DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:00:12 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/us-courts-grant-bond-relief-to-indians-held-in-immigration-detention-662988.html Washington Feb 27 Federal courts across the United States this week have ordered bond hearings or immediate release for several Indian nationals held in immigration detention The rulings came from district courts in California Michigan New York and Oklahoma Judges said immigration authorities either applied the wrong detention law or failed to provide adequate due processIn California a federal judge in San Diego granted a habeas petition filed by Harbeet Singh The court ordered an âindividualised bond hearingâ within seven daysThe judge wrote that prolonged detention without a bond hearing âhas become unreasonable and violates due processâ The government must prove by âclear and convincing evidenceâ that he is a flight risk or danger to the communityIn Michigan a federal judge in the Western District conditionally granted relief to Sagar Ram The court ordered a bond hearing under section 1226a within five business days or immediate release The judge rejected the governmentâs claim that mandatory detention appliedIn Oklahoma a federal court reached a similar conclusion in the case of Karandeep Singh The judge held that his detention is governed by section 1226a which allows bond not by the mandatory detention provision in section 1225b2 The court ordered a prompt bond hearingIn New York a federal judge in Brooklyn granted habeas relief to Harmanpreet Singh The court ordered a new bond hearing The government must show by clear and convincing evidence that he is a flight risk or danger The judge said continued detention without proper safeguards violated the Fifth AmendmentIn another California case a federal judge ordered the immediate release of Bhawandeep Singh Dhaliwal The court said he âSHALL be released IMMEDIATELY from DHS custodyâ The judge also barred authorities from rearresting him without constitutionally adequate processIn a separate San Diego case the court ordered that Singh Vikrant âbe released forthwith from immigration custody under the same terms and conditions as his previous releaseâNot all detainees won reliefIn Michigan a federal judge denied a habeas petition filed by Gurpreet Walia Singh The court found that he had already received a redetermination of custody The judge ruled that his detention did not violate the law or the ConstitutionIn Oklahoma another federal court adopted a magistrate judgeâs recommendation and denied a petition challenging the denial of bondThe cases centre on which section of the Immigration and Nationality Act applies Section 1225 requires mandatory detention for certain applicants for admission Section 1226 allows the release of noncitizens already in the country on bondFederal courts in recent years have closely examined prolonged immigration detention The Supreme Court has recognised that noncitizens in the US are entitled to due process protections But disputes continue over how bond hearings must be conducted and who bears the burden of proof IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/us-courts-grant-bond-relief-to-indians-held-in-immigration-detention-662988.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jaishankar-calls-for-overarching-approach-to-human-rights-rather-than-polemics-662858.html United Nations Feb 26 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for an overarching approach to human rights that includes development and capacitybuilding leading to âtangible improvements in the daily lives of the most vulnerableâ and confronting terrorism rather than engaging in polemics of âpoliticisation selectivity or double standardsâ Speaking through a video link to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday he said âIn a world marred by conflict polarisation and uncertainty India seeks to find and expand common groundâ âWe have consistently underlined dialogue over confrontation consensus over division and humancentric development over narrow interestsâ he said For the UN and Human Rights Council to fully realise their commitment to human rights they must âadvocate zerotolerance for terrorist actsâ he saidâTerrorism is among the most egregious violations of human rights and there can be no justification especially when innocent lives are targetedâ he said India was elected for the seventh time to the Human Rights Council in October with a pledge to be a âbridgebuilderâ It received an overwhelming mandate with 177 of the 188 votes cast at the General Assembly âOur mandate reflects the trust and expectations of the international community especially of partners in the Global Southâ Jaishankar said âIndia approaches this Council with the conviction that human rights are best advanced through dialogue capacitybuilding and genuine partnerships and not by politicisation selectivity or double standardsâ the EAM said On the Council he said âas the worldâs largest democracy India remains firmly committed to working with all members and observers to promote and protect all human rights for all people on the basis of equality openness and respectâ Indiaâs vision of human rights he said âis rooted in the understanding that the insecurity of any region or the marginalisation of any group eventually undermines the rights and wellbeing of allâ His speech was seeded with implied criticism of the narrow focus on human rights that some Western countries and institutions haveExplaining Indiaâs sweeping view of human rights Jaishankar said âWe speak from our experience as a developing country that has known poverty and external shocks and yet has chosen the path of democracy pluralism and social justiceâ Amid the ongoing debates about technology and human rights and the risks of worsening the global divide Jaishankar declared âTechnology can and must be a force multiplier for human rights not a new fault lineâ Giving the example of Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructure DPI he said the country âhas been investing in developing human capacities at an unprecedented scaleâ This has âenabled hundreds of millions to access welfare benefits financial services and public schemes with transparency and minimal leakageâ and India is sharing its knowhow for the global public good he said Emphasising the importance of development for people to truly enjoy human rights he said âthe devastating impact of pandemic climate change geopolitical tensions and economic stress have exacerbated existing inequitiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jaishankar-calls-for-overarching-approach-to-human-rights-rather-than-polemics-662858.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-fishers-to-hold-human-chain-protest-on-march-2-against-blue-flag-project-expansion-marina-rope-car-662649.html Chennai Feb 25 Tension is mounting along Chennaiâs coastline as fishermen from 12 hamlets between Ayodhya Kuppam in Triplicane and Srinivasapuram in Santhome gear up for a largescale human chain protest on the evening of March 2 The agitation is aimed at urging the state government to drop plans to expand the Blue Flag beach project along the Marina and to halt the rope car project on the sandsLeaders representing Ayodhya Kuppam Mattankuppam Nochikuppam and Srinivasapuram according to fishermen leaders deliberated on what they termed âserious livelihood threatsâ posed by recent coastal development initiativesApart from the Blue Flag expansion the fishing community is opposing the proposed removal of shops along the Marina Loop Road and beachfront areas The protesters say that while they are not against development any expansion of tourism infrastructure should not come at the cost of traditional fishing rights vending spaces and access to the shore They have demanded structured consultations with officials before further work proceedsSelvaraj a fisherman from Ayodhya Kuppam said the community had already made concessions for earlier phases of the project âWe gave up space and shifted our boats when the Blue Flag proposal first came But when bamboo fences were erected in the little space we had left we lost even that After pressure from us they removed it We have 30 boats and 10 catamarans here Fishing near the coast is already badly affected due to sewage and garbage Now even our parking space for boats is shrinkingâ he saidResidents fear that further expansion of the Blue Flag scheme will push fishing families out of the beach altogetherAccording to community members space traditionally used for docking boats and drying nets is gradually being restricted Concerns are also mounting among vendors who depend on evening beach commerce A woman vendor said that nearly 2000 families rely on the eateries and small shops that operate along Marina and Loop RoadâHow can only 300 shops be allowed What will happen to the rest If the government provides alternative space or another means of livelihood we can consider moving Otherwise this is a question of life and death for usâ she saidCommunity leader K Bharathi questioned what he called âunequal enforcementâ He alleged that while fishermen are prevented from putting up temporary thatches to mend nets civic authorities are installing bamboo fences cabanas changing rooms toilets and even undertaking rope car construction on the sandsThe fishermen have urged the government to hold consultations before proceeding further warning that development without livelihood safeguards will severely impact Chennaiâs traditional coastal communities IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-fishers-to-hold-human-chain-protest-on-march-2-against-blue-flag-project-expansion-marina-rope-car-662649.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-swadeshi-fairs-to-cover-all-152-municipalities-by-march-15-662692.html Gandhinagar Feb 25 With more than Rs 83 lakh in sales recorded across 38 municipalities so far Gujarats statewide rollout of Swadeshi Mela shopping festival has gathered pace ahead of its March 15 deadline According to officials Swadeshi Fairs are being organised under the Gujarat Urban Livelihood Mission which functions under the Urban Development and Urban Housing DepartmentThe initiative aims to provide a structured marketplace for rural and urban artisans handicraftsmen selfhelp groups and small traders to showcase and sell indigenous productsThe government stated that by March 15 Swadeshi Fairs will be held in all 152 municipalities across the stateAs part of the arrangements more than 1500 stalls have been allotted to selfhelp groups over 1400 to street vendors around 1200 for food and refreshments and more than 1650 to other artisans selling indigenous goodsSo far fairs have commenced in 38 municipalities including those in the Ahmedabad Bhavnagar Gandhinagar Rajkot Surat and Vadodara zonesMore than one lakh visitors have attended these events generating sales exceeding Rs 83 lakhThe figures officials said indicate growing public participation in the Vocal for Local initiativeThe officials noted that the programme builds on the success of plasticfree Swadeshi Festivals organised during the Dussehra to Diwali period last year in 16 citiesThose events attracted more than 4050 lakh visitors and recorded sales of over Rs 10 crorePrime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to adopt indigenous products as part of the Vocal for Local initiative aimed at building a selfreliant IndiaThe statement said the Gujarat government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has undertaken initiatives including the Gujarat Atmanirbhar Yatra GMaitri Yojana and Mahila Udyog Sahay Yojana to strengthen support for artisans and small enterprisesThe government said the fairs are intended not only as trading platforms but also as a measure to strengthen the local economy by expanding opportunities for small producers and vendors across urban areas of the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-swadeshi-fairs-to-cover-all-152-municipalities-by-march-15-662692.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/three-killed-as-slab-collapses-in-keralas-kozhikode-corporation-building-662361.html Kozhikode Feb 23 Three loading workers were killed and five others injured on Monday after the concrete slab of an ageing building collapsed in Valiyangadi one of Kozhikodeâs busiest commercial hubs in Kerala The deceased have been identified as Jabbar a native of Kinasheri Ashraf and BasheerThe accident occurred at a decadesold structure near the beach that had earlier functioned as the Passport OfficeThe building which belongs to the Kozhikode Corporation and is estimated to be around 60 years old is currently being used as a warehouse by a nearby establishmentAccording to eyewitnesses seven workers were present at the spot after unloading goods into the godownThey were resting on the floor near the shutter when a massive concrete slab and a sunshade portion of the building gave way and crashed downTwo workers managed to run to safety after noticing the slab collapse while the remaining five were trappedLocal residents and fellow workers rushed to the scene and began rescue operations even before Fire Force personnel arrivedThe slab had to be cut open to extricate those trapped beneathThree workers were pulled out in the initial phase and shifted to the hospital but their lives could not be savedOne of the injured was rescued only after fire personnel cut through the concreteAnother injured worker is reported to be in critical conditionThe collapse also caused significant property damage with several twowheelers parked beneath the slab crushed under the debrisThe fact that the location is a regular resting place for loading workers in Valiyangadi added to the scale of the tragedyPreliminary assessments point to the dilapidated condition as the likely cause of the collapseLocal residents said the building had long been in a precarious state raising serious concerns about safety oversightDespite its age several commercial establishments continue to function in the premisesThe Mayor who visited the site said the building would be sealed and no one would be allowed to enter it henceforthThe incident has renewed scrutiny over the use of ageing structures as warehouses without proper safety inspectionsAngry Congress and BJP workers protested the callous manner in which the CPIM ruled Corporation has done nothing despite the building condition being pointed out IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/three-killed-as-slab-collapses-in-keralas-kozhikode-corporation-building-662361.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/92-villages-selected-for-vibrant-village-programme-meghalaya-cm-662368.html Shillong Feb 23 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said that 92 villages in the state have been selected under the Vibrant Village ProgrammeII even as the Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA is yet to notify the dates for the scheme implementation Replying to a question in the Assembly CM Sangma said that the programme will be implemented till 202829 and will be overseen by the stateâs Border Areas Development BAD departmentHe explained that the Vibrant Village Programme was introduced after the Centre discontinued the Border Areas Development Programme BADP in September 2022âThe Border Areas Development Programme was discontinued by the Government of India in September 2022 and it was decided that a new programme called the Vibrant Village Programme would be brought inâ the Chief Minister saidCM Sangma noted that several MLAs had raised concerns over the allocation of funds for border areas following the discontinuation of BADPâThe MLAs met with me regarding the sanctioning of some amount because of the discontinuation of BADP I had included some amount but it is not sufficient as we have to cover both interstate and international bordersâ he saidHe added that the state government would continue to make provisions to address development needs in border areas cautioning against assessing progress solely on the basis of BADP allocationsâOne cannot judge development of border areas from the amount spent under BADP aloneâ CM Sangma said pointing out that additional funding streams including Lafarge SPV support have contributed to development initiatives in areas such as Mawsynram and ShellaThe Chief Minister also flagged concerns over the composition of districtlevel committees under the Vibrant Village ProgrammeHe said that as per the Centreâs guidelines these committees do not include elected MLAs a matter that the state government has already raised with New DelhiâThese are areas where the final decision has to be taken at the Central level I will take up the matter personallyâ CM Sangma told the HouseHe further informed that the state government has sanctioned Rs 1499 crore specifically for interstate border development reaffirming Meghalayaâs commitment to improving infrastructure and living conditions in its border regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/92-villages-selected-for-vibrant-village-programme-meghalaya-cm-662368.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/un-chief-calls-for-global-interoperability-to-mitigate-ai-fragmentation-risks-661965.html New Delhi Feb 20 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres on Friday cited AI fragmentation risks calling for global interoperability standards for better outcomes at the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â here Guterres said that today international cooperation is difficult âTechnological rivalry is growing Without a common baseline fragmentation wins with different regions and different countries operating under incompatible policies and technical standardsâ he warnedAddressing the Summit he said that when we agree on how to test systems and measure risk we create interoperability âSo a startup in New Delhi can scale globally with confidence because the benchmarks are shared and safety can travel with technologyâ he notedGuterres also called for scienceled AI guardrails to protect people and accelerate innovationâOnce we understand what AI systems can do and what they cannot we can move from rough measures to smarter riskbased guardrails Guardrails that protect people uphold human rights and preserve human agencyâ he told the gatheringAccording to the UN SecretaryGeneral AI guardrails must build confidence and give business clarity so innovation can move faster in the right direction âScienceled governance is not a brake on progress It is an accelerator for solutions It helps us identify where AI can do the most good and the fastest and it helps us anticipate early impacts from risks for children to labour markets to manipulation at scale so countries can prepare protect and invest in peopleâ he highlightedAI innovation is outpacing our collective ability to fully understand it let alone govern it If we want AI to serve humanity policy cannot be built on guesswork hype or disinformation We need facts we can trust and share across countries and sectors he stressedAccording to him AI must be accessible to everyoneâBut without investment many countries will be logged out of the AI age Thatâs why I am calling for a Global Fund on AI to build skills data affordable computing power and inclusive ecosystems everywhereâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/un-chief-calls-for-global-interoperability-to-mitigate-ai-fragmentation-risks-661965.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-one-lakh-daily-wagers-casual-labourers-working-in-various-govt-departments-jk-cm-jammu-feb-18-ians-jammu-and-kashmir-chief-minister-omar-abdullah-told-the-legislative-assembly-on-wednesday-that-there-are-over-one-lakh-daily-wagers-and-casual-labourers-at-present-engaged-by-various-govern-661793.html Jammu Feb 18 IANS Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that there are over one lakh daily wagers and casual labourers at present engaged by various government departmentsnbspThe Chief Minister assured the Assembly that a legally sustainable approach is being adopted for their regularisationIn a written reply to a clubbed question by 15 members from the treasury and opposition benches Omar Abdullah said a total of 100501 workers have been registered through an online Aadhaarbased biometric identification and skill profiling systemThe registered workforce includes 69696 casual labourers 8836 daily rated workers 8534 seasonal labourers 5757 food and civil supplies helpers 2153 parttime sweepers and 1929 persons engaged through the hospital development fund The highest concentration of workers 38585 is in the Public Health Engineering and Irrigation ampamp Flood Control Department followed by Power Development 13616 Education 12646 Forest 8317 and Public Works RampampB 6801 he saidA significant number of 4868 are also engaged in Health and Medical Education Agriculture 4776 Animal and Sheep Husbandry 2170 and Housing and Urban Development 1702 and other departments he saidOf the 57390 registered workers in the Kashmir division Srinagar accounts for the highest number at 11825 followed by Anantnag 8823 Baramulla 7724 Budgam 5772 Kupwara 5547 Ganderbal 4056 Kulgam 3321 and Bandipora 2771Similarly among the 40077 registered workers in the Jammu zone Jammu district tops the list with 13425 workers followed by Rajouri 5191 Doda 3856 Kathua 3451 Reasi 3210 Kishtwar 2754 Udhampur 2518 Poonch 2455 Samba 1722 and Ramban 1495Amid concerns over longpending regularisation CM Abdullah said a highlevel committee was constituted on March 19 last year to examine the issue holisticallyThe committee is undertaking a detailed examination in consultation with concerned departments The government will consider its recommendations and take appropriate action in accordance with legal and financial propriety the chief minister saidReiterating his governments commitment to a fair and transparent process the chief minister said the time taken does not reflect administrative apathy but the need for a legally sound and financially sustainable approachCM Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said he understands the problems of daily wagers and instead of threatening an agitation their representatives should meet him directly to resolve issuesIANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-one-lakh-daily-wagers-casual-labourers-working-in-various-govt-departments-jk-cm-jammu-feb-18-ians-jammu-and-kashmir-chief-minister-omar-abdullah-told-the-legislative-assembly-on-wednesday-that-there-are-over-one-lakh-daily-wagers-and-casual-labourers-at-present-engaged-by-various-govern-661793.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-conduct-2-day-statewide-terrestrial-bird-census-today-661616.html Chennai Feb 14 In a major push to strengthen wildlife monitoring across the state the Tamil Nadu Forest Department will carry out a twoday synchronised terrestrial bird census from Saturday across all forest divisions The twoday exercise is aimed at generating updated baseline data on bird populations particularly at a crucial time marking the early phase of the migratory season Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra said the census would adopt a uniform and scientific approach to ensure accuracy and consistency A minimum of 25 survey locations will be covered in each forest division with observers using the line transect method along stretches of two kilometres each to systematically document bird species in varied landscapes To maximise accuracy officials will employ both direct count and acoustic survey techniques While direct observation helps identify visible species acoustic monitoring allows experts to detect birds through their calls particularly in dense forest areas where visibility may be limited The largescale exercise will see participation from experienced birdwatchers Forest Department staff trained volunteers representatives of nongovernmental organisations and professional wildlife photographers Volunteers including interested school and college students have been asked to register in advance with the respective forest division offices Tamil Nadu has emerged as one of Indias key biodiversity hotspots supporting a rich diversity of resident and migratory bird species The state has placed increasing emphasis on scientific monitoring and conservation recognising the ecological significance of avian populations as indicators of environmental health Among its major initiatives are the Hornbill Conservation Centre the Raptor Research Foundation at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation and the International Bird Conservation Centre at Marakkanam These institutions focus on habitat protection research rescue and rehabilitation and longterm species monitoring The previous statelevel terrestrial bird census held on March 15 and 16 2025 covered 1093 terrestrial locations across all 38 districts The survey recorded 401 bird species both migratory and resident with the total terrestrial bird population estimated at 23 lakh Officials said the synchronised census this week is expected to generate robust scientific data that will aid longterm conservation planning habitat management strategies and evidencebased policy decisions to safeguard Tamil Nadus avian diversity IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-conduct-2-day-statewide-terrestrial-bird-census-today-661616.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-642-lakh-birds-of-270-species-recorded-at-gujarats-nalsarovar-bird-sanctuary-study-661469.html Ahmedabad Feb 11 More than 642 lakh birds representing 270 species have been recorded at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat during the Bird Census Study 2026 reaffirming the wetlandâs ecological importance as one of Indiaâs key habitats for resident and migratory birds The biennial census was conducted at the internationally recognised Ramsar site near Ahmedabad by the Forest Department to monitor bird diversity and population trendsAccording to official data an estimated 642232 birds were documented during the exercise which was carried out systematically across the sanctuaryTo ensure accuracy the entire sanctuary was divided into 50 survey zones Dedicated teams were assigned to each zone They undertook counting in two phases â early morning and late evening â when bird activity is typically at its peakThe data collected was verified under the supervision of experienced enumerators and a strict process was followed to remove duplication before finalising the reportA total of 220 participants took part in the census including 35 students 61 bird watchers and photography experts 13 specialists from outside Gujarat and 12 personnel from the Forest Department and other departmentsIn addition 99 local boatmen and guides played a key role in facilitating access across the wetland and assisting survey teams in the fieldForest officials said arrangements were made for accommodation meals and census kits for all participantsCertificates of participation were issued in recognition of their contribution to the study To prevent disturbance to wildlife and maintain the integrity of the data collection process the sanctuary remained closed to visitors for two days during the censusThe temporary closure had been communicated in advance through the mediaConducted every two years the census serves as an important scientific exercise to track population trends and species diversity at Nalsarovar strengthening its status as a significant wetland ecosystem and a critical habitat for migratory birds IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/over-642-lakh-birds-of-270-species-recorded-at-gujarats-nalsarovar-bird-sanctuary-study-661469.html Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/centre-working-on-trials-with-banks-to-operationalise-pf-withdrawals-via-atms-soon-661323.html New Delhi Feb 9 The government is working on trials with banks to operationalise employees provident fund PF withdrawals via automated teller machines ATMs with a likely date to make it applicable from April for ease of service The employees PF will also be open to withdrawals via the use of unified payments interface UPI apart from ATMs according to an NDTV profit report citing Labour Ministry sourcesThere was however no official communication yet from the governmentAccording to the report the move is being implemented to further streamline the process of EPF withdrawal which typically involves filing multiple formsUnder the current EPF scheme an employee contributes 12 per cent of the basic salary and dearness allowance every month The employer contributes an equal amount The interest rate has been fixed at 825 per cent for the fiscal year 202526Recently Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that all upcoming and several existing EPFO offices are being redeveloped into modern technologyenabled PassportSevaKendrastyle singlewindow service centres enabling citizens to resolve any EPFrelated issue at any regional office across the countryHe said that the step was part of a series of major reforms being undertaken by the government to strengthen EPFO services nationwideMandaviya further added that to enhance access for workers especially firsttime users and those unfamiliar with digital systems the government will soon introduce the mechanism of EPF Suvidha Providers These Suvidha Providers will be authorised facilitators to guide members in accessing benefits and resolving their issues thereby acting as a bridge between citizens and the EPFOEPFO today holds a fund corpus of Rs 28 lakh crore and provides 825 per cent annual interest If workersâ money is with the EPFO it carries the guarantee of the Government of India he saidElaborating on reforms he said that the EPFO is continuously evolving with simplified and technologyled processes settlements up to Rs 5 lakh are now processed automatically withdrawals up to 75 per cent of EPF balance are permitted with ease account transfers have been made seamless and EPFrelated issues can now be resolved at any EPFO regional office across the country irrespective of the memberâs home locationThe Labour Ministry will also put the four new Labour Codes into effect on April 1 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/centre-working-on-trials-with-banks-to-operationalise-pf-withdrawals-via-atms-soon-661323.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 04:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/scams-steal-trust-not-just-money-indian-american-community-deliberates-661236.html New Jersey Feb 9 In a modest hall in Maywood New Jersey seniors students and families gathered to confront a growing menace that has quietly reshaped lives across the Indian American community scams that drain savings shatter trust and increasingly pull young people into serious legal trouble The awareness event held on Sunday afternoon marked the public launch of Help Before Scam HBS a community initiative founded by Anil Mangukia aimed at stopping fraud before irreversible damage is done âScams do not steal the money They steal the trust they steal the peace of mind and the family stabilityâ Mangukia told the audience urging families to talk openly about scam tactics and warning signsIn the last year alone dozens of such cases have been reported from across the country with Indian American senior citizens and young students from India becoming victims of such a scam resulting in many of them losing their life savings or ending up in jail Much of the discussion focused on how scammers exploit fear and authority Frances Nicotra a New Jerseybased attorney explained that seniors are often targeted precisely because they are conditioned to be respectful and responsive âThey could sound the sweetest they could be the most charmingâ Nicotra said warning that scammers rely on friendliness and urgency to extract personal informationNicotra stressed that urgency itself should raise suspicion âAnything calling for your personal information threatening an arrest threatening something badâs going to happen to you itâs never that urgent ever under any circumstanceâ she said advising seniors to pause refuse to share details and verify independently before respondingThe event also addressed a disturbing trend involving students particularly international students who are being recruited as couriers in gold and cash scams Speakers warned that offers of quick money often end with arrests and long prison sentences âAnybody offers you that type of money donât ever indulge in thatâ said Harold DâSouza describing such offers as clear red flagsDâSouzaâs remarks carried weight as he recounted his own experience of labour trafficking after arriving legally in the US in 2003 Describing the moment he realised he was trapped he said âIn one second I lost four things I lost my hope I lost my courage I lost my voice and I lost my freedomâAddressing students directly DâSouza warned against shortcuts that promise fast returns âA shortterm pain is a longterm gain but a shortterm gain is a longterm painâ he said adding that easy money schemes can devastate families that have invested heavily in education abroadSpeakers repeatedly emphasised the importance of early reporting and intervention Nicotra urged victims or potential victims to seek help immediately âNine one one is always always the bestâ she said while also advising calls to banks Adult Protective Services and trusted family members if a suspicious call is receivedSeveral speakers acknowledged that law enforcement often arrests lowlevel participants while those directing scams remain hidden Calling scams âa criminal enterpriseâ Nicotra said agencies must push further up the chain to dismantle networks that prey on vulnerable populations rather than recycling arrests at the bottomMangukia said HBS aims to bridge the gap between policing and prevention by spreading practical knowledge within families community centres and student networks âKnowledge is powerâ Nicotra added âIt helps you maintain your agencyâUS authorities have repeatedly warned of rising impersonation and courier scams with billions of dollars lost nationwide in recent years Communitydriven efforts like the HBS initiative reflect a growing recognition that education and vigilance especially within immigrant communities may be the most effective first line of defence against an evolving threat IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/scams-steal-trust-not-just-money-indian-american-community-deliberates-661236.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/adani-mangal-seva-completes-1-year-of-dignity-opportunity-for-500-divyang-women-661048.html Ahmedabad Feb 5 The Adani Mangal Seva on Thursday completed the first year of dignity and opportunity for 500 divyang persons with disabilities women Announced on February 5 last year Adani Mangal Seva marks Diva and Jeet Adanis decision to turn their wedding celebrations into a pledge of social security for divyang womenAnchored by the Adani Foundation the social welfare and development arm of the Adani Group Adani Mangal Seva supports divyang women aged 25 to 40 identified by project partner Youth for Jobs and holding Unique Disability ID UDID cardsIn its first year the initiative fulfilled its commitment to support 500 divyang women each with Rs 10 lakh Fixed Deposit to ensure monthly income and longterm financial stability as per a foundation statementAs a doting father I feel truly blessed that my children are choosing to carry their personal happiness into the lives of many families adding hope reassurance and quiet strength where it is needed most I pray to the Almighty that this spirit of service continues to bring happiness dignity and renewed hope into countless lives and that Jeet and Diva remain steadfast on this path of compassion purpose and seva Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said in a post on X while also extending his wishes and blessingsUnder the Adani Mangal Seva initiative each beneficiary receives a Rs 10 lakh fixed deposit created in partnership with State Bank of India SBI as the banking partnerThe structure provides an assured monthly income with access to the principal amount after 10 years ensuring longterm financial stability and securityThe commitment is structured to span at least five years supporting up to 500 divyang women annually with an annual allocation of Rs 50 crore to sustain the initiative and its longterm impactThe evening marked a moment of reflection continuity and fulfilment on the Belvedere Club lawns in Shantigram as Adani Mangal Seva completed one year since its inceptionThe programme began with prayer and reflection followed by a presentation reaffirming the central belief of Adani Mangal Seva that prosperity finds meaning only when it creates lasting opportunity for othersâThe inspiration behind Adani Mangal Seva was born from a simple yet profound thought that personal joy finds its highest meaning when it is shared for collective wellbeing When life blesses us with moments of happiness extending that happiness to society is true service That is why Adani Mangal Seva is deeply personal to me This is not just a programme It is an emotion It is a responsibility we carry forward Adani Foundation Chairperson Dr Priti Adani said in her address to the gatheringDuring the programme Gautam Adani also launched Adani Mangal Sevaâs book comprising stories of transformation The evening concluded with a shared dinner that preserved its inclusive and grounded character IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/adani-mangal-seva-completes-1-year-of-dignity-opportunity-for-500-divyang-women-661048.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-announces-ex-gratia-to-anganwadi-workers-family-for-saving-20-children-from-bee-attack-661051.html Neemuch Feb 5 Respecting the courage of an Anganwadi worker Kanchan Bai Meghwal who sacrificed her life to protect nearly 20 children from an aggressive swarm of bees in Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch district the state government will provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to her family Kanchan Bai Meghwal a Dalit woman was serving as a cook at an Anganwadi centre in Ranpur village in Neemuch districtOn February 2 when she was preparing meals for the children a massive beehive on a nearby tree triggered the attack on children playing at the Anganwadi centrePanic ensued as the bees surrounded the children but Kanchan Bai Meghwal showed her courage and rushed forward grabbing tarpaulin sheets tirpal mats dari and blankets to wrap and shield each child individuallyShe deliberately positioned herself to draw the bees fury away ushering the children into a roomShe fought with bees until she could and collapsedShe was rushed to a nearby health centre but was declared dead on arrival or shortly after due to the overwhelming venomGetting information about the tragic incident Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the brave anganwadi workers death and announced a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to her kinThe Chief Minister also announced free education for all the children saved by Kanchan Bai MeghwalThe untimely death of Kanchan Bai Meghwal a worker at the Anganwadi centre in Ranpur village of Neemuch district due to bee stings is extremely tragic and heartbreaking The state government stands with her family in this time of grief On humanitarian grounds I have directed that financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh be provided to Kanchan Bai Meghwals family The state government will also bear the expenses of her childrens education Chief Minister Yadav wrote on XVillagers said Kanchan Bai Meghwals husband Shivalal is paralysed and she managed both the familys expenses and the upbringing of their son and two daughters IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-announces-ex-gratia-to-anganwadi-workers-family-for-saving-20-children-from-bee-attack-661051.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-announces-ex-gratia-for-anganwadi-workers-family-for-saving-20-children-from-bee-attack-661052.html Neemuch Feb 5 Respecting the courage of an Anganwadi worker Kanchan Bai Meghwal who sacrificed her life to protect nearly 20 children from an aggressive swarm of bees in Madhya Pradeshs Neemuch district the state government will provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to her family Kanchan Bai Meghwal a Dalit woman was serving as a cook at an Anganwadi centre in Ranpur village in Neemuch districtOn February 2 when she was preparing meals for the children a massive beehive on a nearby tree triggered the attack on children playing at the Anganwadi centrePanic ensued as the bees surrounded the children but Kanchan Bai Meghwal showed her courage and rushed forward grabbing tarpaulin sheets tirpal mats dari and blankets to wrap and shield each child individuallyShe deliberately positioned herself to draw the bees fury away ushering the children into a roomShe fought with bees until she could and collapsedShe was rushed to a nearby health centre but was declared dead on arrival or shortly after due to the overwhelming venomGetting information about the tragic incident Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the brave anganwadi workers death and announced a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to her kinThe Chief Minister also announced free education for all the children saved by Kanchan Bai MeghwalThe untimely death of Kanchan Bai Meghwal a worker at the Anganwadi centre in Ranpur village of Neemuch district due to bee stings is extremely tragic and heartbreaking The state government stands with her family in this time of grief On humanitarian grounds I have directed that financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh be provided to Kanchan Bai Meghwals family The state government will also bear the expenses of her childrens education Chief Minister Yadav wrote on XVillagers said Kanchan Bai Meghwals husband Shivalal is paralysed and she managed both the familys expenses and the upbringing of their son and two daughters IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-announces-ex-gratia-for-anganwadi-workers-family-for-saving-20-children-from-bee-attack-661052.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-records-drop-in-poverty-says-niti-aayogs-mpi-data-661089.html Srinagar Feb 6 The national multidimensional poverty index MPI data from Niti Aayog indicates a reduction in poverty levels in Jammu and Kashmir while also suggesting that access to education and safe drinking water is no longer considered a luxury in the union territory Niti Aayogâs MPI measures simultaneous deprivations across health education and standard of living using 12 indicatorsBased on NFHS data it acts as a policy tool for monitoring poverty Recent data shows a significant decline with 2482 crore people escaping poverty between 201314 and 202223 and the headcount ratio dropping from 2917 per cent to 1128 per centOver the last seven years JampK has recorded a considerable decline in poverty from 1256 per cent to 48 per cent as per the most recent National MPI statisticsLast year some experts questioned the credibility of NITI Aayogâs MPI figures simply because of the dependence of people in the union territory on PDSThis concern arose from the fact that nearly 50 per cent of Kashmirâs population relied on the governmentâs Public Distribution Systems PDS for food and financial assistance PDS played the primary role of providing sustenance for these members who lacked stable means of livelihoodAn August 2025 report from Kashmirâs Department of FCSampCA exhibits that 9864 lakh beneficiaries receive foodgrains every month Thus social workers felt that Kashmirâs citizens still lacked credible means to overcome poverty and mere survivalThese experts primarily focused their attention on food availability and peopleâs dependence on PDS They almost completely ignored the fact that except for those living below the poverty line foodgrains made available to people in JampK through PDS are not given at the subsidised rates anymore People are supplied with good grains by the PDS department except those under the poverty line at competitive rates and also in quantities much less than the familyâs total monthly consumptionThese experts completely missed the point as to where the people in JampK meet the shortfall in their monthly food grain consumption The fact is that the Kashmir Valley has very little cultivable paddy land since rice is the staple food of the ValleyExponential growth in population lateral expansion of cities and towns railways road expansion electric transmission towers acquisition of land for public purposes and the nonviability of agriculture visavis expenditure and income have caused a huge decline in paddy cultivationPeople have been abandoning the cultivation of food grains by diversifying into more lucrative professions and businesses This has increased their buying power and standard of living to an extent that is truly indicated by the NITI Aayogâs MPI index which shows a decline in povertyThe fact is that a large part of the Jammu and Kashmir population is no longer starving The lifestyle of the population has undergone major changes over the last five yearsDependency on PDS can be reduced by using the right strategies but lives getting saved and hunger being eradicated are commendable feats Reducing PDS Dependency Kashmirâs local and central leadership has made notable progress in eradicating povertyThe government is now focusing increasingly on employment and entrepreneurship Representatives are turning their attention towards schemes which help increase the means of livelihood and income stability Funds are now being curtailed in PDS and channelised into central flagship schemes to help employment businesses and professions so that people achieve stability while poverty keeps declining IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-records-drop-in-poverty-says-niti-aayogs-mpi-data-661089.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-nitish-kumars-son-nishant-kumar-visits-vrindavan-simplicity-wins-hearts-660819.html Patna Feb 4 Nishant Kumar son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the holy town of Vrindavan with his family on Wednesday for darshan and prayers The visit drew public attention not for any political significance but for Nishant Kumarâs striking simplicity and lowprofile conduct He was seen travelling through the narrow lanes of Vrindavan in an erickshaw without any elaborate entourage or visible security presenceLocals were visibly surprised to see the Chief Ministerâs son moving about quietly and casually blending seamlessly into the spiritual ambience of the townSeveral photographs and videos from the visit surfaced on social media showing Nishant Kumar walking through the streets visiting temples spending time near water bodies and travelling like an ordinary pilgrimTej Pratap Yadav son of Lalu Prasad speaking to IANS said âHe should have visited Vrindavan earlier I have already visited Vrindavan Barsana and other places there Nishant has started now If he had visited earlier there would have been more glow on his faceâHis understated presence conveyed a strong message of humility and simplicity earning appreciation from manyKnown for staying away from the public glare Nishant Kumar is rarely seen at political or social events Though his name is occasionally discussed in Biharâs political circles he has consistently maintained that he has no interest in active politics and prefers a quiet personal lifeBorn on July 20 1975 Nishant Kumar will turn 50 in 2026 He is the only son of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his late wife Manju Sinha a school teacher who passed away in 2007He completed his early education at St Karenâs School in Patna and later studied at Manav Bharti India International School Mussoorie He went on to pursue software engineering from Birla Institute of Technology BIT Mesra RanchiOver the years Nishant Kumar has largely devoted himself to personal and spiritual pursuits consciously avoiding political engagement However his occasional public appearances in recent years have sparked renewed political speculation in BiharHis Vrindavan visit marked by humility and simplicity once again underscored his preference for a grounded lowkey lifestyle leaving a quiet yet lasting impression on those who witnessed it IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-nitish-kumars-son-nishant-kumar-visits-vrindavan-simplicity-wins-hearts-660819.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/turkey-bound-flight-with-236-passengers-from-nepal-makes-emergency-landing-in-kolkata-660849.html Kolkata Feb 4 A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International NSCBI airport in Kolkata on Wednesday The pilot suspected that one of the engines had caught fire in midair Following this permission was requested for an emergency landing at NSCBI airport in KolkataSources at the airport said that the aircraft landed at 249 pm on Wednesday after receiving permission The plane was carrying 236 passengers the pilot and several crew members All are reported to be safe although the passengers were reportedly panickedAccording to sources Flight THY727 had departed from Kathmandu in Nepal bound for Istanbul in Turkey Shortly after takeoff the pilot suddenly noticed indications of a mechanical malfunctionHe suspected that the right engine of the aircraft had caught fire At that time the plane was near Kolkata The pilot immediately contacted Kolkata airports Air Traffic Control ATC After explaining the problem and his suspicions the decision was made to make an emergency landingAfter landing the passengers were safely disembarked from the aircraft The director of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport stated that the aircraft is currently at Kolkata airport and is undergoing inspectionThe aircrafts engine is being examined and arrangements will be made to transport the passengers to their destination on another flight The airline has not yet commented on the incidentIt may be recalled that on June 12 last year an Air India passenger plane flying from Ahmedabad to Londons Gatwick airport crashed into a building just seconds after takeoff killing 260 peopleA ââfew days ago Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash His aircraft crashed while landing in Baramati in Maharashtra Besides Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar four other people were on board the private plane all of them died These consecutive accidents are increasing concerns about air travel safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/turkey-bound-flight-with-236-passengers-from-nepal-makes-emergency-landing-in-kolkata-660849.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/arunachal-mountaineer-kabak-yano-conquers-mount-aconcagua-scales-south-americas-highest-peak-660609.html Itanagar Feb 3 Continuing her inspiring quest to scale the highest peaks on all seven continents mountaineer Kabak Yano successfully summited Mount Aconcagua the highest peak in South America in Argentina late last week as part of her ambitious 7Summit Mountaineering Expedition officials said A Lok Bhavan official in Itanagar said on Monday that towering at 22831 feet above sea level Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere and a formidable challenge even for seasoned mountaineers This remarkable achievement marks yet another milestone in Yanos extraordinary journey of endurance courage and determination Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General KT Parnaik Retd congratulated 27yearold Kabak Yano on her latest outstanding mountaineering accomplishment Lauding her indomitable spirit and unwavering focus the Governor said that Yanos journey is a personal triumph and at the same time a powerful source of inspiration for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh He also added that Yanos achievements vividly demonstrate how discipline perseverance and selfbelief can help overcome even the most daunting challenges Emphasising his continued commitment to encouraging sports and adventure activities among youth the Governor expressed confidence that Yanos success will motivate many youths of the state to pursue games sports and adventure disciplines with renewed enthusiasm and confidence Governor Parnaik had formally flagged off Yanos 7Summit Mountaineering Expedition from Lok Bhavan at Itanagar on July 28 last year in the presence of the State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Kento Jini extending his best wishes for her challenging global mission Born on September 5 1999 Yano one of the proud Everesters of Arunachal Pradesh has already etched her name in the annals of mountaineering by successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania the highest peak in Africa on August 4 2025 and Mount Elbrus the highest peak in Russia and Europe on August 16 2025 The prestigious 7Summit Mountaineering Expedition comprises the ascent of Mount Everest Asia Aconcagua South America Denali North America Kilimanjaro Africa Mount Elbrus Europe Vinson Massif Antarctica and Puncak Jaya or Mount Kosciuszko Oceania a rare and demanding feat achieved by only a select few mountaineers across the world With this remarkable achievement she became the fifth woman climber from Arunachal Pradesh and the first woman from the Nyishi community to achieve such a feat IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/arunachal-mountaineer-kabak-yano-conquers-mount-aconcagua-scales-south-americas-highest-peak-660609.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-metro-water-board-to-deploy-robotic-systems-for-pipeline-inspections-660623.html Chennai Feb 3 The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board Metro Water has decided to deploy advanced robotic systems to inspect underground water supply and sewer pipelines across the city a move aimed at reducing road cuts and easing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians Under the new initiative robotic crawler cameras will be sent into live pipelines to assess their internal condition without excavating roads The inspections will help identify leaks structural damage contamination sources clogging and faulty joints problems that are often difficult to detect from the surfaceAccording to the proposal three different types of robotic systems will be used to inspect pipelines of varying diameters including small lines of around 50 mm medium pipelines of about 250 mm and large water mains and sewer lines measuring up to 1000 mm and aboveThe inspections will be carried out in selected stretches across all 15 zones of Chennai The robotic units are equipped with highresolution cameras and laser profiling tools that can record continuous video footage capture still images and map internal deformations along the length of the pipelineAgencies engaged for the work will be required to submit detailed digital inspection reports including videos images and defect maps to support followup repair and replacement worksGaurav Kumar Executive Director of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board said the Board needed a reliable way to understand what was happening inside ageing pipelines without repeatedly digging up roadsâThe idea is to reduce hassle and save time in detecting the issueâ he said adding that many sections of the cityâs pipeline network were nearly 40 years old and increasingly vulnerable to internal deteriorationThe decision follows a pilot project conducted in 2023 during which robotic inspections were carried out in two phases covering about 25 km of pipelines The exercise revealed damage in several doublewall corrugated DWC pipes made of highdensity polyethene which were subsequently replaced with cast iron pipes to improve longevity in multiple locationsEncouraged by the results Metro Water has floated a tender to engage specialised agencies for a twoyear period to carry out systematic robotic inspections The selected agency will be required to maintain a standby robotic system to prevent interruptions and submit regular progress and inspection reports to Metro Water engineersInspection teams are expected to operate for up to 10 hours a day As per the tender conditions payments will be linked to the length of pipeline inspected with separate daily charges for operation and maintenance The Board expects the technologydriven approach to speed up fault detection minimise public disruption and improve the overall reliability of Chennaiâs underground water and sewer infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-metro-water-board-to-deploy-robotic-systems-for-pipeline-inspections-660623.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/maghi-purnima-lakhs-take-holy-dip-across-country-massive-turnout-at-prayagraj-sangam-660489.html Prayagraj Feb 1 Lakhs of devotees gathered at river ghats nationwide on Maghi Purnima amid chants drumbeats and a vast display of faith expressing their joy and spiritual satisfaction after taking a dip The Sangam in Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh saw an extraordinary turnout from the early hours amid elaborate security and administrative measures At Prayagraj pilgrims began arriving at the Sangam and other ghats from the previous night to take part in the sacred snan at the confluence of the Ganga Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati marking one of the most significant bathing rituals of the ongoing Magh MelaSpeaking to IANS Magh Mela Officer Rishi Raj said there was a continuous influx of devotees since early morningâDevotees have been arriving since last night and are taking holy dips at various ghatsâ he said adding that around 90 lakh pilgrims had taken the holy bath till 8 am with numbers expected to rise furtherThe district administration made extensive arrangements for crowd management sanitation drinking water and medical facilities while traffic diversions were enforced across the city to ensure smooth movementAdditional Police Commissioner Ajay Pal Sharma said comprehensive security measures were in placeâPolice personnel have been deployed at all major ghats and entry points Crowd movement is being continuously monitored through CCTV cameras and dronesâ he said adding that the situation remained peaceful with no untoward incident reported till the filing of this reportMaghi Purnima also saw large gatherings at other major pilgrimage centres In Ayodhya devotees took a holy dip in the Saryu River with many expressing satisfaction over the arrangements made by the administrationâWe have received all facilities and thank the government for itâ a devotee saidIn Haridwar Uttarakhand thousands of pilgrims gathered at Har Ki Pauri to take a holy dip in the Ganga while in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh devotees flocked to various ghats with priests terming Maghi Purnima as one of the most auspicious bathing days of the yearSimilar scenes were witnessed in Bhagalpur in Bihar where devotees took a dip in the Ganga at Ajgaibinath Dham and in Narmadapuram in Madhya Pradesh where large crowds gathered at Sethani Ghat on the Narmada River In Raebareli hundreds braved the biting cold to take a holy dip at Dalmau Ganga GhatIn Farrukhabad Uttar Pradesh a huge crowd gathered at the Ganga ghats with officials saying that around one lakh devotees had taken a holy dip by 10 amMeanwhile the Railways said elaborate arrangements had been made in Prayagraj for Maghi Purnima with special trains additional ticket counters and a 24hour mela control room set up to manage passenger movement during the main bathing day of the Magh Mela IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/maghi-purnima-lakhs-take-holy-dip-across-country-massive-turnout-at-prayagraj-sangam-660489.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/his-legacy-will-live-on-capt-sunil-choudharys-parents-express-pride-over-renaming-of-kathua-railway-station-after-martyred-son-660389.html Jammu Jan 31 The Jammu and Kashmir government has accorded sanction for renaming of Kathua Railway Station in honour of Kirti Chakra awardee and martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary recognising his supreme sacrifice for the nation This move has evoked both pride and deep emotion in his family particularly his father retired Colonel PL Choudhary who said the loss of a young son leaves a lifelong void even as his bravery fills the family with pride An official order has accorded formal sanction for renaming the railway station located in Kathua district to commemorate Captain Choudharyâs supreme sacrifice in the line of dutyThe decision is being seen as a tribute to the fallen officer and a reaffirmation of the Union Territoryâs commitment to honouring the sacrifices of armed forces personnelReacting to the decision Captain Choudharyâs father Col PL Choudhary told IANS that the governmentâs initiative to name public institutions after martyrs was commendableâThe government has issued a notification to rename the Kathua railway station after my son to honour his sacrifice Naming railway stations schools and playgrounds after martyrs motivates children from a young age and inspires them to serve the nationâ he told IANSRecalling his own service background Col Choudhary said children from military families often grow up inspired by the uniformâSince I was in the Army our thinking naturally leaned towards the Army Navy or Air Force Children grow up watching the uniform and the work we do which becomes a source of motivation and when they join the armed forces they tend to excelâ he saidCaptain Choudhary was posted in Tinsukia on the AssamâArunachal Pradesh border where within three to four months of his deployment he led a successful operation neutralising two terrorists of the United Liberation Front of Assam ULFAFor his gallantry he was awarded the Sena Medal on January 26 2008 and had earned a reputation as a major threat to the outfitThe very next day January 27 2008 he was scheduled to attend a celebratory lunch hosted by his Commanding Officer Col Pramit Saxena at Dinjan to mark his Sena Medal along with Lt Varun Rathore of 19 Punjab However before he could reach the venue fresh Intelligence was received regarding the presence of seven to nine ULFA terrorists hiding in Rangagarh village Without hesitation Captain Choudhary immediately placed duty above personal celebrationDuring this operation Captain Choudhary shot dead two terrorists but during the ensuing firefight he sustained a grievous bullet injury to the left side of his chest He later succumbed to his injuries Before laying down his life he ensured the terrorist was neutralised and that no civilian or troop casualties occurred For his exceptional bravery he was posthumously awarded the Kirti ChakraâThere is immense pride but there is also deep sorrowâ Col Choudhary said âWhen parents lose their young son the grief stays for a lifetime Yet when we hear about his deeds from the battalion our chest swells with prideâSatya Choudhary mother of Captain Choudhary told IANS Today when I heard the news I felt very happy that the Kathua Railway Station has been named after my son Captain Sunil Choudhary I want to thank the government both the central and the state government and also those who raised their voices to ensure that the station is named after him Today I feel very proud that such a thing has happened for us Though my son may not be with us his name will remain immortal for generations to comeAs per Government Order No129JKGAD of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department the Kathua Railway Station will now be officially known as Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/his-legacy-will-live-on-capt-sunil-choudharys-parents-express-pride-over-renaming-of-kathua-railway-station-after-martyred-son-660389.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-govt-asks-employees-to-wear-khadi-monthly-660184.html Bengaluru Jan 30 The Congressled government in Karnataka has issued a circular promoting khadi use among officials to mark the 77th Republic Day which was observed on January 26 The state government has urged officials to wear khadi on first Saturday of every monthState Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has issued the circular in this regard and said Khadi is not merely a garment it is a symbol of the nations dignity and pride At present khadi weavers are taking steps to produce garments in new and modern designs Moreover khadi production forms the backbone of the rural economy and provides direct and indirect livelihoods to thousands of rural spinners and weavers in the stateTherefore on the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day with the objective of reconnecting public service with the countrys freedom struggle the state government has taken an important decision to promote the use of khadi Accordingly officers and employees of all state government aided institutions corporations boards autonomous bodies universities are requested to voluntarily wear khadi attire on the first Saturday of every month and to issue directions to officers and staff of their respective departments to wear khadi while participating in all official government programmes including the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations Rajneesh addedThe state government believes that this initiative will help foster respect for indigenous products unity national spirit Indianness selfrespect and a sense of social responsibility among government officers and employees she saidThe government order has also provided the link which provides details of the names addresses and products of the 176 khadi associations and institutions currently functioning across all districts in the stateThe copy of the order has been sent to all Additional Chief Secretaries Principal Secretaries Secretaries of the state governmentThis decision of the Congressled state government has been welcomed and received appreciation from the government employees and all sections of the society in Karnataka The move is also likely to help weavers community and governmentowned khadi production centres in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-govt-asks-employees-to-wear-khadi-monthly-660184.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-to-inaugurate-global-womens-summit-in-chennai-today-659826.html Chennai Jan 27 Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate a twoday Global Womenâs Summit in Chennai on Tuesday as the Tamil Nadu government brings together policymakers international organisations industry leaders and civil society representatives to deliberate on womenâs employment safety and workplace inclusion According to an official press release issued by the state government the summit is being organised under the Tamil Nadu Women Employment and Safety Scheme implemented by the Special Programme Implementation Department The event is scheduled to take place on January 27 and 28 at the Nandambakkam Trade Centre in Chennai The Global Womenâs Summit is part of Tamil Naduâs sustained efforts to strengthen institutional frameworks that support women across all sectors of the economy The initiative aims to help women enter the workforce retain employment and return to work after career breaks by creating enabling ecosystems within public and private institutions More than 500 delegates are expected to participate in the summit including representatives from government departments international agencies industry education corporate social responsibility initiatives and nongovernmental organisations Key participants include Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin senior officials from the World Bank representatives of UN Women and the India leadership of the United Nations Development Programme International delegates including senior political representatives from Mauritius will also attend the event The twoday summit will feature 11 thematic sessions addressing a wide range of issues related to womenâs workforce participation Topics will include skill development workplace safety leadership pathways policy innovation genderresponsive governance and the role of publicprivate partnerships in expanding formal employment opportunities for women More than 70 speakers from India and abroad will address the sessions sharing best practices research findings and policy experiences aimed at improving womenâs access to dignified and secure employment Interactive discussions and panel sessions are expected to focus on practical strategies that can be replicated across sectors The concluding session of the summit will be chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin During the valedictory programme the Tamil Nadu government is likely to announce the launch of a statewide campaign to support womenâs skill development and enhance access to formal employment opportunities Officials said the Global Womenâs Summit reflects Tamil Naduâs broader commitment to gender equity economic inclusion and inclusive growth while reinforcing the stateâs position as a leader in womencentric policy initiatives IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-to-inaugurate-global-womens-summit-in-chennai-today-659826.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-years-after-corporation-status-tns-avadi-still-awaits-water-sewer-connectivity-659845.html Chennai Jan 27 Nearly half a decade after Avadi was elevated to a municipal corporation the promise of comprehensive civic infrastructure remains unfulfilled for a large section of its residents Despite rapid urban growth and rising population density many neighbourhoods continue to function without piped drinking water and an underground sewerage network forcing the civic body to seek fresh funding to bridge persistent gaps in basic amenities Spread over 65 sq km Avadi Corporation has so far been able to provide piped water supply and sewer connections to only about 23 sq km In the remaining areas households continue to depend on borewells septic tanks and private water tankers increasing pressure on groundwater resources and posing sanitation and public health risks The mismatch between urban expansion and infrastructure development has emerged as one of the corporationâs most pressing challenges Under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation AMRUT water supply and sewerage works are currently underway in Avadi Paruthipattu and Thirumullaivoyal Civic officials indicate that once additional funds are released by the government other localities within the corporation limits including Annanur and Pattabiram are expected to be brought under regular piped water supply and improved sewerage coverage The underground drainage system is being implemented in phases with parallel efforts to identify and disconnect unauthorised sewage outlets linked to stormwater drains Such illegal connections have been blamed for contamination and urban flooding particularly during the monsoon Enforcement measures including penalties are being planned to prevent further violations and to safeguard the integrity of the drainage network In addition to the proposed Rs 450 crore earmarked for strengthening civic infrastructure the corporation has submitted a separate Rs 552 crore proposal for establishing a new sewage treatment plant The project includes a main transmission pipeline to supply treated water across all four zones and 48 wards with the aim of creating an integrated and sustainable sewerage system for the expanding city Residents and consumer groups however continue to express concern over delays and execution quality Issues such as the use of narrow drainage pipes and the lack of visible progress despite significant deposits collected for water and sewer connections have added to public frustration As Avadi continues its transition from a suburban township to a fullfledged urban centre the success of these proposed projects will be crucial in determining whether the corporation can finally ensure equitable access to basic civic services for all IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-years-after-corporation-status-tns-avadi-still-awaits-water-sewer-connectivity-659845.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/padma-awards-tn-shines-as-states-luminaries-honoured-659676.html Chennai Jan 25 Tamil Naduâs enduring legacy of public service intellectual excellence and cultural stewardship found national recognition this year with several eminent personalities from the state figuring prominently in the Padma awards list The honours span medicine social work science arts literature and public administration underscoring decades of commitment to nationbuilding and community welfareLeading the list is Kalipatti Ramasamy Palanisamy a distinguished medical professional who was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his pioneering contributions to healthcareWidely respected for his serviceoriented approach Palanisamyâs work has had a transformative impact on community health particularly in rural and underserved regions of Tamil NaduAlso receiving the Padma Bhushan is SKM Maeilanandhan a noted social worker whose sustained efforts in education social welfare and community development have touched thousands of lives across the stateThe Padma Shri honours featured a strong representation from the arts medicine and science In the field of arts Gayatri Balasubramanian and Ranjani Balasubramanian were recognised for their creative contributions that have helped preserve and reinterpret traditional Indian art formsMedical science saw multiple awardees including HV Hande honoured for his longstanding service in healthcare and Punniamurthy Natesan recognised for his dedicated work in medical and veterinary researchIn science and engineering K Ramasamy and Veezhinathan Kamakoti the current Director of IIT Madras were awarded the Padma Shri for advancing scientific knowledge and technical educationPublic service was acknowledged through K Vijayakumar a senior IPS officer noted for his peoplecentric policing and for his role in key investigations including operations against forest brigand Veerappan Traditional and performing arts also received due recognition with Padma Shri awards to Othuvaar Thiruthani Swaminathan Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar and Thiruvarur Bhakthavathsalam for safeguarding and popularising classical and folk traditionsIn literature and education veteran writer Sivasankari was honoured for her influential contribution to Tamil literary discourse while K Pajanivel received the Padma Shri for Chilambam martial arts and social service in Puducherry Posthumous recognition was accorded to R Krishnan for his enduring artistic legacyTogether the Padma awardees from Tamil Nadu reflect excellence across disciplines and reaffirm the Stateâs profound and continuing contribution to Indiaâs cultural intellectual and public life IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/padma-awards-tn-shines-as-states-luminaries-honoured-659676.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kashmiri-linguist-prof-shafi-shauq-conferred-with-padma-shri-award-659692.html Srinagar Jan 25 Kashmiri poet writer linguist and critic Shafi Shauq was conferred on Sunday with the Padma Shri award on the eve of the countryâs 77th Republic Day celebrations When he learnt about his nomination for the award this year Shafi Shauq told IANS âIn addition to recognition of my humble contribution to Kashmiri literature it is more an award for the recognition of the literary richness of KashmirâI am humbled by learning that I have been nominated to join the group of persons recognised for their contribution to literature in public lifeâ Shauq saidThe Padma Shri is the fourthhighest civilian award of the Republic of India after the Bharat Ratna the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma BhushanInstituted on 2 January 1954 the award is conferred in recognition of distinguished contribution in various spheres of activity including the arts education industry literature science acting medicine social service and public affairs It is awarded by the Government of India every year on Indias Republic DayShafi Shauq was born in 1950 in the state of Jammu and Kashmir He completed his PhD in English and is an acclaimed poet fiction writer linguist and criticBorn in Kaprin village of Shopian district Shafi Shauq is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative voices in Kashmiri studies Over a distinguished academic career spanning more than three decades at the University of Kashmir he authored edited and translated over 100 books across Kashmiri Urdu Hindi and English His seminal worksâincluding âKeeshur Lugaatâ Kashmiri Dictionary âKeeshryuk Grammarâ and âKaeshir Zaban ti Adibuk Tawaariekhâ History of the Kashmiri Language and Literature are considered foundational texts and remain indispensable to scholars students and researchersAfter serving for thirty three years in the University of Kashmir Prof Shauq retired as Dean Faculty of Arts in 2010Interestingly Shafi Shauq passed his postgraduate exam in English literature and did his PhD in English literature But finally chose Kashmiri as his medium of communicationHe has written scores of books and has proficiency in Kashmiri Urdu English and Hindi languages IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kashmiri-linguist-prof-shafi-shauq-conferred-with-padma-shri-award-659692.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bangladeshi-cargo-vessel-sinks-near-bay-of-bengal-12-sailors-rescued-659292.html Kolkata Jan 22 A Bangladeshi cargo vessel identified as MV Tamjid and Nasir sank in the Muriganga River in West Bengals South 24 Paraganas district on the night of January 21 All 12 sailors on board were safely rescued said officials on Thursday According to the police the incident occurred on Wednesday night in the middle of the Muriganga River near KachuberiaAccording to administrative sources the Bangladeshi cargo vessel was carrying goods from Kolkata port to Bangladesh It is believed that the incident occurred due to a mechanical malfunction in the middle of the riverRegarding this incident the Superintendent of Police of Sundarbans Police District Koteswara Rao said On Wednesday a cargo ship travelling from Kolkata port to Bangladesh suddenly sank due to a mechanical malfunction between Ghoramara Island and Kachuberia The Sagar police quickly reached the spot and safely rescued all 12 people who were on board the cargo ship Everyone is safe and soundA preliminary investigation revealed that the ships engine suddenly malfunctioned As a result it lost control and was caught in the strong currents of the river Shortly afterwards a crack appeared in the lower part of the ship and water began to leak in Realising the gravity of the situation the sailors on board quickly appealed for help Upon receiving the news the Sagar police station immediately reached the scene Twelve Bangladeshi nationals on board were rescuedAccording to administrative sources all the Bangladeshi sailors and crew members on the ship have been safely rescued and there are no reports of any casualtiesThe rescued sailors were provided with first aid They are currently staying at a multipurpose shelter under Gangasagar Police StationArrangements have been made for their food and drinking water At the same time attempts are being made to contact the Bangladeshi authorities Sources said that they will be sent back to their country very soon An investigation has been launched into the type of cargo the sunken ship was carrying The administration is also monitoring whether any oil or harmful chemicals might have spilled into the river IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bangladeshi-cargo-vessel-sinks-near-bay-of-bengal-12-sailors-rescued-659292.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-woman-stranded-in-belarus-to-return-home-after-job-scam-659326.html Navsari Gujarat Jan 22 Meena Joshi a widow and mother of three from Gujaratâs Navsari district who was stranded in Belarus after being duped by a fake overseas job offer is set to return to India on January 24 officials said on Thursday According to those facilitating her return Joshi will depart from Minsk International Airport at 920 pm on January 23 and arrive at Delhiâs Indira Gandhi International Airport at 640 am the next day She will proceed to her hometown thereafterJoshi had travelled to Belarus after being promised a fruitpacking job with a monthly salary of Rs 90000 along with overtime benefits The job was arranged through Vadodarabased agents for which she allegedly paid around Rs 55 lakh using her savings and borrowed moneyHowever on reaching Belarus she discovered that the promised job did not exist Instead of fruitpacking work she was reportedly made to tend to animals at a stable With no income and no money to return home she was left strandedIn distress Joshi recorded a video accusing the agents of abandoning her The video went viral on social media drawing public attention and prompting intervention by the agent who had processed her visaPiyush Chauhan owner of Gajanand Overseas said arrangements were made for her safe return after the issue came to light âAfter receiving information about the matter we immediately contacted the company concerned The company sought a day after which Meena was traced and shifted to a safe placeâ Chauhan saidHe added that he had spoken to Joshi earlier and claimed that some individuals had influenced her to release the video instead of approaching the agency directlyThe incident once again highlights the growing number of cases in which Indian workers are lured abroad with false job promises Authorities have reiterated the need for prospective migrants to verify job offers and recruitment agents before travelling overseas IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-woman-stranded-in-belarus-to-return-home-after-job-scam-659326.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/shaktisinh-gohils-nephew-wife-found-dead-police-probing-murder-or-accident--659357.html Ahmedabad Jan 22 Authorities on Thursday intensified their probe into the deaths of Yashrajsinh Gohil nephew of senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Shaktisinh Gohil and his wife Rajeshwariba The couple was found dead with gunshot wounds at their residence in the Bodakdev area of Ahmedabad late Wednesday nightPolice said the bodies have been sent for forensic postmortem examinations to determine the sequence of events and establish whether the shooting was accidental or deliberateACP A Division Jayesh Brahmbhatt said preliminary findings supported by the statement of Yashrajsinhâs mother indicate a possible accidental discharge of the firearmâAlthough the initial probe and the motherâs statement suggest the bullet was fired by mistake and not intentionally the forensic postmortem will help ascertain the truthâ Brahmbhatt saidAccording to police and emergency services the 108 ambulance service received a call at around 1142 pm on Wednesday A medical team reached the coupleâs apartment at NRI Tower on Judges Bungalow Road within minutesYashrajsinh met the paramedics downstairs and led them to Flat No 502 Block A Inside the bedroom paramedics found Rajeshwariba lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to her head a revolver placed nearby After checking her pulse she was declared dead on the spotAs ambulance staff were informing senior officials Yashrajsinh allegedly used the same licensed revolver to shoot himself inside the flat His mother and the medical team were present in the apartment at the time The ambulance team remained at the spot for about 15 minutes until the police arrivedPolice said Yashrajsinh a ClassI officer with the Gujarat Maritime Board had married Rajeshwariba only two months ago The couple lived with his motherACP Brahmbhatt noted that the couple had returned home after attending a social gathering and appeared normalâThe security guard told us both looked happy when they returned and went straight to their flatâ he saidGujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Yashrajsinh was checking his licensed revolver in the bedroom when it accidentally discharged fatally injuring Rajeshwariba near her neckâAfter the 108 staff declared her dead Yashrajsinh shot himself in a state of shockâ Doshi saidPolice added that no prior complaints involving the couple had been registered and all angles including accident murder and suicide are being examined pending forensic results IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/shaktisinh-gohils-nephew-wife-found-dead-police-probing-murder-or-accident--659357.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/man-injured-in-maoist-ied-blast-in-chhattisgarh-walks-miles-for-treatment-659437.html RaipurBijapur Jan 23 In a harrowing incident highlighting the persistent threat of Maoist activities in Chhattisgarhs conflict zones a 30yearold man sustained severe injuries after triggering a pressureactivated Improvised Explosive Device IED planted by Maoists in the remote Lankapalli forest area of Bijapur district on Friday The victim identified as Raju Modiyami stepped on the hidden explosive while navigating the dense woodland possibly while gathering forest produce or travelling through the area police officials said The blast was intense completely shattering his right heel and causing critical trauma to his lower limb Despite the excruciating pain and massive blood loss Modiyami displayed extraordinary courage and determination He limped and walked nearly seven kilometres through the rugged terrain to reach the nearest community health centre Local medical staff provided immediate first aid before referring him to the Bijapur District Hospital for advanced treatmentHospital sources confirmed his condition remains serious with doctors attending to the shattered heel and related complications He is currently under observation and receiving necessary care The Maoists persistently pose a threat and danger to civilians in various naxalaffected regions where pressure IEDs are frequently used by insurgents to target security forces and inadvertently harm local residents Forests in Bijapur part of the Bastar division remain hotspots for such devices often laid to ambush patrols or disrupt movement Authorities have launched searches in the Lankapalli forest to locate and neutralise any additional IEDs aiming to prevent further civilian casualties Police officials noted that such blasts continue to pose risks to tribal communities dependent on forest resources for livelihood Modiyamis survival and arduous journey to safety have been praised locally as a testament to human endurance amid adversityRecently in a major success for security forces six Maoists including four women cadres were neutralised in a fierce encounter in Bijapur district The operation carried out by a joint team of the District Reserve Guard DRG COBRA and Special Task Force STF marked a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/man-injured-in-maoist-ied-blast-in-chhattisgarh-walks-miles-for-treatment-659437.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/g4-presses-for-early-actionon-unsc-reform-says-delay-risks-more-human-suffering-659257.html United Nations Jan 22 Delaying Security Council reforms would cause âmore human suffering and miseryâ the G4 nations have warned while presenting a model for early action to restructure the UNâs highest decisionmaking body With âcountless innocent livesâ lost every day to ongoing conflicts âwe must collectively make every moment countâ Indiaâs Permanent Representative P Harish said on behalf of the G4 at the InterGovernmental Negotiations IGN for Security Council reforms on WednesdayThe G4 is made up of India Brazil Germany and Japan who advocate together for reforming the Council and also mutually support each other for permanent seats on a reformed bodyâThe world is going through unprecedented timesâ and the UNâs credibility and efficacy are being questioned because of its inability to deal with raging conflicts he saidâFor decades statusquoists have been posing hurdles and impeding forward movement In so doing they contribute to the failure of the Security Councilâ Harish saidThe IGN as the reform process referred to faces roadblocks from a small group of countries that call themselves the Uniting for Consensus UfC and use procedural tactics to prevent the adoption of a negotiating text that would allow progress in negotiationsGianluca Greco the deputy permanent representative of Italy which leads the group that includes Pakistan insisted that there should first be consensus on all issues before there can be a text laying out the reformsHe also reiterated the UfCâs raison dâetre preventing expansion of permanent membershipHarish said the G4 is categorical that ânegotiations on the basis of a text which stipulate clearly laid out milestones and timelines are central to the IGN processAs a stepping stone to this goal he said the âG4 remains committed to working towards a consolidated model as this could be the precursor for textbased negotiationsâThe consolidated model would pool together the suggestions from all UN members and present them in a manner to help the negotiationsHarish laid out the G4âs concrete model for reforms covering all categories and geographiesThe Councilâs size must go up from the present 15 to 25 or 26 with six of them new permanent seats he saidReflecting the âcontemporary geopolitical realitiesâ is a âfundamental principleâ behind the G4 model he saidFor this two of the six new permanent seats should go to the African region two to the Asia Pacific and one each to Latin America and Western Europe he saidImplied in this model is India and Japan getting the Asia Pacific seats Brazil the Latin American seat and Germany the one for Western European countriesOne or two of the new nonpermanent seats would be allocated to Africa and one each would go to the Asia Pacific Latin America and the Eastern European Group Harish saidWithin the nonpermanent category âdue considerationâ should be given to the Small Island Developing States to ensure their adequate and continued representation he saidThe G4 is against introducing new seats based on religion he saidHe did not specify the religion but suggestions have been floated to reserve seats for Islamic countriesHarish said âProposals to introduce new parameters such as religious affiliation run counter to established UN practice and add considerable complexity to an already difficult discussionâHe took a dig at the UfC without calling it out by name for opposing permanent seats for Africa which is backed by most countriesâG4 has specified its formula to address the historical injustices against Africaâ he saidâOne cannot say they support addressing such injustices and at the same time oppose the expansion in the permanent categoryâ for Africa he saidJapanâs Permanent Representative Yamazaki Kazuyuki said that the Asia Pacific region is underrepresented in the Security CouncilIt has only onefifth of the seats one permanent seat and two nonpermanent seats â even though the region has 54 UN members and more than half of the worlds population he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/g4-presses-for-early-actionon-unsc-reform-says-delay-risks-more-human-suffering-659257.html Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/philosopher-acharya-prashants-patna-visit-two-sessions-thousands-in-attendance-658887.html Patna Jan 18 On January 16 Acharya Prashantâs first Patna dialogue at the historic Bapu Auditorium near Gandhi Maidan proved unforgettable The programme ran far beyond its scheduled time and concluded nearly four hours later Despite the biting cold close to five thousand listeners remained seated until late at night After the session a kilometrelong queue formed for book signings and continued past midnight Thousands of attendees received signed copies of Truth Without Apology and other booksThis marked Acharya Prashantâs first public programme in Patna Apart from various districts of Bihar listeners arrived from Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh and Nepal as well The auditorium with a capacity of five thousand was filled to the brim Organisers remarked that they had rarely witnessed such a reception in recent timesAcharya Prashant is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad has cleared the civil services examination and is the author of over 160 books He is the founder of the PrashantAdvait FoundationMore than 150000 participants are currently enrolled in his teaching programmes on the Gita the Upanishads Buddhist texts and other Indian and Western scriptures In 2025 the IIT Delhi Alumni Association honoured him with the âOutstanding Contribution for National Developmentâ OCND awardDuring the session Acharya Prashant spoke at length on the relationship between Vedanta and women Describing Vedanta as a true ally of women he said that only a philosophy that frees one from bodily identification can offer genuine freedom to womenAccording to him the root causes of womenâs suffering are a lack of education and religious superstition Referring to templeentry movements and the freedom struggle he spoke on the original meaning of Sanatan Dharma stating that discrimination against women in the name of religion stems not from Dharma itself but from its distorted formsIn his address Acharya Prashant also spoke of his connection with Purvanchal saying he feels as much a part of Bihar as of Uttar Pradesh He pointed to young people reading and writing in libraries and cafÃs as signs of a changing BiharAddressing the youth he urged them not to limit themselves to the race for government jobs and to move towards selfreliance Dependence on others he said whether in thought or in decisionmaking is a personâs greatest weaknessAfter the session national and regional media organisations including IANS interacted with Acharya Prashant During these interactions he shared his views on the Indian Constitution stating that its core values liberty equality fraternity and justice resonate deeply with Vedantic teachingsThese values he said do not need to be imported from elsewhere what is needed is to understand them and live by themOn January 17 Acharya Prashant visited the IIT Patna campus This was his eighth address at an IIT in recent months He has recently spoken at IIT Delhi Goa Hyderabad Kharagpur Madras Mumbai and Bhubaneswar Over the next month he is scheduled to address five more IIT campusesThe session at IIT Patna began with a verse from the Kath Upanishad Acharya Prashant said that socalled custodians of religion have misled society through flawed interpretations of the scripturesAccording to him the Bhagavad Gita is not a book of ritual worship but a practical science for living rightly During the questionandanswer session one student raised a question on climate change and patterns of consumption while another spoke openly about physical attraction and selfcontrol in student lifeAcharya Prashant responded to these questions directly The session concluded with book signings in which students and others participated enthusiasticallyOver two consecutive days these programmes witnessed remarkable attendance across two distinct audiences the general public at Bapu Auditorium and technical students at IIT Patna Acharya Prashant will next address students at IIT Delhi on January 18 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/philosopher-acharya-prashants-patna-visit-two-sessions-thousands-in-attendance-658887.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 12:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hindu-organisation-moves-sc-seeking-exclusive-access-in-bhojshala-on-basant-panchami-658922.html Bhopal Jan 18 The longstanding dispute over the BhojshalaKamal Maula complex in Dhar Madhya Pradesh has intensified as Basant Panchami coincides with Friday on January 23 2026 In a fresh development the Hindu Front for Justice has approached the Supreme Court with an urgent application seeking âexclusiveâ access for Hindus to perform âGoddess Saraswati Pujaâ throughout the day on January 23The site a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India ASI is claimed by Hindus as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess âVagdevi Saraswatiâ built by Parmar king Raja Bhoja in the 11th century and by Muslims as the Kamal Maula MosqueThe plea demands to âprohibitâ from allowing any member of the Muslim community to offer namaz prayer that day strict security arrangements by the ASI and state government and an expedited hearing of the main case pending before the apex courtThe application highlights a critical ambiguity in the ASIs April 7 2003 order which allows Hindus to worship every Tuesday and on Basant Panchami while permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers from 1 pm to 3 pm The directive remains silent on scenarios where Basant Panchami falls on a Friday as it does this yearHindu groups argue that Basant Panchami holds profound sacred significance in Sanatan Dharma as the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswati traditionally marked by uninterrupted worship at the site They contend that overlapping observances have historically led to disorder clashes and even communal violence on such rare coinciding daysThe plea further alleges that allowing Friday namaz without conclusively determining the monuments religious character violates the spirit of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains AMASR Act It emphasises the long tradition of Hindu worship at the complex and claims the ASIs arrangement infringes on exclusive rights to perform puja on this auspicious dayThe broader dispute traces back to historical claims Hindus assert the structure originated as a centre of Vedic learning and Saraswati temple before alleged destruction and conversion during medieval invasions while Muslims maintain continuity of worship at the mosque named after Maulana Kamaluddin ChishtiMadhya Pradesh High Court in its order dated July 22 2024 declined to proceed further with WP No 104972022 concerning the Bhojshala dispute in Dhar Citing the Supreme Courts interim order dated April 1 2024 in the connected SLP the bench refrained from considering the ASI report or passing any operative ordersThe matter will now be listed only after the apex courts final disposal or further directionsWith the main caseâchallenging the sites religious character and ASI survey findingsâalready pending in the Supreme Court tagged with other Places of Worship Act matters the fresh plea underscores escalating demands amid the calendar overlapLocal authorities in Dhar have heightened security deploying thousands of personnel to prevent any untoward incidents on January 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hindu-organisation-moves-sc-seeking-exclusive-access-in-bhojshala-on-basant-panchami-658922.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/fairpoint-azadi-or-erasure-the-truth-behind-the-kashmiri-panditsexodus-658929.html New Delhi Jan 18 Thirtyfive years is a long time in the life of a nation It is long enough for governments to change for narratives to be rewritten and for uncomfortable truths to be buried under layers of convenient silence But for a community driven out of its homeland solely because it was Hindu time has not softened the pain it has only deepened the wound Threeandahalf decades after the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits the questions remain unanswered Not because the answers are unknown everyone in Kashmir knows them but because the hush around them is deliberate and the coverup systemicNearly seven lakh people were forced out of their native land in a short span and conditions were created so decisively that their return was rendered impossible This was not an accident of history it was the outcome of a slow calculated process that began soon after Jammu and Kashmirâs accession to India in 1947 and gathered brutal momentum in the late 1980sAt the heart of this design was a simple sinister objective to overwhelm Kashmir demographically and ideologically so that Muhammad Ali Jinnahs twonation theory would come to fruition without a formal war Pakistan lost every war it fought against India but in Kashmir it succeeded where armies failed A Muslimmajority valley was achieved not by ballots or persuasion but by terror by emptying the land of its Hindu inhabitantsThe Kashmiri Pandits who constituted barely two per cent of the valleys population were uniquely vulnerable A nonmartial community mostly into education administration and spiritual traditions they neither possessed the means to retaliate with violence Faced with targeted killings public threats and systematic intimidation they chose survival with dignity over futile resistance against a terrible monster In doing so they were forced to abandon a civilisation that traced its roots back over 5000 yearsThe exodus did not occur overnight It unfolded in waves of terror First came those whose relatives were assassinated Then those whose homes were marked for elimination Those whose names were on the hit lists prepared in mosques and circulated openly Finally those who fled to protect their daughters and wives from what had become inevitable This was not chaos it was orchestrationAnd so the question must be asked where was the muchcelebrated spirit of azadi in this If the movement was truly about freedom why was its rage directed at a defenceless two per cent minority Why were unarmed men women and children hunted down The answer is stark and inescapable The terrorism in Kashmir was not a liberation struggle it was a campaign for religious homogenisation Its success lay in making the valley nearly free of HindusThe reality of that success was visible in the refugee camps of Jammu and Delhi where families accustomed to large ancestral homes were herded into tattered tents under 45degree heat Water food and medicine were scarce Many died not by the gun but from shock disease heatstroke and snake bitesEvery year January 19 is observed by the Kashmiri Pandit community as Exodus Day or Holocaust Day a day to remember the terror unleashed upon them and to mourn the denial of justice that followed Hundreds were killed homes looted and burned women raped and murdered Yet accountability remains absent Barely a hundred cases were ever registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and not a single investigation has reached a meaningful conclusion No arrests no convictions no closureIn these 35 years many direct victims and eyewitnesses have passed away taking crucial evidence with them Successive governments both at the Centre and in the erstwhile state and now union territory have failed to institute even a commission of inquiry or a Special Investigation Team Courts have remained unmoved Human rights organisations vocal on conflicts thousands of miles away have found the suffering of Kashmiri Hindus insufficiently compelling There has been a Gaza in Indiaâs backyard all this time but it never made the right kind of headlinePart of the tragedy lies in political expediency The Kashmiri Pandit community is neither large enough nor influential enough to command electoral attention Their pain does not translate into street protests or international pressure And so their suffering is quietly sidelinedAdding to the misery of the Kashmiri Hindus is the political rehabilitation of those who were in positions of power when the persecution occurred Valleybased Muslim leaders are today courted across the political spectrum yet not one of them has acknowledged let alone championed the cause of the Kashmiri Hindus The silence of the valleyâs leadership and intelligentsia at best complicit at worst supportive of the separatist narrative has never been examined or questionedThe bitter truth today is this the original inhabitants of Kashmir live as refugees in their own country Their homes have been usurped their return systematically blocked and their dignity deferred indefinitelyJanuary 19 is not merely a day of mourning for the Kashmiri Pandits It is a day of national introspection It marks not only the exodus of a people but the collapse of Indiaâs moral courage and the selective application of its secular conscience Until justice is served and truth acknowledged the exodus will not remain history it will continue as an indictmentDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/fairpoint-azadi-or-erasure-the-truth-behind-the-kashmiri-panditsexodus-658929.html Sun, 18 Jan 2026 16:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/andhra-man-wins-rs-153-crore-in-a-cockfight-during-sankranti-658502.html Amaravati Jan 15 In what is believed to be a record of sorts a man reportedly won a staggering Rs 153 crore in a cockfight held during Sankranti in Andhra Pradeshâs West Godavari district on Thursday The man identified as Rajahmundry Ramesh won the huge bet on a cockfight at Tadepalligudem townRamesh and Gudivada Prabhakar had bet a huge amount on their roosters with knives tied to their feet Ramesh won the bet as his rooster emerged the winner in the fightThis is said to be the highest bet during this Sankranti season Videos on local television channels show Ramesh and his friends erupting in celebrations on winning the massive betRamesh was elated as his rooster made him a millionaire He said he had fed dry fruits to his specialbred rooster for six months to keep it fit and strong for the fightMeanwhile cockfights were organised on a large scale at several places in Andhra Pradesh for the second consecutive day on ThursdayA court ban and the warnings by authorities had no impact as crores changed hands on cockfights seen by many as an integral part of Sankranti celebrationsOrganisers backed by politicians set up special arenas for cockfights and other activities in East Godavari West Godavari Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema Eluru Polavaram and Krishna districtsThe activity which began with Bhogi on the first day continued throughout Wednesday night under flood lights at many places Similar scenes were witnessed on Thursday nightProminent personalities from various parts of Andhra Pradesh Telangana and neighbouring states were among hundreds of spectators and punters They included politicians of all hues businessmen and celebritiesThe warnings by police and district authorities against organising cockfights and gambling activities had no impact with public representatives coming out in support of the organisers by personally attending the eventsOrganisers have made arrangements to continue the cockfights for the third day on FridayWelltrained cocks with small knives attached to their legs fought amid cheers from the spectators The fight often ends with the death of one of the two birdsCockfighting and associated gambling are prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming ActAnimal rights groups say it is illegal to incite animal fights under Section 111mii of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960The act of organising managing or even offering a space for such fights is also a cognisable offence under Section 111nOrganisers at a few places justified their action claiming that the cockfights did not involve betting They say that cockfights are part of Sankranti traditionsThey also pointed out that courts have banned only those cockfights where roosters have knives tied to them IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/andhra-man-wins-rs-153-crore-in-a-cockfight-during-sankranti-658502.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 07:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/railway-stations-makeover-under-amrit-bharat-scheme-enthuses-passengers-in-bengal-658507.html Kolkata Jan 15 The Indian Railways Amrit Bharat Station Project is one of the worlds biggest programmes for refurbishment and remodeling of railway stations across the country As part of the unprecedented initiative the Central government has set out a target of revamping and modernising more than 1000 railway stations across the length and the breath of the countryIn Bengal many railway stations are slated to undergo makeover and this has brought cheers to train passengers as well as locals who see this step as a revolutionary change in setting new standards of cleanliness and hygienePrevious such change was brought about after the launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan a decade agoIn Nadia district of West Bengal Krishnanagar and Bethuadahari railway stations will see a major facelift under the Centres Amrit Bharat Station ProjectAccording to reports an amount of Rs 275 crore and Rs 30 crore have been sanctioned for the Krishnanagar Railway Station and Bethuadahari Railway Station respectivelyThe multipronged project will create modern infrastructure improve passenger amenities and also make stations more userfriendlyThe redevelopment work is progressing at a rapid pace at both stationsOnce the project gets completed the passengers will benefit from upgraded facilities modern designs and improved infrastructureIn Sealdah district of West Bengal Naihati station has been picked for redevelopmentThe crucial railway junction connecting many railway routes will see a complete turnaround in the near future giving the train passengers a oneofits kind experienceThe local residents of Naihati are overjoyed with the initiative while the small traders are optimistic about their changing fortunes after station refurbishmentMany passengers at Naihati station also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing this turnaroundA passenger told IANS A huge plan is underway and this is a good thing It is good news for us We are very happy with the great work that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing for our countryAnother passenger said It will definitely feel good for me and everyone else If Naihati becomes an Amrit Bharat Station we will get variety of services and benefits This will drastically change our livesNotably the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a longterm plan to improve railway stations across the countryUnder this scheme detailed plans are made for each station and the work is done in phases based on each stations requirementsThe goal is to make railway stations cleaner more comfortable and easier to use This includes improving entry and exit points waiting halls toilets platforms and roofing IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/railway-stations-makeover-under-amrit-bharat-scheme-enthuses-passengers-in-bengal-658507.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/aais-attractive-stall-becomes-major-crowd-puller-at-vibrant-gujarat-regional-conference-in-rajkot-658508.html Rajkot Jan 15 The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC was held on a grand scale at the Marwadi University on Morbi Road in Rajkot A large number of industrialists from the SaurashtraâKutch region participated in the eventDuring the summit visitors gained insight into the functioning of the aviation sector at the attractive stall set up by the Airports Authority of India AAIThe presence of investors from India and different foreign countries along with delegates from 24 nations gave the summit an international profileDuring the summit Memorandums of Understanding MoUs worth several crores of rupees were signed This raised expectations of fresh momentum for regional industry trade and investmentThe AAI set up a large and visually appealing stall at the summit It attracted thousands of visitors from India and foreign countriesThrough models and exhibitions the stall showcased detailed information about AAIs functioning its various departments and airportrelated servicesVisitors were informed that air travel is not limited to aircraft pilots and flight attendants alone but is supported by a vast and complex system working behind the scenesSpeaking to IANS AAI Public Relations Officer PRO Indra Mohan said that the authority set up a large pavilionstyle stall at the conference to help the general public understand what the AAI is and how it operatesHe added that the construction management and operation of airports fall under AAIs responsibility with its primary focus being to provide passengers with safe smooth and convenient air travelPRO Indra Mohan also said that while India had a total of 74 airports in 2014 this number has now increased to around 165 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra ModiIn line with the Prime Ministers vision the target is to increase the number of airports in the country to between 350 and 400 in the coming years he addedIndias domestic aviation sector has today become the worlds thirdlargest domestic aviation market creating new employment opportunities and boosting tourism the PRO saidHe also noted that the expansion of airport facilities will strengthen local trade and industryConnectivity to smaller cities will improve making air travel more accessible to the common citizenThe Union governments clear objective is to ensure that even the most ordinary citizen can afford air travel which will directly benefit the economyPRO Indra Mohan added that the enthusiasm of the people at the Conference was remarkableOver the past five days people from all sections of society participated enthusiasticallyIn particular there was tremendous excitement and energy among the youth clearly indicating that the SaurashtraâKutch region is ready to reach new heights in industry trade and investment in the coming years IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/aais-attractive-stall-becomes-major-crowd-puller-at-vibrant-gujarat-regional-conference-in-rajkot-658508.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/safe-use-of-roads-integral-part-of-right-to-life-under-article-21-says-haryana-human-rights-panel-658548.html Chandigarh Jan 16 The Haryana Human Rights Commission HHRC taking a firm stand on issues related to road safety has categorically held that the safe use of public roads by citizens is an integral part of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India The Commission observed that negligence in road infrastructure is not merely an administrative lapse but a direct violation of human rightsWhile hearing a complaint the full Commission comprising Justice Lalit Batra Chairperson noted that at several locations issues have arisen regarding interdepartmental jurisdiction and responsibility for road signage thermoplastic road markings cateyes dividers and other safety measures In view of this the Commission has sought updated and comprehensive reports from all authorities concerned including NHAI the PWD the Haryana State Roads and Bridges Development Corporation HSRDC and Urban Local BodiesReferring to the role and responsibilities of the Additional Director General of Police Traffic and Highways and the Karnal Police Department the Commission observed in its order that it is the constitutional duty of the state to protect the life and safety of its citizensIn the discharge of this duty the Police Department particularly the traffic police plays a crucial and facilitative role in enforcing road safety The responsibilities of the police department include effective regulation of traffic and strict enforcement of traffic rules preventing rash and negligent driving including overspeeding wrongside driving misuse of highbeam lights and lane discipline violations taking effective action against violators and identification of accidentprone and vulnerable road stretches junctions and âblack spotsâThe Commission has issued directions to ensure proper development and regular maintenance of central verges and dividers on all major roads across Haryana on wide carriageways and multilane roads with two to six lanes It has called for installing and maintaining adequate numbers of cateyes and retroreflective road studs at proper intervals across all lanes to ensure clear lane demarcation especially during nighttime and on roads having six or more lanes including sixlane and eightlane roads install delineators on both sides of the central divider and verge to provide clear road identification and improved visual guidance to driversCommission Assistant Registrar Puneet Arora said on Friday that as per the orders of the Commission the right of citizens to use public roads in a safe and secure manner is an inseparable component of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of IndiaSafe road infrastructure is not merely an administrative responsibility but a human rights imperative Any lapse in this regard adversely affects the human right of citizens to safely use public roads he saidAll authorities concerned have been directed to submit compliance reports supported by photographic evidence at least one week before the next date of hearing on April 9 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/safe-use-of-roads-integral-part-of-right-to-life-under-article-21-says-haryana-human-rights-panel-658548.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hot-air-balloon-festival-begins-in-hyderabad-658555.html Hyderabad Jan 16 Colourful hotair balloons dotted Hyderabad skies as the threeday festival kicked off on Friday marking a new chapter in Telanganas tourism sector State Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao inaugurated the Festival near the historic Golconda Fort at the Golf ClubHe later undertook a hot air balloon ride as part of the opening celebrations The Minister spent nearly oneandahalf hours in the air covering a distance of about 13 kilometresThe ride began near the Golconda Golf Club and concluded at the outskirts of Appajiguda offering sweeping aerial views of Hyderabad and its surrounding landscapesAround 40 passengers were carried in 18 hot air balloons that took off in the morningDescribing the experience as truly memorable Jupally Krishna Rao said the initiative marked a new chapter in the States tourism journeyHighlighting Telanganas dual focus on heritage and innovation the Minister said that while the International Kite and Sweet Festival reflects the States rich culture traditions and hospitality events such as the Hot Air Balloon and Drone Festivals showcase modern technology and a futureoriented visionHe noted that this convergence of culture and technology was key to positioning Telangana as a contemporary tourism destinationReiterating the governments commitment to strengthening the Destination Telangana brand Rao said the focus was on taking the States natural beauty and historical legacy to a global audienceAdventure tourism initiatives he added would play a significant role in attracting both domestic and international tourists by offering immersive and experiential travel opportunitiesThe Minister said the States new tourism policy aims to accelerate growth in the sector by attracting private investment and promoting publicprivate partnerships to develop worldclass infrastructure and quality servicesThese efforts he said would also generate employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities for local youth The balloons rising into the sky today symbolise Telangana tourism reaching new global heights Jupally Krishna Rao said expressing confidence that such initiatives would help place the State among the countryâs leading tourism destinationsTourism Department officials said the hot air balloon ride priced at Rs 2000 will last between 45 minutes and one hour covering a distance of about 8 to 10 kilometres depending on wind conditions The maximum altitude for the flights has been fixed at 4500 feet above sea levelThe venues for the morning flights on January 17 and 18 have not yet been finalised and will be decided based on weather conditions and wind directionEvening sessions will be held at the Parade Ground in Secunderabad where tethered hot air balloons will be operated as nightglow displays These rides will allow the balloon to move only vertically going up and down and will begin at 5 pm The tickets for this are priced at Rs 15 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/hot-air-balloon-festival-begins-in-hyderabad-658555.html Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/in-death-keralas-17-year-old-ayona-monson-gave-life-and-hope-to-others-658402.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 15 The hill town of Payyavoor in Kannur district remains enveloped in grief following the tragic death of a Class 12 student who succumbed to injuries sustained after allegedly jumping from a school building Amid the sorrow Ayona Monsonâs family has transformed personal tragedy into a powerful act of compassion through organ donationAyona a student of a school in Payyavoor passed away on Wednesday night while on ventilator support in the intensive care unit of a private hospital in KannurThe incident occurred on Monday morning just days before her laboratory model examinations The police are probing the caseDespite intensive treatment her condition deteriorated leaving her parents to confront an unthinkable lossKnown among teachers and classmates as a bright affectionate student who excelled in academics as well as extracurricular activities Ayonaâs passing has left an emotional void that the school community is struggling to come to terms withIn an extraordinary decision taken at the most painful moment of their lives her parents Monson and Anita consented to organ donationAyonaâs heart kidneys and other vital organs were retrieved allowing multiple patients to receive a second chance at lifeOne of her kidneys was flown to Thiruvananthapuram on a domestic flight marking the first time an internal flight service was used for organ transport in the stateA green corridor was arranged from the airport to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital to ensure swift transplantationHer heart was airlifted to Chennai for a patient undergoing critical treatment while other organs were allocated to recipients across KeralaEven as they mourn their daughter the family finds solace in the belief that Ayona will continue to live on through othersâLet others live through herâ was the quiet resolve of parents who chose generosity over grief Ayona is survived by her siblings Marfin and AngelHer funeral will be held at 230 pm Friday at the cemetery of St Francis of Assisi Church TirurIn a moment when darkness could have prevailed a young life became lightIn choosing donation Ayona and her parents have left behind a legacy far greater than words proof that even in death humanity can endure IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/in-death-keralas-17-year-old-ayona-monson-gave-life-and-hope-to-others-658402.html Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/poshan-udaan-2026-gujarats-skies-carry-a-message-of-nutrition-658212.html Gandhinagar Jan 13 As colourful kites fill the skies on Makar Sankranti Gujarat is giving the traditional festival a meaningful twist with Poshan Udaan 2026 a statewide initiative aimed at spreading awareness on nutrition and health Organised by the Department of Women and Child Development on January 12â13 the campaign uses the popularity of the kite festival to highlight the importance of balanced diets hygiene and overall wellbeing among children adolescent girls and mothersLed by Women and Child Development Minister Dr Manisha Vakil activities are being held across the state zonal district project and Anganwadi levels under ICDSThe initiative emphasises dietary diversity reduction of junk food consumption anaemia prevention among adolescents sanitation and access to safe drinking waterAs part of the programme communities including schoolchildren adolescent girls pregnant and lactating women and local leaders have been actively engagedEvents include kitemaking competitions themed around nutrition sloganwriting contests quizzes and sports for adolescent girls demonstrations of winter nutritious recipes awareness on the benefits of drumstick as a superfood and displays of milletbased dishes under the Shree Anna campaignHealthfocused interventions such as haemoglobin testing distribution of IFA tablets BMI checkups and personalised nutrition counselling were also conducted for mothers and childrenAt Anganwadi centres beneficiaries received colourful kites and manjha strings along with distributions of traditional nutritious foods like chikki made from coarse grains peanuts sesame and mamraOn Makar Sankranti these kites carrying nutrition and health messages will send a symbolic public awareness call soaring through Gujarats skiesThe state government has also appealed to citizens to avoid unsafe Chinese manjha and adhere to safety precautions during kite flyingWith Poshan Udaan 2026 Gujarat aims to celebrate the festival not just with joy and colour but with a commitment to building a healthier more aware society IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/poshan-udaan-2026-gujarats-skies-carry-a-message-of-nutrition-658212.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/president-murmu-extends-greetings-for-lohri-makar-sankranti-pongal-magh-bihu-658135.html New Delhi Jan 12 President Droupadi Murmu on Monday greeted citizens on the eve of Lohri Makar Sankranti Pongal and Magh Bihu which fall on January 13 and 14 respectively a statement said In a message the President has said âOn the auspicious occasion of Lohri Makar Sankranti Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroadâThese festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity They are a reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage she saidThese festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation Through these festivals celebrated across the country we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature she saidââOn this auspicious occasion I wish the spirit of love and solidarity in our society grows stronger and we work together to build a prosperous nationâ she saidEarlier in the day PM Modi paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary also marked as National Youth Day and said that this day brings new strength and selfconfidence for younger generationsThe government proclaimed January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the aim of motivating young individuals by connecting them to the principles and teachings of Swami Vivekananda while also promoting their involvement in the development of the nationIn a post on X PM Modi said My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda the powerful source of inspiration for Indias youth power on his birth anniversary His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a Viksit Bharat My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new selfconfidence for all fellow citizens especially our young companionsHe said that the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda serves as an inspiration for societyIn a video message the Prime Minister said What Swami Vivekananda gave to the country and society transcends time and place inspiring every generation He showed us the way It was Swami Vivekananda who in that era said that fearless selfless purehearted courageous and ambitious youth are the foundation upon which the nations future is built He had immense faith in the youth and their powerCalling on the younger generation PM Modi said Now you have to live up to his faith Today as the world looks to India with great hope it is because of all of you my young friends Today be it a village a city or a town the enthusiasm of the youth is everywhere I extend my best wishes to all of you on National Youth DaySwami Vivekananda was born on January 12 1863 in Kolkata He is widely praised for introducing Indian philosophies including Vedanta and Yoga to the WestSwami Vivekanandas famous speech at the 1893 Worlds Parliament of Religions in Chicago sparked interfaith dialogue and revitalised Hinduism as a world religionHe promoted Indian nationalism social reform and unity urging youth to serve humanity and established the Ramakrishna Mission for education and service IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/president-murmu-extends-greetings-for-lohri-makar-sankranti-pongal-magh-bihu-658135.html Tue, 13 Jan 2026 01:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/somnath-swabhiman-parv-lord-shiva-devotees-arrive-in-special-trains-get-warm-welcome-657690.html Gandhinagar Jan 9 With spiritual fervour gripping the city amidst the fourday Swabhiman Parv celebrations a large number of Lord Shiva devotees arrived in Somnath on Friday morning via special trains The devotees hailing from Rajkot Surat Vadodara and Ahmedabad reached the holy city this morning and were accorded a warm welcome with drumbeats and traditional Bhathigal GarbaThe Gujarat government has made special arrangements for Shiva devotees for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv a celebration of Indias spiritual faith being held from January 8 to 11As part of these efforts special train services have been introduced for safe smooth and convenient travel to the sacred Somnath DhamThe devotees were given a special welcome at the Veraval Railway Station They were greeted with kumkum tilak and bouquetsThe station premises echoed with devotional fervour as chants of Har Har Mahadev â Jai Somnath reverberated at the Veraval railway stationAlso the State Road Transport Corporation has arranged special bus services between the station and the temple for ferrying devotees to Somnath for darshanWith the introduction of special train services Shiva devotees are benefiting from timely and comfortable travelA range of facilities including transportation guidance and overall management have been implemented for comfortable convenient and seamless darshan of Lord SomnathIntegrated measures have been taken to ensure smooth movement and convenience for devotees travelling from Veraval Railway Station to the Somnath TempleA couple of devotees also shared their firsthand experience of the seamless serviceAkshay Panchal from Tapi district stated that the facilities have made their pilgrimage easyHe expressed happiness and also thanked the state government for making arrangementsHeli Rathod a resident of Surat welcomed the transportation services initiated by the state government and said that this will serve the pilgrims to a large extentPraising the bus service from the railway station to Somnath temple she said that this will ensure that devotees have a hasslefree journey and a memorable trip to the temple IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/somnath-swabhiman-parv-lord-shiva-devotees-arrive-in-special-trains-get-warm-welcome-657690.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/somnath-swabhiman-parv-over-1-000-sanitation-workers-carry-out-large-scale-cleanliness-drive-657701.html Gandhinagar Jan 9 The fourday Somnath Swabhiman Parv began at the Somnath Temple in Gujarats Prabhas Patan on Thursday Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to begin his threeday visit to Gujarat from January 10 where he will offer prayers at the temple on January 11 and is also expected to lead the Shaurya Yatra a roadshow featuring 108 horsesThe holy city has been spruced up for the ongoing fourday festival with state administration pulling out all stops to make the event successful and memorableThe urban administration and sanitation workers are making a significant contribution to this drive by keeping the clean and sacred during the festivalThe sanitation workers are in the spotlight for their special efforts in maintaining cleanliness in the city leading to strengthening of the devotional atmosphereWith coordinated efforts from various municipalities a largescale cleanliness drive is actively being implementedMore than 1000 sanitation workers from various municipalities have taken up the task of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene ahead of the Prime Minister Modis visit to the holy cityA large workforce has been mobilised to keep the Somnath city cleanMore than 300 sanitation workers from Veraval Municipality and over 700 from Ahmedabad Junagadh Bhavnagar and other municipal areas totalling more than 1000 workers are deployed hereFor the past five days they have been working continuously day and night to maintain cleanliness in Somnath and VeravalAlong with road cleaning and waste collection excess grass removal and trimming of trees and foliage along the roads is being carried out on a priority basisIntensive cleaning of main roads has been undertaken through modern mechanised sweeping machinesIn addition special sanitation teams have been deployed at accommodation facilities and community kitchen sites set up for devotees arriving from outsideFor the convenience of pilgrims arrangements for more than 40 mobile toilets portable toilets have also been ensured at various locationsThe Somnath Swabhiman Parv at Somnath is going to one of the biggest festivals of the year witnessing lakhs of devotees heading to the cityIn this context the tireless work of urban administration and sanitation workers has ensured that Somnath and Veraval remain clean beautiful and sacred IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/somnath-swabhiman-parv-over-1-000-sanitation-workers-carry-out-large-scale-cleanliness-drive-657701.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 20:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/swabhiman-parv-thousands-of-devotees-travel-by-special-trains-to-somnath-657507.html Gandhinagar Jan 8 The grand celebration of Somnath Swabhiman Parv commenced on Thursday and will continue till January 11 The festival is not just a religious event but also serves as a medium to convey the unparalleled saga of Somnaths thousandyearold struggle sacrifice and reconstructionTo enable the participation of maximum devotees the state government is running special trains from four major citiesA special train from Rajkot arrived at the Somnath Railway Station today and saw the entire railway premises resonating with thunderous chants of Har Har Bhole and Jai SomnathThe devotees are excited and exhilarated to participate in the festivities as they see this not just merely as darshan but as a commemoration of their ancestors strugglesDeepakbhai Dave a resident of Rajkot said We have come here not just for darshan but we want to pay tributes to our glorious history Despite numerous attacks on Somnath its majestic shikhara stands tall today reflecting the enduring vibrancy of our culture Swabhiman Parv has given us an extraordinary opportunity to participate in the thousandyearold saga of struggleDevang Jani a young devotee told IANS The direct train from Rajkot made our journey easier Seeing how Sardar Patel restored this temple and how Prime Minister Narendra Modi is developing it into a worldclass centre uplifts our spiritsJagdishbhai Parmar another Rajkot resident said By joining the Swabhiman Parv I realised how many people sacrificed for Somnath By providing train facilities the government has allowed us to connect with this great heritageNotably over the next three days various programmes will narrate the enduring story of the Somnath temple right from its destruction to restorationSomnaths history is a living example of the victory of conscience over evilFrom Mohammed Ghaznis attack in 1026 to centuries of foreign invasions repeated attempts were made to destroy this centre of faith but every time the heroes of India defended this land with their blood IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/swabhiman-parv-thousands-of-devotees-travel-by-special-trains-to-somnath-657507.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rseti-changes-lives-as-rural-women-set-up-footwear-industry-in-the-hills-657555.html Rudraprayag Jan 8 Along with agriculture horticulture and animal husbandry there are huge opportunities for selfemployment in the hills through small and cottage industries An inspiring example of this can be seen in Jawari village of Jakholi development block in Uttarakhands Rudraprayag districtIn this village Saraswati Devi after receiving training from the Rural Self Employment Training Institute RSETI run by the Central Bank of India took a loan with the support of a womens selfhelp group and set up a small footwear manufacturing unit in her villageUnder this initiative she is producing various types of slippers and shoes which are witnessing good demand at the local levelSaraswati Devi said that she manages this enterprise along with her household responsibilities with the support of her husbandDespite limited resources the initial results have been very encouraging leading to a steady increase in the familys incomeThe footwear produced by her is sold through womens selfhelp groups by setting up stalls at local fairs benefitting not only Saraswati Devi but also other women associated with the groupWomen from the selfhelp group are selling their products by setting up stalls at various events such as the Rudraprayag Cooperative Fair Jakholi Mahotsav Silgarh Mahotsav and now the Rudranath MahotsavSangeeta Kaprawan a member of the Gaura Devi group said that they prepare different types of products keeping in mind the season and market demandA small slipper manufacturing unit has been established in Jakhadi village and the products are sold by setting up stalls at block and districtlevel fairsShe added that people like their slippers very much and on the very first day of the cooperative fair organised in Rudraprayag all their slippers were sold outAnother woman associated with the group told the media that she received training in slipper manufacturing from RSETI after which she purchased machines and raw materials and set up a small factory at her homeOperating as a smallscale industrial unit she works three to four hours daily and is able to access the market through local fairsShe also said that for the first time the Rudraprayag Sahkarita Mela provided them with a good marketing opportunity after which they have been consistently getting good sales at local fairsSuch smallscale and cottage industries started by local women demonstrate that if initiatives like these are encouraged in the hills they cannot only create new employment opportunities but also play an effective role in curbing migration from the mountainous regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rseti-changes-lives-as-rural-women-set-up-footwear-industry-in-the-hills-657555.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-shri-initiative-set-to-strengthen-education-system-in-jharkhands-palamu-657556.html Palamu Jan 8 A major step has been taken under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India PM SHRI scheme to improve the condition of schools at the district level and enhance their overall appearance In Jharkhands Palamu district an amount of Rs 39675000 has been allocated to 27 selected schools for the financial year 2025â26 to provide basic facilities and create a childfriendly learning environmentAssistant District Prosecution Officer Ambujya Pandey said that there are 28 PM SHRI schools in Palamu but work is currently underway in 27 schoolsHe added that funds will be released in two phasesSo far a budget of more than Rs 3 crore has already been providedSeveral activities are planned under the scheme and with the support of the district administration efforts are being made to effectively implement themHe also said that special focus is being given to the beautification of schoolsSteps are being taken to develop gardens carry out proper repairs and ensure that students get a pleasant and conducive environment for learningAmbujya Pandey told that the selection of schools is done at the district level and this time seven to eight more schools will be selectedThe main objective of the scheme is to improve the quality of education in schools strengthen infrastructure and provide students with a modern and better learning environmentHe added that PM SHRI schools are to be developed as model educational institutions in the districtUnder the scheme facilities such as smart classrooms modern science laboratories wellequipped libraries digital learning resources and improved playgrounds will be developedThis will not only enhance the academic atmosphere but also promote the allround development of studentsAccording to officials the PM SHRI scheme will play a critical role in reducing the gap between government and private schoolsThe PM SHRI scheme was launched in 2022 with the aim of developing more than 14500 existing government schools across the country as model schoolsThis transition would be done on the principles of the National Education Policy 2020 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-shri-initiative-set-to-strengthen-education-system-in-jharkhands-palamu-657556.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/lakhpati-didi-scheme-empowers-women-in-chhattisgarhs-dhamtari-657558.html Dhamtari Jan 8 The Lakhpati Didi scheme of the Union government led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undoubtedly emerged as a powerful medium of selfreliance for women in Chhattisgarhs Dhamtari district Under this ambitious scheme women are being linked to livelihood opportunities and empowered economicallyThe main objective of the scheme is to provide women with skill development training and enable them to take up selfemployment Many women in the district today are setting inspiring examples by benefitting from this initiativeIn Dhamtari several women associated with the scheme have started different types of businesses and are steadily moving towards becoming Lakhpati Didis One such beneficiary is Khileshwari Sahu a resident of Dongardula village She is engaged in mushroom cultivation from her homeKhileshwari Sahu said that mushroom production has brought selfreliance and economic prosperity to her family Through this activity she earns an annual income of up to around Rs 1 lakhSpeaking to IANS Lakhpati Didi Khileshwari Sahu associated with the Vihan group said I produce mushrooms From one kilogram of spawn around 10 kilograms of mushrooms are produced Currently I am producing about 12 kilograms of mushrooms which gives me an income of Rs 50000 to Rs 60000 in two months With this income I am able to meet my familys needs I am grateful to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for thisSimilarly Jhamin Bai associated with the Saraswati SelfHelp Group said that she easily received a loan of Rs 3 lakh through the group which helped her start her business She said From my shop I earn around Rs 10000 to Rs 12000 every month The Central government is running several schemes to help women move forward and for this I would like to thank the Narendra Modiled Union governmentThe story of Sajni Kamar a woman from the Kamar tribe and a resident of Kharkha village is also inspiring She shared Earlier my financial condition was very weak and it was difficult to arrange even two meals a day After joining the Vihan group I easily received a loan from the government and started a small business With a loan of Rs 1 lakh I opened a grocery shop Now I earn Rs 12000 to Rs 15000 per month which has strengthened my familys financial condition and helped us lead a happy lifeUnder the Lakhpati Didi scheme women are connected to selfhelp groups and provided skill development training so that they can take up selfemployment after being trained Under the scheme women are provided interestfree loans ranging from Rs 1 to 5 lakh to start their own businesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/lakhpati-didi-scheme-empowers-women-in-chhattisgarhs-dhamtari-657558.html Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-launch-rs-3-000-pongal-gift-scheme-for-over-two-crore-ration-card-holders-today-657382.html Chennai Jan 8 As part of the celebrations for Pongal Tamil Naduâs harvest festival the state government is launching on Thursday an expansive welfare initiative providing a Pongal gift hamper along with Rs 3000 in cash to more than 222 crore ration card holders including eligible Sri Lankan Tamil families residing in the state The scheme will be formally inaugurated by MK Stalin at a ration shop in the Alandur area of Nazarethpettai in Chennai Following the launch beneficiaries can begin collecting the Pongal gift packages from ration shops across Tamil Nadu as per the time slots allotted to themEach Pongal gift hamper includes one kilogram of raw rice one kilogram of sugar and one whole sugarcane in addition to Rs 3000 in cash assistanceThe government has directed that distribution should commence immediately and continue smoothly across all ration shops ensuring that the public does not face any inconvenienceOfficials from the Cooperation Department and the Food and Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department said that all preparatory arrangements have been completed Rice and sugar meant for the Pongal gift packages have been fully dispatched to ration shops across the state The distribution process is being monitored closely to ensure transparency and efficiencyWith regard to sugarcane distribution officials stated that between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of the required quantity has already reached individual ration shops The remaining sugarcane will be supplied through district administrations in the coming daysSpecial emphasis is being placed on distributing fresh sugarcane and arrangements are in place to ensure timely delivery wherever shortages ariseOfficials also addressed the issue of unused stocks from previous years They noted that while only about 80 per cent of the dhotis and sarees distributed during earlier Pongal festivals were actually used by beneficiaries 100 per cent of these items were taken by the ration shops The remaining stock is currently stored in government godowns and will be supplied immediately to ration shops wherever there is demandTo handle large crowds during distribution police security has been arranged in areas where multiple ration shops function in close proximity Ration shop staff have been instructed not to take leave until the completion of the Pongal festival to ensure uninterrupted serviceSpecial arrangements have been made for hill regions as well Since residents in these areas leave early for work ration shops in hilly localities will open at 6 am to facilitate easy access for beneficiaries The token distribution process which determines the date and time for collecting the Pongal gifts was completed on Wednesday Those who have not yet received tokens have been advised to approach their respective ration shops and collect the Pongal gift packages on the dates informed by officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-launch-rs-3-000-pongal-gift-scheme-for-over-two-crore-ration-card-holders-today-657382.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/deeply-shocking-pm-modi-condoles-untimely-passing-of-agnivesh-agarwal-657392.html New Delhi Jan 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the untimely passing of Agnivesh Agarwal son of Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal âis deeply shocking and saddeningâ Anil Agarwal in an X post announced the demise of his beloved son Agnivesh who âleft us far too soonâPM Modi replied to his post saying âThe untimely passing of Shri Agnivesh Agarwal is deeply shocking and saddening The depth of your grief is evident in this touching tribute Praying that you and your family find continued strength and courage Om ShantiâAgnivesh studied at Mayo College Ajmer and went on to set up one of the finest companies Fujairah Gold Later he became Chairman of Hindustan ZincâToday is the darkest day of my life My beloved son Agnivesh left us far too soon He was just 49 years old healthy full of life and dreams Following a skiing accident in the US he was recovering well in Mount Sinai Hospital New York We believed the worst was behind us But fate had other plans and a sudden cardiac arrest snatched our son away from usâ the Vedanta Group Chairman informed via X postâWe shared a dream to ensure that no child sleeps hungry no child is denied education every woman stands on her own feet and every young Indian has meaningful work I had promised Agni that more than 75 per cent of what we earn would be given back to society Today I renew that promise and resolve to live an even simpler lifeâ he addedCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said it was heartbreaking to learn about the irreparable loss to Anil AgarwalâAs a parent I feel the weight of your emotions Praying to Paramatma for strength to you and your family during this tough time May Agniveshs soul attain Sadgatiâ Goyal posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/deeply-shocking-pm-modi-condoles-untimely-passing-of-agnivesh-agarwal-657392.html Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-operate-10-245-special-buses-for-pongal-festival-from-jan-9-14-657312.html Chennai Jan 7 Ahead of the Pongal festival Tamil Nadu Transport Minister SS Sivasankar announced an extensive travel arrangement across the state with thousands of additional buses being operated to ensure smooth and hasslefree movement of passengers during the festive season In an official statement the Minister said that 10245 special buses will be operated across the state between January 9 and January 14 to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic These special services when combined with the 12552 buses that are operated daily will take the total number of buses on the roads during the festival period to 34087 The Transport Department estimates that nearly 1135 lakh passengers will travel from Chennai alone to various parts of the state to celebrate Pongal at their native places In view of the heavy vehicular movement expected on major arterial roads commuters have been advised to use alternative routes such as the East Coast Road ECR and Old Mahabalipuram Road OMR to ease congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow To assist passengers and address complaints a 24hour control room has been set up the Minister said adding that officials will be on duty round the clock to respond to travelrelated grievances and provide necessary guidance The Minister also issued a stern warning to Omni bus operators stating that strict action would be taken against those found charging fares in excess of the prescribed limits Enforcement teams will be deployed at bus stands check posts and key transit points to monitor fare violations and prevent exploitation of passengers during the peak travel period For the return journey to Chennai after the Pongal festivities the state government has drawn up a separate plan to manage the anticipated rush As many as 6820 special buses will be operated in addition to 2092 regular daily services Including the usual 12552 buses a total of 21635 buses will be run to handle the return flow of passengers Providing a datewise breakup of the special bus services the Minister said 1050 buses will operate on January 9 a total of 1030 buses on January 10 255 buses on January 11 2200 buses on January 12 2790 buses on January 13 and 2920 special buses on January 14 Special bus operations will commence from January 9 taking into account early departures by passengers ahead of the main Pongal celebrations The Transport Department has assured that all arrangements are in place to ensure safe affordable and convenient travel for the public during one of the busiest travel periods of the year IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-operate-10-245-special-buses-for-pongal-festival-from-jan-9-14-657312.html Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/15-year-old-boy-held-in-punjab-for-spying-sharing-confidential-data-with-pakistan-657243.html Chandigarh Jan 6 IANS A 15yearold boy was detained from Pathankot in Punjab by the police for spying and allegedly sharing confidential data via social media prompting a statewide alert for similar espionage activities involving childrennbspOfficials said on Tuesday that the boy a resident of Jammus Samba district was allegedly sending critical and sensitive information related to India to ISI handlers based in Pakistan for the past one yearnbspHe is also accused of sharing photos and information on sensitive military locations The police said chats and call records were recovered from his mobilePolice said he believed that his father had been murdered which made him emotionally vulnerablenbspSenior Superintendent of Police Daljinder Singh Dhillon who is posted in Pathankot told the media that the police have taken the boy in custody after receiving information that he had been supplying information related to the security of the nation to the frontal organisations of terror agencies ISI and Pakistan military officersnbspHe said the boy fell into the trap of Pakistani agencies through social media as he was suspicious that his father had been murdered which affected him mentallyFollowing surveillance and technical analysis that linked his communications to Pakistanbased handlers the minor was taken into custody said media reportsnbspDuring questioning the police found that the boy was not working alone Officials suspect several other children may be in touch with ISI operativesnbspOwing to this alerts have been sent to police stations across the state to stay alert and identify other children who may have been targeted Also his arrest has raised concerns among the Indian security agencies as investigations suspect the ISI is attempting to target and recruit young children for espionage activities This trend may pose a significant security risk admitted a senior Punjab Police officer https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/15-year-old-boy-held-in-punjab-for-spying-sharing-confidential-data-with-pakistan-657243.html Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nfr-sets-new-benchmark-in-railway-workshop-modernisation-in-assams-new-bongaigaon-657025.html Guwahati Jan 4 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has set new benchmarks in railway workshop modernisation with the upgradation of its New Bongaigaon workshop in western Assam railway officials said on Sunday NFRâs Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the railway zone achieved notable infrastructure and operational milestones at the New Bongaigaon workshop during December 2025 He said that the New Bongaigaon workshop reaffirmed its continued focus on modernisation operational efficiency and excellence in rolling stock maintenance in alignment with Indian Railwaysâ wider reform and upgradation initiativesFurther adding to this achievement the CampW Workshop New Bongaigaon was conferred Ministry of Railway Rajbhasha Shield along with a cash award of Rs 14000 by the Railway Board for outstanding implementation of Rajbhasha during 2024 bringing pride to NFRSharma said that during the month of December 2025 New Bongaigaon Workshop also developed an indigenous test bench for assembled DEMU DPC bogies enabling preinstallation testing of traction motors and early detection of defects The system includes mandatory one hour run tests real time monitoring of vibration and bearing temperatures and precise backlash measurement using highaccuracy dial gauges significantly saving time and manpower he statedMidLife Rehabilitation MLR of LHB coaches has been successfully initiated at New Bongaigaon Workshop following the allotment of a Rolling Stock Programme for 25 coachesAccording to the CPRO through effective planning and optimal utilisation of available resources interim arrangements were created by utilising the old Coach Lifting Shop CLS after relocating ICF Periodic Overhauling POH activities to the new Light Coach Repair Shop LCRS These proactive measures have enabled the smooth commencement of MLR activities while a proposal for a dedicated MLR shed is being progressed to strengthen longterm maintenance infrastructureThe official said that the NFR has successfully relocated all POH activities of DEMU rakes from the old Wagon Paint Shop to a newly commissioned DEMU shed at New Bongaigaon Workshop Planned under the 202122 infrastructure development initiatives the modern covered facility has enhanced operational efficiency streamlined workflow and improved safety and productivity strengthening rolling stock maintenance capabilitiesThese achievements underscore Northeast Frontier Railwayâs continued emphasis on infrastructure innovation and operational efficiency reinforcing safe and reliable railway operations the NFR CPRO stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nfr-sets-new-benchmark-in-railway-workshop-modernisation-in-assams-new-bongaigaon-657025.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gulmarg-freezes-at-minus-88-cold-wave-intensifies-in-jampk-657092.html Srinagar Jan 5 With the cold wave becoming severe the ski resort of Gulmarg recorded minus 88 as the minimum temperature on Monday while Srinagar recorded minus 36 as the minimum temperature The Meteorological MeT Department said that at minus 88 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature Gulmarg witnessed the seasonâs coldest nightSrinagar had minus 36 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam minus 48 as a minimum temperatureJammu city recorded 87 degrees Celsius Katra town 56 Batote 21 Batote minus 13 and Bhaderwah minus 21 as the nightâs lowest temperatureAlthough Gulmarg and Sonamarg received fresh snowfall a major snowfall has evaded the Valley so farWith the MeT Department predicting generally dry weather till January 20 the prospect of a major snowfall during the ongoing 40day period of Chillai Kalan appears bleakIf the Chillai Kalan passes without a major snowfall the summer months would witness very low discharge in rivers streams springs lakes and wells of JampKThese water bodies are sustained during the summer months by the perennial water reservoirs situated in the mountainsThe perennial water reservoirs get replenished by the heavy snowfall during Chillai Kalan but only as snowfall in February and March doesnât last long due to the rising temperaturesFarmers orchardists and others connected with agriculture are presently worried about the absence of a major snowfall so far in the ValleyPlains including Srinagar city have yet to receive this seasonâs first snowfall Cold dry weather has prompted doctors to sound caution for people especially those with a history of heart and lung ailments Such vulnerable people have been advised not to venture out of their homes till the weather gets warmerA weak Western Disturbance affected the union territory a few days ago resulting in snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir and light rain in the plains IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gulmarg-freezes-at-minus-88-cold-wave-intensifies-in-jampk-657092.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/aavin-milk-incentives-delayed-tn-farmers-demand-immediate-govt-intervention-657096.html Chennai Jan 5 Mounting frustration is growing among nearly four lakh dairy farmers supplying milk to Aavin as incentive payments promised by the state government have remained unpaid for the past four months Farmer organisations say the prolonged delay has severely affected livelihoods and have called on the government to urgently release more than Rs 200 crore in pending duesFarmers have also raised concerns over the deteriorating financial health of villagelevel primary milk producersâ cooperative societiesAccording to them many societies are now operating at a loss due to low procurement prices and delays in incentive payments They have demanded that the government compensate Aavin for the annual loss of nearly Rs 550 crore incurred since May 2021 after the retail price of milk was reduced by Rs 3 per litreDrawing a comparison with staterun transport corporations farmer leaders pointed out that the government regularly compensates transport undertakings for operating buses without fare revisions In contrast Aavin has been forced to absorb sustained losses without direct fiscal support they allegedA few months ago faced with mounting pressure from farmers the government permitted Aavin to clear incentive arrears using internal resources drawn from the milk cooperative federation and profitmaking districtlevel cooperative unionsThe government had assured that these funds would be reimbursed at a later date Following this directive incentives for the period from June to August were paid However payments for the subsequent months remain pending further straining cooperative financesAavin Managing Director John Louis said the cooperative must maintain a delicate balance between safeguarding the interests of milk producers and ensuring affordability for consumers particularly in urban centres such as ChennaiHe noted that when the government announces a price reduction all stakeholders including the federation and district unions are expected to implement it He also maintained that over 90 per cent of primary cooperative societies are operating profitably and assured that the pending incentive dues would be cleared soonProducers however contested this claim stating that diverting funds from profitmaking district unions has reduced annual dividends payable to primary societies pushing several of them into lossesâA growing number of unions and villagelevel cooperatives are struggling financially due to low procurement pricesâ said R Kannan general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Milk Producersâ Welfare AssociationTo address farmer concerns the government introduced an incentive of Rs 3 per litre from December 18 2023 Following this the procurement price of cow milk was revised to Rs 38 per litre while buffalo milk is procured at Rs 47 per litreFarmers warn that unless the government steps in with timely financial support and clears pending incentives the cooperative milk ecosystem could face deeper distress potentially affecting both producers and consumers across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/aavin-milk-incentives-delayed-tn-farmers-demand-immediate-govt-intervention-657096.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/army-organises-national-integration-tour-for-students-from-arunachals-border-areas-657135.html Itanagar Jan 5 The Indian Army has organised a 15daylong National Integration Tour for students from the border areas of Arunachal Pradeshâs ShiYomi district defence officials said on Monday Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the tour is being organised for students of the Government Higher Secondary School Mechuka located in the remote border region of the ShiYomi districtCommencing on Monday the initiative aims to provide meaningful national exposure to students from this farflung frontier area by connecting them with Indiaâs cultural historical and institutional landscapeAs part of the tour scheduled from January 5 to 19 the students will be visiting Delhi Pune Mumbai besides the state capital Itanagar gaining firsthand exposure to Indiaâs democratic institutions national heritage and diverse sociocultural fabricThe itinerary Lt Col Rawat said includes visits to prominent landmarks such as Teen Murti Bhawan Rashtrapati Bhavan and the National War Memorial along with interactions at premier educational and defence institutionsThese engagements are designed to enhance the studentsâ understanding of the nationâs history values and governance while also providing insight into avenues in higher education public service and the Indian Armed Forces he saidAccording to the spokesman the tour offers a balanced blend of education exposure and experiential learning enabling students to witness everyday India beyond classrooms and textbooks Interaction with people from different regions exposure to metropolitan environments and participation in structured educational visits are expected to broaden horizons build confidence and instil a deep sense of national prideThe tour is expected to leave a lasting impression on the students fostering lifelong memories and a strengthened sense of belonging to the nation he statedThe initiative reflects the armyâs sustained commitment towards nationbuilding by empowering youth and strengthening emotional integration with the national mainstream he addedMeanwhile to promote youth empowerment and sustainable development the Indian Army has facilitated an ecotourism exposure tour for college students from the border areas of Arunachal Pradeshs West Siang districtLt Col Rawat said that the army under the aegis of Spear Corps on Sunday flagged off the 11day from January 4 to 14 ecotourism exposure tour from Along Military Station in Arunachal Pradesh marking a significant step towards youth empowerment and sustainable development in the stateâs border regions As part of the ecotourism exposure tour the students will visit West Bengalâs Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions which are well known for successful ecotourism and homestay initiativesThe official said that through such initiatives the army continues to bridge geographical and cultural distances reinforce trust with border communities and nurture informed inspired and responsible citizens IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/army-organises-national-integration-tour-for-students-from-arunachals-border-areas-657135.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ujjain-priest-suffers-throat-injury-from-banned-chinese-kite-string-657140.html Ujjain Jan 5 A young priest narrowly escaped death after a banned Chinese manja kite string slashed his throat while he was riding a motorcycle to buy household goods in Madhya Pradeshs Ujjain The victim Vinay Tiwari 21 originally from Jeerapur in Rajgarh district and currently residing in the Jaisinghpura area of Ujjain sustained deep cuts across his throat in the freak accident on Sunday Doctors at a private hospital in Ujjain performed emergency surgery lasting over two hours to save his life Confirming the incident investigation officer of Mahakal police station SL Kanoje told IANS âTiwari received injury and got some sutures to close the severe wound He is now reported to be out of danger though under close observationâ Medical sources described the injury as critical stating that a slight deviation could have proved fatal by severing vital blood vessels or the windpipe Similar incidents have occurred in the past as the use of Chinese manja is a persistent menace known for its glasscoated sharpness despite statewide restrictions on its use and sale The Ujjain district administration had imposed a complete ban on the sale storage and use of the dangerous synthetic string ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival when kite flying peaks Similar prohibitions exist in most urban centres across Madhya Pradesh following multiple fatalities and injuries in previous years A few days ago another resident Yogesh from Pipalia Dhooma village suffered similar lifethreatening throat injuries from Chinese manja near Khilchipur Naka underscoring the recurring threat Acting swiftly the Mahakal Police Station registered a case against a few persons accused of selling and distributing the banned string The prime accused Saif Ali was arrested and paraded by police as a deterrent âOne suspect remains absconding and raids are underway to nab himâ the investigation officer said Authorities have seized quantities of Chinese manja from shops in the vicinity Police officials urged citizens to immediately report any sale or use of the prohibited string warning of strict action under relevant sections Community leaders and religious figures have appealed for responsible celebrations during the upcoming kite festival emphasising the need to use only cotton threads IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ujjain-priest-suffers-throat-injury-from-banned-chinese-kite-string-657140.html Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/for-establishing-ram-rajya-one-will-have-to-behave-like-lord-ram-ami-ganatra-656897.html New Delhi 3 Jan The second day of Delhi Shabdostav 2026 being organised at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium witnessed a wideranging discussion including one centred around âhistory of Hinduismâ Several writers as well as historians presented their views on Indian literature and cultureAmi Ganatra a management professional and also noted writer shared her views on the concept of âRam Rajyaâ and elaborated on what it would entail for societyâIf the society wants to establish Ram Rajya then one should start acting and behaving like Lord Ramâ she saidShe also flayed the critics and doubters of Lord Ram as an imaginary figure and said that his life serves as a guiding principle for every person even todayâLord Ram is a historical figure for us He has always been there upholding and strengthening the values for societyâ he remarkedâI donât think that anyone has ever raised questions on Lord Ramâs existence till the countryâs Independence The questions whenever raised were merely for scoring political points The courts also demanded testimonials regarding Lordâs existence This shows the extent of the Hindu communityâs tolerance that they provided the courts with evidenceâ she elaboratedRSS Delhi general secretary Anil Gupta another prominent guest on the panel discussion said that earlier it was difficult for people to understand religion and culture but in the present times it has been simplifiedâIt has become easy even for the âGenZâ to comprehend Today the youth are actively taking part in religious programs There used to be a time when bhajan singers used to be in the age group of 4050 but today they are much younger in the bracket of 2025 years of ageâ he addedAnil Gupta further said that the current generation is doing a tremendous job realising the importance of bhajan and religion IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/for-establishing-ram-rajya-one-will-have-to-behave-like-lord-ram-ami-ganatra-656897.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/magh-mela-opens-grandly-in-prayagraj-amid-tight-security-and-devotion-656916.html Prayagraj Jan 3 The countryâs largest annual spiritual and cultural congregation Magh Mela 2026 commenced on Saturday at Prayagraj with the auspicious Paush Purnima bathing festival From the early hours of dawn an overwhelming wave of faith was witnessed at the Sangam and other ghats as lakhs of devotees gathered to take the holy dip Despite severe cold conditions the enthusiasm of pilgrims remained undiminished By 700 PM more than 31 million devotees had performed the ritual bath at the SangamOn the occasion of Paush Purnima devotees continued bathing throughout the day at the confluence of the Ganga Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati rivers as well as at various other ghatsPilgrims from across the country described the experience as deeply divine Nisha who travelled from Rewari in Haryana said that taking a dip in the sacred waters of the Triveni had spiritually fulfilled her life She also praised the governmentâs arrangements for smooth movement and safe bathingSimilarly Kalpana Tomar from Sehore Madhya Pradesh said that her longcherished wish of bathing at the Triveni which remained unfulfilled during the Mahakumbh was finally realised this time She appreciated the cleanliness and efficient management of the fairSaints and seers from various Sanatan traditions also participated in the first holy dip of the Magh Mela adding to the spiritual grandeur of the occasionWith the start of the Magh Mela the entire religious area resonated with an atmosphere of celebration and devotion According to officials more than 22 million devotees had completed the sacred bath by 500 PM They also informed that the flow of pilgrims was continuingExtensive security measures were put in place following the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Over 1500 CCTV cameras have been installed across the city and the mela area with roundtheclock monitoring from a centralised command centre officials said Modern equipment public address systems watchtowers and active water police patrols ensured effective crowd management and safety at the ghatsThe traditional Kalpavas observed every year during the month of Magh on the banks of the holy Ganga also began with the first bathing festival More than 400000 Kalpavasi devotees took the holy dip and formally took vows of austerity prayer and selfdiscipline which will continue until Maghi PurnimaThe newly developed Prayagwal Nagar established for Kalpavasis for the first time came alive with spiritual activities and devotion transforming the mela area into a vibrant tent cityWith a massive turnout elaborate arrangements and deep spiritual fervour the grand beginning of Magh Melaâ2026 has once again reaffirmed Prayagrajâs status as a timeless centre of faith and culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/magh-mela-opens-grandly-in-prayagraj-amid-tight-security-and-devotion-656916.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/massive-fire-guts-200-vehicles-in-tns-thrissur-railway-station-parking-area-656971.html Thrissur Jan 4 A major fire broke out at the Thrissur Railway Station on Sunday destroying more than 200 twowheelers parked at a designated parking facility adjacent to the station The incident occurred at the twowheeler parking area located near Platform No 2 triggering panic among commuters and nearby residents According to preliminary reports the fire was first noticed around 645 am Flames rapidly engulfed the parking area which typically accommodates over 500 motorcycles and scooters on a daily basis The presence of fuel in the parked vehicles is believed to have contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the blaze resulting in extensive damage within minutes Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the alert Multiple fire tenders were deployed and firefighters worked for nearly half an hour to bring the fire under control Although the flames were successfully doused thick smoke continued to linger in the area for some time causing inconvenience to commuters and station staff Eyewitnesses said several vehicles were completely gutted while many others suffered partial damage Owners of the parked vehicles many of whom are daily commuters were seen rushing to the site after hearing about the incident only to find their twowheelers reduced to charred remains The exact number of vehicles destroyed is still being assessed by authorities The cause of the fire has not yet been determined Officials said a detailed investigation will be conducted to ascertain whether the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit a fuel leak or any other factor CCTV footage from the railway station premises is likely to play a crucial role in the probe Importantly railway authorities confirmed that train services were not affected by the incident The parking area is located close to the track used by trains bound for Guruvayur but timely intervention ensured that the fire did not spread to the railway infrastructure Train movement remained normal throughout the incident Railway officials and local authorities have assured affected vehicle owners that necessary steps will be taken following the completion of the investigation The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety measures at crowded public facilities such as railway stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/massive-fire-guts-200-vehicles-in-tns-thrissur-railway-station-parking-area-656971.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indore-water-crisis-residents-of-bakery-gali-claim-using-contaminated-insect-infested-water-656980.html New Delhi Jan 4 Residents of Bakery Gali near Malwa Mill in Madhya Pradeshs Indore are grappling with a severe drinking water crisis alleging that black foulsmelling and insectinfested water is being supplied through municipal taps posing serious health risks particularly to children According to residents the water supplied is unsafe even after filtering and boiling Many households report frequent illnesses including vomiting diarrhoea and stomach infections which they attribute to consuming the contaminated waterOne resident described the ordeal saying âThe water is very dirty When the tap runs initially the water is filthy which cannot be used at all but after some time it becomes better Another problem is that the tap stops running quickly and the water doesnât flow for long Even though the water line is active dirty water still comes out Red worms also come in the water and nothing is done about itââAnother resident highlighted the impact on daily life and childrenâs health âChildren are falling ill and washing utensils is also causing a lot of problems Children are getting sick from drinking the water Water is essential for life but this water is unsafe You can see the conditions in the homes here no proper arrangements have been made Only the normal tap water the water from Narmada is available The first issue is that the water here is dirty If the water is dirty how can we drink it There is no system for filtration or purification here at allââMeanwhile in response to the broader water contamination crisis Indoreâs Additional Commissioners Ashish Pathak and Akash Singh recently conducted a doortodoor survey in Bhagirathpura where several deaths were reported The inspection focused on monitoring public health conditions ensuring the supply of safe drinking water through tankers and verifying proper water usageOfficials said the exercise was aimed at restoring safety and public confidence even as residents of Bakery Gali continue to demand urgent and lasting solutions to their water woesResidents said the problem is most acute in the early morning hours âEarly in the morning the water is always dirty After some time the water clears a little but it is still not fully clean Sometimes during the rainy season it remains dirty throughout Drinking this water makes people fall sick If the water is dirty children can suffer from vomiting and diarrhoea and everyone faces health problemsâ another resident saidSome accounts are even more alarming âMany worms come in the water including small red worms The water is dirty and pieces of small dead animals also come in it This is the water that comes from our taps We try to filter the water through four layers yet even after filtering these problems persist It causes a lot of difficulties sometimes water doesnât come at all and sometimes it is completely blackâ said a resident IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indore-water-crisis-residents-of-bakery-gali-claim-using-contaminated-insect-infested-water-656980.html Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pu-scientists-develop-paint-additive-to-reduce-hospital-infection-656734.html Chandigarh Jan 2 Panjab University PU scientists have developed a special paint additive that can help reduce infections in hospitals an issue that has become critical after the Covid19 pandemic The innovation was granted an Indian patent on December 31 2025 The breakthrough led by Gaurav Verma of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Nanotechnology emerged from collaborative research during the Covid19 pandemic Avneet Saini from the Department of Biophysics Shubhi Joshi and MSc student Deeksha Sharma are the other members of the team The paint additive works by killing harmful bacteria on surfaces making hospital walls beds and furniture safer Importantly the material is nontoxic and does not mix into the air or surroundings making it safe for indoor use The patented paint technology has the potential to be widely used in hospitals and clinics to reduce infections and improve patient safety The idea took shape amid Covid19 when hospitalacquired infections claimed many lives especially during the delta wave of 202122 These infections often spread through touched surfaces such as walls beds and furniture and were also linked to serious complications like black fungus The story behind the innovation began in 2018 when Shubhi Joshi a food microbiologist approached Gaurav Verma for a PhD Although she had topped the PU PhD entrance test she could not get admission in her own subject Verma accepted her into his lab and gave her a challenging research problem involving very tiny materials known as nanomaterials During the pandemic the team continued working in the laboratory while maintaining physical distance and following Covid safety rules Their efforts led to the development of the antibacterial paint additive which was successfully completed in 2022 At present Shubhi Joshi is working as an ICMR Woman Scientist and continues to collaborate with the PU research team Verma said the innovation reflects his belief that every student has the ability to do meaningful science and that science should directly help society He added that paints should not only make buildings look good but should also help save lives IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pu-scientists-develop-paint-additive-to-reduce-hospital-infection-656734.html Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/emotional-farewell-in-mps-rewa-students-break-down-as-their-beloved-teacher-retires-656561.html Rewa Madhya Pradesh Jan 1 The bond between a teacher and a student is built not merely in classrooms but through years of care guidance and silent sacrifices Such a bond was clearly visible in Rewa where the retirement farewell of a teacher turned into an overwhelming emotional moment leaving students teachers and villagers in tearsA deeply moving farewell ceremony was held at Kararia Upper Primary School in the Sirmaur Assembly constituency around 37 km from the district headquarters What was meant to be a formal goodbye soon transformed into a poignant scene of love and gratitudeAs Ganga Prasad Pandey a respected teacher who dedicated 42 years 10 months and 4 days to the education department prepared to leave the school premises on December 30 emotions spilled over Students clung to him hugged him tightly and broke down crying uncontrollably The sight was so powerful that the retiring teacher himself could not hold back his tearsWitnessing the studentsâ grief and affection fellow teachers and villagers present at the ceremony also became emotional turning the entire atmosphere solemn and tearfulWe may have heard countless stories about the sacred teacherstudent relationship but this incident from a government school in Rewa stood as a living example of that tradition It reflected how a dedicated teacher can shape lives far beyond classrooms and textbooksThough words failed him at the moment of farewell Ganga Prasad Pandey gently consoled his students saying âDonât worry Be a good citizenâ Holding the children in his arms he showered them with affection one last time a gesture that spoke louder than any speechAs he walked away from the school gates eyes moist and heart heavy it was clear that while a chapter had ended the values discipline and love he imparted would continue to live on in the lives of his students IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/emotional-farewell-in-mps-rewa-students-break-down-as-their-beloved-teacher-retires-656561.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/door-to-door-anaemia-prevention-drive-launched-in-jampks-ramban-656598.html Ramban Jan 1 The Health Department on Thursday intensified the Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign in Jammu and Kashmirs Ramban district by organising a special awareness and training programme involving trained doctors ASHA workers and other female health staff During the programme ASHA workers were sensitised about effective strategies to prevent and manage anaemia among women and children Trained doctors educated participants on the identification prevention and management of anaemia while emphasising the crucial role played by ASHA workers in reaching out to communities at the grassroots levelMedical experts stressed that ASHA workers should regularly visit their assigned areas spread awareness identify anaemia cases at an early stage and ensure proper guidance and followupThe initiative aims to strengthen interventions at the ground level so that through collective and sustained efforts Ramban district can be made anaemiafreeSpeaking to IANS Dr Reyaz said that continuous efforts are being made under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign in the district and gaps are being identified he added that an open discussion was held during the Ramban programme and work on the campaign would now begin at the grassroots levelHe also said that ASHA workers will administer Iron Folic Acid syrup to children aged between six months to five years at a dose of one millilitre per week The intake will be closely monitored and records will be maintained Once mothers are adequately informed they will be encouraged to administer the syrup themselves For children aged between five to nine years pink tablets will be given while blue tablets will be provided to children aged between 10 and 19 yearsDr Ankula said that ASHA workers were thoroughly briefed about the Anaemia Mukt Bharat programme during the event She said that the ASHA workers were trained on how to conduct doortodoor visits and ensure proper distribution of medicines to childrenThe campaign reflects the Health Departments commitment to combating anaemia through awareness early detection and sustained communitylevel intervention across the Ramban district IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/door-to-door-anaemia-prevention-drive-launched-in-jampks-ramban-656598.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/west-bengal-to-hold-workshop-for-bengali-medium-students-to-overcome-fear-of-english-656614.html Kolkata Jan 1 For a long time students studying in Bengalimedium schools in West Bengal have been grappling with a fear of the English language Due to a lack of confidence in speaking writing and understanding English many students tend to fall behind academically To address this longstanding concern the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education WBCHSE has taken a special initiative A special workshop has been organised at the beginning of the new year with the objective of helping such students overcome their fear of the English language and build confidenceA senior official of the state Education Department said on Thursday that the special training camp will be held at Vidyasagar Bhavan in Salt Lake from January 5 to January 9 Organised by the WBCHSE the workshop will be attended by students from more than 150 Bengalimedium schools across the stateAs many as 2000 students will receive practical training in the English language during the fiveday programme Classes will be conducted in two sessions each day with around 200 students participating in each sessionThe students selected for the workshop are Class XI students who have English as their second language The Council has observed that students from Bengalimedium schools often display hesitation and fear when it comes to speaking and writing in EnglishOfficials pointed out that proficiency in English plays a crucial role in higher education and future career opportunities Keeping this in mind the Council has taken this step to help students overcome their inhibitions and strengthen their communication skillsPriyadarshini Mallick Secretary of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education said âThis initiative aims to eliminate the fear of English that exists among students of Bengalimedium schools Initially it is being introduced for students from a few districts Gradually this type of training will be extended to students from all districts of the stateâIn the first phase students from schools in North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas parts of Howrah and Kolkata have been given the opportunity to participate in the workshopEducationists said that if the initiative proves successful it could bring about a significant improvement in English language learning among students of Bengalimedium schools in West Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/west-bengal-to-hold-workshop-for-bengali-medium-students-to-overcome-fear-of-english-656614.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/devotees-throng-himachal-temples-to-seek-new-year-blessings-656464.html Shimla Jan 1 A large number of devotees assembled in different parts of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday the first day of 2026 to express gratitude for the past and seek blessings for the future One of the busiest shrines in North India the hilltop Naina Devi temple in the Bilaspur district saw a majority of pilgrims from Punjab Haryana Chandigarh and Delhi according to temple officialsThe popular shrines of Chintpurni in Una district and Jwalaji and Brajeshwari Devi temples in Kangra district witnessed a huge rushâWe are expecting a daily arrival of 15000 to 20000 devotees till this weekendâ an official at the Naina Devi shrine told IANS over the phoneMeanwhile security has been increased to manage the crowds at all prominent shrines a senior police official told IANS hereGovernor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu have extended best wishes to the peopleThe Chief Minister hoped the New Year would bring abundant happiness to everyone and serve as a symbol of renewed aspirations fresh resolutions and positive energy He said the people of the state have stood shoulder to shoulder with the government while facing challenges The state faced several disasters in 2025 but even then it was a year of development and achievements during which new benchmarks were set in the fields of education health agriculture and infrastructure from its own resources besides the resolve and firm commitment of the government to eradicate âchittaâ a chemical narcotic he saidCM Sukhu assured that the government would continue to stand firmly for the welfare of the people and the fight for the overall interests of the state in the future as wellIn his message the Governor hoped the New Year would bring peace happiness and prosperity to every household and usher in new opportunities for progress and developmentHe said the New Year âis a time for renewal of hope positive thinking and collective resolve to build a stronger healthier and more inclusive societyâHe urged residents especially the youth to adopt values of discipline compassion and social responsibility and contribute actively towards a drugfree healthy and prosperous state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/devotees-throng-himachal-temples-to-seek-new-year-blessings-656464.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/braving-biting-cold-devotees-throng-golden-temple-shrines-to-usher-in-new-year-656467.html ChandigarhAmritsar Jan 1 Braving biting cold hundreds of devotees thronged the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar Punjab and other shrines in the region early on Thursday to usher in the New Year At the Golden Temple complex around 250 km from here the devotees queued up since midnight to offer prayers Long queues could be seen on Thursday morning with people waiting for their turn to offer prayers inside the Harmandir Sahib the sanctum sanctorumSeveral devotees could be seen taking a dip in the holy sarovar in the Golden Temple âWe are really blessed to offer prayers in the Golden Temple on the first day of the New Year May 2026 be filled with prayers answered and goals achievedâ Kavita Gupta a devotee from Delhi saidAlso people thronged the Mata Mansa Devi shrine in Panchkula near Chandigarh to offer prayersElsewhere in Punjab Haryana and Chandigarh people offered prayers at various shrines to mark the New YearPunjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria has extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on the occasion of the New YearIn his message the Governor said the arrival of the New Year is always welcomed with renewed hope optimism and aspirations He emphasised that these aspirations can be realised only through collective effort guided by zeal determination and dedicationOn this joyous occasion Kataria called upon the people to reaffirm their resolve to build a strong peaceful and united India and to rededicate themselves to working for the nationâs progress and prosperityThe Governor conveyed his heartfelt greetings and wished everyone a happy healthy and prosperous New YearPunjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has also extended greetings and wished that the Almighty may fulfil all the dreams of Punjabis in 2026 He prayed to God to give happiness peace success and prosperity for all Punjabis residing across the globe âWe should follow the path shown by Guru SahibâHe urged the people to do regular exercise in their lives so that they remain hale and heartyExtending the New Year greetings Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann prayed that the Almighty fill peoples lives with happiness and success In a post on X he wrote that last year his government provided the people of Punjab with better health facilities good education for children and employment for youthWe took strict action to remove stigmas like drugs and corruption from the forehead of Punjab he said adding that the development works will continue IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/braving-biting-cold-devotees-throng-golden-temple-shrines-to-usher-in-new-year-656467.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/snowfall-in-jampk-tourist-spots-gives-new-year-revellers-joy-plains-miss-whiteout-656480.html Srinagar Jan 1 Light snowfall occurred in the higher reaches of Kashmir Valley during the last 12 hours as the plains were lashed by rain on Thursday The revellers had a great time in Gulmarg Sonamarg and Pahalgam tourist resorts where snowfall occurred on the New Years Eve The tourists could be seen singing and dancing to welcome the new yearScores of tourists also gathered at the city centre Lal Chowk in Srinagar braving the winter chill to usher in the new yearHotels lodges and guest houses are completely sold out in the Valley this time giving renewed hope to thousands of locals connected with the tourist industry that 2026 will be peaceful and bring good fortune to the people The tourist flow to the valley suffered immensely following the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 2025 Now with the winter tourism reviving the people in the valley are praying for more snowfallThe residents of Srinagar and other towns and cities in Kashmir missed the traditional snowfall on New Years Eve dampening the spirits of children who had planned snowrelated sports and activities to celebrate the momentSrinagar city had 22 degrees Celsius Gulmarg minus 55 and Pahalgam 04 as the minimum temperatureJammu city had 107 degrees Celsius Katra town 87 Batote 57 Banihal 39 and Bhaderwah one degree as the minimum temperatureThe 40daylong period of intense winter cold locally called the âChillai Kalanâ started on December 21 2025 and will end on January 30 2026If JampK misses a heavy snowfall during this 40daylong period then people may face serious problems in irrigation for agriculture horticulture and even in meeting the drinking water needs Heavy snowfall in Chillai Kalan replenishes the perennial water reservoirs in the mountains which sustain the various water resources of Jammu and Kashmir during the summer months Already various rivers streams springs wells and lakes are running at their lowest due to a lack of sufficient rainsnow this winter December 2025 has recorded a 28 per cent deficit in rainfall IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/snowfall-in-jampk-tourist-spots-gives-new-year-revellers-joy-plains-miss-whiteout-656480.html Thu, 01 Jan 2026 11:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/shifting-sands-cosmic-contests-dynamic-destinies-a-made-in-india-global-fantasy-656398.html New Delhi Dec 31 An ancient desert city mysterious ruins the constant cosmic conflict between good and evil a powerful but lost talisman that could affect its outcome a young heroine yet to come to terms with her hidden abilities but thrust into the maelstrom and the like all these portend to be sparkling ingredients for an engrossing urban fantasy And fledgling author Sunali Singh Ranaa doesnt disappoint with her first work which promises to be the first of a riveting swordandsorcery series with a unique Indian infusion but also a twist as we shall seeIn Whispers in the Cursed Desert Inked in Blood the first of The Enchanted Dunes Saga Readomaniapp244Rs 399 Rana who happens to be an energy expert leading sustainable energy practices at industry chamber CII spins the tale of Layla a resident of the ancient desert city of Zephyria and beginning a graduate course in archaeology at a university said to be in EgyptWhile both her home city and her institution and the people are more than what they appear to be she is yet to achieve closure over the disappearance of her father some years back and the strange things that suddenly begin to happen to her And the simplest ostensibly of these is a budding romance but this also is fraught with complications for our festy heroineRevealing any more of the storyline may be a spoiler for interested readers beginning right from the ominous prelude the cliffhanger ending and the enigmatic epilogue so it will be better to focus on some overarching trends about Ranaas sagaUrban fantasy has always been a fertile realm of literature and well before the advent of the Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson and its numerous spinoffs series but Ranaa whose journey combines her professional expertise with a deeply intuitive approach to living creates her own special brandComparisons with the boy wizards tales are bound to be drawn given the underlying theme of magic parentlinked trauma an institution where magic is not looked at askance and even a rather singular teacher whose name approach chocolate for the disturbed and favoured abode brings to mind a popular Defence Against Dark Arts teacher of HogwartsHowever Ranaas tale is more multifacetedWhile there are times when her work seems to be verging towards becoming a fantasy sink with what seems to be a surfeit of magical plot elements it must be appreciated that the first instalment of a series is not where judgment can be made as there is a long road ahead for the resolution of the multifarious constituentsBut what really makes Ranaas work stand out is the universality she manages to bring about with this trendUrban fantasy or sword or sorcery is not alien to the Indian literary tradition with too many examples to list here But one issue that is seen often in contemporary works say Anuja Chandramoulis gritty yet compelling retellings is that inspiration from the Indic mythic tradition imposes its own limitations on character and plot Ranaa plays safer here with her policy like Samit Basu with his GameWorld Trilogy being to create an entirely new world though including traits and tropes from the prevailing mythosAnd hence Ranaas Zephyria and Antara seem mostly familiar though there is an element of subtle mystery that saves them from being compared to realworld locations even the mystical Arabia of the Thousand and One Nights and the characters draw on a larger pantheon than the subcontinent or even Arabia for that matterThe result is not difficult to discern the ambience is well created the characters are well drawn the situations seem well crafted and though there may be a false note or two in the narrative the effect is not too jarringIn all Ranaa offers a gripping tale that will not only beguile its readers but leave them waiting for the later instalmentsVikas Datta can be contacted at vikasdiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/shifting-sands-cosmic-contests-dynamic-destinies-a-made-in-india-global-fantasy-656398.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-on-high-alert-25-000-cops-deployed-for-new-years-eve-celebrations-656379.html Chennai Dec 31 Chennai will witness heightened security measures on New Yearâs Eve with more than 25000 police personnel deployed across the city and its suburbs to ensure a safe and incidentfree celebration The extensive security arrangement involving personnel from the Greater Chennai Police Tambaram City Police and Avadi City Police will be supported by drones CCTV surveillance and special monitoring teamsAccording to official sources nearly 19000 police personnel will be deployed within the Greater Chennai Police limits while 3000 personnel each will be stationed in the Tambaram and Avadi police jurisdictions In addition 1500 Home Guards will assist with crowd management traffic regulation and emergency responsePolice authorities have issued a strong advisory urging the public to cooperate with security personnel and adhere strictly to safety norms Special emphasis has been laid on preventing drunken driving reckless riding and unruly behaviour during celebrationsEstablishments serving alcohol have been warned to ensure the safety of women patrons and entry of minors into such premises has been strictly prohibitedAs part of safety measures beaches across Chennai and its suburbs including Marina Santhome Elliots Neelangarai Panaiyur and Kovalam will remain closed to the public from Wednesday evening until January 1 2026The bursting of firecrackers has also been completely banned in public places and residential areas Residents planning celebrations in apartment complexes must obtain prior permission from the police and concerned civic authorities especially for the use of loudspeakersTo curb drunken driving and racing over 500 vehicle checkposts have been established across Chennai Tambaram and Avadi In Chennai alone 425 vehicle inspection teams will be on duty while Tambaram city limits will have 60 dedicated teams monitoring traffic violations and drunken driving Additional patrol teams on twowheelers will provide assistance and enhance visibility in vulnerable areasThe Tamil Nadu Police in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marina Beach Lifeguards have also stepped up coastal securityWarning boards have been erected and ambulances with medical personnel will be stationed near popular locations to handle emergencies Police officials reiterated that these measures are aimed at ensuring a safe peaceful and incidentfree New Year celebration for all residents and visitors in Chennai IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-on-high-alert-25-000-cops-deployed-for-new-years-eve-celebrations-656379.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-residentsrejoicepm-modis-praise-for-kannadalanguage-655981.html New Delhi Dec 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 129th radio programme Mann Ki Baat spoke at length about importance of preserving Indias linguistic and cultural heritage and praised efforts to promote the Kannada language PM Modi said that the efforts to remain rooted in culture is not confined to India alone and that Indians living abroad are also playing an active role in preserving their heritageCiting the example of Kannadaspeaking families living in Dubai he said The families living there asked themselves an important question Our children are moving ahead in the tech world but arent they moving away from their language This is where Kannada Pathshale was born An initiative where children are taught to read write learn and speak Kannada Today more than a thousand children are associated with it Truly Kannada Nadu Nudi Namma Hemme roughly translated as The land and language of Kannada are our prideThe Prime Ministers praise for Kannada and Kannadigas in preserving their heritage has left the residents of state ecstatic and overjoyed who called it a moraleboosterBidarbased professor Siddarampappa Mahashimade and former President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address spoke about the richness and heritage of the Kannada language which is a matter of great pride for all Kannadigas His emphasis on giving international recognition to a regional language like Kannada reflects his respect for Indias linguistic and cultural diversityKannada was accorded Classical Language status in 2008 and has a literary history of more than 2000 years The language has been nurtured by great poets saints and scholars and has received the highest number of Jnanpith Awards The Prime Ministerâs reference to Kannada education and cultural activities among Kannadigas living abroad further highlights its global presence His practice of beginning speeches in Kannada during visits to Karnataka reflects his commitment to promoting the language the retired professor of Kannada at Bomaradi College addedMG Deshpande a resident of Karnatakas Bidar district said I felt proud and happy listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak about the Kannada language in DubaiWith a history of nearly 2000 years and eight Jnanpith Awards Kannada is one of the finest languages in the world When Prime Minister highlights Kannada on an international platform it brings great pride and confidence to all Kannadigas he addedPrime Minister Narendra Modis appreciation for Karnataka brought happiness to the people of the state said Vidyananda a research student at Karnataka UniversityHe also told IANS there was a feeling among the people that regional languages were not getting priority in Central governments administrative system and there was a concern among the people about whether Kannada language would get a chance or not but Prime Minister has dispelled this concernSaadhvi Amma reacting to PM Modis praise for Kannada language said Its really a honour that where PM Modi mentioned our Kannada languageIn Karnatakaâs Kalaburagi BJP leader Ambaray Ashtagi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his happiness about Karnataka and our Kannada language I congratulate him and also thank him for his praise of Kannada language and Kannada culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-residentsrejoicepm-modis-praise-for-kannadalanguage-655981.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/beekeeping-promises-stable-income-to-unemployed-youth-in-haryanas-nuh-655986.html New Delhi Dec 28 Beekeeping the practice of managing honeybee colonies in manmade hives for honey and wax is turning out to be good source of employment as well as incomegeneration opportunity for the unemployed youth in Haryanas Nuh district Many youths devoid of education and adequate skills for white collar jobs are turning to the beekeeping businessWith adequate training and government assistance they are getting engaged in the business leading to their selfsustenance and also adding to the honey outputDistrict Horticulture Officer Abdul Razzaq speaking to IANS explained how beekeeping can become a good source of income for unemployed youth and also how the landless farmers can benefit from the horticulture departments schemeRazzaq told that 13 training centres have been opened across the state including institutions like KVK Mandkola and KVK Bhupani where accommodation food and transportation are provided free of cost to the youth participating in this fiveday training programmeAssistance with bank loans is also available after the training Each young person is given 50 wooden boxes with an 85 per cent subsidy provided by the department The farmer only has to pay Rs 21600 he addedThose interested can receive the boxes by going to Ramnagar with their Family ID Aadhaar card and training certificateEach box contains eight to 10 framesThe Horticulture department also provides assistance of nearly Rs 85000 for thisHe mentioned that nearly 50 kg of honey is produced from one box a yearFurther sharing information about current output District Horticulture Officer Razzaq told that five farmers in the district have nearly 800 beekeeping boxes producing 26000 kg of honey annuallyHe said that if the honey is of good quality and sells for more than 110 rupees per kilogram in the market the youth engaged in beekeeping can sell itIf they dont find a buyer they can pack it in drums and buckets and take it to Ramnagar where they are paid Rs 110 per kgUnemployed youth can easily earn nearly 3 lakh rupees per year from beekeeping he opined IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/beekeeping-promises-stable-income-to-unemployed-youth-in-haryanas-nuh-655986.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/draft-notification-on-minimum-wages-for-pvt-hospital-staff-within-a-month-kerala-minister-656116.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 29 The Kerala government will issue a draft notification revising the minimum wages of employees in the private hospital sector within a month State Labour and Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Monday signalling a decisive move to ensure wage security for thousands of healthcare workers across the state Chairing a review meeting on the issue the Minister said officials of the Labour Department have been directed to complete all formalities for issuing the draft notification under the Minimum Wages Act 1948The proposed revision is aimed at protecting the interests of nearly 113 lakh employees working in around 2200 private hospitals across KeralaSivankutty said the move had become necessary as most private hospitals are currently paying wages based on the 2013 minimum wage notification after the Kerala High Court struck down the 2018 notificationThe continuation of outdated wage rates he said has adversely affected the livelihood security of healthcare workers at a time when the cost of living has risen sharplyTo address the issue a Minimum Wages Committee headed by the Labour Commissioner held multiple rounds of discussions between December 2023 and May 2025However the Minister said no consensus could be reached due to what the government described as the uncooperative stance of representatives of private hospital managementsWhile management representatives proposed only a marginal increase over the 2013 wage rates the Labour Department recommended a 60 per cent hike based on the same notificationThe proposal was welcomed by trade unions but rejected by management representativesSivankutty pointed out that even a meeting of the Industrial Relations Committee convened on December 27 2025 under his chairmanship failed to make any progress as management representatives stayed awayThe government he said was of the firm view that the wage structure suggested by hospital managements was inadequate to meet the basic living requirements of workers and their families in the present economic climateâIn these circumstances the government has decided to proceed under Section 51b of the Minimum Wages Act 1948â Sivankutty said adding that the department secretary had been given clear instructions to publish the draft notification in the official gazette within a monthThe Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring fair periodic and sustainable wages for workers and would take all necessary steps to safeguard the rights of employees in the private healthcare sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/draft-notification-on-minimum-wages-for-pvt-hospital-staff-within-a-month-kerala-minister-656116.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/water-shortfall-hits-tns-athikadavu-avinashi-project-farmers-raise-concerns-655879.html Chennai Dec 28 The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department WRD has acknowledged that several waterbodies under the AthikadavuAvinashi irrigation project did not receive adequate water this year and assured that priority would be given to these areas during the next monsoon season The flagship project which became operational on August 17 2024 aims to divert surplus water from the Bhavani River to rejuvenate 1045 waterbodies across Coimbatore Tiruppur and Erode districts As part of the project 15 thousand million cubic feet tmcft of water was allocated for distribution this year However farmers in several regions have raised concerns over insufficient water supplyAccording to them many tanks and ponds received only partial inflow leaving agricultural activity severely affected despite the project being operational for more than a year S Appusamy president of the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association in Pongupalayam Union said that several waterbodies in the northern parts of Tiruppur district received barely 10 per cent of their capacity âEven after the AthikadavuAvinashi project came into effect many villages continue to face droughtlike conditions Similar problems exist in parts of Coimbatore and Erode districts as well There needs to be a permanent and equitable solutionâ he saidResponding to the concerns a senior WRD official explained that the project is dependent on surplus water from the Bhavani RiverâThis year the southwest monsoon arrived early and the available surplus water was drawn in advance and supplied to the connected waterbodies Nearly 95 per cent of the tanks under the project received waterâ the official saidHowever he admitted that around 5 per cent of the waterbodies could not be fully supplied due to technical issues such as damaged pipelines blockages and malfunctioning Outlet Management Systems OMS âThese issues affected the flow in certain areas and corrective measures are plannedâ the official addedHe also clarified that no further water release is possible for the current year as the allocated quantity has already been exhausted âWe are confident that sufficient surplus water will be available again next year as the Bhavani River has recorded good inflows for the past three consecutive years Priority will be given to waterbodies that received inadequate supply this timeâ the official saidFarmers meanwhile have urged the government to ensure timely maintenance and equitable distribution so that the projectâs full benefits reach all intended regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/water-shortfall-hits-tns-athikadavu-avinashi-project-farmers-raise-concerns-655879.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/up-guv-anandiben-patel-visits-gujarats-thol-bird-sanctuary-reviews-migratory-bird-conservation-efforts-655952.html Mehsana Dec 28 Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Sunday visited the Thol Bird Sanctuary near Kadi in Gujarats Mehsana district where she reviewed the ecological significance of the wetland and interacted with forest officials local bird experts and visitors During the visit the Uttar Pradesh Governor observed birdwatching activities across the sanctuary and received detailed briefings from officials of the Forest Department and local ornithologists on the migratory birds that arrive at Thol every winterBird experts told Governor Patel that species such as Barheaded Geese Greylag Geese Dalmatian Pelicans Common Cranes Brahminy Ducks Ruff and Reeve migrate to Thol from distant regions including Siberia Russia Mongolia Kazakhstan and ChinaThe Governor also undertook a nature walk within the sanctuary premises along with senior officialsDuring the nature walk she interacted informally with tourists visiting the sanctuary discussing their experiences and the importance of protecting natural habitatsShe held detailed discussions with the Deputy Conservator of Forests Sakkira Begum on future initiatives aimed at strengthening conservation measures for migratory birds and enhancing biodiversity protection at TholAs part of her visit Governor Patel carried out plantation at the Thol sanctuary complex under the national Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign underscoring the importance of environmental conservation and community participation in protecting natural resourcesThol Bird Sanctuary spread over 699 hectares 699 sq km is centred around an irrigation reservoir that has evolved into a vital habitat for thousands of resident and migratory waterbirdsThe wetland serves as an important winter refuge for migratory species and has been officially declared an Important Bird AreaOn August 12 2021 the sanctuary received international recognition as a Ramsar Site acknowledging its global ecological importance as a wetlandAccording to the latest bird census as many as 55587 birds belonging to around 74 species were recorded at the sanctuaryAs of now more than 320 bird species have been documented at Thol including 78 migratory speciesThe sanctuary also provides sensitive and critical habitat for 118 bird species highlighting its role as one of Gujarats key biodiversity hotspotsSenior officials present during the visit included Deputy Conservator of Forests Sakkira Begum Assistant Conservator of Forests NM Patel District Supply Officer Biren Patel Deputy Superintendent of Police Hardik Prajapati Kadi Mamlatdar Madhavi Patel the Sarpanch of Thol village local leaders and officials and staff of the Forest DepartmentThe visit reaffirmed Gujarats commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism with Thol Bird Sanctuary continuing to play a crucial role in preserving migratory bird populations and wetland ecosystems IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/up-guv-anandiben-patel-visits-gujarats-thol-bird-sanctuary-reviews-migratory-bird-conservation-efforts-655952.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-chandrababu-naidu-thanks-pm-modi-for-appreciating-narsapuram-lace-craft-655956.html Amaravati Dec 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appreciating Narsapuram lace craft The Chief Minister took to X to thank the Prime Minister who mentioned Narsapuram lace craft in his Mann Ki Baat programme on SundayThank you for your appreciation of the Narsapuram lace craft Honble Prime Minister Modi Ji Andhra Pradesh is home to many traditional arts that have been preserved by families and communities over generations One such beautiful art form is crochet lace making which originated in Narsapuram posted CM NaiduI sincerely appreciate the skill and dedication of the women who have not only preserved this art but also taken it to the world It is heartening to see their work flourish again and receive the recognition it truly deserves We will continue to cherish and support this art and empower the artisans associated with it he addedCM Naidu responded to a post by the Prime Minister This effort in Narasapuram has brought back to life the local lace craft and thus empowered several people reads the post by the Prime MinisterDuring his speech PM Modi mentioned that traditional arts not only empower society but also become a major means of economic progress for people The lace craft from Narsapuram district in Andhra Pradesh is now gaining recognition across the country This lace craft has been in the hands of women for many generations he saidThe Prime Minister noted that the women of the country have preserved the lace craft with great patience and finesse Today this tradition is being carried forward with a new look and energy The Andhra Pradesh Government and NABARD are working together to teach artisans new designs provide better skill training and connect them to new markets he saidPM Modi also mentioned that Narsapuram lace has received a GI tag Today more than 500 products are being made from it and in over 250 villages nearly one lakh women are getting employment through it he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-chandrababu-naidu-thanks-pm-modi-for-appreciating-narsapuram-lace-craft-655956.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/manipurs-solar-man-moirangthem-seth-thanks-pm-modi-for-recognition-in-mann-ki-baat-655974.html New Delhi Dec 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the efforts of a young entrepreneur from Manipur Moirangthem Seth who has helped bring solar power to hundreds of households in the state In his monthly radio address âMann Ki Baatâ PM Modi referred to Sethâs work and said that the initiative demonstrated how local solutions could address longstanding challenges such as the lack of electricity in remote areasâThere is an old saying where there is a will there is a way A young man from Manipur has shown this through his workâ PM Modi saidThe Prime Minister noted that the parts of Manipur face persistent power shortages and that Seth identified solar energy as a viable alternative given the regionâs favourable conditions for renewable power generationMoirangthem Seth the man who popularised solar energy in his region spoke to IANS sharing his joy and excitement on earning accolades directly from the Prime MinisterIANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned grassroots changemakers like you in Mann Ki Baat Does this show the governmentâs thrust on taking development to the grassrootsMoirangthem Seth Yes absolutely The recognition itself is a very positive sign Our work at the grassroots level being acknowledged by the Prime Minister shows that we are moving in the right directionIANS How did you feel on getting recognition for your solar energy initiative directly from the Prime MinisterMoirangthem Seth I feel extremely happy and grateful It shows that even a simple idea can make a big impact on peopleâs lives Recognition by the Prime Minister gives us hope that small initiatives can also bring meaningful changeIANS Does your initiative give strength to schemes like PM Surya Ghar YojanaMoirangthem Seth Yes Our solution is focused on remote areas and healthcare centres lacking proper electricity PM Surya Ghar mainly addresses rural households with existing grid connections Both approaches complement each other working towards a single visionâpower for every home and communityIANS How do you see the PM Surya Ghar Yojana impacting people at the grassroots levelMoirangthem Seth Both our initiative and PM Surya Ghar are helping communities People in remote areas benefit from our offgrid solutions while rural households gain from PM Surya Ghar Together these efforts are improving access to electricity and enhancing livelihoodsIANS With your name mentioned in PMâs Mann Ki Baat do you think that it inspires youth towards innovation selfreliance and the vision of a Viksit BharatMoirangthem Seth Definitely Being recognised by the Prime Minister is a strong encouragement It shows that with a humble approach and a focus on community welfare even simple ideas can reach thousands and inspire young people across the countryIANS Based on your experience how effective are Prime Minister Modiâs schemes on the ground and how beneficial are they for common citizensMoirangthem Seth The effectiveness depends on how well the solutions are implemented at the local level From my observation initiatives like PM Surya Ghar are working well in many parts of the country including Manipur People are receiving tangible benefits and these programmes are gradually improving access to electricity and services IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/manipurs-solar-man-moirangthem-seth-thanks-pm-modi-for-recognition-in-mann-ki-baat-655974.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jharkhand-18-local-trains-cancelled-road-traffic-disrupted-due-to-elephant-movement-655683.html Ranchi Dec 25 Rail and road traffic across parts of Jharkhand continue to be severely affected due to frequent movement of wild elephants Owing to repeated elephant crossings on the ManoharapurâJharsuguda rail section under the Chakradharpur railway division as many as 18 local passenger trains have been cancelled for four days from December 25 to 28 railway officials saidThe cancelled services include TatanagarRourkelaTatanagar MEMU ChakradharpurâRourkelaChakradharpur MEMU TataBarbilTata MEMU TataGuaTata MEMU TataChakradharpurTata MEMU and TataKharagpurTata MEMU among other local trainsThe prolonged cancellations have caused immense hardship to daily commuters particularly those travelling from smaller stationsMeanwhile a positive example of wildlife conservation was recently witnessed in the same railway division A herd of 22 elephants was spotted crossing railway tracks between Bisra and Bandamunda Cabin âAâ on the HowrahMumbai main linePrioritising animal safety railway authorities temporarily halted 12 longdistance trains preventing any mishap probably amid heightened caution after seven elephants were killed in Assam on December 20 when a herd was hit by the Rajdhani ExpressThe timely intervention in Jharkhand averted an accident and the Wildlife Trust of India later honoured the Chakradharpur railway division for the initiativeElephant movement also disrupted road traffic on National Highway33 which connects Ranchi and Ramgarh on Wednesday evening A herd of 18 wild elephants suddenly appeared near the highway triggering panic among motoristsAs a precaution police and district authorities halted vehicular movement from both directions Vehicles coming from Ramgarh were stopped near Mayatungri hill while traffic from Ranchi was halted in the Kharabera area of the Chutupalu valleyTraffic on NH33 remained completely suspended for nearly an hourUpon receiving information the forest departmentâs quick response team reached the spot and safely drove the elephants back into the forest using torches flashlights and sirens Traffic was later restoredOfficials said the situation remains serious noting that six people have died in elephant attacks in Jharkhand over the past week IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jharkhand-18-local-trains-cancelled-road-traffic-disrupted-due-to-elephant-movement-655683.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-chandirapadi-fisheries-project-on-fast-track-completion-likely-by-march-2026-655575.html Chennai Dec 25 The construction of river training walls and additional infrastructure at the fish landing centre in Chandirapadi village in Tamil Nadus Tharangambadi has gathered significant momentum and is expected to be completed by March 2026 officials said well ahead of the stipulated deadline of December next year The Rs 32crore project is being implemented under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD scheme through the Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department The project aims to strengthen coastal protection measures and improve fish landing infrastructure for the local fishing community that depends on the Nandalar estuary for daily fishing operationsChandirapadi is a traditional fishing village with about 2895 fisherfolk engaged in marine fishing using 13 mechanised boats and 212 fibre boatsThe estuary and landing facilities are vital for sustaining livelihoods in the village According to T Gowthaman Assistant Engineer Fisheries Department the ongoing works include the construction of stone pitching river training walls extending 260 metres on the southern side and 220 metres on the northern side of the river a 60metrelong boat berthing jetty and dredging of around 96250 cubic metres to improve navigability and safetyThe project commenced in February 2025 and has achieved nearly 75 per cent physical progress âWork on the jetty is currently underway Dredging is yet to begin and is expected to commence within a month At present about 235 metres of the southern wall and 205 metres of the northern wall have been completedâ the official saidEarlier a fish landing centre was constructed at Chandirapadi for Rs 10 crore and inaugurated on August 20 2024 The facility includes a 75metre boat berthing jetty a fish auction hall a net mending shed 150 metres of road connectivity and dredging of 50000 cubic metres at the river mouthBased on requests from fisherfolk further infrastructure improvement works are now being taken up Fishermen in Chandirapadi have welcomed the pace of work noting that the new facility will significantly reduce their dependence on distant harboursâAt present we berth our boats at Poompuhar and Tirumullaivasal which involves considerable travel Once this facility is fully completed most of our difficulties will be resolvedâ said Martin a fisherman from the villageMeanwhile officials said the longstanding demand of Chandirapadi villagers for the construction of short groynes along the coast to arrest sea erosion is also moving forward The proposal is awaiting a bathymetry survey by a team from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras which is expected to be carried out in January 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-chandirapadi-fisheries-project-on-fast-track-completion-likely-by-march-2026-655575.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 09:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-modi-pays-homage-to-jnanpith-awardee-vinod-kumar-shukla-655399.html New DelhiRaipur Dec 23 Renowned Hindi litterateur and Jnanpith Award recipient Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur Shukla celebrated for his experimental yet simple style of writing breathed his last at 448 PM after battling multiple organ infectionsHe had been admitted to AIIMS on December 2 due to breathing difficulties and was placed on oxygen support with a ventilatorHis last rites will be performed on Wednesday at 11 AM at Marwari Muktidham in Raipur He is survived by his wife son Shashwat and a daughterPrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Shuklaâs demise In a heartfelt tribute posted on his X handle the Prime Minister wrote âDeeply saddened by the demise of the renowned writer Vinod Kumar Shukla ji a recipient of the Jnanpith Award He will always be remembered for his invaluable contribution to the world of Hindi literature My condolences are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief Om ShantiâBorn on January 1 1937 in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh Shukla chose teaching as his profession but dedicated his life to literary creationHis first poem âLagbhag Jaihindâ was published in 1971 marking the beginning of a remarkable journey in Hindi literatureHis notable novels include âDeewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thiâ âNaukar Ki Kameezâ and âKhilega To DekhengeâFilmmaker Mani Kaul adapted âNaukar Ki Kameezâ into a Bollywood film in 1979 while âDeewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thiâ earned him the Sahitya Akademi AwardShuklaâs writing was distinguished by its natural simplicity and unique style often weaving everyday life into profound narrativesHis works brought recognition to Indian literature on the international stage instilling a new consciousness among readersIn 2024 he was honoured with the 59th Jnanpith Award becoming the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious accoladeHe is the 12th Hindi writer to be conferred with the awardVinod Kumar Shuklaâs unparalleled contribution to Hindi literature his creativity and his distinctive voice will remain etched in golden letters in literary historyHis passing marks the end of an era but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of readers and writers IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-modi-pays-homage-to-jnanpith-awardee-vinod-kumar-shukla-655399.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/fishermen-in-tns-rameswaram-on-one-day-protest-families-seek-release-of-12-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-655453.html Chennai Dec 24 A oneday protest is being observed on Wednesday by motorboat fishermen in Tamil Nadus Rameswaram suspending all fishing activities to demand the immediate release of 12 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary The protest follows mounting anger among fishing communities after the detained fishermen were lodged in jail leaving their families in distress and uncertaintyThe fishermen all hailing from Rameswaram were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy triggering widespread concern across coastal villages in Ramanathapuram districtOn Tuesday evening families of the detained fishermen staged a sudden road blockade on the national highway at Thangachimadam The protest which began around 430 pm continued for over an hour More than 300 people including a large number of women relatives of the fishermen participated in the demonstrationTraffic on the busy highway came to a standstill with long queues of vehicles stretching on both sides causing major inconvenience to commuters Officials led by Ramanathapuram Revenue Divisional Officer Kabeeb Rahman and Rameswaram Assistant Superintendent of Police Meera rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters Family members made it clear that they would not withdraw the agitation until concrete steps were taken to secure the fishermenâs releaseFollowing assurances from officials that the government would initiate immediate measures to bring back the arrested fishermen the protesters dispersed peacefullyMeanwhile a joint consultative meeting of all powerboat fishermen associations was held at the Rameswaram harbour beach on Tuesday The meeting strongly urged both the Union and Tamil Nadu governments to take urgent diplomatic and administrative action to rescue the 12 fishermen currently in Sri Lankan custodyThe associations also pressed for steps to secure the release of all Indian fishermen languishing in Sri Lankan prisons for long periods and to retrieve boats seized during such incidents which they said were the sole means of livelihood for hundreds of familiesThe meeting further demanded a permanent and lasting solution to the recurring fishermen issue in the Palk Strait regionFishermen also resolved to seek an opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his proposed visit to Rameswaram on January 13 to personally submit their demands to the Centre and the state governments In addition to todayâs strike the associations have decided to hold a large protest demonstration in front of the Rameswaram bus stand on January 26 signalling an escalation of their agitation if their demands remain unaddressed IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/fishermen-in-tns-rameswaram-on-one-day-protest-families-seek-release-of-12-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-655453.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/digital-off-ktaka-village-witnesses-daily-two-hour-blackout-to-boost-childrens-education-655224.html Belagavi Dec 22 In a bold grassroots initiative villagers in Halaga village of Belagavi taluk in Karnataka have launched a daily âDigital Offâ experiment to keep children away from excessive screen time as an antidote to remain focused during study hours Inspired by a similar movement in Maharashtra the campaign is targeted at breaking the growing addiction to mobile phones and television across age groupsAt 7 PM every evening a siren from the Gram Panchayat office announces the start of a twohour blackout of all digital devicesThe villagers voluntarily turn off the TVs and mobile phones from 7 PM to 9 PM shifting that time to education and household involvementThe move is timely especially for students who are preparing to write SSLC exams Parents have also been encouraged to ensure that their children are not distracted during this time and that they studyThe women of the village have also taken well to the shift moving away from the TV serials they were regularly exposed to beforeA former Gram Panchayat President speaking to IANS reiterated the educational purpose behind this experiment âThis is one of the steps that has been taken for the education of children We want to create a disciplined environment for themâ he saidHe added that it is not safe for the children to get exposed to too much screen time A local Rohit Yallurkar said that turning off TVs and mobile phones for two hours every day has allowed the children to focus better on their educationThe âDigital Offâ campaign has received immense support from the villagers and is now a beacon that serves as a launching pad for other communities that struggle with the issue of overuse of technology The initiative is also a reminder to others to carry out similar initiatives in their respective city so that children focus more on their studies IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/digital-off-ktaka-village-witnesses-daily-two-hour-blackout-to-boost-childrens-education-655224.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-porunai-archaeological-museum-to-open-to-public-from-today-655246.html Tirunelveli Dec 23 The Porunai Archaeological Museum inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin at Reddiarpatti in Tirunelveli Tamil Nadu on December 20 will be open to the public from Tuesday Conceived as a major cultural and educational landmark for southern Tamil Nadu the museum is expected to offer visitors an immersive insight into the regionâs rich archaeological legacyDeveloped for Rs 6725 crore the museum is spread over 13 acres and showcases artefacts excavated from prominent ancient Tamil civilisation sites such as Sivagalai Adichanallur Thulukkarpatti and Korkai These sites are considered crucial to understanding early settlement patterns maritime activity trade networks and burial practices associated with the Tamirabarani river basinAn introductory gallery at the museum features portraits and visual depictions of historically significant locations providing visitors with a broader cultural and historical context Apart from its exhibition galleries the museum complex includes an amphitheatre access roads to the different blocks a water pool a decorative fountain with colourful lighting and an open hall designed to enhance the overall visitor experienceThe museum will remain open daily from 10 am to 7 pm A major highlight of the facility is the specially designed 5D and 7D virtual reality theatre aimed at making art and history more accessible engaging and interactive Through immersive visual effects visitors can experience simulations such as sailing on a boat along the banks of the Tamirabarani River and exploring archaeological marvels associated with ancient Tamil civilisationThere is keen interest among the public and history enthusiasts many of whom are eager to see how the museum has been established and how antique objects and archaeological findings are presented using modern technology To facilitate easy access for visitors the Tirunelveli district administration has arranged dedicated bus services with the support of the Tamil Nadu State Transport CorporationFrom Monday to Saturday 11 buses will operate daily from the Tirunelveli Junction Periyar Bus Stand to the museum passing through Vannarpettai Palayamkottai Bus Stand and Tirunelveli New Bus Stand On public holidays four additional bus services will be operatedWelcoming the new facility C Santhalingam a Maduraibased retired archaeologist and founder of the Pandya Nadu Centre for Historical Research said the Porunai Archaeological Museum would help bring archaeological history alive for students in the southern regionHe added that the museum would also generate employment opportunities for history graduates and contribute to tourism and economic development in the areaCurrently Tamil Nadu has around 40 museums under the archaeology and tourism departments and the Porunai museum would be a significant addition to the stateâs cultural infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-porunai-archaeological-museum-to-open-to-public-from-today-655246.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/900-special-buses-to-operate-across-tn-from-chennai-to-manage-christmas-rush-655247.html Chennai Dec 23 To cater to the expected surge in passenger movement ahead of Christmas the State Express Transport Corporation SETC has announced the operation of 900 special bus services from Chennai to various parts of Tamil Nadu over the next two days The transport authorities expect a sharp rise in travel from Chennai and other major cities as people head to their hometowns and religious destinations to celebrate the festival In view of the increased demand the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation TNSTC has decided to operate special buses in addition to its regular services to ensure smooth travel for passengersAccording to officials the majority of the special services will be operated from the Kilambakkam Integrated Bus Terminus which handles longdistance services from southern ChennaiFrom Kilambakkam 255 special buses will be operated on Wednesday while 525 buses will be run on Thursday connecting Chennai with various parts of the state The special services will cater to highdemand routes such as Tiruvannamalai Tiruchirappalli Kumbakonam Madurai Tirunelveli Nagercoil Kanyakumari Thoothukudi Coimbatore Salem Erode and TiruppurThese destinations typically witness heavy passenger movement during festival seasons especially from officegoers and students travelling back to their native places In addition special buses will also operate from Chennai and Coimbatore to destinations including Tiruvannamalai Nagapattinam Velankanni Hosur and BengaluruA total of 91 special buses have been scheduled on these routes over the two days Another 20 special buses will be operated from Madhavaram in North Chennai to further ease passenger congestionOfficials said that based on demand special return services will also be operated on Sunday from various parts of Tamil Nadu to Chennai and Bengaluru facilitating the return of passengers after the Christmas holidaysPassengers have been advised to plan their travel in advance and use official booking platforms to avoid lastminute inconvenience The transport corporations said the additional services are aimed at ensuring safe comfortable and timely travel during the festive season IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/900-special-buses-to-operate-across-tn-from-chennai-to-manage-christmas-rush-655247.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/in-gujarats-dahod-a-unique-learning-model-for-children-in-spotlight-655014.html Gandhinagar Dec 21 It is said that more than 85 per cent of childs cumulative brain development occurs prior to the age of six years and therefore it is important to tap into those early years for healthy brain development and growth in later stages In Gujarats Dahod district positive initiatives have been undertaken in multiple Anganwadi centres for exposing the child to preschool learning techniques and also nurture hisher cognitive abilitiesUnder the project children aged between three to six years are being engaged in the gamescumclass model under the Pa Pa Pagli Project where Anganwadi workers engage them in multiple games and also help them learn basic life lessonsIn the Anganwadi centre of Jorwani village of Dahod district the foundation for a bright future has been laid for these young childrenUnder the Pa Pa Pagli Yojana a unique model of teaching children aged between three to six years has been introduced through playbased activitiesUnder the project these children are engaged in various activities along with their studiesNotably Pa Pa Pagli Project is a flagship initiative by the Gujarat governments Women and Child Development department supported by Unicef India and seeks to strengthen quality preschool education in anganwadis for children aged between three to six yearsThis model of early childhood education in Dahod has become very popular todayAs the Anganwadi centres not only serve as a means of providing nutrition and health services but also serve as a strong link in a childs development they are training children daily through various games and playful videosDahod is a backward district of Gujarat with a high school dropout rateThrough this initiative a significant increase in the confidence and learning abilities of children has been observed in more than 3000 Anganwadi centres across the districtThis game and preschool learning format combined together can go to become a model for others to emulate IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/in-gujarats-dahod-a-unique-learning-model-for-children-in-spotlight-655014.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-poshan-scheme-serving-fresh-food-to-children-in-government-schools-in-mps-damoh-654897.html Damoh Dec 20 The Union governments Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman PMPOSHAN scheme aimed at providing hot and fresh cooked meal for students upto class 8 in Anganwadi centres and governmentrun schools are serving their purpose in the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPled government in Madhya Pradesh The expression of children at a governmentrun Sandipani earlier known as CM RISE school located in Tendukheda village of Damoh district in Madhya Pradesh was an evident of it IANS reported on SaturdayStudents sitting in long queues were eating pudisabzi and dal in their platesYahan achha khana milta hai Isliye hum roj school aate hain we get good meal here so we come to school everyday said a class 5 student Shikha Lodhi adding that Aaj hum poodisabzi aur dal kha rahein hain today we are eating poodisabji and dalSeveral other students on this occasion at Damohs Sandipani Vidyalaya spoke to IANS were happy that they are getting different hot meals every day as per the menu under the Midday Meal MDM scheme which is mandatory to follow at every governmentrun schools in the state for students upto class 8Madan Singh Lodhi a teacher at Sandipani school in Tendukheda said that children are getting meal every day on school day as per the menu fixed by the state governmentHe said Saturdays menu is poodi sabji and tur dal We ensure that the food menu decided under the Midday meal is followed every day hereLodhi also told IANS that whenever there is some issue the school management shares it with the district administrationMidday meal is being cooked by women from a selfhelp group We also ensure children are not only being given hot meals every day but that also should be fresh and hygienic and it is served at a clean area in the school premisesPrime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the PM POSHAN scheme along with Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar during his visit to Madhya Pradeshs Dhar district on his birthday on September 17 this yearThe Central welfare scheme aims at providing nutritional support and enhancing school participation of studentsPM Modi had then also laid the foundation stone for Indias first PM MITRA Park in Dhars Bhainsola villageThe textile hub PM MITRA Park is part of the Prime Ministers 5F Vision Farm to Fibre Fibre to Factory Factory to Fashion and Fashion to Foreign which seeks to integrate Indias textile value chain IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-poshan-scheme-serving-fresh-food-to-children-in-government-schools-in-mps-damoh-654897.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/meditation-vital-for-inner-peace-social-harmony-says-vp-radhakrishnan-654963.html New Delhi Dec 21 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday participated in the World Meditation Day celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana highlighting the timeless relevance of meditation in fostering inner peace emotional wellbeing and social harmony Addressing the gathering the Vice President said that meditation is a universal practice that transcends cultural geographical and religious boundariesHe described it as a path to mental clarity emotional stability and inner transformation and noted that World Meditation Day provides an opportunity to recognise its growing importance in modern lifeThe Vice President recalled Indiaâs role in cosponsoring the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring 21 December as World Meditation Day describing it as a global recognition of the power of meditation to promote mental wellbeing and spiritual growthHe also appreciated the contribution of Daaji in spreading the practice of meditation globallyHe added that India with its centuriesold traditions of meditation yoga and spiritual inquiry continues to offer enduring wisdom to the worldHighlighting Indiaâs civilisational heritage he said that meditation in Bharat has long been regarded as an ancient science of the mind and spirit nurtured by sages and seersDrawing upon teachings from the Bhagavad Gita and the Tamil spiritual classic Thirumantiram he emphasised that mastery of the mind through meditation leads to inner harmony selfrealisation and ethical livingThe Vice President underlined that meditation has a vital role to play in the journey towards Viksit Bharat2047He said that national development must encompass not only economic progress but also emotional wellbeing and spiritual upliftment and that meditation can contribute significantly to building a peaceful resilient and compassionate societyReferring to the vision of Mission LiFE the Vice President said that meditation nurtures values such as mindfulness responsibility and harmony with nature which are essential for sustainable livingHe appreciated Kanha Shanti Vanam for adopting environmentally responsible practices and promoting holistic wellbeingCalling upon citizens to integrate meditation into daily life he urged individuals families and communities to lead by example and encourage future generations to embrace practices that promote mental peace balance and harmonyGovernor of Telangana Jishnu Dev Varma Minister Government of Telangana D Sridhar Babu and Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness Meditation Daaji Kamlesh D Patel and other dignitaries along with thousands joined the meditation session at Kanha Shanti Vanam IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/meditation-vital-for-inner-peace-social-harmony-says-vp-radhakrishnan-654963.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-braces-for-rain-snow-in-next-48-hours-two-month-dry-spell-likely-to-break-654513.html Srinagar Dec 19 After an extended dry spell of over two months Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get rain and snow during the next 48 hours as the Meteorological MeT Department on Friday forecasted moderate snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in the plains starting late evening on December 20 Mukhtar Ahmad Director of the local MeT Department told IANS that snow in the higher reaches and rain in the plains of the union territory are expected during the night intervening December 20 and December 21 and the same is likely to continue till late afternoon on December 21The officer said some higher reaches in Ganderbal Bandipora and Kupwara districts might receive heavy snowfall particularly on December 21Authorities in Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora and Ganderbal districts have issued advisories asking people living in the higher reaches not to venture out of their homes during snowfallDuring the last two months almost all the water bodies have been flowing at very low discharge as rivers streams springs and lakes have been adversely impacted by the dry spellAn extended dry spell has given rise to chestrelated ailments as a bad cold dry cough and flu have become common complaints at hospitals across the Valley these daysDoctors have advised people especially children and elderly people not to expose themselves to long periods of cold and chilly airThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ starts on December 21 and will end on January 30 During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze as the minimum temperature drops between minus 6 to minus 8 degrees Celsius The day temperature remains below two digits during the Chillai Kalan thereby narrowing the gap between minimum and maximum temperaturesThe minimum temperature was minus 21 degrees Celsius in Srinagar minus 26 in Pahalgam and one in Gulmarg on Friday Jammu city had 99 degrees Celsius Katra 92 Batote 67 Banihal 35 and Bhaderwah 23 degrees as the minimum temperature IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-braces-for-rain-snow-in-next-48-hours-two-month-dry-spell-likely-to-break-654513.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/shaped-my-journey-stalin-credits-wife-durga-for-his-success-654346.html Chennai Dec 18 In a heartfelt remark that resonated with the gathering Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday said that just as many men attribute their success to the women behind them he owed his success to his wife Durga Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed Anna Marriage Hall in Kolathur he recalled how her unwavering support during his most challenging years shaped his journey and helped him reach his present stature The Chief Minister inaugurated the stateoftheart marriage hall built at a cost of Rs 2572 crore and took part in the wedding ceremonies of 15 couples Ahead of the event he led a roadshow through Kolathur where enthusiastic crowds lined the streets to welcome him Addressing thousands gathered at the venue Stalin said the inauguration symbolised a milestone for Kolathur bringing enhanced facilities and new opportunities to the constituency Expressing deep affection for the region he noted that Kolathur had been a defining part of his political career and personal bond with the people He remarked that Kolathurâs identity has become intertwined with his own with many associating the constituency directly with his name Yet Stalin stressed that development is not confined to Kolathur alone The state government he said views all constituencies across Tamil Nadu as its own and works with equal dedication in each Stalin highlighted that visiting Kolathur brings him incomparable satisfaction sometimes greater than what he experiences during statewide government programmes or political tours The constituency continues to inspire him he said with its loyalty and the emotional connection he shares with its residents Returning to the theme of personal support Stalin reiterated his gratitude to his wife noting that had she abandoned him during his difficult times his life and career might have taken a vastly different turn He used this example to remind newlyweds of the importance of mutual support patience and respect in marriage Addressing the bridegrooms in particular he urged them to treat their wives with dignity and to recognise the role their partners play in building a stable and successful life The event concluded with Stalin personally blessing and solemnising the marriages of 15 couples adding a personal touch to the ceremony and marking a memorable day for Kolathur IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/shaped-my-journey-stalin-credits-wife-durga-for-his-success-654346.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delivery-boy-dies-by-suicide-after-public-assault-tripura-police-arrest-three-from-assam-654347.html Agartala Dec 18 Tripura Police on Thursday arrested three persons including two women from Assam in connection with the assault of a delivery boy who later died by suicide Police said the victim was publicly humiliated and beaten by the arrested individuals along with two others leading to the tragic incident on December 14 âWith the assistance of Assam Police we arrested the three accused from Sribhumi formerly Karimganj district of southern Assam on Thursday They will be produced before a court in Dharmanagar shortlyâ a police official told the media Police are also searching for two other accused involved in the incident The arrested accused persons identified as Sushmita Bhattacharjee Sangita Bhattacharjee and Sourav Bhattacharjee Sangita Bhattacharjee is a schoolteacher by profession According to the FIR lodged by the victimâs family the absconding accused have been identified as Meghadeep Bhattacharjee and Piu Dhar Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha who also holds the home portfolio earlier in a post on social media had said A thorough investigation is underway into the case of delivery boy Prasenjit Sarkar of Dharmanagar North Tripura The government will ensure that justice is delivered without delayâ A police official said that the deceased Prasenjit Sarkar 23 a resident of Dharmanagar in North Tripura district was working as a delivery boy with a private courier company According to allegations made by Sarkarâs family three women and two men physically assaulted him at his office on December 14 following a dispute related to the delivery of a parcel The accused allegedly videographed the assault and later circulated the video on social media subjecting Sarkar to severe public humiliation and mental trauma Family members and local residents alleged that the public assault and circulation of the video deeply affected Sarkarâs selfrespect and mental wellbeing Unable to cope with the humiliation the young man the only earning member of his family allegedly died by suicide on the same day December 14 leaving behind his grieving mother and poor family The incident has triggered widespread protests across Tripura with various political parties and organisations demanding justice for Sarkar and stringent punishment for those responsible IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/delivery-boy-dies-by-suicide-after-public-assault-tripura-police-arrest-three-from-assam-654347.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/assam-after-33-years-in-makeshift-camps-30-flood-displaced-families-get-land-654453.html Guwahati Dec 18 Bringing longawaited relief to families displaced for over three decades 30 floodaffected households from Kaitiya village were on Thursday allotted land in Assamâs Tinsukia district ending 33 years of uncertainty following the catastrophic Brahmaputra floods and erosion of 1992 Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia distributed official land allotment papers to the beneficiary families many of whom had been living in makeshift camps since losing their homes and agricultural land to river erosion The families had been residing in extremely difficult conditions on a small patch of land at Kordoiguri struggling with limited access to basic amenities and livelihood opportunitiesAddressing the gathering Chetia said the land distribution marked a new chapter for the displaced familiesFor 33 years these families lived without security or certainty Today they finally have land they can call their own This is not just land allotment it is the restoration of dignity and hope he saidOf the beneficiaries 25 families were residing at No 3 Kordoiguri Garigaon village four at Darjijan Muaribasti and one family at Tipuk Simaluguri Bajraput Satra Each family received legal land documents ensuring permanent ownership and protection from future displacementThe rehabilitation initiative was facilitated with support from local tea estate owners Kesaguri Tea Estate owner Ghanashyam Lahoti contributed 20 bighas of land while Brindaban Tea Estate owner Kishore Agarwal donated four bighas for the resettlement of the families Chetia expressed gratitude to the donors describing their contribution as a âcommendable humanitarian gestureâThe MLA said the government remains committed to rehabilitating flood and erosionaffected people in the regionHe recalled that in August this year 101 landless families from Kaitiya village displaced by the same 1992 floods were rehabilitated at Sadiya Each of those families was allotted five bighas of agricultural land and one bigha of residential land at Ghurmura GaneshbariOne beneficiary Rupali Gogoi said the land allotment had restored hopeFor decades we survived in temporary shelters Owning land today gives us security and a future for our children she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/assam-after-33-years-in-makeshift-camps-30-flood-displaced-families-get-land-654453.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nhrc-summons-maharashtra-chief-secretary-dgp-over-sunburn-festival-drug-abuse-risks-654246.html New Delhi Dec 17 The National Human Rights Commission NHRC on Wednesday issued summons to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police DGP for failing to submit an Action Taken Report ATR within the stipulated time on allegations that the proposed Sunburn Festival in Mumbai could pose serious risks to the health and safety of young attendees due to the eventâs past associations with drug abuse criminal activities and violations under the NDPS Act A Bench presided by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo had earlier taken cognisance of a complaint alleging that Mumbai âalready vulnerable to drug trafficking networksâ may witness increased circulation of narcotics during the music festivalThe apex human rights body had issued a notice on December 12 seeking an ATR within three days under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 However noting that the requisite report was not received within the prescribed time the NHRC after considering the matter on Wednesday took a âvery serious viewâ and directed that summons be issued to both officialsIt directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to appear in person or through a duly authorised representative well versed with the facts of the case on December 26 at 1230 pm at the NHRCâs office in the national Capital along with the requisite enquiry reportThe apex human rights body clarified that personal appearance would stand dispensed with if the required report or documents are received on or before December 23 âTake further notice that in case you fail to comply with this order without lawful excuse you will be subject to the consequences of nonattendance laid down in Order 16 Rule 10 and Order 16 Rule 12 of the CPCâ the summons warnedAccording to the complainant previous editions of the festival including those held in Goa witnessed incidents of drug consumption and related criminal activitiesThe complaint urged the NHRC to intervene and direct authorities to enforce strict monitoring mechanisms including mandatory drug screening enhanced CCTV surveillance prohibition of minors from entering the venue preventive action against drug peddlers enhanced security in toilets and strict drunkdriving checksObserving that the allegations if true prima facie indicate violations of the right to life and personal safety the apex human rights body had sought specific details on steps taken to prevent the use of illicit substances during the event measures to monitor and control drug peddlers actions to ensure that minors do not gain entry and an undertaking from the permissiongranting authorities addressing the concerns raised in the complaint IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nhrc-summons-maharashtra-chief-secretary-dgp-over-sunburn-festival-drug-abuse-risks-654246.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/after-36-days-mortal-remains-of-rajasthan-youth-to-return-from-saudi-arabia-654320.html Jaipur Dec 18 The mortal remains of 19yearold Ramesh Kumar Meghwal a resident of Meghwalon ki Dhani in Rajasthanâs Balotra district who died under suspicious circumstances in Saudi Arabia will return home on Thursday 36 days after his death The body is scheduled to arrive in Jaipur from Saudi Arabia on Thursday afternoon A hearing in the case was held at the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur on Wednesday with the next hearing slated for ThursdayCharmesh Sharma former director of the Rajasthan Seed Corporation who had moved a petition before the Presidentâs Secretariat said the mortal remains would reach Jaipur in the second half of the day The body was flown from Saudi Arabia to New Delhi at 1205 am on December 18 and will be transported onward to JaipurLok Sabha MP Ummeda Ram Beniwal has arranged an ambulance to carry the body from Jaipur to Meghwalon ki Dhani in Balotra Rameshâs cousin Gajaram said that his brother Gainaram Meghwal along with family members Motaram Meghwal Devaram and Sukhdev left Balotra on Wednesday evening with Sharma to receive the body at Jaipur AirportRamesh had travelled to Saudi Arabia for employment on October 11 and died there on November 13 2025 under suspicious circumstances As the body was not repatriated to India his mother Tiju Devi filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court on December 10Taking note of the matter Justice Nupur Bhati on December 11 issued a notice to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi and sought responses from the Governments of India and RajasthanFollowing the High Courtâs intervention Saudi authorities handed over the body to the Indian Embassy after which a No Objection Certificate NOC was issued clearing the way for its repatriation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/after-36-days-mortal-remains-of-rajasthan-youth-to-return-from-saudi-arabia-654320.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/courts-empowered-to-waive-statutory-periods-in-exceptional-cases-grant-immediate-divorce-delhi-hc-654193.html New Delhi Dec 17 The Delhi High Court on Wednesday held that courts are not bound to mechanically stall a divorce by mutual consent on the ground of statutory timelines In appropriate cases they may waive both the oneâyear separation requirement and the sixâmonth coolingâoff period prescribed under the Hindu Marriage Act HMA 1955 ruled a Full Bench of Justices Navin Chawla Anup Jairam Bhambhani and Renu BhatnagarAnswering a reference the Justice Chawlaled Bench clarified the legal position on timelines under Section 13B of the HMA governing divorce by mutual consent The reference arose from divergent views on whether parties could file and pursue a petition for divorce by mutual consent without completing one year of separation as required under Section 13B1 of the HMA and whether the subsequent sixmonth coolingoff period under Section 13B2 could also be waivedIn its decision the Delhi High Court ruled that the oneyear separation period under Section 13B1 can be waived by invoking the proviso to Section 141 of the HMA in cases of âexceptional hardshipâ or âexceptional depravityâ âThe statutory period of 01year prescribed under Section 13B1 of the HMA as a prerequisite for presenting the first motion can be waived by applying the proviso to Section 141 of the HMAâ it heldThe Justice Chawlaled Bench went further to hold that waiver of the oneyear separation period does not preclude waiver of the sixmonth coolingoff period under Section 13B2 âWaiver of the 01year period under section 13B1 and the 06month period under section 13B2 are to be considered independently of each otherâ it saidRejecting the argument that courts must compulsorily defer the effectiveness of a divorce decree until the completion of one year of separation the Delhi High Court observed that once a court is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist and consent is genuine there is âno justification whatsoeverâ to withhold the decree till the oneyear separation period is completedâOnce spouses mutually agree to end their union the law must not interfere in their decisional autonomyâ the judgment said adding that forcing parties to remain in a dead marriage may infringe their dignity privacy and autonomy under Article 21 of the ConstitutionThe Full Bench also overruled earlier singlejudge Bench decisions of the Delhi High Court which had treated Section 13B as a âcomplete codeâ and had declined to apply the proviso to Section 141 in mutual consent divorces However it cautioned that the waiver of the oneâyear period under Section 13B1 and the sixâmonth period under Section 13B2 of the HMA is ânot to be granted merely for the askingâ and courts must carefully satisfy themselves about the partiesâ free and informed consent the absence of coercion and the presence of exceptional circumstancesConcluding its decision the Delhi High Court held that courts are empowered to waive both statutory periods grant divorce with immediate effect and are not legally mandated to defer the decree unless it is found that leave was obtained by misrepresentation or concealment IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/courts-empowered-to-waive-statutory-periods-in-exceptional-cases-grant-immediate-divorce-delhi-hc-654193.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/52-400-visitors-cement-khijadias-place-in-gujarats-eco-tourism-map-654195.html Gandhinagar Dec 17 Attracting over 52400 visitors during 202425 the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary has further strengthened Gujaratâs ecotourism identity emerging as a flagship example of conservationled development As preparations gather pace for the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference VGRC the Ramsarlisted wetland near Jamnagar is being positioned as a symbol of the stateâs ecological excellence and commitment to sustainabilityAhead of VGRC 2026 Khijadia has come into sharp focus as one of Gujaratâs most significant natural landmarks The Kutch and Saurashtra regions have steadily evolved into leading tourism hubs offering a rare blend of natural landscapes wildlife coastal beauty spiritual destinations and a rich cultural heritageFrom the White Rann to Saurashtraâs pilgrimage circuits beaches and sanctuaries the region offers visitors a diverse and immersive travel experience Spread across more than 600 hectares Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is globally recognised for its rare confluence of freshwater and saline ecosystems creating an exceptional habitat for avian biodiversityAccording to the Forest and Environment Department 317 bird species were recorded in 202324 a figure that rose to 332 species in 202425 underlining the sanctuaryâs expanding ecological richness This environmental significance received international validation in 2022 when Khijadia was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International ImportanceThe state government has since enhanced visitor infrastructure with watchtowers ecohuts birdwatching platforms interpretation centres selfie points and informative signage ensuring responsible tourism without compromising conservation goals Khijadiaâs ecological strength lies in its habitat diversity where freshwater inflows merge with tidal movements from the coast to create natural creeks and marshesThis dynamic system supports multiple microhabitats making the sanctuary one of Indiaâs most vibrant birding destinations It also reflects Gujaratâs scientific and planned approach to wetland conservationWith the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference scheduled in Rajkot from January 10 to 12 2026 Khijadia Bird Sanctuary stands out as a living example of Gujaratâs integrated development modelâwhere environmental conservation and economic growth move in tandemThe regionâs biodiversity complements key state priorities such as tourism agriculture climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure all of which will feature prominently at VGRC IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/52-400-visitors-cement-khijadias-place-in-gujarats-eco-tourism-map-654195.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-thoothukudi-salt-authoor-poovan-banana-villiseri-lemon-seek-gi-tag-654035.html Chennai Dec 17 Producers of three iconic agricultural products from Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu Thoothukudi salt Authoor Poovan banana and Villiseri lemon have applied for the Geographical Indication GI tag aiming to secure legal protection preserve traditional practices and enhance market visibility for the regionâs produce The applications were facilitated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD Chennai along with the NABARDMadurai Agribusiness Incubation Forum MABIF which supported producer groups in documentation and filingThe application for Thoothukudi salt was submitted by the Thoothukudi Uppu Urapathiyalargal Sangam Salt in the region is produced using the traditional solar evaporation method in which seawater or subsoil brine is channelled into expansive salt pans and left to evaporate under intense sunlight This natural process yields large white crystalline salt known for its high purity and qualityThoothukudi contributes nearly 30 per cent of Indiaâs total salt production with approximately 25000 to 30000 acres of salt pans spread across villages such as Vepalodai Tharuvaikulam Muttayapuram and Ottapidaram Both edible and industrialgrade salt produced here is supplied to households as well as chemical leather textile dyeing and pharmaceutical industriesHistorical records cited in the application highlight the long legacy of salt production in the regionTamil Sangam literature including Pattinappaalai and Puranaanuru refers to coastal trade in salt pearls and fish from the Gulf of Mannar region During the Pandya period salt production was encouraged as a state revenue source while temple inscriptions in south Tamil Nadu document levies imposed on salt tradersChola maritime records from the 11th century identify Tuticorin as a major export port with salt shipped alongside pearls and spices European powers the Portuguese Dutch and British later used Tuticorin as a strategic port for the salt tradeBritish Salt Revenue Reports from the 19th century describe the town as a major saltproducing centre of the Madras PresidencyAfter Independence the Salt Commissionerâs Organisation formally recognised Thoothukudi as a key salt hub a status further strengthened by the development of the VOC PortThe GI application for Authoor Poovan banana was filed by the Authoor Poovan Valai Urpathiyayalargal Sangam Cultivated in Authoor village and nearby hamlets along the Tamiraparani canal irrigation belt the banana is known for its distinctive taste attributed to mineralrich irrigation waterThe third application submitted by the Villiseri Lemon Urpathiyayalargal Sangam seeks GI status for the Villiseri lemon of Kovilpatti This traditional citrus variety is valued for its strong aroma high juice content pronounced acidity fewer seeds and naturally long shelf life compared to other lemon varieties IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-thoothukudi-salt-authoor-poovan-banana-villiseri-lemon-seek-gi-tag-654035.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/woman-preparing-for-competitive-exams-dies-by-suicide-in-karnatakas-dharwad-654058.html Dharwad Karnataka Dec 17 A 24yearold woman who had been preparing for various competitive examinations for the past four years allegedly died by suicide after jumping onto a railway track at Shivagiri in Karnatakas Dharwad city on Wednesday The deceased has been identified as Pallavi Kaggal a native of Ballari According to the police she was reportedly distressed over prolonged delays in recruitment processes and allegedly took the extreme step of jumping onto the railway trackPolice said they have also gathered information that she was recently engaged The parents of the deceased are arriving in Dharwad and the exact cause of death will be ascertained after recording their statements and those of her friends and roommatesPallavi had been undergoing coaching for competitive examinations for the last four years The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Railway Police StationRailway police personnel rushed to the spot and conducted a preliminary investigation The body was later shifted to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences KIMS Hospital for postmortem examination Further investigation is underwayThe matter has taken a political twist with the BJP condemning the incident and targeting the Congressled government in KarnatakaDespite around 276 lakh vacant posts in the state the corrupt Congressled government is playing with the future of youth by failing to initiate the recruitment process the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka saidRecently in Guddadalingannanahalli village of Jagalur taluk in Davanagere district a youth allegedly died by suicide by hanging himself after being distressed over not getting a government job Now an incident has been reported from Shivagiri in Dharwad city where an aspirant woman who had been preparing for competitive examinations for the past four years allegedly died by suicide after jumping onto a railway track Ashoka saidEven as unemployed youth are being driven to suicide and are taking to the streets in protest the Siddaramaiahled government remains indifferent sleeping like Kumbhakarna Ashoka said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/woman-preparing-for-competitive-exams-dies-by-suicide-in-karnatakas-dharwad-654058.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/eam-jaishankar-to-co-chair-indiauae-joint-commission-in-abu-dhabi-visit-israel-next-653580.html Abu Dhabi Dec 15 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar will cochair the 16th Joint Commission and 5th Strategic Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on Monday with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the UAEâs Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs following his participation in Sir Bani Yas Forum in the UAE the Ministry of External Affairs MEA confirmed According to the MEA EAM Jaishankar will thereafter visit Israel and hold bilateral consultations with his Israeli counterpart Foreign Minister Gideon SaâarEarlier on Sunday EAM Jaishankar extended warm wishes to Gideon Saar and the people of Israel on HanukkahWhile extending wishes to people of Israel on X EAM Jaishankar wrote Warmest wishes to FM Gideon Saar friends in Israel and all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world May the Festival of Lights bring peace hope and joy to all Chag SameachIn response to his wishes Gideon Saar in a post on X wrote Thank you dear friendLater in the evening the EAM condemned the deadly terrorist attack targeting Jewish people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Australia which claimed several innocent livesâCondemn in the strongest terms the terror attack on Hanukkah celebrations in Bondi Beach Australia Our thoughts are with the victims and their familiesâ EAM Jaishankar posted on XLast week Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and the two leaders exchanged views on the situation in West AsiaDuring the talks both leaders discussed ways to strengthen the IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorismAccording to a press note issued by the Prime Ministerâs office âPM Modi reaffirms Indiaâs support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the regionâNotably both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in IndiaIsrael Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefitâThe two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zerotolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsâ the PMO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/eam-jaishankar-to-co-chair-indiauae-joint-commission-in-abu-dhabi-visit-israel-next-653580.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bengaluru-police-arrest-man-for-targeting-harassing-women-on-roads-653607.html Bengaluru Dec 15 The Kamakshipalya police have arrested a man accused of harassing and assaulting women in Bengaluru over the past month The accused identified as Vinod reportedly targeted women who were alone after 6 pm attacking those walking on roads as well as women riding twowheelers and indulging in vulgar behaviour with themAccording to police Vinod would approach women walking alone and hug them forcibly In the case of women riding bikes he would wait for them to slow down due to potholes and then run towards them to grab them He would allegedly behave indecently touching their private parts and committing perverse actsThe arrest follows a complaint lodged by a 42yearold woman after an incident on December 2 near Srinivasa Circle at Sunkadakatte The woman was riding her bike while her husband was following her in a car As she slowed down near a pothole Vinod ran towards her grabbed her and behaved indecently Her husband attempted to catch him but Vinod managed to escape initiallyA call to emergency number 112 was made and with the assistance of Hoysala police personnel Vinod was apprehended During interrogation the accused reportedly admitted that he had been committing similar acts for the past month exploiting the fact that no prior complaints had been filed against himVinod is currently in police custody and the Kamakshipalya police are investigating further to determine the full extent of his actionsThe police have booked the accused under Sections 75 sexual harassment and 352 intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita BNSFurther investigation is onIt can be recalled that a bike taxi rider in Bengaluru was arrested and charged for allegedly trying to grab a woman passengers legs during a ride in the city on November 9 The woman had recorded a video of the act and later went to the police In an Instagram post the woman had recounted her ordeal alleging that a rider tried to grab her legs while she was returning to her paying guest accommodation from Church StreetShe said the incident happened suddenly leaving her no time to react or record it When the rider repeated the act she confronted him asking him to stop but he allegedly continued As she was new to the area and unfamiliar with the route she said she did not ask him to stop the bike The woman said that after reaching her destination a nearby man noticed her distress and questioned her following which he confronted the rider The rider reportedly apologised and claimed he would not repeat the behaviour but while leaving he allegedly gestured at her in a manner that made her feel further unsafeSharing her experience the woman said she decided to speak out to highlight that no woman should face such harassment in cabs on bikes or anywhere else She added that while she had experienced similar incidents earlier the sense of insecurity during this episode compelled her to break her silence IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bengaluru-police-arrest-man-for-targeting-harassing-women-on-roads-653607.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-to-develop-dedicated-software-to-streamline-organ-transplant-registrations-653485.html Ahmedabad Dec 14 In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and trust in the organ transplant system the Gujarat government is developing a special registration software for patients awaiting kidney liver skin heart valve and tissue transplants The state has a long waiting list of patients in need of organ transplants many of whom have spent years in uncertainty due to the lack of information about their position on the cadaver braindead donor waiting listThe proposed digital platform will allow registered patients to access realtime details of their status on the transplant waiting list addressing a longstanding concern among recipientsPranjal R Modi Director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre IKDRC at Ahmedabad said the initiative would bring muchneeded clarity to the system and empower patients with accurate informationAt IKDRC the states largest organ transplant centre patients have welcomed the state governments decision noting that the software will enable them to check their waiting list number from home reducing anxiety and repeated hospital visitsThis will make the process far more patientfriendly said Sanjaybhai Patil a kidney patient undergoing treatment at IKDRCThe decision follows a meeting held on November 22 under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary Raj Kumar where measures to make Gujarats organ donation and transplant programme more transparent and reliable were discussed in detailOnce operational the new registration software is expected to bring greater transparency to procedures involving skin heart valve tissue kidney liver and bone transplants while ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate information marking a significant step forward in strengthening the states organ transplant frameworkGujarat has steadily emerged as Indias pharmaceutical capital driven by a robust manufacturing base policy support and a strong ecosystem of research talent and infrastructureThe state accounts for a significant share of the countrys pharmaceutical production and exports hosting major pharma hubs such as Ahmedabad Vadodara Ankleshwar Vapi and Sanand along with Asias largest common effluent treatment facilities that support sustainable manufacturingHome to leading Indian and global pharma companies Gujarat benefits from seamless connectivity portled logistics skilled manpower and proactive governance making it a preferred destination for bulk drugs formulations vaccines and medical devicesWith continued investments innovationled growth and export orientation Gujarat plays a pivotal role in ensuring affordable medicines for India and the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-to-develop-dedicated-software-to-streamline-organ-transplant-registrations-653485.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-to-develop-software-to-streamline-organ-transplant-registrations-653486.html Ahmedabad Dec 14 In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and trust in the organ transplant system the Gujarat government is developing a special registration software for patients awaiting kidney liver skin heart valve and tissue transplants The state has a long waiting list of patients in need of organ transplants many of whom have spent years in uncertainty due to the lack of information about their position on the cadaver braindead donor waiting listThe proposed digital platform will allow registered patients to access realtime details of their status on the transplant waiting list addressing a longstanding concern among recipientsPranjal R Modi Director of the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre IKDRC at Ahmedabad said the initiative would bring muchneeded clarity to the system and empower patients with accurate informationAt IKDRC the states largest organ transplant centre patients have welcomed the state governments decision noting that the software will enable them to check their waiting list number from home reducing anxiety and repeated hospital visitsThis will make the process far more patientfriendly said Sanjaybhai Patil a kidney patient undergoing treatment at IKDRCThe decision follows a meeting held on November 22 under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary Raj Kumar where measures to make Gujarats organ donation and transplant programme more transparent and reliable were discussed in detailOnce operational the new registration software is expected to bring greater transparency to procedures involving skin heart valve tissue kidney liver and bone transplants while ensuring that patients receive timely and accurate information marking a significant step forward in strengthening the states organ transplant frameworkGujarat has steadily emerged as Indias pharmaceutical capital driven by a robust manufacturing base policy support and a strong ecosystem of research talent and infrastructureThe state accounts for a significant share of the countrys pharmaceutical production and exports hosting major pharma hubs such as Ahmedabad Vadodara Ankleshwar Vapi and Sanand along with Asias largest common effluent treatment facilities that support sustainable manufacturingHome to leading Indian and global pharma companies Gujarat benefits from seamless connectivity portled logistics skilled manpower and proactive governance making it a preferred destination for bulk drugs formulations vaccines and medical devicesWith continued investments innovationled growth and export orientation Gujarat plays a pivotal role in ensuring affordable medicines for India and the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-to-develop-software-to-streamline-organ-transplant-registrations-653486.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-mettur-dam-irrigation-discharge-increases-power-generation-rises-653527.html Chennai Dec 15 The volume of water released from the Mettur dam for irrigation in the Cauvery delta has been increased to 9500 cubic feet per second cusecs in response to rising irrigation demand across delta districts Officials said the step was taken to ensure adequate water supply for standing crops and canalfed irrigation systems as the agricultural season progressesOver the past few weeks the quantity of water released from the dam has been gradually stepped up reflecting increasing requirements in the delta region On the 10th of this month the discharge for irrigation purposes was raised to 6000 cusecs Since then demand from farmers in the Cauvery delta particularly in tailend areas has continued to grow prompting the authorities to further enhance the releaseAccordingly the water released for delta irrigation has now been increased to 9500 cusecs officials confirmed In addition to this 400 cusecs is being released specifically for canal irrigation benefiting command areas dependent on distributary canals and feeder channels across Thanjavur Tiruvarur Mayiladuthurai and adjoining districtsAs per standard practice the water meant for irrigation is being discharged largely through the hydroelectric power station attached to the Mettur dam This has resulted in a corresponding increase in power generationWith the higher flow electricity production at the hydroelectric station has gone up to 90 megawatts providing a boost to renewable energy output in the state Officials noted that the regulated increase in discharge has been planned to balance irrigation needs with reservoir management taking into account inflows storage levels and downstream requirementsFarmersâ associations in the delta have welcomed the move stating that timely water availability is crucial for crop stability especially in canalirrigated areasThe Cauvery delta is one of Tamil Naduâs most important agricultural regions and irrigation from the Mettur dam plays a key role in sustaining paddy cultivation and allied farming activities Authorities said the situation will continue to be closely monitored and releases will be adjusted based on rainfall inflows into the reservoir and fieldlevel demand in the coming days IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-mettur-dam-irrigation-discharge-increases-power-generation-rises-653527.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/farmers-wait-in-uncertainty-as-crop-damage-assessment-in-tns-cauvery-delta-gets-delayed-653533.html Chennai Dec 15 Even weeks after largescale crop losses were reported across the Cauvery Delta following the northeast monsoon and Cyclone Ditwah farmers continue to wait anxiously for the completion of the crop damage assessment a crucial step for compensation and the resumption of agricultural activity While the state governmentâs decision to scrap the appbased GPS verification system and revert to the conventional manual method was welcomed after prolonged protests farmers remain sceptical about whether the assessment will be completed on time and compensation released without further delayHeavy rains across the delta districts wreaked havoc on samba and thalady cultivation submerging nearly 90000 hectares or about 222 lakh acres of crops In several pockets water stagnation lasted for more than a week after the rains resulting in largescale crop decay and leaving farmers unsure about the viability of their fields for the next cycleThe government had ordered crop damage assessment in the last week of October using an upgraded appbased GPS verification system However technical issues such as network failure and practical difficulties in the field slowed the process considerablyAs delays mounted farmers across the delta demanded a rollback of the digital method and a return to the conventional system arguing that the new approach was unsuitable during disaster conditionsFollowing sustained protests the government reverted to manual enumeration retaining a mandatory minimum of 10 per cent appbased verification in each district Despite this shift farmers say the pace of assessment remains slow and uneven Many are unwilling to begin reworking their lands before the process is completed fearing it could affect damage verification and compensation eligibilityAt the same time delaying land preparation risks further degradation and could disrupt the next cultivation season Staff shortages have compounded the problem Assistant Agriculture Officers responsible for assessments have reportedly been assigned multiple revenue villages making it difficult to complete surveys quickly and accuratelyFarmers argue that the workload per officer is unrealistic especially during a widespread calamity affecting multiple districts The damage spans Nagapattinam Tiruvarur Mayiladuthurai Thanjavur and parts of Pudukkottai and Tiruchy with Nagapattinam among the worst hit after recording around 300 mm of rainfall within 36 hoursTender samba and thalady crops barely two weeks old were completely submerged in many areas Agriculture department officials say efforts are now underway to speed up the process and clear the backlogTo overcome the manpower crunch additional Assistant Agriculture Officers have been deployed from nondelta districts and assessment work is being carried out intensivelyOfficials indicate that a significant portion of the enumeration has been completed and that the remaining surveys are expected to be wrapped up shortly after which compensation procedures can move forward enabling farmers to restore their fields and prepare for the next agricultural cycle IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/farmers-wait-in-uncertainty-as-crop-damage-assessment-in-tns-cauvery-delta-gets-delayed-653533.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/father-three-daughters-found-dead-in-bihars-muzaffarpur-probe-on-653566.html Patna Dec 15 In a shocking case in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar a father and his three daughters allegedly committed suicide triggering panic in the village The incident occurred on Sunday night in Ward Number Four of Mishraulia village under the Sakra police station areaAccording to preliminary information the father and his three minor daughters died on the spot while his two sons have survived The father Amarnath Ram asked his five children to stand on a trunk while putting ropes around their necks He also did the same for himself and asked them to jump from there Ram along with three daughters allegedly jumped while his two sons refused More information was awaitedThe manâs wife is reported to have died about a year ago The deceaseds three daughters have been identified as 11yearold Radha Kumari 9yearold Radhika and 7yearold Shivani Amaranaths sons are 6yearold Shivam Kumar and 4yearold ChandanShivam and Chandan raised an alarm after the incident Following that the neighbours assembled at the scene and informed the district policeAfter receiving information a team from the Sakra police station rushed to the spot and began an investigationThe district police have recovered four dead bodies and sent them for the postmortem at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital SKMCH MuzaffarpurThe two surviving sons are also undergoing medical treatmentSo far there has been no official statement regarding the cause of the incident Police officials said that the case is being investigated from all possible anglesAn FIR has been registered in the Sakra police station and the district police is waiting for the recovery of the deceasedâs two sons to take detailed statementsThe investigators are expecting that their statements will shed more light on the reasons for the incidentThe district police have called for the Forensic Science Laboratory FSL team to collect the evidence from the sceneThe incident has cast an atmosphere of grief and fear across the area while police continue their probe to ascertain the exact circumstances behind the tragedy IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/father-three-daughters-found-dead-in-bihars-muzaffarpur-probe-on-653566.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/celebrated-artisan-mohammad-dilshad-govt-schemes-helped-us-reach-international-buyers-653356.html Saharanpur Dec 13 Saharanpur long known as the hub of exquisite wood carving in India is today witnessing its traditional craft gain global admiration One of the strongest voices of this transformation is Mohammad Dilshad a master artisan from Saharanpur who was recently honoured with the Shilp Guru Awardâ2024 by President Droupadi Murmu Dilshad believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of âLocal to Globalâ has played a decisive role in giving Indian handicrafts and Saharanpurâs intricate wood carving in particular a distinct global identitySpeaking about receiving the prestigious Shilp Guru Award Mohammad Dilshad expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Textiles the selection committee and everyone involved in recognising his work He described the honour as not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for his entire family and community âIt is a great joy that our traditional craft has been identified and respected at such a high levelâ he said in a conversation with IANS on SaturdayDilshadâs family has a long legacy of excellenceâhe himself received a UNESCO Award in 2005 his two sons were honoured with National Awards in 2006 his third son received an award in 2008 and in 2017 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath felicitated him with the Lokmat SammanReflecting on the growing global reputation of Saharanpurâs wood carving Dilshad credited the relentless hard work and dedication of local artisans âThe fine carving on wood especially on sheesham has made Saharanpur famous across the worldâ he said adding that this recognition is the result of generations of skilled craftsmanship and perseveranceDilshad strongly believes that government support is crucial in transforming Indian handicrafts into global brands He noted that increased promotion of wood carving within India has led to greater international appreciation âThe government encourages us provides platforms and gives us opportunities to showcase our work abroad When we go overseas we receive immense respect for our artâ he saidWhen asked about initiatives like One District One Product ODOP Dilshad acknowledged their significant role in giving national visibility to traditional crafts According to him such schemes have empowered artisans by connecting them to markets resources and recognition that were previously beyond their reachHighlighting Prime Minister Modiâs âLocal to Globalâ vision Dilshad said it has opened new pathways for artisans to reach international markets âThrough various government schemes we are now able to send our products not only across India but also to foreign countries Along with business opportunities we gain dignity and respectâ he explained He also pointed out that many artisans remain unaware of these schemes and stressed the need for greater awareness to help craftspeople grow their enterprisesSharing his experience after receiving the Presidentâs award Dilshad recalled how he grew up accompanying his father to workshops and exhibitions learning the craft from a young age âThis honour shows that if we work hard and innovate within our tradition we too can be recognised at the highest levelâ he said Since the award he has noticed increased interest among people with visitors frequently coming to learn about the craft signalling a renewed enthusiasm for traditional artistry in SaharanpurOn the future of the craft Dilshad expressed optimism that government policies and initiatives would inspire the younger generation to adopt traditional arts He highlighted workshops and training programmes organised by the government where new techniques are taught helping artisans improve their skills while gaining both economic growth and social respectMohammad Dilshad praised the governmentâs efforts to uplift grassroots artisans âWhen people who work on the ground are honoured by the President and the Prime Minister on a national stage it brings immense happiness and motivation It shows that our art culture and heritage truly matterâ he said expressing heartfelt gratitude for the recognition and support extended to Indiaâs craftsmen IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/celebrated-artisan-mohammad-dilshad-govt-schemes-helped-us-reach-international-buyers-653356.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/khajuraho-food-poisoning-case-food-safety-officer-served-notice-after-4th-death-confirmed-653417.html Khajuraho Dec 14 After the fourth death in the Khajuraho food poisoning case in Madhya Pradesh the District Collector has issued a showcause notice to food safety officer Ved Prakash Choube âFollowing the tragic death of another hotel employee who fell ill after eating contaminated food Collector Parth Jaiswal sanctioned a financial assistance of Rs 20000 from the Red Cross Society to the deceaseds familyThe District Collector has also urged the Chief Minister to sanction additional financial assistance to the four staffers of a private resort who fell ill after consuming their meal on last Monday afternoon December 8â an official has saidOn Saturday another staffer Hardik Soni 20 who was an electrician died in Gwalior hospital He was admitted to Khajuraho hospital from where he had been transferred to Chhatarpur district hospital along with seven other staffers with complaints of stomach pain severe vomitingThe official further said seven others remain in critical condition at Jaya Arogya Hospital in GwaliorThe victims reportedly fell ill within minutes of eating their lunch which included potato and cauliflower curry sparking suspicions of food poisoningAccording to police officials nine employees began experiencing severe symptoms such as vomiting dizziness stomach pain and anxiety shortly after the meal They were initially rushed to the district hospital but due to their deteriorating condition all were referred to GwaliorTwo of them including a woman died during treatment while another succumbed on the way to the hospitalThose who died earlier on the same day soon after consuming the food included Pragilal Kushwaha 54 Ramswaroop Kushwaha and Girija RajakThe incident prompted immediate action from the health department and policeOfficials seized food samples from the resort and initiated questioning of staff The food safety officer had been issued notice returnable by December 15 for he remained careless despite the chief minister and the entire cabinet being camped in Khajuraho on the day of the incidentA case has been registered and samples of food water and kitchen hygiene have been sent for laboratory testingAuthorities have stated that the exact cause of the illness will only be determined once the reports are receivedCollector Parth Jaiswal ordered a thorough investigation and directed strict compliance with hygiene and food safety standards at the resortChhatarpurâs Chief Medical and Health Officer CMHO RP Gupta confirmed that eleven people were admitted to the hospital following the incident with three dead within hours of consuming the food while eight others were referred to Gwalior for advanced treatment IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/khajuraho-food-poisoning-case-food-safety-officer-served-notice-after-4th-death-confirmed-653417.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-cmrf-gives-2-106-cancer-patients-a-new-lease-of-life-in-4-years-653456.html Ahmedabad Dec 14 The Gujarat governments Chief Ministers Relief Fund CMRF has emerged as a critical safety net for citizens in moments of acute distress From natural disasters and accidents to lifethreatening illnesses and advanced medical procedures the scope of the fund has steadily expanded In the healthcare sector in particular CMRF has provided timely financial relief renewed hope and lifesaving support to thousands of families across the stateUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the CMRF has been made more sensitive swift and citizencentric ensuring that no patient is denied treatment due to financial hardshipAligned with the governments stated priority that human life and health come first the fund has increasingly become a trusted pillar of support for vulnerable citizensThe core objective of the Chief Ministerâs Relief Fund is to ensure access to lifesaving medical care for economically weaker patients who cannot afford expensive treatmentsAssistance is provided for serious conditions such as cancer heart disease kidney and liver failure and organ transplantsUnder the eligibility norms applicants must have an annual income of less than Rs 4 lakh Rs 6 lakh for senior citizens Required documents include a residence certificate detailed treatment cost estimates and relevant medical recordsApplications undergo thorough verification by the Revenue Department before being placed before the CMRF committee which includes the Relief Commissioner Additional Chief Secretary Revenue the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister himselfOnce approved the sanctioned amount is transferred directly to the hospital or the patient ensuring there is no delay in treatmentBetween 2021 and 2025 the Chief Ministers Relief Fund under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patels leadership extended crucial financial assistance to 2106 cancer patients across Gujarat effectively giving many a new lease on lifeDuring this period more than Rs 3155 crore was disbursed to support cancer treatmentAccording to diseasewise data shared by the Health Department 450 patients suffering from blood cancer including cases requiring bone marrow transplants received assistance while 1656 patients battling other forms of cancer were supported through the fundBeyond cancer care the CMRF has also played a significant role in supporting highcost and complex medical procedures such as liver kidney heart and lung transplants easing the financial burden on affected familiesSeveral leading cancer care institutions in Gujarat are integral to the CMRF assistance frameworkThese include the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute GCRI in Ahmedabad Nathalal Parikh Cancer Research Institute and BT Savani Hospital in Rajkot Bharat Cancer Hospital Kiran Multi Super Speciality Hospital and AAIHMS in Surat IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-cmrf-gives-2-106-cancer-patients-a-new-lease-of-life-in-4-years-653456.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-yogi-led-up-govts-mass-marriage-scheme-brings-relief-to-over-4-lakh-underprivileged-families-653462.html New Delhi Dec 14 As the wedding season gathers pace across Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths Mass Marriage Scheme has emerged as a major social support initiative for economically weaker families particularly from the Dalit backward minority and other vulnerable sections Launched in 2017 the scheme aims to ease the financial burden of marriage for poor families while ensuring dignity and social inclusion for daughtersOver the past eight years more than four lakh marriages have been solemnised under the programme with ceremonies conducted collectively and in accordance with religious traditionsThe current financial year has witnessed an unprecedented responseAgainst a target of 57000 beneficiaries for 2025â26 the state government has received more than 120 lakh applications so farOf these more than 21000 have been approved while over 14000 marriages have already been conductedOfficials expect the numbers to rise significantly in the coming months as more applications are processedAccording to official data the scheme has benefited more than 220 lakh daughters from poor Dalit families making them the largest beneficiary group This is followed by more than 130 lakh beneficiaries from backward classes and over 40000 from minority communities Around 16000 families from the general category have also availed of assistance under the schemeEach couple receives financial support of Rs 1 lakh which includes essential marriage items a cash transfer directly credited to the brides bank account and full arrangements for the wedding ceremonyThe Uttar Pradesh government says this ensures both social dignity and economic security for the newly married coupleRP Singh Nodal Officer of the scheme said the initiative goes beyond financial assistanceIt promotes collective participation strengthens community bonds and upholds respect for women The objective is to ensure that no daughter is denied a dignified marriage due to financial constraints he addedCategorywise data for 2025â26 shows that 6556 Dalit couples and 5500 OBC couples have benefited so far along with 828 couples from minority communities and 494 from the general categorySince its inception the state government has spent more than Rs 2200 crore on the scheme with Rs 550 crore allocated for the current financial yearOfficials say the programmes inclusive nature covering Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian marriages has helped promote social harmony while providing tangible support to underprivileged families across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-yogi-led-up-govts-mass-marriage-scheme-brings-relief-to-over-4-lakh-underprivileged-families-653462.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/amli-dam-emerges-as-serene-new-tourism-hotspot-near-surat-draws-hundreds-of-visitors-653295.html Surat Dec 13 A new tourist destination the Amli Dam has been developed around 100 kilometres from Surat in Mandvi offering visitors a peaceful retreat amid lush greenery and flowing waters and emerging as a popular escape for nature lovers The Forest Department in coordination with the local administration has upgraded the area by setting up cottages landscaped gardens and a canteen Despite being developed only recently as a tourism site the location is already witnessing a footfall of around 10000 to 12000 visitors every monthNestled in a tranquil setting surrounded by green hills the dam offers scenic views that become particularly striking during and after the monsoon seasonOfficials recommend the period between November and February as the ideal time to visit when the surroundings are at their most vibrantThe site is considered suitable for family outings camping trips and photography Additional facilities such as picnic tables and a childrens playground are available at the nearby Amli Dam New Garden adding to its appeal for familiesSharing her experience tourist Deepika told IANS The environment here is very nice All this greenery is beautiful and the water is so clean It feels very nice to visit here The view here is amazing Its best to visit with familyAnother visitor Narendra Mishra who travelled from Surat also praised the destination Speaking to IANS he said I came from Surat There arent many tourist spots like this in Surat but this place is really beautiful There are so many types of trees and cleanliness is also maintained by the administration This is a very nice spot for a family picnicTo ensure visitor comfort the Forest Department and local administration have created several supporting facilities including cottages gardens and canteens The site sees especially heavy tourist turnout on weekendsRavindra Raj Singh Vaghela Range Forest Officer RFO Mandvi said that cottages and tents have been set up to draw more tourists and offer them a comfortable stayArvind Vasava Head of the Regional Migration Committee also highlighted the amenities provided at the siteTalking to IANS he said We have cottages and canteens for the people who are visiting here The tourists also like the gardens alongside the dam The families who come here enjoy the mostAlthough the Amli Dam has not been developed as a tourist destination for very long it has already gained remarkable popularity Every month between 10000 and 12000 tourists visit the dam to experience and admire the natural beauty of the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/amli-dam-emerges-as-serene-new-tourism-hotspot-near-surat-draws-hundreds-of-visitors-653295.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/calcutta-hc-orders-wbssc-to-allow-2016-waiting-list-teachers-to-appear-in-fresh-interviews-653172.html Kolkata Dec 12 A singlejudge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the West Bengal School Service Commission WBSSC to allow waitinglist teaching candidates from the commissionâs 2016 panel to appear for interviews in the fresh recruitment for secondary and higher secondary teachers The order of the singlejudge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha had two operative parts and specified the limited scope of relief being granted The first states that only those waitinglist candidates from the 2016 panel who were disqualified from participating in the freshrecruitment interview because of the age criterion should get the chance to appearSimilarly only those waitinglist candidates who have approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a chance to appear in the freshrecruitment interview process should be allowed the sameJustice Sinha also directed the WBSSC to submit the marks obtained by the candidates in sealed envelopes to the court The singlejudge bench also sought the Commissionâs view on whether the interview process would be videorecordedThe fresh recruitment follows a division bench of the Supreme Court upholding an earlier order by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court that cancelled the WBSSCâs entire 2016 panel of around 26000 school jobs both teaching and nonteaching on grounds of rampant corruption in the recruitment process where money was paid for jobsEarlier this year the WBSSC conducted written examinations for the fresh recruitment of secondary and higher secondary teachers Recently the writtenexam results were declared and the list of candidates qualifying for interview was publishedThereafter some waitinglist candidates from the 2016 panel who missed a chance at interview due to crossing the age criterion approached the Calcutta High Court seeking the opportunity to appear Many of these candidates had remained on the waiting list pending appointment after the original 2016 process and they argued that denial of an interview on age grounds alone would be inequitable given the fresh recruitment exercise underwayFinally on Friday the singlejudge bench of Justice Sinha directed the WBSSC to allow waitinglist teaching candidates from the commissionâs 2016 panel to appear for the interview in the fresh recruitment for secondary and higher secondary teachers IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/calcutta-hc-orders-wbssc-to-allow-2016-waiting-list-teachers-to-appear-in-fresh-interviews-653172.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-declares-11-more-developing-talukas-each-to-get-rs-3-crore-annual-grant-652836.html Ahmedabad Dec 11 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the inclusion of 11 additional talukas in the list of âdeveloping talukasâ strengthening the stateâs focus on balanced regional development Under the Developing Taluka Scheme each of these talukas will receive an annual allocation of Rs two crore for development worksAn additional Rs one crore will be provided under the Aapno Taluko Vibrant Taluko ATVT initiative bringing the total annual grant to Rs three crore per taluka The newly designated developing talukas are Kadval Chhota Udepur Ukai Tapi Govind Guru Limdi Dahod Sukhsar Dahod Chikda Narmada Rah VavTharad Dharnidhar VavTharad Ogad Banaskantha Hadad Banaskantha Godhar Mahisagar and Nanapondha ValsadGujarat follows a structured process to identify developing talukas based on 44 socioeconomic indicators of the Human Development Index The aim is to ensure that every region old or newly formed benefits from both longterm and shortterm planning enabling accelerated and inclusive growthIn recent years the state government has carved out 17 new talukas to improve administrative efficiency and address regionspecific needs Of these talukas where more than 50 per cent of villages were earlier part of previously designated developing talukas have now been classified as developing talukas themselves Officials said the Chief Ministerâs decision will boost infrastructure social development and governance capacity in these regions helping them contribute more effectively to Gujaratâs ongoing journey of inclusive progressGujarat is one of Indiaâs most economically advanced and industrially dynamic states known for its strong manufacturing base worldclass infrastructure and rapid urban growth It leads in sectors like chemicals pharmaceuticals textiles automobiles renewable energy and ports supported by efficient industrial clusters robust logistics and businessfriendly governanceThe state consistently ranks high in ease of doing business has a widespread road network major commercial ports a reliable power supply and expanding renewable capacity Social indicators such as sanitation electrification drinking water access and digital connectivity have also improved significantly While challenges remain in ruralurban gaps and human development parameters Gujaratâs growth model continues to position it as one of Indiaâs most developed and forwardlooking states IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-declares-11-more-developing-talukas-each-to-get-rs-3-crore-annual-grant-652836.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/eight-pilgrims-killed-as-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-andhra-653003.html Visakhapatnam Dec 12 At least eight pilgrims died and several others were injured when a private travel bus fell into a gorge in Andhra Pradeshs Alluri Sitharamaraju district in the early hours of Friday The accident occurred on the ChinturNaredumilli ghat road when the driver apparently failed to negotiate a sharp turn and hit the safety wall before it fell into the gorgeThe bus carrying 37 people including two drivers was heading to AnnavaramThe passengers were all from the Chittoor district who were on their way to Annavaram temple in Kakinada district after visiting Bhadrachalam temple in TelanganaAs there was no mobile phone network coverage in the area where the accident occurred it took some time for the information to reach the police at Mothugunta Police rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation Eight bodies were recovered from the place The injured were shifted to a hospital in Chintur Five police vehicles and three ambulances were pressed into service to shift the injuredChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the accident He spoke to officials about the rescue and relief operations He directed them to ensure the best treatment for the injuredHome Minister V Anitha and Tribal Welfare and Women and Child Welfare Minister G Sandhya Rani left for the accident site They spoke to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Alluri Sitharamaraju district and directed them to ensure all help to the victimsVoicing concern over increasing road accidents Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had last month ordered thirdparty auditing on road accidents to know the causesAddressing the Road Safety Council meeting the Chief Minister had expressed concern over the deaths of 6433 people in 15462 road accidents in the state so far this yearAccording to officials 79 per cent of accidents occur due to overspeeding three per cent due to wrongside driving and one per cent due to alcohol and mobile phones Andhra Pradesh stands in eighth place in road accidents in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/eight-pilgrims-killed-as-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-andhra-653003.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/biting-cold-air-pollution-falling-water-levels-in-rivers-add-to-winter-woes-of-kashmiris-653025.html Srinagar Dec 12 Biting cold with no prospect of major rainsnowfall till the end of the month continued in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday as minimum temperature remained several notches below the freezing point in the Valley Srinagar city had minus 36 degrees Celsius Pahalgam minus 46 and Gulmarg zero as a minimum temperatureJammu city had 85 degrees Celsius Katra 94 Batote 63 Banihal 42 and Bhaderwah 19 as the minimum temperatureAn extended dry spell has resulted in several serious problems erupting in Kashmir Due to the lack of rainsnow the suspended particulate matter SPM has mixed with lowlying fog especially in areas in and around Srinagar city resulting in smogThe air quality index AQI has worsened and people in large numbers are suffering from chestrelated ailments exacerbated by cold and chilly winds Pulmonologists have advised people to avoid direct exposure to cold air by wrapping themselves in woollens especially mufflers to cover their neck and face while coming out of their homes in the morningseveningsPeople facing chest diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD are rated as the most vulnerable group in extreme cold weatherWater levels have gone down in all the rivers lakes streams wells and springs in the Valley as the Jhelum River running through the middle of the Valley from south to north has almost hit the bottomThe Meteorological MeT Department has no forecast for rain or snow in the near future Except for a couple of feeble Western Disturbances resulting in isolated rainsnow in higher reaches of JampK there is no likelihood of any major snowfall till the month end Director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad told IANSThe 40daylong period of extreme winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ starts each year on December 21 and ends on January 30During this period rivers lakes streams and other water bodies freeze partially in the Valley and the gap between the maximum and minimum temperature narrows down triggering harsh cold conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/biting-cold-air-pollution-falling-water-levels-in-rivers-add-to-winter-woes-of-kashmiris-653025.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nine-pilgrims-die-as-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-andhra-653028.html Visakhapatnam Dec 12 Nine pilgrims died and 23 others were injured when a private travel bus fell into a gorge in Alluri Sitharamaraju district in the early hours of Friday The accident occurred on the ChinturNaredumilli ghat road when the driver apparently failed to negotiate a sharp turn and hit the safety wall before it fell into the gorgeThe bus carrying 37 people including two drivers was heading to Bhadrachalam The passengers were all from the Chittoor district who were on their way to the Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana from ArakuThe victims were on a pilgrimage tour to various temples in north Andhra and neighbouring TelanganaAs there was no mobile phone network coverage in the area where the accident occurred it took some time for the information to reach the policePolice rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation Nine bodies were recovered from the accident spot The injured were shifted to a hospital in Chintur The condition of five of the injured was stated to be critical and they were shifted to a hospital at BhadrachalamFive police vehicles and three ambulances were pressed into service to shift the injuredPolice suspect that poor visibility due to dense fog in the region may have led to the tragedy The driver was not familiar with the roads in the region and officials believe that he could not control the vehicle at the curveChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the accident He spoke to officials about the rescue and relief operations He directed them to ensure the best treatment for the injuredHome Minister V Anitha and Tribal Welfare and Women and Child Welfare Minister G Sandhya Rani left for the accident site They spoke to the Collector and Superintendent of Police of Alluri Sitharamaraju district and directed them to ensure all help to the victimsVoicing concern over increasing road accidents Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had last month ordered thirdparty auditing on road accidents to know the causesAddressing the Road Safety Council meeting the Chief Minister had expressed concern over the deaths of 6433 people in 15462 road accidents in the state so far this yearAccording to officials 79 per cent of accidents occur due to overspeeding three per cent due to wrongside driving and one per cent due to alcohol and mobile phones Andhra Pradesh stands in eighth place in road accidents in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/nine-pilgrims-die-as-bus-falls-into-gorge-in-andhra-653028.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/harnessing-indias-youth-boom-as-unemployment-rates-drop-652698.html New Delhi Dec 10 India has the worlds largest youth population where 371 million aged between 15 and 29 years constitutes about 27 per cent of the total This population often referred to as a demographic dividend presents a significant opportunity for economic growth by expanding the workforce and reducing dependency ratios However this potential needs to be realised by overcoming challenges in the job market As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey PLFS report the estimated Unemployment Rate UR among youth between 1529 years of age in India has decreased from 178 per cent in 201718 to 102 per cent in 202324Incidentally official data on employment is collected through PLFS conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation where the survey period is July to June every yearEmployment generation coupled with improving employability is a priority and driven by multistakeholder initiativeBudget 202526 addressed development measures across ten broad areas focusing on the poor youth farmers and womenIndia has a dedicated Department of Youth Affairs which addresses the demography and implements programmes like the National Youth Policy to address social and economic challenges and promote personality development and nationbuildingThe National Youth Policy 2025 envisions an India where every young person is empowered healthy skilled socially responsible and actively contributes to the nationâs developmentIt puts forward the vision To synergize the hopes and aspirations of Indiaâs youth with its development imperatives enabling harmonious societal growth and harnessing youth energy for inclusive development responsible governance and the realisation of Viksit Bharat by 2047Moreover the Ministry of Labour and Employment is running the National Career Service NCS Portal â a onestop solution for providing career related servicesIt includes information on private and government sector jobs on online and offline job fairs job search and matching career counselling vocational guidance information on skill development courses employability enhancement programmesThe services are available on a digital platform Various other ministries and government departments too are implementing programmes for employment generationAmong such schemes are the Prime Ministerâs Employment Generation Programme PMEGP Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaNational Urban Livelihoods Mission DAYNULM Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana PMMY Production Linked Incentive PLI etcAdditionally the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme MGNREGS Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana DDUGKY Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes RSETIs are among other initiatives aimed at specific groups Along with increase in capital expenditure such programmes seek to boost employment creation including the youthMeanwhile Skill India Mission SIM aimed at enabling the youth to get future ready equip them with industryrelevant expertise by training through an extensive network of centres and institutes under various schemesAmong these are Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY Jan Shikshan Sansthan JSS National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme NAPS and Craftsmen Training Scheme CTS through ITIs In the rural sector various initiatives have been taken to promote farming as a viable career option for youthThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR has set up 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs in rural districts for dissemination of new technologies in agriculture and allied sectors through assessment demonstration and capacity development among the extension functionaries and the farmers of the concerned districtSimultaneously 100 KVKs are implementing projects like Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture ARYA Besides Skill Training of Rural Youth STRY is being implemented while Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms ATMA in 740 districts promotes decentralised and farmerfriendly extension system IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/harnessing-indias-youth-boom-as-unemployment-rates-drop-652698.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-semmozhi-classical-language-park-to-open-to-public-today-652736.html Chennai Dec 11 The muchawaited Semmozhi Classical Language Park in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore built for Rs 20850 crore will open its gates to the public on Thursday Spread across 45 acres at the historic Jail Grounds in Gandhipuram the worldclass park was inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin on November 25 and is now ready to welcome visitors with an array of cultural educational and recreational attractionsDeveloped to celebrate Tamilâs classical linguistic heritage while offering modern amenities the park features an impressive collection of themed gardens Visitors will enter through a striking gateway designed with a cascading waterfall Inside the park hosts several specialised green zones including the Classical Language Forest Aromatic Forest FiveFold Forest Flower Forest Puzzle Forest Shadow Forest a vibrant Health Forest and a dedicated area featuring the Champa tree mentioned in Sangam literatureA major highlight is the expansive rose garden containing over 1000 varieties of roses along with a wellcurated herbal garden and a lush green woodland zoneTo enhance the learning experience QR codes placed throughout the park allow visitors to explore details about each plant and tree species The park also includes a 500seat openair theatre for traditional and cultural performances an openair gym fitted with highquality equipment smooth walking tracks more than 100 stone benches and decorative lighting that illuminates the entire landscape after duskA special play area has been designed for children with disabilities ensuring inclusivity in the parkâs recreational offeringsEntry fees have been priced affordably Rs 15 per adult Rs 5 for children below 10 years and Rs 100 per month for those using the walking tracks regularly Photography charges include Rs 25 for still cameras Rs 50 for video cameras Rs 25000 per day for film photography and Rs 2000 for shortfilm or other special shootsWith its rich blend of themed gardens educational features and modern public amenities the Semmozhi Classical Language Park is poised to become a major attraction in Coimbatore The park will be open daily from 6 am to 7 pm offering residents and tourists a refreshing green haven in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-semmozhi-classical-language-park-to-open-to-public-today-652736.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indian-army-hot-air-balloon-expedition-sets-asian-record-for-longest-duration-flight-652648.html New Delhi Dec 10 The Indian Army Hot Air Ballooning HAB Expedition from Bhopal to Pune was flagged off on Wednesday at Pune after covering 750 kilometers across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and earned a mark in the Asian Book of Records for the longest duration Hot Air Balloon flight in India Conducted under the aegis of the Indian Army Adventure Wing by the Hot Air Ballooning Node at EME Centre Bhopal the expedition was flagged off on November 30 2025Covering over 750 kilometres the team traversed varied terrain from the Narmada Valley in Madhya Pradesh to the Western Ghats in Maharashtra with scheduled halts at Mhow Sambhajinagar and AhilyanagarAccording to officials at each location the team interacted with local youth offering them an opportunity to witness this unique adventure sport and learn about the Indian Armyâs commitment to fostering a spirit of exploration and resilienceâA major highlight of the expedition was its recordbreaking nonstop Hot Air Balloon flight of 8 hours and 44 minutes earning a place in the Asian Book of Records for the longest duration Hot Air Balloon flight in Indiaâ an official saidThis remarkable achievement showcases the teamâs exceptional professionalism endurance teamwork and passion for aviation excellenceThroughout the expedition the team actively engaged with students and young aspirants promoting adventure as a way of life and igniting interest in the Armed ForcesMotivational talks demonstrations and outreach programmes highlighted the values of courage discipline and teamwork that define military lifeThe expedition stands as a powerful embodiment of the Indian Armyâs commitment to adventure and sports showcasing the endurance skill and determination that define military professionalismBy demonstrating these values across its journey the team not only strengthened the spirit of adventure within the forces but also inspired the nationâs youth to challenge themselves strive for excellence and explore opportunities to join the Indian Army IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indian-army-hot-air-balloon-expedition-sets-asian-record-for-longest-duration-flight-652648.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-hc-terms-menstrual-leave-case-a-matter-of-public-importance-hearing-set-for-jan-2026-652654.html Bengaluru Dec 10 The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday said that it will take up in January 2026 a series of petitions opposing the state governments order requiring all registered industrial units to provide paid menstrual leave noting that the issue holds public significance The bench headed by Justice M Jyothi made the remark while passing the order in this regardAdvocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty cited Article 42 of the Constitution noting that it deals with ensuring fair and humane working conditions as well as maternity reliefHe also pointed to Article 153 and a Supreme Court directive asking states to extend such benefits The Advocate General further argued that Karnataka has a progressive legislature and that menstrual leave is provided in many countries around the worldHe added that the Law Commission has studied the issue in detail and that all stakeholders were consulted before the government issued the notificationThe court observed orally You have already filed a detailed objection Hereâs what we will do Petitioners advocate Prashanth review it and submit a rejoinder if needed We must hear both sides those supporting the order and those opposing itThe petitioners lawyer responded that arguments could proceed in the meantime and requested that the government not take further action until thenHowever the Advocate General insisted We will implement the order fullyAt that point the court noted This issue is of public significance We will take it up for hearing after the winter breakAfter the discussion the court dictated its formal order The Advocate General AG appeared and informed the court that the government has already filed its objections in the Bangalore Hotels Association case and requested that those objections be treated as applicable to the other connected cases as wellThe court said that if the petitioners want to file a rejoinder they may do so The petitioners lawyer also submitted a memo stating that certain important questions of law have been raised in the case The court acknowledged this and placed the memo on recordEarlier the Karnataka High Court issued an interim order staying the government notification directing registered industrial establishments to provide oneday menstrual leave for working women and directed the government to file objectionsThe order was passed while looking into the petition questioning the government order by the Bangalore Hotels Association and Management of Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited The case will be relisted after the winter vacation The Bench has also allowed petitioners to seek modification of the order laterThe Bench asked whether the government had consulted or heard from the management before issuing the notification The counsel said it had not After that the court issued the interim orderThe government notification issued on November 20 mandated industrial establishments to provide paid menstrual leave to women employeesThe petitioners counsel argued that the government had issued an executive order directing establishments to grant menstrual leaveThe counsel pointed out that the laws governing industries already provide a complete leave policy and none of those laws contain any provision that requires employers to provide menstrual leaveThe petition seeking to quash the government order states that the establishments are registered under different labour laws such as the Factories Act the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act the Plantations Labour Act the Beedi and Cigar Workers Conditions of Employment Act and the Motor Transport Workers Act Under these laws employees are allowed only 12 days of leave per year IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/karnataka-hc-terms-menstrual-leave-case-a-matter-of-public-importance-hearing-set-for-jan-2026-652654.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-pushes-tns-puzhal-reservoir-to-full-capacity-high-alert-issued-652436.html Chennai Dec 10 Following intense rainfall across the catchment areas the water level in key drinking water reservoirs around Chennai has risen sharply prompting authorities to issue a precautionary alert to people living along vulnerable lowlying and coastal stretches Among the major reservoirs the Puzhal lake has now reached its full storage capacity for the second consecutive day triggering controlled discharge of surplus waterAccording to officials of the cityâs water resources department the three principal reservoirs that supply drinking water to Chennai Chembarambakkam Lake Puzhal Lake and Poondi Lake have all recorded a rapid rise in inflows due to persistent and widespread rainfall over the past few daysThe heavy downpour in upstream regions has significantly boosted water storage improving the cityâs drinking water security while also increasing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas Officials confirmed that the Puzhal reservoir which has a total storage capacity of 3300 million cubic feet mcft touched full level on Tuesday and has remained at that level for a second day on WednesdayAs part of flood management and safety protocols authorities are now releasing around 300 cubic feet per second cusecs of excess water from the reservoir into downstream channelsâSince the reservoir has reached maximum capacity surplus water is being discharged in a regulated manner to prevent pressure on the bundsâ a senior official said âThe release will be adjusted based on further inflow from the catchment areasâ he saidMeanwhile Chembarambakkam and Poondi reservoirs have also witnessed a steady and substantial rise in water levels though both are still operating within safe limits Monitoring teams have been deployed round the clock at all major water bodies to assess structural safety inflow patterns and downstream impactIn view of the continued release from Puzhal and the possibility of further rainfall the district administration has issued an advisory urging residents living along the banks of canals river courses and lowlying coastal areas to remain vigilantFisherfolk residents of lakeside settlements and people in floodprone pockets have been asked to strictly follow official instructions and shift to safer locations if required Revenue police and disaster response teams remain on standby while local bodies have been directed to keep drainage channels clear and emergency shelters ready for use if the situation escalates IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-pushes-tns-puzhal-reservoir-to-full-capacity-high-alert-issued-652436.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/four-years-after-launch-sanganoor-canal-restoration-in-tns-coimbatore-drags-on-652439.html Coimbatore Dec 10 The longawaited restoration of the Sanganoor Canal continues to crawl forward nearly four years after it was ceremonially launched with major portions of the 11km waterway still incomplete due to delays in execution and persistent hurdles in clearing encroachments The project was inaugurated in November 2021 by Chief Minister MK Stalin during his visit to Coimbatore soon after the DMK government assumed office The canal which cuts through the heart of the city has remained dry and severely polluted for decades The rejuvenation project raised hopes of transforming it into a functional urban waterway with improved drainage pedestrian facilities and parallel service roadsThe first phase of the restoration covered a 23km stretch from Mettupalayam Road to Sathyamangalam Road and was sanctioned for Rs 49 crore A second package for a 1km extension estimated at Rs 303 crore was later shelvedThe project scope included the construction of gabion and retaining walls strengthening embankments with reinforced concrete laying chip stones along the canal bed along with pedestrian walkways and service roads on both sides However progress on the ground has been sluggish Works came to a standstill for nearly 10 months from August 2022 as families living along the canal banks had not been provided alternative housing In the absence of timely relocation support from the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board civic officials were unable to remove encroachments required for road constructionWork resumed only in June 2023 but the pace has remained slow since then Officials of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation said that gabion and retaining walls have now been completed along the entire 25km stretch including an additional 200 metres up to the Rathinapuri bridge based on instructions from the Directorate of Municipal Administration However road works continue to be hampered by pending evictionsAround 200 houses were identified along this stretch Of these about 100 families have already been provided alternative accommodation while 20 applications are under verification Nearly 80 families are still awaiting relocation So far only 300 metres of BT road and about 15 km of waterbound macadam road have been completedMeanwhile in March 2025 the civic body submitted a fresh proposal seeking Rs 235 crore for the next 65km phase of the project The expanded plan aims to provide uninterrupted road connectivity from Mettupalayam Road to Trichy Road via Sathyamangalam and Avinashi Roads potentially turning the canal corridor into a major new urban mobility route for Coimbatore IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/four-years-after-launch-sanganoor-canal-restoration-in-tns-coimbatore-drags-on-652439.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indigo-refunds-rs-827-crore-to-passengers-returns-4-500-bags-amid-stern-govt-warning-652033.html New Delhi Dec 8 Facing intense government scrutiny lowcost airline IndiGo on Monday said it has so far refunded Rs 827 crore to affected passengers and the rest is under process for cancellations up to December 15 IndiGo said it was set to operate over 1800 flights on Monday up from 1650 on Sunday adding that more than 4500 bags have been delivered to respective customers and we are on track to deliver the rest in the next 36 hoursToday we are all set to operate over 1800 flights connecting all stations that we operate to We have optimised our operations and managed to reduce the number of cancellations which are being notified to customers in advance and our ontime performance OTP has also improved to 91 per cent across the network said the airlineThe statement came as the government said it will take strict action against lowcost airline over the massive disruption of flights to set an example for all airlinesEarlier Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said in the Parliament on Monday that the government has initiated a thorough inquiry into the matterIndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and roster Passengers faced a lot of difficulties We are not taking the situation lightly We will take strict action We will set an example for every airline If there is any noncompliance we will take action he said on the floor of the Rajya SabhaAccording to the airline all cancellations in Mondays schedule were executed on Sunday ensuring advance notifications being sent to customersWhile IndiGo is progressing further on the path to full recovery we remain committed to assisting our customers and addressing their queries and requests on a war footing To this end we have expedited several internal processes it addedThe airline said it is assisting over 2 lakh customers every day across various communications channelsWe regret this disruption and apologise sincerely to all our customers We would like to reiterate that all our operations are fully compliant with the relevant FDTL norms and safety regulations as they have been throughout the last two decadesâ IndiGo added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indigo-refunds-rs-827-crore-to-passengers-returns-4-500-bags-amid-stern-govt-warning-652033.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/president-murmu-presents-national-handicrafts-awards-for-2023-2024-652291.html New Delhi Dec 9 President Droupadi Murmu presented National Handicrafts Awards for the years 2023 and 2024 on Tuesday highlighting that handicrafts are not only a part of our cultural identity but are also an important source of livelihood Speaking on the occasion the President said âThis sector employs over 32 million people Most of the people who derive employment and income from handicrafts live in rural or remote areas This sector promotes inclusive development by decentralising employment and incomeâShe said art reflects our memories of the past experiences of the present and aspirations for the futureHumans have been expressing their emotions through painting or sculpture since ancient times Art connects people to culture Art also connects people with each other she saidThe President said that if our centuriesold handicraft tradition has remained vibrant and preserved it is due to the commitment of our artisans generation after generation Our artisans have adapted their art and tradition to changing times while keeping the original spirit alive They have preserved the fragrance of the countrys soil in each of their artistic creationsThe President said that handicrafts are not only a part of our cultural identity but also an important source of livelihoodShe said that promoting handicrafts is important for social empowerment as this sector has traditionally provided support to people from weaker sectionsâHandicrafts not only provide a means of livelihood to artisans but their art also gives them recognition and respect in society She stated that the development of this sector will also strengthen womens empowerment as women comprise 68 per cent of the workforce in this sectorâ she saidPresident Murmu said that the handicraft industrys greatest strength is its reliance on natural and local resources This industry is ecofriendly and has a lowcarbon footprintâToday the need for an ecofriendly and sustainable lifestyle is being emphasised worldwide In such a context this sector can make a significant contribution to sustainabilityâ she saidThe President said that the Geographical Indication GI tag is strengthening the identity of the Indian handicraft products across the worldShe urged all stakeholders to work towards obtaining a GI tag for their unique products She said that the GI tag will give their products a unique identity and enhance their credibility at the national and international levelThe President said that the One District One Product ODOP initiative is also strengthening the international recognition of our regional handicraft productsShe said that on the strength of the knowledge dedication and hard work of our artisans accumulated over generations Indian handicraft products have established their identity across the worldThe President underlined that the demand for Indian handicrafts offers immense growth potential and this sector offers excellent opportunities for young entrepreneurs and designers to establish enterprises IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/president-murmu-presents-national-handicrafts-awards-for-2023-2024-652291.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/goatherd-turned-miner-in-panna-strikes-lucky-with-1534-carat-diamond-find-652347.html BhopalPanna Dec 9 In a remarkable turn of events a humble goatherd from Madhya Pradeshâs Panna district has stumbled upon a diamond of extraordinary size and value Satish Khatik a resident of the Raniganj area recently discovered a sparkling diamond weighing 1534 carats while working on his small plot in the diamondrich belt of the region Experts have confirmed that the diamond is of fine shape and quality estimating its market value between â¹25 to â¹30 lakhThe value may be more as the diamond in wellshapedâ a valuer has saidSatish Khatik who mostly earns his livelihood tending and selling goats has now become the talk of the townSpeaking to IANS Satish Khatik said âI discovered the diamond yesterday which is 1534 carat in weight I will soon place it in the district auction officeâHis discovery underscores the unique fortune that often befalls ordinary residents of Panna a district globally renowned for its diamond minesThe National Mineral Development Corporation NMDC and local authorities oversee mining activities here but individuals are also permitted to lease small plots for exploration It is in such plots that locals occasionally unearth gems of significant worth transforming their lives overnightHe was given an area of 6X6 metres in November this year According to diamond valuers the stoneâs clarity and cut make it highly desirable in the market Once deposited with the district diamond office it will be auctioned under government supervision ensuring transparency in the saleKhatik will receive the proceeds after deducting royalty and taxes a process that has previously enabled many small miners and labourers in Panna to achieve financial stability The discovery has sparked excitement in Raniganj with neighbours and fellow villagers celebrating Khatikâs good fortuneFor a man who has spent years herding goats to sustain his family the diamond represents not just wealth but also hope for a better futureLocal officials have lauded the find noting that such discoveries highlight the potential of Pannaâs diamond belt which continues to yield precious stones despite centuries of miningThis latest find adds to the lore of Panna where stories of ordinary people striking rich with diamonds are part of everyday lifeFor Satish Khatik the 1534carat gem may well be the turning point that reshapes his destiny offering him and his family a chance at prosperity far beyond the modest means of a goatherd IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/goatherd-turned-miner-in-panna-strikes-lucky-with-1534-carat-diamond-find-652347.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennais-poondi-reservoir-almost-full-as-city-builds-robust-water-buffer-for-coming-year-651834.html Chennai Dec 8 Chennaiâs drinking water security for the next year has been significantly strengthened following timely intervention by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department WRD and abundant northeast monsoon rainfall which together helped key reservoirs especially Poondi reach nearfull storage levels To prevent monsoon waters from going to waste the WRD in late October requested Andhra Pradesh to temporarily halt the release of water from the Kandaleru reservoir into Poondi This strategic decision allowed the reservoir to fill up naturally through heavy inflows from its own catchment and adjoining areas of Andhra Pradesh Officials said the inflow from Kandaleru was paused after assessing that natural water availability would be adequate to replenish the storage With Poondi now nearing full capacity the WRD has sought the resumption of the Kandaleru water supply only from April next year âThe abundant rainfall this season in Poondiâs catchment and neighbouring regions has played a major role in improving storage levelsâ a senior WRD official said At present Poondi reservoir holds 3114 million cubic feet mcft of water which is about 96 per cent of its total capacity of 3231 mcft Chennaiâs monthly drinking water requirement is around 1000 mcft The combined storage across the cityâs six reservoirs including the Veeranam tank in Cuddalore district stands at 11749 mcft against a total capacity of 13222 mcft ensuring sufficient supply for at least the next 11 monthsWith water availability at comfortable levels Metrowater has increased the daily supply to consumers to 1230 million litres a day mld up from 1091 mld during the same period last year Since Poondi does not have a water treatment facility about 40 mld of water is released daily to the Red Hills reservoir where it is treated before being distributed across the city Veeranam tank is currently holding 978 mcft around 67 per cent of its full capacity of 1465 mcft further reinforcing supply stability Among the other reservoirs Cholavaram stood at 579 mcft against its full capacity of 1081 mcft Red Hills reservoir with a capacity of 3300 mcft is almost full at 3251 mcft Kannankottai Thervoikandigai is also in a comfortable position with 464 mcft of water stored against its 500 mcft capacity Officials expressed confidence that with these storage levels Chennaiâs drinking water needs will be comfortably met for at least the next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennais-poondi-reservoir-almost-full-as-city-builds-robust-water-buffer-for-coming-year-651834.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/continuous-rainfall-damages-maize-crops-in-tns-veppanthattai-farmers-seek-compensation-651839.html Peramballur Dec 8 Farmers in Veppanthattai block the largest maizeproducing region in Tamil Nadus Peramballur district are reeling under heavy losses following weeks of continuous rainfall that has severely damaged standing crops Hundreds of hectares of maize have been flattened triggering widespread concern among cultivators who are now demanding immediate crop damage assessment and prompt disbursal of compensationThis year maize was cultivated on nearly 75000 hectares across the district of which about 45000 hectares were brought under crop insurance Sowing began between the Tamil months of Aadi midJuly and Purattasi midSeptember and much of the earlysown crop had reached maturity signalling a potentially good harvest season However uninterrupted rainfall over the past month has drastically altered the situationDespite the district receiving lowerthannormal rainfall during the overall monsoon period the continuous downpour in recent weeks has caused severe crop lodging with maize stalks bending and collapsing under wet soil conditionsThe waterlogged fields have become unfit for mechanical harvesting adding to farmersâ distress In several locations maize cobs have begun to sprout on the plant itself rendering them unsuitable for market saleFarmers estimate that over 1000 hectares of maize crops have already been affected across multiple villages including Krishnapuram Annamangalam Arumbavur Thaluthalai Viswakudi Thondamandurai and ArasalurMany cultivators have approached agriculture department officials submitting complaints and urging immediate field inspections to assess the scale of damage The losses are particularly severe for farmers who invested heavily in cultivation during the current seasonWith input costs such as seeds fertilisers labour and irrigation rising steadily some farmers report spending nearly Rs 25000 per acre The expectation of normal yields has now been replaced by fears of drastic output reductionIn many flattened fields the yield is expected to drop to less than half of the usual harvest while in severely affected areas there is little chance of recoverySenior officials from the agriculture department have confirmed that complaints have been received from several villages in the Veppanthattai block Field inspections have already begun in select locations and officials have assured that detailed assessments will be carried out across all affected areasBased on the findings further steps regarding compensation and crop insurance claims are expected to follow As uncertain weather conditions continue to threaten the remaining standing crops farmers are anxiously awaiting swift action from the authorities to mitigate further losses and provide timely relief IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/continuous-rainfall-damages-maize-crops-in-tns-veppanthattai-farmers-seek-compensation-651839.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/thunderstorms-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-for-next-two-days-651852.html Chennai Dec 8 The Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai has forecast moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Monday and Tuesday warning residents to stay alert to changing weather conditions According to the latest update issued by the weather office on Monday morning scattered to fairly widespread rain activity is expected across several districts especially during the afternoon and evening hoursThe forecast attributes the unsettled weather to a combination of local atmospheric instability and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal which is creating favourable conditions for thunderstorm development Meteorologists said interior districts of Tamil Nadu including parts of the Cauvery delta western zones and southern districts are likely to witness intermittent showers with occasional lightningPuducherry and its adjoining coastal areas may also experience brief spells of moderate rain accompanied by gusty windsThe maximum temperature in most places is expected to remain slightly below normal due to cloud cover and rainfall activity while minimum temperatures may remain relatively stable The weather department has advised people particularly farmers fishermen and those working outdoors to take necessary precautionsResidents have been cautioned against taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms and those in lowlying areas have been asked to remain watchful for localised waterlogging Fishermen have been advised to check local advisories before venturing into the sea as squally winds and rough conditions are likely during thunderstorm episodesOver the past few days isolated pockets in Tamil Nadu have already witnessed short spells of rain providing some relief from dry conditions but also causing brief traffic disruptions in urban centres Officials said the current spell is not expected to be extremely heavy in nature but lightning activity could pose localised risksRainfall over the next 48 hours is also expected to benefit standing crops in several interior districts especially paddy and horticultural plantations which have been affected by fluctuating moisture levels in recent weeks However agricultural officers have cautioned farmers to ensure proper drainage to prevent damage due to water stagnationThe Chennai weather office said it will continue to closely monitor developments and issue updated warnings if the intensity of the system increases Meanwhile district administrations have been asked to remain prepared to respond swiftly to any weatherrelated emergencies during the next two days IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/thunderstorms-rain-forecast-for-tn-puducherry-for-next-two-days-651852.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indigo-cancels-112-flights-at-hyderabad-airport-passengers-continue-to-suffer-651980.html Hyderabad Dec 8 Passengers at Hyderabadâs Rajiv Gandhi International Airport RGIA continue to have a harrowing time as IndiGo cancelled 112 flights on Monday For the seventh consecutive day the airlineâs services remained disrupted The cancellations on Monday include 58 arrivals and 54 departuresWith no signs of normalcy returning to IndiGoâs operations at RGIA thousands of passengers continue to suffer For the fifth consecutive day the number of cancellations was over 100 More than 600 flights have been cancelled at RGIA since December 2As many as 126 flights were cancelled on Sunday December 7 The highest number of flights 155 was cancelled on December 5 while 144 flights were cancelled on December 6Hundreds of passengers remained stranded due to cancellations Angry passengers were seen making enquiriesThe Central Industrial Security Force CISF stepped up security at the airport as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidentThe cancellations on key domestic routes severely disrupted the travel plans of the passengers for the seventh consecutive day Cancellation of departures and arrivals on key domestic routes like Delhi Bengaluru Chennai Kolkata Visakhapatnam Goa Madurai and Bhubaneswar severely inconvenienced passengersIndiGo on Sunday announced that it resumed operations at 137 of its 138 destinations The airline said it was on track to operate 1650 flights for the day compared to 1500 flights on December 6 It also stated that its ontime performance had risen from 30 per cent on December 6 to 75 per cent on December 7The airline also announced a full waiver on cancellations and rescheduling requests for bookings till December 15IndiGo has attributed the crisis to the new Flight Duty Time Limit FDTL norms These rules implemented in two phases from July and November increase weekly rest to 48 hours extend nightduty definitions and cap night landings at two The norms were rolled out following the Delhi High Court ordersOn a request by IndiGo the aviation regulator DGCA granted temporary relaxations until February 10 IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indigo-cancels-112-flights-at-hyderabad-airport-passengers-continue-to-suffer-651980.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jaipur-gears-up-for-pravasi-rajasthani-divas-with-over-8-700-registrations-651779.html Jaipur Dec 6 The preparations for the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Divas being organised on the initiative of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma are now in their final stage Ahead of the event scheduled for 10 December greenery decorations and cleanliness drives are being carried out across the state capital JaipurRajasthan is fully prepared to welcome its guests and there is tremendous enthusiasm among NonResident Rajasthanis and industrialists arriving from India and abroad So far more than 8700 people have registered for the programmeChief Secretary V Srinivas and Shikhar Agarwal Additional Chief Secretary ACS Industries amp Commerce Department inspected the preparations at the venue JECC Sitapura During the visit they reviewed the main ceremony area halls designated for the sectoral sessions and the âProgress Pathâ being developed to showcase the achievements of the state government The Chief Secretary directed officials to complete all remaining work within the next 48 hours He said that preparations for this historic event are being carried out in accordance with the Chief Ministerâs visionThe Chief Minister is continuously reviewing the progress and also interacting with NonResident Rajasthanis to personally invite them Shikhar Agrawal Additional Chief Secretary Industries Department Government of Rajasthan stated that the primary objective of the event is to reconnect NonResident Rajasthanis with their roots and ensure their participation in the stateâs development A new policy has also been formulated to address challenges faced in this process Suresh Kumar Ola Commissioner Bureau of Investment Promotion BIP informed that as per the Chief Ministerâs directions the venue has been designed to reflect Rajasthanâs culture and heritage so that NonResident Rajasthanis feel a sense of belonging and take back fond memories Given the possibility that guests attending the event may wish to explore Jaipurâs tourist attractions extensive arrangements have been madeThe Archaeology and Museum Department has appointed nodal officers at protected monuments for the convenience of visitors Additionally the Forest Department has appointed nodal officers to provide information on forest and wildlife tourism areas During the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave at last yearâs Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had announced that 10 December would be celebrated each year as Pravasi Rajasthani Divas In continuation of this announcement the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas is being organised on 10 DecemberThe event aims to bring together the Rajasthani diaspora and strengthen their connection with their roots Anandi JDA Commissioner Shivangi Swarnkar MD RIICO Manisha Arora Commissioner Rajasthan Foundation Gaurav Saini Commissioner Municipal Corporation and Jugal Kishore Meena Additional Commissioner BIP and other senior officials were also present during the visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jaipur-gears-up-for-pravasi-rajasthani-divas-with-over-8-700-registrations-651779.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 06:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/blaze-ravages-fishing-boats-in-keralas-ashtamudi-lake-no-casualties-reported-651799.html Kollam Dec 7 A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday at Ashtamudi Lake in Keralas Kureepuzha destroying over ten fishing boats that were anchored along the waterfront Though the blaze caused extensive property damage authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported in the incident According to preliminary information the fire is suspected to have originated from a cooking gas cylinder explosion on one of the boats Residents of the area first noticed flames rising from the boats around 130 am Within minutes the fire spread rapidly through a cluster of around 14 boats that were anchored in a single line In a desperate bid to prevent the flames from spreading further local residents rushed to the spot untied several burning boats and pushed them into the lake Dramatic visuals broadcast by television channels showed multiple boats engulfed in towering flames as they drifted across the water Six units of the Fire and Rescue Services were deployed to the site Firefighters battled the inferno for several hours and finally brought it under control by around 7 am Despite their swift response at least nine traditional wooden boats and one fibre boat were completely gutted while a few others reportedly sank after sustaining severe damage Kollam District Collector N Devidas visited the site and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and assess the total extent of the damage Speaking to the media he said that around ten boats including one owned by a local fisherman named Lawrance were destroyed in the blaze Several of the damaged boats were reportedly owned by fishermen from Pozhiyoor in Thiruvananthapuram district who had anchored their vessels at Kureepuzha while taking a temporary break from fishing ahead of the ongoing election process Fire Force officials stated that the precise cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed However local residents strongly maintained that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the disaster Residents also raised concerns over infrastructure shortcomings alleging that poor road connectivity in the area delayed the arrival of fire force units They pointed out that this was the third fire accident reported in the locality in recent times heightening fears over safety Meanwhile affected fishermen have demanded immediate compensation from the government stating that the destruction of their boats has dealt a severe blow to their livelihoods leaving several families in financial distress IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/blaze-ravages-fishing-boats-in-keralas-ashtamudi-lake-no-casualties-reported-651799.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/man-jumps-on-metro-track-in-bengalurus-kengeri-station-dies-651609.html Bengaluru Dec 5 A man committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving Metro train at Kengeri Metro Station in Bengaluru on Friday Services were affected as the operations were halted between Mysuru Road Nayandanahalli Metro Station and Challaghatta Metro Station The deceased was identified as 38yearold Shantagoud Police Patil a resident of Devarahipparagi in Vijayapura district According to the police he jumped in front of a moving train at the station Kengeri police rushed to the spot retrieved the body from under the train and shifted it to a hospitalMore details on the incident are awaitedFollowing the incident the metro services on the Purple Line between Mysuru Road and Challaghatta stations were suspended for more than an hour A large number of morning commuters had to rely on RTC buses autos and cabs Services were later restored and operations across the entire Purple Line were running as per scheduleOn January 20 a 49yearold former Air Force employee attempted suicide at Jalahalli Metro Station Green Line Metro staff intervened using the emergency stop and trip systems following which he survivedNamma Metro services on the Green Line were disrupted in October after a man allegedly jumped onto the tracks in a suicide attempt The victim 40yearold Veeresh was rescued and rushed to Victoria HospitalOn March 21 2024 a 19yearold law student from National Law School of India University died after jumping onto the tracks in front of a moving train at Attiguppe Metro Station in BengaluruA 34yearold man attempted suicide by jumping onto the tracks He was rescued by staff using the emergencytrip system he survived with a minor head injury on June 10 2024 at Hosahalli Metro stationA 57yearold man died by suicide after jumping in front of a moving metro train forcing the authorities to temporarily suspend services between Yelachenahalli and Silk Institute stations IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/man-jumps-on-metro-track-in-bengalurus-kengeri-station-dies-651609.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 11:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chaos-continues-at-hyderabad-airport-as-indigo-cancels-92-flights-651621.html Hyderabad Dec 5 Utter chaos continued at Hyderabadâs Rajiv Gandhi International Airport RGIA on Friday as IndiGo Airlines cancelled 92 flights for the day For the fourth consecutive day the airline cancelled flights causing severe inconvenience to thousands of passengersA total of 92 IndiGo flights have been cancelled for the day an airport spokesman said These include 43 arrivals and 49 departuresThis is the highest number of flights to be cancelled in four days The airline had cancelled 74 flights on ThursdayA total of 220 flights have been cancelled since December 2The cancellations for the fourth consecutive day triggered a protest by passengers at the terminal building Angry passengers had heated arguments with the IndiGo staffA group of passengers was seen surrounding an official of the airline seeking replies to their queries Passengers complained that flights were cancelled after checkinThe cancellations on key domestic routes severely disrupted the travel plans of the passengers for the fourth consecutive dayA large number of passengers remained stranded at the airport Long queues were seen outside and inside the terminal Tempers were running high in the terminal building as angry passengers confronted the airline staff Some were asking why the airline scheduled the flights when the staff was not available Frustrated passengers had a heated argument with the staff and even raised slogans of âshameâDepartures and arrivals on key domestic routes like Delhi Bengaluru Chennai Kolkata Visakhapatnam Goa Madurai and Bhubaneswar severely inconvenienced passengersA large number of Ayappa devotees were also stranded due to the cancellation of flights to Kochi As a mark of protest the devotees were seen chanting slogans of âSwamiye Saranam AyyappaâAndhra Pradesh Minister Kolusu Partha Sarathy who was at the airport to board a flight to Vijayawada intervened to help Ayyappa devotees He spoke to Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu over the phone to arrange a special flightThe minister who missed his flight to Vijayawada later left by roadMeanwhile eight IndiGo flights were cancelled at Visakhapatnam airport With flights to key destinations like Hyderabad Chennai Bengaluru and Ahmedabad getting cancelled passengers lodged their protest with the airline staffIndiGo attributed the disruption to âa multitude of unforeseen operational challengesâ including minor technology glitches winterseason driven schedule changes adverse weather increased congestion in the aviation system and the implementation of updated Flight Duty Time Limitations for crewRGIA authorities have advised passengers to check the latest status of their flights with their respective airlines before heading to the airport IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chaos-continues-at-hyderabad-airport-as-indigo-cancels-92-flights-651621.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/women-in-capfs-3-239-recruited-in-2024-25-centres-5-171-target-for-next-year-651334.html New Delhi Dec 3 A total of 3239 women were recruited across the four Central Armed Police Forces CAPFs in FY 202425 The CRPF recruited 294 women BSF 1680 ITBP 1093 and SSB 172 the Centre stated in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday The Central government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing womenâs participation across CAPFs outlining recruitment figures future targets and ongoing measures to create safer and more gendersensitive work environments for women personnelNotably the government has set a more ambitious target of recruiting 5171 women personnel in FY 202526 with the CRPF alone aiming to induct 1192 women constables next year The BSF has set a target of 2513 followed by ITBP with 1375 and SSB with 91The details were shared in a written reply by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in the Rajya Sabha while replying to a question from MP Kartikeya SharmaResponding to a question on whether the Centre plans to increase the strength of women personnel in the CRPF BSF ITBP and SSB with a view to creating dedicated women wings MoS Rai recalled that the government had in January 2016 decided to reserve 33 per cent of constable posts for women in the CRPF and 1415 per cent at the constable level in BSF SSB and ITBPRai emphasised that the government is taking âevery step and effortâ to ensure safe working conditions and gendersensitive operational protocols for women across forcesâThey are being provided separate accommodationbarracks rest roomcumchanging room and separate toilets Creches and Day Care Centres have also been provided to take care of their children There is also provision for womencentric medical support to address womenspecific health issues Women Help Desks and confidential complaint mechanisms to address grievances related to sexual harassmentâ the MoS noted in his replyHe also added that regular gender sensitisation workshops are conducted and that women personnel are generally deployed in section strength or buddy pairs as part of operational safety protocols Flexible shift systems are adopted wherever possible to support women in service IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/women-in-capfs-3-239-recruited-in-2024-25-centres-5-171-target-for-next-year-651334.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 11:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rann-utsav-gujarats-white-desert-festival-returns-with-cultural-splendour-651364.html Ahmedabad Dec 3 The muchawaited Rann Utsav has officially begun in Gujarat drawing travellers from across India and the world to the breathtaking white desert of Kutch Announcing its commencement Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted the festivalâs global appeal as he prepared to visit Dhordo the heart of the celebrationThe vast expanse of the White Rann stretching endlessly across the horizon sets the stage for an immersive cultural experience unique to Gujarat This yearâs Rann Utsav brings together the best of Kutch traditional mudcrafted bhunga accommodations vibrant handicrafts regional cuisine and a range of adventure activities for thrillseekers Cultural performances lightandsound shows and dedicated childrenâs play areas add to the festive atmosphere making it an inclusive destination for families and travellers alikeBeyond Dhordo visitors can explore Kutchâs landmark destinations such as Dholavira Road to Heaven Lakhpat Mata no Madh Narayan Sarovar Kalo Dungar Smritivan and Mandviâeach offering a slice of the regionâs history spirituality and natural beauty Running until February 20 Rann Utsav stands as a celebration of Gujaratâs heritage craftsmanship and hospitality inviting visitors not just to see Kutch but to feel its soulRann Utsav held in the White Desert of Kutch began in the mid2000s as a stateled initiative to showcase the regionâs rich culture craftsmanship and natural beauty to the world What started as a modest cultural festival has grown into one of Indiaâs most iconic tourism events attracting lakhs of visitors each year Its history is deeply tied to the revival of Kutch after the devastating 2001 earthquakeâRann Utsav became a platform to rebuild local livelihoods by promoting Kutchâs artisans musicians and traditional communitiesOver the years it has evolved into a symbol of Gujaratâs cultural pride blending heritage hospitality and economic empowerment Today the festival not only preserves the legacy of Kutchâs folk arts and crafts but also positions the region as a global destination giving the onceisolated salt desert a new identity rooted in resilience and celebration IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rann-utsav-gujarats-white-desert-festival-returns-with-cultural-splendour-651364.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/three-bodies-recovered-from-a-shut-house-in-tirupati-probe-underway-651072.html Tirupati Dec 2 Three bodies including one of a toddler were recovered from a house at Daminedu on the outskirts of Tirupati Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday The bodies of a couple who were in a livein relationship and their son were found in a decomposed state in Indiramma houses colony under the limits of Tiruchanur police stationNeighbours alerted the police after a foul smell emanated from the house Police broke open the door and found the bodiesThe deceased were identified as Satyaraj Ponnagutte Nayagi both in their 30s and their threeyearold ManishWhile Sathyaraj was found hanging the bodies of Nayagi and Manish were lying near the washroom Since a bottle of poison was found in the house police suspect that he poisoned his partner and their son before committing suicideLocals told police that the trio had not come out of the house since November 22The deceased hailed from Gudiyattam in neighbouring Tamil NaduPreliminary investigation by the police revealed that Satyaraj left his wife and had an extramarital affair with Nayagi from the same area They had shifted to Tirupati three months agoSatyaraj and Nayagi were working as daily wage labourers in the areaCircle Inspector Sunil Kumar said the bodies were shifted to the government hospital for postmortem examinationPolice have registered a case and are investigatingMeanwhile police in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh continued their probe into the suicide of the daughter of senior IAS officer ChinnarammuduMadhuri Sahithibai 27 was found hanging in the bathroom of her room at their Tadepalli residence on Sunday night Madhuri had a love marriage with Rajesh Naidu of Nandyal district in March 2025 The intercaste marriage turned distressing within three months with Madhuri accusing her husband of harassment She was brought back to her parentsâ home two months agoOn a complaint by Madhuriâs family the police registered a case and took up an investigation They alleged that Rajesh was harassing her for additional dowry IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/three-bodies-recovered-from-a-shut-house-in-tirupati-probe-underway-651072.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-modi-praises-teenagers-feat-of-reciting-2-000-mantras-vedic-verses-651017.html New Delhi Dec 2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised a teenager who achieved a rare feat of reciting 2000 mantras and Vedic verses in Varanasi Uttar Pradesh In a message on X PM Modi said âWhat 19yearold Vedamurti Devavrat Mahesh Rekhe has done will be remembered by the coming generationsââEvery person passionate about Indian culture is proud of him for completing the Dandakrama Parayanam consisting of 2000 mantras of the Shukla Yajurvedaâs Madhyandini branch in 50 days without any interruption This includes several Vedic verses and sacred words recited flawlessly He embodies the finest of our Guru Paramparaâ he saidâAs the MP from Kashi I am elated that this extraordinary feat took place in this sacred city My Pranams to his family the several saints seers scholars and organisations from all over India that have supported himâ said PM ModiOn Monday the Prime Minister greeted the nation on the sacred day of Gita JayantiIn a message on X PM Modi said âHeartfelt greetings to my family members across the country on the sacred day of âGita Jayantiâ associated with the advent of the Shrimad Bhagavad GitaââThis divine scripture adorned with invaluable messages on the fulfillment of duty has held an extremely distinctive place in Indian family social and spiritual life Its divine verses will continue to inspire every generation towards selfless action Jai Shri Krishnaâ said PM ModiOn Tuesday PM Modi also greeted the BJP National President on his birthday In a message on X he said âBest wishes to Shri JP Nadda Ji on his birthday He is widely respected for his humble and affable personality He is known for his organisational skills and passion towards good governance His role in making the BJP stronger is laudatoryâEqually noteworthy are his efforts to improve Indiaâs health infrastructure as well as our strides in the chemicals and fertilisers sector May God bless him with a long and healthy life he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-modi-praises-teenagers-feat-of-reciting-2-000-mantras-vedic-verses-651017.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-metro-train-halts-inside-tunnel-commuters-forced-to-walk-on-track-650976.html Chennai Dec 2 A Chennai Metro train on the Blue Line was stranded inside a tunnel near Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MG Ramachandran Central Metro early Tuesday morning forcing passengers to walk nearly 500 metres to safety after services came to an abrupt halt due to a technical snag According to passengers the train was heading from Chennai International Airport to Wimco Nagar when it suddenly stopped between Central Metro and High Court stations The incident occurred close to 500 metres from the Central Railway Station stretch inside the underground tunnelCommuters reported that the lights went off momentarily and the train became immobile creating panic among those onboard For nearly ten minutes passengers said they felt âtrappedâ inside the stalled rake with no clarity on what had gone wrongVideos shared from inside the train showed commuters holding onto handrails and peering outside in confusion as they waited for information from the control room Eventually an onboard announcement informed passengers that the train could not be moved immediately and that they would need to walk to the nearest station High Court through the walkway inside the tunnelChennai Metro Rail staff and technical personnel arrived promptly to assist the evacuation Passengers including women and elderly commuters were guided carefully along the emergency walkway for approximately 500 metres before reaching High Court Metro station where additional staff were deployed to handle the situationThe Chennai Metro Rail Limited CMRL later confirmed that the disruption was caused by a technical fault possibly related to a momentary power outage Technical teams rectified the issue following which services on the Blue Line were restoredIn an official statement shared on X CMRL said âMetro train services between Airport and Wimco Nagar Depot on the Blue Line have resumed normal operation Services between Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MG Ramachandran Central Metro and St Thomas Mount on the Green Line are also running as per schedule We regret the inconvenience causedâThe breakdown which lasted for more than half an hour caused significant discomfort to passengers many of whom were on their morning commute While normal services have resumed CMRL has initiated an internal assessment to determine the exact cause of the glitch and to prevent similar incidents in future IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/chennai-metro-train-halts-inside-tunnel-commuters-forced-to-walk-on-track-650976.html Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-ensures-fertiliser-supply-for-rabi-season-appeals-to-farmers-not-to-fall-for-rumours-650880.html Ahmedabad Nov 30 With the Rabi season underway the Gujarat government has moved to reassure farmers that fertiliser supplies are stable and sufficient across the state Officials said that a strong distribution plan is in place to ensure every farmer receives fertiliser on time and in adequate quantity urging cultivators not to be influenced by misleading rumours According to the Agriculture Directorate Gujarat currently has over 208 lakh metric tonnes of urea and 49000 metric tonnes of DAP DiAmmonium Phosphate available for farmers The state has been receiving steady supplies with 12500 metric tonnes of urea delivered over the last three days alone Another 22000 metric tonnes is scheduled to reach various districts next weekFor the ongoing Rabi period October 2025 to March 2026 the Centre has allocated 1390 lakh MT of urea and 290 lakh MT of DAP to Gujarat Of this 548 lakh MT of urea and 218 lakh MT of DAP have already arrived in the state Farmers have so far used 344 lakh MT of urea and 168 lakh MT of DAP this season leaving substantial stocks in district warehousesSupplies are being sent out in accordance with districtwise requirements with seven railway rake points currently operational for distribution The Agriculture Directorate has appealed to farmers to purchase fertilisers only as per their actual need and avoid unnecessary stocking emphasising that supply is adequate and closely monitoredOfficials reiterated that the state has more than enough fertiliser to meet Rabi demand and urged farmers to ignore false claims suggesting shortagesIn Gujarat there are approximately 532 lakh farmers as per the 201516 agricultural census These farmers cultivate a varied range of crops the state is known for major produce such as cotton groundnut wheat rice maize mustard sesame pulses fruits and vegetablesThe farmers cultivate a diverse mix of crops shaped by the stateâs varied agroclimatic zones from arid Kutch to fertile central and southern beltsThe state is a major producer of cotton often called its âwhite goldâ along with large quantities of groundnut sesame castor and other oilseeds In the Saurashtra and North Gujarat regions farmers grow wheat jowar bajra and gram while central and South Gujarat support extensive rice and sugarcane cultivation due to better irrigationThe state also leads in spices like cumin fennel and coriander and has thriving horticulture producing mangoes notably Kesar bananas sapota guava and vegetables such as onions tomatoes and brinjals IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-ensures-fertiliser-supply-for-rabi-season-appeals-to-farmers-not-to-fall-for-rumours-650880.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 02:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/northeast-frontier-railway-deploys-underwater-robots-for-enhanced-bridge-safety-650960.html Guwahati Nov 30 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR has successfully conducted extensive underwater and structural inspections of major railway bridges using advanced Remotely Operated Robotic Vehicle RORV technology officials said on Sunday This RORV technology includes critical bridges such as the iconic Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra and several important bridges under the Alipurduar APDJ Division in North BengalNFRâs Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the major railway bridges have substructures that remain submerged yearround making underwater inspection essential for assessing the condition of foundations wells and piersThe historic Saraighat Bridge in Assam Indiaâs first railcumroad bridge over the Brahmaputra River spans 145 km and connects Pandu and Amingaon As one of the most vital railâroad lifelines of Northeast India it was inspected using a combination of RORV surveys LiDAR thermal imaging Ground Penetrating Radar GPR and Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity UPV testsThe assessments covered pier caps well foundations underwater scour zones superstructure stress points and deck componentsIn the APDJ Division 18 important bridges were inspected thoroughly with RORV capturing highresolution visuals of submerged piers riverbeds and potential defects the CPRO saidAccording to Sharma across all these structures no major underwater defects were detected During 202425 NFR completed underwater inspection of 13 bridges using RORV and during 202526 34 additional bridges have already been inspected he statedThese insights enhance the accuracy of NFRâs structural health monitoring and support the timely planning of preventive maintenanceThe official said that the NFR remains committed to utilising modern inspection technologies to ensure the continued safety and longevity of major bridges across the region The application of RORV coupled with advanced digital tools marks a significant step forward in scientific bridge assessmentNFR will continue strengthening its inspection framework to safeguard critical connectivity routes especially structures like the Saraighat Bridge and key bridges under NFR which are central to rail operations across the Northeast regionThe Northeast Frontier Railway NFR operates in the Northeastern states and in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of northern Bihar IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/northeast-frontier-railway-deploys-underwater-robots-for-enhanced-bridge-safety-650960.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-weather-pahalgam-freezes-at-minus-56-srinagar-shivers-at-minus-44-650824.html Srinagar Nov 30 Jammu and Kashmirs popular tourist hill station Pahalgam froze on Sunday at minus 56 degrees Celsius and Srinagar city shivered at minus 44 as the Valley witnessed the coldest November since 2007 The Meteorological MeT Department officials said the minimum temperature was minus 44 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city while it was minus 56 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam and minus 14 degrees Celsius in GulmargâNovember 2025 has recorded the lowest minimum temperature since November 2007 Jammu city recorded 88 Katra town 9 Batote 47 Banihal minus 07 and Bhaderwah 03 as the minimum temperature todayâ the MeT department officials said adding that the weather is likely to remain dry till December 10 and the minimum temperature is expected to drop further during this periodAs the night temperature dropped below the freezing point a feeble winter sun rose on the hazy sky in the Valley without providing much warmth to morning walkers and those out of their homes in the early hours of the dayAs the cold wave became severe authorities have announced winter vacation for classes up to 8 from December 1 while for Classes 9 to 12 winter vacation will start from December 11People have started wearing the traditional winter attire of Kashmir called the âPheranâ a tweed overgarment In rural areas and also at many places in cities and towns people hold an earthen firepot woven in willow wicker filled with live charcoal called the âKangriâ under the Pheran to ward off the winter coldThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each yearDuring this period of extreme winter cold water bodies in the Valley freeze and people have to battle with water taps in the morning to defreeze themThe gap between the maximum and the minimum temperature becomes very narrow during the Chillai Kalan as the night temperature drops between minus 5 to minus 7 while the day temperature rarely gets into the double digits IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampk-weather-pahalgam-freezes-at-minus-56-srinagar-shivers-at-minus-44-650824.html Sun, 30 Nov 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-modi-hails-unveiling-of-br-ambedkars-bust-at-unesco-on-constitution-day-650449.html New Delhi Nov 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described the installation of Dr BR Ambedkars bust at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as a matter of immense pride and a fitting global tribute to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution Taking to X on the occasion of the 75th Constitution Day the Prime Minister wrote It is a matter of immense pride that today on Constitution Day a bust of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris This is a fitting tribute to Dr Ambedkar and his role in the making of our Constitution His thoughts and ideals give strength and hope to innumerable people across the worldThe bronze bust sculpted by renowned artist Naresh Kumawat was formally unveiled by Indias Permanent Representative to UNESCO Vishal V Sharma in the presence of UNESCO DirectorGeneral Audrey Azoulay and senior diplomatsThe ceremony coincided with Indiaâs celebration of Samvidhan Divas marking the day in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly adopted the ConstitutionSpeaking at the event Ambassador Sharma highlighted BR Ambedkars lifelong struggle against social discrimination and his vision of equality justice liberty and fraternity principles that continue to inspire marginalised communities globallyUNESCO recognised the installation as a celebration of universal human rights and the fight against castebased oppression values that resonate deeply with the organisations mandateThe bust now stands alongside statues of global icons such as Nelson Mandela Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr in UNESCOs Garden of Peace making Dr Ambedkar the first Indian leader after Mahatma Gandhi to receive this honour in ParisSince 2015 when Prime Minister Modi declared November 26 as Constitution Day the government has consistently projected Dr Ambedkars legacy on international platformsThe Paris unveiling follows similar tributes at the United Nations in New York the British Parliament and Columbia University Congratulating the Indian mission the Prime Minister added that Babasahebs life remains a beacon for billions striving for dignity and equalityHis thoughts and ideals give strength and hope to innumerable people across the world he reiterated IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pm-modi-hails-unveiling-of-br-ambedkars-bust-at-unesco-on-constitution-day-650449.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ajmers-mayo-college-marks-150-years-celebrating-the-legacy-of-indias-eton-of-the-east--650008.html Jaipur Nov 23 Mayo College in Ajmer called as Eton of the East is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year The College opened in 1875 with Maharaja Mangal Singh of Alwar as its first student Surprisingly Singh entered the school premises with a royal cavalcade on a caparisoned elephant with a procession of trumpeters bearers camels and aides on horseback and had a team of 500 servants 12 elephants and 600 horsesIn fact besides Alwar princes from different Rajputana kingdoms came and built lavish buildings during their stay as students here which still can be seen standing tall speaking stories of mighty might of India in those times Basically it was in 1869 when Lt Col FKM Walter proposed establishing a special institution for the allround education of the subcontinentâs young princesA year later Viceroy Lord Mayo refined this vision into the idea of a grand âRaj Kumar Collegeâ in Ajmerâan elite school designed to educate the heirs of princely families But the Viceroy never saw his dream take shape as he was assassinated in Port Blair on February 8 1872 by Afghan prisoner Sher Ali Afridi during an official visit to the Andaman Islands Despite his death the project moved forward Mayo College began operating in 1875Dr Mohit Mohan Mathur Head of the History Department speaking to IANS said that after the 1857 rebellion the British realised the value of Indian princely states as allies Mayo College was created to educate their heirs in a blend of Indian and Western values so that they would support British governance The result was an elite school that produced future rulers military leaders diplomats and politiciansThe foundation stone of the elite schools iconic Main Building was laid on January 5 1878 and completed in 1885 at a cost of Rs 328 lakhâentirely funded by royal family donorsMeanwhile school principal Saurav Sinha told IANS âWe would rather call this 150yearold school as exclusive and not elite as it has been maintaining its rich legacy while moving forward with modern trends This school has a soul where education and traditions meet Students from all parts learn to celebrate each festival which ensures they learn to respect cultures acrossThe school showcases a masterpiece of IndoSaracenic Architecture Several designs were submitted for the college building ranging from Greek to Kolhapur stylesLater Major Charles Mantâs IndoSaracenic designâan elegant combination of Mughal Indian and European elementsâwas finally chosen Interestingly the building appears different from each side when viewed from the centre a unique feature that earned the design a place in the British MuseumThe campus today includes a polo ground golf course museum amphitheatre and lavish boarding houses named after princely states One striking feature is a massive 1936 âOn Air of Indiaâ map depicting the entire subcontinent including presentday Pakistan and Bangladesh Mayo College hosts a rare school museum with over 9000 gifted itemsâno item was purchasedThe museum in charge Dr Kanika Mandal highlights miniature royal paintings ancient coins and currencies manuscripts including the Persian AnwariSohaili an arms gallery 240 varieties of bird eggs sculptures and unique craft items Among its prized possessions is a silverandivory crayon hoelike tool used to lay the foundation stone of the college in 1878 and later used in constructing four major buildingsMayo College has educated royalty from beyond India Besides Indian princes Sayyid bin Taimur the Sultan of Oman studied here in 1922 His nephew Sayyid Fahir bin Taimur Al Said who studied here from 194147 and later became Omanâs Deputy Prime Minister helped construct Oman House and its guest house during a visit in 1985The school has been branded as Eton of the East Actually Lord Lytton Viceroy of India captured the institutionâs spirit during the Annual Prize Day on December 5 1879 âAjmer is Indiaâs Eton and you are Indiaâs Eton boysâ he saidHH Gaj Singh of Jodhpur President of the Mayo General Council says âThe average lifespan of institutions is shrinkingâfrom 64 years to 14 years for Fortune 500 companies Itâs rare for a school to survive 150 years Mayo has endured because of holistic education institutional renewal and stakeholder inclusion This anniversary is a pledge for every Mayo stakeholder to be a good ancestorâby giving time talent and treasure to strengthen the school for future generationsâAmong its alumni are celebrated names such as author Vikram Chandra former diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla and commentator Charu SharmaGaj Singh says âOn Mayoâs 50th anniversary Chief Guest Lord Irwin suggested âsuccess in the examination room has its value but it is not and should never be the sole or indeed the main aim to which those responsible for the college ought to direct their attentionâ âOn our 100th anniversary Chief Guest the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suggested âReal achievement is not counted in terms of rank or wealth but comes from the pursuit of excellenceâFor our 150th anniversary in November the General Council wanted a powerful role model for our students and chose publicspirited entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani as our Chief guest He not only cocreated our software revolution India now exports more software than Saudi Arabia does oil but also donated hundreds of crores to his alma mater and revolutionised society by providing our citizens with AadhaarâOn its 150th anniversary there will be a fourday event from November 2730 which will feature a special assembly art exhibitions the inauguration of the Kapuriah Centre of Excellence for AI and Robotics the Harvard vs Mayo polo match curated fashion show a vintage car show and live performances by Sonu Nigam Salman Ali and Euphoria among othersAs part of the celebrations the main Prize Giving ceremony will be held on November 29 Nilekani will attend the event as the Chief Guest and inspire the students with his presenceGaj Singh says âA school like Mayo will never move the needle on a population scale for India but it is a lighthouse of holistic education excellence and resilienceâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ajmers-mayo-college-marks-150-years-celebrating-the-legacy-of-indias-eton-of-the-east--650008.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/martyrdom-day-eve-president-murmu-pays-tribute-to-guru-tegh-bahadur-calls-for-unity-650026.html New Delhi Nov 23 On the eve of âMartyrdom Dayâ of Guru Teg Bahadur President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday called upon people to adopt his values and strengthen unity In a message she said âI pay my humble tribute to Guru Teg Bahadur Ji on the occasion of his 350th martyrdom dayâShe said Guru Teg Bahadur sacrificed his life to preserve the ideals of righteousness humanity and truthâHis valour sacrifice and selfless service are a source of inspiration for everyone His teachings inspire us to move forward on the path of justice with determination and courageâ she said adding âLet us adopt his values in our lives and work to strengthen harmony and unity in our countryâOn Saturday Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced November 25 as a public holiday to commemorate the sacred occasion of the 350th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Tegh BahadurâMay Guru Sahibâs timeless message of courage compassion and freedom of faith continue to guide and inspire us in our collective journey aheadâ she said in a message on XOn Sunday a threeday Gurmat Samagam started near the Red Fort to mark the 350th Martyrdom DayThe Chief Minister said that the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur is being observed across the country with deep devotion reverence and enthusiasmIn Delhi too a grand threeday commemoration has been planned at the Red Fort on November 23 24 and 25She added that this historic monument stands as a witness to Guru Tegh Bahadurs supreme sacrifice and extended an invitation to people from across Delhi and the nation to participate in the eventSharing details of the programme the Chief Minister said that the threeday event will feature several significant activitiesThese will include a grand museum showcasing important historical accounts and evidence related to the life and martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur A special lightandsound show will be presented on the ramparts of the Red Fort and seven Sangat groups will perform Satsang and Kirtan CM Gupta addedInviting the people of Delhi to join this historic occasion the Chief Minister said that such an event is witnessed only once in many centuries and urged everyone to come together to pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur and seek his blessings IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/martyrdom-day-eve-president-murmu-pays-tribute-to-guru-tegh-bahadur-calls-for-unity-650026.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ukhand-reschedules-public-holiday-for-guru-tegh-bahadur-martyrdom-day-to-nov-25--650036.html Dehradun Nov 23 The Uttarakhand government has revised the date of the public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day for 2025 shifting it from November 24 to November 25 The change has been notified through an official order issued by the states General Administration Department The earlier notification had listed November 24 Monday as a public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day The new order partially amends that notification According to the government the holiday will now be observed on November 25 Tuesday instead of the previously declared November 24 The revised date will apply to state government offices nongovernment offices and educational institutions across Uttarakhand The notification clarifies that the revised public holiday will not apply to the Uttarakhand Secretariat the State Assembly and those government offices where a fiveday work week is in force Such establishments will continue to follow their existing schedule as per norms The order states that the revised notification should be considered applicable strictly to the extent of the date change with all other conditions remaining unaltered No modifications have been made to any other holidays or clauses mentioned in the earlier 2024 notification State officials said the decision was taken to ensure that the observance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day aligns with the accurate calendar date for 2025 The Sikh community traditionally marks the day to commemorate the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru who is remembered for his defence of religious freedom and his sacrifice under the Mughal regime The revised order has been digitally signed by Vinod Kumar Suman Secretary Uttarakhand Copies of the amended notification have been circulated to all relevant administrative departments district authorities and senior officials for compliance Public institutions and offices covered under the notification have been instructed to implement the revised date and update their holiday schedules accordingly The General Administration Department has also directed concerned departments to ensure that the revised information is communicated effectively so that employees and institutions are aware of the correct holiday date With the updated order November 25 will now be observed as the official public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day across the state replacing the earlier notified date IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ukhand-reschedules-public-holiday-for-guru-tegh-bahadur-martyrdom-day-to-nov-25--650036.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-reviewing-central-labour-codes-with-focus-on-worker-protection-minister-sivankutty-649903.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 22 Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday reiterated that the state would not adopt any antiworker stance while implementing the Central Governments new labour codes Sivankutty said the state government is carefully evaluating the proposed reforms to ensure that Keralas longstanding traditions of labour protection trade union rights and social security are not underminedWe are firm that Kerala would not permit any move that weakens the rights of workers or dilutes the influence of trade unions which play a vital role in maintaining industrial harmony and safeguarding employee welfare said the MinisterWhile acknowledging that simplification of labour laws should contribute to creating an industryfriendly environment Sivankutty stressed that this goal must not come at the cost of worker dignityAny labour reform must ultimately enhance the quality of life of workers he saidKerala will prioritise fair wages comprehensive health and safety measures stronger social security coverage and decent working conditions added SivankuttyHe further emphasised that reforms must be designed to protect not compromise the basic rights and livelihood of workers who form the backbone of the states economyThe minister said statelevel rules aligned with the Central labour codes will only be framed after thorough consultations with all major trade unions employer associations and representatives from the industrial sectorThe government intends to build consensus on key provisions before finalising any regulatory framework added SivankuttySivankutty confirmed that necessary safeguards will be built into the rules to ensure that no existing or new provision negatively affects Keralas workersThe government is committed to ensuring that every worker in the state receives adequate protection both in law and in practice he addedKerala known for its strong labour traditions has repeatedly highlighted that policy changes should balance industrial growth with worker welfareThe ministers statement underscores the states position that development cannot be pursued at the expense of social justice and labour rights IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-reviewing-central-labour-codes-with-focus-on-worker-protection-minister-sivankutty-649903.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/op-drishti-army-hospital-team-restores-sight-for-hundreds-in-jampk-649924.html New Delhi Nov 22 In a monumental display of commitment to both serving personnel and local communities the Northern Commands Command Hospital in Udhampur successfully concluded Op Drisht a firstofitskind advanced surgical eye camp in collaboration with a specialised surgical team from Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi the Ministry of Defence MoD said on Saturday Held from November 18 to 22 the camp far exceeded expectations screening over 2000 people and performing more than 400 complex eye surgeries including procedures for cataracts glaucoma and retinal ailmentsPeople including serving personnel dependents Veer Naris war widows and local civilians came from farflung areas of Jammu and Kashmir including remote villages in Udhampur Doda Rajouri Poonch Kishtwar Ramban etcThe surgical team consisted of highly skilled and experienced ophthalmologists led by Brigadier SK Mishra a distinguished ophthalmic surgeon and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital Research and Referral who has the distinction of performing surgery on two Indian Presidents the MoD said in its press noteDefence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually addressed the closing ceremony and appreciated the efforts of the Northern Command and Armed Forces Medical Services AFMS for providing emergency medical care as and when required to the people of Jammu and KashmirChief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi also virtually addressed the gathering congratulating the AFMS and Northern Command for this unique endeavourJammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the closing ceremonyGeneral Officer CommandinginChief Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma was present on the occasionUnion Minister Jitendra Singh also visited the camp on November 20 to interact with the patientsThe camp delivered lifealtering results restoring the sight of 96yearold Rajkumari Devi and 72yearold Surinder Singh from PoonchAfter recovering his sight Surinder Singh who had witnessed tragic losses during Operation Sindoor shelling transformed his gratitude into action personally mobilising fellow citizens struggling with hardship to avail the facilitiesSimilarly 56yearold retired soldier Abdullah Shafeeq from Mendhar proved pivotal in coordinating aid for conflictimpacted residentsOp Drishti stands as a powerful testament to the AFMS and Northern Commands profound commitment to the health and wellbeing of the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/op-drishti-army-hospital-team-restores-sight-for-hundreds-in-jampk-649924.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/manipur-international-polo-tournament-kicks-off-in-imphal-649939.html Imphal Nov 22 With much fanfare the 15th edition of Manipur International Polo Tournament began on Saturday at Imphal Pologround Mapal Kangjeibung regarded as one of the oldest polo grounds in the world An official of the Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association which organised the contest said that international and national teams including players from the US Colombia India A Indian Polo Association India B Manipur and India C Chhattisgarh will showcase their expertise talent skill and tactical brilliance as they compete for the championship title and the coveted winning trophyAmid numerous events the inaugural function of the 15th Manipur International Polo Tournament was held on Saturday at Imphal Pologround Mapal Kangjeibung located in the heart of ImphalManipur Horse Riding and Polo Association organised the weeklong contest with thousands of sports lovers including women gathered at the ground to witness the inaugural event and the opening matchMapal Kangjeibung looked unusually crowded for the polo matchManipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel welcomed dignitaries international teams and local polo associations to Manipurs international polo tournament held at the world famous polo groundHe highlighted Manipur as the birthplace of polo Sagol Kangjei and emphasised the sports deep cultural significance to the stateSagol Kangjei is an ancient Manipuri sport that is the origin of modern poloThe tournament aims to preserve Manipurs polo heritage promote the indigenous Manipuri pony and foster international collaboration Goel saidThe Chief Secretary also outlined government plans to popularise polo by improving infrastructure bringing in international coaches and hosting more global events in coordination with the Tourism Department Department of Information and Public Relations and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region DoNERHe appreciated the organisers and expressed hope for a successful tournament that upholds polos enduring spiritThe opening match featured a thrilling contest between the US Polo Team and the Colombia Polo TeamColombia emerged victorious with a 64 win setting an exciting tone for the tournamentThe sevendaylong tournament will offer thrilling moments for all horse polo enthusiasts beginning Saturday and continuing till November 27 with the grand finale scheduled on November 29Retired IAS officer H Deleep Singh who is the President of Manipur Horse Riding and Polo Association MHRPA and Shailesh Kumar Chaurasia Commissioner of Manipur government graced the event as the President and Guest of Honour respectivelyThe polo tournament was organised at the same time as Manipurs annual Sangai Festival a 10day tourism festival organised by the state governments Tourism Department to boost tourism and related economyThe 10day Sangai Tourism Festival began at Hapta Kangjeibung in Manipurs capital Imphal on Friday November 21Interestingly both the events highlight two animals endemic to Manipur that are nearing extinctionhe Sangai Festival is named after the state animal the Sangai a critically endangered browantlered deer found in the marshy wetland of Keibul Lamjao National Park about 45 km from Imphal IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/manipur-international-polo-tournament-kicks-off-in-imphal-649939.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 02:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-cm-changes-his-programme-venue-for-citizens-wedding-in-jamnagar-649955.html New Delhi Nov 23 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel directed the relocation of a scheduled government programme in Jamnagar to ensure that a local familys wedding could proceed without disruption The decision came after concerns were raised by the family of Sanjana Parmar whose wedding had been planned for Sunday at the City Town HallAccording to details provided by the family preparations for the wedding were in their final stages when they learned that the Chief Minister was scheduled to visit Jamnagar the next day November 24 where a public event was also planned to take place at the same Town HallWith security arrangements and police deployment beginning ahead of the Chief Ministers visit the family feared that the heightened protocols could cause difficulties during the wedding ceremoniesThe matter was brought to the attention of the Chief Ministers Office following which Chief Minister Patel issued instructions to shift the venue of his official programmeThe venue of our programme shall be changed the familys concern is our concern the Chief Minister directed according to officials familiar with the decisionSpeaking about the relief this decision brought Brijesh Parmar the brides uncle said the family had been deeply worried about potential disruptionsSecuring a new venue during the wedding season informing guests and arranging everything afresh was difficult but one reassuring call from the Chief Minister allowed us to sleep peacefully that night he saidParmar added that the Chief Minister personally communicated with the family assuring them that the wedding could go ahead at the original venue without any interferenceThe decision ensured that the wedding could proceed as planned avoiding the logistical challenges that a lastminute change of venue would have posed during the peak marriage seasonThe incident highlights an instance of administrative flexibility and attention to citizens concerns reflecting a governance approach that acknowledges the impact of official programmes on the daytoday lives of residents IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/gujarat-cm-changes-his-programme-venue-for-citizens-wedding-in-jamnagar-649955.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/donald-trump-jr-arrives-in-udaipur-to-attend-royal-wedding-649760.html Jaipur Nov 21 US President Donald Trumpâs son Donald Trump Jr arrived in Udaipur on Friday to attend the grand royal wedding scheduled for November 23 at Jagmandir Island Palace He landed at Dabok Airport along with his girlfriend and briefly greeted the crowd waiting outside Trump Jr initially stepped out of the airport waved to people and got into his carHowever overwhelmed by the heavy crowd near the vehicle he stepped back out and returned inside the airport for a short while After a discussion between US security officials and local police media personnel and onlookers were moved nearly 100 feet away About five minutes later he came out again got into the car and departed for Hotel Leela The highprofile wedding is of Netra Mantena Elizabeth daughter of American billionaire Rama Raju Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju an Americanborn groom Wedding festivities will continue until November 24 Earlier the Haldi ceremony was held at the Taj Lake Palace where family members and guests danced during the celebrations Bollywood performances took place at the City Palace with stars like Madhuri Dixit Jacqueline Fernandez and Kriti Sanon already in attendanceTrump Jr who visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Thursday is staying in Udaipurâs luxurious Maharaja Suite costing nearly Rs 10 lakh per night Meanwhile major arrivals continued throughout the day Karan Johar Janhvi Kapoor Varun Dhawan and several other celebrities landed in Udaipur to join the celebrations International pop icon Jennifer Lopez is expected to land at 2 AM for a special performance at Manek Chowk on Saturday The wedding venue Jagmandir Island Palace on Lake Pichola is fully decked up as Udaipur gears up for another starstudded global celebration IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/donald-trump-jr-arrives-in-udaipur-to-attend-royal-wedding-649760.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-hc-moots-statewide-alert-system-to-trace-missing-persons-649695.html Kochi Nov 21 The Kerala High Court on Friday has proposed the creation of a statewide mechanism to disseminate information about missing persons to every citizen in an effort to improve search effectiveness and locate individuals quickly especially during the crucial âgolden periodâ The suggestion came from a Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice MB Snehalatha while hearing a habeas corpus plea filed by Santon Lama seeking to trace his father Suraj Lama Suraj who arrived in Kochi from Kuwait on October 5 has been missing since thenA Special Investigation Team SIT constituted under the Courtâs orders is currently leading the probeThe Court had earlier impleaded the AntiHuman Trafficking Unit and the Social Justice Department to aid the investigationDuring Fridayâs hearing the Bench expressed concern that the missing man could be nearby but unable to communicate his identityâWe have a lurking suspicion that the alleged detune may be still available very close by but remaining untraced only because he is unable to express himselfâ the judges observedThe Court highlighted the growing number of cases where people disappear without a trace and stressed the importance of a centralised realtime informationsharing networkâWe are of the view that information about him must be able to be circulated to every citizen in Kerala We are not sure if there is any such mechanism either with the police or any other authority If not we certainly recommend such a mechanismâ the Bench notedIt added that such a system would enable citizens to quickly provide clues to the police allowing them to act without losing valuable timeThe Government Pleader informed the court that he would consult the Police Department and other agencies on the practicality of implementing such a systemHe also confirmed that investigators are actively pursuing leads including unverified sightings of the missing man eating at shops and interacting with localsThe counsel representing the petitioner told the court that the family continues their own search and is enduring immense emotional strainThe Bench acknowledged the distress and assured âThe court will not rest until we are able to trace his fatherâThe matter will be taken up again on December 1 for further consideration IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-hc-moots-statewide-alert-system-to-trace-missing-persons-649695.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bengaluru-man-held-for-misbehaving-with-woman-under-pretext-of-petting-her-dog-649481.html Bengaluru Nov 20 A man has been arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly misbehaving with a woman on the pretext of showing affection to her pet dog police said on Thursday The incident occurred around 1030 pm on November 7 in the Jnanabharati police station limits The accused also snatched the womanâs mobile phone before fleeingDCP South West Anita Haddannavar said a case had been registered under Sections 74 752 3032 and 1152 of the BNS Act âThe accused was tracked down and arrested The stolen mobile phone has also been recoveredâ she said Further details about the accused are awaited she added According to the complaint the woman had stepped out for a walk with her dog in Upkar Layout when the man approached her and asked if he could pet the animal Believing him to be a dog lover she allowed it After caressing the dog he allegedly touched her inappropriately When she resisted he tried to assault her again prompting her to slap himDuring the commotion her mobile phone fell to the ground Before bystanders could intervene the man picked it up and fled The woman later filed a complaint following which police launched a search and analysed CCTV footage to identify the accusedThe incident comes amid two other recent crimes against women in the cityOn November 9 a man allegedly attempted to sexually assault a differentlyabled woman in MR Nagar under the Audugodi Police limits while under the influence of marijuanaOn November 6 police arrested a Rapido driver for allegedly harassing a female passenger The incident came to light after the woman shared her ordeal on social media The policeâs social media monitoring unit traced the post contacted her for details and registered a case The accused was identified as Lokesh 28 of Muniyappa Layout in Ullal IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bengaluru-man-held-for-misbehaving-with-woman-under-pretext-of-petting-her-dog-649481.html Thu, 20 Nov 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/how-sathya-sai-babas-message-of-service-influenced-pm-modis-early-leadership-path-649264.html New Delhi Nov 18 As India celebrates the birth centenary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba his profound influence on Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs governance philosophy comes to light Their bond was forged during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake when Baba mobilised thousands of volunteers to aid survivors embodying his creed âService to humanity is service to GodâPM Modi then an emerging leader collaborated with Babaâs teams to provide food shelter and medical careâWhen the earthquake struck Gujarat in 2001 Narendra Modi was not yet the Chief Minister but he took an active role in helping with relief work Sri Sathya Sai Baba and volunteers associated with him were also involved in the rescue efforts He called Modi to offer guidance and support in the ongoing rescue worksâ said a tweet on X by Modi ArchiveâUnder Babaâs direction thousands worked tirelessly in the affected areas showing unmatched care and compassion for every person Babaâs life was a living example of service and believed that âMaanav seva hai Madhav sevaâ service to humanity is service to Godâ it saidâOnce Modi talked with Baba about the countryâs future Baba smiled and told him âThe countryâs future is brightâ Hearing this Modi felt his worries fade and grew confident that Indiaâs future was secure Baba believed in the power of selfless service His message was simple and clear to Modi Do good be right serve humanityâ it addedToday as tributes pour in the Gujarat response remains a blueprint for communitydriven recoveryNotably Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on Wednesday to release a commemorative coin visit places of worship and release the 21st instalment of PMKISAN at a farming summit among other engagementsOn the eve of his departure PM Modi wrote on X âI look forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Andhra Pradesh tomorrow 19th November to participate in the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Satya Sai Baba in PuttaparthiâHe also highlighted Sri Sathya Sai Babaâs life and efforts towards community service and the spiritual awakening of societyAccording to PM Modiâs schedule for Wednesday he will visit the holy shrine and Mahasamadhi of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh to offer his obeisance and pay respects at around 10 amAt around 1030 am the Prime Minister will participate in the Centenary Celebrations of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said a statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/how-sathya-sai-babas-message-of-service-influenced-pm-modis-early-leadership-path-649264.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/4-000-villagers-attend-monkeys-funeral-feast-in-mp-district--649371.html Rajgarh Nov 19 In an unusual event more than 4000 people on Wednesday attended a mrityu bhoj funeral feast for a monkey in a village in Madhya Pradeshs Rajgarh district Villagers believed the monkey to be an incarnation of Lord Hanuman and performed all rituals typically reserved for human family members Twelve days ago the monkey died after being electrocuted by a hightension power line On November 8 villagers decorated the monkeyâs bier and organised a funeral procession accompanied by a DJ with the entire village participating The monkey was later cremated at Shanti Dham following traditional Hindu ritesAfter eleven days villagers including the village Patel Biram Singh Sondhiya travelled to Ujjain to immerse the ashes in the Shipra River Priests performed the rituals and the monkey was treated symbolically as a family member with even the shaving of the âbeardâ and the traditional eleventhday ceremony being observedUpon returning to Darawari villagers organised a large funeral feast on the twelfth day They raised nearly one lakh rupees in donations for the event The feast included puris prepared from about five quintals of flour 40 kilograms of sev curry made from 100 litres of buttermilk one quintal of sugar and a variety of vegetarian dishes Invitations were sent out to neighbouring villages and more than 4000 people from areas within a 3035 kilometre radius attendedA similar incident took place in 2022 when around 1500 residents of Dalupura village in Rajgarh district performed the last rites of another monkey A youth named Hari Singh even shaved his head as part of the ritual mourning process The monkey in that case was not a pet but a frequent visitor to the village In many parts of India monkeys are considered sacred due to their association with Lord HanumanFollowing those rites villagers had raised funds and organised a feast for more than 1500 people printing and distributing invitation cards for the occasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/4-000-villagers-attend-monkeys-funeral-feast-in-mp-district--649371.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/president-murmu-emphasises-effective-use-of-water-resources-649205.html New Delhi Nov 18 President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday that by adopting circular water economy systems all industries and other stakeholders can make effective use of water resources Presenting the sixth National Water Awards and Jal SanchayJan Bhagidari Awards at a function in Delhi President Murmu noted that along with water treatment and recirculation many industrial units have achieved the target of zero fluid dischargeShe stated that such efforts are useful for water management and conservation adding that in our national song the first word Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote is âSujalamâ which means âblessed with abundant water resourcesâThis fact reflects the priority of water for our country she saidThe President emphasised prioritisation of water conservation and consistent management at the level of central and state governments district administrations village panchayats and municipal bodiesShe noted that numerous educational institutions citizen groups and nongovernmental organisations are also contributing in this directionPresident Murmu advised farmers and entrepreneurs to adopt innovative methods of maximising production while minimising water consumptionShe highlighted that rational citizens who enthusiastically contribute individually are also important stakeholders in the waterprosperity value chainEffective water management is possible only with the participation of individuals families society and the governmentThe President said that while using water everyone should remember that we are using a very valuable assetShe underlined that tribal communities treat all natural resources including water with great respectPresident Murmu stressed that the most efficient use of water resources should be an integral part of the lifestyle of all our citizensShe advised everyone to remain constantly vigilant about water conservation both individually and collectively adding that it is crucial to spread water awareness in our countrys public consciousnessWater can only be harvested and conserved through the power of the peopleThe National Water Awards aim to create awareness among the people about the importance of water and motivate them to adopt the best water usage practicesThe Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari JSJB initiative has been leading to the emergence of diverse scalable and replicable models for artificial groundwater recharge through community participation and convergence of resources IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/president-murmu-emphasises-effective-use-of-water-resources-649205.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-farmers-reject-ktaka-dy-cms-assurance-on-mekedatu-dam-urge-cm-stalin-to-ensure-daily-cauvery-release-648993.html Chennai Nov 17 Farmersâ organisations in Tamil Nadu have firmly dismissed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumarâs recent claim that the Mekedatu dam project will not affect their stateâs share of Cauvery water They argue that Karnataka has repeatedly failed to honour the monthly water releases mandated by the Supreme Court and have urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to push for a daily water release mechanism to safeguard the stateâs irrigation needsThe concerns gained momentum after the Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Naduâs petition challenging the Mekedatu project Following the verdict Shivakumar reiterated that the dam would not obstruct the flow of water to Tamil Nadu and that Karnataka intended to move forward with constructionHe also maintained that the proposed balancing reservoir would ensure water supply during periods of scarcityFarmers in Tamil Nadu however view the situation differently They point out that the state has struggled to receive even the minimum monthly quota fixed by the apex courtWith the agricultural season already underway farmers maintain that the current pattern of irregular and delayed releases from Karnataka adversely affects crop planning and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on Cauvery irrigationAccording to farmersâ associations Tamil Nadu was entitled to receive 919 TMC of water for June and 3124 TMC for July under the Supreme Courtâs directives Yet the flow during these months has been far below the stipulated levelsFarmers argue that this chronic shortfall demonstrates Karnatakaâs unwillingness to meet its obligations casting doubt on assurances linked to the Mekedatu project They believe the Tamil Nadu government must adopt a more assertive approach urging the neighbouring state to comply strictly with the Courtâs ordersThe view among farmersâ groups is that monthly release schedules have proven ineffective and that only a structured daily allotment can ensure consistent availability of water for irrigation They also emphasise that Karnataka has a track record of releasing water only when its reservoirs are filled during monsoon periods leaving Tamil Nadu vulnerable during dry spellsWith Samba cultivation progressing across the delta region farmers warn that any further delay or reduction in water supply could lead to significant agricultural losses In this context farmers have appealed to Chief Minister MK Stalin to initiate strong sustained negotiations with Karnataka to secure uninterrupted daily release of Cauvery water and prevent a deepening crisis in TNâs irrigated farmlands IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-farmers-reject-ktaka-dy-cms-assurance-on-mekedatu-dam-urge-cm-stalin-to-ensure-daily-cauvery-release-648993.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/finally-my-own-home-maharashtras-old-woman-finds-dignity-thanks-to-pm-modis-housing-scheme-648959.html New Delhi Nov 16 In the narrow lanes of Dhule city in Maharashtra an old woman named Santosh Choudhary finally feels free from the constant stress of kaccha house The reason she now lives under a secure roof of her own built with support from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana PMAY For years Latabai struggled to manage rent from her limited income Our financial condition was very weak We lived in rented houses for years because we couldnât afford to build our own she told IANS But her life began to change when her application under PMAY was approvedMy form was selected in 2016 First I received Rs 60000 then Rs 40000 and gradually the full assistance I am very grateful to PM Modi because due to this scheme I finally have my own home Latabai saidWith the financial help provided under PMAY she was able to construct a small but strong house something she had only dreamed of earlierStanding inside her new home she says the scheme has not just given her a structure of bricks and cement but also dignity stability and a renewed sense of securityLatabai is among thousands of women in Maharashtra who have benefitted from the housing scheme aimed at providing affordable pucca houses to economically weaker familiesFor many like her PMAY has become a path to selfreliance replacing years of uncertainty with hope and a sense of belongingLaunched on April 1 2016 the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana â Gramin PMAYG is the Centres flagship mission under the Ministry of Rural Development and is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs PMAYG aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all houseless households and those living in kutcha or dilapidated housesThe scheme addresses the rural housing shortage and bridges the housing deficit in rural areas contributing significantly to the goal of Housing for AllBeneficiaries are identified using SocioEconomic and Caste Census data and verified by Gram SabhasThe Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of PMAYG for the period 2024â25 to 2028â29 with a target of constructing an additional two crore houses IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/finally-my-own-home-maharashtras-old-woman-finds-dignity-thanks-to-pm-modis-housing-scheme-648959.html Mon, 17 Nov 2025 02:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/wbssc-announces-candidates-list-for-slst-interview-for-teaching-jobs-in-bengal-schools-648891.html Kolkata Nov 16 The West Bengal School Service Commission WBSSC has released the list of candidates selected for interview who had appeared in the State Level Selection Test SLST exam held in September The list of candidates selected for the interviews for teaching jobs for Classes 11 and 12 was published late Saturday nightAccording to the sources in WBSSC more than 20000 job seekers have been called for interview The process of verifying their documents will begin on November 18State Education Minister Bratya Basu thanked WBSSC for its efforts to complete the recruitment process as per the Supreme Courts orders He also asked qualified job seekers who were not called for the interview to have faithThe West Bengal Central School Service Commission today published a preliminary list of intervieweligible candidates with detailed information of the candidates applying for the posts of teachers of classes XIXII on its website the minister said in a post on XHe informed that the recruitment process will be completed by DecemberThe document verification process of the said candidates is going to be officially initiated from November 18 2025âwhich is another shining example of our commitment to complete the recruitment process by December in a transparent strong and responsible manner as promised by our guardian the Honourable Chief Minister Therefore our sincere message to the job seekersâhave faith let there be faith added the education minister However the list of candidates to be called for interview for Classes 9 and 10 will be announced laterIn September the SSC held the State Level Selection Test SLST in two rounds to recruit teachers for Classes 9 to 12The SLST was held after nine years to fill up 35726 teaching posts for Classes 910 and 1112 Of these vacancies 23212 posts are for Classes 9 and 10 and 12514 are for Classes 11 and 12The fresh examination is being held in the backdrop of a teacher recruitment scam which rocked West Bengal politics for the last few yearsThe Supreme Court on April 3 annulled the appointment of about 26000 teachers and nonteaching staff whose recruitment was carried out following the 2016 selection processThe fresh exams were held following a Supreme Court order which also barred the previous panelâs 2016 tainted and ineligible candidates from appearing in the fresh exam IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/wbssc-announces-candidates-list-for-slst-interview-for-teaching-jobs-in-bengal-schools-648891.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/up-farmers-embrace-modern-agriculture-applaud-pm-krishi-sinchai-yojana-648798.html New Delhi Nov 15 As India witnesses a steady transformation in agricultural practices farmers who once depended solely on traditional methods are increasingly turning toward modern technologydriven farming This shift was clearly visible in a special seminar organised under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana PMKSY at the District Horticulture Office in Ghazipur where nearly 100 progressive farmers participated to learn about advanced irrigation technologies and modern cultivation toolsProgressive farmer Anup Rai speaking to IANS about the changing mindset among cultivators said âA farmer who used to rely on traditional farming methods and resources is now eager to adopt modern agriculture with advanced tools To support this transition the concerned department and agricultural scientists are regularly providing farmers with information about new and innovative technologiesâThe seminar focused on PMKSYâs core theme âPer Drop More Cropâ a mission aimed at improving wateruse efficiency through microirrigation techniques such as drip irrigation mini sprinklers portable sprinklers and microsprinklersSenior scientists Dr BK Singh Dr DK Singh and representatives from firms involved in âPer Drop More Cropâ systems provided technical training to farmers demonstrating how scientific irrigation can significantly boost yield while reducing water wastageDuring the event literature related to the scheme was distributed among progressive farmers helping them understand installation processes cost benefits and longterm advantages of microirrigation systems Scientists emphasised that adopting drip irrigation and sprinkler systems not only increases productivity but also ensures sustainable use of natural resourcesExperts highlighted the substantial subsidies being provided by the government under PMKSY Farmers were informed that a 90 per cent subsidy is available for drip irrigation and mini sprinkler systems while a 75 per cent subsidy is offered for portable sprinklers and rainguns a major incentive encouraging wider adoptionEstablished in 2015 PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana remains one of Indiaâs most impactful agricultural missions aimed at ensuring âHar Khet Ko Paniâ Water for Every Farm and promoting waterefficient farming practices By integrating modern technology and government support the scheme continues to empower farmers to move from traditional methods to a more advanced efficient and sustainable agricultural futureWith awareness programmes like the Ghazipur seminar the government aims to ensure that more farmers embrace innovation and contribute to a modern resourceefficient rural economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/up-farmers-embrace-modern-agriculture-applaud-pm-krishi-sinchai-yojana-648798.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indian-woman-goes-missing-in-pakistan-was-member-of-sikh-group-to-celebrate-parkash-purab-648619.html Chandigarh Nov 14 A woman Sikh pilgrim went missing from the group of devotees who had travelled to Pakistan on November 4 to celebrate the Parkash Purab birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev The pilgrim has been identified as Sarabjit Kaur a resident of Kapurthala district PunjabAs per official records the woman travelled to Pakistan on November 4 with a group of 1923 pilgrims via the Attari border in Amritsar under a bilateral agreement facilitating visits to religious shrinesThe âjathaâ was led by Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj of Akal Takht SahibAfter spending 10 days visiting various gurudwaras in Pakistan the group of 1922 returned to India on Thursday eveningAccording to immigration records Sarabjit Kaur had gone missing from the group Her name was not found in the records of Pakistanâs immigration while exiting nor in Indiaâs immigration records for reentryAfter her disappearance intelligence agencies in both India and Pakistan are trying to trace her whereaboutsSources in the Indian government told IANS that the Indian mission in Pakistan is in touch with the Pakistani authoritiesOn November 4 the Sikh pilgrims went to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Jiâs Prakash Parv However Pakistani officials reportedly denied 14 Hindus from Delhi and Lucknow from travelling with the Sikh groupLast month the Union government granted permission to the Sikh pilgrims to undertake a 10day journey to the Nankana Sahib shrine in Pakistan and mark the birth anniversary almost two weeks after it refused permission for the holy trip citing security concernsEvery year the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC sends a delegation of Sikh devotees to Pakistan to pay obeisance at various historic gurudwaras associated with the Sikh faith especially on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Jiâs Parkash Purb IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/indian-woman-goes-missing-in-pakistan-was-member-of-sikh-group-to-celebrate-parkash-purab-648619.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-procure-dgca-certified-agri-survey-drones-to-boost-farming-land-mapping-648312.html Chennai Nov 13 In a significant move to modernise farming practices and strengthen landsurvey operations the Tamil Nadu Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation TNUAVC functioning under the Higher Education Department has begun the process to procure DGCAcertified agricultural drones and surveygrade drones A senior official from the department confirmed that both categories of drones have successfully undergone rigorous testing by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA meeting all safety performance and operational standardsâThe DGCA typecertification is mandatory for any drone intended for formal use It ensures safety compliance and also makes them eligible for government subsidies and institutional loansâ the official saidTNUAVC has floated tenders for both types of drones According to the official the lightweight agricultural drones constructed using durable carbon fibre are engineered to offer endtoend technological solutions for farmersThese drones will come with precise spray mechanisms customised nozzles and firm antiinterference antennas to ensure seamless field operations They are also equipped with intelligent safety features such as earlywarning alerts and automatic returntohome functionsâThe drones can accurately spray any pesticide depending on plant growth patterns and field density They are also easy to assemble and will be supplied with a flightcrash warrantyâ he addedThe state government plans to procure around 50 such agri drones Alongside these TNUAVC will also acquire survey drones developed for highly accurate aerial mapping of land and other required areasThese drones will be fitted with advanced imaging systems capable of capturing clear nonpixelated photographs and highquality video footage ensuring improved land records planning and monitoringThe official said the survey drones are built with strong datasecurity features that automatically block unrecognised users from accessing or receiving information They are also designed to operate in varied terrains and withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures keeping in mind Tamil Naduâs climatic variationsBy bringing in these advanced drone systems the state government aims to enhance precision agriculture streamline landsurvey operations and expand the use of modern technological tools in governance and development activities The procurement process is expected to move forward in the coming weeks after which the drones will be gradually deployed across different regions of Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-procure-dgca-certified-agri-survey-drones-to-boost-farming-land-mapping-648312.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mercury-continues-free-fall-in-kashmir-srinagar-coldest-at-minus-21-degrees-648317.html Srinagar Nov 12 Temperature across Kashmir Valley continued to drop further on Thursday as Srinagar city recorded its coldest night at minus 21 degrees Celsius Pahalgam hill station recorded minus 38 degrees and Gulmarg had 05 minimum temperatureThe Meteorological MeT Department officials said that the minimum temperature is expected to drop further in the coming days in the ValleyâAs expected the minimum temperature dropped to minus 21 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today which is the lowest this season so far The night temperature is likely to drop further in the coming daysâ the MeT officials saidThe weather department has forecast generally dry weather from November 13 to November 15 generally cloudy weather towards the afternoon on November 16 and then dry weather between November 17 to November 19Jammu city recorded 102 Katra town 95 Batote 29 and Bhaderwah one degree as the minimum temperatureDue to the present cold wave in the Valley people have started wearing woollens including the traditional tweed overgarment called the âPheranâ An earthen pot woven in willow wicker filled with live charcoal called the âKangriâ is kept under the âPheranâ to ward off cold during the winter monthsPeople with a history of chest ailments elders and children have been cautioned by local doctors not to expose themselves for longer periods as cold air inhaled by people with lower immunity causes chestrelated diseasesThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins each year on December 21 and ends on January 30During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze either partially or completely depending upon the severity of winter cold Drinking water taps also freeze during the Chillai Kalan and locals have to battle with small fires lit around the water taps to defreeze them During extreme winter cold even the day temperature rarely rises above 7 degrees Celsius in the Valley IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mercury-continues-free-fall-in-kashmir-srinagar-coldest-at-minus-21-degrees-648317.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-madurai-farmers-in-distress-as-rates-of-kuruvai-crops-fall-in-open-market-648324.html Madurai Nov 13 As the kuruvai paddy harvest winds down in Tamil Nadus Madurai farmers are reeling under a steep 20 per cent fall in open market prices with a 62kg bag fetching just Rs 1400 this year compared to last yearâs Rs 1700 The drop comes despite a better yield this season leaving small and marginal farmers particularly distressedAccording to traders two key factors have triggered the slump a surge in paddy arrivals from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and higher moisture levels in locally harvested grain caused by untimely rainfallRice mill owners said that paddy with excess moisture has to be dried for nearly two months significantly increasing processing costs As a result the procurement price is reduced to offset the additional expenditure The availability of fine dry paddy varieties from neighbouring states is also exerting downward pressure on local rates they addedKuruvai paddy was cultivated in nearly 9000 hectares in Madurai this season similar to last year With nearly 80 per cent of the harvest completed farmers estimate that around 20 per cent of the total produce roughly 9000 tonnes is being sold directly in the open marketWhile Direct Procurement Centres DPCs offer Rs 255 per kg traders in the open market are paying only Rs 23 per kg At least onefifth of the farmers especially small cultivators prefer to sell to traders despite the loss They say traders arrive directly at the fields offer instant payment and avoid the long delays associated with DPCsMany farmers under pressure to settle debts and cover labour charges choose immediate clearance over higher returnsFarmers reported a bumper harvest this year with yields touching over 35 bags per acre compared to 30 bags last year However the price decline has neutralised the benefitAt the Mattuthavani Central Paddy Market traders confirmed that prices have fallen by Rs 25 per kg in recent days with about 4000 bags traded dailyRice millers noted that welldried paddy can still fetch up to Rs 27 per kg but much of the current seasonâs produce carries high moisture content due to intermittent rains Adding to farmersâ worries only 48 per cent of samba paddy in the delta region has been insured under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana with just three days left for enrolmentFarmers said they are unable to get the required documents as officials remain busy with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision SIR exerciseThe combined impact of falling prices moisturerelated deductions rising milling costs and insurance delays has cast a shadow over what should have been a profitable harvest season IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tns-madurai-farmers-in-distress-as-rates-of-kuruvai-crops-fall-in-open-market-648324.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-transfers-rs-233-crore-to-133-lakh-soyabean-farmers-under-bhavantar-yojana-648397.html Dewas Nov 13 Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Thursday pressed a button to transfer Rs 233 crore directly into the bank accounts of nearly 133 lakh soyabean farmers under the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana ensuring they receive the full minimum support price MSP despite lower market rates The statelevel event in Dewas highlighted Madhya Pradeshâs commitment to farmer welfare in the countryâs largest soybeanproducing state often called the âsoya bowlâThe scheme compensates the gap between the MSP of Rs 5328 per quintal and the prevailing mandi rate currently around Rs 4036 per quintal Farmers selling through registered mandis receive the difference approximately Rs 1300 per quintal via Direct Benefit Transfer DBTThe state has procured 270 lakh tonnes of soybean from over 160 lakh farmers so far Daily model rates are declared to maintain transparencyAs many as 936353 farmers have enrolled themselves under the scheme An AIpowered portal tracks mandi arrivals calculates weighted average prices in real time and triggers automatic DBT disbursements within 48 hours of sale verificationâThis eliminates delays and middlemenâ said a senior agriculture officialThe system uses satellite imagery and mobile apps for crop mapping enabling precise targeting of beneficiaries across the MalwaNimar black cotton soil beltDr Yadav addressing farmers reiterated the schemeâs launch in September to shield growers from market volatility âMadhya Pradesh stands firmly with its annadata farmers Every quintal sold will fetch full MSP valueâ he assuredThe government plans to expand AIdriven price forecasting to predict global soy trends and advise sowing patterns next seasonIn a parallel announcement the Chief Minister launched the Samadhan Yojana offering up to 100 per cent waiver on surcharges for over nine million electricity consumers with pending bills of three months or moreCovering domestic nondomestic agricultural and industrial users the onetime settlement scheme aims to clear legacy dues and restore an uninterrupted power supply especially to rural pump sets critical for rabi irrigationFarmers at the Dewas event praised the twin initiativesâBhavantar money came within days and now electricity worries are overâ said Raja Singh a farmer from UjjainThe state targets full procurement coverage by December with enhanced AI analytics to detect fraudulent claims through Aadhaarlinked biometric validation at mandis Madhya Pradeshâs techenabled farmer support model is being studied by neighbouring states reinforcing its leadership in agritech governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-transfers-rs-233-crore-to-133-lakh-soyabean-farmers-under-bhavantar-yojana-648397.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-transfers-over-rs-1-857-crore-to-over-126-crore-accounts-ensures-benefits-for-women-648228.html Seoni Nov 12 Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav transferred more than Rs 1857 crore directly into the bank accounts of 126 million women across Madhya Pradesh under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behan Yojana With this instalment eligible beneficiaries now receive Rs 1500 per month up from the earlier Rs 1250 The BJP government has pledged to further increase assistance to Rs 3000 per month in the futureThe Chief Minister initiated the transfer with a single click during a statelevel programme in Seoni on Wednesday This latest disbursement raises the total aid released under the scheme to over Rs 4491792 crore since its inception in June 2023During the same event Dr Yadav also dedicated development projects worth Rs 560 crore for the districtAddressing the gathering the CM interacted with beneficiaries and highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative on womens lives He emphasised that the scheme has enhanced economic independence boosted social respect and strengthened womens role in family decisionmakingMany women present at the venue expressed heartfelt gratitude affectionately referring to the Chief Minister as brother Mohan Several women drew a touching parallel stating that Dr Yadav cares for them just as Lord Krishna protected his sister SubhadraThe Mukhyamantri Ladli Behan Yojana operational for nearly two and a half years has disbursed financial aid in 29 monthly instalments up to October 2025 In addition women received a special Raksha Bandhan assistance of Rs 250 each in August 2023 2024 and 2025The direct benefit transfer mechanism ensures transparency and empowers women by linking them to the formal banking systemBeneficiaries shared that the monthly assistance is being utilised for essential household expenses childrens education healthcare and initiating smallscale enterprises This has fostered selfreliance and instilled greater confidence among women enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their families and communitiesThe schemes reach spans all 52 districts of the state Indore leads with 440723 enrolled women followed by Sagar with 419000 Rewa with 403000 Chhindwara with 390000 Dhar with 382000 and Jabalpur with 381000 beneficiaries Even smaller districts have witnessed substantial impact 93516 women in Harda and 80157 in Niwari have received supportGovernment officials described the programme as a cornerstone of womencentric development in Madhya Pradesh crediting it with narrowing gender disparities in financial access and decisionmaking powerThe Chief Minister reiterated the states commitment to continuing the scheme ensuring sustained empowerment for millions of sisters across urban and rural areasThe Seoni event concluded with cultural performances and testimonials from beneficiaries underscoring the schemes role in building a more inclusive and equitable society IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-cm-transfers-over-rs-1-857-crore-to-over-126-crore-accounts-ensures-benefits-for-women-648228.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cold-wave-sweeps-kashmir-srinagar-records-coldest-night-at-minus-16-648172.html Srinagar Nov 12 Jammu and Kashmirâs Srinagar city witnessed the coldest night of the season on Wednesday as the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees Celsius while the Pahalgam hill station recorded minus 38 The Meteorological MeT Department officials said the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city on WednesdayâAs expected the minimum temperature dropped to minus 16 degrees Celsius in Srinagar today which is the lowest this season so far The night temperature is likely to drop further in the coming days Pahalgam recorded minus 38 while Gulmarg recorded minus 1 today as the minimum temperatureâ the MeT officials saidJammu city recorded 10 degrees Katra town 9 Batote 45 and Bhaderwah 12 as the minimum temperatureDue to the present cold wave in the Valley people have started wearing woollens including the traditional tweed overgarment called the âPheranâ An earthen pot woven in a willow wicker basket filled with live charcoal called the âKangriâ is kept under the âPheranâ to ward off cold during the winter monthsPeople with a history of chest ailments elders and children have been cautioned by local doctors not to expose themselves for longer periods of cold as the air inhaled by people with lower immunity causes chestrelated diseasesThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ begins each year on December 21 and ends on January 30 During this period most water bodies in the Valley freeze either partially or completely depending upon the severity of winter coldDrinking water taps also freeze during the Chillai Kalan and locals have to battle with small fires lit around the water taps to defreeze them Roads become slippery and pedestrians and motorists have to negotiate pedestrian malls and roads with caution to avoid accidentsDuring extreme winter cold even the day temperature rarely rises above 7 degrees Celsius in the Valley IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cold-wave-sweeps-kashmir-srinagar-records-coldest-night-at-minus-16-648172.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-spend-rs-25-100-crore-on-power-purchase-to-meet-rising-demand-648174.html Chennai Nov 12 With the stateâs daily electricity demand averaging 16000 megawatts MW Tamil Nadu is gearing up for a massive power procurement exercise worth over Rs 25100 crore over the next five years to ensure uninterrupted supply during both regular and peak hours According to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation TANGEDCO the state currently generates an average of 3000 MW from thermal plants 1000 MW from hydropower stations and around 150 MW from gasbased plantsThe remaining demand is met through central generating stations and private power companies To address the increasing consumption particularly during highdemand periods the state has floated tenders to procure 500 MW of electricity every day during peak hours for the next three years In addition a fiveyear tender has been issued to purchase 1000 MW of power round the clock from private producersThe peak hours between 6 am and 10 am and again from 6 pm to 10 pm are the most expensive period for electricity procurement Even if the maximum tariff is capped at Rs 8 per unit the daily expenditure for 500 MW would amount to nearly Rs 32 crore translating to about Rs 3500 crore over three yearsMeanwhile the 24hour supply agreement for 1000 MW over five years is projected to cost approximately Rs 21600 crore Together the total outlay for both arrangements will reach Rs 25100 croreOfficials noted that the decision was made to prevent outages during the upcoming northeast monsoon season and to maintain grid stability as the stateâs demand continues to rise steadilyThe government is also exploring renewable energy integration with a focus on solar and wind sources to gradually reduce dependence on costly thermal and imported powerThe new procurement strategy is expected to provide crucial support to Tamil Naduâs industries and domestic consumers alike ensuring a stable and reliable power supply despite fluctuating generation levels from hydel and renewable sources IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-to-spend-rs-25-100-crore-on-power-purchase-to-meet-rising-demand-648174.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-to-launch-25-anbu-cholai-recreation-centres-for-senior-citizens-today-647765.html Chennai Nov 10 Chief Minister MK Stalin will inaugurate 25 Anbu Cholai Senior Citizens Recreation and Resource Centres across Tiruchirappalli district on Monday The initiative established at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore is part of the Tamil Nadu governments efforts to enhance the quality of life and social engagement of elderly citizensAimed at promoting physical mental and emotional wellbeing among senior citizens the Anbu Cholai centres function as daycare facilities providing opportunities for companionship recreation and community participationEach centre has been designed with adequate space amenities and accessibility features to support elderly users Activities such as reading yoga cultural interactions indoor games and counselling will be facilitated by trained personnelAccording to officials the project stems from Chief Minister Stalins directive to create inclusive and supportive environments for the elderly especially those living alone or away from familiesThe centres will operate during daytime hours and offer nutritious refreshments health monitoring and wellness programmes in collaboration with the Social Welfare and Health DepartmentsBefore the inaugural event the Chief Minister is scheduled to attend a private function at the residence of Srirangam MLA Palaniyandi Later he will travel to the Pudukkottai district to lay the foundation stone for various developmental projects amounting to Rs 767 crore The event will take place at the Mookambigai College of Engineering in Keeranur where CM Stalin will also inaugurate completed projects distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries and deliver a special addressThe Anbu Cholai initiative represents a crucial step in the governments broader agenda to ensure the welfare and dignity of senior citizens through communitybased support After completing his engagements in Tiruchi and Pudukkottai the Chief Minister is expected to return to Chennai in the eveningDeputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will inaugurate a distinctive welfare initiative the Special Temple Service Scheme for senior couples aged 70 and above at the historic Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathyswamy Temple in Triplicane on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/cm-stalin-to-launch-25-anbu-cholai-recreation-centres-for-senior-citizens-today-647765.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-power-distribution-corporation-to-hold-consumer-grievance-redressal-meet-on-nov-11-647769.html Chennai Nov 10 The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited TNPDCL will conduct consumer grievance redressal meetings on Tuesday at 11 am across four electricity distribution circles Anna Salai Anna Nagar Guindy and Ponneri to address public complaints related to electricity supply billing and service issues According to an official release the meetings are part of TNPDCLs regular outreach initiative to enhance transparency and ensure efficient resolution of consumer grievances Senior officials including executive engineers and assistant engineers from the respective operation and maintenance OampM divisions will preside over the sessions and provide onthespot clarifications wherever possibleConsumers from residential commercial and industrial sectors can attend the meetings to discuss issues such as voltage fluctuations delay in new service connections frequent power outages billing anomalies meter defects and transformer maintenance delaysOfficials will also receive petitions for followup on pending applications and service requestsIn the Anna Salai Circle the meeting will be held at the Office of the Executive Engineer OampM Lapant Street Chintadripet For the Anna Nagar Circle the meeting will take place at the Executive Engineers Office OampM 5th Street 11th Main Road Anna Nagar In the Guindy Circle consumers can participate at the OampM Office KK Nagar Substation For the Ponneri Circle the venue will be the Executive Engineers Office OampM on TH Road Veenpaakam PonneriThe corporation has urged consumers residing within these limits to actively participate and present their concerns directly to officials for speedy redressal and followup action It also requested consumers to bring relevant documents such as copies of electricity bills service connection numbers and previous complaint references to facilitate quick resolutionOfficials added that the initiative is part of TNPDCLs broader efforts to strengthen its consumer interface and ensure that grievances are resolved within stipulated timelinesRegular redressal meetings not only help us improve service delivery but also strengthen trust between the utility and its consumers an official statement noted The corporation encouraged consumers to make use of this platform and contribute to improving power service efficiency across the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/tn-power-distribution-corporation-to-hold-consumer-grievance-redressal-meet-on-nov-11-647769.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-of-a-family-killed-as-roof-of-indira-awas-yojana-house-collapses-in-patna-647783.html Patna Nov 10 In a tragic incident five members of a family were killed when the roof of an old house collapsed in the Diara area under the Danapur Assembly constituency of Patna district The incident took place in Manas Naya Panapur 42 Patti village late Sunday nightThe deceased have been identified as house owner Bablu Khan 32 his wife Roshan Khatoon 30 son Mohammad Chand 10 daughter Rukhsar 12 and their youngest daughter Chandni 2According to locals the family had gone to sleep after dinner when the roof caved inHearing a loud crash neighbours rushed to the spot and found the house completely flattenedPanchayat head Vakil Rai said that after several hours of effort the bodies of all five victims were retrieved from the debrisVillagers said the house was constructed a few years ago under the Indira Awas Yojana scheme and cracks had already developed in the walls and the roof They claimed that the family was financially weak and unable to get repairs doneResidents demanded adequate compensation and immediate assistance from the administrationThe station house officer said the bodies have been sent for postmortem and an administrative inquiry has been initiatedFormer village head CP Singh said several old houses in the Diara belt are in a dilapidated condition and stressed that the administration must take preventive measures to avoid similar incidentsThe tragic accident has caused deep shock in the areaLocals said old structures must be inspected and strengthened regularly and added that proper maintenance and quality monitoring of housing scheme constructions are necessary to avoid such loss of livesThe diara areas have been affected by the flood that recently came in during the Monsoon season this year This is one of the reasons for weakening the structures in the regionThe local police are monitoring the situation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-of-a-family-killed-as-roof-of-indira-awas-yojana-house-collapses-in-patna-647783.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-of-a-family-killed-as-roof-of-house-collapses-in-patnas-danapur-647787.html Patna Nov 10 In a tragic incident five members of a family were killed when the roof of an old house collapsed in the Diara area under the Danapur Assembly constituency of Patna district The incident took place in Manas Naya Panapur 42 Patti village late Sunday nightThe deceased have been identified as house owner Bablu Khan 32 his wife Roshan Khatoon 30 son Mohammad Chand 10 daughter Rukhsar 12 and their youngest daughter Chandni 2According to locals the family had gone to sleep after dinner when the roof caved inHearing a loud crash neighbours rushed to the spot and found the house completely flattenedPanchayat head Vakil Rai said that after several hours of effort the bodies of all five victims were retrieved from the debrisVillagers said the house was constructed a few years ago under the Indira Awas Yojana scheme and cracks had already developed in the walls and the roof They claimed that the family was financially weak and unable to get repairs doneResidents demanded adequate compensation and immediate assistance from the administrationThe station house officer said the bodies have been sent for postmortem and an administrative inquiry has been initiatedFormer village head CP Singh said several old houses in the Diara belt are in a dilapidated condition and stressed that the administration must take preventive measures to avoid similar incidentsThe tragic accident has caused deep shock in the areaLocals said old structures must be inspected and strengthened regularly and added that proper maintenance and quality monitoring of housing scheme constructions are necessary to avoid such loss of livesThe diara areas have been affected by the flood that recently came in during the Monsoon season this year This is one of the reasons for weakening the structures in the regionThe local police are monitoring the situation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/five-of-a-family-killed-as-roof-of-house-collapses-in-patnas-danapur-647787.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajasthan-sir-barmer-chittorgarh-lead-in-voter-count-form-distribution-647819.html Jaipur Nov 10 The Special Intensive Revision SIR of the electoral roll is progressing rapidly across Rajasthan with the distribution of voter count forms surpassing 218 million in just six days covering nearly 40 per cent of the states voters According to Chief Electoral Officer CEO Naveen Mahajan Barmer and Chittorgarh districts have emerged as the top performers each exceeding 50 per cent distribution while Jodhpur Hanumangarh Bikaner and Sirohi trail behind with less than 35 per centCEO Mahajan has issued strict directives to lowperforming districts emphasising that the programme is timebound and must be completed without delayAmong the Assembly constituencies Weir leads with 665 per cent distribution while Ganganagar remains at the bottom with 25 per centHighlighting the growing digital participation Mahajan said voters can now fill and submit count forms online through the Election Commissions digital platform District Election Officers have been instructed to spread awareness via Electoral Literacy Clubs ELCs and local organisationsVideo tutorials have been uploaded on the Election Departments social media channels to guide voters through the online process Voters submitting their forms online must ensure their name matches the 2025 voter list and use an Aadhaarlinked esignature device They need not submit a physical form if the online process is completed successfullyMahajan also shared that Rajasthan is performing strongly in mapping progress with Barmer Salumbar Balotra Nagaur Dausa and Phalodi crossing 75 per cent completion However Jaipur Kota Jodhpur Sriganganagar and Ajmer have been advised to accelerate their effortsChief Electoral Officer Mahajan informed that Rajasthan is leading in mapping related to the SIR process Barmer Salumber Balotra Nagaur Dausa Phalodi districts are leading in this mapping work with more than 75 per cent mapping but the districts where this work still needs to be done with more alertness and promptness are Jaipur Kota Jodhpur Sriganganagar and AjmerThe mapping process will simplify verification allowing voters previously listed in other states to skip document resubmissionMeanwhile Booth Level Officers BLOs have begun uploading completed forms both offline and online through the newly activated BLO app IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/rajasthan-sir-barmer-chittorgarh-lead-in-voter-count-form-distribution-647819.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-to-raise-rs-250-under-ladli-behna-yojana-128-crore-women-to-benefit-647871.html Bhopal Nov 10 As a festive gesture on Bhai Dooj Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav had announced the continuation of the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana with Rs 1500 to be credited to 126 crore the amount will now be paid from November 12 through a singleclick transfer in Madhya Pradeshs Seoni The cabinet meeting on Monday approved the necessary amount for the current months instalments taking the total disbursement since March 2023 to Rs 44000 croreThis year the total financial strain on the state exchequer will be Rs 20450 crore Chaitanya Kashyap the Minister for MSME Micro small and medium enterprises said after the cabinet meetingHe called the scheme a revolutionary step for womens financial independence Now onwards from every month Rs 1500 will reach the accounts of our sisters without any deduction This is their right not charity he saidThe scheme covers women aged 2160 from economically weaker sections including widows divorcees and destitutes The November 12 event in Seoni will see the CM personally oversee the transfer he addedBank correspondents and common service centres have been directed to assist women without smartphones Since its inception the scheme has transformed lives In rural areas women are using the grant for childrens education and healthcareA government survey shows 68 per cent of beneficiaries have opened savings accounts for the first time The cabinet reviewed the inclusion criteria AadhaarEKYC verification has been made mandatory to eliminate bogus entriesUrban beneficiaries will receive SMS alerts 24 hours before credit The state has tied up with India Post Payments Bank for doorstep delivery in remote areas No woman should visit an office for her money the CM directedThe scheme has also boosted local economies Kirana stores report higher sales on transfer dates Opposition parties have demanded an increase to Rs 3000 but the government cited fiscal disciplineWe are committed to Rs 1500 every month without fail Dr Yadav had earlier said The scheme is funded through state resources and savings from DBT rationalisation The Ladli Behna Yojana has become a national talking point Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan have launched similar schemes IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mp-to-raise-rs-250-under-ladli-behna-yojana-128-crore-women-to-benefit-647871.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mygov-india-launches-veer-gatha-50-to-honour-indias-bravehearts-647596.html New Delhi Nov 8 Asserting that Every story of valour deserves to be heard MyGov India the citizen engagement programme of the Union Government on Saturday announced the launch of Project Veer Gatha 50 an initiative aimed at inspiring patriotism among students through stories of Indias gallantry award winners Instituted in 2021 under the Gallantry Awards Portal GAP the project is a joint effort of the Ministry of Defence MoD the Ministry of Education MoE and MyGovIt provides a platform for school students across India to creatively present the heroic tales of soldiers and warriors through poems essays paintings and multimedia projectsOver the years Veer Gatha has witnessed massive participation from 8 lakh students in its first edition to 176 crore in Veer Gatha 40 202425 Both the Defence and Education Ministries have hailed it as a revolutionary effort in shaping civic consciousness among youthVeer Gatha has been a phenomenal success with 8 lakhs participation in Veer Gatha 10 conducted in 202122195 lakhs in Veer Gatha 20 conducted in 202223 137 crore in Veer Gatha 30 conducted in 202324 and 176 crore in Veer Gatha 40 conducted in 202425 it saidIn Veer Gatha 40s felicitation ceremony held on January 25 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the bravery of historical figures like Prithviraj Chauhan King Kharavela of Kalinga and the Cholas urging inclusion of preindependence warriors in the new editionFor Veer Gatha 50 he recommended incorporating technological elements such as videography anchoring and reporting under the theme Samarik Parampara military traditionsThe initiative will also establish a dedicated Veer Gatha Corner in every school to showcase student creativityA total of 100 national winners the Super 100 will be felicitated jointly by the MoE and MoD each receiving a Rs 10000 cash prize State and districtlevel winners will be honoured locallyWith each edition Project Veer Gatha continues to deepen its mission connecting Indias young minds to stories of courage sacrifice and service ensuring that the legacy of the nations heroes lives on through the voices of its students IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mygov-india-launches-veer-gatha-50-to-honour-indias-bravehearts-647596.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-alert-for-southern-tn-showers-in-kanyakumari-tenkasi-647645.html Chennai Nov 9 The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a heavy rain alert for southern Tamil Nadu forecasting intense showers over the next 24 hours in the districts of Kanyakumari Tirunelveli and Tenkasi The weather office warned that the northeast monsoon is set to strengthen bringing widespread rainfall to the southern and delta regions of the state Even before the alert several districts were lashed by rain on Saturday night Kanyakumari district witnessed heavy downpours in Nagarkovil and surrounding areas such as Boothapandi Suchindram and Sunganthakai The nightlong showers cooled the weather soaked the soil and brought relief from humidity Local residents reported waterlogging in a few lowlying areas Madurai district also experienced spells of moderate to heavy rain particularly in Thirupparankundram Thirumangalam Vadakarai Chengulam Karisalpatti and Rayapalayam Streets were slippery and visibility was reduced during the latenight showers Farmers said the rain would benefit standing crops in the region In Karur a steady drizzle continued through the night Motorists and pedestrians braved the wet conditions while mild showers in Coimbatores western suburbs including Perur Pachapalayam Thithipalayam Kalampalayam and Madampatti brought muchneeded respite after several dry weeks Residents said the rain helped recharge open wells and groundwater in the area According to IMD officials heavy rainfall is expected to continue in the hilly belts of Tirunelveli and Tenkasi as well as in Kanyakumari due to a lowpressure trough over the southern peninsula The southern and delta districts including Thoothukudi Ramanathapuram Thanjavur and Nagapattinam are likely to receive more intense showers on Wednesday Meanwhile Chennai may experience light to moderate rainfall accompanied by cloudy skies and gusty winds The authorities have advised residents in the southern districts to stay alert to possible waterlogging and minor landslides as the monsoon gains strength IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/heavy-rain-alert-for-southern-tn-showers-in-kanyakumari-tenkasi-647645.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/panna-miners-first-dig-strikes-rich-farmer-unearths-five-diamonds-647434.html PannaBhopal Nov 7 In a stroke of fortune that has stirred excitement across Madhya Pradeshs diamond belt Brijendr Kumar Sharma a resident of Sirsvaha village in Panna district has unearthed five separate diamonds from the Bharkan mines area marking a dazzling debut in his mining journey Sharma who recently secured his first mining permit in June this year for shallow excavation struck goldfigurativelywhen his modest efforts yielded a total of 579 carats of rough diamonds one 074carat one 229carat one 077carat all brilliant one 108carat and one 091carat offcolour diamondExperts estimate the combined value of the stones could be anywhere from Rs 5 lakh minimum to a maximum of Rs 12 lakh depending on clarity colour and market demand The discovery has not only brought cheer to Sharmas household but also renewed hope among local miners who often brave harsh conditions in pursuit of the elusive sparkle beneath Pannas soilThe Bharkan mines part of the famed Panna diamond reserve have long been a source of livelihood and dreams for hundreds of smallscale miners While largescale commercial operations dominate headlines it is stories like Sharmasof perseverance patience and providencethat capture the spirit of grassroots mining in the regionOfficials from the Mineral Resources Department confirmed the discovery and lauded Sharmas adherence to legal mining procedures This is a great example of responsible mining We encourage more locals to apply for permits and explore opportunities in a regulated manner said a senior officerHis find underscores the potential of shallow mining permits which are typically granted to individuals or small groups for limited excavation often with rudimentary tools and minimal investment said an official at PannaSpeaking to local officials Sharma expressed gratitude for the opportunity and shared his astonishment at the find I never imagined my first attempt would be so rewarding Its a blessing he said beaming with prideThe diamonds have since been deposited with the districts diamond office where they will be evaluated and auctioned as per government protocols As the diamonds await their fate under the auctioneers hammer Kailash Sharmas story has captivated Sirswaha and beyondJust days ago Kailasha Panna Tiger Reserve tour guidepursued his deeper calling in the Krishna Kalyanpur Pati diamond mine working a modest 8x8 leased plot of sunbaked earth Amid the gravel two stones gleamed with promise Though a prominent diamond valuer noted their quality fell short of the five superior gems recently unearthed by Brijendra the upcoming auction is expected to yield more than anticipated IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/panna-miners-first-dig-strikes-rich-farmer-unearths-five-diamonds-647434.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampks-srinagar-records-seasons-coldest-night-so-far-at-02-degrees-647260.html Srinagar Nov 7 With the minimum temperature dropping to 02 degrees Celsius on Friday Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of the season so far while the mercury fell below the freezing point in Gulmarg and Pahalgam hill stations The Meteorological MeT Department officials said Gulmarg recorded minus 26 and Pahalgam minus 3 as the minimum temperature today Due to the recent snowfall in the mountains surrounding the Valley and a clear night sky is expected for the next 10 days the night temperatures are expected to drop further in KashmirDue to the drop in temperatures people have taken to woollens and the Kangri a traditional Kashmiri earthen pot encased in wicker and filled with hot embersWinter dresses like the tweed overgarment called the Pheran and woollen jerseys are worn by locals to avoid catching a cold As winter progresses further the layers of woollens including mufflers and caps are going to increaseA feeble autumn sun provides some relief to baskers during the day but chilly winds blowing into the Valley from snowclad mountains impede the capacity of the Sun to warm the surroundingsThe coldest part of winter is the 40daylong Chillai Kalan that starts every year on December 21 and ends on January 30Most water bodies of the Valley freeze partially during this period as extremely slippery road conditions force commuters and motorists to start the day after the morning hours are over and the temperatures improve marginally during the dayDrinking water taps freeze at most places during the 40daylong Chillai Kalan and people are seen lighting small fires around the water taps to defreeze them in the morningsJammu city had 116 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature on Friday Mata Vaishno Devi base camp town Katra had 121 Batote 61 Banihal 88 and Bhaderwah 45 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/jampks-srinagar-records-seasons-coldest-night-so-far-at-02-degrees-647260.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/stray-dog-menace-sc-issues-fresh-directions-orders-fencing-of-public-places-647265.html New Delhi Nov 7 The Supreme Court on Friday issued a slew of directions to insulate key public spaces from the growing stray dog menace and to clear highways of stray cattle and other animals A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath Sandeep Mehta and NV Anjaria hearing the suo motu matter on stray dog management across the country ordered that every educational institution hospital public sports complex bus stand and railway station must be properly fenced to prevent the entry of stray dogsThe Justice Nathled Bench asked the local municipal bodies to conduct regular pickup drives from such premises and shift the animals to designated shelters after mandatory vaccination and sterilisation under the Animal Birth Control ABC Rules 2023The apex court clarified that dogs removed from these public places should not return to the same spot further directing periodic inspections to ensure that no stray dog habitat is allowed to develop within these premisesThe Justice Nathled Bench also ordered the immediate removal of stray cattle and other animals from highways adding that such animals be shifted to designated shelters without delayChief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories shall ensure strict compliance with this Otherwise officers will be held personally responsible ordered the apex court seeking compliance status reports within eight weeks detailing the mechanisms put in place to implement the directivesEarlier the Supreme Court had expressed displeasure with states and UTs over lapses in enforcing the ABC Rules The Justice Nathled Bench has been examining the matter closely stressing that unchecked incidents involving stray animals not only compromise public safety but also project an embarrassing image of the country internationallyContinuous incidents are happening and the image of the country is being shown as down in the eyes of foreign nations We are also reading news reports it had remarked IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/stray-dog-menace-sc-issues-fresh-directions-orders-fencing-of-public-places-647265.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/varanasi-dazzles-in-divine-splendour-as-dev-deepawali-lights-up-ganga-646978.html New DelhiVaranasi Nov 5 The ghats of Varanasi turned into a celestial panorama on Wednesday evening as lakhs of diyas earthen lamps illuminated the banks of the river Ganga during the grand celebration of Dev Deepawali The divine spectacle often called Diwali of the Gods transformed this ancient Uttar Pradesh city into a shimmering sea of light awe and devotion On this occasion Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared breathtaking aerial images of the festivities on X with a caption Spectacular Dev Deepawali in KashiPM Modi represents the Varanasi constituency in the Lok Sabha He first won the seat in 2014 and is currently an MP for his third consecutive term after being reelected from there in the 2024 general electionsThe pictures showcased the ghats decorated in golden hues as thousands of devotees gathered in reverence while the night sky was painted with vibrant fireworksThe celebration held 15 days after Diwali the festival of lights marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon TripurasuraDevotees on this occasion light earthen lamps across all 88 ghats of Kashi offering prayers and witnessing cultural performances that highlight the citys spiritual grandeurFrom Rajghat to Assi Ghat every stretch along the riverbank was aglow with countless diyas creating a mesmerising reflection against the sacred GangaSeveral buildings and temples were adorned with intricate lighting while boats carrying pilgrims and tourists floated across the river offering a surreal view of illuminated KashiAuthorities had made extensive arrangements to manage the massive flow of visitors ensuring the smooth conduct of the rituals and safety of the crowdsDev Deepawali in Varanasi continues to attract devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad celebrating not just faith but the timeless connection between the Ganga and the spiritual soul of the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/varanasi-dazzles-in-divine-splendour-as-dev-deepawali-lights-up-ganga-646978.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/panel-formed-to-finalise-new-wage-pact-for-tns-tiruppur-knitwear-workers-647008.html Chennai Nov 6 All associations representing manufacturers and exporters in the knitwear sector in Tiruppur Tamil Nadu have come together to form a joint committee to negotiate a new wage agreement with trade unions The decision follows the expiry of the previous fouryear wage pact which ended in September 2025The knitwear hub often referred to as the Knitwear Capital of India sustains nearly 22500 companies and provides employment to about 10 lakh workers including a large number of migrant labourersTraditionally all manufacturers associations in the region jointly negotiate a collective wage agreement with trade unions once every four years to ensure uniformity across the industry With the previous agreement expiring trade unions had been pressing for the immediate commencement of talks to revise wages and benefits Responding to this representatives from six major industry associations met earlier this week and unanimously decided to establish a joint committee to handle all discussions and negotiations related to the new pactThe newly formed committee will include administrators from key associations such as the Tiruppur Exporters Association TEA and the South India Hosiery Manufacturers Association SIHMA among othersThe panel is expected to hold its first round of talks with trade unions on November 20 Officials said the new agreement would be finalised within two months with elections to fill the remaining positions on the committee to be completed shortlyMeanwhile trade unions are preparing detailed proposals seeking significant increases in wages and allowances citing inflation and rising living costs They have demanded that both skilled and unskilled workers receive proportionate hikes with revisions to timebased and piecerate pay structuresIn addition to higher basic wages the unions are also pushing for enhanced benefits such as increased travel and tiffin allowances better housing and educational support and full implementation of statutory employee welfare schemes like the Employees State Insurance ESI and Provident Fund PFIndustry sources indicate that the negotiations are expected to be intense as manufacturers are balancing global market competitiveness with rising domestic labour costs However both sides have expressed optimism that a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached before the end of the year ensuring stability in one of Indias most vital exportoriented industries IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/panel-formed-to-finalise-new-wage-pact-for-tns-tiruppur-knitwear-workers-647008.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/narrow-escape-for-passengers-as-rtc-bus-catches-fire-in-andhra-647018.html Visakhapatnam Nov 6 A bus of the Road Transport Corporation RTC of Odisha was gutted in a fire in Andhra Pradeshs Parvatipuram Manyam district on Thursday There were no casualties A major disaster was averted as the alert driver immediately stopped the bus after noticing smoke and all passengers safely alighted before the flames engulfed the entire vehicleThe accident occurred around 745 am near Roddavalasa in Pachipenta Mandal of Partvatipuram Manyam districtThe Odisha RTC bus was on its way from Visakhapatnam to Jeypore in Odisha There were only five passengers at the time of the accident on the AndhraOdisha ghat roadAccording to police the bus driver noticed smoke coming out from the engine and immediately stopped the bus He alerted the passengers who all alightedA fire engine rushed to the spot to douse the fire However by the time the fire engine reached there the bus had been completely guttedThe cause of the fire was not known Police registered a case and took up an investigationMinister for Women and Child Development and Tribal Welfare Gummadi Sandhya Rani spoke to officials and enquired about the accident She directed officials to conduct an inquiry and submit the reportTelugu states have seen a series of road accidents involving RTC and private buses during the last couple of weeksNineteen people were burnt to death when a private bus caught fire after running over a motorbike lying on the road near Kurnool town of Andhra Pradesh on October 24The bus belonging to V Kaveri Travels was engulfed in flames after the motorbike got stuck under its belly The spark and fuel leakage from the bike triggered the massive blazeA headon collision between a Telangana RTC bus and a tipper truck in Telanganas Rangareddy district on November 3 also claimed 19 lives and left more than 20 injuredThe accident occurred near Mirzaguda in Chevella mandal about 60 km from Hyderabad when a speeding truck carrying construction material rammed into a bus which was going to Hyderabad from Tandur Several passengers were buried under the gravelThe same night a private bus overturned in Andhra Pradeshs Eluru district killing a man and injuring 10 others The accident occurred when the bus belonging to Bharati Travels and coming to Hyderabad from Eluru overturned while negotiating a turn at Jubilee NagarOn November 4 one person was killed and eight others injured when a private bus rammed into a truck in Andhra Pradeshs Sri Sathya Sai districtThe accident occurred near Dhamajipalli in Chennakothapalle mandal when the HyderabadBengaluru bus was negotiating a turn IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/narrow-escape-for-passengers-as-rtc-bus-catches-fire-in-andhra-647018.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pakistan-in-deep-crisis-one-third-of-countrys-youth-jobless-646900.html New Delhi Nov 5 The unemployment rate in Pakistan stands at 78 per cent based on the countrys firstever digital census This translates to approximately 187 million unemployed individuals out of a total population of 2415 million Among the workingage population the unemployment rate is even higher reaching 11 per cent of the 1717 million individuals considered economically active according to an article in the Pakistan Observer newspaperThe article highlights that the unemployment crisis is even deeper than it appears as onethird of Pakistani youth aged between 15 to 35 are currently out of workThe headline unemployment rate fails to account for the millions of young Pakistanis who are neither in education employment nor training NEET This group includes those who have stopped seeking work altogether are engaged in unpaid or informal labour or are trapped in lowproductivity family enterprises the article statesThe labour force participation rate among women is particularly low one of the lowest in the region further exacerbating the NEET problem and sidelining half of the countrys potential workforce the article statesIt points out that structural unemployment where the skills of the labour force do not align with the evolving needs of the economy has become increasingly prevalent Pakistans education system plagued by poor quality and outdated curricula fails to equip students with marketrelevant skills Vocational training is limited and the inclination of educated youth toward public sector jobs which are scarce and highly competitive only compounds the problemPakistans unemployment rate rose to 8 per cent in 2025 with the total labour force projected at 8518 million and an estimated 681 million people unemployed The employment rate hovers around 522 per cent indicating that nearly half of the workingage population is either unemployed or underemployed the article statesInflation foreign exchange crisis the effect of the 2022 and more recent 2025 floods have devastated small businesses and local job markets The World Banks PostDisaster Needs Assessment highlighted billions of dollars in damage and a regression of millions into poverty In the absence of timely designed policy interventions such shocks risk turning otherwise employable youth into longterm economic casualtiesThe article highlights that the implications of youth unemployment extend beyond economics Marginalised youth are more susceptible to poverty forced migration and recruitment into criminal or extremist networks The psychological toll manifesting in hopelessness and despair is profound and corrosiveIn underdeveloped regions young people are trafficked into bonded labour coerced into begging or forced into the sex trade The coal mines of Balochistan have become grim symbols of this exploitation where labourers perish due to the absence of basic safety equipment These tragedies though occasionally reported in the media reflect a deeper systemic failure to protect the youth from predatory forces The lack of employment also fuels a surge in street crimes as young men resort to snatching valuables at gunpoint the article points outIn some madrasas and on social media disenfranchised youth are lured by the promise of respect and power often symbolised by the possession of weapons Such radicalisation is not merely a security threat it is a symptom of a society failing to offer its youth meaningful alternatives the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/pakistan-in-deep-crisis-one-third-of-countrys-youth-jobless-646900.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/after-dispute-with-wife-father-abandons-10-year-old-son-at-india-bangladesh-border-646905.html Kolkata Nov 5 In a shocking incident a father abandoned his 10yearold son far away from home at the IndiaBangladesh border after a fight with his wife said the police on Wednesday The unfortunate incident took place on the Basirhat border in North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday nightAfter being abandoned by his father far away from home the little boy started crying at night in fear and panic Finally the local people in the area moved by the childs plight came to his aid and informed the police alsoOfficers from the Basirhat Police Station took the little boy to the police station and contacted his familyThe 10yearold boys home is in the Kathpol area of Ashoknagar police station in North 24 Parganas districtIt is alleged that his father Pintu Ghosh and mother Madhavi Ghosh often had fights over various issues Recently when a dispute reached its peak the mother left her son at her inlaws house and went to her fathers house A few days had passed from the time the mother left the hapless child with his paternal grandparentsThe police said that on Tuesday night Pintu Ghosh went to his inlaws house to leave his son with his motherHowever the mother did not want to keep her son with her Then the boys father made the unfortunate decision to abandon his son at the IndiaBangladesh borderTaking the childs bag of clothes with him Pintu put his son on the back of his motorbike and sped off towards the IndiaBangladesh border in Basirhat areaAccording to the police the father asked his son to get off the bike near the border and turned the bike around and sped off into the dark of the night leaving the hapless child in a state of shockIn the dark cold night and far away from his parents home in a strange place the boy stood alone trembling with fear and shockWhen the little boy started crying locals rushed to the spot after hearing his wails They comforted him and informed the Basirhat police station The boy was also given food to eatLater he shared his ordeal with the police officers and also gave them the address of his homeThe police assured the terrified child that they would take him home and contacted the boys parentsThe boy has been taken home His parents have been informed Both are being counselled for their irresponsible behaviour said a senior officer of Basirhat district police IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/after-dispute-with-wife-father-abandons-10-year-old-son-at-india-bangladesh-border-646905.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/103-gold-coins-found-beneath-centuries-old-temple-near-tns-javaddu-hills-646718.html Chennai Nov 4 A stunning discovery of 103 antique gold coins from a bygone era has come to light from an ancient Shiva temple near the Javvadu hills in Tamil Nadus Tiruvannamalai district police said on Tuesday The rare find was made at the historic Sivan temple in Kovilur village on Monday Workers engaged in the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum unearthed a mud pot buried beneath the temple floor When it was opened the pot revealed a glittering collection of gold coins neatly stacked and remarkably wellpreservedAccording to police the temple is believed to be several centuries old dating back to the reign of Chola King Rajaraja Cholan IIIThe ongoing renovation of the sanctums inner structure led to the unearthing of the hidden pot which was immediately reported to local authorities Officials from the Revenue Department and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department soon reached the spot and took custody of the coinsThey have initiated steps to examine and preserve the treasure while further verification will be carried out to determine its historical origin and period Experts said the temple bears distinct features of late Chola architecture supporting the theory that it was constructed during the rule of Rajaraja Cholan III in the 13th century Historians believe the coins might belong to the late Chola or early Pandya era a time when gold currency was widely used in temple endowments and trade networks across south IndiaAuthorities clarified that no police case has been registered since the discovery occurred during authorised temple renovation workThe HRampCE Department is coordinating with archaeologists and numismatists to study the coins inscriptions minting patterns and metallic composition to trace their historical significance The discovery has generated great excitement among local residents and heritage enthusiasts who see it as a powerful reminder of Tamil Nadus rich temple legacy and the enduring prosperity of the Chola civilisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/103-gold-coins-found-beneath-centuries-old-temple-near-tns-javaddu-hills-646718.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/neurotoxin-found-in-odishas-ancient-cycad-plants-aiims-bhubaneswar-initiates-research-on-toxicology-646462.html Bhubaneswar Nov 4 In a significant scientific finding with public health implications researchers have detected the presence of BMAA βNmethylaminoLalanine a potential neurotoxin in several species of ancient Cycad plants growing in Odishas forests the AIIMS Bhubaneswar informed in a press statement on Monday The discovery has raised concern as some local communities continue to consume cycadbased foods such as pitha a traditional ricebased cake in Odisha as part of their customary diet and rituals These serious concerns over whether such consumption practices are directly linked to an increased incidence of neurological diseases remain a critical question that has prompted new research initiatives at AIIMS Bhubaneswar To address this burning query a distinguished group of national and international scientists and medical experts recently convened at an international workshop titled CycadRelated Neurological Disorders A MultiDimensional Approach to Its RemediationThe event was jointly organised by the Department of Neurology AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the NorthEastern Hill University NEHU Shillong the statement addedAccording to the AIIMS Bhubaneswar the workshop highlighted the potential health risks associated with cycads an ancient plant species that coexisted with dinosaurs more than 300 million years ago Often used today as ornamental flora cycad species contain potent toxins including Cycacin BMAA βNmethylaminoLalanine and MAM methylazoxymethanolThese compounds have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsonism motor neuron disease and dementia in regions like the Guam Peninsula USA and the Kii Peninsula Japan where cycads have traditionally been part of local dietsAs part of the workshop the experts conducted field visits to villages including Dhuanali in Khordha district and Gangamunda and Suaginali in Kamakhyanagar area of Dhenkanal district In these areas local tribal communities still rely on the Cycas plantknown locally as Veru Odia name Arugunaas a traditional food sourceDuring the visits experts interacted with villagers patients and local healthcare providers to better understand the possible neurological and related health issues arising from the consumption of cycad seeds IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/neurotoxin-found-in-odishas-ancient-cycad-plants-aiims-bhubaneswar-initiates-research-on-toxicology-646462.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ktaka-farmers-intensify-stir-demand-rs-3-500-for-per-quintal-sugarcane-646638.html Belagavi Karnataka Nov 4 Farmers in Belagavi Bagalkot Haveri and several other districts in Karnataka intensified their protest on Tuesday demanding that the state government fix a fair price for sugarcane The agitation supported by the BJP college students and various farmers associations has led to highway blockades and large gatherings across North Karnataka The protesters demanded immediate government intervention and urged the fixation of a minimum support price for sugarcaneThe agitation which has continued for six days has been growing in intensity each day Farmers are demanding that the government adopt the Maharashtra model of pricing and fix the sugarcane price at Rs 3500 per quintalMany schools and colleges remained closed in the Belagavi districtProtesters accused the government of being unresponsive and urged the Chief Minister to warn sugar factory owners to announce the price immediately They warned that if the government continued to side with sugar mill owners the agitation would take a more serious turnIn Gokak farmers blocked highways connecting DharwadAthani and BelagaviGokak Farmers also enforced a total bandh in Hukkeri town blocking roads with JCBs and tractors College students joined the agitation extending their full support to the farmersBJP state President and MLA BY Vijayendra participated in the protest with farmers at Gurlapura village in Mudalgi taluk of Belagavi district For the last six days farmers and sugarcane growers have been agitating The state government should respond positively to their just demands We extend our complete support to the farmers and will stand firmly with them Unfortunately the government has shown no sensitivity to their plight he saidDespite farmers protesting on the streets for six days the ministers from this region including the Agriculture Minister have shown no concern As the opposition party it is our duty to stand by the farmers Sadly Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have become blind to their suffering he criticisedThe farmers associations have weakened and lost influence in many places If the voices of farmers are not reaching Bengaluru it becomes our responsibility to ensure that they do Otherwise we will be failing in our duty Vijayendra addedHe further said that the state government should have at least sent the district incharge ministers to take stock of the situation They should have personally assured the farmers CM Siddaramaiah came by helicopter held a meeting and left Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is busy with the tunnel road project while Siddaramaiah is confined to Bengaluru and Mysuru he chargedAmid the farmers crisis Vijayendra also alleged that there is an ongoing internal power struggle for the Chief Ministers post within the ruling CongressThe JDS wrote on X The government has succumbed to the pressure of sugar factory owners Sugarcane farmers already in crisis due to floods are demanding a price of Rs 3500 per tonne But the antifarmer state government which has bowed before the sugar lobby has failed to respond Farmers across Belagavi Bagalkot Haveri and other districts are staging overnight protests This thickskinned government must fulfil the demands of the farmersHome Minister G Parameshwara responding to the situation said I have asked the Minister for Sugar Shivanand Patil to hold discussions and fix the sugarcane price to resolve the farmers issues Otherwise it will become difficult for the police to handle the situation I discussed the matter with him on MondayMinisters from the region including Satish Jarkiholi and Laxmi Hebbalkar have assured that they will talk to representatives of sugar factories and find a solution On Monday one of the farmers attempted suicide by consuming poison but was fortunately saved by the authorities Such incidents must not be repeated If these cases increase it will become a serious challenge for the police In this background I have spoken to the concerned leaders he saidLeader of Opposition in Assembly R Ashoka in a post on X stated Despite sugarcane farmers in Belagavi and Bagalkot blocking highways and protesting for the past 56 days the antifarmer Congress government in Karnataka has remained unresponsive pushing farmers to such helplessness that some have resorted to consuming poisonMr Chief Minister Siddaramaiah where should these farmers go to express their pain to you or to your Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar Ashoka questionedIs your government alive or dead Where are your socalled strong leaders in Belagavi the selfproclaimed heirs of AHINDA politics Are they busy arranging funds for the Bihar elections engaged in some bankrelated election or have they gone to Delhi to meet the high command he askedYour useless Congress government will not escape the curse of the farmers the true providers of food to this land Ashoka added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/ktaka-farmers-intensify-stir-demand-rs-3-500-for-per-quintal-sugarcane-646638.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kuruvai-paddy-procurement-nears-completion-in-tns-delta-farmers-seek-compensation-for-rain-damage-646243.html Chennai Nov 3 As the Kuruvai harvest draws to a close across the Cauvery Delta the paddy procurement process too is nearing completion under the close supervision of District Collectors Officials said over 90 per cent of the Kuruvai harvest has been completed in Thanjavur Tiruvarur Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts where 199 lakh acres 191 lakh acres 97727 acres and 74667 acres respectively were cultivated this season Following widespread farmer complaints about delays in procurement the number of Direct Procurement Centres DPCs was increased Each centre was directed to procure between 2000 and 3000 bags of paddy daily Collectors in all Delta districts personally inspected the DPCs ensuring smooth transportation of the procured stock to warehouses Officials were instructed to prevent hoarding in front of procurement centres and more than 90 per cent of the procured paddy has already been moved to storage points The state also faced a shortage of gunny bags and jute threads prompting emergency procurement from West Bengal Of the two crore bags ordered 54 lakh arrived by rail at Thanjavur and Kumbakonam on Sunday from Kolkata easing the bottleneck in packing and transportation However farmers remain deeply frustrated over losses suffered due to delays and poor planning With intermittent northeast monsoon showers harvested paddy stacked outside DPCs began to sprout in many places causing major financial distress Delta farmers have demanded compensation of Rs 40000 per acre for the damage caused Farmer association leader KM Selvaraghavan said Out of 613 lakh acres of Kuruvai cultivation around 30 per cent of the crop ready for harvest was submerged in rainwater and destroyed Another 1020 per cent of the harvested paddy sprouted due to continuous rain The poor procurement pace and lack of contingency planning have led to heavy losses He added that around 60000 acres of standing Samba and Thalady crops were also damaged by the rains Farmers have pledged jewellery or borrowed money to cultivate their land but the government still follows an outdated 33 per cent loss assessment method This must change Rs 40000 per acre should be paid as compensation he said Farmers also alleged that despite the Chief Ministers interaction with Delta District Collectors the focus was only on procurement volume not on addressing practical issues such as moisture relaxation rain damage prevention or transportation delays They said repeated appeals on these issues including bribery and logistics problems were ignored leaving them vulnerable once again during the monsoon procurement cycle IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kuruvai-paddy-procurement-nears-completion-in-tns-delta-farmers-seek-compensation-for-rain-damage-646243.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-teen-pushed-off-moving-train-battles-for-life-646260.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 3 The 19yearold girl Sreekutty who was pushed out of a moving train continues to be in critical condition and is battling for her life at the staterun Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital Her grieving grandmother said she is shocked and devastated by the news All of us are praying for her speedy recovery she said holding back tearsThe shocking incident occurred on Sunday aboard the Kerala Express near Varkala when a drunken passenger allegedly pushed Sreekutty off the moving trainThe accused identified as Suresh Kumar 48 of Panachamoodu was overpowered by fellow passengers and handed over to the Railway Protection ForceAccording to Sreekuttys friend Archana who was travelling with her the attack happened around 845 pm in the general compartmentThe two were returning from Aluva after a short trip related to their studiesArchana said the man who appeared intoxicated leaned on them inappropriatelyWhen Sreekutty protested he suddenly kicked her in the midsection throwing her out of the open doorArchana too was kicked but managed to cling to the doors iron bar until other passengers pulled her back insideThe injured girl was found near the Ayanthi overbridge about 15 km from Varkala railway stationSince ambulances could not access the area she was brought to the station by a MEMU train before being rushed to Sree Narayana Mission Hospital and later shifted to the Medical College hereDoctors said Sreekutty suffered internal bleeding but her condition remained extremely seriousPolice said the accused is being interrogated even as the entire state prays for the young students recoverySuresh Kumar is presently in the custody of the police and he has admitted to the crime he committed The police will be producing him before a local court here IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/kerala-teen-pushed-off-moving-train-battles-for-life-646260.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 11:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/startup-founder-orders-veg-biryani-from-behrouz-via-swiggy-gets-non-veg-instead-646276.html New Delhi Nov 3 Startup founder and angel investor Udit Goenka who ordered veg biryani from Behrouz Biryani via food delivery app Swiggy got a rude shock as he got nonveg biryani instead Taking to the social media platform X Goenka shared the plight and called out Swiggy to resume the matterOrdered Veg Biryani from Behrouz and I was delivered nonveg Goenka saidTagging Swiggy he said Resolve this before I go to consumer court He also tagged Behrouz Biryani and stated Suing you guys for thisWhile Behrouz issued an apology on X Swiggy has yet to immediately respond to the post on the platformHi Udit That is certainly not the experience we intend for our customers and we apologise as your experience has been hampered Kindly DM us your Order ID and contact number so that we can fix this for you RB Behrouz posted on XThe post also garnered much attention with people asking Goenka not to order veg from a nonveg restaurantThis is not the first time Swiggy and Behrouz Biryani have made the blunderEarlier in April a woman took to her Instagram handle to slam Swiggy for delivering nonveg food to her during Navratri a highly auspicious time of the yearIn July a UPSC teacher on X posted a clip of a bowl of soup claiming his family had ordered a vegetarian soup from a premium restaurant via Zomato but received a nonvegetarian soup insteadLast year the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Telangana and Punjab slapped a fine on Swiggy for delivering nonvegetarian food to vegetarian customersThe Commission ordered a collective fine of Rs 10000 on Swiggy and a Madhapurbased restaurant in April and slapped a fine of Rs 50000 on Swiggy and Behrouz Biryani in JulyMeanwhile Swiggy has reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 1092 crore for the quarter ended September Q2 FY26 widening from a loss of Rs 626 crore in the same period last fiscal Q2 FY25The loss is attributable to the owners of the company the company informed in its stock exchange filing IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/startup-founder-orders-veg-biryani-from-behrouz-via-swiggy-gets-non-veg-instead-646276.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/free-coaching-classes-for-tnpsc-to-begin-in-chennai-from-today-646187.html Chennai Nov 2 Free coaching classes for aspirants preparing for Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission TNPSC Group 1 2 2A and 4 examinations will commence in Chennai on Sunday The initiative launched ahead of the expected announcement of the 2026 TNPSC recruitment schedule aims to provide quality guidance and support to candidates from marginalised and economically disadvantaged backgroundsThe programme is being organised by the Ambedkar Education and Employment Training Centre with support from the All India Insurance Employees Association and the Tamil Nadu Prohibition Eradication FrontOver the past 14 years this governmentsponsored initiative has helped more than 1300 candidates secure positions in both state and central government servicesAccording to the organisers the classes are open to aspirants from the Scheduled Castes SC the Scheduled Tribes ST and the economically weaker sections across all communitiesThe sessions will be conducted every Saturday and Sunday from 930 am to 445 pm at the training centre in Chennai The weekend sessions are designed to help candidates systematically cover the TNPSC syllabus and gain a better grasp of the exam structureThe coaching will feature lectures by experienced trainers interactive group discussions and model tests that simulate real exam conditionsThe organisers said these methods have consistently improved candidates confidence and analytical skills helping them perform better in competitive examinationsThe focus is not just on completing the syllabus but on ensuring conceptual clarity and practical understanding the organisers said in a joint statementThey added that the initiative has been particularly beneficial for firstgeneration graduates and those unable to afford private coachingInterested candidates can register directly at the centre by bringing a passportsize photograph and valid address proof Admission will be on a firstcome firstserved basis the organisers saidThe training centre named after Dr BR Ambedkar has been instrumental in promoting education and employment opportunities among underprivileged sections of societyWith the upcoming TNPSC recruitment cycle expected to attract thousands of applicants across Tamil Nadu the organisers expressed hope that this free coaching initiative will provide a level playing field for deserving candidates IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/free-coaching-classes-for-tnpsc-to-begin-in-chennai-from-today-646187.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bihars-jeevika-didi-kitchens-turn-aspirations-into-reality-for-thousands-of-women-646095.html Bihar Sharif Nov 1 The Jeevika Didi kitchens in Bihar are doing more than serving meals they are changing the lives of women across the state turning aspirations into reality and empowering them to become selfreliant From humble beginnings to financial independence the programme has become a beacon of hope for thousands of women Pushpa a Jeevika Didi for over 15 years shared her experience with IANS I have been associated with the Jeevika canteen for five years Earlier we lived in the village and struggled with small loans and limited income Now working in this canteen has transformed our lives My children are getting an education and we live comfortablyThis programme has taught me a lot and given me the chance to meet officials and learn new skills I am hopeful that with government support we will continue to progress and even start our own business I received Rs 10000 from the scheme which I used to buy a sewing machine This will help me earn more and I am grateful for the governments initiativeSujanti Devi another Jeevika Didi echoed similar sentiments Working in the kitchen has brought immense benefits Earlier we did manual labour in the village and could barely support our childrens education Now I earn regularly manage my household and my children study well With the Rs 10000 support from the Nitish Kumar government I bought a pushcart for my husbands transport work reducing our reliance on loans I feel independent and stressfreeSanju Devi who previously worked as a craftsperson in Delhi said Being part of Jeevika Didi kitchens in Bihar has completely changed my life I now stay with my children save on rent and earn a regular salary We also received Rs 10000 which I used to improve my husbands erickshaw Programmes like these make women selfreliant and we are grateful to the Nitish governmentEven the beneficiaries of the kitchens appreciate the initiative Shreekant Kumar a regular customer said For Rs 40 I get a full hygienic meal with vegetables rice lentils and chutney The food is clean tasty and comparable to private restaurants Programmes like Jeevika Didi kitchens benefit ordinary citizens and deserve full support It is heartening to see the governments focus on empowering women and providing nutritious affordable meals to the public All the Jeevika Didis beamed with joy when reminded of Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to make them Lakhpati Didis Sharing their happiness with IANS they said they would always remain grateful to PM Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their visionary plan to empower them financiallyThrough Jeevika Didi Bihar is not only ensuring food security but also nurturing women entrepreneurs paving the way for a new generation of financially independent Lakhpati Didis IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/bihars-jeevika-didi-kitchens-turn-aspirations-into-reality-for-thousands-of-women-646095.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/birsa-munda-anniversary-tribal-affairs-ministrys-fortnight-long-celebrations-begin-tomorrow-645914.html New Delhi Oct 31 The Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced the start of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada from Saturday marking the grand culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda on November 15 The twoweeklong celebrations will be organised across the country through the concerted efforts of Tribal Research Institutes TRIs Eklavya Model Residential Schools EMRSs TRIFED and NSTFDC highlighting the rich legacy culture and contributions of Indias tribal communities and Tribal Freedom Fighters said the MinistryThe Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada from November 115 aims to celebrate the achievements and progress made under key initiatives such as PM JANMAN Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission DAJGUA and various livelihood and entrepreneurship programsAs part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada leading up to Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2025 States and Union Territories are organising a series of events showcasing tribal culture heritage and achievements said an official statementFrom a Tribal Frames Film Festival in Manipur and Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Folk Art Festival in Chhattisgarh to Tribal Melas in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Janjatiya Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat Aadi Khel Diwas in Uttarakhand and Mahasammelans in Goa the celebrations embody the spirit of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh uniting the nation in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Mundas enduring legacyThe Pakhwada will feature cultural festivals exhibitions youth engagements and awareness drives culminating on November 15 Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas with nationwide celebrations paying tribute to Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda whose courage and sacrifice ignited Indias tribal freedom movement and continue to inspire generationsThe celebrations will culminate on November 15 Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas with nationwide events paying tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda whose courage and sacrifice ignited Indias tribal freedom movement and continue to inspire generationsThe Ministry invited all citizens to join the celebrations Honouring 150 Years of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Celebrating 11 Years of Tribal Empowerment as the nation collectively pays homage to the heroes of its tribal heritage and reaffirms its commitment towards inclusive and sustainable development the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/birsa-munda-anniversary-tribal-affairs-ministrys-fortnight-long-celebrations-begin-tomorrow-645914.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mobile-apps-asking-for-location-can-leak-significant-private-information-iit-delhi-645566.html New Delhi Oct 30 Mobile apps asking for access to location may be leaking your significant private information including your activity environment and even the layout of the room or floor you are in according to an alarming study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi on Thursday The study published in the journal ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks focussed on AndroCon the first system to demonstrate that the finegrained GPS data already accessible to Android apps with precise location permissions can act as a covert sensorWithout using the camera microphone or motion sensors AndroCon was found to interpret nine lowlevel GPS parameters such as the Doppler shift signal power and multipath interference to infer whether someone is sitting standing lying down inside a metro on a flight in a park or in a crowded outdoor space They could also infer if the room is crowded or empty said researchers led by Soham Nag M Tech Student at the Centre of Excellence in Cyber Systems and Information Assurance IIT DelhiTo turn the noisy raw data into clear insights the team combined classical signal processing with modern machine learningAcross a yearlong study spanning 40000 sq km and a lot of different phones AndroCon achieved up to 99 per cent accuracy in detecting surroundings and over 87 per cent accuracy in recognising human activities even subtle ones like handwaving near the phone said Prof Smruti R Sarangi Computer Science and Engineering Dept IIT DelhiThe same framework can also sketch indoor floor maps identify rooms staircases and elevators with a margin of error under 4 metres using only GPS patterns and user trajectoriesWhile AndroCon opens exciting possibilities for contextaware privacyrespecting smart services it also exposes a critical security gap Any Android app with precise location permissions could potentially infer sensitive contextual information without explicit user consent the team saidThis study reveals an unseen side of GPS a powerful but silent channel that can sense the world around us AndroCon turns the everyday smartphone into an unexpectedly precise scientific instrument and a reminder that even the most familiar technologies still hold hidden secrets that can be misused by malicious entities Sarangi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/human-interest/mobile-apps-asking-for-location-can-leak-significant-private-information-iit-delhi-645566.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:36:00 +0530 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