only fourwheeldrive vehicles mainly jeeps can navigate them making it nearly impossible for ambulances to reach the most isolated hamlets IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tribal-man-battling-fever-carried-on-shoulders-for-6-km-through-forest-to-reach-hospital-in-kerala-638939.html Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-unveils-rs-14-000-crore-water-storage-expansion-plan-638727.html Chennai Sep 16 With projections indicating that Chennais drinking water storage demand will more than triple by 2050 the Water Resources Department WRD has rolled out a Rs14000crore plan to restore lakes and tanks build new reservoirs and expand recharge structures A feasibility report of the Chennai Corporation estimates that the citys requirement will rise to 3873 tmc from the current 11 tmc Out of 1165 suggested projects the WRD has approved 704 essential works to be executed within the next decadeThe projects span 12 basins including Chennai and Palar with a major focus on reviving around 1150 tanks in suburban areas These include a chain of 350 tanks such as Thenneri Sriperumbudur Thirunindravur Manimangalam and Pillaipakkam which act as catchments for Chembarambakkam and another 64 tanks along the OMR stretch such as Narayanapuram Thalambur Semmenchery and NanmangalamRestoring them as mini catchments is expected to boost storage capacity and make surrounding neighbourhoods less dependent on the citys reservoirsThe plan also involves constructing 12 new reservoirs along the upstream stretches of the Cooum Adyar and Palar riversSites have been identified at Thiruverkadu and Poonamallee in the Cooum basin and four villages along the Palar Each of these reservoirs is expected to add between 05 tmc and 1 tmc of storageIn addition three major new reservoirs are planned including one on Salt Lake along the East Coast Road and another on 300 acres of government land near PerumbakkamThe Perumbakkam reservoir is designed to store up to 225 tmc while the ECR site will add another 2 tmcTogether these reservoirs will help retain water for the OMR belt and reduce flooding into Pallikaranai marshTo strengthen groundwater reserves 402 recharge structures will be built along river bunds while around 200 tanks within industrial hubs such as Irungattukottai Oragadam and Pillaipakkam will be revived reducing dependence on Metrowater by easing 115 MLD of supplyInterbasin linking measures are also proposed including diverting water from Adyar to Palar and channelising flow from Kosasthalaiyar to CooumExperts note that Chennai receives adequate rainfall annually and that restoring tanks lakes and aquifers while enforcing rainwater harvesting will be crucial to the plans success IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-unveils-rs-14-000-crore-water-storage-expansion-plan-638727.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennais-single-ticketing-app-ready-but-no-autorickshaw-fare-revision-stalls-roll-out-638737.html Chennai Sep 16 Chennais longawaited integrated transport mobile application designed to provide seamless singleticketing across public transport modes is ready for launch However the absence of a revised autorickshaw fare structure has delayed the rollout of its dedicated ridehailing feature leaving drivers disgruntled The application developed by Namma Yatri for the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority CUMTA began trial runs in June under the name Anna Ride and has since been rebranded as Chennai One It is designed to allow commuters to book tickets for MTC buses Chennai Metro Rail and suburban EMU trains while also offering lastmile connectivity through taxi servicesCUMTA officials confirmed that the Chief Ministers approval is awaited for both the apps formal launch and clearance of the citys comprehensive mobility planWhile the singleticketing feature is fully ready officials clarified that the exclusive autorickshawhailing service cannot be launched until the government revises and institutes a mechanism for periodic updates of faresWe cannot operate like private aggregators that fix their own tariffs A government order on revised fares is necessary before we can integrate autos a senior official saidAutorickshaw unions have criticised the delay pointing out that the last fare revision was carried out in 2013 Under the existing structure commuters pay Rs 25 for the first 18 km and Rs 12 for every subsequent kilometreRising fuel prices insurance premiums RTO charges and maintenance costs have made these rates unsustainable union leaders argueTamil Nadu Auto Thozhilalar Sammelanam working president S Balasubramanian accused the government of dragging its feet despite private operators charging far higher ratesThe government is worried that revising fares upward will spark public backlash though other tariffs like property tax and electricity have been raised Our demand is only for a fair and overdue revision he saidIn February 2022 the Madras High Court directed the state to revise autorickshaw fares Following consultations with stakeholders the Transport Commissioner had proposed a minimum fare of Rs 40 for the first 18 km and Rs 18 per additional kilometreUnions have since demanded Rs 50 for the first 15 km and Rs 25 thereafter Despite recommendations being submitted to the government earlier this year no decision has been made It has been three years since the court order and costs have only increased We urge the government to act immediately so that commuters and drivers alike can benefit from a transparent regulated system Balasubramanian added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennais-single-ticketing-app-ready-but-no-autorickshaw-fare-revision-stalls-roll-out-638737.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/working-women-in-rural-bengal-earn-better-than-urban-counterparts-report-638771.html Kolkata Sep 16 The average daily income of working women in rural areas of West Bengal is higher than that of their counterparts in urban and metro areas according to the latest statistics released by the Centre According to the said report christened Women and Men in India 2024 Selected Indicators and Data used by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation as on June 2024 the latest period statistics available on this count the average daily income per woman in rural West Bengal stands at Rs 320 which is marginally higher than Rs 272 as on September 2023According to the report prepared with inputs from the state finance department as of June 2024 the average daily income per woman in the metro and urban areas of West Bengal is Rs 316 And the average daily income per woman in the metro and urban pockets of the state was comparatively higher at Rs 324 as of September 2023In both rural and urban pockets the Left Frontruled state of Kerala is at the top of the list in terms of the average daily income of the working womenIn the case of Kerala the amount earned by rural working women is Rs 454 and in urban and metro areas it is Rs 505Economic observers feel that this phenomenon of rural working women enjoying marginally higher average daily income than their counterparts in urban and metro pockets is an indication of how lower rates of wages even in organised sectors in urban and metro West Bengal are encouraging workers migration from the state including women to other states for much higher daily wagesThe economists feel that the phenomenon of the rural working women in West Bengal enjoying an average daily income higher than their counterparts in urban and metro pockets in the state is a strange phenomenon considering that the picture is generally opposite since the avenues of employment generation in urban and metro pockets are much higher than in rural pocketsIn rural pockets the scope of employment for women is generally limited to specific areas like farming animal husbandry and to an extent rural handicrafts among others But in urban and more specially metro pockets the avenues of employment generation are far too many namely security personnel in business establishments like hotels shopping malls multiplexes big hospitals and other merchant establishments health workers in big hospitals selective factories where skills specialised by women are necessary and most importantly the traditional employment of working as domestic helpers among others acclaimed economist P MukhopadhyayHe added These days several women are even engaged in unconventional employment like appcab drivers and product delivery among others But still with so many avenues of employment generation when the average daily income for women in urban and metro pockets is so low it does not cut a rosy picture of the economic health of the state and more especially on daily wage rates in urban and metro pocketsTeacher of economics Diganta Basu feels that precisely because of this low daily wage structure the rate of workers including women workers migrating from West Bengal to other states for better livelihood is so highImagine the average daily wage earned by a woman worker in urban and metro areas in West Bengal is just Rs 316 as against the figure of Rs 505 enjoyed by their counterparts in Kerala So it is quite natural that any worker in West Bengal men or women and skilled or unskilled will opt for other states like Kerala than their own native state he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/working-women-in-rural-bengal-earn-better-than-urban-counterparts-report-638771.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/student-suicides-in-kerala-surge-by-50-pc-in-a-decade-638819.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 16 Student suicides in Kerala have increased by nearly 50 per cent over the past decade raising fresh alarm over the mental health of schoolchildren Data presented in the State Assembly show that Kerala reported 39962 suicides between January 2021 and March 2025 The toll climbed steadily from 6227 in 2021 to 10994 in 2023Though not all of these deaths involved students the trend reflects a nationwide crisis NCRB figures reveal that 13044 students died by suicide across India in 2022 almost unchanged from the previous yearIn Kerala certain districts are particularly affected Kozhikode alone recorded 53 student suicides in the 202223 academic year Psychologists stress that many of these tragedies could have been averted with timely counseling and effective schoolbased supportThe case of 14yearold Ashirnanda a Class IX student from Sreekrishnapuram in Palakkad highlights the human toll behind the statistics Reportedly ridiculed repeatedly by teachers she took her life at home leaving behind unfinished drawings and a fresh school record book Her parents Prashanth and Sajitha continue to seek justiceShe was a bright child with dreams But the humiliation she suffered broke her spirit her father saidIn response to the crisis the Kerala government has announced a programme to train 3000 teachers as mental health counselors enabling schools to provide frontline support Education Minister V Sivankutty said the initiative aims to help teachers identify early signs of distress offer basic counseling and connect students to professional services when necessaryExperts link the rise to mounting academic and social pressures fragile family environments and the inability to address the evolving psychological needs of young peopleHowever experts caution that most schools still lack professional counselors and existing programmes are hampered by weak coordination and poor referral systemsChild rights activists also stress the need for accountability in cases of harassment Justice for victims like Ashirnanda is essential but equally important is building safeguards so no child feels abandoned or humiliated said one activist IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/student-suicides-in-kerala-surge-by-50-pc-in-a-decade-638819.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/telangana-student-who-lost-both-legs-after-being-pushed-off-train-get-prosthetic-limbs-638833.html Hyderabad Sep 16 A student who lost both his legs after being pushed off a running train by miscreants in Rajasthan last year on Tuesday met Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and thanked him for providing artificial limbs Gundeti Rahul along with his family met the Chief Minister and expressed heartfelt gratitudeRahul a native of Pulakurthi village of Warangal District was travelling by train to Kota Rajasthan to prepare for the IIT entrance examination on November 2 2024 when he was pushed off the train by a group of miscreants resulting in the amputation of both legsThrough the Chief Ministers Relief Fund the government extended support for his treatment and assisted in providing artificial limbs to help him walk again Rahul deeply moved by the assistance conveyed his thanks to the Chief MinisterThe government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for his treatment Rahul has been fitted with stateoftheart artificial limbs at Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences NIMS Hyderabad enabling him to walk againMeanwhile at another programme the Chief Minister along with State ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Adluri Laxman distributed musical instruments to visually impaired studentsUnder the supervision of the Karimnagar District Welfare Department special training in music has been provided to visually impaired students by the district administration On this occasion the students sang songs in the presence of the Chief MinisterA CD containing the songs sung by the students was formally released by CM Revanth Reddy and ministers The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of Karimnagar District Collector Pamela Satpathy for initiating and implementing this unique program for the empowerment of visually impaired studentsMP Anil Kumar Yadav and Greater Hyderabad Mayor Gadwal Vijayalaxmi were also presentMeanwhile delegates from Telangana who participated in the 7th All India Prison Duty Meet2025 paid a courtesy call on the Chief MinisterThe Chief Minister congratulated the medal winners of the 7th All India Prison Duty Meet2025 In the competitions held with teams from various states across the country Telangana secured 28 medals 21 Gold 4 Silver and 3 Bronze out of a total of 133 medals IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/telangana-student-who-lost-both-legs-after-being-pushed-off-train-get-prosthetic-limbs-638833.html Tue, 16 Sep 2025 17:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/dengue-cases-rise-in-tns-krishnagiri-govt-steps-up-preventive-measures-638565.html Chennai Sep 15 An increase in dengue cases across Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu has prompted intensified antidengue operations with health officials deploying largescale preventive measures to curb the spread District Health Officer Dr G Ramesh Kumar said that 48 cases were reported in August while 27 fresh cases were confirmed in the first two weeks of September Last month we recorded only one or two cases a week Now more than five cases are emerging weekly Eight cases have been reported from Shoolagiri five from Hosur City Municipal Corporation and four from Hosur town he noted To check mosquito breeding 30 Domestic Breeding Checking DBC workers have been appointed in each of the districts ten blocks They are conducting daily fogging operations and overseeing water tank chlorination Fever camps are also being held across hotspot areas while companies and educational institutions are being cleared of abandoned materials that serve as breeding grounds Dr Ramesh Kumar said 16 hotspot zones have been identified based on test results and targeted measures such as fogging medical screening and awareness campaigns are being carried out for three consecutive days in affected localities Daily mobile medical units are active at 40 places and 4050 fever camps are conducted every day based on reported cases People are advised to drink boiled water avoid selfmedication and consult government health centres immediately if they develop fever he added Blood samples are being collected to test for dengue leptospirosis scrub typhus hepatitis A and typhoid The official pointed out that last year 173 dengue cases were reported in August and 133 in September with the annual total touching 707 This year 330 cases have been recorded so far including 48 in August and 27 in September until the second week he said Explaining local trends Dr Ramesh Kumar said that Hosur Shoolagiri and Rayakottai usually report higher numbers since many residents commute regularly to Bengaluru for work and trade However because dengue incidence has declined in Bengaluru this year cases in these blocks are also comparatively fewer he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/dengue-cases-rise-in-tns-krishnagiri-govt-steps-up-preventive-measures-638565.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/teenager-injured-in-landmine-blast-in-jampks-anantnag-succumbs-to-injuries-in-srinagar-hospital-638566.html Srinagar Sep 15 A teenager injured in a landmine explosion in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag district succumbed to critical injuries on Monday at the Army hospital in Srinagar Officials said that a teenager was injured on Sunday in a landmine explosion near the fencing of the Armys Khundroo camp in Anantnag districtHe was immediately shifted to the Government Medical College GMC hospital in Anantnag town from where he was shifted to the Armys 92 base hospital in Srinagar The teenager succumbed to injuries in the base hospital today He had crossed into the fenced area of the Armys Khundroo camp when he stepped on a landmine that exploded officials saidThe boy has been identified as Shahid Ahmad son of Mohammad Yusuf of Larnoo village in Anantnag districtThe Armys 21 field ammunition depot FAD is located in the Khundroo area of Anantnag district This is one of the biggest ammunition depots in the ValleyAccidents have occurred in this depot in the past as well On August 11 2007 more than 20 labourers were killed and several were injured in a fire which broke out after an accidental blast inside the depotOn October 19 2011 a labourer was critically injured when he stepped over a landmine near the fence of the depot while cleaning the lawnA labourer was killed on March 14 2015 and two others were injured when a shell went off accidentally inside the depotThere have been several other instances of live shells exploding around the villages surrounding the depot resulting in fatalitiesOn March 1 2018 two minors were injured when a live shell they were fiddling with exploded in RakhiBrah Ranipora in the Shangus areaOn June 7 2015 a live shell inside the dead stock went off during transshipping in a load carrier in Roonipora village of Shangus killing a labourer and injuring three others including two womenThe Army has been regularly carrying out the exercise of defusing the leftover ammunition in the Rakhi Brah area in a field surrounded by mountains and later the scrap collectors collect the remains IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/teenager-injured-in-landmine-blast-in-jampks-anantnag-succumbs-to-injuries-in-srinagar-hospital-638566.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/stricter-helmet-checks-save-hundreds-on-tamil-nadu-roads-638589.html Chennai Sep 15 A tough police enforcement of helmet rules backed by statewide awareness drives has paid off in Tamil Nadu bringing a sharp drop in road deaths during the first half of 2025 Data shows helmetless riding fatalities have fallen by almost 40 per cent even as overall accidents inched up slightlyAccording to figures from the State Crime Records Bureau SCRB overall road accidents in the state rose marginally by 187 per cent from 33974 cases up to June 2024 to 34611 cases in the corresponding period this yearHowever fatalities fell by 1164 per cent with 8652 deaths reported in the first six months of 2025 compared to 9792 last yearThe improvement is most visible among twowheeler users Till June Tamil Nadu recorded 15552 twowheeler accidents up from 15093 in the same period of 2024Despite this increase fatalities dropped sharply to 3725 from 4310 underscoring the impact of helmet complianceData from the Health Systems Project and SCRB shows that deaths caused by nonwearing of helmets fell to 803 in the first half of 2025 down from 1297 during the same period last year a decline of nearly 38 per centIn early 2024 one in three twowheeler deaths was linked to riders without helmets By June 2025 the share had dropped to one in five 2156 per cent The monthly trend indicates significant gains helmetless fatalities reduced from 211 in January and 224 in February to 96 in March 77 in April 94 in May and 101 in JuneA districtwise breakdown shows Coimbatore leading with 50 helmetless deaths followed by Chengalpattu 42 Salem 36 Tiruvannamalai 34 and Krishnagiri 33 Chennai reported 21 such deaths in the same periodOfficials credit the fall to strict helmet enforcement regular awareness campaigns and police vigilance across the stateTwowheelers made up 4493 per cent of all road accidents this year but their share in fatalities was slightly lower at 4305 per centSafety experts emphasise that the progress must be sustained through consistent checks and public cooperation The numbers prove that enforcement works one official noted adding that longterm behavioural change will be the key to making Tamil Nadus roads significantly safer IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/stricter-helmet-checks-save-hundreds-on-tamil-nadu-roads-638589.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-two-crore-enrol-in-gujarat-under-pradhan-mantri-suraksha-bima-yojana-638652.html Gandhinagar Sep 15 Gujarat has recorded a milestone under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana PMSBY with more than 201 crore beneficiaries enrolled as of August 27 The achievement comes under the state governments ongoing Jan Suraksha Santrupti Abhiyan led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as shared by officials on Monday The scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers accident insurance coverage of up to Rs 2 lakh at a nominal premium of just Rs 20 per yearIt covers accidental death and disability for individuals aged between 18 and 70 years with the aim of providing financial security to lowincome families and workers in the unorganised sector In Gujarat the campaign has been rolled out across 14610 village panchayats and urban local bodies ensuring that even citizens in remote areas can access the schemeVillage Computer Entrepreneurs VCEs have been tasked with assisting households in opening bank accounts completing KYC registering nominees and spreading awareness on digital fraud prevention and unclaimed depositsThe PMSBY is part of a wider basket of social security measures which also include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana PMJDY Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana PMJJBY and the Atal Pension Yojana APY Together these schemes aim to strengthen financial inclusion and provide a safety net to workers and citizens at the marginsThe Jan Suraksha Santrupti Abhiyan a nationwide campaign running from July 1 to September 30 was launched in Gujarat from Pundhra village in Gandhinagar districtThe statelevel inauguration was done virtually by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in the presence of Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai Beneficiaries need to hold a savings bank account and fall within the eligible age bracket Under PMSBY accidental death or total permanent disability is insured for Rs two lakh while partial permanent disability is covered up to Rs one lakhFor further details citizens can visit jansurakshagovinPMJJBY contact the helpline 1800110001 or approach their nearest bank branch banking correspondent or use mobile banking platformsState officials have urged all eligible citizens to take advantage of the scheme noting that it plays a crucial role in advancing Prime Minister Modis vision of a Viksit Bharat by extending financial and social security to every household IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-two-crore-enrol-in-gujarat-under-pradhan-mantri-suraksha-bima-yojana-638652.html Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bsf-organises-medical-camps-in-flood-affected-areas-of-jammu-638483.html New Delhi Sep 14 After floods in several districts of Jammu led to widespread havoc the Border Security Force BSF undertook an initiative to provide medical care to the affected people The BSF on Sunday organised a mobile medical relief camp at village Kasblari Mankot District Poonch to provide medical aid to rainaffected residents of Kasblari and adjoining areasAccording to the officials BSF doctors and paramedics carried out health checkups of 130 villagers and distributed essential medicines during the campAs part of the ongoing efforts another medical camp will be organised on September 16 in the border area of Samba district in collaboration with about 15 leading specialist doctors from JammuThis initiative aims to provide advanced healthcare support to the border populationNotably on September 13 BSF organised a medical camp in the floodaffected village of Hamirpur Kona Pragwal Jammu to provide relief to the affected citizensBSF doctors and paramedical staff examined the health of 117 patients and provided them with necessary medicinesOn the same day it also organised a veterinary medical camp in the floodaffected village Basaubarwan Tehsil and District Pathankot BSF Veterinary Doctors and Nursing Assistants examined 117 domesticated animals from Basaubarwan and nearby villages and provided essential medicinesOn Sept 2025 11 BSF organised a Veterinary Camp at Village Maharajpur Tehsil Marheen Distt Kathua as part of relief measures for floodaffected peopleBSF veterinary doctors and veterinary nursing assistants along with doctors from Vet Hospital Block Marheen and Vet Dispensary Korrepunu examined 132 domesticated animals from nearby villages and provided medicines to their ownersEarlier in the week BSF in collaboration with AIIMS Bathinda conducted a medical camp for 14 floodaffected villages of PunjabThese initiatives reflect BSFs commitment to stand by the people in times of need extending care not only to communities but also to their livestock which are their livelihood said the force in a communique IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bsf-organises-medical-camps-in-flood-affected-areas-of-jammu-638483.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chandrababu-naidu-congratulates-grandson-on-receiving-chess-award-638539.html Amaravati Sep 14 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari on Sunday congratulated their grandson Nara Devaansh on receiving the World Book of Records Award 2025 for the Fastest Checkmate Solver 175 Puzzles Tenyearold Devaansh on Saturday received the award at the World Book of Records Awards 2025 ceremony held at Westminster Hall LondonDevaansh last year had solved 175 progressively challenging checkmate puzzles taken from the renowned compilation 5334 problems combinations and games by Laszlo Polgar at the Checkmate MarathonCongratulations to our Devaansh on receiving the World Book of Records Award 2025 at Westminster Hall London We are proud of his recordsetting achievement as the Fastest Checkmate Solver at 175 puzzles after months of perseverance and the guidance of his mentors Good going champ Naidu posted on XMy blessings and love to my dear grandson Devaansh on receiving the World Book of Records honour at Westminster Hall London At just 10 your talent discipline amp dedication to chess have brought immense pride to our family May you continue to shine brightly and achieve many more milestones wrote BhuvaneswariDevaanshs father and Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and mother Nara Brahmani also took to X to congratulate himMy little champion youve made us proud yet again Im truly impressed by your dedication and commitment in setting the world record for fastest checkmate solver This recognition is a reward for your hard work and Im happy to be here with you on your special occasion posted LokeshSo proud of you Devaansh At just 10 your dedication focus amp love for chess have earned you the World Book of Records honour at Westminster Hall London Your hard work shines through every move you make This is just the beginning keep dreaming big my champ wrote BrahmaniThe World Book of Records rewarded the child prodigy on Saturday for this feat placing him among the finest young talents on the global stage in the chess world His achievement is the result of months of focused preparation supported by his parents and guided by his coach K Rajashekar ReddyAccording to a statement these puzzles get more and more difficult as they go on testing speed accuracy and thinking skills and he was able to solve all of them within a tight timeframeIts truly a special occasion to see Devaansh receive this honour at Westminster Hall today His ability to think ahead stay calm under pressure and devote himself so wholeheartedly to the game at just ten years old makes this achievement even more special As his father I have witnessed the countless hours he has spent practising with dedication This recognition is a true reward for his hard work We are very proud of him said LokeshDevaansh had also set two additional world records earlier in the chess domain completing the 7disc Tower of Hanoi in just 1 minute 43 seconds and arranging 9 chess boards with all 32 pieces correctly in 5 minutes IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chandrababu-naidu-congratulates-grandson-on-receiving-chess-award-638539.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bihar-vaishalis-ashok-paswan-and-nirshi-devi-thank-govt-for-pucca-houses-under-pmay--638543.html Patna Sep 14 The Central government is running many public welfare schemes to bring economically backward people into the mainstream One of these is the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana PMAY This scheme is proving to be a boon for those who dont have a house of their own and are longing for a pucca house PMAY has brought a drastic change in the lives of lakhs of people across the country In Bihars Vaishali district two people Ashok Paswan and Nirshi Devi shared with IANS their experience of difficult times when staying in kuccha house and the ease of living after shifting to pucca houseAshok Paswan a PMAY beneficiary of Dilawarpur Govardhan Panchayat of Bidupur Vaishali said that earlier the house was a hut due to which there were more problems and children suffered difficult times in studyingNow we have got the benefits of PMAY There is no problem Earlier water used to drip from the hut during the rainy season Getting a house under the Awas Yojana helped us get rid of this problem he saidNirshi Devi another PMAY beneficiary said that earlier there were many problems due to having a kutcha houseWe had to face difficulties in every season Due to the hut water used to drip during the rainy season and there was always a fear of the hut collapsing during a storm After getting the benefits of PMAY my house was made permanent Now our problems are over I am very grateful to PM Modi for this she saidNotably the story is not just of Ashok Paswan and Nirshi DeviHundreds and thousands of poor families are getting their own pucca houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana These houses are given to those people who dont have a house of their own IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bihar-vaishalis-ashok-paswan-and-nirshi-devi-thank-govt-for-pucca-houses-under-pmay--638543.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 21:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gst-reforms-have-reduced-tax-burden-on-people-nirmala-sitharaman-638449.html Chennai Sep 14 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that the Goods and Services Tax GST reforms have reduced the tax burden on people Addressing the Joint Conclave of Trade and Industries Association Tax Reforms for Rising Bharat in Chennai she explained that the fourtier GST structure has now been simplified to just two slabsEarlier GST had four categories Now we have simplified it into two slabs 5 per cent and 18 per cent Items that were taxed at 12 per cent and 18 per cent have largely been moved to the lower 5 per cent bracket For certain essentials tax has been reduced to zero This reform will significantly benefit all 14 billion Indians FM Sitharaman saidThe changes the biggest overhaul since GST was introduced in 2017 will see the current 5 per cent 12 per cent 18 per cent and 28 per cent structure replaced with just two rates 5 per cent and 18 per centAdditionally a special 40 per cent tax bracket has been introduced for goods considered harmful or excessively luxurious including cigarettes tobacco pan masala soft drinks and highend luxury carsPrime Minister Narendra Modi had hinted at the shift during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort underlining the governments intent to ease the common mans burden before the festive seasonThe revised rates will come into effect on September 22 just ahead of DiwaliGovernment officials pointed out that the timing of the announcement was deliberate keeping in mind the major festivals across regionsWhile Diwali drives consumer demand for clothing and household goods in the south Navratri and Durga Puja boost purchases in the north The GST Council with representatives from all states and Union Territories unanimously approved the reformThe Centre expects the simplified structure to immediately bring down prices of essential goods spur consumption and boost economic activityCalling it a collective achievement she said This is not just a tax cut it is a victory for every citizen IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gst-reforms-have-reduced-tax-burden-on-people-nirmala-sitharaman-638449.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hyderabad-man-kills-ailing-son-throws-body-in-musi-river-638453.html Hyderabad Sep 14 In a shocking incident a man killed his threeyearold son and dumped his body in the Musi River here The incident took place in the Bandlaguda area of Chandrayangutta on Friday night but came to light late Saturday after the father confessed to the crime when grilled by policePolice with the help of HYDRAA and Disaster Response Force DRF were searching for the body in the Musi River on SundayAccording to police Mohammed Akbar 35 a vegetable seller confessed to killing his younger son Mohammed Anas and throwing the body into the river from Nayapul bridgeThe child was reportedly ill and there used to be frequent fights over this between Akbar and his wife Sana BegumOn Friday night when Sana Begum who works as a caretaker at a hospital left for her duty Akbar strangled Anas to death by using a pillow He then wrapped the body in a bag carried it on the bike and dumped it into the river from NayapulAkbar later lodged a complaint with the police that his son had gone missing He told police that his relatives who had taken Anas to their home called him saying they dropped him near the house but he was not seenPolice grew suspicious after they checked Akbars mobile phone as he had not received any calls They also scanned the footage from the CCTV cameras near his house and saw him leaving the house early in the morning with a bag When grilled by the police Akbar confessed to the crimePolice registered a case and arrested Akbar Though police started searching the childs body in the Musi River on Saturday evening it was not found The search resumed on Sunday morningThe HYDRAA and DRF personnel were continuing their efforts Officials believe that the body might have washed away as there is a good flow of water following the release of flood water from the twin reservoirs IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hyderabad-man-kills-ailing-son-throws-body-in-musi-river-638453.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bro-restores-critical-connectivity-axis-in-jampks-kathua-638458.html Jammu Sep 14 The Project Sampark of the Border Roads Organisation BRO has restored the critical MahanpurTheyn axis connectivity which was recently washed away by a cloudburstlandslide in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district A defence ministry statement said on Sunday Following the devastating cloudburst on August 17 2025 in the Kathua district a major disruption occurred on the Pedu Nala along the MahanpurTheyn axis resulting in the washing away of an existing bridge and an underconstruction bridge This unprecedented event was caused by heavy landslides and landslips triggered by incessant rainfall completely blocking the vital route between Ranjit Sagar Dam and Mahanpur for all types of trafficIt said the aftermath presented formidable challenges including massive debris accumulation damaged bridge components strewn across the site ongoing inclement weather and the isolation of the location due to simultaneous blockages on alternate access roadsDespite these severe conditions 69 Road Construction Company RCC of Project Sampark BRO under the command of SK Singh Commander of the 35 Border Roads Task Force BRTF based in Udhampur launched a deliberate methodical and highintensity restoration operation The Project Sampark team led onsite by Assistant Engineer Surendran worked roundtheclock to clear access to the site by mobilising excavators and heavy machinery remove landslide debris channelise the diverted water flow construct box culverts install humepipes and build gabion walls to stabilise the area and restore the roadway the defence ministry saidTheir tireless efforts culminated in the restoration of the breached road section for heavy vehicular traffic by the evening of September 13 successfully reestablishing connectivity between Bilawar Kathua and Dhar a vital route for local civilians and administration alikeChief Engineer Project Sampark expressed his heartfelt appreciation and commendation for the professionalism dedication and resilience demonstrated by Team 69 RCC especially under such adverse weather and geographical conditions The rapid response not only underscores BROs operational excellence but also its unwavering commitment to nationbuilding and infrastructure resilience in border and remote areas the statement mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bro-restores-critical-connectivity-axis-in-jampks-kathua-638458.html Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/scholars-students-hail-gyan-bharatam-portal-as-historic-step-in-preserving-ancient-knowledge-638155.html New Delhi Sep 12 The launch of the Gyan Bharatam Portal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been hailed as a landmark achievement in preserving and promoting Indias vast manuscript heritage The portal aims to digitally catalogue preserve and share Indias priceless ancient knowledge contained in millions of manuscripts many of which have been scattered across the world Experts students and scholars from across India and neighbouring countries have expressed their excitement and appreciation for this historic initiative which they believe will elevate Indias intellectual heritage to a global platformDr Puneet Gupta a renowned manuscript expert described the portal as a huge internationallevel boost for Indias manuscript heritage He emphasised that India holds over a crore manuscripts whose knowledge streams have influenced civilisations worldwide over thousands of yearsDr Gupta said This digital link and the eight expert committees formed by the Prime Minister will ensure these manuscripts are not only preserved but interpreted and presented as global heritageStudent Akshat Bundela called the portal a very big global achievementHe highlighted the use of AI in digitising manuscripts and said the initiative is a strong foundation towards building a developed India by 2047This portal also empowers youth leadership and the governments effort to bring back manuscripts sent abroad is commendable he addedDivya from Indian Institute of Heritage pointed out the importance of digitization for researchersShe said Many manuscripts have remained in private hands inaccessible to the public This portal will provide us access to invaluable knowledge She also admired the Prime Ministers deep understanding of manuscripts and his charismatic presence at the launch eventDr Surendra Kumar Sharma coordinator from Rajasthan lauded the Prime Minister for revitalising Indias global traditions through this portalFor centuries this knowledge was confined to museums and collections Now through this portal it will reach every household he said Dr Sharma stressed the urgent need for thorough data collection and urged community institutions to collaborate with the government for publishing and disseminating this knowledgeNeeraj Dahal Assistant Professor at Nepal Sanskrit University appreciated Indias responsibility towards preserving Sanskrit knowledgeThis initiative integrates various ongoing efforts across states making it easier for researchers to access manuscripts he said He viewed the portal as a vital step toward unified preservation and study of manuscriptsHimachal Pradesh student Kunal Bhardwaj found inspiration in the Prime Ministers addressWe learned a lot and felt motivated Bringing manuscripts back to India and conserving them is crucial for future generations This mission will help discover new knowledge and benefit the world he sharedRajasthans Jitendra Meghwal remarked on the portals work regarding manuscript museums their digitization and study methods He appreciated the Prime Ministers passion for manuscripts and his efforts to repatriate Indian manuscripts from abroad This was the first time I saw the Prime Minister up close His interest in manuscripts is truly impressive he addedMarkandeya Tiwari from Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University Delhi called the governments plan extensive and promising He believes the portal will restore Indias status as the worlds guru by conserving and promoting ancient manuscriptsThe exhibition showcased many previously unknown manuscripts highlighting the importance of their preservation he saidPhD scholar Prachi reflected on the cultural depth revealed by the Prime Ministers speech He reminded us that to understand India one must understand its culture and manuscripts which are the source of our ancient knowledge We are on the path to reclaiming our position as a global knowledge leader she said expressing gratitude to the Prime MinisterPankaj Kumar Sharma of Koba Gyan Mandir explained the importance of consolidating manuscripts onto a single platform Each manuscript contains hundreds of texts Currently there is no complete cataloguing system Once this is done it will be much easier for Indians and the world to access this knowledge he noted He also praised the Prime Ministers visit to Mongolia to study their manuscript preservation effortsDr Uttam Singh from Agartala described the Gyan Bharatam portal as a great opportunity for scholars and youth to access and research ancient scriptures that remained unpublished for centuries This will immensely benefit researchers and bring forgotten knowledge to light he saidResearch scholar Shivani shared her experience of seeing Prime Minister Modi for the first time in person She recalled how the Prime Minister mentioned the Mongolian manuscripts and their connection to Indian epics like the Ramayana His knowledge of manuscript technology especially at centres like Nalanda and Mysore is impressive she remarkedOther voices like Ganesh Ashish Kankariya from Pune and Hemant a PhD student from Rajasthan University echoed similar sentiments appreciating the portals potential to unlock Indias ancient knowledge treasure IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/scholars-students-hail-gyan-bharatam-portal-as-historic-step-in-preserving-ancient-knowledge-638155.html Sat, 13 Sep 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-govts-vetri-nichayam-scheme-to-equip-youth-with-industry-focused-skills-jobs-637802.html Chennai Sep 11 The Tamil Nadu governments newly rolled out Vetri Nichayam Scheme through the TN Skill Development Corporation TNSDC is aimed at equipping unemployed youth with industryoriented skills and facilitating direct employment opportunities The programme is aimed at building a futureready workforce that can meet the demands of rapidly expanding sectorsOpen to individuals between 18 and 35 years of age the initiative covers a wide base of candidates including graduates diploma holders ITIcertified individuals and school dropoutsOfficials said the scheme is designed as part of the states broader mission to bridge the gap between education and industry while ensuring sustainable livelihoodsFor implementation TNSDC has partnered with a diverse set of professional training providers These include foreign language trainers technology experts overseas placement agencies sector skill councils factories and organisations working with persons with disabilitiesTraining partners will be assigned districts where they are expected to set up infrastructure mobilise candidates and deliver programmesPerformance will be measured mainly by placement success ensuring accountability in executionAs part of the Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School framework Vetri Nichayam offers more than 25 industryfocused courses These include 5G Communication Technology Internet of Things IoT Assistant Artificial Intelligence Assistant Junior Data Analyst Cloud Computing Web and Mobile App Development and Python DevelopmentCourses also extend to Cyber Security Digital Marketing Computer Hardware and Networking Customer Relationship Management and Data Science basicsOfficials noted that the curriculum will be standardised with certified trainers and employerdriven pedagogy Industry linkages form a crucial component of the programme with training partners expected to collaborate with placement agencies and sectoral employers This ensures participants receive opportunities for meaningful and longterm employmentTo provide visibility the state has planned extensive branding and outreach Publicity materials will be displayed at collectorates employment exchanges corporation commissioner offices central bus stands district libraries and industry centresIn Chennai the Island Grounds have been chosen for promotions while the Thamukkam Grounds will serve the purpose in MaduraiOfficials said the scheme underscores the governments commitment to empowering young people enhancing their employability and aligning skill development with the requirements of a modern economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-govts-vetri-nichayam-scheme-to-equip-youth-with-industry-focused-skills-jobs-637802.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/as-flood-waters-start-receding-in-punjab-charities-focus-more-on-long-term-rehabilitation-637831.html Chandigarh Sep 11 As water from most of the marooned villages in Punjab has started receding and the communities impacted by catastrophic floods are provided with relief material to support daily living what they need now is longterm rehabilitation besides medical care to prevent health issues Field reports indicate a notable spike in the transmission of water and vectorborne diseases such as typhoid cholera and malaria among othersAlso there is a rise in snakebite cases Carcasses of hundreds of animals including buffalo and hens are now piled up in the villages farms posing outbreaks of disease and economic damageNumerous nonprofit organisations have been advocating good hygienic practices and safe food preparation techniques by educating communities largely rural not to use flood water to wash dishes brush teeth or wash and prepare foodThe sudden water releases from major dams Bhakra Pong and Ranjit Sagar after days of heavy rain in hilly areas resulted in flooding in the Sutlej Beas and Ravi rivers downstream breaching canals embankments and ruining matured paddy saplingsIt is the worst flood in four decades which claimed 53 lives and destroyed crops sown over 191 lakh hectares with 2185 affected villages in 22 districts and displaced 388466 peopleAccording to the government bulletin on Wednesday 91 more people were rescued taking the total number of evacuees to 23297At present 115 relief camps are operational across the state accommodating 4533 people Still farmers are unable to reach their houses as the connecting roads have been destroyed leaving them in suspense about the fate of their animalsBritainbased charity organisation is on the ground It has joined hands with doctors of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences of Jalandhar to reach out to floodaffected areas with timely medical aidI had more than 20 buffalo and many hens in my farmhouse When I visited the shed days after the floods many of them died due to flood water or starvation said Nachattar Singh a distressed farmer in a village in FerozepurHe said most of the villages fled from their homes and have not come back as the mud is dangerousThe carcasses have begun to decompose he addedEnvironmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal who hogged the limelight after reviving the almost dead 160kmlong Kali Bein a rivulet sacred to the Sikhs has been on the ground in Sultanpur Lodhis Mand for nearly a monthWith water starting to recede he asked the sangat to voluntarily offer soil diesel tractortrailers sacks etc for the village rehabilitation projectsIn a video posted on his Facebook page on Thursday he was riding on a motorboat just above the submerged paddy fieldsWith the decline in waterlogging even the plying of boats is becoming difficult Punjab has 900 km of earthen embankments along the Sutlej Beas Ravi and Ghaggar rivers These include 226 km along the Sutlej 164 km along the Ravi 104 km along the Beas and nearly 100 km along the Ghaggar In addition there are about 300 km of temporary embankments around smaller rivers and streams These embankments were built in the 1950s and 60s but this years floods have broken all previous water recordsRajya Sabha member Sant Seechewal suggested that to strengthen these embankments permanent roads should be built on them and trees planted along the wayAccording to him the simplest way to prevent floods is to plant at least five trees in every field or at each tubewellPunjab has about 14 million tubewells and if five trees are planted at each it would increase to 7 million trees These trees would help reduce floods and also ensure timely rainfallWith the receding of floodwater Sakshi Sawhney Amritsars first woman Deputy Commissioner told IANS that now medical teams and ASHA workers are visiting doortodoor to deliver medicines to families and raise awareness about health measures like drinking clean water protecting against mosquitoes and maintaining personal hygieneTeams of global disaster relief charities have been working for those displaced by providing temporary shelters until their homes can be repairedThey have procured boats from Dubai to reach out to victims and are providing basic household amenities like bedding furniture sanitation facilities and cooking equipmentFinancial assistance and support programmes are also provided to help floodaffected people rebuild their livesObservers say the disaster has not changed Punjab in fact Punjab has changed the disasterPunjab has changed the way of dealing with the floods the observers saidVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/as-flood-waters-start-receding-in-punjab-charities-focus-more-on-long-term-rehabilitation-637831.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/prepare-plan-for-gurugram-faridabad-for-solid-waste-disposal-haryana-cm-tells-officials-637922.html Chandigarh Sep 11 IANS Directing to prepare action plan for Gurugram and Faridabad for solid waste disposal Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Thursday chaired a highlevel meeting to review the progress of the cleanliness campaign programmenbspThe meeting discussed in detail strengthening sanitation arrangements in urban and rural areas modernising the solid waste management system and making the campaign a mass movement through public participationnbspUrban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel was also present at the meetingThe Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive and detailed action plan especially for Gurugram and Faridabad so that a permanent solution to the problem of solid waste disposal in these districts can be ensurednbspHe said modern technology and scientific methods should be used to implement cleanliness efforts on the ground It was decided that wastetoenergy plants would be established in Faridabad Manesar and Gurugram through which the solid waste generated daily would be converted into energy for electricity productionThe work of establishing these plants will begin in the coming months and within the next 24 months these plants will become fully operationalnbspThese wastetoenergy plants will have many benefits Electricity will be produced directly from waste through these plants which will reduce dependence on traditional energy sources such as coal and petroleumnbspThe electricity generated will be added to the grid to meet the energy needs of cities This will increase Haryanas clean energy production capacity and the state will move forward in the direction of sustainable development The operation and maintenance of the plants will also create largescale employment and selfemployment opportunities at the local levelnbspThis initiative will make the state a leader in reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment In the future these plants will not only help Haryana achieve the goals of the cleanliness mission but also prove to be an inspiring model for other states https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/prepare-plan-for-gurugram-faridabad-for-solid-waste-disposal-haryana-cm-tells-officials-637922.html Thu, 11 Sep 2025 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/drug-abuse-poses-huge-challenges-in-mizo-society-cm-lalduhoma-637719.html Aizawl Sep 10 Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said on Wednesday that drug abuse has created immense challenges in society which necessitated the establishment of the shortstay drug deaddiction centre in the state During the visit to Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre the Chief Minister said that since the government alone could not set up such a drug deaddiction centre the Young Mizo Association YMA Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl MHIP and the Synod were entrusted to manage such centres under PublicPrivate Partnership PPP modeThe YMA and the MHIP are the two influential NGOs in Mizoram and doing all sorts of social activities and are active in youth and women empowermentLalduhoma a former IPS officer stressed that those struggling with drug addiction are in urgent need of support and those who can recover must be provided with proper guidance counselling and skill training opportunities to rebuild their lives In this regard the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre has been carefully designed to address these needs in a holistic manner he saidAddressing the inmates the Chief Minister urged them to remain determined in their recovery journey assuring them that they can overcome their struggles and become important citizens for their community and state He added that the hardships they have faced are not unique and should not be taken as excuses for wrongdoing but as challenges to overcome with courage and resilienceLalduhoma was accompanied by Lalrinpuii Minister for the Social Welfare Department An official said that the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre provides a structured 20day programme combining medical detoxification psychological counselling and spiritual renewal through camping organised by the Synod Revival Department This is followed by three months of close monitoring under the Referral Task Group to ensure continued progressFor those who are able to remain free from addiction the centre further equips them with skill training in trades such as food processing electrical works and aluminium fabrication enabling them to reintegrate into society with dignity and livelihood opportunities the official saidThe Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre was originally designed to accommodate 150 persons at a timeAccording to the official due to high demand the first batch admitted 256 persons the second batch 544 and the ongoing third batch 208 persons Each batch runs for 20 days 10 days of detoxification 5 days of psychological counselling and 5 days of camping organised by the Synod Revival Department So far 11 persons have completed training in Food Processing with practical sessions 28 are currently training as Electrical Technicians and 18 are in Aluminium FabricationA study of the first two batches revealed that 74 per cent of participants are now free from addiction The fourth batch is scheduled to begin this monthMeanwhile the Mizoram government on September 1 launched a fourmonthlong special campaign and antidrug operation to curb the illegal trade of drugs and their menaceMizorams Inspector General of Police IGP H Ramthlengliana said that the special campaign as well as intensive operation would continue till December 31The police various other lawenforcing agencies in collaboration with the YMA and village chiefs would undertake the campaign in all drugaffected localities villages and bordering areas of all 11 districts of Mizoram the IGP told IANS The IPS officer said that Mizoram is the first state among the eight Northeastern states to launch such a huge antidrug campaigncumoperation to eradicate the drugrelated menace in the stateA variety of drugs especially highly addictive methamphetamine tablets and heroin and different types of contraband including exotic animals are often illegally traded through six districts in Mizoram Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip which share unfenced borders of 510 km with Myanmar From Mizoram these drugs are ferried to other parts of the country and abroad including Bangladesh through Assam and TripuraMizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma earlier said that drug abuse remains the biggest threat to the state The Chief Minister had said that the state lies within close proximity to the Golden Triangle a region notorious for drug traffickingCalling for collective efforts to fight the menaces of both drug abuse smuggling of narcotics and spread of HIVAIDS Lalduhoma said that it is a struggle for both physical and spiritual wellbeing of all people The Mizoram government has started the recruitment process to form a Mizo Territorial Army battalion to deal with drug trafficking and other law and orderrelated issues IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/drug-abuse-poses-huge-challenges-in-mizo-society-cm-lalduhoma-637719.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 20:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/5-years-of-pmmsy-bhudev-singhs-earnings-doubled-after-he-switched-to-fish-farming--637733.html New Delhi Sep 10 The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana PMMSY completed five years of operation on Wednesday It was on this day in 2020 that the ambitious scheme was launched to bring a turnaround in the lives of farmers and the rural population by equipping them with alternative and modern methods of farming PMMSY one of the flagship schemes of the Modi government has achieved considerable success in five years of operation and generated lakhs of employment opportunities in the fisheries sectorModi Story a popular social media handle on X shared the success story of Bhudev Singh a farmer from Uttarakhands Haridwar and how his life has seen a seachange after he made a switch from traditional farming to fish farming under the schemeBhudev Singh started fish farming after the Covid era by building a pond in his village He started the business with a subsidised loan of Rs 176 lakh and within a year he saw his income registering a steep rise a major shift as compared to traditional farmingToday he has doubled his earnings through modern farming and fish farming and his standard of living has also improved the X handle claimsIn the video shared by Modi Story Bhudev Singh also remembers the moment when he had a direct conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and how his encouragement proved to be a source of confidence and inspiration for himNotably the PMMSY was launched for focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country with an estimated investment of Rs 20050 crore for its implementation over a period of five years Out of the Rs 20050 crore investment under PMMSY an investment of about Rs 12340 crore was proposed for beneficiaryoriented activities in Marine Inland fisheries and Aquaculture while Rs 7710 crore investment was earmarked for Fisheries InfrastructureThe PMMSY sought to enhance fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne increasing fisheries export earnings to Rs 100000 crore doubling of incomes of fishers and fish farmers reducing postharvest losses from 2025 per cent to about 10 per cent and generating an additional 55 lakh direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in the fisheries sector and allied activities IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/5-years-of-pmmsy-bhudev-singhs-earnings-doubled-after-he-switched-to-fish-farming--637733.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/army-flags-off-national-tour-for-tribal-students-of-assams-tinsukia-dist-637752.html Guwahati Sep 10 The Indian Army on Wednesday flagged off a National Integration Tour for tribal students from Assams Tinsukia district under its civic outreach programme Operation Sadbhavana officials said The initiative organised by the Red Shield Division under Spear Corps aims to expose students from remote areas of Upper Assam to the nations rich cultural heritage and modern institutions while fostering a spirit of unity and confidence According to officials the tour commenced on September 10 and will cover three major destinations The students will first travel to New Delhi where they are scheduled to meet the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan and visit several prominent heritage landmarks in the national capital The second leg of the tour will take them to Mumbai where they will board Indian Navy warships and explore cultural sites that showcase the citys diversity and vibrancy In the final leg the group will proceed to Ahilya Nagar to visit the Armoured Corps Centre and School ACCampS Here the students will witness the training of Agniveers learn about the functioning of battle tanks participate in interactive activities and even experience exhilarating tank rides At the flagoff ceremony Army officials interacted with both students and their parents The parents expressed happiness and gratitude calling it a onceinalifetime opportunity for their children The students brimming with enthusiasm shared their excitement about meeting the President and experiencing military life up close The National Integration Tour will not only broaden the horizons of these young minds but also instill pride in the countrys heritage and inspire them to grow into responsible citizens an Army official saidThe initiative under Operation Sadbhavana is part of the Armys sustained outreach to bridge distances between remote communities and mainstream India Officials said such exposure trips have consistently helped strengthen bonds between the armed forces and people in farflung regions of the Northeast IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/army-flags-off-national-tour-for-tribal-students-of-assams-tinsukia-dist-637752.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-assembly-passes-factories-amendment-bill-paves-way-for-women-to-work-night-shifts-637656.html Gandhinagar Sep 10 The Gujarat Assembly has passed the Factories Gujarat Amendment Bill 2025 allowing women workers to take up night shifts with their consent subject to safety and health safeguards Labour and Employment Minister Balvantsinh Rajput while presenting the Bill on Wednesday said the move ensures equality freedom of profession and economic rights for women workers while also giving them flexibility to manage work and family responsibilities With consentbased night duty women will be able to contribute to their household income and also have more time for family during the day he saidThe Bill introduces several key provisions aimed at balancing workplace flexibility with employee welfareWomen workers will now be allowed to work night shifts provided they give their consent and adequate safety measures are in place Daily work hours can be extended to 12 hours but the weekly limit will remain capped at 48 hoursTo safeguard worker health a mandatory halfhour break must be provided after six hours of continuous work Employees working four consecutive 12hour shifts will be entitled to two paid days off The Bill also permits overtime of up to 125 hours within a threemonth period subject to prior approval Importantly the state government retains the authority to determine the duration and applicability of these provisions and may revoke permissions if circumstances demandThe minister stressed that the reforms strike a balance between protecting workers welfare and facilitating industrial growth Gujarat he said continues to attract new industries and investments and flexible labour provisions will support roundtheclock production in sectors where continuous processes are criticalRajput also highlighted that the changes were made in line with constitutional principles of equality and in response to directions from the Gujarat High CourtThis Bill legally empowers women to work at night in safe conditions and on their own choice he noted adding that 16 specific safeguards for womens health and security will be mandatory for factories employing them in night shiftsHe further pointed out that industries such as semiconductors and microchip manufacturing where uninterrupted operations are crucial will particularly benefit The reforms protect labour welfare expand opportunities for women and strengthen Gujarats role in driving Indias selfreliance mission under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Rajput saidThe Bill amends six sections of the Factories Act 1948 relating to working hours overtime breaks and womens employment It was passed in the Assembly with an emphasis on boosting employment attracting new investments and creating a conducive industrial climate IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-assembly-passes-factories-amendment-bill-paves-way-for-women-to-work-night-shifts-637656.html Wed, 10 Sep 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/woman-from-maharashtras-beed-becomes-financially-empowered-through-pm-mudra-yojana-637250.html Beed Maharashtra Sep 9 The Central government continues to roll out several welfare schemes aimed at empowering the general public Among these is the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana which has notably benefitted the residents of Beed district in Maharashtra Bhagyashree Shailesh Munde a resident of Beed overcame financial hardship and launched her own business with support from the Pradhan Mantri Mudra YojanaFacing economic constraints and unable to pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations Bhagyashree came across advertisements for the Mudra loan and decided to applyWith the sanctioned amount she successfully established a Common Service CentreSpeaking to IANS Bhagyashree said she had long aspired to become selfreliant and start her own enterprise but lacked the financial meansThe Mudra scheme gave her the confidence to move forwardShe said that the loan not only improved her financial condition but also enabled her to support her familyShe expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating the schemeA key feature of the Mudra Yojana is that it does not charge any processing feesLoans are made available through various banks and financial institutionsThe scheme primarily aims to promote small and mediumsized enterprises thereby strengthening the national economyLaunched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8 2015 the Mudra Yojana offers loans under four categories Shishu up to Rs 50000 Kishore Rs 50001 to Rs 5 lakh Tarun Rs 500001 to Rs 10 lakh Tarun Plus up to Rs 20 lakhPradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana PMMY is a flagship scheme of the Central government The scheme facilitates micro creditloan up to Rs 20 lakh to income generating micro enterprises engaged in the nonfarm sector in manufacturing trading or service sectors including activities allied to agriculture such as poultry dairy beekeeping etcThe scheme provides financial assistance extended by Member Lending Institutions to the noncorporate nonfarm sector income generating activities of micro and small entitiesThese micro and small entities comprise of millions of proprietorshippartnership firms running as small manufacturing units service sector units shopkeepers fruitsvegetable vendors truck operators foodservice units repair shops machine operators small industries artisans food processors and others IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/woman-from-maharashtras-beed-becomes-financially-empowered-through-pm-mudra-yojana-637250.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/maharashtra-pm-kusum-scheme-brings-prosperity-to-farmers-in-ahmednagar-637508.html Ahmednagar Maharashtra Sep 9 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan PMKUSUM is transforming the lives of farmers in all states in India Its impact is clearly visible in Shingave village of Rahata tehsil in Maharashtras Ahmednagar district The scheme aims to provide affordable and sustainable energy for irrigation It has empowered farmers with solarpowered pumps So they are being helped to overcome longstanding challenges related to electricity supplyFor Dilip Sayaji Shejwal a farmer from Shingave village the PMKUSUM scheme has been a gamechanger He recalls the earlier struggles due to irregular power supply which made timely irrigation difficult and affected crop yieldsEarlier due to power cuts I couldnt water my crops on time But with the solar pump I received under the PMKUSUM scheme that problem is now gone I can irrigate my fields on time and this has led to better crop production said Dilip expressing gratitude for the governments initiative He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for thisAnother beneficiary Yogesh Vasantrao Wable also received a solar pump under the scheme He now irrigates his farmland without depending on grid electricity and has seen a notable reduction in input costsIrrigation through the solar pump has freed me from electricity outages and reduced my farming costs The savings have improved my income said Yogesh adding that the scheme has made farming more sustainable and less stressfulThe PMKUSUM scheme is designed to provide clean reliable and lowcost power to farmers for irrigation through solar energy reducing their dependency on diesel and erratic electricity supply As a result farmers are saving money on fuel and energy while achieving better productivityWith uninterrupted access to solarpowered irrigation farmers like Dilip and Yogesh are now able to plan their agricultural activities more efficiently ultimately leading to higher incomes and improved quality of lifeThe success of the PMKUSUM scheme in villages like Shingave reflects the broader transformation taking place in rural India where sustainable energy solutions are empowering farmers boosting agricultural output and contributing to environmental conservationAs the government continues to scale up the initiative more farmers across the country are expected to benefit marking a significant step towards energy security and economic empowerment in the agricultural sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/maharashtra-pm-kusum-scheme-brings-prosperity-to-farmers-in-ahmednagar-637508.html Tue, 09 Sep 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bro-restores-road-connectivity-in-rain-hit-mountainous-area-of-jampks-kathua-636929.html Jammu Sep 7 Project Sampark of the Border Roads Organisation BRO has restored the broken portion of the mountainous road in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district the defence PRO said here on Sunday Defence PRO Jammu said on X A portion of the road from Basohli to Bani had been washed out due to incessant rains leaving a yawning gap in the road at Tikri Morh 47 km from BasohliThe BRO constructed an entirely new formation that had to be cut to bypass the damaged stretch of the road This was undertaken in treacherous weather and difficult terrain with men and machines taking calculated risksThe link was restored establishing connectivity to Bhaderwah from Basohli Kudos to Mr Sankar Tayal OC 69 RCC of BRO and his team for accomplishing this difficult mission the X post addedRoads and highways in the union territory suffered massive damage due to incessant rainfall and subsequent floodingAt places the road was washed away by landslides and mudslides while at other places cloudbursts destroyed surface connectivity during the last fortnightNot only the road transport but the rail traffic was also thrown out of gear during this periodJammuSrinagar highway remained closed for many days as portions of this strategic highway were washed away The stretch of the road from Udhampur to Banihal town was damaged at many placesBRO has been deploying men and machinery to completely restore this highway that forms the supply lifeline for the landlocked ValleyAll essentials of life including food grains LPG other petroleum products vegetables poultry and mutton are brought into the Valley through this highwayShort or long closures of the JammuSrinagar highway trigger panic buying in the Valley and this is used by profiteers and black marketeers to hike the pricesIn addition to the JammuSrinagar highway the Mughal Road also remained closed for two days during the recent rainfall The Mughal Road connects the Poonch district of the Jammu division with the Shopian district of the Valley IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bro-restores-road-connectivity-in-rain-hit-mountainous-area-of-jampks-kathua-636929.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/unlabelled-340-kg-meat-seized-in-jampks-srinagar-city-636955.html Srinagar Sep 7 The authorities on Sunday seized 340 kg of unlabelled meat being carried in an autorickshaw in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city Officials said here that kilos of unlabelled meat had arrived at the Air Cargo terminal in SrinagarThe seizure of 340 kgs of unlabelled meat was made after the enforcement team of the deputy commissioner state sales tax department shared the information Acting swiftly on the information officials of the food safety department and police acting in coordination seized the consignment outside the Air Cargo terminal in Srinagar the officials said adding that the seized meat was found without any mandatory label or declaration officials saidFurther legal proceedings have been initiated and the matter is under investigation the officials addedThe authorities have reiterated that such checks will continue to ensure compliance with food safety and taxation normsIt must be recalled that a rotten meat scandal rocked Kashmir last month when hundreds of kgs of rotten meat and chicken were recovered by officials of the food safety department after raiding a number of storage facilities eateries and restaurantsThe scandal created so much anger and fear among the people that wild rumours floated about the origin of such huge consignments of rotten meat finding their way into the ValleyTwo days back officials of the food safety department raided a restaurant in Ganderbal town and recovered rotten meatReligious political and social leaders and activists have been voicing serious concern about such rotten meat especially in minced meat preparations that have been sold in large quantities before the scandal was unearthedIn their weekly sermons religious leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have expressed anger at such rotten meat having been sold in the ValleyMirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed shock at the fact that the owners of all such storage facilities eateries and restaurants where rotten meat was seized were owned by the locals IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/unlabelled-340-kg-meat-seized-in-jampks-srinagar-city-636955.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mob-killings-expose-pakistans-deepening-intolerance-towards-ahmadis-636959.html New Delhi Sep 7 The recent killing of a doctor in Sargodha and the lynching of a man outside an Ahmadi Mosque in Karachi have reignited concerns over Pakistans treatment of religious minorities especially the Ahmadis Several international human rights groups say these incidents are not isolated acts of violence but symptoms of an entrenched culture of intolerance enabled by state inactionSince Pakistans Constitution declared Ahmadis nonMuslim in 1974 the community has faced systematic discrimination and these discriminated and acts of violence against Ahmadis are justified on the name of religionLaws criminalising their religious practice have emboldened extremists leaving Ahmadis vulnerable to harassment prosecution and targeted attacks Analysts argue that the murders in Sargodha and Karachi are not aberrations but the logical consequence of decades of legalised exclusion and political appeasementGroups like TehreekeLabbaik Pakistan TLP have capitalised on this environment With street power and incendiary rhetoric defending blasphemy laws TLP has normalised vigilante violence said a report published by eurasiareviewIts rhetoric amplified on social media and legitimised by political concessions has normalised vigilante violence This normalisation not only corrodes domestic stability but also undermines Pakistans international standing it addedNotably the US Commission on International Religious Freedom USCIRF in its 2025 report again recommended Pakistans designation as a Country of Particular Concern Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have echoed these concerns urging Islamabad not only to condemn attacks but to prosecute both perpetrators and instigatorsAmnesty bluntly warned that failure to act perpetuates impunitySimilarly the United Nations for Human Rights has in the past expressed shock at the reports of increasing violence against vulnerable communities while referring to persistent attacks and discrimination against Ahmadis on grounds of their religion or beliefObservers note that Pakistans justice system remains compromised Police often stand aside during mob assaults while weak prosecutions ensure few convictions Survivors pursuing justice face intimidation deepening minority alienationCivil society and the press continue to document abuses but advocates say global silence risks complicityThe plight of Ahmadis is more than a domestic matter it is a test of Pakistans political maturity and international credibilityAs the recent killings underline indifference has a cost for minorities living in fear and for a state struggling to defend its reputation on the world stage while its masters in olive uniforms continue to side with these extremist groups and remain ignorant of the plight of minorities in Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mob-killings-expose-pakistans-deepening-intolerance-towards-ahmadis-636959.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rights-groups-denounce-shutdowns-in-balochistan-call-access-to-internet-basic-human-right-636966.html Quetta Sep 7 People of Balochistan for the third time within a month faced an internet blackout a trend that has sparked criticism from rights groups who say the ban is akin to denying basic human rights Rights group Amnesty International has denounced the move saying that blanket shutdowns significantly curtail the right to information freedom of expression movement and peaceful assembly An activist from Balochistan has termed access to the internet a basic human right and said that the authorities motive behind the decision was to stop information from reaching the rest of Pakistan and the worldPakistani authorities announced the suspension of 3G and 4G mobile internet services in Balochistan from 5 pm on September 5 until 9 pm on September 6 citing a law and order situation and existing threat alerts The Balochistan Post reported The order said the internet shutdown was needed due to the prevailing law and order situation and religious processionsSlamming Pakistani authorities over the internet shutdown in Balochistan on September 5 Amnesty International stated PAKISTAN Authorities have announced the shutdown of mobile internet services in Balochistan province for 6 September tomorrow again citing law and order situation and existing threat alerts after the services were shut down for most of August on similar pretexts Mobile internet is the only way to access the internet for many people in the province and blanket shutdowns significantly curtail the right to information freedom of expression movement and peaceful assembly An activist in Balochistan shares her perspective on how frequent internet shutdowns have been used as a tool to suppress protests and speech in the provinceYusra an activist and political organiser from Balochistan has shared her experience of doing her work and daily life without the internet according to the statement shared by Amnesty International The activist raised questions over authorities citing security reasons for the internet shutdown in BalochistanThe activist stated These shutdowns have become so common that we now expect them Even when my fellow organisers and I go to different towns and cities for smaller events or meetings the internet is often shut down as soon as we arrive They say the internet has been shut down for security reasons but whose security We dont feel safer knowing we cant get in touch with our families or when we cant access information like the rest of the countryThe real reason behind shutting down the internet is to stop information from reaching the rest of Pakistan and the world A few months ago we organised an online seminar to talk about the human rights situation in Balochistan but two hours before our event the internet in Quetta city the provincial capital of Balochistan was shut down We were forced to cancel the event In todays day and age our entire lives are entangled with the internet What about the homerun food business run by a woman in Quetta She can no longer take orders or coordinate deliveries What of students who have to submit assignments online They cant meet their deadlines the activist addedThe activist recalled how Pakistani authorities announced an internet shutdown in Balochistan on August 6 citing security as the reason for cutting off a population of more than 14 million from the most accessible way to connect to the internet The activist said These shutdowns impact daily life as well as protests and assemblies that are common in the provinceFifteen days after the August 6 announcement the Balochistan High Court ordered the government to restore mobile internet in the province Despite the courts order Pakistani authorities announced another mobile internet shutdown after activists had planned to hold protests to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance on August 30The activist said Moving forward I want to see an end to the wider crackdown on human rights in Balochistan Access to the internet is a basic human right especially in a place like Balochistan that has been neglected for so long If the government wants to suspend the internet for security reasons it must establish first that network shutdowns are effective and proportionate They must also ensure that our daily lives are not disrupted in doing so IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rights-groups-denounce-shutdowns-in-balochistan-call-access-to-internet-basic-human-right-636966.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-village-sends-daily-relief-trucks-to-punjab-amid-own-flood-crisis-637002.html Bhiwani Sep 7 Facing rain related major issues a village in Haryanas Bhiwani district has set a remarkable example of humanity and solidarity Despite facing flood situation due to incessant rains the villagers of Dhanana are sending truckloads of relief material to support floodaffected residents in Punjab Currently Bhiwanis village Dhanana is surrounded by water on all sides Local crops have been destroyed and the villagers are facing huge challenges But despite all this under the leadership of the Jatu Khap84 the community has chosen to help others before themselvesThe Khap has resolved that until the situation in Punjab returns to normal a relief truck filled with essential supplies will be dispatched daily from one village or another under its jurisdictionThe youth of Dhanana mobilised swiftly going doortodoor to collect funds and ration for Punjabs flood victims With the collected money they purchased bottled water mosquito nets flour potatoes onions salt and other essentials All items were neatly packed and loaded into a truck bound for PunjabOn Sunday Jatu Khap84 President Bheem Singh flagged off the truck stating that this was the second truck dispatched from Dhanana The first one had earlier been sent from Talu village He confirmed that more aid would follow based on the evolving needs in PunjabVillager Ajit Bodi said that the relief truck is headed to Hussainiwala a historic village located on the banks of the Sutlej River in Punjabs Ferozepur district which has been severely affected by the floodsAnother villager Ajit Ghanghas stated that young volunteers are working tirelessly under the guidance of Khap elders The goods sent include relief material worth approximately Rs 6 lakh The materials have been carefully chosen depending on the needs of floodhit peopleHe assured Whenever and whatever help the people of Punjab require we will continue to send relief material under the direction of the KhapThis effort is a shining example of true humanity When those who are themselves in distress step up to help others it sets the highest standard of compassion and solidarity Through this initiative Jatu Khap84 has proven that the spirit of brotherhood and service is alive and strong in rural India IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-village-sends-daily-relief-trucks-to-punjab-amid-own-flood-crisis-637002.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kaziranga-national-park-undertakes-multiple-initiatives-for-vulture-conservation-637003.html Guwahati Sep 7 Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Indias seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site has undertaken multiple initiatives for vulture conservation an official said on Sunday KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that with technical and financial support from the Central Zoo Authority CZA and partnering agencies about 800 vultures are currently housed across eight conservation breeding centres in the country As such the Centre Assam government and the Bombay Natural History Society BNHS are considering releasing captivebred vultures into Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and currently the process and planning for the same is ongoing the KNPTR Director saidGhosh said that the CZA permissions come through it is proposed to release 30 whiterumped vultures and five slenderbilled vultures from the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre Rani in Assams Kamrup district to the Nagshankar range under the 6th addition to Kaziranga National Park The aviary at the softrelease site is under construction and awareness activities such as these are being conducted with the local communities she saidAccording to the official vulture populations in India are gradually recovering from the catastrophic population crash that has occurred since the mid1990s The population crash was driven by unintentional poisoning by the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug NSAID diclofenac she saidThe KNPTR Director however said that the veterinary use of diclofenac has been banned in India and elsewhere in South Asia other vulturetoxic NSAIDs are available such as Aceclofenac Nimesulfide and Ketoprofen Through the consolidated strategy under Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India 20202025 and the active intervention by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEFampCC Assam Forest Department and the BNHS conservation breeding success has been achieved for three species of critically endangered vultures namely the whiterumped vulture longbilled and slenderbilled vultureGhosh said that on the occasion of International Vulture Awareness Day the KNPTR organised a Vulture Awareness Talk on Sunday at the Kaziranga office Bokakhat The programme witnessed the participation of 35 students from JDSG College and CNB College Bokakhat who engaged actively in the discussions The session was also streamed live on the official Facebook page of Kaziranga National Park enabling a wider audience to participate virtually and spread awareness about vulture conservationThe gathering was led by Gitartha Borah Biologist BNHS who delivered an interactive talk on the ecological importance of vultures their rapid population decline due to threats like diclofenac poisoning and the conservation efforts being undertaken in Assam and across India to revive these critically endangered species The event emphasised the crucial role vultures play as natures cleanup crew in maintaining ecological balance and public healthStudents also interacted with the resource person raising questions on vulture breeding habitat protection and the significance of safe zones such as the Vulture Safe Zone initiative in Assam By creating awareness among the youth this programme aimed at fostering responsibility and collective action for vulture conservationThe Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve and its adjoining landscape continue to be one of the most important strongholds for vulture populations in India and community involvement remains key to their survival Ghosh pointed out IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kaziranga-national-park-undertakes-multiple-initiatives-for-vulture-conservation-637003.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/work-on-hyderabad-old-city-metro-rail-corridor-gathers-pace-637022.html Hyderabad Sep 7 The preparatory work to provide Metro Rail connectivity to the Old City of Hyderabad is gathering pace Hyderabad Airport Metro Limited HAML Managing Director NVS Reddy announced on Sunday He stated that the land acquisition and demolition of affected properties in the 75 km Old City Metro Corridor have reached a crucial stage with the required Right of Way RoW being almost available nowOn the directions of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy the Metro expansion works are being carried out at a rapid pace The MD affirmed that every effort is being made to realise the longcherished dream of Metro Rail connectivity for the people of the Old CityAlthough the initial estimate of affected properties stood at 1100 innovative engineering solutions have brought the number down to 886 Over 550 demolitions have already been completed and work is underway to clear the remaining structuresHe revealed that compensation amounting to Rs 433 crore has been disbursed to property owners so farDespite challenges such as rain festivals and Muharram the works have progressed smoothly without causing inconvenience to local residents Complex electrical cable removals posed hurdles but these have been successfully overcome the MD addedReddy said that preparatory works for Metro pillars and station construction are in full swing Focus areas include differential GPS DGPS surveys for precision mapping identification and relocation of underground utilities soil testing and geotechnical analysis and protection of sensitive heritage structures along the alignmentUnlike conventional surveys DGPS offers highaccuracy digital mapping Data from DGPS has been integrated with previous drone surveys to accelerate implementation The corridor has been divided into segments with control points established for accurate positioning using highprecision GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System receivers These satellitebased signals are vital for survey and mapping operations the MD saidReddy emphasised the importance of identifying and diverting underground obstacles at pillar locations Given the age of the roads numerous water sewage stormwater electricity and telecom lines exist beneath As per the master plan the road is being widened to 100 feet necessitating demolition of impacted propertiesAgencies including Hyderabad Water Board GHMC TGSPDCL and BSNL are collaborating to relocate utilities Ground Penetrating Radar GPR surveys are being conducted to detect subsurface structures and materialsSoil strength and groundwater conditions are being assessed through geotechnical investigations to ensure the Metro foundations can bear the load These tests are mandatory before the construction beginsThe alignment passes through several sensitive structures which have been identified and the alignment has been adjusted accordingly Pillar locations are being marked based on this refined alignment with milestone markers placed every 100 meters to guide construction the MD added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/work-on-hyderabad-old-city-metro-rail-corridor-gathers-pace-637022.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennais-first-sponge-park-with-sports-courts-coming-up--636908.html Chennai Sep 7 The Greater Chennai Corporation GCC is setting up a sponge park at the football ground in Mathur MMDA Colony combining flood mitigation with recreational facilities The project involves building large underground rainwater harvesting tanks with a kabaddi court football pitch jogging track and tiered seating on top creating a multiuse public space For the first time a project of this scale is being implemented in a football ground Covering 189 acres the Mathur development will house underground ecobloc rainwater harvesting tanks and tunnels with a storage capacity of 12 lakh litres The Rs 806 crore initiative is funded under the Urban Flood Risk Mitigation Project with support from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund Construction began on July 24 and is scheduled for completion in 12 months The work is being executed in phases covering the installation of rainwater harvesting structures civil works and landscaping The completed facility will allow the football ground to function as a sponge capturing stormwater during rain while serving as a hub for sports and leisure throughout the year This initiative builds on earlier efforts by GCC to tackle waterlogging using advanced rainwater harvesting technology The Corporation has already installed underground storage tanks of five lakh litres each in eight city playgrounds including Model School Road St Marys Road Trustpuram Indira Nagar Natesan Road Balmoral Crescent Road in Shenoy Nagar East and Mayor Ramanathan Road In addition smaller 3000litre tanks have been set up in 770 parks across Chennai ensuring that no waterlogging occurred in those areas during recent rains To scale up the initiative similar structures are being established in 1000 public spaces in the Kosasthalaiyar basin for Rs 10 crore and in 2000 locations in the Kovalam basin at Rs 20 crore These projects are supported by the Asian Development Bank and Germanys KfW Bank The Mathur sponge park however is designed as a larger demonstration model that integrates both stormwater storage and community recreation With football and kabaddi facilities placed above the tanks and landscaped areas surrounding them the project aims to serve the dual purpose of flood resilience and social wellbeing Similar sponge parks are expected to be taken up in other floodprone parts of the city in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennais-first-sponge-park-with-sports-courts-coming-up--636908.html Sun, 07 Sep 2025 08:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/teachers-day-odisha-cm-calls-on-teachers-to-help-students-realise-their-dreams-636737.html Bhubaneswar Sep 6 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has urged teachers to become mentors to their students in addition to providing them with education to help fulfil their dreams While addressing the gathering at the statelevel celebrations of the Teachers Day on Friday CM Majhi said Nowadays there are limitless opportunities in every sector to recognise the hidden talent within each child Let them fly on their own terms allow them to dream and guide them as a mentor so that they achieve their dreamsThe Chief Minister added that the modern education system has two significant challengesHe said that the first one is to significantly reduce the dropout rate and the second is to ensure a system for providing quality education to allChief Minister Majhi noted that the midday meal programme has proven to be an effective initiative in preventing dropoutsHe said that the state government has also extended this programme up to Class 10 and are also ensuring the availability of nutritious food for childrenHe added that the tribal children are also being supported through the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha YojanaAll these initiatives will certainly help in further reducing the dropout rate in the coming days Likewise the New Education Policy has been implemented to provide quality education to students across the state the Chief Minister saidCM Majhi also added that with the aim of ensuring quality education at the primary level the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathamik Vidyalaya scheme has been launched by the state governmentUnder this scheme one model school will be established in each panchayatIn the first phase a plan has been finalised to construct 835 schools with the expenditure of Rs 5 to 7 croreAlong with this 45000 teaching positions at the primary level will also be filled within the next three yearsOur goal is to build a Sammrudha Odisha or prosperous Odisha by 2036 The foundation of this prosperous Odisha depends on the talents of todays students You all know very well how to guide children and shape them into good human beings I believe that you will sincerely take up the responsibility of nurturing and developing those talents CM addedChief Minister Majhi during the programme on Friday said that Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is an ideal for every student as well as every teacherHe was not just a distinguished educationist philosopher or statesman but also one of the greatest teachers in India he notedOn Teachers Day CM Majhi awarded different districts teachers and other officials of the education department under the Mukhyamantri Shikhya Puraskar scheme IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/teachers-day-odisha-cm-calls-on-teachers-to-help-students-realise-their-dreams-636737.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chandigarh-university-launches-campus-tank-to-boost-startup-ecosystem--636867.html New Delhi Sep 6 Chandigarh University on Saturday launched its ambitious initiative Campus Tank at the Constitution Club of India aimed at strengthening Indias startup ecosystem by fostering collaboration between academia industry and investors ProChancellor of Chandigarh University Himani Sood highlighted the pivotal role of government policies and collaborative efforts in making India a global startup leaderThe government has been very instrumental in making India the leading pioneer in terms of incubation and setup of startups From third to number one till Viksit Bharat is going to be a reality Its not a dream because the government angel investors and now even academia are working towards it she saidShe noted that over 51 per cent of Indias startups now emerge from tier2 and tier3 cities a trend she described as a remarkable data pointCiting unicorns like PhonePe Byjus OYO and Ola she stressed that startups and entrepreneurs would be the biggest stars of Viksit BharatCalling for collective participation she urged government bodies investors and academia to join hands and create the miracle of making the best unicorns in this nation called BharatChancellor of Chandigarh University and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu underlined the significance of visionary leadership in driving the countrys growthThe progress and growth of any nation depend on its vision which is shaped by its leadership We are fortunate that for the past 11 years our country has had leadership providing a clear vision an Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat he saidUnion Minister Jitender Singh lauded the launch as a firstofitskind initiative that could redefine industryacademia collaborationCampus Tank is dedicated to startups creating a structure for easy facilitation of publicprivate linkages with universities acting as catalysts I am sure this trend would pick up across the country he remarkedHe emphasised the need for strong industry linkages to consolidate Indias startup momentum adding We have already reached number three in the startup ecosystem globally This startup movement should have robust industry connectionsWith the launch of Campus Tank Chandigarh University has positioned itself as a key player in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship aligned with Indias vision of Viksit Bharat IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chandigarh-university-launches-campus-tank-to-boost-startup-ecosystem--636867.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/anirban-has-delivered-a-direct-message-without-sparing-but-it-was-fun-636876.html New Delhi Sep 6 Bengali actorsinger Anirban Bhattacharyas recent satirical musical rendition in Kolkata on politics and politicians has gone viral drawing diverse opinions It is not the first time that a song laden with political message or certain allegations has been rendered but it still is different And it comes ahead of assembly elections that will take place next year And as activist Prasenjit Bose points out I dont remember any song specifically taking up specific allegations against specific leaders Though he quickly adds songs have been composed against top leaders of parties naming them But perhaps not against regional leaders who are in the second third or lower levels of leadership he clarifies I dont remember such a succinct rendition He has not spared any major party in the state says senior journalist Suvashis MaitraHe has an interesting tale to tell I was reading that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was once a target of satirical songs by those who were opposed to his efforts at social reforms The book narrates that he had apparently invited the singer to listen to it Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay was bestowed the title of Vidyasagar for his immense knowledge He was an educator and social reformer of the nineteenth century That spirit has been exhibited by at least two of the three leaders named in Anirbans song Tumi Masti Korbe Jani I know you will have fun The trend of penning singing or staging satire is not new But this somehow stands out adds Maitra Usually political messages in any art form come from a particular political party or target some particular leaning or philosophy Here Anirban is addressing diverse issues calling out leaders of various hues and colours Such songs are not only meant to entertain but instigate agitate and activate Sometimes even to draw criticism Controversy does popularise creation whether positive or not For Bose Arindams rendition was a critique of the political situation in West Bengal I liked the message and lyrics very powerful very direct It articulates the common mans sentiments Taking names ridiculing leaders is tricky but he has done it with elan without abusing states Bose When asked to find similar songs an AI assistant listed a few returning about halfadozen songs mainly from outside India Trusting AIs capabilities one of the songs that are not generalised but target specific leaders that can be named is REMs Exhuming McCarthy in 1987 It targeted former Senator Joseph McCarthy criticising neoconservatism during Reagans era drawing parallels to Cold Warera political repression A particular nasty song was sung by her detractors targeting Margaret Thatcher but posthumously to protest her legacy Interestingly Tumi Masti Korbe Jani made that AI list Except for his the songs either did not name the specific leader targeted or was not used during the persons lifetime IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/anirban-has-delivered-a-direct-message-without-sparing-but-it-was-fun-636876.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 22:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vanche-gujarat-cm-bhupendra-patel-stresses-on-increasing-number-of-government-libraries-636707.html Ahmedabad Sep 5 With an objective of motivating people towards regular reading the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vanche Gujarat Read Gujarat campaign in the year 2010 During the drive his administration also launched an extensive drive to enrich all libraries of the state with books and texts Now the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patelled state government has reinvigorated the campaign to amplify the programmes objective and reach and also to deepen reading culture in the stateIt is focusing on increasing the number of government libraries across the state Last year a historic decision was taken to start 64 governmentrun libraries in 50 tehsils of 21 districts and 14 tehsils of seven tribal districts Out of these 53 government libraries have become functionalToday there are a total of 197 government libraries functioning in the entire state This year the state government has approved the construction of 71 new libraries at the tehsil levelEvery year September 6 is celebrated as National Read a Book Day This day inspires every person to take time out from their daily routine to enjoy reading booksThe purpose of celebrating this day is to encourage every person to take an interest in reading activity so that they can adopt the reading habit and enjoy itPresently a total of 197 government libraries are functional in Gujarat which includes 33 district libraries and 150 tehsil libraries along with intermediary libraries mobile libraries State Central Reserve Book Store State Art Library and Womens LibraryGovernment libraries located across the state encourage citizens to read According to some reports more than 500 citizens are taking advantage of reading every day in the states central libraries while more than 150 readers are taking advantage of reading every day in the district librariesIn the district libraries where reading facilities are available more than 250 readers are taking advantage of reading every day and in the tehsil libraries also more than 100 readers are taking advantage of reading every dayIn order to arouse interest in reading and writing among the people of the tribal communities of the state and to motivate them towards reading and writing libraries have been started in all the tribal dominated tehsils of the stateLibraries have been started in 14 tehsils of seven tribal districts of the state through which the tribal community is also getting the benefit of readingwriting services IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vanche-gujarat-cm-bhupendra-patel-stresses-on-increasing-number-of-government-libraries-636707.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/garlands-cannot-replace-clarity-acharya-prashant-on-teachers-day-636567.html New Delhi Sep 5 On Teachers Day philosopher and author Acharya Prashant paid tributes to the nations teachers calling them the true custodians of societys future He urged that the day must rise above rituals and greetings and instead awaken reflection on educations real purpose nurturing clarity enquiry and inner strength Human beings are born twice he said The first is biological The second truly human is the birth of clarity Schools and teachers exist for this second birth Without it we may create skilled professionals but leave them unclear and insecure as human beingsHe noted that nations which respected teachers flourished while those that neglected them decayed regardless of wealth or sizeIndia has no shortage of talent he remarked adding but what it lacks is a system where real teachers can thrive and young minds are free to thinkPointing to current challenges he said that teaching has come to be seen as a safe career rather than a callingIn a conscious society teaching is the highest vocation not a refuge for mediocrity Yet posts lie vacant many teachers remain underprepared and classrooms are left untended as teachers are diverted to election and survey duty We have reduced teachers to clerks of the state cheap labour for errands while young minds go untended This is not negligence it is betrayal When the role of teaching is treated with such contempt how can the young feel inspiredHe warned that beyond administrative failures lies a deeper rot education reduced to rote learning exam scores and job placementsStudents are told that life has value only if they meet impossible targets while being denied the freedom to ask who they really are This suffocates the mind and in many tragic cases even leads to selfharm The fault is not in the student but in a system that withholds the education that matters most Education of the self he saidAcharya Prashant stressed the need for two streams of learningWe need knowledge of the world science language history technology to keep life functional But equally essential is knowledge of the self To know where knowledge serves and where it cannot Without this we produce cleverness without wisdom achievement without fulfillment he addedQuoting Vedanta he described these as avidya and vidya One keeps life workable the other makes life worth livingFor teachers he urged focus not only on lesson plans but on personal clarityWho you are speaks before what you teach Students first sense the teachers being only then their words The true bond is not of control but of care not of marks but of seeingHe added that genuine teachers often meet resistance because they unsettle the ego instead of consoling itThe real teacher frees the student to such an extent that she no longer depends on the teacher To reduce such a one to garlands on a single day is selfdeception The real teacher is not a person or a date on the calendar but the call of truth that refuses to let us live narrowly he saidConcluding with a message for Teachers Day he said The real tribute is courage Courage to ensure qualified and supported teachers courage to restore enquiry at the heart of classrooms and courage to give our children both aspects of education external and internal Without teachers of clarity no nation can survive its own cleverness We may produce engineers doctors and executives but without wisdom they only build higher prisons for themselves Teachers Day is not about flowers on a desk It is about freeing the next generation from ignorance and fear If that does not happen then every day becomes a funeral of education IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/garlands-cannot-replace-clarity-acharya-prashant-on-teachers-day-636567.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/26-course-sadhya-on-plantain-leaf-is-the-star-of-thiru-onam-636573.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 5 As Kerala celebrates the iconic festival of Onam all eyes are on the majestic Onam Sadhya a 26course vegetarian feast that arrives not on porcelain but on a glossy green plantain leaf Shimmering with tradition this is the star of the day in all homes across Kerala irrespective of caste creed or religion On Thiru Onam the heart of Kerala beats in unison through flowers rituals games and most memorably through this Onam Sadhya The Sadhya is no ordinary mealIt is poetry composed in flavours colours and textures a culinary pageant that unfolds in courses each dish claiming its place with precisionThe very act of serving is ritualistic salt at the leafs corner crisp banana chips and sweet sharkara upperi to awaken the palate followed by pickles that sting and soothe in equal measureThen come the dishes in a rhythmic procession avial with its medley of vegetables bound in coconut olan mellow with ash gourd and cowpeas thoran bursting with spice and crunch pachadi with a sweettangy swirl and erissery earthy and comfortingEach is distinct yet together they harmonise like instruments in an orchestra creating a balance that is the essence of Keralas food philosophyRice is the canvas on which this grand artwork is paintedThe first round of rice is eaten with parippu and a drizzle of ghee golden and fragrant The second unfolds with sambar robust and hearty The third is rasam fiery and light before curd brings calmness to the leafAnd then comes the climax the payasam or rather payasamsFrom the caramel depths of ada pradhaman to the delicate sweetness of palada these desserts are liquid joy often served in generous abundanceWhat elevates the Sadhya beyond its flavours is its spirit It is eaten sitting side by side with no distinctions of rank or wealth an echo of the Onam legend when King Mahabalis reign was marked by equality and prosperityPreparing it too is an act of communityFamilies bustle in kitchens for days chopping grinding and stirring their laughter and stories blending with the aromas of roasting coconut and simmering jaggeryOn Thiru Onam as families gather around the spread the plantain leaf becomes more than a plate it becomes a canvas of culture memory and togethernessIn every spoonful lies the essence of Keralas greatest festival a feast as timeless as the spirit of Onam itselfYet with changing times the tradition of families labouring together in the kitchen to prepare the grand Sadhya has become a rarityToday it is caterers and restaurants that shoulder the task offering the full spread complete with the plantain leaf delivered to ones doorstep at the tap of a mobile screenConvenience however comes at a price What was once a lovingly homecooked feast now ranges anywhere from Rs 250 to as high as Rs 1000 for a single serving On the flip side is a plantain leaf on Thiru Onam day costs a record Rs 100 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/26-course-sadhya-on-plantain-leaf-is-the-star-of-thiru-onam-636573.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indian-army-executes-high-risk-night-rescue-of-south-korean-nationals-at-17-000-ft-in-ladakh-636618.html New Delhi Sep 5 In a daring latenight operation on September 4 the Indian Army Aviation carried out a highaltitude casualty evacuation mission to rescue two South Korean nationals stranded at Kongmaru La Pass in Ladakh At 805 PM the Army received an urgent message requesting evacuation of Hyun Woo Kim a citizen of South Korea and his wife stranded at Kongmaru La Pass in Ladakh at an altitude of over 17000 feetThe snowladen terrain and razorsharp ridgelines made the mission exceptionally challengingWith no time to lose the Army Aviation helicopter squadron was mobilised by 820 PMThe task required a precision landing using Night Vision Goggles NVG at an unprepared helipad a feat demanding extraordinary skill and composure from the aircrewBraving icy winds reduced visibility and nearzero margin for error the pilots guided their aircraft to the designated spot touching down at around 915 PMThe swift landing and extraction under such hostile conditions underscored the unmatched training and professionalism of the squadronThe South Korean couple was quickly airlifted to safety and handed over to medical authorities for immediate treatmentThis rescue mission reflects a textbook display of courage coordination and precision under extreme duress highlighting the Armys readiness to respond to emergencies even in the harshest of environmentsThe daring operation not only reaffirmed the Indian Armys operational capabilities in highaltitude regions but also carried strong humanitarian undertones showcasing Indias commitment to aiding foreign nationals in distressFor the Army Aviation wing the successful NVG rescue in Ladakh adds another feather to its illustrious record of highrisk missions in some of the worlds most unforgiving terrainsIt is worthy to note here that although the Indian Armys primary role is to safeguard the borders and to give a befitting reply to the nations enemies in any critical or warlike situation but the Indian Army is among the first to help stranded citizens in any such situation irrespective of their nationalityNotably at a time when the northern part of India including Uttarakhand Punjab Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir is witnessing floods which have created havoc the Indian Army is standing shouldertoshoulder with the other concerned agencies and is providing critical humanitarian assistance from delivering food via helicopters and drones evacuating people and giving them medical assistance IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indian-army-executes-high-risk-night-rescue-of-south-korean-nationals-at-17-000-ft-in-ladakh-636618.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/no-fear-just-beauty-astronomer-calls-sept-7-lunar-eclipse-a-rare-celestial-spectacle-636659.html New Delhi Sep 5 The upcoming lunar eclipse on Sunday September 7 will be a rare astronomical alignment a leading astronomer said The eclipse visible across most parts of India will be the years longest and is expected to spark wide public curiosity from villages to citiesSpeaking to IANS Nehru Centre Planetarium Mumbai Director Arvind Paranjpye noted that this will be a total lunar eclipse beginning at around 858 pmThe totality when the Moon is completely covered by Earths shadow will start close to 11 pm and reach its peak at 1142 pm The eclipse will last well into the night finally ending at 126 amThis is a longduration eclipse At its peak the Moon will appear dark and may even take on a brickred hue Paranjpye told IANS adding that such colour changes occur because Earths atmosphere scatters blue light while allowing red light to reach the lunar surfaceHe also said that while astrology often associates lunar eclipses with auspicious or inauspicious effects science views them as a purely natural eventThere is no need for fear or superstition Unlike a solar eclipse you dont need any special filters to watch a lunar eclipse It is perfectly safe to view with the naked eye he notedRecalling his own experiences Paranjpye mentioned past eclipses that appeared extraordinary including one in the 1970s when volcanic ash made the Moon seem to vanish completely for a few minutesSuch sights remind us that eclipses are among the most beautiful celestial events one can witness he saidHe encouraged people to enjoy the phenomenon click photographs and cherish the memoryIf the skies are clear it will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone in India to witness one of natures finest spectacles Paranjpye addedThe September 7 lunar eclipse is the last of the year and according to astronomers one of the most significant celestial events of 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/no-fear-just-beauty-astronomer-calls-sept-7-lunar-eclipse-a-rare-celestial-spectacle-636659.html Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-leaders-unite-in-extending-onam-greetings-636485.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 4 As Kerala marks the peak of its Onam festivities leaders across the political spectrum have extended greetings each highlighting the festivals timeless message of equality harmony and unity Friday September 5 is the most important event of Onam Thiru Onam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his Onam message underlined the universal nature of the celebrationHe described Onam as a festival that transcends divisions bringing Malayalis together across the world in a spirit of brotherhood and compassionOur goal must be to build a Kerala of prosperity equality and happiness where no one is left behind This Onam should give us energy and inspiration in that journey he saidAt the same time he cautioned against forces spreading sectarianism and hatred urging people to uphold Keralas image as a land of unity and peaceLeader of Opposition VD Satheesan in his greeting called Onam a celebration of pride for all Malayalis beyond caste and religionHe said the festival evokes memories of a time when families and communities came together as equals setting aside hardships and anxietiesEvery celebration gives us strength and confidence to move forward Let this Onam bring joy and resilience for the future he saidLegislative Assembly Speaker AN Shamseer reflected on the cultural depth of the festival calling it inseparable from Malayali identityHe described Onam as a diverse and vibrant celebration blending nature cuisine and traditional games across Kerala Yet he noted all Malayalis uphold one unifying ideal the egalitarian Maveli NaduQuoting EMS Namboodiripads essay One Crore Malayalis he recalled how the legend of Mahabali who treated all people equally has deeply shaped Keralas imaginationEvery Onam is a call for a society of trust love and equality he saidTogether the leaders messages place the spirit of Onam above politics reminding Malayalis that the festivals true strength lies in its vision of unity prosperity and equality IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-leaders-unite-in-extending-onam-greetings-636485.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/new-gst-rates-what-gets-cheaper-and-costlier-from-sep-22-636324.html New Delhi Sep 4 After the GST Council approved historical changes to Indias indirect tax structure several dailyuse goods will become cheaper from September 22 The new tax structure adopted on Wednesday has two major slabs now 5 per cent and 18 per cent and a whopping 40 per cent for sin goodsFor the common man this change means more money in hand which the government hopes will be routed into the economy giving it a significant boostFrom groceries and fertilisers to footwear textiles and even renewable energy a broad basket of goods and services is set to become more affordable Items earlier taxed at 12 per cent and 28 per cent will now largely migrate to the other two slabs making a wide range of products cheaperFood and daily essentialsMilk products Ultrahigh temperature UHT milk will now be taxfree down from 5 per cent while condensed milk butter ghee paneer and cheese have moved from 12 per cent to 5 per cent or nil in some casesStaple foods Malt starches pasta cornflakes biscuits and even chocolates and cocoa products will see rates reduced from 1218 per cent to 5 per centDry fruits and nuts Almonds pistachios hazelnuts cashews and dates earlier taxed at 12 per cent will now attract just 5 per centSugar and confectionery Refined sugar sugar syrups and confectionery items like toffees and candy have shifted to the 5 per cent slabOther packaged foods Vegetable oils animal fats edible spreads sausages meat preparations fish products and malt extractbased packaged foods have been moved to the 5 per cent slabNamkeens bhujia mixture chabena and similar edible preparations ready for consumption form other than roasted gram prepackaged and labelled to go from 18 per cent to 5 per centWaters including natural or artificial mineral waters and aerated waters not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter nor flavoured to move from 18 per cent to 5 per centAgriculture and fertilisersFertilisers are down from 12 per cent18 per cent to 5 per centSelect agricultural inputs including seeds and crop nutrients have been rationalised from 12 per cent to 5 per centHealthcareLifesaving drugs healthrelated products and some medical devices have seen rate cuts from 12 per cent18 per cent to 5 per cent or nilIndividual life and health insurance policies including family floater which had a 12 per cent tax will no longer be taxedA massive chunk of medical items of regular use including thermometers and glucometers will be in the 5 per cent tax bracketConsumer goodsEntrylevel and massuse items like select electrical appliances will move from 28 per cent to 18 per centFootwear and textiles have seen GST cut from 12 per cent to 5 per cent reducing costs for massmarket productsHowever certain goods and services remain firmly under higher taxationPan masala gutkha cigarettes chewing tobacco zarda unmanufactured tobacco and bidi will continue under existing high GST rates and compensation cess until outstanding cesslinked loans are clearedAdditionally the valuation of these products will now be shifted to Retail Sale Price RSP instead of transaction value tightening complianceAll goods including aerated waters containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured to go from 28 per cent to 40 per centA new 40 per cent slab for sin and luxury goods remains ensuring that items like cigarettes premium liquor and highend cars dont see tax reliefImported armoured luxury sedans will be exempt only in special cases such as those brought in by the Presidents Secretariat IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/new-gst-rates-what-gets-cheaper-and-costlier-from-sep-22-636324.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bengal-govt-to-provide-rs-2-lakh-compensation-in-heatwave-death-cases-636392.html Kolkata Sep 4 The West Bengal government has listed heatwave deaths as a natural disaster and will provide financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the affected family This decision was taken in a recent meeting of the State Executive Committee said sources in the state secretariat on ThursdayIn the last few years several deaths due to heatstroke were reported across the state The deaths were reported from districts including western districts of Purulia Bankura West Midnapore Jhargram West Burdwan and Birbhum which witness heatwave or heatwave conditions during summerThe government officials took notice of such incidents and started thinking about this said the sources In August state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant held a meeting on this It is reported that in that meeting it was decided to provide financial assistance in case of death due to heatstroke as a result of a heatwaveThe government will soon be issuing a formal notification in this regard said the sourcesIn case of a death due to the heatwave a postmortem report will be mandatory to get financial assistance Once it is established that the person died due to heatstroke then only the family will receive the compensationThe money will be released only after verifying the cause of the deathAccording to a government official declaring heatwave deaths as natural disasters will now make it possible to provide this compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund SDRF About 10 per cent of the annual allocation of the SDRF can be used to provide compensation to the families of those who died in natural disasters the official addedIt may be noted that the state government till now provides compensation of Rs 2 lakh in cases of death due to lightning strike accidental fire boat capsizing falling trees and wall collapse of a houseFrom now on the state government declared 14 incidents including heatwave river erosion heavy rain wild animal attack death due to electrocution forest fire death due to venomous animal bite or animal attack as natural disasters IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bengal-govt-to-provide-rs-2-lakh-compensation-in-heatwave-death-cases-636392.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/in-heartwarming-gesture-sant-seechewal-to-rescue-cattle-from-punjab-floods-in-special-boats-636415.html Sultanpur Lodhi Punjab Sep 4 IANS In a heartwarming gesture after rescuing hundreds of marooned villagers from floodwaters in Punjab environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal who hogged the limelight after reviving the almost dead 160kmlong Kali Bein a rivulet sacred to the Sikhs on Thursday launched the next stage of the relief operation to transport mass livestock in the newlymade boat crafted by using indigenous knowledgenbspThe AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sant Seechewal along with his volunteers has been moving in boats from house to house from dawn to dusk every day since August 11 to provide relief material to the affected people and fodder to the remaining livestock that has survived the floods even as many of them perishedThis new raft has been made in three days under the guidance of Padamshree Sant Seechewal whose work to revive the sacred rivulet with the peoples participation was lauded by former President of India late Dr Abdul KalamnbspFloods in the state have severely affected not only human life but also domesticated animals A new fleet has been launched for the rescue of animals in large numbers from the floodaffected areas Through this specially built boat livestock and farmers tractors can also be evacuated to higher locations Sant Seechewal who is known for wearing his trademark maroon robes told IANSnbspIn one sortie up to 20 cattle can be transported to a safe place depending upon the place to relocate themAlso the farming machinery including a combine harvester can be transportednbspWidely known as Baba ji Sant Seechewal and his volunteers every day cover a radius of 32 kms in 10 hours in Mand an island on the Beas River reaching every house trapped in waistdeep turbulent water to provide prasadam foodnbspCurrently 46 villages in Mand in Kapurthala district have been impacted by the flood with more than 15000 acres of crops damagednbspBraving the swirling floodwater Sant Seechewal said the swollen Beas River flowing continuously fast and above the danger mark has breached many temporary embankments and also changed its coursenbspDue to the changed course of the river the devastation is maximum this time as compared to the 2023 floods in the state he saidnbspHe said continuous efforts are being made to save the sensitive parts of the temporary embankmentsHe is also seen feeding the abandoned cattle stranded in the flooded paddy fields and dogs in houses largely abandonednbspSant Seechewal himself fills sand in bags and carries logwood at the river breach sites to prevent further damagenbspHe appealed to philanthropists to donate motorboats as roads in the area are submerged in water and they are relying on boats to ferry essentials including food drinking water and fodder for livestock He said it would take at least 20 days for the water to recede from fields and human habitationsThirty to forty per cent of the inhabitants have already moved or evacuated to safer places Our duty is to take care of elderly or male family members who preferred to stay back in their marooned houses We are reaching out to at least 350 houses every day in four boats to provide them langar community cooked food and essentials he saidnbspBesides Punjab government boats the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and the Indian Armys boats have been deployed in relief operations across the state that is witnessing the worst floods in four decadesOn social networking sites people are thanking a gentleman from Kapurthala for turning his factory premises into a place for construction of boats Ramgarhia Sikhs building boats for flood affected areas of Punjab Pura punjab ik hai Love my Sikh brothers a post on X saysnbspPunjab Revenue Minister Hardeep Mundian said the state is reeling under one of the worst floods in recent decades with widespread crop devastation reported in 175216 hectaresnbspHe said Gurdaspur Amritsar Mansa Ferozepur and Fazilka are among the worsthit districts accounting for the bulk of the agricultural losses The scale of damage to crops villages and population underlines the severity of the calamity that has gripped 23 districts of PunjabVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/in-heartwarming-gesture-sant-seechewal-to-rescue-cattle-from-punjab-floods-in-special-boats-636415.html Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/meet-assams-new-entrepreneurs-lakhpati-didis-rise-with-govt-support-636269.html Guwahati Sep 3 In a significant move towards womens empowerment Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the ambitious Lakhpati Didi initiative on Wednesday The programme part of a nationwide push by the Ministry of Rural Development aims to help women from SelfHelp Groups SHGs achieve a sustainable annual household income of Rs 100000 or more At a special event held under the Ramsarani Anchalik Panchayat the Chief Minister distributed cheques to 7474 SHG members The financial assistance paves the way for the journey towards economic independence for these women Many of these women have already begun transforming their lives through small businesses and livelihood venturesAmong the beneficiaries is Purnima Das who runs a small tailoring business Elated by the support she shared her plans to expand her operations and hire local girls to work with her This money is not just financial help its recognition I feel supported she saidAnother beneficiary who has been running a dairy business expressed gratitude for the opportunity to scale up her enterpriseI have cows and goats and sell milk in the nearby markets With this new support I will be able to buy more livestock and increase my income she saidHer story reflects the core objective of the Lakhpati Didi initiativeenabling women to build sustainable sources of income Another beneficiary expressed her happiness saying that they are receiving loans for businesses such as farming textiles and purchasing sewing machinesThe initiative goes beyond financial assistanceIt combines skill development financial literacy and entrepreneurial guidance to ensure longterm success Women are encouraged to take up diverse livelihood activities ranging from agriculture and animal husbandry to crafts and smallscale manufacturingA Lakhpati Didi is not just about earning a lakh rupees its about building confidence financial independence and respect in the community said CM Sarma while addressing the gathering He reaffirmed the governments commitment to creating an ecosystem where womenled SHGs can thrive IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/meet-assams-new-entrepreneurs-lakhpati-didis-rise-with-govt-support-636269.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 22:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/together-we-will-move-forward-with-respect-responsibility-virat-kohli-to-families-of-bluru-stampede-victims-636128.html Bengaluru Sep 3 Cricketer Virat Kohli responding for the first time to the June 4 Bengaluru stampede tragedy which claimed 11 lives near Chinnaswamy Stadium stated on Wednesday that he has vowed to move forward with care respect and responsibility Taking to the official social media handle X of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB team Virat Kohli stated Nothing in life really prepares you for a heartbreak like June 4th What shouldve been the happiest moment in our franchises history turned into something tragicHe further stated Ive been thinking of and praying for the families of those we lost and for our fans who were injured Your loss is part of our story now Together we will move forward with care respect and responsibilityThe RCB commenting on this post stated in bold letters Virat Kohli reflects on his emotions and echoes how all of us at RCB feelEarlier the RCB franchise under the RCB Cares initiative announced Rs 25 lakh each for the families of the deceased personsRCB Cares official announcement stated on August 30 that Our hearts broke on June 4 2025 We lost eleven members of the RCB family They were part of us Part of what makes our city our community amp our team unique Their absence will echo in the memories of each one of us No amount of support can ever fill the space theyve left behind But as a first step and with the deepest respect RCB has extended 25 lakh each to their families Not just as financial aid but as a promise of compassion unity and ongoing careThis is also the beginning of RCB Cares a longterm commitment for meaningful action that begins by honouring their memory Every step forward will reflect what the fans feel expect and deserve it saidFollowing RCBs maiden IPL title win thousands of jubilant fans gathered outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4 where the official celebrations were held However the event took a devastating turn as the overcrowded venue led to chaos when fans attempted to forcefully enter the stadium resulting in a deadly stampedeThe stampede tragedy was discussed in the Assembly during the recently concluded Monsoon SessionKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while making a statement in the Assembly maintained that such tragedies have occurred both in India and across the worldHe further claimed that no one in the country has ever taken responsibility or tendered resignations in such casesProtesting the statement BJP and JDS MLAs led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka had staged a walkoutOn action taken CM Siddaramaiah said We have suspended five senior police officers The police had refused permission for the celebrations but did not issue it in writing RCB and Karnataka State Cricket Association KSCA posted tweets between 701 am and 8 am The 701 am post received 16 lakh views the 8 am post 4 lakh views and the 310 pm post 710 lakh views Instead of acting the police allowed the celebrations and did not get the posts deleted They colluded with the organisersThe justice will not be served merely if I apologise Justice will prevail only when action is initiated Criminal cases have been lodged against RCB DNA Entertainment Private Ltd and KSCA The case has been handed over to the CID A charge sheet will be submitted after the courts consent We have fulfilled our responsibilities This incident should never have happened Once again I express my regrets CM Siddaramaiah had stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/together-we-will-move-forward-with-respect-responsibility-virat-kohli-to-families-of-bluru-stampede-victims-636128.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/wading-through-waist-deep-waters-in-punjab-its-generosity-kindness-that-float-636147.html Chandigarh Sep 3 Wading through waistdeep flood waters of southwestern monsoon scores of humanitarian and youth organisations riding on boats and tractors are daily reaching out to communities largely rural in at least 19 affected districts of Punjab to provide food clean water medication hygiene kits and shelter items to thousands of people largely the elderly braving incessant rains As a team of global charity Khalsa Aid International reached a farm marooned in seveneight feet of water in Dera Baba Nanak village in Gurdaspur to deliver food and essential aid to a family an elderly woman was in tears saying After four days you came to us as GodShe and her husband have been spending nights on the top floor of the house without food water and medicinesHer family managed to get away from the rising flood waters in time leaving the elderly couple behind along with the livestockWhen the Khalsa Aid team told the elderly woman and her husband that they had come to rescue them she refused to go saying We are staying here to take care of livestock We have to live and die hereDespite all odds the couple is trying to stay positive that they will be able to repair their home and regrow their cropsLike the elderly couple thousands of farmer families have lost their rice paddies which were ready to harvest and washed away the rice wheat and grains that they had stored in their housesWe also lost six buffaloes remarked another farmer Avtar Singh who is devastated by losses including many personal belongings and is struggling to rebuild his lifeAs Punjab is facing its worst floods in four decades its a sea of humanity where several social organisations in coordination with the Indian Army the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and also local authorities have been at the forefront to provide Gurus langar free meal and shelterPunjab Revenue Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Mundian said the state is facing one of the most widespread floods in recent decades which impacted 23 districts claiming 30 human lives and leaving more than 354 lakh people affectedAccording to the AAP minister 1400 villages have been inundated The severely affected districts are Gurdaspur 324 villages Amritsar 135 Hoshiarpur 119 Kapurthala 115 Mansa 108 Ferozepur 93 Pathankot 82 Fazilka 72 Jalandhar 62 and Tarn Taran 66 villagesThe AAP government has declared Punjab a disasterhit state Torrential rains and subsequent release of water from three crucial dams the Bhakra Ranjit Sagar and Pong to reduce abnormal rising water levels have significantly hit the floodplains of Punjab impacting 148590 hectares of farmlandCrops like wheat and rice suffered extensive damage Eco warrior Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal who came into the global limelight after reviving the almost dead 160kmlong Kali Bein a rivulet sacred to the Sikhs has been on the ground even in the remotest village for over three weeksBefore dawn riding on selfacquired motor boats the AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sant Seechewal and his team of volunteers donning protective gear reach villages dotted in the Mand region of Sultanpur Lodhi severely impacted by the swollen Beas river to provide food to the families trapped in waistdeep waterEvery day Sant Seechewal and his volunteers cover a radius of 32 km in 10 hours in Mand an island on the Beas river reaching every houseSant Seechewal who was accompanied by former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in relief work on Tuesday told IANS that 30 per cent of inhabitants in the Mand area have moved to safer places either in relief camps or with their relativesVillagers who stayed back now need medicines drinking water tarpaulins mosquito nets and basic supplies and we are providing them We have enough piledup relief stock to support them Padma Shri Seechewal saidIf someone genuinely wants to help the people in crisis they should wait for 1520 days for the water to recede from villages After that the people will start returning to their native places and start repairing house and desilt fields That is the time when they look forward to generous support he explainedHe said their organisation would also start repairing river embankments and desilting the riverAt that time they need earthmoving machine and other materials for the embankment reinforcement work Those who want to voluntarily help the people in distress save your energy and sympathy for the future initiatives he addedWearing his trademark maroon robes Sant Seechewal is heard asking his volunteers to give more relief material to the children and the elderly He is also seen feeding the abandoned cattle stranded in the flooded paddy fields and dogs in housesHe and his volunteers also played a key role in relocating families along with their livestock to safetySant Seechewal himself fills sand in bags carrying and dumping them at the river breach sites Volunteers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC considered a miniParliament of Sikh religious affairs are also moving from village to village to provide temporary shelters and holding community kitchens aroundtheclock for the marooned villagersAAP Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal has allocateed Rs 20 lakh to procure water tankers for providing safe drinking water to displaced people His office said the MP anticipated that once the flood water recedes the affected people may face shortage of clean drinking water as tubewells and other sources of water have been damagedPosting a video of the devastation ace spinnerturnedAAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh wrote on X on Wednesday When volunteers went to deliver relief materials the floodaffected family despite having lost almost everything prepared tea and served it to the volunteers in return Thats the spirit of Punjab Rab de bandeThe video has gone viral on social media drawing admiration and respect Yet amid this devastation the Punjabi spirit of resilience and seamless generosity shines by cooking langars in flood waters distributing essentials to every household and setting up medical camps for the sick and injuredVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/wading-through-waist-deep-waters-in-punjab-its-generosity-kindness-that-float-636147.html Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vibrant-gujarat-vadnagar-archaeological-experiential-museum-to-be-key-highlight-receives-1-lakh-visitors-636010.html Gandhinagar Sep 2 At the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conferences VGRC in Mehsana North Gujarat the countrys cultural legacy and innovative spirit will be on display grabbing the attention of visitors However Gujarat tourism is also expected to make a big splash with the Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum taking centre stage during the twoday ceremony from October 910The Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum will serve as a key highlight symbolising both the depth of the regions history and its forwardlooking approach to cultural developmentAccording to the Archaeological Survey of India the Vadnagar Archaeological Experiential Museum has welcomed a total of 95658 visitors till August 31 2025 from across the country Its success goes to strengthen Gujarats position as a destination for heritage tourismThe visitors include adults children senior citizens Divyangs etc thereby reinforcing the museums commitment to accessibility and its growing appeal as a centre of learning and engagementThe museum offers an indepth understanding of Vadnagars multilayered cultural legacy showcasing over 2500 years of human evolution through artefacts unearthed during extensive excavations Spanning 13525 square metres it houses more than 7000 discoveriesThe nine thematic galleries display the regions art sculptures and linguistic heritage across different historical erasThe defining feature of the museum is its direct link to a 4000squaremetre live excavation site where archaeological remains can be seen at depths of 16 to 18 metresThe museum also showcases more than 5000 artefacts including ceramics coins ornaments tools sculptures shell products and organic remains such as skeletal fragments and food grains unearthed directly from the site and presented through interactive installations and digital exhibitsThe visitors can walk across a specially designed bridge and explore an experiential walkway shed offering a rare opportunity to observe ongoing excavation activities in real time IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/vibrant-gujarat-vadnagar-archaeological-experiential-museum-to-be-key-highlight-receives-1-lakh-visitors-636010.html Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/amit-shah-visits-jammus-tawi-bridge-bikram-chowk-to-assess-flood-damage-635680.html Jammu Sep 1 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday visited the Tawi Bridge and Bikram Chowk in Jammu city to assess flood impact before taking an aerial survey of the damage at other places Amit Shah was accompanied by JampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Leader of Opposition LoP Sunil Sharma and other senior officials during his onthespot flood assessment on Tawi Bridge and Bikram ChowkThe Tawi bridge suffered severe damage during recent floods The Home Minister interacted with the concerned officials and took stock of the situationHM Shah also assessed the impact of the flood situation at Bikram Chowk and other adjoining areasHe is scheduled to make an aerial assessment of the flood damage in Kishtwar district and also at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine route where a huge loss of human lives was caused by a cloudburst and landslide on August 14 and August 26Amit Shah reached Jammu on Sunday evening He was received at Jammu Airport by LG Manoj Sinha and CM Omar Abdullah among othersUnion Home Secretary Govind Mohan Director Intelligence Bureau IB Tapan Deka DG BSF Daljit Singh Chaudhary senior officers of NHAI IMD and many other security agencies also reached Jammu on SundayThe Union Home Minister has announced the constitution of interministerial central teams IMCTs to assess the damage caused by recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Punjab and UttarakhandHe will also review damage caused to fencing and border posts along the International Border with PakistanThe MHA is in touch with senior officers of these StatesUT and has extended all necessary logistic assistance by deployment of the requisite number of teams of NDRF Army and Air Force helicopters who are helping them in search and rescue and restoration of essential services the MHA statement saidIt added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Central government stands shouldertoshoulder with the states affected by natural calamities in mitigating hardships faced by the peopleThe IMCTs would make onthespot assessment of the situation and relief works carried out by the StateUT governments it said Amit Shah is likely to meet some affected families in addition to a visit to the floodaffected localities in Jammu IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/amit-shah-visits-jammus-tawi-bridge-bikram-chowk-to-assess-flood-damage-635680.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/floods-may-drown-land-but-never-chardi-kala-spirit-of-punjabis-say-survivors--635699.html FerozepurGurdaspur Sep 1 IANS We have seen tougher times earlier too and this will pass remarked an octogenarian villager whose field and farmhouse have been submerged in waistdeep water of the swollen Sutlej river on MondaynbspOctogenarian Gurdial Singh who braved shelling from Pakistan in IndiaPakistan wars of 1965 and 1971 told IANS that the spirit of Chardi Kala is still alive and visible in everyone from elderly to young children despite the rainfallinduced floods that forced many villagers located only a few kilometres from the International Border in Punjabs Ferozepur district to abandon their homesChardi Kala means the concept of high spirits in all conditions including adversitiesnbspWith prayers on lips his wife Nachattar Kaur remarked May waheguru God bring safety peace and Chardi Kala to every householdnbspWith Punjab grappling with the worst floods in 37 years and the situation devastating with all three major rivers have overflowed putting millions of lives at risk as families have lost homes hard earned crops and some have lost even their loved ones Sikh volunteers largely floodhit villagers are on the ground to help Central and state agencies with rescue and recoveryBraving gushing waters the villagers comprising children and women are making active participation in building and maintaining river bunds by placing soil bags distributing medical kits and fodder by riding on boats from village to village across worstaffected districtsnbspWe are known globally for reaching out to assist those affected by the devastating floods and earthquakes In this hour of crisis we will survive owing to our high spirits remarked another villager Gurdial Singh in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur districtDera Baba Nanak is a deeply sacred Sikh pilgrimage site by the Ravi river and it is named after Guru Nanak Dev the founder of Sikhism who spent his last years in the nearby Kartarpur now in PakistannbspGurdial Singh believed when floods submerged villages their survival was the human strengthnbspInstead of collapsing in despair we cooked langar community food in waistdeep water rescued livestock carried calves on our shoulders and moved families with bare essential items to safety on tractors But in the three hours of crisis we do regular kirtan to keep Chardi Kala alive he addedAnother villager Avtar Singh added When everything seems to be falling apart it is our hope to survive that was floatingnbspShiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday led an ardas prayer at the Kartarpur Corridor entrance for floodaffected people in both Indian and Pakistani states of PunjabnbspThe gathering urged divine intervention to stop the rain and protect lives and livestocknbspDuring his visit to floodhit areas in Gurdaspur Dera Baba Nanak and Hargobindpur Badal distributed more than 100 trolleys of relief materialHe praised the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for running community kitchens and medical campsnbspInterestingly the youth are doing more mitti di seva for flood reliefnbspMitti di seva means a community effort to contribute earth to rebuild embankmentsnbspAmid religious chants of Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal the farmers are voluntarily bringing earthloaded tractortrailers from different areas to plug the breachesnbspSome farmer voluntary groups issued video appeals asking they have enough ration if someone wanted to contribute they could send earth for plugging the breachesFlood rescue operations involving the National Disaster Response Force the Indian Army and the district administration have been intensifiednbspIn a swift humanitarian response the Border Security Force has carried out an airdrop of thousands of food and ration packets in floodaffected villages of Amritsar following the request of the civil administrationnbspThe flooding has submerged nearly three lakh acres of farmland and hit around 125 lakh people in Punjab Additional Chief SecretarycumFinancial Commissioner Revenue Anurag Verma said after inspecting villages along the Sutlej in Ferozepur district on SundayTens of thousands of people in Punjab have been spending nights on rooftops after breaking of embankments of tributaries and overflowing of swollen rivers caused by incessant rains and release of dam waters that too damaging the newly planted paddy crop in huge tractsnbspThe state government has already announced a special girdawari inspection to provide compensation for the affected cropsnbspMost of the worst affected districts Gurdaspur Ferozepur Amritsar Tarn Taran and Pathankot are located along the IndiaPakistan borderThe other districts marooned by floodwater are Hoshiarpur Jalandhar Kapurthala Ropar Anandpur Sahib and Fazilka impacting families who have lost homes farmers lost crops and people largely villagers suffering greatlynbspFloods may drown the land but never the Chardi Kala spirit of Punjabis said Gurdial Kaur a woman farmer from Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala that is located along the Beas river adding in the past too Punjab has survived floods but it shows the world what resilience looks likeVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/floods-may-drown-land-but-never-chardi-kala-spirit-of-punjabis-say-survivors--635699.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rains-lash-delhi-ncr-temperature-dips-traffic-snarls-reported-in-several-areas-635737.html New Delhi Sep 1 The weather in DelhiNCR changed dramatically on Monday as overcast skies gave way to spells of rain and gusty winds across the region bringing muchneeded respite from the heat and humidity By afternoon several parts of Noida Ghaziabad Gurugram and Delhi received heavy showers accompanied by strong winds leading to a sharp drop in temperatureAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the maximum temperature on Monday was recorded several degrees below normal for this time of the yearMany residents said they felt an unusual September chill as cool winds swept through the regionThe IMD had earlier issued a yellow alert for September 1 warning of rain thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds in the afternoon and evening The forecast proved accurate with heavy rainfall turning the skies dark in broad daylight and forcing commuters to switch on headlightsWhile the showers provided relief from sweltering conditions they also caused widespread disruption Waterlogging was reported in several areas of Noida Ghaziabad Gurugram and parts of Delhi leading to severe traffic congestionLong traffic snarls formed on arterial roads with the movement of vehicles slowing to a crawl in many pockets Commuters struggled with flooded streets particularly underpasses and lowlying roadsDespite these issues the rain brought smiles to many residents who enjoyed the sudden cool breeze and relief from the oppressive heatIt feels like the monsoon is back in full swing This is such a welcome change said a resident of NoidaLooking ahead the IMD has predicted that the pleasant weather will continue for the next week with light to moderate showers expected intermittentlyThe skies are likely to remain cloudy on September 2 as well though no alert has been issued for that dayHowever the Met department has forecast another spell of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning on September 3Meteorologist Naresh Kumar in an update on continued rainfall said An orange alert has been issued for Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir Alerts are also in place for Rajasthan western Uttar Pradesh Punjab and Haryana Delhi and NCR expect heavy rain for 12 days before the weather normalises IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rains-lash-delhi-ncr-temperature-dips-traffic-snarls-reported-in-several-areas-635737.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bihar-free-dialysis-service-at-sheikhpuras-sadar-hospital-benefitting-thousands-of-people-635774.html Patna Sep 1 The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme PMNDP launched in 201617 to provide dialysis services free of cost to people below the Poverty Line BPL is proving to be boon for people in Sheikhpura and adjoining districts of Bihar The dialysis center at Sheikhpuras Sadar Hospital is providing free dialysis services to people from economically weaker sections It has made the treatment of kidneyrelated ailments accessible for the poor but also aiding them in saving money on treatment costsPatients from nearby areas like Lakhisarai Jamui Nawada and Nalanda are also benefiting from it as they visit this centre for availing free services This has reduced the need for them to travel to farther destinations for kidneyrelated treatmentThe fivebed dialysis center started in Sheikhpuras Sadar Hospital was inaugurated on 18 August 2020 and has since then been a lifesaver for many patientsPeople are expressing deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the stateofthe art dialysis center They also credited the Centre for saving many lives as they claimed that many patients failed to live longer due to the unavailability of dialysis services and also their inability to travel to bigger cities for treatmentThose kidney patients who have their names registered in the ration card can avail the free services they need to submit copies of their ration card and Aadhaar cardMany patients as well as the centre incharge also shared their experience with IANSThe dialysis center incharge Uttam Kumar said All services here are free for people with dialysis provided under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis ProgrammeA beneficiary said The facility here is good everything is wellmaintained and clean We are extremely thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modiled governmentAnother beneficiary said The services here are free and we are very grateful to PM Modi for providing themThe service is operated under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme PMNDP which is part of the National Health Mission Its main objective is to eliminate the need for rural and economically weak patients to go to big cities and provide them dialysis facilities in their own villages and citiesCurrently the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program PMNDP is in operation in all the 36 StatesUTs in 751 districts of the country There are a total of 1704 operational centres as on June 30 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bihar-free-dialysis-service-at-sheikhpuras-sadar-hospital-benefitting-thousands-of-people-635774.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajkot-entrepreneur-builds-business-with-pm-mudra-yojana-support-635783.html Rajkot Sep 1 Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana PMMY is an ambitious scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to empower aspiring entrepreneurs across India by providing easy access to credit for selfemployment There are ample examples of success stories of business being taken to great levels with the help of this scheme One such inspiring success story dominating the public discourse is from Rajkot in GujaratA resident Nareshbhai Mirani has transformed his small business dreams into reality with the help of this government scheme in RajkotNareshbhai runs a shop named Gopinath Emporium on Junction Plot Main Road in RajkotIn the early days of starting his business he faced financial challenges and needed capital He approached the State Bank of India and availed a loan of Rs 50000 under the PM Mudra Yojana This initial financial support allowed him to start his business and establish a stable source of incomeAfter successfully repaying the first loan Nareshbhai became eligible for a larger loan He was subsequently sanctioned a loan of over Rs 5 lakh under the same schemeHe now repays the loan through regular EMIs and continues to expand his business steadily Nareshbhai credits the schemes lowinterest rates and hasslefree process for much of his successThe Mudra Yojana made it possible for me to stand on my own feet Its a great initiative by the Prime Minister he saidMudra Yojana is doing wonders like this The scheme aims to provide microfinance to small and medium entrepreneurs helping them to become selfreliant It has significantly benefited small traders and businesses by offering collateralfree loans in three categories Shishu Kishor and TarunAs of now more than 52 crore loans have been sanctioned under the scheme disbursing over Rs 33 lakh crore to beneficiaries across the country The scheme is also playing a key role in encouraging selfreliance among youth and women fostering a strong culture of entrepreneurship in IndiaNareshbhais story stands as a testament to how government initiatives when effectively utilised can change lives IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajkot-entrepreneur-builds-business-with-pm-mudra-yojana-support-635783.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-nears-monsoon-target-with-90-pc-rainfall-48-talukas-record-over-40-inches-635599.html Ahmedabad Sep 1 Gujarat this year has received 90 per cent of its seasonal rainfall so far According to official data the state has recorded an average of 315 inches of rainfall this season Rainfall distribution shows that June saw the highest showers with 12 inches on average followed by 10 inches in July and 95 inches in AugustAt present 48 talukas have received more than 40 inches of rain while 10 districts have already crossed the 100 per cent mark of their seasonal quota South Gujarat leads the state with an impressive 55 inches of rainfall amounting to 94 per cent of the seasonal averageOther regions have also reported healthy showers EastCentral Gujarat 28 inches North Gujarat 27 inches Saurashtra 25 inches and Kutch 16 inches In most regions rainfall has reached over 85 per cent of the seasons target At the district level Valsad tops the charts with 84 inches followed by Dang 72 inches and Navsari 66 inchesPatan reported the lowest average at 16 inches Among talukas Kaprada in Valsad registered a remarkable 110 inches Umaragaon in Surat 9625 inches and Khergam in Navsari 90 inches In total 48 talukas have received more than 40 inches of rainfall 140 talukas between 2040 inches and 61 talukas between 1020 inches Two talukas are still at the lower end with just 510 inches of rainLast year by the end of August Gujarat had recorded 3865 inches of rain 111 per cent of the seasonal averageIn comparison this years rainfall has been slower particularly in August which saw 95 inches of rain against last years 174 inchesDistricts that have already crossed the 100 per cent seasonal mark include Sabarkantha and Banaskantha North Gujarat Mahisagar Kheda Anand CentralEast Gujarat Porbandar Botad Bhavnagar Saurashtra and Tapi and Surat South Gujarat IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-nears-monsoon-target-with-90-pc-rainfall-48-talukas-record-over-40-inches-635599.html Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/keralas-malappuram-panchayats-step-up-preventive-measures-against-rat-fever-635405.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 31 The Malappuram district panchayats in Kerala have stepped up health surveillance and preventive measures following reports of rat fever and amoebic meningoencephalitis in Peruvalloor and Moonniyoor respectively In Peruvalloor the health standing committee has decided to distribute doxycycline tablets to people working in highrisk environments such as paddy fields muddy areas and waterbodies where rat urine is likely to mix with water The move comes after the death of Karuvathadam Bhaskaran from rat fever a few days ago while two others are still undergoing treatmentThe panchayat has classified MGNREGA workers farmers cattle rearers and coconut climbers as highly vulnerable Awareness campaigns will be launched through mike announcements and noticesPeople have been urged to avoid stagnant and unclean waterbodies while chlorination will be carried out in all wells Residents have been advised to keep food items covered and maintain clean surroundings to keep rats awayHealth officials cautioned that symptoms such as high fever muscle pain vomiting and headache should not be ignoredImmediate medical attention is essential Selftreatment can make the condition worse the committee notedThe meeting chaired by panchayat president K Abdul Salam was attended by medical officer Dr Anas implementation officer Dr Muhammad Rasi health inspector Laiju Ignatius and other officialsMeanwhile Moonniyoor panchayat has declared a health alert after cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis were reported The rare but deadly infection caused by an amoeba found in contaminated water has prompted the local health committee to intensify precautionsA special meeting chaired by the panchayat president NM Suharabi decided to chlorinate all wells install warning boards near ponds and public waterbodies and distribute notices with health guidelines to householdsResidents have been asked to avoid bathing or swimming in stagnant ponds and to ensure water safety in daily useVicepresident Haneef Achattil medical officer Dr Rafeeq Pullatt health inspector A Rajesh and other samiti members attended the meetingOfficials said spreading awareness among the public is key to preventing further cases Both panchayats have urged residents to remain vigilant adopt safe hygiene practices and seek immediate medical care if symptoms occur IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/keralas-malappuram-panchayats-step-up-preventive-measures-against-rat-fever-635405.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-launch-pilot-counselling-scheme-for-prisoners-reintegration-from-sep-1-635407.html Chennai Aug 31 In a pioneering move Tamil Nadu will roll out a pilot scheme on September 1 to provide prerelease and postrelease reintegration counselling for convicts who have spent three years or more in prison The initiative first of its kind in India aims to smoothen the transition of prisoners back into society and reduce the risk of repeat offencesThe scheme will be implemented through the Tamil Nadu Discharged Prisoners Aid Society TNDPAS with the support of qualified clinical psychologists approved by the State Mental Health Authority SMHAAccording to Dr Maheshwar Dayal Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services Tamil Nadu the programme will be monitored as a pilot to assess its impact and make necessary modifications In the first phase beginning September 1 about 350 convicts due for release over the next four months will be covered Each eligible prisoner will receive three counselling sessions one before release and two after to help them prepare for challenges outside prisonOfficials said more than 800 SMHAapproved psychologists can take part in the programmeThe state government has earmarked Rs 10 lakh for the pilot At Rs 1000 per session the cost of counselling per prisoner is estimated at Rs 3000 Prison psychologists will also identify individuals who require longerterm assistance beyond the initial sessionsOfficials noted that existing counselling services inside prisons largely address issues related to incarceration whereas discharged prisoners face a different set of difficulties including social stigma lack of family support and employment barriersThe reintegration counselling is designed to bridge this gap Experts welcomed the initiativeVijay Raghavan professor at the Centre for Criminology and Justice Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai described it as a pioneering step especially beneficial for women prisoners who often encounter severe social stigma after releaseHe emphasised that counselling should be combined with broader measures such as family support and structured reintegration programmesThe government clarified that the new initiative will supplement not replace the aid already extended through TNDPAS including financial grants and seed capital for small businessesOfficials expressed confidence that the scheme beginning on September 1 will help released prisoners rebuild their lives with dignity reduce stigma and reintegrate into society with greater confidence IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-launch-pilot-counselling-scheme-for-prisoners-reintegration-from-sep-1-635407.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/324-corrupt-pakistan-officials-pocketed-rs-37-million-meant-for-poverty-alleviation-report-635467.html Islamabad Aug 31 Plagued by opaque biometric systems Pakistans social safety net has fallen prey to insidious decay with the Auditor General revealing that 324 government officials embezzled over Rs 37 million from the Benazir Income Support Programme BISP local media reported on Sunday According to Auditor General of Pakistan AGP officials BISP staff from Grade 1 to Grade 22 or literally every level of seniority and qualification were involved in graft leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reportedThe BISP was designed to provide a lifeline to millions living in poverty but has repeatedly been undermined by corruption and malfeasance at multiple levels The Rs 37 million graft is merely the tip of the iceberg In March audit reports uncovered financial irregularities worth Rs 141 billion in BISP for FY24 including payments to ineligible recipients fake biometric verifications and funds disbursed to deceased individuals said the reportIn effect those entrusted with administering aid to the poor are instead perpetuating poverty it saidThe involvement of officials across all grades illustrates the deeply ingrained culture of impunity Even more egregious are reports of bank employees and retailers illegally and fraudulently charging beneficiaries fees when they try to use their BISP cards said the The Express Tribune reportIn some of the reported cases the perpetrators curiously escaped criminal charges despite being caught redhanded and named publicly Unfortunately even if guilty officials are prosecuted and terminated recent history has shown that the fear of consequences has not particularly slowed corruption in most government departments and BISP is no different it saidControls need to be more proactive including transparent biometric systems stricter verification processes and independent monitoring mechanisms said the reportThe BISP supports around 58 million people or almost a quarter of the countrys population Allowing it to become a corrupt and untrusted institution is not just a betrayal of honest and deserving beneficiaries but of every single taxpayer and international donor supporting the programme it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/324-corrupt-pakistan-officials-pocketed-rs-37-million-meant-for-poverty-alleviation-report-635467.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/from-rajasthan-to-2025-ramon-magsaysay-awardee-ngo-educate-girls-creates-history-635521.html New Delhi Aug 31 An Indian nonprofit organisation dedicated to mobilising community and government resources for girls education in rural and educationally disadvantaged areas of India has been named a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee the foundation announced on Sunday The Foundation to Educate Girls Globally widely known as Educate Girls is the first Indian organisation to receive the prestigious award which is considered Asias equivalent of the Nobel PrizeThe organisation starting out in Rajasthan was founded in 2007 by Safeena HusainStarting out in Rajasthan Educate Girls identified the neediest communities in terms of girls education brought unschooled or outofschool girls into the classroom and worked to keep them there until they were able to acquire credentials for higher education and gainful employment said the official press release of Ramon MagsaysayGirls education is the closest thing we have to a silver bullet to solve some of the worlds most difficult problems said Husain adding that It is one of the best investments a country can make impacting nine of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals including health nutrition and employmentEducate Girls remains committed to breaking the cycle of illiteracy and poverty for girls By scaling our programs deepening government partnerships and embedding communityled solutions we strive to create a brighter more equitable future one girl at a time she addedNotably Educate Girls in 2015 launched the worlds first Development Impact Bond DIB in education aimed at tying financial aid to achieved outcomesThe results were dramatic What began with fifty pilot village schools reached over 30000 villages across Indias most underserved regions involving over two million girls with a retention rate of over 90 per cent the statement saidOrganised into Team Balika Team for the Girl Child local volunteers went doortodoor to identify outofschool girls address parents concerns and help with documentation At the end of the DIB project in 2018 Educate Girls had surpassed its total learning targets by 160 per cent and its total enrollment target by 116 per cent it addedOther 2025 winners include Shaahina Ali from the Maldives for her environmental work and Flaviano Antonio L Villanueva from the PhilippinesEach recipient will receive a medallion a certificate and a cash prize The 67th Ramon Magsaysay Award presentation is scheduled for November 7 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/from-rajasthan-to-2025-ramon-magsaysay-awardee-ngo-educate-girls-creates-history-635521.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 20:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ahmedabad-union-minister-cr-paatil-launches-book-jalkranti-praises-water-conservation-movement-635533.html Ahmedabad Aug 31 Ahmedabad witnessed the launch of Jalkranti a book penned by Mansukh Suvagiya regarded as the pioneer of Gujarats grassroots water revolution at the hands of Union Jal Shakti Minister and Gujarat BJP President CR Paatil The event drew the presence of senior Ministers MPs and social leaders underlining the growing relevance of water management in the states development narrativeSpeaking on the occasion Union Minister Patil lauded Suvagiyas decadeslong commitment to water conservation noting that he has led the construction of more than 3200 check dams and lakes across 300 villagesThe Union Minister described Jalkranti not merely as a book but as a Gita on water calling it a guiding force for tackling future water crisesHe also highlighted the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Catch the Rain campaign which has led to the creation of 32 million water structures across 611 districts in just eight months terming it a remarkable achievementState Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel recalled how Suvagiya initiated the water conservation movement during Saurashtras severe drought years awakening public consciousness about rainwater harvestingOther leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin praised the Jalkranti Trust for spreading awareness on water conservation while acknowledging Union governments initiatives like Nal se Jal which has ensured piped water supply to rural householdsThe launch ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Cabinet Ministers Mulubhai Bera and Mukesh Patel former Ministers Bhupendrasinh Chudasama and Vallabh Kakadiya Somnath Trust trustee PK Laheri and several social leadersGujarat has undertaken extensive water conservation efforts over the years focusing on check dams stepwells farm ponds and canal networks to address its arid climate and recurrent droughtsThe state pioneered the Sujalam Sufalam Yojana to recharge groundwater and desilt rivers while the Narmada canal network has been extended with drip irrigation and microirrigation systems to save waterCommunitydriven watershed projects rooftop rainwater harvesting in cities and the revival of traditional water structures have further strengthened resilienceThese initiatives combined with strict monitoring of groundwater use and emphasis on water recycling in industries have made Gujarat one of the leading states in sustainable water management in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ahmedabad-union-minister-cr-paatil-launches-book-jalkranti-praises-water-conservation-movement-635533.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-bhadarvi-poonam-fair-in-ambaji-from-sep-1-7-grand-drone-show-planned-635540.html Ahmedabad Aug 31 The Ambaji Temple in Banaskantha district in Gujarat is set to host the annual Bhadarvi Poonam fair from September 1 to 7 with lakhs of devotees expected to throng the shrine To ensure smooth management the district administration have announced extensive preparations focusing on safety security and convenience for pilgrims To manage the massive gathering the administration has set up 29 committees responsible for arrangements including drinking water electricity parking prasad distribution and security The aim is to provide devotees with seamless facilities throughout the fair This year technology will play a key role in enhancing the experience for devoteesAn EMandir WhatsApp chatbot will provide instant information on aarti timings prasad centers parking arrangements and other templerelated updates Devotees will also be able to watch live darshan of Matajis Akhand Jyot on the trusts official YouTube channelGiven the massive turnout expected the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation ST has announced the operation of 5500 additional buses during the fair periodThese buses will ply between Ambaji and major routes including Gabbar Danta Palanpur Ahmedabad Vadodara and Surat ensuring easier access for devotees traveling from across the stateAdding a spectacular cultural attraction a grand drone light show featuring 400 drones will be organised on the night of September 34 at 830 pm subject to weather conditionsThe sky will light up with dazzling formations depicting Ambe Maa Jai Mataji inscriptions and the Trishul promising to mesmerise the audienceThe Ambaji Temple is one of the most important and revered Shakti Peethas in India dedicated to Goddess Amba a form of ShaktiIts significance lies in the belief that the heart of Goddess Sati fell at this very spot making it a powerful center of divine feminine energyThe temple is unique because the deity is worshipped in the form of a sacred yantra Shree Visa Yantra rather than an idol symbolising the eternal and formless power of the goddessBeyond its spiritual role the temple has cultural historical and economic relevance it is tied to folk traditions of the region referenced in ancient scriptures and continues to influence local livelihoods through pilgrimage tourismFor devotees Ambaji represents both a maternal figure of protection and a cosmic source of energy making it a living spiritual hub where faith tradition and cultural identity converge IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-bhadarvi-poonam-fair-in-ambaji-from-sep-1-7-grand-drone-show-planned-635540.html Sun, 31 Aug 2025 23:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/punnamada-lake-erupts-as-71st-nehru-trophy-boat-race-unfolds-in-keralas-alapuzzha-635332.html Alappuzha Aug 30 Alappuzhas famed Punnamada Lake on Saturday turned into a vast amphitheatre of colour rhythm and excitement as the 71st edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race got underway From the break of dawn the backwaters echoed with the chants of oarsmen as the traditional Iruttukutti heats set the tone for the dayThis year 75 boats including 21 majestic Chundan Vallams or snake boats are in contentionThese slender marvels stretching between 120 and 140 feet carry about 120 oarsmen eachThe captain and his associates stand tall at the stern beating rhythms and barking instructions that keep the rowers in perfect unison turning the spectacle into a symphony of muscle and waterThe official inauguration was held at 2 pm on Saturday presided over by Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas with Zimbabwes Deputy Minister Rajesh Kumar Indukant Modi leading a foreign delegation among the guestsThe race track itself measures 11 km but the energy of the event stretches far beyondEvery inch of the banks was filled with crowds spilling into vantage points days in advanceTourists from across the globe thronged Alappuzha their cameras capturing every paddle stroke while premium seats at the finishing pavilion were sold out well ahead of timeThough the event features several categories and even mass drills where all boats row together the climax remains the snake boat finals the ultimate test of endurance teamwork and local prideThe origins of this celebrated race date back to 1952 when the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had visited KeralaAs a fleet of boats escorted him from Kottayam to Alappuzha an impromptu race broke outMesmerised Nehru famously leapt into the Nadubhagam Chundan riding it to the jetty with abandonBack in Delhi he donated a silver trophy a replica of a snake boat mounted on a wooden abacus inscribed with his signatureThat iconic trophy continues to crown the victors of the snake boat race todaySeven decades on the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is more than a competition it is Keralas cultural heartbeat where tradition athleticism and sheer festive joy surge together in waves of glory IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/punnamada-lake-erupts-as-71st-nehru-trophy-boat-race-unfolds-in-keralas-alapuzzha-635332.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/punnamada-lake-erupts-as-71st-nehru-trophy-boat-race-unfolds-in-keralas-alappuzha-635334.html Alappuzha Aug 30 Alappuzhas famed Punnamada Lake on Saturday turned into a vast amphitheatre of colour rhythm and excitement as the 71st edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race got underway From the break of dawn the backwaters echoed with the chants of oarsmen as the traditional Iruttukutti heats set the tone for the dayThis year 75 boats including 21 majestic Chundan Vallams or snake boats are in contentionThese slender marvels stretching between 120 and 140 feet carry about 120 oarsmen eachThe captain and his associates stand tall at the stern beating rhythms and barking instructions that keep the rowers in perfect unison turning the spectacle into a symphony of muscle and waterThe official inauguration was held at 2 pm on Saturday presided over by Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas with Zimbabwes Deputy Minister Rajesh Kumar Indukant Modi leading a foreign delegation among the guestsThe race track itself measures 11 km but the energy of the event stretches far beyondEvery inch of the banks was filled with crowds spilling into vantage points days in advanceTourists from across the globe thronged Alappuzha their cameras capturing every paddle stroke while premium seats at the finishing pavilion were sold out well ahead of timeThough the event features several categories and even mass drills where all boats row together the climax remains the snake boat finals the ultimate test of endurance teamwork and local prideThe origins of this celebrated race date back to 1952 when the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had visited KeralaAs a fleet of boats escorted him from Kottayam to Alappuzha an impromptu race broke outMesmerised Nehru famously leapt into the Nadubhagam Chundan riding it to the jetty with abandonBack in Delhi he donated a silver trophy a replica of a snake boat mounted on a wooden abacus inscribed with his signatureThat iconic trophy continues to crown the victors of the snake boat race todaySeven decades on the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is more than a competition it is Keralas cultural heartbeat where tradition athleticism and sheer festive joy surge together in waves of glory IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/punnamada-lake-erupts-as-71st-nehru-trophy-boat-race-unfolds-in-keralas-alappuzha-635334.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 18:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-bhupendra-patel-leads-van-mahotsav-celebrations-at-galteshwar-temple-635344.html Gandhinagar Aug 30 The 76th Van Mahotsav was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Galteshwar in Kheda district in Gujarat As part of the festivities the 24th Sanskrtik Van Cultural Forest of the state was inaugurated The occasion was marked by the visit of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel He arrived at the site located near Sarnal village in Kheda district to participate in the celebrationsChief Minister Patel began the day by offering prayers at the ancient Galteshwar Mahadev temple situated at the confluence of the Mahisagar and Galti rivers near Sarnal village in Thasra taluka During his visit he sought blessings for the welfare and prosperity of the people of GujaratFollowing the prayer the Chief Minister undertook a circumambulation of the temple appreciating the unique architectural style of this ancient shrine He also learned about the glory of Sage Galav to whom the temple holds significant spiritual importanceThe inauguration of the 24th Cultural Forest which promotes the preservation of regional flora and cultural heritage was the highlight of the Van Mahotsav celebrations This initiative emphasises the importance of forests in ecological balance and celebrates the cultural significance of natural heritage sitesAlongside Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Member of Parliament Devusinh Chauhan Panchmahal MP Rajpalsinh Jadav Thasra MLA Yogendrasinh Parmar Kheda District Collector Amit Prakash Yadav District Development Officer Jayant Kishor Superintendent of Police Vijay Patel Forest Conservator Mitalben Sawant Anand Kumar and leading social worker Nayanaben PatelThe 76th Van Mahotsav at Galteshwar thus not only underscored the state governments commitment to environmental conservation but also celebrated Gujarats rich cultural and spiritual legacyThe 12th century Galteshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered unique in its style and has an influence of Gujarati Chaulukya architectureProtected by the Archaeological Survey of India the temple is the Monument of National Importance IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-bhupendra-patel-leads-van-mahotsav-celebrations-at-galteshwar-temple-635344.html Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/when-narendra-modi-brought-back-ganeshotsav-to-gujarat-634927.html New Delhi Aug 28 Ganesh Chaturthi also called Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Utsav is a tenday long Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha As the countrymen engage in tenday festivities an incident from Gujarats Sabarkantha shows how the festival saw a break in the celebrations in 1988 due to stonepelting but was revived by Narendra Modi the then Gujarat BJP General SecretaryVasant Mehta a BJP leader from Gujarat sharing an anecdote from Meghraj village in Sabarkantha recalled that the villagers faced stone attacks and also the government restrictions and this led to temporary halt in Ganpati SthapanaIt was after the insistence and intervention of Narendra Modi that the villagers started celebrating the festival again with its grandeur increasing every yearModi Story a popular social media handle shared a video of Vasant Mehta in which he recalls the cessation and then revival of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in late 1990sHe says that Ganesh Chaturthi programme was planned in Himmatnagar at Shaktinagar area near the Zila Panchayat Residents decided to install Ganesh idol for puja but the government did not give permission for Ganesh SthapanaIn Meghraj Taluka Sabarkantha Ganpati festival was celebrated every year Ganesh idol used to be brought with full fanfare but at one occasion the procession faced stone attack from some miscreants leaving the people and locality panicked he says recounting the incidentWhen Narendra Modi came to Sabarkantha the next day we apprised him about the prevailing situation and how we were forced to stop the practice of Ganesh Sthapana and festivities he addsHe further says that Narendra Modi then Gujarat BJP General Secretary personally visited Meghraj gathered karyakartas and took stock of the situation He assured protection secured government permission and ensured the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations went ahead safelySince then Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated in Meghraj region every year and the Ganesh Visarjan is also observed with full enthusiasm and zealSince then Ganeshotsav has continued here in in every village and every home uninterrupted with devotion enthusiasm and community spirit IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/when-narendra-modi-brought-back-ganeshotsav-to-gujarat-634927.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 21:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/flood-situation-in-telanganas-kamareddy-medak-remains-grim-634682.html Hyderabad Aug 28 The flood situation in Kamareddy and Medak districts of Telangana remained grim on Thursday as heavy rain continued to lash the region Very heavy rain since Tuesday night wreaked havoc in the two districts as overflowing streams lakes and ponds inundated lowlying areas and submerged roads and railway tracks disrupting road and rail trafficSeveral residential areas in Kamareddy town remained submerged as fresh rains added to the woes of the residents Drone visuals show a large part of the town underwaterAuthorities have declared a holiday for all educational institutions in Kamareddy Medak Adilabad Karimnagar and Jagtial districtsHeavy to very heavy rains have been lashing Medak Kamareddy Siddipet and Nirmal districts since early Thursday The Manjira River was in spate following heavy rains and floodsAuthorities continued their efforts to rescue people trapped in floodsUnion Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to send an IAF helicopter to rescue people trapped in floodsBandi Sanjay said he spoke to Rajnath Singh over the phone regarding the flood situation in Kamareddy and Sircilla districts where around 30 people are trappedThe Minister of State said he requested that a special Air Force helicopter be deployed for rescueBandi Sanjay said the Defence Minister responded immediately and directed Defence officials at Hakimpet Air Force Station to send the helicopterMeanwhile Manair a tributary of the Godavari River was in spate following heavy rains in Medak and Kamareddy districts The Mid Manair dam was receiving massive floodsRajampet in Kamareddy district received record rainfall of 4405 cm in less than 24 hours between 830 am on August 27 and 7 am on August 28 Nirmal Rural mandal in Nirmal district received 3253 cm of rainfallAccording to Telangana Development Planning Society Havelighanpur in Medak district recorded 316 cm of rainfall Kamareddy received 3085 cm of rain About 20 places recorded rainfall of above 20 cmMore than 50 places recorded rainfall between 1150 cm and 20 cmThe IMD has issued a red alert for Medak Kamareddy Siddipet Nizamabad and Nirmal districts on Thursday An orange alert has been issued to 15 districts while a yellow alert has been issued to the remaining districts including HyderabadChief Minister A Revanth Reddy will be making an aerial survey of floodhit areas of Kamareddy and Medak districts on ThursdayChief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao late on Wednesday held a teleconference with the Collectors of Medak Kamareddy Nizamabad Nirmal and Sircilla districts He reviewed the rescue and relief operations and the measures taken to prevent loss of lives and propertySpecial Chief Secretary Disaster Management Arvind Kumar Chief Secretary Irrigation Rahul Bojja Fire Services Director General Nagi Reddy and special officers nominated for floodhit districts participated in the teleconferenceChief Secretary directed the Collectors to remain alert as more heavy rains are likely on Thursday He said the required NDRF and SDRF teams would be sent to the affected districtsIrrigation officials informed the Chief Secretary that inflows to the Pocharam reservoir have receded The 103yearold reservoir withstood a massive flood inflow of 182000 cusecs far exceeding its Maximum Flood Discharge MFD of 70000 cusecs IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/flood-situation-in-telanganas-kamareddy-medak-remains-grim-634682.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/a-step-towards-self-reliant-india-hm-amit-shah-on-11-years-of-pmjdy-634766.html New Delhi Aug 28 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday hailed the socioeconomic gains from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana PMJDY crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conceiving the worlds largest banking initiative in historynbspExactly 11 years ago today for the financial inclusion of the poor women farmers and deprived sections Modi ji launched the worlds largest banking initiative in history the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana said HM Shah on the anniversary of the schemeHe said in a post on X Through 11YearsOfJanDhan a historic effort was made to connect a large section of the country to banking facilities which had been deprived of it for decadesnbspHM Shah highlighted that today more than 56 crore Jan Dhan beneficiaries including nearly 56 per cent women are directly benefiting from various government schemes such as banking insurance and pension and are engaged in achieving the goal of a developed and selfreliant IndianbspEarlier PM Modi said that the scheme has enhanced dignity and empowered people to script their own destinyHe took to his social media platform X and said When the last mile is financially connected the entire nation moves forward together That is exactly what the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana achieved It enhanced dignity and gave people the power to script their own destiny 11YearsOfJanDhannbspAccording to a government factsheet over 67 per cent of the PMJDY accounts are located in rural or semiurban areas while 56 per cent of the accounts were opened by womennbspThe PMJDY has been one of the major channels for delivering benefits under various schemes using Direct Benefit Transfer DBT providing credit facilities social security and enhancing savings and investments Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saidThe scheme has also issued 38 crore RuPay cards playing a major role in increasing digital transactions to 22198 crore in 202425nbspThe number of RuPay card transactions at PoS and ecommerce has increased from 67 crore in FY 201718 to 9385 crore in FY 202425 the government said in a releasenbspIn line with PM Modis vision of every household having a bank account and every adult having insurance and pension coverage saturation drives are being conducted nationwide said Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj ChaudharyThe campaigns will run till September 30 to expand the reach of PMJDYnbspAt least one camp will be held in each of the 27 lakh gram panchayats in the country where eligible persons can open PMJDY accounts enrol under Jansuraksha schemes and also do their reKYC and update nominations in their bank accounts the minister saidnbspWe have achieved near saturation in bank accounts and there has been a continuous increase in insurance and pension coverage across the country he addednbspNotably the total deposit balances under PMJDY accounts have reached Rs 267756 crore while the number of accounts has increased threefold and the total deposits have grown by approximately 12 times https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/a-step-towards-self-reliant-india-hm-amit-shah-on-11-years-of-pmjdy-634766.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/unhcr-says-over-23-million-afghans-returned-from-iran-and-pakistan-this-year-634782.html Kabul Aug 28 Over 23 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan this year according to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR The UN Refugee agency warned that these Afghan refugees face severe hardship and called for support to meet their basic needs local media reported According to a UNHCR statement issued on Thursday Afghan refugees are arriving in a nation unprepared to receive them The UNHCR shared a picture with a message that reads The world cannot turn its back on Afghans nowWhile calling for international communitys help for Afghan refugees UNHCR in a post on X wrote Over 23 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan this year many under pressure and to a country unprepared to receive them Were calling for urgent support to meet their most basic needs The world cannot look away nowHumanitarian groups have repeatedly warned that deported Afghans after returning to Afghanistan will face poverty unemployment lack of housing and severe restrictions on education and personal freedoms especially women and girls Afghanistanbased Khaama Press reportedUN experts warned that many refugees are being sent to a nation whose rulers face international accusations of systematic human rights violationsPakistan has announced September 1 as the deadline for sending back over one million Afghans whose temporary residence permits have expired further intensifying concerns regarding forced displacementThe mass deportations have further worsened economic crisis in Afghanistan and strained its limited social services with aid groups warning of worsening instability in border areas Observers stated that the forced return of millions of refugees could increase the humanitarian emergency if there is no coordinated international supportEarlier this month the UNHCR called on Pakistan to halt deportation of vulnerable Afghan refugees warning that forcible repatriation particularly of women girls and people who are ill could violate basic human rights and protections UNHCR has voiced serious concern over Pakistans decision to deport Afghan refugees who have temporary residence permits and demanded protection of vulnerable people leading Afghan news agency Khaama Press reportedIn a statement UNHCR called on Pakistani government to not deport Afghans who require international protection and highlighted the risk faced by women and girls It warned that forced repatriation could expose women and girls to severe violations of their fundamental rights under the Taliban regimeUN refugee agency urged Pakistan to not deport students and those with medical conditions from deportation considering their vulnerability and need for continued support In the statement UNHCR welcomed Pakistans decision to give one month period before implementing the deportation plan However it stressed that Pakistani authorities to use the time to assess individual cases and uphold humanitarian principles IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/unhcr-says-over-23-million-afghans-returned-from-iran-and-pakistan-this-year-634782.html Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/talks-going-on-for-release-of-jailed-kerala-nurse-nimisha-in-yemen-634495.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 27 Fresh momentum has gathered in the efforts to secure the release of Nimisha Priya the Kerala nurse facing the death penalty in Yemen According to MLA Chandy Oommen discussions are actively progressing in the Gulf particularly in the UAE and Qatar through expatriate businessmen with links in YemenThere is reason to hope for positive news in the coming days said Oommen while clarifying that there has been no attempt to sideline the ongoing mediation efforts led by the Kanthapuram groupOommen is the son of the late twotime former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who till his death in 2023 was actively involved in this caseOommen has thrice called upon Kerala Governor Rajendra V Arlekar to take up the case with the CentrePriya a native of Palakkad was convicted in 2020 for the 2017 murder of her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo MahdiReports suggest that she acted under duress after suffering months of physical and psychological abuse by him culminating in the administration of a lethal drug overdoseThe case drew widespread attention after Yemeni authorities scheduled her execution for July 16 this yearHowever sustained interventions including those led by Keralas Muslim scholar and Grand Mufti of India Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar succeeded in securing a lastminute stayMuftis network particularly his engagement with prominent Yemeni cleric Shaikh Habeeb Ummer has been credited with paving the way for dialogueJawad Mustafawy a close aide of the Mufti who studied Islamic philosophy in Yemen emphasised that the sole focus of their mission is her releaseDiplomatic and humanitarian efforts are now converging on persuading the victims family the ultimate decisionmakers under Yemens legal frameworkReports indicated that a Yemeni delegation including women had approached the bereaved family to explore possibilities of reconciliation and compensationWith the Gulf discussions gaining traction alongside religious and humanitarian interventions hopes remain alive that Nimisha may not only be spared from the death row but perhaps a return to Kerala might also happen IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/talks-going-on-for-release-of-jailed-kerala-nurse-nimisha-in-yemen-634495.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bjp-legislator-in-haryana-seeks-law-mandating-parents-permission-for-marriage-634521.html Chandigarh Aug 27 A Bharatiya Janata Party legislator in Haryana has triggered a row by demanding a law that mandates parents permission before marriage Ram Kumar Gautam known for his candid and often controversial statements said such a decision is necessary keeping in view the present situationBoys and girls run away There have been cases where parents are forced to commit suicide later the Safidon Assembly constituency legislator said during the Zero Hour in the Assembly on TuesdayMy request to the government is to make such a law where permission of parents is mandatory for boys and girls before marriage he saidResponding to the demand Speaker Harvinder Kalyan asked him to take his seatHowever Gautam insisted on carrying on the discussionIf you want to say anything beyond this then you give a notice and whatever needs to be done I will act accordingly the Speaker advised himGautam popularly known as Dada Gautam a former member of the Jannayak Janta Party JJP switched loyalties and joined the BJP ahead of the October 5 Assembly bypollEarlier soon after the BJP and JJP stitched alliance in 2019 and formed the government in the state Gautam who was upset with the functioning of the government had said the alliance was sealed in a mall secretly indirectly hinting that except Dushyant Chautala no legislator was aware of the developmentIn the Assembly elections Gautam then 73 had defeated the BJPs Minister Abhimanyu from the Narnaud constituency in Hisar district with a margin of 12029 votesAt that time Gautams sudden outburst against JJP leader Chautala was due to deliberate sidelining of the partys legislators and having all the plum postsSlamming Dushyant for keeping 11 portfolios with him Gautam had said He Dushyant should realise there are nine other MLAs in the party These MLAs too were chosen by the people Most party MLAs are disappointed over the issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bjp-legislator-in-haryana-seeks-law-mandating-parents-permission-for-marriage-634521.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/10th-century-headless-buddha-idol-unearthed-in-tamil-nadus-pudukkottai-634550.html Chennai Aug 27 A headless Buddha idol dating back to the 10th century has been discovered on the banks of an irrigation tank at Avudaiyarkovil in Tamil Nadus Pudukkottai district The rare find was made on Tuesday by members of the Pudukkottai Archaeological Research Forum during a field surveyAccording to A Manikandan Founder of the Forum and researcher at the Department of Ancient Science Tamil University Thanjavur the discovery was part of a longrunning project to document historical monuments in Pudukkottai under the guidance of Forum President Karu RajendranThe idol was located at the Periya Kanmai irrigation tank on the mound of the Perumadai canal in AvudaiyarkovilCarved from black stone the sculpture was referred to by residents as Thalai Illa Saami headless deityVillagers believe that the idol has powers to bring rain when a clay head is placed on it during times of droughtManikandan explained that based on stylistic features the idol can be traced to the 10th centuryThe sculpture measures 48 centimetres in height and 38 centimetres in width It depicts the Buddha with a robe draped over the right shoulder and a cloth around the waistDistinct features include a broad chest wide shoulders three folds on the neck trivali and the right hand raised above the left palm in a traditional gestureResidents informed the researchers that the missing head was once seen in a nearby canal but it has not been recovered The team plans to continue explorations in the area to trace itHistorical references link Avudaiyarkovil and its surroundings to a flourishing Buddhist presence during the Chola periodAncient literature records that Buddhist scholar Buddhamitra who composed the grammar text Vīra Chozhiyam during the reign of Chola king Vira Rajendra hailed from Ponpathi ancient Ponpatri near AvudaiyarkovilRemains of a moat and fortlike structure associated with him can still be seen todayManikandan said the discovery adds to the growing evidence of Pudukkottais Buddhist heritage and underlines the need for further archaeological exploration in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/10th-century-headless-buddha-idol-unearthed-in-tamil-nadus-pudukkottai-634550.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/all-set-for-launch-of-longest-tunnel-road-project-in-kerala-on-aug-31-official-634594.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 27 Kerala is set to mark a major milestone in its infrastructure development with the launch of the AnakkampoyilKalladiMeppadi tunnel road project on August 31 Once completed the tunnel will reduce the distance between Anakkampoyil Kozhikode distirct and Meppadi Wayanad distirct from around 50 km to just 22 km ending the longstanding hardships of commuters traveling through the ghat roadMore importantly the tunnel will provide a seamless route linking Kerala with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu significantly easing interstate travelIt is expected to emerge as a historic achievement paving the way for the comprehensive development of the highrange regionsAnnouncing this Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said the muchawaited project cleared after securing mandatory environmental approvals promises to transform connectivity in the Malabar region north Kerala including WayanadThe tunnel road implemented under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board KIIFB initiative will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 21345 crore Spanning 873 km the project includes a twin tunnel of 81 km the longest of its kind in the state said VijayanThe Konkan Railway Corporation Limited has been entrusted with executing the projectFor the construction about 33 hectares of land across Kozhikode and Wayanad districts have been earmarkedForest land has already been handed over and nearly 90 per cent of the private land required has been acquiredWork on the approach roads leading to the tunnel has already begunThe project will be executed in two packages bridges and approach roads in the first and tunnel construction in the secondThe design includes a fourlane roadway equipped with stateoftheart facilities such as tunnel ventilation fire safety systems tunnel radio and telephone connectivity sound systems escape route lighting traffic signals CCTV surveillance and emergency call systemsOriginally announced as part of the first Vijayan governments 100day action plan the project faced several hurdles before receiving clearanceWith work formally commencing this month the AnakkampoyilMeppadi tunnel road is being hailed as a landmark project that will redefine Keralas connectivity and regional growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/all-set-for-launch-of-longest-tunnel-road-project-in-kerala-on-aug-31-official-634594.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/magician-samraj-to-honour-operation-sindoor-with-the-great-missile-blast-escape-634606.html Alappuzha Aug 27 In a stirring tribute to the valor of the Indian Army during Operation Sindhoor celebrated magician Samraj is set to mesmerize audiences with a daring act titled The Great Missile Blast Escape The performance to be staged in Alappuzha on August 28 is designed as both a spectacle of illusion and a salute to the spirit of Indias soldiersSamraj told IANS that the act symbolically portrays the ordeal of a soldier captured by enemy forces and trapped inside a powerful missileIn the dramatic sequence terrorists attempt to annihilate both the missile and the captive with a massive explosion said SamrajIn a breathtaking escape the soldier embodied by Samraj breaks free defeating the enemys plotThe theme was inspired by the resilience and heroism of Indian soldiers during Operation Sindhoor which continues to serve as a powerful reminder of national courage and sacrifice added SamrajThe grand show will be staged at 7 pm at Johns Ground Mullakkal near here coinciding with the festivities surrounding the iconic Nehru Trophy Boat RaceOrganised jointly by the Kerala government the Nehru Trophy Boat Race Society the Tourism Department and the Alappuzha district administration the event is expected to draw thousands of spectatorsHe further said after its national premiere in Alappuzha the act will also be performed at select Indian Army camps across the country further strengthening its connection to the militaryThe centerpiece of the performance is a colossal missile prop 18 feet tall and 6 feet wide crafted from metal and foam sheets under the supervision of technical experts from ChennaiThis is not the first time Samraj has stunned Alappuzha audiences ahead of the Nehru TrophyIn 1997 his famous Fire Escape act captured national attentionWith The Great Missile Blast Escape he aims once again to hold audiences spellbound blending suspense patriotism and magic while paying homage to the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers through the legacy of Operation Sindoor IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/magician-samraj-to-honour-operation-sindoor-with-the-great-missile-blast-escape-634606.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/animal-welfare-groups-oppose-baby-elephants-transfer-from-uttarkhand-to-tirunelveli-temple-634611.html Chennai Aug 27 More than 50 animal protection groups across India have urged the governments of Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand to immediately halt the proposed transfer of a baby elephant from Uttarakhand to the Arulmigu Nellaiyappar Arultharum Kanthimathiamman Temple in Tirunelveli The appeal addressed to Tamil Nadus Ministers for Forests and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments and to Uttarakhands Forest Minister warns that moving a wild calf of less than two years into temple captivity would cause lifelong suffering and violate multiple laws including the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 the Captive Elephant Transfer or Transport Rules 2024 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960According to enquiries the Uttarakhand Forest Department verbally confirmed that the elephant is a wild male calf The temples earlier elephant Gandhimati died in January 2025 after years of illness including diabetes and severe arthritis from confinement Chennaibased People for Cattle India PFCI one of the signatories has offered to donate a mechanical elephant to the temple as a compassionate alternativeThey noted that elephants in captivity are often broken through violent training chained for life and suffer isolation and abuse Male elephants in particular face cruelty during musth sometimes leading to fatal attacks on handlers or devoteesIn November 2024 elephant Deivanai killed her mahout and his relative in Tiruchendur while past years have seen similar incidents in Trichy and other parts of India The groups also cited a 2021 Madras High Court order that barred temples and private entities from acquiring new elephants except for medical treatmentThey urged that the calf instead of being forced into captivity should be rewilded with expert help or relocated to a sanctuary where it can live unchained among its species Advocating modern practices the coalition highlighted that at least 20 temples in South India already use mechanical elephants 11 of which were donated by PETA IndiaIn June this year actor Trisha Krishnan and PFCI gifted one such elephant Gaja to temples in Aruppukottai The joint appeal signed by animal welfare organisations from across Tamil Nadu Kerala Karnataka Uttarakhand Delhi and other regions called on authorities to prioritise compassion and conservation over outdated practices of elephant captivity IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/animal-welfare-groups-oppose-baby-elephants-transfer-from-uttarkhand-to-tirunelveli-temple-634611.html Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/solar-energy-set-to-light-up-varanasi-cantt-railway-station-634441.html Varanasi Aug 26 Varanasi Cantt railway station is all set to go green and the whole complex will be seen lighting up with solar energy as early as by the yearend The railway authorities have taken up the task to install 2800 solar panels of 700kilowatt capacity at the Cantt railway station The facility when operational will not only save electricity but will also set a new precedent in generating clean and green energy thereby protecting the environmentThe Banaras Locomotive Works BLW recently started installing detachable solar panels between the railway tracks apparently the countrys first such exerciseSince Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the novel experiment has caught the imagination of people as well as railway officialsMany railway officials welcomed the move stating that this would cut electricity costs and also significantly aid in environmental conservationVaranasi Cantt railway station director Arpit Gupta told IANS that the project was first initiated in 2016 but then was abruptly halted due to remodelling work at the station Fresh preparations have begun to equip the railway station with solar energyIn 201617 around 1 MW of solar panels were installed at Varanasi station but during remodelling in 2023 they were removed as new platforms were being built he saidHe further stated By September 2025 the installation will be completed ensuring both environmental protection and a stable power supply With this there will be a saving of around 700 kW per day entirely from solar energyNotably solar energy generation comprises one of the major energy policy decisions of the Modi government under which not just households but commercial installations and office complexes are being encouraged to reduce dependence on conventional forms of energy and adopt solar power as a viable alternativeAccording to official estimates the Indian Railways has installed 209 MW solar plants at 2249 stations and service buildings till February 2025Currently Rajasthan is leading in solar power expansion with the highest 275 installation units among all States and UTs IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/solar-energy-set-to-light-up-varanasi-cantt-railway-station-634441.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 22:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-delta-farmers-pin-hopes-on-samba-paddy-cultivation-after-kuruvai-paddy-season-success-634203.html Chennai Aug 26 Encouraged by the success of kuruvai cultivation farmers in the Cauvery Delta have now started preparations for samba crop hoping to replicate the bumper yield as steady inflows into reservoirs and widespread rainfall create favourable conditions The annual release from Mettur Dam on June 12 enabled farmers to take up kuruvai cultivation without delay According to the agriculture department figures kuruvai was raised on 566 lakh acres surpassing the target of 532 lakh acres Adequate storage in the Mettur dam coupled with a brisk southwest monsoon has boosted farmers confidence and the kuruvai crop is already set for a prosperous yield Traditionally many farmers concentrate on samba alone while others alternate between kuruvai and thalady depending on water availability and financial conditions Officials noted that while increased acreage for kuruvai this year has slightly reduced the area available for samba thalady cultivation is expected to gain more coverage after the current season For samba the target acreage has been fixed at 307 lakh in Thanjavur 346 lakh in Tiruvarur 167 lakh in Mayiladuthurai 156 lakh in Nagapattinam and 135 lakh in Tiruchy Farmers have begun ploughing preparing nurseries and transplanting seedlings in several parts of the region Senior agricultural technocrat P Kalaivanan expressed confidence that water availability would not be an issue this year stating that the 120 TMC required for the season could be met through current Mettur storage and continued rainfall He added that completing sowing by September would help farmers avoid losses from the northeast monsoon which in turn would further supplement the water needed for the crop The Mettur reservoir has been full for the past five days and officials pointed out that in its 91 years of existence it has reached full capacity in 51 years underlining the favourable situation this season Farmers however stressed that government support was crucial to ensure they could maximise the yield AKR Ravichandar president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association said farmers dependent on river irrigation focus entirely on samba but often receive only modest returns despite months of work He appealed to the state government to announce a special samba package on par with the kuruvai scheme demanding a full subsidy for paddy seeds and a 50 per cent subsidy for fertilisers Farmers also urged authorities to monitor private fertiliser firms alleging that they are forced to buy nano fertilisers along with DAP With reservoirs brimming rains arriving on time and cultivators pushing for timely support measures hopes are high across the Delta that samba will deliver another season of prosperity IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-delta-farmers-pin-hopes-on-samba-paddy-cultivation-after-kuruvai-paddy-season-success-634203.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/traffic-suspended-on-jammu-srinagar-national-highway-634239.html Jammu Aug 26 Traffic was suspended on the JammuSrinagar national highway on Tuesday due to adverse weather triggering shooting stones in JampKs Ramban district Traffic department officials said that due to incessant rain shooting stones are hitting the JammuSrinagar highway at a number of places in Ramban districtKeeping the safety of the travellers in mind traffic on the highway has been suspended Intending travellers must find out the latest condition of the highway from Jammu or Srinagar traffic control rooms before undertaking the journey officials saidMeanwhile Incessant rain has swollen most rivers streams and seasonal waterways in JampKs Jammu division and major rivers like Tawi and Ravi are flowing above the danger mark on TuesdayOfficials said that at 915 am the Tawi River was flowing at 2497 ft while the flood level in the river is 20 ft and the evacuation level is fixed at 234 ft In Jammu city the Tawi is fast approaching the danger markIn the Kathua district the Ravi River has overflown its banks at many places resulting in inundation of lowlying areas including Bagthali Massos Pur Keerian Gandial Barni Dhanna Dhanore Karyali villages and adjoining areas Residents of these areas have been advised to remain alert and take necessary precautionsThe water Level of the Ujh River in Kathua district is also approaching the danger mark while the Basantar River in Samba district has crossed the danger markThe Ujh river was flowing close to the danger mark at Panjtirthi in the morning Officials said that water levels in the Taranah River Maggar Khad Sahar Khad Ravi River and their tributaries in Kathua district are simultaneously rising and nearing the danger mark posing a serious risk Part of the Paddar road in the Kishtwar district has been washed away near the Traith NallahThe Sinthan Top pass connecting the Valley with the Kishtwar district has been closed for trafficA flash flood has also occurred in Neeru Nallah in the Bhaderwah area of Doda district In all these affected districts various departments have been on high alert and evacuation exercises for affected people to safer locations have been startedHelplines have been set up in all these districts and local police flood and irrigation department health and emergency services are on high alertNo official connected directly or indirectly with flood protection duties can avail any leave at present in these districts unless on the basis of medical emergenciesThe Meteorological MeT Department has forecast intenseheavy to very heavy rain in the Jammu division and heavy rain in some parts of the Kashmir divisionAn advisory issued by the MeT department has forecast intenseheavy to very heavy rainthunder in the Jammu division and heavy rain in the Kashmir division on TuesdayPeople have been advised not to go close to embankments of rivers streams nallahs and stay away from landslideprone areas The District Magistrate Jammu has urged people to stay away from the Tawi River banksIn a post on X the DM wrote Citizens of Jammu are requested to stay away from Tawi River banks The water levels may reach danger mark within short period of time In case of emergency call these numbers 01912520542 01912571616 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/traffic-suspended-on-jammu-srinagar-national-highway-634239.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-to-push-self-reliance-india-on-10-day-ganesh-chaturthi-festivity-declares-holiday-tomorrow-634290.html Bhopal Aug 26 After a long hiatus the Madhya Pradesh government has not only reinstated Ganesh Chaturthi as a public holiday but also aligned it with its ongoing SelfReliance campaign and Swadeshi Push In a move blending cultural reverence with nationalist sentiment the Madhya Pradesh cabinet has declared Ganesh Chaturthi a holiday of national importanceStates Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya announced the decision citing the festivals historical relevance to Indias freedom movement and its role in fostering social awarenessThe announcement marks a shift in how the festival is officially recognised no longer just a religious occasion but a civic symbol of cultural resilienceChief Minister Mohan Yadavs administration emphasised that the 10day Ganesh festival will be used to promote selfreliance and the Swadeshi ethosGanesh Chaturthi is not merely a celebration of devotion it is a symbol of Indias cultural resilience and its fight for independence said Vijayvargiya referencing the festivals roots are not known but its in anticolonial mobilisation during the late 19th century was initiated prominent antiColonial freedom fighter Lokamanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Maharashtra in the year 1893The government plans to encourage the use of Indianmade products throughout the festivities with a special focus on cottage industries Artisans and smallscale producers will be spotlighted and citizens will be urged to choose locally crafted environmentally friendly idols decorations and offeringsWe want every home celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi to reflect the spirit of Swadeshi India the minister addedSources in the state government revealed that artificial intelligence will also play a role in amplifying the campaign From digital outreach to identifying clusters of cottage industry producers AI tools will be deployed to map promote and connect local artisans with consumers across the stateThe initiative aims to blend tradition with technology ensuring that the economic benefits of the festival reach grassroots creatorsLooking ahead the government has announced plans to launch a broader Swadeshi movement during the upcoming Navratri festivities another major cultural event in the stateThe minister also said the campaign will extend beyond symbolic gestures with policy support for indigenous production and targeted incentives for local businessesThe holiday declaration and accompanying initiatives signal a culturalpolitical strategy that seeks to root governance in heritage while using festivals as platforms for economic and ideological messaging IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-to-push-self-reliance-india-on-10-day-ganesh-chaturthi-festivity-declares-holiday-tomorrow-634290.html Tue, 26 Aug 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajasthan-201-million-year-old-fossils-found-in-jaisalmer-634148.html Jaipur Aug 25 A fossil of a phytosaur species from the Jurassic period has been discovered in Megha village of Jaisalmer Scientists estimate its age at around 201 million years making it one of the oldest fossils ever found in the country and the first phytosaur fossil from Jurassic rocks in India The skeleton was found near a pond in Megha village of Fatehgarh subdivision after which villagers informed the administration on August 21Senior groundwater scientist Dr Narayan Das Inkhaiya inspected the site and confirmed it as a Jurassicperiod fossil Later Dr VS Parihar Dean of the Institute of Earth Sciences JNVU Jodhpur verified the find and is currently leading a detailed study with his team Dr Parihar said This fossil belongs to the phytosaur species of crocodileshaped reptiles that lived during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic period older than dinosaurs Its length is about 15 to 2 meters Phytosaurs often called tree lizards were ancient reptiles that lived in dense forests near rivers By examining the spine researchers observed strong similarities to modern crocodiles The excavation site has been protected with fencing The Geological Survey of India will now carry out a full excavation and study of the fossil According to Dr InkhaiyaThis is a major discovery where a nearly complete skeleton has been found Further excavation may also reveal fossils of other creatures Jaisalmer has long been known for traces of prehistoric life Dinosaur footprints have been discovered near Thaiyat while 180millionyearold fossilised trees were found in Akal village now preserved in the Wood Fossil Park Three locations Jethwai hill Thaiyat and Lathi are even called the villages of dinosaurs because of the abundance of remains discovered there Mining in these areas once destroyed several fossils but the government has since stopped quarrying and secured the sites for protection IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajasthan-201-million-year-old-fossils-found-in-jaisalmer-634148.html Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/no-shortage-of-urea-telangana-minister-assures-farmers-633867.html Hyderabad Aug 24 Telangana Minister for Industries D Sridhar Babu has assured farmers that there will be no shortage of urea in the state He alleged that the opposition parties were trying to mislead farmers with baseless claimsThe Telangana Government stands firmly with our farmers and we assure them that there will be no shortage of urea in the State Opposition parties are trying to mislead farmers with baseless claims but the truth is simple that every step is being taken to ensure uninterrupted supply and protect their interests Sridhar Babu said in a post on X on SundayThe minister stated that during the review meeting held with senior officials the functioning of Ramagundam Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited RFCL was examined and concern that the plant had operated only 40 out of 145 days this season has been raised The RFCL and its parent company NFL have been directed to take immediate corrective measures and in the meantime ensure that at least one rake of urea is supplied daily to Telangana from other plants he saidFor us RFCL is not just an industry but a development partner in Telanganas growth Until production stabilizes the State Government will continue to closely monitor the situation and if necessary escalate the matter with the Centre Farmers can be confident that their needs will always remain our top priority said Sridhar BabuMeanwhile the state government has stepped up efforts to overcome the urea shortage It is arranging the procurement of nearly 40000 tonnes within a weekAgriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Saturday reviewed the situation with RFCL CEO Alok Singhal and NFCL Telangana sales manager K Rajesh The minister noted that Telangana was yet to receive 62473 tonnes of urea from RFCL as part of its allocation He warned that delays in supply were causing serious difficulties for farmers and could harm standing kharif cropsThe agriculture minister urged RFCL to take immediate steps to deliver the pending quota without further delay He wanted officials to ensure that at least half of the required urea is dispatched to Telangana this week either from RFCL or NFCL so that farmers cultivation activities are not disrupted IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/no-shortage-of-urea-telangana-minister-assures-farmers-633867.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/10-year-old-student-charred-to-death-in-arunachal-residential-school-fire-633884.html Itanagar Aug 24 A 10yearold student was charred to death while three others were injured in a fire at a government residential school in Arunachal Pradeshs ShiYomi district on Sunday officials said A police official in Itanagar said the incident occurred at the boys hostel of Papikrong Government Residential School between 1 am and 2 am in northern Arunachal Pradeshs ShiYomi districtThe injured students were identified as Lukhi Pujen 8 Tanu Pujen 9 and Tayi Pujen 11They are now undergoing medical treatment at Zonal General Hospital at Aalo in West Siang districtThe charred student is yet to be identified the official said adding that the hostel was completely burnt downHe said that a police and a rescue team have rushed to the remote village located 17 km from Monigong town to deal with the situation and look into the related aspects of the incidentAn investigation is underway to ascertain the cause of the fire incident in the school at Papikrong village which is located just before the last Indian Army post at Tadadege village in ShiYomi district which shares borders with ChinaArunachal Pradesh Education Minister and local MLA Pasang Dorjee Sona expressed deep shock attributing the fire to a short circuitHe assured a thorough probe immediate relief and government support while offering condolences to the bereaved family and prayers for the injuredTaking to his X account the Minister said Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic fire accident at the boys hostel of Papikrong School in Shi Yomi District which occurred between 100 and 200 am due to a short circuit The incident has resulted in the untimely loss of one young student while three others have sustained injuries The hostel has been completely damaged in the fireDorjee Sona said I have instructed the District Administration and the School Administration to carry out a thorough investigation and to provide immediate support to the affected students and their families The state government will extend all necessary relief and assistance to ensure that the victims and their families receive the care they need during this difficult timeMy heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved family and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured students We stand united in grief and will do everything possible to help those affected to recover the Minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/10-year-old-student-charred-to-death-in-arunachal-residential-school-fire-633884.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ujjain-to-host-global-spiritual-tourism-conclave-on-aug-27-633921.html Bhopal Aug 24 The temple town of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh steeped in myth and devotion is preparing to host a gathering the second Global Spiritual Conclave on August 27 The conclave will welcome spiritual thinkers tourism leaders and policymakers from across the country and beyond for the Second Global Spiritual Tourism Conclave a day devoted to exploring how faith heritage and modern innovation can shape the future of travelIt will be the 2nd Global Spiritual Conclave RoohMantic organised by the PHDCCI in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Industry leaders from hospitality aviation and technology will join discussionsMadhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Spiritual Leader Gauranga Das Prabhu will participate in the conclave said a senior government officialThe event organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan YadavUnion Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will attend as chief guest while spiritual leader Gauranga Das Prabhu is set to deliver the keynote address offering a contemplative lens through which the days discussions will unfoldAmong the highlights is the unveiling of a new report titled Faith amp Flow Navigating Crowds in Indias Sacred Spaces a collaborative effort between PHDCCI and KPMGThe report promises to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of managing spiritual tourism in Indias most revered destinationsThe conclave will feature a governmentindustry roundtable chaired by the Chief Minister where infrastructure hospitality and cultural preservation will take centrestageThematic sessions will range from the economic lifeblood of temple towns to the digital transformation of spiritual experiencesTopics include the role of wellness in spiritual journeys the cultural gravity of the Jyotirlinga circuit and the evolving intersection of faith and technologyDelegates will also embark on guided visits to Shri Mahakaleshwar and Kal Bhairav temples immersing themselves in the spiritual pulse of UjjainWith support from partners like IRCTC Sri Mandir App EFactor Experiences and leading hospitality and tourism associations the conclave is more than a conference it is a reflection of Indias growing commitment to honouring its spiritual legacy while embracing the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ujjain-to-host-global-spiritual-tourism-conclave-on-aug-27-633921.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 19:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/beneficiaries-laud-pm-modi-as-pmegp-empowers-rural-entrepreneurs-in-neemuch-633947.html New Delhi Aug 24 Beneficiaries of the Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme PMEGP in Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch have lauded PM Narendra Modi for empowering rural entrepreneurs and reviving traditional crafts that were once on the verge of extinction The scheme has not only enabled villagers to become selfreliant but has also opened doors to global markets One such inspiring example is Kiran Jariya a resident of Tarapur Umeedpura village in Neemuch district who received a loan of Rs 14 lakh under PMEGP to expand her venture Geeta HandprintsShe has successfully taken her familys 400yearold heritage of Nandna prints Dabu and Indigo hand block prints to both domestic and international markets Today her handcrafted fabrics are being sold online across India and abroadSpeaking to IANS Kiran expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister Our hand block print work including Nandna Dabu and Indigo is now getting recognition abroadThis is our centuriesold heritage that had almost vanished but thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheme it is flourishing again PMEGP has given us financial support and the confidence to expand Our business has grown our family is secure and our products are now sold worldwide For this I thank PM Modi from the bottom of my heart she saidAnother beneficiary Vanbari Jariya also credited PMEGP for transforming their livelihoodWe availed a loan in 201920 under this scheme along with a subsidy Since then our work has grown remarkably This scheme is a blessing for small entrepreneurs like us Our handprinted fabrics made with 100 per cent natural dyes are receiving many foreign orders Because of this work more people in the village are also getting employment We are grateful to PM Modi for such a visionary programme he notedThe success story of the Jariya family underscores how PMEGP is creating sustainable selfemployment opportunities in rural India while preserving traditional craftsIt reflects the larger vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat where entrepreneurship heritage and modern markets come together IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/beneficiaries-laud-pm-modi-as-pmegp-empowers-rural-entrepreneurs-in-neemuch-633947.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/banaras-locomotive-works-installs-solar-panels-on-tracks-focuses-on-green-energy-633830.html New Delhi Aug 23 In a significant step towards sustainable rail operations Banaras Locomotive Works BLW has become the first unit in Indian Railways to install solar panels between operational railway tracks The innovation described as a milestone in the national transporters renewable energy mission highlights BLWs growing focus on green energy and environmental conservationBLW General Manager Naresh Pal Singh said the project is part of the units broader plan to reduce dependence on conventional energyWe generate 45 megawatt of solar energy which meets nearly 20 percent of our power requirement Solar panels have been installed not only on rooftops but also innovatively on tracks he saidThe Varanasibased production unit which manufactures both diesel and electric locomotives has steadily shifted focus since the governments policy decision on 100 per cent electrificationToday most of the diesel locomotives we build are meant for exports or nonrailway customers So far BLW has exported 174 locomotives and supplied 641 units to nonrailway clients Singh saidIn total the unit has produced over 10800 locomotives including 8300 diesel modelsJust last month BLW flagged off its 2500th electric locomotive Looking ahead the unit is preparing to manufacture the new generation of Amrit Bharat locomotives24 units this year and 48 next year Singh added that BLW is expanding into allied services such as diesel loco servicing and wheel servicing to strengthen its profitabilityOn the environmental front BLW is already a zerodischarge unit Water is treated and reused while rainwater harvesting systems ensure longterm conservation Nearly 40 percent of the premises is forested area with 15 lakh trees planted This year we will add 5000 more trees Singh saidThe combination of solar expansion water conservation and afforestation makes BLW a leading example of how Indian Railways is aligning industrial growth with sustainability goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/banaras-locomotive-works-installs-solar-panels-on-tracks-focuses-on-green-energy-633830.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rainfall-in-jampk-jammu-records-1904-mm-in-24-hours-flood-alert-in-samba-633852.html Jammu Aug 24 Jammu city recorded 1904 mm rainfall during the last 24 hours as authorities declared a flood alert on Sunday in Samba district after the Basantar Nallah crossed the danger level Heavy downpour continued in Jammu city during the last 24 hours recording 1904 mm of rainfall during this periodAuthorities have declared a flood alert in different parts of the Samba district after heavy rainfall led to a sharp rise in the water level of the Basantar Nallah this morningOfficials said that at 8 am the water level in the allah touched six feet breaching the evacuation markThe prescribed alert level for the stream is four feet while the danger level is set at 45 feet and the evacuation level at six feetPeople living in lowlying areas and near river banks have been cautioned against venturing close to the water The administration has advised residents to remain alert and follow safety advisories in order to avoid any untoward incidentsContinuous rainfall in the region has added to the concern and the district authorities are monitoring the situation closelyRelief and rescue teams have been kept on standby in case the water level rises furtherJammu city recorded 1904 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 830 am SundayMeanwhile the JampK disaster management authority has said that heavy rain is most likely to occur at many places over Anantnag Kulgam Doda Jammu Kathua Samba Kishtwar Reasi Ramban Rajouri Poonch and Udhampur districts of the union territory in the next 48 hoursThere is a possibility of cloudburstsflashfloodslandslides in Jammu Division Stay Alert Dial 112 for emergency the statement saidThe Meteorological MeT Department has said the forecast is generally light to moderate rainfall in most places and heavy rainfall in a few places in Jammu Reasi Samba Kathua Udhampur and Rajouri districts till August 26The MeT has advised people to stay away from river banks and Kaccha structures IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rainfall-in-jampk-jammu-records-1904-mm-in-24-hours-flood-alert-in-samba-633852.html Sun, 24 Aug 2025 10:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/complaint-filed-against-social-media-influencer-for-protocol-breach-during-reel-shoot-in-kerala-temple-633717.html Thrissur Kerala Aug 23 The temple authorities in Kerala on Saturday filed a formal police complaint against former Bigg Boss Malayalam contestant and social media influencer Jasmin Jaffar for allegedly violating temple protocol by filming a reel at the sacred temple pond The authorities of the famous Guruvayoor temple in north Kerala have lodged a complaint with the police against Jasmin Jaffar accusing her of filming and posting on Instagram a video of herself washing her feet at the temple pond an act forbidden within the sanctified grounds according to a local media reportThe temple authorities clarified that filming videos or reels at the temple pond is strictly forbidden without prior permissionThe area known as Rudratheertham holds immense religious significance as the location for the ritual bathing of the deity of Lord Krishna during the temple festivalsThe sanctity of this space must be maintained at all times the report said quoting a senior Devaswom official adding that photography and videography are banned to ensure decorumOfficials noted the complaint was formally submitted by the Devaswom administrator citing a growing trend of social media influencers using religious sites for content creation without respecting established protocolsThis incident follows previous controversies where individuals were reprimanded for filming inside the temple including a case where the Kerala High Court explicitly banned videography by vloggers in the temples forecourtIn April this year a case was registered against a singer Aloshi Adams and members of a temple advisory committee for singing revolutionary songs glorifying the ruling Communist Party of IndiaMarxist during a temple festival in KollamThe controversy arose during the Kadakkal Temple festival in Kollam on March 10 when the singer performed revolutionary songs including one about the late CPIM worker Puthukudi Pushpan a victim of the 1994 Koothuparamba police firing in Kannur district of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/complaint-filed-against-social-media-influencer-for-protocol-breach-during-reel-shoot-in-kerala-temple-633717.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 13:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-world-famous-gotmar-mela-opens-with-devotion-25-injured-in-stone-battle-633726.html Pandhurna Aug 23 As many as 25 people are reported to have been injured so far in the worldfamous stonebattle fair or Gotmar Mela in Pandhurna district of Madhya Pradesh The centuriesold spectacle began around 6 am on Saturday at the confluence of Pandhurna and Sawargaon on the banks of the Jam RiverAs tradition dictates thousands gathered to witness and partake in the ritualistic stonepelting battle known as Gotmar a practice that defies modern sensibilities yet continues to thrive with fervent devotionSpeaking to IANS Superintendent of Police SS Kanesh said So far 2225 people have been injured since morning when it started It will continue till late eveningHeld annually on the second day of the Pola festival new Moon day the Gotmar Mela is not merely a fair but a visceral reenactment of a legend soaked in blood and memoryAccording to local lore the tradition began after a tragic love story between a Pandhurna youth and a Sawargaon girl ended in fatal violence Their attempt to elope was thwarted midriver by villagers hurling stones a moment that birthed a ritual now woven into the cultural fabric of the regionThis year the fair saw heightened security and medical preparedness A force of 600 police personnel from Chhindwara Betul Seoni Narsinghpur and Pandhurna was deployed operating across 47 designated points using GPSbased coordination Drone surveillance and CCTV cameras monitored the crowd while 11 blockades and continuous patrolling aimed to contain the chaos Even the Bhopal and Jabalpur zones have provided additional force As many as 10 medical camps are operational with 16 ambulances and a medical team of 300 personnel including 45 doctors the senior police officer saidEach year medical teams remain on high alert and ready for emergency evacuations Ointments and first aid are distributed as injuries mount throughout the day All day Pandhurna and Sawargaon players clash with chants and drumbeats hurling stones to push each other back Between 3 and 4 pm excitement peaks as players charge toward the flag with axes Sawargaon retaliates fiercely forcing Pandhurna to retreatBy evening Pandhurna regains ground breaks the flag shouting Chandi Mata ki Jai and both sides cease hostilities If the flag remains intact the administration halts Gotmar Mela by mutual agreement at 630 pmThe mela often comes to a culmination at around 89 pm these days said a police officerDespite the inherent violence the event remains deeply spiritual Devotees first offer prayers at the temple of Goddess Chandika the fairs presiding deity before engaging in GotmarThe ritual begins with the planting of a Palash tree adorned with red cloth garlands and offerings in the middle of the Jam River symbolising the battlegroundAttempts to reform the tradition have met resistance In 2001 authorities tried replacing stones with plastic balls but locals rejected it resuming stonepelting with renewed intensityThe ritual though controversial continues to draw crowds from across the region and beyond a testament to the enduring grip of tradition over timeAs the sun sets over Pandhurna the river runs red once more not just with blood but with the unyielding pulse of a community bound by myth memory and devotion IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-world-famous-gotmar-mela-opens-with-devotion-25-injured-in-stone-battle-633726.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ahead-of-onam-mona-lisa-gets-malayali-makeover-on-kerala-tourism-depts-social-media-accounts-633798.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 23 As Kerala prepares for the Onam festivities Leonardo da Vincis celebrated Mona Lisa has appeared in an allnew avatar on Kerala Tourisms social media accounts dressed in a traditional Malayali outfit The new image shows the woman of the Renaissance masterpiece draped in Keralas iconic offwhite kasavu saree her hair adorned with jasmine flowersApart from the cultural makeover the figure retains the familiar features of the original most notably the mysterious smile that has captivated the world for centuriesThe campaign captioned Kerala Tourism Timeless Graceful Iconic is part of the departments Onam promotions inviting visitors to experience the states grandest festivalThis year the celebrations begin on August 26 and will conclude on September 5 with Thiruvonam the most significant day of the harvest festivalThe artificial intelligencegenerated artwork has already become a social media sensation attracting thousands of reactions shares and comments across microblogging platformsMany praised the innovative idea applauding the way it blends Keralas cultural heritage with a globally recognised symbol of artThe timing of the campaign also recalls a historical episode as on August 21 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris sparking worldwide shock until it was recovered two years laterTourism officials hinted that the campaigns timing was deliberate drawing attention both to art history and Keralas festive charmKerala has witnessed a steady surge in domestic and international tourist arrivals in recent years aided by imaginative marketing and strong digital outreachBy presenting Kerala through global cultural references officials aim to enhance the states position as one of the worlds premier allseason experiential tourism destinationsAs Onam ushers in a season of joy and hospitality the Malayali Mona Lisa has become a graceful symbol of welcome an invitation to discover Kerala at its festive best IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ahead-of-onam-mona-lisa-gets-malayali-makeover-on-kerala-tourism-depts-social-media-accounts-633798.html Sat, 23 Aug 2025 20:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/no-more-leaky-roof-latur-family-finds-hope-under-pm-awas-yojana-633430.html Latur Maharashtra Aug 21 For Gayatri Ghodke a resident of Ausa town in Maharashtras Latur district having a permanent roof over her head once seemed like a distant dream Struggling with a dilapidated house that leaked during monsoons and offered little comfort or safety her family lived each day in uncertainty But that changed when she became a beneficiary of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana PMAY the governments flagship affordable housing scheme aimed at providing housing for allSpeaking to IANS Gayatri shared how the scheme transformed their lives Earlier our house was in a very bad condition During rains we used to face water leakage and damp walls We couldnt sleep peacefully But now thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and this scheme we have a good house Theres no leakage no fear Life has truly changed for the betterShe added that the new house not only improved their physical living conditions but also brought mental peace and a renewed sense of pride and dignity Now when guests visit we dont feel ashamed We are proud to say this is our own house Gayatri said with a smile with other family members standing near her with the smiles on their facesHer story mirrors the experience of thousands of families across India who have found hope and stability through PMAY In Latur district alone several lowincome households have received assistance under the scheme allowing them to move from temporary or unsafe shelters to solid wellbuilt homesAs Gayatris family settles into their new home she says their focus is now on giving family a better future one that begins with a secure and dignified place to live A house is not just four walls she says Its a foundation for dreams IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/no-more-leaky-roof-latur-family-finds-hope-under-pm-awas-yojana-633430.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rainfall-alert-in-several-mp-districts-633492.html Bhopal Aug 22 A widespread monsoon surge has gripped Madhya Pradesh bringing intense rainfall thunderstorms and lightning across nearly every corner of the state The Bhopal Centre of the India Meteorological Department has flagged several districts for very heavy rainfall with Dhar Ujjain and Sheopur expected to bear the brunt These regions are likely to see torrential downpours accompanied by frequent lightning strikes and gusty winds posing risks of waterlogging and localised floodingHeavy rainfall is also forecast for Rajgarh Alirajpur Jhabua Indore Ratlam Dewas Shajapur Agar Mandsaur Neemuch Guna Ashoknagar Shivpuri Gwalior Datia Bhind Morena Singrauli Anuppur Dindori Mandla and Balaghat These districts may experience intense spells of rain interspersed with thunder and lightning especially during the afternoon and evening hoursMadhya Pradesh remains under the grip of relentless monsoon activity as three major rain systems continue to dominate the regions weather patternOn Friday an orange alert has been issued for Sheopur Neemuch and Mandsaur where very heavy rainfall is expected to reach up to 85 inches within 24 hoursA yellow alert has also been sounded for several other districts including Gwalior Morena Bhind Datia Niwari Shivpuri Guna Ashoknagar Rajgarh Ratlam AgarMalwa Anuppur Dindori Mandla and Balaghat all of which are likely to receive substantial showersLight rain is forecast to persist across the remaining parts of the stateOn Thursday rainfall was recorded in 26 districts including Bhopal and similar conditions are expected to prevail over the next four days keeping much of the state soaked and on alertMeanwhile a broader swath of the state including Bhopal Vidisha Raisen Sehore Narmadapuram Betul Harda Burhanpur Khandwa Khargone Barwani Sidhi Rewa Mauganj Satna Shahdol Umaria Katni Jabalpur Narsinghpur Chhindwara Seoni Panna Damoh Sagar Chhatarpur Tikamgarh Niwari Maihar and Pandhurna is expected to see scattered thunderstorms and lightning activityRainfall in these areas may range from light drizzles to moderate showers with occasional bursts of thunderThe meteorological dynamics behind this surge are complex and active The monsoon trough currently stretches from Jaisalmer through Kota Datia Sidhi Ranchi and Bankura extending southeastward into the Bay of BengalThis trough is situated about 15 kilometres above mean sea level and is fuelling widespread instability An offshore trough along the GujaratMaharashtra coast continues to feed moisture into the system while upper air cyclonic circulations over northwest Madhya Pradesh north Odisha Gangetic West Bengal and the Kutch region are intensifying the rainfall patternA persistent shear zone along latitude 24 degrees N is further enhancing vertical wind shear contributing to thunderstorm developmentWith most districts under active weather alerts residents are advised to remain indoors during lightning activity avoid travel through flooded roads and stay tuned to official updates The current conditions are expected to persist for the next few days with rainfall intensity varying across regions but remaining widespread IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rainfall-alert-in-several-mp-districts-633492.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/booker-awardee-banu-mushtaq-to-inaugurate-dussehra-celebrations-at-mysuru-633584.html Bengaluru Aug 22 The Karnataka government on Friday announced that Booker Prize winner writer and activist Banu Mushtaq will inaugurate the worldfamous Dussehra festivities in Mysuru this year Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made the announcement at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on FridayCM Siddaramaiah said Banu Musthaq a writer from Hassan in Karnataka will inaugurate the worldfamous Dasara Mahotsav this year The festivities will begin on September 22 and Vijaya Dashami will be observed on the 11th day on October 2He further added Banu Mushtaqs literary work Hrudaya Deepa won the Booker Prize It is a matter of pride and joy for us that a woman writer from Karnataka has received this honour Banu Mushtaq was associated with farmers organisations Kannada agitations and progressive movements It is significant that a woman has been invited to inaugurate DasaraI have personally spoken to her The Dasara festivities will commence on September 22 and continue for 11 days in accordance with tradition Our district administration will extend a formal invitation to Banu Mushtaq with full honours the Chief Minister saidHe also stated An air show has been permitted by the Defence Minister I had written to Rajnath Singh and invited him as wellWhen asked whether he would be going to Bihar for campaigning CM Siddaramaiah replied Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has launched a 16day Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar against voter fraud covering 1300 kilometres I will also join the padyatra on the 29th of this month for one day to extend my best wishes to Rahul GandhiNotably Banu Mushtaq won the prestigious International Booker prize for the short story anthology Heart LampHeart Lamp consisting of 12 short stories written over three decades from 1990 to 2023 captures the daily lives of Muslim women in southern India IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/booker-awardee-banu-mushtaq-to-inaugurate-dussehra-celebrations-at-mysuru-633584.html Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/powered-by-pm-scheme-saharsa-women-lead-a-homegrown-food-enterprise-633218.html Saharsa Bihar Aug 20 They say when positive thinking meets hard work success becomes inevitable In a heartening tale of innovation rooted in tradition Basanti Kumari and her motherinlaw Lalita Devi residents of Ward 24 Patuaha under Saharsa Municipal Corporation have transformed a humble household skill into a thriving small businessmaking traditional bari What began as a family tradition has now become a fullfledged enterprise generating a monthly turnover of approximately Rs 15 lakh The duos success has been significantly boosted under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises PMFME scheme through which they received Rs 10 lakh financial support to expand their operationsBasanti told IANS that her husband Ratnesh Jaiswal a food technologist working with an NGO in Hyderabad has also played a crucial advisory role in shaping their business His technical insights combined with Lalita Devis decadesold experience in making traditional bari helped lay a solid foundation for the ventureLalita Devi had been making and selling homemade bariprepared from urad dal peas and moong dalbetween 1980 and 2023 But it was in October 2024 with Basanti joining in that the business was formalised and diversifiedToday they manufacture 12 different varieties of bari including Masoor Bari Urad Bari Matar Bari Chana Bari Moong Bari Mixed Dal Bari Chana Garam Masala Mix Bari Masoor Garam Masala Mix Bari Urad Garam Masala Mix Bari Beetroot Mix Bari Ginger Mix Bari and Carrot Mix BariTheir products now reach markets not just in Bihar but as far as South India making the duo proud symbols of rural entrepreneurshipMore than just a family business their enterprise is creating opportunities for others too Basanti and Lalita have employed six local women who earn daily wages by assisting in the production process On average the unit processes about 50 kilograms of raw materials daily resulting in a daily turnover of around Rs 5000A key innovation in their production process has been the construction of a sundrying facility Suryakund in their backyard built at a cost of Rs 5 lakh The structure ensures hygienic drying conditions free from dust flies and interference from animals or birdssomething that adds a layer of quality assurance to their productsBasanti Kumari and Lalita Devis journey is more than just a business success storyits a model of womens empowerment intergenerational collaboration and selfrelianceFrom a kitchen corner to building a brand this motherinlaw and daughterinlaw team is proving that traditional knowledge when blended with modern thinking and government support can lead to sustainable livelihoods Their initiative is now seen as an inspiring example for rural women aiming to become financially independent and selfemployed IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/powered-by-pm-scheme-saharsa-women-lead-a-homegrown-food-enterprise-633218.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-govt-releases-over-4300-acres-in-landmark-land-acquisition-resolution-633237.html Chennai Aug 21 In a major breakthrough to end a fourdecadelong land acquisition deadlock the Tamil Nadu government has released 439644 acres of land offering relief to thousands of homeowners Another 743 acres are in the process of being freed Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthuswamy said in a statement released by his office on ThursdayThe dispute dates back to the 1980s when the Tamil Nadu Housing Board TNHB initiated steps to acquire nearly 10075 acres for housing projects However the process was left incomplete leaving vast tracts of land in legal limbo This prevented both the Housing Board and the original landowners from exercising their rights Over time portions of the land were sold to third parties adding layers of legal and administrative complicationsMuthusamy in the statement said that repeated petitions and reviews had failed to resolve the stalemate It was only after Chief Minister MK Stalin directed officials to adopt a uniform and transparent approach that progress was madeActing on his instructions TNHB and other departments classified the disputed lands into five categories along with a separate segment for plots already recorded in government registersAccording to the minister lands falling under the first two categories where only preliminary notices had been issued but no further steps were taken have now been releasedThis move protects thousands of innocent homeowners from legal battles and possible demolition of houses built over the yearsThe third and fourth categories which involve more complex cases remain under scrutiny by a committee of two retired officials The committee is tasked with reviewing court orders government notifications and TNHB records and is expected to submit its recommendations by NovemberThe fifth category includes lands fully acquired and partially developed by the TNHB which remain under the Boards controlThe Chief Minister has also emphasised that while providing relief to residents the government must safeguard financial interests This means ensuring that acquisition costs and accrued interest are recovered though obligations will be structured in a way that remains affordable for current ownersTo enhance transparency and ensure fairness complaint boxes have been placed in 16 locations across the state enabling affected individuals to submit applications and grievances directlyMinister Muthuswamy said the governments intervention marks a decisive step in settling an issue that has caused hardship for thousands of families for more than 40 years IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-govt-releases-over-4300-acres-in-landmark-land-acquisition-resolution-633237.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-conduct-statewide-survey-to-build-database-on-migrant-labourers-633253.html Chennai Aug 21 The Tamil Nadu government has floated a tender to carry out a comprehensive statewide survey of interstate migrant ISM workers in a bid to build a reliable and updated database of this workforce The initiative will supplement the ongoing enrolment drive undertaken by the state labour department through its online registration portal So far officials have managed to compile a sectorwise database of 1251 lakh workers a process that took nearly five years due to difficulties in reaching ISMs across all 38 districtsTo accelerate the process the department has decided to engage private agencies and institutions to complete the exercise within a shorter timeframeA senior bureaucrat said the absence of accurate and complete data had hampered the governments ability to effectively deliver welfare measures to ISMsMigrant workers themselves were also unaware of several social security schemes available to them The survey will bridge the gap between the existing portal enrolments and the actual numbers which will help us design better policies and monitor the mobility of this workforce the official explainedAccording to data available with the labour department 1217229 workers have been registered so farMigrants from Odisha form the largest group at 289 lakh followed by Bihar with 251 lakh Workers from Uttar Pradesh Jharkhand and West Bengal also make up significant portions of the workforceSectors such as manufacturing construction and textiles account for the highest employment of ISMs In Tiruppur district alone more than 122 lakh migrant workers are engaged in garment and textile manufacturing In Kancheepuram Coimbatore and Chennai districts together officials have recorded over 222 lakh workers across industrial units and construction sitesWhile the existing data provides insights into migration patterns and labourintensive sectors officials stressed the need to cover at least 80 per cent of the ISM population to make the database truly representativeThe upcoming survey is expected to be a key step in ensuring welfare delivery and creating a sustainable framework for integrating ISMs into Tamil Nadus growth story IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-conduct-statewide-survey-to-build-database-on-migrant-labourers-633253.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 10:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pakistan-in-deep-economic-crisis-with-447-pc-population-below-poverty-line-633314.html New Delhi Aug 21 Pakistan stands at a critical juncture The convergence of poverty unemployment demographic pressure and inequality reflects a deeply rooted crisis with farreaching consequences for a country in which 447 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line according to an article in the Pakistan Observer newspaper Pakistans per capita income has stagnated and even declined in recent years reflecting deepening economic challengesAccording to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics during the fiscal year 20222023 the country recorded an 1138 per cent drop in per capita income falling from 1766 in 2022 to 1568 in 2023 This decline coincided with a sharp contraction in the overall economy which shrank by 334 billion from 375 billion to 3416 billionThe stagnation is largely attributed to persistent structural issues including political instability inflation currency depreciation and weak industrial output the article in the widely read English daily further statesCompared to regional peers Pakistans GDP per capita remains significantly lower estimated at 6950 in 2025 The economic disparity between urban and rural regions further entrenches inequality the article points outAccording to the World Banks 2025 findings nearly 447 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line based on the revised threshold of 420 per person per day for lowermiddleincome countries a staggering figure that underscores the scale of deprivationEven more alarming is that 165 per cent of the population around 398 million people live in extreme poverty earning less than 3 per day a sharp rise from previous estimates of 49 per centThe article written by Assadullah Channa points out that urban centres like Karachi Lahore and Islamabad benefit from better infrastructure diversified economies and greater access to services In contrast rural areas remain underdeveloped with limited access to clean water electricity healthcare and education Agriculture the primary livelihood in these regions suffers from low productivity and outdated practicesProvincial disparities also persist Punjab and Sindh attract more investment and development while Balochistan and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lag behind due to historical neglect weak governance This uneven distribution of resources fuels social discontent and marginalisationInflation particularly in essential commodities has become a chronic challenge in Pakistan driven by currency depreciation global market volatility and domestic inefficiencies In July 2025 annual inflation rose to 41 per cent up from 32 per cent in June marking the highest level since December 2024 The impact is most severe on food and energy pricesThe erosion of purchasing power among lowerincome groups has led to widespread hardship with many households forced to cut back on meals education and healthcare Public investment in education and health is critically low with education spending reduced by 44 per cent in the latest budget and health expenditure hovering around 1 per cent of GDP IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pakistan-in-deep-economic-crisis-with-447-pc-population-below-poverty-line-633314.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/his-inspiring-journey-will-motivate-young-minds-rajnath-singh-after-meeting-group-capt-shubhanshu-shukla--633337.html New Delhi Aug 21 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla the first Indian astronaut onboard the International Space Station ISS in New DelhinbspnbspCongratulating Group Capt Shukla on his achievement the defence minister termed it as a major milestone in Indias journey towards human spaceflightnbspHe acknowledged the astronauts contribution through the vital scientific experiment conducted in orbit and appreciated his role in advancing Indias space research and exploration capabilities and expressed confidence that his inspiring journey will motivate young minds to pursue careers in science technology and space explorationIn a post on X after the interaction the Defence Minister stated that he discussed with Gp Capt Shukla the inspiring space journey the vital experiments he undertook in orbit advances in science and technology and the road ahead with Indias pioneering Gaganyaan missionnbspDelighted to meet Group Capt Shubanshu Shukla the first Indian Astronaut on board the International Space Station We discussed his inspiring space journey the vital experiments he undertook in orbit advances in science and technology and the road ahead with Indias pioneering Gaganyaan mission His journey will inspire the young minds of India The nation is proud of its achievements he tweeted on XUnderlining the pivotal role of the Indian Air Force IAF in Indias space programme including astronaut selection training and mission support in collaboration with ISRO the minister emphasised that the professionalism and expertise of IAF personnel are vital enablers of the countrys progress towards manned space missionsnbspWith globally recognised achievements in lunar and Mars exploration India is now moving towards manned space missions and furthering it into the establishment of its own space stationnbspThe successful journey of Group Capt Shukla aboard the ISS is a significant step in that direction demonstrating the synergy between ISRO IAF and other national stakeholders in advancing the nations stature as a spacefaring nation https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/his-inspiring-journey-will-motivate-young-minds-rajnath-singh-after-meeting-group-capt-shubhanshu-shukla--633337.html Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/two-orphaned-asiatic-black-bears-released-in-assam-national-park-after-6-months-of-care-in-kaziranga-633137.html Guwahati Aug 20 Two orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs rescued from the Dissoi Reserved Forest in Jorhat were released in Dehing Patkai National Park after spending six months in care at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation CWRC in Kaziranga officials said on Wednesday The Dehing Patkai National Park spreads across Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of eastern AssamKaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that the two orphaned Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus cubs rescued from Dissoi Reserved Forest in Jorhat on February 26 2025 have successfully begun their new life with their translocation to Dehing Patkai National Park for eventual release in the wild This also marks an important milestone in Assams wildlife conservation journey she saidAccording to the KNPTR Director the cubs estimated to be between four and six weeks old at the time were spotted alone by a local youth and handed over to the NaKachari Beat Office under Jorhat Forest Division As subsequent surveys found no trace of their mother they were transferred to CWRC in Kaziranga for specialised careGhosh said that established in 2002 the CWRC in Kaziranga is a joint initiative by the Assam Forest Department the International Fund for Animal Welfare IFAW and the Wildlife Trust of India WTIThe official said that at CWRC the cubs were treated for mild dehydration and nurtured in the small mammal nursery under the close supervision of Dr Bhaskar Choudhury and his team They were reared on a canine milk replacer and gradually introduced to conditions that would prepare them for survival in the wildThe rehabilitation of orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs in CWRC followed the Asiatic black bear rehabilitation protocols of the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation CBRC Pakke Tiger Reserve Arunachal PradeshThe KNPTR Director stated that the rehabilitation process focused on ensuring proper nutrition maintaining natural behaviours and minimising human imprinting to enhance their chances of successful reintegration In line with best practices a scientific survey was undertaken to determine a suitable release site While the Dissoi Reserved Forest was considered its proximity to human settlements and high disturbance made it unsuitable for bear rehabilitationA systematic evaluation based on natural cover distance from habitation prey availability and local community awareness identified Dehing Patkai National Park as the most suitable release site Offering rich vegetation abundant natural resources minimal human interference and committed support from forest staff and local communities the park emerged as the ideal new home for the cubs Ghosh pointed outAfter getting approval from Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden Assam the CWRC team successfully translocated the cubs to Dehing Patkai National Park on Sunday August 17 giving them a genuine chance to thrive in the wildGhosh said that the journey of these Asiatic black bear cubs from their rescue in Jorhat to their care at CWRC and finally to their release in Dehing Patkai National Park stands as a powerful example of what sciencedriven rehabilitation ethical wildlife management and community involvement can achieve It reflects Assams growing commitment to protecting its wildlife heritage and ensuring that even orphaned animals are given a second chance at freedom the senior Indian Forest Service IFS officer said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/two-orphaned-asiatic-black-bears-released-in-assam-national-park-after-6-months-of-care-in-kaziranga-633137.html Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cable-car-service-at-palani-lord-murugan-temple-to-resume-tomorrow-632839.html Chennai Aug 19 The muchawaited cable car service at the renowned Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple in Palani will resume operations from Wednesday after being closed for its annual maintenance According to temple authorities a trial run of the service was successfully conducted on August 18To ensure safety weights of over 250 kilograms in the form of stones were placed inside the coaches to test the mechanical and operational efficiency of the rope car systemOfficials confirmed that all systems functioned without any glitches clearing the way for the resumption of serviceThis year the cable car service was suspended from July 15 for scheduled maintenance work during which devotees were advised to use alternative options such as the traditional 693 steps leading up to the hilltop shrine or the electrically operated winch trainDespite these alternatives the absence of the cable car was particularly felt by elderly devotees and families with young children for whom the rope car offers a safe and convenient mode of reaching the templeThe Palani Murugan temple is among the most significant pilgrimage centres in Tamil Nadu attracting thousands of devotees every dayWhile many continue to prefer climbing the steps as an act of devotion the rope car service operating daily from 7 am to 8 pm has become an essential facility especially for those unable to undertake the strenuous climbTemple officials noted that the annual maintenance is a crucial safety measure ensuring the rope car system remains reliable for the heavy pilgrim traffic it handles yearroundThe periodical inspection involves not only mechanical checks but also safety enhancements which are mandatory for the continued smooth functioning of the serviceWith the resumption of the cable car on Wednesday devotees will once again be able to avail themselves of the easier and quicker passage to the hilltop shrineAuthorities expect a sharp increase in usage in the coming days particularly as festival season approaches bringing a surge of pilgrims to the templeThe rope car facility has become a symbol of convenience blending with faith ensuring that devotees of all ages and physical conditions can experience the spiritual significance of visiting the sanctum of Lord Murugan without hindrance IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cable-car-service-at-palani-lord-murugan-temple-to-resume-tomorrow-632839.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/missing-mp-lawyer-archana-tiwari-traced-her-brother-said-she-is-safe-and-sound-632866.html Bhopal Aug 19 The 12daylong mystery over the disappearance of 28yearold Archana Tiwari who went missing on August 7 while travelling from Indore to Katni by train is finally over Sources confirmed on Tuesday that she has been traced Officials said Archana had been in contact with a constable posted in Gwalior who is now being questioned Sources added that she has also spoken to her mother and shared her location and a GRP team has been dispatched to bring her backArchanas brother Divyanshu Mishra also confirmed that she is alive and safe and she has spoken to her family over the phoneGRP Superintendent Rahul Kumar Lodha had told reporters earlier that investigators had received concrete information likely to crack the caseArchana a young lawyer practicing at the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and preparing for Civil Judge examinations had left her hostel on August 7 carrying Rakshabandhan gifts for her family in Katni She boarded the IndoreBilaspur Narmada Express B3 coach that eveningHer last known call was to her aunt at 1016 pm saying the train was near Bhopal When the train reached Katni the next morning her family was waiting at the platform but Archana did not arriveHer bag was later recovered at Umaria station while her phone was last active near Rani Kamlapati station in Bhopal before briefly connecting at Itarsi The final signal was traced near the Narmada Railway Bridge in Narmadapuram which became the focal point of search operationsWitnesses had last seen her on board at Itarsi station What transpired afterwards remained unclear until Tuesdays developmentsAccording to sources a GRP team is on its way to receive Archana marking what officials called a major breakthrough in the case IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/missing-mp-lawyer-archana-tiwari-traced-her-brother-said-she-is-safe-and-sound-632866.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jharkhand-villagers-cut-cake-to-mark-two-months-of-bridge-collapse-slam-govt-apathy-632900.html Khunti Jharkhand Aug 19 In a very unusual protest villagers in Jharkhands Khunti district cut a cake on Tuesday to mark the completion of two months since a bridge over the Banai river collapsed This unique protest was held to highlight what they called the governments indifferenceThe bridge located in Palol village on the KhuntiTorpaKolebira road caved in on June 19 after heavy rains Two months later neither has reconstruction begun nor has a diversion been made This is causing serious problems for thousands of residents of the areaWe know that if we block roads or stage dharnas the government will slap cases against us So we chose this way to register our anger said a villager as locals gathered at the bridge site with a cake to celebrate what they called two months of neglectThe absence of the bridge has disrupted schoolchildrens commute delayed emergency patients from reaching hospitals cut off farmers from seeds and fertilisers and crippled local tradeFor weeks children were even forced to clamber across a makeshift ladder to reach school images of which had gone viral on social mediaPoliticians had rushed to the spot after the bridge collapse assuring a quick fix Local MLA Ram Surya Munda had even laid the foundation stone for a diversion road promising completion by July But villagers say not a shovel of earth has been moved since thenWhat has happened is only politics not a solution a villager remarkedFrustrated residents warned that if the administration does not act immediately they will themselves create a temporary pathway by filling cement bags in the riverbed so that vehicles can passFor the people of Palol the bridge collapse is no longer just an infrastructure failure it has become a symbol of promises broken and patience tested IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jharkhand-villagers-cut-cake-to-mark-two-months-of-bridge-collapse-slam-govt-apathy-632900.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-forecast-in-tn-western-ghats-chennai-to-see-isolated-showers-632744.html Chennai Aug 19 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC in Chennai in a statement said that the southwest monsoon has become active over Tamil Nadu bringing the possibility of heavy rain in the Western Ghats region over the coming days According to the forecast the Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts are expected to receive heavy rainfall while Chennai and its neighbouring areas will experience light to moderate showers in isolated places The RMC also warned of thunderstorm activity in the city during the next few days Officials noted that a lowpressure area has formed over the westcentral and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near the north Andhra Pradesh coast This system meteorologists said is likely to intensify into a depression in the coming days further strengthening rainfall activity across parts of Tamil Nadu The RMC has predicted that light to moderate rain will occur at isolated locations across Tamil Nadu Puducherry and Karaikal until August 24 The Western Ghats particularly the Nilgiris and Coimbatore are expected to see heavy downpours while interior districts may receive moderate rainfall an official said In Chennai the sky condition is expected to remain partly cloudy with intermittent spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms Residents have been advised to take precautions particularly in lowlying areas prone to waterlogging during intense spells The rainfall is likely to bring muchneeded relief to farmers in the delta and interior districts who have been awaiting consistent showers to support crop cultivation However officials also cautioned that heavy rain in hilly regions could trigger landslides urging local administrations to remain on alertFishermen along the coastal districts have been advised to exercise caution as weather conditions may deteriorate due to the developing depression in the Bay of Bengal The Meteorological Department said it is closely monitoring the systems progress and will issue updates as the situation evolves With the southwest monsoon gaining momentum Tamil Nadu is expected to see widespread rainfall activity in the coming days bringing both relief and challenges across different regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-forecast-in-tn-western-ghats-chennai-to-see-isolated-showers-632744.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/8-die-as-rain-batters-maharashtra-heavy-forecast-in-mumbai-thane-palghar-632754.html Mumbai Aug 19 At least eight people have died so far amid heavy rain and floods in various parts of Maharashtra even as the Weather Department has forecast heavy downpours on Tuesday and until August 21 Rain lashed all parts of the state on Sunday and Monday and the rain will continue with the same intensity in Mumbai for the next two days After that it will decrease on Friday The weather bureau has issued a warning of extremely heavy rain for Mumbai Thane and Palghar districts on Tuesday and has appealed to people to venture out of their homes only if necessaryIn the Nanded district at least five people have died and six are missing in the floods There is preliminary information that about 150 animals have been killed in the district Rescue teams have succeeded in saving 293 people trapped in the floods Midnight on Sunday a team of the State Disaster Response Force SDRF was deployed in the Mukhed area for rescue operations and the Army has also been called from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar One person died in Beed and three people trapped in the flood were rescued One person died after a wall collapsed in AkolaIn South Mumbai one person died after a retaining wall collapsed on him at Shimla House in the Nepean Sea Road area of Malabar Hill The accident occurred around 1130 am on Monday The deceased was identified as Satish Tirke A youth who fell into the Mithi River from the BKC bridge near the Kanakia Palace building in Bandra continues to be missing His name is Vardan Janjotar 24 The fire brigade was searching for him till late Monday nightAccording to the state governments disaster management control room and emergency operation centre rescue teams have evacuated more than 300 people to safer places According to preliminary estimates 45 lakh hectares of farmland have been damaged across the state Six to seven villages in Mukhed taluka of Nanded district are reeling under floodlike conditions due to a cloudburst A team of the Central Disaster Response Force NDRF was dispatched to Kaudgaon in Parli taluka of Beed district on MondayIn Konkan the Jagbudi Shastri and Kodavali Rivers in Ratnagiri district and the Kundalika River in Raigad district have crossed the danger levels It is estimated that two lakh hectares of crops have been damaged due to rain in Vidarbha and about 259 lakh hectares in Nanded and Beed districts of Marathwada Turmeric cotton and soybean crops have been the most affectedAs the heavy rain lashed Mumbai Thane Raigad Konkan Western Maharashtra Vidarbha and Marathwada since Sunday night Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday took stock of the situation and ordered the revenue emergency and police agencies to be on alert mode and participate in relief work Traffic jams in various parts of Mumbai were witnessed throughout Monday due to waterlogging on roads in many lowlying areas The speed of suburban trains also slowed down due to waterlogging on the tracks Students suffered a lot as school buses got stuck in the flooded streetsAccording to the state emergency operation centre Mumbai city suburbs and Thane district have been receiving heavy rainfall for the last three days The rain intensified on Monday with heavy rain starting in Mulund Bhandup Ghatkopar Kurla Sion Jogeshwari Borivali Malad Andheri Santa Cruz and Colaba areas The Colaba centre of the Meteorological Department recorded 452 mm of rainfall from 830 am to 530 pm on Monday while the Santa Cruz centre recorded 1239 mm 1014 mm of rainfall was also recorded in ThaneThe BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation declared a holiday for schools for their second session beginning after noon on Monday In the wake of the weather bureaus prediction for heavy rain the schools and colleges in Mumbai Thane and Navi Mumbai remained closed on Tuesday The government has delegated the necessary orders to the District Collectors to take a call on declaring a holiday for schools and colleges in such a situation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/8-die-as-rain-batters-maharashtra-heavy-forecast-in-mumbai-thane-palghar-632754.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 10:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mumbais-mithi-river-crosses-danger-mark-beaches-closed-amid-heavy-rain-high-tide-632811.html Mumbai Aug 19 Mithi River one of the most important rivers flowing through Mumbai has crossed the danger level following incessant rain lashing the city on Tuesday The river which has been hogging the headlines for alleged corruption in its cleaning reached 407 metres danger mark 4 metres Due to this the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC and police have issued an alert to the citizens in the surrounding settlements to remain vigilant while residents of Bhandup and Vikhroli have been moved to safer locations in light of the potential for landslidesConsidering the increasing intensity of rain the beaches in Mumbai have been closed to the general public and tourists as they have been prohibited from visiting those beaches All places in Mumbai like Juhu Beach Versova Beach Aksa Beach and Gorai Beach have been evacuated People have been advised to be alert on beaches like Marine Drive Worli Sea Face Bandra Carter Road and Madh Island BMC and police have taken due precautionary measures due to the high tides and heavy rainThe suburban services on Central Railway have been running behind schedule by 15 to 20 minutes due to waterlogging on the railway tracks between Ghatkopar Vidyavihar Kurla Sion and Matunga stations of Central Railway Local trains are running 20 to 25 minutes late due to waterlogging between Kurla Tilak Nagar and Govandi stations on the Harbour Line Local trains on the Western Railway line are running at a snails pace due to waterlogging at Mahim and Matunga RoadThe Central Railway chief public relations officer Dr Swapnil Dhanraj Nila said that as per the information available till now only around 34 stations on harbour line Kurla Chembur Tilaknagar are having some issues of waterlogging and the points on these stations have been clamped and the movement of trains is delayed on harbour line by approximately 1015 minutesOn the main line the delay is around 810 minutes but it is primarily because of reduced speed on account of reduced visibility due to the heavy rains which are reported at various locations from Karjat to Kalyan Kasara to Kalyan as well as Kalyan to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus he addedHe further stated During evening peak time when the high tide time also coincides around 630 pm additional manpower specifically engineering have been deployed at various locations previously prone to waterlogging and they have been equipped with an adequate amount of water removing materials and the motors of high capacity pumps have been provided at multiple locations The CR administration has clarified that the rail traffic will be normal after the water level recedesThe Western Railway in its post on X said We wont stop we wont pauseThe speed of local trains continuesIn recent days Mumbai has been affected by continuous rain However WRs trains as always are taking people to their destinations Even in every situation our controllers are making the right decisions to ensure that Mumbai locals dont stop always keep running in every situationLong queues of vehicles have formed on Eastern Express Highway Eastern Freeway and Western Express HighwayMeanwhile Mumbai suburban district coguardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani jointly visited the BMCs Disaster Management Control Room and monitored the situation arising due to heavy rain and waterlogging IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mumbais-mithi-river-crosses-danger-mark-beaches-closed-amid-heavy-rain-high-tide-632811.html Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-in-7-karnataka-districts-holiday-declared-for-schools-632576.html Bengaluru Aug 18 The administrations of seven districts in Karnataka declared a holiday on Monday for schools and colleges in various taluks following heavy and incessant rain The precautionary measures were taken in Mangaluru Udupi Karwar Chikkamagaluru Hassan Madikeri and Davanagere districtsThe rain has been lashing coastal Karnataka and the hilly regions of the state disrupting normal life The parched lands of north Karnataka are also receiving heavy rainfall Meanwhile the weather in Bengaluru resembled that of a hill station as the week began with drizzle and cold conditionsIn Mangaluru Deputy Commissioner HV Darshan declared a holiday for primary and higher primary schools across the district following predictions of heavy rain In Karwar district schools and preuniversity colleges Classes 11 and 12 have been ordered to remain shut across Karwar Ankola Kumta Sirsi Honnavar Bhatkal Siddapura Yellapur Dandeli Joida and Haliyala taluks Similar measures have been taken in the Udupi districtThe Shivamogga district administration has also announced holidays for schools and colleges In Hassan district holidays have been declared for Anganwadi preschools primary and high schools in Sakaleshapura Beluru and parts of Alur taluk A landslide has been reported on Kadagaravalli Road and vehicle movement on the stretch has been stopped as a precautionIn Madikeri Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja declared holidays for schools and colleges in the district due to predictions of heavy rain and rough weather An orange alert has been issued to initiate precautionary measures The inflow into the Harangi reservoir has increased and 8000 cusecs of water have been released from the damAuthorities in Chikkamagaluru district have also declared holidays for schools and colleges in Chikkamagaluru Mudigere Kalasa Sringeri Koppa and NR Pura taluks The Tunga Bhadra River is overflowing and in Sringeri taluk it has crossed the danger markHeavy rain is also lashing Davanagere district where the authorities have declared holidays for schools in many taluks North Karnataka districts too are witnessing heavy rainfall with reports of crop loss emerging IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-in-7-karnataka-districts-holiday-declared-for-schools-632576.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/once-waste-now-gold-demand-drives-coconut-shell-prices-to-record-high-in-kerala-632585.html Kottayam Aug 18 Once discarded as waste coconut shells in Kerala have turned into a lucrative commodity with prices hitting record highs on the back of rising industrial demand from other states and even overseas The price of coconut shells has seen a significant jump rising to a record high of up to Rs 35 per kg in some parts of Kerala in the past few monthsInterestingly a year ago coconuts in the state were sold for Rs 3040 a kg now Rs 8090 while today their shells are fetching up to Rs 35 a kg in many parts of KeralaThe price escalated from Rs 5 per kg at the beginning of this year creating a lucrative market for coconut traders and farmersTraders involved in the trade have confirmed that the price surge is a result of high demand from both domestic and foreign marketsSubair a trader in southern Keralas Kollam city said that he is selling the coconut shells to traders from Tamil Nadu who in turn export to China and Taiwan adding that its prices touched Rs 33 in KollamAccording to him the shells are used to produce activated carbon for water purification cosmetics and various industrial applicationsMurugan a trader in Erattupetta of Kottayam district said that the jump in the price of coconut shells up to Rs 35 a kg made it a highvalue productMurugan says he collects the shells locally and has been selling them to the traders in Tamil Nadu and KarnatakaHouseholds in Kerala have also begun storing coconut shells to sell them to local traders at higher rates after the recent surge in their pricesThe sudden rise in value has made the coconut shell a gold price commodity with the smallscale entrepreneurs now engaging in onlinebased collection businessesThe sudden rise in the prices of coconuts and coconut oil both essential in the daily life of Keralites has upset the household budget across the stateIn the state a kg of coconut costs around Rs 8090 while coconut oil is priced at Rs 400500 per kgWith the Onam festival approaching the price surge has turned into a major political issue prompting the government to announce subsidised sales of coconut oil to provide some relief to consumers IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/once-waste-now-gold-demand-drives-coconut-shell-prices-to-record-high-in-kerala-632585.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-rights-panel-takes-cognizance-of-employee-declared-dead-in-aadhaar-records-632599.html Chandigarh Aug 18 The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suomotu cognizance of a media report highlighting an incident where a serving employee of the Public Health Department a resident of Rohtak was allegedly denied his salary in the postCOVID period because his Aadhaar record shows him as deceased This is despite the fact that he is alive and continues to discharge his duties regularlyAs a result of this administrative lapse the employee has reportedly been deprived of his lawful remuneration for an extended periodUpon review the Commission observed that the Public Health Department failed to update the employees record on the HKRN portal despite being aware that the deceased status in Aadhaar was erroneousThis inaction has caused the complainant prolonged financial hardship and mental agony undermining his right to work with dignity and creating unnecessary uncertaintyThe Commission expressed concern that such errors can severely affect an individuals livelihood confidence and peace of mindThe full bench of the Commission comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia noted that such treatment appears contrary to Article 7 of the United Nations International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights ICESCR which recognises the right to just and favourable conditions of work including remuneration ensuring a decent living for workers and their familiesThe nonpayment of wages for work performed constitutes a violation of the employees human rights particularly the right to livelihood and dignity as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and reaffirmed in international human rights instrumentsThe departments inaction amounts to an arbitrary deprivation of earnings impairing the complainants ability to support himself and his familyReflecting on the situation the Commission recalled a sentiment from Shakespeares famous play Julius Caesar that sometimes the dead may exert greater influence than the livingHowever the Commission observed that the present case revealed a stark inversion of that idea a man undeniably alive diligently performing his duties is being officially treated as deceased This erroneous classification not only deprived him of his rightful wages but also subjected him to indignity and unnecessary hardshipIgnoring the service of a living employee in such a manner is an administrative failure that the Commission cannot overlookFinding prima facie evidence of administrative negligence and violation of the complainants rights the Commission directed immediate action to restore the employees salary correct all records and ensure that no employee faces such an anomalous and unjust situation in the futureThe Commission has called for a report on the necessary corrections to the Aadhaar record of the complainant from the Additional Deputy Commissioner Rohtak and the Commissioner and Secretary Citizen Resources Information Department CRID before the next hearing on September 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-rights-panel-takes-cognizance-of-employee-declared-dead-in-aadhaar-records-632599.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/from-panchgavya-to-biogas-ups-new-drive-for-sustainable-rural-development--632407.html Lucknow Aug 17 In a major initiative to boost Uttar Pradeshs rural economy the state Gau Seva Commission has joined hands with Patanjali Yogpeeth to promote cow protection Panchgavya products natural farming and biogas expansion across the state The Gau Seva Commission has inked a partnership with Patanjali Yogpeeth following discussions between Commission Chairman Shyam Bihari Gupta and Patanjali CoFounder Acharya BalkrishnaThe unique move is in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths vision and seeks to take forward his belief that the cow will form a key component of any villages progressTo advance this vision Patanjali Yogpeeth has pledged full technical support to the states initiativesUnder this partnership cow shelters will no longer remain just centres of conservation but will be transformed into hubs of rural industry driving the production of Panchgavya products and biogas Baba Ramdev is also expected to visit Uttar Pradesh soon to meet CM Yogi Adityanath and finalise the roadmapAccording to Dr Anurag Srivastava OSD of the Gau Seva Commission two to 10 cow shelters in each of the 75 districts will be developed as large model centres Open sheds fencing and security arrangements will be created in cow sanctuaries to ensure the free movement of cowsThis initiative will also unlock largescale rural employment with villagers actively participating in cow urine collection and product sales under a 50 per cent commission model Patanjali Yogpeeth will further support the programme through training quality control formulation certification and licensingIn addition advanced technologies such as geofencing cow tagging photo mapping and fodder inventory tracking will be introduced in cow shelters Natural inputs like neem cow urine and vermicompost will also be supplied to every village helping farmers reduce costs improve soil fertility and strengthen environmental sustainability IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/from-panchgavya-to-biogas-ups-new-drive-for-sustainable-rural-development--632407.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-electrocuted-to-death-during-rath-yatra-in-hyderabad-632496.html Hyderabad Aug 18 At least five people were electrocuted to death and four others were injured when a Rath taken out as part of Sri Krishnashtami celebrations came in contact with an electric wire in Hyderabad The incident occurred late Sunday night at Gokulnagar in Ramanthapur when people were participating in the processionThe Rath was being carried in the hands by a group of nine persons after the vehicle on which it was being carried broke down during the procession They were thrown away due to the impact of the shockThe incident sent panic among participants in the procession The participants ran helterskelterPolice rushed to the spot and launched the rescue effortsThe victims were given first aid on the spot and subsequently shifted to a private hospital where five people were declared brought dead by doctorsThe deceased have been identified as Krishna 21 Rudra Vikas 39 Rajendra Reddy 45 Srikant Reddy 35 and Suresh Yadav 34Four others including Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddys gunman Srinivas were injured They were admitted to a hospitalAccording to police the incident occurred near Yadav Function Hall in Gokulnagar when the Rath came into contact with a hightension wire overheadThe bodies of the victims were shifted to the mortuary of the governmentrun Gandhi Hospital SecunderabadA pall of gloom descended on the area after the incident Police registered a case and took up an investigationLeaders cutting across political parties expressed grief over the tragedy They demanded that the government provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and provide the best medical treatment to those injuredMeanwhile two groups of youth clashed during Krishnashtami celebrations in the Kukatpally area in Hyderabad on Sunday nightA person suffered bleeding injuries in the clash Police suspect that old enmity between the two groups led to the clashPolice registered a case and took up further investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-electrocuted-to-death-during-rath-yatra-in-hyderabad-632496.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/strike-by-fishermen-in-tns-rameswaram-against-frequent-arrests-by-sri-lankan-navy-enters-8th-day-632499.html Chennai Aug 18 The strike by fishermen in Tamil Nadus Rameswaram against the frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy entered its eighth day on Monday The strike has caused a loss of over Rs 7 crore so far The continuing arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of crossing the maritime boundary have triggered an indefinite strike by the fishing community in RameswaramThe Sri Lankan Navy has been detaining fishermen from Tamil Nadu who according to Colombo intrude into its territorial watersThe latest incidents have intensified anger among the fishing community of Rameswaram who argue that they have traditionally depended on these waters for generations and are being unfairly targetedIn protest fishermen in Rameswaram launched a strike on August 11 suspending all fishing operations For over a week hundreds of mechanised boats have remained anchored at the shores with owners and crews determined not to resume work until their safety is assuredFishermens representatives have reiterated that unless the Centre intervenes diplomatically with Sri Lanka and secures a permanent solution they will continue their agitationThe strike has caused a severe financial setback with the local economy already reporting losses exceeding Rs 7 crore The usually busy fishing harbour known for its trade in prawns crabs and other seafood has fallen silentAuction houses ice factories and seafood exporters have all been paralysed leaving thousands of workers who depend on the fishing sector without incomeLocal leaders of fishermens unions said their demand is straightforward an end to recurring arrestsWe cannot risk our lives every time we go to sea The government must act swiftly and bring back our brothers languishing in Sri Lankan prisons a union leader saidThe crisis has also impacted dailywage workers and ancillary industries such as boat repair workshops net suppliers and transportersWith no fresh catch available local shops and seafood markets are reporting shortages hitting consumers as wellThe fishermen have warned that if the Centre and state do not take immediate steps they will be forced to intensify their agitation They are pressing for compensation from the Tamil Nadu government and a permanent diplomatic mechanism with Sri Lanka to prevent such arrests in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/strike-by-fishermen-in-tns-rameswaram-against-frequent-arrests-by-sri-lankan-navy-enters-8th-day-632499.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/a-quiet-initiative-by-pune-zilla-parishad-brings-smiles-to-single-women-632504.html Pune Aug 18 The Pune Zilla Parishad on the occasion of Independence Day launched an initiative to ensure empowerment financial independence and a rightful place in society for single women including widowed divorced separated or unmarried The initiative was kicked off when Pune Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil hoisted the national flag with four single women from rural areas Many Gram Panchayats in Pune district also gave the honour of hosting the Tricolour to women who are widowed divorced separated or unmarriedThis act was not just symbolic it was a powerful statement of dignity equality and resilience What made this Independence Day truly historic was the unanimous resolution passed at the Gram Panchayat level The oath affirms that single women will always be treated with dignity and equality and that no discrimination injustice or neglect will be tolerated It further calls for their empowerment financial independence and rightful place in society said PatilHe told IANS that the initiative was rolled out as single women form one of the most underrepresented and underserved segments in our society From economic hardships to legal vulnerabilities and social isolation the challenges they face are complex and often overlookedFor too long widowed women in our communities have been subjected to regressive practices stripped of their symbols of identity and excluded from social and religious life By resolving to end these customs Pune Zilla Parishad has taken a landmark step toward restoring dignity and ensuring equal rights he explainedAccording to Patil the initiative ensures that women who were once marginalised will now be treated with equality and respect they will retain the right to wear kumkum mangalsutra or jodvi if they choose they will be included in social and religious events and they will be connected to opportunities for empowerment and selfrelianceStanding beside these women was a profound reminder that true freedom goes beyond political sovereignty It is about creating a society where every individual especially the most vulnerable lives with honour safety and equal opportunity he saidFurther the Pune Zilla Parishad proposes to conduct an intensive sixmonth administrative drive to ensure quick and easy access to essential documents making it possible for every single woman to benefit from government schemesIt will also carry out an awareness campaign that will help bring into focus the social issues of single women and address their challenges It will provide legal and economic support through dedicated legal experts for legal guidance as well as providing lowinterest credit facilities and employment avenues that will enable women to reclaim agency over their lives and futuresIn order to strengthen the livelihoods of single women the Pune Zilla Parishad will facilitate market linkages for products crafted by single women supporting economic independence and nurturing entrepreneurship from the grassrootsSanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjayjiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/a-quiet-initiative-by-pune-zilla-parishad-brings-smiles-to-single-women-632504.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mumbai-set-to-honour-today-the-homecoming-of-raghuji-bhonsales-legendary-sword-632517.html Mumbai Aug 18 The historic sword of Shrimant Raje Raghuji Bhonsle arrived in Mumbai on Monday where it was given a grand welcome by the Government of Maharashtra at the Mumbai International Airport Later in the evening it will be ceremoniously unveiled in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisThe sword is remarkable for several reasons Most medieval Maratha weapons lacked decorative embellishment or inscriptions of their makers or owners This sword is a rare exception bearing both intricate ornamentation and the owners name The presence of its Europeanmade blade further points to the flourishing international arms trade in 18thcentury IndiaThe legendary sword of Shrimant Raje Raghuji Bhonsle was recently secured by the Government of Maharashtra through an auctionCultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar who took possession of the sword in London formally received the historic sword at the international airportThe Departments of Cultural Affairs Archaeology and Museums and the Directorate of Cultural Affairs along with PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy at 6 pm have organised the Sena Saheb Subha Parakram Darshan ceremony said the release issued by Minister Shelars officeDuring the programme the exhibition and inauguration of the historic sword of Shrimant Raje Raghuji Bhonsle will be done by Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisDeputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT and Guardian Minister of Suburban District Ashish Shelar will be presentShrimant Mudhoji Raje Bhonsle descendant of Shrimant Raje Raghuji Bhonsle will also grace the occasion with his special presence The event will also be attended by Dr Kiran Kulkarni Secretary Department of Cultural Affairs local MP Anil Desai and MLA Mahesh Sawant among othersAn exhibition showcasing the legendary sword of Shrimant Sena Saheb Subha Raghuji Raje Bhonsle brought from England along with insights into 12 heritage forts will be held from August 19 to August 25 2025 between 11 am and 7 pm at the Art Gallery of PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy Prabhadevi Mumbai The exhibition will be open to all free of costRaghuji Bhosale I 1695 14 February 1755 was the founder of the Nagpur Bhosale dynasty and a prominent commander in the Maratha Army during Chhatrapati Shahu Maharajs reignRecognised as one of the most daring Maratha commanders of the 18th century Raghuji Bhosales Nagpur kingdom was rich in iron and copper deposits used not only for manufacturing goods but also for crafting weapons The royal weaponry of the Nagpur Bhosales represented a perfect blend of craftsmanship and elegance IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mumbai-set-to-honour-today-the-homecoming-of-raghuji-bhonsales-legendary-sword-632517.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ilo-ranks-pakistan-among-worst-countries-in-gender-pay-gap-632550.html New Delhi Aug 18 The International Labour Organisation ILO has ranked Pakistan among the worst in South Asia for wage disparities between men and women confirming longstanding concerns about structural discrimination in the countrys labour market The ILOs latest Global Wage Report states that women in Pakistan earn an average of 34 per cent less than their male counterparts a pay gap significantly wider than the global average and worse than in other countries in the region including India Bangladesh Sri Lanka and NepalWhile some countries have shown gradual improvement in narrowing the divide Pakistan has made no progress with its deeply embedded socioeconomic cultural and institutional factors continuing to drive the disparityA significant portion of female employment in Pakistan is concentrated in the lowwage informal economy that includes agricultural labour domestic work and homebased manufacturing with limited protections and virtually no access to formal contracts or benefitsThe ILO report highlights that even within the formal sector women with comparable educational qualifications and job experience earn less than men across most industries including healthcare education finance and manufacturingThe gap widens further at higher professional levels suggesting a pervasive glass ceiling that limits womens upward mobility This dual economy not only skews income distribution but also distorts broader economic development as half the population is systematically undervalued and underutilised the report statesThe roots of Pakistans gender pay gap are not merely economic they are deeply cultural and institutional Traditional gender norms continue to dictate the division of labour both within households and in the workplace limiting womens participation in fulltime remunerative employment Social expectations around marriage childcare and domestic responsibilities often push women into parttime or lowflexibility jobsIn many rural and conservative areas mobility restrictions and security concerns further constrain womens access to employment opportunities These cultural limitations are reinforced by an education system that often fails to equip women with the skills required for higherpaying techdriven jobs in urban centres Moreover institutional biases in recruitment promotion and performance evaluation continue to disadvantage women in both the public and private sectorsThe ILO report notes that Pakistan has introduced some gendersensitive policies over the years including maternity leave provisions antiharassment laws and quotas for women in public sector employment However the lack of robust enforcement mechanisms coupled with the informal nature of most female employment has rendered these protections largely symbolic for a majority of working womenAccording to the ILO while South Asia as a whole struggles with gender inequality Pakistans standing is particularly dismal with the country consistently ranked near the bottom of global gender parity indexes The World Economic Forums 2025 Global Gender Gap Report has also placed Pakistan at 151st out of 156 countries ahead of only a handful of nations in terms of economic participation and opportunity for women IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ilo-ranks-pakistan-among-worst-countries-in-gender-pay-gap-632550.html Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-vishwakarma-yojana-bringing-meaningful-change-to-peoples-lives-in-mps-damoh-632372.html Damoh Madhya Pradesh Aug 17 The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana is equipping and enhancing the skills of crores of people across the country and also making them financially selfreliant In Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district a large number of beneficiaries trained under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana spoke to IANS explaining about its impact on their livesSunil Vishwakarma who received a weeklong training in bicycle repairing at Tendukheda Center said that the scheme helped him hone his skillsSunil a resident of Tendukheda Nagar Parishad in Damoh first joined this scheme and took training for 6 days Today he is planning to take a loan from the bank to expand his own shopDuring the sixday training I was told that the bank can provide collateral free loan of upto Rs 3 lakhs The first installment could be of Rs 1 lakh and the second installment would be received after 18 months I got Rs 3 lakh along with Rs 1000 rent from the sixday training he saidSundar Lal a resident of Bandipura Gram Panchayat of Tendukheda block was another person to get skills training under the schemeBased on the information received from the villagers I filled in the form of PM Vishwakarma Yojana online After a few days I came to know that my name had come in the list after which the employees working at the centre contacted me and during this sixday training I learnt welding work Earlier also I had done welding and craftsmanship work at other peoples shops he saidHe further said I want to thank PM Modi who made such a good scheme for small people Even today I work at a welding shop where I get a wage of 250 to 300 rupees but in the coming days I will have my own shopNotably the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is one of the flagship schemes under which beneficiaries are given a toolkit worth Rs 15000 and a loan without collateral of up to Rs 3 lakh to start their own businessThis Central government scheme is economically empowering people associated with different categories including blacksmith potter tailor mason and cobbler but is also motivating them for selfemployment IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-vishwakarma-yojana-bringing-meaningful-change-to-peoples-lives-in-mps-damoh-632372.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/prevention-not-just-medication-key-to-tackling-obesity-and-diabetes-jitendra-singh-632380.html New Delhi Aug 17 Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday stressed that prevention should be the main focus in tackling obesity and diabetes rather than depending only on medication He said that lifestyle changes awareness and scientifically backed information are crucial to address the growing health challenge of metabolic disorders in IndiaDr Singh who is also a renowned diabetologist and professor of medicine was speaking at the launch of the book The Weight Loss Revolution Weight Loss Drugs and How to Use Them authored by endocrinologist Dr Ambrish Mithal along with journalist Shivam VijThe Minister noted that India once known as the diabetes capital of the world is now also emerging as the obesity capital ranking third globally in childhood obesityHe warned against the unchecked spread of disinformation through unscientific diet charts and fad regimens saying diet plans must always be based on scientifically validated principlesDr Singh emphasised the importance of Indian solutions for Indian patients and pointed out that central obesity fat around the abdomen poses a more serious risk for Indians compared to Western populationsSometimes he said a simple inch tape around the waist may be more meaningful than a BMI chartHighlighting the role of lifestyle interventions Dr Singh said studies in India show that regular yoga practice can reduce the risk of type2 diabetes by up to 40 per centHe called for a holistic approach that combines lifestyle modification modern medicine and traditional practicesOn the use of new weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro Dr Singh advised caution saying clinical outcomes take years to establishHe compared it with the refined oil episode in India where hasty conclusions later proved misleadingDr Singh also reminded that with over 70 per cent of Indias population below 40 years of age the country cannot afford to let lifestyle diseases affect its youthPreventiondriven strategies he said are vital to protect the potential of the younger generationQuoting Mark Twain he remarked Economics is too serious a subject to be left to an economist and added that obesity and diabetes are too serious to be left only to doctorsUnless there is mass awareness he said optimum results in tackling these diseases will not be possibleThe Minister praised Dr Mithals book as timely and authoritative saying it will help both medical professionals and the public separate facts from misinformation in an era dominated by social media and quick fixes IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/prevention-not-just-medication-key-to-tackling-obesity-and-diabetes-jitendra-singh-632380.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 20:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rainfall-boosts-kuruvai-paddy-cultivation-in-tn-delta-districts-farmers-eye-samba-crop-632306.html Chennai Aug 17 Barring a few areas where early kuruvai paddy is ready for harvest the widespread rainfall over the past two weeks has provided a significant boost to kuruvai cultivation across the Cauvery delta districts Farmers say the showers have also created favourable conditions for the upcoming samba seasonAccording to the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department shortterm kuruvai paddy has been cultivated on 233 lakh hectares this year in Thanjavur Tiruvarur Nagapattinam Mayiladuthurai and Tiruchy This marks a 56 per cent increase compared to last yearComfortable storage levels in the Mettur dam combined with the recent rainfall have given a strong lifeline to standing kuruvai cropsFarmers note that the rainfall during the traditional Tamil month of Aadi has been timely This will help ensure a bumper harvest during the current kuruvai season said Kumaran Balaji a farmer from ThanjavoreAnother farmer R Sukumaran of Kakkarai termed the rains necessary for sustaining the crop However for those harvesting early varieties the excess moisture has created challengesDue to the wet fields machines had to be operated for three extra hours to complete the harvest which increased expenses said P Vadivelu of AmmayagaramMeanwhile several farmers who opted out of kuruvai cultivation in favour of samba are making use of both rainwater and canal water for transplantationOfficial estimates project that samba paddy will cover 123 lakh hectares in Thanjavur 138 lakh hectares in Tiruvarur and 70000 hectares in MayiladuthuraiExperts have advised farmers to adopt careful sowing practices to protect the samba crop from damage during the northeast monsoonLongterm varieties should be sown between August 15 and September 7 while mediumterm varieties can be sown throughout September This timing will help safeguard crops from heavy rainfall later in the year said P Kalaivanan of the Senior Agro Technologists ForumWith steady rainfall ample dam storage and timely guidance farmers in the delta are optimistic about both kuruvai and samba yields this year though rising operational costs remain a concern IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rainfall-boosts-kuruvai-paddy-cultivation-in-tn-delta-districts-farmers-eye-samba-crop-632306.html Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/coimbatore-corporations-motion-sensor-streetlight-pilot-project-to-save-energy-631922.html Chennai Aug 14 To reduce electricity consumption and promote ecofriendly urban lighting the Coimbatore City Corporation has begun installing motion sensor streetlights powered entirely by solar energy These lights equipped with solar panels aim to cut dependence on the electricity board while lowering carbon emissions and eliminating greenhouse gas outputUnder a pilot project 122 motion sensor streetlights have been set up at five locations with plans underway to identify sites for an additional 100 unitsOfficials believe that scaling up this initiative could significantly reduce the need for new electricity connections which involve costly deposits line charges and monthly billsA senior corporation official explained that installing regular streetlights is often a cumbersome and expensive process while solarpowered motion sensor models require only a onetime investmentThe corporation has chosen autodimming technology where lights operate at 50 per cent brightness and switch to full brightness when motion is detected within four metres of the pole Other models available in the market include total blackout variants or those activated solely by movementThe system features an automatic onoff function using either motion or dusktodawn sensors The dimming capability not only conserves energy but also extends battery life Each unit comes with a twoyear warranty and is designed for durability though officials note that the solar panels require cleaning every two months and batteries must be replaced every three to five years depending on usageCorporation Commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran acknowledged that dust accumulation on the panels remains a challenge but stressed that daily cleaning is not necessaryCurrently there is no centralised monitoring system for these lights Future plans include installing motion sensor streetlights at 42 overhead water tank locations across newly added municipal areas where obtaining new power connections would otherwise be requiredAn executive from a Keralabased manufacturer said their models can detect motion up to 10 metres away even from animals making them suitable for a range of environments He noted that commercial establishments apartment complexes and educational institutions are increasingly adopting sensorbased street lighting for cost and energy efficiencyIf the pilot proves successful the corporation expects the technology to become a key part of the citys public lighting strategy contributing to both environmental sustainability and operational savings IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/coimbatore-corporations-motion-sensor-streetlight-pilot-project-to-save-energy-631922.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sc-adjourns-hearing-on-plea-to-save-kerala-nurse-amid-ongoing-negotiations-631961.html New Delhi Aug 14 The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned for eight weeks the hearing on a plea seeking the Union governments intervention to rescue Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya from execution in Yemen A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta deferred the hearing on a writ petition filed by Save Nimisha Priya Action Council after being informed that negotiations with the victims family were currently underway and granted liberty to mention the matter in case of any urgencyIt may be recalled that the execution of Indian national Nimisha Priya initially scheduled for July 16 has been temporarily halted She was sentenced to death in Yemen for murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mehdi and remains behind bars thereIn the previous hearing the Justice Vikram Nathled Bench had asked the Centre to decide on a representation seeking permission to travel to Yemen to negotiate a pardon for the Indian citizen from the family of the victimThe Union Ministry of External Affairs MEA had earlier rejected the petitioners request to grant travel clearance to the wartorn country citing severe security risks in YemenUnder Yemens Islamic legal framework a death sentence can be negotiated with the payment of diya blood money to the victims familyNimisha Priya a nurse from Kollengode in Keralas Palakkad district had moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her dailywage labourer parentsShe worked in several hospitals and eventually decided to open her own clinic In 2017 a dispute arose between her and her Yemeni business partner Talal Abdo Mahdi after she reportedly opposed his alleged attempts to misappropriate fundsAccording to her family Nimisha allegedly injected Mahdi with sedatives to retrieve her confiscated passport Tragically an overdose led to his death She was arrested while attempting to flee the country and was convicted of murder in 2018In 2020 a trial court in Sanaa sentenced her to death and Yemens Supreme Judicial Council upheld the verdict in November 2023 though it left open the option of blood moneyThe mother of Nimishra Priya Prema Kumari 57 has been tirelessly campaigning to secure a waiver of the death penalty She has also travelled to Sanaa to negotiate the payment of blood money to the victims family Her efforts have been supported by the Save Nimisha Priya International Action Council a group of NRI social workers based in Yemen IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/sc-adjourns-hearing-on-plea-to-save-kerala-nurse-amid-ongoing-negotiations-631961.html Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/an-era-of-seva-ascends-to-heavens-pm-modi-with-kalaben-patel-in-frame-captures-nations-sentiment-631589.html New Delhi Aug 11 Born in Bardoli Gujarat a town etched in Indias freedom struggle through the Bardoli Satyagraha Dr Kalaben Dayaram Bhai Patel embodied the spirit of resistance compassion and quiet leadership Over the course of a hundred years she emerged not only as a healer and guide but as a formidable force in the social and spiritual landscape of Gujarat A trained physician and community organiser Dr Patel was best known for her role as the Protector of Gujarats Womens Wing where she championed the rights dignity and empowerment of women across rural and urban constituenciesModi Archive on Monday paid rich tribute to her sharing a photograph of the legendary figure with Prime Minister Narendra ModiWe remember Dr Kalaben Dayaram Bhai Patel 19252025 Hailing from Bardoli she devoted her life to healing guiding and serving othersleading as Protector of Gujarats Womens Wing and representing the Ram Mandir Trust with grace and dedication She passed away today leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service and spirituality Prime Minister Narendra Modi met her on many occasionshere is one such picture read a message from Modi ArchivesHer leadership was marked by a blend of Gandhian ethics and pragmatic activismmobilising women for education health awareness and civic participation often in the face of entrenched social barriersOver the years Dr Patel was personally acknowledged by Prime Minister Modi who met her on several occasions and praised her centurylong journey of service and spiritual stewardshipHer spiritual devotion found expression through her longstanding association with the Ram Mandir Trust where she served as a representative with grace and unwavering dedicationIn this role she bridged faith and service advocating for inclusive spiritual spaces and community welfare initiatives rooted in religious valuesHer presence at key religious and cultural forums lent credibility and warmth to the Trusts outreach Dr Patels legacy was recognised at the highest levels of governmentShe passed away on Monday at the age of 100 leaving behind a legacy that transcends titles To those who knew her she was a mentor a mother figure and a moral compassTo history she remains a quiet architect of changewhose life stitched together the threads of freedom healing and spiritual stewardship As Gujarat mourns her passing it also celebrates a life lived in full measurea life that healed uplifted and inspired IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/an-era-of-seva-ascends-to-heavens-pm-modi-with-kalaben-patel-in-frame-captures-nations-sentiment-631589.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-rights-panel-takes-cognizance-of-dilapidated-govt-schools-631640.html Chandigarh Aug 12 The Haryana Human Rights Commission HHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of the alarming condition of government schools in Hisar district As per a media report of August 7 though buildings or major portions of 27 government schools have been declared unsafe by the Public Works Department PWD classes continue in them Students are reportedly being taught in open verandahs sealed rooms laboratories and staff halls often sitting on the floorThe ongoing monsoon season has increased risks including the danger of snake bites and other hazards said the reportAccording to the full Bench comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia this is not a matter of mere inconvenience but a direct endangerment to the lives and safety of school childrenAt Government Senior Secondary School in Mangali for instance 480 students are studying in an open verandah after 22 classrooms were sealed due to collapse risk In Dobhi village all 24 classrooms are in a bad state forcing students into cramped libraries laboratories and staff roomsLikewise in Dhansu Siswala Arya Nagar Rajli and other schools children are being taught in unsafe sections of buildings where the risk of falling walls or ceilings is constantThe Commission noted that such conditions violate Article 21 Right to Life and Personal Liberty and Article 21A Right to Education of the Constitution as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which guarantee children the right to safe and quality educationThe Bench referred to recent incidents in Rajasthan including the death of a sevenyearold boy in Jaisalmer when a school gate collapsed and the deaths of seven students in Jhalawar due to a school building collapseThe Commission warned that immediate action is needed to prevent such tragedies in HaryanaProtocol Information and Public Relations Officer Puneet Arora on Tuesday said the Commission has directed the Principal Secretary School Education Department the Director General Secondary Education the Deputy Commissioner of Hisar the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Hisar and the District Education Officer of Hisar to submit a comprehensive report within eight weeks covering among other issues the status of each condemned building the safety measures in place and alternative arrangementsThe Commission listed the matter for the next hearing on October 30 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/haryana-rights-panel-takes-cognizance-of-dilapidated-govt-schools-631640.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/india-clocks-fastest-rate-of-poverty-reduction-631652.html New Delhi Aug 12 India has recorded the fastest largecountry poverty reductions in modern history enabling more than 269 million people to escape extreme deprivation between 201112 and 202223 on the back of sustained economic growth robust welfare systems and the strategic use of technology according to an India Narrative article Indias extreme poverty rate fell from 271 per cent to just 53 per cent during this period and projections indicate that by 2025 the national extreme poverty rate could drop to 445 per cent nearing complete eradicationThe rural transformation has been especially striking poverty fell from 184 per cent to 28 per cent reflecting both agricultural reforms and rural welfare schemes Urban poverty declined from 107 per cent to 11 per cent showcasing urban employment growth and bettertargeted social protectionFour states Uttar Pradesh Bihar Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan accounted for nearly twothirds of the national poverty decline Uttar Pradesh alone lifted close to 60 million people out of poverty underscoring the significance of targeted interventions in historically poorer regionsWhile monetary poverty is a key measure deprivation often extends to health education and living standards Indias Multidimensional Poverty Index MPI captures this broader realityIndias sustained GDP growth averaging over 7 per cent annually for the past 15 years has been a foundational driver of poverty reduction This growth has created jobs raised wages and expanded the tax base to fund welfare schemes The combination of marketled opportunity and stateled safety nets has created a unique dual engine for poverty alleviationUrbanisation has also played a role with expanding cities offering employment infrastructure and access to services Remittances from migrant workers have boosted rural incomes while agricultural productivity improvements have increased rural resilienceIndia is on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal SDG of halving multidimensional poverty well before the 2030 target The UNDP and World Bank have recognised Indias model for its scalability and costeffectiveness In global terms Indias poverty reduction over the past decade represents one of the largest absolute declines in poverty ever recorded the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/india-clocks-fastest-rate-of-poverty-reduction-631652.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/117-endangered-languages-being-preserved-documented-kiren-rijiju-631693.html New Delhi Aug 12 As many as 117 endangered languagesmother tongues spoken by less than 10000 people have been chosen from all over India for study and documentation under a Central government scheme the Rajya Sabha was informed Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in a written reply said that Bharatavani a digital knowledge platform dedicated to Indian languages has represented 77 tribal languages offering resources across language learning encyclopaedias dictionaries and glossariesRijiju said that the Central government is promoting Sanskrit through three Central Universities which are provided funds as per the requirement and utilisationThe Central government has initiated a scheme known as Scheme for Protection andPreservation of Endangered Languages of India SPPEL for the preservation of languages he saidUnder this Scheme the Central Institute of Indian Languages CIIL Mysuru works on protection preservation and documentation of all the mother tongueslanguages of India spoken by less than 10000 people which are called endangered languagesThe minister said that the policy of the Government is to promote all Indian languages including classical languagesHe said the Central Institute of Indian Languages CIIL works for the promotion of all Indian languages including four classical languages like Kannada Telugu Malayalam and OdiaDevelopment and promotion of Classical Tamil is done by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil CICT Chennai said the MinisterIn 202425 Rs 8350 lakh each were spent on Kannada Telugu Odia and Malayalam During this period Rs 1430 lakh were spent on Tamil he saidElaborating on steps to promote mother tongues the minister said The Department of School Education and Literacy has implemented several key initiatives to advance early literacy and multilingual education across India such as the development of 117 primers in 22 Scheduled and 99 NonScheduled languages along with 52 additional primers in local and mother tongues by NCERT and CIILThe government has taken several initiatives to promote Indian languages in higher education and technical fields the Minister saidThe AICTE has provided engineering textbooks in 12 Indian languages The firstMarathimedium engineering batch from Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering Pune graduated successfully he saidMajor exams like NET CTET NEET JEE CUET and SSC are now conducted in 12 Indian languages Additionally the UGC allows students to write exams in local languages irrespective of the medium of instruction he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/117-endangered-languages-being-preserved-documented-kiren-rijiju-631693.html Tue, 12 Aug 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-woman-police-officer-aparna-wins-applause-again-for-act-of-kindness-631559.html Thrissur Aug 11 SubInspector of Police SI Aparna Lavakumar has won applause yet again Her quick thinking and an act of kindness and compassion on one of Thrissur citys busiest roads has been widely praised after a video of the incident went viral She cleared the way for an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient The video shows a long traffic jam with vehicles at a standstill when an ambulance with its siren blaring approached from behindUnderstanding the urgency of the situation SI Aparna stepped out ran ahead through the congested road and cleared the vehicles to create a path for the ambulanceRisking her own safety she ensured the patient reached medical help without delayAparnas compassion and timely interventions in testing circumstances have been evident in the past as wellShe once cut her hair to donate to cancer patients after seeking permission from then DIG VijayakumarIn another instance when the relatives of a woman who died from assault by her family members were unable to afford the release of her body Aparna removed her own gold bangle and gave it to themThey pledged the bangle to raise the necessary funds She recalls wanting to give them cash but not having any money at the timeSpeaking about her actions Aparna insists these are small acts of kindness anyone would doAt the time of giving her gold bangle she was serving as a constable at Ollur Police StationHer latest act at Ashwini Junction once again highlights the vital role police officers can play in lifeanddeath situations not only in enforcing the law but also in safeguarding humanityObservers believe that this kind act of Aparna is helping to bring back the sagging image of the Kerala Police as not long ago as the Kerala High Court came to the succor of an 8yearold girl who along with her father were accused of theft by a lady police officerThe incident occurred a few years ago when Attingal resident Jayachandran reached Moonumukku with his eightyearold daughter who wanted to watch the movement of a massive cargo to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in ThumbaA lady police officer who was deployed to assist in traffic regulation accused the duo of stealing her mobile phone that was kept in the police vehicleIn a video which went viral the officer and her colleague were seen harassing the father and the daughter and even frisking himThe child broke down amid their harassmentWhen an onlooker dialed the cops number the phone was found in the police vehicle following which the police team left the scene without even tendering an apology to the father and the daughterLater the High Court intervened and gave justice to the young girl IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-woman-police-officer-aparna-wins-applause-again-for-act-of-kindness-631559.html Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rsetis-free-vocational-training-brings-new-hope-to-rural-women-631299.html Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh Aug 10 Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis ongoing women empowerment initiative rural women in Burhanpur district are scripting a new chapter of selfreliance With the assistance from Ministry of Rural Development a specialised beauty parlour training programme is being conducted for hundreds of housewives and young girls across the district at the RSETI Rural Self Employment Training Institutes The threemonth training course has been designed specifically for women who aspire to learn new skills and start their own small businesses Women from multiple villages are participating enthusiastically learning technical aspects of beauty services including hair styling makeup facials and skin careThe core objective of this initiative is to enable economic independence among rural women helping them become contributors to their household income and take control of their livelihoods The programme not only boosts their technical skills but also instils selfconfidence and inspires them to dream biggerRoshni Dayaram Pawar a trainee said Im excited to be learning something so useful This training is helping me build a future where I can support myself and my family We are being given free accommodation and foodKirti Sanju Kushwaha another young participant added I always wanted to open my own parlour Thanks to this opportunity I now have the skills and the confidence to do thatJai Shri Mahendra Kushwaha one of the trainees shared This training is giving me respect in my family and society I am grateful to the government for this supportRoshni Kushwaha also echoed similar sentiments saying This programme has transformed my thinking I now believe I can be financially independentThe initiative is part of a broader government vision to build a Sashakt Bharat Empowered India by providing rural women with tangible skills and livelihood opportunitiesGopal Krishna Director of RSETI shared that the institute has been operational since 2011 and functioning from its current building since 2016 RSETI is dedicated to providing residential freeofcost vocational training to women especially those from rural backgroundsCurrently a Junior Beautician Training Course is underway with 31 women enrolled from various villages across the district Earlier on August 3rd a previous batch successfully completed a stitching course showcasing the diversity of skills being imparted The institute caters to women aged 18 to 45 years offering shortterm courses aimed at equipping them with practical employmentoriented skills Krishna saidOne of the key features of RSETI is that following training women are supported in accessing bank loans to help them establish their own enterprises This financial linkage plays a crucial role in turning training into tangible economic empowerment he addedKshama Das an official from RSETI emphasised that all training provided at the institute is completely free of cost She added that this initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a Sashakt Bharat Empowered Indiaa vision in which women play a central role She highlighted that lots of women from different parts of the district are currently enrolled in the beauty parlour course and many of them are preparing to launch their own centresBy becoming financially selfreliant these women are not just transforming their own livesthey are also contributing to the broader national goal of womenled developmentAll the participants expressed deep gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of Rural Development for making such transformative initiatives accessible in rural India IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rsetis-free-vocational-training-brings-new-hope-to-rural-women-631299.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 19:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/new-route-new-hope-vande-bharat-links-punjab-to-katra-in-record-time-631308.html Jalandhar Aug 10 A new Vande Bharat Express train connecting Amritsar to the holy shrine of Maa Vaishno Devi at Katra will start operating from August 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the train virtually on Sunday from Bengaluru by waving the green flag online The train numbered 2640526406 will depart from Amritsar daily except Tuesdays at 425 pm under the Northern Railway zone It will reach Jalandhar at 531 pm with a 2minute halt before arriving at Katra by 10 pm completing the journey in just 5 hours and 35 minutes This fast and comfortable service will provide pilgrims a timesaving and convenient travel optionThe route of the train will cover Amritsar Beas Jalandhar City Pathankot Cantt Jammu Tawi and then Katra This will be the first Vande Bharat service connecting Amritsar to Katra adding to the existing popular Vande Bharat trains running on the DelhiKatra and KatraSrinagar routesAshwani Sharma the newly appointed working president of BJP in Punjab who travelled on the train during its trial run expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for launching this service He said the train will generate great enthusiasm among devotees traveling to Maa Vaishno Devis shrineA local woman welcomed the launch saying this is a great start for the elderly in Punjab who travel to religious places mostly for darshan She noted that the long travel duration and overcrowding in other trains often cause difficulties for senior citizens With this luxury Vande Bharat train covering the distance in 55 hours pilgrims will save significant travel time and enjoy a comfortable journeyCurrently 144 Vande Bharat trains are operational across India The project was first launched in 2019 between New Delhi and Varanasi and has since expanded to various parts of the countryTalking to media persons Ashwani Sharma said The Vande Bharat train from Amritsar to Maa Vaishno Devis shrine will boost devotion and enthusiasm among pilgrims We thank PM Modi and Railway Minister Vaishnaw for this facility This train is a boon for Punjabs elderly pilgrims who struggle with long and crowded journeys on other trains The new service will save their time and ensure a comfortable ride said a passenger IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/new-route-new-hope-vande-bharat-links-punjab-to-katra-in-record-time-631308.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/women-in-jaunpur-lead-the-way-in-har-ghar-tiranga-flag-production-631281.html Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh Aug 10 With Independence Day approaching women from rural selfhelp groups SHGs in Jaunpur are making a significant contribution to the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign Under the centrally sponsored National Rural Livelihoods Mission NRLM 68 SHGs have taken up the task of making national flags ahead of the governments massive nationwide flaghoisting initiative scheduled for August 13 14 and 15 A target of preparing seven lakh 700000 flags has been set for the district and these flags are being stitched by approximately 350 women from SHGs across all blocksEach woman is being paid Rs 20 per flag by the government The flags are being made in three sizes using cotton or polyester fabric which is being provided directly by NRLMSpeaking about the campaign Jitendra Pratap Singh Deputy Commissioner for SelfEmployment said The administration has given SHGs the target of preparing seven lakh flags So far we have completed around 80 per cent of the work and the remaining 20 per cent will be finished in the next two days The work is happening around the clock to meet the deadlineTo ensure the production is completed on time Block Mission Managers BMMs have been assigned to supervise and report progress daily The campaign has gained momentum following a directive from the Chief Secretary prompting the entire administrative machinery to work towards its successSangeeta Kala a member of one of the SHGs expressed her enthusiasmThis campaign is not just about making flags Its a matter of pride and empowerment for us We are contributing to the nation and earning at the same timeThe Har Ghar Tiranga initiative aims to encourage citizens to hoist the national flag at their homes creating a sense of patriotic unity ahead of Indias 78th Independence Day With the dedication of SHG women Jaunpur is on track to meet its ambitious target before the flag campaign begins IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/women-in-jaunpur-lead-the-way-in-har-ghar-tiranga-flag-production-631281.html Sun, 10 Aug 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bsf-personnel-at-india-pak-border-along-rajasthan-celebrate-raksha-bandhan-631086.html Jaisalmer Aug 9 Border Security Force BSF personnel manning the IndiaPakistan border along Rajasthan in Jaisalmer celebrated Rakha Bandhan a festival that symbolises the deep bond between brothers and sisters The women personnel tied rakhis applied tilak and offered sweets to their colleagues and celebrated the festival with enthusiasmStaying far away from our families we celebrate the festival among ourselves and take pledges for the safety of our country and fellow colleagues one of the BSF personnel told IANSTalking to IANS BSFs Komal Sharma said that sweetmeats rasgullah jalebi besan ke laddu rakhis flowers and sandal powder for tilak were received by the headquartersAn elated Sharma said that it is her first Raksha Bandhan in the BSF and she is so happy that she is not missing her homeSharma went on to say that she has a brother at home but here she has so many brothers who will protect them as they protect the bordersAnother BSF personnel Sunali Gupta shared that she has not tied rakhi on her brothers hand for the past two years but is celebrating it here and guarding the border so that countrymen can celebrate the occasion at their homes peacefullyBSFs Neeraj Sharma extended heartiest greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Raksha BandhanWe all have pledged here to safeguard the borders and for each others safety As it is impossible to celebrate festivals with our families we celebrate the occasion here so that nobody over here misses home Neeraj Sharma saidAnother BSF personnel Rahul Chauhan said We pledge for the safety of all our sisters as we safeguard our bordersRaksha Bandhan being celebrated across the country on the full moon day Purnima of the Hindu month of Sawan holds deep cultural and religious significanceThe festival is especially revered in Hindu tradition as a symbol of love trust and protection IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bsf-personnel-at-india-pak-border-along-rajasthan-celebrate-raksha-bandhan-631086.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/historical-milestone-in-kashmirs-goods-transport-as-first-freight-train-reaches-anantnag-631151.html Srinagar Aug 9 As a historical milestone in goods transportation of Kashmir the first freight train reached Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag town on Saturday This also marks the operational debut of the BanihalSangaldanReasiKatra section of the UdhampurSrinagarBaramulla Rail Link USBRL project The development on Saturday integrates Kashmir Valley with the Indian Railways freight corridor enabling the direct movement of goods from across the country into the Valley and vice versaPrime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually flag off Vande Bharat Express train between Amritsar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on August 10Local economy is definite to receive a great boost as the cost of transport of goods will come down appreciably in addition to completely addressing the uncertainty of goods movement through the SrinagarJammu highway which is prone to closures due to shooting stones mudslides and earth cavingin accidentsThe arrival of the goods train will ensure round the year movement of merchandise from outside the Kashmir Valley and the transport of Valleys huge horticultural produce including apples etcUdhampurSrinagarBaramulla Rail Link USBRL project covers the districts of Udhampur Reasi Ramban Srinagar Anantnag Pulwama Budgam and Baramulla of Jammu and KashmirThe laying of the USBRL has been an engineering marvel as well as an enduring test of human endurance Amid one of the most rugged and difficult mountain terrains in the worldThe USRBL is a jewel in the crown of the Indian railways and also one of the most prestigious national project in the countrys historyThe completion of the railway link presented geological challenges in the geologically young Himalayas and there were no quick fix solutions for such problemsSome of the geological challenges needed using technology that was upgraded to handle such problems for the first time in railway link laying history of the countryThe project includes the worlds tallest railway bridge over the Chenab River in Reasi district and the countrys first cablestayed railway bridge called the Anji Khud railway bridgeThe project has created new avenues of employment and ancillary road connectivity due to laying to link roads in various areas along the track to make easy access available to the people residents in areas through which the track passesNot only the Chenab Railway Bridge and the Anji Khud cable stayed Bridge the track from Udhampur to Srinagar includes 38 tunnelsThe arrival of the train to Kashmir has benefitted students businessmen horticulturists tour and travel people and above all the common man to whom cheaper safer and more comfortable access is now available to other parts of the country from the landlocked ValleyThe train these days operates between Katra and Baramulla It will start operation from Jammu railway station to Baramulla before the year end IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/historical-milestone-in-kashmirs-goods-transport-as-first-freight-train-reaches-anantnag-631151.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nominations-for-e-governance-national-awards-to-open-on-sep-1-631152.html New Delhi Aug 9 The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances DARPG said on Saturday that nominations for the National Awards for eGovernance can be submitted from September 1 to October 25 Issuing the scheme guidelines for the 23rd National Awards for eGovernance NAeG 2026 DARPG said the nominations can be submitted on the web portal httpwwwnceggovin said an official statementThe National Awards for eGovernance are presented annually to honour and encourage excellence in implementing eGovernance initiatives The awards seek to recognise significant achievements foster the sharing of effective practices and promote innovations in digital governanceNominations for National Awards for eGovernance 2026 can be submitted under 7 Categories Government Process Reengineering by use of technology for Digital Transformation Innovation by Use of AI and other new age technologies for providing CitizenCentric Services Best eGov PracticesInnovation in Cyber Security District Level Initiatives in eGovernance Grassroots Level Initiatives by Gram Panchayats or equivalent Traditional Local Bodies for Deepening Widening of Service Delivery Replication and Scaling of Nationally Awarded and Missionmode eGovernance Projects by StateUTsDistricts and Digital transformation by use of data analytics in digital platforms by Central MinistriesStates UTsThe period of consideration requires that the projects launch date should fall between July 1 2023 and June 30 2025 said the statementAdditionally the project must be fully commissioned and operational as of August 1 2025 for all seven categories listed under NAeG 2026The NAeG Awards 2026 will comprise a trophy a certificate and an incentive of Rs 10 lakh for each Gold Awardee and Rs 5 lakh for each Silver AwardeeThe incentive will be awarded to the respective districtorganisation for use in project or programme implementation or to bridge resource gaps in any area of public welfareA total of 16 awards will be conferred under NAeG 2026 including 10 Gold Awards and 6 Silver Awards IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nominations-for-e-governance-national-awards-to-open-on-sep-1-631152.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heritage-at-risk-salems-silver-anklets-struggle-for-recognition-without-gi-tag--631169.html Chennai Aug 9 Nearly three years after an application was filed Salems celebrated silver anklets are still waiting for the Geographical Indication GI tag The delay according to industry representatives stems from the lack of documentary proof required to establish the crafts antiquity and distinctiveness even though Salem is one of the countrys largest hubs for silver anklet production The trade has been part of the citys cultural fabric for generations but most units are smallscale familyrun operations led by artisans without formal education or recordkeeping practicesOur business has never been formally documented said C Sri Anandarajan president of the Salem District Kolusu Manufacturers Kaivinai SangamThe GI registry needs evidence that the craft has existed in the same geography for at least 25 years and producing that proof has been our biggest obstacleUnlike gold jewellery which carries the BIS 916 hallmark silver jewellery in India lacks a uniform quality standardA GI tag manufacturers believe would not only enforce such standardisation but also enhance the reputation of Salems silver anklets globally Markets in Sri Lanka Singapore Malaysia and Vietnam are seen as having strong potential for direct exportsAt present our anklets are sent to other states before being exported and in the process they lose their identity Anandarajan explainedWith a GI tag Salem anklets could carry their name abroad and meet consistent quality benchmarksThe absence of formal recognition has also affected the industrys future workforce Many senior craftsmen fear they may be the last generation in this profession as younger artisans opt for daily wage jobs in painting construction or petrol stations seeking more stable incomesThe industry remains a vital source of employment in Salem with nearly 10000 units supporting about 115 lakh people 78 per cent men and 22 per cent womenProduction is decentralised with specific stages handled by specialised groups across different neighbourhoodsOver 15 types of silver anklets are made in Salem including the distinctive Thalakkolusu crafted for infantsThis design expands as the child grows allowing it to be worn for up to four years Until the GI tag is granted however this centuriesold craft continues to fight for its rightful place on both the national and international stage IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heritage-at-risk-salems-silver-anklets-struggle-for-recognition-without-gi-tag--631169.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 21:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/himachal-minister-opens-buddhist-community-hall-in-kinnaur-631172.html Rekong Peo Himachal Pradesh Aug 9 Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh on Saturday inaugurated a Buddhist community hall constructed at a cost of Rs 116 crore in Sumra the last village of Kinnaur district On this occasion Lahaul and Spiti legislator Anuradha Rana were also present The minister said the state government is opening boarding schools in the district which has been started from Kanam where currently 30 students are studying A provision of Rs 6 crore has been made in the budget for opening boarding schools in Pooh Rarang and Nichar villages He announced to give Rs 6 lakh for the construction of a welcome gate in Sumra Rs 2 lakh for utensils of a Buddhist temple Rs 1 lakh each to Mahila Mandals of Shalkhar and Khotang for furniture and Rs 15 lakh to Mahila Mandal in lower Chango for a generator After this the minister visited Shalkhar and Chango villages and participated in public meetings and directed the departments concerned to resolve the problems related to water road health and gardening of the villagers immediately The minister said the government is committed to the allround development of tribal areas and preservation of cultural heritage He also gave information related to Forest Rights Act and MNREGA Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act Meanwhile to mark the World Tribal Day an awareness programme was organised at Gram Panchayat of Punang in Tapri subdivision Fortyfive participants attended the awareness programme at Gram Panchayat in Punang Panchayat Secretary ward members Mahila Mandal Yuvak Mandal and locals participated in the awareness programme They were informed about NALSA Protection and Enforcement of Tribal Rights Scheme 2015 Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989 and Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Recognition of Forest Rights Act 2006 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/himachal-minister-opens-buddhist-community-hall-in-kinnaur-631172.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 21:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-metro-records-highest-ever-daily-ridership-on-aug-8-631180.html New Delhi Aug 9 The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation DMRC on Saturday announced that it had achieved its highestever singleday ridership on August 8 2025 with 8187674 passenger journeys recorded across all operational corridors The milestone came just a day before the Rakshabandhan festival when travel demand typically surges across the National Capital RegionIn a statement posted on X formerly Twitter DMRC said it had operated 92 additional train trips on August 8 to cater to the increased passenger flow For August 9 the day of Rakshabandhan the corporation scheduled 455 extra trips to provide convenience to commutersDMRC achieves highestever passenger journeys on August 8 2025 with 8187674 journeys across all lines To meet Rakshabandhan travel demand DMRC ran 92 additional trips on 8th Aug and operating 455 extra trips on 9th Aug for passenger convenience DMRC posted on XHowever while the DMRC celebrated its achievement many Delhiites on Saturday shared mixed experiences of their metro rides Social media was flooded with images and videos of crowded platforms and jampacked coaches particularly on busy corridors like the Yellow Blue and Violet linesSeveral passengers described the experience as extremely packed and uncomfortable with some reporting delays in boarding due to heavy footfall Others noted that while additional trains helped the sheer volume of travellers ahead of the festival made commuting difficultTransport experts say such recordbreaking ridership days are a reminder of both the Metros popularity and the need for continued expansion and crowdmanagement measures during peak festival seasons The DMRC currently operates nearly 400 km of network across more than a dozen lines serving Delhi and neighbouring cities including Noida Ghaziabad Gurugram Faridabad and Bahadurgarh IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-metro-records-highest-ever-daily-ridership-on-aug-8-631180.html Sat, 09 Aug 2025 22:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-14-000-women-handloom-weavers-skilled-under-samarth-scheme-in-last-three-years-630953.html New Delhi Aug 8 As part of the ongoing celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav the Ministry of Textiles has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women handloom weavers through various central sector schemes In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Friday Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita shared that over 14000 women weavers have been trained under the SAMARTH scheme across the country in the past three financial years 202223 to 202425The Ministry is implementing schemes such as the National Handloom Development Programme NHDP and the Raw Material Supply Scheme RMSS to enhance the capabilities and livelihoods of handloom weavers including women While these schemes are genderneutral a 100 per cent subsidy is provided exclusively to women weavers for the construction of worksheds under NHDPThe schemes provide financial assistance for raw material procurement upgraded looms solar lighting units skill development marketing support technical infrastructure and access to MUDRA loans Scholarships for children of handloom workers and social security coverage are also includedAccording to the data Assam topped the list with 1327 women weavers skilled under SAMARTH followed by Kerala 1056 Tamil Nadu 1027 and Maharashtra 1027 Other states like Odisha 727 Uttar Pradesh 727 Telangana 697 Manipur 579 Mizoram 498 Tripura 475 Karnataka 474 amongst others also reported significant participationThe SAMARTH scheme Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector is a flagship initiative aimed at strengthening the skill base of the Indian textile workforce It plays a crucial role in ensuring that traditional weavers especially women adapt to modern demands through technical training and capacity buildingThe Ministrys efforts are part of a broader push to revive Indias rich handloom heritage while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for women artisans IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-14-000-women-handloom-weavers-skilled-under-samarth-scheme-in-last-three-years-630953.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/iit-delhis-new-method-to-cut-textile-waste-recycle-discarded-denims-to-good-quality-garments-630989.html New Delhi Aug 8 A team of researchers from IIT Delhi has developed a new method to recycle denim waste to knitted garments without compromising quality The findings will also help reduce textile waste the discarded textiles and clothing after their use which end up in landfillsIndia accumulates around 39 million tonnes of domestic postconsumer textile waste annually of which only 4 per cent is recycledThose recycled lose fibre strength and face variability in colour and qualityHowever with the novel method the IIT researchers found that up to 50 per cent of recycled yarns can be used in knitted clothing without deteriorating the feel of the productTo reduce the roughness of recycled yarns a softening treatment was applied to the fabric which ensured that the tactile feel of the final product is the same as that of virgin products said Prof Abhijit Majumdar Dept of Textiles and Fibre Engineering IIT DelhiWe have demonstrated our work with denim waste and it can be extended with any other textile waste he addedIn the study detailed in the Journal of Cleaner Production the team recycled waste denim into yarns ensuring minimum damage to the fibre properties by optimising the process conditionsRecycled yarns were then blended into knitted fabric using the seamless whole garment technology Knitted garments were produced varying the recycled yarn content from 25 per cent to 75 per centAnother key aspect of this research was to quantify the environmental benefits through life cycle assessment LCA in the Indian contextAnalysis by the IIT Delhi team showed that around 3040 per cent of environmental impacts can be mitigated in terms of greenhouse gas emission acid rain and fossil fuel depletion whereas for ozone layer depletion it is around 60 per centAs the use of recycled fibres could reduce the use of virgin cotton the pesticides fertilisers and water used for cultivation can also be savedAmong the processes involved the cotton cultivation stage itself contributes 24 per cent to global warming making the virgin yarns less environmentfriendlyThe research team is now exploring the possibility of recycling textile waste materials multiple times added Prof BS Butola Dept of Textile and Fibre Engineering IIT Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/iit-delhis-new-method-to-cut-textile-waste-recycle-discarded-denims-to-good-quality-garments-630989.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/atmanirbhar-bharat-woman-from-gujarats-banaskantha-transforms-life-of-farmers-with-namo-drone-didi-scheme-631008.html Banaskantha Aug 8 Once confined to the kitchen Ashaben Chaudhary from Talepura village in Gujarats Banaskantha district now commands the skies and the fields as the region celebrated the Namo Drone Didi initiative Armed with cuttingedge drone technology and a determined spirit she is revolutionising farming practices and transforming the lives of thousands of farmers across the state Ashabens journey began when she enrolled in the Namo Drone Didi Yojana a welfare scheme launched by the Central government aimed at empowering rural women through drone technologyA mechanical engineering graduate she took a leap of faith in 2023 travelling to Pune for a 15day intensive drone operation training programmeThe training included lessons on DGCA rules safety protocols and handson practical sessionsOn completing the programme she began pesticide spraying operations with drones in several districts including Vav Tharad Deesa Vadgam and MehsanaThe Union government equipped her with a mediumsized drone an evehicle and a generator set tools that became the backbone of her new ventureToday Ashaben offers drone spraying services for crops such as groundnut castor millet papaya and fennel charging Rs 500 per acreThe efficiency is remarkable One acre of land is sprayed in just seven minutes she told IANSFarmers who once spent hours carrying heavy pesticide pumps now save time effort and exposure to harmful chemicalsHer growing enterprise has turned into a lucrative source of income earning her lakhs annuallyMore than just a businesswoman Ashaben is also the head of Ashapuri Sakhi Mandal and a mother of two daughters receiving unwavering support from her familyShe now inspires other women to break barriers and explore modern agricultural solutionsThe Namo Drone Didi Yojana is part of the Union governments larger mission to make rural women selfreliant while boosting agricultural efficiencyThe initiative aims to provide drones to 15000 womenled SelfHelp Groups SHGs between 202425 and 202526 These SHGs in turn rent out drone services to farmers primarily for spraying liquid fertilisers and pesticidesThis initiative is expected to generate an additional income of at least Rs 1 lakh per year for each SHG contributing to economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood generationTo make the technology accessible the scheme covers 80 per cent of the drone and accessory costs up to Rs 8 lakh with the remaining 20 per cent funded through loans under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund at a concessional three per cent interest rateTo ensure smooth operations an Empowered Committee of Secretaries from departments such as Agriculture Rural Development Fertilisers Civil Aviation and Women and Child Development oversees the schemeAn Implementation and Monitoring Committee chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Department of Rural Development supervises its rollout and technical guidanceEach SHG receives a complete drone package spray assembly carrying box batteries fast charger pH meter anemometre and other accessories all under a oneyear warranty two years of annual maintenance and comprehensive insuranceTraining is another crucial pillarA 15day programme trains two SHG members one as a drone pilot and the other in maintenance and repairs ensuring the sustainability of operations The state departments select SHGs strategically based on local agricultural needs with each expected to service 20002500 acres annuallyThe schemes techdriven approach is supported by the Drone Portal an ITbased MIS platform for realtime monitoringIt manages service delivery fund disbursement and tracks drone operations ensuring transparency and accountability IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/atmanirbhar-bharat-woman-from-gujarats-banaskantha-transforms-life-of-farmers-with-namo-drone-didi-scheme-631008.html Fri, 08 Aug 2025 21:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ktaka-defends-jan-aushadhi-centre-shut-down-at-govt-hospitals-630552.html Bengaluru Aug 6 Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Wednesday defending the move of the state government to shut down the Jan Aushadhi Centres from the premises of government hospitals and urged the Centre to supply medicines to the state health department at the same rates at which these are supplied to Janushadhi Kendras In his letter Minister Rao said As per the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pari Yojana PMBJP scheme prices of the Jan Aushadhi medicines are 50 per cent80 per cent less than that of branded medicines prices available in the open market and Scheme is implemented by a society registered under the Societies Registration Act Pharma and Medical Bureau of India PMBIIt is requested that they may be directed to supply to the state health department at the same rates at which these are supplied to Janushadhi Kendras That will help a long way in the envisaged free drug supply in government hospitals of Health and Family Welfare department of Karnataka State Minister Rao demandedHe further said I acknowledge the receipt of your letter written to Chief Minister concerning the closure of Jan Aushadhi Kendras JAKs within government hospital premises in Karnataka I appreciate your concern regarding access to affordable and quality medicines for the publicI would like to respectfully clarify that the Government of Karnataka has ensured the free supply of all essential medicines as per the Essential Medicines List EML in all government healthcare institutions However we would like to clarify that this decision does not restrict the operation of Janaushadhi Kendras outside government premises and citizens are free to access them in the private domain as per their choice he statedKarnataka ranks among the top ones in the country with more than 1417 Jan Aushadhi Kendras functioning in the StateOf these only 184 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are located within the premises of government hospitals under the Department of Health and Family Welfare and rest are functioning outside the government hospital premises he statedThis decision of the government is to reduce the outof pocket expenditure incurred by patients towards purchasing of medicines from pharmacy stores This will benefit the poor and marginalised patients who are the ones primarily accessing healthcare services at the Government Hospitals Minister Rao claimedWe remain committed to ensuring the best possible access to affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens of Karnataka and are continuously strengthening our supply chain availability and rational usage of medicines within the public system he statedWe deeply value your concern for public health and reiterate our shared commitment to the welfare of the people he addedThe government hospitals are regularly supplied all the required medicines through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation LimitedIn addition the hospitals have been provided sufficient funds and they have been given standing instructions that in case of shortage of any drugs they should utilise these funds to buy medicines locally This effort aims to ensure universal access to essential medicines for patients visiting government facilities completely free of cost he statedIn this context the decision to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras within government hospital premises has been taken with the intent to prevent any chances of referring the patients to the commercial shops for purchase of medicines and consequent denial to them from the assured free supply of drugs Minister Rao stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ktaka-defends-jan-aushadhi-centre-shut-down-at-govt-hospitals-630552.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/andhra-pradesh-cabinet-approves-free-bus-travel-scheme-for-women-630555.html Amaravati Aug 6 The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday approved the scheme for free travel for women in APSRTC buses from August 15 The Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu put its stamp of approval on the scheme to fulfill another promise made in the elections last yearAs part of the coalition governments Super Six promises the Stri Shakti free bus travel will be launched on Independence Day The implementation of this scheme will cost Rs 162 crore per month approximately Rs 1942 crore per year benefiting about 2695 lakh people daily in the state In the states population of 525 crore there are 262 crore women Under this scheme women girls and transgenders belonging to the state will be eligible to travel free of charge from anywhere to anywhere They can travel on PalleVelugu Ultra Pallevelugu City Ordinary Express Metro Express services To avail this facility they need to show Aadhaar Voter or Ration cards as ID proofsThis scheme does not apply to nonstop interstate bus services or any other categories Similarly it does not apply to contract carriage services chartered services and package toursThe beneficiaries can travel in 6700 buses or 74 per cent of all APSRTC busesThis year measures have been taken to purchase an additional 3000 electric buses and in the next two years another 1400 electric buses will be purchased The government said it while implementing this scheme it would place great emphasis on the safety of women and girls by providing body cameras to female conductors and installing CC cameras in buses Through the implementation of this scheme in addition to the 1611 lakh people already using transport services an estimated 1084 lakh more people will have the opportunity to use them About 142 crore women are likely to will utilize free bus facility annuallyThe Cabinet approved the proposal to extend the ban on Communist Party of India Maoist its front organisations Revolutionary Democratic Front RDF as unlawful associations under AP Public Security Act 1992 Act No 21 of 1992 Section 3 and its subclauses for another yearThe government stated that despite the ban being in effect the Communist Party of India Maoist is making intense efforts to use every opportunity available to them in Andhra Pradesh The CPI Maoist continues destructive activities by targeting citizens as police informers damaging government property especially in Alluri Sitarama Raju ASR district along with their cadres from neighboring states Telangana Odisha and Chhattisgarh The Cabinet approved the proposal for AP Land Incentive for Tech Hub LIFT Policy 40 20242029Under the policy ITITeS companies Global Capability Centers GCCs and IT park developers fulfilling the criteria will be allotted land for 99 paise per acreThe Cabinet also approved the 202528 Bar Policy based on Cabinet SubCommittee recommendations The Cabinet SubCommittee recommend a comprehensive excise policy draft after studying the current bar policy regarding practices followed in other states and stakeholder representationsUnder the new policy bars will be allocated through lottery This method will be followed only when at least four applications are received Business hours have also been permitted from 10 am to 11 pm Out of total 840 bars 10 percent bars have been reserved for welfare of toddy workers at 50 per cent fees IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/andhra-pradesh-cabinet-approves-free-bus-travel-scheme-for-women-630555.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-urges-centre-to-secure-release-of-14-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-630634.html Chennai Aug 7 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging immediate diplomatic intervention to secure the release of 14 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy In his letter CM Stalin said that the Sri Lankan Navy had apprehended 14 Indian fishermen and seized their mechanised fishing boat along with an unregistered country boat during the early hours of TuesdayHe brought this development to the special attention of the External Affairs Minister expressing deep concern over the recurring arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermenFollowing detention the 14 fishermen hailing from Tamil Nadus Ramanathapuram district were taken to the Sri Lankan Navy camp in Puttalam for interrogationThis is the 17th such incident in 2025 alone the Chief Minister noted adding that the repeated apprehension of Indian fishermen despite several diplomatic appeals by the Union Government to the Sri Lankan authorities is a matter of grave concernHe said such actions by the Sri Lankan Navy are not only unjust but also jeopardise the livelihoods of Tamil Nadus coastal communitiesHighlighting the current status CM Stalin pointed out that a total of 237 fishing boats and 80 fishermen from Tamil Nadu remain in Sri Lankan custodyHe condemned the denial of Tamil Nadu fishermens traditional rights to fish in their customary waters and emphasised that fishing is their sole source of livelihoodI wish to express my regret that the fundamental rights of these fishermen to continue their traditional occupation in historic fishing waters are being continuously violated CM Stalin stated in the letterThe Chief Minister urged the Centre to take swift and decisive diplomatic steps to ensure the immediate release of all Tamil Nadu fishermen currently detained in Sri LankaApart from arrests the Sri Lankan authorities have been seizing highpowered fishing boats and in some cases undertaking procedures to nationalise them a move that has severely impacted the livelihoods of the coastal fishing communities in Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-urges-centre-to-secure-release-of-14-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-630634.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-35-lakh-rakhis-made-by-gujarats-anganwadi-sisters-sent-to-soldiers-630748.html Gandhinagar Aug 7 Over 53000 Anganwadi sisters in Gujarat have handcrafted and sent more than 35 lakh Rakhis to soldiers guarding the countrys borders These Rakhis woven with devotion and patriotism were sent as symbolic shields of protection for the brave men who stand watch far from their families In a ceremonial event held in Gandhinagar Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel handed over the Rakshasutra Kalash a symbolic urn carrying the sacred threads to the representatives of Indias armed and paramilitary forces Women and Child Welfare Minister Bhanu Babaria also graced the occasion underscoring the collective spirit behind the initiativeThe campaign led by the Department of Women and Child Development has now entered the India Book of Records for the highest number of rakhis sent by Anganwadi workers to the Armed forces The certificate and medal of this recognition were presented to CM Patel during the event These Rakhis are not just threads They are the emotional ties that connect the hearts of Gujarats women to our soldiers said Minister Bhanu Babaria Under the Prime Ministers leadership the armed forces have safeguarded our honour through missions like Operation Sindoor Today our sisters have sent their gratitude wrapped in these threads The rakhis will reach personnel from the Indian Army BSF CRPF and NDRF especially those stationed at Gandhinagar The symbolic handover was met with emotional acceptance by the jawans presentAlso attending the event were Chief Ministers Secretary Dr Vikrant Pandey Women and Child Development Secretary Rakesh Shankar Commissioner Dr Ranjit Kumar Singh senior officials BSF and CRPF personnel NDRF representatives programme officers and Anganwadi workers of Gandhinagar Municipal CorporationAs of 2025 Gujarat is home to approximately 53000 Anganwadi centres playing a vital role in delivering early childhood care nutrition and preschool education across the state These centres operate under the Integrated Child Development Services ICDS scheme a flagship initiative of the government of India aimed at improving the health and development of children under six years of age as well as pregnant and lactating womenThe Anganwadis in Gujarat are managed by anganwadi workers and helpers most of whom are women from local communities They serve as the first point of contact for families in rural and urban slum areas when it comes to maternal and child healthcare immunisation support and nutritional guidance In addition to regular health and nutrition services many Anganwadis have now been integrated with Poshan Abhiyaan National Nutrition Mission which focuses on tackling malnutrition through technology and community involvement IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-35-lakh-rakhis-made-by-gujarats-anganwadi-sisters-sent-to-soldiers-630748.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 21:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-l-g-inaugurates-mini-sports-complex-in-sukhdev-vihar-630772.html New Delhi Aug 7 Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena on Thursday highlighted the importance of sports in mental and physical wellbeing urging citizens to join efforts to maintain public facilities created by government agencies Inaugurating DDAs Mini Sports Complex in Sukhdev Vihar Saxena said the new facility is in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide ease of living and to promote healthy lifestyleThe complex is spread across the area of 7552636 sqm and is equipped with outdoor games like badminton lawn tennis cricket practice pitch pickleball children park and jogging track The sporting facilities are available on pay and play basisThe Lt Governor said Since taking charge in May 2022 as Lt Governor I ensured that people of Delhi should get adequate sports facilities as it is very important for our mental and physical wellbeingI am happy to dedicate this facility to the residents of Delhi particularly people living around this area said adding that the youth should use the facilities provided by DDA and keep it well maintainedWithout the support of the people no initiative can be successful he said stressing on public participation in upkeep of governmentmaintained facilitiesRamvir Singh Bidhuri Member of Parliament South Delhi N Saravana Kumar Vice Chairman DDA other dignitaries and senior officials of DDA were also present on the occasionRecently the Lt Governor inaugurated First Centre of Excellence in sports at Dwarka Sector8 The complex is the Centre of Excellence for boxing wrestling weightlifting and taekwondo and offers an extensive range of indoor and outdoor gamesThe longest 18hole golf course in Dwarka Sector24 was also added to the citys sports facilities to provide much needed boost to the professional golf training to budding golfers said an official statementLast year a sports complex at Qutubgarh was inaugurated for providing facilities like multipurpose playfield jogging track two badminton courts volleyball court akhara for male and female kabaddi ground open gym equipment with rubberised floor among othersControlled and funded by the Central government the DDA has 18 sports complexes four mini sports complexes and three golf courses IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delhi-l-g-inaugurates-mini-sports-complex-in-sukhdev-vihar-630772.html Thu, 07 Aug 2025 22:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-l-g-sinha-inaugurates-national-tribal-festival-in-gurez-630545.html Srinagar Aug 6 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor LG Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday that the young generation must be inspired to preserve and cherish the values knowledge and traditions of the tribal communities Taking to social media platform X after inaugurating the national tribal festival in Gurez border town of Bandipora district the LG said Inaugurated National Tribal Festival at Gurez It is celebration of culture amp tradition of DardShina tribal communityA community radio station was also launched today to inspire young generation to preserve amp cherish the values knowledge and traditions of the communityThe twoday tribal festival celebrates the culture and tradition of DardShina tribal communityAddressing the gathering through virtual mode LG Sinha lauded the immense contribution of the tribal community to cultural diversity of the countryHe also paid tributes to tribal freedom fighter Birsa MundaI consider the DardShina tribal community to be the most precious treasure of India which is inspiring the people to preserve their traditions and ritualsIts rich traditions are a guiding light for us The DardShina communitys deep connection to nature has shaped a unique culture and set of values They impart a powerful lesson to humanity to lead a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with natureUnder the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the priceless tribal culture is being preserved and their ancient glory and dignity is restored the LG saidHe added that the Central government has always focused on empowering the tribal community and transforming their livesDecades of injustice against tribals ended in August 2019 Various transformative initiatives have enhanced the socioeconomic conditions of tribal brothers and sisters Gurez was connected to grid power in 2023 for the first time since 1947This reflects our commitment to Gurez and DardShina community LG Sinha saidOn the occasion the LG dedicated the Shina Gilgit 888 FM Radio Station to the DardShina tribal communityHe said that the community radio station will inspire the young generation to preserve and cherish the values knowledge and traditions of the communityHe suggested that the new radio station should broadcast the rich history of the tribal community through a dedicated weekly programmeGurez was developed and established as the most favourite offbeat tourist destination of the country Today Gurez is ranked as a top travel destination of the country and it is considered as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its serene landscapes and picturesque villagesThe community radio programmes must reflect its natural artistic and cultural heritage he addedHe also appreciated the Indian Army Tribal Affairs Department district administration and various voluntary organisations for their dedication to promote the priceless cultural heritage of the DardShina communityCaptivating performances by the artists from Jammu and Kashmir and other states celebrating Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat received special appreciation from LG SinhaMembers of the tribal community were also honoured for their service to the society and the Indian ArmyJaved Ahmed Rana Minister for Tribal Affairs Jal Shakti Forest Ecology and Environment Nazir Ahmad Khan Member of Legislative Assembly from Gurez Vijay Kumar Bidhuri Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Prasanna Ramaswamy G Tribal Affairs Department Secretary Manzoor Ahmad Qadri Bandipora Deputy Commissioner senior officials of security forces civil and police administration and people from all walks of life in large number attended the inaugural ceremony IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-l-g-sinha-inaugurates-national-tribal-festival-in-gurez-630545.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/14-tn-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-630291.html Chennai Aug 6 At least 14 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early morning hours of Wednesday The fishermen were in two boats with 10 in one and four in the other They were apprehended for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line IMBL and engaging in fishing activities in Sri Lankan watersReports indicate that the arrests took place in the Kalpitiya lagoon area where the fishermen were accused of violating maritime bordersFollowing their detention the fishermen were taken to the Sri Lankan Navy camp in Puttalam for interrogationThis is the latest in a series of incidents where Tamil Nadu and Puducherry fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing into their watersApart from arrests the Sri Lankan authorities have been seizing highpowered fishing boats and in some cases undertaking procedures to nationalise them a move that has severely impacted the livelihoods of the coastal fishing communities in Tamil NaduTamil Nadu fishermen have also repeatedly reported instances of harassment by Sri Lankan naval personnel and even attacks by Sri Lankan sea pirates These developments have intensified fears among fishing communities and triggered repeated diplomatic interventions by the Tamil Nadu governmentChief Minister MK Stalin has consistently taken up the matter with the Union government writing multiple letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging them to secure the release of arrested fishermen and their impounded fishing vesselsMeanwhile concerns have also been raised about fines being imposed on the arrested fishermen and reports of gunfire and violent confrontations during their captureThe Tamil Nadu government continues to press for a lasting diplomatic resolution to protect the rights and livelihood of Indian fishermen operating near the maritime boundary IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/14-tn-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-630291.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rbi-to-make-process-easy-for-legal-heirs-claiming-money-from-bank-accounts-of-deceased-customers-630348.html Mumbai Aug 6 The Reserve Bank of India RBI announced on Wednesday that it has decided to standardise and simplify the procedure for settlement of claims in respect of deposit accounts of deceased customers of banks so that bereaved families do not face any hardship in getting the money or valuables due to them Currently the procedure for settling claims in respect of deceased customers varies across banks The RBI has decided to streamline and standardise these across all banks to facilitate the settlement of these claimsRBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said We will be standardising the procedure for settlement of claims in respect of bank accounts and articles kept in safe custody or safe deposit lockers of deceased bank customers This is expected to make the settlement more convenient and simplerA draft circular in this regard shall be issued shortly for public consultation the RBI saidUnder the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act 1949 a nomination facility is available in respect of deposit accounts articles kept in safe custody or safe deposit lockers This is intended to facilitate expeditious settlement of claims or return of articles or release of contents of safe deposit locker upon death of a customer and to minimise hardship caused to family membersThe extant instructions require banks to adopt a simplified procedure to facilitate expeditious and hasslefree settlement of claims made by survivors nominees or legal heirs but the procedures vary across banksWith a view to enhancing customer service standards it has been decided to streamline the procedures and standardise the documentation to be submitted to the banks A draft circular in this regard shall be issued shortly for public consultation the RBI statement saidThe RBI has also decided to introduce autobidding facilities in Retail Direct for Investment and Reinvestment in TbillsTo enable investors to systematically plan their investments an autobidding facility for Treasury bills Tbills covering both investment and reinvestment options has been enabled in Retail Direct The new functionality helps investors to mandate automatic placement of bids in primary auctions of Tbills according to an RBI statementThe Retail Direct portal was launched in November 2021 to facilitate retail investors to open their Gilt accounts with the Reserve Bank under the Retail Direct Scheme The scheme allows retail investors to buy Government Securities GSecs in primary auctions as well as buy and sell GSecs in the secondary market Since the launch of the Scheme various new features in terms of product as well as payment options have been introduced including the launch of a mobile app in May 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rbi-to-make-process-easy-for-legal-heirs-claiming-money-from-bank-accounts-of-deceased-customers-630348.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-corporation-to-introduce-135-more-electric-buses-630354.html Chennai Aug 6 Chennai is set to expand its electric bus fleet with the launch of 135 new electric buses from the Perumbakkam depot on August 11 nearly a month after rolling out 120 ebuses from the Vyasarpadi depot The new fleet includes 55 airconditioned buses and will operate across 13 routes significantly improving connectivity along the IT corridor including the Old Mahabalipuram Road OMRKey routes include Siruseri to Chennai Airport MAA 2 CMBT to Kilambakkam 570 Broadway to Kelambakkam 102 T Nagar to Thiruporur 19 Thiruvanmiyur to Kilambakkam 95X and Kilambakkam to Sholinganallur 555SA senior official with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation MTC of Chennai said The fleet addresses the specific needs of IT corridor commuters which the Vyasarpadi fleet could not coverThis rollout marks Chennais first deployment of airconditioned electric busesAccording to MTC Managing Director T Prabhushankar AC buses will follow the regular fare while nonAC buses will adopt the deluxe fare structureMTC also plans to introduce 170 more AC electric buses in the near future The 12metre buses are part of a Rs 23375 crore initiative Each bus features 39 seats four CCTV cameras wheelchair ramps reserved seating for senior citizens and people with disabilities stoprequest buttons and a kneeling function that lowers the floor to 250mm for easier boardingBuses are GPSenabled and equipped with LEDbased stop alertsThe newly upgraded Perumbakkam depot developed for Rs 4956 crore can charge up to 32 buses simultaneouslyEach bus has a range of 200 km after two hours of charging matching the infrastructure of the Vyasarpadi depotUnder the operational model OHM will handle bus operation and driver appointments while MTC pays per kilometre of service This arrangement allows us to better manage technological and environmental risks and helps address driver shortages said Nedunchezhiyan General Manager Operations of MTCWhile the Vyasarpadi fleet currently includes three women drivers and 17 women conductors the Perumbakkam depot is expected to induct more women after training an OHM spokesperson saidBoth depots are part of MTCs first phase of electrification which includes 625 electric buses for Rs 697 crore Additional buses will be introduced at Central 145 Tondiarpet 1 100 and Poonamallee 125 by February 2026 Phase 2 will bring in 800 more electric buses across the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-corporation-to-introduce-135-more-electric-buses-630354.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/uttarakhand-cloudburst-51-tourists-from-maharashtra-safe-govt-plans-evacuation-630474.html Mumbai Aug 6 As many as 51 tourists from Maharashtra stranded in Uttarkashi Uttarakhand after heavy rainfall and cloudburst are safe said officials here on Wednesday According to the State Emergency Operations Center of the 51 tourists 11 are from Nanded district and 40 from other districtsThe Maharashtra government is ready to provide necessary assistance to the tourists stranded in Uttarakhand and is contacting the tourists For this the state government is in communication with the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Centre and Uttarkashi District Disaster Center and efforts are being made through Maharashtra Sadan Delhi to shift the stranded tourists to a safe place Instructions have also been given to the district administrations of the state The situation is continuously monitored said the State Emergency Operations Centre in a releaseThe citizens and their relatives have been requested to contact on phone numbers State Emergency Operations Center Maharashtra 9321587143 02222027990 02222794229 State Emergency Operations Center Uttarakhand 01352710334 821Meanwhile NCPSP working president and MP Supriya Sule has requested Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and his office to provide necessary help to 24 citizens from Manchar Pune district stranded thereIn her post on X Sule said Around 24 citizens from Manchar Pune Maharashtra are stranded in Uttarakhand due to the recent cloudburst Their families are extremely distressed as there has been no contact with them for the past 24 hours Requesting Hon pushkardhami ji and ukcmo to kindly intervene and help rescue them at the earliest She has also given the names and phone numbers of 17 of the 24 people stranded thereAccording to the Uttarakhand government teams of the Army ITBP and NDRF are involved in relief and rescue operations in Uttarkashis Dharali The Army is closely observing the devastation with the help of drones so that the people trapped there can be rescued in any wayUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday reached the cloudbursthit Uttarkashi region and met the families of those affected by the devastating mudslide triggered by flash floodsHe reached Dharali village where he took stock of the situation and later said Due to bad weather road connectivity to several areas has been cut and bridges have suffered damage It is becoming difficult to reach affected people very quickly and help rescue and relief efforts are underwayTen Deputy Superintendents of Police three Superintendents of Police and 160 other police officials are involved in the rescue operations said Chief Minister DhamiThe Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/uttarakhand-cloudburst-51-tourists-from-maharashtra-safe-govt-plans-evacuation-630474.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-state-level-sanskrit-week-celebration-begins-with-gaurav-yatra-in-gandhinagar-630483.html Gandhinagar Aug 6 The statelevel celebrations of Sanskrit Week in Gujarat began on Wednesday in Gandhinagar with a vibrant and spiritually charged Sanskrit Gaurav Yatra Education Minister Kuber Dindor flagged off the procession at Pethapur accompanied by Gandhinagar Mayor Meena Patel marking the official start of a weeklong statewide celebration of Indias ancient language and cultural heritage Organised jointly by the Gujarat State Sanskrit Board the District Education Office and Samarpan Arts and Commerce College the procession witnessed participation from over 650 Sanskrit enthusiasts including students from schools colleges and Sanskrit Vidyapeeths The rally commenced from Ramdevpir Mandir and concluded at Pethapur Chokdi where participants carried placards promoting Sanskrit and chanted verses creating an atmosphere steeped in devotion and prideSpeaking at the event Minister Dindor emphasised the importance of Sanskrit in preserving Indias spiritual and cultural roots Sanskrit is the mother of all Indian languages and the soul of our ancient scriptures Through Sanskrit Week we aim to inspire the youth to learn understand and embrace this timeless language he said He noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the Gujarat Sanskrit Board is observing Sanskrit Week across all districts from August 6 to 12Aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 the celebration aims to promote awareness of Indias cultural values and knowledge systems A series of thematic days will be observed throughout the week including Sambhashan Divas Conversational Sanskrit Day Sanskrit Sahitya Divas Literature Day and days dedicated to the four Vedas Rigveda Samaveda Yajurveda and Atharvaveda through rituals and chantingThe week will culminate on August 12 with a grand valedictory event chaired by Governor Acharya Devvrat Also present at the inauguration were MLA Rita Patel Gandhinagar District Collector Mehul Dave District Development Officer BJ Patel and DEO Bhagwanbhai Prajapati College and board officials including Dr Mahendrasinh Vaghela and Dr Ashish Dave extended their support and participated enthusiastically IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-state-level-sanskrit-week-celebration-begins-with-gaurav-yatra-in-gandhinagar-630483.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-vijayan-comes-out-with-2nd-phase-of-insurance-scheme-for-state-govt-employees-pensioners-630513.html Thiruvananthapuram Aug 6 Ahead of the forthcoming crucial elections local body December and Assembly AprilMay 2026 the Pinarayi Vijayanled Kerala government on Wednesday approved the second phase of the Medisep medical insurance scheme for state government employees and pensioners There are about one million families which will now avail this new facilityThe scheme will see significant enhancements in insurance coverage and treatment optionsUnder the new phase basic insurance coverage will be raised from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakhOver 2100 treatment procedures across 41 specialty categories will now be included under the base treatment packageTwo highcost procedures Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy CRT with Defibrillator Rs 6 lakh and ICD Dual Chamber Implantation Rs 5 lakh previously excluded in Phase 1 will now be included in the additional packageSurgeries such as knee and hip replacements will also become part of the base benefit packageThe scheme will now include 10 critical illness and organ transplant packages for which the insurance company must earmark a corpus fund of Rs 40 crore for two yearsRoom rent will be covered up to Rs 5000 per day which is 1 per cent of the base insurance coverage and up to Rs 2000 per day in government hospitalsAdditionally employees and pensioners from public sector undertakings boards corporations selfgoverning institutions and the cooperative sector who are not covered under ESI will now be included in Medisep Phase 2 inprincipleThe policy term will now be two years down from threePremium and package rates will be revised in the second yearOnly public sector insurance companies with technical qualifications from Phase 1 will be allowed to participate in the tendering process for Phase 2The number of emergency treatments eligible for reimbursement from nonempanelled hospitals will be increased from 3 to 13 adding 10 new procedures beyond heart attack stroke and road accidentsDaycare procedures requiring continuous treatment such as dialysis and chemotherapy will be allowed onetime registration on the insurance portalCombined approval for both surgical and medical packages will also be introducedPre and posthospitalisation expenses will now be covered for 3 and 5 days respectivelyA threetier grievance redressal mechanism will be established at district state and appellate levelsTo ensure faster access to beneficiary data QR codes will be added to Medisep cardsStrict action will be taken against hospitals that deviate from the contractThe insurance company will frame an SOP Standard Operating Procedure for this purposeTo curb overbilling and exploitation in private hospitals the Clinical Establishment Authoritys services will also be leveragedIncidentally as of July 1st 2025 over 105 lakhs claims was processed totaling Rs 1911 crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-vijayan-comes-out-with-2nd-phase-of-insurance-scheme-for-state-govt-employees-pensioners-630513.html Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-madurai-corporation-steps-up-target-for-daily-processing-of-wet-waste-630094.html Chennai Aug 5 In a renewed push to improve its waste management system the Madurai Corporation has stepped up efforts to enhance the functioning of its 30 operational microcomposting centres MCCs aiming to significantly increase daily wet waste processing capacity from the current 4050 tonnes to nearly 90 tonnes Madurai generates an estimated 850 to 900 tonnes of waste daily over 60 per cent of which is wet wasteWhile a portion of this organic waste is treated at MCCs the rest is transported to the Vellakkal dumping yard Of the 38 MCCs established in the city only 30 are currently operational with the remaining eight lying dormant due to issues like power supply disruptions and technical faultsEach MCC has the capacity to process up to five tonnes of wet waste per day offering a combined potential of 150 tonnes across the 30 functioning units However until recently most of the centres were underperforming handling less than a tonne of waste dailyCorporation officials said that steps have now been taken to improve output including deploying additional workers at the MCCsAt present all functional centres are processing more than one tonne of wet waste per day Centres located near highwaste generating areas such as busy markets are handling between three to five tonnes daily a senior official saidHe noted that the civic body is committed to scaling up operations further to utilise the existing infrastructure more effectively Despite the recent improvements several highwaste zones remain a concern particularly the Mattuthavani Central Market one of the citys largest wholesale markets for fruits and vegetablesN Chinnamayan president of the Mattuthavani Central Market All Traders Association expressed dissatisfaction with the Corporations handling of waste at the market There is a composting unit inside the market but it is not being used properly Waste is left unattended for days which attracts stray animals and poses serious sanitation risks he said urging prompt intervention from the authoritiesThe Corporation has assured that steps are being taken to address such issues and ensure all MCCs operate at full potential reinforcing Madurais move toward sustainable and decentralised waste management IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-madurai-corporation-steps-up-target-for-daily-processing-of-wet-waste-630094.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-to-roll-out-ai-powered-adaptive-traffic-signals-at-165-junctions-630111.html Chennai Aug 5 In a major initiative to streamline urban mobility Chennai is set to overhaul its traffic management system by installing AIpowered adaptive signals at 165 junctions across key arterial roads The new system will dynamically adjust greenlight durations based on realtime traffic congestion aiming to reduce wait times and improve traffic flowUnlike the current fixed timing of 6090 seconds per signal the adaptive system will allocate green time based on vehicle volume at each approach Heavily congested stretches may get green signals extended up to 120 seconds while quieter lanes could see cycles reduced to as little as 30 seconds to avoid unnecessary haltsThe first phase of the implementation will cover major corridors including Anna Salai Jawaharlal Nehru Salai Sardar Patel Road Kamarajar Salai Rajaji Salai and Taylors RoadSix pilot junctions on EVR Salai such as the Vepery and Ega Theatre intersections are already testing the new system Early feedback from these pilot junctions has been encouragingWere already seeing noticeable reductions in queue lengths during peak hours and improved clearance times said Bandi Gangadhar Joint Commissioner of Police Traffic EastEach adaptive junction will integrate three core components which are sensors at road approaches will measure vehicle speed and travel time through the junction AIenabled cameras will count vehicles determine their direction and distinguish between cars buses twowheelers and even pedestrians and a control unit will process this data to instantly recalibrate the signal timings in response to realtime conditionsThis locallevel decisionmaking will be augmented by a centralised system Live data from each junction will be transmitted to the Greater Chennai TrafficThe police headquarters in Vepery will coordinate signal timings across the entire corridors This enables the creation of green corridors a sequence of green lights along major stretches like EVR Salai allowing continuous traffic flow and minimising stoppagesThe system uses a combination of realtime video feeds and historical traffic data to anticipate congestion and proactively adjust signal phases It is fully automated but includes manual override capabilities allowing traffic police to make remote interventions during emergencies such as the passage of ambulances or VIP convoysInstallation of sensors and AI cameras is currently underway and will be completed in the coming months Gangadhar confirmedHowever experts warn that the systems efficiency hinges on accurate and reliable data Weve seen international examples where sensor or camera failures disrupted traffic said R Rajmurugan a transportation engineer who pointed out failures in cities like Melbourne Pittsburgh and LondonChennais move to embrace smart mobility is part of a larger urban modernisation strategy and if successful could set a benchmark for other Indian cities battling chronic traffic woes IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-to-roll-out-ai-powered-adaptive-traffic-signals-at-165-junctions-630111.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-l-g-distributes-250-appointment-letters-to-kin-of-terror-victims-630160.html Srinagar Aug 5 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday handed over 250 appointment letters to families of terror victims at a function in Srinagar city As part of the ongoing initiative to help and support those who lost their dear ones to terrorism LG Manoj Sinha gave the appointment letters to the kin of terror victims at a function in ShereKashmir International Convention Centre SKICC in SrinagarOf these 250 beneficiaries 158 received appointment letters in person while the remaining will receive these letters at the district level in the coming daysThe 250 beneficiaries belong to various districts of the Valley including Srinagar Ganderbal Bandipora Budgam Baramulla Kupwara Shopian Anantnag and PulwamaThe function is part of a continuing outreach by the LG to support those who suffered without any justice for decades after terrorists killed their breadwinners and loved onesFor fear of reprisal from the terrorists these families remained unheard of and in many cases even the basic FIRs were not registered in the heinous civilian murders committed by Pakistanbacked terrorists of various outfitsLG Manoj Sinha not only spearheads the campaign to wipe out tears from the eyes of these victims but has been personally reaching out to such families with redressal and moral supportManoj Sinha has spoken to scores of such families and encouraged them to come forward and narrate their unheard tales of tragedy as such incidents went unheard in the rattle of the terrorists guns and the propaganda by those who made supporting terrorism a lucrative business during the last 35 years in KashmirThe LG has been advocating the complete dismantling of the terror ecosystem that includes the gunwielding terrorists their overground workers OGWs and those who glorify terrorism by creating a false antinational narrativeHe gave appointment letters to 40 victim families personally on July 13 in Baramulla townThis was followed by another function in Jammu on July 28 where the LG distributed appointment letters to 80 families of terror victims IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-l-g-distributes-250-appointment-letters-to-kin-of-terror-victims-630160.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/uttarakhand-chamolis-self-help-group-women-craft-eco-friendly-rakhis-boost-family-incomes-630266.html Chamoli Aug 5 Women of SelfHelp Group are not only running their livelihood by taking advantage of the public welfare schemes run by the government but they have also improved their economic condition by earning good profits by making ecofriendly rakhis in Uttarakhands Chamoli The initiative is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission DAYNRLM the Ministry of Rural Developments flagship programme aimed at reducing poverty by building strong institutions for the poor especially women These institutions are empowered to access financial services market linkages and diverse livelihood opportunitiesIn Chamoli this mission has taken a colourful turn As Raksha Bandhan approaches SHG members are crafting rakhis from pirul bhojpatra and vaijayanti seeds materials rooted in the regions ecology and traditions Alongside they are preparing local delicacies like arasa and roti attracting buyers keen on authentic handmade productsThe response has been overwhelmingly positive Local residents and visitors are readily purchasing these unique items praising both the craftsmanship and the initiatives ecofriendly ethos For the women involved the sales have meant more than just extra income they have brought recognition confidence and a stronger voice in household and community decisionsWe are making rakhis from waste material giving new life to things often discarded said Pratibha Tiwari a beneficiaryWeve already sold over 500 rakhis and today alone around 200 have been purchasedAnother SHG member Sangeeta Bisht added Theres a high demand for our rakhis We are selling a lot and people are appreciating our workFor Suman Devi the projects biggest success is collective empowermentSeven or eight women are working together on this Its not just about rakhis its about improving our economic condition and supporting each other she saidChamolis Chief Development Officer Abhishek Tripathi highlighted how the Chief Ministers Empowered Behna Yojana has amplified the impact of SHGsWe have set up 18 stalls for SHG women across the district to sell rakhis made from pirul bhojpatra and vaijayanti as well as traditional sweets like arasa and roti The festive season has boosted sales and these women are earning substantial profits Tripathi told IANSDAYNRLM adopts a demanddriven approach allowing states to create poverty reduction plans tailored to local needs Intensive blocks and districts implement all programme components through State Rural Livelihood Missions SRLMs or partner institutions while others are classified as nonintensiveThe mission a restructured version of the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana SGSY was renamed as DAYNRLM on March 29 2016 Its ambitious target is to reach 7 crore rural poor households across 600 districts 6000 blocks 25 lakh Gram Panchayats and 6 lakh villages within 810 years This is achieved through selfmanaged SHGs and federated institutions enabling members to form livelihood collectives and access rights entitlements and public services IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/uttarakhand-chamolis-self-help-group-women-craft-eco-friendly-rakhis-boost-family-incomes-630266.html Tue, 05 Aug 2025 23:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-194-crore-jan-dhan-accounts-opened-in-gujarat-as-financial-inclusion-drive-gains-momentum-629933.html Ahmedabad Aug 4 Gujarat has crossed the milestone of opening more than 194 crore bank accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana PMJDY enabling access to essential banking services for millions of citizens in both rural and urban areas Gujarat has made headway in bringing citizens into the banking fold through zerobalance accounts as per official data shared on MondayThese accounts not only enable basic savings and financial transactions but also connect account holders to key social security benefits such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana life insurance Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana accident insurance and the Atal Pension YojanaTo further bolster this outreach the Central government has launched a special threemonth campaign Jan Suraksha Santushti Abhiyan from July 1 to September 30 focusing on financial inclusion and social protectionThis initiative is being rolled out across all 14610 gram panchayats and urban local bodies of Gujarat with Village Computer Entrepreneurs VCEs deployed to assist citizens with opening accounts completing KYC formalities registering nominees and gaining awareness about digital fraud prevention and dormant deposit claimsThe campaign also aims to ensure doorstep delivery of key banking and pension services at minimal or no cost especially in farflung and underserved areasCitizens without existing bank accounts are being encouraged to open basic savings deposits or small accounts with zero balance for which no minimum balance is requiredAccount holders receive RuPay debit cards and if the card is used at least once every 90 days they are entitled to accident insurance coverage of up to Rs 2 lakh Furthermore after six months of satisfactory account operation beneficiaries are eligible for an overdraft facility of up to Rs 10000The campaign was formally launched at the state level from Pundhara village in Gandhinagar district on July 1 with the virtual inauguration conducted by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in the presence of Finance Minister Kanu DesaiThe scheme also facilitates seamless delivery of subsidies and benefits under schemes such as LPG DBT MNREGA wages pensions and various scholarships directly into beneficiaries bank accounts Additional digital services like mobile banking and UPI support are also being extended making financial transactions more accessible to the last mile IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-194-crore-jan-dhan-accounts-opened-in-gujarat-as-financial-inclusion-drive-gains-momentum-629933.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-seeks-gi-tag-for-madurai-appalam-kilakarai-thothal-halwa-to-preserve-culinary-legacy-629956.html Chennai Aug 4 In a move to protect the states traditional delicacies and enhance market reach for local producers the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology TNSCST has filed applications for Geographical Indication GI tags for two iconic products the Madurai appalam and the Kilakarai Thothal halwa The applications were filed last week with the Geographical Indications RegistryThe GI tag for Madurai appalam has been jointly sought by the TNSCST and the Appalam Vadagam Morvathal Manufacturers and Sellers AssociationThe application for Kilakarai Thothal halwa was filed in collaboration with the Kilakarai Chellakani Thothal Association Madurai appalam is prized for its crisp texture distinctive flavour and traditional preparation techniques that rely on urad dal rice flour and select spicesThe unique taste is enhanced by Madurais climatic conditions and the use of highquality urad dal from Virudhunagar the GI application notedThe papadlike snack is sundried using ageold techniques passed down through generations and made without artificial colours or additives The appalam industry in Madurai supports over 50000 people across 500 manufacturing units generating nearly Rs 8 crore in revenue every weekThe GI tag will help safeguard the identity of the product and provide economic benefits to thousands of families said S Vincent Member Secretary TNSCSTApart from its popularity in India Madurai appalam is exported to countries like Singapore Malaysia Mauritius Thailand Sri Lanka Maldives and several Gulf nationsThe Kilakarai Thothal halwa is a dark moist sweet made with coconut milk rice flour palm jaggery and cashew nutsAccording to the GI application the recipe originated in Indonesia travelled to Sri Lanka and was introduced to Kilakarai in Tamil Nadu through maritime trade routes centuries agoLocals in Kilakarai adapted the recipe using regionally sourced ingredients particularly coconuts and palm jaggeryTamil folklore traces the halwas roots back to the 17thcentury Vallal Seethakathi eraKnown for its long shelf life of over a month the halwa is now poised for international recognitionThe GI tag will help position this heritage sweet in global markets a TNSCST official saidWith these two applications Tamil Nadu aims to add to its growing list of GItagged items So far 58 unique products from the state have received GI tags the highest for any state in India including the Kancheepuram silk saree Thanjavur doll Salem mango and Chettinad kandangi saree IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-seeks-gi-tag-for-madurai-appalam-kilakarai-thothal-halwa-to-preserve-culinary-legacy-629956.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pak-forces-behind-121-killings-785-forcible-disappearances-in-balochistan-this-year-report-629974.html Quetta Aug 4 A human rights organisation on Monday revealed that 785 individuals were forcibly disappeared and 121 were extrajudicially killed in Balochistan at the hands of Pakistani forces and statebacked death squads since the start of 2025 Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that the daily toll of disappearances and killings was at an average of four enforced disappearances and one killing per dayThe victims include students journalists and peaceful protesters many of whom were abducted from cities such as Karachi and IslamabadThese actions were carried out by security forces and statebacked death squads operating with complete impunity said the rights bodyThis comes just after Dil Jan Baloch was extrajudicially killed by the statebacked death squad on August 2 after he was forcibly disappeared on July 22 from the Kech district in Balochistan according to the human rights organisation Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYCAnother incident happened on Sunday when Inayat Khair Mohammad who was forcibly disappeared last December was killed by the Pakistanbacked death squad the Human Rights Council of Balochistan HRCB saidThe rights body stated that these groups locally referred to as death squads are known to operate with impunity and are widely believed to act as proxies for state interests in BalochistanThis pattern is consistent with previously documented tactics aimed at silencing voices critical of state policy in Balochistan while avoiding formal channels of justice and oversight the HRCB statedThe rights body emphasised that these practices constitute ongoing violations of Pakistans binding international human rights obligations including those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPR particularly the right to life protection from arbitrary detention and the prohibition of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killingThe human rights organisations have repeatedly called for international scrutiny and credible accountability mechanisms to ensure justice for victims and to deter further violations in Balochistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pak-forces-behind-121-killings-785-forcible-disappearances-in-balochistan-this-year-report-629974.html Mon, 04 Aug 2025 16:34:00 +0530